Calista was puzzled at first. She had been in a somewhat drowsy state. But now, she was wide awake after Lucian had schemed to sweep her into his groove. It was now settling in like a smack to the face.But, Lucian had indeed got her right where he wanted her. She had been too tired to move from the start. Now, she was lying in a soft bed enveloped by warmth while enjoying his massage. It gave her even less motivation to move. Her wavering willpower had all but fallen apart.When Lucian noticed that there was a sign of compromise, he continued to compel her in low whispers."There's a clothing store downstairs. You'll still have to go downstairs even if you want to go back to the hotel. We can go take a look. We'll decide what to do next if you don't find anything suitable."Calista was silent. If she spent the night here, she would have to be up an hour early the next morning to head back to the hotel to meet with her colleagues.She had the option of waking up early or staying
Calista made a trip to the supermarket before heading upstairs. Lucian had intended to follow her. But, she refused by claiming she wanted to surprise him.The man's gaze once again fell on the shopping bags, particularly the thin fabric inside. He had constantly been sneaking glances at it the entire way back. His face would turn red every time he did so.She was suddenly going to a supermarket after buying lingerie and refused to let him go with her. Lucian could already guess what it was she was going to do.It wasn't their first time. He was no longer an innocent virgin either. However, this was the first time their "play time" was this suggestive.Lucian nervously tightened his grip on the handle of the shopping bag. He only barely repressed the blood-pumping image he had in his head.While he was still lost in his thoughts, Calista came out of the supermarket with the items she bought in hand. She patted him on the shoulder when she noticed him standing under the streetlamp
The situation was progressing very wildly. Calista had been caught off guard by his question. "Touch … Touch what?"Her body was far more honest than what she was expressing through speech. Her hand had lifted on reflex as she asked the question.Without waiting for her to make a move, Lucian leaned in and pressed his lips against the woman's forehead before gradually moving downward. The warm sensation against her skin felt like a dragonfly gently flying across the water. The heater had been turned up a little high. The room didn't feel cold even without a blanket.Lucian kissed her on her lips. The woman was soft and warm. Every breath she exhaled brushed against his face, leaving behind warm condensation that immediately cooled. The sensation made him tighten his hold on her arms. Calista belonged to him. He had been in love with her for 11 years. And now, she finally belonged to no one else but him.She would be known as Mrs. Northwood, the Madam, or the president's wife.
The next day, Calista's biological clock woke her up from her deep sleep. Her arms felt so weak that she almost couldn't lift them. The moment she opened her eyes, she was greeted by Lucian's flawlessly handsome face still relaxed with slumber. The memories of what happened the night before instantly pierced through her hazy thoughts. She quickly recalled how this scumbag had cruelly tormented her.Calista's expression darkened. She kicked the still sleeping Lucian who was clinging onto her with one swift motion.The man had been kicked awake. He opened his eyes to find Calista hurrying into the bathroom. He touched his aching hips, courtesy of her kick, and couldn't help but smile. He habitually fished for his wristwatch placed by the bedside table and realized it was time to get up. So, he got out of bed after peeling off the covers.While Calista was baring her teeth at him for the suffering he made her endure, Lucian was in high spirits and refreshed from having eaten his
Calista paused and scanned her surroundings. She couldn't find Lucian in the crowd. "We're still at the gallery we were just at."They were meticulous when studying the pieces and had only got through three exhibits in half an hour. They were barely 60 feet away from where they had just been when he left. Their large numbers and distinctive features should've stood out against the sea of foreign faces.Lucian's breaths grew heavier but his voice softened."Can you send me your location? I had to go take a call. So, I went a little too far out. I can't find my way back."His voice was naturally deep and magnetic. The soft tones made him sound even more doting. Calista teased him while sending him their location."I didn't know you were so directionally challenged, Mr. Northwood.""I'm not very good with foreign architecture. I often couldn't find my way to class when I was studying abroad.""Do you remember which gallery we were in just now?"Calista's tone was lighthearted.
Calista fell silent. She was just about to hang up when she heard Timothy's voice in the background."It's time for dinner, Yaya."She had a few run-ins with Timothy. As far as she could remember, he was someone who always maintained a distant and indifferent attitude. She had never heard him sound so gentle.Yara immediately knew Calista had gotten the wrong idea when she saw the look on her face. The former pulled the latter's attention back to her."He's calling for the dog, not me. Stop it with that stupid look on your face.""You call the dog Timothy Howard and Mr. Howard calls it Yaya. Is the dog part of your play? What hardcore stuff have you been getting into?""It's a long story. I'll tell you the details the next time we meet."Thinking about the reason behind naming the dog Timothy Howard riled her up. Even her mother referred to her as Yaya now. She thought she was calling for the dog.Yara glanced at Timothy who had bent over to pour out some dog food. His shirt an
Timothy fell silent. When he and Yara first met, he was Lucian's attorney. He simply followed orders. He hadn't even remembered who she was then. Her claims of him trying to sue her were his attempts at teasing her. If he truly wanted to take her to court, she would've already been behind bars putting cardboard boxes together.He hadn't expected his jests to now be weapons pointed at him. It was as they say, "what goes around comes around". It was time for him to repent.If he had known that he would fall in love with her, he would've taken it a little more seriously when he realized that she didn't take to teasing very well."Is that all?" Timothy asked."That's not all. Being with someone like you …" With how discriminatory she sounded, she quickly tried to explain herself. "Your job. It's tiring to be dating someone with a job like yours. It's fine if everything is smooth sailing. But, what if something happens? What happens if we want to get a divorce? It would be such a trou
Lucian snapped back to his senses. "What's wrong?"Calista stared at him with lips tightly pursed."I've been trying to get your attention. But, you didn't respond.""Sorry."The man hung his head. He subconsciously tried to massage his temples but remembered that Calista was still watching just as he lifted his hand. So, he abruptly stopped."I didn't sleep well last night. I'm just a little tired."The tired look in his eyes and his hoarse voice lent some credence to his words. Calista didn't seem suspicious."You should freshen up and go to sleep.""I will."Lucian was experiencing a slight headache. He was worried that she would notice something if he continued to stick around. So, he got up and went to the bathroom per her suggestion.He wanted to take a bath to relieve his discomfort. But, they were at a budget hotel with no bathtubs. Even if it did, he wouldn't want to use a communal one.The place he bought was a little far from the hotel. It would take them two ho
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