Jade noticed the sudden change in Tiffany’s expression and felt a pang of anxiety."What's wrong? Tell me slowly," she urged."I just received a message from my assistant, Hera," Tiffany replied, her voice trembling. "One of the indoor mirrors fell and hit some of the students. A few have minor injuries, but one girl’s face was cut by the shards.""Her face?" Jade’s heart sank. Every woman cherished her appearance, and with a mirror that large falling suddenly, the situation must have been terrifying. A cut on the face could be serious trouble.Tiffany, still a young student with little experience handling crises, was visibly shaken. This was more than she could handle."Yes, and I heard it's quite severe. What should I do, Jade?" Tiffany's voice wavered with panic.Jade took a deep breath, regaining her composure. "We’ll head over there right now and see what’s happening. Panicking won't help anyone."Tiffany nodded quickly, grabbing her bag and phone, ready to leave.Jade sto
"Enough of your nonsense! Who do you think you are to negotiate with me?" The stout woman brusquely brushed aside Hera’s hand, her voice seething with anger. "Get your boss here immediately, or be ready to face a lawsuit.""My boss will be here soon, but can you please let the doctor treat Becky’s wounds first? If we delay any longer, her face might be permanently scarred."Hera was sweating profusely. Becky had already been taken to Centus Hospital, but this woman was refusing treatment, insisting she wouldn’t stop causing a scene until Tiffany showed up in person.A doctor, frustrated by the commotion at the entrance, stepped out and said sternly, "This is a hospital, not a place for arguments. If you have issues, resolve them peacefully, but don’t disturb my patients. This girl’s wounds are deep. If not treated immediately, the consequences will be on you."His words were directed at the woman, who remained unfazed, letting out a cold snort. "If there are consequences, the dance
The middle-aged woman's harsh words grated on even the mild-tempered ears of Hera. But knowing she couldn’t afford to provoke this woman, she leaned closer to Jade and whispered, "Miss Severin, be cautious. This woman is notoriously difficult."Jade nodded slightly. She had deliberately delayed her appearance to gauge what kind of person the victim’s family was. There are ways to reason with reasonable people and different ways to deal with those who are not.The woman before her clearly fell into the latter category, so there was no need for Jade to be courteous. She produced a business card and handed it to the woman. "Here’s my card. Please review it. As for the compensation, just name your price, and we will comply."The woman's eyes lit up at the mention of money as if she had seen a mountain of gold. She thought for a moment, then held up five fingers. "I want this amount—500,000 dollars."After saying that, she sneaked a glance at Jade, feeling a bit nervous and unsure if th
"Miss Jade, about the compensation..." Rita regretted asking for too little and was about to discuss a higher amount with Jade when Jade’s phone rang. She motioned for Rita to sit down, then took the call outside.The door closed with a thud, leaving Rita alone in the spacious and bright office. Her heart skipped a beat. Could Jade be planning to run? But looking around at the high-end decor, she dismissed the idea as impossible.She had downed a pot of coffee, yet Jade hadn't returned.Rita started to feel restless. What kind of phone call lasted half an hour?Rising to her feet, she stepped outside to check if Jade was still there. To her surprise, two tall, burly security guards were standing by the door. Politely, they guided her back inside."Apologies, Miss Severin asked you to wait here."Although puzzled, Rita reasoned that Jade might have some important business to attend to and didn't mind too much.Someone came in with another pot of coffee, the same high quality as b
When Jade returned to the office, Rita greeted her with the relief of someone seeing a savior. She let out a long sigh and said, "Oh, Miss Jade, you’re finally back. If you didn’t come, I was going to wet myself…"She abruptly shut her mouth, glancing awkwardly at Jade, who had a light smile on her face. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Rita stammered, "S-So, can I get the 500,000 now?"Rita’s eyes gleamed with greed as she stared at Jade, almost ready to snatch the money from her hands.Jade took a seat on the sofa opposite her.Julian stood beside Jade, handing over a document with a feigned seriousness. "Miss Severin, according to the doctor, although Becky’s facial injuries are severe, the likelihood of scarring is minimal with proper treatment. I’ve totaled all the expenses, and it comes to around 100,000 dollars."Julian’s words left Rita stunned. She screamed, "What? Only 100,000 dollars? Didn’t you promise me 500,000 dollars?!""Ms. Despp, you can’t say it like that," Julian sa
If Jade didn't give in, Rita would make a huge fuss. 'These rich folks are terrified of lawsuits, but someone with nothing to lose doesn’t have to fear those who do.'With this in mind, Rita stiffened her resolve and began to wail as she made her way out.Jade and Julian stood in place, watching her performance.Rita, puzzled by Jade’s lack of reaction, was caught off guard when she heard voices outside the door."Officers, the person you’re looking for is inside. Please come in," a voice said as the door opened.Two police officers, escorted by a security guard, entered the room.Upon seeing the police, Rita instinctively tried to run, but her legs were too weak from fear to move."Are you Margarita Despp?" one of the officers asked sternly.Rita nodded dumbly. Before the police could question her further, she blurted out, "I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I just wanted to scare my daughter. Who knew the mirror was so flimsy? It fell at the slightest touch."As she finished spea
Jade carefully placed the items on the bedside table next to Becky, pulled up a chair, and sat down. With a gentle smile, she asked, "Do you feel any better now?"Becky’s injuries weren’t limited to her face—they were all over her body.While the wounds on her face were more numerous and seemed alarming, they were completely treatable and would heal with time. Given her young age, her ability to heal was strong, and the likelihood of scarring was minimal.The doctors had already explained these possibilities to Becky, and she understood them well. Upon seeing Jade’s comforting smile, Becky’s guard lowered slightly, and she nodded softly. "Thank you."As Becky spoke, she kept glancing out the window, as if fearing something.Jade followed her gaze but saw no one outside. She quickly realized what was troubling Becky. "Are you afraid your stepmother might come in?"At the mention of Rita, fear washed over Becky’s face. She nodded, then quickly shook her head, denying it. "No, my
If someone had extended a helping hand to Becky when she was younger, would her destiny have been different?Becky stared at Jade in shock. Realizing what had happened, she got out of bed and knelt on the ground, bowing repeatedly. "Miss Jade, I will never forget your immense kindness. As long as I am alive, I will repay you."Seeing Becky perform such a grand gesture, Jade hurriedly pulled her up. "What are you doing? Get up, please."Jade helped Becky to her feet and seated her back on the bed."I don’t seek repayment," Jade said gently. "Just live well and make the most of your life—that’s the best thanks you can give me."With tears brimming in her eyes, Becky nodded emphatically. "Thank you, Miss Jade. I promise I will live well."Leaving the hospital room, Jade felt a weight lift off her shoulders.After settling Becky’s issue, it was time to update Tiffany."Hello, Tiffany." Jade’s call was answered almost immediately, and Tiffany’s anxious voice came through. "How did i
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