Colin shook his head. "It's simply not possible in such a short time. Unless you can find an antidote. Otherwise..."He didn't finish his sentence because Jade had already understood—without an antidote, Leah would never wake up.Jade stumbled back and sank into the sofa, her gaze vacant.Colin, who saw how distraught she was, couldn't bear it. "Jade, don't be too upset. There's always a solution. We won't give up until the very end."Jade snapped out of her daze and forced a smile. "Thank you, Professor."Colin left with his students, leaving Jade alone in the office.She had never felt so helpless before. She felt as if she had suddenly lost her pillar of support, which left her feeling empty inside.The issue could only be ended by the culprit. Jade believed that this must be Jacob and Neve’s doing.After readjusting her mood, she regained her composure. She had to find out what had poisoned Leah. Once she discovered the source, the other party would surely have the antidote
Jade's heart sank. How could Jacob not have taken precautions when he had made up his mind to have her? She closed her eyes, no longer struggling, as if she was resigned to her fate.Seeing this, Jacob was delighted, and his movements became slightly gentler. "My dear sister, it's good that you've come to terms with it."Suddenly, Jade raised her leg and kicked his groin. Caught off guard, Jacob howled in pain, sounding like a pig being slaughtered.Jade quickly rolled off the bed and stood on the floor, watching Jacob writhe in agony on the bed, her gaze filled with menace.The trauma he had caused her in her previous life had never disappeared. Unprecedented rage and humiliation surged through Jade.She clenched her fists tightly, her gaze falling on the flower vase on the coffee table, her resolve growing stronger."Jacob, you're nothing but scum." Jade raised the vase high, aiming it at Jacob's groin.She wanted to ensure he would never be a man again.Jacob seemed to rea
Neve’s heart had been lurching all night. This was the most crucial night for their success or failure. If they succeeded, that bitch Jade would live in torment forever.All her fame as Miss Clotheap, the legend she was in the medical field, and her reputation as the century's most capable woman would become a joke. Neve wanted everyone to know that Jade had been assaulted by her own brother.Just the thought of Jade being drowned in gossip made Neve so delighted that she was unable to sleep.She got up and poured herself a glass of red wine. The burning liquid slid down her throat, making her feel a bit lightheaded."Jade, you must be enjoying yourself now, huh?" Neve laughed recklessly, unable to stop. Anything that made Jade suffer made Neve ecstatic.Just then, her phone rang. Seeing that it was Jacob calling, she quickly answered, "Hey, what's up?""It's not looking good. Hurry on over. Jade is dead," said Jacob's anxious voice through the phone.Neve's heart sank as she as
Neve screamed in fright, covering her eyes and refusing to look inside the room, afraid to see Jade's body."Keep screaming and I'll choke you to death." Owen deliberately threatened her in a rough voice. Neve trembled in fear, shutting her mouth tightly but still keeping her eyes closed."Who are you people?" Neve asked in a trembling voice.Jade walked up to Neve and asked, "Who do you think I am?""You... You're not dead?" Neve slowly opened her eyes, uncertain when she saw Jade in front of her.Her gaze fell on Jacob, who was lying on the floor unconscious, and she turned pale from fear. "What did you do to him?" "What you're seeing," Jade said vaguely, intentionally adding pressure to break down her defenses.Neve, who was terrified, shuddered as she tried to feel for Jacob's breath but dared not to."Jade, why did you deceive me into coming here?" Neve asked tearfully."How was Grandma poisoned?" Jade raised her voice, the ruthlessness in her gaze terrifying Neve."I
Although Lloyd had the antidote and the upper hand, there was someone with plenty of vulnerabilities, making it convenient for Jade to take action.Seeing that Jade had a plan, Owen calmed down. "Jade, what do you need? Just say the word."He was willing to do anything to help her, even if it meant risking his life. After all, Jade was the granddaughter-in-law Kennedy approved of, and Owen himself was her mentor. He couldn't let her down.Jade smiled as she told Owen, "There's something I actually need you to take care of, Master.""Go on," Owen replied, patting his chest. "Even if it costs me my life, I'll get it done for you.""There’s no need to risk your life," Jade said. She glanced at Neve, whose ears were still alert even though she was cowering on the floor, and swallowed her words.She signaled for Owen to step out of the room and whispered to him.Owen's face flushed red, and he seemed a bit uneasy. "This... This truly isn't something a young girl like you should handl
Jordan was about to say yes but saw that Jade had already pushed past him and started walking toward Lloyd's office, so he hurried to stop her. "Ms. Severin, please don't put me in a difficult position."Jade gave him a warning look, her gaze stern. She didn't look like someone asking for help. Instead, she seemed more like someone seeking revenge.Jordan was frightened to stillness by her cold gaze. By the time he snapped out of it, she had already barged into Lloyd's office as if she owned the place.Jade kicked the door open with a bang.Her sudden appearance startled Lloyd, but he calmed down when he saw her. He was even a bit pleased. Jade had not disappointed him. Even in adversity, she maintained her indomitable spirit.Jordan followed Jade and bowed apologetically to Lloyd, looking uneasy. "I'm sorry, Mr. Zeal. I couldn't stop Ms. Severin."The contrast between the two of them was stark. Compared to Jordan's meekness, Lloyd found Jade's prickliness more appealing."You c
Lloyd gritted his teeth in anger, feeling utterly helpless against Jade. She was the first woman he'd encountered who wouldn't bend to his will, no matter how hard he pushed or how much he coaxed her."What are you talking about? I don't understand," Lloyd said, irritably running his hand through his hair. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed before how sharp Jade's tongue could be.Jade remained unperturbed, glancing at her watch to remind Lloyd. "There’s no rush on my end, Mr. Zeal. Take your time to think it over. Whenever you remember what I need, just give it to me. While I'm not in a hurry, though, someone else might be."Understanding her veiled threat, Lloyd grew nervous. "What do you mean by that?""You'll find out soon enough," Jade said cryptically.As soon as she finished speaking, Lloyd's phone rang. He glanced at it and his face went pale.The video he had received on his phone showed his father, Kerrigan, having "fun" with not one but two women.Lloyd hastily tur
Jade turned and walked away, her back straight and proud, like a victorious general.Lloyd's face turned ashen with rage, but he couldn't do anything to stop her. Jade was right—he was the one in the weaker position."Jade, Jade..." Lloyd suddenly swept everything off his table in a fit of rage. Veins bulged on his forehead as he violently vented his anger.Hearing the commotion, Jordan rushed in, stunned to see the mess in the room and Lloyd's fury.Lloyd had been raised as an upper society member, taught to speak calmly and logically even in moments of anger. But now, he was so enraged that he had resorted to violence.How terrifying was Jade to push Lloyd to this extent…"Mr. Zeal, I'll go grab her," Jordan said, trying to appease Lloyd. However, Lloyd answered with a barrage of curses. "Get out. Get out!"Dejected, Jordan left, unaware of the turmoil in Lloyd's heart. Jade's move had completely destroyed his pride."Jade, I will never let you off the hook," Lloyd muttered,
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