One look at Lucian's attitude and the sarcastic tone of voice, Calista knew he had heard everything.Lily had failed to get her way with her that morning and left for a few minutes. When she returned, her mood had visibly improved.And now Lucian showed up when lunchtime rolled around. It was clear from his tone that he was degrading her. So, he was here seeking revenge on his lover's behalf.Calista had a busy day as a puppet on strings being directed to perform. She was exhausted. And now she had to face this man picking on her after finishing up. Her expression darkened.She set aside her phone on the table. The clear thud could be heard. She crossed her arms, leaned against the backrest, and got straight to the point."So, what does Lily want? Does she want her money back? She can dream on."There was a certain gloom in his eyes."We're discussing the matter concerning Claude. Don't go involving an outsider.""Outsider? Lily called you this morning, didn't she? Did she tatt
Calista hadn't expected a mere argument between strangers to direct Selena's attention back on her."No …""Don't lie to me. If that bastard forced you to take anything of the sort, I'll kill him myself!"Selena was truly all up in arms. As long as Calista said the word, the woman was ready to arm herself to confront Lucian.Calista shook her head."It's nothing like that, Mom. He never forced me to take anything … We were married for three years, yes, but he has never touched me."Ever since they openly discussed the divorce with Selena, Calista had begun to express herself more freely. She stopped hiding things."What?"Selena's eyes were wide with shock at the revelation."You mean … The two of you never consummated your marriage?"After all, they were mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. There was still a difference in seniority between them. She felt embarrassed to ask."Is it because Lucian …? Should I talk to the doctor to prescribe more of those pills? Maybe if he take
Choosing between Lucian and the dog. Her answer wouldn't matter anymore because it's just not possible to make her reply sound nice. Fortunately, Lucian wasn't that immature to nitpick over things like this. He stopped pressing on Calista when he saw she wasn't interested in delving into this topic. He sat in the driver's seat after closing the car door. An awkward silence hung in the car. Lucian's frosty gaze was fixated on the road.Calista sealed her mouth shut to keep herself from blurting out something that'd trigger him. She was a bit thirsty from the honey she had at Stansend Manor. As she was about to open a bottle of mineral water from the storage compartment, she sensed Lucian turning toward her. She stopped and gestured the bottle of mineral water to Lucian. She turned her head toward him."Do you want some?"Lucian scoffed at Calista. He made the atmosphere unpleasant again. Calista rolled her eyes scornfully. She was desperate for a sip of water, but Lucian's ga
After a few days, Calista didn't stumble upon those people again near the condominium. She knew that she must've been overthinking that night. Soon, this incident slipped her mind. She just finished filming for the program that was yet to be released. Even if someone were to sabotage her, it would be a strange timing to do so.Calista received a call from Hector just as she got off from working overtime.He complained as soon as he got through, "Are you just going to pretend that I'm gone for good if I didn't contact you first?"They hadn't been in touch since they parted at the hospital. He's been busy recently too, so it slipped his mind as well.Once he was finally done with his work, he came to realize that this heartless woman didn't even bother to message him. Hector whining like a woman got Calista.She laughed, "How's your injury? Have you gone to the hospital yet? I remembered the doctor told you to redress."Hector snorted."If I were to take action only after your r
Calista's phone was flung to the basement floor. The screen broke in an instant. One of them stepped and trampled on it aggressively."You just wanna make things damn hard for us, huh? I said we're just gonna take some photos. If you're not going to cooperate, I can't promise your safety!"His gaze lingered upon Calista erotically and grinned."Damn, you've got such a fine body, haven't you? Other men must've …"Lust filled the air. The look in their eyes gradually changed. Calista was in her casual fit today with her sling bag.She asked them calmly, "What kind of photos do you want from me?""You know, just like the ones in porn.""Alright, but you have to do it in the car. I don't want people to see me in this state."She grabbed her bag."I'm having a supper date with my friend later. So hurry up and get on with it now. I don't want my friend to know … that I'm doing this."They sneered at her. Those photos were meant to be uploaded on the internet. How funny of her to sa
Lucian strode toward Calista. The gang who was beaten up by Hector was still paralyzed on the ground.It's not that they couldn't get up, but they were afraid that they would get the same treatment as the guy who got kicked meters away because of a failed escape attempt.Usually if one came across an obstacle, one would walk around it. But that wasn't the case for Lucian. He kicked the person who was in his way. A loud shriek of pain was heard again. Lucian looked like a devil from hell with his unnerving aura. His face had been expressionless since he made his appearance. The remaining thugs immediately made way for Lucian leaving the whole basement to him. They carefully made sure they wouldn't get in his way no matter how he walked.Lucian stopped before Calista and Hector. He stared at their intertwined shadows in the darkness. He suppressed his raging emotions and stared at Calista's pale face. He held his hand out."Get up." Before Calista responded, Hector replied."I
"Are you sure you wanna wait for him?"Lucian sounded perfectly calm. But if one were to listen to him closely, a tinge of malevolence could be spotted in his words."Yeah," replied Calista casually as she leaned against the metal bench.She looked like she was about to nod off with her eyes half closed. How would people think of her if she were to leave now when Hector was still held in custody? He was the one who saved her.Lucian's anger peaked when he heard Calista's reply. He pulled her up from the bench."I've already told Timothy about this. He's on his way now and he'll make sure that Hector will be fine. I'll bring you back to rest."Lucian's actions might seem rough, but he didn't hurt Calista. His lips tightened as he stared at her menacingly. "He'll be released in at most three hours. However, if you insist on staying here, then maybe you'll see him in jail tomorrow," Lucian threatened Calista icily."The injury assessment isn't out yet, and your final decision de
Calista was stunned."What?" "I think it'd be better for you to come over," answered Timothy.He hung up the phone shortly. Calista frowned as she heard the short beep after the phone was hung up,Everglade Manor belonged to Lucian so it wouldn't be him who was in trouble. Then … it must be someone else.As she opened the door, the bodyguards outside immediately stood upright and stared at her.Calista remarked, " ... I need to go back to Everglade Manor."She was utterly shocked by the gory scene before her when she stepped into the mansion. She couldn't believe that the people who were lying on the floor were the ones who tried to force her to take nudes in the basement. They were barely breathing. One of them kneeled and begged before Lucian. Although the floor was carpeted, his forehead bled a tremendous amount of blood from knocking it continuously against the floor as he begged for mercy. "Mr. Northwood, we had no idea who it was. We were referred to this job by so
With Cade covering Cameron's mouth, there was no chance for her pointed words to offend anyone in the room. His palm was cool to the touch. It was a sensation she disliked. So, she couldn't help but tilt her head.When Cade noticed her movements, he gently stroked her cheek as if he were calming a child who was throwing a tantrum.Victor spent years in a position of authority, giving him an air of unspoken authority. His gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched Cade. "Cade, don't jeopardize the long-standing relationship between our families over a woman.""If that's how you see it." Cade glanced at the door. "Aren't you doing the same for a woman?"Victor snorted contemptuously. "How can a cheap girl who was merely adopted be worth anything compared to Mirabelle?""How is my daughter, a Yorksworth, worth any less than yours?" Blaire stood at the doorway as she took in the occupants of the home with her sharp gaze. She had been feeling restless ever sin
Mirabelle frowned. "Excuse me?"As soon as she finished speaking, Cameron walked up to her, grabbed her by her hair, and forcefully bent her over.Cameron held up the guest list Monica had sent her and shoved it in Mirabelle's face. "Call them. Tell them to be there by 3:00 p.m., or else…"She tightened her grip threateningly. "You can kiss this head of hair goodbye."Mirabelle pressed down on her scalp where it had been pulled, her voice distorted with pain when she spoke."Let go, Cameron! Are you out of your mind?""Didn't I tell you not to involve anyone else in our feud?""Can't take it anymore?"Mirabelle endured the pain of turning her head to flash a disdainful sneer at Cameron."This is just the appetizer. If you go against me, you'll eventually crawl out of Capeton with your tail between your legs. I'll call your business partner right now and pin the catastrophic failure of this event on you…"Seeing Mirabelle's condescending expression brought Cameron back to the
The kiss lifted the dark cloud that hung over Cade's mood over the past few days.The next day, as Fabian brought in documents for him to sign, Cade asked, "When is Cameron's show?"Fabian was taken aback for a split second but quickly replied. Fortunately, he was well-prepared and kept track of Cameron's events for the year in advance."Has the invitation been delivered?"Fabian swallowed, almost wanting to laugh to mock Cade. Given Cade's strained relationship with his wife, Cameron would sooner invite a dog than have him around. However, all Fabian could do was revel in Cade's misery in his mind while keeping a businesslike facade."It was probably already delivered. The front desk brought in a stack of mail yesterday. I haven't sorted it out yet."He had already sorted out the mail this morning. Everything had gone straight to the trash."Clear my schedule for the day. Make reservations at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner.""Yes, sir."On the day of the show, Monica
That was obviously an excuse to get Cade out of the picture. Knowing what Mirabelle had done to Cameron in the past, leaving the two of them alone was out of the question. Besides, it wasn't convenient for him to move the car, so he refused without a second thought."Get the attendant—"However, Cameron cut him off before he could finish."Ms. Ackerman is a guest. You should fulfill her requests if she has any."Cade cast her a cold glance. "Shut up." Why should he dance to Mirabelle's tune?Cameron stared at him. "Run along."He gritted his teeth as rage crossed his face. After a brief pause, he sneered and turned to leave. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mirabelle's calm expression slipped. "Did you make me come here just to show off how much you two love each other?""You call that love? I think we have different definitions of what 'love' is then. He's nothing more than…" Cameron's fingers lightly traced the cup's rim as she smirked and said, "A lap dog.""You fu
Cameron crossed her arms over her chest and gave the bouquet in Cade's hands a nonchalant glance."What are you trying to pull, Mr. Carter?""Fabian said it was Women's Day today.""So what?"There was silence all around. The sound of soothing music could be heard through the door. Cade was silent for a while. "We're not getting a divorce, Cameron."It was the same old topic that Cameron had grown too weary of. She turned around and felt for the cigarette box on the table. There was already a layer of cigarette butts in the ashtray next to it. Judging by the color of the lipstick marks, more than half of them were hers.Cade frowned. He clearly disapproved of her smoking but kept himself from stopping her.Smoke curled from between her lips. The flickering embers of the cigarette reflected in her eyes, softening her indifferent gaze. Through the thin haze, Cameron's lips curled into a wide, unrestrained smile. Every time she smiled in this way, it always filled Cade with a
Cade began unbuckling his belt as he spoke. When it came to this sort of thing, men often had a strong sense of competition, especially in the presence of a woman they were interested in."Such a dark atmosphere isn't right for our situation."Cameron didn't like him to begin. In such a dark atmosphere, there was no telling what kind of grotesque creature she might imagine him to be. It would be strange if she felt attraction for him.She leveled a steady stare at him. Cade's shirt was half undone, showing his tense muscles underneath. Under the influence of alcohol, his skin took on a faint reddish hue. There was a heart-pounding tension in the air as if something was about to ignite. Occasionally, his slightly heavy breaths could be heard."You haven't been working out recently, have you?" Cameron asked.Cade was confused.Cameron pressed her hand against his chest, right below his ribs, and gave it a little push. After a moment, she commented, "Your muscles are a little soft
Cade tossed his phone onto the table in frustration when he saw who entered. He pressed his hand against his brow."Leave. You should see Diane for a work uniform.""Are you feeling unwell, Mr. Carter?" Rosalia approached the desk with a glass of milk in hand. "I learned how to give massages. Why don't I…" "Get out."Cade abruptly got to his feet and avoided Rosalia's outstretched hand, causing the milk to spill all over him. He glanced down at his now-stained shirt with a dark expression and pressed his lips tightly together. After a long pause, he asked through clenched teeth, "Did my wife ask you to send this up?" Every syllable was pronounced with the gnashing of teeth.Rosalia froze under his piercing gaze."It really was Mrs. Carter who asked me to bring it to you, sir," she stammered."Leave. From now on, you will not enter my study unless you have permission."Rosalia had come to work as a housekeeper to land herself a wealthy husband. She had even bribed the manager
On the next day, Cameron was discussing the fashion show with Monica when she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind. "Cammie…" It was Blaire.Although Monica didn't fully know about Cameron's past, she didn't like Blaire at all. What kind of mother wouldn't protect their own child, after all?However, it wasn't appropriate for her to intervene as much even though she was Cameron's close friend. After all, it was Cameron's family matter.Monica stood up with her notebook in hand and said, "Well, I just remembered that there's still a few more invitations to send, so I'll go and take care of that. Let's discuss more about the fashion show later."After saying that, she glanced at Blaire and left without even greeting her.Cameron got up and nodded at Blaire. "Is something the matter?"She thought that her distant attitude last night had made it clear enough that she didn't want any more involvement with the Yorksworth family. She didn't expect that Blaire would come and loo
Cameron pushed the door open. She looked tired as she laid down her bag. As she changed her shoes, she caught sight of the food on the dining table out of the corner of her eye."Diane, didn't I tell you I wasn't coming back for dinner? Why did you make so much food?"Diane glanced upstairs. "It's for Mr. Carter. He hasn't eaten yet."The moment Cade was mentioned, Cameron dropped the topic. She rubbed her sore shoulder as she headed upstairs. "I see.""Madam…" Diane called out hesitantly, looking troubled. "Mr. Carter asked you to call him down for dinner when you got home.""Me? Call him down for dinner?" Cameron stopped in her tracks and turned around in confusion. "Why?""Mr. Carter seems to be upset. Did you two have another fight?""So If he's in a bad mood, I'm supposed to go upstairs and invite him down to eat? Should I also say 'Your meal is ready, my liege!' while I'm at it?" Cameron scoffed. Her sarcastic smirk quickly faded. "He can eat if he wants. If he doesn't,