Jade felt a surge of anxiety amidst the silence. Just as she contemplated asking what was happening, warmth enveloped her waist as a gentle hand covered her injury.With just the right amount of pressure, Caelan massaged her injury, allowing comforting warmth to seep into her waist."Relax," he reassured in a deep voice, devoid of anger.Jade's tense body finally loosened. She let out a soft "oh" and reclined on the couch. Yet, she remained uneasy and stole a glance at Caelan, whose expression appeared taut, as if simmering with anger.Sensing Jade's gaze, Caelan looked at her somewhat helplessly, murmuring, "You're asking for trouble."Jade offered an appeasing smile, her voice soft. "I won't dare. Next time—""There's a next time?" Caelan's hand on Jade's waist halted its motion.Jade felt a cool sensation before a blanket was draped over her. Feeling the warmth spreading from her waist to her limbs, she relaxed further.Caelan walked around to face Jade, sitting in front of
Jade stared blankly at Tiffany's retreating figure, feeling like she was fleeing.What happened to taking care of her? What about her promise to cook for her?!"Who's going to take care of me now that she's gone?" Jade felt awkward. It would certainly be more convenient for a woman to take care of her than a man, especially for intimate things like using the restroom. She couldn't possibly ask Caelan to assist her with that.Caelan glanced at her. "I've called for some maids. You don't need to worry about this at all. They'll take care of you during your recovery.""Oh," Jade murmured softly, thinking, 'Then what are you doing here? Isn't that redundant?'She dared not speak the words aloud, so she could only silently think them.…During dinner, Caelan's maids prepared a sumptuous meal. It was tailored to Jade's palate, with lighter flavors due to her recuperation.Jade couldn't move much due to the pain in her waist, so the meal was brought to her."Ms. Severin, dinner's rea
Caelan finally noticed Jade's hiccups and turned to look at her.Jade quickly covered her mouth with her hand, but it wasn't very effective."Get Ms. Severin a glass of warm water," Caelan instructed the maid.The maid complied and handed Jade a glass of warm water. "Ms. Severin, have some water.""Okay, thank you." Jade took the glass and drank a few sips, feeling somewhat relieved, but her stomach still felt uncomfortable.Caelan set aside his work and approached Jade, gently patting her back. "Feeling better now?"His voice was gentle, his movements soothing, and Jade immediately felt better. However, his tenderness made Jade feel a bit embarrassed, especially with the maids watching."I'm fine now," Jade said awkwardly, wanting to move away, but her injury made it painful to do so.Seeing her in pain, Caelan asked the maid, "Why hasn't the item arrived yet?""It's on its way. The call came just now claiming they're already on their way," the maid replied.Caelan nodded, h
Jade carefully considered the product and felt that although it was high-end, it lacked something. She suggested, "I think adding heat therapy might make it better. Right now, it's just a recliner with no function. It would be too single-functioned for such a high-end product. If the price is high as well, it might not be widely accepted by the public."Caelan's eyes brightened at Jade's suggestion. He had been struggling to improve the recliner, but Jade's words sparked a new direction for him."Do you think combining heat therapy and massage would enhance its effectiveness?" Caelan queried Jade.Jade, who had initially mentioned it in passing, was surprised by Caelan's insight."Absolutely. Products like this are typically used by the elderly or those with mobility issues, like myself," Jade gestured to herself, speaking from a patient's perspective. "Without these features, it's just a chair. But with heat therapy and massage, it would appeal to office workers too. This would b
The less Jade talked about it, the more Caelan pondered the intense animosity between Lloyd and Jade. What was the source of their grudge?What troubled Caelan deeply was Jade's reluctance to confide in him and accept his assistance. Was she protecting herself from him?An indescribable sense of sorrow filled his heart. Jade clearly liked him, so why did she still feel the need to be on guard against him?…A few days later, Jade's injury improved slightly, and she received some exciting news at the same time.Kayden had filed a lawsuit against Kerrigan as the legal heir of the Zeal family. Meanwhile, Sophie also filed for divorce from Kerrigan.These two pieces of news were like thunderbolts exploding in Centus. Many had thought that Kerrigan's case had ended with his sentencing to several years in prison. But now, Kayden and Sophie's lawsuits put Kerrigan back in troubled waters.Many netizens left comments online, speculating about the magnitude of Kerrigan's wrongdoings and
Now that Kayden had returned to live here again, the implication was clear.Lloyd gazed at the mansion before him, his eyes flashing with a hint of ruthlessness."Uncle Kayden, oh Uncle Kayden, dreaming of regaining control of the Zeals? That's wishful thinking," Lloyd muttered to himself as Jordan knocked on the door, which swung open swiftly.Confidently, Lloyd strode in with his entourage—over a dozen bodyguards, their demeanor aggressive. This didn't seem like a mere visit. It felt more like a confrontation.Kayden awaited him in the hall, his thin face grim, his eyes burning like fiery flames."Uncle Kayden, I've come to see you," Lloyd announced, though his attitude was arrogant, clearly not holding Kayden in high regard.Kayden naturally sensed his hostile intent but maintained a smile as he gestured for Lloyd to take a seat. The service staff promptly brought tea."I'm in good health, no need to worry," Kayden replied.Lloyd didn't touch the tea but held the cup for sho
Lloyd's smirk was sinister and cunning, infuriating Kayden so much that he slammed the table and exclaimed, "Lloyd, are you really using Sophie to threaten me?""Uncle Kayden, please calm down. I have never said such a thing," Lloyd retorted, showing no fear of Kayden as he stepped forward and stared him down. "It was my stepmother who mentioned feeling unwell these past few days. As her stepson, I naturally couldn't ignore it. So, I arranged for her to recuperate in a beautiful place. It's just me fulfilling my duty as a stepson. Where's the threat in that?"Lloyd maintained a malicious smile as he locked eyes with Kayden, a silent warning that coveting the Zeal Group would jeopardize Sophie's safety."Uncle Kayden, you're a smart man," Lloyd said, taking a seat and crossing his legs arrogantly. "You can't have your cake and eat it too. You want wealth and beauty, but such good fortune doesn't come cheap, does it?"Lloyd revealed his true colors. He had dared to confront Kayden be
"You're talking nonsense." Kayden's eyes turned bloodshot, feeling nauseous to his stomach. Why did he have a nephew like Lloyd?"I genuinely care about Sophie, but you and Kerrigan are full of lies and deceit toward her. It's because of you that Sophie ended up with depression. Haven't you hurt her enough? Why use her against me?"Kayden's hysterical demeanor pleased Lloyd greatly. He had feared Kayden would remain indifferent. It seemed Sophie did hold a significant place in his heart."Uncle Kayden, my patience is wearing thin. I didn't come here to negotiate with you today. You should understand what I mean." Lloyd glanced at his watch, clicking his tongue twice. "The place Sophie went to is crowded with tourists, and the mountain roads are treacherous. If anything were to happen, the outcome would be dire.""Don't you lay a finger on her!" Kayden grew desperate, attempting to fight Lloyd.As soon as he stood up, though, Lloyd's bodyguards subdued him.Lloyd sneered. "The gre
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