"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
Calista widened her eyes with fear.She avoided his rough actions frantically and screamed, "Lucian, let me go! You crazy pervert! Son of a bitch!"She cursed at him nonstop as her body was getting all tensed up. She fought with all her might and shook her head frantically. Lucian failed to land his kiss on her face. Lucian peered at her as she broke down. He smirked as he grabbed her wrists and tied them up with his tie. Kisses fell on her neck, leaving hickeys all over. Calista wore jeans today, but that didn't stop Lucian from getting his hands all over her. His immense strength tore her pants apart.Whether she was wearing a dress or a pair of pants didn't make much difference to him. "Lucian, if you really wanna do this, go find Lily then," Calista was trembling as she continued, "There were rumors of you and her all around. You pulled strings for her investment and I didn't question you a single bit. And you got so furious just because Hector coincidentally saved me. We'
The next day, Calista was woken up by her phone. Mr. Xanders let her have two days off because of what happened last night. It was the estate management calling.The person over the phone said sheepishly, "Mrs. Northwood, there's someone at the door looking for you. It appears to be your father and your sister.""I'm not seeing them."Just as Calista was about to hang up the phone, she heard Zachary calling out to her hurriedly, "Calista, I found your mom's phone."Calista remained silent. When her mother passed, she was still very young.She was heartbroken as she thought her mother was gone because of a car accident. Little did she ponder on those materialistic matters. It was already too late when she started to investigate her mother's death. She couldn't locate her mother's phone. There were also no records of her mother's calls at the telecommunications company.Calista questioned Zachary regarding this matter. He too had no idea where the phone was as well. He assumed t
Calista replied, "Of course I know what I'm saying."Lucian chuckled, "Why? Is it because you didn't want to get involved with me or it's merely because you decided to end things here?""I just wanted to end things here," answered Calista.She glanced at Zachary who had his nervous gaze fixated on her. Lucian scoffed.He mocked her, "You really shouldn't be living on Earth, you know.""Yeah?""You should've just stayed in heaven with God, since you're so 'kind and generous'."Calista was speechless. She knew he wouldn't like her way of doing things. Lucian hung up in an instant.Calista turned toward Zachary and asked icily, "There. Are you satisfied? Give me the phone now."Zachary was aware that he's obviously biased in this matter. He felt guilty and handed the phone to Calista sheepishly. As he did so, he caught a glance of the trail of hickeys on her neck.As a man, he could tell how rough did Lucian kiss Calista to leave such obvious marks on her. For Lucian to be that
Calista avoided him."Stop it. You're going to make people misunderstand the whole situation. I came because I need your help." Hector shrugged and followed Calista to their seat. The table could only accommodate two people. Now it had to bear four people. It just wouldn't fit despite the two of them standing.After receiving several glances from the server, Hector lifted his head and looked at Calista's bodyguards."Would you like to take a seat at the next table? The bill's on me."The bodyguards peered at him."No."They could tell at first sight that this man was trying to make a move at Madam. Hector smiled politely."Perhaps you could step aside? It's getting awkward here if you guys insist on staying."Although Hector had a pleasant expression on, his stare pressured the bodyguards. He used to be in the army and he was used to commanding hundreds of men under him.Although he was smiling, he made his warnings evident. The tension in the air grew as Hector continued
Ava's tone oozed with disdain, and it struck Calista that this marked their initial meeting. At this juncture, they hadn't even introduced themselves.Ava's unwarranted air of superiority and condescension toward Calista was rather astonishing, to say the least. Even though Hector was a rugged fellow and hadn't been around many women in recent years, he could pick up on the apparent unpleasant tone in Ava's voice. He furrowed his brow and was about to speak. Suddenly, Calista raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?" Ava had intended to drop a subtle hint to Calista, but since Calista was adamant about being upfront, Ava couldn't help being straightforward."Does Hector know you're married?" Calista stayed silent, glancing at Hector, whose furrowed brows could have flattened a fly. Her silence prompted Hector to explain. Although Ava wasn't very polite, her point was valid. Calista would have reacted even more strongly than Ava if her friend had gotten involved with
Lucian furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on Calista. He regretted his words. He would have preferred it if Calista were angry with him instead of ignoring him like this. Calista bid Hector goodbye and left with her bag in hand, acting as if Lucian didn't even exist. Lucian followed her and spoke up, "I'm sorry. What I said earlier was unintentional. I didn't mean it the way you might have interpreted it." Lucian found himself in an unfamiliar position. He was not accustomed to apologizing and appeared somewhat awkward now, a stark contrast to his usually aloof demeanor.However, Calista remained unresponsive. Lucian rubbed his forehead, feeling somewhat helpless."Calista, how long are you planning to keep this up?" He perceived her silence and unresponsive attitude as a tantrum, with no indication of her willingness to resolve the issue. Despite his attempts, Calista continued to meet his words with silence. She had initially arrived with bodyguards, but now, everything rela
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,