Yara marveled at how the closed-off soul had finally opened up. Lucian had changed his wicked ways and was now a romantic.The room filled with flowers and adorned with fairy lights was a scene right out of a wedding.Even an independent woman like her who had sworn off marriage couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing for romance. Then, out of the corner of her eye, the figure next to her collapsed."Calista …"She reached out to catch her. But, Calista had seemingly lost all strength in her body. The dead weight made her impossible to hold onto.With Yara being unable to hold her friend up, they both ended up on the ground. Not wanting the unconscious and unknowing Calista to fall on her head, Yara padded the landing with her elbows.A thud resounded through the air. Her elbows hit the hard floor tiles, sending a sharp pain through her arms. Yara let out a cry. Her entire arm felt numb.Lucian had taken the bodyguards at the Everglade Manor away. With neither Lucian nor Cali
Calista was greeted by blinding white lights when she awoke. The scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils. After a long sleep, she felt considerably better.The splitting headache she had before seemed to have subsided. It was still daytime when she looked out the window. The bright sunlight outside was almost blinding.Yara wasn't around. She got up from the bed and absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hands.When she raised her hand, she noticed both her hands were wrapped in bandages. Her hair felt smooth when her fingers brushed through her locks. It was devoid of the scent of the ocean.There were also no residues of salt particles. It smelled of shampoo. She seemed to have also been wiped down. There was no discomfort from having been soaking in seawater.Yara must've cleaned her up when she passed out. Calista went to the bathroom and picked up her phone by the bedside table. As she walked out, she dialed Yara's number.The door to the ward was forcefully yanked ope
"I know."With things having come to this, Calista knew it wouldn't make a difference even if she stood guard on the ship every day.She was just an ordinary person. She was neither exceptionally talented nor someone who knew how to dive. But, she wanted to be closer to being the first to receive news.Yara returned after she was done with Lily.Calista was currently in a physically weak state. She might not be able to withstand the pressure if she were to leave now. But, Yara didn't know what to say to convince her to stay.In the past, it wouldn't have posed a burden to persuade Calista. But, Yara could tell from a glance at the setup at the Everglade Manor that Lucian intended to propose.She tried to put herself in Calista's shoes. In that situation, knowing that her boyfriend's fate was still unknown and seeing the surprise he prepared for her.Wouldn't she also want to find a way to teleport to his side at the moment of the accident? Perhaps she would've been able to prote
With Henry falling ill, Calista was forced to hurry back to Capeton. She coincidentally ran into Paul at the doorway to the ward. The man had just visited Henry.He looked visibly fatigued from searching for Lucian. His gaze on her, however, remained gentle."Uncle Henry is asleep, Calista."Calista's arm fell to her side. She decided not to knock on the door."Oh. I'll come back in the afternoon then.""Uncle Henry barely slept in the past two days. He might be out cold for a while. You don't look too well either. Why don't I drive you home so you can get some rest.""I'm fine."Calista tucked her hair behind her ear."I'll rest in a hotel nearby. Traveling back and forth is a little too tiring."She walked toward the elevator while speaking. She didn't seem to notice that Paul wasn't following her.Paul called out to her, "Calista.""Hm?" She turned around to see Paul still standing in place."Lucian will be back. He has undergone a lot of training in the mountains and
Colette's birthday party took place at a farmhouse resort. It was a moderately scaled event that was neither extravagant nor shabby. To facilitate interactions, the event was organized in a banquet format.David briefed Calista about the situation and Jordan Lancaster's background. "Mr. Lancaster is a mysterious man. It's said that only a few people in high society have seen him. Most matters are handled by his assistant, Oliver Harris.""The Lancaster family? The one that used to seek loans worldwide to finance a project?"Calista, who had been catching up on business affairs in the last three months, had heard of them through finance news. The news portal was her only form of entertainment."Yes, Madam Calista. That's the one. I heard Mr. Lancaster isn't an easy person to get along with. If he says anything unpleasant, please keep yourself calm. You're pregnant after all. If anything happens to you, Mr. and Mrs. Northwood will kill me …"She was rendered speechless. She had cl
Jordan glanced at Oliver and took the handkerchief from him.David had been by Lucian's side for years. He knew of his employer's tics. Lucian liked cleanliness, but he wasn't so obsessed with it to the extent of being unable to tolerate someone's touch.David felt a lump form in his throat as he watched Jordan meticulously wipe down the hand that Calista had held. The man standing before them looked a lot like Lucian. But, his style and the way he held himself were completely different.Calista was at a loss for words. Her mind was in shambles. She didn't stop Jordan from leaving.He was the youngest son of the Lancaster family—the Northwood Corporation's competitor. She wasn't concerned about him disappearing once again. She had to go home to ask if Lucian had any brothers. The resemblance between the two was too striking to be a coincidence. Jordan walked to the door and glanced back at the hall for a long while. Oliver followed his gaze, which landed on Calista's belly.
The Lancaster Group's office building was a little out of the way. It was a place they rented.Their old stomping grounds back in the central business district had become unsustainable a year ago and had been sold off. There was now only one cafe downstairs.Calista looked up and immediately spotted Jordan sitting by the window. At least she wouldn't have to go searching for him. Oliver was also around."Ms. Everhart."She nodded and sat down across from Jordan. She casually set her shopping bags aside. Jordan glanced at his watch and then at the logo on the bag. It was a men's clothing brand."It seems you're not paying much attention to the competitive tender, Ms. Everhart. How do you still have time to go shopping?"He tapped his fingers against the surface."You're late."Calista had gotten here from the Northwood Corporation as quickly as she could."I apologize. I happened to be at the mall. It's just a casual thing, really …"Addressing him as "Mr. Lancaster" felt a li
David waited until Jordan left before making his way upstairs. Earlier, Calista had asked David to wait downstairs, so he spent the time in his car."Madam Calista, Mr. Lancaster didn't look too pleased when he left. Did you say something that upset him?" David asked.Calista appeared tired as she remained seated. The waiter had tidied up the once messy table."Why would he be upset? I came here to end the long-standing feud between the two families and even gave him a small gift as a goodwill gesture. He probably didn't expect it and must be thrilled."David remained silent, not convinced by Calista's explanation.Suddenly, he broke the silence and asked, "So, what's Mr. Lancaster's stance on the bidding?"Calista replied, "He's committed to seeing it through."David looked at her with a questioning gaze and continued, "Are you certain that Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Northwood aren't the same? Even though they had different vibes, styles, and ways of doing things, Mr. Lancaster seem