The following day, Calista had just finished her lunch at Justa when Jacob approached her."Claude, want to grab a coffee? Someone's interested in meeting you." Jacob didn't provide details, but Calista had a hunch as they drove onto the familiar road. As she entered the private room, Calista was not surprised to see the man who often appeared on television and in various interviews."Mr. Beaumont," she greeted. It was none other than Augustus Beaumont, the Director of the country's most prestigious museum. Augustus looked at Calista and responded kindly, "You appear even younger and more beautiful in person than on television. I feel content seeing young talents like you in this field." Calista replied, "Mr. Beaumont, you're too kind. I still have much to learn from you. My grandfather told me I should grab any chance to see the artifacts you've restored. It's the only way to truly grasp the heights of this profession." Augustus chuckled and humbly responded, "Well, it's q
Calista hurriedly walked out of the cafe with her belongings. Lucian stopped her."Where are you going? I'll give you a ride." Calista cast a contemptuous glance at Lucian and then shifted her gaze to Lily."You're quite a piece of work. You haven't even settled things with her, and you already have a backup plan." Calista spotted Charlotte standing next to Lucian's car and eavesdropped on his conversation with Lily.She couldn't help but relate to her former self, much like the current Lily, yearning for Lucian's affection. Lucian furrowed his brows and retorted, "Charlotte's just helping her dad with a project proposal. She's not my new romantic interest. I'm not into her." Lucian's expression softened and continued, "If you care about her ..." Suddenly, Calista interrupted, "I don't care. There's nothing to do with me, and please don't add to my regrets about marrying you." Calista's response provoked Lucian, causing him to release his tightly clenched hand slowly.
Calista didn't reply to Paul's last message, and he didn't send another message to her either. He was waiting for her response. Paul rarely acted so stubbornly. He used to think he would wait until Calista was on board in the CrossTime project's design and then take things slowly.However, his recent strong intuition was pushing him, telling him that if he let things continue, he would miss out on her again. Finally, Calista responded, "We can have dinner another time." After sending her reply, Calista stared into the space in front of her for a moment before tidying up her things. On the other hand, Hector drove back home after leaving Justa. The call had come from Hazel, who informed him that their mother, Patricia Calloway, had somehow learned about his affection for a married woman.Patricia was now furious at home and had become emotionally unhinged. Hector advised Hazel over the phone, "Don't spread rumors in front of Mom. Wait until I get back, and we'll talk." Hec
Calista didn't stay put for long before the manager of the Luminary Lounge rushed out to meet her, his expression urgent. "Mrs. Northwood, please come with me quickly. Mr. Northwood is in critical condition." She was puzzled and instinctively asked, "Is he dying?" The manager was left speechless. It wasn't until she entered the private room that she understood the manager's urgency. Lucian was sprawled across a table littered with empty liquor bottles, and alcohol had spilled all over the table. He showed no sign of disgust despite the mess. His coat was tossed on the sofa, leaving him with just a shirt. The shirt's sleeves were carelessly rolled up to his elbows, and several buttons on the collar had come undone, exposing a large expanse of his chest. Lucian held a glass with a blank expression, his gaze dazed. The last vestiges of his sobriety kept him from succumbing to a drunken slumber. Calista rarely drank so she couldn't discern anything wrong with Lucian's conditi
Hector seemed reluctant to go to the hospital. He furrowed his brow when Calista suggested it. "It's just some scratches. A bit of ointment and a few days' rest should do the trick. No need for the hospital," Hector casually remarked. Charlotte and her friends were inside the elevator with Lucian as Calista reached the elevator. Charlotte let out a condescending snort before turning her head. Fresh from her divorce, Calista wasted no time getting cozy with another man. It was shameless, and Charlotte was convinced it was a deliberate move to make Lucian jealous. However, Calista was puzzled by Charlotte's attitude. Had Charlotte lost her mind after surviving that river jump last time? Calista and Hector stepped into the elevator. Calista pushed the button for the first floor. Charlotte had thought about reserving a room upstairs at the Luminary Lounge, but her father had cautioned her against it.He mentioned that men generally didn't appreciate women who came across as to
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, and neither Calista nor Hector could react in time. Lucian stared into Calista's eyes, his handsome eyes reflecting her stunned expression. Her elegant, long lashes brushed against his face, tickling him slightly, effortlessly arousing the deepest desires within him. Lucian tightened his grip, pulling Calista closer, and their lips met in a passionate dance. The once serene hospital room was now filled with an intense heat. The kiss was incredibly passionate, as if it could sweep a person's soul away. "Damn!"Hector forcefully grabbed Calista's arm, pulling her away from Lucian. Then, he grabbed Lucian by the collar and yanked him up from the bed with his other hand. "What the hell are you doing?"Hector seethed with anger. His piercing stare bore into Lucian for what felt like an eternity.Finally, he continued, "Did you stick out your tongue when you kissed her?" Lucian's upper body was suspended mid-air, showing no signs of
When Calista walked into the room with her breakfast, the atmosphere in the ward had already become tense.Lucian and Hector wore stern expressions as if they were on the verge of a fight at any moment. She had only been downstairs for half an hour, yet these two gentlemen had managed to start an argument. Her presence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, disrupting its surface tranquility and creating a massive wave. Lucian walked past her with a cold gaze, heading straight for the door while still wearing his clothes from yesterday.He appeared as though he had just crawled out of a dumpster, his clothes rumpled and creased, with the collar area being particularly messy.There was even a faint bruise on his neck, likely from the fight with Hector yesterday. Lucian remarked in a low and icy tone, "Calista, it seems you are close with him." A discussion of whether he was capable in bed had come up. What was next, a competition to see who had been better? Calista was
Cade attempted to reach Lucian by phone in the evening, but his calls went unanswered. Cade checked with David, who said Lucian hadn't been to the company.He quickly put the pieces together and concluded that Calista had likely rejected Lucian once more. Without hesitation, Cade drove to Everglade Manor. A servant greeted him and opened the door."Mr. Northwood is in the study on the second floor." He thanked the servant and made his way upstairs. The door to the study was unlocked, yet he knocked twice as a courtesy. Lucian's cold voice echoed, "I'm not eating. Go away." Cade ignored Lucian's orders and boldly entered the room. His unannounced intrusion only added to Lucian's already sour mood. Lucian wanted to get angry but restrained himself when he saw it was Cade."What brings you here?" he asked sternly. Cade replied, "I've come to deliver a gift." Lucian's eyes fell upon the cheap plastic bag Cade held, and he couldn't help but ask with a lack of enthusiasm, "What'