LOGINMelissa heard the question, but in her head, the answer came instantly.Yes.Yes, it really was.Because how was she supposed to say it?How was she supposed to explain that while Adrian was punching people and Miranda was being humiliated and Noah was getting dragged into chaos, she was somewhere else entirely?With Richard.And even now, standing under everyone’s eyes, she could still feel the echo of that mistake sitting heavy in her chest.But she said nothing.Because the truth would only make things worse.Everything looked normal until Noah arrived about an hour ago. Everything shifted with his arrival.Maybe it was just for Melissa because every other person treated him like he was royalty. But when he looked at Melissa, there was this killing gaze that almost sent her jumping off a cliff. The air changed.Melissa’s fingers tightened slightly around her clutch. The last time at the Jones’s house, he had warned her not to mess with Colin’s heart. He said Colin had been hurt b
Miranda looked seconds away from exploding. She was breathing so fast noah couldn’t bear it.“Can you please calm down?” “No!” Noah stood there, bleeding from the corner of his mouth, genuinely confused about why she seemed more upset with him than with Adrian.“Why are you this angry, Miranda?” “Because you claimed my baby!”Her voice rose.“I was only trying to protect you… protect your…”“Protect me?” She yelled. Then she immediately lowered it again; someone exiting the venue glanced their way.“Protect me? But you claimed my baby in front of hundreds of people!”Noah blinked.“I was trying to help.”“Help?”Miranda laughed.The sound was sharp and disbelieving.“Help?”“Yes.”“How exactly was that helping?”“He wouldn't leave you alone. And I thought you didn’t want him to know who the baby’s father is.”“So your solution was to tell everyone you're the father?”Noah opened his mouth.Closed it.Opened it again.“Well... when you say it like that…”“Because that's exactly wha
Miranda dragged Noah back. “That’s enough!” Then she looked directly into Adrian's eyes.The disgust on her face was impossible to miss.“You disgust me.”Silence.Adrian felt the words hit harder than Colin's fists.Because there was no anger in them.No hatred.No sadness.Only disgust.As if she couldn't even bear looking at him anymore.Then Miranda turned away.“Let's go.”Noah nodded.Without another glance, the two started walking toward the exit, Miranda practically pushing Noah. Adrian remained frozen as he watched them leave, unable to stop them. The second they disappeared through the doors, Clara finally exploded.She marched toward Adrian. “Are you happy now?”Adrian looked at her.Clara pointed toward the exit.“What was her offence? Throughout the time she was married to you, you treated her like trash. You and your family bullied her because you thought she meant nothing. Now that you’re finally divorced, you won’t let her be. Why?” Clara slapped his chest. “Why?
Adrian turned sharply toward Noah.The room had fallen completely silent.Every guest seemed frozen in place.Noah stood a few feet away, calm despite the tension radiating from Adrian.“What did you just say?” Adrian demanded.Noah folded his arms.“I said I'm certain nothing here belongs to you.”A murmur spread through the crowd.Adrian stared at him for several seconds.Then, surprisingly, he asked.“Then is there something here that belongs to you?”The question stunned everyone.Even Colin blinked.Adrian laughed bitterly.“I know the baby isn't mine.”Miranda's eyes widened slightly.Noah narrowed his gaze.Adrian looked directly at Miranda.“There’s no way in hell the baby is mine.”His voice was quieter now.“I know that for sure.”The room remained silent.Then Adrian looked back at Noah.“But perhaps… if the baby isn't mine...” he said slowly. “Then is it yours?”A collective gasp erupted.Clara nearly choked.Several reporters are already keen on doing their jobs.Colin's
“Adrian, don’t,” Vivian pleaded, still holding his coat. “I promise, I won’t go after Miranda ever again. I’ll even stay out of town. Just please don’t…” Adrian slowly removed her hand from his coat. “I regret stepping out on the day our path crossed, Vivian. I’ll never forgive you.” Without another word, he walked away.Vivian collapsed unto the seat, her hands trembling. How could she set herself up, thinking she was winning? Now, she’ll have to go down alone with nothing to hold unto or anyone to drag along. By the time Adrian reached the parking lot, his phone was already in his hand.The call connected immediately.“Detective.”“Mr. Cole.”“You can proceed.”A pause.“Are you certain you’ve got what you wanted?”“Yes.”“The evidence?”“Everything you need has already been sent.”Another pause.“Understood.”Adrian looked back toward the restaurant.“You can arrest her now at the restaurant before she runs into hiding.”Then he hung up.The forged documents had served their p
Adrian’s voice came out harsher than he intended.Vivian merely raised an eyebrow.“Oh, there is absolutely a way.”“You’re lying.”“Why would I lie?”“Because it’s you.”Vivian actually laughed.“Fair point.”Adrian shot to his feet.“Tell me the truth.”“I just did.”“No.” He slammed both palms onto the table. “Tell me if you actually know she's pregnant or if this is another one of your games.”Several diners glanced over.Vivian looked entirely unbothered.“You seem emotional.”“Answer me.”“Sit down.”“I said, answer me!”For a brief second, something flickered across Vivian's face.Annoyance.Then she sighed.“Fine.”Adrian remained standing.Vivian crossed one leg over the other.“I know Miranda is pregnant.”“How?”“I have eyes.”“That isn't good enough.”“Then perhaps your eyes aren't as functional as mine.”Adrian looked ready to strangle her.Vivian rolled her eyes.“At the banquet, she was constantly being shielded.”“That proves nothing.”“The dress was custom-made.”“Sti
Clara only smiled wider.“Sit still,” she said, picking up the powder brush again. “The world is waiting for you, and I refuse to let you walk out there looking like a woman who just fought a wild goat.”Despite everything that had happened, Miranda laughed.Her body was still trembling slightly. H
“With just a…”Adrian never finished the sentence.The door crashed open with such force that Miranda’s eyes flew open before she could even understand what had happened. One second, Adrian’s face was too close to hers, his breath hot against her skin, his hands trapping her shoulders against the
The Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Imperial was a sea of shimmering crystal, cascading orchids, and the low, vibrant hum of high society. Tonight, the Jones family wasn’t just throwing a party; they were reclaiming what was theirs. The event was monumental, drawing prominent politicians, business ty
The Jones family dining room was lively that morning.It has been since Miranda’s return. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the long dining table in a warm glow.The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.A second later, Colin appeared."Sorry, sorry, sorry," he said







