Gabriella found Samantha looking distressed, and it pained her to see her like this.“Samantha, what’s wrong?”Luckily, the place they chose was devoid of onlookers. Otherwise, their every move might become tomorrow’s headline news.Samantha knew the best way to approach Gabriella was to play the victim, so she went over with reddened eyes.“Mrs. Leon, you’re here…”Not only did she have to appear pitiful before Gabriella, but she had to master the art of tugging at Gabriella's heartstrings. Instead of coming off as unreasonable, Samantha wanted Gabriella to think that she had been treated unfairly.Every action and word from Samantha hit Gabriella right where it mattered.“Don’t worry, Samantha. Although we’re in Charleston, we have Matthew backing us up. I refuse to believe he’d cut ties with his own mother!”They did not come all the way here to be at someone else’s beck and call. Samantha attempted to calm Gabriella down, lest the lurking reporters take notice and tarnish
Gabriella and Samantha were growing impatient waiting for Lucy and Mathew to come downstairs.Lucy claimed to be waiting for Matthew, but she had been scrolling on her phone the entire time and had gotten tired.She opened the door and glanced downstairs. The place was still filled with guests, and only a few people were leaving.After such a long day, Lucy had not had the chance to rest at all. However, she happened to run into her brother and wanted to talk to him.Unfortunately, Theodore was quickly summoned by the people downstairs as there were still many guests who needed his attention.Lucy let her brother go and went back to her room.She closed the door tightly to shut out the noise from downstairs, leaving only peace and quiet in her room.She got bored of her phone, so she set it down and started thinking about Yitty and Cillian.They had mentioned coming to watch the fashion show, but neither of them showed up, nor did they call.It seemed like after the two love b
"Who are you? Who let you in?”Lucy rubbed her eyes to see the person clearly, but the room was too dark for her to make out who had entered.Seeing how alert Lucy was, Matthew was exasperated. It seemed she had mistaken him for an intruder.Matthew said softly, “Lulu, it’s me. I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”Like a startled rabbit, Lucy slowly relaxed when she heard Matthew’s voice.“Oh, it’s you… I thought it was someone else…”Lucy’s mind was still foggy as she was barely awake. She slowly opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around Matthew’s neck, nestling herself against his shoulder and closing her eyes again.Matthew’s chest was warm, and his body heat made Lucy feel even more at ease.“Lulu…”Lucy did not respond this time. All Matthew could hear was her steady breathing in his ears.Matthew chuckled helplessly.“Lulu, you can’t sleep here. You’ll catch a cold and feel miserable tomorrow.”Not only did she not listen, but she clung to him like a koala.Matt
Gabriella was taken aback by Matthew’s response.When she first heard that he wanted to cut ties with her, she was not surprised as she thought that he was just being stubborn. She believed he would return to the country soon.However, he remained in Charleston and refused to go back to work. Whenever Gabriella called, he would coldly say he was busy and abruptly hang up.Gabriella could not even muster the basic love and concern a mother should have for her own child right now, but who was to blame for all this?Gabriella never blamed herself. She believed it was all because of Lucy.It was Lucy who had misled Matthew, persuading him not to call her. That was why the mother and son found themselves in such a situation upon their reunion.Seeing Matthew defend Lucy only fueled her anger. She pointed at Lucy and scolded, disregarding the onlookers, “Lucy, just because you’re a princess of Charleston doesn’t mean I’ll stand by and do nothing. An ugly duckling will never turn into
Lucy wanted to say something at first, but Samantha pulled Gabriella away.Judging by Samantha’s look alone, anyone would think that she was the victim.Lucy was at a loss for words. It was Gabriella who had brought Samantha here to cause trouble, yet somehow, it was her fault.Matthew noticed her troubled expression and gently squeezed her hand.“Don’t worry, Lulu. This isn’t your fault. It’s my mother’s fault for bringing Samantha here to create a ruckus.”Matthew could not bear to see Lucy being unfairly treated, so he held her hand throughout the entire time. He was afraid that she might read too much into it.Lucy was sensitive by nature, so she would naturally blame herself in such situations. However, she had done nothing wrong. Seeing her endure it all made Matthew feel heartbroken.…“Lulu…”There was no response.In the car, Lucy did not say a word. She simply watched the changing scenery outside the window. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, her heart felt h
In Lucy’s mind, Matthew was nothing short of a mythical figure.With just his own hands, Matthew built Leon Corporation into an empire that surpassed even the royal family of Charleston by tenfold. Lucy greatly admired him, which was why Matthew was like a deity to her.However, she was not the only one as many thought the same. Matthew had been interviewed by numerous financial magazines and news stations. His composed and understated demeanor was not something that could be learned—he was born with it.People often pointed out that Matthew possessed the maturity and composure of someone much older despite being in his 20s, a trait that many amateurs struggled to attain.When Lucy first encountered Matthew, she felt that he was out of reach. However, after getting to know him, she discovered that he was quite different from the persona projected in the media.He might appear aloof on the surface, but in reality, he was just like any other person.He, too, experienced emotions
Lucy did not know that Matthew was also worrying about their future.Matthew was certain of his love for Lucy, and she loved him deeply in return, yet there was still some kind of issue between them that he just could not put his finger on.Perhaps it was because of his mother’s sudden visit today that ignited the invisible bomb between him and Lucy. Matthew did not know whether he should thank his mother or scold her for it. He reckoned it was better to get it over with so that they would not be troubled by these issues in the future.The only fortunate thing was that his impulsive mother chose the wrong timing as today was the last day of the Wine Festival.If she had come any earlier, the crowds would still be at their peak. Matthew would not have been able to control the situation even with money as rumors spread quickly.As of right now, he could ensure that tonight’s events would not leak. However, there was no guarantee that he would be able to stop it again if his mother
Lucy had always thought that nothing could destroy the bond between her and Matthew, but she was nearly breaking down over this small matter.“I don’t know what to say…”Lucy did not know how to put into words the exhaustion she felt.Matthew gently touched her cheek in the darkness and sensed the moisture on her face—it was her tears.Heartbroken, Matthew quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes.“What’s wrong, wifey? Is it because of my mom and Samantha? Did they upset you?”Matthew immediately guessed that it was about that.They were fine before his mother appeared, but Lucy’s mood had been down since that incident. She did not speak much on the way back. Even when he tried to get her to talk, Lucy only brushed it off.Lucy had broken her promise to share everything with each other.Lucy softly said in his embrace, “I don’t know what’s wrong… I always thought that nothing could come between us, but what your mother said today made me realize something.”There had always
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