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
Lucian asked a passerby for help. They were an attractive pair. There was no need for them to deliberately pose. As long as the photo wasn't taken at a dead angle, even a picture taken while they were angry would come out decent. The camera clicked, freezing the moment.In the photo, Lucian held Calista from behind. He lowered his gaze to look at her. With the way he fixated on her, it was as if she was his entire world. His sharp features seemed to soften in the warm lighting. There was undisguised affection in his eyes.Lucian took his phone and thanked the person in Lusposian. The person said something in return. But, Calista didn't catch it. But even if she did, she wouldn't have understood a word."What did he say?"She looked down to go through the photos. The man had helped take several photos. The background of one of them was blurred, turning the neon lights into a dazzling display of fireworks. There was a warm yellow hue reflected in her eyes."He said you're beau
The dizziness hit Lucian like a truck and was accompanied by a sharp ringing in his ears. But, it went away as quickly as it came. He hadn't fainted.His brows were tightly furrowed. Although he was now back on alert, his headache persisted. He instinctively raised his hand to massage his temples but realized that someone was holding onto his arm.The one steadying him was Cailyn. She frowned and looked at him seriously."Are your symptoms worsening, Mr. Northwood? You should've gone in for a reexamination yesterday. Dragging it out will only make things worse."After thanking her, Lucian extracted his arm from her grasp."It's fine."But, he wasn't convincing anyone with how pale he had gotten. His brows were tightly furrowed and his eyes were bloodshot. He had even found it difficult to hold onto a simple bottle of milk."Look at you. You're probably feeling awful right now. You're likely not going to have a peaceful night's rest either. Let's head to the cafe upstairs so I ca
Although Lucian fell into deep sleep, he didn't stay asleep for long. It was still bright out when he woke up. His mind was much sharper after his nap. Even the headache that had been bothering him all day was gone.He fished for his cell phone on the nightstand and took a look at it. Ever since his insomnia worsened, he had developed a habit of putting his phone on silent mode whenever he slept. Lucian first replied to David."What is it?""I have good and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?"David wasn't discouraged by his lack of response. He simply got to answering his question. It was thanks to him spending a considerable amount of time with Lucian and his skills at work that he hadn't been outright fired."Let's begin with the good news. You're trending again. Everyone in the country, be it an 18-year-old or an 80-year-old, is praying for a man like you …""Stop speaking in riddles."Lucian impatiently interrupted him before getting up and heading to th
Calista put down her fork."Why do you think I'm upset? Did you cheat on me or something? Are you feeling guilty?"Lucian spoke up before she could finish. Any hesitation would be seen as an admission of guilt."No.""Oh," Calista murmured.Neither of them spoke following the response. Although the silence stretched on for no longer than a few seconds, it created a relatively awkward atmosphere."Callie …" Lucian was so flustered that he spoke to break the silence. "I …"Explaining what was happening in the photo would mean revealing who Cailyn was. That would, in turn, bring his health issues to light."I haven't done anything to hurt you," Lucian said softly. He sounded serious and genuine. It was like he was trying to get Calista to believe him. "I'll come to Pelduin to pick you up after the competition."He would explain everything to her then. She had the right to know if his condition didn't improve within the month.Whether they got married was then her choice to make.
Lucian was about to take another swig when Paul snatched the glass out of his grip, spilling alcohol on their hands."You already have one foot in the grave. Stop drinking."Paul looked at the bartender and said, "Get him a glass of milk."The man looked up and swept a glance at him."You're acting like a woman in her mid-40s."Despite the comment, Lucian accepted the milk from the bartender and took a sip."I have something I need your help with."After Lucian explained his plan to Paul, the latter thought about it for a moment before suggesting, "Why not go with a beauty trap?"A beauty trap?There was undoubtedly a hidden agenda to Paul's dubious idea. Paul must've been trying to create conflict between him and Calista. It would allow Paul to step in. What a conniving bastard!"Thank you for helping me out. You've always been a true brother to me growing up. I can't believe you're going to such lengths for me. I owe you one.""Hah." Paul flashed him an insincere smile whi
Although there were seats for spectators, they were mostly occupied by insiders. Anyone pulled from the crowd could serve as a judge. The event was broadcast live to ensure fairness and impartiality.Calista opened her chatbox with Lucian as she entered the waiting area. He sent a message half an hour ago."I'm on my way to the airport.""Are you there yet?" she replied. Someone from the organizing committee arrived just as she sent the message."To prevent interference during the competition, phones need to be handed in per the rules. This is to avoid privacy leaks. We have specially prepared locked boxes for you. You may keep your phones locked inside. Only you will have the password and the key."Calista sent both Yara and Lucian texts telling them to check into a hotel when they arrived. She would look for them after the competition.They encountered a team from another country as they headed out front. The opposing team was giving them condescending looks that were large
Lucian stood by the window, his hair tousled by the cold wind of a March night. Yet he seemed unaware as he remained rooted to the spot. The unlit cigarette he held was deformed from his constant fidgeting.His usually meticulously ironed clothes now clung to him in a wrinkled state. It betrayed their considerable value. Upon closer inspection, there were dark, dried bloodstains on them.Yara had originally planned to meet Lucian at the airport today. But he was nowhere to be found when she arrived. As time was running out, she gave him a call only to learn that he was at the hospital.He had gone to get Calista a gift when he encountered a couple arguing. A wedding photo frame had been tossed down from the upper floors. Though it was merely from the third floor, it was angular and sharp. If it had hit someone on the head, it could've caused serious injuries or death.Cailyn also happened to be there by chance. She wasn't just standing around either. She had pushed Lucian out o
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