Paul and Kyros had ended up fighting. To be precise, the former had beaten the latter into a pulp.The guests present were all from their social circle. Most of them were familiar with Paul. He was a suave man known for his gentle nature. Witnessing him suddenly resort to violence left everyone shocked.Kyros was a slender man. However, Paul's merciless blows knocked him to the floor. The young man's mouth had been cut. Blood seeped out, yet he managed a smile."No need for all that anger, Mr. Baker. If you don't like that particular approach, I can suggest other ideas …"Paul frowned. A waiter immediately handed him a towel to wipe his hands. When he crushed the wine glass, a glass shard cut into his thumb. It left a long gash. He stared down at Kyros who was being carefully helped to his feet by a cautious waiter, and said disdainfully, "Shut up. You're nauseating.""What's going on?" Cade, the latecomer, studied the colorful array of expressions on the onlookers' faces. He to
Cade's expression turned grave."I understand. I'll have the manager gather all the staff on duty tonight on the second floor."He called the hotel manager and instructed them to gather the staff and also check the surveillance footage. In all likelihood, the perpetrator had anticipated the consequences of setting Calista up and already made their escape."Could you please provide me with a copy of tonight's surveillance footage, Mr. Carter?" Calista asked.There was no telling if the incident involving the woman with red lips would escalate in the media. It was a good idea to keep a copy herself for safekeeping. The hotel's network firewall seemed far from secure.Cade didn't ask for a reason."Sure."He retrieved his phone. It was only then that Selena noticed that Paul was being treated for his wounds inside."How are you hurt, Paul?"Paul was vague in his explanation."I accidentally broke a wine glass."Calista wanted the doctor to check on Selena's sprain but she dec
Yara felt refreshed by the thought of being close to achieving what she set out to do. She sounded as if she was about to burst into maniacal laughter as she paced around."Timothy is such an eccentric guy at work. That man is like a well-oiled machine. Wherever he goes, chaos ensues …"A stack of documents landed in front of her, making a muffled sound on the desk."Make ten copies of these."Yara looked up in confusion."I'm just the chauffeur. I'm responsible for driving, not clerical work.""You're the only one without much to do.""Get it through your head. I'm doing unpaid labor over here. Why are you annoyed about me not being busy when you're not paying me? Even a donkey that's slaving away isn't as driven as you are."Timothy frowned."Feel free to speak up. Go ahead and tell everyone in the law firm that you're a donkey that's slaving away."Yara hung up the phone and rolled her eyes."I'm not going. You should give this to Jamie instead. I want him to back down on
Timothy was still waiting for her answer. Even the alarm clock had been muted. It was extremely silent when neither of them were speaking. Yara grew even more nervous."Let me …"She needed to think about it.This was a significant life decision. Sure, they could break up if things don't work out. But what if she were to encounter a psycho that she couldn't shake off? With how Timothy had been acting … She solemnly nodded to herself. That was when his alarm went off, reminding him of the upcoming meeting."Take your time to think about it. Let me know once you've made a decision."Yara asked as he opened the door, "Would you accept my decision if I choose to reject you?""No."She rolled her eyes in annoyance. What was the point of talking about it then? Her only choices were to say yes or be pushed to the brink before she inevitably agreed.After the meeting, Yara handed the organized minutes to Timothy. He was busy with something else. So, he tossed it aside without looking
Lucian, the undying, had just returned from attending a social gathering that night. He had more than a few drinks. It wasn't enough to get him drunk but it did leave him lightheaded.As he opened the door, he realized that someone was standing behind it.He was dressed in a long, black puffer jacket. His slightly grown-out black hair swept across his forehead. Only a pair of sparkling eyes and abnormally red lips were visibly in the darkness. Anyone would be startled in such a situation. Lucian immediately sobered up.He frowned and asked, "Why didn't you switch on the lights?"He reached out and flicked the light switch on the wall. The light illuminated the living room. Kyros, who stood there like a wooden stake, was now bathed in the light. There was still an air of eeriness, but at least he no longer looked like a ghost. The living room was as cold as an ice cellar. So, Lucian switched the heater on."How long have you been here? Why didn't you turn the heater on?"Kyros
A name list had been presented to Ethan. It was the list of employees who had been dismissed from the Northwood Corporation earlier today. "These people were all working for you, right? They were all fired for theft of business secrets. Do you think they can continue to mingle here in Capeton?"Cade's voice echoed in the spacious basement."These are just today's targets. There's going to be a second list coming tomorrow."Ethan panted. His grip on the list tightened. Despite the dim lighting, the words on the paper were reflected in his eyes. "All I was after was the money. Someone offered me five million to tamper with the project. Even if I continued to toil away at the Northwood Corporation for the rest of my life, I would never be able to make that much money. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course, I'd take the offer."He looked away from the name list and acted as if it had nothing to do with him."These people are just my colleagues. Whether the corporatio
The lethargic Selena opened her eyes. Upon opening them, she was greeted by the sight of a side profile too close to distinguish. All she could make out were their sideburns and a small patch of skin. She couldn't tell who they were. She let out an ear-piercing screech.The commotion nearly rendered Calista ears. She straightened up."Mom."Selena, now realizing that it was Calista, sighed in relief. She looked apologetic."I'm sorry. I just woke up. It's all a blur to me. I didn't mean to startle you.""Startle" was putting it lightly. She nearly scared the life out of her. Calista kept the thought to herself. Her scream alarmed Henry who was still smoking outside. The man scrambled in."What's going on?"Selena had a nightmare. She dreamt of a villa in the middle of spring. There was a garden full of blooming flowers. Sunshine bathed the green grass. In the center of it all was a chaise lounge. Someone was lying in it covered by a white fleece blanket. She had a book over
"How am I inferior to him?"Selena couldn't move. She was no different from a fish on the chopping block. All she could manage was closing her eyes. It was as they say, out of sight, out of mind. Behind her closed lids, she rolled her eyes.She was thinking about how amazing he was. Even the tallest point of the asylum wouldn't be able to contain his brilliance.Fletcher didn't wait for her to respond. He wasn't angry either. Instead, he reached for her phone that had been placed by the bedside table and pointed it at her face."Go on, give Henry a call. Tell him you're going on a business trip and that you'll be home in five days."His voice was soft."Stay with me for five days? It'll just be five days, Selen."By the end, he was outright pleading for her to agree.However, Selena knew that it was all an act to confuse her. The moment she showed any sign of being less compliant than he wanted, she would have no hope of reprieve."You should hand yourself in. You'll be treate
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,