After hearing that question, I realized that besides William, there was another gaze fixed on me tightly.I actually found it hard to answer William's question.I didn't want to lie to William, but if I told the truth, William would definitely not allow us to get a divorce.After hesitating for a while, before I could say anything, William seemed to have already got an answer. "Alright, I think I know the answer. Please stay by his side for me. This kid didn't have a mother to raise him, that's why he has such a bad temper. Please forgive him."Finally, he grabbed Ryan's ear and said, "If you think I've been around for too long, you're welcome to piss me off so much that I die of a heart attack or something. No one will stop you two from getting a divorce if I'm not around.""Are you trying to use your life to force me to do something?" Ryan asked with a meaningful smile."How dare you speak to me like that?"William was furious and was about to hit him again, but Ryan dodged th
Glancing at the time, it was already past two o’clock in the morning.Didn’t he get off work with Jessica?How did he end up going drinking with Tom and the others? According to Tom, Jessica wasn't even there.I tried to call again, but his phone was already turned off. It had probably run out of battery.I had no choice but to get changed and head out. I took a taxi to their usual gathering place, a private club.When I arrived, most people had already dispersed.In the private room, only Tom and Jack remained.There was Ryan, dressed in a designer suit, his long legs crossed, sleeping soundly on the couch.As soon as Tom saw me, he looked helpless. "Charlotte, I don't know what's gotten into Ryan today. He kept drinking with Jack, and we couldn't stop him."I could vaguely guess why.He still stubbornly believed that there was something between Jack and me.Perhaps all men were like this. They could do as they pleased, but would never tolerate even the slightest possibilit
About 10 minutes later, I parked the car outside the courtyard."We're home, Ryan," I said as I opened the car door.Unexpectedly, the drunken man collapsed as I opened the door.I frowned and reluctantly pulled him back up. "Can you stand up on your own?"There was no response.I had to call Brenda, who was asleep, to help me carry Ryan back to his room."Mrs. Frost, do you need any help?" asked Brenda."No, you can go back to bed."I felt a bit embarrassed for disturbing her. I didn't want to trouble her further.After Brenda left, I endured the discomfort of the smell of alcohol and helped Ryan take off his shoes and tie, then I prepared to go downstairs.But as I turned around, I realized that he had suddenly grabbed my hand.With his eyes closed, he murmured, "Honey..."I didn't really think he was calling me. It was more likely that he and Jessica had progressed to the point of calling each other such intimate nicknames.I reached out and opened his eyelids. "Ryan, l
Even though there was a layer of fabric between us, my waist felt like it was burning. I was frozen, unable to move as if possessed by a ghost, but thankfully, my mind was clear. "We've been very clear about this. I don't want a third person involved in our marriage.""I'm sorry." The man rested his head against my back, his voice muffled.Would my heart soften? Of course, it would.No one could just easily erase several years of feelings overnight. I really wanted to give him another chance. But everything that had happened recently kept coming back to me. Would I choose him or myself?I sighed. "Ryan, you always knew you were in the wrong, but you kept repeating the same mistakes. It's meaningless."This time, I chose myself. I had chosen him for seven years, and that was enough.Ryan remained silent for a long time, not saying a word."Let go, we've reached the end of the road." I had never imagined that I would say such cold-hearted words to Ryan.What was unrequited love?
The renovations began shortly after he gave me the keys to the house. I had to keep an eye on the renovations, so I would be out early and back late. He never asked about it.Even if I returned late, at most, he would just say, "You're back late," or, "Looks like the Design Department is quite busy." There was never a follow-up question about where I had been or what I had been doing. It was not within his scope of concern. We had reached the point of divorce, and I didn't want to tolerate anything anymore. "Maybe it was when you were with Jessica."Sure enough, I saw a trace of stiffness on his face. It made me feel much better."I haven't been in contact with her lately.""There’s no need to explain to me." I felt it was unnecessary now. "As long as you're willing, once the divorce proceedings are done, you can marry her anytime.""Why are you speaking in such a tone? You make it sound like we’re strangers" Ryan furrowed his brows slightly, which made him look a little helples
I never realized he was so vengeful. I could only follow behind him reluctantly. Before I could explain anything, William smiled and said, "I heard from Brenda that Charlotte has moved out?""Yes, Grandpa." I had no choice but to admit it. If Grandpa got angry, I would have to find a way to please him.But Grandpa didn't look like he was going to lose his temper at all. Instead, he glared angrily at Ryan. "You can’t even keep an eye on your wife!""Come on, Grandpa. It was her decision to move out. What could I do?""If she moved out, don’t you know to go after her?""You're just like your father, utterly crooked." Grandpa was exasperated."Well he got that from you, didn’t he?" Ryan chuckled."You brat!" William grabbed a teacup as if to throw it at Ryan, then set it down again. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm hungry, let's eat."The meal was quite enjoyable. Grandpa kept offering me food, and my plate was almost overflowing. "You should eat more, look at you, you
"Don't worry, Grandpa." I placed some food on William's plate and said gently, "He can't bully me."After all, we were about to divorce soon anyway.After dinner, Ryan played chess with William in the backyard while I leisurely cooked coffee on the side. Ryan's chess style was cunning and ruthless, and after making a move that William couldn't counter, William glared at him. "Are you treating me like an outsider? Leaving me with no way out?""Alright." Ryan chuckled, then indeed eased off.William was pleased, laughing heartily, and said meaningfully, "Remember, family and outsiders are not the same."I handed Grandpa a cup of coffee. "Grandpa, have some coffee.""Hmm." Grandpa took a sip. "If you two can always get along so well, then I'll be able to hold my great-grandchild soon!"My heart fluttered, and I instinctively placed my hand on my belly. Seeing William's aging face, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of compassion. If there hadn't been those barriers and issues betwee
'What does that mean? Is he suspecting that I'm cheating on him before we're divorced? Well, he is indeed that kind of person,' I thought.I couldn't be bothered to explain and just replied blandly, "A good friend.""What friend?""Ryan." I smiled softly and said gently, "Dead people don't pry into matters."Since he was willing to play the role of a dead ex-husband, he should be professional about it.Ryan nearly burst out laughing, his tongue pressed against his cheek as he chuckled. "Alright."When we arrived at the graveyard and got out of the car, I headed straight up the stairs towards the hill. Seeing that Ryan didn't follow, I had to turn back and wait for him. As I turned around, I noticed he was carrying a basket of yellow and white chrysanthemums that he had prepared earlier, and I couldn't help but be a little taken aback.I pursed my lips. "Thank you.""Thank me for what? It's something I should do," he replied calmly.When he caught up with long strides, we walke
Whitney deeply regretted it when Caleb pinned her down in the hot spring pool.She should have just driven the car back slowly. Once they were in the city, she could switch drivers.She could have said she was nervous driving, that she was too tired, and surely she would have been able to avoid all of this.Instead, she had chosen to stay here and do something so embarrassing."This is an outdoor hot spring..."The boldest thing Whitney had ever done was when a man with some power had used his position to take advantage of her.At that time, she had been truly frustrated.She had worked so hard, with blood on her hands, just to survive and live a stable life.Yet, there was always someone trying to make her life difficult.In a fit of anger, she had used a brow-shaping knife to hurt that man.If it weren't for meeting Zachary, she would definitely be worse off than a street rat by now.But Caleb could always break her understanding of things and perform such bold actions."
"Georgina should know him better than I do, since you've known him longer than I have."Georgina nodded. "That's true, which is why I asked you if he's always bullying you. I just know how annoying his personality can be."Millie agreed, "Exactly.""Whitney, I've told you from the moment I met you—if you're being bullied, you have to tell me."But Whitney had never told her anything!She had thought that Caleb loved her so much that he wouldn't do anything to bully Whitney.But today, she realized that wasn't the case."You really have to listen to Georgina."Whitney nodded repeatedly but still said, "He hasn't bullied me, you guys don't need to worry."Some things, even though she admired and liked the Georgina, she couldn't say.If Caleb got angry, she would be the one to suffer. And perhaps it would also affect the Collins family.Since there was nothing wrong between them as a couple, outsiders wouldn't say much.Georgina's earlier remarks were also a subtle probe.It
Millie laughed so hard that her stomach hurt. She pointed at Caleb with a chicken leg. "Look at you now."She hugged Whitney, unable to contain her excitement. "You really stood up for me, Whitney."Whitney slowly processed what had just happened and turned to look at Caleb.Caleb, arms crossed, leaned back in his chair with a displeased expression on his face.Whitney nervously bit her lip. "I'm sorry..."Caleb's displeasure deepened. "Why are you apologizing?"Whitney looked at him sincerely. "I shouldn't have joined in teasing you. You're my husband, I should have spoken up for you."Caleb's anger suddenly dissipated.He patted Whitney on the head. "Alright, you've made progress. I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again."Whitney nodded. "Thank you."The three girls across from them were all taken aback.The one laughing the hardest, Millie, was now staring wide-eyed.She had never seen anyone pursue someone like this.Caleb was unbelievable.Blake, ho
Whitney glanced at the steak and said she wasn't going to eat anymore, she was full.But her gaze remained fixed on Georgina.Caleb was rendered speechless.Georgina noticed this and rested her chin in her hand, looking at Whitney with a smile. "Whit likes me, doesn't she?"Up until now, only Jane and the others had called her Whit.But hearing it from her idol felt completely different.Whitney immediately felt a surge of nervousness. The flush from the hot spring had barely faded, but now it quickly came rushing back.She stammered, unable to speak for a long while.Georgina's smile deepened. "What's so embarrassing? I like Whit too.""That’s enough." Caleb tightened his grip on his knife and fork, afraid he might accidentally fling them."Lucifer's getting old, and he's not satisfying you anymore, is he?"What was she doing, flirting with his wife?Georgina removed her hand from her chin and gave Caleb a big thumbs up."I wouldn't dare to say that word, but you're reall
"If I stopped him from coming in, the things he could do would be worse than what's happening now."Yvonne changed into a green, form-fitting long dress, adjusting her makeup and hair in front of the mirror."Then I wouldn't be able to do business at all."Georgina crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "I can tell you never really intended to stop him."Yvonne glanced at her, her eyes soft and seductive.Georgina reached out and pinched her. "If I were him, I'd want to sleep with you too.""Get lost." Yvonne pushed her hand away. "Then have Lucifer handle it for me. Anyway, I don't have the authority to stop Blake. He’s a member of the Hilton family, after all."Georgina straightened up and became serious. "Are you sure?"Yvonne didn't answer, adjusting the straps of her dress as she walked out of the bathroom.Georgina smiled. "I knew you weren't serious."She draped her arm around Yvonne's shoulder as they walked out together. "Let's have a good talk. His paren
Caleb truly couldn't interfere. In fact, he hadn't planned to get too involved in Blake's affairs.Occasionally, he could play the supporting role, and that was enough.He stepped aside to make way.Georgina immediately left.Whitney slowly blinked her eyes.Georgina was her idol, and she wanted to become someone like her.Someone who had confidence in everything she did, completely unafraid of offending anyone."Let's go." Millie patted Whitney's shoulder. "If someone didn't know any better, they'd think you had feelings for Georgina. Your husband's still around. If he gets jealous, he might just smash this place to the ground."Whitney did indeed like Georgina, but it wasn't that kind of like.It was admiration and respect.Just as she was about to say something, she met Caleb's cold gaze and changed her words."I'm just worried. Blake seems to be in a bad mood."Millie told her not to worry. "Everything has its match. It's just something between men and women.""And wit
The people at Yvonne's place were all professionally trained, and later, when Georgina married Lucifer, Lucifer had even placed several of his men here.Even though Lucifer and his eldest brother were practically inseparable, he still couldn't get any information from them."Mr. Caleb, it's been a while since I've seen you out having fun."He didn't plan to ask about the people he recognized either. After all, he didn't want anyone to know that his wife had left him to come here and have fun."Blake is here. I'm afraid he might do something stupid, so I came to check on him."Everyone who came to this place knew about the situation between Blake and Yvonne.The Hilton family was not one to be provoked, especially since Yvonne was very close to Lucifer's wife.Two major families—this wasn't something they could just casually comment on.In the past, there were some who tried to "save" Yvonne, but they never showed up again.Later, everyone figured that this might be a kind of g
"Mr. Blake, my relationship with you is merely that of an owner and a guest," she said. "You come, I entertain you, but you have no right to stick your nose into my business."She could wear whatever she wanted.Even if some people had ill intentions, that was their problem.What did her choice of clothes have to do with anything?Back when Caleb and the others came to play, in the summer, she wore even less, and no one had acted inappropriately.Anyone who wanted to act out inappropriately couldn't even step foot through this door anymore.Blake didn't know what she was thinking, but just looking at her attire, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.Silently, he put the coat back over her shoulders, and said gruffly, "It's cold."Caleb found the situation amusing but remained concerned about Whitney, so he didn't smile.At least he knew that with Mrs. Scholfield around, they wouldn't dare make a scene.Otherwise, Lucifer would turn this place into ruins.The tall building
“Georgina.” Whitney took the initiative to walk over and greet her. "Haven’t seen you in ages."Georgina smiled. "Everything's ready. Let's change first. We can talk while soaking in the hot springs."Millie led Whitney to the changing rooms.Yvonne mentioned that she had important guests today and would join them later.Georgina nodded.Caleb and Blake bumped into each other at the entrance.Blake had feelings for his family, but perhaps because he lost his parents at a young age, his personality had grown colder over the years.It wasn't that he didn't care, it was just that he couldn't be like Caleb, always smiling, with a more lively temperament."Caleb.""Blake."Caleb didn't waste time with pleasantries. There was no need between relatives.He walked briskly inside.Blake followed and asked what had happened.Caleb asked the receptionist where Millie's room was.The receptionist smiled professionally. "Mr. Caleb, I'm sorry, although you hold immense power, I still c