"Sure, it's been a while. Thanks, Miss Greenwood." Mentioning that old shop made my mouth water too. It served traditional bone broth with a touch of chili and vinegar, a specialty far different from the soup bases at chain restaurants, which often included sesame paste or milk.Just as we got into the car, the real estate agent came running after us, panting. "Ms. Wilson, Miss Greenwood, please wait! The owner of the property you viewed yesterday morning has responded. They are willing to lower the rent.""Which property?" asked Jane."The one next door, the office space across the street." The agent pointed to a tall building just across the road. The rent there was higher than this one, and while Jane and I were satisfied, we hadn't seriously considered taking it.After exchanging glances, Jane spoke up, declining, "Forget it. Even if they lower it, we don't have that much capital to invest in rent right now.""They're willing to lower it to this amount." The agent held up a fe
I repeatedly told myself not to care anymore, but when I heard he was in trouble, my body acted beyond control.It seemed like over these eight years, a conditioned reflex had formed.I couldn't help it.As I grabbed my car keys and rushed out, trying to remain calm, I confirmed, "He's at St. Heart, right? I'm coming over.""Yes, VIP ward number one," replied Gary.On the way to the St. Heart Hospital, I managed to keep my composure, but my thoughts were in disarray.Although the Frost Group's current situation wasn't particularly good, it still stood as one of Jelaston's top enterprises. Moreover, there was always the possibility of a turnaround.Who would dare to openly set Ryan up at a time like this?Despite being mentally prepared, upon arriving at the ward and seeing Ryan sitting pale-faced on the bed, staring blankly out the window while doctors changed the bandages on his arms and chest wounds and applied fresh gauze, I was still somewhat taken aback.In an instant, my
My eyelashes fluttered lightly as I took a silent deep breath. "It's different."Deciding to divorce doesn't mean I wanted something bad to happen to him.Ryan sat on the bed, reaching out his long arm to pull me closer, looking up at me. "How is it different?"His intense gaze left me flustered. "It's different in every way. If anyone got injured today, I would show concern.""Anyone?" He casually repeated the question, his tone turning cold and harsh. "If it were Jack in trouble today, would you rush over just as quickly?""Yes." I didn't hesitate to respond, as if to prove something, I added, "Maybe even faster."Jack was a very dear friend to me.When a good friend was hurt, no one would remain indifferent.The softness in Ryan's eyes suddenly vanished, replaced by a piercing gaze. "Would you also shamelessly stare at his upper body like you did just now?"It dawned on me then. He had just finished changing bandages and hadn't put on his shirt yet. Apart from the gauze on
I furrowed my brows, grasping the main point and pressing on. "For me? Is this injury of his because of something related to me?"Gary scratched his head. "Well..."I racked my brain but couldn't recall anything recent that could have caused trouble for Ryan. We had hardly interacted these days.Seeing Gary hesitating, I decided to cut to the chase. "If you won't tell me, I'll just ask him directly.""Don't..." Gary gave in frustratedly. "It's about the unfinished building incident on the outskirts of the city. Remember?""I remember." How could I forget being kidnapped for the first time in my life? But wasn't that resolved?Gary sounded exasperated as he continued, "It was Zack Johnson, that bald guy. He pressured us to give him the land in the west of the city. Later, realizing he couldn't handle it, he came back to beg Mr. Frost, but insisted on taking 80% of the profits, which Mr. Frost didn't agree to.""And then?""The night before last, he got desperate and tried to for
"Ouch."This trick was exactly the same as last time.I pointed at his right hand. "You just used that hand to pull me earlier, with quite some strength.""Doing that earlier made my arm ache." He smoothly picked up where I left off.I stuffed a piece of dragon fruit into his mouth. "Alright, eat up, eat more."Later in the evening, Gary brought in a stack of documents.They were all documents waiting from the company. As long as Ryan was still alive, we had to find a way to handle them.His right hand was indeed injured, unable to be used frequently. So, I helped him flip through the documents and he signed them at the end.For a moment, it felt like we had returned to the days of mutual respect."Charlotte, there's an issue with this return rate..." Ryan turned his head as I leaned forward to pass over a new document.His slightly cool lips unexpectedly landed on my face.We both froze!Although we had many intimate moments before, things were different now...Ryan's eye
A few days ago, Simone asked me if I was suitable.At that time, nothing had happened yet, so I didn't have any thoughts about it.But when Bethany suddenly accused me to my face, blaming me for holding him back, I actually hesitated.After all, Ryan had been injured repeatedly recently, all because of me.In that instant when I heard the question, I wondered if everything would be different if he married Bethany.The Shaw family was prominent, and Bethany wouldn't just cause trouble for Ryan. She could even assist in many ways.Their union might add up to a number I couldn't imagine.But for Ryan and me, it seemed like 1 + 1 = 0.5.The excruciating pain in my lower back from banging into the corner of the cabinet became insignificant.Looking at Bethany's resolute appearance, for the first time, I couldn't come up with a rebuttal.Because of my humble family background, I was indeed holding Ryan back, indeed causing his misery.Causing him to be in the operating room for tw
As the words fell, his fingertip lightly traced the palm of my hand, like a feather scratching, sending a tingling sensation that flowed through my entire body like electricity.Bethany's face stiffened for a moment. "You can divorce even after marriage. You originally planned to divorce, right?"Ryan frowned. "Can't you see it?""What?""I don't want to divorce."His expression seemed casual yet serious at the same time. "And I'm actively pursuing my wife."I stared at him in bewilderment, unsure if he was speaking sincerely or just using it as a reason, an excuse to reject Bethany.Bethany gritted her teeth inwardly, a hint of unwillingness flickering on her face, but quickly, she smiled confidently."Ryan, maybe we haven't known each other for long enough. You don't know how rebellious I am, pampered by my parents. I've never experienced not getting what I want. The more devoted you are, the more I want to become Mrs. Frost and see how happy I can be!"She was so different
I couldn't deny that these words were quite touching.Touching enough that for a moment, I almost wanted to forget all the past grievances, yet I still found it difficult to let go.Some things have long been etched deep in my heart, leaving a profound rift.It's like how, in the past, even if he stayed out all night, I would never suspect anything, only empathize with his sacrifices for the Frost family. But now, with everything that has happened, I can't trust anymore, nor can I love without reservations, consequences be damned.I would start to hold back, be guarded, suspicious, sensitive, and restless.Even if we reconciled, if things continued like this for long, they would eventually break apart. So, it was better to cut losses now."Ryan, let's stop talking about this. Let's both be rational.""I know you don't believe me, but I will do it." Ryan's tone was as solemn as making a vow.I lowered my gaze slightly and handed another document to him, changing the subject. "Yo
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