Maurice could not help smiling with his eyes as he kindly said, “You’re just overthinking things, kid.” Not believing him, Chris growled, “If you’re a real man, just be honest about your intention. Don’t do it behind my back!” He wanted to see what Maurice was up to. He could not let him win! Maurice ruffled his head. “I said no means no. I treat your Mommy as a sibling, a sister. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.” Chris flinched from his touch and scoffed, “Lies!” That did not faze Maurice as he changed the topic and asked, “Are you hungry?” Chris pulled a face and ignored him. He realized that this man seemed quite kind on the surface. He was nice even when Charmine was not around. So, he did not want to entertain him anymore. He did not want to fall for him! The two of them did not talk until Charmine’s session finished. She did not notice anything different in Chris as she asked, “Are you hungry, dear? Mommy will take you out to eat.” “Okay.
Charmine wanted to explain, but Maurice merely said, “She’s my daughter. I treat her like my daughter.” He then put the peeled lobster meat on her plate, expression filled with adoration that it drove the two waitresses crazy! They were a couple after all! This man was too gentle! The best kind of relationship in the world was when a couple exchanged jokes with one another! Even though his wife called him ‘Grandpa’, he still loved her for it. Chris was speechless. Looking at how Maurice resolved this awkward situation, how gentle and nice he treated Charmine, his small heart inexplicably weakened for him. This old man was captivating... Argh! He had to keep it together before he fell for his act, too! Chris smacked his head and reminded himself to stay alert. He must not give in so easily! He must not let him treat his Mommy so nicely!... After dinner, they went back to the hotel. Charmine was going to go back to her room with Chris when Chris’ eyes widened,
Noticing there were still bruises on his knees, Maurice looked at him sympathetically and quickly turned to get the medical box to clean his wound. Afraid that Chris might get hurt, he moved cautiously and gently. Chris initially thought Maurice was still playing pretend, and he pouted. However, when he felt how gentle he moved, he could not help looking at him wide-eyed. He asked, “Mommy isn’t even with us. Why are you still so nice to me?” Maurice looked at him gently and replied, “Why would I only be nice to you in front of your Mommy?” Chris snorted, “You know why!” Maurice raised an eyebrow. “Don’t take things to a stretch, kiddo.” Chris pouted and snorted. This old man had always been so gentle. When could he garner evidence against him about his mean side? Chris looked around and looked at Maurice who was packing up the medical box. He coldly ranted, “You’re a grandpa, and you’re too old to be with my Mommy. My Mommy won’t like you, and I hate you.” Chris then
Maurice pulled Chris’ blanket slightly lower, exposing his cold face. “You won’t be able to breathe if the blanket’s that high,” said Maurice. Chris blinked his watery eyes and felt that Maurice’s charm was slowly getting to him. He turned away from him uncomfortably. He chose to remain silent. Maurice did not disturb him anymore. He turned the lights dimmer and walked to the living room to read the script. At that moment, Sofia sent another pillow. When Maurice entered the room with the new pillow at hand, he saw that Chris had fallen asleep. Afraid that he was still uncomfortable, Maurice decided to swap the pillow for Chris. After carefully carrying him to swap the pillows, Maurice put him back and draped the blanket over him once more before leaving the room. When he shut the door, Chris, who was lying in bed, opened his eyes widely. His watery sparkled in the dim room. He felt so comfortable. Other than Anthony and Charmine, no one else had ever treated him so we
The scene they were filming today was of Gem improving herself to take revenge by learning more skills, including horse-riding. The director had chosen a horse for Charmine long ago. Charmine donned on the intended costume and boots. With a whip at hand, she was gold like a queen: ruthless and haughty. Even her look was already stunning. Charmine pulled the horse proudly into the racecourse. Swinging one long leg over the saddle and seated herself, she steered the horse professionally. “Action!” yelled the director, and she gently swung the whip. The horse started racing. Charmine steered the horse flawlessly, proudly trotting the horse around the course. Everyone looked at her with admiration, unable to help the praises that tumble out of their lips. “How amazing. How could Charmine be so amazing? She even knows how to ride a horse! Even Natasha can only ride a prop horse.” “I really admire her, and she’s so pretty, too. Her acting skills are good, and she knows a lo
The crowd was so scared that they scattered to make way. Charmine was riding the horse with the rope in one hand, her other hand soothing the horse’s mane. What was most shocking of all was that although the horse was galloping quickly, it was no longer completely out of control like earlier. It seemed as if it was obeying its owner to run toward a direction...and they were heading toward Natasha’s seat! Everyone yelped at Natasha to make way. Natasha, still gloating at the sight, did not expect the horse to be running toward her! She was so shocked that it took her a while to react. By the time she reacted, she instantly ran away from the horse. The horse, however, was still hot on her heels. Wherever she ran to, the horse followed! Natasha was so terrified that she tried to hide in every corner possible, crying in terror, “Argh! Charmine! Steer the horse somewhere else!” Charmine was riding the horse with the whip in her hand. She still had that queen-like posture in he
Why was everyone all around Charmine when she was the one hurt? Why did Maurice not look at her at all? Charmine was such an evil woman. What was so good about her!? Argh! She was going crazy, she could not keep it together! What could she do? How could she kill Charmine!? … At the Bailey mansion. Susan was sitting elegantly in the living room, calculating the total guests of the wedding. Looking at Waverly who had nothing else to do, she said, “You don’t have anything to do here. Go and discuss with Anthony where you want your wedding gowns and suits customized. It’s a month from now, and it takes time to just design, make, fit in, and alter.” Waverly nodded, and her eyes sparkled. She finally had an excuse to spend time with Anthony after moving in! She came before his door and knocked. “Anthony.” No response. Waverly frowned. He was inside his room. She went in and was instantly hit with the strong scent of alcohol. “Get out!” Along with a cold scoff, a
“Trash! B*tch! Why’re you so arrogant!?” Waverly looked over and saw Natasha stomping on the grass furiously, scowling to herself, “Curse that Charmine Jordan! One day, I’ll crush you with my feet!” Waverly’s brows raised the moment she heard Charmine’s name uttered. She did not expect Charmine to be hated by everyone. She smiled coldly, as she was about to go in, an idea chimed in her mind as she strutted toward Natasha in her heels. “You’re being bullied, and all you do is hide here to lash out at the plants?” she spoke haughtily. When Natasha heard a voice, she glared toward the owner instinctively. “That’s none of your business!” It was then she saw the woman in her entirety: She was dressed in a beige dress, looking elegant and expensive, and the bag in her hand was Chamel’s latest limited edition. She was obviously a well-known upperclasswoman. Natasha wanted to say something else, but she could only swallow them back down. She had no status and money; she could
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