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
Calvin’s expression remained neutral as his sharp gaze rested on Adriana. She wasn’t the soft, gentle woman he remembered; now, she radiated defiance. “Adriana, watch your tone,” he said evenly.Adriana’s heart ached at the subtle rebuke.Anna, emboldened, snuggled closer to Calvin. “It’s okay, I won’t stoop to her level. But these clothes are so uncomfortable. Calvin, let’s keep shopping, just the two of us?”She had worked hard for this rare alone time with Calvin and wouldn’t let Adriana ruin it.Adriana also didn’t want to see them loitering in front of her, so before Calvin could open his mouth, she said, “The two of you, please go ahead! I will take my leave first! Bye!”As Calvin looked her leaving figure in the the glass wall of the store, for no reason at all, he felt a little empty inside.“Calvin?”Interrupted in his thoughts by
“Shit! How dare you accuse me?” Eria yelled, caught red-handed. She lashed out, tearing and slapping. The girl in front of her turned into a cowering weakling in the blink of an eye.Eria’s movements were so fast and urgent that Adriana didn’t have time to stop her. By now, they were surrounded by onlookers, and countless cell phones were recording the scene. At that moment, a thought flashed across Adriana’s mind: “We’re doomed!”The three of them were taken to the police station to give their statements. The girl, beaten beyond recognition, sat crying in a corner.Eria’s body had no visible injuries, which gave her an edge. However, the situation was far from ideal. Despite Adriana’s testimony that the other girl had started the fight, the police were not inclined to listen. Swearing and verbal provocation, after all, cannot be used as concrete evidence in court.The girl covered her scratched face, sobbing, “I’ll make sure you end up in jail!”Eria scoffed, “Who’s afraid of you?”I
Adriana left Eria’s house and took a taxi to the law firm. As soon as she entered, she noticed the strange, gossip-filled glances of her colleagues.Ignoring them, she headed straight to her office and called Ray.The phone rang for nearly a minute before the other party answered, his tone mocking. “Well, well, a rare guest! I never thought I’d live to see Lawyer Clarke take the initiative to call me.”Adriana’s voice was steady. “The person you want to deal with is me—it has nothing to do with Snow. Drop the charges against her, and let’s settle this privately.”Ray lounged in his office, his long legs propped on the desk, swaying rhythmically. “That doesn’t sound like the proud Lawyer Clarke I know.”Having known him for years, Adriana was no longer intimidated. Despite his reputation, she knew Ray wasn’t unreasonable enough to ruin a young woman’s future. “This doesn’t sound like Young Master William either,” she countered. “Loving to play around is one thing, but venting your emot
The car drove straight to the Moonlight Clubhouse, and Adriana instantly recognized the flamboyant sports car parked outside the entrance as Ray’s ride for the day.In the Imperial Box, Ray leaned back on the sofa, a cigar pinched diagonally between his fingers. Beside him, Gloria snuggled close.Gloria's face was colorful — without makeup but purposefully revealing a bruise. Her hair was neatly combed, and she wore a halter-style long dress. The new Hermès bag in her hand was particularly eye-catching.Adriana greeted them, “Mr. William. Miss White.”“Ho! Look who’s here! The renowned Lawyer Clarke from New York City!” Ray clapped his hands in mock applause. “It’s a great honor for someone as busy as you to take time out of your schedule to meet a little person like me!”Adriana’s blood boiled with anger. If she hadn’t mastered self-control, she wouldn’t have been able to endure such provocative taunts.Gloria obediently followed Ray’s lead, clapping along as she said casually, “Lawy
Ray treated her like a little princess at the clubhouse, explicitly humiliating her.He just wanted to observe what kind of person Adriana, who could act and pretend, truly was once she peeled off her mask.Essentially, she was no different from the women here—bitchy to the bone.Adriana still stood straight, the light casting shadows on her pale face. Her clear gaze was cold. She was warm and lovely when she smiled, but cold and valiant when serious.There was smoke in the air and a million horses.“Not happy?”Ray crossed one leg and patted the table. “It’s fine if you don’t want to. I’m the most easy-going person and never force myself on people!”His eyes held a clear mix of irony and threat. “What’s the name of that movie? Oh, Dynasty, right? They say several producers spent nearly 200 million dollars on it. A big production of the year, and they’re just waiting for the melon to ripen to recoup their money. How bad must it be for those people?”As he spoke, his hands weren’t idle
The last time Calvin and Anna had a meal together, both the Walker family and the Blake family kept a close eye on the progress of their interaction. Anna's proactive and enthusiastic approach left the Walker family very satisfied.After all, if someone wants to marry into the Walker family, they must be active and positive in their pursuit. ‘Should their son be the one doing all the chasing? Of course not!’With that thought, George decided to invite Anna to the house for dinner."Don't be nervous," he said. "It's just the three of us today. Calvin's parents are traveling in Switzerland."Anna was flattered by George's invitation and excitedly shared the good news with her parents and elder brother, one by one. She carefully selected a gentle and elegant long dress and asked a stylist to create a hairstyle appropriate for meeting Calvin's family.With a polished, warm, sensible, and skillful appearance, Anna presented herself in front of George."Thank you, Grandpa, for inviting me t
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
A knowing line officially opened the topic of the day.At that moment, both Peter and Leon fell silent—this was not a cold arrow they were prepared to receive.Peter’s peripheral gaze landed on Calvin, who calmly said, “Stocks go up and down all the time. Grandpa has been in the business world most of his life and understands the laws of the market better than I do.”“Don’t blame the market for a malignant result caused by individual behavior. Do you think I don’t watch the news? Or do you think I’m deaf?”The statement was serious, and instantly, the atmosphere in the garden dropped to freezing. Peter and Leon held their breath in unison, not daring to make a sound.Calvin remained calm and composed. “What did Grandpa hear?”George let out a cold grunt, his frowning brows folding into deep, angry lines. His sharp eyes seemed to carry blades.“I haven’t been
If a man cheats on his wife during the marriage, it’s considered a serious breach of marital obligations. The woman can hold him legally accountable, and in the event of a divorce, she may not only receive financial compensation but also have an advantage in gaining custody of the children.Adriana said calmly, “Special circumstances can certainly turn things around.”Jessica curled the corner of her mouth into a smirk. “I’ll find out.”The marriages of successful men often carried the shadow of extramarital affairs. If the defendant’s private misconduct could be uncovered, it would be in the plaintiff’s best interest to investigate thoroughly.After thinking for a moment, Jessica softened her tone and smiled. “Lawyer Clarke, thank you for being willing to help. I thought you didn’t want to get involved.”Adriana replied, “Work and personal life shouldn’t be mixed. And I&
“Thank you for the invitation, but today is obviously not suitable for a door-to-door visit. I’ll treat you to dinner another day as a thank-you for your frequent help over the past two days, whether it’s rare for you or not.”Adriana didn’t give Calvin a chance to respond. Today, she would not set foot in his house again—no matter what.A man and a woman in a closed space—it was easy to make irrational decisions, especially for a woman. The atmosphere could quickly lead to something impulsive. And besides, she wasn’t entirely immune to Calvin’s charm.Calvin stood calmly outside the car door, noting the resistance in her eyes.“Very well. I’ll wait for Lawyer Clarke’s thank-you banquet!”He was testing Adriana’s boundaries little by little, figuring out how to get along with her.The corner of Adriana’s mouth twitched into a polite smile. “Goodbye.”Turning the car around, Adriana gripped the steering wheel. The open window let in fresh air, and the sunlight warmed her face. The most
“Huh?”Kevin thought he’d misheard. “Green Lake Village? The village you went to yesterday, President?”“Yes,” Calvin replied. “Especially the house on the hill—Tony’s place. Fix it up for the old woman. Send some furniture and get everything properly arranged. You can take care of the details.”Adriana glanced at his serious profile as he focused on driving. Her earlier embarrassment vanished in an instant, and her heart gave a subtle flutter.Kevin’s brain short-circuited for a second, then quickly caught up. “Understood, President. I’ll contact a construction team and arrange everything on site.”The call ended, and the car fell silent again.Adriana touched the bridge of her nose. “Um, I’ll thank you on their behalf.”Calvin chuckled. “Is the next thing you’re going to say, ‘You’re a good person’?”Well… that was almost exactly what she was about to say. But saying something like that now? With everything going on? It felt… a bit out of place.Calvin added, “You can say anything y
Calvin looked at her as she instinctively reached out, her slender fingers curling with tension, knuckles protruding from the force.“Lawyer Clarke,” he said, “if you want something, just say it straight. There’s no need for adults to play games.”Adriana awkwardly lowered her head and cleared her throat. “Calvin, please watch your words. Can you not always say things that make people misunderstand? Like this morning, and just now—what exactly did you mean? Is there nothing else in your head besides that?”Calvin responded casually, “Which sentence did you misunderstand? Misunderstand what? Lawyer Clarke, please be specific. Maybe I’ll consider changing.”Adriana clenched her teeth and rolled her eyes at him, but couldn’t bring herself to explain further. “In short, it’s uncomfortable to hear.”When they found the car, Adriana was ready to hop into the driver’s seat, but Calvin pulled her toward the opposite side and shoved her gently into the passenger seat.“Be honest—sit. I’ll driv
Calvin’s identity couldn’t be exposed. Once everyone knew he was the president of Grand Empire—the young master of the Walker family—wouldn’t that cause chaos?That was Adriana’s first reaction.Before she could speak, her body had already moved. She stepped in front of Calvin in a flash, blocking him protectively, and said calmly, “I am his personal lawyer. If there are any problems, I’ll handle them.”Calvin looked at Adriana. She was a bit disheveled, but still stunningly beautiful. This wasn’t something they had discussed in advance, and yet she had reacted purely on instinct. If he couldn’t see that she cared, then he wouldn’t be Calvin.A faint smile tugged at his lips, like the first rays of a new sun piercing through the morning mist—just enough to gently light up the dull earth around them.The local cops weren’t used to handling major cases. They hadn’t dealt with many lawyers before, so they didn’t question it much in the moment. Adriana skillfully shifted the focus, removi