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
After Paul left with Calista in his arms, Jordan and Kyros also left the outpatient clinic. The cowering Simon trailed after them.Kyros was throwing Jordan wronged looks. From his perspective, all he could make out were the man's cold and stern profile along with his prominent nose bridge."What's wrong, Jordan? Are you upset because of what happened with Ms. Everhart? Are you …?"He pursed his lips. A cold glint flashed in his eyes while Jordan wasn't paying attention. But, his innocent mask quickly slipped back into place."Are you jealous of Mr. Baker?"Jordan stopped in his tracks and turned to scrutinize Kyros."Are you in love with Calista Everhart? Why do you keep prying into my relationship with her?"Kyros was rendered speechless. That was certainly not the case. He was about to explain when Jordan cut him off."I know you might be interested in older women because you lacked maternal affection as a child. But, listen to me. This isn't right. If you can't distinguish
It was common practice to chat someone up and hook up in bars. If she had approached anyone else, they would either refuse or agree to the offer.But, Kyros was a severe germaphobe. He disliked having others touch him.He glared at the enchanting woman in his arms. He wasn't charmed at all. All he felt was filth covering his entire body. His once cheerful mood was now replaced by utter misery. He suddenly stood up.The woman swiftly clung to his neck. There was a shy look on her face. "There's no need to be so rude, sir. I was …""You fucking whore. You're going behind my back and hooking up with other men?" A voice drowned out the deafening music in the bar. "And, with an immature brat like him? I'm going to show you who's a better man between the two of us!"Kyros turned to explain, but he was met with a punch to the face.The assailant was burly. It was obvious from a glance that he was a professional fighter. The punch landed solidly on Kyros' face and nearly knocked hi
Timothy wasn't alone. Sitting across from him was a man in his early twenties. He had brown hair. Over-ear headphones were hanging around his neck.He was dressed in a sweatshirt and a baseball jacket over top. His jeans completed the look. He was clothed like an energetic young man.It was Yara's unreliable younger brother who was always in the hole. With the way he bowed his head and wagged his tail at Timothy, he'd be the definition of a dumb dog if he stuck out his tongue.Yara rolled up her sleeves and approached the duo."Jamie, aren't you supposed to be at school? What are you doing here?"Jamie was in the middle of discussing his plans to transfer to the law department. After almost being sent to jail by that scumbag, he realized that violence wasn't going to be enough.He had to understand the law. He needed to know how to make the law his weapon to send his bullies behind bars. Otherwise, he'd end up in prison himself.He was deeply engrossed in the conversation when h
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