Upon hearing this, Lily relaxed slightly, and her lips instinctively curled upward, but she quickly suppressed it.She knew Lucian still cared for her. He must have been cold toward her recently because he was still mad that she left him to study abroad years ago. Calista clenched her fingers and lifted her chin in pride.She sneered at him and spat, “In your dreams! I would never apologise to Lily.” Lucian boiled with anger. His face was red like a raging storm, wanting to tear Calista into pieces.“I’m not asking you to apologize to Lily. Apologize to the child.” Lily was about to interfere and gracefully defuse the situation, but she was speechless to hear Lucian’s words. Calista mocked, "I can't believe you’re such a good father." Lucian ignored her sarcastic comment and stood up. He was well-built and instantly towered over her. He forcedly grabbed her wrist and pulled her across the desk into his arms."Apologize." Coffee dripped from his face onto her head. He wa
The two of them parted ways unhappily. As soon as Calista left, she called Harvey."I want to file for divorce." Harvey had already looked over the advantages and disadvantages of filing a divorce for her before. So, he didn’t say much and advised her on the documents she had to prepare. After hanging up the phone, she let out a long sigh. Calista had not planned to make such a big deal out of it. She wanted her marriage to end quietly, like how it started.The media kept a watchful eye on the Northwood family due to their high social status. Any event would be publicized.She didn't want to expose this troubled marriage to the public, subjecting herself to gossip, sympathy, and sarcastic remarks.But she hadn't expected that she would ultimately end up in a courtroom with Lucian. She found a coffee shop, ordered a simple meal, and arranged to meet someone in an hour. Soon, a man in a black jacket and a face mask walked in.He looked around before heading straight for C
Lucian remained silent and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed as if pretending to nap. He appeared pretty exhausted, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes. Timothy, representing him as his lawyer, spoke first. "Miss Calista, the court hopes you and Mr. Northwood can settle this matter privately. Marriage is meant to last forever. It wouldn't be good for you and Mr. Northwood to drag this out in court." Harvey had informed her that this was standard before a divorce case went to court. It was part of the legal procedure.Typically, it would happen a few days before the court hearing, but it was postponed until now due to Lucian's busy schedule, it was postponed until now. Calista replied, "If you can make him agree to the divorce, I will immediately withdraw my lawsuit." Timothy remained silent and unfazed. His previous statement seemed more like a routine inquiry, devoid of genuine concern. Shortly after, the judge and some marriage counselors joined them.
Calista had never seen such a shameless man before!She pushed him away and exclaimed, "I'm worried I might contract some disease from you!” She relaxed slightly as Lucian maintained a safe distance from her and retorted to his statement from earlier, "What do you mean another? I've never pursued any men." Lucian raised an eyebrow and mocked, "Never? Am I not one of them? I've spent millions on you, and you're demanding a divorce before the bed is warm. Is there anyone who could be in a worse position than me?" Calista was speechless. Lucian was even more malicious than poison. "You'd better give up the idea of looking for another sorry ass to bear the brunt. I don't know about him, but I'll make you regret it if I catch you fooling around with another guy." He closed the car door and instructed, "Send her home, Johnathan." Calista wanted to explain further, but she held back her words. She could forget it, and there was no point in reasoning with an animal! After leavin
Calista pursed her lips and remained silent.Just when Lucian thought she had finally recognized who he was after regaining her senses, she once again reached out to push his face away, annoyed, and said, "Stay away from me; just looking at you annoys me." Johnathan, standing nearby, watched with a pounding heart. Although Calista had not always been gentle, she was never as hostile as now. He feared Lucian would get mad at her and leave her by the roadside. Lucian tried to keep his irritation at bay. He opened the car door and pushed her inside.Then, ordered, "Go to Everglade Manor." "I'm not going to Everglade Manor. I want to go back to The Oasis. Take me there!"Even in her drunkard state, Calista refused to return to the Everglade Manor. The Oasis was the name of the apartment she currently lived in. Lucian immediately thought of the apartment's owner when he heard the name. His eyes turned dull, but he ignored her.He turned his head toward the window, closed his eye
Lucian had anticipated Calista’s reaction when she reached for the phone. He didn't move and allowed her to take her phone. Calista glanced at the screen. It was locked, with all her notifications unopened. Didn't he go through her phone? Wasn’t that why he had been staring at the screen all along? Calista asked displeasedly, "What are you doing here?" "You've taken over my bed. Where else should I be? Or are you disappointed that I didn't sleep with you?"It seemed Lucian had stayed up all night. His eyes were bloodshot, and his coat was casually thrown aside. He looked very rugged, wearing a shirt with a few buttons undone and trousers. Calista looked at him incredulously, "How can you be so shameless with a straight face?” She was implying why he slept on the couch instead of in another room. Who knows what he might have thought while staring at her face while she slept?She couldn't help but think this whole situation was creepy. Ignoring her sarcasm, Lucian asked,
The knocking sounded urgent, and the sound was deafening. It was so loud that it probably disturbed not only her neighbors but also others who lived a floor above and below. Calista rolled out of bed and quickly walked to the door. She pulled the door open exasperatedly. Outside, Nikolette was completely covered, so even her mother probably wouldn't recognize her. "What do you want?" Calista asked.She had been wondering how Nikolette had managed to get in, but now, she understood. Nikolette wore a janitor's uniform, and even Calista could barely recognize her. She had underestimated her indeed. "Sis, can you ask Lucian for help? Those people are being unreasonable. They found some random videos and posted them online."She tried to push past Calista's door and enter, but after several attempts, she gave up. Calista waited for her to finish speaking before responding slowly, "Why do you think I would help you? I think I’m kind enough to do nothing, given our current relat
Lucian’s attention was focused on the documents.Hearing this, he replied indifferently, "Lily, it’s all in the past." Lily’s eyes were red, and her lips were pale from biting them.She persisted, "I was your girlfriend for two years. I should have the right to know, right? When we were together back then, did you ever like me?" She had never asked this question before.Their relationship had started by accident. They often met to discuss preparations for the school dance, and the news of their relationship spread as they spent more time together. Later, someone teased them, asking if they were together. Lucian didn’t respond, probably due to his pride as a top student.He couldn’t bother to explain something so baseless. But to others, his lack of response meant it was true. So, Lily became his girlfriend as a matter of course. Lucian looked up and met her gaze. Unlike her, he was calm and composed."I ..." "There’s no need to explain yourself," Lily interrupted him and
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