"You weren’t dating normally from the beginning. Michael, I’m only telling you this because I see you as a friend. Stop wasting time on Jane. Spend time with your grandmother in her final days, and focus on building your career. The future will bring you the happiness that belongs to you." Michael forced a smile, but it was bitter. "Charlotte, I'll remember what you said. We should go now. Frank's eyes are about to kill me." Charlotte said, "You’ve set her up, she used you, and now you're even. Neither of you owes the other anything. I left some money under the pillow in the guest room. Thanking Madam Hall for cooking for us. Even though we only stayed for one night, we still disturbed her. Michael, I wish you all the best." A deep bitterness and pain spread through Michael's heart, but he still showed a perfect smile. "Charlotte, you too. And Jane, I wish you all the best." "Alright." Michael watched as the luxury cars drove away. He opened his palm and stared
They didn't take the main road to the Civil Affairs Bureau. But even on a small road, it shouldn't have been this desolate. It was clear that these people had been waiting for him for a long time. It seemed that the news about him and Jane going to get the marriage certificate must have reached the Collins family the moment they boarded the plane. Zachary's indifferent gaze moved up, briefly landing on the middle-aged man's face. Then he raised the car window. The middle-aged man raised his hand and signaled for the armored vehicles to move aside. Roy drove past. Originally, he should have turned left toward the Civil Affairs Bureau, but he turned the steering wheel to the right. Jane had heard everything, and now she still felt a lingering fear. "Zachary." Zachary turned his head and said, "You don't have a chance to run anymore." Since the temple, Jane had been angry. Now that she was no longer in a temple, she couldn't hold it back any longer. But
Her fingers had turned red, and they were slightly swollen, but the ring still couldn't be removed. Zachary once again held her hand, gently rubbing her middle finger to ease the pain. Jane looked coldly at him. There was no emotional reaction to his careful and considerate gestures. This was not what she wanted. No matter how well he acted, it couldn't hide the domineering arrogance in him. He said he would let her be free, but in reality, he had already tied her down without her realizing it. He had confined her in a cage. She wanted to vent her anger. But then she felt it wasn't necessary anymore. He would just respond with a few words that would make her at a loss for words anyway. She couldn't even be bothered to shake off his hand. The rest of the journey was in silence. This made Roy, in the driver's seat, feel a sense of unease. This suffocating silence was worse than an argument. Perhaps if they argued it would be better. The wor
Jane felt like her wrist was about to be crushed, and tried to pull it out. "Let go, it hurts." But Zachary pulled her closer, holding her tightly in his arms. "Don't think these words of yours will work. They can't control me." His voice was cold and hard, clearly filled with anger. But Jane didn't care. She kept provoking him. "If you were really that capable, you wouldn't have been brought here today. We would already be at the Civil Affair Bureau getting the paperwork done. Zachary, you know it yourself. You're not powerful enough to beat the Collins family." Zachary's voice grew even colder. "I'm doing this for you." "I don't want you to." Jane struggled to get out of his embrace, but when that failed, she stomped on his foot. But Zachary didn't even flinch. Jane's voice turned cold as well. "Stop always saying you're doing things for me. Your family does the same for you, so why don't you accept it? Why do you have to go against them? Sometimes, I ju
Zachary rebutted, "How can I not care? If it weren't for your relationship with Michael's grandmother, I wouldn't have kept her around waiting to match the statements with Michael. Even legally, without matching statements, we can't file a case or convict anyone." Nina was not surprised. She knew Zachary's style very well. But it didn't matter anymore. At that point, there was nothing she could do, but wait for the right moment to escape the country. As long as Zachary didn't send her to prison or kill her, there was always a chance. "Miss Greenwood, even if you don't like Zachary and want to break up with him, please don't use me as a shield. We're both women, can't we be a bit more friendly?" Jane snorted coldly. "When you were setting me up, did you ever think about being 'friendly' to me as a woman?" She replied, "Michael already told me, your little act is completely unnecessary now." Zachary chimed in, "If you don't want to see her, fine. Let Michael come
Jane didn't let out a breath of relief until she passed through the gates of the house. She wiped the cold sweat that had gathered on the tip of her nose. Quickly, she walked toward the main road. She had heard about the power and influence of Zachary's family, and had imagined it in her mind, but seeing it in person was far more shocking than she had anticipated. At that point, she even felt that breaking up with him was the right decision. She was glad she had done it quickly. If she had stayed in a relationship with Zachary any longer, the Collins family would definitely have come for her. Beep— The honking sound startled Jane. Seeing the driver, Alan, her erratic heartbeat gradually settled. "Are you here for business?" "No, I'm here to pick you up." Jane sat in the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt and asking, "Did Mr. Smith send you?" Alan nodded. "Miss Greenwood, it's not safe to stay at your place right now. Please pack your things. I
The windows had also been locked, and there were patrols every day.The front door and the backyard offered no opportunity to escape.He lay on the bed, one hand resting under his head.He stared blankly at the ceiling.Nina had originally planned to take the opportunity to escape, but she failed. She wasn't restricted like Zachary, however.But with her abilities, escaping from the layers of encirclement was no easy task.Moreover, the guards at the gate of the compound had been instructed by the Collins family.The back wall of the yard no longer offered any chance to climb out.It seemed that this time, the Collins family was taking drastic measures.They would not allow Zachary and Jane to contact each other again.Recalling the words Zachary had said earlier.She couldn't help but sneer. ‘She’s the only person you will marry?’They had grown up together, but neither of them had ever loved each other to such an extent.How long had they known each other, really?What
"Grandma is fine. Mrs. Waxon next door is helping me take care of her.""I had an tryout, so I came over. I didn't expect to run into you, Jane."Looking at Michael's happy expression, Jane couldn't bring herself to smile."Michael, about what Charlotte told you...""You don't need to say anything."Michael interrupted her. "From now on, you're just my sister. If you need anything, just call me. I may not have power, but I will do everything I can to protect you."Jane felt a mix of emotions. "There's no need to go that far.""Jane, why did you suddenly come to Leacoston? Are you on a business trip?"Michael changed the subject, but Jane felt she couldn't avoid the conversation."Michael, I think we should maintain some distance. From the moment you started liking me, if I can't return those feelings, then we can't even be friends. When I went to Larecton with you before, it was because I wanted to know the truth about that night in Heliafield. I also needed to relax. There's
“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
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