"If you say another word against her, I'm going to fucking kill you!" Cedric glared at her.Struggling to breathe, Zera stared at him in shock.Stunned by what was going on, Aiken let go of her arms. Rita rushed in, horrified."Oh, my God, what the hell are you doing, Cedric? She's Zera, for Christ's sake!" She rushed over and grabbed Cedric's hand. "Let her go, or you're going to kill her!" Rita frantically continued, "She's one of us, Cedric. How could you treat her like this for the sake of a woman you didn't even care about?"Cedric scoffed, unmoved. Maia said, "Cedric, your wound!" In other words, he should let go lest he would disturb his wound. Hearing this, the rage in his eyes went away. He let go of Zera and said, "Get the fuck out of here!"Rita helped Zera up from the floor and pulled her away. "Zera, come with me!"She knew they could not risk provoking Cedric at this moment. Paying no attention to Aiken, Cedric walked up to Maia. "Does your hand hurt?"
“I’ve heard about the shitty things she’s done.” After all, Maia was also in the entertainment business. “Everyone knows she always pushes people around, but her fans turn a blind eye to it. She even bullied the rising star, Hope, and tried to steal her jobs. Their fans also often clash in trending topics.” Aiken smiled, shaking his head. “Hope?” Maia asked. Having just taken over Starlight Entertainment, she made internal restructuring her top priority and never bothered to ask about artists who weren’t under her company. “Hope Burgess, the queen of TV dramas now. Several of her shows rank in the top three for annual viewership. Speaking of which, she looks a bit like you,” Aiken said matter-of-factly.“Zera bullied her and stole her jobs?”Aiken shrugged. “Yeah, it’s an open secret. Anyway, Hope has a very good personality and is easy to work with. I’ve worked with her several times.”“Zera Larkin!” Maia muttered angrily. “You’re not a fan of Hope’s, are you? Why are you getting
She turned the laptop on and started to work. About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.Carrying yogurt and sliced fruit, Aiken entered the room smilingly. “Having yogurt can aid digestion after a meal, while these fruits will provide you with vitamin C!”He placed them on the desk and winked at Maia. Maia was puzzled. “What the hell is all this about?”“You’re my guest, aren't you?” Aiken said. Bewildered, Maia just said, “Well, thank you.”“Don’t sweat it!” Aiken grinned and left. At that moment, Maia's phone beeped. It was a text message. “Stay away from Aiken Cantrell, or I’ll fuck him up.”Maia saw the number and knew who the sender was. In the past, she had yearned to see that number on her phone screen, but her wish had never come true until now.Maia put her phone down without replying and continued to work. Not getting a reply after three hours, Cedric cursed in frustration.He sent her another text. “Why aren’t you replying?”Half an hour later,
”Hey, Aiken didn’t ask for free food from us, okay? He gave me 100 bucks for four quiches.” “Yeah, he paid 100 bucks for my waffles.”“Me too! 100 bucks!”Several fans promptly posted the transaction records along with pictures of their food to debunk the rumors.Soon, the video of Aiken talking to his fans by the window was uploaded as well. Suddenly, the netizens started to comment differently. “Holy shit, he paid so much for just a few quiches and waffles… He’s so good to his fans! You have my support, Aiken.”“Way to go, Aiken! To those who criticize him, fuck you!”“Aiken showed up as soon as he heard his fans chanting for him. He even asked them to give the money to their family because they were the ones who prepared the food… And did you see how he told his fans that he loved them? He totally won me over!” …Aiken sighed and said, “It’s so tough to be a star. People just attack you for no reason.” “Then get a new job.” Jordan took a bite from a waffle. “Maybe
Zera burst into tears. “Why are you doing this to me?” She turned and ran toward the elevator. “Zera! Zera!” Worrying that she would try to kill herself like last time, Rita gave chase. When they were gone, Maia pushed Cedric off her. The doctor and the nurse let out an embarrassed smile. “We’re here to change your dressing, sir.”Cedric’s gaze was still fixed on Maia. “Teach her how to do it.”He sounded adamant. The doctor and nurse looked at Maia. “We would really appreciate it if you could help, miss. We should have changed his dressing long ago,” the doctor asked pleadingly. Maia frowned, not yielding. Cedric frowned and snorted.The doctor grew desperate and quickly handed the dressing tray to Maia. “Please, miss!”Maia was flustered. That asshole must have told the doctor to do this!Clenching her teeth, Maia took the dressing tray. With the doctor’s instructions, she began changing Cedric’s dressing. Cedric looked at her with a triumphant half-smile.
It was almost 6 p.m., and Maia wondered why Aiken hadn’t arrived yet as she gazed into the distance. Cedric approached her and held her hand. “Let’s board the plane.” Maia yanked her hand free as she saw two people approaching. “Your family is here.”Rita hurried over, pulling Zera along. “Why didn’t you tell me that you chartered a flight?” Rita smiled motherly at Cedric. “It’s too windy out here. Let’s board the plane.”Pulling Zera along, Rita tried to board the plane, but Maia stopped her. “Did I say you could board the plane?”Rita snapped, “Why should I ask for your permission?”“Because I’m the one who chartered it.”Rita was stunned. Composing herself, she asked, “Cedric, is that true?”“Absolutely.”“You’d better not be lying to me. How could this be? What about me and Zera?”“I’m sure you can find your own way home,” Cedric said coldly, without even looking at them. “I don’t care! I’m your mom, and we’re going back with you!” Like a madwoman, Rita tried
Cedric nodded. “I promise. Now, could you please let me go? Let’s just sit down and talk.” Why was he still holding her hands when they were just having a chat? “You’re learning fast.” Cedric teased. She was getting better at identifying his loopholes. He eventually relented and let go of her. “Maia, you should try their fruitcake cookies.” Aiken quickly took the seat that was next to Maia. Maia nodded. As she was about to reach for the cookies, Cedric grabbed one and tossed it into his mouth. Then he turned to her and instructed in a surly tone, “You can’t eat them.”“They are my gifts. Why can’t I eat them?”“There’s mango in them, and you’re allergic to mangoes.” Aiken immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had a mango allergy.”“Who told you that?” Maia refuted and grabbed a cookie. Cedric stopped her by grabbing onto her wrist. “I know you’re just doing this to spite me, but you shouldn’t joke around with your health.” His frown deepened as he snatched the c
Cedric had already informed Baz to prepare access to the VIP exit. Those reporters outside were wasting their time because they would not be able to see them. “Mr. Cedric, the car is ready. The family doctor is also waiting for you at your residence,” Baz informed Cedric politely. Cedric nodded and got into the car without saying a word to Maia.Just then, Maia's cell phone rang. She answered the call, knowing it was Nigel from the caller ID. “Hi, Nigel.” “Maia, are you already at the airport? I’m here to pick you up.” Maia took a glance at her surroundings and quickly sent Nigel her location. Soon after, Nigel was there along with Aiken’s drive home. “Maia, let me send you home!” Aiken smiled charmingly at her as he gestured for her to get into his car. Before Maia could decline his offer, Nigel parked his car in front of her and got off. “Maia, let’s go.” “There’s no need to trouble you. I can send her home.” Nigel knew who Aiken was the moment he set eyes on him. Hi
Amanda came to sit next to Maia as she said, “I’m glad you’ve noticed this as well. Lauren is usually quite into the drama that she’s watching on TV. Today’s episode was a sad one, so I was wondering why she was still so happy watching it.” Lauren smiled back at them and replied, “I’m just really happy. I’ve never thought that I’d be able to see my eldest son again and that he has such a kind and beautiful wife by his side. “Eddie was also able to find his loved one, and I was lucky enough to be a grandmother. I never thought that I’d be able to go on a family trip with all my sons.” She started to tear up.“Lauren, don’t cry,” Maia said as she handed Lauren a handkerchief to dry her tears. Lauren wiped her tears as she smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I’m just being dramatic.” She looked around and asked, “Where’s Cedric? Is he with Eddie?”Maia nodded. “Yeah. This new project is a bit of a hassle, so he went over to try to help.” Lauren sighed, “Eddie’s father an
Cedric just smiled when he saw Maia’s worried reaction. “You sure you’ll keep your promise?” Maia tugged the blanket closer to herself and nodded. Maia would not dare to say no. If Cedric decided to do as he had said, she would just end up in bed the whole morning. “We can register our marriage anytime. You mean it?” She knew that Cedric was just baiting her, but she had no choice. She did not know what he would do next. When she glanced at his handsome face, her heart could not help but skip a beat. Just then, Cedric took out two pieces of paper from the bedside drawer. Maia was taken aback as she saw the document. They were marriage registration forms, and they were already filled in. “T-This was a setup! You’ve already had this all planned out from the beginning!” Maia scanned through the forms and was surprised to see that the only section left empty was the signature. Maia did not know when Cedric had started to prepare all this, but it looked like it had been a whil
Cedric glanced at Baz and asked, “How does it feel to miss someone so much?”Baz’s smile froze as he shook his head quickly. “Now, I can finally understand why you hate being separated from Ms. Maia.”Cedric just looked at Baz coldly. Baz quickly added when he noticed Cedric’s glare, “I’m just saying that you love your wife very much, and that man who’s like you would definitely understand.”“That’s a fact,” Cedric replied as he turned around and walked back into the bedroom. Baz immediately stopped him as he asked. “Mr. Cedric, why don’t you tell Ms. Maia the real reason why you’re so against calling Ms. Lauren your mother? Why didn’t you tell her the scars on your back were inflicted by Ms. Rita?” It was a horrible and unimaginable part of his childhood. “I don’t want to frighten her.”“But it’s difficult for you as well, Mr. Cedric. Calling Ms. Lauren your mother brings back horrible memories for you too.” “It doesn’t matter. I’ll do anything for her.” Cedric replied as he
“Is that true?” Gigi asked her grandmother.Lauren nodded and said, “Of course it is. Has grandma ever lied to you?”“Wow! Grandma, what was Daddy like when he was a kid?” Gigi was excited. She was not sleepy anymore as she pestered Lauren to tell her more. “Whenever I brought him to attend events, he would always cry. I still remember he had wet his pants once in kindergarten.” Gigi covered her mouth and giggled happily. Amanda laughed and looked at Eddie. “Did you really wet your pants?”Eddie palmed his forehead and told his mother, “Stop embarrassing me in front of my daughter, Mom.” Lauren just smiled happily back at her son. At the same time, Maia tugged on the hem of Cedric’s shirt and questioned cheekily, “Did you wet your pants when you were a kid?” Cedric drew her into his arms in response and threatened, “Maia, it seems like you won’t be able to go to bed tonight.” “I’m not afraid of your empty threats,” Maia replied. “Are you sure about that?”Maia nod
It was hard to believe he’d change his mind out of nowhere. She blinked and gawked at him. She almost forgot to breathe because of the sheer shock. Her face turned red from it, too. “Hey, breathe.” Cedric frowned. He realized her eyes were widening and her cheeks were completely reddened. Then, her lungs worked, and she started drawing breath again. She gripped the hem of his shirt instinctively. “Hmm?” Cocking his brow, he looked at her casually while taking her hands in his. “Do you want to know why I changed my mind?”She nodded immediately. Needless to say, she wanted to spring that question on him, but she wondered if she should. On the other hand, he merely chuckled and didn’t say anything. All he did was fix a deep, passionate stare at her. His eyes were filled with love and affection when he did it. Realizing that he wasn’t going to talk, she was bewildered. “W-Why aren’t you saying anything?”His grin widened at what she said. Reaching out, he pinched her fair ch
Taking his hands, she rested her fair cheeks on his palm.“Is there another reason you did it?” She asked. “I had someone plant something in the painting.”“What do you mean?” She pressed.“A wire.”Then, it hit her. “D-Does this mean you knew Fidelia would buy the painting at all costs?”“Mm-hmm.” He nodded.Pursing her lips, she said, “I guess it tracks. After all, Fidelia will surely buy anything you donate to Nordic College. She loves you so much that she peeled an entire bowl of prawns for you.”“Do peeling prawns mean she loves me?” He cocked his brow.She nodded instinctively.“Well, then. Do you know how much I love you now?”Maia was initially pondering something, but she was scattered the moment she heard what he said!Her face turned red. She couldn’t decide if she should nod or shake her head now. The only thing she could do now was change the topic. “Wait a minute. I just asked Gigi to bid on it. Did I almost mess up your plan?” Her brows were furrowed. She
“Maia!” Amanda called out to her and hastened over. “D-Did you just say I was already on trending search?”“Mm-hmm.” Nodding, she handed her phone to Amanda. Amanda saw the search topic ‘Amanda Tate Burst Out Laughing.’ and was rooted to the spot.“H-How’s this already up there?”Maia chuckled. “There are so many people in the dining hall. There’s no way you can keep it from spreading on the internet for long. Even Gigi and Eddie got on the trending search. They were right behind you. “Valentines Group has also started working on the public relations angle. I browsed the internet and didn’t find any overly vicious remarks either. None of the marketing accounts were trying to stir up trouble either. All of Gigi’s pictures were censored as well. So, there’s nothing to be worried about here.”Amanda let out a sigh of relief at what she said. “It’s a good thing that no one attacked Gigi on the internet. Otherwise, I’m going to start chasing them with a machete that’s one foot long!
“Why, you!” Fidelia took the glass of fruit juice from the table and spilled it all over him!The sticky juices clung to his cheeks for a second before rolling down them.“Listen up, plastic face! It doesn’t matter if I can’t lay a finger on Maia because Cedric loves and protects her. It isn’t your place to make fun of me! Who do you think you are, Neilson? “You’re nothing more than my family’s lap dog. Look at how stiff your face is. You’ve wasted a perfectly good glass of fruit juice!”Staring at him angrily, Fidelia warned him nastily. She was so gripped with rage that her chest was rising and falling hastily. Then, she gritted her teeth and threw the empty glass at him.Catching the glass midair, he lowered his head. “You make a fine point, Ms. Fidelia.” Wiping the fruit juice from his cheeks, he apologized again. “Please calm down, Ms. Fidelia. You have to look at where we are now. It’d be wise not to make Mr. Thomas mad again.”“Are you seriously warning me again? Who do
Maia made up a reason so Amanda could take Gigi away. Amanda nodded, carried her daughter, and left the scene. All Gigi did was speak the truth, but Fidelia’s face grew grim and shot the three-year-old girl a terrible look. It was clear that Fidelia might do something outrageous to Gigi again if she didn’t divert her attention from the little girl. After all, Fidelia didn’t care about the consequences of her actions at all!So, she looked at Fidelia and said, “I’m not sure why you kept trying to win my husband’s heart, but I’ve been sitting here the whole time. Are you ignoring me on purpose? Or, are you so arrogant that you care only about Cedric and nobody else?”Fidelia immediately shifted her gaze to Maia. Glaring at her, she directed all of her anger and frustration at Maia. “What are you trying to say, Maia? My dad saved Cedric’s life. So, is there anything wrong with me peeling the shrimp for him? What’s the problem if I try to win his heart? What does it have to do with