"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
Seeing her calm and unassuming demeanor, Jade felt a wave of nausea.With a serene smile, Jade replied, "Chenelle, you're overthinking it. There's nothing wrong with me, but thank you for your concern.""Really nothing at all?" Chenelle blinked mischievously, feigning innocence. "But I saw the news today. Many netizens claimed the woman dining with Orion was you. I was so shocked. How could Caelan's fiancée be out with another man? Hearing you say this now, I'm relieved.""They must have mistaken me for someone else. Chenelle, don't learn from those bad people who gossip, or you'll leave a bad impression on Grandpa."Playing the innocent act to stir things up? Two could play that game.Using her own tactics against her, Jade watched Chenelle's face turn pale.Feigning grievance, Chenelle pitifully said, "Jade, you've wronged me. I had no other intention but to care for you.""I didn't mean anything either, just speaking casually. Don't take it to heart," Jade remarked indifferen
Jade's calm and rational response astounded Chenelle. Anyone else would have lost their composure by now. They would have either exploded in anger or become a panicked mess.Chenelle had expected Jade to slap her in fury, but instead, she received a mild yet cutting sarcastic remark.Despite its calm appearance, the retort was highly damaging. It was clear to the astute Kennedy that this was all a scene orchestrated by Chenelle."Grandpa, I didn't do it! I really didn't! Please believe me," Chenelle turned to Kennedy for help, crying pitifully. "I rely on my hands for my livelihood. I cherish them more than my life. How could I intentionally burn myself to frame Jade, especially under your watch? I wouldn't dare, Grandpa."Kennedy had seen everything clearly. If Jade hadn't dodged quickly, the scalding coffee would have spilled all over her."Enough!" Kennedy roared, looking at Chenelle with disappointment. "I may be old, but my eyes are still sharp. I saw everything just now. Che
"Jade, how does it feel to be lying in bed like the living dead?"Jade Severin, who had just gotten out of surgery, struggled to open her eyes. When she did, she saw the radiant Neve Severin standing by her bed."Sis—Neve..." Jade tried to speak, but her voice came out hoarse and unintelligible.A car accident had wrecked her life, leaving her once-smooth skin wrinkled and her hands ruined by burns, while her sweet voice had been lost amid this tragedy. Jade, who had been a top-notch medical expert, had become a worthless shell of her former self."You miserable creature, do you know how disgusting you look right now? It brings me immense joy. Perhaps you still don't know that your current state was my doing." Neve gloated by Jade's ear. "Let me enlighten you. Lloyd has already slept with me. He said he feels nauseous just looking at you."The revelation that Lloyd was involved with Neve hit Jade like a ton of bricks.No, he wouldn't do this! He loved her so much that he had told her h
How had it all turned out like this?No, Caelan couldn't be dead..."Looks like you really didn't know," Neve snorted before she continued. "The reason you weren't burned alive on the spot is that Caelan went all out to save you. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky and he got blown up right then and there. He was completely unrecognizable. It was pathetic, to say the least.""Ah..." It felt like Jade's chest had been punched, and she let out a desperate scream, glaring at Neve with a resentful gaze.Why? Why Caelan?She had kept him at a distance, ignoring his care and love, only to discover that he was the only one who had truly loved her. She had been blind."Tsk, look at your pathetic state." Neve laughed scornfully as she waved a syringe in front of Jade's eyes. "Since you're in so much pain, let me be a good sister and help you on your way." Dawn was close after all this darkness.Jade's head ached, her body felt like it was being reassembled, and the pain she felt reached