She followed his gaze to the nearby "The Northern Maiden".Her smile froze on her face."Alright, now let's invite another contestant to the stage," the host continued, "the author of 'The Northern Maiden,' with the online handle... web name is 'Fragrant Spicy Crab.'"Coral's online handle had a delicate, fresh style, while this contestant's handle was a direct invitation to a late-night meal.The entire room fell silent, everyone looking around.No one stepped forward to claim the title.The host looked over to the section where the contestants were seated and had to repeat, "Is 'Fragrant Spicy Crab' here?"Still, there was no response.Coral maintained her smile, secretly delighted. She was convinced that her competitor was too afraid of the situation to show up. She was sure the Turquoise Award was hers."Is 'Fragrant Spicy Crab' here?" the host asked again, his face turning a bit dark. He felt like a restaurant waiter calling out for orders."I'm here."A raspy female voice sudden
Heloise stood on the stage and calmly said, "It depends on what you see."Coral thought, "What an arrogant person! She's challenging the judges like this, and they're just taking it?"However, the judge didn't show any signs of annoyance and instead asked humbly, "What I see is a young girl whose blood splatters on the white snow, covering her body in a blanket of snow with only the scattered bloodstains, which will eventually be concealed. Is that correct?"It was clearly a profoundly sad story.Heloise responded, "It can be seen that way, but if you ask me, it's more than that." Heloise softened her tone a bit, noticing that the judge genuinely loved art."What do you mean by 'more than that'?" The judge asked, standing up excitedly and eager to hear the answer.Heloise remained silent on the stage, letting the question hang in the air. Seeing this, several judges and some guests approached the stage to examine the oil painting.This painting, with a strong resemblance to Madam Robe
One billion Phoenix coins!This fat guy's painting for one billion, so who would notice if she sells a two million painting? Are these people crazy? And is Reginald crazy too?After a long while, the host looked at Heloise and said, "Miss Fragrant Spicy Crab, you don't want to reveal your true identity, but the upcoming award and painting sale procedures require verification, so what about this...? "His tone was cautious, considering that the fat lady in front of him was no ordinary fat guy but someone worth over a billion."So, the Turquoise Award verification is based on identity information? " Heloise questioned in a hushed voice, "What if someone buys the painting just for the reputation? ""Huh? " The host was stunned, "The Turquoise Award is about reputation and profit. Who would want their painting to be signed by someone else? "Isn't that nonsense?"What if some wealthy young ladies don't lack power or money but just lack a bit of fame? " Heloise countered.Coral stood to th
"..."Heloise's heart raced as she looked at him.Shouldn't he be congratulating her on winning an award? Why was he congratulating her for getting his attention?She didn't want this kind of attention.Reginald stared at her eyes behind the mask, and a faintly amused curve played on his thin lips. His eerie gray eyes seemed like an endless abyss, awaiting her arrival.In that moment, Heloise felt a sudden chill running through her body."That's fine," she said.The next moment, Reginald continued to act as if nothing had happened. He casually handed the award trophy to her and walked away, heading towards the exit.Is he just leaving like this? He's not taking her with him?Heloise quickly grabbed the host and said, "I'm leaving first. I've left the authorization letter and payment details on your work table outside. Just make the payment.""Eh? Wait, you haven't said anything about the award..." The host was bewildered as Heloise, the overweight woman, agilely ran out, leaving him w
Her hand isn't dirty, is it?Mr. Wordsworth isn't jealous and forbidding anyone from touching his companion, is he? But she's a woman...His possessiveness is way too intense.Heloise obediently leaned on Reginald's chest, secretly relieved, having narrowly avoided trouble again. This time, she would have the money. Furthermore, Brady and Coral's reputation took another hit.As they passed by the venue's entrance, Heloise heard the heated arguments from inside and Brady's vigorous defense. She felt a great sense of satisfaction.Brady, Coral, this is just the beginning, the real fun is yet to come.……They were in Hyacinth Garden.The doctor couldn't identify any specific issue with Heloise and just said, "It might be a bit of indigestion. Get some rest and drink warm water; you'll be fine."After the doctor left, Heloise lay on the bed, looking miserable, her eyes half-closed.Reginald stood by the bed, gazing down at her with mixed emotions.What was he staring at her like that for?
She didn't really want to know his secrets, did she?Heloise felt a sudden shiver, and Reginald raised his hand, his long, bony fingers brushing away a wisp of her hair from her forehead, his fingertips trailing over her delicate skin."Little blighter, welcome to my world of games." There was an almost perverse excitement in his eyes.Heloise suddenly felt a chill. Mr. Wordsworth, she hadn't asked, it was he who had volunteered this information, hadn't he?"Anyone entering my world has to abide by one rule, very simple, and that is... you can only have me."Reginald's finger stopped on her face, his handsome face slowly coming closer to her, planting an icy kiss on her forehead. Heloise's heart pounded from the kiss.His childhood was really miserable, and he was genuinely twisted. Her world had hatred and slums, but not him."Remember that," Reginald's tone was like he was pampering a little pet, with affection and tenderness, yet every word was cruel, "If you forget, the consequenc
Donations? It's not about seeking trouble, is it?"I'm free, I'm free," Coral hastily responded, then hung up the phone. She got excited and jumped up, leaving everyone in the live broadcast room confused.Coral quickly turned off the live stream, rushed downstairs, and instructed her maids, "Hurry and book a spa appointment, a makeup artist, and a stylist for me!"She wanted to look her best when meeting Reginald.Grace was sitting in the living room, tending to a potted plant. She looked at Coral when she heard her and asked, "What's going on? Why are you in such a hurry?""Reginald asked me out!" Coral excitedly told Grace. "Mom, he invited me for a meeting this afternoon! He said he wants to discuss a donation!""But didn't he reject you before? Why did he suddenly change his mind and invite you?" Grace found it a bit strange. "Could it be related to the media's silence matter?""It can't be. Would Reginald personally meet someone to cause trouble? He's such a busy person, and I d
Their gazes met through the rain and mist, a distance of several meters.The moment Reginald saw her, his thin lips curled slightly, a gesture he was not even aware of himself.He waved at her as if calling a pet, inviting her to come closer.Heloise walked towards him, with Jane and Harriet incredibly nervous.When she reached him, Reginald grabbed her hand and pulled her from under the guards' umbrellas into his own shelter.She stood close to him, her eyes falling on the photographs on the two tombstones, both of them stunningly beautiful women.Considering how exceptionally handsome Reginald was, his mother and sister could not have been ordinary either."These are my mother and my sister," Reginald said, his gaze still on her, noticing her fascination with the photos. His voice was low and deep as he asked, "Do you know how to offer prayers?"Heloise glanced at him, and Reginald set the umbrella aside, handing it to one of the guards.Then, he enclosed her within his arms, holdin
"......" Heloise gave him a speechless look. Distracted for a moment, her character on the screen was shot in the head by Reginald, dying a heroic death.Reginald had aimed for this outcome. He turned to look at her, his mischievous gaze wandering up and down. "Strip."Today, he had suddenly proposed a game where for every round lost, she had to remove an article of clothing, with a one-hour time limit.Heloise didn't want to play, but he had persistently pestered her, not allowing her to do anything else until they played for an hour and only then would he let her go to the study to do her own work."......" Heloise straightforwardly took off her shoes, leaving her feet bare on the carpet.This wasn’t the effect he wanted.Reginald glanced at her small, fair feet and reached out to adjust the air conditioning to a higher temperature.The next round began.Heloise focused on the screen, maneuvering the controller with pre
"Suspect what?"Reginald wiped his hands with a hot towel, seeming to ask casually, as if he didn't care."With her abilities, it would be easier for her to make a mark in other circles. Yet she chose to endure hardships in the Legal Affairs Committee, where the network is already established. She’s been there for two months, and although she rose quickly, she's still just an assistant," Benjamin said."On one hand, she's willing to endure these hardships, and on the other hand, she's able to cultivate people under her into prominent figures in various fields in a short period. Do you think she has a grand ambition?"Those in high positions naturally have their sensitivities.Even though he admired Heloise, Benjamin couldn't help but think more deeply.Such a perceptive girl wouldn't do meaningless things; she must have her own calculations. She propels these people to become figures in various fields, and with more experience, they co
Someone passed by and first looked at her, screaming, with eyes that suggested she was crazy. Then, upon seeing the snake, they quickly fled.Why!Why couldn't she get close to Reginald? Why wasn't she the one to receive Reginald's special attention?She couldn't accept this outcome! She couldn't!She sat on the ground, tears quickly welling up, streaming down her face, overwhelmed with despair.…Ever since she had that candid conversation with Reginald on the football field, Heloise had become increasingly focused on her work in the Legal Affairs Committee.Heloise tackled each task with enthusiasm, consistently completing them with excellence. During this time, some colleagues tried to sabotage her, but she cleverly deflected their attempts. Similarly, higher-ups tested her abilities, but she passed each challenge with flying colors.Soon enough, everyone in the Legal Affairs Committee knew of her. Her path to promoti
Just as she finished typing, Heloise was suddenly embraced from behind by a pair of strong arms. Reginald leaned in from behind, his thin lips touching her ear, tracing along the contours of her earlobe, before suddenly taking it into his mouth and lightly licking it with the tip of his tongue.Heloise was tingling all over from his actions, wanting to break free but held tightly by him.Reginald's kisses quickly trailed over her neck and face, finally locking onto her lips with a strong possessiveness, probing deep, intimate, and ambiguous.He pressed his forehead against hers and hoarsely said, "Let me think."Heloise looked at him somewhat puzzled. What did he mean by letting him think? What was he thinking about?Perhaps because he had just showered, his eyes appeared unusually deep and moist under the light.It reminded her of the time at BlueWolf Mountain when a dolphin, accidentally washed ashore by the sea, lay there barely breathing
His voice carried a bewildering power, like a subtle electric current piercing through one's eardrums and directly into the heart.Heloise sat there, captivated by his voice, intimidated by his gaze, her mind momentarily blank.He said he would ensure all her affairs were smooth and worry-free for life. What a touching statement.Growing up, she had never received such a weighty promise.Heloise admitted to herself that she had been captivated. A hot wind passed before her eyes as she stared fixedly at Reginald in front of her.Behind him, the twilight light burst forth with vivid colors, suddenly breaking through."What, speechless from being moved?" Reginald looked at her, chuckling softly.Heloise looked at him. If she followed his temperament, she should express gratitude for being moved, or at least say thank you.But suddenly, she felt that continuing this way was not right."Thank you, Reginald," Heloise looked at
Reginald stood up from the ground, delivering heartless words.Tricia sat on the ground, her heart wrenched by his words.He couldn't produce any evidence to prove that she intentionally incited those people to target Heloise. Yet, despite this, he almost killed her for Heloise. She had risked her life for him!"Brother, has she ever saved you?" Tears streamed down her face as she asked softly.Reginald turned, buttoning his cuff and reaching for the watch on the table. His movement paused at her words before he put on the watch."How much has she sacrificed for you? Why is she the only one for you?" Tricia questioned as she watched his back.The only one for you.Reginald had never thought of those four words. To him, he was simply interested in Heloise. Every aspect of her fit his taste.Her presence filled the loneliness he had endured for over a decade. Was she really the only one for him?If it were someone else...
"Brother, wait for me." Tricia glanced at Heloise and softly called out, catching up to Reginald and brushing his arm with her finger.Reginald glanced at her sideways but didn't stop, continuing forward. Tricia walked alongside him.Heloise stood still, quietly watching the backs of the two, feeling a faint sense of strangeness pass through her heart. Her expression remained calm, showing little emotion.Is this going to be alright? It really caught her off guard.She thought that Tricia chasing after Reginald would take as long as rebuilding the slums.Once Reginald left, the guards followed suit, leaving the office to them.Heloise withdrew her gaze, carrying the documents into the office and sitting at her desk, ready to work. She tried to start her computer, but it showed a black screen.Heloise was annoyed. She clicked the mouse a couple of times, and large blocky characters began to flash on the screen."Miss me?"
"No."Reginald held her tightly.Heloise gritted her teeth and shrunk her body, slipping out from his arms.Reginald attempted to catch her, but failed. Irritated, he reached for her, pulling her towards him and kissing her forcefully. "If you don't want to sleep, then don't sleep. Let's continue playing."Heloise still wanted to break free, but Reginald pulled her back onto the bed and started fooling around with her.…In the office, colleagues remembered her heroic act of catching snakes and, understandingly, ceased their antagonism. This made Heloise's internship path particularly smooth.Her documents were impeccable, and there wasn't a single mistake in the legal texts she handled, which left her superiors very satisfied."This document contains the latest perfected laws for the slums. Once you've organized and verified it, we can make it public."The leader handed her a document.Heloise accepted it,
“Don't worry, I won't engage in such petty behaviors.”Another person expressed their stance to Heloise.“You saved us today. I'll keep an eye out for you from now on, making sure Adam and the others don't dare to act out again,” said several people around Heloise.“…”What's going on with these people? Weren't they trying to curry favor with her? How did they suddenly change sides in such a short time?Tricia stood there, her expression grim.Heloise sat calmly, raising her eyes to Tricia and giving a nonchalant “Oh.”Everyone followed her gaze to Tricia, and there was a moment of stiffness. This incident was somewhat related to Tricia, but she hadn't instructed them to go after Heloise.The atmosphere felt strangely tense.Soon, someone laughed nervously. “Tricia, you're back! You were lucky you weren't here earlier. Suddenly, the office was filled with snake