Jane's gaze turned icy. "What's the matter? Feeling sorry for her now?"Gabriel frowned. "Why would I feel sorry?""Don't think I don't know. Nyla used to be your stepsister. You liked her back then, didn't you?" Jane's eyes flashed with anger. If Rebecca hadn't told her, she might have still been in the dark.The thought of Gabriel ever having feelings for Nyla made her despise Nyla even more.As dusk settled, shadows deepened around the rock formation, casting half of Gabriel's face in the darkness and making his expression harder to read."How did you find out?" he asked.Jane scoffed. "How I found out doesn't matter. What matters is whether you're still hung up on her."Gabriel chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I never knew my dear Jane could look so adorable when she's jealous."He reached out to pull her into his arms, but she pushed him back. "Don't touch me! You still haven't answered my question! And if I don't like your answer, you're not getting into my b
Sitting at the center of the living room, Pedro surveyed his family with a hard gaze, his eyes finally settling on Jane.This granddaughter of his was typically flawless, whether in business or personal matters. She was the one he'd entrusted with organizing his birthday celebration."Jane, you were in charge of the party. Since Pauline pushed Ms. Kinsey, I want you to get to the bottom of it and give Mr. Sumner and Ms. Kinsey a satisfactory answer," Pedro announced.Jane took a few steps forward and glanced at Pauline, who was cowering on the floor. She began, "Grandpa, Pauline claims she accidentally bumped into Ms. Kinsey. She denies any outside influence, and there were so many people around today—"She didn't get to finish before Damon cut her off icily. "Are you saying that my girlfriend intentionally staged this scene to frame the Wilkies?"Meeting Damon's gaze, Jane replied calmly, "Mr. Sumner, that's not what I meant. I'm only suggesting that this incident might truly hav
Pedro nearly staggered back in anger."Take him away! Stop letting him spout nonsense here!" he barked.Whether Jane was involved or not, the priority was to downplay the situation. If it hadn't been for Theo's foolishness, things might have already been smoothed over.The more Pedro thought about it, the angrier he became. Once Damon and Nyla left, he was determined to teach Theo a lesson. The young man needed to know when to speak up—and when to stay quiet.Jane trembled slightly, struggling to stay calm. Only she, Pauline, and Gabriel knew about this incident, and none of them would betray her. Thus, Theo had to be bluffing. There was no way he could know!Theo pushed Quincy aside, saying, "Mom, I'm fine."He took out his phone, eyeing Jane with a cold smile. "Jane, everything you said to Gabriel by the rock garden? I recorded it. Let's play it for everyone, shall we?"Without waiting, he pressed play.Instantly, Jane and Gabriel's voices echoed through the room, plunging th
Nyla glanced at Damon, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. His eyebrows furrowed briefly, then relaxed.He turned to Pedro, his tone calm. "If I remember correctly, the villa project the Wilkie Group invested in is due for completion this month. Trading one villa for the Wilkies' reputation seems like a fair exchange, doesn't it?"Hearing this, Pedro breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Damon was willing to let the matter go. He quickly agreed, "Of course, of course. I'll have someone send over the villa plans so you and Ms. Kinsey can pick a unit."Damon smiled. "Then, we'll take you up on that."Nyla tried to catch Damon's eye, but he ignored her.Pedro replied, "Thank you, Mr. Sumner, for being so magnanimous with Jane.""Since it's settled, Nyla and I will take our leave," Damon said."Mr. Sumner, allow me to see you out," Pedro replied politely.After seeing Damon and Nyla off, Pedro's smile vanished. He turned back inside, his gaze icy as he directed it at Jane.
"Really? Then tell me, what exactly did you do right? If you can't explain, don't bother going to the company!" Pedro threatened.Quincy and Hudson were appalled.Theo, however, remained calm, unaffected by Pedro's words. "Jane sent Pauline to push Nyla today, but Nyla wasn't injured, so there's still room to fix this. Since Jane didn't get what she wanted, she would probably go after Nyla again."If I didn't expose her earlier and she caused something worse later, the Wilkies might not be able to cover it up." Theo continued. "Today, our family's reputation suffered a little in front of Damon and Nyla, and we lost two villas. But next time, it might be far worse."As he finished speaking, silence settled over the living room.After a few moments of reflection, Pedro had to admit that Theo made some valid points.Still, he shot Theo a cold look and asked, "And you're saying there's no self-interest in this for you?""Of course there is. I want to start learning how to manage the
"Oh, stop," Jane replied, blushing deeper as she playfully slapped Gabriel on the arm before they headed upstairs together.As they showered, a thought nagged at Jane. How did Theo know what she and Gabriel had discussed in the garden?"Gabriel, only you and I were near the rockery. How did Theo get a recording of our conversation?" she voiced her doubt.Gabriel gazed down as he tightened his arm around her waist, murmuring, "It was dark. Maybe he was hiding nearby, and we just didn't notice."Although Jane still felt something wasn't quite right, her thoughts were soon interrupted as Gabriel entered.She let out a moan, gradually swept away by the intensity. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering herself to the moment.For some reason, she felt that Gabriel was unusually passionate tonight.…Nyla had been silent the entire ride back, refusing to look at Damon.When they pulled up in front of the villa, she opened the car door to get out, only for Damon to catch h
"Are you saying that if I admit I'm jealous, you'll try to make it up to me?" Damon asked.They were so close that his breath grazed Nyla's ear, tickling it like a feather's touch.She looked up at him and smiled. "That's right.""I'm jealous, then. What are you going to do about it?" Damon said.Without another word, Nyla cupped his face and kissed him lightly. "Don't worry. I only have eyes for you—I wouldn't look twice at anyone else."Her eyes sparkled like a million stars, and Damon could see his reflection in them.When he didn't respond, merely gazing at her, Nyla raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Sumner, are you saying you're not happy with this approach?"Damon slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her deeply.When they finally broke apart, their clothes were a little disheveled.Damon kissed Nyla's collarbone softly, his voice low and raspy. "I'm more than satisfied."It was after midnight when they finally entered the villa.As soon as they walked in, Lydia came over to
Nyla quickly asked Leon which hospital he was in and booked a ride to get there.…When Nyla arrived, Leon was already waiting at the entrance."Nyla, I'll show you the way. Sullivan's at Block 2," Leon said.Nyla nodded, following him to the inpatient wing. As they approached the building, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks a few steps from the entrance.In front of her, entering the inpatient wing, was Damon, who had told her that morning he was going to the company. There was no mistaking that back.Stunned, Nyla stood there, her mind blank for a moment.Damon had lied to her—again.What on earth was in this hospital that compelled him to lie time and again?Leon noticed that Nyla had fallen behind and turned back. "Nyla, you—"Before he could finish, Nyla began walking quickly toward the inpatient building.He followed her, a bit taken aback. "Nyla, there's no need to rush. I know which room he's in."Nyla looked at him, expressionless, and said, "Leon, I have some