"My wife is a fan of yours, and she’d like to have your autograph. Do you mind signing one for her now?”The female singer promptly took a postcard from her assistant and scribbled on it.“Of course, why not? It’s just a signature. Here you go.”The singer’s off-stage personality matched her carefree nature on stage. She spoke without much restraint, and her down-to-earth nature rubbed off on Matthew.“It seems my wife has good judgment in people. You two would be good friends.”Matthew thought that she had a bright and cheerful personality, similar to Lucy.“Is that so? I saw your wife on stage just now, and she’s gorgeous. She's nothing like what the rumors say. Those rumor-mongers have no grounds.”“You’re too kind.”As the two were engrossed in conversation, Charlotte quietly sneaked over to Lucy’s side.Lucy could not tell whether she was here with good or bad intentions, but she left a spot for her anyway.“I really appreciate what you did earlier.”Lucy did not think
Charlotte could not help but feel like Lucy was not an easy target today. No matter how hard she hit her, the attack never landed. Despite her efforts, Lucy remained indifferent while talking to her.Charlotte’s inner fury was burning hotter and hotter, but she had nowhere to vent it. It was like trying to scratch an itch she could not reach. It was an unbearable feeling!Lucy knew exactly what was going on in Charlotte’s mind. She was trying to drive a wedge between her and Matthew. She had seen such tactics before, but Charlotte’s words were too unconvincing. Anyone could tell that Matthew and the singer were just having a polite conversation as they kept a respectful distance without any inappropriate behavior.If Lucy had not been attentive, she would have fallen for Charlotte’s trick and gotten angry.Seeing as her attempt to provoke Lucy had been in vain, Charlotte had to shift the conversation elsewhere.She glanced at the exquisitely packaged golden hairpin beside Lucy,
Charlotte could see that Lucy was impermeable, so she left in frustration. She told herself that there would be plenty of opportunities to get back at Lucy in the future. ‘Let’s see who’ll be the last one standing,’ she thought.Shortly after Charlotte left, Matthew returned with a signed postcard in hand.“Here, this is the postcard the singer signed for you. She even left a message.”Lucy happily took the postcard. It had a picture of a forest wonderland that contrasted with the singer’s usual heavy metal style.Underneath the mist, a group of children were having a picnic with happy smiles on their faces.“Did she give this to you?”“Yeah, it seems she got it from her assistant.”“I thought she would like heavy metal and rock stuff, but it seems like she likes child-like postcards like these too.”Matthew took Lucy’s hand and said, “When I greeted her just now, she reminded me of you. Both of you are childish even though you’re grown adults.”“What did you say?”Matthew wa
”Matthew, I didn’t think you were such a golden retriever. I always thought you were just a workaholic with no emotions. Everyone is so scared of getting close to you that they have to step back a bit when they see you.”Clearly missing the point, Matthew asked in confusion, “You're calling me a golden retriever?”Lucy chuckled. “Do you really not know what that means? I’m not going to explain it to you. Look it up yourself! Don’t just work during your free time. Go out and have some fun, like us young people.”Matthew was puzzled. “Lulu, what are you talking about?”Was Lucy calling him old?“Matt, don’t take this the wrong way, but you have the hobbies of middle-aged and elderly people even though you’re only in your 20s. You have no youthful energy at all. "How can you bury yourself in work all day? Not only is it bad for your health, but you’re also so disconnected from the world, making your life so dull.”That was Lucy’s first impression of Matthew. Even after they got ma
Matthew and Lucy rarely got to spend time together anymore, so they usually had to carve out time just to be together. This festival was the perfect opportunity.Matthew was so dedicated to his work that he even sacrificed his own hobbies, yet Lucy was able to dig up his secret interests from the dusty corners of the study.Lucy was so understanding and respectful that it was not an overstatement to say that they were soulmates.Deeply engrossed in conversation, they completely forgot the presence of the rich and powerful figures around them. Their affectionate photos were captured by the reporters.The headlines for tomorrow were already being written in their heads. [Matthew Leon from Leon Corporation and his wife, Princess Lucy of Charleston, debunking rumors.] What a money-making title.As the revolving lights cast a dreamy warm glow on Lucy’s face, Matthew’s hand was about to caress Lucy's cheek when suddenly, there was a sharp whoosh and the lights dimmed.The sudden darkne
Lucy was surprised to see that the owner of this hand was none other than her newly made friend, Truman.Matthew’s expression instantly soured. What was Truman trying to do, standing between him and Lucy? Matthew was starting to get annoyed. He was already displeased when he saw him hovering around Lucy earlier.Anyone with common sense would know better than to disturb them, but Truman seemed to have no fear at all and was unable to sense Matthew’s displeasure.“Do you need anything?”Hearing Matthew’s unfriendly tone, Lucy pinched his arm. Matthew simply gave Truman a warning look.Truman smiled. “Mr. Leon, I remember that you spilled juice on yourself over there. I just wanted to remind you that the stain on your clothes will surely attract a lot of attention if you dance with Lucy later. "Some may even turn it into a scandal. Why don’t I step in and save the day?”“Save the day? How so?”Matthew already knew that Truman’s next words were not well-intentioned, but he still
The music at the ball was a distinctive waltz from the last century. Coupled with the perfectly synchronized dance steps of everyone on the dance floor, the scene was even more dreamlike. The lights followed each pair of dancers, illuminating each person beautifully.As the waltz began, everyone on the dance floor immersed themselves in enjoyment, showcasing their beauty with heartfelt smiles on their faces.Midway through the dance, the most passionate and graceful couples were followed by the spotlight. Everyone’s attention was drawn to them.Among them, the most eye-catching couple were Lucy and Matthew.Despite knowing how to dance, Lucy still seemed a bit awkward. She nearly stepped on Matthew’s toes several times. However, Matthew gently guided her, pulling her closer to his chest.“Matt… can you loosen up a bit? I’m afraid I’ll step on your toes…”Lucy restrained her steps, fearing that she might accidentally jab her heels into Matthew’s feet.Although she had some clos
There was not a trace of clouds in the sky as the bright moon cast its gentle light upon the ground.Even outside the venue, sounds of laughter and glasses clinking could be heard. The sounds carried an air of festivity.Yitty knew that embracing such an atmosphere required courage.As a member of the underworld, people often viewed her through colored lenses, assuming that she was a cold-blooded animal. Hence, they kept their distance from her. Deep down, like everyone else, she had a soft side.It had been a long time since she last saw Cillian after their incident. Yitty did not know why she suddenly thought of him. Besides, they seemed like sworn enemies. Why did she still miss him? She shook her head, unsure of what to make of her feelings.She had originally planned to attend the festival today as Lucy had secretly sent her an invitation so that she could make more friends. However, after she got dressed and got to the venue, she found herself unable to move forward.It was
As Gabriella examined the luxurious clothes, bags, shoes, and pants, she could not help but feel that Lucy was completely unappreciative of such treasures. She failed to utilize them to enhance her appearance! They spent quite a while going through the various garments and accessories, yet there were still items they had not finished checking out.Lucy gave an awkward smile, acknowledging her own laziness. After a long search, Gabriella finally found a piece that caught her eye. As she checked the tag, she was surprised to find that the dress was designed by a renowned French designer. It featured a V-neck, with simple yet elegant sleeves that revealed a hint of Lucy's arms, while the skirt was a refined and tailored fit.Gabriella held up the dress against Lucy, murmuring to herself, “Hmm, this one’s nice! You should try it on!” Even though she spoke to Lucy in a tone reminiscent of an older sister, she still maintained her authority as a mother-in-law. It made her words both
Since the previous incident, Lucy had become increasingly attentive to her children. She watched over them at nearly every moment. She feared that Charlotte might seize any chance to harm the children, so she remained vigilant and meticulous, avoiding any lapses. In her eyes, Matthew Leon and the children represented her entire world, and she could not afford even the slightest mishap.One day, Gabriella Sharpe visited their home. She arrived as lively as ever, wearing impeccably applied makeup that included an expensive shade of lipstick. Her appearance radiated the elegance of a woman of high social standing, making her stand out among the people on the street.Lucy welcomed Gabriella warmly, treating her with utmost respect. It created an atmosphere of family harmony. Gabriella settled into a chair, savoring the fruit that Lucy offered her. She held Johnny closely, reluctant to part with him. She showered him with compliments and laughter."Mom, you seem to be in a great mood l
Matthew noticed Lucy’s absent-mindedness and asked gently, "Lulu, what’s on your mind?"“Oh, nothing… I just think what happened to Charlotte is so sudden,” Lucy replied.“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. She was always trying to harm you. Her fate is something she brought upon herself.” Matthew patted her head comfortingly.However, Lucy found it suspicious. Although the news reported Charlotte’s assassination and that the monastery had burned down to ashes, it did not mention her body. That kind of crucial detail would not have been overlooked by the media.Matthew had also considered this possibility, but he had kept it to himself to avoid alarming Lucy. Charlotte had been sent to the monastery because of him and Lucy, and she had to harbor a deep hatred for them. If she managed to orchestrate her own escape, what if she was now seeking help from Spades to target Lucy? That would be dangerous.“Lulu, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the ch
With nothing left to hold onto, Charlotte walked down the empty streets, her heart heavy with despair. She wore a black veil that covered her completely, revealing only her eyes. She even had on dark sunglasses. She dared not walk in the open or be seen, nor did she dare expose Juliana’s crimes to the world.She used to be a princess. Everything she had done, every privilege and indulgence, was backed by Arthur and Juliana’s love and permission. Now that her supporters had betrayed her, what right did she have to be reckless or demand anything? Surviving itself was a luxury. How could she even think of acting willfully?As she wandered in anguish, Charlotte found herself by the river. She remembered coming here with Arthur and Juliana when she was a child, laughing and walking along the bank. Now, each memory felt painfully ironic, and every kiss from Juliana seemed sickening. How could her world be so false? How could even the people she trusted most turn against her?Charlotte cou
Charlotte continued to hide within the castle, unwilling to leave and equally unwilling to let anyone know she was alive—unless they promised never to send her back to the monastery. However, she doubted that would happen, so she kept to the shadows. After all, the castle had plenty of food. It was far better than anything at the monastery.One night, Charlotte quietly slipped into Arthur and Juliana's bedroom. To her surprise, Arthur was not there, and only Juliana was present. 'Dad must be too upset to sleep,' Charlotte thought. She knew him well—whenever he was troubled, he would retreat to the study rather than go to bed.As she watched her beloved mother, a tiny bit of her resolve wavered. Juliana looked utterly exhausted, as if she had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. Charlotte had a sudden urge to go in and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible. Charlotte realized that seeing someone through a wall of separation was the most painful thing of all.Just as
The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on Charlotte was sensationalized across all media outlets. The internet was flooded with headlines about her close brush with death, sparking worldwide shock. No one could believe that Charlotte, notorious for her arrogance and harsh treatment of offenders, could have been targeted like this. Many who resented her strict, often cruel ways were both thrilled and stunned by the news. The royal family immediately tightened security at the monastery, dispatching a large police force to investigate what had happened. The monastery became a focal point of public intrigue.“What? That's impossible! How could there be no trace?” Juliana exclaimed in disbelief. Standing before her was the chief forensic investigator.“Yes, Your Majesty, there's no sign of Princess Charlotte’s remains,” the investigator confirmed firmly.“Fine, I understand. Leave me, and keep me informed if anything changes,” Juliana replied, pressing her fingers to her
As the footsteps came closer, Charlotte held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared—it was clear they were targeting her. She watched as the figure approached the bed, moving so quietly it was as if they made no sound at all. What could they possibly be planning? Surely, the headmistress would not go this far?The figure drew closer to the bed, bundled up the pillows and blankets, and then doused something over them. Charlotte could smell it—it was gasoline! Was the headmistress planning to kill her to silence her? She froze, unable to move. The shadow struck a match and dropped it onto the bed. In an instant, flames surged up from the blankets.In the fire’s glow, Charlotte could make out that it was not the headmistress but a man. After setting the fire, he quickly slipped away without making a single sound. Charlotte crept out while stifling a cough, afraid he might hear and return. The flames grew quickly, engulfing the bed and spreading t
Over the past year or so, Charlotte had gradually come to understand that the world was not just about picturesque landscapes and lavish feasts. In the shadows, beyond her sight, lay a world full of schemes and deception. Despite her ongoing attempts to plot against Lucy Quinn, she had not noticed this aspect at all until she arrived at the monastery. Here, she realized how dark human nature could truly be.The women at the monastery constantly criticized and belittled her, while the headmistress was corrupt, using her position for personal vendettas. She was also driven by greed for wealth and status. All Charlotte wanted was to escape this dreadful place and return to her castle. She wanted to go back to her plush, comfortable bed. There, she led a life surrounded by maids tending to her every need.Thinking of this, she remembered Lucy and envisioned her seated in her rightful place, basking in the affection of Arthur and Juliana. She could see Lucy's haughty expression starin
In a moment of heat, Charlotte blurted everything out. Joan was dumbfounded! Was this really Charlotte? She usually did not talk this much, did she? It was not just Joan who was shocked; the headmistress across from Charlotte was equally taken aback. Charlotte was usually so obedient. How had her tongue turned so venomous today? The headmistress was left speechless as every word Charlotte said was so reasonable that no one could argue against it, and it even warranted some compliments! Although Charlotte was confronting the headmistress, each of her statements felt like a plea for justice.Charlotte was not done yet and continued, “Since you know I’m a princess, you should give me some consideration. Yet, in reality, I’m the one giving you all the consideration. Is that reasonable?” Charlotte’s arguments were layered and logical, her thoughts clear. It left the headmistress in a muddle while Joan looked on with envy! The headmistress glanced at Charlotte, feeling quite displease