Calista knew about the annual pool party held at the Oceanus Club. While it was marketed as a party, in reality, it served as a matchmaking event, with invitations extended to the sons of affluent families."So, I'm supposed to show up with an invitation and ask him to take a dip with me? He might get the wrong idea and think I'm some kind of creep with a thing for his body," Calista sighed.Yara remained determined and replied, "Why not? Just think about it. You might even score some eye candy. And hey, your main objective is to check out his scar, right?""Although it's a pool party, not everyone will be wearing swimwear. First, come up with a plausible excuse to lure him over, and when the opportunity strikes, give him a gentle nudge into the pool. That's your chance to peek at the scar on his butt. And if everything else fails, just go for it and touch it."Yara's elaborate plan dumbfounded Calista."Is that how you and Mr. Howard got together?"Yara, who hadn't rested well t
Calista was unaware of the fate of the invitation letter. On the day of the party, Yara came to pick her up."Here's the deal for the party. We're gonna have a two-minute blackout. During that time, just give Jordan a friendly push into the pool and discreetly touch his butt to see if there's a scar. If he's not Lucian, no worries – it's dark, and he won't notice who pushed him."Calista hesitated and replied, "His scar is flat and not tactile. You can only spot it."Yara shrugged."Oh, then forget it. Don't go into the water. Find a chance to get him into a room and remove his pants.""Is the party that wild?"Calista had never attended one and was starting to feel a bit apprehensive. Her original plan was simply to obtain a hair from Jordan, and she hadn't anticipated getting involved in the festivities."Some go wild, some don't. The guests are divided into two groups: those rocking swimwear to take a dip and those without who prefer to stay out of the water. You don't need t
The two stood face to face, and Calista noticed a faint cologne on Jordan, contrasting Lucian's natural sandalwood scent emanating from his incense-infused wardrobe. Lucian had never used a cologne.Calista looked up and found herself meeting Jordan's gaze, who was standing taller. As Calista studied Jordan closely, she couldn't help but gasp at how much Jordan looked like Lucian.The similarity was remarkable, aside from their differences in style or attitude. She reached out to brush aside the hair covering his forehead, but Jordan firmly held her hand before she could make contact."I'm Jordan, Ms. Everhart," he retorted in a deep, husky voice.Calista's affectionate gaze transformed into sadness as she heard his response. Her once radiant eyes now appeared clouded, imbuing her expression with a hint of loss and desolation."I get that I share a certain resemblance with the late Mr. Northwood, and it's understandable for you to confuse me for him, Ms. Everhart. But I'm not Luci
Worried that Calista might refuse, the male model added, "The organizers mentioned that the more connections you establish today, the greater the potential rewards. There's even a chance to win an overseas trip!"Despite their similar height, Jordan exuded an air of superiority with his presence alone.Jordan sneered, "I'd rather not. I stay informed with the news, and I'm well aware of the risks of human trafficking. If you're up for it and have extra lives to spare, go ahead."Calista was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, the male model sized up Jordan, examining him from head to toe. He then fixated on Jordan's midsection before hurling an insult at him."Ms. Everhart, I've got my reservations about this guy. He doesn't seem all that reliable, and I don't think he's hitting the gym anytime soon.""Chilling with him might not give you the best sense of security. If things get dicey and you find yourself in a tough spot, you might just end up being the one on the frontlines, playin
Timothy loosened his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. His long fingers slid sensually along his sexy Adam's apple, leaving Yara unable to resist a throat-clearing reaction.With a physique like his, it was clear that a physical interaction would be enjoyable. Yara couldn't resist the urge to reach out and touch Timothy.She started to ponder whether the size of his manhood correlated with his height.Suddenly, Yara realized her mind had wandered into inappropriate territory. Without hesitation, she gently tapped her forehead and snapped back into reality."Mr. Howard, you mentioned wanting to kill someone. I'm on board, but please don't seduce me. I'm worried I might end up doing something crazy," she pleaded.Yara's gaze lingered on Timothy's elegantly sculpted collarbone and felt somewhat flustered."I'm close to making a terrible mistake. Please stop trying to seduce me," she muttered.Timothy hesitated and started buttoning his shirt."I was just feeling warm, and your
Jordan sat with his eyes closed in Lancaster Group, one hand pressed against his forehead, his brow furrowed, clearly in discomfort.The office door swung open gently, and a man approached, his footsteps muffled by the carpet, creating a subtle rustling sound.Jordan heard the soft footsteps and stopped rubbing his forehead. He opened his eyes slowly and fixed his gaze on the door. His facial expression was stern yet welcoming."What brought you here?" Jordan asked."I heard about Oliver's accident, the fall down the stairs that left him with a broken leg. I was concerned that there might not be anyone to look after you, and you could end up pushing yourself too hard," Kyros spoke with a concerned tone.He noticed Jordan rubbing his forehead and asked, "Are you having another headache?"Kyros possessed a slim, attractive physique and exceptionally fair skin that gave the impression that he hadn't seen the sun in years.He exuded the energy of a young man in their twenties, and h
Even though Sebastian had mentioned inviting others, Calista and Paul hadn't come across anyone else after changing their sports attire and entering the golf course.Calista was now pregnant so she couldn't participate in strenuous physical activities. Nonetheless, she had donned her sports attire and joined them."Mr. Hauser, have you had a chance to review the contract I sent you a few days ago?" Calista inquired.Sebastian, holding a golf club, waved his hand at Calista."Ms. Everhart, let's take a break from work and enjoy some leisure time. I don't talk about business during the game."Sebastian looked at her and continued, "How about guessing whether I can get a hole-in-one?"Before Calista could respond, Paul interrupted, "I've heard you're an award-winning golfer, Mr. Hauser. Getting a hole-in-one should be a piece of cake for you."Sebastian smiled and nodded, knowing what was on Paul's mind. During the mid-game break, Sebastian wiped off his sweat and drank water befor
Sebastian, who had some age to him, had just finished playing golf with Paul and was feeling the strain of the game.As he rested his aching arms and watched Jordan play, he couldn't help but be impressed by his skills.Sebastian initially thought Jordan's earlier impressive shot was just a fluke, but he soon realized he was wrong."Mr. Lancaster, your golf skills are remarkable. I've only seen such shots from professional players," Sebastian complimented.Jordan interrupted, "Oh, come on, Mr. Hauser. It's not that my golf skills are exceptional. It's just that your technique needs more practice."Sebastian was left speechless, feeling the sting of Jordan's retort. He couldn't believe that Jordan's emotional intelligence was so lacking.Jordan was known for his sharp tongue, but his lack of emotional intelligence was unexpected.Sebastian understood why women often found such behavior from such men irritating. If it weren't for the business aspect, Sebastian would have considere
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam Cameron…" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's company…Given the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptions—she was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
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