Sharon froze for a moment. "Why are you looking at me like that?"Thomas said, "It's the first time I've realized… I actually have so many good qualities.""You have another very important one I forgot to mention," Sharon added.He looked at her, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. "And what's that?""You've got a great figure… and an even better face."This time, Thomas couldn't hold back his laughter. Sharon laughed with him.When Wendy pushed the door open, the sight that greeted her was this: the two of them smiling together, as if the world outside didn't exist.For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Wendy felt a strange sense of harmony in the scene. Odd. Thomas had been by Sharon's side for so long, yet she had never felt it before…Hearing the door, Sharon turned her head."Wendy, you're here?"Wendy nodded. "The results from the inspection just came back."Sharon's expression sharpened. "And?""It was tampered with," Wendy said gravely. "Clear signs of delibera
"My personal details are all online. Go ahead, dig them up," one of the ladies said.Another lady said, "My fiancé cheated on me before our wedding—of all people, with my stepsister. That was when I met him. I thought he'd be my salvation… but in the end, he deceived me even worse."Someone else added, "I met him at a bar. He was working there, being bullied. I couldn't stand by, so I stepped in. One thing led to another, and we got to know each other. I admit, I'm shallow. I've always had a weakness for handsome men. And he… he was the most handsome man I'd ever seen."Each woman recounted her story of betrayal, attaching photos and bank transfer records as proof.Though labeled as "wealthy women," they weren't old socialites. The eldest—the first to come forward—was only thirty-two. None of them had ever been married, and judging from the photos, all of them were attractive in their own right.Hearing their stories, netizens couldn't help but marvel.[Who knew it was this easy
Sharon pushed through the crowd and rushed to steady Thomas.The reporters, upon seeing her, immediately softened their tone. After all, strength commanded respect wherever it went."Sharon is here.""Sharon, Thomas is your assistant, isn't he? Are you aware of the news about him this morning?""Sharon, word is that Thomas is a gigolo who preys on women's emotions. You'd better be careful not to fall for his tricks."They didn't swarm her as they had him. Instead, they almost seemed to offer well-meaning advice.Sharon was a charity ambassador, the one who had defeated Harry, and soon she would be competing on behalf of the nation. None of them dared go too far in her presence.Her demeanor remained polite and composed."Thomas was in a car accident just yesterday. He needs time to rest and recover in the hospital. As for those rumors… once he's discharged, we'll hold a press conference to give everyone a proper explanation."Now that Sharon had become a national idol, people
Sharon's expression tightened. "What happened to Thomas?""It seems he was in a car accident. He's in the hospital now, still under emergency care." Wendy rose to her feet, hesitated, then asked, "Sharon, do you want to come with me?"Sharon didn't hesitate. "Yes. I'll go with you."By the time they reached the hospital, the doctors had finished treating Thomas.His driving skills were excellent, so his injuries weren't life-threatening. Still, he had a gash across his forehead that required several stitches, his head wrapped thickly in gauze.Wendy asked at once, "Thomas, what happened? How did you end up in an accident?"The car in question had been a reward from Sharon—she'd asked Wendy to buy it for him. It wasn't an expensive model, about 15,000 dollars, meant simply as his everyday transportation. They had picked it up only yesterday. And yet today, Thomas had crashed.Thomas didn't answer immediately. His silence suggested something he couldn't easily say.Sensing the un
Victoria's expression remained calm."If Lex chose not to tell Damien the truth, he must have his reasons. If I warn Damien, wouldn't that only earn me Lex's resentment?"Johanna thought about it and realized the logic. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for Victoria."Victoria, even Rick might not surpass you in terms of your vision and strategy. It's a pity you were born a daughter."Victoria only smiled. Then, as though remembering something, she asked, "That earring I gave you—did you have it made?"Johanna nodded. "It's already being crafted. But… are you certain about this?"Victoria's eyes darkened."I don't know why he's so fixated on my earring. Perhaps he's seen one before and is searching for its owner."Johanna recalled the earring Victoria had entrusted to her. "Didn't you say it was custom-made? That only you and Sharon had a pair? Maybe…"Her brows knit slightly. "Maybe the person he's looking for is Sharon.""That's very possible," Victoria sai
Victoria nodded, her expression free of resentment or dissatisfaction toward Sharon."It can't be helped."She didn't mind that Sharon had surpassed her in musical talent. Her ambitions lay elsewhere.Johanna understood this well. The violin had never been Victoria's true pursuit; it was little more than a pastime. Her focus remained firmly on the Kalen family business."How are things progressing with the original shares?" she asked.At the mention of it, Victoria's brow darkened, a shadow flickering across her face. "Not ideal. The shareholders holding those original stakes refuse to part with them, no matter what we offer."Johanna thought about it for a while, then asked, "Have you tried… other methods?"Victoria gave a faint nod. "Nothing worked. Their resolve is like iron. Rick warned me that until Shayla's original shares are unfrozen, we can't push too hard. If we back them into a corner, we risk losing everything."Johanna's eyes gleamed. "But those frozen shares belon