It was Thomas. Everything in her hands was knocked out, scattering all over the ground. Her phone hit the floor, switching automatically to speaker mode. Paul’s voice could be heard from the speaker, "There's a meeting this afternoon to discuss the design plan for the Drunken Moon Tower. If you can't make it, just join the video call." Thomas glanced at the design drafts scattered on the ground, drafts related to the CrossTime Project, and smirked sarcastically, "Miss Everhart, you seem to be quite busy." Class A conservators had separate offices from Class B conservators. Calista barely moved from her desk during worktime except for restroom breaks.If she hadn’t encountered Thomas today, she would have forgotten about this man who had given her a hard time on her very first day. "It's manageable. Not as busy as you."She had heard from colleagues that Thomas worked overtime almost daily, aiming to get promoted to Class A.Even though A and B were just one class apart, the
Anyone with a brain wouldn’t engage in this losing business. Calista thought about what Zachary mentioned yesterday regarding her mother's inheritance. And then to what happened today. She picked up the business card that had fallen onto her lap, curious about which company was so quick to provide a two million dollar loan without even checking the borrower's background, clearly setting a trap to take the inheritance away from her. It was obvious that they were in a hurry. "We're not concerned about Zachary's reputation but yours, Mrs. Northwood. Although you've divorced, your relationship remains. The Northwood family has such a massive fortune. Your ex-husband won't just watch you being chased down for debt and driven to your death." Calista responded coldly, "I don't have the money to help him repay, and I'm not obligated to do so. You can just go ahead and kill him." "If you don't have the money, then we'll have to call your ex-husband, mother-in-law, and any of their
Calista didn't respond. Although Lucian sounded harsh, it was not his obligation to save her. She couldn’t get mad at him now that he regretted it. That would only make her seem heartless. Calista held onto the cotton swab dipped in ointment, but Lucian had already withdrawn his hand. It was apparent that he didn’t want her to dress his wound. Lucian turned cold again. The silence in the room was tense.He pursed his lips and blurted, "Say something." Calista tossed the cotton swab into the trash can."Anyway, I still have to thank you." He leaned against the couch, looking at her insincere expression of gratitude, and his heart filled with displeasure."Others would at least treat a meal to express their thanks. You, on the other hand, can't even say thank you sincerely." Calista gritted her teeth and suppressed her temper."Then what would you like to eat? I'll make a reservation." Lucian glanced at her, his expression strangely arrogant."Do I look like I need foo
All along, David had remained respectful toward Calista. However, he snapped, "I am an assistant. I'm not responsible for personal matters. Besides, Mr. Northwood’s injury is not because of me. I still have work to do, so I'll leave first." He said and walked away, still driving Lucian's car. The car sped past them both, and Lucian looked at Calista blankly."You've driven my driver away." He raised his hand, and the injury on his hand looked even more horrifying than before.The piece of skin that had been forcibly torn open by pliers was now curled and drooping, surrounded by bruises.The coagulated scab had reopened at some point, oozing blood, dripping along his fingertips onto the concrete floor. Just looking at his wound was enough to imagine how severe the attack had been. This was after the bodyguard had kicked the assailant away. If Lucian hadn't arrived in time and grabbed her hand. She would have suffered a much worse injury. Calista's taxi arrived. She open
Lucian licked his lips, his raised hand resting on Calista's waist, though it was just a soft touch with a slight gap in between. The topmost button on his collar was tricky to undo. Calista was completely focused on helping him unbutton it, unaware of his actions.She didn't even notice their shadow on the ground nearly overlapping. As Calista's fingers moved downward, his shirt was mostly unbuttoned, exposing his chest to the cold morning air.Lucian swallowed hard, and though he tried to suppress it, his heavy breathing still betrayed his thoughts. Especially when Calista reached the button near his lower abdomen. Calista couldn’t help but notice his reaction as it grazed against her fingers. Even though there were two layers of pants between them, Calista still felt his burning warmth. Her face instantly turned beet red, as if she had touched something scalding.She suddenly withdrew, saying, "You do it yourself." The buttons were already undone, and there wasn't muc
Lucian’s right hand was injured, making it difficult for him to move. However, the dishes he ordered required a lot of work to eat. Even though Calista wasn’t looking, she could feel the excited looks from the people around her.She gritted her teeth and leaned in closer to Lucian, lowering her voice as she asked, "Do you have a problem?" Lucian raised his hand, presenting her with his bandaged hand."Isn't it obvious that I came to you because I have a problem?" There seemed to be an undertone to his words. The commotion attracted attention in the office, and Paul was also informed of his presence. Or rather, his secretary called him out. The two looked quite compatible as they stood together. Paul’s eyes darkened, and he walked over after a few seconds. "Mr. Northwood, we have a meeting in half an hour, and Calista may not be able to help you with your meal."He noticed the bandage on Lucian's hand. He knew him quite well since they used to be friends and suggested, "If
Tears streamed down Calista's cheeks as she blinked her eyes in the car. Just a moment ago, something had fallen into her eyes, and she had spent quite a while looking for it in the mirror but couldn't find it.Calista tried wiping it away with a tissue, but the sensation of having something in her eye didn't subside, even when the area around her eyes turned red. In the end, Lucian couldn't take it any longer and forcibly turned her face toward him. His warm breath brushed against her face as he leaned in, and she could see his sensual lips as soon as she opened her eyes. This scene might have appeared sweet and affectionate to others, but it was nothing but torture to Calista at the time.Her complexion wasn't great as she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night, so she put on a full face of makeup first thing in the morning.Calista had forgotten about it when she was rubbing her eyes just now. It hit her when she saw the eyeshadow and eyeliner on her hands. However,
Calista looked at Skye and Kay, who were having the time of their lives. Despite drinking heavily, neither of them seemed to be drunk. It would probably take a while for them to get drunk. "Alright," she said. Then, she gulped her drink down and informed them before leaving the private room with Emma. "Calista, I've got a stomachache. I'll use the restroom real quick; wait for me," Emma said as the two of them passed by the public restroom. "Okay." The public restroom was empty because each private room had its restroom. Feeling a little sick, she leaned against the wall. Calista wasn't sure if it was because she'd had too much to drink, but her head was spinning, and her surroundings were becoming increasingly hazy. She shook her head and wanted to go to the sink to splash cold water on her face to sober up, but her legs gave way after a few steps, and she fell to the ground.However, she didn't pass out. Calista just couldn't muster up any strength in her body a
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,