Yaslyn had arranged to meet with Yerick at the Warren Group office. After Rowan's last stunt, Xoan no longer felt at ease letting Yaslyn meet people elsewhere, thus opting for the secure premises of Warren Group. Soon after, Yerick walked in, pushing the door open."What's the play this time, Xoan, Yaslyn?" Yerick sneered, taking a seat nonchalantly with his eyes fixed on Yaslyn."Yerick, regarding the death of your biological parents, there are some things I need to discuss with you."As soon as Yaslyn spoke, Yerick's face instantly soured. "Don't mention that to me so I can still have a few words with you peacefully.""Do you still believe that your father is the murderer of your family, Yerick? If you had any sense, you wouldn't harbor such resentment toward Mr. Warren, who raised you for decades!" Yaslyn replied bluntly. She truly had little patience for Yerick.After hearing her words, Yerick responded with a chuckle, which soon erupted into unrestrained laughter."What do y
"I'm not sure either. Considering how he mocks me every time, I always thought Sheldon did it. However, when I asked him, he denied it," Xoan responded.Yaslyn was in disbelief. "Maybe he's lying?""No. Sheldon might be harsh and enjoy others' misfortunes, but he never lies. His ear tips turn red when he does, and he can't hide it for over three seconds."With his understanding of Sheldon, Xoan realized that Yerick orchestrated everything.Yaslyn was somewhat surprised. "Yerick has been jealous of you since childhood. His dispute with the Warren family isn't because he believes his parents were harmed by Mr. Warren, but due to long-standing resentment, right?" Appreciating her deductive reasoning, Xoan looked at her in approval. "That's what I think too. Thus, Yerick reconciling with the Warren family probably has something to do with the Linton Group. It's likely something disadvantageous for the Warren family.""You haven't warned Mr. Warren?""There's no point. My father wil
"We're a couple. Sharing a room shouldn't be a problem, right?"Yaslyn thought she saw mischief in Xoan's eyes. Xoan was the same man, only the inherent frostiness and nobility seemed to have vanished. He was nothing but a wolf in a gentleman's suit."Xoan, can we not sleep separately? I'm not ready yet."It would be more accurate to say she was not prepared at all.Without even lifting his eyelids, Xoan watched a flicker of panic cross Yaslyn's face and a smile gradually appeared."It's alright. Everyone has a first time."'What's he talking about?' Yaslyn shrank on the bed, shivering with fear.Xoan leaned down, pressed his hand next to her, and took the blanket from the bed.The next second, the always noble Xoan surprisingly laid down on the sofa in his suit, leaving the entire bed to Yaslyn."Go to sleep."Yaslyn had yet to react, she had just thought that Xoan was going to force her."Xoan, you truly are a gentleman."Yaslyn teared up, and she felt Xoan's image had be
With Xoan's insistence, Yaslyn was eventually admitted to the hospital.The familiar scent of disinfectant filled the air, causing Yaslyn frown. "Can I not be treated in a hospital?"Xoan's gaze, aloof and detached, met Yaslyn's. "What do you think?"Yaslyn awkwardly smiled. "Um… I suppose it's not really an option.""That's understood then."With that, Xoan gracefully took a seat nearby, engrossed in his phone."What about our travel plans?" asked Yaslyn."Plans are futile against change. You should focus on healing. We've got plenty of time, so there's no need to rush," Xoan responded, unswayed.Dejected, Yaslyn lay on the hospital bed.Soon after, a person walked in, presumably a doctor making rounds. Yaslyn found the face somewhat familiar but could not place where she had seen it.The next moment, the girl exclaimed with surprise, "Dear Xoan, I never thought to see you here!"Hearing that, Yaslyn looked at Xoan with puzzled brows.Xoan nodded at her. "It's good to see
Within the sterile white walls of the hospital, tension floated in the air like a venomous mist as Liliana was in a heated argument with a man."The patient needs to be rational! You must understand that his condition is inherently difficult to treat. Even if you summon the finest doctors from around the world, a cure is not guaranteed!" she argued vehemently.The man pointed at her and shouted, "Do you even know who the person inside is? And even if it cannot be easily cured, his condition shouldn't have worsened, should it?""The condition entirely depends on the patient's emotional state. Perhaps it was you who angered this gentleman, causing his condition to deteriorate."The man scoffed, "Nonsense! Even if it worsened, it shouldn't be like this. He could speak normally at noon, and by evening, he suddenly had facial paralysis. Is this the level of your hospital's competence?"Yaslyn clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Indeed, for being hailed as the best hospital in all of Ha
After a bit of inquiry, Yaslyn was taken aback to discover that the man before her was none other than the wealthiest man in Hartford City—Darius Ziegler. He was the man who gave her 14,000 gifts so casually.Consumed by envy, Liliana had long known that he was the wealthiest individual in Hartford City. However, she was indifferent to him, believing his days to be numbered, so any attempt to gain favor would be useless.She never expected that he would recover, allowing even Yaslyn the opportunity to bask in his presence."Mr. Ziegler, how's your health?"Unable to contain herself any longer, Liliana stepped forward, her face revealing a flattering expression.Darius, identifying the woman who had scorned him in his lowly state, responded coldly, "Much improved, thanks to the hospital's 'treatment'."His response was filled with sarcasm. Yaslyn, standing beside him, concealed her laughter behind her hand, a snicker escaping her lips. Liliana looked embarrassed and annoyed.Yasl
Never had Liliana felt such disgrace and humiliation. In a fit of rage, she yelled, "This is a clear and blatant insult!"The dean, uncharacteristically, did not side with her. He glanced at her fuming face and simply scoffed, "Do you know who he is? He's the richest man in Hartford City! Can you afford to offend him?"Liliana, at a loss for words, mumbled, "I… I…""So, here's your way out—apologize to him promptly. If he decides not to retain you, not even I can protect you!"The dean's words sounded like a wake-up call to Liliana."I… I understand."Liliana clenched her fists in contemplation as she left the office and reluctantly made her way to room 360.As she reached the entrance, she encountered Yaslyn. Seeing Liliana's sour appearance, Yaslyn was momentarily unaware of what had transpired and found Liliana's compelled submission somewhat amusing.Ignoring her, Liliana walked straight into the room. She stood before Mr. Ziegler, bowed her head sincerely and apologized.
The dean's words seem somewhat forced. Yaslyn understood his intent to protect his staff and thus did not argue much. Just as they were about to leave, Liliana marched in, bristling with confidence."What are you doing here?""Liliana, you've arrived just in time. What happened to the air conditioning in Ms. Lyon's room?" aaked the dean.With an unabashed demeanor, Liliana explained, "Their room's air conditioning burnt out at noon today, so it was forcibly shut down. I was about to find someone to repair it."The dean's face slightly lightened up. "See, it's all a misunderstanding."Unable to show any counter-evidence, Yaslyn nodded and left with Xoan. Back in their room, the chill was intensifying. It had been three hours since they had noticed the change in temperature, and no respite was in sight.Yaslyn, sensitive to the cold, shivered, and Xoan wrapped her tightly in blankets."Liliana is genuinely petty, and the crux of the matter is, she's seeking revenge against me," Ya
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi