Anthony could tell what Cain was thinking, hence he earnestly introduced, “This is my only wife. It’s not a joke.” Cain was surprised. Was Waverly just a joke, then? Right. Waverly was too over the top and was just like any heiress. She was not unique. Cain walked over and shook his hand before turning to Charmine. “You’re doing well, Boss Bailey. You find yourself such a beautiful wife behind our backs!” Anthony glared at him coldly, and Cain instantly wiped off his flirtatious grin, instead saying, “Charmine, please come here to pick a gown.” Anthony held onto Charmine's hand as they made their way to choose a gown, not letting go of her hand once. “This is a bright red gown, and it suits your temperament,” suggested Cain by the side. Charmine glanced at him. Cain was indeed a top designer—this was what she had in mind! Anthony looked at Charmine. “What do you think? Would you like to look around for the time being?” Charmine nodded. “This gown is fine. We don’t h
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, my lady.” Meeting his burning gaze, Charmine’s fair face was graced with a shy smile. Meanwhile, the tux-clad Chris came and lifted the tail of Charmine’s gown like a gentleman. He chirped happily, “Daddy and Mommy are so handsome and pretty. You’re a perfect match made in heaven! Yay!” Charmine was baffled. He was still so young. When did he learn to say such things? Cain looked at Charmine, just as stunned. Charmine had an innate elegance exuding from within her and brought out the beauty of the gown. A lot of people liked this kind of gown, but they did not look as elegant when dressed in it. Only Charmine managed to showcase the gown’s charm entirely. Cain looked at Chris and praised sincerely, “You’re right, my dear boy. Your Daddy and Mommy are a perfect match!” They both looked alike, and even their outfits matched, too. “Haha! I know, right? Of course, they’re my Daddy and Mommy,” remarked Chris haughtily, chi
Anthony felt a pang in his chest when he heard Charmine’s words. The entire Burlington would ridicule Charmine if the experiment resulted in him being ruined! How could he wrong her like that? Anthony’s eyes darkened as he reassured her, “Charmine, don’t get the wrong idea. Marrying you means so much to me. Why would I pull out?”“But your expression tells otherwise,” refuted Charmine. Anthony retained his gentle expression and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How should I prove it, then?” Charmine was speechless. All this while, she knew Anthony treated her well and never suspected him, but in the past two days, she felt that Anthony acted strangely. Even though everything seemed calm, things were unrealistically hushed... Chris saw the change of atmosphere and quickly chimed in, “You’re probably experiencing a wedding scare, causing you to overthink it, but don’t worry! If Daddy bullies you, I’ll come to your rescue!”Charmine instantly smiled as she ruffled
Charmine walked over to sit down, and the makeup artist instantly came to touch up her makeup. It was Anthony and Chris’ solo shots. Anthony nonchalantly sat by the side as Chris stood behind him, playfully putting his head on his shoulder. Thinking of what he had planned, he reminded Chris in a low voice, “Take some photos with your Mommy afterward.” The mini gentleman Chris, dressed in his tuxedo, scoffed. “Of course! I won’t let you hog Mommy all to yourself!” Anthony had no time to lecture him as he eyed Luke, who was rushing toward them from a distance. When Chris would take photos with Charmine, he would walk behind them both, unnoticed, with the thing Luke was bringing over. Luke asked, “Boss, are you pushing this ahead of schedule?” Anthony glanced at him coldly. “That’s none of your business.” Luke shut his mouth and tried to hide the smirk on his face. Anthony ignored him and brought the item back to the beach, where Charmine was holding Chris' hands as th
Luckily, there were many people around them. Anthony let go of Charmine not long after. Charmine was touched. This was the first time they were seen in public by so many people, and it felt like they were officially together, at long last. She blushed and looked at Anthony. “You got me really good this time.” Was this surprise the fuel to his strange behavior for the past two days? Anthony hugged her. “As long as my wife likes it.” Charmine smiled; she indeed liked it. However… Who would propose without even a flower? Since many eyes were on them and he took his time to prepare this surprise, Charmine did not hold this against him. Gazing at the ring on her finger, Charmine held his hand and could not help kissing him on the cheek. Cain quickly captured the scene, and it came out incredibly picturesque. He had been a professional photographer for so many years, and this was the first time he felt very pleased. After finishing up the shots at the beach, Charmin
“Anthony, why are you behaving strangely today? Why so sentimental?” Anthony’s voice was sweetly captivating, saying, “What other women can have, you must have them, too.” Charmine was moved. She once lost herself for Julian, thinking she would never love again after that. After all, she gave birth to a stillborn and was no longer a chaste woman. Had it been any other man, he would have avoided her or found her disgusting, yet Anthony still chose her… She smiled genuinely, lovingly. She had her hands around his neck as she kissed him on the lips. Anthony held onto her slim waist to deepen the kiss. By the side, Chris enjoyed watching the two of them, his soft face plastered with a grin so wide that it reached his ears. ‘Hehe! Both of you are finally acting like a normal couple.’ The rest around them were forced to watch this unexpectedly sweet scene. How many times had they kissed today? After the kiss, Cain walked over to say, “Alright, alright. If this goes on, yo
Luckily, there were a few more days until their wedding. Once Anthony sorted out his company matters, they would have their wedding. She could only say, “Okay. Come home soon. I’ll be planning for our wedding.” Anthony stopped short and, masking the dread in his eyes, walked toward her to hug her. “Alright. Stay home, and wait for me.” “Okay.” Anthony lowered his head and his eyes lingered on her for a while. After that, he landed a sacred peck on her forehead, “I’ll go now.” “Okay.” Charmine nodded. Anthony slowly released her from his embrace, and a moment later, he left without turning back. He dared not to look back, afraid that once he did, he would be pulled in by her eyes and would not be able to leave. Charmine remained transfixed, looking at his back until he closed the door. Only then did she look away. She frowned warily. Why did he look so despondent? Why did he look at her like he did not want to go and let go? Was he not off to work and would come home
The laboratory was located inside a secluded forest in Burlington. It was one of the largest pieces of land, owned by Kansas in Burlington. Multiple projects ran in this place.Jennie was at the brain department’s laboratory, and she had been waiting since early in the morning. When she saw Anthony coming in, her lips curled into a cold, knowing smile. The genius with the brain that she wanted was here! Anthony walked over and, with a stoic expression, commented, “Hurry up and get started.” “Okay.” Jennie smiled coldly and led him in. “Let’s start with an XC.” Anthony laid under the machine and was then put in position. He felt as if he would die anytime. A sharp light shone at him right after, and the beam was so sharp that it hurt him, painful enough to make him feel like he was stabbed even after he closed his eyes. After that, an ear-stabbing beeping sound rang next to his ears. Each beep was stronger than before. Anthony knew how much damage the XC would do to a
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