The servant picked up the untouched food and hurriedly left. At the doorway, she spotted Madelyn approaching."Miss Jent."Madelyn glanced at her and asked, "He still hasn't eaten?"The servant nodded with concern, saying, "You should go check on him."Madelyn glanced at the closed study door. "Please prepare some food again," she instructed."Alright."With a medicine box in hand, Madelyn stood in the hallway. She raised her hand to knock on the door but hesitated. The soft, warm glow from the overhead lamp cast a gentle light on her youthful face, her expression inscrutable. Without further ado, she pushed open the door and walked in. An overwhelming smell of tobacco hit her, and she noticed shattered teacups on the floor. Madelyn wasn't sure where to step amidst the broken porcelain. Carefully making her way forward, she took a seat beside him and smiled. Ethan felt the space beside him sink before he could react. He didn't even get a chance to look when she pinched off his
In front of the French windows, the sunlight cast its final glow. Madelyn kept her head down, buttoning Ethan's nightshirt."When you graduate, let's announce our engagement," said Ethan.Ethan watched her closely, and her fingers paused on the buttons for a few seconds. After a while, he heard her reply, "Sure."But the next day, the entire Ventropolis was buzzing with the news:[Arnold Corporation CEO to Marry the Daughter of the Jent Family][Good News on the Horizon: Arnold Corp's CEO to Announce Engagement with Jent Family's Daughter][Exclusive Scoop: Congrats, Arnold Corp's CEO, on Your Upcoming Nuptials]On the way to school, Ethan held the newspaper she had picked up today. The headlines were hard to ignore."I'm not ready yet," Madelyn admitted.Madelyn was dressed in her school uniform, with her backpack on her lap. Her long hair was tied up with a green ribbon, and a few loose curls framed her face. She looked at Ethan and said, "I'm not ready for the official an
"She hasn't been to class? What has she been doing?" Ethan inquired.Leyton replied, "She's been in the school's art studio. But as far as I know, she has also applied for the entrance exam for Ventropolis College of Art. The exam is scheduled for next month. If she scores first, she'll get a direct admission offer. However, this year, over three million students applied for art majors, but there are only 230 spots available. Getting the top score won't be easy.""Regardless of whether she gets in or not, even if she doesn't further her study, I can afford to take care of her. Drive back to the company."In the classroom, as Madelyn walked down the hallway, she overheard a group of students whispering."Madelyn is really lucky! I thought she and Ethan were done, but in the blink of an eye, she's become the future Mrs. Arnold. I wonder how many people envy her now.""Didn't Ethan Arnold cheat on her? She hasn't been to school for a while, and who knows if she used some method to se
"Thanks," Madelyn replied.Kennedy interjected, "These notes won't really help you. Like Mr. Newton says, practice more, and if you don't get it, just ask.""Okay."The bell for the next class rang.But Madelyn had her own secret plans. She believed there was more than one way to reach her goal. What she was doing, she did for herself.As soon as the first class ended, Madelyn sneaked away to the same spot she'd been visiting a lot lately. 'I can make it happen in a month...'..."Engaged? Wishful thinking," Zach muttered as he ripped the newspaper in his hand, tearing the picture of Ethan and Madelyn right down the middle."Where's Donna Jolie?" he asked.Kevin replied, "She's doing what you told her. We should catch the news this afternoon. But Donna shelled out a lot to hire a hacker to trace our last phone call. She wants to figure out who's pulling the strings behind the scenes."Zach removed his gold-rimmed glasses, leaned back, and crossed his left leg over the right o
Donna's TV interview caused quite a stir in Ventropolis. People were talking about it everywhere.The reporter asked, "Ms. Jolie, you've known Ethan Arnold, the CEO of Arnold Corporation, for a long time. Why didn't you two get together later on? Were there reasons for this?"Donna said, "Indeed, there were reasons..."Donna on TV looked tired. She seemed different from her usual glamorous self. Now, she looked like someone who needed help from others.The PR department quickly told Ethan about this.People were sitting in front of their TVs, eager to hear what Donna would say next. But suddenly, the live broadcast was cut off. The screen turned all fuzzy, and nobody could see anything."What a buzzkill! Why did they cut it off?""Who knows! If the CEO really liked her, why did he get engaged to someone else?""Poor Donna. They were together for so long, and now they've broken up. Maybe someone got in the way?"At Ventropolis News, some men in black suits came in without sayin
Ethan wanted to see Donna behind bars. She fiercely resisted as the police led her away, screaming and wrestling with the officers. However, despite her determined efforts, Donna couldn't break free. They restrained her with handcuffs and escorted her directly to the police station.Leyton got back to Ethan within an hour.Arnold Corporation soon released an official statement: [Regarding Donna Jolie's statements in today's live broadcast, our investigation has verified them as false. We urge everyone to exercise caution. Any further attempts to spread false information about Arnold Corporation will result in legal action, and those held responsible will be accountable for any harm inflicted upon Arnold Corporation. Immediate legal actions have already been set in motion in response to today's groundless accusations against our CEO.]The statement also announced the engagement of Ethan Arnold, the CEO of Arnold Corporation, to Madelyn Jent, the daughter of the Jent family. Their e
Ethan had cooked a few dishes, just enough for the two of them."Have a taste of this," Ethan said, handing Madelyn a piece of honey-flavored pork rib.Madelyn took a bite and exclaimed, "Yummy!""Yeah, I made all your favorites," he replied with a smile.Madelyn thought, 'His cooking is always delicious.'After dinner, Madelyn went to Ethan's study. He was working on important stuff for his company, and she quietly focused on her practice papers. Even though she wasn't going to regular classes, she had her own study plan. The current class progress didn't matter much to Madelyn. She had a goal to boost her grades in just two months, and it was proving to be a bit tough.But because she already had a good foundation in her subjects, it wouldn't be too hard, just a little challenging.Ethan had his headphones on, listening to Leyton's report. "Mr. Arnold, about the dress for the engagement, should we arrange for the designer to meet with Miss Jent this weekend for her to choose?
"I say I'll always be by your side forever. If you don't like him, you shouldn't force yourself."Madelyn sat up, "I think I do like him, but it's just taking me some time to get used to it. I... I don't know. What about you? Do you like him?""It's your choice. As long as you like him, I will accept him.""I don't even know if this is the right thing to do. What about you... did you like Father? How did you get together in the first place?"In an instant, the figure by the bed didn't answer and disappeared.The next morning, the first rays of light broke through.These past few days had been calm, without a single ripple. However, the calmer it was, the harder it was for Madelyn to find peace of mind.This weekend, Madelyn had hoped to sleep in, but the commotion of a servant knocking at her door disturbed her."Miss Jent, it's time to wake up. Mr. Arnold is waiting for you downstairs.""Alright," Madelyn mumbled groggily, then quickly turned over and went back to sleep.The
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