As Charmine was caught up with the obstacle at hand, her phone lit up with a text message. Anthony: [Just focus on receiving your awards. Let me take care of the rest.] Charmine’s brows furrowed at the text. Had Anthony found out about her situation? Just as Charmine was mulling over her situation, three more text messages popped up. Anthony: [If I can’t save your brother’s life, you can take my life.] Anthony: [Trust me.] Chris: [Don’t worry, Mommy! Let Daddy and I take care of the bad guys. We’ll always support you from the back, solving all your problems! Remember to bring back the trophies, Momo wants to see!] Charmine felt utterly touched like never before as she read the texts she received; such kindness had never been shown to her even when she was a kid. It would be a lie for her to say it did not feel good to have such support; it felt so good. With Anthony’s extended hand to help her out, what need was there for Charmine to fret? There was nothing in the world t
Still at her seat, Charmine’s lips curled up elegantly and exquisitely at the camera. On the big screen, her photos showed up as the host introduced: “Charmine Jordan, aged twenty-three, started her career by stunning the world at the Chanel’s Jewelry Show, followed by her record-breaking sales from her Guci shoots which overwhelmed last year’s Number One Supermodel, Tiffany Jordan. “She made an appearance at the International Car Exhibition, earning fans up to tens of millions! Her shots in wedding gowns went otherworldly viral as well! Charmine Jordan is indeed the most popular supermodel of 2020! She deserves this! “Let’s have another round of applause for Charmine Jordan!” The majestically loud applause resonated in the venue, with different beautiful photos of Charmine in various styles and poses revealed on the big screen. The applause became louder, and even other supermodels applauded sincerely as they felt out of her league. Perfect-faced, multi-styled, downright profe
As expected, Julian made his way to Charmine, his eyes seemingly filled with adoration. He had carefully weighed his situation for the past few days: The Cabell family shares had gone downhill, and the Jordan family members had been starting to boycott him as the patriarch. Thus, Charmine was the last option he had to redeem himself! It definitely played a factor that Charmine was too charming, so mesmerizingly charming, and marrying her would do no harm to him. As for Tiffany, well... Julian had other plans. “Dear Charmine,” Julian began as he gazed at her, “I’ve wronged you in the past, and I’m willing to make up for it my entire life. Please give me another chance!” He uttered every word with such sincerity, and as he finished, he knelt on one knee as he handed the bouquet of roses to Charmine. Among the roses laid a jewelry box with a proposal ring sitting in it. The crowd went into havoc at the scene. “It’s too romantic!” “Argh! Julian Cabell is actually proposing to C
Charmine would never! Suddenly, a mysterious glint briefly appeared in Charmine’s eyes. As she stood before him, she asked, “Are you sure you want to marry me? Have you genuinely learned your mistake?” “Yes.” One word, simple and unhesitant. Charmine’s lips curled up. “Alright, I have three conditions. If you can fulfill them, we can be officiated tonight,” came Charmine’s clear and elegant voice. Julian’s brows furrowed, along with an unsettling feeling that welled in him. Three conditions? What three conditions did she want? Meanwhile, at Guillotine Cliff... Mr. Dickson had long anticipated Charmine's speedy arrival, but little did he expect that a luxury car would harshly pull over at the side, the motion causing clouds of dust to float in the air. “It must be her!” one of the men called out. “Get ready!” Everyone stood up, and they eyed the car with cautious and fierce glares. The moment the car door opened, a pair of shiny leather shoes were revealed as they stepp
Mr. Dickson and his men surrounded Robert, where he was hung, as they eyed Anthony anxiously and warily. Mr. Dickson’s dagger trembled with his hand, but he managed to muster all his courage to blurt out, “Boss Bailey, I’m sorry to have offended you, b—but please understand our difficulty… We don’t have any choice…!” “Times’ up.” Anthony’s lips curled up slightly. As the men were confused at what Anthony meant, he had already taken out a dark-colored weapon from the inner pocket of his suit. He raised it and aimed right at Mr. Dickson’s forehead. Mr. Dickson’s eyes narrowed as he raised his dagger, ready to cut the rope. With that, Boss Bailey must be threatened and would hold back his shot— Bang! Anthony pulled the trigger. Before Mr. Dickson’s dagger could even cut the rope, the dark-colored weapon had already shot his forehead, and fresh blood spurted from his wound like a fountain. What speed... It happened in the blink of an eye! Boss Bailey was able to stop
“Secondly, tell everyone about the truth about you and Tiffany for the past fifteen years. “Thirdly, transfer ninety-nine percent of your shares to me. “If you could fulfill these three conditions, we can get our marriage certificate right away.” Her voice resonated in the venue calmly. Julian’s face instantly stiffened. Did she just say 99 percent of his shares? She was asking for so much! Was she trying to steal his Mile-End Company entirely? As for her first and second conditions, Julian knew she was trying to make him confess that Tiffany was the actual adopted daughter instead, that Tiffany bribed a man to rape Charmine. If the truth got out, it would genuinely mark the end for Tiffany, once and for all. The Jordans would not like Tiffany anymore, and she would be sent straight to jail without a single percent of the family shares! Although Julian had not been looking for Tiffany and did not like her as much, they did grow up together. Moreover, she was his first love
Julian had to pay the price of threatening his—Anthony’s—woman! At the mention of the five-years-ago incident, Robert’s face turned serious and solemn. Even though he did not like his sister Charmine that much, it was still a family issue. An outsider should never hear about the ugly truth, especially when that truth had things to do with Charmine’s reputation… Robert shifted his gaze away. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know?” Anthony’s eyes narrowed at his reply, his questioning gaze unusually dark. The long squinted eye-lines were long and narrowed, as if sharp rays of light were coming out of them. Momentarily intimidated by his glare, Robert hesitated for a moment before he repeated, “Yes, and I was only thirteen at the time too. I don’t know anything. If you’re curious, go ask Charmine.” With that, he shut his eyes and avoided Anthony. Anthony’s eyes became darker than before; it was plain to see that Robert hid something from him. What went down five years ago? Why was he
“You don’t have to know about my personal stuff,” came Charmine’s reply in a low voice, “just take care of your own.” As if she remembered something, Charmine looked at Anthony. “Go to the Jordan family’s mansion first, send him there.” “Okay.” Anthony turned his steering wheel. All of a sudden, Robert called out hastily, “I don’t want to go back to the Jordan mansion!” “Do you want a repeat of tonight or something? Are you able to fully ensure your own safety?” Charmine asked rhetorically. Robert was caught off-guard, his words stuck in his throat at her question. However, after a moment, he said, “I won’t go back there even if I’d die outside!” “This is exactly what that person would want you to be,” Charmine scoffed. Tiffany had, in some form, spoiled Robert since they were kids. She encouraged Robert to skip school, set him up to become addicted to gaming, and even pulled up a gaming group of people to game with him. As a result, Robert wasted 10 years all for gaming
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