“Okay.” It was time for Anthony to drop by in the company. After all, he had been spending his time with Charmine in Violet Villa for over half a month, only conducting meetings remotely. With that, Luke dropped Charmine and Chris back at Violet Villa before driving Anthony to the company. As Charmine walked with Chris into the villa, she saw Robert and Tiffany sitting on the sofa. Tiffany spoke to Robert in a gentle and soothing voice while Robert nodded diligently at her. With a frown on her face, Charmine spoke to Chris, “Momo, why don’t you go upstairs first?” “I want to stay with you, Mommy! I’m a big man now, and I can protect you,” insisted Chris as he stood in front of Charmine, glaring at Tiffany. Tiffany’s face stiffened. Had she become such a vile woman to this young master? Charmine must have brainwashed him, insulting her behind her back! She repressed her anger and smiled faintly at Chris. “Oh, Chris is here as well. Auntie didn’t know you’re here—I didn’t
Tiffany’s face flushed red with rage and embarrassment. This happened so long ago, yet Charmine just had to bring it up to Robert! How could she be so manipulative? Charmine scoffed coldly, “Robert, look closely. She not only snatched Julian away, but she even conspired with him to steal my wealth! I would’ve died a long time ago had this clip not come to light, and she and Julian would’ve taken my businesses right now. “You’re asking me to forgive her? Fine, let me ask you something: Have you ever thought of forgiving the way our parents and Grandpa treated you?” The question caught the unprepared Robert. She was right: He bore hatred at how his parents and Grandpa looked down on him. What Tiffany did to Charmine was much worse. How could she forgive her? Had it been Robert in Charmine’s shoes and experienced all that crap, he would have ended their lives! Tiffany felt the shift in Robert’s allegiance, and instantly, tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed, “This isn’t what
It did not matter as much that McKenzie did nothing on the matter and that Julian’s plan failed. She would put photos of Charmine together with Anthony on a big screen to tell the world they were seeing each other! While everyone pitied Charmine and felt sorry for her, how would netizens take it when they found out that Charmine was with Anthony all along? What would they say? Moreover, McKenzie and the Baileys would surely act on the news once it made the headlines! Tiffany pictured it then: photos of Charmine and Anthony displayed for all eyes to see during her wedding day. Netizens would no longer side with Charmine by then, and the Baileys would not let her go! Charmine would never feel happiness again when that day came! … Time passed and it was the wedding day. Both the Jordan and Cabell families were busier than usual. This wedding was grander than the one Julian had with Charmine. They invited nearly everyone, and everyone came. Julian also invited many celebrities
Charmine walked to the dressing room based on her memory. She saw a group of bridesmaids chatting with Tiffany, circling her like the princess she wanted to be. Seeing Charmine, her smile grew. “Sister, you’re finally here! I was going to make you my only bridesmaid, but Grandpa and our parents insisted on finding me more. It’s best this way, I guess. This could prove to others how united we are as a family. I hope you don’t mind?” Charmine glanced around with an emotionless face. The Jordan family had always been that way, especially Grandpa. He cared so much about how others look at them and always wanted to prove to others how united the Jordan family was. So long as that did not affect her plan. The ladies knew about Charmine’s temper and power, thus they were all too intimidated to speak to her. The atmosphere gradually became tense. Tiffany picked up the lone dress and handed it to Charmine. “Sister, go and get changed. We’re all waiting for you. Grandpa wanted me to
Tiffany’s eyes darkened as she glared at Charmine. “Charmine, you did this on purpose, didn’t you? You’re trying to seek attention!” “So what?” Charmine scoffed coldly. Tiffany did not expect her to put it so plainly. Her face stiffened as she clenched her fists. “Do you think that’d work? Mum and Dad have transferred their shares to me. I have thirty percent of the Jordans’ shares now, way more than you! I’m the daughter they like the most, and even if you tell everyone you’re the actual daughter, nobody would like you!” “So?” said Charmine, still unperturbed. ‘So’? All she said was ‘so’? How could she be so arrogant? Tiffany shot up from her seat, loathing the look on Charmine’s face. “You’ve lost to me! Julian is marrying me! Our parents like me! Besides Grandpa, I’m the one with the most shares! Me! “However beautiful or eye-catching you are, you can only play a minor role today! You-have-lost-to-me!” Tiffany pronounced every word as clear and articulated as possi
Charmine stood alone in the room, her existence entirely neglected by the Cabells and Jordans. During Charmine’s engagement party, neither Joey nor Adam came to see her. They did not even bother to partake in the wedding planning either, sending mere staff to take care of everything. To them, their ‘actual’ daughter Tiffany was the most important child, no matter how many mistakes she had made. Tiffany was still their ‘true’ daughter while Charmine was just an adopted child, the disobedient child ever since she was a child. Still, Charmine remained calm; she was accustomed to such treatment for as long as she could remember. Charmine rolled her eyes and walked out calmly. When Adam and Joey saw Charmine, they both jolted slightly. Since when was Charmine in there? Why did they not realize her presence? Joey quickly reacted as she beamed, “Glad you’re here! You sisters should be kind to each other, especially now that Tiffany’s pregnant. You should be even kinder to her.” “
Tiffany was well aware that most of the wedding attendees looked down on her, but as long as they did not show it to her face, she could endure it. Once she and Julian would be officiated, she would become Mrs. Cabell, the Mile-End Corporation’s president’s wife! Rio just had to run his mouth with such scathing words that irked her so badly! Noticing that Tiffany was on the verge of tears, Joey quickly grasped her hand and hissed at Rio, “What rights have you got to criticize her? Also, who hasn’t made any mistakes before? Yes, she had made mistakes, but she has owned them up and promised to never do these again. Why are you still bringing that up?” “Yes! You called my son a heartless douche, but do you know how hard he tried to chase Charmine and make it up to her? She was the one who rejected him and even posted these rumors online!” Though Madam Cabell was scolding Rio, her glare was fixed on Charmine. Anyone would assume that Charmine was the one posting the rumors since s
The factory was the Jordans’ lowest-valued factory, responsible for making various real estate models for the Monique Group. Back then, Adam gave this factory to Tiffany as a challenge. Tiffany spent half a year there learning, withstanding all the hardships. Since they only produced real estate models, the dividends were extremely low, being less than 200,000 per year. Tiffany no longer wanted it for a long time, and yet she pretended to be generous to give it away. Rio’s eyes twitched. Did he seem poor to her? Did he need her charity? “That was your gift!” Adam spoke before Rio could even get a word out. “How could you give it away? Especially to this useless trash who never sides with his own cousin… He even tried to ruin the wedding! He doesn’t deserve your kindness!” “Dad, I just want Rio to get back on his feet and have a career…” Tiffany begged. “No! You’re too kind! You can’t give the factory away!” Joey objected. Finally, Rio ran out of patience and he scoffed, “Ho
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