As they conversed, a shrill voice suddenly pierced the air. "Melanie! How dare you cause a scene here? Are you trying to embarrass us even more? Come home with me this instant!"Melanie turned around, her expression shifting from surprise to a deep, visible irritation. Her brows furrowed as she faced her spiteful stepmother, the last person she expected to see here."What are you doing here?" Melanie asked, her tone cold and indifferent.With one hand on her hip and the other jabbing an accusatory finger at Melanie’s face, Rebecca snapped, "What else can you do besides cause trouble? Do you even realize where you are? How dare you create such a scene here?"After her tirade, Rebecca’s face abruptly morphed into an obsequious smile as she turned to Shane. "My apologies, Mr. Bancroft. I’ll take her away immediately. I promise she won’t trouble you any further."Rebecca reached out to grab Melanie’s wrist, but Melanie dodged, glaring at her. "What do you mean by this, Ms. Gibbon?"A
Melanie walked ahead, completely unaware that Rebecca was about to strike her from behind.As the stick neared her head, a large hand appeared out of nowhere, intercepting Rebecca's blow."Hey, who are you?!" Rebecca demanded.The stick was firmly held by the stranger, and despite her efforts, she couldn’t budge it. Panicking over the promised money, she yanked hard, only for him to let go deliberately, causing her to fall backward into the mud.With a loud cry, Rebecca landed in a puddle, her body covered in black mud, looking utterly ridiculous."You bastard! Who do you think you are? You think you can get away with this? I'll sue you for every penny you've got!" she shrieked.Her curses fell on deaf ears as the man ignored her, treating her like she didn’t exist.Rebecca, like a clown, was completely disregarded."Owen?" Melanie was surprised to see Owen suddenly appear. His presence brought her an incomparable sense of relief and strength.With Owen here, Jade must be near
Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder Owen was so audacious, daring to stride onto the Bancroft family's turf and boss everyone around—he was connected to the Fitzgerald Group.'It appears that Melanie, that spiteful girl, has some real skill. She has managed to latch onto such a prestigious family. That means she is on the fast track to fortune and fame. Just a mere request from her, and even the smallest favor from the Fitzgeralds will sustain us for a lifetime!'"Melanie, Melanie." Rebecca beckoned from behind a pillar, completely forgetting her earlier intent to harm Melanie.Melanie turned a cold gaze toward her, showing no sign of compliance. "Why are you still here?""How can you talk to me like that? I'm your father’s wife. Where else should I be?" Rebecca replied with a sycophantic grin, her demeanor fawning and ingratiating.Melanie looked away in disgust, unwilling to engage further. "I can handle everything regarding my father. You can leave now."She wanted Rebecca
Under the astonished gaze of Shane, Owen made a decisive gesture and issued a command, "Initiate the rescue operation immediately."The bodyguards swiftly executed his order.It took Shane a moment to regain his composure. Was Owen’s subordinates actually taking over the Bancroft family’s territory?"Owen, how dare you?!" Shane blocked Owen’s path.This was no longer just about the rescue—it was about his dignity and reputation. If he allowed Owen to give orders on his turf, how could he hold his head high in the future?The moment Shane made his move, his own bodyguards acted, surrounding Owen with menacing looks, ready to strike at Shane’s command.Owen scoffed disdainfully. "What’s this? Have you lost interest in saving lives?""Don’t twist my words," Shane retorted helplessly. "Our company has already dispatched people for the rescue. Who do you think you are to interfere?""Well said, my son!" A resonant voice echoed.Shane looked up to see Theodore entering. His arrival
Faced with no alternative, Theodore had no choice but to comply, feeling as if he were being pushed into a corner."What’s the matter, Mr. Bancroft?" Owen asked politely. "If it’s a financial issue, please don’t hesitate to speak up. The Fitzgerald Group won’t stand by and do nothing. Before I came, Miss Severin and Mr. Fitzgerald explicitly told me that if the Bancroft family needs help, the Fitzgerald Group will be there without question."Owen's grand declaration made it seem like the Bancroft family was on the brink of bankruptcy and seeking assistance from the Fitzgerald Group.Theodore’s face darkened, his throat constricting with emotion, yet he couldn't utter a single word. Although the Bancrofts weren't as powerful as the Fitzgeralds, they had been established in Centus for a long time and had considerable financial strength. To imply that the Bancrofts were facing financial difficulties was a stain on his reputation.Melanie stared at Owen in astonishment. Normally reserv
Under the Fitzgerald Group's pressure, Theodore finally relented after much deliberation."I want to speak with Mr. Fitzgerald in person."His request was promptly denied by Owen. "I’m sorry, but Mr. Fitzgerald is very busy and doesn’t have time to meet with you."The Fitzgeralds had cut off all of Theodore’s escape routes, leaving him only two choices: comply with the Fitzgerald Group or face bankruptcy.Taking a deep breath, Theodore asked Owen, "What exactly do you want from me?"His willingness to bow down showed he recognized the severity of the Fitzgeralds' influence. Owen replied with a serious expression, "Begin the rescue operation and save the trapped workers.""Is it really worth making such a big fuss over those few workers?" Theodore squinted, his gaze sharp and ruthless.This conflict with the Fitzgeralds was now inevitable—he was determined to retaliate given the chance."Of course, it’s worth it." A crisp voice suddenly interrupted, startling Theodore. He turn
Jade's meaning was crystal clear: if Shane bullied Melanie again, she would make him pay.This time, targeting the Bancroft family was precisely because of this.Jade's gaze was icy, sharp as a blade, sending chills down his spine."I didn't bully her! On the contrary, she bullied me! Look at these injuries!" Shane revealed the wounds on his body to Jade, trying to prove he wasn’t lying.Theodore's face turned livid with anger, cursing himself inwardly for raising such a useless son.Melanie scoffed, retorting, "I don't provoke unless provoked. Shane, if you hadn't messed with me, would I have hit you?"Jade pulled Melanie back. "Now's not the time for this. The most important thing is to save lives."Melanie nodded, positioning herself behind Jade.Jade turned to Theodore and asked, "Mr. Bancroft, can we proceed with the rescue now?"Theodore’s expression was stony, his teeth gritting. "The Bancroft family never said we wouldn't rescue anyone. It's just that the underground s
Jade gave Melanie a faint, confident smile. She never engaged in anything she wasn't sure of. This time, she would see how thoroughly she could humiliate Theodore.Melanie was still worried. Experts had stated that the underground situation was complicated. How could an outsider like Jade be so certain she could rescue her father unharmed?Everyone followed behind Jade, curiosity evident on their faces. They were eager to see how she would manage the rescue. Could a young woman really have such remarkable abilities?Upon arriving at the scene, all the personnel were already in place, awaiting the order to commence the rescue.A bespectacled worker approached Jade. "Miss Severin, based on our observations, although the underground conditions are complex, the structure is quite stable. The collapse occurred in a dead corner, forming a narrow space inside..."The technical jargon made Melanie's head spin. She interrupted anxiously, "Excuse me, but I just want to know if my father is
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