After all, just seeing Damon in the hospital didn't prove he'd deceived Nyla. Maybe he had to go there for some reason.If this photo led to a misunderstanding between them, it would be a huge mistake on Ruby's part.After thinking for a moment, Ruby decided not to tell Nyla for now. Instead, she would test the waters when they were back at work the next day. If Nyla truly didn't know anything, then she would inform her.…By the time Damon returned to the villa, it was nearly 9:00 p.m.Nyla was chatting with Lydia.When Lydia saw him, she quickly stood up. "Mr. Sumner, did you have a drink at your social event tonight? Ms. Kinsey made you some hangover soup. It's in the kitchen—I'll go get it for you."Damon paused, tugging at his tie with a slightly somber expression. "No need. I didn't drink tonight.""Eh?" Lydia was taken aback, looking puzzled.Wasn't it customary for Damon to drink at social events?She quickly recovered and said, "Okay, would you like something to eat?
Ruby bit her lip, staying silent as she handed her phone to Nyla.On the screen was a photo of Damon's back, with a payment counter in the background, clearly taken in a hospital.Nyla's eyes widened, and her face turned pale.Yesterday evening, he had told her he would be out to socialize, yet here he was in the hospital. The last time he had used the same excuse, he had ended up visiting Charlotte.What was he hiding from her?Seeing Nyla's ashen complexion, Ruby regretted bringing it up. She consoled her, "Nyla, maybe Mr. Sumner had a reason for being in the hospital. Don't worry too much just yet."Nyla bit her lip and nodded. "Yeah, I believe he wouldn't do anything to betray me. Thank you for telling me this, Ruby."She returned to her desk, turned on her computer, and stared blankly at the screen, her thoughts in disarray.Why did Damon feel the need to lie to her?Noticing Nyla lost in thought, Ruby opened her mouth to offer some comfort but ultimately held back. Witho
Early the next morning, Nyla woke up naturally.As she sat up and prepared to get out of bed, she noticed something unusual on her bedside table—a black card.Damon must have left it the night before.Nyla washed up and went downstairs with the card in hand. She had planned to return it to Damon, but he had already left for the office, so she set it aside for now.After breakfast, Nyla called Valarie and invited her to go shopping. Valarie mentioned she had something important to discuss, and they agreed to meet at the mall.Nyla arrived first and browsed for a while before Valarie showed up."Valarie, you said you had something to tell me?" she asked.Valarie nodded and linked her arm with Nyla's as they walked into a store. "Yes, I'm getting engaged to Zayn at the end of the month. Remember to come to our engagement party."Nyla was caught off guard and frowned slightly. "Why so suddenly? Is it because of the Weir Group?""It's partly due to that, but also because I'm at tha
Nyla smiled and spun around in the dress. The fishtail hem swayed elegantly with her movement, the sequins glimmering under the light."Really? I love it too," she replied.The sales associate adjusted the dress' hem from behind and chimed in. "Absolutely, Ms. Kinsey! You're actually the first person who's been able to fit into this dress perfectly!"Her admiring gaze drifted to Nyla's slim waist, and she wished she could have a figure like that. Meanwhile, Gigi's jealousy flashed briefly in her eyes as she looked at Nyla, who practically glowed in the dress.Still, she remembered that Damon was Brandon's uncle. If things progressed between her and Brandon, she might one day need to call Nyla "Aunt Nyla".Deciding to hold back any bitterness, Gigi praised, "You look stunning—absolutely like a goddess!"Valarie turned to Gigi with a scoff. "Didn't think you could actually say something nice for once."Gigi's face darkened with irritation. "Valarie, don't push it!""Didn't you
Nyla looked at Damon in surprise and asked, "You went to an auction last week?""A client of mine has a thing for antique auctions. There happened to be one in the city, so I attended with them to show goodwill. I saw a necklace I liked and thought I'd save it for your birthday," Damon explained."Then why are you giving it to me in advance?" she asked."I'm going to give it to you anyway. Giving it to you now is the same," he replied.Nyla felt a wave of warmth, and her smile widened, revealing her dimples. "Thank you, Damon."Damon raised an eyebrow, wrapping an arm around her waist. His tone was teasing. "Just a verbal thank you?"Nyla's face flushed as she asked, "How else would you want me to thank you?"Damon's gaze shifted to her lips, his voice dropping suggestively. "By mouth works.""Huh?" She looked up, only to find Damon's face suddenly closer. Before she knew it, his lips were on hers.Nyla's eyes widened, her hands gripping his jacket. She felt a jolt of electric
Damon tightened his grip around Nyla's waist before releasing her, gently smoothing her slightly tousled hair as he said in a low voice, "Let's go."They got out of the car, and Nyla slipped her arm through Damon's as they walked in together.At the entrance, Gabriel and Jane welcomed guests, catching sight of Damon and Nyla approaching from a distance.Nyla wore a blue gradient strapless gown, her long hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. She resembled a mermaid gliding through the deep sea—a sight so stunning that it was hard to look away.Next to her, Damon stood tall and sharp-featured in a charcoal-gray suit, though his face was devoid of warmth. He radiated an unapproachable air.The two walked together like a perfect match, making everything around them feel like a mere backdrop.Unaware of Nyla and Gabriel's history, Jane greeted Damon and Nyla warmly, "Mr. Sumner, Ms. Kinsey, welcome to my grandfather's birthday celebration."Damon's driver stepped forward to
Despite the murmurs, no one dared approach Damon or Nyla directly to ask about them, choosing instead to discuss and steal admiring glances from afar. After all, Damon had not been close to any woman in the past five years.The fiancee he had had was essentially a one-sided affair, and their engagement had been called off not long ago.Nyla's calm and graceful demeanor, despite the glances and attention directed her way, only enhanced her appeal.Damon guided her toward Pedro to offer their birthday wishes. Afterward, as they turned to leave, they ran into Nathaniel and Rebecca.When Nyla saw Nathaniel, she paused, surprised by how much he had changed in five years—he looked like a completely different person, his formerly vibrant energy now nowhere to be found.As they passed, a chilling aura surrounded him, causing Nyla to shiver involuntarily.Neither Nathaniel nor Rebecca acknowledged them, and Damon seemed equally indifferent, treating them as if they weren't there.Nyla gl
Valarie glanced over with a blank expression, then quickly looked away.Nyla turned to Valarie, unable to suppress her concern. "Valarie, maybe you should think over this engagement a bit more."Spending a lifetime with someone she didn't love would be painful—like reliving the same unfulfilling day over and over.Valarie managed a faint smile. "Nyla, you don't have to worry about me. I know what I'm doing."Seeing her stubborn expression, Nyla bit her lip. She wanted to tell Valarie about Damon's plan to help the Weirs but hesitated, fearing that Damon might change his mind and leave Valarie disappointed.With a quiet sigh, she decided to find a moment to ask Damon about it that evening."Nyla, I'd like to be alone for a while, so I'll leave you here," Valarie said, excusing herself."Alright, but don't wander off too far. The event will be starting soon," Nyla reminded her.Valarie nodded and quickly walked away.As she left, Nyla felt suddenly at a loss.After marrying Cla