Everyone knew that Aria Jackson had loved Larry Spencer for years. The usually obedient Aria got tattoos for him, broke rules for him, and even moved to a foreign city for him. But when she fell into the lake and he rescued her rival instead, leaving her soaking and miserable, her heart finally shattered completely. The man who came after Larry held her protectively in his arms and suggested with a gentle laugh, "Miss Jackson, have you considered teaching your ex-husband a lesson?" She promptly filed for divorce and married Archer Duncan, the heir to the Duncan empire and the powerful CEO of Duncan Industries. That evening, their marriage certificate was posted on social media. The typically aloof Larry finally showed his desperation, begging her not to marry Archer and then turning to threaten him, "You think she loves you? She's just using the Duncan family's wealth and connections!" Archer simply tightened his arm around her waist and replied calmly, "So what? Fortunately, I have both in abundance." What no one knew was that Aria had been Archer's carefully laid plan all along. He had deeply loved this rose from the beginning—he admired her ambition and was eager to support her boldness and independence.
View More“I’m not going,” Mark said coldly.“Mark, don’t dismiss it just because it’s a branch office,” Fifi replied calmly. “The Duncan Industries’s France division is actually quite large and well-respected. The only reason there’s even a vacancy for the general manager position is because the former one was poached by a major local firm. If you take the role, it’s not just a title—it’s real management experience. It’s a chance to prove yourself.“In the future, it won’t just be the Duncan Industries—other companies will be eager to recruit you too. And if you ever want to start your own business, this kind of experience will help you avoid so many pitfalls. Plus, with the financial backing from our families, you’d never be limited by the Duncan Industries again.“I’m sure you don’t want to keep hearing people say you only climbed the ladder because of the Duncans or the Chancers.”Fifi gently placed her hand over his, which was resting on the gearshift. His fingers were long and defined,
“Our families have always treated each other with mutual respect,” Yvette said coolly. “We give an inch, you return a mile. We show you courtesy because you’re Mark’s mother—our in-law—and we’ve never left you out when there are benefits to be shared. But don’t mistake that kindness for weakness. Just because we’ve been polite doesn’t mean anyone can walk all over us.”“When we show you respect, we let things slide. But if that respect isn’t returned—then I’m sorry, we’re not the kind of people you want to cross.”She turned her sharp gaze on Lilian without softening her tone in the slightest. “Do you understand what I’m saying, Lilian?”Lilian’s smile froze. She’d pushed too far, one time too many. She seemed to have forgotten her place—and just how wide the gap was between the Simmons family and the Duncans and Chancers. Yes, Fifi was her daughter-in-law, but before that, she was the heiress of two of the most powerful families in Harbour City. In another era, this would’ve been l
The moment Melvin spotted his older brother, he immediately handed Aria the phone, grabbed his snack bag, and pushed the car door open.Aria had no choice but to quickly follow.Mark heard a clear, youthful voice call out, “Bro!”Everyone turned to look, just in time to see the little guy running straight toward Aaron.Naturally, they also saw Aria following behind him.Mark instantly stiffened. Without thinking, he pulled his arm back from around Fifi’s waist.Fifi’s face went pale. She narrowed her eyes and turned sharply toward him—only to see Mark staring blankly at Aria, his gaze locked on her as if he couldn’t tear it away.She was walking out from the shadows into the moonlight, and under the silver glow, her skin looked even more luminous. She had that calm, understated beauty that almost didn’t feel real.Fifi flushed with anger and grabbed Mark’s hand—the one that had just been on her waist—and held it tightly.She could feel it: Mark’s hand had gone stiff. He wasn’t
Did Archer genuinely care about Fifi?Not really.Truth be told, he barely had any attachment to his parents—so Grace’s niece meant even less. Archer helped not out of affection, but simply because he didn’t want to see Mark Simmons again. If getting Fifi out of the Simmons household also helped deal with Lilian, then so be it.He trusted Fifi wasn’t stupid. She’d know what choice to make. The only question was whether Mark would agree to go.…Meanwhile, Aria stayed in the car with Melvin. She connected her phone to the internet and pulled up a cartoon for him to watch.Melvin munched happily on the snacks Ethan had packed for him, eyes glued to the screen.Just then, a car pulled up across from them. Its headlights were bright enough that Aria squinted, shielding her eyes slightly. The vehicle parked directly opposite their Range Rover, nose to nose.A moment later, the car doors opened.Mark and Lilian stepped out.Mark squinted toward the Range Rover. The tinted windows a
Fifi was Grace’s niece, and since the Duncans didn’t have a daughter, she’d grown up especially close to her uncle’s side of the family. Naturally, they were protective of her—there was no way they’d let her suffer in silence.“What about Mark?” Aaron asked calmly.Fifi clutched a tissue box on her lap and wiped away fresh tears. “He didn’t say anything. I left before he had the chance.”“That’s just unbelievable,” Yvette said, frowning. “You’re his wife. And he just stood there while his mother tore into you? What kind of man is that?”“What can I expect from him?” Fifi’s voice broke. “She’s still his mother. He’s not going to argue with her for my sake. I never counted on him to defend me. Look at me—I’ve been here all this time, and he hasn’t even come to check on me.”Archer spoke then, his tone mild but sharp beneath the surface. “If what you really want is to live peacefully with Mark—just the two of you, without interference—there might be a way.”Fifi stopped crying, stun
“She said some really nasty things,” Fifi snapped, still fuming. “Stuff like, since I’m now the Simmons family’s daughter-in-law, I need to stop acting like some spoiled rich girl. That Mark is capable and independent, not some guy living off his wife. It just so happens he married me, but he doesn’t want people getting the wrong idea.”“She said that since I married into the Simmons family, I should start thinking of myself as part of them, not as a Duncan or Chancer heiress. Even at the wedding, she said I should’ve toasted their family table first.“Like when we got back from our honeymoon, she said the first stop should’ve been their house, not my parents’. Basically, her whole attitude is that everything should be about the Simmons family. I married Mark, so I’m no longer anyone special—I’m just their daughter-in-law. I shouldn’t be acting like I’m still some society princess from the Duncans or the Chancers.“I put up with it. For Mark’s sake. I figured if I just ignored it, w
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