Everyone saw the bloodied shard of glass hit the floor and gasped in unison.Natalie had fallen and was twisting on the ground in pain.Anathea was hurting too. When Natalie had tackled her, it had triggered a sharp, searing pain in her abdomen."Ah…" She clutched her stomach, nearly passing out from the agony. She could feel a warm flow pooling inside her body.The bodyguards nearby hesitated when they realized Natalie's target was Anathea. They exchanged uncertain glances. They knew Anathea was Gregory's wife.But after Gregory had left, Eleanor had instructed them to escort Natalie to her follow-up appointment. With everything going down like this, none of them knew what the right move was anymore."What are you standing around for?" Natalie roared, struggling to her feet and pointing at Anathea. "Get her! Now!"Suddenly, she felt a sharp sting on her face. "Ugh…"She froze, catching the strange looks people were giving her. A bad feeling crept up her spine. She slowly reach
Gregory, in particular, had changed drastically. He was no longer the polite, easygoing guy he used to be. Now, he was the decisive and sharp-edged CEO of Sinclair Group.So much had changed. Nothing was the same anymore."I'm sorry. We should've made sure Adam was buried right along with you," Theo muttered bitterly, his hand brushing over the photo on the gravestone."Adam doesn't deserve that. If he's going anywhere, it's straight to hell. There's no way he'd ever be allowed to meet them," uttered Gregory coldly."But I can't accept that!" Theo snapped, eyes bloodshot as he turned to Gregory. "He should've paid for what he did with his life!"He still hadn't gotten over Gregory letting Adam off the hook—not even in the slightest. And deep down, Theo didn't believe that someone as cold and unflinching as Gregory would've let Adam go just because Anathea had asked him to.Besides, rumor had it Gregory had met with Adam right before the latter had been sentenced. No one knew wh
A crowd had gathered outside the ward, buzzing with curiosity as they peeked in. A few who didn't know what was going on started asking questions."You don't know about it? Two women started fighting right in the orthopedic wing! It got really intense, and there was even blood!""And I heard one of them was the wife of the CEO of Sinclair Group. The CEO's mother even showed up at the hospital herself and called in a specialist for emergency treatment.""For real? Is it that serious? Whoever hurt her is done for, then.""Of course. The cops are already here. I doubt she's walking away from this."Everyone started chiming in, each adding their version of the story."Seriously? Risking your whole future for some medicine is dumb.""Where did you hear that? I heard they were fighting over a guy. Didn't you catch what they were arguing about? That was no fight over medicine—they were fighting over a man!"As the gossip spread, the truth got more and more twisted."Plus, wasn't the
Raindrops on the window started out as faint streaks, then merged into steady streams, finally forming a full-on curtain of water.Gregory stared out at the rain, which was only getting heavier. His brows drew together slightly. For some reason, a strange feeling crept into his chest. He felt as though something was missing."Greg? What are you zoning out about?" Adrian rolled up next to him in his wheelchair, curious.Gregory snapped back to the moment. "It's nothing.""Well then, come have a drink already!" Theo waved him over, topping off Dominic's glass while he was at it. ''It's Romanee-Conti. You fine with that?''"Yeah." Dominic nodded, then glanced toward Gregory."By the way, I heard you're planning to develop a new project in Syntherra. Any chance you'd be interested in partnering with Lancaster Group?"Gregory's eyes flickered knowingly.So, it wasn't a coincidence that they'd met up at the cemetery. Dominic had planned it all out, showing up just in time to cross pa
Anathea Jacobson had spent ten years nursing a crush on Gregory Sinclair and five years as his wife. She'd believed she could eventually thaw his heart, even if it was as cold as forged iron.She'd never expected it to be just wishful thinking on her part.The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. Anathea stood by the bed when her phone lit up with a new message.It was a photo taken at Castenea's most exclusive fine-dining restaurant. Gregory sat across from a woman. His gaze was gentle, and his expression was warm.Anathea knew the woman. She was Natalie Whitman, Gregory's ex.Natalie had just returned from abroad last month. The very night she came back, Gregory had left Anathea behind to see her.To Gregory, Natalie was his flawless first love, while Anathea was nothing more than an unsightly stain on a white wall.The bathroom door swung open. Gregory stepped out in a bathrobe, steam rolling off his skin.Anathea put her phone down and turned around, only to f
Anathea's outstretched hand grasped at nothing, and her elbow slammed against the hard floor. A sharp pain shot through her arm, forcing a hiss from her lips.Xander just stood there without any expression. There wasn't a trace of concern in his eyes.Anathea had nearly lost her life giving birth to him. Yet now, he watched indifferently as she lay on the ground writhing in pain.Anathea felt as if an invisible hand was tightening around her heart, making it hard to breathe.Only now did she realize that, apart from a few of her features, Xander was just like Gregory. They were both cold and indifferent.Anathea's eyes burned with a stinging ache before the world around her spun. Then, everything went black. She passed out from the pain.In the end, it was Jenny who called an ambulance and got Anathea to the hospital.…When Anathea woke up, the sharp scent of antiseptic filled her nose."Acute gastritis caused by stomach dysfunction." The doctor delivered the diagnosis and re
Anathea watched helplessly as Xander, who'd never liked getting close to others, took Natalie's hand. He walked to her side, clinging to her as if seeking protection.He'd never relied on Anathea like that before.At that moment, she felt something inside her shatter.Noticing how her complexion paled, Gregory frowned. "How did you suddenly fall sick?"Anathea lifted her gaze to him, a flicker of emotion flashing in her eyes."Greg and I heard from Jenny that Xander came to the hospital. We were worried, so we came to pick him up. But it turns out you're sick," Natalie said casually as she turned to Anathea with a concerned expression. "Ms. Jacobson, I hope it's nothing serious. Do you need me to stay and take care of you?""It sure is nothing serious. She doesn't need you to take care of her," Gregory replied flatly.Anathea's gaze dropped again. Her eyes darkened further.How pathetic. Had she really thought Gregory had come to see her because she was sick? That he actually c
Natalie's soft words felt like a sharp knife slicing deep into Anathea's heart. "Greg's exhausted from last night and just fell asleep. I don't think I should wake him up. How about you try calling back later?"Anathea's grip loosened. Her phone slipped from her hand, landing on her lap.The two abductors seemed to have anticipated this reaction. They wore smug expressions as if they were watching a show."What the hell? Your husband is sleeping with another woman?" Seamus Boone, the heavyset man, clicked his tongue."It seems you're not important to him at all," Frankie added.His words dug into the wound in Anathea's chest, making her struggle to breathe.Of course. Gregory had always loved Natalie. Wasn't it perfectly normal for them to be together?"Then she's nothing to Mr. Sinclair, right?" Frankie shot Anathea a disdainful glance. "What a hassle. Might as well just let me screw her now.""Don't be in such a rush. We're not done yet." Seamus glanced at the message on his
Raindrops on the window started out as faint streaks, then merged into steady streams, finally forming a full-on curtain of water.Gregory stared out at the rain, which was only getting heavier. His brows drew together slightly. For some reason, a strange feeling crept into his chest. He felt as though something was missing."Greg? What are you zoning out about?" Adrian rolled up next to him in his wheelchair, curious.Gregory snapped back to the moment. "It's nothing.""Well then, come have a drink already!" Theo waved him over, topping off Dominic's glass while he was at it. ''It's Romanee-Conti. You fine with that?''"Yeah." Dominic nodded, then glanced toward Gregory."By the way, I heard you're planning to develop a new project in Syntherra. Any chance you'd be interested in partnering with Lancaster Group?"Gregory's eyes flickered knowingly.So, it wasn't a coincidence that they'd met up at the cemetery. Dominic had planned it all out, showing up just in time to cross pa
A crowd had gathered outside the ward, buzzing with curiosity as they peeked in. A few who didn't know what was going on started asking questions."You don't know about it? Two women started fighting right in the orthopedic wing! It got really intense, and there was even blood!""And I heard one of them was the wife of the CEO of Sinclair Group. The CEO's mother even showed up at the hospital herself and called in a specialist for emergency treatment.""For real? Is it that serious? Whoever hurt her is done for, then.""Of course. The cops are already here. I doubt she's walking away from this."Everyone started chiming in, each adding their version of the story."Seriously? Risking your whole future for some medicine is dumb.""Where did you hear that? I heard they were fighting over a guy. Didn't you catch what they were arguing about? That was no fight over medicine—they were fighting over a man!"As the gossip spread, the truth got more and more twisted."Plus, wasn't the
Gregory, in particular, had changed drastically. He was no longer the polite, easygoing guy he used to be. Now, he was the decisive and sharp-edged CEO of Sinclair Group.So much had changed. Nothing was the same anymore."I'm sorry. We should've made sure Adam was buried right along with you," Theo muttered bitterly, his hand brushing over the photo on the gravestone."Adam doesn't deserve that. If he's going anywhere, it's straight to hell. There's no way he'd ever be allowed to meet them," uttered Gregory coldly."But I can't accept that!" Theo snapped, eyes bloodshot as he turned to Gregory. "He should've paid for what he did with his life!"He still hadn't gotten over Gregory letting Adam off the hook—not even in the slightest. And deep down, Theo didn't believe that someone as cold and unflinching as Gregory would've let Adam go just because Anathea had asked him to.Besides, rumor had it Gregory had met with Adam right before the latter had been sentenced. No one knew wh
Everyone saw the bloodied shard of glass hit the floor and gasped in unison.Natalie had fallen and was twisting on the ground in pain.Anathea was hurting too. When Natalie had tackled her, it had triggered a sharp, searing pain in her abdomen."Ah…" She clutched her stomach, nearly passing out from the agony. She could feel a warm flow pooling inside her body.The bodyguards nearby hesitated when they realized Natalie's target was Anathea. They exchanged uncertain glances. They knew Anathea was Gregory's wife.But after Gregory had left, Eleanor had instructed them to escort Natalie to her follow-up appointment. With everything going down like this, none of them knew what the right move was anymore."What are you standing around for?" Natalie roared, struggling to her feet and pointing at Anathea. "Get her! Now!"Suddenly, she felt a sharp sting on her face. "Ugh…"She froze, catching the strange looks people were giving her. A bad feeling crept up her spine. She slowly reach
Anathea hit the floor hard, pain radiating through her body, especially her lower abdomen. But nothing compared to the rage burning inside her.She glared at Natalie, her eyes red. She looked as though she'd just crawled out of hell.For a second, Natalie was caught off guard by the intensity in Anathea's expression, but she quickly snapped out of it and chuckled."Staring at me as if you want to eat me alive isn't going to help you."She looked down at Anathea's trembling hand bracing against the floor. Then, with a flash of cruelty in her eyes, she raised her foot, stomping on Anathea's hand."Ah!" Anathea winced, her face going pale.But Natalie didn't stop. She pressed harder, grinding her heel into Anathea's hand until the skin tore and blood started to seep out. Bits of grit and glass ground into the open wound.Anathea nearly passed out from the pain.Natalie smirked, clearly still not satisfied. She leaned in close, her voice low and venomous. "Tell you what, Greg actua
Facing Natalie's arrogant stare, Anathea felt as if her legs were bolted to the floor. Her nails dug into her palms so hard they drew blood.People outside the room started craning their necks to watch, clearly expecting drama."What's wrong? You don't want to do it?" Natalie asked with an air of total ease, giving a lazy shrug. "That's fine. I don't like forcing people, anyway. But if you won't kneel, then forget about the medicine."Natalie shut the case and slid it back to the doctor. "I want the injection now.""Understood. I'll get the nurse to prepare it right away." The doctor nodded and was just about to leave with the case.As he reached the door, Anathea shouted in panic, "Wait!"But the doctor didn't stop. He acted as if he didn't hear her. Seeing that he was about to walk off with the medicine, Anathea couldn't take it anymore. "I'll do it! I'll kneel!""Hold on," Natalie said casually, and the doctor immediately paused mid-step.Natalie had total control, and she l
Natalie was the one who'd saved Gregory from drowning?No wonder Gregory was so in love with her.But still, a complicated emotion flickered in Anathea's eyes."Anathea?" someone called, her voice familiar.Anathea looked up to see Natalie sitting in a wheelchair, smirking at her. The nurses nearby all scattered the moment they saw Natalie approach, as if someone had hit the panic button.Anathea looked at Natalie. When she was about to speak, Natalie said, "Let's talk inside."Anathea followed her into the consultation room. As soon as they walked in, the doctor brought out a case and opened it to show Natalie. "Ms. Whitman, this is the medicine Mr. Sinclair arranged for you. It's the last one in the whole hospital.""Did you hear that?" Natalie glanced at Anathea with a soft smile. "He got this just for me. I mean, technically I don't need something this strong for recovery, but the moment I mentioned it, he made sure I got it."Her tone was full of smug satisfaction. It
"We can't proceed with the surgery without that medication. Her current condition just isn't stable enough without it.""W-What?" Anathea felt a jolt of panic. For a second, she thought she'd misheard. "But I already paid for it. It was confirmed.""That's true, but…" The doctor looked visibly uncomfortable. "From what I heard, the person who took it was one of the hospital's top investors. He's not someone we can reject."Top investor…Anathea froze. Sinclair Group was the biggest investor at Castenea Central Hospital.Sinclair Group… Gregory…Hands trembling, Anathea immediately pulled out her phone and called Gregory, but his phone was turned off.Her heart dropped. She quickly called Martin instead."Mrs. Sinclair, is everything alright?"His voice felt like a lifeline to Anathea, and she clung to it urgently. "Where's Gregory? I need to speak to him right now!""Well…" Martin's voice faltered. "I honestly don't know. His phone's off. I haven't been able to reach him eith
"Honestly, that's kind of on me." Adrian sighed. "I took the joke a little too far when I teased Theo. I saw him buy a bag and just assumed it was for someone he was into. But really, there's nothing wrong with buying a bag for your friend's wife, right?"Adrian glanced at Theo as he said it.Theo got the message loud and clear. Adrian was giving him an out, trying to help him draw a line between himself and Anathea in front of Gregory and avoid any unnecessary drama.Even though they both knew the truth that Anathea had already taken Theo's check and was seriously thinking about ending the marriage, neither of them had brought it up with Gregory.After all, they figured Gregory didn't really care that much.If the marriage ended, that was that. There was no need to make things more awkward than they had to."Yeah." Theo exhaled and nodded. "I just felt bad about ruining her bag, that's all. There's no hidden agenda. You know how much I hate giving people any excuse to start rumo