I thought of the injuries on Aunt Laura's body and said coldly, "We won't be family soon.""What do you mean?" His eyes flashed with a sharp light, then landed on the lawyer beside me. "Who is this? Why did you bring him here?""He's Mr. White, one of the top divorce lawyers in Jelaston," I introduced calmly. "This marriage is over whether you like it or not."Bob couldn't keep up the act anymore. Enraged, he jumped up to hit me, but the bodyguards restrained him!His face flushed with anger as he shouted, "Charlotte, you're utterly ungrateful! Now that you've married into an affluent family, you dare treat me like this? Forcing me to divorce your aunt?""Whether I'm ungrateful or not, Aunt Laura will know." To me, the only one who had truly shown me kindness was Aunt Laura. He had nothing to do with me.Bob gritted his teeth and cursed, "Fine! We can divorce! But I want to split the assets evenly!"I glanced at him. "What assets do you two have left to split? Even if there are,
Upon hearing this, my tense nerves gradually relaxed.Aunt Laura was right.If it's not biological, who could do such a thing?I helped Aunt Laura lie down on the bed, bent over to tuck her in. "How have you been feeling these days? Are you getting better?""Much better. The doctor said after another round of chemotherapy, I can focus on recuperating." "That's good."As I straightened up, Aunt Laura grabbed the silver pendant that had slipped out of my collar, carefully placed it back, and said, "Keep this silver pendant close to you. Don't let others see it."I was slightly taken aback. "Why?"Why would a piece of jewelry seem so secretive?Aunt Laura's eyes flashed as she explained, "It's... very valuable. I'm afraid it might attract ill-intentioned people.""Alright, I understand."The color of this silver pendant was even more elusive than the two jade ornaments grandpa had prepared for the children.I could understand Aunt's concern.I called Mr. White in and introdu
In winter, days were short and nights were long. By around six o'clock in the evening, it was completely dark. I arrived at the coffee shop just before half-past six.But Bob was already there.I walked towards him and got straight to the point. "What did you mean by what you said at the hospital today?"Bob lifted his chin slightly. "Have a seat.""You asked me to come, and here I am. Don't beat around the bush anymore." I sat down as he suggested.The previous customer must have sprayed a lot of perfume—I could smell it the moment I sat down, wrinkling my nose involuntarily.Bob caught my attention with his next words. "Surely you don't actually believe you're not your parents' biological child?""Don't talk nonsense. I just want to know what you meant at the hospital."If it was just a slip of the tongue out of anger, I did have my doubts. And if that was the case, he wouldn't have insisted on meeting me.Bob nervously shook his leg. "It was just something said in the heat
"Divorce?"She laughed like she heard some joke. "He's been doing his best to delay the divorce, you think I can't tell? But that’s a good thing. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to get you here with just my own strength!"I grabbed the key word. "What do you mean?""What do I mean?"She revealed an intriguing smile. "You have offended someone you shouldn't have! Charlotte, don't be complacent anymore, in the face of power, me or you, are just ants that others can easily crush by lifting their feet."I had a vague guess in the back of my mind and tentatively followed up with, "This person you're talking about, is Bethany?"Other than her, I couldn't think of anyone else who had looked at me unfavorably recently.Jessica's eyes flashed for a moment, so fast that it was like an illusion on my part, and then she looked at me in amusement."You think I'd tell you?"She leaned over and looked at me, gritting her teeth. "I can't wait for you to die right now, I can't wait for her to act
I had just turned the doorknob when he grabbed the collar of my clothes from behind, his voice dark and malicious. "You little bitch! You dare deceive me, huh? Damn it, I'll show you!""No, please..."But no matter how I struggled, that one moment had drained all my strength, and I could only let him drag me towards the bed."Listen, is someone arguing in there?"Suddenly, a refined middle-aged man's voice came from the corridor outside."Oh... Dad, they've booked a room at the hotel, it's normal for young couples to argue. Let's go quickly, I just informed the restaurant to prepare our meal..."The man holding onto me instantly turned menacing, realizing I had unlocked the door.He threw me to the ground and reached to close the door, but someone pushed it open from outside!A pair of gleaming gentleman's shoes appeared in front of my eyes, then the gaze moved slightly upward to a pair of long legs clad in trousers.Thinking it was the middle-aged man who had spoken just now,
"He is Jessica's ex-husband." Ryan understood what I meant and explained softly, "This time, it's time for her to learn her lesson."At his words, I understood.Previously, due to my grandpa's dislike, Jessica had relied on brazenness to attend family banquets at the Frost family's old mansion, so I had never met Jessica's ex-husband.Now, treating her the way she treated others, even if it caused a scene, others would only think they were having a lover's spat.I believed in the principle of not offending others unless provoked, but if she wished me dead, I wouldn't show mercy either.Seeing me lost in thought, Ryan rubbed my head gently. "Are you hurt?"I shook my head. "No."Thinking back to the scene in the room, I still felt a lingering fear, and my hands were trembling slightly.Ryan's eyes darkened, and unexpectedly, I sensed a tinge of concern from him.He patiently held me, gently rubbing my back, softly reassuring, "It's okay now. You're safe, I'm here."After a whi
I didn't hear everything clearly, but I understood clearly what he was trying to express.A part of me that had been calm for a long time almost collapsed again.Nails scraped across the palm.A subtle pain awakened a hint of rationality. "Is it dry now?"Ryan seriously ran his fingers through my hair a few times. "Yeah, it's almost done."The sound of the hairdryer disappeared, leaving the room quiet.I nodded. "Okay... thank you."Suddenly, he hugged me from behind, his lips against my ear, cautiously and ambiguously probing, "Did you hear what I said, even a little?"A proud man like him might have been apologizing like this for the first time.Different from the casually insincere "I'm sorry" in the past, this time, he had truly let go of his dignity.I wanted to surrender at this moment, but I was too afraid, afraid of repeating the same mistakes, afraid of being like a moth to a flame.Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, prompted by reason, I said, "I heard. But, R
I had grown to love what he loves.How could I feel forced?Ryan's dark eyes glittered, compelling. "Then I’m not forcing myself either. Come on, eat."I couldn't bear it. "Your stomach can’t take it.""You've been doing this for three years, can't I do it even once? You're underestimating me too much," he spoke earnestly.I lowered my eyes. "Then do as you wish."After dinner, he took the initiative to wash the dishes, and I continued to work without guilt.Unlike Jack, I would feel embarrassed if Jack washed dishes, after all, we were just ordinary friends.But him, I had taken care of him for three years. Now, if he cooked and washed the dishes, it wasn't too much."Do you have any stomach medicine?"While I was studying the style of the company's first batch of new products, Ryan rubbed his stomach and settled into the nearby sofa.I couldn't help but want to laugh. I poured a cup of medicine and placed it in front of him. "Didn't you say I was underestimating you?"His
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
Whitney was very surprised.She had eaten at the Hilton family's residence before.But because she wasn't picky about food, she just ate whatever was available.Caleb’s grandmother, Lia Hilton, had asked her if there was anything she particularly liked.She shook her head and said she could eat anything.What Lia prepared wasn't something she particularly liked, it was just a local specialty from her hometown.Her hometown was located in the mountains and it wasn’t very inconvenient to come in and out of there, so they had to make do with what they had.Thus, local plants became a speciality.But she never had the luxury of eating such high-quality food, even chewing on the food was a treat.After she escaped, she had made it herself, but thought it was just so-so.For a moment, she didn't know what to say.She wasn't adept at handling other people's kindness.Moreover, she and Caleb hadn't married for love.Sometimes she thought, it would be better not to get too close to
It even gave her the goosebumps.She didn't dare lift her head, picking up her plate to go wash it in the kitchen.She could already imagine that Caleb was definitely laughing at her right now.Caleb grabbed her wrist and pressed her down on a chair."I'll do it. You go take your post-meal medicine."Whitney felt uneasy. "You cooked, so let me do it.""No need. Go take your medicine. Since you went to the doctor, you should follow the advice."Whitney had no choice but to go take the medicine.And right now, she did indeed want to put some distance between herself and Caleb.After taking the medicine, she had nothing else to do, so she took out her phone and checked the work group.Then she saw a message from Tanner."I forgot to tell you, although the post-meal medicine that treats your issue, it has some side effects."This message had been sent when she was boarding the plane. At the time, she was apologizing to Caleb.Later, Caleb asked her to sleep for a while.She o
The evening glow had not yet appeared on the horizon.But her stomach had already reached the time to eat.Caleb rolled up his sleeves, took ingredients out of the fridge, and walked into the kitchen, reminding her to take her pre-meal medicine."The tea maker is on, there's hot water."Whitney took the medicine, then returned to the kitchen to help wash the vegetables.She knew how to cook, after all, making something herself was cheaper than eating out.And in the mountains, as a girl, she had to know how to cook.However, since coming to the Hilton family, they had a dedicated cook, and she had never been allowed into the kitchen.Now, seeing that it was just her and Caleb, she wondered if Caleb had ever even entered the kitchen, so she asked if he wanted anything and she could cook for him."After you finish washing the vegetables, just put them here."Whitney started boiling water, but Caleb pushed her out of the kitchen. "Wait outside."Whitney wanted to speak but didn
"You claimed to be fair, only trusted your own investigation results, not just believing hearsay, didn't you?"What he said was actually in line with what she had hoped for.It was also a beautiful wish of hers.But in this world, many things were not absolutely fair.Her job was to serve the people and provide justice to the best of her ability.However, she would never trust what anyone else said, she needed to look into things herself, and only after solid evidence would she act.Whitney could tell that he wasn't complimenting her, but mocking her, which made her feel somewhat ashamed."As for your situation, I've been biased from the start."Mainly because, she didn't plan on getting involved with Caleb.She didn't need to stand up for him.She had no interest in what kind of person Caleb was.So, she never thought that those rumors about him would become the trigger for him being angry with her."Sorry."Caleb seemed to have realized what she was thinking earlier.He