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
The rooms in the manor were for guests to stay over. They were not as soundproofed as hotels. The sudden scream startled the guests downstairs. The tightly closed room door was abruptly pulled open, and a disheveled man with hickeys covering his neck rushed out. The buttons on his shirt were undone, and his collar was wide open, leaving his chest completely exposed. The man stood barefoot on the carpet, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Security, where is the security? Where the hell are they? Get up here quickly, you bunch of losers!" Reporters who were lurking nearby heard the commotion and rushed out from various corners, pointing their cameras at him and snapping photos. He was blinded by the flashlights. Fearing the humiliation, he quickly raised his hands to cover his face. "Why are you taking pictures? Damn it! I’ll sue you for infringement of the right to my photos!” "Diego, we heard that you brought your girlfriend to meet your parents today. Are you getting m
Why were Uncle Hugo and his men here? Wasn't he supposed to be overseas dealing with other business? He had left Capeton under her father's hands in the meantime. Before she could come up with a reasonable explanation, Liam had already walked up to her and greeted, "Miss Vivian." He glanced at Calista, pursed his lips, and said nothing. Calista raised an eyebrow. She was about to speak, but Liam's gaze shifted away, and he walked toward room 1208. Security had already removed the reporters, bringing the guests to the first floor. Only Calista, Vivian, and Leopold were left in the entire corridor. Liam entered the room, and a few seconds later, a disheveled Diego came out with a dejected look.Seeing Leopold standing at the door with bright kiss marks on his body, Diego couldn't hold back and threw up. It had been dark and chaotic just now. Then, he had been trapped in the room by reporters. Amid his emotional turmoil, he hadn't had the time to think about his kiss with a ma
Calista walked up behind Lucian and happened to see Mr. Hugo emerging from the hidden passage. He was tall and dressed in comfortable and casual attire. He had narrow, sharp eyes, characteristic of someone in a position of authority, yet they also held kindness and compassion. There was no one accompanying him. "Mr. Hugo." After exchanging greetings with Lucian, Mr. Hugo turned his gaze to Calista, nodding slightly. "Miss Calista, the incident this time resulted from our negligence. As a token of my apology, you’re welcome to make any requests." This meant that they wanted to downplay the matter and resolve it smoothly. Calista's gaze fell on Mr. Hugo's wrist."Can you answer a question?" Mr. Hugo replied, "Go ahead." Calista took a rosewood bead from her bag as the group entered the room. The bead had not been polished since she obtained it, and its color had faded. "Were you the one that saved me from the car in Apthon?" She remembered his voice. Mr. Hugo star
The couple walked a few steps away. Lucian didn't want to do it, but he couldn't say no to Calista."What exactly is your relationship with Uncle Hugo, Calista?"Vivian's eyes were filled with jealousy as she looked at Calista."What are you implying, Ms. Jacquez?" Calista asked."My uncle has always been very fond of Diego. He has never laid his hands on him before. However, he not only beat him up for you today, but he also gave you his personal contact information. There must be something shady going on between you two.""Vivian, have you ever considered that your brother was beaten because he deserved it? I'm curious, how did you persuade that scumbag not to rat you out?"Even though he was beaten up to a pulp, he didn't mention a single word about Vivian."I would've never imagined that these siblings were close," she mused.Vivian paled."How'd you know?""Why do you think I switched rooms with Leopold?"Calista took the opportunity to switch the room card in his pocke
Lucian was startled and almost lost his grip on Calista. Her face was just right below his abdomen when he came to his senses and drew her back into his embrace.He tensed up, and his voice was hoarse as he said, "Calista, do you know what you're saying?"He assumed she was just drunk at first.After all, he was always the one who took care of her whenever she got drunk after they married. He knew better than anyone how awful she behaved when she was drunk.Lucian hadn't taken her seriously at first, but the woman in his arms, who was now so drunk she couldn't even sit up straight, nodded emphatically and said, "Yes."Not only that, but she also rubbed against it. Calista raised her hand to press on it probably because she was uncomfortable. He gritted his teeth as he held her hand."Weren't you attempting to set clear boundaries with me? Why do you want to be with me again?"In her drunken state, she still corrected him."I'm not helping you because I want to be with you. I'm
The excruciating pain she felt instantly disappeared after Lucian said that. Calista sobered up a little; she abruptly sat up from the couch and looked down at herself.Although most of the clothes had been taken off, her pants were still on. Lucian was still dressed when she looked at him."What have you been doing for the past half an hour?"Calista had mustered the courage to repay the favor she owed him. Besides, Lucian had ED, and she had some issues too. Both of them couldn't spend their lives alone just because of this.Lucian might not be a good husband, but he was a good sex partner. In terms of physique and appearance, he was her type. So, it was a win-win situation.Calista was afraid that she would chicken out at the last moment, so she drank a bottle of wine to give herself some liquid courage when she got home. She psyched herself up all for nothing."Kissing you," Lucian stated flatly.Calista was both annoyed and embarrassed as she touched her burning cheeks."S
Lucian quirked a sly smile and spoke mischievously, "So, you're planning to sneak away after what went down yesterday?"Calista furrowed her brow and retorted, "We had a deal last night ..."Lucian lowered the blanket, unveiling a web of scratches ranging from shallow to deep. They spanned across his entire upper body, including his neck and shoulders.Some of these marks still bore traces of oozing blood."We had a deal, but you almost tore my skin off. Is it too much to ask for a bonus?"Lucian gestured to the wounds on his body and quipped. Calista was left speechless."There are even more on my back. Wanna check them out?" Lucian continued.Just as Lucian was about to roll over, Calista swiftly intervened to prevent him from doing so."Don't. All right. How much money do you want?" Calista asked."Do I look like I'm short on cash?" Lucian chuckled."Money's the only thing on the table. Don't even go there with anything else ..."Suddenly, Calista became self-aware and fe
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam Cameron…" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's company…Given the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptions—she was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
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