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
Everything had happened in a blink of an eye. Calista didn't know what to think. All she saw was Hector not dodging the blow.There were quite a few onlookers but no one dared to approach because of the knife the man had in hand.Calista grabbed a stick from a booth next to them and rushed at the assailants. She relentlessly struck them over their heads.Hector kicked the last one to the ground and held Calista in his arms. He took the stick out of her hands to prevent her from accidentally harming an innocent."Enough. You scared them away."The group of men was quickly taken into custody by the police on patrol. Calista stared at Hector's ripped shirt. He was dressed in black but she could still make out the blood stains in the light."We're going to the hospital."It seemed she had recently been down on her luck. She was constantly in and out of the hospital."It's just a tiny scratch. I'll be fine by tomorrow."Hector had kept enough distance. He wasn't going to let some p
Calista knelt to examine the grave to find it sealed. Furious, she glared at the man behind her."Are you out of your mind, Lucian? What the fuck is your problem?"Her statement had Lucian frowning."Watch yourself, Calista."To think she would lower herself to use such vulgar profanities."All I'm doing right now is using my words. I'm watching myself plenty. You don't see me resorting to physical violence, do you?"She was beyond enraged."Have someone exhume the grave. I'm taking my grandfather with me.""The grave has already been sealed. You want it reopened? The man can't even rest in peace because you keep wanting to move him around. Is this how you show your care for him?"He was mocking her with his gaze."But then again, you were the one who complained about your grandfather being laid to rest in such an awful place when we were in Fort City. You insisted on relocating him then happily when on a trip with a man. Aren't you embarrassed to call yourself his granddaugh
Lily was eager in her movements. Their lips were just about to touch when Lucian stopped her.She didn't press on. Her pride would not allow her to continue to cling to him so shamelessly now that he had rejected her advances.The courage brought about by the alcohol only lasted for a moment. The haze in her eyes faded away as she regained clarity. She smiled deprecatingly and watched Lucian who was inches away from her face."I won't ever allow you to be with her."He pushed her off and left to the kitchen to fetch her a cold bottle of water. He tossed it to her. She shivered from the cold and instinctively tossed it away."Awake yet?"She said nothing in response."Go to sleep."…Calista had planned to sleep in on New Year's Day. But a call from Macy early that morning had woken her up."Can I help you, Macy?"Macy sounded frazzled."Madam Selena collapsed, Ma'am. Do you remember where you put away her medicine?Selena's medical reports stated that she had a heart condi
"If it's the first reason, I'll apologize to her myself. It's not up to you whether she chooses to see me or not. Mrs. Northwood's opinion is the only one that matters. If it's the second reason, I'll leave right now," Lily said as satisfaction bled from her eyes.Calista shot her an amused look."Hasn't the man behind you said anything to you? The relationship we share right now … We're more like siblings."Selena had mentioned already recognizing her as her godchild. Calista had rejected the notion. Becoming her ex-husband's sister sounded much too complicated.Lucian retracted his gaze and turned to Lily."Stay here," he said expressionlessly.Selena's door hadn't been closed.Before he could set foot inside, the woman spoke up, "Have Ms. Scott come see me."She had heard the commotion downstairs.He frowned."Mom …""Don't speak to me."Selena's chest started to hurt again in her agitation.She took a deep breath to calm down before continuing, "You brought her here, d
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,