The day before the charity gala, Chester brought Giselle to buy a dress.Since Chester made a reservation at the boutique, they were escorted in as soon as they arrived."Mr. and Mrs. Fordham, this is the masterpiece of our store's top designer. It just arrived from abroad today." The salesperson introduced the gown while directing her assistant to bring it out.The dress was black, featuring an off-the-shoulder design that exuded pure elegance. With minimal decorations, it was simple yet beautiful.Giselle immediately liked it."Would you like to try it on?" Chester asked. He wasn't wearing glasses today, and his eyes shone with joy. It seemed he was pleased by the salesperson addressing Giselle as "Mrs. Fordham".Yesterday, Chester had asked Giselle to make things official between them, but he hadn't waited for her answer. Before she could speak, he had changed the subject, perhaps out of fear of rejection.He promised her a surprise instead. December had arrived, and the new
Giselle called for the salesperson outside.The curtains were soon pulled open. With her back to the opening, Giselle's hair cascaded over her shoulder."The zipper seems stuck. Could you please help me?" Giselle asked without turning back, one hand bracing against the railing in front of her.The person behind her stepped closer.Chester gently touched the zipper of her gown. His fingers brushed against Giselle's smooth back, sending shivers down her spine.Realizing something was amiss, she turned around, but a hand rested on her shoulder. Then came a husky voice. "Don't move, Gigi." Giselle's mind went blank. She called for the salesperson, so why did Chester come in instead?She flushed in embarrassment. Her knuckles turned white from how tightly she was gripping the railing. She tried to steady her racing heart and lowered her gaze to hide the emotions in her eyes.Chester was standing very close. The overhead light cast their shadows on the wall, the two silhouettes int
Giselle's heart skipped a beat as Chester's hand moved. She stood still and stared at him intently.Chester's hand extended past her, gently brushing aside the stray strands of hair from her face and tucking them behind her ear. His fingertips grazed her cheek, leaving a tingling sensation on her skin.Giselle's lashes fluttered at the touch. The intimate interaction filled Finley with jealousy, her emotions mirroring Charlotte's bitterness. However, Finley couldn't intervene or reprimand him. Her noble upbringing prevented her from acting rashly or revealing her true feelings. To onlookers, Chester and Giselle appeared like any couple who were madly in love. Giselle feigned composure, but the salespeople around them couldn't contain their excitement. One of them giggled with admiration. "Mrs. Fordham, Mr. Fordham treats you so well!" "I'm not—" Giselle was about to deny her relationship with Chester but the latter interrupted her by handing over a card. "We'll take th
One of the gala's requirements was a contribution of over a million dollars to a charitable organization. Giselle might not meet the requirement, but Chester's wealth and influence could easily make up for it. Finley scoffed at the thought. She regained her composure and urged Charlotte to pick a gown. Then, she stepped aside to call Sebastian. …After leaving the boutique, Chester took Giselle to shop for jewelry. Whenever Giselle stared at an item for even a second longer, Chester would immediately purchase it and have it delivered to her home. Giselle sighed. "I really don't need all this, Mr. Fordham…" Yet Chester continued. He wasn't fazed by the amount of money he was spending, especially with the store staff showering him with compliments. "Sir, you treat your wife so well!" "Sir, this matching ring set is perfect for you two. It symbolizes eternal love and unity!" "Sir, take a look at this piece. It's our designer's masterpiece! I'm sure it would look pe
Chester's voice echoed in the living room. The warm light cast a glow on his handsome features, his lashes casting shadows beneath his eyes. He resembled a knight from a fantasy story. Giselle's hands tightened around the glass, her palms wet with sweat. She hummed softly and the atmosphere between them tensed.The doorbell broke the silence.When Giselle got up, a flicker of annoyance flashed across Chester's gaze. He didn't have to guess. At this hour, the only person likely to show up at Giselle's door was Harry. A few hours earlier, Harry had posted a picture on social media announcing his return. Judging by the time, he should have just arrived home. When Giselle opened the door, Harry's bright smile greeted her. He was holding bags full of gifts."Giselle, these are presents I got for you! I bought them using the money I got for my birthday!" Harry had been receiving money for his birthday for the past 18 years. It was at least a few million dollars.In the past,
Chester said, "Harry accidentally spilled water on the guest bed. It's pouring outside… Can I stay at your place tonight, Gigi?"Harry grumbled to himself but eventually gave in, thinking about the money Chester had promised him. "It's all my fault! Giselle, you should let Chet stay the night." Giselle was silent. Something felt off, but she couldn't bring herself to say no. After a moment, she stepped aside. "Come in." Harry also tried to follow them inside, but Chester stopped him. "Head home now. You still have school tomorrow." Chester was firm.Harry was speechless. How could someone be so quick to burn bridges after crossing them? How despicable! After the door closed, Harry turned away and immediately pulled out his phone to vent in their group chat. "Chet is unbelievable! He used his money to force me to act alongside him! Do I look like that kind of person?" Sam: "Did you take the money?"Harry: "Hmph! I maxed out my card. Might as well take it if it's free!"
Giselle had only met a few members of the Stone family. The first was Harry. Despite meeting for the first time, it felt as if they had known each other for ages. Many others had also commented on how much she resembled the Stones.Giselle was always curious but never felt the need to find her biological family.Now that Chester had brought it up, Giselle found herself deep in thought. Chester quietly texted on his phone.After a while, he asked again, "Gigi, would you mind if I arranged a DNA test?" They would know if Giselle was the long-lost daughter of the Stone family once the results came back. The daughter they had searched for all these years might have been right in front of them all along. Giselle remembered Harry saying that Lyla's DNA matched the Stone family's. But the documents Chester had shown her… Something was amiss. Lyla and Holly definitely had ulterior motives for infiltrating the Stone family. Thinking of Harry's smile, Giselle agreed to Che
As the head of the Lawson family, Jonathan found himself at the center of media attention, especially after Giselle and Chester's public display of intimacy at the gala. "Mr. Lawson, who is your date for tonight? Do you have any comments on your ex-fiancée, Ms. Stone?" "How do you feel about your ex and your uncle attending the gala together?" "Mr. Lawson, would you give them your blessings if they were to marry?" "Mr. Lawson…" The relentless questioning further agitated Jonathan, who was already in a foul mood. Just then, a photographer shoved a camera right in his face. Jonathan's eyes narrowed dangerously. He suddenly grabbed the camera and smashed it to the ground.The reporters fell silent. Jonathan ignored their stares and strode into the venue, his eyes scanning the place for Giselle and Chester. Despite his search, he constantly found himself intercepted by others. …In a corner of the venue, Charlotte stood alone with a wine glass in hand. As the
Giselle did not even care to learn how they managed to convince Charlotte to join them.None of it mattered anymore. Their plan was about to fail, after all. Did she seem that weak to them?While she was still deep in thought, there was suddenly the sound of someone kicking at the door. In the midst of that chaos, the sharp voice of a woman could be heard, saying, "Chester, I saw Giselle and Jonathan enter this room with my own eyes!"The door swung open.The bed inside was a mess, but there was no one there.Disarrayed footsteps headed toward the bathroom. Just like that, a group of people appeared in front of Giselle.Finley, who was the leader of the pack, was stunned when she saw that Giselle was still neatly dressed.This was different from what she had imagined!The calm look on Giselle's face did not look like that of someone who had just finished doing the deed. On the other hand, Jonathan, who was lying in the bathtub… looked extremely miserable.The media who had bee
The room was dimly lit.There was a thick scent of incense in the air. It did not take many inhalations before Giselle started to feel her body getting warm. She quickly covered her nose.Using the only source of light, she squinted her eyes and moved forward.Within seconds, the rough breathing of a man appeared next to her ear.The shadow on the wall was approaching her. When his hand was about to reach her, Giselle dodged to the left with one swift movement, leaving Jonathan embracing the air."Gigi…" The hoarse voice was laced with a hint of lust.The man tugged at the button of his collar as he approached Giselle once again. He was burning all over. It felt like he was being roasted from the inside. He was gradually losing his ability to think rationally.All he could see was the thin figure in front of him.Giselle was left speechless.They had cast a spell on this miserable man because they were not able to do it to her?There was no denying it. Angela and her friends
Angela, Finley, and Charlotte were rendered speechless.This explained why Giselle was able to make so many enemies. Just that mouth of hers could make people abhor her with a burning passion.What now? If Giselle did not go over, they would not be able to carry out their plan!The trio was beginning to grow anxious.Luckily enough, Giselle could sense their desperation. Being merciful, she said, "I mean, I won't go with you unless…"She was undoubtedly baiting them. There was a flash of malice in Angela's eyes as she gritted her teeth and asked, "Unless what?""Unless you let me play with your spell bugs."The moment she finished talking, the lights in the corridor suddenly came back on.Angela's face was as pale as death. How did Giselle know that she practiced witchcraft? She must be trying to trick her!Angela's petite body trembled. Still, she tried her best to maintain a calm composure."W-What spell bug? I don't know what you're talking about…""Oh, really? Then expla
The crowd was frantic.A tumult of screamings and shoutings bombarded their ears. Chester's voice was swallowed whole by the clamor of the crowd.Giselle moved forward with the flow of the crowd.There was only darkness ahead. Everyone skimmed the walls as they walked. There was a faint source of light in front of them.Before Giselle could even suppress her annoyance, a hand suddenly grabbed onto her wrist.The palm of this person's hand was slightly calloused. Her skin became a little sore from the slight abrasion.It was the hand of a woman.Giselle did not struggle against the woman grabbing her. Instead, she let her pull her forward.They were headed in the opposite direction from everybody else.During this time, Giselle had a sudden moment of clarity.The faint light allowed her to recognize the back and gait of the person in front of her. It revealed the fact that this woman was Angela.Still, Giselle remained unperturbed.As they went up the stairs, the noise and c
"Mr. and Mrs. Stone, this is my sister, Lyla."Lyla tried her best to smile. In a very soft voice, she greeted, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Stone."Jackie had notified his family members in advance. But now that the actual person was standing in front of them, both Eugene and Moira were surprisingly calm.In short, Lyla felt like a total stranger to them.On the other hand, Giselle seemed profoundly familiar.After having compared the two, both Eugene and Moira kept their true feelings concealed.The news of them finding their long-lost biological daughter had not been made public. They had initially planned to announce the news at the charity banquet.However, they were now having second thoughts."Let's talk about this again when your brother and the others arrive."Upon hearing these words, the smile on Holly's face visibly stiffened. Things were not going according to plan.If she had it her way, the Stones would now be making the public announcement that Lyla was their eldest d
When Giselle was kicked out of the Grants' house, she had nothing to her name.Now, she seemed to be shamelessly clinging onto Jonathan, someone who had everything. Charlotte hated Giselle's guts.How could she, after leaving the Lawsons' world in shambles, be living her best, carefree life?Giselle should be having the worst, most miserable life in the slums! She should be trampled underneath Charlotte's feet forever!In stark contrast to Charlotte's rage, Giselle was much calmer.Giselle looked askance at Charlotte. With a cold and calm demeanor, she said to Charlotte, "We'll see."With the three women embroiled in the same drama, she was curious to see what interesting events would unfold.Just like that, Giselle disappeared from their sight.Finley stared at Charlotte with disapproval and said, "Wasn't what you just said to Giselle an indirect reminder?"When they first met, she had thought that Charlotte was a smart person. However, as Finley got to know her better, she r
As the head of the Lawson family, Jonathan found himself at the center of media attention, especially after Giselle and Chester's public display of intimacy at the gala. "Mr. Lawson, who is your date for tonight? Do you have any comments on your ex-fiancée, Ms. Stone?" "How do you feel about your ex and your uncle attending the gala together?" "Mr. Lawson, would you give them your blessings if they were to marry?" "Mr. Lawson…" The relentless questioning further agitated Jonathan, who was already in a foul mood. Just then, a photographer shoved a camera right in his face. Jonathan's eyes narrowed dangerously. He suddenly grabbed the camera and smashed it to the ground.The reporters fell silent. Jonathan ignored their stares and strode into the venue, his eyes scanning the place for Giselle and Chester. Despite his search, he constantly found himself intercepted by others. …In a corner of the venue, Charlotte stood alone with a wine glass in hand. As the
Giselle had only met a few members of the Stone family. The first was Harry. Despite meeting for the first time, it felt as if they had known each other for ages. Many others had also commented on how much she resembled the Stones.Giselle was always curious but never felt the need to find her biological family.Now that Chester had brought it up, Giselle found herself deep in thought. Chester quietly texted on his phone.After a while, he asked again, "Gigi, would you mind if I arranged a DNA test?" They would know if Giselle was the long-lost daughter of the Stone family once the results came back. The daughter they had searched for all these years might have been right in front of them all along. Giselle remembered Harry saying that Lyla's DNA matched the Stone family's. But the documents Chester had shown her… Something was amiss. Lyla and Holly definitely had ulterior motives for infiltrating the Stone family. Thinking of Harry's smile, Giselle agreed to Che
Chester said, "Harry accidentally spilled water on the guest bed. It's pouring outside… Can I stay at your place tonight, Gigi?"Harry grumbled to himself but eventually gave in, thinking about the money Chester had promised him. "It's all my fault! Giselle, you should let Chet stay the night." Giselle was silent. Something felt off, but she couldn't bring herself to say no. After a moment, she stepped aside. "Come in." Harry also tried to follow them inside, but Chester stopped him. "Head home now. You still have school tomorrow." Chester was firm.Harry was speechless. How could someone be so quick to burn bridges after crossing them? How despicable! After the door closed, Harry turned away and immediately pulled out his phone to vent in their group chat. "Chet is unbelievable! He used his money to force me to act alongside him! Do I look like that kind of person?" Sam: "Did you take the money?"Harry: "Hmph! I maxed out my card. Might as well take it if it's free!"