Calista reached out to help Selena, but Selena stopped her, saying, "I'm dirty from watering the flowers ... " Before finishing her sentence, Calista wrapped her arms around hers, saying, "Mom, tell me about that little boy you almost adopted before." Women are sometimes more observant than men, and Lucian mentioned that there might be someone behind Karlos. Selena could provide some details from her memory.Selena had heard about Karlos from Henry, so she furrowed her eyebrows when she heard his name. "Is he causing trouble again? I told your father not to interfere, not to play the saint. That guy is just bad in the core. He should let him fend for himself in the orphanage. Your father insisted on bringing him out.""No. I was just curious if he had caused any trouble lately." Calista reassured her, fearing she might get too emotional. "What's there to be curious about a pervert? Who knows what's going on in his mind? Just stay away from him." According to Henry, they h
"Thank you," Calista felt somewhat moved. Hector had always been rough and cool. He was a tough guy to her. She never expected him to have such a considerate side. "I will be careful." It was not easy to explain the actual situation over the phone. Besides, the more people knew, the easier it was to be exposed. Since he has already misunderstood, she would let it be. She gave him an address and then hung up the phone. Hector headed straight to the mall after he left the hospital. Next to the mall was a café, and Lucian had arranged to meet Hugo for tea today. He sat at a booth by the window. Lucian furrowed his brows when he saw Hector get out of the car.Hugo glanced at the array of items on the table. "Mr. Lancaster, what are you doing? If it's for business, you can directly contact the person in charge on our side in Capeton. I have been mainly in Apthon this year and don't know much about the situation here." He originally planned to develop the branch in Capeton fir
Lucian threw his phone aside, massaged his temples wearily, and closed his eyes.He recalled the photos on Hugo's phone. Filters and beauty effects almost smoothed out their features. How were they handsome? The more he thought about it, the more infuriated he was. He grabbed his phone, found some similar photos online, and sent it to Calista, asking, "Who is more handsome? Him or me?" Calista was playing a game focused on a crucial boss battle. When Lucian's message popped up, she accidentally clicked on it, redirecting her to the message interface.Calista wished she could extract Lucian's brain and use it to defeat the boss when she read his message. What was wrong with him? Was he bored to the point he wanted to compare looks with someone else? But she didn't even have time to scold him now. She quickly returned to the game interface. The screen had turned black and white, with the words 'game over.' Her teammates were cursing her like crazy. Calista was furious. She comp
The Northwood family was not short of money, so he didn't buy anything too impractical or expensive. Instead, he bought practical things specifically tailored for their age group. Selena has received many gifts, but no one has ever given her these.She felt Hector was thoughtful in every aspect as she listened to him talk about the usage, and her impression of him improved even more. She regretted not having another daughter back then. Now, she could only watch such a good young man slip by. "Hector, visit more in the future. Let me know what you like to eat, and our housekeeper will make it for you. Macy's cooking is delicious." It was a joyous occasion so Calista didn't intervene. Instead, took a picture and sent it to Lucian with a message."If you don't come back soon, your mom will belong to someone else."Lucian didn't reply. Calista thought he was driving and didn't think much of it. Selena went to the kitchen to prepare her specialty dish for Hector. Calista looke
Lucian didn't react as Kyros expected. He remained indifferent as usual. Kyros stood up and continued, "Dad wants us to spend the holidays abroad this year." Lucian nodded, "You just came back. You must be tired. Go rest, and we'll have dinner together tonight." He extended the invitation out of being polite, but he quickly regretted it. Usually, people would understand that he was merely being polite, but Kyros couldn't read between the lines. "Well, I'll just take a nap in your office."Lucian was speechless. Kyros' gloomy mood instantly brightened because of his words. He pushed open the door to the office lounge. Before he walked away, he turned around and asked, "Jordan, do you want to get rid of me?"Lucian thought he might have slipped up. His fingers holding the pen tightened slightly with uneasiness. "Why are you asking suddenly?""Just recently, I saw someone getting married, and I thought you were around the age to get married. So, I just thought if you get ma
Selena shook her head. She seemed unsure about bringing up the past. So, it was as if she were answering Calista's question instead. "What is Jordan doing here?"She nearly blurted out Lucian's name but was quick to stop herself."I don't know. I'll have to ask David," Calista said.The invitations were his responsibility. Logically speaking, Jordan would've never been sent an invitation. Even if David hadn't known who Jordan was, the Lancaster Group's blatant attempts at targeting the Northwoods and robbing them of collaborations should've clued him in that he was inviting trouble.Selena didn't dare to look Lucian's way. A crack in her expression and the ruse would come to light."Has he been doing well?"She had wanted to ask since she saw the results of the paternity test. But, she held back from doing so. She was afraid that it was all a ruse Henry had come up with to cheer up.It wasn't until now that she was certain that Lucian was still well and alive."He's doing a
Calista glanced at the hand on her shoulder and smiled without a care in the world."So, you want to do the same to me?"The woman fell silent. That had indeed been her plan. She couldn't stand Calista acting all high and mighty back when she was still the lady of the Northwood family.She had been no less arrogant when her stepmother and sister tyrannized her. When she found out that Calista had loan sharks on her tail and was living no better than a dog, she was beyond delighted. However, Calista quickly turned things around by marrying Lucian.Now, she was a woman who had been dumped. Lucian was also dead. So, why should she still be allowed to attend the Northwood Corporation's anniversary celebration?Seeing the surrounding journalists with their cameras, the woman hesitated.But, she wasn't willing to back down either when faced with Calista's provocation. She had been holding back for such a long time. This was an opportunity to exact her revenge. Was she going to let it
Calista's words had the red-lipped woman looking up at the ceiling. Sure enough, two surveillance cameras were facing her.Her face froze as her tears stopped. Then, she glared resentfully at Calista and walked away.She fully expected Calista to remain silent and endure the humiliation. That was why she intentionally said those words to get a reaction out of her. But, the woman acted contrary to her expectations with no care for her reputation.After Calista sent the woman on her way, she returned to Paul's side. The black pepper sauce on his shirt had already dried. Due to the light color of the fabric, the stains stood out like a sore thumb."I'm sorry for dirtying your clothes. You should head upstairs. Take a break. I'll go find you a replacement."Paul glanced at her ankle. Calista didn't make a big show of it, but he could still tell that her posture seemed off."I'll have someone else get me a replacement. You sprained your ankle. Take off your heels. You can rest there
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,