Alcohol dripped down Lucian's face, an unusual sight given his usual grace. It was unexpected to see him in such a state. His lips formed a tight line, and his fury was palpable. Calista was not intimidated by him at all. She simply cast a glance at him and left without another word. Cade couldn't help but express his exasperation. Only Calista would dare to splash alcohol on Lucian."I pray that Ms. Everhart can outrun Lucian," Cade mumbled under his breath.Lucian caught sight of Cade, dry despite being near Calista during the incident. He retorted coldly, "I hope you lose your voice."Cade immediately fell silent. Lucian ignored him and headed straight toward Calista.Lucian was tall with extremely long legs. He moved to catch up with Calista at a leisurely pace. People instinctively lowered their heads in submission as he passed.Calista waited by the elevator. She wasn't sure if it was bad luck or her imagination, but the elevator seemed slower than usual.As she debat
Calista's head snapped up. Her reaction was subtle but noticeable to Lucian who still had his arm around her waist. Paul's voice had made her tense up. Paul was standing some distance from the car. He was staring at her through the half-opened car window.He was dressed in a casual shirt and slacks. Even in the shadows, his good looks were evident.Calista's mind went blank for a second. She instinctively called out, "Paul … "The arm on her waist tightened again. She nearly yelped in pain. However, Paul was there. So, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure the pain. She wasn't sure if Paul had seen Lucian in the car with her. After all, the lighting in the car park was dim. It was unlikely he had seen Lucian from his distance and angle.Paul smiled and walked toward her. "I had a feeling I recognized someone here, but I didn't expect it to be you!"Her body tensed further as Paul neared, the hand on Lucian's chest clenching into a fist."Don't come any closer," s
"Go away!" Calista warned weakly. "If you keep pestering me, I'll post our marriage certificate online. I'll let the world know that Lily is a homewrecker!"Lucian coldly laughed at her weak threat. "Aren't you the one asking for a divorce?""I'll say that I'm asking for one because you cheated on me with her."Lucian's expression remained unchanged. He replied, "In that case, you can forget about ever getting divorced from me."Her threat had backfired. Lucian was now threatening her instead. Calista hated how Lucian always found a way to counter everything she said. Ever since they got together, she hadn't lived comfortably at all!Lucian caressed her finger. After a while of studying, he declared, "It's not broken.""I bet you wish that it was," Calista grumbled."Of course not. However, if you really take the three million dollars from Paul, not only would I wish for your finger to break, I would break it myself.""You madman!" Calista exclaimed.She pushed him away again.
The birthday dinner happened to fall on a weekend. Calista got up early to finish Lily's painting. She merely rested for two days before accepting another task. She had no choice. She would never be able to pay off the three million if she didn't work her fingers to the bone. The Northwood family always kept their birthday banquets low-profile. They only invited the relatives of the Jenkin and Northwood families. In previous years, Calista would always arrive at the Stansend Manor early in the morning to attend to the guests. But she decided against it this year since she and Lucian would get a divorce. She wanted to distance herself from her life as Mrs Northwood. It was also to give Selena some time to accept the situation. After all, she couldn't spend her whole life putting up an act with Lucian. Selena would eventually find out. Calista looked at the time and buried herself in work. She was tasked with restoring a Georgian vase this time. The damage was not severe. De
Lily's eyes widened in shock when she saw Calista and Lucian enter the living room together. She thought Calisa might come tonight. After all, it was Selena's birthday. She'd assumed Lucian would not want to reveal their relationship, so he might stop Calista from coming. However, she didn't expect Calista to come holding Lucian's arms. It was as if she was declaring their intimate relationship. Everyone's gaze shifted between Calista and Lily. Before Calista's arrival, everyone had learned of Lily's attendance. They were certain that Lily and Lucian's relationship was at the point of marriage. But now, a different woman was by Lucian's side. Lily could feel the crowd's intense gaze on her, and her face flushed red. Just moments ago, these people were showering her with compliments. It was obvious they thought she was the future Mrs. Northwood. At this moment, someone approached to offer a toast to Lucian. He glanced at Calista and asked curiously, "Who is this, Mr. Northwood?"
Lily stood in the distance, embarrassed as she watched their harmonious interaction. She looked up at Lucian. She noticed his gaze was fixed on Calista. Bitterness gnawed at her as he watched them. But she quickly suppressed her emotions. She smiled as she interrupted them, trying to catch Selena's attention. "Happy Birthday! This is a small token of my regards. I hope you like it." Selena glanced at Lily and nodded. "Thank you. You're very thoughtful." After receiving the gift, Selena placed it on the nearby table. She had no intention of opening it. "The dining area is over there. Help yourself. Don't be shy."That was her telling Lily to move aside and stop being a nuisance.Lily could detect the underlying tone. Yet, she acted like she hadn't noticed. She worked hard to prepare the gift and couldn't let it be dismissed. If Selena didn't open it now, its fate after the event would be uncertain."How about you open it now? I'm unfamiliar with this stuff. If there's an is
Lucian frowned, "Choose the right occasion to make a scene. Today's dinner isn't suitable for your antics. Both my mother and the Northwood family can't afford to be embarrassed."Calista chuckled in exasperation. "Are you concerned about Mom and the Northwood family, or are you worried about Lily? If I leave, everyone will say I'm guilty. By tomorrow, everyone will know that I ..." She paused momentarily before continuing, "Claude's skills aren't up to par. They'd say that her works are flawed and she's a fraud!"For some reason, she didn't want Lucian to know she was Claude. And he didn't need to know either."So, what do you want? You want to fix that painting? Do you think you, a janitor, learned the skills just by watching for a few days?" Lucian was unfamiliar with the conservator industry. He hadn't heard of Claude. He'd assumed she was just another employee of Justa Workshop.To him, Calista was a janitor at the antique restoration studio. This was reported to him after
Lily frowned."Calista, about this matter … " At this moment, her phone rang, undoubtedly saving her from the situation. She took a couple of steps away and answered the call. Soon, she briskly returned."Calista, I'm sorry. I was wrong about today's matter. The problem with the painting occurred while it was in my hands." Calista was perplexed about why Lily suddenly changed her stance after taking a call.Lily turned on the speakerphone on her phone and said, "Repeat what you just told me." Queenie’s voice came through the phone, "Lily, I'm sorry. I spilled some water on the painting and wiped it off quickly. I was about to tell you about it but got busy and forgot. Is that painting important?" Hearing this, Calista raised an eyebrow."That's quite a coincidence. Miss Scott and I were discussing this matter, and your call came in." Her words implied something else, and anyone could pick up on it. "Miss Everhart, this is my mistake. If you want to blame anyone, blame m
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,