Lucian lowered his head and leaned toward her. Calista could feel his warm breath on her face, and she closed her eyes. His soft lips landed on her forehead. Then, it was quickly replaced by the cold. Lucian got up, tucked her in, and said, "Go sleep early." Calista didn't know what to say. The fire within her still burned wildly, and her defenses had slowly crumbled. But she couldn't act cold; otherwise, she would seem too desperate. She kicked the blankets aside and exited the bed, complaining, "Sleep my ass. You haven't even washed up and put your dirty body on the bed. You're disgusting." Without waiting for Lucian's response, she headed to the bathroom. Lucian had carried her all the way from the car, and she was still wearing her shoes, so she took them off and walked barefoot. When she came out of the shower, Lucian was no longer in the room, but her slippers were neatly placed at the bathroom door. It was still early, and she couldn't sleep. Her stomach felt uncomfo
At the same time, an anxious voice bellowed behind her, "Zayn, your son has been kidnapped. the kidnappers have demanded that you answer the phone, and there are only ten seconds left before they kill him. Please speak quickly." Calista's hand froze in mid-air as she reached for the receiver. She knew she couldn't get any helpful information from Zayn anymore, even though she had promised to protect them.This man would not reveal anything. With bloodshot eyes, Zayn rushed to the glass and stammered, "This is Zayn! I know. I will never make that mistake again! Please release my son, I beg you!" After saying that, he kept banging his head against the glass and repeated, "I beg you, I beg you." The prison guards on the side couldn't stop him in time. He hit it so hard his forehead was bleeding. Calista looked at the bloodstains streaking down the transparent glass and felt like she had entered a daze. She walked out of the visiting hall with cold hands and feet, and behind h
The air smelled of burning leather, and the seats near the window were already heavily damaged as they bubbled due to the corrosion. If Timothy hadn't slammed the brakes at that moment. The sulphuric acid would have hit Calista, and her face would be covered in acid. At this moment, Calista and Yara were leaning against the other side of the car door, with burns on their arms from the acid. As soon as Timothy shouted, Calista instinctively reached out to close the window, but halfway through, she realized it was too late.The car window was rising too slowly. However, the fraction of a second she delayed was enough for the perpetrators to respond, so when she tried to pull back, it was too late to avoid it. In the critical moment, Yara pulled her back, causing Yara's hand to be splashed with sulfuric acid. The car had already brushed past quickly, leaving only the wind behind and a harsh warning. "Stay in line. This is your lesson." Timothy stopped the car and quickly to
Lucian was in a meeting when Timothy called. His mind went blank instantly, and he was engulfed by silence. He slumped in his chair, feeling like all his strength had been drained. It was difficult for him to move even a muscle in his body. It took several seconds before he finally grasped hold of the situation. He stood up, his face was dark and silently walked out of the meeting room. Even later, the executives present still remembered how awful and gloomy Lucian looked at that moment. Calista seemed somewhat dazed, slow to react, but it wasn’t as if she was scared out of her wits. She looked at Lucian, yet it seemed she was looking past him.After a while, she slowly said, "I'm sorry." She was completely out of it as if trapped in a mental state where no one could reach her. The person before her seemed like a lifeless puppet. Lucian grabbed her hand with a strong grip. The pain brought Calista back to her senses. "Callie." She finally focused her gaze and looked at h
Afterward, Calista lay on the bed, utterly devoid of strength.The remnants of passion hadn't completely faded, and she gazed at the open box of condoms on the bedside table, asking, "Why do I have this in my room?" Lucian lifted her from the bed and took her to the bathroom to shower.His voice was filled with contentment as he replied, "For occasional needs." Calista's hand couldn't touch water, so she had no choice but to bathe. He placed her on the vanity and went to fill the bathtub with water. Feeling bored, she began playing with the drawer beneath the vanity. Since she wasn't taking anything, she had only opened it slightly.However, one time she pulled it too hard, and the drawer opened a few inches. She instinctively looked down. A conspicuous blue box inside caught Calista's eye, and she couldn't help but widen her eyes. "You even have needs in the bathroom?" The water in the bathtub was nearly ready. Lucian walked over, but instead of taking her to the bath, he
Calista looked at her and asked, "What would you do?" "I'll throw you a bait to hook you in, then divide the matter into three parts. The first part will be told today, the second part after you successfully send the child abroad and make that professor his attending physician, and the third part after I've settled down abroad," Yara said, her tone light but convincing."Human nature is so; not even family and friends can be fully trusted. Look at those who were deceived into going abroad and ended up becoming exploited. It was either due to their greed or the betrayal of acquaintances." "He is a murderer who killed your mom. What if you go back on your word after he revealed everything? He would just kill someone for money. It"s most likely he"s a horrible person. He wouldn"t bet you"re some kind of saint who will forgive everything?" Yara continued, "So it wouldn"t matter if that call came. You wouldn"t hear what you want anyway. Since that's the case, why blame yourself?"Ya
Calista was taken aback for a moment. Lucian had already pulled up the chair next to her and sat down, his arm resting on the back of her chair. It was a discreet stance in public, yet it showed a strong sense of possession. "Mr. Hugo, aren't the dozens of staff in the Jacques family enough for you? Do you have to interfere with the Northwood family?" Hugo sat back in his chair, his hand resting on the table, a calm expression on his elegant face. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Northwood and Calista are already divorced. How can you say I'm meddling in the Northwood family?" Lucian protested, "Me and ... " He wanted to say they were dating, but he stopped short, realizing that he hadn't officially become her boyfriend yet, and Calista had said they should keep it a secret. Disappointed, he turned cold. "Even if she's my ex-wife, I won't let her be deceived by certain people. And I am currently pursuing Callie ... " Calista quickly tugged at Lucian's trousers under the ta
Back at Everglade Manor, Calista was still thinking about Hugo's sudden suggestion for her to go abroad. Could it be that the Jacques family was undergoing some changes? No wonder they suddenly wanted to expand to Capeton.Lost in her thoughts about the Jacques family, she forgot about the injury on Lucian's body. But when she snapped back to reality, he was nowhere to be seen. He didn't even take advantage of his wound, which was unlike the sly man he was. Calista was just about to go upstairs to check when she received a call from Paul. "Calista, the company is hosting a dinner party for the CrossTime Project tonight. Are you available? The project team has been talking about missing you all day. They’d be thrilled if you come." She was a part-timer and only spent up to four hours at the company each day.Due to the tight schedule, she would dive straight into work as soon as she arrived, without even a moment for small talk. So, it was clear that they were just using her t
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,