I was drinking yogurt when I heard her last few words, and I choked hard.After recovering, I finished my meal and poked her cheek. "Can you have a little dignity?""It's a seven-digit number. You can handle it, but I can't." Jane's head was spinning from the money. "Actually, for the sake of money... surrendering a bit isn't impossible. Anyway, Jessica is his father's woman. Nothing could have happened between them.""You better dispel that thought right now." As we prepared to leave the house, I said, "That Lauren is still thinking about having Ryan marry Jessica.""What?"Jane put on high heels, looking like her worldview had been shattered. "She's been in a coma for so many years, is she an idiot now? Besides, didn't she have a huge fight with Jessica the other day? And now they're all buddy-buddy again?""Who knows." I picked up my bag and opened the door.Jane's imagination ran wild. "What if they're trying out something new?""What new thing?""Like a threesome?"She w
His car matched his temperament perfectly—a flashy Pagani sports car.When we arrived at the hotel entrance, even the doorman's eyes lit up, a glint similar to the one Jane had when she saw the extra money in my bank account today.Frank still had some gentlemanly demeanor. After tossing the car keys to the doorman, he personally opened the car door for me, albeit with his usual sharp tongue. "Slow down. It's okay if people fall, but these clothes are expensive."I recognized this dress when I saw it at home. It was a high-end custom piece from a certain brand. Many celebrities couldn't even borrow it.Although his words were unpleasant, they were true. The company was in preparation, needing money everywhere, and I couldn't afford to compensate for this dress.I carefully lifted the hem of the dress, avoiding getting stepped on by high heels. "Okay, got it."He paused. "Why are you so honest?""I'm just genuinely broke.""Mr. Frost doesn't give you money to spend?""No." I pu
Being asked such a question in public, I suddenly felt at a loss for words.Because she had a point. It was her birthday party after all. She had the right to decide on every guest.Before I could speak, Frank lightly glanced at her and casually made up a story. "I begged her for a long time before she agreed to grace me with her presence. Now you want to kick her out?"With these few words, he instantly eased my embarrassment.Hearing this, Bethany pouted unhappily. "Since when did you become so close with her..."Frank lowered his eyes with a hint of sarcasm, "Do I need to report to you?""Then didn't you know Ryan would come? You brought her here just to embarrass me...""Alright!" The middle-aged lady smiled gently and intervened. "You two, always quarreling since childhood, haven't you had enough?"Her tone and expression were both gentle.She continued, teasing Bethany, "You're already a grown up, thinking of marrying Ryan, yet still so childish?"As I heard this, my g
Frank threw out these words and glanced at me. "What are you standing there for? Let's go.""Okay."He's tall with long legs, taking big strides. I struggled to keep up with him because my dress hem was hindering me.Just as we were about to reach the hotel door, a strong grip seized my wrist from behind, "Charlotte!"I stopped in my tracks and looked at Ryan, his expression dark. I composed myself and asked calmly, "What's wrong, Mr. Frost, is there something?"Frank also turned back, his eyebrows slightly raised.There was a deep melancholy in Ryan's eyes. "Are you, Mr. Smith, also interested in interfering in marital affairs?""I have no interest in that." Frank smiled. "Just wanted to remind Mr. Frost that bigamy is illegal."Ignoring Frank's remark, Ryan firmly dragged me along without a word.Frank furrowed his brows. "I'll be waiting in the car for you."With that said, Ryan's grip on my wrist tightened even more!His pace quickened even more.He dragged me all the w
Looking at him in that state, a complicated emotion welled up within me.Suddenly, I understood the meaning behind the saying, "Late passion is worth nothing."I pursed my lips. "It’s up to you if you believe it or not."With that, without casting another glance at him, I walked away. I wasn't sure if it was because I didn't want to look or didn't dare to.Whatever he thought, it didn't matter that much to me anymore.I just wanted to live my own life well.That was all.Unfortunately... I forgot, many things were simply beyond my control.Just as I reached the hotel lobby, I ran straight into Simone.It was strange. I didn't have much goodwill toward Bethany, but I felt no aversion toward her parents. In fact, I found them quite friendly.Our eyes met, and I smiled at Simone. However, her face remained expressionless as she scrutinized me again, even more nakedly than she had at the banquet hall.I smiled politely. "Aunt Simone, I'll be leaving now."Simone appeared gentle
It wasn’t sadness, just envy.If my mom were still here, she would definitely protect me.‘Mom. Mom... I misses you so much."What are you crying for?"Suddenly, from behind a large pillar in the car park, Frank walked out and frowned. "Weren't you determined to divorce him? After chatting with him for a bit, you can't bear to leave again?"I hastily wiped away my tears and sniffed. "No. It's just that the wind outside was too strong and I got sand in my eyes.""Oh."Seeing through my excuse in one glance, he said sarcastically, "With that kind of crying, you really can't tolerate any sand in your eyes."‘What a cliché.’Despite my terrible mood, his cliché still helped. "Weren't you waiting for me in the car? Why are you here?""The car was stuffy."He tossed off these three words and swaggered ahead.Once inside the car, warmth enveloped me instantly, and I belatedly realized that I had been freezing from head to toe.I was freezing.The silver-gray Pagani roared to lif
I wasn't surprised that he asked that. I nodded. "Yeah."Frank glanced at the cake in my hand, then lifted his gaze to me, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing look, "Did you... grow up in Jelaston?"I hesitated for a moment, then realized he was still on the path of finding his ex-fiancee. Anyone with similarities might pique his curiosity.I admired his perseverance over the years and thus answered patiently and carefully, "No, I grew up in Nesax. It's quite far from both Jelaston and Jeswood.""Is that so," he murmured almost imperceptibly, his brown eyes dimming slightly.Yet his gaze remained fixed on me, as if he wished to see another person through me.I chuckled lightly. "The Shaw family found a replacement daughter, and now you're looking for a replacement fiancee?"I had to admit that the daughter of the Shaw family was really unlucky.But people would move on, and it had been so many years. It was normal.After hearing this, Frank's lips curved into a smile, but there w
‘Hmm... I hope to successfully run the Charlotte Jewelry. I hope for health and safety for myself and those around me.’I opened my eyes and blew out the candles.Jane checked the time and smiled. "That was close! Luckily we made our wishes before dawn.""Childish, aren't we?" I smiled, feeling warm inside. Only those who care about you would bother about such a difference of one or two minutes.I looked at the food on the table and took a bit. "Did you make this yourself?""Not tasty?""It's beyond not tasty, it's on another level of bad."‘Horrible. Way too horrible’"Darn, what kind of pig feed did I make... no, even pigs would jump off a building after eating this."She leaned over, took a bite, and promptly spat it out. She was then about to throw it away.I stopped her and took another bite. "Wasting food is shameful, especially when it's something you made yourself. Did you burn yourself?"She was about to shake her head when my phone rang. The caller ID could be seen
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
1461In the quiet ward, Caleb naturally heard those words.Whitney took a small step to the side, avoiding him.Caleb. ‘Oh, great.’"Alcohol poisoning," Whitney whispered to Millie.Millie exploded all of a sudden. "Alcohol poisoning?""Caleb used to drink for three days and nights straight without getting alcohol poisoning. If he got alcohol poisoning now, I'll livestream eating shit."Caleb could no longer stand it. He got up and snatched Whitney's phone.His voice was cold and low. "Millie, do you have nothing better to do?"Millie wasn't scared of him at all. "Trying to fool my sister-in-law, huh? Caleb, you really have no shame. Pursuing someone isn't done like this..."Caleb ended the call without another word.But who was Millie?Her grasp was not something one could get out of easily.She stormed straight to the hospital.Caleb's eyelids twitched when he saw her.But she didn't call him out, instead, she said, "I'll stay with Whitney and take care of you. When you
A flash of triumph appeared in Caleb's eyes as he raised his arm toward her.Whitney quickly pulled his arm over her shoulder, supporting him as she helped him get up.She hadn't expected him to lean all his weight on her, causing her to stumble slightly.Caleb took advantage of the moment, letting himself fall back onto the bed, and even deliberately let out a soft "hiss."Whitney immediately forgot about herself and rushed to check on him. "Did you hurt yourself?"Caleb pressed his hand to his head. "My head hurts."Whitney started to call for the doctor, but the man yanked her back toward him.Before she knew it, she was pressed against his chest.At that moment, her face felt like it was on fire."Are you messing with me?" Whitney was a little angry.She didn't like him, but she was still concerned about him.After all, though their marriage was far from perfect, they were still legally married.Caleb held her by the back of the head and gently pressed her down."Are y
But even though she sensed something was wrong, Whitney couldn't quite put her finger on it.In the end, she simply treated it as a test of her ability to handle unexpected situations.If something similar happened again—and with members of the Hilton family present—she couldn't afford to stay so calm and indifferent.That wasn't how a wife should react when faced with a rival.Tentatively, she asked, "I should have... stopped her and warned her?"Caleb felt she was finally on the right track, and gave a slight nod of agreement. Then he asked, "And after that?"‘After that...’Whitney had no real experience to draw from.She thought back to her school days, her part-time jobs, her internships.It seemed she had seen a wife confronting a mistress once.But back then, she had been too busy working hard and studying to pay close attention."Then I..."When she had walked in just now, she hadn't really seen anything inappropriate."Did she touch you?" she asked.How could Cal
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