"Marrying Elena was initially about the vineyard and her family's shipping company, which greatly benefits our winery's overseas sales. But do you truly love her? It seems not. Why jeopardize your lifelong happiness? Errol, what you're doing is unfair to Elena!"Errol shook his head, gesturing, "Elena knows I have feelings for Celia, and she doesn't mind. She believes time will heal everything. We've had serious conversations about this. Sister, Celia is no longer with us, and I won't fall in love with anyone else. My life is destined to be unhappy. In that case, why not choose a wife who benefits the winery? Besides, she doesn't mind...""You..." Maia was speechless, realizing that Errol had made up his mind."Sister, after this meal, Elena and I are getting engaged! Sister, you can't greet her parents with a cold face tonight... Otherwise, my great marriage opportunity will be ruined!" Errol laughed after his gestures.Maia sighed helplessly, "Your decision is beyond my control."
Maia smiled at Mr. Welbeck. This smile was sweet and gentle, but it gave off a razor-sharp feeling.Did he see them, siblings without a father and with their mother deceased, as easy targets to bully? Starlight Entertainment might not be at its peak, but it still held a respectable position in the industry. As the president of Starlight Entertainment, she could never let an outsider embarrass her like this. Once word got out, it would damage the company's reputation.Maia understood what Mr. Welbeck's show of authority meant. He was establishing authority for Elena, fearing she might be mistreated after marrying Errol. Hence, he displayed this act at the dinner table, showing his prowess as a father to both Maia and Errol.However, such behavior was truly unnecessary.Welbeck looked at Maia and smiled, "Indeed, a friend of mine has an only son, but he's quite a spendthrift. So, he's considering hiring a good manager to plan for the future."Maia nodded with a smile, "Sure, I'll ha
Brad hiccupped, clearly intoxicated."Get the hell out of my way! Today, I have to teach this woman a lesson, let her know how capable I am! How dare she look down on me? Stupid bitch!" He shoved aside the men who were trying to restrain him and charged straight at Maia.Maia, realizing that she couldn't match the physical strength of a man, understood that she needed to prevail in terms of momentum. Causing a scene was crucial. The restaurant staff would hear it, and so would Errol.Maia noticed a wine bottle on a nearby table. As Brad rushed toward her, she grabbed the bottle and swung it fiercely at his head!With a loud "bang," she hit his head. He stood there, dazed, still processing what had just happened.The men nearby were all stunned. They never expected Maia to be so fierce, raising a wine bottle without any hesitation and smashing it onto Brad's forehead."Bro, b-blood..." one of the men stammered.Now, Brad realized he was bleeding. He wiped his hand across his fo
The playboys breathed a sigh of relief. However, the next sentence made their expressions change drastically. “But the convertible ride isn't free. You can only experience the charm of a convertible when you're stripped bare!"The playboys stood there, each one unable to utter a word in shock. They had thought she genuinely intended to let them off and arrange transportation to the hospital. Little did they know, she planned to strip them bare, using their own methods against them!"Ms. Maia, the one who just said he'd strip you naked... i-it's this guy! No, it wasn't us!" One of the playboys explained tearfully, pleading with Maia, "W-We were only dining with him due to the influence of the Brad family. Ms. Maia, please forgive us, we're just small fry. If you want justice, deal with this guy!""Yes, yes, Ms. Maia, spare us!""Ms. Maia, please have mercy. we won't dare to do it again!"The others also began begging for mercy. Maia looked at them pleading, contrasting their curr
“Just doing my duty.” That was all Cedric said. Everyone knew just how much meaning those four words carried.Then, Elena covered her mouth and pointed at Maia’s feet.“There’s blood on Maia’s feet!”Cedric grabbed Maia’s arm, looked at her feet, and frowned. There certainly was blood tracing down her feet.“It’s okay. I must’ve been cut by the pieces of glass when the bottle shattered,” Maia said casually. She tried hard to break free, but he held on to her firmly. “Please carry on, everyone. I’m going to take care of her.” Cedric put his suit jacket around her legs and swept her off her feet in front of everyone.“Cedric!” She hissed. “I’m taking you to the hospital,” he said firmly. He cared more about her injury than she did. Maia was a little pissed off, but she could not raise her voice in public. “Put me down. It’s just a scratch. I can take care of it myself!”“What if it leaves a scar? Don’t you hate those?” He asked.Maia was startled. She was surprised that he r
It was a brief text, but Maia felt tears in her eyes after she read it. She had longed for him to care about her this way in the past. The fact that he had shown up whenever she needed him was something she had not even dared to dream of.However, all of his actions today were pure irony to what happened in the past. She dared not go to the balcony because she was worried that she would be found out like what happened last time. She was not sure if he had left. Did he leave? Was he still standing down there?Some time had passed when her phone rang suddenly. Maia snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her phone. She was both disappointed and relieved that it was not Cedric.Buck was on the other end when she answered the call. “I investigated Victor according to the lead Hope gave us. Aside from some erotic pictures, I came up empty-handed. “I had to work another angle. I looked into the female celebrities who had fallen victim to him. My findings confirm that Victor used to
Barney called out to her, “Is it true that my father’s company is collaborating with your company, Ms. Maia? He talks about you all the time. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again at The Horizon Awards next month. Please say a good word or two about me to my father.”Maia glanced at the man before her. She thought he was tough at first. Little did she know that he was just another boy desperate for his father’s validation.“I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything tonight as long as you treat the ladies nicely, Barney. I was never here and we never met.”He nodded and thanked her. “Splendid, Ms. Maia. I like how you cut to the chase.” Then, Maia went further in to look for Penelope. He stared at her as she left. The smile on his face had all but vanished.“I would’ve taught you a lesson in the private room if it weren’t for the collaboration.” He wiped the wine from his face. “How dare you pour wine on me, bitch?”…Buck followed Maia and asked, “Do you truly believe he’ll treat
“Um…” Penelope lowered her head. Then, she looked into her daughter’s room and saw Jasmine playing with a doll that had been stitched back several times. Her eyes reddened and silence draped over the entire place. Maia said nothing. Instead, she followed Penelope’s gaze.“Your daughter is everything to you,” Maia said confidently. Penelope nodded, “That’s right. I wouldn’t have been able to keep going if it wasn’t for her.”“Do you want to give her a better life?” Maia said. Penelope stared at her, unnerved. “Are you offering me a helping hand?” There was longing in her eyes.Maia nodded, “You were the leader of Victorious Secret. You were both the lead singer and dancer. You’re experienced. I can put you back on stage if that’s what you want. Otherwise, you can work as a mentor in my company. “Your salary will be more than what you earn selling alcohol and you’ll have a fixed working schedule. Both you and your daughter can stay in our dormitory. It’ll be safer than this pl