Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Thousand Second Chances: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

The private room was big enough to seat a dozen people comfortably.These socialites had seen it all. Even if they didn't like something, they wouldn't say it out loud. After all, Shirley was part of the Rays, and Cynthia Olson's friendly attitude toward her made things even more interesting.When the coffee was served, Paulina tried to make a point, hoping to embarrass Shirley, the soon-to-be-displaced daughter-in-law. She took a sip and immediately spat it out, covering her mouth in disgust."What's this weird taste? Shirley, you wouldn't serve us subpar coffee just to make a quick buck, right? If you're short on cash, just say so! Our family doesn't do business this way."Everyone else lowered their heads, sipping quietly, not daring to speak."Astrid, you know coffee. Try it. Is it bad?" Paulina went on, not giving Shirley a chance to defend herself.Astrid paused, sipped, and then curved her lips into a small smile."The coffee itself isn't bad, but it's not from this yea

Milton clicked his tongue. The young woman, Britney Young, suddenly lunged forward."Don't you dare hit my boyfriend! Who do you think you are?"Paulina almost forgot about this vixen. Earlier in the private room, she had overheard Britney's moans, and everyone had been talking about it.At the time, Paulina had felt a mix of envy and frustration. She never expected the gossip to land on her own head!Striking her usual high society pose, Paulina prepared to slap Britney and teach her a lesson."I'm his rightful wife! You vixen, I'm gonna kill you!"Milton shielded Britney, his face cold and serious. "Stop the nonsense. Don't you feel embarrassed? She's my secretary!""What? Secretary? Secretary in bed, maybe? Do you think we're blind or deaf?"Paulina's years of dignity were ripped away right before her eyes, and seeing her husband protect his mistress made her tremble with rage.Humiliated and furious, she could barely contain herself. She charged at Britney like a madwoma

"Dad, how's Grandma?" Tony asked, concerned.Milton shot him a sharp look and lowered his voice, careful not to disturb anyone inside."It's all thanks to your troublesome wife, who stirred up this whole mess! What good does that do her?"Tony's face was tense, his eyes dark as he stared at Milton in silence, as if he could see through his father's attempts to pin blame on someone else.Milton grumbled under his breath, then went back to his room. He knew he was in the wrong. Besides, Tony had become accomplished in his own right now, and Milton didn't dare argue with him anymore.Matthew was the last to arrive, panting. "Is Grandma okay?"Tony rubbed his forehead, tired. "She's fine. Just a little upset.""So, Dad really cheated? And Mom caught him?" Matthew asked bluntly.Tony didn't answer.Matthew, having already heard the gossip, immediately lashed out at Tony."Can't you control your wife? Tell her to stop stirring up trouble and muddying everything! Is she trying to te

"You okay, man? Need some help?" Clifford asked. Matthew stood up casually, brushing imaginary dust off his knees."I didn't stand properly. Move aside."Clifford stepped forward, smiling at Shirley in the car. "Shirley, perfect timing. Mind if I hitch a ride home?""Hop in," Shirley replied.Under Matthew's watchful gaze, Clifford got in. He rolled down the window and looked at Matthew."Where are you headed? Wanna come along?"Matthew got in immediately. "I'm going with you."He had forgiven Clifford, whom he had wanted to strangle just a minute ago. Life and death could turn in an instant.Clifford grinned. Noticing Shirley's displeasure, he clicked his tongue."Shirley, just drop him off with me. Think of it as driving a pet around."Shirley smirked, ignored Matthew, and started the car.Inside, Clifford lounged around, inspecting the car here and there, then turned to Matthew."Are your parents getting a divorce? Why are you wandering around instead of going home? I

Shirley went to work that day. She noticed the school administration was a bit annoyed at her. She had been skipping work quite a bit lately, and they were clearly a little frustrated. Still, no one could openly criticize her—after all, she was a young professor with solid credentials.The school had projects that needed social connections, but her department didn't usually handle that. Shirley was in arts and literature; money-making projects in the real world had nothing to do with her field.But with the economy dipping these past few years, the school's budget was tight. They had to shuffle resources, and eventually, her department was expected to take on some of these responsibilities. The thing was, people in arts and literature tended to be…well, high-minded. So high-minded that money was basically dirt to them.How could they be expected to schmooze, drink at business dinners, or cozy up to investors?So, the department head, Fred Thornton, set his sights on Shirley—young