"Miss, what are you doing? You can't touch the piece unless you're buying it!" the security guard in charge of the area yelled out. "Put that painting down, or you'll be treated as a thief!"Calista was startled by the cry that echoed throughout the floor. It was only then that she realized she had taken the painting off its hook at some point.She grew aware of how tense she was.She hurriedly suppressed her complex emotions and said hoarsely, "I apologize. I got a little too excited …. I would like to buy this painting. Can you please help contact the seller?" The skeptical security guard called for the person in charge. They promptly arrived after learning that she wanted to buy the painting. They contacted the person who provided the painting.Knowing that the person who offered up the painting was at the exhibition, the person in charge said, "There's a buyer here who would like to buy the painting you put up for sale, Ms. Everhart. Would you like to come to discuss the pric
Calista, assuming that Lucian was acting up again, rolled her eyes and walked away.It was a man's inherent possessiveness at play. They couldn't tolerate anyone coveting what belonged to them. What was theirs was also not permitted to take a fancy to anybody else.She understood that much. Even if Lucian appeared jealous, she wasn't fazed. But, before she had even taken a few steps, he grabbed her by the arm.The man's grip was powerful. It felt as if he intended to crush her wrist! She clicked her tongue. Her brows were furrowed in pain. Even her voice sounded strained."Let go."It was only then that he regained his senses. He loosened his grip slightly but didn't let go. The look on his face was icy."Come," he tersely said."I'm at work …"However, Lucian didn't give her the right to refuse. He dragged her along."You married my sister, Mr. Northwood. You didn't give her any money?"Nikolette's accusatory words could be heard from behind them. Anyone who was not in the k
Calista gave him a look of disbelief."We're getting a divorce soon. Why would I call for someone who's going to be my ex-husband soon to back me up? Do I look that crazy?"What was most important was that a ruthless businessman like Lucian would never act as a shield for free. He would take a pound of flesh in return even if he did.She didn't want to add to the already massive debt of three million dollars.Lucian pulled out of the parking lot as she was speaking. He had a cigarette in his mouth. He narrowed his eyes and gave her a mocking smile."So, you don't want me there to back you up but, you're fine with Paul being there instead."She took a deep breath. She already knew that was what he was caught up on."Our marriage had always been business from the start, Lucian. The so-called deal is that we put up an act when we're together. But in private, we don't interfere with each other's lives. When the contract expires, we part ways.""So?""So," A bold smile spread across
Calista smiled despite her anger."Sounds good. You should pick a Malinois. Those look strong."She paused before adding suggestively, "But nowadays, you often find people who look good on the outside but are ultimately useless. Humans are that way. What of animals?"Lucian's nerves were on the verge of snapping. He pinched his brows and spoke with displeasure, "Get down."She held out her hand."Return my phone."The man's gaze lowered onto her fair palm."Are you more concerned for your phone or for the man who calls you?""Will it kill you to not be an asshole for once, Lucian? You dragged me out of the cultural center. I couldn't even get my coat. I don't even have money on me. Do you expect me to walk back from here?"The cultural center was a distance away from the main city and was even farther from where she lived. His expression lightened up after her explanation. He handed her the phone he kept in his coat pocket."If you …"If she bent to his will, she wouldn't ha
Calista, who had been sleeping, was awoken by a frantic pounding at the door. In her groggy state, the pounding sounded distant.There were six units on her floor so she couldn't tell from which unit the knocking was coming.She groggily cracked her eyes open and realized that her temperature had risen again, and her breath was dry and hot. She was exhausted and not long later, she fell asleep again.Lucian had been knocking at her door for a while now but there was no reply. He had also tried calling her multiple times.If it weren't for the faint sound of her ringtone coming from the inside of her house, he would've thought that she wasn't at home. Lucian frowned.There was an air of annoyance about him that made him even more unapproachable than usual. He pulled out his phone and dialed David's number."Get a locksmith to come to Seventh Apartment, Block 3, Unit 603."Half an hour later, the locksmith arrived and managed to get Calista's house unlocked.Lucian didn't bother
Calista's neck was turning red from his fingers and she stirred in her sleep from the pain. She groggily cracked her eyes open to see who was in front of her.When she realized who it was, she frowned and grumbled unhappily, "Lucian, don't touch me."The effect of her words was instantaneous. The only sound left in the room was the sound of their breaths. Lucian had still been able to keep his anger in check, but right now, he had reached his limit.Fury was radiating off him in waves as he yanked her toward him again and pinned her to the bed."You won't let me touch but you would let Paul touch you? I don't know if I should compliment you for being smart for knowing how to make a man submit to you or if I should call you stupid. Out of all the men in this city, why did you have to choose my friend? Or do you think that I would choose a woman like you over my friend?"Calista didn't answer. She was completely pinned down by him, and she looked as if she had fallen asleep again.
The sharp crack of the impact of her palm on his cheek seemed to be enough to make the room descend into silence.Though Calista had hit him with all of her might, it wasn't painful. She had not had any food since yesterday and had only just recovered from her fever.Even though she used all of her strength, it was just a mere tickle to Lucian. However, it didn't matter that her slap didn't hurt.What hurt more was the humiliation that followed! People had always bent over backwards to please Lucian so he had never been struck by anyone before in his life!He narrowed his eyes at her and picked her up from the bed.He stared straight into her eyes as he growled, "You're getting bolder by the day. How dare you hit me?"His tone didn't show much of his emotions but he had practically spat out each word which betrayed how furious he was. His expression looked terrifying and Calista braced herself for his retaliation.She told herself that if he hit her, then she would just hit him
Mr. Xanders laughed uncomfortably, "Don't be ridiculous, there's no such thing! I'm just giving you a break because I've seen how you have been because of the filming and the exhibition. I just wanted you to take a break. You're still young so you don't have to work yourself to the bone. Your health is much more important than your work!"Now that Mr. Xanders had said that, there was no reason for Calista to insist that he was being threatened.Besides, even if he wasn't willing to admit it, she had a faint inkling regarding the real reason why she was being given a break.She connected the dots between her sudden break and the warning that Lucian had given her before he left this morning. If she didn't make the connection between the two then she really would be a fool!She hung up and let out an annoyed exhale.Nikolette was still sarcastically mumbling in a corner, "Oh, did you get fired?"Calista frowned and turned to look at her distastefully."Why are you still here?""Th