Edward went to the kitchen, fiddled around, and ended up heating up the leftover mashed potatoes.He was surprised to find that it tasted pretty good. Perhaps it was because Macie had cooked those potatoes. Everything she cooked always had a sweet and fragrant taste.The next morning, Macie woke up early and immediately noticed that half of the mashed potatoes were gone. She frowned, trying to recall if she had accidentally thrown some out last night when she was tossing the leftovers.Too lazy to think further, she gave up on making a mashed potato egg skillet casserole and instead fried some eggs and bacon.Edward woke up early just to have a good breakfast. However, he frowned when he saw the simple meal on the table."Why aren't we having mashed potato egg skillet casserole?" he asked."There weren't enough potatoes," Macie replied expressionlessly.Edward froze for a second, recalling how he had devoured them last night. Feeling guilty, he didn't dare to admit it. "Then jus
"Surprised to see me?" Sharon asked smilingly. She then joked, "Or are you just disappointed that it's not May who came?"Edward frowned instantly and retorted without thinking, "How could I be? Don't say something so disgusting."Sharon smirked and stepped closer.Right then, Edward added, "It's her duty to bring me lunch. Why would I keep her otherwise? I just didn't want you to go through the trouble. You shouldn't be doing this kind of thing.""I was just passing by. I only work half-days now since I don't have any runway shows," Sharon replied."Just put it on the table. I'll have Nathan drive you to the studio," Edward said as he walked over to the couch."There's no rush. I'll keep you company for a while." Sharon sat down beside him, smiling.Edward didn't argue. As he opened the lunchbox, the rich aroma of food filled the air. He cautiously took a small bite."I knew it. She did that on purpose last night," Edward complained. It seemed that the food was seasoned normal
The receptionist lowered her head, not daring to argue. Nathan followed Sharon and rolled his eyes at her arrogant and domineering attitude. After all, even the legitimate wife wasn't this haughty! Alas, Sharon was the one Edward liked...Meanwhile, Macie was revising her résumé at home. She had been out of work for two years, and though she could rely on connections to get into Julian's company, the HR department still had to process her application.Macie didn't even glance at her relentlessly buzzing phone.Now that Edward was full from eating, he was probably throwing another fit, defending Sharon yet again.Did he really think Macie had asked Sharon to deliver the food? Sharon had insisted on doing it herself.But now that Macie had already handed over the divorce agreement, Sharon probably wouldn't tamper with the food again just to frame her.…Nathan drove Sharon to work that day.By now, every internal personnel had almost completely accepted her as "Mrs. Fowler".
Five nights ago, Edward had another argument with Macie when he got home. He accused her of being lazy for making Sharon bring her meals and having a bad attitude for ignoring his messages.But, surprisingly, Macie didn't argue back even once. She simply listened in silence. Instead, it was Sharon who stepped in. She took the blame and said that she was the one who had volunteered to bring the meals. Over the next few days, she continued bringing lunch every noon.Edward pressed his lips together. He thought that Macie had been throwing a tantrum for far too long. It went on for so long that he had completely run out of patience.Clearly, he had spoiled her too much to the point where she no longer even knew her place.Edward stood up, his expression dark. He was determined to teach her a lesson when he got home that evening.Sharon arrived home first at 5:00 pm and immediately threw the divorce agreement in front of Macie.Seeing the document, Macie took it without hesitation.
"Worthless? Ha, that's right, Edward. Everything is worthless to you," Macie said as she glared at him. Her whole body trembled as she gritted her teeth to hold back her emotions.Sharon was the one who had lost Macie's necklace, yet Edward immediately blamed the latter for being petty.Seeing the redness in Macie's eyes, as if she was on the verge of tears, Edward suddenly froze."It's just a necklace. I'll buy you another one," he suggested in a softer tone."I don't care about your compensation! No amount of money can bring back what it meant to me!" Macie bit her lip, then turned away angrily."Don't be ungrateful. I already said that I'd compensate you. What more do you want?" Edward raised his voice as his patience wore thin.The only response he got was the sound of a door slamming shut. Edward's frustration flared. He hadn't even had the chance to scold Macie for her attitude these past few days, yet she was now snapping at him first!"Ed, I'm sorry. It's all my fault...
Edward was focused on his phone, sending messages to get details about the auction items for tonight. Because of his concentration, he failed to notice Sharon's twisted, jealousy-filled expression.After dinner, Edward drove Sharon to the auction house.In the car, she thought to herself that Edward would surely buy something for her, too. As for whatever he got for Macie, Sharon figured that she could just take it later. Smirking slightly, she clenched her fists and scoffed inwardly.During the auction, Edward asked for her opinion, "Sharon, what do you think of this ruby necklace?"Sharon put on a smug expression upon hearing that. She had expected this. She knew that Edward wouldn't forget about her."It's beautiful. It's vibrant yet elegant," Sharon replied shyly, filled with anticipation.Edward rubbed his chin and commented, "Yes, but it's too striking. It wouldn't suit Macie. She looks better in soft, muted colors."Sharon's expectant expression froze. She bit her lip a
The excitement on Edward's face gradually faded at Sharon's words. He pressed his lips together, remained silent for a few seconds, then denied while frowning, "I'm not trying to appease Macie. Also, I'm not doing it out of my 'feelings' for her.""But didn't you buy the necklace for her?" Sharon asked through gritted teeth.Edward fell into a longer silence this time.A few minutes passed before he somewhat awkwardly said, "I was compensating her on your behalf. Don't overthink it. My marriage with her is just a formality forced by my grandfather. I will never love her."Sharon might have believed him before, but not this time. After all, when Edward bid on the Rose Crown, he didn't even glance at her. He simply fixated on it and relentlessly placed his bids.And yet, he never once mentioned buying anything for her.His feelings for Macie were obvious.They soon arrived at the apartment complex and took the elevator up.Holding a velvet box in his hand, Edward opened the lid t
"Give it to someone who likes it. I don't care," Macie said calmly.Edward felt like he was about to explode. He stared at Macie's expression. It was that same detachment and indifference he hated the most. She looked as if he were nothing more than a stranger to her."If you have nothing else to say, please leave. I'm going to sleep." Macie dismissed him."Sleep? It's only 10:00 pm!" Edward shouted. "I bought you a new necklace, didn't I? What more do you want? Tell me!"Macie instinctively stepped back when she saw Edward's aggressive stance, as if he was about to throw a punch. She couldn't help feeling afraid.If a husband hit his wife, it would just be considered domestic violence, not aggravated assault. Otherwise, Edward would serve at least a three-year sentence.As they stood off against each other, Macie's phone on the bed suddenly rang. She rushed over to grab it, ready to call the police if necessary.Edward caught a glimpse of her phone screen. It was still the old,
When Macie heard that Edward had driven Sharon away, she was a little surprised. Alice was even more shocked, but Macie quickly said coldly, "I really did get divorced. He's the one who keeps pestering me. We're going to court next week." She glanced at Sharon. "Once that's over, Edward and I will have nothing to do with each other. Don't believe me? Come to the court yourself."Sharon frowned when she heard that, clearly unconvinced.What if they went to court and the divorce didn't go through? Then she would just end up being played yet again."May's right. She and that scumbag Edward are definitely getting divorced," Alice said mockingly. "You're the only one who still treats him like he's some kind of prize. No one else gives a damn. "You two had better lock it down. When you get married, I'll show up with a gift and wish you all the happiness in the world."Sharon shot Alice a glare. Wasn't this the same woman who had bragged last time that Edward was about to marry her?
Sean couldn't help but think to himself that he'd really gone too far. He wondered how he was any different from the bullies who had tormented Macie.He remembered how Macie had looked that morning with her anger held back, forced to endure his teasing with a fake smile. Meanwhile, he found it amusing, as if it were some kind of game to him.He couldn't believe what a monster he had been.Macie's quiet demeanor was the result of years of enduring suffering, with her anger only surfacing when she was pushed too far.Macie was a young woman with a vintage landscape as her profile picture—someone who had already seen the world's harshness and matured well beyond her years. And all of this was the result of childhood trauma and constant bullying. At this moment, Sean could no longer dismiss what Alice had told him. He fully believed her now. …After returning to her private office downstairs, Alice didn't dare admit to Macie how spineless she had felt. All she could do was firmly
"Stop it right now. Don't bully my friend anymore, or I swear I won't let you off easy," Alice warned. However, Sean didn't even flinch, arrogantly ignoring her threat.Alice was furious, but there was nothing she could do. She wouldn't win if she argued or fought with Sean. He could easily slap her down to the ground, and she wouldn't even be able to get back up. If anyone else had bullied Macie, she would have gone all in, but this person was Sean—her brother, the one who had always pushed her around since they were kids.Alice sighed, moving from anger to helplessness, feeling stuck and useless. She couldn't protect Macie and felt she wasn't a good friend. "Macie has already been through enough. Can't you show a little compassion? Stop bullying an innocent, vulnerable lady!" Alice tried softening her tone. "You don't know how much Macie has suffered. Do you even have an ounce of human decency?" She switched tactics, telling him everything she knew about Macie's past and th
It looked like Macie hadn't just been flustered—she'd fully entered rage monster mode. Sean could imagine her fists flew, as if they could actually do damage, even though they barely stung. He genuinely found it endearing.When Sean finished reading the last screenshot, he closed the chat and saw a new message from Alice. Her text read, "So, are you going to explain why you were flirting with my friend? "And what about the things you said to Edward last night? It sounds like you meant what you said. You weren't just playing along with me."Did you put your arm around Macie's waist? Hold her hand? You had better come clean!" Sean just typed a simple response. He typed, "Go ask her if I did that." Alice, on the other end, was speechless.Sometimes, Alice really wondered if Sean was just a brooding, black-bellied guy with an obsession with keeping things mysterious. She didn't respond right away. Instead, she stormed over to his office, yanked a chair out, and took a seat rig
Alice immediately called Macie, venting all her frustration about Sean. She cursed him as much as she could, even bringing up stories from their childhood to illustrate just how terrible he had been.Macie listened to how Alice described her miserable childhood, living under the shadow of Sean, enduring various "torments".As Alice spoke, Macie couldn't help but picture that insufferable face, and she felt that it wasn't surprising he could do such things. If he treated his own sister that way, what would he do to her? Indeed, some people's bad habits formed when they were young. Macie felt sympathy for Alice, and what started as one person venting turned into a united front, two people joining in on the complaints."Ugh, my brother's the worst. When we were kids, he ripped the ears off my plush bunny, and then claimed it was the turtle pillow that did it." Alice continued, venting, "I love cake, but I got cavities. He'd eat it right in front of me and mock me for not being able
Not far from Macie's workstation, Lily had been listening to their conversation, especially when Macie, with a hint of pride, casually mentioned her good relationship with Sean. Lily's fists tightened, and a flash of hatred and jealousy crossed her eyes. There was also a sense of helplessness and resentment. Julian hadn't fired her, but had only made her apologize publicly in the company's group chat, and now this happened.Macie was not only Alice's friend, but she also had a close relationship with Sean. Moreover, Julian clearly favored Macie, openly confessing his admiration for her.Macie's relationships within the department would only be stronger. Her promotion to team leader would only be a matter of time. Lily had crossed her, and sooner or later, she'd be the one getting sidelined. Lily was already worried about her future and deeply regretted causing trouble for Macie on her first day. She shouldn't have tried to embarrass her last night either. At her desk, with ju
Now that Macie knew who Sean was, she was sure she wouldn't just sit there and take it like she did that day if he ever visited again."It's my fault. I didn't know that Mr. Hart and Macie had a history," Palmer said, breaking the silence."I didn't know either," Macie replied, her voice tight. "And even if I had known, I still wouldn't have recognized Sean. I would've gone to the meeting, and I'd have still been bullied."She clenched her fists, anger rising inside her. She didn't owe Sean anything. Indeed, the two companies were collaborating, but she couldn't understand why he should make her his personal target.Still, she couldn't care less now. She would let him think whatever he wanted. He was the one who crossed the line first. Back in the design department, only Macie and Palmer remained. Palmer, still curious, asked, "Macie, did you offend Mr. Hart?" That seemed to be the only explanation for Sean's strange behavior that day. Although there had been some "tension" bet
Macie managed to hold back her anger, reminding herself that Sean was a client and that her supervisor had emphasized how important this collaboration was.Sean smiled at her. He was still watching Macie, who was silently glaring at him. He then casually pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her.Macie glanced down at the card. Despite not wanting to take it, she accepted it out of politeness and flipped it over to read it.In bold, gold letters, it read, "Chief Executive Officer, Hart Group."Macie froze for a moment when she read "Hart Group". She was familiar with the name because it was Alice's family's company. And then, her eyes landed on Sean's printed name. She began to wonder if he was related to Alice.Suddenly, she looked up, her gaze shifting toward the elevator. No wonder he had seemed familiar—she now realized his features resembled Alice's.The answer was almost painfully obvious.Inside the elevator, Sean stood in front of his employees, smili
Macie clenched her fists, gritting her teeth as she took two steps forward and said, "You say five minutes, then five minutes it is. There's no need to bother the technician." She tried to remain calm, though inside she felt a little flustered. The idea that Sean would actually want to check the security footage over something so trivial seemed ridiculous. However, the fact that Sean was so insistent, almost as if he were out to get her, left her feeling uneasy. Sean, sensing her discomfort, stepped to the side and casually said, "Ms. Smith, you were so adamant in denying it earlier. Let's just check the footage anyway. I said I'd apologize if I were wrong. You have my word as a man." He was so precise with the timing, down to the second, and had even given her his solemn word. Macie couldn't help but snap. She looked up at him and, unable to hold back her anger anymore, said, "Then shouldn't you be apologizing to me for what happened that night?"I already explained everythin