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
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