LOGINIan 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
Sean followed behind Vivian as they walked down the hospital hallway.But something she had said bothered him. He had just told her the soup was from Grandma—prepared by someone else and delivered to the hospital. So why did she make it sound like he had made it?He had just stepped out of the room,
Charlotte couldn’t stop laughing.“Come on, Ian, you’re such a scammer. Two million for one photo? Who even sets prices like that on the spot?”“Deal,” Sean said without hesitation. “Email it to me—sending it over the phone ruins the quality.”Ian’s face lit up. He gave Sean a big thumbs-up.“Now th
After the incident at the family dinner, Sean didn’t return to the Jasper estate for several days.Mrs. Jasper Sr. called him multiple times. At first, he answered and asked her directly why she was targeting Charlotte.Mrs. Jasper Sr. said it was because Charlotte had been mean to her precious gran
“Lottie, I told you,” Mia said, flipping a skewer. “That Vivian girl is definitely not as innocent as she acts. You seriously believe she didn’t know Zac was your ex? Might as well say I’m freaking Santa Claus.”Charlotte gave a slow smile, brushing sauce over the beef. “Oh, I know it was intentio







