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Chapter 158

Author: Maureen Green
Back when Aspen was with Colin, she had tried so hard to mold herself into the perfect Mrs. Fuller that she had completely forgotten what it felt like to let loose like this.

She finally realized that food just tasted better when she devoured it without reservations.

Aren watched her with tender amusement, his gaze lingering like she was some kind of joyful little rabbit hopping through a meadow. He reached out with a napkin, gently dabbing at the sauce smudged at the corner of her mouth.

He smiled and said, "Even if it's delicious, you should slow down. No one's going to steal it from you."

His gesture was so natural, but Aspen couldn't ignore the way her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively slowed her chewing and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Aren, if you keep being this nice to me, I don't know how I can handle it."

"I want to be good to you," Aren said simply. He grinned at her, warm and shameless. "Whether or not you can take it… that's your problem. Mine is whethe
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    Aspen knew she could never overpower Colin physically, but she had no intention of letting him touch her again. Just the thought of being close to him made her sick to her stomach.Tears slipped down the corners of her eyes as she glared at him and said, "I hate you."Her voice was raw, and her obvious hatred made Colin freeze in place. For the first time in his life, he felt something akin to panic. "I-Isn't this what you wanted?" he asked, his voice rough and uncertain."Get out!" Aspen screamed, her eyes filled with pure hatred and disgust.That look hit Colin like a punch to the chest. His hand reached up instinctively to touch her cheek, fingers brushing against the cold track of her tears. Then, he bolted.The door slammed behind him, and Aspen curled into herself, silently sobbing. Martha rushed in seconds later. Her eyes swept across the messy bed and the tied-up Aspen. Heart aching, she hurried forward and untied her hands. "Miss, are you alright?" "I'm fine." Aspen

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    Colin rubbed his temples wearily, the hangover and exhaustion leaving him in rough shape. He muttered, "I didn't mean it like that. Don't overthink it."Seeing her chance, Gwyneth moved closer. Her delicate fingers began massaging his temples gently. "Colin, you're just too exhausted. Does this help a little? You shouldn't go into the office like this. There's nothing urgent happening anyway. Just stay home and rest. I'll make you some soup, alright?"She melted into his chest as she spoke, soft like a kitten curling into a warm lap—sweet, comforting, and impossible to refuse. All the frustration that had been weighing down on Colin seemed to lift. He naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulders, smiling warmly. "Gwen, you're the only one who knows how to take care of me. The only one who can make me feel like this."Even if Colin hadn't said it aloud, Gwyneth already knew. If she hadn't mastered this kind of tenderness, she would have never managed to stay by Colin's side for

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    Aspen's smile faded as she gently held Dottie in her arms and glared in the direction of the voice. "You should be at work right now. What are you doing here at my place?""Colin drank too much last night. I stayed with him all night, and he felt bad, so he told me to take the day off," Gwyneth replied as she purposely tugged at her clothes, revealing the suggestive marks on her skin.As an adult, Aspen knew exactly what those marks meant. Back then, seeing something like this might have torn her apart. But now, she couldn't care less.Aspen's gaze turned razor-sharp as she gave Gwyneth a slow once-over, mocking, "If you're so exhausted from last night's activities, shouldn't you be resting instead of showing up here? Unless you're hoping for an encore performance? Sorry to disappoint—I don't have that particular talent." Gwyneth's cheeks flushed crimson. The timid woman she had once bullied now stood before her, throwing back vulgar taunts with unnerving confidence."You! Have y

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    Aren gave Aspen a warm smile. He had just witnessed it himself—Aspen standing her ground like a true warrior.Seeing how serious he looked, Aspen hesitated for a second. Then, she asked, "But... didn't I come off like a crazy woman to you?"Aren replied, "Crazy? Are you kidding? Someone shows up just to insult you, and you're supposed to stand there quietly and smile? That's not grace—that's weakness."He hit the nail on the head.Who cared about politeness or class when dealing with someone as shameless as Gwyneth? In times like that, firepower was the only thing that worked.Aspen's nose suddenly stung a little at Aren's words. Before, even speaking slightly louder would earn her endless scolding from Colin. He would criticize her, saying, "This isn't how a Fuller behaves." For years, she had agonized over what defined a "Fuller".But now, she couldn't care less. Because whatever it was, it had nothing to do with her anymore....When they got to the animal clinic, even the

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    Aspen knew that Gwyneth had intentionally dragged Colin here just to parade him around and rub it in her face. Yet, she couldn't help but smile. After all, they weren't even playing the same game anymore. Where Gwyneth's world still revolved around a man, Aspen's sights were set higher—on fortune and Colin's utter ruin.Colin growled, "You think this little act intimidates me? When you fail to secure this project, I'll personally watch you crawl out of Fuller Group in disgrace."He clenched his jaw hard, and for the first time, he dropped the mask in front of others. He was usually all cold elegance and collected charm—but now, he was snarling, veins bulging like a man completely unhinged. Yet, Aspen was unfazed. Even if he collapsed dead at her feet this instant, it wouldn't move her an inch. She simply shrugged like it meant nothing and said flatly, "Mr. Fuller, practice what you preach."Then, she walked out, holding Dottie close as she strode toward the exit. The moment

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    "What rumors?" Colin frowned and asked."Well, they're saying... They're saying you might not have much time left," James stuttered.Colin shouted angrily, "That's absolute nonsense! I'm perfectly fine!"James replied, "That's good, then. But for the company's stability, you should return to take charge as soon as possible."Colin said, "I understand. I'll be back soon."Colin's face turned ashen with rage as he threw his phone across the room. He wondered who would dare spread such rumors about him at the company....Colin lay in his hospital bed, staring at the ceiling in boredom. The company matters were like a tangled mess, making him restless and irritable. Gwyneth sat beside the bed, peeling an apple while making small talk with him from time to time."Colin, you've been lying here for several days now. When will you be discharged?" Gwyneth's voice was soft and gentle, tickling Colin's heart like a feather."The doctor says they need to observe me for a few more days,

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    "I'm tired and need to rest." Colin closed his eyes, effectively dismissing her.Seeing this, Gwyneth had no choice but to wipe her tears and leave the hospital room, looking back several times as she went.By the time Riley returned to the room, Gwyneth had already left. He looked at Colin lying in the hospital bed and secretly lamented his situation. The company matters were already keeping him busy enough, and now he had to take care of this demanding boss. His luck couldn't get any worse."Riley, where did you go? Why did it take you so long to come back?" Colin opened his eyes and asked as he looked at Riley. Riley placed the takeout porridge on the bedside table. "I went to buy you something to eat. The doctor said you can't have solid food, so I bought you some soup."Colin glanced at the bowl of porridge and frowned. "I'm not eating this. It's full of artificial seasoning and tastes terrible.""What would you like to eat, then? I'll buy it for you," Riley asked patient

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    Aspen watched Aren's gentle manner and felt a warmth surge in her heart. She thought how wonderful it would have been if she had met Aren earlier. But this world had no room for "what ifs"—only results and consequences. All she could do now was cherish the person before her and build a good life with him.After they finished shopping, they returned home. Aren went straight to the kitchen to cook. Aspen sat on the living room couch, watching him work busily, her heart filled with happiness. She thought to herself that simply being with Aren like this, living a quiet, ordinary life together from time to time, was truly wonderful....Colin returned home and felt irritated at the sight of his cold, empty rooms. He remembered how clean and tidy the house had always been when Aspen was there. But now, it was cold and lifeless.He sat on the couch and questioned his current situation for the first time. He began to wonder whether his choice to be with Gwyneth had been right or wrong.

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