Calista wasn't allowed inside. All she could do was watch through the glass. She could not even utter a word as everyone seemed busy. She didn't want to end up disturbing the doctor's rescue efforts."Why are you just standing there, Calista?"It was Paul's voice. Someone approached soon after and joined her in watching the goings-on inside. Seeing the medical staff pacing about, he frowned and asked, "What's going on?""I don't know."Calista sighed in relief when she saw him. Then, she glanced behind to see Cade who had arrived late. She thought he seemed to be in a much better mood since the last time she saw him despite his expression remaining unchanged."He'll be fine. Don't worry," Paul said.Calista thought he was trying to comfort her. She forced a smile and nodded only for Paul to continue, "He's the pettiest guy I know. He's not going to let you be taken away by another man. He'll still crawl back from the depths of hell even if the grim reaper comes for him."
Timothy intentionally provoked her."Go ahead. I don't mind.""I think you're just talking out of your ass."Yara stared at the man who was well within striking distance. Her voice grew softer with every word. A man who could bring others to heel in the courtroom had no trouble overwhelming her with his presence alone. Yara pushed him back."Can you back off?"There was still distance between them while she was still sitting down. But now that she had gotten to her feet, there was barely any space between them. She could barely catch her breath. The last thing she wanted was for her breath to brush his face. Timothy raised a brow."Does standing close affect your ability to speak?""Yeah, what if you …"Her words trailed off under his intense gaze before she backpedaled."What if my breath stinks? I don't want to be a bother, sir."Timothy lowered himself and inched closer. It was as if he wanted to kiss her. Puffs of air caressed her cheeks. Startled, Yara stared at him
Calista remained silent as she waited for Lucian to continue. She had a hunch that his question carried no good intentions. Lucian shifted to the edge of the bed to create space for her to lie down."Come here."The beds in public hospitals were three feet wide. Accommodating someone as tall as Lucian was hard enough as it was. There was hardly any space for him when he lay flat in bed. Moreover, they were in a hospital. The nurses could enter to make their rounds at any time. Calista didn't want to be caught in his bed. It would be embarrassing to be reprimanded for occupying a patient's bed. Having just woken up, the man's voice was still husky."Aren't you tired?""I can't just sleep here even if I am tired …”A nurse walked in without warning right after."We need to check you for your temperature, Mr. Northwood."Calista stepped aside as she stifled a yawn. She hadn't slept much last night because she was worried about Lucian. Now that she knew that he was fine, she cou
Yara grew more livid with every word. Was Timothy some kind of donkey that refused to listen to reason? No matter how she protested, he was adamant about not allowing her to leave. Although she had protested very hard, it failed.Amid their stalemate, she ended up spending the night on the couch in his office. If she was going to suffer, she wasn't going to make the arrangement pleasant for either of them. Since the office had no separate break rooms, she took up the only three-person couch. With nowhere for the man to sleep, he spent the night going through documents.Yara could barely hide her triumphant expression as she watched Timothy. If it was a fight he wanted, she was going to beat him at his game.The man remained unperturbed. Safe for the faint circles around his under eyes, no one would've been able to tell that he had stayed up all night. He was speaking to Lucian about the Lancaster Group's illegal fundraising activities. With how lively he seemed, he didn't look
Lucian had to define their relationship while Calista still cared about him. It'll save him unnecessary complications. However, some things could only be said in a specific circumstance. It would be hard to bring up a topic once the moment passed.Calista was made uncomfortable by Lucian's gaze. Her eyes darted around the ward to meet two curious stares from the bed next to theirs.They were in a double-bed ward. The patient in the adjacent bed was a girl roughly 19 years old. The girl there to accompany her was close in age. She looked away in embarrassment as soon as she realized she had been caught eavesdropping. Lucian was at a loss for words. It was now utterly impossible for their conversation to continue.His expression screamed how unhappy he was as he began mindlessly scrolling his phone for news. He vented all his grievances on the screen. The forceful and vigorous swipes could've easily shattered the screen. The news of Kyros kidnapping him and triggering explosives
Lucian's severe expression worried Calista. She set the container aside and pulled the curtains shut."What's wrong? Does your leg hurt?"He suffered from a broken leg. His left calf was in a particularly severe state. It was a comminuted fracture that put him in a cast. A few of his ribs were cracked too."Yeah," he replied.When Calista reached out to touch it, it was hard to the touch. She wasn't a professional. She was unsure if the pain was normal after surgery."I'll call for a doctor to check on you …"She reached for the call bell by his bedside. But, before she could touch it, Lucian grabbed her by her waist. He rested his palm against her lower back and pulled her close.She was worried about accidentally falling on him and making his injuries worse. So, when she noticed what Lucian was trying to do, she went along with it and sat down at the edge of the bed. The man held her by her wrist rather than her hand. Calista had welts on her hand. They weren't deep and had
Calista stared at him and blinked slowly. Lucian had tubes inserted when he was wheeled into the ICU yesterday. It was only after she signed the papers today that he was transferred to a regular ward. He had been unconscious then. When he woke up, the nurses only came in to measure his temperature and blood pressure. Lucian hadn't shown any signs that he needed the restroom. So, she didn't pay much attention to it.When had the catheter been removed?Seeing her confusion, Lucian openly admitted, "It was when you went downstairs to get takeout."Calista was at a loss for words.Selena was unaware of what was going on between the two. All she knew was that Lucian needed to go to the bathroom. She had asked about his condition at the nurse's station moments ago. He had a moderate concussion, fractures in both legs, rib fractures, and mild internal injuries. Each of these conditions frightened her.She had no experience in taking care of severely injured patients. What was she s
The wheelchair-bound man looked up at Calista. The lights above him reflected in his dark pupils. Gone was the ferocity in his eyes. Lucian had a bandage around his head with bloodstains down his neck. His leg was also in a cast. The sight presented an image of suffering. Calista wasn't angry to begin with. Even if she were, seeing him in this state would only tamp her anger."I'm not angry."Lucian raised a brow."Really? But you haven't spoken to me for over an hour."He was taken aback at first. Then, a wave of grievance crashed over him. His emotions were on full display, making it easy to grasp his current state of mind.He was a person who could smoothly navigate the business field full of scheming men. How could he openly express his emotions? It had nothing to do with who he was speaking to. Rather, it was a habit deeply ingrained in him. Lucian acting this way was intentional.Calista didn't respond. She turned the faucet to hot water. While waiting for the water t
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