At that hour, it was surprising to still see someone around.Jade looked toward the source of the sound, her eyes landing on a Range Rover parked not far away. A man stood by the door, waving at her."It's you." Jade raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, not expecting to encounter Orion there. Their previous brief meeting hadn't suggested they'd run into each other again so soon.What puzzled Jade was why he was there. Was it intentional, or merely a coincidence?Orion gestured toward her car with his chin, smiling as he asked, "It seems your car has some trouble. Do you need a ride?"The parking lot was deserted. Leaving from here would mean taking the elevator back to the main building, which was quite a hassle.Not wanting to waste time and curious about Orion's intentions, Jade smiled and said, "Thank you, I'd appreciate it."Orion opened the car door with a gentlemanly gesture. "At your service, miss."His humor and charm would likely endear him to many girls, but Jade was a
The Range Rover came to a slow halt by the roadside, its headlights casting a shimmering glow across the vehicle's surface. The car door swung open.Jade stepped out in her high heels and took her place by the curb. The evening breeze tousled her long hair, sending a soft strand fluttering in the air. It accentuated her graceful and charming appearance. Orion remained seated inside, momentarily mesmerized by her elegant figure. "Thank you," Jade said politely, standing by the roadside. "Goodbye. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime."Snapping back to reality, Orion quickly caught the implication. "When?"Jade paused, a little taken aback by his eagerness. Collecting herself, she replied, "Whenever you’re free.""Alright, I’ll hold you to that." With a charming smile, Orion started the car and drove away slowly. In the rearview mirror, he saw Jade standing there for a moment before turning to walk back the way they had come. Orion let out a quiet chuckle, muttering to himself
"Don't worry about it. I have my ways. Just make sure you come," Chenelle said, her tears giving way to a soft smile and a tender tone."Alright, I'm heading over now."…A few minutes later, the Range Rover pulled up to the back entrance of a villa.Orion sat in the car, a cigarette nestled between his fingers, exhaling smoke as he stared at the building. His eyes flickered with a hint of resentment.The Fitzgerald Group now stood at the pinnacle of success, but how much blood had paved their path to glory? They were now among the elite, while those trampled underfoot were left to their fate.He tossed the cigarette butt out the window, trying to calm his emotions."Orion!" A petite figure scampered over, hurriedly opened the car door, and slipped inside.The strong scent of perfume filled the vehicle, causing Orion to frown in discomfort. Although he masked it well, Chenelle, always observant, noticed."What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Chenelle's face darkened. Orion would
Chenelle stared at the tiny hedgehog keychain for a long time before she finally deciphered the letters on it.JS stoof for Jade Severin!'This keychain belongs to Jade. No wonder it looks familiar!'The realization that this was Jade's property made Chenelle's eyes flash with malice. She clenched her fist and raised her hand, ready to throw the keychain away.However, her hand froze mid-air, and she pulled it back.A sinister plan formed in her mind, a scheme that would bring Jade to ruin."My things are not to be touched. Anyone who dares will pay the price."Slowly retracting her hand, Chenelle carefully tucked the keychain into her pocket and quietly returned to her room....Jade arrived home and pulled out her keys to open the door. As the weight in her hand suddenly lightened, she realized the tiny hedgehog was missing. This was a gift from Caelan, one she cherished deeply and always kept close. How could it simply vanish?Panicked, Jade began pacing. This gift held gr
Actually, what she wanted to ask was what Caelan had been up to these days. If it was business, he would have called her.Kennedy hesitated for a moment before replying, "He's just been handling business affairs. He's probably very busy. That rascal didn't call me either. Don't worry, Jade. He's not the type to act recklessly."Kennedy's words brought some comfort to Jade. She put down the phone and encouraged herself, "Grandpa is right. Caelan isn't the kind of man to do something out of line. I should trust him."They had been together for so long. If they didn't have even the most basic trust, what future could she talk about with Caelan?Once she figured this out, Jade felt a weight lift off her shoulders."This is the first birthday I'm celebrating with Caelan. I have to prepare a special gift for him."Jade propped her chin on her hand, deep in thought. What kind of gift would make this birthday especially meaningful for Caelan?After thinking for a long time, she still co
Melanie and Tiffany were caught off guard, both getting sprayed right in the face.The three women froze for a moment.Melanie's eyes widened like walnuts as she stared at the wet spot spreading across her chest. She let out a sharp scream, "Jade, ah..."This was her brand-new outfit, just worn for the first time, and now it was ruined.Tiffany and Jade exchanged glances and burst into laughter. The fabric on Melanie's chest had become so transparent that her undergarment was clearly visible."Melanie, I didn't know you had such a figure," Tiffany teased.Melanie's initially angry face brightened up, a proud look replacing her scowl."Of course! I may not beat you two in other areas, but here..." She deliberately puffed out her chest and declared with pride, "You two definitely can't compete with me."Seeing the conversation veering off course, Jade quickly intervened, "Stop, stop, stop. We're not here to compare chests today. Didn't we agree to help me come up with a gift idea
It was the first time Hade had ever heard of giving a gift and including oneself in the package."I had the room key sent to your company via courier. It should arrive tomorrow, so make sure you pick it up," Tiffany said, heading toward the kitchen. "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving.""Same here, same here," Melanie echoed, following closely behind. She could never resist the mention of food.The two of them rummaged through Jade's kitchen, eventually finding some meat and vegetables, and began cooking.Jade let them have their way in the kitchen while she sat on the sofa. She rested her chin in her hand, contemplating the gift.In fact, this plan wasn't entirely unreasonable.She and Caelan were truly in love and should have been together long ago.Thinking of it this way, she began to look forward to Caelan's birthday.…The next day.Jade went to work as usual, but unlike the previous days, she was brimming with energy and excitement.A faint smile graced her lips a
Chenelle's face twisted with jealousy, her eyes filled with venom as she glared at Jade's office building. She wished she could burn Jade's company to the ground.Why did Jade have everything? Why did she get to be happy while Chenelle lived like a beggar?The resentment drove Chenelle mad—she couldn't stand to see Jade and Caelan living happily together. If she couldn't have it, she would ensure Jade couldn't have it easily either.Glancing at the hotel room key card in her hand, Chenelle memorized the room number and then called the hotel. "Hello, I'd like to book a room.""Which room would you like, miss?" The receptionist's voice was friendly and polite.Gritting her teeth, Chenelle replied, "I want Room 2021.""I'm sorry, miss, but Room 2021 is already booked. Perhaps you can choose another room?""I want Room 2021, and I'll pay ten times the price."There was a brief silence on the line before the receptionist responded. "Alright, miss. Room 2021 is now reserved for you.
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