'Jewelry?' I wondered.I furrowed my brows slightly and raised my voice to ask Ryan, who had just gone into the bathroom, "Ryan, Jessica's here. I'll head down to take a look."The next second, Ryan quickly walked out of the bathroom. His face was colder than ever. It was an expression that I had never seen."I'll go. It's none of your business, go wash up."The man who had always been calm in front of me suddenly had a trace of emotion in his voice. He sounded annoyed and nervous at the same time.A strange feeling arose in my heart. "I've already washed up. I was the one who squeezed the toothpaste on your toothbrush, have you forgotten?""Alright, let's head downstairs together then. We can't keep the guest waiting."I held his hand and walked down the stairs.The staircase was in a spiral. When we were halfway down, I could see Jessica wearing a white dress and sitting elegantly on the sofa.She also raised her head when she heard us coming down the stairs. When she saw mi
I was completely dumbfounded.I looked at the email over and over again as if I was trying to confirm something.I wasn’t seeing things.Jessica suddenly became the director of the Design Department, my superior.“Do you know her, Charlotte?”Jane could tell that something wasn’t right. She reached out and waved her in front of my eyes as she tried to guess what was going on.I put down my phone. “Yes, she’s Ryan’s stepsister that I told you about before.”After graduation, my roommates went their separate ways. But Jane and I had been good friends throughout university. We promised each other to stay in Jelaston and not go anywhere else.“Fuck! So she got this position because she’s Ryan’s stepsister?” cursed Jane.I was rendered speechless.‘She’s probably more than just his stepsister,’ I said inwardly.“Is Ryan out of his mind?” Jane continued to complain. “Why does she get to be the director? I’ve never heard of her in the design industry before, but Ryan just gave her the positio
Ryan almost agreed instantly and didn't hesitate at all.I wrapped my arms around his neck, curved my lips, and locked gazes with him. "Are you really willing to give me 10% of the company's shares?"His eyes were clear. "I'm giving the shares to you and not some outsider."At that moment, I had to admit that money was really good at proving loyalty.All the emotions that I had suppressed during the morning had finally eased.As if trying to prove something, I asked with a smile, "What about Jessica? Are you willing to give her shares?"He fell silent for a moment and then gave me a definite answer. "No.""Seriously?""Seriously. All I can give her is the director's position."Ryan pulled me into his arms and said in a warm and gentle voice, "I'll get Gary to bring the share transfer agreement in the afternoon. From today onwards, you're one of the Frost Group's shareholders. Everyone else will be working for you.""What about you?" I asked with a smile since I was in a bette
Jessica knew that Ryan was waiting for me.She was the one asking for us to give her a ride, but she still sat in the passenger seat.I really wanted to turn on my heels and leave, but reason told me to stay. I reached out my hand and said to Ryan, "Keys."Ryan remained silent and just placed the keys in my hand.I walked around the front of the car and sat in the driver's seat. I smiled as I looked at the surprised look on Jessica's face. "No problem at all. You're Ryan's sister, so it's normal for you to ask us to give you a lift."After saying so, I looked at Ryan, who was still standing next to the car. "Get in. Grandpa is probably already waiting for us."No one spoke throughout the journey.It was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.Jessica wanted to talk to Ryan, but she didn't because she probably felt that it would seem a little awkward if she kept on turning around to talk to Ryan.Ryan had probably sensed my unhappiness, so he opened a bottled drink and passed
Jessica's words made me freeze on the spot.I was completely gobsmacked.I would sometimes have doubts about their relationship, but my thoughts were proven wrong every time.Ryan and Jessica weren't related but they were both members of the Frost family. Technically, they were still brother and sister by name.Besides, both of them were married.I felt that there was no way that a talented man like Ryan would be involved in such an unbelievable thing.However, I was wrong. Not too far away, Ryan pinned Jessica to the wall. His cold and disdainful voice sounded. "You did it for me? You were the one who decided to marry someone else, what right have you got to ask me to do anything?""I..."The two questions rendered Jessica speechless. Tears streamed down her face as she helplessly grabbed the hem of Ryan's clothes."I'm sorry, Ryan. Please forgive me this once. Please! I had no choice back then...""I'm already married.""Can't you get a divorce?"Jessica was quite a stubb
Ryan was a little surprised at my actions, but said nothing.I pursed my lips and said softly, "What happened on the night of our wedding?"I could still remember waiting on the balcony the whole night for him.Ryan abandoned his newly wedded wife on the night of their wedding and left without saying a word.I thought it was because of something important and worried about his safety. I even thought that he was unhappy with something I had done and hoped that he would come back home soon.Back then, I was only 23 years old. I somehow was able to marry the man that I had a crush on for years.How could I not look forward to our marriage?I only found out today that he was with another woman during our wedding night.Everything sounded like a joke.Ryan didn't keep anything from me. His voice was still soft. "She went street racing that night and had an accident. I was notified by the police to pick her up."'What a coincidence. She just had to have an accident on the night of
I didn't want to understand Tom's perverted joke, but I still did.Jane chuckled and said, "It's not, but it didn't really satisfy me."I looked at Jane in disbelief as if asking her what she was talking about."We slept with each other once. It wasn't a great experience." Jane didn't care if Tom was right next to her or not.Tom stomped his foot sulkily. "That was my first time. What do you know anyway!""Stop right there! I can't be held responsible! You're just a playboy, so don't talk about your first time with me. You've probably lost your virginity to these anyway." Jane interrupted and pointed to Tom's hands.I looked at Tom, who was usually the playboy and saw him blush. Only then did I figure out what was going on.The two of them had a one-night stand and Tom was probably pursuing Jane at the moment.Jane ignored Tom and led me towards a private room. "A senior in university has returned to the country. Tom and the others organized this party and asked me to tag along
Every move they made felt like a slap in the face to me.My heart ached more and more.I had imagined such a scene countless times.As I watched what was happening, I began to feel cold even though I was at home."Charlotte, you're awake!" Jessica said with a smile when she turned around and saw me. "Come and have a taste of Ryan's cooking. I promise you it's delicious."As soon as she said those words, she began placing dishes on the dining table as if she were the hostess of the house.I took a deep breath, walked past her, looked at Ryan, and asked, "Why is she in our house?"Ryan brought out the last dish, removed his apron, and said coldly, "She'll get lost after having lunch.""How can you be so heartless? Are you really going to kick me out of the house?" Jessica glared at him."That's enough, Jessica! I'll kick you out myself if I get any more from you!" Ryan's was dark and sounded like his patience had run out."You're so mean," Jessica mumbled as she dragged me over to the di
Whitney had nothing to say.Even if Caleb's accusations were unreasonable, even if he was deliberately making things difficult, she still had to go along with it—and endure it."I'll keep that in mind."Caleb didn't feel any joy at her answer, but he still asked, "What exactly will you keep in mind?"Whitney replied obediently, "If the same thing happens again, I'll either send you a text or call you."Beneath his large palm was her small, soft hand. He brushed his thumb slowly across her skin and asked, "If I'm not home by six in the evening, what will you do?"Whitney answered with surprising seriousness, "Does a traffic jam count?"Caleb took a deep breath. "No. Let's say it's a normal day, I should be home on time, but I don't show up.""Oh..." Whitney nodded thoughtfully. "Then I'll call you and ask why you haven't come home."‘Good enough.’This topic could be put to rest.He released her hand and said, "I'm thirsty."Whitney immediately got up to pour him a glass of
"Perfect."Caleb was rendered speechless.Half an hour later, Whitney arrived at the hospital room.It was clear she had rushed over—she was still breathing heavily, chest rising and falling with each gulp of air.Caleb felt a pang of guilt for tricking her like this. He was just about to sit up when his mother pressed him back down.Janet's eyes reddened instantly, tears threatening to fall at will.Business was like war—and in war, sometimes a bit of acting was essential.After all, his mother had spent years navigating the cutthroat world of commerce. Her acting skills were easily on par with half the entertainment industry."Darling..."Whitney still looked confused. She stepped closer and saw Caleb's lips pale and bloodless.He had been perfectly fine just last night—how had it come to this so suddenly?And he hadn't even drunk that much at the Hilton family dinner.Far less than what he had consumed at their wedding, in fact."Mom, please don't cry..." Whitney helped
Since they got married, this had never happened before.Though Caleb was a busy man, his parents hadn't completely stepped back from the family business yet, so he didn't need to clock in every day.He only went in for important matters, or meetings he couldn't avoid.But at night, he was always home.In the morning, he always got up at the same time as her.She had early classes at eight in the morning.Still, she didn't overthink it, assuming something urgent had come up at the last minute.Caleb was indeed at the office that morning.But there was absolutely nothing on the schedule.No one could understand why the he had shown up so early, sitting alone at his desk doing nothing.Philip pushed open the door to his office and found Caleb slouched lazily on the sofa.He raised his hand to stop the secretary from reporting anything.The secretary quickly nodded, stepped out, and shut the door behind her."Had an argument?"Philip didn't think that was likely.After all,
There was no rush.Whitney deeply admired Dianne's way of living—a strong mind, never anxious, never consumed by internal battles.Whatever came her way, she simply found a way to deal with it.She believed there were always more solutions than problems."Are you tired?"Caleb sat down beside her. "Do you want to go back and rest?"They had just flown back from an island.When they got off the plane, Whitney had barely been able to walk on her own.If not for this dinner with the Hilton family—one they truly couldn't skip—she would have preferred to go straight home and sleep.But since no one had left, she couldn't excuse herself either, and had just waited quietly.Now that Caleb asked, she hesitated, then nodded.He took her hand and helped her up, then said to the rest of the family, "We're heading back first. Just got back from out of town, and we're both exhausted."Lia nodded. "Come by more often."Whitney nodded politely.Caleb led her to the entryway to change th
The man who had just sat down was Caleb's younger cousin, Blake Hilton.He was a police officer.His parents had died in the line of duty. The Hilton family had originally not wanted him to follow the same path.But he had chosen it anyway, without hesitation.Whether it was because of his profession, or the fact that his own parents were no longer around — even though the Hilton family was tightly bonded — he remained quiet and reserved.Whitney wasn't much of a talker either, so she had barely exchanged more than a few words with him.Besides, every time the family had a meal, he was always the last to arrive.She had long since gotten used to it, never questioning why.Lately, though, she had heard rumors that he had fallen for someone.She had noticed the slap mark on his face at the last family gathering. And this time, his aunt had used the word "again".Blake said nothing.The others understood without needing to say a word, but Dianne had always been the type to spea
She really hadn't expected that someone could ask their parents for pocket money so brazenly.She had never seen it before.It truly opened her eyes."Are you okay?" Janet quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath, while Caleb pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her mouth.Whitney, embarrassed, said, "I'm sorry, I...""What are you apologizing for?" Caleb casually wiped the table as well. "It's nothing. Everyone chokes on water now and then.""Exactly," Millie chimed in cheerfully. "I choked on water just yesterday.""Alright, enough talking. Bring out the dishes and let's eat!" Lia called out, setting a plate of food in front of Whitney. "Try this and see if you like it."Whitney had always felt that, to the Hilton family, she was an outsider.So every time she came over, she couldn't help but feel nervous and constrained.Especially facing so many elders, she was neither sweet-tongued nor good at small talk.Every time, it was Caleb who managed all the social i
Whitney quickly stood up and called out, "Aunt Stephanie."Stephanie curved her lips into a smile and nodded."Stephanie!" Lia said as she came out of the kitchen. "How come you’re here by yourself? Where's Steve?"Steve Hilton was Lia’s eldest son and also Stephanie’s husband."He had something to take care of and will be a bit late. We can start eating first."She looked at Millie and asked, "Millie, what were you saying about me?"Millie immediately tattled, saying that Gilbert had bullied her.Stephanie didn't even ask for details, she just swung her fist and punched Gilbert.She had trained before, so the punch was solid and strong.But Gilbert had also trained, and he had grown up. Otherwise, if it had been when he was little, he wouldn't have been able to take it.This kind of situation had often happened when Millie was young — as long as the little girl cried and complained, he would get beaten by his own mother."I don’t think she’s your daughter-in-law. I think sh
Whitney wanted to thank Georgina through Millie, but Georgina said there was no need.However, simply having a meal together was acceptable.Up to now, they had only eaten together once.She wasn't very good at interpersonal interactions.On top of that, she had been busy with work early on and had gone on a business trip for a while, and almost all of her remaining time had been taken up by Caleb."Whitney, if you have time, I'd like to ask Georgina out for a meal. Sorry to trouble you.""No problem. Georgina told me that she’s missed you as well."Whitney didn't know what to say, so she could only force a smile.Millie already knew her personality and didn't mind, continuing to talk about amusing things on her own.She even asked how the wedding had gone for her this time.Whitney said, "It was great. I got along really well with Mrs. Howard and her two sisters. They're all wonderful people. I'll introduce them to you sometime.""That's great. I like making friends. The mo
The guard at the door saluted and let Caleb's car pass.As soon as Whitney got out of the car, she saw the Lia waiting at the door."Whitney!"She paused for a moment before being pulled inside.When she had first married Caleb, the Hilton family hadn't been this warm toward her.Caleb rarely took her back to the Hilton family's residence, except for the mandatory monthly family dinners.Sometimes, if a family member hosted a dinner that couldn't be refused, they would eat together.The Hilton family had been polite to her, and it was quite decent.But this time, she felt something was different.She didn't know what to say, so she gave a stiff smile.Caleb followed behind at a slow pace, breaking the awkwardness. "It's so cold outside. Why not wait inside?""The air inside’s quite dry due to the heating," said Lia. "I felt short of breath, so I came out to get some fresh air."Caleb asked in concern, "Did you do your regular checkup?"Lia replied, "I've done it. Stop nagg