The only person who had the passcode to Lucian's home was Kyros. He was also the only one who would barge in so impolitely without knocking. "Jordan."The man's voice carried a hint of youth. Kyros approached on bare feet. The carpets had muffled the sounds, leaving his footsteps silent."Are you asleep, Jordan?"Lucian sat up from the couch with his legs apart and elbows resting on his knees. He rubbed his brows tiredly."No. I drank a little too much. I don't feel like moving around right now. Why are you here?""I got bored. So, I came to see you."Kyros sat down next to him, flicked on the lights, and switched on the television. He was enthusiastically flipping through the channels.With so many streaming services available, they could watch anything they wanted just by a quick search online. Not many people watch television broadcasts anymore.The television hadn't been switched on since it was installed. Why was Kyros suddenly so interested in watching a live broadcast
Lucian was staring at his phone, seemingly uninterested. He glanced up briefly and lowered his head."I don't know."Kyros stared intently at him."Do you not âĶ"Before he could finish, the commercial break ended.The host, in her overly enthusiastic tone, shouted, "And, Mr. Mulligan says it's genuine!""The bronze artifact is indeed confusing. It's normal for Claude to have made a mistake. She may be an excellent conservator, but she lacks experience in artifact appraisal. It's easy to find yourself in a deadlock when you stick by the books. "She missed a few subtle details. This bronze piece had a plain surface. Its simplicity is a standard for Kashgar Dynasty vessels. The rust is naturally formed after millennia of precipitation. "Also, take a look at these decorative lines. They're discreetly hidden. You'll miss them if you don't study it closely. Fake decorative lines are generally in more conspicuous places or deliberately polished to look even âĶ" Mr. Mulligan said.Ca
The pills lay scattered all over the floor as Kyros stood frozen mid-motion. There was something dark hidden in his gaze as his eyes followed Lucian's every move. "Why won't you take your medicine, Jordan? Is it because âĶ"Did he already know something? Kyros paused. He ultimately decided against asking directly. "Is there something wrong with the medicine?"Lucian was making a phone call. Upon hearing Kyros' question, he turned around. His stern gaze shifted from his face to his feet."My illness isn't going to kill me if I don't take my medicine. Take a look at yourself. What is wrong with you? Can you not see the glass shards on the ground? Even if you don't see them, do you not feel any pain?"He frowned at the sight of the blood oozing from Kyros' feet. The carpet had been dirtied. Once the call connected, Lucian turned away. His tone had turned cold."Hello, Dr. Davis. I'm Jordan. Can you please drop by? Kyros injured his feet.""Yes, he was pierced by glass shards. He'
Yara was an easy-going person but she was always careful with her words. She couldn't reveal anything about the possibility of Lucian's return even if it were done subconsciously.She glanced at the person behind her and said impatiently, "Does he not have to support his wife anymore just because he's missing? The tab is right there. He can pay it off once he returns."The lights were dim in the private room. The man didn't notice Yara's displeasure. He thought she was engaging in casual conversation.With how noisy it was, it wasn't out of the ordinary for him to raise his voice."He's been gone for so long. Don't you think he's probably dead by now?""Have you ever paid respects to your forefathers? Do you not ask for blessings to get rich? There are ways to care for your wife while you're still around. There are also ways to care for her even when you're gone. Even without the husband as the breadwinner, he can still ensure the wellbeing of his wife."The man stared at her, to
However, before the woman could hit Timothy, the man who stood calmly in place was yanked aside. The bottle in her hand ended up hitting the air.Before she could turn, she heard someone exclaim in frustration, "Have you lost your mind from reading all those books, Timothy? What use is talking about the law to an irrational woman? You might as well have stuck your head out and let her kill you."After Yara was done with Timothy, she turned to the woman who was making a scene."Do you have a screw loose, Rhea? Your father owed the workers their wages and drove them into jumping off your company's building. Now, you're here defending your murderous father and causing trouble for a lawyer. If you want to defend your father's injustice so badly, why don't you join him?"The Griffin family's matter had caused quite a stir, especially because it involved people's livelihoods. The incident stirred up a lot of resentment.People would throw rotten vegetables and eggs at their door. Even Y
For the past half month, Kyros had stayed in line. He even found a job and didn't pressure Lucian to take medication anymore. He also didn't come to the company as often as he used to.However, before Lucian could relax, there was trouble with the new project at Northwood Corporation. Late at night, he received a call from Cade. "The situation has been handled; it was discovered early, and we didn't suffer any insignificant losses.""Why do you sound so frustrated then?" Lucian asked. Cade was more than frustrated. He seemed enraged."Because I got locked out of the house tonight because of dealing with your mess." Cade had trouble sleeping, and any slight disturbance would wake him up. And once he was awake, it was hard for him to fall back asleep.So, he didn't dare to knock on the door and had to sit in the garden, braving the cold November weather.The more he sat there, the colder he felt, but his anger kept boiling. He had reached his limits when he called Lucian. "H
Paul only wanted to walk her up, but he immediately straightened his back and raised the items so Lucian could see them. He said, "I'm taking her home and going in for tea." Lucian clenched his teeth and replied, "Paul, she's my wife.""Just your ex-wife," Paul reminded him. Wanting to further the blow, he added, "You got divorced last year."Calista had long grown accustomed to their bickering when they got together, and she didn't bother to interrupt.She was afraid they would lose control of their emotions and start arguing in the corridor, drawing attention from others.While they were talking, Calista opened the door, looked at Lucian, who was gloomy, and said in irritation, "Come inside and talk."Lucian glared at Paul, and Paul smiled warmly at him, saying as if he were the host, "Come on in, you surely wouldn't want to have this conversation in the hallway."Lucian was speechless. Damn it! Who was Paul to invite others into Callie's home? He didn't even have the right
If Paul and Cade knew, then his parents knew, too. So, he was the only one kept in the dark. He felt like a complete fool for thinking he had gained an advantage.Even if Calista was currently upset with him, with this child in the picture, he could eventually win her back.However, this was unexpected. He lowered his head and glanced at the pillow in his arms, which he had deformed by the squeezing. He remembered the cheap ten-dollar pillow Calista had given him before, and though he found her words strange then. But he hadn't thought of this at all. It turned out that the pillow was his child.Calista knew that he must be feeling very upset right now, and she had planned to discuss this matter with him at a more suitable time. However, she had revealed it in a moment of impulse."Lucian, there was no other choice at that time. After you disappeared, other shareholders in Northwood Corporation were getting out of control. Although Dad wanted me to join the company, it was not ea
Cameron tucked her hands into her sleeves, her face unreadable as she watched Mirabelle stagger toward her. "I went through so much trouble to put on this grand finale," she said coolly. "How could I miss the ending?"Mirabelle's eyes were bloodshot, her voice shrill with disbelief. "It really was you, Cameron! You set everything up!" She fumbled for her phone. "I'm calling the police. You framed my fatherâhe's innocent!""Framed?" Cameron let out a cold laugh. "And where exactly do you think the money came from for all those years you lived like a queen overseas?"Mirabelle froze mid-dial. Cameron's words cut deep. She stood there, stunned, then muttered, "CadeâĶ I'll tell Cade everything you did. He'll stop you. I'll call Cade.""Are you sure you want to do that?"Mirabelle lowered her phone and burst out laughing. "I won't call. But what does it matter? You lost. You pulled all the strings, but in the end, I'm still standing. You can't touch me."She lifted her head, her eyes s
Cade turned, frowning in confusion. Mirabelle had just stumbled into the cafÃĐ, unkempt, disheveled, and utterly unlike her usual self. The grace and poise she once wore like armor were gone. Her hair was tangled, her outfit wrinkled, and one of her heels had snapped clean off.But it was clearâshe hadn't come for him. The instant her eyes found his, she froze. Then, almost frantically, she adjusted her clothes and ran trembling fingers through her hair.She walked over, chin lifted, as if her heel wasn't broken, as if she hadn't just staggered in like a ghost of herself."Cade," she said, summoning the haughtiness of an Ackerman heiress. "Are you really willing to throw away everything between our families for Cameron?"She had begged nearly everyone she knew that dayâmen and women who owed her family countless favors. All of them had turned their backs. She finally understood what it meant to be on a sinking ship, swarmed by rats scurrying for safety.Mirabelle knew she should be
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam CameronâĶ" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's companyâĶGiven the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptionsâshe was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
With Cade covering Cameron's mouth, there was no chance for her pointed words to offend anyone in the room. His palm was cool to the touch. It was a sensation she disliked. So, she couldn't help but tilt her head.When Cade noticed her movements, he gently stroked her cheek as if he were calming a child who was throwing a tantrum.Victor spent years in a position of authority, giving him an air of unspoken authority. His gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched Cade. "Cade, don't jeopardize the long-standing relationship between our families over a woman.""If that's how you see it." Cade glanced at the door. "Aren't you doing the same for a woman?"Victor snorted contemptuously. "How can a cheap girl who was merely adopted be worth anything compared to Mirabelle?""How is my daughter, a Yorksworth, worth any less than yours?" Blaire stood at the doorway as she took in the occupants of the home with her sharp gaze. She had been feeling restless ever sin
Mirabelle frowned. "Excuse me?"As soon as she finished speaking, Cameron walked up to her, grabbed her by her hair, and forcefully bent her over.Cameron held up the guest list Monica had sent her and shoved it in Mirabelle's face. "Call them. Tell them to be there by 3:00 p.m., or elseâĶ"She tightened her grip threateningly. "You can kiss this head of hair goodbye."Mirabelle pressed down on her scalp where it had been pulled, her voice distorted with pain when she spoke."Let go, Cameron! Are you out of your mind?""Didn't I tell you not to involve anyone else in our feud?""Can't take it anymore?"Mirabelle endured the pain of turning her head to flash a disdainful sneer at Cameron."This is just the appetizer. If you go against me, you'll eventually crawl out of Capeton with your tail between your legs. I'll call your business partner right now and pin the catastrophic failure of this event on youâĶ"Seeing Mirabelle's condescending expression brought Cameron back to the
The kiss lifted the dark cloud that hung over Cade's mood over the past few days.The next day, as Fabian brought in documents for him to sign, Cade asked, "When is Cameron's show?"Fabian was taken aback for a split second but quickly replied. Fortunately, he was well-prepared and kept track of Cameron's events for the year in advance."Has the invitation been delivered?"Fabian swallowed, almost wanting to laugh to mock Cade. Given Cade's strained relationship with his wife, Cameron would sooner invite a dog than have him around. However, all Fabian could do was revel in Cade's misery in his mind while keeping a businesslike facade."It was probably already delivered. The front desk brought in a stack of mail yesterday. I haven't sorted it out yet."He had already sorted out the mail this morning. Everything had gone straight to the trash."Clear my schedule for the day. Make reservations at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner.""Yes, sir."On the day of the show, Monica
That was obviously an excuse to get Cade out of the picture. Knowing what Mirabelle had done to Cameron in the past, leaving the two of them alone was out of the question. Besides, it wasn't convenient for him to move the car, so he refused without a second thought."Get the attendantâ"However, Cameron cut him off before he could finish."Ms. Ackerman is a guest. You should fulfill her requests if she has any."Cade cast her a cold glance. "Shut up." Why should he dance to Mirabelle's tune?Cameron stared at him. "Run along."He gritted his teeth as rage crossed his face. After a brief pause, he sneered and turned to leave. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mirabelle's calm expression slipped. "Did you make me come here just to show off how much you two love each other?""You call that love? I think we have different definitions of what 'love' is then. He's nothing more thanâĶ" Cameron's fingers lightly traced the cup's rim as she smirked and said, "A lap dog.""You fu