Calista's words dispelled the gloom that had plagued him. That night, Lucian had a dreamless slumber.The next day, he opened his eyes to the sight of Calista's serene countenance still lax with sleep. Her slightly curled hair was scattered messily on the pillow. A few strands of hair stuck to her face. The warmth had tinted her cheeks pink, and even her lips were a rosy shade.Lucian leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her lips. However, Calista was deeply asleep and showed no signs of waking up. So, he kissed her again. After several attempts, her long, curled lashes fluttered. She wrinkled her brows as she struggled to open her eyes. Her voice was still raspy with sleep. "What time is it?"Lucian reached for the phone on the bedside table. The screen unlocked immediately after the device scanned his face. He checked the time and said, "9:30 a.m."After answering her question, he tapped on the notification informing him of a new message on WhatsApp. After a quick glance, his
Lucian was in a terrible mood with two unwanted groomsmen trying to force themselves into his eagerly anticipated wedding. His expression stayed visibly dark for several days which caused unrest among the company's staff. Even David and Simon, who were always at odds with one another, shared the same opinion for once. They believed that Lucian was suffering from pre-wedding jitters.David, who was constantly being verbally berated, sighed mournfully. "This isn't even his first time. What's there to be anxious about? Poor Mr. Northwood."Simon was going to ignore him at first. However, just as he was about to leave, he noticed someone standing at the door out of the corner of his eye. It was a man wearing leather shoes and trousers. He was dressed in a somewhat familiar style. So, he cleared his throat."Mr. Northwood is nervous because he cares too much about Madam Calista. What do you know?"Quarreling with Simon was par for the course. David would've gotten back at him if the
Calista spotted Lucian, dressed in a light gray coat, standing by the car when she got to the door. He was on the phone. His sleeve shifted as he moved, revealing a watch on his wrist. It was a sunny day, and the sunlight seemed to dance off him.Lucian's gaze was fixed in their direction. He immediately noticed when Calista and Hugo walked out. He quickly wrapped up with the person on the other end of the line, hung up, and strode over."Dad. Callie."Hugo couldn't help but hide his face in his hand at the sight of Lucian acting like a dog that was being offered a bone. There were sparkles in his eyes. Hugo feebly corrected him, "Stop calling me that. I haven't permitted you to do so."If possible, he wanted to keep Calista by his side for a few more years. The Jacquez family wasn't lacking in money or power. She could have anything he wanted. Having a man around would only influence his daughter's shopping habits. Everything she was wearing was part of last year's collection.
The words hit a little too close to home. What was even more heartbreaking was that Lucian thought it made sense. He and Calista must've been on bad terms at the time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have followed her in secret. There was no way Joan Everhart would've been happy with him. The thought had Lucian pursing his lips in silence.Calista noticed how dejected he seemed and was afraid that he would start overthinking things again. So, she rubbed her thumb soothingly over the back of his hand."Dad might have a sharp tongue, but he has a tender heart. He's just teasing you. Mom is very happy with you.""Okay," Lucian responded obediently and held her hand in return.Hugo rolled his eyes. Lucian was the president of a listed company. Why was he behaving like a fool and believing a blatantly false lie? While he was mocking the situation to himself, Lucian suddenly turned his head and locked eyes with him. There was a faint hint of amusement in Lucian's eyes. He showed no signs of d
"Well…" Lucian sounded upbeat. He was beaming with pride, but Calista's dark expression had him swallowing his words. He stiffly changed the subject. "I missed you, Callie."Calista didn't buy his act at all. She repeated her question. "How did you get up here?""I… climbed up here," he said softly.She knew that, but she wanted to hear him admit it. They were on the second floor. There was nothing for him to hold onto on the outer wall of the villa except for the guard rails. It required him to run up, wall hop, and grab onto the railing to get up. Not only did he need to accurately calculate the distance, there could be no slip-ups.If he fell, he would have a twisted ankle at best, or break a leg at worst. It could even be fatal if luck was not on his side.But rather than fearing the consequences, Lucian was demanding praise. She was angry. But considering how he climbed up here and risked danger just to see her, she swallowed her anger. "Don't do that again.""I won't." Wi
Yara was beyond inebriated after the wedding reception. She held Calista's hand as she babbled. "Please be happy, Calista. Come to me if that jerk Lucian tries anything funny. I'll give him a piece of my mind."Calista patiently replied, "Okay.""I thought you learned from your mistakes and moved on. So why are you right back where you started?" The thought of the hardship Calista had to suffer had Yara constantly whining. Yara wouldn't stop talking and seemed to want to rehash old scores. Timothy sprang into action by gathering her into his arms. "I'm sorry, but she's drunk. I'll take her home and make sure she gets some rest."Yara's emotions were still in full swing. When she heard someone claiming that she was drunk, it directed her attention to him. Noticing that it was Timothy who had called her out, she blew up at him."I'm not drunk! Which part of me looks drunk to you? I can still have another wine. Try me."Timothy knew he couldn't reason with a drunkard, so he playe
Timothy lifted Yara and set her down on the vanity for convenience. He smeared makeup remover all over her face as if he were plastering a wall. Despite her discomfort, she didn't dare to say a word. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, he was going to put the makeup remover into her mouth. When he turned to fetch a towel to wipe her face, Yara finally took the opportunity to speak up. "Do you even know how to remove makeup, Timothy? You need to emulsify it with warm water before thoroughly washing it off."Timothy snorted and expressed his gripes. "It's just one thing after another. How do you emulsify it?""Just use some warm water…" Yara guided him on how to remove her makeup. Her words were also interspersed with gibberish. "You need to learn this. Otherwise, no woman is going to want to marry you.""Hah…" He had never heard that he had to learn how to remove someone's makeup to get married. The requirements usually ended at gold bars, wedding gifts, a house, and a c
It was already noon by the time Calista awoke the next day. It was bright outside, and the sunlight stung her eyes. Her body felt sore, which made her reluctant to move from where she lay beneath the covers.She didn't know when Lucian had woken up, but he was no longer in the room. She stretched and rolled around on the massive bed.Suddenly, the sound of knocking on the door, accompanied by a servant's quiet voice, could be heard. "Ms. Quinn is here to see you, Madam Calista. She's waiting in the living room downstairs."Selena had sent the servant to assist with getting the honeymoon suite in order as she was worried they'd be too busy to do so. The servant had yet to leave.Calista immediately got out of bed and got dressed once she heard that Yara was there. "Where is Lucian?""Mr. Northwood is downstairs."Calista headed downstairs after she freshened up to see Yara seated on the couch. When the former approached the latter, she noticed how exhausted Yara looked. Her eyes w
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
Cade tossed his phone onto the table in frustration when he saw who entered. He pressed his hand against his brow."Leave. You should see Diane for a work uniform.""Are you feeling unwell, Mr. Carter?" Rosalia approached the desk with a glass of milk in hand. "I learned how to give massages. Why don't I…" "Get out."Cade abruptly got to his feet and avoided Rosalia's outstretched hand, causing the milk to spill all over him. He glanced down at his now-stained shirt with a dark expression and pressed his lips tightly together. After a long pause, he asked through clenched teeth, "Did my wife ask you to send this up?" Every syllable was pronounced with the gnashing of teeth.Rosalia froze under his piercing gaze."It really was Mrs. Carter who asked me to bring it to you, sir," she stammered."Leave. From now on, you will not enter my study unless you have permission."Rosalia had come to work as a housekeeper to land herself a wealthy husband. She had even bribed the manager
On the next day, Cameron was discussing the fashion show with Monica when she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind. "Cammie…" It was Blaire.Although Monica didn't fully know about Cameron's past, she didn't like Blaire at all. What kind of mother wouldn't protect their own child, after all?However, it wasn't appropriate for her to intervene as much even though she was Cameron's close friend. After all, it was Cameron's family matter.Monica stood up with her notebook in hand and said, "Well, I just remembered that there's still a few more invitations to send, so I'll go and take care of that. Let's discuss more about the fashion show later."After saying that, she glanced at Blaire and left without even greeting her.Cameron got up and nodded at Blaire. "Is something the matter?"She thought that her distant attitude last night had made it clear enough that she didn't want any more involvement with the Yorksworth family. She didn't expect that Blaire would come and loo
Cameron pushed the door open. She looked tired as she laid down her bag. As she changed her shoes, she caught sight of the food on the dining table out of the corner of her eye."Diane, didn't I tell you I wasn't coming back for dinner? Why did you make so much food?"Diane glanced upstairs. "It's for Mr. Carter. He hasn't eaten yet."The moment Cade was mentioned, Cameron dropped the topic. She rubbed her sore shoulder as she headed upstairs. "I see.""Madam…" Diane called out hesitantly, looking troubled. "Mr. Carter asked you to call him down for dinner when you got home.""Me? Call him down for dinner?" Cameron stopped in her tracks and turned around in confusion. "Why?""Mr. Carter seems to be upset. Did you two have another fight?""So If he's in a bad mood, I'm supposed to go upstairs and invite him down to eat? Should I also say 'Your meal is ready, my liege!' while I'm at it?" Cameron scoffed. Her sarcastic smirk quickly faded. "He can eat if he wants. If he doesn't,