There was no need to rehash what they already knew. So, Calista shook her head."Work-related matters. Let's go."She stroked her belly. She was just about to say she was hungry but stopped herself before the words left her.She instead said, "We haven't had dinner yet."To someone like Lucian, whose mind was filled with perverse thoughts, the phrase "I'm hungry" held a suggestive meaning.Elizabeth had been acting so secretively that she had taken Calista aside just to speak with her. It had nothing to do with work.But Calista didn't seem keen to share. Despite Lucian's displeasure, he didn't press for answers. He was still a boyfriend on a trial run. He had no right to meddle in her affairs."Let's go. What do you feel like eating?" He couldn't care less about the food. He was focused solely on Calista's hand that hung limp by her side. He couldn't help but want to hold her hand.He recalled how quickly she withdrew her hand back into the ward. However, she had already w
It wouldn't have bothered Calista as much if she had ignored it. But she realized she hadn't found any leads despite her long investigation.Julia had seemingly vanished into thin air after their hurried encounter back in Apthon. Even the private detective she hired at a high price couldn't trace her whereabouts.Calista ran her fingers through her hair in frustration."Have you asked Zachary about this?" Yara asked."I have. But, he played the ignorant fool.""You had no evidence then. But with your mother's diary, there would be no denying his involvement. If he has a guilty conscience, there will be cracks in his facade."Calista rested her chin in her hand and said weakly, "Zachary is in detention and is awaiting trial. No one but his lawyer is allowed to meet him.""Go to Lucian then. You say no one is allowed to meet him. But, wasn't Lucian allowed in? He also beat Zachary up, didn't he?" The important thing was that Lucian was not subjected to the same rules."All you'
Nikolette shot them a scornful stare."You're the ones who are up to something. You and Calista are the same. You skank…"Yara promptly stuffed the towel she had used to wipe her hands into Nikolette's mouth.She had been wiping her hands before she came outside. With how much of a hurry she had been in, she had accidentally brought it out with her.Moments ago, she had been wondering where she could toss the towel. Now, she found it quite handy to have.She stared at Calista who was kneeling on the ground as if she were searching for something."What are you doing? What's got you keeping your eyes peeled for the bathroom's entrance?""I'm looking for hair," Calista answered.Calista had a sudden epiphany. But she wasn't entirely sure if her guess was correct.Vivian had gone to the Everglade Manor at an earlier time to manipulate her and Hugo into undergoing a paternity test.Based on her reaction, she was genuinely hoping that she was a child of the Jacquez family.Given h
David noticed the stormy expression on Lucian's face the moment he stepped out of the police station. It felt like trouble was brewing.Indeed, when Lucian scanned the area but found no sign of Calista, his expression darkened further."Where is Calista?""Madam Calista received a phone call and …" David pointed in the direction that she had left in. "She took a taxi and left.""Why didn't you stop her?" Lucian asked through gritted teeth."I did. But, I failed." David tried to explain himself. "I was going to follow her but Madam Calista said that if I did, she was going to turn you against me. She even threatened to send me away to perform manual labor.""Who called her?" Lucian asked but didn't expect David to know the answer.The assistant looked constipated. He furrowed his brows. Though he didn't speak, his entire being screamed that he had something to say. But, he didn't dare to say it. Lucian frowned."Was your mouth glued shut? Speak."David straightened himself and
Calista had just gotten to the door when Liam entered. He greeted her with a slight tilt of his head before quickly approaching Hugo. "I've looked into it, Mr. Jacquez. Nikolette recently consulted a lawyer. She was looking into whether or not the money spent on a child could be reclaimed after they're proven to not be biologically part of the family. She admitted that the reason she pulled Ms. Calista's hair was because Zachary instructed her to do so. Zachary didn't want to go to jail. He didn't want loan sharks to come after him once he was released either. So, he thought of forcing Ms. Calista to help him this way."This was getting awkward. However, Calista was quick to admit her mistakes. She turned around and offered a forced yet apologetic smile."I'm sorry. It seems I've misunderstood you and Vivian. It's getting late. I'll prepare a gift some other time as an apology.""This is just a small misunderstanding. There's no need to worry about it. As long as the matter has be
Calista answered the phone quickly, which slightly eased the anger in Lucian's heart. "I've made dinner reservations. Let's have dinner together tonight. Where are you? I'll come pick you up." If David had heard this, he would have rolled his eyes. Lucian was the one who insisted he wouldn't soften his heart. He thought his boss had finally toughened up, but that was not true. Lucian's gentle tone was devoid of all the confidence he had when speaking to David before. "Sure, just send me the restaurant address, and I'll take a taxi there later," Calista replied joyfully. Lucian relaxed, and a smile played on his lips. He knew that, between him and the older man, Calista preferred him more. It was probably because of his lack of dating experience that an experienced older man had a chance. Calista had no idea about the turmoil in his heart right now. She was sitting in front of the prison, sketching. With a few strokes, a woman's face came to life on paper. "I want to see
Calista said, "You only have one chance to speak, so make it good. I've also uncovered a lot over these years. Don't you dare lie to me? Think about what Nikolette did today. I might have to get a doctor to look at the injuries. Then, you might get a reunion with your daughter." She even showed him a picture taken by onlookers in the restaurant, capturing when Nikolette pulled her hair.In the photo, Calista appeared weak, pitiful, and helpless. It was apparent she was being intimidated. Zachary was speechless. Zachary thought Nikolette was foolish to hand her the evidence on a silver platter, but he also felt she should have been harder on Calista, looking at her arrogant demeanor. "Someone approached me back then, asking for your mother's help restoring a painting. I thought it was nothing, so I agreed." He skipped over the details, not mentioning he'd been tricked or accepted a large sum of money from the client.Nor did he mention how he had begged and pressured Joan aft
"When did I … "Calista had already forgotten about such a minor incident.She suddenly recalled and explained, "That was when I was helping a director find an actor for his new drama. I immediately blocked him after I gave the director his contact." Lucian's eyes lit up, but he calmed down and responded dully."Hmm." Her following sentence caught Lucian off guard, "You were on a blind date with Ms. Turner back then." Lucian looked puzzled, "Ms. Turner? Who's that?" Calista rolled her eyes at him."You've gone on a date with her and can't even remember her name. She even got her father's business involved because of you." Upon hearing this, Lucian remembered the incident.He furrowed his brows and asked, "The one who accidentally burned your hand with boiling water?" His tone was still filled with anger even though it had been a long time, and he had forgotten what she looked like. ... David had reserved a private room. As they entered, they were greeted by the