Lucy's heart churned with uncertainty. As she waited to hear his answer, she couldn't shake off the fear creeping into her heart. Even she herself wondered the reason for her conflict.Tobias pulled the car over and pondered the question. In truth, he had never properly thought about his feelings for Anna. He had known Anna for over a decade. When he had been kidnapped, she had stalled to give him enough time to escape. Despite their shared history, they hadn't officially become a couple until three years ago. Yet, the years spent apart as a long-distance couple had strained their relationship."Perhaps I did love Anna before." Tobias finally admitted it after contemplating it for a long time. He wouldn't have pursued a relationship with Anna if he hadn't felt something. However, he realized that his affection for Anna might not have run as deep as he had thought. Lucy felt her heart sink at his reply as a surge of jealousy bubbled within her. "It's a shame things didn't wor
"What the hell is wrong with you? You've never forced me into anything!" Lucy exclaimed in horror. She used to be heartbroken at the mere thought of Chad, but now she only felt fear in his presence. When he attempted to hug her again, she hurriedly pushed him away."It's been years since Alistair broke us apart. I'm already married to someone and expecting his child. We can never go back to the way things were before!" Lucy attempted to reason with Chad, but he refused to believe her words."You're lying. You must still resent me for giving up on you." As he spoke, Chad reached out to grab Lucy. Terrified, Lucy quickly retreated a few steps. "You're scaring me, Chad! This isn't like you!" Though she felt distressed by Chad's mad behavior, she reminded herself firmly of her marital commitment. At the same time, she couldn't help wondering how the cheerful boy she had once known had turned into a madman. Chad stepped forward intimidatingly. "Let's go home, sit down, and have
The next morning, Lucy was startled awake by the sound of her phone ringing. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Sienna calling. "What's wrong, Sienna? Why are you calling me so early?" Lucy groaned sleepily."Get up, you lazy bum! You're all over the headlines, and now the whole internet is cursing you!" Sienna exclaimed urgently. Shocked, Lucy quickly searched the news and noticed a headline reading, "Mrs. Ripley's Late-Night Rendezvous with Mystery Man". Upon clicking on the article, she saw a picture of Chad pestering her from last night. The paparazzi had twisted their midnight encounter into a suggestive narrative, claiming they had a close relationship and even stayed the night together. Swayed by the sensationalized lies, everyone was cursing Lucy in the comments."This is absurd! I never stayed the night with anyone!" Lucy seethed at the false portrayal. "We know the media's love for exaggeration. Just explain everything to Tobias. I'm sure he'll take your sid
Caught off guard, Lucy widened her eyes in shock as Tobias bit and sucked at her lips. She gasped in pain and tried to pull away, yet all she could do was endure until Tobias vented his anger."Is this about the pictures? Are you feeling jealous?" Lucy asked curiously once Tobias released her.Tobias smirked coldly. "Why should I be? I have no feelings for you or whatsoever. Here's a warning—if the paparazzi ever catch you in another scandal, you're not getting away with it!"Lucy couldn't help feeling a pang of dejection at his words. She had thought his aggressive kiss had been driven by jealousy, but it turned out he was more worried about saving his own face. "Don't worry. It won't happen again," Lucy mumbled glumly.Tobias silently started the engine and drove off. Throughout the journey, neither of them uttered a single word as they sat in brooding silence.After a tense half-hour drive, Tobias finally pulled over in front of Ripley Residence's gates."Welcome back, Mr. T
"What's there to see? After all, you bought all those things with Tobias' money. You're just trying to change the subject from your divorce." Joey sneered contemptuously. "Don't say that, Joey. It's the thought that counts," Howard sternly refuted. Although Tobias was the head of the Ripley family, Howard's authority remained unquestioned. No one dared to challenge his word.As Joey shot Lucy a hateful glare, her resentment for the latter grew. Zayne, too, viewed her with prejudice and thought of her as a gold digger. "Just take a look at your gifts. Regardless of whose money was spent, it's Lucy's thought that counts," Tobias stated."Suit yourself. It's not going to change the fact that you two are getting a divorce." Joey fumed as the maids began unwrapping Lucy's gifts.Upon recognizing the antique painting in the box, Howard exclaimed in excitement, "Is this the landscape painting by Leonardo Montoya?"Lucy nodded with a warm smile. "Tobias told me that you're a fan of ant
Howard raised a brow at Jionni's remark. "Why don't you see for yourself?"Jionni gladly took up the offer. As Howard and Jionni examined the landscape painting, Joey continued to shoot disparaging remarks at Lucy. After a while, Howard turned to Lucy and asked, "So, you said you bought this from a friend for a million dollars?"Lucy nodded in acknowledgement. In truth, the painting had been a gift from her friend. However, she doubted that anyone would believe her and chose to tell a small lie."You've struck gold with Lucy, Tobias. Who knew she had an eye for bargains? She's our lucky star!" Howard laughed.Hearing Howard's compliments, Tobias stole a glance at Lucy, who returned his gaze with a warm smile. In that instant, Tobias felt his heart racing."What do you mean by that, Dad? Are you saying this is an authentic piece?" Zayne could hardly believe his ears and hurriedly questioned. "Indeed. I had a feeling that this is a genuine work of Leonardo Montoya," Jionni af
Tobias turned to Lucy in surprise. The Queen of Faldoria, Anabella Meritt, had requested Lucy's presence?Meeting Tobias' gaze, Lucy looked at him in confusion. Why was he looking at her like that?"You have three hours before leaving for Faldoria, but there's an emergency meeting you need to attend," Finn added.After assuring Finn that he would return to the company soon, Tobias ended the call and turned to Lucy. "I've got some business to attend to. Meanwhile, you need to go home and pack. We're leaving for Faldoria at 3:00 pm."Lucy pointed to herself in astonishment. "Why am I going with you? I have things to settle in Azureville!""Set them aside for now. The Queen of Faldoria has requested your presence. You should be proud to have become Mrs. Ripley," Tobias proudly stated.Lucy rolled her eyes at his narcissist remark and argued, "My affairs are important too. Why should I simply forsake them?"Now that her team had secured the deal with Ripley Group, Lucy needed time t
Tobias attempted to reach out to Lucy, yet she failed to answer her phone. He instinctively furrowed his brow as an ominous feeling crept over him. "Is something wrong? Is Mrs. Ripley on her way?" Finn asked upon noticing Tobias' solemn expression. Alongside Lucy and Tobias, Finn and Sasha were set to travel to Faldoria as well."She's not picking up," Tobias replied as his concern deepened.Finn glanced at the time and suggested, "There's still half an hour left before the flight. Why don't we head to the airport first? I'll have someone try to reach Mrs. Ripley."As Lucy's close friend and assistant, Sasha knew her inside out. Anxiously, Sasha interjected, "There's no way Lucy wouldn't answer her phone. Something must have happened to her!"Hearing that, Tobias turned to her in confusion. "Are you acquainted with my wife, Ms. Alicia?"Sasha was momentarily stunned by Tobias' question before she tried to cover up her identity. "Oh, we're old friends. Lucy's always reachable, a