Yvonne was baffled by her own feelings: she had fallen for a much older man despite her status and countless options. Men were falling head over heels to be with her, but Zach had captured her heart like no other. For the first time, she had experienced the pain of rejection. When not around him, her mind was filled with thoughts of him. If she did not keep herself busy, he became all she could focus on. She had hoped she could move on.'Is he into Jadie or Madelyn? Madelyn's set to marry my older brother. If he's really interested in Jadie... But what about the way he gazes at Madelyn? He doesn't look at Jadie like that. Maybe Zach sees Jadie as just family. If Madelyn goes through with the wedding, I might still stand a chance. The Arnold family's influence far outweighs Zach's. No matter Mom's opinion, I have a way of making things happen.'At Arnold Corporation, Leyton debated sharing crucial news with Ethan, worried Ethan might be too soft-hearted. 'With Madelyn's engagement cer
"Forgot who you're working for?" Ethan's voice was icy. Doubt flashed in his eyes, but he was firm in his choice. He knew the consequences of his decision today but felt he had no other option. "She'll get it," he told Leyton, then drove off from the office.Leyton pursed his lips, deep in thought. 'I hope Mr. Arnold doesn't end up regretting this. If Ms. Jent had other options, she might not have chosen to get engaged to him. She's just trying to escape her current situation. With her talent, she made it into Ventropolis College of Art. Someday, when she no longer needs him, he's going to really regret it.'The highway was a mess. There were two wrecked silver cars, but the driver who caused the crash was nowhere to be found. A police officer said, "Mr. Arnold, by the time we arrived, one of the cars had already exploded."Ethan, with wild eyes, grabbed the officer by the collar. "Who told you to chase her?"Other officers quickly stepped in to break them apart. One of them said,
Donna already knew the answer.An hour and a half later, the villa's front door swung open. The code? Her birthday.'See, he still remembers.'Upon seeing Donna, Ethan was filled with fury. But as he noticed the scars on her face and arms, along with the clothes from the psychiatric ward she was wearing, his anger slowly faded. He stared at her with a troubled look. "Who got you out of prison? I don't have time for your games."Ethan was about to leave when Donna's voice, filled with hysteria, halted him. "I was imprisoned because of a comment you made! Do you realize the torment I endured? They held me down, cutting me with sharp blades, leaving marks all over my arms and body. They labeled me as delusional, shameless, and so much worse!"After I said, 'We used to be together,' they turned against me. Everyone acted like they could push me around. I was brutally attacked, almost killed. If someone hadn't found me in the nick of time and put me in a mental hospital, I'd be gone by
After the exam, Madelyn waited at the school entrance, her umbrella shielding her from the rain that had dampened her long stockings. Ethan usually picked her up and was rarely late. When ten minutes passed without seeing him, she tried calling him. Her phone indicated that his number was out of service. With a shiver, she sent him a text but received no reply. 'We had our engagement photo shoot today. There must be a good reason for him being late.' She considered contacting Ethan's assistant, Leyton, but then remembered she did not have his number.As the rain intensified, Madelyn took shelter in a convenience store and pulled out her homework from her backpack. After a while, an employee approached. "Excuse me, it's almost eight. We're closing.""Sorry, I lost track of time. I'll head out."Madelyn quickly packed her things, amazed at how much time had passed. Outside, it was already dark. Apart from a few Ventropolis High School students leaving their evening classes, the street
Madelyn wrapped up her dinner swiftly and made her way upstairs.She couldn't afford any distractions now. With exams just around the corner in less than ten days, she needed to be on top of her game, even if she had already secured her spot at Ventropolis College of Art.A slip-up on this test wasn't an option.By 11:30 PM, having committed a series of Etlinish phrases to memory, she set her book aside. She was about to switch off the lights and sink into sleep when her cat leaped onto the bed, making itself comfortable by her pillow, its paws kneading rhythmically.Leaving a soft glow from the bedside lamp, Madelyn stroked its fur. "Even all grown up, you still bake cookies. Goodnight, Ginger."As she settled in with her eyes shut and hands tucked under her chin, sleep took her swiftly.It was half-past two when Ethan got back.Upon noticing the small wound on Ethan's lip, the servant knitted her eyebrow. "Mr. Arnold," she began, recognizing the type of wound and drawing from
Madelyn paused to take a sip from her glass. The weight of Ethan's words dispelled her sleepy haze, and her mind began to race.The soft ticking of the living room clock filled the brief silence. After a moment's reflection, she met Ethan's eyes, her lips pursed thoughtfully. "Alright then, should I move out?" she asked.There was an eerie calm to her demeanor, no trace of irritation discernible in her voice.She had observed, of late, that the warmth once evident in Ethan's eyes when he looked at her had dwindled. It was as though he now regarded her as a stranger, his gaze searching, almost as if he sought to peer into her very soul. This shift in his attitude hadn't come out of nowhere. His frequent late-night returns and prolonged absences were clues she couldn't ignore.Madelyn wasn't naive, nor was she oblivious on the matter. She had experienced what it was like to love someone deeply and unconditionally. She figured that he would not easily forget Donna, whom he had loved s
Ethan set aside his newspaper and got up from the couch. "We're only pushing the date of the engagement party. We can easily adjust the invitations," he remarked, directing a scrutinizing look toward Madelyn, as if trying to gauge her feelings.Evelyn sharply retorted, "Hold on, Ethan. I didn't ask for your input. Remember, you were the one adamant about this marriage. The entire Ventropolis is aware of it now. If you pull the plug on the engagement party at this stage, have you considered the talk that will follow? Or how Madelyn might be feeling?"It was rare for Evelyn to use such a stern tone with Ethan.Madelyn, feeling a lump in her throat, kept her eyes lowered. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke up, "...maybe Ethan's just not sure yet. His decision might be due to reasons we aren't privy to."She continued, "I get it; this is a big decision. For now, I'm cool with pushing it back. I'll talk to my father about it; he'll be fine.With a sigh, she said, "And with exam
Ethan's temper blazed. He sped to school, jamming the gas pedal down with every ounce of his vexation.Madelyn was baffled by the sudden shift in his demeanor. The air in the car was thick with tension."Out. Now."Madelyn unbuckled her seatbelt and silently got out of the car.As she walked further away, Ethan's eyes followed, seething with anger and jealousy. 'How could she betray me like this? Should I even consider forgiving her? How am I expected to just overlook this and go on? Despite everything, my love for her is undeniable, yet she's deceived me more times than I care to count,' he pondered.In a fit of frustration, Ethan's hand crashed against the car window. The impact was so forceful that the skin at the base of his fingers split open, letting a few drops of blood escape.For what felt like an eternity, Ethan's car stood idle at the school's entrance. Inside, he grappled with his tumultuous emotions, trying to calm the internal tempest. Clasped in his hand was a ring
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