Paul furrowed his brow and shook his head."I'm sorry, but I had no idea that Calista came to see me that night. The staff possibly took the money but didn't follow through." After all, Calista was rather timid back then, and the staff may have taken advantage of that. Yara remained unconvinced, no matter what Paul said."If it weren't for your customized, one-of-a-kind watch, Calista wouldn't have mistaken you for Lucian ..." Calista wouldn't have ended up in the wrong bed and forced into marrying Lucian. She was nervous and had accidentally consumed too many drinks while waiting for Paul that night. She had dozed off, and when a man helped her from her seat, her blurry state prevented her from seeing his face. However, she distinctly noticed the unique watch the man was wearing. Paul had mentioned that his watch was custom-made, one of a kind in the world. Calista believed that tipping the waiter to convey a message to Paul had worked. Furthermore, the man exuded a famili
Paul wasn't one to readily accept responsibility. He usually maintained a friendly but emotionally distant demeanor, making it hard for others to connect with him. However, this time, he couldn't avoid feeling personally involved. His emotions were a complex mix of anger, regret, and even a hint of sympathy. Lucian replied, "Yes." Lucian had been sober that night, fully aware that Calista had gone with him under the mistaken belief that he was Paul. Their subsequent intimate encounter had not been consensual. Paul clenched his fist without hesitation and swung it toward Lucian's face. While Paul wasn't used to having fights, he had received training since childhood due to potential threats from his family's background. His punch packed a considerable amount of force. Lucian quickly stepped back, using his hand to block Paul's attack and simultaneously attempting to land a kick on Paul's knee. The room was small and poorly soundproofed, causing the commotion to reach the h
Lucian and Paul continued to throw punches at each other relentlessly. Calista's voice quivered with anxiety, "Lucian ..." However, her plea failed to deter the enraged and uncontrollable man. Instead, they only fueled his fury, intensifying his assault on Paul. Paul, who wasn't used to physical altercations, was visibly outmatched. Calista tried to restrain Lucian, but a man consumed by anger was beyond reason. He nearly flung her aside in his blind rage. As Lucian attempted to lay another punch at Paul, she clung to his arm, using her body weight to hold him down. Despite Lucian's strength, he couldn't break free from her grip. Lucian gradually came to his senses, but his anger and desire for destruction grew stronger.His expression remained impassive as he questioned, "Calista, are you protecting him?" Lucian remembered the time he had fought with Hector, and Calista had walked away, showing no interest in the altercation.She had been detained by apartment security b
No one had stepped foot in Room 507 since the morning Lucian chased the nurse out. Lucian sat in the same attire, the wound on his hand now scabbed over. The daylight outside gradually dimmed until it was completely dark. Lucian's position remained unchanged. Except for the occasional blink of his eyes, he seemed like a lifeless statue. The ward had poor sound insulation, allowing the clear voices and footsteps from outside to penetrate. The hushed whispers outside made Lucian appear even more lonely. As night fell, the noises disappeared, leaving only silence. Click. Suddenly, the doorknob's pressing sound resonated loudly in the quiet ward.Lucian's eyes remained shut as he coldly ordered, "Get out." But the intruder ignored him and entered the room. Bam. A loud crash followed as a chair blocking the door was kicked aside. After several thuds and kicks, the footsteps finally ceased when they reached the bedside. Lucian opened his eyes and looked at the person befor
Lily couldn't tolerate Calista's indifference and replied coldly, "Don't jump to conclusions about Lucian and me. We're just friends. Who are you to care for Paul anyway?" Lily learned about the incident's details when she passed by the nurse's station. She had gained insight into what had happened. Lily glanced at Calista's bag and continued, "This restaurant isn't near the hospital. You do seem quite considerate. I wonder if you bought something for Lucian, too?" Just as Calista was about to respond, Lucian exited the room. His injuries had been attended to, and he was wrapped in white bandages. Calista couldn't help but remember Lucian's words from earlier in the day, and the urge to argue suddenly vanished."Instead of hovering around me like a fly, you should focus on how to keep him once our divorce is final and secure the title of Mrs. Northwood." Lucian approached Lily and said, "Let's go. I'll drive you back." "Alright."Lily cast a superior and disdainful glance
Calista couldn't believe her eyes. The guard had already turned around, pretending to inspect the view of the garden. Lily wasn't wearing any clothes! "Mrs. Northwood, there must be a misunderstanding here. Mr. Northwood was completely passed out when I left," the guard quickly explained. Calista struggled to grasp her phone securely, her hand trembling as she reached for it in her bag. The guard was visibly anxious. His eyes darted between Calista and the garden. Surprisingly, Calista didn't leave. Instead, she entered the house with her phone.Puzzled, he asked, "Mrs. Northwood, what are you ..." Calista switched on the lights in the living room, flooding the area with harsh illumination. The revealing light exposed the chaotic state of the two people on the sofa. Calista aimed her phone at them and began taking photos. Lily's hand had been on Lucian's shirt. She was wearing a black off-shoulder sweater, and the sofa's backrest had partially covered her, leading Calista
Lucian silently watched Calista, but his gaze appeared extended beyond her, fixating on another girl with a radiant smile. The radiance in that girl's eyes surpassed even the sun's brightness in the sky, starkly contrasting with Calista's current dim and despairing gaze. Calista had never looked so tired and disappointed, not even during her days of hiding from loan sharks.Back then, she had managed to maintain a glimmer of hope for a brighter future, even amid her dire circumstances. Her emotions were vivid, ranging from hatred to joy, anxiety to fear. However, in just three years, everything had transformed. "Do you seek a divorce because you've grown tired of this marriage, or is it because Paul's affection for you has swayed your decision?" Lucian inquired in a low, husky tone."So, you're eager to have a love affair with him?" Calista fell silent for a while.She smiled faintly and replied hoarsely, "Lucian, we're married, for better or worse. Do you seriously want t
Apart from the title, the divorce certificate was almost identical to a marriage certificate. They were at the same place, and the document was similar. Everything was almost the same as when they got married. Calista was still in a daze. Lucian had already reached out and taken his copy without another glance and walked out. The two of them walked out of the City Hall together. Calista said softly, "Are you going to tell mom?" She couldn't bear to see Selena's disappointed expression. Lucian turned his head slightly, looked at her deeply, and then said blankly, "She's not your mom anymore, don't call her that." Jonathan happened to have driven the car over.Lucian didn't wait for him to get out and open the door; he merely got in and ordered, "Drive." Today was quite cold. Although it didn't rain, the sky was gloomy, and the wind was howling.Jonathan looked at Calista and asked, "Aren't you taking Madam Calista?" Lucian glanced at him without saying anything. He did
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,