He made it up to her by giving her things, and she helped keep his secret. Their marriage could now be maintained in this manner. Wasn’t that enough?There was no need for him to pretend to be kind and considerate to throw her heart into confusion. “Me? Acting? What exactly am I doing that you think is unnecessary? And how exactly am I acting?” Abel narrowed his eyes. “Those things you said just now. They’re not necessary.” Ruth grew stern. “We only got married to get what we need, and thus, we just need to live in harmony. Your fake concern and deliberate acts of intimacy are not within the contract. I’m not in the mood nor have the duty to act with you.”As she spoke, she wiped her forehead, as if she wanted to wipe off the mark he left on her. Her words and actions reminded Abel of the kiss he gave. The helplessness he felt toward Ruth giving him the cold-shoulder had turned into him trying to appease her and showing that he would miss her when he left. He tried to convi
Ruth’s mind was in clouds, and she only belatedly realized this was what he meant when he said that she would know once she tried. Abel did not do anything else. He only buried his head in the crook of her neck as his chest heaved. “You said that we got to know each other after living together all this time, didn’t you? Did you actually think that I would waste my time putting on an act before someone who is of no importance to me?“You never even asked me whether I liked men and just decided that I did based on rumors and the image you cooked up of me based on those same rumors.“I must say, it must have been really hard for you to maintain the marriage with that belief, considering the fact that you’d have to endure great humiliation to do so.”Once he said that, he pulled back, got up, and headed to the washroom. The sound of flowing water rose. Ruth laid on the bed in the same position as before while she stared at the ceiling. All she could think of were his words just now.
The apology came abruptly, but Abel understood what she was trying to convey. When she woke up after she got drunk, he apologized to her. After his explanation, he asked what she had to say. She apologized reluctantly, threw a tantrum, and left after slamming the door shut. This time, she was as aloof and indifferent as ever, as if it was a casual remark on her part, but her rapidly fluttering eyelashes betrayed her nervousness. Since she had just woken up, her voice was a little lethargic and soft, which made her sound like she was acting cute. Her long hair spilled over her shoulders, and the straps of her nightgown slid off her shoulders. Abel had no resistance against how defenseless she looked. He grabbed her hand. Ruth instinctively looked up and saw his deep-set, black eyes. “For being a good girl who acknowledges her mistakes and takes responsibility for them, you should be rewarded,” he said. “Rewarded?” Ruth was puzzled. Abel nodded and fixed his eyes on her
“Something would, actually, but to you only, because you wouldn’t be paying your parking fees.”Pearl was rendered speechless. “If you have nothing else to say, I’m hanging up. I’m busy, you know?” Ruth said and wanted to hang up. “Wait! I have something else to say!” Pearl hurriedly stopped her. She did not call Ruth just to complain and check whether she had called her dad. There was something else more important. “We’re now kind-of friends, right?”Ruth did not reply and just waited for Pearl to continue. “My birthday is the day after tomorrow, and I’m throwing a party. Remember to come!”Ruth said nothing. ……Lockton Entertainment released news that they were fortunate enough to form a long-term partnership with Harper Williams. The industry burst into a ruckus. Harper Williams was the most mysterious independent investor in the entertainment industry and never worked with any company. She had also never attended any of Sommerset’s events. But Lockton Entertainm
It was 7 p.m..The Harlem family mansion was brightly lit up. The garden was filled with all sorts of champagne, food, fruits, and desserts. All sorts of colorful lights hung on the trees, and the melodious sound of violins rang in the air. Pearl was Albert’s only daughter, and he doted on her, which was why he organized a party for her birthday every year. This year, she was twenty-four, and her birthday party was even more special. Not only did the Harlem family invite her friends, they also invited quite a number of famous people from within the entertainment industry. There were also quite a number of rich men who were of marrying age. Clearly, this party was meant to find a suitable marriage partner for Pearl. But Pearl did not notice it nor did she care about finding a partner. She wore a purple Lolita dress and a few bracelets on her wrists. When she moved, they made clinking sounds. She held a champagne flute in one hand and a phone in the other. Meanwhile, her e
Luna politely answered the questions from the people around her before she said to Pearl, “Don’t listen to Serena. I’m just good friends with Nicholas. After learning that you’re celebrating your birthday, he even asked me to bring you a gift.”She took out the gift she had prepared and handed it to Pearl in a cordial manner. To the others, there was nothing wrong with her actions, but Pearl could see the boastful look in her eyes. Pearl absolutely hated Luna’s fake behavior…She glared and intended to be rude and unreasonable to the end by throwing her gift to the ground when the sound of a car engine entered the courtyard. A black Maybach came in, and with a beautiful drift, it stopped in the parking lot. Luxury cars and amazing driving skills easily caught people’s attention. Serena was the first to speak. “Luna, Mr. Nicholas picked you up with a Maybach last time. Is that him?”Luna was stunned, and she appeared confused. “I didn’t see the license plate number clearly, b
The people present were either the Harlem family’s friends or business partners. They were not completely out of the loop regarding the Lockton family’s situation. When they heard what Albert said, they understood his position in the matter and agreed to what he said. “Of course. Ms. Ruth, you’re like Mr. George when he was younger. We look forward to what you will achieve.”Ruth said nothing, but she did look at the middle-aged man standing in front of her. Her image of him had not changed since she saw him when she was a child. He always had a smile on his round face, which made him look like a Samoyed, and he always brought a lot of gifts to her whenever he came to visit. But, after her mother passed away and Callum took over Lockton Corporation, she seldom saw him anymore. She thought that they were no longer close to each other, but what he said just now made her think that they were still as close as when she was younger. Ruth felt warmth bloom in her heart, and sh
Serena could not help but speak up for Luna. “How could you be so ungrateful? Luna came to celebrate your birthday with you, and she even brought Mr. Nicholas’s gift for you! Are you being rude to him?”Once she mentioned the Blakewell family, everyone started agreeing with what she said. They stood by Luna and tried to persuade Pearl not to be so mean to her. After all, she was someone Nicholas liked. When Ruth heard this, she looked at Luna in slight surprise. “Nicholas Blakewell?”Luna put on a look that made her seem a little guilty and attempted to explain their relationship, though she kept some parts of it secret. “I’m just friends with Mr. Nicholas. He asked me to bring a gift on his behalf when he heard that I’m attending a friend’s party.”As she spoke, she took out the gift box again. It was a small box that had Kismet Jewelry’s logo on it. Luna opened it straightaway and brought it to Pearl’s eyes, as if she was worried that Pearl would reject the gift again. She