LOGINRichard watched Maria's indifferent expression and suddenly couldn't hold back anymore. "What do you think about all this?"Maria paused. "What do you mean?""I mean..." Richard stumbled, suddenly unsure how to speak. "Did you really break up with Cameron just for this revenge plan, or deep down, do you still...""Richard," Maria cut him off immediately with a darkened expression. He noticed the warning in her tone, so he pushed his lips and simply observed her.Maria said quietly, "I believe I need to remind you that whether this is about dealing with Eleanor or something else, I can work with you temporarily and even play-pretend. But I'll never have those feelings for you again. Don't get any ideas about us now that Cameron's out of the picture."After she finished, Richard said nothing. His hands slowly curled into fists, and he could not force out a single word. Maria saw he was really shaken, but she didn't feel the need to cheer him up. His feelings were not that import
Eleanor thought it over and had to admit Jonathan made a lot of sense. He was right for now, at least. She let out a slow sigh."Alright, I get it. I know what to do."Even as Eleanor said it, she wasn't nearly as sure as she sounded.She had never expected Maria to break up so quickly. To her, it looked exactly like Maria wanted to turn around and go back to Richard. She would never allow that to happen. She had worked too hard to return.If Maria and Richard got back together, it would be a complete disaster for her.When that thought crossed his mind, Eleanor immediately told Jonathan to call Richard. "Ask your dad where he is. I need to talk to him."Jonathan did as she said and made the call.At the same time, Maria and Richard were sitting across from each other in his office.When Maria saw Jonathan's name on the screen, she raised an eyebrow and asked casually, "Do you think Eleanor told him to call you?""Of course, she did," Richard answered as he put the call on spe
Maria's expression became cold as she turned around to face Eleanor. "What does that have to do with you?"Seeing that Maria was clearly offended, Eleanor smiled. "Don't be mad now, Maria. I'm only worried about your love life. When you and Richard broke up, that was mostly because of me. When you finally got engaged, I was honestly happy for you. Now that you have broken up… Of course I think it's regretful."Eleanor sounded sincere, her smile especially bright as she looked at Maria.Maria felt only more disgusted, her own smile turning even icier. She raised her eyebrow. "Why would you feel bad? If you really felt that regretful, you should have stayed where you were and spent your life repenting for what you did back in Sidonia. If I hadn't been lucky, I would already be dead because of you. You're a murderer. No matter how polished and glamorous you seem now, that's a fact you can't run from."Eleanor's expression shifted, her smile faltering.Maria was done with Elanor.
Because of everything Cameron had done for her, Maria felt no resentment toward Janet. Despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to treat Janet badly. She calmed herself and said quietly, "I believe that if Cameron and I are meant to be together, it will happen. Young people should be allowed to make their own choices. Mrs. Lane, let me walk you out."Janet kept glancing back at Maria as they walked, wanting to speak but swallowing her words every time. Maria knew Janet sincerely hoped she and Cameron would get back together. Even if that ever became possible, this was certainly not the time for that to happen.After seeing Janet off, Maria finally felt relieved.Mr. Carson, however, was still fuming on her behalf. "That woman must be out of her mind. She only came running back because she's afraid someone else will take advantage of her family."Maria wasn't sure what she should feel. She simply tried to calm him. "Alright, is this really worth getting mad over her? You
After listening to Janet, Maria and Mr. Carson finally understood what was going on.Janet was delighted when she heard about the breakup, and she immediately started trying to set Cameron up with people. What shocked her even more was that Cameron had not objected to any of it.Over the past two days, Cameron had gone on the first blind dates of his life, meeting eight wealthy heiresses in a row.The result left Janet bitterly disappointed.Every single one of the heiresses wanted a marriage alliance. Every family came with terms attached, all demanding that the Lane family support their businesses. Some even said outright that once they were married, the Lane family would have to give a set number of projects to their side as soon as they had a child."Now you know why I'm having such a headache. They're not looking for a man they like so they could marry, they're treating my son like a walking ATM! I never thought they could be this outrageous!" Janet said, gritting her teeth.
On the morning of the third day, someone knocked at the front door.Mr. Carson went to answer it. A moment later, he rushed upstairs as if he had seen a monster. "Miss! Please come downstairs at once! Someone's here to see you!"Startled by his shouting, Maria went down, more curious than anything. Only then did she see who was waiting in the living room.It was Janet.Maria literally rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was still half asleep and imagining it. "Mrs. Lane? What are you doing here?"The moment Janet saw her, she moved like someone who had just discovered her savior. She hurried over and held Maria's hand. "Mari! I finally found you."Maria widened her eyes and could not help glancing at Mr. Carson. Janet had always been cold and dismissive toward her. She suddenly became very emotional, as if they had been close for a long time.Maria had nothing to say to this woman and couldn't force herself to act warm. She quietly pulled her hand back and gestured toward the







