MasukIan raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t drunk last night. I was completely sober.“Sweetheart, I knew exactly what I was doing. I have been aware of my feelings for you for a long time. I just kept holding them back. But last night, when you hired those male escorts and leaned into that man’s arms, I could
Mia’s expression hardened. “Ian, what kind of thing is that to say? Who I date is none of your business.”“Fine.” Ian gave a short, cold laugh. “None of my business.”His face remained dark as he walked out. From that day on, he never returned to the Quinton estate.Mia did not see him for more than
Mia’s relationship with Ian had changed completely. Somewhere along the way, she had become the one doing the bullying.If she was upset, she would pinch or swat him without hesitation, and Ian would only grin and call her “Little Princess” or “Miss Trouble,” never once fighting back.Later, Mia was
By the time Ian was eighteen and in his senior year, his life was too busy with schoolwork to waste time picking on his stepsister. It had been a long time since he had teased Mia.The high school and middle school buildings were close to each other. That afternoon, he and a few classmates walked to
Lester was often away from home.In the beginning, whenever Mia was bullied by Ian, she would run to her mother, Sharon, in tears. But as a stepmother, Sharon felt she had no authority to discipline Ian. For the sake of keeping the household peaceful, she chose to turn a blind eye and never told Le
The first time Mia met Ian, she was only nine years old.Her mother, Sharon, held her hand and smiled brightly. “Say hello to your new brother.”The little girl tilted her head up at the tall boy in front of her, pressed her lips together, and obediently said, “Hi, brother.”The boy didn’t look the
Tea had spilled from the cup, soaking into the carpet and leaving a dark stain.Ian glanced at it and clicked his tongue.“Hey man, don’t stress. Charlotte’s not the kind of girl who jumps into things.”Sean stared blankly at the wet spot on the floor. His voice came out hoarse.“She really said yes
At the restaurant, Gaius had arranged for a private dining room—spacious and over the top.There were only five of them, yet the round table could easily seat ten.Gaius, eager to please, pulled out a chair and bowed slightly as he gestured toward Sean.“Mr. Jasper, please.”Sean, used to being fawn
Gaius figured that Charlotte might know how to play golf, but women usually didn’t have much power in their swing. Whether she could actually land the ball on the green was still questionable. Even if she did, it would probably take eight or nine strokes. Losing a bit of money for a smile from a pr
That day, Charlotte got a call from her law firm’s managing partner, Tim Long.“Charlotte,” Tim said cheerfully, “I heard you play golf?”Charlotte paused, trying to remember who might have said that. Then it hit her that it was on the onboarding form she had filled out herself. Under hobbies and in







