Charmine knew it was not good news, yet she insisted, “Don’t worry, just tell me.” “The X substance from Yvonne’s vitamin can repress the toxin, but it can only repress it. I failed in trying to use the substance to neutralize the toxin…” confessed Nial somberly and sighed. Charmine asked suspiciously, “How did it fail?” “How should I phrase it? For example, some medications can only cure the cold, but if one wants to get rid of a fever, they must take other more specific medications. I tried to increase the strength of the X substance, but it wasn’t effective,” Nial answered. Charmine vaguely understood. So that was the reason… “It’s okay—at least it’s getting better now. We might have a breakthrough soon.” Nial nodded. There was another thing he did not tell, and he dared not to. During the experiment, Nial found out that the toxin would grow immune to the substance over time, and the X substance would someday be ineffective. However, this would take at least half a mon
They must not go on like this. Alas, he had to keep it together for Charmine’s sake and her illness... Before he could do anything, however, something crucial happened the next morning. The morning light shone into the bedroom and filled the space with warmth. Ring! Ring! The phone on the bedside rang urgently. Charmine felt around for the phone before she answered the call, greeted with Adam’s urgent voice, “Charmine, it’s bad. All the companies under the Jordan Group were locked up. The construction sites are told to stop the work, and they just won’t give us an explanation when we ask about it. They only wanted us to call you.” The initially drowsy Charmine sat up straight away, awakened by the news. She frowned. “The Association locked us down?” “Yes. Our bodyguards dared not to resist, and they couldn’t...” Adam then warily asked, “Charmine, did something happen? Is someone against you?” Charmine already had a vague answer within a short while. “Don’t worr
The call’s abrupt end was followed by the sound of static. Charmine’s grip on the phone tightened. Grandma Granger would do anything to get Guy back! Charmine had worked so hard to get the Jordan Group back on its feet, yet Grandma Granger would ruin it? She ran through her acquaintances mentally, thinking who might be able to help. However, most of her contacts were either into technology or business. The only family related to the Association was...the Cherny family. The Cherny family… Charmine frowned. She had not contacted the Chernys for a long time, mainly keeping her distance due to the pre-arranged marriage. Since the Chernys and the Grangers were partners, the Chernys would not help her. What else could she do? Would she have to let the Jordan Group suffer? Outside the door…Anthony heard the voice coming from the study room. He frowned. Grandma Granger attacked the Jordan Group this early in the morning? His eyes dulled as he walked downstairs right awa
It was apparent that Guy truly cared for Charmine. That was not good. As Charmine walked down from upstairs, Anthony came toward her and walked her to the dining table. “Don’t think too much now. Have some food.” He personally brought her breakfast as he spoke. The breakfast plate included some prawns. He even put on gloves to peel the prawns for her. He was an elegant and high-profiled man, yet his eyes were filled with only love at that moment. Guy noticed that. He felt rather emotional, but he was pleased nonetheless. He was assured at how Anthony treated Charmine so well. Charmine, however, had no appetite due to her concern over the Jordan Group. The situation could only worsen the longer it lasted. The situation was already a challenge for her, and she did not know how to resolve it. Sensing something was amiss, Guy asked, “What is it? Did something happen?” “Nothing.” Charmine refused to tell. Guy would surely go up against the Grangers if he found out
Charmine knew what Anthony was thinking just by studying his expression. Standing on the balcony, she calmly persuaded, “It’s nothing, truly. It only hurts once per day, I can endure it.” “No. I’d rather the Jordan Group gets locked down than seeing you suffer,” answered Anthony coldly. He walked to her and placed his hands on her waist. “Even without the Jordan Group, the Baileys are here. We’ll always have your back.” “We’re not kids anymore, Anthony,” came Charmine’s abrupt, out-of-the-blue response, one with wisdom and maturity. Her past teenage self would have sacrificed everything for love; she could care less about the family company or other responsibilities so long as she was happy. Times have changed, however, and she was the Jordans’ only pillar of support. Senior Jordan did not pressure her into it, but she knew he placed great hope in her. If the Jordan Group had to shut down, the aging Senior Jordan would take it badly. Furthermore, they had sold out
The F Project was a joint project between the Bailey Corporation and the Association to make establishments across 18 countries. If Anthony used this to negotiate with the Association, it would make him an irrational business partner and escalate the tension! Charmine quickly hung up and phoned Anthony, yet all she heard was, “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable…” Anthony must have turned off his phone or activated its airplane mode. He was adamant in fixing the problem. However, the Association did not seem to care about international trade, and they even warned Anthony. Would Anthony’s threat work this time? It might even affect the Bailey family! Charmine instantly rushed out, ready to look for him when Nial stopped her. “You can’t go out, Charmine. You haven’t had a migraine today. You also know Anthony is stubborn, and unless there’s another way, he’s not going to quit.” “I know, and that’s why I have another plan,” answered Charmine bef
“Don’t worry, Grandpa,” Charmine coaxed Senior Jordan. “I’m a grown-up, and I know how to sort things out.” “I know you can sort things out, but it’s how you sort things out that worries me!” fretted Senior Jordan. He reminded again, “Remember how we’ve wronged you in the past twenty-three years; we just want you to be healthy. Don’t think of anything else. If anything happened to you, I won’t be able to live on.” “Alright, don’t worry, Grandpa. Even if it’s for you, I’ll take good care of myself. Rest assured,” promised Charmine. Once she managed to calm him down, Charmine hung up with a dull gaze. Senior Jordan found out what happened. Everything was going south. Still, she was determined to not drag the Baileys with her, and the Jordan Group must not be sacrificed for her sake. Then… Charmine went downstairs and walked back to the other villa, much to Nial’s relief as he sighed. “You’re back, Charmine. I wondered where you went off to! You have to take good care,
All this while, William halted everything else just to focus researching the toxins to help Charmine’s illness. It was apparent that Charmine ran out of options before finding him. He did not let it get to him, however, as he replied, [OK. Wait for my news. I will try my best.] Charmine’s gaze turned solemn as she read his reply. It was plain to see that William fancied her, but it was a shame she did not share the sentiment. She had to introduce a girlfriend to him when she had the time… Charmine waited the whole day to hear back from William and waited for Anthony to come home. However, even when night fell, Anthony had yet to return. She already had one migraine and took Guy’s blood to cure herself momentarily. Guy poured her a glass of water and was about to hand it to her when Yvonne quickly walked over and took it from him, bringing it to Charmine. “Have some water, Charmine. Tell me if you don’t feel well.” “I’m fine. Don’t you like to practice throwing dart
There was an unnoticeable glint in Sonia's eyes. She nestled herself further into Harry's arms as she added, "Let’s go to Pares. We'll come back after I give birth to the baby.""Alright."Harry stayed by Sonia's side as he watched over her, cared for her, and talked to her until she finally slept in his care.He stood up tiredly and walked out of the room to sit in the living room.Thuck!Something fell out of his pocket.He narrowed his eyes to the source of sound and spotted a USB.Since when did he have a USB in his pocket?With a small frown on his face, Harry curiously picked it up and noticed the front side of the USB glowing. Something was carved onto its surface, too.[Granger].Was it Dior’s USB? Why was her USB inside his pocket?Harry’s clear fingers held on the USB tightly. He thought for a moment before he took out a laptop, turned it on, and plugged in the USB.A moment later, the screen showed what seemed to be peculiar surveillance footage with a descriptio
Dior was still lost in her storm of thoughts when a shadowy figure zipped past her and ran toward Harry.When she spotted this familiar figure, she reacted quickly and held onto him."Let go of me!" growled Guy. "How dare he slap you and misunderstood you? I have to beat some sense into him!"Harry broke free and chased after Harry.Dior, despite having lost all hope and life in her, mustered the last strand of her will to chase after Guy and reeled him back. "Brother, don't," she muttered, "spare your energy…" Her sorrow clouded her eyes as she mumbled, "He’s the man I love. Even though he hates me, I won’t allow you to hurt him. As for the explanation…"Dior smiled ironically. "Whatever. That slap decimated every beautiful daydream I have about him, anyway."She no longer expected anything from him.He had no trust in her, so what would it matter if she finally got him? He did not even love her, and he did not trust her either.Dior smiled elegantly, but her eyes were fille
Dior looked forward to that new shift.She watched as Harry made his way into the restaurant silently, unable to deter her mind from the daydreams she had of him, of the new chapter of their story they would have.He would apologize to her, trying to redeem himself, and kiss her dearly as he embraced her. Later down the line, they would have a child of their own, too.Harry's long legs walked in strides, his dark gaze trained on Dior.The bright light shone on Dior’s delicately stunning face, and she also wore a red dress.He remembered her wearing this back in Mount Village.He could remember how alluring she looked back then, how they stayed in the same room, how she put down her ego to treat him with so much gentleness.Harry’s cold face mellowed down, but recalling a certain memory, the vague wistfulness in him vanished and he sat in front of her.Dior looked at him fondly, like she always would. "Long time no see."Her eyes burned brightly as if she wanted to drink in his
Dior examined the footage the moment she received it.True enough, it showed Sonia and George talking about their little deal. It also showed how Dior was telling the truth while they both ganged up on her.Dior’s frail heart felt as though it was rejuvenated once more, feeling as though blood was once more pumped into her heart. Her dull eyes devoid of hope regained their lost luster once more.Not thinking twice, she dialed Harry's number with this evidence, though he had to be busy, seeing as he did not pick up even after the phone rang for a long while.Just as she was about to hang up, Harry picked up the phone."What do you want?"On the other end of the call was the voice that she had missed for so long. His low, hoarse voice sounded so cold and emotionless.Hearing his voice brought Dior back to the image of his handsome face, and her heart skipped a beat.She tried her best to restrain her fluttering emotions as she tried to speak calmly, "Do you have time? I’d like to
At Mount Village…Inside the elegant bamboo house was Dior, dressed in a beige dress. She sat in the front yard as she took sips of her wine.The sunlight shone past the leaves and illuminated her, yet she exuded an air of loneliness.She swirled the glass and could not help recalling the moments she spent with Harry.In the beginning, she was attracted by his looks; he looked so gentle and elegant.She gave him money, kept him company, and continuously showed up around him in hopes of conquering him.Alas, she ended up in this state.The time she spent with him in Mount Village was the happiest time she had ever had. They had lived inside the bamboo house together, where he took care of her and claimed her to be his woman.They even laid inside the same room.Everything was so beautiful.Cursed was her luck, however, that it was just an illusion. He had been using her from the start, while he chose to stay with the woman who lied to him and even hurt him!No matter how mu
"Although Susan was unhappy, she should've voiced out her displeasure instead of bottling things. Cheating is wrong, regardless. Furthermore, if she wanted a career, she didn't have to stay home and depend on her husband."Grandma Bailey halted.Was that what Charmine truly thought of?Grandma Bailey thought Charmine would find Susan too aggressive unto herself.Charmine glanced at Susan again and apathetically commented, "She doesn't want to make money on her own, but she wants to be rich while complaining about her man not making time for her and taking care of her? If a woman has no ability of her own and also blames others for her miseries, all she's worth is to sit quietly at home and wait for her husband to come home. She also has no right to cheat! This is how the world works."Charmine patted Grandma Bailey’s shoulder and held Anthony’s hand, her words met with everyone's evidently surprised gazes and their silence.Grandma Bailey was shocked. Sure, Charmine sounded rathe
The colossal cruise started to drift away from the pier.Eric stood on the cruise and let the wind blow at him, loneliness and hatred still oozing from his being.He stared at the blue ocean ahead of him as Charmine's words rang in his mind unceasingly.'Will you really feel good after you've killed them?''You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?'"Forgive them and yourself.'Deliberating everything carefully, his lips curled into a bitter smile.It was true, after all, that Charmine understood him the most.Eric poured himself another drink and downed it with loneliness as he allowed the cruise to bring him wherever it would take him.…Susan was still inside the operating room when Charmine and the rest of the Baileys rushed into the hospital.Darryl stood before the room, his expression blank, his figure lonely and helpless.So many things had happened in half a day.He found out about his wife's inf
"No one's stopping you now. Eat!"Anthony clenched his hands tightly and took another glance at Charmine. He was more determined than before, and he was close to eating the pills in the bottle.Charmine, who was held hostage, gradually opened her eyes at that moment. Her gaze drifted toward Eric before she asked, her tone challenging, "Will you really feel good after you've killed them? You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?"Eric halted, and his eyes darkened.Charmine had just woken up, yet what she said…He cast a cold glance at Charmine. "It's my business, and it has nothing to do with you!"They were his family, and he did not want a family like this!Charmine looked squarely at him. "Eric, I don’t care if you used me or plotted against me all these years; I've treated you like a true friend, nothing more nor less. You were the only person who stayed by my side in the past five years, so I hope that you
Anthony's breath hitched when he saw Charmine.He clenched his fists and, without doubting himself, relented "I can agree to your terms, so let her go right away. This has nothing to do with her; you only hate me after all. As long as you let her go, I'll take the pill. Everything will end right away."Susan shook her head. "We'll die after eating the pill. I’m not taking that!"She had just reunited with Eric, and she did not want to die yet. She looked at Eric and begged, "Please let Anthony be, why don't you? He’s your brother, after all, and he doesn’t even know about your existence. If you’re really angry, just kill Charmine, and I'll make it up to you—"Anthony's expression contorted in sheer fury upon hearing Susan's plea, and he glared at her with murderous intent."This was all your fault, so what right do you have to make Charmine take your blame?!""What on earth are you going on about?" snapped Grandma Bailey. "Charmine has been kidnapped because of you, yet you want