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'
Calista was about to wash the peeled potatoes. But she didn't expect there to be oil on the ground. The anti-slip effect of her slippers wasn't working fine as well, so she fell. As she fell, she accidentally brushed against the plates on the counter. All of them fell to the ground.Paul rushed forward to hold her up. But he squatted for too long. Not only he didn't manage to get Calista up, but he fell as well. But he managed to let Calista fall on him instead of the ground. Although Calista didn't fall directly on the ground, Paul's well-trained and sturdy body wasn't anything better than falling straight on the ground. She felt dizzy. She wasn't able to process what happened. Calista wasn't aware that her face was against Paul's crotch. Little did she know there were already people closing into them at the kitchen entrance. She frowned and shook her head slightly to get rid of the dizziness.But because it was just a very minimal movement, it didn't seem like she was shak
For sure Paul wouldn't let Lucian apply medicine to him. They're like enemies. If he were to let Lucian do so, he'd probably end up in the hospital after this. But Lucian wouldn't let Calista apply the medicine to Paul either. Lucian and Paul sat there with composure as if none of them were affected by the tension in the air. Calista pretended to not see the tense situation between Lucian and Paul. She helped Agnes to keep the cutlery out of the way after they had finished eating. Calista bid goodbye to Agnes."Mrs. Baker, I'll get going now. I still have to work in the afternoon." She was busy with the restoration of the artifacts recently as she had to finish all her work before she could work at the museum."Do you still have to work on weekends? This industry you're working in is so tiring."Calista didn't explain herself. Lucian got up."I'll send you off."He was only here because of Calista. Now that she had to leave, he no longer had a reason to stay behind. Paul g
Before Calista could respond, that person yelled frantically, "Are you blind? Do you know how hard it is for me to order this dress? I bet you can't even pay for the dress if it got dirty." She sounded like Charlotte. Calista lifted her head. It was Charlotte indeed. She was wearing a sexy, black fishtail gown. But her hips weren't plump enough to accentuate the gown. So Charlotte ended up looking like—what's that word that's been trending on social media—drip. Yes, it seemed like she had no drip at all. She looked at Calista in disdain. Her arms were crossed. She posed patronizingly although she was shorter than Calista."Ah, who do we have here? It appears to be Lucian's ex-wife. How did you get in here? It wouldn't be possible for a peasant like you to enter. Did you hook up with some rich man?" Calista was merely here for Augustus' sake. She didn't want to argue with an idiot like Charlotte.So Calista snapped back at her, "Lucian doesn't like women who talk too much. He
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,