LOGINAfter her injuries had healed, she was to return to Dublin, so Vanessa specifically went to buy a new suit. Before leaving, she had to pick up Lily, and Cameron always needed to look presentable. Vanessa remembered his measurements perfectly, reeling them off one by one, and chose a stately black.After ordering the suit, she noticed someone had been watching her the entire time.It was Julian's wife.It was just a cup of coffee, and Vanessa wasn't that stingy. Stacey still wore her familiar gentle smile, but after three years, there was a touch more pretense, less of the pure innocence she once had."You don't know, in the three years since you left, Julian has always been so regretful."She didn't need Julian's regret.Vanessa let out a short laugh. "By my reckoning, your child should be two years old now?""You don't know?" Stacey's eyes widened slightly, a look of profound surprise on her face. "That child was accidentally miscarried. I was in a bad place then, emotionally, and th
Swiping the card, Vanessa opened the hotel room door. She quickly set down her belongings and hurried to support Cameron.“Why did you get up by yourself? Be careful.”“It’s fine, it’s not that serious.”Cameron wasn't in good health, but he was an optimistic man. He settled down, his hand resting on Vanessa's wrist, feeling her cool skin. “Is it very cold outside? Anything is fine for me to eat, don’t go out again. Be careful not to catch a cold.”After spending time with him, Vanessa knew he was a gentle, gentlemanly man. It was precisely because of this that she couldn’t bear to keep deceiving him.Circumstances had changed, and Cameron had once again become the most suitable marriage candidate.She was using him like this, yet he wasn't angry in the least, treating her with the same kindness. To say she wasn't touched would be a lie.“I’m fine. The hotel food isn’t good, and you’re still recovering. You need comprehensive nutrition.” Vanessa opened the food she’d bought. It wasn't
As the party wrapped up, Perry had already changed into a fresh shirt and suit, complete with a new tie – all courtesy of Belinda Kingston, who'd personally seen to his wardrobe update.They stood side-by-side outside the ballroom, a moment before leaving. Julian waited for Jerry to pull the car around, while Perry, a barbed remark forming on his lips, was about to launch another jab at Julian when a woman rushing up from behind cut him off.“Mr. Hale.” Belinda, holding up the hem of her gown, hurried over. “I’m truly sorry about what happened earlier. I'll send you a new suit another day. Could you possibly tell me your size?”Perry was no stranger to the eager overtures of wealthy young women. He'd always dismissed them before, but now? Now things were different.He offered a refined smile, then countered, “Isn’t the suit I’m wearing now supposed to be my compensation?”“The size isn’t right. It doesn’t count.”Jerry arrived with the car.Julian had no patience for this blossoming r
He attended the cocktail party in a dignified formal suit.In the three years since he went abroad, Perry's status had soared. Cameron had specially assigned him a driver, clearly grooming him as a confidant, valuing him no less than Adrian. This particular party was one Cameron had explicitly named him to attend.He hadn't known before arriving, only discovering upon entry that it was the birthday party for the youngest daughter of the Kingston family. Perry knew that Cameron consistently had him attend such trivial, somewhat recreational occasions.He'd initially planned to just make a brief appearance and leave, merely representing the Voss. But then, his gaze snagged on a striking presence across the room. Julian—that's just who he was. Born under a lucky star, blessed with looks the heavens themselves favored. Even married, the women flocking around him were countless.At a birthday party like this, half the attendees were M's high-society ladies, each adorned with gleaming jewel
The car window was tapped. Julian snuffed out his cigarette, dark circles prominent beneath his eyes.He blinked his heavy eyelids, peering through the tinted window at Stacey and Stacey’s aunt standing outside the car."Julian, what are you doing here?" His aunt's gaze swept over him, discerning he'd spent the night in the car. "Why do you look so worn out? Didn't you get any rest?"Julian shook his head, his eyes unfocused. "No, I came to see a friend."His aunt, ever the matchmaker, pressed them. "Well, what a coincidence. Stacey's uncle is hospitalized. Come with us to visit him; he was just asking about you last time."Julian wanted to refuse, but Stacey gave him a pleading glance.They were getting a divorce soon; there was no need to make things ugly. In front of her family, giving her a bit of face was only right."Alright." Julian followed them inside. Stacey walked slowly beside him, her hand, which had been hanging at her side, reached for his, fingers lacing together in a
Doctors and nurses moved in and out of Evelyn's ward.Vanessa had to wait for a long time before she could enter. Adrian waited outside as well, intent on using Evelyn to tie Vanessa down. No matter what, he couldn't let Vanessa marry someone of unknown origin like Cameron.Vanessa emerged in less than twenty minutes."Why didn't you stay a little longer?" Adrian stepped forward. "Mom misses you a lot."Vanessa showed no emotion. Even with Evelyn in that state, she remained stone-hearted. "Cameron is alone. He can't be without someone by his side.""Is that man more important than the mother who raised you?"Vanessa looked at Adrian, bewildered. "Yes, Cameron is my future husband, more important than Aunt Evelyn. Does that satisfy you?"It was just a door away.Evelyn could hear her words, but she didn't care.She knew returning would bring a lot of trouble; it was expected. But Vanessa hadn't anticipated Adrian being so utterly unreasonable. Pushing him aside, she descended the stair
The evening breeze had lost its chill. Vanessa, with her delicate constitution, couldn't handle the wind. She emerged wrapped in a shawl, her slender frame like a wisp of paper, her steps faltering in the breeze as she practically stumbled to Julian's car, frantically pounding on the window.Only t
This question was far more useful than any other words.With the most pressing issue laid bare, Julian had a sudden realization. He hadn't shown up for days, yet Vanessa's peace lasted mere moments before news arrived: Adrian had a fight with Julian.Cameron wasn't home.Only Evelyn was there.When
"Miss Brooks is excellent. I want to be closer to excellent people, and I don't see anything wrong with that.""Excellent?"Julian was puzzled. Harvey was even more bewildered by Julian's confusion. "You don't think Miss Brooks is excellent because she was once your admirer. You were the one walkin
Even after waking, she felt little more than a pervasive numbness, as if needles were pricking every bone joint in her body. The slightest movement sent agonizing pangs through her internal organs. She stared blankly at the ceiling. In the hospital room, faint sounds of movement and hushed voices d







