Cameron had indeed outdone herself this time. Not only had she played the hero, but she also ended up putting herself in the hospital. She was surprised to see Cade, who had appeared out of nowhere."What are you doing here?"This was a small, unremarkable hospital. It was so shabby that Cade would never set foot here. The odds of encountering him here were practically nonexistent.He stared at her, but his gaze quickly shifted over to Asher. A cold smile played on Cade's lips as he asked curtly, "Did I interrupt your love affair by coming here? Where were you planning to go next? Are you going to check into a hotel next?"There was dead silence all around. "Have you already forgotten what I told you, Cameron?" His spine-chilling, yet aloof, voice sounded over Cameron's head. "I warned you. I'll kill you myself if you cheat on me."Asher frowned and stepped in to explain. "Ms. Yorksworth got hurt when she saved me. So, I brought her to the hospital as a way to return the favor.
Cameron didn't say a word, but she was clearly furious. She stared at the empty shoe cabinet for a short while before slamming the door shut.Diane sidled up to her and whispered, "Mr. Carter may seem rough on the outside, but he's a kind soul. "Mr. Monet has already called several times, but he's still hanging around on the couch. He definitely wants to drop you off at work and is just too embarrassed to admit it."Cade happened to overhear Diane's words when he approached. He shot her a glance. Even without him saying a word, Diane could feel a chill run down her spine and hurried away with a nervous laugh.After leaving the mansion, Cameron frowned at the sight of the person waiting by the car. He was not the household's chauffeur. Instead, he was Cade's private chauffeur. She took out her phone to make a call, but Cade suddenly bent down to gather her into his arms. Then, he carried her down the steps. The driver immediately hurried over with a wheelchair."Put me down," Ca
The home had thin walls. So, their argument could be heard clearly from outside. Cade's sudden appearance had Cameron staring at him."What are you doing here?" she asked.He shot her a look of disdain. "To stop you from being beaten to a pulp?"Wilfred was still enraged. "Stay out of this, Cade. I'm going to teach this ungrateful girl a lesson."He tried to pull his hand away but ultimately failed to free himself. It was the motions that gradually calmed his agitation. His eyes were filled with a complex mixture of disbelief and relief when he stared at Cade.How could Wilfred as a father not wish the best for his children? Cade was the son-in-law he had always wanted, but Cameron had married him through underhanded methods. It resulted in the two families growing distant.He felt guilt toward the Carter family for having raised an unscrupulous daughter. That was why he never spoke publicly about Cade and Cameron's relationship, nor did he associate the two together.But if the
Cade was going to bend down to check on Nerissa. However, upon hearing Cameron's words, he seemed at a loss for whether or not he should reach out for a split second.Blaire, who was outside, heard the commotion. Since it came from Cameron's room, she assumed that Cameron had fallen over because she had trouble moving around. So, she rushed in."Are you okay, Cammie?" Just as she finished speaking, she spotted Nerissa lying motionless on the floor. "What on earth… What happened to Nerissa? Cade, call an ambulance! Wilfred! Wilfred!"Cameron interrupted Blaire's cries. "She's faking it."Blaire stopped calling out for her husband. Cameron met her astonished gaze."If you don't believe me, poke her with a needle a few times. I guarantee that she'll be jumping off the ground then."Nerissa let out a weak groan the moment Cameron finished speaking. Her face contorted in pain. She slowly opened her eyes while clutching her head. Her eyes wandered around the room before she cast a conf
Cameron seemed to be in high spirits. All her repressed sentiments made themselves known. She propped up her chin with her hand as her smile widened. Every growing inch of her grin was a clear provocation. Her glossy red lips parted slightly. Cade noticed that she was about to start something. He frowned and quickly interrupted her before she could speak."Shut up."He thought that Cameron was trying to peeve him to get back at him for the cold treatment she had experienced in the last two years."Who was it that schemed to marry me in the first place?"Cameron tilted her head back and downed the wine in her glass in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down her throat and settled in her stomach. It didn't take long for the burning sensation to spread from her abdomen throughout her body.A soft blush surfaced on her pale skin. Her eyes shimmered, vivid and charming.Cade looked at the empty glass in her hand as the furrow between his brows deepened. "Are you a pig? Who taught you t
Monica then realized that she was still filming the backs of the individuals. So, she leisurely circled around to ensure their faces were in the frame."Oh my, you all look so beaten up. With how bruised your faces are, it's not going to surprise me if even your mothers don't know who you are."At first glance, Cameron didn't recognize them either until she heard a familiar voice begging for mercy."We were the ones in the wrong, Ms. Yorksworth. We should never have bullied you. You're a kind person. Please get Mr. Yorksworth to stop troubling our parents."He tried to justify his past behavior while wailing at the top of his lungs. If there were any other options, he, a man who was seven feet tall, wouldn't be on his knees in the streets begging for forgiveness. He was usually an unruly man with no shame. However, anyone in his shoes would want to preserve their dignity if they could."I did hit you, but you did the same to me. At most, it was a fight. There's no bullying invol
Diane was trembling from Cade's outburst. "Madam Cameron has already gone to bed, sir," she said with trepidation.Cade glanced at her and headed upstairs with a cold expression. When he passed by the living room, he noticed two sheets of A4 paper spread out on the coffee table. Although he couldn't make out its contents, he could guess what was written on them.The veins in his forehead throbbed as he asked grimly, "Is there one on the dining table too? Is she planning to plant copies everywhere I go?"Diane said nothing, confirming his suspicions. After a full 30 seconds of silence, Cade let out a frustrated laugh. Had she made up her mind to divorce him?He marched up the stairs, his expression stormy. When he discovered that Cameron had locked the door, the anger that had been simmering beneath the surface erupted into a blazing inferno. He tamped down his vexation and knocked on the door.After a moment, the door opened. Cameron leaned against the doorframe, showing no intent
Of course, Cade wouldn't actually do anything to Cameron. His upbringing and innate pride prevented him from forcing himself on a woman. Moreover, he realized that Cameron wasn't just saying all that to provoke him. She truly did not react to his touch at all.There was a storm brewing in Cade's eyes as he looked at her. Her clothes were disheveled, and there were also red marks littering her neck and arms. She was staring at him. Yet, it was as though she was gazing right through him to focus on what was unseen. She looked as if she had just been brutally abused.He hadn't used much force and went easy on her. However, Cameron's pale skin made every mark very noticeable.Cade pursed his lips and tamped down the peculiar feeling that bubbled up within him. He opened the drawer next to the bed and indeed found several bottles of pills inside. For a moment, it seemed as if his heart had finally died. After a brief pause, he finally forced out a few words through gritted teeth.
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