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
Calista called the police right after she hung up and ten minutes later, the police arrived.After understanding the situation, they managed to get the landlady and the two men to leave her alone for now.The grumbling eventually ceased as they left, but Calista was now more awake than ever. She sat cross-legged on her sofa and went online to look for another house.There was no way she was going to continue living here after all that has happened tonight.She stumbled upon quite a nice-looking house and was just about to click on the listing when she received a call. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was a foreign number.Calista didn't have any friends abroad and usually, she would've just assumed that it was a scam and hang up but this time …She stared at the numbers for a while longer and just before the call ended, she swiped her screen to pick up. "Hello?" she greeted cautiously.From the other came Zachary's comforting, yet at the same time unfamiliar voice,
After that, Calista didn't wait for Lucian's reply and blocked him immediately. It was rush hour right now and she couldn't hail a taxi so she planned to just stay at a nearby hotel for now. She had spent the entirety of today looking for a new house and packing so she was exhausted.Suddenly, there was a beep and a black car stopped by her side. Calista turned and the window from the passenger seat of the car rolled down to reveal Paul's handsome face."Calista, what are you doing?" he asked."I'm moving. I had originally had an appointment to sign a contract at 6:00 PM but the landlord went back on his word all of a sudden," she replied truthfully.She wasn't afraid to show him all the bad parts of her life."What about you? What are you doing here?" she asked.In front was a hospital and the entire street was filled with old food stalls. What's more, was that the roads were also narrow and filled with plotholes.It was obvious that this wasn't a place that Paul would freque
Paul was scanning the menu when he heard Nikolette. He raised his head and glanced at Calista, who was enjoying her lemon water.Without any hesitation, he said, "Calista wouldn't do something like that. She'd first seek my opinion if she genuinely wanted to introduce someone to me. Ms. Nikolette, if you have a penchant for stirring up trouble, I'd appreciate it if you found another table." Calista looked up in bewilderment. Her connection with Paul hadn't reached a stage where he unquestionably believed in her.He would probably have smoothed things over in the past to avoid an uncomfortable atmosphere. She hadn't seen him be this impolite, even with women more stubborn and temperamental than Nikolette. Nikolette's face turned red. She wished she could vanish into thin air. Although Paul's voice wasn't booming, and the tables weren't close together, the restaurant was bustling with people.It seemed like all eyes were on her, and even the whispered conversations she couldn't qu
Upon Lucian's arrival at the Luminary Lounge, he noticed that the others had already arrived. Cade glanced at Lucian’s impeccably tailored suit and the tie he was wearing."You didn't come straight from the office, did you?" "Yeah." "Ah, your wife is about to leave, and you're making all that money. Who are you saving it for, stacking it up to bury yourself with?" Cade teased. "What's it to you?" Lucian retorted. Cade thought, "Was Lucian trying to pick a fight or something?" Lucian took a seat beside Cade, with Paul on the other side. He then picked up the glass of wine the waiter had poured for him and raised it toward Paul.As he did, the amber liquid shimmered in the dim lighting. "Have Calista move out of your apartment," Lucian ordered. Paul wasn't surprised that Lucian knew about this. He had no intention of keeping it a secret."Lucian, aren’t you taking this too far? She's a woman you know. It's unsafe for her to move luggage around late at night." Lucian hi
Calista tried to push Lucian and retorted, "Don't touch me." But Lucian's strength was overpowering. No matter how hard Calista struggled, she couldn't break free from his firm grip around her waist. Finally, Lucian's lips left hers briefly, and he didn't rush to initiate another kiss. Instead, he maintained their position and looked at her with half-lowered eyes. Calista's fair complexion now bore an expression of disdain. She might have slapped him without a second thought if her hands weren't restrained behind her. Lucian let out a chuckle. His voice was laced with desire and a raspy undertone. His fingers pinched Calista's face, forcing her to turn back toward him. He pressed his lips firmly against her face, then trailing down to her jawline and neck. After his passionate embrace, her skin bore a delicate, rosy flush. Calista had dressed lightly for her plan to grab a quick bite downstairs. She wore only a base layer and a long cardigan. Her dressings left her utterly
Calista's confident attitude diminished significantly, but she stood her ground."You're staying here whether you like it or not. Doctor, please proceed accordingly." Knowing Lucian, Calista had expected him to create some fuss. However, he surprised her by staying calm and silent.The admission office was still open. Calista soon returned with the necessary documents. The private ward was located in a separate building.Calista suggested, "Shall I arrange for a nurse to assist you?" "I'm not accustomed to sleeping with strangers watching me." "In that case, I'll have them wait outside the door. Just call them if you need anything," Calista said while yawning.She was feeling tired after all the events. Lucian's expression remained icy as he replied, "Do you think I have the strength to call for help when I have a concussion?" Calista retorted, "A concussion doesn't make you mute."Before she could finish her sentence, a voice from outside interrupted her. "Lucian."I
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