'Oh, Linus. What else are you hiding from me?' Selena thought to herself.Suddenly, a new thought occurred to her. Maybe Linus was the one who had revealed her true identity to those people too. To clarify, she asked Matthew, “Did Linus secretly tell you about my real identity as well?”Matthew nodded.As expected, Selena sighed. She had not anticipated that she had been betrayed by Linus long ago. If Daniel ever found out that the person he had raised and trained for years had shown signs of betrayal, how furious he would be?!Selena could already imagine the terrifying sight of Daniel's rage when he learned of all this, a sight that had always scared her the most.“So, has Linus also defected to you?” Selena asked, pretending to be indifferent.“No, he hasn’t,” Matthew replied truthfully. “Those were just some clues we managed to extract from him. His heart still belongs to Daniel and Spades.”Even if Linus had thoughts of defecting to them, Matthew would be the first to oppos
Lucy noticed Matthew's displeasure and wisely fell silent.The cheerful atmosphere did not last long as Selena suddenly remembered what had just happened and became worried.Koven, who had been watching Selena closely, noticed the change in her expression and immediately understood what she was worried about.Matthew also noticed Selena's change. He walked over to her and said, "Don't worry, we won't force you to leave Spades right away. I know Mr. Zimmer's methods. We need to plan carefully to get you out."Selena's eyes sparkled, and her tone suddenly became fervent. "I'll stay in the organization. Mr. Zimmer hasn't completely suspected my identity as a spy. I can continue acting in front of him to get the classified information you need.""This is just like a real-life spy movie!" Charlie's cunning eyes showed a hint of amusement. No wonder she was trained by a top-notch spy organization—her meticulous thinking was exceptional even for a woman.Koven, hearing Selena's suggesti
Matthew frowned after hearing this. Although persuading Linus to betray Spades, as Selena suggested, could temporarily ensure the safety of his wife and their unborn child, the mere thought of Linus' covetous glances at Lucy left Matthew feeling inexplicably angry.“You can try to persuade him, but don't disclose our plans to him. Even if he agrees to stop working for Spades, he can't come near us,” Matthew instructed coldly, disregarding Koven’s desperate attempts to stop him as he started the car and drove away.Watching everyone leave, Selena took out her phone and dialed Linus' number.“Hey, are you free later? I want to meet you.”…Half an hour later, Selena sat in a dimly lit bar, waiting for Linus amid the smoky atmosphere.“Speak, what’s the matter?” Linus pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, tossed it on the table, took one out, lit it, and stared at Selena with a hazy look. “Want one?”“No, I’ve quit,” Selena smiled and shook her head.“Impressive. It see
"Linus, sometimes, seizing happiness is more about mustering the courage than enduring pain." Selena's voice was melodious and tinged with a hint of melancholy, but more so with a sense of relief and acceptance."What do you mean?" "When faced with sudden happiness, people often become anxious, especially those who have endured hellish pain," Selena's words were mysterious, leaving Linus puzzled.Ignoring Linus' bewildered expression, she continued, "You were right that day. I realize I've developed feelings for my target."At this point, Selena paused for a moment. "Koven is a good person. So good that initially, I felt ashamed and pathetic in front of him."Looking at the beautiful woman in front of him, her face immersed in happiness, Linus suddenly felt a pang of sadness. That innocent smile had once bloomed for him."But today, I realized no matter how dark a corner of life I lived in, he would never despise me. I mean much more to him than I imagined," Selena finished spea
"Sometimes, maybe we're the ones trapping ourselves in a dead end. Linus, we're still young, yet we're engaged in these dirty and sordid activities at the prime of our lives. Will this kind of life continue into our later years? Don't you really want to strive and resist?" Selena's words indeed struck a chord in Linus' heart, leaving him momentarily moved. However, he still firmly shook his head. "Selena, you don't need to persuade me. Someone like me, without a heart, can only live day by day no matter where I am.""Moreover, over these years, I've killed so many people and made so many enemies. They're all waiting for the right moment to kill me in revenge. Even if I have the ability to leave the organization, without their protection, do you think I could make it out alive?"Linus's questioning left her speechless.Indeed, Selena had not been with the organization as long as Linus, and her reputation was not as widespread. Perhaps she still had a chance to escape and live inc
Just as their lips were about to touch, his phone vibrated in his pocket."Hey, Matthew. Have you and Lucy arrived home?""Speak quickly, I'm busy!" Matthew suppressed his impatience, his voice deep and heavy."Well, I might not be able to make it to Charleston with you as planned. Earlier, I mentioned that there might not be anything important going on at my company these days."Well, it's not a company matter. It's just that Chelsea's parents suddenly came to our house to see her. They seem to want to stay for a while before leaving."Hugh could tell the other party's mood was not great, so he kindly explained, "So, Chelsea might not be able to accompany Lucy to Charleston.""Okay, I got it. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up." Matthew finished speaking and hung up.As soon as the screen locked, the phone vibrated again.This time, it was a call from Charlie."Hey, I need to tell you something. Hudson and I won't be able to accompany you to Charleston the day after tomorr
Matthew was meticulous about every detail of life, always wanting his beloved to receive the best care. After a week of getting to know each other, Lucy was very satisfied with Nara's work. The two got along very well.“Alright, I'll be right there,” she responded sweetly, walking over to the dining table and sitting down.“This is a special jelly from my hometown. It's not only good for pregnant women, but it also has skin-nourishing benefits,” Nara said with a beaming smile.Lucy remembered that Nara had mentioned her hometown was known for their special jelly. She took a bite, and it was indeed delicious, with a smooth texture that even high-end Michelin restaurants could not match.She quickly finished the entire thing but still felt hungry, longing for the crispy shrimp Nara had been making for her every day over the past few days.“Nara, is there any of yesterday morning’s crispy shrimp left in the fridge?” Lucy asked as she looked at Nara, who was washing dishes in the kitc
Watching Lucy sulk and her adorable appearance, Matthew's smile deepened. "How could I possibly think you're fat? Eat more. It's good for our baby." With that, he picked a few shrimp from the plate and put them on her plate."Hmph, you clearly do think I'm fat. Stop making excuses!" Lucy seemed genuinely upset, sounding like a petulant child as she turned away from Matthew."Alright, my dear, I'm sorry. I won't dare say you've gained weight again." Matthew took Lucy's hand, looking at her imploringly like a big dog seeking forgiveness from its owner.If not witnessed firsthand by Nara nearby, no one would imagine that Matthew, the CEO of the ruthless Leon Corporation who usually conducted business with an icy demeanor, would go the extra mile to please another person.Lucy felt the gaze from the kitchen and sent a glance to Matthew, who was staring blankly at her. He immediately returned to his usual demeanor, awkwardly pretending to cough."Eat up." Lucy stifled a smile and gave
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