"Mr. Blackwood, you may leave. Just make sure that the trending topic is taken down," Edward said.Alaric was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded in relief. "I assure you, this won't happen again.""There's no need for overnight shifts. My personal affairs are my own to handle," Edward said indifferently.With that, Alaric left. Nathan was about to follow when Edward stopped him. "Did you find the place I asked for?""I've shortlisted five properties. When you have time, you can review them," Nathan replied. "Now," Edward curtly instructed.Nathan immediately sent the files to Edward's email and prepared to go through them individually. But before he could finish describing the first option, Edward cut him off, saying, "This one."Nathan paused, surprised. He had expected Edward to be picky or even reject all of them, forcing him to look for more options. But instead, the latter made an immediate decision, as if he were eager to move that woman out as soon as possible.With
"Ed, please don't be mad at me, okay? I swear, I didn't mention your name," Sharon pleaded, her voice fragile, as if she were on the verge of breaking.Edward took a deep breath and said, "Even if you posted it from a private account without mentioning my name, the Rose Crown necklace is one of a kind. The paparazzi were already hounding me after the fashion show incident.""I'm sorry, Ed. I didn't think it throughโฆ" Sharon sobbed.Hearing her cry, Edward pressed his lips together and stayed silent for a few seconds.He ultimately decided to let it go. He thought that Sharon was a simple person and had probably posted it out of excitement. As for the timing, she had said that she was up late last night, so he figured that it likely wasn't intentional."Stop crying. I was just asking. Just don't post things so casually in the future. It's too easy for the paparazzi to link us together," Edward said, his tone softening.Sharon sniffled, her voice still slightly choked, but the corn
Instead of the familiar voice Edward was expecting, a mechanical prompt sounded. "Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable. Please try again later."Edward froze. He didn't know why the number could be unavailable.He hung up and redialed Macie's number repeatedly. But each time, he got the same response. Anger immediately surged within him.Before, when he had called her over a hundred times, the calls had at least gone through. She had just refused to pick up. But now, it seemed that she had blocked his number.Edward clenched his fists, a cold laugh escaping his lips. He thought, "Very good, Macie. I gave you an out, and you refuse to take it. Do you really want me to go to the hospital to find you? Dream on!"It had been four days since the gas leak incident, and he hadn't even scolded her. He had even arranged for Sharon to move out. Not only was Macie ungrateful, but her attitude had gotten worse. Now, she was even pulling this stunt.Seething, Edward felt like he had
Alice wanted to check Macie's injuries, but the latter stopped her, saying that it was nothing serious.Instead, Alice hugged her again, but gently this time. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were hurt. I just got too excited after not seeing you for two years.""I should've told you earlier. I didn't want you to worry. I missed you too," Macie said.Reunited after so long, they walked through the shopping district hand in hand. Macie needed new clothes, and Alice helped her pick out several professional outfits for work."Get a few casual dresses tooโsomething fresh and elegant, like your style," Alice suggested, handing her a few more pieces.Macie looked at the different styles of clothing. Over the past two years, she had barely dressed up, always wearing plain T-shirts and long pants as a housekeeper.When she first married Edward, she used to wear beautiful clothes, wanting to show him her best self. But all she received in return was a cold remark. "You look like a streetwalk
"I'm not forcing you. Just tell me when you're ready," Alice said before sighing."Okay," Macie replied, her smile faint.After purchasing all the clothes that fit, they moved on to picking out high heels before finally stepping into a hair salon."Cut my hair shorterโjust to my collarbone," Macie instructed as she sat in front of the mirror.The stylist nodded and began trimming while Macie stared at her reflection. She really did look lifeless, drained of any energy or vitality. But she had left Edward. So, wasn't she supposed to start living well? She had escaped the cage and was never going to go back.A small smile tugged at her lips. She would take her time and healโpiece by piece."Don't just chop it off in one go. Give her layers, curl the ends outward, and add some volume at the crown," Alice directed the stylist.Two hours later, Alice admired Macie's new look. "Not bad at all. It's like a brand-new you. Just apply some makeup for work, and you're all set."Macie ra
It would be a disaster for Nathan if Macie answered his call and blocked Edward's number.Nathan stole another glance at Edward, feeling the suffocating tension in the air.Edward's demeanor was dark and brooding, causing Nathan to sense that his life might be in danger."Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable. Please try again later." The mechanical voice echoed again. Edward froze while Nathan was grateful for the situation."Try calling again," Edward ordered.Nathan redialed several times, but the response was always the same.Edward let out a soft chuckle. "So, she treats everyone the same, huh?"Just like that, the anger he had been brewing faded away, his mood inexplicably lighter, though he wasn't quite sure why."Forget it. You can go. She's blocked you, too," Edward said.Nathan blinked in confusion, then glanced down at his phone. He finally understood that Edward was mad that Macie had blocked him."Mr. Fowler, this might not necessarily mean that you were
Nathan fell silent. He wondered if he had just wasted his breath as it seemed like Edward still didn't believe him.Inside the elevator, Edward's expression remained dark.He didn't think it mattered that Macie had explained to Nathan back then. After all, she hadn't said it directly to him. Instead, she had told Nathan not to tell him.Edward felt that Macie could have just called him and cleared the situation up herself if she genuinely thought that he had wronged her.He had already given her multiple chances to step down from her stubbornness. Would it kill her to take the initiative even once?Frustrated, Edward drove to the restaurant where he had made a reservation.Sharon had arrived early and was flipping through the menu.Although they had argued in the morning, Edward had agreed to have lunch with her without much hesitation.Sharon took it as a sign that they had no significant issues. She believed that if she kept pushing, she would reignite the love he once had fo
As Macie listened to Julian speak, she felt genuinely happy for him. His long-time dream had finally come true."Speaking of which, I have to thank Macie. She was the one who secured a ten-million-dollar angel investment back then," Julian said, looking at her."May, that's amazing! Why didn't you ever mention it?" Alice exclaimed in surprise."It's because she left to go abroad right after securing the investor. I was deeply touched and even wanted to make her a shareholder, but she disappeared so suddenly." Julian sighed.Macie's mind drifted back to two years ago when she heard this. At that time, she had planned to start a business with Julian. But then fate had dangled another opportunity in front of herโone she had foolishly taken. She had abandoned her career for love, only to become a caged housekeeper."Angel investment? May, how did you end up as a shareholder? Do you get dividends, too?" Alice asked, catching onto the crucial detail."Later, the angel investment turned
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 pictureโsomeone 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. โฆAfter 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 Seanโher 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 flusteredโshe'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 familiarโshe 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