That night, Calista received a call from Lucian. She had already finished washing up and was ready to sleep. She had stayed up several nights in a row, and tonight, after finally managing to get an early rest, she was disrupted by this phone call. She was upset.“What do you want so late at night?” "Open the door," Lucian uttered words before hanging up. Calista was about to ask if he was out of his mind, but she got cut off. She wasn’t going to comply anyway.Calista tossed her phone aside, wondering if Lucian could figure out that her patience had run thin. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard banging on her front door. There was a click, and her neighbor opened the door. Next door lived an elderly lady. Calista had seen her a few times before, and she didn't seem very approachable. As expected, as soon as the old lady opened the door, she began to yell, "What are you doing in the middle of the night? Are you trying to wake everyone up? You're a grown man. Don't you hav
"Alright. After all, you're still my wife. You’d have to accompany me to my sessions in the future." Calista frowned at how despicable this scoundrel was! Lucian spoke casually, but his breath against her ear was rugged. Calista had no doubts if she continued to refuse, he would likely vent his anger with violence. The whole room fell silent as Lucian glanced at his wristwatch, seemingly counting down. Suddenly, Calista spoke up, "A hundred thousand dollars." "What?" "I'll accompany you to negotiate this deal. If it works out, the three million debt will be settled. If not, you owe me a hundred thousand dollars to compensate for my time." She would be at a disadvantage if the deal fell through. She wouldn't fall for this stupidity. Besides, her trust in Lucian had already fallen short. It always felt as if he was trying to deceive her. These business meetings usually lasted a few hours. She wouldn't have to do anything except be an ornament on the sidelines. Either wa
Calista chuckled lightly."What's there to be afraid of? I’m just joining their table." She couldn’t help if Lucian was determined to make himself a victim. During their argument, the people at Paul’s table noticed them. They were all part of the same circle.Paul looked up at them, and with just one glance, he could tell that Lucian and Calista were discussing business matters. So, he didn't go over to disturb them. Lucian stared at Calista blankly and raised his hand, saying, "Hold my hand." Calista lowered, her voice displeased, "This is just a simple meal. We're not attending a dinner party. There's no need to hold hands." It seemed too deliberate and fake to be constantly holding hands. Lucian glanced at her calmly."You’re under my paygrade. I, your employer, would determine what you should and shouldn’t do. You don’t have the right to refuse." Well, in this day and age, the one with the money holds the power. Everyone had encountered a demanding boss at work.
Marcus was a chubby man who sweated easily. Calista instantly felt her hands being enveloped by a damp sensation.She quickly pulled her hand back before taking several steps backward. Her face turned so cold that it could freeze water."Mr. Packard, please have some self-respect." Marcus's intention of holding her hand was merely a test.Although he had some interest in Calista, he understood that one should consider the consequences before stirring up trouble, especially for the sake of a woman and risking confrontation with Lucian. He composed himself and apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything bad. I just wanted to ask what perfume you're using so I can buy a bottle for my wife." There would be plenty of opportunities since he would stay here for a few days. Marcus was experienced in the business world, so he was good at concealing his intentions.He put on an act, saying, "I tend to become more frisky around people after I’ve had a few drinks. I acted out of lin
Lucian grabbed Calista's hand and pushed the door open, stepping into the room casually. Calista furrowed her brows."This is my room. What are you doing?" Lucian's lips curved into a smirk."I’m going to shower and sleep." He spoke with a hint of amusement, but she could tell he was trying to mess with her. Lucian was doing this on purpose. He wanted to annoy her and make her helpless in dealing with him. Calista had booked a room with a king-sized bed. Besides that, the only other resting place was the couch by the window.Lucian wouldn't demean himself to sleep on the couch. So, she would either have to endure the discomfort of sharing a bed with him or sleep pitifully on the couch while watching him sprawl comfortably on the large bed she had paid for. Calista pursed her lips together and complained, "Go back to your room." Although this resort didn't have a presidential suite, it did offer VIP rooms with private baths. "We're a married couple. Everyone would think
Eva accepted it eagerly and said, “Thank you. It’s perfect!” She retrieved a gift box from her bag. Inside was a diamond bracelet, not overly expensive or unique."I bought this while shopping. It's not something expensive. It's a token of my appreciation. Thank you for the perfume you gave." Calista couldn't accept this. She could not take a brand-new diamond bracelet in exchange for a bottle of second-hand perfume worth a few hundred dollars. This was too much. "Eva, I can't accept this. That bottle of perfume is only three hundred dollars. I’ll be taking advantage of you." "Calista, I'm apologizing on behalf of my husband. What happened this morning was a mistake. He tends to lose his common sense after a few drinks, which led to him offending you." Calista raised an eyebrow, but Eva had already placed the gift box in her hand. Calista did not insist further since it was an apology.Her only regret was that they didn't just hand her a check directly! She casually comme
Marcus lowered his voice, probably to make his voice sound deeper and seductive. However, Calista was so scared that her body trembled and she instinctively threw her phone at him.There was a loud bang, and Marcus let out a painful, muffled groan. He raised his hand to cover his face, and blood gushed between his fingers, dripping onto the ground. "Mr. Packard, are you okay?" Calista tried to find tissues in her bag, only to realize she hadn't brought one. "I'm sorry. I used to get stalked by bad people while I was a child, so I'm quite sensitive, and I tend to lose control when someone gets too close to me." Mr. Packard's head was buzzing with pain at this point, and he couldn't quite make out what Calista was saying.Thankfully, he did not have a concussion and was still aware of who she was. Otherwise, he would have slapped her long ago. His nose continued to bleed, and he began to suspect it might have been broken. Calista hit him hard! "Just bear with it for now, Mr.
He held Calista awkwardly around her waist. Her hair was still soaking wet. After some time, she managed to stop choking and glared at Lucian."What are you doing here?" Her eyes were red from the hot spring water, and water droplets clung to her curled eyelashes, making her look alluring and tempting. Lucian pursed his lips. He only thought of teasing her. Her eyes stung from the water, and her voice was still choked up. She wanted to relax in the hot spring but almost drowned.She was very annoyed as she snapped, "How did you get in?" She remembered locking the door. Lucian didn't speak; he just looked at her scornfully, mocking her foolishness, but he managed to tone down his attitude. Calista grew even impatient at his silence."You’re such a pervert! Barging into a woman’s private hot spring." She didn’t want to stay in the pool any longer and turned around to walk out. But just as she took a few steps, Lucian grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. "Pervert?"Lucia
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,