It was quiet in the private room. Dorian invited everyone to take their seats.However, it did not take long for someone to curiously ask, "Madelyn, isn't Mr. Jardin your brother? Why does it seem like you're not very close to him?"It was an intern who said that. She unknowingly had crossed a line.Clement frowned as he gave the intern a warning look. She immediately sensed something and hurriedly covered her mouth, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to ask that. I won't ask anymore."Madelyn just smiled faintly. She calmly explained, "It's fine. We were indeed siblings before. But after my father passed away, I didn't really have any relationship with him anymore. Moreover, there's no such thing as a free lunch. There's always a price to pay after taking someone else's things. That was a two-million-dollar bottle of wine... I won't be able to save up two million dollars even if I work at the studio for more than ten years."Someone asked, "What about the viral news that said you two we
Madelyn had not seen fireworks in a long time. She said, "Sure. Let me go to the restroom first."After exiting the private room, she followed a waiter's guidance to the restroom. In the relatively quiet corridor, she overheard voices from inside the restroom.Two girls were touching up their makeup and fixing their hair in front of the mirror."What's so great about her for Dorian and Clement to focus all their attention on her? We can do what she does!""Yes! I've had a two-million-dollar wine, too. She looked so arrogant, as if everyone was indebted to her. So she has a wealthy brother; what's so impressive about that?""Her brother probably doesn't even acknowledge her anymore. I bet she's just pretending to be rich in front of us.""None of us are as pretentious as her. Who knows if that bottle of wine was even real!"Madelyn turned around and walked away indifferently.She did not return to the room. Instead, she found a quiet place to sit.A faint light illuminated the
The two girls thought, 'If we drink it all, we'll die. But we can't just say no to his orders.... Didn't Madelyn say she has no relationship with him? Why did Mr. Jardin say she's his wife? If we'd known that, we would've never said what we said in the restroom."Zach returned to the private room. Cecilia looked at his gloomy face as she walked toward him. She reached out to tidy up his collar, "I'm so jealous of her. You won't scold her no matter what she says. When can I have such privilege, too?"Zach pushed her away before picking up the car key on the table and leaving.Cecilia immediately shouted to stop him, "Zach! You aren't allowed to go back tonight! I spent thirty billion dollars to make you happy; can't you treat me better? Can't you even spend a night with me?"She ran to him and hugged him tightly from behind. Perhaps due to the influence of alcohol, Cecilia's emotions seemed very intense. She said, "I don't mind you marrying Madelyn. But can't you stay with me today?
Her gentle voice disappeared in the loud fireworks. Many people came out to watch them.Madelyn held a snowflake, which melted in her palm as she left.She felt disconnected from the lights and the lively atmosphere behind her. She gradually walked further away from the noise.Madelyn preferred to be alone rather than enjoying the lights. She had never liked being alone before. But now, she was all alone.Madelyn wrapped her scarf tighter around her. She buried half of her face in it. After walking a short distance, she reached the lively streets.Although it was in the middle of the night, many people were still walking on the streets. It was very crowded.Madelyn remembered that in the past, people rarely hung out on the main streets of Ventropolis at this hour.She lifted her head and saw the lively scene. After pondering for a moment, she turned around and decided to walk toward a quiet alley. The sound of fireworks behind her gradually faded.A black car followed her from
Now, when Madelyn talked to Zach, her tone was indifferent. Even the disdain in her eyes seemed to have vanished.Madelyn treated him as if he were invisible. She grabbed a dry towel and left the room. Instead of going to the master bedroom, she went to the art room.Tonight, she still had to work overtime to complete the project.Perhaps, due to the influence of alcohol, Zach felt a strong emotion that he could not restrain. Usually, he was very good at self-control. But when Madelyn ignored him and left, he could not control his emotions.Madelyn had just grabbed a piece of drawing paper when Zach suddenly entered the art room and grabbed her. The paper was torn in half during the process. She was shocked, "What are you doing?!"As soon as she finished her sentence, she was pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window. She still had not fully processed what was happening when Zach started to kiss her.After some struggle, Madelyn stopped moving, realizing she could not move Zach
Regardless of what happened to Jardin Corporation, Madelyn would not interfere. Zach would be fine with Cecilia there. As for Madelyn's career, Zach had little say. He would only tell her to rest more since she was unwell.This was the latest she had ever stayed up. By the time she finished, it was already daybreak. The conference call was still on. Besides Madelyn, Clement, and Dorian, the others did not participate in this overtime schedule.Clement advised her, "Stop working, Madelyn. You should rest soon. Leave the rest of us."Madelyn assured him, "It's fine. There's just a little more."After they finished, they took a break together. Dorian told them, "I'm ordering breakfast. You live too far, Madelyn. I'll order some for you next time."Madelyn replied, "Thanks."Just as Dorian finished ordering, someone came to the conference call and said, "Clement, something's wrong. Dawn and Crystal got admitted to the hospital for alcohol poisoning."Clement asked, "What? What happe
Madelyn averted her gaze and said, "Zach, I hope you can change your arrogant attitude. Their lives matter, too. Regardless of who badmouths me in the future, you don't need to care. This is my business; you just need to care for your own. I can take care of myself. I don't need a single penny from you."She pulled away from him and continued, "I'll return to my room. You can have breakfast by yourself."Just as she took a step forward, she suddenly fainted."Madelyn!" Zach cried before catching her in time. His first instinct was to check her breathing as he ordered, "Call an ambulance!"A servant replied, "Yes, sir. I'll do it immediately!"'Why did she faint for no reason?' Zach thought.When she arrived at the hospital, Kai gave her a checkup."Nothing's wrong. Madelyn's just overly exhausted," Kai answered. He then looked at Zach with furrowed brows, "Where have you been spending all that money of yours? You knew her health was terrible, and you still let her go through a w
Cecilia was not a threat to Zach. He was more interested in the person supporting her. Whoever allowed Cecilia to become so brazen merely wanted to take control of Jardin Corporation. He had allowed her to do so just to see how much the person backing her was willing to sacrifice. The current Jardin Corporation was more complex than it seemed, and Cecilia did not have the ability to shoulder all of it.Zach stared at Madelyn and said, "When will you give me some peace of mind? You never needed to compare yourself to her."His hand brushed Madelyn's face as he felt the warmth of her body. She continued to sleep. Zach observed her while trying to etch every feature of her face into his mind. Since they received their marriage certificate, Madelyn had never worn her wedding band. She did not want to, and Zach did not force her.When Madelyn woke up, her throat was hoarse. It was already nighttime, and she had no clue how long she had slept. As her head was spinning, a hand came and hel
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