Used to the safety in Norvania, Candice never imagined that in broad daylight, criminals could boldly storm into a hotel and abduct someone.She was thrown into a car with her hands and feet bound, eyes blindfolded, and mouth gagged. She curled up in a corner of the car. She was terrified, shivering uncontrollably.The foreigners in the car laughed heartily, speaking in their native language filled with filthy words."This woman is really beautiful.""Not only did we get the money, we also got a pretty girl to play with. Guys, this is a great deal!""Look at that body, that face. She's a real prize, isn't she?""Let's have some fun with her later."Hearing these vile conversations, Candice was terrified and helpless.From their words, it was clear they were hired to kidnap and violate her.She felt very disgusted, making her want to vomit.Half an hour later, Candice felt herself being dragged out of the car.After being carried into a room, she was tossed onto a soft bed.
Candice's eyes glistened with tears as she panicked.The scent of Elio's clothes was soothing and comforting. She felt very thankful.She choked out, "E-Elio, thank you."Elio bent down to carry her up. He murmured lightly, "I'm sorry. I didn't protect you well and I got here late too. You must be scared."Leaning against Elio's solid chest, Candice felt an overwhelming sense of safety as his warmth calmed her down.As she looked up, she saw his Adam's apple was close to her face. With her cheek flushing, her heart raced as she breathed heavily.Although she was still in a state of shock, she felt shy for some reason.When they left the house, numerous police cars were at the entrance.Sean stayed behind to handle the scene while Elio took her straight to the hospital.After the doctor treated the rope burns on her wrists, a psychologist was brought in to help her cope with the terrifying experience.Luckily, her fear slowly disappeared and she began to feel better. She felt
Candice entered the bathroom and took her bath.The entire process took a little over an hour.Normally, after bathing, she would wash her hair and blow-dry it. Then, she would do her skincare routine, apply a face mask and hand mask, and finally apply lotion and cream all over her body.By the time she finished all this, more than an hour had passed.When she came out of the bathroom, she was surprised to find Elio already in her room.His pillow and blanket were on the sofa. He was sitting there in casual sleepwear, looking at his phone.She was slightly stunned. She was nervous for some reason because she had thought Elio was just joking when he said he would stay with her. She didn't expect him to come to her room to accompany her.She froze in place with her heart racing like crazy. She just stood there and nervously looked at him.Elio put down his phone and then looked up at her. He curiously asked with a gentle voice, "Do you always take this long to shower?"With her
"Elio, did you hear me?" Candice asked. She was a bit nervous as her breathing grew rapid.Finally, Elio spoke. He murmured with a low voice, "Why did you agree to share a room with a man so easily? Aren't you worried I might have bad intentions?"Candice hadn't even considered the possibility.After all, he had a fiancée, and their families were related."You wouldn't," Candice replied firmly as she wore a confident smile.His voice grew even lower, "I would."Candice's heart pounded as if it would leap out of her chest. She was extremely nervous.They were both adults and were also sharing the same hotel room. It was the perfect setting for something to happen.Although Candice had never had a boyfriend or any sexual experience, she was already 22. Also, she was surrounded by friends who had been in multiple relationships.They often talked about intimate conversations, including sex.Many of her friends separated love from physical intimacy.Candice had never preferred a
The more nervous Candice got, the more sensitive her body became.Elio's hand slid down her thigh, slipping under her skirt.He seductively whispered in her ear, "May I kiss you?"Candice was already captivated by his touch. She was overwhelmed with a bewitching sense of emptiness she couldn't suppress.Breathing heavily, she didn't have the strength to answer his question. She was growing embarrassed that her skin flushed.Her silence was taken as consent by Elio.He adjusted her position then pressed down on her soft body, and leaned in to kiss her lips.Candice shyly moaned. Her sweet moans could make any man tingle with anticipation.They couldn't bring themselves to part from their kiss, losing themselves to it.At that moment, he finally kissed the woman he had long yearned for. He couldn't suppress his emotions anymore and almost lost control.The softness and sweetness of Candice exceeded his imagination. It drove him crazy, making him obsessive and confused.As Elio
The morning of early autumn was chilly.The sky was just turning white, casting a faint light into the room through the sheer curtains on the balcony.A man lay shirtless on the large bed with a thin blanket covering his waist. He had well-defined muscles and flawless features.A gust of cold wind brushed past, causing the sheer curtains to flutter gently.Feeling the chill, he subconsciously reached out to the side.Suddenly, he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the empty space beside him. His heart shrunk instantly.In the next moment, he quickly sat up then grabbed his clothes at the end of the bed, and put them on.His expression was tense as he rushed to the bathroom. He quickly pushed the door open and called out anxiously, "Candice!"There was no one in the bathroom. Elio anxiously searched everywhere, including the balcony, living room, kitchen, and study. After that, he returned to the bedroom.He picked up his phone and dialed a number. Breathing heavi
Camden didn't notice anything amiss with Candice, so he continued cheerfully, "Mr. Elio should be 27 years old by now, at the age to get married. "After all, his parents had him at an older age, and they're quite old now. They're probably eager for grandchildren."Candice lowered her head in confusion and sorrow as tears threatened to stream down her face. She wiped her tears discreetly.Although the warmth of the evening sun fell on her, she was still overwhelmed by the coldness of her heart.At that moment, she deeply regretted it. She hated herself for being selfish just for that one night.Because of her own desires, she had sex with Elio. She felt very guilty toward Josie.A secret admirer tended to admire the other person silently, not letting others know about their feelings, and not wanting to be an obstacle to the other person's happiness.Now, she looked like a bitch that destroyed other people's relationships.She hated herself so much.Noticing something wrong wit
At this moment, Jasper walked in.He greeted his parents politely, "Dad, Mom."Mila responded softly, "Jasper, welcome back. Come, sit next to me. It's been a long time since we've seen you."Jasper sat down beside Mila. He gently held her hand as his eyes filled with longing. They exchanged a smile.The smile faded from Nathan's face as he adopted a stern expression. He asked, "Jasper, what have you been busy with lately?""I've been learning business with Uncle Elio," Jasper replied earnestly.Nathan nodded, approving of his work.When Elio was mentioned, Candice felt inexplicably nervous.Suddenly, Jasper asked her, "Candice, didn't you go on a business trip with Uncle Elio? Why are you back? And where's Uncle Elio?"Feeling uneasy, Candice nervously replied, "I don't know. My work was done, so I came back.""Oh," Jasper responded.Mila sensed Candice's discomfort, so she continued to ask Jasper, "Jasper, when did Elio start dating? It's so sudden to talk about marriage.
Jasper became concerned as Imogen placed her hand over her heart. He asked, "Are you experiencing any chest pains? Have you consulted a doctor? I can take you for a check-up."Imogen reassured him, gently holding his arm. "Jasper, I'm fine. I'm just trying to figure out how to balance my future family and career."Jasper smiled knowingly, gently patting her head before pulling her into an embrace. He recognized her uniqueness—her drive to pursue her career and showcase her skills and talents. The thought of being a stay-at-home mother or merely a trophy wife held no appeal for her whatsoever.Holding her close, Jasper murmured, "Imogen, have you forgotten about your husband's financial prowess?"Imogen couldn't suppress a chuckle.Jasper reassured her of his commitment, "As long as you're on board, I can arrange a driver to drive you to work, an assistant to handle all your tasks, and you won't have to worry about anything. When you return home, there will be maids and me to ens
After returning from her journey across the globe, Imogen headed straight to the hospital. During her travels, she started noticing subtle changes in her body—nausea, fatigue, and a stronger need for rest. Her hunch was confirmed when tests revealed she was pregnant.She felt a blend of anticipation and apprehension. The idea of being pregnant raised thoughts of focusing on family life and raising children. Yet, she valued her career and was steadily demonstrating her skills. She wasn't ready to give it up just yet.When Imogen arrived home and stepped through the front door, she found Gregory and Carol were there. They had just returned from their trip as well, bringing back gifts. "Hi, Mom, Dad," Imogen greeted them.Still excited about their travels, Gregory and Carol eagerly recounted their adventures to Jasper.When Jasper heard Imogen's voice, he quickly stood and walked over to her, taking her hand. "Imogen, I woke up early and didn't see you around. Where did you go?"
Jasper thought the idea was brilliant and agreed, "Let's plan our route and leave next week."Imogen gently pushed him back, her hands on his chest. "Sure, but let me get up first. We'll map out our journey, set a schedule, and go on a trip for our wedding."Jasper took her wrists and lifted them above the pillow. "Let's discuss this tomorrow. I have some pressing matters to attend to at the moment."Imogen was about to respond when Jasper leaned in and kissed her deeply. Their lips intertwined with passion.…A week later, Imogen received another call from Yulia's lawyer, who conveyed Yulia's apologies and expressed her desire for Imogen's forgiveness. Yulia also requested Imogen to intervene with Nathan on her behalf.Imogen decided to ignore the request. She believed in the fairness of the law. It reminded her of Zoey, who had fraudulently claimed her degree and ended up in prison at Jasper's behest.As for Yulia, she had orchestrated attacks on Gregory, caused Carol to lose
Imogen's heart raced as she slowly hugged Jasper, her voice bashful yet resolute. "Jasper, you'll always have a place in my heart."Jasper tensed slightly, his senses on high alert. He met her eyes. A glint of anticipation sparked in his gaze as he eagerly murmured, "Say it one more time. Say it—""I love you, Jasper," Imogen said gently.Jasper's eyes immediately filled with tears as he held Imogen tightly, his body shaking. Overwhelmed by emotion, he could only whisper her name into her ear. "Imogen… Imogen…""Do you love me?" Imogen asked, her voice tinged with shyness.Jasper frowned. "I do love you. Haven't you always known?""I still want to hear it," Imogen said."I love you. I love you with all my heart," Jasper declared, gazing at her with intense passion and unwavering resolve.Feeling a bit stiff from his tight hug, Imogen gently pushed him away. "I love you, too, but I must get up and go to work.""Not today," Jasper responded, scooping and carrying her back to bed
"If it's a gift, why not accept it?" Mila whispered.Gregory quickly took the check, looking unsure of his next move.Once his money was accepted, Oakley assumed the issue was settled. He took Yulia's hand and began to leave the ward, saying, "Well, I'll leave with Yulia for now."Still feeling resentful, Yulia glanced back and shot Imogen a glare as they departed.The ward fell silent. Feeling uneasy, Gregory and Carol exchanged anxious glances."Nate, we can't go easy on them," Mila whispered.Nathan smiled knowingly. He took Mila's hand, gently caressed it, and said quietly, "Don't worry. I'll ensure our in-laws get the justice they deserve."Mila nodded, feeling reassured. Gregory and Carol, who were listening nearby, felt deeply moved and grateful.Since Gregory was injured and confined to bed, the meeting between Jasper's and Imogen's parents ended earlier than expected. After saying goodbye to their parents, Jasper and Imogen headed home. On their way home, Jasper felt
Yulia was renowned for her boldness and strong-willed nature. Aware of Oakley's wealth, influence, and dual reputation in legal and illicit circles, she feared no one and held a contemptuous attitude toward others, including senior military figures."You need to apologize to Ms. Imogen immediately," Oakley whispered urgently.Pointing at Imogen, Yulia muttered irritably, "Her? Oh, please! If anyone owes an apology, it's her to me."Oakley wiped his forehead nervously, trembling with anxiety. Everyone's expressions around them darkened visibly. Jasper suppressed his anger; his hands clenched into fists.Before he could speak, Yulia grumbled, "Jay, you blocked me before understanding everything, and then you terminated our contract. That's just too much."Mila couldn't shake her worry for Jasper. If he couldn't manage his relationship with Yulia appropriately, it could severely impact his marriage. Concerned that he might not handle it well, Mila intervened. "Ms. Gibson, please resp
Carol no longer believed the portrayal of wealthy women on television.Jasper took Imogen's hand, and they sat down on the couch together, feeling anxious. It was their parents' first meeting, and the hospital setting added to the tension. If things went wrong and their relationship soured, their future would look bleak.Imogen was particularly anxious. Her palms were growing clammy. Jasper pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her palms before reassuringly saying, "There's no need to be nervous. My parents are easygoing."Offering an awkward smile, Imogen teased him, whispering, "You seem more nervous than I am, don't you think?"Jasper chuckled but offered no reply. Dealing with Gregory and Carol was sure to be a bit daunting.Typically reserved around strangers, Nathan found it difficult to start a conversation at that moment. Meanwhile, Gregory and Carol felt apprehensive and cautious, worried that any misstep could upset the Morrisons and cause problems for Imogen.Sensing th
Mila approached them with a bouquet, smiling. "Yes, we're in the right place. We've come to visit you, our in-laws."The term "in-laws" caught Gregory off guard as he lay in the bed. Despite his injuries, he quickly propped himself up, struggling to sit upright. Carol, equally surprised, cautiously accepted the gift from Nathan's outstretched hands.Jasper and Imogen took the next elevator, so they hadn't reached the ward yet.Nathan quickly set his things down and hurried over, gently placing a reassuring hand on Gregory's shoulder. "You're injured. Don't get up. Just lie down and rest.""General Morrison, I…" Gregory's voice faltered in distress.Carol's hands trembled uncontrollably as she glanced nervously at Mila, worried that Mila and Nathan had overheard her argument with Gregory.Nathan spoke in a gentle tone, "Please, don't call me General Morrison. It sounds too formal. You both are older than me. Just call me Nathan, and I'll call you two by name in return."Mila came
In the hospital ward, Gregory had been asleep for over an hour when the nurse woke him to change his medication.After the change, Carol peeled an orange for him to eat. They shared the segments, chatting idly."Imogen really picked a good husband. Even these oranges he bought are unusually sweet," Carol said, marveling at the oranges. Gregory glanced at the orange and said, "They must be expensive.""Yes, they're sold by the piece in big supermarkets. Also, they're more expensive than beef and lamb," Carol said before eating another sweet segment.Gregory pondered for a moment. Then he curiously asked, "Someone ruined our house's floor. Do you think Jasper would help us repair it?"Carol shot him a look and replied, "Listen, don't burden Imogen with this. Don't even bring it up.""Why would it burden Imogen? With Jasper's wealth, this is nothing.""Enough," Carol snapped. "That's his business. No matter how poor we are, we shouldn't ask for what isn't ours." "You're too stu