LOGINSharon stepped out to find Thomas already standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.The sky was starting to dim, the distant snow peaks washed in pale gold by the setting sun — beautiful beyond words.Sharon walked over to stand beside him. "What do you think of the view here?"Thomas's refined, delicate features looked especially striking in that glow of light."It's beautiful," Thomas said. "I've never seen scenery this beautiful before.""Maybe you have," Sharon said with a smile, "and you've just forgotten, for now."Thomas's gaze drifted from the snow peaks outside to Sharon herself.She'd worn a cream-colored sweater today, her long hair falling loosely over her shoulders, edged in a soft gold by the setting sun.The corners of her mouth curved into a calm, gentle smile, the evening light spilling into her bright eyes, carrying a relaxed, contagious ease about her, as if she could soothe anyone just by being near.His gaze lingered on her face for two seconds be
Kelly screamed over and over, dodging frantically.But the group had picked their angles too well — there was no way for her to escape.Within moments, her face and clothes were soaked in sticky coffee.Carter, off to the side on a phone call, saw the scene and his expression shifted.He hurried over, trying to help her.But the group seemed to be attacking indiscriminately — Carter, shielding Kelly, got drenched too.The onlookers instinctively stepped back, none of them daring to step in and help.Someone even quietly pulled out their phone to film it."Ahh! Stop it, please stop... cough!"Kelly's eyes were forced shut from the assault, and the moment she opened her mouth to protest, more bitter coffee got splashed straight into it.She was practically going to get coffee poisoning at this rate.The commotion finally caught the attention of airport security.By the time they arrived, Kelly looked like she'd been dunked in a vat of coffee — the slightest movement flung dro
"I'm sorry," Carter said to Thomas. "Kelly didn't understand the situation, and there's been a misunderstanding. I apologize on her behalf."As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Sharon's face for a moment before quickly sliding away, as if there was something he wanted to say but ultimately didn't."She's an adult," Thomas said flatly, "not a newborn. Since when does an apology have to come secondhand?"Kelly's face went pale, then flushed, looking to Carter for rescue — but this time, he didn't step in to smooth things over for her. He only frowned. "Kelly, if you did something wrong, you apologize for it."Kelly bit her lip until it went white, tears welling in her eyes, but under the weight of everyone's stares, she finally managed, in a voice barely above a whisper, "I'm... I'm sorry."Sharon had no interest in tangling further with someone who seemed to have lost the plot entirely. "Thomas," she said, "let's go."Thomas made a low sound of assent, and the two of them headed tow
Sharon wanted nothing more than to walk away right then, but she still hadn't paid for the jacket, so she was stuck standing there, watching the two of them.Carter's temple throbbed as he listened to the accusations pile up around him, his expression darkening by the second.How had the gentle, understanding Kelly he used to know turned into this?Carter hated making a scene in public, giving strangers something to gawk at.He caught Kelly's wrist, his voice low."Kelly, come with me first. I'll explain later."Kelly wrenched her hand free, her voice rising with emotion. "We're settling this right here, in front of everyone. Have your feelings changed? Don't you love me anymore? Unless you promise me you'll never bring up breaking up again, I'm not going anywhere with you!"Watching this unfold, Sharon finally understood.She'd become a supporting character in someone else's drama.Just as Carter and Kelly were locked in their tug-of-war, with the crowd murmuring around the
"So, what do you think it's worth?" Kelly asked.Sharon looked at Kelly, a trace of surprise crossing her face."You know me?""You're a big name in Bell University's hall of fame," Kelly said. "Who wouldn't recognize you?"Bell University? Was this woman from Bell too?Sharon studied her more closely.The woman looked about her own age, pretty, with a fragile, delicate look about her, as if the slightest wind might knock her over.Sharon racked her brain but couldn't place her at all."So," Sharon asked, "how would you like to settle this?"Kelly was about to answer when Carter Biggs, standing beside her, cut her off."That's enough, Kelly. It's not a big deal. Let it go."Kelly's eyes went wide with disbelief."Carter, I spent so long making that jacket for you myself, as a birthday gift, and you're telling me it's not a big deal? Am I really that unimportant to you, that even something I gave you means nothing?"A sheen of tears rose in her eyes as she said it.She poi
Sharon hastily shoved the item deep into the suitcase, mortified enough to want to crawl into a crack in the floor.Couldn't Wendy have at least checked whether the switch was off before handing it over?Thomas glanced at her but didn't press the question."Wait for me here," he said. "I'll go check the luggage in."Sharon was already embarrassed half to death, and honestly wasn't ready to face Thomas just yet.She nodded lightly. "Mm, thanks."Once Thomas had walked off, Sharon pulled out her phone and texted Wendy."Wendy, the thing you packed for me — the switch was still on, and Thomas saw it... You nearly got me killed!"Wendy replied almost instantly. "Hahahaha, hope you two have a lovely night!"Sharon was rendered speechless.Some best friend.Sharon caught her reflection in the mirror on the table in front of her — her face was flushed a deep, blood-red.Even now, after all this time, the color still hadn't faded from her cheeks.She could only imagine how red she
Victoria thought she had misheard. "Dying? What do you mean—dying?"Princess Sophia sobbed. "Caspian was shot in the heart. He's in surgery right now, but the doctors say the chances of saving him are very slim… He… he probably won't make it…"Victoria's breath caught sharply. "How could this happ
"I'm actually quite willing to make this trade."The world had never been fair.Sharon had worked tirelessly, yet she could not match the ease with which others received fortunes handed to them on a silver platter. Those favored by fortune could grasp with little effort what others toiled for thei
In just a few days, the once-graceful, elegant mayor's daughter had been reduced to a filthy, hollow-eyed shell—a living corpse with none of her former radiance.A chill crept into the hearts of every girl here. Every time Victoria passed the blonde heiress's room, she couldn't help but shiver.Th
Victoria had been waiting at the Marcentine Airport for three hours.From Rick, she had learned of Jamie's whereabouts—he was in Yuicuador.They had originally assumed the fire at the Yuicuador royal palace was set by Thomas. But the investigation's results left everyone in stunned silence.The f







