Calista's eyes were bulging out of her sockets."We don't live in the stone age anymore, Mr. Lancaster. Why are you carrying keys around when everyone uses fingerprint scanners?"She wasn't certain whether Jordan was lying to her or not. Was he just exceptionally good at keeping his composure while lying through his teeth?"I'm sorry. I come from the countryside. We have to travel through mountains for hours just to get to the village fair. I haven't had the chance to experience modern gadgets. I live a more conventional lifestyle."When the elevator reached the 35th floor, Jordan started, "Ms. Everhart, about tonight …"Calista took out her phone. "I have the locksmith's number here. I'll send it to you if you need it."Jordan fell silent. Seeing that the man didn't respond, she didn't insist further. She put her phone away before exiting the elevator. He scrambled after her."It takes time for the locksmith to arrive. It's freezing outside. Why not invite me to your home for
Calista was stunned for a second, unsure if it was her imagination or if Jordan's words were indeed questionable. After some thought, she replied, "No."The disappointment in Jordan's eyes was evident as he sighed, "Oh, I'm already inside. People will talk if I leave now. It's too cold in the corridor outside. Can I wait for the locksmith company to arrive before leaving?""If you leave now, others won't think too much," Calista responded.Three minutes was not even enough time to undress. No one would misunderstand them. Jordan reached out and touched her hand, his fingers ice-cold, leaving goosebumps on her skin. "It's too cold outside." It wasn't even winter yet, and the weather at night was not cold to the point of freezing. Calista remained determined and glanced at him before heading into the living room, saying, "There's a blanket on the sofa. You can wrap yourself in it and wait. It's not windy there. You won't get cold." Jordan followed her and immediately notice
Calista saw that he was getting serious and quickly stopped him, saying, "Mr. Lancaster, even if you're desperate, you shouldn't be having thoughts about a pregnant woman like me."Jordan didn't know what to say. He glanced at her belly, stopped his advances, and dejectedly sat down on the sofa, asking, "Is your belly still uncomfortable these days since you fell last time?"At that time, he couldn't leave, so he called an ambulance, but they said her condition wasn't serious enough to go to the hospital. Calista sensed the concern and nervousness in his tone and remained silent for a few seconds before asking, "Do you like this child?"Jordan remained silent. Compared to this child, he was more worried about Calista. Now that he was here as Jordan, it would be weird if he expressed his concern for her. However, she would surely be upset if he said he wasn't worried. Moreover, this child was his only source of support. How could he not be concerned? This was a losing situation.
The next morning, Jordan ran into Kyros when he arrived at the office. He furrowed his brow slightly and tried to keep a straight face by holding his hand on his forehead. "Why are you here so early?" At noon, he had arranged to have lunch with Max to discuss the incident involving Kyros getting beaten up. He was involved in this matter and needed to be there. Kyros answered, "I was bored sitting in the hospital, so I thought I'd come to keep you company. The doctor said I could be discharged, but I'll wait for the right time to have the cast removed." Jordan sat down in his chair, opened his computer, and flipped through the files on his desk. "Have you had breakfast?" "Not yet. I came straight here from the hospital."Jordan frowned and scolded, "If you can't remember the doctor's advice, I'll have someone follow you everywhere to remind you." "Don't get mad. I already had my assistant buy breakfast for me. I know you're worried about me, but my stomach hasn't been hur
Jordan's face darkened at Max's refusal to back down. He lowered his voice and said, "Max, this is a misunderstanding. I already told you on the phone that my younger brother just happened to be drinking there, and it was your people who provoked him.""My woman wouldn't have been interested in him If he were less good-looking. If he didn't show up at that bar, he wouldn't have been noticed. So, blame his bad luck on himself." It was futile to reason with such a stubborn man, so Jordan got straight to the point. "Max, my brother is still young, and this incident has had a significant impact on him psychologically. So, I hope that you and the people involved that day can apologize to my younger brother.""Aren't you the young man the Lancaster family brought back to Capeton last year?" Max squinted at Jordan. There was a sudden change in his demeanor, and he forcefully knocked all the glasses before him onto the ground.If it weren't for the fact that the table was a large ro
Jordan swallowed hard and said, "There's no need. We're not that close."Hector and Calista walked over just in time to hear this. They were discussing something, and she hadn't even noticed Jordan and Kyros standing by the door. She happened to hear them talking and noticed them when she looked over. Kyros smiled at Calista and said, "Calista, are you here to have lunch with your friend?" "Sure." Calista didn't want to say much to Kyros.After nodding casually, she whispered to Hector, who was standing nearby, "Let's go."Hector had been in the military for the past few months and did not know about what had happened to Lucian. He was puzzled to see them acting like strangers. There was no further interaction aside from the initial eye contact. He couldn't help but ask, "Did you argue?" It didn't look like an argument, more like a breakup, or the kind where they had a falling out and cut ties with each other. Calista was afraid that Hector might mention Lucian's n
The soft touch of the palm against Jordan's hand caused his heart to race for a moment. He should have immediately let go, but instead of releasing her, he couldn't resist lightly squeezing it.His fingertips, calloused and rough, brushed over Calista's skin and left a tingle at the touch. The feeling coursed through his veins to his head.It felt like fireworks carrying tiny electric currents to his heart. Jordan swallowed hard, and he lowered his head to lock eyes with Calista. The atmosphere around them suddenly turned quiet, as if everyone else had disappeared.However, someone couldn't resist breaking this beautiful moment. Hector pulled Jordan's hand away, saying, "Mr. Lancaster, are you playing with marbles? You're about to rub the skin off Calista's hand. She just lost her husband, and you're taking advantage like this. That's not very kind."Hector pulled out a chair, turning the romantic scene into an action movie. After sitting down, he pushed a chair towards Cal
He was already infuriated, but Paul had to chime in and add, as if he was afraid Jordan wouldn't understand, "The position of the president of the Northwood Corporation is now vacant, so there isn't a secretary. Mr. Henry is not in good health, and the doctors have advised him to get more rest, so these matters are all to be discussed with Calista." Jordan drank with a heavy heart, and his chest felt uncomfortable. “No one would think you're dumb if you didn't speak.”Paul asked, "Are you feeling ill lately, Mr. Lancaster? Why are you in such a bad mood?"Seeing that the two of them were about to argue again, Calista sighed in frustration and stood up. "I'm going outside to get some fresh air. You guys can go on and argue." As she was leaving, she warned them with a glance, "Don't break anything; you'll have to pay for it."Hector clicked his tongue disdainfully. "Both your ages combined make you eligible for social security, and yet you're still children. Childish, isn'
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,