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.
Jade shrugged with a light laugh. Last semester, Melanie skipped too many classes and failed several courses. She was probably dragging Tiffany to catch up right now. 'Forget it. Since they're not coming, I'll just go eat by myself.'...Orion looked at his phone screen with disgust. Chenelle's text was filled with threats. Chenelle was getting greedier, thinking she could hold onto him with such clumsy tactics. He lit a cigarette, but just as he was about to take a drag, his manager rushed in and snatched it away. "Why are you smoking? You'll reek of smoke during the commercial shoot. If it gets out, it'll cause trouble."With his cigarette taken, Orion sighed, showing his displeasure as he got up to leave. "Hey, where are you going?" his manager asked."To eat," Orion replied without turning back.…The shopping mall was extra crowded today because of the commercial shoot.Orion wore a large hat to conceal his face, trying to minimize his presence. Countless fervent fa
Orion scoffed and gestured to himself, signaling Jade to take a look. "I'm a hot commodity right now, a rising star. Who would believe I'm dining with a woman in a place like this? Even if they saw me, they'd think I'm just some random guy. Especially dressed like this."Orion was wearing a white T-shirt, cropped shorts, and... Jade's gaze traveled downward, and she could hardly believe it—he was wearing flip-flops. It was no wonder he was so bold. No one would guess that the current heartthrob had no regard for maintaining his image.The dishes arrived, filling the table to the brim/Jade looked at the overwhelming spread with some apprehension. It was enough food to last her two days."Why are you daydreaming? Eat!" Orion enthusiastically pushed the dishes toward Jade, smiling. "This steamed bass is excellent, very fresh. Try it."Jade forced a polite smile, picked up her utensils, and took a small, symbolic bite. Finally, she voiced the question that had been on her mind. "Yo
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Jade said, a bit deflated. "I promised to treat you to a meal."'Now it’s messed up! I didn’t finish the meal and still owe Orion a favor.'Orion didn’t mind and smiled. "Consider yourself treated."He chuckled softly and walked ahead.Seeing him head toward the elevator, Jade could only follow, thinking she would have to find a chance to repay the favor.After just a few steps, Orion turned back. He put on a hat and even donned a mask.Jade noticed his tense demeanor and instinctively glanced downstairs.Several paparazzi were huddled together, occasionally glancing in their direction.Jade's heart sank. In a hushed voice, she asked Orion, "Are you being followed?""Isn't it obvious?" Orion muttered.The paparazzi were unlike those rabid fans. They specialized in sneaking shots of celebrities off guard. Unflattering photos, all kinds of scandalous news—they wrote anything to stir up buzz.To avoid trouble, artists kept their distance from th
The next day was a Sunday.There were no classes at the university, and Jade didn't have to go to the office either, giving her a rare chance to relax at home. She cleaned the house, watered the plants, and enjoyed her leisurely time.After tidying up, Jade grabbed her textbooks to review for the second half of the semester. Finding the house too quiet, she casually turned on her computer. As soon as she opened it, a piece of news popped up.A popular young actor was spotted secretly dating his girlfriend. Below were several photos of Orion laughing and chatting with a woman. Initially, Jade didn't pay much attention to it. But when she saw the female lead in the photos, she couldn't stay calm. Despite the woman's face being pixelated, anyone who knew her could easily recognize that it was her.What was going on? How could she and Orion be photographed like that?The photos seemed deliberately staged to make them look intimate as if they were lovers.At first, Jade thought th
Jade was packing her things while speaking to Tiffany over the phone."Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Jade reassured her.After hanging up, Jade was about to head out when Orion's call came through. She didn't want to answer, but since it concerned him, she had no choice."Hello?" Jade's voice carried a hint of anger. If it weren't for Orion, she wouldn't be caught up in this mess. What irritated her more was that an hour had passed since the incident, and Orion had done nothing. Did he intend to just let it be?"Jade, it's me, Orion," he said, sensing the displeasure in her tone. He softened his approach. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this.""If you realize it's unfair, then why haven't you handled the PR? I don't believe your team can't manage such a minor issue. If that's the case, forget I said anything.""Listen to me," Orion replied over the phone. "I'm working on it. Don't worry, there will be a resolution soon. I promise you, within an hour, your name will be cle
When Jade arrived, Chenelle was already seated opposite Kennedy, meticulously peeling fruits with the demeanor of an obedient child."Grandpa, have some fruit," Chenelle said, offering a peeled orange to Kennedy with a flattering smile.Kennedy couldn't stand seeing her like this. He always felt her smile was fake, a deliberate act to achieve some ulterior motive. But since she was already there and had done nothing wrong, he couldn't exactly throw her out.Chenelle glanced at Kennedy, noticing his sour expression. She assumed he was troubled by Jade's situation and secretly smiled to herself, though outwardly she displayed a concerned look."Grandpa, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. Jade wouldn't do something like that. The paparazzi must have exaggerated. She was probably just having a meal with a regular friend."Kennedy's hand paused in mid-air as he was about to take the fruit. He glared at Chenelle and couldn't help but reprimand her, "Who told you that was Jade? T
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