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
He was the one who asked for a kiss. She wouldn’t have kissed him if it weren’t to mess with Lily. Calista rolled her eyes and retorted, "Bastard. You’re such a phony.” Even Lily heard this insulting remark. She thought Lucian would be angry. She felt that everything Calista did was to push his buttons. However, Lucian remained calm.He merely reprimanded sternly, “You are part of the Northwood family. Don’t act so crudely.” Calista ignored his words. Due to her poor health, Selena went upstairs to rest after mingling around with the guests. However, despite her departure, the party didn't disperse.The people who came today were all here for the Northwood family, for Lucian held the power now. Calista didn't want to parade around with his hand in hers, so she sat on a couch in the lounge area with her wine glass. There were others on the couch as well.They all stood up to greet her when they saw her. “Mrs. Northwood, you look stunning tonight!” Calista nodded slightly,