Adriana didn’t know that Calvin had secretly detained the perpetrator. Frustrated, she said, “Even if he damaged your personal belongings, he is free until the court decides otherwise. Either that, or you can hand him over to the police for arrest. Detaining someone like this is illegal.”Calvin, appearing somewhat indifferent and lacking understanding of the legal implications, replied nonchalantly, “Since he’s already illegally detained, let’s keep him for two more days to reflect on his actions.”Adriana’s gaze sharpened with determination as she said sternly, “Calvin, illegal detention will create a bad impression on the judge. Jurors often sympathize with the underdog, and we can’t afford to lose their favor. In my opinion, you should report this to the police and let them handle the detention. Then, we can proceed step by step through the court process.”Kevin admired Adriana’s composure. He found it impressive that she could maintain such a clear head while dealing with Calvin,
The fork he had used had a damp star on its tip. Adriana couldn’t tell if it was grease or spit, though spit seemed unlikely. She knew his table manners too well to think he’d let them slip so publicly.Suddenly, a wave of nausea overtook her—the kind born of humiliation, her dignity trampled beneath someone else's arrogance.Adriana resisted the growing pressure in her stomach, her clenched fist showing veins on the back of her hand. She forced her face to remain calm, concealing the anger boiling inside. “Mr. Walker, your imperial meal is not for an outsider like me to disturb. Please, enjoy it at your leisure. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave so I don’t interrupt your meal.”Calvin raised his eyebrows slightly. He hadn’t expected Adriana to hold her composure so well. She neither cursed nor lost control, and her words were deliberate and precise.Was her submissiveness in the past just an act?As Adriana moved to retrieve her bag, Calvin spoke, his voice firm and unhurri
Anna was complimented with peach blossoms, “When I was young, my parents educated my big brother and me that no one is guaranteed a lifetime of great wealth and prosperity and that we have to prepare for a hard life. A lot of things are done by our own hands, I also know how to do handicrafts. I will embroider a flower decoration on your tie someday.”The man’s tie is something that can only be touched by his beloved. Anna is observing the attitude of Calvin.“Calvin said, “Okay.”Anna’s heart snapped, “How is it? Is it good?”“Not bad,” Calvin gestured to Kevin, “Anna specially made the dish. Count yourself lucky today, come over and try it.”Kevin was stunned, “I…”Calvin said, “Didn’t you skip lunch too?”The president gave an order, but Kevin didn’t dare to disobey. He smiled slightly at Anna, “Miss Blake…”Anna generously said, “Please sit! There are too many dishes and we two can’t able to finish it. What’s more, it’s not good to waste food. So, please come and eat.”Kevin was l
Adriana was now down and out, but back then, she had been twenty-three years old and at the peak of her life. From childhood to adulthood, she had been raised as a princess, her personality steeped in arrogance. Since the age of three, she had received an elite education, learning self-esteem, self-love, and self-improvement. No one had ever taught her how to please others. So now, even though she was at the mercy of others at every turn, she could not abandon the pride embedded in her bones.Calvin sneered. “Far away in the United Kingdom, your parents live precariously, waiting for you to return and earn money for their old age. And what are you doing? Can you eat your dignity? For Miss Clarke, half a million dollars is a mere trifle—the cost of a bag. But for Lawyer Clarke, it’s a year’s worth of food for the family. So, dignity or survival—think carefully before you speak.”Adriana's breathing grew heavy and labored.All pride comes at a high price.Calvin tore away the protective
She was gambling!All roads lead to Rome. Who doesn’t want a piece of Rome?As soon as Calvin tightened his grip on the back of her head, he pressed her delicate face against the glass, forcing her to look at the world outside the window. “You complain about your family’s decline. Why don’t you spend some time thinking about how to build a new city-state on the ruins? Living in the past and feeling sorry for yourself will deprive you of even this pitiful capital in your hands.”Wow!Adriana lifted her leg and kicked Calvin down. She herself was stunned by the angle—how did she even do it?No matter what, she finally shook off Calvin’s grip. “What qualifications do you have to educate me? You have no idea what I’ve been through, what my parents have been through! Have you ever cared about me? Have you ever asked me about my past? Have you ever had the slightest hint of wanting to understand me?”Adriana looked at the man whose face was darkened by the kick to his leg and moved a little
The moment Adriana grabbed the door and walked out, Calvin was filled with irritation. He wanted to yank her back, kick the glass window, and throw her out.He wanted to ask Adriana, if he hadn’t have enough patience and tolerance towards her. In the past, her family had exploited his connections and taken away so much money. His so-called father-in-law and great-uncle had borrowed his reputation everywhere to pull loans and seek recourse. Calvin thought, if he ever faced Adriana again, he should split her head with a knife, forcing her to take responsibility for her father's debts.Several times, Calvin suspected he was not acting of his own free will but was manipulated by Adriana. Yet, despite his anger, he surprisingly never laid a cruel hand on her. When she yelled and screamed, her words carried an undertone of pride that irked him to his core.This woman made him so angry that his teeth itched with frustration.(Some people use all their stre
She has this in her heart, and that’s enough. Even if it’s just to spit out some harsh words, where can she really fight with people? Even though she went to fight with him, it was as if hitting a stone with an egg.“The man who hurt me will have to be dealt with sooner or later, but he can’t be so adventurous as to fall on his sword instead.”Eria glared. “Adria, you say you… are so tolerant. Who wouldn’t be heartbroken?”Adriana smiled bitterly, “However, I’m kind of at the end of this lawsuit. Ridiculous, right? I’ve spent so much time thinking I could make a buck.”She had thought that she had practiced enough to be mature and stable. However, as soon as she was involved with Calvin, she was out of control, and cranky for no reason.Eria, so windy and fiery, made Adriana both cry and laugh, almost to the point of tears.“Adria, don’t be afraid. We
Eria held Adriana’s hand as the two of them walked out of the mall, their high heels clicking against the tiled floor. “Hermès or Chanel, which one should we go for?” Eria asked.“Buying this or that, they’re practically the same models. It’s no fun,” Adriana replied. “Why don’t we check out some niche designer brands? Their styles and originality are less likely to clash with others.”A single outfit from Chanel cost more than ten thousand dollars, and Adriana didn’t want to spend Eria’s money so frivolously.Eria tugged her toward a store. “Can a niche brand even compare to a top one? Besides, you’re a lawyer. Who would take you seriously if you’re wearing something from a no-name brand?”Adriana resisted. “You just told me I look beautiful no matter what I wear. And now you want me to rely on clothes to make an impression? My dear Snow, can you
She had quite a bit of potential for uttering so many non-repetitive curse words in one night.Calvin caught her hand, not allowing her to leave.Then, right in front of her, he dialed a number.The call connected after just a few rings.“Mr. Walker? Wow, what an honor! What brings you to call me?” the voice on the other end said, half-joking.Calvin said coldly, “Contact Richard. Get him out of there — use whatever excuse you need.”The person on the other side didn’t dare to ask for details. “Yes, understood!”Calvin hung up and turned to look at Adriana, whose eyes were red with rage.“Aren’t you going to thank me?” he said lazily.Adriana tried to shake off his hand but couldn’t.“Calvin, you’re only making things more awkward between us. Please pay attention to boundaries…”Calvin leaned in and said lowly, “If I hadn’t watched my step tonight, you'd be lying on my bed right now, under me, crying for mercy.”Adriana’s face flared with anger.Without hesitation, she raised her foot
Last time, she had been half-proud of herself for bravely refusing to go home with Calvin — but she didn’t expect to be back here again, in the blink of an eye.Adriana scratched her hair in distress.“To be clear, I’m just borrowing the room,” she muttered.Calvin glanced at her miserable-looking face and said lazily, “I suggest you clean yourself up first. I won’t lay my hands on a female ghost — even if I’m horny.”Adriana rushed into the restroom, only then realizing how horrible she looked with half her makeup removed during the car ride.Come to think of it, Calvin had kept his cool the entire way — not even driving the car into the green belt.His psychological endurance was strong enough, she had to admit.The bathroom was fully stocked with toiletries.After showering, Adriana came out wrapped in a bathrobe, only to find Calvin on the balcony, making a call.He stood near the window, one hand in his pants pocket, his back straight and imposing.“Send someone to keep an eye on
On what grounds?Because he was Calvin — a character you couldn’t afford to mess with, couldn’t afford to offend.Adriana wanted to answer for him, believing, you don't have a second choice.But Calvin’s actual response was more official and impossible to refuse: “Believe it or not, it’s up to you!”His desire to catch him worked. After a brief moment weighing his options, Darren engaged in a more thorough conversation with Calvin, roughly covering how to help him clean up his act, as well as the cooperation that would follow.The matter was negotiated without Calvin needing to mobilize a single soldier.Darren cheerfully took the initiative to toast, saying, “Since we’re partners now, can you tell us your name?”Calvin didn’t touch his wine glass. “Next time, I’ll naturally let you know.”Kevin crossed over and spoke to Darren: “Mr. Darren, waiting for your good news in three days!”Richard and Liam looked at each other in dismay. Darren was normally a cautious man; otherwise, his bu
Darren was an unfamiliar name to Adriana.But Calvin wouldn't mention someone unrelated for no reason.After thinking for two seconds, Adriana understood: this man, Darren, who hadn't shown his face until now, was probably Scar’s big brother.Scar himself didn’t even know what his Big Brother’s real name was — so how did Calvin just point it out directly?Richard’s face shifted from green to white, little by little.He felt that the worst kind of situation was about to happen.This strange man seemed to know far more about them than he should.And the more this became apparent, the more Richard dared not be careless.He forced a smile and tried to stall: "Darren? Which Darren is Brother referring to?"Not only Richard — even Liam, who was nearly drunk, and Austin Mark, still dizzy from slamming into the wall, were staring at Calvin warily.With their connections in New York City, most powerful people at least had recognizable faces.But this man — no one had any information on him at
Mina’s eyes could see six ways at once; she thought tonight felt unusual. She didn’t know who he was, but she knew she had to serve people because of Liam. If anything went wrong, Darren’s business could be soaked, so she smiled carefully."Two brothers, if there's something to say, let’s say it properly. Roughness can scare people off, you know."Kevin’s skin practically crawled from her flattery, and he snapped, "None of your business."Mina smiled softly and picked up a glass of wine. "Handsome, don’t be angry. Why don’t I have a drink with you?"She drank it all in one go, tilting the glass upside down to show not a single drop remained. "Satisfied, handsome?"Kevin said coldly, "Not satisfied."Mina blushed profusely, tugging awkwardly at the corner of her mouth. "Then, what would satisfy the handsome man?"Kevin kept a stern face and said nothing.Mina circled around the table and half-squatted down, trying to tap Calvin’s leg, but he dodged her with a disgusted look, as if a sl
Calvin’s cold and clear presence stood out starkly in the room—like a noble eagle trapped among vultures. From the moment he sat down, the atmosphere shifted. It was as if this seedy box suddenly became a royal court, simply because he was in it.Adriana had to admit, deep down, that sometimes it wasn’t the place that mattered—it was the people who entered it.Calvin turned to the man and asked flatly, “Tell me, what kind of dog are you?”“Damn it! Did you just insult me?”Furious, the man raised the wine bottle and swung it toward Calvin’s face.Crash!With a smooth backhand, Calvin caught the bottle mid-air—and in the next second, red liquid flowed down the man’s head. It was a mixture of wine and blood, trailing from the broken shards that remained.The man stood frozen in place, stunned. He clearly hadn’t expected anyone would dare lay a hand on him.&l
Adriana hurriedly stood up, letting Richard's arms miss her as she fled to the song selection table. She quickly picked a song she was already tired of hearing herself.The prelude began. Adriana sat on a high stool as the disorienting lights flickered and danced, casting her features in shifting patterns of light and shadow. In the haze, her face became half-hidden, half-revealed—mysterious and luminous.As the song started, the room fell silent.Mina, holding her glass of wine, joined a few men in turning their attention to the small stage.There, in the corner, sat a woman like a frightened deer—yet somehow too mesmerizing to be real.Where did she come from?Was she just trying to help out a newcomer, or had she accidentally brought in a job-stealing troublemaker?Fortunately, that lecherous Darren Venzor wasn’t around tonight. If he had been, he would’ve already been seduced by that little fox.Adriana sang with her lips,
Interesting. Things were getting more and more intriguing.If she could catch evidence of Richard cheating, she could kill two birds with one stone today.“Good… Good!”Adriana’s red lips curved into a subtle smile, though no one could see the sharp calculation flickering beneath her eyes. She extended her long, slender legs. Her clothes weren’t particularly revealing, but her confident stride and graceful movements hinted at an understated allure.It wasn’t delicate, but it was undeniably captivating.Richard smiled, his eyebrows raised, and patted the seat beside him. “Sit next to me!”The woman on his lap let out a reluctant grunt and clung to his neck. “Richard, don’t you love me anymore?”Richard slid his hand along her leg and said, “Be good. Wait for me.”Obediently, the woman moved to the side, vacating the seat, and shot Adriana a venomous glare.Adriana leaned over and sat down, still catching her breath, when
A few moments later, Anna wiped her tears and walked out of the parlor—no one came to see her off.Leon spotted her first. “Brother, Anna’s here!”“Sit tight. I’m going out.”Peter got up quickly and followed her, gently offering a handkerchief.Anna kept her head down as she walked, not looking around. Suddenly, the appearance of a handkerchief and a dark figure startled her—she mistook it for Calvin and instinctively smiled,“Calv—”She stopped mid-word, realizing it wasn’t him.“Peter?”Peter stood there with his arms folded, his black suit crisp and sharp. A faint smile played on his lips; he looked like a knight in polished armor.“Did Calvin bully you? I’ll straighten him out if he did.”Anna clutched the handkerchief, shaking her head. “No…”“Oh? Then maybe Grandpa gave you a