At that moment, the saleswoman finally came with the jacket and handed it to Waverly. She wore the jacket and walked up to Anthony. “President Bailey, I can help you, and I don’t need anything in return.” Anthony eyed her as she stood before him, his eyes darkening as he did. She was indeed a suitable candidate. If it was her, even the Houston family would not be able to fight against her. However… “What are you planning?” Anthony did not believe Waverly would help him without anything in mind. “My brother and my family are forcing me as well,” explained Waverly. “If I announce to them that we’re in a relationship, I’ll be able to take a breather as well.” She spoke with such honesty that her elegant face showed no hint of dark intention nor calculation. Anthony thought through it before his lips parted, “Alright. Let me ask for my lady’s permission.” With that said, he walked aside to dial Charmine’s number. Waverly was speechless. He would ask for his lady’s pe
Not believing her eyes, Susan warily paced closer to the two figures in the store. As she stood outside the boutique, she confirmed it was indeed Anthony on the sofa while the woman who walked out of the fitting room… With skin fair like white jade, she seemed to gleam with regality. Her facial features were so beautiful, almost as if she had mixed blood. It was Waverly D’Cruz! Susan could tell right away that it was Waverly from the D’Cruz family. The wealthy heiress who came to light recently, the true heiress of a noble family with links to the royals in Kansas... Even McKenzie was out of her league. Susan was stumped. “Anthony, Ms. D’Cruz, you two…” When Anthony saw her, he frowned unpleasantly. “Why are you here?” he uttered lowly, almost threateningly. Even though he was her son, Susan was almost too afraid to meet his gaze. She simply found an excuse, “I happened to pass by! You… Why don’t you introduce her to me?” Her eyes landed on Waverly. Anthony’s fa
“You believed in what Derek said? If he asks you guys to give him all of the family shares, will you do that too?” Well… Susan frowned. Was Anthony suggesting that Derek made things up? These photos did not seem Photoshopped, however. They genuinely seem to be in love in the photos. The photos showed both Anthony and Charmine walking into the villa, with Anthony closing the door. Anthony took the photos and, eyeing them, scoffed, “So ugly. Why would I keep these?” With that, he instantly tore the photos. It was indeed ugly: the angle was ugly and it was taken without their consent as well. It was blurry and did not capture even one-tenth of his wife’s true beauty! With disgust, he tore the photos into pieces and tossed them into the bin. His elegant face had a hint of disgust. Susan frowned. Anthony was obviously looking down on Charmine for being ugly, that he did not like Charmine and hated her from the bottom of his heart. He hated Charmine that much? If t
Anthony personally drove Waverly back home and even opened the car door for her thoughtfully. Those who secretly tailed them saw it all. When they parted, Anthony even found an angle to pretend as if he was kissing her forehead. Getting back into his car to return to Bailey Corporation, he wiped his hands repeatedly with wet tissues. After all, he did place his hand on Waverly’s shoulder, and it bothered him greatly even though a thick cloth covered her shoulder.Anthony would always feel sick to his stomach every time he touched a woman… Strangely, he would not feel the same when touching Charmine. As for that night from five years ago, he did not… He still felt ill whenever he had any contact with Annabel. Was it due to the drugs five years ago that made him able to accept Annabel’s body? It seemed that the only person in the world he could touch was Charmine. Recomposing his thoughts, Anthony then removed the gauze and steel plate around his arm—he knew he would
Still, they just got married, yet they had to live separately again? Charmine felt somewhat empty. She wondered when they could get together again… Ring! Anthony sent her another message that read, [I’ve sent someone to bring you tea. Remember to drink.] Tea? Surprised at the sudden gesture, the commotion outside the office startled Charmine. “Aww, isn’t this Amelia Jordan? You’re just a no-name secretary here? You’re a little shabby right now, aren’t you?” “That’s none of your business. What are you doing here? Get out!” snapped Amelia. The woman merely smiled arrogantly. “But we were once friends, and we were models. I happened to pass by here, so of course I have to visit you both. I gotta show the other models how the once arrogant and wild Amelia is now a no-name secretary! Ha-ha-ha!” Sounds of camera shutters were heard as the woman took photos of Amelia from all angles, cackling at the sight of her. “Haha! Have a good look, sisters! This is the once arrogant
Hearing praises for her made Eunice pompous as she straightened herself. Charmine took her spotlight in the past and made a name for herself in the modeling industry. Eunice had not liked Charmine since then. It grated Eunice when she recalled the incident inside the car show’s dressing room when Charmine forced her to pick up the item from the floor. She felt ashamed since then and waited for a moment she could get back at her. At last, the opportunity came! She was about to marry the No.1 Wealthiest Man in Safford, and his assets were worth a few times more than Jordan Group’s. Eunice placed her hand at her waist as she sized up Charminee. She clicked her tongue and mocked, “Why bother asking Charmine to marry a wealthy man? You girls should be asking wealthy men if they even want her. Didn’t you want to marry Julian? And yet he’d rather cheat with your sister instead of getting with you! Hahaha! And he even went bankrupt! She only has one ex-boyfriend, and he’s bankrupted.
There were chunks of ginger, red dates, rose petals, and some finest-graded tea leaves. One could tell instantly that the rose petals were exotic. Seemingly blooming in the tea, it was very much like a fine art piece. Eunice was so stunned that she found it hard to believe. Who was it that went to such an extent, sending her a warm cup of tea with an over-the-top presentation? He even used the red rubies to keep it warm! How rich was he? Charmine recalled Anthony did mention sending her tea, and the thought of it warmed her inside out. So this was the tea Anthony prepared for her? He knew that she was on her period, so he… She picked up the glass and said to the assistant, “Tell your master that I’ve received this. I’ll drink it later.” “Yes, Madam. Is there a problem here? Is there anything I can help with?” The assistant coldly glared at Eunice by the side. Even though he was only an assistant, he exuded a powerful authority. A look from him would make one shiv
Amelia then asserted, “As you’ve heard, Eunice mocked me for being a lowly assistant. I’m a Jordan too! Being an assistant is so embarrassing! You have so much money now, so why don’t you invest some on me? Let me become a supermodel again to ruin those people! Isn’t that better?” “Hah!” Charmine nonchalantly let out a scoff from her red lips. Charmine raised an eyebrow at Amelia. “You want me to invest in you, so you put on an act with Eunice? Your acting skills have improved, Amelia.” Amelia’s face turned green. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “There are only a few people who can get up to this level. Why would Eunice come in here without you acting up? Amelia, do you genuinely think I’m that same fool from five years ago?” Charmine stared at her coldly, her face fierce and brutal. Amelia reeled back in shock, knowing Charmine saw through her facade. She was acting so well, yet Charmine still saw it through? Amelia decided to cut the act and stared Charm
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