.This was the first time I had encountered someone who constantly talked about money."Well, forget it then. I'll ask someone else." With that, I turned and headed indoors.Just as I returned, Jane came out from the private room, her eyes slightly red, clearly having cried. "Let's go back.""Is everything sorted out?" I took her coat from her and draped it over her shoulders.She sniffed, her eyes clear. "Yes. From now on, whether he forms alliances or not, it has nothing to do with me."Upon hearing her decisive words, I admired how she could handle things so calmly.On the way home, Jane drove, and suddenly I received a call from Jack.After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked, "Charlotte, the person with Frank just now, was that you?"I was taken aback but didn't lie to him. "Yes, it was me... How did you know?"Frank had covered me up so well.Even Ryan... only asked about a pair of shoes in such an uncertain tone.Yet Jack managed to guess it was me.On the othe
"I heard that Frank came to Jelaston this time to look for clues about his former fiancee.""I didn't expect him to be such a devoted person."I was somewhat surprised that there was someone like Jack, who persisted in his feelings for someone he met in his youth, for so many years.Jack smiled and didn't say much more. He then just added, "Will you be home tomorrow? I'll bring the gift over after work.""The gift?" It took me a moment to remember what he mentioned last night and nodded. "Alright, I should be home these next few days."The next day, I woke up naturally and felt the empty space beside me in bed.Jane was gone.I picked up my phone and saw her WhatsApp message. "I’m off. If Tom goes crazy again, I'll come back to seek shelter.""You’re such a player. You ran off after sleeping with me."I replied with a smile and lazily lay in bed, scrolling through my phone.The matter with Jessica and John, along with what she and Wen Fang had exposed at the Civil Affairs Bur
"Stop trying to scare me!"After Bob yelled this sentence, his eyes showed fear, and before I could respond, he ran away!"Alright, Jane, I have something to attend to right now, I'll get back to you later."I hung up on Jane's call and turned to Bradley, who seemed invisible as always. "Did you just going to stand by and watch your father treat your mother like this?"Bradley shrugged. "I don't have his strength, and he doesn't listen to me."I was furious beyond words, unsure of what to say.But Aunt Laura endured the pain and spoke up, "Bradley, wait outside for a moment. I need to talk to your cousin.""Okay."After Bradley left, I pulled up a chair and sat by the bedside. "Are your injuries taken care of properly? Is there anything left untreated?""No. These wounds just look severe. The doctors and security stopped your uncle before it got too serious."Aunt Laura shook her head, looking weaker than the last time I saw her. Tears silently streamed down her face. "I want
On my way to the Frost Group, I couldn't help but feel relieved that Ryan finally seemed willing to start suspecting Lauren and Jessica. I should have been able to breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps this time it would provide answers to both grandpa's and his mother's deaths. However, deep down, I still felt unsettled, though I couldn't quite pinpoint why.Upon arriving at the Frost Group, I immediately sensed a stark contrast to the atmosphere of the past. Everyone was hurrying around with serious expressions. As I exited the elevator on the top floor, this atmosphere reached its peak.Gary personally waited for me in the elevator lobby and escorted me to the CEO's office. Sensing my curiosity, he sighed. "The online situation has had a huge impact on the company. Several projects that were on the brink of completion are now being viewed with skepticism by our partners."I furrowed my brows. "It's gotten this serious?"It seemed that Frank indeed had considerable skills. His action
It could be said that since grandpa's passing, Lauren had probably become the only warmth he could find in familial bonds. But now... if what Jessica said was true, then his concept of family affection would be completely shattered. Emotions that had persisted for a decade or two would all be shattered together. Growing up in an unsatisfactory original family, experiencing this again could be another heavy blow.However, I did not agree with Albert's approach. Some things were better to be faced with immediate pain rather than prolonged agony. I stared firmly at Ryan. "Would you believe what I say?"His voice was gentle. "Yes."He must have thought about it for a long time before deciding to ask me, so his answer was not hesitant.Now that I had no more reservations, I picked up the coffee and took a sip. "If I were to say... the words I said in the hospital room that day...""Ryan!"The office door suddenly swung open without warning, accompanied by a crisp female voice that for
‘Suicide? So, is suicide their family's specialty, passed down through the generations?’ I wondered.I didn’t know what mentality I was in, but almost involuntarily, I asked, "Do you need me to go with you?"Maybe I wanted to see for myself if it was true or false.Or perhaps, I was afraid... afraid that if something really happened, Ryan wouldn't have anyone he could trust by his side.Ryan looked at me with surprise. "Can you?""Let's go." I picked up my bag and went with him to the hospital.When we arrived at the hospital, Lauren was still in the emergency room, and Jessica and John were waiting outside.The scene struck me as somewhat comical.But at such a tense moment, I shouldn't be laughing, so I mentally reviewed all the unhappy events in my life.Ryan, Jessica, John, plus Lauren inside the emergency room.If you were to draw a relationship diagram of these four people, it would probably resemble a chaotic spider web.Jessica suddenly rushed over and shoved me forc
Jessica clenched her fists quietly, her face filled with regret and stumbling through her confession, "I... I felt humiliated being publicly scolded by her, and in a fit of anger... I said those slanderous words about Mom! I was wrong... Ryan..."Her acting was truly impressive. If I hadn't already known the truth from Grandpa, I might have believed her story.Ryan's gaze fell on John, he squinted his eyes slightly. "What do you have to say?""What do I have to say?" John forced himself to remain calm. "If Lauren really was a mistress, how could we have waited five whole years after your mom's death to get married?"As he finished speaking, the door to the emergency room opened.Ryan remained skeptical and looked at the doctor. "How serious is it?""Mr. Frost." The doctor came out, removed his mask, and looked serious. "She lost a lot of blood. Luckily, she was brought in just in time. If it had been any later, she might not have made it."Visibly, Ryan's tense body relaxed a li
It was Bethany.She stood in the blood-soaked area wearing white ankle boots. Seeing me stop closing the door, she slowly withdrew her hand, crossing it in front of her chest. "Charlotte, I advise you to back off. Stop entangling with Ryan."She found my home address so quickly.I furrowed my brows. "Whether it's you or Jessica, if you're sick, go to the hospital or find Ryan. Don't bother me.""Hey, stop pretending!"She glanced inside the house and sneered. "I've checked. If it weren't for marrying Ryan, you, an orphan with deceased parents, wouldn't afford to live in a house like this even after several lifetimes."She lifted her chin, displaying the arrogance exclusive to the wealthy.Losing my patience, I said coldly, "Oh, and what about you? If it weren't for your good fortune to be adopted by the Shaw family, could you stand here and talk like this? Could you arrogantly meddle in other people's marriages?"Everyone knew how to make others feel uncomfortable.She offende
"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
Whitney nodded.By the time they arrived, it was already dark.But the entrance of the hot spring resort was bustling with activity.People were coming and going, and the car park at the front was filled with luxury cars.Standing at the entrance was a woman in a purple gown, her figure stunning.In such cold weather, she was only wearing a form-fitting silk dress, and although she had a mink shawl draped over her shoulders, it had started snowing mixed with rain by now.Whitney felt a chill just looking at her.Then, glancing at herself, she realized she looked round and bundled up due to her thin frame, trying to stay warm.Compared to the woman in front of her, she didn't feel the least bit feminine."Yvonne!"Millie tugged Whitney over. "I brought my sister-in-law!"Yvonne excused herself from her guests, letting someone show them in, and then turned to face Millie and Whitney.The moment Whitney met her gaze, she felt a softening in her bones.It was a natural, effort
Caleb's temples throbbed.He regretted some of the things he had done to Millie when they were younger.Whitney was a bit worried, but Millie reassured her to not worry at all.In reality, Caleb was fine.If it weren't for Whitney, she would have exposed his little scheme by now."Gilbert will be here soon.""Also, the doctor said to observe him overnight, but he'll be fine. He can be discharged tomorrow. He's not missing any limbs. Whitney, it's okay to care about your husband, but don't spoil him too much. It'll bring bad luck."Whitney had never heard anything like this before.Millie always said things that were beyond her understanding.Maybe that's the difference between being spoiled growing up and struggling just to survive."Okay."She liked Millie, just as she liked Jane and the others—they were all great girls.Millie pinched her cheek. "That's more like it."Gilbert finished work at his usual time.When he arrived at the hospital, he thought for a moment and c
"You're still trying to make me gain weight." Millie was very kind to Whitney, always speaking in her favor, so she had to support her as well. "I always thought you liked a bit of meat on someone."Caleb wanted her to eat more, gain a bit of weight, and stay healthy.This was a setup, and he wasn't sure how to respond."Only giving me vegetables?"Whitney hadn't planned on cooking meat at all, but since Millie mentioned wanting some, she made cooked some meat."You can't eat anything greasy right now, but I've made some chicken. You can have some chicken."Caleb smirked. "I'll do as you say."Millie couldn't stand it anymore and clicked her tongue a few times.But Caleb didn't give her a chance to speak. "Can't the roast pork shut you up?"Millie was so angry that she gritted her teeth. After finishing her meal, she saw Whitney still feeding Caleb.Unable to stop herself, she said, "Caleb, you've got alcohol poisoning, not a broken arm. Whitney, you should eat. The dishes ar
Whitney felt that Millie probably had some longstanding grudge with Caleb from when they were kids.Therefore, she treated Millie with respect as well.That was why she said those words.What was so great about her?Being able to cook wasn't anything extraordinary.The Hilton family's status in Yelar was such that, had it not been for her good luck in becoming Zachary's sister and getting such an opportunity, she would have likely died in some unknown gutter.As for the various daughters of affluent families surrounding Caleb—beautiful, gentle, intellectual, and so on—the list was endless.Compared to her, they were a thousand times better.And yet, she still thought that Caleb marrying her was a loss.It wasn't as exaggerated as Millie had said."Millie, please don't say that. Caleb can cook for me, too. It's nothing special."Millie was shocked.Could Caleb even cook?But when she saw Whitney's expression, she realized that the times Caleb had cooked for her when they we