It was late at night. A black full-size Lincoln SUV is driving into an extravagant mansion in A City’s most expensive suburb.Inside the mansion.Bianca Rayne’s eyes were covered with a silk blindfold.He did not want her to know who he was.“Don’t be afraid. Take deep breaths.“You can do it, Bianca. There’s nothing more important than getting Dad a liver transplant so he can live. It’s fine to sacrifice a little for Dad.”She could not ignore the sound of the car entering the mansion.Now that it had come to this, all she could do was keep talking to herself, to persuade and comfort herself.When Luke Crawford walked in, his body tall and his spine straight, he immediately saw Bianca, who was standing in his room. She was young, in the prime of her youth—“H-Hello…” She could sense his body approaching, so she instinctively took a step back despite the blindfold, stuttering as she greeted him stiffly.She had thought that the past few days of mental preparation had left her
Once he was done, the man left.Bianca was exhausted to the point of passing out. She stayed curled up on the bed for a long, long time.The doctors said it was easier for her to conceive this way.…This continued for more nights than she could keep track of. Luke Crawford would come to the mansion every night, no matter how late his work kept him. He never failed to show up.The middle-aged driver who followed Luke around, Charles Finn, was Faye’s husband. Both of them were experienced in these things, so they really wanted to give their young master a word of advice. These things should be taken slowly! Rushing it would only be unhealthy!However, their haughty and aloof young master was also known for being a harsh employer with the cold face of a devil. He was famous for being hard to handle!The couple had no choice but to keep their mouths shut!They could only watch as that young girl was rendered limp and listless every day thanks to their young master’s energetic dema
“Hear me out, Kevin. We only have two daughters, right? I know, Marie isn’t your daughter by birth, but she’s called you her father all her life…”Before Jennifer finished that sentence, Kevin interrupted her. He had been recuperating in bed for many months now, and he was already feeling much better. “What are you trying to say? Just tell me straight. After all, I’m your loving husband.”“I know you love me and our Marie..” Jennifer held Kevin’s hand, so thin that it was practically skin over bone, and said softly, “You mentioned that you’d send Bianca overseas to study after she graduates from high school right? Our Marie is only two years older than Bianca, and all she does these days is hang around bars. She’s not going to class properly at all, and I’m worried sick. After all, she is my only biological child! Kevin, I want Marie to study overseas with Bianca!”Bianca stood outside the door, frowning slightly.Marie was twenty years old this year, and she had somehow learned ho
Bianca shook her head and forced herself to not think about the mother whose name and face she did not know. That woman was a stranger to her.After a while, her phone rang.The caller was Bianca’s best friend, Nina Langdon.Bianca picked up.“Hi! It’s been a long time since we video-called. Why are you trying to avoid me?” Nina complained into the phone. She rested her cheek on her hand dejectedly, saying, “Are you sure you wanna go to the UK, Bea? What if someone bullies you there? My fists don’t reach that far.“Also! I hear that guys mature early overseas, and loads of school dorms are co-ed! You gotta be really careful about that when you go there! Hey, do you understand what I’m getting at? Forget it, I’ll just be open with you. If you really can’t hold back when you see those foreign hotties! Remember to use protection!”On her screen, Bianca could see that Nina was sitting in a small restaurant. It seemed like she had just ordered her food and was waiting for it to arrive
When Bianca next set foot in the busy A City once more, five years had passed. She had been away for almost two thousand days and nights. It was not a very long time, but it was not nothing either.Back then, she had been pushed about mercilessly by destiny. She had been completely powerless!Now, she just wanted to use her own strength to take control of her life with her own hands.It was morning.“Bea, over here—” Nina wound down her car window and waved at Bianca, who was walking out of her suburb.Time had passed. Five years later, the two of them were no longer clueless girls of eighteen or nineteen.Bianca and Jean had returned to the country together yesterday, and Nina had been the one to pick them up from the airport.That night, Jean had taken Bianca back to the Langdons’ place for dinner.Mr. and Mrs. Langdon were more than happy with Bianca as their future daughter-in-law.That morning, Jean had wanted to go to the interview at the company with Bianca, but someth
Ten minutes later, Jean was done with his interview.He pushed the door open and walked out.Bianca immediately got to his feet. “How was it?”“The interviewers ask some tough questions, but it isn’t anything we can’t handle.” Jean could not help but kiss Bianca on the forehead, saying calmly, “Overall, it’s not bad.”Bianca heaved a sigh of relief.“Next, Bianca Rayne,” the female secretary called out.Bianca hurriedly straightened out her clothing and went inside anxiously.The second she walked into the room, Luke looked at her with a complicated gaze.Bianca sat down properly and raised her head, meeting each interviewer’s eyes, one at a time.After that, she introduced herself briefly. “Good morning, everyone. First of all, thank you for giving me this opportunity to attend this interview. My name is Bianca Rayne.”Since she decided to return to this country and find a job here, she had come up with plenty of interview openers in her mind.It may not be the most creativ
Bianca left.Luke suddenly put down the blueprint he had been holding. He stood up and left his workstation, walking toward his wine cabinet instead. There, he took out a glass and filled half of it with wine, draining the whole thing with a frown.This cursed lust!It was already quite late when Bianca left the company, but thankfully there was one last subway to take her home.Once she reached home, the first thing she did was reply to Jean’s messages on WeChat.After that, she pulled out her luggage and started to organize the things she needed for her trip tomorrow.Just then, her phone rang.The caller ID said it was Jean.“Aren’t you asleep yet? I thought I told you to rest early instead of calling me,” Bianca said in concern when she picked up.“I’m not done with work yet, so I brought the stuff back to the hotel room to continue overtime.” Jean continued, asking her, “I saw your text earlier. Why are you going outstation too? Who will you be going with?”“I don’t real
Bianca did not dare to say anything more after the little boy turned his nose up at her.The time ticked past.The boy said, “It seems pretty awkward, huh.”The girl nodded.Bianca, “...”“Lady, you can call my father right now and tell him that you don’t want to care for us,” the boy said.He was quite the hostile little boy.“I never said I don’t want to take care of you.” She had to make that clear.How could she dare to say she did not want to care for her boss’ kids? The boss would eat her for lunch.“Since you want to take care of us, then you should act like you do.” The boy clearly did not like this cold atmosphere.This lady was much dumber than the other ones.Bianca, “...”It was her fault for not checking the almanac before she left the house.“Come with me, Big Bro.” The little girl could tell that the aunty’s expression was turning unpleasant, and she dragged her brother away angrily.Bianca let out a long breath, watching as the two children disappeared thr
“You don’t like eating outside food, do you?” Luca thought that preparing breakfast and dinner for him was not a big deal.Besides, the main point was that Luke did not like eating out. He always felt the taste was off and lacked nutrition.“Actually, it’s not that I don’t like eating out. It's just that all the food outside tastes the same to me.” Luke gently squeezed her hand.“Hey, focus on driving.” Luca chuckled.Luke withdrew his hand and returned it to the steering wheel. “With that woman around, it wouldn’t be convenient for you to cook. Are you really going to make breakfast for them too?”If that happened, it would defeat the purpose of his plan.Luca thought for a moment. She did not mind ignoring Sophian, but if she cooked for Luke and not for Allison, that might not sit well with her. Allison could easily make a fuss over even the smallest details. “So, should we just eat out for breakfast and dinner from now on?”“Yes.” Luke did not mind.It did not matter where t
“Something I like?” Luca laughed. “What could that be?”“You’ll find out when we get there.” Luke kept it mysterious.“Alright then, I’ll wait for your surprise, Mr. Crawford.” Luca was in good spirits without letting family issues dampen her mood. Therefore, she video-called the kids.Luca dialed Mr. Griffin’s number.After Mr. Griffin answered the call, he handed the phone to Lanie. “Young Master Lanie, Ms. Craw wants to talk to you.”“Thank you, Mr. Griffin.” Lanie took the phone and pressed ‘accept’.Luca positioned the camera to include both her and Luke. She waved at the screen. “Lanie, Rainie, Tommy, what are you all doing?”“Lanie! Lanie, I want to talk to Ms. Luca!” Tommy waved excitedly at the camera, eager to take the phone.Lanie handed it to him. “Go on, tell Daddy and Ms. Luca about your good news.”Luca smiled and asked with curiosity. “Good news?”“Daddy, Ms. Luca, I made it to the next level in the math competition! The finals are this Saturday!” Tommy said e
“Why are you being so slow?” Allison was irritated. She shoved the products into Sophian’s hands.“I told you to use them, so just use them.” Allison ran out of patience. After urging Sophian, she lay back down.Sophian had no choice but to follow her instructions and poured out some product. The texture of the product in her palm made her pause for a moment. It was incredibly moisturizing!She gently patted it onto Allison's face and noticed the area she touched felt just as smooth.Allison let out a content sigh. “This essence is really soothing.”Even though Sophian was still worried about potential side effects, she could not help but admire the instant hydrating effect. She asked in a low voice, “Madam Allison, is this really developed by that woman?”She could not believe that Luca had such skills and wondered if the essence had just been repackaged into another bottle and sold as her own creation.“That's what she says,” replied Allison. “But she's into pharmaceuticals, s
After agreeing to become the maid, Sophian’s excitement gradually turned into anxiety.The villa was so large. Could she really handle all the tasks a maid was supposed to do?As she thought about it, she accidentally left the bread in the toaster for too long. After serving it to Allison, she was scolded.“What’s this? It’s just a slice of toast. How could you burn it like this? How am I supposed to eat it?” Allison was clearly displeased.Sophian awkwardly explained, “Madam Allison, this is my first time using this toaster. I didn’t quite get the temperature right...”Allison was about to keep complaining but paused for a moment, remembering that Sophian was the one she had brought in to be the maid. Now, she was the only one who could make breakfast for her. She disdainfully tore off the burnt part and took a bite. “Where’s the soy milk?”“It’ll bring it out,” replied Sophian, heading back to the kitchen. She brought out two glasses of soy milk and another slice of toast tha
“Are you planning to tell me that Madam Allison brought someone back?” Luca had a feeling she knew what was going on. Luca had been wondering why Allison had taken such a big risk by going out during the day, but it all made sense now.“Yes, she brought someone back and said she'll be taking over my job,” Aunt Neile replied helplessly. She was worried she had lost her competitive edge, which made her feel anxious.“I got it, Aunt Neile.” As soon as Luca spoke, there was a cheer from inside the lab. She glanced back and saw that there seemed to be progress in the research. Rhett gave her a thumbs-up to signal success.She slightly smiled and nodded before hearing Aunt Neile's voice again on the phone. “Ms. Craw, there’s something I’d like to say, though I’m not sure if I should. I’ve thought about it, and I feel like I should. Even though Mr. Crawford isn’t the type to fool around, you have to be careful. He has no interest in that woman, but she’s clearly interested in him. You sh
Allison watched the two of them go upstairs, and instantly, her temper flared.Not allowed, huh?Allison refused to believe it. She would find a way to turn things around and reclaim her position in this family!…The next morning, as Luke and Luca came downstairs, they noticed Aunt Neile looking at them with red, puffy eyes.“Aunt Neile, what happened?” Luca was puzzled. What happened?“Mr. Crawford, Ms. Craw, Madam Allison just told me that I’m fired.” Aunt Neile looked distraught. She thought Allison’s words yesterday were just a joke, but first thing in the morning, she was told to settle her wages and leave. She was completely stunned.“Mr. Crawford, did I do something wrong?”Luke’s brows furrowed. Allison’s behavior was truly astonishing.“You’re not fired,” replied Luke. “Is breakfast ready?”Relieved to hear she still had her job, Aunt Neile quickly wiped away her tears and let out a sigh of relief. “Yes. Mr. Crawford, Ms. Craw, please have a seat. I’ll bring it out.
Luke was driving back home with Luca. It was already 9:00 pm when they arrived at the villa.Just as they reached the foyer and had not taken more than a few steps, Allison's voice rang out.“Oh, so you're finally willing to come back from Crawford Manor?” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.Luca did not know how to respond to Allison and looked over at Luke.Luke let go of Luca's waist and whispered, “Go upstairs first.”“Okay.” Luca nodded, changed her shoes, and was about to head upstairs when Allison said again, “Stop. Who told you to go upstairs?”“Madam Allison, is there something you need?” Luca's tone was cold, carefully masking the helplessness inside her.Since she learned that Allison would be returning to the country and moving here, Luca had mentally prepared herself to be put in a difficult position. She loved Luke, so she was willing to tolerate whatever troubles came with it.Luca believed that as long as she and Luke faced things together, there was nothing th
After finishing work, Luca headed straight to Crawford Manor.When she arrived and greeted Old Master Crawford, the three kids came running down the stairs and surrounded her. They each took turns expressing how much they missed her and Luke.Luca missed them too, so after exchanging a few words with Old Master Crawford, she went upstairs with the kids to help them with their homework.It did not take long before Luke arrived.Not seeing Luca in the living room, he asked Old Master Crawford, “Grandpa, has Luca arrived?”Old Master Crawford was in a good mood. He nodded and replied, “She's upstairs, helping the kids with their homework.”Luke sat on the couch and watched the evening news with Old Master Crawford.“Has your mother caused any trouble lately?” asked Old Master Crawford.“Not really,” answered Luke. He could still manage Allison.“That doesn’t sound like her,” added Old Master Crawford, assuming Allison would always be causing trouble.“Her condition is bad right
“What do you mean ‘suppose so?” Allison hated vague answers like that. The more uncertain she was about how Old Master Crawford felt about Luca, the more she wanted to know.“Where's the car key?” asked Allison.“Madam Allison, what do you need the car keys for?” asked Aunt Neile, already knowing the answer but trying to delay her.“Of course, I’m going to Crawford Manor. Old Master Crawford is the strictest with Luke, and I can't let him ruin everything because of a woman." Allison was already planning ahead. She was worried that the old master would not like how Luke was behaving and that he might strip him of his power. A wave of panic washed over her.“Madam Allison, it’s already too late to go to Crawford Manor now,” Aunt Neile quickly said. “If you drive over there now, they’ll already be having dinner. If you go now, Old Master Crawford will just scold you for being disrespectful. You just came back. It’d be better not to upset him, right?”Allison paused for a moment.