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
In the evening, Cade summoned Lucian to the Luminary Lounge. He pushed open the door to the private room and was surprised to see Paul there.He sustained some injuries and was dressed in casual sweaters and pants, holding a glass of wine and drinking. Lucian frowned and walked over. Cade sat between the two of them. They didn't look at each other, and the atmosphere was visibly tense, freezing in place.Even the waiter involuntarily straightened his back and retreated into the shadows. Cade leaned lazily against the backrest behind him, his legs crossed.He squinted at the two who were ignoring each other and said casually, "You guys are so annoying. We’ve been friends for years. You’re ignoring each other because of a fight?" He had invited them out today to try to mend their relationship. Lucian looked up coldly.His voice was irritable and restrained as he said, "I have nothing to say to him." Cade retorted, "Shut up. Are you still in kindergarten? Fighting and then ignor
Hector smiled and said, "You've been holding onto this glass of juice for half an hour now. If you can't bear to part with it." He paused and continued sincerely, "Why not shift your attention to someone else, like me? I'm good at comforting people and fighting. I am very good-looking and physically fit. I can even learn to cook. I don't mind that you act like a dull, old woman now. I might be taken soon if you don’t immediately seize a good man like me." Calista laughed and said, "No, I can't make a move on a friend." "Then are you interested in all these girlish men?" Hector asked as he cast a disapproving look at Yara.She had said she supported his pursuit of Calista, but then she invited these men to join them. Calista put down the juice, then yawned."Not really, so I'm planning to go back to sleep." The aftermath of staying up late is feeling mentally drained for several days. Upon hearing that, Yara also got up."Let's go together. We set up this gathering just to h
At the Northwood Corporation, Lucian furrowed his brow in response to his new secretary's hesitant expression and asked frustratedly, "What's the matter?" He rarely used social media, preferred direct phone calls, and didn't browse Facebook. So, despite the uproar on social media, he was still unaware of the situation. The secretary placed a tablet in front of him, with Calista's two responses marked in red. He couldn’t possibly tell Lucian about what happened with his own words. Lucian quickly scanned the content and finally fixed one comment, "His sexual dysfunction.” The secretary stood by, holding his breath. He couldn't see Lucian's expression, but he could sense the anger emanating from him. A few minutes passed, and Lucian still hadn't spoken or taken his eyes off the tablet, even though the screen had long gone dark. The secretary started feeling uneasy and cautiously asked, "Mr. Northwood, the PR department is calling to ask if we should take it down." They had al
Lucian lowered his head to kiss her lips. His hands traced her back and landed on her delicate waist. Calista watched as he inched closer and bit hard on his lips. She bit so hard it drew blood, and the smell of blood emanated in the air. Lucian hissed and let go of her. However, before Calista could push him away, he grabbed her hand and placed her finger on the reader on the door lock. There was a click, and the door opened. He lifted her by her thighs, and Calista had to wrap her legs around his waist for support. Lucian pushed the door open, placing her on the cabinet by the entrance. Everything happened quickly. Before Calista could protest, Lucian had removed her shirt. At this moment, she truly understood how strong he was. He lifted her chin and grinned mischievously, "Do you like it?" Calista was forced to meet his eyes and glared at him. Lucian didn't mind her attitude. In fact, he seemed amused by it, and his smile deepened."I'll make you feel better." He pre
Lucian was about to return to the company after leaving Calista's apartment, but Selena called him back home.As the car stopped, he rubbed his temples and lit a cigarette before exiting the door. The atmosphere in the living room was heavy. Macy was not present, and his father and mother sat on the couch with cold expressions, not even turning to look at him when he entered. Lucian began, "Dad, Mom." He was about to sit down when Selena shot him a sharp look and said, "Did I tell you to sit down? Well, I suppose it's no surprise. Since you’re so great now, you went through with your divorce without any discussion. So just sitting on the couch would be no big deal.” Lucian was speechless. He had anticipated that Selena would be very angry when she found out about this, and he had planned to have a calm conversation at some point.However, he didn’t expect the news to trend before he had the chance. He sighed and said, "Mom, you can take out your anger on me, but don't use t
Initially, Selena wanted to invite Calista to go shopping and get her thoughts about the divorce. She didn't expect to witness such a scene. The smile on her face froze, and she turned from an elegant lady into someone with a stutter."Uh, you guys enjoy the fruits. I’ll meet you some other time.” She glanced at Hector, who looked very possessive, not knowing what to say. She could only grab Lucian and walk away. Calista didn't even have a chance to speak before the two of them left. The elevator doors closed, and she brushed Hector's hand from her waist."Are you bored? Do you have to provoke him?" "He’s the bored one! He's your ex, but he keeps coming to see you. Did he refuse to leave you alone when you married him?” He was about to follow Calista into the apartment, but she raised her hand to stop him."I have work to do. You should go back. I won't do anything reckless." The door in front of him closed mercilessly. Calista changed into her work clothes, tied her
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam Cameron…" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's company…Given the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptions—she was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
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