Hunter smiled and nodded, still holding out his hand with determination, palm up with the bracelet resting on it. "Tiffany, I'm waiting for your answer."Happiness had come so suddenly that Tiffany was momentarily stunned, staring dumbly at Hunter. She didn't say yes, nor did she say no.Jade, who was watching anxiously from the side, silently encouraged her. ‘Come on, you dummy. Say yes, say yes.’"Tiffany, be my girlfriend. I'll cherish you and love you." Hunter urged her as Tiffany hesitated to respond.Under his pressure, Tiffany nodded, finally responding, "I will.""Tiffany, I like you!" Hunter exclaimed excitedly, ignoring the curious glances of the passersby. He then put the bracelet on Tiffany's wrist.The affection between them made Jade feel like she was seeing pink bubbles. She quickly pulled out her phone and captured this important moment.Hunter pressed a kiss on Tiffany's forehead, making her blush shyly. Catching sight of Jade's wide eyes, she gasped and ran off
Tiffany's eyes lit up. "Can I?""Why not? You're his official girlfriend. If you go, he will definitely be happy." Jade's words comforted Tiffany somewhat. She calculated the days and realized there were only four months left until a study break. Then, she would have time.With a clear decision in her heart and a goal in mind, Tiffany's mood improved significantly.…For several days in a row, Centus was shrouded in continuous drizzle. The branches adorned themselves with fresh green leaves, portraying a scene of thriving vitality.Jade's company gradually expanded, and everything seemed to be developing positively. The number of employees increased from dozens to hundreds, and the company's scale expanded significantly, making the space a bit cramped.Jade had intentionally purchased a parcel of land behind the company during the site selection process, designating it for future expansion. She thought about using it to build a cafeteria, so the employees wouldn't have to rely on
Jade gritted her teeth. If this matter were to spread, her company would be implicated as well. "Even if we can't contain it, we must try. Until the situation is fully investigated, we must keep it under wraps. Contact the PR department immediately and have them handle this."Penelope nodded. "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."Seeing Jade deep in thought as she looked out the window, Penelope asked worriedly, "What should we do now?"A crowd had already gathered at the construction site, and journalists would soon arrive, making the situation even more uncontrollable."Wait," Jade said calmly."Wait?" Penelope looked puzzled.Jade sighed helplessly. "What else can we do but wait?" she asked. "The incident has already occurred. We must cooperate with the police investigation to uncover the truth, not only for ourselves but also for those who have died.'Penelope nodded, her worry evident. "But this will put us in a passive position. After all, you are the company's legal represe
At the very least, those people wouldn't dare to use underhanded tactics against Jade.Caelan swiftly grabbed his coat and stepped out, with Samuel trailing closely. They hurried, their expressions grave.Samuel headed to Kennedy's place, while Caelan drove straight to the police station.…Jade sat in the interrogation room, confronted by a stern female detective and a male police officer.Since her arrival, neither had extended any warmth, particularly the female detective, whose gaze bore into Jade as if she owed her a fortune."Ms. Severin, I'll ask you again, are those bodies related to your company?" the female detective asked coldly."No," Jade replied calmly."If not, how did they end up at your company? And judging by the state of decomposition, it's been over a month. Can you honestly say there's no connection?"The detective's interrogation style almost made Jade laugh. "If I really killed someone, would I be dumb enough to bury them at my own company?""Be serious
Jade stood still, her eyes sharp, as she scanned the people inside. If she showed even a hint of fear, they would surely devour her alive. She acted as if she hadn't heard anything, found an empty bed, and walked over to it. She leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes.Jade's demeanor irritated the leader in the cell.The fat woman sat up from her bed and approached Jade's bed aggressively. "I'm talking to you! What are you pretending to be deaf and dumb for?"She kicked the bed, forcing Jade to open her eyes. The inmates had surrounded her, trapping her."Are you talking to me?" Jade knowingly asked.She knew she had no chance against five people but refused to back down. She quietly reached for the pin hidden at her waist, which came in handy now."Aren't you quite arrogant? But with your delicate appearance, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle my punch." The leader laughed, reaching out to touch Jade's face. "Such a pretty face… It would be a pity if it got damaged.""D
Jade surveyed the room with cold eyes, maintaining a composed exterior while feeling a surge of panic within. Her martial arts prowess, honed by Owen, rendered her capable in one-on-one combat, but she knew she'd be disadvantaged in a brawl.In a swift motion, she had incapacitated the leader, sapping the others' morale. With their leader subdued, they had no direction."No more! I won't do it again!" the leader groaned, her right arm limp, face contorted in agony.Despite this, Jade couldn't lower her guard. These captives had lost their humanity. Faced with the leader's plea for mercy, she couldn't afford to be lenient.Returning to her bed, Jade watched the others warily. "Take her away and ask the guards to fix her arm before it's too late."The others hesitated, looking at each other until the leader's cries reminded them of their duty. They helped the leader up and banged on the door. "Help! Someone's injured!"Soon, noises came from outside. The guard walked in and noticed
Groggy in the darkness, Jade felt herself sinking as if transported back to darker days."You're just a dog raised by the Severins. If I say kneel, you don't crawl.""Hahaha, look at her! Doesn't she resemble a dog?!""You worthless piece of garbage, not even worthy of cleaning up after me."Endless curses, endless humiliation... In the dark, damp room, no one showed any concern for her life.…Lying pale on the hospital bed, Jade couldn't shake off her nightmare. Her forehead burned, and she had been feverish for a day without waking up.Caelan remained by her bedside, brows furrowed, tightly holding her hand.He was just a step too late, and Jade had been tortured like this. If he had been any later, would he never see her again? The mere thought of that possibility made his heart ache so intensely he struggled to breathe.Samuel's brows were knit tightly too, his expression grave as if ready to devour someone. Upon learning of Jade's accident, he had hurried to brief Kenned
In his current state, Caelan appeared as though he had been in a brawl and emerged defeated."You..." Jade attempted to speak, but her throat was parched, as if she'd ingested sand, rendering speech a struggle.She reached for Caelan's face, but his large hand clasped hers firmly, causing her to frown in an attempt to withdraw, but her efforts were futile due to her weakened state.Caelan gazed at Jade with intensity, holding a glass of warm water and delicately spooning some into her mouth. His voice was gentle. "Drink slowly."As the water trickled down her throat, Jade felt a measure of relief, the burning sensation subsiding."How long have I been asleep?" she asked weakly.Caelan smiled faintly. "Not long, just a day. You were too tired."'Surprisingly long…' Jade couldn't help but furrow her brow.Her body was too weak. Just this level of torment, and she couldn't take it. It seemed like she needed to prioritize fitness on her schedule."Is there any food?" Jade asked, 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