Matthew had rushed all the way back home. He was recently much busier than Lucy thought, and she wondered what he was really working on.Lucy knew that he had a lot to do and she walked out of the room to welcome him home. When she saw the dark circles under Matthew’s eyes, Lucy got upset.“Matthew, you haven’t been resting well the last few days. Why don’t you just stay back at the company to rest if it gets too late with work?”There was a pantry and a room in Matthew’s office that could be used for rest. Lucy felt that it was much too tiring for him to be traveling back and forth from the office like that. He should not push himself if he was too busy with work.Lucy had already acclimatized to living in Charleston. Matthew did not need to worry about her so much. Moreover, if Matthew continued this way, he might fall apart from exhaustion. Lucy did not want him to suffer too much.However, Matthew did not feel this way at all. It was tiring to work the entire day, and he neede
Hudson chuckled. He knew that Koven had investigated everything about him.“Your uncle… Is he still giving you trouble?”Koven knew exactly why Hudson left for Eurovia. He felt sadder than anyone else that Hudson had to leave.If it were not for Hudson’s help, Koven would never be where he was today.“You’re still exactly the same, but I’m already used to it. Now that I have more money and power, there’s no need for me to be afraid of him.”Koven picked up the cup of coffee that had cooled down and finished it. “You know better than me what kind of person your uncle is. Do you really think he won’t go crazy and destroy your little company overnight?”He had always been direct with his words, especially when facing a close friend like Hudson. Koven did not hold anything back, and Hudson was already used to Koven being that way.“My uncle would've already destroyed my company if he wanted to, but he hasn’t done anything so far.”“That wily old fox knows to choose the perfect timi
Hudson had forgotten about Koven. Koven was considered a renowned designer in his own right and was known for his cutting-edge designs. Why did Hudson not think of Koven?It was probably because Hudson had too much to do since returning to Charleston and had no time to reconnect with his old network. He had even forgotten about Koven, his good friend of many years.“Can… you do it?Hudson did not forget to tease Koven. He knew Koven would never tolerate another person saying such things to him, even if it was meant as a joke.As he had expected, the look on Koven’s face changed. Koven almost burst out cursing at Hudson. “What are you trying to say, Hudson? You’ve gotten meaner than before.”Koven wanted so much to show his award to Hudson and prove to him what cutting-edge design was really about. A designer like Koven who stood among all other outstanding designers was not to be trifled with.Hudson knew that Koven was a little upset about this, so he quickly changed the topic.
“Did you finally… Accept a student?!”Hudson looked incredulous. Koven was very picky. There was no way he had accepted a student.He remembered how a few young women who liked Koven a lot once approached him for an opportunity to learn from him, but Koven rejected all of them. He even told them to go back to school because they were not meant to be designers.Even though Koven’s tone and attitude were blunt, his intention was to inform the women that this path would destroy their futures because they would not be able to achieve much in the next few years.“I remember how picky you are. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have so few assistants in your studio all these years. I considered recommending a few reliable people, but at the thought of you rejecting them, I thought it was best if I just forgot about it…”“It’s different this time.” Koven shook his index finger at Hudson in disagreement. “It’s because I hadn't met anyone talented before, but this student is pretty gifted, which was
“Are you trying to tell me that you spotted Matthew Leon’s talent, which is how you got to know him?”Hudson gave Koven’s words some thought… If this was true, that meant Matthew would be recommending himself tomorrow. What a ridiculous idea!Matthew’s business acumen was enough to strike awe in others. Was he so talented in art as well?Hudson suddenly felt that if Matthew was superior in every way, he could not be human.“What are you talking about? Didn’t I just tell you that the person I know is Matthew Leon’s wife? You have such a wild imagination.”Koven rolled his eyes and continued explaining, “Matthew Leon’s wife, Lucy Quinn, has a lot of potential. I was astonished by her the first time I heard her talk about her understanding of what being a fashion designer means. I took her under my wing immediately after that.”“That soon? Why do I feel that you’ve made a rash decision about this? Didn’t you once say that anyone who wants to be your student has to go through many te
Hudson was embarrassed by Koven’s words. He wished the earth could swallow him up.“Why do you still remember things like that?”“Huh?”Koven wanted to laugh when he saw Hudson blush. It had been a long time since he last saw Hudson looking that way. He would always become shy when Koven mentioned this.“Have you contacted Chloe after what happened?”Hudson was taken aback and shook his head.Koven wanted to laugh out loud. Hudson was such a proud man. He would one day end up being putty in Chloe’s hands.“Actually… she did come to see me after that, but I rejected her again. Since then, she… hasn’t approached me at all.”“Did you chase her off?!”Koven knew that Hudson had always been a straightforward person, but he never expected Hudson to treat Chloe that way.“I didn’t. I would never chase her away.”Hudson was starting to feel unsettled. When Koven suddenly started talking about Chloe, he wanted to find out from Koven why Chloe would stop contacting him.“Buddy…”Kov
Hudson felt he had no hope when he heard Koven’s words. The hopeful look in his eyes vanquished.“Have I lost all my chances?”Koven looked at Hudson. He looked pitiful yet annoying. However, Hudson was Koven’s friend of many years. He did not want to say anything too harsh to Hudson, and he could not bear to disappoint Hudson either.“Well, not exactly…” Koven wanted to be as easy on Hudson as possible. “As long as you keep working hard at this, it might touch Chloe. Your effort will pay off.Despite his words, Koven knew that it all depended on what Chloe thought about all of this because it sounded like Chloe had given up on Hudson. Koven had no idea how Chloe felt about Hudson now.“What should I do? How do I make this work?Koven decided to help Hudson to the very end when he saw how eager Hudson was to work things out with Chloe.“How about learning from what Chloe did? She gave you flowers and wrote letters to you back then. Just do exactly what she did. That might work.”
Lucy sat across from Matthew, her mind racing with uncertainty.Just ten minutes earlier, Matthew had surprised her with an offer to be the lead designer for Leon Corporation's brand. She was thrilled but could not believe it."But I haven't created anything. You still want me to be the lead designer?"Matthew was sure Lucy was the right choice for the job, even without any experience."Everyone has to start somewhere, right? You need this chance, and it's a perfect way to show what you can do. Plus, I may be recommending you for the role, but Hudson won't agree if you aren't good enough."If you get it, it's because you're amazing, not because of any shortcuts.""That sounds good, but..." Lucy was still uneasy. The idea seemed so far-fetched to her. "How can a newbie without any designs take on such a big role right away?"Matthew believed Lucy was not like the others. He might not know much about fashion design, but he saw how she could impress tough clients like Koven. There
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