Lucian knew Calista was right. But, it didn't take away from the bad taste in his mouth. He muttered softly to himself, "There are ways to preserve fresh flowers if you want to."Calista heard him loud and clear. However, she pretended not to. She tilted her head."Did you say something?""It's nothing. I'm going to the bathroom."Lucian was currently still unable to go around on his own and had to rely on a wheelchair. Outsiders could not know about this before his identity could be officially disclosed. That was why they were the only two souls in the manor. Calista had the maid prepare a guest room on the first floor for him. Coincidentally, it was the same room where Hector had stayed in before. Even the bed and the sheets were the same. The sight only made him even more irritable.Lucian decided that he was going to dismiss David the day he had his identity reinstated. The assistant wasn't prudent at all. Did he not know that Calista was clueless on how to turn fresh
Lucian and Gabriel arranged to meet at a cafe. Shortly after the former arrived, a middle-aged man hastily entered. His lips wobbled when he noticed the wheelchair-bound man.There was a short pause before he awkwardly spoke, "Did you need something, Jordan …?"The resemblance between him and the missing man from the Northwood family was striking. Gabriel couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Lucian nodded and gestured for Gabriel to sit."Do you have anything to say about the illegal fundraising, Mr. Lancaster?"Before he took over as the president of the Lancaster Group. Lucian had met with the Lancaster family once. Safe for Gabriel, no one else knew that he wasn't the real Jordan. The decision to appoint him as the successor was faced with strong opposition from the Lancasters.He had been a physically weak person who was brought back from the countryside. He hadn't attended a decent university. What right did he have to be the Lancaster family's successor? The one who
Selena shook her head and reverted to her usual indulgent demeanor."It's nothing. I'm probably just tired because I woke up a little too early this morning."She glanced at the door."Where's Lucian? Did he not come with you?""He's busy at the moment. So, I …"Before Calista could finish, Selena's phone began to ring. She glanced at the caller ID and hastily said, "I need to take this call."Then, she sped upstairs without waiting for Calista to finish. Selena remained upstairs even after Lucian arrived.Lucian glanced around the empty living room and wheeled himself over to Calista. He took her hand. Even though they were living together now, he didn't want to lose out on any opportunity to be close to her. "Why are you alone? Where's Mom?"Every time they visited the Stansend Manor, the women would get together and chat endlessly. It was as if they were mother and daughter while he was the unwelcome son-in-law."Mom went upstairs to take a call. She hasn't come down
After dinner, Lucian and Calista returned to the Everglade Manor.She parked her car and pulled the wheelchair out of the trunk. Once Lucian was comfortably seated, she opened the rear door and took out a shopping bag.He knew she had gone shopping early in the day and gotten gifts for Henry and Selena. He hardly paid her shopping bag any mind. Calista could spend his riches as she pleased. His only concern was that there wouldn't be enough for her to spend. If she spent more than most men could afford, no one would be able to compete with him.The thought gave him the urge to give her a black card again. Once they were inside, Calista took out a gift box and handed it to him."Here's the wallet I promised you. See you like it."The usually quick-to-react man stared blankly at the gift box offered to him. There was a pause before he reached for it."I like anything you give me."Calista glanced down at the casts on his legs."Don't use shower gel for your bath tonight. Use di
It was the Tiara that Vivian had donated. It had been several months since then. What was unexpected was seeing it displayed in the glass cabinet and left untouched since she last worked on it.She had a special attachment for all the artifacts she handled. Once she started, she hoped to be involved until the restoration was completed. If it had to be handed over to someone else midway, it always felt like she was having her child taken away from her. She wondered if others felt the same way. Augustus waved a few people over. Once they gathered, he said, "They were hoping to work together on restoring the piece once you've returned. This tiara has been beckoning us. Now that you're finally back, it takes the pressure off my shoulders. You should all get started and strive to get it done as soon as possible."He left after saying his piece. If he stayed any longer, he might delay their work.The tiara had caused a big stir when it was brought into the country. Conservators both d
All David's attention had been solely on Lucian just now. Now, he noticed the man wheeling him in. It was David's nemesis—Simon Prescott. Was this not a case of enemies meeting? It was like sparks flying between a wife and a mistress trying to vie for a man's attention.When he noticed the man's legs in plaster casts, David was that much closer to beating himself up for having not visited his boss earlier. Even if it was just a perfunctory visit, he would've still had the chance to salvage this. He had reached a dead end. There was now no other way but to find a new path.He grabbed the handles on the wheelchair and pushed Simon aside. Then, he began his exaggerated performance."You're finally back, Mr. Northwood. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I waited day and night for you to return. I lost weight because I was worried you wouldn't have enough to eat. I wondered if you were dressed warmly …"Lucian frowned and cut him off mercilessly."Did you break the scale in the pant
Yara's eyes lit up. That was a fantastic idea. She could afford to raise a child on her own. But upon further consideration, she decided against it. Raising a child was not the same as raising a pet dog. Children need to grow up in a loving family with both fatherly and motherly love. But, before she could dismiss the notion, Timothy spoke up, cold and indifferent from behind her."No."He startled Yara so badly that she nearly leaped out of her chair. While she was gasping for breath, the spice of the grilled meat had her choking. It caused her to cough violently. Once she finally regained her composure, her words sounded disjointed as she bemoaned, "Are you a ghost? Why do you walk around without making a sound? Then, you just speak out of nowhere."She was nearly scared witless. Timothy raised a brow and retorted, "Should I wear military boots and stomp around you until you notice before speaking?"Yara's cheeks were red from the incessant coughing. She gulped down two can
Yara's words and the tone in which she said it implied that it was something perverted. What did she mean by "having fun"?Calista met Lucian's gaze. He seemed to be trying to force a confession out of her. But, she only understood as much as he did. Yara shot her an ambiguous wink. With two fingers extended, she whispered in a volume she thought no one else could hear, "50 for one go. Two for one. Make sure he's handsome and has a good body. Most importantly, he has to have technique …"Before she could finish, Timothy dragged her away by her arm."Hey …"She was already unsteady on her feet. The man dragging her away had her feeling as though she had been thrown into a washing machine that was spinning at high speeds. Her mind spun. She couldn't even remember who she had been speaking to. "Let go of me. I'm going to … throw up."She frowned and rejected Timothy's assistance. But just as she pushed him away and tried to take a step, she swayed uncontrollably to the side.T