This was a threat and warning. After Vivian said so, she patted her mouth in a pretentious manner."Oh dear, look at me. I shouldn't have mentioned that. Since you're already divorced from Lucian, then now we no longer have our eyes on the same man, isn't it? "Calista was stunned for a while when she heard his name spoken so intimately by another woman. She didn't respond immediately. Vivian was such a romantic, akin to an innocent girl crushing on someone."Speaking of this, I have quite a connection with Lucian too. I just found out that he studied at our school four years ago. And he was so popular in our school. It's a pity that I was on sick leave at home for a year. Aw, if I knew we'd met now, I would've gone after him that time so it wouldn't have been in vain for four years.""He had a girlfriend at that time. If you won his heart, time wouldn't have been wasted, but you'll be known as a swindler."Vivian clenched her fists tightly. What was wrong with her emotional i
When Vivian arrived at Northwood Corporation, she stepped out of the elevator. Just before she could sashay her way to Lucian's office, she was stopped by David."Ms. Jacquez, I'll bring you to the meeting room."She was unhappy with it."Does Mr. Northwood have any guests right now?"She had visited Northwood Corporation a couple of times. But except for the first time when she came with her dad, she didn't have the chance to enter his office.She was always escorted to the meeting room. The meeting room had transparent glass walls, leaving no room for privacy. It was an almost open space where everything could be seen clearly.It's going to be hard for her to create an intimate atmosphere between them. "No," David replied, "but Mr. Northwood usually meets with female clients in the meeting room. This has been our tradition, so I seek your kind understanding, Ms. Jacquez.""Since you said usually, that means there are exceptions too, right? If they can be exceptions, why ca
"No way."Calista refused right after he offered. She was so agitated that her voice unintentionally rose several decibels. Lucian pressed on his slightly sore ears and stood up straight."I'm asking you to move in with me so it's easier to protect you. Although the Jacquez family's influence isn't that strong in Capeton, it's a piece of cake for them if they want to do something to you." He continued with a straight face, "And it doesn't mean we have to sleep in the same room if we live together. Besides, even if we sleep in the same room, I can't even get hard. I can't do anything to you despite my urges. So there's no need to worry at all."He just said it bluntly like that regarding something that had to do with a man's ego. He didn't show a single trace of self-consciousness or embarrassment.Calista was unsure whether she should praise him for his bravery or how thick-skinned he was."I think my apartment is completely fine," she retorted."Do you think your apartment is
Calista started to doubt herself whether she was really at the age where she started to get desperate. Otherwise, how could her thoughts be corrupted in an instant? Worried that Lucian might sense her crooked thoughts, she lowered her head hastily."No need, I'm going to bed now."Lucian narrowed his eyes as he watched her going upstairs in a hurry. He tightened his lips as a longing desire surged within him. He didn't want to startle her.He went back to his room and took a shower. He took quite some time, as the bed in the bedroom still retained Calista's presence from the night before. He lay down and closed his eyes. Last night, he slept in this same position at the same time and he fell into deep sleep quickly. But today, he couldn't sleep well. The same scent that comforted him last night now tugged at his thoughts gently. Not only did he find it hard to fall asleep, but both his body and his mind felt increasingly restless. Half an hour later, Lucian lifted his blank
Lucian looked at her. His elegant aura was not a single bit diminished by the fact that he was wearing casual clothes."Do you need anything from him?""Yeah," Calista replied, "I'd like him to help my friend's brother with his lawsuit.""Is it Yara?"She didn't have a lot of friends, let alone friends that would make her go out this late."What's his case?""Self-defense, but the other party wants to charge him with intentional assault."Lucian raised his brows."He doesn't handle criminal cases."Timothy was known for economic lawsuits, especially for winning cases when all odds were against him. After this, a lot of wealthy people came to him for economic law cases.When this happened very often, everyone would just regard him as a lawyer who specializes in economic law cases.After becoming the head of the legal department at Northwood Corporation, he rarely dealt with other types of cases.Calista frowned. Things were getting complicated. It was hard for her to request
Calista didn't know Timothy well, so she wasn't sure whether he agreed to her request. She stared at Lucian, confused. Lucian tossed his phone to the coffee table."Sleep. He agreed."Finally, Calista felt a load off her mind. She smiled, relaxed. With her goal achieved, she didn't linger around for long. Immediately, she headed for the door. Lucian grabbed her."Why are you going?""Yara's still waiting for me at the apartment. She's not in a good mood, so I'm going to chat with her for a bit. I won't be coming over tonight.""Timothy will go.""They're not close. Even if they talked, they'd only be talking about the case. I'll wait for them to finish up."Something about Yara sounded quite off earlier on. Lucian smiled, and said indifferently, "Compared to your comfort, she'll be more glad to talk to Timothy about the case. And you just promised you'll sleep with me tonight. So are you not keeping your promise once you've achieved your goal?""I didn't say I'm not going t
Selena looked at Calista disapprovingly and said, "Tell me, how long has it been since you last visited me at home? Is it only when I'm unwell and hospitalized, then I get the chance to see you? ""Aunt Selena," replied Calista emotionally, as tears started to well up in her eyes after hearing her seemingly reprimanding yet caring words, "I've been very busy recently, I'm sorry.""Do you not even want to call me 'mom' now?""It's not like that. I've already divorced Lucian, and people may misunderstand if I call you mom again," said Calista, as she held Selena's hand. "It's just a matter of addressing. In my heart, you'll always be my mom.""Then let him call me 'aunt', and you can still call me 'mom'. Let that reckless boy know what he's been missing out on!" Selena cried.Suddenly, she snapped back from her joy of being able to meet with Calista and asked, "Who did you come with?"Since she wasn't addressing her as 'mom' again, could it be that she had found a new guy?Just as
It wasn't Calista. Someone behind her delivered the kick instead. He was wearing black suit pants and black leather shoes. Calista's heart raced. She turned around and saw a familiar, yet unfamiliar face. His face was familiar because he often appeared on television.But he looked unfamiliar because it was the first time she met him in real life. It was Diego. He smiled as he waved his hand in front of her."What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Calista shook her head as soon as she regained her senses."No, I'm just a bit taken aback. Since it's my first time meeting a celebrity in real life."Leopold, who was still howling in pain, was quickly dragged away. But before that, Calista trampled on his foot with her heel. They were in a public space after all, so his shriek of pain immediately attracted attention.As she trampled on him forcefully, she leaned in and said, "Leopold, make sure to watch your words next time."Diego smiled as he watched her."Ms. Everhart
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,