Marcos looked at the yard in front of him. He had no idea if this was the farmhouse restaurant that her mother had told him about before.“I’m looking forward to it after all those things you’ve told me,” said Marcos.“Let’s go in. I’ve reserved a private room. It won’t be too noisy,” replied Tina. She pushed the door open and invited them.Marcos said gentlemanly, “Ladies first.” Luca did not delay any longer and stepped into the restaurant first. Andy was holding the door, signaling Tina to enter the restaurant first. Tina knew they were gentlemen, so she did not say a word and followed behind Luca. After the two ladies entered the restaurant, Marcos stepped into the restaurant.Tina was close with the owner of the restaurant here. That was why she was able to reserve a private room at the last minute. The female owner came up and led the way when she saw Tina. She brought the four of them to the private room. The private room was nicely decorated. There were barely any gre
At last, Luca checked Tommy’s homework. Tommy got it all correct too. After she signed the exercise books, the kids put their books back into their bags. After Tommy kept his book in his bag, he could not help but ask, “Ms. Luca, you’ve been coming home late for the past two days. Did Daddy give you too much work?”Luca smiled and shook her head. She picked up a strawberry with a toothpick, handed it to him, and said, “I can get off work on time tomorrow.” “That’s great.” Tommy opened his mouth and took a bite of the strawberry.Luca had been coming home late for the past few days as she needed to entertain Marcos. Hence, Aunt Neile had been looking after the kids lately. However, it was not totally because of Marcos. After Marcos ate his dinner, he would let Luca and Tina go back. After all, there were no scenic spots to be seen at night. Marcos did not enjoy nightlife entertainment either. However, Luca would return to T Corporation to check the experiment data after leavin
As Luke listened to Luca’s soft breathing, there was tenderness in his eyes while he looked at her.Luke had gotten used to the darkness in the room, and he was able to see the woman who was sleeping soundly on the bed while covered in the blanket. ‘You little devil,’ Luke could not help but secretly blame Luca for a moment. Luca did not pick up his calls, nor did she return his calls. She only explained it to him once by sending him a message. She was behaving so indifferently, and she was not concerned about his situation either. If it were not for the Mallory family who came to the villa, Luke would not have had the chance to listen to Luca's voice while he was out on the business trip. Heartless little woman…Luke was like a scorned woman, complaining to Luca about how she was being cold to him. However, there was nothing he could do. Luca was the only one who could make him experience such helpless feelings. It felt awful. Luke tiptoed to the bedside and quietly clim
Aunt Neile nodded and immediately took a bag out of the shelf. She took the American ginseng out and said, “Yes, ginseng is good for health. The old master asked Uncle Zander to send the ginseng here. He said it’s to improve your health. I was thinking of making some ginseng soup when Mr. Crawford came back. I’ll prepare it tonight.” Luca looked at the American ginseng in Aunt Neile’s hands and glanced at it. It was a wild ginseng root over a hundred years old. Although the Crawford family was not short of supplements, Old Master Crawford was willing to spend a lot on these. Nina brought the kids downstairs when breakfast was almost ready. Nina had hardly slept in for the past few days. She followed the kids’ routine and would wake up once they were awake. Then, she would urge the kids to freshen themselves up and head downstairs together. Luca told Nina that she did not have to do that and she could sleep in as long as she liked. After all, she knew Nina used to sleep in a lot
Luke did not say a word as he stopped. His gaze was as sharp as a razor, piercing through the skinny woman in front of him. He had to admit that everything that Nina had gone through was because of him and Bianca. However, after Nina experienced all those things, Luke had done his best to compensate her. He did everything he should have done. Although he owed her a favor, he would not take things too far. Nina saw Luke’s sharp gaze. What kind of gaze had she never seen after living together with Percy for such a long time? However, she felt an inexplicable fluster in her heart. She suppressed her emotions and said calmly, “I wasn’t asleep when you came back last night. I was sitting on the balcony outside the house without the lights on. That’s why you didn’t notice I was there.”Nina had been positive and calm for the past few days, but deep down in her heart, she felt like she was on pins and needles. She could hardly fall asleep at night without taking Luca's medicine. It
It had been a long time since Luke had a lie-in. He blamed Luca's scent that remained on the bed even after she had already gotten out of bed. Luke happened to fall asleep again when he closed his eyes. It was as though he was cuddling with her in bed. He unknowingly woke up late. “I could see you were tired and needed more rest…” Luca said in a depressed tone. At the same time, she was confused. This man was cold to her when he was on his business trip, but he was hugging her now, refusing to let her go. Did he really treat her as a toy who was at his beck and call? Luca refused to think so, but it was the reality that made her forced her to think about it like this.“It was tiring,” Luke held her in his arms, resting his jaw on her head. The distance between them was intimate. “I’ve been busy with the acquisition for the past few days. I worked day and night to finish everything, then I came back.”Luca listened to Luke talking about what he did during his business trip. It
Luke came back within three days, and he managed to acquire the company. How did he do that?Andy finally realized that there was really someone as capable as his boss. “Thank you.” There was no arrogant look on Luke’s face. Neither did he show any cheerful expressions on his face. It was as though successfully taking over the company was in his plans, and it was nothing worth celebrating or something to be proud of. Marcos was impressed with how calm Luke was. After working in M Group for a long time, he had seen too many people who grew complacent about their small achievements. They thought that a bright future awaited them regardless.They eventually became proud and ended up being devoured in the business world.A mature man like Luke Crawford could handle surprises and overcome challenges with confidence. He was the king.Tina pushed the lounge door open and Luke invited them, "Mr. Marcos, please."“Thank you.” Marcos and Luke walked into the lounge together while Andy f
As for what kind of measures Luke was going to take, it would depend on how obsessed Matysh was with Luca. “What’s the worst that can happen?” Marcos asked."He'll not be able to return to Russia." Luke was not trying to deceive him. Since they were going to cooperate, then they should be honest. A trace of malevolence flashed across Luke's eyes. If any man had inappropriate ideas toward the woman he loved the most, he would make sure that the other party was doomed.Marcos frowned and replied, “Mr. Crawford, aren’t you afraid that I’ll stop you if you’re so honest? Old Master Abaza has high expectations of him among the others in the Abaza family.”If it were not for Matysh, who showed no interest in running the company, Marcos would not have had the chance to become the CEO of M Group. Besides, Marcos would have to give up everything he had done to develop the company with just a word from Matysh. Luke understood Marcos was concerned about his family.Even though his fami
“That bag…” Nina pointed at the bag. “Your mom brought it over.”Percy walked over, picked up the bag, and opened it. When he saw what was inside, his brows immediately furrowed.“What’s all this?” asked Nina.Percy handed her the bag. “Just some stuff.”Curious about what it was, Nina took the bag and peeked inside. It was filled with car models and small toys.She suddenly remembered what Karen said earlier and asked hesitantly, “Are these your childhood toys?”“Yes.” Seeing these things again stirred something in Percy’s heart, but it still did not change his feelings toward Karen.Nina was surprised. She picked up a few of the items and said, “I didn’t expect these to be so well-preserved.”“I thought they would've been thrown out.” Percy still remembered these toys.Technically, they were his, but in reality, they ended up with Pierre. As the Mallory family’s heir, he was too busy to play with toys. Hence, they were his, but it never felt that way.Nina said, “Earlier, s
After signing the agreement, Karen eagerly handed it over to the man she believed to be the lawyer.The moment the doctor took the shares transfer agreement, a syringe containing anesthesia slipped from his sleeve and was swiftly injected into Karen’s hand.“You...” Karen felt a sharp sting, but before she could speak, her consciousness faded.At the same time, the knife in her hand clattered to the floor.The doctor quickly steadied her to prevent her from hitting her head when she collapsed.“Luckily, the dose was strong enough, or she wouldn’t have been knocked out so quickly.” He gently laid her down, checked to make sure she was unconscious, and then hurried out of the office to notify the hospital director.Percy quickly stepped forward, gently lifting Nina’s chin to examine her wound.“I’m fine,” Nina said in a soft voice, lowering her head to hide the injury on her neck.“Let me take a look at you,” Percy insisted, gently lifting her chin again. After checking, he added
“Mr. Mallory, won’t you feel guilty if something happens to Nina?” Sue did not understand why he refused to call the police.“It won’t happen.” Percy furrowed his brows as his mind raced to find a solution.Sue was even more confused. “Just because you say it won’t happen, does that mean it won’t? Yes, Madam Mallory is your mother, but Nina is also your wife. If your mother harms your wife, shouldn’t you call the police? Instead of doing that, you’re leaving her in this dangerous situation. I honestly feel sorry for Nina.”Sue had always been straightforward. She thought Percy would protect Nina for life, but seeing him defend Karen at the cost of his wife’s safety, she was deeply disappointed.She felt she was in no position to feel sorry for Nina, but she could not understand Percy’s actions.Percy furrowed his brows. Calling the police was not an option.The Mallory family could not afford this kind of turmoil.If Old Master Mallory found out that he handed his mother over to
Nina trembled when she was touched. Her whole body was shaking.Karen’s touch was icy cold, and when her hand fell on Nina’s face, it carried a chill.“Don’t hurt her!” Percy’s voice was hoarse, his anger barely concealed in his eyes.He was furious but kept reminding himself not to provoke Karen.“Hmph, look at how nervous you are.” Karen's patience wore thin. Without another word, she laid out her conditions. “If you want me to let her go, fine.”“What do you want me to do?” Percy knew the conditions she was about to propose would not be as simple as keeping her out of the psychiatric hospital.It could involve Pierre.Perhaps even the company.Even though Karen had spoken to him about the high hopes she had for him, Percy did not believe a word of it. To her, from beginning to end, the only person who mattered was Pierre.Percy was merely a tool to secure her position in the Mallory family.“See? You still care about this woman. You’ve disappointed me!” Karen glanced at Ni
“Mr. Mallory, I didn’t dare to go in. Nina and your mother are still inside.” After Sue realized that Nina might be in danger, she had been waiting outside, unwilling to leave.She had been planning to rush in with the other employees if she heard Nina scream.Percy's expression darkened. He did not blame Sue for the situation, so he did not say anything. Instead, he quickly walked to Nina’s office door and pushed it open.The sight before him sent a chill through his veins, as though his blood had turned to ice.“You're here?” Karen fixed her eerie gaze on the person who had opened the door. A strange, sinister smile curved at the corners of her lips. She stood behind Nina with a knife tightly gripped in her hand.The sharp blade was pressed against Nina’s neck, already leaving a faint red mark.Sue gasped at the sight and instantly lost her composure.Karen frowned in dissatisfaction, moving the knife slightly and muttering, “Why is there another woman here? Tell her to leave!
“'ll contact someone in A City to investigate,” said Gale.“Let Percy know while you're at it,” added Luke. “He needs to be aware of this.”“Got it.” Gale hurried off to handle the matter.…After taking Gale's call, Percy hung up and stared icily at the middle-aged man standing before him.Under Percy's chilling gaze, the man nervously dabbed at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.“Mr. Mallory, my sincerest apologies…” The man, the director of the psychiatric hospital, had come to personally apologize to Percy today.Karen had escaped.Two days ago, Percy admitted Karen to the psychiatric hospital. After an evaluation, the doctors determined her condition warranted hospitalization, so she was admitted.Even though Karen was against it, given her mental state and with the consent of an immediate family member, the hospital was legally authorized to proceed.Percy had even informed the hospital to take special care of Karen. He had explicitly instructed them not to
When she opened her eyes again, the sky outside had already darkened slightly.Luca mumbled, feeling the warmth beside her. She instinctively curled closer. “What time is it?”“It's a little past five.” Luke gently rubbed her back, offering a quiet comfort to help her feel at ease.Since he could not be there beside her, he could only make these small gestures to bring her some peace of mind.“An entire afternoon just passed like that…” Luca was reluctant to leave at the moment. Her slender fingers lightly pressed against his chest.Luke took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss, holding it as if it were something precious and tenderly stroking it.Luca's hands had once been delicate and smooth, but during their time in the small villa, they had become much rougher.“You've got calluses.” Luke felt sorry for her.Luca gently traced her finger over his lips, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on him. “It’s just from the needlework and the experiments I’ve been d
Luca walked over to another couch and sat down. “I think I’ll stay here. How about letting Luke come down so that we can all catch up? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”Gordan’s face fell. “Ms. Craw, are you doing this on purpose?”Luca pretended not to know anything. “Doing what on purpose?”Gordan quickly shook his head. “Nothing. Just go upstairs already. Brother Luke’s been waiting for you.”Luca had intended to tease Gordan a little longer, but after not seeing Luke for the past few days, she found herself missing him deeply. Standing up with a smile, she said, “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Oh, by the way, Mr. Gale, could you help me pick up a few things? Someone over there asked me to get them, and I couldn’t refuse.”“Sure, no problem. What do you need?” Gale agreed immediately.After handing him the list, Luca turned and headed upstairs.Gale watched Luca leave from behind, nudging Gordan’s arm. “Let’s go. We should leave and give the boss and Ms. Cr
The security guard remained completely unfazed.This was because the village chief was his uncle, and in their tight-knit community, they always stuck together and never favored outsiders.With directions from the people inside the ancestral hall, Hera found the village chief.“You’re the village chief, right?” Hera looked at the man in his fifties in front of her and spoke with an arrogant tone, completely unbothered.“And you are?” The village chief, seeing her attitude, was puzzled. He had no idea whether she was an investor or someone looking to discuss a major partnership to bring development to their quiet village.“It doesn’t matter who I am. I see you have surveillance here, and I need to review your footage,” replied Hera.The village chief was even more confused. “Are you a police officer?”“No.” Hera frowned. She thought reviewing surveillance footage was no big deal. Why was this village chief being so difficult?The village chief gave her a look as if she were a fo