Chris nodded. “Yeah. Ever since I learned how to read, whenever I read the same thing three times, I’ll be able to remember it clearly. I can even recite it backward.” Charmine was even more shocked. He was just like her in this sense! Was this something that could be passed on by genetics? With this possibility in mind, she quickly denied it. How could that be? She bore Alexander’s child, not Chris. After giving birth five years ago, and though she was half-unconscious, she saw the baby taken and packed up. The baby was already dead… Seeing that she zoned out, Anthony frowned, feeling displeased. “Momo, go back to your room and study.” “I’ve already studied during the day,” Chris protested. “Study again,” snapped Anthony. “No way, I want to accompany Mommy—” Before he could finish, Anthony asserted once more, “Study three times. I’ll test you!” “No! Mommy, help me…” Chris tugged at Charmine with his puffy hands. Charmine quickly looked at Anthony. “You can’t
Eventually, Charmine leaned on Anthony’s arm as she asked, “When’s your birthday?” “Next month, on the thirty-first of December,” replied Anthony calmly. Charmine red lips curled up. “Perhaps you’ll receive the gifts you most anticipated.” Anthony did not look forward to his birthday as much, but Charmine’s words made him smirk. “Yes, I anticipate it.” Within a month, they should probably be able to get married. Unfortunately, after a night of comments and rumors... Articles like [BoyClub Spoiling Me], [The Spoiled and Precious Cousin] made it to the hot-topic list. Everyone in the country knew that Charmine’s great-granddaughter was from the Cherny family of the War Department. Many fans left comments on Charmine’s Twitter, all driven with awe and admiration. Charmine’s background instantly became more powerful and respectable. … At the Cherny family. Seven young men stood in a row with a cool military posture. A stern-looking middle-aged man stood in f
Grandma Bailey looked at Susan. “Are you sure about this?” “Of course, I’m very sure. Why would I make up such a thing? I’ve contacted so many people, pulled at every stop to find out about this matter. In conclusion, if Charmine wants to get close to the Cherny family and get their support, she must fulfill that requirement. However, if she doesn’t, she won’t be with Anthony and can’t get married!” “Then we must make sure they get married sooner! What if the Cherny family takes her away?” Grandma Bailey asked anxiously. Susan frowned. “Mom, how could you think this way? What I’m saying is that she won’t get support from the Cherny family. With that, all the relatives and elders of the Bailey family won’t agree to this marriage. This situation will get murkier. The relatives will be divided and our family will be weakened in the process. Then, when that situation actually comes our way, we won’t have any energy left to fight with!” Her tone was serious. Darryl walked toward
Anthony was preparing a gown for her? Charmine walked toward him. “Don’t trouble yourself over this. It’s not certain yet.” “My grandparents have given their blessings, and this way, I don’t have to keep up the act with Waverly anymore,” grumbled Anthony coldly. Waverly actually planned to drug him. This had all come to an end. Charmine’s eyes narrowed. His grandparents agreed to their relationship? If they had agreed, why would they ask to meet her secretly? Regardless... “Then find a way to reserve Marry Wedding,” she relented. “I’ll sort things out in the company.” “Alright.” Too engrossed in the website, Anthony did not ask any more questions. Charmine managed to leave the villa and made her way toward the Bailey mansion, where Grandma Bailey had arranged for a maid to politely lead her into a tea room when she arrived. There were two cups of tea on the table, and the scent was purely aromatic. When she saw Charmine, Grandma Bailey instantly invited, “Charmin
Grandma Bailey continued, “After the investigation, I also found out that the Cherny family once hunted down a red wolf in a mountain, and its bones could cure Momo’s illness. I think you should try to get along with the Cherny family. This could not only help you be with Anthony without opposition, but it could also save Momo’s life.” Charmine’s eyes gleamed. The bones of a red wolf could cure Chris’ illness? Sure, they had Annabel, but she was in an unstable state, and it was still a problem whether her baby could grow healthily or not. If there was another way of helping Chris… Seeing that Charmine was convinced, Grandma Bailey took out a yellowish ancient book and handed it to her. “Look at this: the book recorded that Chris’ illness is caused by a deficiency of nutrients since birth. Since he was born with a weak body and the wolf’s bones are nutritious, they could cure Momo!” Charmine skimmed the pages to verify what she said. The red wolf was a legendary species, and
“Aren’t you just a celebrity using the name of the Cherny family to increase your popularity? What a joke! Get away!” Charmine frowned. Even the guard of the Cherny family knew about that? He had such an arrogant tone! She warned him patiently, “Even if I’m a celebrity, I’m a relative of theirs, and it makes sense for me to visit them. You, on the other hand, are just a guard. Are you sure you won’t be passing word about me to your boss and insult me instead? Is that what they taught you?” “Ha! How did they teach me? Do you know how many people attempted to get close to them on a daily basis? Do you think anyone could get in? Furthermore, Mr. Cherny had made it clear on Twitter that he had nothing to do with you. You’re a distant relative, yet you’re trying to get in and even had the audacity to lecture me? Ugh, what a disgrace!” With a look of disgust on his face, the bodyguard spat at her and reached out for his electric baton to beat Charmine’s leg. He moved as he growl
Mr. Cherny was furious. He had lived so long and nobody had ever been so arrogant in front of him! He scowled furiously, “Charmine! How dare you hit my guard?! You’re asking for trouble!” “Did you notice something, Mr. Cherny? That’s a blow from me! If I, Charmine, hit him, there’ll surely be blood! Your guard framed me for that, and this shows that the Cherny family hasn’t taught him well! You accused me right after hearing what he said, showing how unjust you are! I don’t need a relative like you!” Finishing her sentence, Charmine then turned on her heel to leave, her gait arrogant and wild. Hugh was so furious that the muscles on his face twitched. What did Charmine say? Did she just call him unjust and that she did not need a relative like him? How could there be such an arrogant woman in the world? Waverly was cautious inside the car. Why was Charmine so arrogant? So what? Charmine doing this would further offend the Cherny family. She would never be able to get al
Son of the Granger family? How could Charmine get so lucky? She came just to meet the Cherny family, yet she won the help of a Granger already!? Somehow, and she did not know why, Waverly felt extremely unsettled… Inside the Cherny mansion. Different from other mansions, the Cherny mansion was filled with different training bases. There was a boxing ring, wildness base, and an empty base with many people training outdoors, namely the seven sons. They were practicing rock-climbing at the time, and all seven were hanging high above. They spotted Charmine walking in, and their expression morphed to one of shock. Their father invited Charmine inside? Did he not hate her before? Furthermore, how would a woman like Charmine come inside the Cherny mansion? Hugh could feel their eyes on him, and he scoffed, “Continue your training!” Everyone snapped out of their daze and continued to climb and train. Hugh, meanwhile, led Charmine and Guy into a resting lounge. The room
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