MasukThe black car stopped in front of Smith’s Villa.
Ellena was about to unfasten the seat belt when Edward suddenly leaned over. Before she could even react, his slender and beautiful fingers, he pressed lightly on the dark buckle of the seat belt. The seat belt was immediately released with a slight snap.
His face was handsome and compelling and was getting closer to her. As they faced each other, Ellena’s mind was settled and was as still as water. She couldn’t help but blush when she looked at his face and there was a trace of confusion in her glassy eyes.
This man’s face was pretty enough to attract any woman he wanted. Whether old or young, she was hundred percent sure that they’d all fall victim to this man’s charm.
However, as soon as Ellena remembered what he had done yesterday, her look returned to normal.
He was nothing but a rich and nasty young kid who coveted his sister-in-law, like a spoiled child who wanted what he couldn’t get.
She lifted her head and adjusted her glasses. Her face showed little emotion and she said, “I’m getting off.”
Interesting.
Edward narrowed his eyes and there was a look of anger in his deep black eyes.
Ellena was keenly aware of this change and tried to get out of the car. As she was about to open the car door and get off, an arm caught her hand and grabbed her.
He was strong, with his long arms across her. Looking from the outside, it almost seemed like he was holding her in an embrace.
Through her glasses, he looked straight at her eyes which were as clear as water, and said deliberately, “I took you home, don’t I deserve a ‘thank you’?”
Ellena lowered her head, flinching a little and whispered, “Thank you.”
If the people of Smith family see her like this, they would usually leave her alone. She hoped “Nicklaus” would feel the same and just back off.
After all, she was supposed to engaged to Edward, not his cousin. She still needed to give her husband some face, willing or not! Nicklaus could just go and screw himself! Didn’t he know normal etiquette?
Edward looked at her slightly closed pink lips and his face got darker. He said softly, “It seems your appreciation is insincere. I guess I have to take that ‘thanks’ myself.”
Although her face was uneven and spotty, there was something about her lips that pulled him in.
With the thought, he leaned over and kissed her lips.
As he was kissing her, he thought, she’s my legitimate wife. Why should I hide my desire to kiss her?
Ellena could not even comprehend what was happening. One minute ago, she was close to bite his head off, and now, she could feel an icy surface slamming against her lips.
She stared at the enlarged face in front of her eyes, reaching out to push him away, only to find that her hands had been clasped tightly.
Edward was very satisfied with her reaction. He reached out a hand and took off her glasses to reveal her clear and bright eyes.
Her having no glasses was far more pleasing to the eyes.
Her face turned red from anger, and she could feel her hands clenching to her sides. She still hadn’t given up in struggling against him.
This man was too presumptuous to dare treat her this way at the door of her families’ house! Didn’t he have any shame? Didn’t he feel sorry for his cousin at least?
When the kiss ended, he left her lips but still wanted more.
‘That was great, I should try that again once there’s a chance.’ He thought.
After coming back to his sense, he said in a commanding voice, “Don’t wear glasses anymore. Otherwise, I will kiss you every time I see you.”
He deliberately lowered the volume of his voice to make his point. His eyes were checking over her entire body unscrupulously.
He was like some kind of ferocious beast marking his territory and sizing up his prey.
“What the…” Before Ellena could call him out on this, a female voice broke the silence in the car.
“Ellena?”
Ellena heard the words and turned her head to look out of the half-open car window. She gasped.
Madeline’s eyes widened in shock, half surprised and half angry, “What are you doing here?”
Ellena clasped her hands tightly, a flash of anxiety flashed in her eyes.
Of all the people who could’ve seen her, it was her mother!
On the first day of her marriage, a strange man hitting on her, in front of her house… it was hard to defend.
Despite all that was happening, Madeline also had to maintain her dignity. She looked around and saw Ellena, and said, “Come here.”
Knowing that she had no other choice, Ellena stepped out of the car. Although her face appeared impassive, her lips remained swollen as a reminder of their last activity. Her cheeks remained flushed red as well.
As soon as she got out of the car, Madeline wasted no more time and pulled her into the villa.
Unexpectedly, Edward leaned his head out of the car window, and sinfully rubbed his lips with his fingers, saying casually, “My sister-in-law, I will wait for you to come back.”
Paul took the neatly folded newspaper from his side and handed it to Ellena with a solemn expression. The headline was bold and striking, unmistakably referring to the Arnoult Group and Edward’s disappearance.Ellena accepted it calmly, her eyes sweeping across the front page only for a brief second before she folded it again and placed it aside on the coffee table. “I’ve already read it online,” she said with detached poise.In truth, she hadn’t read every word. She didn’t need to. All the headlines said the same thing, about the accident, the disappearance, the missing CEO. She didn’t need words to feel the chaos boiling just under the surface of her carefully constructed calm. She was already living it.Paul remained quiet for a moment, perhaps surprised by her nonchalance. But Ellena had always been strong in her own way. After a moment, he said, “We might hold a press conference next.”Ellena nodd
However, the problem was that they had no news of Edward yet, and there had been no trace of Sampson either.Judging from the current situation, they had no news of Edward.It was hard to say whether Edward would take the initiative to contact them.However, the most pressing issue right now was that the the Arnoult Group. If Edward disappeared for one more days, the employees of the Arnoult Group would be even more panicked.After the two of them finished speaking, they became silent.After a while, Paul said, "Miss Smith, please consider it."What he meant was to let Ellena consider taking over the Arnoult Group.Ellena's expression became more indifferent. "I don't know how to do business."A hint of joy flashed across Paul's eyes. "That's okay. I will help you."In terms of affection, Paul had been through more experience than Edward had.He and Carolina had been in love when they were in college. In the end,
Ellena reached out to the nanny Paul had introduced. The woman was a native of Herton City, living in the quiet outskirts.There was nothing ostentatious about her—no airs or pretense. Just a calm, homely simplicity in the way she spoke and carried herself.Despite everything she had been through lately, Ellena still trusted Paul’s judgment when it came to people. After a short conversation with the nanny over a cup of warm tea, she sensed a kind of grounded warmth in the woman. Perhaps it was the steady gaze or the gentle tone of her voice. Ellena made her decision.The housekeeper moved into Ellena’s home the very next day.Elaine, to Ellena's relief, did not reject the nanny. In fact, she seemed curious—watchful but not hostile. Ellena had braced herself for tears, tantrums, or stubborn silence from her daughter. But there were none. Elaine's quiet acceptance surprised her and, in a strange way, made her feel both hopeful and he
Martin was momentarily speechless after hearing what Ellena said.Her words struck with quiet finality.After a long pause, he finally replied, "But if Edward doesn't show up, someone has to take charge of the Arnoult Group."Ellena's eyes narrowed slightly, a determined glint flashing through her gaze. "Then find him."Her voice was calm, but firm and unyielding. The softness she once reserved for Edward was gone, replaced with resolution. There was no panic in her tone, no hesitation.Martin didn’t argue further. He understood. When Ellena made up her mind, there was no turning back.When they arrived at the entrance of the residential area, they decided to head together to Chloe’s apartment.Chloe, still recovering from her leg injury, had been resting at home for days. Bored and mostly confined indoors, she’d taken to spending time with Elaine. That day, she was trying to cook butterfly noodles for her.Chloe was far from a great cook. In fact, butterfly noodles might’ve been the
Alyssaheard Nicholas's words and fell silent.Sampsonand Emmetthad a long history of grudges between them, but until now, Alyssastill didn't understand why Sampsonhated Emmettso much.He seemed to have a deep hatred for Emmett.However, no one knew why he hated Emmettso much."I think that if we want to find Sampson, we need to find out where Emmettis first." After Nicholasfinished speaking, he frowned.Emmett's disappearance was a big matter. Even if there were no more people in Lawrence family, those who were related to his interests would send people to find Emmett.However, even if there were so many people looking for Emmett, it had been 48 hours since the accident happened, and there was still no trace of him.After Nicholassaid these words, he saw that Alyssadid not react at all, and a trace of surprise appeared in his eyes. He said probingly, "We need to go to t
Arthurnoticed the surprise in Alyssa's eyes when she saw him.He nodded slightlyand said,"Miss Moore."Arthurwas wearing a well-ironed suit and carrying a briefcase. He looked very serious."Mr. Arthur." Alyssanodded as a greeting and then said,“Pleasecome in."Alyssalet Frankand Arthurenter the room."You guys take a seat first. I'll get you guys some water." Alyssasaid and turned around to pour them some water.Very quickly, she came back with the water.Arthurtook the water and thanked her, "Thank you."Frankalso took the water and thanked her. Then he said, "Miss Moore, you should already know about Mr. Lawrence."Alyssapaused slightly. "I have seen the news."She paused for a moment before continuing, "Did you guys really not find Emmett?"Arthurexplained, "Emmett's car was found at the bottom of the cliff, but th







