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
Christina stood up from her seat, saying, "Atticus, way back then, you were no more than an unwanted orphan. I had the power to raise you, but I also have the power to... replace you."From the moment she first saw Atticus, she had liked him. Over the years, she had never thought that one day she would say such cold-hearted words to him. She didn't expect it, and Atticus certainly didn't either. He looked at Christina, who now seemed completely cold and distant. After giving him a condescending glance, she turned and walked away.Seeing Lucian and Calista sitting at the table behind her, Christina's face showed a hint of embarrassment. She had originally thought about exchanging pleasantries and getting closer to this bigwig, but now she didn't have the mood for it. She only nodded as a form of greeting.After Christina left, Atticus lost his appetite and settled the bill before leaving as well.Calista, thinking about Hector's relationship with Christina, inquired, "Was that M