As time passed, the atmosphere gradually became tense. Calista looked at the two on edge and said, "Isn’t the bowl hot? Also, I have a stomach ache. I’m not missing an arm or a leg that I need someone to wait on me.” She glanced at the bowl and ordered, "Put it down." She was infuriated! Nicholas looked at Lucian suspiciously and then at Paul.As a man with fairly good taste, he couldn't understand why these two men, who were more than popular, were interested in Calista. She was a tough woman made of steel. It may be a matter of preference. Calista sent everyone away after asking the doctor when she could be discharged, including Lucian, who had kept her company all night. She shut her eyes again, but the ward was so noisy, filled with people talking, eating, and the occasional pacing of doctors, nurses, and visitors. All these noises kept her from sleeping, and trying to fall asleep, Calista sat up and slowly began to eat her soup. She had been in the hospital for
"If I can't be the one to call the shots here, let's consult Uncle Philip," Calista suggested, her eyes flashing with intensity.She looked over at Philip, who was plucking grass, clearly trying to downplay his involvement."Let's find out if he's okay with laying his dad to rest in a place as ominous as this." Philip couldn't keep up the pretense any longer."Calista, perhaps we should heed your aunt's advice. We found this location quite favorable..." Gloria chose not to pursue the matter any further. The current circumstances were in her favor. She knelt beside Calista, prepared to provide comfort. Suddenly, Gloria heard Calista whisper, "Grandfather, we should leave you here for a few more days. I'll arrange for a more suitable resting place for you." Gloria widened her eyes in disbelief."Wait, didn't you say Philip was calling the shots here? He told you to follow my lead, and we're not budging on moving the grave." Calista stood up and declared, "I said we'd consul
Gloria continued her furious ranting. Just a few days ago, she had been the kind elder who looked after Calista. But now, she had undergone a complete transformation. Philip noticed Lucian's intensely gloomy expression and broke into a cold sweat."Alright, let's not talk about it anymore."He nudged Gloria. "Why are you being such a pushover?"Gloria couldn't stand her husband's submissive attitude and angrily shook off his hand. "Consider it for a moment. How's your business been since we relocated your father’s grave here two years ago? Could you afford a Mercedes, or is a tractor within your budget?" Finally unleashing his anger, Lucian shot back."I can't speak to how your last two years have gone, but if you keep pushing my buttons, I can guarantee the rest of your life won't be a walk in the park." His statement sent shivers down everyone's spine, although his tone remained calm and composed. It immediately calmed Gloria's agitated emotions like a bucket of ice-col
Zachary's emotions were running extremely high. He glared at Calista angrily. Calista was taken aback by his reaction, but she remained calm and continued, "I was just asking. There's no need to get so worked up." Zachary furrowed his brows and asked, "Did Gloria say anything to you? You know what kind of person she is. She'd do anything for money." Calista nervously curled her fingers on the armrest of the couch."If that's the deal, hand me a few strands of your hair. I'll run a DNA test and shut those rumor-mongers up with the results." Zachary's body trembled with a whirlwind of emotions. His fists clenched as he battled to contain the overwhelming feelings."You trust your money-focused aunt more than you trust me?" he questioned with frustration. Calista didn't say a word, but her determination to get Zachary's hair was clear. After a tense standoff of about five minutes, Zachary couldn't endure the atmosphere any longer.He pointed to the door and sternly ordered, "
The car driver behind Lucian seemed more interested in the commotion than paying attention to the road. With a loud "bang", he rear-ended Lucian's Bentley. "What's wrong with you? You slammed the brakes out of nowhere! Even with two brains, I wouldn't have reacted in time!" the car driver behind shouted, sticking his head out the window."Thinking you're all that just because you're driving a Bentley?" Lucian ignored the angry driver and headed straight toward the crowd. On the other hand, the driver grabbed his phone and started snapping pictures."Can you believe it? He not only hit the brakes out of nowhere, but he's wearing flip-flops too! Is he thinking straight?" The car driver tried to shift the blame to Lucian, worrying that his insurance wouldn't cover it if Lucian asked him for compensation. Meanwhile, Lucian pushed through the crowd and reached the front. There was no movement or indication of anyone on the lake's surface. He furrowed his brow and turned to a mid
Lucian lay on the dark red plastic track, his pants soaked and dripping with water. With one leg bent, he lay there. Calista bit her lip and reached to unfasten his belt. Lucian's intense gaze fixated on her face. He squinted slightly and teased, "Were you planning to stand there and watch me freeze to death if I hadn't called you just now?" Lucian believed that Calista wouldn't have approached him voluntarily without the security guard's intervention. Calista calmly worked on unfastening his belt and steadily replied, "You wouldn't have frozen to death with the security guards around." The security guard, affiliated with the Willowbrook Park Management, would undoubtedly be held accountable if someone were to freeze to death right under his nose. Lucian found himself at a loss for words. With a subtle click, Calista deftly unfastened the metal buckle of Lucian's belt. Suddenly, Lucian's strong hand firmly stopped her as she moved to undo the button on his trousers.He sto
Calista didn't think such a casual question would provoke him."No."After Charlotte was sent out, it was Lucian's turn. The results would take roughly two hours. So, Calista went out to meet Selena.She had learned about the incident from the news and called Calista to ask for the address. Then, she hurried over."Why did he jump into a lake?"She held Calista's hand and watched Lucian lying motionless on a bed in the emergency room."Have the test results come out? Is there anything wrong with him?" she asked worriedly."We're still waiting on the reports. It'll just be a little while longer. There shouldn't be anything majorly wrong. Please sit down. There's nothing to worry about."Selena blamed herself."It's all my fault. How could I have said that? He heard me say you were going to jump into the lake and went searching for you without even putting his shoes on."The bed-bound Lucian frowned."Mom …""You don't want me to talk about what you just did?"If he weren't
Selena had been absent-minded since she woke up that morning.When she noticed Lucian leaving, she asked anxiously, "Where are you going?""Work," the man answered.The Northwood Corporation would not be on vacation until tomorrow. He still had two annual meetings to attend. He had to go to work. She glared irritably at his retreating figure."You should pick Calista up later. She's spending the New Year's in that tiny apartment all by herself. It must be so lonely."He recalled how Calista insisted on not wanting to be back last night. His expression grew cold."She doesn't think she's lonely. What are you so worried about?""Oh my god …"Selena was beyond frustrated with her son."Whoever marries you is the unluckiest woman alive. You got your lack of emotional intelligence from your blockheaded father."Henry, the blockhead, wasn't even there to defend himself.Since Lucian had no intention of picking Calista up, Selena decided to take matters into her own hands. She cal