Calista shook her head, "I'm not sure." "Didn't you get him drunk last night?" Yara complained to her last night about Timothy’s sloppy proposal. They barely spent time together, yet he wanted to get a marriage license. At that time, she was dining with Jordan and didn't respond. "I did get him drunk. He's covered in injuries, all recent ones." Yara snorted disapprovingly. "You suspect that the Lancaster family has been abusing him?" If it was just to prevent Calista from recognizing him, why not remove a scar? There was no need to inflict him with full of scars. Now, he was known as the youngest son of the Lancaster family. Even though the Lancaster family has been down on their luck recently, they surely could afford the removal of a scar. Timothy said, "I know the Lancaster family. They do not beat someone up and leave them wounded." On the contrary, they are quite upright. He had finished his chess game at some point and was now walking over to them. Calista ask
After finishing their meal, Timothy left first to avoid being involved in another argument. Yara greeted her parents and quickly dragged Calista away. "Thank goodness you were here today, or my mom would have nagged me to death." Calista answered, "I think your aunt seems quite satisfied with Mr. Howard." "She's always like this, all smiles even when looking at a pig. She's always worried that I won't find a husband." "Are you not interested in Timothy?" Timothy was wealthy, handsome, and successful in his career. He wasn't involved in any scandals either. Apart from his sharp tongue, he was very patient with Yara. He was the perfect husband. Yara was about to light a cigarette and drive away when she suddenly turned serious, putting away her playful demeanor. "It's not that I don't like him. I'm a practical person. I don't want to invest my energy in someone who doesn't like me." "He came today not to meet the parents but because his aunt..." Yara added, worried that C
Jordan and Christine exited the private room and bumped into Hugo. Jordan almost blurted out, 'Dad,' but fortunately, his rationality prevailed. He held it back and politely nodded towards Hugo, his expression unchanged."Mr. Hugo." Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Do you know me?" "Of course! Who doesn’t? You’re the head of the Jacquez family in Apthon family." "Not only do you look like him, you’re a sweet-talker like him too." Jordan was speechless. Hugo should’ve done it behind his back if he wanted to insult him. Seeing that the two men had something to discuss, Christine excused herself and left. Hugo looked apologetic and said, "Mr. Lancaster, I'm sorry for intruding like this and interrupting your meal. I have an unpleasant request, and I was hoping you could help." Jordan stepped aside, gesturing with his hand towards the private room. "Let's sit down and talk inside. Mr. Hugo, you're being too polite. I’ll try to help in any way I can to your requests." After thi
Simon couldn’t figure out why he asked such a bizarre question. He was shocked out of his wits. He had been staring at the man but thought he carried himself elegantly.He wasn’t thinking about anything else. However, this was not the point. He didn’t understand Jordan’s purpose for asking him the question. "Mr. Lancaster ... " Jordan knew his mind was running wild by the looks of his hesitant appearance. He rolled his eyes impatiently and asked, "I'm asking you, if you were a woman, would you prefer his or my type?" He noticed Simon seemed to be just as clueless as that idiot David. They both could never read the room. Meanwhile, at Northwood Corporations, David, who was busy preparing documents for the auction, couldn't help but sneeze loudly, drawing the attention of the people in the office. David had always maintained a serious work ethic when working under Lucian. He wouldn't even fart, let alone sneeze loudly. On the other hand, Simon listened to the follow-up que
The man who appeared at the entrance of the meeting room was dressed in a light-colored suit, tall and well-built, exuding an unmistakable air of elegance. His face, resembling Lucian's, was concealed by a mask, and his slightly long bangs covered his forehead, leaving only his eyes visible. Furthermore, he appeared alongside the representative of the client’s company, seemingly engaged in a pleasant conversation. Calista breathed a sigh of relief seeing him wear a face mask, fearing Henry couldn't handle the shock. Jordan and Lucian didn't share the same aura, possibly due to their clothing and attire. So, it was challenging to connect the two as one without seeing their faces or having any direct interaction. However, Henry had heard in advance that he bore a striking resemblance to Lucian, so he couldn't help but steal a few glances. He asked Calista, "Is this the young gentleman from the Lancaster family who returned from the countryside last year? Is he really that sim
There were several thuds as the man fell down the stairs. Calista stood next to someone from the Northwood Corporation, who was also taken down a few steps when the accident happened, but fortunately, someone nearby managed to catch him in time. At the moment of the incident, Henry happened to be on the other side, speaking with his assistant, and thus he narrowly escaped the mishap. After the person tumbled down, there was a moment of silence. Someone turned on the flashlight on their phone and shone it downward, revealing a puddle of blood on the ground. Calista's back was still pressed against the metal railing of the stairs. She began to break out in cold sweat as she watched what happened. Her clothes clung to her, making her shiver. If someone hadn't held onto her just moments ago, she would be the one lying on the ground. Calista was overwhelmed by shock and couldn’t return to her senses. She tried to turn her head to look up at the person who held onto her. But as
After they got in the car, Calista was about to lower her head to look at her ankle when Jordan bent down and grabbed her calf. She was enveloped by a strange scent. His long fingers pressed lightly around her swollen ankle, and Calista winced in pain, instinctively trying to pull her foot back. Jordan held her tight, lifted his head, and his gaze fell on Calista's tightly furrowed brow due to the pain.There seemed to be some intense emotion in his eyes, but when he looked at her, he returned to his usual self."Don't move." His hoarse voice was low and gentle. Jordan took off her shoes and gently rotated her foot. "Does it hurt?" Calista assessed it carefully. "It's not too bad." "No bone damage, but soft tissue bruising. You'll need to rest for at least a month." Jordan thought about how she had been hopping around just moments ago, and he welled up in anger. He couldn't control his temper for a moment and yelled, "You can't walk for at least a month." Calista
Calista was so embarrassed that she couldn't look Paul in the face. She glanced past his shoulder and glared at Jordan.She wasn't Paul's responsibility. Why should he be first in line to save her? To think Jordan had the nerve to accuse Paul of being too slow to act.He wasn't a bodyguard she hired to keep an eye on her all the time to make sure she never got hurt."How do you know Paul never arrived on time whenever I got hurt? This is the first time I've been injured since we met, Mr. Lancaster," Calista said.She wanted to see how Jordan was going to explain this."My enemies are the Northwoods. What's wrong with me getting to know my competition? I know how many times Ms. Everhart has been hurt and in what circumstances. I even know when your housemaid arrives for work and when she gets off." Jordan seemed proud."At least I don't sit back and watch the person I love being pushed around," Paul said.Jordan fell silent. The phrase sounded oddly familiar. He gave it some th
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,