LOGINBruce had changed into a perfectly tailored black custom-made suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, giving him the upright bearing of a pine tree.His hair was meticulously styled, revealing a full forehead and sharply defined brows.He was already handsome enough to draw hostility, but now, with the added polish, he was so striking that one hardly dared look at him directly. He seemed even more dazzling than the sunlight outside the window.Most lethal of all, his shirt collar was slightly open, exposing a fresh, ambiguous red mark on his slender neck.That was the "evidence of crime" she had left behind in last night's passion.The austere, disciplined suit stood in sharp contrast to the sensual mark on his skin, creating an almost bewitching allure.Isolde could not help but gulp, her mind flashing uncontrollably through vivid fragments of the night before.Bruce's thin lips curved slightly as he stepped forward and leaned in. He braced his arms on the b
Isolde shot up from the bed, anger surging. "That's despicable! Why didn't you tell me earlier? We start work tomorrow!"After hanging up, she immediately opened an app and booked a flight for that night.As she stared at the ticket confirmation, her anger slowly gave way to reason.In five hours, she would be flying to Preta, leaving Bruce behind.She had not discussed it with him. She had not even told him. She did not dare imagine the look of disappointment on his face when he found out.A faint ache spread through her chest.…After washing up, Isolde changed into comfortable home clothes and walked toward the study.The door stood slightly ajar. Bruce's low, steady voice drifted from inside.She nudged the door open and peered inside.Sunlight filled the study. Bruce sat behind a large desk, with a dark bookshelf spanning the wall behind him. The glow of the computer screen highlighted the sharp lines of his profile, his high nose bridge and set jaw lending him a cold, b
Isolde barely had time to react before Bruce lifted her into his arms. In a few strides, he carried her to the wide, soft sofa and pressed her down beneath his solid body.His kiss followed. It burned as it claimed her, parting her lips with insistence, taking without hesitation.The air turned hot and heavy.Clothes fell into disarray. Their breaths tangled.Bruce braced himself above her, his dark eyes tinged red with desire."I want you…" His voice came out hoarse, restrained yet searing with intensity. "Can I?"Isolde's body went weak, as if the strength had drained from her bones, leaving her soft and yielding."If I said no…" She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, tilting her head up to meet him. Her lips brushed his Adam's apple in a warm, damp kiss, then trailed along his neck, leaving faint marks in their wake. "Would you stop?"Bruce's body stiffened for a brief moment. He lowered his gaze. "Of course."Isolde smiled like a sly, lazy cat, her fingertip
Isolde sighed. "But since they possess such extraordinary medical skills—capable of bringing the dead back to life and regenerating flesh and bone—if they stepped out of hiding, how many people in the world could they help? Those tormented by terminal illness, those who live in constant pain due to disability or injury…"The world's medical standards might advance by hundreds, even thousands, of years because of them. What a pity…"A hidden family that had existed for centuries must have its own reasons and strict rules for remaining concealed. Asking them to emerge would be no different from indulging in fantasy.Bruce's eyes darkened slightly. For ordinary people, such hidden great families might be something they never heard about in their entire lives. Even if they did, it would hardly affect them in any meaningful way.But for someone at his level, it was difficult to say whether such legendary existences were a blessing or a curse."Even without them, the world is still adva
The attendant produced another document.Claudia flipped it open. As the contents came into focus, she drew a sharp breath. "Artificial womb?""Yes. Mr. Princeton developed it specifically for Ms. Vancrest at great expense. The project was kept secret for years and was only completed this year. At present, it can support the cultivation of only one embryo. Ms. Vancrest is granting you this opportunity. She asked us to pass along her wishes for your happiness and freedom."With this artificial womb, Claudia could conceive a child with any man or enter a non-sexual political marriage. She would no longer have to endure the constraints of an arranged match.Claudia gripped the folder tightly, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips. "At least she has a conscience."One week later, at Crestmont Estate in Southbridge…Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling across the wooden floor of the study. The room lay quiet and still.The rapid, crisp cl
The Queen sighed and leaned back in her chair, as though she had aged ten years in an instant. "I originally planned to keep Isolde and use her to negotiate with those behind Faranthia, in exchange for peace, or to use Rebirth to secure support from Ydoria. Now Zandia has sent word again, proposing marriage once more and issuing threats…"She looked at Claudia with a complicated expression. "If you don't marry, he will fully support Faranthia."Faranthia already had backing from powerful forces behind the scenes and held the advantage. If Zandia also committed its full support, they could destroy Karsden without resistance.The country would fall. The royal family would perish.Claudia let out a low, furious growl. "This is exploiting chaos for profit!""Claudia, I taught you long ago that a soft heart will cost you blood and tears."Claudia's fingers curled into tight fists, her nails biting into her palms until blood welled and dripped. The humiliation struck her like thunder,
Just then, the doorbell rang.Bruce was not home. Isolde was alone and too lazy to cook, so she had ordered takeout.She assumed the delivery had arrived. She hurried over and opened the door, only to find Alan standing there.He held an elegant food container. "Isolde, takeout isn't healthy. I s
Bruce: [The child is not Alan's. A paternity test is useless.]Martin: [Two audio clips from Isolde are not strong enough. Alan is far too cautious, and there is a high chance we will never obtain direct evidence of adultery. (lighting-a-cigarette-in-melancholy.jpg)]Bruce: [If it does not exist,
Isolde hesitated for only a second. Thoughts of Jane and divorce crowded her mind, yet what she said sounded remarkably considerate. "I wanted to ask what you'd like for breakfast tomorrow morning. I'll make it for you."Bruce had not brought up the divorce, so she had no intention of rushing the t
"Actually… I do have something…" Isolde spoke slowly as she walked toward Bruce, step by step, her fingers resting casually on the solid arm exposed above the water.The warmth and firmness of his skin made her fingertips burn, as if touched by flame.Instinct told her to pull back, but when the c







