Chenelle stood at the entrance, her lonely silhouette elongated by the lights. Her eyes gleamed with venom, and her hands were clenched tightly."Why is it that, even though I’m the adopted daughter of the Fitzgerald family, I can’t get the most basic respect? Grandpa is always wary of me, the family treats me coldly, and even an assistant dares to boss me around. Why? What gives them the right to treat me like this..."Chenelle’s resentment ran deep. She only saw the disrespect others showed her but never considered why they treated her that way. To earn respect, one must first respect others.Chenelle clearly hadn’t realized this. She blamed everyone else for her problems.Taking out her phone, Chenelle dialed a number. "Hello, it’s me."A man’s voice answered, laced with anxiety and unease. "Why are you calling suddenly? Didn’t we agree not to contact each other for now?""What, don’t you miss me at all?" Chenelle’s voice held a hint of anger. "Do you know what my life is like
Slowly retracting the fork, Jade looked frustrated. How could she have forgotten that the fork was already used by her?"I need to use the restroom," Jade found an excuse to slip away, not giving Caelan a chance to refuse. She grabbed her makeup bag and headed toward the restroom.Caelan stared blankly at her departing figure, shaking his head silently. How could someone be so shy?The restaurant was upscale and luxurious, with a massive crystal chandelier cascading light from above, creating a myriad of dazzling reflections.Jade, dressed in a purple dress, had a slender waist that could be easily grasped, exuding an exceptional aura. She was like a beautiful piece of scenery, attracting the gazes of numerous men.Women in love, especially, radiated an inner and outer confidence that was utterly captivating.The restroom was located in a corner of the restaurant, requiring a turn down a hallway.As Jade rounded the corner, she was met by a cleaning lady.The cleaning lady was
Orion smiled happily, stepping to Jade’s side. He picked up her phone and aimed it at the camera, taking a selfie of the two of them.Handing the phone back to Jade, he said, "For good luck."Jade held the phone in her hand and thanked him again.Orion nodded with a smile and then left.Once he was gone, Jade pulled up the photo on her phone and examined it closely. Orion was exceptionally photogenic. She had always considered herself quite slender, but standing next to Orion, their face shapes seemed almost identical.Perhaps because of his mixed heritage, his features were more pronounced and well-defined. His complexion was enviable, flawless to the point that even his pores were invisible.Jade was engrossed in the photo when a chilling voice broke her concentration. "Enjoying it?""Yes," Jade replied instinctively, then suddenly sensed something was off. Looking up, she saw Caelan’s dark face.He was standing barely a foot away from her, his gaze as cold as ice, staring at
Caelan swiftly deleted the photos and pulled Jade into his embrace, then raised the phone to snap a picture of them together. The shutter clicked several times, capturing a few flawless shots.Jade took the phone, astonished at the results. The composition of the subjects and the background was perfect in both color and angle. "Caelan, your photography skills are amazing," she said, her admiration genuine and unfeigned. Her delight was evident, making Caelan feel pleased. "I won first place in the National Photography Golden Image Award."Jade gazed at him with awe. "Wow, you’re really that good?"Suddenly, she felt a sharp tap on her head and yelped, rubbing the spot. With a frown, she looked up at Caelan. "Why did you hit me?""You’re overacting," he said bluntly, seeing through her little ploy.Jade chuckled. "Did I get caught?"He merely shrugged and guided her back to her seat.Jade picked up her fork and knife, resuming her meal while Caelan watched her with a tender e
The appearance of Bella stirred the crowd around her.Although a current sensation had usurped much of her resources, Bella remained a seasoned actress with a commendable reputation. Additionally, her connections with both the Riley and Fitzgerald families cemented her place in the entertainment industry.Naturally, her public appearance attracted fans’ attention, prompting them to take out their phones and shout, "Bella, look this way! Over here!"Bella did not avoid the spotlight but waved elegantly, greeting everyone with grace. Her public exposure had dwindled recently, and today’s encounter with Caelan would certainly trend online. Caelan seemed aware that Bella’s greeting was a deliberate attempt to increase her visibility. Although inwardly irritated, he kept a courteous demeanor. "If there’s nothing more, we’ll be going."Bella, basking in the attention, quickly called out, "Wait a minute!""What is it?" Caelan asked, confused.Having called out impulsively, Bella hadn’
Jade's friends knew she couldn't handle her liquor, yet Bella ordered her the strongest cocktail. The intentions were clear.Caelan frowned, disapproving of the gesture, but he didn't make a scene. Instead, he leaned toward Jade and softly reassured her, "Don’t force yourself. I’ve got you covered."Caelan's words immediately put Jade at ease. As long as he was around, she didn’t need to worry about her drinking capacity. Even if she ended up drunk, Caelan would ensure she was taken care of. She flashed a gentle smile at him, her dark eyes sparkling with happiness.The cocktail arrived, and the server placed it in front of Jade."Give it a try," Bella urged, taking a swig of beer and exclaiming, "Drinking at a bar is the best! The atmosphere alone is invigorating!"Jade, determined not to give Bella the satisfaction of seeing her falter, took a cautious sip and immediately wrinkled her nose. "No, this is too much for me. Better give it to Caelan."She slid the drink over to him,
For the sake of long-term harmony, Bella decided to humble herself and accept the punishment of three drinks, which indirectly served as an apology to Jade.Caelan looked at Jade and asked, "What do you think?"Feigning innocence, Jade put on a pitiful, naive expression and asked, "Won't three martinis be too much for Bella?"Bella felt a surge of frustration, her chest heaving with agitation. She had only anticipated having to down three beers, but Jade's suggestion of martinis felt like a death sentence. Although Bella could hold her liquor reasonably well, three martinis would be pushing her limits, and she wasn't sure she could walk out of the bar with her dignity intact if she lost control.Desperately, Bella glanced at Caelan, hoping he would intervene. But he only said, "A promise is a promise. You're an award-winning actress; surely you won't go back on your word."His firm words left Bella with no room to back out."Fine, I'll drink!" she said and signaled to the barte
Jade couldn’t tell if Bella was just pretending to be drunk or genuinely intoxicated. Every word she uttered dripped with a sorrow that cut deep. Who would have thought that beneath her glamorous exterior lay a myriad of bitterness and humiliation?Jade’s brow furrowed. She didn’t want to be enemies with Bella, but Bella had humiliated her repeatedly, forcing her to retaliate. Seeing Bella in this state stirred conflicting emotions within her."Enough. Stop drinking." Jade intercepted Bella's hand as she reached for another bottle, her voice stern. Jade wasn’t a saint, but she wasn’t heartless either. If Bella continued drinking like that, she was bound to get into trouble."Leave me alone," Bella snapped, her strength unexpectedly fierce as she pushed Jade away. "You just want to see me make a fool of myself. Well, here you go! Tomorrow..."Bella pointed a shaking finger at Jade, laughing bitterly. "Tomorrow, every media outlet will have pictures of me drunk and disgraced. That’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