Hudson did not mean to spill his heart out to someone he had just met, but he could not control his feelings. Thinking of Chloe's coldness, his heart felt like it was being torn apart. He needed to find a way to let it all out."Sorry, I just don't know where else to let it all out... Did Mr. Leon send you?"Hudson tried to focus on the important stuff, but his mind kept wandering."Yeah, Matthew and I have gone over the design plans, but we still need your input... Mr. Xender?"Lucy could tell Hudson was spacing out, and it was tough to keep the conversation going."Mr. Xender, if something's bothering you, maybe we can skip the work talk for now?"Hudson knew he was too caught up in his own worries to think about work right then.Lucy had a bright idea."Mr. Xender, you seem really worried. It must be about someone you care about. What if... I talk to her for you? Would that help?"Hudson was curious, but if it might help, he was ready to share everything about Chloe with Lu
Everything was so quiet for a moment that Lucy could hear her own heart thumping. She wondered if Chloe would find out Hudson sent her and just send her away. "Hudson?" Chloe looked a little funny, but she did not kick Lucy out. "You're not mad, are you, Chloe?" Lucy had only met Chloe that day, but she seemed nice, even though Hudson had complained about her. Chloe gave Lucy a chocolate bar, placing it softly in her hand. "This chocolate is super sweet," Chloe said, staring at Lucy like they had not just been talking about Hudson. Lucy felt nervous holding the chocolate, but she tried it anyway. It was as sweet as Chloe said, really sweet. "Can I call you Lulu?" Chloe asked, not even noticing Lucy's worried look. She was trying to make Lucy feel better. "Sure, that's okay," Lucy said, a bit dazed. "You're not scared I'll send you away, are you?" Chloe's smile made Lucy sit up straight. "Am I going to be sent away?" Lucy sat up tall and looked at Chloe, wondering if s
"Chloe, um...""Lulu, I whipped up some mango pancakes. Give them a taste!"Chloe cut off Lucy, presenting the mango pancakes she had made."You made these?"Lucy had always been keen to learn baking, but she just could not get the hang of it. She could cook up a storm, but desserts were like a foreign language to her.Chloe acted as if it was no big deal. "Of course! I learned from a dessert chef. If I couldn't make these, I'd be pretty lame, right?""And you still find time to learn this with your busy job? I never have the time."Chloe passed a dainty spoon to Lucy. "You know, I've been thinking about quitting my job. Being a dessert chef is my dream."Lucy eagerly scooped up a bite of the mango pancake. It was soft, bursting with mango flavor. It was sweet and fragrant but not too rich.Lucy remembered the fancy desserts she had tried at a Charleston party. Chloe's mango pancakes were just as good as those desserts made by top pastry chefs.In no time at all, Lucy had pol
Lucy blamed herself for not being able to help at all. Hudson had repeatedly asked Lucy to talk to Chloe for him, hoping that Chloe would at least give him a phone call.However, Hudson and Lucy had overestimated themselves. Chloe’s disappointment and indifference seemed irreparable, and not even God could help.It appeared that Hudson would need a lot more time to change Chloe’s mind.“I’m sorry, Chloe. I had no idea Hudson did that to you. If I had known the truth, I wouldn’t have helped him.”“It’s okay. It’s not your fault for not knowing.” Chloe was very kind. She brought out a strawberry cake from the fridge and said, “I made this earlier, but I was afraid I couldn’t finish it all, so it’s perfect that you’re here to help me out.”Chloe’s strawberry cake looked irresistible. Lucy took a small bite, and as expected, she was not disappointed. The combination of strawberries and cream melted in her mouth, yet it was not cloying at all.“Chloe, have you thought about quitting y
Chloe and Morgan’s story sounded like a fairy tale, but Chloe only had eyes for Hudson.The sympathy Lucy had for Hudson had disappeared. It was no wonder Hudson ended up in this situation. It seemed like Chloe had to teach him a lesson about not taking him for granted.“Forget about him. Let’s talk about you, Lulu. I’ve seen you on television, but that didn’t feel real enough. Do you mind telling me about your relationship with Matthew?”Chloe bombarded Lucy with questions, leaving her flustered. Even so, she answered each one.“Matthew and I have a dramatic story as well. When my ex-boyfriend cheated on me, I took it too hard, so I ran into the streets and got hit by Matthew’s car.“When I woke up in the hospital, I asked him for compensation, but he offered to marry me instead. That’s how we ended up together.”Chloe looked envious. “Lulu, I’m so jealous of you two.”“At that time, I didn’t even know I was a princess, so you could say Matthew and I were like from two differen
"Yeah, I decided to move out the moment I resigned.”To Lucy, she seemed to understand it as, 'There’s nothing here worth holding onto.'“I’ve been wanting to leave for a while. You have no idea how awful the landlady here is. Every time rent is due, she raises the price. I even dread talking to her now.“I always pay on time, yet she still does this. It’s not like the location of this place is that great either. The faucet in the bathroom is broken, and whenever I ask her to fix it, she makes excuses, so I end up having to pay for repairs myself.”Chloe moved all the boxes to the front door and clapped her hands together. “If it weren’t for the fact that the landlady knew I desperately wanted to rent this place, she wouldn’t have raised the rent that much.”Chloe’s place was situated in a semi-suburban area, and it was over an hour’s drive from the city center. Even with the subway, it was inconvenient. There were no malls nearby, and getting groceries was a long walk away.“Why
Lucy’s suggestion was reasonable as it was indeed the most suitable option for Chloe at the moment.Chloe had already settled into her current job, and more importantly, she had a stable income.If she were to quit her job, she might find herself struggling to put food on the table for months or even longer.With limited savings, especially after investing in the costly pastry chef training, Chloe had been living on a tight budget.“I understand. It’s better to teach a man how to fish than to give him fish. How about this? I know becoming a pastry chef is expensive and demanding, but I can help you find a professional pastry chef to help you complete your training. Would that work for you?”Morgan did not ask for a single penny when Chloe was learning under him. However, Morgan had been busy flying around Eurovia, so he had not had the time to teach her recently. Hence, Chloe took up classes with other pastry chefs to continue her training, but this required self-financing her s
It was not like Lucy could just ask Chloe to forgive Hudson. Even as an outsider, Lucy felt that Hudson had crossed the line, and Chloe was aware of it too.After Chloe devoted her whole heart to Hudson, she was only met with cold rejection. It would be hard for her to get over it in such a short time.Thus, Lucy decided to have a good chat with Hudson.“Mr. Xender… I wasn’t planning on coming today, but I have some bad news.”Lucy hurried to Hudson’s company as it was nearing the end of the workday. Only a few people were left at the company, making it easier for her to open up.“Chloe’s stance is as you imagined. She still seems unwilling to talk to you, and she rarely brings up your past together.”“So, she still doesn’t want to forgive me?”Hudson’s eyes were inquisitive with a slight hint of disappointment and regret.“Not really…” Lucy tried to phrase it delicately, but Chloe’s resolute attitude made it difficult for her to soften the blow.“Chloe did tell me what went w
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