Now that Cameron knew who Asher was, her disdain for him became visibly apparent. "So, what is it that you want from me?"Asher touched his nose and smiled helplessly. "Would you believe me if I said that it was all just a coincidence?"Cameron couldn't be bothered to play along and proceeded to poke holes in his lies."You weren't sent to the countryside because of your poor health. Your parents sent you abroad to live with your aunt to better raise you."Asher was taken aback. "I'm sorry…" He didn't attempt to justify his lies. After all, it was indeed he who started on false narratives.Cameron got to her feet. There was no way she could stay now that she had lost her appetite."If you truly feel sorry, please never show up in front of me ever again. Stay at least three feet away if we ever run into each other. Aside from Melissa, I despise every member of the Laurier family."It was Cameron who ordered all the food a moment ago. So, she flagged down the waiter and said, "P
Cameron responded impatiently. "I promised him your demise. I'll remarry him once you're out of the picture and use your money to buy a car and a house. We'll live a lavish life."Cade stared at her, his expression grim. "You sure have lofty dreams for someone so ugly. Even if I were to die, I'd rather donate my fortune than allow you to spend it on another pretty boy.""I won't be stopping at one. I’ll want a new toy every month. Feel free to divorce me if you don't like it." "Divorce you so you can find someone else to marry and start a new life with by forgetting the past?" Cade paused and sneered coldly."I forgot. Someone as vicious and selfish as you couldn't care less. If you had a conscience, you wouldn't have acted so ruthlessly."The studio fell silent as the atmosphere grew tense. It was as if time had stopped. Cameron suddenly grabbed the mouse next to her and hurled it at Cade's face. "Get out!"She followed it up with the tissue box, and then the cup. She th
Fabian felt as though he had been the victim of an extreme injustice. Who would want to continue slaving around after clocking out? If Cade hadn't told him to stay, he would've left a long time ago."I'll leave right away then."Cade gave Cameron a sidelong glance before frowning and saying, "You drive."Considering how she had just experienced a fit of insanity, allowing her to drive might result in both of them being dead.Cameron wanted nothing more than to be left alone. Her turbulent emotions had yet to settle. There was a vacant look on her face as she walked passed Cade and headed for the parking lot. He stopped her. "Get in the car.""No thanks. I drove here."Cade's expression darkened. "With how distracted you are, allowing you to drive is no different from sending you out to commit murder."Cameron glared at him."What? Want to bite me again?"Despite the tense atmosphere, he grabbed her by the back of her neck and somewhat roughly shoved her into the car.Cameron was too e
"Did you cause it?" Lucian asked absentmindedly."What do you mean 'did I cause it'? How could I have possibly pushed her to madness? Do you think anyone would be able to push her to the brink with the way she acts?" Cade asked in a cold tone.Cameron always adhered to the principle of using force rather than words. Over the years, the number of people she had beaten up could no longer be counted on ten fingers."People aren't machines. They'll develop mental problems if they're under too much pressure. Even machines that cost millions break down after extended use."Lucian took a deep breath and gently moved Calista's leg from his lower abdomen."Those people Cameron beat up weren't all innocent.""What about Annie? The girl who always teared up when anyone spoke harshly against her ended up with a broken leg. "Craig Whittaker contracted a disease and locked himself away to rot. Mirabelle went abroad and almost ended up with a criminal record. "The Feltner family went bankru
Cameron emphasized every word. "Hypocritical, selfish, cold-blooded, two-faced, sycophantic…"She was a woman who exhibited a distant allure. Her captivating eyes always exuded a sense of aloofness. This was especially true when she talked down to others with an indifferent expression. It made her seem utterly devoid of humanity.Not only did Asher feel uncomfortable with Cameron rattling off a string of negative descriptors, but even Monica, who was eavesdropping while acting busy, felt her heart drop.It was all over. They would need to relocate. Monica frantically calculated the costs of a new store, including the cost of renovations and the transfer fee…Asher's expression had been tense from the moment Cameron began speaking. With how unsatisfied she seemed, he had a feeling she wasn't finished. She had simply run out of words."What did my parents do to make you so hostile toward them?"What about him? He and Cameron had never even met before. Was he hated because he was
With Cade present, Cameron certainly wouldn't have been able to hurt Nerissa with the knife. He grabbed her hand just as she reached the dining table. "Cameron…" he growled. Although no one had gotten hurt, her actions completely shattered Blaire's illusion of sisterly affection between them. Her eyes wavered at the sight of the knife gleaming coldly."Cammie…"Cameron didn't struggle. There was nothing in her gaze but cold indifference and mockery as she looked at them."What? I'm bossy? I'm vicious? I deserve to die, right? But what about you? Aren't you just as selfish? Stop pretending you don't see the animosity between me and Nerissa just for the sake of the false harmony you wish for."You're only asking Nerissa to apologize to me because she was caught fabricating rumors about me at the party. But did you ever—""Cammie!"Nerissa interrupted her with a shrill scream, fearing that Cameron would reveal the things she had done. In the past, Blaire might not have believed
Cade looked at her and flashed Cameron a humorless smile."I think you're planning on getting me killed.""That's right. I was thinking… Tch…"Before Cameron could finish, a sudden jolt of pain from her neck caught her off guard, causing her to let out an involuntary gasp. Cade had pressed his hand down on her neck.As the tips of his fingers glided across her skin, a stinging sensation spread. There was a scrape likely caused by Annie scratching her.Cade withdrew his hand to show her a speck of blood on his finger."You bite even when no one has hurt you. Who knows if you're going to eat them up now that you've been scratched.""You'd better keep your eyes open when you sleep tonight. If I lose my marbles, you'll be the first one I bite to death," Cameron said.It suddenly began to snow. Tiny snowflakes began landing on the windshield, quickly melting into water. But as more snow fell, it gradually began to pile up in a thin layer.The Carter Mansion was a distance away from
Diane was taken aback. Was that something a husband should say? She looked at Cameron curled up in bed with her face half buried into the pillow. Then, she glanced at the cold and indifferent Cade, sitting on the couch with his legs crossed. Her want to urge him to go through with the divorce sat at the tip of her tongue. However, she ultimately kept herself from saying anything by silently reminding herself that she should "persuade reconciliation rather than separation" dozens of times.Cameron let out a low murmur, likely because she felt cold. That was because she curled her already hunched body even tighter right after she finished speaking.Cade stared at Cameron, whose face was flushed from the fever. She was trapped in a deep sleep and unable to wake up. Without her usual domineering and self-centered personality at the forefront, she seemed so fragile that even a slight touch from someone would crush her.Never had Cameron ever been so helpless before. Seeing her that
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,