LOGINEthanThe corners of my lips ached from smiling as I watched researchers move across the conference hall, making final adjustments before the launch ceremony began.By tomorrow, EH Pharmaceuticals would no longer be known as a struggling company but would become one of the big dogs in the industry and the most talked-about company. To think this moment had almost been ruined when Aurelia interfered with the clinical trials and now, she was trying to take my son away from me? Fat chance.A flicker of annoyance washed over me as my gaze landed on Alfred among the investors. After what had happened the last time with Scarlett's patent, seeing him again left a bitter taste in my mouth.As if sensing my thoughts, Alfred approached me. “Mr. Vale. I hope you don't mind me attending the launch instead of Mr. Hartley, as he's currently occupied with his wedding.”What a shame that the most talked-about wedding of the year between Adrian Hartley and his fiancée, the new LG Group heir, had to be
ScarlettEthan had been gone for over six hours.I sat by the living room window, my gaze sweeping across the driveway not because I missed Ethan but rather because I was worried he'd seen the circulating video of me in Adrian's club and suspected I wasn't just involved with Adrian for the sake of his company.If Ethan had seen the footage, that would put my entire plan at risk. Spotting an unfamiliar car pull up in the driveway, I rose from my seat, peeking behind a curtain.My heart slammed hard against my chest as Nathan climbed down from the driver's seat. I didn't stay long enough to notice the rest of their conversation. Instead, I moved upstairs and slipped beneath the covers, acting like the pale, weak Scarlett he preferred.“Honey, are you home?” His voice echoed from downstairs. Heavy footsteps ascended the stairs, approaching the bedroom.The door creaked open.“Scarlett, are you asleep?” Ethan asked.I shifted weakly beneath the blanket, turning towards him as a soft groan
Adrian“Mr. Hartley, the video has been taken down with immediate effect,” Daniel reported as the car slowed to a stop in front of Hartley estate.My thumb hovered over Scarlett's contact, contemplating whether to call her or not just to confirm she was alright. In the end, I locked the screen and slipped my phone back into my suit pocket.Servants lined both sides of the driveway, heads bowed as I walked past the entrance door. A young maid hurried forward, hands trembling.“Mr. Hartley, you have a guest waiting inside,” her voice cracked.“Who?”“Jayson Blissfield.”Jayson was one of the few men who latched themselves onto me because of Evelyn. After she left the country to study abroad, he spent most of his time running his father's automobile and wine business, so we'd fallen out naturally. His unexpected visit could only be the result of one person.Entering the living room, Marianne and Jayson’s conversation stopped. Her expression turned sour the second she noticed me.“Well...
ETHAN“Let me in. I have to see Nathan Gance!” I yelled, but the security guard at the Gance residence didn't budge.“Mr. Gance has given strict instructions not to receive any visitors today, sir. Please, step away from the gate,” he said.My jaw muscles twitched. “If you tell him Ethan Vale is here, he'll see me.”Before I could argue further, a maid hurried out of the house. “Mr. Gance said Mr. Vale may come in.”Brushing past the guard, I shot him a glare. “I told you.”Straightening my jacket, I strode into the Gance residence. Entering the living room, I spotted Nathan sprawled across the couch, laughing like a lunatic while stuffing popcorn into his mouth with his attention fixed on his phone.“Damn it!” he suddenly shouted, knocking over the bowl of popcorn onto the floor. “The video's gone! Her husband must have had someone take it down.”Nathan's eyes lit up with amusement when he finally noticed me. “Ethan. Did you see the video of our precious LG group heir getting slapped
Scarlett Immediately after I read the text message, I headed straight to the hospital. When I entered the doctor's office, Ethan's conversation with the doctor concerning Durian's condition stopped. Irritation flashed across Ethan's face when his gaze landed on me. “Who called her here?“ “I asked one of the nurses to inform her about Durian's condition. She's the child's mother, isn't she?“ the doctor asked. Ethan didn't deny that. Not that denying it would have helped the situation in any way. I took a seat across from the doctor. “I'm not Durian's biological mother, but if there's a small chance my blood is compatible with his, I'd be happy to do—“ Ethan scoffed, cutting me off before I could finish. “Oh, please. Your blood isn't a match.“ Most fathers would be desperate enough to test every possibility, but not Ethan. Rather, he sounded annoyed that I had offered to help. As though keeping his secret mattered more than his son's condition. I turned my head towards h
Scarlett “Y-You look—“Adrian's phone rang, cutting him off. His jaw tightened as he glanced at the screen. “I have to take this.““Sure. No problem.“I watched him retreat down the hallway before turning back to the fitting room mirror and admiring my reflection. The woman staring back at me looked nothing like the old Scarlett from my previous life.In this lifetime, I never imagined I would be wearing a wedding gown. Ethan and I were never truly married, so we had skipped all procedures that could tie us together because, at that time, he had convinced me it was unnecessary.Now, I knew better: a man planning to discard you doesn't bother chaining you down with vows.“Do you like it?“ Nancy asked, her voice interrupting my thoughts.I met her gaze through the mirror. “I love it.“She let out a huge sigh of relief. “I'm glad to hear that. Should I help you unzip the dress?“I nodded. “Please.“A few minutes later, I stepped out of the fitting room in my original outfit and nearly b
ScarlettThe more I searched, the clearer the truth became. Nathan simply wasn't doing business with Ethan. They were working together.Interesting. While Nathan had been portraying himself as the devoted stepson who cared about preserving my father's legacy, he had been funneling money into Ethan'
ScarlettTurning towards the voice, I saw Evelyn standing beside our table dressed in a pink peplum top and tiered skirt. She tried to appear composed, but unfortunately for her, I noticed everything.From the stiffness in her shoulders down to the way her fingers tightened around her handbag. In t
AdrianMarianne's nails tapped once against the conference table before she rose to her feet. Her attention remained fixed on Scarlett.“I believe congratulations are in order,” she said, flashing a convincing smile at her to grace her perfect performance. “Welcome to the family, Mrs. Gance.”“Than
ScarlettNathan hung up shortly after his threat. Poor thing. He still believed words like that could move me. I had died once. Nothing frightened me more than that.And honestly? Dying has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Highly recommend.A faint smile touched my lips. It was amusing







