With the McAuleys' issues resolved, Jade's mood was great. The feeling of being surrounded by love was wonderful—she was immersed in it, unable to extricate herself.As anticipated, no one troubled her in the ensuing days. Although she had expected the Zeals to return in a few days, Sophie unexpectedly fell ill, delaying their comeback by nearly half a month. Jade knew that Sophie was doing this intentionally, to buy time for her.Kayden's health showed steady improvement daily, a remarkable feat despite his incomplete recovery to normal standards. Yet, his unwavering determination to survive remained his greatest asset.Initially, he was able to consume only half a bowl of solid food but pushed himself to finish a full portion. Moreover, he devised his own exercise routine, displaying a resolve surpassing that of the average person.…"Kayden." Jade appeared in the hospital room with her hands behind her back.At the sound of her voice, Kayden swiftly turned his gaze toward her.
At that moment, an angry voice echoed. "This is utter nonsense, all lies!"The reporters turned around to see the ashen-faced Kerrigan and Sophie appearing before them.Kerrigan's steps were quick, his eyes blazing as he strode onto the stage and glared at Kayden. He lowered his voice and questioned harshly, "Have you lost your mind? Do you know that doing this will ruin the Zeal Group?"Facing his questioning, Kayden smiled. "I'm not crazy but dead. A dead man doesn't care about anything.""You..." Kerrigan's eyes widened with anger, but with numerous reporters snapping photos around them, he could only force a smile and say menacingly, "You may not care about me, but what about Sophie?"Beside Kerrigan, Sophie felt a wave of despair wash over her at Kerrigan's attempt to use her as leverage against Kayden.Kayden glanced at Sophie, who appeared lifeless. There was a complex glint in his eyes that Kerrigan couldn't decipher. "You're not worthy of Sophie."Sophie suddenly spoke
Kerrigan looked troubled as he sighed, putting on a lovesick look before the numerous reporters."My wife has been suffering from depression for a long time, and she even had suicidal tendencies. Fortunately, she was saved just in time, and I patiently took care of her. Her condition improved, and to help her relax, I even took her on trips and vacations. I didn't expect my younger brother's appearance to trigger her again, worsening her condition."His words made it clear to the reporters that Sophie's depression was closely related to Kayden."Mr. Kerrigan, you mentioned earlier that your wife's condition worsened because of your brother. Could you please elaborate on the reason?" someone asked.Others chimed in. "Yes, Mr. Kerrigan, please clarify."Kerrigan pretended to look pained as he continued. "Actually, this goes back to when my wife and Kayden were in love. They thought their love would last forever, but Kayden's gambling addiction caused him to be disinherited by our fa
"You... Despicable." Sophie glared hatefully at Kerrigan, blaming herself for being too careless.Since Kerrigan had agreed so easily should have indicated he was prepared—the goal was to lure out Kayden. Now that Kayden had appeared, the objective was accomplished."He's your brother," Sophie said, her voice now tinged with a pleading tone. She was begging Kerrigan to spare Kayden."If you turn back now, maybe I'll show mercy. Otherwise, you know my temper. I'd rather destroy everything than let him off. Even if it means dragging the entire Zeal Group down, I'll make sure he pays," Kerrigan said with a smile, but his words were venomous.Sophie trembled, looking at him as if he were a demon. She never imagined that the man who once doted on her and loved her would turn be a wolf in sheep's clothing."My dear, don't be afraid. You have to know that I've always loved you," Kerrigan said, affectionately patting Sophie's head, but it sent shivers down her spine.She stared blankly a
"Today's press conference is quite a joke. I kindly ask you to spare my brother. I thank you all for your understanding," Kerrigan said, dipping his head in a bow to the audience.The reporters were astonished. Kerrigan was the victim but was now apologizing for the sake of his family's honor. It was incredibly gracious of him.Suddenly, the public opinion shifted in favor of Kerrigan, praising his generosity and magnanimity. Although his family had wronged him, he still apologized and spoke in their defense.On the other hand, Sophie and Kayden were a disappointment. Sophie had already married Kerrigan, yet she still harbored feelings for her ex. Kerrigan's unwavering affection for her seemed wasted.As the whispers reached Sophie's ears, her face grew even paler. She felt unsteady on her feet as if a gust of wind could knock her over.As for Kayden, he refused to give up despite being restrained. He continued to expose Kerrigan's crimes to the reporters.Kerrigan looked at him
"As you all know, the Zeal Group primarily operates in the pharmaceutical industry. Some individuals envy our success and seek to benefit from it. One such individual has approached me numerous times, expressing interest in collaboration. I thought I should give young people a chance, but I never anticipated her resorting to fraudulent tactics for personal gain."Kerrigan lamented, "Medicine is ingested by people. If it's counterfeit, those who are already unwell will face even greater despair. How could the Zeal Group engage in such heartless actions? Absolutely not. Therefore, I declined her proposition."Consequently, she has launched attacks against the Zeal Group. Whenever we introduce a new medication, she swiftly develops a similar product and competes by undercutting our prices. Her intention is to compel the Zeal Group into submission through these dishonorable means."Addressing the audience pointedly, Kerrigan continued. "I trust you are all aware of whom I speak. I will
Just then, a crisp voice echoed from the venue's entrance. "Wait a moment."Sophie whipped her head around and saw Jade striding confidently onto the stage in a black dress. Behind her was a short, chubby middle-aged man who looked rather sleazy.Jade's arrival caused a brief stir. She hadn't shown up when Kerrigan accused her of being the mastermind behind the scenes, so what did her sudden appearance now mean?The reporters speculated that drama would surely unfold next. They aimed their cameras at Jade and thrust their microphones in her direction, urging her to speak.Jade dismissed it all. She strode onto the stage without pause, standing before Kerrigan."Mr. Kerrigan, am I late?" Jade's smile and gaze exuded a hint of coldness. Despite being a young girl, her presence demanded respect.A chill ran down Kerrigan's spine, and he had a premonition of impending doom. When his gaze fell on the man behind Jade, he couldn't help but be surprised.It turned out that Jade had brou
Griffin had weighed the pros and cons and knew Jade wasn't bluffing, so he could only stand on her side."It's him. He's the one who sent Kayden to the mental hospital and told us not to care whether he lived or died, as no one would bother about his life or death," Griffin blurted out.He retrieved a check from his pocket and told the reporters, "This is the 150,000-dollar check he gave me. I haven't cashed it. Take a look. It's from the Zeal Group. You'll see I'm telling the truth."The reporters leaned in, discovering it was indeed a check issued by the Zeal Group. Their eyes widened in shock."Oh my god! This really is a check from the Zeal Group!""So Kerrigan was lying just now. He tortured his own brother and attempted to shift the blame onto him. It's truly inhumane.""Hurry, snap some pictures! This is crucial evidence."The reporters snapped photos frenetically, while Kerrigan stood on stage with an ashen face. His mind repeated one thing over and over—'It's over. It's
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