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
Lucian frowned. He wanted a cigarette but hadn't brought any today.He was hardly a smoker. He usually endured the urge to smoke and allowed the want to pass him by. However, today seemed to be a different story. He grew more irritated the more he denied himself a smoke. Coupled with Kyros' incessant chatter, he became agitated."I'm going out for a smoke."Kyros leveled a stare at Lucian. He didn't stop him. The Northwoods had prepared cigarettes in the dining area. There was a small patio right outside that served as a smoking area.However, there were already people there; their faint shadows cast on the thin curtains. Lucian decided against going there. Instead, he went to the garden outside.He didn't have a coat on. As soon as he opened the glass doors, the snowflake-laden wind rushed in, cutting through him like a knife. It was bone-chillingly cold. He felt completely devoid of warmth after having only stood there for a minute. The hand holding the cigarette began to sh
Calista didn't hesitate to step inside. It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. There was no telling how the paparazzi, spurred on to gain traction, would interpret this farce. They cared little for the truth.But as she entered the closet, Lucian followed close behind. Calista was confused. But, now she was downright bewildered."Why are you coming in here?""I don't know. Should I join him outside and fuel some rumors? He's in a bathrobe and looking completely disheveled." Lucian seemed to grit his teeth at the mention of Paul in a "disheveled" state."If the media gets a hold of that, things would not look good."Calista was at a loss for words.The closet door closing behind them plunged them into darkness. The partially opened door was violently thrown open. Reporters flooded in with their cameras raised. They began taking photos of Paul."Are you the only person in the room, Mr. Baker?"Paul's expression was cold. But it was understandable given that they had intrud
Kyros' expression darkened."Why do you ask?""Considering Mr. Lancaster's appearance, he looks to be thirty this year. I saw him at the banquet hall just before I came upstairs. Even if he disappeared after I left, it has only been twenty minutes since then. You claimed to have checked the surveillance cameras and made the effort to come all this way, Mr. Barlowe. If he's your prisoner, then forget what I said."A sincere smile spread across Paul's gentle face."If you consider him your brother, I would suggest you see a psychiatrist. You might not understand. Some mothers are unusually possessive toward their sons. They think the world is out to take their son from them. You're acting like the sort. You should get help with that."The reporters were "kindly" asked to leave, leaving only Kyros and Paul in the room. With neither man speaking, silence filled the space.Back in the closet, Lucian lowered his voice even further. He was whispering into Calista's ear."I told you he
Lucian snorted in disdain before Paul could answer Kyros."Can the friends I choose be so easily swayed by a few words? He may be tactless, but he's not a bad guy …"His words might've sounded arrogant, but Calista wholeheartedly agreed. Just as the thought settled, Paul spoke."Sure."Both Lucian and Calista were rendered speechless. The agreement left them both stunned.The pressure on the wardrobe doors eased as Paul pulled away. With the man out of the way, all Kyros had to do was crack it open slightly to see the pair hiding inside.Lucian, now without his earlier composure, scowled. He cast his eyes on the door and contemplated on whether he should teach Paul a lesson as a way to vent his anger later.Calista was also staring at the door. But, she was planning to rush out at Kyros the moment he cracked it open when he least expected it. She was going to give him a good beating. It would provide ample distraction for Lucian to escape."Shall we discuss this collaboration