Of course, men couldn't be trusted when they claim to only want a kiss.Calista could barely get out of bed the next day. Fortunately, it was the weekend so she didn't have to go to work. She lay in bed as she stared up at the white ceiling overhead."Lucian, you beast, liar, jerk!"Just as she went into her tirade, the door opened. Lucian stood by the doorway. Seeing how she was now awake, he said, "It's time for breakfast."In contrast to her miserable state that left her too exhausted to get out of bed, the man looked extremely refreshed and pleased. After all, she was the one who exerted the most effort the night before.Lucian was the one who prepared the generous spread. Calista slowly descended the steps while supporting herself on the stairs' railing. Her legs felt shaky.He had already set the table. A smile tugged at his lips when he looked up to see how embarrassed she seemed. Anyone could tell that he was delighted. "Do you want me to carry you?"Calista couldn
Yara's lips tightened into a thin line."It wasn't him. I was the one who started it. He never consented to it, but I pressed him down …"She had only been drunk. It wasn't as if she had experienced memory loss. As for what happened last night, she didn't recall the details. But, she did have a vague recollection of what happened.With how remorseful she seemed, Calista also felt guilt wash over her. She should've insisted on keeping Yara at the Everglade Manor last night."So, what now? Do you want to give Timothy a go?""No way."Calista didn't think Yara would outright refuse. "Are you not interested in him at all?"If she had the tiniest inkling of interest for the man, surely she would extend an olive branch after what happened."It's not about whether I'm interested or not." Yara covered her mouth and whispered in her ear, "He can't perform.""Huh? No way."Calista hesitated for a moment before speaking."I thought Mr. Howard was in top shape and had stamina to boo
Cade stepped inside a private room at the Luminary Lounge to find only Lucian inside."Didn't you say you wanted to drink? Why are you the only one here?""I have something to ask you. I didn't call for anyone else," Lucian said.With how serious he seemed, Cade straightened up."What's up?"Feeling a bit thirsty, he poured himself a drink while asking. He had just taken a sip when Lucian pulled out a gray velvet box. Judging by its size, it looked like it could be a ring.Cade choked on his drink after swallowing too quickly."What are you doing?"Lucian rolled his eyes at him."I want to propose to Callie. I need your help to see if she'll like this ring."Cade studied the massive pink diamond ring. He nearly flipped the question back on Lucian to ask if he found the ring beautiful. However, the two had known each other for quite some time. He was exasperated by Lucian's taste as a stereotypical man. Children from the upper echelons of society were taught to pay attenti
Lucian shot Cade a look. He didn't think Cailyn resembled anyone he knew. He didn't care who she looked like either. He had just helped her out on a whim because he couldn't stand by any longer. "Let's go.""Wait!" Cailyn called out to him. The gratitude was evident on her face."Thank you for helping me, sir. Could you perhaps leave a contact number or an address? I'll return your coat to you once I clean it.""It's fine. Just toss it out."With that, he and Cade walked away. He didn't bother giving her another look.Cailyn wrapped herself in Lucian's coat and clutched tightly onto the lapels. She watched the man walk away with a grateful expression. He might have only helped on a whim, but she would remember the kindness he had shown her."That girl looks a little like Lily, don't you think? Did you save her because of that?""No," Lucian responded.He hadn't even seen her face. Cade noticed how Lucian would occasionally massage his temples. He seemed unwell."What's w
Lucian had expressed his intentions to respect Calista's choice mere moments ago. But now, he was so anxious that he could barely wait to put the ring on her finger. Then, he stiffened right after.He searched himself in disbelief. Indeed, it was nowhere to be found. The engagement ring had gone missing.He had checked to make sure he had it with him before leaving earlier in the afternoon. But, now it was nowhere to be found.The air in the restaurant turned awkward. People who were ready to applaud wore complicated expressions when they witnessed what was happening."Could he have forgotten to bring the ring?" Paul asked.Cade said nothing. Lucian was a straight-A student. What he lacked in emotional intelligence was made up for with his IQ. Even if he didn't have photographic memory, he wouldn't make the mistake of not bringing the ring to his proposal. This was a rookie mistake. The lapses in his memory were not isolated incidents. Lucian had forgotten that they agreed to
The woman standing in front of Lucian was dressed in a nurse's garb. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful. But, she was still a young woman with a pretty face. "Have you forgotten who I am?"Cailyn didn't think she would bump into Lucian here. She had just been fretting over how she was going to return his coat to him. She felt like a fool after asking the question. Her face had swelled up that night. Even her mother couldn't recognize her when she returned home. "You saved me at the Luminary Lounge's underground parking lot.""Oh."Lucian nodded. He didn't continue the conversation. Meeting her was simply a coincidence. It was an effortless act on his part."I've cleaned your coat. But, I didn't bring it with me today because I'm on duty. Could you give me your address? I'll deliver it to you tomorrow."People who were of high status weren't likely to give their contact information out to random strangers. She didn't recognize the label on the coat. But, she knew it to be e
Calista could already imagine that if she agreed to let Lucian take care of her, Yara, with her bad temper, would grab her by the leg and empty the contents of her brain.When the relationship is thriving, looking out for you means he'll be there to support you in every possible way. However, when things are going poorly, taking care of you might turn into a situation where he controls you, and you might end up with no financial independence.And, in the words of Yara, men were like dogs. You can't give them too much meat, or they won't find it special anymore, and you'll have to dangle it in front of them, just like a tempting treat, to keep them excited and eager for more.You stay home every day, your gaze always following him, and he's the only one in your social circle. Whenever he wants, he can see you anytime. When the novelty wears off, you're like a grain of rice stuck to his clothes, and he can't wait to get rid of you. If he's a total douchebag, he'll even throw awa
When Calista heard these words, her first reaction was to ask, "Where did this sucker come from?" Her second reaction was that this sucker's voice sounded so much like Lucian's. She turned around, and indeed, Lucian was standing behind her. "When did you come in?"Lucian replied, "Just now."He had walked in from the entrance and had overheard enough to understand what was going on.The shop assistant eagerly reached out to take the black card handed to her, but Calista was quicker and snatched the card back. "Let's have another look. I'm afraid it's dirty and might carry diseases."Charlotte's face turned dark instantly. "What do you mean by that?"Calista replied, "Aren't those your words? I'm just echoing your sentiments.""You ..." She glanced at Lucian. Even if she felt frustrated, she could only keep her anger to herself."Are you two getting married?"Lucian scrutinized the person in front of him. After confirming that he didn't know her, he furrowed his brow
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,