Zach stared at Randall with a cold look as he sat next to the trembling intern, Maybelline Forde. He approached with a stoic expression. The head of the Business Development Department came over, smiling, and said, "Ms. Forde, get up quick! Mr. Jardin wants to sit next to Mr. Burton."Maybelline seemed like she had found a lifeline. "O-Okay." But before she could stand up, Randall grabbed her. "Mr. Jardin's presence won't stop us from having a drink. You can't even handle alcohol; how are you going to seal a business deal? You must be fresh out of school! Come on... I'll teach you.""Mr. Burton, I don't need your help in educating our staff," Zach said as he gripped Randall's wrist, applying pressure.The atmosphere suddenly froze.Randall's wrist hurt, but he kept his cool, considering there were people watching. In the end, he compromised. He chuckled, "I was just kidding, Mr. Jardin. Don't take it seriously. Come, have a seat, let's have a drink together, we can discuss everythi
Kevin didn't know what Zach was up to, but Zach's actions at the casino today left him feeling puzzled. He thought, 'Mr. Jardin seems to be deliberately losing to Mr. Burton.'But no matter what Zach did, he always inspired an inexplicable trust in people. Even if it meant something as serious as a crime, Kevin had enough faith in him."Mr. Jardin?" Kevin looked at Zach, who seemed lost in thought. He wondered, 'Could he be thinking about Ms. White?' After a moment, he concluded, 'Well, it makes sense. Mr. Jardin and Ms. White have been close since they were kids, and that happened to Ms. White at the Young residence!'Tonight, Randall was still basking in his belief that he could outsmart everyone. Little did he know that his every move was being closely monitored by them.The deal they were negotiating with the Burton family's company was nothing more than a trap, leading Randall to his downfall.Kevin had been by Zach's side for many years, and he knew Zach well. He was ruthles
Kai left after dropping his remark. Zach stared at his departing figure and felt somewhat displeased.Hearing Kai's words, Jadie felt unease. "Zach... why were you talking about Madelyn? What happened to her?"Zach cleared his throat, feeling the pain in his stomach again. He didn't want anyone to see him in this miserable state.Back when Madelyn used to be around, he rarely felt this kind of pain. She would go to great lengths to make him drink less. She was practically glued to him all the time. Whether it was during work or social events, even if he had a drink with a potential client, she would scold that potential client to make sure he drank less. Sometimes, her actions even cost him potential clients, and Hayson punished her for it. And for every meal, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, she would personally bring it to him.Since Madelyn stopped pestering him, he always felt like something was missing.Zach replied, "It's nothing. Why aren't you resting at this hour?"Jad
The next morning, as Zach and Jadie shared the same car, Jadie sat grumpily in the passenger seat. They didn't exchange a single word during the entire ride.Zach rested his eyes, sensing the unusual silence. Upon arriving at the school gate, Jadie didn't utter a single word. She simply opened the car door and stepped out.Kevin reminded her, "Ms. White, your breakfast."Jadie ignored him and went straight into the school.Kevin, worried, said, "Mr. Jardin, Ms. White is still young. Maybe... you should try to be a bit more understanding?"Zach's eyes blinked open, and as he glanced around, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance.Madelyn was holding a paper bag filled with fried gnocchi from a roadside stall while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. As she walked, a dog suddenly ran up to her and barked. Startled, she dropped her fried gnocchi on the ground. She panicked and even spilled her hot chocolate, then quickly ran into the school. A security guard promptly chased t
Back in the classroom, Madelyn had barely taken her seat when she noticed Jadie. She hadn't anticipated Jadie's discharge so soon. 'Well, the Math Olympiad is just around the corner,' she thought.Today marked Madelyn's return to the Math Olympiad team. If she managed to pass the test, all that remained was completing the remaining courses and patiently awaiting graduation, and most of what she wanted to achieve would already be halfway done.Madelyn went about her day as usual. In the afternoon, Mya asked her to have lunch together. On their way to the cafeteria, Madelyn felt that many people were looking at her. She noticed that the girls who were looking at her were holding some magazines. Madelyn didn't pay much attention to what others were doing. After lunch, she had to attend the Math Olympiad training class.Mya said, "Madelyn, don't you find them strange? It's like everyone is looking at you!"Madelyn had the same feeling, and she questioned, "Is there something on my fa
Donna, wearing knee-high boots, confidently strode toward the CEO's private elevator.The receptionist's new colleague asked curiously, "Who is she? Why is she dressed so strangely?"Long-time employees at Arnold Corporation were aware that Ethan had a high school girlfriend in the past. For some unknown reason, she had wanted to break up with the CEO. Then, in a mysterious turn of events, they were both involved in a car accident on the highway, which nearly took Ethan's life. That ex-girlfriend of Ethan was Donna.Arnold family had kept this incident quiet, and not many people outside were aware of it. Donna had somehow disappeared afterward.Donna and Ethan's relationship had been highly publicized in the past. Not only did the entire Arnold Corporation know of her existence, but even the Arnold family, despite their reservations about her, dared not do anything against her because of Ethan's protection. After all these years, she had returned.After an hour-long meeting, Leyto
Upon seeing Ethan outside the door, Donna placed the photo she had been holding down and stood up with a smile. "Long time no see!"Ethan's demeanor suddenly turned ice-cold, and he stepped closer. "Who let you in? I told you not to appear in front of me."Donna traced her fingers along the desk's edge as she approached him. "But it was you who desired to meet, wasn't it? Remember that night you spent with me."Ethan's response was curt. "That's enough, Ms. Jolie." He then turned to Leyton, instructing, "Have the security department escort her out and ensure she never enters the company premises again. Also, fire the receptionist who allowed her in."Leyton nodded and said, "Yes, sir."Clearly wanting to avoid any further interaction, Ethan left the office.As Ethan walked away, Donna called out, "Ethan, don't you want to know why I left in the first place?"Leyton glanced at Ethan then Donna. In Donna's eyes, he detected a hint of sadness.Ethan continued his departure without
Donna thought to herself, 'Why doesn't he keep his promise?'She had been alone in a foreign land when she received those photos from a private investigator. These images showed him intimately involved with another woman, prompting her to yearn for the truth.When she finally saw the photo on his office desk at Arnold Corporation, the undeniable proof shattered her world.Gazing at the imposing Arnold Corporation building, Donna struggled to contain the bitterness welling up within her. With a heavy heart, she left the scene behind.As she walked away, tears welled up unexpectedly, smudging her makeup. Lost in her thoughts, she walked aimlessly, oblivious to the curious stares and distancing gestures of passersby.A few minutes later, a black car pulled up in front of Donna, and a bodyguard in a black suit got out of the car."Ms. Jolie," he said, "Mrs. Arnold Sr. is aware of your return. She requests your presence. Please step into the car."Collecting herself, Donna entered th
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and