Charmine, on the other hand, had only known Anthony for about three months… Anthony noted how Charmine remained quiet, and his usually cold and calm eyes became rather uneasy. He said with his hoarse and low voice, “Don’t think too much, Charmine. I’ll fix this.” “For how long?” Charmine asked, out of the blue. Anthony frowned. How long would he need? Such a question... “I don’t know exactly, but I’ll hurry.” As Annabel was drugged, he would not alert McKenzie so long as he did not have the antidote. Knowing McKenzie, Anthony knew that Annabel would have to endure more unnecessary pain if he confronted McKenzie. Anthony would remain uncertain of the future until Nial and medical professors could give him an antidote for Annabel. He would not lie about things he was uncertain of, and he would never lie to Charmine. Charmine felt as though a cat’s claw tore at her heart; she could see that Anthony was extremely careful this time. The usually decisive Anthony had become
Matcha cake. Again. When they were younger, Tiffany did not like matcha cake and would always give it to Charmine. As the adopted daughter, she had no courage to turn it down, and so she forced herself to eat it every time. After a while, everyone assumed she liked matcha cakes. Nobody truly knew what she liked. It was hilarious thinking back at it. “I never liked matcha cake,” came Charmine’s simple reply. Joey’s hands halted mid-air. She did not know whether to take it back or hand the matcha cake to her. She had always thought that Charmine liked matcha cake, but she never did? So they never knew what Charmine actually liked? After a while, Joey took back the cake and said, “It’s okay, we’ll buy you something you like next time. We’ll spend more time understanding you better…” “No need,” Charmine monotonously turned them down.“Charmine, we know you still hate us,” blurted Adam. “It turns out we’re the ones who were in the wrong, mistreating you. Now that we learne
“That makes us feel worse, Charmine…” Joey grabbed Charmine’s wrist. Charmine looked at her hand sternly. Feeling her cold gaze, Joey instantly loosened her hold on Charmine and retreated her hand. Her eyes reddened as she lowered her head and hoarsely begged, “I know it’s impossible to make you forgive us in a short time. We’ll make up to you slowly, and we’ll visit you whenever we have time. “However, we wish to ask a favor from you: please do it for your Grandpa. He really misses you and wants to see you. He hopes that we can have a meal as a family…” Joey paused as if she was afraid that Charmine would turn her down. She looked up at Charmine. “Don’t worry, Charmine. Although we no longer have any money, I’ve pawned all of my accessories. We won’t ask you to eat with us in the hospital, and we won’t make you eat poorly. I can pay for whatever you want to eat. “Please come back for one meal, will you?” Joey looked at Charmine with a heartfelt gaze, feeling uncertain. L
Although the Hahn family’s shares were low, they had an astounding reputation all over the world. Furthermore, a simple vase ceramic of the Hahn family could be easily sold at a million bucks! Everyone else dreamt of having links to the Hahn family, yet Charmine turned down such an offer?“I’m saving the Jordan family because of Grandpa,” replied Charmine calmly. “I don’t need any reward, and I don’t need any form of repayment from you guys. Head home now—I need to pack up.” With that, she walked into the villa and closed the door behind her. Although they truly were her parents, she did not forgive them and thus would not let them in. This was to make sure they spotted not a single trace of Anthony living with her. Joey and Adam, standing outside the door, did not mind it as they were already very pleased that Charmine was willing to go back with them and save the Jordan family. As for everything else, they could slowly make it up to her. They were willing to use the rest of
It was a small robot, and Chris somehow managed to fit a Barbie dress onto the toy. Frowning, he wondered if his baby sister would like a toy like this. Ugh! It was ugly. He would buy her a new toy! Just as he was about to toss the toy into the bin, Charmine came toward him. She carried Chris in her arms and pinched his cheeks gently. “Is Momo having fun?” “Yeah! I was going to give all of my toys to my baby sister, but I realized all of them are too ugly.” They were either Transformers, supercars, or cool robots. Charmine realized what Chris meant when she spotted the Barbie dress on the robot. If it was not for what happened, she would genuinely consider making him a baby with Anthony… She collected herself and began, “Momo, you have to promise Mommy not to be upset and not to overthink what I’m about to tell you, okay?” The smile on Chris’ face fell. He looked at her with his watery eyes with fear and terror. That placed Charmine in a difficult situation; she had
Anthony walked to Charmine’s side. Just like before, he sat down lovingly beside her and said to Chris who was in her arms, “Momo, Daddy and Mommy are good. Mommy won’t let you down.” “Wa… I don’t believe it. Mommy is leaving; she’s leaving a bad douche like you! Even Momo doesn’t like you anymore! Why did Mommy like you?” Chris glared at Anthony with reddened eyes, sounding as though disgusted with him. Anthony was, momentarily, at a loss for words. “Do you really think Mommy doesn’t like me?” “Yeah!” Chris nodded vehemently, without hesitation. Right after he said so, Anthony suddenly wound his arm over Charmine’s head and gently pushed her closer to him. Swiftly after, his lips were sealed on Charmine’s. Anthony kissed Charmine right in front of Chris. Instantly, Chris stopped wailing while Charmine was completely stunned. Charmine was tense from the moment Anthony sat down beside her. It did not feel peaceful like it usually would, and she never expected that litt
Charmine was flabbergasted. Oh, dear. It seemed that Charmine would end up staying with Chris after all! Suddenly, Anthony’s deep voice resonated in the room, “Don’t worry, Momo. Mommy has agreed to meet us once a day, or we could meet her at the Jordan mansion.” “Really?” Chris’ eyes twinkled like the stars in the sky. Charmine frowned. Did she say so? She did not remember making such a promise. However, under Chris’ gaze, taking into account how upset he was and how much he wailed, she had no choice but to nod. “Yes.” “Yes! That’s amazing! I get to see Mommy every day! I want to see Mommy every day!” Chris danced a happy dance on the spot. Charmine could not even fight back the grin on her face as she gazed at the innocent Chris. Children were so easily pleased and satisfied. How great would it be if she could be with him and watch him grow? Melancholy fleeted in her eyes. Would that happen? Would she be able to stay by his side forever? It would be difficult… At
Chris watched as the motorbike went out of sight before he turned to Anthony, pouting angrily. “It would’ve been all over for you if it wasn’t for me, Daddy. You must settle everything with that Auntie, or I’m not calling you Daddy anymore!” “Don’t worry.” Anthony ruffled his hair with determination in his eyes. He knew clearly what he wanted; all he felt for Annabel was guilt. Coincidently, Luke came back with a stack of documents. “Mr. Bailey, after some investigation, it’s verified that everything Ms. Annabel said was true. She currently resides with his parents in Southern Village under difficult conditions.” As Annabel bore a child out of wedlock back then, villagers ridiculed and insulted, calling her names as they looked down on her. Nobody was willing to marry her to this day, and no one offered her or her family any sort of help. Annabel used the salary from her job at the Ocean Palace to support her parents, living under extreme conditions. Luke continued, “I’ve
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