Jasper couldn't help but smile as he carefully set his jacket down and walked over to lift Imogen into his arms. Imogen let out a surprised gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Her heart raced, cheeks turning pink as a wave of warmth washed over her.He carried her into the house and settled on the couch, seating her on his lap. Their proximity pressed them close. A lingering air of romantic uncertainty enveloped them. Imogen felt a blush spread across her cheeks.Jasper's voice was husky and tender as he asked, "Have you had dinner?"Although Imogen hadn't eaten yet, she nodded. "Yes, I have."Jasper tucked a strand of her long hair behind her ear. He looked deeply into her flushed and lovely face, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You still haven't told me where you've been.""I interviewed successfully and started a new job. I was so thrilled that I went to visit my parents," Imogen replied.Jasper smiled warmly, his hands cradling her face gently. His voice car
Imogen retreated to her room and locked the door. Without hesitation, she booted up her computer and started searching the internet for "Jasper Morrison".The results flooded in with numerous headlines, though most were disappointingly uninformative. Yet, one title caught her attention. With a swift click, she plunged into the article and absorbed its content eagerly.After reading the information, she was completely taken aback. It turned out that the CEO of Star Enterprise went by the name Jasper Morrison. Strangely, there was hardly any online coverage of the company's CEO, not even a single photograph.Imogen's unease deepened with each passing moment. She swiftly grabbed her phone and dialed Eloise's number.After a few rings, Eloise answered. She held the phone to her ear and greeted, "Hey, Imogen!""Aunt Eloise, I need to talk to you about Ash. He—"Imogen's words faltered as Eloise interrupted apologetically. "Imogen, I'm so sorry. I'm so scatterbrained. I forgot to tell
Jasper felt his heart sink as he stood there, rooted to the spot, his intense gaze meeting Imogen's eyes blazing with anger. Momentarily speechless, he slipped his hands into his sweatpants pockets, lowered his head, and sighed. Imogen suppressed her frustration, studying him cautiously before calmly asking, "Are you still searching for the right words, or do you plan to continue deceiving me?"Jasper lifted his head and held her gaze firmly. "I'm Jasper Morrison."Imogen's demeanor turned colder. "I'm fully aware. It's written on the marriage certificate.""I deceived you. My real name isn't Asher, and I'm not the guy Eloise arranged for you to meet," Jasper said."Why would you pretend to be the guy Aunt Eloise set me up with?" Imogen demanded, her voice laced with anger.Jasper felt a surge of unease. He extended his hand, wanting to reach for Imogen's hand to explain himself. Yet, Imogen cautiously stepped back, swiftly tucking her hands behind her, and eyeing his hand war
"Before high school, I grew up and went to school out on the frontier," Jasper said."So, which one are you in the middle school photos?" Imogen asked, carefully studying the few snapshots of several people."Check out the group photos. Besides those, there aren't any solo shots of us together," Jasper responded with a hint of disappointment.Imogen froze, staring at Jasper in disbelief. Anxiety churned in her chest and a sense of impending dread swept over her. She swallowed hard, her voice slightly quivering as she asked, "Was it that I didn't want to take photos with you? Or did we just never get the chance?""It was that you didn't want to," Jasper replied.Imogen fell silent, her heart pounding erratically. She was gripped tightly by a wave of panic. She had always been known for her approachability and friendliness, so turning down a schoolmate's invitation for a photo felt oddly out of character.Unless… it was him!Her breath caught as she cautiously asked, "Is your last
On the border of Norvania, Suzanne York was shocked to learn that her brother had sold her off for 100 thousand dollars to cover his gambling debts. Technive was a high-tech area that was a hotbed of criminal activity. It was known for scams, human trafficking, organ trading, and violence. People there didn't care about human life. Suzanne's beauty had caught the eye of criminals, who tried to force her to sell her body.Suzanne fought back with all her might, only to receive relentless beatings in return, leaving her clothes torn and her body bruised.Overwhelmed by pain, she finally thought of her husband, Nathan Morrison. "Please don't touch me. I can get my husband to give you as much money as you want. Please!" Suzanne sobbed as she refused for the last time.One of the criminals' jobs was to demand ransoms.The leader of the group, Ken, halted his men's attacks. He grabbed a phone and handed it to Suzanne. "Tell your husband to bring 20 million dollars. Anything less th
Nathan had bravely forged a path through bloodshed to fight off their country's enemies.Ken recalled that Nathan had fought in the Middle Eastern War and had come to be considered a national hero after he had defeated all his enemies.How could the fragile woman before them be his wife?"Don't worry about it. Nathan Morrison is a fearsome man. No idiot would dare to sell his wife. From what I know, he's still single." Unfazed, Ken reassured his men. "I bet her husband just has the same name as him. Keep calling her husband until he brings 20 million dollars."Ken's men kept trying to contact Nathan.Devastated, Suzanne slumped into a corner and closed her eyes in despair.…Some time passed before a deafening boom resounded, shaking the ground.Suzanne shuddered and opened her eyes.The men in the room, who had been playing cards while waiting for the money, were alarmed.Someone from the outside cried anxiously, "We're in trouble. Someone blasted our gate apart!""Blaste
Shaking in fear, Ken shouted threateningly, "Then, I'll take your wife down with me!"Nathan had never been one to succumb to threats, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, the sound of seven gunshots pierced through Suzanne's ears. Her body jolted violently before freezing in shock as her eyes screwed shut. She could feel blood splattering on her cheeks.At that moment, calling herself Nathan's wife seemed bitterly ironic.Nathan was here to save the thousands of victims trapped here, not her. So he wouldn't mind it if he accidentally killed her. Suzanne felt her heart clench in pain. Unable to endure the terror, she collapsed, losing consciousness.…The military headquarters was Norvania's largest weaponry production base and was heavily armed."No!"A nightmare jolted Suzanne awake. Her eyes shot open, and she found herself drenched in sweat.She panted softly and surveyed her surroundings.Her eyes quickly landed on a woman standing by her bedside. Th
Nathan's gaze was frosty and calm. "What do you mean?"Suzanne bravely met his eyes. "Let's get divorced."She had been in love with him for three years. All she had wanted was a pure relationship. Now that their marriage had been tainted, she refused to keep things going like this.Nathan's expression turned grim. Behind him, Cole spoke up, displeased. "Suzanne York. 25 years old. From Phoenicia of Norvania. Has an alcoholic father prone to domestic violence and a mother and brother who are gamblers buried in debt."Suzanne shot Cole an astonished look. Unconcerned, Cole continued, "You dropped out in ninth grade and were scammed by men online before working as an escort in a karaoke bar. "Then, at 20 years old, you married an 80-year-old man and became a widow less than two years later without inheriting anything."Still, Cole had more to say. "You have, at best, had an elementary school education and have achieved nothing since then. You were also involved in prostitution