Within half a day following that, the Cabell family was, true enough, blacklisted everywhere. Within half a day, all international luxurious brands withdrew from the Cabells’ Mile-End Mall. Mile-End Mall was known for having all kinds of luxurious brands; it was once a place for the wealthy to spend their money. Without the luxurious brands, the originally prosperous Mile-End Mall turned dead. The big and spacious mall was instantly emptied as if it was a ghost town. Not only that, but orders of raw materials from the Cabell family were canceled as well. Many materials were returned, piling up in the storage. Mile-End Corporation, once worth a few hundred billion, collapsed within a day. Headlines news all over the internet included: [The Cabell family blocked], [The Cabell family going bankrupt], [Who did the Cabells offend?]. Many tried to figure what exactly went down, but they just could not crack it. The only people who could block the Cabells from everywhere wa
Well, lucky for the other Jordans that there was Senior Jordan. Charmine would not have returned to this family otherwise. Sensing Charmine’s displeasure, Joey quickly placed a chicken wing on her plate. “Charmine, your Auntie and Uncle are too impatient. You’ve been working for the whole day, so please eat more.” Senior Jordan eyed Amelia and her parents as he ordered, “From now onward, separate business concerns from familial concerns. If you have any questions, go and ask in the company. Don’t bring up work-related matters at home.” “Yes, yes!” Lily quickly replied. All that mattered was that the Jordans would not plunge into bankruptcy again. If Charmine truly partnered up with the Bailey family, the Jordan Group would be able to get better. The Jordan family would rank up in Burlington, and each of their social positions would increase as well! Since Amelia was the only single daughter in the Jordan family, perhaps she would end up marrying into a wealthier family… Wit
Senior Jordan sighed. “Originally, Anthony was first on the list Uncle Weir prepared. Based on his nationality and capability, he’s a good match for you. However, Uncle Weir said that he knew the Bailey family, and Senior Bailey isn’t easy to get along with. The family seems perfect from the outside, but their internal conflicts are quite severe. “Even though Anthony Bailey is the Baileys’ patriarch right now, a few members are trying to get away from his ruling, with the most severe of all being Derek Bailey’s family. Derek seems gentle on the surface, treating people with kindness, but he’s a calculative and evil man in truth, doing things in his harsh ways. He and Anthony would eventually fight over control over the Bailey family. “Their family affairs will only drag you down if you’re with Anthony, and you’d even lose sleep over it. As you can see, a small family like us is already having so many internal conflicts, let alone big families like them…” Senior Jordan spoke with
“Tell you? Would you have trusted me back then had I told you?” Charmine scoffed at him coldly. Adam halted. True, they would not have believed her had she told them from the get-go that Tiffany put her up to a painful experience. To them, Tiffany was perfect and flawless, like the moon in the sky. Who would have thought… With reddened eyes, Joey spoke, “Charmine, I know that whatever we say now won’t be able to make up for the pain you had endured but please, believe us. We’ll do all we can to make up to you from now on…” Her voice, though it was strained and sounded as if she was in agony, sounded just as sincere. Charmine said calmly, “I’m telling this to Grandpa, not because I need your apology or sympathy, but I’m just trying to tell Grandpa that a woman like me who had been with Julian, no matter who I marry, will despise me or even belittle me. On the other hand, it would be equal—so to speak—as he also had a child with another woman. I won’t feel as if I owe it to
Still hidden from sight, Amelia then said, “Mom, don’t you think they’re all crazy? Are they genuinely thinking of helping Charmine get along with President Bailey? Is he someone Charmine could sully?” “Even if they want to help, President Bailey might not approve of it. Also, this might be a good thing.” Lily then continued in an even quieter, more hushed volume, “You’re the only chaste daughter in the Jordan family. If they want to get along with the Bailey family, you’re the only one who could marry into the Bailey family.” “That’s right. Only I can, and a woman who had given birth like Charmine doesn’t deserve to! I don’t care—I want you to help me think of ways. I want to marry President Bailey, or anyone from the Bailey family,” demanded Amelia. The Bailey family was a high-above godly family! If she could marry any of them, she would no longer have to worry about bankruptcy or unemployment. She would be a rich lady! Lily ruffled her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”B
When Charmine saw his text, her lips curled up unknowingly. How beautiful would it be if it was true. She hoped so. [Momo: Mommy, you must watch the monitor. We’re arriving at Auntie Annabel’s house soon! Also, don’t tell Daddy about this, but I asked someone to place the camera there secretly. He’ll smack my buttocks if he finds out!] Strange as it was, Charmine felt it was adorable as she pictured Anthony smacking Chris’ little buttocks.Grinning, Charmine replied, [Okay, don’t worry.] After ending the conversation, she hesitated for a long while before clicking on the link Chris had sent her. It just so happened that she was curious how Anthony was getting along with Annabel—she wanted to know what was happening. Since her son sent it to her, it was not too wrong to watch her man spending time with another woman, right? Charmine said that to herself and gave herself a pep-talk before typing in the password. After logging in successfully, she saw the monitor display
Outside the room, Annabel pushed open the door for them like a maid as she softly spoke, “President Bailey, I’ve prepared the room for you. Please tell me if there’s anything to your distaste.” Anthony simply glanced around the room. Although it was not grand, it was clean, tiny, and simple. The room was newly furnished by workers with pure wood. It was acceptable. He said coldly, “I’m satisfied with the room, but I’d like to be alone.” ‘Do not disturb me’—that was what he meant. “Okay,” Annabel nodded instantly. Anthony held Chris' hand and walked into the room. Chris thought of how Charmine could see everything through the monitor, monitoring their every move, and that made him happy. Luckily, he arranged for men to set up the cameras. Otherwise, Mommy would have made random assumptions. Since Daddy gave Annabel the cold shoulder, Mommy would not be angry for sure! He ran into the room happily. Suddenly, Annabel called out from behind, “President Bailey, I’m…sorry
From the corner of his eyes, Julian spotted a Guci portrait of Tiffany and Charmine on the wall of the second floor. Tiffany, in that photo, wore a crisp yet dainty outfit as she sat on the neck of the flamingo, seemingly innocent and pure. The haughty, sophisticated Charmine behind Tiffany donned a bright red outfit that fluttered in the air. In contrast, Tiffany’s appearance was completely neglected—her beauty was not even a tenth of Charmine’s. How blind was he to have liked Tiffany in the past? Why did he think Tiffany was more suitable to be his wife? Even he did not expect such an evil heart was concealed behind Tiffany’s sweet facade. As for Charmine… His mind drifted to how Charmine was in the past. She used to dress crassly, but there was no denying that sweet smile of hers. Day after day, she would follow behind him, calling his name with a sweet voice: “Julian, please like me.” “Julian, I made this breakfast for you with love.” “Julian, I saw a newly open
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