Clark's nonchalant words made Lucia feel like she had fallen into an icy abyss. She knew all too well that he had the power to follow through, and the Pollards lacked the means to resist.She raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face."Keep going."At first, Lucia felt the sting on her face, but after a while, her cheeks went numb, and she was simply repeating the action mechanically. She didn’t know how long it had been or how many slaps she had dealt herself.Just as Lucia felt she might pass out, Clark finally got up and walked over to her. He looked down at her as if she were an insignificant insect. "Ms. Pollard, I hope you remember this lesson. Avoid my wife in the future. Next time, I won’t be so lenient."With that, he walked past her without waiting for a reaction, followed by his bodyguards who had been there to prevent her escape.The room was soon empty except for Lucia.Her tightly wound emotions finally unraveled, and she covered her face, sobbing un
Clark sensed there was more to Cindy's words. He was about to inquire further when a maid assisted the semi-drunk Cyrus Sumner into the living room.Clark frowned upon seeing Cyrus and simply said, "Mom, I'm heading back now."With that, he turned and walked past Cyrus to leave.Cyrus frowned but said nothing.…Back at the villa, Clark called his secretary, Michael Parkin, instructing him to purchase a mansion in Jordyn's name.Michael sounded surprised. "Mr. Sumner, if Mrs. Sumner finds out...""Be discreet. Don't let anyone know, especially Nyla."If Nyla found out Jordyn was keeping the baby, she would be more determined to divorce him. Thinking about it made Clark feel troubled."Alright, I understand."Ending the call, Michael sighed softly.This was no different from pushing Nyla away. Clark's affair was already unforgivable—now, keeping a woman outside was like digging their marriage's grave.Michael knew he was just a secretary and had to do as Clark ordered.…O
"It seems I've overestimated your kindness. After all, your son cheated first, yet you splash water on your daughter-in-law. Such a bizarre mother-in-law is indeed rare."With each word Damon uttered, Cindy's expression darkened further. In the end, it turned icy."Damon, this is a family matter. As an outsider, it's best you not interfere."Damon arched an eyebrow. "I wasn't planning to interfere, but don't you think it's too much to bully a young girl like this?"Cindy only dared to be so audacious because she knew the Jaystons were bankrupt. Even if she treated Nyla harshly, they couldn't do much to her.Cindy gritted her teeth in anger. "Too much? Just because Clark has a woman on the side, she throws a fit, moves out, and even talks about divorce. Who's really being too much?""Isn't Clark at fault for the affair in the first place? It's the Sumners who wronged Nyla, not the other way around. If you can't see this, I don't think Clark should continue working at the Sumner Gr
Clark paused, frowning. "What do you mean?""Ask her, and you'll know," Nyla replied curtly, then walked past him without another word.Clark immediately called Cindy. "Mom, did you go see Nyla today?"Cindy, still smarting from her confrontation with Damon at the restaurant, sneered at his question. "She went to complain to you? Truly shameless!"Clark's eyes flashed with anger. "Mom, I told you not to interfere in my matters with Nyla. Why didn't you listen?""If I didn't do it for you, do you think I'd willingly go to see her? She's making a fuss about you having a woman on the side. Can't even manage a woman… Others would see you as a joke if they knew!""This is our business. If you keep going to Nyla in secret, I won't care about Dad's affairs anymore.""You—"Clark didn't give her a chance to speak and hung up abruptly. He pocketed his phone, visibly frustrated.He hadn't settled his affair, and now Cindy was causing trouble for Nyla. If he were Nyla, he wouldn't forgiv
Clark realized how badly Cindy had been treating Nyla in private. Had she been speaking to Nyla this way for the entire three years of their marriage whenever he wasn't around?When Clark saw Damon in the surveillance footage, his grip on his phone tightened, his knuckles turning white.Watching Damon stand up for Nyla made Clark feel a mix of anger and helplessness. He was Nyla's husband. He should have been the one standing by her side, but he hadn't been there. If Nyla hadn't told him to ask Cindy, he wouldn't have known what happened today.The more Clark thought about it, the more guilt he felt. He had failed Nyla and their eight years of love.He turned off the video and sent a message to his secretary.Clark: [If my mother asks you to handle my father's matters in the future, ignore her.]Michael: [Understood. Do you still want me to investigate your uncle?]Clark: [Go on.]…Nyla had expected Clark to stay away for a few days after what happened last night. To her surp
Seeing the disappointment in Nyla's eyes, Clark felt as if a hand was squeezing his heart, making it hard to breathe."Nyla, I know that no matter what promises I make now, you won't believe me. But I will prove it with my actions. I will keep my word."Nyla had no intention of listening to his promises. She brushed past him and walked away.Just as Clark was about to follow her, his phone in his pocket rang. He answered, and his secretary's serious voice came through. "Mr. Sumner, there's a problem with one of our deals."Clark's expression darkened. "I'll be there right away."By the time he ran to the exit of the complex, all he saw was Nyla getting into a taxi and leaving. He pursed his lips, turned around, got into his car, and drove to the company. Once he dealt with work, he would come back to sort things out with Nyla.…When Nyla arrived at the restaurant, Valarie was already there."Nyla, you're finally here! I've got some gossip to share with you."Nyla sat down acr
Two very different voices spoke at the same time.Valarie turned around and saw a tall woman not far behind her. The woman, Jacqueline Rainford, had fair skin and wavy hair, and wore a red strap dress. Jacqueline's hand was pointing at the suit Valarie had her eye on.Noticing Valarie's gaze, Jacqueline smiled and said, "Miss, I plan to buy this suit as a gift for my boyfriend. We're meeting soon. Could you let me have it?"Valarie really liked the suit and didn't want to give it up, but Jacqueline's polite request made her hesitate.The sales associate next to her spoke up. "Ms. Weir, this suit is the only one in our store. As a VIP customer, you have priority purchasing rights."Upon hearing this, Jacqueline's expression immediately turned sour. There was just one suit—she must have it."What do you mean by this? Are you showing favoritism?"Despite Jacqueline's aggressive tone, the sales associate remained calm, maintaining a professional smile. "Miss, our VIP customers do ha
Nyla walked over and took Valarie's cold hand, whispering, "Valarie, maybe there's some misunderstanding. Don't be too upset."Valarie nodded. "Mm, I know."She wouldn't believe Jacqueline's words until Tom himself confirmed them in person.Soon, Tom's secretary, Fred Sailor, arrived.He hurried over to Jacqueline, completely unaware of Valarie and Nyla standing nearby. "Ms. Rainford, Mr. Genge is in a meeting, so he sent me."Jacqueline pointed her chin in the direction of Valarie and Nyla. "There, they're the ones trying to take the suit from me."Fred turned to speak but froze when he saw Valarie and Nyla. His face paled."Ms. Weir..."At that moment, Fred had only three words in his mind: "It is over."Valarie was Tom's current girlfriend, while Jacqueline was Tom's childhood friend. Fred hadn't expected Jacqueline to run into Valarie on her first day back in the country, let alone in such an unpleasant situation.Noticing Fred's unusual reaction, Jacqueline frowned. "You