"She's been getting a detective to tail Luca." Luke's expression turned cold. If it were not for the fact that he needed Karen's assistance this time, he would have acted already."This woman, always stirring up trouble, just like..." Old Master Crawford paused for a moment.He initially wanted to say she was just like Allison Tanner.However, Old Master Crawford eventually did not say it. Allison was Luke's mother, after all. It was inappropriate to speak ill of her in front of him. Previously, Luke had been troubled by Allison's affairs. Old Master Crawford even envied Old Master Mallory for having a good daughter-in-law.Karen used to be a capable woman. She had a hand in managing Mallory Corporation.However, it seemed like Karen was heading farther down a self-destructive path now.If Luke were to really confront her, the two of them would already be sitting in Mallory Manor’s living room by now."Forget it. It’ll be fine as long as you can handle this matter. Matters of
After all these years in the Crawford family, Susan had become quite skilled at wearing such a mask. She added, "Didn't something unpleasant happen today? I thought I'd come back to keep you company."Old Master Crawford could not be bothered to expose her. Her hurried return clearly indicated that she had learned about Luke's return from someone's lips. Otherwise, it would not have been such a coincidence."What's there to chat about? Let's eat first." The old master's tone was not good. He initially planned to discuss the company's development with Luke again but did not expect her to return. Her arrival had interrupted their conversation.Old Master Crawford hated being disturbed by unrelated people and matters when he was in a business discussion—unless it was an extremely urgent matter. Otherwise, no matter who disrupted him, the result would be the same.Susan opened her mouth, but Mr. Griffin’s voice sounded. "Old Master Crawford, Madam, Master Luke, dinner is ready."S
Susan pretended to be aggrieved as she bit her lip. "Father, Luke’s affair has already started to affect the Crawford family. I can't just stand by and watch. Besides, he hasn't even divorced Bianca…"Bianca has a volatile personality. If this matter goes international, she might decide to return to the country. Our family hasn't had peace for even two days. We must handle this matter properly. And also, the Norman family..."Susan met the increasingly gloomy gaze of Old Master Crawford and paused for a moment. Then, she said, "I'm doing all of this for the sake of the Crawford family.""Mother, what do you think I should do?" As Luke watched Susan pretending to be anxious, he wore a cold and indifferent expression on his face."Well..." Susan hesitated, not expecting Luke to actually ask for her opinion. She pretended to ponder for a moment before continuing, "No matter what, there's still the Norman family supporting Bianca. You should apologize to the Norman family. "You must
The two reporters in the car could feel a shiver run down their spines as an eerie chill swept over them.The reporter in the passenger seat could not resist the pressure and blurted out, "We're from Green Apple Daily."Luke narrowed his eyes. Green Apple Daily? They had practically delivered themselves to him. There was no need for him to go looking for them now.That worked out nicely..."So, was the article about me first released by your company?" asked Luke straightforwardly, casually resting his hand on the car window. There was no way the reporters had the guts to roll up the window now."Yes..." admitted the reporter in the passenger seat, unable to withstand the pressure.The driver shot him a glare. The news was published by several news media companies simultaneously. How could he admit to it? Was he a fool? This was not the time to admit it. He should have pushed the blame onto their competitors, no?The reporter in the passenger seat met the driver's gaze an
Karen said that Luke’s wife had become a madwoman after suffering inhumane torture and being raped consecutively.Luke had never disclosed this to the public, so none of them knew.Thanks to Karen, they got to hear this shocking revelation.Margaret added: [Right. That woman is so stupid that she doesn’t even know she’s being cheated on.]Karen could not help but curl her lips upon reading their conversation. These two women were so easily manipulated. With just a little gossip, they would let their guard down so much that they would even take a bullet for her.On the other hand…Luca knew that Luke was having dinner with Old Master Crawford at the manor after he messaged her, so she and the children had dinner without him.After dinner, the children sat in the living room, watching cartoons.Luca was also in the living room watching cartoons with the kids, waiting for Luke to come back.Old Master Crawford must have found out about the reports. She wondered if he would lash o
After hearing what the children said, Luca knew that Susan must have come with ill intentions. She told the children, “Why don’t you watch cartoons in the second-floor living room?”Usually, they would not turn on the television on the second floor because Luke spent most of his time working in his room. Turning on the television on the second floor might disturb him.Thus, the children had developed the habit of watching television on the first floor regardless of whether Luke was home or not.That way, if the adults were out, it would also be easier for Aunt Neile to look after them on the first floor.“Okay!” said Tommy first.When Luca saw the kids go upstairs, she added, “Oh, ask your father to come downstairs and tell him that your grandma is here.”“Alright,” said Rainie before going upstairs to tell Luke.Luca stood at the entrance and took out a pair of disposable slippers as she waited for Susan to come in.The structure of both their homes was the same. Although the
Luca’s gaze slightly lowered, and suddenly she remembered the words Susan said to her while she was drunk at the time Luke brought her back to Crawford Manor. She thought they were heartfelt, but in reality, they were quite awkward. Now, here she was in yet another awkward situation. Even though Susan had changed her tone, Luca could not help but recall the past and found it as awkward as before.Susan noticed that Luca did not say anything. She thought her words had struck a chord. Therefore, she changed her approach, putting on the expression of a wise elder. She said with sincerity, "You're beautiful, talented, and young. What kind of man can't you find?"Luca blinked her eyes. Was she actually complimenting her? If Susan was truly complimenting her, it was as likely as seeing pigs fly.Luca lifted her head and put on a pitiful expression on her face. She did not understand why Luke had not come down yet. Since she let Susan in, it was up to her to resolve this issue now. "
"My choices have always been rational. As for the Norman family and other matters, I’m confident I can handle them well. Regarding the company and my personal matters, you don't need to worry about them," said Luke as he rose to his feet.He did not explicitly ask her to leave, but every sentence he uttered hinted at her departure."Hmph, you don't know what's good for you." Susan gave a cold snort and left."Madam Crawford, my maid has finished her shift. Could you please help close the door when you leave?" Luca could not help but say.When her mind was in turmoil, Susan showed up in front of her. By not completely shutting her down, it was already a kind gesture for the Crawford family's sake.Besides, considering her current personality, if the other person was not a member of Luke's family, she might have just walked away without wasting half a minute on their nonsense.Susan cast a malicious glance back. She watched both of them stand up, shoulder to shoulder. In terms
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
“Wait a little longer. By the way, what kind of ancestral hall is this?” asked Hera.“It's a local family's ancestral hall. I heard it's been designed by the owner of a large company, and now it's also one of the tourist attractions.” The taxi driver was not from around here, so he did not know all the details, but he knew it had become a popular spot. “Now, thanks to the reputation of that boss, many architects come here as one of their reference points.”Hera frowned deeper. What was Luca doing here?The driver suggested, “If you're interested in sightseeing, the attractions inside are pretty good. But for outsiders, they charge an entrance fee. Maintenance costs a lot of money, so they charge tourists from outside.”“I'm not here for sightseeing,” replied Hera, “Don't worry. I'll pay you for however long I stay here. You’ll get your money.”The driver heard that she was paying, and did not press her further and remained quiet.Hera stared at the entrance of the ancestral hall,