As soon as Cameron came out of the bathroom after washing her hands, she was stopped by several people. The sight of the familiar faces before her had her raising an eyebrow. This same group of people once cornered her at a rundown, dirty alleyway where they mocked her condescendingly. "You're just a country bumpkin. How dare you bully Nerissa? It makes me wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Yorksworth have lost their minds to adopt someone like you.""Come on. Maybe she has something special to offer. Some people don't see their adoptive father as their father."The vile words spewing from their mouths extinguished Cameron's budding expectations for her new life.She leaned against the peeling and mottled wall with her head bowed in silence. Thinking she was afraid, they grew increasingly brazen. When they were no longer satisfied with verbal provocations, they began using physical force.They outnumbered her, leaving her no way to fight them all. So, she singled out the leader and put up
Once they were back home, Cameron made a beeline for the bedroom on the second floor. She frowned at the sight of her swollen face in the mirror. At the time, she assumed it was just a minor scrape, but it turned out to be more serious than she thought.After her shower, she carefully dried off her face. She was about to leave for the kitchen to fetch a hot pack when she opened the door to find Diane about to knock.Diane's expression fell when she saw Cameron's face. "Oh dear, what happened? Weren't you out with Mr. Carter? How did you get hurt so badly?""I'm fine. It's just a minor injury," Cameron replied.Diane's concern seemed genuine, which warmed Cameron's heart. However, she wasn't used to accepting kindness from others and even felt somewhat repulsed by it. It was as if she were a harbinger of misfortune. Throughout her life, anyone who was nice to her ended up in dire straits. Luckily, there weren't many people who treated her well, so she didn't have to bear much gu
Cameron was never a soft or gentle woman. Her patience quickly wore thin."You were so eager for a divorce. But now that I've agreed, you're not willing to go through with it? Do you have masochistic tendencies, or have you developed feelings for me after all the sex we've had?"It was a blatantly vulgar thing to say. But for her and Cade, that was the extent of their communication.Cade narrowed his eyes after sweeping a glance at her. He pressed his lips into a thin line, his expression turning glacial."How long will it take for the injuries on your face to heal?"This time, Cameron couldn't help but laugh. She raised an eyebrow as her voice took on a flirty tone. "Are you worried about me?"Cade looked indifferent. Despite the lack of sarcasm in his voice, there was mockery in every word."Don't prop your pillow too high when you go to sleep. It's bad for your health if you have too many dreams. "If you die in your sleep with your face looking like that, people are going t
Rob was Nerissa's friend. His grandparents lived on the compound. After he had been beaten up, he was too embarrassed to go home to his parents. So, he came over the night before. While Blaire was out on a walk upstairs last night, she happened to run into him. He looked like a complete wreck.At the time, she wondered who could have done such a thing. He was black and blue all over. She hadn't expected the culprit to be her own daughter.Blaire was still in shock from the revelation that her daughter had knocked down a muscular, six-foot-tall man when Wilfred Yorksworth's booming voice reverberated through the air."All you do is cause trouble. What else can you do besides that? Get in here this instant!"Wilfred was a military man who was strict and serious. Even though he was getting on his years, his voice still carried authority. Her husband's anger prompted Blaire to usher Cameron inside.Wilfred was sitting on the couch, leveling a sharp gaze at her. His brows, as usual,
"What gives me the right to hit her? I'm her father. Why wouldn't I have the right to do so?"Wilfred adopted the posture he used to reprimand new recruits in the army."Look at her. She's never satisfied. She acts like the world owes her something. She should see how kids living outside of civilization live. She's got it a thousand times better than them. What more does she want?""At least they wouldn't raise their biological daughters as adopted daughters outside of civilization," Cameron said.Her words were like a pause button. All the voices in the living room died down once she said her piece.Blaire stared at her. "Cameron…"She probably hadn't expected Cameron to know about it. She was so shocked that her tone changed.Before she could get another word out, she remembered that Nerissa was still watching from the sidelines. So, she forcibly choked back a reply and smiled stiffly. "Did you misunderstand something because of someone's gossip, Cammie? We can talk about th
Cameron didn't say anything more. After pulling her hand away, she walked straight past Cade. Once she stepped out of the courtyard, the streets slowly regained their liveliness. Many people were out on a post-dinner stroll, walking in pairs or groups with relaxed and contented expressions on their faces. The road was bustling with traffic. The neon lights lining the streets highlighted the city's splendor.She thought about the time she was first brought to the Yorksworth home. Wilfred and Blaire had gone to town to pick her up in person. It had also been at this time of day when she first set foot in the big city. She felt like an alien seeing the world for the first time. Her eyes were bright with curiosity.The door to the Yorksworth home slowly opened. Inside, a group of boys and girls were chatting. They were dressed in the most popular clothes of the season, making them appear glamorous. On the other hand, Cameron's clothes were faded and misshapen. Her sleeves and tro
Someone violently kicked open the bathroom door. Cade strode up to the tub and fished Cameron out of the water. His expression was as cold as ice."Have you lost your mind, Cameron? Pick a better place to die."Cameron gasped for breath. It took her a while for her vision to finally come into focus, but she was immediately greeted by the sight of Cade's furious expression. She glanced at the bathtub, but the woman was nowhere to be found. The water was also crystal clear. She let go of Cade's waist, her wet eyelashes fluttering downward. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke."I fell asleep." Then, she frowned. "I'm taking a bath. Why did you barge in?""Hah." Cade let out an exasperated laugh at her quip. "If I hadn't barged in, I'd be buying you a gravesite now."He had knocked on the door several times. It was Cameron's lack of response that made him kick it open."I don't intend to die." Even if she did, she would drag everyone to hell with her before perishing.Cameron unabas
Cade looked at Cameron as if she were a brainless idiot. There was contempt written on each of his features. He walked past her and went straight downstairs. When Cameron arrived downstairs, she saw that Diane had prepared two bowls of chicken noodle soup. Cade, who had a spoon in hand, was already eating. She got to her seat and sat down. Carrots, celery, and chicken floated in the broth with fresh parsley leaves sprinkled over top. It was an appetizing sight. The fragrance of the soup wafted up from the bowl.With how hot the food was, she absentmindedly stirred her soup. There was no telling what was on her mind. Her unfocused gaze swept across the dining room before finally settling on Cade."You haven't had dinner?""Mhm.""Do you like Nerissa?"The Carters had moved out of the neighborhood several years ago, which meant that the two families were no longer down the street from one another. However, there was no doubt that Nerissa was involved with Cade's coincidental a
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,