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
At that moment, Cade's pent-up anger from the morning reached its climax. His attitude became nastier than ever. "If she wants to seek death, ask her to handle it alone. Don't drag others into it." When it came to Cameron's matters, Cade was always very irritable. He'd lose patience and would get angry exceptionally easily. Fearing that Cameron would feel sad if she heard that, Diane hung up immediately. However, she was overthinking it. Cameron wasn't bothered by it at all. She did the wrong thing, albeit with good intentions. She blurted out, "Madam…"Cameron chuckled. She was about to reassure Diane when her phone pinged. It was an app's notification sound, informing her that a payment had been received. 100 thousand dollars had been transferred to her. She was at a loss for words. She thought that it was Blanche transferring funds from her studio, so she planned to check on it only after she was done changing. However, following that were a second and a third transfer
In her message, Cameron said that she would forget about their past grudges as long as Annie gave those videos to her. Annie asked, "Do you promise that no one will ever discover that the photos and videos came from me?" She didn't want to offend Mirabelle because she had a powerful background. At the same time, Cameron was a crazy woman. So, she didn't want Cameron to keep bothering her either.Annie shuddered involuntarily when she thought about the fate that befell upon them. She mulled over it all night. She really couldn't understand how they ended up under the control of a woman from the countryside with absolutely no background. Mirabelle and Cade were such brilliant people, but even they couldn't escape her grasp. One was all the way overseas, and the other was forced to marry. It was as if Cameron could read their minds and predict their actions. "Yeah." Cameron laughed. Straightforwardly, she answered, "Nerissa was the one who gave me the video." She said it as a m
Cade propped himself up with one hand next to Cameron. His other hand was holding her leg still. With that, she ended up being trapped under him. With a deep gaze, he stared at her from above. An image of her was reflected in his pupils. His gaze seemed to be drawn in by an invisible force as he kept his eyes fixed on her. In between breaths, a silent, amorous tension lingered in the air. Neither of them said a word. Cade clenched his teeth slightly. The muscles on his jaw tightened and his Adam's apple bobbed. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Cameron Yorksworth…"It felt a little hot, precisely the kind that made one's mouth go dry. Cade's manly scent wafted into Cameron's nose. She felt a little short of breath. Not because of a racing heart, but because her body started stiffening up more and more as time passed. Every cell within her was resisting him. Feeling the stiffness in her, an eerily icy look came across Cade's eyes. It was as if he was trying his best to suppress hi
Cameron had already seen the photographs and the videos. Without the two main culprits, Mirabelle and Nerissa, present, the evidence was of no use to her. If Cade insisted on taking it, she couldn't be bothered to fight it.Her indifference left the air heavy with silence. Cameron jerked her chin towards the door, clearly indicating for him to leave.Cade was at a loss for words. It felt like he was speaking to a brick wall. He frowned in frustration. "Did you get the scars on your back from what happened back then?"His gaze fell on her back. Cameron was neatly dressed, which meant that the marks were completely covered up. Yet, Cade's eyes accurately lasered in on where they were."Do Mr and Mrs. Yorksworth not know about them?"Cameron's skin was fair, smooth, and delicate. So, even though the scars weren't too prominent, they stood out like ink stains on white silk.She spent four years in the Yorksworth residence until she moved out—from age 14 to 18. Those weren't a mere fo
Cameron stared intensely at Cade to hazard a guess on what he was up to. For the past few days, he had been chauffeured around. So, his sudden demand gave her a sneaking suspicion that he might've found something out last night and now wanted to silence her to protect his childhood sweetheart's reputation.She stared at him for a long while before inclining her head and giving him a short laugh. "Sure."It was the morning rush hour. The Carter Group building sat at the heart of the central business district. They crawled along at a snail's pace, and just a few miles short of their destination, the traffic came to a complete standstill.Cade stared at the Carter Group building ahead beyond the endless sea of red brake lights before speaking. "The Carter Group will be working with the Vargas family."His tone was flat. He had brought it up so casually that it was as if it was a matter that suddenly came to mind.The one who tore off Cameron's clothes on the video he had watched la
Nerissa threw him hesitant looks. Her fingers were clutching onto her purse so tightly that her knuckles had turned white."There's something I need to tell you, Cade. But I don't know if it'll be appropriate for me to do so."Cade walked past her toward the elevator. "Keep it to yourself then."Nerissa was taken aback. This was not how she imagined their conversation to go. Cade had always been a gentleman. He was the type of man who could make a pig feel like a princess if he felt like it.He was far more patient with her than with others because they grew up together. There was also her relationship with Mirabelle to consider. This was the first time Cade had been this unkind to her.What surprised her even more was that this was all because of Cameron, the very woman he despised.Nerissa watched as Cade continued on his way without pausing. She gritted her teeth and quickly caught up to him."Cade, I heard that Cameron imprisoned her biological parents in a basement to retur
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,