Jade inwardly speculated on Neve's motives, watching as Neve entered the venue and became the center of attention, gracefully engaging in conversation with the people present. This change in Neve surprised Jade quite a bit, as she noticed that Neve's demeanor was no longer as frivolous as before. Every move of hers seemed to be meticulously trained, and even her gaze was perfectly seductive. Not only men would be defenseless against it, but women would be attracted to it too."You know, I can hear your sister hiss from here," Melanie said indignantly."Hiss?" Jade hadn't quite caught on."She's such a snake," Melanie said dismissively."Ha—cough, cough..." Jade couldn't help almost bursting into laughter. Luckily, no one around her noticed, or she would have been embarrassed.Jade and Melanie chuckled secretly, but Neve, who was far away, scowled when she saw them. What was that smug expression? Was that bitch mocking her?Neve clenched her palms, wishing she could tear Jade's fa
Jade recognized the person on the stage. It was none other than Neve, who was dressed for the occasion. Although Neve was wearing a mask, Jade still recognized her at a glance.Neve got off the moon and gracefully walked over to a piano to play. Soon, everyone was immersed in her beautiful piano music.Melanie nudged Jade, looking anxious. "Hey, you didn't prepare anything? This could affect your future position at school. Anyone can see that today's ceremony is all about preparing to fight for the title of Miss Clotheap."Jade, however, had no intention of vying for the title. She found this vain title meaningless and would rather spend her time and effort in the lab."Nope," she said nonchalantly.Melanie widened her eyes in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Do you know what being Miss Clotheap represents? It's not just about your status at Clotheap University. It will also help your future development. The benefits your fame will bring you will extend beyond the title. Do you und
Caelan, who was dressed sharply in a suit, entered at a steady pace. His arrival made the entire venue stir, overshadowing Tiffany and Neve's performances earlier. Everyone craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the man who supposedly controlled the prosperity of Centus.As Caelan walked onto the stage, his handsome face and majestic air allowed him to make the crowd go quiet with just a glance. Many girls started clutching their chests, afraid of fainting from infatuation.The host broke into a cold sweat and anxiously looked for Jade in the audience. "Ms. Severin, please come to the stage."Jade was still in a daze. She had not expected such a grand gesture from Caelan."What are you waiting for? Get on the stage," Melanie urged Jade anxiously, giving her a push.Jade blinked and snapped out of her reverie. When she saw Caelan on the stage, she felt like she was going crazy. She had just wanted to attend the ceremony quietly, but now that seemed impossible.Melanie thought Ja
The host's question echoed the sentiment of many people present, who were also deeply interested in the answer.Caelan smiled as he glanced at Jade and said, "Because she likes it."The host had been waiting for Caelan to give a lengthy response, and she was so surprised by the brief answer that it took her a while to react."Mr. Fitzgerald cares deeply for Ms. Severin," the host said, unsure how to express her feelings. Apart from feeling envy and jealousy, all she could do was lament her own misfortune. Why couldn't she meet a rich, handsome, devoted man like this?Jade was so shocked by Caelan's words that her jaw almost dropped open. She looked at him in astonishment, as if he were a monster.Her expression gave too much away, so Caelan pinched her fingertips in secret and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "It’s just a business gimmick. Why are you so surprised?"Jade was speechless. She had read too much into it.Caelan was killing two birds with one stone, gaining
The next day, when the news broke out, photos of Jade and Caelan dominated half the front page of every newspaper. Everyone in school was discussing Jade, starting from her talent and her beauty and gradually moving on to the competition for the Miss Clotheap title.Tiffany’s supporters were not willing to back down and had posted stunning photos of her on the forum to compare them to Jade. The debate escalated, with neither side willing to concede.Someone then posted photos of Neve, and the discussion eventually turned into a battle for the title of Miss Clotheap.To ensure fairness, they even set up a voting poll.When Jade found out about this, the voting was already halfway through."Wow, Jade, did you see? Your votes have increased again. Your popularity is very high!" Melanie exclaimed, staring at the computer screen.Jade, who was uninterested in such trivial matters, just glanced at it and then focused on her own affairs. "How boring." She shook her head and went back
In Melanie's opinion, someone was deliberately spreading rumors to sabotage Jade's chances of winning the Miss Clotheap title. How could it be serious enough to force Jade to drop out of school?"Never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Try not to go to school in the next few days to avoid being implicated because of me," Jade said as she grabbed her jacket, putting on a hat and a mask. This was a critical time, and she had to be cautious, lest those brainwashed people did something extreme to her."Where are you going?" Melanie asked anxiously."I'm going to see someone," Jade replied.In Jade's previous life, she had not only experienced online attacks, but she had also become a target of bullying by everyone at school, all thanks to Neve's deliberate schemes. She had lived through four years of university life in constant fear, facing threats and humiliation every day—including being drenched with cold water, having her food tampered with, and being locked in the
For the first time, Lloyd felt that targeting Jade might have been a mistake. The last time the Zeal Group had collaborated with Neve, not only had they not gained any benefits, but they’d almost tarnished their reputation in the industry. This time, he had fallen into Jade's trap again."I want to see her." Lloyd's words startled his assistant. Jade's status was special—she was the future Mrs. Fitzgerald. Was Lloyd joking about wanting to see her?"I'm afraid Ms. Severin may not agree," the assistant warned him quietly.Lloyd nodded, so the assistant thought he had taken this into account. Unexpectedly, he said, "I'll go directly to the school to find her."The assistant stared in astonishment while Lloyd strode out of his office. Then, he drove straight to Clotheap University.As the heir of the Zeal Group, Lloyd might not overshadow Caelan in status, but he was still admired by the female students on campus, so his arrival upset the entire school."Oh my God, it's Lloyd. He's
In spite of this, Jade remained unfazed and let out a chuckle."Lloyd, what makes you think I would shake hands and make peace with you? We've never been friends in the past, and we certainly will not become friends in the future."He had smeared her name behind her back, then turned around and acted as if nothing had happened, chatting with her as if they were old pals. Such a person either had incredibly thick skin or no shame at all.Lloyd hadn't expected Jade to reject his request and even go as far as to mock him. His hurt pride made his expression turn fierce."Jade, are you sure you want to go against me? Don't think that just because you have the Fitzgerald Group backing you up, I can't touch you. The Zeals are not to be trifled with. You better think about this carefully."Seeking reconciliation and then resorting to threats when his attempt failed? Was Jade supposed to be afraid of him? It was laughable."Bring it on. If I even frown, I'll leave Clotheap University imme
Chenelle's words made Jade clench her fists in anger. For someone so heartless, she really wanted to wake her up with a good beating.Taking a step forward, Jade grabbed Chenelle by the collar.Chenelle screamed, thinking Jade was about to hit her, and retreated in fear. "What are you doing? Do you want to hit me again?!"'So, she can also feel fear.'Jade sneered coldly, rolling up her sleeves to show the scars on her arm. "While you complain about the world's injustices, open your eyes wide and see that not everyone is as fortunate as you."I was also adopted, but compared to you, our lives are worlds apart. While you resent not getting enough attention, others are struggling to find their next meal. When you let jealousy drive you to harm others, some people are just praying to survive."Chenelle, you truly don't appreciate the blessings you have."Jade's fair arm was covered in scars of various sizes—burns, cuts, and a long stitched wound that looked like a centipede. Althou
Chenelle forcefully shook off Jade's hand, her eyes filled with venom as she spat, "You bitch! Stop pretending to be so righteous. I despise people like you the most. Do you think the Fitzgeralds adopted me out of kindness? No, it's because they felt guilty."Her face twisted with intense hatred, her gaze sweeping across everyone in the hall with a sharp, accusatory edge.When her eyes landed on Kennedy, her resentment peaked. "Ever since I stepped into the Fitzgerald household, you've treated me with hostility, never once showing me a kind face."My efforts to make you happy were like a dog desperately seeking attention. When you were in a good mood, you were somewhat kind to me, but when you weren't, you completely ignored me. "Do you think bringing me into the Fitzgeralds would make me grateful? No, it won't. I hate you. I hate every single one of you! You took away my only family and snuffed out the last bit of warmth I had."If it weren't for my father trying to protect Cael
After changing her clothes, Jade applied light makeup while standing in front of the mirror. As she gazed at her rosy reflection, fragments of the previous night's events flickered in her mind. Her cheeks flushed, and she covered her face with her hands, fanning herself nervously. 'What to do, what to do? How should I face Caelan later?'After much hesitation, Jade decided to face him. After all, they had already crossed all boundaries. Avoiding him now would be unnecessarily dramatic. Moreover, they would be living together in the future. It wasn't practical to keep avoiding him.With this thought, Jade felt significantly more at ease. As she approached the door, she heard Caelan's voice from the living room. "Hold her there. I'm coming right over." Puzzled, Jade opened the door and looked at Caelan.He ended his call and said, "We've found the person who drugged you. I'm heading over now.""Who is it?" Jade asked angrily.Caelan gave her a deep, serious look before replying,
'And then…' Thinking about it further, Jade couldn’t bear to continue. 'Could it be that I spent the night with Orion?!'"Morning..." The familiar deep voice sent a shiver through Jade, followed by a surge of joy enveloping her entire being. That voice, she would recognize it even in death.It was Caelan. This was Caelan's voice!Jade remained motionless, her body stiff. The swing from immense sorrow to immense joy was too overwhelming—she needed a moment to process it all."Why aren't you saying anything?" Caelan noticed Jade's odd behavior and propped himself up to look at her face, only to find her silently shedding tears.His heart clenched, and his first instinct was to apologize. "I'm sorry, last night I had no choice. Your situation was too dangerous—"Before he could finish, Jade threw herself into his arms.Caelan was at a loss, his body rigid, afraid to move a muscle.Tears dripped onto his chest, scorching his skin and softening his heart."Are you still in pain?" h
Jade felt as if her head was about to explode, her body burning, with her organs seemingly on the verge of combustion."Jade, Jade, wake up." Caelan gently patted Jade's cheek. The moment he touched her skin, he was startled by how scalding hot she felt.Jade's eyes fluttered open in a daze, her vision blurred, unable to discern the face looming close to hers. She grasped the cool hand on her face, pressing it tightly against her skin."So cool… So cool…" Jade murmured unconsciously, her body instinctively leaning closer. She wrapped her arms around the man's neck, rubbing against him desperately. "Help me… I feel so uncomfortable, so hot."Seeing her in such a state, Caelan felt an indescribable pain in his heart. His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands as he commanded Samuel, "Find out who did this."Samuel nodded. "The doctor is on his way, but we need to lower Miss Severin's temperature immediately."Caelan's eyes darkened momentarily. He bent down,
Orion's face had turned a shade of red that was far from normal, yet he struggled to stay conscious, shaking his head with a bitter smile."I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be outsmarted."Jade's heart tightened in response. She had reserved a VIP suite in the hotel, with only two rooms on the entire floor. To ensure privacy, she had explicitly instructed that no one was to come upstairs. Now, Orion had been drugged, and she…A sudden spell of dizziness caused Jade's legs to give way. She clung to the door frame to avoid collapsing. To her horror, she realized she had been drugged too. 'Damn it! How could I have let my guard down?!'"I'll call for help. Don't move."Overwhelmed by the heat coursing through her body, Jade was on the brink of losing her sanity. In a bid to stay conscious, she dug her nails into her palm. The pain brought a moment of clarity, but it was fleeting. The heat surged back, stronger and more relentless than before. Fear crept up from Jade's feet
Jade arrived at the hotel and easily found the floor, unlocking Room 2020. As soon as she stepped inside, she was taken aback—red roses filled the entire room, and candles burned softly in the corners, creating a romantic and cozy atmosphere.This was the result of Melanie and Tiffany’s hard work all afternoon.As Jade walked on the soft carpet, Jade's heart danced with excitement. Today, she would give herself to Caelan—she was finally going to be his woman. She had been waiting for this day for so long.Her phone buzzed with a text message. Jade opened it and saw it was from Tiffany.Tiffany: [There's a gift for you on the bed. You're welcome.]'A gift? What kind of prank is this girl up to now?'Following Tiffany’s instructions, Jade found the gift on the bed. She opened it and gasped. A few black straps connected to bits of sheer fabric!'Lingerie?' Jade’s face turned crimson, and she quickly shoved the outfit back into the box. If she wore this to see Caelan, she’d rather
Caelan: [Alright, go ahead and get busy.]Jade felt a slight chill in her heart as she read the message from Caelan. Shouldn't he have asked where she was going? Why did he just reply with that?There was something off about Caelan's mood, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.Seeing Jade lost in thought, Melanie waved her hand in front of her friend's eyes. "Hey, snap out of it. Did Caelan say when he's coming?"Jade, feeling a bit down, replied, "I haven't figured out how to tell him yet.""What's there to figure out? My goodness." Melanie grabbed Jade's phone and quickly typed a message to Caelan.Jade: [I'll be waiting for you at 5:00 p.m. in Room 2020 of Serendipitus. We need to talk.]With a flourish, she sent the message and tossed the phone back to Jade.Jade's eyes widened in shock. "Melanie, can we really do this?""Why not? Trust me, right now Caelan is probably as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof, wondering if you're going to break up with him."Tiffany c
The car sped toward Jade's villa, coming to a stop.Caelan immediately took out his phone and called Jade. Just like before, there was no answer. While staring at the tightly shut door, Caelan's heart clenched. 'Could it be true, as Chenelle said, that Jade has fallen for Orion?'..."Hey, can't you two stop this?" Jade sighed in exasperation.She had been perfectly content at home when Tiffany and Melanie had barged in and dragged her out.To make matters worse, they had taken her phone. Their excuse was to make Caelan worry and see if he would dare to disappear again. Most importantly, they wanted to surprise him."Just relax and stay here. Tiffany and I will handle everything else," Melanie said, pressing Jade into a chair and thrusting a makeup brush into her hand. "You just focus on looking beautiful and don't worry about a thing, okay?"Jade couldn't help but laugh. "Can you two stop being so overbearing? I'm the main character here. Can't you show me some respect?"The