Caelan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Jade on the brink of losing her mind. His large hand ruffled her hair as he gently said, "Go wash your hands."As he stood up to leave, Jade took a deep breath, feeling as though she had just been granted freedom. If this went on any longer, she feared she might lose control.She dreaded the day she might transform into the big bad wolf and pounce on Caelan.Just imagining the scenario made her blood rush. Hastily, she splashed her face with water and glared at her reflection in the mirror, muttering through gritted teeth, "Wake up, get a grip!"Only after banishing all distracting thoughts from her mind did Jade return to the living room.Caelan was already seated at the dining table, waiting for her. He had changed into more casual attire, and his hair, no longer slicked back, made him look more approachable.The meal was truly lavish: Australian lobster, red wine steak, and delicious foie gras, all prepared by his own hands and arrang
"Wait a moment, I'll go with you," Jade said, her voice firm.She was determined to see what tricks Chenelle was up to this time.Caelan nodded, and they left the house together, hand in hand.Outside, Chenelle stood in the courtyard, her head lowered, looking as though she had done something wrong. Her lowered eyelids hid the hatred in her eyes, which glimmered with venomous malice.She had seen the loving and sweet interaction between Caelan and Jade. Why did Jade deserve Caelan's affection? Why had she been pushed out of the Fitzgerald family? It made her seethe with resentment."Chenelle, what are you doing here?" Caelan asked, one hand in his pocket, the other holding Jade’s tightly. His gaze was cold as he looked at Chenelle.Chenelle's actions had profoundly disappointed him. He had never imagined that jealousy would drive her to hurt Jade so much.Chenelle slowly lifted her head, her eyes red, and looked at Caelan pitifully. "Caelan, I know I was wrong. Can you forgive m
The security guard stepped forward and addressed Chenelle formally, "Miss, please leave."Chenelle’s expression shifted dramatically. She gazed at Caelan, heartbroken, and cried out, "Caelan, you were never like this before. You’re really throwing me out for this woman?"The guards looked uneasily at Caelan. They knew the relationship between Chenelle and Caelan and were worried about angering him if they forcibly removed her.Caelan nodded slightly, signaling his approval of their actions.With his consent, the guards approached Chenelle. "Miss Powell, please leave immediately, or we will have to take action."Furious, Chenelle screamed and cursed at them, "Get away from me, you filthy brutes! Don’t touch me! Ah!"The guards remained helplessly in place. They hadn't touched her at all, so where was this coming from?Chenelle's reaction was entirely over the top.Suddenly, Chenelle shrieked and clutched her hand. "Ah, my hand! It hurts so much..."In her frantic waving to fend
Jade emerged to find Chenelle sitting obediently on the sofa, a sight she found rather unsettling.In the hospital, Chenelle had been a wild and unruly presence, leaving a lasting impression on Jade. Now, with this sudden quiet demeanor, it was as if she had become a completely different person."Let me see your hand," Jade instructed, holding a medical kit as she approached Chenelle.Chenelle extended her injured finger toward Jade and asked, "Sis, do you usually live alone?"Jade glanced at her unexpectedly. While disinfecting the wound, she responded emotionlessly. "I'm sorry, but we're not that familiar with each other. I don't have a sister like you, so please don't call me that. I don't want anyone to misunderstand."Jade efficiently cleaned the wound and applied a bandage, then examined her work before saying, "All done. You can leave now."Chenelle was taken aback by Jade's bluntness and at a loss for words. Before she could come up with a retort, Jade had already issued
Caelan's brows furrowed deeply as he gazed intently at Jade before casting his eyes toward the distant nightscape. He made a firm decision."Samuel, bring Chenelle here to see me."…Fifteen minutes later, Chenelle returned to the villa.Receiving Samuel's call, she had been thrilled, thinking Caelan had changed his mind and specially sent for her to come back. The moment she got out of the car, she joyfully headed into the house, cheerfully calling out, "Caelan, you’re finally willing to talk to me!"Chenelle quickly walked inside, and the door behind her closed shut.She froze upon realizing that Caelan wasn't the only one in the room—Jade was there too.Both wore stern expressions, their eyes coldly fixed on her."Why are you looking at me like that?" Chenelle's voice wavered as she shrank back in fear, taking three steps backward.Caelan’s face was icy, the chill in his demeanor almost freezing the air around him. Chenelle had never seen him look so intimidating.Forcin
Chenelle felt uncertain after hearing Jade’s cryptic words. Her voice faltered. "Jade, what do you mean by that?""You'll understand soon enough."Jade ignored Chenelle's further inquiries, making a call instead. Chenelle strained to hear, but could only catch the name 'Ernesto' vaguely.While waiting, Chenelle’s anxiety grew. She had a bad feeling about today’s outcome but realized she couldn’t leave now. Resigned, she stayed put, waiting apprehensively.…Twenty minutes later, someone walked in from outside.Through the glass, she could make out it was a man.Chenelle snorted dismissively. She had expected Jade to pull out something impressive, but it seemed like a futile effort.She recognized the man immediately as the son of that cleaning lady who had caused trouble at her gallery."Ernesto, you’re here." Jade stood up to greet him, inviting him inside.Ernesto nodded, smiling at Jade, then greeted Caelan.Caelan responded with a slight nod."Jade, what’s the meaning o
Chenelle staggered back a few steps, her face suddenly paling. She had calculated everything meticulously but never expected to be outwitted by an unassuming guy.Facing the angry stares of the crowd, Chenelle opened her mouth weakly but found she couldn’t utter a word. This time, she really had no way to justify herself.Jade ignored Chenelle’s breakdown and pressed on, "Where did you put Melanie’s drafts?"Chenelle’s eyes shifted slightly, and she responded weakly. "I... I threw them away.""What?! You actually threw away Melanie’s drafts?!" Hearing this, Jade could no longer maintain her composure. She grabbed Chenelle by the collar, enraged. "Do you know how many sleepless nights Melanie spent creating them? You casually discarded them, throwing away her lifeblood. Do you understand what those drafts meant to her?!"Terrified by Jade's crazed demeanor, Chenelle struggled desperately, her emotions collapsing as she shouted, "I don’t care what it meant to her! I joined the crew
Samuel snapped back to reality and hurriedly nodded. "Oh, yes, of course. I'll take the team over right away."Jade pushed Chenelle aside and was about to rush out when Caelan caught her arm."Let them handle the search," he insisted. "You should wait here for news.""No," Jade protested. "I need to be there in person. This is Melanie’s only chance."The stakes for Melanie's success were too high for Jade to leave it to others. She couldn't sit idly at home waiting for updates.Observing Jade’s anxiety, Chenelle smirked inwardly. The bin was filthy and reeked. Even if they found the drafts, they would be ruined. Jade was doomed to make this trip for nothing, and Melanie's fate was sealed.…Twenty minutes later, the scene was chaotic with trash strewn everywhere, emitting a foul stench.Jade stood motionless amid the trash, seemingly oblivious to the nauseating odor. The bodyguards had been searching for over 20 minutes but had found nothing.Only a small area remained to be