《Behind the Glamour: My Wife’s Secret》


 Chapter 1

    ?Chapter 1:


    In Critport, the skies unleashed a torrential downpour.


    Ellie Gordon was hurriedly escorted into the main building of Moon Manor by car.


    Once admired in Critport as a top socialite, she now found herself a pawn in the Gordon family¡¯s scheme, substituting their daughter in an arranged marriage.


    Her husband, Kaiden Thorpe, was the family¡¯s fourth child. Known for his early brilliance and talent, his detachment had led to his alienation from his family. A car ident had left him with disabled legs. As night enveloped the manor, Ellie awaited her elusive husband. Kaiden¡¯s absence hinted at his reluctance to meet her, perhaps a refusal to acknowledge her.


    His absence, however, was a relief for Ellie, sparing her the dilemma of confronting him.


    Exhausted from her ordeals with the Gordons, she shed her wedding dress and climbed into bed, seeking rest.


    Time blurred as she drifted in and out of sleep. Suddenly, the door clicked open, breaking the silence.


    A tall figure entered.


    Half-asleep, Ellie stirred at the sound.


    Before she could gather her thoughts, the figure joined her in bed, gradually drawing closer.


    The sudden warmth had awoken her fully.


    The stranger swiftly turned, pinning her down.


    His grip tightened around her neck.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he demanded in a low, cold voice, like a beast defending its territory.


    Moonlight revealed his face, his eyes colder than his voice.


    Ellie, without a word,shed out with a swift kick aimed at the man¡¯s vulnerable spot.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he cursed, deftly dodging her attack.


    Seizing the moment, Ellie broke free and leapt from the bed.


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    The room became a flurry of motion as they exchanged a series of moves.


    Trained in martial arts, Ellie was usually unmatched, but she quickly realized the man¡¯s superior skill.


    ¡°I am Kaiden Thorpe¡¯s wife. If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll call the guards to throw you out¡­¡± Her threat was cut short as the man seized her throat, pushing her against the wall.


    Suddenly, the lights snapped on, illuminating the room.


    In the bright light, the man¡¯s features were striking¡ªdeep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and a stern jawline. He looked at Ellie with a mix of surprise and sarcasm.


    ¡°Who are you nning to throw out?¡±


    His gaze shifted from the wedding dress in the corner back to Ellie. Dressed in modest casual wear instead of a nightdress, Ellie was clearly on her guard.


    A flicker of contempt crossed Kaiden¡¯s eyes.


    Struggling for breath, Ellie managed to gasp, ¡°You¡¯re¡­ Kaiden?¡± She had never seen Kaiden, who seldom appeared in public, but it made sense that the only man who could enter his private bedroom would be him.


    Yet, his legs were perfectly fine, unlike what they said in the rumors. Kaiden¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, acknowledging her deduction, and he released her.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± Coughing violently, Ellie copsed to the floor, vowing never to feel that suffocating terror again.


    Indeed, Kaiden was as unpredictable and ruthless as rumored!


    ¡°So, about calling the bodyguards?¡± Kaiden asked, lighting a cigarette and gazing down at Ellie. His eyes lingered on her neck, marked by his grip, its delicate skin standing out in the light. Ellie felt a flush of shame.


    She hadn¡¯t realized he was Kaiden when she threatened to call for help. Kaiden, with a demeanor suggesting he held power over life and death, said coldly, ¡°Choose how you wish to end.¡±


    Ellie knew that Kaiden was thinking about silencing her since she had discovered the truth about his legs.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I am legally your wife. You can¡¯t treat me like this!¡± she protested, her heart racing with fear.


    ¡°You are nothing but a woman whose background is a mystery. How dare you im to be my wife, huh?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone dripped with disdain as he exhaled a ring of smoke.


    Ellie clenched her fists, feeling deeply humiliated.


    Her origins were indeed unknown; even the names of her biological parents were a mystery.


    The high society was now aware that Ellie was merely a substitute in the Gordon family, not their true daughter.


    But was it her fault?


    Was it ever her choice?


    She never wanted this marriage to Kaiden.


    Impatient, Kaiden pressed a button near the bed.


    Soon, two bodyguards entered the room.


    ¡°Throw her out,¡± Kaiden ordered coldly.


    ¡°Wait, Kaiden!¡± Ellie eximed in desperation. ¡°I promise, I won¡¯t say a word about your legs!¡±


    She had agreed to this marriage as a way to repay the Gordon family for two decades of care. Now, she considered her debt to them settled. Kaiden, his face a mask of indifference, suddenly spoke with a hint of benevolence.


    ¡°Ellie, if you manage to survive this night, you can remain as Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    Boom!


    Crack!


    The night sky rumbled with thunder.


    Lightning shed, its brilliance fading, but the relentless rain persisted.


    The forecast had predicted this downpour wouldst all night.


    Today was meant to be her wedding day, standing as Kaiden¡¯s bride. However, Ellie found herself confronting the relentless severity of the storm outside¡­


    In that moment, Ellie realized the truth.


    Kaiden¡¯s intent was not merely to degrade her; he was setting a lethal challenge.


    As a bride imposed upon him by his family, her demise would be a convenient solution for him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± dered Ellie, standing with dignity. ¡°I¡¯ll leave of my own ord.¡±


    Her eyes met those of the approaching bodyguards, warning them, ¡°Remember, I¡¯m the woman legally bound to Mr. Thorpe. It would be unwise toy hands on your master¡¯s wife, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    Her demeanor appearedpliant, even gentle, but a flicker of triumph shone in her eyes.


    She believed her emotions were well-concealed, yet Kaiden saw through her facade.


    Amusement stirred within him.


    The Ellie he¡¯d heard of, the Gordon family¡¯s daughter, was reputedly virtuous, dignified, and gentle ¡ª ideal for leading a prominent household.


    But the woman before him defied those descriptions, her spirit unbroken even in adversity.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 2

    ?Chapter 2:


    Hearing the disturbance, an elderly butler with white hair approached the master bedroom¡¯s doorway but wisely stayed outside.


    Kaiden valued his privacy and did not take kindly to uninvited intrusions into his personal space.


    ¡°Cayson, did you let her in?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was sharp.


    In Moon Manor, only Cayson Buckley, who had looked after Kaiden since childhood, would dare to allow Ellie into his room without prior consent.


    Cayson replied with a sigh, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, solitude isn¡¯t forever. Mrs. Thorpe hoped Miss Gordon would be your wife, fulfilling her wish as your mother.¡±


    Kaiden, seemingly disregarding Cayson¡¯s words, responded icily, ¡°This is the first andst time you do this, Cayson.¡±


    Only a week ago, Ellie was engaged to his nephew, Erick Thorpe.


    Now, she stood outside in the rain, enduring hardship to be near him.


    Kaiden mused on the fickle nature of women¡¯s affections.


    He didn¡¯t desire someone already chosen by another.


    Standing by the French window, Kaiden had a clear view of Ellie. Amidst the lightning, Ellie¡¯s figure was visible outside the borate gates.


    Her soft skin, defined eyes, elegant nose, and delicate lips made her strikingly beautiful, like a rare bloom in the night.


    She was soaked to the skin as the rain streamed down her face, tracing a path from her forehead to her eyes, cheeks, and chin, before falling to the ground.


    Yet, this did not mar her appearance; instead, it lent her a vulnerable allure.


    Suddenly, as if sensing something, the woman in the rain looked up. Through the blurred rain, Ellie¡¯s vision was limited to the tall silhouette standing by the French window on the second floor. Aware that Kaiden was observing her, Ellie shed a subtle smile, tilting her head and lightly waving towards the second floor.


    Her demeanor appearedpliant and gentle, but on closer inspection, it was a clear challenge.


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    It was as if she was dering, ¡°I will be Mrs. Thorpe!¡±


    ¡°Send her back to the Gordons before she dies of hypothermia,¡± Kaidenmanded, his presence chilling as he retreated to his study. He had offered her a way out. However, if she chose to defy the odds, he wouldn¡¯t intervene.


    Outside the main vi, the storm continued its relentless assault.


    Once Kaiden vanished from the window, Ellie withdrew her gaze, her headache intensifying under the relentless rain, her body shivering with cold and fever.


    She wouldn¡¯t have endured this if not for the Gordons¡¯ threats, using Cecelia Gordon, her adopted grandmother, as leverage to manipte her into continuing their service.


    The Gordons had never shown her kindness, only imposing strict demands. Even when she was admired as a top socialite, their dissatisfaction lingered.


    Ellie remembered past abuses by the Gordons, resulting in bruises and severe fevers. Only Cecelia had shown herpassion, taking her to the hospital and caring for her.


    Cecelia was the lone warmth in Ellie¡¯s years with the Gordons.


    Suddenly, her phone rang, indicating an iing call.


    ¡°Ellie, just plead with me, and you can stay by my side,¡± said a familiar man¡¯s voice from the call, oozing condescension.


    Ellie felt a wave of revulsion at his words and huffed irritably, ¡°Erick, you are nothing but a cheater who betrayed me even though we were engaged. Screw you, you despicable bastard! You make me sick to my stomach!¡±


    The Gordon and Thorpe families had arranged a long-standing engagement, with the Gordons selecting Erick¡¯s family as allies. Theymanded Ellie to engage with Erick, someone she had no interest in. After her true identity was exposed, the Gordons switched their ns, pushing her to marry Kaiden to fulfill the engagementmitment. On the eve of her wedding, Ellie caught Erick and Demi Gordon, the newly recognized Gordon daughter, in apromising position.


    This revealed their long-standing affair, and Ellie realized the Gordons¡¯ scheme to rece Demi with her in the marriage to Kaiden.


    ¡°I slept with Demi because you¡¯re too much of a prude. We were already engaged, yet you wouldn¡¯t even let me touch you!¡± He failed to see the fault in his actions.


    For Erick, Ellie¡¯s beauty was pointless if it remained untouchable.


    ¡°Ellie, Kaiden can¡¯t give you what you need, especially in the bedroom. If you want to live a good life, you have to stay with me.¡±


    ¡°Erick, wake up! I refuse to stoop to your level! You¡¯re nothing but trash!¡± Ellie hissed.


    A thought struck her, and she smirked before adding, ¡°By the way, Erick, remember to call me Auntie Ellie in the future!¡±


    After hanging up, Ellie felt a surge of triumph, picturing Erick¡¯s anger. Given that Erick¡¯s father was Kaiden¡¯s half-brother, Erick was technically her nephew-inw.


    That scumbag Erick bing her nephew felt like a small win for her. As time went by, Ellie¡¯s consciousness faded, her body fluctuating between cold and heat, struggling to remain conscious.


    She was determined and would not surrender.


    What would be of Cecelia if she copsed here?


    The first light of dawn broke in the eastern sky.


    It was now morning.


    The rain, once heavy, dwindled to a drizzle before ceasing.


    As maids opened the main gate of Moon Manor, a wheelchair rolled across the cobblestones, its wheels echoing.


    Kaiden sat in the wheelchair, his demeanor rxed. He noticed Ellie still at the door, drenched and visibly weakened.


    Ellie¡¯s soaked hair clung to her face, her skin unusually flushed, and her lips rmingly pale.


    Yet, her eyes shone with a mix of determination and¡­ defiance.


    With a frail wave, she greeted him, ¡°Good morning, Mr. Thorpe!¡±


    Her voice, though feeble and raspy, seemed to resonate within Kaiden.


    Kaiden frowned, his expression as unreadable as ever.


    He gave Ellie merely two words. ¡°Still alive?¡±


    ¡°Disappointed, Mr. Thorpe?¡± Ellie¡¯s feverish state lent a hint of daring to her words. ¡°Remember, you said if I survived the night, I¡¯d be Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t dismiss her now!


    Kaiden expertly navigated the wheelchair, halting inches from Ellie. Despite being seated, his towering frame allowed him to effortlessly tilt Ellie¡¯s chin upward. Leaning on the wheelchair for support, she gazed at him, her breath hitching in surprise.


    Up close, Kaiden¡¯s features were strikingly clear, even the fine details of his eyshes.


    He looked at her, his eyes cold and unwavering.


    ¡°So, Ellie, you¡¯re so eager to be my wife? Hmm?¡±


    .


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 Chapter 3

    ?Chapter 3:


    ¡°OUCH!¡± Ellie winced, feeling an intense pressure on her jaw.


    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Kaiden¡¯s sneercked any humor. ¡°Then tell me, Ellie, how do you n to fulfill your duties as a wife in bed?¡±


    In bed¡­


    Duties¡­


    The implication of his words made her cheeks burn.


    Legally, she was bound to such responsibilities.


    Kaiden observed her embarrassment with a trace of irony.


    Hadn¡¯t she already slept with Erick? Yet here she was, feigning innocence.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to do everything, given my disability,¡± Kaiden said, his voice tinged with mockery, yet his expression remained unchanged.


    Ellie¡¯s face flushed deeper, her eyes glued to the ground.


    Kaiden was relentless in his charade of disability.


    ¡°Answer me,¡± he demanded.


    Swallowing her pride, Ellie stammered, ¡°I can¡­ try to learn¡­ to do whatever is needed¡­ I¡¯m not afraid of¡­¡±


    She pondered that Kaiden, despite his facade, seemed unlikely to engage with her, whom he deemed beneath him.


    ¡°Despicable,¡± he muttered, releasing her abruptly. He noticed the red marks his fingers left on her skin.


    She was such a delicate woman, heined to himself with a snort.


    Ellie, masking her relief with aposed smile, said, ¡°I¡¯m very much looking forward to living with you, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s face darkened as he wheeled away.


    This time, however, he decided to let her stay and not have her thrown out.


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    Ellie¡¯s body, wracked by fever, swayed. Her vision grew hazy, and she fainted¡­


    Awakeningter, Ellie felt disoriented, her hand sore from the IV needle.


    She was in a guest room adjacent to Kaiden¡¯s.


    Battling her illness, she took her medicine, cocooned herself in nkets, and sweated profusely.


    As sleep overtook her, a moment of rity emerged.


    Kaiden was a man best avoided; antagonizing him was unwise. Ellie resolved to ignore his pretended disability. Curiosity, in this case, was not her ally.


    After some time, she was woken by insistent knocking.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe requests your presence in the small warehouse on the first floor concerning your dowry,¡± a maid informed her, her face etched with concern.


    Ellie knew little of the dowry prepared by the Gordon family, but her instincts told her it was bound to be problematic. In the warehouse, the air was heavy with tension.


    Kaiden sat in his wheelchair, an object in his hand, emanating a forbidding aura.


    ¡°Mr. Th¡­¡± Bang!


    Before Ellie couldplete her sentence, Kaiden abruptly threw an object at her.


    ¡°How many more disgusting tricks do you have up your sleeve, Ellie?¡± he spat, his eyes icy.


    The item hit Ellie, its contents scattering on her and the floor.


    Among them were provocative lingerie and several boxes of medication. Her mind racing, Ellie crouched to inspect them.


    The boxes held various aphrodisiacs, including concoctions purportedly for conceiving a child, and even¡­ potency-enhancing pills. A clear insult to Kaiden, these items were an appalling inclusion by the Gordons in her dowry.


    ¡°Ellie, are you that desperate to share my bed and bear my child?¡± Kaiden¡¯s gaze was inscrutable.


    Ellie, seething internally at the Gordons¡¯ insult,posed herself and stood.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I had no idea these items were included.¡±


    ¡°And what about this?¡± Kaiden asked with a sardonicugh, gesturing towards a makeup box on the table.


    Ellie¡¯s heart raced as she approached the box for a clearer view.


    Contained within were a fabricated photo of her and Erick, a heart-shaped ne, and several affectionate letters, none of which were hers!


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s fingers abruptly pinched her cheeks, forcing her to look into his cold, dispassionate eyes.


    These fraudulent keepsakes were an insult to Kaiden, a gesture no man would easily stomach.


    ¡°Ellie, to marry me while harboring another man¡¯s tokens¡­ quite bold.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. The Gordons arranged the dowry.¡±


    Her attempt to rify was futile. Any exnation would seem like a feeble excuse.


    Resigned, Ellie lowered her gaze.


    She then bowed slightly. ¡°I apologize.¡±


    She should have been more mindful of the dowry.


    Kaiden¡¯s perception of her shifted.


    Last night¡¯s defiance had faded, reced by subservience.


    ¡°Ellie, many vie for the role of my wife. Don¡¯t assume you¡¯ve secured a ce just because you¡¯re here.¡± He was warning her.


    Despite his estrangement from his father, Jorge Thorpe, andck of influence in the Thorpe family, Kaiden¡¯s status as Jorge¡¯s only legitimate son still drew many aspiring brides.


    Should it be known that Kaiden wasn¡¯t actually disabled, thepetition would intensify.


    The Gordons¡¯ dowry was discarded from Moon Manor like trash. Reflecting on the origins of the supposed tokens of affection, Ellie realized the truth. It was Demi¡¯s doing!


    She had been the only one to ess the dowry box before the wedding.


    .


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 Chapter 4

    ?Chapter 4:


    Ellie hadn¡¯t crossed paths with Kaiden for days, likely due to their recent heated argument.


    One early morning, her phone rang. It was Baylee Curtis, her closest friend.


    ¡°Ellie, there¡¯s trouble. Demi sabotaged the projects you were working on. They¡¯ve brought in a new stylist.¡±


    As a stylist, Ellie often worked in the same circles as Demi, a rising star from a popr girl group.


    While a female idol typically wouldn¡¯t meddle in Ellie¡¯s affairs, Demi¡¯s backing from the influential Gordon family made her a different story.


    Pausing for a moment, Ellie responded calmly, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll look into it.¡±


    ¡°Still in bed?¡± Baylee jested. ¡°How¡¯s married life treating you? Late nights, huh?¡±


    Ellie sighed inwardly. Her fatigue was due to a cold and sleeping pills, notte nights.


    While still on the phone, she got out of bed, hoping to find a drink downstairs.


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. That guy is a total bas¡­¡±


    She stopped short of finishing her sentence with ¡°bastard.¡±


    Frozen on the stairs, Ellie¡¯s eyesnded on Kaiden. He was in the living room, impably dressed in a suit.


    He looked her way, his expression cold and detached.


    Ellie was taken aback.


    He showed no reaction. Had he not heard her?


    Or did he not realize she was talking about him?


    ¡°I need to go, Baylee. Something¡¯se up,¡± she said quickly, ending the call.


    She considered exining herself but noticed Kaiden had already left, seemingly unaware of her presence.


    Relieved, Ellie thought he must not have heard her earlier remarks.


    Turning to her emails, Ellie found that the seven coborative projects she had nearly secured had withdrawn, opting for a ¡°more suitable¡± stylist.


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    Ellie¡¯s phone lit up with a news alert. ¡°Demi Gordon shines in an $8 million haute couture gown at the g, confirming her Gordon lineage!¡±


    Curious, Ellie clicked the link. The dress in the photo caught her eye, and she frowned. That was her dress.


    Was Demi trying to cause trouble for her and wear her dress at the same time? In her dreams!


    Ellie quickly changed and left for the Gordon family¡¯s vi in Glostin. Finding no answer at the door, she used the passcode to enter.


    Upstairs, a rustle came from the dressing room. Ellie ascended to investigate.


    There, inside the room, a woman in her twenties stood, draped in an opulent champagne-colored gown, its skirt adorned with diamonds. That was Ellie¡¯s haute couture dress, Venus, from a top brand. She hadn¡¯t even worn it yet.


    ¡°Taking without permission is theft,¡± Ellie stated, visibly upset.


    ¡°Ah! God!¡± Demi gasped, turning in surprise.


    Seeing Ellie, her surprise turned to anger. ¡°How did you get in here, Ellie?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my dress. Remove it.¡±


    That dress was Ellie¡¯s, acquired independently without a single penny received from the Gordons.


    Demi had no right to it.


    ¡°Watch your tone, Ellie! I¡¯m a Gordon. And you? You¡¯re nothing but a nobody, brought in by a nanny for revenge. If you hadn¡¯t stolen my life, I would have lived in luxury, maybe even admired as a top socialite. You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not demanding more than just the dress!¡± Demi huffed.


    Venus, tailored for Ellie¡¯s figure, was a mismatch for Demi. Demi, with a slightlyrger waist, couldn¡¯t do justice to the dress, diminishing its mour once worn.


    Ellie¡¯s sarcasticugh filled the air.


    Demi thought she would be a top socialite just because she was a Gordon?


    Absolutely delusional!


    ¡°Ellie, let me tell you something,¡± Demi said arrogantly, gesturing to the wardrobe filled with dresses. ¡°What I¡¯m wearing, what¡¯s in that closet, it¡¯s all mine. You shouldn¡¯ty a finger on any of it.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s response was measured yet firm. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight, Demi. Since the day I married Kaiden, fulfilling the Gordon-Thorpe marriage contract, I have no obligations to you. And about the dress you¡¯re refusing to remove¡­¡±


    Her tone was light, almost dismissive.


    Demi¡¯s eyebrows arched in a smug triumph, as if to challenge, ¡°What will you do?¡±


    Then, the sound of fabric tearing shattered the air.


    Crack!


    Swoosh!


    Ellie, scissors in hand, methodically sliced through each luxurious dress.


    ¡°Jesus! My haute couture dresses! They were limited edition¡­ The one who made this was the former chief designer of Chanel¡­ Ellie! Are you insane?¡± Demi screamed, on the brink of desperation. She wanted to stop Ellie, but it was toote.


    The dresses, some irreceable, were now just fragments.


    ¡°Oops, my hand can¡¯t help it,¡± Ellie remarked, setting aside the scissors. She approached Demi, her face devoid of emotion.


    ¡°What¡­ What are you doing?¡± Demi, still in shock from the destruction, watched Elliee closer, her instinct urging her to retreat.


    Rrrrip!


    Ellie seized the hem of Venus and ripped it apart, reducing the exquisite gown to mere rags.


    Hands open in a helpless gesture, she said, ¡°I did ask you to take it off.¡±


    Demi, fuming with anger, fought to maintain herposure in Ellie¡¯s presence.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to appear weak before Ellie.


    She couldn¡¯t lose face!


    ¡°Ellie, are you doing this to reciprocate the wedding gift I prepared for you?¡± Demi¡¯s smile wasced with malice. ¡°Given Kaiden¡¯s¡­ shorings, I thought you¡¯d appreciate the extras. Did you?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s gaze towards Demi turned frostier.


    Demi, swelling with pride, taunted further, ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re envious? Erick is with me now.¡±


    Erick, the most eligible bachelor in Critport, was once linked to Ellie.


    Now, Demi relished the thought of having him under her spell.


    Ellie¡¯s response was simple, yetden with meaning. ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    Her silent thought: Good riddance to bad rubbish.


    ¡°And if you meddle in my career again¡­ you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    Dayster, Ellie, needing a new outfit for a fashion summit, stepped into a mall.


    Suddenly, several male voices rang out.


    ¡°Look! Isn¡¯t that Ellie over there?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s her. Her social status might be questionable, but her beauty is undeniable.¡±


    A young man, speaking to Erick, admitted his past desire for Ellie. ¡°Back then, she was your fianc¨¦e. Now, she¡¯s fair game, right?¡±


    Erick, the center of attention among his wealthy peers, looked at Ellie. Raising his voice, he egged on the young man, ¡°Go ahead! She¡¯s not mine anymore. Feel free.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Erick.¡±


    The leering looks from the young men filled Ellie with revulsion.


    Another chimed in eagerly, ¡°Mind if I go next? She¡¯s stunning!¡±


    They treated Ellie as if she were an object, a mere toy for their amusement.


    Ellie knew this could happen after the Gordons exposed her past, but experiencing it firsthand was demeaning. Her dignity felt trampled, crushed, shattered.


    Anyone less resilient might have crumbled under such verbal abuse.


    Ellie, masking her fury, walked past them, pretending not to hear.


    She refused to stoop to their level.


    Soon after, Erick blocked her path, his gaze brazenly traveling over her. ¡°Ellie, as you¡¯ve heard, just a nod from me and you¡¯re nothing but a toy to them. You should be begging me to¡­¡±


    Smack!


    Without warning, Ellie¡¯s hand struck Erick¡¯s face.


    ¡°You hit me?¡± Erick, hand to his cheek, stared in shock.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, that wasn¡¯t to hurt you. It was to snap you out of your delusion,¡± Ellie retorted, rubbing her sore hand. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d be desperate enough to beg you? Where do you get the audacity?¡± A mocking smile crossed her lips as she thought of Kaiden. ¡°My husband is far better than you. Isn¡¯t that right, dear nephew?¡± Using Kaiden to unsettle Erick seemed fitting.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re insane!¡± Erick fumed. ¡°Kaiden is a cripple! And he¡¯s impotent!¡±


    Rumors about Kaiden¡¯s supposed disability and inability in the bedroom were widespread, as he was seldom seen with women. The Gordons¡¯ decision to marry Ellie to Kaiden was rooted in their belief that he would disdain Ellie¡¯s background and remain indifferent to her.


    Erick was convinced that Ellie,cking a powerful family of her own, was merely a ything and would eventually return to him. But now, Ellie boldly dered Kaiden superior to Erick.


    ¡°In my eyes, my husband is unmatched,¡± Ellie asserted, though not entirely truthful.


    Come on, Kaiden¡¯s disability was just a facade.


    These fools had been deceived by his ruse all these years!


    Ellie smoothed her hair, her poise and beauty a striking contrast to the chaos.


    ¡°And as for his impotency,¡± she continued with an air of confidence, ¡°having shared his bed, I¡¯d know best. Or are you speaking from experience, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°What the hell? Holy shit!¡± Erick¡¯s shock was palpable.


    This was not the demure Ellie he knew.


    Her boldness was uncharacteristic, yet undeniably authentic.


    Erick, speechless, suddenly looked past Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden, why are you here?¡± he asked, his tone turning cold.


    Ellie¡¯s heart raced as she turned around.


    Several feet away, Kaiden sat in his wheelchair, an imposing figure despite his condition.


    His bodyguard, Bruce Harper, stood by.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression was unreadable as he red at Ellie, his icy gaze conveying a chilling message: ¡°You must have a death wish, huh?¡± This unexpected encounter with Kaiden, after days of absence, left Ellie shell-shocked, unsure what to do.


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 Chapter 5

    ?Chapter 5:


    Ellie¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red, her embarrassment unparalleled.


    She had just revealed that¡­ that she¡¯d shared Kaiden¡¯s bed.


    Surely, he hadn¡¯t heard her, right?


    Ellie stood there, barely daring to breathe, her mind racing with thoughts of how to rify her words, yet fearing Kaiden¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°Come here,¡± Kaiden instructed softly.


    Ellie briefly thought he was addressing Erick and felt a momentary relief.


    Thank god! She thought he was calling her!


    But then, Kaiden¡¯s voice came again. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you shared my bed?¡±


    He continued impatiently, ¡°Come here, Ellie. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡±


    His tone carried an undeniable authority.


    Ellie¡¯s face grew hotter, her heart racing with a mix of fear and mortification. He had heard her!


    She looked like a deer caught in headlights, causing a flicker of something in Kaiden¡¯s eyes.


    However, his irritation at seeing her with Erick quickly overshadowed it.


    Nervously, Ellie walked towards him, her fingers twisting together.


    After all, she had done this to herself.


    He had overheard her bragging about him. Truly, bad luck on her part.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡­¡± Ellie began, but before she could finish, Kaiden¡¯s hand was on her chin, tilting her face up to meet his steady gaze.


    ¡°If you want to share my bed,¡± he said, his fingertip tracing her chin in a slow, deliberate motion, ¡°you¡¯ll have to strip naked, you know.¡± His tone was deep and cold,ced with an allure that Ellie couldn¡¯t ignore.


    Her eyes widened in disbelief, and a blush spread across her cheeks. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Kaiden whispered in her ear, his voice low, meant only for her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, do you enjoy seeing your ex-fianc¨¦? Is that it?¡± The woman enjoyed making him a cuck!


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    His gaze was icy, devoid of warmth.


    Ellie felt a chill run through her, as if doused in icy water.


    Erick was stunned.


    He had never seen Kaiden with a woman, and yet¡­ here he was, epting Ellie?


    That couldn¡¯t be right!


    Erick couldn¡¯t stand the thought of Ellie, a woman he considered his, being with Kaiden.


    ¡°Kaiden, you can¡¯t seriously consider someone of Ellie¡¯s status as your wife. Don¡¯t you have standards? Or do you prefer leftovers?¡± Erick¡¯s gaze over Ellie was critical. ¡°Besides, Ellie¡¯s as dull as theye. Like a dead fish in bed.¡± His insinuation was clear.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I haven¡¯t¡­¡± Ellie started, nervously clutching Kaiden¡¯s clothes, but was cut off.


    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    Demi, dressed in white and wearing high heels, approached in a huff.


    She had followed Ellie, catching her in a meeting with Erick.


    Demi couldn¡¯t believe Ellie, now a married woman, was still entangled with Erick.


    She clung to Erick¡¯s arm, marking her territory.


    ¡°Erick, why with my sister? Ellie, you¡¯re married. How can you meet Erick in secret? Betraying me is one thing, but betraying your husband?¡±


    Her voice feigned concern, but her eyes betrayed her true intentions. Hearing Erick¡¯s derogatoryment about Ellie, Demi concluded they must have had sex before.


    This only intensified her jealousy.


    Demi¡¯s gaze then shifted to the man in the wheelchair, and she was struck by his attractiveness.


    He was¡­ so handsome!


    More than Erick!


    It was a pity, she thought, that he was disabled.


    Her implication was clear: Ellie was here for Erick.


    Erick, remaining silent, seemingly confirmed this narrative.


    Ellie, under Kaiden¡¯s skeptical gaze, knew her exnations would fall on deaf ears.


    Sometimes, words could be a shield, but then¡­ they could also be a weapon.


    And then there was Demi,plicating things further.


    ¡°Fucking idiots,¡± Ellie muttered, barely audible.


    But Kaiden, close by, caught the remark.


    He lifted his head and nced at her.


    It was unexpected. Ellie, known for her poise, would resort to suchnguage?


    Taking a deep breath, Ellie adopted a different approach.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your perception of me might be skewed.¡± She nced at Erick, then leaned towards Kaiden¡­


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes widened as she came closer, her scent enveloping him.


    Her lips brushed the corner of his mouth.


    It was a gentle kiss, as light as a feather caressing the face. However, it lingered, leaving a tingling sensation on his lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± she whispered.


    It was practically written on her face: ¡°You force me to do this!¡±


    As Ellie kissed Kaiden, her mind was in turmoil, focusing on proving Erick wrong. She couldn¡¯t bear to meet Kaiden¡¯s gaze, unaware of the storm brewing in his eyes.


    Bruce, witnessing the scene, was taken aback.


    Was this¡­ really happening?


    Ellie just kissed Kaiden, huh?


    Were women these days so brazen? Unafraid of death?


    Erick¡¯s shock was evident, his eyes wide. ¡°You¡­¡±


    He couldn¡¯t believe Ellie, who had always kept her distance from him, had kissed Kaiden.


    ¡°Listen, Erick.¡± Ellie turned to him with a stern look. ¡°Any opinions on my conservativeness or my demeanor in private are for my husband to judge. Whether I¡¯m a ¡®dead fish in bed,¡¯ as you say, is something you¡¯ll never know! You¡¯re confusing me with Demi. You slept with her. If your memory¡¯s failing, perhaps a doctor can help.¡±


    Her message was clear: Go fix your issues.


    Then Ellie turned to Demi, her gaze sharp. ¡°Keep your man in check, both his mouth and his dick.¡±


    Demi, eyeing Erick, wondered if he had been the one to pester Ellie, not the other way around, before casting a nce at the handsome man in the wheelchair.


    Could he be¡­ Ellie¡¯s secret lover?


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Fury rose in Erick, unable to ept that he had intentionally sought Ellie, and how she had just humiliated him.


    ¡°You want another p?¡± Kaiden interjected, his tone sharp. Erick was stunned. Kaiden didn¡¯t push Ellie away¡­ but was also defending her?


    Kaiden¡¯s frosty gaze turned to Erick. ¡°Mind your manners, Erick.


    Respect for family is paramount in our family.¡±


    The so-called family he was referring to was Ellie.


    He was reminding Erick of the family hierarchy, where Ellie, as his aunt-inw, demanded respect.


    ¡°Sir, you might not know this, but this woman is married,¡± Demi interjected, not liking to see Erick chastised by Ellie¡¯s defender. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to intrude, but it¡¯s unfair for you to confront the Thorpe family¡¯s heir for someone like her.¡±


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 Chapter 6

    ?Chapter 6:


    Kaiden cast a nce at Demi, his face betraying a hint of disdain, and then turned to Ellie.


    Ellie caught a questioning look from him, as if he wondered, ¡°Is it really okay for the Gordons to allow someone with mental challenges to be out alone?¡±


    She blinked, dismissing any connection between her and the foolish Demi.


    Unexpectedly, whenparing Demi and Ellie, Kaiden found Ellie to be quite eptable.


    ¡°Dear nephew, did you catch that?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyebrows rose teasingly, her smile mischievous. ¡°You should take better care of your woman.¡± For the first time, Kaiden noticed Ellie¡¯s daring nature. Yet, her boldness wasn¡¯t off-putting.


    The more he observed, the more he was drawn to her.


    Erick, fuming, muttered curses under his breath, ring at Ellie and Kaiden as they departed.


    ¡°Erick, that man¡­¡±


    Demi suddenly recalled. The man Ellie married was supposed to be disabled!


    Was that man they just saw Ellie¡¯s husband?


    But he was the most handsome and polished man she had encountered in two decades! How could he be the feared and aggressive Mr. Thorpe?


    ¡°He¡¯s a reject our family discarded! I¡¯ll bring him down!¡± Erick clenched his teeth.


    He was determined to make Kaiden bow to him one day, ensuring Ellie would rue her decision.


    Demi came back to the present moment.


    Sure, Kaiden was attractive, but he couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Erick, the Thorpe family¡¯s golden boy. Perhaps Erick would one day inherit the entire family legacy!


    ¡°Erick,¡± Demi whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and gazing at him lovingly. ¡°Have you truly moved on from Ellie? You two have been part of the same social circle since childhood, and I feel like an outsider. I¡­ I worry I can¡¯t measure up to her. My love for you is deep; I need reassurance.¡±


    Demi¡¯s delicate features radiated innocence, eliciting empathy and a desire to protect her.


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    Erick, charmed by her vulnerability, pinched her chin and nted a kiss on her lips.


    ¡°Honey, why would you say that? I¡¯ve never had any interest in Ellie. She¡¯s simply not your match.¡±


    Though Demi might not have Ellie¡¯s beauty, Ellie¡¯s dubious background made her an ipatible choice as his girlfriend.


    Erick¡¯s words pleased Demi, and she responded with a fervent kiss.


    In her mind, she was far superior to Ellie.


    She held a firm conviction that it was Ellie who had pestered Erick.


    Meanwhile, Bruce wheeled Kaiden along.


    Ellie walked dutifully by their side.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I didn¡¯te here to see Erick today. I¡­¡±


    ¡°Ellie, are you using me for your own gain?¡± Kaiden cut her off.


    Ellie was taken aback.


    She realized he must have seen through her intentions. After all, he was quite intelligent.


    With the situation already yed out, whether she came for Erick seemed irrelevant.


    Kaiden brushed his lips with his thumb.


    Ellie, recalling her actions, averted her gaze and mumbled, ¡°That kiss wasn¡¯t intentional¡­¡±


    After all, they were legally married. Their closeness was legitimate.


    Kaiden gave her a cold re and scoffed.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that scoff?¡± Ellie remarked, slightly annoyed. ¡°I was trying to save your face in front of Erick. He was mocking you, right? I was helping you.¡±


    Did he think she wanted to kiss him?


    Initially, Kaiden hadn¡¯t thought much of the kiss.


    It was barely even a kiss, more like a brush on the lips.


    But as Ellie kept mentioning it, and he recalled the moment, he felt a tingling sensation on his lips and remembered the closeness and softness of her approach, causing an unexpected tightness in his throat.


    Suddenly, Kaiden¡¯s lips met hers, his warm breath palpable against her skin.


    He bit her gently.


    God¡­ Was Kaiden out of his mind?


    Before Ellie could process what happened, Kaiden drew back.


    Then he coldly ordered the driver through the partition of the car, ¡°Stop here.¡±


    His voice was icy.


    The Rolls-Royce Phantom came to a halt by the roadside.


    Kaiden finally looked at Ellie directly. ¡°Get out,¡± he said, his impatience evident.


    Ellie, bewildered, responded, ¡°What?¡±


    .


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 Chapter 7

    ?Chapter 7:


    After a brief pause, Ellie realized she hadn¡¯t misunderstood. Kaiden was actually nning to drop her off on this overpass!


    ¡°Kaiden, are you really making me leave after you kissed me?¡± She huffed.


    Could he be struggling with a split personality?


    ¡°Just leave.¡±


    His icy re seemed to warn her that if she didn¡¯t exit, he might force her out. Ellie was certain he was capable of such discourtesy.


    ¡°Kaiden, this is madness!¡± She eximed.


    He was beingpletely unreasonable. She regretted not pping him just moments ago.


    Reluctantly, Ellie exited the car, unwilling to share any more space with him. Considering what she had done to him in front of Erick, she decided not to hold the unexpected kiss against him.


    They were adults; such games weren¡¯t beyond them. Ellie didn¡¯t delude herself into thinking Kaiden¡¯s kiss had been born of affection. His motives remained a mystery.


    Inside the car, a heavy silence hung in the air. Kaiden massaged his forehead and rolled down the window, letting in the fresh air to ease the odd heat rising within him and the dryness in his throat. His whims often guided him.


    In that fleeting moment before kissing Ellie, he had wanted to recapture the sensation of her kiss, to understand it more clearly. He had acted on impulse, convinced the allure of that moment was just a figment of his imagination. But it was real.


    Perhaps it was her rebellious spirit, barely concealed beneath her obedience, that intrigued him. Disliking the loss of emotional control, he had unhesitatingly ordered her out of the car.


    Through the rearview mirror, Bruce saw Kaiden¡¯s somber expression. As Bruce¡¯s gaze swept over Kaiden¡¯s face for the third time, Kaiden noticed.


    ¡°Go ahead. Say it.¡±


    Bruce carefully broached the subject. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, is it¡­ really okay to leave Miss Gordon alone on the roadside?¡±


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    Bruce was in the dark about what had transpired behind the raised partition and assumed Kaiden had ejected Ellie without reason.


    Kaiden¡¯s frosty gazended on Bruce, his voice sharp. ¡°Would you prefer to join her outside?¡±


    Bruce shuddered and quickly declined. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m sorry. I spoke without thinking!¡±


    Yet, Bruce couldn¡¯t help but recall how Kaiden hadn¡¯t resisted Ellie¡¯s kiss. It had seemed like a miracle, only to be revealed as a fleeting illusion.


    As Ellie made her way back to Moon Manor, she received a call from Litzy Gordon, Demi¡¯s mother.


    ¡°Ellie, after all we¡¯ve done for you, you repay us by mistreating my daughter!¡± Litzy used her without preamble.


    Clearly, Demi had twisted the story for Litzy.


    ¡°I¡¯ve repaid those twenty years by marrying Kaiden. Besides, she meddled with my affairs first!¡± Ellie replied coldly.


    ¡°Demi¡¯s heart is pure. If you hadn¡¯t provoked her, she wouldn¡¯t have meddled with your affairs. Remember, Ellie, you owe her.¡±


    Ellie felt a sense of relief, having long given up on expecting any empathy from them.


    ¡°Ellie, if this happens again, I¡¯ll make Cecelia suffer!¡± Litzy hissed.


    Ellie felt as though a cold wind had blown through her heart. She closed her eyes tightly.


    Litzy¡¯s threat reminded her of the visitation rights she had been granted to see Cecelia, a privilege she hadn¡¯t yet used since her marriage to Kaiden.


    Ellie promptly caught a taxi to the nursing home.


    Cecelia resided in a neglected nursing home, far from ideal. Litzy mistreated Cecelia, her mother-inw, while Houston Gordon, Cecelia¡¯s son and Litzy¡¯s husband, prioritized profit over family, often ignoring the abuse.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Cecelia, in her seventies, greeted her with surprise.


    ¡°Grandma, how have you beentely?¡± Ellie asked, her eyes brimming with tears as she hugged Cecelia.


    ¡°Fine! Everything is fine!¡± Cecelia reassured her, gripping her hand. ¡°And your husband, is he treating you well?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ellie lied effortlessly.


    Cecelia asked a few more questions, each one met with reassuring responses, leaving her smiling contentedly.


    ¡°I was worried about you adjusting to the Thorpe family, but everything is okay now. Just focus on living well. Ahem!¡±


    Cecelia¡¯s words were interrupted by a violent cough, her frail body trembling. Ellie quickly helped her lie down, concern etched on her face.


    ¡°Grandma¡­ would you consider living with me so I can take good care of you?¡± Ellie asked, her voice tinged with hope and worry.


    Cecelia paused, then gently shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m already in a care facility. Besides, your uncle is still around. It doesn¡¯t seem right for a granddaughter to take on this responsibility.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes fell in disappointment, but she wasn¡¯t surprised. She wasn¡¯t Cecelia¡¯s direct kin, and shecked the authority to take her away. Determined, she resolved to find a way to improve Cecelia¡¯s living conditions and not let the Gordon family use her as leverage.


    ¡°Ellie, I might not have much time left. I¡¯d love to see you and Kaiden bless me with a great-grandchild,¡± Cecelia expressed wistfully.


    Ellie¡¯s smile froze momentarily, then she quickly changed the subject. ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t say such things. You¡¯ll live a long, healthy life!¡±


    The idea of a great-grandchild¡­ was something Cecelia would never see.


    The following day, as darkness enveloped the city, Ellie prepared for her meeting with Baylee, dressing in low-key clothing before heading to Rich Bar.


    Rich Bar was a renowned, exclusive club in Critport, frequented by the wealthy elite. Membership at the Rich Bar was a symbol of status and wealth.


    Ellie made her way to a private room upstairs, unaware of two figures lurking nearby.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Bruce observed as Kaiden stopped abruptly, voicing his confusion.


    Kaiden remained silent, his attention fixed on a woman a short distance away.


    She was d in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, a baseball cap concealing most of her face, leaving only her fair chin and full, rosy lips visible. Her slender, elegant figure was striking even in silhouette. Even without seeing her face, Kaiden knew it was Ellie.


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 Chapter 8

    ?Chapter 8:


    Ellie, typically the epitome of decorum, was now secretly meeting with her former fianc¨¦ and frequenting a ce like Rich Bar. She navigated the venue with surprising ease. Indeed, she was a woman with two faces!


    Kaiden halted his wheelchair, his gaze lingering on the path Ellie had taken. He decided to wait, almost as if anticipating a revtion about his wife. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, quickly concealed; Ellie¡¯s dual nature intrigued him.


    Meanwhile, Ellie, oblivious to the attention she had attracted, entered the private room, unlocking it with a password. The room, spacious and elegant, was upied by only one other person.


    This woman had delicate features and soft skin, her charm entuated as she enjoyed an ice cream. The only sign of her frailty was the paleness of her lips. Baylee, the sole heiress of the Curtis family, had always been sheltered and spoiled. Known for her noble origins and a loyal wolfhound at her side, she was a figure no one dared cross, until her family¡¯s fortunes declined.


    ¡°Congrattions on your wedding, babe!¡± Baylee gestured to a seat beside her, weing Ellie.


    Ellie, still irked by the mention of Kaiden, grabbed a coffee and retorted, ¡°Congrattions? Please, spare me any talk about that jerk!¡±


    Baylee didn¡¯t offer sympathy. Instead, she bluntly stated, ¡°You chose this path. The Gordons never treated you well. You shouldn¡¯t have married him out of obligation. And remember¡­¡±


    She paused, then continued, ¡°You¡¯ve known for years you¡¯re not really a Gordon.¡±


    Ellie had learned at fifteen that she was not the biological child of the Gordon family.


    This revtion came when she realized that her blood type made it impossible for Houston and Litzy to be her biological parents. A secret paternity test, using hair samples, had confirmed the absence of any blood connection.


    Since uncovering herck of blood ties to the Gordons, Ellie had stoically endured their criticisms, softening her demeanor and maintaining apliant image. Yet, despite her efforts to trace her biological roots, she remained without any leads.


    ¡°If repaying kindness was your goal, financialpensation would have been much better. We¡¯re hardlycking funds,¡± Baylee said, pleased with Rich Bar¡¯s impressive profit margins. She yfully ribbed Ellie, ¡°No one would guess that the enigmatic owner behind Rich Bar is our own demure Miss Gordon.¡±


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    ¡°And they¡¯d be equally surprised to know that the co-owner is none other than Miss Curtis, famed for hervish lifestyle,¡± Ellie retorted with a smile.


    She then unsealed a leather bag on the table, revealing research data on new pharmaceuticals. After reviewing it, she expressed dissatisfaction. ¡°These experimental results aren¡¯t up to par. We need to revise both the bacterial strains and catalysts.¡±


    Baylee, with her humanities background, found such technical talk overwhelming. ¡°Please, spare me the details! Discuss this with yourb team. Thanks!¡±


    With a click of her tongue, Baylee added, ¡°I don¡¯t get it. You dream of being a leading stylist, yet you delve into scientific research?¡±


    ¡°Being a stylist is my dream, and scientific research is my duty to society. They¡¯re not mutually exclusive,¡± Ellie exined, knowing Baylee¡¯s disinterest. She redirected the conversation. ¡°The Gordons¡¯ greed knows no bounds. Giving them money would only fuel their dependence on me. Even Rich Bar¡¯s entirety wouldn¡¯t satisfy them.¡±


    Ellie sought liberation from their clutches, realizing the best strategy was to make them believe she had nothing more to offer. Her initial intention to treat Houston and Litzy with kindness had disappeared. She was now disillusioned due to their constant threats.


    After wrapping up their business at Rich Bar, they nned an afternoon tea outing. But when they opened the door, Ellie stopped dead in her tracks.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, what a surprise!¡± Kaiden, seated in his wheelchair, regarded her with a rxed air.


    His calm demeanor suggested he had been waiting for her. But why was he even here? Ellie, puzzled by his presence, kept her expression neutral.


    She introduced him to Baylee. ¡°Baylee, meet Kaiden.¡±


    Being a private figure in social circles, Kaiden was a stranger to Baylee. Ellie chose not to disclose her role as Rich Bar¡¯s owner. She and Baylee exchanged a knowing look, silently strategizing.


    Baylee, catching on, addressed Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯ve heard much about you. As Ellie¡¯s close friend, I hope it¡¯s alright to spend time with her, even though she¡¯s your wife now.¡±


    Imagine two women just casually hanging out at Rich Bar? Who would honestly believe that?


    Kaiden, showing no interest in confronting Baylee, simply said to Ellie, ¡°Come here.¡±


    ¡°Baylee, head back first,¡± Ellie suggested, aware of Kaiden¡¯s unpredictable temperament and not wanting Baylee caught up in any potential conflict.


    Baylee expressed concern. ¡°Ellie¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Ellie reassured her with a gentle squeeze of her hand. Now that she was married to Kaiden and sharing a home, Ellie knew that Baylee couldn¡¯t always be by her side.


    Baylee left with a reminder. ¡°Call if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± Ellie then turned to Kaiden, asking, ¡°Did you need something, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    Kaiden didn¡¯t reply immediately. Instead, he studied her with a cold, scrutinizing gaze, as if examining aplex puzzle.


    Ellie maintained an innocent facade, her face exuding a subtle charm and naivety.


    Kaiden realized why the world saw Ellie as well-mannered and graceful; her true nature remained hidden beneath this veneer.


    Ellie was adept at concealing her true self.


    Kaiden was curious about the depths of her seemingly obedient demeanor. He was determined to uncover what trulyy behind it.


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 Chapter 9

    ?Chapter 9:


    ¡°Kaiden, what¡¯s with the hold-up? We¡¯ve been waiting for you!¡± eximed a suave, handsome man as he approached them. In his mid-twenties, with sharp features and dressed in exclusive designer wear, he cut an impressive figure.


    Ellie recognized him from their social circles.


    The man was Jerome Howell, the sole heir of the Howell family, who currently ran one of the top three entertainment conglomerates, wielding significant influence in the industry.


    Ellie had never heard of any close ties between Jerome and Kaiden, yet now Jerome seemed to hold Kaiden in high esteem. Kaiden had kept his connections well hidden.


    ¡°Miss Gordon?¡± Jerome appeared surprised to see Ellie, his look implying more than casual recognition. ¡°After ending things with Erick, you¡¯re already on the lookout for a new partner? Well, Kaiden is not so easily won over.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s previous engagement termination with Erick had been widely publicized, with Erick¡¯s family disparaging her background and questioning her suitability for the Thorpe family.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, you¡¯re reading too much into it,¡± Ellie responded with a smile. She was already Mrs. Thorpe.


    ¡°And why would a demuredy like you be here?¡± Jerome inquired, a mix of curiosity and presumption in his tone. ¡°Seeking some excitement?¡±


    Kaiden, idly tapping his fingers on his wheelchair, suddenly addressed Ellie. ¡°I need assistance.¡±


    As Ellie began to wheel Kaiden into the room, Jerome looked on, puzzled.


    ¡°Bruce, what¡¯s happening?¡± Jerome asked Bruce.


    He had noticed Kaiden¡¯s earlier disdainful demeanor towards Ellie and assumed she was imposing herself on him.


    Bruce, typically stoic, now wore a slight expression of empathy, which Jerome found odd.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, there¡¯s something Mr. Thorpe hasn¡¯t mentioned to you. He and Miss Gordon are married,¡± Bruce revealed.


    Kaiden¡¯s marriage to Ellie was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. It had not been publicly announced.


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    ¡°What?! You mean¡­ they¡¯re married?¡± Jerome was momentarily stunned, mentally kicking himself. ¡°Oh damn¡­ I can¡¯t believe I said that¡­¡±


    How was Kaiden married? How could Ellie make a stone-hearted man like Kaiden fall in love with her?


    ¡°Mr. Howell, we must keep this a secret. I trust you understand.¡±


    ¡°My lips are sealed! I promise!¡± Jerome assured, miming zipping his lips. He relished the thought of others blundering in ignorance of this development.


    VVIP8, the most exclusive private room at Rich Bar, was seldom open to regr patrons. The waiter ushered them inside.


    Once they entered, they saw a mix of men and women mingling. The women, adorned in eye-catching attire, wore engaging smiles. The ambiance wasvish and uninhibited.


    Ellie recognized many of the men, if not personally, then by reputation. This was a gathering of the affluent, where heirs and heiresses of prominent families frequently socialized.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe!¡±


    ¡°There he is¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Why is she here?¡±


    The crowd, initially rising to greet Kaiden, paused upon noticing Ellie. The mood shifted, and the guests exchanged knowing nces. Ellie¡¯s recent, very public split from Erick, followed by her appearance with Kaiden, Erick¡¯s uncle, sparked intrigue and spection.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe,¡± one of the men began, uncertainty in his voice, ¡°is thisdy¡­ yourpanion?¡±


    In this exclusive circle, it wasmon for young heirs to bring femalepanions when they went out to party, but Kaiden was known for only bringing his bodyguard, Bruce, or his assistant, Semaj y. His arrival with a woman marked a notable first.


    Kaiden¡¯s response to the question was a terse, ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s brows knitted together reflexively.


    In this context, panion¡¯ didn¡¯t imply a girlfriend. It suggested something more fleeting, a lover. She hadn¡¯t anticipated ever beingbeled as such.


    Regaining herposure, Ellie elegantly wheeled Kaiden into the room, seemingly oblivious to the inquisitive stares.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, may I leave if you have no further need of me?¡± she murmured to Kaiden, her voice low enough for only them to hear. Unsure why Kaiden had brought her here, Ellie was eager to distance herself from this crowd.


    Kaiden was momentarily distracted by her scent, sweet and milky, and her warm breath tickling his ear, triggering an involuntary shiver. He was reminded of their recent kiss.


    ¡°Stay seated,¡± Kaidenmanded coldly.


    Momentster, a young man around Ellie¡¯s age, undeniably handsome, broke the tense silence with a smile towards Kaiden. ¡°What¡¯s the n today, Kaiden?¡±


    Without a word, Kaiden took a sip of his whiskey, then casually asked, ¡°What would you like Miss Gordon to join you in?¡± Ellie¡¯s astonishment was palpable.


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 Chapter 10

    ?Chapter 10:


    ¡°Kaiden, I am your wife,¡± she hissed, her voice low butced with anger.


    His tone, dismissive and suggestive, was akin to how one might address an escort. It was clear he was trying to humiliate her!


    Kaiden observed Ellie, noting the intense emotion in her eyes. He was curious to see how she would respond.


    ¡°So now you remember you¡¯re my wife?¡± he asked, his tone icy. Did she realize her status as his wife, yet still entertain connections with Erick?


    Ellie grasped his insinuation but opted not to rify. She knew exining her innocence regarding Erick would be futile; he wouldn¡¯t believe her anyway.


    Biting back her frustration, Ellie managed a strained smile and turned to the man who had spoken. ¡°What would Mr. Stephens like to do?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Miss Gordon, didn¡¯t you used to refer to me as Edwin?¡± Edwin Stephens remarked, his voice heavy with sarcasm.


    Edwin, the younger son of the Stephens family known for their dominance in the private hospital sector, had minimal interest in either the family business or the field of medicine. His passiony in music, and he had made a name for himself as a renowned independent artist.


    Ellie and Edwin had been high school ssmates. But as far as Ellie recalled, Edwin had always been inexplicably hostile towards her.


    ¡°Mr. Stephens, what¡¯s your game of choice?¡± Ellie asked, ignoring his sarcasm.


    Edwin nced at Kaiden, then, with a glimmer of excitement, suggested, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, anything goes?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Kaiden responded with a nonchnt air, his expression conveying a message of indifference, as if to say, ¡°Choose as you please.¡±


    Edwin picked up a dice cup, a n forming in his mind. ¡°Ellie, let¡¯s keep it simple. Guess the dice roll; loser drinks.¡± The table wasden with potent vodka.


    Edwin was known for his dice skills.


    ¡°Mr. Stephens, aren¡¯t you being a bit unfair to Miss Gordon? She¡¯s not ustomed to such crude games. She¡¯s a schr, not a gambler!¡± someone jeered. ¡°Forget dice; Miss Gordon probably can¡¯t even interpret them.¡±


    Laughter echoed around the room.


    Ellie cast a hopeful nce at Kaiden, silently pleading for him to reject Edwin¡¯s challenge. Yet, Kaiden seemed indifferent, casually fiddling with his wristwatch, paying no heed to the ridicule aimed at Ellie.


    A wave of anger swept over her. She stared at the man in the wheelchair for a tense moment before a defiant smile crept onto her face.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s y!¡±


    Her voice, firm and clear, silenced theughter.


    ¡°But, Mr. Stephens, mere drinkingcks excitement. Let¡¯s up the stakes. How about the loser removes a piece of clothing? We keep going until¡­ well, we¡¯re naked!¡±


    The suggestion stunned the crowd, yet they buzzed with anticipation.


    As Ellie spoke her final words, her gaze flickered toward Kaiden. Kaiden¡¯s expression shifted, his eyes sharpening with a warning re. Ellie leaned in, her whisper barely audible. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you wanted a game, didn¡¯t you? Let¡¯s make it interesting.¡± Her daring was unmistakable.


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 Chapter 11

    ?Chapter 11:


    Ellie¡¯s eyebrows arched subtly, a silent challenge in her gaze.


    This gesture stirred something in Kaiden, like a feather lightly brushing against his heart, provoking an unexpected flutter that he instinctively wanted to shake off.


    Kaiden clenched his jaw, his displeasure evident.


    His silent vow was clear: if she dared to disrobe, he would banish her from Moon Manor.


    The tension between them was palpable, yet to the onlookers, it appeared as an intimate exchange.


    Ellie and Edwin settled at the table, dice cups in hand.


    Ellie¡¯s poise and dignity contrasted sharply with Edwin¡¯s casual, lordly posture.


    Kaiden upied the seat of honor, his gaze unreadable.


    The audience encircled them, anticipating the spectacle. To them, Ellie was merely a passing fancy for Kaiden, a ything to be undressed at will.


    Dice games varied, but they all shared one truth: the roll of the dice swiftly sealed one¡¯s fate.


    Ten minutes into the game, Ellie sat gracefully, one hand supporting her cheek, a triumphant smile on her lips. Across from her, Edwin, now in only his underwear, squirmed under her gaze. She teased, ¡°Shall we continue, Mr. Stephens?¡±


    In just ten minutes, Ellie hadn¡¯t lost a single round, leaving Edwin in his boxers.


    Kaiden watched Ellie with a nk expression, his thoughts unreadable.


    ¡°Ellie, how¡­ how are you so adept at dice?¡±


    Edwin¡¯s face fluctuated between embarrassment and fury as he red at her, a mix of disbelief and anger in his eyes.


    The others present exchanged silent, shocked looks.


    Ellie¡¯s skill with the dice, her precise throws and unwavering confidence, marked her as a seasoned yer, a stark contrast to her known persona of grace andposure.


    Ellie shrugged with feigned helplessness. ¡°Necessity teaches many skills.¡±


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    Her expression seemed to say, ¡°I wish I didn¡¯t have to, but I¡¯m just too good,¡± which infuriated Edwin further, reminding him of the unspoken rule against harming a woman.


    ¡°Kaiden, your wife is quite the skillful yer! A dice prodigy!¡± Jerome couldn¡¯t help but express his amazement to Kaiden.


    He had initially feared for Ellie, thinking she might be at a disadvantage, but it was clear now that she had cleverly outmaneuvered Edwin.


    Kaiden observed Ellie with aposed demeanor, choosing not to engage with Jerome¡¯sments.


    His initial intent to embarrass her had inadvertently provided her an opportunity to showcase her talents.


    Her smile was soft, yet her eyes sparkled with a mischievous light. Navigating life¡¯splexities demanded diverse skills? Kaiden snorted at Ellie¡¯s nonsense.


    She clearly exhibited a streak of rebellion!


    Ellie, embracing the moment, yfully teased Edwin, ¡°Mr. Stephens, you may appear slim, but I must say, your physique is quite impressive. You¡¯ve got muscles where it counts.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you have no shame!¡± Edwin seethed, each wordced with frustration.


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 Chapter 12

    ?Chapter 12:


    Ellie, resting her cheek in her hand, couldn¡¯t hide her amusement. ¡°Mr. Thorpe hasn¡¯t called me shameless yet, have you, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    Her gaze toward Kaiden was a blend of innocence and seduction, her eyes dancing with challenge, as if to say, ¡°Will you let me continue this game?¡±


    It was just a disy of the human body, nothing more than what any adult might have seen in a porn scene.


    Kaiden¡¯s n to make her the butt of jokes was turning on him. Ellie was not about to let him remain a mere observer in this situation.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes held a dark intensity as he idly twirled a ss of red wine. His face betrayed no emotion, but the tense atmosphere around him was a clear indicator of his displeasure.


    The room fell into a hushed stillness, with everyone too apprehensive to even breathe.


    Was Ellie¡­ witnessing her final moments of peace? Was she pushing her luck too far?


    ¡°Hmm? Mr. Thorpe?¡± Ellie pressed, her tone yful yet respectful. ¡°Shall I continue the game? I¡¯ll follow your decision.¡± Her words wereced with a flirtatious softness.


    Such a disy from a woman known for her elegance was disarming, leaving many young men present visibly captivated.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened further. He picked up a piece of clothing and tossed it to Edwin, instructing, ¡°Get dressed.¡±


    Edwin exhaled in relief, grateful to recover his clothes.


    Ellie pped her hands cheerfully, stood, and moved to a quieter spot in the room. This was the moment she had been waiting for.


    Edwin¡¯s body had never interested her.


    As she walked past Kaiden, he suddenly caught her wrist.


    ¡°Behave,¡± he warned her, his voice low and for her ears only.


    Ellie gazed at him with feigned innocence, leaned closer, and whispered, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, haven¡¯t I followed your instructions? Am I not merely obeying yourmand? You¡¯re quite hard to please.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze drifted downwards. ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll give you an opportunity to do just that,¡± he said. ¡°Weren¡¯t you about to share my bed?¡±


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    Ellie¡¯s face tensed for a brief moment before she quickly retreated to a corner, her pace quickening. She couldn¡¯t risk staying close to him, not when he might make another unsettling remark.


    Kaiden¡¯sugh was low and knowing.


    Ellie might talk a big game, but deep down, she was cautious and wary. During the party¡¯stter stages, Ellie became a mere shadow in the corner, her presence almost unnoticed.


    Kaiden indulged in drinks throughout the party.


    On their ride back to Moon Manor in the Bentley, Ellie and Kaiden sat at opposite ends of the backseat. Kaiden¡¯s scent, heavy with alcohol, permeated the air.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze inadvertently met Ellie¡¯s, noticing her subtle grimace of distaste. Did she dislike the smell of alcohol?


    Kaiden recalled her refusal to drink in the private room. She clearly preferred to abstain from alcohol.


    A mischievous thought crossed his mind: what if he offered her a shot of strong liquor? He was curious to see how this dignified and defiant woman would react. It would certainly be entertaining.


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 Chapter 13

    ?Chapter 13:


    ¡°Kaiden.¡± Ellie¡¯s voice, both clear and soft, broke the silence.


    Pondering Kaiden¡¯s recent actions, she voiced her confusion. ¡°I¡¯m trying to understand why you agreed to marry me if you don¡¯t like me.¡±


    Kaiden, outwardly, appeared bound by his family¡¯s expectations. However, Ellie had observed his assertiveness and influence.


    She knew the Thorpe family couldn¡¯t control him against his will. Yet, he had still chosen to bring her into his family, seemingly against his own desires.


    The carpsed into silence. No response came.


    Kaiden leaned back, his eyes closed, appearing to rest. His profile was undeniably handsome, but it radiated a cold, detached air.


    Ellie let out a huff of frustration. After her triumph over Edwin earlier, she was in no mood to engage further with Kaiden. But then, her phone buzzed.


    It was a message from Baylee. ¡°I¡¯m home now!¡± Ellie responded with a simple, ¡°Good.¡±


    Baylee then texted, ¡°Kaiden doesn¡¯t look too bad, definitely a step up from Erick. Hey¡­ does his disability affect his¡­ performance in bed?¡±


    Ellie remained silent after Baylee¡¯s suggestive message.


    Feeling a twinge of guilt, she risked a quick nce at Kaiden, swiftly averting her eyes before he could catch her looking.


    Deep down, she wanted to reassure Baylee that Kaiden¡¯s legs were just fine. And¡­ his performance in bed might not be bad?


    Baylee¡¯s message continued, ¡°I just realized, I haven¡¯t given you a wedding gift yet. How about I send you a box of¡­ well, you know?¡± Baylee¡¯s message had a yful edge. ¡°We¡¯re both adults here. You can enjoy your handsome husband, but remember, no babies, okay?¡± Enjoy Kaiden?


    Ellie, somewhat taken aback, responded, ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass! Sounds like you¡¯re speaking from experience, hmm?¡± Baylee didn¡¯t reply.


    In truth, she hadn¡¯t reached that stage with Quincy Rollins; they¡¯d be estranged before things could progress.


    Wrapping up the conversation with Baylee, Ellie¡¯s gaze unintentionally drifted towards Kaiden¡¯s¡­


    Well, it seemed that¡­ his little buddy was quite¡­


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice, icy and sharp, broke her train of thought.


    Ellie, startled, considered a quick lie, but her curiosity prevailed. After a brief hesitation, she blurted out, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that¡­ Well, a man¡¯s stature might corrte with other¡­ parts¡­ of his body. Is that true?¡±


    Bruce, who was driving the car, was visibly shocked, nearly hitting the brakes.


    Was Ellie aware he could hear her?


    Kaiden¡¯s cold gaze met Ellie¡¯s, and she realized her mistake. Perhaps herck of sleep was to me for her silly question.


    Quickly trying to recover, she added, ¡°You don¡¯t have to answer. It was just a passing thought. I¡¯m not interested in you.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s response held a sneer. ¡°Really? Then who are you interested in? Erick?¡±


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 Chapter 14

    ?Chapter 14:


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Kaiden always brought up Erick.


    She quickly connected the dots. Despite Erick being Kaiden¡¯s nephew and only a few years his junior, the two were oftenpared due to their simr ages. Plus, with Erick being the son of Kaiden¡¯s eldest brother, a sense of rivalry was almost inevitable.


    Shaking her head, Ellie spoke earnestly. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about Erick¡¯s¡­ situation, but I doubt it¡¯s anything to boast about.¡±


    Considering Erick¡¯s notorious flings with numerous women, his cleanliness was questionable.


    Her face, unbeknownst to her, disyed clear disdain.


    Kaiden, pulling his gaze away, felt an unacknowledged sense of gratification.


    Upon arriving at Moon Manor, Kaiden asked Bruce to remain.


    ¡°Why was she at Rich Bar? What¡¯s your take on it?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°Are you referring to Miss Curtis or Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Bruce asked, receiving a sharp look from Kaiden.


    Realizing his mistake, Bruce quickly corrected himself. ¡°You mean Mrs. Thorpe, right? Miss Curtis is a well-known socialite. If Mrs. Thorpe, who¡¯s more reserved, was at Rich Bar, it¡¯s probably because of Miss Curtis.¡±


    Kaiden eyed Bruce skeptically. ¡°Did you bribe someone to pass your IQ?¡±


    He wondered how Bruce, with such simple thinking, had managed to score the highest IQ among the orphans and catch his attention.


    Everyone knew about the close bond between Baylee and Ellie. Could Baylee¡¯s words bepletely trusted?


    Moreover, if Ellie really was a demuredy, how could she possess exceptional dice skills?


    Bruce remained silent, unsure of how to respond.


    Despite Bruce¡¯s confidence in his intellect, Kaiden¡¯s remark had stung.


    ¡°Look into how often Ellie goes to Rich Bar,¡± Kaiden instructed. ¡°And have that ce investigated.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Bruce replied.


    Kaiden had a suspicion. Ellie, seemingly docile, was perhaps not as simple as she appeared.


    Ellie¡¯s gown arrived at Moon Manor¡¯s security office the day before the Fashion Ceremony.


    Cayson, on the phone with the security office, reported to Kaiden, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s gown is at the entrance.¡± He nced at Kaiden, waiting for a response.


    Kaiden, absorbed in a merger contract, looked up at Cayson. His face seemed to say, ¡°Should I get it for her?¡±


    Cayson instructed the guards to bring in the gown and exined, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, since you just got married, it¡¯s not exactly clear to us how you regard her. So we aren¡¯t sure how to treat her.¡±


    Kaiden, still preupied with the contract, nced up. ¡°How I regard her?¡± he echoed, a hint of surprise in his tone.


    Cayson borated, ¡°After the wedding, you sent Mrs. Thorpe away and threw away her gown. And she¡¯s been taking taxis recently. It¡¯s led to some¡­ spection.¡±


    Bruce, sorting papers nearby, couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°And, Mr. Thorpe, you did leave her on the road earlier.¡±


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 Chapter 15

    ?Chapter 15:


    They seemed to be using Kaiden of being nothing but cruel to Ellie!


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze turned icy, his presence intimidating.


    Bruce quickly averted his eyes, regretting his interjection.


    Kaiden¡¯s frown deepened, displeased with the implication that he was mistreating Ellie.


    Ellie, having slipped into the gown and applied minimal makeup, took just an hour to get ready.


    She descended the stairs in a sleek ck satin gown, her long hair now casually tied up. The gown, elegantly simple with a knee-high slit,plemented her soft skin against the dark fabric.


    Holding a clutch, Ellie approached Kaiden. ¡°I need to step out for a bit,¡± she said, maintaining courtesy.


    Before, she hadn¡¯t told Kaiden of her whereabouts due to his frequent absences. Now, with him present, she observed the proper etiquette.


    Kaiden remained focused on his documents, not uttering a word.


    Ellie¡¯s gown arrived at Moon Manor¡¯s security office the day before the Fashion Ceremony.


    Cayson, on the phone with the security office, reported to Kaiden, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s gown is at the entrance.¡± He nced at Kaiden, waiting for a response.


    Kaiden, absorbed in a merger contract, looked up at Cayson. His face seemed to say, ¡°Should I get it for her?¡±


    Cayson instructed the guards to bring in the gown and exined, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, since you just got married, it¡¯s not exactly clear to us how you regard her. So we aren¡¯t sure how to treat her.¡±


    Kaiden, still preupied with the contract, nced up. ¡°How I regard her?¡± he echoed, a hint of surprise in his tone.


    Cayson borated, ¡°After the wedding, you sent Mrs. Thorpe away and threw away her gown. And she¡¯s been taking taxis recently. It¡¯s led to some¡­ spection.¡±


    Bruce, sorting papers nearby, couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°And, Mr. Thorpe, you did leave her on the road earlier.¡±


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    They seemed to be using Kaiden of being nothing but cruel to Ellie!


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze turned icy, his presence intimidating.


    Bruce quickly averted his eyes, regretting his interjection.


    Kaiden¡¯s frown deepened, displeased with the implication that he was mistreating Ellie.


    Ellie, having slipped into the gown and applied minimal makeup, took just an hour to get ready.


    She descended the stairs in a sleek ck satin gown, her long hair now casually tied up. The gown, elegantly simple with a knee-high slit,plemented her soft skin against the dark fabric.


    Holding a clutch, Ellie approached Kaiden. ¡°I need to step out for a bit,¡± she said, maintaining courtesy.


    Before, she hadn¡¯t told Kaiden of her whereabouts due to his frequent absences. Now, with him present, she observed the proper etiquette.


    Kaiden remained focused on his documents, not uttering a word.


    His demeanor seemed to say, ¡°Your ns are of no concern to me.¡± Ellie¡¯s lips tightened in irritation. ¡°Such rudeness,¡± she thought.


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 Chapter 16

    ?Chapter 16:


    As she entered the foyer to slip into her high heels, Kaiden called out, ¡°Cayson, have a car ready for her.¡±


    Ellie quickly responded, ¡°No, thank you.¡± She preferred to keep her distance from Kaiden.


    Kaiden¡¯s tone was icy as he replied, ¡°Just cooperate, Mrs. Thorpe.¡± His words, a mix ofmand and warning, conveyed, ¡°I don¡¯t mistreat my wife.¡±


    Ellie stood there, baffled. She never used him of mistreatment.


    Cayson looked on, feeling responsible for Kaiden¡¯s stern words.


    Once Ellie had departed, Kaiden received a call regarding the Fashion Ceremony being hosted at their venue.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, there¡¯s a reserved seat for you,¡± the caller informed.


    ¡°I won¡¯t attend,¡± Kaiden dismissed, disinterested in such gatherings.


    Then it hit him: Ellie had no jewelry for the event.


    ¡°Cayson, get some women¡¯s clothes and essories for her.¡±


    Cayson, understanding who it was for, asked, ¡°How much should we prepare?¡±


    ¡°Enough to fill her dressing room,¡± Kaiden replied.


    That room, however, spanned at least a hundred square meters of the house. Therefore, filling it up wasn¡¯t an easy task.


    The Fashion Ceremony, a morous event, attracted many from the entertainment and fashion industries.


    Ellie, finding her seat, overheard a scornful remark.


    ¡°Demi, isn¡¯t that the despicable woman who robbed you of twenty years of a luxurious life?¡±


    The speaker, adorned in a bold red dress and leather boots, stood out like a pop idol. Demi, beside her, was d in Dior¡¯stest whitece gown, her Chanel handbag and impable appearance radiating wealth.


    ¡°Dani, please.¡± Demi shook her head at the girl who spoke, signaling her to stop.


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    Dani Maynard, once a member of Demi¡¯s girl group, remained her steadfast ally after the group disbanded. Aware of Demi¡¯s wealthy heiress status, Dani was always quick to defend and tter her.


    ¡°Ellie, please ignore her. Dani means no offense. She¡¯s just being protective of me,¡± Demi hastened to exin.


    Ellie wondered, if there was no malice, why the need for ¡®protection¡¯?


    Demi¡¯s words seemed insincere, but Ellie chose not to engage further.


    Yet, Demi abruptly shifted the conversation. ¡°I¡¯m curious, Ellie. You¡¯ve just graduated, and given your profile, how did you manage an invite here?¡±


    Dani added, her smile veiled with malice, ¡°Maybe she used some underhanded means? Wouldn¡¯t be surprised with a face like hers.¡±


    Ellie retorted with a calm smile, ¡°These events have strict criteria for invitations. Are you implying the organizers are unfair? Shall we inquire with them?¡±


    Ellie, despitecking the typical qualifications and fame, had earned her ce through her academic excellence and awards in image design contests.


    Demi, caught off guard by Ellie¡¯s reply, could only offer a weak, ¡°I was just speaking casually.¡± She wouldn¡¯t dare question the organizers of the event.


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 Chapter 17

    ?Chapter 17:


    As Ellie prepared to walk away, something caught her eye. A striking diamond ne graced Demi¡¯s neck, each stone impably cut and shimmering.


    Ellie¡¯s voice dropped subtly, unnoticed by others, as shemented, ¡°Your ne is quite stunning.¡±


    This ne had been a bespoke creation by Ellie for Baylee, only to vanish from her home. Now, it adorned Demi¡¯s neck, revealing that Litzy had taken it.


    As Demi touched the ne, she boasted, ¡°It¡¯s a top-notch diamond ne, designed by a renowned master. My family treasures me; my mother had it made especially for me.¡±


    Demi had spotted the ne at the Gordon family vi and yfully persuaded Litzy to gift it to her.


    ¡°Such beauty! It¡¯s no wonder I was captivated by your ne,¡± one of the guests remarked.


    ¡°Demi, you¡¯re so lucky to have such a caring mother,¡± Dani and other celebrities chimed in, showering her withpliments. The buzz drew the attention of others in the fashion circle, curious about a piece designed by a prominent designer.


    Ellie observed quietly as the group admired and discussed the ne. Suddenly, a voice cut through the chatter, ¡°Wait a minute! Isn¡¯t that the ne Ellie made for Baylee?¡±


    Demi, always alert to mentions of Ellie, forced a strained smile. ¡°Please, don¡¯t spread rumors if you¡¯re uninformed. I¡¯m a Gordon, and this ne was custom-made for me,¡± she stressed.


    The emphasis on ¡°me¡± was intentional, an attempt to distance Ellie from the Gordon family.


    ¡°Jesus!¡± Hearing this, the woman who had just spoken burst intoughter along with her friends, as if they¡¯d heard an amusing joke. Ellie, leaning against the bar, watched the unfolding drama with a detached gaze, her chin resting in her hand.


    Jerome leaned against the railing on the second floor, his eyes scanning the bustling crowd below.


    His gazended on Ellie, unmistakable even in her understated ck attire.


    Ellie tried to blend in, but her natural grace made her stand out. Each movement she made was effortlessly elegant.


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    Jerome quickly snapped a picture, sending it to Kaiden with a yful message. ¡°Hey! Look who I found!¡±


    In his study, Kaiden looked at the photo with a raised eyebrow, replying with a simple question mark. That question mark meant he was asking where Jerome had seen Ellie.


    Jerome, with a smirk, texted back, ¡°She¡¯s at the Fashion Ceremony you¡¯re skipping out on. Why note here and join in on the fun? You might even see some drama. Well, your wife looks like she¡¯s nning something.¡±


    ¡°nning something? Again?¡±


    Kaiden clenched his jaw, feeling a stir of curiosity.


    The Fashion Ceremony suddenly seemed less tedious. Maybe he should drop by, albeit begrudgingly?


    Meanwhile, in the banquet hall¡­


    ¡°I am spreading rumors?¡± The woman¡¯sugh was tinged with sarcasm. ¡°Everyone knows that Ellie¡¯s gifts to Baylee are always personalized, often adorned with initials of their names painstakingly carved into them.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s a small ¡®EG¡¯¡­ And there¡¯s a ¡®BC.¡¯ So it is personalized!¡±


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 Chapter 18

    ?Chapter 18:


    Dani¡¯s face scrunched up, feeling a mix of emotions. ¡°Demi¡­ What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Demi¡¯s hand flew to her ne, yanking it off to reveal the initials.


    Her face was a whirlwind of emotions.


    She fought the urge to confront Ellie right then and there.


    Ellie had deliberately marked the jewelry to embarrass her publicly, a cunning move. That vile woman!


    Ellie touched her neck, silently taunting, ¡°See? You¡¯re not wearing anything either!¡±


    Demi, seething, wanted to destroy the ne in front of everyone but hesitated. Instead, she shoved it angrily into her purse.


    Ellie¡¯s smile widened.


    The ne, a symbol of Demi¡¯s greed and folly, wasn¡¯t even hers, yet she unted it.


    Ellie¡¯s presence at the banquet wasn¡¯t about confronting Demi. She spent her time mingling with fashion industry professionals, engaging in light-hearted conversations and sharing her innovative ideas, which only served to polish her professional image.


    As the banquet continued, Ellie stepped outside for a breather.


    Returning to the hall, she was greeted by the final notes of ¡°My Own True Love¡± echoing from the violin.


    Then, a voice she recognized took over the stage.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a rough journey for my daughter, but now, she¡¯s my pride and joy. When you see our Demi, I hope you¡¯ll treat her with kindness.¡±


    Peering through the crowd, Ellie spotted Houston, Litzy, and Demi onstage, basking in the spotlight.


    The crowd¡¯s view of Demi shifted instantly, buzzing with admiration for her beauty and talent. The incident of Demi wearing borrowed jewelry and lying about it seemed forgotten, reced by praises and congrattions.


    Demi had orchestrated this moment with Houston and Litzy, seeking to overshadow her earlier embarrassment. Together, they reveled in the warm reception.


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    Ellie watched, finding it all quite ironic.


    Demi, who had earlier caught sight of Ellie, now wore a smug smile.


    A voice then pierced the celebratory air, ¡°Isn¡¯t Mr. Gordon¡¯s other daughter equally noteworthy? I heard that she¡¯s not only beautiful but also a talented violinist. She was even praised by a famous musician!¡±


    A hush fell over the hall momentarily.


    The whispers about the Gordon family having ¡®another¡¯ daughter had been a hot topic in elite circles. Not widely known in fashion and entertainment, the rumor had nheless made its rounds.


    Demi¡¯s expression soured, a look of distress crossing her face as she turned to Houston and Litzy. ¡°Dad, Mom¡­¡± she whispered, her voiceced with dismay.


    The praises beingvished on Ellie felt like a p in the face to Demi.


    For the Gordons, the idea of an adopted daughter outshining their biological one was more than just a personal insult; it struck at their family¡¯s prestige.


    Houston, keen to defend Demi, adjusted his tone. ¡°Demi is a prodigy. She never had the luxury of formal training. As for Ellie, well, her musical abilities have waned over time, nowhere near Demi¡¯s level.¡±


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 Chapter 19

    ?Chapter 19:


    Litzy joined in, a tinge of regret in her voice. ¡°If things had been different, Demi would have remained with us and received the care she deserved. She¡¯d have surpassed even her current achievements.¡±


    Their words stirred a wave of sympathy among the audience. Meanwhile, in a secluded spot upstairs, Jerome, a ss of champagne in his hand, lounged with an air of nonchnce.


    He nudged the man who had just joined him. ¡°Kaiden, didn¡¯t you tell me that you weren¡¯ting? Wow, I¡¯ve never seen you go back on your word before.¡±


    Kaiden shot him a cool stare.


    What a whiny man!


    Jerome, picking up on Kaiden¡¯s mood, quickly shifted the topic. ¡°Look at the Gordons. They¡¯re painting your wife as the viin, taking what was supposedly Demi¡¯s spotlight. It¡¯s quite a spectacle, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Is this what you meant by ¡®she¡¯s nning something¡¯?¡±


    It seemed more like Demi was the one ying games.


    His eyes found Ellie in the crowd, her ck dress andposed demeanor masking a sense of istion.


    Kaiden felt a pang of difort.


    Despite their arranged marriage, seeing Ellie in such a predicament still bothered him.


    Jerome rubbed his nose awkwardly, trying to rify. ¡°Earlier, it was your wife who cleverly put Demi in a tight spot. Demi wore Ellie¡¯s ne, and Ellie¡¯s quick wit left her humiliated!¡±


    Yet, Demi hadn¡¯t yed fair, resorting to ying the victim and seeking sympathy from everyone else.


    The Gordons had turned a simple business event into their personal stage.


    ¡°Do you n to step in for your wife?¡± Jerome probed.


    ¡°No.¡±


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    Jerome cast a quick nce at Kaiden, noting his icy demeanor, and simply shook his head. Why did he seem so bothered by her troubles if he wasn¡¯t going to help?


    Puzzled, Jerome questioned, ¡°Kaiden, something doesn¡¯t add up. Before Demi¡¯s return, the Gordons were unaware that Ellie wasn¡¯t their biological child. Yet, they treated her poorly. Now, they shower Demi with affection. Why?¡±


    ¡°They had a son before.¡±


    Jerome¡¯s memory clicked. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right! The Gordons¡¯ son died young. That exins why Ellie suffered.¡±


    The Gordons, having preferred their son, neglected their daughter. After their son¡¯s tragic death in a fight, unable to have more children, they shifted their focus to their remaining daughter.


    Jerome, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Ellie, paused, realizing something was amiss.


    ¡°Hold on, Kaiden. The Gordon family¡¯s tragedy was kept under tight wraps. How did youe to know about this? Weren¡¯t you just starting to get to know Ellie?¡±


    ¡°So nosy!¡± Kaiden chastised, shooting a frosty re at Jerome, effectively putting a stop to his questions.


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 Chapter 20

    ?Chapter 20:


    On the stage, Demi¡¯s eyes suddenly caught sight of Ellie. Her voice, filled with surprise, rang out. ¡°Ellie, why are you just standing there? Mom and Dad searched for you but couldn¡¯t find you.¡±


    Demi was implying that Litzy and Houston had been looking for Ellie.


    How could Ellie just stand there idly and watch?


    As Demi pointed her out, the guests¡¯ attention turned to a striking woman d in a subtle ck evening gown.


    Litzy, apanied by her husband, hade to support Demi, knowing that Ellie had caused Demi to lose face.


    She suddenly had an idea of how to humiliate Ellie. She gestured and called, ¡°Ellie,e here, dear.¡± Demi¡¯sughter echoed softly.


    Today wasn¡¯t just about her shining; it was about unveiling Ellie¡¯s real background to the high-profile circles of entertainment and fashion. A personcking a wealthy background was one thing, but masquerading as a refineddy was quite another!


    Ellie, though not close to the Gordons, her adoptive parents, feltpelled to uphold a certain decorum.


    Gracefully lifting her gown, she walked over to them.


    Litzy, with a friendly demeanor, suggested, ¡°They say you¡¯re quite talented with the violin. Would you grace us with a performance?¡± Ellie was now in a tough spot.


    Outperforming Demi could imply she exploited Demi¡¯s resources. But performing poorly would only elevate Demi¡¯s superiority.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s been ages since Ist yed. I don¡¯t know how to y anymore,¡± Ellie declined, choosing diplomacy over confrontation.


    Litzy, with a mix of satisfaction and disappointment, shook her head.


    ¡°Have you truly forgotten? Such a waste of our years of nurturing. If Demi had started young, she might be in a prestigious conservatory now. Even the former Mrs. Thorpe once admired your talent. Well, I guess she misjudged you.¡±


    The ¡°former Mrs. Thorpe¡± Litzy referred to was Brisa Thorpe, Kaiden¡¯s mother.


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    Ellie had first encountered Brisa as a judge at a high school violinpetition. Since then, Brisa had been a source of encouragement and support for her. Ellie always held Brisa in high regard.


    Tragically, Brisa had sumbed to an illness years ago, a loss that still weighed on Ellie.


    Upon hearing Brisa¡¯s name, Ellie¡¯s neutral facade gave way to visible irritation.


    Litzy¡¯s opinion of her mattered little, but to tarnish Brisa¡¯s image was unforgivable. One¡¯s reputation was precious and not to be tarnished so lightly!


    ¡°Could you find me a banjo?¡± Ellie abruptly inquired of a nearby waiter.


    For Ellie, the banjo was the perfect instrument to settle this quietly simmering rivalry. Her intent was clear: to overshadow Demipletely.


    Before the waiter could reply, Demi interjected with augh, ¡°A banjo? There¡¯s a special one at the banquet hall entrance, but it¡¯s not for ying. It¡¯s an antique.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine with any banjo,¡± Ellie said, maintaining herposure.


    The waiter replied, ¡°Excuse me for a moment, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Walking to the side, the waiter called Jerome to inform him of the situation.


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 Chapter 21

    ?Chapter 21:


    ¡°Ellie can y the banjo?¡± Jerome asked Kaiden, surprised. ¡°I only knew about her violin skills.¡±


    ¡°Does she have to tell you that?¡± Kaiden retorted sharply, his gaze icy.


    ¡°Well¡­ No!¡± Jerome, taken aback,ughed nervously. He didn¡¯t dare say ¡°yes.¡±


    ¡°Bring the one from the hall,¡± Kaiden directed.


    Jerome¡¯s casual demeanor vanished, reced by astonishment. ¡°Kaiden, that banjo belonged to your mother. Since her passing, no one has¡­¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s stern voice cut him off. ¡°Just do it.¡±


    Jerome understood the significance of this gesture. That banjo, once Brisa¡¯s, was off-limits. But now, Kaiden was allowing Ellie to y it.


    Jerome knew that Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s marriage stemmed from an engagement, with Kaiden epting Ellie somewhat reluctantly. Yet, the reasons behind Kaiden¡¯s decision to let Ellie y that valuable banjo remained a mystery.


    The waiter promptly returned, banjo in hand, and presented it to Ellie. ¡°That¡¯s the one from the hall!¡± an onlooker immediately recognized.


    Just a short while ago, Demi had taunted Ellie, asserting that the banjo in the hall was an antique meant for disy only. Now, as Ellie took hold of it, Demi¡¯s smugness seemed to fade, reced by a sense of being publicly mocked.


    Demi, masking her frustration with a forced smile, questioned the waiter, ¡°Isn¡¯t that banjo off-limits to guests?¡±


    The waiter nodded. ¡°Usually it is. But the owner made an exception for Miss Gordon, given her proficiency.¡±


    This banjo, a prized possession overseen by Jerome, a titan in the entertainment industry, had never been lent out despite numerous requests. Why was Ellie being given special treatment? Demi seethed with jealousy.


    ¡°Ellie, do you honestly think you can y the banjo? ying the banjo is no easy feat. Don¡¯t overestimate your abilities and risk further embarrassment,¡± Demi warned, unable to stomach the fact that Ellie had been given permission to y the banjo.


    Ellie merely nced at Demi, then elegantly positioned the banjo on herp, her fingers gently touching the strings.


    For updates, visit ?¦Ál?ov??s.co?


    The initial notes rang out clear and melodic, capturing everyone¡¯s attention.


    Her fingers danced swiftly across the strings, producing sounds as varied as gentle raindrops and soft whispers. The music escted, embodying the grandeur and intensity of a battle, overwhelming the audience. A voice from the crowd rang out, ¡°She¡¯s ying ¡®House of Flying Daggers¡¯!¡±


    ¡°House of Flying Daggers¡± was a renowned banjoposition, known for itsplexity,yered melodies, and profound emotions. Its execution demanded exceptional skill and rapid hand movements. Yet, Ellie performed it with such ease, as though it were a mere warm-up exercise.


    Her gaze lowered, her features radiating perfection and elegance, a spectacle for both the eyes and ears.


    The audience was jolted back to reality when Ellie handed the banjo back to the waiter, offering her gratitude.


    Even those not versed in music were captivated by the quality of Ellie¡¯s performance.


    ¡°Amazing! That was absolutely beautiful!¡±


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 Chapter 22

    ?Chapter 22:


    Amidst the apuse, the smiles of Litzy and Houston were strained.


    Once again, their adoptive daughter had overshadowed their own. Demi¡¯s and Litzy¡¯s expressions darkened.


    Since when did Ellie y the banjo? How was she able to y it so well?!


    ¡°Even if my violin skills aren¡¯t what they once were, Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s faith in my musical abilities wasn¡¯t misced. She believed my talent extended beyond the violin.¡± Ellie¡¯s performance was a testament to Brisa¡¯s urate judgment.


    Ellie then looked up, addressing the room. ¡°Also, Brisa Thorpe is Mrs. Thorpe, not the former Mrs. Thorpe. She remains the only Mrs. Thorpe in this generation of their family!¡±


    Her words subtly highlighted the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate rtionships within the Thorpe family.


    After her performance, Ellie thanked the waiter for his assistance. But the waiter corrected her, ¡°Miss Gordon, your thanks should go to someone else. Mr. Howell is waiting outside for you.¡±


    Jerome, d in a suit and vest, stood outside on the porch. He acknowledged Ellie with a nod as she approached.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, thank you for the banjo,¡± Ellie spoke graciously.


    With a knowing smirk, Jerome responded, ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re thanking the wrong person here.¡±


    Ellie paused, slightly confused by his remark.


    ¡°The banjo is your husband¡¯s. I needed his permission to lend it to you,¡± Jerome gestured towards the parking lot. ¡°The one you should be thanking is over there.¡±


    Her¡­ husband? This term still felt alien to Ellie. She hesitated before asking, ¡°You mean¡­ Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°Who else?¡± Jerome nodded, adding with a wry grin, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ellie, your secret¡¯s safe with me. I won¡¯t tell anyone about your marriage.¡±


    Ellie suspected that Jerome¡¯s discretion had more to do with Kaiden¡¯s instructions than his own will. Their marriage hadn¡¯t been made public, making it a matter of confidentiality.


    Approaching the parking lot, Ellie recognized a Bentley Mulsanne, particrly its license te.


    Find your adventure at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm (uso de ¡°?¡± y ¡°§à¡± cir¨ªlica)


    She saw Bruce in the driver¡¯s seat and promptly stepped in front of the car to halt it.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe is here.¡± Bruce immediately hit the brakes and ryed the message to the person in the back seat.


    Ellie circled to the other side of the car and tapped on the rear window. As it lowered, Kaiden¡¯s face came into view.


    His gaze was icy, his expression stern. ¡°Ellie, stopping in front of a moving car? Are you that tired of living?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s intended words of gratitude were swiftly stifled by his cold demeanor.


    She first made sure that the car was slow enough as to not hit her. Why did Kaiden, despite his handsome features, have to speak so harshly? She shoved herints down her throat and stared at Kaiden for a moment.


    Kaiden sat back, eyes closed, hands crossed as if to say, ¡°Speak up or leave.¡±


    ¡°Did you wait for me, Kaiden?¡± Ellie finally broke the silence.


    If Jerome hadn¡¯t told her, she might never have known Kaiden¡¯s role in her essing the banjo.


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 Chapter 23

    ?Chapter 23:


    Kaiden opened his eyeszily, his look one of indifference. His gaze seemed to mock her, questioning why he would wait for someone like her.


    Frustrated yetposed, Ellie took a deep breath. ¡°Thank you for lending me the banjo. Mr. Howell informed me.¡±


    After expressing her thanks, she couldn¡¯t resist adding, ¡°Had I been anyter, you wouldn¡¯t have heard my gratitude.¡±


    This caught Kaiden¡¯s attention. ¡°And how do you n to thank me?¡±


    ¡°I just did,¡± Ellie said, her head tilting in confusion. Her eyes, enhanced by subtly winged eyeliner, held a mix of charm and innocence.


    ¡°Ellie,¡± Kaiden pointed out, ¡°mere words of thanks carry little weight.¡±


    Ellie blinked, unsure how to offer a more meaningful gesture. Invite him to dinner, perhaps?


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you usually more assertive?¡± Kaiden snorted contemptuously.


    ¡°What?¡±


    His words left Ellie perplexed.


    Kaiden, recalling what he had witnessed at the banquet, reached out and gently held her chin. ¡°Why did you seem so pitiful at the banquet? Hmm?¡±


    Ellie struggled to break free from his touch but eventually allowed him to study her.


    Memories of Houston and Litzy¡¯s actions brought a cold sensation to her heart, as if a void had opened, ushering in a chilling wind. Although it wasn¡¯t a major issue, it was still unpleasant.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, that¡¯s not quite right. I¡¯m known for my gentleness and decorum in our circles. When have I ever been assertive? And when did I appear pitiful? I certainly didn¡¯t let them get the better of me.¡±


    Withdrawing his hand, Kaiden said simply, ¡°Get in the car.¡±


    Ellie, used to Kaiden¡¯s unpredictable nature, didn¡¯t question his request. She rubbed her chin, slightly sore from his touch, and entered the car from the other side.


    Unbeknownst to her, Demi and the Gordons were exiting the hotel, theirughter reaching the car.


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    Kaiden recalled Ellie¡¯s demeanor today. She hadn¡¯t let the Gordons get the upper hand, though she hadn¡¯t initially resisted them. He had observed the shift in her attitude, especially after Litzy¡¯s disparaging remarks about Brisa.


    Ellie had even defended Brisa¡¯s honor before leaving.


    The Thorpe family¡¯s favoritism towards their illegitimate son was no secret, yet Ellie firmly maintained that Brisa was the true matriarch of the Thorpes. To some, her actions might seem naive, but to Kaiden, they reflected sincerity.


    He mused that his mother would have been pleased to see Ellie using her banjo.


    As the Bentley Mulsanne made its way back to Moon Manor, Ellie gazed out at the city lights and felt a strange sense of gratitude towards Kaiden for marrying her. This marriage distanced her from the Gordons and their toxic environment.


    Kaiden retired to his study and called Jerome.


    Hearing Kaiden¡¯s request, Jerome chuckled. ¡°Kaiden, is this the first time you¡¯re doing something for a woman¡¯s sake? Are you feeling sorry for your wife?¡±


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 Chapter 24

    ?Chapter 24:


    ¡°You seem to have too much free time on your hands,¡± Kaiden retorted. Why else would Jerome talk so much?


    Even through the phone, Jerome could envision Kaiden¡¯s stoic, unemotional face.


    With an awkward chuckle, he replied, eager to stay in Kaiden¡¯s good graces, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll handle it right away!¡±


    Jerome knew well that upsetting Kaiden could result in severe consequences, like being reassigned to a remote mining operation.


    Did Kaiden feel sorry for Ellie? He wouldn¡¯t admit to that.


    Yet, he couldn¡¯t allow someone who was part of his household to be exploited, especially not by the Gordons, who were on par with Erick¡¯s disgusting nature.


    Suddenly, there was a knock at the study door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Kaiden called, and Ellie entered, carrying a tray. On it was a ceramic bowl, and she wore a slightly awkward, embarrassed smile. Kaiden raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.


    Since their marriage, they had maintained their distance. This was the first time Ellie had approached him of her own ord.


    ¡°I brought you a midnight snack,¡± Ellie said, rifying her intention. ¡°As a way to thank you.¡±


    Since he had dismissed her verbal thanks as trivial, she chose a more tangible form of gratitude.


    She ced the tray carefully on the corner of his rosewood desk. Her manners were wless: poised yet not stiff, dignified yet approachable. Kaiden¡¯s gaze lingered on her, noting her confidence. She seemed sure he wouldn¡¯t criticize her gesture.


    Lifting the lid, he was greeted by the rich scent of seafood.


    It was a bowl of abalone and seafood congee.


    Kaiden set the lid aside, folded his arms, and reclined in his chair, observing Ellie.


    Ellie, puzzled by his silence, asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you like it? Cayson told me that this is your favorite midnight snack.¡± She had prepared it specifically to his taste.


    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m


    ¡°This dish was prepared by our chef,¡± Kaiden pointed out, his finger tapping rhythmically on the desk. ¡°So, are you thanking me with something that¡¯s already mine?¡±


    Kaiden snorted at Ellie¡¯s gesture of gratitude to him.


    Did she really believe he was so easily content?


    When he lent out the banjo, Kaiden hadn¡¯t anticipated any thanks. Yet, she had made a point to express her gratitude.


    In that case, he¡¯d ept it appropriately.


    Ellie bit her lip, contemting.


    Finally, she spoke up. ¡°The only thing I can cook is instant noodles. If a homemade meal feels more genuine, I can make you a bowl. What vor would you like?¡±


    Kaiden almostughed, partly in frustration, partly in amusement.


    Was she doing this on purpose?


    ¡°You¡¯re a top socialite and you can¡¯t cook?¡± he queried.


    Was he attacking her personally now?


    Ellie¡¯s patience thinned further.


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 Chapter 25

    ?Chapter 25:


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, since when must ady know how to cook? I didn¡¯t choose that title; it was thrust upon me. And right now, I¡¯m not a top socialite anymore.¡±


    Cooking was a skill, and sadly, not one she possessed.


    Kaiden was slightly amused by her feigned docility, akin to a cat trying to appear harmless yet bristling with annoyance.


    ¡°Trante this,¡± he said, sliding a document across to her.


    Ellie was taken aback.


    Kaiden returned to his emails and then remarked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to thank me?¡±


    Was he now treating her as if she were his employee?


    Ellie looked at the document. It was in a foreignnguage.


    ¡°I¡¯m confident that you can read it independently,¡± she muttered. Despite his notorious reputation, Kaiden was known as a young genius, exceptionally intelligent.


    Kaiden raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, how do you n to show your gratitude, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    Grasping the file firmly, Ellie moved to a nearby table to begin tranting.


    All she had to do was trante a document to show her gratitude? That was great!


    Kaiden watched her closely, curious to see her reaction to the document¡¯s contents.


    Ellie flipped through the pages with her left hand and penned the trantion onto an A4 sheet with her right.


    Her efficiency in tranting from English to anothernguage was impressive.


    The document was an investigative report, meticulously organized.


    ¡°The initial funding for Rich Bar came from the Rich Private Foundation in Oaklea. Aside from a 10% stake held by Rich Bar executives, the Foundation is the majority shareholder, but not the actual beneficiary. The identities of the investors remain unknown.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s pen halted momentarily.


    Was Kaiden probing into the ownership of Rich Bar?


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    She felt a flutter of anxiety and quickly scanned the rest of the document.


    ¡°The designated beneficiary of Rich Bar is undisclosed. Current leads suggest the funds are in Critport, pending further investigation.¡±


    Fortunately, there was nothing directly linking her to the bar¡¯s ownership. The Oaklea-based Rich Private Foundation¡¯s facade was secure; her identity would remain concealed unless she chose to reveal it.


    Ellie let out a discreet sigh of relief and resumed her trantion, feigning ignorance of her discovery.


    The food on the tray cooled, its aroma fading.


    After half an hour, Ellie presented both the original and her trantion to Kaiden. ¡°I¡¯m done tranting it.¡±


    Kaiden acknowledged with a grunt, motioning her to set it aside. He seemed uninterested in reading it immediately.


    ¡°You¡¯re investigating Rich Bar¡­¡± Ellie ventured cautiously. ¡°Why are you interested in it?¡±


    Attempts to acquire Rich Bar had been frequent over the years, but its elusive owner had consistently remained in the shadows, declining all offers to sell or partner.


    ¡°I still owe you a wedding gift. What if I purchase Rich Bar and gift it to you?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was nonchnt, as if discussing an ordinary matter.


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 Chapter 26

    ?Chapter 26:


    Buy Rich Bar from her only to gift it back to her? Was he serious?


    She almost burst outughing right then and there.


    Kaiden¡¯s unexpected proposition to acquire Rich Bar seemed like a veiled challenge.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, surely you jest. I¡¯ve always been well-mannered, have no interest in bars, andck knowledge in their management. Why would I need Rich Bar?¡± Ellie responded with a feigned smile.


    ¡°In gambling, Miss Gordon, you surpass even Edwin,¡± Kaiden remarked casually.


    Edwin was known for his gambling skills, and Kaiden¡¯sment subtly mocked Ellie¡¯s im of being ¡°well-mannered.¡± Ellie maintained a stoic face. She thought he was slick!


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, there¡¯s no need for that. I haven¡¯t given you a gift either, so perhaps we could¡­¡±


    ¡°Then give me one,¡± Kaiden interjected.


    What? Ellie, taken aback, intended to suggest offsetting gifts. What did Kaiden mean by that?


    But Kaiden, undeterred, said, ¡°You haven¡¯t given me a gift, so please do.¡±


    His interest piqued, he was curious to see what Ellie would choose to give.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, as you know, I¡¯m not exactly the favorite in the Gordon family,¡± Ellie said, leaning on the table and feigning distress. ¡°I don¡¯t have money.¡±


    ¡°Once Rich Bar is yours, you¡¯ll have money,¡± Kaiden replied.


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


    Why didn¡¯t Kaiden just buy whatever he wanted for himself?


    Their rtionship was not one of deep affection. Ellie had no desire for his wealth.


    Seeking to end the conversation, Ellie remarked, ¡°Alright, if you can reach the owner of Rich Bar.¡±


    She left the study appearingposed, maintaining her usual smile even in her final words.


    However, Kaiden detected a blend of difort and resistance in her demeanor.


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    It seemed they were engaged in an unspoken contest, with Ellie confident that he would never figure out who owned Rich Bar.


    Kaiden let out a knowing chuckle.


    She was still too naive to mask her emotionspletely.


    In her room, Ellie reflected on the exchange.


    Nothing seemed out of ce, right?


    Uncertain of Kaiden¡¯s motives or suspicions, she resolved that as long as she didn¡¯t confess her ties to Rich Bar, he wouldn¡¯t figure out it was her.


    She then threw herself on the bed and sighed.


    All she desired was to earn money peacefully, enjoy her life, and steer clear of financial entanglements with such people.


    The Fashion Ceremony had be a hot topic of conversation.


    Initially, the focus was on the revtion that Demi, a popr idol, was actually the heiress of the Gordon Group. This discovery brought her a surge of attention and confidence.


    But her excitement was short-lived when she came across a forum post.


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 Chapter 27

    ?Chapter 27:


    Titled ¡°Real and Fake Heiresses Face Off at the Scene!¡± the post included a caption: ¡°Caught a face-off between two G-surnamed protagonists at a fashion event. A big joke! It was unbelievable!¡±


    The blogger had uploaded a daring video, showcasing Demi¡¯s violin performance in the first half and Ellie¡¯s banjo ying in the second. The video cleverly hid their faces, focusing only on their hands.


    ¡°A certified Level 9 violinist here, and I have to say, the violin y wasckluster. Poor technique, no emotion, and several mistakes. It wouldn¡¯t pass a professional exam.¡±


    ¡°I was at the event tonight. The violinist is DG, and the banjo yer is EG. Just so you know.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t stopughing. DG¡¯s violin skills are even worse than EG¡¯s back in high school. How did she muster the courage to challenge EG?¡±


    ¡°Who are these G-surname heiresses everyone is talking about? Who are they? Oh! What important gossip have I missed out on?¡±


    ¡°This is high society gossip. If you¡¯re out of the loop, just enjoy the show.¡±


    ¡°Wow, the girl ying the banjo has such elegant hands! Her technique is incredible! Fast and mesmerizing! I am dying!¡±


    ¡°Take a deep breath¡­ I¡¯ll tell you the truth. That banjo yer¡¯s allure isn¡¯t limited to her hands!¡±


    ¡°Even though the ¡®fake¡¯ heiress¡¯s background is unclear, she outshines the ¡®real¡¯ one. And isn¡¯t the real one supposed to be an idol?¡±


    ¡°I heard DG took a ne EG gifted someone else. Has she never seen luxury before?¡±


    The forum buzzed with users curious about the identities behind ¡®DG¡¯ and ¡®EG¡¯, with some astute members specting that ¡®DG¡¯ might be Demi Gordon.


    Demi was dismayed to find that several affluent heirs she followed on Twitter were ridiculing herpetition with Ellie!


    Her intention had been to humiliate Ellie, but instead, she had be the subject of widespread mockery.


    She had dreamed of returning to the Gordon family to enjoy the elite lifestyle she had always craved. However, Ellie¡¯s presence had continually prevented her from fully integrating into this circle.


    ¡°That bitch!¡± Demi huffed.


    In a fit of rage, she swept a table of skincare products onto the floor, scattering ss everywhere.


    Her reflection in the mirror, twisted with fury, resembled a spiteful spirit, her eyes brimming with jealousy and hate.


    In the living room, Houston had just ended a call with Jerome. He sat, smoking and brooding, his expression troubled.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡± Litzy inquired, worried.


    Houston exhaled deeply. ¡°I¡¯m wondering if I made a mistake back then.¡±


    Litzy, puzzled, asked, ¡°What mistake?¡±


    Since the previous night, Houston had heard nothing but praise for Ellie, much to his initial annoyance.


    She was overshadowing his own daughter, Demi. But Jerome¡¯s words had struck a chord¡­


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 Chapter 28

    ?Chapter 28:


    What did it matter if Ellie wasn¡¯t his biological daughter? She was still his child. If his adopted daughter surpassed his own in excellence, had he been missing the bigger picture?


    With a sigh, Houstonmented, ¡°Aside from not being of our blood, Ellie surpasses Demi in every way. She¡¯s more beautiful, admired as a top socialite, and I should have chosen a more advantageous son-inw for her.¡± The thought of Ellie marrying Kaiden seemed like a missed opportunity.


    ¡°Dear, what are you saying! Demi is our flesh and blood!¡± Litzy responded, stunned by Houston¡¯s thoughts. ¡°If we hadn¡¯t revealed Ellie¡¯s fake heiress status, wouldn¡¯t Demi always be overshadowed? When would she ever get her chance to be with Erick?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just a housewife, so how can you possibly understand this?¡± Houston retorted sharply.


    He always believed that the most reliable assets were the tangible ones right in front of them.


    Litzy, familiar with Houston¡¯s mindset, bit back her irritation and remarked, ¡°But if Demi marries Erick, the alliances we¡¯d form through our son-inw and his family would be unmatched.¡±


    Houston reflected for a moment before conceding, ¡°That¡¯s true, but it does seem like a waste to overlook Ellie¡¯s potential.¡±


    Litzy¡¯s gaze dropped as she remembered Ellie outsmarting her the day before, a trace of resentment in her eyes.


    Ellie, meanwhile, paid little attention to the ongoing gossip involving her and Demi. She was focused on an opportunity with GT Group, which was currently seeking a stylist for their new quarterly project.


    GT Group, a global powerhouse recently expanding into the domestic market, held significant influence ¡ª enough to make even the Thorpe family cautious in their approach.


    A coboration with GT Group would offer her a shield from Demi¡¯s interference.


    As evening approached, Ellie descended the stairs to find Cayson deep in conversation with Kaiden. Upon noticing her, Cayson quickly addressed her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, we were just talking about you.¡±


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    When Ellie moved closer, Cayson informed her, ¡°There¡¯s a banquet at the Thorpes¡¯ house tomorrow, and both you and Mr. Thorpe are invited.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Ellie nced at Kaiden, uncertain.


    She knew Kaiden¡¯s rtionship with his family was strained, and their marriage was merely a facade to honor Brisa¡¯s memory. She doubted he wanted her apanying him to the Thorpe family event.


    The invitation seemed more like a trap¡­


    ¡°Not interested in going?¡± Kaiden asked, his expression impassive.


    ¡°No.¡± Ellie shook her head.


    She firmly believed she had always been the nominal Mrs. Thorpe, especially given Kaiden¡¯s tense ties with his family.


    The idea of visiting his family hadn¡¯t crossed her mind. Yet, being married to him, she felt it was only right to meet his family.


    The following day, when Ellie appeared, Kaiden watched her with a quiet intensity.


    She had chosen a traditional dress, subtly adorned with a moon-white pattern, perfectly suitable for meeting the elders.


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 Chapter 29

    ?Chapter 29:


    Her look was elegant and poised, masking her talents inbat and gambling.


    Yet, the dress seemed too striking.


    Kaiden, who seldom found anyone notably attractive, categorized most as simply male or female, with a few exceptions.


    But Ellie exhibited a range of personas¡ªgentle and serene, yet capable of anger, cunning, and charm. She was, in every aspect, an arresting presence.


    The thought of Erick¡¯s lingering feelings for Ellie soured his mood. Even if he didn¡¯t harbor feelings for Ellie, he didn¡¯t appreciate others coveting what was his.


    As they got into the car, Ellie noticed Kaiden¡¯s off mood.


    Was he upset?


    What had unsettled him? Ellie was confused.


    Seeing Kaiden dressed casually and knowing his strained rtionship with his family, it clicked for Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden, this attire isn¡¯t to impress the Thorpe family. Observing proper etiquette is key for a confident defense. If we appear disrespectful, it gives them an excuse to criticize.¡±


    Moreover, for a stylist like her, maintaining a professional image was fundamental.


    ¡°You have just graduated, yet you are surprisingly seasoned, huh?¡± Kaiden remarked with a hint of scorn.


    He found her words to be nothing but nonsense.


    Ellie continued to re at him, pouting her lips like a child.


    Kaiden, in a rare gesture, lightly tapped her forehead with his finger.


    The car fell into silence.


    Realizing the intimacy of his action, Kaiden paused briefly before withdrawing his hand.


    Ellie, feeling a bit annoyed, rubbed her forehead.


    It wasn¡¯t painful, but the unexpectedly tender gesture,ced with Kaiden¡¯s usual disdain, left her feeling off-bnce.


    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om


    The Thorpes¡¯ house was located in the suburbs, an imposing structure dating back a century, its grandeur preserved through continuous renovations.


    As they arrived, Ellie was struck by the solemnity of the historic mansion.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± the servants greeted them respectfully. One led the way while another pushed Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair.


    The mansion had been modified for Kaiden¡¯s essibility, with thresholds removed and wheelchair-friendly paths installed.


    Jorge, Kaiden¡¯s father, maintained a facade of cordiality with Kaiden, despite their strained rtionship.


    Laughter and conversation filled the hall, a vast area of several hundred square meters. About forty close rtives of the Thorpe family¡¯s main branch were present, the women congregating on one side, the men on the other. In the center, an ancient painting and an imperial gift que were disyed, nked by two mahogany chairs.


    The room fell into brief silence as Kaiden and Ellie entered.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± someone called out.


    ¡°This is uneptable! Everyone¡¯s been waiting!¡± an elderly man, over sixty, scolded, his gaze sharp and critical.


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 Chapter 30

    ?Chapter 30:


    Kaiden, seated in his wheelchair, responded nonchntly, ¡°Disabled, it¡¯s hard to move.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s disability was a bulletproof excuse, silencing any criticism about theirte arrival.


    Ellie struggled to suppress augh.


    Erick¡¯s gaze lingered on Ellie, clearly in awe.


    It was his first time seeing her in a traditional dress. Her graceful demeanor, paired with her striking features, was breathtaking.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dad. Kaiden has always been like this, and we¡¯ve all learned to ept it,¡± said a well-dressed middle-aged man, offering a cup of coffee to Jorge. He smiled at Kaiden, his tone hinting at familiarity. ¡°Even I, his eldest brother, am frequently met with his cold shoulder.¡±


    This was Talon Thorpe, Erick¡¯s father. Born to Jorge and his first love, he had always been Jorge¡¯s favorite.


    Kaiden shot Talon a frosty look. Even seated, his presence wasmanding. ¡°Mom gave me one brother, and that isn¡¯t you.¡± To Kaiden, Talon hadn¡¯t earned the right to be called his brother.


    Tension soon filled the air.


    Brisa had two sons: Kaiden and thete Leo Thorpe.


    Jorge also had Talon and a daughter from another rtionship, but the daughter, now married, rarely visited.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Erick started to speak up in defense of his father, but an elegant middle-aged woman intervened, urging caution.


    Genesis Thorpe, Erick¡¯s mother, challenged Kaiden. ¡°Are you questioning Jorge¡¯s lineage or looking down on him because of his past? And if we¡¯re scrutinizing past actions, perhaps you should start with your guest. Should she even be here?¡±


    Ellie now understood Kaiden¡¯s earlier disdain. Someone was always ready to cause trouble, making whether they were polite irrelevant. Various looks were cast towards Ellie, some mocking, some curious, some disdainful, and some outright ridiculing.


    ¡°Ellie.¡± Demi, present as Erick¡¯s girlfriend, stood beside Genesis, watching the scene unfold.


    L§Ñt??t ch¨»pt?rs ?n g??ln¦Ïv?ls.??¦Ï??


    ¡°Demi, don¡¯t bother calling her. Why are you even being nice to her?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only daughter your parents have.¡± Genesis, echoing Kaiden¡¯s earlier sentiment to Ellie, said with a smirk, ¡°The Miss Gordon title might have held value a month ago, but sadly, it¡¯s nothing more than a name now.¡±


    Demi offered a small smile, choosing to remain silent.


    ¡°Jesus!¡±


    Murmurs ofughter rippled through the crowd.


    Ellie, standing by Kaiden¡¯s side as his wife, knew that any insult to her was an insult to him. She was well aware that she and Kaiden were in this together now.


    She rested a hand on Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair, her smile steady. ¡°I am Mrs. Thorpe now. The heiress title of the Gordon family is merely an essory, one I can easily do without.¡± Her statement was irrefutable.


    The prestige of the Thorpe family far outstripped that of the Gordons. The significance of being Mrs. Thorpe overshadowed her previous status.


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 Chapter 31

    ?Chapter 31:


    Kaiden looked down, unable to hide the flicker of amusement in his eyes.


    Ellie was not one to be easily intimidated.


    Erick, irked by Ellie¡¯s alliance with Kaiden, remarked bitterly, ¡°Kaiden, you have a taste for the woman I reject, huh?¡±


    Ellie had grown tired of his sly remarks. They constantly had something bad to say! And since Kaiden wasn¡¯t one to speak up, she decided to step in.


    ¡°Erick, as I mentioned before, proper etiquette dictates you address me respectfully. You¡¯ve seen Kaiden and I here for some time now. Regardless of my background, I am the woman Kaiden chose to marry officially!¡± Turning her attention to Talon, she added sharply, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, rather than scrutinizing my husband, perhaps you should focus on disciplining your own son.¡±


    Her emphasis on being ¡°married officially¡± struck a nerve within Erick¡¯s family.


    ¡°How dare you?! Who do you think you are, believing you can speak to us in such a manner?!¡± Genesis, enraged, raised her hand to strike Ellie. But as her hand neared Ellie¡¯s face, Kaiden, with startling swiftness, grabbed a nearby cup and threw it.


    Bang!


    There was a scream and a sharp sound of impact.


    The cup collided with Genesis¡¯s hand, shattering upon impact. Hot coffee sshed over Genesis¡¯s hand and face, leaving her in a state of shock and pain.


    A hushed silence enveloped the hall.


    ¡°Just what the hell do you think you¡¯re doing? You can¡¯t tell my wife what she can and can¡¯t do!¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was ice-cold as he shielded Ellie behind him.


    His re sent a chill through the onlookers.


    Ellie, momentarily stunned by Kaiden¡¯s intervention, gazed at his impassive profile, feeling an unfamiliar stir within her heart.


    Genesis, recovering from the shock, cried out in pain.


    ¡°Hold on, Mom. The doctor¡¯s on the way!¡± Erick quickly instructed a maid to summon the family doctor.


    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov§Ö???.????


    ¡°Kaiden, this is too much!¡± Talon eximed, both shocked and furious.


    Kaiden¡¯sughter was cold and menacing. ¡°Remember your ce. Remember who I am,¡± he warned.


    Despitecking familial favor, Kaiden was still the legitimate heir, with the powerful Chapman family behind him. The Thorpes¡¯ control over him was tenuous, reliant on a delicate bnce of threats and maniption.


    But if they pushed him too far, and he rejected their constraints, he could easily bring ruin to the entire Thorpe family.


    Talon, his expression turning grim, regretted his mother¡¯s failure to rece Brisa before her untimely death. Resigned to his status as an illegitimate child, he harbored a deep resentment toward Kaiden and silently vowed to kill him in the future.


    ¡°Enough! What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Jorge finally intervened, trying to quell the rising tensions.


    ¡°You should discipline Talon first instead of scolding me,¡± Kaiden replied coolly before turning to Ellie. ¡°Let¡¯s go, honey.¡±


    Jorge¡¯s frustration boiled over. What an annoying son!


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 Chapter 32

    ?Chapter 32:


    Kaiden¡¯s suite, located in the eastern wing of the main courtyard, was a spacious blend of traditional and modern styles, meticulously detailed.


    While Kaiden went to take care of his things, Ellie, left to her own devices, began reading a book from the shelf.


    After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door, interrupting her reading.


    Expecting Kaiden, Ellie was taken aback to see Erick at the door.


    Her already cold demeanor seemed to frost over.


    Why couldn¡¯t Demi control her boyfriend? Erick had caused her so much trouble! Couldn¡¯t she keep him on a leash?


    ¡°You¡¯re so protective of Kaiden, but do you know what kind of person he really is?¡± Erick insinuated. ¡°Do you know where he went just now?¡±


    ¡°Not interested,¡± Ellie replied, moving to close the door. Before shutting it, she added, ¡°It¡¯s best if you and I keep our distance to avoid misunderstandings.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Erick hastily blocked the door, surprised by her abruptness.


    ¡°He¡¯s visiting the ashes of his brother, Leo. You know, his brother died in a fire.¡±


    Leo, Kaiden¡¯s full brother, had met a tragic end.


    Erick¡¯s smirk was unsettling. Ellie hissed, ¡°If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll have to call Demi to escort you out.¡±


    Erick pressed on, ¡°Do you know? Kaiden is responsible for his brother¡¯s death. He set the fire that killed Leo. And now, he has the audacity to visit his brother¡¯s ashes!¡±


    Ellie, taken aback, stared at him, her eyes narrowing in surprise.


    In that moment of astonishment, her emotions were exposed. Her eyes narrowed as she processed Erick¡¯s revtion, searching his face for any sign that he was lying.


    To her dismay, it seemed like he was telling the truth.


    Pleased with her reaction, Erick leaned against the doorframe, certain that Ellie would regret her connection to Kaiden.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve told you before, Kaiden is dangerous. He should have been in prison, but he avoided it by iming a mental breakdown,¡± Erick said. ¡°Under that condition, his actions weren¡¯t legally punishable.¡± Only those close to the Thorpe family knew this secret. It had been used to marginalize Kaiden within the family.


    Exclusive updates avable g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    Expecting Ellie to react with fear or regret, Erick was taken aback when she responded calmly, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    Herposure shook him to his core. His mouth was left agape.


    ¡°You can leave now. I am not interested in your usations against my husband.¡±


    Erick, frustrated and red-faced, blurted out, ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m telling you this because of our past. Didn¡¯t you see how he hurt my mother? He¡¯s violent and unstable. He¡¯s either a serial killer or mentally ill!¡±


    Deep down, Ellie felt Genesis had gotten what she deserved. If Kaiden hadn¡¯t acted, Ellie herself would have stood up to her.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe,¡± Ellie said, her tone teasing, ¡°Your frequent attempts to speak with me make me wonder¡­ Do you still have feelings for me?¡±


    ¡°What? I still have feelings for you?! That¡¯s nonsense!¡± Erick retorted with indignation. ¡°I can have any woman I want. Youe from a modest background. Why would you think I care about you? Don¡¯t tter yourself!¡±


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 Chapter 33

    ?Chapter 33:


    ¡°Then get lost!¡± She sneered.


    There was no use being polite to someone as shameless as Erick.


    Erick, infuriated, had not anticipated Ellie¡¯s unwavering loyalty to Kaiden, even after revealing such a scandalous secret.


    What did Kaiden have that made him so special?


    He left in a huff, his anger palpable.


    As Ellie moved to close the door, she caught a glimpse of a pink dress hiding behind a pir in the corridor.


    Demi was wearing pink today.


    Not wanting another confrontation, Ellie quickly shut the door.


    Erick¡¯s allegations about Kaiden haunted her thoughts.


    Kaiden was¡­ responsible for his brother¡¯s death?


    It seemed impossible.


    Even though she wasn¡¯t one to gossip, she knew from their circle that Kaiden and Leo had been close.


    However, Erick had no reason to lie about it.


    It could easily be verified by any member of the Thorpe family.


    Kaiden only appeared at dinner.


    Following the family¡¯s tradition, the men and women dined separately. The conversation flowed smoothly around her, but Ellie found herself somewhat isted.


    She didn¡¯t mind the solitude, finding sce in the quiet. Her eyes asionally wandered to where Kaiden sat, amidst the chatter at the men¡¯s table.


    In his wheelchair, Kaiden¡¯s presence was markedly different from the other men. His stern features and detached demeanor set him apart, giving him an almost godlike aura of detachment.


    Meanwhile, Ellie¡¯s dining manners were a study in grace, turning each movement into an almost artistic disy. Demi, ever since she had joined the Gordon family, had tried to emte Ellie¡¯s poise but never quite captured her effortless elegance.


    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s


    Watching Ellie only intensified Demi¡¯s envy.


    She was determined not to let Ellie, who had already taken so much from her life, encroach on her rtionship too.


    After dinner, Jorge summoned Talon and Kaiden to the study.


    On her way back to her room, Ellie was confronted by Demi.


    ¡°Want to know the truth about Leo¡¯s death? Meet me at eight tonight,¡± Demi offered.


    ¡°How are you privy to Thorpe family matters?¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes. Demi, a recent addition to the Gordon household, was unlikely to be well-versed in the intricacies of Critport¡¯s elite, let alone the secrets of the Thorpe family.


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern,¡± Demi retorted, her smile tinged with malice. ¡°You can choose to ignore this, but consider what might happen if Kaiden loses control one day.¡±


    Ellie regarded her silently for a moment before asking, ¡°Where should I meet you?¡±


    ¡°The guest room is in the west wing.¡±


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 Chapter 34

    ?Chapter 34:


    Ellie doubted Demi¡¯s dramatic im about Kaiden¡¯s danger.


    If Kaiden were truly unstable, it was unlikely that someone as shrewd as Jerome would remain in his alliance.


    Curious about Demi¡¯s motives, Ellie decided to see what ploy she had in store.


    Late at night, at exactly eight o¡¯clock, the Thorpes¡¯ house was shrouded in quiet solemnity.


    Ellie navigated the moonlit hallways, passing ornate doorways, to the location Demi had specified.


    The area was dedicated to guest rooms, but one room, distinctively lit, caught her attention.


    Upon entering, she found Demi seated, with two sses of wine on the table.


    Demi offered her a ss. ¡°Let¡¯s talk over a drink.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t drink,¡± Ellie replied, eyeing the ss.


    ¡°Ellie, you won¡¯t even honor me by sharing a drink, and yet you expect me to share the Thorpe family¡¯s secrets?¡± Demi sneered, implying that she would withhold information if Ellie refused to drink.


    Ellie, masking her suspicion, took the ss.


    Demi¡¯s impatience surpassed Ellie¡¯s expectations. Wasn¡¯t it tantly clear that the wine had been drugged?


    As Ellie was about to drink, she paused, pretending to hear something at the door. ¡°I think someone¡¯s outside.¡±


    Startled, Demi set her ss down and hurried to check.


    She couldn¡¯t risk anyone overhearing their conversation.


    Seizing the moment, Ellie quickly switched the sses.


    Upon returning, Demi said, ¡°There¡¯s no one there.¡±


    ¡°I must¡¯ve just imagined it,¡± Ellie said, urging Demi to drink first.


    M??? ?¦Ñ????? ?? ?????¦Í???.???


    Demi, confident in her n, took a sip from her ss.


    She didn¡¯t drug her own ss.


    ¡°Can you tell me now?¡± Ellie asked, sipping her wine.


    ¡°You¡¯re so gullible, Ellie. I don¡¯t know anything. If there¡¯s someone to me, it¡¯s you! You brought this on yourself!¡± Demi taunted, dashing out of the room and locking it from outside.


    She anticipated the effects of the drug to take hold of Ellie soon, eagerly awaiting the ensuing drama.


    In the room, tranquility settled once more, only to be broken by distant snoring from behind the bookshelf.


    Curious, Ellie tiptoed over.


    There, sprawled on arge bed hidden by the bookshelf, was a middle-aged, overweight man, deeply asleep.


    The man, reeking of alcohol, was one of the Thorpe family¡¯s distant rtives.


    Demi¡¯s scheme became clear: Ellie was drugged and locked in a room with a drunk man. If she had sex with the man under the influence of the drug, it could ruin her reputation, painting her as unfaithful to Kaiden and attracting the scorn of both the Thorpe family and the public.


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 Chapter 35

    ?Chapter 35:


    Demi was indeed devious.


    Finding the door locked, Ellie opened the window, revealing a vast pond outside.


    Demi had chosen this room carefully, making escape seem impossible. Only one way out: Swim.


    Refusing to be cornered, Ellie jumped into the pond.


    With a loud ssh, she vanished into the dark waters.


    Ellie chose to swim to the spot closest to Kaiden¡¯s room.


    Soaked and ufortable, she made her way to the shower in Kaiden¡¯s room.


    When she opened the door, Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    For a moment, she was motionless, her gaze unintentionally taking in Kaiden¡¯s well-defined chest and abs.


    ¡°Seen enough?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s cold voice cut through the steam. Then a grey towel flew toward her, covering her eyes.


    Brought abruptly back to reality, Ellie blinked, her eyshes fluttering against the towel. Her mind, however, lingered on the unexpected sight she had just seen.


    Well¡­ It seemed as if a man¡¯s height was linked to the size of his¡­


    Kaiden was¡­ impressively proportioned. She wondered if the image would haunt her dreams.


    ¡°You should lock the door when you¡¯re showering,¡± she mumbled, regaining herposure.


    Inside, her heart raced uncontrobly.


    Kaiden, now modestly wrapped in a towel, loomed over her with a foreboding expression, as if any further defiance from Ellie might lead to her being thrown out.


    Feeling awkward, Ellie touched her nose. ¡°I wasn¡¯t peeking, honestly.¡± Did she think that he was an idiot?


    Discover more


    Kaiden¡¯s frosty gaze remained fixed on her as she looked down, trying to think of a way to defuse the tension. Suddenly, he spoke.


    ¡°As Mrs. Thorpe, you could peek.¡±


    Ellie felt him move closer.


    Her instincts kicked in, and she tried to step back.


    However, before she could move, Kaiden firmly grasped her wrist. Ellie could feel the intense heat emanating from his hand, a reminder of the typically higher body temperature in men.


    It felt unusually warm.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± she began to protest, but her hand inadvertently brushed against the towel around his waist, her fingers momentarily grazing his toned abs.


    The sensation of his muscle texture,bined with the heat from his skin, sent a jolt through her.


    She tried to pull away, but Kaiden¡¯s grip was firm.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you can do more than just peek; you can touch it as well,¡± Kaiden observed, catching Ellie¡¯s stunned and wide-eyed expression. Her eyes mirrored her helpless state, contrasting with her usual calm demeanor.


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 Chapter 36

    ?Chapter 36:


    For crying out loud! She didn¡¯t want to touch him!


    Ellie shook her head vigorously, struggling to free herself. ¡°Let me go!¡±


    But in her effort to escape, she identally collided with Kaiden.


    To avoid falling, she instinctively reached out, one hand clutching his broad shoulder, the other grabbing his arm.


    The lingering water droplets on his skin were unmistakable.


    Close to him, she could sense every detail of his physique.


    ¡°Finished touching yet?¡± Kaiden asked, standing rigidly and making no move to assist her. Without looking up, Ellie could picture the disdain in his eyes.


    ¡°How much longer do you n to keep your hands on me?¡± Kaiden¡¯s impatience was evident.


    Internally cursing, Ellie felt mortified. She quickly withdrew her hands, steadying herself against the wall. ¡°You were the one who said I could touch,¡± she mumbled, trying to sound confident despite her stutter.


    Kaiden observed her, noting her flushed face and averted gaze.


    This was interesting.


    He never knew she had a shy side.


    Kaiden briefly surveyed her drenched state. With a tone of disdain, he remarked, ¡°Clean yourself up. You¡¯re a mess.¡± With that, he strode out of the bathroom.


    After he left, Ellie locked the door, leaned against the wall, and let out a frustrated sigh.


    Why had she gone straight to the bathroom?


    Why hadn¡¯t she knocked first?


    After showering, Ellie realized another serious problem. She hadn¡¯t brought any clean clothes with her!


    Kaiden sat in an opulent rosewood chair, sipping cool water.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live


    When Ellie had inadvertently bumped into him, he was surprised to find that he didn¡¯t recoil in disgust. Instead, her softness had momentarily disarmed him, stirring an almost instinctive desire to hold her.


    He found himself slightly irritated¡­ a feeling he had never felt before crept up on him.


    Suddenly, the bathroom door cracked open slightly, and Ellie¡¯s voice, tinged with unease, came through.


    ¡°Um¡­ Mr. Thorpe¡­ I didn¡¯t bring any clothes in. Could you¡­ help me out?¡±


    Ellie had rushed into the shower, forgetting that Kaiden also used the room. Now, she deeply regretted her oversight.


    Kaiden, his expression unchanging, replied coolly, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you cane out and get them. You¡¯re with your husband.¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


    ¡°I¡¯m rather traditional and predictable. I can¡¯t just do that. Mr. Thorpe, I hope you understand,¡± she said, her gaze fixed nkly on the wall. ¡°Could you please help me by getting my clothes?¡±


    Traditional and predictable?


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 Chapter 37

    ?Chapter 37:


    Kaiden, turning a page of his book, answered indifferently, ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯m a jerk. So I won¡¯t be helping you out.¡±


    Damn it! Why did he have to hold grudges? That was days ago!


    What a jerk!


    Ellie, frustrated by his stubbornness, clenched her teeth in annoyance. Despite her irritation, she needed his help.


    She couldn¡¯t go out naked, and merely wrapping herself in a towel would only attract more attention.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I apologize for the other day. You¡¯re my husband, after all. Handsome, smart, fit ¡ª the best there is. Surely you can¡¯t really be that big of a jerk?¡±


    Well, of course he was!


    Just because he was her husband didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t be a jerk to her!


    The irony of her words wasn¡¯t lost on Kaiden, and his lips formed a small smirk.


    Kaiden relented and summoned a maid to retrieve Ellie¡¯s spare clothes. He then brought them to the bathroom door.


    Ellie¡¯s hands, delicate and slightly trembling, reached out to take them. She quickly pulled them back, as though fearful of lingering too long and being seen.


    Left with an empty palm, Kaiden found himself absentmindedly tracing his fingers where hers had been.


    A curious thought crossed his mind about the size of her bra, given her slim appearance.


    Emerging from the bathroom, Ellie saw Kaiden seated in his wheelchair, rhythmically tapping the table, his face an indifferent mask yet with a trace of inquiry.


    He seemed to be silently asking how she got wet in the first ce.


    ¡°I identally fell into the pond,¡± Ellie exined.


    At that moment, she heardmotion outside.


    The show had just begun!


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    ¡°I need to check something,¡± she said, making her way to the door. However, Kaiden extended his leg from the wheelchair, effectively blocking her path.


    His eyebrows raised, indicating that he expected more of an exnation.


    Ellie, eager to see the oue of Demi¡¯s scheme, paused. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, would you like to join me? There¡¯s a spectacle unfolding outside.¡± Her voice held a hint of yfulness, while her expression remained innocently deceptive.


    Kaiden, tapping the armrest, silently indicated for Ellie to push his wheelchair.


    Outside, the corridor was abuzz with activity. A crowd had gathered near the room where Ellie and Demi had their encounter, their voices filled with excitement and curiosity.


    Inside the room, Demi¡¯s voice echoed in panic. ¡°How is this possible? Where¡¯s Ellie? I saw her here¡­ I saw her here with a man. Where is she?¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? I was the only one in here, just sleeping peacefully, and then you all stormed in!¡± A voice, slurred and irate, boomed through the room. It sounded like a man who had been rudely awakened from a drunken slumber.


    Understandably, anyone would be annoyed at being awakened so abruptly, especially in such a manner.


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 Chapter 38

    ?Chapter 38:


    The man, clearly inebriated, was unaware that someone had entered his room.


    Ellie, behind Kaiden, couldn¡¯t help but let out a muffled chuckle, clearly amused by the turn of events.


    ¡°Huh? Demi, you were looking for me?¡± she asked, feigning innocence as she pushed Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair forward, revealing them to the gathering crowd.


    Demi¡¯s face contorted in shock. She had locked Ellie in the room. How did Ellie get out? And where was the effect of the drug she had used?


    As Demi pondered this, she began to feel unusually warm, attributing it to her mounting frustration.


    ¡°Ellie isn¡¯t in there. She¡¯s with Kaiden?¡± someone in the crowd whispered.


    ¡°Can someone exin what¡¯s going on?¡± Ellie asked, maintaining herposure.


    Genesis¡¯s gaze bore into Ellie. ¡°Demi saw you enter that man¡¯s room. Such behavior is uneptable in our family. We had to investigate!¡± The usation of infidelity was almost explicit, aiming to disgrace both Ellie and Kaiden.


    ¡°So, what did your investigation reveal?¡± Ellie asked, her voice steady. ¡°Why weren¡¯t you in the room as Miss Gordon imed?¡± Talon inquired, his eyes searching Ellie¡¯s face for any telltale signs.


    Ellie shot back, ¡°I¡¯m curious myself. Why would Demi say I was in that room?¡±


    All eyes now turned to Demi, the instigator of the drama.


    Demi¡¯s forehead grew hot with anger as she fixated her re on Ellie. ¡°I saw you going into this room with my own eyes,¡± she insisted.


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie¡¯s gaze shifted to Kaiden, her fingers lightly pinching his shoulder. ¡°But I¡¯ve been in our bedroom with my husband the entire time.¡±


    The pinch was a discreet cue and a subtle warning to Kaiden.


    If he didn¡¯t y nice, he¡¯d be seen as a cuck.


    Kaiden, however, seemed more intrigued by her use of the words ¡°my husband.¡±


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    The words stirred something in him, a feeling he had never experienced before. ¡°About ten minutes ago, a maid brought clothes for Ellie,¡± Kaiden interjected, effectively ending the debate.


    This detail, backed by a witness, confirmed Ellie¡¯s presence in their room earlier.


    Whispers spread among the onlookers. ¡°Why did she need clothes sote at night?¡±


    Had they gotten too excited and run out of clothes to wear? Erick¡¯s frustration simmered.


    Ellie¡¯s apparent closeness to Kaiden, especially so soon after their marriage, felt like a direct affront to him, her former fianc¨¦.


    Unaware of the misconceptions swirling around her, Ellie calmly faced Demi. ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯ve been with my husband in our room, and the maid can vouch for that. You im I should be here, though. So, who¡¯s mistaken? My husband and the maid, or your eyesight? Huh?¡±


    Demi hesitated, unable to bring herself to im that Kaiden had conspired with the maid to deceive them. However, it was clear: she had locked Ellie in that room.


    Her thoughts spiraled in confusion. A fiery sensation surged within her, her breath bing shallow and rapid, as a strange, inexplicable urge to disrobe washed over her.


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 Chapter 39

    ?Chapter 39:


    Suddenly, her gaze collided with Kaiden¡¯s, who sat emotionless in his wheelchair. His eyes were cold and devoid of empathy, as though he were observing someone condemned.


    A shiver ran down Demi¡¯s spine, but the chill was soon reced by an intense heat gnawing at her sanity. Something was wrong with her¡­


    ¡°Demi, what¡¯s happening? Exin yourself!¡± Erick¡¯s voice cracked as his patience wore thin. All eyes were on her, waiting for an exnation.


    ¡°Perhaps I was mistaken,¡± Demi finally muttered, forced to endure the humiliation.


    ¡°Miss Gordon,¡± Ellie interjected smoothly, ¡°you usually have sharp vision. How could you be mistaken? Weren¡¯t you just using me of infidelity with such conviction?¡± Ellie wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook.


    ¡°It was dim, and I couldn¡¯t see clearly,¡± Demi stammered. If it weren¡¯t for the crowd, she would have pped Ellie by now.


    ¡°Erick, I feel sick¡­¡± Demi clung to him, her voice quivering, her expression feigning innocence.


    Seeing Demi¡¯s reliance on him, Erick stepped in. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding. Let¡¯s leave it at that. I¡¯ll escort Demi to her room.¡± His words were met with no resistance from the Thorpe family.


    But Ellie wasn¡¯t having it.


    ¡°A misunderstanding?¡± Sheughed lightly. ¡°I could overlook the false usation, but her actions disrupted our peace, summoning us here for no reason. Is this how you resolve issues, Talon?¡± Her words were a pointed taunt at Talon for his obvious bias.


    ¡°Address the issue your girlfriend caused!¡± Talon snapped at Erick, visibly frustrated, before storming out.


    To shield her son, Genesis turned to Demi. ¡°Miss Gordon, we need an exnation!¡±


    Demi felt disoriented, a sudden urge to lean on Erick emerging as she tried to process the situation. Her mind was in chaos, and she even considered tearing her clothes off in frustration. Her body felt foreign to her, and staying in the room became unbearable.


    Biting her lip, she lowered her head. ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry. Today, I acted with the best intentions but ended up causing distress to everyone.¡± She subtly implicated Ellie, suggesting she was attempting to expose Ellie¡¯s supposed infidelity.


    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn


    ¡°Does ¡®everyone¡¯ include me? I must have missed that.¡± Ellie¡¯s face lit up with a serene, graceful smile.


    ¡°Ellie! You¡ª¡± Demi, boiling with rage, her face flushed, managed to stammer, ¡°I apologize, Ellie!¡±


    She needed to escape, to retreat to her room. Her suspicions grew¡ªhad the drug meant for Ellie somehow been consumed by her instead?


    ¡°Miss Gordon, your apology seems forced. I can¡¯t ept it as sincere.¡± Ellie, never one to let things slide, had more tactics at her disposal than Demi realized.


    Kaiden, his hands sped with fingers interlocking¡ªan indication of his amusement¡ªseemed pleased. Watching Ellie turn the tables was a rare treat for him.


    So this was the real Ellie.


    ¡°I am sincerely apologetic! I ept full responsibility for today¡¯s events!¡± Demi, on the brink of tears, felt a mix of anxiety and injustice.


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 Chapter 40

    ?Chapter 40:


    Ellie responded thoughtfully, ¡°It¡¯s reassuring to hear a genuine apology from you.¡±


    Just as Demi exhaled in relief, preparing to leave, Ellie spoke again. ¡°Miss Gordon, it seems you¡¯ve overlooked how your actions nearly caused my husband to be falsely used because of your mistaken vision.¡±


    Demi¡¯s hands balled into fists, her anger teetering on the edge of eruption. Would this woman never stop? Now, she had to apologize to Kaiden, the one person she desperately wanted to avoid?


    ¡°Ellie, can¡¯t you see Demi is sick?¡± Erick had allowed Demi to apologize to Ellie but drew the line when it came to apologizing to Kaiden.


    ¡°Really? I hadn¡¯t noticed,¡± Ellie sneered.


    What concern was Demi¡¯s well-being to her?


    Demi¡¯s mind wandered, her sense of reason slipping away as a pressing need to leave overwhelmed her. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I truly¡­¡±


    ¡°Leave,¡± Kaiden cut her off sharply, his tone filled with contempt and repulsion. A fool¡¯s apology was nothing but empty noise to him.


    Demi¡¯splexion turned ashen. Swallowing the insult, she implored Erick, ¡°Erick, I feel terrible. Let¡¯s go¡­¡±


    With a stern look at Ellie and Kaiden, Erick helped Demi to her feet and hurried her to his room.


    Outside, the night wind stirred the leaves.


    Ellie wheeled Kaiden away, sensing his silent expectation for an exnation. He didn¡¯t ask about the events that had transpired, but she could tell he was waiting for her to speak.


    Ellie recounted the evening¡¯s events to Kaiden, omitting how Demi had exploited the Thorpe family¡¯s secret. She only mentioned Demi¡¯s approach regarding a particr matter.


    At the mention of the drug, Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened, a mix of revulsion and menace crossing his face.


    Had Ellie actually consumed the tainted wine and been locked in that room?


    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s


    Kaiden would surely hold Demi and the Gordons ountable.


    ¡°Was I clear enough?¡± Ellie asked, seeking his confirmation. She hadn¡¯t received his reaction yet.


    Come on! Say something!


    Kaiden¡¯s expression reverted to its usual aloofness. He nced up, his lips slightly parted. ¡°Should Imend your cleverness?¡±


    Had she truly been clever, she wouldn¡¯t have ventured out at all.


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words. She had indeed been clever! Why couldn¡¯t he acknowledge that?


    After they entered the room, Kaiden rose and headed into the bathroom. The sound of water running soon echoed through the space.


    Kaiden had a penchant for cleanliness and habitually showered upon returning home.


    But then, Ellie realized a major issue.


    In this room, there was only one bed!


    Her gaze fixed on the lone, sizable mahogany bed. She stood frozen, unsure of what to do. How would they manage sleeping arrangements tonight? Surely Kaiden wouldn¡¯t want to share the bed with her?


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 Chapter 41

    ?Chapter 41:


    With this thought, Ellie quickly changed into her pajamas and hurried to the bed.


    Dibs!


    When Kaiden emerged from the bathroom, he found Ellie in the middle of the bed, only her head visible above the nket. She appeared indifferent, yet her wide eyes asionally flicked his way.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you wouldn¡¯t want to share the bed, would you?¡± Ellie¡¯s bright eyes gleamed under themplight, her posture implying, ¡°I¡¯m good here! You figure out where you¡¯ll sleep!¡±


    Kaiden nearlyughed in amusement.


    Did she truly think he had no intention of joining her on the bed?


    Ellie¡¯s smirk abruptly disappeared as she watched Kaiden calmly approach the bed.


    Kaiden had emerged fresh from a shower, his hair still wet.


    Wrapped in a navy blue silk bathrobe, its belt hanging loosely, Kaiden¡¯s movements offered glimpses of his defined chest and muscles.


    Ellie felt an unexpected warmth in her earlobes.


    She had seen her share of well-built men, but why did Kaiden¡¯s physique affect her so much?


    Then, the mattress beside her dipped as he sat down.


    Kaiden perched on the bed¡¯s edge, one leg bent casually, drying his hair with a towel from the nightstand.


    ¡°What are you suggesting? You want to be intimate with me, eh?¡± He looked at Ellie pointedly.


    Had this been just after their marriage, Ellie might have boldly insisted on sharing his bed, doubting he¡¯d take her up on it and expecting his disdain.


    Yet now, she sensed no revulsion from him.


    Instead¡­ it seemed he was yfully challenging her.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes fleetingly noticed several colorful boxes on the nightstand.


    Condoms?


    Why would the maids prepare such things?


    ¡°No!¡± She shook her head emphatically. ¡°I just want to sleep!¡±


    With that, Ellie closed her eyes and turned away, choosing to ignore the situation.


    She didn¡¯t think Kaiden would actually join her on the bed.


    But then, the nket lifted, and a warm, slightly damp presence neared.


    Ellie¡¯s reflexes kicked in, and she bolted from the bed, only to stumble as shended at the edge.


    Kaiden could have helped her, but instead, he watched as she fell to the floor, her expression one of utter disbelief.


    ¡°You, you, you¡­¡± Ellie stuttered.


    ¡°Use your words.¡± Kaiden reclined on the bed, one knee raised, his cheek cradled in his hand. His gaze leisurely fell on Ellie, who was on the floor.


    His rxed posture was a striking contrast to his usual reserved and icy exterior.


    Ellie needed a few seconds to process that Kaiden had joined her on the bed, despite her upying the center. She pondered whether Kaiden was acting impulsively today, or if she should regret her earlier apprehensive behavior. What was there to fear?


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 Chapter 42

    ?Chapter 42:


    After all, it was just condoms, items she was familiar with.


    And sharing a bed didn¡¯t necessarily mean anything more.


    With these thoughts, Ellie, now standing, cautiously retreated a step.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? Just say it,¡± Kaiden urged. He seemed in high spirits, evidently not nning to let Ellie off the hook.


    His words sounded encouraging, yet there was an undercurrent of potential danger within them.


    ¡°You¡­ Fine! Sleep on the bed! It¡¯s yours!¡± Ellie decided, lying down on the nearby double sofa. Her demeanor suggested she was done dealing with him. ¡°You have the bed to yourself, and I¡¯ll take mine.¡±


    Their wedding night had already shown her that she couldn¡¯t outmatch him.


    It was better to cede the bed to him.


    Kaiden, lowering his gaze, let out a soft chuckle, audible only to himself.


    In a room with a stranger, Ellie found sleep elusive.


    Her mind wandered to what Erick had said earlier about Kaiden and Leo.


    What exactly had happened back then?


    ¡°Ellie,¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice snapped her back to reality. ¡°If you keep staring at me, I might just pluck out your eyes.¡±


    Realizing she had been gazing at Kaiden for quite a while, Ellie looked away, inwardly chiding his foul mood, and shut her eyes to try to sleep.


    Kaiden, initially in the bed¡¯s center, had shifted to its left side. The spot was once upied by Ellie, leaving behind her faint, sweet scent.


    It was a subtle yet indelible fragrance, piercing the air, seeping into his senses.


    This delicate aroma stirred a sense of restlessness in Kaiden, prompting his move to the left, slightly irked.


    Having finished his emails, Kaiden nced up to see Ellie curled up on the sofa, sound asleep.


    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???


    How could she rest so easily with him in the room?


    Was it overconfidence or sheer trust?


    Little did Kaiden know, Ellie firmly believed he had no interest in her.


    Switching off the lights, he remembered Ellie¡¯s presence and turned the floormp back on.


    He did this not out of concern that she might stumble in the dark, but rather to avoid being disturbed by her potential fear of darkness.


    Meanwhile, Erick escorted Demi to his room.


    There, Demi embraced and kissed him passionately.


    ¡°Demi, I thought you were sick? Should I call a doctor?¡±


    ¡°Only you can heal me!¡±


    Erick paused, then responded eagerly to her kiss.


    Clothes littered the room as their passionate voices filled the air.


    Exhausted, Demiy on the bed afterward as Erick yfully caressed her.


    ¡°Quite eager tonight, aren¡¯t you?¡± Erick was attentive to Demi¡¯s wellbeing, so he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need a doctor?¡±


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 Chapter 43

    ?Chapter 43:


    ¡°Yes.¡± Demi¡¯s eyes conveyed a hint of mncholy. ¡°Ellie spiked my drink tonight.¡±


    She had intended to drug Ellie¡¯s drink, but somehow, she ended up consuming it herself.


    Ellie had outmaneuvered her tonight!


    ¡°What?¡± Erick¡¯s face changed to one of concern as he sat up straight.


    Demi nestled in his embrace,menting, ¡°She asked me to have a drink, suggesting reconciliation. But then she drugged me! How¡­ how could she¡­¡±


    Demi adeptly yed the victim, shedding any guilt for her own actions.


    Erick¡¯s expression darkened.


    He hadn¡¯t realized Ellie was capable of such deceit and malice!


    Ellie, having drunk water at dinner, awoke in the night needing to go to the bathroom.


    Groggily, she returned from the bathroom and, without much thought, crawled into the bed.


    Kaiden, a light sleeper, was already stirring as she moved about.


    When shey beside him, he was fully alert.


    Ellie¡¯s scent became more pronounced, prompting Kaiden to sit up sharply.


    She slept soundly next to him, her peace seemingly unbreakable.


    Kaiden sneered, unwilling to allow her to find peace while his own peace had been shattered by her.


    He called out in a mix of irritation and disbelief, ¡°Ellie.¡±


    Ellie didn¡¯t stir.


    His voice grew stern. ¡°Ellie.¡±


    Still, she nestled deeper into the pillow, asleep.


    Suddenly, Ellie rolled over, unwittingly ending up in his arms.


    In her slumber, she sought warmth, instinctively moving closer.


    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m


    She nestled her head, seekingfort, finally settling in a cozy spot.


    Kaiden¡¯s body stiffened, a suppressed groan escaping him.


    Her knee brushed his thigh, and her own thigh pressed inadvertently against his crotch¡­


    Ellie, nestled in Kaiden¡¯s embrace, had a delicate face that softened in sleep. Her lips parted slightly, and her flushed cheeks made her look especially endearing.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze involuntarily shifted to the condoms.


    After a brief hesitation, he shut his eyes tightly, clenching his teeth as he resisted the urge to push her off the bed.


    Throughout the night, Kaiden remained mostly awake.


    Ellie, ate riser, didn¡¯t wake up until nine in the morning. She sat up, groggy and disoriented, scanning the room.


    ¡°Jesus!¡±


    The sight of Kaiden seated beside her left Ellie speechless.


    ¡°Why¡­ Why am I¡­¡±


    Her braingged in the morning. Wide-eyed and baffled, she pointed alternately at Kaiden and herself, unable to grasp what had urred.


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 Chapter 44

    ?Chapter 44:


    Quickly checking under the nket, she exhaled in relief.


    Her clothes were untouched.


    And she felt no difort.


    Kaiden, observing her actions, suppressed a scornful chuckle. He sat expressionless on the bed, seemingly awaiting her confession.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes darted from the nket to the vacant sofa, confused. ¡°Didn¡¯t I fall asleep on the sofa? Did you¡­ move me?¡± But Kaiden hardly seemed the type to do so.


    Dark circles under his eyes, Kaiden sat with crossed arms, his sneer biting. ¡°Do I look like I wanted to sleep beside you?¡±


    Well, it sounded as though he hadn¡¯t moved her to the bed.


    Ellie racked her brain, eventually piecing together her actions. She remembered getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and, upon returning, instinctively climbing into the bed.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t ustomed to sleeping on a sofa, and the bed¡¯s size,bined with her drowsiness and the dim light, had caused her to overlook Kaiden¡¯s presence. It wasn¡¯t really her fault, right?


    ¡°I knew you couldn¡¯t be that considerate,¡± Ellie murmured quietly. Before she could finish, Kaiden leaned in, pinching her chin to lift her face.


    ¡°Ellie, do you think I¡¯m patient?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes, fringed with thickshes, were captivating but not soft. His face drew closer, his warm breath brushing against Ellie¡¯s skin, allowing her to see her own reflection in his eyes.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± she replied.


    If he was patient, then no one could be considered impatient!


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze was intense. ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°I mean, Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯ve never been impatient,¡± Ellie said, bending the truth.


    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m


    ¡°Ellie, I had a rough night. You should find a way to make it up to me.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s hand brushed her cheek, finding the contact surprisingly pleasant.


    Ellie¡¯s skin was soft and smooth, an inviting sensation.


    She wanted to argue that his rough night wasn¡¯t her concern. But considering she had moved to the bed herself, she acknowledged her fault. Not being ousted was leniency enough.


    She was in the wrong.


    After Ellie finished her morning routine, a maid ryed a message: They were to attend a memorial service at the Thorpe family¡¯s small church, a scenic location in the mansion¡¯s north.


    Demi, not yet officially part of the family, wasn¡¯t invited to participate.


    Inside the church, while everyone else showed respect, Kaiden sat impassively in his wheelchair, his leg injury excusing him from standing.


    Kaiden¡¯s attention was fixed on the urns of his deceased rtives, his expression devoid of even feigned respect, his eyes betraying a trace of coldness.


    Sensing something amiss, Ellie followed his gaze and noticed an empty spot among the urns.


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 Chapter 45

    ?Chapter 45:


    Why was there an empty space?


    Her thoughts were interrupted when Erick inquired, ¡°Grandpa, where is Grandma¡¯s urn?¡±


    Immediately, all eyes turned towards Jorge and Kaiden.


    Kaiden, eyes downcast, let out a chuckle, as if amused by some private joke.


    Erick¡¯s grandmother wasn¡¯t Brisa, but rather Jorge¡¯s first love¡ªthe mistress!


    ¡°Quiet.¡± Talon, sensing Jorge¡¯s reluctance to speak, silenced Erick. Erick, looking between Kaiden and Ellie, couldn¡¯t suppress his frustration.


    ¡°Grandpa, my father is your own son, and Grandma dedicated her life to you. Doesn¡¯t she deserve a ce here?¡± His gaze shifted provocatively toward Kaiden. ¡°Is someone jealous?¡±


    Ellie knew the Thorpe family¡¯s turbulent history.


    Talon, Erick¡¯s father, was Jorge¡¯s child from a past affair. Talon¡¯s mother had insisted on living in the Thorpes¡¯ house, disrupting Jorge¡¯s married life with Brisa, even attempting to usurp Brisa¡¯s position. How could such a woman, who had torn apart Kaiden¡¯s family, be honored here or receive Kaiden¡¯s respect?


    In that moment, Ellie saw Kaiden in a new light: a solitary figure akin to a lone beast atop a mountain. He was untouchable yet profoundly isted, teetering on the brink of an abyss.


    The Thorpe family members exchanged nces, their eyes shifting between Talon¡¯s family and Kaiden.


    After a tense silence, Kaiden finally dered, ¡°Her ashes can be ced here.¡±


    Jorge was stunned.


    ¡°Fetch my mother¡¯s ashes!¡± Talon, ted, instructed a maid.


    Kaiden spoke again, his tone mischievous yet ominous. ¡°If you dare bring her ashes, I dare to destroy them.¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡± Jorge exploded in rage. ¡°You cold, defiant bastard! Why are you so aggressive?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s smile was barely there, icy and faint.


    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source


    His threat to destroy the ashes was no idle im.


    The ceremony dissolved into chaos, with the ashes of Jorge¡¯s first love staying elsewhere.


    As everyone exited the church, Ellie, reflecting on Kaiden¡¯s earlier vulnerability, whispered to him, ¡°Your father removed those ashes intentionally. He still considers your feelings.¡± Kaiden¡¯s response was a cynical sneer.


    Ellie braced herself for his harsh words.


    Predictably, Kaiden remarked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, don¡¯t overestimate others. If Leo, my brother, hadn¡¯t been overlypassionate, he wouldn¡¯t be reduced to ashes now.¡±


    Jorge had never truly cared for Kaiden. He was more concerned with his image, wanting to avoid a scene at the church.


    Suddenly, a shout pierced the air. ¡°Look out!¡±


    A young boy, about six, ran into Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair.


    Located on high ground, the church¡¯s exit was a slope, and Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair began hurtling down it.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡±


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 Chapter 46

    ?Chapter 46:


    Without a second thought, Ellie sprinted after the runaway wheelchair. Her white dress billowed behind her as she raced down the slope, leaving onlookers amazed at her swift reaction.


    Halfway down the slope, Ellie finally reached Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair. However, the inertia from its swift motion was overwhelming, causing her legs to buckle. One knee hit the asphalt hard, and as the wheelchair came to a halt, a sharp pain radiated from her injured knee.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ellie asked Kaiden with concern. Looking up, she met his deep, unreadable gaze.


    His eyes were like a vast abyss, hiding his true emotions.


    ¡°Ellie, why did you do that?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was a mix of confusion and concern, a rare feeling for him.


    Ellie began to speak, but Kaiden quickly leaned down, lifting her into his arms.


    Unable to stand firmly, she instinctively grasped onto him¡ªone hand on his chest, the other on his thigh.


    The sensation of his muscr form and his unique scent momentarily overwhelmed her, prompting her to try to stand on her own.


    Kaiden noticed the stark contrast of her blood against her white dress and skin, making the wound appear more severe.


    ¡°Do you think I needed your help?¡± he asked coldly.


    He felt an urge to tend to her wound, despite his usual indifference. In the rush of the moment, Ellie had forgotten that Kaiden, often seen in a wheelchair, was not actually disabled.


    Moreover, Kaiden wouldn¡¯t recklessly endanger himself, especially not for those he deemed unworthy.


    ¡°Look, I disturbed your sleepst night, and now I¡¯m hurt because of you. Let¡¯s call it even, okay?¡± Ellie tried to lighten the mood.


    She certainly had a knack for negotiation!


    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    Kaiden found himself wondering whether Ellie¡¯s actions were born of cleverness or recklessness.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re safe!¡±


    The other members of the Thorpe family soon caught up with them.


    A woman turned to the boy and scolded him, ¡°You little rascal! You nearly hurt Kaiden! Say sorry to him! Kaiden won¡¯t be angry with you because of it.¡±


    The speaker was the boy¡¯s mother, holding him protectively.


    How did a six-year-old manage to push the wheelchair?


    Was it an ident, or was there more to it?


    Yet, the woman swiftly deflected any me from her grandson. ¡°Kaiden¡¯s alright, so let¡¯s move on,¡± Talon casually dismissed the situation.


    Strikingly, no one apologized to Kaiden.


    ¡°Get a wheelchair for my wife,¡± Kaiden instructed a maid, ignoring the family¡¯sck of concern.


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 Chapter 47

    ?Chapter 47:


    He turned to Ellie, who had been watching him, her expression a mix of disbelief at the Thorpe family¡¯s attitude and confusion over hisposure. ¡°Kaiden, they¡­¡±


    ¡°Just sit,¡± he cut her off.


    He instructed the maid to ensure Ellie remained seated in the wheelchair, safeguarding her injured knee from further harm. Before Ellie could protest, Kaiden wheeled himself towards the boy¡¯s parents.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°God, he¡¯s bleeding!¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, what are you doing? Are you insane?¡±


    ¡°Get a doctor, now!¡±


    In the ensuingmotion, cries of pain stood out starkly.


    Kaiden¡¯s voice,ced with a cold edge, followed. ¡°Sorry, my wheelchair slipped.¡±


    Blood? Perfect. Let them share in his wife¡¯s pain.


    The Thorpe family doctor treated Ellie¡¯s wound, finding it to be superficial. Rest would be enough for her recovery.


    However, the boy¡¯s parents suffered a broken bone and a stitched forehead, enduring their injuries in silence.


    Kaiden¡¯s patience had reached its limit, and he informed Bruce toe pick them up.


    Ellie watched him, puzzled by his actions on the slope, reminiscent of a mischievous child seeking retribution.


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Kaiden¡¯s eyelids lifted as he met her gaze. ¡°You just¡­¡±


    ¡°I have no patience for brats, and they should learn not to mess with someone disabled.¡± Kaiden nced at her knee. ¡°That looks dreadful!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± No woman likes to hear that any part of her is ugly, even if it¡¯s a wound!


    Ellie tried to reason, ¡°The wound will heal, and then it won¡¯t look so bad.¡±


    ¡°Then heal quickly,¡± he urged her.


    A Bentley Mulsanne pulled up in front of Moon Manor.


    As Ellie opened the door to get out, Kaiden had alreadye around to her side, his arms sliding under her knees and back, lifting her.


    Surprised, Ellie found herself seated in Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair.


    She blinked, unsure how to respond.


    ¡°My knee is just superficially injured, not broken,¡± Ellie feltpelled to remind him.


    ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t test my patience,¡± Kaiden warned.


    He frowned at the sight of the bulky bandage on her knee.


    Ellie was baffled. What?


    What had she done to upset him?


    She absentmindedly touched the wheelchair¡¯s armrest, then did a double take.


    The armrest was studded with sapphires, rubies, and diamonds!


    Kaiden was living extravagantly!


    ¡°Why do you often use a wheelchair if there¡¯s no need to hide your leg¡¯s condition at Moon Manor?¡± she asked, feeling uneasy about him pushing her in his wheelchair.


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 Chapter 48

    ?Chapter 48:


    At Moon Manor, everyone was devoted to Kaiden, ensuring there was no threat of espionage from Talon¡¯s side.


    Kaiden, sporting a grim expression, seemed not to hear Ellie¡¯s question. Bruce, trailing them, was well aware of the reason behind Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair use: sheerziness.


    Despite his regr exercise routine, Kaiden viewed walking as unnecessary, preferring the convenience of a wheelchair.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you alright?¡± Cayson was taken aback to see Ellie in the wheelchair.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a minor injury. I¡¯ll be fine in a few days,¡± Ellie reassured, keeping the exnation brief.


    ¡°I¡¯ll prepare a nutritious soup for you tonight,¡± Cayson dered before heading to the kitchen.


    Ellie, slightly bemused, didn¡¯t get a chance to rify the trivial nature of her wound.


    ¡°Let the maids know if you need anything,¡± Kaiden instructed, implying she should avoid walking. He then proceeded upstairs to the study with Bruce.


    Once they were gone, Ellie stood up.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe!¡± A maid rushed over, rmed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Ellie chided lightly, proving her mobility by walking a few steps. ¡°I¡¯m just heading to my room.¡±


    On her way, she spotted a sparkling beverage with lemon slices. ¡°Could you bring that sparkling drink to my room? And add some ice, please.¡±


    Sparkling drink?


    The maid looked perplexed, recognizing the Long Ind Iced Tea prepared earlier. Surprised by Ellie¡¯s casual reference to the cocktail as the sparkling drink, she wondered about her alcohol tolerance.


    Two maids apanied Ellie, one carrying the Long Ind Iced Tea and the other close behind, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t stumble on the stairs.


    Once in her room, Ellie rxed on the carpet, pouring the drink into a ss with ice. She savored the first sip, the sour lemon and sweet honey perfectly blending with the unique taste of c and the fizz of carbonation.


    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om


    The drink¡¯s stimting texture added an intriguing twist.


    Delicious!


    It would pair wonderfully with a slice of rich cheesecake.


    Before she knew it, half the pitcher was gone. Ellie set down the ss, feeling slightly full and a bit light-headed, though still quite lucid.


    She then gathered her nightgown and headed for a bath.


    After Kaiden finished in the study, he didn¡¯t encounter Ellie in the dining room during dinner.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Ellie?¡±


    ¡°She went to her room after you went upstairs,¡± a maid informed him.


    Ellie¡¯s room was adjacent to the master bedroom.


    Kaiden knocked thrice but entered upon receiving no answer.


    The room was empty, except for a table near the French window, where a mostly empty pitcher of Long Ind Iced Tea sat, its sweet and sour scent mingling with a subtle hint of alcohol.


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 Chapter 49

    ?Chapter 49:


    Despite its mild aroma, Long Ind Iced Tea contained gin, rum, vodka, and tequ.


    Ellie had consumed over half?


    Quite the feat!


    Bang!


    Suddenly, a noise from the bathroom caught Kaiden¡¯s attention. His heart sank. Without a second thought, he strode quickly to the bathroom and barged in without knocking.


    Inside, the bathroom was filled with warm, misty vapors.


    The bathtub overflowed, and Elliey submerged, only her head above the water. Her face, flushed from the steam, bore a hint of difort. Strikingly, her injured right leg dangled outside the tub, the ankle visible while the bandaged knee remained submerged.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Kaiden¡¯s expression turned grave as he lifted her from the bath.


    Realizing she should beid t, he quickly wrapped her in a towel.


    As he carried her, he shouted, ¡°Get the doctor now!¡±


    The maid at the door, jolted by hismand, rushed toply. Ellie¡¯s consciousness wavered. She struggled to open her eyes, feeling an overwhelming urge to sleep.


    Kaiden gentlyid her on the bed, water from her body dampening the sheets.


    Her skin, pale and delicate, gave her the appearance of a porcin doll¡ªboth exquisite and lifeless, as if she might slip into a deep slumber at any moment.


    A sense of panic gripped Kaiden¡¯s heart. ¡°Ellie, wake up!¡± he called urgently.


    On the bed, Ellie¡¯s lips moved faintly, whispering incoherently. Kaiden bent closer, the strong scent of alcohol wafting from her.


    ¡°Yummy¡­ I want a little more¡­ My leg hurts¡­¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened, frustration evident. ¡°Serves you right,¡± he muttered.


    The bandage on her knee was soaked and swollen, hinting at a worsening condition. Though Kaiden was ustomed to handling his own injuries, he hesitated to touch her fragile knee, fearing further harm.


    Ellie¡¯s expression showed difort as she murmured about the pain in her knee.


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    ¡°Where¡¯s the doctor?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice held an edge of impatience, his usualposure slipping.


    ¡°On the way!¡±


    The family doctor arrived in haste, nearly stumbling into the room.


    As the doctor neared the door, Kaiden abruptly stood and shut it with a forceful bang, nearly hitting the doctor¡¯s face. This left the doctor confused.


    Ellie, covered only by a thin bath towel, shifted restlessly, inadvertently exposing more of herself.


    Kaiden¡¯s frustration was evident. He wanted to cover her more decently, but the wet nket was of no use.


    He cracked the door just enough for one person to pass through.


    ¡°You,e inside,¡± he directed the maid, tossing a shirt her way. The maid entered, catching a glimpse of Kaiden¡¯s bare torso. She averted her eyes out of respect.


    ¡°Cover her with this,¡± Kaiden instructed, gesturing towards Ellie on the bed.


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 Chapter 50

    ?Chapter 50:


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Obediently, the maid approached. She couldn¡¯t help but notice Ellie¡¯s ethereal beauty¡ªher damp hair contrasting against the white towel, her skin so pale. Even in her disheveled state, Ellie exuded an artful grace.


    The maid understood Kaiden¡¯s privacy concerns; Ellie¡¯s allure was undeniable, captivating to anyone, regardless of gender.


    She gently dressed Ellie in Kaiden¡¯s shirt, puzzled by his reluctance to do it himself. Weren¡¯t they a couple?


    Perhaps she should suggest using Ellie¡¯s own clothes from the wardrobe, but she decided against it, assuming it might be a romantic gesture between them.


    Kaiden¡¯s ck shirt hung on Ellie like an oversized dress, her injured knee and lower leg exposed, creating a striking contrast with the dark fabric.


    Kaiden watched, his expression hardening.


    A bath towel would have been more appropriate.


    Before the doctor entered, the maid cautioned him not to look around too much. However, human curiosity often prevails.


    Inadvertently, the doctor nced at Ellie, immediately drawing a stern warning from Kaiden. ¡°Care to keep your eyes?¡± It was a threat.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Thorpe!¡± The doctor quickly averted his gaze, apologizing.


    In his profession, patients were seen without gender bias.


    ¡°Is Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s injury only on her knee?¡± he inquired, carefully removing the bandage.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden confirmed, having previously checked. Ellie¡¯s main issue now was intoxication.


    As the bandage came off, the severity of the wound was apparent. The prolonged soaking had worsened its appearance.


    The doctor began his treatment.


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    ¡°Ouch!¡± At the touch, Ellie woke up, reacting sharply to the pain and instinctively pulling away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Kaiden firmly held her shoulder, steadying her.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, it¡¯s crucial to treat this properly to prevent infection,¡± the doctor tried to reassure her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stand it! It¡¯s too painful!¡± Ellie protested, writhing in difort.


    As she spoke, her legs curled up, and she involuntarily leaned closer into Kaiden¡¯s hold.


    ¡°Ellie, stay still!¡± Kaiden could feel her clinging to his chest.


    With Ellie draped in only his shirt, the thin fabric barely separating their skin, Kaiden¡¯s awareness of her body against his intensified.


    A subtle desire spread within him.


    ¡°No¡­ it hurts! Staying still doesn¡¯t help! It hurts! You lied to me!¡± Ellie¡¯s tears began to flow as the doctor touched her wound with crumpled gauze.


    Kaiden had thought she might be exaggerating, but looking down, he saw genuine tears streaming down her face, marring her usually perfect features.


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 Chapter 51

    ?Chapter 51:


    Was she actually crying?


    Were they tears of sadness?


    She did seem rather pitiful.


    ¡°Stop! It¡¯s too painful¡­ It¡¯ll be fine! It¡¯ll heal on its own! No more treatment, please!¡±


    Ellie, who had endured the afternoon¡¯s treatment in silence, now sobbed and protested.


    Attempting to push the doctor away, she nearly tumbled off the bed.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Kaiden caught her swiftly, holding her firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re scolding me?¡± Ellie¡¯s disbelief was evident, her voice tinged with usation. ¡°You got angry at me!¡±


    Kaiden was at a loss for words, sighing deeply.


    When had he scolded her?


    His voice might have raised in urgency, but that was all.


    Frustrated, he wondered if he shouldn¡¯t reprimand her, given her current drunken state.


    Not receiving an immediate response, Ellie confronted him. ¡°What right do you have to scold me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your husband!¡± Kaiden retorted, teeth clenched.


    Engaging with someone intoxicated was proving to be a test of his patience.


    ¡°My husband?¡± Ellie pondered, then confidently dered, ¡°No, you¡¯re not! You¡¯re a jerk! Ouch!¡±


    Distracted by their exchange, Ellie winced as the doctor, perhaps startled by her outburst, applied a bit more pressure to her wound.


    At that moment, the doctor felt Kaiden¡¯s icy stare.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened as he issued a stern warning. ¡°If you can¡¯t apply medicine properly, you shouldn¡¯t be a doctor.¡±


    ¡°I am being careful¡­ I mean, I apologize! I¡¯ll be more gentle!¡± The doctor hastily adjusted his approach, acutely aware of the gravity of treating even a superficial wound under Kaiden¡¯s scrutiny.


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    Astounding revtion! Mrs. Thorpe called Mr. Thorpe a jerk! Strangely, he was unfazed!


    Was the recent gossip about their strained rtionship inurate?


    ¡°The wound¡¯s fine! Stop, don¡¯t touch me! It hurts!¡± Ellie, hugging her legs, adamantly refused further treatment. Pain was no longer something she was willing to tolerate.


    ¡°If it¡¯s hurting, the wound is still healing,¡± Kaiden responded coolly. Ellie¡¯s pout conveyed a sense of genuine grievance, as if Kaiden¡¯s sternness had wounded her.


    Seeing Ellie in this state¡ªresistant and tearful¡ªKaiden was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t anticipated her bing so unmanageable when intoxicated.


    The doctor, hesitating to disobey Kaiden¡¯s directive but wary of Ellie¡¯s distress, refrained from further action.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, perhaps you could¡­ persuade Mrs. Thorpe to cooperate?¡± the doctor suggested tentatively.


    Persuade her?


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 Chapter 52

    ?Chapter 52:


    This was unfamiliar territory for Kaiden.


    After a brief pause, he attempted a different approach. ¡°Ellie, if you cooperate with the doctor, I¡¯ll buy you a handbag.¡±


    He recalled Jerome¡¯s advice about women: ¡°Handbags can cure all a woman¡¯s ailments. And if one doesn¡¯t do the trick, just get another.¡±


    Ellie, still somewhat inebriated, gazed at Kaiden with a dazed yet attentive look, clearly hanging on his words.


    Kaiden had mentally resolved to instruct Bruce to purchase ten Hermes bags the next day.


    But unexpectedly, Ellie cupped his face with her soft hands, her eyes brightening.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want a bag; I want¡­¡± Her voice lifted joyously. ¡°Hot chocte!¡±


    Kaiden was momentarily taken aback by her simple request. What?


    ¡°With toppings,¡± Ellie emphasized seriously. ¡°Toppings are essential!¡±


    Kaiden, aware of Ellie¡¯s coffee-making skills, was surprised that her drunken fixation was on hot chocte.


    Was this really Ellie?


    ¡°Don¡¯t you agree?¡± She became wary when Kaiden didn¡¯t immediately respond, suspecting he might renege on his promise. ¡°If you don¡¯t agree, I won¡¯t get treated! I won¡¯t! You¡¯re a liar!¡±


    Kaiden responded with a cold scoff.


    He briefly considered refusing, as it wasn¡¯t his leg at stake.


    But then, he acquiesced. ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± Ellie, still under the influence, waited for him to borate.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression remained stoic, almost intimidating. ¡°I will get you that hot chocte,¡± he conceded.


    Ellie¡¯s face lit up with a satisfied smile. Suddenly, she leaned forward.


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    ¡°Love you!¡±


    She nted a swift kiss on his lips!


    The maid, observing this, nearly dropped the tray in surprise.


    Ellie¡¯s whimsical actions were typical of someone inebriated, devoid of logic.


    ¡°You kissed me earlier, so now we¡¯re even!¡±


    After her deration, Ellie turned her attention away from Kaiden, sitting still to allow the doctor to continue.


    She winced in pain, her expression reflecting a profound sense of grievance.


    Kaiden, momentarily taken aback, quickly regained hisposure as if the kiss hadn¡¯t fazed him.


    Yet, to an observant eye, his gaze had deepened, conveying an intensity akin to a dormant beast. Beneath his calm exterior, he seemed ready to pounce, disying a predatory nature hidden beneath his controlled demeanor.


    ¡°Alright, Mr. Thorpe. Please ensure Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s wound doesn¡¯t get wet again,¡± the doctor advised afterpleting the treatment, visibly relieved yet sweating from the tension.


    This simple procedure had felt more daunting than a high-stakes surgery!


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 Chapter 53

    ?Chapter 53:


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze shifted to the doctor and the maid. ¡°Be careful with what you say.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± They both nodded quickly, understanding the importance of discretion.


    They had no intention of spreading the day¡¯s events¡ªsuch gossip was forgotten as soon as they left the room.


    Ellie, slightly dazed from her inebriation, remained seated on the bed, sleepiness tugging at her. Yet, she managed a sleepy ¡°Hey! Bye!¡± to the departing doctor and maid, her smile gentle and unguarded. The maid instinctively clutched her chest, struck by the contrast. Ellie, typically the epitome of poise and elegance, transformed under the influence of alcohol¡­ She was incredibly charming!


    God! Who could possibly resist such allure?


    It was no surprise that Kaiden appeared so amodating with her.


    Ellie then turned to Kaiden, puzzled as to why he hadn¡¯t left.


    ¡°Bye!¡± She waved at him too.


    Kaiden almost found humor in Ellie¡¯s state.


    Gently holding her face, he gazed deeply into her eyes, then down at her flushed lips. ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    What had she misunderstood?


    Confused, Ellie tried to focus, her mind muddled by alcohol.


    Kaiden rified, ¡°That kiss, we settled before. But now, you¡¯ve given me another one.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s expression shifted to bewilderment. ¡°Really? But I thought¡­¡± Her eyes widened in shock.


    Kaiden¡¯s lips met hers.


    This kiss differed from the earlier one; it held more tenderness,sted longer, and delved deeper.


    Ellie¡¯s thoughts couldn¡¯t catch up. She remained motionless, yielding to the moment.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Only when she needed air did she start tapping Kaiden. Releasing her lips from his, Kaiden watched as she leaned against his chest, her strength ebbing away.


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    Ellie, catching her breath, was oblivious to the intense longing in his eyes.


    She was unaware of any lurking peril.


    ¡°You don¡¯t owe me now.¡± Kaiden¡¯s usually crisp voice sounded husky. He gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his gaze deepening. He leaned in, kissing her once more.


    Ellie, losing her bnce, fell back onto the quilt.


    Kaiden followed, pinning her down, his kisses bing more fervent, more demanding.


    The moment ended with Ellie gasping for breath, overwhelmed. Kaiden, hovering above her, traced his eyes from her delicate brows to her slender neck and curving silhouette¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s ufortable,¡± Ellie murmured, her brows knitting.


    ¡°What?¡±


    What did she mean?


    She shifted, repeating, ¡°There¡¯s something ufortable between my legs.¡±


    Realizing what had made her ufortable, Kaiden inhaled sharply.


    In her lucid state, Ellie would never utter such words.


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 Chapter 54

    ?Chapter 54:


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sleepy!¡± she cut him off, curling up. Disinclined to delve into her difort, she closed her eyes, murmuring, ¡°I want to sleep now.¡±


    Kaiden cursed under his breath, frustration evident.


    A momentter, he carefully lifted her, intent on leaving the damp bed.


    ¡°I want to sleep!¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes fluttered open, her movements bing more ragged.


    Though inebriated, the intensity of their recent encounter made Ellie instinctively wary of Kaiden, wanting to distance herself from him.


    A drunk¡¯s subconscious can sometimes be their saving grace. Kaiden¡¯s expression was icy as he warned, ¡°Move again, and I¡¯ll throw you down. You¡¯ll break your legs then!¡±


    Ellie, terrified, remained still.


    Her eyes opened wide, ring at Kaiden, her look using him of bullying her.


    Handling a drunken Ellie was troublesome!


    With a forceful kick, Kaiden opened his bedroom door and ced her on his bed. ¡°Sleep!¡±


    Confused, Ellie looked up at him. ¡°And what about you?¡±


    ¡°Just sleep!¡± he repeated sternly.


    Ellie yawned, burying her face in the pillow.


    Kaiden clenched his teeth in frustration, opting for a cold shower. Never before, in his twenty-seven years, had someone made him this angry without a way to release his fury.


    Mid-shower, Ellie¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°You¡¯re not my man.¡± Hiswfully wedded wife was in his bed, yet here he was, dousing his desires with cold water.


    An hour passed.


    Emerging from the shower, Kaiden, enveloped in a chill, found Ellie asleep. The lingering effects of the cocktail had taken their toll. The air conditioner set low, Ellie curled into a small bundle on the bed, her head the only thing peeking out from the nket.


    Her thick, curlyshes, petite nose, and small mouth gave her a delicate appearance. Even in sleep, her lips curved slightly, softening her exquisite features.


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    Yet, Ellie was anything but delicate.


    Kaideny down on the other side of the bed.


    The bed,rge enough for two, left ample space between them.


    As Kaiden closed his eyes, he sensed a slight movement beside him. Ellie had shuffled a bit in her sleep, instinctively seeking warmth in Kaiden¡¯s embrace.


    His senses were filled with her scent, a delicate blend of honey and milk. Her soft form pressed close to him.


    Kaiden, troubled by her proximity, closed his eyes tightly.


    Shouldn¡¯t a top socialite be more mindful of her sleeping manners?


    How was he expected to rest with her clinging like this?


    He considered pushing her away, but when he tried, she caught his hand.


    ¡°Baylee, let¡¯s sleep,¡± Ellie murmured in her slumber.


    It took Kaiden a moment to realize she was mistaking him for Baylee.


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 Chapter 55

    ?Chapter 55:


    Annoyed, he pinched her cheek, his gaze sharp.


    ¡°Ellie, look at me right now,¡± he insisted.


    But Ellie, lost in her drunken sleep, didn¡¯t respond. She nestled closer to him, more rxed than the night before.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t stop moving, I¡¯ll do something you won¡¯t like!¡± Kaiden warned, feeling a familiar stir within him. He held her still, preventing further movement.


    Eventually, Ellie settled into a deep sleep.


    Kaiden rose, returning to the bathroom.


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel foolish.


    One benefit of fine liquor was the absence of a hangover.


    When Ellie awoke, her head was spinning. She felt as if she were floating on clouds.


    Sitting up, it took her a full minute to orient herself. The sight of a dark nket and the modern d¨¦cor around her snapped her back to reality. This wasn¡¯t her room.


    Was this¡­ Kaiden¡¯s room, the one she had entered on their wedding night?


    Ellie nced down, noticing she was wearing a ck shirt that wasn¡¯t hers.


    This realization left her perplexed.


    After changing, Kaiden returned from the bathroom to find Ellie examining her attire in disbelief.


    Startled by his entrance, she stammered, ¡°I¡­ You¡­ Is this your room?¡±


    Kaiden regarded her as if she were being absurd.


    If it weren¡¯t his room, why would he be here?


    Ellie, confused, probed further. ¡°But how did I end up here? I thought I was in my room. And this shirt¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember anything?¡± Kaiden queried.


    Ellie tried to recall. ¡°I remember drinking some juice, I think? It¡¯s all a blur from that point.¡±


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    But shouldn¡¯t she have woken up in her own room?


    Juice?


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but scoff. ¡°Ellie, calling Long Ind Iced Tea just a ¡®juice¡¯ is quite something.¡±


    Despite her low tolerance for alcohol, only able to handle half a ss of wine, Ellie was no stranger to the world of spirits. As the discreet owner of Rich Bar, she was well-acquainted with popr cocktails, including the renowned Long Ind Iced Tea.


    It was famous for its strong alcohol content, known for sparking passionate nights among those who indulged in it.


    Realizing that she had gotten drunkst night from the drinks, she frantically inspected her clothes. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she found no signs of hickeys or bruises.


    Yet, as she finished checking, she regretted it almost instantly. Looking up, she saw Kaiden¡¯s mocking smile.


    Was he¡­ mocking her?


    That was the first thing she should do, right? Checking herself after a ckout seemed prudent.


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 Chapter 56

    ?Chapter 56:


    Attempting to leave the bed, Ellie winced from a sharp pain in her knee.


    The injury on Ellie¡¯s knee, worsened from being wet the night before, throbbed more than it had yesterday.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Ellie nearly toppled over, but Kaiden caught her in time.


    ¡°Stay still!¡± hemanded sharply.


    Blinking, Ellie felt a wave of embarrassment. ¡°I need to go to the bathroom¡­¡±


    Without a word, Kaiden scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom, setting her down gently.


    ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re finished,¡± he said before stepping out and closing the door.


    Alone, Ellie pondered over the sudden change in Kaiden¡¯s behavior.


    Was he being kinder because she was injured on his behalf?


    Sitting there, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit self-conscious.


    When Kaiden had his shower, she could hear the water running inside. Could Kaiden hear her now?


    His personal items filled the bathroom, making her acutely aware of his presence.


    It was as if she had wandered into uncharted territory.


    Overwhelmed, Ellie hid her face in her hands.


    She still couldn¡¯t remember the events of the previous night. Why was her bandage changed, why was she in Kaiden¡¯s room, and why was she wearing his shirt?


    Eventually, Kaiden knocked on the door, his toneced with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± she called out.


    Ellie hurried, flushing the toilet and washing her hands before opening the door to find Kaiden waiting to carry her again.


    ¡°Wait!¡± she eximed, suddenly finding the idea of a wheelchair appealing. ¡°I can use the wheelchair.¡±


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    Being so close to a man felt unfamiliar to her.


    Kaiden, noticing her difort, leaned against the wall with a teasing grin.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, feeling shy?¡±


    She shot him a look worth a hundred thousand and replied calmly, ¡°You¡¯re my husband. What¡¯s there to be shy about?¡±


    He touched her chin gently, then, after a moment, nodded and lifted her. ¡°The wheelchair is just outside.¡±


    Kaiden had an urgent meeting and had to leave quickly, entrusting Ellie to the maid at the door.


    ¡°Look after her well,¡± he instructed.


    The maid remembered the previous night¡¯s events and nodded earnestly. ¡°Absolutely, we¡¯ll take great care of Mrs. Thorpe!¡±


    Cayson walked Kaiden to the door, a sly smile on his face. He couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, did Mrs. Thorpe spend the night in your¡ª¡±


    Kaiden looked back at him, his response straightforward. ¡°Where else would my wife sleep if not in my room?¡±


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 Chapter 57

    ?Chapter 57:


    Cayson remained silent.


    For crying out loud! The wedding night had gone quite differently.


    After freshening up, Ellie sipped the honey water a maid had brought, straining to piece together the previous night¡¯s fuzzy memories.


    But her mind was nk.


    Then, the maid leaned in, her voice sincere. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you should know how much Mr. Thorpe cares for you. He was by your side all ofst night.¡±


    Ellie massaged her temples, puzzled. ¡°What exactly happened?¡±


    With a gentle smile, the maid recounted, ¡°You were found dozing in the bathroom, and Mr. Thorpe was the one who discovered you. He immediately called for a doctor.¡±


    A wave of relief washed over Ellie, d that nothing more serious had urred.


    The maid continued her tale. ¡°You were quite affectionate,menting about your wound. Mr. Thorpe was there,forting you through it all.¡±


    Ellie choked on the honey water, her shock evident. ¡°Hold on! What did I do? And how did he react?¡±


    ¡°You were being quite flirty,¡± the maid recalled, assisting Ellie in piecing together her actions. ¡°You cuddled up to Mr. Thorpe, and he wasforting you, even offering to buy you a bag. But you wanted hot chocte instead. You even kissed him!¡±


    The maid finished her story with a knowing smile.


    Ellie felt a rush of panic at the mention of hot chocte and a kiss.


    What had she done?


    Realizing the maid wasn¡¯t making this up, Ellie covered her face, feeling a deep sense of embarrassment.


    ¡°Could you¡­ please leave me alone for a bit?¡±


    She was determined not to dwell on the previous night¡¯s events.


    The idea that drinking could lead to such chaos was rming!


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    Ellie, feeling overwhelmed and seeking solitude, used her injury as a pretext to stay confined to her room.


    Later that evening, Baylee brought unsettling news.


    Two of Talon¡¯s distant rtives had encountered serious troubles. One was implicated inmercial crimes, leading to their family¡¯s downfall. The other had suffered a sudden financial copse, losing everything overnight.


    Puzzled, Ellie inquired, ¡°Who could be behind this?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no concrete evidence, but rumors suggest GT Group might be involved,¡± Baylee exined over the phone.


    Given GT Group¡¯s international prominence, they certainly had the means to orchestrate such dramatic downfalls.


    Such power could even pose a threat to the Thorpe family.


    But why? Ellie wondered about the motive, especially since these were the same families that had confronted Kaiden at the Thorpes¡¯ house.


    Could this all be a mere coincidence?


    Her contemtions were interrupted by a knock at the door.


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 Chapter 58

    ?Chapter 58:


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe has returned.¡± The maid¡¯s voice was steady but carried a hint of concern.


    Without hesitating, Ellie buried herself deeper into her nkets, shutting her eyes tight.


    The maid, receiving no reply and fearing something amiss, cracked the door open to peek inside. Seeing Ellie seemingly asleep, she closed the door gently and descended the stairs.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe appears to have fallen asleep,¡± she informed Kaiden.


    Kaiden, removing his coat and tossing it onto the sofa, asked casually, ¡°How has she been spending her day?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe has been resting in her room all day,¡± the maid responded.


    Kaiden nodded, a hint of approval in his gesture. It was a rare asion for her to be sopliant.


    Just then, Cayson approached with a grave expression.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe,¡± he began. ¡°Madam wishes to see you and Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    Cayson was not just any servant; he had been brought into the household by Kaiden¡¯s mother from her family home. The ¡°Madam¡± he referred to was Kaiden¡¯s mother, Brisa.


    It was a well-guarded secret that Brisa, believed by the outside world to have passed away, was very much alive.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened immediately. ¡°How did shee to know?¡± he muttered.


    Brisa had been battling mental instability for years, and news of Kaiden¡¯s marriage should have been kept from her. The revtion was troubling, hinting at a breach in their carefully maintained secrecy.


    ¡°Someone intentionally disclosed your marriage to Madam within the walls of the Thorpe estate,¡± Cayson revealed.


    The Thorpe family was unwilling to relinquish their hold on Brisa, despite her mental instability. In essence, she was their only leverage against Kaiden.


    Cayson hesitated before asking, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, about Madam¡­¡±


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    Lighting a cigarette, Kaiden exhaled slowly, the smoke doing little to ease the palpable tension.


    ¡°Inform her that Ellie is my wife. We will visit when she¡¯s better,¡± he said firmly.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Cayson nodded and then asked, ¡°Will you visit Mrs. Thorpe upstairs?¡±


    ¡°No, I need to leave for Gwylia immediately. Keep an eye on her for me,¡± Kaiden instructed, shaking his head.


    ¡°As you wish.¡±


    Upon hearing of Kaiden¡¯s imminent departure, Ellie felt a wave of relief wash over her. She ventured out of her room, grateful for the chance to avoid further awkward encounters with him.


    Meanwhile, she had already reached a state of tranquility when she considered the fact that the maid had witnessed the silly things she had done the night before.


    To the outside world, she and Kaiden were nothing less than a married couple. Ellie reasoned that as long as their interactions remained appropriate in public, there was no cause for embarrassment.


    When Ellie got the interview invite from GT Group, her knee was just beginning to heal.


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 Chapter 59

    ?Chapter 59:


    GT Group conducted a quarterly stylist hunt, filtering through thousands of applications to interview fewer than a hundred. The process involved three rigorous rounds, culminating in one personnding the coveted role.


    The chosen candidate would partner with GT Group for the quarter, gaining ess to unparalleled resources and training. Standout participants might even secure referrals to prestigious brands and studios¡ªa tremendous boost for any r¨¦sum¨¦.


    Determined not to let the opportunity slip, Ellie, despite her injury, made her way to the interview.


    The GT Group tower, a striking feature of Critport¡¯s financial district, loomed ahead with its gleaming ¡°GT¡± insignia.


    The initial stage was a written test, covering the essentials of image design and thetest in fashion, alongside analytical questions. The immediate results whittled the group down to twenty-nine.


    Next, candidates demonstrated their styling skills on mannequins. This round tested their basic yet critical abilities in fashion coordination and personal ir.


    Ellie, absorbed in her task, was unaware she¡¯d be the subject of photos now circting in GT Group¡¯s employee chat.


    ¡°There¡¯s an absolute stunner at today¡¯s interview! Puts the celebrities to shame!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re goddamn right! She¡¯s the epitome of elegance! Makes me feel like aplete klutz.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s so stunning! She could coast on her looks alone! Why even bother with talent?¡±


    ¡°Skeptical here! Come on! Show me her pics.¡±


    Bruce, also a GT employee, saw the chat and smirked, unaware of Ellie¡¯s presence.


    Then the photos appeared, and his smugness vanished.


    What was going on?


    Wasn¡¯t that Mrs. Thorpe?!


    Why was she at GT Group?


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    Did she know her husband was on the thirty-eighth floor, in the CEO¡¯s office?


    Pondering briefly, Bruce hurried to Kaiden¡¯s office.


    Kaiden¡¯s office exuded a spacious and bright ambiance, adorned with expansive windows, yet its ck-and-white palette lent a stark, austere vibe.


    Kaiden was at his desk when Bruce burst in.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you need to see this.¡± Bruce presented his phone. ¡°Isn¡¯t this Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    The photo showed a woman in a chic, light beige dress and ck coat, attentively working on a mannequin. Her elegance was undeniable, her demeanor cool and collected.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she meant to be resting at home?¡±


    Bruce was clueless about the situation.


    After all, it wasn¡¯t his spouse.


    Kaiden immediately called Cayson to check in.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe left early, mentioning an errand,¡± Cayson reported.


    An errand?


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    ?Chapter 60:


    Sensing Kaiden¡¯s thoughts, Bruce chimed in quickly, ¡°It appears Mrs. Thorpe is vying for the stylist position here this quarter. She¡¯s made it to the second interview round and seems to be faring quite well.¡±


    Ellie was unknowinglypeting at her husband¡¯spany.


    Kaiden¡¯s response was a silent pressure of his tongue against his cheek.


    ¡°Have her brought to me.¡±


    He wondered why she hadn¡¯t stayed home to rest as instructed.


    On the day he returned to the country, Kaiden was surprised to find Ellie out and about.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a merger meeting soon. Zoey can handle this, right?¡± Bruce proposed.


    Zoey Sawyer, Kaiden¡¯s trusted secretary-general, was undeniably a loyal aide. However, her ce in Kaiden¡¯s heart couldn¡¯tpare to Bruce, who had grown up alongside him after being personally brought out of the orphanage by Kaiden.


    Kaiden nodded, signaling Bruce to proceed.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Kaiden called out as Bruce neared the door. A sudden thought struck him. ¡°Fetch me a cup of hot chocte.¡±


    Bruce paused, startled. ¡°Hot chocte, sir?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe he¡¯d heard right.


    Kaiden¡¯s deadpan look indicated that Bruce had heard him right.


    ¡°Well, hot chocte,¡± Bruce repeated, still in disbelief.


    Trying to hide his astonishment, he asked, ¡°Which caf¨¦ then? How sweet? Any special toppings?¡±


    Kaiden, not usually concerned with such specifics, was momentarily perplexed.


    Bruce, having worked alongside Kaiden for years, could read him like an open book. Even with Kaiden¡¯s stoic demeanor, Bruce sensed the confusion swirling in his boss¡¯s mind¡ªa silent question mark hanging in the air.


    Drawing on his past experience of buying hot chocte for his ex-girlfriend, Bruce was well-versed in the varied tastes women might have for the beverage. He promptly began to rify, ¡°Well, everyone has their own preference for hot chocte. The sugar level could be full, less, half, or slight. Toppings like milk caps can be added too, which can be sweet or salty. Plus, there are numerous caf¨¦s to choose from. So, Mr. Thorpe, what would you like? From which caf¨¦? Sweet Heart? Or Happy Drink?¡±


    This deluge of options clearly hit a blind spot for Kaiden. It was just a drink, after all. Why all the fuss over the details? Did women really invest so much time and thought into their hot chocte choices?


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    Kaiden, uninterested in navigating thisplexity, simply instructed, ¡°One of each. With extra toppings on all.¡±


    Bruce paused to ponder. Wouldn¡¯t such an order essentially transform the drink into something else, perhaps a cappino? But Kaiden¡¯s look of impatience signaled that this was not the time for debate. Bruce knew his role was to follow orders, not question them¡ªespecially over a matter as trivial as a beverage.


    Meanwhile, Ellie was a model of efficiency at the interview. While other candidates meticulously adjusted and readjusted essories, shepleted her task in one fluid motion, now standing quietly beside her finished mannequin, waiting for the judges¡¯ review.


    The mannequin, devoid of any human expression or form, presented no challenge to Ellie. For her, dressing this inanimate figure was a simple task.


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    Into this scene of focused anticipation walked Zoey, her elegant presence in a ck shirt dressmanding immediate respect from the interview team.


    The head of the team quickly approached her, deference in his voice as he introduced Ellie.


    ¡°Miss Sawyer, this is Ellie Gordon,¡± he announced.


    Ellie, slightly confused but ever polite, nodded her greeting. ¡°Hi, nice to meet you.¡±


    Zoey, wasting no time, directed firmly, ¡°You,e with me.¡±


    Ellie, taken aback, replied, ¡°But I¡¯m in the middle of an interview¡­¡±


    The head of the interview team interjected promptly, ¡°Miss Gordon, your work isplete. Please feel free to apany Miss Sawyer. We will inform you of any further steps via text.¡±


    Ellie offered her thanks and reluctantly followed Zoey out, her mind swirling with questions.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯m Zoey Sawyer, secretary-general to the CEO. He¡¯s requested to see you,¡± Zoey exined as they approached the elevator.


    Ellie, feeling a twinge of difort in her knee and a growing sense of unease, responded, ¡°I don¡¯t believe I¡¯m acquainted with your CEO. May I know why he wishes to meet me?¡±


    Zoey¡¯s response was brief and to the point. ¡°That¡¯s something you¡¯ll need to discuss with the CEO himself.¡±


    The elevator ascended smoothly to the thirty-eighth floor.


    Zoey ushered Ellie into the CEO¡¯s office, saying, ¡°Miss Gordon, our boss is caught up in an unexpected meeting. Please make yourselffortable and wait here.¡±


    The vast officey empty.


    The enigmatic nature of GT Group¡¯s CEO was intriguing to the outside world, as he remained a figure rarely seen even by the financial elite.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude to Zoey and settled onto the plush sofa.


    She had wrapped up her second interview swiftly, and it hadn¡¯t been long before a message arrived, informing her of the final round scheduled in three days.


    As Ellie was pondering over the interview, the office door swung open, and a man¡¯s voice rang out, discussing an uing energy deal.


    Ellie rose to greet what she assumed would be the elusive president of GT Group. However, the sight of the man entering left her rooted to the spot.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± she murmured.


    Kaiden halted mid-stride, his gaze snapping towards the reception area. He epted a file from an aide and dismissed him curtly.


    ¡°Leave.¡±


    The financial director, poised to discuss crucial details, hesitated but was quickly silenced by Kaiden¡¯s icy re.


    He nodded. ¡°Yes, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Kaiden was known for his meticulous and diligent work ethic. What could have possibly made him show such a sudden disinterest in his duties?


    As the financial director left, he happened to catch a glimpse of a striking woman standing in the reception area out of the corner of his eye.


    Her beauty was undeniable, with bright eyes and rosy cheeks that captured attention.


    He thought about the way she addressed Kaiden, and the familiarity between them. Could she be his girlfriend?


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 Chapter 62

    ?Chapter 62:


    Rumors had always circted that Kaiden had little interest in personal rtionships. Was this a revtion to the contrary?


    Once the door closed, a brief silence filled the room.


    ¡°Why are you standing there? Sit down!¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice broke the silence, his tone sharp as he noticed Ellie¡¯s choice of footwear. She was wearing high heels despite her knee injury.


    Ellie, under the firm pressure of Kaiden¡¯s hands, reluctantly resumed her seat on the sofa. Her voice wasced with disbelief.


    ¡°You¡­ You are the president of GT Group?¡±


    Without answering her question, Kaiden gently lifted the hemline of her dress to examine her bandaged knee. The scabbed wound was unsightly, but thankfully, it didn¡¯t seem to have worsened.


    ¡°Ellie, if you dare disregard my warnings again, I won¡¯t hesitate to take drastic measures,¡± Kaiden threatened, his voice carrying a serious undertone.


    Ellie quickly adjusted her dress, her mind still reeling from the shock.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Kaiden, you¡¯re the president of GT Group?¡± she repeated, struggling to align this revtion with the man she knew.


    The supposed ck sheep of the Thorpe family was actually at the helm of a globally acimed corporation? This stature far exceeded his position as the Thorpe family heir, which typically came with associated constraints.


    ¡°You don¡¯t appear too surprised,¡± Kaiden observed, noting how quickly Ellie seemed to process and ept this new information.


    ¡°It¡¯s unexpected, yet somehow, it makes sense,¡± Ellie responded swiftly. Her thoughts rapidly aligned as she continued, ¡°Firstly, your long-term deception about your disability under the Thorpe family¡¯s watch suggests you had a powerful aplice¡ªthe Stephens family, who always oversaw your medical care, must be part of this ruse. Only if you have considerable power and influence could you persuade them to oppose the Thorpe family.


    Secondly, the opulence of Moon Manor contradicts the narrative of an abandoned son. The antiques alone in the main building are worth a fortune.


    And finally, Jerome, a discerning mogul in the entertainment industry, holds you in high esteem. All of these clues point to your status being much more significant than what was publicly known.


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    Moreover, what kind of person must he be to sessfully feign a disability and fool everyone? Of course he was not someone to be taken lightly.¡±


    ¡°Have you been investigating me?¡± Kaiden¡¯s fingers brushed Ellie¡¯s chin, his eyes holding a cold, dangerous glint.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Ellie responded nonchntly, appearing unfazed by the threat. ¡°I¡¯ve merely been observant and concerned about my husband¡¯s well-being. What if you were hiding some ailment?¡±


    ¡°Which ailment are you implying? One that affects performance in bed?¡± Kaiden¡¯s question wasced with innuendo.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Was he really turning a serious conversation into a crude joke?


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Kaiden¡¯s eyebrow quirked, feigning innocence.


    Trying to maintain herposure, Ellie retorted, ¡°As your wife, it¡¯s my duty to be concerned about all aspects of your health.¡±


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 Chapter 63

    ?Chapter 63:


    They were both mature adults; if he was bold enough to ask, she was brave enough to respond.


    A flicker of surprise, then amusement, passed through Kaiden¡¯s eyes. Ellie, once hiding behind a facade of innocence, was now presenting herself unabashedly.


    Outside the office, Zoey spotted Bruce carrying tworge bags of hot chocte.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you buy these before,¡± she remarked curiously.


    Bruce nodded toward Kaiden¡¯s office. ¡°They¡¯re for the folks inside.¡±


    ¡°What? You mean Miss Gordon? Who is she?¡± Zoey, who had worked for Kaiden for over three years, had never seen him take the initiative to meet any woman.


    ¡°She¡¯s Mr. Thorpe¡¯s woman. Be careful not to offend her.¡±


    Zoey¡¯s expression shifted subtly at the revtion.


    Mr. Thorpe¡¯s woman?


    When, and most importantly, how did that happen?


    Bruce entered the office, finding Kaiden engrossed in documents and Ellie deep in thought on the sofa. He ced the hot chocte on the coffee table.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, this is hot chocte that Mr. Thorpe asked me to get for you.¡±


    The mention of hot chocte stirred buried memories in Ellie¡¯s mind.


    Eyeing those cupsden with toppings, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Isn¡¯t this too much?¡±


    Bruce suppressed a snicker as Ellie¡¯s earlobes flushed red. Kaiden, noticing her reaction, signaled Bruce to leave.


    Rxed and observant, Kaiden watched Ellie.


    ¡°Well, about that night when you were drunk, you specifically¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough! I know what happened!¡± Ellie interjected, her despair amusing Kaiden.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± Ellie was eager to escape Kaiden¡¯s presence, finding each moment with him torturous.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Kaiden¡¯s attention shifted to Ellie¡¯s high heels. He called Zoey.


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    Shortly after, Zoey returned, a pair of Gi leather slippers in hand.


    ¡°Change into these,¡± Kaiden instructed.


    Ellie, eager to leave,plied without protest, finding the slippers soothing against her aching knees.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving,¡± Ellie announced, grabbing her bag.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your hot chocte,¡± Kaiden reminded her.


    Ellie closed her eyes, wishing to escape the phrase ¡°hot chocte.¡± Yet, she couldn¡¯t deny its appeal. She sighed and selected a cup.


    Kaiden then instructed Bruce, ¡°Take her back.¡±


    Ellie, attempting to dismiss Bruce, said, ¡°You must be quite busy.¡±


    Bruce replied, ¡°Mr. Thorpe has more on his te.¡±


    ¡°I can go on my own. No need to apany me,¡± Ellie insisted.


    Bruce, however, was adamant. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, given your recent actions, Mr. Thorpe insisted I escort you back to Moon Manor.¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for a response.


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 Chapter 64

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    Once alone, Kaiden pondered Ellie¡¯s fascination with hot chocte. Curiously, he picked up a cup, took a sip, and his expression turned to one of instant revulsion.


    It tasted terrible. He mused how easily women¡¯s tastes were catered to and exploited.


    Demi¡¯s career had been on a significant upswing.


    Thanks to Houston¡¯s influence, her talent agency provided her with top-tier resources, positioning her alongside thepany¡¯s most prominent stars. Prestigious fashion brands were reaching out to her one after another.


    Shortly after she signed onto a leading variety show, Demi encountered Dani.


    ¡°Demi, you won¡¯t believe who I saw today at GT Group¡¯s studios. I was there for a magazine shoot.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Demi disliked the suspense.


    ¡°It was Ellie!¡± Dani, knowing Demi¡¯s animosity towards Ellie, didn¡¯t hesitate to divulge the information. ¡°I asked around. She¡¯s in the running to be GT Group¡¯s new quarterly coborative stylist and has made it to the final round!¡±


    Demi had thwarted Ellie¡¯s prospects multiple times, but this opportunity with GT Group was on another level.


    Bing the coborative stylist for GT Group would undoubtedly elevate Ellie¡¯s status dramatically.


    ¡°What did you say? She¡¯s in the final?¡± Demi couldn¡¯t believe it, her grip tightening around the fashion magazine until it crumpled in her hand.


    How could Ellie, of all people, be deemed worthy of such a prestigious opportunity?


    Struggling to contain her shock and rage, Demi took a deep breath and remembered a crucial detail.


    MOON, a high-end jewelry brand under the GT Group umbre, had recently shown interest in making her their spokesperson. The discussions, however, had stalled over pricing disagreements.


    This, Demi realized, could be a perfect bargaining chip to use against Ellie.


    Ellie returned to Moon Manor and immersed herself in preparing for the third and final round of the interview.


    Kaiden, having not encountered her since his return, inquired about her whereabouts.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe is reading in her room,¡± Cayson informed him. ¡°She seems deeply engrossed in preparation for an important interview in a few days.¡±


    At the mention of the interview, Kaiden¡¯s mind instantly conjured an image of Ellie teetering around in her high heels, causing him to frown at her perceived recklessness.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, the sanatorium has contacted us again,¡± Cayson interjected, bringing Kaiden back from his thoughts. ¡°It seems Madam had another distressing episodest night.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s face clouded over.


    ¡°Inform Ellie that I¡¯ll take her out tomorrow. And make sure the sanatorium is ready for our visit.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


    Ellie was somewhat surprised to learn from Cayson that she was to apany Kaiden the following day. They were to visit a venerable elder, and she understood the importance of making a good impression.


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 Chapter 65

    ?Chapter 65:


    She chose her outfit thoughtfully: light, flowing wide-leg pants paired with a simple camisole and a loose-knit sweater draped over as a refined outeryer. The ensemble was designed to convey a sense of gentle elegance, something she hoped the elder would find pleasing.


    As she was about to slip into her high heels, her wrist was suddenly caught.


    ¡°Choose another pair,¡± Kaiden instructed, nodding toward a different pair of shoes.


    Ellie nced at the t Gi leather slippers he indicated. Shaking her head, she protested, ¡°These don¡¯t match my outfit today.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s raised eyebrows and silent stare conveyed an unspoken authority.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, why are you so concerned about this minor wound?¡± Ellie sighed, feeling the scabbed-over injury was hardly a concern.


    ¡°I am being concerned about my savior,¡± Kaiden stated tly, his expression unreadable.


    Ellie, hearing him refer to her as his ¡°savior,¡± couldn¡¯t help but sense a hint of sarcasm.


    She internally chastised herself for her impulse to help him that day. Why had she bothered with the well-being of someone so ungrateful?


    ¡°Fine, I will do as you wish. After all, I¡¯m about to meet someone important to you. Just so you know, appearing in mismatched attire will not only reflect poorly on me!¡± Ellieined, her voice tinged with frustration as she reluctantly slipped on the t shoes.


    Although the slippers were a decent match for Ellie¡¯s outfit in color, they shed stylistically. For most, this might not be an issue, but for Ellie, whose profession revolved around image design, it was a slight to her expertise.


    Today, Kaiden opted for a Bentley, which was parked under the main building¡¯s portico.


    As Ellie settled into the car with a sullen expression, she turned away to gaze out the window, presenting Kaiden with nothing but the back of her head. She had no desire to face him.


    Her hair was neatly tied into a bun today, and the sight made Kaiden¡¯s fingers twitch with the urge to touch it.


    Was she really so perturbed over a pair of shoes?


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    The Bentley smoothly exited Moon Manor, heading toward a private shopping mall¡¯s VIP parking. Bruce and his team, having received Kaiden¡¯s instructions earlier, were already waiting with an array of women¡¯s t shoes disyed on a five-tier rack.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she pieced together Kaiden¡¯s intentions. He had prepared these shoes for her?


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, to ensure a selection, Mr. Thorpe asked us to bring various styles,¡± Bruce said, gesturing toward the disy.


    ¡°Do any of them suit your outfit?¡± Kaiden asked, his toneced with a teasing challenge, as if to mock Ellie¡¯s emphasis on appearances.


    Ellie, choosing not to engage with his jibe, selected a pair of Diorce ballet ts. Their ck-and-white design, adorned with the Dior logo, was simple yet sophisticated.


    Before they left, Ellie turned to Kaiden, seeking validation.


    ¡°Now, do these match better than the previous ones?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression, frustratingly indifferent, seemed to question whether there was any difference at all.


    Ellie felt a surge of irritation. Why bother discussing fashion with someone so indifferent?


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 Chapter 66

    ?Chapter 66:


    ¡°What should we do with the remaining shoes?¡± Bruce inquired.


    ¡°Take them to the manor,¡± Kaiden directed.


    Arriving at their destination, they were greeted by a premier private sanatorium known for its exceptional staff and exclusive clientele.


    ¡°Madam dressed up early this morning, iming she¡¯d meet her daughter-inw,¡± a caregiver shared as they walked. ¡°She was initially upset about your marriage, but then something changed her moodpletely.¡±


    Kaiden guessed the reason. His mother must have learned that Ellie was her daughter-inw and was pleased with her.


    By the artificialke stood a woman, looking no more than in her early forties, draped in an elegantly handmade absinthe-green traditional dress. Her features bore a striking resemnce to Kaiden¡¯s.


    ¡°Mom,¡± Kaiden greeted, his voice as cool as ever.


    Ellie, taken aback, nced at Kaiden.


    ¡°That¡¯s your mother?¡± she asked in disbelief, her voice trailing off. ¡°But wasn¡¯t she supposed to be¡­¡±


    ¡°Dead?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s response was calm, almost indifferent.


    Ellie, caught in uncertainty, didn¡¯t know how to react. To the world, the matriarch of the Thorpe family had been deceased for five years. How could it be that she was still alive?


    Brisa, sensing the arrival of guests, turned and greeted Ellie with a genuine, warm smile, beckoning her closer.


    ¡°Ellie,e over!¡±


    Many Thorpe family members had anticipated Brisa¡¯s displeasure with her new daughter-inw, unaware that Brisa held Ellie in high regard.


    Hesitantly, Ellie nced at Kaiden.


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    ¡°What should I do¡­¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡± Kaiden gestured, urging her forward.


    Ellie recalled the few times she¡¯d met Brisa as a child. Back then, Brisa exuded elegance and gentleness, but her eyes always carried a touch of sadness and burden.


    Now, Brisa¡¯s gaze was clear and innocent, reminiscent of a child¡¯s.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, hi, I¡­¡± Ellie began.


    Before she could continue, Brisa took her hand gently, correcting her with a tender smile.


    ¡°Ellie, you shouldn¡¯t call me Mrs. Thorpe now.¡±


    Ellie paused, puzzled. Should she address her as Miss Chapman? Perhaps Brisa had divorced Kaiden¡¯s father?


    Brisa¡¯s eyes twinkled with satisfaction as she affectionately instructed,


    ¡°Now that you and Kaiden are married, you should call me Mom!¡±


    Brisa didn¡¯t wait for Ellie¡¯s response; instead, she led her to the chairs, expressing her joy.


    ¡°Ellie, you are now my daughter-inw. You don¡¯t know how happy that makes me! It¡¯s Kaiden¡¯s luck that someone like you has affection for him, despite him being a jerk!¡±


    Ellie was momentarily speechless, unsure whether to be stunned by Brisa¡¯s enthusiasm or to agree with her assessment of Kaiden.


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 Chapter 67

    ?Chapter 67:


    ¡°Is Kaiden treating you well?¡± Brisa inquired softly.


    As memories of Kaiden¡¯s difficult behavior came to mind, Ellie hesitated to respond.


    Sensing the hesitation, Brisa¡¯s smile dimmed.


    ¡°Kaiden,e here!¡± she called out sternly.


    Kaiden, who had been observing from a short distance, approached Brisa in his wheelchair, his face a mask of impassivity.


    ¡°Wives should be cherished, Kaiden. Ellie is a catch, and many are vying for her attention. If you don¡¯t value her, you¡¯ll regret it,¡± Brisa chastised with a stern tone, emphasizing the importance of cherishing a partner like Ellie.


    Kaiden responded with a nomittal grunt, seemingly unfazed by Brisa¡¯s lecture.


    After her brief scolding session, Brisa¡¯s attention shifted to Ellie.


    ¡°Ellie, is Kaiden treating you well? If he¡¯s ever unkind, just tell me. I¡¯ll teach him a lesson!¡±


    It appeared Brisa had momentarily forgotten her previous sermon.


    Ellie, sensing an oddity in Brisa¡¯s fluctuating mood, nced at Kaiden, searching for some sign of understanding. Kaiden, however, remained stoic, giving nothing away.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ good to me,¡± Ellie lied, masking her true feelings. ¡°He just has a bit of a temper.¡±


    ¡°The upset look on your face upon arrival appeared to contradict your words,¡± Brisa probed, not entirely convinced by Ellie¡¯s reassurance.


    Ellie¡¯s forced smile wavered as she scrambled for a believable excuse.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just exhausted fromst night. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unhappy. Sorry for any confusion.¡±


    Kaiden, observing the exchange, couldn¡¯t help but let a smirk flicker across his face as Ellie struggled to maintain her facade.


    ¡°You are exhausted?¡± Brisa echoed, her tone suddenly changing, adopting a knowing look. ¡°That¡¯s understandable for young couples. Physical closeness is good for the rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ellie blurted out, flustered. ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant¡­¡±


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    ¡°Ellie, there¡¯s no need to be shy with me,¡± Brisa interrupted with a wink, dismissing Ellie¡¯s attempts at rification.


    Ellie, at a loss for words, felt trapped in a misunderstanding she couldn¡¯t escape.


    She nced desperately at Kaiden, hoping for his intervention. However, Kaiden, with an air of detachment, closed his eyes, feigning sleep.


    Ellie realized she was on her own with this one.


    Brisa, seemingly forgetful of the previous conversation, repeated her question after a while. At that moment, a nurse approached, noting it was time for Brisa¡¯s medication.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it. It¡¯s so bitter!¡± Brisa protested childishly as the nurse attempted to persuade her.


    Ellie, observing the scene, felt a growing concern. Brisa¡¯s behavior was far from typical for an adult.


    Quietly, she edged closer to Kaiden and whispered, ¡°Your mother, is she¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, Brisa erupted in a fit of distress, knocking over her medicine and water. Clutching her hair, she sobbed inconsbly.


    ¡°Jorge, why hasn¡¯t Jorge visited? What did I do wrong? Why doesn¡¯t he love me anymore? Jorge! Where are you?¡±


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 Chapter 68

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    Those in the upper echelons of society were well aware that Jorge, the patriarch of the Thorpe family, had never truly let go of his first love and had shown little affection toward his wife, Brisa.


    Brisa, who just moments ago had exuded elegance, turned into a figure of distress and confusion.


    Only a tranquilizer could bring Brisa back to a state of calm.


    Ellie stood frozen in shock, her mind reeling as the medical staff escorted Brisa away. It was only after they had disappeared that she found her voice.


    ¡°Kaiden, your mother¡­¡±


    ¡°She suffers from a mental disorder,¡± Kaiden interjected, finishing her sentence.


    His demeanor remained detached, even as he witnessed his mother¡¯s episode. Thisck of reaction seemed to confirm the rumors about his ruthless, cold-hearted nature.


    But what had transpired to render him so impassive, especially toward his own mother? What had caused Brisa, once a paragon of grace and beauty in Critport, to deteriorate into such a state?


    A subtle, nagging difort began to gnaw at Ellie, a blend of sorrow and confusion fermenting within her.


    A doctor came half an hourter and reassured Kaiden,


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Madam¡¯s condition is stable for now. You¡¯re familiar with her emotional swings; they¡¯re quite unpredictable.¡±


    Kaiden acknowledged this with a nod, then turned to Ellie, his voice devoid of warmth.


    ¡°Let¡¯s leave.¡±


    Exiting the sanatorium, Ellie couldn¡¯t shake off a creeping sense of dread. The idea that the Thorpe family had concealed Brisa¡¯s existence for so long was unsettling.


    She stayed silent until they were back in the car. Then, after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she ventured,


    ¡°Kaiden, about your mother¡­¡±


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    ¡°Don¡¯t delve into matters that don¡¯t concern you,¡± he interrupted sharply.


    Kaiden¡¯s response cut Ellie short.


    He sat stoically on the opposite side of the car, his face an impassive mask, seemingly unaffected by his mother¡¯s distressing episode at the sanatorium.


    Ellie¡¯s curiosity was usually contained, but Brisa was an exception. In her middle school days, fraught with confusion and helplessness, it was Brisa who had extended a helping hand, guiding and encouraging Ellie to pursue her dreams.


    Sitting up straight, Ellie asserted, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, as yourwful wife, I have a right to understand the situation with my mother-inw.¡±


    Kaiden turned towards her, noting her serious tone. He rolled down the window, letting in a gust of wind.


    ¡°Ellie, remember, curiosity killed the cat.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Ellie muttered, her voice low. ¡°But remember, your mother told you not to pick on me. I might just tell her about this next time.¡±


    Kaiden, despite his indifferent facade, found his thoughts drifting to Ellie¡¯s gentle interaction with Brisa at the sanatorium. It was a stark contrast to her fiery spirit when she shed with him. His heart inexplicably fluttered.


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 Chapter 69

    ?Chapter 69:


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± he said suddenly.


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie was taken aback, not following his train of thought. Kaiden, maintaining his aloof demeanor, acted as though he hadn¡¯t spoken.


    Ignoring his sullen expression, Ellie pressed on with her question. ¡°Why would the Thorpe family perpetuate the myth of Brisa¡¯s death?¡± The very idea seemed like a cruel curse upon a living person.


    ¡°What if it was the Thorpe family¡¯s doing?¡± Kaiden replied, resting his chin on his hand and looking at Ellie with a rxed gaze.


    ¡°What?!¡± Ellie was stunned, blinking in disbelief.


    How could the Thorpe family have spread such a devastating rumor about Brisa? Despite her unstable mental state, they shouldn¡¯t have done that!


    Kaiden¡¯s slight, cold smile only deepened Ellie¡¯s shock.


    The truth was hard to ept, but it was undeniable.


    Then a thought struck Ellie. Jorge had been known for his romantic exploits before marrying Brisa, even caring for his first love postman-I age.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you bring your mother home?¡± Ellie asked, her voice soft yet firm. It was clear that Kaiden, though distant, held a certain respect for Brisa.


    Surely, for Brisa, living with her son would be preferable to being confined in a sanatorium and presumed deceased by the outside world.


    Suddenly, Kaiden reached out, his hand grasping Ellie¡¯s chin, examining her with newfound interest.


    Ellie met his gaze with a mixture of surprise and calm, waiting for what he would do next.


    Her eyes, though clear and bright, bore no trace of the same innocence that Brisa¡¯s eyes held even during her lucid episodes.


    Kaiden was taken aback by Ellie¡¯s unwavering integrity and unique nature. How had the Gordon family raised such an intriguing individual?


    Brisa, in her lucid moments, had often told Kaiden about Ellie¡¯s intelligence, resilience, and kindness. She believed Ellie shared some traits with Kaiden himself.


    Explore more fiction on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???????


    Despite his intelligence, Kaiden couldn¡¯t fathom Ellie¡¯s capacity for gentleness after all she¡¯d endured.


    He assumed everyone would be as calcting as him.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re quite astute. Care to venture a guess?¡± Kaiden¡¯s smile faded.


    ¡°You¡¯re the clever one, not me,¡± Ellie deflected with apliment.


    How could she possibly unravel such a mystery?


    Moreover, Kaiden wasuded as a prodigy in his youth. Ellie knew her own intellectual limits well.


    Kaiden, choosing to end the conversation, closed his eyes and feigned sleep.


    The car fell into an ufortable silence.


    Eventually, Ellie broke it. ¡°Kaiden, Brisa once offered me support. It might have been trivial for her, but it meant the world to me. She¡¯s so dignified and aplished. Her life shouldn¡¯t be reduced to this.¡±


    Dignified? Aplished? Ellie held Brisa in such high regard?


    Kaiden found the notion almostughable.


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 Chapter 70

    ?Chapter 70:


    Indeed, ignorance could sometimes be bliss.


    If Ellie knew the truth¡ªthat Brisa¡¯s situation wasn¡¯t due to Kaiden¡¯s reluctance or inability to bring her home, but rather her own refusal¡ªwould Ellie¡¯s fond memories shatter?


    The Brisa Ellie admired hadpromised her pride for love, sacrificing her dignity and even her son¡¯s well-being to maintain a semnce of connection with her husband.


    Her pride? Brisa had relinquished it long ago.


    The visit to Brisa faded into the background as Kaiden refrained from mentioning his mother again.


    Sometimes, Ellie wondered if her encounter with Brisa had been nothing but a dream.


    The final interview for GT Group¡¯s coborative stylist was approaching. Ellie was among the five finalists.


    The interview involved pairing each candidate with a staff member of varying styles to showcase their stylistic abilities. Ellie¡¯s partner was a modest girl with a notable corbone and figure.


    Ellie opted for high-waisted leather pants and vibrant suspenders to entuate the girl¡¯s physique. A slicked-back hairstyle and earth-toned makeup added a cool, edgy look. Despite the girl¡¯s average height, her presence was undeniably strong, leaving asting impression.


    A great stylist, Ellie knew, must highlight the model¡¯s uniqueness and capture the audience¡¯s attention in this data-driven, materialistic world.


    On the thirty-eighth floor, Bruce approached Kaiden in the elevator. ¡°There¡¯s a merger summit this morning, and your wife¡¯s interview is at the same time. Should I reschedule the meeting?¡±


    Kaiden shot Bruce a look that silently questioned, ¡°Do I really need to attend her interview? How is it possible that her interview is more critical than the meeting?¡±


    Bruce, understanding the priority, promptly responded, ¡°I¡¯ll inform the merger and acquisition team to start the meeting in ten minutes.¡±


    The interview was swiftly conducted, with ten judges scoring five candidates. After discarding the highest and lowest scores, the averages were quickly calcted.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s holds stories for every mood


    Ellie¡¯s name appeared at the top of the big screen. She ranked first.


    Her confidence in her work was well-founded.


    The panel began theirmentary on each entry, culminating in the announcement, ¡°Congrattions to our first ce, Ellie Gordon¡­¡± But the celebration was abruptly interrupted.


    The ck of high heels echoed through the room, and the door burst open. GT Group¡¯s staff, failing to stop Demi, apologized profusely, ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry. Miss Gordon insisted it was urgent¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s brow furrowed as Demi made her unexpected entrance. Demi, upon confirming Ellie¡¯s top cement, fixed her with a disdainful smirk.


    She then addressed the head of the panel. ¡°Mr. Gross, I¡¯ve agreed to your offer to endorse MOON. I¡¯ll even reduce my fee by three million dors, on one condition¡­¡± Her gaze shifted pointedly to Ellie. ¡°Ellie Gordon must not be your coborative stylist.¡±


    Cristopher Gross, the brand department head, hesitated as he weighed Demi¡¯s offer against Ellie¡¯s talent. The prospect of securing an endorsement at a reduced fee clearly intrigued him, and the idea of ousting one stylist for potentially greaterpany benefits seemed a worthy gamble.


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    ?Chapter 71:


    He whispered briefly to the styling director before a revised announcement was made. ¡°Afterprehensive consideration, we announce Akira Steele as the selected stylist,¡± the director stated, offering Ellie an apologetic nce. ¡°Thank you to the other four stylists for participating.¡±


    Akira, who initially ranked second, was ecstatic at her unexpected victory.


    Ellie, in stark contrast, was stunned. The abrupt change, particrly after Demi¡¯s entrance, felt both shocking and somehow anticipated.


    Demi going to such lengths to obstruct her was unexpected.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Ellie, but this is the punishment you deserve,¡± Demi said, masking her triumph with feigned sympathy. ¡°Mr. Gross, shall we proceed with signing the contract today?¡±


    Cristopher¡¯s eagerness was palpable as he directed Demi, ¡°Please, this way, Miss Gordon.¡±


    The other candidates dispersed, leaving Ellie with the styling director, who conveyed her regrets. ¡°Demi is the Gordon family heiress, and her concessions werepelling. It¡¯s hard to overlook such influence, and Akira does have her own connections.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Ellie acknowledged quietly, her disappointment evident. ¡°Thank you. I will be cautious and make sure not to implicate you in any subsequent events.¡±


    The styling director looked puzzled at Ellie¡¯s parting words, but she had already left the room. Waiting for the elevator, Ellie nced at a recording on her phone, a sardonic smile on her lips.


    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    The ding of the elevator arriving coincided with a woman¡¯s voice calling from behind. The neer, donning a stylish ck dress and high-heeled boots, her hair fashionably short, approached Ellie.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t get to properly greet each other,¡± Akira said, her smile brimming with triumph. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ellie! Sorry to learn that you¡¯re not the real heiress of the Gordon family.¡±


    ¡°Akira, does it feel good to win through connections?¡± Ellie retorted with a measured smile.


    Akira, who was Ellie¡¯s senior in school, had always been overshadowed by Ellie¡¯s sess. Since Ellie¡¯s arrival at school, Akira¡¯s days of being the top student had ended.


    Akira¡¯s face flushed with mixed emotions. ¡°What if I used connections? You benefitted from the Gordon name too. Who¡¯s to say your achievements weren¡¯t orchestrated by your family, especially now that you¡¯ve been ousted by the GT Group after the true Gordon had exerted her influence?¡±


    Akira emphasized the word ¡°true¡± to provoke Ellie.


    Inside the elevator, Ellie briefly considered confronting Kaiden but decided against it. She pressed the button for the first floor, choosing to leave.


    The meeting room at GT Group was tense. Kaiden had spent two hours scolding the executives for a range of issues, from poor merger strategies tockluster PowerPoint presentations. The atmosphere was so charged that nobody dared to break the silence, even during the break.


    An executive, returning from a brief exit, spoke to Bruce. ¡°Is Mr. Thorpe in a bad mood today? His aggression seemed excessive.¡±


    Bruce, understanding the real reason for Kaiden¡¯s irritation but unable to divulge it, replied vaguely, ¡°Perhaps Mr. Thorpe didn¡¯t want to have the meeting today. Let¡¯s hope it ends soon.¡±


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, Kaiden abruptly concluded the meeting before the break was over, dismissing the executives¡¯ ns as unworthy of further discussion.


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 Chapter 72

    ?Chapter 72:


    As Bruce followed Kaiden, carrying documents, Kaiden instructed, ¡°After the interview, bring Ellie to me.¡±


    Bruce wondered why Kaiden hadn¡¯t simply adjusted the meeting timing earlier.


    ¡°What reason should I give for bringing Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Bruce asked, considering the possibility of Ellie not winning.


    Kaiden¡¯s sharp nce made Bruce quickly correct himself. ¡°Of course, Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s talent is exceptional. She will undoubtedly be the first. I¡¯ll arrange for the interview team to bring our new coborative stylist to you.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s features rxed marginally. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t secure first ce, it¡¯ll just confirm that her des were unearned.¡±


    Bruce, sensing the mood, kept his gaze on the floor, choosing to remain silent.


    Ellie¡¯s academic achievements were impressive: an elerated admission to the nation¡¯s top university and a flurry of prestigious awards during her studies. But thepetition for GT Group¡¯s stylist selection was fierce, with each finalist boasting an impressive resume. Two days earlier, Bruce had discreetly checked with the interview team and was reassured by Ellie¡¯s standout skills. Still, an inexplicable unease gnawed at him.


    Half an hourter, Bruce, holding the interview results, was stunned.


    Akira Steele? This was unexpected. He had been certain it would be Ellie. A sense of foreboding settled over him.


    That same day, Ellie came across Demi¡¯s recent Twitter post boasting, ¡°Got MOON¡¯s endorsement. So happy!¡±


    Demi¡¯s agency had strategically boosted the post to ensure it trended, garnering a flood of congrattory messages from her fans, all praising her exceptional talent and bright future with GT Group.


    Amidst the digital adtion, Ellie¡¯s phone rang. It was Demi, her voice dripping with venom. ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t know what you did at the Thorpes¡¯ house! Today¡¯s just a taste of what¡¯s toe. As long as I¡¯m around, you won¡¯t have a moment¡¯s peace, you lowly thief!¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Ellie retorted with a chuckle, unfazed. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m, your destination for tales


    Some indeed fall as hard as they rise.


    As the day transitioned to evening, Kaiden returned home.


    Upon entering, he found Ellie lying on the carpet before the French windows, her knees drawn up, gazing out at the sky painted in shades of gold and red. Her long shadow and solitary silhouette lent her an air of destion.


    Was this quiet introspection due to her recent disappointment? Kaiden¡¯s thoughts turned. Perhaps it was time Ellie received the recognition she deserved.


    Why not establish apany for her, positioning her as a permanent coborator with GT Group?


    ¡°You¡¯re back!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice pulled Kaiden from his thoughts. She rose swiftly to her feet, her demeanor bright. ¡°Perfect timing. I need to discuss something with you, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Kaiden arched an eyebrow, intrigued.


    Ellie¡¯s face showed none of the sorrow he¡¯d expected. Instead, she wore a confident, almost sly smile, reminiscent of a fox anticipating the moment its prey would stumble into its trap.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please hear this first.¡± Ellie addressed Kaiden formally in their business dealings.


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 Chapter 73

    ?Chapter 73:


    Without preamble, she yed the recording.


    ¡°Congrattions to our first-ce winner, Ellie Gordon¡­¡±


    ¡°Mr. Gross, I¡¯ve agreed to your offer to endorse MOON. I¡¯ll even reduce my fee by three million dors, on one condition¡­ Ellie Gordon must not be your coborative stylist.¡±


    ¡°We announce Akira Steele as the selected stylist. Thank you to the other four stylists for participating.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, GT Group¡¯s policy states that the top scorer in the final interview bes the co-stylist for yourpany. Isn¡¯t it irregr for an employee to alter the rules for personal gain? GT Group prides itself on fairness and impartiality. This contradicts those values, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s stern, business-focused demeanor dispelled the flicker of oddness Kaiden had just begun to sense.


    He then understood that this feeling was actually pity.


    But it seemed his sympathy was misced, for Ellie was not a woman to be taken lightly.


    Observing the woman who was only a few inches away, Kaiden¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    As he approached Ellie, he gently patted her face.


    It wasn¡¯t painful.


    Rather, it felt like a gesture of intimacy.


    After the pat, Kaiden caressed her cheek with his fingertips and questioned, ¡°Is this a threat?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m conducting business, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, both capital and connections are resources.¡± And resources, naturally, were to be utilized.


    ¡°True, no matter the era, capital and connections will sometimes supersede talent and ability,¡± Ellie replied calmly, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to change societal norms. I¡¯m just striving for fairness. But¡­¡±


    Ellie adopted a serious tone. ¡°There¡¯s a risk that escting this could harm GT Group. Our ie post-marriage is joint property. A scandal might lead to a drop in GT Group¡¯s stock¡­


    New chapters now on .c?m


    And profits, which would reduce our ie. That would affect my interests too, right? I¡¯m essentially helping you address thepany¡¯s negative atmosphere.


    Her expression suggested she expected gratitude for her efforts. Kaiden released her face, looking downward. His thickshes hid a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.


    Though Ellie was essentially threatening him, Kaiden didn¡¯t mind being on the receiving end.


    ¡°What¡¯s your n to cleanse this atmosphere?¡± he inquired, lifting his head.


    Ellie responded with a yful look, ¡°Isn¡¯t that your duty? I don¡¯t want to meddle in affairs outside my jurisdiction.¡± She was being practical, just stating a fact.


    Kaiden casually removed his tie and began unfastening his cufflinks, yet his attention never left Ellie. ¡°I¡¯m offering you a chance.¡±


    Ellie, briefly puzzled, then realized he was giving her authority to make decisions.


    Her response was cautious yet hopeful. ¡°I¡¯m in charge?¡± Kaiden nodded in affirmation.


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 Chapter 74

    ?Chapter 74:


    Ellie¡¯s spirits lifted. She was not afraid to make her demands.


    ¡°Firstly, Demi and Cristopherpromised thepany for personal gain. They should be dismissed. Yourpany must sever ties with them. Secondly, yourpany has unfairly stripped me of my rightful benefits. I expect a fitting exnation. How you exin it reflects yourpany¡¯s sincerity. Mr. Thorpe, if my demands seem excessive, feel free to disregard them.¡±


    Kaiden then handed Ellie his jacket.


    Ellie cast a confused nce at Kaiden but didn¡¯t dwell on the small gesture. She took his jacket, walking a couple of steps to hang it on a nearby floor-to-ceiling coat rack.


    Kaiden was visibly pleased by her obedience.


    The following day, Ellie received a conciliatory call from GT Group¡¯s interview team. They admitted to some mimunications and expressed their hope for Ellie to join them as a cooperating stylist for the uing season.


    Post-lunch, Bruce rang her, inquiring about her avability to sign a contract at GT Group¡¯s headquarters.


    Ellie was slightly taken aback by the sudden invitation but agreed to visit GT Group¡¯s legal department.


    Upon her arrival, she was greeted by the sound of a heated discussion from within.


    ¡°We just signed the contract yesterday, and the endorsement announcement was made. Why the sudden change?¡± Demi¡¯s agent, a sharp woman in her thirties, was demanding an exnation, clearly unwilling to back down.


    Demi, impably dressed and made up as though bracing for a battle, sat on the sofa with a sullen expression.


    A representative from the legal department exined, ¡°Cristopher from the brand department independently decided to sign with Miss Gordon, which contradicts thepany¡¯s consensus. Therefore, we¡¯ve chosen to terminate the contract. Although this was Cristopher¡¯s error, we¡¯re prepared topensate for the breach.¡±


    He added with a smile, ¡°This situation hasn¡¯t really harmed you. Miss Gordon hasn¡¯t begun any endorsements with us, but she will receivepensation.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, your source for inspiration


    His tone implied Demi wasing out ahead financially.


    Demi, infuriated, abandoned her usualposed public image. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m after money? This is humiliating. Everyone knows I was the chosen spokesperson. With the contract now void, what are my fans and the public going to think?¡±


    The agent seized the moment. ¡°We made numerous concessions to sign this contract, yet you reneged the very next day. If you act unjustly, don¡¯t expect us to sit idly by. Imagine the bacsh if the public learns you breached the contract for no reason. It would surely tarnish yourpany¡¯s reputation, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Clearly, this was a subtle threat.


    The legal department representative couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Let¡¯s set the record straight. It was you who hyped the endorsement news about Miss Gordon. Any public bacsh should be directed at yourselves, not mypany.¡±


    His implication was clear: they were responsible for their own overreach.


    ¡°Moreover, Miss Gordon reduced her endorsement fee by three million just to exclude a stylist. If that news leaked, I wonder who¡¯d suffer more from the fallout.¡±


    Demi, seething, fixed her gaze on the representative. ¡°Do you even know who I am?¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, if you wish to throw your weight around, I¡¯d suggest returning to the Gordon family.¡±


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 Chapter 75

    ?Chapter 75:


    The president had already deemed Demi undesirable. His word was final, rendering Demi¡¯s status irrelevant.


    The Gordon family held no sway over GT Group.


    ¡°Haha!¡± Ellie¡¯sughter echoed from the doorway of the legal department.


    Caught off guard, everyone turned to her as she apologized halfheartedly, ¡°Sorry. I couldn¡¯t help myself.¡±


    Demi, already fuming, demanded, ¡°Ellie, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to sign a contract.¡± Ellie smiled coyly.


    ¡°What contract?¡± Demi¡¯s anxiety spiked. At that moment, a legal staff member approached Ellie. ¡°Miss Gordon, your contract is ready. Please, this way.¡±


    Ellie, ncing back at Demi, said, ¡°I¡¯m signing the contract that not even a three-million-dor discount could prevent.¡±


    ¡°How¡­ how could this be?¡± Demi eximed in disbelief. ¡°Didn¡¯t GT Group already choose someone else as their contract stylist?¡±


    But nobody responded to her queries.


    Demi was on the brink of losing herposure, hit by two setbacks in quick session.


    Despite her best efforts, not only did she fail to undermine Ellie, but she also lost the endorsement.


    ¡°Ellie, you have to stop right there. You¡­¡±


    ¡°Demi, let it go. Sign the termination agreement,¡± her agent advised, gripping her arm. There was no turning back now. Any emotional outburst from Demi would only worsen their situation, especially given GT Group¡¯s influence.


    Meanwhile, in the office, Ellie reviewed the contract carefully. Satisfied that it was straightforward, she signed it.


    The legal department representative then informed her, ¡°Miss Gordon, there¡¯s an additional requirement. The new co-stylist must meet our president.¡±


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t a requirement before.¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow, feeling something was off.


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    The representative offered ame exnation. ¡°Due to recentplications, we¡¯ve implemented this new rule.¡±


    Ellie, aware of who upied the president¡¯s office on the thirty-eighth floor, was skeptical but chose not to challenge it.


    ¡°Please follow me, Ms. Gordon.¡±


    After a brief pause, Ellieplied. Upon reaching the thirty-eighth floor, Bruce greeted Ellie. The legal department staff excused himself.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, did the contract signing go smoothly?¡± Bruce inquired as he led the way.


    ¡°Yes, thank you. The timing was perfect,¡± Ellie responded, suspecting the encounter with Demi wasn¡¯t mere coincidence. She savored the opportunity to have thestugh over Demi¡¯s misfortune.


    Bruce, acting on Kaiden¡¯s orders, hadn¡¯t anticipated this oue. But he was instructed not to disclose Kaiden¡¯s involvement to Ellie.


    He had to ept the credit.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe has arrived,¡± Bruce announced, holding the door open for Ellie. He then quietly closed it behind her as she entered. Kaiden, seated in his executive leather chair, didn¡¯t look up until he finished signing a document.


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 Chapter 76

    ?Chapter 76:


    Ellie had to admit that the man had an air of elegance and charm in his professional demeanor, provided she overlooked his¡­ lessmendable actions.


    ¡°What did you need to see me about, Mr. Thorpe?¡± By addressing him formally, Ellie indicated their interaction was strictly professional.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯d like you to select an outfit for me,¡± Kaiden replied, leaning back casually in his chair.


    Ellie was puzzled.


    Kaiden prodded, ¡°Isn¡¯t that part of your job?¡±


    Indeed, outfit selection fell within a stylist¡¯s duties.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware the co-stylist of GT Group was required to dress the president,¡± Ellie retorted.


    If that had been the case, Kaiden¡¯s well-known persona would have been a fixture in entertainment circles.


    ¡°It¡¯s a new policy,¡± Kaiden said, gesturing towards the rear right of his office. ¡°My personal lounge is over there.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback.


    How could he be so cheeky?


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a dedicated stylist or a personal secretary for such tasks?¡± Ellie asked.


    Typically, executives had dedicated staff to dress them for public appearances. There were quite a few secretaries who worked for the president, and naturally, they could assist in attending to Kaiden¡¯s attire.


    ¡°A married man doesn¡¯t need a personal secretary,¡± Kaiden shot a meaningful nce at her.


    In their circle, personal secretaries often doubled as ndestine lovers.


    Was Kaiden implying he was above such things?


    Should Elliemend him for his integrity?


    But he was simply entertaining himself at her expense.


    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home


    Ellie was exasperated and at a loss for words. ording to their contract, Kaiden was now her boss.


    Kaiden¡¯s smile broadened as he watched Ellie, torn between speaking out and holding back, finally resigning herself to enter the lounge. Kaiden¡¯s lounge was modestly sized, spanning about eighty square meters.


    It was divided into two distinct sections: one half housed a bed, while the other served as a checkroom.


    The checkroom showcased an array of men¡¯s high-fashion attire,plete with a variety of ties and cufflinks.


    Styling for men was as intricate as for women, but with Kaiden as the subject, the task seemed more straightforward.


    Kaiden¡¯s tall stature and impressive physique meant he could make even the simplest attire look elegant.


    His wardrobe for formal events typically consisted of high-end, subtly stylish business wear, following a consistent theme.


    Ellie focused on the finer details.


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 Chapter 77

    ?Chapter 77:


    She selected a silver-gray Armani suit, pairing it with a dark-printed, light-blue shirt and a dark-blue twill tie. The tie clip matched the suit¡¯s color, adding a refined touch.


    From the doorway, Kaiden observed Ellie choosing cufflinks. Her long, curled eyshes cast a delicate charm as she concentrated on her task. This scene was unusual for Kaiden.


    His lounge was a private space, rarely entered by others except for cleaning.


    Yet, he found he wasn¡¯t opposed to Ellie being there.


    ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Ellie settled on sapphire cufflinks,plementing the outfit¡¯s subdued tones. ¡°The Windsor knot might be too formal. A simple knot or a Four-in-Hand would work better,¡± she suggested, setting aside the ensemble for Kaiden to wearter.


    Kaiden pondered over the different tie knots Ellie had mentioned.


    Each had its own effect, but he wasn¡¯t sure which he preferred.


    Bruce, ever tactful, knocked but didn¡¯t enter. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, is your cross-border meeting in five minutes still on?¡± Kaiden confirmed it was.


    Ellie quickly brought up her uing assignment. ¡°I need to oversee the still photo styling for yourpany¡¯s promotional campaign this afternoon.¡±


    GT Group was known for its efficiency, and they didn¡¯t dy in putting Ellie to work immediately after signing the contract.


    Kaiden, about to leave, casually instructed, ¡°After you¡¯re done,e tie my tie.¡± He left no room for objection.


    Ellie was momentarily taken aback.


    Did he not know how to tie a tie?


    Despite her surprise, she wasn¡¯t annoyed. After all, styling and ensuring a polished appearance was part of her job and passion.


    Demi, who had be a well-known figure in the entertainment industry after being recognized as the daughter of the influential Gordon family, faced intense scrutiny.


    When news broke that she lost the MOON Jewelry endorsement from GT Group, the media andizens were quick to react. Netizens mocked her online. ¡°Just two days ago, she boasted about securing the endorsement, and now it¡¯s just a dream.¡±


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m brings endless adventures


    ¡°Demi, the rich heiress, right? Maybe her parents can fix this. Hahaha!¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s a funny story. Demi imed she secured the endorsement of the upscale jewelry brand MOON.¡±


    ¡°How can Demi be so shameless? Going so far as pretending to be MOON¡¯s spokesperson?¡±


    Reading thesements, Demi furiously smashed her phone.


    Her agent let out a resigned sigh, instructed Demi¡¯s assistant to get a new phone, and tried to console her. ¡°Ignore thements. The inte¡¯s memory is short. They¡¯ll move on.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we suppress thesements?¡± Demi asked, frustrated.


    The agent, weary, responded, ¡°We did hire people to sway public opinion, but it didn¡¯t work.¡±


    Demi, seething and far from her publicposure, shouted frantically, ¡°It¡¯s all Ellie¡¯s fault! She¡¯s why I lost the endorsement and became aughingstock. I¡¯ll make sure Ellie pays for this.¡±


    Ellie had a remarkably sessful day at work.


    As a rising talent in the supermodel world, the promotional ambassador had not yet reached the pinnacle of fame like some domestic superstars. However, her presence in front of the camera and her natural charisma were undeniable. Her physique was close to perfection, stunningly beautiful.


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 Chapter 78

    ?Chapter 78:


    The scheduled photo shoot, expected tost five hours, waspleted in a mere three and a half.


    The model¡¯s agent, impressed with Ellie¡¯s work, asked, ¡°Miss Gordon, would you like to join us for dinner tonight?¡± This invitation was a gesture of appreciation for Ellie¡¯s talent.


    Ellie knew that dinner could lead to a friendship, which would be beneficial for future coborations.


    Regrettably, she had other ns. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m already engaged this evening,¡± she responded, recalling her arrangement with Kaiden. ¡°However, we can exchange WhatsApp contacts for futuremunication.¡± The agent agreed with enthusiasm.


    While they were exchanging contact details, Ellie¡¯s phone rang.


    ¡°Ellie, I advise you to step down from your role as stylist for the GT Group project,¡± Demi¡¯s voice came threateningly through the phone. ¡°If not, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    ¡°Demi, you want to cause trouble again, huh?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t help but smile with disdain. ¡°Come on, the influence of the Gordon family pales inparison to the GT Group. It¡¯s time you realized that.¡±


    Was Demi attempting to leverage her status as a Gordon to intimidate her again? Impossible!


    ¡°You¡¯ve been warned. You¡¯ll soon be sorry,¡± Demi snapped before hanging up.


    Ellie, slightly baffled by the call, chose to disregard Demi¡¯s words and focused onpleting her work.


    But half an hourter, her phone rang again.


    ¡°Hello, is this Ellie Gordon, Cecelia Gordon¡¯s granddaughter? This is Southern Nursing Home calling.¡± The voice was that of a worried staff member from the nursing home. ¡°Miss Gordon, your grandmother left the nursing home unexpectedly half an hour ago, and we¡¯ve lost track of her.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ What did you say?¡± Ellie¡¯s face turned pale.


    The rain was relentless outside, and the nursing home staff¡¯s voice was fraught with worry. ¡°It¡¯s a downpour out here, and we¡¯re really concerned about her safety! She just left all of a sudden¡­¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t process the rest of the conversation. Her focus shifted entirely from her work.


    Pulling back the heavy curtains of the photo shoot studio, she peered out. Boom!


    The thunder pped loudly, apanying the rain that now cascaded down the windows, the droplets asrge as beads, streaming down the ss.


    A chill ran through Ellie, as if doused in icy water.


    ¡°Miss Gordon!¡±


    She heard someone call out as she dashed into the rain, but she didn¡¯t stop.


    With no taxis in sight on the drenched streets, Ellie couldn¡¯t wait. She ran through the downpour, her mind solely on reaching the nursing home.


    Why would Cecelia leave during such a torrential rainstorm?


    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    A Ferrari pulled up beside her. The window lowered to reveal a young man¡¯s face.


    Erick looked at her with concern. ¡°What are you doing out in this rain? You headed somewhere? I can give you a ride.¡±


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 Chapter 79

    ?Chapter 79:


    Ellie hesitated, her distrust of Erick apparent, but a sense of urgency lingered in her eyes.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll drive you if it¡¯s urgent,¡± Erick offered, more amiable than usual. ¡°It¡¯s your choice.¡±


    After a brief pause, Ellie got into the car.


    ¡°To the Southern Nursing Home, please. Fast!¡±


    The Ferrari sped off, sending sprays of water on either side.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here,¡± Erick remarked, ncing at Ellie with a smile. ¡°I thought the proud Miss Gordon wouldn¡¯t ept a ride from me.¡±


    But in a situation like this, her pride was secondary to her grandmother¡¯s safety.


    Ellie remained silent, looking out the window, her lips pressed tightly together. She didn¡¯t want to engage in any conversation with Erick, fearing her words might inadvertently provoke him, which wouldn¡¯t help her current predicament.


    Meanwhile, at the GT Group building¡­


    Bruce nudged Kaiden with a reminder. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, the banquet is about to begin. It¡¯s time to go.¡±


    Kaiden, still in the same clothes, asked, ¡°Is Ellie done with her work?¡± Bruce realized Kaiden was waiting for his wife.


    He should have said it sooner!


    Bruce quickly reached out to his team, but his expression soon turned awkward and uneasy.


    Kaiden, growing impatient, pressed him. ¡°Just tell me.¡±


    Bruce hesitated, then spoke, ¡°They¡­ They said¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Spit it out.¡±


    ¡°They reported that Mrs. Thorpe left half an hour ago in¡­ in Erick¡¯s car.¡± A cold aura enveloped the room, making Bruce shiver as if winter had arrived.


    He didn¡¯t need to look up to sense Kaiden¡¯s displeasure.


    Read more chapters at g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls


    The heavy rain and treacherous roads dyed Ellie¡¯s journey to the Southern Nursing Home.


    Upon arrival, she found the nursing home¡¯s manager in his office. When he called her earlier, his voice had been filled with anxiety, yet he hadn¡¯t dispatched anyone to search for Cecelia.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, the rain is too heavy. We have to consider our staff¡¯s safety. We¡¯ll wait for the storm to pass,¡± he said.


    Ellie was livid but knew this wasn¡¯t the time for confrontation.


    If they wouldn¡¯t search for Cecelia, she would.


    Soaked from the downpour, Ellie felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, reminiscent of her wedding night¡ªequally desperate and suffocating.


    As she searched, she stopped suddenly, her eyes fixed on a figure down the slope. ¡°Grandma!¡±


    Therey Cecelia, drenched and motionless. A stream of blood flowed from her head, stark against the rain-soaked ground, shocking Ellie into stillness.


    At the hospital,


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 Chapter 80

    ?Chapter 80:


    ¡°The external injuries aren¡¯t critical, but the real concern is the internal bleeding in her brain. The surgery isplex, and given her age, it¡¯s beyond our capabilities. I rmend reaching out to Professor Walters. Ideally, the surgery should be performed within the next 72 hours.¡± The doctor handed Ellie a business card, his tone somber.


    Ellie looked at Cecelia in the ICU, a wave of helplessness and dizziness washing over her.


    Erick, overhearing the conversation, saw an opportunity.


    ¡°Unfortunately, Professor Walters was diagnosed with stomach cancer earlier this year and is currently receiving treatment abroad. He can¡¯t return now,¡± he interjected.


    Ellie turned to him, puzzled. ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°My cousin is his prot¨¦g¨¦,¡± Erick replied, his gaze intense. ¡°Ellie, my cousin could save your grandmother. But her fate now depends on you.¡±


    Ellie, sensing an ulterior motive, asked hesitantly, ¡°What are you suggesting?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s value in the unattainable, Ellie,¡± Erick said, reaching for her hand. ¡°Trade a night with me for your grandmother¡¯s life. It¡¯s a fair deal. After all, given your history¡ªlike drugging Demi¡ªyou¡¯re not exactly innocent.¡±


    Erick had always been captivated by Ellie, the one who had eluded him.


    The idea of a no-strings-attached encounter was tantalizing.


    Only someone devoid of morals could propose such a thing so bluntly. Ellie tried to pull her hand away, but Erick held it tightly.


    She didn¡¯t bother to correct his misconceptions about the drugging incident. Keeping herposure, she coldly reminded him, ¡°Erick, she¡¯s Demi¡¯s grandmother too.¡±


    ¡°Thinking you can sway me with Demi? Laughable,¡± Erick scoffed, as if he¡¯d heard a ridiculous joke. ¡°Ellie, do you know why your grandmother suddenly left the nursing home?¡±


    The glint in Ellie¡¯s eyes shifted like shadows on a wall. She remarked, ¡°What¡¯s the deal, Erick?¡±


    ¡°Demi told Cecelia that you married Kaiden because of her. After the wedding, you became Kaiden¡¯s persona non grata, aughingstock in the social circuit. Cecelia, all anxious, rushed to see you.¡±


    Erick¡¯s words slithered in, injecting venom into Ellie¡¯s heart and squeezing the air out of her.


    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    ¡°Ellie, the truth is, you hurt Cecelia!¡±


    Erick had sought Ellie out for this very reason ¡ª he knew what had happened. Otherwise, how could there have been such a coincidental encounter where Ellie just happened to bump into him?


    Ellie¡¯s lips quivered as she asked, ¡°How¡­ how could Demi stoop so low?¡± Cecelia was Demi¡¯s grandmother!


    Even if their ties weren¡¯t tight, Demi shouldn¡¯t have been so cruel to an elderly woman.


    In a sudden epiphany, Ellie recalled Demi¡¯s phone call.


    Demi had hoped she would regret what she had done.


    Little did Ellie expect that Demi would harm her elderly family.


    ¡°Ellie, we both know why you walked down the aisle with Kaiden,¡± Erick continued, relishing in Ellie¡¯s disarray. ¡°You were forced to marry that loser to settle the Gordon family¡¯s debt.¡± Erick believed Ellie should be quietly by his side.


    ¡°True, I was forced,¡± Ellie retorted, finding the situation absurd. ¡°And where were you when I was being pushed into wedlock by the Gordon family? Busy bedding another woman!¡±


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 Chapter 81

    ?Chapter 81:


    Forced or not, Kaiden was a better choice than the scoundrel Erick.


    A few meters away, at the corner, Kaiden¡¯s cold gaze darkened as he observed Ellie with his nephew ¡ª or rather, with her ex-fianc¨¦ ¡ª holding hands!


    Huh!


    So, Ellie wasn¡¯t just pressured into marrying him; she also had her heart broken by Erick¡¯s infidelity.


    Ellie married him out of necessity, and she certainly didn¡¯t deserve to be treated this way. Outside the in-patient department, Bruce was waiting for them.


    As soon as Kaiden appeared, Bruce rushed over. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s only been ten minutes. Why the hasty exit? Where is Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Bruce nced over Kaiden¡¯s shoulder, but Ellie was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t mention her!¡± Kaiden snapped coldly as he got into his Bentley.


    Bruce sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere but decided to hold his tongue.


    After hearing about Ellie¡¯s hospital visit, Kaiden had swiftly left the party, even though he was already near the banquet hall gate. This was the first time Bruce had seen Kaiden leave an engagement for a woman at thest minute.


    As a result, Kaiden ended up at the in-patient department, visibly agitated.


    Bruce couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what had set Kaiden off, but he felt it had something to do with Ellie. When Kaiden¡¯s temper red, his expression turned cold, the calm before the storm. Yet, as Bruce approached, he could feel the suffocating tension around Kaiden.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve told you Kaiden¡¯s a no-go. You can only count on me,¡± Erick proimed, tilting his head and expecting Ellie to give in. ¡°Let me be!¡±


    With an icy, razor-sharp gaze, Ellie carefully untangled Erick¡¯s fingers, one by one.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to save Cecelia?¡± Erick asked in disbelief. Of course, saving Cecelia was important to Ellie, but that didn¡¯t mean she was going to fall for Erick¡¯s maniptions.


    ¡°You want to share a bed with me?¡± Ellie suddenly chuckled. ¡°Head to the riverbank bushes at night and check if the toads there resemble you.¡±


    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re asking for trouble!¡±


    Erick was infuriated by her audacity topare him to a toad. He snarled, ¡°Alright, be stubborn. Just wait for your grandma¡¯s final curtain call!¡±


    After Erick stormed off, Ellie quickly dialed Houston.


    For the time being, she kept Demi out of the loop. Instead, she briefed Houston directly on Cecelia¡¯s situation, hoping he could talk some sense into Erick.


    However, Houston¡¯s response was curt. ¡°Life and death follow their own script. My mom¡¯s too old. Who operates on her doesn¡¯t matter. Besides, surgery might not be a silver bullet. No need to rack up debts.¡± Ellie understood.


    For Houston, this wasn¡¯t a sweet deal. He wasn¡¯t yet Erick¡¯s father-inw, and if he called in a favor now, it couldplicate future negotiations with Erick. That was Houston¡ªdriven by profit.


    Ellie stayed up outside the ward all night. The air dried her rain-soaked clothes and hair, leaving her looking a bit disheveled.


    She didn¡¯t want to bow to that scoundrel Erick, but she couldn¡¯t just watch Cecelia slip away.


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 Chapter 82

    ?Chapter 82:


    The next day, the attending doctor approached Ellie with two business cards.


    ¡°Miss, aside from Professor Walters, you have two other options¡ªFrank Thorpe and Theo Stephens. Both are Professor Walters¡¯s prized pupils, but Theo¡¯s booked for surgery until next year. Getting an appointment with him is a tall order.¡±


    Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, a headache beginning to form.


    These options weren¡¯t ideal.


    Frank was Erick¡¯s cousin,pletely under Erick¡¯s influence. Theo, on the other hand, was Edwin¡¯s older brother and the heir to the Stephens family.


    Erick must have tipped off Frank. If Erick wasn¡¯t on board, Frank wouldn¡¯t lift a finger for Cecelia.


    As for Theo, he was a top-notch brain surgeon. Ellie trusted his skills more.


    But¡­


    Ellie and Theo weren¡¯t exactly on the best terms. Worse, she had shed with Edwin during theirst encounter. The cause of their falling out? A dice fiasco.


    Now, the only glimmer of hopey with Kaiden. Only he could make this happen. Without wasting a moment, Ellie dialed Kaiden¡¯s number. It struck her then that she hadn¡¯t saved his number.


    Luckily, she had Bruce¡¯s number.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe.¡± The call was quickly connected.


    ¡°Is Kaiden around? I have something pressing to discuss with him. Is he avable?¡± Ellie inquired.


    Bruce nced quickly at the lone drinker on the sofa not too far off. It seemed Kaiden wasn¡¯t too keen on a chat.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, Bruce responded, ¡°Hold on a second.¡±


    He covered the receiver, walked over, and murmured, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe wants a word with you.¡±


    ¡°Tell her to fuck off!¡± Kaiden smirked, finishing his ss of whisky.


    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn


    Could she hunt him down whenever she pleased?


    Kaiden smacked his lips, recalling Ellie holding Erick¡¯s hand the previous night.


    Bruce had little choice but to ry the message. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe is tied up right now.¡±


    The reason Bruce had kept Ellie on hold earlier was pretty clear¡ªKaiden had turned her down.


    Ellie¡¯s rapport with Kaiden had been improving a few days ago, but now the tables had turned. She was left wondering what she had done to upset him.


    Then it hit her¡ªshe had stood Kaiden up for their styling appointment the day before.


    Unbelievably, it seemed he was holding a grudge about it!


    ¡°Could you tell me where Kaiden is? I can wait if he¡¯s upied,¡± Ellie pleaded. Cecelia¡¯s situation was urgent.


    Bruce hesitated, then after a brief pause, he gave an address. ¡°Heart Ind.¡±


    Heart Ind, an artificial construct set amidst ake in Critport, was known for itsvish expenses. It boasted facilities for horse racing, golf, spas, discos, and more. The ind¡¯s most notorious feature was its extravagant club, surpassing even Rich Bar in opulence and decadence. Guided by Bruce¡¯s directions, Ellie located the VIP room.


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 Chapter 83

    ?Chapter 83:


    As she entered, the wild party scene overwhelmed her. The room was crowded with men and women, including Jerome and Edwin, reminding her of thevish party at Rich Bar. The difference was, on that night, Kaiden was beside her, without any other women.


    Ellie had once believed the rumors about Kaiden¡¯s aloof nature. But now, he was nked by two women¡ªone elegant and refined, the other alluring and sensual¡ªboth from high-ranking families. One was pouring him a drink; the other whispered in his ear.


    Upon Ellie¡¯s arrival, everyone turned in surprise.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s Miss Gordon who intrudes without a clue,¡± the refined woman remarked, her tone full of derision.


    Ellie ignored the sarcasm, focusing on Kaiden. ¡°I need to speak with you. Are you avable?¡± Her breathlessness indicated she had rushed here.


    Murmurs spread through the crowd, with someone whispering, ¡°Looks like Ellie really set her sights on Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Kaiden responded with a mocking half-smile.


    The elegant woman taunted, ¡°Miss Gordon, aren¡¯t you observant? Can¡¯t you see Mr. Thorpe is upied?¡±


    Suddenly, recalling something, the woman¡¯s curiosity piqued. ¡°Wait, weren¡¯t you once engaged to Erick? And now you¡¯re approaching Mr. Thorpe¡­ Goodness!¡±


    Bang!


    Before she could say more, Kaiden abruptly picked up a crystal ss from the table and smashed it near her feet, startling everyone.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± he spat disdainfully.


    What a sharp-tongued woman!


    The woman, shaken, quickly stepped back, confused about how she had provoked Kaiden.


    Among the crowd, only Jerome knew the full story: Ellie was not just Erick¡¯s ex-fianc¨¦e, but also Kaiden¡¯s current wife. The woman¡¯sments had dangerously crossed a line.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, if you¡¯re busy, I can wait outside. I¡¯ll stay as long as necessary,¡± Ellie maintained herposure, ignoring the sharp remarks. This was an unusual disy of humility from her, something that hadn¡¯t been seen in the past two decades.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive


    The room fell into an uneasy silence. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on Kaiden, whose expression was dark and unreadable.


    Ellie¡¯s audacity in confronting Kaiden was unusual. Anyone who knew him understood his temper was not to be tested lightly.


    ¡°Just enjoy our fun,¡± Kaiden ordered coldly.


    The others exchanged nces, quickly acting as if Ellie hadn¡¯t appeared. Some deftly shifted the conversation, and the lively atmosphere soon resumed.


    Jerome, not deeply involved in their social circle, quietly asked Edwin, ¡°Does Essence have a history with Kaiden¡¯s¡­ uh, Ellie?¡±


    Edwin nodded. ¡°Back in school, people often said Essence was just a poor copy of Ellie. Imagine the resentment.¡± Essence Robbins was the dignifieddy in question.


    Jerome, sensing there was more to the story, looked at Edwin quizzically. ¡°Edwin, why do I get the feeling you¡¯re quite familiar with Ellie?¡±


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 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84:


    Edwin, momentarily thrown off by Jerome¡¯s inquisitive look, regained hisposure. ¡°We¡¯ve always been at odds since childhood. It¡¯s said that knowing your enemy well ensures victory. So, naturally, I¡¯m familiar with her.¡±


    Jerome simply replied with a ¡°Yeah,¡± not pressing further. He then leaned towards Kaiden, whispering, ¡°Your wife¡¯s outside waiting.¡± He subtly nodded towards the door.


    Kaiden, after finishing his whiskey, looked up and noticed Ellie¡¯s silhouette standing outside. Her figure was slender and poised, radiating a dignified air even from a distance.


    Yet, here she was, seeking assistance.


    Around the room, the party continued as usual, but many couldn¡¯t help stealing nces towards the exit, particrly the men, their gazes lingering almost too long.


    Minutester, to everyone¡¯s surprise, Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair made its way toward the exit.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe?¡± someone called, but Kaiden didn¡¯t respond.


    The wheelchair moved steadily outside, and Ellie quickly caught up with him. ¡°Kaiden, where are you going?¡±


    He moved through a private corridor, heading up to the third floor, far away from the pounding music and lively atmosphere of the disco. The third floor was quiet, with only the soft sound of footsteps on the carpet.


    Reaching a room, Kaiden seemed impatient with Ellie¡¯s pace. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside.


    Ellie stumbled and fell onto the carpet.


    Bang! The door mmed shut with a resounding thud.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡­¡± Ellie began, but before she could finish, Kaiden, now out of his wheelchair, grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his intense gaze.


    A wave of frustration washed over Ellie, but she reminded herself why she was there.


    Ellie inhaled deeply, striving to stayposed. ¡°Kaiden, I had an urgent issuest night, and I¡¯m sorry for not showing up. There¡¯s a significant reason I needed to see Theo, and I¡­¡±


    ¡°Urgent issue?¡± Kaiden cut her off, his smileced with mockery. ¡°A rendezvous with Erick?¡±


    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t on a date with him!¡± Ellie responded quickly, but then she froze, her eyes widening. ¡°Wait¡­ have you been having me followed?¡±


    How else could Kaiden have known about her encounter with Erick?


    Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted effortlessly by Kaiden.


    Her world spun as she was pushed onto the sofa.


    Her body twisted ufortably, but it was his firm grip on her jaw that truly unsettled her. She felt trapped, like a bird ensnared in a.


    ¡°You regret marrying me?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was cold, his face dangerously close to hers as he recalled her hospital admission. ¡°Can¡¯t get over him? You felt coerced into this marriage? Marrying me only because he betrayed you? Is that it, Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Having me followed?¡± Ellie was incredulous and furious. ¡°Kaiden, do you have no respect for privacy?¡±


    Anger creased her delicate features, her frustration mounting. Kaiden¡¯s anger manifested in chilling calmness. ¡°Upset because you¡¯re embarrassed?¡±


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± Ellie scoffed at the absurdity. ¡°Yes, I am upset! I didn¡¯t even know you. Why would I marry a stranger if not to clear the Gordons¡¯ debt?¡±


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 Chapter 85

    ?Chapter 85:


    Their marriage had been a forced arrangement, hadn¡¯t it?


    Hadn¡¯t he beenpelled into it just as much as she had?


    Ellie didn¡¯t rify the situation between her and Erick with Kaiden. Kaiden sneered. It seemed the truth was evident, leaving no room for doubt.


    He studied Ellie¡¯s beautiful face, his eyes filled with a mixture of mockery and irony.


    ¡°Kaiden, I married you because of the Gordon family¡¯s obligations, and you married me to appease your mother. Our marriage is in name only. You¡­¡±


    Her words were cut off abruptly as his lips met hers. Eyes wide with shock, Ellie saw his face close to hers, feeling the shape of his lips against hers.


    But the gentle touch quickly turned intense.


    ¡°Let me go¡­¡±


    ¡°If this arranged marriage isn¡¯t enough for you,¡± Kaiden murmured, his voice blending with the closeness between them. ¡°I¡¯ll make you the true Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    His hand moved under the folds of her clothing, his touch both scorching and threatening, sending shivers through Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden, stop this. What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I want you.¡±


    The room¡¯s cool air made Ellie¡¯s skin prickle, the sensation extending to her heart.


    ¡°Kaiden, stop! What¡¯s¡­ gotten into you?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice was near a roar, filled with struggle.


    ¡°Ellie, this is what it means to be Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Kaiden stated, implying it was her responsibility.


    Ellie had sought the role of Mrs. Thorpe herself, even braving a downpour to do so.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m a woman of humble background. Aren¡¯t you lowering yourself by doing this?¡± Ellie hissed.


    Kaiden¡¯s actions were swift, overpowering her resistance. The inherent physical disparity between them made her efforts futile.


    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????


    Kaiden¡¯s sneer was filled with scorn.


    He wasn¡¯t fooled by her tactics.


    Ellie sensed the tension in his body, the danger escting.


    As his hand reached for her jeans, panic set in.


    ¡°Kaiden, wait. Please, don¡¯t. I¡¯m not ready. You¡­¡±


    But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Kaiden seemed like a man blinded by rage, determined and unyielding.


    The entire situation had spiraled out of control¡ªfrom Erick¡¯s involvement to Cecelia¡¯s ident, which had been orchestrated by Demi¡¯s malice, to Erick¡¯s threat using Cecelia¡¯s life. Now, Kaiden believed Ellie had been unfaithful with Erick.


    Feeling deeply wronged, Elliey immobilized, Kaiden¡¯s grip firm on her wrists. The strong scent of alcohol wafted from him.


    Tears filled her eyes, making her seem even more vulnerable, a mix of fear and sorrow in her gaze.


    Her expression only seemed to fuel Kaiden¡¯s desire to dominate and distress her further.


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 Chapter 86

    ?Chapter 86:


    He wanted to make her suffer.


    He wanted to see her break down.


    He wanted her to continue pleading.


    For a brief moment, Kaiden looked into her eyes, then quickly covered them, his own eyes cold and detached. He needed to avoid her gaze to maintain control.


    ¡°Why so resistant, Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Can we go somewhere else? Not here, not now. Kaiden, please. I don¡¯t want this, not like this, not here¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s resistance wasn¡¯t just about the act itself but the context. The thought of it happening in broad daylight, on a couch in a public space like the clubhouse, was unbearably humiliating. It felt like a vition of her dignity, trampled and disregarded.


    Momentster, Kaiden sneered and let her go.


    The moment she was freed, Ellie quickly adjusted her clothes and retreated a few steps, eyeing him cautiously.


    Kaiden lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, trying to quell the rising irritability and loss of control inside him.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you¡­ are you drunk?¡± Ellie asked, her eyes watching him closely. His recent behavior was out of character.


    ¡°What do you want? Speak,¡± Kaiden demanded, his tone cold.


    ¡°I need a favor¡­ Can you contact Theo for me? I want him to perform a surgery,¡± Ellie asked politely, keeping her voice steady.


    The mention of Theo seemed to irk Kaiden. His expression darkened, and he looked away.


    Kaiden was clearly unhappy. He knew that many were captivated by Ellie. Did she enjoy attracting the attention of others?


    Despite the tension, Ellie didn¡¯t leave. She stayed, determined to discuss the matter.


    ¡°Why should I help you? I¡¯m not a charity,¡± Kaiden said, his voice sharp and oppressive.


    Ellie understood his implication. A woman unwilling to fulfill her marital obligations had no right to ask for favors.


    ¡°I can¡­ I can agree to your terms, but not here,¡± Ellie said, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to Moon Manor, or a hotel.¡± The thought of being intimate in such a ce made her feel degraded¡ªno different from those she despised.


    Kaiden exhaled a ring of smoke. ¡°Miss Gordon, you don¡¯t negotiate terms in business,¡± he said, his tone formal, a clear jab at her earlier refusal.


    If Ellie had agreed sooner, she could¡¯ve already secured Theo¡¯s contact information. But now, the power dynamics had shifted.


    Kaiden held the upper hand, and he knew it. He could demand more from her now.


    Ellie watched him in silence, her mind racing as she awaited his conditions, ready toply if possible.


    ¡°I¡¯ll offer you an opportunity.¡± Kaiden gestured toward therge panoramic French windows.


    They offered a sweeping view of the club¡¯s first floor, a scene of indulgence and excess.


    Although unsure of Kaiden¡¯s intentions, Ellie could sense it wasn¡¯t going to be anything favorable. Below, music red, and people danced with wild abandon, their movements uninhibited. Some were drinking and dancing, while others were intimately entwined. It was a scene of decadence.


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 Chapter 87

    ?Chapter 87:


    ¡°What are you suggesting?¡± Ellie asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.


    ¡°Dance by that window. If you raise one hundred thousand dors in bids, I¡¯ll persuade Theo for you,¡± Kaiden replied, his tone calm.


    The Heart Ind Club hosted apetition for female dancers every Saturday night, with the most popr dancer receiving a generous bonus. In this world, poprity often equaled financial gain, especially among the wealthy.


    ¡°Kaiden, you want your wife to dance for the amusement of others?¡± Ellie asked incredulously.


    Kaiden corrected her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you are my wife, not my woman.¡± Being his wife and being his woman were distinctly different. The former could be just a title, while thetter implied something far more intimate.


    He stood and lifted Ellie¡¯s chin, his voice low and cold. ¡°Who¡¯s to say whose woman you¡¯ll be? Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re despicable.¡± Ellie¡¯s face flushed with anger as she huffed. Had it not been for her self-control, she might have struck him.


    Kaiden coolly reminded her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, remember, you came here asking for a favor.¡±


    He hated losing control, yet the act of dictating Ellie¡¯s actions gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction. He was curious¡ªalmost eager¡ªto see how she would react.


    On their wedding night, she had braved a storm. At Rich Bar, she had impressed him. But what about now? What would she do? What could she do?


    ¡°I¡¯m giving you a minute to decide,¡± Kaiden said as he settled back into his wheelchair.


    Hismanding presence only grew as he reclined, his gaze on Ellie like she was a mere pawn in his game.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll dance,¡± Ellie conceded.


    When she raised her head again, the fury in her eyes had been reced by a frosty smirk. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, if you¡¯re indifferent to your wife¡¯s conduct, why should I care?¡±


    At Kaiden¡¯smand, the pulsating drumbeats filled the room, mirroring the rhythm from the dance floor below.


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    Ellie stood tall, d in a long trench coat, wide-legged pants, and a ck T-shirt. She quickly adjusted her outfit, turning the T-shirt into a cropped top, revealing her midriff.


    With a casual toss of her hair, her demeanor shifted from nonchnt to cool and captivating.


    Her slender waist and glowing skin were now on full disy.


    Kaiden watched, his eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of dryness in his throat. He reached for his champagne, taking a sip as his Adam¡¯s apple moved subtly.


    If the crowd outside caught a glimpse of Ellie in that moment, they would undoubtedly be captivated.


    A hundred thousand dors¡­ seemed like a meager sum for such a spectacle.


    Positioned by the edge of the French window, Ellie had a clear view of the entire hall below. In turn, anyone looking up could easily see her.


    Swallowing her humiliation and resentment, Ellie silently berated Kaiden.


    Kaiden recalled something Brisa had mentioned years ago: Ellie was skilled in both musical instruments and ballet, a standout talent among her peers. The thought of Ellie performing ballet in such a setting seemed almost ludicrous to him.


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    But as the jazz music began, Ellie moved with it.


    Her dance was vibrant and energetic, a lively disy of jazz moves. Her hips swayed, her waist twisted, her chest lifted, and she turned.


    Each movement was precise, natural, and captivating.


    Kaiden had seen many women dance, but none had caught his attention like Ellie. Her slender waist moved rhythmically, her movements flirtatious and mesmerizing.


    This performance surpassed any he had witnessed before.


    As Ellie struck her final pose, Kaiden abruptly stood and grasped her waist.


    Her waist felt delicate under his hand, causing Ellie to freeze in shock. Her breath caught, and she stared at him in astonishment.


    The warmth of his palm seeped through her skin, rendering her rigid and hesitant to move.


    His gaze traveled from her face to her neck, then lower¡­


    That look made her intensely ufortable, as if she were bare andpletely exposed under his scrutiny.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you so desperate for attention that you¡¯re willing to unt yourself like this because I fail to satisfy you? Huh?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice dripped with contempt.


    He leaned in close, his breath mingling with hers. She could see his long, thick eyshes casting a shadow over his intense, dark eyes, sending a shiver of fear through her.


    ¡°How could that be?¡± Ellie, regaining herposure, met his gaze with a forced smile. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your legs are clearly fine. How could you fail to satisfy me? I pride myself on being easily content.¡±


    This was the poise of a former top socialite, capable of charming a crowd and maintaining herposure.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t my mother be thrilled to see the elegance of her daughter-inw?¡± Kaiden¡¯s words hinted at sarcasm.


    Mentioning Ellie¡¯s respected elder, her demeanor faltered, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.


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    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯re interfering with the bidding. If it doesn¡¯t reach a hundred thousand because of you, will you make it up?¡± Ellie tried to push him away, but her strength was insufficient.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ll leave with anyone who can meet the price, huh? Ellie?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice carried a subtle note of danger and warning.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted?¡± Ellie retorted.


    Internally, Kaiden rejected her usation.


    Ellie struggled to free herself, her expression hardening. ¡°I¡¯ve danced, you¡¯ve had your fun, now let me go.¡±


    To her surprise, she noticed the bidding had already escted in the hall, reaching a hundred and thirty thousand dors.


    The crowd below seemed¡­ oblivious to her struggle with Kaiden. Ellie wondered if they were even visible to the people below, a thought that left her momentarily stunned.


    ¡°How could they not see¡­¡±


    ¡°Theo will contact you tomorrow,¡± Kaiden abruptly said, releasing her. Ellie wanted to ask more, but Kaiden¡¯s indifferent expression clearly conveyed, ¡°Leave now while I¡¯m still in a decent mood.¡±


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 Chapter 89

    ?Chapter 89:


    Descending the stairs, Ellie inwardly fumed at Kaiden. He had coerced his wife into a public dance, treating her like an item in an auction. In her eyes, calling him an asshole was an understatement.


    Kaiden returned to the first floor from the third. The loud music resumed, and the hall came alive with energy.


    Dancers energetically performed on stage, cheered on by the crowd. Above the stage, a ck arc jutted out¡ªthe room where Ellie and Kaiden had been.


    From inside, the windows were clear; from outside, they were one-way.


    Unseen by the people below, Ellie¡¯s dance had remained invisible to them. The bids were for the dancer in the lobby, not for her. Ellie had not been put up for bidding.


    Kaiden, despite his ws and harsh methods, recognized his moral failings. He was unyielding and often brutal. But he couldn¡¯t bear to see his wife treated like an object for auction.


    Ellie hurried back to the hospital to be with Cecelia.


    Kaiden, true to his word, ensured that Theo, efficient as ever, arrived at the hospital the next day with his team.


    From the initial consultations to the preoperative preparations, and finally the surgery itself, everything was expedited with remarkable efficiency.


    By ten o¡¯clock that evening, the operating room door opened.


    The surgeon, d in a green gown, removed his mask, revealing features simr to Edwin¡¯s but with a more mature and schrly air. His gold-rimmed sses added to his refined appearance.


    ¡°Mr. Stephens¡­¡±


    Before Ellie could inquire further, Theo interjected, ¡°The surgery was a sess.¡± His prompt response immediately eased Ellie¡¯s concerns.


    She let out a sigh of relief, her prolonged tension dissipating as if she had been reborn.


    Theo, amused, reflected on Ellie¡¯s intense concern, given that the patient was not her biological grandmother. However, he refrained from any sarcasticments.


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    ¡°Mr. Stephens, I can¡¯t thank you enough for stepping in. Without Professor Walters, you were my only hope for Grandma,¡± Ellie said, her voice full of gratitude.


    Theo recalled Kaiden¡¯s somber visit the previous night, seeking his help despite being visibly upset. It was a rare urrence.


    ¡°If you want to express thanks, you should thank your husband,¡± Theo suggested lightly.


    ¡°You¡­ You know Kaiden?¡± Ellie responded, surprised. ¡°How did you find out? Edwin didn¡¯t even know.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s typical of my brother to be oblivious,¡± Theo chuckled.


    The Stephens family was renowned in medicine, except for Edwin, who was more inclined toward music and had only a marginal connection to the medical legacy of Oldshore University. Inparison, he seemed less astute.


    Theo and Kaiden were close friends, a connection that had brought Edwin into Kaiden¡¯s circle. However, Theo, deeplymitted to his clinical work, seldom mingled socially, leaving few aware of his and Kaiden¡¯s friendship.


    ¡°Mrs. Gordon will be moved to the ICU once her condition stabilizes. You¡¯ll be able to visit her then.¡± Theo handed a business card to Ellie. ¡°I have another surgery scheduled. If you have any concerns, don¡¯t hesitate to contact me.¡±


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    Ellie expressed her gratitude once more.


    For the next two days, Ellie remained at the hospital, waiting for Cecelia¡¯s health indicators to normalize.


    When Cecelia awoke and saw only Ellie at her bedside, with her son and daughter-inw absent, she sighed, a mix of disappointment and sadness in her eyes.


    Ellie could sense Cecelia¡¯s feelings, despite her attempts to hide them.


    Seventy-two hours passed, and Erick had not heard from Ellie as he expected. Upon arriving at the hospital, Erick found Ellie carrying nutritious meals with her. She had just returned from a high-end restaurant.


    She seemed at ease, her movements graceful.


    ¡°Ellie, why didn¡¯t you respond to my calls?¡± Erick confronted her with a mix of anger and mockery. ¡°You im to care about your grandmother, yet you refused to make sacrifices for her well-being!¡±


    Ellie looked at him as if he were foolish. ¡°My grandmother is safe now. Your concern is unnecessary, dear ex-fianc¨¦. As for your calls¡­¡± Pausing, she added, ¡°Oh, I blocked you.¡± Her apologycked any real remorse.


    ¡°You blocked me?¡± Erick was incredulous, feeling insulted.


    Ellie shot back, ¡°If I don¡¯t block a cheating ex-fianc¨¦, then who should I block?¡±


    Theo,mitted to his patients, was at the hospital for Cecelia¡¯s check-up. He overheard the exchange and nearlyughed at Ellie¡¯s sharp retort.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what a surprise to see you here,¡± Theo greeted Erick cordially.


    Despite his close friendship with Kaiden, Theo maintained a professional demeanor in front of the Thorpe family.


    Erick¡¯s realization dawned upon seeing Theo¡ªEllie had sought Theo¡¯s help for her grandmother.


    The card Erick had held, which he thought would give him leverage over Ellie, now seemed worthless.


    With a dark expression, Kaiden cast a cold nce at Ellie before departing.


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    ¡°Mr. Stephens, I apologize for making you witness that unpleasant encounter,¡± Ellie said, referring to Erick dismissively.


    Theo responded with a smile. ¡°No need for apologies.¡±


    After confirming Cecelia¡¯s stable condition, Theo bid farewell and sought out Kaiden for a brief conversation.


    ¡°I must say, your wife is quite a character. I always heard the top socialite of the Gordon family was noble yet unexciting. Seems I was misinformed!¡±


    Theo¡¯sment was met with a frosty look from Kaiden.


    Feeling a sudden chill, Theo added, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m justplimenting her. What¡¯s with the cold stare? Can¡¯t I appreciate her qualities?¡± He regarded Kaiden with a puzzled look, venturing a spective guess. ¡°Oh, are you being possessive here?¡±


    The notion of possessiveness usually implied affection. Could it be¡­ Could someone as tough as Kaiden actually have feelings for Ellie?


    Dismissing his own thoughts, Theo shifted the conversation. ¡°Houston didn¡¯t care about his own mother¡¯s health, but Ellie, who¡¯s not even a blood rtive, showed incredible dedication. And that new Gordon family member, Diana or whatever, could¡¯ve easily sought Erick¡¯s help but didn¡¯t. Instead, she allowed Erick to use this situation against your wife.¡±


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    Theo¡¯s words painted a picture of a dysfunctional Gordon family, which exined why Ellie was at odds with them.


    Upon hearing that, Kaiden¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°What?¡±


    Theo exined, ¡°For Mrs. Gordon¡¯s surgery, there are only a few of us in the country capable of performing it¡ªmy mentor, myself, and Frank. But my mentor is currently out of the country. Erick used this fact to put pressure on your wife, iming that he could enlist Frank¡¯s help. Didn¡¯t you know? Then why did you ask me to assist your wife?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s deal with Ellie was harsh. He had almost crushed her dignity in the process.


    ¡°Time for you to go,¡± Kaiden coldly told Theo, effectively dismissing him.


    Theo was taken aback.


    Why would Kaiden react so harshly?


    Kaiden instructed Bruce to look into Ellie¡¯s interaction with Erick at the hospital.


    The task was straightforward, and soon enough, Bruce reported back.


    Erick had indeed tried to use Frank to intimidate Ellie, but she had stood her ground, even mocking him. The incident of Ellie seeking Theo¡¯s help followed, which was why she hade looking for Kaiden.


    Kaiden, processing this information, felt a pang of irritation. Remembering Ellie¡¯s resilience, yet the evident sadness she had disyed while dancing by the French windows, he was unexpectedly troubled.


    She had appeared so vulnerable, yet defiant, facing her challenges alone.


    Lighting a cigarette, Kaiden watched the ember glow. Such feelings of unease were unfamiliar to him.


    He shouldn¡¯t feel remorseful, even if he had been unjust to Ellie. The world operated on the principle of survival of the fittest.


    Yet, why was he so disturbed by this?


    Since their encounter on Heart Ind, Kaiden had been staying in a small vi near his office.


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    When Kaiden returned to Moon Manor that day, Cayson greeted him with enthusiasm. Noticing Ellie¡¯s absence, he inquired, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mrs. Thorpee back with you?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Isn¡¯t she at home?¡±


    Cayson remarked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe hasn¡¯t been around for days, iming she¡¯s attending to a sick rtive. I thought you were apanying her.¡±


    Kaiden scoffed to himself. Ellie¡¯s dedication to Demi¡¯s grandmother was evident. With Cecelia hospitalized, why hadn¡¯t any member of the Gordon family stepped in to take care of her?


    Noticing Kaiden¡¯s demeanor, Cayson cautiously inquired, ¡°Is there trouble between you and Mrs. Thorpe again?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kaiden replied curtly, his sneer betraying his thoughts. How dare she sh with him?


    Cayson¡¯s gaze fell to the floor, confirming his suspicions.


    Kaiden, usually a light sleeper, found sleep elusive that night. Visions of Ellie, appearing distraught and wronged during her visit to Heart Ind, haunted him.


    She had looked so forlorn.


    Restlessly, Kaiden sat up.


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    ?Chapter 92:


    Damn it!


    The following day, Bruce, seated in the front, concluded his report on the day¡¯s agenda. He nced at Kaiden, who sat in the back with his eyes shut and a furrowed brow, a clear sign of unrest.


    ¡°Sir, did you not sleep well?¡± Bruce asked. Receiving no reply, he suggested, ¡°Maybe Zoey should prepare some coffee for you?¡±


    Still, Kaiden didn¡¯t respond.


    Bruce texted Zoey to make a cup of coffee.


    ¡°Bring me the file on nning Team C,¡± Kaiden finally said.


    This team, overseeing advertising and publicity, rarely drew Kaiden¡¯s attention. Why this sudden interest?


    Bruce, though puzzled,plied without question and quickly made the arrangements.


    Upon reaching his office, Kaiden found the document on his desk. He scanned it briefly and then asked, ¡°Has Ellie been absent from worktely?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s demands were unrelenting, reminiscent of a tycoon who never let his staff rest.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe isn¡¯t bound by a full-time contract with us,¡± Bruce exined. ¡°Her assignments are chosen mutually, so they¡¯re not managed by our team. However, we can amend these terms. Let me consult the head of the nning Department.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s word wasw; any contract could be modified at his whim. Pleased, Kaiden gestured with a slender finger toward a document. ¡°Include her in this project.¡±


    Bruce, ncing at the file, was taken aback. The task was the role of styling coordinator for today¡¯s event, typically managed by the chief stylist. Now, it was being reassigned to Ellie, a rtive neer.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it immediately,¡± Bruce assured, aware of the urgency.


    Such a major shift in the event¡¯s styling coordinator was unprecedented.


    Bruce couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether Kaiden was showing favoritism toward Ellie.


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    Meanwhile, Ellie, at the hospital, received a call from the GT Group¡¯s nning Department. Hesitant, she didn¡¯tmit right away.


    She had informed the GT Group earlier about her personalmitments and unavability. Yet, this project presented a unique opportunity, and as a coborator, she felt obligated to fulfill her role with thepany. Her concern for Cecelia lingered, however.


    ¡°Darling, you must seize such chances,¡± Cecelia encouraged her. ¡°I¡¯m well cared for here; don¡¯t worry about me. The Gordon family already owes you much.¡±


    ¡°But Grandma, I owe you just as much,¡± Ellie responded softly.


    Cecelia had been Ellie¡¯s steadfast guardian since her childhood. If not for Cecelia, Ellie might have faced a far bleaker fate.


    Eventually, Cecelia¡¯s words convinced Ellie, and by afternoon, she was working at the GT Group.


    Thepany¡¯s publicity ambassador, a celebrated actor nearing fifty, was Ellie¡¯s charge for the day. She selected a Dior suit with vertical stripes, haute couture, perfect for his red carpet appearance. It needed to be visually striking but not excessively so. Paying special attention to his hairstyle, she added curls for a sophisticated edge.


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    Styling male stars, though lessplex than styling female stars, still demanded meticulous attention to detail.


    Kaiden appeared while Ellie was choosing the actor¡¯s essories.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what brings you here?¡± The nning Department¡¯s manager, taken aback by Kaiden¡¯s arrival, greeted him promptly. Others, unfamiliar with the CEO¡¯s identity, observed Kaiden discreetly. His attire and presence immediately signaled his importance.


    Ellie, peripherally aware of Kaiden¡¯s entrance, noticed his wheelchair. Hismanding aura was unmistakable, drawing attention despite his disability. No one would have associated him with the disabled Kaiden Thorpe.


    What was he doing here?


    A hush fell over the room.


    Ellie, without lingering on his presence, focused onpleting the actor¡¯s styling. Among them, she remainedposed, continuing her work unperturbed.


    ¡°Just looking around,¡± Kaiden said, his eyes fixed on Ellie, his jaw clenched.


    The manager stayed silent, aware of Kaiden¡¯s valuable time. Was this visit merely casual? Why would he concern himself with something so small?


    ¡°That woman seems new,¡± Bruce remarked, subtly indicating Ellie. Upon hearing Bruce¡¯sment, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes internally. New? Really?!


    ¡°She¡¯s our seasonal coboration stylist, exceptionally talented,¡± the manager replied with respect. ¡°Would you like me to introduce her?¡±


    Kaiden remained silent, leaving Bruce uncertain of his intentions.


    The manager, anxious, sought guidance from Bruce with a pleading look.


    Bruce, peering at the floor, felt clueless.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze lingered on Ellie¡¯s back for a long moment.


    Ellie, seemingly unaware of his presence, carried on with her work as if she didn¡¯t recognize him or notice he was there. Her poised figure radiated confidence and determination.


    She seemed almost like a petnt child, silently hoping for someone¡¯s coaxmg.


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    Coaxing her? No way! Kaiden wasn¡¯t going to go along with such a ridiculous act, so he wheeled away.


    Bruce, with a silent sigh, hurried after him.


    Once they left, the styling room buzzed back to life with chatter.


    ¡°Who was that guy? Incredibly handsome, even if he¡¯s in a wheelchair.¡±


    ¡°Handsome regardless of the wheelchair. Did you notice his watch? A Rolex, probably worth millions!¡±


    ¡°The manager¡¯s deference to him¡­ he¡¯s definitely someone important. But his exact status is a mystery.¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s got remarkableposure. She didn¡¯t flinch the entire time.¡±


    Ellie slowly straightened up, casting a fleeting nce in the direction where Kaiden had gone.


    Kaiden¡¯s purpose there baffled her. Was it merely a routine inspection of his domain?


    Yet, she felt the intensity of his stare. She half-expected him to summon her, to make things challenging, but he had simply left.


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 Chapter 94

    ?Chapter 94:


    Kaiden¡¯s schedule was packed. After he left, he attended an international conference, where he sternly rebuked each participant.


    A man of few words, his reprimands were often non-verbal. His icy stare alone left many wondering what they had done wrong. They were utterly baffled.


    Jerome visited GT Group to see Kaiden.


    He sighed. ¡°Kaiden, are you in a foul mood these days? Your executives are allining to me, using you of being heartless.¡±


    Theirints weren¡¯t entirely serious. They knew of Jerome¡¯s close ties with Kaiden and hoped he might uncover if they had inadvertently offended Kaiden, leading to his aloofness.


    Kaiden nced up, uninterested. ¡°Don¡¯t you have better things to do?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jerome settled into a chair across from Kaiden. ¡°Well, I need to enjoy the perks of being a boss. I guess you don¡¯t rte to that kind of pleasure.¡±


    He then quipped, ¡°Sorry, I forgot you don¡¯t understand such joys.¡±


    Impatient, Kaiden retorted, ¡°If it¡¯s not important, leave.¡±


    In essence, if Jerome had something significant to say, he should speak up.


    ¡°Having trouble with your wife? Herm¨¨s just released some exclusive leather bags. Women love them, and they¡¯re great for making peace!¡± Jerome ventured.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze hardened.


    A Herm¨¨s bag? Perhaps it was less effective than a simple, inexpensive street-side hot chocte.


    Jerome squirmed under Kaiden¡¯s intense look. He quickly divulged, ¡°Bruce told me you and your wife argued! It¡¯s odd; Ellie seems so even-tempered. How did you upset her? Let me know, and I can help you sort it out.¡±


    Kaiden pondered what Jerome meant by ¡®upsetting Ellie.¡¯


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    He subtly gestured toward the door with his chin, a clear signal for Jerome to leave.


    Jerome, with a resigned smile and an ¡°OK¡± gesture, quickly exited. He regretted his curiosity about such aplex emotional matter.


    The office fell silent.


    Kaiden then opened his right-hand drawer and retrieved two auction invitations.


    He called Bruce, instructing, ¡°Tell Ellie to join me at the auction tonight.¡±


    Meanwhile, outside the hospital.


    ¡°An auction?¡± Hearing about the auction, Ellie eyed the evening gown Bruce offered but didn¡¯t ept it. ¡°I don¡¯t have time,¡± she firmly declined.


    Bruce, still holding the gown, persisted. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mrs. Gordon¡¯s condition is stable. Mr. Thorpe has informed the Gordons to take over her care. You can rest assured. And remember, whether you are GT Group¡¯s coborative stylist or Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe has the right to invite you.¡±


    His words had multiple meanings.


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 Chapter 95

    ?Chapter 95:


    Firstly, with Houston and his wife arriving, Ellie would have to confront them if she stayed¡ªan unwee prospect. Secondly, her refusal might provoke Kaiden to leverage her role as a coborative stylist.


    Ellie nearly scoffed. ¡°Kaiden has taught you well.¡±


    Bruce felt uneasy, sensing potential bacsh.


    Feigning ignorance to her sarcasm, he replied, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, that¡¯s too kind.¡±


    In the distance, a familiar Bentley approached.


    It was Houston¡¯s car.


    Ellie¡¯s frown deepened, not expecting the Gordons to arrive so promptly.


    She dreaded meeting them, yet she knew Cecelia might wish to see her son.


    ¡°I¡¯m not fond of this gown¡¯s designer,¡± Elliemented, ncing briefly at the box before closing it. Her chin remained unlifted, yet her stance radiated dignity and defiance.


    Ellie¡¯s distaste for the designer meant she naturally disliked the gown as well.


    The gown was a limited edition from this year¡¯s new haute couture collection, highly coveted. Yet, in her view, it merited only a dismissive ¡°dislike.¡±


    Bruce, catching on to her preference, smiled and offered, ¡°Winter¡¯s owner is well-acquainted with Mr. Thorpe. Mrs. Thorpe, please feel free to choose a gown to your liking.¡±


    Winter was a premier styling studio in Critport, typically serving elite clientele and A-list actresses. Located in a distinctive building downtown, its entrance currently disyed a ¡°closed¡± sign.


    Bruce escorted Ellie inside, leading her upstairs. They were met by a young man in his twenties, with ash-gray hair and a trendy, avant-garde outfit.


    ¡°This is Sherell Potter,¡± Bruce introduced him briefly.


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    Ellie, familiar with the fashion industry, immediately recognized Sherell¡¯s stature. A celebrated young designer with numerous des by the age of twenty-five, he was regarded as a rising star in fashion.


    Sherell extended a friendly greeting, bowing gracefully. ¡°Miss, please choose any gown here. What style do you prefer? I¡¯m d to be of service to such a beauty like you.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Ellie declined, raising her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll find something myself.¡±


    Preferring not to have others dictate her appearance, Ellie, a stylist herself, trusted in her ability to craft a look that was both satisfying andfortable.


    In under an hour, she had attired herself in an outfit that was bothfortable and stylish.


    Upon his arrival, Kaiden¡¯s gaze found Ellie by the expansive window, her eyes set on the busy street below. She was adorned in a captivating gradient purple gown, her hair elegantly curled and swept to the left, embodying both grace and practicality.


    Her face, lightly touched with makeup, exuded a natural charm and a certain untouchable allure, as if she were meant to be admired from afar.


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 Chapter 96

    ?Chapter 96:


    Outside the window, the world bustled with hurried lives and worldly pursuits. Amidst this whirl of activity, Ellie stood serene and detached, as if in a world of her own.


    Kaiden was reminded of the opinions he had heard about Ellie from his social circle.


    She was perceived as detached from worldly affairs, unique in her essence.


    She was a living embodiment of a dream.


    ¡°Miss, you¡¯re a true inspiration,¡± Sherell gushed, his eyes sparkling with admiration. ¡°Your beauty and impable taste are evident. You epitomize understated elegance.¡± He was effusive in his praise. ¡°May I have your contact? WhatsApp, perhaps? It would be an immense honor!¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened slightly at this.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe,¡± Bruce called out, noticing Kaiden.


    Ellie turned, her eyesnding on Kaiden, who sat in his wheelchair. He was impably dressed in a charcoal gray suit, his face an unreadable mask. His eyes swept over her, betraying no clear emotion.


    This was Ellie¡¯s first time locking eyes with Kaiden since their disagreement.


    Her gaze was cool and detached, akin to a business associate¡¯s, a far cry from the protective stance she had taken at the Thorpes¡¯ house.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, attending the auction with me might damage your reputation,¡± Ellie cautioned.


    In their exclusive social circle, where only a select few were privy to such events, everyone was aware of the truth about Ellie not being the true Gordon heir.


    Before Kaiden could respond, Sherell interjected, puzzled, ¡°Miss, your presence would only enhance the event¡¯s prestige. How could it be a disgrace?¡±


    Sherell was very persistent and added, ¡°Can I have your WhatsApp ount?¡±


    Bruce, witnessing this exchange, was at a loss for words. He sensed Kaiden¡¯s growing annoyance, though Sherell seemed oblivious.


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    Ellie found Sherell¡¯s earnestness both amusing and endearing. Given their shared industry, she saw potential for future coboration and agreed, ¡°Certainly, you can have it.¡±


    As Ellie reached for her phone to ess WhatsApp, Kaiden swiftly took it from her hand, locking the screen.


    He turned to Sherell, his expression nk. ¡°Are you bored in Critport? I could send you back to Estoqua.¡±


    Sherell recoiled, fearing the implications. ¡°No! If I return, I¡¯ll be dragged into family business. I won¡¯t go back.¡±


    Kaiden gave Sherell a frosty look, then signaled for Ellie to follow him as he wheeled away.


    Ellie, puzzled by Kaiden¡¯s behavior, realized something: Sherell, celebrated in the fashion world, was also under Kaiden¡¯s influence.


    ¡°Bruce, why do I feel like Mr. Thorpe is picking on me? Did I upset him?¡± Ellie asked quietly, perplexed.


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 Chapter 97

    ?Chapter 97:


    Bruce rolled his eyes. Sherell¡¯s request for Kaiden¡¯s wife¡¯s contact in Kaiden¡¯s presence was bound to stir discontent. He was fortunate Kaiden hadn¡¯t reacted more strongly.


    ¡°Bear in mind, Miss Gordon is with Mr. Thorpe. So avoid those sinful thoughts,¡± Bruce advised Sherell in a hushed tone.


    Sherell responded with an air of innocence and conviction, ¡°I had no ill intentions. I was simply admiring beauty.¡±


    Bruce sighed inwardly, realizing the futility of offering counsel to someone who couldn¡¯t grasp the nuances.


    Kaiden chose his Maybach for the evening¡¯s transport.


    Ellie, sharing the ride but not the conversation, busied herself with her phone. A post about the Heart Ind Club caught her eye, bringing back unpleasant memories. As she scrolled to move on, something in the photo stopped her.


    The club¡¯s hall, the high tform, the dancer, and theck of ss above.


    Last time, from the third floor, she could see everything below, but it seemed the reverse wasn¡¯t true. A realization dawned on Ellie: it must have been one-way ss. Startled, she nced at Kaiden, quickly averting her eyes before he could notice her looking.


    The auction took ce in a prestigious mansion in the city center. As evening descended, the mansion¡¯s exterior sparkled with luxury cars and a stream of elegantly dressed attendees.


    Kaiden, restrained yet prominent in his wheelchair, made his appearance.


    Stepping out of the car, Ellie sensed eyes on her¡ªsome curious, others mocking.


    ¡°Shoot! Can you believe Ellie¡¯s here? She¡¯s naturally beautiful, beyond what stic surgery could achieve.¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s been off the radartely. Makes you wonder if she¡¯s got a wealthy patron.¡±


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    ¡°And the man with her, in the wheelchair¡­ He¡¯s not a familiar face in our circles.¡±


    ¡°Actually, there is someone with a disability in the Thorpe family. But could it be Kaiden Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re in for some drama today. Erick and the Gordon family¡¯s newly recognized daughter are also here.¡±


    When someone is sufficiently remarkable, they attract attention. It¡¯s only when people take notice that criticism follows.


    Ellie knew from a young age that prominence invited scrutiny and criticism.


    Ignoring the whispers, she apanied Kaiden into the auction house. They found seats in a prime spot in the front row.


    Soon after, Demi, draped in a long purple dress and clinging to Erick, approached.


    ¡°Ellie, what a surprise. What brings you here?¡± Demi asked, her tone feigning innocence.


    Ellie¡¯s expression instantly turned frosty.


    Had she anticipated encountering them, she would have preferred staying at the hospital with Houston and Litzy.


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 Chapter 98

    ?Chapter 98:


    Addressing Demi, Ellie inquired, ¡°You didn¡¯t visit the hospital? Aren¡¯t you aware your grandmother¡¯s ill?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my grandmother, not yours. I¡¯m well aware of her condition,¡± Demi shot back.


    The surrounding crowd overheard and began to murmur.


    For a brief moment, all eyes turned to Ellie.


    There were murmurs and vicious res. Since Ellie wasn¡¯t a true Gordon, her reference to Demi¡¯s grandmother as her own seemed out of ce, causing a stir among the onlookers.


    Ellie understood the underlying message in Demi¡¯s words: despite being aware of her grandmother¡¯s illness, Demi had no intention of visiting the hospital.


    Ellie¡¯s anger red upon seeing Demi¡¯s carefree smile, especially recalling Erick¡¯s mention of Cecelia¡¯s ident and suspecting Demi¡¯s involvement.


    Just as Ellie¡¯s temper threatened to erupt, a voice called out to her.


    ¡°Ellie.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice, low and cool, reeled her back from the brink.


    Ellie lowered her gaze, reigning in her emotions, and took a seat beside Kaiden. ¡°Sorry, I shouldn¡¯t let personal feelings intrude here,¡± she whispered, her apologyced with apparent anger.


    The other guests had taken note of the interaction between Ellie and Demi.


    Demi seemed intent on making a spectacle, hoping to cement Ellie¡¯s image as an impostor in the Gordon family¡ªa scandal for all to remember.


    However, the crowd¡¯s whispers didn¡¯t favor Demi.


    ¡°Look at Demi¡¯s dress, it¡¯s the same color as Ellie¡¯s. However, Ellie¡¯s elegance easily outshines her.¡±


    ¡°Ha, look at that! Even though their dresses are the same color, Demi somehow looks less refined next to Ellie.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of grace and poise, Ellie has always been unmatched, even among celebrities at Parasti¡¯s g. Demi just doesn¡¯t measure up to her.¡±


    ¡°We should go! It¡¯s better if we keep our distance from Ellie. Standing next to her only invites unfavorableparisons.¡±


    Demi, boiling with rage yet powerless to express it, seethed inwardly. She couldn¡¯t fathom why the crowd favored Ellie, seeing her as nothing more than a bastard from parents who didn¡¯t want her.


    In Demi¡¯s eyes, Ellie¡¯s refined manners were mere pretenses, usurped from a life she didn¡¯t deserve.


    She was resolute in her determination to humiliate Ellie, no matter the cost.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden, casually supporting his chin with his hand, exuded an effortless mix ofziness and nobility.


    He suddenly asked teasingly, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, have you figured out how you¡¯d teach that woman a lesson?¡±


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 Chapter 99

    ?Chapter 99:


    Upon hearing Kaiden¡¯s words, Ellie paused, momentarily taken aback. Then, it dawned on her that he was referring to her nearly losing her temper in front of Demi just now. She hadn¡¯t yet decided how to respond.


    In that earlier encounter, whatever she might have said would have been to her disadvantage. The focus had shifted to her, an outsider, used of usurping Demi¡¯s life. Demi, as the legitimate Gordon heiress, naturally held the upper hand.


    Kaiden stepping in had been a reprieve for Ellie.


    She looked at him and murmured quietly, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She was also grateful he hadn¡¯t publicly embarrassed her that night at the club before so many eyes.


    Kaiden merely snorted in response.


    Thanking him? Her gratitude seemed an afterthought to him.


    He often thought of Ellie as a proud, slightly spoiled kitten. He felt an urge to tousle her hair but restrained himself.


    Erick, sitting three seats away, watched Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s disy of closeness with growing annoyance.


    ¡°Ellie, this auction is quite upscale. If money¡¯s tight, I could lend you some, for Demi¡¯s sake,¡± he offered, his toneced with mockery and self-righteousness.


    Hisment was a double-edged sword: belittling Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s financial situation while positioning himself as Demi¡¯s considerate boyfriend.


    He purposefully omitted mentioning Kaiden, knowing that Kaiden¡¯s legitimate lineage as a Thorpe family member could overshadow him.


    Demi, irked by Erick¡¯s direct engagement with Ellie, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction from his words. She gave Ellie a provocative look, then told Erick, ¡°If she can¡¯t afford it, she shouldn¡¯t be here. Lending her money would only make things worse for her.¡±


    ¡°Lend me money?¡± Ellieughed, taking the crowd by surprise. ¡°I almost thought he was generously offering me money.¡±


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    ¡°Oh, burn!¡± Laughter erupted from someone nearby.


    Indeed, Erick¡¯s manner had implied generosity rather than a loan.


    ¡°Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Ellie?¡± Demi snapped back.


    Then, Ellie felt something being pressed into her hand¡­ It was an auction paddle.


    Without acknowledging Demi and Erick, she tried to hand it back to Kaiden. ¡°I don¡¯t have the means for this.¡±


    Kaiden arched an eyebrow. ¡°Would I let my wife pay for herself?¡± His use of ¡°wife¡± left Ellie momentarily speechless.


    What was he thinking?


    Ignoring the term, she asked, ¡°You¡¯re giving me the paddle. Does this mean I can spend as I wish?¡±


    Kaiden responded calmly, ¡°Go ahead.¡± Money was the least of his concerns.


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 Chapter 100

    ?Chapter 100:


    Ellie toyed with the paddle, a mischievous glint in her eye, as if plotting a minor scheme.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m quite skilled at spending. Are you sure?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯sugh carried a challenge, as if daring her to prove it.


    Erick, unable to hear their exchange, could only watch as Ellie and Kaiden shared a close, seemingly intimate conversation. His previous taunt now seemed self-mocking.


    ¡°Erick?¡± Demi¡¯s voice,ced with suspicion, broke his trance.


    Her insecurities about Erick¡¯s past with Ellie,bined with Ellie¡¯s allure, always lingered.


    Erick turned his attention to Demi, reassuringly squeezing her hand. ¡°Bid on whatever you like, Demi. It¡¯s on me.¡±


    Erick¡¯s assurance was met with a delighted kiss from Demi. ¡°You¡¯re the best, Erick! I love you!¡±


    Erick vividly recalled that despite Kaiden¡¯s significant shareholding in the Thorpe Group, this year¡¯s dividends hadn¡¯t been distributed yet. He surmised that Kaiden,cking a dominant role in the family, might not have the means topete in such a high-end auction, where starting bids were in the millions.


    His n was to prove to Ellie that her admired man couldn¡¯t afford such luxuries, making her witness Demi, whom he supported, indulging in extravagant purchases. He intended to expose Kaiden as ineffectual.


    Nearby attendees sensed the tension between the four of them but were unclear about the identity of the man in the wheelchair. They refrained from intervening.


    As the auction began, Ellie found little interest in the antique calligraphy and paintings.


    However, the arrival of a rare, limited-edition leather bag stirred excitement among the women present.


    Demi, bidding aggressively, drove the price of the bag, initially worth less than ten million, up to thirty million.


    ¡°The bid stands at thirty million fordy number seven,¡± the auctioneer announced, referring to Demi.


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    At this moment, Ellie, who had been observing quietly, raised her paddle, each lift typically indicating a two-million increment.


    Demi, visibly annoyed, countered with a higher bid.


    Ellie immediately raised her paddle again.


    In mere seconds, the bid escted from thirty to forty million. Demi, visibly irritated, half-threatened Ellie. ¡°Do you actually have the funds, Ellie? Don¡¯t let your jealousy get the better of you.¡±


    Ellie, unfazed, countered, ¡°Running low on funds, Miss Gordon?¡± Her words carried a taunting edge.


    Erick, with an arm around Demi¡¯s waist and a slight tilt of his chin, addressed Ellie confidently, ¡°I¡¯ll cover the cost.¡±


    His intention was to disy to Ellie thevish lifestyle Demi enjoyed with him, where she could have anything she desired.


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 Chapter 101

    ?Chapter 101:


    Their disy sparkedments from other affluent young men in the room.


    ¡°Erick¡¯s showing off his wealth again. Go ahead, Miss Gordon, bid away!¡±


    ¡°Ssshh! Not so loud! Imagine how Ellie must feel hearing this.¡±


    ¡°She must be devastated! Haha.¡±


    Their words, tinged with irony, didn¡¯t deter Ellie, who continued bidding.


    The auction attendees were drawn to the spectacle unfolding between Demi and Ellie, known to many as the legitimate and disputed heiresses of the Gordon family.


    After several bids, Demi¡¯s initial thirty-million offer escted to fifty-six million, at which point Ellie ceased bidding.


    ¡°Lady number seven wins this rare Hermes bag for fifty-six million,¡± the auctioneer dered.


    Demi, basking in her victory, couldn¡¯t resist a jab at Ellie. ¡°Good thing you stopped, Ellie. No need to waste everyone¡¯s time.¡±


    Ellie remained unfazed, her attention turning to the next item being presented. A subtle smile yed on her lips, her profile radiating elegance under the warm lighting.


    Kaiden, observing her, was surprised by her sudden halt in bidding. ¡°Why did you stop bidding?¡± he asked. It was Ellie¡¯s first time engaging in the auction since their arrival. He hadn¡¯t anticipated her active participation, only for her to suddenly withdraw.


    Ellie, eyeing the next item nonchntly, replied, ¡°I simply didn¡¯t like it.¡±


    Realizing Ellie had no interest in the bag, Kaiden quickly grasped her tactic.


    Ellie had no real interest in the bag; her bidding was a strategic move. Her aim was to inte the price,pelling Demi to overspend. Throughout the evening, Ellie consistently bid on items Demi showed interest in, forcing her to pay exorbitantly.


    Demi appeared almost foolish, falling for Ellie¡¯s strategy.


    A sapphire ring, initially valued at four million, escted to twenty-eight million due to Ellie¡¯s interference, even though Demi could have secured it for eighteen million. Simrly, a gown priced at eight and a half million soared to forty million because of Ellie¡¯s bidding.


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    ¡°Ellie, I understand our rivalry, but must wepete here? Just so you know, I won¡¯t let you easily im what¡¯s mine anymore!¡± Demi dered, securing a diamond ne for fifty million. Her words were a veiled usation, painting Ellie as a usurper of her life and achievements.


    Ellie remainedposed, her smile widening.


    She offered, ¡°Congrattions!¡± There was no hint of anger in her voice. Her smile, sly and triumphant, caught Kaiden¡¯s attention for a moment longer than usual.


    Ellie seemed delighted at making Erick spend more, a reaction Kaiden found childish.


    Despite the circumstances, Kaiden found Ellie¡¯s actions surprisingly gratifying.


    Demi, basking in her perceived victory, was too ted to notice the subtle displeasure on Erick¡¯s face.


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 Chapter 102

    ?Chapter 102:


    Erick, typically liberal with his spending on women, found the night¡¯s expenses far exceeding his expectations. Concerned about maintaining his image, he found himself unable to intervene or correct Demi in front of the gathered crowd.


    As the auction neared its conclusion, the final three top-tier items were presented.


    The third-tost item was a winery in Gwylia, an exquisite property valued at two hundred million for its collectible and operational worth. Erick, among others, was visibly interested in the winery.


    However, Kaiden abruptly entered the bidding with an astonishing offer of one billion, swiftly concluding the auction before anyone else could react.


    Ellie, in disbelief, impulsively clutched Kaiden¡¯s sleeve, despite their recent disagreements. She whispered in shock, ¡°Kaiden, are you out of your mind? The winery, at its best, is worth half a billion! Five hundred million, not another cent more!¡±


    Kaiden, noticing Ellie¡¯s grip on his sleeve, chose not to ask her to let go.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, consider this a lesson in extravagant spending.¡±


    Ellie was speechless, her earlier attempts at inting auction prices paling inparison to Kaiden¡¯svish expenditure.


    She then noticed Erick¡¯s frustration.


    Ellie recalled Erick¡¯s fondness for collecting red wine. True to her memory, when she nced his way, she saw Erick clenching his teeth¡ªa clear sign of his unresolved frustration.


    Ellie shared in Kaiden¡¯s sense of amusement, realizing that the extravagant spending wasn¡¯ting from her pocket. Moreover, seeing Erick¡¯s difort added to her enjoyment. Why not relish the moment?


    Next up was a limited edition Koenigsegg sports car, with a starting bid of five hundred million.


    ¡°One billion!¡± Erick immediately doubled the starting price to one billion, evidently eager to secure the car after losing the winery. Bids escted rapidly, reaching 1.4 billion, with Erick still leading.


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    At this point, Kaiden gestured for Ellie to join the bidding, nudging her to raise the paddle and escte the price further.


    Regardless, the funds weren¡¯t Ellie¡¯s concern. She had the liberty to spend as she wished.


    Ellie casually dered, ¡°Let¡¯s add a hundred million.¡±


    Erick, gritting his teeth, questioned her, ¡°Are you sure you and your friend have enough money to cover that?¡± Ellie¡¯s interference irked him deeply.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, unless you¡¯re God, I¡¯d advise you to focus on your own matters,¡± Ellie retorted, toying with her auction paddle. The surrounding crowd couldn¡¯t suppress their amusement.


    Erick, struggling to keep hisposure, countered, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll match that then!¡±


    Ellie nced at Kaiden, seeking his cue.


    The bidding had spiraled to five times the car¡¯s worth, rendering furtherpetition meaningless.


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 Chapter 103

    ?Chapter 103:


    Kaiden, reclining casually, signaled Ellie to proceed.


    Ellie coolly stated, ¡°We¡¯ll raise by another hundred million.¡± The stalemate persisted.


    Erick, consumed by fury, rashly bid, ¡°Two hundred million more!¡± He couldn¡¯t bear losing his treasured car to Kaiden.


    Kaiden¡¯s hand gently met Ellie¡¯s, holding the auction paddle.


    It was a sign to cease bidding.


    This tender act momentarily stiffened Ellie. She discreetly withdrew her hand, crossing her arms defensively. It was a clear sign of difort.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.


    The auctioneer, thrilled by the escting bids, announced, ¡°Congrattions to bidder number seven for acquiring the Koenigsegg at 1.9 billion dors!¡±


    His excitement was fueled by his own gain from their extravagant spending.


    Erick wore a smug smile, casting a triumphant nce at Kaiden and Ellie.


    Yet, Ellie caught a fleeting smirk on Kaiden¡¯s lips.


    Piecing together Kaiden¡¯s aggressive bidding and sudden withdrawal, she whispered in realization, ¡°Could it be that he doesn¡¯t actually have the funds?¡±


    It was a rhetorical question since she already knew the answer.


    ¡°How did you figure that out?¡± Kaiden asked, ncing at her.


    ¡°Because of my bidding, Demi spent two hundred million, and with the car at 1.9 billion, the total exceeds two billion, not even ounting for taxes. Erick has assets butcks immediate cash flow.¡± Ellie reasoned that Erick couldn¡¯t possibly afford the car.


    She noted that Kaiden never wasted efforts. Like with the winery, he would have outbid others decisively if he truly wanted it.


    As Ellie spoke, her eyes gleamed with the thrill of outsmarting someone and the satisfaction of her own acumen.


    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??


    Kaiden had the impulse to pinch her cheek.


    But he held back, recalling her earlier defensive gesture.


    ¡°Does Erick¡¯s predicament please you?¡± Kaiden asked, assuming she¡¯d be upset.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight.


    Seeing her ex-fianc¨¦ in distress brought her undeniable joy.


    The final item was unveiled: a set of diamond bracelets.


    The allure was immediate, eclipsing the previous items in desirability. Wealthy bidders prepared to vie for it, possibly as avish gift. Kaiden, without hesitation, raised his paddle. ¡°Two billion.¡± His bid cast a hush over the crowd.


    ¡°What the hell? Two billion right off the bat? Did he even leave room for others to bid?¡±


    Someone whispered, ¡°Who is that man? The one next to Ellie!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a clue! But such extravagance¡­ he¡¯s richer than Erick!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Kaiden Thorpe, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Impossible! Kaiden isn¡¯t favored in the Thorpe family and doesn¡¯t have that much money. Plus, Erick didn¡¯t even greet him when he got here.¡±


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 Chapter 104

    ?Chapter 104:


    As the auction wrapped up, the winning bidders were directed to the conference room toplete payment and sign ownership transfer documents.


    Erickmented sarcastically, ¡°One billion for a winery, Uncle, you certainly know how to spend money.¡±


    He discreetly kept his voice low as he referred to Kaiden as ¡°Uncle,¡± ensuring he wouldn¡¯t be overheard.


    Before Kaiden had a chance to reply, Ellie interjected with a smile, ¡°Not quite as extravagant as Mr. Thorpe¡¯s girlfriend, though.¡± She then turned her attention to Demi, adding, ¡°Miss Gordon, it seems you went over your budget by an extra 100 million today, just in an attempt topete with me, right?¡±


    Demi, defensive, shot back, ¡°I wasn¡¯tpeting with you. You were the one trying topete with me!¡±


    Erick¡¯s heart sank hearing this. He knew Demi had overspent, but the reality of an additional hundred million stung.


    That was one hundred million, not ten million!


    Ellie simply smiled, offering no furtherment.


    When the time came to sign for the diamond bracelet set, Kaiden extended the pen to Ellie.


    Ellie looked puzzled at the gesture. Kaiden exined, ¡°It¡¯s a gift for you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± Ellie declined promptly.


    Her mindset was clear: if there was something she truly desired, she would purchase it herself.


    Kaiden seemed indifferent to her refusal. He had participated in the auction to purchase her a gift, unaffected by whether or not she needed it.


    The staff exchanged surprised nces, taken aback by Ellie¡¯s rejection of such avish gift.


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    Kaiden coolly instructed Bruce, ¡°Dispose of it then.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ellie, believing Kaiden might actually do it, hastily suggested, ¡°Give it to someone else.¡±


    Demi, observing the exchange, scoffed, ¡°Hypocritical bitch!¡±


    Erick, watching silently, understood Ellie¡¯s sincerity. During their engagement, Ellie never sought gifts and always reciprocated when she did receive them. Her refusal now wasn¡¯t an act of pretense but a genuineck of desire for the item.


    Erick, who had once considered Ellie¡¯s simplicity and directness naive and tactless, now felt a touch of nostalgia for those traits.


    Not wanting to engage with Demi, Ellie ignored her. She worried Kaiden might actually discard the bracelet set.


    Eventually, she decided to keep it, reasoning it could be stored at Moon Manor, which was also owned by Kaiden, and signed the necessary documents.


    Then, a staff member approached with a concerning update. ¡°Apologies, Mr. Thorpe, but your ount bnce is insufficient for the Koenigsegg bid. Would you prefer to use a check or another bank card?¡±


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 Chapter 105

    ?Chapter 105:


    ¡°What?¡± Erick, startled and embarrassed, struggled to process the information. It hinted at a pretense of wealth he couldn¡¯t maintain.


    The staff member exined, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your current bnce is 1.93 billion dors. Miss Gordon¡¯s purchases amount to 202 million. The Koenigsegg bid is 1.9 billion, exceeding your total funds, and this is before taxes.¡±


    Demi, misunderstanding the gravity of the situation, dismissively interjected, ¡°Just 2 billion. Don¡¯t underestimate Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Erick found himself unwilling to engage in conversation with Demi, frustrated by her naive perspective.


    Just 2 billion?


    To maintain appearances, he had allocated nearly all his liquid assets for the auction. Now, with less than 100 million remaining, he found himself in a financial bind.


    If Demi hadn¡¯t overbid, Erick might have managed to cover the expense. But with the current situation¡­


    Ellie, seizing the moment, addressed Erick. ¡°No need to panic, Mr. Thorpe. The penalty for withdrawing a bid is only 40%. If the 1.9 billion is too steep, the 500 million penalty should be more manageable for you.¡±


    But the stark difference was clear: while 1.9 billion would secure a prized sports car, 500 million would simply vanish as a penalty, a bitter oue indeed.


    ¡°Ellie, what nonsense are you talking about?¡± Demi¡¯s retort was cut short as she noticed Erick¡¯s ashenplexion, her voice softening with concern. ¡°Erick, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± Erick hissed, seething with frustration and embarrassment.


    Demi was the reason why he was making a fool of himself!


    Demi recoiled, feeling as though she had been metaphorically pped. Erick¡¯s harsh scolding in public, coupled with his apparent financial predicament, left her humiliated.


    Spection and murmurs spread among the onlookers.


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    ¡°Does Mr. Thorpe really not have the funds?¡± someone whispered.


    ¡°Hard to say. 1.9 billion is no small sum,¡± another replied, fueling the gossip. ¡°We¡¯ll see who¡¯s truly wealthy when it¡¯s time to settle the bill.¡±


    Erick, desperate to deflect, targeted Ellie. ¡°You should be more concerned about your ownpanion,¡± he scoffed, doubting Kaiden¡¯s financial capacity, especially after his extravagant spending.


    But the staff promptly rified, ¡°That gentleman has alreadypleted his payment.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s swift settlement of the bill silenced any doubts about his means.


    Erick, pointing usingly at Kaiden, was incredulous. ¡°How¡­ How is this possible?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s impolite to point while speaking,¡± Ellie intervened smoothly.


    Ellie¡¯s remark subtly highlighted Erick¡¯sck of manners.


    Erick, realizing his impoliteness, quickly retracted his hand. Hisplexion alternated between pale and flushed, his gaze still intensely focused on Kaiden.


    He was baffled. Where did Kaiden get that much money?


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 Chapter 106

    ?Chapter 106:


    Throughout the auction, Kaiden had done little else but bid on various items, seemingly relishing the process. His carefree spending had brought him a sense of satisfaction.


    Ellie, too, had yed her part well, much to Kaiden¡¯s amusement.


    The auction house had arranged for the delivery of the items to Moon Manor through their security service, sparing the bidders the hassle of transporting their purchases.


    After the auction, Ellie walked with Kaiden toward the parking lot but stopped short of getting into the car.


    ¡°I need to talk to Demi,¡± Ellie informed Kaiden, hinting that he should leave first.


    When Kaiden remained silent, Ellie quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have no interest in your nephew who couldn¡¯t manage the 2 billion. It¡¯s just about Demi.¡±


    Kaiden gestured to Bruce to close the car door, indicating he wouldn¡¯t wait for Ellie.


    In the car, Bruce, puzzled, asked, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, where to next?¡±


    ¡°Circle back in five minutes,¡± Kaiden instructed.


    Bruce was baffled by Kaiden¡¯s request. What the hell? Why would Kaiden pretend not to care just now? Yet now he wanted Bruce to drive the car back to the auction house five minutester?


    Ultimately, Erick faced a hefty half-billion penalty for his inability to fulfill his bid.


    Erick and Demi exited the auction house, both visibly upset.


    Erick was frustrated for spending so much yet losing face, while Demi felt overshadowed by Ellie again.


    Upon reaching the parking lot, Demi noticed Ellie standing there, waiting. When their eyes met, Ellie maintained her gaze, not looking away.


    It was clear that Ellie had been waiting specifically for Demi.


    ¡°Are you going to apologize to me?¡± Demi asked with a haughty tilt of her chin. ¡°I won¡¯t forgive you! I¡¯ll even tell my parents what a heartless woman you are!¡±


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    Ellie, unflinching, retorted, ¡°Are you out of your mind, or are you having a daydream?¡±


    Why would she apologize to Demi when Demi was the one who caused all the trouble?


    Trying to be patient, Ellie said, ¡°I¡¯m here to advise you. Visit Grandma in the hospital if you want to maintain your good image.¡±


    In their social circle, maintaining a good image was crucial for Demi¡¯s prospects.


    Demi dismissed the advice with a scoff. She crossed her arms in a disy of arrogance. She taunted in a defiant tone, ¡°I won¡¯t visit that old woman. What can you do about it, huh? You are in no position to give orders¡­¡±


    Demi¡¯s words halted abruptly as she was thrust against the hood of a sports car by Ellie. The impact was painful, immobilizing her.


    Ellie, towering over Demi with a chilling presence, gazed down sternly. Her voice, icy and authoritative,manded, ¡°You should address her as Grandma, Demi.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, release me! You bastard! Ouch! You¡¯re hurting me!¡± Demi protested, struggling fruitlessly against the car.


    Ellie tightened her hold, her tone calm yet firm. ¡°Say ¡®Grandma¡¯. Say it aloud! Repeat it until you get it right.¡±


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 Chapter 107

    ?Chapter 107:


    Demi felt belittled under Ellie¡¯s scornful gaze. She saw Ellie as a cruel beauty.


    Frightened, Demiplied, ¡°Grand¡­ Grandma!¡±


    ¡°Remember, show her respect!¡± Ellie tilted her head slightly, narrowing the distance between them. Her voice was soft yetced with a threatening undertone. ¡°Listen, Demi, there¡¯s something you need to understand. Someone switched our identities, causing you to live a difficult life while I enjoyed a fortunate one. However, please remember that I am not the one at fault in this incident. Treating you with respect is a choice I make. If you exploit that, it¡¯s on you. Like in this situation, if I choose to assert myself, you have no choice but to ept it. Let¡¯s keep Grandma out of our disputes, alright?¡±


    Ellie, known for her supposed gentleness, revealed a fierce side.


    Clearly, she was so violent! Had everyone been mistaken about her?


    Demi, grudgingly acknowledging her fear, nodded. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°I hope you truly understand. And if Grandma suffers because of you again, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    ¡°Never again,¡± Demi stammered, her legs shaking.


    Ellie let her go but not before delivering one final shove against the car for emphasis. Demi yelped in pain.


    Erick, witnessing the scene, was utterly astounded.


    He had never witnessed this formidable side of Ellie, which surpassed even the incident when she had pped him.


    In his view, Ellie was the epitome of elegance and gentleness, an archetype of a dignifieddy, albeit somewhat unexciting.


    It was only now that Erick realized he had barely scratched the surface of understanding Ellie.


    ¡°Erick¡­¡± Demi gazed at him with a look of despair.


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    Snapping out of his thoughts, Erick rushed to Demi¡¯s aid. ¡°Ellie, this is too much!¡±


    ¡°Oh? Mr. Thorpe, nning to defend your girlfriend? Ready for a fight?¡± Ellie tilted her head slightly, challenging him with her stare. Her expression boldly said, ¡°Fine, go ahead!¡±


    She knew he was likely no match for her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t engage in fights with women!¡± Erick tried to calm his racing heart. Strangely, he found Ellie¡¯s aura captivating at that moment.


    As Ellie turned to leave, she caught sight of Kaiden¡¯s Maybach, which had silently returned and was now parked a short distance away. The window lowered, revealing Kaiden¡¯s striking features, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he observed her.


    Ten minutester,


    Ellie sat in the back of the Maybach, her hands ced demurely on her knees, resembling a child caught in a misdeed.


    ¡°So, Mrs. Thorpe, is this your idea of a discussion?¡± Kaiden¡¯s fingers drummed on the armrest.


    Ellie, rolling her eyes, muttered, ¡°Weren¡¯t you gone?¡±


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 Chapter 108

    ?Chapter 108:


    ¡°I returned to fetch my wife,¡± retorted Kaiden.


    But Ellie was skeptical.


    She shot him a doubtful nce, unconvinced by his pretext.


    In their sham marriage, trust was a luxury, and she suspected his true motive was to keep her away from Erick.


    ¡°Well, I intended to have a constructive conversation with Demi,¡± Ellie exined, redirecting the conversation and justifying her actions. ¡°However, she was uncooperative, so I had to resort to that.¡±


    Kaiden remembered Ellie¡¯s impressive martial arts disy on their wedding night. Demi always ended up overpowered in Ellie¡¯s presence. Yet now, Ellie portrayed herself as having no other option, sounding almost wronged.


    She was such a mischievous liar, wasn¡¯t she?


    After giving her exnation, Ellie noticed Kaiden¡¯sck of response. She looked up, only to see him resting with closed eyes, evidently uninterested in further discussion. She exhaled in relief.


    Being caught in a conflict was certainly not ideal. Especially because Ellie had consistently cultivated an image of gentleness and decorum, her fa?ade effectively disarming those in her presence.


    As they approached a junction, Ellie suggested, ¡°I need to visit the hospital. If it¡¯s out of your way, you can drop me off here.¡± She was prepared to hail a taxi.


    Bruce, who was driving the car, instantly sensed the tension emanating from Kaiden in the back seat.


    Kaiden seemed upset.


    Yet, when Bruce nced over, Kaiden¡¯s face was impassive, betraying none of the mounting pressure.


    ¡°Head to the hospital,¡± Kaiden instructed.


    I??¨¨$? ¡é??t?€§ñ? 1n ??l¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??


    ¡°Right away,¡± Bruce acknowledged.


    Ellie stole a nce at Kaiden, puzzled.


    His amodating demeanor tonight was¡­ strange.


    He even offered her a ride to the hospital.


    Was he happy that he spent billions?


    Kaiden¡¯s luxurious Maybach halted at the entrance of the hospital¡¯s inpatient department.


    Ellie quickly thanked Kaiden and hurried into the building.


    Bruce nced at Kaiden, who had just lit a cigar. The smoke framed Kaiden¡¯s striking features, his deep eyes fixated on the hospital¡¯s entrance, as though he could see Ellie through the walls.


    Noticing Kaiden¡¯s reluctance to leave, Bruce inquired, ¡°Should we wait for Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    Kaiden shifted his focus to Bruce. ¡°How long do you think she¡¯ll take?¡±


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    ?Chapter 109:


    Bruce pondered, knowing Ellie¡¯s dedication to Cecelia.


    She would likely be there for some time.


    Kaiden proposed a wager. ¡°ce a bet with your bonus.¡±


    Bruce, pondering the stakes as his bonus was double his sry, paused in uncertainty.


    Kaiden, with a deft flick of his slender index finger, tapped the cigar, sending ashes cascading down. This small gesture subtly revealed his growing impatience.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ two hours?¡± Bruce made a reluctant guess, going against his better judgment.


    Kaiden, with a faint smile, countered, ¡°Ten minutes.¡±


    Ten minutes? That seemed highly unlikely to Bruce.


    Yet, he held back his doubts, not wanting to offend Kaiden. Admitting such would imply Ellie didn¡¯t prioritize Kaiden, a notion that Bruce reluctantly considered might be urate.


    Nervously, he nced at his watch.


    As the minute hand neared the ten-minute mark, Ellie, d in her gradient purple dress, reappeared.


    Bruce, amazed, couldn¡¯t resist praising, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your insight is remarkable!¡±


    Kaiden seemed uninterested in conversing with Bruce. His attention was fixed on Ellie, whose expression conveyed a mix of loss and bewilderment.


    She appeared disoriented, like a stray animal¡ªalone and deste. Lost in thought, Ellie didn¡¯t notice Kaiden¡¯s steady gaze until she was nearly at the Maybach.


    He didn¡¯t leave. His presence was a silent affirmation; he had expected her return.


    Ten minutes earlier¡­


    Heading to Cecelia¡¯s room, Ellie was halted by Litzy, who was lingering in the corridor.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Litzy¡¯s eyes held contempt as she surveyed Ellie. ¡°Such attire in a hospital¡­ Isn¡¯t that inappropriate?¡±


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    Ellie, realizing she was still in her evening dress, replied, ¡°I was at an event. I¡¯ve got a change of clothes in Grandma¡¯s room.¡±


    Litzy, ever critical, sneered, ¡°So, the party¡¯s over, and now you¡¯re here to y the doting granddaughter?¡±


    Ellie felt her anger rise. Litzy herself was no model of devotion yet dared to judge others.


    Before Ellie could respond, Litzy drew her to the ward¡¯s door, pointing through the ss.


    Cecelia rested in her hospital bed, encircled by Houston and other members of the Gordon family. Despite her ailment, her face lit up with a smile, evidently pleased by their presence.


    This contented smile was something Ellie hadn¡¯t witnessed on Cecelia¡¯s face throughout her time caring for her.


    ¡°See? Blood rtions matter,¡± Litzy remarked, adjusting her hair. ¡°You¡¯re not family, Ellie, nor Cecelia¡¯s true granddaughter. You didn¡¯t need toe. Cecelia was just asking about Demi, her real granddaughter.¡±


    ¡°Real granddaughter¡­¡±


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    ?Chapter 110:


    The phrase sent a shiver through Ellie¡¯s heart.


    She wondered, did Cecelia realize that her brush with death had been caused by Demi? Was she aware that Houston had refused to have a doctor provide treatment for her?


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m not her biological granddaughter,¡± Ellie retorted icily. ¡°But where were you, her ¡®family,¡¯ when she was in dire need?¡±


    ¡°Where we were doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re her blood rtives. Know your ce, Ellie.¡±


    Facing Litzy¡¯s duplicity, Ellie inhaled deeply, fighting to keep her anger at bay.


    ¡°Leave now! Everyone inside is a rtive of ours. You¡¯re an outsider here. You wouldn¡¯t want to upset Cecelia, would you?¡± Litzy said, showing no mercy.


    If the Gordons knew it was Ellie who cared for Cecelia in their absence, they¡¯d surely condemn Houston and her. So, Litzy was determined to keep Ellie away.


    Leaving the hospital, Ellie was haunted by the sight of Cecelia¡¯s smiling face and Litzy¡¯s words: ¡°See? Blood rtions matter.¡±


    ¡°Cecelia was just asking about Demi, her real granddaughter. You should leave now.¡±


    Ellie had consistently shown Cecelia the respect and care befitting a granddaughter. Yet, she wasn¡¯t truly part of the Gordon lineage.


    When Ellie exited the building, she encountered Kaiden, leading to an awkward pause. Her return, once filled with hope, had turned into a swift, disheartening exit.


    Kaiden, putting out his cigar, asked with a slight parting of his lips, ¡°Ready to go?¡±


    Ellie, after a brief moment of hesitation, nodded and opened the car door.


    In the car, a heavy silence enveloped them.


    Bruce, as always, kept his words to a minimum, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. Kaiden, typically reserved, rarely spoke. Ellie watched the city lights blur past the window, feeling a chill.


    After some time, she broke the silence. ¡°I went up, saw the Gordons, and decided toe back down.¡± She felt obliged to exin, especially since she was in Kaiden¡¯s car.


    Updates always at galno¦Íe??s


    Kaiden, however, didn¡¯t respond, as if he hadn¡¯t heard her.


    Bruce then understood. He recalled Kaiden¡¯s earlier instruction to inform Cecelia¡¯s family.


    It was a trap for Ellie.


    He felt a pang of sympathy for her.


    Perhaps the night had softened Ellie¡¯s guard, her words flowing more freely. ¡°Does blood really matter so much, Kaiden? Why am I not seen as part of Grandma¡¯s family?¡±


    There was a subtle note ofint in her voice.


    Kaiden turned to her, gently holding her chin to ensure their eyes met. He lightly tapped her cheek. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, thedy in that room is not your grandmother. Until you find your own kin, I¡¯m the closest thing to family you have.¡±


    Returning to Moon Manor felt strange to Ellie after a week¡¯s absence.


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    ?Chapter 111:


    She understood she didn¡¯t belong with the Gordons. But this ce didn¡¯t feel like hers either.


    Once in her room, she remembered the unresolved deal with Kaiden.


    She hadn¡¯t yet delivered her end of the bargain.


    Ellie was determined not to be indebted to anyone, much like her stance with the Gordon family.


    Looking at her reflection, she changed into her robe.


    In the study, Bruce concluded his report and added a cautionary note. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, at tonight¡¯s auction, several acquaintances spotted you. Your extravagant spending may draw attention from the Thorpe household.¡±


    Kaiden seemed unconcerned. ¡°Am I not allowed to use my money?¡±


    Bruce hastened to correct himself, ¡°Of course, you are.¡±


    But it was unusual for Kaiden to be sovish with his wealth.


    Kaiden¡¯s decision to bring Ellie to the auction was bound to stir controversy, yet he did not care.


    The thought that these fools hadn¡¯t suspected him for years amused Kaiden. It was high time they sensed some peril.


    After all, only a quarry that reacts to danger truly intrigues a predator.


    A knock interrupted them, followed by Ellie¡¯s voice. ¡°Kaiden, can Ie in?¡±


    At Kaiden¡¯s nod, Bruce opened the door.


    ¡°Mrs¡­¡± He paused, momentarily taken aback, then quickly averted his gaze.


    Ellie, just out of the bath, her beauty unadorned, stood there with damp hair falling over her shoulders. Her white silk robe entuated her figure, catching anyone off guard.


    Feeling Kaiden¡¯s piercing gaze, Bruce hastily excused himself. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


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    Kaiden faced Ellie, his expression unreadable.


    Ellie, realizing her attire might be too revealing, fidgeted nervously, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°I came looking for you. I didn¡¯t expect Bruce to be here, and, well¡­ I¡¯m properly dressed underneath.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s face remained impassive.


    Did she think mentioning her proper undergarments would change anything?


    ¡°What do you need?¡± Kaiden reclined in his chair, his gaze settling on Ellie.


    Alone with him, her attire seemed strikingly appropriate.


    ¡°You¡­ have you finished your work?¡± Ellie hesitated briefly before asking.


    Kaiden¡¯s silent stare urged her to speak her mind.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll leave you to your tasks,¡± Ellie said, nning to exit and returnter. She wanted to chicken out now.


    But as she turned, Kaiden spoke. ¡°I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°Just say what you have to say,¡± was written all over his face.


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    ?Chapter 112:


    Ellie thought to herself, shouldn¡¯t he return to his room if he¡¯s finished? She then doubted he would wee her in his bedroom.


    ¡°Click!¡± The door clicked shut as Ellie locked the study.


    Kaiden, raising an eyebrow, waited curiously for her next move. Ellie, trying to appearposed yet unable to mask her nervousness, approached Kaiden.


    Her hand nervously touched the belt of her robe.


    With a quick lip bite, her heart raced with unease.


    Kaiden, with his innate instincts as a man, often had a keen sense of premonition. Moreover, he was no stranger to the attention of women who sought his favor.


    He quickly discerned her underlying intentions.


    Yet, he didn¡¯t intervene, silently observing, a hint of intrigued amusement in his demeanor.


    The plush carpet muffled any sound as the robe¡¯s belt dropped.


    In an instant, Ellie let her bathrobe fall, revealing her figure.


    Her skin glowed softly.


    Her neck was slender, her waist narrow enough to encircle with one hand, and her legs elegantly long. Even her fingernails had a delicate, polished appearance.


    Her form seemed a masterpiece of nature, captivatingly perfect, stirring both visual admiration¡­ and a more primal longing.


    ¡°Ellie, what are you doing?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice remained steady.


    Internally, he felt an unusual dryness in his throat.


    He preferred the air conditioning set to seventy-two degrees Fahrenheit, which caused Ellie a slight chill.


    With a feigned calmness, she approached his desk.


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    Resting a hand on the desk, she rified, ¡°I¡¯m here as Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Her slight movements caused the thin fabric to shift tantalizingly. In mere seconds, Kaiden was beside her, his hand on her waist, leaning in.


    Her upper body pressed against the desk, and she felt a cold object on her back. Was that his pen?


    ¡°Here? Really?¡± he asked, his breath warm against her face.


    His closeness felt almost overbearing.


    Ellie fought the urge to turn away, maintaining herposure.


    ¡°If this is where you want it, that¡¯s fine.¡± Recognizing her initiative, Kaiden gave her a choice. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the bedroom,¡± she quickly amended.


    It wasn¡¯t that the idea was unappealing, but for her first time having sex¡­ in a study seemed too audacious.


    It was too thrilling.


    In a way, a bed offered a feeling of safety.


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 Chapter 113

    ?Chapter 113:


    Kaiden¡¯s chuckle broke the silence.


    Ellie¡¯s duplicity amused him.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Suddenly, she felt herself lifted off the desk. Kaiden had picked her up.


    ¡°My bathrobe¡­¡± she said, one arm around his neck while she reached for her robe with the other.


    The distance from the study to the bedroom wasn¡¯t short.


    Kaiden seemed unconcerned. ¡°No one will dare look at you.¡± The staff wouldn¡¯t venture upstairs without his permission.


    ¡°I want my bathrobe! What if¡­¡± What if someone saw her? What would they think? Did he not have any shame?


    Kaiden, seemingly indifferent to modesty, wrapped his coat around her and carried her out.


    Clutching the fabric to her chest, Ellie appeared nervous, as if fearing she was doing something wrong.


    When he didn¡¯t stop at her room, she queried, ¡°Are we¡­ going to your bedroom?¡±


    ¡°Would you rather we use yours?¡± Disdain was evident in his tone.


    Ellie¡¯s room, a secondary bedroom, couldn¡¯tpare to Kaiden¡¯s master suite.


    ¡°I just thought you wouldn¡¯t want anyone in your room.¡± Lowering her gaze, she noticed the subtle jacquard pattern on his white shirt and the mother-of-pearl buttons, a blend of understatement and opulence.


    Kaiden then tossed her lightly in his arms, as if amused by herment.


    Her body momentarily airborne, she instinctively clung to his neck, eximing, ¡°Hey!¡±


    A low chuckle reached her ears, hinting at Kaiden¡¯s amusement.


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    Ellie wondered if she had misheard.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in my room before,¡± Kaiden reminded her, ¡°and in my bed too.¡±


    She had once ended up in his bed after a night of drunken antics.


    At the memory, Ellie felt a mix of embarrassment and regret. Alcohol really didplicate things.


    Kaiden almost tossed Ellie onto the enormous bed, but the plush mattress cushioned her fall. Quickly, he was over her, his tall frame casting a shadow, recing the coat that had enveloped her.


    ¡°Are you nervous?¡±


    This was a new side of Ellie for Kaiden, and his curiosity was piqued.


    Ellie¡¯s knowledge of men in such moments was limited to romantic movies and TV shows. Kaiden¡¯s teasing demeanor was unlike any scripted scene.


    He wasposed, while she felt anxious and timid, vulnerable in his presence.


    The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. With one hand bracing against the bed and the other around Kaiden¡¯s neck, she initiated a kiss.


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 Chapter 114

    ?Chapter 114:


    ¡°Who¡¯s nervous now?¡± she challenged.


    Kaiden, momentarily taken aback, quickly responded. His kiss was overpowering, leaving no room for her to withdraw.


    The heat from his body was intense, each kiss sending a shiver through her.


    But every time he sucked on her tongue, she felt a wave of nervousness that caused her body to tremble.


    This emotion, however, didn¡¯tst long, soon overwhelmed by a fervent kiss.


    Ellie¡¯s thoughts scattered, her actions driven by apetitive urge. She began to unbutton his shirt, intent on being quicker.


    Her hand carelessly knocked his expensive watch to the floor. ¡°ng!¡± The sound echoed in the room.


    The moment her fingers brushed Kaiden¡¯s skin, Ellie recoiled as if she had received an electric shock.


    She hesitated to touch him again, especially after sensing his¡­ intensity.


    Ellie had once explored adult content with Baylee, but theory and practice were worlds apart!


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m grateful for what you did for Grandma, so I¡¯ll honor our agreement.¡±


    Her words abruptly stopped as she caught Kaiden¡¯s suddenly cold, emotionless gaze.


    ¡°Agreement?¡± The word seemed to grind between his teeth.


    Confused by his sudden shift in mood, Ellie didn¡¯t understand his displeasure.


    ¡°Back at the club on Heart Ind, remember?¡± she reminded him, thinking he had forgotten.


    Staring at her, Kaiden¡¯s handsome face turned serious as he realized she was there to fulfill their agreement, not out of desire. He wanted to continue. After all, Ellie was legally his wife.


    But¡­ his pride wouldn¡¯t let him.


    Since when did he need a promise to bring a woman to his bed?


    Kaiden sat up abruptly, pulling the quilt over Ellie and himself.


    Ellie looked at him, puzzled.


    ¡°I¡¯m not desperate for a woman¡¯s touch,¡± Kaiden said coolly. ¡°I don¡¯t need someone who¡¯s not willing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to¡­¡± Ellie started, but even to her ears, it sounded unconvincing.


    Deep down, she knew she was reluctant.


    Wouldn¡¯t anyone prefer these moments to be spontaneous and natural?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said softly, her gaze lowered. ¡°Could¡­ you give me some time? I¡¯m just¡­ not quite ready.¡±


    Kaiden seemed to find her statement amusing. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you have to go through it to get ustomed.¡±


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 Chapter 115

    ?Chapter 115:


    The gap in understanding between men and women was evident.


    Ellie stayed quiet, avoiding Kaiden¡¯s gaze.


    His eyes held a frightening chill.


    He then scoffed and made his way to the bathroom.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Ellie called out, guilt coloring her expression.


    She had initiated this, yet he was the one stopping it.


    Kaiden looked back, his expression dark.


    Ellie clung to the quilt, her voice hesitant. ¡°I can¡­ help you. I¡¯ve heard¡­ it¡¯s not healthy to suppress these urges.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s reaction was visible, a mix of surprise and restraint. He smirked. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    After some time, as warm water rushed over Ellie¡¯s hands, she quickly turned the tap to cold.


    The chill helped her disconnect from the intensity of the recent events.


    She felt a deep¡­ regret.


    The moment she finished her words, she immediately regretted it.


    Was she out of her mind? Why did she offer to help him?


    It must have been the stress from the Gordon family¡¯s situation. During the encounter, Kaiden teased her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, is this the best you can do?¡±


    What was wrong with it?


    She had never done something like this before¡­


    He could have declined, but he didn¡¯t!


    When Kaiden approached the bathroom door, he saw Ellie meticulously cleaning her fingers, her face a mask ofposure.


    Yet, her flushed ears betrayed her emotions.


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    The memory of her touch lingered in his mind, a stark contrast to his.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to bed.¡± After washing, Ellie awkwardly held her hands behind her back, then let them fall to her sides, realizing how forced it looked. ¡°Where to?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s posture by the door was casual, one leg crossed over the other, effectively barring Ellie¡¯s path.


    This rxed demeanor was a stark contrast to his usual suited, business-like appearance.


    ¡°Back to my room, of course¡­¡± Ellie began, then paused as she grasped his insinuation. ¡°You mean, stay in your room?¡±


    Kaiden nodded with an air of nonchnce. ¡°Yes, you can.¡±


    Huh? Ellie was taken aback.


    Before she could process this, Kaiden grasped her wrist, guiding her to the bed and tucking her under the quilt.


    Her n to leave vanished as Kaiden joined her in bed, his presence enveloping her, leaving her no room to move.


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 Chapter 116

    ?Chapter 116:


    Her mind raced with confusion. ¡°Kaiden¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes were already closed, signaling his readiness for sleep.


    Ellie¡¯s thoughts were a whirlwind.


    She thought he hated people being in his room.


    Now, he seemed to use her as a pillow.


    And his earlier ¡°you can¡± ¡ª it sounded¡­ almost as if she had pleaded to stay.


    Didn¡¯t he realize her question was rhetorical?


    ¡°No, Kaiden, I didn¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are your hands restless?¡±


    His voice, hoarse yetzy, carried an underlying warning.


    There they were, together in bed¡­


    Ellie, recalling the recent intense moments and her sore hands, fell silent.


    Lying next to an unfamiliar man, she felt rigid, lying t and staring at the ceiling, too apprehensive to move.


    Beside Ellie, Kaideny motionless, seemingly asleep.


    Ellie was perplexed. How could he fall asleep so easily?


    She wondered if Kaiden had gotten used to this¡­ Had he been with other women?


    But with those women¡­ wouldn¡¯t he risk revealing the secret of his legs?


    Or did he only share his bed with a woman he fully trusted?


    The thought somehow made Ellie feel unsettled.


    Eventually, sleep overtook her, and she drifted off.


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    Once her breathing steadied, Kaiden silently opened his eyes, observing her closely.


    Ellie¡¯s skin was soft, and up close, he could even notice the fine fuzz on her face. Her eyshes, thick and curly, framed her small, straight nose. Awake, she carried an air of distance, but in sleep, her lips parted slightly, adding an innocent charm to her features.


    Kaiden found himself enveloped by her breath, a subtle mix of milky and floral scents, faint yet memorable.


    Her softness, nestled in his arms, felt like a natural rxant. Her presence was both soothing andpelling.


    Yet, with such allure in his embrace, Kaiden felt no joy.


    He questioned his own sanity.


    Why else would he indulge in the folly of keeping her in his room tonight?


    Ellie was simply a woman. Kaiden snorted inwardly. Was hecking in femalepany?


    Yet, holding Ellie brought a uniquefort; he had felt it thest time she was inebriated.


    Moreover, Ellie was his spouse. Surely, keeping her in his room was reasonable?


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 Chapter 117

    ?Chapter 117:


    Kaiden solved this puzzle quickly and felt a surge of relief.


    The following morning, Ellie awoke to find herself alone.


    The bed next to her was vacant, its warmth nearly gone.


    ncing at the clock, it read half past eight.


    For a frence stylist like her, one who cherished her sleep, this was unusually early.


    She sat, bewildered for a moment, then the previous night¡¯s events unfolded in her mind like a y, sparking her memory.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡±


    She ruffled her hair, agitated, then steadied herself and went to change before heading downstairs.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Thorpe!¡± Cayson¡¯s greeting was warm as he stood in the living room.


    ¡°Good morning, Cayson.¡± Ellie noted his especially friendly smile.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s already at work.¡± Cayson shared that Kaiden had instructed him not to tidy his room since Ellie was still asleep.


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    Was it just her imagination? Something about Cayson¡¯s gaze seemed off today.


    Post-breakfast, still reeling from the night¡¯s shock, Ellie feltpelled to confide in Baylee.


    Without preamble, she said, ¡°I shared a bed with Kaidenst night.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s response was swift. ¡°Is his¡­ big?¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


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    ¡°Just sharing a bed, under the covers, nothing more,¡± she rified.


    ¡°What? He is impotent?!¡± Baylee was incredulous.


    Ellie was dumbfounded, at a loss for words again.


    Baylee called, eager for details.


    Ellie shared the essentials, leaving out less important parts like the ordeal with her hands.


    ¡°Your tale is quite misleading. Except for ¡®shared a bed,¡¯ the rest of the details are boring!¡± Baylee eximed.


    Ellie rolled her eyes. ¡°Baylee, your astutements make me question your experience. Have you¡­?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Baylee interjected, then recalled, ¡°Were you with Kaiden at the auctionst night?¡±


    ¡°Yes, how did you know?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the talk of the town. Rumors about you apanying a wealthy, impaired patron are swirling. Inquiries about his identity abound, oblivious to the fact he¡¯s your husband, Kaiden Thorpe!¡±


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 Chapter 118

    ?Chapter 118:


    Ellieughed softly, cautioning her, ¡°Never mention Kaiden¡¯s impairment in his presence; he won¡¯t appreciate it!¡±


    The women continued discussing one of their husbands.


    ¡°Only a fool would do that,¡± Baylee chuckled, then added, ¡°I also heard that Erick and Demi, one feigning wealth and the other unting it, made ridiculous bids at the auction. The social circles are abuzz over their antics.¡±


    Reflecting on it, Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh. She swirled her coffee slowly, nestled on the sofa, and drawled, ¡°Demi does love the limelight. She¡¯s certainly basking in it this time.¡±


    ¡°Well, when ites to grabbing attention, you¡¯re the real star. Didn¡¯t your patron drop over three billion just to see you smile at the auction?¡±


    Ellie rolled her eyes again.


    What was that all about?


    Baylee¡¯s chuckles bubbled through the phone. ¡°Isn¡¯t theplete diamond set stunning?¡±


    ¡°Enough teasing!¡± Ellieughed along.


    It took Baylee a moment topose herself.


    She then continued, ¡°But really, it¡¯s a blessing in disguise. Your marriage to Kaiden isn¡¯t public knowledge yet, and you¡¯ve had many admirers. Afterst night, I bet they¡¯ll think twice before bothering you again.¡±


    Not many would dare challenge someone who nonchntly spent three billion on ady, even on a national scale.


    Yet, this would only fuel more gossip about Ellie, making her an even bigger subject of interest, especially as the former top socialite!


    In the Thorpes¡¯ house, Erick stood in the study, his face contorted with anger.


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    ¡°Erick, how could you? Spending hundreds of millions in one night, and continuing to bid without funds? Where¡¯s your dignity?¡± Talon was at his wits¡¯ end with Erick¡¯s recklessness.


    Defiant, Erick shot back, ¡°Kaiden set me up! He baited me into it!¡± Had Kaiden not driven up the bid, that Koenigsegg wouldn¡¯t have cost 1.9 billion, and he would have had enough to pay for it!


    ¡°Defending yourself? Didn¡¯t you learn? He always outsmarted you, even as kids. Why are you still falling for his tricks?¡± Talon¡¯s frustration boiled over, recalling the scorn from his peers. He struck Erick. The p resounded!


    ¡°Erick!¡± Genesis tried to intervene but was toote. She tenderly cradled his face, her eyes filled with worry.


    Talon¡¯s blow left Erick¡¯s cheek marked with five distinct red lines.


    Genesis couldn¡¯t hold back her reproach. ¡°Was violence necessary? Couldn¡¯t you have just talked to him? Why hit?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I enjoy this?¡± Talon seethed. ¡°Do you realize the ridicule he¡¯s brought upon himself? Upon us? Erick, we¡¯veid the groundwork for you. We even sidelined Kaiden, hoping you¡¯d lead the Thorpe family one day. Is this how you repay our efforts?¡±


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    ?Chapter 119:


    Erick dropped his hand from his face, the numbness from the p lingering.


    He believed he wasn¡¯t the one to me; Kaiden was the instigator. Yet, he held back from further arguing with Talon.


    Just as he was about to offer an apology, his words halted abruptly.


    ¡°Kaiden doesn¡¯t hold sway in our family. How did hee by such a fortune?¡± Erick stumbled upon a significant mystery. ¡°He dropped three billion at the auction effortlessly. Even considering family dividends, he shouldn¡¯t possess that kind of liquidity!¡± Talon and Genesis looked at each other with grave expressions.


    Indeed, how did Kaiden acquire such wealth?


    ¡°Let¡¯s have someone look into this! Where on earth did he find so much money?¡±


    That afternoon, Ellie¡¯s phone rang with news from the hospital.


    The hospital staff informed her that Cecelia had been discharged.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude and, still worried about Cecelia, considered making ns to visit the Gordons. However, her thoughts were interrupted by a call from Litzy.


    Litzy invited her to dinner at the Gordons¡¯ house.


    A dinner invitation out of the blue?


    Ellie sensed there might be more to this than just a simple meal with the Gordon family.


    After more than a month away, Ellie returned to the Gordon family vi. It felt like a ce she once knew well, yet now it seemed alien.


    Everything and everyone had changed.


    A maid escorted Ellie inside.


    ¡°Can you believe it? Cecelia made a killing from this illness!¡± Litzy was gleefully counting money in the living room, toggling between a calctor and jotting down notes. ¡°Look at this one, only twenty thousand. Stingy, right? And this person sent so much nourishment. I¡¯ll send it up to your roomter, Demi.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom!¡± Demi, seated beside Litzy, smiled, helping with the tally.


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    This bout of Cecelia¡¯s illness had be an unexpected windfall for them, judging by the sympathy gifts amassed.


    Ellie¡¯s face turned steely.


    The maid announced, ¡°Mrs. Gordon, Miss Gordon has arrived.¡± Litzy¡¯s smile waned at the sight of Ellie. Inspecting her from head to toe, she asked, ¡°You came without anything?¡±


    Ellie simply nodded.


    She had intentionally arrived without a gift.


    Litzy and Houston didn¡¯t merit anything more from her!


    A scowl crossed Litzy¡¯s face. ¡°How impolite!¡±


    Demi¡¯s eyes sparkled with malice, clearly relishing Ellie¡¯s difort.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Grandma?¡± Ellie looked around, not finding Cecelia.


    Litzy gestured for the maid to show Ellie the way.


    Cecelia was in a guest room beside the first-floor storeroom, bandaged and frail in bed. Her eyes brightened upon seeing Ellie.


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    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    As Cecelia attempted to rise, Ellie rushed to her aid.


    ¡°Grandma, please rest. You¡¯re staying here?¡± Ellie surveyed the dismal, sparsely furnished room. It was unfit for anyone, let alone Cecelia.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine here,¡± Cecelia¡¯s smile was weak. ¡°Being with family beats a nursing home.¡±


    But to Ellie, this was worse than any nursing home.


    A deep sorrow filled her as she witnessed Cecelia¡¯s resigned eptance, feeling her own powerlessness.


    Ellie spent some time talking with Cecelia.


    A knock soon came. ¡°Miss Gordon, dinner is ready. We¡¯ll bring Mrs. Gordon¡¯s meal shortly.¡±


    Exiting Cecelia¡¯s room, Ellie noted the two empty chairs at the dining table.


    ¡°Is it just you? Where¡¯s Kaiden?¡± Houston inquired with a frown.


    ¡°He¡¯s upied,¡± Ellie responded.


    ¡°Too busy, or just unwilling?¡± Demi chimed in spitefully. ¡°Mr. Thorpe bought you that expensive bracelet set. We thought he cared. Seems it was all for show. You know, that set would look great on Mom. Didn¡¯t that ur to you?¡±


    Litzy shared the same sentiment. Indeed, that bracelet set was extravagantly luxurious for Ellie; it would have been better used to demonstrate her respect for her elders!


    Litzy shot Ellie a sardonic look. ¡°Give it to me? She couldn¡¯t even bring a single piece of fruit when she returned.¡±


    ¡°The jewelry isn¡¯t mine,¡± Ellie rified.


    She needed to set the record straight, or Litzy would never let the matter rest.


    Despite witnessing Ellie sign for the jewelry, Demi remained convinced that Kaiden wouldn¡¯t genuinely gift something so precious to Ellie. It had to be a facade.


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    ¡°You¡¯re useless!¡± Houston¡¯s demeanor darkened. ¡°Failing to secure even a small gift, huh? How do you expect to capture his heart? We¡¯ve nurtured you all these years for nothing!¡±


    Houston had rushed home early, eager to meet Kaiden and possibly gain some advantage. He firmly believed that a man who spent three billion so casually had valuable connections!


    And what happened?


    Forget about connections; Kaiden didn¡¯t even make an appearance!


    Ellie kept silent, concentrating on her meal.


    She had long recognized Litzy and Houston¡¯s true nature and cast aside any expectations of them.


    With no expectations came no disappointment.


    ¡°Even if you disregard us, you should at least honor Cecelia, right, Ellie?¡± Litzy¡¯s agenda for summoning Ellie became clear. ¡°You¡¯ve seen Cecelia¡¯s condition. She needs constant care and nutritional support.¡±


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    Conveniently, Litzy failed to mention that Ellie had already paid for Cecelia¡¯s recent medical bills and arranged for Theo¡¯s surgical intervention.


    Ellie read between the lines of Litzy¡¯s plea.


    They were after her money!


    The Gordon family¡¯s finances had been tighttely, forcing Litzy to be frugal.


    ¡°Do you intend to keep Grandma here instead of a nursing facility?¡± Ellie inquired directly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Litzy confirmed, though her expression soured.


    Family gossip had pressured Litzy and Houston into bringing Cecelia home.


    ¡°How much do you need?¡± Ellie asked, not one for subtleties.


    Litzy¡¯s face lit up. ¡°I hear you¡¯vended a deal with GT Group. We won¡¯t press you too hard. Just a million for Cecelia¡¯s care should suffice.¡±


    Ellie was previously taken aback by the audacity of Demi¡¯s ¡°mere two billion¡±ment.


    Now, it seemed that audacity was a family trait!


    As Ellie remained silent, Demi sneered. ¡°Maybe Ellie doesn¡¯t have that kind of cash. Her earnings can¡¯t possiblypete with one of my photo shoots. All those years of upbringing seem wasted.¡±


    At this, Houston furiously tossed his fork and stormed off.


    He couldn¡¯t stand the sight of such a failure!


    Litzy persisted, ¡°If youck funds, surely your partner has some. Ellie, this is about your grandmother¡¯s well-being. Consider it carefully.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll provide the funds,¡± Ellie responded. ¡°But I have one condition.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°That silver ne Demi wore when she returned, I want it.¡±


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    Demi had unted a silver ne, initially believed to be a Gordon family heirloom. However, it turned out to be unrted.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a ne, take it!¡± Demi dismissed, waving her hand. She found the essory distasteful, regardless of its material.


    ¡°And clear out your belongings while you¡¯re at it,¡± Litzy added, eager to repurpose Ellie¡¯s room.


    After the meal, Ellie ascended to her old room to gather her things. It was once filled with dresses and jewelry, tokens from influential acquaintances. Now, all that held any worth had vanished.


    The dresses had been destroyed by her own hands.


    The jewelry and other presents had fallen into Demi¡¯s clutches.


    ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t even think about taking what¡¯s not yours.¡± Demi leaned casually against the doorway, eyeing Ellie¡¯s every move.


    Ellie packed lightly; a small kraft-paper box sufficed for her few possessions.


    Cecelia, unwell, had already retreated to sleep.


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    Box in hand, Ellie departed the vi, severing ties with the ce. Yet, she acknowledged that the bond wasn¡¯t fully severed. Cecelia remained her Achilles¡¯ heel.


    ¡°Ellie, wait!¡±


    Demi¡¯s voice rang out as Ellie neared the gate, her toneced with fury. ¡°My sapphire brooch is missing. Did you steal it?¡± she used. The sun was setting, and the neighborhood was alive with evening strollers. Onlookers quickly focused on the unfolding drama.


    ¡°Are you using me of theft?¡± Ellie was struck by the absurdity of the usation.


    Before she could continue, Demi had already rummaged through the kraft-paper box and retrieved the fragile sapphire brooch.


    Demi¡¯s voice rose in anger. ¡°This is the piece! Caught in the act, yet you deny it? Ellie, you promised to take only what belonged to you. Why did you take my brooch?¡±


    A few onlookers began to whisper among themselves.


    ¡°Is that Ellie over there?¡±


    ¡°And the one confronting her, isn¡¯t she from the Gordon family?¡±


    ¡°usations of theft? This will certainly be intriguing!¡±


    Ellie recognized those familiar faces of affluence and realized Demi¡¯s outrageous behavior was a deliberate spectacle.


    Demi was using the onlookers as pawns in her scheme to brand Ellie as greedy and dishonest.


    Demi¡¯s intent was clear. She wanted to smear Ellie¡¯s reputation.


    ¡°Demi, to set the record straight, this brooch is mine. You saw me ce it in the box,¡± Ellie countered, astounded by the audacity of the usation.


    ¡°Demi, how can you twist the truth like this? How can you¡­ How¡­¡± Ovee with emotion, Demi started to cry.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Demi had taken lessons in drama.


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    How else could she cry onmand?


    Litzy, drawn by the uproar, appeared just in time to see her daughter in distress. She was incensed.


    After being briefed, Litzy confronted Ellie. ¡°This brooch was a gift from me to Demi. Are you iming it¡¯s yours?¡±


    Ellie stared at Litzy, incredulous.


    This brooch was a gift to Ellie from a significant figure in her high school days, and Litzy was well aware of it. Yet now, Litzy was asserting it was her gift to Demi.


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Ellie chuckled, lowering her gaze.


    Every time, Litzy found new ways to astonish Ellie. Litzy¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s so funny?¡± Was Ellie mocking her?


    ¡°If you¡¯re so certain it¡¯s your gift to Demi, it must be of the finest quality, correct?¡± Ellie said, holding the brooch up to the sunlight, its blue light captivating the onlookers.


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    Confused by Ellie¡¯s remark, Litzy hastily replied, ¡°Certainly, it¡¯s a top-grade sapphire.¡±


    Litzy knew Ellie¡¯s taste for the finer things. If the brooch weren¡¯t valuable, Ellie wouldn¡¯t have bothered with it.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh at the im.


    Approaching Araceli Stephens, one of the spectators, Ellie asked, ¡°Could you please examine this brooch, Mrs. Stephens?¡±


    Araceli was taken aback but dly epted the brooch, examining it closely.


    Seeing Ellie engage with the influentialdies, Litzy felt her daughter being overshadowed. ¡°Ellie, everyone knows Mrs. Stephens is from a medical background. Don¡¯t spout nonsense.¡±


    Ellie ignored Litzy and smiled at Araceli. ¡°Mrs. Stephens, while your husband is indeed in medicine, isn¡¯t your maternal family renowned in the jewelry industry?¡±


    Araceli¡¯s smile broadened, and she nodded in affirmation to Ellie. ¡°You¡¯re well-informed, indeed. No wonder you were once the talk of the town!¡±


    Araceli¡¯s response was a subtle rebuke to Litzy¡¯s ignorance.


    Due to the Stephens family¡¯s higher status, Litzy refrained from offending Araceli.


    ¡°Mrs. Gordon, I¡¯m afraid the brooch you im as a gift isn¡¯t what you say it is.¡± Araceli handed the brooch back to Ellie, adding, ¡°This sapphire¡¯s color is too dark, almost ck in some light. It¡¯s certainly not of the highest quality you im.¡±


    Severaldies nearby couldn¡¯t help butugh at the unfolding scene.


    It was clear to any observant person that Litzy and her recently returned biological daughter were conspiring against Ellie, the adopted one.


    Unfortunately for them, Ellie was too sharp, turning their scheme against them.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be!¡± Litzy stood frozen, her face a picture of disbelief. Demi¡¯splexion fluctuated between fury and pallor as she grappled with the humiliation. ¡°Ellie!¡±


    At that moment, amanding voice cut through the tension, deep and chilling. Kaiden appeared, seated in his wheelchair, with Bruce pushing him from behind.


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    His indifferent eyes scanned the room, first resting on Ellie, then moving to Litzy and Demi. His gaze grew colder with each passing second.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± His tone was calm, but the underlying note of interrogation and reproach was unmistakable.


    Demi attempted to speak, but the words caught in her throat.


    Litzy managed a forced smile. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what a surprise to see you here. We were just clearing up a small misunderstanding with Ellie.¡±


    Litzy had only encountered Kaiden once before, from afar, at Ellie¡¯s wedding. But the image of him in his wheelchair had left asting impression¡ªhis presence was asmanding as if he sat on a throne. Now, up close, Litzy couldn¡¯t deny his striking features. A thought crossed her mind. If only Kaiden hadn¡¯t been confined to a wheelchair and abandoned by his family, what a match he would have been for her daughter Demi!


    ¡°Misunderstanding?¡± Kaiden¡¯s smile wasced with irony, and his aura was overwhelming. ¡°It doesn¡¯t appear so to me.¡±


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    Demi quickly interjected, ¡°It was a mistake. I confused Ellie¡¯s brooch with the one my mother gave me. They look simr, and that led to the misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ellie. Why didn¡¯t you rify things?¡± Litzy quickly added, shifting the me toward Ellie.


    ¡°Are you both blind?¡± Kaiden responded coolly, his words dripping with sarcasm.


    Litzy and Demi felt increasingly cornered by his retort.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I believe your remarks are somewhat harsh. Remember, I am your senior,¡± Litzy responded, her voice tinged with indignation and condescension.


    Kaiden simply looked at Litzy, his silent, mocking gaze saying everything she needed to hear.


    ¡°Mrs. Gordon, while we¡¯re on the subject, to be exact, you¡¯re Erick¡¯s senior,¡± Araceli chimed in unexpectedly.


    Considering that Demi was Litzy¡¯s biological daughter, and that Erick was Demi¡¯s boyfriend, this naturally made Litzy his senior.


    Litzy¡¯s lips tightened in irritation. She couldn¡¯t understand why Araceli kept siding with Ellie, especially since she couldn¡¯t recall any past grievances.


    When the maid ryed news of a guest in a wheelchair, Houston quickly emerged. To his delight, it was Kaiden. His face broke into a weing smile.


    ¡°Kaiden, what a surprise! Why didn¡¯t you inform us¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mr. Gordon, if you can¡¯t manage your own household, how do you expect to handle your business affairs? Given these circumstances, you can forget about the exclusive agency rights for the new furniture line.¡±


    Houston¡¯spany had been vying for exclusive rights to a high-end furniture line, though it wasn¡¯t through Kaiden¡¯spany. Confused by Kaiden¡¯s cryptic remark, Houston¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by an urgent call from his secretary.


    ¡°Mr. Gordon, the deal¡¯s off! The otherpany has pulled out!¡±


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    ¡°But everything was nearly finalized. We were about to sign the agreement!¡± Houston responded, stunned.


    Litzy and Demi turned toward him, aware of the deal¡¯s importance to the Gordon family¡¯s ambitions in the furniture market.


    ¡°nning to stay here overnight?¡± Kaiden nced at Ellie.


    ¡°Oh, impossible. Let¡¯s leave,¡± Ellie replied, still reeling from Kaiden¡¯s unexpected intervention.


    Meanwhile, Houston¡¯s secretary continued, ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. They just called to cancel, stating it was an order from their superiors.¡±


    It was clear they had somehow antagonized a significant figure in the otherpany.


    Watching Kaiden and Ellie depart, Houston felt a cold dread creep up on him. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please wait!¡± Now addressing Kaiden with newfound respect and apprehension, Houston sought rification.


    He attempted to follow but was quickly halted by bodyguards who appeared out of nowhere.


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    Bruce, standing by, couldn¡¯t help but smirk as he smoothly handled the situation for Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Gordon, if you¡¯re struggling to understand, perhaps you¡¯re not the right fit for handling those upscale furnishings.¡±


    Reaching the car, Ellie paused.


    ¡°Just a moment, please,¡± she requested of Kaiden before hurrying over to the group of affluentdies.


    ¡°Thank you for your support, Mrs. Stephens,¡± Ellie acknowledged, nodding to the others. ¡°And my thanks to all of you as well.¡±


    Araceli returned the gesture with a warm smile. ¡°Miss Gordon, there¡¯s no need for such formalities. Interestingly, the sapphire on that brooch looked familiar.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie responded with genuine interest. ¡°It was a mysterious gift from mying-of-age celebration at school. I¡¯ve always wondered about its origins. Mrs. Stephens, I must visit you soon to express my gratitude, not just for today but also for your eldest son¡¯s recent help with my grandmother¡¯s surgery.¡±


    Araceli nced toward Kaiden and remarked, ¡°Miss Gordon, there¡¯s no rush. However, yourpanion over there seems to be growing impatient.¡±


    Ellie instinctively turned to see Kaiden in his wheelchair, his demeanor a mix of indifference and impatience. He seemed eager to leave.


    After thanking Araceli once more, Ellie hurried back to Kaiden. She checked her watch and muttered, ¡°It hasn¡¯t even been five minutes.¡±


    Why such a gloomy face?


    Kaiden looked up. ¡°Ellie, are you aware of how much my time costs per minute?¡±


    As the CEO of GT Group, his time was indeed precious.


    Ellie met his gaze and queried, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, do you calcte your time by the minute even when picking up your wife?¡±


    After all, it was Kaiden who hade of his own ord; Ellie hadn¡¯t requested his presence.


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    Something Ellie said seemed to affect Kaiden, as she noticed a flicker of annoyance in his expression before he entered the car. Despite the awkward moment, Ellie found herself in good spirits. Although Kaiden appeared displeased, he had waited for her.


    ¡°So, what brought you here so suddenly?¡± Ellie asked as she got into the car.


    ¡°Someone informed me that my wife was being harassed beyond endurance,¡± Kaiden replied nonchntly.


    Bruce, sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, nced back at them. He knew it was Kaiden who had instructed him to keep an eye on Ellie. After learning of her predicament with the Gordons, Kaiden had abruptly left his meeting.


    Ellie scoffed. Had she really been close to serious trouble? Neither Demi nor Litzy had managed to get the better of her. And as for the million-dor transaction for the silver ne that might hold clues to her past, that seemed like a worthwhile investment.


    Sitting beside Kaiden, Ellie felt an unusual sense of security, almost like a house once open to the elements now securely enclosed. Though the house was empty, it offered protection and a touch offort.


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    After Ellie and Kaiden departed, the Gordons retreated to their vi. The remaining societydies began to specte.


    ¡°Araceli, who was that man just now?¡± one of them asked.


    ¡°I think Mrs. Gordon referred to him as Mr. Thorpe,¡± Araceli replied. Since Kaiden hadn¡¯t corrected Litzy earlier, it implied that he wasfortable with thesedies knowing his identity. Perhaps now was the time for some of his secrets to be revealed.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Araceli confirmed. ¡°That¡¯s Kaiden Thorpe.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden? My¡­ if not for his disability, I would have considered him a match for my daughter solely based on his looks! Such a shame.¡±


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re still into good-looking men?¡±


    ¡°Who isn¡¯t? Handsome men mean beautiful children!¡±


    Araceli, however, was well aware that Kaiden¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t what it appeared to be, and she knew he wouldn¡¯t be interested in thatdy¡¯s daughter.


    Anotherdy prodded, ¡°Araceli, why get involved in their affairs? You¡¯ve now antagonized the Gordons for Ellie¡¯s sake.¡± She continued, ¡°I hear your youngest son isn¡¯t fond of Ellie.¡±


    Araceli offered a knowing smile. ¡°You¡¯re talking about Edwin, right?¡± Yet, she remained silent, choosing not to divulge more. She couldn¡¯t reveal to thesedies that she recognized the sapphire, having seen it once in Edwin¡¯s possession. Regrettably, the remarkable Ellie was now married to another.


    In the end, the fallout from the failed high-end furniture contract left Houston working through the night at hispany. He returned home only the next morning, visibly drained.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Demi rushed to support him.


    Litzy expressed her concern as well. ¡°Houston, what happened?¡±


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    ¡°The contract¡­ it¡¯s gone,¡± Houston replied, his gaze fixed vacantly on the ceiling as hey on the sofa.


    Despite his efforts, including a generous five-percent concession, the other party wouldn¡¯t budge. Houston had been confident about securing the contract, having already set up subsequent deals. Now, the loss of the exclusive agency rights meantpensating downstream partners and facing a significant stock price drop.


    ¡°How could this happen¡­¡± Demi whispered to herself.


    The implications for her were clear. Without thepany¡¯s sess, her luxurious lifestyle filled with designer clothes and luxury items would be in jeopardy.


    ¡°Could it be Kaiden¡¯s influence?¡± she wondered aloud.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± Houston bolted upright at the mention of the name.


    Litzy, pale-faced, quickly dismissed the idea. ¡°Impossible! The Thorpe family is under Erick¡¯s control now. Kaiden has no influence. And that manufacturer isn¡¯t linked to the Thorpe family. You¡¯re overthinking it, Houston.¡±


    Demi stayed quiet, her eyes downcast.


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    If Kaiden were merely a sidelined son, how could he casually spend three billion? Even Erick¡¯s family began to specte about Kaiden¡¯s hidden resources.


    But Demi kept her thoughts to herself. She wasn¡¯t ready to admit that she had lost Ellie, a woman of substance, to a man of considerable power and wealth. Nor did she want to reignite Houston and Litzy¡¯s interest in Ellie, which could diminish the attention and affection she received in the family.


    Two dayster, the auction house delivered the precious jewelry to Moon Manor. Ellie carefully ced the jewelry set in the collection room in the basement. As she emerged, a maid greeted her. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe wishes to see you in the garage.¡±


    Ellie nodded and followed the maid to the garage. It was her first time there, and the sight of it left her in awe. She was greeted by an array of limited-edition sports cars and luxury vehicles from renowned brands, including the esteemed Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Pagani Zonda HP Barchette, and Maybach Exelero. It was evident that Kaiden had a preference for Rolls-Royce, owning models like the Phantom, Boat Tail, and Sweptail.


    Each car gleamed under the lights, ready for the road, unlike the typical collector who might keep them as mere showpieces. From the functional garage space and the burnt marks on the tires, it was clear that these cars were all used but not abused.


    ¡°Why have so many cars if you¡¯re supposed to be disabled?¡± Ellie asked, knowing that many in their circle collected cars as a hobby.


    ¡°Just a pastime,¡± Kaiden answered casually.


    Ellie exhaled softly. Clearly, she had yet to grasp the extent of their wealth.


    Her eyes then caught sight of a Koenigsegg, one of only three in the world. This was the car Erick had desperately wanted, willing to pay 1.9 billion before embarrassingly defaulting and incurring a hefty fine. Erick had been keen to purchase the car, thinking it might impress Kaiden, but he never anticipated that Kaiden already had one.


    ¡°God¡­¡± Ellie¡¯sughter slowly filled the room. Her chuckles were soft and warm, her eyes shining brightly.


    Kaiden observed her and inquired, ¡°What do you think?¡±


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    ¡°About what?¡± Ellie kept smiling.


    ¡°The car?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s pretty impressive.¡± The Koenigsegg boasted a subtle luxury with its silver paint, sleek design, top performance, and stunning lines.


    ¡°Have you got your driver¡¯s license yet?¡± he prodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had it for ages,¡± she replied casually.


    ¡°Then this is yours,¡± Kaiden said, retrieving a set of keys from a ss cab and tossing them to Ellie.


    In her hand, she now held the key to the exclusive Koenigsegg.


    ¡°I already own cars,¡± she rified. In just the underground garage of Rich Bar, she had three sports cars.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t ask about her other cars. Instead, he queried, ¡°Is any better than this?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± She shrugged. With that kind of money, she¡¯d rather invest in something else.


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    ¡°So, you¡¯ll keep it,¡± Kaiden concluded.


    Ellie understood his implication. Her cars weren¡¯t superior, so refusing seemed unreasonable.


    She wanted to argue. But deep down, she knew arguing with Kaiden was futile.


    Approaching her, he gently touched her cheek, his face close to hers.


    ¡°It¡¯s merely a gift for my wife. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    It would seem petty to refuse a gift from her husband.


    A warmth spread through Ellie¡¯s heart as she looked into Kaiden¡¯s eyes.


    Lately, he called her¡­ his wife.


    She remembered his words from before.


    ¡°I am the only family you have.¡±


    Later, in the guest study, Ellie turned on the deskmp and scrutinized the silver ne pendant. Its patterns and inscription were faint due to oxidation.


    Initially, Demi believed it signified her status in the Gordon family.


    But the truth was different.


    This ne was Ellie¡¯s!


    Back then, when the maid switched Ellie¡¯s and Demi¡¯s identities, it was mistakenly given to Demi.


    After studying it for hours without sess, Ellie took several photos and sent them to a contact. ¡°Can you trace this ne¡¯s origin?¡± she asked.


    Nearing eleven o¡¯clock, Ellie yawned, ready to head to her room. Shock greeted her as she opened the door. Her bed was barren, draped only in a dust cover, and her bathroom toiletries had vanished.


    Ellie turned to the maid for answers.


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    Cayson, observing this, smiled and said, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, we¡¯ve moved your things to Mr. Thorpe¡¯s room. You¡¯re sharing with him now, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Ellie then realized why Cayson had smiled so oddly that morning. He knew she¡¯d spent the night in Kaiden¡¯s room!


    Now, her belongings were also in Kaiden¡¯s room!


    Did this mean she was to sleep there from now on?


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that¡­ He¡­¡± Ellie stumbled over her words, halting mid-sentence.


    She couldn¡¯t admit that despite being married to Kaiden, sharing a roomst night was unintentional, could she?


    Standing at Kaiden¡¯s door, Ellie worried she might be sent away.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, she decided to visit the study first.


    The door was ajar. Inside, Kaiden was on a call.


    Ellie waited patiently at the doorway until he finished, then said, ¡°Um, my things are now in your room.¡± Kaiden was already aware.


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 Chapter 129

    ?Chapter 129:


    Would Cayson have acted without his consent?


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, does it bother you to share my bedroom?¡± Kaiden looked up, murmuring.


    ¡°Kaiden, is it so hard to speak kindly?¡± Ellie fixed her gaze firmly on Kaiden¡¯s eyes. She needed to know if it was his decision to let her use the master bedroom.


    Kaiden¡¯s face remained expressionless, his demeanor indicating this was his usual way ofmunicating.


    Frustrated, Ellie returned to the master bedroom, unwilling to engage in further argument.


    The room was expansive, spanning over a hundred square meters, and it featured a king-size bed. Noticing men¡¯s toiletries next to her own skincare products, Ellie paused, momentarily lost in thought. Two months into their marriage, the reality of it finally started to sink in.


    The intrusion into her personal space felt bizarre, a foreign sensation. After brushing her teeth, Ellie carefully ced her toothbrush back, ensuring it didn¡¯t touch Kaiden¡¯s.


    ¡°You only use your mouth for eating, yet you still brush your teeth?¡± she muttered harshly, eyeing his toothbrush.


    Before she could finish, she sensed a piercing gaze. Startled, Ellie saw Kaiden standing at the bathroom door. ¡°When did you get here? Why didn¡¯t you make a sound? You frightened me.¡± With Kaiden¡¯s entrance, the spacious bathroom felt suddenly constricted.


    Kaiden spoke slowly. ¡°Besides eating¡­¡±


    As he advanced towards her, Ellie, caught in his intense gaze, gripped the marble washstand, her breath catching.


    He stopped right in front of her. In the next moment, his hand firmly grasped her chin, tilting her face upward. His lips brushed hers lightly, cool yet assertive.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. After a while, Kaiden released her, wiping away a droplet from her mouth.


    Every journey starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????


    ¡°I can also kiss,¡± he finished his sentence.


    Dumbfounded, Ellie remained rooted to the spot. Her mind was swirling with questions about the kiss. If the onest night was due to Kaiden¡¯s sudden interest sparked by her actions, what did this kiss signify?


    Exiting the bathroom, she was still grappling with these thoughts, yet she couldn¡¯t deny ack of repulsion towards Kaiden¡¯s kiss.


    The bathroom door clicked shut behind her.


    Kaiden, left alone, surveyed the sudden influx of women¡¯s items in the bathroom with a slight frown. She had so many items just for grooming? He wondered if she could even distinguish between all those bottles and jars, let alone use them all.


    Then his gaze fell on Ellie¡¯s toothpaste, one cranberry-vored, and another rose-scented. He was baffled by the concept of vored toothpaste, let alone why she needed two types.


    After a brief pause, Kaiden snapped a photo of the toothpastes with his phone, sending it to Cayson along with a message: ¡°Get toothpastes for Ellie based on these.¡±


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 Chapter 130

    ?Chapter 130:


    In the master bedroom¡¯s vast walk-in closet, Ellie¡¯s clothes were arranged on the left side. As she reached for her outfit for the next day, she noticed a cab filled with new women¡¯s clothing.


    The assortment included various brands and styles, all untagged and in her size.


    Ellie was taken aback.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like them?¡± Kaiden¡¯s cool voice interrupted her thoughts.


    ¡°They are all¡­ for me?¡± As the words left her lips, Ellie realized the absurdity of her question. Who else would the clothes be for, if not her? Surely Kaiden wasn¡¯t going to wear this.


    ¡°Did you get these?¡± she inquired.


    Kaiden, retrieving clothes from his side of the closet, replied nonchntly, ¡°A while back.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes identallynded on the ck boxer shorts he held, prompting memories of the previous night. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling awkward.


    Without another word, she thanked him and hurried out of the closet, her eyes cast downward.


    Watching her hastened departure, Kaiden¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly, a hint of curiosity in his expression.


    The sound of running water filled the bathroom.


    Lying on the expansive bed, Ellie¡¯s mind was restless. She had believed that her marriage to Kaiden was merely a facade, not extending to sharing a bed.


    Soon, the water ceased, and the bathroom door creaked open, revealing Kaiden emerging from the steam.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you dressed?¡± Ellie bolted upright, her eyes wide at the sight of Kaiden, his skin dotted with water droplets.


    d only in boxer shorts, Kaiden¡¯s damp hair dripped water onto his chest and abs. He casually brushed the water off his skin.


    L?t£åst ch?pt?rs in g??lnovels.??¦Ï??


    ¡°I should have mentioned,¡± Kaiden stated, ¡°I usually sleep naked.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s mouth fell agape, her shock at his blunt confession evident.


    Clutching the nket, she retorted, ¡°You didn¡¯t do thatst night.¡±


    Kaiden approached the bed, querying with a hint of challenge, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you sure about that?¡±


    Ellie hesitated. The previous night was an exception, not the norm.


    Feeling overwhelmed, Ellie proposed, ¡°Perhaps¡­ you could get used to pajamas?¡±


    While she was trying to adjust to sharing a bed, the idea of him sleeping unclothed was too much.


    ¡°No,¡± he declined tly, picking up a hairdryer.


    The dryer buzzed for a few seconds before abruptly stopping. ¡°Come here.¡± Kaiden motioned toward Ellie.


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 Chapter 131

    ?Chapter 131:


    Suspicious, she asked, ¡°What are you nning?¡±


    He remained silent, his gaze intense andpelling.


    Reluctantly, to avoid further dispute, she slipped on her shoes and approached.


    Without a word, Kaiden handed her the hair dryer.


    He intended for her to dry his hair. ¡°You pretend that your legs are injured, but your arms work fine,¡± Ellie murmured, holding the hair dryer.


    Kaiden, with a subtle smile, queried, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, shouldn¡¯t you take the initiative to attend to my needs?¡±


    Ellie gazed at him, her expression clouded with confusion for a few moments. Her eyes then widened as she realized where she had heard that before. She understood what he was trying to say. His disability meant that she had to be the one to take the initiative to attend to his needs, even in bed.


    This recollection brought her back to the day after their wedding when he had used simr words to belittle her, expressing his wish for her to leave Moon Manor on her own volition.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, no offense, but your solitary lifestyle before wasn¡¯t solely due to your ¡®leg issue,¡¯ was it?¡± Ellie remarked, hinting at his bluntness.


    Seemingly unfazed by her insinuation, Kaiden closed his eyes, awaiting her to dry his hair.


    Suppressing her annoyance, Ellie began to dry his hair. Despite his often tough demeanor, his hair was unexpectedly soft. This was Ellie¡¯s first time drying a man¡¯s hair. The novelty of the task gradually piqued her interest.


    Kaiden, enveloped in a light, milky fragrance, felt an unusual sense of calm.


    ¡°It¡¯s dry now,¡± Ellie affirmed, checking his hair with her fingers. As she touched his scalp, Kaiden felt a surprising surge of sensation, his gaze intensifying.


    Ellie set aside the hair dryer, only for Kaiden¡¯s hand to suddenly cradle her face.


    New updates in g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Caught off guard, Ellie instinctively followed the gentle force, turning her upper body.


    Suddenly, Kaiden¡¯s face loomed close, filling her view. Their lips were mere inches apart. As the tip of his tongue grazed her teeth, Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    Releasing Ellie, Kaiden gazed into her misty eyes. ¡°You have beautiful teeth. Would you show them again?¡±


    His knowledge that she had just bared her teeth to him baffled her. How did he know?


    Ellie pondered in confusion. Kaiden¡¯s overt and casual intimacy had just made her ears flush a light red. Hesitant, she was not keen on easily revealing her teeth to him again. This man seemed to have eyes on the back of his head.


    The events of the previous night hadn¡¯t allowed Ellie tofortably adjust to the idea of sharing a bed with Kaiden. Particrly when he slid under the covers, she sensed the temperature within them rise by a couple of degrees.


    Kaiden¡¯s presence was unmistakable, marked by a uniquely assertive aura.


    In the next moment, he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, gently pulling her back towards him.


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 Chapter 132

    ?Chapter 132:


    ¡°Ah!¡± Ellie suppressed a startled gasp as she felt his proximity from behind, his body pressing against hers.


    Kaiden had thoroughly enjoyed holding her in his sleep the night before, finding the experience somewhat addictive. Eager to relive that sensation, he sought to hold her close once more.


    ¡°Ellie, did you drink milk?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she replied.


    ¡°You smell like milk.¡±


    Ellie silently questioned his sense of smell.


    Being embraced in such a manner was unfamiliar to her, yet she couldn¡¯t bring herself to ask Kaiden to release her. After all, to onlookers, they appeared every bit the genuine couple, and his actions didn¡¯t seem excessive.


    Ellie tried to calm her mind, hoping that sleep woulde swiftly. If she were asleep, she reasoned, these feelings would disappear. Perhaps due to the exhaustion of the day, her n seeded, and she soon drifted off.


    The next day, waking up to Kaiden¡¯s handsome face beside her, Ellie blinked her drowsy eyes and shut them again, intending to return to sleep. But after a brief moment, she snapped her eyes open in astonishment, staring at Kaiden.


    It took a few seconds for her to remember. She had shared the master bedroom with Kaiden. She mentally urged herself not to panic. Kaiden, a light sleeper and always alert, had already awakened.


    He observed Ellie¡¯s transition from confusion to panic, and then to sudden realization. It was surprising to see someone as intelligent as Ellie so disoriented.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± he greeted, sitting up and leaning against the headboard.


    His voice was low and raspy, charged with an undertone that sent a tingle through her ears.


    L??t??¦Ó ?h??¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??§àm


    ¡°Good morning,¡± Ellie eventually responded after a significant pause, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Kaiden asked.


    Ellie blinked, slightly bewildered.


    Wasn¡¯t it obvious? She had already opened her eyes and engaged in conversation with him. She was clearly awake. Yet, she couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that Kaiden¡¯s gaze had darkened, his eyes carrying a mysterious and perhaps even dangerous glint. Was she imagining this?


    In Kaiden¡¯s eyes, a flicker of satisfaction was evident. Beneath the quilt, he gently took her hand, guiding it towards him. But when her hand inadvertently brushed against his genitals, Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    Her eyes were captivatingly beautiful. At times, they held a hint of cunning, and at other moments, they exuded sheer charm, and sometimes¡­ like at this very moment, her eyes bore an expression of innocence and purity.


    However, what her fingertips came into contact with was far from clean.


    ¡°You¡­ It¡¯s so early in the morning,¡± Ellie managed to stammer, finding the situation beyond belief.


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 Chapter 133

    ?Chapter 133:


    Kaiden waited, anticipating her next words, but she found herself at a loss for words.


    Was it not normal for men to experience such reactions in the morning? What truly stood out was Kaiden¡¯s deliberate act of guiding her hand to touch his sensitive part after she woke up.


    At breakfast, Cayson, the observant butler, noticed something amiss with Ellie.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, why are you using your left hand today? Is your right hand injured?¡± he asked with genuine concern.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m trying to improve the flexibility of my left hand,¡± Ellie replied, her voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness. She was instinctively inclined to hide her right hand but restrained herself, realizing it might give away too much.


    That hand¡­ She didn¡¯t want to eat with her right hand right now. It felt sore and weak.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cayson nodded.


    Observing Cayson¡¯s eptance of her exnation, Ellie sighed in relief. However, when she nced up, she saw Kaiden from across the table, smiling faintly.


    His handsome face was expressionless as usual, marked by an innate indifference, but Ellie could detect a subtle hint of mockery in his eyes. After giving it a shot, Kaiden became addicted to having her assist him in fulfilling his desires.


    Kaiden was usually busy with his work. Bruce, his associate, had been waiting outside the main building for him.


    Ellie, still reeling from the morning¡¯s encounter, was too frustrated to spare Kaiden another nce.


    Bruce, ever perceptive, inquired, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you seem to be in a good mood today.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s indifferent nce towards Bruce was all the answer needed.


    Bruce, well-acquainted with Kaiden¡¯s mannerisms, understood the unspoken message. Kaiden tacitly acknowledged the observation but preferred not to discuss it further.


    Even without further inquiry, Bruce could surmise the reason behind Kaiden¡¯s good mood.


    New updates uploaded to g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Bruce observed the dynamics between Ellie and Kaiden with curiosity. He noticed that Ellie hadn¡¯t even nced at Kaiden when he left, yet Kaiden seemed remarkably cheerful. It appeared that Kaiden¡¯s good mood was somehow linked to Ellie. This puzzled Bruce, especially since Ellie seemed upset with Kaiden. Kaiden was getting more and more difficult to understand.


    In a gesture of gratitude, Ellie arranged a lunch meeting with Theo. They met at a renowned high-end family cuisine restaurant in Critport.


    ¡°Mr. Stephens, I want to express my gratitude for your assistance to my grandmother on this asion.¡± Ellie gently slid two palm-sized, finely wrapped presents toward him. ¡°These are just small tokens of appreciation. I hope you like them. This one is for your mother, to show my gratitude for her assistance on that day.¡±


    ¡°No worries. On behalf of my mother, I ept your heartfelt thanks. As for what I have done for you, I¡¯ve told you that it was your husband¡¯s contribution.¡± Theo reclined in his chair, legs casually crossed. He disyed meticulousness in the operating room, but once he shed his white coat, he and Kaiden shared a yful side, making them somewhat alike in that regard.


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 Chapter 134

    ?Chapter 134:


    Before Theo embarked on his journey in medicine, he had quite a reputation as a young generation¡¯s yboy. However, after pursuing a career in medicine, he turned over a new leaf and adopted a more respectable lifestyle.


    ¡°He is himself, and you are yourself.¡± Fearing that Theo might decline the gift, Ellie made a point to mention, ¡°I personally designed this tie.¡± Upon hearing this, Theo¡¯s interest was piqued. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and without hesitation, he epted the gift, saying, ¡°Thank you, Ellie.¡±


    They had a great lunch.


    In the afternoon, Theo was scheduled to deliver a lecture at a university. As he emerged and witnessed Ellie opening the door of the silver Koenigsegg parked under the awning, his expression took on a hint of subtlety.


    ¡°Ellie, your car is exquisite and¡­ it looks familiar.¡±


    It was a sports car so rare that only three of them existed in the world. Once heid eyes on it, he knew he would never forget it.


    ¡°It was taken out from Kaiden¡¯s garage,¡± Ellie admitted candidly.


    ¡°Kaiden prioritizes his woman over his friends. I pleaded with him to sell me this car, but he declined. He treats you quite differently,¡± Theo sighed.


    Upon hearing his teasing remarks, Ellie retrieved the car key and inquired, ¡°Mr. Stephens, would you like to indulge your curiosity?¡± No man could refuse such an invitation.


    Although Theo didn¡¯t own the car, he thought it would be nice to drive it once.


    From a distance, Demi observed Ellie entering the passenger side of an extravagant sports car, while a man with a towering figure slipped into the driver¡¯s seat. Demi quickly took a photo.


    ¡°Demi, what are youughing at? What did you see?¡± Demi¡¯s assistant asked in confusion.


    ¡°I find it funny that I caught someone cheating.¡±


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    That evening, Theo threw a small gathering. Only Kaiden, Jerome, and he were there.


    ¡°Kaiden, it¡¯s just us three. Why are you still in a wheelchair?¡± Theo asked as Kaiden arrived.


    Jerome, sipping red wine, chuckled and remarked, ¡°Kaiden simply prefers not to walk.¡±


    Kaiden nodded and turned to Theo. ¡°What¡¯s the asion?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t I just invite you guys for some fun?¡± Theo replied, clutching a present from Ellie in his bag.


    Kaiden remained silent.


    Once they had enjoyed some wine, Theo casually presented the delicate blue brocade box.


    ¡°Take a look at this, Kaiden.¡± He opened the box and slid it toward Kaiden. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Inside the ck velvety a tie of dark green silk with an intricate paisley pattern. It was understated, sophisticated, and thoughtfully designed.


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 Chapter 135

    ?Chapter 135:


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Kaiden murmured, barely giving it a nce.


    As he spoke, Theo watched Kaiden¡¯s reaction closely. ¡°Just not bad? It¡¯s from your wife. She designed it herself.¡±


    Such ties were coveted for their superior material, design, and pattern.


    Kaiden gave the tie a second nce.


    After a brief pause, he asked, ¡°It¡¯s from Ellie?¡±


    Jerome, catching on to Theo¡¯s intent, yed along. ¡°Kaiden, how can you dismiss her design as not bad? I really like this tie. Let me see it!¡±


    Before Jerome could reach it, the box was snatched away. The man in the wheelchair had taken it.


    The tie and box swiftly changed hands, eluding Theo.


    Kaiden reopened the box and noticed for the first time that the tie¡¯s pattern wasn¡¯t paisley but an abstract vine he had never seen before. It was a perfect blend of dignity and finesse.


    ¡°I¡¯ve looked into it. There¡¯s no other tie with this design on the market. It¡¯s a one-of-a-kind piece she created,¡± Theo said, reaching out. ¡°Kaiden, it¡¯s a gift from her. Please return it. I only brought it to show you.¡±


    Jerome, amused, whispered to Theo, ¡°You¡¯re quite mischievous, aren¡¯t you?¡± Then he turned to Kaiden and asked deliberately, ¡°Kaiden, has Ellie ever given you a gift?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned sour.


    Theo and Jerome exchanged nces. Ellie hadn¡¯t given Kaiden a gift before! This was their chance to rib Kaiden.


    ¡°Kaiden, thank her for me. This tie¡­¡± Before Theo could finish, Kaiden pocketed the tie and handed back the box.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine now.¡±


    Don¡¯t miss fresh updates on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    ¡°There¡¯s embroidery with my name on it. It¡¯s of no use to you,¡± Theo argued.


    Kaiden replied coolly, ¡°That¡¯s not for you to decide.¡±


    Theo was baffled by the turn of events.


    Kaiden nced at him and offered, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a car. Choose one from my garage.¡±


    Jerome chimed in, ¡°Theo¡¯s a wealthy heir too. His garage is full of luxury cars. He¡¯s not in need!¡±


    Theo admitted, ¡°True, I just wanted the tie.¡±


    Kaiden nodded. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t offer the car.¡±


    Theo was at a loss for words. His collection paled inparison to Kaiden¡¯s, so of course, he wouldn¡¯t mind getting a car from Kaiden. But now, he lost the tie and thepensation offered by Kaiden at the same time. Damn it!


    Jeromeughed heartily, having been a mere spectator the whole time.


    Later, Theo returned home, clearly disheartened.


    ¡°Theo, what¡¯s the matter? Did something go wrong?¡± Edwin, lounging on the sofa, eyed his brother¡¯s sullen face.


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 Chapter 136

    ?Chapter 136:


    ¡°No.¡± Theo sighed. ¡°Ellie gave me a gift¡­¡±


    ¡°She did? Show me!¡± Edwin perked up.


    Theo eyed Edwin warily. ¡°Why the sudden interest?¡±


    Edwin reclined again and casually remarked, ¡°I¡¯m just curious about what kind of gift Ellie would give you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a tie she designed, with my surname as the pattern.¡±


    Edwin straightened up and asked, ¡°Theo, could I swap the sports car I gotst month for it?¡±


    At the mention of the car, Theo¡¯s anger red. ¡°Absolutely not!¡±


    ¡°Kaiden¡¯s got my tie. There¡¯s no point in talking!¡± Theo hissed. And he missed out on Kaiden¡¯s car too! The regret was eating him up.


    Edwin, exasperated, fell back onto the sofa. ¡°Will you just finish what you¡¯re saying? Why do you keep stopping?¡±


    Under his breath, he wondered, ¡°Is Kaiden still with Ellie?¡±


    As Edwin headed upstairs, Araceli quietly asked Theo, ¡°Does Edwin not know Kaiden married Ellie?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s likely he¡¯s clueless, considering he didn¡¯t even make it into an Ivy League college. Let¡¯s see when he figures it out,¡± Theo responded. ¡°Don¡¯t you think Edwin has a soft spot for Ellie?¡± Araceli murmured, then fell silent.


    ¡°Well, he¡¯ll just have to deal with it. She¡¯s Kaiden¡¯s wife now. He¡¯lle to terms eventually.¡±


    Araceli looked towards Edwin¡¯s room, her expression one of pity. He¡¯d always been the family¡¯s target for teasing, the poor thing! But, they reasoned, he was the only one they could tease. They decided to make the most of it.


    Ellie¡¯s life revolved around fashion design after Cecelia was released from the hospital and returned to the Gordon family.


    Discover fresh tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§à??


    It was eleven at night when she wrapped up her discussion with the GT Group. Kaiden hadn¡¯te home. After her nightly routine, Ellie headed to bed.


    After a while, she felt a chill as the covers were pulled back, and the bed dipped beside her.


    The barely asleep Ellie frowned, clearly annoyed, ready to scold whoever disturbed her.


    Kaiden watched her for a moment before yfully pinching her nose. Startled and struggling to breathe, Ellie woke up. In the dim moonlight, she saw a figure looming over her.


    Instinctively, Ellie reached out to swat away the annoyance, identally touching him somewhere quite private. She even pinched it as retaliation.


    Kaiden flinched, caught off guard.


    As he retracted his hand, Ellie, unaware of what she¡¯d touched, burrowed deeper into the covers.


    She just wanted to sleep without interruptions.


    But Kaiden wasn¡¯t having it. He pulled her out and pinched her nose again, his expression dark.


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 Chapter 137

    ?Chapter 137:


    ¡°Stop it, Kaiden!¡± Ellie was both irate and groggy.


    She closed her eyes after yelling, determined to sleep.


    ¡°You¡¯re still sleepy, Ellie?¡± Kaiden mused, incredulous at her determination to rest.


    In this instance, Kaiden took a direct approach, gently grasping Ellie¡¯s hands. He leaned forward, tenderly patting her face with his other hand.


    Tap! Tap! Tap!


    His touch was soft, almost affectionate, yet forceful enough to rouse her from slumber. ¡°Ellie.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re really getting on my nerves.¡±


    Irritability had taken hold of Ellie that morning. Sitting up abruptly, she shot Kaiden an angry re.


    Unbeknownst to her, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink upon awakening, and her eyes sparkled enchantingly, even in her annoyance. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, where is my present?¡±


    She was incredulous. He had disturbed her sleep, and now he demanded a gift?


    In his dreams!


    ¡°You¡¯re in for a lesson, Ellie,¡± Kaiden remarked. She had prepared a present for Theo but neglected to consider one for him?


    The thought increasingly infuriated Kaiden. Ellie, sensing his grip on her hand, quickly came back to reality.


    Instinctively, she protested, ¡°Kaiden, my hand is hurting!¡±


    Kaiden then drew her towards the bed¡¯s center. She had inadvertently rolled to the edge earlier.


    ¡°What are you thinking about, Ellie?¡± Kaiden arched an eyebrow subtly. Flustered, Ellie stammered a defensive exnation, ¡°I¡¯m overthinking because you¡¯re too sexually active. It¡¯s not my fault.¡± His sneer wasced with scorn.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a week to prepare the gift for me.¡± With that, Kaiden returned to bed.


    Ellie, watching his back, felt perplexed. Why had he suddenly demanded a gift? Couldn¡¯t he simply buy whatever he needed himself?


    Upon her arrival at GT Group, Ellie discovered that MOON Jewelry¡¯s spokesperson had changed from Demi to Essence.


    Nowadays, it was increasinglymon for wealthy heirs to venture into the entertainment industry. Owing to her family¡¯s influence, Essence had featured in several dramas during her college years. In terms of poprity, Essence was arguably a more fitting representative for MOON Jewelry than Demi.


    ¡°Miss Robbins, meet our stylist, Miss Ellie Gordon. She¡¯s in charge of your red carpet look today,¡± the GT Group staff said as they escorted Ellie to the styling room.


    As the face of MOON, Essence was expected to adorn this season¡¯s signature jewelry at fashion week, showcasing MOON¡¯s splendor. Consequently, GT Group also oversaw Essence¡¯s red carpet ensemble.


    ¡°No introductions necessary. We¡¯re acquainted,¡± Essence said, reclining on the sofa. She showed no interest in getting up to greet Ellie.


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 Chapter 138

    ?Chapter 138:


    ¡°What a coincidence,¡± Ellie remarked, unfazed.


    Ellie and Essence, though both part of the affluent youth circle, were hardly acquainted. Essence, with a sly smile, pulled out her phone.


    ¡°I stumbled upon some gossip today, and guess what, it¡¯s about Miss Gordon,¡± she said, showing Ellie her phone.


    Curious eyes turned to Essence¡¯s phone, where a forum post read, ¡°Shocking! Ellie rides on a new man¡¯s coattails. It¡¯s suspected that she was ¡®the other woman.''¡±


    The photo showed Ellie and Theo in a Koenigsegg, Theo¡¯s back to the camera, but Ellie¡¯s face mostly visible. Despite the photo¡¯sck of rity, Ellie was identifiable.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you may not be a household name professionally, but you¡¯re certainly a gossip column staple,¡± Essence remarked smugly. ¡°I¡¯d prefer a different stylist, one without scandalous baggage.¡± The onlookers¡¯ gazes shifted. Despite privately admiring Ellie¡¯s beauty and aesthetic sense, their opinions of Ellie were now tainted by thebel ¡°the other woman.¡± Ellie, without uttering a word, had been branded as a gossip regr and an adulteress.


    ¡°Miss Robbins, are you the photographer, or do you know the man in the photo?¡± Ellie inquired, leaning against a table.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have that much free time,¡± Essence retorted, sipping her coffee disdainfully. ¡°But the man you were withst time wasn¡¯t the one in the photo.¡±


    The difference between a man who could stand up and a man who sat in a wheelchair was obvious.


    ¡°So, Miss Robbins, you¡¯re judging me based on a rumor? Has the showbiz world clouded your rationality?¡± Ellie challenged.


    ¡°Ellie, you!¡± Essence, frustrated, could barely respond.


    Disinterested in further conversation, Ellie addressed the staff. ¡°Isn¡¯t there another product endorsement avable? I¡¯d rather switch.¡± Ellie had no desire to elevate those who harbored ill feelings toward her.


    The staff hesitated. ¡°Well, it¡¯s for a lesser-known video gaming yer. The project isn¡¯t as prestigious as this one. Miss Gordon, you are GT Group¡¯s cooperative stylist, so we will do our best to provide you with the best resources.¡±


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    Essence regarded Ellie with a rxed demeanor, patiently awaiting any signs of remorse from her. Only a fool would willingly diminish their own standing by taking the initiative to style a video game enthusiast¡¯s appearance.


    ¡°Then I will change to that side,¡± Ellie said.


    Essence was dumbfounded.


    Ellie, pausing as she walked away, turned back to Essence. ¡°Miss Robbins, your face is losing cogen. You should¡¯ve prepared better for your spokesperson role.¡±


    It was widely known that Essence had undergone facial enhancements. While not explicitlybeled as stic surgery, it was referred to as a micro facelift. Publicly mentioning Essence¡¯s cosmetic procedures was a direct hit to her pride.


    ¡°You stop right there! Ellie!¡± Essence, infuriated, called out. ¡°Does Mr. Thorpe know about your escapades? You don¡¯t deserve his favor at all.¡±


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    ¡°Really? Perhaps, but my natural beauty is surely more appealing to him than yours.¡±


    Ellie didn¡¯t even hesitate in her stride. She was never one to attack someone¡¯s looks, but she feltpelled to respond to Essence¡¯s provocation.


    As she left, Ellie messaged Baylee, ¡°I ran into Essence today. She was hostile for no reason, acting like a rabid dog.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s next assignment took her to the styling studio next door, where she was tasked with styling for the ¡°Nighthawk¡± series ofputer products by GT Group. The spokesperson, a 16 or 17-year-old boy named Omiros Garcia,y on the sofa with a sullen expression.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, meet Omiros,¡± the staff introduced. ¡°Omiros, this is Ellie, your stylist for today.¡±


    Despite Ellie¡¯s limited knowledge of e-sports, she could tell Omiros didn¡¯t fit the stereotype of the antisocial gamer. His features were striking, his eyes captivating, and he exuded a mix of youthful vigor and the mischievousness of a child. Intriguingly, he bore a slight resemnce to Kaiden.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Ellie greeted.


    Omiros lifted his eyes to Ellie and asked bluntly, ¡°My family thinks e-sports isn¡¯t a proper career. What do you think?¡±


    Omiros wore a sulky expression, as if he would have a falling-out with Ellie the moment she agreed. Was this child seeking validation because he faced opposition at home? Ellie responded objectively, ¡°Spending all day gaming isn¡¯t ideal. But reaching internationalpetitions and winning honors brings pride to your country.¡±


    ¡°Then I bring pride to my country,¡± Omiros seemed pleased with her answer. ¡°You can do my makeup.¡±


    Ellie sensed an odd attitude from Omiros but couldn¡¯t pinpoint it. Afterpleting her work, she checked her phone for Baylee¡¯s response to her earlier message.


    Baylee¡¯s reply hinted at deeper issues. ¡°It¡¯s probably not for no reason. Essence has been seen with your husband at various events and has socialized with Jerome and others privately.¡±


    Stay connected through g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Ellie recalled Essence being one of the women near Kaiden at the Heart Ind Club. She texted back, ¡°She likes Kaiden?¡±


    Baylee replied, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not just about liking your husband, but also about envying you. She used to mimic you in middle school, remember?¡±


    Ellie hadpletely forgotten. She had no recollection of it at all.


    She typed, ¡°No wonder I feel like I¡¯m looking in a distorting mirror when I see her.¡±


    Baylee couldn¡¯t help butugh at Ellie¡¯s sharp wit. Though Ellie was often perceived as dignified and polite, few knew of her ability to deliver such biting sarcasm.


    On the thirty-eighth floor


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your wife is in the design department on the fifth floor. Her work is almost done.¡± Bruce expected Kaiden to summon Ellie, but he received no response.


    He nced up and noticed Kaiden examining a dark green tie with a pattern.


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    ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve been studying this tie for two days. What¡¯s so special about it?¡± Bruce¡¯s curiosity was piqued. This tie didn¡¯t seem to fit Kaiden¡¯s usual style.


    Kaiden shifted his gaze from the hand-embroidered word ¡°Stephens¡± on the tie and looked at Bruce. ¡°Do you think this tie suits me?¡±


    Bruce remained silent.


    Could it possibly suit him?


    Bruce pondered for a moment. Was Kaiden referring to the color? Half an hourter, Bruce was summoned to Kaiden¡¯s office once more.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    Who exactly was he talking about?


    Bruce was momentarily baffled by the abrupt question.


    Fortunately, he quickly regained hisposure and replied, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe¡­ She left ten minutes ago.¡±


    Kaiden suddenly looked up, his piercing gaze unnerving Bruce.


    But Kaiden hadn¡¯t made any request for her toe!


    Bruce had sought his permission, yet Kaiden hadn¡¯t asked for her to stay.


    Bruce kept his grievances to himself. As a diligent subordinate, he didn¡¯t feel it was his ce toin. He quickly said, ¡°She¡¯s probably just gone downstairs. I¡¯ll check!¡±


    Luckily, Bruce found Ellie outside the GT Group¡¯s building.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Bruce?¡± Seeing him rush over, Ellie was slightly taken aback.


    Relieved to have caught up with her, Bruce said, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, why don¡¯t you go upstairs for a bit?¡±


    ¡°Does he want to see me?¡± Ellie asked.


    Bruce nodded without a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Yes, he wants to discuss an important matter with you.¡± But it wasn¡¯t anything serious.


    Kaiden had merely asked him to invite her upstairs for a moment.


    Updates loaded at g@lno¦Íe??s


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, this way, please.¡± Bruce escorted Ellie to the president¡¯s VIP elevator. They encountered no one else.


    ¡°Bruce, I have a question for you.¡±


    ¡°What would you like to know, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°Is your boss acquainted with Essence Robbins?¡± Ellie had heard from Essence herself that she had known Kaiden since they were children and that they were quite close.


    ¡°Essence Robbins?¡± Bruce pondered before replying, ¡°The Robbins family¡¯s daughter? They once had dinner together.¡±


    The dinner had been hosted by Jerome and Edwin. Essence hade on her own.


    Ellie scoffed.


    Their marriage was new, yet already a troublesome woman had appeared!


    Sensing Ellie¡¯s difort, Bruce quickly tried to rify, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, please don¡¯t misunderstand. Miss Robbins isn¡¯t close to our boss. She¡­¡±


    ¡°Ding-dong!¡±


    Just then, the elevator doors opened, arriving at the CEO¡¯s floor.


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    ¡°Please tell them I¡¯m Essence Robbins. I¡¯m indeed a friend of Mr. Thorpe. I¡¯ve brought him a gift from Parasti and will leave as soon as it¡¯s delivered.¡±


    Ellie nced at Bruce and questioned, ¡°Is this the ¡®not close¡¯ you mentioned?¡±


    Bruce was at a loss for words. It felt like a p in the face, and a chill settled in.


    ¡°Ellie, what are you doing here?¡± Hearing themotion, Essence turned around, looking at Ellie with suspicion.


    Only then did Ellie notice Essence¡¯s appearance. She was dressed in a ck silk gown, sporting arge diamond ring, a meticulously crafted ne, and matching earrings.


    These were thetest offerings from MOON this season.


    However, the diamond essories in her hair were excessivelyvish, giving the impression that she wasden with opulence.


    ¡°What a coincidence! I¡¯m looking for Mr. Thorpe too.¡± With that, Ellie exited the elevator.


    She naturally carried an air of dignity, and at that moment, her presence wasmanding.


    Despite Essence¡¯s belief in her own affluent background, she couldn¡¯t deny feeling overshadowed by Ellie¡¯s aura.


    ¡°Really? Ellie, you think you can just see Mr. Thorpe whenever you wish? Stop fantasizing about marrying into wealth.¡± Essence sneered amid the secretaries on the thirty-eighth floor.


    Uninterested in Essence¡¯s taunts, Ellie shot Bruce a piercing look.


    Was he expected to just stand there?


    ¡°Please, this way. Mr. Thorpe is expecting you,¡± Bruce responded promptly.


    ¡°Ellie, how is this possible? Mr. Thorpe is waiting for you?¡± Essence was incredulous and even reached out to halt Ellie¡¯s progress.


    Bruce interjected, ¡°Miss Robbins, Mr. Thorpe won¡¯t meet you without a scheduled appointment. Furthermore, I¡¯ll be informing your father about your impromptu visit today.¡±


    Essence¡¯splexion drained.


    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.c??m


    The Robbins family had chosen Kaiden over the Thorpe family¡¯s eldest son, acknowledging his position as the CEO of the GT Group.


    Yet, this was supposed to be a secret!


    In that case, Essence had to feign ignorance of the identity of GT Group¡¯s CEO. She shouldn¡¯t have approached Kaiden here.


    She was so overwhelmed by panic upon encountering Ellie at GT Group that she made a mistake.


    ¡°Then, how is she able to meet him?¡± Essence pointed at Ellie, disbelief etched on her face.


    Ellie turned, offering a sweet smile. ¡°Perhaps Mr. Thorpe finds mypany more agreeable than yours due to my naturally beautiful face, Miss Robbins.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, have you no shame?¡± Essence was livid, barely containing her fury.


    Bruce bowed his head.


    The significance of appearance was not lost on any woman, especially a celebrity. It seemed Ellie was not as patient as some might think! As the secretary escorted Ellie into the CEO¡¯s office, she announced, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Miss Gordon has arrived.¡±


    Kaiden shifted his attention from his documents to Ellie, noting her evident displeasure.


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    ?Chapter 142:


    She seemed poised for confrontation.


    Standing politely while the secretary was present, Ellie soon slouched into the chair across from Kaiden¡¯s desk and yawned.


    ¡°What do you need, Mr. Thorpe?¡± She was eager to return home for some rest.


    Kaiden tapped his fingers on the desk. ¡°Where¡¯s my gift?¡± So, she was summoned just for a gift inquiry?


    Was this the ¡°important matter¡± Bruce had mentioned?


    ¡°Miss Robbins is outside. She came to deliver a gift to you,¡± Ellie informed him.


    Kaiden set his pen aside, fixing a steady gaze on Ellie.


    Beneath his gaze, she noticed a deep, dark glint in his eyes, tinged with a hint of teasing.


    Ellie felt a chill run down her spine. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡±


    The man¡¯s thin lips parted. ¡°Ellie, are you feeling jealous?¡±


    ¡°Why would I be jealous?¡± Ellie retorted. ¡°But Miss Robbins¡¯s anger towards me, all because of you, is disrupting my work and my efficiency.¡±


    Kaiden observed Ellie, noting only a hint of mockery on her face.


    She clearly wasn¡¯t jealous.


    This realization left him slightly discontented.


    ¡°Rat-a-tat!¡±


    The sound of knocking interrupted their moment.


    Bruce entered, carrying a delicate kraft paper bag. He paused, eyeing Ellie briefly before cing the bag on Kaiden¡¯s table. In a subdued tone, he announced, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, this is the gift from Miss Robbins.¡± Bruce knew that Ellie had just heard about the gift. Surely it wouldn¡¯t hurt to bring it here now, right?


    Casting a nce at the kraft paper bag, Ellie inquired nonchntly, ¡°What did Miss Robbins give him?¡±


    She was curious to see what Essence, who aspired to be more than a friend, had presented to her husband¡ªat least in name.


    Your source of stories: g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c??m


    Bruce was shocked by Ellie¡¯s inquiry and nced at Kaiden.


    Kaiden seemed uninterested in Essence¡¯s gift. His gaze urged Bruce to unwrap it.


    ¡°It¡¯s a box of choctes.¡± Bruce sensed the mood was off.


    He had imagined it might be a pen or some decorative item.


    Choctes weren¡¯t pricey, yet their significance was ambiguous.


    Everyone was aware of Essence¡¯s affection for Kaiden.


    Ellie peeked at the choctes. They were the renowned La Maison du Choct, often dubbed the Hermes of choctes.


    Ellie had longed to try them but never found the time.


    Just as Kaiden was about to offer the choctes to everyone, he noticed Ellie¡¯s eyes sparkling at them, much like a mouse eyeing cheese.


    ¡°Do you want this?¡± Kaiden asked Ellie.


    ¡°Are you really offering it to me?¡± Ellie eyed him skeptically. ¡°Remember, Miss Robbins gave this to you.¡±


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    ?Chapter 143:


    Kaiden leaned back in his leather chair, tapping his fingers on the desk. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, why the sarcasm?¡±


    ¡°The sarcasm is yours, not mine.¡± Ellie stood, clutching the box of truffle choctes. ¡°Thank you!¡±


    Essence would be livid if she knew her gift ended up with Ellie.


    ¡°If that¡¯s all, I should be going,¡± Ellie announced.


    She was leaving already?


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, do you have ns?¡± Bruce asked anxiously.


    It was nearly dinner time. If Ellie wasn¡¯t busy, she could dine with Kaiden and perhaps go home together.


    Ellie nodded. ¡°I¡¯m meeting Baylee for dinner. She adores this brand too. I¡¯ll share it with her.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened.


    He hadn¡¯t expected gratitude from Ellie.


    Yet, he felt as if he¡¯d been deeply let down.


    Ellie wouldn¡¯t dine with him but would share his choctes with Baylee.


    After Ellie¡¯s departure, a heavy silence filled the office.


    Bruce, feeling the tension, stared at the floor.


    Finally, Kaiden broke the silence. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with Essence?¡±


    Kaiden didn¡¯t mention Ellie, and Bruce sighed in relief. ¡°Essence is MOON¡¯s new face. Mrs. Thorpe used to be her stylist, but there was friction. Mrs. Thorpe volunteered to work with Nighthawk¡¯s new spokesperson. Hence, the stylists changed.¡±


    ¡°Nighthawk¡¯s new spokesperson is Omiros Garcia, right?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Garcia,¡± Bruce confirmed. ¡°Oddly, he¡¯s usually averse to styling but was cooperative with Mrs. Thorpe today.¡±


    ¡°Tell him to resume school postpetition next month, or face a ban,¡± Kaiden said, lighting a cigarette.


    Your escape begins with g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?????m


    ¡°I¡¯ll inform his manager,¡± Bruce replied.


    As Kaiden remained silent, Bruce added, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, the Old house folks are probing. They¡¯re watching GT Group closely. Today¡¯s events with Essence might lead them to you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s high time they found out.¡±


    Kaiden held the Thorpe family in low regard.


    Without his permission for Talon to investigate, they¡¯d have remained oblivious to GT Group¡¯s affairs.


    As nned, Fashion Weekmenced.


    Recently named NOON Jewelry¡¯s ambassador, Essence was on a hot streak. Adorned in MOON¡¯stest collection, she turned heads. The studio even promoted her heavily online. Yet, the public reaction was lukewarm at best.


    ¡°Is Essence trying to be a walking disco ball? She¡¯s too shy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve lost interest in MOON¡¯s jewelry because of Essence¡¯s 100k.¡±


    ¡°MOON¡¯s pieces are stunning, but Essence¡¯s ensemble today? I¡¯m no fashion expert, but that¡¯s a miss.¡±


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    ?Chapter 144:


    ¡°Omiros looks incredible today. Check out his photos.¡±


    ¡°This Omiros? When did he enter showbiz?¡±


    ¡°Look at e-sports star Omiros¡¯test shoot. He¡¯s breathtaking.¡± Dressed simply in a hoodie and jeans, Omiros sported the Nighthawk series headphones and trendy limited-edition sneakers. His hairstyle and subtle makeup added a mature edge to his youthful appearance.


    In the photos, Omiros¡¯ gaze was intense and unwavering.


    ¡°Omiros looks stunning with his hair styled and makeup on.¡±


    ¡°Omiros is so cute! I¡¯d love to date him now.¡±


    ¡°Who is this new heartthrob? I¡¯m smitten.¡±


    ¡°Omiros, if you enter the entertainment circle, I¡¯ll be your biggest supporter.¡±


    ¡°I need to know which stylist worked on Omiros. I want them for my favorite star.¡±


    ¡°Comparing a female celebrity to a male gamer is odd, but Essence¡¯s ¡®queen of beauty¡¯ act seems like a staged mishap next to Omiros.¡±


    ¡°Movie star Brandon Carson¡¯sst hit look was also styled by this stylist. Impressive.¡±


    ¡°Brandon¡¯s striking look was iconic.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s the tea. The stylist for Omiros was initially for Essence, but she rejected them. Now she¡¯s chosen this ring look. It¡¯s hrious.¡±


    Essence was seething.


    How dareizenspare her to a gamer?


    Was she less attractive than a boy known for gaming? Were these people blind?


    True merit shines through one¡¯s work.


    Ellie¡¯s recent styling of Omiros and Brandon catapulted her to overnight fame in fashion circles.


    Soon, top studios sought her for their male clients. Ellie, however, declined, citing her ongoing coboration with GT Group. She knew focusing solely on male styling could pigeonhole her career.


    Discover more at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s


    On the first sunny weekend post-winter, Ellie rxed in a rocking chair by the French window, soaking in the warmth.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, the Robbins are here for Mr. Thorpe,¡± Cayson informed her.


    Ellie, nearly dozing off, mumbled, ¡°Just tell Kaiden.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe¡¯s in a meeting,¡± Cayson replied.


    Realizing Cayson¡¯s implication, Ellie sat up. She was being asked to host the Robbins.


    ¡°Bring them in.¡± She sighed. Hosting wasn¡¯t her preference, but staying at Kaiden¡¯s meant lending a hand asionally.


    Ellie had the staff prepare tea and snacks. Soon, she heard Cayson ushering the guests.


    ¡°Mr. Robbins, Miss Robbins, please, this way. Mr. Thorpe is tied up, so¡­¡±


    Essence cut him off with a shocked outburst. ¡°Ellie? What are you doing here?¡±


    Essence¡¯stest appearance at Fashion Week left her the target of mockery. Critics questioned her role as the face of MOON Jewelry. Thankfully, GT Group, who provided the stylist, didn¡¯t hold Essence ountable for the brand¡¯s tarnished image. Yet, Essenceid the me squarely on Ellie.


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 Chapter 145

    ?Chapter 145:


    Had Ellie not been involved, Essence wouldn¡¯t have changed stylists, leading to her being overshadowed by Omiros. Ellie was the root of all issues, Essence believed.


    ¡°Mr. Robbins, Miss Robbins, please take a seat.¡± Ellie had assumed Cayson meant the elder Robbins when mentioning the family. Had she known Essence would be there, Ellie would have retreated to her room.


    Ellie¡¯s nonchnt hosting irked Essence further. ¡°Ellie, how can you face me after what you¡¯ve caused? I¡¯ve been theughingstock because of you.¡±


    Ellie regarded Essence with disbelief.


    What was Essence ranting about?


    ¡°Miss Gordon, are you here for Mr. Thorpe as well?¡± Marcus Robbins inquired with a grin.


    ¡°No.¡± Ellie relished Essence¡¯s frustration as she dered, ¡°I live here.¡± Ellie aimed to infuriate Essence.


    ¡°Shameless!¡± Essenceshed out, disbelieving. ¡°What kind of woman lives with a man without any good reason?¡±


    Ellie decided she had no obligation to entertain Essence.


    ¡°Does my life bother you so much? Or are you just jealous?¡± Ellie paused, then chuckled. ¡°Miss Robbins, perhaps you¡¯re the one smitten with Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°Stop it, Ellie!¡± Essence¡¯s face reddened. ¡°You¡¯re the one obsessed with Mr. Thorpe. What do you have besides your looks?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Ellie retorted earnestly.


    As Essence was about to retort, a deep voice interrupted from upstairs. ¡°Is this amusing to you?¡±


    Descending in his wheelchair, Kaiden¡¯s stern demeanor and top-buttoned shirt exuded authority. Essence felt an implicit endorsement in his words.


    Both Marcus and Essence were taken aback, realizing Kaiden¡¯s words were intimately directed at Ellie.


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Ellie excused herself upstairs, leaving Kaiden with his guests.


    M??? ??d???? ?? g????????.????


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, about Ellie¡­¡± Essence wanted to speak ill of Ellie now that she had the opportunity.


    ¡°Essence, be quiet,¡± Marcus interjected sharply.


    With years of business experience and numerous affairs, Marcus recognized Kaiden¡¯s special regard for Ellie.


    With an apologetic smile, he addressed Kaiden. ¡°I apologize for my daughter¡¯sck of restraint.¡±


    Marcus hadn¡¯t corrected Essence¡¯s tirade earlier.


    Kaiden looked at Marcus coolly. ¡°Your apology should be directed elsewhere.¡±


    Marcus knew he owed Ellie an apology.


    Yet, as a seasoned business mogul and a man of over fifty, how could he lower himself to apologize to someone he viewed as a homewrecker? His pride wouldn¡¯t allow it. But Kaiden¡¯s imposing presence forced his hand.


    ¡°I apologize, Miss Gordon. Essence¡­¡±


    ¡°No worries,¡± Ellie, standing midway up the stairs, cut him off. She turned deliberately to Essence and remarked, ¡°By the way, Miss Robbins, the chocte you gave was delightful. Kaiden didn¡¯t enjoy it, though. Perhaps next time you could just gift it to me.¡±


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 Chapter 146

    ?Chapter 146:


    ¡°My choctes! Ellie, you¡­ You¡¯ve taken them from me!¡± Essence sputtered, her anger nearly bringing her to tears. Ellie couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a quick smile flicker across Kaiden¡¯s face, which promptly vanished as he turned to Marcus. Observing Ellie ascend the final stair, Marcus felt a surge of unease and cautiously ventured, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, about you and Miss Gordon¡­¡±


    ¡°My wife is quite mischievous,¡± Kaiden interjected smoothly. ¡°Please, Mr. Robbins, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    His words were a deft deflection, yet they carried an unmistakable weight.


    Ellie had just reached the final step when she turned in shock. Essence and Marcus seemed frozen.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t fathom that Kaiden had dered her his wife in front of them.


    He openly embraced their union.


    A barrier in Ellie¡¯s heart shattered.


    A brisk breeze brushed past her, and her pulse somehow quickened. She acknowledged Kaiden as her husband yet hesitated to fullymit, craving a clear affirmation.


    Praised since childhood, Ellie had never felt validated by her family. Not long before, she had discovered that the Gordons were not her real family at all.


    But now, Kaiden¡¯s affirmation of her status as his wife made her recognize a genuine connection between them.


    Trembling, she averted her gaze, swiftly entering the study to conceal her turmoil.


    Kaiden¡¯s icy tone filled the room. ¡°Mr. Robbins, I expected a reason for your failure in parenting today.¡±


    Abruptly pulled back to reality, Marcus and Essence suddenly understood that they hade here to offer an apology.


    A deep chill ran through both of them.


    Ellie, oblivious to Kaiden¡¯s conversation with Marcus and Essence, had just finished hertest image design. Standing on the balcony to rest her eyes, she watched Marcus and Essence walk out of the main building with heavy hearts.


    I??€?? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ§ä¦Å?? ?¦Ç g?l§Ú¦Ò¦Í¦Å??.c?m


    Upon opening the door and stepping out, Ellie unexpectedly encountered Kaidening up the stairs.


    Inevitably, they bumped into each other.


    Blinking back surprise, Ellie managed to say, ¡°You¡­ You just informed them that we are married?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Aren¡¯t we married?¡± Kaiden asked in a gentle tone.


    Ellie cast her eyes downward, replying softly, ¡°Well, that¡¯s right.¡± She sought only to affirm the truth.


    As night enveloped the house, the continuous sound of crashing water filled the space.


    It went on for about an hour.


    Ellie listened carefully for any sound outside the bathroom. Hearing someone enter the room, she quickly turned off the shower.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± she called out softly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden responded, having just returned from the study and detecting the nervousness in her voice.


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 Chapter 147

    ?Chapter 147:


    ¡°Uh¡­ I didn¡¯t bring any clothes in¡­¡± Ellie exined from behind the door. ¡°Could you please fetch my nightgown? And¡­ my underwear?¡±


    Kaiden, fully aware of the change in Ellie, remembered that since she had moved into the master bedroom, she had always made sure to bring her change of clothes before entering the bathroom.


    It was unlike her to enter without her clothes.


    What had brought about this change in her behavior?


    ¡°Which one would you prefer?¡± Kaiden asked, standing by the bathroom door, his voice calm and measured.


    ¡°Just any one of them,¡± Ellie replied.


    As she looked at herself in the mirror, Ellie noticed how curvaceous her figure was. Every inch of her skin was exquisite and beautiful. She had always been fully aware of her advantages, whether it was her skin or her figure.


    The night often stirred emotions and courage in people.


    Ellie¡¯s mind buzzed slightly, her nerves tingling with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She was unsure about her n.


    Suddenly, a knock echoed.


    Kaiden was at the bathroom door.


    With a soft click, Ellie unlocked it.


    The door cracked open, releasing a cloud of steam.


    Kaiden, holding Ellie¡¯s nightgown, waited for her to take it. But she didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Ellie?¡± His brow furrowed in confusion.


    Without much thought, he pushed the door open.


    Through the clearing mist, Ellie stood inches away, naked.


    Her skin gleamed and seemed almost fragile.


    £í????£å £õ??£ä??£ô£å£ó ??£î ???£ì????£ö??£ì??.??????


    Each curve of her body was a testament to her beauty.


    Even as he entered, she didn¡¯t flinch or cover herself. She just stared quietly.


    Her eyes, usually cold, held a captivating allure, betraying her calm facade.


    ¡°You like this style?¡± Ellie¡¯s gaze fell on the nightgown in Kaiden¡¯s hand.


    It was whitece.


    Kaiden stood frozen, having chosen it without much thought.


    His throat felt tight.


    Ellie¡¯s eyshes quivered, her bravado faltering under his indifferent gaze.


    Was he not affected by her alluring appearance?


    How could that be?


    Kaiden noticed a visible change in Ellie¡¯s lovely face. Her once expectant features now hinted at annoyance. A subtle grumble flickered in her restless eyes.


    Unable to resist, Kaiden smiled and approached Ellie.


    His soft slippers touched the wet patches on the bathroom floor.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, huh? My wife.¡±


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 Chapter 148

    ?Chapter 148:


    He stood before her, gazing down. He could see her¡ªevery part of her¡ªclearly.


    But he exercised self-control.


    ¡°Are you asking to get fucked? Huh?¡± he ventured.


    ¡°In your dreams.¡± Ellie looked up at Kaiden and, in a sudden move, grabbed his tie, pulling him down toward her.


    Taken by surprise, Kaiden found himself bending closer to her.


    ¡°I want to¡­¡± Ellie began, a grin ying on her lips. She could feel their breaths mingling. ¡°I want to know if the rumors about your impotence are true.¡±


    She nced downward, carefully scanning every detail, but found nothing conclusive.


    Eventually, she looked up to meet his gaze, her expression full of pride. ¡°Well, it looks like you¡¯re actually impotent.¡±


    Of course, no man could tolerate being called that.


    He knew she was saying it to provoke him.


    Kaiden¡¯sughter carried a hint of anger as he leaned in and gently patted her cheek. In a low, unsettling tone, he asked, ¡°Are you ying with fire, Ellie?¡±


    Before she could react, he suddenly lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the wash table as she struggled and gasped when the cold marble pressed against her.


    Kaiden pinned her to the table, kissing her with fiery desire. He clung to her like a predator, stopping only when she was breathless.


    His face remained wlessly handsome, but there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor.


    His dark eyes held a depth and intensity, like ink spilling across a page or the boundless depths of the sea.


    It was like ying fire with fire.


    ¡°I¡¯m impotent? Is that how it is? Well, how do you feel now?¡± His voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried weight.


    ¡°K-Kaiden¡­ you¡­¡±


    Get thetest g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Everything happened in a sh, giving her no time to process what he had just said. Kaiden gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. He was domineering, intent on controlling his lover.


    ¡°Ellie, you asked for this. Don¡¯t me me if you end up in tears tonight.¡±


    The main building¡¯s lights remained on throughout the night.


    As dawn approached, they had just finished. Kaiden reached for the smart switch at the head of the bed, opening the window to let in fresh air. Instinctively, he reached for a cigarette, but as the cigar touched his fingers, the presence of the woman beside him came to mind, and he set it aside.


    Tucked within the quilt, Ellie appeared especially small against the vastness of the bed. Her slender form was entuated by the way her corbone and one army outside the covers. Her gracefully exposed shoulder only highlighted her beauty. The dip of her corbone, deep enough to hold water during her baths, was particrly striking.


    Against the dark hue of the bedsheets, her skin looked even more luminous. Yet the marks scattered across her body stood out starkly against her soft skin. Kaiden squinted, briefly considering another round of intimacy, but gave up.


    He tried to tuck her arm back under the quilt, but the moment his fingers brushed her skin, she flinched slightly, murmuring words of protest in her sleep. Kaiden froze. Could he really be that unsettling?


    .


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 Chapter 149

    ?Chapter 149:


    Ellie, still deep in slumber, continued to mumble and furrow her brow as if difort haunted her dreams. With a gentle touch, Kaiden smoothed the crease between her brows, his gaze softening with affection.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t help but murmur, ¡°You are so fragile.¡±


    When Ellie awoke, she was met with a sharp ache in her waist and back. Her body felt as if it had been dismantled and pieced back together, leaving her utterly drained.


    Outside, the winter sun cast a warm glow, showing it was well past noon.


    Ellie¡¯s memories of falling asleep were hazy. She only remembered Kaiden leading her to the shower and the instinctive wariness she had felt toward him. Despite her pleas for him to stop, he had seemed indifferent to her words. The thought of it still sent shivers down her spine.


    She found it baffling that a man who usually feigned disability in a wheelchair, confined to an office, could possess such physical vigor. It defied logic. Truly, it made no sense.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe has sent over some medication for you,¡± the maid said, presenting her with several boxes of external remedies.


    As Ellie scanned the medicines and read their intended effects, her eyelids twitched, and a fresh wave of difort washed over her.


    ¡°He¡­ uh¡­ did he send you to purchase these?¡± she asked, her voice faltering with embarrassment. Even speaking was difficult; her throat ached from the night¡¯s exertions.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The maid, noticing Ellie¡¯s flushed cheeks, added, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you seem a bit flustered. There¡¯s no need to be embarrassed. We understood the situation when Mr. Thorpe had someone rece the bed sheetsst night.¡±


    The maid¡¯s smile carried a hint of mischief.


    Ellie had the urge to facepalm but chose to remain silent.


    She had nned to go shopping with Baylee, but her legs were so weak now that walking felt impossible. Resigned to her state, shey on the sofa, lost in thought. What hade over her? Why had she acted so boldly, uttering such provocative words the previous night?


    Wouldn¡¯t it have been easier to just be straightforward? After all, Kaiden had acknowledged her as his wife. What harm would there have been in being direct? Why had she only managed to embarrass herself?


    Your next chapter awaits g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m


    With a sigh, Ellie was ovee with regret.


    Ellie spent an entire day recuperating at home.


    As evening approached, a sensational headline emerged. ¡°Omiros Stylist used of Being a Homewrecker.¡± The headline was apanied by a photo showing Ellie and a man entering a sleek silver supercar.


    ¡°Scandalous! The homewrecker should be shunned. I vow to discredit her styling work from now on.¡±


    ¡°Setting aside the controversy, she¡¯s undeniably stunning. Despite the photo¡¯s blur, her beauty is unmistakable. I must admit, her allure is quite captivating.¡±


    ¡°Stay grounded, fellowizen. Don¡¯t be charmed by a homewrecker.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a limited edition Koenigsegg, the global sports car? The man must be wealthy.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t these women just behave?¡±


    ¡°Is she really Omiros¡¯ stylist?¡±


    .


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 Chapter 150

    ?Chapter 150:


    ¡°Insiders confirm she is Omiros¡¯ stylist, rumored to be romantically linked with multiple men.¡±


    Ellie received these distressing updates from a GT Group insider, who inquired about her n of action.


    Not being a public figure and having no desire to engage in the entertainment industry, Ellie was baffled by the intentions behind this smear campaign.


    She wondered if this was an act of sabotage by one of Theo¡¯s admirers, or was the person behind this trying to ruin her career?


    At GT Group:


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please have a look.¡± Bruce showed Kaiden the post and briefed him on the situation. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe was seen inviting Mr. Stephens for dinner recently.¡±


    Kaiden immediately noticed Ellie in the picture and proceeded to examine the post¡¯s contents before questioning, ¡°Why are we perpetuating fake news?¡±


    The implication was that the post should be deleted.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Before Bruce could respond, Kaiden noticed his troubled expression.


    ¡°The post is being taken down,¡± Bruce revealed. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe personally paid for its removal.¡±


    ¡°She handled it herself?¡± Kaiden¡¯s frown deepened.


    Ellie did it quickly. Was she afraid of being found out?


    Kaiden had entirely overlooked the fact that he himself had instructed Bruce to remove the post.


    At this time, Kaiden¡¯s subordinate sent thetest message.


    Bruce read the message. His expression became more subtle. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Edwin Stephens has just stepped in to defend Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    Edwin issued a rifying statement. ¡°How did that post get deleted? The man driving is my brother. He had his eye on that car but never owned it. It¡¯s not my brother¡¯s car.¡±


    As a renowned independent musician with a massive Twitter following, Edwin¡¯s post garnered far more attention than the earlier gossip about Ellie.


    Fresh updates avable at galno¦Íe?s?c?m


    ¡°Wow! It was the first time that Edwin had defended a woman. I haven¡¯t seen anything like this before.¡±


    ¡°If the car isn¡¯t Edwin¡¯s brother¡¯s, does it belong to the stylist? She must be wealthy.¡±


    ¡°Are the stylist and Edwin connected? Is the stylist from a wealthy and influential family, just like Edwin?¡±


    ¡°Focus, everyone! The point isn¡¯t Edwin. It¡¯s the rich woman. Miss stylist, please 100k at me. I¡¯m tall, handsome, and I¡¯m not bad in bed.¡±


    ¡°Am I the only one who believes that the two individuals in the picture make a great couple?¡±


    ¡°I think so too. I particrly enjoy shipping a man and a woman both hailing from affluent families.¡±


    ¡°Edwin, tell us, are you defending your sister-inw?¡± Somebody tagged Edwin¡¯s ount.


    ¡°What about those calling the stylist a homewrecker earlier? Are you all dumb?¡±


    ¡°I want all the information about this stylist.¡±


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 Chapter 151

    ?Chapter 151:


    Bruce presented thesements to Kaiden, sensing his mounting anger.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression was stern, and he was clearly unhappy. Bruce wondered if Ellie would face his wrath.


    Meanwhile, Ellie had the post removed simply to avoid wasting time on it.


    Still feeling the aftermath of a tiresome night, Ellie prepared for some much-needed sleep. Suddenly, she received a message from an unknown number.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. I did it for my brother¡¯s reputation.¡±


    Confused, Ellie replied, ¡°Who are you?¡±


    It was only after seeing Edwin¡¯s Twitter statement that she realized it was from him.


    Following that post,izens had discovered her identity, and ¡°Stylist Ellie Gordon¡± had be a trending topic.


    Ellie felt powerless and didn¡¯t bother to click on the topic to investigate further.


    She didn¡¯t believe she owed Edwin any gratitude.


    After the publicity stunt, the money she spent deleting the post felt wasted.


    But Ellie was very confused.


    She pondered how Edwin even had her number since they never got along.


    When she tried calling him, she discovered she was blocked.


    Well, it seemed that Edwin was angry that she had sent a message asking who he was.


    Back at the main building, which had been quiet for years, Kaiden noticed a change.


    Entering the house, he saw Ellie asleep in a rocking chair by the French window, bathed in the sunset¡¯s glow. Her delicate features and soft skin were entuated by the light, with long, fan-like eyshes casting shadows on her face.


    A hint of weariness was visible under her eyes.


    Despite the heated room, she was cozily wrapped in a thin cashmere nket, a testament to her dislike of the cold.


    In her hand was a book, creating a scene both delicate and serene. The warmth radiating from her stirred an unusual feeling in Kaiden,pelling him to gaze at her repeatedly. His irritation, fueled by onlinements about Ellie and Theo being an ideal match, evaporated upon seeing her.


    Uncover new worlds at g   alnov els


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe didn¡¯t get up until noon. After lunch, she spent some time on her phone and then dozed off,¡± Cayson, in a hushed tone, informed Kaiden.


    Acknowledging this, Kaiden ascended the stairs to change.


    By the time he returned, Ellie was just waking up.


    She yawned, her sleepy eyes meeting Kaiden¡¯s at the sound of his movement.


    She opened her mouth to speak but remained silent.


    Ellie¡¯s demeanor was notably subdued, a stark contrast to her usualposed or calcting self. She appeared like a wronged, dispirited cat.


    Kaiden gently rubbed her head, asking, ¡°Why don¡¯t you speak?¡±


    ¡°My throat hurts,¡± she replied, her voice even huskier than before.


    ¡°You caught a cold?¡± Kaiden asked, his brow furrowing in concern. Ellie¡¯s sneer conveyed incredulity at his question, as if saying, ¡°What do you think? Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±


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 Chapter 152

    ?Chapter 152:


    Kaiden, momentarily stunned, then remarked, ¡°You are quite delicate.¡±


    His tone seemed to fault her for her fragility.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze hardened at Kaiden, her irritation clear. She found his presence unbearable, turning away in annoyance.


    The dinner was great, and noticing Ellie still reclined on the rocking chair, Kaiden instructed a servant to summon her to eat.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe said she¡¯s not feeling well and prefers to dine on the sofa,¡± the servant said.


    Approaching Ellie, Kaiden found her asleep again, marveling at her ability to rest so soundly.


    He wondered why she was so exhausted without much physical activity.


    Kneeling beside her, Kaiden gently patted her face. ¡°Wake up, Ellie. Eat before you sleep.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to move,¡± Ellie mumbled, her eyes closed, her frown betraying annoyance at being disturbed from her slumber.


    Before she couldplete her sentence, Ellie realized she was lifted off the sofa.


    Startled into awareness, her sore throat prevented any scream from escaping.


    Kaiden carried her effortlessly to the dining room, stating, ¡°Eat first, then sleep.¡±


    Gazing up at his striking features, Ellie found herself momentarily mesmerized.


    His manner of interaction was peculiarly intriguing.


    Yet, she didn¡¯t find it displeasing.


    It stirred feelings of fondness in her.


    Yawning, Ellie settled at the table, savoring a sip of ginseng chicken soup.


    The chicken soup, simmered all afternoon, released a rich,forting aroma. Drinking it, she felt a wave of rxation.


    Following a day of rest, she felt revitalized.


    ¡°Speaking of which, news about me and Theo has been circting. If you see him, could you apologize on my behalf?¡± Ellie considered a direct conversation with Theo, but his demanding role as a surgeon made her hesitant to intrude unannounced.


    Kaiden paused, setting down his fork, and asked with a frosty tone, ¡°Are you close to Theo?¡±


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°Not particrly. If we were, I wouldn¡¯t have needed your help for grandma¡¯s surgery.¡± Continuing, she added, ¡°He¡¯s a kind person. I don¡¯t wish to trouble him, especially when he¡¯s been helpful to me.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression clouded at her words of praise for Theo.


    ¡°By the way, does Mr. Stephens have a girlfriend? I¡¯m not aware of any,¡± Ellie realized she hadn¡¯t heard any rumors linking Theo to any woman. ¡°What type of woman does he prefer?¡±


    ¡°Does your throat no longer hurt?¡± Kaiden set his fork down again, his mood soured.


    Why was she so concerned about another man?


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Did he not realize that curiosity was natural?


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 Chapter 153

    ?Chapter 153:


    But perhaps, someone as unorthodox as him wouldn¡¯t understand.


    This frustration lingered with Ellie into the night.


    As she prepared for bed, Kaiden lifted her, pinning her wrists above her head.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± she eximed in rm.


    Unaware of her panicked demeanor, her vulnerability only fueled his desire to tease her. He raised an eyebrow, acknowledging that he had heard her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sleepy!¡± Meeting his intense, dark gaze, Ellie was shocked.


    The previous night, he had looked at her in the same way¡ªlike a predator eyeing its prey¡ªgoing so far as tomand her to keep her eyes open.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already slept an entire day, Ellie.¡±


    While speaking, Kaiden opened the drawer of the bedside table. Ellie, expecting him to retrieve a condom, was surprised when he pulled out something else: a dark green tie.


    ¡°Hey¡­ isn¡¯t that my gift for Theo? Why do you have it?¡± she asked, momentarily forgetting to resist. It wasn¡¯t until the cool fabric of the tie touched her wrist that she snapped back to reality.


    Kaiden, amused by her reaction, gently caressed her flushed cheek with his fingertips.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect for restraining you,¡± he said.


    Following their intimate acts, Ellie, breathing heavily, turned her back to Kaiden and tossed the tie aside. Her posture made her dissatisfaction clear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to take a shower?¡± Kaiden asked. His tone was unusually patient and calm, a stark contrast to his usual temperament. He idly yed with Ellie¡¯s hair, naturally sleek and undyed, unlike the heavily styled hair of other socialite women.


    Ellie blinked, aware she needed a shower but feeling too exhausted to move. She just wanted to sleep.


    Kaiden could only see the back of her head, yet it was as if he could read her thoughts. He got out of bed and walked around to her side. ncing down at the sulking woman, he asked, ¡°Would you like to take a shower?¡±


    Your imagination starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s?conn


    His appearance was impable¡ªless aloof than usual, but still carrying an air of restraint.


    Ellie, after a brief nce, extended her arms toward him, her throat aching and unwilling to speak. The idea of a shower without having to walk was appealing.


    Though she initiated the embrace, she pretended to be reluctant. Kaiden noticed her reaction but kept his amusement hidden.


    ¡°You seem hesitant.¡±


    Ellie, surprised by hisment, stared at him wide-eyed. She had already reached out her hands¡ªhow could she be unwilling? She was starting to lose her temper. Before she could react further, Kaiden picked her up.


    ¡°You¡¯re really delicate,¡± he whispered. Ellie red at him, her eyes full of reproach.


    Delicate? In her mind, it was Kaiden¡¯s intense lovemaking that made her feel fragile, not her own constitution. He seemed to only know how to utter unpleasant remarks.


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 Chapter 154

    ?Chapter 154:


    Upon entering the bathroom, Ellie immediately turned away and pushed him out. Awakening to a newfound sense of independence, she was determined not to let Kaiden bathe her.


    Her main concern was ack of trust. She did not want to engage in any more intimate activities, especially in the bathroom.


    After her shower, Ellie noticed the bed sheets had been changed. The color was the same, but all traces from before were gone.


    Kaiden had showered in the adjacent bathroom and was now on the balcony, smoking in his bathrobe. Elliey in bed, feeling exhausted but unable to sleep.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t return to the room until the scent of smoke had faded. Noticing Ellie ying on her phone, he asked, ¡°Are you not feeling well?¡±


    Startled, Ellie looked at him warily. Kaiden, observing her reaction, couldn¡¯t help butugh, finding her demeanor quite endearing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be asleep soon,¡± Ellie replied, her voice hoarser than before.


    Kaiden frowned. Casually ncing around, he noticed the words ¡°find awyer¡± on Ellie¡¯s phone screen.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking for awyer?¡± he asked.


    Ellie nodded in confirmation.


    ¡°Call Bruce tomorrow. He¡¯ll assist you in finding awyer,¡± Kaiden suggested, taking the phone from her hands and cing it on the bedside table. His tone wasmanding as he asked, ¡°Do you n to sleep or not?¡±


    If she didn¡¯t sleep, he would do something else with her. It was better than ying on her phone in the middle of the night.


    Ellie quickly pulled the quilt over herself, leaving only her wary eyes visible. Kaiden covered her eyes with his hand, hiding the intensity in his own gaze from her. She probably wasn¡¯t aware that when she looked at him with such sincerity, her eyes sparkled with innocence¡ªoften stirring deep desires within him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to confront Essence. Are you sure you want to help me?¡± Ellie asked in her raspy voice.


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    Earlier, she had managed to remove the trending topic and trace the origin of the news. Essence hadn¡¯t concealed her involvement, making the investigation straightforward.


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with Essence?¡± Kaiden responded.


    Why wouldn¡¯t he help Ellie? To her, their rtionship as husband and wife¡ªand her status as his woman¡ªshould have been reason enough for him to support her against Essence.


    ¡°She paid someone to spread rumors about me and Mr. Stephens today. I spent hundreds of thousands of dors to suppress the trending topic. She owes me that,¡± Ellie exined, assuming Kaiden was questioning her motives for targeting Essence.


    Kaiden was almost amused by her words.


    ¡°Come on, that¡¯s not much money,¡± he remarked with a smile.


    Ellie was quite vindictive.


    ¡°Hundreds of thousands of dors is not money? It¡¯s not about the money. What matters is making her regret her actions, especially when I¡¯m already upset,¡± Ellie dered. Her intent was clear¡ªshe used her financial resources as a means to vent her displeasure on Essence.


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 Chapter 155

    ?Chapter 155:


    ¡°What? You don¡¯t want me to scheme against Essence? She holds quite an affection for you. You share some of the me for her scheming against me this time!¡± Ellie huffed.


    Kaiden, sensing her determination, retrieved a bank card from the bedside table and offered it to her.


    ¡°Consider thispensation.¡±


    Ellie, however, was taken aback by the gesture. The card was a supplementary to his own.


    ¡°Kaiden, it almost seems like you¡¯re paying me for having sex with you.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? It¡¯s pocket money,¡± Kaiden rified. Ellie¡¯s raspy voice was a jarring sound to Kaiden¡¯s ears. In response, he pulled her into his embrace. ¡°Enough talking. Rest now.¡±


    Ellie murmured inaudibly, her throat aching, preferring silence.


    She doubted Kaiden harbored any romantic sentiments towards Essence. Had it been otherwise, Kaiden wouldn¡¯t have barred Essence from entering his office or dered her as his wife in the presence of Essence and her father.


    Ellie foundfort in the steady rhythm of Kaiden¡¯s heartbeat. Adaptability was a curious thing. Initially, sharing a bed with Kaiden made sleep elusive, yet now, his arms were a lulling embrace. During this transformative process, the change was simply brought about by their intimate encounter.


    Ellie knew that she had begun to ept Kaiden as her husband.


    The next morning, Ellie intended to dispose of the tie meant for Theo.


    It was still a mystery how it had found its way to Kaiden.


    Yet, despite her search, it was nowhere to be found.


    Bruce proved hispetence. After lunch, Ellie received news that GT Group¡¯s topwyer was ready to assist her.


    Thewyer, having discussed the specifics with Ellie, promptly dispatched a legal notice to Essence.


    Your next chapter is here g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    ¡°Miss Gordon, we require your bank details for thepensation transfer,¡± thewyer requested.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need forpensation. I¡¯d prefer you donate it to Critport University¡¯s School of Life Sciences and Technology,¡± Ellie replied.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, there¡¯s another matter,¡± said the director of the design department. ¡°The makeup team for Peerless Grace seeks stylists. You expressed interest in drama and film segments. You might consider trying your hand at being a stylist for this TV series.¡±


    ¡°Peerless Grace?¡± The title was unfamiliar to Ellie.


    The director handed her a document. ¡°It¡¯s a historical idol drama in need of a stylist. Here¡¯s the storyline and character sketches. Check it out. If you¡¯re interested, you can participate in the selection process the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you,¡± Ellie said, epting the document.


    Exploring TV series makeup had always been a goal for Ellie.


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 Chapter 156

    ?Chapter 156:


    The director then inquired, with a hint of concern, ¡°Miss Gordon, are you ill? Your voice sounds different.¡±


    There was a moment of silence. Ellie¡¯s smile stiffened momentarily. ¡°Just a minor throat issue, no impact on my work.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more for today. Miss Gordon, would you like to visit the thirty-eighth floor?¡± asked the director, aware of Ellie¡¯s close ties with Kaiden.


    Ellie inquired directly, ¡°Does he need me for anything?¡±


    ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Then I shall pass. I have a dinner engagement. I¡¯ll be off now.¡± Ellie wouldn¡¯t seek out Kaiden without a purpose.


    On the thirty-eighth floor:


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, today Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s voice seemed unusual,¡± Bruce informed Kaiden. ¡°She may have a cold since she seems to be experiencing a sore throat.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s brow creased at the mention of a cold, but at the mention of a sore throat, realization dawned, and a subtle smile touched his eyes. Ellie hadn¡¯t caught a cold. It was a consequence of her vocal cries during their lovemaking.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Kaiden¡¯s response was brief yet telling.


    Bruce was puzzled by Kaiden¡¯s delight at Ellie¡¯s difort, but he refrained from questioning it.


    Kaiden, setting aside his pen cap, asked, ¡°Where is she now?¡±


    ¡°She left for a dinner engagement,¡± Bruce replied.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned grim instantly.


    Another dinner engagement?


    Why did she have so many appointments every day?


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    Meanwhile, Ellie received a call from Essence not long after leaving GT Group.


    ¡°Ellie, have you gone broke and lost your mind? Is a mere few hundred thousand dors worth such a fuss?¡± Essence¡¯s voice was a mix of anger and incredulity, struggling to retain herposure.


    Beep! Beep!


    Ellie drove the Koenigsegg Kaiden gave her to work today. The car unlocked itself as soon as she approached it with the key.


    ¡°A few hundred thousand is still significant. And as Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯m hardly poor,¡± Ellie retorted, her wordsced with disdain for Essence.


    ¡°You¡­ How shameful, Ellie,¡± Essence seethed. ¡°Send me your bank details. I¡¯ll transfer a million. Just leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have mywyer handle it,¡± Ellie responded, wary of any direct financial dealings with Essence. She wouldn¡¯t give Essence her bank ount directly. What if Essence ndered her for fraud instead?


    ¡°Don¡¯t get toofortable, Ellie. Your status as Mrs. Thorpe won¡¯tst. Carole Lambert¡¯s return will be your downfall.¡±


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 Chapter 157

    ?Chapter 157:


    Carole Lambert?


    The name rang a bell for Ellie, but before she could ce it, she got distracted.


    ¡°Miss Robbins, please ry this to thewyer. I have no interest in further discussion with someone infatuated with my husband,¡± Ellie concluded the call and then addressed Erick, who was blocking her path. ¡°Erick, you¡¯re obstructing my car.¡±


    Standing in front of the Koenigsegg, Erick stood transfixed, his gaze locked on the supercar he had once aspired to own but failed to acquire.


    ¡°Is that photo real? This is your car? How did you get it?¡± The realization that the car before him was the very one he coveted left him incredulous.


    ¡°It was a gift from your uncle,¡± Ellie casually revealed, her hand resting on the car door, a hint of satisfaction in her voice at Erick¡¯s stunned expression.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°But this car is different from the one you missed out on at the auction,¡± Ellie said with a smile. ¡°The sports car you¡¯ve been dreaming about has been in Kaiden¡¯s garage all this time.¡±


    The news shocked and angered Erick more than the fact that he¡¯d been deliberately outbid by Kaiden at the auction.


    ¡°How can this be? There are only three of these cars in the world. It¡¯s impossible¡­¡± Erick mumbled in disbelief. A sudden thought struck him, and he abruptly turned his gaze towards the GT Group building. Observing his reaction, Ellie frowned. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Erick, who had been standing at the entrance of GT Group, seemed to recall something urgently, quickly retreated to his car, and drove off. Ellie, who had no ns for the afternoon, was intending to visit Rich Bar to review the turnover and data from theb.


    As soon as the car stopped at Rich Bar, Ellie blinked in a pause. Erick¡¯s abrupt departure and hisst nce towards the GT Group reyed in her mind.


    Why did Erick leave so suddenly?


    L??e$? ??¦¤T??R? 1¦Ð ???lnovels.c??m


    What was he nning to do?


    Thest thing he saw was the GT Group building.


    Did he suspect something?


    With these thoughts swirling in her head, Ellie restarted the engine and swiftly returned to the GT Group.


    Upon entering the GT Group¡¯s lobby, Ellie sensed a change in the atmosphere.


    The receptionist whispered, indicating the arrival of someone important.


    Ellie caught snippets of the conversation.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure why the people from Thorpe Group are here.¡±


    ¡°Who did you say was here?¡± Ellie inquired, her body reacting faster than her thoughts. Before she knew it, she was standing before the receptionist.


    The receptionist was almost frightened. ¡°The people from Thorpe Group¡­ It appears to be the eldest son of the Thorpe family, supporting an older gentleman.¡±


    ¡°Who are they looking for?¡± Ellie pressed.


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 Chapter 158

    ?Chapter 158:


    ¡°They¡¯re looking for our president. They¡¯ve already gone upstairs. Hey, ma¡¯am,¡± the receptionist responded, still recovering from her surprise.


    Ellie trekked all the way back, stepped into the elevator, and ascended to the thirty-eighth floor.


    Ding Dong!


    As soon as the elevator doors slid open, a furious voice erupted from outside.


    ¡°Kaiden, you are really something, huh! To think that you¡¯ve ascended to the presidency of the GT Group. I, your father, am astounded that you kept this monumental secret from me for so long. Had Talon not enlightened me, I would¡¯ve remained oblivious to your actions against your own family¡¯s interests. All these years of raising you amounted to nothing.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, the me lies with you. Your secrecy is unfathomable. Are you plotting against our family?¡±


    The market was far from expansive. The ventures of the GT Group and the Thorpe Group often shed, making them rivals in many respects. Upon hearing these words, Ellie dashed out. She beheld Jorge, supported by Erick, with one hand gripping a cane, standing just outside the president¡¯s office conference room.


    Kaiden, seated in a wheelchair, was surrounded by a cluster of GT Group¡¯s top executives, who stood in silence, seemingly too stunned to speak.


    Evidently, they hadn¡¯t anticipated that their president would be the ck sheep of the Thorpe family.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Kaiden¡¯s attention snapped to Ellie almost immediately upon the elevator¡¯s opening.


    Her hair was disheveled, as if she had run all the way.


    Observing her high heels, Kaiden¡¯s brow furrowed in concern.


    Why had she run in such shoes?


    L?t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??m


    Panting lightly, Ellie exined, ¡°I came to see what is going on.¡± She pondered whether Erick had deduced Kaiden¡¯s role as president of the GT Group from her showing off with the Koenigsegg today, and if this revtion hadnded Kaiden in hot water.


    Kaiden nced at his watch and addressed Jorge, ¡°You¡¯re here without an appointment. Out of respect for my mother, I¡¯ll grant you a mere five minutes.¡±


    ¡°What five minutes? Kaiden, I¡¯m your father,¡± Jorge retorted, thumping his cane on the floor in anger.


    Father?


    Kaiden mused, perhaps Jorge should rather be Talon¡¯s father. Kaiden¡¯s eyes shimmered with scorn, yet he refrained from uttering another word to Jorge.


    Jorge, regainingposure, inquired, ¡°When did you join the GT Group? Why didn¡¯t you tell us?¡±


    Erick soothed Jorge¡¯s chest. ¡°Grandpa, we discovered that Kaiden assumed the position of CEO at the GT Group three years ago. He¡¯s been remarkably adept at keeping secrets, deceiving us for years. It¡¯s no surprise he effortlessly spent three billion dors at the recent auction.¡±


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 Chapter 159

    ?Chapter 159:


    ¡°Is that all you have to discuss? Bruce, please escort our guests out. The meeting will proceed,¡± Kaiden dered, wheeling himself back into the meeting room before finishing his sentence.


    The executives behind them were visibly shocked, torn between astonishment at their president¡¯s true identity as the Thorpe family¡¯s infamous outcast and his brazen disregard for Jorge.


    Their interaction bore no resemnce to that of father and son.


    Instead, they seemed more like adversaries.


    ¡°You rebellious son! Stop right there, Kaiden.¡±


    Jorge attempted to follow Kaiden into the meeting room but was halted by Bruce. ¡°Please don¡¯te any further, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Jorge, visibly agitated, turned to Ellie. ¡°Ellie, were you aware that Kaiden is the president of the GT Group? When did you find out?¡±


    Only then did Erick turn his attention to Ellie, his gaze scrutinizing.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me as if I¡¯ve deceived you?¡± Ellie asked, her toneced with amusement. ¡°Am I obligated to inform you of my knowledge about the GT Group¡¯s presidency? Why do I need to report to Kaiden¡¯s nephew?¡±


    ¡°Ellie! Remember, I¡¯m still here,¡± Jorge interjected sharply. ¡°Is this the respect you show as a daughter-inw?¡± Ellie¡¯s smile vanished.


    While most fathers would take pride in their son¡¯s professional achievements, Jorge¡¯s concerns seemed to revolve more around Kaiden not conforming to family expectations, challenging his paternal authority, and posing a threat to Talon¡¯s position. Even Ellie, an outsider, was angry at Jorge¡¯s unfairness.


    ¡°Jorge, have you ever considered reflecting on your role as a father?¡± Ellie sneered.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Jorge was stunned. Nobody, except the rebellious Kaiden, had ever dared to confront him like this.


    hosts great stories


    ¡°Jorge, Kaiden is your son. Shouldn¡¯t you question why he isn¡¯t working for the family business? The presidency of the Thorpe Group has its heir, and it¡¯s not Kaiden¡¯s turn. He¡¯s never been regarded as a sessor.¡±


    With that, Ellie¡¯s gaze brieflynded on Erick.


    Currently, Talon, an illegitimate son, led the Thorpe Group and was grooming Erick to be the next. Erick was the dignified grandson of Jorge, and his origins were untainted.


    Both the Thorpe Group and the external world hade to ept the reality that Erick was destined to assume leadership of the Thorpe family.


    ¡°They¡¯re all family. If the presidency is bestowed upon Kaiden¡¯s brother, can¡¯t Kaiden assume a different role? Is Kaiden sopetitive? Does he own the Thorpe Group? It¡¯s my life¡¯s work!¡± Jorge, unyielding in his stance, failed to see his error.


    ¡°Jorge, in a wolf pack, there¡¯s only room for one alpha. Kaiden, with his prowess, need not yield to others. Are you trying to demean Kaiden by having him work under Talon? Logically, you ought to be grateful to Kaiden.¡±


    Jorge grasped the underlying message in Ellie¡¯s words. He should be grateful for Kaiden¡¯s disinterest in the Thorpe Group, as it allowed Talon to lead withoutpetition.


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 Chapter 160

    ?Chapter 160:


    ¡°Ellie, do youe from a notable family, huh?¡± Jorge inquired, his guilt over Talon¡¯s illegitimacy evident in his tone.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. That¡¯s why I stepped aside for Demi. Otherwise, I could have been your granddaughter-inw instead of your daughter-inw,¡± Ellie¡¯s response highlighted the rtive ease of her current rolepared to the alternative.


    Erick asked dismissively, ¡°Ellie, did you agree to marry Kaiden knowing about his connection to the GT Group? Is that why you defend him so fervently?¡±


    Atst, Erick discovered a rational justification for Ellie¡¯s preference for Kaiden over him.


    ¡°If that¡¯s how you see it,¡± Ellie replied, unwilling to engage in further debate with Erick.


    ¡°Ellie, let¡¯s not overlook the fact that Kaiden is currently the president of the GT Group, but he still answers to the chairman,¡± Erick scoffed, considering himself superior to Kaiden as the future head of the Thorpe Group.


    Despite his words, Erick understood the significance of Kaiden¡¯s presidency.


    The moment Kaiden¡¯s true identity came to light, Kaiden would immediately be the target of many people.


    Ellie raised her eyebrows in amusement.


    They thought Kaiden was just the president?


    They underestimated Kaiden, unaware he was the GT Group¡¯srgest shareholder.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I suggest you leave. As your daughter-inw, I won¡¯t apany you out,¡± Ellie stated.


    Thud!


    At that moment, the sound of a paper bag hitting the floor drew Ellie¡¯s attention. She turned to find Zoey looking at her in surprise.


    ¡°Zoey, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Ellie inquired, recognizing the secretary.


    Zoey, regaining herposure, presented Ellie with a pair of t shoes. ¡°Miss Gordon, Mr. Thorpe requested these for you.¡±


    Discover your escape on g  aln ov el s


    Ellie, puzzled, didn¡¯t recall Kaiden arranging for shoes to be bought for her.


    As Ellie swapped her heels for the ts, Zoey hesitantly broached a question. ¡°Miss Gordon, you and Mr. Thorpe¡­¡±


    ¡°I married him.¡±


    ¡°Our marriage remains a secret, so please don¡¯t tell anyone. Is something bothering you, Zoey?¡± Ellie, while cing the high-heeled shoes into a paper bag, sensed an oddity in Zoey¡¯s demeanor.


    Zoey snapped out of her daze, shaking her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m in shock. I always believed Mr. Thorpe didn¡¯t get married or have a girlfriend because¡­ I apologize. It was inappropriate of me to make assumptions.¡± Zoey abruptly halted her words.


    Because what?


    Ellie, with a slight furrow of her brow, felt a spark of curiosity but chose not to delve further.


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 Chapter 161

    ?Chapter 161:


    ¡°Is it okay if I wait here for Kaiden?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Zoey replied. ¡°But Mr. Thorpe¡¯s meetings oftenst over three hours. Can you wait that long?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    Ellie settled onto a sofa in the lounge, picking up a book to read.


    Yet, in less than thirty minutes, the lounge door swung open.


    Kaiden, maneuvering his wheelchair swiftly, approached Ellie. ¡°Why are you still here?¡± He gazed at her with an urgency in his voice, as if battling to contain his emotions.


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie responded, puzzled.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to have dinner with someone?¡±


    It appeared that the director was really loyal to Kaiden. A seemingly casual piece of information she had shared with him moments ago had reached Kaiden¡¯s ears with remarkable speed.


    ¡°Is the meeting over?¡± ncing towards the meeting room, Ellie noticed the senior executives hadn¡¯te out, indicating the meeting was still ongoing. ¡°It¡¯s not finished, is it?¡± It wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Ellie, I need to know,¡± Kaiden pressed, his mind reeling with the words Ellie had shared with Jorge, overheard through the meeting room¡¯s surveince.


    ¡°Jorge, in a wolf pack, there¡¯s only room for one alpha. Kaiden, with his prowess, need not yield to others. Are you trying to demean Kaiden by having him work under Talon? Logically, you ought to be grateful to Kaiden.¡±


    Kaiden sighed inwardly. Was she naive? Advocating for him by herself, unaware that if not for the surveince, her words would have remained unknown to him.


    In that moment, a torrent of emotion surged through Kaiden¡¯s veins. His gaze fixed unblinkingly on the woman before him.


    ¡°Are you upset with me, Kaiden?¡± Setting aside her book, Ellie continued, ¡°I bumped into Erick downstairs. To piss him off, I imed the Koenigsegg I was driving was a gift from you. He probably suspects you¡¯re the GT Group CEO, hence he brought Jorge here. I¡¯m sorry¡­ Eh!¡±


    ?@???? ??@t?¨¨?? ¨ª¨½ ??????????????????.??????


    It was entirely unexpected for Ellie when Kaiden kissed her so suddenly.


    Overwhelmed by shock, she was momentarily immobilized. Her lower body copsed onto the sofa, while her upper body leaned into Kaiden¡¯s arms. His hand, gripping her waist, was the only thing keeping her somewhat steady.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡±


    The exmation came from a stunned observer. A senior executive, who had stepped out to find Kaiden, stood at the meeting room door, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    Regaining her senses, Ellie attempted to push Kaiden away.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Kaiden, clearly annoyed by the interruption, scowled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯ll leave now!¡±


    The executive, regaining hisposure, hurriedly retreated, ushering away a colleague who had heard his shout.


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 Chapter 162

    ?Chapter 162:


    Ellie, covering her face, was bewildered by the unfolding events. ¡°Kaiden, are you not considering the potential gossip within thepany due to your inappropriate behavior?¡±


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare to gossip about me.¡±


    Kaiden seemed carefree. After all, it was hispany. He felt entitled to act as he pleased.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, about the meeting¡­¡± Bruce, Kaiden¡¯s trusted aide, was approached by the executives to intervene in this delicate situation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s resume it tomorrow.¡±


    Kaiden, taking Ellie¡¯s hand, headed towards his CEO office.


    His wheelchair moved so swiftly that Ellie struggled to keep pace. ¡°Aren¡¯t you in a meeting? Slow down!¡±


    ¡°Today¡¯s meeting is adjourned. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow. You¡¯re getting off work on time today.¡± Bruce, expressionless, ryed the message to the other executives.


    Their relief at not having to work overtime was overshadowed by the day¡¯s unexpected events.


    ¡°Is Mr. Thorpe neglecting his duties? Leaving before the meeting ends?¡±


    ¡°Did Mr. Thorpe just leave? He won¡¯t hear us, right?¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable! Mr. Thorpe was kissing that woman? He¡¯s actually into women?¡±


    ¡°Quiet! Mr. Harper is still here.¡±


    Bruce quickly interjected, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I won¡¯t report it.¡± He, too, had once doubted Kaiden¡¯s interest in women.


    ¡°Mr. Harper, did Mr. Thorpe cancel meetings before¡­ also because of¡ª¡±


    Bruce, feigning nonchnce, warned, ¡°Don¡¯t spread rumors. Mr. Thorpe dislikes gossip about his private life.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, where the best stories live


    The message was clear: the woman was indeed the cause, but it was to be kept confidential.


    ¡°Wow! Did anyone see her face clearly?¡±


    ¡°No, I just caught a glimpse, but she was stunning!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Harper, do you have any photos of the CEO¡¯s future wife? Can we¡ª¡±


    Bruce shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t have any photos.¡± He wouldn¡¯t dare risk taking pictures of Kaiden¡¯s wife. That would be a death wish.


    Bang!


    As the CEO¡¯s office door closed with a sharp sound, Ellie found herself pressed against it by Kaiden. He kissed her passionately¡ªa kiss so intense that it left her overwhelmed.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ You! Wait¡­ I¡­¡±


    Ellie struggled to articte her thoughts, but her words were continually swallowed by his fervent kisses. One hand gripped her waist, while the other daringly slipped under her clothes toward her chest, sending a shiver through her.


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 Chapter 163

    ?Chapter 163:


    Abruptly, Kaiden stopped his advances and released Ellie.


    From his embrace, she could feel the warmth of his breath and found herself marveling at his thick eyshes. The intensity in his gaze was deep and unsettling, like an abyss.


    ¡°When I touched you, why were you trembling?¡± His voice carried a husky undertone.


    ¡°I¡¯m a little¡­ I¡¯m not used to it,¡± Ellie stammered, her legs weak as she struggled to steady her breath.


    ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s just forey. Haven¡¯t you be familiar with it by now?¡± His tone wasced with mockery.


    Ellie, her hands against his chest, paused briefly before saying, ¡°I need a drink of water.¡±


    Kaiden, recalling that her voice hadn¡¯t fully recovered, asked, ¡°Can you stand on your own?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She nodded.


    Releasing her, Kaiden fetched a ss of warm water. Ellie took it with a sigh of relief. For now, she wasn¡¯t mentally prepared to have sex in his office.


    After sitting on the sofa, a sip of water soothed her throat, strained from the recent tension and the shouting of the night before.


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Why did you suddenly¡­ kiss me?¡± Ellie asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.


    Upon exiting the meeting room, he had embraced her tightly, pressed a passionate kiss to her lips, and then ushered her into his office. She had been genuinely shocked.


    Kaiden, hands sped, stared down at his fingertips, his expression unreadable. He wouldn¡¯t admit that he knew about her n to meet Baylee and had not intended to stay, which was why he had entered the meeting room.


    But once inside, his attention wasn¡¯t on work. He had thought she would leave after her altercation with Jorge and Erick, yet when Bruce told him she had been waiting outside for half an hour, Kaiden didn¡¯t hesitate to rush out.


    His emotions had been like an effervescent tablet dropped into water, bubbling uncontrobly. He could no longer hold them back.


    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all


    These emotions felt foreign to Kaiden, yet he didn¡¯t find them repulsive. The thought of his wife waiting quietly for him was something he couldn¡¯t bear.


    ¡°I thought you had an appointment with Baylee,¡± Kaiden remarked as he looked at Ellie. The emotions that had filled his eyes when he kissed herst time werepletely gone this time. Now he was cold and distant with her again.


    ¡°I came back because I was worried about you,¡± Ellie responded in an apologetic tone. She paused for a moment, then asked hesitantly, ¡°Kaiden, now that they know you¡¯re the president of GT Group, will this get you in trouble? I¡¯m really sorry if you get into trouble because of me. I shouldn¡¯t have shown off in front of Erick. I¡­ Eh!¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t finish her words as Kaiden suddenly leaned over and kissed her lips passionately.


    Her eyes widened in shock and confusion, and she didn¡¯t know what to do.


    The pure and innocent look in her eyes was very seductive to Kaiden. He raised his hand and covered her eyes.


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 Chapter 164

    ?Chapter 164:


    He knew that if he continued to gaze into her eyes, he would eventually lose control of his emotions.


    But having sex with her in the office seemed a little inappropriate.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, have you never been told that you shouldn¡¯t worry about men?¡± Rubbing her long hair, Kaiden said with a smile, ¡°You think it¡¯s because of the Koenigsegg that they know my identity? As for what you said about showing off, you have the right to show off however you want. Now that they know I am the president of GT Group, many things will be more convenient for me.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes were deep, especially when she looked at people suspiciously. At those moments, she looked extraordinarily endearing. Her look was so innocent and endearing that people would forget she was, in fact, a powerful woman.


    ¡°You wanted them to find out your connection with GT Group?¡± Ellie asked, looking at Kaiden intently.


    A realization dawned on her. With no previous business cooperation between Thorpe Group and GT Group, Erick¡¯s sudden appearance outside GT Group likely stemmed from suspicions about Kaiden¡¯s identity.


    After thinking about it, Ellie felt that it was very likely that the Thorpe family began to suspect Kaiden¡¯s identity after he gave away so much money at the auction.


    ¡°You are not stupid after all,¡± Kaiden remarked calmly, raising his eyebrows.


    Hisment didn¡¯t sit well with Ellie, who couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, if you knew your wife a little better, you¡¯d know that you can¡¯t put me and the word ¡®stupid¡¯ in the same sentence,¡± she said with a slightly proud look.


    Her reaction amused Kaiden so much that he had to lower his head to hide his smile. At that moment, all of his unhappiness caused by Jorge faded away.


    ¡°You should go back to your meeting now. You shouldn¡¯t take your work lightly,¡± Ellie said after a while.


    She hadn¡¯t spent much time with Kaiden after they got married, as he went out early and came backte. Even when he was at home, he would often stay in his study, working on documents. He seemed to be a real workaholic.


    ???€$? ?§ß???€?$ 1? g??l??ov?l??.????m


    ¡°I pay those executives so they can run the business even in my absence,¡± Kaiden said matter-of-factly.


    Plus, he was certain that after they saw him kissing a woman, they wouldn¡¯t be able to focus their minds during the meeting.


    Ellie fell silent.


    Anyway, Kaiden was the boss, and he could decide if he wanted to work or not.


    Come to think of it, she owned the Rich Bar, but she was even more absent from workpared to how Kaiden ran the GT Group. Her work was limited to checking the bar¡¯s ounts and cash receipts.


    ¡°If I had known that everything was fine with you, I wouldn¡¯t havee. I would have gone to my dinner with Baylee instead. It¡¯s so hard to book a table at that restaurant,¡± Ellie said in a low voice.


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 Chapter 165

    ?Chapter 165:


    Kaiden¡¯s good mood faded for a moment when he heard what she said. ¡°What do you want to eat?¡± he asked bluntly. Wasn¡¯t Ellie happier to have dinner with him than with Baylee?


    Ellie thought for a while and said with a sigh, ¡°There¡¯s a family-style restaurant in the city center. But I don¡¯t think we can book seats at this time.¡±


    ¡°Which one is that?¡± Kaiden asked calmly.


    He sounded so confident, as if he could get a table at any time.


    Ellie gave him the name and address of the restaurant and then said seriously, ¡°The owner of this restaurant is not short of money. He is a man of principle who does not eptte bookings, nor does he tolerate people who try to cut queues.¡±


    What she meant was that no matter how rich Kaiden was, his money wouldn¡¯t impress the owner of the restaurant.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you don¡¯t have to worry about that,¡± Kaiden said confidently.


    He then pulled out his phone and made a call. The callsted less than a minute. After ending the call, he looked at Ellie and said seriously, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    Ellie looked at him confusedly. Did he really manage to book a table at that restaurant?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to dinner,¡± Kaiden replied calmly.


    Ellie nced at her watch and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s only 5 p.m. Why the rush?¡±


    Ellie felt it was still early for dinner. She wanted to take a walk with him on the pedestrian street first.


    This family-style restaurant was very close to the pedestrian street, and it happened that a new milk tea shop had just opened there two days ago. Ellie hadn¡¯t had the chance to visit it and try their drinks yet.


    Something suddenly urred to Ellie, and she sighed heavily. ¡°Forget it. The pedestrian street is not a ce for you,¡± she said sadly.


    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, where stories thrive


    ¡°Why?¡± Kaiden asked, his expression gloomy.


    Ellie was speechless. He seemed unaware of the potential consequences.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, do you think it is appropriate for a handsome man like you, who is confined to a wheelchair, to wander around the shopping district?¡± Ellie asked seriously.


    Kaiden¡¯s striking appearance would undoubtedly attract considerable attention from passers-by. He might run the risk of being caught in traffic jams or even in a stampede if he went there.


    Ellie also felt that they couldn¡¯t ignore what other people would say. She could already imagine the words ¡°Handsome man in a wheelchair seen on pedestrian street¡± trending on social media.


    Kaiden¡¯s face was expressionless as he stared at Ellie.


    His handsomeness was an inherent trait. Why should he concern himself with others¡¯ opinions when all he wanted was to enjoy himself on the pedestrian street, just like everyone else?


    Ellie thought of something and suddenly took out a brand new ck mask from her shoulder bag. ¡°If we really have to go, then you wear this!¡±


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 Chapter 166

    ?Chapter 166:


    Ellie used to wear a mask when she went to do makeup for clients. This was one of her spare masks.


    She wished that Kaiden would wear a baseball cap in addition to the mask. However, when she looked at his designer shirt and pants¡­ Wearing a baseball cap with such a ssy outfit would be really out of ce.


    Kaiden frowned in disgust at the sight of the mask and directly refused to wear it.


    However, ten minutester, Bruce saw Ellie and a tall man wearing a mask walk out of the CEO¡¯s office.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, are you¡­ Are you suddenly sick?¡± Bruce asked in confusion, as Kaiden hadn¡¯t worn a mask earlier in the day.


    He even wondered whether Kaiden had kissed Ellie so hard that his lips were swollen.


    Thinking of that, Bruce nced at Ellie.


    Ellie¡¯s lips were normal.


    Realizing what Bruce was thinking, Kaiden gave him a cold look.


    The cold look sent shivers down Bruce¡¯s spine, and he didn¡¯t dare to ask any more stupid questions. He followed Kaiden and asked politely, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, where are you going now? Do you need my help with anything?¡±


    ¡°You can go back now,¡± Kaiden replied calmly.


    ¡°What? Well¡­ Okay!¡± Bruce was surprised at first when Kaiden said he could go home at this time. After all, it was still quite early. However, he quickly realized what was happening and remarked, ¡°Are you going on a date with Mrs. Thorpe? I¡¯ll send a driver here right away.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s face reddened with embarrassment when she heard what Bruce had said. ¡°It¡¯s not a date.¡±


    She was about to exin that they weren¡¯t going on a date, but Kaiden interrupted her.


    I??§Ö$§ä ¡é#¦Áp?¨º§ñs I§Ú galno¦Íels


    ¡°No need to call a driver. Just arrange a car for me,¡± Kaiden said to Bruce.


    Bruce was Kaiden¡¯s subordinate. Since Kaiden didn¡¯t bother to exin himself to Bruce, then why should Ellie care?


    After hearing what Kaiden said, Bruce nced at Ellie. Kaiden¡¯s simple words were a clear answer to his question. In that case, there was no point in Ellie arguing.


    After all, there was nothing wrong with a couple going on a date.


    Ellie urged Bruce to choose a discreet car. Driving the Koenigsegg to the business district might attract unwanted attention.


    Seated in the passenger seat, Ellie stole nces at the man behind the wheel. A ck mask obscured most of Kaiden¡¯s face, leaving only his striking eyebrows and captivating, starry eyes visible. His heroic demeanor carried a distinct hint of aloofness.


    Ellie began to doubt her decision. Kaiden¡¯s appearance was anything but inconspicuous; in fact, he could easily be mistaken for a celebrity.


    They parked the car nearby and strolled along the pedestrian street. After only a few steps, Ellie sensed Kaiden¡¯s restlessness. Observing the bustling crowd, his expression soured slightly with disdain.


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 Chapter 167

    ?Chapter 167:


    ¡°You don¡¯t like crowds?¡± Ellie anticipated his thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s Friday. People leave work early. The business district is more crowded than usual. I warned you not toe. Ah¡ª¡±


    Before she could finish, one of the young men ying nearby nearly collided with her. Reacting swiftly, Kaiden pulled her into his arms, his impatience bing more evident.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± The yful young man quickly apologized, stunned by Ellie¡¯s appearance.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Kaiden stepped in front of her protectively, visibly irritated by the man¡¯s intense gaze.


    The young man and hispanions immediately straightened their posture. One of them grinned and asked, ¡°Hey there, beautiful, can I get your WhatsApp?¡±


    ¡°I have a boyfriend.¡± Ellie sensed the sudden shift in Kaiden¡¯s mood beside her.


    ¡°I just want to get to know you.¡± The young man¡¯s eyes flicked to her bare ring finger. ¡°If you¡¯re not married, I have a chance, don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Will you fuck off or not?¡± Kaiden¡¯s gaze turned cold as he tightened his hold around Ellie¡¯s waist. It was a clear disy of possessiveness.


    ¡°Hey! How can you speak like that? I¡¯m wealthier and more handsome than you, okay?¡±


    ¡°Sir, you¡¯re trying to lure me away from my husband. And you expect my husband to be polite?¡± Ellie was left speechless. The man was stunned. ¡°You¡­ you! You¡¯re married?¡±


    Deciding she had enough of the delusional conversation, Ellie grabbed Kaiden¡¯s hand and left.


    Kaiden felt an urge to confront the man, but hearing ¡°my husband¡± eased his displeasure. It wasn¡¯t until Ellie pulled him away that he regainedposure.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, quite popr, I see.¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice remained cold as Ellie led the way.


    If anyone should have been wearing a mask, it was her.


    Spotting the crowded milk tea shop, Ellie hastened her steps upon seeing the long queue outside.


    After a couple of steps, she found herself unable to move further. Kaiden, nearly six feet and two inches tall, stood immobile with Ellie¡¯s hand in his, his expression unreadable.


    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lno¦Íels.??????


    The bright sun cast a warm glow on him, softening the contours of his face.


    She watched him for a moment and somehow felt that Kaiden was having a temper tantrum.


    But how could a man in histe twenties behave so childishly?


    She chided herself for overthinking.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your wife¡¯s quite the attraction. Isn¡¯t that a testament to your good taste?¡± Attempting to soothe him, Ellie coaxed, ¡°You should be happy. The woman others want is already yours.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense.¡±


    Despite wearing a tough expression, Kaiden had to admit he was pleased by her words, especially the word ¡®yours¡¯.


    This inte-famous milk tea shop, just opened in Critport, drew a long line within a day. Numerous young people lingered outside, waiting for their orders.


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 Chapter 168

    ?Chapter 168:


    As Ellie expected, she calmly joined the end of the queue.


    Two more individuals lined up behind her the moment she stopped. When Ellie reached for her phone, she suddenly realized her hand¡­ was entwined with Kaiden¡¯s.


    Kaiden¡¯s palm was bigger than hers, and his skin felt coarser.


    Feeling embarrassed, Ellie retracted her hand. Meeting Kaiden¡¯s impatient gaze, she exined, ¡°The shop opened yesterday. That¡¯s why so many people are lining up. We¡¯ll only wait for twenty minutes. If it¡¯s not our turn to order, we¡¯ll leave then, okay?¡± Her tone softened unconsciously during the negotiations.


    Kaiden nced at her soft, hopeful eyes.


    It was just a cup of milk tea. Why was she so invested?


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t understand at all but condescendingly nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Ellie didn¡¯t expect things to progress so smoothly, prompting an instant, joyful smile.


    Kaiden was mesmerized by her radiant smile.


    She nced in a different direction and abruptly told Kaiden, ¡°Help me hold our ce in line. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Before she could finish speaking, she had already walked away.


    Kaiden disliked ces filled with people. He had barely managed with Ellie¡¯s presence earlier, but now he earnestly wished to clear the area.


    Where did she go?


    ¡°Hey buddy, are you saving a spot for your girlfriend too?¡± The man in front of Kaiden enthusiastically turned around and asked.


    Kaiden cast a sullen nce at the man, exuding an air of ¡°don¡¯t mess with me.¡±


    However, the man was so oblivious, continuing to say, ¡°s! I¡¯m also in line for my girlfriend. Women are quite stubborn sometimes. Can¡¯t she just buy any milk tea? Why this particr shop? I heard people who bought milk tea yesterday waited in line for forty or fifty minutes.¡±


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    Forty or fifty minutes¡­


    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned into a frown.


    The man answered a phone call. A few minutester, he hung up and resumed grumbling to Kaiden. ¡°My girlfriend just called and asked if I saved her a spot to buy milk tea. Well, I¡¯m already here. I just noticed, but why do you wear a mask? You look so handsome with a mask on. By any chance, are you a celebrity?¡±


    Throughout this time, Kaiden remained silent.


    When Ellie returned, she noticed his impatience, something his mask couldn¡¯t hide. She overheard the young man saying, ¡°Hey, dude, I¡¯ve said a lot. Why is there no response from you? If you don¡¯t want to talk, just say so.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, he is dumb.¡± Ellie hurried over and apologized.


    ¡°Who are you calling dumb? Huh?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice, low and cold, cut through the air as he gently pinched the nape of Ellie¡¯s slender neck¡ªa gesture carrying both romantic and threatening undertones.


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    ?Chapter 169:


    Ellie¡¯s neck stiffened at Kaiden¡¯s touch. Looking at the young man, she quickly corrected herself, ¡°Sorry, he¡¯s not really talkative. He wasn¡¯t trying to be rude!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± replied the young man, eyeing Ellie and Kaiden strangely. He finally stopped talking and focused his attention on his cell phone, swiping the screen.


    Ellie was still in shock after what had just happened. She turned to Kaiden and said in a low voice, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, we are in the street. Can¡¯t you rx just this once? When someone talks to you, the least you can do is respond. If you don¡¯t want to talk to them, just tell them you¡¯re not in the mood to chat.¡±


    Ellie was right. After all, no one liked people who showed no reaction when spoken to and left the other person talking to themselves for too long.


    Kaiden looked at Ellie for a while without saying a word, one hand in his pants pocket.


    Although Kaiden didn¡¯t say anything, Ellie understood what he was trying to make her realize. In fact, by letting that young man talk to him for so long without responding, Kaiden was showing respect to the man. Realizing that, Ellie sighed.


    She decided not to dwell on it. After all, this kind of situation wasn¡¯t likely to happen often.


    She figured that she just had to avoid going out with Kaiden anytime soon to prevent something like this from happening again.


    As they stood in line, Ellie took the scarf out of the paper bag and snapped a photo of it, which she sent to Baylee.


    When she looked up, she found that Kaiden was staring at her.


    ¡°Baylee said she really liked this scarf, but it wasn¡¯t sold in the stores she went to. Luckily, I saw it today, so I bought it for her,¡± Ellie exined.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes darkened upon hearing that.


    Ellie had asked him to wait in line just so she could buy a gift for Baylee.


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    Since she couldn¡¯t have dinner with Baylee today, she decided to buy Baylee a gift.


    ¡°Ellie, do you think I¡¯m easy-going?¡± Kaiden asked bluntly with an expressionless face.


    Ellie suddenly blinked and came to her senses.


    She was a little carried away today; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have asked Kaiden to help her get in line.


    ¡°Well¡­ If you don¡¯t want to wait in line here, why don¡¯t you go wait for me in the car?¡± Ellie asked, standing on tiptoe to look at the queue in front of her. She then looked at Kaiden and added softly, ¡°There are about ten minutes until it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    Kaiden knew that if he left, the men in line, who had been eyeing Ellie for a while now, would rush to her and ask for her phone number. Just thinking about it made Kaiden¡¯s mood worse. Not wanting to speak to Ellie anymore, he looked away.


    He kept telling himself he was stupid. It was the only usible exnation for why he came to this damn ce with Ellie to waste time.


    Ten minutester, it was their turn to order. Upon arriving at the order window, Ellie ordered two cups of signature milk tea. She then turned to Kaiden and asked, ¡°Would you like some? It¡¯s my treat.¡±


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    Kaiden nced at the price list disyed prominently in front of the order window. The prices ranged from twelve to eighteen dors per cup. Seeing these prices made Kaiden feel even unhappier.


    ¡°Ellie, you bought an expensive scarf for Baylee, but for me, you only buy something that¡¯s not even worth twenty dors?¡± Kaiden remarked unhappily.


    Ellie was speechless. After a moment of silence, she turned to the waiter and said, ¡°Just two cups. I¡¯ll pay the bill.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t believe it¡ªDid he really think that twenty dors was nothing?


    Twenty dors for a cup of milk tea was too cheap for him?


    Ellie took the two cups of milk tea and handed them to Kaiden. ¡°Would you mind holding them for me?¡± she said softly.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t say a word and just took the cups of milk tea with a long face.


    As soon as he took them, Ellie took out her phone and called a local deliverypany for an express delivery. She was going to send one of the cups of milk tea and the scarf she had just bought to Baylee. When Ellie turned around after ending the call, she was stunned to see Kaiden drinking one of the cups of milk tea.


    With a look of shock on her face, she asked in confusion, ¡°Did you drink it? I thought you said you wouldn¡¯t have milk tea. I bought it for Baylee.¡±


    Although Kaiden drank the milk tea, he didn¡¯t like its taste, finding it too sweet. Ellie¡¯sments certainly didn¡¯t help his mood.


    Seeing Kaiden¡¯s sullen expression, Ellie feared that he would drop the other cup of milk tea on the ground the next second. So, she quickly grabbed it from his hand. Fortunately, this cup of milk tea had not been opened. She could still give it to Baylee.


    As the couple left the pedestrian street to head to the family-style restaurant, Kaiden¡¯s mood didn¡¯t improve at all. His face remained gloomy. Weary and distraught, Ellie lowered her head and rubbed her eyebrows. Why had the atmosphere between her and Kaiden degenerated like this?


    She turned to look at the frowning man and said softly, ¡°Kaiden, don¡¯t be upset, okay? It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to buy you milk tea. I just thought you didn¡¯t like it, so I didn¡¯t buy one for you.¡±


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    Ellie decided she had to coax Kaiden and calm the situation. After all, he had patiently waited with her in the long queue for quite some time. ¡°By the way, you don¡¯t seem to like milk tea at all,¡± Ellie added. She was sure he didn¡¯t like the milk tea, so why did he drink hers?


    Kaiden turned around and flicked Ellie¡¯s forehead lightly. ¡°Ellie, I advise you to shut up,¡± he said in a warning tone. Ellie immediately fell silent.


    The family-style restaurant was located in an old building.


    Bruce had been there for a while and was now waiting for Kaiden and Ellie on the porch. As soon as he saw them, he went to meet them and escorted them to the entrance of the restaurant. A doorman then took them inside.


    ¡°How did you manage to book a table here? I asked Baylee to reserve a table here once, and she couldn¡¯t do it. The owner doesn¡¯t takest-minute reservations and he hates people who don¡¯t want to wait their turn.¡± Ellie was really curious to know how Kaiden managed to pull this off.


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    However, Kaiden was still angry with Ellie and didn¡¯t even look at her.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, Mr. Thorpe owns fifty percent of this restaurant. Naturally, the owner would reserve a private room for Mr. Thorpe whenever he requests it,¡± Bruce exined, noticing Kaiden¡¯s silence. He had contacted the owner of the restaurant two hours ago to book a private room, as Kaiden had instructed.


    ¡°Did you say he owns fifty percent of this restaurant?¡± Ellie asked in shock.


    Bruce nodded and exined, ¡°Not only that, but all the houses here are Mr. Thorpe¡¯s property. In order to open his restaurant here, the owner of this restaurant entered into amercial partnership with Mr. Thorpe who let him use his real estate in exchange for fifty percent Of the restaurant business. so it¡¯s only natural that¡­


    The restaurant owner had amercial partnership with Mr. Thorpe, who let him use his real estate in exchange for fifty percent of the restaurant business, so it was only natural that the owner did as Mr. Thorpe instructed.


    The old houses on this street were each worth hundreds of millions of dors, though these were mainly nominal prices. Kaiden owned all of them.


    ¡°No wonder he doesn¡¯t like a twenty-dor cup of milk tea,¡± Ellie muttered with a sigh.


    Kaiden heard her, and it pushed his patience to the limit. Grabbing the back of her neck tightly, he said as he walked toward the reserved private room, ¡°You really need to be tamed.¡±


    Ellie felt a shiver run through her. Her instincts told her not to talk back to Kaiden at that moment.


    They had dinner, and the food was as delicious as Ellie had imagined. Later that night, when they returned home, Kaiden pressed Ellie against the wall the moment they entered. She hadn¡¯t seen iting, and it was toote to react.


    He stood behind her and, without saying a word, tore her clothes off one by one, letting them fall to the floor. A cold draft brushed against her bare skin, making her shiver.


    ¡°Kai¡­ Kaiden¡­¡± she muttered helplessly.


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    ¡°Ellie, I told you that you need to be tamed,¡± Kaiden said, his face expressionless.


    ¡°Are you still upset?¡± As soon as Ellie finished speaking, she felt something wrap around her wrists. She turned and saw it was the tie she had been looking for but couldn¡¯t find.


    Kaiden bound her wrists with it once again, leaving her unable to struggle.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Kaiden whispered as he kissed her earlobe. The warm, wet touch of his lips sent a shiver through her.


    Then she heard him whisper menacingly, ¡°Think carefully about why I¡¯m unhappy.¡±


    ¡°Why do you need to tie my hands?¡± Ellie protested, trying to break free. She hated that he used this tie¡ªit felt humiliating. It was supposed to be a thank-you gift she had prepared for Theo.


    ¡°If you figure out why I¡¯m unhappy, I¡¯ll untie you,¡± Kaiden replied calmly. As far as he was concerned, he was being generous, giving her a way out.


    He felt she should thank him.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ Hmm¡­¡±


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    Before Ellie could finish her words, Kaiden pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes widened in astonishment.


    The next day, sunlight seeped through the window into the master bedroom, bathing Ellie, whoy on the king-sized bed. Enveloped in the bright yellow light, she seemed to glow, her skin taking on a golden hue.


    Ellie was not used to the cold. In winter, when she slept at night, she liked to snuggle close, unconsciously leaning toward a source of warmth. Leaning against the headboard, Kaiden looked down at the woman curled up on his legs like a kitten, waiting patiently for her to wake.


    Ellie had work to do in the afternoon, so she had set her rm to wake up early enough. However, when the sound of the rm finally roused her, she wore a bitter and annoyed expression. Her face was rosy, and her lips were pursed as usual.


    Looking at her, Kaiden softly pinched her chin and asked, ¡°Have you thought it through?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s mind was a nk canvas. She gazed at Kaiden with drowsy eyes and slowly furrowed her brow.


    ¡°What seems to be the matter?¡± Kaiden asked, his eyebrows arching in curiosity.


    Ellie shot him a scornful nce, then turned and swung her legs out of the bed. Yet, the moment her feet touched the floor, they gave way. Unprepared, she nearly copsed, but Kaiden caught her by the waist.


    ¡°You¡¯re struggling to even stand?¡± With one arm, Kaiden lifted her back onto the bed. Shouldn¡¯t she consider some form of exercise?


    ¡°My hands are throbbing! And my legs¡ªthey¡¯re like jelly!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice rang out, echoing her frustration.


    She was beyond tired and had barely slept. To top it off, this man had the audacity to bind her wrists with a tie! His presence was bing unbearable.


    Kaiden, taken aback, understood the weakness in her legs¡ªbut her hands? That puzzled him. It was only then that he noticed the faint red lines on her wrists, the remnants of the tie¡¯s embrace.


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    Gently holding her wrists, Kaiden murmured, almost to himself, ¡°You¡¯re quite fragile, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Ellie, uninterested in engaging further, fixed her gaze on the floor-to-ceiling window, willing her legs to regain strength.


    She presented a delicate profile. Many hadbeled Ellie as aloof and graceful, but since their marriage, Kaiden had found her tender, soft, and endearingly cute.


    When she felt his arms around her again, Ellie protested, ¡°Hey, Kaiden!¡±


    ¡°Stay still,¡± he insisted, carrying her toward the bathroom.


    Yet, Ellie did not begin brushing her teeth immediately. She looked at Kaiden for a moment and said, ¡°Please leave. I need some privacy.¡±


    Kaiden nced down at her, teasing, ¡°Ellie, are you sure you¡¯re steady enough?¡±


    Ellie shut her eyes, regretting herck of dedication tobat training. If only she had been more diligent, she wouldn¡¯t feel so helpless against Kaiden now.


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 Chapter 173

    ?Chapter 173:


    ¡°Are you leaving or not?¡± Her voice quivered, a mix of embarrassment and rising temper.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m going,¡± Kaiden replied, patting her head gently.


    Ellie heard him chuckle. His mood seemed light and almost yful¡ªa stark contrast to the usually distant Mr. Thorpe.


    Freshly cleaned and ready, Ellie emerged from the bathroom to find Kaiden dressed in a chic grey suit, poised for departure.


    ¡°Come here, help me choose a tie,¡± Kaiden gestured.


    Being a stylist, Ellie enjoyed such tasks, so she didn¡¯t hesitate. His collection was vast, filled with luxurious yet understated ties. She chose a dark, tri-colored one with a diagonal pattern and presented it to him.


    He didn¡¯t immediately ept it.


    After a brief pause, Ellie walked toward him, tie in hand.


    ¡°Bend down a bit, I can¡¯t reach you otherwise,¡± she instructed. Her height was decent, but next to Kaiden¡¯s towering figure, she felt notably shorter.


    Graciously, Kaiden bent down¡ªa gesture ofpromise and perhaps indulgence.


    As he lowered his head, a flutter of excitement stirred in Ellie. She suppressed it and focused on fastening the tie. Her fingers worked deftly, forming a perfect Windsor knot.


    ncing at her, Kaiden¡¯s gaze fell to her soft, red lips¡ªthe same ones he had kissed tenderly before. Moved by the memory, he leaned in and kissed her again. It was brief but enough to make Ellie¡¯s heart skip.


    Kaiden straightened, his demeanor casual. ¡°If anyone asks about me, just ignore them. The rest is up to you.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ellie responded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be away in Gwylia on business and back the day after tomorrow.¡±


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    As reality set in, Ellie¡¯sshes fluttered with emotion. She adjusted the tie¡¯s end into his vest, replying, ¡°Okay.¡± The thought of having the house to herself for the next two nights brought her a sigh of relief. She could finally sleep peacefully.


    ¡°You should reflect on why I¡¯m displeased before I return.¡± Kaiden gently tapped her cheek and added, ¡°And about your gift, I¡¯ll discuss it with the Rich Bar owner upon my return.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯ve no interest in bars or ces like that. You don¡¯t need to bother with Rich Bar,¡± Ellie murmured.


    Kaiden remained silent.


    Deep down, Ellie understood Kaiden¡¯s discontent. He had expected a gift from her, but instead, she had prioritized Theo, making him feel slighted. Hence, he constantly used that particr tie to bind her.


    It was his subtle reminder, a silent reproach. Moreover, her gift to Baylee might have added to his annoyance. That could exin his intense demeanor the previous night.


    Was Kaiden¡¯s odd behavior rooted inpetitiveness and possessiveness¡ªor was it¡­ jealousy?


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 Chapter 174

    ?Chapter 174:


    The idea took Ellie by surprise. She shook her head vehemently, pushing the thought out of her mind as quickly as it hade.


    Later that afternoon, Ellie¡¯s phone buzzed incessantly with WhatsApp notifications. Her former social circle was abuzz in various chat groups, all discussing a single topic.


    ¡°The CEO of GT Group is actually Kaiden!¡±


    The fact that Kaiden was the disowned son of the Thorpe Group had long been a staple in their gossip. Yet who would have imagined that this supposed outcast would emerge as the enigmatic CEO of GT Group¡ªa figure many sought to ingratiate themselves with?


    The crux of the matter was Kaiden¡¯s absence from the public eye over the years. Despite their best efforts, no one had ever managed to secure a photo of him.


    Save for a select few, his face remained unknown.


    This revtion spread like wildfire across the social sphere. The more Ellie read, the more she suspected Kaiden¡¯s hand in orchestrating it. With the Thorpe Group now aware of his position as CEO of GT Group, hiding seemed pointless. Perhaps he intended to create a stir.


    Baylee, sending a screenshot of the rampant spection, messaged Ellie. ¡°Isn¡¯t this about your husband? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Ellie responded in nervous haste, ¡°It appears to be true.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s confusion was palpable. ¡°What do you mean, it appears to be true? What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡±


    Ellie hesitated, then called her. ¡°I just found out that Kaiden is the CEO of GT Group. I¡¯m sorry for not mentioning it sooner.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. I knew Kaiden was more than he seemed, but the CEO of GT Group is beyond my expectations. Luckily, his appearance remains a mystery; otherwise, your phone would be inundated with calls, especially after thest auction. Now that he¡¯s in the spotlight, watch out for other women,¡± Baylee advised.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Ellie assured her.


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    Later that evening, after dinner, Ellie changed and headed to the film crew of Peerless Grace.


    The initial setup for the crew was at a luxurious hotel in Critport. The interview panel consisted of the directors of clothing and makeup, art, and the general director.


    Ellie submitted her styling portfolio and answered several technical inquiries. The clothing and makeup director presented her with three sets of styling designs, asking which she felt best suited specific roles.


    The interview concluded in thirty minutes, with the promise of a decision within two business days.


    Once Ellie had departed, the meeting room buzzed with conversation.


    ¡°This woman has a knack for her craft, an excellent aesthetic sense, and a deep understanding of history. She¡¯s quite a contender,¡± onemented.


    ¡°Yet, let¡¯s not overlook that the supporting female role is ted for Demi. How do Ellie and she rte?¡± another asked.


    ¡°The word is, the Gordon family confused Ellie with Demi at their birth in the hospital. There¡¯s a lot of bad blood between them. I¡¯m concerned about potential discord within the¡ª¡±


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    ?Chapter 175:


    ¡°Crew,¡± someone else added. The room turned to the director of clothing and makeup for his take.


    ¡°As far as I¡¯m concerned,¡± the director replied, taking a puff of his cigarette, ¡°we haven¡¯t decided on the deputy director yet. This woman seems like a good fit. As for potential conflicts¡­ well, positions should be awarded to those with merit, and the film crew isn¡¯t owned by the Gordon family, after all.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s disbelief was evident when she heard the news. ¡°I am offered the position of deputy director of the makeup group?¡± she echoed.


    From the other end of the phone, a staff member from the Peerless Grace personnel department confirmed, ¡°Yes, Miss Gordon. We¡¯re eager for you to join us. The cast and crew convene next Friday for set photos. I¡¯ll forward the details to your email.¡±


    After the call, Ellie turned to Baylee, excitement in her voice. ¡°I¡¯ve been named the deputy director of Peerless Grace.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions! You¡¯re the best.¡± Baylee beamed. ¡°Isn¡¯t today your birthday too? What a day for double celebrations!¡±


    Ellie¡¯s smile wavered. ¡°Actually, Baylee, today might not really be my birthday.¡±


    With aforting hug, Baylee reassured her, ¡°Sweetheart, any day can be your birthday if you want it to be.¡±


    Ellie found herself agreeing. ¡°Then let¡¯s celebrate today.¡±


    For twenty years, Ellie had celebrated her birthday, never yielding the day to Demi. Today was not solely Demi¡¯s day.


    In recent years, Houston and Litzy had exploited Ellie¡¯s birthday as aworking event, throwingvish parties to foster business rtionships. Privately, Ellie celebrated the day with Baylee; that was the celebration that mattered to her.


    Baylee had arranged for a cake at Rich Bar and escorted Ellie to its secluded area.


    Approaching Rich Bar, they noticed the parking lot brimming with luxury cars.


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    ¡°Looks like there¡¯s a big event,¡± Ellie spected aloud.


    Rich Bar was a familiar haunt for the affluent, but such an assembly of high-end cars was typically seen during exclusive gatherings.


    Their arrival was interrupted.


    ¡°What a coincidence, Ellie. Here for my birthday?¡± Demi, draped in a white feather dress, maintained her elegant demeanor even in a bar setting.


    Dani, holding Demi¡¯s hand, sneered. ¡°You¡¯re Ellie Gordon, right? Demi¡¯s boyfriend, Erick, has booked the entire Rich Bar for today. It¡¯s filled with her friends and the elite. I doubt this¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is your scene.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, my friend seems to think you don¡¯t belong at my party. Erick¡¯s arriving soon, and we know about your past with him. Best to leave and avoid any drama,¡± Demi said, feigning concern.


    One of Demi¡¯s friends chimed in, ¡°Twenty years as the Gordon heiress, and now you¡¯re after Demi¡¯s man? Shameless!¡±


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    Surrounded by Demi¡¯s allies, Ellie became the target of their scorn.


    Demi, listening to the usations, felt a surge of satisfaction. Knowing Ellie¡¯s ties to Kaiden, the president of GT Group, only intensified her disdain. She had assumed Ellie was married to a nobody, not realizing she had inadvertently elevated Ellie¡¯s status.


    Ellie¡¯s misfortune was the only thing that could bring Demi any real pleasure.


    ¡°Demi, are you paranoid? I¡¯m not a recycling bin. Why would I want to keep the man you¡¯re with, who seems like nothing more than junk?¡± Ellie was irritated with Demi, though the urge tough lingered.


    Today was her birthday, and Ellie had no desire to bicker with anyone. She signaled the waiter to intervene and grabbed Baylee¡¯s arm. ¡°Come.¡±


    ¡°Demi¡¯s only been back a short while, but she¡¯s already using her birthday party as a way to show off,¡± Baylee remarked, clearly annoyed.


    ¡°The group of people apanying Demi are hardly A-listers. Just some obscure celebrities and reality show contestants from thest couple of years. It¡¯s clear Demi isn¡¯t doing too well,¡± Ellie said, trying to soothe Baylee.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I recognized a few faces, too. They¡¯re just here hanging out with their cliques. Demi¡¯s got a long way to go before she¡¯s in with the elite.¡±


    A few stepster, Baylee was still seething. ¡°I really want to kick Demi and her posse out. Their money is no good to me.¡±


    ¡°Just rx. Later, we¡¯ll get the bartender to send them the priciest wine on the menu.¡±


    Baylee was taken aback. ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re not exactly short on cash. Why don¡¯t you throw them out?¡±


    ¡°Who says I¡¯m not? Do you think my experiments pay for themselves? The equipment and materials cost more than gold,¡± Ellie exined. ¡°Inparison to Kaiden¡¯s wealth, I consider myself destitute.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re Kaiden¡¯s wife. What¡¯s his is yours. If you ever divorced, you¡¯d be wealthy. Hang on a second!¡± Baylee suddenly straightened up, studying Ellie closely. ¡°You sent me a photo of that scarf before you mailed it. In the picture, there was a man¡¯s hand next to the¡ª¡±


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    Scarf, wearing a multimillion-dor Patek Philippe watch.¡± The room fell silent for a brief moment.


    Baylee finally broke the silence. ¡°Is that Kaiden¡¯s hand in the picture? Just be honest with me.¡±


    Ellie hesitated. ¡°Would you believe me if I denied it?¡±


    Baylee raised an eyebrow. ¡°Seriously, Ellie. How often do you see Patek Philippe watches around?¡±


    Ellie knew she couldn¡¯t deceive her best friend. With a sigh, she confessed, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s him.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s knack for cutting to the chase was uncanny. Sheughed lightly. ¡°So, he was shopping with you? Things seem to be going well between the two of you. Has the rtionship progressed?¡±


    Ellie fidgeted, touching her nose. ¡°Baylee, I haven¡¯t told you everything. Kaiden and I, well¡­ we¡¯ve been intimate.¡±


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    ?Chapter 177:


    Baylee¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, then sparkled with yful ridicule. Though she loved a good gossip, she never indulged when it came to Ellie¡¯s personal life.


    Deep down, Baylee was thrilled. Initially, she had pitied Ellie for her forced marriage to Kaiden. But now, it seemed the two might actually find happiness together.


    The private room was adorned with Ellie¡¯s favorite flowers: roses and baby¡¯s breath. A majestic crown cake rested on the coffee table.


    As the birthday song filled the air, Ellie made a wish and blew out the candles.


    They chatted for a while until Ellie received a message. ncing at it, she turned to Baylee. ¡°James says he saw me earlier. He¡¯s asking me toe out and collect a gift.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°James? But he¡¯s been tight with Edwin since childhood. Given your history with Edwin, why would James offer you a gift so willingly?¡±


    The corridor outside the exclusive room was teeming with indulgent revelers. A DJ¡¯s rhythmic beats pulsed from the stage, while off-stage, people drank and yed games.


    Both Ellie and Baylee navigated Rich Bar¡¯syout effortlessly, swiftly locating the booth James had mentioned.


    ¡°Edwin? You¡¯re here too.¡± When Ellie saw who upied the booth, she felt a pang of strangeness and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t James here?¡±


    Every time Edwin saw Ellie, his expression was somber. Slumping onto the sofa, hezily asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t today your birthday, too? Does your family only celebrate Demi¡¯s birthday and not yours? Considering all the years you spent in the Gordon family, how could they treat you like this?¡±


    Her family not celebrating her birthday was a form of neglect? Ellie didn¡¯t consider it excessive.


    Mindful of owing Theo and Araceli a favor, she restrained herself from arguing with Edwin. ¡°You¡¯re here for Demi¡¯s birthday too, right?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here for her birthday. Who does she think she is? I thought you were¡­ Never mind. Forget it.¡± Edwin abruptly paused and took out a jewelry box. ¡°Here, your birthday gift.¡±


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    ¡°Oh. Thank James for me.¡± Ellie assumed the gift was from James.


    ¡°Why would you thank him? It¡¯s from me¡­ Fine. Just go,¡± Edwin mumbled. With impatience etched on his face, he downed a ss of whisky and muttered something under his breath.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Ellie leaned in, unable to hear clearly.


    As she drew nearer, Edwin leaned back with a twitch of his eyebrows. ¡°Why are you so close? Trying to seduce me? I said happy birthday. Are you that deaf?¡±


    Ellie wondered why Edwin used the word ¡°seduce.¡± Didn¡¯t he know she was married to Kaiden? Both Edwin¡¯s brother and mother were aware of her marriage, yet Edwin remained oblivious. How frustrating.


    Baylee remained silent, her expression growing increasingly nuanced.


    Stepping away, Baylee whispered to Ellie, ¡°Ellie, something feels off about Edwin.¡±


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    ?Chapter 178:


    ¡°He¡¯s always been strange,¡± Ellie brushed off, not giving it much thought.


    ¡°I suspect the gift isn¡¯t from James, but from Edwin.¡±


    Ellie turned to Baylee, her expression incredulous. ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    Baylee nodded, her tone serious. ¡°Edwin mentioned not being here for Demi¡¯s birthday, but he referred to you and then stopped himself. In my opinion, he assumed you¡¯d be here, which is why he showed up.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Ellie replied, clearly shocked by Baylee¡¯s theory. ¡°We¡¯ve had issues since childhood.¡±


    ¡°Well, the Stephens family aligns with your husband¡¯s side, while Demi¡¯s loyal to Erick. Would Edwin really show up just because of an invitation from Demi?¡± Baylee continued, analyzing the situation.


    Ellie cringed at the mention of ¡°husband.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that word,¡± she muttered awkwardly.


    ¡°Even without the Thorpe family connection, Edwin¡¯s known for his arrogance. He has no ties to Demi. Would he really honor her request? No way!¡± Baylee added, still contemting.


    Baylee¡¯s words carried weight. The Stephens family was much more prominent in business circles than the Gordon family, which made her thoughts sound usible.


    As Ellie pondered, someone suddenly emerged, blocking her path.


    ¡°Ellie, why haven¡¯t you left yet?¡± Dani red at Ellie, her tone dripping with disdain. ¡°Are you here to cause trouble for Demi? Or are you just loitering around, knowing Erick¡¯s here?¡±


    Ellie followed Dani¡¯s gaze and saw Demi happily chatting with Erick¡¯s friends, her arm linked with his. Dani¡¯s loud voice immediately caught Demi¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Ellie, I don¡¯t want to embarrass you, but my friends don¡¯t wee you here,¡± Demi said, walking over with a frown.


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    ¡°Ellie, we¡¯re done. You don¡¯t have a chance,¡± Erick sneered at her.


    He had once been interested in Ellie, but after the GT Group incident, he realized her feelings had shifted. Frustrated by his unreciprocated feelings, he now sought to destroy her.


    ¡°No¡­ chance?¡± Demi¡¯s voice wavered, a wave of emotion washing over her. Tears quickly filled her eyes. ¡°Ellie, you really won¡¯t give up on Erick, will you? You¡¯ve taken everything from me already, and now you¡¯re after the man I love too? How could you do this to me?¡±


    Baylee felt a mix of anger and amusement. ¡°Now I see how dramatic and paranoid you two are. No wonder you¡¯re a couple. You really are a match made in heaven¡ªboth shameless.¡±


    Fuming, Erick sneered, ¡°Baylee, don¡¯t think I won¡¯t hit you just because you¡¯re a woman.¡±


    Being called dramatic and paranoid was unbearable to Baylee, especially when it suggested that Ellie was the one being misjudged, and they were being narcissistic. She shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Sorry, not sorry.¡± Erick was nothing more than a nuisance, and Baylee knew he had no redeeming qualities.


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 Chapter 179

    ?Chapter 179:


    In a fit of rage, Erick called for the waiter. ¡°Get your manager here. My girlfriend clearly stated these two aren¡¯t wee. Why aren¡¯t they being removed? I booked this entire ce! Why is the service so weak?¡±


    Unfazed, Baylee maintained herposure. ¡°You call your manager. I¡¯d love to see who they kick out.¡±


    The surrounding noise gradually subsided. The gaming sounds stopped, and even the DJ halted the music. All eyes turned to Ellie and Baylee as whispers spread about their unexpected presence at Demi¡¯s party.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Ellie and Baylee? What are they doing here? Isn¡¯t this Demi¡¯s party?¡±


    ¡°Hey, looks like they¡¯re fighting.¡±


    ¡°I came for Erick, but I didn¡¯t expect a show.¡±


    Soon, the manager arrived, summoned by the waiter.


    ¡°To think Rich Bar is one of the top spots in Critport. Is this how you treat guests?¡± Erick fumed, trying to assert his authority. ¡°I booked the whole bar today, and these two women aren¡¯t wee. Why are they still here?¡±


    The manager nced at Ellie and Baylee, an unspoken recognition in his eyes. Among everyone, he was the only one who knew about their ownership.


    ¡°Sir, I really dislike these two,¡± Baylee said with a sly smile. ¡°From now on, how about we make it so only Demi and Erick aren¡¯t allowed in here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so funny. Baylee is still being arrogant despite the downfall of the Curtis family. She thinks she¡¯s in charge?¡±


    Amidst the ridicule from others, the manager respectfully followed Baylee¡¯s directive.


    He then gestured to Demi and Erick. ¡°You two, please leave.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Someone in the crowd loudly expressed their surprise.


    ¡°Is the manager out of his mind? I can¡¯t believe he asked Erick and Demi to leave.¡±


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    ¡°Do you know who I am? I¡¯ve booked the entire bar today. You¡¯re telling me to leave after I¡¯ve paid for everything? Don¡¯t you want to keep this bar open?¡± Erick, in disbelief, pointed at himself.


    ¡°Please cooperate with me, or I¡¯ll call security.¡± The manager¡¯s tone was stern.


    As the owner of the bar, Baylee had given the instructions. Therefore, these two had to be removed, no matter what.


    ¡°I booked the whole bar. I¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll cover the expenses for both of you who booked the bar tonight.¡± The manager intervened, then continued, ¡°Now, the two of you, please leave.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe what I¡¯m seeing!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unbelievable. The manager of the Rich Bar asked Erick and Demi to leave just to please Baylee and Ellie. If this had been in the past, I would¡¯ve understood the manager¡¯s decision. After all, Baylee was powerful at that time. But things have changed now. The Curtis family is done¡­¡±


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 Chapter 180

    ?Chapter 180:


    The people in the bar murmured as they watched the scene unfold. Erick had no choice but to leave the bar at the manager¡¯s order. His face was filled with indignation.


    Leaning against the bar counter with her arms crossed, Baylee watched as the man left the bar, his head lowered. She coldly remarked, ¡°Erick, why don¡¯t you admit that you¡¯re the one shamelessly pursuing Ellie? You even went to her school to find her. You¡¯re far from being a good man. In fact, you don¡¯t even deserve to be called a man. Real men don¡¯t talk nonsense about their ex-girlfriends. How dare you say Ellie can¡¯t get over you?¡±


    Ellie had only agreed to date Erick in the past because Houston and Litzy were pressuring her to give him a chance.


    Baylee¡¯s words hit a nerve, and Erick couldn¡¯t let it slide. He turned around abruptly, pushing the manager aside, and red at Baylee with hatred.


    Erick shouted, ¡°Baylee, you¡¯re just a loose woman. Quincy got tired of you and dumped you. Why are you so arrogant now? Without the assets your parents left you, you¡¯d have been a stray dog by now.¡±


    Demi chimed in, ¡°Quincy has another girlfriend now, but you still can¡¯t get over him, can you? Baylee, you¡¯re such a bitch!¡±


    Before Demi could finish her words, Ellie grabbed her hair, causing her to scream in pain.


    Ellie¡¯s sudden move waspletely unexpected, and no one saw iting.


    Erick couldn¡¯t stand by and watch his girlfriend get hurt, especially in front of so many people. He grabbed Ellie.


    ¡°Damn it! Let go of her. How dare you touch my girlfriend?¡± Erick shouted.


    Baylee also joined in. With a fake smile on her face, she said to Erick, ¡°See? I told you it¡¯s normal for you to hit women. That said, I don¡¯t care if you hit every woman on earth, but I won¡¯t let you touch a¡­¡±


    ¡­ single hair of Ellie¡¯s.¡±


    The four of them fought for a while before suddenly stopping. The onlookers watched in confusion, exchanging nces. No one knew why the four had started fighting.


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, Ellie and Baylee had beaten up Demi and Erick. Demi¡¯s delicate hairstyle was a mess, while Ellie and Baylee¡¯s clothes were not even wrinkled.


    ¡°Why are you still standing there? Do you think this is some kind of show?¡± Erick shouted at his friends, seeing that he couldn¡¯t overpower the two women.


    His friends exchanged nces before finally joining him in the fight against Baylee and Ellie.


    Ellie kicked one of the young men who had just joined the fight and coldly said to Erick, ¡°I should have beaten you up when I caught you and Demi in bed three months ago.¡±


    ¡°Three months ago? Oh my! Back then, Erick was still engaged to Ellie, right?¡± one of the onlookers said in shock.


    ¡°Have Erick and Demi been having an affair for a long time?¡± someone elsemented.


    Demi suddenly stopped fighting when she heard what the onlookers were saying. Each word felt like a p in the face. People had always believed that she got together with Erick after he broke up with Ellie. If Erick was no longer with Ellie at that point, then there was nothing wrong with him and Demi being together, right?


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 Chapter 181

    ?Chapter 181:


    But now, Ellie had revealed the truth that the public was unaware of. Because of the chaos, Demi didn¡¯t have the chance to exin herself.


    ¡°ng!¡±


    ¡°p!¡±


    A ss bottle smashed on the floor and a wooden stool was knocked over. It wasplete chaos in the bar.


    ¡°What the hell! Several men can¡¯t defeat two women? These two must be martial arts specialists!¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it said that Ellie was so gentle she couldn¡¯t even screw on a bottle cap? How is she such a fierce fighter?¡±


    ¡°Holy moly! She just kicked someone effortlessly.¡±


    Eventually, the police arrived and took everyone involved in the fight to the station.


    ¡°So, what happened? Why are adults like you fighting in a bar? You¡¯re really lucky someone called the police. Otherwise, you might have ended up in the hospital or in jail by now,¡± a police officer said helplessly.


    ¡°Who called the police? I¡¯ll kill him,¡± one of Erick¡¯s friends, who had been involved in the fight, shouted.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind? This is a police station!¡± the officer reprimanded.


    The young man fell silent, looking embarrassed.


    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s not our fault¡ªthese two started it,¡± Demi said to the policeman, with an aggrieved expression. She pointed at Ellie and Baylee, who were standing across the room, and shouted usingly, ¡°They ndered me and my boyfriend, and as if that wasn¡¯t enough, they started hitting me. Everyone who was in the bar at the time can attest to that.¡±


    Listening to Demi¡¯s version of events, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly. ¡°We ndered your boyfriend?¡± she asked coldly. She then nced briefly at Erick¡¯s friends before bringing her attention back to Demi. ¡°You mean I¡¯m ndering you by saying you¡¯ve been hooking up with Erick behind my back three months ago? Didn¡¯t I catch the two of you in bed? Or is that nder too? I¡¯m sorry, but you definitelyck self-respect.¡±


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    ¡°Ellie! You!¡± Demi pointed at Ellie angrily, her face flushed with rage. She was at a loss for words for a moment.


    Demi had initially hoped to use this opportunity to call Ellie¡¯s im that she and Erick had been together a long time a lie. Her n was to use the few people present at the station to spread the word and protect her reputation. She didn¡¯t expect Ellie to turn the situation around on her.


    Erick¡¯s face was livid. He put his right arm around Demi¡¯s shoulders and pulled her closer to him. Looking at Ellie, he said angrily, ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m the only one at fault here. Demi didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±


    Hearing that, Baylee pped sarcastically. ¡°Wow, Erick! So, you can have sex alone? Awesome!¡±


    ¡°Baylee, you better keep quiet!¡± Erick roared. In a fit of anger, he jumped to his feet and rushed toward Baylee, intending to attack her. However, the police officer quickly stepped forward and stopped him.


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 Chapter 182

    ?Chapter 182:


    At this point, the officer had had enough. He red at everyone in the room and shouted, ¡°That¡¯s enough! You¡¯re at a police station, and you still want to fight?¡±


    With an innocent look on her face, Baylee said softly, ¡°Sir, you will agree with me that two girls cannotpete with more than ten men and one woman, right? How could we have started the fight?¡±


    ¡°Baylee, shame on you!¡± Demi shouted, shocked and angry.


    Although Baylee wore an innocent expression, a slight smile lingered in her eyes. She thought Demi was even more shameless than she was.


    ¡°Enough! You¡¯re all going to take a civics ss!¡± the policeman said sternly.


    Since no one had been seriously injured or killed in the fight, the matter could be settled without going to court. Once everyone involved in the altercation had received civic education, they could wait for their families to bail them out.


    Eric¡¯spanions, being habitual delinquents, were used to finding themselves at the police station. Their families quickly arrived to pay their bail.


    As Demi and Erick were leaving the station with their friends, they turned around and red at Ellie and Baylee, their hatred evident.


    Ellie and Baylee ignored them, looking at each other, wondering who to call for their bail.


    Ellie knew she couldn¡¯t ask the Gordon family for help. After a few moments of thought, she finally decided to call Kaiden. He was her only option. After all, she and Kaiden had been intimate just two days ago, and she was still his wife.


    Ellie dialed Kaiden¡¯s number twice but couldn¡¯t get through.


    The on-duty staff, with little to upy them, engaged in quiet conversations. ¡°I heard Kaiden Thorpe, the one in the wheelchair, showed up at the GT Group headquarters in Estoqua.¡±


    ¡°My brother-inw¡¯s been attending meetings there. Word is, a lot of beautiful women are vying for Kaiden¡¯s attention. They even have to wait in line.¡±


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    ¡°Absolutely. After all, he¡¯s the CEO of GT Group¡­ Take a look, it¡¯s thetest gossip.¡± As Ellie approached, she nced at a nearby man¡¯s phone and saw a photo.


    The man in the photo was in a wheelchair, with a smiling blonde woman bending over to speak with him. Though Kaiden¡¯s face wasn¡¯t fully visible, Ellie recognized him immediately.


    She involuntarily frowned, feeling a pang of distress.


    Quickly scrolling through the tweets, she found the trending topic: ¡°Kaiden Thorpe¡¯s true identity revealed. Debutantes flock to befriend him.¡±


    Ellie scrolled through several photos of Kaiden in a wheelchair at a business summit in Estoqua. One image showed him with the blonde debutante.


    ¡°The GT Group CEO, Kaiden Thorpe, has appeared publicly. He is the son of the Thorpe family.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden Thorpe and Wendy Brook were spotted together at the summit. The two returned to the hotel together. Their rtionship remains a mystery.¡±


    Did Kaiden and the blonde debutante¡­ have sex?


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 Chapter 183

    ?Chapter 183:


    Ellie finally understood what had unsettled her. It felt like a thorn piercing her heart¡ªtolerable when unnoticed, but unbearably sharp when it became real.


    The unanswered calls to Kaiden suddenly made sense.


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡± Baylee looked at her with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Ellie smiled back at Baylee, but inside, it felt like something had pierced her heart.


    Two secondster, Ellie muttered almost to herself, ¡°Besides, he and I are¡­¡± The rtionship between them wasn¡¯t typical for a married couple. She wasn¡¯t in a position to be upset about his intimacy with another woman.


    ¡°Ladies, the ones who fought with you are gone. Do you n to spend the night in our office?¡± The officer looked at Ellie. ¡°I recall your profile mentioning that you¡¯re married. Why not ask your husband to pick you up? Youngdy, what¡¯s your husband¡¯s number?¡± He was about to make a call.


    Recalling the image she had just seen, Ellie responded nkly, ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Is he also deceased?¡± The officer was taken aback. He assumed both women had lost their families, considering Baylee¡¯s earlier mention of her family¡¯s passing.


    Ellie was briefly stunned. That wasn¡¯t what she meant. She just couldn¡¯t reach Kaiden. But thinking of the photo, she quickly nodded and replied, ¡°Yes.¡± What was the difference between this kind of husband and a dead one?


    Baylee silently praised Ellie. But she also thought it was cruel.


    The officer tried to console Ellie, ¡°Don¡¯t be too disheartened, youngdy. You¡¯re still young and beautiful. Perhaps you and your husband weren¡¯t meant to be together.¡±


    ¡°Ellie! Is Ellie here? Your family is here to pick you up,¡± another officer announced.


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    Ellie and Baylee exchanged confused nces, unsure of who the neer was.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Ellie asked.


    ¡°A handsome man iming to be your husband.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention your husband passed away?¡± The officer who had tried to console Ellie was stunned.


    Almost simultaneously, the door to the room swung open, and Ellie felt a sharp gaze fixated on her.


    Kaiden arrived in a wheelchair, d in a grey suit and a ck wool overcoat.


    His hair appeared slightly tousled, perhaps from rushing or the night breeze.


    With an impassive expression, Kaiden raised his eyebrows at Ellie. Sensing a nervousness creeping in, Ellie nced anxiously at Baylee and murmured, ¡°I hope he didn¡¯t hear my words.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s expression conveyed uncertainty, as if to say, ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, is this the woman you¡¯re here to bail out?¡± the policeman asked.


    Kaiden affirmed, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s my wife. I apologize for the trouble she caused.¡±


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 Chapter 184

    ?Chapter 184:


    ¡°It¡¯s not a bother. It¡¯s part of the job. But do teach her. Brawling isn¡¯tmendable. The bar was chaotic when we arrived,¡± the policeman advised.


    Kaiden expressed his gratitude and quickly assessed Ellie, ensuring her attire was intact and clean. Despite no apparent injuries, he asked, ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ellie shook her head instinctively, still puzzled by Kaiden¡¯s sudden appearance. ¡°Why¡­ Why are you here?¡±


    She had called him an hour ago, but she hadn¡¯t gotten through, and he hadn¡¯t called her back.


    ¡°Where else should I be?¡± Kaiden countered. ¡°At a morgue or the Thorpe family cemetery?¡±


    Ellie felt embarrassed and defeated.


    He had heard everything!


    How did he always manage to overhear whenever she criticized him behind his back?


    Trying to change the subject, Ellie redirected, ¡°Where¡¯s Bruce? Shouldn¡¯t you leave this sort of thing to him?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s unexpected presence at the police station to pick her up left Ellie feeling unsettled. She felt a sense of condescension from him.


    After signing, Kaiden nced at Ellie and remarked, ¡°Should I inform my subordinate that my wife was arrested for fighting?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha!¡± Baylee couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, earning a sharp re from Ellie.


    ¡°Stopughing!¡± Ellie reprimanded her.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Baylee struggled to stifle herughter, her back and shoulders trembling slightly.


    Looking at Kaiden, Ellie rified, ¡°I rarely visit bars. Today was an ident.¡±


    She then blinked at Baylee.


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    Baylee immediately caught on, replying, ¡°Yes, I used to enjoy them, but I won¡¯t be your wife around anymore. Ellie and I nned to celebrate at Rich Bar today. We didn¡¯t expect to meet troublemakers causing a scene.¡±


    At that moment, another police officer entered. ¡°Are you two, Ellie and Baylee? Someone is bailing you out.¡±


    The officer then noticed Kaiden¡¯s presence and was surprised. ¡°What? Someone bailed Ellie and Baylee out?¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, Miss Curtis, my dear bosses, I apologize for beingte.¡± The manager of Rich Bar, Harry Smith, entered with a worried and apologetic expression. ¡°The bar required my attention. I heard you were still here, so I came¡­ Uh, did I say something wrong?¡± Harry wondered why Ellie and Baylee were looking at him oddly.


    With a prompt response, Ellie addressed Kaiden, ¡°Baylee and I opened a milk tea store. This is the manager we hired.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Smith, you¡¯re the Rich Bar¡¯s manager, correct? I need your signature here, since the fight took ce in your bar.¡± The policeman approached, holding a document.


    Neither Ellie nor Baylee knew what to say at this point. What an awkward situation!


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 Chapter 185

    ?Chapter 185:


    Ellie gazed stiffly at Kaiden.


    Kaiden gazed at Ellie with a calm expression. He tapped his finger intermittently on the armrest of his wheelchair, his emotions unreadable.


    Could the person running the Rich Bar be the same as the manager of a milk tea shop? Kaiden knew he could easily find out the truth about Harry.


    Ellie stopped trying to argue.


    Outside the police station, Bruce waited with a document for Kaiden to sign.


    ¡°Miss Curtis, we¡¯ve arranged a car for you. Someone will escort you home safely,¡± Bruce informed Baylee.


    Ellie was concerned about Baylee traveling alone. Thankfully, Bruce¡¯s arrangement was perfect, and Ellie bid Baylee farewell.


    ¡°Bruce, how did you know Baylee was with me?¡± Ellie asked, surprised that Bruce had prepared an extra car.


    ¡°As soon as Mr. Thorpe and Inded, we learned you and Miss Curtis were at the police station, so we hurried over,¡± Bruce exined, not expecting to find Ellie, who usually seemed well-behaved, in a situation requiring bail. Ellie blinked in surprise.


    Had her call to Kaiden gone unanswered because they were flying? Yet, the scandals surrounding Kaiden and that photo were undeniably real.


    ¡°Tonight, Demi and Erick were at the Rich Bar. They shed with Mrs. Thorpe and Miss Curtis, leading to a fight,¡± Bruce reported to Kaiden as soon as he found out what was going on.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t start it. They were the ones causing trouble,¡± Ellie rified, not wanting to be med. Kaiden shot her a cold look.


    Ellie fell silent, her mood sour. She couldn¡¯t deny that Kaiden had helped her out of the police station.


    ¡°I need to handle something at thepany. I¡¯ll head back to the group¡¯s building. The driver is waiting,¡± Bruce said, addressing Ellie.


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    Kaiden nodded, signaling Bruce to leave.


    Ellie noticed Kaiden getting into the back seat of the Maybach, not apanying Bruce.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy today? Bruce is going back to thepany. Don¡¯t you need to be there?¡± Ellie asked as she joined Kaiden in the car.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you¡¯re capable of earning your own money. You don¡¯t need so much from me,¡± Kaiden remarked, turning to face her.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Was he mocking her? No matter how sessful her Rich Bar was, it couldn¡¯tpare to his GT Group.


    As Ellie looked out the window, a hand suddenly grasped the back of her head, forcefully turning it to face Kaiden. His gaze was intense.


    ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t you have something to exin?¡± he demanded.


    The driver maintained a facade of obliviousness, driving the Maybach smoothly toward Moon Manor.


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 Chapter 186

    ?Chapter 186:


    After about ten minutes of silence, Ellie finally spoke. ¡°Well, there¡¯s no real issue with Harry managing both the Rich Bar and our milk tea shop.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s chuckle was low and brief, so fleeting that Ellie thought she might have imagined it.


    Just as she was about to question what had amused him, his fingertips brushed her chin lightly, like one would yfully stroke a cat.


    ¡°You little liar,¡± he teased. ¡°Keep making up stories.¡±


    Ellie, puzzled by being called a liar, hesitated several times before speaking. She couldn¡¯t find the right words to defend herself.


    Kaiden spoke slowly. ¡°You visit the Rich Bar at least three times a month: at the beginning, middle, and end. Yet, regrs barely see you there, which suggests you have a private room. But the Rich Bar doesn¡¯t offer exclusive personal rooms.¡±


    In the Rich Bar, there was no such thing as a private room exclusively for personal use¡ªexcept for Ellie and Baylee, if they were indeed the proprietors.


    Ellie hadn¡¯t expected that Kaiden was still investigating the Rich Bar.


    Given these circumstances, her efforts to hide the truth seemed futile. ¡°Yes, Baylee and I own the Rich Bar. That foundation is merely a front for funds we¡¯re involved with because we prefer anonymity. So, don¡¯t bother trying to confront me with ims that you bought the bar for me,¡± Ellie said, seemingly ready to abandon her caution.


    Kaiden raised an eyebrow.


    She realized he had been testing her earlier.


    He had always found intelligent women more appealing.


    Ellie had even taken care to distance herself from the Rich Private Foundation.


    The Rich Private Foundation, with its global investment ventures, was a formidable entity. Some spected that it was merely an investment tool for international businessmen. Yet, it couldn¡¯t be ruled out that the foundation served as a front for something else.


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Ellie asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed as Kaiden remained silent. Her embarrassment seemed only to strengthen her resolve. ¡°We¡¯re just trying to earn some quiet pocket money.¡±


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    Kaiden recalled the Rich Bar¡¯s substantial monthly revenue and profits. Yet, Ellie didn¡¯t disy the extravagance typical of those with a million-dor monthly allowance.


    Without probing into her expenditures, Kaiden inquired, ¡°Is your pocket money sufficient?¡±


    Ellie expected him to use her of deception, but instead, he seemed concerned about her finances.


    ¡°It¡¯s adequate,¡± she replied. Herb expenses were high, so she didn¡¯t live extravagantly.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t used the supplementary card I gave you,¡± Kaiden noted. The supplementary card, linked to his primary one, would notify him of any usage.


    Ellie remembered using his card to scratch off an anti-counterfeiting code but was savvy enough not to disclose this to him.


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 Chapter 187

    ?Chapter 187:


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m notfortable spending someone else¡¯s money.¡± The reference to ¡°someone else¡± visibly unsettled Kaiden.


    His difort was evident as he frowned.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal to use your husband¡¯s money?¡± he asked, his tone light but with an underlying chill. ¡°Or do you simply not want to use mine?¡±


    Ellie nced down at the hand-stitched seats before speaking. ¡°Kaiden, I never used Erick¡¯s money, even when we were engaged.¡±


    ¡°Am I no different from Erick to you?¡± Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened instantly.


    Before she could exin, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.


    In an instant, Ellie found herself seated on hisp.


    His lips, chilled by the winter air, pressed against hers with a gentle yet icy touch.


    Ellie¡¯s mind went nk under his intense embrace. ¡°Hey! Mmm¡­¡±


    Her thoughts snapped back to the present as she remembered the driver sitting in the front seat. Instinctively, she tried to push Kaiden away. Her resistance only seemed to encourage him. He pulled her closer, her waist against his, her entire body enveloped by his.


    She found herself yielding to his kiss.


    Kaiden finally released her when breathing became a struggle. Ellie, gasping for air, looked into his dark eyes. They swirled with desire and an emotion she couldn¡¯t quite decipher.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m the one for you, not Erick.¡±


    Kaiden yfully tweaked Ellie¡¯s earlobe with his fingers from time to time. It caused her to feel ticklish, but she couldn¡¯t escape it.


    ncing at the driver¡¯s seat, Ellie noticed the driver focused on the road, seemingly oblivious to the passionate kissing happening in the back seat for over ten minutes. After a couple of seconds, he pressed a button, and the backseat partition slowly rose, transforming the back seat into an independent space. Ellie was speechless.


    If the driver hadn¡¯t pressed the button, she might have allowed herself to indulge in self-deception.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean topare you to Erick,¡± Ellie said, trying to exin. ¡°I just want to prove that I don¡¯t spend other people¡¯s money¡­ I don¡¯t spend anyone¡¯s money but mine, including Baylee¡¯s.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression soured. ¡°Now you¡¯reparing me to Baylee?¡± he retorted, clearly unhappy.


    Ellie looked at him, puzzled. She didn¡¯t understand what had gotten into him. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. I¡¯m just making an analogy. You¡¯re not the same.¡±


    Despite her exnation, Kaiden still wore a long face.


    Attempting to ease the tension, Ellie teased, ¡°I¡¯ll use your money tomorrow.¡±


    Mockingly, Kaiden asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you unwilling to spend other people¡¯s money?¡± His expression remained stoic.


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 Chapter 188

    ?Chapter 188:


    Reassuringly, Ellie replied, ¡°You¡¯re not someone else. You¡¯re my husband.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s pupils trembled slightly, and his earlier displeasure disappeared as he heard those words. They kept echoing in his mind. ¡°My husband.¡±


    In the study, Bruce called Kaiden and provided detailed information about the events at the Rich Bar. He hadn¡¯t known all the details when he was outside the police station.


    ¡°Speaking of which, Mrs. Thorpe celebrated her birthday on this day for the first twenty years¡­ Actually, it was yesterday,¡± Bruce noted, realizing it was now past midnight.


    The previous night, all the debutantes and wealthy heirs in the city were aware that Demi, the daughter of the Gordon family, was celebrating her birthday at the Rich Bar. The fact that this day had once been reserved for Ellie¡¯s celebration went unnoticed by everyone.


    It was her birthday yesterday¡­


    Kaiden remained oblivious to it,pletely overlooking the asion. His wife¡¯s birthday celebration hadn¡¯t yet taken ce. How dare Demi unt her own birthday party and bully his wife!


    After disconnecting the call with Bruce, Kaiden dialed Jerome¡¯s number.


    ¡°Kaiden, what¡¯s up?¡± Jerome¡¯s voice carried traces of sleepiness.


    Kaiden replied, ¡°I have something to discuss.¡±


    Jerome, a heavyweight in the entertainment industry, was the most suitable person to generate online discussions and shape public opinion.


    ¡°About what? The GT Group? Or the Thorpe Group?¡±


    ¡°Demi was taken to the police stationst night,¡± Kaiden revealed.


    ¡°Bruce will send you the details.¡±


    A few seconds of silence followed on the other end of the line. Jerome gradually woke up and confirmed he hadn¡¯t misheard. ¡°Kaiden, you called me at half-past three in the morning to ask me to stir up attention about Demi? Is it worth calling me just because of her?¡±


    ¡°Nothing else. Go back to sleep.¡± Kaiden ended the call.


    galn¦Ò¦Íels.c¡ðm hosts fresh updates


    Certainly, Demi wasn¡¯t worth it.


    But Ellie was.


    Kaiden returned to the master bedroom from the study, with only the floormp illuminating the room. Its dim light created a cozy ambiance.


    On the right side of the oversized bed, the quilt bulged, indicating Ellie¡¯s presence. Beneath it, she breathed softly and quietly. She slept with her back to the light source and toward the door.


    Climbing into bed, Kaiden covered himself and naturally embraced Ellie. He gently touched her cold hands.


    The winter chill made it difficult for Ellie to warm her hands and feet.


    Sensing the warmth beside her, Ellie subconsciously leaned towards Kaiden in her sleep. He held her waist, gently turning her around until her face rested in the crook of his arm.


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 Chapter 189

    ?Chapter 189:


    ¡°Happy birthday, Mrs. Thorpe. Happy birthday, Ellie,¡± Kaiden whispered.


    His voice was tender enough not to disturb her peaceful slumber. When Ellie heard her name, she instinctively responded but continued to drift deeper into her dreams.


    The following day, when Ellie opened her eyes and saw the man beside her, she was momentarily taken aback.


    Even after their intimate moments and ate night, Kaiden¡ªwho was usually an early riser¡ªwas still lying next to her. Typically, Kaiden¡¯s early morning habits meant that when Ellie woke up, he was already gone.


    As she attempted to get up, she found herself securely held by Kaiden, preventing any movement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± the drowsy man murmured, tightening his embrace around Ellie.


    She felt a slight unease, and her heart raced.


    In a way, being held while sleeping felt more intimate than their physical connection. Thetter, driven by hormones and adrenaline, often created an illusion of closeness. But being held in someone¡¯s arms while asleep reflected a subconscious expression of dependence and possessiveness.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ It¡¯s nine o¡¯clock,¡± Ellie whispered as she fully woke up.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to work?¡±


    Kaiden furrowed his brow, pulling her head back against his chest.


    Suddenly, everything went ck for Ellie¡ªher mind and body.


    After a long while, Kaiden¡¯s phone rang, prompting him to loosen his hold.


    ¡°Kaiden, your phone is ringing,¡± Ellie said, pushing gently against his chest and feeling his warmth.


    ¡°Hang up,¡± Kaiden muttered, still half asleep.


    Ellie was speechless.


    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??


    Annoyed by the ringing phone, she reached out to answer it herself. It turned out to be a call from Bruce. ¡°Hello, Bru¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, how long before you arrive? Everything¡¯s almost ready. If you have other ns today, shall we postpone the meeting first?¡±


    Ellie, realizing the voice was not Bruce¡¯s, asked, ¡°You¡­ are not Bruce?¡±


    The person on the other end seemed shocked.


    Ellie quickly apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Mr. Thorpe hasn¡¯t gotten up yet. I thought it was Bruce, so I answered the phone. Wait for me to wake him up¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, no. Bruce! Bruce! It¡¯s not Mr. Thorpe who answered the phone. It¡¯s a woman,¡± the person shouted, clearly astonished.


    Ellie felt a wave of embarrassment, regretting her decision to answer.


    After a brief pause, the call was picked up by someone else.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯m Bruce,¡± the voice on the other end rified. Lowering his tone, he asked, ¡°Mr. Thorpe hasn¡¯t got up yet?¡±


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 Chapter 190

    ?Chapter 190:


    ¡°Yes, do you need me to wake him?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°No, no,¡± Bruce replied quickly. ¡°Mr. Thorpe was too busy in Estoqua. He only slept for less than ten hours in three days. When he came back home, he went to the police station to pick you up. Now he¡¯s not only tired, but also jetgged. I¡¯ll postpone the meeting. Please tell Mr. Thorpe when he wakes up.¡±


    How could a subordinate urge his boss to go to work? Bruce didn¡¯t want to risk getting fired.


    As Ellie looked at Kaiden sleeping beside her, a faint frown between his brows, she wondered if he was truly this exhausted. Almost without thinking, she reached out and gently smoothed his brow with her fingers.


    At that moment, Kaiden opened his eyes.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Kaiden¡¯s grip tightened on Ellie¡¯s wrist.


    His eyes, though clouded with sleep, still managed to unsettle her.


    Ellie¡¯s body tensed briefly. Then, finding her voice, she replied, ¡°Bruce called. He said he didn¡¯t see you at the meeting and nned to postpone it. Let go of me¡­ please.¡±


    Kaiden released her wrist and sat up, the haze of sleep lifting from his eyes.


    ¡°Should I tell Bruce to go ahead with the meeting?¡± Ellie suggested. In her rough estimate, Kaiden could be ready and at GT Group within the hour. The meeting could still happen.


    Kaiden responded, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, your husband¡¯s absence from work doesn¡¯t change the fact he has enough money to support you.¡± He was implying that she didn¡¯t need to hurry him to the office.


    ¡°Who needs your support?¡± she muttered under her breath.


    Eyeing Kaiden with a hint of suspicion, she added, ¡°Postponing a meeting affects the entirepany. Even as president, shouldn¡¯t you set an example?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you sound like my assistant.¡± Kaiden sighed inwardly. His ns for the day shifted unexpectedly. Since she insisted, he¡¯d go to the office.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is packed with great reads


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯m not your assistant, okay?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.


    As Kaiden neared the changing room, he paused and beckoned her.


    ¡°Come here.¡±


    ¡°Need help picking a tie?¡±


    Ellie, groggy from sleep, took her time approaching.


    Before she reached him, he nced down and frowned. Looking at Ellie¡¯s bare feet, he instructed, ¡°Wear shoes.¡±


    Ellie wiggled her toes and replied, ¡°The floor heating¡¯s on. It¡¯s warm. Eh.¡± Before she could finish, Kaiden swiftly lifted her, aligning her body with the bed¡¯s edge and guiding her feet into her pink cotton slippers.


    ¡°Put on your shoes,¡± Kaiden urged.


    Ellie, caught off guard, slipped her feet into the slippers in a daze. Satisfied, Kaiden took her hand and led her back to the changing room.


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 Chapter 191

    ?Chapter 191:


    ¡°Help me choose an outfit,¡± he said.


    The memory of him holding her hand lingered in her thoughts. His hand was significantlyrger than hers, the touch rough yet gentle, leaving her with a faint sense of numbness. Hand-holding, she mused, was quite intimate.


    Kaiden had only nned to visit hispany, not meet with clients, so Ellie picked a casual suit for him¡ªsomething less typical in style. She added tinum cufflinks with lively colors and designs.


    Kaiden frowned at the cufflinks.


    He usually preferred darker colors, like ck, gray, and blue. This pair was new to him.


    Sensing his reluctance, Elliemented, ¡°These look great on you, Mr. Thorpe. You¡¯re only twenty-seven. Don¡¯t dress too old, okay? I remember a professor who dressed younger than you, and he was over forty.¡±


    Kaiden, always direct, pressed her against the closet door.


    ¡°Ellie, do you think I¡¯m old?¡± he asked.


    Back against the cool door, Ellie blinked.


    At twenty-seven, Kaiden was certainly not old.


    However, standing beside Ellie, who was just twenty-one, he did appear somewhat older.


    Her silence prompted Kaiden to sneer. ¡°You deserve this, Ellie.¡± His breath drew close, his hand sliding up under her nightgown, his expression intensely serious.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ Hmm¡­¡±


    An hourter, after Ellie had showered, Kaiden gently ced her on the bed. She regretted not immediately assuring him he wasn¡¯t old, instead allowing him to prove his youth more emphatically.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Kaiden, now changed, noticed a jewelry box on the bedside table.


    Every story starts at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm


    Only then did Ellie recall the unopened gift from her friend. ¡°It¡¯s from a friend. I haven¡¯t opened it yet.¡±


    Kaiden showed little interest and didn¡¯t inquire further.


    ¡°Kaiden,¡± Ellie called out as he approached the bedroom door, mustering the courage to ask, ¡°Is everything alright in Estoqua?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied with only one word.


    Her heart sank.


    She had contemted asking him about the rumors she¡¯de across, but ultimately decided against it. Perhaps the frustration gnawing at her stemmed from her unpleasant birthday, marred by encounters with people she hated, and the news of her husband¡¯s implication in an affair.


    Sitting up, Ellie opened the jewelry box.


    Inside, nestled on ck velvet, was a pair of Chanel pearl hairpins, styled exactly to her taste, personalized with her monogram. Ellie texted Edwin. ¡°Thank you for the gift, I love it!¡±


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 Chapter 192

    ?Chapter 192:


    But after a few minutes of sending it, she received no reply. She wondered if he still had her cklisted or simply chose not to respond. As she was about to lock her phone, a message from Baylee popped up: ¡°Ellie, check the trending topics on Twitter.¡±


    Curious, Ellie logged into Twitter. The fourth and ninth trending topics were ¡°Demi taken to the police station at night¡± and ¡°Demi¡¯s birthday party.¡±


    Thetter detailed Demi¡¯svish 21st birthday celebration at Rich Bar, a premier venue in Critport. The event was attended by celebrities and wealthy heirs alike. Demi¡¯s fans in thements praised her poprity. However, the data suggested that the trending topic had been artificially boosted. Since returning to the Gordons, Demi had been crafting an image as an attractivedy from a respectable family. Her birthday was her stage to show the world her sess.


    The other trending topic, ¡°Demi taken to the police station at night,¡± reported that the rising idol was suspected of involvement in a fight, leading to her arrest. A photo of Demi leaving the police station apanied the news, sparking lively discussions in thements.


    ¡°It¡¯s ironic. The paid promotion for Demi¡¯s birthday is overshadowed by her scandal.¡±


    ¡°Did she¡­ really get into a fight on her birthday?¡±


    ¡°As an idol, Demi should be a role model. Maybe a ban is in order.¡±


    ¡°Why is Demi constantly trending? She¡¯s pushing this debutante image butcks substance. Demi, it¡¯s time to leave the industry.¡±


    ¡°Some are quick to judge without knowing the facts. What if Demi¡¯s visit to the station was for a noble cause?¡±


    Noble cause?


    Ellie pondered over this phrase before logging into the official Rich Bar Twitter ount to post: ¡°Following the altercation involving Demi and Erick at our establishment, Rich Bar will no longer wee them. We appreciate our patrons¡¯ understanding and support.¡±


    The message was clear: inviting Demi and Erick to Rich Bar was futile. The patrons were forewarned.


    Magic begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s


    This post confirmed not only Demi and Erick¡¯s midnight police station visit due to a fight, but also their ban from Rich Bar, a significant blow to their public image.


    Baylee texted, ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve got something to bring to your attention. Word is, the guy who leaked Demi¡¯s detainment news is one of Jerome¡¯s underlings. Have you heard?¡±


    Ellie replied, ¡°Thanks for the heads-up. I got it.¡±


    Jerome¡¯s assistance was not without reason, but at Kaiden¡¯s direction. Kaiden entered thepany and resumed the adjourned morning meeting.


    Midway through the meeting, Kaiden noticed the executives were visibly distracted. ¡°p!¡±


    The document he tossed onto the table echoed crisply, startling the market manager mid-report.


    Executives sat, trembling, under Kaiden¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Why the staring? Am I a data sheet?¡± Kaiden tapped the table expressionlessly, questioning, ¡°Why the daydreaming in a meeting? Should I grant you an extended vacation?¡±


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 Chapter 193

    ?Chapter 193:


    Such an extended holiday would, in reality, mean termination. The executives exchanged uncertain nces, struggling to find the right words.


    ¡°Speak up.¡± Kaiden pointed at a senior executive.


    He abhorred the inefficiency that they were demonstrating at this point.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, the executive revealed, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, someone imed you had a woman answer your phone this morning.¡± When Ellie answered the call, Kaiden wasn¡¯t entirely asleep.


    Kaiden nonchntly affirmed, ¡°Any issue with that?¡±


    ¡°What? No, no issue!¡±


    All the other executives were taken aback by Kaiden¡¯s straightforward admission.


    Leaning back, Kaiden surveyed the room. ¡°Any other burning questions?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s jovial mood was evident to those familiar with him, rendering him indifferent to their diverted attention during the meeting.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, who is your wife? The one from thest time?¡± Someone inquired boldly.


    Kaiden lowered his eyes, smiling without answering.


    His silence served as acquiescence. If not the one fromst time, who else could it be?


    ¡°You¡¯ve got ten minutes to gather yourselves.¡± Kaiden stood and signaled for Bruce to follow.


    In the CEO office


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s not their fault. When Mrs. Thorpe answered your phone this morning, she mentioned that you were still asleep. Since there hasn¡¯t been any woman around you for years, it¡¯s natural for everyone to be surprised.¡± Bruce defended the senior executives.


    Gossip had been rampant all morning.


    Step into a new world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    ¡°What were they saying?¡± Kaiden asked.


    ¡°They just wanted to know who your wife is. But don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t disclose anything!¡± Bruce assured, ¡°And they asked me what she looked like, causing you to arrivete for the meeting.¡±


    Kaiden, once a workaholic, would never keep senior executives waiting for more than an hour, as he did today.


    ¡°Tell them next time that she¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Bruce was taken aback. ¡°Alright, alright!¡± Why did he think Kaiden was unting?


    Bruce sighed inwardly, ¡°Come on, Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯re not the only one with a wife!¡±


    Kaiden added, ¡°Cancel the rest of my schedule today.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Bruce thought he misheard. ¡°You have another meeting this afternoon and dinner with a president. Both can be rescheduled. However, in the evening, you have a crucial meeting with the group¡¯s branch.¡±


    The monthly meeting with the group¡¯s branch held immense significance.


    ¡°Postpone the meeting.¡± Kaiden recalled the jewelry box on the bedside table. ¡°Summon Team C from the nning department.¡±


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 Chapter 194

    ?Chapter 194:


    Team C of the nning department?


    It was responsible for majorpany events, a realm usually overlooked by Kaiden.


    Bruce questioned if something was amiss with his ears today.


    Why did Kaiden¡¯s requests seem peculiar?


    Soon, the leader of Team C from the nning department, unfamiliar with the CEO, appeared at the CEO¡¯s office, head lowered.


    He feared that his meeting with the CEO was a result of a colossal mistake he made at work, which could warrant personal termination. Unexpectedly, the man in the office chair uttered, ¡°Put everything aside and n a birthday party for me in three hours.¡±


    After dinner, Ellie retreated to the study, sketching the makeup photo draft for Peerless Grace. It wasn¡¯t until Kaiden summoned her to attend an event that she ceased.


    Anticipating a formal asion, Ellie donned a red cashmere dress.


    She drove a Lincoln.


    Upon arrival, Ellie, bewildered, gazed at the destination: the popr theme park.


    This renowned park attracted visitors even on workdays due to its poprity.


    Scanning the surroundings, Ellie found no trace of Kaiden. It didn¡¯t appear to be a business setting.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, pleasee in. Mr. Thorpe is waiting inside.¡± A casually dressed woman approached, smiling at Ellie.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Ellie inquired, ¡°Are you from the GT Group?¡± With a nod and a smile, the woman replied, ¡°Pleasee in. I hope you¡¯ll enjoy it!¡±


    Unaware of the event¡¯s nature, Ellie entered hesitantly.


    As she approached the entrance, a child, about five or six, rushed forward, offering a beautifully wrapped rose.


    She dered, ¡°Miss, happy birthday! I wish you more and more beauty!¡±


    Your source: g??ln??v??ls.??????


    Stunned, Ellie epted the flower and began asking, ¡°Can you tell me who¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, the child darted away yfully.


    On the inner side of the rose¡¯s wrapping paper, two golden words read, ¡°Go forward.¡±


    What was Kaiden up to?


    Was he celebrating her birthday?


    Ellie found her assumption a bit absurd.


    Then, at intervals, as she walked, people of varying ages gifted her different flowers.


    Roses of all kinds and even eucalyptus leaves and a baby¡¯s breath.


    The flower-bearers extended their congrattions.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, happy birthday!¡±


    ¡°Beautifuldy, happy birthday!¡±


    ¡°Miss, happy birthday to you!¡±


    Attentive observation would reveal women presenting roses, while men offered eucalyptus leaves.


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 Chapter 195

    ?Chapter 195:


    There was no red rose among the blooms.


    Gradually, beyond the flower bearers, even strangers in the vicinity smiled, wishing Ellie a ¡°happy birthday, miss!¡±


    At that moment, it felt as if goodwill and blessings enveloped her.


    Upon reaching the destination, Ellie stood holding the flowers. Under the symbolic castle building of the amusement park, a man in a ck overcoat sat in a wheelchair, holding arge bouquet of red roses and flowers made of baby¡¯s breath. He looked at Ellie silently.


    His cold eyes softened, akin to melting ice.


    As Ellie locked eyes with Kaiden, her heart quickened its pace, thumping fiercely against her ribcage.


    Compelled by the powerful rhythm resonating within her chest, she took resolute steps towards the man, drawn to him like a ma.


    No matter how unlikely it seemed, Ellie was convinced at that moment that Kaiden was indeed celebrating her birthday. Kaiden¡¯s voice, muffled by his mask, reached only Ellie¡¯s ears. ¡°Happy birthday, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± he whispered.


    Right after he spoke, fireworks burst into life behind the castle.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    The fireworks went off, painting the sky with color.


    In the air, the words ¡°Happy Birthday TO Ellie¡± sparkled.


    The tourists around them were thrilled.


    ¡°Wow! Look at that, it¡¯s so romantic.¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s getting a birthday wish.¡±


    ¡°Happy birthday, Miss.¡±


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c¨®m is your escape


    ¡°May they live a long, happy life together.¡±


    ¡°Hope they have a baby soon.¡±


    ¡°May they grow old together.¡±


    Such blessings were repeated over and over.


    Ellie, in a soft voice, asked, ¡°Why are you making such a big deal out of this?¡±


    Kaiden had discussed even more borate ns with the nning team. This was actually the least extravagant one.


    ¡°If I really wanted to go all out, I¡¯d have booked every LED screen in the city center,¡± Kaiden said.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you deserve to have what everyone else gets when they celebrate their birthday,¡± he added.


    Kaiden¡¯s gesture was a response to Demi¡¯s attempt to belittle Ellie. He wanted to give Ellie an even grander birthday celebration.


    Brushing aside the assortment of flowers Ellie held, Kaiden handed her arge bouquet.


    ¡°I just hope it¡¯s not toote,¡± he said.


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 Chapter 196

    ?Chapter 196:


    Ellie, fighting back tears, lowered her gaze, epted the flowers, and softly said, ¡°It¡¯s not toote.¡±


    Kaiden, concerned, asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy? I don¡¯t see joy on your face.¡±


    The nning team had assured Kaiden that any girl would be overjoyed at such a gesture, probably hugging and kissing him immediately. Ellie looked up, shook her head, and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m very happy. Thank you, Kaiden.¡±


    Her birthday this year was the most blessed and sincere she had ever experienced.


    Previously, her birthdays, as the Gordon family¡¯s daughter, were pragmatic affairs. The guests were more interested in profits than in celebrating Ellie.


    The crowd started chanting for a kiss.


    ¡°Kiss her. Kiss her.¡±


    ¡°Kiss him.¡±


    ¡°Give each other some sugar.¡± The heckling grew louder.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, as I¡¯ve said before, ¡®thank you¡¯ doesn¡¯t cut it,¡± Kaiden remarked, his gaze drifting to Ellie¡¯s lips. His intent was obvious.


    Ellie caught the teasing glint in Kaiden¡¯s dark eyes as he sat, motionless in his wheelchair, bathed in a starlight-like glow. Smiling, she bent down and kissed him, her red dress swirling in the night breeze.


    Instead of returning to Moon Manor, they spent the night in the presidential suite of the theme park hotel.


    In one intimate moment, Ellie was pinned against the ss of the window, and Kaiden joined her from behind.


    The next morning, Ellie woke up past noon in a daze. Kaiden was gone, likely off to work after a phone call. He had left her with a kiss. Ellie touched her lips, marveling at the purity of that kiss, wondering if it was just a dream.


    As she checked her phone, messages flooded in. Wealthy heirs from her past encounters sent their blessings.


    Explore new chapters gal¦Çovels.c¡ðm


    Some were curious about the fireworks, others inquired about her rtionship with Kaiden, and a few sought connections through her. Since Kaiden¡¯s identity as the CEO of GT Group was revealed, he had gained poprity, despite his rare public appearances.


    Ellie responded to each message, keeping her replies brief and avoiding gossip.


    Then, a new message appeared on WhatsApp. It was from Edwin. Ellie was surprised; she didn¡¯t realize she had Edwin¡¯s WhatsApp contact.


    Edwin sent Ellie a link along with a message. ¡°Is the guy who prepared the fireworks disy for you interested in you? Your birthday¡¯s done, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Ellie replied, ¡°He¡¯s not pursuing me.¡± In her mind, there was no need for Kaiden to pursue her; he was already her husband.


    On the other end, Edwin was seething with anger. He couldn¡¯t fathom why Ellie would deny what seemed obvious to him: a man who would arrange for a fireworks show must be pursuing her.


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 Chapter 197

    ?Chapter 197:


    Remembering that Edwin had given her a birthday gift and that everyone in the Stephens family knew about her marriage to Kaiden except for Edwin, Ellie typed, ¡°Your brother knows about it. Why don¡¯t you ask him?¡± She hit send, only to see a strange notification. ¡°¡®Sorry, the person is no longer your friend.¡±


    Ellie was stunned. Had Edwin really blocked her? She couldn¡¯t understand why he was upset.


    With a puzzled expression, Ellie clicked on Edwin¡¯s link. It led to a page titled ¡°Happy Birthday To Ellie,¡± featuring just a photo of the fireworks with the same caption. The inte was buzzing about it.


    ¡°Everyone in the city knows about Ellie¡¯s birthday.¡±


    ¡°Ellie is really lucky to get such a romantic fireworks disy!¡±


    ¡°Was it just fireworks? There were birthday wishes all over the theme park.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so jealous of their love.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t even find a picture of them online.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it. I snapped a photo of them yesterday. Right after I posted it online, it got deleted instantly. I guess they want to keep their looks a secret.¡±


    ¡°I witnessed it firsthand. He¡¯s incredibly handsome, and she¡¯s stunning. This must be what they call a match made in heaven.¡±


    ¡°Are guys now expected to go all out for their girlfriends¡¯ birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, and other special asions?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so jealous of their romance.¡±


    Ellie felt a surge of contentment in her heart.


    Her joy didn¡¯t stem from the envy of her birthday celebration. It was the thrill of their public disy of affection that filled her with pride.


    A smile crept onto Ellie¡¯s face without her noticing.


    Every story starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s


    But as she set her phone aside and gazed out the French window, the previous night felt like a distant, unreal dream.


    After the initial happiness, a lingering sense of disappointment settled in her heart.


    For the first time, Ellie felt uneasy about someone being kind to her.


    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t appreciate the affection.


    She just feared the day it might vanish.


    When someone ustomed to warmth steps into the cold, the chill feels all the more biting.


    The day before the shooting of ¡°Peerless Grace,¡± Ellie arrived at the studio.


    Stepping into the meeting room, she overheard a woman¡¯s voice. ¡°Mr. Morris, I understand my experience might not warrant the role of assistant director of costuming, but Ellie is even less qualified. She¡¯s just a fresh graduate, barely a year out of school. How can she be ranked above me?¡±


    Ellie didn¡¯t expect to bump into Akira here.


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    ?Chapter 198:


    Charlie Morris, the director of clothing and makeup, was renowned for his expertise in ancient costume TV series. Nearing fifty, he radiated a pleasant demeanor.


    ¡°Hey! Ellie, perfect timing!¡± Charlie, with his keen eyesight, spotted Ellie immediately. ¡°Akira¡¯s having a hard time epting you as the vice director. You better exin yourself!¡± Everyone¡¯s attention shifted to Ellie.


    She recalled hearing people say Charlie could be quite stern, despite his friendly facade.


    ¡°Akira, we¡¯re both part of the Peerless Grace team now, moving from ssmates to colleagues,¡± Ellie addressed her, though inwardly, she wasn¡¯t thrilled about working with Akira. Given the small world of stylists, their paths crossing was inevitable.


    After a polite greeting, Ellie smoothly steered the conversation. ¡°I overheard yourments. Yes, I¡¯m younger and a recent graduate, but since my freshman year, I¡¯ve worked on over ten major projects and earned my master¡¯s degree. That includes three national ancient TV series. I¡¯ve won every major award in our field. Remember, I outperformed you for the GT Group¡¯s stylist role. Do you have any doubts about my capabilities?¡±


    Ellie wore a confident smile as she gazed at Akira, her expression suggesting, ¡°Do I even need to exin why I could lead?¡± Akira, visibly upset, found no words to argue.


    Charlie, having observed enough, intervened to ease the tension. ¡°Akira, you¡¯ve got no issues, right? Let¡¯s get ready. We have a meeting in an hour.¡±


    Before he left, Akira shot Ellie a sharp look.


    ¡°You¡¯re also named Ellie?¡± A makeup artist approached quietly, whispering, ¡°The one from the fireworks show two days ago¡­¡± She wasn¡¯t tall but incredibly adorable, with big, round eyes that added a touch of cuteness.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a coincidence; our names are the same.¡± Ellie looked serious. It was as if she was telling the truth.


    ¡°The same name?¡± The makeup artist¡¯s gossip attempt was unsessful. She let out a disappointed sigh but quickly brightened up with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re truly stunning! The most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever met! I¡¯m so fortunate to be working with you! Oh, I¡¯m Susanna Todd, by the way!¡±


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    Ellie nced at her badge and realized Susanna was part of her team. Extending her hand, Ellie greeted, ¡°Hello, Susanna, it¡¯s great to meet you!¡±


    ¡°Wow! A handshake from such a beauty! This is amazing!¡± Excitement lit up Susanna¡¯s face.


    The clothing and makeup team had been in meetings all day, and the evening brought smaller team discussions. Throughout, Ellie endured countless cold stares from Akira.


    It waste when Ellie got a call from Cayson.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, when are youing home?¡± Cayson¡¯s voice was low. ¡°Mr. Thorpe has already returned!¡± Damn it!


    She hadpletely forgotten to tell Kaiden about her business trip!


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Nervously, Ellie hesitated, ¡°I¡¯m on a business trip. I¡¯ll be back in about two weeks with the crew.¡± That was her best guess for her return.


    After hanging up, Kaiden¡¯s stern face haunted her thoughts.


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 Chapter 199

    ?Chapter 199:


    She hadn¡¯tmunicated with him, but somehow, Ellie felt his anger.


    Thirty minutester, she dialed Kaiden¡¯s number.


    The call connected, but he remained silent.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Ellie asked.


    Silence followed.


    Clutching the hotel¡¯s bedsheet, Ellie said, ¡°Kaiden¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you. This morning, I left in such a rush.¡±


    Finally, Kaiden¡¯s low, cold voice emerged. ¡°I thought I was merely a prostitute you abandoned.¡±


    His words implied disbelief that a wife would go on a trip without telling her husband.


    Stunned by his usation, Ellie was speechless for a moment.


    Who had the means to engage with a prostitute like him?


    ¡°I¡¯ve joined Peerless Grace¡¯s crew,¡± she exined. ¡°Yourpany helped mend the job. I assumed you knew.¡± Ellie continued, ¡°Remember when I was about to have dinner with Baylee? You were informed then. I can¡¯t believe no one mentioned my new job to you. Also, you¡¯re always so busy. I didn¡¯t want to bother you.¡±


    On the other end, she heard the flick of a lighter. He was likely smoking. His mood was visibly unpleasant. ¡°So, this is my fault, is it?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was cold.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice carried a hint of urgency. She had be skilled at gently persuading him. ¡°Look, it¡¯s not really your fault, okay?¡±


    But deep down, she knew it wasn¡¯t her fault either.


    She¡¯d never been one to share her ns with others.


    Kaiden responded with silence, ending the call with a calmness that was unsettling.


    Ellie¡¯s attempt at persuading him clearly failed.


    L?t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l§ßov?ls.§ã§à??


    Staring at the now silent phone, Ellie felt a nagging contradiction within her.


    Could he really let her off this easily?


    He hadn¡¯t even uttered a single harsh word.


    This wasn¡¯t like Kaiden at all.


    It felt like the unsettling calm before a storm, a thought that made Ellie shiver with anxiety.


    ¡°Congrattions! Let¡¯s get rolling. The shoot officially begins now. Costume and makeup team, prepare for the photoshoot!¡±


    After the filming ceremony wrapped up, the crew started taking pictures of the actors with makeup on.


    Ellie scanned the room for the lead actor and halted abruptly.


    There stood Demi!


    Unaware of Ellie, Demi headed to a different dressing room.


    Akira, assigned as Demi¡¯s makeup artist for the supporting actress role, saw this as a golden opportunity.


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 Chapter 200

    Chapter 200:


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what an unexpected encounter in this ce!¡± Akira remarked while applying Demi¡¯s makeup.


    Demi opened her eyes, gave Akira a quick look, and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know you. Keep your distance.¡±


    Demi liked to act sweet, but she was actually quite arrogant behind closed doors.


    Unfazed, Akira continued with a smile, ¡°You must know Ellie, right? Guess what? She¡¯s here too.¡±


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Demi¡¯s voice lifted in surprise, garnering curious nces from others.


    Akira, pleased with herself, rified, ¡°I mean, Ellie¡¯s working on Peerless Grace too. She¡¯s even the vice director of the costume and makeup team.¡±


    Vice director¡­


    Ellie, fresh out of college, hadnded the role of vice director in the clothing and makeup team of a majorpany. It was surprising, considering Demi had spent years working her way up to her current status.


    Demi, her fists clenched tightly to contain her anger, had resisted acting on impulse like before when she had insisted that thepany fire Ellie.


    This time, she turned to Akira with a scornful look. ¡°You think you can use me to get at Ellie? Really, do you think you¡¯re worthy of that?¡±


    Akira stood there, biting her lip, her face flushed with embarrassment.


    If Demi refused to ally with her, she would handle Ellie on her own!


    Meanwhile, Demi had whispered to her assistant.


    A few momentster, the assistant returned, leaning in to whisper, ¡°Demi, that guy went to the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you don¡¯t even know your real parents. Do you really think you deserve a birthday celebration?¡±


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    In the bathroom, Ellie was washing her hands when she saw Demi¡¯s reflection in the mirror. Demi, dressed in an borate, ancient-style costume, stood a short distance away, arms folded.


    Ellie took a couple of paper towels, dried her hands, and faced Demi. ¡°Why does it concern you?¡±


    The current situation annoyed Demi to no end. Why did there have to be such a fireworks disy on Ellie¡¯s birthday? It had be a favorite discussion topic among the people in the circle, and everyone¡¯s admiration for Ellie grew.


    It had only been a few days since Demi had her own birthday party, but no one talked about it anymore. Ellie¡¯s birthday hadpletely overshadowed hers.


    ¡°Ellie! Stop! I have something to tell you!¡± Demi shouted angrily at Ellie, who was about to leave. She rushed over to stop Ellie and said coldly, ¡°You must ask the owner of Rich Bar to apologize to me! That bastard even went so far as to block me on Twitter!¡±


    Erick had sent one of his men to find Harry from Rich Bar and offer Harry money so that he would make a semnce of a public apology to Demi. However, Harry had directly refused, saying that his boss would not entertain such an idea. s, no one knew who the owner of Rich Bar was. So Demi had no choice but to go to Ellie.


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    Message from Noah: Wishing all my dear readers a wonderful weekend! God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ? ?? ? ?? ?


    P.S. I¡¯ll be running a poll in the ga!novels WhatsApp group to see what you¡¯d like to read next. Hope I can bring something you¡¯re wishing for ¡ï


    .

 Chapter 201

    ?Chapter 201:


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you should settle this with the owner of Rich Bar. It¡¯s got nothing to do with me,¡± Ellie replied, shrugging.


    She was just an illegitimate child who didn¡¯t even know who her biological parents were. How could she have ties to the boss of Rich Bar?


    ¡°Then let Baylee talk to him! Considering how the owner of Rich Bar obeyed Baylee, they must undoubtedly be having an affair,¡± Demi said crossly.


    ¡°If you want to be allowed into Rich Bar again, you could start by kneeling down in front of Baylee to apologize to her. I think once you do that, the owner of Rich Bar will consider your request.¡± After saying that, Ellie pushed Demi aside and walked away.


    Ellie thought cklisting Demi was too light a punishment after she insulted Baylee.


    ¡°Wait and see, Ellie!¡± Demi muttered with gritted teeth as she stared at Ellie¡¯s back.


    Later that day, at the filming site.


    ¡°Cut! Make up Demi again!¡± the director ordered.


    Looking at the director, Demi asked softly, ¡°Sir, can I ask for Ellie to do my makeup? I¡¯m an old acquaintance of Ellie and she¡¯s a new addition to the team. I would like to give her enough chances to practice.¡±


    Knowing that Demi had the support of the Gordon family and that her boyfriend was the eldest grandson of the Thorpe family, the director was willing to


    Listen to her. After all, this wasn¡¯t something to procrastinate on. So he asked someone to call Ellie.


    The filming location was outside, and it was quite cold today. Ellie hadn¡¯t thought about wearing heavy clothes since she always stayed indoors. Now, she was suddenly called outside! With her arms wrapped around her body, she shivered from the cold.


    ¡°Ellie, help Demi with her makeup,¡± the director ordered.


    In the film, Demi yed a charming but pitiful princess, unable to win the heart of the man she loved. In the scene they were filming today, Demi wore a grand, intricate costume, and her makeup was exquisite.


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    ¡°Ellie, hurry up! Don¡¯t waste the crew¡¯s time!¡± Demi urged Ellie with a fake smile.


    Ellie was the assistant director of the costume and makeup team. So it wasn¡¯t her ce to do this kind of work. However, when the director asked her to do Demi¡¯s makeup, she didn¡¯t object.


    Demi startedining about many things at once. Sheined that her hairpin was about to fall off, then she said that her false eyshes irritated her eyes. She evenined about her dress, saying that it had not been put on properly¡­


    Ellie, who was wearing light clothes, had to wait aside in the freezing cold for Demi to finally decide to let her do her makeup. Demi, for her part, didn¡¯t have to worry about the cold. Under her clothes, she waspletely covered in heating patches. Besides, her assistant put a down jacket on her and handed her the hot water bottle.


    Three hourster, the director¡¯s voice sounded again. ¡°Cut! Demi¡¯s shooting is over today.¡±


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 Chapter 202

    ?Chapter 202:


    Looking at Ellie, who was shivering, Susanna asked gently, ¡°Ellie, are you okay? Your hands are frozen blue!¡± As she spoke, Susanna gave Ellie a cup of hot water.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Ellie replied as she took the cup of hot water. She felt so cold, and her head was aching.


    Wearing a down jacket and holding a hot water bottle in her hand, Demi walked past Ellie and said as if nothing had happened, ¡°Thank you, Ellie! You have to work harder as a team member!¡±


    When Demi went far away, Susanna turned to Ellie and whispered in a soft, low voice, ¡°Ellie, are you at odds with Demi? I have the feeling she is deliberately trying to make life unbearable for you here!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am at odds with her,¡± Ellie replied calmly.


    These three hours of torture in the freezing cold were Demi¡¯s warning to Ellie of hering revenge.


    ¡°A bitch. She¡¯s not even remotely as beautiful as you, but she¡¯s so sneaky!¡± Susanna muttered, clenching her fists in anger.


    Hearing what Susanna said, Ellie realized that Susanna only judged people based on their looks.


    When Ellie returned to her room, she quickly took a hot shower, then put on some warm clothes to keep herself warm. Shey in bed for a while. However, she felt increasingly dizzy and sneezed several times.


    She seemed to have caught a cold.


    Suddenly, her phone rang.


    After checking the caller ID, Ellie answered the call. ¡°Hello¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Kaiden asked with concern. He had immediately noticed that there was something wrong with her voice.


    ¡°I caught a cold,¡± Ellie replied. She¡¯d just taken the cold medicine, and now she was very sleepy. She just wanted to end the call as soon as possible and go to sleep. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked in a sleepy voice.


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    Kaiden was silent for about two seconds. Then, he said in a cold and harsh tone, ¡°Nothing. I dialed the wrong number.¡±


    Why did she ask him that? Couldn¡¯t he call her even if he had nothing specific to talk to her about?


    She was his wife! As such, she should be d to discuss with him every day!


    Kaiden began to wonder if there was something wrong with him.


    Perhaps he shouldn¡¯t have called her.


    He was still angry about yesterday, and now, his mood worsened.


    Ellie nodded subconsciously. Then, realizing that Kaiden couldn¡¯t see her nodding, she said in a low voice, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll go to bed now.¡±


    She was very sleepy, and before Kaiden could say anything, he heard her even breathing on the phone.


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 Chapter 203

    ?Chapter 203:


    Kaiden forgot about his anger at this time.


    Did she really catch a cold? Was it so serious?


    He couldn¡¯t understand how she could have caught a cold just a few days after joining the film crew. Did the crew mistreat his woman?


    ¡°Achoo!¡±


    Everyone in the meeting room turned to look at Ellie when she sneezed. Wearing a mask, Ellie said apologetically, ¡°Sorry, I caught a cold. Let¡¯s continue discussing the styling match of this group.¡±


    Sitting in her seat, Akira couldn¡¯t help butugh when she recalled what happened to Ellie yesterday.


    As assistant director of the clothing and makeup team, Ellie was busy deciding on the actors¡¯ and actresses¡¯ costumes and makeup all day long. However, these ns were very often subject to change. So, her job was very demanding.


    The team worked for a long time before finally taking a break.


    At this time, with a mysterious look on her face and bright eyes, Susanna walked towards Ellie and said in a low voice, ¡°Ellie, there is a super handsome man looking for you outside!¡±


    A super handsome man?


    Upon hearing that, Kaiden¡¯s face immediately appeared in Ellie¡¯s mind. Kaiden was exceptionally handsome, even whenpared to celebrities in the entertainment industry.


    However, Ellie quickly dismissed the idea that it could be him. Why would hee here after all?


    ¡°He is driving the Maybach S900,¡± Susanna added.


    The Maybach S900 was a limited edition car, and only a few people in the country owned one. Kaiden happened to be one of them.


    ¡°Susanna, please help me take myptop back to my room, okay? Thank you!¡± After saying that, Ellie stood up and hurried out.


    At first, she walked quickly, but gradually she began to trot.


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    Outside the gate of the crew¡¯s house, the ck Maybach shone brightly in the night light.


    The window in the back seat of the Maybach was rolled down, and a man¡¯s hand holding a cigar rested on the edge of the window. The white smoke escaping from the cigar rose in a line.


    Ellie was out of breath from running. In the cold, her breath formed a


    ¡­ white mist.


    She couldn¡¯t stand the smell of smoke and coughed.


    The man put his hand back into the car and put out the cigar. Then, the door to the back seat opened, revealing the man¡¯s handsome face.


    Although he was handsome, his gaze was cold, like this winter night.


    ¡°Get in the car,¡± Kaiden said indifferently.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Ellie asked in confusion.


    She had finally calmed down, but her heart was still racing uncontrobly. The truth was that she was excited to see him. She had never expected him toe here to see her. He didn¡¯t even mention itst night when he called her.


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 Chapter 204

    ?Chapter 204:


    The car¡¯s heater was on. Ellie felt a lot warmer as soon as she got in the car.


    Kaiden looked closely at the face of the woman sitting next to him. Ellie¡¯s face was pale and red from the winter cold. Her eyes were watery, but still so bright, pure, and charming. He couldn¡¯t take his gaze away from her eyes.


    She always had this look after they had sex.


    ¡°I¡¯m on a business trip,¡± Kaiden said in a low voice. Then, he motioned for the driver to drive.


    Ellie nodded.


    So he was here on a business trip, and he dropped by the filming set to see her.


    Sitting in the passenger seat, Bruce took care of some impromptu work for Kaiden. As far as Bruce was concerned, GT Group had no business here. Kaiden¡¯s im that he was here on a business trip was nothing but a lie!


    Bruce didn¡¯t understand why his boss rushed to finish all his important work during the day and then drove three hours just to see his wife.


    ¡°Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!¡± Ellie sneezed repeatedly, her nose tickling incessantly.


    ¡°Ellie, is it because no one¡¯s warming your bed that you¡¯ve caught a cold?¡± Kaiden asked, ncing at her with a teasing look.


    ¡°Hey, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?¡± Ellie retorted, shivering slightly. She nced nervously at Bruce and the driver in the front seats.


    Bruce and the driver, however, expertly feigned deafness to the conversation.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the weather. It¡¯s incredibly chilly,¡± Ellie exined, her ears tinged with a faint blush. As the car rolled forward, she turned to Kaiden. ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°To a hotel,¡± he replied simply.


    ¡°But I have work tomorrow, I can¡¯t just¡­¡± Ellie started to protest.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you suggesting what I think you are?¡± Kaiden interrupted, a sly smile ying on his lips. ¡°If you insist, I could always satisfy¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Ellie ced her hand over his mouth. ¡°Why must you always twist my words?¡±


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    For a moment, Kaiden¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    Her palm was incredibly soft, carrying the delicate scent of her. ¡°Could you perhaps be less outspoken in public? There are others in the car,¡± Ellie hissed under her breath.


    It was too quiet in the car, so even if she lowered her voice, Bruce could still hear her clearly.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, consider us nonexistent,¡± Bruce interjected thoughtfully. ¡°Yes.¡± The driver nodded in agreement.


    Ellie was left speechless, wondering what Kaiden paid Bruce for such loyalty.


    They arrived at a luxurious five-star hotel, where Kaiden had a presidential suite.


    No sooner had Ellie stepped into the room than Kaiden pinned her against the door, his kiss fervent and urgent.


    Startled, Ellie pushed against his chest.


    ¡°I¡¯ve caught a cold. It¡¯s contagious.¡±


    Seizing her protest as an opportunity, she covered her mouth. But Kaiden swiftly captured her hand, pinning it behind her, and kissed her once more.


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 Chapter 205

    ?Chapter 205:


    Ellie¡¯s need for air finally forced him to break the kiss, though clearly, he hadn¡¯t had his fill.


    ¡°Achoo!¡± Ellie sneezed again, bending away. As she tried to speak, Kaiden pushed her against the wall to kiss her again. This kiss was more intense, almost punishing.


    Ellie felt a twinge of pain, struggling for breath as she pounded on his chest. ¡°Hmmp!¡±


    Kaiden finally released her when her breath becamebored. His gaze was lustful, and his hand, which had been cradling her head, slid down to the back of her neck.


    He held it gently yet firmly, akin to how one would hold a delicate kitten, and spoke in a low, raspy voice. ¡°Ellie, do you remember who I am to you? Huh?¡±


    Ellie, gasping for air, met his eyes.


    His hand had found its way to the front of her jeans.


    ¡°My husband. You¡¯re my husband,¡± she managed to say, quickly grasping his hand, uncertain of his intentions.


    Kaiden nodded, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. ¡°Good, you remember.¡±


    He then withdrew his hand from her clothing.


    Ellie realized then that this was Kaiden¡¯s way of reprimanding her for not informing him about her business trip.


    She had been nearly breathless from his intense kiss. Annoyed, she red at him, muttering, ¡°If you catch my cold, you¡¯ll only have yourself to me.¡±


    Kaiden, nonchnt, tossed his coat onto the shoe cab and proceeded further into the room.


    Ellie, unable to bear the sight of his coat lying there, hesitated for a moment before hanging it up.


    Standing by the bed and loosening his tie, Kaiden said, ¡°I¡¯ll drive you back to the set tomorrow morning.¡±


    Ellie had nned to use her work as an excuse to leave, but his words thwarted her n.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t have a change of clothes or pajamas.¡±


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    Kaiden fetched a white shirt from the wardrobe and handed it to her. ¡°This will have to do.¡±


    Ellie was speechless. She didn¡¯t want to ¡°make do,¡± but requesting pajamas would only prompt him to buy them immediately, which seemed more embarrassing.


    Resigned, she took the shirt and headed to the bathroom, nearly colliding with Kaiden, who had stopped abruptly in front of her.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you nning to join me for a bath?¡± Kaiden raised his eyebrows yfully.


    Ellie snapped back to reality. ¡°No! You go first,¡± she blurted out, her mind foggy from the cold.


    An hourter, Ellie emerged from the bathroom to find Kaiden lounging against the headboard, engrossed in hisptop.


    He looked up briefly, his gaze lingering on her in his shirt before he quickly averted his eyes, masking the intensity within them. The way she looked in his shirt made him want to strip her naked. Ellie noticed an extra ss of water on the nightstand, under whichy a note with the bold directive: ¡°Take your medication.¡±


    The water, slightly green, clearly contained cold medicine granules.


    She felt a wave of reluctance.


    Tap! Tap!


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 Chapter 206

    ?Chapter 206:


    Kaiden tapped his knuckles on the table, hinting for Ellie to drink it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Ellie protested. ¡°Drinking more water would help me get over the cold faster.¡±


    Kaiden met Ellie¡¯s gaze, his expression an amusing mix of amusement and resignation.


    A little sheepish, Ellie asked, ¡°You¡­ Why are you looking at me like that? The medicine is extremely bitter. And if I drink this and you kiss meter, you¡¯ll just end up with a bitter taste in your mouth, right?¡± She added a hint of threat to her words.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes lowered, concealing a smile tinged with helplessness.


    ¡°I¡¯m in a meeting,¡± he said.


    With a frightened look on her face, Ellie was shocked.


    Was he serious?


    Cautiously, she peered at hisptop screen, only to find curious eyes staring back from a small video window. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough for today¡¯s meeting. Ignore anything you shouldn¡¯t have heard,¡± Kaiden dered into theptop, then closed it and set it aside.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were in a meeting? Don¡¯t people use headphones? And why was your microphone on?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s expression was a mix of annoyance and disbelief; Kaiden was being utterly insensitive.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Kaiden dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand.


    Not a big deal?


    Maybe not for someone as audacious as Kaiden, but for Ellie, it was mortifying.


    As she stewed in her frustration, Kaiden reassured her, ¡°No one knows who you are.¡±


    After a moment of silence, Ellie found herself unexpectedly reassured by his words.


    Kaiden then nodded toward the cold medicine on the bedside table, urging her to take it.


    He actually remembered to make her drink the medicine.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to drink it¡­¡± She resisted, intending to avoid taking the medicine at all costs.


    Remembering her past reluctance to use medicine on her knees when she was drunk, Kaiden reached out his hand. ¡°Give it to me,¡± he said.


    Ellie, puzzled, handed him the ss.


    Expecting him to discard it, she was taken aback when he took a sip himself. Before she could react, he was pulling her close, his hand cradling the back of her head.


    The warmth of his lips met hers, and the bitter taste of the medicine touched her mouth.


    Shocked, Ellie¡¯s eyes widened.


    Regaining her senses, she pushed Kaiden away and stepped back, leaning against the head of the bed.


    She covered her mouth with her hand, her ears flushed red, and looked at him with a mix of surprise and shyness.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡­¡± Ellie stuttered in disbelief.


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 Chapter 207

    ?Chapter 207:


    Kaiden nced at her red ears for a moment, still holding the ss of medicine. ¡°Would you like to drink it?¡± he asked.


    Ellie hesitated.


    She knew he was asking if she wanted to drink it herself or if she wanted him to help her.


    Taking a deep breath, she reached out a shaky hand. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll drink it myself.¡±


    She was determined to do it on her own!


    Kaiden nearlyughed seeing her gulp down the medicine.


    Ellie, known for her dignity, yet so delicate, was afraid of pain and medicine.


    After returning the empty ss to the bedside table, Ellie was lost in thought. If only she had known this would happen, she might have acted differently!


    Suddenly, Kaiden reached for her shirt.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t¡­ I need to go to work tomorrow. I can¡¯t miss it or bete!¡± Ellie stepped back, wary.


    Kaiden just adjusted her cor and said coolly, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡± Ellie was at a loss for words.


    Was he making fun of her? It wasn¡¯t her fault. His shirt was simply toorge!


    Frustrated by having to take the medicine and his teasing, Ellie turned her back to him and climbed into bed. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep!¡± she dered.


    Kaiden gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, his favorite way to sleeptely.


    He yfully bit her ear and whispered, ¡°Ellie, you should feel lucky you¡¯re sick.¡±


    Otherwise, he might have kept her awake all night!


    After the medicine, Ellie slept so deeply that she didn¡¯t hear her phone ring.


    Kaiden nced at the caller ID, took her phone, and stepped out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.


    ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s Grandma,¡± came the elderly voice over the phone. Cecelia spoke gently. ¡°I heard Demi was cklisted by a bar because of you. Could you please ask the bar¡¯s owner to apologize? You¡¯ve always been capable and well-connected since you were young, so¡­¡±


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    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned stern. He cut her off, ¡°Mrs. Gordon, this is Kaiden.¡±


    A brief silence followed, then panic tinged the voice on the other end. ¡°Is that Kaiden? Why¡­ Why isn¡¯t Ellie answering?¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s asleep. Mrs. Gordon, she can¡¯t assist with Demi¡¯s issue. It¡¯s best you don¡¯t bother her again, understood?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was firm. Cecelia, ever the savvy elder, quickly grasped the implicit warning in his words.


    Taken aback, she simply replied, ¡°I understand.¡±


    After ending the call, Kaiden stared at the word ¡°Grandma¡± on the screen, a cold glint in his eyes. Ellie had once sought his help because of Cecelia, and now Cecelia was calling on behalf of Demi for Ellie! He felt sorry for Ellie.


    At six in the morning, the winter dawn was dark, and the cityy still in the hushed morning mist.


    In the backseat of the Maybach, Ellie kept yawning. She nced at Kaiden, busy with his emails, puzzled at how someone who slept so little could be so full of energy.


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 Chapter 208

    ?Chapter 208:


    Yet, she had to admit, Kaiden looked particrly handsome while working. His profile was striking, his gaze calm and deep, as if no challenge was too great for him. The car stopped outside the film set.


    ¡°I¡¯m off. Bye!¡± As Ellie reached for the door, Kaiden draped a white mink coat over her shoulders.


    The thick, warm fur shielded her from the morning chill that seeped in through the open car door.


    Ellie paused, a thought crossing her mind. She turned to Kaiden, asking, ¡°Are you really here on business?¡±


    The luxurious mink coat was unlike anything avable in the city. Kaiden had imed he was on a business trip, but why would he bring such an exquisite coat on a work trip?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden answered calmly.


    Despite his reassurance, Ellie¡¯s intuition whispered that his visit wasn¡¯t for business.


    She tilted her head, eyeing him in a way that was almost cute. After a brief pause, she teased, ¡°If you¡¯re here just for me, I might reward you.¡±


    ¡°What kind of reward?¡± Kaiden¡¯s interest was piqued.


    Ellie hadn¡¯t really thought it through. As she pondered, he suggested, ¡°A good morning kiss? Or maybe a farewell kiss?¡±


    Ellie, deciding not to scold him for his boldness in public, chose on a whim. ¡°Farewell kiss.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s chuckle was low and brief, betraying his good mood. ¡°With your kissing skills?¡± he teased.


    Ellie felt mocked. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my kissing skills? My kissing skills¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, Kaiden kissed her, cutting her off. Thankfully, Bruce wasn¡¯t in the car, but she realized there was a driver!


    Ellie tried to push him away, but he caught her wrists, holding them above her head, leaving her powerless to resist.


    ¡°Kaiden, don¡¯t¡­ Stop¡­ Wait¡­¡±


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    He only stopped when he chose to.


    After the kiss, Kaiden yfully wiped her lips. His usually cold demeanor had taken on a teasing air.


    ¡°Farewell kiss,¡± he dered. He didn¡¯t need a reward; he¡¯d take his farewell kiss himself. ¡°And remember to take your medicine.¡±


    Back in her hotel room, Ellie brooded. She hadn¡¯t gotten the answer she wanted. She had hoped Kaiden would say, ¡°No, I¡¯m not here on business.¡±


    The loud knocking on her door snapped Ellie out of her thoughts. Opening the door, she saw Susanna, anxious and urgent.


    ¡°Ellie, there¡¯s trouble! The director¡¯s upset because you didn¡¯t finish your work on time. He¡¯s really angry. You need toe quickly!¡± The meeting room was silent and tense. Along with the head of the clothing and makeup department, the main director was present, everyone waiting for Ellie.


    ¡°Ellie, where¡¯s the makeup n for the supporting male actor I asked you to prepare yesterday?¡± Charlie inquired.


    ¡°I put it on your desk yesterday,¡± Ellie responded.


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 Chapter 209

    ?Chapter 209:


    ¡°But there¡¯s nothing on my desk. Are you certain you didn¡¯t misce it?¡± Charlie questioned with a frown.


    Before Ellie could respond, Joseph Ramos, the director, mmed his hand on the table, his voice steeped in anger. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m unaware that you left right after the meeting yesterday! You¡¯re too inexperienced to act professionally. All you seem to know is how toze around and deceive people!¡± His words were overly harsh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide this time since you¡¯re new. But don¡¯t expect such leniency again, Ellie!¡±


    Joseph dismissed her attempt to exin, turning his attention to another set of papers. He projected them onto the screen with a sigh of disappointment. ¡°Since Ellie isn¡¯t prepared, let¡¯s review Akira¡¯s draft.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she saw the draft on the big screen. It was identical to her own design!


    Akira stood, addressing the room with the rationale behind her design. The draft¡¯s excellence in both beauty and historical uracy swiftly garnered unanimous agreement.


    ¡°Akira is truly a standout from Critport University. Despite her youth, she¡¯s truly remarkable!¡± Josephmended Akira before turning his ire towards Ellie. ¡°Learn a lesson from her, Ellie! You were tasked with this responsibility, yet your colleague had to clean up your mess!¡±


    ¡°Sir, I have a question,¡± Ellie calmly interjected. ¡°Given that I was assigned this makeup design, why did Akira prepare it?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, not everyone is idling away just like you. I differ from you. Opportunities are reserved for those who are well-prepared,¡± Akira responded, seizing the moment she had been waiting for three years to humiliate Ellie.


    ¡°Well-prepared?¡± Ellie pointed to the projection on the big screen, questioning, ¡°Were you well-prepared for stealing my draft?¡± The room erupted into a mor.


    ¡°Stealing? What is Ellie talking about?¡±


    ¡°What stealing?¡±


    ¡°What is Ellie implying?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, are you trying to nder me because you failed to fulfill your duty? It¡¯s bad enough to nder me, but fabricating such a ridiculous story!¡± Akiraughed, treating the usation as a joke. ¡°Do you have any evidence to prove that this draft is yours? Do you have the original on yourputer?¡±


    Standard design drafts now require the use of AI, CorelDraw, PS, CDA, and other software. The makeup draft disyed by Akira was the result of aputer drawing.


    Ellie, turning on herputer, furrowed her brows slightly.


    Yesterday, she saved the design draft on the right side of theputer desktop, but now it disappeared.


    ¡°You don¡¯t find the original on yourputer, right?¡± Akira sneered. ¡°Of course you don¡¯t, because you didn¡¯t draw the draft. I have the original!¡±


    Akira disyed the original draft on herputer to Joseph.


    Joseph swiftly admonished, ¡°Ellie! Not only did you fail toplete your own work, but you also tried to im credit for your colleague¡¯s work. You¡¯vemitted a grave offense! You!¡±


    ¡°Apologize to Akira immediately. Refrain from clinging to your position as deputy director and concede to her, or I will mark it as a permanent stain on your record!¡±


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 Chapter 210

    ?Chapter 210:


    ¡°Mr. Ramos, I haven¡¯t said anything yet. Are you sure it¡¯s my fault? Even criminals get a chance to defend themselves in court. Don¡¯t I have the same right?¡± Unfazed, Ellie calmly questioned.


    ¡°Then tell us, Ellie.¡± Charlie interjected before Joseph could silence her.


    ¡°Akira, when did you prepare the draft?¡± Ellie cut to the chase.


    ¡°Last night. I noticed you were the first to leave and was worried you might dy the crew¡¯s work by not finishing yours. So, I drew the makeup draft that night,¡± Akira exined, her crafted narrative highlighting her exceptional professional ability and diligence.


    ¡°Good!¡± Ellie, producing a stack of papers, disyed them one by one.


    ¡°Take a look.¡±


    ¡°The designs on these papers¡­ They¡¯re identical to Akira¡¯s draft!¡± someone eximed in shock.


    ¡°Akira, you imed your draft was createdst night. If that¡¯s true, when did I draw it on these papers?¡± Ellie sneered.


    Compared toputer drawing, Ellie found hand-painting to be the richest source of inspiration.


    ¡°If you take my draft to a professional agency for inspection, you¡¯ll find that I drew it five days ago,¡± Ellie dered. Anticipating Akira¡¯s response, she continued, ¡°Akira, don¡¯t say anything now. Give me two minutes. After that, you can say whatever you want.¡±


    Ellie projected herptop desktop onto the big screen, typing a few lines of code under the watchful eyes of everyone.


    A minuteter, a document appeared on the desktop. Clicking it revealed the same draft disyed by Akira!


    ¡°How¡­ how is this possible? Ipletely¡­¡± Akira mumbled in disbelief.


    ¡°Youpletely deleted the original one from my desktop, right? And it couldn¡¯t be found in the recycling bin, right?¡± Ellie sneered. ¡°I forgot to tell you that I developed theputer program myself, and there¡¯s a hidden backup of my draft. Otherwise, how do you think I can casually put the work file on the desktop?¡±


    Pale-faced, Akira sank back into her chair.


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    Ellie had promised Akira a chance to speak after she finished her words.


    Yet, with trembling lips, Akira couldn¡¯t utter a word.


    The sequence of events was clear to anyone with a hint of discernment. Akira had taken Ellie¡¯s makeup draft from Charlie¡¯s desk, copied it, and deleted the original on Ellie¡¯sptop, all to giarize and eliminate herpetition.


    On the verge of copse, Akira looked to Joseph for help, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Mr. Ramos¡­ Mr. Ramos, I know I was wrong¡­¡±


    Considerable funds had been invested in the Peerless Grace crew. It had taken substantial effort for her to secure a spot. She was determined not to be ousted!


    Joseph¡¯s countenance darkened. He had been on the verge of punishing Ellie not long ago, and now the situation reversed. However, he couldn¡¯t bear to witness Akira, who had shared his bed the previous night, sobbing pathetically.


    ¡°I gave Ellie a chance, so I should also give Akira a chance. Since it¡¯s a misunderstanding, let it go. This matter is closed.¡±


    Joseph then winked at Akira, who snapped back to reality and tearfully pleaded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ellie. I¡­ I made a mistake. I didn¡¯t mean to do it. I won¡¯t do it again¡­ Since we used to be schoolmates, please forgive me, okay?¡±


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 Chapter 211

    ?Chapter 211:


    ¡°A mistake? Akira was maliciously giarizing and framing you! Unbelievable! In other crews, someone like Akira could be fired and even face legal action. Mr. Ramos is just biased toward her! I heard she had an affair with Mr. Ramos, and now it seems true! Shame on her!¡± Susanna, clenching her fists, voiced her indignation as she and Ellie went to buy coffee.


    ¡°You know Mr. Ramos favors her. Why get so worked up?¡± Ellie, tapping her fingers, cautioned Susanna. ¡°Susanna, be careful. It¡¯s best not to discuss such sensitive topics with others in the future. You might end up being hated and plotted against.¡±


    After a few days of interaction, Ellie learned that Susanna was straightforward and hailed from a well-off family. Despite her casual appearance with a canvas bag, Susanna adorned herself with a Cartier diamond bracelet and a limited-edition Longines watch. She would indulge in shopping sprees andvish spending on stars whenever she had the chance.


    Susanna took it in stride, stating, ¡°But you¡¯re not just anyone. You¡¯re my idol now! A beautiful, intelligent, and courageous woman like you can¡¯t be a bad person!¡±


    Moreover, should Susanna find herself in any trouble, someone would undoubtedly intervene on her behalf!


    As Ellie prepared to respond, she noticed someone approaching.


    Akira, with red-rimmed eyes from her recent tears, red at Ellie with newfound hatred. She hissed, ¡°Aren¡¯t you proud, Ellie? You took the top spot in school, and now you¡¯re still superior to me!¡±


    Sensing her hostility, Ellie replied, ¡°Akira, we learned about professional ethics in the first ss of school. It¡¯s more important than talent. I pity someone as devious as you! I only let you off today because you once presented my collection of works to the professor in college. But you won¡¯t get a chance like that again. Take care of yourself!¡±


    Kindness and resentment were always crystal clear in Ellie¡¯s mind.


    The parody of the makeup group¡¯s antics quickly became the talk of the crew.


    Many were impressed by Ellie¡¯s quick and effective response, others admired herposure, and some were amazed that she could code.


    Ellie¡¯s name became well-known among the crew in no time.


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    Ellie got another coffee for Charlie as a thank you.


    Charlie didn¡¯t openly support her today, but he let her speak despite Joseph¡¯s pressure, showing his belief in her.


    Over in Critport.


    At the Heart Ind Club.


    ¡°Kaiden, several family leaders have approached me, curious about when you¡¯ll join the social,¡± Jerome said, cuddling a beauty.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in social events,¡± Kaiden replied disinterestedly.


    Ever since people learned Kaiden was the CEO of the GT Group, he had been bombarded with event invites, which he never attended, opting instead to send gifts.


    Kaiden always excused himself from these events, citing a leg issue.


    ¡°How¡¯s the investigation I asked about?¡± Kaiden inquired of Jerome.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing worthwhile,¡± Jerome answered with a shrug. ¡°The findings suggest Cecelia genuinely cared for Ellie. Cecelia secretly shielded Ellie from Houston¡¯s mistreatment. She paid for Ellie¡¯s talent training andpetitions in primary school. It¡¯s understandable that Cecelia defended Demi, since Demi is her biological granddaughter.¡±


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 Chapter 212

    ?Chapter 212:


    Kaiden offered no response, instead asking, ¡°What about Ellie¡¯s family?¡±


    ¡°All I discovered is that Ellie and Demi were swapped on Demi¡¯s first birthday. I don¡¯t have any other info,¡± Jerome said with a chuckle. ¡°Kaiden, this sudden interest in Ellie¡¯s background, are you trying to help her find her family? Or, do you take a liking to Ellie?¡±


    Kaiden shot Jerome a frosty re. ¡°How did Cecelia afford Ellie¡¯s talent training andpetitions without any savings? The person who swapped Demi and Ellie at Demi¡¯s first birthday left no traces? It doesn¡¯t make sense, as it should have been a joyful event with so¡­


    Many attendees were present around them. ¡°How did Demi end up back with the Gordons? Didn¡¯t these questions cross your mind? What are you thinking?¡± Jerome felt Kaiden was being tough on him.


    ¡°Kaiden, gossip is my forte, not deep investigations. Maybe we should wait for Levy to return. He¡¯s better at this kind of work.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, we¡¯re here to unwind. Forget work for a while. How about trying this wine? I¡¯ll serve it to you,¡± said the woman in a knit red dress and elegant makeup. She was thetest star sensation.


    Kaiden surveyed the star from head to toe, his mind drifting to Ellie in her red dress on her birthday.


    He couldn¡¯t recall the dress in detail, only the stunning color thatplemented Ellie¡¯splexion.


    He absentmindedly removed the red dress and tossed it onto the hotel¡¯s carpet¡­


    Sensing Kaiden¡¯s gaze, the star¡¯s eyes sparkled. She leaned closer, pressing against Kaiden¡¯s arm, inviting him to feel her.


    ¡°You look awful in red,¡± Kaiden bluntly remarked, pushing her away in disgust.


    The sight of the red dress intensified Kaiden¡¯s longing to see Ellie again.


    At the break of dawn, the logistics team brought in a brand-new furnace and heater, getting ready to set up additional rest areas for the crew.


    Find exclusive chapters g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s


    ¡°Did you know? Yesterday, someone invested millions into our crew,¡± Susanna shared the buzz with Ellie. ¡°The sponsor insisted the money be used to improve the crew¡¯s working conditions.¡±


    Ellie nodded in agreement. ¡°That person is truly kind-hearted.¡± Ellie disliked feeling cold more than anything.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the crew was abuzz, specting that the generous sponsor must have a soft spot for someone among them. ¡°Could it be Demi¡¯s boyfriend behind this?¡± someone suddenly suggested.


    ¡°Yeah. Demi¡¯s boyfriend is wealthy and dotes on her. We¡¯re all benefiting because of you, Demi.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, thanks a lot, Demi.¡±


    Everyone in the crew showered Demi with gratitude andpliments. Demi merely smiled in response, remaining silent.


    She wasn¡¯t certain if Erick was the sponsor, but it seemed like only he could be capable of such a gesture.


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 Chapter 213

    ?Chapter 213:


    This thought made Demi swell with pride and joy.


    In contrast, Joseph sat quietly on a stool, smoking, his eyes veiled with secrecy.


    Joseph, who personally epted the funds, knew the truth ¡ª the sponsor had no connection to Demi.


    The sponsor had explicitly stated that the intention was to prevent anyone in the crew from falling ill or catching a cold due to work. Recently, Ellie had been the only one suffering from a cold.


    Joseph was well-connected and knew about Ellie¡¯s past as the Gordon family¡¯s fake daughter. Once a prominent figure in Critport, Ellie was now just a topic of gossip among the elite.


    This was why Joseph had sided with Demi, helping her create obstacles for Ellie, and why he supported Akira¡¯s plots against Ellie. Joseph felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of the unexpected windfall of sponsorship money.


    The more Demi mulled it over, the more she was convinced Erick was behind the generous act. Eagerly, she phoned him.


    With a yful tone, she said, ¡°Erick, thanks for sponsoring our crew. I¡¯m getting all sorts of praise for having such a generous boyfriend. I love you so much.¡±


    Erick, on the other end, was baffled. ¡°What sponsoring?¡±


    Was Demi hinting at him to fund her crew?


    After splurging at the auction recently, sponsoring a crew was out of the question for him.


    Still, he wanted to do something nice for her.


    That afternoon, the crew was treated to delivered meals and desserts, apanied by avish bouquet of red roses, leaving Demi beaming with pride.


    Holding the flowers, Demi headed to the film studio where Ellie was engrossed in a file.


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    Demi hoped to unt her bouquet, but Ellie seemed indifferent, not even ncing at the roses.


    Frustrated, Demi demanded, ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s your n for the Rich Bar issue?¡±


    ¡°Will you apologize to Baylee?¡± Ellie shot back.


    If Demi wasn¡¯t ready for this, Ellie wouldn¡¯t consider it.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get the call?¡± Demi asked, visibly surprised.


    ¡°What call?¡± Ellie replied, annoyed. ¡°You¡¯re blocking my light. Move aside.¡±


    Demi quickly set down the roses and stepped aside to make a phone call.


    ¡°Mom, didn¡¯t Cecelia call Ellie yet? She¡¯s still taunting me about the Rich Bar.¡±


    ¡°Cecelia did call Ellie the night beforest. I was there. But it was Kaiden who picked up. He warned us not to bother Ellie about this anymore,¡± Litzy exined with a sigh. ¡°Demi, you know Kaiden has changed. It¡¯s just a bar. Just avoid going there.¡±


    Demi ended the call, fuming with anger.


    The Rich Bar was highly esteemed among Critport¡¯s celebrities. Being cklisted there meant Demi would be aughingstock in their circles.


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 Chapter 214

    ?Chapter 214:


    Why was Kaiden so protective of that bitch Ellie? What was so special about that bitch?


    As the y wrapped up, Joseph brought everything to a stop.


    He announced, ¡°Everyone, brace yourselves. Our sponsor, who generously supported us a few days back, will be paying us a visit this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Demi, your boyfriend¡¯s on his way.¡± Someone nudged Demi¡¯s arm, teasing her.


    A chorus of yfulments erupted from the others.


    Demi felt a surge of confusion. Erick hadn¡¯t mentioned anything about visiting her.


    Yet, she soon brushed off the thought.


    Perhaps Erick nned a surprise for her.


    ¡°Ellie, doesn¡¯t this pique your interest?¡± Susanna inquired, ncing at Ellie, who was deeply engrossed in her design sketches.


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s none of my business.¡± Ellie had no desire to encounter Erick.


    ¡°The sponsor is right behind us. He¡¯ll be entering any moment now,¡± announced Joseph¡¯s assistant, bursting in from the outdoors.


    The bustling set fell into a hush. Some actresses nudged Demi yfully, teasing, ¡°Go on, Demi. Won¡¯t you wee your boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Come on, stop making fun of me. I¡¯m a little nervous,¡± Demi replied with a bashful smile and a mock scold, yet eagerly made her way to meet the sponsor.


    Stepping out onto the porch, Demi stopped dead in her tracks.


    A distant sound of wheels reached her ears.


    Ellie, who recognized this sound, lifted her gaze. Murmurs spread among the people around. ¡°Why¡¯s he in a wheelchair?¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t look like Erick. I¡¯ve seen his photo before.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Look at him, such a nice-looking guy with that cool look.¡±


    Susanna nudged Ellie¡¯s arm, whispering, ¡°Ellie, this concerns you. That¡¯s the attractive guy who was asking about you recently.¡±


    Ellie locked eyes with Kaiden from a distance.


    Kaiden lounged in the wheelchair, his good looksbined with a cool demeanor and a piercing gaze. As he came closer, the chatter around him stopped.


    Ellie stood up, visibly stunned.


    Why was Kaiden here?


    He was the one who funded their project with millions of dors?


    ¡°Demi, that¡¯s not Erick, right?¡± inquired an actress close to Demi in a hushed tone.


    ¡°Um¡­ No,¡± Demi¡¯s expression soured, her response gritted out. Everyone had assumed Erick was the generous sponsor, but they were mistaken.


    Demi felt embarrassed.


    ¡°This is Mr. Thorpe, our sponsor. Please give him a warm wee,¡± Joseph announced, standing next to Kaiden.


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 Chapter 215

    ?Chapter 215:


    Kaiden gestured for the apuse to end.


    Bruce caught Kaiden¡¯s cue. He turned to Joseph. ¡°Mr. Ramos, carry on with your tasks. Don¡¯t mind us. We¡¯re just here for a quick look.¡± But with such an attractive and influential figure arriving, how could anyone focus on their tasks?


    Each person pretended to focus on their tasks, yet nearly everyone stole nces at the striking man seated in the wheelchair.


    In no time, Kaiden spotted Ellie amidst the crowd.


    Joseph quickly caught on and introduced her. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, this is our assistant director of makeup. She¡¯s quite the looker and also young and promising. Would you like her to exin her role to you?¡±


    Kaiden gave a nod in response.


    Joseph now felt certain Kaiden¡¯s visit was for Ellie.


    Upon hearing this, Ellie instinctively looked towards Kaiden.


    His gaze was cold yet profound, as though he could draw her in.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. Thorpe. I¡¯m Ellie, in charge of costume and makeup for our leading cast.¡± Holding her portfolio, Ellie was uncertain about showing it to him.


    She doubted Kaiden, a man who probably saw no difference between high heels and sneakers, would get it.


    Hidden from view, Kaiden¡¯s tongue pushed against the back of his teeth.


    He was annoyed by Ellie¡¯s pretense of ignorance about him.


    ¡°Joseph, I¡¯ve decided to stay over tonight,¡± Kaiden suddenly dered.


    Ellie looked at Kaiden, eyes wide, filled with caution.


    Kaiden was pleased by her wary reaction.


    Joseph was taken aback. Kaiden had initially nned just a brief visit, not even staying for dinner. What made him change his mind? Recovering swiftly, Joseph offered, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯ll arrange your amodation and set up a wee party this evening.¡±


    galn¦Òv???s.????m ¨C your update hub


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze remained on Ellie. ¡°Miss Gordon, would you mind showing me to my room?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m swamped with work. I can¡¯t,¡± replied Ellie, declining instantly. The thought of escorting Kaiden to his room made her feel abined sense of unease and danger.


    Kaiden turned to Joseph. ¡°Joseph, does Miss Gordon have some free time?¡±


    How could she im to be busy in front of their sponsor?


    ¡°She¡¯s avable,¡± Joseph confirmed. ¡°Ellie, please show Mr. Thorpe around. And join us for dinner tonight.¡± Ellie was at a loss for words.


    Kaiden gestured for Bruce to step away, then requested of Ellie, ¡°Miss Gordon, would you mind pushing my wheelchair?¡±


    Everyone witnessed Ellie escorting the sponsor into the hotel.


    Once the pair departed, the others started buzzing.


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 Chapter 216

    ?Chapter 216:


    ¡°Does Ellie know the sponsor?¡±


    ¡°The sponsor is in a wheelchair, but he¡¯s quite handsome.¡±


    ¡°The sponsor seems to like Ellie because she¡¯s pretty.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Ellie¡¯s looks could evennd her an acting role.¡± Susanna, however, had a different view.


    She fancied the idea of Ellie, beautiful as she was, paired with the good-looking sponsor.


    ¡°Demi, the sponsor¡¯sst name is Thorpe too. Do you recognize him?¡± Nora Stewart, the lead actress, inquired of Demi.


    Demi¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°I don¡¯t know him.¡±


    Nora was surprised by Demi¡¯s cold response. ¡°Then why are you getting upset?¡±


    Another colleague joined in, ¡°Right. You even agreed when we suggested the sponsor was your boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°I never confirmed anything. That was your assumption,¡± Demi replied.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that your silent agreement?¡± Nora rolled her eyes. ¡°So you just went along with it randomly.¡±


    Demi¡¯s frustration boiled over, leading her to m the script onto the desk before storming out rudely.


    Throughout the journey, Ellie remained silent, simply pushing Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair.


    As they entered the presidential suite, Kaiden, still in his wheelchair, quickly closed the door. He swiftly pulled Ellie towards him, and before she could react, she found herself seated on hisp.


    She was now facing him. ¡°Kai¡­ Eh.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s lips met hers, silencing her words.


    Ellie tried to pull away, but her position weakened her leverage. Kaiden¡¯s firm grip on the back of her head left her no choice but to yield to him.


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    Her eyes wide open, she saw the intense emotions in his eyes.


    The intensity of the moment caused Ellie to instinctively close her eyes. In that instant, she felt the soft brush of Kaiden¡¯s eyshes against hers.


    ¡°Open your mouth,¡± he instructed, his voice rough and deep.


    Though the central air was off, the temperature in the room seemed to rise.


    In their close embrace, Ellie could easily sense the changes in his body. Wanting to prevent things from escting further, Ellie began to tap insistently on Kaiden¡¯s shoulder, signaling him to release her.


    ¡°K¡­ Kaiden¡­¡± Gasping for breath, Ellie tried to move away from him. s, she was far too weakpared to him. ¡°Did you send the film crew millions of dors a few days ago?¡± she asked in a low voice.


    Kaiden simply gazed intently at her.


    Although he didn¡¯t say anything, his intense stare was unsettling.


    ¡°Why did you suddenly decide to sponsor this crew? From what I was told, it was a private sponsorship!¡± Ellie¡¯s curiosity was genuine.


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 Chapter 217

    ?Chapter 217:


    Since it was a private sponsorship, Kaiden would not gain any benefit from his financial assistance. If it had been amercial sponsorship¡ªsuch as apany sponsoring the show¡ªthe production team would have inserted a soft advertisement for thatpany in one of the episodes, or even disyed a thank-you note to the sponsor at the beginning or end of the broadcast for publicity purposes.


    ¡°I have a lot of money,¡± Kaiden said perfunctorily. He stroked Ellie¡¯s waist from time to time, leisurely pinching the thin, soft flesh at the small of her back.


    The real reason he had decided to sponsor the show was to ensure Ellie was treated well. He didn¡¯t want another situation like the day before, when she had caught a cold. However, he wouldn¡¯t tell her that.


    He also wouldn¡¯t tell her that, as a sponsor of the show, he could visit her whenever he wanted.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I thought you didn¡¯t know me. Why then are you so concerned about what I do with my money?¡± Kaiden asked teasingly. He hadn¡¯t forgotten how Ellie had pretended not to know him when he appeared on set. Now, he was taking revenge on her.


    Ellie was utterly speechless.


    The reason she had pretended not to know him was because she wasn¡¯t sure if he would befortable with the crew members knowing about their rtionship.


    Another reason was that she wanted to avoid any awkwardness. If the crew members discovered that she and the sponsor knew each other well, they would start gossiping about her¡ªand she knew very well how difficult it would be to endure that.


    Ellie felt helpless. Not only had Kaiden asked her to wheel him to his hotel room in front of the entire crew, but he had also ruined her n.


    ¡°Well¡­ rich men like you always have mistresses, right? If I let everyone know I know you, what do you think they¡¯d think of me?¡± Ellie asked, her voice calm. She thought her reasoning was sound.


    At her words, Kaiden¡¯s face suddenly hardened. ¡°Do you want me to have a mistress?¡± he asked, his tone sharp.


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    Ellie knew he wasn¡¯t serious, but his words still made her pause. She wanted to say something, but hesitated. Would he just make a snidement about her overthinking things, about her being too meddlesome?


    She wanted to tell him that he was free to spend his money however he liked, to do whatever he wished with his body. After all, it was none of her business.


    But the words wouldn¡¯te.


    The truth was, she cared.


    She cared about how he spent his money, and most importantly, what he did with his body.


    Since their marriage, Kaiden had always treated her with respect and love. He stood up for her in front of the Gordon family and had no hesitation in rejecting Essence¡¯s advances. He even organized her birthday celebration and bought her a warm fur coat.


    For Kaiden, his wife had to want for nothing.


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 Chapter 218

    ?Chapter 218:


    Ellie was truly happy as Kaiden¡¯s wife, and she felt safe by his side. So, under no circumstances did she want to share her incredible husband with other women.


    Seeing that Ellie didn¡¯t respond, Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened even more. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, that¡¯s so kind of you,¡± he said, his voice t.


    The atmosphere in the room grew so cold that Ellie shivered slightly.


    Without saying another word, she stood up and inserted the key card into the slot.


    The door beeped, and then the lights and central air conditioner turned on automatically.


    Ellie turned to face Kaiden. His face remained cold. She couldn¡¯t understand how things had escted like this.


    Thinking that Kaiden probably didn¡¯t want to see her anymore, Ellie¡¯s heart felt heavy. She bit her lower lip and said bitterly, ¡°I think I should go now.¡±


    With that, she walked over to the door of the presidential suite and opened it. The next second, she stepped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her.


    Once Ellie left, the presidential suite was enveloped in almostplete silence. The faint hum of the air conditioner and the sound of Kaiden¡¯s breathing were the only noises filling the room.


    Kaiden¡¯s breathing wasbored, as if he were struggling to contain the emotions brewing inside him.


    After a moment, he sneered. Ellie had left, just like that.


    She left without saying a word.


    She could have said something to clear up the misunderstanding, but she hadn¡¯t.


    It seemed he was a fool for traveling hours just to see her.


    The crew had to entertain the sponsor that night, so they had finished the shooting early to allow everyone some rest. Important members of the production team, along with several lead actors and actresses, were invited to the banquet.


    After her argument with Kaiden earlier that day, Ellie desperately searched for an excuse not to attend the banquet. But Joseph wouldn¡¯t hear of it. He took her there personally, insisting it was still part of her work.


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    The banquet hall wasrge, with a big round table in the center, seating 24 people.


    As soon as Ellie entered, her eyes immediately found Kaiden, sitting at the head of the table.


    Everyone around him was speaking excitedly, but he was cold toward them all. In fact, his expression was even darker than when he had first arrived earlier that afternoon.


    ¡°Ellie, hurry up!¡± Joseph called out, waving for her to take her seat.


    The only seat left was an empty one next to Kaiden.


    Dozens of pairs of eyes suddenly turned toward Ellie, and she had to summon all her courage to walk toward the seat.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but notice that Kaiden didn¡¯t look at her once, which made her feel a little ufortable.


    ¡°You¡¯re sote. To apologize, you must make a toast to Mr. Thorpe.¡± Joseph stood up as he spoke, pouring Ellie a ss of wine.


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 Chapter 219

    ?Chapter 219:


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ramos. I can¡¯t drink,¡± Ellie said, her face showing clear disgust.


    Not only did she dislike alcohol, but she also hated being forced to drink, especially by someone like Joseph, whose intentions were clearly dubious.


    ¡°Cut the crap! If you couldn¡¯t drink, I would have known. Hurry up and take this ss. Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m the director. You have to listen to me.¡± Now that Joseph had swapped his director¡¯s te for dinnerware, his previous courteous demeanor hadpletely vanished. He now seemed like a business mogul, relishing his power to threaten others.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze subconsciously shifted to Kaiden.


    Leaningzily against the back of his chair, Kaiden watched her quietly. He didn¡¯t say a word, his expression seemingly expecting some sort of spectacle.


    His indifferent attitude reminded Ellie of the time when they had first gotten married. Back then, Kaiden often put her in ufortable positions, teasing her and waiting for her reaction like this.


    Ellie felt a mix of upset and frustration.


    She turned away, her eyes locking onto the ss Joseph was holding.


    For several seconds, Ellie and Joseph stared at each other, neither willing to back down. The atmosphere between them grew increasingly awkward.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, let me propose a toast to you!¡± Nora¡¯s voice cut through the tension. She raised her ss, radiating grace and charm.


    Joseph immediately shifted his attention from Ellie and introduced Nora to Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, this is our leading actress, Miss Nora Stewart. She won the Best Actress awardst year.¡±


    Kaiden remained silent, his expression cold and his gaze indifferent as he looked at Nora.


    He didn¡¯t say anything and didn¡¯t even raise his ss.


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    Nora had spent enough years in the entertainment industry and was well ustomed to the capricious behavior of the bigwigs in the field. She simply smiled awkwardly and said, ¡°It seems that Mr. Thorpe only wants Miss Gordon to raise a toast. Well, I¡¯ll finish my ss of wine on my own.¡±


    With that, Nora raised her ss to her lips and drained it in one go.


    Demi, who had been silent until then, subconsciously thought Nora was referring to her when she mentioned ¡°Miss Gordon.¡± However, as her gaze shifted to Ellie, she suddenly realized Nora was addressing Ellie.


    Demi quickly understood that everyone at the table was trying to win Kaiden¡¯s favor. Seeing this, she began to regret her decision to have Ellie with Kaiden.


    Not only was Kaiden handsome, but he also exuded a powerful and domineering aura wherever he went.


    Staring at him from the corner of her eye, Demi couldn¡¯t help but admit that if Kaiden weren¡¯t crippled, he would have easily outshone Erick.


    The people around the table started urging Ellie to raise a toast, putting her in a difficult position.


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    ?Chapter 220:


    Ellie nced helplessly at Kaiden. When she saw he didn¡¯t say anything as people pressured her to drink, she asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you really want me to drink?¡±


    Confusion swept through the group as they exchanged puzzled nces. What had Ellie¡¯s cryptic statement meant? Hadn¡¯t Kaiden been the one who asked Ellie to drink?


    The only person who seemed to understand Ellie¡¯s true intent was Demi. In reality, Ellie was challenging Kaiden, and the stakes were high. If she refused to drink now, it would publicly humiliate him. No man could bear to lose face. Could it be that Ellie had be so spoiled by Kaiden? It didn¡¯t seem possible.


    Ellie, her voice quivering and her eyes zing with stubbornness, pondered the situation. Kaiden hesitated for a moment, almost willing to let it go.


    But then, recalling their private conversation, he regained hisposure, continuing to observe Ellie with an indifferent gaze.


    The scenario was eerily reminiscent of their past encounter at the Heart Ind Club¡ªfull of self-mockery andpromise. Finally, Ellie reluctantly relented, offering a faint smile. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll have a drink.¡± She reached for the ss before her, not daring to meet Kaiden¡¯s eyes, and was about to drain it.


    In an unexpected move, Kaiden abruptly grabbed Ellie¡¯s ss and emptied its contents into his own mouth.


    Ellie stared at him in astonishment.


    He had¡­ taken her ss and drank from it himself?


    ¡°Oh, my goodness!¡± Someone gasped in the eerie silence, quickly covering their mouth.


    Kaiden looked at Ellie coldly, his eyes betraying a restrained anger. His gaze seemed to say she had made a grave mistake.


    Ellie felt deeply wronged. After all, it had been Kaiden who insisted she take the drink.


    Sensing the stubbornness in her eyes, Kaiden swiftly rose from his seat, saying, ¡°Enjoy yourselves.¡±


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    ¡°Are you okay, Ellie?¡± someone asked, concern evident in their voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Ellie replied with a faint smile, though her heart ached.


    ¡°Please enjoy yourselves; I must be on my way. I apologize.¡±


    Joseph readily nodded in understanding, allowing Ellie to leave. Being closest to Kaiden, Joseph couldn¡¯t help but notice the possessiveness in Kaiden¡¯s eyes as he watched Ellie.


    From a man¡¯s perspective, Kaiden¡¯s actions were easy to interpret. If he truly had feelings for Ellie, it was only natural for him to be reluctant to see her drink such a potent alcoholic beverage.


    But this raised a question. If Kaiden didn¡¯t want Ellie to drink, why had he initially made things so difficult for her?


    Once Ellie left, the atmosphere at the table grew lively.


    ¡°Damn! There¡¯s no room for a third person in the chemistry between Ellie and Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    ¡°Ellie has incredible mental fortitude. Mr. Thorpe¡¯s presence even makes someone like me, at forty, feel weak in the knees.¡±


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 Chapter 221

    ?Chapter 221:


    ¡°It seems Ellie and Mr. Thorpe are acquainted. But when Mr. Thorpe arrived this afternoon, I heard Ellie introduce herself to him.¡±


    ¡°Could Ellie have offended Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    Ellie searched for Kaiden after leaving the private room, but she couldn¡¯t find him.


    To her surprise, he had quickly moved his wheelchair.


    After a fruitless search, Ellie made her way to his presidential suite and knocked on the door, but there was no response.


    She sighed and waited by the door.


    Weary from her high heels, she crouched down, hugging her knees. Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair glided silently across the carpet, and Ellie remained unaware of his approach.


    Kaiden watched the woman before him, squatting and hugging herself, for a full minute.


    Startled by his sudden voice, Ellie lost her bnce and sat on the floor, still dazed.


    She looked up at Kaiden, who was sitting in the wheelchair.


    Kaiden allowed her a moment to speak, but Ellie remained silent.


    His anger, briefly suppressed by nicotine, resurfaced.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Kaiden sneered.


    Ellie spoke truthfully. ¡°I¡¯m looking for you.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s anger red. He bent down and forcibly pinched Ellie¡¯s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.


    ¡°Ellie, youe to me whenever you please. Do you really think of me as a male escort? Huh?¡±


    ¡°Then what is it?¡± His anger didn¡¯t subside; it only grew. ¡°Did youe here to suggest that I should keep another woman?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Ellie protested, feeling unjustly used. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I¡­¡± Then, she remembered her earlierment from the day. ¡°Rich men like you always have mistresses, right?¡±


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    Had he misunderstood her because of that remark?


    But it was true. Among the men in this circle, eight out of ten maintained such rtionships.


    ¡°You what?¡± Kaiden¡¯s patience was thinning. ¡°Spit it out.¡±


    Gathering her courage, Ellie finally locked eyes with Kaiden.


    ¡°Joseph specifically asked me to change into more appropriate attire to entertain you tonight. As you¡¯ve witnessed, he practically wanted to adorn me with a bow and present me to you. Kaiden, we both understand that you might encounter many such women in the future.¡± The world was full of temptation.


    ¡°So, I don¡¯t want to start haggling with you from the beginning when I know I can¡¯t win. It¡¯s important for me to set my mindset and position straight from the outset,¡± Ellie rified.


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 Chapter 222

    ?Chapter 222:


    As long as she didn¡¯t cross certain boundaries, she knew where she needed to stand. She would only be frustrated if she aspired for more.


    Bruce, startled by the tension, interjected, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe, perhaps you should continue this conversation in your room.¡±


    With that, Bruce used the key card to open the door to Kaiden¡¯s room.


    The moment Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair rolled through the door, he stood up and pressed Ellie against it.


    The intensity of his anger was palpable, his eyes burning.


    It was the first time Ellie had seen Kaiden this furious since their marriage.


    Usually, when he was angry, there was an eerie silence, as if he locked someone in a cold, dark room to reflect.


    But now, it was apletely different situation.


    He resembled an enraged wolf, exuding a chilling violence that threatened to tear everything apart. Even his kiss carried the weight of his fury.


    A ripping sound echoed through the air, and Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    Her voice finally escaped her throat.


    It felt like a relentless game, more of a one-sided exertion of power. Kaiden was forcing Ellie to surrender, drawing cries and pleas from her.


    He persisted, constantly questioning her actions, as though he were an instructive teacher quizzing a struggling student who understood the material. It was as if he were guiding the hesitant student to grasp the solutions through example, encouraging them to uncover the principles behind their responses.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your keeper, and I¡¯m in no position to control you. From the start, I¡¯ve given you your freedom. What do you expect me to do, Kaiden?¡± Ellie shouted, her anger and grievances spilling over, tears flowing from her eyes¡ªwhether from physical pain or emotional turmoil. Kaiden¡¯s handsome face glistened with sweat. He wore a sneer, as though he had just heard an absurd joke.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re my wife. If you¡¯re not qualified, then who is?¡±


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    Ellie was stunned, initially thinking she had heard wrong. ¡°You¡­ Are you saying that I can have control over your actions and decisions?¡± she ventured.


    ¡°I must say, I¡¯ve never heard of a wife willingly letting her husband keep another woman.¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone made it clear he wasn¡¯t thrilled about this idea.


    When Ellie heard this, she finally understood that they were seeing the situation from twopletely different perspectives.


    ¡°I never said I wanted you to keep another woman. I just¡­¡± She trailed off, sighing. There really wasn¡¯t much point in exining herself. She returned to the topic at hand, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. ¡°Are you really willing to let me take charge of you? You¡¯ll do as I say, no matter what it is?¡±


    Do as she said? Ridiculous.


    Kaiden barely held back a derisive snort. ¡°It would depend on what you require of me, of course.¡±


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 Chapter 223

    ?Chapter 223:


    Ellie thought about it for a moment. What she wanted was very simple, really. ¡°If I ask you to respect our marriage and never cheat on me?¡±


    Before she could finish, she found Kaiden thrusting into her, a moan escaping her lips as she couldn¡¯t bear the sudden, violent movement in the bed. She knew he had done it on purpose to punish her.


    Kaiden burst out into humorlessughter.


    What kind of condition was that?


    Wasn¡¯t that a given in anymitted rtionship?


    ¡°Can¡¯t youe up with something more¡­ sensible?¡± he asked sarcastically.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go with this one for now.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± Kaiden conceded with an exasperated sigh to himself.


    Ellie paused, blinking at him. He wasn¡¯t going to protest?


    While it was true she was asking for the bare minimum, she knew all too well that it wasn¡¯t as simple as it sounded, especially with temptations constantly lurking around.


    As far as Ellie knew, the adulterous lifestyle wasmon among the rich and powerful. The stories she¡¯d heard were all the same¡ªa certain young master would retire to his hotel for the night, and his paramour of the week would already be waiting in his room. The frown on her brow slowly faded, and even her disgust at Kaiden¡¯s forced kiss from earlier disappeared, reced by a strange sense of satisfaction.


    ¡°It¡¯s a deal then. You can¡¯t go back on your word.¡± After a moment of thought, she added, ¡°If you find someone you like, feel free to tell me about it. We can work it out from there. Just don¡¯t ever lie to me or betray me.¡±


    Ellie chose her words carefully, making sure to use ¡°like¡± instead of ¡°love.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t sure when or how it had happened, but somewhere along the way, she had started to hope that Kaiden might be interested in her.


    As for Kaiden, he was already in a foul mood when the conversation began, and Ellie¡¯s words only upset him further. Here she was, lying on his bed, talking about him liking another woman. Was she expecting to fall for another man herself?


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    Kaiden nipped at her ear, his voiceced with danger as he said, ¡°You had thising.¡±


    Ellie barely had time to pull away in confusion before he was on top of her, taking control in a way that left her no time to process what he was implying.


    It was all too much for her to bear.


    Needless to say, Ellie was sore when she woke up the next morning, her skin marked with red bruises here and there.


    Kaiden had been relentless with her body, as though he wanted to punish her. Ellie rolled over and was about to pull the covers up when she felt a strong, muscr arm wind around her waist. She was then pulled into a possessive embrace. Kaiden buried his face in her hair, his breath brushing lightly against her nape. His chest felt unnaturally hot against her back.


    Ellie squirmed in his arms, then noticed the bright light streaming through the curtains. She suddenly snapped to attention and jumped out of bed. ¡°Oh, my God! I¡¯mte!¡±


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 Chapter 224

    ?Chapter 224:


    But before she could take a step away from the bed, she was yanked back into Kaiden¡¯s arms.


    ¡°I¡¯mte!¡± Ellieined.


    ¡°You¡¯re off this morning,¡± Kaiden murmured, his voice a little raspy.


    He was a light sleeper by nature and could function on just four hours of sleep a day. The only reason he had stayed in bed these past few hours was the soft woman curled up beside him.


    He took a deep breath, inhaling her unique scent, and closed his eyes. Last night had been pure bliss.


    Still unconvinced, Ellie grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Joseph had sent a message saying that he would be lecturing the lead actors for the first half of the day and had asked the makeup team to rest in the meantime.


    The message had been sent around midnight. Something didn¡¯t add up. Why the short notice?


    After staring at her screen for a moment, she heard Kaiden mumble, ¡°I asked him to send you that message.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s face scrunched up, both shocked and outraged.


    So, that was why he hadn¡¯t let up on her until the early hours of the morning. He had already known she didn¡¯t need to get up for work!


    Regardless, Ellie¡¯s supposed partial rest day was now wasted. It was already half-past ten.


    She grew limp in his arms, resigned to her fate. Then she recalled their argument and subsequent reconciliation, and a strange emotion rose in her heart.


    For some reason, she felt as though they had grown closer.


    Less than an hourter, Kaiden was dressed in his suit again, returning to his usual cold demeanor.


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    ¡°Kaiden,¡± Ellie called weakly from the bed. ¡°I don¡¯t have any clothes to wear.¡±


    He had torn her dress, and it nowy in pieces on the carpet of the suite¡¯s living room. ¡°Wait here.¡±


    Kaiden walked out of the bedroom. When he returned a minuteter, he was carrying a red cashmere dress and a set of underwear.


    Ellie gasped, her face instantly turning red. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask Bruce to get these, did you?¡± If he had, she might never be able to face Bruce again. She would be too embarrassed!


    Kaiden clicked his tongue and narrowed his eyes at her. ¡°What do you think, Ellie? Am I the type to let another man buy my own wife¡¯s undergarments?¡±


    ¡°But you let Bruce do everything for you,¡± Ellie grumbled internally. ¡°He¡¯s always stuck to your side. You didn¡¯t even care that he was there when you kissed me! I wouldn¡¯t put it past you to make him buy my underwear.¡±


    Kaiden set the clothes down on the bed. Ellie moved to sit up, only to feel a distinct ache between her legs. Truth be told, she ached everywhere. If she didn¡¯t know any better, she would have thought she had been hit by a bus.


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 Chapter 225

    ?Chapter 225:


    ¡°You are quite delicate, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kaiden teased. He then slowly pulled her from under the covers and helped her sit up. ¡°Raise your arms.¡±


    Was he going to dress her now?


    Ellie scrambled for the quilt and wrapped it around herself. ¡°I can do it myself.¡±


    Unfazed, he tugged at the quilt and tossed it aside. ¡°I¡¯ve seen everything, so why bother hiding it?¡±


    By the time she was fully dressed, Ellie¡¯s face was as red as a tomato.


    Kaiden should have just let her do it herself. He didn¡¯t even know how to properly put her underwear on! She had to show him, right then and there.


    Ellie ducked her head, avoiding eye contact. Scenes from their recent encounter shed in her mind, and before she could stop herself, she spoke. ¡°You hurt mest night.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her voice was so quiet that Kaiden didn¡¯t catch her words. Ellie finally looked up, ring at him as she repeated in an usatory tone, ¡°You hurt mest night! And you never apologized.¡±


    Kaiden nced down at her. Beneath her dress, he knew her body was covered with hickeys. He also remembered how she had cried, and a flicker of regret crossed his mind. It was gone the next second.


    Apologize to her, huh?


    Kaiden Thorpe never apologized to anyone.


    He had told her, hadn¡¯t he? She deserved everything she gotst night. Without bothering to respond, Kaiden led the way out of the bedroom. He was a picky eater and didn¡¯t like the hotel¡¯s food. So, he picked up his phone and ordered takeout from his favorite high-end restaurant.


    Ellie enjoyed the meal. It was the fanciest thing she had eaten since joining the filming crew. She was almost done when she noticed another bag on the table. It had been untouched since it arrived.


    She peeked at its contents and eximed happily, ¡°Milk tea! You ordered this for me?¡±


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    ¡°It¡¯s included in the meal,¡± Kaiden replied nomittally.


    Ellie nced at the brand logo. It didn¡¯t evene from the same restaurant where he had ordered the entire meal.


    ¡°Is this your way of apologizing to me?¡± she prodded. Why else would he order it without any apparent reason?


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking things,¡± Kaiden said, his face nk.


    ¡°Just so you know, this isn¡¯t enough. If you really want to apologize, you should order another serving of fried chicken.¡±


    ¡°I already told you, it¡¯s not an apology.¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was mildly irritated. This woman loved eating junk food all day.


    Ellie smirked to herself, deciding not to poke the bear any further.


    She stuck her straw into the cup and took a big sip.


    Her face fell in disappointment.


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    The milk tea had the regr sugar level, which was too sweet for her.


    At precisely half-past one in the afternoon, the crew began their work.


    ¡°I had my morning break, and now I get to enjoy fried chicken at work. This is making me so happy. I wonder whose family member is so thoughtful,¡± Susanna gleefully remarked between bites of crispy chicken wings.


    The delivery of the delectable fried chicken had arrived just ten minutes earlier, courtesy of an anonymous benefactor who imed to be connected to a crew member.


    The mystery surrounding this generous gesture left everyone in suspense, unaware of the kind-hearted contributor.


    Ellie, stealing a furtive nce at the scene, couldn¡¯t help but smile to herself.


    Kaiden might not have admitted it openly, but his actions spoke volumes.


    As Ellie¡¯s gaze drifted toward the presidential suite, she wondered if Kaiden had left yet.


    Today, Ellie¡¯s responsibility was to create a down-and-out appearance for the secondary lead, Herman Coleman. Having alreadypleted his final look, today¡¯s makeup process went smoothly.


    As Ellie worked diligently, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the subtle nces directed her way by several crew members.


    It was clear that Kaiden¡¯s interaction with her had stirred curiosity. In a tight-knit crew, there were no secrets. Although only a handful of people had witnessed Ellie¡¯s presence at Kaiden¡¯s reception the previous day, by now, the entire crew knew that the stunning stylist, known as Ellie, had sat beside the sponsor.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what¡¯s your rtionship with Mr. Thorpe?¡± Herman inquired in a hushed tone while Ellie applied his makeup.


    While Ellie had no intention of lying, she couldn¡¯t reveal her true rtionship with Kaiden to anyone.


    She offered a polite smile but said nothing.


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    Herman sneered, assuming Ellie was nothing more than a gold digger with nothing to be proud of.


    A few momentster, Herman found himself captivated by Ellie¡¯s radiant beauty and whispered, ¡°Miss Gordon, I was enchanted by you at first sight. Would you consider being¡­¡±


    ¡°With me? My mother works in the fashion industry, and I can provide you with the best resources.¡±


    Ellie momentarily paused in her efforts, her eyes growing icy.


    ¡°Mr. Coleman, I¡¯ll choose to ignore what you just said. I hope this will be thest time you bring it up.¡± Once she finished styling Herman, Ellie left without a second thought.


    Herman, left smarting from the rejection, felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.


    As Demi approached, she couldn¡¯t contain herughter. ¡°Herman, the way you dress has a significant impact on your appearance. You have countless fans who adore your good looks. Did Ellie intentionally give you this 100k?¡±


    Before his career took off, Herman had been the most handsome guy in school. After entering the entertainment industry, he had capitalized on his looks for marketing purposes, shamelessly unting his handsome features.


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 Chapter 227

    ?Chapter 227:


    While taking makeup photos, Herman had initially thought the look wasn¡¯t ttering. Now, as Demi pointed it out, the more he examined himself, the less satisfied he became.


    ¡°Herman, did you offend Ellie? I¡¯ve seen the fantastic styling she¡¯s done for others, but yours¡­¡± Demi trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. Then she added, ¡°Yesterday, Mr. Ramos mentioned your posture wasn¡¯t up to par. Ellie, in fact, approached Mr. Ramos and mentioned that your posture was slouched, far from the look expected of a handsome period drama character.¡±


    As the head of the makeup team, Ellie, of course, refrained from gossiping about the actors¡¯ conduct. It wasn¡¯t her ce. However, Herman never bothered to rify the truth with Ellie, leaving Demi free to share whatever she pleased.


    Herman had received a severe scolding from Joseph the previous day due to his poor posture. It had been a blow to his pride. Ellie¡¯s recent rejection, coupled with his current appearance, caused him to clench his fists in frustration.


    Outside the studio city, Ellie and Susanna ran errands to purchase some everyday essentials.


    Upon their return, they were met with a group of fans holding banners that read, ¡°Come on, Herman¡± and ¡°Herman, I love you.¡±


    ¡°But I thought the cast hadn¡¯t made this public? How do they have fans already?¡± Susanna wondered aloud, just before amotion erupted.


    ¡°You wretch! You intentionally made Herman look so ugly!¡± a furious fan yelled, hurling something at Ellie.


    Quick on her feet, Ellie grabbed herrge shoulder bag and shielded Susanna with her other arm, protecting her from the iing object.


    Stter!


    The projectile turned out to be an egg, which burst upon impact against Ellie¡¯s Louis Vuitton bag.


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    The enraged woman continued hurling eggs at Ellie, as if channeling all her anger into this bizarre attack.


    Ellie then pushed Susanna aside and used her bag as a shield, skillfully deflecting the eggs. Not a single drop of yolk tarnished her attire.


    ¡°You bitch! You deliberately gave Herman an unttering makeover and spoke ill of him. Women like you, trying to ruin his career, deserve to suffer!¡± the woman raged, her face twisted with hatred. Suddenly, she lunged forward, a glint of silver shing in her hand.


    ¡°Watch out, Ellie!¡± Susanna cried out.


    p!


    ¡°Ahh!¡±


    Almost simultaneously, the woman¡¯s pained cry and the sound of a dagger hitting the ground filled the air.


    No one couldprehend how Ellie had managed to disarm the frenzied fan, pinning her to the ground with her hands behind her back in a swift, lightning-fast maneuver.


    The entire process took no more than a few seconds.


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 Chapter 228

    ?Chapter 228:


    In the film crew¡¯s meeting room¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry, Ellie. I had no idea my fans would go to such lengths. They care for me too much. I apologize on their behalf.¡± Though Herman appeared remorseful, his inner calm remained intact. Since Ellie hadn¡¯t suffered any physical harm, they opted not to escte the situation.


    Then, Ellie retrieved her phone and disyed a screenshot. ¡°You y the role of a destitute beggar. Do you really expect to look handsome in that context, Herman? Please exin how I made you appear ugly on purpose.¡±


    The screenshot featured a post Herman had made just a few hours earlier: ¡°Why does my styling look so different from the others¡¯? Am I being singled out? Is this some sort of hate?¡±


    Apanying the post was a stylized selfie of Herman looking into a mirror, with Ellie¡¯s reflection visible in the background. This led to fans recognizing Ellie when she was outside the studio city.


    ¡°This¡­ I thought I had deleted that¡­¡± After Herman hastily posted the message, he quickly deleted it. He had only intended to share it with his fans, but in the world of the inte, once something was out there, it left traces.


    Herman was a prominent actor with influential connections, and Joseph didn¡¯t want to escte the situation. However, it was evident that Ellie had a close rtionship with Kaiden, leaving Joseph uncertain of how to proceed.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re unharmed. What a fan does has no bearing on the idol. Let¡¯s not make this harder for Herman,¡± Demi remarked, privately hoping that the crazed fan had sessfully stabbed Ellie.


    Susanna chimed in, somewhat angry, ¡°Easy for you to say, Demi. You¡¯re not the one who almost got stabbed.¡±


    Demi raised an eyebrow, taken aback. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize makeup artists had the right to voice their opinions here.¡±


    Ellie shook her head at Susanna, silently urging her not to argue further with Demi, not wanting to create any animosity within the crew. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on it any longer.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t want to waste any more time on the matter.


    Fresh chapters live g?ln¦Ò¦Íe?s?c?m


    Herman, who had anticipated this oue, proposed, ¡°Ellie, how about you post an online statement rifying that it was all a misunderstanding? Your Louis Vuitton bag got soiled, so I¡¯ll gift you a Hermes bag.¡±


    He projected an air of generosity, as if he had done Ellie a massive favor.


    Ellie chuckled. ¡°Herman, even if I don¡¯t mind, it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll cooperate with you. I don¡¯t believe this was just a misunderstanding. And as for the Hermes bag? I¡¯m not exactly in need of one.¡±


    Ellie was on the verge of expressing her indifference toward Herman¡¯s wealth. She wanted him to just go away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act all high and mighty. You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t appreciate a Hermes bag worth over a hundred thousand dors?¡± Herman retorted, his face reddening with frustration. ¡°I¡¯ll even throw in a BMW X5. You should wise up.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any idea how much my watch costs?¡± Ellie raised her left hand, disying a Cartier watch on her wrist.


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 Chapter 229

    ?Chapter 229:


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Herman asked.


    ¡°Although it may not be as prestigious as a Patek Philippe, it¡¯s a limited edition and was originally priced at $900,000.¡± Ellie quizzed him further, ¡°Why don¡¯t you calcte how many BMW X5s and Hermes bags this watch could fetch?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha!¡± Charlie couldn¡¯t help butugh, covering his mouth with his hand before awkwardly clearing his throat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean tough. Ellie doesn¡¯t unt her wealth. That¡¯s good.¡±


    Ellie, however, saw right through him and knew that Charlie¡¯sughter was intentional.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll go back to my room first.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t want to waste her time there.


    ¡°Ellie, what are you proud of? Acquiring your wealth by sleeping with men? If you¡¯re bold enough, summon Mr. Thorpe to settle the score with me. For a hooker, you take yourself too seriously!¡± Herman angrily shouted as Ellie walked away.


    Returning to her room, Ellie opened the door and was surprised to find a man inside.


    What?


    For a moment, she questioned whether she had entered the wrong room. Doubting herself, she verified the door number. It was indeed her room. ¡°Kaiden, why are you in my room? Why haven¡¯t you left?¡± Ellie hurriedly entered and closed the door, grateful that she had upgraded the standard room to a single room.


    This single room, though luxurious, was rtively smallerpared to the presidential suite Kaiden had used to upy. However, it still maintained a sense of simplicity.


    ¡°I¡¯m lodging here.¡±


    Seated in the armchair, Kaiden had documents spread across the tea table¡ªsome read, some unread. He appeared quite at home in this makeshift office.


    ¡°What do you mean by lodging here?¡± Ellie frowned.


    Find your next chapter g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s


    ¡°I need to stay here for another two days,¡± Kaiden exined. ¡°It¡¯s quiet here.¡±


    ¡°You have work here, and to avoid disturbances from Joseph and the others in the presidential suite, you chose to stay quietly in my room?¡± Ellie understood the practicality but couldn¡¯t understand why she had to agree to it. ¡°There are numerous hotels nearby. Why not stay in one of them?¡±


    Without uttering a word, Kaiden looked up at Ellie, his expression seemingly questioning. ¡°Can¡¯t I stay here? Are you asking me to leave?¡±


    Ellie was silenced by his look.


    Legally, Kaiden was her husband, and staying here was within his rights.


    However, as the CEO of the GT Group, wasn¡¯t it ufortable for him to upy a room of less than forty square meters?


    Unable to decipher his thoughts, Ellie finally sighed andpromised. ¡°Alright. By the way, have you eaten yet?¡±


    Noticing the absence of food in the room, she wondered whether he had skipped his meal.


    To Kaiden, the bad-tasting food at the hotel didn¡¯t deserve to be tasted. Thinking of the fried chicken he had arranged for the crew earlier, Ellie suggested, ¡°How about I take you out for dinner?¡±


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 Chapter 230

    Chapter 230:


    There was a night market street about two kilometers away from the studio city. Both sides of the street were lined with all sorts of stalls selling food and merchandise.


    d in a ck cashmere overcoat and a mask, Kaiden strolled down the street, drawing considerable attention.


    ¡°The woman over there is taking pictures of you,¡± Ellie remarked, standing on tiptoe to discreetly point at the woman, offering a smiling reminder to Kaiden. Kaiden frowned slightly.


    ¡°She should be an influencer,¡± Ellie rified. ¡°There are many influencers broadcasting live every night on this street. Some showcase themselves, while others capture images of pedestrians. Wearing a mask ensures no one recognizes you.¡±


    Interrupting their walk, the woman with long curly hair, whom Ellie had just noticed, approached with filming equipment. She cheerfully requested, ¡°Mr. Handsome and Miss Beautiful, excuse me, I¡¯m a short video interview YouTuber who focuses on gender rtions. Would it be convenient for you to answer a few questions?¡±


    Kaiden appeared displeased, almost projecting the words ¡°get out¡± on his handsome face.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ We can¡¯t do it at the moment,¡± Ellie apologized.


    Despite the rejection, the YouTuber was reluctant to let go of the chance to interview two individuals with such remarkable presence. She pleaded, ¡°Just give me two minutes, please. It¡¯ll only be two minutes. It¡¯s not easy for me to make a living.¡±


    With an understanding of thepetitive short videondscape and a sense ofpassion, Ellie, typically easy-going, hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°What do you want to interview us about?¡±


    The YouTuber beamed. ¡°Are you two lovers?¡±


    Ellie nced at Kaiden and replied, ¡°Uh, no.¡±


    Before Ellie could finish her sentence, Kaiden interjected, ¡°She is my wife.¡±


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    Ellie looked at Kaiden in astonishment.


    ¡°Wow!¡± the YouTuber eximed excitedly. ¡°Miss Beautiful, you look only twenty years old. You got married so early. Do handsome men and beautiful women get married young nowadays?¡±


    Ellie, braving the situation, nodded. ¡°I¡¯m over the legal age to get married.¡±


    The YouTuber burst intoughter. ¡°You are so cute. Have you two ever had a fight?¡±


    Ellie hesitated but eventually nodded. ¡°Yes, we did.¡±


    Although, it was more like they weren¡¯t on speaking terms.


    Curious, the YouTuber asked, ¡°Then what is the best way for you to resolve conflicts?¡±


    It seemed there was no clear solution. They just naturally reconciled.


    Uncertain how to respond, Ellie nced at Kaiden, whose eyes exuded coldness.


    He bluntly replied, ¡°Having sex.¡±


    The YouTuber was shocked. ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Ellie was both dumbstruck and speechless.


    ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± The YouTuber couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and burst intoughter. She gave Kaiden a thumbs-up and said, ¡°Good job, handsome.¡±


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers! There will be new novels tomorrow. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ? ?? ? ?? ?


    P.S. There readers, the linktree is now avable: https://linktr.ee/ . There you¡¯ll find all our links, including the website and themunity¡ªand soon, we¡¯ll be releasing audio novels for you to enjoy ?(?? ? ??)


    .

 Chapter 231

    ?Chapter 231:


    Ellie, with a flushed face, attempted to exin.


    The YouTuber, satisfied with the response, looked at Kaiden¡¯s impatient face and quickly said, ¡°Okay! Thank you both. May you live happily ever after!¡±


    ¡°Can you watch your mouth in front of the camera, Mr. Thorpe?¡± Ellie cautioned. ¡°That YouTuber is not Bruce, nor is she your driver.¡±


    Ellie stood on the road, rubbing her forehead, still unable to shake off Kaiden¡¯s unexpected words about having sex.


    Kaiden, seemingly oblivious to the situation, asked, ¡°Did I say anything wrong?¡±


    Ellie sighed. ¡°But she is a YouTuber. There may be minors watching the video. Can¡¯t you consider the mental health of minors?¡±


    ¡°The deficiency in our country¡¯s education of minors lies in the failure to address gender rtions,¡± Kaidenmented.


    Ellie was rendered speechless.


    She realized that Kaiden¡¯s reluctance to talk wasn¡¯t due to ack of eloquence.


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯m not wearing a mask. You just said I was your wife in the video¡­¡± Ellie wanted to say something but stopped herself.


    He had just dered that she was his wife. If the YouTuber decided to share the video online, there was a chance that someone within their social circle mighte across it.


    Kaiden, with his eyes lowered, asked, ¡°You don¡¯t want people to know about our marriage?¡±


    In the dim light of the night, he positioned himself against the glow, making it challenging for Ellie to discern his facial features clearly. Lowering her head, Ellie looked at the floor tiles and replied, ¡°It might be more fitting to keep our marriage¡­ a secret.¡± This way, they wouldn¡¯t receive too much attention.


    If they separatedter, it wouldn¡¯t affect them too much.


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    Kaiden stared at Ellie for a moment, his face turning colder, and continued walking forward.


    He announced, ¡°The video won¡¯t be posted.¡±


    As she wished.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Ellie walked forward, quickly catching up with him. ¡°What do you want to eat?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat,¡± Kaiden replied.


    ¡°That barbecue isn¡¯t bad. I¡¯ve had it with my colleagues,¡± Ellie suggested, pointing to a nearby barbecue stall while holding his hand. ¡°It¡¯s dirty.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡±


    ¡°Ellie?¡±


    A man¡¯s voice interrupted Ellie.


    Herman, wearing a peaked cap, was sitting at a barbecue stall¡¯s table with some unfamiliar men. The table was scattered with skewers and empty beer bottles.


    Ellie, pretending not to notice Herman, held Kaiden¡¯s hand and walked in the opposite direction.


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 Chapter 232

    ?Chapter 232:


    ¡°Stop, Ellie,¡± Herman swiftly stepped forward, blocking her path.


    ¡°Bitch, you spent the night with that sponsor, Mr. Thorpe. Found yourself a different guy tonight?¡± Herman looked at Kaiden from head to toe arrogantly. ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve got a mask on. Are you part of our circle? Who are you? Ellie, you hook up with another man. Does Mr. Thorpe know about this?¡±


    Kaiden wasn¡¯t just wearing a mask; he was also standing tall at nearly 6 feet. No one could link the man before them to the sponsor who usually sat in a wheelchair.


    Herman¡¯s face turned as red as a tomato, and the smell of alcohol hit Ellie as soon as he approached, making her feel nauseous.


    ¡°Herman, my personal life is none of your business. Please get out of the way!¡± Ellie huffed.


    ¡°Are you feeling guilty?¡± Herman smiled arrogantly. ¡°Ellie, Ie from a wealthy and influential family. It¡¯s your privilege that I requested you to sleep with me for a few nights. I showed you respect, but you gave me shit.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression grew darker.


    However, the drunkard was oblivious to the danger he was in. Pointing at Kaiden, Herman said, ¡°Buddy, you have no idea, do you? The woman beside you is a hooker. She¡­ Ah!¡±


    Kaiden punched Herman, causing him to fall to the ground instantly. Blood spilled from the corner of Herman¡¯s mouth.


    Kaiden, not finished, grabbed Herman by the cor and punched him again.


    It took Ellie a few seconds to recover from the shock, and she quickly ran over.


    ¡°Kaiden! Please, don¡¯t fight.¡± Holding onto Kaiden¡¯s arm, Ellie tried to hold him back, but she wasn¡¯t strong enough. She kept persuading him, saying, ¡°Stop hitting him. We¡¯re in public. If the police arrive, you¡¯ll have to reveal your identity. Think before you act.¡±


    It seemed Kaiden didn¡¯t hear what Ellie said. As Herman attempted to get up, Kaiden punched him again, leaving him unable to rise. Herman¡¯s buddies suddenly sensed trouble and rushed over to help him.


    Your favorite tales live at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??????


    ¡°Herman.¡±


    ¡°Who the hell are you? What gives you the audacity toy a hand on Herman?¡±


    ¡°You want to fight, don¡¯t you? Bring it on.¡±


    Not wanting to escte things further, Ellie said, ¡°Herman, you¡¯re an actor, and I¡¯m just an ordinary person. Think about this. If you want a fight, we¡¯ll stand our ground and see it through.¡±


    Ellie held Kaiden¡¯s hand, worried that as she faced them, the tough guy beside her might throw another punch.


    Herman hadn¡¯t beenpletely drunk yet. What Ellie said made sense. He knew a public scandal could severely damage his reputation.


    Sneering, he issued a threat. ¡°Fine. You two just wait and see.¡±


    Walking away hand in hand with Kaiden, Ellie said in disbelief, ¡°He doesn¡¯t even recognize you, yet he dares to threaten. What a fool.¡± Kaiden¡¯s face was covered with coldness, his mood turning gloomy.


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 Chapter 233

    ?Chapter 233:


    ¡°Calm down. He didn¡¯t recognize you as Kaiden,¡± Ellieforted him. She couldn¡¯t help but look at him with doubt. ¡°You always seem so calm, but today, you were ready to throw punches.¡±


    Kaiden nced at her. Did she think he reacted just because Herman had offended him?


    ¡°Past this road, there¡¯s a restaurant owned by the youngest Lee family member. It¡¯s got a great atmosphere and delicious food. How about dinner there?¡± Ellie suggested, changing the subject.


    Kaiden asked, ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not important. Forget it.¡±


    Ellie momentarily slipped her mind that Kaiden wasn¡¯t interested in social circles.


    After their meal, they returned to their hotel.


    Ellie decided to freshen up with a shower first.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden received a call from Bruce.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, the YouTuber won¡¯t be sharing the short video of you and Mrs. Thorpe online. Moreover, Herman, the person you wanted me to look into, turns out to be the youngest son of a chief executive in a publicpany. He¡¯s not the kind of person you¡¯d want to¡­¡±


    ¡°Associate with him? He had an altercation with Mrs. Thorpe just this afternoon. He¡­¡± Kaiden, puffing on his cigarette, listened to the entire story. Then, with a lift of his eyebrows, he inquired, ¡°Did he ask for me to deal with him?¡±


    ¡°Uh, he roared like this.¡± Bruce had never met anyone as foolish as this before.


    Kaiden indeed had intentions to confront Herman. ¡°Then get rid of him.¡±


    Ellie, just stepping out of the bathroom, heard the end of Kaiden¡¯s sentence.


    ¡°Get rid of what?¡± she casually asked.


    ¡°Just some trash.¡±


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    The next morning, Ellie woke up to her rm, feeling aches all over her body. Her skin was covered in marks left by Kaiden under the light quilt. The culprit had stayed upter than her the night before. Now, he was lounging on the sofa, browsing through his emails.


    While Ellie struggled to open her sleepy eyes, he seemed quite lively.


    Feeling a bit annoyed, Ellie grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him. Kaiden, as if he had eyes everywhere, caught the pillow effortlessly without even looking up.


    ¡°Do you need help getting dressed?¡± Kaiden asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much,¡± Ellie replied with a re.


    Right after Ellie had changed, someone knocked on the door.


    She quickly slipped into her slippers and rushed to answer it. But then, she remembered there was another man in her room.


    ¡°You should really hide yourself.¡± Ellie turned around, yanked Kaiden to his feet, and shoved him into the bathroom. ¡°Don¡¯t make a sound.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, we are legally married.¡±


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 Chapter 234

    ?Chapter 234:


    Most husbands would feel insulted being stashed away by their wives as though they were part of an affair.


    Ellie rolled her eyes. The issue wasn¡¯t whether they were legally married.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t hide, I won¡¯t let you stay here,¡± Ellie threatened him.


    Resting against the bathroom door frame, Kaiden let out a mocking sneer. Did she genuinely believe she could keep him out of her room?


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m begging you. Please. I can¡¯t face the chatter and stares of our colleagues as soon as I step into the crew area.¡± Ellie sped her hands and bowed.


    Her voice always grew softer when she pleaded, and her eyes seemed even more charming, full of trust in him. By some stroke of luck, Kaiden nodded.


    Once she shut the bathroom door, Ellie cautiously opened the front door and found¡­ Bruce standing there.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Thorpe.¡± Holding a wooden lunch box, Bruce said, ¡°I¡¯ve brought breakfast for both you and Mr. Thorpe. I also need to pick up the documents Mr. Thorpe approved¡­ Why are you looking at me like that, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    Ellie, relieved, responded, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just you, Bruce.¡±


    Bruce looked puzzled. ¡°You¡­ Who else were you expecting? And where¡¯s Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in the bathroom right now.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can hand over the documents from his desk. He said they¡¯re all signed off.¡±


    Once she handed the documents to Bruce, Ellie carried the breakfast inside and set it up.


    Ellie waited for a bit, but with Kaiden still in the bathroom, she finally knocked on the door. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, have you moved in there?¡± The bathroom door opened from the inside.


    Kaiden, resting against the doorframe, asked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, didn¡¯t you say I shouldn¡¯t meet anyone?¡±


    Ellie noticed the look of displeasure on his face, showing signs of both usation and discontent.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where imagination thrives


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize that was Bruce,¡± Ellie admitted, feeling a bit guilty. She noticed Kaiden standing frozen, so she gently took his hand and led him out of the bathroom. ¡°We should eat breakfast before it gets cold.¡±


    Kaiden looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the softness of her touch. It lifted his spirits.


    Suddenly, there was a series of knocks at the door. Ellie had just finished her bread when she heard it.


    ¡°Did Bruce forget something?¡± she muttered to herself, heading to the door.


    Opening the door, Ellie was stunned.


    ¡°Ellie?¡± Susanna was left utterly speechless as well. She caught sight of the man seated at a small table just behind the door and stumbled over her words. ¡°Is that¡­ Aren¡¯t you¡­ You and he¡­ I¡­¡± Susanna was stunned. She pointed at Kaiden, then herself, and finally at Ellie, but words failed her.


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 Chapter 235

    ?Chapter 235:


    ¡°Susanna, this isn¡¯t what you¡¯re thinking. Let me exin about Mr. Thorpe and me¡­¡±


    ¡°No need to exin. I get it,¡± Susanna interrupted, her face suggesting she was rooting for Ellie and Kaiden. ¡°A handsome guy with a pretty girl, it¡¯s perfect. Don¡¯t worry, my lips are sealed. I¡¯ll remain silent on this matter.¡±


    Ellie realized Susanna had misunderstood but decided not to correct her. She couldn¡¯t exactly say, ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong. Mr. Thorpe and I aren¡¯t just dating. We¡¯re actually married.¡±


    Breaking the awkward silence, Ellie asked, ¡°Susanna, what brought you here?¡±


    It was only at that moment that Susanna snapped out of her daydream about Ellie and Kaiden. Her face turned gloomy as she said, ¡°Ellie, I came to say goodbye.¡±


    ¡°Say goodbye?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Susanna said, looking down and ying with her fingers. ¡°My family heard about the crazy fan incident yesterday. They think it¡¯s too dangerous here and don¡¯t want me to stay. My family¡¯s waiting outside. I have to leave soon.¡±


    y¡­


    Susanna was only here to pass the time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you out then.¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m fine.¡± shing a wink at Ellie, Susanna suggested, ¡°You should stick with Mr. Thorpe. Let¡¯s catch up some other time.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Ellie, sitting down for breakfast, sensed something was off.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the crew in need of more manpower? How could they just let Susanna leave like that?¡±


    Kaiden replied casually, ¡°She¡¯s engaged to the third son of the Lambert family. The director wouldn¡¯t dare keep her.¡±


    ¡°The Lambert family?¡± As the words left her mouth, Ellie recalled the wealthy, often overlooked family. ¡°You mean, the Lambert family from Glostin?¡±


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    Kaiden confirmed with a nod.


    The Lambert family was a notable, yet discreet, wealthy family in the nation. Rumors had it that they lived abroad and only recently returned, exining the limited news about them locally.


    The known gossip was grim. Sixteen years ago, the Todd family fell victim to brutal revenge, leaving only one survivor, a five-year-old girl. Reportedly, the third son of the Lambert family was betrothed to her, with the Lambert family taking in the Todd family¡¯s orphan out of respect for the longstanding bond between the two families.


    Ellie was still in disbelief. ¡°Wasn¡¯t the Todd family¡¯s daughter supposed to be graceful and pure-hearted?¡± Those descriptions certainly didn¡¯t fit Susanna.


    Kaiden just stared at Ellie, saying nothing.


    She quickly understood his point.


    Ellie herself had been described as refined and kind¡­


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 Chapter 236

    ?Chapter 236:


    Clearly, you couldn¡¯t always trust what you heard.


    On her way to the film set, Ellie remembered something Essence had mentioned¡ªa name associated with Lambert. The name was Carole Lambert.


    Outside the studio city, Susanna got into the passenger seat of the Bentley. She studied the young man driving.


    Quietly, she said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± he asked. His voice was soft, but there was a sophistication in his tone, and his presence felt oddly powerful.


    Susanna stared at her palm lines silently, not uttering a word. The man questioned her again, ¡°Do you realize your mistake? Where did you go wrong?¡±


    Confused, Susanna looked up. ¡°I don¡¯t believe I was in the wrong. I wasn¡¯t involved with that crazy fan. It was Herman.¡± She had a valid point.


    The man, irritated, chuckled. ¡°Then why apologize?¡±


    ¡°I did so because I upset you,¡± Susanna whispered, her fingers intertwined. ¡°It¡¯s always the boyfriend who says sorry. Why is it always me apologizing to you? Even though you¡¯re not keen on marrying me, I¡¯m still officially your fianc¨¦e. Daniel, if you don¡¯t make peace with me, I¡¯ll inform your dad about this.¡±


    Her boldness in seeking forgiveness was striking.


    Daniel Lambert had no choice but to start the Bentley.


    Susanna, sensing he was no longer bothered, smiled. ¡°You know, there¡¯s a talented stylist named Ellie in the crew. She was my savior yesterday. She resembles your grandmother when she was young.¡±


    Daniel showed little interest. ¡°Oh, what a coincidence.¡±


    Susanna had spent the whole year at home, which is why she was unaware of a secret concerning the Lambert family. Over a decade ago, many people visited the Lamberts¡¯ house, bringing girls who resembled Daniel¡¯s grandmother, iming to be rted to the family. However, it turned out that none of those girls were rted to the Lamberts. Some had just used the opportunity to try to curry favor with the family.


    Upon hearing about someone resembling his grandmother, Daniel no longer held any expectations.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s has your next chapter


    ¡°Ellie, get the secondary lead ready. We need to move quickly.¡± Right after Ellie reached the set, Charlie¡¯s assistant rushed her to the studio.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you already take Herman¡¯s makeup shots? Weren¡¯t they good enough?¡± Ellie asked, puzzled.


    ¡°Herman? He¡¯s been reced. Didn¡¯t you know? Didn¡¯t you hear all the fussst night?¡±


    Kaiden had been noisy in bed the previous night, consuming a considerable portion of Ellie¡¯s attention.


    Thinking back, Ellie realized she did hear some noise outside her roomst night.


    The assistant remarked, ¡°Last night, Herman was exposed for cheating and having a fling, even though he has a girlfriend. Turns out, histest song was actually stolen from someone else. Plus, he¡¯s made some pretty nastyments about women on his Instagram. And his dad¡¯spany? They¡¯ve been evading taxes¡­ There¡¯s solid proof of all this. He¡¯s in deep trouble.¡±


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 Chapter 237

    ?Chapter 237:


    In the world of celebrities, it¡¯smon to have a few secrets. Usually, their agencies and PR teams are strong enough to keep these things under wraps. These scandals don¡¯t typically hit the news unless they upset someone.


    The night before, Herman had a confrontation with Ellie and Kaiden. Then, overnight, all of Herman¡¯s dirt got aired out, including the mess involving his father¡¯s business.


    It was pretty clear who was behind all this.


    Ellie remembered Kaiden¡¯s phone callst night, telling someone to get rid of the trash.


    It must have been about Herman.


    Suddenly, the crew¡¯s attitude toward Ellie shifted. They were extra helpful and polite, avoiding any small talk, probably scared of getting into trouble.


    Ellie acted as if nothing was wrong, going about her business as usual. After finishing her tasks, Ellie texted Kaiden, ¡°Did you deal with Herman?¡±


    There was no response from Kaiden.


    Ellie needed different makeup for the new secondary lead, so she headed to the dressing room for some essories.


    Just then, the lights cut out.


    A few secondster, in thepletely dark room, the door behind her creaked open.


    As Ellie turned around, she found herself pinned against the wall by the person who came in.


    Ellie instinctively resisted, her elbow connecting with the person¡¯s face. Recognizing the scent of the man, she abruptly stopped.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she saw the familiar features of the man before her. Kaiden merely snorted in response.


    ¡°You frightened me!¡± In annoyance, she punched his shoulder. ¡°How did you get in? Aren¡¯t you worried about being caught?¡±


    Kaiden wordlessly drew her close and kissed her, filling the confined space with a growing romantic tension.


    ¡°Have you dealt with Herman?¡± Ellie asked, catching her breath after the kiss.


    ¡°Who?¡± Kaiden¡¯s lips brushed hers again. Her lips were intoxicating.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Kaiden had evidently forgotten about Herman. ¡°The secondary lead in our crew, the one you confrontedst night,¡± she rified.


    Kaiden admitted openly, ¡°Yes, that was me. Any issue with that?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Ellie was actually happy about his involvement.


    Herman deserved it. That piece of trash had iting.


    ¡°Did you juste here for a reason? Couldn¡¯t you have waited for me to finish work?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m off to Tormeto soon,¡± Kaiden replied.


    Ellie paused briefly, then questioned, ¡°So suddenly? Do you have business at yourpany? There¡¯s no direct flight to Tormeto from here.¡±


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 Chapter 238

    ?Chapter 238:


    ¡°I¡¯ll take a private jet,¡± he stated simply.


    ¡°I see,¡± Ellie mused. ¡°Will you make it back for Mrs. Stephens¡¯ birthday on Saturday?¡±


    The uing Saturday marked the 50th birthday of Theo and Edwin¡¯s mother, and both Kaiden and Ellie were invited.


    Kaiden assured her, ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Ellie tried to hide her frustration. ¡°Will you bring me a gift? As Mrs. Thorpe, I think I¡¯m entitled to one.¡±


    She certainly was.


    With a smile, Kaiden asked, ¡°What would you like? A bag? Diamonds?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about those unique masks from private shops in Tormeto. Could you make me one?¡± Ellie suggested. Noticing his slight frown, she added, ¡°If you¡¯re short on time, maybe a box of maple tea from Tormeto?¡±


    Kaiden could easily purchase ready-made maple tea, sparing himself both time and effort. This variety of maple tea was a recent addition to the tea market and quite scarce in their country.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kaiden nodded in agreement.


    His height was striking. When he stood close to Ellie, gently pressing her against the wall, he had to bend down to meet her gaze.


    In that moment, Ellie felt as if she werepletely enveloped in his world.


    Gazing up into his eyes with a tentative smile, she ventured, ¡°Kaiden, do you¡­ perhaps, have some fondness for me?¡±


    Their moment was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.


    ¡°What was that?¡± The knock had obscured the end of her question, leaving Kaiden confused.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Ellie dismissed, shaking her head slightly.


    Explore fresh updates on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    From outside, Bruce called to Kaiden, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s time to leave.¡±


    Kaiden tenderly cradled Ellie¡¯s face, stealing another kiss before announcing, ¡°I must go now.¡±


    He then opened the door and stepped out into the darkness.


    Shortly after, the sound of a circuit breaker echoed, followed by the room being flooded with light.


    The entire encounter felt like a fleeting dream to Ellie.


    She ran her fingers through her hair, vexed. Had she really just asked Kaiden such a bold question?


    Leaning back against the wall, Ellie let out a heavy sigh. She was torn between feeling relieved that Bruce¡¯s interruption hade at the right time and frustrated that it had disturbed them at such a crucial moment. She was left wondering how Kaiden would have responded. Would he have nodded in affirmation or simplyughed off her query?


    ¡°Miss Gordon, are you alright?¡± a staff member inquired upon entering the dressing room. ¡°The power on this floor had tripped suddenly, but we¡¯ve just managed to fix it.¡±


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 Chapter 239

    ?Chapter 239:


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Ellie responded, still pondering the coincidence.


    The timing was too perfect. The power had failed just as Kaiden arrived. Surely, he must have tampered with the building¡¯s electricity to evade the surveince cameras.


    In the days that followed, Ellie threw herself into her work with renewed focus.


    On Friday, Baylee paid a visit to the set to catch up with Ellie and brought along some intriguing news.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some information about that silver ne you were inquiring about,¡± Baylee began. ¡°It turns out the ne was specially made for a young girl over 20 years ago by her parents. It symbolizes safety, happiness, and longevity. Unfortunately, not long after its creation, the family left the country, and there¡¯s been no trace of them since.¡±


    ¡°They left the country, so it¡¯s unlikely we¡¯ll hear anything more about them,¡± Ellie concluded, feeling a wave of disappointment.


    Baylee wrapped an arm around her, offeringfort. ¡°At least now you know your parents had great hopes and love for you.¡±


    Ellie let out a small, resigned smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been searching for years, clinging to this token, yet all leads have vanished. Perhaps it¡¯s my fate to be without family. Let¡¯s just forget about it. I won¡¯t search for them anymore.¡±


    When Demi returned from her shooting, Baylee spotted her and turned to Ellie. ¡°Why does Demi seem to pop up wherever you are? She¡¯s like a bad penny.¡±


    Hearing this, Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    ncing at her watch, Ellie stood up, removed her coat, and ced it aside. ¡°Hang around for a bit, Baylee. I need to change into my dance outfit.¡±


    Baylee looked puzzled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the stylist? Why do you need dance clothes?¡±


    Ellie exined, ¡°The original dancer sprained her ankle. The stage and props are already set up, and this is the final scene I need to style myself. If I don¡¯t finish the shoot, I¡¯ll be stuck here for longer.¡± Basically, Ellie was keen to wrap up her workday early.


    Shortly after, Demi, having changed, approached Baylee. ¡°Baylee, tell me what you desire and how I can make the owner of the Rich Bar apologize to me and Erick. Should you want a house, a car, or a check?¡±


    Your new favorite is g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    Baylee¡¯s annoyance red up at the sight of Demi. ¡°If you bother me again, I¡¯ll make sure everyone knows that you and Erick are trying to bribe the Rich Bar¡¯s owner.¡±


    That would be far more embarrassing.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Demi stamped her foot, infuriated. ¡°You and Ellie are two of a kind. Pretending to be wealthy when your family¡¯s bankrupt. And Ellie, making herself a dancer¡¯s understudy as if she could perform ssical dance just because she¡¯s good at ballet. Ridiculous!¡±


    Two hourster, Ellie emerged, transformed into her dance attire and fully styled.


    As the music started to y, its notes ringing through the air, Ellie gracefully ascended the stage, her long sleeves trailing behind her.


    As Ellie moved in her red dance dress, the fabric flowed around her like blooming petals, enhancing the rhythm of her dance. Her expressions shifted seamlessly between frowns and smiles, embodying both grace and delicacy.


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 Chapter 240

    ?Chapter 240:


    Her ssical dance performance was a blend of strength and softness, executed to perfection. It was nothing short of a visual spectacle.


    When the music finally faded, leaving only its echo behind, it was Baylee who initiated the apuse, snapping the audience out of their trance.


    Loud ps filled the room, turning into a thunderous ovation.


    ¡°Amazing! She¡¯s just stunning.¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s dance skills are incredible, and her natural beauty just adds to her charm.¡±


    ¡°I remember seeing Ellie without makeup for the first time and thinking how beautiful she was. She looks even more stunning in her costume.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s such a shame Ellie isn¡¯t in showbiz.¡±


    ¡°Quiet! Nora might hear you.¡±


    Nora, wearing an outfit identical to Ellie¡¯s, always considered herself among the most beautiful in the industry. Yet, in that moment, she felt an urge to hide from Ellie¡¯s radiance.


    Demi¡¯s expression grew sour. She was taken aback by Ellie¡¯s ability to perform ssical dance; she had thought Ellie only knew ballet. This reminded her of the Fashion Ceremony, where everyone was surprised by Ellie¡¯s banjo skills, even though she was known for being skilled at ying the violin. A wave of insecurity washed over Demi. She dreaded the thought of being overshadowed by Ellie indefinitely.


    The shooting process proved to be challenging. Ellie had to dance three times to fulfill the multi-camera shooting requirements. After that, Nora took on the task of performing the facial close-ups, and Ellie had to instruct Nora on a few additional filler moves.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, given your wonderful talent, why don¡¯t you join the entertainment industry?¡± Nora asked casually while she and Ellie were taking a break.


    Ellie paused from her drink and responded, ¡°Everyone has their own aspirations. Personally, I¡¯m not drawn to the entertainment world. Despite being your dance stand-in, I won¡¯t take the spotlight.¡±


    Discover what¡¯s next on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???o??


    Nora understood Ellie¡¯s sentiment. While Ellie did outshine Nora on this asion, it wouldn¡¯t hinder Nora¡¯s career, opportunities, or footage.


    Noraplimented her, ¡°Miss Gordon, you¡¯re both beautiful and intelligent. It¡¯s no surprise Mr. Thorpe holds you in high regard.¡± Nora¡¯s smile broadened as she continued, ¡°I raised a toast to Mr. Thorpe at his weing party that day. I hope I wasn¡¯t too forward.¡± It was clear to everyone that Nora had intentions of charming Kaiden that day. However, in this moment, Nora was offering an apology to Ellie.


    Meanwhile, Baylee saved the video she had just captured of Ellie¡¯s dance on her phone. Since Kaiden¡¯s contact details weren¡¯t public, Baylee found Bruce¡¯s email on the GT Group¡¯s official website and forwarded the video to him.


    In Tormeto, Bruce sent the video to Kaiden.


    Thedy in the video was adorned, exuding grace in every elegant movement. This captivating dancer was none other than Ellie.


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 Chapter 241

    ?Chapter 241:


    Despite Kaiden¡¯sposed exterior, his gaze intensified with each passing moment.


    While Kaiden had witnessed Ellie¡¯s charismatic and sultry jazz performance, her ability to master the enchanting ssical dance surprised him.


    Bruce exined, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe is filling in as a dancer due to a crew requirement. Baylee sent me the video with a note stating that it was a gift for you. She likely didn¡¯t have your number, so she used mine.¡±


    Kaiden viewed the video three times and stored it on his mobile device. Surprisingly, Kaiden found Baylee somewhat useful for the first time, thinking that his impression of her had improved.


    However, as Kaiden contemted, the image of Ellie dancing in grand attire in front of a multitude of people on the set crossed his mind. Many eyes were fixed on her during those moments. Although he hadn¡¯t personally witnessed her dance, others had the privilege of doing so.


    Thinking of this, Kaiden felt a sense of discontent.


    Later that night, Ellie received a picture message.


    The image captured a moment from her dance earlier that day.


    Initially, Ellie was uncertain whether to be surprised by why Kaiden had this picture or that he had sent her a message with an attached image.


    She dialed Kaiden¡¯s number.


    The call connected promptly.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Not having heard Kaiden¡¯s voice for a few days, her heart raced a bit faster now.


    ¡°Why do you have a picture of my dance?¡± Ellie inquired. ¡°Did the director forward it to you?¡±


    Instead of a direct answer, Kaiden replied, ¡°Ellie, you have never performed ssical dance for me.¡±


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Ellie sensed an unexined tinge of jealousy in his brief remark. Why did she harbor such a perception?


    ¡°But I did perform jazz for you,¡± Ellie retorted. Moreover, who would engage in ssical dance when there were more interesting things to do?


    Dissatisfied, Kaiden responded, ¡°You were coerced into dancing for me, and you were dressed casually.¡±


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond to his somewhat ridiculousint.


    Admitting she would dance for him aspensation in the future seemed too embarrassing for her.


    Swiftly changing the topic, Ellie asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you have my WhatsApp? Who stillmunicates through text messages?¡±


    Kaiden replied, ¡°I don¡¯t use WhatsApp. I prefer direct calls.¡± He was implying that texting was Ellie¡¯s prerogative.


    Expressing surprise, Ellie questioned, ¡°Who doesn¡¯t use WhatsApp nowadays?¡±


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 Chapter 242

    ?Chapter 242:


    Kaiden¡¯s tone turned grave as he asked, ¡°Are you implying I¡¯m outdated, Ellie?¡±


    Ellie quickly shifted the conversation. ¡°No, not at all. By the way, I still owe you a gift. I¡¯ll give it to you when you return.¡±


    ¡°Did you design it yourself?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    Ellie was momentarily at a loss for words. Was it her imagination, or did Kaiden seem to beparing her gift to the tie she gave Theo earlier?


    Ellie affirmed, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Kaiden seemed content with the response.


    After the call, a new friend request popped up on Ellie¡¯s WhatsApp. The contact¡¯s nickname was just a period, with a note requesting to be epted as a friend.


    Slightly puzzled, Ellie tapped ept.


    She noticed that the ount resembled a new and unfamiliar profile.


    Ellie messaged, ¡°Kaiden?¡±


    Then she received a simple answer: ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Confirming it was indeed Kaiden, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but find amusement in the fact that he swiftly registered a new WhatsApp ount despite iming not to have one.


    yfully, Ellie typed, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t use WhatsApp.¡±


    Kaiden replied, ¡°It¡¯s ten o¡¯clock. Aren¡¯t you going to bed?¡±


    Ellie refrained from asking further.


    She entertained the thought that Kaiden might not be feeling well. The more she pondered the message, the more she felt the urge tough, eventually rolling on the bed in amusement. Ellie typed, ¡°Alright, good night.¡±


    After sending the message, she recalled that it was still daytime in Tormeto.


    Before she could add more, Ellie received a message from Kaiden: ¡°Good night.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s has stories worth exploring


    Ellie received the results of her YEAR submission from three months prior. After wrapping up crew-rted tasks, she promptly flew to Parasti. YEAR stood as a prestigious visualpetition in the fashion industry, serving as a benchmark for excellence in fashion styling.


    The award ceremony had yet tomence. Initially nning to message Kaiden on WhatsApp, Ellie decided it would be more fitting to call him with thepetition results.


    Eager to share the news, Ellie wanted to inform Kaiden that she had clinched the prestigious gold prize in YEAR, bing the youngest recipient of this professional award.


    While Ellie had achieved more significant awards in the past, the excitement she felt now surpassed those aplishments.


    Would Kaiden express admiration, or would he yfully ask, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you expecting a reward?¡±


    Ellie seized the opportunity and gave him a call. She waited for an extended period.


    When the call finally connected, Ellie said, ¡°Hello, Kaiden.¡±


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 Chapter 243

    ?Chapter 243:


    ¡°Hello? I¡¯m sorry, but Kaiden doesn¡¯t have his phone. May I ask who¡¯s calling? If there¡¯s a message, I can pass it on,¡± a woman¡¯s voice exined.


    A sudden chill ran through Ellie¡¯s veins, as if a bucket of icy water had been emptied over her head.


    Stammering, Ellie questioned, ¡°Who are you? Are you his assistant?¡± She recalled Kaiden never allowing others to answer his calls. He was possessive of his personal belongings, simr to his aversion to others entering his bedroom.


    The woman responded, ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t disclose my identity, but I¡¯m not his assistant.¡±


    Her words carried a touch of caution.


    The woman¡¯s demeanor resembled that of a hostess guarding against an unfamiliar caller.


    Suddenly, an absurd spection crossed Ellie¡¯s mind. It seemed Kaiden hadn¡¯t saved her phone number?


    Her number appeared in his address book like that of a stranger? Flustered, Ellie muttered, ¡°Sorry, wrong number,¡± before promptly ending the call.


    Who was the woman who picked up the phone a moment ago? Ellie blinked her eyes, a slight soreness settling in. Her heart seemed to be silently stabbed, causing her unspoken pain.


    In that moment, the host announced, ¡°Let¡¯s wee Miss Ellie Gordon to the stage, the youngest recipient of this year¡¯s gold prize in visual arts.¡±


    Ellie quicklyposed herself, managed a smile, and ascended the stage to ept her award.


    Following Ellie¡¯s speech, the host left her alone on stage.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, as the youngest awardee in visual arts, you¡¯ve garnered much attention. On behalf of everyone, I must ask, what is your preference in men? There are many who¡¯d like to meet you.¡±


    Such a mix of professional and personal inquiries was typical in their circles.


    Holding the microphone, Ellie responded, ¡°I appreciate the concern from my seniors and peers, but I do have a boyfriend.¡± With that, Ellie exited the stage.


    Descending the stairs, she overheard whispered conversations.


    ¡°Ellie, only 21, and she¡¯s in a rtionship?¡±


    ¡°The fashion world¡¯s buzzingtely. I heard Carole¡¯s showcasing her work in Tormeto, with Kaiden from GT Group attending.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden? He rarely joins events that aren¡¯t business-rted. Now, he¡¯s attending Carole¡¯s work exhibition? That¡¯s strange. I¡¯ve never seen them together.¡±


    ¡°They do seem like a good match.¡±


    Carole.


    Carole Lambert.


    It was that name again.


    ¡°Be careful, Miss Gordon.¡±


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 Chapter 244

    ?Chapter 244:


    Ellie stumbled but was steadied by a swift hand.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you watch where you¡¯re going?¡± The man¡¯s voice carried a hint of irritation.


    ¡°Edwin?¡± Recognizing him, Ellie regained herposure. ¡°Thank you. What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Iposed the music for today¡¯s ceremony, so naturally, they invited me,¡± Edwin exined, slipping his hand back into his pocket. ¡°I know you¡¯re not fond of me.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t my intention was never to cross paths with you.¡±


    Ellie, feeling misunderstood, replied, ¡°I don¡¯t hold any dislike for you. Weren¡¯t you always the one who had issues with me?¡±


    ¡°What? I wasn¡¯t!¡± Edwin wouldn¡¯t concede.


    Ellie began to list past grievances. ¡°In kindergarten, you pulled my hair. In elementary, you stole my eraser. In middle school, you teased me for being a nerd. In high school, you¡¯d turn away whenever you saw me.¡±


    Her expression seemed to ask, Need I say more?


    Embarrassed, Edwin avoided her gaze. He wondered why these actions now seemed so foolish.


    After a pause, he ventured, ¡°If you don¡¯t hate me, then why don¡¯t you wear the hairpin I gave you? Don¡¯t you like it? If not, feel free to discard it.¡±


    ¡°The hairpin¡¯s at home. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want it,¡± Ellie exined patiently.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    The awkwardness was palpable. Though Ellie wanted tough, the name she¡¯d overheard weighed heavily on her mind, dampening her mood.


    ¡°Edwin, may I ask you something?¡± Without waiting for his response, she continued, ¡°Do you know Carole Lambert?¡±


    ¡°Carole Lambert? How do you know her? She¡¯s a jewelry designer who¡¯s been abroad for years. There¡¯s been no talk of her here.¡± Edwin moved them aside to avoid obstructing others.


    ¡°She¡­ does she know Kaiden?¡± Ellie¡¯s heart raced with the question.


    ¡°The Lamberts and Kaiden¡¯s mother¡¯s families are old friends. Carole and Kaiden grew up together,¡± Edwin shared. Then, changing the subject, he asked, ¡°Will you be returning with meter?¡±


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve already booked my flight.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t sure she could handle Edwin¡¯spany on the journey home, preferring solitude.


    ¡°Ellie, are you still with Kaiden?¡± Edwin broached the question he had been holding back.


    Ignoring his inquiry, Ellie forced a smile. ¡°Thank you for the information. I¡¯ll definitely be at your mother¡¯s birthday in two days. See you back home.¡±


    The irony wasn¡¯t lost on Ellie.


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 Chapter 245

    ?Chapter 245:


    Moments ago, she had dered her rtionship on stage, only to be bombarded with rumors about Kaiden and another woman as soon as she stepped off.


    Her emotions were in turmoil; her heart felt heavy.


    During the trip from Hagua to Critport, Ellie struggled to push away thoughts of Kaiden¡¯s alleged affair with Carole.


    Being Kaiden¡¯s wife, she tried to reason that jealousy was pointless, especially since she had always known about the attention Kaiden attracted. Yet, the media¡¯s portrayal of Kaiden¡¯s involvement in Carole¡¯s exhibition, hinting at a romantic connection, was something Ellie couldn¡¯t ignore.


    Returning to Moon Manor, Ellie found the names Kaiden and Carole incessantly haunting her thoughts.


    Ellie¡¯s intuition whispered that this Carole was nothing like the duchess Kaiden had encountered in Estoqua. Lacking concrete proof, she couldn¡¯t shake off the suspicion that the phone call she made before her award eptance was possibly answered by Carole.


    Seated on the sofa, Ellie¡¯s reverie was interrupted by Kaiden¡¯s iing call.


    ¡°Hello,¡± she answered, her voice subdued.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice carried a note of concern.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± Ellie replied, clutching a pillow. She could imagine the distress evident on her face.


    ¡°Are you upset?¡± Kaiden¡¯s intuition picked up on her emotional state. His simple inquiry somehow released the pent-up frustration in Ellie¡¯s heart, bringing her to the brink of tears.


    ¡°No,¡± she responded, feigning nonchnce. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be at the airport by three this afternoon. Come pick me up, and we¡¯ll head to Edwin¡¯s mother¡¯s birthday together.¡±


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    ¡°Okay,¡± she replied quickly, eager to end the call and hide her emotions. ¡°I have to go. There¡¯s work waiting.¡±


    After the call, Kaiden beckoned Bruce. ¡°Check what¡¯s been troubling Mrs. Thorpetely.¡±


    Bruce, puzzled, asked, ¡°Regarding what specifically?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s clearly not herself.¡±


    Bruce was momentarily speechless, pondering the unusual concern Kaiden showed for Ellie¡¯s mood. He thought that Kaiden was paying too much attention to her. Was it possible that Kaiden had fallen in love?


    Efficiently carrying out Kaiden¡¯s order, Bruce soon reported to him, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe had recently filled in as a dancer for a crew. Demi had someone upload a video of Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s dancing, but she manipted it to avoid showing Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s face, insinuating it was her performance.¡±


    Bruce doubted Ellie would be upset over such a trivial matter, but he couldn¡¯t think of any other exnation.


    Meanwhile, Ellie, unable to contain her curiosity, began searching online for information about Carole. The domesticwork yielded no results.


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 Chapter 246

    ?Chapter 246:


    Turning to international sites, she discovered more.


    Carole was the Lambert family¡¯s most esteemed young woman, known for her talent and beauty, and celebrated as a promising jewelry designer.


    Though Ellie found no photos of Carole, the public disys of her work spoke volumes about her skill and creativity.


    The most recent news linked Carole with the GT Group¡¯s CEO, fueling rumors of an impending marriage.


    At the airport, Ellie immediately spotted Kaiden emerging from the crowd in a wheelchair.


    The pair¡¯s striking good looks drew attention as soon as they were together.


    Kaiden handed Ellie a finely crafted paper bag, uttering, ¡°This is your gift.¡±


    Distracted by the rumors surrounding Kaiden and Carole for the past two days, Ellie nearly forgot about requesting a gift from Kaiden. She opened the bag and revealed two boxes of high-quality, aromatic maple tea.


    Although Ellie had hoped for a handmade mask from Kaiden himself, she understood that he probably didn¡¯t have time to make it and appreciated the thoughtful gesture of the maple tea. ¡°Thank you,¡± she expressed, suppressing any disappointment.


    An urge to inquire about Kaiden¡¯s rtionship with Carole lingered, but she ultimately refrained. It wasn¡¯t a good idea to bring it up now.


    After all, Edwin had mentioned that Carole¡¯s and Kaiden¡¯s families were long-time family friends, and they had known each other since childhood. That meant Kaiden and Carole were childhood friends.


    Kaiden and Ellie were on their way to the styling studio and then to Araceli¡¯s birthday party.


    ¡°The problem has been solved. You¡¯re still not happy?¡± Kaiden asked Ellie, stroking her hair.


    Perplexed, Ellie questioned, ¡°What problem?¡±


    Bruce, seated in the passenger seat, rified, ¡°It¡¯s about Demi pretending to be the dancer¡¯s understudy instead of you.¡±


    Ellie quickly checked her phone and found the first hot search: ¡°Demi pretended to be a dancer¡¯s understudy.¡±


    Delving into the details, she soon grasped the situation.


    Initially, a video surfaced on Twitter featuring Ellie dancing as an understudy, with her face cleverly concealed throughout. The apanying text read, ¡°Thank you to Miss Gordon from the crew for being a stand-in for the dancer. It¡¯s so beautiful.¡±


    In response, Demi¡¯s team gave a thumbs-up as a gesture of approval. Netizens, naturally assuming Miss Gordon was Demi, began toud Demi, and her fans took the opportunity to boast about her.


    Although Ellie learned about this development yesterday, she didn¡¯t take it seriously. ssical dance required years of practice and talent. Demi¡¯s attempt to pose as the dancer¡¯s understudy seemed foolish, as any future program requiring Demi to perform ssical dance would expose her.


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 Chapter 247

    ?Chapter 247:


    However, a few hours ago, a marketing ount posted a video revealing Ellie¡¯s face, definitively proving that Demi was not the dancer¡¯s understudy.


    In mere minutes, Nora, part of Peerless Grace¡¯s crew, posted, ¡°Peerless Grace¡¯s crew is really good at discovering talents. Thank you to this super beautiful stylist for being my understudy.¡±


    The use of the word ¡°stylist¡± confirmed that Demi was indeed the one pretending to be the dancer¡¯s understudy, intensifying the entire situation.


    Commentary fromizens added fuel to the fire.


    ¡°It¡¯s so amusing. Demi¡¯s fans praised her online in the morning as a versatile idol, but her cover is blown in the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Is Demi trying to leave showbiz? Lately, she¡¯s been topping search rankings and retracting her statements frequently. What¡¯s going on with her?¡±


    ¡°Demi never imed to be the dancer¡¯s understudy. It¡¯s you, sillyizens, making baseless guesses.¡±


    ¡°This ssical dance is professional. Ellie¡¯s dance moves are so precise and beautiful. That¡¯s amazing!¡±


    ¡°She is my senior schoolmate from high school. Back then, Ipeted with her in a middle school ssical dancepetition, where she emerged as a gold medalist at the national level. I¡¯ve always been curious about why she transitioned to bing a stylist. There¡¯s a mystery surrounding her absence from the ssical dance world. I¡¯m shedding tears.¡±


    ¡°She is incredibly beautiful. Truly exceptional! I wish to be close to her.¡±


    ¡°I have some exclusive information. The stylist¡¯s name is Ellie Gordon. Repeat! Ellie Gordon.¡±


    ¡°Some adorable guy arranged a fireworks show for her birthday. Ahhh! How nice!¡±


    Netizens quickly directed their attention to Ellie, reigniting the discussion about the forgotten fireworks show.


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    Upon seeing her name, Ellie felt a twinge in her eyes.


    Fortunately, the matter was rted to the sensitive topic of ¡°the real daughter of the Gordon family,¡± and no one reached out to Ellie on WhatsApp. This left her in a somewhat morefortable state.


    Was this what Kaiden meant by ¡°The problem has been solved¡±?


    However, this solution wasn¡¯t to Ellie¡¯s liking. Most importantly, it didn¡¯t bring her any joy.


    In the Winter Studio, Ellie wasn¡¯t in the mood to style herself today, so she sought help from Cyril.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, congrattions on winning the golden prize this year. It¡¯s impressive. I was twenty-three when I received the award. You¡¯re even more aplished than I was,¡± Cyril said, quite talkative as he worked on her styling.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude to Cyril and left the studio, holding the hemline of her gown.


    Wearing a mermaid gown and delicate makeup, Ellie appeared exceptionally elegant and beautiful. Without a smile, she exuded a subtle sense of detachment, discouraging others from approaching her. It was the first time Kaiden had seen Ellie dressed up, and he suddenly regretted not returning earlier on their wedding night.


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    ?Chapter 248:


    She would have looked even more stunning in a wedding dress.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, is she beautiful?¡± Cyril asked, making a presenting gesture toward Ellie, his eyes shining with admiration.


    Kaiden gave Cyril a cold look.


    His eyes conveyed something along the lines of ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± He was implying that whether his wife was beautiful or not should be of no concern to Cyril.


    Cyril was speechless. He thought Kaiden was a narrow-minded man.


    Araceli¡¯s birthday party took ce in the private vi of the Stephens family, attended by affluent individuals and Araceli¡¯s doctor friends. Ellie, wheeling Kaiden, made an entrance, immediately capturing attention.


    It was Kaiden¡¯s first appearance at a banquet after his identity as the CEO of the GT Group was revealed.


    People gathered around him, fearing he might leave.


    Ellie suggested, ¡°You talk with them first.¡±


    Due to the sensitivity of her identity, Ellie preferred not to stay and listen to the men¡¯s discussions or be observed.


    ¡°Are you going?¡± Kaiden held Ellie¡¯s hand.


    It was as if he was showing his possessiveness over her.


    Ellie announced, ¡°I¡¯ll go greet Mrs. Stephens, wish her a happy birthday, and give her a gift.¡±


    She shook the gift box she carried in her hand.


    The bosses in the vicinity exchanged nces.


    Rumors circted about the supposed connection between the ¡°fake¡± daughter of the Gordon family and Kaiden.


    The revtion that Kaiden brought Ellie to such a significant asion surprised everyone, as they hadn¡¯t expected the rumors to be true.


    g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s takes you away


    The party for Araceli¡¯s birthday was yet to start. She was upstairs, weing guests in the second-floor reception room.


    Ellie walked into the room, holding a gift. At the same time, two women she was familiar with were heading out.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Araceli caught sight of Ellie standing at the entrance.


    ¡°Happy birthday, Mrs. Stephens. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve been meaning to visit you. Kaiden and I got you this gift. I heard you¡¯re a tea lover, so I got you a tea set. I hope you enjoy it.¡± Ellie ced the gift on a table.


    ¡°This is so thoughtful of you.¡± Araceli, delighted, opened the present. She beamed. ¡°You must have chosen this yourself. I can¡¯t imagine Kaiden selecting such a fine tea set.¡±


    Although Araceli was wealthy and not easily impressed by expensive gifts, Ellie¡¯s choice was exactly what she wanted. Ellie¡¯s thoughtfulness was a rarity. It was no surprise that when she was the Gordon family¡¯s eldest daughter, many sought her hand in marriage.


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    Ellie and Araceli engaged in conversation.


    Meanwhile, outside the room, Ellie became the subject of gossip.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Ellie wearing the outfit that was sold out when you tried to buy it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, stop. It¡¯s infuriating that someone like Ellie can get it, but I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden must have bought it for her. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s still with her. It¡¯s a shame Demi and Erick weren¡¯t invited. That would have made for quite the spectacle.¡±


    ¡°Essence, your family¡¯s close to Kaiden, right? Do you know what¡¯s going on between him and Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡± Essence kept to herself the true nature of Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s rtionship, while others believed they were just dating. In fact, Kaiden and Ellie were a married couple. However, their marriage might notst.


    ¡°Tell me already. Don¡¯t leave me hanging,¡± the person next to Essence insisted.


    Essence smirked and said, ¡°Just wait. Ellie won¡¯t stay important for long.¡±


    Now was the moment for her to get in touch with Carole.


    Leaving the reception room, Ellie barely took a few steps when she ran into Edwin.


    Edwin was all dressed up today, a sharp contrast to his usual casual attire. He wore a suit and styled his hair neatly.


    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re wearing the hairpin I gave you!¡± Edwin noticed, his eyes sparkling as he saw the Chanel hairpin in Ellie¡¯s hair. Trying to contain his excitement, he added, ¡°It looks beautiful on you.¡±


    ¡°You have an eye for style,¡± Ellieplimented.


    She remembered Edwin saying that if she didn¡¯t wear his gift, it meant she didn¡¯t care for it.


    ¡°Are you here by yourself?¡± Edwin asked, not seeing anyone else with Ellie.


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    ¡°I¡¯m solo today, so I guess I could¡­¡± Ellie started, but was interrupted.


    ¡°She¡¯s not by herself.¡±


    Before Edwin could finish, he was cut off.


    Kaiden, seated in his wheelchair, was a meter away from Edwin. His expression was icy, revealing no hint of emotion.


    ¡°Kaiden,¡± Edwin remarked, noticing the tie Kaiden wore. It was royal blue twill,plementing Ellie¡¯s dress perfectly. That¡¯s when Edwin realized he had acted too hastily.


    Kaiden gave a nod and extended his hand to Ellie. ¡°Come here.¡± Ellie, sensing Kaiden¡¯s annoyance, approached him. She hesitated for a moment before cing her hand in his, which he quickly grasped.


    ¡°Did you give Mrs. Stephens her gift?¡± Kaiden inquired of Ellie.


    She nodded in affirmation.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze fell on the Chanel pearl hairpin in Ellie¡¯s hair. ¡°Did Edwin give you that hairpin?¡± he asked.


    He had overheard their earlier conversation.


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    Edwin¡¯s heart raced, feeling suddenly guilty without knowing why. ¡°Yes,¡± Ellie confirmed. ¡°The night I returned from the Rich Bar, I left it on the bedside table. You had asked about it.¡±


    Kaiden remembered the incident, initially thinking the gift might havee from a woman. He wondered how unusual it was for a man to gift a hairpin to a female friend.


    ¡°Wait for me over there,¡± Kaiden directed Ellie towards the corner couch lounge.


    As Ellie moved away, the tension in the air seemed to thicken.


    ¡°She¡¯s with me tonight, Edwin. What were you thinking?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was unusually harsh and cold towards Edwin, who was Theo¡¯s younger brother.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Kaiden. I didn¡¯t know¡­ My apologies,¡± Edwin stammered, taken aback. He appeared confused, Ellie¡¯s mention of the ¡°bedside table¡± echoing in his mind.


    Was Ellie living with Kaiden?


    Edwin questioned himself, feeling foolish. Just two days ago, Ellie had been asking about Kaiden and Carole. How could he have thought that she and Kaiden were unrted?


    Kaiden, idly ying with therge sapphire on his wheelchair¡¯s armrest, regarded Edwin closely, focusing his attention on him.


    ¡°Edwin, do you like Ellie?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°No, not at all. How is that possible?¡± Edwin replied quickly, his heart racing. ¡°You know we had some misunderstandings before. We¡¯ve only just resolved them and aren¡¯t even close friends.¡±


    Kaiden didn¡¯t seem concerned with what Edwin thought. ¡°Just remember what you¡¯ve said,¡± he advised, his words carrying more weight as a warning than simple advice.


    ¡°I need to find my mom,¡± Edwin said, forcing a smile, unaware of how strained he looked.


    When Araceli saw Edwin looking lost, she teased, ¡°What happened? You look like you¡¯ve lost your soul.¡±


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    Sitting on the armchair next to her, Edwin asked gloomily, ¡°Mom, am I significantly inferior to Kaiden?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Araceli replied candidly, ¡°There¡¯s a vast difference between you and Kaiden.¡± The bluntness only made Edwin feel worse.


    ¡°You¡¯re interested in that girl, aren¡¯t you?¡± Araceli asked with a yful smile.


    ¡°Who? Which girl?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, of course.¡±


    Edwin was taken aback. ¡°No way, I¡¯ve known her since we were kids. If I had liked her, I would¡¯ve known long before now.¡±


    Araceli couldn¡¯tprehend why her son was so oblivious. Why would Edwin always hover around Ellie and tease her when they were younger if he didn¡¯t like her? Why would he give her that ck gemstone he had found and polished himself on hering of age if he had no feelings for her?


    ¡°Whether you have feelings for Ellie is irrelevant. Just put it out of your mind. She belongs to Kaiden,¡± Araceli advised, pausing to sip her¡­


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    ¡­ tea. ¡°What are my thoughts about it? I haven¡¯t been thinking about anything,¡± Edwin replied, his voice tinged with defiance. ¡°And how is she Kaiden¡¯s woman? They aren¡¯t married.¡±


    Araceli was amused. Her son had unexpectedly made a valid observation. ¡°They are married,¡± she informed him.


    At this, Edwin¡¯s head shot up, and he stared at Araceli in astonishment.


    Not wanting anyone to disturb her, Ellie nestled into a quiet corner, engrossed in her phone.


    A post from someone named YANG on Instagram caught her eye. It featured an Indian mask thatcked aesthetic appeal. The apanying caption read: ¡°Crafted by Mr. Thorpe. Blissful vibes.¡± YANG turned out to be Carole.


    Suddenly, a wave of absurdity washed over Ellie. She felt utterly ridiculous.


    She had specifically hinted to Kaiden about desiring a handmade Indian mask. If he couldn¡¯t manage that, a simple gesture like grabbing some maple tea would have sufficed.


    But what was the oue? He went ahead, crafted a mask, and handed it to another woman. He simply didn¡¯t have the time for her, but she clung to her expectations like a drowning person clinging to a lifebuoy.


    How preposterous!


    Kaiden had offered her some perks. Why had she presumed entitlement? It felt as though a wad of cotton had lodged itself in her throat, choking her heart, and rendering her breathless.


    Ellie spiraled down a rabbit hole of emotions. She decided to swap her juice for champagne, ready to drown her vexation.


    But Kaiden intervened, sping her wrist. ¡°Do you aim to get stered at someone else¡¯s party?¡± Even from his wheelchair, he managed to exert amanding presence. Once Ellie regained her senses, she reluctantly set the ss down. Drinking in a setting like this wasn¡¯t the wisest choice, despite the strong urge.


    Kaiden, satisfied with herpliance, held her hand and gently traced his fingertips across the back. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, who ruffled your feathers?¡± he inquired.


    .c¨®m is the source


    ¡°No one,¡± Ellie retorted, turning her face away, fearing that meeting Kaiden¡¯s gaze would unleash her pent-up emotions.


    Kaiden tightened his grip, causing a pang of pain. She turned to face him, fury in her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurting me. Let me go!¡± she demanded.


    Kaiden gestured for her to speak. He wasn¡¯t releasing her without an exnation.


    Little Waltzes yed live in the background as he sat in his wheelchair, holding her hand. She stood there, seeming to have a tantrum, turning her head slightly to the side.


    Their silence spoke volumes, and the onlookers sensed an intimate connection.


    Unbeknownst to Ellie, the guests observed them keenly. Kaiden, on the other hand, remained indifferent.


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    ¡°Enough of this! My mom will make an appearance soon. Spare us the public affection, or I¡¯ll be on the fast track to a forced wedding!¡± Theo interjected, noticing the intensity between the two.


    Quick to put on a facade in front of others, Ellie conjured a smile. ¡°Dr. Stephens, long time no see,¡± she greeted Theo.


    Ellie always referred to Theo as Dr. Stephens after he saved Cecelia.


    ¡°First, let¡¯s go to the hallway. Why are you two staying in this corner, huh?¡± Theo led the way to the hall, oblivious to the undercurrents between Ellie and Kaiden.


    Instantly nodding, Ellie saw Theo as her lucky charm.


    Kaiden¡¯s darkened expression, however, betrayed his displeasure at Ellie¡¯s seemingly favorable attitude toward Theo.


    In the ensuing hours, Ellie¡¯s mind remained entangled in a web of distraction.


    When Edwin resurfaced with Araceli, Ellie failed to notice his asional nces. Kaiden, however, caught every fleeting look. For the sake of the Stephens family and Theo, Kaiden opted not to make a scene with Edwin, as long as Edwin kept his distance. Instead of letting Ellie know how Edwin felt about her, Kaiden chose to make Edwin understand that he should not desire his wife.


    Kaiden deftly removed the Chanel pearl hairpin from Ellie¡¯s locks.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she inquired, touching her hair, perplexed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a new one tomorrow,¡± Kaiden said, scrutinizing the hairpin. Edwin, the kind of guy who would hand out sneakers or watches to the men and flowers or bags to the women, had given something more thoughtful this time. It was the first time he¡¯d offered such a token.


    Kaiden rolled his eyes inwardly. And the lucky recipient of Edwin¡¯s generosity was none other than his wife.


    ¡°Kaiden, it¡¯s just a little something from someone else.¡± As Ellie reached for it, Kaiden quickly dodged.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s hosts captivating tales


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, that¡¯s a gift from another man,¡± Kaiden said, tucking the hairpin into his bag.


    Ellie¡¯s suppressed emotions began to bubble up, her anger ready to boil over.


    ¡°So what? Can¡¯t a girl have male friends? I¡¯ve been receiving gifts from the opposite sex since I was young. Are you saying I should just get rid of them all? It¡¯s just a gift, for heaven¡¯s sake! I¡¯m innocent here. You¡¯re out of line poking your nose into this!¡±


    ¡°Do you care that much about what Edwin gave you?¡± Kaiden¡¯s face was as cold as ice.


    ¡°Yes. So what?¡± Ellie hissed.


    Deep down, she knew it wasn¡¯t about Edwin; it was something deeper.


    The tension, teetering on the edge, shed with the festive vibe of the party. Someone caught wind of themotion and nced over.


    Taking a deep breath, Ellie didn¡¯t want her emotions spiraling any further. ¡°I need a break. I¡¯m heading to the bathroom.¡±


    After nearly ten minutes spent in the toilet cubicle, Ellie¡¯s mind reyed everything about Carole¡ªwhat she¡¯d heard, seen, asked, and the phone call.


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    Why should Kaiden care about her receiving gifts when he was ying his own game with another woman?


    Her rapport with Edwin was nothing more than standard social interaction, but was Kaiden¡¯s rtionship with Carole the same?


    Staring at the ceiling, Ellie closed her eyes tight, unsure how to navigate this emotional storm.


    She regretted advancing her rtionship with Kaiden.


    Suddenly, a knock echoed on the door of the cubicle.


    ¡°upied,¡± Ellie replied instinctively.


    However, the knocking persisted, its rhythm forceful and insistent.


    Through the small gap beneath the cubicle door, Ellie glimpsed trousers and men¡¯s shoes. What in the world was going on?!


    It was a man!


    Why was a man in thedies¡¯ room?


    Anxious, Ellie held her breath for a moment, cautiously rising to her feet. The knock came again, louder this time.


    The Stephens family banquet shouldn¡¯t pose any danger. Perhaps it was an emergency, and they needed to reach her.


    With a defensive stance, Ellie slowly opened the door.


    As soon as it cracked open, a forceful push came from the other side. A tall figure barged in, pinning Ellie against the door.


    He kissed her passionately.


    Wide-eyed, Ellie stared into the familiar eyes inches from hers¡ªeyes dark and stormy, filled with tension.


    Kaiden¡­ Bursting into thedies¡¯ room?


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??§àm opens doors to fiction


    When Kaiden¡¯s hand brushed against her dress, reality hit her, and Ellie pushed him away.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ Mmm¡­ Let go of me! Do you hear that? Let go of me!¡± she demanded, her voiceced with frustration.


    With one hand, Kaiden secured her wrists above her head, effortlessly holding her in ce. With his other hand, he was free to do as he pleased.


    Ellie struggled, but it was futile.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you out of your mind? This is a bathroom. The Stephens¡¯ house bathroom!¡±


    ¡°You can speak louder and draw Edwin here,¡± Kaiden remarked with a sly smile.


    Rarely did he disy such evident emotions, except when Ellie was around.


    Aware that she was in a public restroom, Ellie wouldn¡¯t dare make amotion. If they did draw attention, the entire city would soon be aware that the adopted daughter of the Gordon family and Kaiden from the Thorpe family were engaging in questionable activities in the bathroom. Additionally, rumors would circte about Kaiden¡¯s supposedly disabled legs miraculously recovering.


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    Suddenly, a wave of mncholy swept over Ellie.


    Why would she even consider preserving Kaiden¡¯s image at this point? Could it be that she was infatuated with him?


    Her dress was unzipped by the man, and the chilly air pricked at her skin. Ellie involuntarily trembled, her heart tightening.


    ¡°Kaiden, if you push me again, I won¡¯t forgive you!¡± she warned.


    Fearing that her voice might attract unwanted attention, Ellie spoke in hushed tones, her eyes welling up with tears.


    Kaiden was mildly taken aback, noticing her teary eyes. ¡°Why the tears?¡± he asked, his tone cold.


    Trying to hold back her tears, Ellie involuntarily shed one, whichnded on the man¡¯s suit jacket. It was quickly absorbed and disappeared.


    Seeing the tear, Kaiden¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Is this so undesirable to you?¡± Kaiden¡¯s gaze grew intense.


    Ellie avoided his gaze, choosing not to engage or speak. Tears lingered in her eyes, giving her a stubborn and pitiable appearance.


    Her reluctance was clear. She didn¡¯t want to do this. Who would want to engage in such activities in a bathroom at a time like this?


    Kaiden re-zipped her dress and asked, ¡°Is that eptable?¡±


    Stepping back, he noticed her lipstick had smudged from their kiss. Nevertheless, Ellie kept her gaze fixed on the floor, choosing not to speak.


    She was throwing a tantrum.


    ¡°Thank you all for being part of my birthday celebration!¡± Araceli¡¯s voice echoed in the profound silence from outside.


    Before Kaiden could stop her, Ellie quickly opened the door and ran out.


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    It was only then she realized there was no one outside, just a wheelchair stationed near the restroom.


    Several meters away, a man stood.


    ¡°Ellie, where were you? Kaiden is searching for you. What happened?¡± Edwin asked. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he was momentarily perplexed. Noticing her smeared lipstick, he added, ¡°You¡­¡± His gaze lingered on her lips.


    It was only then Ellie remembered applying lipstick earlier. The smudging must have happened during Kaiden¡¯s kiss.


    Grateful for her habit of carrying a mask, she swiftly retrieved one from her handbag and put it on.


    ¡°Edwin, why are you here? Your mother¡¯s birthday ceremony has already started. Shouldn¡¯t you be with her?¡± Ellie asked, maintaining an appearance ofposure despite her lingering embarrassment. She wasn¡¯t even sure if he had overheard her conversation with Kaiden in the restroom.


    ¡°Kaiden mentioned you were missing, so we came to find you,¡± Edwin exined. ¡°Are you alright? And where is Kaiden?¡±


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    ?Chapter 255:


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Ellie replied.


    Kaiden emerged in a wheelchair, his lips subtly different in color, appearing notably flushed.


    As an adult with varied experiences, Edwin immediately understood the situation. He felt a mix of embarrassment and shock.


    Had Kaiden genuinely kissed Ellie?


    When the wheelchair came to a halt beside Ellie, Edwin instantly sensed the peculiar atmosphere between them.


    ¡°Um, Kaiden, should we head there now?¡± Edwin asked, perplexed, briefly wondering if Kaiden had a specific reason for bringing him along to search for Ellie.


    ¡°Sorry, Edwin. I¡¯m not feeling well. I¡¯d like to head home,¡± Ellie responded. She felt it wasn¡¯t appropriate to stay at the party in her current state. The gift had been delivered, and the greetings exchanged, so leaving wouldn¡¯t seem impolite.


    ¡°What about Kaiden?¡± Edwin inquired.


    ¡°We¡¯ll head back. Please apologize to your mother on our behalf,¡± Ellie replied.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll escort you out.¡± Edwin nodded.


    With that, Ellie and Kaiden exited through the side door.


    As Edwin watched the two leave, his eyes suddenly froze. The hairpin he had gifted Ellie was no longer in ce.


    On the journey back to Moon Manor, Bruce noticed something was off with Ellie.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you feeling upset?¡± he asked.


    Ellie caught a glimpse of her reflection in the car window and realized her expression wasn¡¯t asposed as she had thought. ¡°I¡¯m just a bit tired,¡± Ellie responded, staring out of the window.


    Bruce nced at the rearview mirror again, noticing the noticeable distance between the couple in the back seat. Was it just fatigue?


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Upon arrival, Ellie headed straight to her room, avoiding any conversation. True to her etiquette-conscious nature, she merely nodded in response to Cayson¡¯s greeting.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, did you have a disagreement with her?¡± Cayson asked in a hushed tone.


    Kaiden pressed his lips together, offering no response.


    Cayson understood. They had indeed had an argument.


    After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Elliey on the bed. She hoped to fall asleep quickly, thinking that if she could, she wouldn¡¯t dwell on things too much. But sleep eluded her.


    Kaiden refrained from returning to their room. Through the French window of the master bedroom, Ellie glimpsed the illuminated study. After some time, she found herself unable to sleep and decided to go out for a walk.


    ¡°Where are you headed?¡±


    As Ellie reached the staircase, the study door swung open.


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    ?Chapter 256:


    The man stood beneath the doorframe, and the scent of smoke drifted out.


    Preferring not to engage in conversation, Ellie proceeded downstairs.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ellie? Are you throwing a tantrum?¡± Kaiden swiftly walked over and seized her wrist.


    Gazing at the patterns on the floor, Ellie responded, ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± She didn¡¯t believe she was throwing a tantrum.


    There was no reason for such behavior, but deep down, she knew she did have a reason.


    Kaiden pinned Ellie against the corridor railing, sneering. ¡°Is this about me taking the gift from Edwin, Ellie?¡±


    He wondered if she was upset with him just because of Edwin.


    ¡°It has nothing to do with Edwin,¡± Ellie asserted, confused by his sudden insistence on the matter.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s going on?¡± Kaiden¡¯s patience wore thin. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who¡¯s made me repeat the same question, Ellie.¡±


    Atst, Ellie lifted her head, fixing him with a piercing stare.


    She asked, ¡°What were you doing in Tormeto?¡±


    Kaiden furrowed his brows, questioning, ¡°Why do you want to know?¡± He had told her it was work-rted.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for urgent matters, he wouldn¡¯t have arranged a private ne to Tormeto.


    Ellie regarded him with a self-mocking smile.


    When he left, he had imed it was for work. But then the headlines featured rumors about him and another woman, and it was that woman who answered his phone.


    He had never mentioned the phone call she made. Was it because he chose not to bring it up, or did he think it wasn¡¯t important enough to discuss?


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    Suddenly, Ellie didn¡¯t want to linger on the subject. She took a deep breath and told Kaiden, ¡°Let go of me. I have something for you.¡±


    She then returned to the master bedroom and retrieved a dark gray cashmere scarf from the cloakroom.


    ¡°I have the gift I mentioned earlier for you,¡± Ellie said, handing him the scarf.


    ¡°It¡¯srge enough to be used as a light nket for your legs,¡± she added, puzzled by his decision to feign a leg ailment, as she couldn¡¯t understand the reason behind it.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression softened considerably as he received the cashmere scarf.


    ¡°Did you design this?¡± he asked, epting the scarf and preparing to inspect it.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie admitted, her voice quiet. ¡°I apologize, Kaiden. Today was my fault. I overstepped. It won¡¯t happen again. I think I need some time to cool down. I should return to my room and get some sleep.¡±


    Ellie turned away and started to leave.


    Before she could take two steps, Kaiden grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. ¡°What¡¯s this supposed to be?¡± he demanded, holding the scarf up to her face. ¡°A breakup gift?¡±


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    ?Chapter 257:


    When she stubbornly refused to look at him, he let go of her wrist and took her chin between his fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. ¡°I am your husband, Ellie. Youe in here, hand me a scarf, and then dere you want to sleep in a separate room? What exactly are you trying to say?¡±


    Ellie winced from the pressure of Kaiden¡¯s grasp. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to be in the same room as you, that¡¯s all.¡± She needed to create some distance between them.


    ¡°Alright, fine. Do you think I care?¡± Kaiden¡¯s chest rose and fell rapidly with anger. He pushed her toward the bed. ¡°Stay here!¡±


    With that, he stormed out of the room, mming the door behind him. When Ellie heard his footsteps stomping down the hall, she peeked her head out and saw Kaiden throw the scarf into the trash bin on the second-floornding. He threw it with enough force that the fabric made a loud thumping sound as it hit.


    Ellie felt as though a sharp dagger had pierced her. There was a dull, throbbing ache in her heart.


    She stared at the trash bin for a moment longer before returning to the bedroom. It was a gift, and Kaiden was free to do whatever he wanted with it.


    So what if he didn¡¯t like it? The matter was no longer in her hands.


    A few minutester, she heard the roar of the Pagani¡¯s engine. Ellie nced out the window just in time to see the sports car speed down the driveway and disappear into the night.


    Jerome, watching from the doorway, didn¡¯t know what to make of it.


    Kaiden had barely been there for ten minutes, but he had already finished an entire bottle of wine. As disconcerting as it was, Jerome wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with such behavior.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem, Kaiden?¡± he asked, his toneced with concern, but his eyes glinted with the unmistakable desire for gossip.


    Jerome¡¯s flight had been dyed, so he waste to Araceli¡¯s birthday party. By the time he arrived, Kaiden and Ellie had already left. Just as the clock was about to strike midnight, he received an unexpected call from Kaiden, asking to meet up. He could more or less guess what had happened, but he still wanted the juicy details.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Kaiden ran a hand over his face in exasperation.


    Unfazed, Jerome prodded, ¡°Did you have a fight with Ellie?¡±


    Kaiden narrowed his eyes at his friend, as if to ask, ¡°How did you know?¡± Jerome sat back and held up his palms. ¡°You two left the party early. Someone said you were mad at Ellie. Apparently, you were scowling when you left the premises.¡±


    Deep down, Jerome wondered if Kaiden was nning to dump Ellie. He was wise enough not to ask that out loud, at least not at the moment.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t fight,¡± Kaiden muttered, even as he raised his ss and downed its contents.


    Ellie¡¯s apology kept ying over and over in his mind. She had told him she was sorry, yet he couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that she was just pushing him away even more.


    ¡°Did Ellie have an outburst out of nowhere? Women like to do that, you know. Why don¡¯t you tell me exactly what happened, and we¡¯ll walk through the possibilities together?¡± Jerome was more than eager to ¡°help¡± Kaiden with this.


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 Chapter 258

    ?Chapter 258:


    Unfortunately for him, Kaiden wasn¡¯t easy to fool. ¡°You don¡¯t even have a girlfriend, so what good is your help in a situation like this? Get off my case, man.¡±


    Jerome gaped at him indignantly.


    What was wrong with being single?


    If anything, he was lucky that he had no one to fight with or cause him to drink.


    ¡°So you just want me to drink with you, huh? Got it.¡± Jerome sighed in resignation. He knew Kaiden well enough to know that he was getting nothing out of his friend. ¡°By the way, the manager of Omiros¡¯ team informed me that Omiros has fled. No one has found him yet.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s seventeen years old. If he doesn¡¯t want to starve, he¡¯ll turn up eventually.¡± Something else urred to Kaiden then. He fished his phone out of his pocket and called home. ¡°Fetch the scarf in the trash bin on the second floor,¡± he told the servant who answered the call. ¡°And make sure my wife doesn¡¯t find out.¡±


    Ellie liked to sleep in, but she woke up at seven o¡¯clock sharp the next morning.


    For some inexplicable reason, the absence of warmth on Kaiden¡¯s side of the bed troubled Ellie.


    She had tossed and turned most of the night, drifting back and forth between sleep and consciousness. Kaiden had not returned at all.


    After freshening up, Ellie left the bedroom and found herself walking down the hall to check the trash bin. The bag had been reced by the servants, and she guessed that the scarf had been tossed out, along with the kitchen waste and other garbage.


    Ellie ate breakfast in a somber mood. Afterward, she noticed a message from Baylee on WhatsApp.


    ¡°You had a fight with Kaiden?¡±


    Ellie blinked at the screen in surprise and typed her response. ¡°How do you know about that?¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??om has it all


    ¡°Practically everyone knows! Kaiden was spotted drinking the night away in some bar. Then, someone mentioned that he left Araceli¡¯s birthday to take you home, and he didn¡¯t look too pleased.¡±


    Were they implying that he had to leave the party to take her home? Ellie had intended to leave on her own from the start!


    But it never urred to Ellie that Kaiden would spend the entire night at the bar.


    ¡°Take a guess about the rumors going around right now,¡± Baylee messaged her.


    Ellie sighed sarcastically and replied, ¡°That Kaiden detests me and will probably break up with me soon?¡±


    ¡°Yep. That¡¯s pretty much it.¡±


    Baylee didn¡¯t borate further. She and Ellie never got involved in each other¡¯s affairs unless the other actively asked for advice.


    Around noon, Ellie received a call from her former supervisor from graduate school. He wanted to know if she could stop by the university, as the faculty wanted to discuss something with her.


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 Chapter 259

    ?Chapter 259:


    It wasn¡¯t anything major. Critport University was celebrating its 120th anniversary next month, and they hoped Ellie, being one of their most outstanding students, could deliver a speech and represent the art department.


    The university had produced many promising talents over the years, and while Ellie wasn¡¯t technically among the top achievers, she was certainly one of the most brilliant graduates in recent generations.


    Considering how the institution had supported her and cultivated her skills to their fullest potential, Ellie readily agreed.


    Later that afternoon, the headmaster of Critport University gathered a team of veteran professors to tour an esteemed benefactor around the campus.


    ¡°Did something catch your attention, Mr. Thorpe?¡± the headmaster asked when he noticed Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair had suddenly stopped. Kaiden¡¯s gaze was fixed on the administrative office a few meters away.


    Two middle-aged men and a young woman were walking out of the building.


    ¡°Ah, those would be the director of our art department and one of our art professors,¡± the eagle-eyed headmaster exined. ¡°I believe the girl with them is a former student. If I remember correctly, she graduatedst year, well ahead of schedule.¡±


    Kaiden said nothing, but his eyes never left Ellie¡¯s figure.


    Seeing his focus, a female professor spoke up with a smile. ¡°The headmaster is right. The student¡¯s name is Ellie Gordon. Shepleted her master¡¯s degree in half the usual time. She¡¯s a brilliant student. I¡¯ve heard the art department is nning to invite her to speak at the uing school anniversary.¡±


    The professor made sure to study Kaiden¡¯s reaction carefully, but his face remained nk. She doubted he had heard a word she said¡ªhe simply kept staring at Ellie.


    As if sensing his gaze, Ellie suddenly stopped and looked in his direction. After a couple of seconds, she turned back to her professors and bid them farewell.


    Kaiden was fairly certain she had seen him, yet she walked away without a single backward nce.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    Ellie¡¯s pretense of not knowing Kaiden was different from when she had been part of the crew. They were no longer on speaking terms.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe?¡± The headmaster offered a strained smile. ¡°That youngdy is charming, but she¡¯s still quite young. You¡­¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze shifted to the headmaster. His calm yet striking features betrayed his annoyance.


    ¡°She¡¯s only six years younger than I am,¡± Kaiden corrected him.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s not about that. A six-year gap isn¡¯t much, true. But your generous donation of ab building to our school doesn¡¯t mean we can just¡­¡± The headmaster paused mid-sentence, realizing something. ¡°How did you know she¡¯s only twenty-one? Do you two¡­ know each other?¡±


    Typically, students graduate with a master¡¯s degree between the ages of twenty-four and twenty-six. Kaiden¡¯s precise guess about Ellie being twenty-one seemed too exact, even if she had graduated early.


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 Chapter 260

    Chapter 260:


    As soon as Ellie was out of Kaiden¡¯s sight, he turned away and said, ¡°About the library renovation, you can talk to my assistant.¡±


    After the headmaster left, Kaiden was still off from the encounter. ¡°I was worried about offending Mr. Thorpe by not helping him meet that girl, but he still funded our library renovation.¡±


    Was Kaiden¡¯s main point really that he was only six years younger than Ellie?


    The professor apanying them pondered and then suggested, ¡°Perhaps Mr. Thorpe was acknowledging your integrity?¡±


    ¡°Integrity?¡± The headmaster shook his head with a smile and a sigh. ¡°If that¡¯s what he thinks, society has its priorities wrong.¡±


    He was simply doing his duty as a teacher. How could that be considered integrity?


    Meanwhile, Kaiden¡¯s car was parked a short distance away. Bruce waited patiently. Even after Kaiden settled into the car, he remained silent.


    Bruce felt the need to break the silence and said, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I believe that was Mrs. Thorpe we just saw.¡±


    ¡°I can see, you know.¡±


    Bruce, ustomed to Kaiden¡¯s sharp responses, nced outside and remarked, ¡°The forecast mentioned thunderstorms today. Mrs. Thorpe didn¡¯t seem to have an umbre. Critport University is quite spread out. It¡¯s a good ten-minute walk to the exit from here.¡±


    Kaiden, who had just started using his tablet, turned it off abruptly and asked in a cool tone, ¡°Bruce, you¡¯re quite talkative today.¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Bruce decided it was best to remain silent.


    As they hadn¡¯t driven far, raindrops began pelting the car windows. It started raining.


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    Students were rushing around the campus. Some used their bags for cover, while others searched for umbres. The Maybach moved slowly across the campus.


    A young woman was forced to seek refuge under a thick tree. She looked up at therge raindrops, wondering when the rain might stop or how she could leave.


    It was Ellie.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t she worried about lightning? Shecks basic sense,¡± Kaiden whispered.


    Bruce kept his thoughts to himself, thinking, ¡°There¡¯s no thunder or lightning. There¡¯s no risk of a lightning strike under a tree.¡±


    Soon after, Kaidenmanded from the back seat, ¡°Have the headmaster drive her home.¡±


    Bruce didn¡¯t question the oddity of asking the headmaster to escort a former student. He simply nodded and agreed.


    The ck Maybach continued on its way.


    Ellie, pretending to survey her surroundings, stealthily watched the car from the corner of her eye. She recognized it as Kaiden¡¯s.


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Happy weekend dear ones. Gods loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?


    P.S. Next week I¡¯ll be starting the audio novels. For updates, please check the galn0velsmunity. You can also find all ourmunity links here:: https://linktr.ee/galn?vels . ( ? ? ¨C ) ?


    .

 Chapter 261

    ?Chapter 261:


    A raindrop fell from a leaf onto her head, making her shiver and sigh. Her feelings were disoriented.


    She hade to school only to encounter Kaiden and get caught in the heavy rain without an umbre.


    Just as Ellie was deciding whether she should go to the library to borrow an umbre in the rain, a campus shuttle bus stopped in front of her.


    ¡°Miss, where do you need to go? My boss asked me to offer you a lift.¡±


    Ellie recognized the man from campus security. The downpour forced her to raise her voice as she inquired, ¡°Who¡¯s your boss?¡±


    ¡°Your teacher. Hurry up and get on. The rain¡¯s getting heavier,¡± the man replied.


    The shuttle bus dropped Ellie off at the main road outside the university.


    Once she arrived back at Moon Manor by taxi, Ellie sent a thankful message to her supervisor.


    Her supervisor phoned her, sounding confused. ¡°What shuttle bus? I didn¡¯t arrange any ride for you. Didn¡¯t you have an umbre?¡±


    Ellie paused for a moment before suggesting, ¡°Could it have been the headmaster?¡±


    ¡°The headmaster¡¯s been in a meeting. He hasn¡¯t left the conference room,¡± her supervisor informed her.


    So, it wasn¡¯t the headmaster?


    Then who could it have been?


    Kaiden¡¯s image shed in Ellie¡¯s mind, but she quickly dismissed the thought. How would he have the authority to instruct the university¡¯s security office?


    He hadn¡¯t even paused his car when he drove past her, or maybe he hadn¡¯t seen her. How could he be behind the security office¡¯s gesture?


    In the following days, Ellie was busy with work. The GT Group had scheduled her for two high-profile magazine shoots. She also had to fly to the studio city twice for post-production work on the Peerless Grace costume. Her schedule was packed.


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    Ellie only saw Kaiden in the evenings, but they exchanged no words. The staff at Moon Manor sensed the tension between the two, casting a more solemn air over the house.


    At GT Group headquarters,


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you need apanion for tonight¡¯s economic g. Mrs. Thorpe is working nearby today,¡± Bruce said, ncing at Kaiden with a hint of disorientation. He couldn¡¯t understand why Kaiden had been fixated on a gray scarftely.


    The scarf was in and unremarkable, just a simple gray without any patterns. It had appeared out of nowhere beside Kaiden.


    ¡°Who said I was nning to invite her?¡± Kaiden set the scarf aside and began reviewing the documents with an impassive face.


    Only two seconds passed before Kaiden instructed, ¡°Go tell Ellie.¡± Bruce was momentarily speechless. He realized that Kaiden¡¯s earlier refusal had been a pretense¡ªhe hadn¡¯t genuinely meant it.


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 Chapter 262

    ?Chapter 262:


    Returning ten minutester, Bruce¡¯s face was flushed with embarrassment. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe is tied up with work tonight and can¡¯t make it.¡±


    Kaiden looked up, his gaze sharp.


    ¡°Tied up with work?¡±


    He knew Ellie didn¡¯t have any obligations at the GT Group that evening. It was just her way of avoiding the situation.


    ¡°Call her again,¡± Kaiden ordered through clenched teeth, trying to restrain his irritation. ¡°Stay here and call her.¡±


    Cautiously, Bruce dialed Ellie¡¯s number once more.


    He switched the phone to speaker mode, and Ellie¡¯s voice filled the room.


    ¡°Hello, Bruce. Is there something else?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, Mr. Thorpe¡¯s event tonight is quite formal. He requires apanion for the sake of courtesy. When will you be free from work? Is there a way to rearrange your schedule?¡±


    Ellie paused briefly before responding, ¡°If he needs someone to apany him, perhaps you can find someone else suitable?¡± For such events, there wasn¡¯t a strict requirement for who the date should be. It could be a celebrity, a friend, or even a secretary. Typically, men with girlfriends or wives choose to attend with their partners.


    Bruce nced anxiously at Kaiden, hardly daring to breathe.


    He felt out of ce.


    He wondered why he was caught in the middle of their issues.


    This call should have been made by Kaiden himself.


    Noticing Kaiden¡¯s cold expression and his reluctance to speak further, Bruce ended the call with Ellie.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, will you still be taking a date to the event?¡±


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    Ellie ended her phone call and turned to the taxi driver. ¡°Could you please drive a bit faster?¡± she asked.


    She had refused to attend the party with Kaiden, not only because of her own feelings but because Baylee had urgently called her. Baylee had exined that there was an emergency requiring Ellie¡¯s immediate attention.


    Arriving at the Rich Bar, Ellie hurried through the VIP entrance and made her way straight to a private room.


    The moment she opened the door, a strong scent of blood hit her. Baylee stood frozen near the door, her gaze fixed on a man lying on the sofa. The man¡¯splexion was ashen, with blood running from his short ck hair down to his forehead. He wore a ck trench coat, the source of the bloody scent. Drops of blood had fallen from the coat¡¯s edge onto the carpet, leaving red stains.


    ¡°Oh my God! What happened here?¡± Ellie eximed in shock, quickly closing the door. ¡°Did you identally hurt him?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Baylee responded immediately.


    Ellie let out a sigh of relief, but as she looked at the man¡¯s face, a realization struck her. ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t that Marvin Hill?¡±


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 Chapter 263

    ?Chapter 263:


    ¡°You recognize him atst,¡± Baylee said, her face filled with despair. ¡°When I got here today, I heard noises from the exit passageway. I went to check, and I found him sitting on the floor, injured. He grabbed me, refusing to let me take him to the hospital. He had a wound on his forehead and makeshift bandages, but they wereing apart.¡±


    ¡°Marvin and Quincy are archenemies. Baylee, did you help him just to upset Quincy?¡± Ellie ventured. She couldn¡¯t think of another reason for Baylee to willingly get involved in such a mess.


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Baylee replied, rubbing her temples. ¡°Marvin saved me as a child. I owe him my life. But how did he end up injured outside our private room?¡±


    ¡°I doubt it¡¯s a coincidence,¡± Ellie remarked.


    Their private room was a well-kept secret, known to very few. It seemed too strange that Marvin, severely injured, would end up there, discovered by Baylee, who owed him a life-saving debt.


    ¡°The Hill family¡¯s internal affairs areplex. Before he passed out, Marvin said he didn¡¯t want to go to the hospital, probably fearing it would be less safe. If we take him there, he¡­¡±


    Might recover, but given his vengeful nature, he could retaliate against us. Yet, if we don¡¯t help him and he dies, we could face legal consequences.¡± Baylee was clearly torn about what to do.


    Though a wave of anxiety washed over Ellie, she couldn¡¯t help but tease, ¡°You just mentioned that Marvin saved your life. Now you¡¯re worried about court if he dies?¡±


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s in aa, so he didn¡¯t hear me, right?¡± Baylee sighed.


    ¡°Ellie, what should we do?¡±


    ¡°Give me a moment to think.¡±


    Ellie then pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. She paused at two names: Theo and Edwin. Theo was a surgeon, but he knew Marvin. It wouldn¡¯t be safe to involve him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call Edwin. He studied medicine and did an internship in his family¡¯s hospital. Plus, he¡¯s unaware of who Marvin is,¡± Ellie told Baylee.


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    Dialing Edwin¡¯s number, Ellie remembered that he had once cklisted her, but it appeared that he had now removed her from the list, giving her a chance to reach him.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Edwin¡¯s voice was asmanding as ever.


    ¡°Edwin, can you help me out? And keep it a secret?¡±


    An hourter, Edwin was kneeling by the sofa, carefully bandaging Marvin¡¯s wounds. Marvin¡¯s ck trench coaty cut open. His abdomen and shoulder were wrapped in blood-soaked gauze. Some wounds beneath the gauze needed restitching.


    Baylee whispered to Ellie, ¡°Since when are you and Edwin on good terms?¡±


    ¡°Just recently, we made up,¡± Ellie whispered back.


    Edwin, focusing on the wound, grumbled, ¡°Ellie! I¡¯ve been ying instruments for two years, not stitching wounds. Why do I have to help you take care of his wounds, huh? Damn! I need to know who he is, or else¡­¡±


    As Edwin tended to the wounds, he couldn¡¯t help but keepining, a clear sign of his disdain for the task at hand.


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 Chapter 264

    ?Chapter 264:


    Ellie sighed. ¡°He was found by the side of the road.¡± She believed her statement contained some truth and wasn¡¯t entirely fabricated.


    Hearing this, Edwin paused his work and looked up at Ellie. ¡°He¡¯s got a gunshot wound on his shoulder. If your story holds, I need to inform the police.¡±


    Despite his family¡¯s ims of his low IQ, Edwin was far from foolish.


    Ellie quickly exchanged a nce with Baylee.


    ¡°This man is my boyfriend,¡± Baylee lied on the spur of the moment. ¡°Please, Edwin, keep this between us.¡±


    Edwin¡¯s gaze shifted to Ellie, seeking confirmation. Ellie nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Fine,¡± conceded Edwin. He had no ties to Baylee, so he chose not to meddle in her personal matters.


    After finishing with the wounds, Edwin fetched an anti-inmmatory drip and administered it to Marvin. Two hours had passed by the time hepleted the treatment.


    Concerned that Edwin might reveal what he knew, Baylee and Ellie expressed their genuine appreciation.


    ¡°In return for my silence, what do I get?¡± Edwin asked, turning to Ellie.


    Ellie checked her watch, noting it was nearly one in the morning. ¡°How about this,¡± she proposed. ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to ate-night snack. Order anything you want, it¡¯s on me.¡±


    Meanwhile, Marviny unconscious on the sofa, his condition unchanged, leaving Baylee unable to depart.


    Edwin, with a hint of reluctance, raised his chin and replied, ¡°Okay.¡±


    Ellie suggested they dine at a renowned seafood restaurant nearby, which was bustling even in the middle of the night. Unlike Kaiden, Edwin wasn¡¯t particr about his food.


    As Ellie pondered this, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was a photo of a man and a woman at a banquet. The woman, adorned in a champagne gown, stood gracefully next to a wheelchair, wearing a smile. The man in the wheelchair was Kaiden, and the woman was Nora.


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    ¡°Ellie, men are naturally fickle. Isn¡¯t Kaiden, the man you defend, also mingling with a celebrity? I¡¯m in better shape than he is.¡± The message, unsigned, was clearly from Erick, judging by the wording.


    Edwin noticed the change in Ellie¡¯s expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ellie?¡± he asked.


    Ellie turned her phone screen down, forcing a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    After mingling with several influential guests, Kaiden left the event in his wheelchair, with Nora apanying him.


    Once they were outside the party, Nora thanked him. ¡°I¡¯m so grateful, Mr. Thorpe. Without you, I¡¯d never have had ess to such an event.¡± She knew these high-profile events were gateways to valuable connections. Merely being seen with Kaiden would open doors for her. Kaiden, not even ncing at Nora, told her, ¡°You may leave now.¡±


    Nora inquired, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, was today¡¯s opportunity a thank you for rifying Miss Gordon¡¯s situation regarding the dancer¡¯s stand-in?¡±


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 Chapter 265

    ?Chapter 265:


    Kaiden, not responding to Nora¡¯s question, simply wheeled himself away, leaving her behind.


    At the party, the guests had assumed Nora was Kaiden¡¯stestpanion. However, Nora was well aware that Kaiden had paid her no mind and that her invitation was a result of Ellie¡¯s influence, not Kaiden¡¯s personal interest.


    Yet, Nora couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Kaiden hadn¡¯t invited Ellie to apany him to the party instead.


    Kaiden was seated in the back of the car, the scent of someone else¡¯s perfume from the party lingering on him, which caused him some annoyance. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Erick took a photo of you with Nora at the event. I had someone check his phone. Turns out, he sent it to Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Bruce informed him.


    ¡°And how did she react to it?¡± Kaiden inquired, his eyes shut. He was aware that Erick, seeing him with another woman, would surely inform Ellie.


    ¡°Who? Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Bruce replied. ¡°She didn¡¯t react at all.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes opened. His face remained cold, but a flicker of irritation was evident. ¡°What¡¯s she up to now?¡±


    Bruce found this question even more daunting than thest one. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe¡­ She¡¯s currently having ate-night snack with Edwin.¡± The mood in the car suddenly darkened.


    It waste at night. Ellie, entering the master bedroom quietly, was unexpectedly greeted by the sight of the man asleep on the bed. Lately, Kaiden had either been workingte in the study or returning to the room only after she had fallen asleep.


    The fact that Kaiden was asleep before her made her feel uneasy. She tiptoed to the bathroom to freshen up. But as soon as she got into bed, she was pinned down by a looming figure.


    Startled, Ellie instinctively pushed against Kaiden¡¯s chest and eximed in shock, ¡°Aren¡¯t you asleep?¡±


    Kaiden could feel her body tense up. It took her a few seconds to rx, but her bodynguage was one of resistance. She was pushing away his advances for intimacy.


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    ¡°Ellie, the woman I was with tonight is an actress from your film set.¡± The master bedroom was dark, with only the moonlight streaming through therge windows. Ellie could just make out his silhouette but couldn¡¯t see his expression clearly.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Ellie replied honestly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say?¡± Kaiden leaned in, resting one hand near her ear, asionally stroking her face with the thumb of his other hand.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t sure if his touch felt more intimate or menacing. Taking a moment to calm her breathing, she replied, ¡°No, you¡¯re free to choose your date.¡±


    In the dim light, she noticed the expectant look in his eyes fade away. ¡°Huh!¡± Kaidenughed at himself and stretched out t.


    Ellie, holding the sheet, gazed at the ceiling, listening to his steady breathing. He seemed to have nothing more to say.


    Seeing a photo of Kaiden with Nora had stirred a flicker of jealousy in Ellie, but it didn¡¯tst long. Compared to Carole, Nora seemed insignificant. Moreover, Kaiden had referred to Nora as an actress from her crew, leading Ellie to doubt that he even knew Nora¡¯s real name. This left Ellie puzzled over the intent behind Kaiden¡¯s words.


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 Chapter 266

    ?Chapter 266:


    Was he trying to annoy her? Or was it just yful teasing?


    Yet, it didn¡¯t make sense. Carole was clearly the more logical choice.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie was concerned about Baylee. The next day, she visited Baylee¡¯s apartment to check on her, bringing food and medicine.


    Baylee resided in a luxurious apartment with a river view in the city center. She had let Marvin stay in a spare room.


    ¡°It might be an infection from his wound. Marvin had a feverst night and hasn¡¯t woken up even after taking fever medicine,¡± Baylee exined, looking exhausted from a sleepless night.


    ¡°Are you nning to keep him here?¡± Ellie asked with uncertainty.


    Baylee shook her head firmly. ¡°No, I¡¯ll ask him to leave once he¡¯s better. We¡¯re both single. It wouldn¡¯t be right to keep him here.¡± Unknown to them, behind the door of the spare room, Marviny in bed, eyes open, listening to their conversation.


    That night, when Kaiden invited Edwin for drinks, Edwin was somewhat puzzled.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Edwin and Kaiden, having only had a few drinks, were sitting across from each other, enveloped in an oddly tense atmosphere.


    ¡°Kaiden, is there¡­ Is there something wrong between us?¡± Edwin asked, feeling slightly awkward.


    Kaiden reclined against the sofa and responded vaguely, ¡°Oh?¡± He was asking why Edwin felt that way.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t give a clear yes or no, as he was skilled at using psychological tactics to torment others.


    Edwin, who had been looked after by his older buddies since childhood, had never felt such intense pressure from Kaiden, the most reserved among them. For a moment, Edwin¡¯s mind went nk.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°My gut tells me so,¡± Edwin said after a while. ¡°It felt odd when you asked me to go with you to see Ellie on my mom¡¯s birthday.¡±


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    Kaiden let out a soft chuckle, picking up his ss to drink.


    Edwin took a sip too. ¡°And that day you left, I noticed Ellie wasn¡¯t wearing the hairpin I gave her.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze lifted to Edwin.


    After drinking, Kaiden¡¯s eyes became deep and bright, as if he could see through people¡¯s hearts.


    ¡°Did you start doubting Ellie because of something I did?¡± Edwin nervously licked his lips, a subconscious sign of his anxiety.


    ¡°You¡¯re missing a detail.¡± Kaiden, tapping his fingers on the table, said, ¡°You had ate-night snack with Ellie yesterday.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s statement aligned with Edwin¡¯s suspicions. Edwin sighed. ¡°Kaiden,st night¡­ it was just a casual hangout with her. You know, a friendly gathering. I don¡¯t have any romantic feelings for her, especially since she¡¯s your wife. My mom already told me that.¡±


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 Chapter 267

    ?Chapter 267:


    Kaiden sneered inwardly. To make time for a casual meeting with Edwin, Ellie had turned down going to the party with him.


    Staring at Edwin, who sat across from him with his head down, Kaiden asked, ¡°Does it bother you that we¡¯re married?¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Edwin picked up another ss of wine and gulped it down. He was stopped by Kaiden when he picked up another ss.


    Kaiden handed him a bottle of stronger wine, saying, ¡°This one hits faster.¡±


    Edwin took the bottle and downed a few mouthfuls of wine.


    As the alcohol took effect, Edwin¡¯s gaze at Kaiden changed.


    ¡°Kaiden, you might not know, half the guys in our ss had a thing for Ellie, but I,¡± Edwin pointed at himself with a hint of pride, ¡°I was in the other half. But¡­¡±


    Edwin hesitated before adding, less confidently, ¡°There were still plenty who secretly admired Ellie in that half.¡±


    Kaiden knew he shouldn¡¯t care about that. It was normal for attractive, smart girls to be popr in school. He also knew Ellie¡¯s reputation as a top socialite.


    But hearing these things from Edwin made Kaiden feel frustrated.


    ¡°A bunch of upperssmen and underssmen chased after Ellie too,¡± Edwin¡¯s voice dropped to a hush, as if sharing a secret. ¡°Guess what, in our group, the Shaw family¡¯s younger son and the Lee family¡¯s sons secretly fancy Ellie.¡±


    Kaiden inquired, ¡°You¡¯re saying both Lee families¡¯ sons like Ellie?¡± The Lee families from Critport had made it into the top ranks of the wealthy elite.


    Edwin nodded. ¡°Yeah, both Lee families.¡±


    Kaiden recalled visiting a restaurant outside Studio City that served delicious food. It turned out to be owned by a son from one of the Lee families.


    He felt a sudden urge to destroy that restaurant.


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    ¡°And what about you? Do you like her too?¡± Kaiden asked.


    Edwin appeared exhausted from his drinking. He gazed at Kaiden, wine bottle in hand, seemingly oblivious to Kaiden¡¯s earlier question. Eventually, Edwin said, ¡°Kaiden, Ellie has many admirers, yet here you are, still fighting with her.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s her who¡¯s picking fights with me,¡± Kaiden corrected Edwin.


    ¡°She picks fights with you?¡± Edwin felt a twinge of jealousy. He had known Ellie for over a decade but had never witnessed her engage in arguments with any man. Her interactions with men were either polite or cold courtesy. For all these years, Edwin had been on the receiving end of her cold demeanor, which left him feeling downhearted.


    Edwin quickly came back to his senses and asked, ¡°Why is she fighting with you? Is it because of the rumors about you and Carole?¡± Edwin seemed to have hit upon an answer, muttering to himself, ¡°That must be the reason. You two shouldn¡¯t just argue. You should end things.¡±


    Kaiden, resisting the urge tosh out at Edwin, asked with a frown, ¡°What rumor?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t heard? International media are specting about your romantic involvement with Carole.¡± Edwin tried to find the news on his phone but failed. Frustrated, he threw the phone down. ¡°I can¡¯t find the article.¡±


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    Kaiden hadn¡¯t known about it before. ¡°That¡¯s absolute nonsense.¡± He knew how the media loved fabricating stories.


    ¡°But people believe it¡¯s true. Carole even posted something. Had I not known you were married, I too would¡¯ve believed you were with Carole,¡± Edwin said, standing up, visibly upset.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Bruce handle this,¡± Kaiden said to Edwin. ¡°Sit down.¡± Having reached a conclusion, Edwin leaned back on the sofa and said obediently, ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°I need to go. Tell your friend to keep youpany. I¡¯ll take care of the bill.¡± Kaiden then left the private room in his wheelchair.


    Edwin was left confused about the situation. ¡°Kaiden, you invite me here and then just leave?¡± The wheelchair continued to move.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe.¡± Bruce was waiting just outside the private room. Kaiden, maintaining a serious expression, inquired, ¡°Did Carole post something?¡±


    Bruce was unsure. ¡°I¡¯ll find out immediately. Please give me a moment.¡± Edwin, when sober, denied having feelings for Ellie. Yet, when intoxicated, he consistently avoided the topic.


    The more Edwin behaved like this, the clearer it became to Kaiden. Even if Edwin remained unaware of his feelings for Ellie, Kaiden understood that if Edwin didn¡¯t value Ellie, how could he know about the admiration she received from numerous individuals?


    If Edwin didn¡¯t have feelings for Ellie, he wouldn¡¯t have stayed silent on the matter. He wouldn¡¯t have stood up for her, even when drunk. He wouldn¡¯t have insisted he didn¡¯t like her while defending her.


    The cold winter wind brushed against Kaiden¡¯s face. He gazed at the bustling traffic in the distance, pondering Edwin¡¯s words. Kaiden had been aware of Ellie¡¯s poprity, but it wasn¡¯t until now that he truly grasped the extent of desire she ignited within their social circle.


    Ellie, once a noble youngdy, lost her status and was forced into marriage with him by the Gordon family. All of a sudden, Kaiden felt a sense of fortune in these twists of fate. Without them, he might never have had the chance to marry Ellie.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???§à?? opens doors to wonder


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I found it.¡± Bruce presented his phone to Kaiden, exining, ¡°Carole posted this five days ago. Many people thought you were the one who posted it.¡± The post featured an Indian mask, captioned to indicate it was made by Mr. Thorpe.


    Ellie had just started her nap when the iing call interrupted her. The caller ID was unfamiliar.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, are you still in bed? Did you forget that you need toe and watch the show?¡± The voice on the other end spoke in fluent French. Ellie suddenly woke up and jumped from the bed. ¡°No, no. I¡¯ll be there on time.¡±


    The caller concluded the call with a discontented snort.


    Ellie hurriedly prepared herself. She chose a subtle yet stylish velvet long dress. It gracefully reached her ankles, blending the elegance of a gown without being overly formal, making it ideal for a private show.


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    Dressing this way was unusual for Ellie. When Cayson noticed her attire, he inquired, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you heading out? Will you be back for dinner?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the Green Winery for a show,¡± Ellie replied while slipping on her shoes. ¡°It ends around five. I should make it back for dinner.¡± The exclusive show¡¯s attendees included prominent figures from the fashion industry, editors of various fashion magazines, and women from top-tier families.


    Upon Ellie¡¯s arrival, she quickly became the center of attention. For months, she had been a hot topic in their social circles.


    She hadn¡¯t taken more than a few steps inside when she was approached by someone, greeting, ¡°Ellie.¡±


    Turning towards the voice, Ellie saw Genesis. Adorned in a mink coat, with exquisite makeup, Genesis stood surrounded by wealthydies, a Hermes bag in hand, exuding an air of superiority.


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Ellie nodded at her.


    Genesis smirked. ¡°I heard Kaiden hasn¡¯t been too fond of youtely. Just the other day, he was seen with a female celebrity at a party. How can you still enjoy a show in such a situation? Oh, I see. You are capitalizing on the opportunity to utilize his wealth and influence. The Gordon family wasn¡¯t invited here, were they? Did you get your invitation through Kaiden?¡±


    Genesis had always held a grudge against Ellie for mocking her family at Thorpes¡¯ house. Recently, her son Erick had faced embarrassment at a bar, an incident that Ellie was involved in, which fueled Genesis¡¯ resentment even more.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, relying on your looks to attract men won¡¯t sustain you forever. Let me introduce someone suitable for you,¡± a woman with short hair interjected. ¡°My nephew is twenty-four, currently single. I think you are not bad.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mrs. Herod, but I¡¯ll have to decline.¡± Ellie wasn¡¯t interested in meeting Maggie Herod¡¯s nephew.


    ¡°I think you should ept it, Ellie. You¡¯re quite a serial dater, aren¡¯t you? You were engaged to my son, and then suddenly you¡¯re with Kaiden.¡± Genesis chuckled. ¡°Mrs. Herod, tell Miss Gordon about your nephew. Maybe she is actually curious about him.¡± The women around Genesis joined in theughter.


    Find exclusive stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    Hearing Genesis¡¯ words, Maggie was overjoyed. ¡°My nephew is Herman Coleman, quite the celebrity. Though the Coleman family is in business and outside our circle, they earn about ten million dors a year.¡±


    Beside Maggie was her daughter, Laura Herod.


    Laura said, ¡°Ellie, you don¡¯t even know who your own parents are. Frankly, if I hadn¡¯t taken a liking to Mr. Thorpe, my mom wouldn¡¯t have considered introducing my cousin to you.¡±


    Maggie¡¯s aim was clear; she hoped to trap Ellie with her nephew, giving her daughter a chance with Kaiden.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh outright. ¡°What a small world! I¡¯m acquainted with Herman. Isn¡¯t he the one caught in a scandal for cheating and giarizing, all while pretending to be a big star? I¡¯ve heard his father is embroiled in awsuit over illegal business dealings.¡±


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    Maggie¡¯s expression soured as Ellie continued, ¡°You might not know, but Herman¡¯s misfortunes likely started after he offended me.¡±


    ¡°What? Ellie, did you really bring trouble to my cousin¡¯s family? Why are you so cruel?¡± Laura¡¯s face turned livid and pale, her lips trembling.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie cautioned, ¡°Mind yournguage, Miss Herod. They had iting to them.¡±


    The familiar smile that usually lingered on Ellie¡¯s lips vanished suddenly. Addressing Genesis, Ellie remarked, ¡°Genesis, you encourage others to arrange romantic connections for me. I can¡¯t help but wonder how Jorge will react when he discovers this.¡±


    A subtle shift crossed Genesis¡¯ countenance. She had urged Maggie to persist, aiming to humiliate Ellie further. However, if Jorge discovered that she orchestrated an outsider¡¯s involvement in pairing Ellie with a man, trouble awaited her.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Genesis dered with a cold demeanor. ¡°The show ismencing. Find your seats.¡±


    Sensing Genesis¡¯ displeasure, someone swiftly shifted the conversation, saying, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you¡¯ve secured the prime seat today. I¡¯m truly envious.¡±


    Delighted by thepliment, Genesis smiled modestly. ¡°My seat isn¡¯t necessarily the finest. The center seat at Freddy¡¯s show is always vacant. I¡¯m seated adjacent to it.¡±


    In truth, the central position at the fashion show offered the optimal and most centered view. Freddy Lynn, a highly promising designer specializing in high-end tailored clothing, made acquiring tickets for his exclusive shows quite challenging. However, a peculiar aspect of his recent shows was the deliberate decision to leave the central seat unupied.


    ¡°Ellie, where have you chosen to sit?¡± Laura inquired. ¡°I doubt you secured a spot in Section One. Are you relegated to a corner?¡± The prime viewing location for the show was in Section One.


    Genesis smiled, inquiring, ¡°Kaiden is the CEO of the GT Group. Why didn¡¯t he secure a better seat for you?¡±


    Feel the magic at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c¦Ï??


    Ellie remained silent.


    The moment Genesis settled into her seat, she observed Ellie gracefully taking the center seat beside her.


    ¡°What are you doing in this seat?¡± Genesis eximed in astonishment. ¡°Don¡¯t you know no one upies this seat at Freddy¡¯s show?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been a mistake; thisdy is in the wrong seat. Address it promptly to avoid displeasing Freddy,¡± Genesis urged the show¡¯s organizer in a loud voice, intending to make more people aware of the situation.


    ¡°Well, Ellie is said to have attended numerous shows. How is it that she seems oblivious to this rule?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in for a treat tonight.¡±


    Amidst hushed conversations, a figure with blonde hair and blue eyes, the one in charge, approached. However, upon spotting Ellie, she eximed in surprise, ¡°My God! Miss Gordon, you¡¯ve finally graced us with your presence. Without you, this seat would have remained empty for another year. Considering your aversion to the cold, Freddy ensured this year¡¯s show was indoors. How do you find it?¡±


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    The surroundings fell silent abruptly, and the derisive smiles froze in ce.


    ¡°Oh, I really appreciate it.¡± Ellie smiled and said apologetically, ¡°I rushed out today and forgot to bring flowers as a token.¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯m confident Freddy would dere your presence the finest gift.¡±


    Even after the person in charge departed, those around remained perplexed.


    ¡°Did I just imagine things?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Genesis¡¯ expression soured upon seeing Ellie in the seat that had been vacant for four years. She questioned, ¡°Why are you¡­¡±


    ncing at Genesis, Ellie exined, ¡°I forgot to mention that Kaiden didn¡¯t send me the invitation. It¡¯s from Freddy.¡±


    Over the next two hours, Ellie immersed herself in the spectacle on stage. However, everyone else remained in a state of disbelief. Genesis, in particr, wore a look of utter dismay. She believed she held the highest status in the audience, only to be surpassed unexpectedly by Ellie.


    Following the show, Freddy, the designer, took the stage for a speech.


    Freddy, a man in his thirties, exuded sophistication with deep and elegant facial features. Dressed in fashion, his green eyes held a captivating beauty. Contrary to his usual arrogant demeanor as a talented designer, today he wore a genuine smile.


    Observers noted that Freddy¡¯s gaze remained fixated on the young woman in the center seat.


    Following Freddy¡¯s speech, the floor opened for questions.


    Eagerly rising, a reporter addressed Freddy, ¡°Mr. Lynn, I have a question. Over the past four years and six private shows, the center seat has consistently been empty. Why is there ady upying it today?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it evident? This seat was reserved for her,¡± Freddy responded with a helpless shrug. ¡°The reason I kept the center seat vacant was because thisdy declined to attend. She was consistently upied or found it inconvenient to travel abroad, so I organized the show in her hometown. Now, she has no reason to miss it.¡± His final words were directed at Ellie. The crowd erupted in chaos.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c§à??, your storytelling home


    ¡°Is thatdy? Turning down Freddy six times in a row. Is she out of her mind?¡±


    ¡°Is that Ellie? I assumed she got in with Kaiden¡¯s assistance, but it turns out it¡¯s because of Freddy. How did Ellie be acquainted with Freddy?¡±


    Within the auditorium, cameras from all the reporters shed, focusing on the young woman in the center seat.


    Ellie appeared indifferent, treating Freddy¡¯s words as a trivial matter not worth acknowledging. The ck velvet dress bestowed on her a regal aura.


    She offered a resigned smile, stating, ¡°I¡¯m genuinely upied.¡± The coveted center seat at the fashion show, vacant in the fashion circle for four years, was now designated for Ellie.


    Numerous affluentdies and daughters of powerful families vied for invitations to Freddy¡¯s show. However, Ellie had been absent from Freddy¡¯s show for four years.


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    As Ellie showed no inclination to speak further, reporters redirected their attention to Freddy, inquiring once more, ¡°Mr. Lynn, the center seat has been empty for four years due to Miss Gordon¡¯s absence. What makes Miss Gordon special? I¡¯ve been following your work since your debut eight years ago, and as far as I¡¯m aware, Miss Gordon hasn¡¯t been part of your journey.¡±


    ¡°Four years ago, I faced a giarism scandal, and no one was willing to believe me. It was Miss Gordon who engaged awyer to vindicate me, and she was also the mastermind behind the Pr Night show. She is my benefactor and muse. There is no one else who deserves the center seat but her.¡±


    The Pr Night marked Freddy¡¯s inaugural major production following his exoneration from a giarism scandal, propelling him to overnight stardom. This groundbreaking show not only showcased outstanding costumes but also featured a meticulously designed presentation. Departing from traditional runway formats, it depicted Freddy¡¯s journey from¡­


    False usations during his tenure as the chief fashion designer for a luxury brand had gued Freddy, but he had dramatically resurged on stage through a theatrical runway show.


    Up to this point, the show had garnered acim from themunity. Conversations revolved around the bold and intelligent strategies employed by the chief nner of the show.


    After four years, the mystery unraveled, unveiling Ellie as the mastermind behind the show.


    Undoubtedly, this revtion would send shockwaves through the entire fashionmunity.


    The reporter contained their excitement and pressed on, ¡°Is Miss Gordon someone you admire? Are you pursuing a romantic connection with her?¡±


    This query posed a challenge. Many attendees were privy to the rumors circting about Ellie and Kaiden. Their attention heightened as they sat up, listening intently.


    galn¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m opens doors to new adventures


    ¡°No,¡± Freddy shook his head, stating, ¡°I¡¯m too old to be a suitable match for her.¡±


    The curtains fell on the show, leaving a lingering shock in the air after Freddy¡¯s bombshell.


    People, taken aback, kept their distance from Ellie, their hushed conversations filling the space.


    When Ellie made a move to leave, Freddy, ditching the reporters, chased after her.


    ¡°Ellie, are you leaving? How about grabbing dinner with me?¡± Freddy¡¯s tone hit a sour note, making Ellie cringe.


    With so many onlookers, refusing would put Ellie in a difficult position, so she reluctantly agreed, ¡°Fine, my treat.¡±


    Quickly, Ellie dialed Cayson, altering her ns for the evening. Freddy delegated the reporters to his assistants, and they made their exit.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that some of the audience members made fun of you today. Did I y my part well out there? Did I do justice to your image?¡± Freddy asked, his grin demanding validation.


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    Ellie, feeling cornered, responded, ¡°Freddy, you¡¯re not exactly behaving like a seasoned thirty-five-year-old!¡±


    ¡°Boys will be boys,¡± Freddy quipped. ¡°Did I do justice? Are you pleased?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ellie sighed, unwilling to disappoint her old friend.


    Contemting dinner options, Ellie paused as she noticed a man outside the hotel.


    In a wheelchair, Kaiden gazed silently at her.


    Unable to feign ignorance, Ellie approached him and asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Just passing by,¡± Kaiden replied. ¡°I¡¯ll take you home for dinner.¡±


    ¡°I told Cayson I won¡¯t be back for dinner tonight; I have an impromptu arrangement,¡± Ellie exined.


    Having heard from Cayson that the event would end around five o¡¯clock, Kaiden arrived at half-past four. After waiting for half an hour, Ellie suddenly imed she had a different appointment?


    Before Kaiden could inquire further, Freddy spotted him. Surprised, Freddy eximed, ¡°Isn¡¯t he the CEO of GT Group? Ellie, are you two acquainted?¡±


    Kaiden sneered inwardly.


    This man addressed her quite intimately.


    Kaiden hadn¡¯t bothered to nce at Freddy at first, assuming he was just a bystander. Now, he shot Freddy a snarky, angry look. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Ellie, addressing Kaiden, said, ¡°He¡¯s my friend, Freddy.¡± She hesitated before introducing Kaiden to Freddy. ¡°He¡¯s my¡­¡±


    Ellie faltered, struggling for words, and Kaiden interjected, ¡°Husband.¡±


    ¡°Husband?¡± Freddy was bewildered. ¡°No way. You must be pulling my leg. I just saw the spectacle with you and the jewelry designer, Carole. And there¡¯s no ring on Ellie¡¯s finger.¡±


    Freddy took Ellie¡¯s right hand, showing the ringless fingers.


    Your imagination begins with g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q?????


    ¡°Let go of her!¡± Kaiden reimed Ellie¡¯s hand from Freddy, a subtle frown on his face.


    He then realized Ellie didn¡¯t wear a ring, but at the time of their union, he hadn¡¯t given her one since he didn¡¯t take things seriously. Seeing her bare fingers, difort gnawed at him. He felt somewhat guilty as well.


    Freddy, shaking his head, remarked, ¡°Are you pursuing Ellie, sir? I¡¯m vying for her too. With yourck of manners, you¡¯ll be out of the picture before you know it! You¡­¡±


    ¡°Freddy, he¡¯s my husband.¡± Ellie halted him before he could say something more audacious.


    ¡°What?¡± Freddy was dumbfounded. ¡°You¡¯re not ying a prank on me, are you? But he and Carole¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, Freddy. But he is, indeed, my husband. Legally recognized and protected,¡± Ellie asserted.


    Attempting to withdraw her hand from Kaiden¡¯s grip, Ellie found it held even tighter.


    Kaiden sneered at Freddy and asked, ¡°Vying for her?¡±


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    Freddy swiftly altered his countenance, sporting the archetypal smile of a true gentleman. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, my sincerest apologies. The unvarnished truth is that Ellie happens to be my superior. I lied when I said I was vying for her because I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of my esteemed boss falling prey to some scoundrel due to her youthful naivety¡­ Not implying you¡¯re a scoundrel, mind you. Just a spective inkling on my part.¡±


    Kaiden wore a skeptical expression, as if challenging Freddy to spin more tales.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    This was hardly an opportune moment for Ellie to share a meal with Freddy. She interjected, ¡°Freddy, why don¡¯t we put a pin in this? I¡¯ll treat you to dinner on another asion, okay?¡±


    ¡°Given your subordinate status, the dinner¡¯s on me,¡± dered Kaiden. Observing Ellie¡¯s demeanor, Freddy took a principled stance. ¡°Apologies, Mr. Thorpe. I have to heed Ellie¡¯s wishes. Seems like she¡¯s not up for the dinner.¡±


    As night descended, the glow of streetlights and neon signs filtered through the window, casting an intery of light and shadow on the faces in the back seat. A thick silence enveloped the car.


    ¡°Ellie, that Freddy is pushing thirty-five,¡± Kaiden stated, his memory serving him well as he had perused relevant information about Freddy on his way to pick Ellie up.


    Ellie¡¯s ire surged. ¡°Kaiden, he¡¯s a friend. Rumors circte about you and Carole, yet I can¡¯t even have a male friend? I don¡¯t meddle in your affairs. Who are you to interfere with my friendships?¡±


    Kaiden remainedposed. Turning to her, he inquired, ¡°When did you find out about the affair?¡±


    When Freddy brought up his involvement with Carole, Ellie admitted she was aware. Kaiden knew that this exined the indifference she had shown him in recent days.


    Staring out the window, Ellie responded coolly, ¡°When you were in Tormeto.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask?¡±


    Exclusive stories avable on g¦Áln¦Òv?ls


    Ellie stayed silent. Kaiden reached for her chin, forcing her to face him. ¡°Say something, Ellie.¡±


    ¡°How was I supposed to ask? Should I inquire about the nature of your affair with Carole? You could easily dismiss it as media fabrication. Should I question your attendance at Carole¡¯s art exhibition? Much like my visit to Freddy¡¯s show today, it¡¯s normal to support a friend¡¯s work.¡± Kaiden, if he so desired, could fabricate usible reasons.


    Ellie refused to y the role of a jealous woman.


    ¡°Kaiden, let go. You¡¯re hurting me,¡± she pleaded, attempting to free herself from his grasp.


    Relinquishing his hold, Kaiden noticed faint imprints on her chin. He sighed, realizing her skin marked easily, no matter where he touched.


    ¡°Pull over,¡± Kaiden abruptly instructed the driver. ¡°Come back in an hour.¡±


    The driverplied without a word, grateful to escape witnessing the conflict between Kaiden and his wife. Ignorance, sometimes, proved bliss. The driver had no appetite for marital disputes.


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    ¡°The media is making things up. I attended Carole¡¯s exhibition as a friend,¡± Kaiden exined.


    His words fell on deaf ears. They seemed like mere excuses,cking any genuine effort to provide a usible exnation.


    ¡°When you went to Tormeto for her exhibition, did you know your wife snagged an award the same day?¡± Ellie sneered.


    Witnessing the rare astonishment on Kaiden¡¯s face, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but let out a self-mockingugh, teasingly remarking, ¡°Sherell extended his congrattions, yet you remained oblivious to my triumph.¡±


    In a moment tinged with expectation, Ellie reached out to Kaiden. ¡°Why keep it a secret from me?¡±


    Kaiden, donning a puzzled frown, inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the nature of this award?¡±


    ¡°It holds no significance now,¡± Ellie responded with a touch of resignation.


    Gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Kaiden murmured, ¡°Then allow me to apany you during future award ceremonies.¡± Regarding the recent de Ellie had acquired, Kaiden decided to seek Sherell¡¯s insights at ater time.


    Though Kaiden¡¯s words appeared mundane, they carried the weight of a promise.


    Feeling an overwhelming sense of injustice, Ellie¡¯s eyes welled up, and she dared not blink, fearing tears would betray her.


    ¡°What about the mask? You im tock the time to craft one for me, yet you manage to fashion one for Carole? I saw the post Carole shared!¡± Ellie asked through gritted teeth.


    Kaiden¡¯s silence regarding the mask was an attempt not to overextend himself. Little did he anticipate that Ellie would be privy to this information.


    Making a mental note to gift a sports car to Edwin the next day, Kaiden was grateful for Edwin¡¯s revtion about Ellie¡¯s negative feelings. Without his help, Kaiden would have remained oblivious to why Ellie had been upset with him.


    He then rified, ¡°It wasn¡¯t from me.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s credited to Mr. Thorpe,¡± Ellie countered, skepticism coloring her words. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m easily fooled?¡±


    Struggling to exin that the event was simply a coincidence, Kaiden dialed a number on his phone.


    Perplexed, Ellie questioned the sudden initiation of the call by Kaiden. Without hesitation, Kaiden opted to put the call on speaker.


    The voice of a woman, clear and yful, echoed through the speaker. ¡°Kaiden, you actually called me voluntarily. That¡¯s a rarity,¡± she teased.


    ¡°Carole, someone ims the mask in your post is from me. Is this true?¡± Kaiden, looking at Ellie, confronted Carole.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this ¡°someone¡± was alluding to her. She expressed her discontent by pursing her lips, her demeanor unhappy.


    Carole, caught off guard, apologized. ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m sorry. A friend with the samest name as you gave me the mask. I didn¡¯t expect it to cause any trouble. If it bothers you, I can delete the post.¡±


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    ¡°Delete it,¡± Kaiden ordered.


    ¡°Well¡­ okay.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie detected a tinge of regret in Carole¡¯s response.


    After ending the call, Kaiden fixed his gaze on Ellie, raising an eyebrow and silently urging her to speak.


    From the moment Kaiden dialed Carole¡¯s number, Ellie¡¯s mind went nk. Confronting Carole in front of her was a persuasive and emotionally charged move.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Ellie stammered, torn between acknowledging her mistake and deflecting me for Carole¡¯s misleading post.


    As Ellie contemted her response, her attention was drawn to the gray scarf in Kaiden¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You tossed this away, didn¡¯t you?¡± Ellie picked up the scarf, examining it closely. ¡°How did you¡­¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Cayson found it,¡± Kaiden lied, maintaining hisposure. ¡°You know it was yours? Perhaps Cayson bought a simr one.¡±


    ¡°I knitted it myself. I can recognize my handiwork,¡± Ellie asserted.


    ¡°You knitted it yourself?¡± Dumbfounded, Kaiden shifted his gaze towards Ellie, recalling her earlier assertion that she hadn¡¯t designed the scarf.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Confusion filled Ellie as she pondered why Kaiden seemed so agitated. Mindful of the intricate design she had crafted for Theo¡¯s tie, she considered that if her gift to Kaiden fell short of Theo¡¯s tie, he wouldn¡¯t easily overlook it.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Kaiden, momentarily stunned, disyed a hint of delight.


    As he moved to put the scarf away, Ellie yfully snatched it from him. ¡°You discarded it once. If you didn¡¯t like it, you should return it to me.¡± With a grin, Ellie took the scarf back.


    She did it deliberately.


    New content avable now at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Ellie was stunned for a moment by his smile. When she regained her senses, she found herself pressed against the seat by him.


    Leaning in, he ensnared her within the confines of his tall frame.


    In the confined space, a romantic atmosphere unfolded.


    ¡°Exin why you turned down being my date to have a midnight snack with Edwin,¡± Kaiden retrieved the scarf from Ellie¡¯s hand and confronted her about the actions that had upset him. His low, maic voice added intensity to the conversation.


    ¡°When did I have a midnight snack with¡­¡± Ellie began, before realizing she had, in fact, shared a midnight snack with Edwin on the day she had declined Kaiden¡¯s invitation.


    Seeing through her realization, Kaiden raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Edwin did Baylee a favor that day, and I treated him as a thank-you gesture,¡± Ellie exined.


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    Uninterested in Baylee¡¯s affairs, Kaiden didn¡¯t press further. ¡°You still haven¡¯t returned the birthday gift Edwin gave you,¡± Ellieined.


    ¡°Ellie, do you want another round of arguments with me?¡± Kaiden arched his eyebrows slightly. ¡°Why would I argue with you again?¡±


    ¡°You snagged the box of choctes Essence gifted me.¡± Kaiden wore an expression that silently conveyed, ¡°It¡¯s you who should be doing some introspection.¡±


    Ellie, momentarily forgetting the incident, acknowledged Ka


    iden¡¯s exceptional memory.


    ¡°Essence has a crush on you, but Edwin doesn¡¯t feel the same about me. We¡¯ve only be acquainted this month. Can they bepared?¡± Pushing gently against Kaiden¡¯s chest but not truly resisting, Ellie continued, ¡°Get up. You¡¯re weighing me down.¡±


    Kaiden scoffed at Ellie¡¯s words. Edwin¡¯s romantic interest in her went unnoticed by Ellie. She was oblivious to his unspoken affection, not giving that aspect a second thought.


    Kaiden, now in a better mood, affectionately tousled Ellie¡¯s hair. Bracing himself, he leaned down for a kiss.


    Ellie, touched by surprise, stared at him in astonishment; the suddenness of the kiss caught her off guard.


    After a quick change of attire and makeup removal, Ellie intended to start with a shower.


    The bathroom door clicked open, and Kaiden, tall and barefoot with wet suit pants, entered the mist-filled room. As he approached, his features gradually became clearer.


    ¡°I¡¯m about to shower. Why are you here?¡± Instinctively, Ellie covered herself with one hand while reaching for a bath towel with the other. Kaiden intercepted her hand, preventing her from grabbing the towel. Turning his wrist, he secured her smaller hand in his.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re showering,¡± Kaiden dered, standing before Ellie and holding her waist. His voice, hoarse and unnatural, stated, ¡°Otherwise, why would Ie in?¡±


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    Startled, Ellie nearly slipped on the wet floor, but Kaiden steadied her by firmly holding her waist. Her foot met a puddle with a pop.


    Simultaneously, his assertive kiss descended.


    Nervously clutching his shirt, Ellie found it soaked within seconds.


    ¡°I¡¯m not done yet¡­ Come on¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Let¡¯s shower together.¡±


    The following morning, Ellie felt a familiar yet unusual weakness throughout her body upon waking.


    She was still groggy, her mind clouded with memories from the night before.


    She recalled her nails leaving marks on Kaiden¡¯s arms and back. A hazy memory surfaced of Kaiden doing something after they showeredst night.


    He had said, ¡°You¡¯re wearing the wedding ring now.¡±


    Suddenly fully alert, Ellie lifted her right hand and noticed a diamond ring on her finger.


    The centerpiece was a three-carat pink diamond of exceptional quality, encircled by smaller diamonds and designed with ssic elements.


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    ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice echoed from the dressing room, already dressed.


    Heart racing, Ellie asked uncertainly, ¡°Where did this ringe from?¡± She remembered Freddy casually mentioning herck of a ring just yesterday afternoon. How did Kaiden manage this so quickly?


    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Kaiden approached, knelt on one knee on the bed, and gently kissed Ellie on the cheek.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, eximing, ¡°I haven¡¯t brushed my teeth yet!¡±


    Kaiden raised an eyebrow, silently prompting her for a response. With one hand still covering her mouth, Ellie nced at the sparkling ring and couldn¡¯t help but nod. ¡°Yes.¡± Kaiden¡¯s face lit up with a satisfied smile.


    He had chosen the diamond under Brisa¡¯s guidance, who had reminded him about marriage even in her illness. After Ellie joined him at the Thorpes¡¯ house, he had the ring tailored to her size.


    He had thought, since she was his wife, she should have what other wives had.


    Now, Kaiden felt thankful for his past decision, yet regretted not giving her the ring sooner.


    ¡°It¡¯s still early. Why not sleep a bit more?¡± Observing Ellie¡¯s drowsiness, Kaiden recognized that her prior temporary alertness had been due to the influence of the ring.


    Ellie nodded and settled back into the quilt.


    When Kaiden quietly closed the bedroom door behind him, Ellie nced at his left hand, noticing the tinum ring on his finger. As Kaiden was about to head downstairs, he paused, remembering something. He turned back.


    There, he saw Ellie asleep, her face serene and gentle in slumber, a stark contrast to her usual assertiveness.


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    Kaiden¡¯s expression softened. He leaned down, kissed her forehead, and whispered, ¡°Good morning, my dear wife.¡±


    When Ellie awoketer, it was almost midday.


    As she was getting dressed, there was a rapid knock at the door.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you up?¡±


    Cayson rarely disturbed the master bedroom unless it was something important.


    Quickly finishing dressing, Ellie opened the door, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, the security team reported a young boy has been sitting at our gate for over an hour. He won¡¯t leave, and he hasn¡¯t said who he¡¯s looking for,¡± Cayson reported with a hint of concern.


    Ellie grabbed her coat and headed out, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go see what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Outside, the chill ofte December was biting.


    The Moon Manor¡¯s security guards stood by the gate, looking worriedly at a boy squatting a few meters away.


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    The boy was tall, and despite squatting, he didn¡¯t appear small. His thin denim coat made Ellie shiver just looking at him.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, this is the boy,¡± said one of the guards. ¡°He hasn¡¯t spoken at all. We¡¯re not sure if he¡¯s mute or deaf.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m neither mute nor deaf!¡± the young boy snapped back, then nced at Ellie sheepishly.


    ¡°Omiros?¡± Ellie recognized the boy, though he looked much leaner than when theyst met.


    Standing up, Omiros nodded. ¡°I¡¯m pleased that you still recall my name.¡±


    Ellie just smiled. ¡°So, Omiros, who are you here to see?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I came to see you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Ten minutester¡­


    After bringing Omiros inside, Ellie gave him a ss of warm water. She then slipped away to call Kaiden.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she asked with concern, ¡°Is Omiros your cousin, Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he is,¡± Kaiden replied. ¡°Why do you ask about him suddenly?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s here, at our house.¡± Ellie sighed, confused. ¡°He was waiting at the gate for over an hour. Why didn¡¯t he just call you? I¡¯m worried he might have caught a cold from being outside for so long.¡±


    Kaiden calmly replied, ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. No need to worry. I¡¯ll handle him when I return.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ alright then.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but wonder about Kaiden¡¯s apparentck of closeness with Omiros. Yet she recalled that Kaiden seemed to have a good rapport with the Chapman family.


    Returning to Omiros, who was seated on the sofa, Ellie offered, ¡°Would you like a warmer coat?¡±


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    ¡°No way!¡± Omiros snorted. ¡°Kaiden probably wants me to freeze! I refuse to wear his clothes.¡±


    Ellie was left speechless. Surely there was some animosity between the cousins.


    Checking her phone, Ellie perused the relevant information about Omiros. The public described him as an E-sports prodigy, the youngest champion, rebellious yet courteous, distant yet passionate.


    This description seemed at odds with the young, defiantly attractive boy before her. The most recent update on Omiros revealed that after winning a nationalpetition, he abruptly decided to take a year off, with no clear reason given.


    ¡°I recall Kaiden¡¯s mother has only one younger brother. You¡¯re his cousin, but yourst name isn¡¯t Chapman,¡± Ellie observed, then offered, ¡°Are you hungry? Would you like to join me for lunch?¡±


    It was just after midday, and Ellie suspected he hadn¡¯t eaten yet.


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    ¡°Sure,¡± Omiros agreed, adding, ¡°I use my mother¡¯sst name.¡±


    Today¡¯s lunch in the kitchen featured shrimp noodles, alongside fried chicken, roast duck, and seafood soup.


    Ellie, not a big eater, quickly felt full.


    Initially, Omiros ate modestly. But after polishing off arge bowl of noodles, he seemed more at ease and started on the other dishes. Ellie was amazed by his appetite and briefly considered whether she should get him something for possible indigestion.


    ¡°Your cousin won¡¯t be back untilte afternoon, around five or six. Feel free to hang around until then,¡± Ellie mentioned.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Not wanting to leave her guest unattended, Ellie decided to work on her school anniversary speech draft in the living room after lunch.


    Omiros was engrossed in a game on his phone while lounging on the sofa. However, it wasn¡¯t long before he put his phone down, appearing deep in thought.


    ¡°Why have you stopped ying? Don¡¯t you find the game engaging?¡± Ellie wondered if it would be a good idea to have a servant purchase aputer for Omiros.


    Omiros replied with a somber expression, ¡°I¡¯m still underage, so I shouldn¡¯t spend too much time on games.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Ellie found herself amused by Omiros¡¯ words, but she suppressed the urge tough.


    With the absence of the game, Omiros aimlessly browsed the inte.


    ¡°Ellie, you know Freddy?¡± Omiros suddenly asked. ¡°My mom is a big fan of this designer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know him. If your mother needs any help, I can get in touch with Freddy,¡± Ellie responded, multitasking between writing her speech and engaging in conversation. She casually asked, ¡°How did you know I know him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid there are very few people on the inte who don¡¯t know about it,¡± Omiros remarked, showing his phone to Ellie.


    L?t??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????


    The trending topic read, ¡°Top fashion designer Freddy imed that he didn¡¯t deserve Ellie.¡± The content was straightforward, featuring a video of Freddy responding to a reporter¡¯s question at a fashion show.


    ¡°Ellie radiates beauty and allure with her stunning curves. Her aura is captivating, and she adorns herself in exquisite fashion. My admiration for her is so intense¡­ I can¡¯t help but feel ted.


    I¡¯m in a rtionship, but her smile made me question my preferences. It¡¯s like she has this magical charm that transcends my usual inclinations.¡±


    ¡°Freddy humorously admitted he was too old to be a match for Ellie. Hahaha, I can¡¯t help but find it amusing. While I sympathize with him, the situation is just tooical.¡±


    ¡°Freddy¡¯s expression of admiration, saying, ¡®She is my benefactor and muse. There is no one else who deserves the center seat but her,¡¯ is incredibly sweet. Ahhh! It¡¯s quite nice!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m an assistant to a show director, and seeing ¡®The Pr Night¡¯ left an indelible mark on me. If I recall correctly, Ellie should be a stylist, right?¡±


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    ¡°Ellie orchestrated Omiros¡¯ breakthrough styling, and a man arranged a romantic fireworks show for her. She performed a beautiful ssical dance and was Freddy¡¯s benefactor and muse. Her presence is truly enchanting. Ahhh! Is this woman a fairy?¡±


    ¡°Ellie should be nominated for the title of Outstanding Person of the Year,¡± Omiros stated slowly.


    Curious, Ellie lifted her head and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what theizens think of you,¡± Omiros exined, holding up his phone with a sigh. ¡°They think you¡¯re incredible.¡±


    Just as Ellie was about to express her gratitude, Omiros posed an unexpected question. ¡°Are you blind? Why did you marry Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°Your cousin isn¡¯t as bad as you say¡­ is he?¡± A subtle expression crossed Ellie¡¯s face.


    Kaiden¡¯s poprity had evidently grown.


    Confused, Omiros continued, ¡°I assume you were not aware before marrying him that he has no issues with his legs, right? Then, in your eyes, he¡¯s a person with disabled legs and a challenging temperament. Despite his good looks, he is a cold and aloof authoritarian. Why would you still marry him if you are not blind, huh?¡±


    Ellie found herself speechless. She couldn¡¯t even refute his words.


    Before five o¡¯clock, Kaiden returned home early.


    The young boy on the sofa disregarded Kaiden, turning his head.


    Without any preamble, Kaiden announced upon entering the house, ¡°The tutor will arrive tomorrow, and you¡¯ll study in the sub-building.¡±


    The Moon Manor¡¯s main building, where Kaiden and Ellie resided, was a grand vi. A smaller vi, the sub-building, stood a few meters away and was typically used for hosting guests. However, it remained empty since Kaiden rarely invited friends to the manor.


    ¡°I won¡¯t study. I¡¯m going to y in the world championship,¡± Omiros protested vehemently, jumping up.


    Find the magic on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???????


    ¡°Will the world disappear after you finish your college entrance examination? Or will the worldpetition end?¡± Kaiden¡¯s response was cold and stern. ¡°Omiros, do you aspire to be the sole family member with only a high school education?¡±


    ¡°I simply want to bring honor to our country. You, old man, can¡¯t even understand.¡± Omiros referred to his alliance and argued, ¡°Ellie used to support my involvement in esports.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback and bewildered. What was he saying? When did she ever agree?


    It appeared that Omiros had posed this question during their initial meeting when she styled him.


    It turned out to be premeditated. Omiros aimed to leverage her at this moment.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Ellie had to interject, ¡°Having only a high school education is not a significant concern.¡±


    While it was true that many professional athletes and esports yers sacrificed their education for their careers, it didn¡¯t imply ack of cultural literacy.


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    Kaiden nced at Ellie, then turned to Omiros, asserting firmly, ¡°Your parents entrusted me with your care. If you don¡¯t study, you can¡¯t eat. The choice is yours.¡±


    With that, Kaiden went upstairs.


    Omiros seethed with anger, adopting a nonchnt expression that said, ¡°Whatever.¡±


    Observing Omiros, Ellie caught up with Kaiden and remained silent until they reached the second floor.


    ¡°Hey, he¡¯s your cousin after all. Isn¡¯t it cruel to deny him food? He¡¯s only a teenager, a crucial age for growth,¡± Ellie said tactfully.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t take it seriously and replied, ¡°He won¡¯t starve to death if he skips a meal for three days.¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


    Kaiden continued, ¡°What¡¯s the point of eating if he¡¯s only building his body and not his brain?¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t find a response. Suddenly, she empathized with Omiros¡¯ plight.


    Unable to bear it any longer, she proposed, ¡°How about I talk to him?¡±


    ¡°Leave him be.¡±


    Kaiden swung open the study door, tugging Ellie inside.


    Before she could react, the door shut, and Kaiden pressed her against it, his face looming in front of hers.


    A lengthy kiss followed, leaving Ellie breathless.


    Instinctively feeling weak, she found herself supported by his grip on her waist.


    ¡°Congrattions, Ellie, the youngest gold medal winner of the year.¡± Kaiden¡¯s deep, mellow voice resonated within the confines of the study. The walls echoed faintly, teasing the eardrums.


    Ellie, though she should have felt joyous, expressed a subtle annoyance she hadn¡¯t even recognized herself. ¡°You know about it?¡± Her tone almost hinted, ¡°You¡¯ve finally found out.¡±


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    Kaiden lowered his gaze, a smile ying on his lips. Bending down, he pressed his forehead against hers in an intimate andforting gesture.


    ¡°1 asked Sherell,¡± he admitted.


    Sherell had spread the news about Ellie¡¯s remarkable achievement, amplifying Kaiden¡¯s admiration.


    With a snort, Ellie¡¯s mood lightened. She pushed Kaiden away, dering, ¡°Move aside. I have work to do.¡±


    ¡°What are you busy with?¡± Kaiden remained in ce, exerting more pressure on Ellie.


    ¡°A speech for my alma mater¡¯s anniversary,¡± Ellie replied. Suddenly, a suspicion crossed her mind, and she questioned, ¡°Did you arrange for the school security guard to escort me back that day?¡±


    Kaiden might have avoided the topic, but once brought up, he intended to settle the score.


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    He pinched her chin and remarked, ¡°Pretending not to know me again?¡±


    Thest word he uttered carried a menacing tone, rising with a sense of danger.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you pretend not to know me, either?¡± Ellie retorted, rolling her eyes. ¡°We were not on speaking terms at that time.¡±


    A sly smile yed across Kaiden¡¯s eyes as his hand, initially cupping her chin, moved back to gently caress the tip of her ear.


    ¡°You ungrateful girl. Who arranged for the guard to escort you?¡± he chided.


    Her sensitive ear caught the subtle touch, causing her to shiver involuntarily as she tilted her head to the side.


    ¡°Tell me, who? Huh?¡± Kaiden continued, showing no intention of letting her go.


    ¡°You. It¡¯s you.¡± Sensing the charged atmosphere, Ellie urged, ¡°Let go of me. Your cousin is still downstairs.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like he doesn¡¯t understand that we, as a couple, can share some intimate moments,¡± Kaiden responded.


    Ellie rolled her eyes inwardly. The crucial aspect wasn¡¯t whether Omiros understood or not!


    Ellie didn¡¯t leave the study until thirty minutes had passed, her emotions managed but noticeable.


    Omiros, curled up on the sofa, radiated discontent.


    Upon seeing Ellie descend the stairs, Omiros¡¯ eyebrows shot up. ¡°Is Kaiden really impotent? You two concluded sooner than I expected.¡±


    Ellie, caught off guard, replied with a hint of annoyance, ¡°Come on, it wasn¡¯t what you assumed. I was speaking up for you.¡±


    ¡°Any luck?¡± Omiros¡¯ scruffy appearance gave way to a spark of hope.


    Ellie paused at his question. Well, none.


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    She remained silent, then posed a question. ¡°You just clinched the national championship, then announced a year¡¯s break. Is it because of the college exams?¡±


    Omiros¡¯ expression clouded. ¡°No, Kaiden threatened our club¡¯s head. Said he¡¯d buy the club and ruin it if I wasn¡¯t given time off.¡±


    Omiros had struggled against Kaiden¡¯s influence but to no avail. He ended up at Moon Manor, all due to the uing college exams.


    Ellie exined, ¡°The exams are next June, six months away. You¡¯re only seventeen. A half-year dy won¡¯t set you back. I checked; your team¡¯s previous Mid Laner has a wrist issue, not critical. He ns to retire for family reasons next year. Your absence as the new Mid Laner won¡¯t cause much disruption.¡±


    Omiros, somewhat embarrassed, acknowledged, ¡°You¡¯re well-informed. You understand this much better than Kaiden.¡±


    Understanding people was key tomunication, a fact Ellie knew all too well.


    ¡°If you¡¯re on board with me, why not take six months for the entrance exam? After the exam, you could request a break from college. This way, your career and studies won¡¯t suffer.¡±


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    Omiros gazed at Ellie, his expression nk. ¡°That assumes I get into college.¡±


    Ellie was puzzled.


    ¡°My grades are unsatisfactory,¡± Omiros admitted.


    Uncertainly, Ellie asked, ¡°Are your grades truly that poor?¡± Omiros regretted thinking Ellie was understanding.


    ¡°I¡¯m no genius. I want to pass too. But I can¡¯t!¡± Omiros was close to tears.


    Ellie reassured him, ¡°A world champion can¡¯t be dumb.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. That bastard Kaiden was reciting poetry at three. I couldn¡¯t even say ¡®Grandma¡¯ then. Next to him, I felt slow. It¡¯s been a shadow over my childhood.¡±


    Ellie thought Omiros and Edwin shared something inmon. Kaiden¡¯s voice echoed from the stairs. ¡°Who are you calling a bastard?¡± Omiros scoffed, ignoring Kaiden.


    After a moment, Omiros turned to Ellie. ¡°What about your college exam?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t sit for it,¡± Ellie replied.


    Omiros¡¯ eyes sparkled, seeing a fellow spirit, about to tease Kaiden, ¡°See, even your wife¡­¡±


    Ellie continued, ¡°I was rmended in my second year of high school.¡±


    Omiros was speechless.


    He fell into a state of unimaginable dread.


    He felt unworthy of stepping foot in that house.


    Despite Omiros¡¯ protests, Kaiden arranged the best tutor and relocated Omiros to the guesthouse. A servant was assigned for his daily needs, and bodyguards ensured he couldn¡¯t leave.


    In the study, Ellie raised her concerns to Kaiden. ¡°You¡¯re pushing Omiros so hard with his studies. Aren¡¯t you worried it might affect his work?¡±


    If Omiros truly didn¡¯t want to study, he could just endure these months.


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    Gazing towards the guesthouse, Kaiden replied, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t get into a top university, he¡¯ll retake the entrance exam. Time is precious for professional e-sports yers.¡± His approach was strict.


    Too strict, Ellie thought.


    ¡°But isn¡¯t it too much for Omiros? Only six months left and he said his grades are unsatisfactory¡­¡±


    Ellie found it challenging to sympathize with him, considering she had always been an exceptional student during her school days.


    ¡°He¡¯s never studied seriously before. Now, he needs to double his efforts. It¡¯s only fair,¡± Kaiden replied indifferently.


    Ellie pitied Omiros. He was miserable. Then, she remembered something. ¡°I¡¯m inviting Freddy for dinner in two days. I won¡¯t be home for dinner.¡± Freddy was in Critport for a month. Since Ellie had promised to treat him, she wanted to get it done sooner.


    Kaiden beckoned Ellie closer.


    Leaving herptop, Ellie approached him, curious. ¡°What is it? Need some help?¡±


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    As she neared, Kaiden grasped her wrist, guiding her into his arms. She found herself seated on hisp, feeling the warmth of his skin and the definition of his muscles through the fabric.


    Kaiden, with a light smile, teased, ¡°Inviting an employee to dinner?¡± Ellie then recalled Freddy jokingly calling her his boss.


    ¡°He¡­ was just joking.¡±


    ¡°Or is he interested in you?¡± Kaiden¡¯s expression grew intense.


    Ellie felt a chill. She struggled to recall if she had invested in Freddy¡¯s venture through her private ount or under the Rich private Foundation.


    Using the foundation¡¯s name linked her too closely with it.


    She initially nned to use the foundation¡¯s name, but did things changeter?


    In a rush for cross-border investment, did she write a personal check instead?


    Was that what she did?


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m technically his boss. Well, not exactly. I¡¯m the major shareholder, involved only in dividends, not operations. Over time, I¡¯ve reduced my shares to 45%, and he owns 40%.¡±


    With his current stature, Freddy could buy out Ellie¡¯s shares or start his own venture. Yet, he remained grateful for Ellie¡¯s early support, generously sharing profits with her each year.


    ¡°You own the Rich Bar and a top international fashion studio. Mrs. Thorpe, how much wealth haven¡¯t you disclosed to me?¡± Kaiden asked, smiling.


    ¡°Um¡­ Nothing more,¡± Ellie replied earnestly, batting her eyshes.


    ¡°These are minorpared to your wealth.¡±


    Kaiden yfully pinched her cheek. ¡°ttery won¡¯t work on me.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you want?¡± Ellie retorted, her tone light.


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    Kaidenughed. ¡°Just curious. I¡¯m not after your money.¡± His interest was in knowing how capable his wife was.


    That afternoon, Litzy was ying cards with a group ofdies.


    ¡°Mrs. Gordon, your daughter knows Freddy? You¡¯ve kept that quite secret,¡± remarked onedy.


    Litzy, surprised, replied, ¡°Demi knows Freddy? I had no idea. She¡¯s not one to brag.¡±


    Her words carried a hint of pride.


    Thedy rified with a nuanced expression, ¡°Not Demi. I meant your adopted daughter, Ellie.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you haven¡¯t heard such a big thing. Oh, I forgot. You missed Freddy¡¯s show.¡± The woman to Litzy¡¯s left filled her in on the eventful happenings at Freddy¡¯s fashion show.


    ¡°How is it possible for Ellie¡­ to be acquainted with Freddy?¡± Litzy was so astonished that she identally nudged the card. She had nearly forgotten about her adopted daughter, Ellie.


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    The women at the same table exchanged nces.


    ¡°Are you truly clueless? What a shame. Securing a dress by him is quite difficult as you have to wait in line. If Ellie is still considered your daughter, you might persuade her to get you one of Freddy¡¯s designs.¡±


    This woman¡¯s words dripped with sarcasm, taunting Litzy for losing Ellie, who was quite an asset.


    Everyone aware of the situation knew that since Litzy found her biological daughter, she publicly and privately demeaned and insulted Ellie. Litzy¡¯s behavior was harsh.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not feeling well. I can¡¯t continue the card game today.¡± Litzy was afraid that she would lose control of her emotions if she stayed any longer.


    She returned home, her mood stormy. Before her anger could erupt, Demi¡¯s aggrieved expression caught her attention.


    ¡°Demi, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Litzy asked, softening her tone.


    With quivering eyshes, Demi appeared quite pitiful. She questioned Litzy, ¡°Mom, did you know about Ellie¡¯s close rtionship with Freddy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only just found out. She never mentioned it to us.¡±


    Litzy¡¯s irritation red up at the mention of Ellie. Clearly, Ellie had not been forting. Knowing someone like Freddy, a renowned designer, and keeping it from her family seemed like a deliberate act of defiance.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Ellie and I had swapped identities, I would have been the one receiving Freddy¡¯s respect. But now, even when I try to borrow a dress from him, I get rejected¡­¡±


    Demi clung to Litzy, crying pitifully, ¡°Mom, is it that destiny just favors Ellie too much?¡±


    As fate would have it, Demi was scheduled to appear on a red carpetter in the month. Coincidentally, Freddy was hosting his first-ever show in the country at the same time.


    Demi¡¯s team thought it would be a great publicity move to have her wear one of Freddy¡¯s exclusive designs, so they reached out to his studio.


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    To their dismay, when they requested a dress under the guise of being the fianc¨¦e of the Thorpe family¡¯s son, Freddy¡¯s team outright dismissed them.


    Litzy¡¯s attention was swiftly drawn back to Demi¡¯s words.


    Indeed, if the Gordon family hadn¡¯t adopted Ellie, she wouldn¡¯t have had the opportunity to meet Freddy.


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Ellie had taken Demi¡¯s ce, it should have been Demi who knew Freddy. And Litzy wouldn¡¯t have to endure seeing other mothers take their daughters to Freddy¡¯s show, while she and Demi didn¡¯t even have an invitation.


    The more Litzy pondered, the more she sympathized with her disadvantaged daughter.


    ¡°Destiny should be favoring you, not her. Ellie is nothing.¡± Litzy reassured Demi, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my dear. You want a dress from Freddy, right? I¡¯ll get it for you. We won¡¯t just borrow one; we¡¯ll get a custom-made dress.¡±


    Freddy was setting up a new branch office in Critport.


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    On the day of the dinner, as a major shareholder, Ellie paid a symbolic visit to Freddy¡¯s studio to oversee operations.


    Freddy, finishing up his work, attempted to broach the subject of Ellie¡¯s marital life several times, but she deflected each time, saying, ¡°It¡¯s a basic rule for employees not to gossip about the boss.¡±


    Freddy, slightly disappointed, conceded, ¡°Okay, but Ellie, I¡¯ve heard about the rumors concerning Carole and your husband. Don¡¯t take it to heart. Very few men are good.¡±


    ¡°Freddy, remember, you¡¯re a man too,¡± Ellie gently reminded him. Freddy didn¡¯t argue.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m not married. But, isn¡¯t your husband upset about you having dinner with me tonight?¡±


    ¡°What would he have to be upset about?¡± Ellie responded, but she couldn¡¯t help picturing Kaiden¡¯s stormy expression when she mentioned having dinner with Freddy. It was as if she was betraying Kaiden.


    Freddy pretended to be serious. ¡°Thest time I saw your husband, he red at me like I was some intruder. Looked like he wanted to banish me from your country. Good thing he¡¯s not joining us for dinner, or my digestion would surely suffer.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Really? That exaggerated?¡±


    After spending time with Kaiden, Ellie hade to understand his somewhat territorial nature. His possessiveness was just as much a part of his strong character as his need to maintain his private space.


    ¡°It¡¯s not an exaggeration. I¡¯ve never seen a man as visibly jealous as he is.¡±


    Jealous?


    Could Kaiden actually be jealous?


    No way.


    Ellie was still pondering this when Freddy¡¯s assistant interrupted, knocking and entering.


    Find what¡¯s next on g al no ve ls


    ¡°Mr. Lynn, a woman iming to be Litzy, who says she¡¯s Ellie¡¯s mother, is asking to see you.¡±


    Freddy turned his gaze to Ellie.


    The smile vanished from Ellie¡¯s face, reced by a cool indifference.


    ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s the matter? Is she an imposter?¡± It was the first time Freddy had seen such an expression on Ellie¡¯s face, which made him a little scared.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie replied, then borated, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ve heard any rumors about metely. While myst name is Gordon, I¡¯m not the Gordons¡¯ biological daughter. Litzy, the woman iming to be my mother, is actually my adoptive mother.¡±


    ¡°So, she¡¯s the adoptive mother who exploited you.¡± Freddy got up, visibly upset. ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    Inside the private lounge, Freddy¡¯s demeanor shifted from confrontational to his typical unruly yet talented designer image as he mingled with the guests.


    ¡°Madam, I heard that you are looking for me?¡± At a nce, Freddy saw Litzy and Demi sitting on the sofa in the parlor area.


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    Litzy and Demi were engrossed in a book showcasing his designs. They were joyfully discussing which dresses they intended to purchase.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. Freddy Lynn, I¡¯m Ellie¡¯s mother,¡± Litzy greeted him with a pleasant smile. Noticing Freddy¡¯s nce at Demi, she quickly added, ¡°And this is my daughter, Demi. She¡¯s a talented entertainer.¡±


    With a fake smile on her face, Demi greeted, ¡°Hello, Mr. Lynn.¡±


    If it had been in the past, Demi might havevished Freddy with praise, but now, knowing Freddy¡¯s high regard for Ellie, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do so without feeling like she was indirectly ttering Ellie. Thinking of this, Demi couldn¡¯t smile. But she didn¡¯t dare to disrespect Freddy.


    Freddy looked at Demi up and down.


    So this was the Gordon family¡¯s biological daughter?


    He couldn¡¯t help but think that Demi paled inparison to Ellie. It made sense now why Ellie wasn¡¯t their biological daughter ¡ª the Gordons weren¡¯t nearly as striking as Ellie.


    ¡°What can I do for you today, madam?¡± Freddy inquired.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to ce an order for some of yourtest dresses. Moreover, my daughter Demi has a red carpet event in a few days. I was hoping you might have a suitable dress avable.¡± Litzy¡¯s statement carried a hidden meaning. ¡°We know Ellie has been a great help to you, Mr. Lynn, so we thought to seek your assistance.¡±


    Right after Litzy stopped talking, everyone in the studio turned their eyes towards her and Demi.


    To get Freddy¡¯s exclusive tailored dress, one had to be in line and meet certain requirements. Ordinary members could order just once a year. Even the best members were limited to three orders annually.


    Yet, here were Litzy and Demi, casually talking about several outfits and even one from the current collection. They were being pretty presumptuous.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    ¡°Ellie is a special person to me and enjoys unique privileges here,¡± said Freddy.


    Litzy and Demi were clearly pleased with themselves, basking in the envious nces from other customers.


    Freddy added, ¡°But Ellie is Ellie, and you are you. To me, you¡¯re just like any other customer.¡±


    His assistant chimed in, ¡°Mr. Lynn, we got a request from Demi¡¯s team yesterday. They wanted to borrow our main summer showpiece. But Demi doesn¡¯t meet our criteria, so we had to say no.¡±


    This meant that despite being turned down, Demi had the audacity to show up here, aiming for thetest in-stock showpiece. She was quite bold, indeed.


    ¡°Mr. Lynn, I am Ellie¡¯s mother!¡± Litzy hissed, clearly agitated and angry.


    Freddy motioned for his assistant to reim his portfolio from Litzy and Demi. Addressing Litzy, he said, ¡°Mrs. Gordon, from what I¡¯ve seen, you¡¯ve been causing trouble for Ellie ever since your daughter returned. You¡¯ve never really been kind to Ellie. Ellie was the one who supported me back then. This isn¡¯t about the Gordon family or your daughter. To me, it looks like you¡¯re taking advantage of Ellie.¡±


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    ¡°Ha ha!¡± A customer couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Mrs. Gordon, you¡¯re using Ellie¡¯s name and brought Demi here for your own benefit. Doesn¡¯t seem right, does it?¡±


    Freddy smiled at the customer and subtly hinted to his assistant.


    The assistant quickly got the hint and approached the customer. ¡°Madam, are you looking to order this dress? We can sort it out for you today if you¡¯d like.¡±


    A simple gesture of support for Freddy and Ellie, and just like that, the customer received such a special offer?


    Other customers quickly echoed their sentiments.


    ¡°Mr. Lynn is absolutely correct.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Gordon, your family always focused on your deceased son. Ellie never exploited your family. Now you suddenly remember Ellie as your daughter?¡±


    ¡°You even put Ellie down during the Fashion Ceremony to promote Demi. And now you im Ellie as your daughter? That¡¯s quite shameless.¡±


    Litzy and Demi found themselves under a barrage of criticism from the other customers. As they faced the scolding, their faces alternated between pale and flushed.


    Freddy, quite pleased, let Litzy and Demi endure the criticism for a while beforemanding, ¡°Please leave, both of you.¡±


    At that moment, Litzy and Demi had no choice but to leave, not daring to make a scene. They silently cursed Ellie.


    As Freddy escorted them to the door, expecting to see them off, he was surprised to see a handsome man in a wheelchair, draped in arge grey scarf.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe?¡± Litzy¡¯s face brightened upon seeing Kaiden. ¡°You¡¯re just in time. You know all about our family¡¯s connection with Ellie. She left our home to get married. Please tell Mr. Lynn we¡¯ve been good to Ellie.¡± Litzy was desperate to save face, forgetting she couldn¡¯t order Kaiden around.


    Kaiden, unaware of the prior events, still saw the situation.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    He realized the Gordon family wanted to use Ellie¡¯s connection with Freddy to their advantage.


    ¡°The only person you really care about is your daughter next to you,¡± Kaiden said emotionlessly. ¡°Mrs. Gordon, you¡¯d be better off asking Erick for help.¡±


    Litzy, faced with another blow to her pride, was gloomy.


    Freddy wouldn¡¯t do Erick any favors. Genesis, if she came, would have to wait her turn to order a dress, just like anyone else.


    Erick wasn¡¯t as influential as Ellie.


    The onlookers in the studio watched with curiosity as Litzy and Demi left in humiliation.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what brings you here?¡± Freddy finally turned to Kaiden.


    Kaiden replied coolly, ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up Ellie.¡±


    Fearing Kaiden might prevent him from having dinner with Ellie, Freddy quickly said, ¡°Ellie has invited me to dinner tonight.¡±


    Kaiden nodded. ¡°It¡¯s her treat, but I¡¯ll cover the bill. What would you like to eat, Mr. Lynn?¡± Freddy couldn¡¯t say a word.


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    He was clearly struggling with the idea of eating with Kaiden.


    As soon as Ellie got the call, she stepped out of the lounge.


    Freddy¡¯s assistant approached and inquired, ¡°Miss Gordon, where should I deliver the custom suits Mr. Lynn made for you? May I have your address?¡±


    What? Custom-made suits?


    All eyes in the studio turned to Ellie.


    Ellie was taken aback for a moment, realizing she was about to be the talk of the town once again.


    Ignoring their curious stares, Ellie calmly gave Freddy¡¯s assistant the address of Moon Manor.


    As Ellie walked away, she could hear the murmurs of the others.


    ¡°It¡¯s incredible that someone could get several of Freddy¡¯s designs all at once.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for Ellie. She¡¯s the one who upied the center seat at Freddy¡¯s recent show.¡±


    ¡°Was Ellie in the lounge this whole time? So Freddy was defending Ellie when he scolded Litzy and her daughter?¡±


    ¡°Wow! I¡¯m kind of jealous of Ellie. Even if she¡¯s not a Gordon by blood, who cares? Being Freddy¡¯s benefactor is way cooler.¡±


    The dinner was agony for Freddy. Every time he looked up, he was met with Kaiden¡¯s stoic face, ruining his appetite.


    Upon returning to Moon Manor, Ellie got a message from Freddy vowing never to dine with Kaiden again, calling it an insult to good food.


    Trying not tough, Ellie cast a curious nce at Kaiden.


    She wondered why she felt sofortable dining with Kaiden. Despite his somewhat cold demeanor, Kaiden was undeniably handsome.


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Kaiden had already caught Ellie¡¯s gaze.


    Find your next read on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    With a yful smile, Ellie teased, ¡°Freddy doesn¡¯t want to dine with you anymore. What did you do to frighten him?¡±


    There was a unique tension, something that seemed to exist just between men.


    Kaiden, however, kept this to himself.


    He said, ¡°Your subordinate is not only old, he¡¯s also overly cautious.¡± Ellie was momentarily at a loss for words.


    She figured it wasn¡¯t so much that Freddy was overly cautious, but more about Kaiden¡¯s problem.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, isn¡¯t it a bit harsh for you to criticize my subordinate like that?¡± Ellie felt the need to stand up for Freddy.


    Kaiden simply replied, ¡°No.¡±


    Then, something Freddy had mentioned popped into Ellie¡¯s mind.


    She stepped closer to Kaiden, tilted her head with a mischievous smile, and yfully asked, ¡°Kaiden, Freddy mentioned you were jealous. Is that true?¡±


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    P.S. I¡¯ll keep you updated through the ga!novels WhatsAppmunity, but I¡¯m sooo excited because there are so many amazing novelsing that I truly think you¡¯re going to love. Plus, there are audiobooks/audionovels on the way that I sincerely hope you enjoy as much as I do. ?(?? ? ??)


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 Chapter 291

    ?Chapter 291:


    Ellie¡¯s face was magnified right in front of Kaiden. Her skin seemed soft, and her eyshes curled gracefully like tiny brushes. Under thoseshes, her eyes were clear and serene, as though they could peer into the depths of a person¡¯s soul.


    Kaiden was caught off guard for a brief moment, then his expression turned icy. He pushed her face away and spoke in aposed tone.


    ¡°Freddy was imagining things.¡±


    Ellie scoffed in response, clearly not convinced by his words.


    Witnessing this scene, Cayson felt an urge to chuckle, yet he restrained himself, holding back theughter that bubbled within.


    Ellie didn¡¯t want to miss this chance to tease Kaiden, so she had no ns to let him slip away easily.


    Resting her chin in her hand, Ellie faced Kaiden across the tea table and said deliberately, ¡°If you¡¯re not jealous, then why are you always badmouthing my team member?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just advising you to better manage your resources and team,¡± Kaiden replied, slightly disturbed by Ellie¡¯s presence, but maintaining hisposure.


    ¡°Harry is on my team, too. Why do you target Freddy instead of Harry?¡± Pursing his lips, Kaiden gazed at the reckless woman before him. He pinched her cheek and warned, ¡°Ellie, no gossiping while eating.¡± Ellie was indulging in ate-night snack at the time.


    Hearing his words, she set down her fork and said, ¡°I¡¯m full.¡±


    The implied message was that she was free to indulge in gossip.


    Cayson had observed Kaiden growing up. It was the first time he saw someone put Kaiden at a disadvantage, and he couldn¡¯t resist uttering a sound. As Kaiden turned his head, he noticed Cayson trying to suppress hisughter.


    Cayson quickly coughed to break the awkwardness and shifted the conversation, saying, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I just heard from the sub-building that Omiros upset the physics teacher today.


    g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s is your story hub


    The private tutor had been giving Omiros one-on-one sessions. A series of six top-notch teachers had been visiting the sub-building, each one leaving withints.¡±


    ¡°If the teacher gets upset, then it¡¯s time to find a recement.¡± Following his words, Kaiden got up and asked Ellie, ¡°Don¡¯t you want any more food?¡±


    Ellie responded with a smile and a nod. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Kaiden suddenly lifted her by the waist.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ellie eximed, startled. Losing her bnce, she instinctively clung to his neck, saying, ¡°What are you doing? Put me down.¡± Kaiden, with his lips tightly pressed, carried her upstairs in his arms.


    He cast his gaze downward slightly, his dark eyes brimming with a dangerous intensity. At that moment, Ellie felt as though she was facing a daunting challenge. She seemed to have gone too far.


    ¡°Let go of me. A lot of eyes are on us right now!¡± Ellie gently tapped his shoulder and whispered.


    The servants in the vicinity acted as if they were both blind and deaf, cautious not to reveal their presence to Kaiden. In contrast, only Cayson could afford to watch the unfolding drama with a smile.


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    ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t concerned about being seen,¡± Kaiden carried Ellie steadily upstairs.


    Ellie sighed inwardly. Come on, she was just making fun of him. Yet, he seemed to be preparing to teach her a lesson.


    Without any hesitation, Ellie shifted the me and said, ¡°Freddy was the one who said that. Not me.¡± But it didn¡¯t work.


    Sporting a wicked grin, Kaiden carried her in one arm while deftly swinging the door open with his other hand. They stepped into the bedroom, and he sealed the door shut with a casual nudge from his foot.


    Thrown onto the bed by Kaiden, Ellie quickly conceded, ¡°I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have said those things. Calm down, okay?¡±


    Kaiden slowly loosened his tie. ¡°I am not being impulsive.¡± He did look very calm now.


    But this was the calm before the storm.


    Sensing a tingling sensation in her scalp, Ellie rested her palms on the bed and sat upright. ¡°Kaiden, Freddy mentioned not inviting you to dinner again, or he might entertain other offers. That¡¯s why I brought it up so casually. I just hope that you won¡¯t frighten him.¡±


    ¡°If he entertains other offers, I¡¯ll hunt down a superior designer for you.¡±


    Kaiden began to unbutton his shirt.


    As Elliey on the bed, she observed the unfolding scene with a sense of apprehension, much like a knife being sharpened before its purpose.


    ¡°Kaiden, I have the school anniversary to attend tomorrow. Don¡¯t mess around.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to cooperate with him, but his physical strength made it difficult.


    School anniversary?


    Find more chapters now g?ln¦Òv??ls?c?m


    It was only at that moment that Kaiden recalled this.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Kaiden assured her as he knelt on the bed, saying, ¡°You don¡¯t need to dress formally for the anniversary.¡± Ellie was speechless.


    She regretted allowing Kaiden to see the elegantly wrapped long dress she had prepared for the asion tomorrow. The anniversary ceremony began at half-past nine.


    The next morning, Ellie had to wake up at seven o¡¯clock, get ready, and head out early.


    However, as soon as she changed into her clothes, she noticed a highly noticeable hickey on the side of her neck.


    It was from Kaiden¡¯s kissst night.


    Ellie was still feeling irritable in the morning, and when she spotted the hickey, her frustration intensified. Consequently, when Kaiden sensed her sudden change in mood and turned towards her, she shot him an angry re.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re so annoying.¡± Ellie had to step into the changing room and pick out another elegant high-neck dress.


    Despite being scolded without reason, Kaiden didn¡¯t get upset. He approached her and gently smoothed her long hair. ¡°Why are you so irritable in the morning?¡±


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    ¡°Try going to bed at three in the morning and waking up at seven!¡± Ellie shot back.


    Kaiden raised an eyebrow in response.


    It was only then that Ellie realized Kaiden indeed sleptter than her because he had bathed her first. He also woke up at six in the morning for a run before returning to shower and change.


    ¡°You are truly exceptional for not needing to sleep, but I am not like you!¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t help butin as she grabbed a beige turtleneck sweater and a skirt that reached mid- length skirt from her wardrobe. Shepleted the look with a soft cashmere jacket.


    ¡°Sleep?¡± Kaiden¡¯s mouth curled into a sly smile as he asked, ¡°Is that a noun or a verb?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t believe he was talking dirty so early in the morning.


    Ellie¡¯s anger intensified. ¡°I should really let everyone outside see just how audacious Mr. Thorpe from the GT Group can be.¡±


    Critport University¡¯s anniversary celebration was truly magnificent. Distinguished alumni, now presidents ofpanies and renowned figures in the industry, returned to their alma mater. Additionally, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education were in attendance.


    Ellie upied a front-row seat while others gradually filled the seats around her. However, the central seat in the first row remained noticeably unupied. This particr seat was intentionally kept empty in recognition of a generous patron who had made a substantial donation to support the renovation of the technology building and library.


    Not long after Ellie took her seat, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the audience.


    It was Erick.


    He wasn¡¯t a student at Critport University, so why was he present?


    At half-past nine, the ceremony began on time.


    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in ???lnovels.??????


    On stage, two male and two female hosts emerged, delivering their opening remarks. They expressed their admiration for the entire institution and extended their gratitude to the honored guests. Ellie furrowed her brow and directed her gaze towards one of the female hosts on the stage.


    It was Demi.


    Demi had just started her freshman year at Critport University, and she wasn¡¯t even studying broadcasting. So, how had she ended up as one of the hosts?


    Unless someone orchestrated Demi being in this role.


    Demi quickly spotted Ellie in the audience and shed a meaningful smile.


    Erick had entered the event with an invitation from Demi¡¯s family. Demi had informed Erick that Ellie was representing the alumni. To Demi¡¯s surprise, Erick responded disdainfully, ¡°She doesn¡¯t deserve it.¡± Demi had been anxious that Erick might rekindle his feelings for Ellie, but now she realized that Ellie had already provoked Erick.


    Ellie would not have a good day today.


    Ellie was the final graduate to address the gathering.


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    Typically, speeches at such events were standard fare, effective as long as the speaker had meaningful content and remained poised, delivering without reliance on notes.


    As Ellie concluded her address and was about to leave the stage amid apuse, an unexpected male voice emerged from the crowd.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a question for this alumna.¡±


    At Critport University, a culture of freedom and equality encouraged posing questions to fellow students after their speeches.


    Erick rose to his feet and inquired, ¡°Seven graduates spoke today, all distinguished in their fields, except for our most recent graduate here. Ellie, do you truly believe you deserve to stand here and represent other graduates as a distinguished alumna?¡±


    Erick, who had faced embarrassment at Ellie¡¯s hands numerous times, was intent on making her feel humiliated now.


    Demi, watching from backstage, couldn¡¯t suppress a grin.


    In the audience, Erick had a self-satisfied smirk on his face.


    The room fell into a hushed silence, followed by a murmur of whispers. Suddenly, the door to the venue opened quietly.


    The president walked in, apanied by a man. A member of the student union swiftly moved a vacant chair, and a wheelchair smoothly glided into the now-empty space,ing to a stop. The person seated in the wheelchair was Kaiden, the same Kaiden who had told Ellie just two hours earlier about a meeting at hispany.


    Ellie stared at Kaiden, her eyes wide with surprise.


    Could it be that Kaiden was the one who donated money to the school? That would exin how he managed to get the school¡¯s security to escort her off the premisesst time.


    ¡°Ellie, you still haven¡¯t answered my question,¡± Erick stated, trying to appear righteous yet hinting at something else. ¡°A true representative of the graduates must be capable and deserving. We¡¯re all waiting for your exnation. The school is a ce of honor, not a tool for gaining wealth or connections.¡±


    Your storytelling destination is g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s


    His words almost directly used Ellie of seeking fame through dishonest means.


    Ellie felt a surge of anger.


    She hadn¡¯t expected Erick to stoop so low.


    The school¡¯s anniversary was a big deal, and Ellie couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why Erick would choose such a significant day to confront her over personal issues.


    She understood that if she failed to sort this out properly, rumors about favoritism at Critport University could spread like wildfire through the nation in no time. This would definitely tarnish the university¡¯s good name.


    Taking the microphone, Ellie shifted her focus from Kaiden to Erick. ¡°Sir, you im I don¡¯t deserve to be here. Are you familiar with who I am?¡±


    Erick justughed it off. ¡°Ellie, you graduated in June, right? What great things could you have possibly achieved as a recent grad just starting out?¡±


    Ellie corrected him, ¡°Actually, I hold a master¡¯s degree, not a bachelor¡¯s. It¡¯s best to get your facts straight before questioning someone. Even the new students at our school are aware of this. Maybe you should consider enrolling here yourself to brush up on your knowledge.¡± What Ellie was really implying was that Erick, acting clueless like this, was even less informed than a freshman. She wanted him to back off. Not wanting to waste any more time, Ellie added, ¡°If you have any questions about my qualifications, I¡¯ll be happy to answer them after the anniversary event. Please, let¡¯s not hold up the celebration.¡±


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    Demi watched Ellie, amazed. At just twenty-one, Ellie had already earned her master¡¯s degree?


    Despite getting off on the wrong foot about Ellie¡¯s background, Erick wasn¡¯t backing down. ¡°Having a master¡¯s degree is one thing. It doesn¡¯t automatically mean you¡¯re capable. And after the anniversary event, how will anyone know if you really deserve to be here or not?¡±


    Demi watched the scene with a smile, feeling quite at ease.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Grab the microphone.¡± Things were getting out of hand. The teacher responsible for the anniversary quickly told someone to take the microphone from Erick.


    Addressing the principal, Kaiden suddenly said, ¡°It¡¯s about the school¡¯s and the student¡¯s reputation. We should sort this out right now. Sir, what do you think?¡±


    Removing the microphone at this moment would surely damage Ellie¡¯s reputation.


    How could he let his wife be defamed by such nonsense?


    His Ellie deserved to be in the spotlight rightfully.


    Clearly, Kaiden was pressuring the principal.


    The principal understood that Ellie needed to clear things up, but he was worried it might disrupt the anniversary event¡¯s schedule. A tall guy in a white shirt and jeans, who was standing nearby, quickly walked over.


    ¡°Sir, the speeches of the first six graduates were quite brief, and we¡¯re about 20 minutes ahead now. I¡¯d like to speak on Ellie¡¯s behalf on stage, if that¡¯s okay.¡±


    The principal reluctantly agreed.


    Meanwhile, Ellie was torn between two choices: either visit the school to check her honor information or confront Erick in a deserted alley after the school¡¯s anniversary event.


    Just then, an attractive man stepped onto the stage.


    Read more stories now g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got this,¡± he said in a hushed tone.


    Ellie found him vaguely familiar but couldn¡¯t quite ce where she had seen him before.


    Among the whispers of the audience, the man said, ¡°Good morning, teachers and students. I¡¯m a senior at Critport University. I¡¯ll spend the next few minutes addressing the queries regarding Ellie.¡±


    He began operating theputer, and a link appeared on the big screen.


    ¡°In March this year, our student union reported on Ellie¡­¡± he began in a steady voice, disying the report for everyone to see.


    ¡°Ellie joined the image styling program at our College of Fine Arts. She finished her master¡¯s degree early,pleting both her postgraduate and doctoral studies in five years, and maintained the top spot in her ss for all those years. She was honored as the best graduate for both her undergraduate and master¡¯s studies. She received the national schrship three times. She¡¯s published three papers in top national journals, secured six first-ce wins in internationalpetitions, seven in national ones. These are just some of Ellie¡¯s achievements while at school. She¡¯s the youngest student to receive so many honors, both in our school¡¯s history and in the county¡¯s figurative arts field.¡± Ellie herself never kept track of these awards.


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    As the speaker continued, the audience was silent, asionally expressing their amazement. They were impressed by Ellie.


    ¡°Of course, some might say these are typical honors for a top graduate, so let¡¯s look at something else.¡±


    The students in the audience didn¡¯t seem to agree with him. They were worried about their graduation standards being raised. Photos were disyed on the big screen, one after another.


    ¡°Here¡¯s Ellie receiving the YEAR Gold Award in styling in Parasti this month. Anyone in fashion knows what a big deal this award is, and Ellie is its youngest recipient. Many of you might have seen this photo already. The famous designer Freddy said at a major show that Ellie helped clear up a scandal for him four years ago and designed the hit show Pr Night. These photos show Ellie¡¯s participation in variouspetitions. She has won numerous awards¡­¡±


    The male student¡¯s calm and proud voice reverberated through the hall, sending ripples of amazement among the onlookers.


    Ellie was left dumbfounded by the unfolding scenario.


    These photos¡­ Where on earth did he dig those up? Even Ellie herself could not find those snapshots.


    ¡°Who is this guy?¡± Kaiden squinted, eyeing the student on the stage. Thed was a young, confident, and striking figure, draped in an air of calmness.


    The principal remained oblivious to Kaiden¡¯s shifting mood, offering a friendly grin. ¡°Meet Howard Lee. Head honcho of the student union, the top dog in thew department, and an all-around standout!¡± Howard, a seasoned senior, clocking in at about twenty-two, stood in the same age bracket as Ellie.


    There were two Lee families in Critport.


    One was from the Lee family whose son built a restaurant outside the studio city, and the other was from the Lee family who maintained a low profile. This Lee family¡¯s son was an unusual sight.


    More stories at g??lnov???????????m


    Howard Lee¡­ What a serendipitous coincidence?!


    ¡°I take pride in having this top-notch whiz-kid as a schoolmate,¡± Howard said, locking eyes with Erick. ¡°Sir, any lingering doubts about Ellie? Feel free to fire away, and I¡¯ll field them with pleasure.¡±


    Erick¡¯s expression turned gloomy.


    He assumed that Ellie¡¯s poprity and easygoing lifestyle during her college years were due to her good looks and the Gordon family¡¯s influence. He never imagined the depths of Ellie¡¯s extraordinary profile. Ellie even had a master¡¯s degree, something he waspletely unaware of.


    The students erupted into a symphony of whispers.


    ¡°Goodness! Is this resume real? It¡¯s like something out of a fever dream. Ellie is a force to be reckoned with!¡±


    ¡°Same school as her here. She bags a master¡¯s degree at twenty-one, hauling in honors, while I¡¯m here sweating over grad school admissions.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Finallyid eyes on Ellie. She is the legendary figure from our art school!¡±


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 Chapter 297

    ?Chapter 297:


    ¡°I recall her as a stand-in for a crew dancer not too long ago. Ahhh! Can¡¯t believe she¡¯s my senior! I¡¯m unting this for a whole year!¡±


    ¡°Four years in the same school, and I knew Ellie was ster, but this is a whole new level!¡±


    The leaders and schoolmates echoed, ¡°This girl is exceptional.¡±


    ¡°Critport University is a breeding ground for prodigies.¡±


    ¡°She designed the Pr Night? My wife, a show director, has been trying to poach that behind-the-scenes genius.¡±


    ¡°Hold on, folks! This is a majorrade. No poaching from my territory.¡±


    The school anniversary soared to unprecedented heights, thanks to this matter.


    Thankfully, the subsequent proceedings were a breeze, as the students struggled to contain their excitement.


    After Howard¡¯s onught, Erick became red with rage and walked out right away.


    Demi, being the host, was stuck. Not only could she not leave, but she also sported a forced smile to navigate the rest of the school anniversary.


    Not in the best frame of mind and far from a pro at hosting, Demi stumbled through her lines, mispronouncing words left and right.


    ¡°What¡¯s up with this host? Is this the cream of the crop you selected?¡± the school leader asked the overseer of the anniversary.


    The overseer¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Well, you see¡­¡±


    He found himself tongue-tied, unable to admit the perks received from the Gordon family.


    The leader asserted, ¡°Once the anniversary wraps up, I expect a thorough exnation.¡±


    Upon reiming her seat, Ellie noticed a myriad of students sneakily snapping pictures of her with their phones.


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    She sent a message to Kaiden. ¡°Why are you here? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be at a meeting?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s reply came immediately. It read, ¡°I did have a rendezvous to catch, but I wasn¡¯t about to skip Ellie¡¯s award moment again. I didn¡¯t want to miss her shining on stage.¡±


    Ellie, struck dumb by Kaiden¡¯s ellipsis, wondered if he¡¯d read her message. Did those dots signal acknowledgment or just a nce?


    Kaiden upied a seat a few yards away from Ellie, separated by about a dozen folks. There was a peculiar charm in covertly texting amidst the crowd, the world blissfully unaware of their exchange.


    He asked, ¡°Are you familiar with that student?¡±


    Ellie peeked at Howard, whose student council tag swung from his neck. He was engaged in a hushed chat with another council member. Howard sensed Ellie¡¯s gaze, ncing over with a restrained politeness. Ellie grinned at Howard, gratitude etched on her face. Lowering her head, she replied to Kaiden, ¡°Don¡¯t know him. Otherwise, I¡¯d remember such an outstanding junior schoolmate.¡±


    Outstanding junior schoolmate¡­


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    Kaiden wasn¡¯t in the best mood, and now it plummeted further.


    Observing Howard a few steps away, Kaiden noted how he asionally stole nces at Ellie. Not intrusive or offensive, but there was a subtle restraint in Howard¡¯s eyes.


    Men understood men best, and ording to Kaiden, Howard¡¯s look wasn¡¯t just casual.


    Kaiden remembered what Edwin had told him and found that it was true. Ellie was a ma for attention.


    The school event concluded, and as Ellie exited, she became the focal point for eager juniors.


    A few of them wanted to snap a picture with Ellie, while others wanted to ask her questions about her studies.


    Among the campus big shots, Ellie remained an approachable peer.


    Even though Ellie was encircled and immobile, she still smiled.


    Howard, from the student council, timely intervened. ¡°Ellie has other ns, folks. If you have more questions, we¡¯ll arrange a lecture.¡±


    Ellie exhaled with relief as the crowd parted, and she turned to Howard, saying, ¡°Thank you so much today.¡±


    A faint flush yed across the face of Howard, who had been standing firmly on stage only moments before. ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re wee. But I did promise a lecture¡­¡±


    ¡°No problem. I can make time,¡± Ellie assured, not one to decline helping juniors.


    Howard¡¯s eyes gleamed as he pulled out his phone. ¡°Mind sharing your WhatsApp? So we can connectter.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    After sharing her WhatsApp with Howard, Ellie felt a piercing stare.


    She looked around. Kaiden stood a few meters away with a few educational leaders around him, his eyes deadly focused on her and Howard.


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    ¡°Ellie, what are you looking at?¡± Howard asked in confusion.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Ellie, looking away from Kaiden, queried Howard, ¡°Where did you find those pictures of me? I barely have some of them.¡±


    ¡°Your fans in the student union collected them,¡± Howard exined.


    ¡°Ah, I see. I¡¯m heading out now. We¡¯ll chat about the lecture on WhatsApp.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t suspect Howard, and she was blind to the unusual expression on the student¡¯s face who stood next to Howard.


    ¡°Okay, bye.¡±


    Once Ellie left, Howard¡¯s eyes flickered to her WhatsApp a few more times.


    ¡°Howard, it is true that some of Ellie¡¯s fans are present in our student union. However, except for the server push that we carried out, you got the remaining photos yourself,¡± the nearby student, putting a hand on Howard¡¯s shoulder, asked, ¡°You¡¯ve known Ellie for a while, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Howard nced at the student. ¡°Finished your work in the publicity department? Save the gossip!¡±


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    The student grinned. ¡°Off to work. No gossip from me.¡±


    Howard did know Ellie for a while. He knew her from high school, although she had no idea who he was.


    Ellie turned on her heels, her gaze fixed on Kaiden, who was still engrossed in conversation with the school leaders. It seemed he wouldn¡¯t be able to join her anytime soon. She debated whether to head for a nearby dessert shop and wait for Kaiden there or to leave on her own.


    As she stepped out of the hall, an unexpected encounter shook her world. A young man suddenly rushed up to her.


    ¡°Ellie, please, have mercy. I never truly harmed you. Why did you ruin my life and that of my family?¡± The man gripped Ellie¡¯s wrist and cried out desperately.


    ¡°Herman?¡± It took Ellie a moment to recognize him. She tried to pull her hand free and demanded, ¡°Let go of me.¡±


    In just a few days, Herman¡¯s appearance had drastically deteriorated. His once-handsome features were now unrecognizable. He looked emaciated, with a sunken face, unshaven chin, disheveled hair, and a pungent stench of alcohol clinging to him.


    After Ellie managed to break free from his grip, Herman dramatically knelt before her, drawing the attention of everyone around.


    ¡°Ellie, please reconsider. I admit my mistake in pursuing you for your beauty, but did you have to destroy my entire family? My father is nearing sixty, and he¡¯s fragile. You¡¯re pushing him to the brink of despair, making him consider something as drastic as jumping off a building. Do you know that?¡±


    Themotion attracted the curiosity of students, fellow schoolmates, and parents, who encircled the pair.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Who is that guy?¡±


    ¡°Why does he resemble the famous actor, Herman?¡±


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    ¡°Jumping off a building? That sounds horrifying.¡±


    ¡°How far did he have to be pushed to kneel in public like this?¡±


    Before Ellie could respond, a middle-aged woman appeared out of nowhere, her anguished cries piercing through the crowd.


    ¡°Ellie, my nephew is kneeling before you. Will you not show some mercy? You¡¯re just a young girl, yet you¡¯re capable of such cruelty.¡±


    The woman was none other than Maggie, Herman¡¯s aunt.


    ¡°Herman, your father¡¯s tax evasion was a breach of statew. I did nothing to him,¡± Ellie frowned.


    Herman, seemingly oblivious to Ellie¡¯s words, implored, ¡°Ellie, I was wrong. I understand now that you have influential connections. I should never have pursued you. Please, spare me and my entire family.¡±


    The students, though initially clueless about the sudden confrontation, pieced together the situation from the conversation between Ellie and Herman. It became clear that Herman had harbored feelings for Ellie, and her actions had led to the destruction of his family.


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    ¡°I can¡¯t believe Ellie exposed Herman¡¯s sordid secrets. How did she even get involved in the entertainment industry?¡±


    ¡°Herman and Ellie were part of the same project not too long ago, called ¡®Peerless Grace.''¡±


    ¡°Damn! I just started idolizing Ellie. Is this disillusionment?¡±


    ¡°What kind of background does Ellie have? Ordinary people can¡¯t achieve so much, can they?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not academic fraud or anything, right?¡±


    Demi heard that Ellie had been confronted and rushed over without even changing out of her dress. She eximed, ¡°Ellie, Herman simply has feelings for you. Why push him to the brink like this?¡±


    Demi felt a surge of tion. It seemed that Herman¡¯s disruption could tarnish Ellie¡¯s previously shining reputation.


    God was on her side against Ellie.


    Herman¡¯s disruption threatened to shatter the pristine image Ellie had maintained until that moment.


    Demi¡¯s words quickly resonated with parents who were unaware of the true situation.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. What¡¯s the fuss about a young man in love? Nowadays, these girls do whatever they please just because they¡¯re pretty.¡±


    ¡°Sweetie, it¡¯s time to apologize.¡±


    ¡°This youngdy might be beautiful, but she¡¯s heartless. That¡¯s not right.¡±


    The crowd started chastising Ellie, unwittingly siding with Herman.


    Seeing the self-satisfaction in Herman¡¯s seemingly imploring eyes, Ellie immediately grasped his intention.


    Herman had deliberately chosen this moment to make a show of it.


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    He wasn¡¯t really meant to apologize.


    He was seeking sympathy.


    His n was to embarrass Ellie and shift the me onto her.


    Taking a deep breath, Ellie tried topose herself. ¡°Herman, whether it¡¯s you or your family, the exposed scandal is a matter of fact. You brought this upon yourselves. How can you im that I¡¯m causing harm? This is a school, and I hope you won¡¯t create a scene here.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, if it weren¡¯t for you, my nephew and brother-inw wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this situation!¡± Maggie interjected loudly.


    ¡°Maggie, you used the phrase ¡®ended up¡¯ to describe your nephew. Do you dare tell everyone how you tried to introduce me to your nephew that day?¡± Ellie countered, ying her trump card. ¡°Maggie, you went to great lengths to arrange a marriage between your daughter and my boyfriend.¡±


    Ellie dropped a bombshell, revealing that she had a boyfriend. The spectators were taken aback. This woman had been trying to marry her daughter off to Ellie¡¯s boyfriend?


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    She was attempting to publicly steal someone else¡¯s boyfriend for her daughter?


    Was she promoting her daughter to be a mistress?


    The onlookers were in disbelief.


    ¡°Herman, I¡¯m the one you should be seeking.¡± Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair rolled in from the outskirts of the crowd, followed by a school official. Kaiden had heard voicesing from this direction, and Maggie¡¯s and Herman¡¯s voices had been quite loud. He pieced together what was happening.


    Kaiden looked Ellie up and down to ensure she was unharmed and let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    When Hermanid eyes on Kaiden, his expression shifted. ¡°Mr. Thorpe¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m responsible for everything that has happened to you and your family,¡± Kaiden stated calmly. He pulled Ellie close to his side, surveyed the surrounding crowd, and fixed his gaze on Maggie. ¡°What is it? Do you want an apology?¡±


    Maggie was bbergasted. ¡°This, this¡­¡±


    She struggled to form a coherent sentence.


    Herman, seizing a desperate lifeline, urgently interjected, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, do you know that this woman by your side engages with another man once she leaves your bed? I witnessed it with my own eyes. Despite all you¡¯ve done for her, she¡¯s a dissolute woman.¡±


    Before Herman could finish his usation, Kaiden swiftly snatched a drink from a nearby student, removed the lid, and poured it over Herman.


    Ssh!


    The light brown milk tea sttered across Herman¡¯s face, with tapioca pearls clinging to his hair and stubble, leaving him a disheveled mess.


    The sticky liquid stung his eyes, preventing him from speaking further due to pain and shock. Silence enveloped the area.


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    No one had expected the wheelchair-bound, handsome man to take such swift action.


    Their astonishment deepened at Herman¡¯s im.


    Even in this modern era, what Herman had said painted a picture of a woman with promiscuous personal affairs that could easily generate disdain.


    Hundreds of pairs of eyes now regarded Ellie with skepticism and scorn. Ellie instinctively clenched her fists, struggling with a suffocating feeling.


    Yet, she couldn¡¯t exin or defend herself.


    Society had always been harsh on women, particrly those blessed with beauty.


    At times, it felt as though beauty itself was an original sin.


    Herman¡¯s unfounded allegations had already swayed the opinions of some in the crowd.


    People were often more inclined to believe what they wanted to see, disregarding the truth entirely.


    ¡°Herman.¡± Maggie nervously supported her nephew with her hand. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, we are doing this for your own good,¡± she said sadly.


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    Kaiden shot her a cold look. She couldn¡¯t help but shiver under his hard stare. It felt as though she was being stalked by a predator. Her words dried up in her throat, and she didn¡¯t dare to say anything more.


    ¡°They started the rumor. I hope the school will report them to the police,¡± Kaiden said to the school official next to him. He then stared at Herman dispassionately. ¡°Since thewyer¡¯s notice for breach of contract isn¡¯t enough for you, I¡¯ll add an extra one for defamation and nder,¡± he threatened.


    Ellie stared at Kaiden dazedly. She felt like she was being pushed to the edge of a cliff, but his words brought her soul back to life.


    He saved her by pulling her back from the edge of the abyss.


    Herman¡¯s face turned pale, and his body started trembling. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡± he stammered, unable to speak.


    He was already miserable. Why would Kaiden still want to call the police? Kaiden even intended to send him awyer¡¯s notice!


    He had already exposed Ellie¡¯s supposed promiscuous affairs, so why was Kaiden still on her side?


    Why was Kaiden willing to be cuckolded?


    What was wrong with this man¡¯s brain?


    Before Herman and Maggie could say anything in their defense, they were forcefully taken away by the school¡¯s security team.


    ¡°Ellie.¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice pulled Ellie out of her musings.


    She blinked. When she saw the concern in Kaiden¡¯s eyes, the dull ache in her heart slowly disappeared.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she mumbled.


    Her voice was barely a whisper, and only Kaiden heard it.


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    The others didn¡¯t even notice her speaking.


    ¡°Dear schoolmates and parents, the two people have been taken away by the police. I hope that the students of Critport University will not start or spread rumors. Rumors stop with the wise,¡± said Howard, rushing over with his mates from the student union.


    Kaiden signaled for Ellie to follow him as he made his way in the wheelchair toward the ess provided by the school.


    Looking at the retreating figures of Ellie and Kaiden, Howard frowned in confusion.


    Did these two¡­ know each other?


    Demi, who was watching the whole scene, bit her lip.


    Why did Kaiden alwayse to Ellie¡¯s aid?


    Demi regretted marrying Ellie to Kaiden.


    ¡°Hi, do you know the man who started the rumor just now?¡± Howard asked Demi.


    Coming back to reality, Demi scoffed. ¡°I y the female supporting role in Peerless Grace. Of course, I knew Herman,¡± she said with a smirk.


    ¡°So you know each other. Why did you help him start the rumor about Ellie?¡± Howard demanded, his eyes sharp with scrutiny.


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    ?Chapter 303:


    It was Demi who had guided the public opinion just now.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I was telling the truth,¡± Demi lied, pretending to be innocent. What was wrong with this man? He helped Ellie in the hall just now, and now he was attacking her.


    ¡°Then you might need to go to the police station to prove your innocence,¡± Howard stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± Demi said indignantly. She gripped the hem of her dress and stormed away.


    There was no way she would go to the police station. What a shameful thing to do!


    Howard beckoned a member of the student union. ¡°That hostess doesn¡¯t seem to be on the varsity host team,¡± he remarked.


    Students with strong broadcasting and hosting skills were on the varsity host team. These people were the backups for the hosts of every major school event.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know her? She¡¯s a freshman in the finance school. She¡¯s a star and debuted in a talent showst year,¡± replied the student. The student was well-informed. ¡°I heard that shees from a wealthy and influential family.¡±


    Howard closed his eyes and thought for a while. ¡°Investigate her situation and find out why she was selected to host today¡¯s event,¡± he instructed.


    She was a freshman. Last year, she made her debut in the talent show. But how did she get into the finance department of Critport University? A star kid like her wouldn¡¯t have attended many days of the school year, and yet she studied finance. Could she pass her midterms and finals?


    The school leader led the way.


    When he arrived at the parking lot, he found that Ellie was following them.


    ¡°Ellie, the school is also responsible for what happened today. It is a failure on the part of the security department if such a wonderful student like you was put through the wringer,¡± the school leader apologized.


    ¡°Sir, you believe me?¡± Ellie asked in surprise.


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    Wiping his forehead, the school leader smiled kindly. ¡°You are Andrew¡¯s favorite student, and I believe in his judgment. That man who just questioned you in the auditorium was your ex-boyfriend, wasn¡¯t he?¡± he inquired.


    Andrew Gates was Ellie¡¯s supervisor.


    Hearing the word ex-boyfriend, Kaiden gnashed his teeth in anger.


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Surprise was written all over Ellie¡¯s face.


    ¡°When you were in college, that guy used to bring you flowers, didn¡¯t he? Andrew told me that you had a poor choice in men,¡± the school leader exined. ¡°Do you want to stroll around the school for some time, or leave? If you want to leave, the school will arrange for a ride,¡± he offered.


    It was hard for Ellie to exin to him that she only dated Erick because Houston and Litzy forced her to. So, she just smiled apologetically at the leader and thanked him for his trust and love.


    ¡°No need. She wille with me,¡± said Kaiden curtly.


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    The school leader realized something was wrong.


    Ellie came here with Kaiden, and he had stood up for her against Herman.


    ¡°You guys¡­ What¡¯s going on?¡± asked the school leader, his eyes moving from Ellie to Kaiden and back.


    Before Ellie could figure out how to answer, Kaiden spoke up. ¡°Ellie, where¡¯s your ring?¡± he asked purposely.


    There was nothing on her right hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m wearing it on a chain around my neck,¡± Ellie answered subconsciously.


    It was inconvenient for her to work with the ring on, so she wore it on a tinum chain like a ne. But the chain was hidden under the turtleneck sweater she was wearing today.


    The school leader understood.


    Heughed and said, ¡°I see. Then I won¡¯t bother you anymore. Ellie, if there is any problem, you can contact the school anytime.¡± After saying that, he stole a nce at Kaiden.


    In his eyes, Kaiden was more reliable than Ellie¡¯s ex-boyfriend. But he had a leg issue. The school leader sighed inwardly.


    Bruce was waiting in the parking lot.


    Spotting Ellie and Kaiden, he said, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe. Herman and Maggie have been taken to the police station. The police need you to go over and give a brief statement.¡±


    Kaiden nodded, signaling for Bruce to drive them there. Ellie sighed.


    She had wanted to visit her teachers, but Herman¡¯s incident had derailed that n.


    Thankfully, Kaiden appeared in time and got Herman and Maggie arrested for nder, but people would always believe what they wanted to believe. She didn¡¯t know what was going to happen next. Ellie didn¡¯t care about her image, but she was worried about bringing shame to the school.


    Kaiden was nning to question Ellie. However, he noticed her glum expression just as he was about to speak. Her head was down, and she looked sad and dejected.


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    Before he could stop himself, his hand was already on hers,forting her.


    Puzzled, Ellie looked up at him, taken aback by the sudden gesture of tenderness.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, is there something you haven¡¯t told me?¡± Kaiden questioned.


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie asked, wracking her brain.


    ¡°That someone introduced you to a man?¡± he reminded her.


    Two secondster, Ellie¡¯s recollection flooded back.


    ¡°Herman is Maggie¡¯s nephew. Maggie once envisioned a marriage between Herman and me,¡± she revealed.


    As Kaiden¡¯s countenance darkened swiftly, Ellie continued deliberately, ¡°However, that¡¯s not the crux of the matter. Maggie wishes to introduce me to Herman because her daughter has taken a liking to you. Maggie simply wants me to step aside and allow her daughter to marry you.¡±


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    Observing Kaiden¡¯s expression, Ellie noted that his demeanor remained as icy as before.


    ¡°Did you not catch that? Her daughter admires you and desires to marry you.¡± Ellie prodded Kaiden¡¯s chest.


    Kaiden took her hand and inquired, ¡°Who is her daughter?¡±


    Ellie was momentarily speechless.


    Laura Herod! Didn¡¯t Kaiden know her?


    There was only one Herod family in the circle, and Laura was renowned for her beauty and spoiled disposition. Ellie couldn¡¯t believe that Kaiden was oblivious to Laura¡¯s existence.


    Without uttering a word, Kaiden suddenly reached for Ellie¡¯s neck.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ellie instinctively recoiled. ¡°Stay still.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s hands delved into the high cor of her sweater, extracting a tinum ne adorned with a ring.


    The metallic texture grazed Ellie¡¯s skin. As he leaned closer, drawing them into proximity, his breath enveloped her forehead, and she didn¡¯t dare to move.


    Kaiden removed the diamond ring from the ne and slipped it back onto the ring finger of Ellie¡¯s right hand.


    He lightly tapped her forehead and admonished her, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, learn to wield your legal identity.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s heart raced.


    She detected warmth and tenderness in Kaiden¡¯s words. Internally, she expressed her gratitude. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    At the police station, Herman¡¯splexion turned ashen. His family was in disarray, and no one seemed to care about him.


    The Herod family members had rushed over upon receiving the news. As Ellie and Kaiden arrived, the Herods were attempting to plead for Herman.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?§àm takes you away


    ¡°The other party has arrived. This is a private dispute. You can discuss and resolve it privately,¡± the policeman advised.


    Maggie¡¯s husband, Samuel Herod, hastened over, rubbing his hands and offering an apologetic smile to Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s not a significant issue. We all value peace. Let¡¯s put it behind us, shall we?¡±


    Kaiden smiled without uttering a word.


    His smile was subtle but unsettling. The sudden appearance of a faint smile on his typically stoic and cold countenance carried an air of intimidation.


    Feeling the pressure, Samuel turned to Ellie, perceived as the more malleable party.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you haven¡¯t suffered any harm or loss. How about we apologize to you? What form ofpensation would you like? Just let me know.¡±


    The potency of public sentiment proved formidable enough to blur the lines between right and wrong. Under Herman¡¯s influence, public opinion tarnished Ellie¡¯s reputation.


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    If apologies were effective, why were they still here?


    It became apparent why Herman had attempted to resolve his differences with Ellie earlier, offering a Hermes bag and a BMW X5. It turned out that the Herod family possessed the same disreputable tendencies.


    ¡°Mr. Herod, thewyer¡¯s letter will be sent by Mr. Thorpe¡¯s representatives. If you wish to handle this privately, Mr. Thorpe¡¯s consent is indispensable,¡± Ellie averred, turning her gaze away. The underlying message was clear: Ellie preferred the Herod family to negotiate with Kaiden rather than herself.


    The Herod family found themselves at an impasse, unable to devise a solution.


    Suddenly, Ellie¡¯s eyes shifted past Samuel,nding on Laura, standing a few meters away from Maggie. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Laura have a crush on Mr. Thorpe? Why not let her attempt the honey trap?¡±


    A shadow fell upon the faces of the Herod family.


    That was especially true of Laura, whoseplexion shifted to a delicate blend of pale and crimson hues. It remained uncertain whether her reaction stemmed from fear or shyness. Observing Kaiden¡¯s apparentck of interest in her, Laura shot a resentful re at Ellie.


    She suspected that Ellie had deliberately made thement.


    Ellie had intentionally remarked to embarrass her!


    Bruce nced down at the floor tiles.


    To him, Ellie appeared innocent yet harbored a scheming nature. Meeting Ellie¡¯s gaze, Kaiden informed Samuel, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in a private resolution.¡±


    This implied that the matter couldn¡¯t be settled discreetly.


    If the matter were resolved privately, Ellie and Kaiden would inevitably end up in a confrontation.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, what I stated is factual. I witnessed Ellie intimately involved with a young man wearing a mask. My friends can vouch for this. A woman like Ellie isn¡¯t worth your effort,¡± Herman eximed, growing agitated as hopes of reconciliation faded.


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    However, Herman didn¡¯t anticipate that the masked man Ellie was with that night outside the studio city¡¯s night market was Kaiden. Laura nervously awaited Kaiden¡¯s response, knowing no man could tolerate his partner being involved with another.


    Yet, Kaiden responded casually, ¡°Really? But she¡¯s worth it, believe me.¡±


    ¡°Eh? What?!¡± Herman and the other members of the Herod family were stunned, their eyes widened in disbelief.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. If not for the unfortunate timing, she might have burst outughing.


    Samuel took the initiative to respond. ¡°Miss Gordon, let¡¯s have a conversation about this. I assure you, I will oversee Herman issuing a public apology to you. It¡¯s a resolution that benefits everyone, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Herod. I don¡¯t concern myself with the benefits of your guys.¡± Ellie, detecting Samuel¡¯s insincerity, chose not to delve further. Samuel¡¯s proposed n presented no drawbacks for the Herod family and protected Maggie¡¯s reputation.


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    ?Chapter 307:


    Having conveyed their statements, Kaiden and Ellie exited promptly.


    Following their departure, Laura hurriedly caught up with them. ¡°Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    Laura, distressed yet hopeful, addressed Kaiden with a hint of desperation. ¡°I apologize on behalf of my mother. I¡¯m sorry. She did it for me. I¡­ I genuinely like you. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you at Araceli¡¯s banquet. Kaiden, I love you!¡±


    Ellie found it challenging toprehend a woman who professed love so freely.


    Uninterested in fighting with Laura in Kaiden¡¯s presence, she prodded him, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, no reaction?¡±


    Ellie might not have detected the sarcasm in her words. Kaiden found it amusing and had the impulse to pinch her cheek.


    He then turned his gaze toward Laura.


    His eyes emitted an intensity that could be intimidating when angered, sending shivers down people¡¯s spines. Yet, in moments of calm, they created an illusion of profound affection.


    ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Thorpe¡­¡± Laura nervously clutched her hands, meeting Kaiden¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Are you proposing to be the other woman?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Laura was taken aback.


    ¡°Do you not understand?¡± Kaiden, holding Ellie¡¯s right hand, disyed the sparkling pink diamond on her ring finger for Laura to see.


    Laura¡¯s face turned pale.


    ¡°What makes you believe you have the power to disce the woman in my hand from the position of Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Kaiden inquired, his tone cold.


    Staring at Kaiden¡¯s handsome face, Ellie felt her heart quicken.


    His words, seemingly ordinary, held a captivating charm.


    Latest stories on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s


    Laura felt embarrassed, gritting her teeth but refusing to surrender.


    ¡°Ie from a more prestigious family than Ellie.¡±


    But in truth, Laura paled inparison to Ellie in terms of appearance, physique, temperament, and talent. After all, Ellie wouldn¡¯t have earned the title of top socialite for so many years if Laura could rival her in these aspects.


    Kaiden appeared to find Laura¡¯s im amusing.


    Without uttering a word, the irony in his expression was so unmistakable that itnded on Laura like a stinging p, leaving her with a searing sensation.


    So what if Laura came from a prestigious family?


    In Kaiden¡¯s eyes, it was pointless to even bring up her family background around him.


    ¡°You two¡­ Are you his girlfriend? When did this happen?¡± Laura was struggling to wrap her head around it. She looked flustered, directing her questions only at Ellie. Kaiden¡¯s presence seemed to intimidate her.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not his girlfriend,¡± Ellie responded. She nced at Kaiden, who remained silent. With a straightforward tone, she added, ¡°We¡¯re married.¡±


    The university campus was alive that night. Groups of students strolled down the streets. Some were friends sharing jokes andughter, while others were couples, close and affectionate.


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    ?Chapter 308:


    Ellie, sitting in the back of the car, rolled down the window for a better view. Kaiden noticed a hint of envy in her eyes as she observed the happy couples.


    Suddenly, Ellie realized Kaiden was watching her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked, a bit confused.


    Kaiden returned her question with his own. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± he inquired.


    Ellie shifted her gaze away from the students, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes. ¡°I really envy them for having such a carefree college life,¡± she murmured.


    Kaiden watched her, but neither of them seemed inclined to continue the conversation.


    Bruce, sitting at the front of the car, spoke up politely. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯ve seen your resume. You graduated from a top university with outstanding achievements. Why are you still envious of them?¡±


    Ellie sighed. ¡°They have their own kind of happiness. Plus, I doubt their university had someone as terrible as Erick.¡±


    The thought of Erick, especially now that she was married to Kaiden and he still bothered her, intensified her envy for the students¡¯ peaceful life.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened as he recalled the day¡¯s events. Erick, Herman, and the Herod family members had crossed a line by targeting his wife.


    When they reached Moon Manor, Ellie stepped out of the car first. Kaiden asked Bruce to stay, instructing him to cut off the Herod family¡¯s funds and to investigate Howard. The Coleman family, already weakened, was on the brink of copse.


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Bruce replied.


    Kaiden¡¯s investigation was specific ¡ª he wanted to uncover any links between Howard and Ellie.


    The next morning, a phone call roused Ellie from her sleep. ¡°Hello?¡± she answered groggily.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, nice to meet you. I¡¯m Carole,¡± came the response.


    New updates live on g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s


    Ellie¡¯s drowsiness vanished instantly, reced by a sharp alertness. She sat up quickly. ¡°How did you get my number?¡± she demanded.


    ¡°I got it from a friend,¡± Carole replied slowly. ¡°Miss Gordon, are you still in bed at ten in the morning? Your voice sounds like¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Ellie cut her off. ¡°I don¡¯t recall us having a close rtionship, Miss Lambert.¡± The onlymon link they shared was Kaiden.


    There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Carole seemed to be weighing her words.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be cautious with me. Just speak your mind,¡± Ellie urged. Her patience was thinning. Under normal circumstances, she would have ended the call by now. She had no interest in conversing with this woman.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be direct then,¡± Carole began, sounding somewhat apologetic. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the unpleasant incident involving Herman and you. He¡¯s a friend of mine. Could you perhaps handle the situation more lightly? He¡¯s taken a liking to you. If you¡¯re not interested in him, you can just make that clear to him. I know Herman. He¡¯s not unreasonable. Miss Gordon¡­¡±


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    ?Chapter 309:


    ¡°I¡¯m the unreasonable one here,¡± Ellie interrupted sharply.


    ¡°What?¡± Carole sounded confused.


    ¡°In your view, if Herman isn¡¯t unreasonable, then I must be,¡± Ellie reasoned.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know what you meant. Today, I¡¯ll embrace being unreasonable.¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t help but find irony in the situation. ¡°Miss Lambert, are you aware of what happened between me and Herman?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know all the details, but suing Herman over something minor seems excessive,¡± Carole responded.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, if you¡¯re not familiar with the specifics, I suggest you check the online forums of Critport University. See what they¡¯re saying about me. The harm Herman has caused to my reputation and life is far from trivial. Besides¡­¡± Ellie paused, then sneered. ¡°We have no connection. Do you really think it¡¯s appropriate to call and advocate for someone so despicable?¡±


    There was silence on the other end.


    Ellie rarely spoke with such force. She knew it was rude to interrupt, but she couldn¡¯t bear to listen to any more of Carole¡¯s nonsense.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have said that,¡± Carole finally said, sounding aggrieved.


    Ellie pressed a button by her bed, and the curtains opened slowly, letting in the bright sunshine.


    ¡°I do have a question for you, Miss Lambert,¡± she said.


    ¡°Please, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°When you were hosting an art exhibition in Tormeto, I called Kaiden. You answered, didn¡¯t you?¡± Ellie asked, absentmindedly tracing the pattern on the sheet with her other hand.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Carole admitted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t realize it was you.¡±


    Stay tuned galnov??????.co??


    ¡°Did you tell Kaiden that I called?¡± Ellie pressed for an answer.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Carole admitted.


    This left Ellie wondering why Kaiden hadn¡¯t known about her call. Or did he simply not care enough to remember to call her back? Next, Ellie inquired, ¡°Did Kaiden give you my phone number?¡±


    There was a brief hesitation on Carole¡¯s end, as if she feared causing trouble.


    ¡°Yes. Does that upset you?¡±


    Ellie smiled to herself, curious about Carole¡¯s expression at that moment. ¡°Miss Lambert, I understand you¡¯re abroad and might not be aware of certain things. You probably don¡¯t know that Kaiden was the one who turned Herman from a celebrity into a prisoner.¡±


    The line went dead silent.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, is there anything you¡¯d like to exin?¡± Ellie waited a few seconds for a response before pressing further.


    ¡°Well¡­ No,¡± Carole eventually replied.


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    ¡°Did Kaiden really tell you my number?¡± Ellie continued, ¡°It¡¯s alright if you don¡¯t want to say. I can just ask him myself.¡±


    Carole took a deep breath and then confessed, ¡°I asked someone else for your number. Since you mentioned Kaiden, I assumed it was him who told me. I didn¡¯t think it was a big deal, but I didn¡¯t expect you to read so much into it.¡±


    Ellie found Carole¡¯s words amusing. If she hadn¡¯t probed further, she might have misunderstood Kaiden because of Carole¡¯s casual assumption.


    As Carole spoke, she referred to Kaiden in a way that sounded unusually intimate. Ellie couldn¡¯t tell if this was deliberate or not.


    On this Sunday, Omiros, the student studying for his exams, had a half-day break. Even though it was a holiday, he wasn¡¯t allowed to leave the manor.


    In thisrge estate, Omiros hardly knew anyone besides Ellie and Kaiden, not even the family dog. So, he found himself seeking out Ellie to pass the time.


    ¡°Ellie, are you upset? What happened?¡± Omiros might have struggled academically, but he was quite perceptive about people¡¯s feelings.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie responded. She hadn¡¯t let Carole get the better of her in the call, even managing to irritate Carole, but that didn¡¯t bring her any joy. The phone call was bothersome for her. She couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact source of her unease, but she was acutely aware of its presence. Though the call ended, Ellie was left with an unsettling lingering influence.


    As shey on the sofa, trying to find something to do that might calm her nerves, she looked up and was taken aback. ¡°What¡­ What are you doing?¡± she eximed.


    Omiros was there, hands sped and head bowed, assuming a posture of reverence.


    ¡°The students in your school possess a curious belief that a prayer to you ensures sess in any exam, given your excellence in studies. Hence, I am performing this ritual,¡± Omiros exined.


    Reveling in the aftermath of his worshipping gesture, he couldn¡¯t help but savor a taste of triumph.


    Read exclusive updates g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls


    ¡°Where on earth did you pick up such a fantastical tale?¡± Ellie, left utterly speechless, grappled with the absurdity.


    Was there a glitch in his thought process?


    ¡°The whispers traveled through the corridors of your school¡¯s online forum,¡± Omiros continued with a grin. ¡°Many students adorned their study spaces with your portraits before facing their final exams, iming it brought them luck. I figured a prayer to you might just be as effective.¡±


    Ellie found it ridiculous.


    If they had time for prayer, why couldn¡¯t they simply dedicate themselves to actual study?


    ¡°If you¡¯ve been perusing our school¡¯s online forum, you must be acquainted with¡­¡± Ellie hesitated, choosing her words carefully. Omiros interjected, ¡°Are we discussing the grapevine about you or your awe-inspiring track record?¡±


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 Chapter 311

    ?Chapter 311:


    While the des on her track record remained a puzzle to him, Omiros couldn¡¯t help but be awestruck. He now understood why Ellie and Kaiden, both extraordinary in their own right, found each other.


    ¡°The former,¡± Ellie admitted, shrugging her shoulders.


    Under legal pressure, Herman publicly apologized to Ellie, acknowledging the falsehood and nder. However, such apologies did little to dispel the pervasive belief in the rumors.


    Whispers about Ellie¡¯s purportedly dissolute private life and her supposed mistreatment of pursuers echoed loudly across Critport University. The online forum of the school became a hotbed of gossip. In the current discourse on the Critport University forum, the focus shifted between Ellie¡¯s track record and the swirling rumors.


    ¡°Such idle chatter shouldn¡¯t weigh on your spirit!¡± Omirosforted her. ¡°Despite Kaiden being a scoundrel, he¡¯s a wealthy, intelligent, and handsome scoundrel. You won¡¯t tire of him in less than half a year. I doubt there¡¯s any man around you who can outshine him.¡±


    For a moment, Ellie was at a loss for words.


    His logic seemed oddly sound.


    ¡°Thank you for the constion,¡± Ellie replied with a smile.


    Omiros recoiled, as if confronted by a ghost. ¡°I wasn¡¯t consoling you!¡±


    She was left speechless. Did this guy inherit Kaiden¡¯s peculiar character?


    Shortly thereafter, Ellie received a message from Howard expressing a desire to discuss the content and structure of her uing speech.


    Anxiety crept into Ellie¡¯s voice. ¡°Can I really give a speech in this situation?¡±


    Howard¡¯s calm and gentle voice emanated from the voice messages. ¡°Ellie, wise minds pay no heed to baseless rumors. Trust me, it¡¯ll be resolved soon. When are you avable? Let¡¯s meet and go over the details. It¡¯ll be more convenient.¡±


    Despite responding with gratitude, Ellie remained skeptical.


    Com


    If quashing rumors were that straightforward, there wouldn¡¯t be a need for online opinion influencers.


    Nevertheless, Ellie agreed to meet him the next day, acknowledging the favor he had extended.


    Omiros, eavesdropping intently, couldn¡¯t resist inquiring, ¡°Ellie, is that your friend? It sounds like a guy. A schoolmate, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Omiros said, rolling his eyes yfully. ¡°Is he handsome?¡±


    After pondering for a moment, Ellie admitted, ¡°Yes, he is. Back when I hadn¡¯t graduated, he was regarded as the most handsome man inw school. I reckon he still holds that title.¡±


    Omiros chuckled and probed further, ¡°Who¡¯s the better catch, him or Kaiden?¡±


    ring at him, Ellie retorted, ¡°You should focus on preparing for your exams.¡±


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 Chapter 312

    ?Chapter 312:


    Omiros was left speechless.


    Why bring this up now?


    He had no inclination to continue the conversation.


    Upon Kaiden¡¯s return home, he found an unexpected visitor on the sofa. He demanded, ¡°Who allowed you to be here?¡±


    Omiros, sensing Kaiden¡¯s unmistakable annoyance towards him, couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of triumph. ¡°I let myself in,¡± Omiros dered triumphantly. ¡°I¡¯m here for Ellie, not you. She even ordered bubble tea for me!¡±


    Only then did Kaiden notice the two extra cups on the tea table. This time, the brand differed from thest.


    Why the change?


    He had observed Ellie indulge in bubble tea on three asions, each time with a different brand.


    Perceiving the confusion on Kaiden¡¯s face, Omiros couldn¡¯t help but revel in his victory. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re quite out of touch. Don¡¯t you appreciate the joy of bubble tea? Tonight, Ellie arranged for the chef to prepare barbecue for me.¡±


    Kaiden remained disinterested in such matters.


    However, a sense of discontent arose when he observed Ellie and Omiros casually enjoying bubble tea and barbecue together, as if in unspoken agreement.


    ¡°Did you pass the preliminary exam yesterday?¡± Kaiden inquired, his expression unreadable.


    The smile on Omiros¡¯s face vanished instantly.


    Kaiden prompted an answer with a few piercing nces.


    Omiros scratched his head, reluctantly asking, ¡°Which subject did you ask about?¡±


    ¡°Whichever subject you passed in.¡±


    Exclusive updates g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s.c?m


    ¡°Then you don¡¯t need to ask!¡± Omiros said through gritted teeth.


    He had utterly failed the exam.


    When Ellie descended the stairs, she encountered the two men locked in an awkward stare-down. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked.


    Kaiden exined, ¡°Omiros ims he¡¯s heading back to study and won¡¯t join us for dinner.¡±


    Omiros was dumbfounded. What nonsense was Kaiden talking about?


    When did he make such a deration?


    Books wouldn¡¯t flee on their own, why this sudden rush to study?


    ¡°Kaiden! My dear cousin! I have vital information to share!¡± Omiros wore an expression that hinted at an impending sense of regret on Kaiden¡¯s part if he didn¡¯t acquiesce.


    Observing Kaiden¡¯s stoic demeanor and his apparent inclination to promptly dismiss him, Omiros discreetly cast a furtive nce at Ellie, hoping she would pick up on the subtle hint.


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    ?Chapter 313:


    Was Kaiden really going to dismiss him like this, especially when it involved Ellie?


    ¡°Come here,¡± Kaiden said, leading Omiros to the small garden. ¡°Go on.¡±


    Aware that beating around the bush wouldn¡¯t work with Kaiden, Omiros hastily divulged, ¡°I overheard a guy sending Ellie voice messages on WhatsApp this afternoon.¡± Kaiden¡¯s brow furrowed.


    This was exactly the reaction Omiros was looking for.


    He continued, ¡°I inquired on your behalf. She mentioned he¡¯s a schoolmate, the most handsome guy from thew school! s! Do you think he might have a crush on her?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s countenance darkened.


    ¡°Is this information crucial? Did I deceive you?¡± Omiros subtly hinted that he expected to stay for the barbecue.


    ¡°Return to your room after dinner,¡± Kaiden said with a snort.


    Satisfied, Omiros quickly departed.


    Kaiden, lighting a cigarette, recalled Bruce¡¯s revtions earlier in the day.


    ¡°The president of the student union, Howard, is indeed the low-key scion of the Lee family. He attended the same middle school as your wife and studied abroad during high school. Your wife once participated in an international horse race and debatepetition during high school, and the two werepetitors in the same group. At Critport University, they had minimal contact. Oddly enough, Howard chose to forego continuing his studies at the prestigious Astoria University abroad and instead returned home to study at Critport University.¡±


    Kaiden sneered. Perhaps it was for Ellie that Howard returned home.


    Kaiden recalled that Ellie, during her sophomore year, had the opportunity to go to Astoria University as part of a student exchange program. However, due to an unexpected crisis in Baylee¡¯s family, she had to forgo the exchange.


    If Ellie had gone to Astoria University, she must have crossed paths with Howard.


    L??t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs in g??l??ov???s.??????


    In the quiet of the night, Ellie¡¯s thoughts lingered on Carole.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden returned to their bedroom and found Ellie sitting on the bed, her back against the plush leather cushion, her eyelids heavy, almost as if she were dozing off.


    She looked incredibly adorable.


    ¡°Did you wait for me?¡± Kaiden¡¯s mood improved. He went to Ellie and rubbed her hair.


    Ellie quickly noticed that she was being treated like a pet.


    ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you, could¡­ could I look at your phone¡¯s address book?¡± Ellie, with shame in her eyes, couldn¡¯t bear to look into Kaiden¡¯s eyes. ¡°If it¡¯s too much, just forget I asked.¡±


    Kaiden, phone in hand, twirled it between his fingers. With a slight raise of his eyebrows, he teased, ¡°You want to check if I¡¯m having an affair?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that.¡± Ellie struggled to find the right words. ¡°I just wanted to look, that¡¯s all! Can I?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s mouth curved into a smile. He tapped her head lightly with his phone before handing it over. ¡°Sure. You should be more confident.¡±


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 Chapter 314

    ?Chapter 314:


    Ellie, surprised by his easy consent, missed the indulgent tone in his voice.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll just look at the address book. I won¡¯t snoop through your phone,¡± she exined, quickly scanning his address book.


    Her heart sank when she didn¡¯t find her name.


    Carole had mentioned not knowing it was her who had called. This meant Kaiden hadn¡¯t saved her number with a note. And now, she couldn¡¯t find her number in his address book at all.


    Ellie asked, ¡°You¡­ Don¡¯t you have my number?¡±


    From that point of view, her eyes were deep and unreadable.


    ¡°Of course I have,¡± Kaiden responded, entering the digits of her number into his phone¡¯s search bar. Soon enough, a phone number appeared.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes caught her number,beled: My wife.


    As she flipped through the address book, she was so focused on finding her name that she initially overlooked these two words. Staring at Kaiden, Ellie¡¯s heart seemed to spring back to life, pounding with renewed energy. Each beat resonated within her chest.


    After a brief pause, Ellie lowered her gaze back to his phone, scrolling through his call history.


    She found the day she received the prize in Parasti.


    But there was no record of her call to him!


    Ellie looked up at Kaiden, her expression one of shock.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Kaiden sensed something unusual about her behavior today.


    ¡°On the 13th ofst month, I called you,¡± Ellie exined, pointing to his phone. ¡°But there¡¯s no record of it. I called right before receiving my award. A woman answered your phone.¡±


    Kaiden frowned.


    Feel the thrill at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q??o??


    He hadn¡¯t known that a woman had answered Ellie¡¯s call until now.


    Thanks to his sharp memory, Kaiden remembered being in a phone-restricted meeting that day, preventing him from having his phone by his side. It had been with Zoey.


    ¡°Did Zoey answer it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t her¡­¡± Ellie hesitated, the name ¡°Carole¡± on her mind, but she stopped herself and said, ¡°The voice didn¡¯t sound like Zoey.¡± There was a hesitation within her to bring up that name, as if she was subconsciously avoiding it.


    It was an instinct, perhaps to avoid confrontation or for self-protection.


    ¡°Not his secretary?¡± Kaiden looked puzzled. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it.¡±


    Ellie nodded, certain about one thing: Kaiden was unaware that Carole had answered her call. Someone had erased the call log, leaving him clueless about her attempt to reach him.


    She wanted to confront Carole, but the woman hadn¡¯t stepped out of line. Carole hadn¡¯t said anything offensive.


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 Chapter 315

    ?Chapter 315:


    Yet, the way Carole revealed information was just enough for Ellie to misunderstand her rtionship with Kaiden.


    University seniors usually had lighter ss schedules. Ellie decided to meet Howard at the campus bubble tea store that afternoon.


    ¡°I remember you were quite fond of the signature bubble tea here during your time at university,¡± Howard said, having arrived early and already ordered Ellie¡¯s drink.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude.


    Without dy, Howard presented the lecture n to her.


    As she perused it, he pointed out the important details.


    Meanwhile, Ellie overheard a group of students nearby.


    ¡°Did you hear? At the university¡¯s anniversary two days ago, there were rumors about a student being indiscreet in her personal life.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s shocking! Who is it?¡±


    ¡°I think herst name is Gordon. She¡¯s attractive andes from a prominent family. But I never expected such behavior from her.¡±


    ¡°Ellie Gordon? I¡¯ve seen her. She exploits her beauty to flirt with multiple men!¡±


    Howard paused his exnation.


    The air grew tense. As Howard¡¯s voice faded, the nearby chatter seemed louder.


    However, Ellie just chuckled and asked, ¡°Are you still sure about organizing the lecture with me involved?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, they¡¯re just spreading rumors. I¡¯ll set them straight!¡± Howard was visibly upset.


    As he started to stand, Ellie gently grasped his wrist.


    ¡°Leave it be. If you confront them now, it¡¯ll just blow things out of proportion.¡± Ellie quickly calmed Howard down, worried that her troubles might negatively impact him.


    Howard felt Ellie¡¯s hand on his wrist. Her warm touch sent a thrill through him, making his heart flutter.


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    Noticing he had stopped, Ellie released his hand, a chuckle escaping her. ¡°Howard, my advisor told me the current student union leader at our school is known for being level-headed. What¡¯s with the impulsiveness today?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, they shouldn¡¯t be talking about you like that.¡± Howard gazed away.


    He was usuallyposed, but this situation crossed a line for him. The woman before him meant a lot to him. No one could insult her in his presence.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve heard worse,¡± Ellie smiled. After the ident, such talk didn¡¯t bother her anymore.


    Back then, she went from being a respected daughter of the Gordon family to beingbeled as having an unknown parental lineage. She had endured harsher words.


    These students were now whispering behind her back, but the wealthy socialites had once openly humiliated her.


    Howard gritted his teeth. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to discussing the lecture.¡± He was determined to get rid of all rumors before Ellie¡¯s lecture at the school.


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 Chapter 316

    ?Chapter 316:


    Why was he so determined about her giving this lecture?


    Ellie raised an eyebrow, startled.


    ¡°Sorry, I need to take this call,¡± she apologized, noticing a call from Kaiden.


    ¡°Hello¡­ Didn¡¯t I tell you I had things to handle in school? You don¡¯t need to pick me up. I¡¯ll take a taxi¡­ I¡¯ll text you my location.¡± Ellie sighed.


    Why was Kaiden insisting on picking her up today?


    After she ended the call, Howard tentatively offered, ¡°Ellie, if getting home is a hassle, I can give you a ride. I¡¯ve got my car here.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but someone will pick me up,¡± Ellie declined Howard¡¯s offer. She contemted the idea of getting a more low-key car. Kaiden had gifted her a limited-edition sports car. Her previous purchases were all high-end sports cars, each costing millions. These seemed out of ce for campus driving.


    Thirty minutester, Howard escorted Ellie outside.


    Outside the bubble tea shop, a Bentley MPV was waiting.


    Ellie bid Howard farewell, then slipped into the backseat of the car.


    As the door opened, Howard caught a glimpse of the passenger inside. The man had thin eyebrows and piercing eyes. His handsome features were set in a stern expression, and he exuded a powerful vibe. His gaze on Howard was sharp and intimidating.


    Howard sensed he was just an inexperienced eagle in this guy¡¯s presence. The powerful rival gave him nothing but a warning look and showed him disrespect, as if Howard would meet his end if he had any intentions towards his woman.


    As soon as Ellie entered the car, the man wrapped his arms around her neck and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.


    It looked like he was proiming himself as her man.


    That man was¡­ Kaiden Thorpe!


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    The Lee family, not usually involved in Critport¡¯s upper-ss activities, but they sure knew what was going on in those circles.


    In the beginning, Howard heard that Kaiden went from being the Thorpe family¡¯s abandoned son to the CEO of GT Group. Back then, he didn¡¯t pay much mind to the news because it didn¡¯t concern him. But now, his interest in Kaiden reached its peak due to Kaiden¡¯s connection with Ellie.


    After the end of their university¡¯s anniversary celebration the other day, Kaiden took Ellie away.


    Today, he took Ellie away again.


    Howard learned that the Herod family in Critport had suddenly lost several contracts, leading to the bank discontinuing their funding. As a result, the Herod family was now swaying on the brink of bankruptcy due to severe financial difficulties.


    This followed an incident involving Maggie and Ellie.


    What a strange coincidence!


    There were rumors that Ellie was Kaiden¡¯s mistress. Howard hadn¡¯t believed them.


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 Chapter 317

    ?Chapter 317:


    Now, he had no choice but to believe.


    Kaiden¡¯s unexpected kiss left Ellie confused.


    She gave him a strange nce, fastened her seatbelt in ce, and asked Kaiden, ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°I just happened to be in the area.¡± Kaiden shifted his gaze from Howard to the view outside the window.


    Today, Howard appeared quite ordinary in a white shirt and jeans, but little did anyone know, his shirt was a designer piece, and even his cufflinks were crafted from mahogany.


    He had even styled his hair neatly.


    Those unaware might easily guess he came here for a date.


    Men understood each other best. Kaiden sneered inwardly. Even though Howard hadn¡¯t fully matured, he had the nerve to crave his woman!


    Ellie was speechless at Kaiden¡¯s reply. Why did he keep iming that he just so happened to be in the same ce as her? As she was about to speak, her phone rang. It was Baylee.


    ¡°Ellie, where are you?¡± Baylee¡¯s voice wasced with panic.


    ¡°Baylee, what happened to you?¡±


    As Ellie heard Baylee¡¯s anxious voice, her own anxiety spiked, and Kaiden observed her intently.


    ¡°I was out shopping today and got attacked. Marvin tried to save me, but he rolled down a slope, and now I can¡¯t find him¡­¡± Fear quivered in Baylee¡¯s voice.


    Marvin had been recovering recently. Just yesterday, Baylee had mentioned to Ellie that he was moving on his own, and she nned to send him away. But now, an unexpected mishap had urred.


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic! Where are you right now?¡± Ellie asked urgently.


    Every story starts at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,


    Baylee described her location near a mountain in Critport.


    ¡°I¡¯m on my way. Stay there.¡± Once she ended the call, Ellie locked eyes with Kaiden.


    Marvin¡¯s whereabouts had be a mystery. Neither she nor Baylee could locate him, forcing them to seek assistance from someone else.


    Ellie¡¯s first thought was to hire a professional rescue team, but that would attract too much attention. If that had been a viable option, Baylee would have already pursued it without reaching out to her.


    ¡°Kaiden, can I trust you?¡± Ellie looked at Kaiden with her honest eyes.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kaiden chuckled. Ellie reaching out to him for assistance brought an immediate smile to his face. ¡°You can go ahead if it doesn¡¯t involve you.¡±


    Kaiden had exceptional senses, surpassing those of an average person.


    He had already overheard their phone conversation.


    Three hourster¡­


    The shlight cast its beam across the entire mountain, while a helicopter hovered above. The gusts from its des were so strong that Ellie¡¯s hair fluttered wildly.


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 Chapter 318

    ?Chapter 318:


    ¡°Sir, we have found him!¡±


    A bodyguard approached Kaiden with the news. Meanwhile, a stretcher was being carried up the slope by several people.


    Baylee rushed to the stretcher. The man on it was pale, his clothes torn and bloodied, with a mix of blood and mud at the back of his head.


    Despite his grim state, he was breathing.


    A wave of relief washed over Baylee.


    Kaiden approached, his frown deepening at the sight of the injured man.


    This was a serious situation.


    Ellie watched Kaiden anxiously, waiting for his decision.


    ¡°Take him to the Stephens family¡¯s hospital secretly.¡± Following that, Kaiden instructed Bruce to contact the Stephens family.


    The bodyguard responded, ¡°Yes!¡±


    Next, he organized for the individual in the helicopter to lower the rescue rope.


    Taking Marvin to the hospital by car would consume a considerable amount of time, and the rough road wasn¡¯t ideal for the injured man.


    The helicopter was a much faster and smoother option.


    ¡°You said I could trust you, Kaiden!¡± Ellie anxiously tugged the edge of his clothes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure he doesn¡¯t expose himself.¡± Kaiden sped Ellie¡¯s hand, sensing the sharp chill radiating from her.


    With her hands and feet prone to turning cold in winter, it was only natural for her to feel cold while searching for Marvin on a winter night.


    Ellie and Baylee exchanged nces, then nodded in agreement with Kaiden¡¯s n.


    Marvin¡¯s condition looked severe. Sending him to the hospital was the best decision, and Kaiden¡¯s presence made the process smoother.


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    Concerned for Baylee, Ellie made sure they shared the same car. The Bentley¡¯s interior was eerily silent, the heavy, suffocating atmosphere making it hard to breathe.


    ¡°What happened to you today?¡± Ellie inquired. ¡°Isn¡¯t it over an hour¡¯s drive from here to your apartment?¡±


    ¡°I was out shopping when I was forced into a car. Marvin heard about it and came to rescue me. He fell down the slope while shielding me from a knife attack.¡±


    In total, there were two kidnappers who had taken Baylee. Both of them tumbled down the slope during their fight with Marvin.


    When the bodyguards came to give their report earlier, they mentioned that there were two individuals at the mountain¡¯s base, but they had already passed away.


    After sharing this, Baylee turned to Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m grateful for your help today.¡±


    ¡°If you really want to thank me, try not to call Ellie so often.¡± Kaiden¡¯s expression grew darker, indicating he was in a bad mood.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ellie leaned over, giving Kaiden a light tap on the arm as a gentle reprimand.


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    But Baylee didn¡¯t seem offended. She just shrugged and said, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best next time. Luckily, I didn¡¯t interrupt your evening.¡± Ellie was at a loss for words.


    Baylee wasn¡¯t even married yet, but why did she seem surprisingly knowledgeable about the couple?


    ¡°Why did they kidnap you?¡± Ellie switched the topic.


    Ellie recalled that the only known enemies of the Curtis family were the Rollins. Initially, Quincy had ulterior motives when approaching Baylee, but she had been safetely. It seemed unlikely that Quincy would now target Baylee.


    ¡°Someone from Marvin¡¯s family must have done it,¡± Baylee spected. With the Hill family leader¡¯s recent demise, internal power struggles ensued, pointing to Marvin as a likely target.


    Baylee was surprised by this development, especially as she was nning to distance herself from Marvin.


    She now realized that her decision to shelter Marvin at her home for his recovery posed a threat to her personal safety.


    The Bentley pulled up at the hospital¡¯s entrance.


    Baylee entered the hospital and positioned herself in front of the operating room, awaiting thepletion of Marvin¡¯s surgery. Kaiden, seated in the Bentley¡¯s passenger seat, showed no desire to leave the car. He obviously did not want to enter the hospital.


    Softly poking Kaiden¡¯s arm, Ellie suggested quietly, ¡°Kaiden, maybe you should head home? I¡¯ll stay with Baylee.¡±


    Kaiden gazed at Ellie and calmly inquired, ¡°Ellie, are you feeling guilty about something?¡±


    Ellie hadn¡¯t considered it before, but Kaiden¡¯s question made her realize her actions, like her gentle nudge and whisper, were driven by guilt.


    Today, Kaiden¡¯s personal bodyguard team had been searching for Marvin, who was rushed to the hospital in Kaiden¡¯s private jet. Kaiden¡¯s connections had been vital in ensuring secrecy and medical care.


    Ellie realized she had involved Kaiden in the Hill family¡¯s affairs by using his resources to find Marvin. Now, by suggesting he leave alone, she felt like she was using Kaiden and then casting him aside.


    ¡°I just thought you might be tired if you stayedte at the hospital. After all, you have work tomorrow,¡± Ellie said, managing a forced smile.


    ¡°You shoulde back with me,¡± Kaiden urged.


    ¡°But Baylee might feel alone here,¡± Ellie objected, biting her lip. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to sleep at home if I leave her alone in the hospital.¡±


    Kaiden let out a mockingugh. ¡°Aren¡¯t the¡­


    Doctors, nurses, and my bodyguards are all here to help. Come on, what¡¯s the point of you staying here if you can¡¯t assist with the surgery?¡±


    ¡°Why do you want me toe back? Can¡¯t you sleep without me?¡± Ellie shot back.


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    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The car fell into a brief silence.


    His response was unexpectedly direct.


    Ellie, her eyes blinking and hands clenched, felt a surge of guilt. She avoided Kaiden¡¯s gaze. ¡°I need to stay with Baylee.¡±


    The surgery for Marvinsted six hours, endingte into the night as the operating room lights finally turned off.


    When the doors opened, Baylee quickly approached the doctor. ¡°How is the patient?¡±


    ¡°The patient is out of immediate danger. He¡¯ll wake up after the anesthesia wears off. However, his head injury is severe and requires close monitoring.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Thank you for your efforts.¡± Baylee¡¯s tension eased atst.


    She would be deeply indebted to Marvin if he didn¡¯t make it through.


    Ellie gently patted Baylee¡¯s shoulder, offeringfort.


    Soon, a nurse arrived with some food, mentioning it was arranged by the director.


    The director was Araceli, and Kaiden had yed a role in getting her help.


    ¡°Go smooth things over with your man,¡± Baylee suggested to Ellie. ¡°I think he¡¯s about to add me to his hit list.¡±


    Ellie chose to stay at the hospital. Kaiden, with a stern expression, didn¡¯t depart either. Instead, he secured an office through the Stephens family.


    ¡°How should I even begin to smooth things over?¡± Ellie pondered, confused. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why he¡¯s insisting on staying.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s surely waiting for you,¡± Baylee pointed out, confused by Ellie¡¯s question.


    ¡°Waiting for me?¡± This idea made Ellie¡¯s heart shake.


    Baylee encouraged her, ¡°Go and smooth things over. Your man has been a big help today. I owe him my support for now.¡±


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    The conversation circled back. Ellie asked, ¡°But how do I do that?¡±


    ¡°Give yourself to him? Ah, but that¡¯s not an option right now,¡± Baylee mused, then suggested, ¡°Maybe just go and kiss him.¡±


    Ellie responded, ¡°Don¡¯t put such ideas in my head.¡±


    Baylee found the idea quite reasonable.


    She felt that she should give Kaiden a token of gratitude herself.


    However, Kaiden was a man who had everything. It was tough for Baylee to think of something he might appreciate.


    This situation was all thanks to Marvin. Baylee felt indebted to Kaiden.


    Ellie gently tapped on the office door, hesitated for a brief moment, and then let herself in.


    The office wasn¡¯t veryrge. Kaiden sat there, scrolling through documents on his iPad, his expression stormy. It looked like a department head was about to face his wrath.


    Whenever the boss reviewed documents in a foul mood, it usually meant trouble for his team.


    .


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    Message from Noah: Have a wonderful weekend, lovely people. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


    P.S.: The new improvements are now live ? you can tweak your reading settings from the little gear icon to make things morefortable. All updates and announcements are shared first in the galn?velsmunity on WhatsApp/Telegram. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?


    .

 Chapter 321

    ?Chapter 321:


    ¡°Kaiden, are you up for some food? Araceli arranged for some cereal.¡±


    Ellie ced the breakfast on the table.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t even spare her a nce.


    After setting down each te, Ellie mumbled to herself, ¡°Marvin¡¯s out of surgery. If there¡¯s nothing urgent here, maybe we can head out soon.¡±


    Kaiden remained silent, like a parent waiting for a child to confess her wrongdoings, using silence as a tactic to prompt self-reflection. In the past, Ellie would have just walked away if Kaiden ignored her. But now, Baylee¡¯s words echoed in her mind¡ª¡±He¡¯s waiting for you¡±¡ªstirring a sense of unease within her.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want this food, how about we go out for breakfast?¡± Ellie nced at her watch. It was about five in the morning. ¡°Breakfast ces should open in about an hour.¡±


    Kaiden, growing impatient with her rambling, clicked his tongue.


    Ellie let out a sigh. Kaiden was difficult to persuade.


    She asked, ¡°Kaiden, are you upset?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kaiden responded sarcastically.


    His reaction clearly showed he was indeed upset.


    Biting her lip, Ellie decided to act. She leaned in and unexpectedly kissed Kaiden.


    ¡°Can you stop being upset, please?¡± Ellie pleaded. ¡°I realize I owe you thanks for today. I¡­ Ah!¡±


    Suddenly, she found herself lifted by Kaiden, momentarily suspended in the air.


    Before she knew it, she was sitting on top of Kaiden.


    This position made her blush instantly.


    ¡°Is a kiss all you¡¯re offering as thanks? Ellie, that¡¯s not enough,¡± Kaiden said, his eyes captivating her at close range.


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    ¡°Kaiden, let me go. We¡¯re in a hospital.¡±


    She pushed against his chest, her body rigid with tension. She kept ncing back at the office door, only to be drawn back as he held her chin.


    Kaiden¡¯s hands encircled Ellie¡¯s waist, easily wrapping around it.


    He smirked. ¡°No one wille in.¡±


    ¡°What if?¡±


    Ellie was worried, trying to get up but finding herself immobilized by his hold. As she attempted to argue further, her words were cut off by his kiss. ¡°Mmmmm!¡±


    Their kiss was intense.


    Her heart did a tap dance, leaving Ellie somewhat befuddled, realizing that she was as jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, vignt for any intruders.


    ¡°This is how you express your gratitude, got it?¡± Kaiden instructed, a sly grin ying on his face.


    Staring at this shameless man, Ellie retorted, ¡°If someone walks in on this spectacle, Kaiden, you¡¯ll be the punchline in everyone¡¯s joke book!¡±


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    Kaiden met her gaze with an air of indifference.


    He couldn¡¯t care less about the opinions of those snobbish folks; theirughter was like water off a duck¡¯s back.


    Ellie opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.


    Feeling the need to rify, she ventured, ¡°Kaiden, except for Grandma, Baylee has been my steadfastpanion since childhood.¡±


    Grandma?


    Kaiden recalled Cecelia¡¯s unpleasant phone call. He wanted toe up with a n to get Cecelia out of Ellie¡¯s mind.


    In that moment, he perceived Baylee as a more adorable presence in Ellie¡¯s life.


    ¡°Baylee means the world to me, and I¡¯m genuinely concerned for her well-being,¡± Ellie exined.


    Hearing that, Kaiden shot her an unfriendly look.


    Who ranked higher in her heart¡ªBaylee or him?


    Kaiden found himself on the brink of posing that question.


    It felt absurd, and he bit his tongue in self-reproach.


    Ellie saw that he had improved much and assumed she could easily persuade him. He was disarmed by a kiss.


    Lost in thought, Ellie felt a sweet warmth, softening her stance.


    Marvin upied a VIP ward on the top floor of the hospital. Kaiden¡¯s private guards stood guard outside, ensuring both privacy and safety.


    At Baylee¡¯s persuasion, Ellie reluctantly left for some rest. Marvin was out of danger now, and Kaiden¡¯s icy res at Baylee were the only entertainment on offer.


    Ellie hadn¡¯t slept the previous night. After a shower at home, she longed for some much-needed rest.


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    To her surprise, as she settled into bed, a certain someone appeared, deftly undressing her with his fiery hands.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you heading to work?¡± Ellie eximed, but her protest was toote.


    Kaiden kissed her forehead, ears, and neck, lost in thought.


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether she valued him more than Baylee. Despite theck of an answer, he persisted with that tedious question. In an attempt to alleviate his frustration and assert his significance to Ellie, he sought intimacy with her.


    Overwhelmed by his passionate kiss, Ellie gasped for breath.


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­¡± Kaiden paused, desire ame in his eyes. ¡°Do it with you first.¡±


    The sun had ascended by the time they concluded their passionate morning interlude. Finally ensconced in the quilt, Ellie sumbed to sleep.


    Having abstained from sleep the prior night and indulging in morning delights, Ellie¡¯s eyes closed with a lingering haze.


    Kaiden, in all his human vigor, left her marveling at his boundless energy.


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 Chapter 323

    ?Chapter 323:


    After a shower, Kaiden, now in a bathrobe, stepped onto the balcony for a smoke. On his return, he noticed Ellie¡¯s phone screen lighting up with a call.


    It was Howard¡¯s call. Interrupting her slumber, Ellie frowned in protest against the persistent intrusion.


    Seeing this, Kaiden nced at the buzzing phone and decided to answer it.


    The ceaseless vibrations ceased as he picked up. Howard¡¯s voice, clear and resolute, emanated from the phone.


    ¡°Hello, Ellie. It¡¯s Howard. We need some snapshots for the lecture poster. Can you send me a few?¡± the person on the other end suggested.


    Kaiden responded nonchntly, ¡°She is sleeping.¡±


    A pause followed on Howard¡¯s end.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Howard¡¯s tone turned wary, as if entering a high-stakes negotiation.


    Kaiden mused that this was how a scion of the Lee family should sound.


    ¡°Kaiden,¡± he replied.


    Howard had harbored a suspicion that it was Kaiden. Still, he couldn¡¯t hide his frustration when Kaiden validated his intuition, causing him to clench his fists.


    It seemed fate had, once again, validated those rumors.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, could you pass the phone to Ellie? I have something to discuss with her.¡±


    ¡°Not convenient,¡± Kaiden replied, observing Ellie still asleep.


    ¡°It¡¯s afternoon already. Is she still sleeping?¡±


    Howard doubted Kaiden¡¯s words, sensing a fib.


    Kaiden activated the speakerphone, softly calling Ellie¡¯s name. The gentle vibration of Ellie¡¯s phone jolted her almost into consciousness. A persistent caller spurred her immediate reaction.


    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m so worn out¡­ I¡¯m done with this¡­¡± Ellie muttered, knitting her brows, cocooned in her quilt, determined to shut out all external disturbances.


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    Howard found himself at a loss for words, engulfed in the ensuing silence.


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but find the situation amusing.


    He quipped, ¡°Did you catch that?¡±


    ¡°You, you¡­¡± Howard struggled for words.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal for adults to have a love life?¡± Kaiden countered with a wry grin. ¡°Is there anything else you would like to inquire about?¡± If not, he was ready to cut the conversation short.


    ¡°Uh¡­ no¡­ nothing¡­ Hold on! You, you¡­ Forget it,¡± Howard stammered in panic.


    Ignoring his hesitation, Kaiden nonchntly hung up.


    Buried in the quilts, breathing became a challenge.


    Kaiden tucked Ellie in, intending to catch a few more winks, but a pile of pending work in thepany beckoned. Relocating hisptop to the bedroom, he propped himself against the headboard, ready to tackle the tasks at hand.


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 Chapter 324

    ?Chapter 324:


    When Ellie stirred from her slumber, she found herself in a daze, her thoughts in disarray.


    The room, shrouded in darkness with only a faint bedsidemp casting a warm glow on the man and hisptop, seemed to deepen her confusion.


    ¡°Are you not going to the office?¡± Ellie, fumbling in the dark for her phone, asked him, ¡°Where¡¯s my phone?¡±


    Kaiden handed her phone from the bedside table, remarking, ¡°It¡¯s already afternoon.¡±


    Shaking her head, Ellie, still groggy, mumbled, ¡°Something¡¯s not right.¡±


    Suddenly, a realization struck her. Eyeing Kaiden¡¯sptop warily, she dared not make a sound.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in a video conference.¡± Kaiden chuckled, amused at her apprehension.


    Ellie peeked over, confirming he was reading an email.


    A wave of relief washed over her. ¡°I thought I was in for another embarrassing moment!¡± She couldn¡¯t take another one.


    ¡°Howard called you.¡± After setting hisptop aside, Kaiden climbed off the bed.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Ellie, nowposed, replied, ¡°I¡¯ll call him back.¡±


    Kaiden regarded Ellie with an inscrutable expression. Ellie, in her just-awakened state, was oblivious to the man¡¯s unusual demeanor.


    ¡°Howard, you called me?¡± Ellie called Howard back, unaware of the phone conversation between Kaiden and Howard.


    Howard expressed his need for her photographs.


    ¡°Can¡¯t the poster be designed using only words? I don¡¯t want you to use my photos,¡± Ellie said.


    Her striking beauty wasn¡¯t always a positive thing, particrly when it had to do with her professional performance. It would easily get people to focus on her face rather than her actual work.


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    ¡°Okay,¡± Howard replied. He just used acquiring her photos as an excuse to have a word with Ellie, but he had no idea that the previous call would be answered by Kaiden.


    ¡°Ellie, I called you three hours ago. It was¡­ Kaiden who answered.¡± Howard cautiously broached the subject. ¡°Ellie, you and Mr. Thorpe¡­ Are you living together?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we live together now.¡±


    Standing by the door, a smile escaped Kaiden as he overheard Ellie¡¯s conversation with Howard.


    Having napped during the afternoon, Ellie found herself unable to sleep in the evening. Instead, she delved into researching information about the Hill family and Marvin.


    ¡°Kaiden, do you have any information on Marvin?¡± Ellie¡¯s search yielded no fruitful results.


    Returning from the study, Kaiden replied, ¡°No.¡±


    But in his eyes, Marvin was not a pleasant person.


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 Chapter 325

    ?Chapter 325:


    ¡°Oh.¡± After pondering for a while, Ellie changed her approach, asking, ¡°Then, do you know the current situation with the Hill family? I¡¯m concerned about Baylee¡¯s safety.¡±


    Seeing Ellie¡¯s persistence, Kaiden reluctantly said, ¡°Marvin¡¯s associates will locate him soon.¡±


    Assured by this, Ellie felt she no longer needed to worry about Baylee.


    Baylee had been abducted, and it was improbable for Marvin to find her independently so quickly.


    Given Marvin¡¯s severe injuries, his subordinates would soone to his aid.


    Surprised, Ellie asked, ¡°His subordinates?¡±


    ncing at Ellie, Kaiden cautioned, ¡°Don¡¯t involve yourself in his matters with Baylee.¡±


    Being honest, Ellie replied, ¡°But if Baylee seeks my help, I can¡¯t just ignore her situation.¡±


    Kaiden sighed and walked to the bedside, yfully pinching Ellie¡¯s cheek. ¡°Ellie, are you intentionally trying to annoy me? The Hill family is no lessplicated than the Thorpe family.¡±


    It became evident that Kaiden wanted Ellie to stay away from the Hill family¡¯s affairs.


    Seeing Ellie¡¯s curiosity, Kaiden exined, ¡°Melissa Hill is Shelton Hill¡¯s second wife and isn¡¯t Marvin¡¯s biological grandmother.¡±


    Ellie nodded. ¡°I know about it.¡±


    ¡°Marvin is the son of Shelton and his first wife. His mother has passed away. Melissa, on the other hand, has a daughter who married into the Rollins family. The Hill family is in the midst of internal conflict, involving not only Marvin and several coteral branches but also the Rollins family.¡±


    ¡°The Rollins family¡­¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Quincy Rollins?¡± Why was Quincy, that scoundrel, also involved in the Hill family¡¯s affairs?


    Thinking about Baylee¡¯s past connection to Quincy, Ellie felt a headacheing on.


    Although reluctant to bring up Quincy, Ellie assessed the situation pragmatically. ¡°Well, Melissa is Shelton¡¯s legal wife. Although she is the second wife, she and Shelton¡¯s daughter have the right to inherit the property, which means Quincy is entitled to a share.¡±


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    With a sneer, Kaiden said, ¡°But Quincy¡¯s mother is not a child of the Hill family.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback by this shocking revtion.


    Early the next morning, Ellie, preparing to take food to the hospital, saw Kaiden receive a call.


    She was unaware of what the other person on the phone shared with Kaiden, but he cast a nce in her direction.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ellie had a gut feeling that whatever was discussed on the phone was rted to her.


    ¡°Marvin¡¯s subordinates have arrived at the hospital,¡± Kaiden informed her. He then directed Bruce to change the route, sending them to the hospital first. Simultaneously, the morning meeting at thepany was canceled.


    Biting her lower lip, Ellie felt a twinge of guilt.


    She initially sought Kaiden¡¯s help, but now he was entangled in this mess, dying his work.


    Marvin was the sole upant of the VIP floor in the hospital¡¯s inpatient unit.


    In the corridor, Kaiden¡¯s bodyguards were on high alert. Some guarded the door, while others were stationed at various entrances. Marvin¡¯s subordinates, dressed casually, were surrounded by Kaiden¡¯s guards. The tension between the two groups made the medical staff hold their breath, except for Theo.


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    In this charged atmosphere, Theo, holding a thick book on neurosurgery, lookedid-back as if he were in a quiet study.


    ¡°Kaiden, you are finally here. These two groups will turn my hospital into a battleground if you don¡¯t intervene.¡± Theo closed the book and said, ¡°Your men are preventing the neers from entering. They only follow your orders. These neers insisted that they be allowed in because the patient inside is their leader.¡±


    Theo wouldn¡¯t be present if the situation hadn¡¯t escted to the point where someone needed to take charge.


    ¡°Dr. Stephens, I apologize for the trouble,¡± Ellie said apologetically. ¡°You canmunicate with Baylee directly.¡±


    ¡°Miss Curtis?¡± Theo pointed toward the ward, seemingly recalling something amusing. ¡°She¡¯s in the ward, but the man in the bed seems to be out of his mind, and he won¡¯t let her go.¡±


    ¡°Then you know¡­¡± Ellie began but hesitated mid-sentence.


    ¡°I know who¡¯s inside. Ellie, don¡¯t worry, the Stephens family won¡¯t get involved. There are only patients, their family members, and unrted individuals here.¡± Theo made his stance clear.


    Before Ellie could express her gratitude, she asked, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®out of his mind?''¡±


    ¡°I mean it quite literally,¡± Theo replied, shrugging.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t believe Theo¡¯s words. He wheeled himself and took Ellie¡¯s hand toward the ward. ¡°We¡¯ll find out when we see for ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe.¡± Kaiden¡¯s bodyguards acknowledged his presence with nods.


    Kaiden gestured for them to make way.


    ¡°Wait.¡± It was one of Marvin¡¯s subordinates who spoke up. ¡°When did Mr. Thorpe be acquainted with our boss?¡±


    The subordinate, with a crew cut, eyed Kaiden warily, fearing he might harm Marvin.


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    Kaiden calmly replied, ¡°When your boss was on the verge of death at the bottom of the slope.¡±


    Ellie was speechless.


    She wondered if Kaiden came here with the intention of starting a fight.


    Before the verbal confrontation escted, Ellie hastily exined, ¡°Do you know the rtionship between me and Baylee? Baylee is thedy inside.¡±


    The crew-cut man hesitated for a moment and then said respectfully, ¡°Miss Gordon, pleasee in.¡±


    Ellie was surprised. She was just a friend of Baylee¡¯s, yet she was treated with such respect. It was evident that Marvin¡¯s subordinates held Baylee in high regard.


    Inside the ward, Marviny with bandages on his head, his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. However, even in slumber, he clutched Baylee¡¯s hand tightly, as if afraid she might slip away.


    ¡°Uh¡­ What happened?¡± Ellie asked quietly. ¡°You two¡­¡±


    Sporting a helpless expression, Baylee even sumbed to a bit of emotional breakdown. ¡°Marvin¡¯s memories are in disarray, and I got stuck with him.¡±


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    Ironically, Marvin remembered all his subordinates clearly, but he treated Baylee as his possession.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Ellie whispered, careful not to disturb the sleeping Marvin.


    ¡°The doctor said he suffered a head injury with internal swelling. It might resolve after the swelling goes down,¡± Baylee sighed.


    Yet, the doctor couldn¡¯t predict when that would be.


    Ellie, at a loss, inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the n now? His subordinates are outside. Are you going to hand him over?¡±


    Baylee was pondering the same thing. However, Marvin was reluctant to leave. His loyalty to her was evident, and his men were clearly wary of her departure.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please withdraw your guards. Marvin¡¯s team will ensure his safety,¡± Baylee stated firmly. ¡°Thank you for your help these past days. I regret involving you.¡±


    Kaiden gave a cursory nod.


    He was involved solely for Ellie¡¯s sake.


    ¡°And what about you?¡± Ellie asked, concerned.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see how it goes,¡± Baylee sighed. ¡°Repaying a debt, especially one tied to safety, isplicated.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t fathom why Marvin, who had saved her life, wouldn¡¯t let her leave, despite not knowing him well enough.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze lingered on Marvin. Even in sleep, Marvin seemed alert, like a hunter poised to strike.


    The son of the Hill family, always sharp, now incapacitated?


    It seemed almost absurd.


    After leaving the ward, Marvin¡¯s crew-cut subordinate expressed gratitude to Kaiden and presentedvish gifts.


    It contained wild ginseng, dried tangerine peel, a box of gold bars, and a valuable oil painting. The gesture was incredibly generous.


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    Kaiden epted the gifts without objection. He instructed Bruce to store them appropriately. The ginseng and tangerine peel were to be used for Ellie¡¯s benefit, the gold bars converted into spending money for her, and the oil painting was to be ced in her cloakroom.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m Marcelo Vance, Mr. Hill¡¯s assistant. May I speak with you?¡± the crew-cut man requested politely.


    Kaiden gave a nod, and Bruce wheeled him to a secluded spot at the corridor¡¯s end.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, thank you for your assistance. I apologize for any earlier offense; I was unaware of your position on this matter. I hope you can maintain confidentiality regarding Mr. Hill¡¯s location,¡± Marcelo remarked.


    ¡°You think those gifts are enough for that?¡± Kaiden was indifferent to Marvin¡¯s situation, but he didn¡¯t appreciate being spoken to in such a manner.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± Marcelo quickly rified. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, money isn¡¯t your concern, but I sense Miss Gordon is important to you. Miss Curtis, who Mr. Hill values, is close with Miss Gordon. This connection could foster a friendship between you and Mr. Hill.¡±


    ¡°Why would I be friends with someone with a brain issue?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was dismissive.


    Marcelo, unfazed, nodded in agreement.


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    Kaiden, lighting a cigarette, spected, ¡°Or, perhaps Marvin¡¯s mind is perfectly fine.¡±


    Marcelo¡¯s demeanor shifted subtly.


    He regainedposure quickly, but Kaiden noticed.


    ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± Marcelo stated firmly.


    Kaiden was direct. ¡°The two men who attacked Marvin were no match for him. How then did he fall?¡±


    Marcelo felt the pressure, aware of Kaiden¡¯s keen observation skills. Kaiden didn¡¯t let up. ¡°My men were involved in finding and hospitalizing Marvin. How did you locate him?¡±


    The only usible exnation was Marvin orchestrating the situation himself.


    Marvin must have already reached out to his men.


    Marcelo was aware that Kaiden was exerting pressure, yet his motives remained unclear.


    ¡°I¡¯m not concerned with your boss¡¯s intentions or the Hill family¡¯s affairs,¡± Kaiden stated, ready to conclude the discussion. ¡°But make sure there are no ns against my woman.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Marcelo assured him. ¡°Mr. Hill will not forget the kindness you and Miss Gordon have shown him.¡±


    Ellie once again expressed her gratitude to Theo for their assistance and the Stephens family¡¯s discretion in keeping matters confidential. While the Stephens family appeared neutral, their actions in rescuing Marvin and concealing his location suggested they had chosen a side, likely influencing the Hill family¡¯s perception.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, Ellie,¡± Theo replied, not dwelling on the matter. ¡°Actually, Edwin recently took a medicine box with several specific drugs.¡±


    Ellie, understanding his implication, nodded awkwardly. ¡°Yes, for Marvin. But Edwin didn¡¯t know him.¡±


    Theo sighed. ¡°The fact that Marvin survived Edwin¡¯s treatment is a stroke of luck.¡±


    For a moment, Ellie was unsure if Theo was being sarcastic about Marvin or Edwin.


    Meanwhile, Marvin, still clutching Baylee¡¯s hand, was protective, like a dragon guarding its treasure.


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    With the Stephens family tending to Marvin¡¯s wound and his men ensuring his safety, Ellie and Kaiden were free to leave.


    As Ellie prepared to head to the GT Group building for work, she apanied Kaiden.


    ¡°Just drop me at the next corner,¡± she directed, pointing to a spot near the GT Group¡¯s building.


    Kaiden was puzzled by Ellie¡¯s actions.


    Ellie exined, ¡°I¡¯d rather not be seen by yourpany¡¯s staff.¡± Though it wasn¡¯t peak hours, the GT Group¡¯s premises still had a steady flow of people.


    Ellie was well aware of her reputation at the GT Group. Having coborated with them and been a topic of conversation multiple times, she was a known figure there.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression remained frosty, as if he hadn¡¯t heard her.


    Was it improper?


    Why was that?


    Weren¡¯t they a couple?


    Or was their rtionship inappropriate for others to know?


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    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Ellie grew anxious.


    Encounters with senior executives had been manageable since they were discreet. However, being spotted by regr employees could spark widespread gossip.


    She dreaded bing the subject of workce rumors.


    Kaiden¡¯s stubbornness only heightened her anxiety.


    In a spontaneous gesture, Ellie closed her eyes and nted a kiss on Kaiden.


    This tender, fleeting kiss had worked as a gesture of gratitude before, so perhaps it would again.


    Bruce, witnessing the scene, quickly averted his gaze, feigning ignorance.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes widened, his pupils flickering, yet his face remained stoic.


    ¡°What was that for, Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ A bribe,¡± she said, cheeks flushing.


    Why had she thought a kiss would work?


    ¡°Forget it. I was just¡­¡± she stammered.


    ¡°Stop the car,¡± Kaiden instructed.


    Ellie looked at him, surprised.


    Kaiden, suppressing a smile, seemed pleased. ¡°Alright, your bribe worked.¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, is something the matter?¡± inquired a GT Group employee, looking puzzled.


    ¡°Sorry, I was just distracted,¡± Ellie responded, her mind still processing Kaiden¡¯sment about the sessful bribe.


    Could it be¡­ that he genuinely enjoyed her spontaneous kiss?


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Let me exin again. For the uing spring fashion week at the end of next month, we¡¯ve arranged for you to coborate with Light. However, if you prefer working with Freddy, we¡¯ll have to withdraw from the partnership with Light.¡±


    Light was renowned in the international fashion scene. Historically, they had engaged only the finest stylists as directors for their shows.


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    ¡°I¡¯ll stick with Light,¡± Ellie announced. She felt her own style and vision didn¡¯t align with Freddy¡¯s, but she was still puzzled. She asked, ¡°Why did Light choose me? There are many more established options for them.¡±


    ¡°Many of Light¡¯s senior leaders were involved in the YEAR program. You¡¯re the youngest gold medalist from YEAR. You have the talent; you just need an opportunity. They greatly admire your work and believe you can bring a fresh perspective to their show.¡±


    Indeed, while other top stylists offered reliability, the fashion world often craved innovation and breakthroughs.


    Right after Ellie wrapped up her work, she checked her phone and found a message from Howard. It was a poster of her uing lecture, crafted by the student union¡¯s publicity team. Howard had sent it for her approval.


    Simultaneously, a picture of that same posternded on Kaiden¡¯s desk. Aware of Ellie¡¯s uing lecture, Kaiden asked, ¡°Have those campus rumors been sorted out?¡±


    With a subtle expression, Bruce said, ¡°The PR department has a n in ce, but it seems someone at the school is already handling it pretty well. We mightplicate things if we step in now.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s behind it?¡± Kaiden asked, having a suspicion about who it might be.


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    Bruce pulled out an iPad, found the relevant details, and showed them to Kaiden. ¡°It¡¯s Howard Lee.¡±


    Howard had earned a reputation as the most effective student council president Critport University had seen in a decade. His influence was significant. Not only was he involved in organizing Ellie¡¯s lecture, but he was also actively debunking the rumors spread by Herman and Maggie. He highlighted Ellie¡¯s professional aplishments and scrutinized the motives behind their usations. Howard¡¯s efforts had effectively swayed public opinion.


    Moreover, the art school¡¯s professors and leaders vouched for Ellie¡¯s character, swaying most students at Critport University to her side, discrediting Herman¡¯s ims.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad Howard isn¡¯t into pyramid schemes,¡± Kaiden said in a half-joking tone.


    Bruce was at a loss for words. He doubted Kaiden would encourage Howard to engage in illegal activities due to Howard¡¯s apparent fondness for Ellie.


    Despite Howard¡¯s assistance, Kaiden wasn¡¯t entirely pleased. Why did another man have to defend his woman?


    On the day Ellie was scheduled to give her lecture, Kaiden returned from his morning jog to an unexpected sight: His wife, who typically wouldn¡¯t stir before eight o¡¯clock, was already rummaging through the closet, selecting her attire.


    ¡°You¡¯re up this early?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve got a lecture at school today.¡± Ellie stood before the full-length mirror,paring two outfits before settling on a beige one. The beige was more vibrant than ck but still understated enough for a formal setting without being too old-fashioned.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t your lecture in the afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is.¡± Ellie quickly applied her makeup. ¡°But I want to go to the school early to familiarize myself with the studio. Howard mentioned some delicious new dishes at the school¡¯s canteen. I thought I¡¯d try them out.¡±


    Critport University¡¯s canteen was well-known for its tasty and budget-friendly food. For Ellie, the canteen was a nostalgic reminder of her time at the university.


    Kaiden¡¯s brow furrowed at the thought.


    Was Ellie nning to have lunch with Howard?


    And did she dress up just for a meal with that brat?


    Kaiden clicked his tongue against his teeth. ¡°Is the food at the university¡¯s canteen better than at home?¡±


    Kaiden looked visibly upset. Ellie figured if she agreed, he might fire their cook on the spot. ¡°I just want to try something different. Plus, I¡¯ll be alone at home for lunch,¡± she exined.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be home too!¡± Kaiden informed her.


    So, she wouldn¡¯t be dining alone after all.


    Ellie looked puzzled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to work?¡±


    Kaiden, who had a high-level meeting in just an hour, nodded and replied, ¡°No.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s expression turned to one of surprise and confusion.


    What kind ofpany president had as much free time as Kaiden?


    If Ellie hadn¡¯t seen the positive performance of GT Group¡¯s stocks recently, she might have wondered if Kaiden¡¯spany was on the brink of bankruptcy.


    ¡°But I¡¯m meeting with my advisor at ten this morning.¡± Ellie sighed.


    This meant she would have to eat at the school.


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    Kaiden smirked to himself, thinking she was bing more daring. As soon as Ellie left, Kaiden informed Bruce he wouldn¡¯t be going to the office that day.


    The senior executives in the meeting room exchanged confused looks when they heard the news.


    ¡°Is Mr. Thorpe looking to invest in a new venture, or is he nning to step back? He¡¯s taken more days off in the past two months thanst year, right?¡±


    Hearing an executive¡¯s inquiry, Bruce figured Kaiden¡¯s behavior was changing because he didn¡¯t have a wifest year.


    Bruce never thought he¡¯d see the day Kaiden would miss work to be with a woman, leaving the senior executives hanging.


    With the meeting called off, the executives were lost in thought. One of them couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Bruce, is Mr. Thorpe smitten? That woman we met recently is his¡­¡±


    Bruce just shrugged, staying silent.


    As the trusted confidant of the boss, keeping secrets was part of Bruce¡¯s job.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re not denying it? That means you agree! Haha!¡± The executive smirked.


    In the eyes of the executives, Kaiden must be in love. They had crossed paths with Kaiden and that woman numerous times, both openly and discreetly.


    The student union president was always well-informed. Aware that Ellie nned to visit her advisor at the art school on the day of her lecture, Howard arrived early to wait for her.


    Surprisingly, just as Howard was about to meet Ellie, he received a call from the student union¡¯s guidance counselor. A school sponsor was visiting, and the sponsor wanted the student union president to apany them.


    Howard wanted to stay and wait for Ellie, but the teacher¡¯s request was part of his duties as the union president. So he couldn¡¯t refuse.


    ¡°It¡¯s a golden opportunity to make an impression. The sponsor happens to be the CEO of a major corporation,¡± the instructor was happy for Howard.


    However, upon seeing the man in the wheelchair, Howard realized this wasn¡¯t the opportunity his instructor thought.


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    It was a setup.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m not well-versed in guiding visitors. Perhaps the director of the student union¡¯s foreign affairs department could apany you instead?¡± Howard suggested, eager to leave yet forcing a smile at Kaiden.


    Kaiden¡¯s response was stern and final. ¡°I want you to apany me.¡±


    Howard was at a loss for words.


    He thought Kaiden was ying dirty.


    Kaiden probably knew he was waiting for Ellie and was deliberately holding him back.


    Ellie¡¯s advisor wanted to meet with her due to the recentmotion. He aimed to offer some reassurance. Upon observing her in good spirits, he felt relieved.


    Ellie didn¡¯t emerge from the art school until it was almost lunchtime.


    Upon reaching the teaching building, she noticed a group nearby.


    At the center was Kaiden, seated in a wheelchair, surrounded by several faculty members. Howard stood there too, introducing the school specifics to Kaiden with a very stern expression.


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    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie wanted to question Kaiden¡¯s presence. Wasn¡¯t he the one who imed he was going to stay at home?


    Just as Ellie was on the verge of inquiring, she altered her words and greeted with a simple, ¡°Hello.¡±


    Kaiden, seeing Ellie¡¯s surprised face, seemed quite pleased with his little surprise.


    Just as Ellie was about to leave, Kaiden deliberately held her back.


    ¡°I seem to recognize thisdy,¡± Kaiden said on purpose.


    One of the teachers from the dean¡¯s office quickly said, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it seems like you¡¯ve forgotten. This is Ellie. She was the alumni speaker at the school¡¯s anniversary.¡±


    Most people had forgotten that Kaiden had defended Ellie against Herman¡¯s usations. Those who remembered assumed Kaiden had acted out of a sense of justice.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Kaiden, appearing rxed, suggested, ¡°Well then, let this fellow alumna apany me to lunch. I¡¯ve heard great things about the canteen food here.¡±


    Ellie found Kaiden¡¯s behavior utterly unbelievable. Not only had he lied about being at home, but he also deliberately mentioned the canteen, suggesting an ulterior motive.


    Kaiden was supposed to leave at noon, and when the teacher from the dean¡¯s office overheard what Kaiden said, he saw it as an opportunity to showcase the school. If Kaiden was impressed by the quality of the canteen food, he might contribute money towards its renovation.


    The teacher, familiar with Ellie from her school days, inquired, ¡°Ellie, do you have any free time?¡±


    His expression practically begged her to say yes, making it difficult for Ellie to decline.


    Howard, however, stepped in, asserting, ¡°Sir, Ellie has graduated and no longer has a campus card. We need a campus card to ess the school canteen.¡± Howard¡¯s intention was clear¡ªhe wanted the teacher to stop pressuring Ellie.


    The teacher responded, ¡°That¡¯s not a big deal. Howard, take Ellie and Mr. Thorpe to the canteen and use your campus card. I¡¯ll reimburse your expenses.¡±


    The sponsor¡¯s rare desire to eat in the canteen showcased his frugality. Kaiden shot Howard an unfriendly nce.


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    Although Howard didn¡¯t get the chance for a private meal with Ellie, he sessfully thwarted Kaiden¡¯s ns. After hours of gloom, Howard was in a good mood.


    Critport University¡¯s canteen boasted the best-tasting food, with a self-service pickup method and card swiping. It attracted numerous students for dining.


    Ellie found a quiet corner and asked Kaiden to wait for her.


    ¡°Where are you headed?¡± Kaiden grasped her wrist.


    ¡°To get the dishes.¡± Ellie implored, ¡°Release me. The students will conclude their sses soon, and I¡¯ll have to queue up to get the dishes.¡±


    Kaiden, unfamiliar with the canteen, didn¡¯t realize that dining there was a time-sensitive endeavor.


    ¡°He will get them.¡± He subtly nodded in Howard¡¯s direction, who stood a few meters away, patiently waiting for Ellie.


    Amused at the thought of Kaiden expecting Howard to serve food for three by himself, Ellie refrained frommenting.


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    She knew Kaiden well enough to understand his audacity.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like Howard?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t discern if it was her imagination. After all, there hadn¡¯t been much interaction between Kaiden and Howard.


    Wearing a disdainful expression, Kaiden retorted, ¡°Does he even warrant a discussion about whether I like him? Huh?¡±


    Without dwelling on the subject, Ellie remarked, ¡°Hey, release me quickly. I need to get the dishes. What if I¡¯m not fond of the dishes Howard picked?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Kaiden released his hold.


    Indeed, how could Howard possibly know Ellie¡¯s food preferences?


    Ellie was very picky. For instance, she loved ck pepper but disliked white pepper. Onions were another ingredient she had a distaste for.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve heard about you and Kaiden.¡± Howard mentioned this while getting the meal.


    Ellie noted, unsurprised. Rumors about her supposed affair with Kaiden were circting, and it seemed natural that Howard had heard about it.


    Observing Ellie¡¯s neutral stance towards Kaiden, Howard ventured, ¡°Wait, do you have feelings for him?¡±


    Perplexed by the sudden question, Ellie looked at Howard and inquired, ¡°Why this sudden curiosity?¡±


    ¡°Just curious, you know, idle gossip,¡± Howard responded with a well-disguised nonchnce. ¡°I just believe someone as remarkable as you deserves a fulfilling rtionship.¡±


    The love of the students was always pure and passionate.


    However, Ellie remained emotionally detached. Her terrible rtionship with Erick came first, followed by a forced marriage to Kaiden.


    Throughout her life, she never experienced a romantic rtionship.


    With a smile, Ellie turned the question on Howard, saying, ¡°What about you? You¡¯re exceptional too. Even my strict supervisor acknowledges your promising future. Are you seeing someone?¡±


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    ¡°No, not at all,¡± Howard replied, avoiding eye contact ufortably, fearing that Ellie might uncover something.


    As Ellie picked the food, she remained oblivious to Howard¡¯s unease. ¡°I suppose you must have a fair share of younger female ssmates vying for your attention.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Howard admitted, stealing a nce at Ellie. ¡°But I have a crush.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. ¡°Have you confessed your feelings? Are you pursuing her?¡±


    Shaking his head, Howard confessed, ¡°No, she¡¯s too exceptional. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to win her over.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback by Howard¡¯s admission of self-doubt.


    Observing Ellie¡¯s apparentck of concern, Howard refrained from further inquiries. A sense of sadness and loss lingered within him. His crush was characterized by both the fear of her discovering his feelings and the fear of her never finding out.


    ¡°Ellie, allow me to assist you with the dishes,¡± Howard suggested.


    ¡°No need. Focus on your food.¡±


    Ellie evaded Howard¡¯s attempt to assist. She then realized that the dishes Howard had chosen were all her favorites. ¡°Our tastes seem to align,¡± Ellie remarked with a smile.


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    Howard couldn¡¯t help but smile too. ¡°Really?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s confirmation validated the uracy of the information he had gathered about her preferences.


    As Ellie returned to her seat, she noticed Kaiden¡¯s displeased expression.


    cing some of the dishes before Kaiden, Ellie suggested, ¡°These are the canteen¡¯s specialties. Give them a try.¡±


    Kaiden nced at the so-called specialties.


    Howard keenly noticed the disdain reflected in Kaiden¡¯s eyes and remarked, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you typically dine at home. I assume the canteen fare doesn¡¯t appeal to you.¡±


    Kaiden pursed his lips, choosing silence. His expression practically said, ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    Howard had to refrain from furtherments as Ellie was present. In his role as the student union president, representing both the school and the students, he had to exercise discretion. Meanwhile, Kaiden, the school sponsor and distinguished guest, warranted another level of respect.


    ¡°Ellie, I heard you¡¯re not fond of onions. Let me help you pick them out,¡± Howard offered, holding another fork. Swiftly, he removed the onions from the m chowder.


    As Ellie snapped back to reality, gratitude was the only sentiment she could articte.


    Meanwhile, an undeniable chill enveloped the atmosphere surrounding Kaiden.


    Ellie perceived nothing amiss in Howard¡¯s conduct, appreciating his polite use of a new fork. However, Kaiden¡¯s emotions were impossible to overlook; his presence radiated a palpable intensity.


    Sensing Kaiden¡¯s displeasure, possibly linked to Howard picking out onions for her, Ellie promptly reached for a smoked spare rib for him. ¡°I¡¯ve always loved these smoked spare ribs since my school days. Give it a try,¡± she offered with genuine enthusiasm.


    Howard observed the scene, surprised by Ellie¡¯s actions.


    Unaware of how she was indulging Kaiden, Ellie continued her well-intentioned gestures.


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    Kaiden, with an air of condescension, took a bite of the smoked spare rib handed to him by Ellie, his expression betraying his distaste.


    Could it truly be considered a delicacy?


    ¡°Howard, is smoked spare rib a specialty?¡± Ellie, in her caring manner, shifted the focus to acknowledge Howard¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± Howard couldn¡¯t hide his displeasure as the rib he had chosen for Ellie ended up with Kaiden.


    With his gaze fixed upon the m chowder before him, Kaiden delicately nudged the bowl using his slender fingers.


    Deliberately, he slid the bowl in front of Howard, saying, ¡°If you enjoy picking out onions so much, why not extend that expertise to this dish as well?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you don¡¯t fancy onions either?¡± Howard forced a smile, detecting Kaiden¡¯s deliberate attempt to make things challenging for him.


    ¡°I like onions,¡± Kaiden replied nonchntly. ¡°But I thought I¡¯d give you an opportunity to showcase your skills.¡±


    About ten minutes after the bell rang, the canteen began to fill up with more students.


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    The three of them stood out. Howard was well-known in the school. Kaiden¡¯s good looks,bined with his wheelchair, drew attention. Ellie¡¯s face was also familiar to some students.


    Even though Ellie had picked a corner seat, many students paused to sneak nces at her.


    A few even seemed eager to approach Ellie, but were stopped by Kaiden¡¯s stern look andmanding presence, resorting to secret nces.


    Howard had obligations at the student union, so he left first.


    Kaiden, finding the canteen food disgusting, barely touched his meal. With the growing crowd, Ellie hurriedly finished eating.


    She went to put the tableware in the collection area. When she came back, she saw two girls standing in front of Kaiden.


    One was visibly excited, the other timid and shy.


    The nervous and shy girl stammered, ¡°Can¡­ Can I have your phone number? I promise not to bother you unnecessarily.¡±


    Ellie raised her eyebrows, realizing it wasn¡¯t that girls were hesitant to approach Kaiden for his number; she was simply in the way. It appeared that a man¡¯s charm wasn¡¯t diminished by a wheelchair, as long as he was attractive enough.


    Upon Ellie¡¯s return, Kaiden¡¯s face, tinged with impatience, seemed to say, ¡°Took you long enough toe back, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    The two girls, noticing Ellie standing close to the handsome man in the wheelchair, panicked, thinking she was his girlfriend. The two of them nervously said, ¡°Sorry to bother you,¡± before they quickly ran away.


    Students at the college were typically not bold enough.


    As Ellie pushed Kaiden away from the canteen, the two girls suddenly remembered something. ¡°That girl looks familiar¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! She¡¯s Ellie Gordon. She¡¯s the schoolmate from the art school.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you are quite popr with the girls,¡± Ellie teased him as she wheeled Kaiden out, unaware of the hint of jealousy in her voice.


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    Kaiden looked up, thinking to himself, ¡°You are one to talk, huh!¡±


    With a cold expression, Kaiden had already been dealing with Howard¡¯s annoyance, and now he had to endure the canteen trip with Ellie.


    To make matters more awkward, some random people even asked for his phone number.


    He waspletely annoyed by all these matters.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you having trouble with Howard?¡± Ellie remembered the tense atmosphere at the table earlier. Kaiden simply nodded.


    Ellie was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re actually having issues? Can you tell me what they¡¯re about?¡±


    Kaiden preferred not to delve into the details. He mentioned, ¡°He seems to know you quite well.¡±


    Ellie guessed Kaiden was referring to the onion incident. She suggested, ¡°Maybe Howard heard about it from someone else. He¡¯s the head of the student council, so he probably knows a lot of people.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t think much of it.


    Kaiden observed Ellie. She was clever, but oddly oblivious in certain matters.


    She was unaware of Edwin¡¯s feelings for her.


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    Nor did she realize Howard¡¯s interest in her.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the studio. What about you?¡± Ellie noticed Bruce wasn¡¯t there to apany Kaiden, but she knew his bodyguards were discreetly nearby.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to attend your lecture.¡± Kaiden decided to take the afternoon off to do so.


    ¡°Why do you want to attend my lecture? It has limited seating. Don¡¯t take up a spot that students could use.¡± The thought of giving a lecture in front of others, with Kaiden in the audience, made Ellie feel self-conscious.


    Kaiden thought for a moment and then agreed, ¡°Alright.¡± He wouldn¡¯t go inside the hall.


    Anyway, he had a wheelchair, and it was the same wherever he sat.


    At half past one in the afternoon, students hurried towards the academic buildings for ss.


    ¡°Demi, you¡¯re so hardworking. Even though you¡¯re a celebrity, you still make time for sses. I¡¯ve heard of other stars putting their education on hold.¡± One of Demi¡¯s ssmatesplimented her.


    Pleased with being called a celebrity, Demi humbly responded, ¡°I believe the knowledge I gain here is important, and it¡¯s not just about earning a degree.¡±


    In reality, Critport University had stringent policies. Demi had to postpone her professional engagements to attend sses at the end of the semester, or else she risked dying her graduation.


    Demi and Ellie were the same age. Ellie had already earned her master¡¯s degree while Demi was still an undergraduate. It would be embarrassing for Demi if her graduation was postponed.


    Dressed impably and wearing a mask, Demi was still recognizable to those who paid attention.


    She had expected to be the center of attention today, with people asking for her autograph and photos.


    She didn¡¯t expect that no one had given her a second nce along the way.


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    Instead, she saw many students hurrying towards the student activity center.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening there?¡± Demi inquired.


    ¡°They¡¯re heading to a lecture. Didn¡¯t you know?¡± A fellow student answered, ¡°It¡¯s Ellie Gordon, the alumna with the impressive resume, giving a talk today. I wish I could attend, but I have a ss.¡±


    Demi¡¯s smile faltered. She wondered if she had misheard. ¡°Who did you say it was?¡±


    ¡°Ellie Gordon. You don¡¯t remember her? You were the host that day.¡±


    Demi certainly remembered. ¡°But¡­ Isn¡¯t she involved in a controversy? After Herman showed up, everyone at the school couldn¡¯t stop discussing Ellie¡¯s private matters and how heartless she seemed. Word even spread to the neighboring university.¡±


    ¡°Well, those are just rumors. That Herman¡¯s not a reliable person. He¡¯s probably trying to shift the me to someone else before his own downfall.¡± As Demi¡¯s ssmate brought up Ellie, her voice brimmed with admiration. ¡°Those of us at Critport University ought to know better than to believe everything we hear. We shouldn¡¯t let rumors and public opinion sway us.¡±


    Howard¡¯s words during his presentation truly struck a chord with everyone. They resonated deeply.


    How was this possible?


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    How did Ellie manage to turn her reputation around so quickly?


    Demi couldn¡¯t ept it and felt uneasy.


    ¡°Demi, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Noticing that Demi had suddenly stopped, her ssmate nudged her. ¡°Come on, we need to move. We¡¯re going to bete for our ss.¡±


    ¡°I, uh, suddenly have something I need to take care of. You go on without me,¡± Demi said, eager to see what was happening with Ellie.


    ¡°Something came up? Professor Walters warned us that missing this ss means an automatic fail.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s something important,¡± Demi replied, dismissing the professor¡¯s threat. Surely missing one ss wouldn¡¯t result in failing, right?


    The lecture was split into three segments.


    Howard, the host, kicked off the event. Ellie followed, sharing her study experiences and tips. Finally, it was time for students to ask their questions.


    Ellie finished her talk without a hitch. The audience, being of a simr age, eagerly participated, asking mostly about study techniques and personal growth.


    Wearing a mask, Demi sat in the corner of thest row. Surveying the crowded room of over five hundred people, with some even standing in the aisles, her expression darkened.


    Was Ellie really that popr?


    Had these people forgotten the scandal Herman revealed about Ellie?


    Ellie randomly picked someone from the audience.


    The chosen guy stood up, all smiles, and asked, ¡°Ellie, can I ask something unrted to studies or major?¡±


    ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t mind.


    ¡°What¡¯s your opinion of Howard? This is his first time serving as a host for someone since bing the president of the student union.¡±


    Students at this age loved to stir the pot, as they were doing now.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?????? brings magic to life


    ¡°Come on, Ellie! Tell us! What¡¯s your take on Howard?¡±


    ¡°Howard is the most handsome guy at ourw school!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯ve got us all curious!¡±


    Howard was caught off guard for a moment, his panic mixed with a sense of excitement that kept him from instantly shutting down these troublemaking students. Ellie, holding the microphone, nced at Howard and carefully considered her response.


    Noticing Ellie¡¯s prolonged silence, Howard felt a twinge of disappointment, though he kept it hidden.


    In a tone that was both yful and serious, he warned, ¡°Everyone, please don¡¯t speak nonsense. If you scare Ellie, you might never get any more lectures!¡±


    Feeling relieved by Howard¡¯s words, Ellie smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m truly honored to have Howard as my host. I have every confidence that he will achieve great things. And when he returns to give lectures, the future student union president can also have the privilege of hosting for him.¡±


    Her response was so well-crafted that it left the gossiping students with nothing more to say.


    Just then, Ellie noticed someone watching.


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    Kaiden stood quietly at the back door, observing the scene.


    Hadn¡¯t Kaiden mentioned that he wasn¡¯ting? Why was he here? Ellie rapidly went over her words and actions in her head, and the embarrassment welled up inside her.


    All at once, she recalled the students¡¯ teasing, and an unexinable sense of guilt washed over her.


    Underneath the stage, Demi anxiously gripped the metal logo on her Chanel bag, squeezing it until her fingernails stung so intensely that they began to bleed, snapping her back to reality.


    In Demi¡¯s eyes, this so-called student union president clearly liked Ellie, just because she had a pretty face!


    ¡°Time for thest question!¡± Howard tookmand of the situation.


    Numerous students raised their hands, eager for a chance.


    Ellie was about to choose someone when a girl in a mask, sitting in thest row, stood up.


    ¡°Ellie, I heard that the Herod family went bankrupt because of your actions. Is that true? This pattern seems familiar¡ªdidn¡¯t Herman also meet a sad fate because he had feelings for you?¡±


    Ellie recognized the girl immediately.


    It was Demi!


    Ellie was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t been keeping a close eye on the stock markettely and had no idea about the Herod family¡¯s situation.


    The students started to murmur among themselves.


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with the Herod family? How does that connect to Herman?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s the girl with the mask? Looks like she¡¯s here to stir up trouble.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about a bigpany close to bankruptcy, and the owner¡¯sst name is Herod.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a coincidence¡­ This is kind of scary!¡±


    For a moment, the students looked at Ellie with a new level of suspicion.


    Exclusive content avable at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s


    The downfall of a majorpany impacted people¡¯s everyday lives, and it was a different matter from the moral mistakes and tax evasion issues surrounding the celebrity, Herman.


    Howard signaled to the student council to intervene with Demi.


    As they approached, Demi sneered dismissively, ¡°What? Does Critport University champion freedom and democracy but shut down questioning?¡±


    Her words were a direct challenge to the university¡¯s core values. The student council members hesitated, unsure of how to respond, and turned to Howard for guidance.


    Next to the back door, the principal, wearing an awkward smile, addressed Kaiden, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m so sorry you had to witness this.¡± It was said that Kaiden had heard about a gifted recent graduate giving a lecture and decided to drop by. The principal was ttered, seeing it as an honor for the school.


    But he hadn¡¯t anticipated another incident like the one during the school anniversary.


    Noticing Kaiden¡¯s silent observation of Ellie, the principal grew concerned about Kaiden¡¯s impression of this outstanding student. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please don¡¯t worry, Ellie is beyond reproach in both character and skill!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


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    ¡°I know,¡± Kaiden interrupted.


    The principal was stunned. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Kaiden dialed a number and spoke into the phone, ¡°Get her here in two minutes.¡±


    Remembering how Kaiden had acted in his past meetings with Ellie, the principal finally began to realize something. He asked, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you and Ellie¡­ Do you know each other?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden confirmed. ¡°She is my wife.¡±


    The principal was caught off guard. What Kaiden had said felt like a bombshell. He was dumbfounded.


    The principal struggled to process the information. ¡°She¡­ Ellie¡¯s only twenty-one!¡± A young woman of her age typically hadn¡¯t even finished her undergraduate studies.


    How did Ellie get married to Kaiden?


    His disapproval was clear, so Kaiden rified, ¡°She¡¯s legally old enough to be married.¡±


    In the broadcasting studio,


    ¡°Demi,¡± Ellie addressed her directly, ¡°The rumor about Herman is supported by police evidence. Are you questioning the integrity and fairness of the police? As for the Herod family¡­ Apany¡¯s sess or failure depends on its business strategy, core strengths, cash flow, and supply chain integration. You¡¯re a finance student. Shouldn¡¯t you know these things?¡±


    ¡°Is that Demi? The famous one?¡±


    ¡°Why is there a finance student here? Shouldn¡¯t they be in Professor Walters¡¯ ss today? How dare she skip ss?¡±


    ¡°Ellie has a point. It¡¯s quite a challenge to bring down apany that¡¯s listed on the stock market, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I got the impression that Demi had something against Ellie at thest school event, but I figured it was just my imagination.¡±


    Demi didn¡¯t grasp any of that talk about cash flow and supply chains. But one thing was crystal clear to her: these naive schoolmates were once again easily influenced by Ellie¡¯s words!


    ?¦Ál§Ú¦Òv???.c§àm has the newest content


    Demi was bing unbearable for Ellie, prompting her to y her trump card. ¡°Demi, if you have a personal issue with me, let¡¯s sort it out privately. But please, don¡¯t bring your personal drama into this school event like your boyfriend did.¡±


    The students were witnessing the drama unfold before them.


    ¡°Demi has a boyfriend? I thought she always said she was single?¡±


    ¡°Come on, how many celebrities are actually single?¡±


    ¡°One of my wealthy friends told me Demi¡¯s definitely not single. She has a bunch of male admirers!¡±


    ¡°Just like your boyfriend¡­ Ellie¡¯s words carry a hidden message!¡±


    Demi¡¯s face contorted with panic in an instant.


    Among those in their social circle, it was no secret that she had a boyfriend. Still, they kept it a secret from the public. Having someone like Erick as a boyfriend was a badge of honor, as everyone respected her for being the beloved of the Thorpe family¡¯s eldest grandson. But things took a different turn when it was out in public for everyone to know! It could ruin her career!


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    Thest thing an idol wanted was for their dating life to be made public.


    ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s all this nonsense you¡¯re saying?¡± Demi attempted to keep herposure, her eyes blinking with a hint of guilt.


    Before Ellie could respond, someone burst into the broadcasting studio. It was Laura!


    Laura nced at Ellie, then noticed Demi in the back, immediately realizing why Kaiden had sent for her earlier.


    She walked confidently to the front.


    ¡°Excuse me, who are you?¡± a student union member asked her.


    ¡°Laura Herod,¡± Laura replied, adding, ¡°I¡¯m the daughter of the chairman of the so-called bankrupt Herod Group.¡±


    The unexpected arrival of Laura took everyone by surprise.


    Ellie instinctively nced towards the back door.


    Kaiden, still seated there, appeared unfazed by Laura¡¯s entrance, as though he had anticipated her arrival.


    ¡°Good afternoon, everyone,¡± Laura began, microphone in hand. ¡°I am the daughter of the chairman of Herod Group and Herman¡¯s cousin. Should you doubt my identity, feel free to verify my background online. I¡¯vee today because I¡¯ve heard someone spreading false information about my family.¡±


    Her gaze deliberately settled on Demi, who was standing in thest row. ¡°While it¡¯s true that Herod Group is facing some operational challenges, these issues are unrted to Ellie. The difficulties stem from internal matters within our family, which we are actively addressing. I am confident we will ovee these obstacles and emerge stronger!¡±


    Demi, visibly shaken, copsed into the chair.


    Why was Laura here defending Ellie? Was she out of her mind? How could she side with Ellie?


    As reality sank in, Demi noticed her ssmates pointing and whispering about her. Their looks of disgust and contempt felt like sharp ps to her face.


    She felt like a clown!


    m??r?? ??¦Ñda??es ???? ??a??novels.c??m


    Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Demi abruptly stood up and fled the room.


    Howard watched her retreat, his expression thoughtful.


    Despite the unforeseen disruption, the lecture concluded smoothly.


    ¡°Ellie, I apologize for today¡¯s incident. We were at fault,¡± Howard admitted, feeling responsible. He had suspected Demi of being problematic but hadn¡¯t anticipated her tant disrespect.


    At Critport University, renowned for its academic integrity and strict discipline, Howard had never encountered someone like Demi. The situation was unprecedented for him.


    Ellie brushed off the matter lightly. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. It¡¯s just my personal issue with Demi.¡±


    She didn¡¯t me the student union for the incident, recognizing that Demi, as a Critport University student, had every right to attend.


    Howard, a hint of red coloring his ears, mentioned the earlier jokes. ¡°And I hope thements from my ssmates earlier¡­ didn¡¯t bother you.¡±


    It took Ellie a few moments to realize he was referring to the teasing questions about himself.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. They like to joke around. I get it!¡± Ellie was unbothered by the yful banter.


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    Joke around?


    Howard, upon hearing her dismissal of the matter as mere fuss, felt a twinge of disappointment.


    As Ellie packed up, she nced towards the back door, noticing the absence of the man who had been there earlier.


    ¡°I have to leave now, Howard. You can message me on WhatsApp if you need anything.¡± With a quick farewell, Ellie headed for the back door.


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡± Howard began to speak but then stopped, his words unspoken as he sighed inwardly.


    ¡°Hey! She¡¯s already gone!¡± Howard¡¯s roommate emerged from backstage, nudging him yfully. ¡°Saw you having lunch with Ellie today. Any progress?¡±


    Howard replied somewhat irritably, ¡°Did you not see there was a third person with us?¡±


    ¡°A good-looking guy in a wheelchair, right? Who¡¯s he? He was all suited up.¡±


    ¡°Just a sponsor of the school,¡± Howard exined.


    His roommate let out a relieved breath. ¡°Phew, not her boyfriend, then! He¡¯s handsome but looks older. He can¡¯t be her boyfriend.¡±


    Was that so?


    Howard, momentarily reassured, quickly changed the subject. ¡°When do the final exams for the school of finance finish?¡±


    ¡°This week. They¡¯ve been bombarded with homework this semester, and the final exam covers only three areas,¡± his roommate informed him. ¡°Are you nning to do something about Demi for Ellie¡¯s sake?¡± He then cautioned, ¡°Think it through. You¡¯re a Lee, but Demi¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s no ordinary girl. Rumor has it that her boyfriend is Erick Thorpe from the Thorpe family, and she has quite a following.¡±


    Howard calmly affirmed, ¡°I¡¯m aware of what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    However, he recognized that exposing Demi now wasn¡¯t the best approach. Patience was required.


    L¨»t?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??l??ov?ls.????m


    Ellie, clutching her bag, hurried down the long, undivided corridor outside the back door.


    Kaiden was nowhere to be found, but she saw Laura leaning against a wall.


    ¡°He¡¯s already left,¡± Laura said, smoothing her hair.


    Kaiden had received an urgent call requiring his immediate return to GT Group.


    Catching her breath, Ellie managed to say, ¡°Thank you for earlier.¡±


    Laura dismissed the gratitude. ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. Kaiden said he¡¯d spare my family¡¯spany as long as I helped you.¡±


    Ellie, puzzled, asked, ¡°Is Kaiden really behind your family¡¯s troubles?¡±


    ¡°Not entirely.¡±


    The Herod family had long relied on several key partnerships. Kaiden had merely hinted at discontent, prompting these allies to sever ties with the Herods, exacerbating their already precarious situation. The Herod family, aware of theirpany¡¯s issues, saw this as an opportunity to address them.


    Changing the subject, Laura revealed, ¡°I¡¯m going abroad.¡±


    Ellie, surprised, asked, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want to leave?¡±


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    Ellie, being close in age to Laura, was aware of the Herod family¡¯s earlier attempts to send Laura abroad for education, efforts Laura had resisted, preferring to stay at home.


    ¡°It was his request,¡± Laura exined with a shrug. ¡°I confessed my feelings to Kaiden, and he told me to stay out of his sight.¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words. She found Kaiden¡¯s approach somewhat overbearing.


    Remembering Laura¡¯s earlier assistance, Ellie offered, ¡°If you really don¡¯t want to go abroad, I could talk to him for you.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Laura declined. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in a man who¡¯s remarried. I confessed to him without knowing he was married, but when I saw how much he goes out of his way to protect you¡­¡±


    He goes out of his way to protect her?


    Did Laura perceive her rtionship with Kaiden in that light?


    Ellie¡¯s heart quickened as she reflected on Kaiden¡¯s recent actions. His involvement in the Herod family¡¯s affairs, his request for Laura to assist her, and his insistence that Laura leave the country¡­ all pointed to a protective stance towards her.


    Laura continued, ¡°Regarding the financial issue in my family, Kaiden intervened. He used your name to invest his own money. You¡¯re now a shareholder in our family business. Just wait for the dividends.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie was taken aback. ¡°Why would he¡­?¡±


    Resolving a listedpany¡¯s financial crisis was no small feat. It was as if Kaiden had given her a significant sum.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to ask him about that,¡± Laura advised. ¡°A man spending a lot on a woman doesn¡¯t always mean affection, but a man willing to invest such an amount might not be indifferent either.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s thoughts lingered on Laura¡¯s words and the revtion that Kaiden had invested in her name as she journeyed back to Moon Manor from school.


    She had sensed Kaiden¡¯s kindness on several asions recently but had chosen to ignore it.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where dreams unfold


    Aware that she upied the role of Mrs. Thorpe, Ellie was uncertain about how long this status wouldst. Although she was ready to depart at any moment, Ellie found herself secretly wishing to retain this role indefinitely.


    Her desire wasn¡¯t rooted in being part of the Thorpe family, nor was it because Kaiden led GT Group, or even his physical abilities.


    Her wish was not to continue as Mrs. Thorpe of the Thorpe family, but to remain as Kaiden¡¯s wife.


    Looking out the taxi window, she noticed the streets adorned with festive decorations and banners proiming ¡°Happy New Year.¡± It dawned on her that today was December 31st, the year¡¯s final day.


    It was the evening of New Year¡¯s Eve.


    Suddenly, Ellie instructed the taxi driver, ¡°Please, let¡¯s head to the GT Group building instead.¡±


    She then opened WhatsApp.


    Ellie texted Kaiden, ¡°What time will your workday end today?¡± Within half a minute, Kaiden responded with a phone call.


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    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked.


    A spontaneous smile appeared on Ellie¡¯s face as she proposed, ¡°I¡¯m inviting you to join a youthful New Year¡¯s Eve celebration. Will youe?¡±


    Kaiden had grown notably sensitive to the term ¡°youthful¡±tely. ¡°Ellie, are you implying I¡¯m old?¡± he teased, recalling how her principal had also made a simr hint that afternoon.


    Ellie quickly shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just an invitation to celebrate New Year¡¯s Eve together.¡±


    Kaiden eyed the mountain of paperwork on his desk, which would likely take another three hours to finish.


    With a hint of weariness, he replied, ¡°Come to the office and wait for me.¡±


    Recalling her previous ufortable experiences with executives on the CEO¡¯s office floor, Ellie declined, ¡°I¡¯d rather wait for you at the coffee shop downstairs.¡±


    Kaiden responded with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re willing to wait for Howard but not for me?¡±


    ¡°When did I ever wait for Howard?¡± Ellie wondered where he got such an idea.


    ¡°Then join me as my interpreter,¡± Kaiden altered his request. Ellie was momentarily lost for words.


    Were there no interpreters avable? Wasn¡¯t itmon knowledge that all of his secretaries spoke at least threenguages?


    But considering Laura¡¯s earlier advice, Ellie paused before agreeing. She thought it wouldn¡¯t hurt to go, especially since it was almost closing time. Surely, she wouldn¡¯t be so unlucky as to run into any of the executives again!


    After all, why would any executive visit the CEO without a good reason?


    After hanging up, Kaiden summoned Bruce to his office and inquired, ¡°How do young people celebrate the New Year?¡±


    Bruce looked confused, not understanding Kaiden¡¯s choice of words. Feeling the need to point out the obvious, he reminded Kaiden, ¡°You¡¯re only twenty-seven, sir. You¡¯re still young.¡±


    The remark lifted Kaiden¡¯s spirits and deepened his appreciation for the subordinate who had loyally served him for so long.


    ¡°Your end-of-year bonus is doubled,¡± Kaiden announced, feeling generous. Then he added, ¡°I never bother with dull events like New Year¡¯s Eve.¡±


    Bruce understood what Kaiden was trying to convey. Kaiden had never shown any interest in such events and had no idea how young people like Bruce celebrated.


    But why would Kaiden ask for opinions if he found the event boring?


    Bruce had many unspoken responses, but he kept them to himself.


    ¡°There¡¯s a variety of things to do. You could go to a concert with a huge crowd, visit amusement parks for fireworks, or head downtown to hear the New Year bells. Bars have countdown events too,¡± Bruce suggested.


    Kaiden considered his suggestions. Why would anyone enjoy being in a huge crowd at a concert? Weren¡¯t fireworks something seen on asions other than New Year¡¯s? What was the big deal about bell ringing? It was just a mechanical sound. And wasn¡¯t visiting bars an everyday thing?


    Those suggestions were truly unexciting.


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    Bruce could easily read theck of interest on Kaiden¡¯s face, which didn¡¯t surprise him. He was about to exit the office when Kaiden called him back.


    Kaiden announced, ¡°Let anyone with important issuese to me now. I¡¯m leaving in three hours.¡±


    Bruce was stunned. ¡°Oh? Understood!¡± They were leaving early at the year¡¯s end? They hadn¡¯t finalized the annual ounts yet? Could Kaiden be nning to celebrate New Year¡¯s Eve? This idea surprised Bruce. When he shared the message with the senior executives, they too were surprised. They simultaneously wondered, ¡°Is the boss stepping down from his position?¡±


    Kaiden had missed work earlier and now was leaving early!


    Bruce exined that Kaiden might be celebrating New Year¡¯s Eve, urging the executives to present any urgent documents promptly to avoid dying him.


    The first to arrive at Kaiden¡¯s office was the Head of the nning Department. After discussing work matters and noticing Kaiden¡¯s seemingly good mood, the director ventured to ask, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, are you joining in New Year¡¯s Eve celebrations tonight?¡±


    Kaiden looked up, his auramanding. ¡°It appears Bruce gets along well with you all.¡±


    His tone was mysterious, leaving the director feeling uneasy, uncertain if Kaiden was unhappy.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Bruce just mentioned it briefly¡­¡± Trying not to involve Bruce, the director quickly added, ¡°I was just curious. My daughter enjoys New Year¡¯s Eve festivities too.¡±


    Kaiden showed interest, asking, ¡°What does your daughter do for New Year¡¯s Eve?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ She celebrates with her boyfriend, though I¡¯m not too clear on the details.¡±


    Suddenly, a thought struck the director, recalling that Kaiden might now be in a rtionship!


    Motivated by a sharp sense of self-preservation, he added, ¡°Her boyfriend consistently sends her flowers and gifts every year. She alwayses home talking about it.¡±


    Flowers? Gifts?


    Fresh updates now on g??ln????e??s.c??m


    A look of realization crossed Kaiden¡¯s face.


    The names Demi and Ellie quickly became the talk of Critport University in just an afternoon.


    Some students were discussing the valuable insights from Ellie¡¯s lecture. Others were curious about why Demi had interrupted Ellie¡¯s lecture. Many were surprised by Laura¡¯s unexpected appearance. But the majority were talking excitedly about Demi¡¯s boyfriend.


    ¡°Demi, do you really have a boyfriend now?¡±


    Back in her ss for a meeting, this question was thrown at Demi. She had always presented herself as a friendly, wealthy girl to her ssmates, leading them to freely engage in such gossip.


    Internally cursing, Demi hesitantly confirmed, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m seeing someone. It¡¯s a recent thing, and I haven¡¯t had the chance to announce it to my fans yet.¡±


    She relied on these ssmates for group projects and didn¡¯t want to alienate them.


    ¡°Demi, is there an issue between you and Ellie from the art school? We heard you were¡­ specifically targeting her in today¡¯s lecture?¡± someone asked.


    Demi offered a forced smile. ¡°I wasn¡¯t targeting her. I was just raising my doubts.¡±


    ¡°You share the surname Gordon with her,¡± another person added. ¡°I assumed you knew each other. But what you did today didn¡¯t seem right. The rumor about Herman has been debunked, yet you brought it up again.¡±


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    Demi was seething with rage and about to reply when she stopped short.


    Thement resonated with her: ¡°You share the surname Gordon with her. I assumed you knew each other.¡±


    A realization struck her; she had another move to y!


    Houston enjoyed coffee with a group of business associates in the cafe. After the discussion, they simultaneously brought up their children.


    A bald gentleman remarked, ¡°By the way, I fear none of our children can match Mr. Gordon¡¯s excellence! I truly admire you, Mr. Gordon!¡±


    Another executive chimed in, ¡°Absolutely! Lately, my ineffectual son has been idolizing your daughter¡¯s pictures, Mr. Gordon. I¡¯m clueless about his intentions. Hahaha, I genuinely don¡¯tprehend the youth nowadays.¡±


    ¡°Precisely! Mr. Gordon, my daughter shared your daughter¡¯s resume with me. Oh my god! Graduating as a master in advance with outstanding academic aplishments. Numerous individuals must be vying to tter her.¡±


    ¡°Are you referring to Ellie?¡± Houston hesitated to acknowledge it, but the individual graduating as a master in advance couldn¡¯t be Demi.


    ¡°Yes!¡± The bald man affirmed. ¡°Even though Ellie isn¡¯t your biological daughter, you¡¯ve raised her for twenty years. She¡¯s still your daughter.¡± He implied something more.


    Those observant could discern the Gordon family¡¯s favoritism towards Demi due to her return, particrly Litzy, who not only praised Demi but also diminished Ellie.


    Houston¡¯s expression grew somber, devoid of a smile. He harbored regrets. Despite being aware of Ellie¡¯s exceptional qualities, Demi was, after all, his biological daughter. Moreover, due to Litzy¡¯s favoritism towards Demi, he had overlooked the mistreatment Ellie endured from Litzy and Demi.


    However, now he sincerely regretted it.


    If he had maintained a good rtionship with Ellie, many would have envied him. Furthermore, Ellie married Kaiden, the CEO of GT Group.


    Now, pondering their words, he found them quite reasonable, and a tinge of remorse gripped his heart.


    ???§ï$¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?§ñ$ ¨ª¦Ð galno¦Íe?s


    Ding-dong!


    The elevator doors opened on the highest floor.


    On her way to Kaiden¡¯s office, Ellie sighed with relief, relieved not to encounter any senior executives.


    ¡°Miss Gordon?¡± Zoey, seated at the primary desk in the secretary¡¯s office, spotted Ellie immediately.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for Kaiden. Is he in his office?¡± Ellie nodded and asked.


    Zoey appeared taken aback. ¡°Mr. Thorpe didn¡¯t mention you wereing¡­¡± She swiftly changed her tone and added, ¡°Miss Gordon, but you¡¯re an exception. Please,e with me.¡±


    Zoey then guided Ellie down the hall.


    Ellie silently raised an eyebrow as she observed Zoey¡¯s back. The way Zoey responded didn¡¯t align with typical chief secretary behavior, and Ellie found her words off-putting.


    The initial part of Zoey¡¯s statement seemed deliberately ambiguous, making Ellie wonder if she was overthinking things.


    Ellie recalled calling Kaiden on the day she won her YEAR prize. Kaiden had assumed Zoey answered, so his phone should have been with her. But Ellie couldn¡¯t help but question why Carole had the phone at that moment.


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    Zoey tapped on the door and received a reply from within before ushering Ellie inside.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± Kaiden said without looking up, his attention still focused on the documents in front of him.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Ellie took a seat in the office¡¯s reception area.


    She remembered Kaiden had asked her to be his interpreter, but he didn¡¯t mention it now. She wanted to ask about the Herod family¡¯s investment, but seeing how upied Kaiden was, she refrained from bringing it up.


    ¡°Ellie,¡± Kaiden said, his voice calm, though his eyes never left the papers in front of him, ¡°How many more nces are you nning to steal?¡±


    ¡°Who said I was looking at you?¡± Ellie was caught off guard and instinctively denied it. ¡°I just wanted to inquire¡­ Why did you invest in the Herod family using my name?¡±


    Kaiden nced up and casually replied, ¡°I¡¯m wealthy.¡±


    His intention was for the Herod family to serve as her backing, to boost her confidence. He knew she wasn¡¯t a fragile girl, but he still wanted to offer her more.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe your excuse. Please be honest with me, Kaiden,¡± Ellie asserted.


    Kaiden fell silent, pretending not to hear her.


    Failing to get an answer, Ellie began idly browsing her phone.


    At that moment, she came across an online post from a wealthy young man: ¡°Mr. Erick Thorpe is excelling in his studies. The expenses are on him today. The gathering will take ce at Heart Ind Bar. Feel free to join us!¡±


    The post featured photographs of various certificates belonging to Erick, including degree certificates from two prestigious international universities and a collection ofpetition awards earned in international contests. Numerous individuals were extending congrattions and praise to Erick.


    Ellie felt confused.


    ¡°When did Erick be so intelligent, Kaiden?¡± Ellie asked, her bewilderment clear.


    While Kaiden disliked Ellie bringing up Erick, her words strangely pleased him.


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    ¡°Him? Smart?¡± he smirked.


    The implication was clear: Erick had never been known for his intelligence.


    Objectively, Erick wasn¡¯t unintelligent, but his achievements were more a result of being born into the Thorpe family and being indulged, rather than due to hard work. Kaiden, who was four years older than Erick, had always been the shining star of the Thorpe family. He had gained widespread acim as a prodigy, bolstering the family¡¯s power and influence.


    Kaiden¡¯s time in the spotlight had ended with the unfortunate events surrounding the Thorpe family¡¯s second-eldest son and Brisa, followed by Kaiden¡¯s disability. As forparing herself to Erick, Ellie believed she surpassed him in every way.


    Well, perhaps not in character, as she found Erick genuinely unpleasant.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that Erick has achieved first ce in numerous internationalpetitions and earned a master¡¯s degree from Crestmont University, a prestigious university,¡± Ellie said, still puzzled. ¡°During my college days, Erick pursued me, offering to help with my advanced mathematics homework. It turned out it was all incorrect, and I only discoveredter that he had copied answers from the Inte.¡±


    How could he have managed to graduate from Crestmont University with such mediocre intelligence?


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 Chapter 347

    ?Chapter 347:


    No, the idea of him being enrolled at Crestmont University was absurd!


    How had he secured so many awards?


    While Ellie pondered this, she suddenly felt the weight of a cold stare.


    She wasn¡¯t sure which of her words had displeased Kaiden, but his unhappy expression made it clear that he hoped she would reconsider her remarks.


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words. Had her critique of Erick upset him?


    But Kaiden had specifically heard her mention that Erick had pursued her. Despite that, Ellie seemedpletely innocent. Who would want to hear about Erick chasing after her?


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Kaiden asked, his tone cold.


    ¡°I saw it online,¡± Ellie responded. ¡°Erick is treating others on Heart Ind today to celebrate his academic aplishments.¡±


    ¡°Treat?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Heart Ind?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s irritation faded, reced by a new resolve. He had a n.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you your New Year¡¯s giftter,¡± Kaiden said as he messaged Bruce.


    ¡°What¡¯s the New Year¡¯s gift?¡± Ellie asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically. ¡°Are you nning to gift me a car, a house, or something like that? I don¡¯t want it. I don¡¯t need it.¡±


    A car or a house as a New Year¡¯s gift? How could that even be meaningful for her?


    Kaiden then entertained the thought of giving Ellie something more personal. What about an ind? After all, she didn¡¯t already own one, did she?


    Relief washed over Ellie as she eagerly anticipated Kaiden¡¯s gift. The moment Kaiden lifted his gaze, he caught sight of a smile ying at the corner of her mouth. She seemed to be in a good mood, instantly lifting his spirits as well.


    ¡°You have some items in the lounge,¡± Kaiden told her.


    Slightly puzzled, Ellie couldn¡¯t recall leaving any belongings in Kaiden¡¯s office.


    Upon entering the lounge, she was greeted by an extravagant disy¡ªa sizable bouquet of red roses and delicate white baby¡¯s breath adorning the table, radiating grandeur, romance, and beauty. Attached to the bouquet was a card that read, ¡°Happy New Year.¡±


    M??? ??????s ?? ????????s.???


    ¡°Kaiden, how did you know flowers are a New Year tradition?¡± Holding the roses, Ellie asked with a sweet smile.


    ¡°Zoey took care of it,¡± Kaiden mentioned casually as he read a new document with an indifferent expression.


    Immediately after Kaiden¡¯s words, a knock echoed through the door, revealing a man in his forties. Ellie, with her sharp memory, recognized him from a senior management meeting hosted by Kaiden. Now standing beside Kaiden, holding the bouquet of roses, she and the treasurer shared a moment of mutual surprise as he entered.


    Ellie, caught off guard, found herself face-to-face with Kaiden¡¯s subordinate once again.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, perhaps I should returnter?¡± the treasurer suggested.


    ¡°You¡¯re free to speak now,¡± Kaiden replied.


    Ellie blinked, still holding the flowers, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡±


    Recognizing the treasurer¡¯s involvement with critical financial matters, she deemed it wise to steer clear of their discussion.


    ¡°Take a seat. I still have an hour left before I finish work.¡± Kaiden gestured with a lift of his chin toward the sofa.


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 Chapter 348

    ?Chapter 348:


    Observing Kaiden¡¯sck of caution toward Ellie and sensing a hint of impatience regarding the work report, the treasurer hastened to give a brief overview of the situation.


    As he prepared to leave, a sudden recollection struck him. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, employees from other departments mentioned you inquiring about young people¡¯s New Year¡­¡±


    Celebrations. My child is too young for reference, but my niece, a college student, typically spends New Year at the cinema with friends.¡±


    Ellie was left speechless. Kaiden was also without words.


    As soon as the treasurer emerged from the office, he promptly informed his colleagues, ¡°Thedy Mr. Thorpe kissed before is in his office! She¡¯s even holding a sizable bouquet of red roses.¡±


    They asked Bruce, ¡°Is she the future Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    If the first instance had merely been a rumor and the second a coincidence, the many instances they had now observed made it clear that something intimate existed between the two. If she wasn¡¯t Kaiden¡¯s partner, it would be hard to believe otherwise.


    Bruce stayed silent. In this situation, ying dead was the only option. He resisted the urge to tell them that she wasn¡¯t the future Mrs. Thorpe, because she was already married to Kaiden.


    Once the treasurer departed, Ellie looked at Kaiden with curiosity before bursting intoughter.


    ¡°Inquiring about New Year celebrations? Why the sudden interest?¡± she asked, finding it odd that Kaiden knew about New Year flower customs.


    ¡°He misunderstood,¡± Kaiden denied.


    The idea that he had asked his subordinates about celebrating the New Year and made special preparations to apany Ellie was absurd.


    ¡°Really?¡± Holding the bouquet, Ellie approached the desk with a smile. ¡°Yet Zoey was unaware of my visit. How could she arrange the flowers?¡±


    Wearing a stern expression, Kaiden fixed his gaze on Ellie for a moment before resuming his work.


    I/t?$+ ?h?pt?r? ?? g????v¨º??.c?m


    ¡°Ellie, if you interrupt me once more, I won¡¯t be able to finish work for an hour. It¡¯ll hinder our New Year celebrations.¡±


    Opting not to argue, Ellie recognized the gradual change needed when dealing with this stubborn man.


    Forty minutester, Kaiden concluded his work early once again.


    On the way out, they encountered no one, as other employees remained busy with overtime while Kaiden treated himself to an early holiday.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Ellie asked.


    She assumed the driver¡¯s seat when Kaiden decided against having Bruce drive.


    Kaiden said, ¡°Heart Ind Bar.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s our n there?¡± Ellie asked, her confusion evident as she checked the navigation for Heart Ind.


    ¡°Your surprise awaits there.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Wasn¡¯t the venue booked by Erick today? Ellie struggled to imagine what else might be arranged.


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 Chapter 349

    ?Chapter 349:


    They soon arrived at the Heart Ind Bar. The atmosphere was particrly vibrant, fueled by two factors. First, there was an annual New Year¡¯s event scheduled for tonight, and second, Erick had reserved the entire bar, granting ess to everyone.


    At the entrance, Ellie noticed numerous luxury cars, and inside, she recognized several familiar faces¡ªpeople who were either close friends of Erick or hoping to ingratiate themselves with him.


    Guiding Ellie, Kaiden led her to a private room on the second floor. Unlike the previous third-floor private room, this one offered a different vantage point. The French windows provided views of both the first-floor stage and the bustling crowd below.


    On the stage, the DJ was fine-tuning the sound, while a colossal screen behind him disyed a captivating concept animation.


    Positioned at the center of the booth, Erick sat alongside a festively attired Demi. Numerous individuals approached him, offering greetings with raised wine sses.


    A contented smile adorned Erick¡¯s face, exuding pride, while Demi shared in his evident satisfaction. It seemed thepliments from these individuals pertained to Erick¡¯s collection of honorary certificates.


    ¡°What¡¯s the reason for bringing me here?¡± Ellie asked, still puzzled by Kaiden¡¯s intentions.


    ¡°Patience. Watch and observe,¡± Kaiden directed, gesturing toward the expansive screen by the French window.


    Meanwhile, in the first-floor hall¡­


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯re outstanding! A true role model!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, can you disy your certificates? We¡¯ll be your followers from now on.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯ve always maintained a low profile. You¡¯re a Crestmont University graduate!¡±


    Sporting a sly smile, Erick remarked, ¡°Lately, there¡¯s been a trend in our circle to apud the academic elite. So, naturally, I¡¯ve joined in.¡±


    The implication behind Erick¡¯s words was clear even to those less astute.


    Your next story is here g?ln¦Ò¦Íels


    Ellie had been extensively praised during this period. Rumor had it that during Erick¡¯s visit to Critport University¡¯s anniversary, where he intended to challenge her, he had been humiliated by the students. It was evident he now sought to reim his dignity and mock her.


    Demi smiled andmented, ¡°Erick initially didn¡¯t intend to be so conspicuous, but someone else was excessively unting.¡± Of course, Demi was alluding to Ellie.


    Two women exchanged eye rolls at Demi¡¯sment. One whispered, ¡°Ellie has excelled academically since childhood. She¡¯s never unted anything. Even if she were to boast, it has nothing to do with Demi.¡±


    ¡°Hush! Be careful not to be overheard. Demi is Erick¡¯s girlfriend now. Personally, I think Erick and Ellie would make a better couple. Two academic elites are morepatible.¡±


    Amidst the crowd, Erickughed joyfully, his eyes betraying undisguised satisfaction.


    To him, Ellie was no elite at all. True elites were individuals like him¡ªafter all, Crestmont University graduates had international des. Initially, he had anticipated Ellie groveling at his feet, but instead, she had scorned him. Over time, he realized she was more captivating and intriguing than he had imagined, yet her loyalty remained solely with the disabled Kaiden.


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 Chapter 350

    Chapter 350:


    If Ellie knew of his aplishments, she might regret choosing Kaiden.


    After all, Kaiden had be disabled in a car ident at the age of seventeen. How could he have possibly achieved such sess?


    As Erick basked in self-adtion, the massive screen behind the DJ suddenly transformed.


    Shots of the documents shed on the screen. Everyone instinctively looked over, then continued watching with rapt attention as the facts unfolded before their eyes.


    ¡°So, Erick¡¯s admission to Crestmont University was basically fraudulent? Not only did the Thorpe family sponsor the construction of a new building, they even donated antique calligraphy pieces and paintings! The Thorpe family sure has money to burn.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite impressive that even his thesis papers for both his undergraduate and master¡¯s degrees werepleted by others!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s more, his participation in several internationalpetitions resulted in team awards where the main members were all top-notch. He merely rode on their coattails without making any significant individual contribution!¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, I need to tell my dad about this. He should have forked out more money so I wouldn¡¯t have had to study at a no-name university abroad!¡±


    ¡°Wait, are these even real? Maybe they¡¯re fake?¡±


    ¡°How can these be fake? Look, even the sponsorship certificates have Crestmont University¡¯s seal on them. Do you think those can be easily forged?¡±


    ¡°Wow, all these revtions are shocking, and they¡¯re still keeping the party going? Their vanity knows no bounds.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is Erick thinking? How can he show off so tantly when he couldn¡¯t even cover all his bases?¡±


    ¡°Ah, where is Erick? I¡¯d like to know what he thinks of this.¡±


    ¡°Erick, this¡­¡± Demi began, utterly dumbfounded by what was happening. The guests¡¯ criticisms and mockery came from all sides.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± Erick jumped to his feet and roared at the top of his lungs. ¡°Turn it off! Shut that damn thing off right this instant!¡±


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    But the waiters were just as clueless about how the pictures had appeared on the screen.


    Seeing that no one was making a move to follow hismand, Erick pushed through the guests and stormed over to the DJ booth. He grabbed the DJ by the cor and screamed in his face, ¡°Hurry up! Turn that thing off or I¡¯m going to kill you!¡±


    ¡°Sir, this¡­ I¡¯m only in charge of the music!¡± The DJ was shaking, a mix of shock and fear in his eyes.


    Unfortunately for him, Erick was too enraged to listen to reason. The only thing that registered in his mind was that the DJ was making excuses. Without another thought, Erick pulled back his fist andnded a punch on the poor DJ¡¯s face. The sound of the impact was amplified by the numerous microphones in the booth, echoing loudly throughout the hall. There was a collective gasp from the guests as they stared, horrified.


    ¡°What the hell? Why is he hitting an innocent person?!¡±


    ¡°This is just a pathetic attempt to cover his humiliation.¡±


    ¡°With the way he¡¯s acting, I¡¯m inclined to believe everything is true.¡±


    At this point, the slideshow had finished, but it quickly started from the beginning again. It seemed like whoever was behind it wanted to ensure everyone got a good look at every single detail.


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    Message from Noa: I hope you enjoyed the new chapters, dear ones. Today, we also have a newlypleted novel. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


    .

 Chapter 351

    ?Chapter 351:


    ¡°Demi, what¡¯s going on?¡± A guest sidled up to Demi and whispered, ¡°Are those usations true?¡±


    Demi¡¯s face went pale. She didn¡¯t know either. She had no idea what was happening!


    Her first instinct was to deny everything, of course, but Erick¡¯s actions now deprived her of that option. Refuting the allegations would only make things worse.


    Erick was in a frenzy until his eyes locked onto the manager of the establishment. ¡°You! Get your ass over here! What the hell is this? Do you think you can afford to pay me damages if I take you to court for defamation? You bastard¡­¡±


    His rant was cut short as several bodyguards surrounded him and restrained his hands behind his back, treating him like amon criminal.


    ¡°Brawls arepletely forbidden in our establishment,¡± the manager said. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I need to ask you to leave, sir. You will also be permanently banned from all facilities at Heart Ind Resort.¡±


    The guests who overheard this exchange were taken aback. The scene was all too familiar.


    ¡°Is it a new trend for bars to cklist troublesome clients? First it was the Rich Bar, and now Heart Ind Bar.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Erick is definitely in trouble now. Those two are the biggest bars in town, and now he¡¯s banned from both!¡±


    ¡°If you ask me, I think Erick probably offended a big shot. I wonder who¡¯s behind it.¡±


    At that moment, the person in question was on the second floor, observing as Erick went from being the star of the show to a frenzied, wild-eyed lunatic being kicked out.


    ¡°Did you do this?¡± Ellie asked Kaiden, though she already knew the answer.


    ¡°What do you think of my gift?¡± Kaiden responded, casting a sideways nce at her.


    Erick had the audacity to mock Ellie by unting his university degree and so-called academic honors. That idiot didn¡¯t even deserve any of those des.


    Erick was a fool whose ambitions were far beyond the effort he was willing to exert. He had no right to bully those who actually worked hard, and he deserved to be trampled on, like the scum he was.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie had to swallow before continuing, her throat oddly dry. ¡°When did you manage to collect all this information?¡±


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    Erick¡¯s sudden disy of victory seemed rushed. Kaiden couldn¡¯t have had enough time to gather everything.


    Now that she thought about it, Kaiden had probably brought her here because of what she said back in the office. He must have sensed her distress and wanted her to vent out her frustrations.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been sitting on it for some time now,¡± Kaiden replied casually. He didn¡¯t tell her, but he had quite a lot of dirt, not just on Erick, but on the entire Thorpe family.


    ¡°Does this affect you or your business?¡± Ellie asked, concerned.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kaiden replied.


    ¡°The Thorpe family spent a lot of effort and money to make Erick into this decorated academic. I can¡¯t imagine they¡¯d be happy with you now that you¡¯ve ruined his reputation. What are the chances they¡¯d trace this incident back to you?¡±


    Kaiden ignored her questions, covering Ellie¡¯s eyes with his hand. The look in her eyes was gnawing at his self-control.


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 Chapter 352

    ?Chapter 352:


    He paused, took a deep breath, and then leaned over to kiss his own knuckles, the closest he coulde to actually kissing her.


    With her sight gone, Ellie¡¯s other senses became sharper. She didn¡¯t know what Kaiden had done, but she felt him draw closer, and her heart skipped a beat.


    Ellie quickly pulled his hand away from her face and stepped back. ¡°Are they going to trace this back to you or not?¡± she asked again.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze fell on the glittering pink diamond on her wedding finger. ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± he shrugged, not having really thought about it. ¡°Don¡¯t you like it? Are you unhappy with my little present?¡± he asked when he noticed theck of excitement on her face.


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°No, I like it.¡±


    How could she not appreciate it when he had actively taken revenge for her? But she worried that it might cause him trouble.


    More chaos erupted on the first floor, but Kaiden had had enough of the ce. He ushered Ellie toward the stairs, and they exited the bar.


    They were greeted by the cool night breeze, as if it were brushing off the remnants of the discord that was still ongoing inside.


    ¡°Where to next?¡± Ellie asked Kaiden as their fingers intertwined. She tightened her grip without even realizing it.


    Kaiden remained silent.


    He hadn¡¯t really thought about this part either.


    Ellie nudged him and smiled. ¡°I did suggest that we celebrate New Year¡¯s together. Shall we?¡±


    It was an hour before midnight, and the road to the city center was heavily congested.


    The drive took a while, but they finally reached their destination.


    It was a high-end residential building that housed only one massive unit per floor, offering breathtaking views of various parts of the city. The apartments were all sold out before they were even released to the market.


    Ellie walked to the entrance, only to realize that Kaiden had stayed by the car.


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    ¡°What are you waiting for? Come on!¡± She waved him over.


    But he simply cocked his head to the side, his eyebrows slightly raised. For some reason, Ellie knew exactly what he had in mind. She strode back with a yful harrumph and took his hand.


    Sure enough, Kaiden fell into step with her.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but shake her head and chuckle.


    Momentster, they were stepping out of the elevator, and she pulled him over to the apartment door before opening it.


    The t was over 400 square meters, decorated in a minimalist style. It was fully furnished, and all the facilities were in perfect working condition. The 270-degree balcony offered an excellent view of the bustling night scene below.


    The ce was free from clutter, with the entire floor covered in soft, white carpets¡ªsomething that suited Ellie¡¯s habit of walking around barefoot.


    She did just that, her delicate toes sinking into the plush carpet, which immediately caught Kaiden¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Wee to my house!¡± Ellie said with a yful lift of her chin. ¡°If Mr. Thorpe doesn¡¯t mind, you¡¯re wee to stay at my ce for the night.¡±


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 Chapter 353

    ?Chapter 353:


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. He was well aware of his wife¡¯s financial independence and wealth, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated her owning such a splendid property in such a prime location. Hisughter, a rare and open expression on his usually reserved face, caught Ellie off guard. Her heart momentarily raced before she quickly shifted her focus. She busied herself with arranging the bouquet of red roses in a vase.


    ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡±


    Outside, fireworks began to light up the night sky. The New Year¡¯s fireworks painted the sky in vivid hues, casting a festive glow over the room. Ellie beckoned Kaiden to the balcony, overlooking the bustling crowd in the square below, all admiring the fireworks. She knew the scene below was a blend of chaos and excitement, a stark contrast to Kaiden¡¯s preference for solitude.


    Lost in the spectacle of the fireworks, Ellie was unaware that Kaiden¡¯s gaze was fixed on her. Her profile, bathed in the fireworks¡¯ glow, seemed ethereally beautiful. Kaiden, no stranger to admiration for his own looks, saw an unparalleled beauty in Ellie. This woman, seemingly docile, was full of surprises, capable of stirring his heart in unexpected ways. The events he had found mundane earlier now seemed different, all because of her presence.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression suddenly grew serious. ¡°Did you spend New Year¡¯s with Erick before?¡±


    Ellie turned to him, puzzled. ¡°Why would I do that? I¡¯d rather use that time to prepare for my exams.¡±


    Her past engagement to Erick hadn¡¯t included shared New Year celebrations. Erick had his social circle, and she had her studies. She had never wanted to waste her time on him.


    Kaiden found some measure of satisfaction in Ellie¡¯s response. Suddenly, Ellie leaned forward, her elbow propped up, her chin resting on her hand. Her eyes sparkled slyly as she gazed at Kaiden, reminiscent of a yful fox.


    ¡°Kaiden, do you get jealous when Erick is mentioned?¡± she asked, a teasing smile ying on her lips.


    Kaiden, maintaining his stoic demeanor, retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Ellie¡¯s head tilted, her tone yful yet provocative. ¡°I may not have spent New Year¡¯s with Erick, but I did spend it with someone else.¡±


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    Kaiden¡¯s expression tightened, a hint of danger flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Who?¡±


    His posture suggested he was ready to confront whoever it was.


    ¡°Why would I tell you if it doesn¡¯t matter to you?¡± Ellie countered. Kaiden grumbled in displeasure, reaching out to pinch her chin, about to say something.


    Then, Ellie shifted the conversation to a more serious note. ¡°Kaiden, do you actually like me?¡±


    He paused, visibly caught off guard.


    Her earnest gaze, filled with vulnerability, seemed to demand an honest answer. Did he like her?


    Kaiden had never really pondered this question. Such matters of the heart were often the concerns of the younger, more romantic souls.


    Yet there she was, his wife, still so young at twenty-one, seeking reassurance.


    Kaiden wanted to ask her the same question. Did she like him? But he hesitated, unsure whether it was from the fear of asking, or perhaps the fear of the answer.


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 Chapter 354

    ?Chapter 354:


    He was acutely aware that their marriage hadn¡¯t been her choice.


    ¡°What do you think, Mrs. Thorpe?¡± Kaiden gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her earlobe. His gaze softened, resembling the warmth of melting ice.


    Would he be this tender if he didn¡¯t harbor some affection for her? As they stood there, the New Year countdown began from the square below.


    ¡°Five!¡±


    ¡°Four!¡±


    ¡°Three!¡±


    ¡°Two!¡±


    ¡°One!¡±


    The New Year¡¯s bell chimed amidst the fireworks.


    Dong! Dong! Dong!


    ¡°Happy New Year, my Ellie,¡± Kaiden whispered, cradling her face and leaning in to seal the moment with a kiss.


    Amidst the spectacr fireworks disy, Kaiden¡¯s thoughts swirled. Did he like her? Well, the answer was evidently clear. She was his, after all.


    This New Year¡¯s Eve was far from ordinary. It was alive with gossip and revtions. The elite of Critport were abuzz with the unexpected turn of events at Erick¡¯s grand celebration at Heart Ind Bar. The discussion was more intense than Ellie¡¯s dramatic change from a top socialite to an orphan of uncertain lineage. Some of them derived a sense of schadenfreude from Erick¡¯s antics.


    ¡°So what if I am a poorly graded student? Erick of the Thorpe family is in the same boat! I may be a poorly graded student, but at least I don¡¯t pretend to be something I¡¯m not! I don¡¯t just avoid pretense; I also don¡¯t embarrass myself like Erick did!¡±


    The elite families reveled in this turn of events, all but the Thorpe family.


    At the Thorpes¡¯ house, Erick was in a dire situation. He knelt in the study, being beaten by his father, Talon, who was outraged by Erick¡¯s recent debacle.


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    ¡°I invested so much to set you up for sess, and this is how you repay me? You squandered five hundred million to be aughingstock. What stupid act have youmitted now? Huh? You are so fucking useless! I should just kill you!¡± Talon huffed.


    In a fit of humiliation and rage, Erick blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s your fault! You bastard! If you were legitimate, the Thorpe family would already be mine. You im you¡¯re setting me up, but it¡¯s all for yourself!¡±


    ¡°What? You, you!¡± Talon, driven to the brink of fury, raised the stick again. ¡°Ungrateful wretch! I ought to end you!¡± Erick¡¯s usations had hit a nerve, pushing Talon to his limits.


    ¡°Talon, enough! He¡¯s our only child. What we need to focus on is resolving this situation!¡± Genesis implored as she wrapped her arms around Talon, her voice filled with anxiety and sorrow. She pleaded, trying to quell Talon¡¯s wrath, ¡°Jorge is already displeased with all this.¡±


    Jorge, who always valued the family¡¯s reputation, had consented to Kaiden¡¯s removal from the family¡¯s power structure. This decision wasn¡¯t solely because Kaiden wasn¡¯t his preferred heir; Kaiden had also tarnished the family¡¯s name and caused Jorge personal shame, making him unsuitable as a family leader. But now, with Kaiden heading GT Group and posing a threat to the Thorpe Group, Erick¡¯s failures were all the more ring. His academic dishonesty,ckluster performance inpetitions, and penchant for bragging had alle to light.


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 Chapter 355

    ?Chapter 355:


    Talon feared Jorge¡¯s disappointment in Erick.


    Genesis gestured to Erick, urging, ¡°Apologize to your father, right now!¡± Erick, though loath to submit, relied on Talon for financial support and influence. Reluctantly, he mumbled, ¡°Sorry, Dad, I acted rashly. Please forgive me.¡±


    Talon, his anger somewhat abated, lowered the stick. He then asked Erick, ¡°Do you know who owns Heart Ind Bar?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Erick replied, puzzled by the sudden change in topic.


    ¡°And who put that information on the screen?¡± Talon prodded further.


    ¡°No idea.¡±


    ¡°It was Kaiden!¡± Talon¡¯s frustration with Erick¡¯s ignorance was palpable. ¡°With yourck of awareness, how can you everpete with Kaiden?¡±


    Erick, taken aback, echoed, ¡°Kaiden?¡±


    The realization that he had been inadvertently funding Kaiden all these years through hisvish spending on Heart Ind Bar was a bitter pill to swallow. Overwhelmed by this revtion, Erick¡¯s shock quickly turned to fury. The day¡¯s humiliation, bing a citywide joke, enduring unbearable ridicule ¡ª it was all Kaiden¡¯s doing.


    Talon was surprised to learn that Kaiden controlled Heart Ind Bar. The source of Erick¡¯s information wasn¡¯t hard to trace, likelying from an insider at Crestmont University or the Thorpe family, who had ess to donation records.


    In the Thorpe family, Kaiden was the only one who resented them.


    ¡°Kaiden¡¯s actions have embarrassed you and the family. Talk to your grandfather, act pitiful,¡± Talon added. ¡°You know what to say, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Erick nodded in understanding.


    Ellie woke up feeling sore, as if she¡¯d been hit by a car. Despite her experiences with Kaiden, he always left her with a significant aftereffect.


    Sitting up took effort. She reached for her bedside table, and Kaiden handed her a warm ss of water.


    Kaiden, looking sharp in his attire, shifted hisptop aside and turned his attention toward her.


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    Ellie thanked him, her voice hoarse until the warm water soothed her throat. She usually kept water by her bed for the morning thirst and was surprised that Kaiden noticed.


    ¡°Want more?¡± Kaiden asked, noticing her empty ss.


    Ellie, recalling the exact same words from when he had shared intimate moments with her the night before, looked at him nervously. Kaiden¡¯s usually emotionless face showed a teasing smile.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Ellie?¡±


    He seemed to remember those intimate moments as well. She blushed and looked away. ¡°It¡¯s nothing!¡± Obviously, Kaiden didn¡¯t believe her.


    ¡°You knew exactly what I was thinking¡­¡± she hissed.


    Kaiden, in a good mood after spending a wonderful night with her, leaned in to kiss her.


    Ellie covered her mouth, saying, ¡°I haven¡¯t brushed my teeth yet!¡± He seemed to forget every time!


    His kissnded on her hand, sending a warm tingle through her heart.


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 Chapter 356

    ?Chapter 356:


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you, I don¡¯t mind,¡± he smiled.


    After changing, Ellie noticed several changes in the living room. The decorative wine was now a Lafite, and the coffee set was an antique from four centuries ago. Even the empty coffee jar had been reced with premium coffee.


    Ellie was confused by the new additions when Kaiden approached her, just finishing his call.


    She asked, ¡°These things¡­?¡±


    ¡°Do you like them?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    He had chosen the coffee set to match her taste. It wasn¡¯t just about liking them.


    Ellie pointed to the porcin. ¡°Is that antique¡­ real?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened, his displeasure evident. His look silently conveyed that he would never use anything fake.


    Ellie froze. She quickly exined, ¡°It¡¯s just that I can¡¯t use it for coffee.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Kaiden replied. ¡°I have plenty, even if you break it.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t find the words. Ellie felt out of ce surrounded by such wealth. Kaiden pointed to arge painting. ¡°I have the original. I¡¯ll get Bruce to bring it.¡±


    It was a medieval replica, valuable but not as much as the original. However, it was painted by a famous artist 100 years ago. Ellie had acquired it at an auctionst year.


    Kaiden emphasized ¡°original,¡± still upset by the fakement.


    Ellie quickly declined. ¡°No, thanks. I don¡¯t really like this painting.¡±


    Hanging a painting worth hundreds of millions here didn¡¯t feel appropriate. She was secretly concerned about the risk of theft with such expensive art.


    ¡°What kind of paintings do you prefer?¡± Kaiden asked thoughtfully, then offered, ¡°I have more paintings in my warehouse.¡± He was indicating that he was willing to give anything to Ellie.


    Warehouse¡­


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    Why did he link that word to the collection?


    It was difficult for Ellie to convince Kaiden not to move more valuables into her apartment, which felt far less secure than Moon Manor¡¯s warehouse.


    They eventually decided to return to Moon Manor.


    Upon entering the house, a strange tension filled the air. Cayson subtly hinted to Kaiden that Omiros had been waiting all night. Ellie noticed Omiros¡¯s displeased look in the living room, surrounded by his favorite snacks, seemingly hoping to share them with her.


    She found herself at a loss for words. Why did she feel guilty, like leaving a child home alone during the holidays?


    ¡°Omiros, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Ellie said, fighting back her guilt.


    ¡°I wanted you both to ring in the new year with me.¡± Omiros hadn¡¯t slept a wink, dark circles under his eyes. He looked at Kaiden and Ellie with a touch of resentment. ¡°Instead, you disappeared all night!¡±


    Kaiden shot him a cold nce. ¡°I¡¯m not your guardian. My concern is making sure you¡¯re still breathing.¡±


    Omiros turned away, uninterested in further conversation with Kaiden. Ellie, sitting across from him, asked gently, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go out with your friends for New Year¡¯s?¡±


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 Chapter 357

    ?Chapter 357:


    Celebrating New Year¡¯s with friends is often more fun than with older family members, and the strained rtionship between Omiros and Kaiden didn¡¯t seem to lend itself to a joint celebration. Omiros, with a dark expression, questioned, ¡°Did Kaiden authorize me to go out?¡±


    Ellie then remembered that Kaiden had restricted Omiros to the manor to prevent him from running away again. She realized how unfortunate Omiros¡¯s situation was.


    ¡°I apologize for unintentionally leaving you behind while we were enjoying ourselves outside,¡± Ellie said, her guilt evident.


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what happened? Humph. You and Kaiden must have had a wonderful night at a hotel, right?¡± Omiros sneered. Caught off guard, Ellie spat out her drink, embarrassed by Omiros¡¯s bold guess.


    Omiros, a little shocked at his uracy, yfully teased Ellie for being shy, iming he knew everything.


    Ellie stood up and realized Omiros didn¡¯t need her sympathy. He was aware of their hotel stay and showed his maturity.


    To make amends, Ellie prepared a feast of Omiros¡¯s favorite dishes.


    Kaiden, joining the meal, looked disapprovingly at Omiros. Before Omiros could cause trouble, Kaiden received a call, his mood darkening instantly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go back,¡± he replied to the caller. ¡°You only provided one sperm for my birth. How much is it? I¡¯ll pay you.¡±


    Ellie and Omiros were stunned, pausing their meal. It was clear the call was from Jorge.


    After Kaiden ended the call, Ellie and Omiros refrained from prying into the details. A whileter, Cayson¡¯s phone rang, and he approached with a troubled expression.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, they suggest that if you go back, this could be an opportune moment for you toprehend your mother¡¯s condition.¡± It was a veiled threat, using Brisa as leverage against Kaiden.


    Kaiden maintained a stoic expression, his face a mask of indifference. However, the fork in his right hand slipped from his grasp onto the table, producing a distinct sound akin to a snapping neck.


    ¡°Carry on with your meal, everyone.¡± Kaiden then requested a servant to fetch his coat.


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    Ellie rose from her seat, dering, ¡°I¡¯ll apany you.¡±


    The Thorpes¡¯ house always exuded a stifling ambiance. A servant guided Kaiden and Ellie into the study. Jorge upied the central position at the yellow rosewood desk, while Talon and Erick sat in chairs to his left.


    ¡°Kaiden, did you have a hand in the incident at the bar?¡± Jorge asked sternly as soon as Kaiden took his seat.


    Erick and Talon, brimming with confidence, had assured Jorge that Kaiden would deny any involvement and shirk ountability. They had spoken negatively about Kaiden many times in front of Jorge. To their astonishment, Kaiden calmly affirmed, ¡°Indeed.¡±


    His tone exuded arrogance, as if proiming, ¡°And what if it was?¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Talon, taken aback and furious, used. ¡°Kaiden, I understand there¡¯s a history between us, but tarnishing the Thorpe family¡¯s reputation and honor is unforgivable! Have you considered the repercussions for the family and for Dad?¡±


    Talon possessed a silver tongue, deftly intertwining the Thorpe family and Jorge to seamlessly guide the conversation toward Jorge reprimanding Kaiden.


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 Chapter 358

    ?Chapter 358:


    However, Kaiden refused to take the bait. Curling his lip in disdain, Kaiden treated the usations as preposterous, steeped in derisive mockery.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Jorge, sensing a challenge to his paternal authority, mmed the table, demanding, ¡°Choose your words carefully!¡±


    ¡°Thinking of using my mother as leverage once more?¡± Kaiden astutely voiced Jorge¡¯s underlying intent.


    Indeed, Jorge harbored such intentions, but Kaiden¡¯s direct acknowledgment thwarted any attempt to employ Brisa as a bargaining chip.


    ¡°Exin yourself. Why the deliberate act? We¡¯ve uncovered that Heart Ind Bar belongs to you,¡± Jorge pressed, his gazeden with significance.


    Kaiden¡¯s role as the CEO of GT Group alone had already astonished Jorge, not to mention his unexpected ownership of the prosperous Heart Ind Bar. The son he had dismissed as inconsequential had silently flourished,pelling Jorge to take notice.


    ¡°Kaiden, is envy consuming you? You tarnish my standing, aiming to usurp the Thorpe legacy, right?¡± Erick used. Then he added, ¡°Remember, the Thorpe family still belongs to Grandfather. It¡¯s rightfully his!¡±


    Ellie held back augh, barely containing her amusement. Could this be a battle for supremacy? Erick¡¯s words resembled the rhetoric of benevolent princes in historical dramas.


    ¡°Kaiden, is that your perception?¡± Jorge inquired.


    ¡°Cut to the chase. What¡¯s the true purpose of summoning me?¡± Kaiden impatiently dismissed their banter.


    Talon refrained from probing Kaiden further about his actions, acknowledging the mutual animosity. Pressing Kaiden to confess his ¡°mistake¡± served as a pretense for finding a resolution.


    ¡°Kaiden, given your involvement in this matter with Erick affecting the entire Thorpe family, a fair resolution is required,¡± Talon proposed. ¡°You publicly confess to concocting the information, issue an apology to Erick, and incorporate Heart Ind Resort into the Thorpe family¡¯s portfolio, harmonizing with our tourism and cultural endeavors.¡±


    ¡°Pfft!¡± Ellie¡¯sughter echoed strangely within the study.


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    Numerous gazes were directed her way.


    ¡°My apologies, it was unintentional,¡± Ellie genuinely expressed regret, but a sly smile followed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist.¡±


    Kaiden, whose spirits had been dampened by his family, started to brighten. Casually leaning against the chair, he anticipated Ellie¡¯s response. He understood her cunning nature; she consistently caught everyone off guard.


    Presently, she unabashedly ridiculed Talon¡¯s bold assertions. On each visit to this oppressive residence, she vocally supported him, unwaveringly aligning herself with him and mitigating the oppressive atmosphere of the Thorpes¡¯ house.


    ¡°This is a matter for the Thorpe family. If you¡¯re unwilling to hear it, depart!¡± Jorge attempted to rein in his anger. ¡°Women need not be entangled in such affairs!¡±


    Unfazed by the patriarchal arrogance, Ellie retorted with a smile, ¡°Jorge, I am acting like this due to your preference for your other son over my husband Kaiden. I am the only one Kaiden can rely on for support. If you cast me out, wouldn¡¯t you be conspiring with others to sideline him?¡± Though her words held a childlike tone, they wereced with evident sarcasm, rendering it challenging for anyone to censure her.


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    ?Chapter 359:


    Jorge¡¯s countenance soured considerably. He was aware of his bias toward his eldest son, a sentiment shared by others, yet Ellie was the only individual audacious enough to vocalize it. A stunned silence enveloped everyone.


    Ellie¡¯s utterance of ¡°my husband Kaiden¡± enchanted Kaiden, resonating like a spell and quickening his heartbeat, rendering him unable to avert his gaze.


    Preempting others, Ellie addressed Talon, ¡°Mr. Talon, I¡¯m intrigued. You use us of harming Erick. Did we fabricate the information, or did we coerce Erick into falsifying it? Are you bold in deeds but timid in acknowledgment? Erick stirred trouble at my school¡¯s anniversary. Am I not entitled to retaliate?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze subtly shifted. She willingly took the me.


    Experiencing protection of this kind was a long-forgotten sensation for him¡ªthose acquainted with him deemed him too resilient to require shielding. Yet Ellie, this audacious individual, boldly stood in his defense without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°You see Kaiden as part of the Thorpe family now, huh? When you utilized the Thorpe family¡¯s funds to embellish Erick, did Kaiden cross your mind? Now, as you covet Heart Ind Resort, you suddenly recall his existence? Even beggars exhibit humility when seeking alms. Mr. Talon, your audacious demand for billions in assets is noteworthy. Do older individuals universally possess thick skin like yours?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re impertinent!¡± Talon, flushed with anger, said. ¡°Kaiden, rein in your wife! This is not the setting for her audacity!¡± Kaiden cast a brief nce at Ellie.


    Ellie tensed, fearing she had crossed a line.


    Suddenly, she heard the sound of three resounding ps.


    Kaiden nonchntly apuded,mending Ellie, ¡°Nicely articted.¡± Irony reached its zenith.


    Kaiden remarked, ¡°I uncovered Erick¡¯s fraudulent credentials purely to witness the transformation from joy to sorrow.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, you!¡± Talon huffed.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Jorge snapped, his fury evident as he red at Ellie. ¡°Everyone from Talon¡¯s family, leave now.¡±


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    Ellie, still unbothered, had brought up the question of whether older individuals had thick skin. Jorge, being the eldest in the room, wondered if Ellie was implying that he, too, had thick skin.


    ¡°Dad, we can¡¯t just leave things like this!¡± Talon insisted, refusing to back down, especially after being taunted by Kaiden and Ellie.


    ¡°Dad is right, Grandpa!¡± Erick added, agreeing with his father.


    ¡°And how do you propose we settle this?¡± Jorge, now visibly losing his patience, demanded. ¡°Kaiden isn¡¯t backing down. Do you think you can make him? Isn¡¯t this mess your own doing?¡±


    Talon and Erick left the study, both feeling low and frustrated. They vented their anger privately, trying to process their defeat.


    Erick came across taunting posts about his pretensions online, along with spections on which bars would still wee him.


    ¡°Wow, Erick got banned from both Heart Ind Bar and Rich Bar at the same time. Impressive!¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t he just y the part of a wealthy yet needy student? A wastrel like him doesn¡¯t need a degree. Erick is really out here causing his own problems!¡±


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    ?Chapter 360:


    ¡°Kaiden worked his way up to be GT Group¡¯s CEO, but Erick, hiding behind his family¡¯s influence, turned into a scammer. That¡¯s just funny!¡±


    Erick felt his mind unraveling as he read thesements. ¡°Dad, are we just going to ignore this?¡± he asked, desperation creeping into his voice. He felt bitter and humiliated.


    ¡°What¡¯s your next move? You¡¯ve only got yourself to me for showing off like that!¡± Talon was taken aback by Jorge¡¯s stance today.


    ¡°Dad, Grandpa didn¡¯t back us up today. Do you think he¡¯s siding with Kaiden now?¡± Erick couldn¡¯t hide his growing concern.


    Talon, surprised by his im, quickly dismissed it. ¡°No way! It must be due to Ellie¡¯s involvement. Your grandpa is concerned with his reputation, so he had to stop supporting us in front of Ellie.¡±


    Erick thought back to Ellie¡¯s actions that evening, feeling a mix of difort. He dreamed of putting her in her ce, making her wish she¡¯d never sided with Kaiden. Yet, beneath his anger, he envied Kaiden. What made Ellie defend him so fiercely? Compared to Ellie, Demi, though charming and seductive, proved to be of no help when it really mattered!


    Back in the study, Jorge watched Kaiden, who was idly ying with his phone. It had been a long while since he¡¯d looked at his youngest son. Their interactions were often filled with conflict. Yet, he couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge Kaiden¡¯s striking appearance and unmatched abilities among his siblings, particrly when Kaiden was young. If only Kaiden were morepliant, he¡¯d be a better fit for the Thorpe legacy than Talon¡¯s branch of the family.


    ¡°Kaiden, we¡¯veunched a new energy venture. I want you to lead it as CEO,¡± Jorge offered, gesturing towards some documents.


    Kaiden replied coolly, ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡±


    ¡°I get that you¡¯re running GT Group and might not want another project, but this is different¡ªit¡¯s a family venture,¡± Jorge exined, showing rare patience with Kaiden. ¡°You¡¯ve made a sess of Heart Ind Bar. Ignore your brother¡¯sments; what belongs to you is safe.¡±


    Kaiden signaled to Ellie that it was time to leave, addressing Jorge. ¡°We¡¯re going now.¡±


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    Unless the conversation turned to Brisa¡¯s situation, he saw no point in staying another minute.


    Jorge sighed deeply at Kaiden¡¯s stubbornness. ¡°Ellie, please stay. I need to speak with you.¡±


    Kaiden grasped Ellie¡¯s hand, drawing her close, his expression wary and indifferent as he faced Jorge.


    ¡°Kaiden! Ellie is my daughter-inw! Is it too much to ask for a moment to speak with her?¡± Jorge¡¯s patience snapped, and he raised his voice.


    Ellie sought out Omiros in the side building, driven by a question that had been nagging at her.


    ¡°The Chapmans are aware Brisa is alive, correct?¡± Ellie ventured. She noticed that Omiros¡¯s expression was one of sadness rather than shock when Cayson spoke of Brisa¡¯s illness.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Omiros confirmed with a nod.


    ¡°Why then¡­ haven¡¯t you considered removing her from the care facility? Or bringing her into the Chapman household?¡± Ellie asked, confused.


    Omiros seemed at a loss for words, scratching his head as he considered how to exin.


    After a moment, he inquired, ¡°Ellie, why do you think we ought to relocate my aunt?¡±


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 Chapter 361

    ?Chapter 361:


    Brisa was the aunt he referred to.


    ¡°Because I think Brisa is being used by Jorge as leverage over Kaiden,¡± Ellie exined, her toneced with concern. She started to think that Brisa was being manipted by the Thorpe family.


    Kaiden¡¯s hesitance to visit the Thorpes¡¯ house had been ovee by the necessity to deal with Brisa¡¯s situation. To Kaiden, the stakes were as high as life and death.


    Ellie empathized deeply, recognizing in Brisa a parallel to her own rtionship with Cecelia.


    ¡°You are right,¡± Omiros admitted bitterly, his voice heavy with resentment. ¡°But it¡¯s a position my aunt epted willingly.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ellie was stunned.


    ¡°My aunt hasn¡¯t moved past her feelings for that man,¡± Omiros said, clearly perplexed by Brisa¡¯s enduring attachment to Jorge.


    At that moment, Ellie¡¯s confusion cleared.


    The realization dawned on her. Despite the Chapmans¡¯ influence, capable of shielding their family from the Thorpes, and Kaiden¡¯s power to extricate Brisa, they had yielded to Jorge¡¯s pressure.


    The undeniable truth was that Brisa refused to leave with them.


    Ellie¡¯s heart sank with sorrow. Imagining Kaiden¡¯s pain upon realizing his mother had chosen to be a pawn against him was unbearable.


    But Ellie knew there was no room for doubt.


    Given Kaiden¡¯s sharpness, he likely came to this realization much earlier.


    Omiros nced toward the main building for a moment before adding, ¡°Kaiden¡¯s decision to pretend to be disabled is also rted to Aunt Brisa.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ellie asked immediately.


    Instead of answering, Omiros looked back at her and posed a question of his own. ¡°Which one do you think is less threatening, a disabled man or a healthy one?¡±


    The answer was obvious.


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    Jorge was a cautious and suspicious man. If he thought Kaiden was dangerous as a healthy man, he would never have allowed Brisa to stay in a sanatorium. He would have locked Brisa up instead, preventing any interaction with Kaiden or the outside world. In this way, Jorge couldpletely control Brisa. Hence, Kaiden started pretending to be disabled so that his father would see him as weak and allow him to see his mother.


    At night, as Kaiden reclined on the bed, the woman lying next to him abruptly shifted and reached out to touch his thigh under the warm nket.


    A shiver ran through Kaiden¡¯s body, his muscles instinctively tensing.


    He looked up and saw Ellie¡¯s eyes gazing intensely at him.


    Her eyes were full of heartache and pity.


    Kaiden¡¯s arousal suddenly withered.


    ¡°Are you tired of pretending to be disabled?¡± Ellie asked softly.


    ¡°What?¡± Kaiden raised his eyebrows slightly.


    Why did she ask this question out of the blue?


    Ellie repeated, ¡°Are you tired of pretending to be disabled?¡±


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 Chapter 362

    ?Chapter 362:


    Ever since Kaiden started pretending to be disabled, his quality of life had drastically declined. For nearly ten years, countless people ridiculed him constantly for being unable to work. Enduring such emotional distress was not something an average person could handle.


    What normal person didn¡¯t want to run in the sun when they were young?


    ¡°Ellie, are you feeling sorry for me?¡± he whispered in a hushed voice, cradling her face in one hand as he pressed his forehead against hers. Ellie answered without hesitation, ¡°Yes.¡±


    She felt sorry that Kaiden had to pretend to be disabled for his mother¡¯s sake. She felt sorry that he had a father who yed favorites and a mother who disregarded her son for love. But more than anything else, she was sorry that he had to endure all of this and keep on sacrificing himself.


    Kaiden¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and a smile lit up his eyes. He was slightly stunned but couldn¡¯t resist the urge to kiss Ellie¡¯s lips. As their lips met, his heart raced even faster. This kiss was not motivated by lust. It was gentle and soothing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Kaiden said. ¡°Your husband won¡¯t be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.¡±


    He would not continue as a disabled person. After all, he couldn¡¯t allow her to feel sorry for him all the time. Ever since they visited Jorge, Kaiden had been in a gloomy mood. But a few words from Ellie had lifted his spirits.


    Due to how hard Kaiden and Ellie went at it the previous night, she fell asleep a short whileter. Kaiden stared at Ellie¡¯s sleeping face, a pleased smile on his face. The peaceful silence in the room was shattered by the ringing of his phone.


    Afraid that the noise would wake Ellie up, Kaiden quickly picked up the phone and went to the balcony to answer it.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯ll be back on Friday. Are you free to pick me up?¡± It was Carole.


    Kaiden was about to reply, but Carole continued, ¡°I haven¡¯t returned home in a long time. I want to pay homage to Leo. Can you take me there?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t turn her down on this.


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    Carole said happily, ¡°Then see you on Friday. I¡¯ll send you my flight information. I¡¯d like to thank you in advance for picking me up.¡±


    Kaiden frowned. He was talking about the homage thing. How did Carole automatically interpret that to mean that he would pick her up?


    However, Kaiden found it difficult to exin what he really meant, nor could he refuse to help her since they had known each other for many years.


    Anyway, he was only going to pick her up from the airport, and it wasn¡¯t something to make a big deal out of.


    ¡°Oh right, I almost forgot. It¡¯s nighttime there. I didn¡¯t disturb your rest, did I?¡± Carole suddenly said.


    Kaiden stared at Ellie¡¯s sleeping form and said, ¡°No.¡±


    His short answer left Carole no choice but to say, ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb you, Kaiden. Bye.¡±


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    Kaiden hung up the phone immediately.


    The smile on Carole¡¯s face froze, and she suddenly felt depressed.


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 Chapter 363

    ?Chapter 363:


    Ever since she was a child, she had known Kaiden to be apathetic. As she grew up, she became ustomed to it, believing that it was Kaiden¡¯s personality. But now that she knew he was with Ellie, his indifference towards her made her feel uneasy.


    Carole suddenly regretted studying abroad.


    As she berated herself for her decision to move abroad for further education, she wondered if Ellie was jealous that she called Kaiden sote at night.


    Of course, Ellie wasn¡¯t jealous because she didn¡¯t know about the call at all.


    Erick¡¯s antics at Heart Ind Bar became viral on the inte. To avoid embarrassment, Demi did not return to school until thest day of that semester.


    However, the second Demi entered the ssroom, the monitor, who was wearing a long face, immediately walked up to her. ¡°Demi, the teacher wants you toe see her at the dean¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Demi was confused.


    ¡°You skipped Professor Walters¡¯s ss before, and she flunked you. Besides, you¡­ Just go,¡± the monitor¡¯s expression was hard for Demi to read.


    As she made her way to the dean¡¯s office, she could hear her ssmates questioning the monitor about what had urred.


    ¡°There¡¯s a possibility that she¡¯ll get expelled from school, and there is a recent post on the forum. I suggest you look at it yourself. It¡¯s a big issue,¡± the monitor answered.


    Get expelled from school?


    Demi found it absurd. She had only failed one ss, and she didn¡¯t think that warranted being expelled from school.


    Upon her arrival at the dean¡¯s office, Demi was met with a direct request from her teacher to have her parentse in for a meeting. It was clear that the teacher intended to have Demi withdrawn from the school.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you being too harsh?¡± Demi¡¯s expression was filled with dissatisfaction. ¡°I only missed one ss. Why did you fail me for that? Even if I failed that ss, I should have a chance to take a makeup exam.¡±


    The teacher was amused by Demi¡¯s righteous expression. She snapped, ¡°Demi, not only did you miss your major courses, but you also barely scraped by in two of them. And on top of that, it turns out you copied the homework for the other two subjects. This is a clear vition of Critport University¡¯s rules and regtions.


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    Also, I know that you only got to host the school festival because you bribed the person in charge to rece a ssmate who was originally chosen. You are a unique student who has been selected through unconventional means, so you should truly appreciate this chance. But it¡¯s obvious that you don¡¯t. Huh, you really act the same as your boyfriend, Erick. You¡¯re both hypocrites.¡±


    Demi¡¯splexion drained of color. ¡°How¡­ how did youe about this information?¡±


    ¡°Check the forum and see for yourself. Everyone in the school knows about it.¡±


    In the face of such hefty allegations, the school would have to take certain measures to prove to all its teachers and students that it wouldn¡¯t condone such offenses.


    Demi suddenly remembered the forum she heard the monitor talking about. She quickly took out her phone and opened the forum. Almost immediately, she found the post the monitor was referring to, and under it were a lot ofments.


    Thement section was flooded with inquiries and insults directed towards Demi. The varsity pro host, who lost her hosting position because of her, joined in to publicly criticize her.


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 Chapter 364

    ?Chapter 364:


    ¡°Who¡­ who made this? This is an invasion of my privacy,¡± Demi snapped.


    Who could be so wicked?


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t constitute an invasion of privacy.¡± The teacher didn¡¯t want to waste any more of her time on Demi. ¡°You¡¯ll ask your parents toe over to the school tomorrow and withdraw you from the school.¡±


    Demi emerged from the office, disheartened and overwhelmed with distress. A sudden realization struck her, prompting Demi to swiftly dial her studio¡¯s number. The urgency was clear; the post needed to be deleted immediately. Any further exposure could spell her downfall.


    But mere removal wouldn¡¯t suffice. To avert her impending crisis, the most effective strategy was to safeguard her university enrollment. As long as she retained her student status, the damaging rumors would likely fade away on their own.


    Meanwhile, Ellie received a call from Cecelia, inviting her toe home for her birthday celebration. Even though Cecelia¡¯s birthday was still a week away, they nned to celebrate a few days in advance.


    ¡°Kaiden, I must return to the Gordon family today for Cecelia¡¯s birthday. Would you like to apany me?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°I have priormitments today,¡± Kaiden declined, instructing Cayson to arrange a birthday gift for Cecelia in his ce. If his physical presence wasn¡¯t possible, his gift would convey his regards.


    Ellie, understanding Kaiden¡¯s busy schedule, wasn¡¯t surprised, though a hint of disappointment lingered.


    ¡°Cecelia expressed a desire to meet you,¡± Ellie sighed. Cecelia had subtly hinted at her curiosity about Ellie¡¯s choice of a life partner.


    ¡°Perhaps another asion,¡± Kaiden replied, citing a priormitment to pick up Carole from the airport. Additionally, his feelings toward Cecelia of the Gordon family were fairly indifferent.


    As Ellie was about to nod, Kaiden¡¯s hand descended upon her head, gently tousling her hair.


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    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Ellie asked, confused.


    ¡°Ensure they don¡¯t mistreat you over at the Gordon residence,¡± Kaiden replied.


    Ellie harbored no expectation of mistreatment. ¡°I just wish to visit Grandma; I don¡¯t intend to engage much with the others.¡±


    Her strategy was to disregard Houston, Litzy, and Demi, treating their words as fleeting gusts of wind.


    Ellie was pleasantly surprised when both Houston and Litzy treated her warmly during the visit. They even purchased a birthday cake for Cecelia.


    Acting in the role of a responsible father, Houston inquired about Ellie¡¯s work and life. Hisposure remained steady despite Kaiden¡¯s absence, knowing that Kaiden¡¯s gift had already been delivered.


    Before dinner, Ellie sang a birthday song for Cecelia.


    ¡°Grandma, you haven¡¯t made a wish,¡± Ellie gently reminded Cecelia, who had already blown out the birthday candles.


    ¡°No worries!¡± Cecelia smiled. ¡°Ellie,e over; I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    Guiding Ellie, Cecelia took her to a room. This time, it wasn¡¯t a storage space but a standard guest room on the ground floor.


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 Chapter 365

    ?Chapter 365:


    ¡°Ellie, I noticed Kaiden wasn¡¯t with you today. Does he not like our family?¡± Cecelia hadn¡¯t seen anyone apanying her.


    ¡°No need to worry, Grandma. He was busy today. I¡¯ll introduce him to you next time.¡±


    Cecelia discreetly let out a sigh of relief. Recalling the previous call to Ellie, when Kaiden had answered, Cecelia wanted to avoid the pressure of dealing with that young man again.


    ¡°Ellie, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like your help with,¡± Cecelia said.


    Ellie smiled, holding Cecelia¡¯s elderly hand. ¡°Grandma, today is all about you. Just tell me what you need; there¡¯s no need for formality.¡±


    ¡°Your sister has run into some trouble at school. Knowing you¡¯re an honorary alumna of Critport University with good connections, could you lend her a hand?¡±


    ¡°What happened to her?¡±


    It took Ellie a moment to realize that the ¡°sister¡± Cecelia referred to was Demi.


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure. The school wants her to leave.¡± Cecelia sighed with concern. ¡°She¡¯s still so young; dropping out seems too harsh.¡±


    ¡°Hold on, Grandma. I¡¯ll investigate and get the details.¡±


    Ellie checked the university forum but found no information about Demi. She then reached out to Howard for details.


    Howard promptly responded on WhatsApp, ¡°Demi copied her major assignment, failed the final exam, bribed the activity coordinator, and had issues with her admission. There was initially a post about it on the forum, but it was deleted by her studio¡¯s contact at the university.¡± Howard then asked, ¡°Ellie, why do you inquire about this? Is the Gordon family pressuring you to conceal Demi¡¯s actions?¡±


    Ellie was surprised. How did Howard know about her connection with Demi? But now wasn¡¯t the time for inquiries. She replied with gratitude and set her phone aside.


    Ellie rified, ¡°Grandma, the problems Demi caused are significant. I¡¯m just a graduate; I can¡¯t impact the university¡¯s policies.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you haven¡¯t given it a try. How can you be certain it won¡¯t work? You just don¡¯t want to help me!¡± Demi burst into the room, pointing at Ellie with an usation. ¡°Did you create that forum thread? It must be you. No one else wants to see my failure!¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re here.¡± Ellie rose from beside Cecelia¡¯s bed, casting a cold gaze at Demi. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why didn¡¯t you join me when I was singing the birthday song for grandma?¡±


    Upon entering, Ellie spotted Demi¡¯s bag and coat on the coat rack.


    Demi remained silent, merely locking eyes with Cecelia.


    ¡°Ellie, please help Demi just this once, for my sake!¡± Cecelia implored, gripping Ellie¡¯s hand. ¡°If Demi gets expelled, she¡¯ll be aughingstock. Today is my birthday, and fulfilling this wish is my birthday request. You won¡¯t disappoint me, will you?¡±


    Ellie gazed at Cecelia with disbelief. A sudden realization dawned on her that Cecelia now seemed like a stranger. She questioned why Cecelia had an early birthday celebration. It appeared the birthday was merely a pretext, with the true motive being to enlist her assistance for Demi. Now it made sense of Litzy¡¯s unusually friendly demeanor.


    It was understandable for Cecelia to plead for Demi, given their familial connection. However, using a birthday wish as a maniption tactic felt like a betrayal. Ellie¡¯s heartfelt birthday wishes now felt like a cruel joke. She had arrived with joy, only to find herself ensnared in a trap of maniption.


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 Chapter 366

    ?Chapter 366:


    Cecelia, the person she once knew and respected, now felt like a piercing de in her heart. What she was doing made each breath an arduous endeavor. If Demi, as her blood rtive, meant more to Cecelia, what significance did she hold?


    Observing Ellie¡¯s silence, Demi wore a triumphant expression, while Litzy, positioned at the door, let out a mocking chuckle. The issue wasn¡¯t raised directly, indicating a prearranged scenario where Cecelia yed the mediator. Demi was uninterested in pretending niceties toward Ellie, which exined her earlier absence.


    ¡°I must leave; other obligations require my attention.¡± Ellie wanted to leave without further dy.


    ¡°Ellie, you can¡¯t go! You haven¡¯t given your consent!¡± Demi obstructed her path, determined not to let Ellie leave until school matters were resolved.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Cecelia¡¯s tone pressed for her agreement.


    Ellie closed her eyes, wrestled with her trembling fingers, and took a deep breath to regainposure. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll find a solution.¡±


    Demi scorned Ellie. ¡°Quite the honorary alumna, wielding influence and connections.¡± She was subtly alluding to Ellie¡¯s abuse of privilege.


    ¡°Hey, Ellie, are you leaving so soon?¡± Houston frowned upon seeing Ellie hastening away. He had hoped to maintain a good rtionship with this exceptional foster daughter.


    Litzy restrained Houston, who was attempting to keep Ellie, stating, ¡°She has other pressing matters to address.¡±


    ¡°Will she assist Demi?¡± Houston inquired. ¡°If she¡¯s unwilling, don¡¯tpel her.¡± Otherwise, reconciling Ellie¡¯s connection with the Gordon family would be more challenging.


    ¡°Certainly, she will,¡± Litzy contemted with a concealed sneer. She believed she was the sole genuine caregiver for Demi in this family. She wasn¡¯t oblivious to Houston¡¯s attempts to win over Ellie.


    Ellie wandered aimlessly on the street, engulfed by the impact of Cecelia¡¯s recent actions and words. The umted pain evolved into a state of depression, a heavy burden on her chest, impeding her breathing.


    Abruptly, Ellie yearned to meet Kaiden. Retrieving her phone, she scrolled to Kaiden¡¯s contact.


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    Ellie hesitated before dialing Kaiden¡¯s number. She feared she might be interrupting his work, and in her downcast mood, she didn¡¯t want to return home. Instead, she decided to visit Rich Bar.


    It had been a while since she had seen Baylee, so she gave her a call to see if she¡¯d be interested in meeting there.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± Baylee replied, though her voice sounded tired and troubled, as if she had been through a difficult time.


    An hour passed.


    The door to the private room opened.


    ¡°Baylee, I¡ª¡± Ellie stopped mid-sentence when she saw the tall man entering with her.


    He stood tall, with fine features that exuded an inherent pride. Though he tried to blend in, his presence was unmistakable. Hisposed demeanor was matched by strikingly captivating eyes.


    Marvin¡¯s appearance was everything people had described him as: elegant, ruthless, low-key, and noble. These qualities reflected in his mannerisms, his approach, his style, and his very essence.


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 Chapter 367

    ?Chapter 367:


    This was Ellie¡¯s first encounter with a sober and upright Marvin, and she found herself giving him a second nce¡ªnot just because of his looks, but because of his actions. He was silently holding onto Baylee¡¯s sleeve, much like a loyal dog following its master.


    This behavior seemed out of ce for him.


    Something about him felt off.


    Baylee, seemingly ignoring his hand on her sleeve, let out a sigh and copsed onto the sofa.


    ¡°Is he out of his mind?¡± Ellie whispered softly.


    Baylee, her expression numb and hopeless, responded, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Before Ellie could respond, she felt a sharp, piercing gaze.


    That gaze came from Marvin¡ªa clear warning.


    Ellie was left speechless.


    Baylee nced at Marvin, who immediately shot her an using look.


    ¡°He can hear perfectly well and knows when you say he¡¯s lost his mind,¡± Baylee whispered to Ellie, then gently touched the hand on her sleeve. ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. Ellie is a friend; she even helped you once.¡±


    Marvin looked at Ellie with an expression that conveyed, ¡°I don¡¯t recognize you.¡±


    However, influenced by Baylee¡¯s words, he hesitated, deciding not to hold a grudge against Ellie. He then gripped Baylee¡¯s hand more firmly.


    Ellie stood there, dumbfounded. It felt as though her entire understanding of the world was being turned upside down.


    Was this really the cunning, deep Marvin of the Hill family?


    Baylee sighed and reached for a cocktail on the coffee table.


    Arge hand stopped her.


    ¡°Drinking alcohol isn¡¯t wise,¡± Marvin stated seriously, gripping Baylee¡¯s hand to stop her from drinking.


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    Not in the mood to argue with Marvin, Baylee responded, ¡°What should I drink then?¡±


    ¡°Milk,¡± he said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s healthy.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll settle for water,¡± Baylee replied, making apromise, as she hated milk.


    Marvin nodded and went to the door, asking the waiter outside for warm water.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t shake the strange feeling that lingered and whispered, ¡°Baylee, are you actually listening to him?¡±


    Baylee, with a look of exhaustion, answered, ¡°He¡¯s stubborn. If I don¡¯t go along, he¡¯ll argue about it until tomorrow.¡±


    Baylee then began exining the recent events. After leaving the hospital, Marvin had memory problems and developed an odd obsession with Baylee, only wanting to follow her. Feeling indebted to him for saving her life, Baylee reluctantly agreed to let Marvin stay in her apartment temporarily for his recovery. She had hoped that Marvin would return to his normal self in a few days, but that hadn¡¯t happened.


    ¡°Is he¡­ really like this?¡± Ellie gestured towards her head and quietly asked Baylee. ¡°He still understands that drinking alcohol is harmful, right?¡±


    Baylee nodded. ¡°He¡¯s perfectly capable when ites to work and outsmarting his family. His mind is sharp in those moments.¡±


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 Chapter 368

    ?Chapter 368:


    Ellie was taken aback.


    It seemed absurd.


    Baylee had thought that Marvin might be putting on an act and had watched him carefully, but she found no inconsistencies.


    Most importantly, she couldn¡¯t fathom any rational reason for Marvin to pretend to be foolish and stay by her side.


    Marvin, seated nearby, disyed his displeasure with Baylee chatting with Ellie and ignoring him.


    Just as Baylee was about to ask Ellie, who seemed to be in a sour mood, the reason for her call, Marvin unexpectedly interjected, saying, ¡°Your man is outside.¡±


    Ellie and Baylee were confused.


    Marvin nced at his phone and informed Ellie, ¡°Kaiden is in the lobby.¡± This update hade from one of his men.


    Since Marvin was at Rich Bar, his subordinates made sure to share any relevant information with him to keep him safe. However, they hadn¡¯t anticipated this particr piece of information being used in this way.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± Ellie asked, taken aback.


    She had thought he was caught up with work, yet here he was at Rich Bar?


    As Ellie wondered why Kaiden might be there, Marvin suggested, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you go check?¡±


    His tone clearly implied, You better go and investigate!


    ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look,¡± Ellie said to Baylee.


    Marvin was pleased with this.


    Finally, the annoying woman was leaving!


    Once Ellie had departed, Baylee turned to Marvin with a serious expression.


    ¡°Marvin, what are you up to?¡± From her recent encounters with him, Baylee didn¡¯t believe that Marvin was the type who would willingly share information about Ellie¡¯s husband¡¯s whereabouts.


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    Marvin stared at the ceiling, acting as though he couldn¡¯t hear her.


    ¡°Marvin, I know you heard me!¡± Baylee insisted.


    Marvin leaned against Baylee¡¯s shoulder, his eyes closed. ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡±


    His message was clear: Stop talking. I want to rest.


    How shameless!


    Baylee felt a mixture of frustration and helplessness.


    Was it even possible to reason with someone whose mind wasn¡¯t all there?


    ¡°Will you be normal again?¡± Baylee thought, contemting pushing his head off her shoulder.


    Marvin strongly contested Baylee¡¯s im. ¡°My mind is perfectly fine.¡±


    Baylee rolled her eyes. Those with abnormal minds often insisted on their normalcy.


    Ellie made her way from the private room to the lobby. She quickly noticed a familiar silhouette. There was Kaiden, seated in a booth, surrounded by a few individuals, some of whom she recognized ¡ª Edwin and Jerome. And the woman in white next to him was¡­ none other than Carole!


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 Chapter 369

    ?Chapter 369:


    Ellie had only ever seen pictures of Carole. Yet, from a distance, she was certain the woman sitting next to Kaiden was indeed Carole.


    In person, Carole was even more charming and radiant than in her photos. She sat with effortless poise, a subtle, yful charm about her as she conversed with Edwin, looking quitefortable in hispany. Despite her attention being on Edwin, Carole still angled her knees towards Kaiden, a subtle sign of her interest.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes narrowed, halting her steps. The ck jacket draped over Carole¡¯s shoulders¡ªit was Kaiden¡¯s! Ellie immediately recognized the jacket she had chosen for Kaiden that morning, with its distinct cor.


    It made sense that two old friends would sit together and share a drink. But why was Carole wearing his jacket?


    A server noticed Ellie by the corner of the stairs, her face a picture of shock and confusion. ¡°Miss, do you need help?¡±


    ¡°No, no, thank you,¡± Ellie quickly replied, stepping back into the shadows, a sharp sting in her chest as though something invisible had pierced her heart.


    Carole was back.


    Kaiden had mentioned amitment, but was thatmitment to spend time with Carole?


    The man who couldn¡¯t stand anyone touching his personal belongings had offered his jacket to her?


    Ellie thought back to the time she had worn Kaiden¡¯s jacket in front of the castle at the amusement park. It had felt like being wrapped in warmth and his fragrance, more intimate and exhrating than an embrace.


    But now, another woman was experiencing that same closeness.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t quite believe what she was seeing. Yet, despite the rising questions, she didn¡¯t want to jump to conclusions about Kaiden.


    She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Kaiden¡¯s contact. She wanted to call him, to ask where he was, what he was doing, and who he was with. If he was honest, it would at least prove something¡­


    Before Ellie could think of a reason why Kaiden was with Carole, a news headline caught her eye.


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    It read, ¡°Famous jewelry designer Carole Lambert is back in the country. GT Group¡¯s CEO greets her with flowers, signaling a joyous asion soon!¡±


    The article featured a picture of Kaiden in a wheelchair at the airport, presenting flowers to Carole. Ellie felt overwhelmed, as though she were suffocating and couldn¡¯t catch her breath. She inhaled deeply and turned to head back to the private room.


    ¡°Kaiden, what are you looking at?¡± Carole asked, following Kaiden¡¯s gaze, but all she saw was a sea of unfamiliar faces.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Kaiden broke his gaze.


    He thought he had caught sight of Ellie, but the lighting was too dim. All he had seen was a silhouette, without a clear view of the person¡¯s face. He assumed Ellie must be at the Gordon family¡¯s ce by now. It was probably just his imagination.


    After a sip of his drink, Edwin asked Carole out of curiosity, ¡°Why did you choose toe to Rich Bar tonight? And why stay in the hall instead of a private room?¡± They usually visited the bar on Heart Ind.


    ¡°Rich Bar is well-known, and I¡¯ve never visited before. I was just curious. The hall is so crowded, and I¡¯ve been missing this kind of vibrant atmosphere while I was abroad!¡± Carole yfully blinked. ¡°I heard this bar was the pioneer in cklisting Erick, so I just had to check it out.¡±


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 Chapter 370

    ?Chapter 370:


    Carole was aware of Baylee¡¯s rtionship with the bar¡¯s owner. She figured Baylee would often be here. Even if Baylee wasn¡¯t around today, there was a high chance someone would see her and Kaiden sharing a booth, sitting close, with her wearing Kaiden¡¯s jacket, and they would¡­


    Probably tell Baylee about it. And given Baylee¡¯s rtionship with Ellie, Ellie would soon find out too. Carole had intentionallye to Rich Bar and stayed in the hall.


    ¡°Kaiden, it¡¯s quite cold in here. Thank you for lending me your jacket today,¡± Carole said. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a good wash and drop it off at Moon Manor tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Kaiden declined immediately.


    Jerome let out a chuckle. ¡°Carole, have you forgotten? Kaiden wouldn¡¯t put on clothes that have been worn by someone else.¡±


    Carole¡¯s smile briefly faltered before returning to normal. ¡°Oh, right, I forgot.¡±


    In his mind, Jerome added a note: except for Ellie.


    Kaiden was still thinking about the figure he had seen but couldn¡¯t clearly make out. He wondered if Ellie was being treated unfairly at the Gordon family. Ellie was smart and wouldn¡¯t easily be at a disadvantage, but Cecelia¡¯s presence made things unpredictable. Ellie could be quite stubborn sometimes.


    ¡°I need to make a call,¡± Kaiden announced, picking up his phone.


    The others moved aside to let him pass.


    Carole watched Kaiden leave, but Jerome¡¯s voice brought her back to the moment.


    ¡°Carole, you¡¯re back. Why haven¡¯t you introduced your boyfriend to us yet?¡±


    Caroleughed it off. ¡°Jerome, I don¡¯t have a boyfriend.¡±


    Jerome nced in the direction Kaiden had gone. ¡°Carole, Kaiden¡¯s taken now. You should find someone too.¡±


    Carole¡¯s smile became strained. She was aware of Ellie¡¯s closeness to Kaiden but had acted as if she didn¡¯t know¡ªit made certain things easier. But Jerome had just mentioned it openly.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡± Jerome watched Carole¡¯s reaction carefully.


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    ¡°No.¡± Carole quickly regained herposure, pretending to be surprised and curious. ¡°Who is she? Given Kaiden¡¯s preferences, she must be a remarkable socialite.¡±


    Edwin felt confused by their discussion, but he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on what was wrong. Hearing Carole¡¯sst remark, he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Is being a socialite the same as being outstanding? Not all remarkable people are socialites, are they?¡±


    In his experience, only a few socialites could match Ellie.


    Jerome couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Exactly! Edwin is right. But remember when you almost lost your underwear to Ellie in poker? Why defend her now?¡±


    Edwin stood up quickly. ¡°That¡¯s not the case! I just let her win!¡± He admitted to speaking well of Ellie, but he stressed he hadn¡¯t lost his underwear¡ªthat was an exaggeration.


    ¡°Carole, honestly, don¡¯t you think Ellie is stronger than many in our social circle?¡± Edwin brought Carole into the discussion. ¡°Ellie is Kaiden¡¯s partner!¡±


    Jerome tried hard to hold back hisughter. It was amusing how Edwin used ¡°honestly¡± to push his point.


    Carole, raised in the country, was familiar with Ellie¡¯s reputation. She had always viewed Ellie¡¯s title as a top socialite with a hint of disdain, never truly considering her exceptionally remarkable. She was d that fate had done its justice by revealing the truth¡ªthat Ellie was not a genuine Gordon.


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 Chapter 371

    ?Chapter 371:


    ¡°Miss Gordon being called a top socialite means she¡¯s outstanding,¡± Carolemented, then asked, ¡°Edwin, didn¡¯t you have issues with Miss Gordon earlier? Howe you¡¯re on good terms now?¡±


    Edwin waved his hand awkwardly. ¡°I was mistaken before. We¡¯re on good terms now.¡±


    Carole kept smiling, but her eyes showed displeasure. She had never expected Ellie to grow so close to both Jerome and Edwin, with both of theming to her defense. If she had known, she would have stayed closer to Kaiden instead of going abroad.


    Kaiden requested Bruce to obtain Houston¡¯s contact and promptly dialed the number. ¡°Hello, Mr. Gordon, Kaiden speaking,¡± he announced as soon as the call was connected.


    Houston was surprised but quickly settled into a friendly conversation with Kaiden, unperturbed by being addressed formally despite being his father-inw.


    Kaiden courteously endured a brief period of ttery before interjecting. ¡°I¡¯m calling to extend birthday wishes to Cecelia and to inquire if today¡¯s invitation for my wife is solely for the birthday or if there¡¯s another motive.¡±


    His question subtly probed whether the true intention was to involve Ellie in something else under the guise of a birthday celebration.


    Despite discussing seemingly mundane matters, Kaiden¡¯s tone conveyed an understated intensity, causing Houston to feel an inexplicable pressure.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Mr. Thorpe?¡± Houston asked, his initial thought being that Ellie might have expressed concerns to Kaiden.


    ¡°Mr. Gordon, I just want to ensure that my wife isn¡¯t being put in an ufortable position,¡± Kaiden replied, seeking confirmation about Ellie¡¯s current whereabouts.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please be assured. Ellie is my daughter as well, and I would never allow her to be mistreated,¡± Houston responded, lying. ¡°She seemed delighted to visit and has just left. Next time, you should join her for dinner.¡±


    Relieved by Houston¡¯s reassurances, Kaiden felt more at ease, though he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of something being off.


    Kaiden ended the call. He reflected on Houston¡¯s im that Ellie had recently departed from the Gordon¡¯s house, which conflicted with what he had seen earlier.


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    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re back so soon¡­ What¡¯s the matter? Where¡¯s Kaiden?¡± Baylee asked. Ellie had barely stepped inside when Baylee noticed her troubled expression.


    Marvin stirred as Ellie walked in. He opened his eyes briefly, recognized her, and then, with a sigh, leaned back against Baylee¡¯s shoulder, closing his eyes once more. He wondered why Ellie hadn¡¯t left with Kaiden.


    Did Kaiden not care enough to ensure she was with him?


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise at seeing Marvin and Baylee so close together.


    ¡°Move a bit,¡± Baylee whispered to Marvin. ¡°Your head¡¯s heavy. Rest on the sofa.¡±


    Marvin grumbled in protest, ¡°But the sofa¡¯s too hard.¡±


    Baylee looked confused, thinking to herself in bewilderment, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the sofa?¡±


    After all, she had spent a fortune on that sofa!


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Ellie quickly said, diverting her attention from Marvin lounging against Baylee. ¡°That wasn¡¯t Kaiden earlier; Marvin¡¯s subordinate mistook someone else for him.¡± She chose to avoid discussing the real issue at hand. It was too embarrassing.


    ¡°If you¡¯re upset about something, you can tell me. You¡¯ve seemed distracted,¡± Baylee said, her tone reflecting concern. ¡°I visited the Gordon family today¡­¡±


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 Chapter 372

    ?Chapter 372:


    Ellie began, sharing her experience at the Gordon¡¯s house and their request involving Demi. She deliberately omitted mentioning Cecelia¡¯s involvement, hoping it was just an idental oversight.


    Yet, as she recounted her visit, the unsettling images of Carole and Kaiden together kept shing in her mind.


    It was this revtion, not her visit to the Gordons, that had truly shocked her.


    Tears welled up in her eyes, her face a mix of confusion and vulnerability that she couldn¡¯t hide.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to help if you don¡¯t want to. Demi is not worth your time!¡± Frustrated, Baylee gently pushed Marvin¡¯s head off her shoulder and moved to Ellie¡¯s side, offeringfort. ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s okay to talk about what¡¯s really bothering you.¡±


    Baylee sensed Ellie wasn¡¯t beingpletely honest.


    The mere mention of Demi and the Gordons didn¡¯t seem enough to upset Ellie to this extent.


    Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, holding back her tears, and managed to say in a strained voice, ¡°Right, I won¡¯t help her!¡± She refused to dwell on the thoughts of those two.


    Marvin, abruptly pushed aside, observed Ellie coldly, then rechecked the message from his subordinate. It was definitely Kaiden! He wasn¡¯t mistaken. Marvin¡¯s dissatisfaction with Kaiden grew even further. How could Kaiden fail to console his own partner, leaving her to seek sce in lies with Baylee?


    ¡°Do you have something to say to me?¡± Ellie caught Marvin¡¯s scrutinizing gaze.


    Marvin didn¡¯t mince words. ¡°You should consider finding another partner.¡±


    Baylee, unaware of the full situation, moved quickly to cover Marvin¡¯s mouth, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, Ellie. He¡¯s not in his right mind.¡±


    Eager to avoid any encounter with Kaiden upon her departure, Ellie bid farewell to Baylee and left. She needed some time alone.


    Now, the private room was left with only Baylee and Marvin.


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    ¡°Marvin, ever since your brain got all mixed up, you¡¯ve be quite gossipy. Stay out of other people¡¯s romantic business, will you?¡± Baylee lectured Marvin, her ever-present tagalong.


    Marvin gave Baylee a look of pity. ¡°My subordinate made no mistake. Kaiden is Ellie¡¯s husband. How could he not recognize his own partner? Even if what your subordinate said is true, if she denied it, we should believe her¡­¡±


    Baylee trailed off as her thought process came to a grinding halt. That¡¯s right, Ellie might have been deceiving her. She had seemed disturbed upon her return to the room.


    She must have encountered something downstairs!


    With a sense of urgency, Baylee dashed to the hall. Yet, in the throng of hundreds of booths teeming with people, Kaiden was nowhere to be found.


    When she came back to the private room, Marvin¡¯s gaze was fixed on her with an intense stare.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Baylee frowned.


    ¡°Would you recognize me?¡± Marvin asked earnestly.


    Baylee was baffled, not understanding his point.


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 Chapter 373

    ?Chapter 373:


    Marvin pressed on, asking, ¡°If I weren¡¯t your spouse, would you still recognize me?¡±


    The question caught Baylee off guard, her cheeks flushing. ¡°Of course you¡¯re not my spouse, you¡¯re¡­ No, this is silly¡­ I¡¯m not going to bicker with you.¡±


    Baylee yearned for the Marvin she was used to. The one who, despite his dangerous cunning, had a level of predictability, not like now with his bizarre outbursts.


    Concerned, Baylee turned to Marcelo, who was in charge of keeping an eye on Marvin. ¡°Marvin looks fine on the outside, but should we consider a psychologist?¡±


    Her focus solely on the conversation, Baylee was oblivious to the brief change in Marcelo¡¯s expression.


    Marcelo dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. ¡°No, seeing a psychologist isn¡¯t necessary for Mr. Hill.¡±


    What if that psychologist could actually clear Marvin¡¯s mind?


    Baylee exhaled a weary sigh. With Marcelo present, she felt her hands were tied regarding Marvin¡¯s situation. She could only hope for his quick mental recovery.


    The word ¡°psychologist¡± caught Marvin¡¯s attention. It seemed familiar. Had he not visited one recently?


    In the bathroom, the sound of water echoed. It sshed from the showerhead, filling the space with a rising mist. Ellie stood under the steady stream of water, wishing it could wash away her thoughts of the scene at the bar.


    But it was futile.


    Surprisingly, she found herself less angry than anticipated. Instead, disappointment settled in, a heavy feeling directed mostly at herself. She pondered why she continued to hold on, knowing there was a chance of losing from the very beginning.


    Kaiden pulled up to the main building in his car. He nced upwards, noticing the master bedroom first. The room was dark.


    Could it be that Ellie hadn¡¯t returned yet?


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t Elliee back yet?¡± As soon as Kaiden walked into the house, he asked the servant.


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    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe is already in her room for a while,¡± the servant replied.


    Kaiden swung the master bedroom door open, and in the soft moonlight, he noticed a bulge in the center of the bed. It moved almost imperceptibly, synchronized with Ellie¡¯s quiet breaths.


    A frown crept onto Kaiden¡¯s face. Ellie hadn¡¯t left a light on for him.


    This marked the first asion since their marriage that she had gone to bed early, yet she didn¡¯t leave any lights on for him. Usually, if he was not in the room, a floormp would be lit. Though unspoken, this small gesture always brought joy to Kaiden, as if Ellie was waiting for him. But her unusual behavior tonight stirred a sense of unease in him.


    However, this feeling disappeared in an instant.


    Kaiden silently made his way to the bathroom, carrying his night robe with him. He was unaware that the woman in the bed had opened her eyes as soon as he closed the door.


    With a stoic expression, Ellie gazed out of the window at the sliver of a crescent moon. Even though she was deep in sleep, somehow, she woke up the moment Kaiden cracked the door open. It seemed she was subconsciously aware of his presence.


    Eventually, the sound of running water ceased, and Kaiden quickly exited the bathroom. Ellie instinctively shut her eyes as the quilt was lifted, and a warm, damp body slid in beside her. Kaiden wrapped his arm around her waist, attempting to draw her close.


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    But Ellie, almost reflexively, resisted his embrace.


    ¡°Are you awake?¡± Kaiden asked in surprise. Why wasn¡¯t Ellie speaking to him, given she was awake?


    Kaiden instinctively propped himself up on one elbow, turning his gaze towards Ellie.


    ¡°You woke me up.¡± Half of Ellie¡¯s face disappeared into the folds of the quilt as she spoke in a muffled voice, tinged with a subtle hint of distance. ¡°I¡¯m feeling tired. I¡¯m going to sleep.¡±


    Kaiden noticed something was off and gently brushed her hair away from her face.


    ¡°Did you get bullied in the Gordons¡¯ house?¡± Kaiden asked, his first suspicion.


    ¡°I¡¯m sleepy, Kaiden.¡± Ellie had no interest in talking to him at the moment.


    Revealing her feelings wasn¡¯t Ellie¡¯s style. When she wanted to keep her true emotions hidden, she could effortlessly fool others. Unfortunately, she was dealing with Kaiden.


    Kaiden sensed her bad mood, like she had locked herself in a tiny room, refusing to step out or invite anyone in.


    ¡°But I¡¯m wide awake.¡± Taking her hand, Kaiden guided her to his side, keeping a close eye on her emotions. ¡°What should we do, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s hand jerked away as if shocked by electricity. She sat up abruptly and moved back.


    Positioned away from the light, her eyes hid any signs of resistance and defensiveness, making it impossible for anyone to discern. But her bodynguage clearly showed her opposition.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± Kaiden frowned.


    Ellie also realized that she overreacted. She didn¡¯t want to create an awkward situation between them.


    ¡°You smell like something I don¡¯t like. You have the scent of perfume about you.¡±


    Actually, Ellie didn¡¯t detect any smell at all. It was just that a sense of disgust washed over her when she recalled Carole sitting beside Kaiden, still wearing his jacket.


    Kaiden sniffed himself and assured her, ¡°I don¡¯t have that smell. I¡¯ve had a shower.¡±


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    Ellie remained in the same position, frozen in ce. Though Kaiden couldn¡¯t see her face, he could sense that her gaze remained fixed and unmoving. It was as if she insisted, You have the scent of perfume about you.


    ¡°I was out with friends tonight and might have picked up the scent.¡± Suspecting that Ellie might have faced some trouble at the Gordons¡¯ house, Kaiden tried tofort her with a gentle tone. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll go take another shower.¡±


    Then, Kaiden got up from the bed.


    After taking a few steps, Kaiden noticed Ellie¡¯s continued tension. He wondered if he had scared her earlier.


    He sighed, feeling a bit helpless. ¡°I won¡¯t touch you tonight. I¡¯m going for another shower.¡±


    Ellie finally breathed deeply only after Kaiden returned to the bathroom.


    She hid her face in her hands. Sighing, she realized her reaction had been somewhat extreme.


    She should have directly asked Kaiden. But the words wouldn¡¯te out.


    How could she even begin to ask? Should she ask him why he was with Carole?


    Kaiden had already rified things about Carole before. Last time, he even called Carole¡¯s number right in front of Ellie, making it clear that Ellie was overreacting for no reason.


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    Was she going to be unreasonable again?


    Ellie crawled back under the covers. She just couldn¡¯t do it.


    The moment Kaiden stepped into the bathroom, he quickly messaged Bruce, requesting him to find out if there had been any quarrel between Ellie and the Gordons.


    After his shower, Kaiden received a reply: ¡°There was no quarrel.¡± Kaiden remained in the dark about what had transpired with Ellie at the Gordons¡¯ ce. This led him to ponder whether he should ce a spy within the Gordon household.


    Ellie repeatedly tried to hypnotize herself to sleep, but it wasn¡¯t until Kaiden returned to bed that sleep finally embraced her. She made a conscious effort not to resist as he pulled her firmly into his embrace once more.


    Kaiden noticed her body gradually rxing, which made him feel somewhat relieved. He always felt upset whenever she resisted him.


    ¡°There¡¯s a chief stylist role avable at Harvillston. What do you think about taking it?¡± Judging from her unsteady breaths, Kaiden was certain that Ellie wasn¡¯t asleep yet.


    Only then did Ellie recall that her contract with GT Group was nearing its end after next week¡¯s major show.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m qualified to be the chief stylist at GT Group,¡± Ellie replied.


    Harvillston, a branch of the GT Group, focused on the fashion industry. It was widely recognized as a top-tier fashionpany worldwide. Traditionally, fewer than 1/10 of the stylists coborating with them received offers from Harvillston.


    Ellie believed in her skills, but she didn¡¯t feel ready to step into the role of chief stylist at Harvillston right away.


    ¡°You are definitely qualified.¡± Kaiden held Ellie even closer as he tightened his embrace, and she nestled deeper into his arms. His improved mood was evident.


    Ellie resisted the idea. ¡°I don¡¯t want to take shortcuts.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about taking shortcuts. First, you have the talent. Second, one monthter, you will be even more recognized. To say the least,¡± Kaiden remarked, looking down at the woman in his arms, ¡°with your connection to Freddy, you¡¯re qualified.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s spection was reasonable. Over the past few months, Ellie had been involved in business coborations with the GT Group, and half of them hadn¡¯t been publicized. Among these, the most significant were Peerless Grace and Light. Peerless Grace was on the brink of being unveiled to the public, while Light was about to make its official debut. Freddy¡¯s major breakthrough fashion show also paved the way for Ellie¡¯s career in the fashion industry.


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    Ellie was on the brink of a significant breakthrough.


    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡± Ellie lowered her eyes.


    Kaiden gave her a gentle kiss on the head and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s go to sleep.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyshes fluttered in surprise as she recalled what Kaiden had done. As dawn broke, her rm rang. She switched it off, lingering in bed as was her habit.


    ¡°nning to go out today?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice reached her, jolting her awake with memories of the previous night.


    She turned to him, surprised.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ still here? Shouldn¡¯t you be at work?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not in a rush today.¡±


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    Kaiden had developed a knack for skillfully bypassing early morning meetings for Ellie¡¯s sake. Such behavior had likely be familiar to the senior executives at GT Group.


    Kaiden sensed Ellie¡¯s mood shift; she seemed slightly disheartened. He had noticed her altered demeanor towards him. Kaiden, with a hint of frustration, pressed the tip of his tongue against the back of his teeth.


    ¡°Are you heading out for work tonight?¡± Leaning against the dressing room doorway, Kaiden inquiredzily.


    ¡°Yes, I need to visit yourpany for the Light show preparations next week,¡± Ellie responded, picking out clothes before closing the dressing room door, obscuring Kaiden¡¯s view.


    Emerging, she was met with his teasing smile. ¡°It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen you before.¡±


    Despite her attempt at normalcy, Ellie felt a tug on her wrist as she turned to leave. Kaiden¡¯s expression had changed.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Ellie?¡± he asked, his gaze searching.


    ¡°What do you mean? I lost you.¡± Ellie feigned ignorance.


    Kaiden raised his eyebrows, knowing she was ying dumb. He wasn¡¯t willing to ept such a dismissive answer.


    Kaiden closed the distance, pressing her against the closet. He gently held her chin,pelling her to meet his eyes.


    Facing Kaiden¡¯s gaze made it difficult for Ellie to fabricate a lie.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was soft, even kind.


    ¡°If someone¡¯s troubling you, you need to tell me, Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    Tell him? How could she tell him if he was the one troubling her?


    Ellie didn¡¯t want another futile argument with Kaiden over Carole, so she chose her words carefully. Her voice quivered slightly.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯d rather not discuss it right now. Please, let me process this on my own.¡±


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    ¡°Are you facing issues at the Gordons¡¯?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie replied, restraining her frustration as she met his gaze. ¡°I can handle the Gordons¡¯ problems myself.¡±


    ¡°Then why?¡± Kaiden probed further.


    Ellie fell silent. She had already expressed her need for space to think. Kaiden studied her, his eyes filled with concern.


    Did her reluctance to share mean ack of trust in him? Couldn¡¯t she trust him? After all, he was her husband, so why couldn¡¯t she trust him?


    After a moment, Kaiden set aside his unease, gently smoothing her hair.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he conceded, granting her the time she requested.


    Ellie was deeply involved in reinvigorating the top private high-end brand Light, which had stagnated in recent years. Her task was to inject fresh life into the brand, creating a new, eye-catching identity. For the next several days, Ellie was at the GT Group, liaising with Light¡¯s team. She coborated with show directors, costume designers, and choreographers, overseeing every detail for the uing makeup, styling, and show. Her schedule was packed.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you¡¯ve received an invitation from Harvillston.¡± As the initial phase of the project nearedpletion, the GT Group¡¯s liaison approached her.


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    Ellie¡¯s schedule had been packedtely. She left early and returnedte, barely crossing paths with Kaiden, and had almost forgotten theirck ofmunication.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to receive a direct offer from the GT Group, especially for the position of chief stylist.


    ¡°Sorry, I haven¡¯t decided yet¡­¡±


    Ellie began, but the liaison interrupted with an uneasy expression.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, this offeres from the top,¡± he gestured upwards, indicating the president¡¯s office.


    ¡°Take the offer for now. If you have reservations, you can discuss them directly with the president. It¡¯s more straightforward that way.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s consideration, Ellie agreed, not wanting to cause difficulties.


    ¡°Is he avable today?¡± she inquired, referring to Kaiden.


    The liaison confirmed with a nod.


    Checking her watch, Ellie noted it was only four o¡¯clock. She decided to wait until after five to meet Kaiden.


    The liaison understood and conveyed her decision to the secretary.


    At five, Ellie ascended to the thirty-eighth floor.


    Stepping out of the elevator, she was surprised to see Carole seated in the reception area.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what a coincidence,¡± Carole greeted with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve seen your photos but haven¡¯t met you in person. You are Ellie Gordon, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss Lambert,¡± Ellie responded politely, though she had no desire to engage with Carole.


    It struck Ellie as a peculiar coincidence. She rarely visited Kaiden at the GT Group, yet today, when she had something to discuss with him, she encountered Carole.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you recognize me?¡± Carole¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Did Kaiden mention me? Show you my picture?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± Ellie echoed, puzzled.


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    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s my nickname for Kaiden from when we were kids.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Ellie¡¯s response was cool. ¡°No, he hasn¡¯t mentioned you or shown me any pictures.¡±


    Carole¡¯s smile faltered briefly, her eyes catching Ellie¡¯s nce at therge paper bag beside her. Inside was a ck jacket.


    ¡°I¡¯m returning Kaiden¡¯s jacket; I borrowed it once. I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here.¡± Carole then queried, ¡°And you, Miss Gordon, why are you here?¡±


    Her words, seemingly innocent, implied a certain familiarity with Kaiden, almost as if she were Mrs. Thorpe.


    ¡°I need to discuss something with Mr. Thorpe,¡± Ellie replied.


    Just then, Zoey appeared, heels clicking.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, Mr. Thorpe will see you now. Miss Gordon, when did you arrive?¡±


    Zoey¡¯s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Ellie, then darted to Carole, betraying the oddity of their simultaneous presence.


    ¡°I just arrived,¡± Ellie replied.


    Seeing Carole about to meet Kaiden, Ellie decided against going in. She anticipated the tension that would arise from her presence and worried it might provoke Carole into an outburst, leading to an awkward situation for everyone.


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 Chapter 378

    ?Chapter 378:


    Handing the Harvillston offer to Zoey, Ellie said, ¡°Please give this to Kaiden. I¡¯ve decided not to ept it. If yourpany isn¡¯t keen on taking it back, I might have to discard it.¡±


    Ellie felt hesitant about epting the chief stylist position at Harvillston.


    In that moment, she made up her mind to decline the offer.


    Initially, joining GT Group as a co-stylist and aiming for Harvillston had been part of her n, given its reputation and international prospects.


    But epting the position would mean her career being closely linked with Kaiden¡¯s.


    Her decision might have been different if not for recent developments. Carole¡¯s sudden return, her meeting with Kaiden at the bar, and her presence at Kaiden¡¯s office were rming. These revtions jolted Ellie back to reality.


    After Zoey took the offer letter, Ellie bid her farewell and left.


    As Carole watched Ellie, she couldn¡¯t help but get lost in thought. But she quickly recovered and rushed to catch up with Zoey. As they approached the CEO¡¯s office, she spoke up.


    ¡°Zoey, since Kaiden is so busy, maybe I¡¯ll have toe another day.¡±


    Zoey came from a wealthy family and had graduated from a well-renowned university. She had known Carole for over ten years now.


    Carole had thought that Zoey would only be in Kaiden¡¯s employ for a few years, just to build up her resume. She never expected that Zoey would remain as Kaiden¡¯s secretary all this time. It was very surprising to her, but it didn¡¯t stop her from maintaining a good rtionship with Zoey.


    The previous night, Carole had asked Zoey about Kaiden¡¯s schedule because she wanted to return the jacket. Zoey had promised to notify her, and this afternoon, she called to tell her that Kaiden was free.


    Carole had found it a little strange, but she didn¡¯t think too much of it.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe is usually busy every day. But today, he¡¯s free,¡± Zoey said to her. ¡°In fact, he¡¯s usually very efficient, but he is oftente nowadays, so he has to stayte at work.¡±


    ¡°Why is hete?¡± Carole asked curiously.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t actuallyete to work per se,¡± Zoey rified. ¡°It¡¯s just that the morning meeting is usually postponed since he doesn¡¯te early enough to attend it. It seems he¡¯s spending more time at home with Miss Gordon.¡±


    By now, they had reached the door of the CEO¡¯s office. Zoey knocked and pushed it open.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, pleasee in,¡± she said to Carole.


    But Carole didn¡¯t hear her. Her mind was somewhere else. She was still thinking about what Zoey had revealed.


    As far as she knew, Kaiden was a workaholic who was totallymitted to his work. So why would he do something like this? Why would he postpone the morning meeting just to spend more time with Ellie?


    Judging from the tone of Zoey¡¯s voice when she said it, it seemed Kaiden had done this a lot.


    As Carole thought of all this, a great sense of crisis rose in her heart until Kaiden¡¯s voice pulled her back to reality. ¡°Carole?¡±


    When he first heard the knock and the sound of the door opening, Kaiden didn¡¯t hear any voice for quite a while. But when he finally looked up, he saw Carole standing at the door like someone in a trance.


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 Chapter 379

    ?Chapter 379:


    ¡°Oh, Kaiden. Um¡­ are you still busy?¡± Carole quickly asked as she walked into the office with a smile, trying to hide the fact that she had just been thinking about him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Kaiden asked as he gestured for her to sit down, then went back to reviewing and approving the documents in front of him. After finishing with these, he would be able to leave work for the day.


    ¡°I brought your jacket,¡± Carole exined, cing arge paper bag on the table in front of him. ¡°I even took it to be dry-cleaned.¡±


    When Kaiden heard this, he frowned. ¡°But I told you I don¡¯t need it.¡±


    Carole smiled. ¡°Well, I thought you were just being polite to me. Anyway, I¡¯ve dry-cleaned the jacket, and now I¡¯m returning it to you.¡±


    Frankly, her main purpose ining was not to return the jacket. It was just an excuse to see Kaiden.


    When he didn¡¯t respond, she added, ¡°Kaiden, another reason I came today was to find out when you¡¯ll be free. I want to visit your brother.¡±


    ¡°How about this weekend?¡± Kaiden suggested. He wasn¡¯t free on weekdays.


    Just then, there was a knock on the door and Bruce walked in. ¡°Miss Lambert?¡± he said in surprise when he saw Carole. He hadn¡¯t expected to find her in Kaiden¡¯s office.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. Harper. Long time no see,¡± Carole greeted him.


    Bruce nodded in acknowledgment before turning to Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, the bodyguards said they saw Miss Curtis in Rich Bar that day. Also, Mrs. Thorpe didn¡¯t leave the Gordons¡¯ house at the time Houston mentioned. She left before 7 p.m.¡±


    Whenever Kaiden went out, he was always apanied by bodyguards. Even in the bar, they would be scattered among the crowd. Kaiden had instructed Bruce to find out if something had happened to Ellie, as she had not been in a good moodtely.


    After listening to Bruce¡¯s report, Kaiden tried to recall the past events. Baylee usually went to the Rich Bar with Ellie. If Ellie had left the Gordons¡¯ house by 7, then¡­ the figure he had seen at the bar was none other than Ellie!


    Since she had seen him, why did she still turn around and leave?


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    ¡°Kaiden, where are you going?¡± Carole asked in surprise, even getting up to follow him when she saw him heading for the door suddenly.


    ¡°Bruce, send her back,¡± Kaiden ordered as he wheeled his wheelchair out of the office.


    When Zoey saw himing out of the office, she quickly approached him.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, this is the offer letter that Miss Gordon just returned. She refused Harvillston,¡± she exined to him as she ran beside his fast-moving wheelchair.


    When Kaiden heard what she said, he slowed down and asked in surprise, ¡°Did shee just now?¡±


    The question was so forceful and unexpected that Zoey was almost startled. But she quickly regained herposure and nodded.


    ¡°Y¡­ yes. Yes, she did.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t shee to me directly?¡± Kaiden wondered aloud.


    ¡°Um¡­ maybe it was because she saw Miss Lamberting to see you, so¡­¡± Zoey suddenly trailed off. Frankly, she was just guessing. She had no concrete proof that this was the case.


    Kaiden took the offer letter from her and went straight to the elevator. As he moved, he asked his bodyguards to find out Ellie¡¯s location.


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    Chapter 380:


    Carole couldn¡¯t walk fast in high heels, so by the time she came out of the office, she only saw Kaiden¡¯s retreating figure as he entered the elevator.


    The only thing she could do was stand there, feeling depressed and sad.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, do you need me to get someone to take you home?¡± Bruce offered.


    ¡°No, thanks. I drove here by myself. I can take myself¡­ Wait!¡± A thought suddenly entered Carole¡¯s mind. Without thinking twice, she quickly asked him, ¡°Bruce, I heard you say¡­ Mrs. Thorpe, right?¡± She was sure that she had heard those words, but she just needed to be sure. Part of her couldn¡¯t ept the implication behind those words.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, it¡¯s better for you to ask Mr. Thorpe about it personally,¡± Bruce suggested.


    If Zoey had been in the office right now, she would have noticed that something was wrong. Bruce was a very cautious person. If he wanted to conceal Kaiden¡¯s marriage from Carole, he would definitely not have called Ellie ¡°Mrs. Thorpe.¡± Instead, he would have just called her the usual ¡°Miss Gordon.¡±


    Carole remained silent as she processed this. Could Kaiden really be married?


    He was married to Ellie?


    How could this be?


    Carole had always thought Kaiden would never fall in love with any woman. But if he ever did, it would be her. How could it be Ellie of all people?


    Ellie had just walked out of GT Group when she received a call from Demi.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the school issue been resolved yet, Ellie? You promised to help me!¡± Demi practically shouted, her voice filled with disappointment.


    This brought a frown to Ellie¡¯s face. With one hand holding the phone to her ear, she entered her car and started it with the other hand. She responded to Demi just as the engine roared to life,


    ¡°When did I make such a promise?¡±


    ¡°That day at home,¡± Demi reminded her. ¡°You told me you would think of a way!¡±


    She was desperate. She didn¡¯t want to be expelled from school at all!


    ¡°But right now, there¡¯s nothing I can do,¡± Ellie said impatiently and hung up.


    But immediately, her mind went to Cecelia.


    Last time, Cecelia had almost seeded in making Ellie promise to fulfill her birthday wish.


    Not wanting to be troubled by her conscience, Ellie began to think of a suitable exnation for Cecelia.


    But not long after that, Ellie received a call from her supervisor.


    ¡°Ellie, Demi is making a scene in the dean¡¯s office. I reported it to the Gordon family, but they referred me to you, saying you would take care of the issue. You know, you¡¯re a respected alumnus of the school. We are worried that her actions may affect your reputation. Hence, we hope you cane back to school and address it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯lle over right away,¡± Ellie promised, albeit with a dark look on her face.


    Demi was in the dean¡¯s office, crying pitifully, waiting for Ellie to take care of the issue for her.


    ¡°I believe the teachers should handle this ording to school policy. My opinion shouldn¡¯t matter.¡± Ellie quickly rified her stance. ¡°I¡¯m just an alumna who¡¯s graduated. I know I can¡¯t interfere with the school¡¯s policies or affect its principles.¡±


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    Message from Noa: Happy lovely Friday, dear people. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


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 Chapter 381

    ?Chapter 381:


    The situation didn¡¯t really allow for any negotiation. The school had only called Ellie because the Gordon family kept mentioning her. Ellie had left a positive mark on the school and was a respected former student. The school, mindful of her reputation, wanted to let her know about the current situation.


    ¡°Ellie, you lived a fulfilling life as a Gordon in my ce for over twenty years. You can¡¯t be this heartless!¡± Demi attempted to grasp Ellie¡¯s wrist, but Ellie easily dodged her.


    ¡°You used my achievements to get into Critport University. You passed off my awards as your own. That was deceitful from the start! And once there, instead of working hard, you chose dishonesty. Today¡¯s consequences are of your own making!¡± Ellie hissed.


    Demi got into the school as a talented student, but she had used fake versions of Ellie¡¯s certificates. The Gordons had also made a hefty donation to secure her admission.


    ¡°You just don¡¯t want to help me! Ellie, you¡¯re just jealous of my sess!¡± Demi was stuck in her own delusion. ¡°Have you even thought about what this will do to grandma?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s face became somber. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to grandma myself. You don¡¯t need to worry about that.¡±


    The staff in the office were shocked by Demi¡¯s audacity, using an elderly family member to manipte Ellie.


    ¡°A student like you can¡¯t bepared to Ellie. How could Ellie be jealous of you?¡± a teacher said, almost in disbelief, as if to say, ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±


    ¡°Alright, this is resolved. Let¡¯s go.¡± Andrew Gates, Ellie¡¯s supervisor, realizing Ellie didn¡¯t want to continue the interaction with Demi, escorted her out.


    Once they were outside, Ellie expressed her gratitude to Andrew again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s no big deal. We wouldn¡¯t have known about your connection to the Gordon family if they hadn¡¯te forward¡­¡± Andrew sighed and gave Ellie aforting pat on the shoulder. ¡°Focus on your own path, don¡¯t let them get to you!¡±


    Discovering she was adopted as an adult and then being emotionally manipted by her adoptive parents and sister was incredibly harsh for Ellie. It wasn¡¯t her fault she was switched at birth!


    ¡°Seems like someone¡¯s here to see you.¡± Andrew casually pointed in a certain direction.


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    Ellie noticed Howard at the end of the hallway.


    Howard, teetering between his teenage years and adulthood, seemed slightly winded, as if he had run the whole way. His eyes, bright with excitement, were fixed on her.


    With most students in ss, the campus cafe was fairly empty.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your half-sweet milk tea, Ellie. I didn¡¯t get you a cold one since it¡¯s not good to drink too many of those. This one¡¯s warm.¡± Howard set the drink down in front of Ellie.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Ellie took a gentle sip of the milk tea, then inquired, ¡°The post on the forum¡­ That was your doing, right?¡±


    Howard looked surprised for a moment. ¡°How did you figure it out?¡±


    ¡°The student council manages the school forum, and any trending topics are checked by you. My supervisor mentioned that the post was very detailed, almost like legal evidence.¡± Ellie smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. ¡°Howard, you could be a greatwyer someday!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to cause you any trouble.¡± Howard felt guilty. He had intended for Demi to face the consequences of her actions but didn¡¯t expect the Gordons to shamelessly drag Ellie into their mess.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t seem troubled. ¡°But won¡¯t this put you in a bad spot? If the Gordons realize you were behind this, they might target you.¡±


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    ¡°No, they won¡¯t dare.¡± Howard was confident as he shook his head. ¡°You see, my family¡­ they¡¯re quite influential. Houston wouldn¡¯t risk upsetting me.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but burst outughing. ¡°Ha ha!¡±


    This caught Howard off guard. ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that I find you unexpectedly¡­ adorable.¡± It was a surprise to see this usuallyposed and promising student council president, renowned for his seriousness, making such a statement.


    For Ellie, it was the first time she had genuinely smiled that day.


    Looking at Howard¡¯s clothes and the quality of his belongings, Ellie guessed his family must be even more influential than the Gordons, albeit more discreet about it.


    Howard, blushing, looked at Ellie for a moment before retorting, ¡°Come on, I¡¯m actually twenty-two.¡±


    Ellie caught his implication. ¡°Being adorable isn¡¯t just for children! Alright, I won¡¯t call you adorable again.¡±


    Howard felt unusually embarrassed, particrly because Ellie was the one calling him adorable. He was puzzled as to why she would think so; everyone else always considered him mature andposed. But he figured that being called adorable wasn¡¯t so bad.


    While Ellie was still smiling, she suddenly sensed an intense stare.


    Turning her head, she saw a ck Maybach parked outside the window. The car window lowered to reveal the strikingly handsome face of the man in the back seat.


    Excited murmurs from other girls in the cafe reached Ellie¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Look at that guy, he¡¯s so good-looking!¡±


    ¡°Yes, handsome for sure, but there¡¯s something intimidating about his eyes!¡±


    ¡°He seems to be staring at our cafe. I wonder who he¡¯s watching?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡± The name slipped from Ellie¡¯s lips without her even realizing.


    What was he doing here?


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    Howard noticed where Ellie was looking and saw Kaiden, furrowing his brows slightly.


    ¡°Ellie, did hee here for you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Ellie answered, averting her eyes.


    She genuinely didn¡¯t know. Shouldn¡¯t he be with Carole at this time?


    Or maybe Carole was in the car with him?


    Kaiden had been informed by one of his people that Ellie was at the school. Watching her sitting there,ughing with Howard, he felt a surge of unexined anger.


    When Ellie looked at him and then calmly looked away, as if she didn¡¯t even recognize him, he felt a pang of annoyance.


    She chatted with Howard, but pretended she didn¡¯t know him?


    ¡°Wee, can I help¡ª¡±


    The waiter¡¯s voice was cut off by the sound of approaching wheels. Ellie nced down and first saw the wheelchair, then the stoic face of the man in it.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe to find me when you got to thepany?¡± Kaiden¡¯s expressionless face seemed intimidating.


    Ellie struggled to follow his train of thought.


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 Chapter 383

    ?Chapter 383:


    He came in with a domineering air, as if ready for confrontation, yet his question was about why she hadn¡¯t sought him out.


    ¡°There was no need for that,¡± Ellie responded, staying on point. ¡°I handed my offer letter to Zoey; she was supposed to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°You mean there was no need for you toe to me, right?¡± Kaiden asked coldly, giving a scornfulugh and gesturing towards Howard. ¡°But you needed to meet him?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, Kaiden?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t believe the wordsing out of Kaiden¡¯s mouth. She rose to her feet, offering a quick apology to Howard.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Ellie can choose who she meets. You should respect that.¡± Howard, feeling protective, positioned himself in front of her, staring down at Kaiden with a wary look.


    Respect?


    Kaiden found the concept almostughable.


    ¡°Do you even know what she means to me?¡± he challenged Howard, who was not just any student, but a member of the influential Lee family.


    Their exchange had drawn the attention of other students in the vicinity.


    Howard seemed to struggle for words, then suggested, ¡°Maybe we should take this conversation outside. We wouldn¡¯t want to disturb others here.¡±


    Ellie, trying to keep her anger in check and refusing to help Kaiden with his wheelchair, led the way out.


    Howard followed her, his voice low and firm. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s not right for a man to unt an unclear rtionship with a woman. It could damage her reputation.¡±


    They found a quiet spot outside, with nothing but the wind breaking the silence.


    ¡°Unclear rtionship?¡± Kaiden echoed Howard¡¯s words, a hint of defiance in his voice. ¡°You are the one who is unclear about the truth. She is my wife.¡±


    Ellie turned to him, her eyes wide with shock. Was he really acknowledging their marriage so openly? Didn¡¯t he care about how this might affect Carole?


    Or was he attempting to mimic Jorge¡¯s shameless behavior? Jorge had Brisa at home yet still returned to his first love.


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    ¡°She is your wife?¡± Howard, stunned and seeking rity, turned to Ellie. ¡°Ellie, are you¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re married,¡± Ellie admitted, her eyes lowered to hide her inner turmoil. ¡°Thanks for everything, Howard, especially the milk tea. You should head back to school. I wouldn¡¯t want to hold you up.¡± She preferred him not to be tangled in her and Kaiden¡¯splicated situation.


    Sensing her subtle hint, Howard agreed, ¡°Alright, Ellie. Remember, you can call me anytime if you need anything. Anywhere, anytime!¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ellie replied softly.


    Kaiden, overhearing the exchange, couldn¡¯t help but let out a bitterugh. Anytime, anywhere? The idea seemed absurd to him.


    Ellie, not sparing Kaiden a nce, walked towards her car. Kaiden felt a surge of regret for his decision to pretend to be wheelchair-bound. Pretending to be simply unwell would have made it so much easier to chase after people!


    As Ellie opened the driver¡¯s side door of her car, the passenger door swung open too. Kaiden, still seated in his wheelchair, peered over the hood of the car, his eyes locking with hers.


    ¡°What do you want, Mr. Thorpe? I won¡¯t give you a ride,¡± Ellie stated firmly, making her stance clear from the get-go.


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 Chapter 384

    ?Chapter 384:


    Kaiden, clearly annoyed by her indifferent tone, asked, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± The thought of her meeting with a junior and arranging future phone calls right in front of him was frustrating.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you tell? I¡¯m about to drive,¡± Ellie retorted. She added sarcastically, ¡°Do you need me to book an eye appointment for you, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°Get in my car,¡± Kaiden demanded, his voice unwavering.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get in.¡± Ellie, however, had no intention ofplying. It was unusual for her to be this dismissive towards someone, and even though she tried to remain polite, her frustration was evident.


    Kaiden nced at his driver and gave a subtle nod. The driver understood immediately, got out of the car, and approached them.


    ¡°Take my wife¡¯s car back,¡± Kaiden instructed.


    ¡°This is my car, Kaiden! You don¡¯t have the right to decide that!¡± Ellie argued, her face showing clear resistance. She was not in the mood to tolerate his domineering attitude.


    Kaiden, visibly irritated by her defiance, wheeled himself back to his Maybach. In a smooth and rapid motion, he opened the door, shifted himself inside, and sat in the driver¡¯s seat. The Maybach, a luxury car worth five million, jerked into motion. It elerated effortlessly.


    Suddenly, there was a loud ¡°Bang!¡±


    The Maybach had collided with Ellie¡¯s Audi, the impact deforming its rear and causing white smoke to billow out. However, the Maybach remainedrgely undamaged, a testament to its superior build.


    Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s eyes met through the windshield. Ellie was in shock. Had Kaiden lost his mind?


    ¡°What are you trying to do, Kaiden?¡± she asked, storming towards him in anger.


    Kaiden slid over to the passenger seat. ¡°My driver will handle your car¡¯s repairs. You drive mine,¡± he said, as if granting a favor.


    Meanwhile, Erick was waiting for Demi in his Ferrari, smoking a cigarette. As Demi entered the car, he inquired, ¡°Is everything settled?¡±


    Tears filled Demi¡¯s eyes as she shook her head, portraying herself as a victim to Erick.


    ¡°Ellie is so ungrateful. She must be happy about the school¡¯s decision against me. I didn¡¯t think she could be so cruel¡­¡±


    Erick¡¯s expression turned grim.


    Realizing he wasn¡¯tforting her, Demi felt a sense of foreboding.


    ¡°Erick, you¡­¡± she began, but Erick cut her off.


    ¡°Let¡¯s break up,¡± he said, his voice firm and ovepping with hers.


    ¡°What? What are you saying?¡± Demi¡¯s disbelief was palpable, her fabricated tears still lingering.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying we¡¯re done,¡± Erick dered, taking a final drag of his cigarette before extinguishing it in the ashtray. His entire manner radiated frustration.


    ¡°Why? Why all of a sudden?¡± Demi was utterly confused, clutching at Erick¡¯s hand. ¡°No, I can¡¯t ept this.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a say in this!¡± Erick pulled his hand away with impatience. ¡°Demi, you¡¯ve been expelled from Critport University. You¡¯re just a high school graduate now. My family, the Thorpes, can¡¯t ept someone like that as a daughter-inw. What do you have thatpares to Ellie? Your actions have embarrassed me in front of Kaiden and Ellie!¡±


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 Chapter 385

    ?Chapter 385:


    Erick looked at Demi as though he had been misled into choosing a wed product.


    Ellie, a distinguished alumna of Critport University, had been a top student with an array of honors. Just her intelligence and beauty alone made her far superior to Demi.


    How had he allowed someone like Kaiden, who had a disability, to win her over?


    Talon and Genesis had also insisted he end things with Demi as soon as her problems began. They would never ept her as a daughter-inw.


    ¡°Erick, you can¡¯t be this cruel. You were the one who left Ellie for me!¡± Demi was struggling to ept the situation. Erick had the audacity topare her unfavorably to Ellie?


    She huffed, ¡°Yes! I might have been expelled, but what about you? You purchased your degree. You¡¯ve been involved in all sorts of fraud.¡±


    Bang!


    Triggered, Erick didn¡¯t let her finish. He grabbed her hair and mmed her head against the car window. ¡°Say that again, bitch?¡±


    Only when Demi met Erick¡¯s angry eyes did shee back to her senses, realizing that she had spoken too freely.


    ¡°S-sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it, Erick!¡± Scared and anxious, Demi tried to salvage the situation by leaning forward and pressing her lips against Erick¡¯s. She hoped that doing so would disarm him.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of my car!¡± But to Demi¡¯s dismay, Erick shoved her off of him and roared, ¡°You and I are done, you hear me? Done!¡± Just looking at this stupid woman pissed him off.


    Demi got out of the car and stood by the road in a daze. Erick had mmed her head into the window earlier, and she only started to feel the stinging pain now.


    She gingerly touched her forehead and winced, finding that there was a big bump.


    That was thest straw. Angry and humiliated, Demi burst into sobs.


    She had managed to get epted into the country¡¯s top university, but before she could even showcase her academic prowess to her fans as a straight-A student, she was expelled from the school. To add insult to injury, Erick broke up with her in the worst way.


    In the span of one day, she had lost everything!


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    Sobbing uncontrobly, she dialed Litzy¡¯s number and cried, ¡°Mom, the school still wants to expel me, and Erick just broke up with me¡­ Mom, I don¡¯t want to leave him! What should I do? I feel so alone¡­¡± The reason why she didn¡¯t want to let go of Erick was that he was her best option right now.


    ¡°Baby, don¡¯t cry. Mommy¡¯s here. I¡¯ll help you!¡±


    Ellie had specifically bought an Audi because it was low-key, but because it was a cheap car, it couldn¡¯t withstand the collision with the Maybach.


    If she had known this would happen, she would¡¯ve bought a heavy-duty vehicle instead.


    If she had gotten a Jeep or a Hummer, then she would¡¯ve liked to see whose car would be totaled in the collision!


    Thest thing Ellie wanted was to get into the Maybach with Kaiden, but her car waspletely out ofmission now. Besides, there was no telling what Kaiden would do.


    Next, if she dared to disobey him again. Students had been eyeing the luxurious car ever since it was parked, so naturally, they had witnessed the collision.


    Not wanting to argue with Kaiden in front of all these people, Ellie gritted her teeth, yanked the door to the driver¡¯s seat open, got in the car, and mmed the door shut.


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 Chapter 386

    ?Chapter 386:


    She started the engine and sped off like a bolt of lightning, almost exceeding the speed limit.


    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t rush hour, so there were very few cars on the road. Ellie pushed the car to its limit and raced down the highway, as though to vent her anger.


    The screech of the wheels scratching against the pavement sounded particrly harsh whenever Ellie swerved the car, though it had to be said that she was quite good at driving. Her skills matched those of even a professional race car driver!


    She treated the Maybach like it was a sports car.


    Kaiden was stunned for a moment.


    He had no idea that Ellie knew how to drive like this.


    But he soon calmed down, because, on second thought, it wasn¡¯t surprising that the seemingly obedient and lovely Miss Gordon could maneuver a car like this.


    Ellie tried to make Kaiden carsick with her wild driving, but when she nced at him, she saw that he lookedpletely calm and unaffected.


    Feeling bored, she parked the car by the river.


    She opened the door and was about to get out for some fresh air. After all, she was extremely pissed at the man sitting beside her. But just as the door opened a crack, a shadow shed in front of her eyes.


    The man had reached out in front of her and closed her door in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°What the hell, Kaiden?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and nearly roared in Kaiden¡¯s ear. ¡°It¡¯s just a damn offer. Why won¡¯t you let me go? And who said I had toe see you whenever I visit yourpany? When the contract expires, I¡¯ll be free to do whatever I want. Do you really think I¡¯d willingly sell myself to you after cooperating with the GT Group?¡±


    With the doors locked and the windows rolled up, only the sound of Ellie¡¯s voice could be heard inside the car.


    Kaiden had almost forgotten that she had refused his offer. The reason why he was so worked up wasn¡¯t just because she didn¡¯t even bother to look for him at thepany, but because she went to Howard instead!


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    Frowning, he said, ¡°Ellie, Harvillston is your best option.¡±


    Harvillston was a world-ss brand, and other brands of the same level wouldn¡¯t hire Ellie to be their chief designer.


    All of a sudden, Ellie cracked a smile at him. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong; Harvillston is indeed excellent. But if Carole wanted to join Harvillston, would you let her?¡±


    Her sarcastic smile made Kaiden ufortable.


    ¡°She wants to work for Harvillston?¡± Kaiden¡¯s frown deepened. He hadn¡¯t heard anything about Carole wanting to work for Harvillston. There was no sign of rejection in Kaiden¡¯s expression, as perceived by Ellie. It seemed he probably would agree if Carole brought it up.


    Ellie¡¯s assumption wasn¡¯t exactly groundless; after all, Harvillston really was the best choice in the country, so it would be no surprise if Carole wanted to work there.


    Back when Essence took on the MOON jewelry endorsement, Ellie couldn¡¯t stand working with the toxic women in Kaiden¡¯spany. It did more harm than good to her workflow. Naturally, she didn¡¯t want this to happen again.


    Drumming his fingers on the leather armrest, Kaiden attempted to steer the topic back to his point.


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 Chapter 387

    ?Chapter 387:


    He announced, ¡°From now on, you¡¯re not allowed to call Howard.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, are you seriously going to stop me from contacting my ssmate now?¡± Whenever Ellie was angry, she knew how to get under his skin. ¡°I don¡¯t bat an eysh when you go out and drink with Carole, or send her flowers, or offer her your clothes. So, what does my business have to do with you?¡±


    What ¡®business¡¯ did they have with each other? He was her husband, for crying out loud!


    Kaiden was now sure that Ellie had seen him at the bar the other day. She had seen him, but again she had pretended not to know him. But why? Was he so unworthy in her eyes? Or was it not worth her time to spare a moment to say hello to him?


    ¡°Do you really think that the matter between you and Howard is the same as the matter between me and Carole?¡± he hissed.


    It was obvious that Howard had been coveting Ellie for many years! And he was much smarter than Edwin!


    ¡°Oh, of course not, Mr. Thorpe! Those are two very different matters!¡± Ellie answered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She and Howard were schoolmates, whereas Carole and Kaiden had grown up together. How could they be the same? Of course, they were different!


    ¡°Stop being so sarcastic with me, Ellie.¡± Kaiden pinched her chin and forced her to look up at him.


    Then he brought his face close to hers.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll stop being sarcastic.¡± Ellie sneered, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll tell Howard to pick me up with flowers. I¡¯ll go to the bar with my male ssmates. I¡¯ll wear Howard¡¯s jacket and¡­ Eh!¡± Kaiden was so pissed that he kissed her!


    Every word that left her lips just now seemed to prick his heart. Finally, he couldn¡¯t stop himself and leaned in to silence her with his own lips.


    ¡°Kaiden, let go of me!¡±


    Ellie tried her best to push him, but he overpowered her, pressing her firmly against the back of the seat.


    After what felt like an eternity, Kaiden finally released her.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where your journey begins


    Ellie immediately gasped for air, her bloodshot eyes ring at the man in front of her.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to do all those things? Fine, go ahead! Ellie, I dare you!¡± Kaiden held her firmly by the back of her neck, his voice threatening, but his eyes showed a hint of flirtation.


    Just hearing what she said made Kaiden want to throw that Lee brat abroad.


    ¡°Are you angry at me?¡± Ellie asked in a low voice.


    Without hesitation, she seized her chance to shove Kaiden back to the passenger seat. ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be angry,¡± she sneered.


    How dare he get angry with her?


    She was just spouting nonsense, whereas she had actually seen him doing these things with Carole.


    Smart as he was, Kaiden understood what she meant. His expression darkened.


    However, what had urred between him and Carole was different from what Ellie had assumed.


    Last week, Omiros excelled in his examination, earning a half-day off. He decided to spend it visiting the main building, only to be met with a heavy, uneasy atmosphere. This almost made him regret not staying in the side building.


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 Chapter 388

    ?Chapter 388:


    After witnessing Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s tense interaction, Omiros quietly inquired, ¡°Cayson, what¡¯s going on with Kaiden and Ellie?¡±


    Cayson shook his head, his expression clearly conveying they had an argument.


    Omiros was baffled. ¡°But Ellie is so patient. It must have been Kaiden who started the fight.¡±


    Driven by curiosity, Omiros approached the study on the second floor and knocked.


    The door swung open, unlocked remotely from within.


    Upon entering, he was met with a frosty stare from Kaiden, seated behind his yellow rosewood desk. The look suggested Omiros was an unwee intrusion.


    Kaiden had probably expected Ellie, not Omiros, which exined why the door had been opened.


    ¡°Kaiden, it¡¯s not fair to disce your anger onto me, your dear cousin, just because you and Ellie had a disagreement,¡± Omiros said, undeterred, as he settled onto the sofa.


    Kaiden¡¯s response was blunt and emotionless. ¡°I don¡¯t think I have a cousin as stupid as you.¡±


    Omiros, trying to defend himself, said, ¡°Stupid? My scores have been showing significant improvement!¡± But Kaiden¡¯s disdain only deepened.


    Omiros¡¯ so-called improvement was actually transitioning from failing the exams to barely passing them.


    Ready to depart, Omiros pped his hands. ¡°Well, I guess I should inform my parents about their genius nephew¡¯s rocky marriage and the uncertain future of their grandson¡­ Hey! Watch it! You almost hit me!¡±


    Kaiden, frustrated, tossed a pen at Omiros. ¡°Omiros, have you lost your mind?¡±


    Omiros, knowing full well he was provoking Kaiden, retorted, ¡°If you¡¯re so bothered, why don¡¯t you go and make amends with her?¡±


    Their argument put Omiros in a difficult spot, making it ufortable for him to engage with Ellie.


    Kaiden let out a cold, dismissive, ¡°No way.¡± Him? Make amends with her?


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    Omiros had seen iting that Kaiden would not entertain the idea of him making amends with someone else. So, he started to tease, ¡°Of course, how could Mr. Thorpe ever apologize to anyone? But there¡¯s no need to worry; Ellie is so remarkable, plenty are eager to indulge her. Your apology isn¡¯t necessary!¡±


    Bang!


    Suddenly, a file was thrown in Omiros¡¯ direction.


    Omiros narrowly avoided it, catching Kaiden¡¯s stern look.


    ¡°I¡¯ve said my piece, so I¡¯m leaving!¡± Omiros hurried out, keen to avoid further upsetting Kaiden.


    Besides, he had his own concerns; his studies were a lot to handle. He was swamped!


    Meanwhile, Ellie was in bed, restless.


    That afternoon in the car, she had taken pleasure in riling Kaiden up. Yet, their argument did nothing to resolve the issue at hand.


    Her mind then wandered to Cecelia¡¯s situation.


    Cecelia had lured her back under the guise of celebrating her birthday, using her birthday wish to coerce her into helping Demi. Thisplication was far from resolved.


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 Chapter 389

    ?Chapter 389:


    From the master bedroom¡¯s French windows, she could see into the study.


    Lost in thought, Ellie noticed the light suddenly go out.


    Instinctively, she curled up, feigning sleep.


    But she realized; pretending to sleep never fooled Kaiden.


    The bedroom door opened softly.


    As she expected, Kaiden approached the bed and sat down, asking, ¡°Fancy some milk tea?¡±


    Ellie felt bewildered.


    Why would he offer that?


    Surprised, she opened her eyes, sat up, and looked at Kaiden in confusion.


    Unaware, the nket slipped from her shoulders, revealing a smooth, delicate shoulder, as tempting as a ripe pear.


    Kaiden¡¯s throat tightened visibly, and after a moment, he looked away.


    It had been days since he and Ellie were close.


    The tension was bing too much for him.


    He struggled to restrain himself.


    ¡°Do you want some milk tea?¡± he asked again.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Ellie responded, puzzled by his unusual offer.


    Why would she have milk tea so close to bedtime? It would only keep her awake.


    Kaiden pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, then suggested, ¡°Maybe some fried chicken?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, if there¡¯s something on your mind, just say it,¡± Ellie began, but then it hit her.


    Milk tea and fried chicken¡­ That was their thing during the ¡°Peerless Grace¡± shoot in the movie city, his way of lifting her spirits.


    She noticed Kaiden¡¯s eyes lingering on her exposed shoulder, almost like a predator eyeing its prey.


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    Swiftly, she adjusted her pajamas, her cheeks warming slightly.


    ¡°Kaiden, the old milk tea and fried chicken tactic won¡¯t work again,¡± she said, her voice tinged with annoyance under themp¡¯s dim light. ¡°If you¡¯ve nothing else, I need to sleep. There¡¯s work tomorrow.¡±


    As he remained quiet, she made a show of settling back under the nket.


    But in an instant, his strong hand was on her shoulder, lifting her into his embrace.


    Kaiden, on one knee on the bed, didn¡¯t let go.


    Her skin¡¯s touch was irresistibly enticing.


    ¡°You can¡¯t let Howard pick you up, ept his flowers, wear his clothes, or call him,¡± he dered, setting down four rules, causing Ellie to sneer despite herself.


    ¡°What about you? Picking her up at the airport, sending flowers, lending her clothes, making phone calls; haven¡¯t you done all of these things? Kaiden, I¡¯ve said it before, I expect loyalty in this marriage¡­ If you can¡¯t even offer that basicmitment, then maybe this marriage isn¡¯t worth it!¡±


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 Chapter 390

    ?Chapter 390:


    ¡°I won¡¯t do those things again,¡± he promised.


    Ellie froze, taken aback by Kaiden¡¯s reply.


    ¡°I¡¯ll steer clear of everything you just mentioned,¡± he dered. He had always been amodating with Carole¡¯s wishes and hadn¡¯t imagined Ellie would be concerned about such things. To him, these seemed like minor issues.


    Ellie was momentarily speechless.


    This was not the reaction she had anticipated. Yet, there Kaiden was, offering her the sincere exnation and reassurance she sought. What else could she ask for?


    Still, a hollow feeling lingered within her, difficult to define and unsettling.


    ¡°Rx, don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± Kaiden said, his hand gently covering Ellie¡¯s eyes.


    He found it hard to bear the look of inquiry and bewilderment in her eyes. His wife should live a carefree life. Her eyes should reflect the same.


    With her eyes closed, her thickshes brushed against his palm, stirring a sensation as if they were touching his heart.


    Kaiden¡¯s hand then moved to the nape of her neck, gently coaxing her head upwards, and he ced a kiss on her lips.


    The kiss was fervent and intense, a mix of raw emotion, and a desperate attempt to mask something else.


    His other hand slid under her pajama top, reflecting on the convenience of such attire for moments like this.


    Ellie was almost unable to adjust to the sudden change in the situation until she felt the tactile sensation of Kaiden¡¯s fingertips on her skin.


    ¡°Get off me!¡± Ellie protested, attempting to shove him away.


    However, Kaiden skillfully utilized her resistance, firmly pinning her down onto the bed, her form sinking into the covers.


    ¡°I¡¯ve taken a shower,¡± Kaiden dered, deepening the kiss, leaving no room for her to express her disdain.


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    Ellie pushed hard against his chest, but her efforts were in vain. In defiance, she resorted to a swift kick, strategically targeting his vulnerable areas, since overpowering him proved impossible.


    Startled, Kaiden stopped and blocked her feet with his legs.


    Bending his knees, he secured her legs, thwarting any further mischief. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re kicking?¡± Kaiden clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡°What if you hurt my sensitive areas? What then?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, the problem isn¡¯t resolved yet. I don¡¯t want to gloss it over with this,¡± Ellie insisted tenaciously.


    He wouldn¡¯t have stopped had she not kicked him there.


    ¡°How else do you want to resolve it?¡± He thought he had already cleared things up.


    Unyielding, she continued to resist. Kaiden¡¯s patience was wearing thin, and the interruptions made him increasingly annoyed.


    ¡°Kaiden, you owe me an apology,¡± Ellie said, emphasizing each word.


    ¡°What?¡± Kaiden found the notion absurd.


    ¡°You made me angry. You should apologize,¡± Ellie insisted.


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 Chapter 391

    ?Chapter 391:


    While she couldn¡¯t control his actions, Ellie understood that aspects of their rtionship required gradual change and couldn¡¯t be ignored. Cold determination etched on his handsome face, Kaiden retorted, ¡°You made me angry too.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m sorry, I apologize,¡± Ellie said, unsure of the cause but swift to mend the bridges.


    Kaiden¡¯s temper wasn¡¯t a novelty for Ellie.


    However, she chose not to dwell on it.


    Momentarily speechless, Kaiden was caught off guard by this unexpected side of Ellie.


    Pursing his lips, he hadn¡¯t anticipated such a facet of her personality. ¡°Are you mute now? Did someone glue your mouth shut?¡± Ellie teased, attempting to pry open his lips with her fingers.


    In the past, those who showed such disrespect to Kaiden would have faced grave repercussions. Yet, with her, even in his anger, he found himself unable to assert his usual authority.


    Ellie seemed determined not to let it go without an apology.


    After a brief standoff, Kaiden finally conceded. ¡°Sorry,¡± he mumbled.


    He must be out of his mind to apologize!


    ¡°What was that? I didn¡¯t hear you.¡± Ellie frowned, struggling to catch his whispered voice.


    Kaiden¡¯s grip on her waist tightened, enough for her to feel it without causing any harm.


    ¡°I said, I¡¯m sorry!¡± After the initial apology, the subsequent ones became easier.


    Disying his annoyance while recognizing his inability to change the situation, Kaiden inquired, ¡°Are you satisfied now, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    Instantly, Ellie¡¯s mood lifted, and she responded with a coy tilt of her chin. ¡°Yeah!¡±


    Kaiden huffed in response, finding her seemingly entitled behavior particrly charming.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s continue!¡±


    His lips descended on hers once more.


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    Sensing the kiss¡¯s intent, Ellie promptly shielded her lips with her hands, blinking at Kaiden with wide eyes.


    He remained calm, but the desire in his eyes was unmistakable.


    ¡°What are you ying at now?¡± he hissed.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to get me milk tea and fried chicken?¡± Sleep no longer interested her. She desired ate-night snack.


    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t want any.¡± Kaiden clenched his teeth.


    Now was not the time for milk tea and fried chicken!


    ¡°Oh, I changed my mind.¡±


    Her flip-flopping was apanied by apleteck of shame.


    ¡°Too bad, we¡¯ll get it tomorrow,¡± Kaiden dered, shutting down any further argument and firmly pinning her. His desire tonight was exceptionally strong.


    Without warning, he seized her by the thighs and lifted her from the bed, supporting her by the buttocks. Taken aback, she reflexively encircled her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, afraid of losing her bnce.


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 Chapter 392

    ?Chapter 392:


    As usual, his bedroom stamina was more than she could handle. But tonight, Ellie sensed Kaiden was settling the score for her earlier interruptions.


    Feeling like a fish out of water, she struggled to catch her breath and keep up with his pace.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m so tired.¡±


    Ellie pleaded for him to finish as he pressed her against the French window.


    Without any constraints, Kaiden utilized the privacy of his estate to his advantage. The thrill was too much for her.


    Kaiden¡¯s lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, ¡°You wanted milk tea, didn¡¯t you? I¡¯ll make sure someone brings it to youter.¡±


    Damn, the milk tea! Now she longed for nothing but sleep!


    Exhausted and frustrated, Ellie couldn¡¯t find the energy to speak. Kaiden was doing it on purpose, deliberately pushing her buttons!


    After having restrained himself for several days, Kaiden finally shared some intimate moments with Ellie, cleaning her up in the bathroom before cing her on the bed. Afterward, he took a long, cold shower alone to quell his unsatisfied desire.


    When he crawled back into bed, Ellie scooted to the other side.


    ¡°You¡¯re cold, don¡¯t touch me,¡± she murmured, shunning him.


    Nothing could dampen his mood now. He stepped out of bed, waiting patiently for the chill to pass from his body before rejoining her.


    ¡°Ellie, why did you leave the Rich Bar when you saw me there?¡± he inquired, drawing her close and nting a kiss on her hair.


    Sleepy and exhausted, Ellie had no interest in getting into it.


    But Kaiden was curious to know the reason.


    ¡°There was someone I didn¡¯t know,¡± she replied irritably, burying her head in the pillow. ¡°Just let me sleep!¡±


    Who didn¡¯t she know? Was it Carole, he wondered.


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    Ellie¡¯ste night tranted into a challenging day at work. Luckily, today¡¯s tasks were straightforward, mainly focused on finalizing the schedule for her uing trip to Meloria for the Light show.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, are you feeling unwell today?¡± a concerned colleague inquired.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie instinctively denied. ¡°I just had trouble sleepingst night.¡± It was, of course, all Kaiden¡¯s fault!


    How could he go to bedter than her, wake up earlier, and still be more energetic?


    A sudden inquiry interrupted the conversation. ¡°What is Essence doing here?¡±


    The clicking of high heels could be heard, growing louder as Essence approached.


    Ellie let out a yawn and nced up, locking eyes with Essence. Since the recent scandal that cost Essence a hefty million dors for spreading baseless rumors, Ellie hadn¡¯t crossed paths with her. However, Essence¡¯s coboration with MOON Jewelry was ongoing, so her presence wasn¡¯t surprising.


    With casual disinterest, Ellie averted her attention, avoiding eye contact as Essence stood confidently before her.


    Unperturbed, Essence asked, ¡°Miss Gordon, are you free tonight? How about we catch up?¡±


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 Chapter 393

    ?Chapter 393:


    ¡°Miss Robbins, you and I aren¡¯t close enough to hang out.¡± Ellie had no interest in socializing with Essence.


    A sly smile yed on Essence¡¯s lips, eager to see how Ellie would react. ¡°We¡¯re throwing a wee party for Carole. Mr. Thorpe will be attending too. Are you sure you won¡¯te?¡±


    The news caught Ellie off guard, leaving her with no time to prepare. By the time she finished her work, the clock had almost struck five in the afternoon.


    Ellie pressed the elevator button, signaling her ascent to the thirty-eighth floor.


    To her surprise, as the elevator doors glided open, Kaiden emerged in a wheelchair.


    Kaiden seemed taken aback as Ellie approached him willingly.


    ¡°nning to join Harvillston?¡± he inquired.


    Ellie, momentarily shocked, had almost forgotten about it. ¡°No, I came to ask if you¡¯re attending a wee party tonight.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s tongue brushed against the back of his teeth, a clear sign of his displeasure with Ellie¡¯s persistent refusal to join hispany. He desired to have Ellie under his watchful eye all the time¡ªthe mostforting approach for him.


    Ellie approached Kaiden with her chin slightly lifted, her radiant face adorned with a subtle coquettish charm.


    ¡°I would like to attend Miss Lambert¡¯s wee party as well. Would you mind having me as yourpanion?¡± she asked.


    Bruce was left speechless.


    This didn¡¯t seem like Ellie was going as apanion to a wee party. It felt more like she was going there for a confrontation.


    At that moment, Kaiden¡¯s phone rang.


    Ellie nced at the caller ID. It was Carole.


    The CEO¡¯s floor was quiet, and being in proximity, Ellie could faintly hear Carole¡¯s voice emanating from the phone.


    ¡°Kaiden, have you wrapped up your work? Will youe tonight?¡± Her voice resonated with cheerfulness and sweetness, carrying the unique emotions of a young girl.


    Ellie observed Kaiden silently, her previously rxed expression now stiffening, her smile fading.


    Kaiden cast a nce at Ellie and replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Carole continued happily, ¡°I just returned to the country and don¡¯t have close friends here. Can you be my malepanion tonight?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not convenient,¡± Kaiden replied without hesitation. ¡°I already have a femalepanion.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t hear Carole¡¯s words clearly, but Kaiden¡¯s reply hinted at his rejection of being Carole¡¯s malepanion.


    After Kaiden ended the call, Ellie furrowed her brow and inquired, ¡°You already have a femalepanion for tonight?¡±


    Besides Carole, did he have other choices for femalepanions?


    Ellie felt like her efforts from the previous night had been in vain. She seethed with anger!


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it you?¡± Kaiden gestured for Bruce to step aside and took Ellie¡¯s hand, gently cing it on his wheelchair. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


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 Chapter 394

    ?Chapter 394:


    Ellie was momentarily taken aback.


    ¡°Are you not going with me?¡± Kaiden extended his hand and yfully pinched Ellie¡¯s face. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you agreed to apany me, and now you¡¯re still not happy? You¡¯re truly hard to please.¡±


    Hard to please?


    Ellie¡¯s ears involuntarily blushed a rosy hue.


    Kaiden had uttered those words justst night.


    He frequently remarked that she proved challenging to satisfy during their passionate moments together.


    Ellie wouldin about the pace being too swift, express difort from kneeling, and im she was fatigued after a while.


    Indeed, she was a tough one to please.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Ellie?¡± Kaiden¡¯s teasing words snapped her back to reality, prompting her to lock eyes with him.


    He had discerned her thoughts.


    ¡°You¡¯re exasperating!¡± Ellie vented her frustration, yfully pping his shoulder and whispering through gritted teeth.


    A nce at Bruce left her with a twinge of guilt.


    Unfazed by the routine banter, Bruce wore a stoic expression that might as well have proimed deafness.


    Speechless, Ellie felt her temperature rising once again.


    ¡°How did you learn about tonight¡¯s wee party?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°Someone extended the invitation to me.¡± Ellie chose not to reveal the person who invited her and asked, ¡°Do you have any objections to my attendance?¡±


    Kaiden struggled to follow her train of thought. Since he had already agreed to her being hispanion, he couldn¡¯t understand why he would have any objections to her being there. Ellie sensed his confusion and probed, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you explicitly mention that you wanted me there?¡±


    With a sigh, Kaiden inquired, ¡°Aren¡¯t you not acquainted with Carole?¡± He hadn¡¯t brought it up, presuming she wasn¡¯t acquainted with Carole. Ellie took a moment to recall her somewhat fuzzy statement from the night before.


    Exclusive updates live g?ln¦Òv???s


    It¡¯s not that she wasn¡¯t acquainted with Carole. She was simply irritated by her.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t acquainted with her before, but today presents a favorable opportunity to be acquainted.¡± Ellie added, ¡°Of course, if therees a day when I¡¯m no longer Mrs. Thorpe, I won¡¯t be inclined to familiarize myself with your friends.¡±


    They paused before a Rolls Royce Phantom, Kaiden¡¯s preferred vehicle for the day.


    Bruce had already opened the car door, but Ellie noticed Kaiden, in his wheelchair, remaining still.


    Turning back, she locked eyes with his silent, stern gaze.


    The gaze held an intensity that was both captivating and startling. Before she could inquire about the sudden change, Kaiden swiftly stood up, pressing her against the car. The car door shut with a resounding bang.


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 Chapter 395

    ?Chapter 395:


    Bruce, sensing the atmosphere, promptly averted his gaze.


    ¡°Ellie, if you¡¯re not Mrs. Thorpe, whose wife do you aspire to be?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice dipped low and carried a dangerous undertone as he firmly held Ellie¡¯s chin. His gaze resembled that of a predator sizing up its prey, almost as if he was contemting¡­ Securing a defiant capture in ce?


    She would bepliant once confined.


    This contemtion sent a shiver coursing down Ellie¡¯s spine.


    ¡°I was merely expressing a hypothetical scenario,¡± Ellie replied, her voice subtly revealing a trace of unease.


    ¡°You¡¯d do well not to entertain that scenario,¡± Kaiden cautioned her. His warning was entuated as he bit her lip gently, imparting a subtle reprimand.


    Her statement about not being Mrs. Thorpe caused a painful tightening in his heart. It stirred a blend of anger and suffocation within him.


    Setting Ellie free, Kaiden moved around the car to enter from the opposite side, his silenceden with unexpressed emotions.


    Ellie gingerly touched her slightly tender lip, her heart pulsating with intensity. She couldn¡¯t discern whether it was influenced by Kaiden¡¯s mood, or his authoritative remark, ¡°You¡¯d do well not to entertain that scenario.¡±


    Heart Ind yed host to Carole¡¯s delightful wee party. Rather than the familiar bar Ellie frequently visited, the party was held in a fancy vi nestled within the resort¡¯s confines.


    Radiant in a delicate light blue gown, Carole graced the gathering, emanating elegance heightened by her personally crafted sapphire ne.


    Though the attendees numbered a modest thirty, each belonged to elite circles.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Carole¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of Kaiden in his wheelchair, momentarily freezing as she noticed Ellie assisting him to push the wheelchair.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what brings you to this gathering?¡± Carole approached, swiftly masking any surprise. ¡°I must have forgotten to extend an invitation to you. Nevertheless, it¡¯s an honor that you¡¯ve graced us with your presence!¡±


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    Her words, though polite, carried an underlying message. Carole meant she didn¡¯t invite Ellie and wondered why she attended the party.


    Ellieid her hand on Kaiden¡¯s shoulder, presenting a picture-perfect couple.


    ¡°I am Kaiden¡¯spanion,¡± Ellie responded, smiling gently as she met Carole¡¯s gaze. ¡°My sincere apologies for not donning formal attire. Today¡¯s workmitments left me with little time for preparation.¡± Her response conveyed that her presence was not an uninvited intrusion, as Carole might have insinuated.


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 Chapter 396

    ?Chapter 396:


    Ellie was the only one who didn¡¯t wear a formal dress.


    She was dressed in a cashmere overcoat, jeans, and ck boots with high heels. Her hair was tied back neatly for work. She had an air of casual elegance, like a wealthy woman going out for a leisurely stroll. Even in such an inconspicuous manner, she immediately attracted everyone¡¯s attention.


    Ellie had been blessed with the ability to attract attention since she was a child.


    Whatever the reason might have been, it was evident that Ellie didn¡¯t care about Carole¡¯s party enough to wear a formal dress.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What you¡¯re wearing is good enough, Miss Gordon.¡± From Carole¡¯s tone, one could infer that she didn¡¯t understand what Ellie meant. She turned to look at Kaiden and said, ¡°Kaiden, I have something to tell you.¡±


    After saying this, Carole flicked a nce at Ellie.


    Obviously, she wanted to talk to Kaiden alone.


    Kaiden did not think that her request was anything out of the ordinary. He asked Ellie to mingle with the guests until he returned and followed Carole to another side of the room.


    The guests remained clueless and couldn¡¯t grasp the situation. They started muttering amongst themselves.


    ¡°This is Carole¡¯s wee party, so what is Ellie doing here? Shit! The atmosphere is so weird!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why Kaiden brought Ellie here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, his new girlfriend and old me have yet to argue. These two are really calm.¡±


    ¡°The rumors about Ellie and Kaiden have been circting for quite some time now. Why haven¡¯t they broken up yet?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no way Ellie canpete with Carole. I heard Kaiden nned this entire party based on her preferences.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have something even juicier to share. Carole majored in jewelry design. I hear that Kaiden sends her all kinds of gem materials every year so she can practice as she likes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s normal. Kaiden has always doted on her since they were children. For so many years, with the exception of Ellie, Carole is the only woman who has been able to get close to him.¡±


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    ¡°The two of them are whispering to each other over there! They are quite a good match!¡±


    ¡°I suddenly feel that Ellie is a little miserable!¡±


    All the people present today were Carole¡¯s friends, so they naturally spoke in her defense.


    Perched on the armchair, Ellie rested her chin in her hand as she silently absorbed the murmurs of these individuals. Her expression remained calm and unruffled, as if the subject being discussed did not pertain to her at all.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, how do you feel when you see your husband with another woman?¡± Essence asked slyly as she approached Ellie, a ss of champagne in her hand.


    Ellie took her eyes off Kaiden and Carole, who were talking alone not far away, and looked at Essence.


    She scoffed, ¡°Miss Robbins, your question is pointless. What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Miss Robbins, you don¡¯t have a husband. You can¡¯t understand even if I tell you.¡± Ellie¡¯s expression twisted into a sneer as she taunted, ¡°Or maybe what you really want to know is how you will feel when your husband is with another woman in the future?¡±


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 Chapter 397

    ?Chapter 397:


    ¡°Don¡¯t spout nonsense, Ellie! My future husband will definitely love me wholeheartedly!¡± Essence red at Ellie.


    While her angry voice was loud and attracted the attention of everyone around them, none of them could figure out the reason for her outburst.


    Subconsciously, Kaiden turned his head to stare at Ellie. When she looked back at him, there was a faint smile on her face, which was in stark contrast to the provocation in her eyes. The fire in her eyes seemed to be making it clear that it was his fault that other people were dissatisfied with her.


    Kaiden pursed his lips and looked at the woman who was driving a wedge between them.


    Essence could feel the chill of Kaiden¡¯s re, causing her to tremble and lower her head. She quickly tried to y it off like she hadn¡¯t said anything at all.


    ¡°Miss Robbins, there is something that remains unclear to me.¡± Ellie stopped looking at Kaiden and shifted her attention to Essence. ¡°Since you like Kaiden, why don¡¯t you expend all your energy on chasing him, but instead choose to cause me headaches all the time?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better for Carole to get Mr. Thorpe than for someone like you to get him!¡±


    Essence could not ept a world in which Ellie was the woman Kaiden chose to spend his life with. She was painfully aware that she could never measure up to Carole. When she heard that Carole was not in the country, she thought she had a chance, but then Ellie suddenly showed up from nowhere and snatched Kaiden right from under her nose!


    Essence had known Kaiden longer than Ellie did. The Robbins family had a close rtionship with Kaiden, a fact Ellie¡¯s family couldn¡¯t boast of, and to make matters worse, Ellie came from a troubled family! Essence would never ept the fact that a woman like that defeated her!


    ¡°Kaiden, I have something to ask you. You and Miss Gordon¡­¡±


    Carole struggled to suppress her curiosity, but it would be odd if she didn¡¯t inquire about it. After all, Kaiden had brought Ellie here today. Kaiden didn¡¯t say anything.


    He didn¡¯t like it when others hesitated and waited for him to speak first.


    Carole couldn¡¯t bear the silence anymore and had to say, ¡°I¡¯ve heard the rumors about you and Miss Gordon and the nature of your rtionship¡­ Is it true?¡±


    §Þ?§Ô? ¦Ô¦Ñ??§ä?? ?§ä g?l????l?.???


    It was impossible to determine if she was asking whether the gossip was true or if the rtionship was real.


    Kaiden said indifferently, ¡°The gossip is fake.¡±


    A small smile curved Carole¡¯s lips, and she was in the process of breathing a sigh of relief when Kaiden shattered her happiness with his next words. ¡°But the rtionship between her and me is real.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ What?¡±


    Carole heard what he said, but the manner in which he said it made it difficult for her to understand him.


    Kaiden nced at the woman in the luxurious cashmere overcoat a few feet away. She sat on the sofa, lost in thought, her delicate hands cradling her chin. She was as still and stunning as a painting, and her thoughts were a mystery to everyone around her.


    Kaiden looked away from Ellie and addressed Carole, who was standing right in front of him. ¡°Carole, Ellie is my wife.¡±


    The revtion hit Carole like a truck. She staggered back two steps before she was able to stop herself. Eyes wide, she stared at Kaiden in disbelief, her mind a confused mess.


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 Chapter 398

    ?Chapter 398:


    After a long pause, she finally managed a weak, unconvincing smile. ¡°I know¡­ That day, I heard Bruce call Miss Gordon¡­ Mrs. Thorpe.¡± Uttering these words was exceptionally challenging for her.


    Carole couldn¡¯t ept the fact that another woman had already be Kaiden¡¯s wife, a position she had longed for and fantasized about for years!


    She sped her hands in front of her. When she looked at him again, she was calm, the true picture ofposure. However, one look at her white, tightly clenched fingers made it clear she was anything butposed.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡­ When did you get together with Miss Gordon? Why didn¡¯t I hear anything of it? Miss Gordon has been famous since she was a child. Why didn¡¯t you have feelings for her¡­¡±


    ¡°Our marriage is a secret,¡± Kaiden replied. He was a little more patient with Carole than he was with others, but he could only answer one question patiently.


    ¡°Kaiden, is it because of Miss Gordon¡­ She doesn¡¯t want you to hang out with me, does she?¡± Carole chose her words carefully.


    ¡°No,¡± Kaiden answered, then suddenly recalled Ellie¡¯s attitude, so he added, ¡°Remember to take a coat the next time you go out.¡±


    He didn¡¯t add anything else to the abrupt sentence, but anyone with a functioning brain could discern what he truly meant.


    Upon hearing this, Carole¡¯splexion grew visibly pale. She hung her head with a sense of guilt and quietly replied, ¡°I understand¡­ We have known each other since childhood, and throughout the years, you have always been there to take care of me. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t anticipate that Miss Gordon would¡­ mind it so much.¡± She almost said that Ellie was so narrow-minded.


    Seeing that Carole had nothing else to say, Kaiden nodded at her and moved towards Ellie¡¯s direction.


    While sitting on the sofa, Ellie started feeling a little sleepy. She couldn¡¯t help but squint and let out a gentle yawn, like a content cat basking in the warmth of the sun.


    When she opened her eyes again, there was a wheelchair in front of her.


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    ¡°Are you sleepy? It¡¯s just seven o¡¯clock.¡± Kaiden frowned slightly, thinking that she was not feeling well.


    ¡°Humph. Are you saying you don¡¯t have any clue why I would be so sleepy?¡±


    Since they were in public, Ellie had no choice but to restrain her unhappiness.


    Kaiden looked down and chuckled.


    Carole, trailing a few steps behind, overheard Ellie¡¯s words. From her angle, she could see a passionate red hickey next to the cor of Ellie¡¯s ck turtleneck sweater.


    They were all adults, so anyone who saw it would be able to figure out how Ellie got that mark.


    It was winter now, so no mosquito could have bitten her.


    ¡°Wee back, Miss Lambert.¡± Ellie looked over Kaiden¡¯s shoulder to address the woman behind him.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Carole replied, though she found the greeting to be anything but weing. If anything, it felt like a provocation. ¡°It looks like you are not in good spirits, Miss Gordon. Please feel free to retire early and get some rest.¡±


    Ellie was an eyesore to Carole, and she wanted to get rid of the woman as soon as possible.


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 Chapter 399

    ?Chapter 399:


    But Ellie ignored her and sneered at Kaiden. ¡°I am not in good spirits, indeed.¡±


    Kaiden was unfazed by her obvious sarcasm. They were both seated, so he easily reached out and ruffled Ellie¡¯s hair. ¡°Go to bed early if you don¡¯t feel well.¡±


    Not only was his gesture intimate, his voice was filled with affection, too. Not that he noticed.


    Needless to say, the sight stung Carole. She felt like an outsider standing there, so she quickly mumbled an excuse and left in a hurry.


    The tips of her ears were tinged red with embarrassment as she fled.


    A smile slowly formed on Ellie¡¯s lips as she watched Carole go.


    Momentster, Carole was holed up in a cubicle inside the bathroom. She sat on the toilet, her hand pressed against her mouth to stifle her sobs, even as tears streamed down her face.


    None of it made sense to her.


    Why did Kaiden get married?


    Why would he do that shortly after she went abroad to pursue her studies?


    Worst of all, he seemed devoted to Ellie.


    When she was gone, no other woman was supposed to catch his eye!


    ¡°Carole, are you there?¡± a voice called out from outside the cubicle. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    Carole stood up and gingerly opened the door. When she saw that it was just Aphrodite Watts, she rushed forward and hugged her friend.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Aphrodite said nervously. ¡°Why are you crying?¡±


    ¡°Aphrodite, Kaiden and Ellie¡­ He¡­ He is with Ellie now¡­¡± The words spilled out of Carole in between her choked sobs. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to use the word ¡°married.¡± If she did, it would be as good as admitting that she was a third party who was out to ruin their rtionship.


    In a way, Carole was d that Kaiden and Ellie had refrained from announcing their marriage to the public.


    ???? ??d???? ?? g????????.????


    Aphrodite breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. You¡¯ve been gone for several years, so Kaiden must have felt lonely. He is a man with needs; it¡¯s understandable for him to seek physicalfort from other women. And who better to get it from than an attractive woman with no family background? Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯m sure that Kaiden has no feelings for Ellie.¡±


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re not just saying that, are you?¡± Carole gripped Aphrodite¡¯s hand as if it were a lifeline.


    Aphrodite nodded. She really didn¡¯t believe that Kaiden loved Ellie.


    ¡°Why would I lie to you? Things are different now. Ellie is no longer the prominent figure she once was. How can Kaiden possibly fall for her? She¡¯s just his ything, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ they are still together¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll break up sooner orter. Come on, even a good number of married couples get divorced every year.¡±


    Carole blinked as the realization dawned on her. That was right, married couples could still get divorced. She was finally convinced by Aphrodite¡¯s ims.


    So now, she just needed that divorce to happen.


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 Chapter 400

    ?Chapter 400:


    Meanwhile, Ellie was looking around the hall. ¡°Didn¡¯t Edwine today?¡± she asked Kaiden.


    His face instantly darkened. ¡°Why are you asking about another man?¡± Ellie, already dozing off, failed to notice the shift in his mood.


    She exined, ¡°Didn¡¯t hee to the Rich Bar with Jerome that night? I had intended to y with him some more. It was rather fun.¡± She had enjoyed ying dice with Edwin. Unfortunately, both Edwin and Jerome were busy today and couldn¡¯te.


    ¡°I¡¯m fun, too,¡± Kaiden dered as he squeezed Ellie¡¯s delicate hand between his. His voice deepened when he added, ¡°We can go home right now, and you can y with me all you want.¡±


    Ellie immediately pulled her hand out of his grip and covered his mouth, her eyes wide with rm. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re saying? Can¡¯t you read the room?¡±


    Did he have a penchant for talking dirty in public?


    Kaiden shrugged nonchntly. ¡°What does it matter? We are all adults here.¡±


    Ellie blinked at him, speechless and indignant. He had a point, though. Knowing he had her, Kaiden smirked and pinched her cheek.


    Ellie acted too slowly, and when she swatted his fingers away, they left a print on her face. It was all too easy to leave a mark on her soft skin.


    A cluster of socialites was loitering nearby, seemingly chatting with each other. In truth, they were keeping a close eye on Ellie and Kaiden. At this moment, they were equally confused and shocked by the couple¡¯s exchange.


    They wondered why Kaiden broke away from Carole and approached Ellie instead.


    They wondered what Ellie and Kaiden were talking about.


    Appalled, they discovered that Ellie had dared to ce her hand on Kaiden, and were even more astonished that he was not offended by her actions.


    It was all so strange.


    After their brief banter, Ellie was no longer sleepy. Something else urred to her.


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    ¡°Have you forgotten something, Kaiden?¡± When he said nothing, she kindly reminded him, ¡°You still owe me fried chicken and milk tea.¡±


    Ah, that. So much had happened since, and Kaiden had forgotten about it. ¡°I¡¯ll take you out to eat after the party.¡± He was easygoing like that.


    But Ellie had already made a decision. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for fried chicken. Let¡¯s have barbecue instead.¡±


    Her words invoked the vision of smoke billowing toward him and getting into his clothes and hair. Kaiden frowned. ¡°Barbecue causes cancer.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. People also say that you¡¯d get heart diseases from milk tea. It¡¯s all fake news.¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes and pouted. ¡°Don¡¯t try to wriggle your way out of your promise, Kaiden. Have you forgotten your barbaric behavior fromst night? You have to make it up to me.¡±


    Kaiden lowered his head andughed briefly. It was so short that their onlookers almost thought they had imagined the whole thing.


    ¡°Hmm, it looks like you are no longer sleepy. Fine, I¡¯ll take you out to get milk tea and barbecue. Afterward, can we have anotherte night together?¡±


    By the time Ellie realized what she had walked into, it was toote. A rosy blush appeared on her cheeks, and she blinked rapidly to cover up her embarrassment.


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 Chapter 401

    ?Chapter 401:


    ¡°You wish,¡± she muttered, looking away from him.


    A bunch of young yboys had approached in hopes of currying favor with Kaiden, and they just happened to overhear the conversation between him and Ellie. They stopped short in shock.


    Was this really the noble Mr. Thorpe discussing fried chicken and barbecue with Ellie? And Ellie, too, had she really just put on a sullen act to get her way? Wasn¡¯t she always so elegant and demure?


    What the hell?


    Worse yet, they seemed to be discussing something else, something intimate that was meant to ur behind closed doors. And Ellie had basically refused Kaiden.


    What was going on with these two?


    As far as everyone else was concerned, Kaiden and Ellie came from two different worlds.


    Yet, after what they had just seen, they couldn¡¯t deny that the two made a perfect match. There was a vibe between them, an unseen barrier that closed them off from the rest of the world.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you bored just sitting there, Miss Gordon? Why don¡¯t you y cards with us?¡± Carole, who had been gone for ten minutes, reappeared afterposing herself. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t mind, right, Kaiden?¡± she added, turning to smile at him.


    After acknowledging Kaiden¡¯s marriage to Ellie, she deemed this polite inquiry necessary.


    Kaiden tilted his head toward Ellie, silently telling them that the decisiony with her.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes locked with Carole¡¯s.


    One gaze was calm and gentle, while the other was friendly and eager. Only the two women themselves knew that separate storms were brewing underneath the surface.


    Ellie stood up and said, ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    She was not bored, of course, but she wanted to see what sort of tricks Carole was going to y.


    Half an hour had passed. Ellie¡¯s pile of chips had grown significantly, overshadowing Carole¡¯s dwindling stack. In their most recent game, Ellie had won arge number of chips from her.


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    ¡°Miss Gordon, you¡¯re really skilled at cards,¡± Carole remarked with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m almost out of chips.¡±


    Her words seemed to act as a cue. Suddenly, a voice rang out across the room.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe,e and help Carole with her cards! It¡¯s her first game sinceing home, and she¡¯s losing terribly. That¡¯s not a good look!¡±


    Ellie nced towards the source of the voice, her frown deepening as she fought to hide the chill in her gaze.


    It was Aphrodite.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden was lounging on a sofa, surrounded by a group of young men. He was more of a listener than a talker, his demeanor cool as he heard them out. Ever since his role as CEO of the GT Group became known, those who once ttered Erick had shifted their attention to him.


    At the sound of Aphrodite¡¯s voice, Kaiden turned. He noticed the frustrated expression on Carole¡¯s face. Yet, she managed a smile and teased, ¡°Kaiden, did youe to wee me back, or to team up with someone to pick on me?¡±


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 Chapter 402

    ?Chapter 402:


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes then shifted to Ellie. The right side of her table was piled high with chips. Her knack for dice games had evidently tranted well into card skills.


    Kaiden, acknowledging the young men around him, wheeled himself over to Carole.


    ¡°Let¡¯s y this way,¡± he suggested, starting to instruct Carole in the game. He wasn¡¯t particrly fond of card games, but ying against Ellie sparked a bit of interest in him.


    This shift caught the attention of the others, who couldn¡¯t help butment.


    ¡°Look at Mr. Thorpe, teaming up with Carole to take on Ellie!¡± one said. Another chimed in, ¡°Well, it¡¯s Carole who called him over. If you could do that, maybe he¡¯d help you too!¡±


    ¡°Right, we¡¯re not in Carole¡¯s league,¡±ughed another.


    Theirughter echoed around the room, and the underlying message was clear. They were suggesting that Kaiden held a special preference and affection for Carole.


    Ellie, who had arrived at the party with Kaiden, now seemed sidelined as he sat with another woman. This scene made her appear almost like the butt of a joke.


    Carole, hearing their remarks, didn¡¯t object. She simply smiled at Ellie across the table, her look almost a silent taunt.


    Essence, standing behind her fianc¨¦ at the card table, reminded Ellie gently with a smile, ¡°Miss Gordon, it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    Although Essence felt no real attachment to her fianc¨¦, Kaiden was aware of her feelings for him, leading Marcus to find a partner for his daughter.


    Ellie nced at Kaiden. He sat beside Carole with a rxed posture, his eyes casually scanning the cards as if making calctions.


    Was he seriously going to assist Carole against her?


    With a detached smile, Ellie resumed the game.


    The crowd¡¯s eyes turned to her, expecting to see anger or sadness, maybe even jealousy. But her expression showed none of these emotions, leaving them somewhat disappointed. Then something odd happened.


    Ever since Kaiden started advising Carole, Ellie, who had been on a winning streak, began to lose. And she was only losing to Carole. It was almost as if she was deliberately ying into Carole¡¯s hands, sending her chips her way.


    Keep reading on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    ¡°Miss Gordon seems to have run out of luck,¡± someonemented. Carole, clearly pleased, surveyed the chips she had won from Ellie. ¡°I win again,¡± she dered.


    ¡°Miss, you¡¯re running low on chips,¡± the chip attendant reminded Ellie. Everyone at the table watched Ellie, almost gloating, waiting for her to show embarrassment at not having enough money.


    But Ellie, under their watchful gaze, did something unexpected. She reached out her right hand towards Kaiden and tilted her chin up slightly. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I¡¯m out of money,¡± she announced with confidence, as if asking for financial assistance.


    Kaiden chuckled at her boldness. ¡°Exchange my money for chips for her,¡± he instructed the waiter.


    He had been wondering how someone with Ellie¡¯s skills and intelligence could keep losing to others. It appeared she was maneuvering for him to lend her money.


    He wasn¡¯t annoyed. Instead, he found her actions unexpectedly charming.


    The crowd was left in shock! Everyone in the room had witnessed women asking their wealthy partners for money before, but Ellie¡¯s bold and assertive approach was something new to them.


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 Chapter 403

    ?Chapter 403:


    What was more surprising was that Kaiden willinglyplied, and he seemed quite pleased about it!


    Carole¡¯s face lost its color, turning ashen. The smug expression she wore earlier vanished. It wasn¡¯t just because Kaiden indulged Ellie¡¯s brazen behavior, but also because she had heard Kaiden¡¯s chuckle. It was brief, but she was certain she heard it. Kaiden had actually smiled. Suddenly, Carole felt foolish for having asked him to intervene with Ellie. It seemed Ellie had orchestrated this whole scenario from the start!


    ¡°You used to be a top socialite, but now look at you, Ellie. How shameless,¡± Aphrodite interjected, defending her friend. ¡°You¡¯ve really lost all sense of dignity after being friends with someone as bankrupt as Baylee.¡±


    At that moment, Ellie set down the cards she was holding and fixed Aphrodite with a calm, yet unnerving stare.


    The room fell silent. Then, in a swift movement, Ellie reached out as a waiter passed by with a tray of desserts. In a blink, she grabbed something from the tray and approached Aphrodite.


    ¡°ng!¡± The sound of the collision echoed.


    ¡°Aah!¡± Aphrodite¡¯s scream followed immediately.


    Ellie, holding Aphrodite by the neck, pressed her head onto the table. The cards she had been ying were scattered and disheveled by Aphrodite¡¯s head. She held a fork in her other hand, its sharp tines pointing menacingly at Aphrodite¡¯s neck.


    In the light, Ellie¡¯s face looked delicate and beautiful, but it was marred by an icy coldness. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion, making her appear both chilling and intimidating.


    Aphrodite, on the verge of struggling, froze at her warning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Ellie said, her voice devoid of expression. ¡°Make one more move, and I might just do something that willnd you in the ICU.¡±


    The feeling of the fork¡¯s cold tines against her neck caused Aphrodite¡¯s heart to plummet. She swallowed hard, too afraid to move an inch.


    ¡°Oh my God¡­¡± Essence gasped, her hand covering her mouth, shocked by Ellie¡¯s actions.


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    The room was silent, everyone too stunned to speak, taken aback by Ellie¡¯s swift and unexpected aggression.


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, Ellie? Let me go¡­¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice quivered, fear evident in her tone, worried that the fork might pierce her artery.


    ¡°Anyone can say Baylee is bankrupt, but you have no right,¡± Ellie sneered. ¡°Your family lives off what Baylee left behind. Who are you to judge her?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, stop this madness!¡± Carole, seeing her friend in distress, snapped back to reality. She grabbed Kaiden¡¯s hand, pleading for his intervention. ¡°Kaiden, make her stop, please!¡±


    Kaiden felt an intense gaze.


    He looked up and caught Ellie¡¯s icy stare.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes were fixed on Carole¡¯s hand, which held his.


    Kaiden gently pulled his hand away, saying, ¡°Carole, I can¡¯t make her stop.¡±


    He thought if he said anything more, Ellie would be really mad at himter.


    Why would he bother with Aphrodite¡¯s troubles?


    After what she said, she brought it on herself.


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 Chapter 404

    ?Chapter 404:


    Could he truly not make her stop, or did he choose not to? Carole, upset, bit her lip.


    She looked at the guys nearby. ¡°Can you help break them up? Don¡¯t let it get worse!¡±


    Two guys started to step in.


    However, Kaiden positioned his wheelchair in front of them and waved his hand, signaling them to stop in their tracks. ¡°They will handle it on their own,¡± he said.


    ¡°Handle it on their own?¡±


    It was obviously Ellie attacking!


    But since Kaiden said so, the guys were reluctant to get involved.


    After all, it¡¯s not right for men to step into a fight between women. Carole¡¯s jealousy surged as she watched Kaiden, convinced he was showing favoritism towards Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden, Miss Gordon¡¯s getting too emotional. This could end badly for her.¡± She was worried about her friend and looked to Kaiden for intervention.


    But Kaiden just watched Ellie, unbothered. ¡°She¡¯s aware of what she¡¯s doing.¡±


    She was aware of what she was doing? Ellie was holding a fork threateningly close to Aphrodite!


    Carole¡¯s anger red at Kaiden¡¯s nonchnt remark.


    ¡°Ellie, remember I¡¯m engaged to Quincy. If you harm me, he won¡¯t overlook it!¡± Aphrodite warned, teeth clenched.


    ¡°Come on, Quincy means nothing to me, not like I¡¯m Baylee.¡± Ellie chuckled. ¡°Actually, Quincy¡¯s not important to Baylee anymore either.¡±


    ¡°I stand by what I said. Baylee is really just¡­¡±


    ¡°Cut the chatter about Baylee, Aphrodite. Just a friendly tip.¡± Ellie¡¯sment was followed by a loud nging sound.


    With a fierce gesture, Ellie mmed the fork into the tablecloth next to Aphrodite¡¯s face. The fork embedded itself in the cloth, leaving behind holes, and then tilted toward Aphrodite¡¯s face. It sent shivers down her spine. Aphrodite quickly retracted her aggressive words toward Baylee, overwhelmed by fear. She slumped over the table, looking drained.


    ¡°Sorry to crash your party, Miss Lambert,¡± Ellie remarked, releasing Aphrodite without any sign of regret. ¡°Looks like your friend could use somefort. I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡±


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©qc??m has it all


    Carole hurried over to Aphrodite¡¯s side, not ready to let Ellie off easily. She hissed, ¡°Miss Gordon! This whole thing involves Aphrodite, Miss Curtis, and Quincy. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate for you to interfere? You were pretty tough on Aphrodite just now. Don¡¯t you owe her an apology?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle at Carole¡¯s indignant tone. Even with her sarcastic edge, her beauty was undeniable.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong about one thing, Miss Lambert. Baylee and Quincy have nothing to do with each other right now.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°And as for apologizing? I¡¯ve made my move. Do you really think I n to say sorry?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you are going too far!¡± Aphrodite snapped back, her face turning red with anger. She felt braver now that the immediate threat was gone.


    ¡°Miss Watts, I was talking to Miss Lambert. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate for you to interfere?¡± Ellie threw Carole¡¯s own words back at Aphrodite before turning to Carole. ¡°What do you think, Miss Lambert?¡±


    Aphrodite was at a loss for words. Carole nervously bit her lip and gripped her dress, trying hard to stay calm.


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 Chapter 405

    ?Chapter 405:


    ¡°I really hope everyone¡¯s having a good time at the party,¡± Ellie announced, waving her hand. Her arrival and exit were both unexpected.


    The room fell silent. Who could actually have fun after witnessing that?


    Ellie started to walk away but suddenly felt like she was missing something.


    Then, it hit her, and she stopped dead in her tracks.


    She turned and saw Kaiden in his wheelchair, looking at her with no expression.


    His eyes seemed to question, ¡°When will you remember me?¡± She had totally forgotten Kaiden!


    Embarrassed and guilty, Ellie walked back to him awkwardly.


    She asked cautiously, ¡°Are you¡­ heading back?¡±


    Kaiden stared at Ellie coldly for a few seconds before looking away. He called the manager of Heart Ind over and told them to make sure Carole was well taken care of for the night.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you also nning to leave?¡± Carole realized Kaiden was about to leave, and she couldn¡¯t even manage a forced smile.


    ¡°Right,¡± Kaiden replied. His intention was to just show up for a short while.


    Ellie felt a jolt of surprise.


    She had asked in a casual manner, never really expecting Kaiden to decide to leave with her.


    Was this not like a p in the face for Carole?


    Ah, it felt somewhat satisfying!


    Unable to resist, a small smile crept onto Ellie¡¯s lips as she took the lead in pushing Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair.


    It wasn¡¯t until Ellie and Kaiden werepletely out of sight that the shocked crowd snapped back to reality.


    In a matter of hours that evening, their views on Ellie hadpletely changed.


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    ¡°Ellie¡¯s got a fierce spirit! I¡¯ve never witnessed such a ssy yet forceful argument!¡±


    ¡°Why did Ellie get so mad all of a sudden?¡± Someone seemed confused. ¡°Ellie and Baylee have been tight since they were kids. With Aphrodite bad-mouthing Baylee, and some guy named Quincy mixed up in it, of course she¡¯d be upset.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I remember now! Back at Rich Bar, when someone spoke ill of Baylee, Ellie responded immediately.¡±


    ¡°That incident at Rich Bar actually happened? Ellie and Baylee stood up to a bunch of guys?¡±


    ¡°Wow, lucky I didn¡¯t intervene, or I would¡¯ve been caught in the crossfire!¡±


    ¡°Who on earth told me Ellie was all gentle and virtuous? Marrying her would be like signing up for domestic violence!¡±


    Since it was January, the winter nights grew colder. Ellie couldn¡¯t help but draw her neck in against the biting wind. Luckily, the car was not parked far away. Once she climbed inside, the warmth within the car enveloped her, providing much-neededfort.


    She warmed her hands in front of the vent.


    Suddenly, Kaiden, entering from the other side, took her hands.


    He felt her hands, cold yet soft.


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 Chapter 406

    ?Chapter 406:


    He silently regretted making Ellie push the wheelchair, which had made her hands so cold.


    His usually warm palms now worked to bring back the heat to her fingers.


    Ellie felt her heart melt at their sped hands, her pulse racing.


    The ambiance inside the car was cozy and intimate.


    Just as Ellie was about to say something, Kaiden beat her to it.


    ¡°Ellie,¡± he said in a cool tone, sounding almost upset. ¡°How about we discuss the matter of you forgetting about me and deciding to leave alone?¡±


    The warmth between them seemed to fade in an instant, leaving Ellie at a loss for words.


    She felt a pang of guilt and tried to pull her hand away, but Kaiden held on, as if he was holding onto proof of her ¡°mistake.¡±


    Ellie found herself caught in Kaiden¡¯s steady gaze. He looked like he was expecting her to confess something, which left her momentarily at a loss for words.


    After a brief pause, she spoke, her voice uncertain. ¡°I left because I thought you might be upset with me¡­ for spoiling Carole¡¯s party.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s response was a cold chuckle. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, at least try to make your lies sound usible.¡±


    His demeanor clearly indicated he sided with Ellie. Had he been truly upset with her, wouldn¡¯t he have allowed those young men to step in earlier?


    Realizing her mistake, Ellie quickly changed her exnation. ¡°I thought you wanted to stay at the party longer.¡±


    Kaiden simply stared at her, his silence exerting a pressure that seemed to say, ¡°Keep going, I¡¯m listening to your excuses.¡±


    Finally, unable to keep up the pretense, Ellie confessed, ¡°I didn¡¯t forget about you. I was just really angry!¡±


    The warmth from her hands disappeared as Kaiden released them and moved to his own side of the car.


    They were like strangers, a stark contrast to moments before when he had been holding her hands.


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    His anger was palpable. Ellie sighed deeply.


    Outside, the city lights faded into the distance as the Rolls Royce Phantom continued its journey towards Moon Manor.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t we supposed to grab milk tea and barbecue?¡± Ellie attempted to dissolve the tension in the car.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t reply, his silence creating an invisible barrier.


    Ellie stole a nce at him. His profile was stern, a clear reflection of his mood.


    ¡°Kaiden, please don¡¯t be mad,¡± she whispered, lightly tugging at the corner of his clothing, her action unintentionally flirtatious.


    Kaiden, however, remained stoic, feigning sleep as he leaned back. Secretly, he was acutely aware of every gentle pull at his clothes. Ellie, in her mind, didn¡¯t think she was entirely wrong for leaving without consulting Kaiden.


    Firstly, her hasty exit was understandable given her mood. Secondly, she pondered that Kaiden might have preferred her to leave so he could stay longer at Carole¡¯s party.


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 Chapter 407

    ?Chapter 407:


    The real issue was her abrupt return, awkwardly asking if he was leaving as well.


    Had he chosen to stay, perhaps she would be the one upset now.


    But Kaiden¡¯s immediate departure, souring Carole¡¯s mood, secretly pleased Ellie. Happy with this oue, she felt inclined to cate him.


    As the Phantom rolled to a stop at the main porch of Moon Manor, Kaiden exited the car first, with Ellie following closely behind.


    The servants had already opened the door, awaiting the arrival of their master and his wife.


    ¡°Kaiden, wait!¡± Ellie called out.


    As Kaiden was about to step inside, Ellie made a sudden move. She grabbed his tie, swiftly pulling him aside and pressing him against the wall.


    Kaiden, taken aback by her bold action, was momentarily caught off bnce and then startled to find himself against the wall. In the next instant, as he bent his head due to the pull on his tie, Ellie¡¯s soft lips met his in a gentle, sweet kiss. His eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flickering in them.


    Ellie noticed a look of shock in the dark depths of Kaiden¡¯s eyes, a reaction she had never seen in him before.


    Before she could reflect on this, Kaiden acted. He lifted her by the waist, effortlessly reversing their positions.


    Ellie, losing her footing, instinctively clung to him. By the time she realized what had happened, she found herself pinned against the wall, her feet dangling and legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.


    At that moment, as her legs coiled around him, Ellie saw Kaiden¡¯s lips curve into a smile. He seemed to be enjoying this, triumphant in his yfulness.


    ¡°Kaiden, you tricked me!¡± she eximed, pushing his face away, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and mock anger.


    But her sultry eyes, slightly reddened at the corners,cked any real threat. She looked more like an alluring, vibrant flower.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze on Ellie was intense and predatory, like a wolf eyeing its prey.


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    Ellie, recognizing that look, knew exactly what it signified. ¡°You¡­¡± she started.


    ¡°You have to take responsibility, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Kaiden replied. He then carried her upstairs, holding her in a way that resembled carrying a child, a position he imed wouldn¡¯t attract the servants¡¯ attention.


    Kaiden knew that being discovered in such a position wouldn¡¯t be embarrassing for him, but it would be for Ellie. She valued her dignity, and the implications of their entrance into the house in such a manner were more obvious than discreet.


    To avoid being seen, Ellie kept her face buried in his neck throughout their journey to the bedroom, too shy to look up.


    Once inside the bedroom, Kaiden pressed her against the wall again, his impatience showing as he struggled with her jeans. He expressed his frustration with a click of his tongue. ¡°You should have worn a skirt today.¡±


    His audacity to be so particr in that moment made Ellie frown. Before she could protest, however, Kaiden¡¯s kiss silenced her.


    The smart air conditioning in the master bedroom had already warmed the room as they entered. Soon, Ellie¡¯s clothes were scattered across the floor, adding vibrant and colorful contrasts to the dark, sophisticated carpet.


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 Chapter 408

    ?Chapter 408:


    ¡°Wa¡ª Wait!¡± Ellie suddenly gasped, stopping him. ¡°You forgot to use a condom,¡± she reminded.


    Kaiden nced towards the bedside table, a good ten meters away, and for the first time cursed the expansive size of his bedroom.


    They had always been careful not to forget to use a condom when they shared intimate moments.


    In that moment, Kaiden was overwhelmed by a wave of impulsiveness. ¡°I don¡¯t want to use it,¡± he said.


    ¡°No!¡± Ellie countered, shaking her head emphatically. ¡°I could get pregnant!¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have a baby. We are legally married, Mrs. Thorpe.¡± Kaiden¡¯s mind wandered to the thought of a mini version of Ellie, a little girl both delicate and charming.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m not ready for kids yet!¡± There was a hint of desperation in Ellie¡¯s eyes as she pushed against his shoulders, knowing she couldn¡¯t stop him if he insisted.


    Realizing her distressed state, Kaiden remembered that Ellie, despite being highly educated and aplished, was only twenty-one. Her peers were still in college.


    He carried her to the bedside table, moving with quick, determined steps. The master bedroom echoed with his indulgent and caring voice.


    ¡°Okay, my little girl.¡±


    Soon after they made love, Ellie, exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. Kaiden, still awake and feeling content after helping her bathe, considered working. But seeing her asleep on the bed, he decided to stay close, foregoing his study.


    He stepped out onto the balcony, lighting a cigarette, the red ember glowing in his strong hand. His phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he answered, ¡°Carole.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m really sorry about what happened today.¡± Carole¡¯s voice came through, filled with regret. ¡°I was too concerned for my friend¡¯s safety and ended up being rude to Miss Gordon. Please, could you pass on my apologies to her¡­ Or maybe I could apologize in person, would that be alright?¡±


    Carole felt no regret for her attitude toward Ellie. Since Kaiden had not taken her side and had stood up for Aphrodite, she decided to let it go. After all, it seemed pointless to dwell on it.


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    Instead, she thought of a new n. She intentionally called Kaiden in the middle of the night, hoping to irritate Ellie.


    Upon hearing that Carole wanted to apologize to Ellie, Kaiden looked toward the room, his expression softening.


    ¡°She¡¯s asleep,¡± he said, implying Ellie wouldn¡¯t want to speak with her.


    Carole, phone in hand, was taken aback. They were¡­ together. Sleeping together? Even though she knew Kaiden and Ellie were married, this detail stirred jealousy in her. After a pause, she said in a forced voice, ¡°Kaiden, it seems like you really care about Miss Gordon.¡±


    Kaiden didn¡¯t respond. He was private about his personal life and didn¡¯t like discussing it.


    Carole quickly added, ¡°Kaiden, I didn¡¯t mean anything by it, I just¡­¡± Her voice quivered with anxious fear. ¡°I just don¡¯t know if I can stille to you for help if something happens in the future. I¡¯m worried about causing you trouble.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden replied indifferently. ¡°Carole, my promise to my brother always stands.¡±


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 Chapter 409

    ?Chapter 409:


    The following day, Ellie rose with a weary body to pack her luggage. Kaiden, leaning against the doorway of the walk-in closet, inquired, ¡°How long will you be gone?¡±


    ¡°A week,¡± Ellie answered.


    Kaiden suspected she wasn¡¯t telling him everything.


    ¡°The show willst at most a day.¡± He frowned.


    Ellie rified, ¡°The round trip takes two days, the Light show will probably take three days, then there¡¯s a celebration dinner with the brand, and Freddy has also invited me to dinner.¡±


    Her week was fully booked. If it weren¡¯t for the bitter cold in Estoqua, she would have considered staying for more shows, extending her trip by another week.


    ¡°Is Freddy that idle? Just asking you out for meals?¡± Kaiden asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. He knew Freddy didn¡¯t have romantic feelings for Ellie, but he couldn¡¯t shake the twinge of irritation.


    Ellie zipped up her suitcase, a smile creeping at the corners of her mouth. Sometimes, Kaiden could be so adorably childish!


    Pulling her luggage, she noticed Kaiden walking with her. ¡°Are you driving me to the airport?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s on my way,¡± Kaiden replied, taking a seat in the back of the car and instructing the driver to start.


    Ellie thought about the route. The airport was near the suburbs. Where could he be going that was on the way?


    She turned to him. ¡°Don¡¯t you have work today?¡± Her tone was curious, sensing that Kaiden seemed unusually idle that morning.


    Kaiden leaned back, rxed. ¡°Day off.¡±


    Ellie shot him a doubtful look. Was the GT Group really performing so poorly that its CEO could afford to take so many days off? she wondered to herself.


    Catching her skeptical nce, Kaiden gently tapped her forehead. ¡°What¡¯s that look for?¡± he asked, knowing he probably seemed crazy for skipping work just because she was leaving.


    Ellie rubbed her forehead and shot him a slightly aggrieved re, but she didn¡¯tment on his apparent mood. When they reached the airport, she suppressed augh, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest.


    M?§Ô? ??????? ?? ??l????l?.???


    At the airport, farewells were amon sight. Kaiden noticed a couple near the entrance, the woman clinging to the man, her face buried in his neck as they shared an emotional goodbye. He quickly turned away from the scene and called out to Ellie, who stepped out of the car without hesitation.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± he called.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Ellie turned, puzzled.


    Kaiden frowned, gesturing toward her. She seemedpletely unemotional about leaving.


    ¡°What are you¡ª Mm!¡±


    Ellie¡¯s words were cut short as she approached the car. Kaiden, seated in the back, reached out, grasped the back of her neck, and pulled her close. His lips met hers in a fervent kiss, starting with an intensity that felt like a reprimand. It slowly softened, transforming into a gentle goodbye. Ellie¡¯s eyes remained wide open in shock, locked onto Kaiden¡¯s dark ones. She felt emotions from him that were new and profound, like invisible tendrils entangling her heart.


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 Chapter 410

    Chapter 410:


    After a moment, Kaiden parted his lips from hers, his hand still lingering on her neck. His voice was rough as he whispered, ¡°Go.¡±


    Uponnding at Meloria Airport, Ellie was immediately greeted by a representative from the Light brand. She was swiftly taken to her hotel to begin the hectic preparations for the uing show, busy as ever.


    Two dayster, early in the morning, the models were getting their makeup and styling done for the evening¡¯s show. Suddenly, Jonah Hewitt¡¯s assistant burst in, panic-stricken.


    ¡°Jonah, there¡¯s a problem! The partner¡¯s jewelry can¡¯t be delivered!¡±


    Jonah, the chief costume designer for the Light show, was a man in his mid-thirties and quite handsome. He was perplexed. ¡°How can that be? Isn¡¯t the jewelry provided by Carole?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The jewelry partner is Carole?¡± Ellie echoed, her concern growing. She felt uneasy at the mention of Carole¡¯s name. She knew the show¡¯s jewelry was being styled by a prominent designer, but she didn¡¯t realize it was her. The jewelry¡¯s high value and small size meant Ellie had only seen photos, not the actual pieces.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s her,¡± Jonah confirmed, quickly dialing Carole¡¯s studio. The call was brief, and Jonah¡¯s face darkened with each passing second. He hung up, looking very serious.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Ellie asked, her worry evident.


    ¡°Carole¡¯s agent said she thinks the designs don¡¯t match ourpany¡¯s style. She¡¯s pulling out and will pay the breach of contract fee,¡± Jonah exined, his expression grim. ¡°We¡¯ve worked with her before, which is why we trusted her to deliver the jewelry on the day of the show.¡±


    Ellie realized the severity of the situation. The breach of contract fee wasn¡¯t the main issue. Carole backing out on the day of the show seemed more like a deliberate act than a genuine concern about design mismatches.


    Ellie had a sinking feeling. This felt personal. Carole was targeting her. This was Ellie¡¯s first time leading an international show for Light, and any failure, especially now, would tarnish her career.


    Jonah, now racing against time, began calling various contacts to secure alternative jewelry. He was too upied to confront Carole about her actions.


    Meanwhile, Ellie stepped aside and dialed Carole¡¯s number.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, this is Ellie,¡± she said as soon as the call connected.


    ¡°Miss Gordon? How did you get my contact? Did Kaiden tell you?¡± Carole¡¯s voice sounded suspicious.


    ¡°You called me to plead for Herman once, remember? I saved your number after that call.¡± Ellie was irked by Carole¡¯s mention of Kaiden.


    ¡°I see. Do you need something, Miss Gordon?¡± Carole¡¯s tone was deliberate, though she was already aware of why Ellie was calling, having been briefed by her agent.


    Ellie didn¡¯t want to waste time with pleasantries. ¡°Miss Lambert, I¡¯m leading the styling for this Light show. I just heard about your abrupt contract breach. You¡¯ve worked with Light three times before. If there¡¯s a mismatch in design style or concept, why were the past coborations sessful?¡±


    ¡°The previous times were indeed fine,¡± Carole responded, her words hinting at something more.


    Ellie, looking down at the carpet, chuckled softly. Her voice took on a colder edge. ¡°Is it because I¡¯m involved this time?¡±


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    Message from Noa: Have a great week dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


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 Chapter 411

    ?Chapter 411:


    ¡°Miss Gordon, mywyer will handle the negotiations regarding the breach of contractpensation. This is not something a stylist like you should concern yourself with,¡± Carole replied.


    She skillfully dodged Ellie¡¯s question, firmly refusing to give Ellie any leverage over her.


    While her words seemed polite on the surface, both Carole and Ellie knew exactly why Carole had done what she did.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, by targeting me, you¡¯ve chosen to alienate a top luxury brand. I¡¯m honored by the value you ce in me!¡± Ellie¡¯s expression remained cold.


    She had initially admired Carole¡¯s talent, but she could never align herself with someone who didn¡¯t value her career and aspirations.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re implying,¡± Carole murmured softly, still clinging to the pretense that she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.


    She was certain that she hadn¡¯t alienated Light. She was talented, and everyone knew it. Sooner orter, Light would actively seek to mend their rtionship. Besides, by making this move, she would ensure that both Light and other brands would see Ellie as someone to avoid.


    Carole continued, ¡°Additionally, Quincy is aware of the incident with Aphrodite. I hope you will behave appropriately and not cause trouble for Kaiden because of your personal issues.¡±


    ¡°How does it concern you if I cause trouble for my man?¡± Ellie shot back.


    Carole was taken aback by Ellie¡¯s use of the term ¡°my man¡± and was about to respond when Ellie abruptly ended the call.


    Kaiden and Carole had recently visited the cemetery to honor Leo¡¯s memory. They had just returned when Kaiden received a call from thepany and had to leave. Shortly after, Carole received the call from Ellie.


    In that moment, Carole was livid, but she foundfort in the fact that Ellie¡¯s downfall wasing soon.


    The mess at Light¡¯s show was something Ellie wouldn¡¯t be able to clean up.


    I??€$? ¡é?@t?€§ñ$ I¦Ç g??§Úov¦Å??.c?m


    ¡°Miss Lambert, the master wishes to see you,¡± a servant from the Thorpe family mansion said politely as he approached Carole.


    ¡°Alright, please lead the way,¡± Carole replied quickly,posing herself before following the servant to the study.


    Jorge was sitting in the study, leisurely sipping his tea.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. Thorpe,¡± Carole greeted him with respect.


    Jorge nodded, signaling for Carole to sit.


    Carole smiled but declined, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll stand, Mr. Thorpe. Please, speak your mind.¡±


    She used this tactic to create distance between herself and Jorge, signaling that she was aligned with Kaiden.


    Carole was well aware of the internal divisions within the Thorpe family.


    Jorge wasn¡¯t bothered by Carole¡¯s rudeness. In fact, he needed a woman who would be determined enough to win over Kaiden. The more she loved Kaiden, the better.


    ¡°Carole, do you want to be Kaiden¡¯s wife?¡± Jorge asked, his voice low but deliberate.


    Carole froze, her eyes widening in shock.


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    Jorge noticed the flicker of excitement and desire in her expression, his smile turning triumphant. ¡°It seems you do! Leo held a fondness for you since childhood, but the one you¡¯ve always been drawn to is Kaiden.¡±


    Carole¡¯s expression shifted slightly, and her fists clenched at her sides as she fought to maintain herposure.


    She had known for a long time that Leo liked her. While she had never rejected him, the person she actually loved was Kaiden.


    Carole¡¯s voice became serious as she replied, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Kaiden is already married. I have no intention of interfering in their rtionship.¡±


    Jorge leaned forward, his tone bing more direct. ¡°What if I tell you that I want you to be my daughter-inw?¡±


    Carole was too shocked to speak at first.


    Initially, she had struggled with the idea of breaking up Kaiden¡¯s marriage, but now, even Kaiden¡¯s father was supporting her.


    What was there to hesitate about?


    In that moment, Carole felt like she had struck gold, but she needed to maintain herposure and hide her excitement.


    ¡°Youngdy, I don¡¯t ask my daughter-inw to side with me, but she must not oppose me,¡± Jorge smiled.


    With those few words, Carole suddenly understood what was happening. Ellie was opposing Jorge, a fact which clearly upset him. Now, he was seeking to rece Ellie with her. Of course, Carole would never directly help Jorge in his conflict with Kaiden, but her main priority was to disce Ellie.


    Six years ago, Leo had a fatal car ident. On his deathbed, he had asked Kaiden to take care of Carole for him.


    The outside world knew only that the daughter of the Lambert family had a good rtionship with the legitimate sons of the Thorpe family. It was said that Kaiden had always cherished Carole since childhood. However, only Carole knew that Kaiden¡¯s care for her stemmed from Leo¡¯s fondness for her.


    Kaiden¡¯s current partiality towards her was all because of Leo¡¯s dying request. And this entrusted responsibility was her trump card.


    L?t??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l?ov?l??.??§à??


    Carole refused to believe that Kaiden hadn¡¯t developed feelings for her over the years. She was convinced that he had buried them because of his loyalty to Leo.


    What she needed now was a legitimate status!


    Backstage at the Light show in Meloria, the tension was rising as time grew increasingly tight.


    The production team had reached out to various jewelry brands, but either the styles didn¡¯t align with the show, or those brands had alreadymitted to other projects. None were suitable.


    Jonah, struggling to keep his emotions in check, was in a state of panic. He was determined not to settle for unsuitable jewelry, but the chances of securing the right pieces were shrinking by the second.


    ¡°Jonah, if yourpany doesn¡¯t mind, I have jewelry here that matches the style,¡± Ellie suddenly announced.


    Ellie felt partly responsible for the situation. If she weren¡¯t Light¡¯s head stylist, Carole probably wouldn¡¯t have breached the contract.


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 Chapter 413

    ?Chapter 413:


    ¡°You¡­ you have suitable jewelry?¡± Jonah raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his voice. ¡°Ellie, just a reminder that the pieces for the show not only need to fit our style guidelines but must also be free of any copyright issues.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a private collection, no copyright concerns,¡± Ellie replied.


    How could she have suddenly found a private collection?


    Jonah was brimming with questions, but this wasn¡¯t the time to ask.


    ¡°Okay! How many people do we need to send to pick up the jewelry? How many bulletproof vehicles should we summon? Where is it?¡±


    ¡°No need for all that,¡± Ellie said, her attention on her phone as she typed away. ¡°Cars are too slow.¡± She muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll have it sent over by helicopter.¡±


    Jonah was speechless. His confusion grew, but Ellie seemed mentally stable, not delusional.


    Two hourster, a helicopter descended onto the empty area adjacent to the exhibition hall. A group of sturdy men carried five or six wooden boxes, each about half a meter in height.


    To save time, Ellie instructed the models to get in position while she opened the wooden boxes. One by one, Ellie retrieved exquisite pieces of collector¡¯s jewelry from the in-looking wooden boxes. Each piece was carefullyid on a bed of ck velvet inside the box.


    Transporting jewelry in wooden boxes like ordinary goods?


    Everyone present could only think of one word: Unbelievable!


    ¡°This sapphire pendant looks strikingly simr to the Ocean Age that was auctioned off by a mysterious tycoon at Sotheby¡¯s three years ago¡­¡± Jonah murmured as his gaze fell on the sparkling sapphire ne.


    Ellie nced at it casually and replied, ¡°That is the Ocean Age.¡±


    She took out thest piece of jewelry from the box. But Jonah was still fixated on the origin of the jewelry. His eyes widened as he pointed at another set ofvish diamond earrings and a headband that Ellie had just taken out, asking in a shaky voice, ¡°Is this the Snow Rose, auctioned by Christie¡¯sst year? Is this item genuine?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Ellie smiled.


    ?????????????????.c??m hosts thetest


    Over the past few years, Ellie had instructed her fund manager to purchase these jewels for their collection value and potential appreciation. They could also be given out as gifts if needed, but at the moment, they served another purpose. Ellie was well-versed in the styles of these jewels, easily finding matches and cing them on the models with practiced precision.


    ¡°Ellie, you do know that hijacking a tycoon is illegal, right?¡± Jonah ventured, his words echoing the thoughts of everyone present.


    As she ced a ne on the model, Ellie chuckled and reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, these are my friend¡¯s collections. I am borrowing them for the time being.¡±


    ¡°I know Freddy well, and he¡¯s not that rich,¡± Jonah¡¯s tone was still cautious and wary.


    ¡°It¡¯s not Freddy, it¡¯s another friend of mine.¡± Jonah stared at her, feeling numb. Why couldn¡¯t he have such a wealthy friend?


    ¡°Should we arrange for more security?¡± It suddenly urred to Jonah that having such priceless jewels in one ce could make them vulnerable to robbery.


    ¡°Security has already been arranged outside the venue,¡± Ellie informed him.


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 Chapter 414

    ?Chapter 414:


    There were enough cameras inside the venue, covering every angle. Ellie had spent a huge amount of money on these jewels, so it was only natural for her to want to protect them. Despite not being new, these jewels were timeless works of art from different time periods and private collections, with limited avability and more alluring than the newest designs from popr brands.


    At that moment, Jonah realized that Carole¡¯s unexpected decision to break the contract was actually a fortunate turn of events. If not for her actions, they would have missed out on discovering such a valuable collectible. Carole¡¯s designs paled inparison to these!


    ¡°It¡¯s time for the pianist to get ready,¡± Ellie reminded Jonah.


    The final piece of music for this show was a piano solo, and the pianist¡¯s styling had been assigned to Ellie.


    The pianist, a handsome man under thirty, suddenly stood up but made no attempt to go and change his clothes.


    ¡°Sorry, I agreed to cooperate with yourpany because I am Carole¡¯s friend. Since you¡¯re not using Carole¡¯s jewelry, I will also breach the contract.¡±


    rmed, Jonah started persuading the pianist, but all his words fell on deaf ears.


    ¡°Since Ellie managed to find a recement for Carole¡¯s jewelry, I¡¯m sure she will also be able to solve this issue too.¡± There was a hint of malice in the pianist¡¯s smile.


    Ellie¡¯s jewelry had been delivered hours ago, but the pianist had only now decided to tell them he wouldn¡¯t be ying. It was a tant disregard for their contract agreement! Or perhaps this was a coordinated scheme he and Carole hade up with.


    Jonah¡¯s expression immediately hardened. ¡°Jay, are you willing to break our agreement because of a personal vendetta?¡±


    Jay shrugged nonchntly. His expression made it clear he knew there was nothing they could do to him. His family was rich, so he could easily pay the breach of contract fee.


    Ellie nced at Jay,pletely unperturbed, while Jonah grew increasingly agitated.


    ¡°Jonah, check around and see if there is a suitable pianist avable. If not, I can y.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Stories live now on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s.c¦Ïm


    Two secondster, Jonah¡¯s mind processed Ellie¡¯s words, and he suddenly realized what he had just agreed to.


    Did Ellie just say she would y the piano?


    Even if she could, was her skill level enough for a major show? It seemed his brain had malfunctioned. If not, why would he have agreed to this crazy n without a second thought?


    But then, Ellie had promised to bring some jewelry, and she ended up bringing a collection of rare and valuable pieces. After that experience, Jonah couldn¡¯t help but feel that Ellie was capable of anything. He thought to himself, ying the piano would be a breezepared to bringing out so many jewels!


    The showsted one hour and forty minutes.


    Less than two hours was not enough time for Light to find a suitable and avable pianist and transport them to the show¡¯s venue.


    Jonah suddenly became aware of a serious issue that had slipped his mind amidst everything happening when he saw Ellie taking her spare time to read the music score.


    ¡°Ellie, you haven¡¯t seen the music score we were going to y, right?¡±


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 Chapter 415

    ?Chapter 415:


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m looking at it now,¡± Ellie replied,pletely engrossed in reading and memorizing the score.


    She had been blessed with a photographic memory since she was young and could memorize music scores after ncing through them. Jonah, unaware of Ellie¡¯s ability, suddenly realized that his impulsive decision was a major mistake. He covered his face and groaned in despair, ¡°I should have continued searching for a professional pianist!¡±


    Even if the pianist they found was an average yer, that pianist would surely be better than Ellie, who was reading the score on the spot.


    Ellie didn¡¯t have the time tofort or reassure him. When she saw the final set of models preparing to step on stage, she realized that it was time for her to start ying the piano. As she hurried to the grand piano in the corner of the runway, a distant part of her mind reminded her that she hadn¡¯t changed into an appropriate dress.


    As her fingers danced over the keys, the piano¡¯s melodious tunes sliced through the silence.


    The piano¡¯s sound was pure and clear, with each note distinct, resonating deeply and reminiscent of the steady, powerful, and noble vibe of a king.


    The background music pushed the entire show to its climax.


    Jonah¡¯s expression changed from apprehension to shock and then to delight. She could actually¡­ y the piano so well!


    After the show¡¯s finale, Ellie silently returned backstage, only to be greeted by Jonah¡¯s hug.


    ¡°Ellie, you were amazing! You¡¯re truly a treasure!¡±


    Jonah was about to nt a kiss on her cheek, but a hand suddenly blocked his lips.


    A man with blond hair and blue eyes stepped between Ellie and Jonah, pulling her out of Jonah¡¯s arms. He sneered at Jonah and warned, ¡°Dude, stay away from my muse!¡±


    ¡°Freddy, what are you doing here? How did you get in?¡± Ellie eximed in surprise.


    ¡°I¡¯m friends with Jonah; I can get into any show he¡¯s in charge of.¡± Freddy shot Jonah a warning look and advised, ¡°Jonah, Ellie has a very jealous husband. If you want a peaceful life, I suggest you stop hugging her.¡±


    Dealing with Kaiden¡¯s possessiveness over Ellie was certainly not an easy task.


    Fresh chapters are live at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re so young and you¡¯re already married?¡± Jonah was so shocked that he didn¡¯t even bother to respond to Freddy.


    Ellie nodded, a smile creeping up on her lips. ¡°Yes, I am married.¡± From a distance, Ellie locked eyes with Jay and defiantly raised her chin in response to his displeased expression.


    Did he believe the show would inevitably fail due to his and Carole¡¯s scheme? Just because he refused to y the piano, he thought that no one else would be able to?


    Jay, like a thwarted clown, made a hasty retreat.


    Jonah excused himself and left to deal with the press and media. Ellie discreetly pulled Freddy away from the group, giving him a brief rundown of Carole and Jay¡¯s vition of their contract.


    In a hushed tone, she gave him clear instructions. ¡°Expose their vition of the contract to the media.¡±


    Just paying a breach of contract fee was letting them off too easily!


    ¡°No problem!¡± Freddy immediately agreed. His curiosity got the better of him and he asked, ¡°Boss, do they have a grudge against you? Did you steal their business?¡±


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 Chapter 416

    ?Chapter 416:


    ¡°Um¡­ No, just do as I say.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t stolen Carole¡¯s business.


    But Carole was probably of the opinion that Ellie had stolen her man.


    Come on, Kaiden was undeniably her man now, both legally and physically!


    The end of the grand show ushered in a small party, exclusively attended by a select group of top-tier clients and elite media figures.


    In the preceding two to three years, attendees of the show generally adopted a cautious, wait-and-see approach. However, today marked a departure from that trend, with numerous guests cing orders, unequivocally affirming the sess of the show.


    Upon Jonah¡¯s entrance to the party, he overheard guests and media personnel showering praise on the show, prompting a relieved and contented smile.


    Choosing Ellie, an up-anding stylist, had been the correct decision. Simultaneously, the jewelry essories worn by the models became a central topic of discussion.


    ¡°Is it just me, or do the jewels featured by Light today resemble auction pieces from a few years ago?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re questioning your sight, so am I¡­¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t we informed that Light was partnering with jewelry designer Carole for this event?¡±


    ¡°Light went as far as utilizing collector¡¯s jewels? That¡¯s a big move!¡±


    ¡°Goodness gracious! It¡¯s akin to a private collection exhibition, not merely a showcase! We¡¯ve struck gold just by being present here.¡±


    Upon hearing these remarks, Jonah couldn¡¯t shake off his thoughts. They should have considered charging an admission fee!


    ¡°Director Jonah!¡± Someone soon approached him. ¡°Could you enlighten us about your jewelry coboration partner? Mypany is organizing a charity jewelry exhibitionter this year, and we¡¯re interested in partnering with the owners of these exquisite jewels.¡±


    The person wore an enthusiastic smile, hoping for Light to facilitate the connection.


    Fresh updates now on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    Jonah, feeling a sense of pride in having a powerful friend like Ellie, responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but these jewels were borrowed by our stylist, Ellie. Even here at Light, we are not privy to the identity of the owner.¡±


    ¡°Yes, she was the pianist who took the stage today. I wonder if you noticed her performance.¡±


    The individual was left momentarily speechless. He was equally perplexed.


    The jewelry supplier they were inquiring about turned out to be the same person who worked as a pianist and stylist for Light?


    Witnessing the person¡¯s confused expression, Jonah experienced an odd sense of equilibrium.


    While spections circted about why Light¡¯s jewelry partner transitioned from Carole¡¯s designs to collector¡¯s jewels, ¡®insider news¡¯ revealed something.


    Light¡¯s original independent jewelry designer had abruptly breached the contract! In a desperate move, Light had to activate a backup n and resort to using collector¡¯s jewels.


    Industry peers scoffed at the idea of the move being out of desperation.


    Ellie returned to her hotel, unaware of these developments, and slept soundly.


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 Chapter 417

    ?Chapter 417:


    The next day, when invited by Light¡¯s CEO¡¯s secretary, she learned about the unfolding situation. Concerned for Ellie, Freddy apanied her to the Light Group, expecting a less-than-friendly reception. To their surprise, they were warmly weed and sincerely thanked by the CEO of Light.


    After expressing gratitude, the CEO of Light inquired, ¡°Regarding the jewelry sponsorship, Miss Gordon, could you help us contact the owner of the jewels? We would like to formally express our thanks.¡±


    Puzzled, Freddy cut in, ¡°Ellie, aren¡¯t those jewels yours?¡±


    With no intention of revealing that the jewels were hers, Ellie was at a loss for words when Freddy blew her cover.


    Freddy shut his mouth tight.


    Had he just revealed something he shouldn¡¯t have?


    The CEO of Light, taken aback, gazed at Ellie.


    Could it be that these priceless jewels actually belonged to the young woman standing before them?


    Swiftly regainingposure, the CEO offered a smile. ¡°If the owner prefers to remain anonymous, we respect that. However, if Miss Gordon is willing, ourpany would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude¡­ I mean, for helping us contact the owner of the jewels.¡±


    Understanding the art of feigning ignorance is a crucial skill for intelligent and sessful individuals.


    ¡°No need for that,¡± Ellie dismissed the idea, deflecting unnecessary attention. ¡°But I believe yourpany should avoid coborations with thosecking a sense ofmitment.¡±


    The CEO of Light promptly grasped Ellie¡¯s message. ¡°You are correct. Carole and Jay will no longer be part of our coboration list.¡± After all, this talented stylist, who not only rescued Light¡¯s show but also possessed an array of collector¡¯s jewels and maintained close ties with Freddy, held more value than an up-anding jewelry designer!


    Amidst the lingering excitement of Light¡¯s grand show, the media stumbled upon a new, captivating detail.


    Stylist Ellie, the mastermind behind the show¡¯s sess, departed Meloria in style on Light¡¯s CEO¡¯s private jet! Adding to the intrigue, she was apanied by a selection of out-of-production, limited edition haute couture dresses generously gifted by Light.


    Keep reading at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s.c?m


    As spections swirled regarding why an emerging stylist garnered such exceptional treatment from a prestigious luxury brand like Light, thepany made an official announcement.


    ¡°We express our gratitude to everyone involved for the wless sess of our show! A special acknowledgment to Miss Ellie Gordon, a gifted stylist and a benevolent friend who lent her valuable assistance to Light! It has been an honor to coborate with Ellie!¡±


    Their appreciation was quite grand. Furthermore, Light¡¯s CEO, in an interview, explicitly mentioned that Ellie could approach Light for any high fashion requirements in the future.


    This implied that Ellie enjoyed unparalleled privileges, allowing her to purchase or borrow any of Light¡¯s products without the need for an appointment or qualification¡ªprivileges even seasoned stylists rarely received.


    So¡­ the puzzlement deepened among the public.


    Ellie was just a stylist. How did she lend her valuable assistance to Light?


    Meanwhile, insider revtions unveiled that Light¡¯s grand show encountered two unforeseen incidents.


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 Chapter 418

    ?Chapter 418:


    The original jewelry designer, Carole, and the pianist, Jay, both unexpectedly breached their contracts, reasons unknown.


    Shortly thereafter, it came to light that the remarkable pianist who concluded Light¡¯s show was a woman previously unknown in the piano world.


    Photos depicted her ying in a simple chiffon shirt and casual pants, her long ck hair casually tied back.


    Remarkably, she hadn¡¯t undergone a wardrobe change or applied any makeup.


    Yet her profile radiated stunning beauty.


    Further investigation unveiled her identity as Ellie, Light¡¯s head stylist!


    A stylist stepping in as a pianist?


    This was unheard of!


    Spection arose about thevish treatment Ellie received from Light, with some guessing that it might be rted to the collector¡¯s jewels. However, Light¡¯s executives maintained silence, offering no direct response to the conjectures.


    Amidst the buzz and spection, top brands began recognizing Ellie¡¯s talent and value.


    As the private jet touched down in Critport, gifts from Light were destined for Moon Manor.


    Ellie, carrying only a handbag, gracefully exited the airport.


    At the pickup point, she spotted a tall, imposing man holding arge bouquet of David Austin roses. Ellie paused, doubting her eyes. Filled with astonishment, she approached the man. ¡°Kaiden, you, how are you¡­ Not in a wheelchair?¡±


    ¡°Wee home, Mrs. Thorpe.¡± Kaiden handed her the bouquet and opened his arms. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should show some appreciation?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes lit up, and a smile tugged at the corners of her delicate lips. Without hesitation, she threw herself into Kaiden¡¯s embrace.


    As his familiar scent filled her nostrils, she pressed her cheek against his broad chest and listened to his strong heartbeat.


    Even Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Explore more now on g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls


    After a while, Ellie raised her head and looked up at Kaiden. ¡°How else can I show you my appreciation?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    Before he could give her an answer, Ellie suddenly stood on tiptoe and nted a peck on his lips.


    Then she cheekily tried to step back, attempting to retreat a safe distance.


    But the next moment, Kaiden caught her by the wrist and pulled her back toward him.


    He firmly wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her back into his embrace.


    He then kissed her, gently biting her lower lip as though to punish her, or perhaps to cherish her taste.


    Kaiden, who was usually cold and aloof, smiled at the woman in his arms with a hint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°Ellie, your trip to Meloria has changed you. You are more courageous.¡±


    Indeed, she usually never showed such a public disy of affection¡ªexcept when she wanted to use him to vent her anger on others.


    Ellie chuckled and tugged lightly at his tie, asking coquettishly, ¡°What¡¯re you doing here?¡±


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 Chapter 419

    ?Chapter 419:


    Kaiden shot her a teasing smile and retorted, ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my memory must¡¯ve failed me. So, tell me¡ªwho got angry at me for giving Carole flowers at the airport?¡±


    Ellie was rendered speechless.


    Oh, right. She hadpletely forgotten about that incident.


    She awkwardly lowered her head, trying to avoid his gaze, but she couldn¡¯t stop herself from smiling.


    Drawing attention with their striking appearance, the couple became the subject of many side nces. Some even looked as if they were about to approach, perhaps to snap a photo or make small talk.


    Noticing the stares, Ellie quickly pulled Kaiden away. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay without your wheelchair?¡±


    Kaiden took Ellie¡¯s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. ¡°Yeah.¡± Since Ellie had been so concerned about him giving flowers to Carole at the airport, he had decided to stand up and wee his wife back with flowers.


    After all, his wife deserved special treatment. Moreover, after their confrontation at the Critport University caf¨¦, he no longer wanted to be confined to a wheelchair. In his eyes, the stunning Ellie deserved better than a wheelchair-bound husband.


    Just then, a thought urred to Ellie. ¡°How¡¯d you know about my flight details?¡±


    ¡°Freddy told me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in contact with him?¡± Ellie arched her eyebrows in surprise. ¡°You didn¡¯t threaten him, did you?¡±


    Kaiden pinched Ellie¡¯s cheek and teased, ¡°Ellie, do you think I¡¯m that bad?¡±


    It was Kaiden who had contacted Freddy, asking him to keep an eye on Ellie in Melona, in case she faced any difficulties she couldn¡¯t handle. Indeed, the two men didn¡¯t see eye to eye¡ªone deeming the other unworthy of his boss, while the other felt the former was too close to his wife. But when it came to Ellie¡¯s safety, the two were united.


    Just as they reached the parking lot, Kaiden¡¯s work phone rang, and he stepped aside to take the call.


    The magic happens on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??????


    Bruce generously opened the car door for Ellie and greeted her with a big smile. ¡°Congrattions on the sess of the show, Madam!¡±


    Ellie was pleasantly surprised. ¡°The news reached here so fast?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly¡­¡± Bruce lowered his voice, as though about to share a juicy piece of gossip. ¡°Truth be told, the boss specifically asked me to keep an eye on Light¡¯s show. We were working overtime, and when he found out you were about to y the piano, he even paused a meeting to watch the live broadcast!¡±


    It turned out that Kaiden had paid such close attention to her while she was away. Ellie¡¯s smile froze as she suddenly realized something. ¡°Wait a second. You watched the live broadcast during the meeting?¡±


    ¡°Yup! The other executives that were there said you were really good!¡±


    Ellie¡¯s cheeks flushed bright red with embarrassment. She couldn¡¯t help but cringe as the memory of the GT Group executives catching her in an intimate moment with Kaiden resurfaced, her coquettish voice unintentionally interrupting a video conference.


    Back at Moon Manor, shortly after Ellie¡¯s return, the gifts from Light arrived.


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 Chapter 420

    ?Chapter 420:


    While sorting through the gifts, Ellie caught sight of a limited edition handbag¡ªthe very one Baylee had wanted to buy but couldn¡¯t find.


    Kaiden was busy instructing the housekeeper to arrange the gifts in one of the spare rooms. As he turned around, he saw Ellie cing a leather handbag on the sofa.


    He inquired, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to put that away?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m giving this bag to Baylee tomorrow as a kind of souvenir from my trip.¡±


    It took Ellie a while to realize that Kaiden was staring at her strangely. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Kaiden clicked his tongue in disappointment and plopped down on the sofa, arms crossed over his chest. ¡°Ellie, you didn¡¯t get me a gift.¡±


    Ellie was rendered speechless. Kaiden was right; she hadn¡¯t thought about him on her trip at all.


    She quickly salvaged the situation, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t get one for Omiros either, only for Baylee.¡±


    The implication was that there was no need for Kaiden to be upset.


    Kaidenughed incredulously. ¡°Ellie, are you seriouslyparing me to Omiros?¡±


    Come on! A set of exam prep books for Omiros would¡¯ve been fine!


    Ellie didn¡¯t know what to say.


    One false move and she might unwittingly admit to her guilt! She racked her brains, checking her mental inventory of all the things that Light had sent her. Suddenly, she stopped a servant carrying a rack of haute couture pieces, picking out a red men¡¯s jacket with a white shirt inside.


    Light¡¯s style was alwaysvish and opulent. Even their men¡¯s haute couture was boldly colored, which wasn¡¯t exactly Kaiden¡¯s taste. The white shirt was their most basic piece, but it was made of excellent fabric and was tailored to perfection¡ªluxurious yet understated.


    ¡°This is for you,¡± Ellie held up the shirt in front of Kaiden, trying to make up for her oversight.


    Did she seriously think she could appease him with this afterthought of a gift?


    New stories uploaded on g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls


    Kaiden was about to protest when his gazended on the beautiful shirt. ¡°I¡¯ll try it on.¡±


    ¡°Try it on?¡± Ellie, holding the shirt, followed Kaiden upstairs, quickly realizing what he meant by saying he¡¯d try it on.


    As soon as Kaiden closed the bedroom door behind them, he yanked off his tie with one hand and started unbuttoning his shirt. All the while, his gaze remained fixed on Ellie.


    He was like a hungry wolf eyeing an innocentmb.


    Almost immediately, Ellie sensed the subtle and dangerous shift in the atmosphere.


    She ventured, ¡°Kaiden, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Trying on the clothes.¡±


    While unbuttoning his shirt, he started walking towards Ellie.


    Her heart began to race. She stepped back subconsciously.


    Kaiden¡¯s lips curled up slightly as Ellie backed into the wall, as though he had cornered his prey.


    His thin lips parted, and he said in a low, husky voice, ¡°Help me change.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what? Why can¡¯t you change your shirt by yourself?¡±


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 Chapter 421

    ?Chapter 421:


    Ellie had never done such a thing before, and the thought alone was so embarrassing!


    Kaiden took Ellie¡¯s soft hand, guiding it to the buttons of his shirt, speaking deliberately. ¡°I just want you to help me.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s ears grew hot, her cheeks blushing bright red.


    Just as Kaiden thought she would refuse him, he noticed that she was staring intently at his cor.


    Swallowing her embarrassment, she reached out a trembling hand and slowly undid his shirt buttons¡­


    When Ellie touched him, Kaiden felt as if a door in his heart had been silently opened.


    On the other side stood Ellie, who was shy but bold enough to undress him.


    Silence reigned supreme in the room as Kaiden¡¯s intense gaze followed every subtle movement Ellie made.


    Her curled, thick eyshes fluttered like startled butterflies.


    She was nervous.


    This realization brought Kaiden a sense of pleasure, and it also made him want to tease her.


    His shirt fell to the floor a secondter.


    Ellie reached for the new shirt, but before she could help him put it on, he pinned her hands above her head and kissed her.


    The new shirt fell from her fingers.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t too surprised by this turn of events. She knew Kaiden well, so she had expected him to make a move on her the moment he backed her into the corner.


    After a week apart, the kiss felt both familiar and strange.


    They kissed for several moments and only stopped when the need for air became too great. Kaiden¡¯s lips were red and his voice had grown husky. ¡°Babe, did you miss me?¡±


    For a moment, the fog of lust Ellie had been thrown into by Kaiden¡¯s oxygen-depriving kiss lifted. He¡­ What did he just call her?


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    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but before she could dwell on it, he kissed her again. Her eyes drifted close, and she once again became lost in him.


    His hands moved restlessly over her body, causing her to question whether she had heard him correctly.


    ¡°Did you miss me?¡± he persisted.


    Ellie tilted her head to avoid the prickly sensation of his hair against her cheek, her thoughts muddled and unclear. She released a small, indistinct noise in response.


    That small noise ignited a ravenous desire within Kaiden, one that had been suppressed for far too long.


    Ellie found herself pinned against the wall. She could clearly feel his growing excitement.


    Perhaps it was because Ellie¡¯s absence had forced Kaiden to abstain from sex for an entire week that he decided to make up for lost time that night. He was exceptionally spirited, determined to bring Ellie to the peak again and again.


    Ellie struggled to keep up, but after one orgasm after another, her body had reached its limit. She begged for mercy repeatedly, and a reluctant Kaiden finally acquiesced.


    Kaiden was a very attentive lover, and he was always in a good mood after sex. He was also diligent in cleaning Ellie up afterward.


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 Chapter 422

    ?Chapter 422:


    Elliey in the bathtub, a small, satisfied smile on her lips as Kaiden washed her. At that moment, she was as limp as a pampered cat, able to do nothing but enjoy Kaiden¡¯s ministrations. She exuded elegance, seduction, and charm. Seeing her in this state filled Kaiden with pleasure.


    After he finished cleaning her up, Kaiden carried Ellie to the bed and tucked her in. She was about to drift off when she suddenly remembered something.


    She asked, ¡°Kaiden, don¡¯t you want to ask if my work went well?¡±


    ¡°Did your work go well?¡± Kaiden asked obediently, brushing away the hair sticking to Ellie¡¯s cheek.


    Her face was partially hidden in the quilt, but she managed to peek at him with one eye. There was a mischievous glint in her gaze, like a clever fox scheming for mischief.


    She teased, ¡°Didn¡¯t you order Bruce to pay special attention to my work? So how could you not know if it went well?¡±


    Kaiden withdrew his hand and stared at her nkly. ¡°That was Bruce¡¯s own doing.¡± He wasn¡¯t about to admit he had paid special attention to Ellie.


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie lifted her head from the quilt and turned to face him. ¡°Then who was watching the Light show live during a meeting?¡±


    Kaiden swiped his tongue against his mrs and posed a question of his own. ¡°Did Bruce tell you that?¡± Tomorrow, he would certainly get back at Bruce for his loose mouth.


    When Ellie saw Kaiden¡¯s deted reaction, she felt a surge of triumph, but she quickly tempered it.


    Before she could get too cocky. After all, they were still in bed, and Kaiden could easily decide to make her pay.


    ¡°Kaiden, you paused a meeting to watch a live stream. That¡¯s such a ludicrous thing, and Bruce didn¡¯t even advise you against it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s my subordinate. How could he advise me?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice carried a defiant tone.


    Ellie could tell Kaiden was starting to develop a tendency for shirking work. She couldn¡¯t help but advise, ¡°Just don¡¯t do that next time. It won¡¯t reflect well in the office.¡±


    L¨»t??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????


    Unperturbed by her reproachful tone, Kaiden enveloped Ellie in his embrace and stared down at her with a dark, intent gaze. He smirked. ¡°If you can¡¯t sleep, want to have some fun together?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sleeping!¡± Ellie immediately shut her eyes.


    She knew exactly what his idea of fun was, and it was far too much for her.


    The next day, when Ellie woke up, she realized that Kaiden had already left for work. Judging by the faint warmth left on his side of the bed, he must have been gone for a while.


    She had just turned over and was about to get out of bed when she noticed a deed of gift on the bedside table. Curious, Ellie opened it, and her mouth fell open in shock when she realized it was for a Gulfstream private jet.


    And the recipient of this gift was Ellie.


    She immediately reached for her phone and called Kaiden. ¡°I found a private jet deed of gift on the bedside table.¡±


    Kaiden nced at the time, noting it was only 9 a.m.


    He teased, ¡°You woke up quite early. Seems likest night wasn¡¯t exhausting enough.¡±


    Ellie blushed but refused to be distracted by him. ¡°I found a private jet deed of gift!¡± she dered.


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 Chapter 423

    ?Chapter 423:


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kaiden responded calmly. ¡°It¡¯s for you.¡±


    Ellie already knew it was for her. She could read, thank you very much.


    ¡°Why are you¡­ suddenly giving me a private jet?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯m not poor. There¡¯s no reason for you to fly on someone else¡¯s private jet,¡± Kaiden exined as he skimmed through his morning meeting schedule. ¡°It¡¯s not arge aircraft, but it should suffice for your business travels.¡±


    After finding out that Ellie had flown back on the private jet of Light¡¯s CEO, Kaiden decided to gift her a Gulfstream.


    His possessiveness over Ellie was strong.


    To the point where even the thought of her using someone else¡¯s private jet displeased him.


    ¡°Then thank you!¡± Ellie gushed happily.


    Of course, she could afford to buy herself a Gulfstream, but she epted it because Kaiden thought of her needs and wanted to ease the inconvenience of her business trips; his consideration meant a great deal to her.


    ¡°Just a thank you to dismiss me?¡± Kaiden sounded dissatisfied.


    Ellie¡¯s fingers grazed the contract, a yful smirk on her face. ¡°I thought this was your reward to me forst night,¡± she teased.


    If he were there, he¡¯d see her yfully coy expression.


    Nevertheless, Kaiden could imagine her demeanor and chuckled.


    ¡°Should I buy you another one?¡±


    In other words, he wanted to reward her for another night.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, focus on your work and less on such thoughts!¡± Ellie hung up, her eyes dancing with mirth.


    News of Ellie¡¯s sess at Light¡¯s show spread across the country like wildfire. Soon, everyone knew of her impressive styling skills, her brilliant piano performance, and Light¡¯s tant preference for her.


    Her value skyrocketed!


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s brings you fresh updates


    As her partnership with GT Group came to a close, multiple fashionpanies and styling studios started offering her high-level positions. Many celebrities and magazines also sought to coborate with her. After days of trying to keep up with her overflowing inbox, Ellie started contemting hiring an agent to handle these matters.


    Moreover, Carole¡¯s unexpected breach of contract caused amotion internationally and was starting to spread to local news outlets. Due to public pressure, Jay, the pianist, dered his retirement from ying piano professionally.


    Baylee had a check-up at the hospital today, so she and Ellie agreed to meet there.


    ¡°Marvin didn¡¯te with you? Has he finally started thinking straight?¡± Ellie asked, surprised that Marvin, who had persistently followed Baylee, wasn¡¯t with her today.


    ¡°The Hill family is dealing with something,¡± Baylee replied. Pointing to her head, she added, ¡°He¡¯s quite capable when plotting and scheming.¡±


    Ellie was rendered speechless. She found Marvin¡¯s so-called amnesia astonishing because at times he disyed his sharp mind as usual, except when he was with Baylee.


    ¡°I remembered you mentioning this bag. So, it¡¯s yours now,¡± Ellie said, handing it over to Baylee.


    As they had been friends for so long, exchanging gifts felt as natural as sharing a meal.


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 Chapter 424

    ?Chapter 424:


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re the best!¡± Baylee epted the bag with joy. ¡°And hey, congrattions on yourtest triumph as a stylist!¡±


    Ellie responded with a grateful smile.


    The premier private hospital wasn¡¯t busy, allowing Baylee¡¯s check-up to proceed smoothly.


    After thoroughly examining the results and X-rays, the doctor shared his findings. ¡°Your thigh muscles have healed nicely. Running and swimming are fine, but figure skating is out of the question now.¡±


    A shadow passed over Baylee¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you, doctor. I understand,¡± she replied.


    Ellie, sensing Baylee¡¯s disappointment, hugged her forfort once they left the consultation room.


    Taking a deep breath, Bayleeposed herself and then reassured Ellie, ¡°I¡¯m okay. It¡¯s been four years since Ist skated. Even if I could skate again, I¡¯ve passed the prime age for figure skating.¡±


    Ellie felt a mix of sadness and anger for her friend.


    Baylee was once a figure skating sensation, celebrated and adorned with des.


    Her promising career was cut short at seventeen when someone shed her muscles and tendons, robbing her of her passion and nearly her ability to walk.


    Aphrodite, the architect of this tragedy, seemed to thrive unabashedly.


    ¡°I heard about your confrontation with Aphrodite. Well done!¡± Baylee said, giving Ellie a reassuring pat. ¡°But be careful, don¡¯t act on impulse.¡± She worried about Ellie facing a crowd at Carole¡¯s party.


    shes were better fought on familiar ground.


    ¡°How did you hear about it?¡± Ellie wished she had confronted Aphrodite more forcefully.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s talking about it!¡± Baylee eximed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Aphrodite¡¯s spreading rumors that you assaulted her unprovoked. She ims your elegance is just for show, wishing those who admire you could see her version of the truth.¡±


    ¡°Idiot,¡± Ellie mumbled under her breath.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is your gateway to fiction


    If she were concerned about her reputation, she would have avoided public confrontations with Aphrodite and opted for a discreet alley to settle their scores.


    ¡°Ellie.¡± Suddenly, Baylee tugged at her sleeve, gesturing subtly.


    Erick and Demi were exiting the waiting area nearby.


    Demi held a report, radiating pride and satisfaction, while Erick appeared utterly crestfallen.


    Above them hung a sign that read, ¡°Gynecology Department.¡±


    Catching Ellie and Baylee¡¯s attention, Demi leaned closer to Erick, boasting, ¡°What a coincidence seeing you here! Are you in for a check-up too? Oh, and guess what? I¡¯m pregnant with Erick¡¯s child!¡± Her gloating tone was a stark contrast to her demeanor after being expelled from Critport University.


    ¡°Oh, congrattions,¡± Ellie responded, her tone indifferent.


    Why should Demi¡¯s pregnancy matter to her?


    She had no intention of spending any money on a baby shower gift.


    That money would be better spent elsewhere!


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 Chapter 425

    ?Chapter 425:


    Demi, expecting a different reaction, noticed Erick¡¯s gaze lingering on Ellie. Frustration washed over her face as her smile faded.


    ¡°You better find a way to exin that past incident to grandma!¡± she snapped at Ellie, then turned to Erick. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s show your parents the baby¡¯s report.¡±


    ¡°What incident?¡± Baylee inquired, puzzled.


    Ellie just shook her head, feigning ignorance. ¡°No idea what she¡¯s talking about.¡±


    Yet, the need to exin things to Cecelia was indeed pressing. Baylee, still confused, wondered aloud, ¡°Is Demi delusional? What the hell was going on in her head?¡±


    Ellie spected, ¡°She¡¯s likely worried I still have feelings for Erick.¡± Considering Demi had previously taken him away from Ellie, it was natural for her to harbor feelings of guilt.


    ¡°She¡¯s not the sharpest tool in the shed,¡± Baylee remarked, rolling her eyes at Demi¡¯s ridiculous concerns.


    She remembered Erick¡¯s gloomy face, adding, ¡°Erick didn¡¯t look thrilled, did he? It was as if he¡¯d received bad news instead of celebrating impending fatherhood.¡±


    Ellie had insights into Erick¡¯splex family situation, understanding hisck of enthusiasm.


    ¡°Erick probably isn¡¯t keen on having the child, but his family is, particrly as it would be the first great-grandchild for the Thorpe family¡¯s patriarch,¡± Ellie spected.


    For the Thorpes, this child was not just a new family member, but a powerful leverage in inheritance matters and a way to gain favor with the family¡¯s elder.


    ¡°Erick, now everyone can be at ease, right? I wouldn¡¯t use something as serious as a pregnancy to trick you or your family,¡± Demi said, holding the medical report with a mix of pretense and charm.


    Initially, her pregnancy im was met with skepticism by the Thorpes.


    ¡°Just take the report to my parents. I¡¯ve got things to do, and the driver will drop you off,¡± Erick replied with a hint of impatience.


    ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll show the report to your parents and grandfather back at the mansion. Even though it¡¯s early, our baby¡¯s thriving!¡± Demi spoke, oblivious to Erick¡¯s mood, her hand resting on her still-t belly. She was certain the child was a boy, destined to be the Thorpe family¡¯s future heir.


    It was Litzy¡¯s idea for Demi to get checked at the hospital, where she learned of her pregnancy.


    The revtion came as a lifeline, instantly elevating her status within the Thorpe family, which now shielded her from negative press about her university expulsion.


    The allure of wealth and influence only fueled Demi¡¯s ambition to secure her ce in the Thorpe family and be ady of high society.


    Once Demi departed, Erick rushed back to the hospital, hoping to encounter Ellie, but she had already left.


    He sighed, filled with regret. He wanted to reach out to Ellie, but she had blocked his number.


    News of Ellie¡¯s recent achievements had reached him ¡ª stirring the pot at Carole¡¯s party, making waves at Meloria Fashion Week, and bing a favored figure of the luxury brand Light.


    Ellie, once deemed unworthy due to her background, was now outshining her past, emerging more luminous than ever in Erick¡¯s eyes. While some young elites grumbled about Ellie¡¯s bold demeanor, deep down, they were all drawn to her allure ¡ª a woman whobined an air of innocence with the wildness of a little wildcat.


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 Chapter 426

    ?Chapter 426:


    Envy often apanies the inability to attain what one desires. Erick was intent on ending things with Demi, a rtionship he viewed as a farce. Yet, her pregnancy threw a wrench in his ns. She went as far as informing Genesis and Talon directly, eliminating any opportunity he had to address the situation discreetly.


    To his relief, his parents were only interested in Demi¡¯s child and had no expectations of him marrying her.


    Carole returned from the Thorpes¡¯ house with high hopes of a fiasco at Light¡¯s show, only to be met with news of its smashing sess and a legal notice from Light.


    The brand clearly stated that they would no longer work with her, a severe blow to their previous cordial rtions.


    Adding insult to injury, she received contract termination notices from several other brands, all a fallout from her abrupt breach with Light. Reporters bombarded her with calls, inquiring about her sudden contract termination.


    Fashion magazines and social media usersmbasted her for her actions, in stark contrast to the praise showered on Ellie¡¯s talent.


    How could this have happened?


    Carole couldn¡¯t wrap her head around how things had spiraled out of control.


    She quickly changed her attire and headed to Moon Manor, realizing that involving Ellie directly might be the only way to salvage the situation.


    Ellie had been considering her next steps since her coboration with GT Group would soon conclude.


    ¡°Madam, there¡¯s someone here to see you,¡± Cayson said, his face betraying a hint of concern.


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Miss Lambert. Do you¡­ know her?¡±


    At that moment, Ellie crossed off the remainingpanies from her potential list, deciding against joining any of them.


    She set down her pen, her expression turning frosty. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m familiar with her.¡±


    Exclusive stories gal¦Ç¦Òv??l??


    Ten minutester, Carole was escorted into Moon Manor by a housekeeper.


    Although aware of Kaiden¡¯s private estate, Carole had never been here before.


    Now, it irked her that another woman had not only entered this space, but had also assumed the role of thedy of the house.


    ¡°If you¡¯re looking for Kaiden, he¡¯s not here. Try his office,¡± Ellie said coolly.


    ¡°I came to see you, not Kaiden,¡± Carole replied, settling herself on the sofa. ¡°Miss Gordon, you didn¡¯t even bother to offer tea? Is this how you receive guests?¡±


    Ellie responded with a nonchnt shrug. ¡°Given that we don¡¯t share a special bond, I don¡¯t really consider you a guest.¡±


    Carole struggled to maintain herposure at Ellie¡¯s remark.


    ¡°I need to discuss Light with you,¡± Carole began. ¡°I understand you were behind the exclusive jewelry. Did you leverage Kaiden¡¯s connections?¡±


    ¡°I thought we were talking about Light?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow.


    It was a sign of weakness to always seek support from others.


    Ellie felt no need to justify her role in the jewelry affair to Carole.


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 Chapter 427

    ?Chapter 427:


    Carole clenched her fists, barely containing her frustration.


    ¡°Ellie, the breach with Light wasn¡¯t my doing. I was hoping you could rify that for them.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help butugh at the absurdity. ¡°Why should I clean up your mess?¡±


    Carole¡¯s face contorted with anger, her inability to retort making her look even more aggrieved.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, do you really believe that because I arranged the jewelry for Light, I¡¯m now obligated to rectify your mistakes?¡± Ellie put down her water ss and leaned back into the sofa, herughter light.


    d in a simple linen dress with a morning robe, she radiated a rxed elegance in the evening sunlight, her striking features more pronounced.


    ¡°Yet, Miss Lambert, it was you who breached the contract and conspired with the pianist to follow suit. Now you¡¯re trying to shift the me onto me? How does that make sense?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s candid words left little room for interpretation, almost using Carole of facing the consequences of her own actions.


    Carole¡¯s demeanor chilled, her earlier cordiality evaporating. ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯m not seeking favors from you. I just prefer not to involve Kaiden in this matter.¡±


    Her insinuation was unmistakable: if Ellie didn¡¯t intervene, she would seek Kaiden¡¯s aid.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Ellie, losing her patience, stood up. ¡°Then I suggest you discuss this with Kaiden yourself.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t stand to see her annoying face!


    Ellie started towards the stairs but paused, turning to address Carole once more. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who advised me not to trouble Kaiden? Why are you so keen to involve him now?¡±


    ¡°I share a different bond with Kaiden, one you wouldn¡¯t understand,¡± Carole retorted, standing up and raising her voice.


    Ellie didn¡¯t respond and continued upstairs, leaving Carole behind in the room.


    Reaching the top of the stairs, Ellie found herself regretting not having Cayson escort Carole out. She wondered if Carole would leave on her own.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s delivers what you seek


    Carole stood there, seething with frustration.


    How dare Ellie treat her like that?


    Cayson appeared discreetly, hesitating. ¡°Miss Lambert, would you like to stay, or¡­¡± His unfinished words implied that it was now time for her to leave.


    Carole managed a strained smile. ¡°May I wait here for Kaiden? It¡¯s my first time at his house, and it seems inappropriate to leave so abruptly.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cayson replied.


    In his mind, he found Carole¡¯s unannounced visit somewhat improper, given herck of gifts or courtesies.


    In the meantime, a car stopped outside the main building of Moon Manor.


    The staff, once used to Kaiden being a workaholic, now observed him returning home on time each day.


    Entering the manor, Kaiden immediately felt something was off.


    Before he could put his finger on it, he noticed activity in the kitchen.


    The light was on, and he heard a woman¡¯s voice.


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 Chapter 428

    ?Chapter 428:


    His heart leapt, anticipating Ellie, and he quickly made his way to the kitchen.


    There, a woman in an apron stood at the counter, her back to the door, busily adding yams to a pot.


    Was Ellie cooking?


    Regardless of the oue, Kaiden resolved to appreciate her effort tonight.


    The usual coldness in his eyes softened.


    ¡°Hey, El¡­¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re back!¡±


    Carole¡¯s voice, filled with surprise, cut him off.


    The emerging smile on Kaiden¡¯s face instantly vanished.


    ¡°Carole,¡± he acknowledged, his expression clouding over.


    He hadn¡¯t mistaken her for Ellie; he simply hadn¡¯t expected any other woman to be at his house.


    Carole caught the sh of disappointment in his eyes, and her smile faltered.


    ¡°I came to discuss something with you. I thought I¡¯d make you some soup while I waited,¡± she exined.


    Kaiden showed little interest in the soup.


    He simply nodded and left the kitchen, asking the butler about Ellie¡¯s whereabouts.


    Ellie, who had been sketching design drawings in the study, was called down for dinner.


    Descending the stairs, she found Carole emerging from the kitchen with a bowl of soup.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, dinner¡¯s ready!¡± Carole called out cheerfully, as if their earlier confrontation hadn¡¯t urred. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try the yam and pork rib soup I made?¡±


    Ellie nced at Kaiden, who was standing by the dining table, her expression a mix of coldness and impatience.


    Kaiden inwardly sighed, feeling a sense of unease. He had just arrived home and hadn¡¯t yet spoken a word, but it seemed Ellie was already displeased with him.


    L??€$? ???t??§ñ? I¦Ç ?a?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m


    ¡°Miss Gordon, please, take a seat!¡± Carole called out with a smile to Ellie, who paused on the stairs.


    To anyone watching, Carole might have seemed like thedy of the house.


    By the time Ellie made her way down, Carole had already chosen the seat across from Kaiden, taking Ellie¡¯s usual spot.


    Ellie, with a slight frown, approached Kaiden and looked at him with a mix of assertiveness and charm.


    ¡°I¡¯d like your seat, Kaiden,¡± she dered, aiming to sit directly across from Carole and unsettle her.


    Carole¡¯s frown deepened upon hearing this. Clearly, she had chosen her seat strategically, facing Kaiden. What was Ellie doing here?


    Ellie didn¡¯t let up. cing her hand on the table, she demanded more firmly, ¡°Kaiden, I want your seat!¡±


    This time, her voice carried a note of entitlement, almost as if she was flirting.


    Kaiden, puzzled by her request yet willing to indulge her, stood up and switched seats, amodating her whim.


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 Chapter 429

    ?Chapter 429:


    This move only served to infuriate Carole further.


    Ellie sat down with a smile on her face.


    ¡°Happy now?¡± Kaiden asked, sounding both resigned and fond.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m happy,¡± Ellie replied, ncing at Carole, who was sitting across from her.


    She looked as though she was unting a piece of candy, clearly annoying her rival in the process.


    ¡°Kaiden, is Miss Gordon always like this at home?¡± Carole inquired, her tone implying more than she said.


    ¡°And if she is?¡± Kaiden responded, confused by her question.


    He either truly didn¡¯t catch her drift or chose not to dwell on it. At his response, Carole seemed taken aback, but since Kaiden had already put the question out there, she feltpelled to respond.


    ¡°Kaiden, even after you sat down, Miss Gordon still insisted on you giving up your seat. I didn¡¯t expect that she would be so¡­ willful.¡± Her words were carefully chosen, aiming to paint Ellie in a negative light.


    Kaiden brushed off thement. ¡°It¡¯s normal.¡±


    He implied that Ellie¡¯s demand was no big deal because he remembered her going so far as to push or kick him in anger, which was just part of their dynamic. Normal?


    This was anything but normal.


    Upon hearing this, Carole couldn¡¯t figure out if Ellie¡¯s behavior was typical or if it was just her not understanding Ellie well enough. Either way, Carole was fuming.


    Ellie, catching a glimpse of this, nearlyughed out loud.


    She casually picked up a piece of abalone for Kaiden. ¡°The chef mentioned the seafood is especially fresh today. Try some!¡± It was her way of giving him a treat.


    Kaiden looked surprised, his eyebrows shooting up as if questioning whether everything was still right with the world.


    At that, Carole clenched her jaw and quickly grabbed a small bowl. She filled it halfway with the yam and sparerib soup she¡¯d prepared and offered it to Kaiden.


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    ¡°Kaiden, give it a taste. Do you think my cooking has gotten worse?¡± Carole offered a smile and continued, ¡°I haven¡¯t had much chance to cook while I was overseas these past few years. I¡¯ve only made soup for you before. Don¡¯t you feel lucky?¡±


    Ellie shot Carole a frosty look, which Carole chose to ignore.


    Kaiden was about to try the soup, doing it for Carole¡¯s sake.


    But just as he took the bowl, Ellie suddenly stood up and rushed to the bathroom, her hand over her mouth.


    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    Kaiden was stunned and quickly set his chopsticks down to follow her. Ellie was hugging the toilet, throwing up a lot. The intense feeling of sickness turned her face white, and tears filled her eyes, making her look both miserable and pitiable.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you okay?¡± Kaiden asked, holding her steady with one hand while patting her back with the other, too anxious to notice his own reaction.


    Ellie shook her head, took some mouthwash from a servant, and managed to say, ¡°The soup¡¯s smell made me want to throw up.¡± Carole, who had just walked in and heard this, was furious.


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 Chapter 430

    ?Chapter 430:


    ¡°What is this bitch implying? How dare she insult my soup like that?¡± she muttered to herself, her face turning a shade of angry red. ¡°Miss Gordon, is there something you¡¯d like to say to me?¡± Carole asked, pretending to be hurt.


    Ellie muttered under her breath, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious I have an issue with¡ª¡±


    But before she could respond, her nausea saved her from answering.


    Out of the blue, Cayson asked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, could you be pregnant?¡± Suddenly, the room went silent.


    Ellie could feel Kaiden¡¯s grip tighten around her waist, a clear sign he was emotionally still.


    Hearing this, Carole¡¯s eyes went wide with shock. It felt like a direct hit.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you to the hospital immediately!¡± Kaiden quickly scooped Ellie up, his voice shaking as he spoke.


    Ellie, caught off guard, instinctively wrapped her arms around Kaiden¡¯s neck.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not pregnant!¡±


    cing a hand on Kaiden¡¯s shoulder, she raised her voice, determined to clear up the misunderstanding.


    ¡°I just had my period a few days ago,¡± she whispered into Kaiden¡¯s ear.


    Carole, standing nearby, overheard the conversation and let out a sigh of relief.


    Kaiden paused, looking at Ellie with disappointment.


    The fact that she had her period meant she couldn¡¯t be pregnant.


    Kaiden had felt a secret wave of joy beneath his outward calm, spurred on by Cayson¡¯s mistaken announcement. But now, it was shattered by Ellie¡¯s rification.


    ¡°Put me down,¡± Ellie said. ¡°And keep that sparerib soup away from me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be pregnant to need a hospital check-up,¡± Kaiden sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m still hungry. I want to eat first.¡±


    Carole hadn¡¯t realized that her soup, which she had spent hours making, was ignored before Kaiden even had a chance to try it. And with Ellie¡¯s dramatic performance tonight, Carole was left speechless!


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    She was convinced Ellie was just acting.


    And Ellie was quite convincing at it!


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an appointment with Theo. We¡¯re heading to the hospital after dinner,¡± Kaiden announced, setting down his phone decisively.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ellie responded, sounding defeated.


    Carole¡¯s grip on her fork tightened upon hearing this.


    Right after dinner, Kaiden rushed Ellie to the hospital and arranged for a servant to take Carole home.


    ¡°Kaiden, I want toe to the hospital with you!¡± Carole insisted. ¡°I think I should get checked up too.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    Seeing Kaiden¡¯s concern made Carole feel better. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I¡¯ve just been having trouble sleepingtely. It¡¯s no big deal.¡±


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 Chapter 431

    ?Chapter 431:


    Actually, Carole was fibbing. She wanted to apany Ellie to the hospital to find out the results of her test. She needed to confirm if Ellie was pregnant.


    Ellie frowned, clearly annoyed. But Carole had presented a valid excuse for joining. Turning her down would make it look like she was causing unnecessary trouble.


    Aprehensive check-up had been arranged by Theo, leaving Ellie feeling a bit apprehensive when she spotted the progesterone and HCG test items on the list.


    Despite her assurance to Kaiden that she wasn¡¯t pregnant, he had taken the initiative to schedule tests to detect early pregnancy.


    This left Ellie pondering whether Kaiden was secretly hoping for her to be carrying their child or if he was trying to prevent it from happening. It tugged at her heartstrings, as she couldn¡¯t help but lean towards thetter possibility.


    After all, they had consistently used birth control during their intimate moments, and Kaiden had never shown much interest in the prospect of parenthood. The only time he ever mentioned pregnancy and childbirth was during the heat of the moment, which Ellie understood as mere empty words spoken in the passion of the moment.


    ¡°Kaiden, I have a favor to ask of you,¡± Carole addressed Kaiden as soon as Ellie entered the examination room.


    Kaiden turned his attention to Carole, curious about her request.


    Carole began to exin her predicament. ¡°I had a previous coboration with a luxury brand, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the jewelry shipment didn¡¯t reach our partner on time. I informed them in advance and assured them ofpensation for the breach of contract. It seems that someone might be trying to create trouble. They are insisting on holding me ountable, and numerous magazines are also making a big deal out of it¡­ I¡¯m not sure how to handle this situation.¡±


    Although Carole didn¡¯t explicitly state it, Kaiden grasped the underlying message¡ªshe was in trouble and hoped he could help resolve it.


    Without much hesitation and without seeking further details about the brand in question, Kaiden assured her, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for Zoey to handle it.¡±


    Carole¡¯s face lit up with relief, and she happily linked her arm with Kaiden¡¯s, expressing her gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Kaiden. You¡¯re incredibly kind.¡±


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    Although Ellie didn¡¯t agree to assist, Carole found a way to navigate the situation with Kaiden¡¯s support.


    ¡°Carole, I¡¯ve made amitment to my brother to look out for you,¡± Kaiden stated firmly, withdrawing his arm as he spoke.


    He had always been reserved when it came to physical contact with others, with the exception of Ellie.


    The smile that had graced the corners of Carole¡¯s mouth froze momentarily, but she understood the unspoken message.


    Kaiden¡¯s im that it was due to Leo¡¯s final wish might have been the surface reason, but Carole believed that even without that request, Kaiden would still extend his assistance.


    The results had confirmed that Ellie was not pregnant. Despite feeling a bit queasy, it was because her stomach was feeling off, not due to any pregnancy-rted reasons.


    Kaiden remainedposed throughout, his face revealing no signs of disappointment or any other emotions.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, aren¡¯t you here for a check-up?¡± Ellie turned her attention to Carole, who had been standing beside Kaiden.


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 Chapter 432

    ?Chapter 432:


    Her implication was clear: why hadn¡¯t Carole left yet?


    Kaiden had been entirely focused on Ellie until he realized that Carole, who had initially mentioneding for a check-up, had not left. Carole tried to offer an excuse, her smile tinged with awkwardness. ¡°I just thought I might be having trouble sleeping due to jetg.¡±


    Ellie put on a false smile as she remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve been back home for almost two weeks, and you¡¯re still struggling with jetg?¡±


    Carole could only force another awkward smile, all the while cursing Ellie in her thoughts a thousand times over.


    She had viewed Ellie as nothing more than a temporary amusement for Kaiden and believed that Ellie had no reason to feel superior.


    Regurgitation at night was typically attributed to catching a cold. On that particr night, Kaiden held Ellie close in his arms, tucking her securely under the quilt.


    ¡°Is it just me, or is it a little hot in here?¡± Ellie asked, using euphemistguage after a couple of failed attempts to break from his tight embrace.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not up to the patient,¡± Kaiden responded with a stern expression.


    He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her catching a chill right under his watchful eyes.


    With her lips pursed, Ellie suddenly recalled that she had taken an early pregnancy test earlier that day.


    ¡°Kaiden, do you¡­ do you want to have a baby?¡± Ellie asked out of the blue, her nerves inexplicably getting the better of her.


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes narrowed as he processed her question.


    ¡°I just asked casually,¡± Ellie quickly added, her anxiety palpable. She couldn¡¯t quite fathom why this question had suddenly popped into her head.


    ¡°Not at the moment,¡± Kaiden replied calmly.


    After Ellie returned from the hospital, she vomited twice more. Her pallid face lingered in Kaiden¡¯s thoughts, causing him to worry about her well-being.


    Ellie was still young and fragile in Kaiden¡¯s eyes, and he didn¡¯t want her to endure the hardships of pregnancy at this stage of her life. She lowered her gaze to conceal her disappointment, feeling the weight of Kaiden¡¯s reluctance for her to be pregnant.


    The recent harmony in their rtionship had given Ellie the illusion that they were in love and had a typical marital life like any other couple.


    However, Kaiden had never explicitly admitted to having romantic feelings for her.


    She understood that a man¡¯s kindness toward a woman didn¡¯t necessarily equate to love.


    Sensing Ellie¡¯s emotional turmoil, Kaiden gently stroked her face with his fingertips and asked, ¡°What¡¯s troubling you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Ellie replied, no longer interested in pursuing the subject.


    ¡°Do you want to sign a contract with Harvillston?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie dered.


    Kaiden frowned at her answer.


    He appeared as if he were considering buying thepany that Ellie had intended to contract with.


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 Chapter 433

    ?Chapter 433:


    Ellie exined her n. ¡°I¡¯m nning to establish my own studio, and I can utilize Freddy¡¯s existing team for it.¡±


    She believed that being her own boss would grant her more freedom to choose when and how she worked.


    With her growing strength, reputation, and resources, she no longer felt the need to rely on argepany.


    Fortunately, Freddy had previously established a studio in Critport, which meant she wouldn¡¯t even have to assemble a management team if she coborated with him.


    Kaiden, however, had a rather indifferent reaction to the mention of Freddy. He held Ellie close, his expression devoid of emotion, and told her, ¡°Don¡¯t think about him now. Just get some rest.¡± It was Freddy again.


    The mention of Freddy seemed to stir something within Kaiden, but he was relieved that Freddy posed no threat, as he was uninterested in women.


    Almost simultaneously, the staff of Peerless Grace unveiled the trailer and the release date, along with the announcement that Ellie was the styling director for the drama. Netizens eagerly delved into the costumes and props of the cast, scrutinizing the materials released by the team.


    The consensus was clear¡ªPeerless Grace was a visual masterpiece. Its historical elements were meticulously designed, earning it praise for perfection.


    Some media outlets even spected that Peerless Grace had a strong chance of winning the Best Styling Design award, provided that the drama¡¯s plot lived up to expectations.


    Ellie¡¯s value soared once more in the industry.


    When she arrived at GT Group to finalize her contract expiration agreement, the members of the design department were reluctant to see her go.


    As Ellie emerged from the reception room, she overheard employees outside discussing her departure.


    ¡°Miss Gordon is not only beautiful but also possesses a pleasant temperament. She¡¯s highly professional andpetent, and having Freddy and Light as coborators only adds to her appeal. It¡¯s a shame she¡¯s leaving our GT Group.¡±


    ¡°I heard from a reliable source that Ellie was nning to join Harvillston as a senior manager. Why the sudden change?¡±


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    ¡°That can¡¯t be true. My cousin works in Harvillston¡¯s HR department, and she mentioned that a senior manager is indeed joining thepany soon, but that person is returning from abroad. It can¡¯t be Ellie.¡±


    ¡°I think some of you have too much free time on your hands.¡±


    Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the director who had apanied Ellie.


    He scolded them sternly, and everyone fell silent.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯m so sorry. I¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Ellie, however, was unperturbed. She had no intention of joining Harvillston, so the discussion about her potential role there as a senior manager was of little concern to her. Somehow, Ellie¡¯s thoughts turned to Carole.


    When she checked the inte, she was taken aback to find that all the negative news about Carole had suddenly vanished. Before she could dwell on it further, the director halted her.


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 Chapter 434

    ?Chapter 434:


    ¡°Miss Gordon, please hold on a moment,¡± he said in a hushed tone.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe has requested your presence in his office.¡±


    Ellie made her way up to the thirty-eighth floor, a ce she had be quite familiar with over time. The staff in Kaiden¡¯s secretary¡¯s office were used to her visits and promptly directed her to Kaiden¡¯s office.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Zoey?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t help but ask the secretary guiding her.


    ¡°Zoey is on a business trip to Estoqua,¡± came the reply.


    Ellie nodded, though she was somewhat perplexed.


    As Kaiden¡¯s personal secretary, Zoey typically apanied him on business trips.


    With Kaiden presently in the office, it raised questions about why Zoey had embarked on a solo trip to Estoqua.


    Despite her curiosity, Ellie knocked on the office door, and it promptly swung open.


    Kaiden was engrossed in a phone conversation, his Bluetooth headset in ce. He silently beckoned Ellie to approach with a wave of his hand.


    However, Ellie remained still and made no sound, her senses picking up on the faint aroma of food in the air.


    In the spacious office, nearly a hundred square meters in size, she finally located the source of the delightful scent¡ªa bucket of fried chicken sitting on Kaiden¡¯s desk.


    Once he had concluded his phone call, Kaiden inquired, ¡°Why are you standing so far away?¡±


    ¡°Did you hang up yet? I wasn¡¯t sure if you were in another video call,¡± Ellie responded cautiously, her feet glued to the same spot. She hadn¡¯t forgotten the lesson she had learned previously.


    Kaiden chuckled.


    At this point, all the senior executives in thepany were aware that he had a girlfriend, and it was toote for Ellie to maintain her guard.


    ¡°It¡¯ll get cold if you don¡¯t eat now,¡± he remarked, drawing her attention to the meal he had prepared.


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    Ellie walked up to the desk and was delighted to discover that the fried chicken and milk tea were her favorite spots in the city.


    It was a thoughtful gesture on Kaiden¡¯s part, a reminder of a promise he had made to her.


    Before she could express her gratitude, Kaiden abruptly tugged her hand, causing her to stumble and fall onto hisp.


    Her buttocks met his strong and warm thighs, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel a rise in her body temperature.


    With one hand holding her waist and the other cupping her face, Kaiden leaned in and nted a kiss on her cheek, catching her off guard with his unexpected affection.


    ¡°Ellie, we¡¯ve shared more intimate moments. Why are you still so shy around me?¡± he teased, his eyes finding amusement in the reddening of her earlobes.


    ¡°This is the office, Kaiden. Please, let¡¯s not get carried away!¡± Ellie scolded, ring at him as she pushed against his chest.


    More intimate? No!


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 Chapter 435

    ?Chapter 435:


    There had to be a clear line between what happened in the bedroom and what happened outside of it.


    ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Kaiden yfully tapped her head and continued, ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I was worried about you getting sick these past two days, so I didn¡¯t satisfy you.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden! Watch what you say! Don¡¯t be so shameless!¡±


    Gently cing her hand over Kaiden¡¯s mouth, Ellie shot him a yful yet stern look.


    In Kaiden¡¯s eyes, Ellie resembled a kitten attempting to appear fierce. However, instead ofing across as intimidating, she only seemed incredibly adorable to him.


    He smiled. ¡°Perhaps I can demonstrate how shameless I can be when we get home.¡±


    Ellie found herself momentarily at a loss for words.


    In a cheerful mood, Kaiden decided to put an end to the yful banter, affectionately tousling Ellie¡¯s hair, and encouraged her, saying, ¡°Now, enjoy your meal.¡±


    ¡°How do you expect me to eat like this?¡±


    Gently patting his hand, which still rested on her waist, Ellie silently conveyed her desire for him to release his grip.


    ¡°Our lips aren¡¯t locking, so you can still eat with your mouth.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m not quite ustomed to this.¡± How could she eat in peace sitting on hisp?


    ¡°Then get used to it,¡± Kaiden replied with a hint of determination in his voice.


    He maintained his hold around her waist with his right hand while his left hand picked up a pen, and he started to review some documents. Although he typically disliked physical contact with others, Ellie was a unique exception.


    He relished the sensation of holding her close.


    Only by firmly embracing this woman did he truly feel her presence, as if this was the only way to ensure she wouldn¡¯t be taken away by anyone else.


    Seeing that her protests had no effect, Ellie gave in.


    She remained seated on hisp, taking a sip of milk tea from the cup she had opened and then donned disposable gloves to begin eating the fried chicken.


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    Why did she have the feeling that he had be so assertive without her even noticing?


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± he replied without looking up from the documents, his profile still disying its usual angr and somewhat aloof demeanor.


    ¡°Do you like to make physical contact with me because you like me?¡± Ellie had this question in mind but hesitated to voice it.


    She had noticed a change in his attitude, a growing closeness and indulgence between them.


    However, he had never explicitly expressed his feelings for her, even though she had made attempts to draw those words out. In the end, Ellie decided not to push further.


    She feared that asking directly might lead to a disappointing response.


    ¡°Are you free tomorrow?¡± Kaiden unexpectedly inquired.


    ¡°I¡¯m nning to go to the shopping mall tomorrow morning to pick out an outfit for Grandma, and I don¡¯t have any other ns for tomorrow,¡± she said. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow is Jorge¡¯s birthday,¡± Kaiden revealed, producing an invitation from his drawer. It was an invitation to Jorge¡¯s seventieth birthday celebration.


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 Chapter 436

    ?Chapter 436:


    Ellie hadn¡¯t expected Kaiden to be willing to attend Jorge¡¯s birthday party, given theirplicated history.


    It would be considered quite charitable if he simply refrained from bringing a knife to the event.


    She pondered for a moment and then asked, ¡°Will your mother be there?¡± It was the only possibility that came to her mind.


    If Brisa attended, Kaiden might consider going.


    ¡°You are incredibly astute,¡± Kaiden remarked with a kiss to her face, praising her intelligence.


    Jorge¡¯s birthday party was set to be avish affair, with invitations extended to the elite from various circles. Kaiden¡¯s absence would tarnish Jorge¡¯s reputation.


    Concerned about his pride, Jorge wouldn¡¯t let that happen. Hence, he used the leverage of Brisa to persuade Kaiden to attend.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ellie agreed. She was eager to meet Brisa and thought it might be an opportunity. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll select a couple more outfits for your mother tomorrow morning.¡±


    As far as Ellie could recall, Brisa was a woman who valued etiquette and fashion, always dressed impably.


    But Kaiden unexpectedly interrupted, saying, ¡°Ellie, you¡¯ve got it all wrong.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise at Kaiden¡¯s revtion.


    Kaiden gently brushed his fingertips against her face, a faint smile ying on his lips as he exined, ¡°She is your mother too.¡±


    He emphasized the connection between Ellie and Brisa. While Ellie had been his wife, it meant that Brisa was also her mother.


    Ellie¡¯s eyshes trembled, and her heart skipped a beat.


    It was a simple statement, but it carried significant meaning. It was a sign of his acknowledgment and eptance of her.


    The following day, the moment Ellie sat up in bed, she was greeted by Kaiden¡¯s voice.


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    ¡°You¡¯re up so early. It seems like you lied to me about being tiredst night,¡± he teased.


    When Ellie saw Kaiden sitting in the armchair beside the bed, engrossed in reading documents, she found herself momentarily speechless.


    ¡°Howe you¡¯re not at work?¡±


    Kaiden was at a loss for words, a rare urrence for the CEO. He didn¡¯t offer a verbal response, but his expression disyed an undeniable pride and stubbornness.


    After all, he was the boss. So what if he didn¡¯t go to work?


    Who would fire him?


    ¡°I just happen to have some free time today, so I thought I¡¯d go shopping with you,¡± Kaiden dered without any change in his expression.


    Ellie tilted her head, regarding him curiously. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, is it challenging to admit that you want to select clothing for your mother?¡± she inquired with a hint of amusement.


    Upon their initial encounter, Ellie had noticed that Kaiden didn¡¯t seem to have a close bond with Brisa.


    He referred to her by her first name rather than as ¡°mom.¡±


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 Chapter 437

    ?Chapter 437:


    Ellie also sensed that Kaiden¡¯s grievances and indifference toward Brisa were not solely due to her willingness to be used as a pawn in her pursuit of love, hindering Kaiden.


    There seemed to be other underlying factors at y, which Ellie had yet to uncover.


    At a high-end shopping center downtown, Cecelia¡¯s clothes were easy to choose, as they only needed to be decent andfortable. It didn¡¯t take long for Ellie to pick out a set of clothes for her.


    Brisa, on the other hand, had a dignified temperament, but there was still a girlish look in her eyes. Ellie spent over an hour picking the right clothes for her.


    ¡°Hello, please show this¡­¡±


    ¡°Pack this dress for me!¡±


    Ellie was about to ask the saleswoman to bring her the dress so that she could get a better look when a woman¡¯s arrogant voice interrupted her.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you also like that dress?¡± Aphrodite, who had just entered the shop arm-in-arm with a man, smiled at her smugly. ¡°Too bad. Carole wanted it for an elder of the Thorpe family.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Without hesitation, Ellie snatched the dress from the saleswoman and strode straight to the cashier. ¡°I¡¯ll take this dress, thank you.¡±


    Whoever paid the bill owned the dress.


    Aphrodite was stunned. She didn¡¯t expect that Ellie would be so brazen! ¡°Don¡¯t you dare let her pay!¡± Pointing at the cashier, Aphrodite shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t forget that you¡¯re all employees of the Rollins Group. Are you all blind? Can¡¯t you see the gentleman next to me?¡±


    ¡°I want that one,¡± the man demanded.


    His gentle, almost soothing voice had filled Baylee¡¯s ears from the tender age of eight up until she was eighteen. Naturally, Ellie had alsoe to know this voice.


    Her expression turned cold, and she couldn¡¯t pretend not to see him anymore. Teeth gritted, she looked at the man standing next to Aphrodite.


    He was dressed in a khaki windbreaker. He had a handsome face with chiseled features and ck, bushy eyebrows, but his eyes were gentle. All in all, he exuded a noble temperament, and the pair of thin-rimmed sses resting on the bridge of his nose made him look more refined.


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    Quincy remained one of the most popr young men in the business circle, which was exactly Baylee¡¯s type.


    Ellie seethed secretly. Damn it! She had forgotten that this shopping mall belonged to the Rollins family.


    ¡°Understood, Mr. Rollins.¡± The cashier immediately canceled the transaction and firmly held onto the dress that Ellie intended to buy.


    ¡°So, Mr. Rollins, are you going to stand up for your current girlfriend?¡± Ellie sneered.


    She specifically stressed the word ¡°current.¡±


    Unfortunately, despite her indirect provocation, Quincy¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change at all.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I heard about what happened at the party. It¡¯s your fault you hit Aphrodite. For the sake of our age-old friendship, I won¡¯t make a fuss about it this time,¡± Quincy said calmly.


    ¡°¡®Friendship¡¯?¡± Ellieughed bitterly, as though she had heard a cruel joke. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re defending your current girlfriend, Mr. Rollins. But you seem to have no problem with her insults to your ex, do you? Oh, that¡¯s right¡ªa man like you won¡¯t give a damn about your ex-girlfriend!¡±


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 Chapter 438

    ?Chapter 438:


    Quincy frowned in confusion.


    What was Ellie trying to say? Aphrodite had insulted his ex?


    When did she ever insult Baylee?


    What he had heard was that Aphrodite had defended Carole, and that was why Ellie suddenly attacked Aphrodite.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hearing themotion, Kaiden wheeled himself over.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, pleasure to meet you. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡± Quincy came to his senses and dropped the topic of Baylee in a heartbeat.


    Kaiden nodded at him politely, but he didn¡¯t bother to say anything in response.


    Aphrodite¡¯s face changed slightly when she saw Kaiden.


    How could she forget that this man had humiliated her at Carole¡¯s banquet?


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you okay, Ellie?¡± When Kaiden saw the gloom on Ellie¡¯s face, he took her hand and looked at her with concern, as though they were the only two people in the world.


    Her hand was a little mmy, so he gently rubbed it to ease the tension.


    She said this aloud in an attempt to convince herself.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± When they got in the car, Ellie suddenly remembered something. ¡°Do you really think that fidelity in marriage is important?¡±


    Kaiden quietly looked at her, confused as to why she would ask such a question out of the blue.


    She stared back at him, offering no exnation.


    But he could tell that she felt uneasy.


    After a while, Kaiden cupped her cheek and kissed her on the lips in response.


    He gave her his answer in this way.


    ¡°I do.¡±


    He always agreed to that. Always.


    Jorge¡¯s birthday party was held in a five-star hotel.


    That day, countless beautiful women and handsome men in designer clothing and luxury cars swarmed the ce.


    In her dreamy purple dress, while pushing Kaiden¡¯s wheelchair ahead of her, Ellie stood out in the crowd.


    Kaiden was growing increasingly popr in the business world. This kind of asion was undoubtedly a good opportunity for people towork and rub shoulders with the GT Group, so he was instantly surrounded by a crowd.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Leaning on a wooden walking stick, Jorge approached with a young woman in an expensive dress. ¡°I know you and Carole have been friends since childhood. Why don¡¯t you take her with you today?¡±


    Hearing this, Carole smiled charmingly. ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m counting on you to look after me today!¡±


    As she said this, she cast a seemingly casual nce at Ellie, but the sharpness and ambition in her eyes couldn¡¯t be hidden.


    The atmosphere suddenly grew tense around them.


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    ?Chapter 439:


    Silence and a sense of embarrassment ensued.


    It was obvious that Ellie was Kaiden¡¯s plus one, but Jorge had the audacity to push Carole to Kaiden. What on earth was he thinking? In doing so, he basically announced to everyone that he favored Carole! The guests watched with bated breath, eager to see how Kaiden would react. The question on everyone¡¯s mind was whether he wanted Ellie or Carole.


    Surely, he¡¯d pick thetter!


    Ellie maintained an unbothered expression, as if the whole situation had nothing to do with her. Deep inside, however, her emotions were raging. Her fingers tightened around the handle of the wheelchair as she held her breath and awaited judgment.


    She was dying to see the look on Kaiden¡¯s face at that moment, but since she was standing behind him, all she could see was the top of his head.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the youngdy from the Lambert family?¡± a guest whispered loudly to the person beside her.


    ¡°Why is she standing next to Jorge?¡±


    ¡°From what I heard, the Lambert family has been living abroad all this time. When Carole came home, she acted on behalf of her family and brought back priceless paintings as gifts to the Thorpe family. She was incredibly generous in this regard.¡±


    ¡°It looks like Jorge is particrly fond of her. I wonder if she¡¯ll eventually marry into the Thorpe family.¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down. Ellie is right over there!¡±


    Demi had her arm around Erick¡¯s, and they watched the scene unfold with great interest.


    She hadn¡¯t expected anyone else toe and stir trouble for Ellie, but she was d that it happened. And so was Erick.


    He watched like a hawk, waiting for the right moment to approach Ellie. Erick was sure that Kaiden would cast her aside soon, and then he would swoop in andfort her.


    But Kaiden remained silent for what felt like hours, making people think that he had acquiesced.


    ¡°Let me push the wheelchair for you, Kaiden,¡± Carole said, taking the initiative to walk over to them. She politely signaled for Ellie to step away from Kaiden.


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    Feeling a pit form in her stomach, Ellie was about to relinquish her hold when Kaiden spoke.


    ¡°No, thank you.¡± He refused Carole directly.


    Kaiden waved in Edwin¡¯s direction, who was standing nearby.


    ¡°Edwin will show you a good time.¡±


    Carole and Edwin were already acquainted.


    ¡°Huh? Oh, sure. I¡¯ll take it from here,¡± Edwin replied.


    He was startled at first, then bewildered by the sudden task that had been thrown at him. But he didn¡¯t want Kaiden to leave Ellie alone and go with another woman, so he agreed without a second thought.


    The smile froze on Carole¡¯s face, and her eyes darkened. She swallowed and quicklyposed herself. ¡°Well,¡± she said, forcing another smile at Edwin. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to trouble you in the meantime.¡±


    Edwin paid no mind to her strained expression and carried on as he would with an old friend.


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    Chapter 440:


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. We were just about to y dice. Would you care to join us? Ellie was quite good at it. Why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡± Edwin offered.


    Theo nced sideways at Edwin and covered his mouth to keep himself fromughing.


    Ellie was already Kaiden¡¯s wife, but Edwin was still working so damn hard to stand up for her. It was cute and pitiful at the same time. Jerome joined the conversation and further encouraged Carole to y. The guests were left dumbfounded. They had been anticipating a dramatic event to happen, so they all had whish from the unexpected turn of events.


    ¡°I thought Edwin never got along with Ellie?¡± someone asked in obvious confusion. ¡°Why is he helping her now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know the answer to that myself.¡±


    Just then, Kaiden turned his head to look up at Ellie. When he saw that her eyes were trained on Edwin, his expression turned grim. ¡°Who are you looking at?¡±


    Kaiden sounded sullen, and if she didn¡¯t know any better, she would have thought he had caught her cheating with the way he was acting.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking at¡­¡± Ellie cut herself off and withdrew her eyes from Edwin. ¡°Just know that you made the right decision.¡±


    She leaned over and whispered in Kaiden¡¯s ear, ¡°If you had agreed to go with another woman, you would have been forbidden from sleeping with me for a month.¡±


    It was a threat, no doubt, but she made it sound like yful banter from a long-time lover.


    As she spoke, her lips brushed against the shell of his ear, causing goosebumps to rise on his arms.


    Kaiden had to grit his teeth and ball his hands into fists to keep himself from snatching Ellie into his arms and kissing her senseless.


    ¡°Careful where you put your lips!¡± he warned her in a low voice.


    Ellie pulled back slightly and blinked at him.


    What did he mean by that?


    Kaiden¡¯s eyes drifted down to her chest and delicate waist. She had a slender figure that filled out in all the right ces. He had no doubt that her delectable derriere was attracting a lot of attention at the moment. He reached up and pinched her cheek. ¡°Stand straight.¡±


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    Kaiden then swept a cold nce over the nosy crowd.


    The guests immediately looked away from Ellie, scared that their brief ogling of her would bring them life-altering repercussions.


    They did feel somewhat aggrieved¡ªonly a blind man could resist Ellie¡¯s charms! The more they thought about it, the more they envied Kaiden.


    ¡°Do my words mean nothing to you anymore, Kaiden?¡± Jorge mmed his walking stick on the floor, his voice filled with outrage. ¡°How dare you ignore my wishes!¡±


    Kaiden simply sneered at the old man.


    As for the rest of the Thorpe family, they wondered wryly when Jorge¡¯s words had ever worked on the headstrong Kaiden.


    Kaiden had already warned themst time, so none of them dared act so recklessly around him.


    More importantly, Kaiden was the current CEO of GT Group. It wasn¡¯t in their best interests to oppose him in any way.


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    Message from Noa: Happy beautiful Friday, dear readers. Between yesterday and today, there are 2 novel premieres that you chose in the galn?vels WhatsAppmunity, and tomorrow there will be 3 premieres ofpleted novels. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?


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 Chapter 441

    ?Chapter 441:


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Kaiden asked Jorge coldly.


    Jorge knew that he was talking about Brisa.


    Still scowling, he signaled at the butler to take them to her.


    Jorge had enough sense left in him to know when to step back. If he pushed any further, Kaiden would only cause an even bigger scene and ruin the birthday party.


    ¡°Oh my, Carole!¡± Edwin sighed. ¡°Why don¡¯t you focus on the game a little more? You keep losing!¡±


    The distress in his voice was genuine¡ªhe felt a little lonely now that Ellie was no longer in the hall.


    Carole gaped at him in disbelief. What kind of socialite would know how to ce dice in the first ce?


    When she noticed that Ellie and Kaiden were headed to the second floor, she instantly jumped to her feet. ¡°I¡¯m going to the bathroom. Please enjoy yourselves.¡±


    Carole didn¡¯t give them a chance to stop her and chased after the couple.


    But just as she stepped onto the second-floornding, she was promptly stopped by the bodyguards stationed there.


    ¡°My name is Carole Lambert,¡± she dered. ¡°I know the woman in the VIP lounge.¡±


    One of the bodyguards eyed her suspiciously before calling Jorge to check if she had permission to enter.


    Brisa¡¯s existence was a secret to the public, even to the distant members of the Thorpe family. Only a few trusted people knew about her, and Carole happened to be one of them.


    Inside the VIP lounge, d in a deep purple dress, Brisa was sitting straight on the sofa, staring at the TV on the wall. The screen disyed a shot of the first floor, with the camera zooming in on Jorge¡¯s figure.


    Once again, Ellie found Brisa¡¯s obsession with Jorge extremely worrying. He was the only one who could soothe Brisa¡¯s erratic mood swings, although her memory was still a mess.


    ¡°Hello, Brisa. How have you been these days?¡±


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    It wasn¡¯t until Ellie spoke that Brisa realized someone else was in the room.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Brisa eximed in delight as she rushed over and sped Ellie¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±


    She then nced at Kaiden and deliberately rolled her eyes. ¡°Who might this be? Why does he look like my son?¡±


    Brisa was already over fifty years old, but she was still childish in some aspects.


    ¡°He is your son,¡± Ellie replied, catering to her teasing.


    Brisa was highly amused by this.


    Kaiden, on the other hand, didn¡¯t say a word. He let them continue with their talk as if he were made of air.


    After a while, they heard a knock on the door.


    Before anyone could say or do anything, the neer directly opened the door and walked inside.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry! I had no idea you were here, so I just walked in¡­¡± Carole acted all surprised and apologetic before turning to Brisa. ¡°Good evening, Brisa. I saw a beautiful dress the other day and thought it would suit you perfectly, so I bought it for you.¡±


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    Kaiden¡¯s face remained nk. Neither he nor Ellie stopped Carole.


    Brisa tilted her head and squinted at Carole. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Carole stopped in her tracks, and for the second time that night, the smile froze on her face.


    Carole¡¯s smile remained strained as she spoke. ¡°Brisa, it¡¯s me, Carole. Don¡¯t you remember me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you!¡± Brisa eximed, a sudden realization dawning on her. ¡°You¡¯ve be more beautiful. I didn¡¯t recognize you at first.¡±


    ¡°Brisa, do you like this dress? Theke blue color really suits you.¡± Carole presented a dress from a shopping bag, and Ellie immediately recognized it as the one she had liked but had been snatched away by Aphrodite.


    ¡°Of course I love it! Carole, you have such great taste!¡± Brisa¡¯s face lit up with joy.


    Carole subtly nced at Ellie, a knowing look passing between them, hinting at provocation.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I heard you¡¯ve also prepared a gift,¡± Carole said, though she immediately regretted her words. She shot a quick nce at Kaiden, worried he might catch on to her intention of making Ellie look bad. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t seem to realize, and Carole breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Really?¡± Brisa turned her expectant gaze towards Ellie.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Ellie had indeed prepared something. She picked up the violin she had prepared in advance, positioning it skillfully.


    As she began to y, her movements were both skilled and seamless, filling the air with a melodious and graceful sound.


    The piece,sting only a minute, artfullybined two different styles, embodying elegance and joy, making it a perfect fit for the asion.


    Her violin ying, both in technique and emotion, was top-notch.


    Kaiden found himself unconsciously captivated, watching Ellie. In that moment, she exuded confidence and elegance, seamlessly blending with the violin.


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    Her beauty wasn¡¯t merely skin deep¡ªit was the captivating presence she carried.


    And this amazing woman was his wife.


    It suddenly dawned on him why his mother had been so regretful that Ellie couldn¡¯t continue her violin studies, sighing over the loss.


    As the piece concluded, Ellie performed an elegant curtsy. Her smile held a touch of girlish yfulness as she said, ¡°This piece is dedicated to Brisa, and I hope I haven¡¯t let down the recognition and praise you gave me back then!¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯ve never let me down!¡± Brisa eximed. ¡°Ellie, you are still so outstanding! But I¡¯ve never heard this piece before.¡±


    ¡°I wrote it myself as a gift for you,¡± Ellie replied. ¡°And I hope you like it.¡±


    ¡°This is simply the best gift I¡¯ve received in years! Sweetie, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Brisa was thrilled and moved to embrace Ellie, but Kaiden intervened, blocking her gently.


    ¡°Just talk,¡± he advised, a hint of protectiveness in his tone. ¡°Don¡¯t get too physical. And don¡¯t call her that.¡± He had never used such a term for Ellie.


    While people like Baylee could get away with it, others, even his own mother, were not allowed to.


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    ?Chapter 443:


    ¡°You kid!¡± Brisa, unable to do anything about her son¡¯s protectiveness, turned to Carole to boast. ¡°Carole, Ellie has such artistic talent, doesn¡¯t she?¡±


    Carole¡¯s face darkened momentarily, but she forced a smile, replying, ¡°Yes, Miss Gordon is very impressive.¡± She had expected Ellie¡¯s gift to pale inparison to her own, thinking she would choose something less remarkable. But Ellie had surprised her with this hidden talent.


    ¡°Hey, Carole, since you treated Kaiden like your brother, you should call Ellie ¡®sister-inw¡¯!¡± Brisa suddenly remembered that Ellie was now her daughter-inw. Her memory wasn¡¯t the best, so the caretaker had to remind her daily of this fact.


    Carole¡¯s face turned pale as she stammered. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to acknowledge Ellie.


    Ellie watched Carole with a knowing smile.


    Carole, unable to utter the words, bit her silver teeth and continued to gaze at Kaiden, silently begging for his help.


    Considering her rtionship with his brother, Kaiden reassured, ¡°It¡¯s okay not to call her that.¡±


    If his brother were still alive and married to Carole, they would have referred to Carole as ¡°sister-inw.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s smile stiffened slightly, but it didn¡¯t matter to her. She didn¡¯t need Carole¡¯s acknowledgment as ¡°sister-inw,¡± and the thought of it even disgusted her.


    Meanwhile, Brisa showed a keen interest in the piece Ellie hadposed and started discussing it with her.


    Finding the conversation uninteresting, Kaiden decided to step out to the balcony for a smoke.


    Seizing the opportunity, Carole followed him. ¡°Kaiden, are you angry with me for siding with your father today?¡± She hurriedly exined, ¡°I brought on behalf of my family, and he was probably just being polite because of my family. I¡¯ve always been on your side.¡±


    ¡°I am not angry with you,¡± Kaiden replied, the crimson me flickering at his fingertips.


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    ¡°Really? If you¡¯re not angry, then why did you ask Edwin to entertain me?¡± Carole looked down, hurt.


    ¡°Carole, Ellie is my wife.¡±


    ¡°I know that¡­¡± Carole responded, feeling frustrated. Why did he have to keep emphasizing it?


    Kaiden remained silent, his gaze fixed on Carole, as if silently studying her. His gaze remained calm yet imposing, and the unspoken message hung heavily in the air. Since he had a wife, hispanion could only be her.


    Carole looked away, her heart stinging with hurt. ¡°Sorry, Kaiden, I wasn¡¯t thoughtful enough.¡±


    She had miscalcted. She hadn¡¯t expected him to have such a stance. However, she also felt a flicker of joy, thinking that once she became his wife, she would receive the same level of protection.


    With no reason to stay in the room any longer, she decided to leave. She strolled alone to the garden to clear her head before returning.


    ¡°Miss Lambert!¡± Demi suddenly blocked Carole¡¯s path, her right hand casually resting on her t belly, seemingly unting her pregnancy.


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 Chapter 444

    ?Chapter 444:


    Carole wasn¡¯t particrly familiar with Demi, but she had heard that this woman was carrying Erick¡¯s child. She acknowledged Demi with a nod but had no intention of getting into a conversation.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, seeing Ellie stand beside Kaiden, are you content?¡± Demi spoke without restraint, taking advantage of theck of bystanders.


    Carole abruptly stopped in her tracks, her gaze sharp as she turned to face Demi. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I am the real daughter of the Gordon family, as you must have heard,¡± Demi dered without beating around the bush. ¡°I can tell you don¡¯t like Ellie, and neither do I! As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.¡±


    She dangled the bait, suggesting an alliance.


    In this social circle, Carole rarely encountered someone who would openly express their disdain for someone else in such a blunt and uncouth manner. She studied Demi carefully. This heiress, only acknowledged by the Gordon familyst year, fell far short of Ellie in terms of looks, demeanor, and refinement.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I understand that Ellie and Kaiden are married, and I won¡¯t be a pawn in any attempt to interfere in their marriage.¡± Carole always carefully chose her words, making sure not to give others any leverage against her.


    Demi decided to push further, raising her chin defiantly. ¡°What if I were to tell you that it wouldn¡¯t be considered inappropriate for you to intervene in their marriage? Do you know why Ellie married Kaiden?¡±


    Carole hadn¡¯t given much thought to this perspective.


    ¡°Because of a marriage alliance between the Gordon and Thorpe families,¡± Demi revealed confidently. ¡°But Ellie isn¡¯t of the Gordon bloodline, and technically, she had no right to marry Kaiden!¡±


    ¡°A marriage alliance¡­¡± Carole muttered, her voice trailing off.


    The news had caught herpletely off guard.


    Demi¡¯s satisfied grin grew wider as she saw the shock etched on Carole¡¯s face. ¡°Miss Lambert, do you still see yourself as the other woman? Are you ready to be outyed by someone so cunning?¡±


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    ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Carole quickly regained herposure. ¡°You¡¯re with Erick. We both understand his connection to Kaiden. If I marry into the Thorpe family, the Lamberts will support Kaiden. That can¡¯t be good for you.¡±


    It didn¡¯t make sense for Demi to be helping her.


    Demi just shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t stand watching that Ellie enjoy a good life. Isn¡¯t that reason enough?¡±


    The birthday ceremony then began. Jorge had two sons and a daughter. Today, his daughter was notably absent. She was the family¡¯s outcast, having married young and moved abroad with her husband. She had almost cut all ties with the Thorpes.


    Ellie vaguely recalled that she had been close to Leo, Kaiden¡¯ste brother.


    Erick and his parents took turns offering their congrattions on stage, but Kaiden stayed away.


    Nevertheless, the guests remained effusive and ttering towards Kaiden after the ceremony.


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    ?Chapter 445:


    Ellie, not one for such superficial business interactions, was standing next to Kaiden when she overheard a curly-haired man in his thirties ask, ¡°Who was ying the violin earlier? Do you know?¡±


    ¡°No, but Erick¡¯s girlfriend is quite the violinist. She¡¯s probably the one,¡± his friend suggested.


    ¡°Thedy in the red dress?¡± the man with curly hair inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    Upon getting a nod, he made a beeline towards Demi. ¡°Ma¡¯am, your violin performance was breathtaking! I¡¯ve never heard that piece before. Did youpose it?¡± His excitement was palpable as he handed her his business card. ¡°I¡¯m Gerardo Lyons. Are you interested in a coboration?¡±


    Demi was momentarily speechless. Gerardo Lyons was a big name in music production, renowned for turning artists into stars. His productions invariably climbed the charts.


    Beyond his professional prowess, he hailed from a distinguished family, bringing with him a wealth of resources. For Demi, he was the dream coborator she had always hoped for.


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m definitely interested!¡± she responded eagerly. Coborating with Gerardo could be her ticket to stardom.


    Gerardo¡¯s enthusiastic praise drew the attention of many nearby guests.


    Erick, overhearing the conversation, wondered when Demi had learned to y the violin. But seeing the admiration in everyone¡¯s eyes, he decided to hold his questions for now.


    ¡°But I missed a few seconds of the performance,¡± Gerardo admitted. Trying to recall the melody, he hummed.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it. You¡¯ve got a great ear!¡± Demi agreed, though she hadn¡¯t actually heard the music herself.


    Gerardo paused, his head tilted in thought. Something didn¡¯t quite add up. His humming didn¡¯t seem as fluid as the music he had heard earlier.


    Just then, Jerome, who happened to be passing by, chimed in, ¡°Gerardo, the music you enjoyed in the yard came from the second floor. Thisdy has been here in the hall the whole time. You¡¯ve mistaken her for someone else.¡±


    Realization dawned on Gerardo. That was right! He turned to the woman before him, noticing her sudden fluster. She opened her mouth to speak but seemed at a loss for words.


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    Feeling duped, Gerardo¡¯s tone became using. ¡°Oh, I remember you. Weren¡¯t you in that talent show? There¡¯s no way you could have yed the music I heard earlier with your musical skills.¡±


    His expression said it all, verging on calling her out on her audacity.


    ¡°I can exin, Mr. Lyons!¡± Demi stammered, panic-stricken. She knew she had just offended Gerardo.


    ¡°Haha!¡± Laughter broke out from the surrounding crowd. ¡°I heard that girl from the Gordon family got kicked out of university for her poor attitude. Looks like it¡¯s true.¡±


    The whispers grew, specting on her being expelled so soon after enrollment for such impersonation.


    Erick, face set in a stern expression, red at Demi and swiftly turned away. ¡°Don¡¯t follow me!¡± hemanded.


    His disgust was evident. Even the baby she carried couldn¡¯t make him stay.


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 Chapter 446

    ?Chapter 446:


    Gerardo, ignoring Demi, turned back to Jerome, insisting on finding out who had yed the violin.


    Demi was left standing in awkward silence. Hushed whispers filled the air around her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t fathom why Erick¡¯s still with her,¡± someone muttered.


    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s got some tricks in bed,¡± another voice suggested, a hint of mockery in their tone.


    A wave of anger washed over Demi. Then, a thought struck her¡ªEllie had followed Kaiden upstairs earlier!


    Ellie, again.


    Why did it always have to be Ellie?!


    Meanwhile, Ellie, feeling out of ce next to Kaiden, whispered, ¡°I think I¡¯ll go find Edwin.¡±


    ¡°Why him?¡± Kaiden asked, a hint of displeasure in his voice.


    Ellie looked at him, puzzled. Because she had gotten along well with Edwin recently.


    ¡°Kaiden, don¡¯t be so possessive. Everyone knows she¡¯s with you,¡± Theo interjected, trying to ease the tension.


    Kaiden pondered for a moment. He knew Edwin well enough and realized he couldn¡¯t keep Ellie away from Edwin forever. ¡°Alright, go ahead,¡± he said, affectionately ruffling her hair.


    ¡°Please show some mercy on Edwin, Ellie,¡± Theo said with a smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t beat my brother too badly at cards.¡±


    Ellie grinned, waving as she left. ¡°For you, Theo, I¡¯ll go easy on him!¡± The gathered presidents exchanged surprised nces. When had Ellie be so close with Theo that she could casually joke about Edwin? Ellie¡­ she had truly changed from the person she once was.


    As Ellie made her way across the hall to join Edwin and others in the side hall, Carole called out to her. ¡°Miss Gordon, please wait!¡± She had been observing Ellie and Kaiden for a while, waiting for a moment when Ellie would be alone.


    Ellie nced at Carole but didn¡¯t stop walking.


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    Carole, determined, blocked Ellie¡¯s path. ¡°I know the truth,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°You married Kaiden not out of love, but because of a¡­¡±


    ¡°Marriage alliance.¡±


    Ellie paused, squinting slightly at Carole.


    Carole let out a chuckle, as if she had uncovered a great secret. ¡°It¡¯s all because of the Gordon and Thorpe families¡¯ arrangement. And you,¡± she continued, ¡°You¡¯re not even the Gordon family¡¯s real daughter.¡±


    Ellie faced Carole with an indifferent gaze. ¡°So what?¡± she asked coolly.


    ¡°Does that change the fact that I¡¯m Kaiden¡¯swful wife?¡±


    Carole was indifferent to Ellie¡¯s words. Ellie had married Kaiden, but the future of their union seemed uncertain.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, do you know why Kaiden didn¡¯t ask me to call you my sister-inw?¡± Carole taunted.


    Ellie replied with disinterest, ¡°I don¡¯t care to know.¡±


    She regretted engaging with Carole. She would have rather stayed with Kaiden, enduring his tedious business discussions.


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 Chapter 447

    ?Chapter 447:


    ¡°Miss Lambert, now that you have finished speaking, why don¡¯t you step out of my way before bing a nuisance?¡± she said sharply.


    Carole was speechless, taken aback by Ellie¡¯s words. Frustrated and angry, she changed tactics. ¡°I too have a marriage arrangement with the Thorpe family!¡± she dered.


    Ellie was stunned, feeling as if the world had gone silent except for Carole¡¯s words, echoing like a curse.


    ¡°Kaiden couldn¡¯t make me, a woman bound by another arrangement, call you, a usurper of that arrangement, ¡®sister-inw,''¡± Carole sneered.


    Ellie, shocked, took a moment to process this. ¡°You and Kaiden were arranged to be married?¡± she finally asked, disbelief in her voice. She quickly dismissed the idea. ¡°Impossible. How can one person be part of two arrangements?¡±


    Carole didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Wasn¡¯t Erick the Gordon family¡¯s first choice?¡± she asked. Then she added, ¡°Miss Gordon, perhaps you should check if the negative rumors about me have vanished. You thought you could outwit me. I told you, once I speak up, Kaiden will support me.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s face lost all color.


    She remembered that the original arrangement was with Erick, but it had been changed to Kaiden at thest minute. A troubling thought crossed her mind.


    Had she inadvertently ruined the bond that might have existed between Kaiden and Carole?


    Carole, having achieved what she set out to do, quietly made her exit. As she passed Demi, who was ring at Ellie, she whispered something only they could hear, pretending to talk to herself, ¡°Be careful with those champagne sses. They might fall.¡±


    Ellie, still in a daze, was standing near a towering seven-tier champagne setup.


    Seizing the moment, Demi made her move. She feigned a slip, bumping into the table holding the champagne sses.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± someone yelled.


    The tower of sses cascaded towards Ellie, all eighty-four of them crashing down.


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    Carole couldn¡¯t hide her sly grin.


    Kaiden, who had been watching Ellie, acted instantly. He moved with incredible speed, using one hand to shield his head with his suit jacket and the other to wrap Ellie in a protective embrace, shielding her from the falling sses.


    The sound of shattering sses filled the air as the champagne sses hit the floor.


    The champagne drenched the carpet and sshed onto Kaiden¡¯s suit. Yet the woman he held was mostly unscathed, her smoky purple dress only slightly damp at the corner.


    A hush fell over the room.


    Ellie, feeling her heart race, blinked slowly as she looked at Kaiden¡¯s legs. She lifted her gaze to Kaiden, her eyes wide with disbelief and panic.


    ¡°You¡­¡± she began, but couldn¡¯t finish as others started to react.


    ¡°Kaiden, Kaiden¡­ Stand up!¡± someone called out.


    ¡°Kaiden moved faster just now than I ever did in high school. He doesn¡¯t look like someone who¡¯s been disabled for years!¡± another voice remarked.


    ¡°How¡­ how could this be possible?¡±


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 Chapter 448

    ?Chapter 448:


    The room buzzed with astonishment.


    Members of the Thorpe family rushed in, their faces etched with shock. The incident had left them speechless, their expressions empty of any other emotion.


    A few insiders, aware of the true situation, appeared particrly distressed. None had anticipated Kaiden¡¯s sudden movement. Ellie, her nerves frayed, clutched Kaiden¡¯s hand. Her voice quivered as she spoke.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡­ How could you suddenly¡­¡± she hesitated, wondering why he had stopped pretending.


    ¡°Should I just stand by and watch my wife get hurt?¡± Kaiden retorted. He quickly turned his attention to Ellie, asking with concern, ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes flickered, feeling a warmth in her heart. She took a moment before shaking her head in response. ¡°But so many people saw¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Kaiden reassured her, gently patting her back. He couldn¡¯t help but let out a small chuckle. ¡°Ellie, you almost look like you¡¯re going to cry.¡± His voice, though loud, was for Ellie¡¯s ears only. ¡°This look of yours, I¡¯ve only seen it in bed,¡± he teased. Ellie was too overwhelmed to even decide how to react to his inappropriate joke.


    ¡°Kaiden, your legs¡­¡± Jorge¡¯s voice, aged and trembling, carried a mix of emotions. It was hard to tell if he was shocked, happy, or frightened.


    The Talon family members stared intently at Kaiden, as if trying to unravel a mystery.


    Kaiden stood up slowly, his eyes scanning the room before resting on a security camera in the upper-right corner. ¡°Bring me the footage from thest ten minutes,¡± he instructed the staff member who was cleaning up.


    Everyone in the room grasped his motive. He was determined to find out who was responsible for the champagne tower¡¯s copse and stand up for Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden! Your legs¡­¡± Talon eximed, a mix of shock and skepticism in his voice. ¡°Have you been fooling us this whole time?¡±


    Theo quickly intervened with an exnation, ¡°Mr. Thorpe began rehabilitation after his marriage and only recently showed signs of recovery. That¡¯s why no one was aware of his progress.¡±


    Catching Theo¡¯s cue, Ellie chimed in to support Kaiden, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s exactly what happened.¡±


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    Talon and Genesis were skeptical, sensing there was more to the story. They couldn¡¯t, however, disregard their prior knowledge that Kaiden¡¯s legs had been genuinely crippled.


    Erick was visibly disturbed, his thoughts racing.


    Kaiden¡¯s leg had healed?


    How could he nowpare himself to Kaiden, or make Ellie regret her choice?


    Demi¡¯s face drained of color as she worried about the surveince footage. She hoped it hadn¡¯t captured her involvement.


    Carole was ovee with regret and jealousy. She realized that her actions had led to Kaiden revealing his recovery to protect Ellie, his wife in name only.


    The guests remained silent, their internal shock preventing them from whispering in such a tense situation. The only sound was the attendants cleaning up the broken ss.


    Theo, continuing the ruse, brought a wheelchair over to Kaiden. ¡°Kaiden, your leg isn¡¯t fully healed. You shouldn¡¯t stand for too long. Sit down quickly.¡± His eyes subtly conveyed a message¡ªremember, recovery wasn¡¯t instantaneous. Keep up the act.


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    ?Chapter 449:


    Kaiden obliged and sat back in the wheelchair.


    ¡°The surveince footage is here,¡± announced an attendant, having fetched it with remarkable speed.


    Kaiden reviewed the footage on the tablet. When he raised his head, his icy gazended on Demi, chilling her to the core.


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t me!¡± Demi blurted out impulsively. But as the undeniable truth of the surveince footage sank in, she quickly shifted her story. ¡°I just lost my bnce. It was an ident. I didn¡¯t mean to hit the table!¡±


    Ellie had been unaware of Demi¡¯s proximity to the champagne tower, as she was out of her line of sight. Now, however, Ellie was convinced that Demi had intended the incident.


    Kaiden, on the other hand, was uninterested in Demi¡¯s excuses.


    ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance to apologize,¡± he said sternly. He pointed to another champagne tower and instructed Demi, ¡°Go stand there and pull the table yourself.¡±


    His demand was not unreasonable. He wanted Demi to understand the potential harm she had nearly caused Ellie.


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t!¡± Demi refused, shaking her head in terror and shielding her face. She feared that the ss could cut her, possibly scarring her face. Then, she tried to shift the me to Ellie. ¡°You weren¡¯t even hurt. You can¡¯t do this to me!¡± she protested.


    Ellie¡¯s response was firm and unyielding. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything to you.¡± Though she hadn¡¯t been injured, thanks to Kaiden, she felt no obligation to forgive Demi¡¯s recklessness.


    ¡°It was you, Carole!¡± Demi, in a sudden sh of realization, pointed usingly at Carole. ¡°You told me to do it. It was all your idea!¡±


    Carole feigned innocence. ¡°Miss Gordon, are you losing your mind? Everyone saw that I didn¡¯t even speak to you just now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± a guest interjected in support of Carole. ¡°Miss Gordon, you two hardly know each other. Why would you follow her instructions?¡±


    Another chimed in, ¡°using someone like this is like a mad dogshing out. It just doesn¡¯t add up!¡±


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    The crowd nodded in agreement. The ongoing feud between Demi and Ellie was well known among their social circle, but Carole and Ellie¡¯s strained rtionship, though influenced by Kaiden, had never escted into public disputes. It seemed that Demi was trying to drag someone down with her in desperation.


    Ellie¡¯s expression grew stern, her lips pressed together. She had been focused on Kaiden, but Carole¡¯s interjection brought back memories of their earlier conversation and the mention of a ¡°marriage alliance.¡± The room buzzed with condemnation.


    Kaiden¡¯s imposing presence made the air feel heavy, pressing down on Demi with the expectation of a convincing exnation.


    Desperate, Demi turned to the members of the Thorpe family. ¡°Erick, please help me. Talon, Genesis, please¡­¡± she pleaded, seeking their support in her moment of crisis.


    She strategically ced a hand on her belly. In the past, Talon and Genesis might not have been concerned with her fate, but now the stakes were different. What Demi carried was their future grandchild.


    ¡°Kaiden, today is a day for celebration, my father¡¯s birthday. Let¡¯s not have any unpleasantness,¡± Talon said, attempting to calm the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this matter low-key.¡±


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    ?Chapter 450:


    Jorge, now advanced in years, was resting in another room, away from themotion of the banquet hall.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Genesis nodded in agreement, a forced smile on her face. She disyed an unusual level of courtesy towards Kaiden. Then, she urged Demi, ¡°Apologize to your sister immediately.¡±


    She stressed the word ¡°sister¡± to remind everyone of the family connection between Demi and Ellie, implying that Ellie had some obligation towards Demi.


    Under Kaiden¡¯s stern gaze, Demi had little choice but toply. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ellie. I acted without thinking. I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t hold it against me, for Grandma¡¯s sake.¡± She didn¡¯t miss the opportunity to invoke Cecelia¡¯s influence.


    Turning to Kaiden, she added, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Ellie and I are from the same family. If something were to happen to me, it would reflect poorly on Ellie too.¡±


    Kaiden was visibly irked by her words. He wanted to react strongly but restrained himself, considering Ellie¡¯s respect for Cecelia. His silence spoke volumes. He was leaving the decision in Ellie¡¯s hands.


    Such apologies, filled with self-righteousness, were too much for Ellie. She couldn¡¯t help but let out a bitterugh, infuriated by the audacity. In a swift change of demeanor, her smile vanished, revealing a rare disy of defiance on her otherwise delicate and charming face.


    ¡°Kneel and apologize, and I¡¯ll let it go,¡± she said firmly.


    The room was stunned into silence. ¡°What?¡±


    The disbelief was palpable. No one could believe this bold demand hade from Ellie.


    ¡°Ellie, are you out of your mind? You want me to kneel in front of you?¡± Demi¡¯s voice trembled with incredulity, her eyes wide with shock. Ellie remained unfazed.


    ¡°Kneel, or you can choose the option Kaiden suggested,¡± she stated calmly.


    Erick observed the unfolding drama, not finding Ellie¡¯s stance arrogant or disrespectful. Instead, he felt an unexpected rush of excitement.


    ¡°Apologize now!¡± Genesis hissed at Demi, pressing on her shoulder. They all knew Kaiden wasn¡¯t one to bluff. His past actions, like driving his wheelchair down a slope to confront someone, were proof enough that he might force Demi to face the consequences under the champagne tower.


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    Kneeling would be humiliating for Demi, but it wouldn¡¯t endanger her unborn child.


    Feeling the immense pressure, Demi¡¯s knees gave way, and she knelt down. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes, not just from humiliation but also from a deep-seated hatred. Through her tears, she muttered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    The city¡¯s night was a spectacle of lights and bustling streets. From the moment Ellie left the banquet until she reached Moon Manor, she remained enveloped in silence.


    Lost in thought, she began to drift off while bathing.


    Suddenly, she snapped back to reality and grabbed her phone to look up information about Carole. True to Carole¡¯s im, all the negative press had disappeared without a trace.


    If not for the fact that Carole¡¯s previous partners had already moved on, one might question if the scandal had ever happened. Realizing the scale of such an operation, Ellie made an international call to Freddy.


    ¡°Boss, good afternoon! Oh, wait, it¡¯s evening for you, so good evening!¡± Freddy greeted her eagerly.


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 Chapter 451

    ?Chapter 451:


    ¡°Freddy, all the negative news about Carole is gone. Do you know why?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°Somebody cleaned up Carole¡¯s mess,¡± Freddy confirmed.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t believe Kaiden would intervene for Carole. She ventured, ¡°I heard Carole has family backing her up¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the Lambert family. They wouldn¡¯t meddle in our affairs,¡± Freddy pondered. Then, he added, ¡°I heard a woman named Zoey was involved.¡±


    What?


    Ellie¡¯s mind raced. Zoey Sawyer, Kaiden¡¯s secretary, came to her mind. She recalled a recent conversation at GT Group where Zoey was mentioned as having gone to Estoqua. It must have been Zoey, under Kaiden¡¯s instruction, who cleared Carole¡¯s name.


    As she was piecing things together, there was a knock on the bathroom door.


    Before Ellie could respond, the door clicked open. Kaiden, in a white shirt and ck trousers, walked in barefoot.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in here for quite some time,¡± he said, his toneced with concern.


    He had been waiting outside, worried that she might have fallen asleep in the bath. He found her looking distressed as he entered. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you?¡± he asked gently.


    Ellie reclined in the bathtub, her naked form submerged in the water, her beautiful eyes fixated on Kaiden.


    At this moment, an unfamiliarity crept into her perception of him. Despite Kaiden providing the care and affection she had longed for since childhood, propelling her step by step toward him, she now sensed a shift.


    She realized Kaiden could also extend his favor to others, diminishing her special status.


    The Thorpe family¡¯s transgressions against her had prompted Kaiden¡¯s retribution, but he spared the young child. Kaiden¡¯splexity,bining stubbornness, cruelty, and kindness, aimed at offering Ellie an exnation she deserved.


    When Demi mistreated Ellie, Kaidenpelled her to publicly apologize, preserving Ellie¡¯s dignity.


    Yet, when Ellie allowed Carole to face the repercussions of her actions, Kaiden was capable of redirecting the me onto Ellie.


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    Unconsciously, a wall arose in Ellie¡¯s heart, meant to contain the warmth Kaiden had given her. But now¡­ The biting wind dismantled the wallpletely, leaving emptiness in its wake.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze toward Kaiden turned vacant.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, Ellie?¡±


    Kaiden, rmed by her distant look, rushed to her side, squatting beside the bathtub.


    Cupping her face, he gently stroked her cheek, questioning, ¡°Are you feeling scared tonight?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, I need to ask you something.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Demi imed Carole incited her actions tonight. What can you say about that?¡±


    Ellie scrutinized Kaiden¡¯s face, capturing every subtle expression.


    ¡°Carole doesn¡¯t even know Demi,¡± Kaiden said, unwavering, dismissing Demi¡¯s words.


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 Chapter 452

    ?Chapter 452:


    He had unconditional trust in Carole.


    Disheartened, Ellie closed her eyes.


    She asked, ¡°The Thorpe family and the Lambert family had a marriage alliance, didn¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Kaiden inquired, realizing only the two families were privy to this information.


    Ignoring the question, Ellie pressed on, ¡°Then, what am I to you?¡±


    ¡°My wife.¡± Kaiden gently lifted Ellie¡¯s chin with his fingertips, a yful gesture paired with serious words. ¡°Ellie, you are my wife.¡±


    Unaware of the tenderness reflected in his eyes, Ellie sensed her heart being squeezed painfully.


    Wife¡­ His wife¡­


    Kaiden had previously expressed hismitment to marriage, and it seemed natural for someone like him to stand by the union he acknowledged.


    So, was the love he bestowed upon her solely because she was his wife? However, if there were no issues with the marriage alliance between their families, shouldn¡¯t Carole be his rightful wife?


    Getting up, Kaiden took a bath towel and effortlessly lifted Ellie from the tub.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to get out of the water,¡± he smiled. It wasn¡¯t good to stay in the bathtub for a long time.


    Suddenly, Ellie felt a little tired and thought the situation was a bit ridiculous.


    She allowed Kaiden to dry the water droplets from her body and wrap her in the bath towel.


    ¡°You behaved well tonight,¡± Kaidenmented as he gently tousled Ellie¡¯s hair.


    He found satisfaction in her acquiescent demeanor, particrly after moments of intimacy.


    With a rosyplexion due to the steam, Ellie¡¯s skin looked exceptionally beautiful.


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    Kaiden¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he ced her on the vanity.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not rush out just yet¡­¡± he suggested, pressing himself against her and initiating a kiss.


    In a moment of daze, Ellie impulsively pped him when his soft lips met hers.


    The sound resonated through the bathroom, leaving Kaiden in a rare state of bewilderment.


    His head remained tilted, his face reflecting confusion.


    Not only was he rejected for no apparent reason after kissing his wife, but he was also unexpectedly pped.


    It took Ellie a moment toprehend her actions. Panicking, she looked at her hand, her eyshes trembling. As she raised her gaze, she was met with Kaiden¡¯s thunderous expression.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± stammered Ellie, expecting repercussions for her impulsive act.


    ¡°Did I do something wrong, Ellie?¡±


    After pping him in the face, Ellie felt she was in the wrong. She avoided meeting Kaiden¡¯s gaze, inadvertently catching sight of a noticeable bulge in his crotch.


    Quickly averting her eyes, she pretended not to notice.


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 Chapter 453

    ?Chapter 453:


    Kaiden had expressed a desire to engage in intimate activities in the bathroom, appreciating the freshness and excitement of the location.


    However, Ellie¡¯s impromptu p had interrupted his intentions.


    Kaiden sighed, his frustration evident as he adjusted his cor. The top button of his shirt fell to the floor, producing a sound as itnded.


    Growing impatient, Kaiden couldn¡¯t endure the silence any longer.


    ¡°Say something, Ellie,¡± he urged.


    ¡°Sorry, I was in a bad mood,¡± Ellie muttered. Her mind was in a mess, and she hastily exited the bathroom.


    Her steps were disorganized, leading to a collision with the doorway, causing her to almost fall.


    Fortunately, Kaiden swiftly caught her before she hit the floor.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you be a little more careful?¡± His anger escted further. As Kaiden touched Ellie, she subconsciously uttered, ¡°Kaiden, I don¡¯t want to do it tonight.¡±


    ¡°But I want you,¡± Kaiden said with a straight face.


    Ellie could sense his excitement wasn¡¯t fading.


    ¡°Then you go find someone else.¡± Feeling dejected, Ellie pushed him away, dering, ¡°Many women are willing to give their bodies to you, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    For instance, Carole was one of those women.


    Kaiden, despite his towering rage, maintained a seemingly calm exterior.


    Watching Ellie leave the bathroom, he abruptly followed her. Ellie¡¯s wrist was suddenly grabbed, and Kaiden, with his height and long legs, swiftly pulled her along with force.


    Ellie struggled to keep up and was almost dragged away. The movement made her tremble involuntarily.


    Confused, she questioned, ¡°Kaiden, what are you doing? Ah!¡±


    Subsequently, Ellie found herself thrown onto the bed. She could sense his anger.


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    Kaiden, with a mixture of frustration and disbelief, stated, ¡°Ellie, you want me to be loyal to marriage, but you ask me to find another woman? Huh?¡±


    Laughing in anger, he dropped to one knee on the bed, pinching her chin and gritting his teeth.


    Mockingly, he remarked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, that¡¯s so big of you.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not what you think. It¡¯s just exhaustion weighing me down, Kaiden,¡± Ellie said bitterly.


    She had maintained her defenses and countered when confronting Carole. However, these actions now seemed insignificant. What she was trying to do seemed like a joke. It appeared to be her hopeful imagination.


    ¡°Kaiden, I genuinely appreciate you standing up for me tonight, but¡­ That¡¯s not what I desire. I want something more.¡± Ellie sighed.


    She had grown covetous. What she craved was Kaiden¡¯s love, not merely the respect and rights owed to her as Mrs. Thorpe.


    Ellie hesitated to confess, but in this moment, she had to confront her own feelings. She disliked Carole, not due to her marriage expectations but because of what she demanded from Kaiden.


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 Chapter 454

    ?Chapter 454:


    But was she truly in a position to demand him, especially when he was betrothed to another woman before their marriage?


    Exhaustion.


    Kaiden only caught onto the blunt remark. Was she weary of him?


    ¡°Because of whom?¡± Kaiden gently caressed Ellie¡¯s temples but mocked, ¡°Howard?¡±


    ¡°What does it have to do with him?¡± Ellie was puzzled about Kaiden bringing up Howard out of the blue.


    ¡°Are you siding with him now?¡± Her words seemed like a defense of Howard to Kaiden.


    Howard, being influential, had admired Ellie for years, and they were of simr age.


    Kaiden sneered. Indeed, Howard was more intriguing than he, who was much older.


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Ellie retorted. ¡°You brought him up first.¡±


    ¡°And speaking of which, weren¡¯t you the one siding with¡­¡±


    Avoiding the subject of Carole, her voice trailed off. Voicing it would make Ellie appear jealous.


    ¡°Forget it. There¡¯s no need to argue.¡±


    Ellie tilted her head to gaze out of the window. She feared losing control if she persisted in confronting him. Ellie had to acknowledge that Kaiden¡¯s efforts on behalf of Carole to resolve the scandal and the engagement were affecting her.


    Resolute stubbornness and indifference remained on Ellie¡¯s face. Kaiden, consumed by anger, left abruptly.


    The creaking of the bedroom door opening resonated distinctly in Ellie¡¯s ears, almost like a gentle tap on her heart. Ellie instinctively turned around.


    Kaiden, who had abruptly exited, returned with a brisk stride. Before Ellie could respond, Kaiden halted in front of her, leaning over suddenly. Thispelled her to lean back, steadying herself with one hand behind her back.


    Concealed anger etched across his face, he gripped Ellie¡¯s chin firmly, exerting force as if he werepelling her, with a touch of coaxing.


    ¡°Ellie, be good. Say somethingforting. I¡¯ll let go of what transpired tonight.¡±


    He would forgive her if she apologized for her slip of the tongue that suggested he should look for another woman.


    The notion of leaving the room and returning within less than half a minute didn¡¯t strike Kaiden as sensible. He deemed himself irrational.


    ¡°Kaiden, that¡¯s not how we solve our issues,¡± Ellie said, feeling a tinge of sadness.


    They never resolved their issuesprehensively. Instead, they allowed conflicts to umte. Simr to their current actions, conflicts could erupt at any given moment.


    She was unsure how to handle it.


    Kaiden chuckled softly, as though mocking her.


    Releasing Ellie, he departed hastily.


    She noticed his shirt dampened in the bathroom, adhering to him and outlining the contours of his muscles.


    After a brief moment on the bed, Ellie rose and approached the bedside. Concealing herself behind the curtain, she pondered whether to step onto the balcony.


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 Chapter 455

    ?Chapter 455:


    Standing there would undoubtedly expose her to Kaiden¡¯s view.


    At that moment, her phone chimed.


    Essence had just sent her a link to a shocking piece of news, which read, ¡°Carole Lambert has emerged as a senior executive at the renowned fashionpany Harvillston. Congrattions!¡±


    The message came with a sticker expressing eagerness to witness the excitement.


    Ellie took a sudden step backward, distancing herself from the balcony. The spection she feared had indeede true.


    Despite Ellie¡¯s rejection of Harvillston, she felt a deep disappointment knowing that Carole had been appointed as a senior executive. It was anticipated, yet Ellie couldn¡¯t help but feel let down.


    Bitterness clouded Ellie¡¯s eyes, causing her to blink. She bent her legs and buried her face in her arms.


    Turning to her phone¡¯s email, she found a message from her supervisor two days prior. The Art School of Critport University had extended an invitation for her to return as an off-campus mentor, delivering a series of lectures to the underssmen for two weeks. It was a usual practice to invite experienced professionals for specialized courses in universities.


    Ellie called her supervisor. ¡°Mr. Gates, I have some free time tomorrow. I cane to the school for a ss. However, I have a favor to ask. Could you arrange amodation for me on the campus?¡±


    At half past ten in the evening, all the senior executives of the GT Group received a notice from Bruce instructing them to return to thepany promptly for a meeting.


    Initially, everyone presumed it was rted to thepany¡¯s well-being. However, upon reaching the office, Kaiden simply instructed them to provide updates on their respective departmental situations. The reports concluded, and at two in the morning, they delved into addressing departmental issues.


    The executives were perplexed.


    The conference room was constantly filled with the aroma of coffee. Through efficientte-night efforts and overtime work, everyone managed to clear the backlog of tasks across allpany departments for the next two weeks in a single night. They also sessfully nned various departmental activities for the uing half-month. The executives were overtired, with even Bruce stifling a silent yawn.


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    On the host¡¯s chair, Kaiden maintained an expressionless demeanor. He resembled a cold, mechanical figure.


    Anyone observant could discern that Kaiden was in a sour mood.


    ¡°Bruce, is Mr. Thorpe upset?¡± one of the senior executives couldn¡¯t resist asking Bruce in a hushed tone.


    Bruce sighed wearily. ¡°Mr. Thorpe mentioned that tonight¡¯s sry is triple the usual amount.¡±


    The senior executives spected that Kaiden must have had a disagreement with his significant other.


    When the two weren¡¯t on good terms, it was the employees who bore the brunt.


    The senior executives were left speechless. One of them nced at his watch.


    Well, it was eight in the morning, time to head to work once more. Getting some sleep seemed preferable to earning triple the sry.


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 Chapter 456

    ?Chapter 456:


    With the first light of day, Ellie prepared a few essentials for school. Descending the stairs, she recalled the clothes she had purchased for Cecelia and took them with her.


    The hotel arranged for Ellie by Critport University was adjacent to the student dormitory. The sight of these youthful faces lifted Ellie¡¯s spirits.


    Nevertheless, this positive mood was short-lived.


    Ellie received a call from Litzy.


    ¡°Ellie,e back immediately,¡± Litzy scolded with frustration. ¡°Cecelia is waiting for you on the sofa.¡±


    There was an issue that Ellie couldn¡¯t escape.


    Demi excelled at tattling.


    It took just over ten minutes to drive from Critport University to the Gordons¡¯ house.


    The entire Gordon family sat in an orderly line on the sofa, with even Houston skipping work.


    Demi sobbed in Litzy¡¯s embrace, and upon spotting Ellie, her cries intensified. ¡°Mom, Ellie insulted me so badly. I don¡¯t want to go on living. She made me kneel down in front of so many people. I¡¯ve lost all my dignity.¡±


    Litzy red at Ellie and remarked to Cecelia, ¡°Look at the granddaughter you raised.¡±


    Seemingly oblivious to Demi¡¯s and Litzy¡¯s words, Ellie retrieved a leather jacket from her shopping bag and asked, ¡°Grandma, I bought you this. Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°Take it back.¡± Stern-faced, Cecelia brushed away Ellie¡¯s offering.


    Unintentionally, the leather jacket slipped from Ellie¡¯s grasp andnded on the floor.


    A tense silence enveloped the room.


    Demi observed the scene with a self-satisfied smile.


    Remaining calm, Ellie uttered, ¡°Grandma¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t address me as grandma.¡± Cecelia abruptly raised her voice and fixed her gaze on Ellie with her cloudy eyes.


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    The sharpness of old age emerged in Cecelia¡¯s eyes, cutting through the memory of past kindness.


    ¡°Ellie, did you ever consider me your grandmother? On my birthday, you promised me that you would ensure Demi stayed in school. What happened?¡± Cecelia questioned.


    ¡°Grandma, I only said I would consider it; I never made a promise,¡± Ellie exined calmly. ¡°The school has rules and regtions. I can¡¯t make this decision alone.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just not trying hard enough! If you can¡¯t influence the schoolmittee¡¯s decision, why can¡¯t Mr. Thorpe do it?¡±


    The kind smile on Cecelia¡¯s face disappeared and was reced by anger. She looked terrifying.


    Ellie remained silent.


    ¡°Okay, forget about that for now. Let¡¯s talk about what you didst night. What was that all about?¡± It seemed that Cecelia had only asked Ellie here to confront her.


    ¡°Grandma, do you know why I made Demi kneel and apologize?¡± Ellie asked, still holding onto a glimmer of hope that Cecelia would be fair.


    ¡°I know, but Demi didn¡¯t mean to do that. It was an ident. Besides, you weren¡¯t injured. Ellie, we¡¯re family, and family should live in harmony,¡± Cecelia reminded her, her tone softening.


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 Chapter 457

    ?Chapter 457:


    However, her attempt at making peace only hurt Ellie¡¯s feelings. Cecelia didn¡¯t let her exin her side of the story and had already decided that Demi¡¯s actions were not intentional.


    She only focused on the fact that Ellie wasn¡¯t hurt,pletely disregarding the dangerous situation Demi had put her in!


    Ellie realized that, at this point, any exnation would be futile. On her way here, Ellie had anticipated this showdown and believed she could control her emotions.


    She was wrong.


    Her disappointment had turned to despair, forcing her to face the harsh reality. And the reality was that she couldn¡¯t have any expectations from people.


    Closing her eyes, Ellie pushed down the surge of emotions within her. She quietly gathered the new clothes from the floor and ced them on the sofa.


    ¡°Grandma, I did nothing wrongst night,¡± she stated.


    ¡°Ellie, you ungrateful wretch!¡± Litzy cried, raising her hand to p.


    Ellie reacted quickly. She firmly grabbed Litzy¡¯s wrist and shoved her back without hesitation!


    Demi tried to help Litzy but fell onto the sofa along with her.


    ¡°Demi!¡± Cecelia called out anxiously, then turned to Ellie. ¡°How could you do that? I regret taking care of you when you were young!¡± she taunted.


    ¡°Grandma, they started it!¡± Ellie pointed out, feeling both sad and powerless.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m so disappointed in you! Take your clothes and leave! I can¡¯t bear this anymore!¡± Cecelia ordered, grabbing the leather jacket and throwing it on the floor.


    Ellie looked at the furious Cecelia before her. She couldn¡¯t remember thest time she felt any affection or love from her.


    ¡°Ellie! Remember, I¡¯m carrying the Thorpe family¡¯s great-grandchild. If anything happens to me, they won¡¯t let you off so easy!¡± Demi screeched. She nervously patted her stomach and was relieved to find there was no pain.


    Litzy was furious! She ordered the servants, ¡°Catch this ungrateful wretch! Let me see how she leaves this house today!¡±


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    ¡°Enough!¡± Houston mmed his fist on the table. ¡°What is thismotion? If you have nothing more to say, then shut up!¡±


    Ellie looked at Houston in surprise. Could this selfish man be helping her?


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ll walk you out.¡± Houston stood up to escort her out.


    ¡°Grandma, take care of yourself,¡± Ellie said, bowing to Cecelia, only to find that the older woman had turned her face away.


    Cecelia was ignoring her.


    Ellie¡¯s heart constricted, and she left without engaging in further conversation.


    ¡°Mom, does dad not like me?¡± Demi asked Litzy with a wounded expression.


    Deep down, she already knew the answer.


    Having struggled in the entertainment industry for years, she had figured out that Houston was trying to win Ellie over.


    ¡°My dear daughter, don¡¯t overthink it. I¡¯m here for you!¡± Litzyforted Demi, stroking her head.


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    Demi was her only child, and she would ensure only the best for her.


    ¡°Mom, should I go to the hospital for a check-up? I¡¯m worried that the fall might have hurt the baby,¡± Demi asked in concern. She thought it was better to be safe than sorry.


    ¡°No need to go to the hospital; it will be fine,¡± Litzy said confidently.


    ¡°Huh? Why?¡± Demi asked, surprised by the conviction in Litzy¡¯s voice. Litzy nced at Demi¡¯s stomach.


    She was sure nothing would happen to the baby because there was no baby inside Demi¡¯s stomach!


    The fake pregnancy was just a temporary measure to cate Demi and ensure that the Thorpe family wouldn¡¯t throw her out.


    Litzy couldn¡¯t exin the reason behind her assurance, and luckily, Demi decided not to pursue the conversation further.


    Demi stroked her t belly contentedly, waiting for the baby bump to appear in two months.


    Litzy¡¯s gaze grew darker and more sinister as she watched Ellie¡¯s departing figure.


    She had been racking her brain about how to resolve the issue of Demi¡¯s fake pregnancy. Ellie¡¯s push had given her an idea!


    Once outside, Houston said gently, ¡°Ellie, you were indeed wrong in this matter, but I¡¯m willing to help you. As your father, I care about you.¡±


    Ellie sneered inwardly.


    Such bullshit! She wasn¡¯t wrong.


    Obviously, he was not trying to help her. Instead, he was probably waiting for her to get attacked so that he could swoop in and y the hero!


    ¡°I heard Kaiden¡¯s legs have healed,¡± Houston changed the subject, revealing his real intention. ¡°That¡¯s good news! We should have a family reunion dinner sometime.¡±


    Now Ellie saw through it all. Houston was showing concern just to curry favor with Kaiden!


    ¡°I will leave; you can head back from here,¡± Ellie interrupted Houston abruptly.


    Fresh chapters live g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í????s


    She had naively believed that Houston was the only person in that family who might still have some affection for her.


    It turned out to be a joke!


    She suddenly felt all her strength drain away.


    After walking away from the vi and ensuring the Gordons couldn¡¯t see her anymore, she squatted on the curb, hugging her knees, and rested her chin on her arms.


    Her eyshes trembled like the wings of a butterfly; her heart was so weary it felt like it was breaking into two. Something had changed irrevocably today.


    They could never take back the hurtful words.


    Ellie felt utterly alone in the world, abandoned first by her lover and then by her family.


    Her heart ached with every breath, each one filled with pain.


    If it started to rain right now, she would be like the mistreated heroine in a movie!


    After God knows how long, Ellie inadvertently lifted her eyes a little and noticed a wheelchair in her peripheral vision.


    A pair of distinctly masculine feet werefortably positioned on the footrest of the wheelchair.


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    Ellie¡¯s heart leaped, and she abruptly looked up.


    Her beautiful eyes sparkled with uncontained excitement as she lifted her gaze.


    However, as she saw the person before her, her expression chilled. The initial joy dimmed rapidly, settling into aposed demeanor.


    The man in front of her was not Kaiden.


    The young man looked somewhat pale and tired, yet undeniably handsome. He had an air of grace and elegance, with a notably sharp nose that seemed to soften his features while hinting at a hidden intensity.


    He resembled a predator lying in wait.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but notice his style.


    He was dressed in a custom-made suit, his cuffs adorned with ck gemstone cufflinks and an exquisite nket draped over his knees. Intriguingly, he wore a strand of small, red sandalwood beads on his left wrist instead of a watch.


    His taste was refined and sophisticated.


    ¡°Miss, do you need any assistance?¡± the man asked gently.


    ¡°Oh? No, thank you.¡± Ellie managed a smile, swiftly pushing aside her negative feelings.


    Realizing her squatting might appear rather forlorn, she slowly stood up.


    But her legs, having been numb from squatting, almost gave way beneath her.


    The man swiftly extended his hand, steadying her arm with a grip that didn¡¯t resemble a patient, showcasing his strength and reflexes.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Ellie expressed her gratitude, regaining her footing and stepping back a little.


    ¡°Are your legs¡­ injured? It¡¯s quite a coincidence; my husband also uses a wheelchair.¡±


    The man casually yed with the beads on his wrist.


    His lips curled into a slight smile, but his eyescked real happiness.


    He noted Ellie¡¯s quick mention of her husband.


    L?t??t ?h¦Ápt?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.????m


    ¡°My legs are alright; it¡¯s my heart that¡¯s weak. I need to limit my physical activity,¡± he exined, his tone softening. ¡°Could you show me the way out? I haven¡¯t visited this vi in a long time and seem to have lost my way.¡±


    To strengthen his credibility, he gestured toward a nearby vi, asserting it belonged to him.


    Ellie remembered that particr vi had been empty for years. ¡°I¡¯m on my way out myself; you¡¯re wee to join me,¡± Ellie suggested.


    The man smiled in appreciation and began to follow her in his wheelchair.


    ¡°You looked troubled earlier. Something wrong? Oh, I¡¯m Kristopher Wright, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Wright. I¡¯m a Gordon,¡± Ellie replied, skirting around his question.


    As Ellie turned away, Kristopher¡¯s gaze shifted coldly toward the Gordons¡¯ house.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, aren¡¯t you going to tell me your first name?¡± His demeanor remained casual, disarming in its nonchnce.


    Ellie gave a resigned smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s Ellie. Ellie Gordon.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, that¡¯s a lovely name,¡± Kristopherplimented.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wright. You have a nice name, too,¡± Ellie returned thepliment.


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    ¡°Really?¡± Kristopher¡¯s eyes deepened as he looked at her. ¡°I once met a lovely girl who alsoplimented my name.¡±


    His words were filled with tenderness, yet somehow, they were tinged with a hint of sadness.


    After exiting the vi neighborhood, they went their separate ways.


    Ellie only thought of something after getting into her car. Kristopher seemed lost. Why hadn¡¯t he just called property management for help? Maybe he had forgotten about this option.


    The moment Ellie was out of sight, Kristopher¡¯s pleasant demeanor disappeared.


    Looking even paler, he sat motionless in his wheelchair, drawing the guards¡¯ attention. But they dared not approach him.


    Kristopher took out his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Cecelia, did you think I would not survive the surgery? Is that why you didn¡¯t take good care of her for me, huh?¡±


    His voice resembled an eerie tolling bell from the underworld.


    ¡°Cecelia, are you tired of living?¡±


    Kaiden felt numb after a long day and night of work.


    But as he wrapped up, thoughts of Ellie flooded his mind.


    Her grace, charm, elegance, and yfulness¡­


    And especially the look of resistance and disappointment in her eyes the previous night.


    A dull ache spread through Kaiden¡¯s heart.


    That¡¯s when Jerome called him.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯ve got to ask! Was it your wife ying the violin at the banquetst night?¡± Jerome asked, prompted by Gerardo¡¯s curiosity.


    Being in the entertainment industry, he knew the talents and interests of the wealthy families. After ruling out other skilled violinists from the event, he figured it must have been Ellie.


    L??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ?@ln?¦Í¨ºl?.¡é??


    ¡°Yes, it was her.¡±


    Jerome sensed Kaiden¡¯s sour mood and carefully asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is something bothering you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kaiden responded quickly, dismissing the notion.


    Jerome was left at a loss for words. That tone Kaiden used wasn¡¯t fooling anyone.


    ¡°Should I just hang up then?¡± Jerome said.


    Without any dy, Kaiden ended the call.


    Jerome stood there, speechless. Talk about being cold-hearted!


    After some contemtion, Jerome contacted Bruce to get to the bottom of the situation.


    Bruce, who was usually very precise and calm, sounded drained. ¡°Mr. Howell, we¡¯ve been in a meeting since elevenst night and haven¡¯t slept since.¡±


    Jerome was stunned. That¡¯s incredibly harsh!


    He suddenly felt grateful for his more lenient boss.


    ¡°So what¡¯s up with Kaiden?¡± he inquired.


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    Bruce pondered aloud, saying, ¡°Maybe¡­ he argued with his wife? Marriage is such a burden. Kaiden would never have acted so impulsively before marriage,shing out at work and his staff!¡±


    Jerome thought it over. That didn¡¯t seem right.


    Everything at the banquetst night had seemed fine. The topics in their social circle were ¡°Kaiden standing up for Ellie¡± and ¡°Kaiden protecting Ellie.¡± Those who previously saw Ellie as just a fling were starting to respect her, especially afterst night.


    Several wealthy families were even encouraging their children to reconnect with Ellie.


    How could Ellie and Kaiden have had a dispute right after that event?


    Finally, at five in the afternoon, the workday concluded.


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t stay at the office any longer and returned to Moon Manor.


    The executives heaved a sigh of relief, feeling like they had just dodged a bullet.


    Finally, no more unexpectedte hours!


    ¡°Where¡¯s my wife?¡± Kaiden reached the main house, only to discover that Ellie was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°She left early this morning,¡± a servant replied.


    Kaiden settled on the sofa, opening hisptop to work.


    As time ticked away, he was unable to concentrate on his emails.


    He kept his focus firmly fixed on the front door.


    But by eleven o¡¯clock, there was still no sign of Ellie.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression grew increasingly grim.


    Cayson, sensing the tension, discreetly reached out to Ellie.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, are you caught up with work today? When will you return? I can send someone to pick you up.¡±


    Ellie had picked up a takeaway and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Cayson, it slipped my mind to inform you. I¡¯ll be staying out for a bit longer.¡±


    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .


    ¡°What? Staying out?¡± Cayson was taken aback, as if struck by a bolt of lightning.


    Kaiden was already seething with frustration. Adding fuel to the fire, Ellie decided not toe home!


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m back at Critport University. I¡¯ll be here for a bit due to certain arrangements, and it¡¯s quite secure here,¡± Ellie exined. She realized she couldn¡¯t conceal her location from Kaiden¡¯s probing, so she opted for honesty.


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    Cayson, at a loss, nheless updated Kaiden. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I just spoke with Mrs. Thorpe and¡­¡±


    ¡°Who told you to call her?¡± Kaiden interjected sharply.


    Familiar with Kaiden¡¯s disposition, Cayson reported, ¡°She¡¯s at Critport University, staying on campus for now.¡±


    Kaiden rose quickly, his jaw clenched, his gaze on Cayson intense.


    Cayson maintained hisposure. He anticipated that Kaiden would react this way, even though Kaiden refused to acknowledge his concern for Ellie.


    Without another word, Kaiden picked up a set of car keys and left.


    Critport University, recognizing Ellie¡¯s contribution of unpaid lectures, arranged excellent amodations for her.


    It was a suite in the alumni guesthouse, ideal for one.


    But now, Baylee was there too, in the living room.


    ¡°Has Kaiden contacted you?¡± Baylee inquired, unpacking takeout on the sofa.


    She missed the mention of ¡°Cayson.¡±


    ¡°No, the butler from the manor called,¡± Ellie answered, joining Baylee. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s alright for you to be here alone? What about Marvin?¡± Baylee, about to enjoy some barbecue, paused and sighed.


    After a moment, she gazed skyward.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about him right now.¡± Her head throbbed at the thought of Marvin. She had slipped away to Ellie¡¯s without telling Marvin, needing some space from him.


    Sensing something amiss, Baylee asked, ¡°Ellie, did you have a dispute with Kaiden? Why else would a married woman stay alone in a university dorm?¡±


    Ellie hesitated before sighing in response.


    Baylee raised her hand, signaling her understanding. ¡°Got it, no talking about him. Tonight¡¯s for us girls only, no bothersome men!¡±


    Ellie nodded, tapping her milk tea against Baylee¡¯s wine ss in agreement.


    Stay updated g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    Baylee settled in the living room, wine in hand, while Ellie, with a lecture to prepare, retreated to her room.


    Finishing her work past midnight, she noticed Baylee hadn¡¯t returned to the room. Concerned, Ellie went to the living room, finding it empty except for a half-empty wine ss.


    ¡°Baylee?¡± she called, finding no response. Baylee¡¯s phone rang unanswered on the sofa.


    Worried, Ellie hurried outside, her heart pounding.


    The university¡¯s dormitory areay silent in the night¡¯s embrace. Ellie walked a short distance, then froze under the re of a streetmp.


    A tall man was pinning a woman against themp post, their kiss intense and iming.


    The man¡¯s posture radiated possessiveness.


    The woman was dressed in a maroon coat. His fingers tucked her curly hair behind her ear, revealing her face. It was Baylee!


    Ellie gasped, her hand covering her mouth.


    The man, holding Baylee¡¯s face closely, was suddenly met with a sharp p.


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    The sound shattered the night¡¯s quiet.


    With that, the man¡¯s head was tilted to the side.


    Ellie recognized him ¡ª it was Marvin!


    Marvin, here in the dead of night, kissed Baylee against her will?


    Torn between leaving them or staying to help Baylee, Ellie hesitated.


    Baylee, sensing someone there, looked over.


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡±


    Baylee¡¯s expression was a mix of confusion and vulnerability. Marvin, turning to face Ellie, had a dark look in his eyes, still burning with desire. His nce at Ellie, the intruder, carried a hint of hostility. Ellie stepped forward.


    ¡°Baylee, you weren¡¯t in the living room, and your phone was on the sofa. I got worried and came looking.¡±


    Marvin reacted by tightening his hold on Baylee, almost as if to assert his im.


    Baylee, struggling, pushed against him but was drawn in even closer. ¡°Marvin, release me now!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Hill, please understand that sexual harassment is a crime,¡± Ellie said firmly, standing before them. ¡°You need to let Baylee go.¡±


    Marvin¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°I recently ran into Mr. Rollins. If you don¡¯t release her, I will call him immediately,¡± Ellie dered.


    ¡°Do you think Quincy can intimidate me?¡± Marvin replied nonchntly.


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not about intimidation. But if Baylee is troubled, I¡¯ll ensure you face the consequences.¡±


    Baylee, with effort, managed to loosen Marvin¡¯s grip.


    Though healthier now, Baylee¡¯s childhood frailty still made her appear delicate, and it seemed wrong to use force against her.


    She hissed, ¡°Marvin, are you in your right mind? If so, please leave. If not, I¡¯ll have Marceloe for you.¡±


    Marvin¡¯s gaze lingered on Baylee, wordless, seemingly using her of abandoning him tonight.


    His behavior had been erratic over the past month, often disying a sense of grievance towards Baylee as if she were the one who put him in that situation.


    It was hard to reconcile this side of Marvin with the decisive, ruthless heir of the Hill family. He seemed more like a dejected wolfhound.


    ¡°Baylee, are you avoiding me?¡± Marvin inquired.


    ¡°Marvin, please go home.¡±


    ¡°We really should suggest the university secure the dormitory area gates,¡± Ellie remarked as she walked back with Baylee. ¡°Leaving them open at night could invite unwanted intruders.¡±


    Baylee had already messaged Marcelo to fetch Marvin. His behavior was his own responsibility.


    ¡°Ellie, won¡¯t you ask about Marvin and me?¡±


    ¡°If you feel like sharing, you will,¡± Ellie replied.


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    As a supportive friend, she chose not to pry into Baylee¡¯s personal affairs.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Pondering Marvin¡¯s actions, Ellie posed a question. ¡°Is he really alright mentally?¡±


    His reactions, especially when Quincy was mentioned, seemed too lucid for someone who was not in his right mind.


    Yet, if he were well, he wouldn¡¯t have acquiesced to Baylee so readily.


    ¡°I¡¯m not certain,¡± Baylee admitted. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time he¡¯s kissed me like that.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback. This was indeed a big revtion.


    Baylee, visibly frustrated, continued, ¡°I assumed his actions were due to his mental state, so I didn¡¯t confront him, but¡­¡±


    ¡°But what?¡± Ellie sensed there was more.


    ¡°The other day, he walked in on me showering, and well¡­ he got a boner.¡±


    ¡°Marvin¡­ he got a boner?!¡± Ellie stopped short and turned to look at Baylee, utterly dumbfounded. ¡°It seems unusual that he kissed you like that. No, actually, think about it. Have you ever heard of a mentally challenged person just randomly kissing someone?¡±


    Baylee quickly locked the door behind them. Now that Ellie mentioned it, she realized just how gullible she had been.


    She had always considered Marvin as her savior. After his so-called breakdown and subsequent show of weakness, she had foolishly lowered her guard around him.


    ¡°Do you think Marvin¡­ Do you think he fancies you?¡± Ellie voiced out her spections.


    ¡°Do you think Mr. Hill is capable of such emotions?¡± Baylee countered.


    Ellie fell silent at that.


    The family dynamics of the Hills were just as intricate as those of the Thorpes, with Marvin possibly being in an even tougher spot than Kaiden.


    The current patriarch of the Hill family was Marvin¡¯s grandfather, Shelton Hill.


    Shelton had three wives and numerous children with each, leading to even more offspring in the generations that followed. One of his grandchildren was Quincy.


    Keep reading g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    The grandchildren had always vied for Shelton¡¯s attention even as kids, and now, thepetition was even more fierce with the family wealth and business on the line.


    It wasn¡¯t just the grandchildren, though¡ªeven members of the extended family were also trying to secure their ces in the power struggle.


    Marvin¡¯s parents had died early, a misfortune that left him in a very vulnerable position. He grew up in istion,pletely ignored by Shelton, and practically nonexistent to the rest of the Hill family. That was, until he became an adult.


    Using his unbearably good looks, he employed devious tactics to wheedle his way to the center of the family, eventually earning everyone¡¯s fear.


    After his unexpected rise in power, many of his rtives tried to curry favor with him by offering him both women and men.


    But Marvin remained unmoved by their efforts. He was focused solely on obtaining absolute power and eliminating his enemies. He wasn¡¯t interested in romance. Or so everyone thought. After all, how could someone so ruthless have the space for such things?


    ¡°Marvin¡¯s connection with the Rollins family runs deep,¡± Baylee said. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything to do with them, nor do I want to get involved in the Hill family¡¯s internal feuds. I¡¯ll persuade Marcelo to take him away once and for all. Can I stay with you for a few days, just until Marvin is gone?¡±


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    At the end of the day, it all boiled down to the fact that Marvin was a dangerous man.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Ellie nodded.


    University campuses were typically secure, and students were bustling to and fro at every hour of the day. It was a considerably safer environment than most private residences. This was also why Ellie had initially requested to stay in the university dormitories.


    Baylee and Ellie soon disappeared into the dormitory building. Marvin¡¯s expression turned cold. Instead of heading to the university¡¯s main gates, he turned in a different direction.


    Shrouded in the darkness of the night, a Pagani was parked in the corner of the street, unlit by anymppost. Marvin knocked on the driver¡¯s side window of the car, and the window slowly rolled down.


    ¡°Done pretending?¡± Kaiden quipped.


    Marvin scoffed and rolled his eyes. ¡°And you? You¡¯re not pretending to be disabled anymore, are you? Besides, I wasn¡¯tpletely pretending.¡±


    Kaiden nodded in acquiescence before peering at Marvin. ¡°To think that you went so far as to hire a hypnotist to alter your memory and make your act all the more convincing¡­ All for a woman? The Hill family is doomed.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s words did not surprise Marvin. If anyone could run a thorough investigation, it would be Kaiden.


    Marvin had indeed considered pretending at first, but Baylee was a sharp and intelligent woman. If he went that route, he would be risking discovery in the first few days. On the other hand, the effects of hypnotism did notst forever; they would diminish over time. Case in point, the effects wore off tonight.


    Technically speaking, he had never put up an act in front of Baylee. He just adopted a few cunning tactics.


    ¡°Why is our Mr. Thorpe so cranky?¡± Marvin teased. ¡°Did your woman dump you or something?¡±


    Kaiden narrowed his eyes. ¡°Ellie and I are legally married.¡±


    There was no such thing as getting dumped when they were legally bound to each other.


    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???


    Kaiden gave Marvin a sideways nce and raised an eyebrow sardonically, as if to say that someone like him, who resorted to such trickery, would never understand the sanctity of marriage.


    Marvin understood the unspoken message perfectly, and he scoffed in indignation. This annoying bastard!


    Kaiden lit a cigarette and took a drag. Marvin was still there. Perhaps it was sympathy, or maybe boredom, but Kaiden offered him a stick.


    Marvin promptly declined, saying, ¡°Baylee doesn¡¯t like the smell of smoke.¡±


    ¡°As if you can even meet with her tonight,¡± Kaiden mocked.


    Marvin made a face but ultimately epted the cigarette. ¡°You¡¯re one to talk,¡± he retorted. ¡°Aren¡¯t we in the same boat?¡±


    That night, Baylee had a dream.


    In it, she was living in arge t located in the city center. Although spacious, the unit only had one bedroom, with the other two rooms converted into a study and a collection room.


    Marvin was there, too, sleeping on her living room sofa for the time being.


    In the dream, Baylee was sleeping peacefully in her bedroom when the locked door suddenly swung open from the outside. A tall and imposing man walked in and sat on the side of her bed, silently staring at her.


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    She couldn¡¯t see his face clearly, but she felt an overwhelming sense of fear, like prey being cornered by wild beasts.


    The man then held her hand. Baylee wanted to struggle and break away, but she couldn¡¯t even open her eyes.


    Then he began to gently stroke her face. Once again, she tried to roll over and avoid his touch, but she still couldn¡¯t move.


    The next thing she knew, the man was kissing her passionately. The kiss felt familiar somehow, and the first thing that popped into her mind was Marvin¡¯s face.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± Baylee jolted awake, her eyes wide open, her heart racing.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Baylee?¡± Ellie asked groggily after waking up from he scream.


    ¡°Nothing. Nothing, I just had a nightmare. It¡¯s that dream again,¡± Baylee murmured the words, still in a daze from the implications of that cursed dream.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared,¡± Ellieforted her in her state of half-sleep. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Baylee got up to drink some water. She needed a drink to calm her nerves.


    She suddenly recalled the first time Marvin had stayed over. He had insisted that she drink a ss of milk every night, iming it would help her sleep better. She hadplied then, not wanting to argue with a sick man.


    Baylee eventually got tired of it about a week ago. As a result, she discreetly poured half of the milk Marvin had prepared for her down the sink.


    The dreams started around then.


    And they never stopped since, like some ghostly vision that constantly haunted her.


    A chilling thought crossed Baylee¡¯s mind.


    What if something was added to the milk?


    What if Marvin had drugged her?


    But for what purpose?


    Baylee was certain that she had never woken up with any physical difort, nor had she found any marks on her skin. Marvin couldn¡¯t have done anything to her in her sleep. So, why?


    The newest releases are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    When Ellie woke up the next morning, she found Baylee staring at a ss on the coffee table.


    ¡°Baylee, what are you looking at?¡± Ellie walked over and sniffed the ss. It was just milk. ¡°You look pale. Are you still thinking about your nightmare?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± If she were being honest, Baylee was afraid that she had just stumbled upon an even bigger nightmare, one with real-life implications.


    Ellie sat beside her and hugged her. ¡°It¡¯s all right. I¡¯m with you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The pair freshened up and went to the cafeteria to get breakfast.


    Before leaving, Baylee made a point of pouring all the milk down the toilet.


    The university cafeteria was buzzing during lunchtime.


    Ellie and Baylee picked out their food and settled down in a quiet spot.


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    Before long, other students started sitting nearby.


    ¡°Did you catch a glimpse of that amazing Pagani by the south gate?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m over at the west gate, so I missed it. But did you hear about the two good-looking guys?¡±


    ¡°Really? I only heard about the car. I don¡¯t know which guy from our school has it, but I¡¯d call him ¡®daddy¡¯ just for a chance to see it up close!¡±


    Ellie and Baylee, both having graduated, exchanged smiles, thinking back on their own college experiences.


    At a different table, the chatter was even livelier.


    ¡°I was up all night, stepped out to the balcony for some air, and saw two incredibly good-looking guys!¡±


    ¡°Where were they? Do you have a picture? Let¡¯s see it!¡±


    ¡°No pictures! They were by the alumni guesthouse and the graduate dorms. When I headed out this morning, they were still there, as if they hadn¡¯t moved all night. You should check it out after this!¡±


    Ellie and Baylee¡¯s smiles turned to frozen expressions.


    The alumni guesthouse¡­


    Wasn¡¯t that their current address?


    ¡°Could it possibly be Marvin?¡± Ellie questioned, her voiceced with unease.


    Baylee responded with a shake of her head. ¡°They mentioned two people. Marcelo isn¡¯t bad to look at, but he¡¯s no match for Marvin.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s Kaiden?¡± Baylee thought.


    Ellie dismissed the idea with a shake of her head. ¡°Kaiden¡¯s usually too busy for that.¡±


    She remembered their recent argument, causing a sharp, squeezing pain in her heart.


    It had been over a day since shest spoke to Kaiden.


    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m


    ¡°I¡¯ll go check it out when I return,¡± Baylee remarked, concerned about Marvin.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ellie nodded.


    After finishing her meal, she left to deliver her lecture.


    Back at the alumni guesthouse, Baylee actually saw Marvin.


    He was subtly hiding behind a tree, almost invisible unless specifically searched for.


    The Pagani that the students had talked about was not in sight.


    Marvin spotted Baylee from a distance, their eyes meeting in a tranquil exchange.


    Without showing any emotion, Baylee walked towards him.


    She gazed at him silently.


    Marvin looked back at her evenly, showing no regret for not following her instructions.


    Then he broke the silence.


    ¡°I skipped breakfast.¡±


    Baylee was at a loss for words.


    Noticing Marvin was still in the clothes from the day before, Baylee let out a sigh.


    ¡°Have you been here all night?¡±


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 Chapter 468

    ?Chapter 468:


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I ask you to go home?¡± Baylee¡¯s tone softened, a habit she¡¯d developed over thest month. ¡°Go home. I¡¯ll be here for a few days.¡±


    ¡°How many days, exactly?¡± Marvin¡¯s question was pointed.


    Baylee¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Marvin, you can¡¯t keep following me. You have your own path, and I have my life.¡±


    But for Marvin, wasn¡¯t she the path he chose?


    His gaze intensified.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I be with you always? Baylee, do you not like me?¡±


    What a surprise!


    Marvin, usually so strong and unyielding, now asked Baylee if she disliked him, resembling a proud but affectionate dog¡­ Baylee was taken aback by his straightforward question.


    Would someone like him really sneak into her room at night?


    Or was it just a fleeting dream, spurred by his kisses?


    ¡°Marvin, I appreciate you saving me, but¡­¡± Baylee paused, searching for the right words. ¡°You know, it¡¯s usually just family or romantic partners who live together. And you can¡¯t just go around kissing me as you please. Surely, you¡¯re aware of this, right?¡±


    ¡°Would you rather have me as your spouse or partner?¡± Marvin asked. The memory of Kaiden¡¯s taunt fromst night echoed in his mind.


    Firmly holding Baylee¡¯s hand, he dered, ¡°I¡¯m going to marry you, Baylee.¡±


    Baylee stood there, speechless.


    The sight of a charming, confident man proposing is something many dream of.


    Since she was young, Baylee had imagined a man sincerely asking her, ¡°Baylee, will you marry me?¡±


    But the man she pictured wasn¡¯t Marvin.


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    Acting on impulse, Baylee questioned, ¡°Marvin, do you like me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I like you,¡± Marvin responded without a second thought.


    Baylee¡¯s heart fluttered.


    She had heard the word ¡°like¡± numerous times.


    But it always ended up meaning nothing.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, gently removing Marvin¡¯s hand. ¡°Marvin, since you¡¯ve recovered, you¡¯ve be overly reliant on me. This ¡®liking¡¯ you¡¯re feeling, it¡¯s just your mind ying tricks. I can¡¯t ept that.¡±


    Marvin frowned, clearly unhappy.


    She doubted his words.


    ¡°Do you have feelings for someone else?¡± he spected.


    It seemed clear to him who this other person might be.


    ¡°No,¡± she replied firmly. Speaking of Quincy, Baylee remainedposed. ¡°Quincy¡¯s with Aphrodite now. He and I are nothing more than acquaintances.¡±


    As Baylee looked at Marvin, she felt a sense of liberation from her past ties with Quincy.


    For two years, she had seemed indifferent, yet she carried deep-seated emotions about their history.


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 Chapter 469

    ?Chapter 469:


    Her love for Quincy was real, but it ended in her family¡¯s downfall and her father¡¯s death.


    Hearing Marvin talk about marriage now struck her as somewhat ironic.


    Baylee understood that the promises made in youth don¡¯t always hold.


    True.


    Love and marriage could not be as valuable as they appeared, just like Marvin confidently proposing and professing his love.


    Baylee gave a small smile. ¡°Marvin, be careful with your words. Don¡¯t tell women you like them so easily, and certainly don¡¯t rush into promises of marriage. It can cause confusion.¡±


    Marvin¡¯s hand tensed behind him, out of Baylee¡¯s sight.


    ¡°By the way, was there a Pagani herest night?¡± Baylee asked with a hint of intent.


    Marvin, visibly irritated, hesitated at first.


    Then, he reluctantly admitted, ¡°Kaiden was here.¡±


    Baylee was taken aback. It was really Kaiden¡­


    Who would¡¯ve guessed that the ¡°two handsome guys¡± students were talking about were Marvin and Kaiden!


    Kaiden had left a little while ago, heading for the airport.


    He¡¯d been parked in the airport lot for about ten minutes when a man opened the passenger door.


    This man was stylishly dressed, with gold-rimmed sses, exuding a blend of elegance and subtlety.


    He beamed, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s a privilege to be picked up by you after my trip abroad!¡±


    ¡°Enough with thepliments,¡± Kaiden replied impatiently.


    Levy Sanders gave a smallugh and handed Kaiden a brown paper bag.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the information you requested.¡±


    ¡°About Ellie¡¯s background? Already?¡± Kaiden was surprised. He quickly opened the file, his anticipation evident. He¡¯d been eagerly waiting for this!


    ¡°No,¡± Levy responded to Kaiden. ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t found any information on your wife, but I did discover something about Cecelia.¡±


    Kaiden squinted, delving into the file¡¯s contents with a furrowed brow. Levy exined, ¡°Someone has been secretly reaching out to Cecelia, providing her with money, for the past fifteen years. Kaiden, take a look at page three. At seven, Ellie, battered by Litzy, fell seriously ill. Cecelia, her savior, whisked her away to a private hospital in the dead of night. Oddly, no medical expenses surfaced in Cecelia¡¯s records. Ellie¡¯s primary doctor, usually reserved for intricate cases, made an exception. Furthermore, the scar removal medicine used was nowhere to be found in the country at that time, making it a seemingly impossible acquisition for Cecelia.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, Levy dered, ¡°And this is just the tip of the suspicious iceberg.¡±


    Kaiden swiftly perused the information, aligning with Levy¡¯s conclusions.


    ¡°Cecelia¡¯s got a benefactor,¡± Kaiden mused. ¡°Any luck tracing the mysterious contact?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, but the search is ongoing,¡± Levy assured him.


    Kaidenpleted reading the file, yet his gaze lingered on specific words printed on the paper, lost in contemtion.


    At seven, battered by Litzy, Ellie endured a feverish hospitalization.


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 Chapter 470

    Chapter 470:


    At nine, she was made to kneel on cobblestones for the entire night as punishment for not taking good care of her brother. Following that, she struggled to walk for three days.


    Back then, she clinched over a hundred grand in variouspetitions, only to find Houston¡¯s pocket as the final destination for her winnings. At ten, caught in a torrential downpour just outside her door, she sumbed to a high fever.


    At eleven, she was unable to attend the exam due to illness and experienced mistreatment from Litzy.


    At fourteen, she won the international golden prize in a teen violinpetition, only to bepelled to abandon the violin the same year.


    Kaiden had always been aware that Ellie¡¯s childhood was challenging, but it was only after reading these words that he trulyprehended the full extent of her hardship.


    Aching with a longing to see her, his heart stirred.


    The desire to embrace her and bestow on her the love and care she¡¯d missed out on consumed him.


    Ellie found herself leading a ss on ¡°Image Design and Aesthetics¡± for junior students in her field as an elective.


    Every seat in the ssroom was imed.


    Surprisingly, even the typically vacant front row was brimming with eager students.


    ¡°Did I walk into the wrong ssroom?¡± Ellie wondered, stepping out to verify the room number. ¡°No, it¡¯s correct. I recall the course having a limit of 30 students.¡±


    ¡°Ellie! We didn¡¯t secure a spot in the course, so we¡¯re auditing!¡± eximed a student in the first row.


    Another chimed in, ¡°Hey, Ellie, why does this room, with 60 seats, only offer 30 spots?¡±


    Ellie casually shrugged. ¡°Maybe they figure it¡¯s easier to grade 30 assignments instead of 60?¡±


    Laughter erupted. ¡°Hahaha! No need to be that realistic.¡±


    Her frankness sparkedughter among the students, creating a lighthearted atmosphere and fostering a connection.


    Read exclusive stories .c©–m


    Making her way to the podium, Ellie¡¯s eyes caught a stunning arrangement of sunflowers, tulips, white roses, and eucalyptus leaves.


    ¡°Ellie, that bouquet is a gift from Howard of the Student Union!¡± a male student called out.


    Ellie hesitated, her hand suspended in mid-air, reluctant to touch the bouquet, caught in a moment of indecision.


    ¡°Cut it out! How dare you tease Ellie!¡± scolded a female student, yfully pping the male student. ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t pay attention to his nonsense. Howard has prepared that bouquet as a gesture from all of us students for you!¡±


    It was only then that Ellie¡¯s smile bloomed, expressing gratitude to her juniors with a heartfelt turn.


    Her gaze casually swept over the gathered students,ing to an abrupt stop.


    In the corner of the front row, a girl with tidy bangs sat, radiating charm with her delicate features.


    Unlike her peers, who were equipped with notebooks and pens, her desk remained bare. Her round, doe-like eyes sparkled with mischief. In stark contrast to her studious peers, she stood out amidst their serious endeavors.


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    .<hr>


    Message from Noa: Have a very lovely week, dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. ?(?? ? ? )??


    .

 Chapter 471

    ?Chapter 471:


    The question echoed in Ellie¡¯s mind: What in the world was Susanna doing here?


    Susanna, catching Ellie¡¯s eye, yfully winked, her mischief evident. With ss about tomence, Ellie redirected her gaze and initiated her PowerPoint presentation.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Good morning, everyone! I¡¯m Ellie. I hope the next two weeks will be a delightful journey. Let¡¯s dive into our ss without further dy.¡±


    The Pagani swiftly departed from the airport.


    Navigating a fork in the road, Kaiden abruptly brought the vehicle to a stop.


    ¡°This is your stop. I¡¯ll arrange for someone to pick you up,¡± Kaiden announced.


    In the passenger seat, Levy was taken aback. ¡°Come on, Kaiden. My ce is just a few kilometers south.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t align with my route,¡± Kaiden replied. ¡°I¡¯m heading west.¡± Critport University sat in the city¡¯s west. At this fork, where the vehicle was parked, their paths to separate destinations would diverge.


    Was he merely an afterthought throughout this entire journey? Levy couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Kaiden was abandoning him now that his objectives were met.


    It wasn¡¯t an airport pickup at all; for Kaiden, it was a mission to amass investigative materials!


    Levy motioned with his hand and opened the car door to step out. ¡°I think I¡¯ll grab a taxi on my own!¡±


    Opting for a taxi promised swifter progress than awaiting Kaiden¡¯s pickup arrangement.


    With years of friendship with Levy, formalities weren¡¯t Kaiden¡¯s concern. He turned the steering wheel, veering right toward Critport University.


    Ellie meticulously crafted her ss, seamlessly intertwining professional knowledge with pertinent real-world examples.


    At first, the students fixated on Ellie, the legendary senior, but as time passed, they became enthralled by the substance of her lectures. After three consecutive sses concluded, Ellie intended to find Susanna. However, a nce around the room proved unsessful in locating the young girl.


    Texting Susanna about her whereabouts, Ellie, engrossed in her phone, nearly collided with someone while exiting the ssroom.


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    A figure in a white hoodie caught her eye.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Be careful, Ellie!¡± a familiar male voice chimed in.


    Ellie, looking up, spotted Howard offering a helping hand. Seeing her stability, he quietly retracted his gesture.


    ¡°Mind your step, Ellie. You might stumble while using your phone,¡± Howard said with a warm smile. ¡°I wanted to congratte you this morning, but I had a preliminary defense for my graduation thesis and couldn¡¯t step away.¡±


    ¡°Received your well wishes ahead of time!¡± Ellie responded with a smile, showcasing the sizable bouquet in her left hand.


    Just as she was about to speak, she sensed an intense gaze on her.


    In the corridor¡¯s distant end by the staircase, a man in a shirt and trousers held a phone to his ear. His gaze was fixed on her, devoid of expression and with a paleplexion.


    His presence wasmanding, casting such a weighty atmosphere that the few students who noticed him refrained from taking a second nce.


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 Chapter 472

    ?Chapter 472:


    What brought Kaiden to this ce?


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s attempt to speak was cut short as the man turned, briskly retreating from her view.


    His retreating figure radiated a callous indifference, swiftly vanishing from her sight.


    A realization struck Ellie¡ªshe and Kaiden had recently engaged in a heated argument, and silence had persisted between them for thest two days. His appearance here couldn¡¯t be about seeking her out. Kaiden had connections with Critport University, so his presence here could be purely coincidental.


    He didn¡¯te to see her.


    Ellie¡¯s fingers involuntarily tightened, her nails piercing into her palm, causing a sharp pain.


    ¡°Is that Mr. Thorpe?¡± Howard inquired.


    He was fairly certain that he wasn¡¯t mistaken, but the man before him was walking on two perfectly healthy legs. It took him by surprise.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ellie responded quietly.


    Hearing the grim nuance in her tone, Howard pondered over their rtionship. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to go and talk to him, Ellie? I think¡­ Mr. Thorpe might have misunderstood something.¡±


    ¡°Misunderstand what?¡± Ellie challenged in a cold voice.


    Howard took a long, thoughtful look at her face and kept his thoughts to himself. The thing was, he was worried that Kaiden might have misunderstood their rtionship. ¡°Did you two have a fight?¡± he ventured.


    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± Ellie smiled bitterly at the idea that her schoolmate would actually care about her rtionship.


    Howard nodded. ¡°It¡¯s normal to fight in a rtionship. You should sit down and talk once you¡¯ve calmed down.¡±


    She cocked her head to the side and peered at him. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re quite experienced in this department, Howard.¡±


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    ¡°No, not at all!¡± Howard rushed to deny, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think! I¡­ I¡¯ve actually never been in love before.¡±


    Silence fell over them as Ellie kept staring at him, waiting for him to say more.


    ¡°I do have feelings for someone,¡± Howard eventually said, with no small amount of reluctance. ¡°Someone I¡¯ve loved in secret all these years.¡±


    If he were so fortunate as to have her, he would definitely never make her sad.


    Howard nced awkwardly at Ellie. He could tell from her cagey attitude that her recent fight with Kaiden was a serious one.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden had never expected to find Ellie holding a bouquet of flowers that were obviously from Howard. They were evenughing as they talked.


    Kaiden struggled to keep his anger and jealousy in check. It was all he could do not to storm over and pull the two apart from each other.


    ¡°Kaiden, have you left yet?¡± He heard Carole ask over the phone. ¡°Your mother is in pretty bad condition.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on my way,¡± he said curtly as he turned around. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes.¡±


    Something had happened to Brisa, so he had no choice but to leave.


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 Chapter 473

    ?Chapter 473:


    He didn¡¯t hold much affection toward Brisa, but she was still his mother. More importantly, at least for Kaiden, Brisa was someone that his brother had deeply respected and always cared for.


    In a private hospital,


    The floor housing the VIP rooms was walled off from the rest of the building, with bodyguards standing vigil at every turn.


    Some of them were Kaiden¡¯s men, and the rest answered to Jorge. The air crackled with tension as both sides eyed each other warily, ready to spring into action should the situation escte.


    ¡°The patient has a superficial head wound. Her right hand is broken, while her right leg is bruised. She just needs a quiet rest and more sleep.¡± The doctor nced at Brisa, who was still unconscious after the surgery. ¡°However, the patient has been taking neurological drugs for a long time, causing significant damage to her liver. She needs to pay close attention to her health after she recuperates.¡±


    Carole diligently wrote down notes and thanked the doctor repeatedly. She then walked him to the door, polite as ever.


    ¡°Your wife is so beautiful and well-mannered, Mr. Thorpe!¡± the doctormended as he stepped out into the hall.


    Carole¡¯s eyes instantly lit up at his words.


    ¡°She is not my wife,¡± Kaiden said without missing a beat.


    Carole¡¯s pleased expression froze, while the doctor hurriedly apologized with an awkward smile.


    Carole quickly collected herself and pretended like the doctor hadn¡¯t said anything. ¡°Did I bother your work, Kaiden? I panicked when your mom was wheeled into the operating room. I had no idea at the time that it was just to treat a fracture.¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was still curt.


    She had, in fact, bothered him.


    Still, he had chosen toe here, so he couldn¡¯t very well me Carole.


    M¦Òr? ¦Ôpd¦Át?s ¨ªn G¦Áln¦Òv?ls.c¦Òm


    There was a knock on the door, and a secondter, Bruce let himself into the ward.


    ¡°I found it, Mr. Thorpe! Someone tried to kidnap your mother from the sanatorium, and she got hurt when she struggled with her assants.¡±


    Kidnapping?


    That sanatorium belonged to none other than Jorge. Nothing had happened all these years, yet the moment news of Kaiden¡¯s apparent recovery leaked out, someone tried to abduct Brisa. Was Jorge behind this?


    Or was it Talon?


    Or perhaps¡­ Did the two of them join forces?


    Anger flickered in Kaiden¡¯s usually indifferent eyes.


    Beside him, Carole sighed to herself in relief.


    Zoey had told her that Kaiden had been behaving strangely in the past few days. Even today, he hadn¡¯t shown up to thepany meeting, and provided no reason for his absence. Carole thought that he must have had a fight with Ellie, and figured that he had skipped work to see her.


    At first, Carole had to rack her brains for a usible reason to draw Kaiden to her. As luck would have it, an incident urred involving Brisa.


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 Chapter 474

    ?Chapter 474:


    The way she saw it, God was helping her achieve her goals.


    But now that Kaiden was here, she realized that it wasn¡¯t nearly enough for her.


    The lounge of the art school


    ¡°Ah! It¡¯s been months since west saw each other. Ellie is even more beautiful than I remember!¡± Susanna beamed.


    Daniel gave no reaction to her incessant prattling. When she was finally done, he said, ¡°Well, you¡¯ve seen her. Can you go back to Glostin now?¡±


    Susanna batted her eyes at him, her eyshes fluttering like butterfly wings. She started to act cute and coquettish, smiling at him. Daniel didn¡¯t even think twice about palming her face and pushing her away.


    Whenever she gave him that look, she had either caused a mess or was about to ask him for a ridiculous favor.


    Undeterred, Susanna cried out, ¡°Daniel! I want to study at Critport University!¡±


    Just as he had expected, she was making yet another absurd request.


    ¡°Susanna, for goodness¡¯ sake! You just graduated from university. Critport University is a prestigious institution that¡¯s quite challenging to gain admission to as a postgraduate student, you know?¡± The answer to that was, of course, no.


    Susanna pounced on Daniel and nuzzled against his chest, acting like a spoiled child.


    Daniel was over 6 feet tall, while Susanna was only around 5¡¯2. She locked her arms around his waist and held on for dear life.


    Daniel froze, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He nced down at the woman embracing him, feeling his heart pick up its pace. She always resorted to these kinds of methods, with no regard for how it would make the other party feel.


    ¡°Susanna, you need to know right now that Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s rtionship is going well. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re already aware of the previous setup between Kaiden and Carole.¡± Daniel didn¡¯t want her to get involved in other people¡¯s rtionships, whether by intent or by ident.


    ¡°None of that is any of my business. I only want to support Ellie in any way I can!¡± Susanna might have known Carole since childhood, but she never got along with the other woman.


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    Besides, Ellie didn¡¯t really have to stay with that cold Kaiden. Someone had sent her flowers during ss earlier. That meant that she was popr. She had options!


    At the end of the day, wouldn¡¯t it be better for her to be in a rtionship with a younger man?


    ¡°Come on, Daniel! Help me, please? I want to stay here! If you don¡¯t help me, I¡¯ll have no choice but to contact your older brother and sister!¡± This was her trump card.


    Susanna was the only child of a dear but departed family friend. The Lambert family had doted on her, and she knew how to use their affection to her advantage.


    Daniel thought of his eldest brother and already felt an iing headache. He could already picture the man telling Susanna, ¡°I¡¯ll help you if you and Daniel give me a nephew¡­¡±


    ¡°A niece.¡± His sister was no better, either, with her usual mantra of, ¡°If the man is no good, rece him with a better one.¡±


    With a resigned sigh, he said, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll make the necessary arrangements.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Susanna beamed.


    Howard invited Ellie to have lunch with him, but she politely declined. Baylee was waiting for her at their dormitory room. Ellie said goodbye to Howard and was about to turn away when a young girl ran up to her and yelled happily, ¡°Ellie!¡±


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 Chapter 475

    ?Chapter 475:


    Before the girl could eagerly throw herself at Ellie, a handsome man grasped her cor and prevented her from lunging forward.


    As Ellie raised her gaze and looked at the man, she was slightly stunned by his appearance.


    ¡°Daniel, release me, please,¡± Susanna protested, her voice a mixture of annoyance and resistance, as his hand firmly grabbed her cor.


    ¡°You know, onlyrge dogs pounce on people like that. Are you trying to prove a point?¡± Daniel, with an exaggerated gesture, motioned for Susanna to walk with more decorum.


    It had been a lifelong struggle for her¡ªher penchant for reckless running and frequent tumbles, a trait that seemed unchangeable. Once she was free, Susanna¡¯s face lit up, and she sprinted toward Ellie, embracing her warmly and showering her withpliments. ¡°Ellie, your lecture was absolutely incredible!¡±


    Returning the embrace with a smile, Ellie expressed her gratitude, feeling the warmth of Susanna¡¯s words.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, hello, my name¡¯s Daniel Lambert,¡± Daniel introduced himself as he gently lifted Susanna away from Ellie. ¡°I wanted to express my gratitude for looking after Susanna on the set earlier. I apologize for not being able to thank you in person at that time.¡±


    Ellie responded with a warm smile, ¡°Mr. Lambert, you¡¯re too kind.¡± As Ellie gazed at Daniel¡¯s face, she couldn¡¯t shake a strange sense of unease.


    Perhaps it was because he shared a surname with Carole?


    This thought lingered in the back of her mind, causing her to unconsciously distance herself from any feelings of familiarity with him.


    Daniel extended an invitation for Ellie to join him for lunch, but she politely declined.


    After Ellie had left, Susanna regarded Daniel with curiosity.


    ¡°I have a feeling Ellie doesn¡¯t like you,¡± Susanna remarked, her words hanging in the air.


    Daniel was momentarily rendered speechless by Susanna¡¯s observation. The surname ¡°Lambert¡± was going to make it even more challenging to win Ellie¡¯s favor.


    Ellie, with her sharp intellect, likely immediately connected him to Carole. However, Ellie¡¯s professionalism ensured that her reservations didn¡¯t affect her interactions with Susanna, a quality that Daniel admired even more.


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    But there was an unfortunate truth that Daniel had to confront.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t his sister.


    Despite Susanna¡¯sment about Ellie resembling his grandmother, Daniel maintained a facade of indifference while secretly investigating Ellie.


    The initial shock he experienced upon seeing her photo was followed by disappointment.


    The evidence didn¡¯t align with his hopes. His sister, Elsie Lambert, had disappeared in Glostin, yet thorough investigations revealed that Ellie had been born and raised in Critport, a ce thousands of kilometers away from Glostin.


    It was an undeniable fact: Ellie couldn¡¯t be Elsie.


    After grabbing a meal from the cafeteria, Ellie made her way back to the dorm, where she nned to dine with Baylee.


    ¡°Marvin is still downstairs, and many students are watching him,¡± Ellie informed Baylee as she entered their room.


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 Chapter 476

    ?Chapter 476:


    Baylee¡¯s brows furrowed, and she walked over to the window to check on the situation.


    Her gaze settled on a man standing beneath the plum tree in the corner, his unblinking eyes fixed on the exit of the alumni dormitory.


    He seemed like a clumsy hunter, eagerly awaiting his prey.


    Suddenly, as if sensing something, the man below looked up.


    Startled, Baylee quickly stepped back, concealing herself. After a tense moment, she cautiously peered outside again; Marvin had returned to his vigil, seemingly unaware of her presence. Relieved that she hadn¡¯t been spotted, Baylee let out a sigh.


    Little did she know that as soon as she had returned to her room, Marvin once again raised his gaze, his eyes locking onto the balcony where she had just been.


    As night descended, an eerie tension hung in the air.


    Ellie¡¯s phone rang unexpectedly, and the voice on the other end was from the security office.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, we¡¯ve encountered a suspicious individual, who ims to be ¡®Marvin,¡¯ in the dormitory area. He insists on seeing you. Are you familiar with this person?¡±


    A moment of hesitation hung in the air before Ellie finally responded, ¡°Yes, I know him.¡±


    Puzzlement washed over Ellie.


    Why would Marvin be at the security office?


    She rushed to the balcony, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but he had vanished from her sight.


    The voice on the phone continued, ¡°He¡¯s not a member of the faculty and shouldn¡¯t be loitering around the campus. Moreover, his presence is causing quite a distraction for the students, and he refuses to leave despite our efforts. What would you like us to do?¡±


    Understanding the situation, Ellie sighed, feeling apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the trouble. I¡¯ll arrange for his family toe and pick him up.¡± After ending the call, Ellie informed Baylee of the situation and requested her to go to the security office to handle Marvin.


    After all, Baylee was the one Marvin wanted to see.


    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???


    However, Baylee¡¯s reaction was devoid of expression, except for one overwhelming sentiment: incredulity.


    Even within the confines of a university dormitory, she couldn¡¯t escape Marvin¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Should I apany you?¡± Ellie asked, her concern evident in her voice.


    Baylee shook her head with determination. ¡°I can handle it, don¡¯t bother changing clothes just toe out.¡±


    Alone in the dormitory, Ellie decided to turn on a documentary, intending to pass the time while waiting for Baylee¡¯s return.


    Her attention, however, was soon diverted by an unexpected knock on the door.


    ¡°Baylee, did you forget your¡­¡± Ellie began, but the word ¡°stuff¡± caught in her throat.


    She frowned slightly, her gaze fixed on the person standing outside the door.


    Kaiden was still d in his white shirt and suit pants, only draped in a thin coat that carried the chill of the outside air.


    Ellie waited for a few seconds, but Kaiden remained silent, his intense and patient gaze locked onto her.


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 Chapter 477

    ?Chapter 477:


    Unable to endure the silence any longer, Ellie broke the stalemate. ¡°Did you want to talk about something? Mr. Thorpe, are you here to see me because¡­¡±


    ¡°I missed you,¡± Kaiden interrupted, his words hanging in the air.


    Ellie¡¯s previously indifferent expression froze in an instant.


    She stared at Kaiden in utter astonishment, her initial doubt regarding her ears giving way to a feeling of disbelief. The clouds of uncertainty that had lingered in her heart began to disperse uncontrobly, revealing a glimmer of something she hadn¡¯t expected.


    To think that a single sentence could hold such power, swaying her emotions between happiness and sorrow.


    ¡°I came here because I wanted to see you,¡± Kaiden continued, his voice tinged with an undercurrent of restrained emotion.


    He entered her dormitory uninvited, striding in with an imposing presence that emanated a sense of both dominance and danger. Ellie instinctively stepped back, the echo of his ¡°I missed you¡± still ringing in her mind.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was out of his mind.


    Why would he say those affectionate words out of the blue?


    Ellie¡¯s retreat was halted by the wall, leaving her with no escape as Kaiden closed the distance between them in an instant.


    Without giving her a chance to resist, a passionate kiss descended upon her.


    Initially, Kaiden¡¯s anger had been directed towards Howard.


    However, during his time at the hospital, his thoughts had been consumed by the information he had uncovered about Ellie¡¯s childhood. He had an overwhelming desire to see her, to touch her, to assure himself of her safety and find peace within himself.


    As soon as Brisa woke up and her condition stabilized, Kaiden wasted no time and rushed over to Ellie¡¯s location.


    The cool breeze of the spring night wafted in through the door as he gently lifted Ellie off the floor, yfully tossing her upward before catching her by the hips.


    Their lips met in a passionate kiss as he carried her toward the door, whispering her name almost inaudibly.


    Your next story is at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s


    ¡°Ellie¡­ Ellie¡­¡±


    Thank goodness you navigated through your childhood hardships despite all the mistreatment you received from the Gordons.


    With a decisive m, the door shut, isting the inside from the outside.


    Ellie frowned. ¡°But Baylee is still¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you want passersby to see us being intimate?¡± Kaiden teased.


    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s protest was silenced as their lips locked once again. The documentary continued ying in the background, its melodious and joyful music setting the perfect mood for the night.


    Pajamas were the easiest clothes to peel off, and Kaiden seemed quite satisfied as he buried his face in Ellie¡¯s neck, inhaling deeply. The scent of her shower gel was unfamiliar to him, and he found himself preferring the one at home, as it made him feel possessive of her.


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 Chapter 478

    ?Chapter 478:


    He was longing for her toe home.


    As the shoulder strap of her pajamas slid down to her wrist, Ellie finally realized that Kaiden desired more than just a kiss.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡­ you should stop! No¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s words came out in gasps between moments of pleasure, her protests gradually sumbing to the man¡¯s undeniable allure.


    ¡°Just rx! I know what I¡¯m doing!¡± Kaiden assured her, his intentions clear as they embarked on a passionate night together.


    ¡°I meant, not here!¡± Ellie was visibly rattled.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Kaiden countered lightly, pinning her wrists above her head with one hand while his other hand continued what it was doing.


    ¡°Baylee will be here soon¡­¡±


    ¡°No, she won¡¯t,¡± he said with absolute certainty.


    After all, Marvin wouldn¡¯t be letting Baylee go any time soon.


    ¡°But I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You what?¡± Kaiden¡¯s warm breath brushed against Ellie¡¯s cheek, sending a shiver down her spine.


    Having her in his arms again dispelled the dark clouds that had been hanging over his head for thest two days. However, Ellie thought they had yet to resolve their issues. Still, she had been yearning for Kaiden while they were apart, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to ruin this moment between them.


    ¡°I saw you earlier,¡± Ellie said, changing what she had initially wanted to say. Her tone carried a hint of grievance. He hade over, seen her, and then just turned around and left.


    ¡°I saw you too,¡± Kaiden said with a sneer before leaning over to nip at her earlobe. ¡°I saw you¡­ holding a bouquet of flowers from another man. Laughing and talking to him¡­ right in front of me!¡±


    Ellie moved her head to the side and blinked innocently at him. ¡°Those flowers were from the student union.¡±


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    Since Kaiden had taken the initiative to bring Howard up in their conversation, she decided she might as well mention Carole as well. Howard was right¡ªEllie needed to have a proper talk with Kaiden.


    ¡°Want to go to bed?¡± Kaiden asked in between kisses, a rarity for him. He didn¡¯t usually ask for her opinion and would simply do whatever he wanted. He had always been domineering in bed.


    Ellie nodded.


    But Kaiden had barely taken a couple of steps when she suddenly shook her head. ¡°No, not the bed!¡± Baylee still had to sleep in that bedter.


    ¡°Then, the sofa?¡± Kaiden didn¡¯t care either way. His only criticism was that the sofa wasn¡¯t made of genuine leather.


    ¡°No!¡± Ellie replied vehemently.


    What if they left a mark on the sofa? What would the school staff think when they eventually had to clean it?


    Kaiden looked around, frowning when he couldn¡¯t find any other suitable spot. The room was incredibly small, and it irked him immensely.


    .


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 Chapter 479

    ?Chapter 479:


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s just do it standing, then!¡± he said, not totally opposed to the option.


    Ellie was usually against this position. She didn¡¯t like the fact that she would have to cling to him the entire time¡ªit put herpletely at his mercy. She opened her mouth to refuse, but it was toote. Kaiden had already gotten to work.


    Later, when they were both spent and she was drifting in and out of consciousness, she heard him whisper, ¡°Ellie,e home, will you?¡±


    The Security Office


    ¡°Mr. Hill,¡± a guard poked his head through the door and called out. ¡°Your guardian is here.¡±


    Marvin looked up and met Baylee¡¯s gaze. His aloof expression instantly gave way to an aggrieved one. In the blink of an eye, he changed from arge, menacing guard dog to arge, abandoned wet dog.


    Baylee looked around. Marvin was settled on the sofa with a steaming cup of tea in front of him. He seemed to be getting quite the treatment here. She nced at him once and immediately looked away.


    She thanked the security guard and waved Marvin over. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    But Marvin didn¡¯t budge. He just sat there and asked, ¡°Who are you to me? My elders said that I have a bad brain, so I shouldn¡¯t just go with anyone.¡±


    He put up a stubborn front, making it clear he wasn¡¯t leaving with Baylee until she exined herself.


    Needless to say, she was dumbfounded.


    This man¡­ Was he really so shameless that he would im that his brain was faulty? Here, of all ces?


    The security guard hesitated and gave Baylee a wary look.


    By all rights, Marvin appeared to be a brilliant and sessful person, but surely, no normal person would dere that they had mental problems outright. Moreover, no person in their right mind would voluntarily stay in the same ce for an entire day.


    What if he was on the spectrum? Perhaps his genius was part of his autism or something.


    ???? ??????? ?? ?????????.???


    The security guard¡¯s imagination was running wild with possibilities. ¡°Excuse me, miss. What is your rtionship with Mr. Hill? If he doesn¡¯t recognize you, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t let you take him.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief.


    Someone was actually buying the drivel Marvin was spewing? Meanwhile, the esteemed Marvin himself sat back leisurely, waiting for Baylee to answer the guard.


    ¡°I am his sister,¡± she finally said, a wry look on her face.


    That should be enough to allow him to leave with her, right?


    ¡°You are not my sister,¡± Marvin promptly said and shook his head.


    He was calling her a liar!


    Baylee gritted her teeth in anger, restraining the urge to punch Marvin in the face.


    ¡°A good friend,¡± she bit out afterposing herself. ¡°That¡¯s what I meant.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, girlfriend,¡± Marvin corrected as he stood up, seemingly ready to go with Baylee.


    Baylee fumed. Come on! She had said ¡°good friend,¡± not ¡°girlfriend¡±! She opened her mouth to refute him but stopped herself at thest second.


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 Chapter 480

    ?Chapter 480:


    ¡°What?¡± the security guard cried out in surprise. What were these two ying at?


    ¡°Since you two obviously know each other, just go,¡± he said, waving them to the door. He was done with their shenanigans.


    The moment they were out of the office, Baylee whipped around and said, ¡°I am not your girlfriend, Marvin.¡±


    Disappointment flickered briefly in his eyes. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Not now, anyway. The fact that she hadn¡¯t denied it back in the security office would have to be enough for now. Marvin felt giddy just remembering it.


    Giddy just remembering it, Baylee said as she led him toward the campus¡¯ main gate, ¡°I¡¯ll call Marcelo and have him pick you up.¡±


    ¡°Marcelo would never listen to you without my permission,¡± Marvin pointed out nonchntly.


    ¡°Are you doing this on purpose? Your brain is fine, isn¡¯t it?¡± Baylee turned fully to re at him, her hands on her waist. ¡°What is it exactly that you want?¡±


    Marvin looked panicked when he heard that, but he was back to his cold self in the next second. As long as he didn¡¯t admit to anything, she would have no proof to back up her suspicions.


    Marvin looked her dead in the eye and went straight to the point. ¡°I want to stay by your side. Don¡¯t you know that already?¡±


    It was nearly eleven o¡¯clock. Students from the street dance group exited the student activity center just in time to hear his words. They let out a series of oohs and ahhs and proceeded to tease the ¡°couple.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡± a male student shouted excitedly. ¡°Miss, this handsome fellow likes you! It¡¯s so obvious!¡± The female students giggled behind him.


    For the first time, Marvin didn¡¯t find the youngsters, who were about the same age as his cousins, annoying. The atmosphere turned awkward as the students mischievously jeered at them.


    Helpless to the situation, Baylee grabbed Marvin by the wrist and led him away from there. Marvin¡¯s gaze fell on her delicate fingers wrapped around his wrist. With one deft movement, he flicked his hand, slipping it from her hold, and intertwined their fingers together.


    Caught her!


    Baylee didn¡¯t even notice; she was too focused on escaping their raucous audience.


    ¡°Baylee, I haven¡¯t eaten yet,¡± Marvin said, ying the pity card yet again.


    ¡°Then go home and eat. Didn¡¯t Marcelo hire a five-star chef for you? He lives right next door to your ce, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Baylee didn¡¯t fall for his act.


    ¡°Baylee,¡± Marvin began, his tone turning serious, his expression a little pensive. ¡°Are you angry at me for kissing you? Is that why you¡¯re so hostile to me now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡± Baylee drifted off, her brows furrowing as she searched for the right words to say.


    Whenever Marvin acted like this, Baylee felt like a bully who was unnecessarily hurting the feelings of someone experiencing cognitive difficulties.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not angry at me, that means you don¡¯t hate me, right? Then why can¡¯t you ept me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how rtionships work, Marvin,¡± Baylee sighed.


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 Chapter 481

    ?Chapter 481:


    Suddenly, with a swift movement of his arm, Marvin drew Baylee close and embraced her firmly. His hold resembled that of a mighty dragon fiercely protecting its treasure, filled with intense anticipation and possessiveness.


    He nestled his face against her neck and coaxed her. ¡°Baylee, you¡¯re not dating anyone right now. How about giving me a chance?¡±


    Baylee found herself involuntarily tightening her fists.


    She had suffered betrayal from Quincy, which led to the ruin of her family.


    Once bitten, twice shy.


    Shecked the courage for a second attempt.


    Baylee confessed that she didn¡¯t dislike Marvin at all. In fact, she started to feel a warm connection to him as they spent more time together.


    He reced her whiskey with milk and juice, because drinking was bad for her health.


    He showed no mercy to his enemies and was tough on his subordinates, but he had always treated her with kindness.


    It was as if he would always be there to watch over her.


    However, the man before her was the powerful Marvin.


    He was too dangerous.


    Baylee¡¯s instincts whispered that it might be wise to limit her interactions with him. Spending a month with Marvin had been enough for her.


    Baylee remained silent, wearing a stern expression, determined not to give in.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll pursue you,¡± Marvin added. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t allow me to do so, I will still pursue you.¡±


    Baylee snorted in anger. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯ll head back to the dorm, and you can leave on your own. Make sure you don¡¯t disrupt the school¡¯s rules once more.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t leave,¡± Marvin refused without hesitation.


    What was the point of him going back alone?


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    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to pursue me? Have you forgotten the basic principle of pursuing a girl?¡± Baylee asked, her face devoid of emotion.


    ¡°What basic principle?¡± Marvin had never chased after someone before, so he waspletely clueless.


    ¡°You should listen to me.¡± After talking nonsense, Baylee turned around and was about to leave.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Marvin grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t follow me. I¡¯ll get mad.¡± Baylee¡¯s face twisted with a brewing storm of anger as she frowned.


    ¡°I will leave after we have dinner together,¡± Marvin ventured.


    He couldn¡¯t allow Baylee to leave at that moment. If she headed back now, there was a good chance she¡¯d cross paths with Kaiden.


    ¡°Are you bargaining with me?¡± asked Baylee.


    Marvin simply gazed at her in silence, resembling a dog scolded by its owner without understanding why.


    Baylee, feeling ufortable under his gaze, gave in and said, ¡°Okay, let¡¯s have dinner together. You must leave then.¡±


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 Chapter 482

    ?Chapter 482:


    The warm shower water cascaded over her, snapping Ellie back to reality. As she remembered the events of the past hour, she couldn¡¯t help but see them as utterly ridiculous. She could hardly believe she had just had a standing intimate encounter with Kaiden in the alumni guesthouse of her old school.


    What upset her most was that she had been stripped naked, while Kaiden had been dressed neatly from beginning to end.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Rat-a-tat!¡±


    Kaiden waited patiently for Ellie toe out of the bathroom. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t resist and knocked on the door.


    ¡°Ellie? Open the door and I¡¯ll help you take a shower.¡±


    ¡°Almost done. Don¡¯t push me.¡±


    After putting on her clothes, Ellie walked out of the bathroom. Seeing her in her sweater and casual pants, Kaiden smiled. He couldn¡¯t help but reach up and tickle her chin as if he were scratching a kitten.


    ¡°Why are you wearing this? Are you being cautious around me?¡± he inquired.


    Ellie snorted. Granted, she was being cautious because of him.


    She then got straight to the point. ¡°Kaiden, we need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Talk about what?¡±


    As they moved toward the sofa, Kaiden wrapped his arm around her waist and sat her on hisp.


    ¡°Let go of me. I need to discuss serious matters with you,¡± Ellie hissed.


    ¡°We can talk like this as well.¡±


    Kaiden, having been intimate with her only once and still feeling unsatisfied, clung to her to quell his longing.


    Ellie wriggled her body twice, attempting to get off him, but he held her in ce.


    ¡°Ellie, if you keep wriggling, I might end up punishing you in a way you don¡¯t want.¡±


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    Kaiden rested his chin on her shoulder. As he leaned closer and made his warning, the desire in his dark eyes burned even more intensely than before.


    Instantly, Ellie stopped moving, not daring to provoke him further.


    ¡°Last month, Carole faced a career crisis due to a temporary contract issue with a big show¡¯s brand. You requested Zoey¡¯s help to resolve this, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Kaiden asked curiously, ¡°How do you know?¡±


    Only a few people directly involved in the case knew that Kaiden was the one responsible for it.


    ¡°You assisted Carole, even though you were aware that her temporary breach of contract almost ruined the very first major show I ever hosted?¡± Ellie gazed down at her fingers and said coldly.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Did she breach her contract with Light?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that you don¡¯t know she broke the contract with Light,¡± Ellie replied.


    ¡°Zoey is handling this matter. I don¡¯t know the specific situation,¡± Kaiden exined.


    He was truly unaware of it.


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 Chapter 483

    ?Chapter 483:


    He understood that Ellie had joined Light for work when she went to Estoqua, but he had no idea that Carole¡¯s partner was also with Light. Carole hadn¡¯t told him, and he hadn¡¯t been interested in probing further.


    It seemed like a wless response. He had delegated the matter to his employee without understanding the specifics of the situation and hadn¡¯t bothered to inquire about the identity of the other woman¡¯s partner.


    However, Ellie felt unhappy. Once again, she felt wronged but couldn¡¯t confront Kaiden since he wasn¡¯t directly responsible. An instant heaviness settled in her heart.


    She tried to rise from Kaiden¡¯sp, but he gripped her tightly once more. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he made it impossible for her to escape his embrace.


    Taking a deep breath, Ellie tried her best to calm herself. She inquired, ¡°Kaiden, could you trust me if I told you Carole deliberately broke her contract because she knew I was the styling director for that big show and wanted to cause trouble for me?¡± Ellie watched Kaiden¡¯s reaction.


    He seemed taken aback at first, then furrowed his brow.


    Ellie noticed no signs of disgust, me, or uncertainty on his face when he heard the news. He also didn¡¯t seem to regret his assistance in resolving Carole¡¯s professional troubles.


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me,¡± Ellie said with a bitter smile. Her demeanor turned icy. The warmth from their earlier closeness had vanished. ¡°Kaiden, let go of me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you.¡± Of course, Kaiden wouldn¡¯t let her go.


    ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s just that Carole I know¡­¡±


    ¡°The Carole you know wouldn¡¯t do that, right?¡± Ellie cut in, saying, ¡°Remember at your dad¡¯s birthday party? I mentioned that Carole was the one who encouraged Demi to use the champagne tower against me. You didn¡¯t believe it then, either.¡±


    Ellie felt a chilling numbness spread throughout her body and a deep ache in her heart. Her chest felt constricted.


    She fiercely resisted, attempting to break free from Kaiden¡¯s grip, as though she found the notion of remaining on hisp intolerable. Her efforts only seemed to encourage him further.


    Kaiden leaned in, gently pushing Ellie down onto the sofa, one hand securing her wrists. Yet, his touch remained soft, as if he were trying tofort her.


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    Ellie red at him, her eyes burning with frustration. After a few moments, she looked away, her expression turning cold and indifferent.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re the one who said we should talk,¡± Kaiden said softly, his voice tinged with patience. ¡°Don¡¯t throw a tantrum, okay?¡± He gently cupped her chin, guiding her face toward him so their eyes met. He couldn¡¯t stand the thought of her avoiding his gaze.


    ¡°I throw a tantrum?¡± Ellie scoffed, a bitterugh escaping her lips. ¡°Fine, then I¡¯ll throw a tantrum. Kaiden, I want you to dismiss Carole from Harvillston. Will you do that for me?¡±


    If Harvillston overlooked Carole for the position, the fashion world would soon begin to gossip. They would undoubtedly resurrect the old story of her contract breach with Light.


    Kaiden looked at Ellie, confused. He couldn¡¯t understand why she had made such a request.


    Ellie had turned down a position at Harvillston herself. Why was she now intervening in Carole¡¯s potential hiring?


    He couldn¡¯tprehend why Ellie seemed to harbor animosity toward Carole, especially considering their brief interaction.


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 Chapter 484

    ?Chapter 484:


    After Jorge¡¯s birthday celebration, Kaiden, puzzled by Ellie¡¯s cryptic remarks, had asked Bruce to investigate any potential connection between Demi and Carole. The investigation revealed, however, that the party had been Demi¡¯s first meeting with Carole.


    Lost in thought, Kaiden was startled by the ringing of his phone.


    He nced at Ellie, then decided to take the call first and speak with her afterward. Ellie¡¯s lips twisted into a sardonic smile.


    Kaiden¡¯s avoidance of a direct answer was a silent refusal to dismiss Carole.


    As the phone call continued, Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened. Without warning, he stood up, a frown forming on his face.


    ¡°Ellie, something¡¯se up. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡± he said, urgency in his voice.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze dropped, her expression clouded by an air of cold indifference.


    She had seen the caller ID. It was Carole.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    One call from her, and Kaiden was ready to leave.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Ellie said, taking a deep breath to steady herself. ¡°Kaiden, are you really going to leave now?¡±


    He turned toward her, his hand gently caressing her face. ¡°I¡¯ll spend tomorrow morning with you, okay?¡±


    Did he truly believe she wanted him to stay because of attachment?


    ¡°Kaiden, I don¡¯t need you tomorrow morning. I need you now,¡± Ellie said, her voiceced with a mix of pride and determination. ¡°This is my final stand.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    This was Ellie¡¯s ultimate ultimatum to Kaiden: to choose between her and Carole. For Ellie, it was also a final test of her own resolve.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay now. There¡¯s an urgent matter,¡± Kaiden replied softly, trying to soothe her. ¡°Please, Ellie, understand.¡± What was so urgent?


    Ellie wanted to ask, but held herself back. What pressing issue could Carole possibly have?


    In the eyes of men, the significance of a woman¡¯s concerns often depended on how much value they ced on her. The nature of the urgency was irrelevant. What mattered was that Kaiden hadbeled it ¡°urgent.¡±


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    Ellie refused to wallow in misery or endure any more bitter words.


    Once Kaiden left, the room sank into a hollow silence. It felt starkly vacant.


    Perhaps the emptiness wasn¡¯t in the room, but in Ellie¡¯s heart. Kaiden¡¯s promise to stay with her tomorrow now seemed distant and hollow.


    Brisa¡¯s condition worsened despite the medication.


    Upon arriving at the hospital, Kaiden discovered the doctor was hesitant to administer any treatment without his consent.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m so sorry. It¡¯s my fault. I should¡¯ve taken better care of your mother. She¡¯s been in so much pain, even though she took her medication regrly¡­¡±


    Carole¡¯s apologies were interrupted by sobs and sniffles.


    Unbeknownst to anyone, it was Carole who had switched Brisa¡¯s medication with harmless vitamins, causing her sudden decline in health. Yet, Carole had no other options.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    After all, it was only during crises involving Brisa that Kaiden would rush to her side.


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 Chapter 485

    ?Chapter 485:


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it,¡± Kaidenforted Carole, though his wordscked genuine warmth.


    As Kaiden watched Brisa being restrained on the bed by the medical team, awaiting the medication¡¯s effect, Ellie¡¯s look of disappointment haunted his thoughts.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Brisa¡¯s situation was fraught with risks. Kaiden, not wanting to entangle Ellie, kept silent about Brisa¡¯s condition.


    Their marriage, kept a secret for so long, had led the Thorpes to believe Kaiden was indifferent to Ellie, possibly on the brink of divorce. It wasn¡¯t until Jorge¡¯s party that the Thorpes truly noticed Ellie. But with that attention came danger, as Brisa¡¯s unexpected kidnapping proved.


    ¡°Kaiden, your cor¡¯s a bit crinkled.¡± Carole stretched up, reaching to straighten Kaiden¡¯s cor.


    He stepped back, avoiding her touch.


    ncing at the creases, he remarked indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Ellie grabbed it earlier.¡±


    He had no desire to smooth those creases. In his eyes, Carole glimpsed an unusual softness.


    A shadow crossed Carole¡¯s face. ¡°Were you with her beforeing here?¡±


    ¡°I am her husband. It¡¯s natural for us to spend time together, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Carole quickly corrected, realizing her slip. ¡°I just hope I¡¯m not intruding on anything.¡± But she had indeed interrupted them.


    Kaiden sat back, legs crossed, eyeing Carole contemtively.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that, Kaiden? Is something on my face?¡± Carole asked, feeling unnerved under his gaze.


    ¡°Carole, was Light the brand you defaulted on?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Carole fought back her anxiety. ¡°Is there an issue, Kaiden?¡± The sudden mention caught her off guard.


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s the stylist for the Light fashion show,¡± Kaiden revealed.


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    Carole¡¯s heart raced, her hands tensing beneath the table as she struggled to contain her rm.


    She had purposefully not told Kaiden that her previous coboration was with Light, the same brand Ellie had worked for.


    Subconsciously insecure, Carole feared Kaiden¡¯s loyalty to Ellie might influence his decisions. So, she had asked for his favor without disclosing the full context.


    ¡°I knew that,¡± Carole replied, regaining herposure. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware Miss Gordon was involved untilter. Had I known, I wouldn¡¯t have broken the contract, despite my challenges. It¡¯s a relief the show was sessful; I¡¯d feel terrible if I¡¯d caused any harm to Miss Gordon.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s face remained unreadable.


    He toyed with a cigar, showing no intention of lighting it.


    Carole¡¯s anxiety grew.


    She ventured, ¡°Does Miss Gordon hold a grudge for that? I¡¯ve apologized, but it seems she hasn¡¯t forgiven me¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off as she looked down, feigning distress.


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 Chapter 486

    ?Chapter 486:


    Kaiden had anticipated Ellie¡¯s refusal to ept the apology.


    Despite her youth, Ellie was principled. She could overlook ack of talent but not ack of effort. Simrly, breaching a contract was a serious professionalpse in Ellie¡¯s eyes¡ªsomething she couldn¡¯t overlook.


    Carole expected Kaiden¡¯s constion, thinking her words had painted Ellie as unreasonable. Yet, Kaiden¡¯s reaction, orck thereof, puzzled her.


    Then it dawned on her.


    Kaiden¡¯s aloof demeanor wasn¡¯t exclusive to her; he was distant with everyone. Perhaps he already harbored negative feelings toward Ellie without outwardly disying them.


    Baylee returned. She was on the verge of knocking when she noticed that the door was slightly open. A wave of concern washed over her, fearing something might have gone wrong with Ellie. Upon opening the door, Baylee¡¯s worry turned to relief. Ellie was lying on the sofa, busy with her phone.


    Just as Baylee was about to speak, she realized something was wrong with Ellie. Ellie didn¡¯t even notice that she had entered. Her face, lit by the glow of the phone, cast uneven shadows, giving her a somewhat lonely appearance.


    ¡°Ellie?¡± Baylee called out gently, not wanting to startle her.


    However, Ellie didn¡¯t answer.


    Baylee approached swiftly, touching Ellie¡¯s shoulder and calling her name again, gently.


    Startled, Ellie looked up from the sofa, appearing as though she had just awakened from a nightmare. Her eyes were wide and tearful, revealing both confusion and fragility, much like a lost child.


    Baylee was taken aback by her look. ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Ellie blinked, regaining focus. ¡°When did you return?¡±


    Noticing her own troubled state, Ellie quickly turned off her phone, calmed her emotions, and asked, ¡°Is Marvin¡¯s issue sorted out?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s back now,¡± Baylee answered, her gaze drifting to the corner of the sofa.


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    Ellie followed her look.


    Kaiden had rushed out, leaving his trench coat behind.


    ¡°Kaiden was here a moment ago,¡± Ellie said.


    Baylee instantly noticed the hickeys on Ellie¡¯s neck and immediately understood what had happened.


    It was clear that Kaiden and Ellie had just made out, but why did Ellie appear so distressed and hurt?


    ¡°Are you okay? Did he hurt you?¡± Baylee asked gently and calmly as she squatted down in front of her.


    Ellie¡¯s tension eased as she embraced Baylee and said, ¡°Baylee, I can¡¯t bear to see him anymore.¡±


    Her voice was low and soft, filled with sorrow.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, you don¡¯t have to see him then,¡± Baylee reassured her, stroking her back gently. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to see him, we¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t.¡±


    Once Ellie had gone to sleep, Baylee went into the bathroom and opened Twitter on her phone with a serious expression.


    Baylee had glimpsed Ellie¡¯s phone on the Twitter app just as she turned it off.


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 Chapter 487

    ?Chapter 487:


    She didn¡¯t need to search any further; the top trending headline was, ¡°Carole Lambert and Kaiden Thorpe.¡±


    The article detailed:


    ¡°Renowned jewelry designer Carole Lambert and GT Group¡¯s president Kaiden Thorpe were seen leaving a hospital together. Rumors suggest Carole had a pregnancy test before they walked into a luxury hotel. They might be getting married soon.¡±


    Apanying the article was a photo showing Carole and Kaiden at a private hospital¡¯s entrance. Carole¡¯s face was clearly visible. Kaiden, seated in a wheelchair, had only part of his face showing, yet it was distinctive.


    Then, some individuals disclosed additional insider information:


    ¡°Not long ago, Jorge Thorpe, the leader of the Thorpe Group, personally requested that Kaiden apany Carole at his birthday celebration. Carole is the daughter-inw Jorge has his eye on for Kaiden.¡±


    ¡°A rtive of mine works at the Thorpes¡¯ house. They mentioned witnessing Carole paying her respects to a deceased member of the Thorpe family with them. Her bond with the Thorpe family must be special.¡±


    ¡°The Lambert and Thorpe families have always been close. Carole and Kaiden, having grown up together, naturally might develop feelings for each other?¡±


    ¡°Remember that Carole recently joined Harvillston? The point is: It¡¯s Kaiden¡¯spany!¡±


    ¡°When Carole held her own art exhibition in Tormeto, Kaiden made a special trip just to be there. These two must be really in love.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Having been close since childhood, protecting each other over the years, and now they¡¯re a couple. It¡¯s so romantic. I¡¯m totally rooting for Carole and Kaiden.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just eager to know when they will get married. I¡¯m obsessed with their love story.¡±


    When Baylee saw thesements, her heart sank. She wondered how heartbroken Ellie must have felt seeing them.


    Taking a deep breath, Baylee tried to calm her rising anger. She was thankful she wasn¡¯t in the bedroom when she saw the news; otherwise, she might have lost her temperpletely.


    Discover more at


    Baylee clicked into a forum and noticed that the discussion about this topic had gained quite some attention. Compared to open tforms like Twitter, the content on this members-only forum felt more confidential.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always suspected something was off about Carole¡¯s sudden return. Is it all because of Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°Hold on, am I mistaken? Isn¡¯t Kaiden currently in a rtionship with Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Now that Carole¡¯s back, it looks like Ellie¡¯s out of the picture. Everyone in our circle knows about Kaiden¡¯s care for Carole over the years.¡±


    ¡°If Kaiden is back on his feet, Carole doesn¡¯t deserve him, right? Carole isn¡¯t the biological daughter of the Lambert family¡­¡±


    ¡°Even though she¡¯s from a coteral branch, Carole is still part of the Lambert family. Have you seen any other distant Lambert rtive as close to the main family as Carole? She¡¯s fortunate, being not much older than the youngest Lambert daughter who passed away. Otherwise, Carole might not have received much attention from the main Lambert family.¡±


    ¡°The youngest daughter of the Lambert family is missing. She is not dead. Be cautious with your words, or Daniel Lambert might teach you a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Ellie is probably feeling the worst. She has been in love with Kaiden for so long, yet it looks like he is going to break up with her soon.¡±


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 Chapter 488

    ?Chapter 488:


    As soon as Baylee left the room, Ellie, who had been pretending to be asleep, suddenly opened her eyes.


    Shortly after Kaiden had left, Ellie stumbled upon the rumors about Carole and Kaiden.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    This wasn¡¯t the first time Carole and Kaiden were rumored to be involved, and it still felt disgusting.


    The rumors were so detailed that every word seemed true.


    The timing of these rumors was suspicious. They started circting just as Kaiden left, suggesting that Ellie was the oneing between Kaiden and Carole.


    If Ellie hadn¡¯t suddenly married Kaiden, Carole would have been the natural choice to marry him, considering the marriage alliance between the Thorpe and Lambert families and the close ties between Kaiden and Carole.


    For a moment, Ellie was unsure whether to feel sorry for herself for being wronglybeled the viin or for her unrealistic expectations in love.


    Her heart ached so much that it was hard for her to breathe.


    Tears streamed from the corners of Ellie¡¯s eyes to her temples.


    The following day, there were no sses scheduled. Ellie woke up early, nning to head to the library.


    At first, Baylee was still groggy, but when she heard that Ellie was going out, she suddenly woke up.


    Right after waking up, people often show their true emotions. Ellie instantly noticed the concern on Baylee¡¯s face.


    ¡°Do you know everything?¡± Ellie asked, trying to sound nonchnt.


    Baylee gave a nod in response.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m all right,¡± Ellie said, slipping theptop into her handbag.


    Baylee embraced Ellie, offeringfort for a short while.


    As Ellie walked from the dorm to the library, she overheard students chatting about Carole and Kaiden. It felt like she was torturing herself by listening.


    Discover tales at g ? ln ¦Ò¦Í?? ?? s,


    Stories of romance in wealthy families, a dashing man and a stunning woman, lovers since childhood¡ªsuch tales were always fascinating.


    Each word of the gossip felt like a knife stabbing Ellie¡¯s heart. The pain forced her to be more conscious.


    Kaiden was aware of Ellie¡¯s ss schedule and knew she had no sses, so he thought she would probably sleepte. He didn¡¯t knock on the door of Ellie¡¯s dormitory until half past eight.


    He anticipated Ellie might be a bit grumpy in the morning. To his surprise, it wasn¡¯t Ellie who opened the door.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, your visit is quite an honor,¡± Baylee greeted him, her voice oozing sarcasm, Kaiden¡¯s gaze briefly swept past Baylee, searching for Ellie. ¡°Ellie hasn¡¯t woken up yet?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s already left.¡±


    ¡°Where did she go?¡± Kaiden asked, frowning.


    Didn¡¯t he say that he woulde to visit her?


    Baylee, with a forced smile, said to Kaiden, ¡°I have no idea.¡±


    ¡°When did you start teaming up with Marvin, Mr. Thorpe?¡± Baylee sneered.


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 Chapter 489

    ?Chapter 489:


    On the way back yesterday, Baylee had found it odd. Knowing Marvin¡¯s character, even if he camped out downstairs for three days and nights, the security office shouldn¡¯t have nabbed him as a suspicious person. He could¡¯ve let Marcelo talk to the security guards, verifying his identity beforehand.


    Now, it seemed that Marvin had intentionally headed to the security office, not only to trick her into going to collect him but also to engineer a moment for Kaiden to be alone with Ellie.


    Unable to extract any information from Baylee, Kaiden exited, dialing Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Baylee halted him. ¡°If you don¡¯t value Ellie, there are plenty of men who would!¡±


    Bruce stood by the alumni dormitory building, witnessing Kaiden descending with a grim expression.


    ¡°Go find Ellie¡¯s location!¡± Kaiden instructed.


    Bruce didn¡¯t dare inquire further. ¡°Yes.¡±


    In the library, Ellie nestled into a corner by the window, flipped open herptop, and delved into the data sent from theb.


    After a while, someone settled across from her.


    She didn¡¯t pay much mind until a cup of coffeended on the table, nudging her way.


    ¡°Oh, Howard!¡± Ellie looked up, surprised, finding Howard there.


    ¡°What a coincidence, Ellie!¡± Howard smiled.


    He had the same coffee brand and hoisted his criminalw book, signaling he was there to hit the books.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude, eyeing the hot, sugar-freette ¡ª her favorite. The cup proudly disyed the letters ¡°Ellie.¡± Neither spoke further, silently engrossed in their studies.


    Now and then, fellow students strolled by, spotting Howard and Ellie. Some were taken aback, curious gazes following them, while others covered their mouths, sharing mischievous giggles.


    Word spread quickly about Howard gifting flowers to Ellie, and with the memory of him standing up for her at the school anniversary, the chattering students couldn¡¯t resist spinning their own tales.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???§àm, your fiction hub


    Bruce tracked down Ellie in the library, prompting Kaiden to make a beeline for the same spot. However, he hit a roadblock at the library entrance.


    ¡°Sir, our library isn¡¯t open to the public. Only those with a campus or alumni card can enter,¡± exined the library staff.


    Kaiden stood there, lost for words.


    Passersby shot curious nces his way as he lingered at the entrance.


    Feeling a tad embarrassed, Kaiden exited the library and waited in his car for Ellie to emerge.


    Around noon, students gradually vacated the library for lunch.


    Ellie, thinking of Howard¡¯s coffee, suggested treating him to a meal.


    Exiting the library, Ellie immediately sensed something was off. A ck Maybach idled on the nearby asphalt road, its windows sealed shut with one-way ss concealing the interior. Yet, Ellie felt an intense gaze.


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 Chapter 490

    ?Chapter 490:


    She recognized the car.


    It belonged to Kaiden.


    ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Howard wore a puzzled expression when Ellie abruptly halted.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Ellieposed herself and resumed walking. Almost simultaneously, Kaiden¡¯s ck Maybach roared to life, smoothly circling therge roundabout in front of the library and strategically blocking Ellie and Howard¡¯s path. The window glided down, revealing Kaiden¡¯s face.


    Ellie shot him a cold stare, maintaining silence.


    The air grew tense.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe.¡± Howard offered a polite nod to Kaiden, then turned to Ellie. ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ll wait over there for you.¡±


    Grateful, Ellie smiled at him.


    Howard¡¯s deliberate avoidance in this moment was the utmost respect and protection he could extend to her.


    Observing Ellie exiting the library with Howard and smiling radiantly at him, Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of irritation and jealousy as she maintained a cold indifference toward him.


    Before he could speak, Ellie beat him to it. ¡°Kaiden, let¡¯s get a divorce.¡±


    ¡°What? What did you say?¡±


    It hit him like a bolt from the blue.


    The surroundings plunged into silence, as if even the wind held its breath.


    Kaiden, slow to react, thought he had misheard.


    Bruce, in the driver¡¯s seat, was shocked to the core, avoiding making a sound.


    How had he stumbled into yet another dramatic scene? Was being a subordinate now a challenging upation?


    Ellie took a shallow breath and continued, ¡°Well¡­ We didn¡¯t have romantic feelings for each other from the beginning. Our marriage was a result of the engagement between the Gordon and Thorpe families. I am willing to step down from the position of Mrs. Thorpe. It¡¯s better for both you and me.¡±


    ???¨¦?? ???t?€§ñ? ?n Ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???


    In an effort to find peace of mind, she chose to pass on the title of ¡°Mrs. Thorpe¡± to Carole.


    ¡°About the divorce papers¡­¡±


    The car door swung open abruptly, and Kaiden exited the back seat, grabbing Ellie¡¯s wrist and abruptly cutting her off.


    His fingers unconsciously tightened, his gaze intensely focused on her. It was Kaiden¡¯s instinctive move, a fear of Ellie leaving prompting him to hold onto her.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Ellie gasped in pain.


    Kaiden snapped back to reality, releasing his grip. ¡°Ellie, is it because I didn¡¯t stayst night? Or because I didn¡¯t immediately agree to let Carole leave Harvillston?¡±


    He maintained a calm exterior, but turmoil churned within him.


    He couldn¡¯t fathom why she suddenly sought a divorce.


    Her words irked him to no end.


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s not why.¡±


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 Chapter 491

    ?Chapter 491:


    ¡°Then what is it? Because of him?¡± Kaiden cast a nce at Howard, who stood some distance away, beneath a pomegranate tree, patiently waiting for Ellie.


    The young man exuded youthfulness, vibrancy, and drew attention effortlessly.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°No.¡± Ellie¡¯s voice carried a sense of destion.


    Her feelings for him, which were not reciprocated, were the reason for her decision.


    Ellie dropped her gaze, shielding the emotions within her. ¡°Kaiden, we¡¯re not a good match. If we can¡¯t go the distance, then it¡¯s better for us to stay away from each other right now.¡±


    ¡°How do you know we can¡¯t go the distance?¡± Kaiden scoffed.


    Her words seemed perplexing to him.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we facing obstacles now?¡± Ellie sighed.


    Kaiden stayed silent, his expression icy.


    After a while, he inquired, ¡°So if I ask Carole to leave Harvillston, will you stop making a fuss?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not making a fuss!¡± Ellie¡¯s tone escted in agitation. ¡°Kaiden, that¡¯s not what I want! Don¡¯t you understand? If you don¡¯t, then you can¡¯t give it to me!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, how can I know if you don¡¯t exin it to me?¡± Kaiden frowned.


    What was it that she yearned for but couldn¡¯t receive from him?


    Ellie¡¯s lips were pressed tight as she faced him.


    She wanted him to like her, to cherish her, to be solely hers.


    But could that ever be reality?


    She had dropped hints, questioned his jealousy, yet he remained unresponsive.


    She offered him countless opportunities to choose her, but his choice was always Carole.


    Before Ellie came to know him, it was Carole who shared a childhood and an engagement with Kaiden.


    Ellie refused to belittle herself any further.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s takes you to new worlds


    She needed to maintain some self-respect in her one-sided love.


    ¡°Kaiden, I need to go have dinner. I¡¯m leaving now.¡± She attempted to loosen his grip, finger by finger, her face set in a mask of determination.


    But her strength was no match for his, and her efforts were futile.


    His grip only tightened, the tension between them rising.


    ¡°Kaiden, let go of me!¡± Ellie¡¯s anger boiled over, her words sharp and clear. ¡°You repulse me!¡±


    Abruptly, he released her.


    The Maybach¡¯s rear door stood open. The man inside, usually so self-assured andposed, was struck with confusion.


    Ellie walked over to Howard, who was under the pomegranate tree, and then the two of them disappeared from Kaiden¡¯s view.


    Bruce, noticing Kaiden¡¯sck of movement, carefully shut the car door.


    ¡°Bruce, what did Ellie mean by that?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was tinged with bewilderment.


    Bruce felt a chill. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t hear what she said just now. I was distracted.¡±


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 Chapter 492

    ?Chapter 492:


    How could he admit hearing Ellie call Kaiden disgusting?


    That would be akin to courting disaster.


    Over their months of marriage, Kaiden had grown to understand Ellie¡¯s character.


    While she might have a temper asionally, she wasn¡¯t one to insult others without cause.


    Had she really thought he was disgusting?


    Kaiden was at a loss. He hadn¡¯t been unfaithful, so why would Ellie express such repulsion?


    Confused, he pondered over her words.


    ¡°Sir, there¡¯s news about your mother.¡±


    Suddenly, Bruce interrupted Kaiden¡¯s thoughts.


    He had checked his email and had something to share.


    ¡°Your mother didn¡¯t take her medication yesterday. It was found under her pillow, and she confessed to hiding it. Also, your father visited her earlier.¡±


    Kaiden had been investigating Brisa¡¯s recent health decline, suspecting foul y with her medication.


    To his surprise, it turned out Brisa had skipped her doses intentionally!


    While Kaiden contemted visiting Brisa at the hospital, Jerome¡¯s call came through.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you thinking¡­ of divorcing Ellie?¡± Jerome¡¯s voice was tentative.


    But even his careful tone couldn¡¯t soften the blow.


    The mere mention of ¡®divorce¡¯ set Kaiden on edge, the tension in the car palpable.


    ¡°Did Ellie tell you that?¡± Kaiden¡¯s tone was icy, frustration bubbling within.


    Had Ellie decided on a divorce and already informed others?


    ¡°Ah? So it¡¯s true?¡± Jerome, caught off guard, stammered. ¡°I saw the rumors about you and Carole, so I wanted to check¡­¡±


    ¡°What rumors?¡± Kaiden¡¯s rm grew.


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    He dreaded these kinds of rumors; they had sparked arguments between him and Ellie before, always revolving around Carole.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t heard?¡± Jerome hesitated for a moment before speaking. ¡°Well¡­ Rumors are swirling that you and Carole are an item. Some even im she¡¯s pregnant with your child. The inte is abuzz. People are saying you¡¯re perfect for each other, and there¡¯s talk in our circles that you might leave Ellie for her. I was almost convinced.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been involved with Carole! And I have no intentions of remarrying!¡± Kaiden hissed.


    He couldn¡¯t fathom where such ludicrous rumors originated.


    ¡°But¡­ you¡¯ve always been so kind to Carole. It¡¯s easy to see how people might get the wrong idea.¡± Jerome sighed.


    ¡°Looking after Carole was my brother¡¯s dying request. Didn¡¯t you know?¡± Kaiden couldn¡¯t believe Jerome would harbor such thoughts.


    Jerome fell silent, processing Kaiden¡¯s words.


    They had been friends since childhood, so Jerome was privy to the Thorpe family¡¯s intimate secrets.


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 Chapter 493

    ?Chapter 493:


    Brisa¡¯s attempt to capture Jorge¡¯s heart led to Kaiden¡¯s birth. Kaiden, shielded by his elder brother Leo, grew up safely.


    As Leoy on his deathbed, he entrusted Kaiden with the care of their mother and his beloved, Carole.


    In the year following Leo¡¯s passing, Brisa¡¯s mental health deteriorated, resulting in her admission to a sanatorium. Kaiden, burdened by guilt for not fully honoring Leo¡¯s wish, feltpelled to care for Carole even more.


    Jerome sympathized with Kaiden¡¯s predicament. It was as though Leo had left him with two burdensome legacies. However, he couldn¡¯t reason out to a dead man!


    ¡°Ellie and I are not getting a divorce!¡± Kaiden stressed this to Jerome and ended the call.


    Turning to Bruce, hemanded, ¡°Back to the office.¡±


    His decision to return to work amidst the chaos of his personal life puzzled Bruce, who dared not question it.


    In the secretarial office, Kaiden walked in, his face stern as he called out, ¡°Nina, follow me.¡±


    Nina Graves, without another word, followed Kaiden into the office. She tried to recall if she had fumbled any of her tasks.


    ¡°Have you been monitoring the news about my personal affairs?¡± Kaiden asked abruptly.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    ¡°Then what about this?¡± Kaiden queried, disying the rumors about him and Carole on his tablet. ¡°I am learning from others about my supposed impending joyous event.¡±


    The rumors had consistently been among the top trending topics online.


    Netizens were fervently trying to identify the man involved, but to no avail.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Nina, visibly shaken, struggled to speak. Her pallid face betrayed her awareness of the rumors, yet she had chosen to remain silent.


    ¡°You have one minute. Exin!¡± Kaiden¡¯s expression hardened. He rarely indulged in smartphone apps beyond work essentials, even downloading WhatsApp solely for Ellie.


    To him, online rumors and trivial news were nothing but distractions. Prior to his marriage, Kaiden¡¯s knowledge of social media was limited to Twitter, and even then, he had barely used it, only encountering it through Bruce¡¯s reports about Ellie.


    Explore g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s for fresh content


    Following an earlier rumor involving him and Carole, Kaiden had tasked Nina, his secretary overseeing public rtions, with monitoring any personal news about him.


    But it seemed that this precaution had been in vain. The employees refrained from gossiping about the CEO, leaving Kaiden in the dark.


    Recently, overwhelmed with tasks and managing Kaiden¡¯s affairs during his absence from thepany, Bruce hadn¡¯t had the chance to keep up with entertainment news.


    ¡°It was Zoey¡¯s decision not to inform you,¡± Nina blurted out, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I wanted to tell you, but Zoey insisted your dealings with Miss Lambert were private. You do treat Miss Lambert differently. She breached a contract, risking Miss Gordon¡¯s reputation, yet you sent Zoey to Estoqua to resolve her issue. I thought you had feelings for Miss Lambert¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. Thorpe! I¡¯ll deal with this situation right away!¡±


    Nina¡¯s words made Kaiden acutely aware of the consequences of his actions on Ellie.


    Her intense reaction suddenly made sense.


    In his efforts to protect Carole, he had inadvertently hurt Ellie. For the first time, Kaiden confronted the thought that his actions might be reprehensible.


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 Chapter 494

    ?Chapter 494:


    ¡°You may proceed with your resignation,¡± Kaiden ordered Nina in a cold tone. He also instructed Bruce to handle the rumors.


    ¡°Please give me one more chance, Mr. Thorpe,¡± Nina pleaded. ¡°Just this once!¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    When Kaiden said nothing, she turned to Bruce for help. ¡°Bruce¡­¡±


    Bruce almost scoffed at that.


    Was she really expecting him to risk enraging Kaiden on her behalf? Did she think he was eager to increase his workload and gain more unnecessary suffering? She must be out of her mind!


    Still, for old times¡¯ sake, as well as Nina¡¯s past diligence, Bruce tried to give her a hint. ¡°You work for Mr. Thorpe, Nina, yet you chose to follow Zoey¡¯s orders. Do you think Mr. Thorpe can still have you working for him?¡±


    ¡°Tell Zoey to get in here,¡± Kaiden snapped.


    It looked like he had one more insect to get rid of.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Zoey had been feeling uneasy since the moment Nina was called into Kaiden¡¯s office. It only grew worse when she saw Nina in tears as she came out.


    ¡°Zoey, Mr. Thorpe wants to see you,¡± Nina said between sobs, not even looking at her as she proceeded to gather her things.


    It was deathly silent in the secretarial office, and the tension was so thick that one could cut it with a knife.


    Zoey entered the CEO¡¯s office with no small amount of trepidation. ¡°You wanted to see me, Mr. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°Pass on your tasks to others and tender your resignation,¡± Kaiden said bluntly. ¡°I want it done within the next hour.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe¡­ Are you serious?¡± Zoey was still reeling with shock and disbelief, but when she saw Kaiden¡¯s cold expression, panic set in. ¡°But why, Mr. Thorpe? I¡¯ve been working for you since I graduated from college! I¡¯ve dedicated years to thispany!¡±


    Kaiden simply gave Bruce a short, subtle nod.


    ???¦Å?? ¡é??t?€§ñ? ?¦Ç ?a?§Ú?¦Í¨º??.???


    A momentter, Zoey was dragged out of the office, looking disheveled and wide-eyed.


    ¡°Let me go, Bruce! I¡¯ve been in thispany for so many years, why would Mr. Thorpe suddenly fire me? No, this is uneptable! I¡ª¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°It was exactly because you¡¯ve worked here for so long that Mr. Thorpe decided to terminate you face to face.¡±


    It finally sank in then. Zoey understood that her dismissal was final, and she gradually calmed down.


    ¡°Can you give me a reasonable exnation, at least?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Zoey. You¡¯ve been around for years, so you have the experience and enough good sense to thrive in your career. How can you make such a stupid mistake?¡± Bruce cocked his head to the side and peered at her through narrowed eyes. ¡°You know very well that Mr. Thorpe is married to Miss Gordon, yet you let rumors about him and Miss Lambert fly unchecked. You even coerced Nina into not reporting these matters when they got out of hand. What the hell were you thinking?¡±


    So, that was the reason.


    Zoey had anticipated a day of reckoning, but she never thought she would be fired over her actions. At most, she was expecting to be severely reprimanded. However, Kaiden showed no mercy and insisted that she leave!


    .


    .AdChoicesADVERTISING


    .

 Chapter 495

    ?Chapter 495:


    ¡°What was I thinking?¡± Zoey murmured, her eyes wide and zed. ¡°I was thinking of Mr. Thorpe¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Bruce asked, frowning as he didn¡¯t catch her words.


    With tears pooling in her eyes, Zoey squared her shoulders and strode back into the CEO¡¯s office.


    She inquired, ¡°Mr. Thorpe! Do you want to know why I did what I did?¡± Kaiden looked up from the documents he had been reading, his face nk as he said, ¡°No.¡±


    He just wanted Zoey to be out of the picture.


    But Zoey plowed ahead as if he hadn¡¯t said anything. ¡°It¡¯s because I have feelings for you! I stayed by your side all this time because I like you! I knew I could neverpete with Carole. I thought once she left the country, I would finally have a chance to be with you, but you¡­ Why did you even marry Ellie, Kaiden? She¡¯s a nobody! Why would you choose her when you never even nced my way?¡±


    Bruce stood by the doorway, aghast at the sudden and bold confession. Zoey hadpletely abandoned all formalities and was addressing Kaiden by his first name now.


    When Kaiden remained expressionless, Zoey grew desperate. Sheunched herself forward, both hands clutching the edge of his desk.


    She announced, ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother me that you¡¯re married, Kaiden! I don¡¯t even mind Carole hovering around you. Won¡¯t you let me stay, please? I¡¯ll do anything! I don¡¯t need money or status, just let me stay by your side!¡±


    This time, Kaiden¡¯s lips curled in disdain. Bruce sensed his disgust and promptly pulled Zoey back.


    ¡°How dare you think you have hopes of recing Ellie? She is my wife! I have no intention of betraying her in any way.¡±


    For some reason, Zoey¡¯s unprecedented confession made him realize what Ellie wanted from their rtionship.


    The thought was vague, though, and fleeting, and it escaped Kaiden before he could ponder it any further.


    ¡°Are we going to the hospital, sir?¡± Bruce had just sent Zoey away, and when he returned to the office, he saw Kaiden grabbing his suit jacket and heading for the door.


    ?@?¨¦$? ???t?¦Å§ñ? ¨ª¦Ð ?al¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??


    Obviously, Kaiden was skipping work today as well.


    ¡°No, we¡¯re going to the university.¡±


    The matters involving Brisa and Carole were more or less settled, anyway.


    Meanwhile, Ellie was back in the library after taking her lunch.


    ¡°Oh, my God! It¡¯s a Maybach!¡±


    Ellie heard a student whisper excitedly to the person beside her. She instinctively looked outside the window.


    Sure enough, the sleek, ck sedan was parked in the same spot it had been that morning. Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the library, she had a perfect view of the entire car. The passenger in the back seat could see her rather clearly, too.


    Kaiden sat in brooding silence as he watched Ellie from afar.


    He had a mission when he left the office, but after getting here, he had no idea where or how to even start.


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 Chapter 496

    ?Chapter 496:


    No one had ever taught him how to apologize, let alone how to express his true feelings. What little he knew of married life came from witnessing his parents¡¯ disastrous marriage, which consisted mainly of all the suffering Jorge had subjected Brisa to.


    Ellie had once told him that he could never give her what she wanted. She had mentioned marital fidelity, something that Kaiden thought was a given, and had provided without question.


    What else could she have meant?


    Kaiden had thought long and hard about it, but he wasn¡¯t sure he even understood what he wascking in the first ce.


    He had been sitting in his car, staring at Ellie for over two hours before she turned her head in his direction.


    The car window was one-way ss, so she couldn¡¯t have seen him.


    But the moment her eyes fell on the window of the back seat, Kaiden felt as if her gaze had stripped him to his core, leaving him raw and vulnerable.


    A wave of guilt hit him from out of nowhere, mixed with a trace of excitement that she had noticed him.


    However, events unfolded in an unexpected manner.


    Ellie stood up, gathered her books andptop, and moved to another spot behind the shelves. He couldn¡¯t see her anymore.


    Kaiden blinked, his lips pressing into a thin line.


    She was angry.


    It wasn¡¯t an explosive rage, but more of a quiet indifference that usually followed extreme disappointment. She was shutting him out, and that somehow hurt more than if she yelled and ranted at him. Kaiden felt a weight pressing against his chest, choking his heart and making it hard for him to breathe.


    Deep down, however, a voice reminded him that he had done this to himself.


    After moving to a spot out of Kaiden¡¯s view, Ellie found it surprisingly difficult to focus on her work.


    New updates in g??l¦Ç¦Òv???s


    ¡°Ellie, are you feeling ill?¡± Howard asked in concern. He had quickly switched ces with a student so he could sit beside Ellie.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± Ellie assured him.


    The Maybach was what was on her mind.


    She just couldn¡¯t understand why Kaiden¡¯s car was there again.


    Was he so idle? Didn¡¯t he have anything to do at work?


    Shouldn¡¯t he be spending time with Carole?


    Well, frankly, the presence of his car shouldn¡¯t concern her, as long as he wasn¡¯t there because of her.


    Throughout the afternoon, the Maybach remained parked outside the library. Just as dusk was about to fall, Ellie and Howard decided to leave.


    ¡°Ellie, that looks like Mr. Thorpe¡¯s car, right?¡± Howard remarked when he saw the Maybach.


    ¡°Is it? Well, I didn¡¯t notice,¡± Ellie lied with a shrug. She didn¡¯t even nce at the Maybach.


    Howard found this surprising and couldn¡¯t help but break into a smile.


    Ellie had such a whimsical yet cute side to her.


    .


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 Chapter 497

    ?Chapter 497:


    When they got back to the dorm, Ellie soon overheard Baylee as she talked to someone on the phone.


    ¡°How does he know that I go to Rich Bar very often?¡± Baylee was asking in annoyance. ¡°Just tell him that you don¡¯t know. Next time hees, kick him out!¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°What happened?¡± Ellie asked curiously after Baylee had ended the call.


    ¡°It¡¯s Quincy,¡± Baylee told her. ¡°Harry said he has been showing up at the Rich Bar every night for two weeks now, even asking the bartender about when I usuallye to the bar.¡±


    Since she didn¡¯t want to sound vain, Baylee didn¡¯t say it, but she felt in her heart that Quincy¡¯s nightly appearances at the Rich Bar were likely an attempt to run into her one of these days.


    After their rtionship ended, Quincy had left the country for family business on behalf of the Rollins. A yearter, he returned and frequently showed up around her.


    All the while, Baylee deliberately avoided him, while Aphrodite retired from figure skating the same year and got back with Quincy. Since then, Baylee hardly saw Quincy.


    It had been almost three years since they broke up. Why was he suddenly looking for her now?


    When Ellie saw how Baylee felt, she patted her on the shoulder and quickly changed the topic. ¡°Shall we go and eat now?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Baylee said excitedly, d to have something to distract her mind from her current thoughts.


    There was a famous snack street near the south gate of Critport University. The duo enjoyed dinner there and even packed some snacks to be used as ate-night treat.


    But as they were returning to the dormitory, Ellie suddenly thought of something.


    ¡°Baylee, please wait for me,¡± she said to her.


    Then she went up to the dorm manager, whispered a few words to him, and came back.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Baylee asked curiously.


    Ellie leaned closer and whispered to her.


    I?t€$? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ?¦Å?? ?§Ú g??l??ov?l??.??om


    She had told the dorm manager to ensure that Kaiden never entered the dorm building!


    ¡°Clever!¡± Baylee praised and gave Ellie a thumbs-up.


    Since they were talking about Kaiden, Baylee couldn¡¯t help but recall those online rumors.


    ¡°By the way, Ellie, did you know that the posts about Kaiden and Carole have all been deleted?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Deleted?¡± Ellie asked in surprise. She had not been aware of this development.


    In fact, she never really followed the matter online.


    In order to avoid getting stressed by such issues, she had deleted all social media apps from her phone and tried not to think about them at all.


    ¡°It was just this afternoon that everything about the gossip started disappearing,¡± Baylee exined. ¡°Some uing influencers kept posting about it in order to keep the topic trending, but they all ended up getting banned. Even ordinaryizens who posted about it¡­¡±


    Had those posts deleted from the social media tforms?¡± Ellie now understood what Baylee was implying.


    She was saying that Kaiden might be the one behind all of this.


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 Chapter 498

    ?Chapter 498:


    Since Carole would have weed such rumors that linked her to Kaiden, it had to be Kaiden who was behind the deletion.


    In fact, he had done simr things in the past.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°The rumors have already gone viral, so deleting the posts won¡¯t make much of a difference,¡± Ellie remarked with a careless shrug as she swiped her card to gain entry into the dorm. ¡°Wherever there¡¯s smoke, there¡¯s always a fire. If there wasn¡¯t so much evidence, wouldizens have believed the rumors in the first ce? Would people in his circle have believed them? Moreover¡­¡±


    She paused, then added with a scoff, ¡°The fact that Kaiden, as someone who values his privacy, deleted the posts doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s denying anything.¡±


    It might even be his way of protecting Carole and preventing her from bing gossip fodder. After all, Kaiden had always seen Carole as a special person.


    Just as they were settling down in their dorm room, Marvin suddenly called.


    Baylee saw the caller ID, but she muted the phone and ignored the call. Not long after, Marcelo also called.


    Worried that something bad had happened, she answered it this time.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Baylee, you¡¯re deliberately ignoring my calls, huh?¡± The voice on the other end said usingly. It was none other than Marvin!


    ¡°Um¡­ I didn¡¯t hear the phone ring,¡± Baylee lied, already making a mental note to not answer Marcelo¡¯s calls next time.


    ¡°By the way, why did you call? Do you need something?¡± she quickly asked in an innocent tone.


    ¡°I just wanted to invite you for dinner,¡± Marvin told her.


    ¡°I just had dinner,¡± Baylee replied immediately.


    ¡°Then how about ate-night snack?¡± Marvin suggested. ¡°I¡¯m already down here, outside your dorm building.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already bought snacks. They¡¯re on the coffee table in front of me as we speak,¡± Baylee replied in a firm tone. ¡°In fact, I don¡¯t n to go out tonight.¡±


    Check exclusive content g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Marvin recalled what Baylee had once said about the basic rules of courtship being ¡°obedience,¡± so he tried a different approach. ¡°How about tomorrow, then? Why don¡¯t we have breakfast together?¡±


    ¡°I n to sleep in, so no, there will be no need for that,¡± Baylee responded.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Lunch then?¡± Marvin persisted.


    ¡°No, I¡­¡±


    ¡°But Baylee, you agreed to let me chase you!¡± Marvin wailed in frustration before she could finish rejecting histest suggestion.


    He sounded like he had been duped.


    ¡°What?!¡± Baylee gasped in astonishment. ¡°When did I agree to such a thing?¡±


    She knew it was impossible for her to make such an agreement.


    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t outrightly refuse,¡± Marvin grumbled.


    Well, this was one of the benefits of ying dumb. Even if she had rejected him, he could act like he didn¡¯t know.


    Baylee was so frustrated that she didn¡¯t know what to say.


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 Chapter 499

    ?Chapter 499:


    Had she really failed to refuse him?


    But if she remembered correctly, he had told her that her refusal wouldn¡¯t stop him from continuing to chase her!AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Let me make myself clear, Marvin,¡± she said in a firm tone that brooked no discussion. ¡°There will be no eating, no going out together, and no romantic rtionship!¡±


    Then she hung up. She definitely wasn¡¯t going to be persuaded or pressured into being close to him.


    ¡°What is going on with you and Marvin?¡± Ellie asked tentatively. Despite only hearing Baylee¡¯s side of the conversation, she could sense the tension in their exchange.


    ¡°He said he wants to keep chasing me,¡± Baylee informed her.


    He had also said that he liked her and that he would like to marry her. Ellie was shocked by this.


    But given the previous incident where she caught Marvin forcibly kissing Baylee, this didn¡¯t sound unexpected after all.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Ellie, do you know how I feel right now?¡± Baylee mumbled.


    ¡°How?¡± Ellie asked curiously.


    Baylee rested her chin on her hand and sighed. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m being watched by a wolf,¡± she sighed.


    As far as she was concerned, it was a dangerous situation, and she needed to run away fast!


    Sporting a grim face, Kaiden walked out of a milk tea shop with a cup of milk tea in his hand.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Sir, I could have done this for you,¡± Bruce remarked, referring to the matter of buying milk tea.


    Kaiden was someone whose time was very valuable. But he had just queued for twenty minutes just to buy a cup of milk tea that was worth only a few bucks.


    ¡°You want to buy it for my wife?¡± Kaiden asked in a sharp tone.


    L¦Ët??¦Ó §éh¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g??l?ov?ls.??????


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean that,¡± Bruce quickly exined.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Kaiden was perfectlyfortable with buying the milk tea by himself.


    He could remember Ellie¡¯s words very clearly.


    She had said that milk tea was equivalent to an apology.


    That was why he bought it by himself.


    He just never expected that the university milk tea shop would be so crowded! Didn¡¯t the students have sses to attend?


    While he was in the queue, his tall and handsome figure, dressed head to toe in expensive designer wear, attracted a lot of attention.


    Some of the students thought he looked familiar, but they just couldn¡¯t ce his face.


    Even those who vaguely remembered seeing his face at the Critport University anniversary couldn¡¯t associate this healthy, freely walking man standing in the queue with the wheelchair-bound sponsor they had seen before.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Excuse me, handsome, can I have your contact details? I promise I won¡¯t bother you unnecessarily,¡± a fashionably dressed girl boldly said to him.


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 Chapter 500

    Chapter 500:


    ¡°I have a wife, and I don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Cheat,¡± Kaiden told her straightforwardly. With these words, he turned and walked away, leaving the girl standing there in shock.


    A young, handsome guy like this was already married?


    But so what? She was only trying to strike up a conversation, not suggesting that he cheat on his wife with her!


    Kaiden suddenly stopped in his tracks as he moved forward. ¡°Bruce, go purchase another cup of milk tea,¡± he instructed, remembering that Baylee was currently living with Ellie.


    However, he had no intention of personally acquiring Baylee¡¯s portion. Bruce knew the reason behind Kaiden¡¯smand and responded with a nod. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Owing to Bruce¡¯s recent hard work, Kaiden had doubled his quarterly bonus. Bruce thought of using the bonus to invest in two milk tea shops. It would be a fitting gesture for Ellie.


    Ten minutester, Kaiden, holding two cups of milk tea, encountered the middle-aged dormitory manager during the registration process. The manager scrutinized the information Kaiden provided and asked with suspicion, ¡°Are you here for Miss Gordon?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one!¡± The manager abruptly seized the registration book, obstructing Kaiden frompleting the process.


    ¡°Leave! Miss Gordon is a female student, and you, being a man, are not allowed to enter and see her.¡±


    Yesterday, he visited Ellie without any hindrance, but today, it appeared to be impossible.


    Kaiden promptly sensed the peculiarity in the manager¡¯s statements.


    ¡°You recognize me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯re the big shot trying to harass Miss Gordon, aren¡¯t you?¡± The manager eyed Kaiden suspiciously. ¡°You¡¯re all dressed up and appearing so respectable, but I bet you¡¯re up to no good. Young folks these days are learning all the wrong things.¡±


    Kaiden felt bewildered.


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    The manager¡¯s words seemed iprehensible to him.


    He was the big shot, and Ellie was indeed his intended contact¡ªthat much was urate. But sexual harassment?


    ¡°I¡¯m married,¡± he rified. There was no question of harassment.


    The manager was incensed upon hearing this.


    He hissed, ¡°Married and still lusting after our Critport University¡¯s prized gem? Get out! You scoundrel!¡±


    Kaiden sensed that the manager was a bit unhinged.


    Given the manager¡¯s apparent familiarity with and protective stance toward Ellie, Kaiden summoned his rarely exercised patience.


    ¡°Ellie is my wife!¡± he dered, looking stern.


    ¡°Young man, are you delusional? Miss Gordon, a young woman in her early twenties, married? Leave immediately, or I¡¯ll call security!¡±


    Kaiden, clenching his teeth, had never felt so at a loss for words.


    Out of respect for Ellie¡¯s alma mater, he refrained from barging in. Instead, he dialed Ellie¡¯s number, attempting to establish that he wasn¡¯t acting out of fantasy. After all, he was Ellie¡¯s husband.


    .


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    Message from Noa: Have a spectacr weekend dear ones, a new novel will be released in just a few hours. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( ? ? ¨C ) ?


    .

 Chapter 501

    ?Chapter 501:


    ¡°Apologies, but the number you¡¯ve called is currently unavable.¡± The manager casually savored his tea, appearing poised as if anticipating Kaiden¡¯s subsequent actions.


    The unspoken message behind the declined call was unmistakable.


    Ellie had no intention of engaging inmunication with him. Moreover, the manager¡¯s usation of harassment appeared to be Ellie¡¯s deceptive maneuver.


    ¡°Young man, if Miss Gordon isn¡¯t fond of you and declines to meet, it¡¯s best to let go,¡± the manager offered.


    Kaiden experienced a sudden pang in his chest, not knowing what to do next.


    After a moment, hepromised. He left the milk tea on the reception desk, saying, ¡°I won¡¯t go up, but can you give this to her?¡±


    Casting a nce at the package, the manager retorted, ¡°I¡¯m a gatekeeper, not a courier.¡±


    He had no intention of assisting someone used of harassment for deceiving a student.


    Observing Kaiden exiting the dorm, Bruce swiftly made his way toward him. ¡°Sir, Mr. Howell mentioned some urgent matters requiring your attention. It¡¯s rted to Miss Lambert.¡±


    Kaiden scowled in annoyance. ¡°Inform him to wait for me at the hospital.¡±


    He desired to remain in close proximity to Ellie.


    However, matters concerning Brisa and Carole required prompt resolution.


    ncing at the milk tea he held, Kaiden strolled into a nearby convenience store.


    Bruce, waiting outside, observed as Kaiden handed the milk tea to the cashier, uttering words that sparked excitement in the cashier girl.


    Kaiden emerged empty-handed.


    ¡°Sir, you handed the milk tea to the convenience store?¡± Bruce was taken aback.


    Kaiden had patiently waited in line for twenty minutes to purchase milk tea and then simply handed it over?


    Kaiden shot a nce at Bruce.


    Latest chapters ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe??s


    Bruce interpreted a message of ¡°are you stupid?¡± in Kaiden¡¯s gaze.


    The lights illuminated Ellie¡¯s dorm.


    Kaiden cast a lingering nce before getting into the car. He instructed, ¡°Head to the hospital.¡±


    Ellie observed Kaiden¡¯s iing call, gazing until it ceased ringing and registered as a missed call.


    Within seconds, she calmly deleted the call log.


    Suddenly, a series of knocks echoed on the door.


    Her heart constricted at the knocks on the dorm door, but as she peered through the peephole and realized it wasn¡¯t Kaiden, she felt an unexpected sense of emptiness.


    She opened the door and politely said, ¡°Sir.¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, there was indeed a man looking for you. He¡¯s quite handsome and dressed like a big shot. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the man you mentioned, but I didn¡¯t allow him toe up. I came here specifically to inform you.¡±


    ¡°It was him, thank you, sir!¡± Ellie had spotted Bruce beside the Maybach from her vantage point on the balcony.


    ¡°No problem. If he shows up again, I¡¯ll continue to prevent his entry for you.¡±


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 Chapter 502

    ?Chapter 502:


    While Baylee was in the shower, Ellie sat on the sofa, deep in contemtion.


    She grabbed her phone and reopened the Twitter app.


    As anticipated, all the rumors about Kaiden and Carole had disappeared.


    Nevertheless, there were fresh updates.


    In the evening, Carole participated in a live-streamed fashion interview where she was questioned about her romantic life.


    She replied with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m a jewelry designer, not a public personality. My romantic affairs are personal, and I¡¯d rather keep them private. I hope everyone can understand, and I appreciate your well wishes.¡±


    The lukewarm denial only fueled the excitement of the gossip-thirsty crowd.


    ¡°So, the removal of gossip from the inte wasn¡¯t due to spections but Carole¡¯s personal choice.¡±


    ¡°Wow! This means that Mr. Thorpe and Miss Lambert are indeed in a rtionship!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe ardently defends his childhood sweetheart. Truly a fairy tale love!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe and Miss Lambert, a wless pair! Best wishes for an early addition to the family.¡±


    The entire inte showered blessings and envy on Kaiden and Carole¡¯s rtionship.


    Ellie found it ludicrous.


    As a legally wedded wife, she had to witness another woman receiving inte blessings with her husband.


    She wasn¡¯t taken aback by these unfolding events.


    Ever since the ¡°romance¡± between Carole and Kaiden came to light, it appeared to be a meticulously orchestrated scheme.


    Elite circles are always filled with top-level gossip, but it¡¯s seldom known to the public. No entertainmentpany dares interfere with these individuals unless someone is orchestrating things behind the scenes.


    A sudden realization hit Ellie¡ªshe should have answered that call. Perhaps it was Kaiden calling to discuss a potential divorce.


    1@?€?? ¡é??t?¨º§ñ$ ¨ª§Ú gal??ovels.??om


    In the quiet lounge of the hospital, Carole faced Kaiden and Jerome, her voice tinged with regret. ¡°Kaiden, Jerome, I spoke without thinking when I was interviewed¡­ I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t foresee the harm it could cause.¡±


    She lowered her eyes, pretending to be sorry for what had happened.


    After learning that the rumors about her and Kaiden had been deleted, Carole had made a public statement on her live stream, urging viewers not to specte about her rtionship and thanking them for their well-wishes.


    Her choice of words, however, misleadingly suggested a romance with Kaiden, particrly given the timing.


    Her statement, crafted with precision, left little room for suspicion among the majority of her viewers.


    She had strategically announced this misleading information live, ensuring it remained unedited and could be dismissed as a mere slip of the tongue if questioned.


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 Chapter 503

    ?Chapter 503:


    Kaiden, meanwhile, leaned casually against a desk, his posture rxed yet deliberate. He rarely stood this way unless he felt uneasy. His gaze fixed on Carole, sharp and questioning. ¡°Then, who¡¯s behind the gossip?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Carole looked up at him, her expression one of puzzled innocence.


    Jerome handed her a photograph showing her in lively conversation with a woman at a banquet, a moment captured in apparent happiness. ¡°This woman, the one who runs her own social media, spread the rumor. She imed to have your approval before posting it online. In other words, you sanctioned her actions.¡±


    The photo left Carole speechless, her anxiety palpable. Her heart pounded as she gripped the photograph, her fingers trembling so much that the edges crumpled under the pressure.


    Kaiden tasked Jerome with uncovering the origins of the rumor, leading to the discovery of Carole¡¯s involvement. Given her unique status, Jerome approached the situation with caution, seeking guidance. ¡°Kaiden, how should we proceed?¡±


    Kaiden decided, ¡°Issue a denial on GT Group¡¯s official Twitter. No, better yet, I¡¯ll handle it personally. Set up a new ount for me.¡± He intended to set the record straight under his own name, marking a departure from his usual preference for traditionalmunication methods.


    Jerome nodded, a hint of surprise on his face at Kaiden¡¯s modern approach, and left to carry out the instructions.


    The lounge, a modest space of 20 square meters, became the backdrop for a tense moment between Kaiden and Carole.


    Carole¡¯s anxiety mounted under Kaiden¡¯s silent gaze, feeling as though she was on trial.


    ¡°Kaiden, the woman behind this is a friend who¡¯s supported me in the past. She thought some shocking news would draw attention and asked for my help, so I helped her,¡± she stammered between sobs. ¡°Kaiden, I realize now how disruptive my actions were. I¡¯m sorry if they¡¯ve upset you,¡± she pleaded, hoping for his understanding.


    Kaiden, growing weary of her excuses yet maintaining a calm demeanor, interrupted, ¡°Carole, I¡¯m not angry at you.¡± His reassurance caught her off guard.


    G  al  no vel s . holds tales worth reading


    ¡°Really?¡± she inquired, a flicker of hope in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed, ¡°but Ellie was angry at me.¡±


    Carole¡¯s brief relief was shattered by this revtion, leaving her momentarily frozen.


    Was Kaiden confronting her because Ellie had expressed her displeasure to him?


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯ve always been indifferent to gossip. Even when rumors of us circted, you paid them no mind. I assumed this wouldn¡¯t bother you either.¡± She tried to pin the problem on his unexpected reaction, aiming to absolve herself of guilt.


    Kaiden, in search of a brief escape from the tension, lit a cigarette. Previously, he¡¯d dismissed rumors as harmless, but this recent one had driven a wedge between him and Ellie.


    ¡°Carole, I¡¯ve told you countless times: Ellie is my wife.¡± His statement hinted at the importance of considering Ellie¡¯s feelings.


    Guilt surfaced on Carole¡¯s tear-streaked face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think it through. I¡¯ll apologize to Miss Gordon.¡±


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 Chapter 504

    ?Chapter 504:


    He corrected her firmly, ¡°If you see me as your brother, then Ellie is your sister-inw. You should address her as ¡®Mrs. Thorpe¡¯.¡±


    Carole resisted, her emotions spilling over. ¡°No, I can¡¯t¡­¡±


    The idea of showing respect to someone she viewed as a rival in love repulsed her.


    Kaiden¡¯s tone hardened. ¡°Follow my instructions, lest you forget who Ellie really is to me.¡±


    Carole, amidst her tears, acquiesced. ¡°Kaiden, it won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Before Carole could utter another word, he was gone from the lounge. She found herself copsing to the floor, overwhelmed by a sense of despair. Why did things have to take such a dire turn?


    Jerome approached Kaiden with a phone in hand. ¡°Look! I¡¯ve set up a new Twitter ount for you,¡± he announced, offering the device to Kaiden, who nodded his thanks and began to navigate the unfamiliar digitalndscape with a hint of reluctance.


    The bright colors and myriad icons on the screen made Kaiden furrow his brow in confusion.


    Jerome, sensing an opportunity, encouraged him, ¡°Kaiden, the inte can be quite the resource. Why not explore a bit?¡±


    As Jerome showed him how to post online, Kaiden responded with ack of enthusiasm, ¡°I¡¯m not really interested.¡±


    But when Jerome mentioned that Ellie had be a topic of conversation on Twitter, Kaiden¡¯s attention sharpened, and he paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard.


    Jerome watched, convinced that this might spark Kaiden¡¯s interest in the tform.


    When he refreshed the page, a new post appeared, clear and direct: ¡°Kaiden Thorpe: ¡®I am married. My wife¡¯s surname is Gordon.''¡±


    Jerome couldn¡¯t hide his smile, believing this straightforward deration might just make Kaiden a more engaged participant in the digital world.


    I@?€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? In ?al¦Ð?¦Í¦Ål?.c?m


    Today marked Ellie¡¯s second lecture at Critport University. The ssroom was again packed with students.


    When Ellie entered the room, she found that the students were chatting excitedly.


    She didn¡¯t pay much attention to it until a student approached her and asked, ¡°Miss Gordon, can I see your hands?¡±


    Confused, Ellie raised her hands.


    ¡°s, she doesn¡¯t have it!¡± The student was disappointed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have what?¡± asked Ellie, creasing her brow.


    ¡°The ring! The CEO of GT Group officially deredst night that he is married. He said that his wife¡¯s surname is Gordon, and your surname happens to be the same, right? But you don¡¯t have a wedding ring on your finger, so it¡¯s not you.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ official announcement?¡± Ellie was flummoxed.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you checked Twitter?¡±


    Last night, after watching Carole¡¯s livestream, Ellie had tossed her phone aside in disgust. Baylee was busy preparing for the auction, so neither of them checked Twitter.


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 Chapter 505

    ?Chapter 505:


    Ellie touched the diamond ring around her neck, feeling its cool metal against her skin, as her heart began to race, thumping loudly inside her chest.


    The student¡¯s words resounded in her mind, ¡°His wife¡¯s surname is Gordon.¡±


    This shocking news made it very hard for Ellie to concentrate for the rest of the ss.


    She didn¡¯t check her phone until thest ss ended.


    When she finally looked at her phone, she found that her WhatsApp was inundated with messages.


    Almost all the rich, young people in her circle had messaged her. Everyone wanted to know the same thing. All the messages contained a screenshot of Kaiden¡¯s Twitter post and simr questions.


    ¡°Kaiden is talking about you, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°You are Mrs. Thorpe? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, did you get married secretly? Did you want to surprise us?¡± Susanna had also sent her a message, ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m going to apply for the exchange student program at Glostin. I¡¯ll be your student at Critport University soon! Ha-ha!¡±


    No wonder Ellie didn¡¯t see Susanna today.


    But Susanna wasn¡¯t aware that Ellie would only be teaching here for two weeks.


    Ellie didn¡¯t reply to any of the messages on WhatsApp.


    She checked Twitter and found that Kaiden¡¯s marriage announcement was the top trending topic.


    Kaiden had dered, ¡°I am married. And my wife¡¯s surname is Gordon.¡±


    When she saw these words, Ellie was stumped.


    Kaiden had shut down all rumors with just one post.


    He rified the rtionship between him and Carole in the most effective and powerful way.


    Latest updates only on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls


    Ellie had mixed feelings about his announcement. She had struggled in the darkness for so long, and now there was light at the end of the tunnel.


    However, she didn¡¯t feel the joy that she thought she would.


    Because there was more destion behind the light.


    Meanwhile, thements were blowing up on Twitter.


    ¡°So Mr. Thorpe is implying that he has nothing to do with Carole. He¡¯s married, and his wife¡¯s surname is Gordon.¡±


    ¡°I see. So Carole was only pretending to be his girlfriend! Ha-ha!¡±


    ¡°Friends! Do you remember Ellie from the fireworks showst year? Do you think it¡¯s her?¡±


    ¡°When I saw the news, I thought his wife was Ellie Gordon. Am I the only one to think so?¡±


    ¡°No, you are not alone! If his wife really is the same Ellie, then my guess is correct! That¡¯s great!¡±


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 Chapter 506

    ?Chapter 506:


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen! Do you remember the genius stylist also named Ellie, who danced so well? Could it be her? I¡¯m so eager to know! Are all three women with the Gordon surname the same person? I¡¯m really curious!¡±


    ¡°The whole thing is so funny! All theizens showered blessings on Carole, but Kaiden refuted the rumor that he had another wife! Interesting!¡±


    ¡°Who the hell is this Carole? She chose to be his mistress? So disgraceful! How stupid she is!¡±


    ¡°I heard that Carole never imed to be in a rtionship with Mr. Thorpe. Someone else spread the rumor.¡±


    ¡°She deliberately misled the public into believing that she and Kaiden were a couple! But you¡¯re saying it wasn¡¯t her, huh?¡±


    ¡°Carole, can you clear the confusion? Come on!¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, why don¡¯t you introduce your wife to us? We will all send wedding presents! Then you can hold a wedding reception!¡±


    Before returning to her dormitory, Ellie stopped at the convenience store to buy water.


    ¡°Ellie, wait!¡± called the cashier, who was a part-time student at the store. She took out two cups of milk tea with a mischievous smile. ¡°Last night, a super handsome man asked me to give these to you,¡± she said, holding the cups out to her.


    ¡°Who?¡± asked Ellie, taking the cups from her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t tell me his name.¡± The cashier nced at the milk tea and suddenly cried, ¡°Oh no! They¡¯ve gone bad!¡±


    The milk tea had been kept outside for too long and had be rancid. It was no longer fit to drink.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Thank you,¡± said Ellie as she walked out of the convenience store.


    She chucked both cups into the trash can.


    . brings magic to life


    The milk tea had soured over time, much like her rtionship with Kaiden following his bted announcement on Twitter.


    In the hospital,


    ¡°Are you still not going to tell me why?¡± Kaiden hissed.


    He and Brisa had argued all night and morning.


    He confronted Brisa about why she hid the medicine, but she pretended to be sleepy and dozed off to avoid the conversation. However, to her surprise, when she woke up, she found Kaiden sitting on the edge of the bed.


    ¡°I want your father to be with me! Whenever I¡¯m seriously ill, hees running to me,¡± Brisa admitted, clutching the quilt. She looked helpless and innocent.


    Kaiden was so angry that heughed.


    He had waited so long to get an answer, but her motive turned out to be ridiculous!


    She had risked her health for a man who didn¡¯t love her.


    But it wasn¡¯t all that surprising. When Kaiden was a child, she would use him to get close to his father.


    .


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 Chapter 507

    ?Chapter 507:


    As soon as Kaiden walked out of the ward, Carole rushed to him in tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kaiden. I didn¡¯t mean to bring you so much trouble. I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    She hadn¡¯t slept all night. Ever since he posted on Twitter, it had been hell for her.


    She had be theughing stock of the city. Everyone was talking about her like she was a clown!


    More importantly, she had unwittingly pushed Kaiden to announce his marriage!


    ¡°Take her away!¡± Kaiden ordered his men and turned away to avoid contact with Carole.


    ¡°Kaiden! Kaiden, please!¡± she cried.


    She wanted to chase him, but his bodyguards restrained her.


    Outside, Bruce started the car. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, shall we go to the office?¡±


    ¡°Take me to Critport University.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Okay,¡± Bruce said reluctantly. He silently prayed for Kaiden to go to work.


    Leaning against the back of the seat, Kaiden closed his eyes for some rest, asking, ¡°Have you checked the medicine?¡±


    Bruce replied, ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ve checked it; there is no problem with the medicine under your mother¡¯s pillow. I heard that Carole bought some vitamin pills that resembled the shape of your mother¡¯s medicine, but the bottle of vitamins was not opened. I don¡¯t think she has tampered with your mother¡¯s medicine.¡±


    Back at the hospital, Carole took out an opened bottle of vitamins that she had hidden when Kaiden was there.


    After Brisa got sick, one of Jorge¡¯s confidants gave her an unopened bottle of vitamins, saying, ¡°Miss Lambert, you owe Mr. Thorpe big time.¡±


    Kaiden dialed Ellie¡¯s number.


    This time, the phone connected quickly. He breathed a sigh of relief.


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    ¡°Kaiden, are you calling me because you are ready to divorce me?¡± came Ellie¡¯s voice through the phone. Her tone was brusque, as if she was pushing him away from her. Kaiden was stunned for two seconds.


    She still wanted a divorce?


    ¡°Have you seen¡­¡± he began.


    ¡°The post on Twitter? I saw it,¡± Ellie cut in.


    Staring at her toes, she exined, ¡°But Kaiden, it¡¯s not because of the rumor about you and Carole that I want to divorce you. If it¡¯s not Carole, there will be another woman. People will continue to gossip.¡± The gossip was just a trigger.


    Her real reason for the divorce wouldn¡¯t change even if the rumors stopped.


    ¡°This sort of gossip will never happen again,¡± Kaiden promised solemnly.


    In other words, he was refusing the divorce.


    ¡°Look, if you don¡¯t want people to know that I asked for a divorce, you can initiate it,¡± Ellie offered, aware that he might feel humiliated by being asked for a divorce, and attempted to help him maintain his dignity.


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 Chapter 508

    ?Chapter 508:


    As long as the goal was achieved, the process was not important.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t respond.


    Ellie could feel his anger radiating through the phone.


    She couldn¡¯t understand why Kaiden didn¡¯t want a divorce. He hadn¡¯t married her out of love.


    ¡°Did you send the milk tea to the convenience store?¡± Ellie asked, even though she was certain that it was Kaiden. ¡°It has gone bad. Some things don¡¯tst long.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you want a divorce?¡± Baylee asked, moments after Ellie had hung up the phone.


    Ellie nodded, a sense of resolve in her eyes. ¡°This is the best way I can think of to cut my losses,¡± she said.


    The taste of unrequited love was too bitter, too exhausting for her. From the moment she fell for Kaiden, Ellie realized she could not endure the continuation of their loveless marriage.


    Now, realizing Kaiden couldn¡¯t offer her the love she yearned for, she decided to let go.


    Kaiden, on the other hand, refused to ept Ellie¡¯s decision.


    He believed whatever was broken could be mended, even if it meant starting from scratch.


    Driven by a stubborn hope, Kaiden returned to the milk tea shop, buying the same drink he had purchased the day before. Then he went to find Ellie.


    ¡°Why are you here again?¡± the dormitory manager asked with a frown. ¡°No matter how many times youe, I won¡¯t let you in!¡±


    Without a word, Kaiden pulled out a marriage certificate from his coat and handed it to the manager. The document bore two names: Kaiden Thorpe and Ellie Gordon.


    ¡°Ellie is your wife? She¡¯s married?¡± The manager¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, scrutinizing the certificate over and over. ¡°This marriage certificate isn¡¯t fake, is it? You know it¡¯s illegal to forge such documents!¡±


    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???


    Kaiden remained silent, offering no exnation.


    Skeptical yet unable to prove the document was fake, the manager handed back the certificate, his demeanor softening. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Did you two have a fight?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s lips tightened; he was not about to admit anything.


    ¡°You should make things right with your wife. But even if you are her husband, I can¡¯t let you go upstairs,¡± the manager said, taking the milk tea from Kaiden¡¯s grasp. ¡°I¡¯ll bring this up to her for you.¡±


    As the manager spoke, a tall man entered the lobby.


    ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± he asked the neer.


    Marvin, with his understated elegance, was well aware of the establishment¡¯s protocols. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Baylee in Room 302,¡± he stated calmly.


    ¡°Do you have your marriage certificate with you?¡± the manager asked jokingly, still holding the milk tea in one hand while extending the other.


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 Chapter 509

    ?Chapter 509:


    ¡°What?¡± Marvin responded, puzzled by the unusual request.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go upstairs without a marriage certificate!¡± the manager announced disdainfully. ¡°See, that man over there and Ellie are at the point of squabbling and making up, all because they¡¯re married. Young man, you¡¯ve got to step up your game if you¡¯re trying to win someone¡¯s heart!¡±


    With those words, he swiped his card and ascended the stairs slowly, milk tea in hand.


    Marvin, wearing an expression of mild annoyance, nced at Kaiden. He was here for Baylee, yet suddenly, the topic of a marriage certificate was thrown into the mix.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I gather Mrs. Thorpe hasn¡¯t forgiven you yet?¡± Marvin couldn¡¯t help but imply that Kaiden¡¯s effort was in vain.


    He believed that it was Kaiden¡¯s failure to resolve things with Ellie that gave Baylee a reason to stay here.


    ¡°And what about you? You were taken to the security office, but you haven¡¯t managed to take Baylee with you yet?¡± Kaiden shot back, irked by the notion that Marvin hadn¡¯t yet removed the so-called third wheel, Baylee.


    Despite having worked together before, the two men shared looks of displeasure. Yet, realizing neither of them could get into the dormitory, they both couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of satisfaction at each other¡¯s predicament.


    When Ellie opened the door at the knock, she was greeted by the manager¡¯s cheerful voice.


    ¡°Ellie, here¡¯s your milk tea!¡± he said, beaming. ¡°Your husband sent it.¡± The mention of ¡°husband¡± took Ellie aback.


    ¡°Kaiden? How¡­ How did you know I¡¯m married?¡±


    ¡°He showed me your marriage certificate!¡± The managerughed, thinking the whole scenario amusing. ¡°I prevented him from entering the dormitory. But since you¡¯re married, I didn¡¯t refuse his request to deliver this. Here you are. The rest is up to you two.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the inconvenience¡­¡± Ellie apologized, feeling guilty about the trouble her personal matters had caused.


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    ¡°It¡¯s all good!¡± the manager assured her, then turned to Baylee. ¡°And miss, there¡¯s someone here for you too. But since I stopped Ellie¡¯s husband, I couldn¡¯t exactly let your visitor in without question.¡±


    ¡°Thanks a lot,¡± Baylee said, already guessing the visitor was Marvin, who had shown up unannounced because she hadn¡¯t answered his calls.


    Baylee turned to face Ellie. Their eyes met, sharing a moment of mutual understanding.


    Ellie handed Baylee one of the milk teas.


    ¡°It¡¯s from your ex-husband. Do you still want to have it?¡± Baylee asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. She epted it, albeit hesitantly.


    ¡°Might as well drink it. It¡¯s not like I can send it back.¡±


    Ellie decided to ept the drink as if it were from a stranger, sparing herself the hassle of going out for a drink.


    Downstairs, Kaiden and Marvin stood, their gazes fixed on the balcony of Room 302. But even after two hours, the women showed no sign of appearing on the balcony.


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 Chapter 510

    ?Chapter 510:


    ¡°What are those two good-looking guys staring at?¡± bystanders murmured, craning their necks to see what had caught the men¡¯s attention. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything special. They¡¯re acting pretty odd!¡±


    Kaiden and Marvin found themselves at a loss for words, feeling somewhat out of ce.


    The following day, Ellie and Baylee stepped out for breakfast, only to find the two men still stationed outside the dormitory. The sight of them caught the attention of many students, who slowed down to steal nces at the imposing figures.


    ¡°Can we talk, Ellie?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was rough, showing he hadn¡¯t slept at all.


    Ellie noticed the dark shadows under his eyes and agreed. They indeed needed to talk.


    ¡°Baylee¡­¡± Marvin stood before her, his face expressionless, yet somehow conveying a sense of sadness.


    ¡°Marvin, it¡¯s time for you to leave. Now that you¡¯re better, you should return to your own family, the Hills,¡± Baylee told him.


    Marvin took her hand, looking deeply into her eyes as if she was his entire world. ¡°I want to bring you back with me.¡±


    Baylee sighed and pulled her hand away. ¡°Marvin, we¡¯re not suited for each other. Once you¡¯re fully yourself again, you¡¯ll realize you don¡¯t feel for me the way you think you do.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯mpletely in my right mind now!¡± Marvin insisted.


    Baylee stared at him in shock. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°My mind is as clear as it¡¯s ever been,¡± Marvin admitted. ¡°But I¡¯m certain I want to marry you, Baylee.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ your mind is clear?¡± Baylee struggled to grasp this.


    Even after his recovery, he still looked at her with so much affection and held her hand as if nothing had changed. Yet, she could see differences in him, especially in his more determined gaze.


    ¡°But, Marvin, your family¡¯splexities¡­ I can¡¯t be part of that world. I don¡¯t want to marry into such aplicated situation.¡± Baylee doubted Marvin¡¯s feelings for her.


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    Could he really love her, especially after just a brain injury?


    ¡°Is it theplexity of the Hill family that¡¯s making you hesitate?¡± Marvin¡¯s expression grew serious.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Baylee felt her reasoning was solid. One couldn¡¯t simply change their family or background.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Marvin conceded. ¡°I¡¯ll ensure the Hill family is no obstacle. I want you to feel at ease as thedy of the Hill house!¡±


    It was a sunny, warm morning in spring when Ellie led Kaiden to a secluded area.


    ¡°Kaiden, I have no interest in your wealth. We can finalize the divorce,¡± she stated, her voice steady and clear. ¡°I won¡¯t im the clothes, jewelry, or cars you¡¯ve given me.¡±


    Ellie had already taken the essentials with her.


    When she was brought to Moon Manor by the Gordon family, she had brought only the essentials such as her identification card, mobile phone, andputer.


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 Chapter 511

    ?Chapter 511:


    Was she even contemting a division of assets?


    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned grim, a shadow of anger passing over his face.


    Yet, in his fury, he maintained an eerie calmness.


    ¡°Do you truly believe that divorcing me without iming a single penny is wise, Ellie?¡± he questioned, his toneced with disbelief. Was this how he saw her? As someone who would squabble over finances during a divorce?


    Ellie felt an unexpected pang of heartache, her eyshes fluttering with emotion.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t marry you for your money¡­¡± she whispered.


    Kaiden was well aware that Ellie¡¯s motives were not financial. The Gordon family had coerced her into marrying him right after her breakup with Erick.


    She had never harbored any affection for him from the start.


    ¡°Alright then!¡± Ellie conceded, a bitter smile ying on her lips as she locked eyes with Kaiden. ¡°So, Mr. Thorpe, how much are you willing to offer me? The amount is inconsequential to me.¡± She just wanted a divorce!


    Kaiden, unable to contain his frustration, seized her wrist abruptly, pulling her close and encircling her waist with his arms.


    Before Ellie could react, Kaiden had tilted her chin upward, leaving her lips vulnerably parted.


    Kaiden lowered his head and kissed her hard on the lips.


    Hended a fierce kiss on her with a force that seemed punitive.


    ¡°Eh!¡± Ellie gasped in pain, her fingers brushing her lips in disbelief as she attempted to push him away, but it was futile.


    ¡°Your lips aren¡¯t broken. I¡¯m fully aware of my actions,¡± Kaiden remarked coldly, a hint of mockery in his dark gaze as he inspected Ellie¡¯s rosy lips. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, do you honestly believe I want a divorce?¡±


    The intensity of the kiss brought tears to Ellie¡¯s eyes, and she met his stare defiantly.


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    ¡°Let me go!¡± she demanded, struggling to free herself.


    But for Kaiden, the kiss was insufficient. His gaze remained fixated on her lips, yearning for another. And so, he kissed her once more.


    ¡°You!¡± Once again, Ellie¡¯s lips were seized in a kiss.


    She intended to resist, but the kiss overwhelmed her with its intensity.


    Kaiden¡¯s expertise made it feel as though he was drawing every breath from her lungs, sapping her will to resist.


    The embrace was powerful, enduring, and stirred a tumult of emotions within her.


    Ellie endeavored to push back, yet the man before her was the secret holder of her unvoiced affection, the love she had concealed deep within her heart.


    By the time the kiss ended, her legs trembled with weakness, leaving Ellie to scorn her body¡¯s betrayal.


    Breathless, Ellie finally mustered the strength to confront him, hissing, ¡°Kaiden, this is a school!¡±


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 Chapter 512

    ?Chapter 512:


    ¡°Should we find another location, then?¡± Kaiden responded nonchntly, his thumb brushing away the trace of their kiss from the corner of Ellie¡¯s mouth, unaffected by the setting.


    He had observed several couples engaging in passionate exchanges just outside for the past two nights.


    The seclusion offered by the nearby bushes made them less visible to onlookers.


    Seizing the moment to distance herself, Ellie¡¯s eyes burned with indignation.


    Taking a deep breath topose herself, she dered, ¡°If you¡¯re more interested in mocking me than discussing our divorce, then there¡¯s nothing left for us to talk about, Kaiden!¡±


    With that, Ellie turned and walked away, leaving Kaiden behind.


    Marvin had already left, and Baylee waited for Ellie nearby.


    As Ellie approached, Baylee subtly gestured toward the convenience store, revealing that Ellie had inadvertently chosen a spot right between the checkout counter and arge tree for their confrontation. The cashier, witnessing Ellie¡¯s approach, mped a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream, clearly shocked.


    Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Ellie covered her face. Then, apanied by Baylee, she ventured into the convenience store to purchase sandwiches.


    As Ellie paid, the cashier couldn¡¯t contain her excitement. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t see a thing! I won¡¯t tell a soul! The man who brought you milk teast night was the one who kissed you just now. Your boyfriend is so handsome!¡±


    Ellie was left speechless by the cashier¡¯s contradictory assurance.


    Didn¡¯t she say she saw nothing?


    Baylee wanted to prepare for her role as an auctioneer at the uing prestigious painting auction, so she borrowed a meeting room at the school to practice.


    Ellie, sticking to her routine, headed to the library to study.


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    Not long after settling down, a cup of coffee appeared beside her hand.


    ¡°Ellie.¡± Howard greeted her in a hushed tone and took a seat diagonally opposite her.


    Conversations weren¡¯t suitable in the library, so Ellie sent a WhatsApp message to Howard. ¡°Thank you for the coffee. You don¡¯t have to bring it to me next time. It¡¯s such a hassle.¡±


    Howard replied, ¡°It¡¯s no hassle. You don¡¯t need to be so formal with me.¡± After responding to the message, Howard set his phone aside and focused on his book.


    Ellie refrained from discussing the matter further, not wanting to interrupt his reading.


    While contemting the coffee in front of her, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but sense that Howard was treating her differently.


    Before she could fully process this, a slightmotion arose around her.


    A man in a white shirt and a khaki windbreaker entered. Even without the suit, he exuded an air of someone about to make financial headlines.


    Kaiden approached a seat opposite Ellie and asked the woman sitting there, ¡°Could you please switch seats with me?¡±


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 Chapter 513

    ?Chapter 513:


    His voice was deep and maic. The woman¡¯s face turned crimson upon hearing him, and she promptly grabbed her book, standing to vacate her seat for him.


    Kaiden sat down nonchntly.


    The woman then realized something and thought to herself, ¡°Switch seats? But where should I go? This handsome guy doesn¡¯t have a seat, does he?¡±


    Shocked, Ellie furrowed her brows and stared at Kaiden.


    What was he doing here?


    He was disturbing the library¡¯s organization!


    However, Kaiden behaved as if he were an ordinary student, opening a book and pretending to read it attentively.


    The students around him eventually settled down and resumed their studies. asionally, a few people would sneak nces at Kaiden. While Kaiden appeared engrossed in his book, Ellie couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was paying undue attention to her.


    Feeling ufortable, Ellie shifted in her seat and looked for another vacant spot, intending to move away from him.


    But at that moment, Kaiden suddenly raised his head, fixing a calm yet piercing gaze on her.


    Ellie had a strong premonition that if she changed her seat, he would follow her.


    What was he ying at?


    Increasingly frustrated, Ellie found it challenging to concentrate on her work.


    After two hours, she couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and walked out of the library.


    Almost simultaneously, Kaiden and Howard also stood up and left.


    Most of the other students in the library watched as the three of them left.


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    The expressions on their faces were a mix of confusion and intrigue.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on between them?¡±


    ¡°Is that handsome guy familiar with Howard? Or is it Ellie he¡¯s familiar with?¡±


    ¡°Why do I feel like the aura around those three feels like one of danger?¡±


    ¡°Should we follow them and see what they¡¯re doing? They¡¯re not going outside to fight, are they?¡±


    ¡°Who would have the heart to hit someone with a face like Ellie¡¯s?¡±


    Even though the students were very curious about the issue, considering that it was someone else¡¯s private matter and Kaiden looked like someone that should not be trifled with, none of them followed the trio to see what they were up to.


    Meanwhile, Kaiden, after taking a few steps outside the library, nced sideways at Howard, who was right beside him.


    His eyes looked cold and unfriendly.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not following you. I¡¯m just looking for Ellie,¡± Howard exined when he saw the hostility in Kaiden¡¯s eyes.


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 Chapter 514

    ?Chapter 514:


    He still couldn¡¯t quite believe that the man walking freely right beside him was the same Kaiden Thorpe of the Thorpe family who had been confined to a wheelchair for several years.


    ¡°Looking for my wife right in my face¡­ do you think that¡¯s an appropriate thing to do?¡± Kaiden said with a sneer.


    ¡°Your wife is¡­¡± Howard couldn¡¯tplete the sentence. He was too taken aback by surprise and disbelief that he almost felt he was dreaming.


    Not long ago, he had seen it on Twitter, but he had told himself that there were many people whose surname was Gordon.


    ¡°Her name is Ellie Gordon,¡± Kaiden confirmed, crushing what little hope Howard still had.


    Shock, crushed hopes, disbelief, and a myriad of other emotions swirled in Howard¡¯s eyes, ultimately leading to a sense of resentment.


    ¡°For crying out loud, you¡¯re not worthy of her!¡± he shouted in displeasure. ¡°You¡¯re married, but yet, you¡¯re involved with other women. It¡¯s clear that you don¡¯t know how to cherish her!¡±


    Kaiden looked up and down at the young man, who was just a few years younger than him, as if he had just told some funny joke.


    ¡°How dare you talk to me about being worthy or not?¡± Kaiden sneered mockingly. ¡°Look, when I was your age, I was already the CEO of GT Group. But look at you¡­ what do you have to boast of? You haven¡¯t even been able to take control of the Lee family. Do you think you¡¯re worthy enough to speak in my presence?¡±


    If they were at a banquet, the only person qualified to talk to Kaiden would be Howard¡¯s father, who was the head of the Lee family.


    Howard wasn¡¯t happy with this rebuke. He clenched and unclenched his fists in anger. He wanted to fire back a retort, but he couldn¡¯t think of anything that could qualify as an appropriate response. After all, what Kaiden had said was right.


    ¡°But Mr. Thorpe,¡± he grumbled in displeasure, ¡°Ellie has the freedom to make friends. Why couldn¡¯t I care about her as her friend?¡±


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    Kaiden¡¯s eyebrows shot up when he heard this. ¡°So, does that mean you want to care about those intimate things my wife and I do in private?¡± he retorted.


    Howard was taken aback by this unexpected response, and his face immediately turned sour.


    Even though he knew Kaiden had deliberately said this to annoy him, he was still shocked by it.


    Not far from the library, there was an artificialke.


    The moistureden breeze blowing from theke was not enough to calm Ellie¡¯s mood.


    ¡°Kaiden, what do you want?¡± she asked in a cold tone the moment she saw him.


    ¡°I came to read,¡± Kaiden calmly replied.


    Ellie let out a bitterugh. ¡°Since when did Mr. Thorpe be interested in veterinary pathology, huh?¡±


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 Chapter 515

    ?Chapter 515:


    Kaiden didn¡¯t know what to say.


    He had simply picked up a random book, without first finding out what it was about. No wonder the only things he saw in the book were details about cows, pigs, and sheep.


    ¡°I just want you toe back home,¡± he finally confessed.


    He really wanted her to change her mind about the divorce.


    Ellie was shocked by this request. She stared at him in astonishment, her lips slightly pursed.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡­ I can¡¯t figure it out. Why don¡¯t you agree to a divorce?¡± Unable to resist the temptation, she asked jokingly, ¡°Is it because you love me?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, and his heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one who can be the perfect Mrs. Thorpe,¡± he told her. She was the only woman he wanted to be his wife, no one else.


    Ellie didn¡¯t say anything at first. Instead, she began kicking some stones near her feet, running his statement through her head.


    So, in his mind, she was just a trophy wife? She sneered, feeling foolish for continuing to hold onto the illusion that he might have feelings for her.


    ¡°But Kaiden, I don¡¯t want to be your perfect woman,¡± she pointed out to him.


    She just didn¡¯t want to upy such a position in his life. What she wanted was something else entirely.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get divorced,¡± she added with finality. Divorce! This word again?


    Kaiden felt as if he was being repeatedly provoked.


    In that instant, his mind shed back to Howard, who had been with Ellie at the library studying and had followed her just moments before. Without thinking, he grabbed Ellie¡¯s chin.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re asking for a divorce because you¡¯ve fallen for Howard, eh?¡± he growled.


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    Kaiden¡¯s repeated mention of Howard annoyed Ellie so much that she couldn¡¯t care less about how he felt.


    ¡°Yes! So what? What if I love him?¡± she retorted defiantly. Almost instantly, she could see the effect of her statement. There were turbulent emotions swirling in his eyes like a dark tornado.


    ¡°He¡¯s much better than you,¡± she added, putting more salt in his wounds.


    The Howard she knew would never get involved with other women while in a rtionship. This was not something that could be said for Kaiden.


    Ellie took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. She really wanted to settle this issue as quickly as possible.


    ¡°Kaiden, what will it take for you to agree to a divorce?¡± she asked him straightforwardly. ¡°Someone of your status should not have any trouble finding the perfect Mrs. Thorpe. So, you don¡¯t need to cling to me at all.¡±


    Kaidenughed bitterly. His anger was written clearly on his face, making him seem even more calm and indifferent.


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 Chapter 516

    ?Chapter 516:


    ¡°It¡¯s not impossible to get the divorce you so badly want,¡± he said with a wicked smirk, bringing his face closer to Ellie¡¯s. ¡°Will you agree to sleep with me onest time?¡±


    Since she thought he was promiscuous, then he would make her just as promiscuous as himself.


    Ellie was shocked by his request, staring at him wide-eyed in disbelief. Her reaction seemed to satisfy Kaiden. He leaned closer and added, ¡°Without a condom.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Ellie gasped in hushed tones.


    Her face turned bright red with embarrassment, her throat dry as if she had lost her voice. But after a few seconds, she said in a barely audible voice, ¡°Okay then.¡± She agreed to his request.


    But Kaiden felt no joy. Instead, a chill ran through his heart. He had thought that a woman as proud as Ellie would have pped him hard. To his astonishment, she had agreed to his demand just so she could divorce him. Was she so desperate to get rid of him?


    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Kaiden became even colder, reverting to his former distant self. Without another word, they headed for the exit.


    They had barely taken a few steps when Kaiden suddenly grabbed Ellie and kissed the nape of her neck. It was just a sharp kiss, nothing more.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ellie shouted.


    ¡°You¡¯ve just agreed to sleep with me, but you¡¯reining about a kiss?¡± he scoffed.


    Ellie ignored him and stomped off in anger. At that moment, Kaiden turned his head slightly and met Howard¡¯s gaze, giving him a domineering and icy look.


    Howard clenched his fists in fury. He had just seen the woman he loved being intimate with another man. The pain was beyond words.


    The shower kept running for a moment before the bathroom door suddenly opened. Kaiden walked in, shirtless and wearing only a pair of trousers. His well-defined abs were especially eye-catching.


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    Ellie was startled by the sudden intrusion and quickly covered herself with her palms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not done showering yet!¡± she shouted at him.


    She expected him to leave immediately, but Kaiden began to walk toward her, unfazed by the hot water pouring down on him. He grabbed her hand and ced it on his belt.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait,¡± he said with a mocking grin. ¡°After all, this is what I¡¯m getting in exchange for a divorce.¡±


    When Ellie heard this, her resistance faltered.


    Suddenly, there was a click¡ªthe sound of his belt buckle being undone.


    Usually, whenever they had sex, they used a condom. But today was different. Somehow, Kaiden seemed exceptionally spirited, and what he had said would be ¡°onest time¡± ended upsting the entire day.


    The experience seemed to stretch on without end, overwhelming Ellie with a mix of terror and exhrating sensation. She felt utterly vulnerable, like a fish out of water, gasping for breath under the onught of unyielding kisses.


    Just when she thought she couldn¡¯t endure another moment, Kaiden would pause, granting her the briefest respite to catch her breath¡ªalways just in time.


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 Chapter 517

    ?Chapter 517:


    Ellie had always believed she knew her limits around him, yet in this moment, she realized she had sorely underestimated his effect on her.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, won¡¯t you plead for mercy?¡± Kaiden, despite the perspiration dotting his forehead, gently stroked her cheek, his thrusts betraying a firmness that contrasted with his tender gesture.


    Ellie, in a defiant move, averted her face, her eyes catching the daylight sneaking through a gap in the thick curtains, casting their situation in an almost absurd light.


    ¡°Are you giving me sass?¡± After nting another kiss on her cheek, Kaiden¡¯s gaze searched hers for submission. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve been too gentle with you, huh?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s resistance, evident in her gritted teeth, eventually gave way to the overpowering sensations, and she softly called for mercy.


    ¡°Address me as your husband, and you¡¯ll be free,¡± he offered, his voiceced with challenge.


    Ellie remained silent, her emotions in turmoil.


    ¡°If you don¡¯tply, who¡¯s to say what today will bring?¡± His implied threat sent a wave of fear through her.


    ¡°Well¡­ hus¡­ band.¡± Uttering the title filled Ellie¡¯s heart with an unexpected sorrow, revealing the depth of her inner conflict. The unspoken emotions had atst found their voice, marking a poignant goodbye for Ellie.


    That was the end of his rtionship with her.


    Completely drained, Ellie couldn¡¯t muster the energy to shower, feeling as though her body was fragmented and worn out from overuse. Once Kaiden returned from his balcony smoke break, she seized the moment to suggest a decisive step.


    ¡°We should head to the court.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s closed now,¡± Kaiden replied without missing a beat.


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    Checking the wall clock, Ellie noted it was just three minutes past seven in the evening. The day had stretched far longer than she had anticipated, yet Kaiden seemed unfazed by the marathon they had endured. Unbelievable.


    ¡°In that case, we should at least start drafting the divorce agreement,¡± she proposed, eager to avoid dragging out their separation.


    Kaiden¡¯s response was as cold as the nce he cast her way. ¡°Mywyer will handle the agreement and get in touch with you.¡±


    Ellie was firm in her stance. ¡°I don¡¯t want any assets. There¡¯s no need forplications.¡±


    His mockery was palpable. ¡°Afraid I¡¯ll change my mind?¡± he quipped. Indeed, Ellie harbored such fears, but given the circumstances, it seemed unlikely Kaiden would prolong their divorce.


    ¡°I know you are not stingy with women,¡± she stated. ¡°I trust that with yourwyer¡¯s efficiency, the agreement will be with me by tomorrow.¡±


    Kaiden had always been known for his generosity, whether gifting imperial green jade orvish sports cars. Even when Carole had caused a professional scandal, he had managed to resolve the issue seamlessly. Divorcing her and ensuring she received a portion of the assets was typical of Kaiden.


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 Chapter 518

    ?Chapter 518:


    With newfound resolve, Ellie gathered her clothes and made her way to the bathroom for a shower.


    Kaiden, left alone, gazed at the closed bathroom door, his grip on a ss tightening until it cracked and shattered in his hand. Blood began to trickle from his grasp, seemingly unnoticed.


    Emerging from the bathroom, Ellie was taken aback to find Kaiden still present. She moved to retrieve her belongings from the coffee table, only to have a man¡¯s coat unexpectedly ced over her shoulders.


    ¡°Your clothes are dirty,¡± Kaiden exined.


    Ellie had chosen a woolen long skirt for the day, which she had removed before showering, ensuring it remained clean from their earlier interactions. Yet, it had somehow be tainted with his mess.


    ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for someone to bring me clothes,¡± she informed him, her tone cool as she set his coat aside on the sofa, disying her disinterest.


    When she caught a glimpse of Kaiden, he had hidden his injured hand from her view.


    Shortly after, there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯ve brought your clothes,¡± announced Harry, the manager from Rich Bar, carefully avoiding a nce inside.


    ¡°Did you drive here? I need a lift,¡± Ellie requested, handing over her bag to Harry. She donned her coat and departed, leaving the room and its upant behind without a backward nce.


    A fleeting moment of self-derision crossed Kaiden¡¯s eyes. He had somehow forgotten that his wife was far from a fragile bloom in a sheltered garden. She was a formidable force, as resilient and unyielding as any.


    ¡°Oh, Ellie¡­ What happened to you?¡± Baylee inquired.


    As soon as Ellie walked into the dormitory, Baylee could tell something was amiss. The marks on Ellie¡¯s neck and corbone were ringly evident.


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    ¡°It was Kaiden¡¯s doing,¡± Ellie muttered, exining it as a breakup fling before grabbing a nightgown and heading for the shower.


    Baylee, though silent, seethed with anger toward Kaiden.


    Stripping down, Ellie caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her skin, usually so fair, was littered with red marks. Neck, corbone, arms, back, thighs, calves¡ªshe bore the imprints everywhere, like a wild beast had imed her as its own.


    After finishing her shower, Ellie came out of the bathroom and asked Baylee, ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to fly to Hagua at ten tonight?¡± She was concerned that Baylee might miss her flight.


    Baylee, set to attend an auction in Hagua, had been unable to leave for the trip without ensuring Ellie was all right, especially after failing to reach her by phone earlier. Now a celebrated auctioneer known for her unparalleled sess rate, Baylee hesitated.


    ¡°Are you okay? Do you need me to stay with you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Ellie insisted she was fine, even though Baylee could see she was far from okay. Ultimately, Baylee declined Ellie¡¯s offer to drive her to the airport, thinking it best for Ellie to rest.


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 Chapter 519

    ?Chapter 519:


    When she caught a glimpse of Kaiden, he had hidden his injured hand from her view.


    Shortly after, there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯ve brought your clothes,¡± announced Harry, the manager from Rich Bar, carefully avoiding a nce inside.


    ¡°Did you drive here? I need a lift,¡± Ellie requested, handing over her bag to Harry. She donned her coat and departed, leaving the room and its upant behind without a backward nce.


    A fleeting moment of self-derision crossed Kaiden¡¯s eyes. He had somehow forgotten that his wife was far from a fragile bloom in a sheltered garden. She was a formidable force, as resilient and unyielding as any.


    ¡°Oh, Ellie¡­ What happened to you?¡± Baylee inquired.


    As soon as Ellie walked into the dormitory, Baylee could tell something was amiss. The marks on Ellie¡¯s neck and corbone were ringly evident.


    ¡°It was Kaiden¡¯s doing,¡± Ellie muttered, exining it as a breakup fling before grabbing a nightgown and heading for the shower.


    Baylee, though silent, seethed with anger toward Kaiden.


    Stripping down, Ellie caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her skin, usually so fair, was littered with red marks. Neck, corbone, arms, back, thighs, calves¡ªshe bore the imprints everywhere, like a wild beast had imed her as its own.


    After finishing her shower, Ellie came out of the bathroom and asked Baylee, ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to fly to Hagua at ten tonight?¡± She was concerned that Baylee might miss her flight.


    Baylee, set to attend an auction in Hagua, had been unable to leave for the trip without ensuring Ellie was all right, especially after failing to reach her by phone earlier. Now a celebrated auctioneer known for her unparalleled sess rate, Baylee hesitated.


    ¡°Are you okay? Do you need me to stay with you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Ellie insisted she was fine, even though Baylee could see she was far from okay. Ultimately, Baylee declined Ellie¡¯s offer to drive her to the airport, thinking it best for Ellie to rest.


    That night, Ellie¡¯s sleep was anything but peaceful. She tossed and turned, her rest disturbed by difort and unease.


    The next morning, she woke up feeling utterly drained, her body weak and her mind foggy. Despite this, she rushed to teach a ss, ignoring the warning signs her body was giving her.


    Leaving the dormitory, Ellie¡¯s eyes searched for the Maybach, but it was gone. Kaiden had left.


    Ellie barely made it through her ss. Just as it was ending, dizziness overtook her, and she copsed, her students¡¯ cries of concern echoing around her.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± they shouted as they scrambled to help.


    Howard, quick to react, caught her just in time.


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 Chapter 520

    ?Chapter 520:


    As Elliey in his arms, consciousness slipping away, a figure entered the room. She couldn¡¯t make out his face, but the tinum ring on his left hand caught her eye¡ªit was the same style as the diamond ring she wore around her neck.


    Just as Howard was about to pick Ellie up off the floor, an arm blocked him.


    ¡°Mr. Lee, you¡¯re not the right person for this,¡± Kaiden said to him.


    Those words left Howard frozen. He understood that Kaiden was asserting his position as Ellie¡¯s husband. While Howard was at a loss for words, Kaiden had already lifted Ellie into his arms and exited the ssroom.


    As he held her, Kaiden immediately noticed her fever was unusually high. He moved quickly, taking long strides and carrying her effortlessly despite her being an adult.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Susanna called, chasing after them.


    By the time she made it downstairs, Kaiden had already ced Ellie in the car. Daniel emerged from the break room when he heard the noise, and upon spotting Kaiden¡¯s hands on Ellie¡¯s waist and her bent legs, he found himself strangely irritated.


    ¡°Why do you look so upset?¡± Susanna caught Daniel¡¯s dissatisfied expression. ¡°They¡¯re married, after all.¡±


    Despite knowing about Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s rtionship, Daniel had never paid much attention to it. Yet, seeing them so close together now¡­ What made it so bothersome?


    He had heard about Ellie¡¯s age¡ªshe was only twenty-one, just a year younger than Susanna. How could Kaiden be fine with that?


    ¡°Daniel, do you have any idea where Mr. Thorpe might be taking Ellie?¡± Susanna asked, her worry for Ellie evident in her tone. She hoped Daniel could help ensure she was safe.


    Back in the ssroom, Howard stood staring at his empty hands, watching Ellie being taken away and feeling an unfamiliar emptiness within.


    ¡°Howard, was that the same attractive guy we saw with Ellie in the library yesterday?¡± one of the students asked.


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    ¡°Yes, that was him.¡±


    ¡°He sure is good-looking. But why did you let him take Ellie away? Aren¡¯t you into her? You should chase after them!¡±


    Howard gave a bitterugh. ¡°She¡¯s out of my league.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean out of your league? You¡¯ve got looks, a great body, a solid family, and talent to boot. What¡¯s missing?¡±


    ¡°The guy she¡¯s with isn¡¯tcking in any of those areas either.¡± In fact, Kaiden was even more impressive.


    Howard sighed. Kaiden had a point¡ªonce he graduated, Howard doubted he would even be in the running to approach Kaiden on equal terms.


    Howard¡¯s roommate shook his head. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you at least tell her how you feel? Are you okay with the fact that she will never be aware of your feelings?¡±


    Of course not. If he were okay with it, he wouldn¡¯t have rushed back from Annd in the first ce.


    Just as Howard was gearing up to go after them, his phone rang. It was his father.


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 Chapter 521

    ?Chapter 521:


    ¡°Howard, our family is entering a big deal with GT Group, and they¡¯ve asked specifically for you to be the projectwyer. You need toe home right away.¡±


    Howard¡¯s hand shook as he held the phone. GT Group¡­ That was Kaiden¡¯spany. This was his way of getting Howard away from Ellie. It was also a clear message from Kaiden that Howard was no match for him.


    At the hospital


    ¡°The patient¡¯s got a bit of a fever and low blood sugar, nothing to worry about,¡± the doctor announced as he wrapped up Ellie¡¯s file.


    ¡°But why would she have a fever?¡± Kaiden frowned, puzzled.


    The weather had been mild, without a hint of chill or rain. During their intimate moments yesterday, he had made sure Ellie wasn¡¯t chilled.


    Catching sight of the marks on Ellie¡¯s neck, the doctor gave Kaiden a meaningful look.


    ¡°You should avoid engaging in excessively prolonged sexual activity,¡± he exined. ¡°We see quite a few cases of fever after intense sexual activities. Young folks ought to be aware of their limits.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, Kaiden nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±


    Ellie looked particrly vulnerable on the hospital bed. Her skin was pale, and an IV needle was inserted into her left hand. Seeing her in such a state, Kaiden immediately felt a pang of regret for his actions the previous day.


    He took a seat next to her, carefully brushing a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle, betraying a softness he hadn¡¯t realized was there.


    As Ellie came around, herst clear memory was of the simple design of a man¡¯s wedding ring¡ªKaiden¡¯s ring. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, the sharp scent of hospital disinfectant wrinkling her nose. She immediately met Kaiden¡¯s gaze.


    Kaiden was just about to ask if she was feeling unwell when she spoke.


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    ¡°Did youe here with the divorce papers?¡± she asked, her voice raspy from illness.


    That was something Kaiden had momentarily forgotten.


    ¡°The papers aren¡¯t ready yet,¡± he responded, his voice tight.


    The truth was, thewyer hadn¡¯t even been notified to prepare them. Ellie couldn¡¯t help but think that if things were moving this slowly, maybe it was time for him to find a newwyer.


    ¡°Before I passed out, I saw you,¡± Ellie said. ¡°If you¡¯re not here with divorce papers, why were you there?¡±


    Ellie had assumed Kaiden had left. But in reality, he had switched cars and followed her¡ªfrom the hotel to her dorm, and then to her ssroom that morning. The way he behaved made him seem like a dreadful stalker.


    Kaiden, however, didn¡¯t reply to her question. Instead, his expression darkened at the memory.


    ¡°Ellie, do you even know how to take care of yourself? Don¡¯t you know to go to the hospital when you¡¯re feeling sick? Can¡¯t you tell when you¡¯ve got a high fever? Do you want to harm yourself?¡±


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 Chapter 522

    ?Chapter 522:


    ¡°It¡¯s not your concern!¡± Ellie shot back, her eyes shing with anger. How dare he.


    ¡°Who will look after you if I don¡¯t?¡± Kaiden let out a mockingugh. He leaned in close, his tone harsh and possessive. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, the only person responsible for you now is me.¡±


    Not Howard.


    He had arranged a project for Howard to keep him busy, ensuring he wouldn¡¯t have time to approach Ellie for a while.


    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± Ellie hissed.


    At that moment, Daniel, who hade with Susanna to visit, walked in. He was just in time to witness Ellie trying to shove Kaiden away. The sight of the IV needle tugging at her arm and causing her difort made his expression instantly darken.


    The nurse, readjusting Ellie¡¯s IV needle, suppressed the urge to scold both the stubborn patient and the uncooperative family member, fully aware of their VIP status in the hospital.


    Inside the room, Susanna kept Elliepany, their conversation light and amiable. Outside, Daniel was representing his family in a cordial exchange with Kaiden.


    ¡°I should have paid my respects to the Thorpe family upon my return, but I¡¯ve been preupied,¡± Daniel said to Kaiden.


    Kaiden, ever diplomatic, replied, ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Mr. Lambert.¡±


    He silently noted the irony in Daniel¡¯s im of being busy, knowing full well that his schedule was filled with exchange student duties alongside Susanna. He chose not to call out the inconsistency, his attention instead drifting toward the figure visible through the door¡¯s slight opening.


    The ties between the Thorpe and Lambert families spanned generations, with only Leo and Daniel¡¯s elder brother maintaining that bond in the current era.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe isn¡¯t really a Gordon, is she?¡± Daniel mused aloud, not expecting an answer. ¡°It exins why your wife¡¯s family didn¡¯te to confront you about the rumors between you and Carole.¡±


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    Despite learning of Ellie¡¯s unrted lineage, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing sympathy for her.


    Kaiden, taken aback, admitted, ¡°I thought you¡¯d advocate for Carole.¡±


    Daniel offered a casual shrug. ¡°Leo was more invested in Carole¡¯s well-being than us, insisting on your lifelongmitment to her happiness in his final moments.¡±


    His words, though true, carried an undertone of disapproval. Kaiden couldn¡¯t discern whether the disapproval was aimed at him or at thete Leo, who could no longer answer such grievances. Before meeting Ellie, Susanna had been a fervent fan of Carole. Now, her admiration had shifted entirely to Ellie, a schr both talented and beautiful.


    Throughout the afternoon, Susanna devoted herself to Ellie¡¯sfort, fetching water and peeling fruit, until finally, Daniel escorted her away.


    Ellie¡¯s left hand, swollen from the IV¡¯s blood backflow, prompted Kaiden to ask a nurse for an ice pack.


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 Chapter 523

    ?Chapter 523:


    He clumsily wrapped the ice pack in a towel, applying the coldpress under the nurse¡¯s guidance.


    ¡°Let the nurse handle it,¡± Ellie protested, reluctant for his touch. However, Kaiden seemed deaf to her request.


    Now dressed in a ck shirt, he gently cradled her delicate wrist in his hand. His fingers, long and veined, hinted at an underlying strength.


    The nurse discreetly looked away from the intimate scene.


    The cold mist escaped the towel as Kaiden diligently administered thepress, treating it with almost reverential care.


    Ellie¡¯s grip on the bedsheet tightened.


    There was a time when such tenderness from him would have brought her joy, but now it only deepened her sorrow. She recognized his care was not born of love, but of obligation ¡ª she was merely the ¡°perfect Mrs. Thorpe¡± to be showcased.


    Despite this realization, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but find some sce in his attentiveness, though it wasn¡¯t the love she yearned for.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± she suddenly dered.


    ¡°What would you like?¡± Kaiden asked, his patience evident.


    ¡°There¡¯s a porridge shop at the entrance of our school¡¯s snack street. They sell mushroom chicken strip porridge.¡±


    Kaiden nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone get it for you.¡±


    ¡°No, I want you to go get it,¡± Ellie insisted, locking eyes with him.


    Their gaze met briefly, and Kaiden understood. She wanted him away. She couldn¡¯t bear his presence.


    After a pause, Kaiden rose. ¡°Just the mushroom chicken strip porridge? Anything else?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all,¡± Ellie replied, her voice firm.


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    She knew well that the shop no longer sold that dish. As Kaiden passed the ice pack to the nurse, he instructed her to continue applying the coldpress to Ellie¡¯s hand.


    He wasn¡¯t concerned about Ellie leaving the hospital without his knowledge. Her attempt at voluntary discharge would have been denied by this private hospital without his consent.


    ¡°Your husband really cares for you,¡± the nurse whispered to Ellie after Kaiden¡¯s departure. ¡°He seems a bit cold, but his actions say otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie¡¯s response was nomittal.


    The nurse nodded earnestly. ¡°When he brought you here, he was so serious, yet he carried you so carefully, like you were something precious. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s deeply concerned about you.¡±


    The attending doctor initially suspected a severe illness, even considering ICU admission, but ultimately discovered it was merely a fever. Ellie found these details hard to believe because she was unconscious and unaware of what was happening when she was admitted. She listened, but her thoughts were elsewhere.


    ¡°Your husband kept asking the doctor for details about your condition. He was very attentive, even though it was just a fever. Isn¡¯t that funny?¡± the nurse continued.


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 Chapter 524

    ?Chapter 524:


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ellie murmured absentmindedly, her mind drifting to Kaiden¡¯s special treatment of Carole and his reluctance to grant her a divorce. Yet, he had acquiesced to her simple request for porridge.


    The irony wasn¡¯t lost on her.


    ¡°No need for that ice pack, thank you,¡± Ellie said, pulling back her hand. She preferred thefort of cold milk tea over the chill of the ice pack. Left alone with her thoughts, Ellie was soon interrupted by the nurse.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you have a visitor.¡±


    Surprised, Ellie looked up to see Howard, dressed formally, a stark contrast to his usual casual attire.


    ¡°Howard, what brings you here? And all dressed up like this?¡± Ellie couldn¡¯t hide her astonishment.


    Howard, in his suit and shoes, his hair neatlybed back, looked slightly ufortable.


    ¡°My family set up a job opportunity for me¡­ Do I look odd?¡± He was clearly out of breath, suggesting he had hurried to see her.


    ¡°Not strange at all, you look great!¡± Ellie offered an encouraging thumbs up.


    ¡°I was in the area and thought to check on you,¡± exined Howard, who had taken the opportunity toe during his lunch break, despite his hectic schedule.


    Ellie expressed her gratitude. ¡°You really didn¡¯t have to, especially with your schedule. I¡¯m much better now and should be leaving the hospital tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I needed to see that you were alright. I wouldn¡¯t have been able to rx otherwise.¡±


    Howard¡¯s earnest reply caught her slightly off guard.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie sensed what wasing.


    Howard, taking a deep breath and locking his gaze with hers, confessed, ¡°I like you, Ellie. So I had toe and see that you were alright.¡± His admission didn¡¯t surprise Ellie.


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    Though Howard had been discreet, not overstepping any boundaries, his constant presence and thoughtful gestures, like bringing her favorite coffee, hinted at more than just friendship. Ellie even suspected the anonymous flowers on the first day of ss were his doing. She had maintained a careful distance with Howard and kept their interactions formal to avoid any misunderstandings.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie gently reminded him, ¡°Howard, you¡¯re aware I¡¯m married.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he acknowledged, looking down. ¡°Your husband is Kaiden.¡±


    ¡°Even knowing that, you¡­¡±


    ¡°But Ellie, that doesn¡¯t deter me.¡± Realizing his boldness, Howard quickly rified, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to disrupt your marriage. I just¡­ wanted you to know that you¡¯re someone worth liking, regardless of your marital status.¡±


    He had noticed her apparent unhappiness with Kaiden and couldn¡¯t help but admit to himself that, despite her marriage, he still harbored feelings for her.


    ¡°Thank you, Howard,¡± Ellie said, her smile genuine, adding a touch of warmth to her otherwise pale face.


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 Chapter 525

    ?Chapter 525:


    Howard, unable to hide his longing, asked hesitantly, ¡°So¡­ do you think there might be a chance for us in the future?¡± His eyes searched hers, hopeful.


    Ellie contemted a potential future without Kaiden. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Howard, but no.¡±


    She saw the light of hope in Howard¡¯s eyes dim, and a twinge of guilt momentarily gripped her.


    She sighed. ¡°Howard, you¡¯re a wonderful person, truly. It¡¯s not just a ¡®nice guy¡¯bel ¡ª I mean it. You deserve someone who can fully appreciate you.¡±


    Howard couldn¡¯t bring himself to ept her words. To him, Ellie had always been the one.


    He shook his head, believing she couldn¡¯t see the radiance she had brought into his life.


    Ellie continued, ¡°Howard, when I refuse you, it¡¯s not about you; it¡¯s about me.¡± She sighed, herughter tinged with self-mockery. ¡°I already have someone I like.¡±


    ¡°Can you¡­ tell me who?¡± Howard asked tentatively.


    He had gathered some information about Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s marriage, which remained shrouded in mystery. The sudden incident with Carole had only deepened the enigma.


    Many remained skeptical about whether Ellie was genuinely Kaiden¡¯s wife. Their marriage was shrouded in secrecy.


    Howard spoke. ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±


    But he was cut off by Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden. The person I like is Kaiden. I¡¯m sorry, How¡ª¡±


    Ellie abruptly stopped, her attention drawn to the door. It stood ajar, revealing a man with a food thermos in hand, unclear how long he had been standing there. It was Kaiden!


    Kaiden¡¯s face was a mask of inscrutability, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on Ellie. No matter how she looked at him, he remained impassive, as if he were a statue.


    Ellie, puzzled by his thoughts, found the situation increasingly ridiculous. She had taken pains to conceal her emotions. Her desire for a prompt divorce and her yearning to put distance between them intensified as the days passed.


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    And yet, there she was, having spilled everything before him. Embarrassed, Ellie averted her gaze to the window, feigning ignorance of Kaiden¡¯s presence and her own confessions.


    ¡°Ellie, I understand now, thank you,¡± Howard expressed his gratitude for her frankness.


    After Howard exited the room, Kaiden seemed to snap out of his daze, holding the food thermos, and approached Howard. Kaiden inquired, ¡°How did you learn my wife was here?¡±


    ¡°A gentleman informed me,¡± replied Howard, his demeanor calm and courteous. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, I hope you value what you possess. Likewise, I won¡¯t abandon my own pursuit.¡±


    ¡°Your pursuit will always be futile as she is and will continue to be my wife.¡±


    ¡°Farewell, Mr. Thorpe,¡± Howard said, unfazed by the taunt. He was determined to rise to Kaiden¡¯s level, to win Ellie¡¯s attention. Within their circles, Howard was described as a well-mannered, handsome gentleman.


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 Chapter 526

    ?Chapter 526:


    Kaiden had once mocked this idea. But now, he believed Howard truly embodied it.


    During his confession to Ellie, Howard never spoke ill of Kaiden. His aim was simple: to reveal his true feelings to Ellie. Howard wanted her to know that even if she rejected him, he would remain steadfastly by her side.


    Had he chosen to, Howard could have spoken of his enduring affection for her that brought him home from Annd. Such long-standing devotion often resonated deeply with women.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it was young Mr. Lambert who tipped off Mr. Lee,¡± a bodyguard reported after inquiring.


    Why would Daniel intervene?


    Daniel¡¯s behavior towards Ellie seemed somewhat exceptional. However, Kaiden couldn¡¯t dwell on that now.


    His thoughts were consumed by Ellie¡¯s admission. ¡°The person I like is Kaiden.¡±


    Those words were akin to rain on parched earth, a flicker of hope that set his heart racing and his soul trembling.


    Kaiden felt an overwhelming joy, a sensation unparalleled, surpassing even their most intimate moments.


    Yet, Ellie had confessed to developing feelings for Howard.


    ¡°Daniel, why did you tell Howard about Ellie¡¯s location in the hospital? Didn¡¯t you realize he was trying to steal Ellie from Kaiden?¡± Susanna questioned angrily.


    ¡°I inadvertently let it slip; it won¡¯t happen again,¡± Daniel replied, pretending to be sorry.


    He was trying to get Howard to be with Ellie.


    Kaiden¡¯s upbringing had been so skewed; he never learned what true love looked like. The only affection he knew was from ate brother, leaving him with heavy burdens.


    If Ellie were his sister, Daniel would never consent to her marrying Kaiden.


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    He wanted Ellie, still so young, to have better choices.


    At that moment, Kaiden walked into the room.


    He lifted the lid off the food thermos, releasing the scent of mushroom chicken strip porridge into the room.


    ¡°That shop stopped making mushroom chicken strip porridge.¡± Ellie¡¯s voice was tense, a stark contrast to the gentleness she¡¯d shown Howard.


    ¡°I requested it specially for my wife,¡± Kaiden exined.


    He pressed a bedside button, raising the meal table, and ced the porridge on it.


    The porridge had been a specialty of the shop until two years ago. After the owner¡¯s spouse died of cancer, it vanished from the menu.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Ellie said, turning to the window, an air of detachment surrounding her. ¡°I need to rest.¡±


    ¡°Are you refusing to eat just to avoid me?¡±


    Since he¡¯d entered, she hadn¡¯t once looked at him. This indifference, colder than that of a stranger, made Kaiden question what he had heard earlier¡ªthat she liked him.


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    Gently, Kaiden took hold of Ellie¡¯s chin, nudging her face towards his. ¡°Ellie, if you like me, why push for a divorce?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s reaction was fierce, like a cat whose tail had been trodden on.


    Her beautiful eyes filled with tears in an instant.


    In a blink, those tears trailed down her cheeks.


    ¡°Did I cause you pain?¡± Confused, Kaiden let go immediately. ¡°Where does it hurt? Tell me.¡±


    Kaiden, worried Ellie might be feverish again, reached to feel her forehead.


    Ellie, however, pped his hand away sharply. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Tears cascaded down her face, overwhelming her with a sense of crushed pride.


    She had already suggested divorce. Why did he need to probe her feelings?


    Why did he have to emphasize it?


    Why did he interrogate her?


    Ellie initially thought about denying it, iming her confession was a ruse for Howard.


    But she decided against dragging Howard further into this mess. Taking a deep breath, Ellie admitted, ¡°Yes, Kaiden, I do have feelings for you.¡± As she spoke, tears broke through, sorrow etching her beautiful features. Her feelings¡­


    She had finally acknowledged them.


    Kaiden¡¯s heart raced.


    Her confession still sent his heart soaring, even upon hearing it again.


    He couldn¡¯t resist cupping her face, gently kissing away the tears.


    This act of tenderness left Ellie momentarily frozen.


    She felt like a defensive hedgehog, wanting to push him away.


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    ¡°Kaiden, I don¡¯t want your pity or this uncertain closeness!¡± Ellie¡¯s usually calm demeanor shattered, almost yelling. ¡°I seek mutual love, do you understand? I want you to like me, to love me! If you can¡¯t offer that, then leave me! Now, right this moment¡ªeh!¡±


    Her plea for separation was cut off by Kaiden¡¯s kiss, her words lost in the moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m not pitying you,¡± Kaiden murmured, his hands framing her face, their foreheads and noses just touching, his eyes filled with affection. ¡°I like you too. Ellie, the love you¡¯re asking for, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, meeting his intense gaze.


    Kaiden, known for his indifference, had shown her moments of tenderness throughout their marriage.


    The softness he showed now seemed to hint at a profound, engulfing love.


    ¡°Do you even understand love enough to offer it?¡± Ellie¡¯s tone cooled, skepticism in her eyes.


    His response seemed too facile.


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    Kaiden¡¯s lips tightened slightly. He didck aplete understanding of what love truly entailed.


    Nheless, he could not bring himself to admit it.


    He sighed. ¡°I used to think expressing love in words was pointless.¡± Kaiden¡¯s lips met Ellie¡¯s tear-streaked cheeks.


    He continued, ¡°Jorge imed he loved Brisa for a lifetime, yet look how that turned out, El.¡±


    The love he had seen was a testament to failure.


    Ellie¡¯s heart fluttered.


    He called her ¡°El.¡±


    His gentle tone made her grip the sheets tighter.


    This seemed like a beautiful dream, yet dangerously fragile.


    Ellie retorted, ¡°But how can anyone know your feelings if you never express them? People might break promises, but they should still be honest with their feelings.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I used to dismiss it as meaningless. Now, I see it differently,¡± Kaiden confessed.


    Ellie¡¯s admission had stirred something in him, a joy so deep it shook his very soul.


    Ellie watched him, seeking rity. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Listening to Howard confess to you, do you know what went through my mind?¡±


    Ellie remained silent, biting her lip.


    Was he plotting against Howard?


    Kaiden¡¯s possessiveness was well-known, shown in his strict privacy rules.


    ¡°I was worried.¡± Kaiden gently brushed a lock of hair from Ellie¡¯s face, his touch tender. ¡°What if you had chosen Howard? What then? If I confessed my feelings, would you return to me?¡± If she didn¡¯t, should he resort to drastic measures?


    He was even considering involving the Lee family to push Howard away from Ellie.


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    Alternatively, he contemted coercing Ellie to remain by his side indefinitely.


    Ellie¡¯s pupils widened in shock, disbelief etching her features.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Kaiden began, tenderly holding her hand, mindful of the needle marks on her left hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you wait so long.¡±


    He offered an apology, now understanding she yearned for recognition and sincerity.


    Tears started flowing from Ellie¡¯s eyes again. Crying wasn¡¯t her usual response, but she had longed for this moment.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Kaiden¡¯s concern grew as she wept anew. ¡°About yesterday¡­ I apologize for what happened.¡± He recalled her demand for an apology back at the film city.


    Sniffling, Ellie pulled her hand back, striving forposure. ¡°Kaiden, have you changed your mind about divorcing me?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Ellie, after what I¡¯ve just told you, what do you think?¡±


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    His yful side emerged. ¡°I never truly wanted a divorce; my words yesterday were a fabrication.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s frustration surged. She questioned, ¡°You say you like me, but what about Carole?¡±


    Kaiden hadn¡¯t anticipated her bringing up Carole, yet he wasn¡¯t overly surprised.


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s a childhood friend,¡± Kaiden rified. ¡°If not for my brother¡¯s tragic ident, she was meant to be engaged to him six years ago.¡±


    ¡°She was¡­ to be engaged to your brother?¡± Realization dawned on Ellie. Initially, Carole had misled her, making her think she was intruding on Carole and Kaiden¡¯s rtionship. When Ellie questioned Kaiden, it was about the Thorpe and Lambert families¡¯ marriage alliance. Carole had intentionally deceived her!


    ¡°Why did you allow your rumors with her to be so public?¡± Ellie questioned further.


    ¡°I was left in the dark about it. But I was also negligent.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s gaze remained firm. ¡°If I say I suspect Carole engineered this entire situation, would you believe me?¡±


    ¡°I would.¡± Kaiden¡¯s response was immediate. He had reached the same conclusion.


    Ellie hadn¡¯t expected this, considering his past behavior favoring Carole.


    ¡°You¡­ believe me?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Kaiden sighed. He felt remorse for causing her suffering, demonstrating patience as he acknowledged his mistakes.


    Kaiden kissed Ellie gently, a gesture offort rather than passion. Ellie felt a surge of pent-up emotions at that moment, desperate to be released.


    She inquired, ¡°What about Light?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. She will be leaving Harvillston.¡± He acknowledged the extent of Ellie¡¯s distress.


    ¡°I¡¯ve read reports about you two at a hospital and a hotel. Were they just for a health check-up and casual conversation under a nket? There were rumors about Carole being there for a pregnancy test,¡± Ellie detailed each incident.


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    Kaiden was incredulous. He frowned. ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve always been devoted to you. You are the only woman I am intimate with.¡±


    The term ¡°intimate¡± brought Ellie memories of their shared moments. Her cheeks flushed.


    ¡°This is serious!¡± Ellie eximed, her voice rising with frustration.


    ¡°You were the one who doubted me first,¡± Kaiden snorted.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Why did he shift the me to her?


    ¡°What prompted your visit to the hospital with Carole? And why did you end up at a hotel?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°She visited someone who was unwell, and I apanied her to the hotel where she was taking a break,¡± Kaiden reflected briefly. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you to visit the patient tomorrow.¡±


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    ¡°Okay.¡± Ellie nodded. Was he concerned that she might doubt him, so he decided that they would visit the patient together as a way of testifying to his words?


    At the mention of the pregnancy test, Kaiden involuntarily cast a nce at Ellie¡¯s trim midsection.


    Ellie caught his eye, her body briefly tensing¡ªa movement too rapid for him to perceive.


    He insisted on not wearing a condom when they had intimacy the night before. However, she had taken medication afterward.


    ¡°Would you like to have the porridge now?¡± Kaiden presented the porridge to Ellie once again.


    Ellie shook her head, stating, ¡°I¡¯m not fond of mushroom chicken strip porridge.¡±


    She was aware that the shop no longer offered that porridge, attempting to create a challenge for Kaiden in the hope that he would cease bothering her.


    To her surprise, he swiftly returned with the porridge.


    Kaiden had discerned her initial motives. Nevertheless, this yful maneuver failed to incite anger in Kaiden. He lightly tapped her forehead and inquired, ¡°What would you prefer to eat then?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, you haven¡¯t apologized to me.¡± Ellie held her silence briefly. ¡°You need to say, ¡®I apologize.''¡±


    Kaiden let out a cold, meaningfulugh. ¡°You truly understand how to leverage the situation.¡±


    Ellie stressed, ¡°For it to qualify as an apology, you must say, ¡®I apologize.''¡±


    Kaiden emitted a disapproving sound, indicating reluctance.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie tucked in her chin, her eyes revealing a hint of resentment and usation. ¡°You harmed me yesterday, and you deceived me.¡±


    ¡°I apologize.¡±


    The two words carried reluctance and concession, along with a subtle but genuine unease.


    Ellie¡¯s lips formed a contented smile.


    Kaiden once again went to purchase dinner for Ellie. Feeling restless, Ellie strolled to the ward¡¯s entrance.


    Before long, a handsome and graceful man in a wheelchair was wheeled toward her.


    Instead of hospital attire, he sported a loose, striped cotton-linen shirt, entuated by a distinctive bracelet adorning his left wrist.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what a surprise!¡± Kristopher greeted her.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, encountering you in this ce is unexpected!¡± Ellie smiled.


    Kristopher¡¯s countenance disyed clear indications of illness. The individual propelling his wheelchair was a blonde, blue-eyed man, identified by Ellie as a prominent cardiac surgeon.


    Kristopher appeared unfazed by the fact that a highly acimed expert was pushing his wheelchair. ¡°Are you unwell?¡± Kristopher inquired.


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 Chapter 531

    ?Chapter 531:


    Ellie shook her head, stating, ¡°Just a fever, but it has subsided. How about you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a minor ailment.¡± Kristopher¡¯s eyes conveyed warmth. ¡°May I have the honor of inviting you for ate-night snack? I want to thank you for showing me the wayst time.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no thanks. My husband has gone to fetch me ate-night snack.¡± Ellie declined. ¡°Assisting you was no trouble, Mr. Wright. Please don¡¯t concern yourself. Take care of your health.¡±


    Kristopher¡¯s smile diminished slightly as he bid farewell to Ellie. He turned the wheelchair away.


    Once he was fully facing away from Ellie, the residual smile disappeared entirely.


    ¡°Kristopher, was that Miss Gordon you were hoping to encounter?¡± the doctor was curious. ¡°She is undoubtedly a rare beauty, but as your primary physician, I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s worth leaving your room to meet her.¡±


    Kristopher appeared to disregard the doctor¡¯s words, mumbling to himself, ¡°Did she reconcile with Kaiden? Did they resolve things so swiftly?¡±


    ¡°What are you referring to?¡± The doctor didn¡¯t fullyprehend.


    ¡°I dislike witnessing her cing such significance on someone else.¡± Observing Kristopher fidgeting with the bracelet on his wrist, an indication of his sour mood, the doctor refrained from saying more to prevent further distressing him.


    The phone rang, and Ellie realized that Kaiden had left his phone behind.


    Ellie had no interest in Kaiden¡¯s calls.


    However, she noted the caller ID: Carole.


    Ellie frowned involuntarily, paused for a moment, and then answered the call.


    ¡°Kaiden, I really didn¡¯t mean for the rumors to start. Can we talk about it?¡±


    ¡°This is Ellie,¡± Ellie interjected.


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    Carole¡¯s tone, initially soft and dependent, turned considerably colder. ¡°Miss Gordon, why do you have Kaiden¡¯s phone?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m his wife. Why did you find it odd that his phone was in my possession?¡± Ellie shot back.


    Ellie¡¯s abrupt hostility puzzled Carole.


    She somehow had the courage to confront her.


    ¡°Would you mind passing the phone to Kaiden? I need to speak with him,¡± Carole urged her.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Ellie reclined on the bed, adopting a rxed posture like a cat.


    ¡°You!¡± Carole was surprised by the direct and upromising rejection.


    ¡°If you have something to convey, I can deliver the message for you,¡± Ellie generously offered. ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t twist the information like you might. I¡¯ll convey it exactly to Kaiden.¡±


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    ¡°No need!¡±


    Carole hung up, incensed by Ellie¡¯s insinuation.


    Ellie spected from Carole¡¯s urgent tone in wanting to speak with Kaiden that he might have caused trouble for Carole, as she was the one spreading rumors about their rtionship.


    Upon Kaiden¡¯s return, Ellie candidly stated, ¡°Carole called you, and I picked up.¡±


    ¡°What did she say?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    He brought her the porridge, shrimp dumplings, and a side dish. ¡°Why would she say anything to me? She was seeking you,¡± Ellie snorted. She started eating, her mood soured by Carole¡¯s call.


    Kaiden hummed, refraining from further inquiry.


    Following a pause, Ellie raised her gaze. ¡°Aren¡¯t you nning to return her call?¡±


    ¡°If I did, would you still have the appetite to eat?¡± Kaiden stood against the wall, arms crossed, noting her sarcasm. ¡°If I upset you again, you might choose not to return home with me tomorrow.¡± He disyed unexpected self-awareness.


    Ellie was about to concur when she sensed something was amiss. She said, ¡°I hadn¡¯t intended to go home tomorrow anyway. I have sses at Critport University.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve conversed with your department head, and your sses are deferred until next week.¡±


    Kaiden preferred Ellie not to hasten back to sses without a full recovery.


    ¡°That poses significant inconvenience for the department and the students,¡± Ellie remarked with a frown.


    Kaiden remained indifferent. ¡°I contributed a million as a special schrship for your department. I¡¯m certain your department head and students are quite pleased.¡± Ellie found herself without words.


    Undoubtedly, that would bring them joy. She had no retort.


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    Now that he had coordinated with the department, Ellie couldn¡¯t reverse it and instead reached out to her studio to rearrange her work. With the ¡°Peerless Grace¡± promotion kicking off next week and the production extending an invitation to her, she seized the opportunity to restructure her schedule.


    Medication-induced drowsiness set in, and after freshening up, Ellie settled into bed.


    During her sleep, she sensed someone raising the nket, followed by warmth snuggling close.


    Ellie awakened instantly, her body reacting quicker than her mind, delivering a forceful elbow to the person behind her.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you attempting to murder your husband?¡±


    Kaiden dodged Ellie¡¯s attack and gently took her hand. Upon recognizing his voice, a wave of relief washed over Ellie.


    ¡°What are you doing, Kaiden?¡±


    ¡°I want to sleep next to you.¡±


    She gestured toward the caregiver¡¯s bed. ¡°No! That¡¯s where you should sleep.¡±


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    Kaidenughed softly and wrapped his arms around her.


    ¡°Please, I want to hold you like we used to when we slept together.¡±


    He held her close, breathing in her scent, which calmed his thoughts. Soon, he drifted off to sleep, sumbing to the exhaustion from nights without rest.


    Ellie noticed his breathing slow down, bing deep and steady. The warm breath from his nose lightly brushed the back of her neck. She tried to shift away from the sensation, but her movements woke him. Kaiden held her tighter, making it clear she wasn¡¯t going anywhere.


    Ellie turned to face him. He furrowed his brows, giving her a stern look, as if he were a dragon guarding his treasure from an enemy. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth from his chest, feeling as though she was near a cozy oven.


    She shifted again to find a morefortable position.


    ¡°Babe, try not to move¡­¡± he murmured softly.


    She then fell into a deep sleep.


    As dawn broke, a nurse knocked on the door three times before entering the room with a cart of medications and injections. She was surprised to find the couple closely huddled together on the narrow hospital bed.


    The woman was curled up in the man¡¯s arms, her face pressed against his chest, while the man gently held her waist. The extra bed meant for caregivers was untouched. It seemed they preferred thefort of being together over sleeping separately.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for Miss Gordon¡¯s IV drip,¡± the nurse said, slightly embarrassed, as she held up the medication.


    ¡°Please, keep it quiet,¡± Kaiden whispered, asking the nurse to hang the medicine on a hook. He carefully got out of bed and gently pulled Ellie¡¯s left hand from under the nket.


    He had heard the nurse¡¯s knock but chose not to answer, wanting to let Ellie sleep a little longer. The room was filled with silence, broken only by the soft sounds of the nurse preparing the injection. She moved with precision, ensuring that Ellie¡¯s sleep remained undisturbed. Luckily, the nurse managed toplete her task without waking Ellie.


    Ellie eventually stirred, the IV drip finished, and a fresh piece of gauze now on the back of her hand. She looked around, puzzled by the nurse¡¯s meaningful gaze.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Susanna burst into the room, holding a bunch of flowers. ¡°The nurse said you¡¯re getting out of the hospital today. That¡¯s awesome!¡± Ellie took the flowers, clearly delighted. She thought her fever was nothing serious and didn¡¯t expect Susanna to make such a fuss.


    Kaiden, seeing the flowers, couldn¡¯t help but remember Howard giving Ellie a simr gift. He gave Daniel, who had arrived with Susanna, a nod as a way of saying hello, then stepped away to take a call from work.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you and Kaiden are back together?¡± Daniel inquired. He sensed that things were improving between them.


    Ellie smiled. ¡°Are you here to congratte me, or do you feel bad for Carole?¡±


    Daniel paused, then smiled. It was no secret Ellie wasn¡¯t fond of him, and she wasn¡¯t shy about showing it. He rified, ¡°Carole¡¯s not my real sister. My granddad adopted her. And I haven¡¯t forgotten how you saved Susanna.¡±


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    Ellie looked at him, puzzled. Was he implying he¡¯d support her over Carole?


    Susanna gave Ellie a knowing wink, signaling her thoughts about Daniel were right.


    Ellie grinned. ¡°You¡¯re wee, Mr. Lambert.¡± She felt a sense of duty to assist Susanna, owing to their friendship.


    He continued, ¡°Everyone tends to call me ¡®Mr. Lambert¡¯, but you can call me ¡®Daniel¡¯, just like your husband does.¡±


    Ellie nodded and quickly changed the subject. She turned to Susanna and said, ¡°I need to let you know, I¡¯ll have to push back my lecture. I¡¯m not going to lecture next week.¡±


    Susanna looked confused. ¡°I thought you were a professor at Critport University?¡±


    ¡°No, my assignment was to deliver six lessons to the students. I¡¯vepleted half of them so far.¡± Susanna was taken aback. It turned out Ellie wasn¡¯t officially a professor and would be leaving the university eventually.


    Susanna had only recentlypleted her exchange student application at the university, eager to stay with Ellie!


    When Kaiden returned after ending a phone call, he noticed Susanna¡¯s disheartened look but chose not to inquire about her chat with Ellie. After greeting Daniel, he took Ellie off to another top-tier private hospital.


    ¡°Daniel¡­¡±


    Before Susanna could continue, Daniel anticipated her concern. ¡°Susanna, you¡¯re twenty-two. It¡¯s time you handled your own issues.¡±


    Susanna found herself speechless. Daniel had arranged everything. She was clueless about how to undo those arrangements. She hadn¡¯t truly desired to study at Critport University; her registration as an exchange student was driven purely by her admiration for Ellie.


    Now, learning that Ellie would soon depart the university filled her with regret.


    Desperately, she pleaded with him, ¡°But aren¡¯t you my fianc¨¦? Come on, you should help me out with my problems!¡±


    She acted like a child who felt she wasn¡¯t being treated fairly. Her delicate face became even prettier as she pouted her lips in a flirtatious manner.


    Daniel looked at her briefly. ¡°A husband should support his wife. Marry me, and I might just help you out.¡±


    ¡°Never mind!¡± Susanna let out a sigh. She understood that he viewed her as immature,cking in wisdom and ambition. Because she was not his type, she didn¡¯t want to tie them together through marriage.


    His expression darkened at her words. He looked away from her and said, ¡°Then figure it out on your own.¡±


    Bodyguards were stationed at every corner on the VIP floor of the hospital. Ellie looked around with curiosity, trying to guess who the patient might be. It was then that she saw a striking figure rushing toward them.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Carole called out, her face lighting up at the sight of him. Her gaze quickly shifted to Ellie, who was right behind him.


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    ¡°Miss Gordon¡­ Um, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Carole corrected herself, reluctantly following Kaiden¡¯s preference.


    Ellie arched an eyebrow. ¡°I do prefer you call me ¡®Mrs. Thorpe¡¯. It just sounds right.¡±


    Truthfully, Ellie wanted to avoid Carole whenever she could.


    Carole clenched her jaw to hold back her anger.


    ¡°Why are you even here?¡± Kaiden questioned, his tone sharp.


    ¡°I made some soup for your mom,¡± Carole exined, holding a thermos.


    She had been at the hospital for two days, hoping to run into Kaiden. She hadn¡¯t expected him to bring Ellie along.


    ¡°Your mom¡¯s in the hospital?¡± Ellie asked, genuinely surprised.


    Kaiden nodded and motioned for her to follow him into a room. Carole didn¡¯t hesitate to follow them.


    Inside, Jorge was looking after Brisa in the room. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders, making her appear incredibly gentle. Brisa gave Jorge a bright, youthful smile, full of love.


    Ellie saw Brisa light up with joy for the first time, her happiness fueled by Jorge¡¯s presence.


    As the door creaked open, Brisa and Jorge turned their heads.


    ¡°El, what took you so long toe visit me?¡± Brisa¡¯s face lit up at the sight of Ellie, but as soon as her gaze fell on Kaiden, she quickly looked away. Her illness had affected her memory, making her forget that she had tricked Jorge into visiting her by skipping her medication. All she remembered was that she had made Kaiden feel down.


    Ellie gave Jorge a small nod, while Kaiden chose to ignore himpletely.


    Carole noticed Jorge¡¯s look and nced down, feeling anxious. She didn¡¯t want anything to do with Jorge because Kaiden wasn¡¯t fond of his father, but Jorge had something on her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my bted visit. I just found out today that you were in the hospital,¡± Ellie said apologetically to Brisa.


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    ¡°It¡¯s okay, really!¡± Brisa replied, clearly in a good mood.


    ¡°Brisa, I¡¯ve brought you some chicken soup.¡± With a smile, Carole ced the soup on the small table in the room.


    Though Brisa had noticed Carole, Ellie¡¯s arrival thrilled her so much that she barely acknowledged Carole¡¯s gesture.


    ¡°Thanks, Carole!¡± Her thanks were quick, her attention already back on chatting with Ellie.


    Feeling somewhat excluded, Carole shifted ufortably.


    ¡°Kaiden, did you not notice me?¡± Jorge finally said, clearly displeased. Brisa turned to Kaiden, her expression full of hope. ¡°Kaiden, say something to your dad! Haven¡¯t you always wondered when he woulde home?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression remained cold and unemotional. ¡°Mom, that was a long time ago,¡± he said tly. He hadn¡¯t asked about Jorge since he was five.


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    Brisa was the one who kept saying to him, ¡°Kaiden, you should call him dad and ask him to be with you, okay? If you see anyone who might meet your dad, tell them you miss him and hope hees to see you, okay? Understand? Why are you silent? Can¡¯t you speak?¡±


    Young Kaiden didn¡¯t want to say those things. It was always Brisa who seemed to long for Jorge. Did Jorge even deserve to be called ¡°Dad¡±?


    Before he turned five, Kaiden¡¯s questions about ¡°dad¡± were simply attempts to understand why Brisa was so attached to this man. Eventually, he figured out what ¡°dad¡± meant when he was repeatedly forced to get sick for Jorge¡¯s visits.


    Oh, so that¡¯s what ¡°dad¡± was¡ªnothing worth the trouble at all.


    Brisa looked confused by Kaiden¡¯s reaction. She began to feel overwhelmed, talking to herself in confusion. The woman who had seemedposed just moments ago now held her head in her hands, shaking, her eyes darting back and forth between Kaiden and Jorge, clearly struggling with her thoughts. She was having a hysterical episode.


    Kaiden, keeping his cool, quickly handed Brisa two pills. These pills, meant to soothe, worked fast.


    Brisa rxed, lying back on the bed, and drifted gently to sleep. Kaiden, having finished his task, noticed Ellie¡¯s gaze fixed on him.


    ¡°Did that scare you?¡± he asked, gently taking her hand.


    It was unclear whether he was referring to Brisa¡¯s actions or his own seemingly indifferent reaction.


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°No, not scared. Just really surprised.¡±


    She was taken aback by how Kaiden seemed to have mixed feelings about Brisa.


    ¡°Do you always provoke your mom like that?¡± Jorge chided Kaiden. With a mocking smile, Kaiden retorted, ¡°Isn¡¯t she in that condition because of you?¡±


    ¡°You are being disrespectful!¡± Jorge, clearly upset, scolded him before turning his attention to Kaiden¡¯s legs, unable to hide his concern. ¡°Are your legs fully healed?¡±


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    Kaiden¡¯s regr trips to Clitport University hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. He doubted Jorge¡¯s informants hadn¡¯t filled him in already.


    ¡°Rx, the Thorpe family doesn¡¯t interest me one bit,¡± Kaiden said, his voiceced with slight scorn.


    ¡°But you¡¯re my son as well. You also have a share in inheriting the Thorpe family,¡± Jorge, visibly aged, seemed to regard this son with a sense of newfound appreciation.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t respond, but the subtle smirk ying on his lips spoke volumes. He signaled for Carole to join him in the small living room, making sure he stayed within Ellie¡¯s view, whether intentionally or not.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡± Carole began, filled with hope that Kaiden might finally put past grievances aside, especially since Leo¡¯s passing had made him more agreeable to her wishes.


    ¡°Pack your bags and leave Harvillston. Start the paperwork tomorrow,¡± Kaiden cut in. ¡°With your skills and good name, you¡¯ll find a top-notch job anywhere in the country.¡±


    Carole was shocked. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re telling me to leave Harvillston? But why?¡± Her question, filled with sudden sadness and a sense of betrayal, cut through the air. ¡°Is it because of Ellie?¡±


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    ?Chapter 537:


    Her voice rose, catching both Ellie¡¯s and Jorge¡¯s attention.


    As Ellie looked back at Carole, a silent hostility filled the room. Carole, her lips tightly sealed as if holding back a sea of sorrow, ran off crying.


    ¡°Kaiden, you need to check on her,¡± Jorge advised. ¡°Carole is a Lambert. We need to avoid any trouble.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡± Ellie quickly left before Kaiden or Jorge could respond.


    Finding Carole was easy. The line of bodyguards gave her away. At the balcony¡¯s end, Carole¡¯s figure was visible, shaking with soft sobs.


    Ellie, getting closer, was greeted by a strong breeze.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Carole turned around at the noise, quickly dabbing at her eyes to hide her tears.


    ¡°So, you thought making a scene would make Kaiden chase after you?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice was light as she offered a small shrug. ¡°Turns out, I¡¯m the one who showed up.¡±


    Intentionally irritating Carole, Ellie continued, ¡°I¡¯m here to give you somefort, believe it or not.¡±


    Carole felt a rush of anger. She quickly wiped away her tears and fired back, ¡°Ellie, aren¡¯t you the one who wants me out of Harvillston? What gives you the right to meddle in Kaiden¡¯s choices?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m his wife in the eyes of thew, and I own half of his business.¡±


    How could Ellie stand leaving Carole¡ªwho could threaten her position¡ªclose to Kaiden? The very idea made Ellie sick.


    ¡°Ellie, you should consider yourself lucky to have married Kaiden because of the marriage alliance between the Gordon and Thorpe families!¡± Carole shot back.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Ellie crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. ¡°And what about the marriage alliance between the Lambert and Thorpe families? Why not hold onto that advantage?¡±


    Before Carole could reply, Ellie cut in, ¡°Carole, you were practically Leo¡¯s fianc¨¦e, his true love. Is this your way of respecting his memory?¡±


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    Carole burst outughing. Her smile was dark, hinting at a clever scheme unfolding.


    ¡°Why do you think Leo left me in Kaiden¡¯s care?¡±


    She moved closer to Ellie, whispering as though sharing a deep secret, ¡°Because he knew my heart belonged to Kaiden all along! I¡¯ve always been in love with his brother!¡±


    Ellie recoiled slightly, taken aback by Carole¡¯s words. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ You¡¯re just making this up.¡±


    She tried to maintain herposure despite her racing heart. Her intention was to rattle Carole, but the truth was not easily obscured.


    Carole sneered. ¡°Ellie, you don¡¯t understand Leo. Had you known him, you wouldn¡¯t question my words. He was extraordinary and kind-hearted, always protective of Kaiden, caring for Brisa, and respectful toward Jorge.¡± Ellie had heard of Leo. Renowned for his gentle nature, open-mindedness, and business savvy, he was a standout in high society.


    ¡°Leo loved me for years. When he passed, I believe he thought he was granting me freedom. He asked Kaiden to take care of me to make up for me.¡± Carole spoke with a distant gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve spent years pondering what Leocked that made me not love him. The truth is, he was perfect.¡±


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    Nheless, she had no feelings for him. Love doesn¡¯t heed logic.


    Ellie remained skeptical. ¡°Carole, do you see yourself as willingly being the other woman?¡±


    ¡°Are you suggesting Ick self-respect?¡± Carole retorted, flipping her hair with a dismissiveugh. ¡°What does self-respect matter against love? Sure, Kaiden chose you this time because you¡¯re his wife. He feels obligated, and perhaps you¡¯re a novelty to him. But can you be so certain he¡¯ll always pick you over me?¡±


    Arguing with Carole, who had stooped so low as to willingly be the other woman, was challenging!


    Ellie was about to respond when she received a message from Edwin.


    Edwin¡¯s message read: ¡°At the Hagua auction, every piece managed by Baylee failed to sell in the first half!¡±


    No sales? Not a single item was sold?!


    Ellie¡¯s expression turned serious as she quickly dialed Edwin¡¯s number. ¡°Is that urate? How did you find out? Why would that happen?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here in Hagua for work and heard it through the grapevine¡­ It seems Quincy was actively blocking the bids from others,¡± Edwin exined.


    Influenced by Ellie, he had been keeping a close eye on Baylee¡¯s activities. If the items didn¡¯t sell, they might be re-auctioned at a fixed price, impacting buyers minimally. But for an auctioneer like Baylee, such a failure was a serious blow to their reputation.


    ¡°Quincy was there?¡± Ellie¡¯s frown deepened. She was dismayed by the idea of Quincy deliberately undermining Baylee at the auction.


    ¡°Aphrodite was there as well,¡± Edwin added.


    Damn it! Ellie was seething.


    She inquired, ¡°When¡¯s the second half of the auction starting?¡±


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    ¡°It begins at eight tonight.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thanks. I owe you a dinner!¡± Ending the call, Ellie¡¯s annoyance with Carole intensified. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to continue working for Harvillston, Carole. Take care.¡± Without waiting for a response, she quickly returned to the ward.


    Inside, the atmosphere was heavy, even among family. Brisay in aa, Kaiden stood by stoically, and Jorge brooded over Kaiden¡¯s disrespect.


    ¡°Kaiden, I have to go to Hagua,¡± Ellie announced, grabbing her bag, urgency evident in her voice.


    ¡°Now?¡± Kaiden questioned.


    Ellie nodded firmly.


    Without hesitation, Kaiden escorted her out. He wasn¡¯t concerned about Brisa. She was merely a tool for Jorge¡¯s maniption, and Jorge would ensure her safety.


    From a distance, Carole watched as Kaiden and Ellie left hand in hand. Such a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes about their bond¡ªpure, caring, and free from pretense. Carole felt a pang of sadness, but her energy for jealousy had waned.


    Kaiden¡¯s directive for her to leave Harvillston signified his decision was final. Any plea from her now would only taint their shared history. Carole weighed her options and concluded it wasn¡¯t worth thepromise.


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    ?Chapter 539:


    Kaiden was right; with her qualifications, securing a respectable job elsewhere in the country was feasible. Yet, to overshadow her fallout with Light, she needed a high-ranking position in a prestigiouspany.


    Then Jorge appeared in front of her. He offered, ¡°The Thorpe family owns a jewelry business. You could join us.¡± Carole¡¯s initial reaction was to reject the offer. Working for a Thorpe enterprise implied aligning with Jorge, didn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Don¡¯t dismiss the idea so hastily,¡± Jorge said evenly. ¡°Being part of the Thorpe family opens doors for you, including chances to be near Kaiden. Remember, Kaiden will inherit a portion of the Thorpe family¡¯s wealth in the future.¡±


    Jorge¡¯s n was clear: he wanted a loyal ally close to Kaiden, and Carole fit the bill perfectly.


    Meanwhile, a Maybach rushed from the hospital to the airport. Ast-minute flight to Hagua meant no private jet. Ellie and Kaiden had to settle for amercial flight.


    Kaiden had arranged for a swift passage through the airport¡¯s VIP channel to catch the final flight to Hagua.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± Kaiden inquired as they boarded.


    ¡°It¡¯s rted to Baylee¡¯s auction. I don¡¯t have all the details yet,¡± Ellie replied.


    Hearing that, Kaiden¡¯s brow furrowed in thought. Wasn¡¯t Baylee under Marvin or Quincy¡¯s watch? He mulled it over briefly and then asked Bruce to contact Marvin before takeoff. Quincy was definitely not an option.


    Ellie seemed not entirelyfortable with his presence.


    ¡°Are you sure you want toe with me?¡± Ellie inquired.


    She felt capable of handling it alone, and it appeared Kaiden hadn¡¯t been to his office in some time. Kaiden quirked an eyebrow. ¡°After all the effort to calm you down, what if you get agitated again?¡±


    Ellie was momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°When do I ever get upset that easily? It was clearly your faultst time.¡±


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    ¡°Yes, it was my fault,¡± he conceded readily. His indulgent tone seemed to affirm everything Ellie said.


    This exchange caught the attention of a flight attendant, who lingered a moment longer than necessary.


    ¡°Then, thank you for being here,¡± Ellie said, her eyes shining with gratitude. She instinctively leaned closer to him. This was their first trip together, and it felt almost like a new adventure.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, if you¡¯re looking to express your gratitude¡­¡± Kaiden gently cradled Ellie¡¯s face, his thumb tracing her lips suggestively. ¡°We can continue this conversation in our bedroom at home.¡±


    Ellie gave him a pointed look, a silent plea for discretion in public. Kaiden, far from backing down, boldly took her hand in his, as if to stake his im.


    Ellie, observing their linked hands, felt a surge of warmth in her heart. As Kaiden yed with her palm, he noticed something amiss. Releasing her hand, he leaned closer and delicately reached for her ne.


    His fingers found the tinum chain, drawing out a sparkling pink diamond ring. He removed the ring, took her right hand, and carefully slid it onto her ring finger.


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    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, always wear your symbol with pride.¡±


    ¡°Could you share some stories about your brother?¡± Ellie asked Kaiden.


    ¡°What made you think of him all of a sudden?¡± Kaiden was a little surprised. These days, few remembered the once-renowned Leo of the Thorpe family.


    ¡°I¡¯m just curious.¡± Ellie noticed Kaiden¡¯s deep respect and longing for Leo¡ªhe might call his mother by her name, yet he always respectfully referred to his brother as ¡°my brother.¡±


    The first-ss section was quiet, upied only by Ellie, Kaiden, and an older gentleman, allowing for a private conversation.


    Kaiden took a moment to reminisce before sharing, ¡°He was a good man, tragically misced in the Thorpe family.¡±


    Leo should not have been born into the Thorpe family, a ce where kindness was often overshadowed by ruthlessness. Ellie stared at Kaiden in bewilderment.


    Kaiden softly touched her head, murmuring, ¡°Ellie, do you recall my warning? Being kind isn¡¯t always beneficial. If my brother had been lesspassionate, he¡¯d have survived longer.¡±


    Ellie felt a heaviness settle in her chest at his words. ¡°How did he¡­ How did he meet his end?¡± Ellie inquired, barely whispering. ¡°Erick mentioned a fire took his life.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s words were careful, yet Kaiden could piece together what Erick had shared with her.


    Kaiden wasn¡¯t shocked that Erick had brought it up to Ellie. The Thorpe family believed they held something over him with this story.


    ¡°My brother always believed children shouldn¡¯t suffer for their parents¡¯ sins and showed kindness to Talon. Talon betrayed that kindness, poisoning my brother. Thankfully, the plot was uncovered in time. Yet, Talon imed it was an ident.¡±


    Jorge, seeing it as an ¡°ident,¡± chose not to escte the matter. It was a family shame, not for outsiders to know. Thus, Talon¡¯s image remained untarnished.


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    ¡°After leaving the hospital, my brother returned to the Thorpe house to recover. That very night, a sudden wind was followed by a fire. The household staff found only me walking out of the courtyard.¡± Kaiden was the sole survivor of that tragic event.


    He alone walked away without harm.


    ¡°People judge by what they see,¡± Kaiden stated evenly, gesturing toward himself. ¡°And theybeled me the culprit.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but she shook her head decisively, saying, ¡°It wasn¡¯t you.¡±


    The idea of Kaiden being used of his own brother¡¯s death was unthinkable to her.


    Witnessing her staunch defense, Kaiden felt a hint of warmth. He shifted slightly, locking eyes with Ellie. ¡°Do you believe so easily? Following my brother¡¯s death, I was named the sole heir to the Thorpe family.¡±


    The Thorpe family used this as a reason to exin his motive for murder, branding him as ruthless and irrational.


    Ellie moved closer to embrace Kaiden.


    In the dim ne lighting, her eyes brimmed with sympathy. ¡°Arson and murder don¡¯t match your character.¡±


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 Chapter 541

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    Despite his ruthless nature, Kaiden wouldn¡¯t resort to such tactics. He had no interest in the Thorpe family¡¯s wealth and power. He possessed these things independently.


    Besides, the ones reaping the most benefits were Talon¡¯s family!


    Kaiden wrapped his arms tightly around Ellie, seekingfort in her presence. This gesture warmed a part of him that had long been cold. He gazed down at her, his smile carrying a bitter edge.


    Despite knowing him for barely a year, Ellie did not waver in her trust. In contrast, Brisa, his mother, had aligned with Jorge, epting the narrative that Kaiden had killed his brother.


    The Hagua auction was set tomence in a historic mansion, its architecture dating back a century. As the auction drew near, the mansion¡¯s driveway was lined with luxury vehicles, though the flow of arrivals had dwindled.


    ¡°Miss, may I have a look at your invitation?¡± A server stopped Ellie. Caught up in the worry that Baylee was in trouble, Ellie hadn¡¯t even thought about the invitation.


    ¡°I¡¯m Kaiden Thorpe, and thisdy is my wife,¡± Kaiden announced, his hand resting reassuringly on Ellie¡¯s waist, signaling their rtionship. Recognizing them, the server¡¯s demeanor instantly changed to one of apology, saying, ¡°My apologies for the inconvenience earlier! Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe, this way, please!¡±


    Ellie looked at Kaiden, puzzled. ¡°How did you manage to set this up?¡±


    ¡°I have a team at mypany for just such asions; they¡¯re not merely decorative,¡± he replied with a smile.


    A simple heads-up to his staff was all it took to prepare for his and Ellie¡¯s arrival at the auction. Kaiden took pride in ensuring everything was arranged for her.


    Kaiden and Ellie were led directly to the front row, where two seats awaited, unmarked by name tags, reserved for VIPs like them who might decide to attend at thest minute.


    ¡°Why are there new arrivals now?¡±


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    ¡°Look, isn¡¯t that Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Why would Elliee out of the blue?¡±


    ¡°Remember Baylee? She¡¯s the auctioneer tonight. Given the embarrassment she¡¯s experiencing, do you honestly believe Ellie would remain passive?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that¡­ Kaiden by Ellie¡¯s side? And his legs¡­ seem fine?¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Kaiden recently married? Why is he here with Ellie¡­ Oh, herst name is Gordon?!¡±


    ¡°Is this implying what I suspect? They¡¯re married?¡±


    Ellie was a familiar face to many attendees. Kaiden had been stepping into the spotlight more often in the past half-year, and his remarkable presence left asting impression. Yet, seeing Kaiden, who had been known to use a wheelchair, now standing and moving freely caught everyone off guard.


    Ellie, undisturbed by the surrounding murmurs, took her seat with elegance. Casting a defiant smile towards Quincy and Aphrodite in the vicinity, she seemed ready for whatever challengey ahead.


    Was it Baylee they intended to embarrass? It remained to be seen who would have thestugh.


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 Chapter 542

    ?Chapter 542:


    The melodious strains of a grand piano in D major filled the air.


    Baylee, dressed in a stylish gown adorned with blue and white floral patterns, her hair elegantly styled in a bun, stepped into the limelight. In Ellie¡¯s eyes, Baylee, typicallyid-back, now exuded a refined air that outshone her. Baylee¡¯s manner and subtle expressions remained impablyposed, undisturbed by the earlier auction¡¯splete flop.


    Yet, when Baylee¡¯s eyes roamed the crowd and settled on Ellie, she froze in amazement. Ellie, dressed simply in a sweater and jeans amidst a sea of borate attire, greeted Baylee¡¯s nce with a cheerful bid paddle wave.


    Quincy¡¯s expression tightened. Baylee¡¯s professional demeanor made it seem as though he were a stranger seated below, a quality initially mistaken by him as simply part of her auctioneer¡¯s grace. Now it seemed she simply¡­ ignored him.


    ¡°Up for auction is ¡®Serene Moon and Precious Chrysanthemums,¡¯ a piece from a private collection, starting at ny million,¡± Baylee dered.


    Ellie immediately ced a bid. No one countered the bid. The piece belonged to Ellie.


    As for the auction items that followed, Ellie continued to lift her paddle without anyone opposing her bids. She acquired item after item effortlessly. Within thirty minutes, she had umted purchases worth hundreds of millions of dors.


    The crowd was taken aback by Ellie¡¯s daring approach, stirring unease among them. Initially, they had held back from bidding as a courtesy to Quincy, anticipating their chance to bid on the itemster. However, Ellie¡¯s disregard for this tacit agreement threw them off. If they didn¡¯t bid, Ellie was poised to im every auction piece at its base price!


    ¡°Okay, bidder number 7 increases the bid to 12 million, proving they¡¯ve got great taste,¡± Baylee smiled. Her professional demeanor elicited a pleased smile from the bidder. ¡°Bidder number 12 raises to 14 million! Any more bids?¡± Baylee inquired. She attempted to enliven the room with her energetic voice, showcasing her exceptional skills.


    ¡°We have 15 million¡­ and now, thedy over there offers 17 million!¡± The bidding war picked up speed again.


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    Ellie decided to stop bidding. Watching Baylee¡¯s poise and elegance outshine even the valuable objects being auctioned was a sight to behold. And those artifacts, with their own grace and nobility, seemed almost secondary to Baylee¡¯s charm.


    Aphrodite bit her lip in frustration. Even off the ice, Baylee still managed to be the center of attention. Aphrodite turned to see Quincy watching Baylee with deep interest, sparking a twinge of jealousy. She hissed, ¡°Quincy, does Baylee catch your eye more than usual?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s always had her charm.¡±


    In his eyes, regardless of the career she chose, she was able to showcase her charm. Quincy continued nonchntly, throwing a look toward Aphrodite, ¡°But she isn¡¯t mine.¡±


    Even though Quincy tried to sway the oue of the auction, Baylee ended it on a high note, making him look foolish. Still, Quincy didn¡¯t let it bother him, used to the ever-changing nature of social situations. Aphrodite, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t let it go.


    As she walked past Ellie, Aphrodite couldn¡¯t help but mock, saying, ¡°Showing off with money that¡¯s not even yours, what does that say about you?¡±


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 Chapter 543

    ?Chapter 543:


    Aphrodite was about to leave but found herself stuck.


    Because Ellie had caught hold of her wrist.


    ¡°Why should you care how I use my husband¡¯s money? Is it any of your business?¡± Ellie looked from Quincy to Aphrodite, wearing a teasing smile as she added, ¡°At least I¡¯m not the one needing a man who isn¡¯t even my fianc¨¦ to do favors for me, which is more than can be said for you.¡±


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Aphrodite¡¯s tone shot up, filled with rage.


    Without thinking, Kaiden stepped in front of Ellie for protection. ¡°Quincy, please control your partner.¡±


    Quincy, cool as ever, answered, ¡°Kaiden, you are one to talk, huh?¡± Kaiden just gave a casual shrug.


    To everyone else, it looked like Kaiden was admitting that he was the one being controlled by his partner.


    Were they interpreting it correctly?


    Aphrodite shot back heatedly, ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight, Kaiden. If there¡¯s any hitting to be done, it won¡¯t be me going after Ellie. She¡¯s only pretending to be weak around you!¡±


    The tales of Ellie taking on ten guys by herself at the Rich Bar and even getting the better of Aphrodite before were legendary.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re basically asking for trouble, aiming to get knocked down?¡± Ellie sneered.


    ¡°You! Ellie, watch your mouth!¡±


    ¡°Want to hear something more unpleasant?¡± Ellie¡¯s look turned frosty, her stance indicating she was more than ready to throw punches, not just words.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, your order is ready.¡± A waiter came up, breaking the intense atmosphere.


    Aphrodite let out a relieved breath.


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    Meanwhile, Kaiden casually reached for a ck card to give to the waiter.


    But Ellie stepped in first. She wrote a check for the amount and handed it over to the waiter.


    ¡°Here you go.¡± Then she passed the card back to Kaiden, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t mind when you buy me things. But when it¡¯s my gifts for my friend, I insist on paying with my own money.¡±


    ¡°Hard to say whose money is really covering that check,¡± Aphrodite muttered under her breath.


    Baylee moved silently, her heels making no noise at all. However, Baylee, dressed in her elegant gown, captured the spotlight, her presence undeniable amidst the ongoing drama.


    Before she even arrived, her voice cut through, ¡°Miss Watts, perhaps it¡¯s time to broaden your knowledge. Ever wondered about the value of Ellie working as a personal stylist? She has ways to earn money beyond that.¡±


    Kaiden picked up on the stress Baylee ced on ¡°beyond that.¡± After all, owning the Rich bar and being the boss of a celebrated designer like Freddy, Ellie¡¯s role as a stylist seemed to be less about making money and more about spending it.


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 Chapter 544

    ?Chapter 544:


    Quincy caught sight of Baylee standing before him, momentarily lost in thought. It had been ages since he was this near to Baylee. She seemed much slimmer, and the youthful vibrancy she once had was gone. Now, there was an enchanting depth in her eyes.


    ¡°Baylee, is it so hard for you to show a little respect?¡± Aphrodite said, unable to hide her irritation.


    ¡°And when Mr. Rollins meddled with Baylee¡¯s auction, was he familiar with the concept of respect?¡± Ellie shot back.


    The atmosphere was tense, ready to ignite at any moment. A flicker of shame and regret passed over Quincy¡¯s face. He had hoped¡­ hoped that this would bring Baylee to confront him in private. Hoping she would seek him out meant hoping for a connection. Yet, she didn¡¯t. Baylee didn¡¯t even give him a second nce. To her, he was just another face in the crowd.


    Kaiden yed with the ck card Ellie had handed back, ignoring her harsh words at Quincy and Aphrodite.


    Everyone was too shocked to speak. Not just because of the significant amount Ellie had casually disyed, but also due to the exquisite pink diamond ring adorning her right ring finger as she signed the check. And there was a matching ring on Kaiden¡¯s left hand!


    ¡°Miss Gordon, that ring¡­ It¡¯s beautiful.¡± The person who spoke wanted to ask if it was indeed a wedding ring with Kaiden, but hesitated. If it wasn¡¯t, things could get quite awkward.


    Before Ellie could answer, Kaiden said, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Lee, I appreciate yourpliment.¡± These words left much unsaid.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, have your legs healedpletely? That¡¯s wonderful news!¡± another person cut in, his eyes darting between Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s intertwined hands.


    Kaiden answered with a smile, ¡°All thanks to my wife.¡± Hearing that, Ellie was confused. What had she contributed? How was she involved?


    Kaiden¡¯s mention of ¡°my wife¡± caught the attention of others. He finally acknowledged his rtionship with Ellie! It was loud and clear for all to hear! They were a married couple! Ellie was Kaiden¡¯s wife!


    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m


    Just as the crowd was processing this, the waiter who had Ellie¡¯s check returned.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, the charge for your purchases has been settled by our boss. We appreciate your trust in our auction house,¡± he said, handing back her check.


    ¡°Your boss, Mr. Hopkins, is not familiar with my wife,¡± Kaiden said, his brow furrowed.


    The waiter corrected him and said, ¡°Actually, Mr. Hopkins isn¡¯t our boss anymore; the auction house weed a new boss just yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Who is the new boss?¡± Ellie asked, visibly baffled. Who would part with hundreds of millions of dors, which was not a small amount?


    The waiter answered, ¡°I haven¡¯t met him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m unfamiliar with him. If yourpany declines my check, I¡¯d rather not take the auction items,¡± Ellie said.


    Ellie¡¯s refusal seemed to have been anticipated by the waiter.


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 Chapter 545

    ?Chapter 545:


    ¡°Our boss mentioned that you once guided him, shielding him from getting lost in the cold wind. He values his life immensely; thus, hundreds of millions of dors is a modest gesture of his thanks.¡±


    The waiter¡¯s words gave Ellie a clue as to who their new boss was. It had to be Kristopher! The thought of Kristopher in the wheelchair, being pushed by a world-renowned heart surgeon, struck Ellie immediately!


    The idea of receiving hundreds of millions of dors as a token of appreciation was incredible to Ellie. Kristopher seemed prideful and stubborn, but somehow not irritating. Kaiden noticed the hint of a smile in Ellie¡¯s eyes and clenched his teeth.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, our boss hopes you have a good life,¡± the waiter said, handing the check to her again.


    Ellie smiled and said, ¡°Please thank Mr. Wright on my behalf.¡± People nearby exchanged nces. In their entire social circle, no family named Wright was known for being thisvish!


    Baylee needed to talk to the auction house, so after a brief conversation with Ellie, she headed backstage.


    As soon as Baylee finished her work and left the office, she noticed a man dressed in a suit and leather shoes waiting outside. Baylee chose to ignore him and walked away.


    ¡°Baylee!¡± Quincy called after her.


    ¡°If you lose your way, maybe you should ask the waiter for help,¡± Baylee didn¡¯t feel like talking to Quincy. ¡°Or perhaps I¡¯ll just get Miss Watts on the line.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s the guy who¡¯s been courting youtely?¡± Quincy inquired.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a guess?¡± Baylee smiled. She was somewhat amused. Did Quincy realize there was a man in her life but hadn¡¯t figured out it was Marvin?


    Marvin¡¯s skills were impressive, as he managed to keep others from discovering his identity!


    Quincy, holding a cigarette, looked noticeably annoyed.


    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    He told her, ¡°Baylee, your family may be broke, but the money and trust fund your dad left you is something a lot of guys would covet.¡±


    ¡°Quincy, why do you sound like you¡¯re concerned about me?¡± Baylee¡¯s expression turned frosty. ¡°You only started dating me because I looked a bit like Aphrodite, right? The idea of just being a substitute for Aphrodite disgusts me! Your actions led to my family¡¯s ruin, and my father was driven into the river by his debtors¡­ Quincy, you¡¯re fortunate to live in a society governed by strictws!¡± She would have taken matters into her own hands if it were up to her!


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quincy.¡±


    A deep, rich male voice cut Quincy off.


    Baylee knew who it was instantly, her heart leaping before she even saw him. She turned around.


    Marvin, with a suit jacket over his arm, walked over.


    ¡°Marvin, why are you here?¡± Quincy was taken aback to see Marvin at the auction, especially since Marvin had never shown any interest in such events before.


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 Chapter 546

    ?Chapter 546:


    ¡°I heard rumors that the Hill family might be getting into the auction scene, so I thought I¡¯d check it out. The Rollins family, on the other hand, stays away from auctions,¡± Marvinmented, making a clear line between the two families. His words almost bluntly highlighted how Quincy, a Hill, seemed to be trying to have control over both the Hill and Rollins families.


    ¡°Marvin, you worry too much. I came here because of Aphrodite,¡± Quincy replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Now that you¡¯re about to marry Miss Watts, it¡¯s better to keep your distance from your ex-girlfriend,¡± Marvin advised. The mention of ¡°ex-girlfriend¡± made Quincy squirm, but Marvin was speaking the truth.


    Baylee couldn¡¯t resist giving Marvin another 100k.


    If she hadn¡¯t known for a fact that Marvin had spent a month crashing on her couch and had once kissed her without permission, she might have doubted she ever really knew him. He was doing a great job of acting like a stranger, not once looking her way.


    While Baylee was lost in thought, a silver-gray suit jacket was suddenly in her hands. She looked up at Marvin, confused by his actions.


    Marvin simply draped the jacket over her shoulders. The warmth it brought made Baylee realize she had forgotten to put on a coat after changing out of her gown into her long dress. The cool wind had been making her skin chilly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, a bit surprised at herself for not pushing Marvin away. She had gotten used to his presence.


    ¡°Baylee¡­ do you two know each other?¡± Quincy asked, his voice filled with disbelief. He and Baylee had been a couple for years, and Marvin was practically a stranger to her. How had things changed so quickly?


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to justify my personal life to an ex, do I?¡± Baylee¡¯s tone was icy.


    Marvin gave a small smile, casually draped his arm around Baylee, and let her lead the way.


    He advised, ¡°Quincy, you shouldn¡¯t make Miss Watts wait.¡±


    Let your mind wander with g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????


    Quincy watched them leave, his eyes narrowing in shock. Why did it seem like Marvin was extremely possessive of Baylee? And Baylee, she seemed to trust Marvin? The two of them were together? How was that possible?


    Quincy regretted not finishing his sentence just now. He had never intended to drive Baylee¡¯s father to a tragic fate. The rise of the Curtis family was built on the resources of the Rollins family. Quincy only wanted to reim what was rightfully theirs, not ruin the Curtis family.


    Mr. Curtis¡¯ death was idental. The day Baylee sought him out, Quincy wasn¡¯t there. Worried for his daughter, Mr. Curtis went searching for her and ended up being pushed into the river by his debtors. Three dayster, his body was found floating in the river.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t returned to the Hill family?¡± Baylee gave Marvin a skeptical look, instinctively gauging his mental state.


    Marvin could see through what was going on in her mind. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly sane.¡±


    Pretending to be clueless wasn¡¯t working anymore.


    Baylee simply said, ¡°Well, thanks for earlier. Goodbye, Mr. Hill.¡± Her words were a quick, almost breathless farewell. It was as if she couldn¡¯t bear to be near him for another moment.


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 Chapter 547

    ?Chapter 547:


    ¡°Where are you off to?¡± Marvin called out to Baylee, who was on her way out.


    Baylee looked back at Marvin with caution. ¡°Mr. Hill, I made myself clear thest time we talked, didn¡¯t I?¡± She had no intention of marrying him, fearing that the power struggle within the Hill family would put her in danger.


    Marvin understood. He would ensure that he took over the Hill family and rid it of those scheming individuals. He nned to aplish that without dy.


    Ellie and Baylee met at a renowned, century-old private dining restaurant in Hagua for ate-night snack.


    ¡°You really didn¡¯t need to go out of your way to spend your money,¡± Baylee mentioned, referencing Ellie¡¯s nearlyvish bid at the auction that day.


    ¡°I can¡¯t have my dear Baylee treated unfairly, can I?¡± Ellie nced over at Marvin and Kaiden, who were seated at another table, and whispered to Baylee, ¡°What¡¯s Marvin doing here?¡±


    ¡°He showed up at the auction house looking for Quincy, and now he refuses to leave my side,¡± Baylee exined. She felt stuck with Marvin. Habits could be destructive. She found it difficult to be too cruel to him.


    At the other table, two men were sitting together.


    ¡°Big thanks to you for today,¡± Marvin was saying, referring to the update Kaiden had shared earlier.


    Kaiden sat back with his legs crossed, looking utterly bored. He snorted, ¡°Are you serious about going after Baylee? You werete to the auction.¡±


    In Kaiden¡¯s eyes, it was Ellie who did all the work in Marvin¡¯s shoes when Marvin should have been the one to stand up for Baylee against Quincy.


    Marvin rushed over as soon as he heard the news, only to be held up by a dyed flight. He was just about to respond when his phone rang.


    ¡°Marvin, when did you first meet Baylee?¡± Quincy¡¯s inquiry came from the other end of the phone.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡±


    They were in an open-air courtyard by the river, and Marvin spoke freely, not worried about Baylee overhearing. ¡°All you need to understand is that Baylee is going to be my wife, thedy of the Hill family. You, being her ex, should keep your distance from your soon-to-be cousin-inw.¡±


    At a five-star hotel:


    Right after they walked into their room, Kaiden pinned Ellie against the wall and kissed her.


    ¡°Ellie, you seem to treat Baylee a lot better than you do me,¡± Kaiden said casually as he kissed her. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit down. What can you do about it?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s smile was yful as she dodged Kaiden¡¯s kiss to speak more easily. Kaiden leaned closer and sucked on a sensitive spot on her neck.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you need to treat me well, and I¡¯ll do the same for you,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Kaiden responded with a light chuckle.


    He knew he hadn¡¯t always been kind to her, and he recognized her grievances.


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 Chapter 548

    ?Chapter 548:


    As Kaiden¡¯s hand gently caressed her thigh, Ellie wrapped a leg around his waist. In a swift motion, he lifted her onto the small cab by the door, elevating her above him.


    His eyes caught the sight of her delicate, enticing corbones. He couldn¡¯t resist leaving a gentle mark there.


    ¡°Who¡¯s taken over the auction house?¡± he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Kristopher Wright.¡±


    Kristopher Wright? The name was new to Kaiden. He mentally noted it down, his tone slightly edgy as he asked, ¡°He¡¯s a man, right?¡±


    With a mischievous smile, Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°Yes, and he¡¯s quite handsome!¡± she teased.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression shifted, a hint of jealousy flickering across his face. ¡°But you¡¯re handsome too!¡± Ellie quickly reassured him with a kiss.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know him. The next time I see him, I¡¯ll pay him for what I purchased today.¡±


    She had decided it wasn¡¯t the right time to do that, not with so many people around.


    Ellie was skeptical about the idea of someone giving her hundreds of millions of dors for no reason. Their paths were bound to cross again.


    Kaiden let out a snort, yfully biting her earlobe. ¡°Yourpliments seem a bit insincere, Ellie. Haven¡¯t you noticed?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Suddenly, she turned her head and gently licked his Adam¡¯s apple.


    As Ellie felt the hands around her waist tighten, she sensed a change in Kaiden¡¯s demeanor. His body tensed, and he halted his kisses, gazing at her with a look of bewildered surprise, as if startled by something unexpected.


    Leaning closer, her voice a sultry whisper, she teased, ¡°Kaiden, your Adam¡¯s apple is quite striking.¡± It was her yful way of offering praise.


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    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it, Ellie!¡± Kaiden barely finished his sentence when the sound of fabric tearing filled the room. Ellie¡¯s skin, now exposed to the cool air, contrasted sharply with the warmth of Kaiden¡¯s palm, sending shivers through her. The suddenness of it all was overwhelming for Ellie.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­ let¡¯s not rush,¡± she gasped, her breath unsteady, regretting her flirtatious behavior. She wondered if she had unwittingly provoked him. Ultimately, it seemed she would have to be the one to diffuse the situation.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in a rush,¡± Kaiden replied, his voice steady. If not for his actions, his words might have seemed more convincing. Ellie gently patted his shoulder, trying to soothe him. Beneath her touchy the solid strength of his muscles.


    ¡°Wait, just wait!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, is this really the time to ask me to wait?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was strained, but he took a deep breath and halted, remembering a past incident when he had been less considerate. He exerted control over himself, asking gently, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± His thoughtfulness unexpectedly made Ellie feel a twinge of guilt.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ be a bit¡­ more gentle,¡± she murmured.


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 Chapter 549

    ?Chapter 549:


    ¡°Are you trying to set me on fire with your words, Ellie? Is that it?¡± Kaiden¡¯s frustration bubbled into augh. He lifted her effortlessly, her body now relying solely on his strength, leaving her no avenue for escape.


    ¡°I think I might keep you up the entire night!¡± Kaiden told her.


    ¡°Wait¡­ we need to use a condom!¡±


    Suddenly, Ellie¡¯s mind was focused on the fact that they had to take precautions.


    Kaiden looked at her, a hint of challenge in his voice. ¡°If you get pregnant, we¡¯ll have the baby. Can¡¯t I provide for it or secure its future?¡±


    Ellie met his gaze with a defiant look.


    Kaiden, seeming to understand her concern, led her to the cab.


    ¡°Choose one that you feelfortable with.¡±


    True to his word, Kaiden kept her awake through the night.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t sure if it was her imagination, but as they finished, the first light of dawn was creeping through the curtain.


    By the time she woke, it was already noon. The events of the night reyed in her mind. Ellie couldn¡¯t shake the thought that Kaiden had seemed particrly enthralled by their intimacy without protection. Previously, he had always been mindful about using it, butst night, he had left the choice to her, almost as if he was making a point.


    He even made her help him put it on¡­


    Their current abode was a presidential suite in a five-star hotel, not some seedy love motel. The array of contraceptives seemed oddly out of ce in such a luxurious setting.


    This wasn¡¯t what Ellie had expected from a presidential suite!


    ¡°Well, onto the next matter. What? Want to abandon your marketing department role? Change your ns or quit. Come on, working for such little profit is practically charity.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s deep,posed voice drifted from the living room, bringing Ellie back to reality.


    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om


    After a moment, she realized the man who had tenderly bathed her before showering himself, and thus had slept inter than she had, was now busy with work in the living room.


    As Ellie reached for her phone to check the time, she noticed over twenty WhatsApp messages from Baylee. ¡°Ellie, are you awake yet?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ten already. Are you still asleep?¡± ¡°Are you awake? Hello?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re up, reply to me as soon as you can.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering my calls? Hey!¡±


    ¡°I mighte over and knock on your door, okay?¡±


    It seemed Baylee was hesitant to intrude on Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s private time, hence the barrage of messages and calls for confirmation. Ellie noticed two missed calls from Baylee.


    Kaiden had set her phone to silent, and she hadn¡¯t responded. Thest phone call came in at about half past eleven in the morning. It was now one in the afternoon.


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 Chapter 550

    ?Chapter 550:


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Since her clothes were in tatters, she resorted to wearing Kaiden¡¯s white shirt she found on the floor. Remembering past embarrassing incidents, she didn¡¯t dare make a sound as she entered the living room.


    Kaiden was lounging on the sofa, aptop perched on the coffee table. Theptop, brand new, had been purchased just that morning. Upon noticing Ellie, he signaled the others in the video conference to pause.


    ¡°Do you want to eat here, or shall we go out?¡± he inquired.


    Ellie blinked her eyes at theptop.


    Kaiden assured her, ¡°I¡¯ve muted the microphone.¡±


    Still wary, Ellie approached, carefully covering the camera with her hand before peering at the screen. Indeed, it was muted.


    ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s as if I¡¯m having an affair with you,¡± Kaiden remarked jokingly.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t we secretly married?¡± Ellie responded, feigning innocence.


    Kaiden leaned back, crossing his legs to ease the mood.


    ¡°What makes you think that?¡± he asked. ¡°Didn¡¯t I ce the wedding ring on your finger?¡±


    Ellie reflexively nced at her right hand, where the pink diamond sparkled under the light.


    ¡°I thought¡­ we had agreed to keep our marriage a secret¡­¡±


    ¡°We never made such an agreement,¡± Kaiden replied, his mood visibly uplifted, like a child reveling in a newfound treasure. ¡°By now, many must know that Mrs. Thorpe, formerly Miss Gordon, is you.¡±


    Only then did Ellie recall Kaiden¡¯s deration at the auction, which had certainly put to rest any lingering doubts within their social circle. Kaiden seemed disinterested in continuing his meeting.


    Having covered the main points, he gestured to his colleagues on the screen, signaling the end of their discussion.


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    ¡°Has Baylee been here?¡± Ellie inquired.


    Kaiden nodded. ¡°I didn¡¯t wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully.¡±


    A wave of speechlessness washed over Ellie. She had overslept because of the man standing before her!


    ¡°Kaiden, do you ever run out of energy?¡± she half-joked, halfined.


    Despite this not being their first time, Ellie still found it hard toprehend someone who seemed immune to fatigue or sleepiness. Her body ached, yet there he stood, brimming with vitality.


    ¡°Would you like to test that theory again?¡± he teased.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. After a whole night together, how could he even entertain the thought of more?


    When Ellie met Baylee, she noticed an undeniable oddity in Baylee¡¯s gaze.


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 Chapter 551

    ?Chapter 551:


    ¡°What¡¯s with that look on your face?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t quite manage to conceal the hickey.¡± With a caring adjustment to Ellie¡¯s scarf, Baylee offered her best friend a thumbs-up. ¡°You, a woman who can embrace the night with such vigor, are truly remarkable.¡±


    Ellie, with a yful tilt of her chin in Marvin¡¯s direction, suggested, ¡°You could too.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s response was swift. ¡°Nice try, but that joke doesn¡¯t cut it for me!¡±


    Baylee hadn¡¯t driven Marvin away. He even spent the previous night at the same hotel as them.


    Kaiden had arranged for a private jet back to Critport, and Marvin seized the opportunity to discuss business matters with Kaiden, justifiably securing his spot on the private jet.


    ¡°Ellie, I have someints about your husband!¡± Baylee, her mood somber, whispered to Ellie from their seats on the ne, ensuring only she could hear.


    Kaiden definitely knew that Baylee¡¯s current feelings towards Marvin were less than warm!


    Despite understanding that her annoyance might be unreasonable, given the private jet was at Kaiden¡¯s disposal and Marvin had a justifiable reason for being aboard, Baylee couldn¡¯t help but feel irked.


    After all, who said anger needs a reason?


    If logic dictated one¡¯s feelings, anger would cease to exist!


    As the private jet ascended, conversation lulled, and Ellie began to feel drowsy. Baylee insisted she retire to the bedroom to rest, assuring Ellie she¡¯d be fine on her own.


    Attempting to distract herself, Baylee started watching an old film but soon found herself sumbing to sleep.


    Upon awakening, she discovered a men¡¯s coat draped over her.


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    Marvin was seated beside her, engrossed in financial reports on a tablet, his coat now warming her, revealing the familiarrge round-neck T-shirt he often wore casually at her ce.


    Had it not been for his sophisticated appearance the night before, Baylee might have mistaken him for the same Marvin who had once, iming cognitive problems, spent much of his time by her side.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Hill,¡± Baylee said, returning to the present and extending the coat back to Marvin with a demeanor that was cool and detached.


    ¡°Baylee, are you brushing me off?¡± Marvin refused to ept the coat, leaving Baylee no choice but to forcefully ce it in his arms.


    She stood as the only woman who dared to assert such boldness with him.


    ¡°Mr. Hill, I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re implying.¡±


    With a gentle yet firm grip, Marvin nudged her chin up, his voice deepening. ¡°Baylee!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t hold back anymore?¡± Confronted with his directness, Baylee couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°I was under the impression Mr. Hill enjoyed the role of the innocuous puppy for a bit longer?¡±


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 Chapter 552

    ?Chapter 552:


    He always presented himself with a gentle demeanor in her presence. Yet, could a man who emerged from the formidable Hill family without any shield, one who wed his way to power from within their ranks, truly embody pure benevolence?


    Baylee was never deceived. She always recognized Marvin¡¯s true nature.


    ¡°Even a puppy grows up,¡± Marvin remarked, his thumb inadvertently caressing her cheek.


    ¡°Marvin, how could you pursue a woman by being so overbearing?¡± Baylee removed Marvin¡¯s hand, massaging her chin where his fingers had lingered.


    Marvin¡¯s expression became tender.


    He borated, ¡°I¡¯ve never pursued anyone before. I assumed the usual tactics of courting wouldn¡¯t impress you, hence I opted to follow my own approach.¡±


    ¡°Your approach includes watching me bathe without my consent? Damn, you even got a boner!¡± Baylee erupted, her words escaping before she could censor them.


    Immediately after speaking, she wished she could take them back. The lounge of the jet fell silent, with only Baylee and Marvin present, the atmosphere tensing momentarily.


    ¡°You saw that?¡± Marvin expressed mild shock but sought confirmation in his tone.


    Upon reflection, his words seemed tinged with a subtle delight.


    ¡°Yes, I saw it! Marvin, I¡¯m not sure why you¡¯ve be so insistent all of a sudden, but I¡¯ve had my fill of actions driven by lust. I, Baylee, refuse to be treated as a mere object of desire,¡± she firmly dered. She had never been short of admirers since her youth, but it was only after Quincy entered her life that her romantic possibilities dwindled.


    ¡°I want to marry you, Baylee,¡± Marvin said, sitting up straight. ¡°I will deal with the Hill family, so that renders your previous refusal invalid.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s heart raced momentarily. Marvin¡¯s revtion about wanting to marry her echoed in her mind. Hearing such words earnestly from a man more than once would stir any woman¡¯s heart.


    Baylee had cherished moments of Marvin¡¯spanionship and care. She couldn¡¯t erase the memory of him silently observing her, his gazeden with affection, bestowing upon her a sense that she needn¡¯t fear a future where she would never experience love. As if he would eternally stand by her side.


    Exclusive updates avable g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    This feeling resembled the warmth one might find in a home, mirroring thefort that invaded her dreams after the demise of the Curtis family. Yet, beautiful dreams inevitably end. Upon awakening from dreams, she was greeted by a reality that was starkly colder and more ruthless.


    ¡°Marvin, I don¡¯t harbor affection for you, nor do I love you,¡± Baylee dered, taking Marvin¡¯s hand and guiding it to her heart.


    Thump! Her heartbeat resonated under his palm.


    ¡°I believe it¡¯s best to guard my heart closely. If it¡¯s my body you¡¯re after, once we disembark and reach the hotel, I¡¯ll quench your curiosity.¡± She implied that after that, she wanted him to leave her alone.


    Marvin retracted his hand, but the sensation of her warmth and the beating of her heart haunted his fingertips. Even in his thoughts, the image of her sleeping, with her neckline unintentionally exposed and the glimpse of whaty beneath it, involuntarily sprang to mind.


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 Chapter 553

    ?Chapter 553:


    ¡°Baylee, keep your heart. I have no intention of coercing it from you,¡± he assured her. ¡°Nor will I impose upon your body.¡± He knew she had been wounded by Quincy.


    Reflecting on this, Marvin¡¯s eyes briefly betrayed a piercing intensity.


    Elsewhere, Ellie woke up in Kaiden¡¯s embrace. He cradled her gently with one arm, his other hand upied with the documents he was perusing.


    As Bruce was about to leave the bedroom, Ellie¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and he found himself locked in her gaze.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you are awake,¡± he said, offering an awkward smile.


    ¡°When did you join us on the flight?¡± Ellie asked Bruce, puzzled.


    ncing around, she realized they were still aboard the ne.


    ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve all been on the ground for an hour now. The ne is parked on the tarmac,¡± Bruce exined.


    Ellie was momentarily at a loss for words, finding the situation somewhat absurd.


    ¡°Did you sleep well?¡± Kaiden asked as he noticed her waking up, helping her sit up. ¡°Where¡¯s Baylee?¡± Ellie looked towards the direction of the lounge, hearing no sound.


    ¡°She was escorted home by someone.¡±


    ¡°And Marvin?¡±


    ¡°He sent Baylee back.¡±


    The sun was setting.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe!¡±


    Right after Ellie and Kaiden stepped outside the airport, a group of sharply dressed individuals in suits and polished shoes caught their eye from afar. These were the seasoned leaders of the GT Group, Kaiden¡¯s trusted circle, all in their thirties and forties. They gazed at Kaiden with eyes full of hope, having waited for his return.


    ¡°Why are you all here?¡± Kaiden asked.


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    ¡°Bruce let us know you¡¯ve arrived, so we¡¯re here to escort you,¡± one of the senior executives exined. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, since we¡¯re all here, how about we discuss business?¡± The meeting was their real purpose.


    Their eagerness wasn¡¯t just about working overtime; it was because Kaiden seemed in high spirits that morning. They were keen to address thepany¡¯s issues while he was in a favorable mood, hoping to avoid harsh criticism.


    ¡°You can go back to thepany. I¡¯ll head back on my own,¡± Ellie suggested when she saw the situation unfold.


    But Kaiden grasped her hand, unwilling to let her leave. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Their rtionship had just been mended, and Kaiden wasn¡¯t ready to let her out of his sight.


    ¡°But you¡¯re heading to work. I shouldn¡¯t be there,¡± Ellie said, reluctant to apany him.


    The brand department¡¯s director, quick to notice, spotted the ring on Ellie¡¯s finger and immediately chimed in, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, it¡¯s perfectly fine for you to go there!¡±


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 Chapter 554

    ?Chapter 554:


    He then nced at Kaiden for affirmation.


    Kaiden remained calm, waiting for Ellie¡¯s decision. It seemed he would skip work if she declined.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, would you like me to have the secretary¡¯s office team prepare some refreshments for you?¡± Even Bruce chimed in.


    Realizing Kaiden had been neglecting his duties for a while, Ellie agreed.


    The senior executives exchanged knowing looks and silently celebrated as they all got into the car. They addressed Ellie as Mrs. Thorpe, and Kaiden¡¯sck of objection confirmed that Ellie was indeed married to him!


    It turned out that when they had pondered who Kaiden was married to, they had already met his wife.


    Kaiden led the executives to the conference room, while Ellie settled into thefort of the CEO¡¯s personal office. The reception area was adorned with an assortment of snacks and a freshly brewed cup of milk tea.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, please let me know if there¡¯s anything you need,¡± the secretary said respectfully.


    ¡°I see there¡¯s been a change in the secretary office personnel,¡± Ellie remarked, noticing a woman she didn¡¯t know sitting where Zoey once had. It marked a significant change.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Sawyer and another secretary from the media department have been fired.¡±


    ¡°Really? But why?¡± Ellie asked, surprised. She couldn¡¯t associate Zoey, known for herpetence, with being dismissed. Zoey had been a longstanding, trusted member of Kaiden¡¯s team, even handling sensitive tasks like managing Carole¡¯s situation.


    ¡°The reason is,¡± the secretary said, ncing at the diamond on Ellie¡¯s finger before continuing, ¡°they failed to promptly deal with and report the rumors concerning Mr. Thorpe and Miss Lambert. It was a serious mistake on their part.¡±


    Ellie felt a pang in her heart, stunned by the news.


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    When Kaiden returned after the meeting, he found Ellie deep in conversation on the phone.


    ¡°Grandma¡­ I can¡¯t make it home for a while. I¡¯m not upset with you. There¡¯s no need for apologies. I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m really tied up here.¡± After ending the call, she was lost in her thoughts, barely noticing that Kaiden hade in.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Kaiden asked, gently touching her head.


    Only then did she notice him. ¡°Grandma is asking me toe home.¡± However, her previous bad experiences held her back.


    It wasn¡¯t anger she felt; it was a deep sense of heartache. Kaiden settled onto the couch, and in the next moment, he gently drew her closer, lifting her to sit on hisp with his arms encircling her waist. This position was unmistakably intimate.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Caught off guard, she didn¡¯t resist but allowed him to embrace her.


    ¡°Have you been troubled?¡± Kaiden inquired softly.


    Ellie pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Kaiden guessed that Cecelia must have been involved.


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 Chapter 555

    ?Chapter 555:


    With aforting gesture, he gently massaged the back of her neck and reassured her, ¡°If you¡¯d rather not deal with her, then don¡¯t. There¡¯s no reason to feel guilty or ashamed.¡±


    ¡°But Grandma wasn¡¯t like this before.¡± Lowering her head to look at her fingertips, she mumbled, ¡°She was always so kind to me before.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, people¡¯s feelings may change over time.¡± He noticed her silence and let out a sigh.


    ¡°Do you think Brisa is kind to me now?¡± he suddenly asked.


    ¡°Very kind.¡± Her response came from genuine observation. Every time they met, Brisa always greeted Kaiden with open arms and a smile, her affection and warmth unmistakable and sincere.


    Kaiden chuckled.


    From thisughter, she heard coldness.


    Her eyes widened in surprise at his reaction. The two were close to each other. The moment she turned her head, the tip of her nose brushed against his.


    For a brief moment, Kaiden gazed into her eyes before softly pressing his lips to hers. It was a gentle kiss.


    She was uncertain whether his kiss was meant to offer her sce or¡­ if he was seeking it for himself.


    ¡°Ever since I can remember, I¡¯ve been prone to illness,¡± Kaiden told her.


    ¡°Were you unwell often as a child?¡± Ellie asked, surprised. But she had never noticed him showing any signs of poor health, especially given his ability to work tirelessly through the night.


    ¡°Yes. Back then, my grandfather was still alive. Whenever I fell sick, Jorge had to visit me. And Brisa, she was actually happy about it.¡± Noticing the shock on her face, Kaiden realized she had figured it out.


    ¡°Yes, she drugged my meals. In the cold winter, she handed me only a light jacket and forced me to bow until my forehead ached¡­ She deliberately made me sick to draw Jorge¡¯s attention.¡±


    Discover more


    Ellie instinctively sat up straighter. ¡°Why¡­ She appears to be¡­¡±


    ¡°She seems to be a good person?¡± Kaiden interjected. ¡°She¡¯s not a bad person. After achieving her goal of meeting Jorge, she often broke down in tears and begged me for forgiveness.¡± However¡­ Was her apology meaningful?


    Ellie understood it was not. It was much like her current aversion to seeing Cecelia again.


    ¡°It must have been tough on you,¡± Ellie said softly, unsure of what else to say.


    Kaiden simplyughed and replied indifferently, ¡°I was alright.¡±


    ¡°I had no idea¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry that I thought you were cold-blooded toward Brisa.¡±


    With empathy for Kaiden, Ellie wrapped her arms around him tightly, hoping to transfer some strength to him.


    Kaiden had intended to tell her more. After the loss of his grandfather, his illnesses no longer brought Jorge to his side. Those were the days he faced harsh criticism from his own mother, who dismissed him as worthless. Brisa, in her rage, would strike him. Sometimes, he would be locked in a cramped, dark cupboard and not allowed to eat, go to school, or talk to anyone. Compared to such treatment, the difort from his illnesses seemed trivial.


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 Chapter 556

    ?Chapter 556:


    Yet, he found it hard to watch her get upset.


    He didn¡¯t wish for her to be overly concerned about him. He didn¡¯t want her to be burdened with sadness. So, he decided to keep those terrible memories to himself.


    ¡°Ellie, I don¡¯t want you tofort me by telling you this,¡± Kaiden said softly, holding her face gently and meeting her gaze. ¡°Just because Cecelia showed you kindness once doesn¡¯t mean you should overlook her wrongs. It¡¯s okay to put yourself first sometimes. Being overly moralistic can sometimes be self-defeating.¡±


    Kaiden didn¡¯t mention the immense help Leo had given him. Despite the harsh treatment from his mother, Kaiden had grown up healthy and knowledgeable, thanks to Leo¡¯s significant contributions.


    ¡°Alright, I understand,¡± Ellie replied with a nod, pulling Kaiden into another embrace.


    ¡°Very good, girl,¡± Kaiden said with a small smile.


    Kaiden then shifted his gaze and pressed a soft kiss against her neck. It was as if the vulnerable side of Kaiden he had just revealed to console her had disappeared. He continued nting gentle kisses along her neck, finally sucking lightly on her delicate earlobe.


    Suddenly, Ellie stiffened.


    ¡°Kaiden, you got a boner!¡±


    ¡°Well, Mr. Wright¡­ Ellie said she¡¯s not mad at me¡­ She¡¯s not ming me!¡± Cecelia¡¯s voice trembled as she stood before the man, her body shaking with fear.


    Kristopher, casually ying with a bracelet on his wrist, appeared calm, yet to Cecelia, his every movement seemed so ominous.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you ever wondered why she isn¡¯t ming you but still doesn¡¯t want to see you?¡± Kristopher¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°Cecelia, what you¡¯ve done to her runs deep¡ªtoo deep to fix.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! It wasn¡¯t like that! I didn¡¯t do it! I¡­ I was always nice to her, and she knows it!¡± Cecelia protested, her panic clear.


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    Kristopher, with a slight shake of his head, replied, ¡°Cecelia, you¡¯re fooling yourself. The one who was truly kind to her was me.¡±


    Cecelia froze, realizing the truth in his words. The kind soul she had always thought she was to Ellie had been nothingpared to the man standing before her, a man whose face she had recognized for years but knew so little about.


    Kristopher, losing his patience, moved to leave.


    Cecelia, her hands showing signs of age, clung desperately to the wheels of his wheelchair.


    ¡°Please! I¡¯m begging you! Don¡¯t cut off my medication!¡± she cried out, her voice breaking.


    Kristopher paused, his voice calm yet chilling. ¡°Remember, the medicine that can save your life can also end it. I¡¯ve told you this.¡±


    Cecelia, now desperate, threw one final threat. ¡°If you don¡¯t let me livefortably, aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll spill everything to Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead and try,¡± Kristopher smirked, his confidence unshaken. He was unafraid of her threats, secure in the n he hadid out.


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 Chapter 557

    ?Chapter 557:


    The scene shifted as the mood in the office suddenly changed. Clothes tumbled to the floor, and a seductive energy filled the air, disrupting the usual seriousness of the environment.


    ¡°Kaiden, have youpletely lost your mind? This is yourpany! We¡¯re in an office!¡± Ellie eximed.


    She instantly regretted making things so clear.


    Perhaps pretending to be clueless might have kept the ¡°beast¡± before her from taking advantage of the situation! ¡°As you said, it¡¯s mypany.¡±


    He kissed her, entuating the word ¡°my.¡±


    Who else but the boss could wee someone into his private space without asking?


    At that moment, Ellie realized something about him. He was chasing excitement! He did this on purpose!


    Just as the thought crossed her mind, Kaiden¡¯s phone rang.


    Ellie nced over and saw Jerome¡¯s name shing on the screen.


    ¡°Mr. Howell is calling for you!¡± Ellie said, urgencycing her voice. Kaiden clicked his tongue in irritation but held her close as he answered the call with one hand. With her so near, Ellie could clearly hear their conversation.


    ¡°Kaiden, everyone knows you¡¯re married now, and they¡¯re wondering why they weren¡¯t invited to the wedding celebration!¡± Jerome¡¯s voice was full of expectation, as if he was looking for a reason to gather everyone together.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know everyone,¡± Kaiden said, shrugging it off.


    ¡°Okay! Mr. Howell, since it¡¯se up, why not do it tonight?¡± Ellie leaned in closer to the speaker and suggested.


    Jerome¡¯s mood lifted at hearing Ellie. ¡°Ellie, you¡¯re there with Kaiden? Perfect, I¡¯ll take care of it. Let¡¯s make it a celebration for you both!¡± He hung up, already eager to organize the event.


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    Ellie nced at Kaiden, catching the expression on his face that practically screamed, ¡°Celebrate, my ass.¡±


    But once the idea was out there, Kaiden couldn¡¯t retract it.


    This was the first time he was escorting Ellie as Mrs. Thorpe since their rtionship became public in their social circle. He couldn¡¯t let anyone belittle her.


    They decided on Heart Ind for the venue, booking the entire second floor of the clubhouse.


    Ellie and Kaiden arrived fashionablyte.


    Approaching the hall¡¯s entrance, they noticed a considerable number of people already inside.


    ¡°All these guests?¡± Kaiden said, his brow slightly furrowed.


    Jerome, feeling a bit uneasy, replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to invite so many. But when they imed to be Ellie¡¯s old friends, how could I say no?¡±


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 Chapter 558

    ?Chapter 558:


    Ellie chuckled and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize I had so many old friends. Do acquaintances count as old friends too?¡±


    Ellie had once held the title of First Lady of Critport, and her acquaintances spanned the entire city¡¯s elite families, too numerous to name.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go inside,¡± Kaiden said. Seemingly unfazed, he led Ellie by the hand into the venue.


    Having arge crowd also had its perks. From today onward, it would be clear that Ellie was taken.


    Jerome observed Kaiden holding Ellie¡¯s hand, as if she were a precious child, and couldn¡¯t help but feel moved. When Kaiden showed affection, it was genuinely heartfelt.


    ¡°Congrattions!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, you hid it so well!¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s to a lifetime of joy, and may you be blessed with a son soon!¡±


    ¡°Is Mr. Thorpe¡¯s leg all better now? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe and Ms. Gordon, you two are clearly perfect for each other!¡± As Ellie and Kaiden made their entrance, they were showered with well-wishes from every side.


    Kaiden answered with a nod, ¡°My wife is gentle and kind, and please take good care of her in the future.¡±


    What he really meant was that his wife was soft-hearted and could be taken advantage of. So if anyone dared to do so, Kaiden wouldn¡¯t hesitate to get revenge.


    Everyone fell silent. What did he just say?


    Gentle and kind?


    Was Kaiden really talking about Ellie here?


    Wasn¡¯t she the one who got into that bar fight at Rich Bar?


    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s


    And she was also the one who, with Baylee, could shut anyone down before they even had a chance to speak?


    Despite the recent portrayal of Ellie as somewhat deserving of sympathy, had she truly faced any unfair treatment? Not at all!


    A yful shout stood out amidst the crowd. Susanna, linking arms with Daniel, gave Ellie a yful wink. ¡°Mr. Lambert couldn¡¯t wait to get here once he heard what was happening,¡± Jerome leaned over to whisper to Kaiden.


    Kaiden just nodded. It was probably Susanna who was eager toe, not Daniel. Daniel pampered his not-so-wise fianc¨¦e endlessly, showing ack of principles.


    Kaiden, who usually kept to himself and didn¡¯t mingle much with this crowd, mainly conversed with a select few, including Jerome, the Stephens brothers, Levy, who had just returned, and some other family heirs from their respective families.


    Susanna pulled Ellie aside for a chat, and soon a group of socialites gathered around:


    ¡°El, it¡¯s been ages, but you haven¡¯t changed a bit, still stunning!¡±


    ¡°Ms. Rayne, you¡¯re making me blush. I think you¡¯re the beauty here.¡±


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 Chapter 559

    ?Chapter 559:


    ¡°Ellie, I had this wedding present made just for you by a craftsman in Gwylia!¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Moore. That¡¯s incredibly generous of you.¡±


    ¡°El, you¡¯re incredible! Now even Light has a close connection with you!¡±


    ¡°Ms. Evans, your paintings stand out as the best among our generation; I can¡¯t ept yourpliments.¡±


    One kind word followed another, ranging from cheers for her wedding to personalpliments for Ellie. She handled the conversation with ease, leaving Susanna in awe.


    After Ellie finished interacting with so many people, Susanna feltpelled to whisper, ¡°El, do you know all these people? You¡¯re amazing!¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie replied, her thoughts focused on her ties to the Lambert family. She offered a piece of advice, ¡°I just need to remember which family they¡¯re from and their status. I call you Susanna, not Miss Todd, and that makes all the difference.¡± She used nicknames for friends and reserved ¡°Miss So-and-So¡± for formal asions.


    Ellie was well-versed in social rules. When it came out that she wasn¡¯t actually a Gordon by blood, her so-called friends had ignored her, making everything worse. Now, as Kaiden¡¯s wife, they all wanted to reconnect.


    ¡°I get it,¡± Susanna said. ¡°Such fake friendships and the way social climbers act!¡±


    Ellieughed. Herughter was quickly cut short by a sarcasticment from the crowd.


    ¡°Well, we certainly can¡¯t keep up with Miss Gordon! Just six months ago, she was engaged to Erick, and now she¡¯s quickly married to his younger uncle. Such tactics¡­ We¡¯re not in the same league!¡± Essence, walking closely with her fianc¨¦, smirked as she passed Ellie. The room grew ufortably quiet, with only the asionalughter from the men in the background intensifying the silence.


    Everyone knew about Ellie¡¯s history with the Thorpe family but had kept quiet about it. Mentioning it now was clearly meant to hurt Ellie.


    The women who had been congratting her warmly moments before now remained silent, offering Ellie no support when she needed it most.


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    ¡°Is this really about tactics?¡± Susanna¡¯s voice broke the silence, her honest confusion clear.


    Everyone turned to look at her.


    Susanna continued, ¡°This is clearly about beauty and charm. Without Ellie¡¯s stunning beauty, her wless demeanor, her smarts, her aplishments, and her skills in dance and music, tactics wouldn¡¯t make a difference. Mr. Thorpe can see for himself, after all.¡± Herment suggested that anyone who believed Ellie seeded through scheming was missing the point.


    The room fell silent. Who was this bold neer?


    ¡°Which family are you from? We¡¯ve never seen you around. You haven¡¯t met Miss Gordon recently, have you?¡± Essence quickly turned her attention to Susanna.


    She implied that Ellie¡¯s recent withdrawal from society meant she couldn¡¯t have formed such significant new friendships.


    Essence¡¯s sarcastic tone was unmistakable.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you around either,¡± Susanna responded with an air of indifference, brushing off the insult.


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 Chapter 560

    Chapter 560:


    Essence¡¯s attempt at sarcasm fell t, as ineffective as a punchnding on cotton.


    Ellie, no stranger to such remarks, threw down a challenge. ¡°Why don¡¯t you say that again, but over there?¡± She subtly tilted her head in Daniel¡¯s direction.


    Daniel, who was always paying attention to Susanna, immediately noticed something was off and walked over. ¡°Susanna, stirring up trouble again?¡± he asked.


    Susanna shot back, visibly upset, ¡°No, I¡¯m not! Why do you say ¡®again¡¯?¡±


    The rtionship between Susanna and Daniel immediately caught everyone¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Mr. Lambert, Miss Robbins just said she didn¡¯t recognize Susanna and questioned where she came from,¡± Ellie stated, directing the matter to Daniel.


    Daniel, reading between the lines thanks to his extensive business background, casually ced an arm around Susanna and fixed his gaze on Essence, silently pressuring her.


    ¡°Is Miss Robbins having a problem with my fianc¨¦e? She¡¯s now part of the Lambert family.¡±


    The crowd gasped in surprise.


    ¡°Sorry, I blurted out prematurely just now!¡± Essence quickly apologized, her face showing a tinge of displeasure.


    She realized she had underestimated Susanna¡¯s connections and regretted her attempt against the Lambert family.


    Susanna, more eager to spend time with her idol than engage in this awkward situation with her fianc¨¦, swiftly encouraged Daniel to socialize with the other guests.


    The way people saw Susanna and Ellie changed significantly.


    There had been whispers about Daniel¡¯s beloved fianc¨¦e, but seeing was believing. Ellie¡¯s strong rapport with Susanna hinted at her indirect ties to the Lambert family.


    Previously known simply as Miss Gordon, Ellie¡¯s status was straightforward. But now, her associations painted her in apletely new light.


    No longer just Miss Gordon, she had be Mrs. Thorpe, a friend of the young master of the Stephens family, an inspiration to Freddy, well-known to the owner of the Rich Bar, and a close friend to the fianc¨¦e of the third heir of the Lambert family. How many titles did that add up to?


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    It was astonishing!


    Suddenly, Susanna became the center of attention for everyone.


    ¡°Ellie, don¡¯t get toofortable. Our group is hardly short on women who¡¯ve been divorced or left behind,¡± Essence said, her voice low and threatening, almost whispering in Ellie¡¯s ear. ¡°Just look at those guys hanging out with Mr. Thorpe. There¡¯s Jerome, who easily ignores his crowd of fans, and Levy, dressed in his light cream suit, who tends to change girlfriends every month. How long do you think you¡¯ll manage to stay as Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    Ellie gave her a quick, knowing nce. ¡°No matter how long I stay, it¡¯s longer than you could ever manage.¡±


    Essence, ready to snap back, stopped when she saw Kaiden standing nearby. She forced a smile and said, ¡°See, Mr. Thorpe is off to meet Carole!¡±


    .


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    Message from Noa: Happy weekend dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 561

    ?Chapter 561:


    At the far end of the second floor, separated by soundproof ss, a calm retreat awaited.


    ¡°Kaiden, about that day in the hospital¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I let my emotions get the best of me. I¡¯ve realized it was my fault,¡± Carole said, her head bowed in guilt and regret.


    Kaiden simply hummed, showing little reaction. In fact, he hadpletely forgotten about their hospital incident. His thoughts had never really lingered on Carole.


    ¡°Later on, Jorge and Brisa suggested I should join Thorpe¡¯s jewelrypany as the head designer¡­¡± Carole nced at Kaiden cautiously. Though the idea hade from Jorge, Carole was careful to mention Brisa, aware of her importance to Kaiden.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want,¡± Kaiden replied unbothered.


    The Thorpepany had nothing to do with him.


    Moreover, Carole wasn¡¯t his woman. He simply didn¡¯t care.


    Carole let out a sigh of relief. When Kaiden didn¡¯t catch her intention, he asked, ¡°Did youe to join in some fun?¡±


    It was doubtful Jerome had invited Carole over at this time.


    ¡°I¡­ heard Daniel was here, so I thought I¡¯d drop by, but¡­¡± Carole paused. ¡°I¡¯m worried your wife might not be keen on seeing me, considering our past. She might have gotten the wrong idea about me.¡±


    Carole deliberately said this to appear pitiful, hoping Kaiden would reassure her that Ellie didn¡¯t think badly of her and invite her to join the party.


    The event was meant to celebrate Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s wedding. If Carole showed up, it could spark wild spection about their old ¡°love triangle¡± among their peers, who were more cunning than a swarm of hos.


    To her surprise, Kaiden¡¯s response was straightforward.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. It wouldn¡¯t be right for you toe in.¡±


    Carole, taken aback, stared at Kaiden with a mixture of surprise and confusion. However, Kaiden had no intention of exining further. His words were as clear as they were direct.


    Regret washed over Carole. Had she known earlier, she wouldn¡¯t have resorted to such tactics, effectively setting a trap for herself.


    ¡°Kaiden, this is my wedding gift to you. It¡¯s a bitte, but I hope you¡¯ll appreciate it. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you and your wife,¡± Carole said, skillfully changing the subject. She produced a neatly wrapped gift box from her bag.


    The box was small, fittingfortably in the palm of her hand, adorned with tiny blue and red gems.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Kaiden replied as he epted the gift. The mention of it being a wedding gift made it difficult to refuse.


    ¡°There seems to be something in your hair¡­¡± Carole suddenly reached out towards Kaiden¡¯s hair, as if to remove something.


    To an onlooker, their interaction might have appeared intimate.


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 Chapter 562

    ?Chapter 562:


    Ellie, standing about ten meters behind Kaiden, watched the scene with an unreadable expression. The air around her seemed to cool instantly.


    As Carole extended her hand, she inadvertently caught Ellie¡¯s cold gaze over Kaiden¡¯s shoulder. Her eyes briefly sparkled with a smile, but it quickly vanished.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Kaiden said, stepping back and avoiding her touch. ¡°If you need assistance, please contact Bruce.¡±


    In consideration of past friendships and his brother¡¯s final wishes, Kaiden was willing to offer protection. However, he made it clear that any further contact should go through Bruce.


    Carole felt as though her heart had dropped to the ground and shattered.


    She bit her lip, looking at Kaiden with a mixture of sadness and longing. But before she could speak, he had already turned and walked away. Kaiden approached Ellie, who seemed on the verge of losing her temper, her expression stern.


    ¡°Why did youe out?¡± He casually took her hand, slightly tilting his head so she could see his hair, and asked, ¡°Is there something in my hair?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie was puzzled by his question.


    ¡°Carole mentioned there was something in my hair.¡±


    Ellie immediately realized that Carole¡¯s actions were a deliberate provocation. ¡°Well, it looked like there was something there,¡± Ellie said, inspecting his impably clean hair. ¡°Is it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my mistake. There¡¯s nothing there after all!¡± Kaiden shot her a cold nce.


    ¡°Really? What are you implying?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow, her tone pointed.


    ¡°If you had let another woman touch you, you might have found yourself in trouble,¡± she retorted, lifting her chin with confidence. ¡°Kaiden, you should remember that your wife has many admirers.¡±


    Though Kaiden was irked by her veiled threat, he chose not to show his anger. Instead, he pulled her close and kissed her firmly on the lips as a form of punishment and warning. His voice, low and intimate, was meant only for her ears.


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    ¡°Ellie, if you ever betray me, I¡¯ll¡­¡± His voice trailed off threateningly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret it and beg for my forgiveness every night in bed.¡±


    Ellie pushed his face away, unwilling to engage further in the conversation.


    She had once thought Kaiden to be cold and emotionless. Now, she realized that in private, his coarsenguage was no different from any other man¡¯s.


    ¡°What¡¯s that in your hand?¡± Ellie noticed the gift box in Kaiden¡¯s hand a few stepster.


    ¡°It¡¯s a wedding gift from Carole.¡± Kaiden passed the box to her.


    They had received many wedding gifts that day, all of which were being collected by Ellie.


    She opened the box to reveal a custom-designed lighter inside.


    The silver lighter exuded a subtle yet opulent charm, seemingly crafted just for Kaiden.


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 Chapter 563

    ?Chapter 563:


    Ellie mused on how unusual it was for someone to present a lighter as a wedding gift.


    It was more typical of a girlfriend¡¯s gift to her boyfriend.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this gift,¡± Ellie stated tly, closing the lid of the box before Kaiden even had a chance to see it. ¡°I want to return it to her.¡± She looked at him, uncertain of how he would react.


    Ellie¡¯s stubbornness was no secret to Kaiden, yet he was puzzled by her reaction.


    ¡°Why are you staring?¡± Kaiden chuckled, affectionately tousling Ellie¡¯s hair. ¡°Aren¡¯t you managing all our gifts today, Mrs. Thorpe?¡±


    ¡°Wait here for me!¡± With those words, Ellie hurried downstairs, clutching the gift box.


    Carole was still nearby.


    Hearing Ellie¡¯s footsteps, Carole turned around. Her face shifted from anticipation to disappointment when she saw who it was.


    ¡°Not happy to see me? You were moving so slow that I thought you were waiting for me,¡± Ellie said, forcing a smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s unusual for you to seek me out, Miss Gordon,¡± Carole remarked, her interest waning when she realized Kaiden wasn¡¯t with Ellie.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that unusual. I¡¯de to see you even if there was no specific reason,¡± Ellie replied, extending the gift box to Carole. ¡°I¡¯m returning this to you.¡±


    ¡°But this is for Kaiden,¡± Carole objected, making no move to ept the box.


    ¡°Really? But you said it was a wedding gift. I¡¯m handling all of our wedding gifts,¡± Ellie countered.


    Carole was confused. Why would Ellie have an issue with a simple gift to Kaiden?


    As Carole¡¯s frustration grew, she asserted, ¡°I won¡¯t take back a gift I¡¯ve given. I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d dare to discard it!¡±


    Ellie smiled, her gaze sweeping the area until she spotted a trash can. She walked over, extended her hand, and dropped the gift box into the bin. Itnded with a dull thud at the bottom.


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    ¡°Ellie¡­ How dare you!¡± Carole stared, shock and anger swirling in her eyes. Ellie simply shrugged, unconcerned by Carole¡¯s reaction, and returned upstairs, feeling triumphant.


    Kaiden was waiting for her, which lifted her spirits even more.


    As she approached, he opened his arms in a weing gesture. Ellie, initially reluctant, decided to indulge him since he had initiated the embrace. She leaped into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and standing on her toes to nt a kiss on his chin.


    ¡°This is your reward because I¡¯m feeling happy!¡± she dered, her eyes sparkling like stars, captivating enough to mesmerize him.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Doesn¡¯t seem heartfelt enough,¡± Kaiden remarked, yfully gesturing toward his lips.


    Ellie leaned in, her breath carrying her unique scent as she whispered teasingly near his ear, ¡°I was going to kiss your Adam¡¯s apple, but¡­¡± She shed a mischievous smile. ¡°Kaiden, are you sure you can restrain yourself and avoid¡­ you know?¡±


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 Chapter 564

    ?Chapter 564:


    The party was still underway, and they were surrounded by sharp-eyed guests. Any sign of him getting aroused would certainly be noticed. Kaiden muttered a curse under his breath and gently pinched the back of Ellie¡¯s neck.


    ¡°You¡¯re in for it tonight.¡±


    Upon Ellie and Kaiden¡¯s return to the festivity, it was clear that the party was in full swing.


    No sooner had they seated themselves than Jerome led a group forward, eager to get them involved in the merriment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s raise a toast! Kaiden, Ellie, this one¡¯s for you. Here¡¯s to eternal love and aging gracefully together!¡±


    With infectious enthusiasm, Jerome distributed whiskey sses to both Ellie and Kaiden.


    Ellie eyed her ss with a mix of reluctance and apprehension, debating whether to politely refuse or risk the intoxicating effects. Kaiden, sensing her hesitation, gently took the ss from her, promptly finishing his own and then emptying Ellie¡¯s as well.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take hers,¡± he dered, his voice carrying a protective tone.


    Ellie felt a fleeting warmth, as though the spirit of the drink had metaphorically touched her heart, sparking a sweet euphoria. The surrounding young men, ever eager to fuel the excitement, burst into apuse.


    ¡°Incredible! Mr. Thorpe truly knows how to care for his wife!¡±


    In the midst of the celebration, Theo couldn¡¯t resist joining in, offering another round of toasts with two more sses for the couple.


    ¡°To Kaiden and Ellie! May your life together be harmonious, and may you soon wee a new member to your family!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Theo, but this drink¡­¡± Ellie began, only for Kaiden to intercept the sses, swiftly drinking on their behalf once more.


    ¡°Much appreciated,¡± he said, confidently cing the empty sses upside down to signifypletion.


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    Then, Kaiden requested a waiter to bring juice for Ellie, making it clear he preferred she abstain from alcohol.


    Daniel observed this protective gesture with a raised eyebrow, evidently approving of Kaiden¡¯s considerate approach towards Ellie. Edwin, witnessing Kaiden¡¯s diligent care, felt aplex mixture of emotions. It was part obstruction, part genuine joy, an inner conflict that led him to question his own feelings.


    At that moment, Theo nudged Edwin, hinting towards Kaiden, ¡°Won¡¯t you offer a toast to your brother and your former ssmate¡¯s marriage?¡± How had his good old ssmate be his older friend¡¯s wife? Internally sighing at the turn of events, Edwin lifted his ss, ¡°To Kaiden and Ellie, congrattions!¡±


    Kaiden paused before epting. ¡°Sincerely?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, with all sincerity!¡± Edwin responded, though the unspoken condition hung in the air. As long as Kaiden treated Ellie well, he would sincerely wish them happiness forever.


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 Chapter 565

    ?Chapter 565:


    The underlying message went unnoticed by the others.


    Ellie, catching on to the moment, turned to Kaiden. ¡°Edwin and I are on amicable terms now, so he surely wishes us well, right?¡±


    Edwin, feeling the sharp sting of jealousy, mustered a smile. ¡°Without a doubt!¡±


    Theo had to stifle a chuckle at the scene.


    When his younger brother returned, he pped him on the back, asking with a hint of mockery, ¡°Have you conceded defeat yet?¡±


    ¡°You, you, you¡­¡± Stammering, Edwin could hardly muster a coherent reply.


    Seizing the moment to tease, Theomented, ¡°Had you acknowledged your feelings sooner, perhaps she would have been your wife.¡±


    Facing his brother¡¯s taunts, Edwin shot back with a re. ¡°Do you take pleasure in my suffering?¡±


    To which Theo dryly responded, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the family tradition?¡±


    Edwin was rendered speechless.


    At least Ellie remained oblivious to this ordeal.


    As the evening progressed, the initial wariness the guests held towards Kaiden dissipated. Inspired by his genial exchanges with Jerome and the Stephens brothers, and perhaps a bit emboldened by alcohol, they began to warmly engage.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, we extend our bted congrattions on your union with Miss Gordon! Ah, pardon me, Mrs. Thorpe now! A toast to you and your bride!¡± a guest eximed with enthusiasm.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Kaiden responded with a wry smile, epting two sses and drinking with ease, evidently consuming Ellie¡¯s share as well.


    The others gradually approached with more boldness, encouraged by Kaiden¡¯s participation.


    As the evening went on, the guests began to notice that Kaiden graciously epted every toast wishing them happiness. He took it upon himself to handle any drink intended for Ellie.


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    This delighted the spectators. The typically reserved Mr. Thorpe was now participating in their festivities, and some even entertained the idea of getting him pleasantly intoxicated.


    Nearby, a group of young socialites, friends of Essence, whispered among themselves, ¡°They say Mr. Thorpe is usually detached and pays no mind to women, yet he cherishes Ellie as if she were a rare gem. What makes her so special?¡±


    ¡°Lower your voices! If that Todd girl hears us, she¡¯ll have our heads!¡± Essence cautioned them, gritting her teeth. She found it hard to believe that after her brief departure, Ellie returned unfazed by Carole¡¯s presence, still in good spirits.


    ¡°Kaiden, perhaps you should drink less,¡± Ellie suggested softly, tugging at his sleeve.


    She had lost track of how many drinks he had consumed, and the empty sses in front of him were swiftly reced with fresh ones.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Kaiden leaned closer, his hearing strained over the din.


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 Chapter 566

    ?Chapter 566:


    In the shimmering disco lights, his eyes remained lucid and bright, showing no signs of intoxication.


    Ellie moved nearer, repeating her caution directly into his ear. ¡°I said, drink less!¡±


    Their whispered interaction elicited amused chuckles from the onlookers, setting the stage for a third round of celebratory toasts.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, I think he¡¯s had enough,¡± Ellie intervened, reaching out to stop Jerome¡¯s attempt to hand over another ss.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret, Ellie. Kaiden¡¯s quite adept when ites to his drinks. I¡¯ve never seen him drunk!¡±


    However, Kaiden¡¯s formidable tolerance was being tested like never before, as he was essentially drinking for two.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it myself, then!¡± Ellie said, determined to take some burden off him. She reached for a ss, but Kaiden¡¯s hand swiftly intervened, pressing gently against hers. The heat from his palm was noticeably higher than usual, signaling his exertion.


    ¡°Ellie, are you sure you want to drink?¡± Kaiden asked.


    Ellie¡¯s previous drunken escapades, though charmingly troublesome, shed before her eyes. Considering Kaiden had already consumed a considerable amount, his ability to manage another inebriated soul was questionable.


    She immediately recalled her foolish behavior thest time she had unintentionally be intoxicated. With a moment of hesitation, she withdrew her hand, her resolve wavering.


    ¡°Are you sure you can handle more?¡±


    ¡°Questioning my limits, are we?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice carried a yful edge as he positioned himself closer, his breath tickling her ear.


    ¡°Should Mrs. Thorpe need reminding, I¡¯ll be sure to jog your memory once we¡¯re home,¡± he teased, a hint of mischief in his tone.


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    Ellie immediately recognized her misstep. Challenging a man¡¯s drinking prowess was hardly wise.


    ¡°Levy¡¯s finally back! Did that phone call really take an eternity?¡± Jerome spotted Levy making his way back, his shirt marred by a wine stain. ¡°What happened to your shirt?¡±


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Levy greeted her first, exining, ¡°Ran into a bit of an ident. Ady spilled wine on me.¡±


    ¡°Levy!¡± came a disapproving call from his girlfriend.


    So much for ¡°ident.¡± More like deliberately flirtatious!


    Levy offered a gracious smile but chose not to delve into details about the incident.


    Momentster, a waiter approached with a delivery.


    ¡°Mr. Sanders, ady sent this as an apology for the inconvenience caused earlier.¡±


    Levy¡¯s girlfriend, a socialite whose reputation preceded her, eyed the garment with disdain. ¡°This piece of mediocrity presumes to make amends? Dispose of it!¡± Hermand was cut short as Levy, prioritizing practicality over pride, epted the shirt and headed to the restroom to change.


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 Chapter 567

    ?Chapter 567:


    Regardless of its quality, it was better than his damp clothing.


    His girlfriend stomped her foot in frustration.


    Jerome and the others, however, remained indifferent to the drama. Their experience had taught them the transient nature of Levy¡¯spanions. Today¡¯s upset girlfriend could easily be reced by tomorrow¡¯s new interest.


    In the restroom, Levy discovered, to his surprise and pleasure, that the shirt wasn¡¯t just a perfect fit. It was adorned with orchid embroidery along its seams, a detail that resonated with his personal taste.


    As the night waned into the early hours of dawn, the guests of the Heart Ind estate were shepherded home by the diligent stewards, their minds fogged by the night¡¯s libations. Ellie had maintained her sobriety throughout the event. Amidst the other guests¡¯ blurred thoughts, one clear observation emerged.


    Ellie was not to be trifled with.


    If just a month earlier some had dismissed her as merely a decorative spouse, and others had been taken aback by her seemingly serendipitous marriage to Kaiden, now they were left to reconsider their assumptions.


    The societal circles that once spected about her downfall were now forced to acknowledge her resilience and standing. Ellie, they realized, had not only retained her dignity but had also silently affirmed her stature. Shemanded a new level of respect.


    Kaiden was the life of the party, drinking more than anyone else, but you couldn¡¯t tell by looking at him. He lounged on the couch with elegance, appearing as calm and dignified as always.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Ellie had barely stood up when Kaiden, sitting next to her, grabbed her wrist and gently pushed her back onto the couch.


    ¡°I was going to say goodbye to our guests.¡±


    Not all guests needed Ellie¡¯s personal farewell, but a few notable ones like Levy, the Stephens brothers, Jerome, the Lambert family, and some other distinguished guests certainly did.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that!¡± Kaiden, a bit more forcefully than usual, leaned closer to Ellie, locking eyes with her. After a pause, he said softly, ¡°Your ce is right here, next to me.¡±


    Ellie observed him carefully. His face was its usual self, without the slightest signs of drunkenness, but his eyes were unusually clear, shedding their typical mysterious veil.


    She couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Kaiden, have you had too much to drink?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    His immediate response was as if the question offended him.


    ¡°Bye-bye, El!¡± Susanna, cheerfully nestled in Daniel¡¯s embrace, waved their way, clearly having enjoyed the party a bit too much. Some mischief-maker had managed to get drinks to Susanna while Daniel was otherwise upied. After her third drink, she got a little drunk. A sharp look from Daniel had the instigator hastily apologizing. However, the damage was done. Susanna had found the alcohol too tempting and ended uppletely drunk.


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 Chapter 568

    ?Chapter 568:


    ¡°Bye-bye!¡± Turning to Daniel, Ellie said, ¡°Mr. Lambert, Carole was here today.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t invite her,¡± Daniel rified immediately.


    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t mean anything by having her here; I just thought you should know since you¡¯re family.¡± Daniel acknowledged with a nod. He was about to leave with Susanna when she suddenly became stubborn, insisting on staying longer.


    ¡°El! Remember, drinking¡¯s not wise if you¡¯re thinking about kids tonight. Don¡¯t forget to be careful! Alright? I¡¯ve got it all figured out!¡± Susanna seemed to be seeking approval for her tipsy advice.


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words. Who would have thought that sweet, gentle Susanna could be so bold with a few drinks in her?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I guess I didn¡¯t teach her well,¡± Daniel apologized, lifting Susanna onto his shoulder and decisively walking away with her.


    With the party winding down and most guests having left, Ellie turned her attention to Kaiden.


    ¡°Kaiden, are you alright? Are you able to walk by yourself?¡±


    When he didn¡¯t answer, Ellie lent him a hand to stand.


    Kaiden, only then seeming to register Ellie¡¯s presence, suddenly wrapped his arms around her tightly. He drew her close with more force than she expected.


    Ellie caught her breath in surprise.


    It was then that she really noticed the strong scent of alcohol on him. A cocktail of brandy, champagne, both white and red wine, plus whiskey¡­ All blending together, creating a strong fragrance.


    ¡°Ellie, you don¡¯t have faith in me,¡± he blurted out, sounding hurt.


    ¡°When did I ever show ack of trust in you?¡± Ellie protested, feeling unjustly used.


    He didn¡¯t answer her.


    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om


    ¡°Let¡¯s head home,¡± Ellie suggested.


    Despite having drunk a lot of alcohol, Kaiden moved with surprising steadiness, needing only minimal support from Ellie.


    The manager of Heart Ind approached, offering assistance, but Kaiden dismissed him abruptly.


    ¡°Stay away from me!¡± He red at his employee, saying, ¡°I¡¯m with my wife.¡±


    The subordinate was bewildered.


    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m a guy. Your wife has nothing to worry about!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ll handle it myself.¡± Ellie interjected, trying to ease the awkwardness.


    She found that Kaiden appeared tipsy but notpletely out of sorts. When they made it to the parking lot, Kaiden suddenly started walking off-course.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Ellie had a bad feeling.


    ¡°I want milk tea.¡±


    ¡°What? Hey, wait¡­¡± Ellie was baffled. ¡°But it¡¯s 2 AM. The ces for milk tea are closed.¡±


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 Chapter 569

    ?Chapter 569:


    He paused, then shouted, ¡°Bruce!¡±


    ¡°Bruce has gone home! He¡¯s off work!¡±


    Did he intend for Bruce to somehow get a milk tea shop to open just for him? Ellie believed Kaiden had the influence to make it happen.


    ¡°Kaiden,e on, it¡¯s time we went home.¡±


    Ellie attempted to steer him towards their car, yet he stood his ground. ¡°I won¡¯t go back.¡± Kaiden looked at her with determination. ¡°You seem upset.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not upset¡ª¡±


    Ellie caught herself mid-sentence, realizing it was pointless to argue with him in his current state. ¡°I¡¯m not upset.¡±


    Did he think a cup of milk tea was the cure for all grievances? Ellie was torn betweenughter and tears.


    Kaiden examined her closely, as if trying to verify the sincerity of her words. After a moment, he appeared to grudgingly believe her, but he didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°You look down on me,¡± Kaiden said firmly.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t hide her frustration, saying, ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± How could anyone look down on him?


    It would be more urate to say it was a miracle if he didn¡¯t disdain others!


    Kaiden moved in closer, his presence overwhelming as he leaned into Ellie.


    She found herself stepping back until she was pressed between him and a Rolls-Royce.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you called me?¡±


    ¡°For what reason should I call?¡± Ellie waspletely baffled.


    Kaiden sighed, rifying, ¡°I meant, call me ¡®honey.''¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes went wide with astonishment. ¡°You mean¡­?¡±


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    ¡°Ellie, it seems like you really look down on me,¡± Kaiden concluded. ¡°It¡¯s as if you¡¯re pretending we¡¯re strangers.¡±


    Ellie was rendered speechless. What kind of old issue was this?


    ¡°Alright¡­ My dear honey! Can we head home now?¡± Ellie conceded. Seeing this, Kaiden¡¯s expression softened as he caressed her cheek, acting innocently.


    ¡°Say it one more time. I didn¡¯t hear that.¡±


    ¡°Honey, let¡¯s head back. If you stay out here any longer, my disdain might actually be real.¡±


    Ellie was half pleading, half bluffing, desperate to bring the ¡°drunk¡± man home.


    Kaiden, visibly delighted, cradled Ellie¡¯s face and kissed her passionately, his lips pressing against hers. They were thin and dense. Pestering.


    The mix of gentle kisses and the strong smell of liquor left Ellie feeling a touch dizzy.


    ¡°Baby, when we get to bed, you have to call me that too.¡±


    Ellie snapped out of her daze, pushing against him, though she only managed to move his head back slightly.


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 Chapter 570

    ?Chapter 570:


    ¡°Kaiden, are you ying with me? You¡¯re not really drunk, are you?¡±


    Her eyes sparkled with beauty as she gazed at him.


    After their lingering kiss, her eyes glowed with affection. Kaiden chuckled involuntarily. Perhaps influenced by the alcohol, his usually reserved demeanor now showed a hint of yfulness, reminding Ellie that he was only twenty-seven. At his age, others like him were still spending their wealth carelessly.


    ¡°Kaiden! So you¡¯re not really drunk!¡± Ellie remarked, slightly irritated. She had forgotten that Jerome had once mentioned Kaiden hardly ever got drunk.


    ¡°How could I get drunk with you around?¡± Kaiden pressed her against the car door, his voice low and husky.


    What if she got taken while he was drunk? Who would he me then? Even through their clothes, the touch conveyed the other¡¯s presence, soothing the brain under alcohol¡¯s influence. It felt like a craving for touch.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re suffocating me!¡± Ellie shoved him back; he was too close, his words swirling with the smell of alcohol.


    ¡°You¡¯re so sensitive,¡± Kaiden remarked, giving a slight nod as his head brushed against her neck intermittently.


    ¡°Your beard feels scratchy.¡±


    Kaiden ran his hand over his chin; there was a light stubble, hardly noticeable, but Ellie¡¯s sensitive skin made it feel prickly. From apanying Ellie to the hospital, then hurrying to Hagua, and straight to thepany for a meeting¡­ He had been too upied to even shave.


    He appeared to enjoy deliberately brushing his stubble against her neck.


    ¡°It¡¯s too hard. Stop rubbing it against me,¡± Ellieined, turning her head away from him.


    ¡°Oh?¡± The man smirked, meeting Ellie¡¯s gaze. ¡°What¡¯s hard? Where is it rubbing?¡±


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    It took Ellie a moment to realize what he was referring to.


    ¡°Kaiden, even when you¡¯re drunk, your mind is still filled with nonsense!¡±


    He didn¡¯t protest, emitting a deep, pleasant chuckle, and gently pinched Ellie¡¯s chin before kissing her lips again. Not quite content, he stepped away momentarily only toe back and nt a kiss on the corner of her mouth.


    He wasn¡¯t drunk, but Ellie sensed something unusual about him. The more Kaiden drank, the wider his smile seemed to grow. His voice, resonating deeply from his throat, held a captivating allure.


    As Ellie was preparing to get Kaiden into the car, she noticed a girl standing nearby. Her delicate and serene features exuded aforting aura, instantly calming the surroundings. With waist-length straight hair, a chiffon shirt, a long floral skirt reaching her ankles, and white canvas shoes, she appeared almost ethereal amidst the Heart Ind, evoking a student-like vibe.


    But she wasn¡¯t a student. She was a core member of herboratory.


    ¡°Flossie?¡±


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 Chapter 571

    ?Chapter 571:


    Ellie was worried she might have misidentified the person. Surprised, the girl turned her head and eximed, ¡°Boss!¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Ellie asked, puzzled.


    Flossie was briefly flustered. ¡°I came to give keys to a friend, but I identally dirtied a guest¡¯s clothes earlier. I wanted to make it up to him, but I couldn¡¯t find him.¡±


    ¡°Then once you find him, head home promptly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make it to theb on time tomorrow, and it won¡¯t affect the experiment.¡±


    As Ellie got into the car, she suddenly remembered. If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, it was a woman who had stained Levy¡¯s clothes!


    A drug development researcher¡¯s hands should be the steadiest, so Flossie shouldn¡¯t have spilled wine on someone else, right? Could it really be just a coincidence?


    Ellie was about to ask Kaiden, but as she nced at him, she found him casually observing her, chin propped on his hand.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    ¡°Boss?¡± Kaiden asked.


    Ellie was left without words.


    ¡°That person doesn¡¯t strike me as someone you¡¯d find working in a bar,¡± Kaiden¡¯sment immediately debunked the excuse Ellie wanted to use that the girl was a staff member of the Rich Bar.


    ¡°¡®Lab?¡± Kaiden asked again.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you drunk? How are you recalling everything so clearly?¡± Kaiden raised an eyebrow curiously.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie shut her eyes and exined, ¡°I¡¯ve invested in ab project. Since I¡¯m funding it, the girl earlier called me boss.¡± She was merely the one providing the funds, at most just an average project starter.


    Beneath the midnight city glow, the Rolls-Royce glided along. Kaiden wrapped his arm around Ellie¡¯s waist, lifting her onto hisp.


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    ¡°Hey!¡± Ellie patted his cheek softly.


    ¡°Stay still,¡± he insisted, resting his head against hers. ¡°It¡¯s not like the first time I¡¯ve held you.¡±AdChoicesADVERTISING


    Ellie had just nced at the driver, who promptly raised the partition between the back and front seats, cutting off any chance for Ellie to use him as an excuse. Of course, it was because Bruce had trained him well!


    ¡°Just an investor?¡± Kaiden asked, looking at the charming woman on hisp. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you have a history.¡± A history of deception.


    If he hadn¡¯t caught her with the Rich Bar owner¡¯s issue, she might still be pretending.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m telling the truth. You know, theb focuses on researching and developing targeted cancer drugs. I¡¯m not a biology or chemistry student, so how would I understandb matters?¡± Ellie made a sensible argument.


    Kaiden silently chuckled as he held her.


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 Chapter 572

    ?Chapter 572:


    When people hear about new drug development, they usually think of the medical or pharmacology fields. However, Ellie referred to biology and chemistry instead. She specialized in image design, but she seemed well-versed in science and engineering details.


    However, seeing Ellie on hisp with her eyes darting like a crafty fox, Kaiden hesitated to unveil her.


    ¡°Does theb need more funds?¡±


    The topic switch was sudden, leaving Ellie momentarily slow to respond.


    ¡°It¡¯s, it¡¯s fine for now, not in need.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s fingers brushed her cheek, his warm breath caressing her face. ¡°If you need funds, just ask me. My money is at your disposal.¡± Such words, once deemed frivolous and profligate to Ellie, now stirred her heart.


    Ellie turned her head and nced at him. ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯ve realized, you be chattier when you¡¯re drunk.¡± Especially with flirtatious remarks. If he weren¡¯t so drunk, he wouldn¡¯t utter such sentiments.


    Kaiden chuckled.


    Ellie gently touched his lips, now curved in a smile. ¡°And you smile more and more often.¡±


    As if entertained by something, Kaiden gently held the back of Ellie¡¯s head and nted a few kisses on her lips.


    He didn¡¯t wait for her response, prompting, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking?¡±


    ¡°What should I say?¡± Ellie asked, perplexed.


    ¡°Say that, when I¡¯m drunk, I kiss you more.¡±


    Ellie was left speechless. He was talking as if he wouldn¡¯t kiss her when sober.


    Trying to get down from hisp, Ellie found Kaiden reluctant to release her, holding onto her fragrant and soft form.


    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .


    Upon reaching Moon Manor, Kaiden gently took Ellie¡¯s hand as they stepped out of the car.


    ¡°By the way, your friend Levy¡­ Does he change girlfriends often?¡± Ellie remembered this detail.


    Levy, a self-made venture capitalist on the rise with a mysterious family background, was known to Ellie as a financial trailzer always surrounded by romantic interests.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Kaiden inquired, ¡°Why do you ask about him?¡±


    Ellie shook her head, hoping she was just overthinking it.


    Flossie was beautiful, from an academic family, capable, and kind, always well-liked. Ellie had known Flossie for four years and realized she hadn¡¯t dated anyone yet, still untouched.


    Such a girl shouldn¡¯t get involved with a yboy like Levy, right?


    But soon, Ellie had no energy left to think about Flossie anymore.


    Whoosh¡ª


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 Chapter 573

    ?Chapter 573:


    The shower sprayed from the showerhead, filling the space with mist. ¡°Still distracted?¡± Kaiden discontentedly nibbled Ellie¡¯s shoulder.


    Ellie jolted back to the present, her gaze shifting to her shoulder in rm, but the bite mark was not visible on her fair skin. He hadn¡¯t bitten her hard enough to leave a mark.


    Kaiden kissed the spot he had just bitten and nced back at her, his eyes filled with desire.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you¡¯re bluffing me, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    After all this time, he knew every inch of her body. Ellie trembled slightly with arousal, her voice unsteady. She was finding it hard to stay on her feet.


    Kaiden¡¯s strong arms gripped her waist and lifted her against him.


    ¡°It hurts,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Hmm? You say it hurts, but you¡¯re not even trying to fight me. Stop lying to me,¡± Kaiden growled softly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not deceiving you!¡±


    Ellie bit her lip, not understanding how he could say such a thing with such confidence.


    ¡°Shall we stay in the bathroom or go back to bed?¡± Kaiden offered her the choice.


    ¡°Bed.¡±


    Carrying her like a child, he let her legs wrap around his waist.


    ¡°Baby, you can¡¯t deceive me tonight,¡± he said with a smoldering gaze. ¡°If you want me to go easy on you, call me ¡®honey.¡¯¡±


    Ellie immediately understood what he meant by saying she couldn¡¯t deceive him. But calling him ¡°honey¡± was utterly useless¡ªif anything, it only excited him more.


    When she woke up the next day, red marks covered her fair skin. Her neck, corbones, shoulders, waist, back¡­ even her wrists were not spared. No amount of clothing or concealer could hide them.


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    She had no option but to stay home for a few days until the marks faded.


    Ellie was bored, so she scrolled through her phone and stumbled upon gossip about herself in a WhatsApp group with hundreds of members.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe Kaiden and Ellie booked the entire second floor of the Heart Ind Club to celebrate their marriage, and I missed it! Ahhh!¡±


    ¡°I knew something was fishy when Kaiden bought that jade bracelet for Ellie.¡±


    ¡°I heard Kaiden also drank for Ellie when others toasted her. In order to protect his wife from drinking too much, he drank a lot. Is that true?¡±


    ¡°He was guarding her like a treasure; how could it not be true? None of my ex-boyfriends or even my current boyfriend has ever protected me like that!¡±


    ¡°Stop it. I¡¯m already getting jealous!¡±


    ¡°And what was the deal with Carole and Kaiden a while ago? Were they together?¡±


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 Chapter 574

    ?Chapter 574:


    ¡°Either Kaiden hid his affair with his mistress from his wife really well, or¡­ Carole staged the whole thing! She¡¯s so conniving.¡±


    ¡°Ellie is so lucky! She got kicked out of the Gordon family but soonnded in the affluent Thorpe family. Mr. Thorpe is a piece of prime meat¡ªpowerful, wealthy, and handsome!¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t be like Ellie. She broke off her engagement with the nephew and swiftly married the uncle; that¡¯s something we can¡¯t even imagine doing!¡±


    Ellie nced at the sender¡¯s name¡ªit was Essence. Once Essence ridiculed her, others quickly followed suit.


    Ellie was surprised. Was this really the only thing Essence could say about her? Essence was mocking her after being rebuffed at the party. People immediately began discussing her ¡°amazing¡± and ¡°skillful¡± actions.


    Incensed, Ellie transferred arge amount of money to the group. In a fraction of a second, her message was seen by everyone who was online.


    ¡°Damn! Missed it! Thework speed is too bad!¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s this rich person who just gifted so much money to the group? Please send some more! LOL!¡±


    ¡°Oh! It was sent by Ellie.¡±


    Secondster, there was pin-drop silence in the WhatsApp group. No one replied.


    This group, named Critport Socialites Group, had been created two years ago during a gathering of wealthy second-generation women. Back then, Ellie, who was in the limelight, was added to the group, but she had never participated, so everyone had forgotten she was a member. Ellie understood that the silence meant everyone was embarrassed.


    So, she transferred some more money.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t invite everyone to celebrate my wedding, so here¡¯s a little something for all of you to share in the joy,¡± she wrote in the message.


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    ¡°Are you jealous I married Kaiden? Then so be it!¡± she murmured to herself.


    Someone finally broke the silence in the group and offered congrattions, but their eagerness to grab the money was clearly less than before.


    Then Ellie sent just one dor, specifically for Essence. She added a message: ¡°Miss Robbins, when are you and your fianc¨¦ getting married? I¡¯m sending you some money separately. Wishing you a happy wedding in advance!¡±


    Ellie wanted to show Essence just how disgusting she was.


    All those who had been goaded by Essence to speak ill of Ellie kept quiet.


    Ellie strictly forbade Kaiden from touching her for the next few days. The marks on her body finally faded just before the live broadcast of the Peerless Grace press conference.


    Ellie was a stylist, not the chief guest of the event, so she wore her standard white T-shirt and jeans. She didn¡¯t want to stand out, but many people still came over to greet her, hoping to forge a connection.


    Her poprity had been hightely. Even though these people didn¡¯t know about her marriage to Kaiden, after she became Light¡¯s unprecedented darling, she garnered a great deal of attention.


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 Chapter 575

    ?Chapter 575:


    Plus, with Freddy¡¯s support, the fashion resources at her disposal were not to be underestimated.


    Just then, amotion arose.


    Demi strutted in, wearing a tight red dress, followed by three assistants and eight bodyguards. Her appearance drew a wave of excitement.


    Ellie knew exactly where Demi¡¯s confidence came from and cast a nce at her t belly. Demi had to be at least three months pregnant, yet she wasn¡¯t showing.


    Spotting Ellie, Demi rolled her eyes and remarked sarcastically, ¡°The shier someone¡¯s wedding, the uglier their divorce.¡±


    Ellie walked toward her.


    Demi immediately stepped back warily, with two bodyguards moving in to shield her.


    ¡°See who has the upper hand today. Do you still want to attack me?¡± Demi sneered.


    ¡°Violence is for the uncivilized,¡± Ellie replied coolly. ncing at Demi¡¯s belly, she asked, ¡°Demi, are you sure it¡¯s a son you¡¯re carrying? Do you think you can use a child to force a marriage? You¡¯re pregnant now¡ªdoes Erick intend to marry you? ¡®The shier the marriage, the uglier the divorce¡¯ suits you far better.¡±


    ¡°Stop the nonsense! I¡¯m the mother of the eldest great-grandson of the Thorpe family. Who else would he marry but me? You¡¯ve seen all the bodyguards the Thorpe family has provided for me, right?¡±


    Ellie merely shrugged and replied, ¡°Fine, but let me remind you¡ªif he really marries you, you¡¯ll be a member of the Thorpe family just like me, and you¡¯ll need to show me proper respect then.¡±


    Demi was seething with anger and wanted to retort, but it was time for the live broadcast to start, and the staff ushered her away to get ready.


    During the broadcast, Demi became the center of attention. Her agency had tipped off the host, ensuring she received more screen time than Nora, the main actress.


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    After their segment, Ellie headed backstage to rx. She spent some time on her phone, and when she finally looked up, she realized the room had emptied without her noticing.


    Erick stood at the door, watching her for quite a while.


    Ellie noticed him but showed no interest, continuing to scroll through her phone.


    Erick, feeling ignored yet again, grew angry but, for some reason, didn¡¯tsh out.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± he called, but then just stood there, staring at her.


    His intense gaze made Ellie ufortable.


    ¡°Erick, do you enjoy making people feel this way?¡± she snapped, her patience wearing thin. ¡°Ever since we broke off our engagement, I haven¡¯t even looked at you nicely. Isn¡¯t it obvious I can¡¯t stand you?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, Carole hasnded herself a top job at the Thorpe Group¡¯s jewelrypany. Do you really think you and Kaiden have a chance? I¡¯m just saying, considering what we had, you might want to reconsider your options soon.¡±


    Did Carole be part of the Thorpe Group?


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 Chapter 576

    ?Chapter 576:


    Ellie was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly realized this had nothing to do with Kaiden.


    There was no way Kaiden would have Carole join the Thorpe Group just to frustrate himself.


    With Erick showing no signs of leaving, Ellie decided to walk out of the resting room. Out of sight, out of mind.


    Akira, a member of the creative team who wasn¡¯t allowed on stage, stood at the back door, staring at a photo of Ellie and Erick on her phone. In the picture, although they weren¡¯t physically close, the angle made it seem as if they were gazing deeply into each other¡¯s eyes¡ªespecially Erick, whose intense stare was unmistakable.


    ¡°Miss Gordon! Miss Gordon, please wait!¡±


    Just a few steps away, a man in a floral suit hurried after her.


    Ellie felt like she had seen him before. After a brief moment, she recognized him. ¡°Mr. Lyons?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me!¡± Gerardo nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°Miss Gordon, I¡¯ve been meaning to talk to you about acquiring the rights to a piece of music.¡±


    He began humming the melody of the violin piece they had discussed before.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, did youpose this piece? I really like it. Would it be possible for me to buy the rights from you? We can discuss the price¡ªwhether it¡¯s a one-time payment or royalties, either works for me. It would be a shame for such a beautifulposition to remain unheard!¡±


    That violin piece had beenposed so long ago, yet Gerardo still remembered it vividly.


    Suddenly, her phone buzzed. The screen disyed Kaiden¡¯s name.


    After Ellie picked up the call, she stepped outside, leaving Gerardo with a parting message. ¡°Feel free to use it, and don¡¯t worry about payment. It¡¯s a piece Iposed for someone dear to me. If you need the music sheet, just have someone get in touch with me.¡±


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    The thought of selling the piece she had written for Brisa didn¡¯t feel right.


    Ellie left the broadcast hall.


    A few steps away, a tall man stood waiting under the porch. His serious expression softened the moment he saw her.


    Ellie quickened her pace subconsciously.


    Remembering their time on Heart Ind, Kaiden opened his arms, ready for her hug.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Ellie asked, looking up at him while still in his embrace.


    Kaiden gently touched her head, his expression tense. ¡°Something happened to Cecelia.¡±


    Right after Demi ended her live broadcast, Ellie grabbed her by the wrist. ¡°Grandma¡¯s in the hospital, and we need to go now!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Ellie? Let me go!¡± Demi yelled for her bodyguards. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you guys? Didn¡¯t you see her grab me?¡±


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 Chapter 577

    ?Chapter 577:


    The bodyguards hesitated, ncing at the man who had just entered and was now standing by the door. That was when Demi spotted Kaiden.


    With him there, the bodyguards didn¡¯t dare make a move.


    Ellie silently tightened her grip on Demi¡¯s wrist and led her outside.


    The crew stood frozen, too stunned to react.


    Demi didn¡¯t resist, worried about her unborn child, until Ellie pushed her into a car.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯ll hear from mywyer for this!¡± Demi shouted.


    ¡°Grandma had an ident. She¡¯s in the hospital due to a severe heart attack,¡± Ellie said, her expression serious.


    Touching her wrist, Demi replied coldly, ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten a call from my mom or dad. I¡¯m not going! And even if it¡¯s true, it¡¯s none of my business.¡±


    She didn¡¯t have the skills of a doctor, nor was she willing to help financially.


    ¡°Take her to the hospital,¡± Ellie instructed Kaiden¡¯s bodyguard firmly.


    Ellie believed that Cecelia, deep down, cared for her biological granddaughter Demi and would want to see her if she woke up.


    Ellie and Kaiden then headed to a different car.


    The news about the heart disease, the emergency surgery, and the critical condition alert had all been ryed by Kaiden just moments before.


    Ellie was so anxious she couldn¡¯t stop shaking.


    Kaiden hugged her tightly and said softly, ¡°Maybe telling you wasn¡¯t the best idea.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t meant to scare her. To Ellie, seeing such a cruel woman one more time didn¡¯t seem all that important.


    ¡°Thanks for letting me know, Kaiden.¡±


    Even though Cecelia had let her down recently, Ellie couldn¡¯t forget the kindness she had once shown.


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    At the hospital, the doctor exined, ¡°The patient¡¯s heart problem is a rare condition that was previously under control, likely thanks to some advanced medicine from overseas¡ªsomething our doctors aren¡¯t familiar with. Stopping this medicine suddenly has caused irreversible damage to her organs¡­ I¡¯m afraid she only has until tonight.¡±


    Ellie looked toward the ward, unable to ept the heartbreaking news.


    ¡°She wants to see you.¡±


    After Demi visited Cecelia, she stepped out of the ward, her face void of sadness. With a short pause, she hastily asked, ¡°Can I go now?¡±


    To her, spending time with Cecelia or hearing herst words seemed pointless.


    On the way to the hospital, Ellie had tried to contact Houston and Litzy, but one wasn¡¯t interested in visiting, and the other was too busy with meetings.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see her,¡± Ellie told Kaiden.


    ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡±


    ¡°I need to do this by myself.¡±


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 Chapter 578

    ?Chapter 578:


    Kaiden¡¯s strong presence could make her grandmother uneasy. Besides, he didn¡¯t seem to have much patience for long conversations with the elderly, and Ellie didn¡¯t want him to feel awkward because of her.


    When Demi left the hospital, she silently cursed her bad luck. Being pregnant, she didn¡¯t want to pick up any bad energy from the dying old woman.


    As she reached for her phone to call her assistant, Demi noticed a photo that had been sent to her. The sight of it made her seethe with anger.


    In the photo, Erick was looking at Ellie with unmistakable affection. It had been taken backstage at the broadcast studio.


    Erick had chosen to meet that despicable Ellie,pletely ignoring her.


    Ellie walked into the room and saw the old woman on the bed, wearing an oxygen mask, barely holding on. The sight filled her with deep sorrow.


    She regretted how cold and distant she had been to Cecelia before.


    ¡°El, you¡¯re here.¡±


    The weakness in those words barely concealed the strength that had once defined her. The gentle, forgiving woman Ellie remembered had now be this frail figure before her.


    ¡°Grandma.¡± Ellie tried to hide her sadness. ¡°The doctors said you have a rare heart condition. You¡¯ve always been on medication. How did this happen so suddenly¡­?¡±


    ¡°The medication was finished.¡±


    A hint of bitterness flickered in Cecelia¡¯s weak eyes. She didn¡¯t want to die, but her life had always been controlled by that man.


    ¡°El, I need to tell you something.¡±


    Cecelia¡¯s expression grew serious as she took a deep breath, her frailty evident. Ellie leaned in closer, eager to hear her grandmother¡¯s words. ¡°Please, go on, Grandma.¡±


    Cecelia began her story, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. ¡°When you were little, you got sick and passed out. A man carried you to the hospital on his back. He made sure you saw the best doctor and paid all the hospital bills. He¡¯s the one who saved your life.¡±


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    Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Grandma, are you sure? Is there any chance you¡¯re mistaken?¡±


    Cecelia sighed, taking another deep breath as she steadied herself. ¡°Everything I¡¯ve told you is the truth. I never learned his name. I only saw him twice, and he was quite young¡­¡± She paused, her voice faltering as she coughed. ¡°He was younger than thirty.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s voice trembled with disbelief. ¡°But why are you telling me this now?¡±


    Cecelia¡¯s breathing became morebored, and her coughing intensified. ¡°Because¡­ there¡¯s no point in keeping secrets anymore. I¡¯m dying, and I don¡¯t want these secrets to go with me.¡±


    Tears welled up in Ellie¡¯s eyes. ¡°But why did you do everything he asked? Why did you keep it all a secret?¡±


    Cecelia gave a bitterugh, her eyes dimming with regret. ¡°Over ten years ago, our family¡¯s fortunes changed overnight, all because of him.¡± Her voice grew firm, and Ellie could hear the gravity in her words.


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 Chapter 579

    ?Chapter 579:


    Ellie shuddered, the weight of the realization pressing down on her. Was her family¡¯s rise to power tied to this man? The idea of marrying into the Thorpe family to gain their support for the Gordon family made Ellie feel nauseous.


    A flood of questions filled her mind. Who was this man? What were his true intentions? Was she unknowingly part of a conspiracy that had started over a decade ago? The thoughts chilled her to the core, and she was struck by how indifferent her family had been to the truth.


    Tears of bitterness streamed down her face as she spoke again, her voice quivering. ¡°Grandma, did you¡­ did you ever truly love me?¡±


    Cecelia¡¯s lips twisted into a faint, apathetic smile. ¡°You¡¯re not a blood rtive of ours. Why would I treat you like my granddaughter?¡±


    Her words unraveled a mystery that had puzzled Ellie since childhood. She had always wondered why her grandmother ignored the way Houston and Litzy treated her.


    She had thought perhaps her grandmother was simply too meek to confront them.


    But now, she understood she had been nothing more than a pawn for her grandmother¡ªa means to secure wealth and prestige for the Gordon family.


    It became clear why her grandmother had always favored Demi whenever their interests shed.


    Taking a deep breath, Ellie tried to soothe her aching heart.


    For a brief moment, an ufortable silence hung between them. Cecelia closed her eyes, as if she had used up all her strength fighting her illness.


    ¡°El, please don¡¯t be mad at me¡­¡± Her words were muffled again by a relentless cough. ¡°I did things I didn¡¯t want to do. That man threatened our lives if I didn¡¯tply!¡±


    The door to the hospital room squeaked open.


    Ellie stepped out slowly, her gaze lost in the void.


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    Kaiden hurried to her side, his heart racing with worry.


    ¡°Baby, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    For the first time, he used the term ¡°baby¡± in front of others.


    He catered to her every need, hoping to cheer her up. He looked at her, his eyes filled with concern.


    Bending down to meet her gaze, he saw her tears start to fall.


    She rushed into his embrace, sobbing.


    He gently stroked her hair, trying to offer somefort.


    Suddenly, a loud rm sounded from Cecelia¡¯s room.


    Doctors and nurses rushed in.


    Minutester, they emerged with grim faces to deliver the devastating news to Ellie. ¡°The patient removed her oxygen mask and has passed away. We¡¯re deeply sorry.¡±


    Ellie lifted her head, her tears flowing freely.


    Houston and Litzy went to im Cecelia¡¯s body from the hospital after they received the notice.


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 Chapter 580

    ?Chapter 580:


    Once all the formalities were taken care of, Houston looked around for Ellie but couldn¡¯t find her. He stopped a nurse to ask if she had seen her.


    The nurse replied, ¡°She just left after paying the medical bills. She left with her husband about half an hour ago.¡±


    Houston let out a deep sigh, his hand forming a tight fist, filled with regret. He wished he had known Kaiden was there too. He would have arrived sooner.


    In the car, Ellie stared out the window, her eyes red and puffy from tears. She sat motionless, as though drained of life. Her sorrow was clear, but Kaiden felt at a loss for how tofort her.


    When they pulled up to Moon Manor, Kaiden signaled for the driver to continue on without them. He then wrapped his arms around Ellie, lifting her onto hisp.


    Ellie, stirred from her daze by his touch, asked, ¡°Are we here?¡±


    Kaiden replied, ¡°Yes, we¡¯re back home now.¡±


    Holding her close, he softly said, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to say goodbye to your grandma?¡±


    He was surprised she had left the ward without seeing Cecelia onest time.


    Ellie shook her head, saying, ¡°Grandma might not have wanted to see me.¡±


    Then, suddenly, she turned to him, hugging him tightly and burying her face in the crook of his neck. Her deep sorrow and sense of loss were palpable to him, even without her saying a word.


    ¡°Honey, are you feeling sad?¡± he asked, gently rubbing her back to offer some sce.


    Kaiden felt out of his depth, trying to console a heartbroken woman, his actions awkward. He sensed that Ellie and Cecelia¡¯s conversation had been about something distressing.


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡± Her voice shook as she fought back tears.


    He responded, ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡±


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    Struggling for words, she said, ¡°They¡­ They never loved me. Not at all!¡± Houston and Litzy had always favored sons over daughters and held a disregard for her, unaware that she wasn¡¯t their biological child.


    Cecelia¡¯s affection for her had always been driven by her own interests.


    Kaiden wasn¡¯t entirely sure who Ellie meant, but he didn¡¯t press her for details.


    Gently, he cupped her face, kissing away her tears. ¡°None of that matters,¡± he murmured, gazing into her eyes. ¡°My love for you is all that counts. I love you, Ellie.¡±


    Her tears blurred her vision, but she managed to fix her gaze on him, as though hoping he would repeat those words. She appeared as vulnerable as a lost kitten, and in that moment, he could almost read her thoughts.


    He had felt trapped in a deep, dark pit these past few years, and she was like a beam of light reaching through the gloom.


    With a resigned sigh, Kaiden repeated with patience, ¡°I love you, Ellie. I love you. Do you hear me?¡±


    As soon as Demi left the hospital, she quickly called Erick. Impatient, he simply sent her the location of a popr club in Critport and said nothing more.


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 Chapter 581

    ?Chapter 581:


    Furious, Demi made her way there, only to find Erick surrounded by women, including a minor online celebrity she had previously shed with.


    ¡°What a surprise to see you here, Demi,¡± the celebrity said, cozying up to Erick.


    ¡°Go away!¡± Demi, fire in her eyes, snapped. ¡°Erick is my fianc¨¦. Don¡¯t you have any respect?¡±


    ¡°And who ims to be your fianc¨¦?¡± Erick retorted. He wanted nothing to do with Demi at that moment. How embarrassing!


    The online celebrity mocked her, ¡°Demi, everyone knows about your expulsion from Critport University, even if you tried to hide it. Do you think you¡¯re good enough for Erick?¡±


    ¡°Is it me who¡¯s not worthy, or is it you?¡± Demi shot back, feeling a surge of confidence.


    Suddenly uneasy, Demi ced a hand on her stomach, remembering Ellie¡¯s advice. She red at Erick. ¡°Erick, it¡¯s bad enough you¡¯re flirting with others, but to go after Ellie behind my back¡­ How could you? I¡¯m pregnant with your child! We were supposed to get married!¡±


    She knew about his visit to Ellie?


    Erick was momentarily taken aback but quickly dismissed it.


    ¡°Having a child is one thing. Getting married ispletely different,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Demi, do you honestly think that just because you¡¯re having a child, you have the right to be Mrs. Thorpe? Have you lost your senses?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ Erick¡­ You¡¯re the worst!¡± Demi¡¯s anger boiled over, and she almost copsed from the emotional weight.


    ¡°If I weren¡¯t the worst, would I have cheated on Ellie to be with you?¡± Erick admitted, his voice filled with frustration. ¡°I was foolish! Ellie¡­ It¡¯s always about Ellie!¡±


    What was so special about that woman with the mysterious background?


    Tears streaming down her face, Demi stormed out, her heart breaking.


    As she was going down the stairs, Demi slipped and fell. A wave of fear washed over her in that moment. Ignoring the pain, her first instinct was to check on her belly. This baby was herst hope!


    Although she felt no immediate pain, she wanted to be sure and quickly got up to catch a taxi to the nearest private hospital.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯re not pregnant,¡± the doctor remarked, clutching the report with an awkward expression. ¡°What do you mean? I clearly was¡­¡±


    ¡°Listen, your progesterone levels are too low for you to be pregnant. Look at this ultrasound. There¡¯s no embryo in your uterus,¡± the doctor rified. ¡°Where did you get your earlier diagnosis that led to this mistaken belief?¡±


    Feeling overwhelmed, Demi left the diagnostic room and quickly called Litzy.


    ¡°Where are you, Demi? The olddy passed away. We need to get to the funeral home fast,¡± Litzy said, sounding detached. She didn¡¯t care much for Cecelia, but now, they had to show up to make everyone believe that they were a harmonious family. After all, skipping a funeral would draw negative attention.


    Demi, overwhelmed by her own news, started crying.


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 Chapter 582

    ?Chapter 582:


    ¡°Mom, I¡­ I fell and went to the hospital to get checked, and¡­ the doctor says I¡¯m not pregnant. How is this possible? Why am I not expecting a baby? What am I supposed to do now?¡±


    She had ced all her hopes on the child she thought she was carrying. And now, she was informed that there was simply nothing to be found.


    Litzy tried to calm her down. ¡°My dear, don¡¯t worry. I knew you weren¡¯t pregnant. We made up that story to gain the Thorpe family¡¯s confidence. I didn¡¯t tell you so you wouldn¡¯t identally reveal our secret,¡± she exined gently.


    Demi quickly realized that her mother had orchestrated everything, including the false pregnancy report.


    ¡°So¡­ what do we do now? The Thorpe family was eagerly anticipating the arrival of their supposed great-grandson.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea. How about inviting Ellie to your grandma¡¯s funeral tomorrow?¡±


    In the master bedroom, Kaiden held Ellie close, his hand gently patting her back in a soothing rhythm, much like one wouldfort a child. Ellie could feel his efforts to calm her. His words kept echoing in her ears.


    ¡°None of that is important. Ellie, I love you. I love you. Do you hear me?¡±


    ¡°I hear you.¡±


    How could she not? His words were gentle yet powerful.


    Ellie had doubted she could find rest that night, but the warmth of his embrace brought her temporary peace, pushing her worries away as she drifted off to sleep.


    Soon, Kaiden felt that the woman he held in his arms was breathing steadily, deeply asleep. He gently moved back to gaze at the face nestled in his arm. Her features were as soft as ever, but now shaded with a touch of vulnerability. The panic that gripped his heart at the sight of her tears was known only to him.


    All he managed to do was awkwardly dere his love for her over and over again.


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    She insisted she had never felt loved by ¡°them.¡±


    Those ¡°them.¡± What right did they have to hold a ce in his woman¡¯s heart?


    The night passed peacefully.


    When Ellie woke up, she found herself lying against Kaiden¡¯s chest. His habit of sleeping shirtless revealed his toned chest muscles, making her cheeks warm and her heart beat faster.


    ¡°You¡¯re up? Want to keep sleeping?¡± Kaiden asked, looking down at her.


    Their sleeping patterns didn¡¯t match. Ellie liked to sleepte, while Kaiden was up with the dawn. Waking up beside him was something special.


    This gentle moment confused Ellie at first but soon filled her with happiness.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m good. It¡¯s already eight,¡± Ellie observed, realizing the time.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you gone to work yet?¡±


    ¡°I decided to take today off.¡±


    Ellie yfully teased, ¡°Kaiden, it seems you¡¯re frequently taking days off these days.¡±


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 Chapter 583

    ?Chapter 583:


    ¡°Why have the title of boss if I can¡¯t enjoy a day off now and then?¡± Kaiden moved closer and nted a kiss on Ellie¡¯s forehead. ¡°Being with my woman matters more to me than work.¡± Ellie felt the lingering sensation of his kiss on her forehead.


    She felt deeply loved in that moment. Recalling Kaiden¡¯s tender care from the previous night made her smile, and she leaned in for a morning kiss.


    Feeling reassured about Ellie¡¯s emotional well-being, Kaiden then headed to the office.


    But the moment he left, Ellie¡¯s face fell. Kaiden¡¯sforting presence had eased the pain of losing Cecelia. Yet, the mystery of ¡°that man¡± Cecelia had mentioned still nagged at her.


    The investigation by Houston and Litzy revealed that the Gordon family¡¯s nanny had switched Demi for another baby in revenge. But if Demi had truly been abandoned, why did someone approach Cecelia about her more than ten years ago?


    And why did ¡°that man¡± choose to stay in the shadows, helping her through Cecelia¡¯s involvement?


    Ellie was puzzled, and her thoughts were interrupted by a call from Houston. He was calling to invite her to Cecelia¡¯s funeral.


    Since Ellie had left soon after paying her respects the previous day, she had not nned to go to the funeral. But now, she realized she needed to go back to the Gordon family¡¯s residence to gather any clues about ¡°that man.¡±


    In the solemn atmosphere of the funeral home, Cecelia, despite not being favored by the Gordon family during her lifetime, received a grand and dignified burial. The Gordons used the asion of Cecelia¡¯s funeral not just as a mark of respect but also as an opportunity to reinforce their social ties, extending invitations far and wide.


    Ellie, having arrived, ced arge bouquet of flowers respectfully in front of Cecelia¡¯s gravestone.


    ¡°Has Kaiden not arrived yet?¡± Houston asked Ellie.


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    ¡°He¡¯s tied up with work,¡± Ellie responded, choosing not to mention that she hadn¡¯t informed Kaiden about the funeral.


    Litzy, overhearing their exchange, felt a surge of relief at Kaiden¡¯s absence.


    ¡°Did grandmother have any acquaintanceship with a younger man during her life?¡± Ellie, seizing a moment, posed a question.


    ¡°How could that be possible?¡± Houston replied with certainty. ¡°Absolutely not. In herter years, her interactions were primarily with her peers, fellow elderlydies.¡±


    ¡°How can we remember these? If you¡¯re seeking information, I suggest checking the second-floor lounge for any of grandmother¡¯s possessions,¡± Litzy interjected, her tonecking warmth.


    Cecelia¡¯s belongings, few as they were, had been boxed up in a single carton. Ellie meticulously went through the items but found nothing of significance.


    Disheartened, she sighed and exited the lounge. As she was about to descend the stairs, Demi intercepted her.


    With Cecelia¡¯s passing, Ellie felt no desire to maintain ties with the Gordon family. She regarded Demi with a fleeting, indifferent nce and continued on her way.


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 Chapter 584

    ?Chapter 584:


    ¡°Stop, Ellie!¡± Demi called out abruptly, seizing her arm. ¡°Have you been seducing Erick again?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re mentally ill, perhaps a doctor¡¯s visit is in order,¡± Ellie retorted, briskly freeing her arm from Demi¡¯s grasp.


    In the next moment, a scream pierced the air.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Demi copsed, clutching her abdomen in agony.


    ¡°Ellie, why did you push me? My baby, my baby¡­ Help! Somebody help!¡± The mourning hall, which had been engulfed in a respectful hush, was now starkly disrupted by Demi¡¯s anguished cries and pleas for help.


    Litzy rushed to Demi¡¯s side, cradling her in her arms amidst the chaos. ¡°Demi! What happened? Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m calling for an ambnce.¡± As the other guests gathered around, the sight of blood trailing down Demi¡¯s legs elicited gasps of horror.


    ¡°Oh, no! I heard that Demi¡¯s pregnant, isn¡¯t she? Could this have caused a miscarriage?¡±


    Demi, through her tears, used Ellie, ¡°You¡¯re heartless, Ellie! It¡¯s one thing to despise me, but why harm my unborn child? It¡¯s innocent!¡± The crowd¡¯s stares turned usatory towards Ellie, as if she were a murderer.


    Staring at the blood between Demi¡¯s legs, Ellie¡¯s fingertips trembled, her expression one of utter disbelief and vulnerability. She hadn¡¯t pushed Demi¡­ so why had this tragedy befallen them?


    At the hospital, it was confirmed that Demi had lost her baby. Her weeping left Ellie in turmoil, marking the first time she felt defenseless against Demi¡¯s usations.


    The Thorpe family, upon hearing the news, converged in distress. Genesis, incensed, confronted Ellie, ¡°You malevolent woman, return my grandchild! Give back the Thorpe family¡¯s future heir!¡±


    As Genesis aimed a p at Ellie, she caught the older woman¡¯s wrist effortlessly. ¡°If you want to talk, do so calmly. You have no right to strike me.¡±


    Ellie shook her hand off coldly.


    ¡°Considering you caused the death of my grandson, isn¡¯t it only fair for me to give you a p in return?¡± Genesis, undeterred, attempted another p, driven by fury and grief.


    Overwhelmed by sadness, all Ellie could focus on was the heartbreaking news of Demi¡¯s miscarriage.


    This time, she firmly grasped Genesis¡¯ hand and guided her straight toward Erick, who, surprisingly, showed no sorrow over the loss of his baby.


    ¡°Is this how you treat the elders? How rude of you! I¡¯ll teach you a lesson!¡± Hearing themotion, Litzy emerged from the hospital room, preparing to strike Ellie. This time, Ellie didn¡¯t dodge.


    As Litzy¡¯s hand neared Ellie¡¯s face, her wrist was once again grasped from behind.


    With a practiced smile, Bruce seized her wrists and pulled Litzy two meters away from Ellie. Next to Bruce, Kaiden¡¯s presence was chilling, emanating an aura of formidable pressure.


    ¡°When did you decide it was your ce toy hands on my woman?¡±


    Litzy found herself unable to retaliate against Kaiden, especially after daring to strike Ellie.


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 Chapter 585

    ?Chapter 585:


    Ellie was taken aback by Kaiden¡¯s unexpected arrival. He¡­ He arrived so swiftly.


    ¡°Kaiden, today¡¯s incident involves your wife. I demand an exnation!¡± Talon dered sternly. Despite the loss of the child being a relief, Kaiden¡¯s wife¡¯s involvement couldn¡¯t be overlooked.


    ¡°Litzy, you were mistaken to use my woman as your fall guy!¡± Kaiden retorted with an icy tone.


    In a swift motion, he flung several sheets of paper at Litzy¡¯s face. The papers fluttered gracefully to the floor. Litzy, momentarily taken aback, felt a surge of humiliation as she picked them up.


    Her anger was about to erupt upon reading the contents, but herplexion nched instead.


    The documents were the results of an examination Demi had undergone at the hospital the previous day, revealing she was never pregnant!


    Upon learning of the altercation, Kaiden had immediately arranged for someone to review the funeral home¡¯s surveince footage while en route to the hospital. The skirmish between Ellie and Demi urred in a blind spot, uncatchable by security cameras, leaving the incident¡¯s details murky. Kaiden further instructed an inquiry into Demi¡¯s supposed pregnancy, which ultimately disclosed that Demi was not expecting a baby at all.


    Litzy, in a state of panic, attempted to conceal the documents.


    Genesis, catching wind of the situation, seized the papers, herplexion growing increasingly ashen as she absorbed the information. ¡°How exemry, the Gordon family! How dare you resort to a fictitious pregnancy to deceive us!¡± Genesis seethed with fury.


    ¡°Not¡­ pregnant?¡±


    Ellie, overwhelmed by shock, gazed toward Demi¡¯s hospital room. Erick, eyes aze with rage, stormed into the room, yelling, ¡°You deceitful wretch, Demi!¡±


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    Had it not been for the supposed child Demi imed to carry, Erick would never have paraded her around at various events, making a spectacle of himself in the process. It was utterly humiliating! He had been deceived for far too long by her charades.


    Before long, the hospital ward was engulfed in a cacophony of Erick¡¯s furious blows and curses, alongside Demi¡¯s screams for mercy. Litzy hurried back to shield her daughter from the onught. It was a mess.


    Talon could almost visualize Jorge¡¯s profound disillusionment upon discovering the nonexistence of the child. His rage was palpable, yet he found no outlet for it, overwhelmed by a deep sense of humiliation. ¡°Kaiden, you knew about this all along, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯re disclosing it now in public deliberately to mock us!¡± he used.


    ¡°Idiot.¡±


    Kaiden, preferring not to engage in a futile argument with Talon, simply took Ellie¡¯s hand and departed.


    The fresh breeze outside gently caressed Ellie¡¯s face, bringing her a sense of peace. The oppressive anxiety that had haunted her heart for so long began to lift.


    With a yful flick on her forehead, Kaiden chastised, ¡°You¡¯re usually so assertive and bold. Why did you stand there and allow them to harass you?¡±


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 Chapter 586

    ?Chapter 586:


    Ellie blinked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. ¡°I¡­ I was terrified that I might actually be responsible for Demi¡¯s miscarriage¡­¡±


    It was, after all, a matter of life!


    Recalling her bewildered and vulnerable demeanor in the hospital, Kaiden found it impossible to remain angry with her.


    ¡°Do you now realize your mistake?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ what did I do wrong?¡± Ellie asked, genuinely puzzled.


    Kaiden gently ran his fingers through Ellie¡¯s silky hair, his voice filled with concern. ¡°Ellie, as I¡¯ve mentioned before, being overly kind may not be the best approach. Why do you find it so hard to heed my advice?¡±


    Ellie nibbled on her lip, lost in thought.


    ¡°I was convinced I hadn¡¯t intentionally pushed Demi, yet I did swat away her hand. Therefore, I couldn¡¯t entirely dismiss the notion that it might have been my fault. Naturally, I harbored suspicions that Demi had orchestrated the entire incident. However, considering her supposed deep affection for the child growing within her, it seemed illogical for her to jeopardize its life merely to cast me on me, so I found myself¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t know about Demi¡¯s fake pregnancy.


    That was why she had misjudged the situation¡ªespecially because she genuinely believed a life was at risk, having seen blood flow from between Demi¡¯s legs.


    The horrifying realization of possibly endangering a life because of her own actions weighed heavily on her.


    Kaiden sighed, lowering himself to meet her eyes.


    ¡°El, your sense of morality should be reserved for those who demonstrate moral behavior themselves.¡±


    From the beginning, he had urged Ellie to sever ties with the Gordon family after discerning Cecelia¡¯s malicious intentions.


    Stay updated with galn¦Ò¦Í??????.c?m


    Yet, as he thought about how early he had learned the true natures of Jorge and Brisa, he questioned whether he had ever truly been happy.


    Not a single day had passed without some measure of bitterness.


    The truth, he knew, could be cruel.


    He wished Ellie could face it aste as possible because she was different from him.


    He had grown up hardened, his heart shaped by the cold realities of life.


    In contrast, Ellie¡ªthough raised in the fractured Gordon household¡ªhad preserved her innate goodness, still offering life the reverence it deserved.


    His wife¡­ oh, how splendid she was.


    Later that night, once Ellie had drifted off to sleep, Kaiden sent a message to Jerome. ¡°Demi was expelled from Critport University and suffered a miscarriage. Spread this information.¡±


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 Chapter 587

    ?Chapter 587:


    Why disclose the miscarriage instead of pretending a pregnancy had urred?


    Kaiden had faith in the inte¡¯s power to uncover secrets. A story with a twist would create a deeper impact. For those who no longer respected human decency, let them be the town¡¯s informants.


    The Gordon household, once a moderately affluent family, quickly became the center of gossip in Critport. Cecelia had sumbed to a sudden illness, and shortly after her funeral, it was revealed that Demi had miscarried.


    At first, rumors spread that Ellie had pushed Demi. However, before anyone delved into the spection surrounding the former firstdy and the supposed ¡°true versus fake heiress¡± drama, the story took a dramatic turn. It was revealed that Demi had faked her pregnancy.


    Using a child as leverage to improve one¡¯s social standing was not umon in their circles, but a simted pregnancy was unprecedented.


    For a moment, the public was divided between amusement at the Gordon family¡¯s audacity and disbelief at the Thorpe family¡¯s naivety in falling for their scheme.


    At the Thorpe family residence, Talon and Erick anxiously faced Jorge.


    ¡°To be deceived by a young actress¡ªwell done!¡± Jorge scolded them.


    ¡°Grandpa, it was Demi¡¯s cunning, and we¡­¡± Erick began, but was cut off.


    ¡°It¡¯s your stupidity!¡± Jorge barked, mming his ss onto the table, shattering it with a loud crash.


    ¡°I thought the Thorpe family had already endured enough shame, but clearly, I underestimated you. Leave! Forget about the Hagua subsidiary. I¡¯ll find another sessor.¡±


    The Hagua subsidiary had always been the most profitable of all thepanies within the Thorpe Group. Talon and Erick had long dreamed of taking control of it.


    Install their own team. However, just when everything seemed to be falling into ce, Demi¡¯s interference caused all their hard work to go to waste.


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    Talon and Erick wore exceptionally grim expressions.


    Exiting the study, Erick murmured, ¡°Dad, Grandpa seems to have changed his attitude toward Kaidentely. Is he thinking of denying Kaiden the Hagua subsidiary?¡±


    ¡°If it crossed your mind, don¡¯t assume it escaped mine.¡± Talon shot a stern look at his son.


    The immediate concern was to find a way to reconcile. The best solution seemed to be identifying another suitable socialite for Erick to engage with.


    Having grasped the full scope of the situation, Houston persistently called Ellie, trying to mend their rtionship. But Ellie had firmly decided to sever ties with her family.


    She had arranged for Theo to be the lead surgeon for Cecelia, saving her life and returning the ¡°care¡± Cecelia had shown her over the years.


    Ellie had also given a million to Litzy as a gesture of gratitude for the Gordons¡¯ support.


    But Ellie felt no obligation to them. Demi¡¯s false usations and defamation had sealed any door that could be used to manipte her with a sense of duty or indebtedness.


    Her reasoning was clear¡ªthis was a form of liberation.


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 Chapter 588

    ?Chapter 588:


    However, a profound sense of loss and sorrow overwhelmed her.


    It was clear now¡­ She shouldn¡¯t dwell on sadness over Cecelia any longer. For years, even if only a semnce of warmth, it hade from Cecelia. Now, her only perception of a family elder was gone. Completely gone.


    ¡°Madam, there is a Miss Curtis here requesting to see you. She ims to be your friend.¡±


    The housekeeper¡¯s voice snapped Ellie out of her thoughts.


    Looking up, Ellie spotted Baylee at the entrance, a cheerful smile on her face.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, your residence is truly magnificent!¡±


    The Curtis family had been wealthy in the past, but not to the extent of living in a mansion spanning thousands of square meters.


    ¡°Baylee, what brings you here?¡± Ellie eximed, rushing over with joy. Baylee shrugged. ¡°Your man mentioned you¡¯ve been feeling downtely, so he asked me to drop by and keep youpany¡ªsweetheart, can you dial down the enthusiasm? We all know your man is head over heels for you.¡±


    Ellie suddenly became aware that her face had lit up involuntarily, her eyes shining with delight. Kaiden had called Baylee the previous night, extending an invitation to Moon Manor as his guest.


    His spontaneous gesture, especially considering the recent events with Ellie, became clear. Baylee¡¯s perception of Kaiden rose considerably, appreciating his thoughtful concern for Ellie and the personal call, which demonstrated his consideration for her.


    Baylee¡¯s arrival undeniably lifted Ellie¡¯s spirits considerably.


    After lunch, a piece of gossip erupted across the inte. Baylee encouraged Ellie to check Twitter.


    The leading trending topic read, ¡°Demi was expelled from Critport University,¡± followed by ¡°Demi¡¯s miscarriage.¡±


    In less than two minutes, the attention surrounding the tag about the miscarriage surpassed the one about being expelled.


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    Demi, an idol who had debuted through a talent show and had a massive following of male fans, was suddenly revealed to be unmarried and pregnant, shocking everyone to the core. A major scandal had just unfolded, and mostizens were quick to add their two cents to the conversation.


    ¡°Previously, Demi was hyping up her schr persona, and now it turns out she was expelled? For giarism and cheating, no less. Disgusting!¡±


    ¡°It was said that Demi got into Critport University through donations. Wonder who suppressed the news.¡±


    ¡°Does no one feel sorry that Demi miscarried?¡±


    ¡°Folks! Breaking news! Demi wasn¡¯t pregnant at all!¡±


    The news that Demi was not pregnant briefly saved her male fans from having a heart attack. But their joy was short-lived because even more earth-shattering news broke shortly after.


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 Chapter 589

    ?Chapter 589:


    ¡°Reliable sources say Demi pretended to be pregnant so she could frame another woman for her miscarriage. Although we don¡¯t know who this woman is, she¡¯s really had a rough deal!¡±


    ¡°Frame for a miscarriage? Holy shit, feels like I¡¯m watching some high-drama soap opera!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s indeed high society. Demi is a rich second-generation, dating a wealthy heir. She probably pretended to be pregnant so she could marry into the guy¡¯s family.¡±


    ¡°Regardless of the reason, this woman has cheated as a student, disregarded her status as an idol, and got pregnant out of wedlock. Then she took it one step further and even tried to frame someone else. Such a woman must be banned from the entertainment industry!¡±


    Soon, the call for Demi to be banned from the entertainment industry resonated across the inte.


    Demi was with Litzy, venting about how unfair it was that her n had failed when she learned about what was being said about her on the inte. Not only had she failed to pin the miscarriage on Ellie, but she had also angered the Thorpe family. Now that her secret was exposed, she wouldn¡¯t be able to ask the Thorpe family to protect her.


    Moments after she saw the viral news on social media, Demi¡¯s agent contacted her and informed her of her impending banishment. All her works would be removed from every tform, and she would be erased from the entertainment industry.


    ¡°No! You can¡¯t do this to me! Remember, I¡¯m a member of the Gordon family. I¡¯ve brought so much profit to thepany from my family, and you can¡¯t treat me like this!¡± Demi roared into the phone.


    ¡°Demi, let me be clear, someone¡¯s targeting you. With these two damning scandals, there¡¯s no hope for youreback,¡± the agent replied frankly. ¡°As for the endorsements you signed before,e to thepany tomorrow to process thepensation.¡±


    While endorsing a particr product or brand, if the partner incurred a loss as a result of scandals involving the artist endorsing their product, the artist would have to pay a hefty sum in damages.


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    Demi¡¯s face went pale as her fingers went numb. Her phone crashed to the ground at the same moment she did. She rolled around, muttering to herself over and over, ¡°Why¡­ The child¡¯s gone, Erick¡¯s gone, and my career¡¯s gone¡­ Why is this happening¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Ellie! It must be Ellie!¡± Litzy shouted, giving Demi¡¯s rage and despair a target toy the me on. She hugged Demi fiercely, urging in a low voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go find her!¡±


    Exposing Demi¡¯s scandal to the world wouldn¡¯t benefit Erick¡¯s family. On the contrary, they would be subjected to ridicule, so the mastermind couldn¡¯t be from Erick¡¯s side. That left only Ellie. Only Ellie would hate Demi this much!


    At Moon Manor, Baylee murmured, ¡°This looks like something your man would do.¡± Ellie nodded as she closed the social media app and put her phone down. ¡°I think so too.¡±


    Kaiden was not the type to hold grudges or retaliate against others. However, when it came to matters involving her, he tended to take meticulous ount. He made sure that anyone who schemed against her had a taste of their bitter medicine.


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 Chapter 590

    Chapter 590:


    Demi mattered very little to Ellie, so seeing her downfall didn¡¯t affect her one way or the other. However, she loved the fact that Kaiden prioritized her and always stood up for her.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze drifted to therge French windows that looked out onto the asphalt road. This was the only way that led to the main building. Ellie stared down the road intently and suddenly found herself looking forward to Kaiden¡¯s return from work.


    At sunset, Kaiden¡¯s Maybach rolled to a stop at the end of the Moon Manor¡¯s driveway, but it was not alone. Behind Kaiden¡¯s car was an unfamiliar Bentley. As soon as the Bentley was parked, its driver got out and opened the door to the backseat, revealing a man of understated elegance.


    When not looking directly at someone, he seemed genteel and unassuming, blending into the background. However, once his gaze fell upon someone, it was captivating and intense. To most, it was a sharpness that pierced the soul, like joyously diving into a beautiful rose bush only to meet sharp thorns head-on. Yet, when his eyes met Baylee¡¯s, they softened into a warm, tender pool.


    ¡°Marvin is here too?¡± Baylee blurted out in surprise.


    Ellie shook her head, just as confused as Baylee. ¡°I have no idea¡­¡± This was Kaiden¡¯s territory. No one could enter Moon Manor unless they were invited by Kaiden or Ellie. Clearly, it was not Ellie who invited Marvin, so that meant¡­


    Baylee narrowed her eyes and immediately retracted the praise she had heaped on Kaiden earlier. If Ellie and Kaiden weren¡¯t already married, she would¡¯ve made it her mission to be the stumbling block in their rtionship!


    ¡°Kaiden, Mr. Hill?¡± Ellie inquired the second both men entered the house.


    Kaiden replied calmly, ¡°He had an unfinished business deal.¡±


    Ellie red at him. That was clearly an excuse, and a bad one at that!


    This was the same man who took leave from work every other day. Now he was pretending to be diligent by bringing work home?


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    When Kaiden noticed Ellie¡¯s skeptical expression, he decided to throw Marvin under the bus. ¡°He said he wasing to pick someone up.¡± There was no need to ask who Marvin was here to pick up.


    Flushing awkwardly, Ellie immediately looked at Baylee. Baylee gaped at Marvin, unable to believe her ears. That was absolutely impossible!


    Kaiden handed his coat to a servant and wrapped his arms around Ellie¡¯s waist. Then he leaned in to kiss the corner of her mouth. This kiss was chaste and devoid of any desire. It was akin to an affectionate greeting.


    However, the presence of another person made such intimacy startling for Ellie, causing her heart to nearly leap from her chest. She immediately pushed his face away, guiltily ncing at Baylee. Fortunately, Baylee seemed preupied and didn¡¯t notice their interaction.


    She stood by the couch, her eyes firmly fixed on Marvin.


    ¡°I brought you your clothes.¡± Marvin had to quickly improvise after Kaiden ruthlessly sold him out.


    He held out the paper bag he was holding to Baylee.


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    Message from Noa: Have a wonderful day dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?? ? ??)?


    .

 Chapter 591

    ?Chapter 591:


    Still affecting an aloof expression, Baylee epted the paper bag from him and inspected its contents. When she saw what was inside, she went pale and then turned an rming shade of red as she glowered at Marvin.


    She clutched the paper bag to her chest and moved away from him. After a moment of silent fury, she couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°What kind of bastard are you?¡±


    Smiling roguishly, Marvin retorted, ¡°What kind do you like?¡± In other words, he could be whatever breed of bastard she liked.


    Ellie eyed the paper bag curiously.


    It was too small to fit any dress or coat, so what kind of clothes could it possibly contain?


    From Baylee¡¯s flushed face, Ellie surmised that she didn¡¯t want to speak with Marvin again. Being the good friend that she was, she nudged Kaiden¡¯s arm and urged, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you and Mr. Hill have unfinished business? Perhaps you should discuss it in the study.¡±


    ¡°It can wait until tomorrow. No need to rush,¡± Kaiden replied, reluctant to leave Ellie¡¯s side. Why would he want to go with Marvin to the study when Ellie was out here?


    ¡°But you said you had business to discuss!¡± Ellie insisted, holding on to the flimsy excuse Kaiden had given earlier.


    Caught off guard, Kaiden whispered fiercely in Ellie¡¯s ear, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, your heart seems to have wandered off to another woman!¡±


    Ellie blinked at him. Then a small smile curved her lips and she teased, ¡°At least it hasn¡¯t wandered off to another man, Mr. Thorpe. No need to be jealous!¡±


    With a huff, Kaiden pinched Ellie¡¯s waist, shot Marvin a nce, and headed upstairs. Determined to see their little charade through, Marvin lifted his chin and followed Kaiden to the study.


    ¡°What kind of clothes fit in such a small bag?¡± Ellie wondered aloud. Baylee instinctively clutched the bag¡¯s opening tighter, as if afraid someone would see its contents.


    Ellie was left speechless by Baylee¡¯s strange behavior. Unable to help herself, Baylee nced down at the paper bag again, wishing its contents had magically transformed. But no such luck awaited her when she peeked through the paper bag¡¯s opening. It was still the same ck and whitece material that she saw earlier. It was light and airy, scant in fabric but with a lovely design.


    After a few seconds of mentally preparing herself, Baylee covered her face in resignation and leaned in to whisper to Ellie, ¡°Underwear.¡±


    ¡°Under¡ªwhat are we talking about?¡± Ellie was puzzled, wondering if she had heard correctly.


    ¡°It might¡¯ve gotten mixed up with his stuff when he moved out¡­¡± Baylee said, her voice uncertain.


    Impossible. Ellie wasn¡¯t sure if it was an ident or not. For some reason, she thought Marvin might have taken it on purpose. It seemed like something he¡¯d do.


    But if he couldn¡¯t use it, why keep it? Was he nning to return it now? Did he have a screw loose or something?


    So, maybe it was an ident after all¡­


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 Chapter 592

    ?Chapter 592:


    Ellie looked at the small paper bag, her curiosity piqued. She also felt there was something strange about it.


    It was idental¡­ Even if it was a mistake, how could Marvin only notice after so much time? And such things¡­ Was it even possible to mix them up by mistake? Marvin¡¯s head had been injured, but his eyes were fine!


    ¡°Ellie, getting involved with him was a mistake,¡± Baylee admitted, sprawled on the couch, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. She regretted saving a wolf simply because she felt she owed him from their childhood. With hindsight, she saw numerous other paths she could have taken. Keeping him close wasn¡¯t necessary.


    ¡°Did you ever think¡­ maybe he actually likes you?¡± Ellie suggested.


    Their past conversations had painted Marvin as too ruthless, someone who hid behind a mask of politeness, making it hard to believe he could genuinely care for anyone.


    Yet, Ellie couldn¡¯t shake off the thought. Ever since she recognized her own feelings for Kaiden, she realized that true affection couldn¡¯t be masked in one¡¯s eyes. Marvin¡¯s attention always seemed to be on Baylee whenever she was around.


    Baylee dismissed the idea. ¡°Liking someone is fleeting. Emotions, especially those driven by hormones, can¡¯t be trusted.¡±


    But then, as if an afterthought struck her, Baylee quickly added, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to offend! You and Kaiden are perfect together. Being liked by you is the luckiest thing in his life!¡±


    Ellie, unfazed by Baylee¡¯s doubt in love, yfully warned, ¡°Watch out. He might hear you say that!¡±


    Meanwhile, Kaiden and Marvin were tied up in a discussion. What started as a non-urgent meeting in the study turned into a moment to seal their agreement. Their coboration wasn¡¯t for profit but for personal advancement. Marvin was using his family¡¯s clout to assist Kaiden in establishing himself in the consumer goods market, in return for Kaiden¡¯s innovative energy solutions to curb Tobin Hill¡¯s influence.


    Tobin, with Quincy¡¯s backing, had emerged as Marvin¡¯s toppetitor. Tobin was Marvin¡¯s cousin, not much younger than him. Tobin wasn¡¯t very talented, but Shelton adored him. Putting Tobin in charge of the Hill family would make him Quincy¡¯s puppet.


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    ¡°You¡¯re really eager to sort this out, huh?¡± Kaiden remarked, putting his signature on the document.


    Marvin didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°Baylee hates seeing our family in such a mess.¡±


    The dynamics within the Thorpe family wereplicated. Most were not straightforward or clean.


    A mess? Kaiden found theparison fitting. The Thorpe family was indeed a mess, but in his heart, he wasn¡¯t interested in tidying it up. That seemed like too much work.


    Switching the person in charge seemed like a simpler solution. Half an hourter, Kaiden and Marvin were descending the stairs when they saw Ellie by herself on the sofa, checking her emails.


    ¡°Baylee¡¯s already gone,¡± Ellie quickly pointed out, noticing Marvin looking around for Baylee as he stepped out of the study.


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 Chapter 593

    ?Chapter 593:


    Marvin¡¯s expression tightened slightly, clearly annoyed by the news.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± With Baylee not around, Marvin saw no reason to stick around any longer.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, let me show you out,¡± Ellie offered, but before she could finish her sentence, Kaiden looked her way. A look ofzy annoyance crossed his face at the thought of her escorting another man, clearly bothering him in that moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Kaiden stated firmly, cing his arm around Ellie¡¯s waist as a sign for her to remain where she was.


    Ellie hadn¡¯t really nned on apanying Marvin to the door. Just as she was about to say something, Marvin said, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, if you have something to say, just go ahead.¡± Their discussion was about Baylee, after all.


    ¡°Mr. Hill, are you thinking of going after Baylee?¡± Ellie asked.


    Marvin replied with a question, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you asking to give your blessing or to object beforehand?¡±


    Ellie chuckled. ¡°Your actions don¡¯t hinge on my approval, Mr. Hill. While I can¡¯t prevent you from chasing her, if I discover you have bad intentions, or if you make Baylee unhappy in any way, I won¡¯t stand by!¡±


    Essentially, she was cautioning him.


    Marvin nodded and left.


    The moment Marvin disappeared, Ellie lightly hit Kaiden on the shoulder, showing her irritation. ¡°Hey! Seriously, Kaiden, do you have too much free time that you¡¯re now setting up Marvin and my friend?¡±


    ¡°Setting them up?¡± Kaiden sounded puzzled.


    ¡°By inviting Baylee over and then Marvin, aren¡¯t you just giving him a chance?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow and continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you and Marvin were tight. Mr. Thorpe, looks like you¡¯re pretty popr!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not exactly friends,¡± Kaiden rified. They were allies, at best. The reason behind today¡¯s invitation was simple. He didn¡¯t want Baylee feeling left out, tagging along with him and Ellie after work. Yes, he was that selfish. Whenever he was swamped with work, he¡¯d ask Baylee to keep Elliepany. But once he was avable, he preferred to have their space to themselves. Marvin was just convenient for what he needed right now. Of course, these were thoughts he had no intention of sharing with Ellie.


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    After a brief moment of thought, Ellie looked at Kaiden seriously. ¡°Kaiden, from a guy¡¯s perspective, do you think Marvin actually has feelings for Baylee?¡±


    Standing close to Ellie, Kaiden could almost touch the softness of her neck if he just reached out. His fingers could even graze her delicate earlobe, sparking a charged and beautiful moment between them. Meanwhile, the servant about to announce dinner was discreetly sent away by Cayson. Such a nice atmosphere couldn¡¯t be disturbed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not setting them up,¡± Kaiden said without much interest. He didn¡¯t want to get involved in the personal business of others.


    She made her point lightly, but he quickly countered.


    ¡°Kaiden! I¡¯m serious!¡± Ellie, without realizing, was pulling at his hand, her actions somewhat flirtatious.


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 Chapter 594

    ?Chapter 594:


    Kaiden looked down at their hands together and smiled slightly. ¡°I still say, Marvin¡¯s aplicated guy, but at least he¡¯s got what it takes to keep Baylee safe.¡±


    Ellie seemed to understand Kaiden¡¯s reasoning. Since no one could be sure about a man¡¯s loyalty, it was smarter to pick the one with some advantages.


    Marvin might not be the most honest, like other men, but he was still a better choice.


    ¡°Baylee doesn¡¯t usually find herself in trouble,¡± Ellie countered, not convinced by his logic. ¡°I¡¯m just afraid Marvin could end up hurting her.¡±


    Kaiden yfully ruffled Ellie¡¯s hair. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, just because someone loves now doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯ll love forever. It¡¯s too soon to worry about getting hurt.¡±


    Ellie felt a cold shiver as she looked up at him. Was he hinting at something about himself with those words?


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    Ellie looked away and replied, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Thinking that she might still be concerned about Baylee, Kaiden offered somefort. ¡°Look, if Marvin is going to all this trouble for Baylee, it¡¯s a good sign. It means she really matters to him.¡±


    Ellie gave a nod of agreement. That guy did ¡°put so much effort.¡± Not every man would stay at a girl¡¯s house for a month. And the idea of sending underwear was even more absurd!


    Then, Kaiden noticed something on Ellie¡¯s screen with a bold heading: ¡°Invitation¡ª¡¯Workce Diary.''¡±


    ¡°This season, it¡¯s a professional variety show about fashion, and I¡¯ve decided to go for it,¡± Ellie shared.


    The show was quite specialized,cking the mass appeal of mainstream entertainment or romantic reality shows. Its influence on everyday life seemed minor. Charlie, one of the show¡¯s supervisors this season, had a favor returned by Ellie. Given that Critport University was also backing the show, Ellie felt a sense of duty to join.


    ¡°A live show?¡± Kaiden asked.


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    ¡°It means everything the camera sees is shown on TV right away.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression turned serious upon hearing her. ¡°Ellie, do you really think I don¡¯t understand what ¡®live¡¯ means?¡± He wondered if she really thought of him as that out of touch.


    Ellieughed nervously. ¡°Of course not. If you didn¡¯t know about Twitter before, it would make sense you wouldn¡¯t know about live broadcasts either, right?¡±


    Kaiden gave a disbelieving snort, clearly not convinced by her exnation. He was pondering over the term ¡°live¡± and the unpredictable nature of such broadcasts¡­


    ¡°The production team wants to start with home footage. I¡¯m thinking of using my apartment for it.¡± This part would be recorded in advance as part of the introduction.


    ¡°This is your home.¡± Kaiden rejected the idea immediately.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be bringing in a lot of people, with four cameras for different angles. Are you really okay with letting them into your ce?¡±


    ¡°Can this ce handle that many people?¡±


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 Chapter 595

    ?Chapter 595:


    ¡°Yes, it can.¡±


    Ellie looked at him doubtfully. Kaiden was usually very protective of his space, but now he was okay with letting others in?


    Ellie had originally nned to have Baylee try the Michelin chef¡¯s special dishes at the main house, but Marvin¡¯s interruption ruined everything. The opportunity was lost.


    Baylee ended up getting instant noodles from a convenience store and went back home.


    Ding-dong!


    The elevator doors opened, and there stood the tall figure of Marvin at her door.


    ¡°Marvin, how did you¡­?¡±


    Baylee was shocked. He had gotten to her door even before she had. This was unbelievable!


    ¡°Baylee, I brought you clothes and you didn¡¯t even thank me?¡± Marvin appeared to be looking for a way to justify why he had cornered her, trying to make his reasons sound logical.


    ¡°Thanks for what?¡± Baylee snapped back, clearly irritated. ¡°If you were really interested in returning it, why pick today of all days? And why bring it to Ellie¡¯s ce? Aren¡¯t you a busy man with people to do these errands? Ever heard of a delivery service?¡±


    ¡°Why are you so bothered, Baylee?¡± Marvin asked, keeping his cool. He had intentionally made a point of showing up in front of her friend, alerting Ellie.


    ¡°Get out of my way. You¡¯re blocking my door!¡± Baylee insisted.


    But Marvin didn¡¯t move an inch.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t step aside, I¡¯ll call security!¡±


    Marvin let out a smallugh. ¡°The guards here think I¡¯m your fianc¨¦. They¡¯re not likely to step in.¡±


    ¡°Do you have no shame, Marvin?¡± Baylee was taken aback by his audacity. How had she not seen that the oldest son of the Hill family was so shameless?


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    Just as Marvin was about to reply, he caught sight of the instant noodles in her grasp and scowled. ¡°You¡¯re eating this for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Yep, I don¡¯t have a fancy meal waiting for you, so you might as well leave!¡±


    Marvin moved to let Baylee use her fingerprint to unlock her door. Upon entering, he trailed just behind her.


    Cutting off her attempt to object, Marvin dered, ¡°Baylee, I remember the door¡¯s code. You can¡¯t shut me out.¡± Annoyed, Baylee clenched her teeth. It was a big mistake! She resolved to change the code right away!


    Marvin, having spent a month here before, knew his way around perfectly. He opened the shoe cab and saw his slippers were still there. He gave Baylee a yful look.


    ¡°Why are you staring? I just didn¡¯t bother to throw them out! They¡¯re here in case we have guests.¡±


    Baylee couldn¡¯t figure out why she hadn¡¯t thrown away his slippers. It almost felt like¡­ she was keeping the hope alive that he mighte back anytime. It was to stop the ce from feeling so empty.


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 Chapter 596

    ?Chapter 596:


    Marvin stepped into his slippers and walked a few steps before pausing and looking back. Baylee had just shut the door and was turning around when Marvin trapped her against it. He no longer seemed timid, but rather, he was quite intimidating.


    ¡°Baylee, if I find another man trying to take my ce, I¡¯ll make sure he regrets it by breaking his legs!¡± he said with a surprising gentleness. After saying this, he headed into the kitchen, leaving Baylee to let out a relieved breath a few momentster.


    She guessed this was typical behavior for Marvin, feeling as if she was a deer caught in the sights of a wolf, utterly powerless.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever cook for yourself?¡± In the fridge, Marvin discovered only a box of eggs, some yogurt, and a few pre-packaged fruit servings. The fruit was already sliced, the yogurt was¡­


    The kind you could drink straight from the container, and the eggs were ready to be cooked without any prep. Everything was set up for ease.


    Baylee, having been pampered since she was young, didn¡¯t see the need to cook, even though she had no maid to help her. Nevertheless, her ability to cook was actually quite impressive. The first time Marvin showed up needing care, pretending to be in a weak state, she had cooked soup for him.


    She had cooked soup for him four times, each time with a different vor and food ingredients. These four bowls of soup had one thing inmon: they were all so delicious and nutritious that Marvin even doubted whether Baylee was a professional chef. However, once she caught on to him being in better health than he let on, she stopped offering such kindness.


    ¡°I have this.¡± Baylee waved around her packet of instant noodles, unenthusiastic about cooking for herself. She usually got her meals delivered straight from a local chef¡¯s kitchen.


    Marvin grabbed the noodles from her and headed back to the kitchen. With skill, he turned on the stove to boil water in a small pot. He partly cooked the noodles, then threw out the greasy water for fresh. He mixed in just a bit of the seasoning, adding his own twist with different spices. It was a healthier twist on instant noodles.


    ¡°What type of egg do you want?¡± he suddenly asked.


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    Baylee stopped to think. ¡°What kinds are there?¡± She thought eggs were just eggs.


    ¡°Sunny-side up, soft-boiled, mollet, poached.¡±


    ¡°You can make all those?¡± Baylee was taken aback. ¡°Could you do a sweet and sour sunny-side up?¡±


    Marvin didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he started on the sweet and sour sauce. He warmed up a pan and cracked an egg into it, filling the kitchen with a sizzling sound.


    The smell of the frying egg mixed with the noodles, creating aforting aroma. Baylee found herself lost in the moment, her heart warming at the simple, homely gesture.


    Marvin turned off the stove and carefully poured the sweet and sour sauce over the sunny-side-up egg, letting it absorb the vors before removing it from the heat. He then ced the egg on a bed of noodles and carried it to the dining table, all in under ten minutes. Baylee was pleasantly surprised.


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 Chapter 597

    ?Chapter 597:


    She eyed Marvin with a hint of skepticism, sampling the instant noodles while holding onto her reservations, and was amazed at how tasty they were. It could have been the best instant noodles she had ever had.


    ¡°Does it taste okay?¡± Marvin inquired.


    Baylee nodded and replied, ¡°How did you learn to cook like this?¡± She believed someone like Marvin, a powerful heir, would be the type who never needed to cook for themselves. Even if Marvin hadn¡¯t been as fortunate during his early years, he still wouldn¡¯t have had the opportunity to prepare his own meals. In grand households, the kitchens were closely supervised, and not just anyone could enter.


    Marvin, with a slight raise of his eyebrows, said, ¡°I guess I¡¯m just talented.¡±


    He kept to himself that he had learned to cook specifically for her.


    As Baylee continued to enjoy the noodles, a thought struck her. ¡°I should have asked you to cook when you were staying at my ce!¡± The idea of Marvin, a distinguished young master, cooking was quite amusing to her.


    Marvin, with his elbow resting on the back of his chair and a suggestive look, said, ¡°It¡¯s still possible now.¡±


    Baylee, with a strand of noodle hanging from her mouth, looked up in confusion. It took her a moment to catch on to what he was implying, and she quickly went back to her noodles, pretending not to have caught on to his suggestion.


    The cozy atmosphere seemed to fade a bit.


    Marvin casually twirled his fingertips, watching Baylee as if she was a challenge he was content to wait out. He wasn¡¯t in any hurry. He knew time was on his side.


    Demi was quickly cast out of the industry. In just one day, from her first appearance on a talent show to hertest public events, every trace of her presence was erased.


    Netizens debated who had lost more¡ªDemi or the TV drama Peerless Grace? Halfway through shooting, the drama had to rece its scandal-hit male co-star. And now, right before its release, the female co-star faced a scandal and needed a recement too!


    Demi¡¯s role as the female co-star was meant to boost her profile. To cut costs, the crew chose an actress with talent but no fame to redo Demi¡¯s scenes. For group shots they couldn¡¯t reshoot, they used AI to swap faces.


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    Ellie, a stylist, was called back to work on the new female co-star¡¯s wardrobe. The crew was incredibly grateful for Ellie¡¯s help during the chaos, especially since Ellie had be much more recognized in just a few months.


    Ellie exchanged friendly words with the crew, feeling a bit guilty. Whether it was Herman or Demi, she couldn¡¯t help but feel connected to their struggles. With her schedule for Workce Diary looming, Ellie had to rush through her work on Peerless Grace, postponing her lectures at Critport University until next month.


    After a hectic few days, Ellie finallypleted all her tasks. As she was leaving the Peerless Grace set, reporters crowded around her.


    ¡°¡®Ellie, what¡¯s your rtionship with Edwin?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, are you happy with The Joy of Heart? Did you start the partnership with Gerardo?¡±


    ¡°Gerardo spoke very highly of the song. As itsposer, are you thinking of joining the music business?¡±


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 Chapter 598

    ?Chapter 598:


    Surrounded by cameras, microphones, and questions, it took Ellie a moment to realize these were reporters.


    ¡°What song are you talking about?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡®The Joy of Heart!''¡±


    In response, Ellie massaged her forehead and took out her phone to look up ¡°The Joy of Heart,¡± the song the reporters had mentioned. Released just two days prior, ¡°The Joy of Heart¡± had soared to the top of various music charts overnight. The song, a coboration between Gerardo, who produced and wrote it, and Edwin, who performed it, became an immediate sess.


    Edwin, renowned for his work as an independent artist who often handles the production, writing, and performance of his music, exined his decision to coborate with Gerardo simply.


    ¡°It was theposer¡¯s influence.¡±


    The mention of theposer sparked everyone¡¯s curiosity, leading to a quick search, which revealed it was Ellie.


    Once again, it was Ellie.


    Upon ying the song, Ellie recognized the opening notes as the melody she had created for Brisa and then given to Gerardo. It appeared Gerardo had given her credit for the work. Had he misunderstood the concept of being ¡°anonymous¡±?


    ¡°I never intended to break into the music scene,¡± Ellie remarked with a sigh. ¡°Then¡­¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m quite busy at the moment. Could you please clear the way? Thank you!¡±


    Seeing they weren¡¯t moving, Ellie had no choice but to head back into the studio building and call security to block them while she made her escape. She wasn¡¯t a celebrity and didn¡¯t have to deal with these reporters.


    Just when the journalists started to sigh in disappointment, someone chimed in, ¡°Are you talking about ¡®The Joy of Heart¡¯?¡± Akira, puzzled, asked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard a song just like this from an independentposer named ¡®R¡¯ on an international site. Are you sure it¡¯s originally Ellie¡¯s?¡±


    Ellie stopped her car, pulled out her phone to see what was going on. As she expected, she was trending again, but this time the headline read, ¡°Ellie Not Doing Her Job!¡± How was she not doing her job?


    Why were people criticizing her?


    Determined to face her critics, Ellie clicked on the news and foundments about her.


    ¡°Guess what? As a beautiful and professional stylist, Ellie has great abilities inposing, ying many musical instruments, and dancing. Oh, don¡¯t forget she won a gold medal at a math Olympiad at a young age, and now she has a master¡¯s degree and graduated earlier than her ssmates. Every time I see a versatile talent like Ellie, I think this world is just so unfair!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like God liked her a lot, giving her many talents and no drawbacks!¡±


    ¡°We average people had better notpare ourselves with someone like Ellie. It¡¯s so embarrassing.¡±


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 Chapter 599

    ?Chapter 599:


    ¡°And that brings up the old question: Are the past versions of Ellie the same as the current Ellie?¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words. She didn¡¯t expect that she would be the trending topic. But soon, she calmed down and didn¡¯t care much anymore. She had gotten used to ignoring it. These topics would quickly be forgotten by people online if they didn¡¯t keep talking about them.


    Ellie called Kaiden. ¡°Have you left work yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°When do you think you¡¯ll be done? I¡¯ve just wrapped up at work, and if you¡¯re about to head out, I cane by and pick you up.¡±


    Kaiden looked at the towering stack of papers on his desk and said firmly, ¡°Give me five minutes.¡±


    Bruce, who was waiting to get his documents approved, was at a loss for words.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you in the parking lot, then!¡±


    Ellie ended the call with a smile and headed towards the GT Group building. It was her first time picking Kaiden up after work, and she felt a mix of novelty and excitement.


    ¡°Sir, you said five minutes?¡± Bruce had an inkling but hoped he was mistaken.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be finishing work in five minutes.¡±


    Bruce found himself speechless again. He had guessed correctly.


    Bruce didn¡¯t give up. ¡°Sir, there are so many documents. Can you really finish them in five minutes? The product department is waiting for your signature.¡±


    Kaiden quickly signed off on the two most critical documents and put the others aside.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell them to stayte.¡± He picked up his coat and headed for the door. ¡°Time to call it a day, everyone.¡±


    Bruce was left speechless again. Kaiden never used to worry about his staff like this.


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    ¡°No need to arrange someone to send me off,¡± Kaiden said as he reached the door, adding, ¡°Ellie ising to get me.¡±


    Bruce remained quiet, then finally said, ¡°Right, madam is really good to you!¡±


    Then he muttered to himself, ¡°There¡¯s no need to make a big deal about thedy picking you up! Who else but madam could get you to leave your work behind like this!¡±


    Ellie was sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, going over the schedule the ¡°Workce Diary¡± production team had sent her.


    Out of nowhere, she heard a knock on the car window. There was Kaiden, looking handsome as ever, outside the passenger window.


    Ellie quickly unlocked the car door for him.


    As soon as he hopped in, he didn¡¯t even wait to settle down before gently holding the back of Ellie¡¯s head and drawing her into a kiss.


    This kiss, sudden and quite intense, left Ellie in a whirl. Whether it was his technique or his strength, Kaiden always seemed to have the upper hand in these moments.


    When Ellie finally caught her breath, her eyes were shining, and she was gasping for air, looking at him, puzzled and innocent.


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 Chapter 600

    ?Chapter 600:


    Was this his way of showing displeasure? Had she done something to upset him?


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I was starting to think you¡¯d forgotten you had a husband,¡± Kaiden teased, tracing his finger along the corner of her lips. It had been three days since hest saw Ellie.


    Ellie, ever the workaholic, seemed to lose herself in her work. She had spent thest few days in a hotel next to the studio, keeping to herself to avoid any distractions.


    And in her eyes, Kaiden had be a distraction.


    Ellie gave a nervousugh. ¡°I was just trying to finish up everything with the drama team as quickly as I could.¡±


    With every new actor came the challenge of finding the right look and makeup that would suit their role and match the scene and costumes of the other characters. It was a lot of work.


    Kaiden gave a knowing hum, his voice hinting at something more.


    Ellie, feeling a twinge of guilt, gently pulled on his sleeve.


    ¡°Kaiden, I never made a fuss about you helping Marvin with Baylee. You can¡¯t use this against me.¡±


    Kaiden gave her a 100k look, as if asking, ¡°Is this your way of saying you¡¯re sorry?¡±


    Ellie didn¡¯t believe she was in the wrong. If men could go after their careers, why couldn¡¯t women do the same? She had no intention of changing.


    Yet¡­ she thought she might still smooth things over with him. Leaning forward, she supported herself on the back of the chair andnded a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth, her eyes shining as she gazed at him.


    ¡°Honey, are you still upset with me?¡± she whispered.


    The moment her lips touched his, Kaiden¡¯s mood shifted. That small kiss, though far from enough, pierced through his annoyance. Her endearing call of ¡°honey¡± sounded incredibly sweet,pletely catching him off guard.


    Kaiden lifted her by the waist, moving her directly to the passenger seat.


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    ¡°Hey!¡± Ellie eximed, surprised by the sudden movement.


    Before she knew it, she was sitting in hisp, enveloped in a deep kiss thatsted much longer than the first.


    It wasn¡¯t until Ellie pressed firmly against his chest that the kiss broke. Kaiden hesitantly released her, his eyes filled with questions about her difort.


    Feeling her squirm, he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, pulling her closer.


    ¡°You¡­ Let me go!¡±


    She feltpletely trapped in his hold, her hands only managing to rest against his chest. In such a hold, everything seemed so intense. Ellie froze, not daring to make a move.


    ¡°Your ears are turning red, Ellie.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s voice was deep, filled with emotion and a hint of amusement at catching her off guard. ¡°Aren¡¯t you used to this by now? Hum?¡±


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 Chapter 601

    ?Chapter 601:


    ¡°Kaiden, we are in a parking lot! Inside the car!¡± Ellie was extremely anxious. She recalled how, despite his usually cool demeanor, he loved seeking excitement.


    ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate any pranks in my car! If you do, I¡¯ll stop picking you up after work!¡± she threatened, but the idea of him being deterred by not being picked up seemed futile.


    Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but scoff quietly to himself. After a short pause, he gave her a pat on the back as if showing some kind of forgiveness, then released her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll use my car next time,¡± he said.


    Ellie muttered to herself, ¡°There¡¯s not going to be a next time!¡± As she returned to the driver¡¯s seat, she drove back home, making a point not to look at Kaiden. She was utterly mortified. How could he just sit there as if nothing happened? Was it just men being naturally unfazed?


    Just as they neared the gate of Moon Manor, two figures burst out, causing Ellie to m on the brakes in shock.


    ¡°Ellie! Ellie, get out of the car!¡±


    Demi banged on the car window.


    Litzy blocked the car¡¯s path, making it impossible for Ellie to drive on. Both looked worn out, a far cry from the polished appearance expected of affluent women.


    Ellie rolled down the window, her expression clearly showing her displeasure. ¡°I¡¯m done with the Gordon family. Move aside!¡±


    ¡°After everything, how can you wreck my life again?¡± Demi shouted.


    ¡°Get lost!¡± Kaiden, looking annoyed, quickly made his way back to the bedroom.


    Demi¡¯s boldness vanished the moment she caught sight of the man¡¯s stern face in the passenger seat. Pressing herself against the window, she begged, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, please have mercy on me! I promise I won¡¯t trouble Ellie again!¡±


    ¡°Demi, getting kicked out for stealing others¡¯ work, ming people for things they didn¡¯t do, and messing up your own life were your choices, not because Kaiden wouldn¡¯t let you off the hook,¡± Ellie said, her expression hardening into a scowl.


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    ¡°If he hadn¡¯t brought all that stuff to light, I wouldn¡¯t be the joke I am today!¡± Demi screamed, pointing at Kaiden in anger. Kaiden quickly called the estate¡¯s security toe over.


    Litzy had intended to stop Ellie from leaving until she gave in, but she thought better of it in Kaiden¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Ellie, Demi making these mistakes is because she didn¡¯t grow up with us. It¡¯s not really her fault¡­ Now, Demi¡¯s facing a penalty of ny million for breaking her agreement. Since this started with you, you really ought to help sort it out. It¡¯s not a big deal for you!¡± Litzy hinted that it was all Ellie¡¯s responsibility.


    Ellie watched them quietly.


    Thinking Ellie was softening, Demi and Litzy shared hopeful nces. However, their hopes were dashed when Moon Manor¡¯s security showed up to take them away.


    ¡°If you trouble Ellie again, we¡¯ll be seeing you at the police station,¡± Kaiden warned them coldly.


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 Chapter 602

    ?Chapter 602:


    ¡°Ellie, you can¡¯t do this to me! You¡¯re pushing me to be your enemy!¡± Demi¡¯s desperation became clear when pleading failed.


    ¡°As if doing you a favor this time would make you treat me any better,¡± Ellie scoffed, then turned to Litzy. ¡°There are things I just don¡¯t want anymore.¡±


    The sports car zoomed into Moon Manor, leaving a trail of dust behind. Demi wiped away her tears, her eyes burning with deep, cold hatred. Even if Ellie were willing to help her out this time, Demi would do everything in her power to make Ellie¡¯s life difficult. She believed Ellie owed her something.


    Had their roles not been reversed from the start, Ellie would have been the one growing up in an orphanage, with no chance to learn any special skills. She would never have had the opportunity to marry Kaiden. Demi was determined not to let Ellie enjoy her life, especially if she couldn¡¯t enjoy her own.


    After pulling the car into the garage, Ellie sat quietly, her hands still gripping the steering wheel, lost in thought. Kaiden gently caressed her head, asking softly, ¡°Feeling down?¡±


    Ellie shook her head. ¡°No, not really.¡±


    To her, the entire situation was just ridiculously funny. It was funny how she had once bent over backward to win Litzy¡¯s approval. And now, seeing Demi¡¯s pitiful situation felt just asughable. Demi had a knack for squandering every good opportunity she got.


    ¡°By the way, the team from ¡®Workce Diary¡¯ said they¡¯re switching our home visit to a live show tomorrow morning.¡± Ellie had only found out about this change today.


    Kaiden simply nodded, signaling his understanding. The crew had nned it for nine in the morning, an hour after Kaiden usually headed to work by eight.


    Back at the main house, Ellie told Cayson to give the staff a half-day off tomorrow morning so they wouldn¡¯t be around in the main house. After dinner, Ellie was about to pack her bags when Kaiden stopped her, pressing her down onto the bed before she could even start.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯ve been holding myself back since we were in thepany parking lot,¡± he said, leaning in close, his breath warm against her ear, his voice tight with restraint.


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    ¡°But I need to pack my bags,¡± Ellie replied, trying to seem unbothered. Did she really think her bags were more important than him? Kaiden, clearly unhappy, muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll help you with packingter.¡± Ellie didn¡¯t believe that for a second.


    ¡°I need to finish packing!¡± she insisted, pushing against him.


    ¡°Think about what you¡¯re doing, Ellie,¡± Kaiden warned, his tone carrying an unspoken threat. He didn¡¯t spell it out, but the message was clear. If she pushed him away now, he¡¯de back at her even harderter.


    ¡°I need to pack first.¡± Ellie stood her ground, refusing to be swayed, as if giving in to him would make her problems go away.


    Kaiden gave her a few intense kisses before he finally let her up.


    The next day¡¯s live broadcast was going to be a mixed format, with the production team dividing into several groups to visit guests¡¯ homes and broadcasting live in turn. After the broadcast, she had to head to the event site with the team.


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 Chapter 603

    ?Chapter 603:


    ¡°How long will you be away?¡± Kaiden asked, leaning against the wardrobe, visibly unhappy.


    ¡°Five days.¡±


    The trip was supposed tost only three days, but getting there and back added another two.


    Kaiden let out a humorlessugh. His wife was moremitted to her travel ns than he ever was, despite the fact that Kaiden himself often declined business trips.


    As soon as Ellie snapped her suitcase shut, Kaiden picked her up against the wardrobe, unable to resist her any longer.


    ¡°Wait, wait!¡± Ellie was taken aback. ¡°I need to properly close my suitcase first.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer!¡±


    Kaiden, who had been holding back for what felt like an eternity, found it impossible to resist now that she was right there. The thought of her being away for five days made it even harder to wait.


    Perhaps driven by his frustration, his actions were a bit forceful, but not to the point of causing Ellie any harm. It was just intensely passionate.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take it easy¡­ how about we move to the bed?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather do it right here.¡±


    Kaiden was firm in his decision not to return to the bed.


    After seeing Ellie pressed against the wardrobe by time constraints, Kaiden was set on making it happen right there.


    ¡°You¡ªMmm!¡±


    Ellie tried to speak, but a passionate kiss from Kaiden cut her off. Everything else seemed to disappear, leaving only the overwhelming feeling of him being so close.


    Then, a loud noise interrupted them.


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    Ellie looked down to see her suitcase had been knocked open by Kaiden¡¯s idental kick, her clothes now scattered everywhere.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡±


    He stopped, a brief, awkward silence hanging between them.


    Two hourster, after taking a shower, Ellie, now annoyed and fed up, was lying on the bed watching Kaiden on the floor, awkwardly picking up her clothes.


    ¡°You have to fold them right!¡± Ellie found herself at a loss for words when seeing how he folded her clothes. ¡°Not that way! You¡¯re messing up all the folds!¡± she instructed from where she was.


    Kaiden looked confused, holding a dress and wondering if the folds really mattered. But, acknowledging he was the one who spilled her belongings, he took his time to refold the clothes, trying to get the ¡°folds¡± Ellie was talking about right.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but let out a small, amused smile at his bumbling attempts.


    Her amusement was cut short by a phone call.


    ¡°Hello, Director Watson.¡±


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 Chapter 604

    ?Chapter 604:


    Director Watson was in charge of ¡°Workce Diary¡±.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, there¡¯s an issue with ¡®The Joy of Heart¡¯. They¡¯re using you of giarism¡­ This is serious. We can¡¯t go ahead with filming tomorrow unless it¡¯s cleared up.¡±


    giarism?


    Ellie¡¯s expression turned into a frown.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check on this and let you know,¡± she said.


    The message had been sitting in her inbox for two hours.


    Suddenly, several marketing ounts released proof at the same time. They showcased an ¡°original¡± music score that closely matched the current ¡°The Joy of Heart¡±position, with simrities reaching up to 90%.


    This so-called ¡°original¡± had appeared online three months earlier and was credited to someone known as R.


    Ellie, overwhelmed with her recent workload, had nearly forgotten about her Twitter ount named R. Curiousizens explored R¡¯s profile, uncovering a collection of songs. These tracks clearly showcased the talent of a professionalposer, which Ellie was not.


    ¡°Why assume the inte is too vast for giarism to be noticed when borrowing from artists abroad?¡±


    ¡°Disappointing, isn¡¯t it? Just when I started admiring a schr, turns out they¡¯re involved in giarism.¡±


    ¡°It baffles me. Ellie has talent in styling; why would she giarize a song? Was it a quest for fame?¡±


    ¡°Our music teacher had nned for us to perform ¡®The Joy of Heart¡¯ on the violin for our final. Well, that¡¯s not happening now!¡±


    ¡°Does this mean Ellie¡¯s fashion designs might be copied, too?¡±


    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????


    ¡°Wondering what Edwin thinks about this¡­ He chose to sing that song for itsposer, but now it looks like theposer¡¯s a fraud. Poor guy!¡±


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Edwin made any statement yet?¡±


    ¡°Rumors are flying that Ellie has a sugar daddy. Surely it¡¯s not Edwin.¡±


    Ellie knitted her brows and responded to the director, insisting she hadn¡¯t copied anyone¡¯s work and promised to clear up the misunderstanding in the live broadcast tomorrow.


    This move would surely attract more attention and viewers to the show, something the team weed with open arms.


    ¡°What seems to be the problem?¡± Kaiden picked up on Ellie¡¯s troubled expression.


    ¡°Did you manage to fold the clothes right?¡± Ellie shot him a sharp look.


    Had it not been for his careless actions, she wouldn¡¯t be in this mess!


    Kaiden was at a loss for words.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take care of the folding!¡±


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 Chapter 605

    ?Chapter 605:


    Kaiden realized he had never actually folded clothes before!


    Ellie got hold of Edwin¡¯s contact information and gave him a call.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Edwin¡¯s voice was the epitome of calm.


    ¡°Mr. Stephens, with everything that¡¯s going on, haven¡¯t you been bombarded by the media?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve turned off my work phone.¡± Edwin couldn¡¯t hide the smugness in his tone.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. ¡°And you¡¯re not even curious about what¡¯s happening with me? Don¡¯t you worry I might get you into trouble?¡±


    Feeling a twinge of guilt, Edwin stole a nce at his tablet, flooded withments specting about his connection to Ellie.


    He couldn¡¯t admit to her that he was secretly ttered by the rumors.


    He was certain Ellie wasn¡¯t guilty of giarism, yet he still asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t copy anyone¡¯s work. I happen to be attending a live stream tomorrow, so I can take the opportunity to clear the air. I¡¯m sorry for replying to the messages sote. Could you apologize to Gerardo for me?¡±


    She had overlooked the fact that she had shared that song on her R ount. Initially, she hadn¡¯t charged Gerardo for the song, never thinking about copyright issues.


    Ellie considered setting the record straight on Twitter immediately, but she knew that written exnations could never be as effective as speaking directly. She saw no point in engaging with people who had already made up their minds.


    Kaiden, having listened in without her noticing, stepped forward and reached for the phone after hearing her mention ¡°Mr. Stephens.¡±


    Ellie handed it over, though she was quite puzzled.


    Edwin¡¯s attempt to offerfort sounded through the speaker. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! Ellie, if you¡¯re okay then¡­¡±


    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????


    ¡°Then what?¡± Kaiden looked over at Ellie on the bed and asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, just getting ready to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden!¡±


    Edwin, caught off guard, quickly turned his tablet over. It took him a moment to realize that Kaiden couldn¡¯t see his embarrassed gesture since this wasn¡¯t a video call. He felt foolish for reacting as though he had something to hide.


    ¡°Anything else you need to say?¡± Kaiden asked, making it clear he wanted to end the call.


    ¡°No, no! Take care, Kaiden!¡± With that, Edwin ended the call and immediately began to work on squashing the rumors about him and Ellie. He shook his head at his earlier overreaction.


    After the call, Kaiden passed the phone back to Ellie and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I shared the song I wrote for your mom with Gerardo, and now there¡¯s talk that I copied it. But it¡¯s not a big deal. I¡¯ve got it under control.¡± Kaiden quickly pulled up Twitter on his phone.


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 Chapter 606

    ?Chapter 606:


    Hearing something of interest, he looked at Ellie with a knowing nce and asked, ¡°R?¡±


    Ellie hesitated, not wanting to admit it was her ount, and quickly came up with an excuse. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a friend of mine!¡±


    Kaiden chuckled softly, looking down at Ellie with a rxed expression. ¡°So, you¡¯re going to exin it like that to everyone tomorrow?¡± he asked.


    Ellie awkwardly touched her nose, realizing that trying to deceive Kaiden was futile. ¡°I was just sharing some songs for fun on that ount. I shared that song to see how people would react, especially to get some feedback to make improvements,¡± she exined.


    ¡°So, were you trying to keep something from me by lying?¡± Kaiden probed.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re reading too much into it,¡± Ellie replied, a bit flustered. She then snuggled into the nkets, leaving only her eyes peering out. ¡°I¡¯m off to bed now. Good night!¡±


    The ount was actually linked to the Rich Private Foundation, and she preferred Kaiden not to delve into this topic.


    Kaiden respected her wish for privacy, giving her a goodnight kiss without pressing further.


    Once Ellie was asleep, Kaiden went to his study to look up her Twitter ount. He discovered that ¡°R¡± had posted about a dozen songs over thest three years, all of which had gained significant poprity and caught the attention of leading recordbels.


    Other than sharing songs, the ount showed no other signs of activity, almost as if it were automated.


    Kaiden, who wasn¡¯t much of a music buff, nheless listened to each song repeatedly. All the songs were Ellie¡¯s work, her ownpositions, filling him with an indescribable sense of pride. Yet, he also felt a twinge of annoyance.


    ¡°Sheposed a song for Brisa but not for me!¡± he grumbled, somewhat irked.


    Kaiden began to suspect Ellie was deliberately distancing herself from the identity ¡°R.¡± Could it stand for RICH? It wasn¡¯t just a bar¡¯s name, but also the name of a mysterious foundation! Still, Kaiden decided to let the secret be, finding her secretive behavior somewhat entertaining to watch.


    The ¡°Workce Diary¡± program was set to start at nine in the morning. Ellie woke up an hour early, got ready, and put on some light makeup. She was sipping her coffee when there was a knock at the door.


    Opening it, she found herself facing a camera. Behind the camera, a group of about a dozen crew members and additional cameras awaited, each person looking eager and professional.


    ¡°Good morning, everyone. Come on in,¡± she greeted them warmly. This was Ellie¡¯s debut live broadcast, yet she was impressivelyposed.


    The host hesitated at the entrance, eyeing the luxurious carpet, and asked in a low voice, ¡°Do we need to change into slippers, or should we wear shoe covers?¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t worry about it. Please,e in,¡± Ellie reassured with a smile, puzzled by the crew¡¯s unusual courtesy.


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 Chapter 607

    ?Chapter 607:


    The crew looked visibly unsure, as if they felt out of ce. When Ellie had provided her address to the team, they initially thought there was a mistake. Only after being escorted in by the guards did they realize the extent of the luxury that awaited them.


    They were astounded. While they were ustomed to the lifestyles of the wealthy, Ellie¡¯s home was beyond anything they¡¯d seen before.


    They hesitated to begin filming, cautious not to showcase the grandeur of the nine-meter-high atrium and risk drawing criticism for ostentation from viewers.


    ¡°Do you think a lot of people are watching us live right now?¡± Ellie noticed the host ncing at his phone, monitoring the live stream¡¯s audience count.


    ¡°More than five million viewers¡­¡± he replied, clearly impressed.


    They had never attracted such a massive online crowd before. It was all thanks to the individual standing before them.


    Ellie nodded, logged into the live streaming tform with another phone, and browsed through thements.


    ¡°Has the production team lost their minds? Continuing with this imitation?¡±


    ¡°¡®Workce¡¯ ims to feature top-notch professionals, and this is what we get?¡±


    ¡°Ellie, get lost!¡±


    Despite the flood of harshments, the viewer count continued to soar.


    The host offered an uneasy smile.


    ¡°Can I share something personal before we continue?¡± Ellie addressed the host, hinting at the copyright controversy surrounding ¡°The Joy of Heart.¡±


    ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±


    Ellie signaled to the cameraman to focus closely and positioned herself in front of the camera. She then opened Twitter and logged in. She tweeted, ¡°No giarism. After today, I¡¯ll be stepping away from this ount. Thanks to everyone who appreciated the work.¡±


    ¡°Am I seeing things? Is this¡­ Is this really R¡¯s ount?¡±


    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn


    ¡°Could Ellie have made a simr ID overnight?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Many viewers were shocked by R¡¯s post.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, this is¡­¡± The host was at a loss for words.


    ¡°It¡¯s a throwaway ount I created long ago because I was bored. It¡¯s really no big deal,¡± Ellie said nonchntly. ¡°Sorry for the trouble my personal affairs have caused. Let¡¯s get the live stream started properly now, shall we?¡±


    Everyone on the staff was left speechless.


    No big deal?


    How were they supposed to start the live stream properly now?


    This was a lot to take in!


    Sure, theizens could go wild with this bombshell, but they were here to do a job, not gossip!


    Despite the chaos, the team managed to keep their cool and moved forward with the nned broadcast.


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 Chapter 608

    ?Chapter 608:


    The content was simple. It was meant to showcase the guest¡¯s everyday life. Ellie shared the books she enjoys, where she gets her design inspiration from, and some of her daily routines.


    Ellie portrayed herself as unremarkable, aiming to avoid drawing attention or sparking discussions unrted to her work. She preferred toe across as dull.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, our audience is curious about R,¡± the host mentioned, overwhelmed by the ferventments and feelingpelled to address the audience¡¯s questions.


    This variety show was broadcast live, and uniquely for this segment, a host ryed the online audience¡¯s reactions to the guests.


    Ellie nced up, puzzled, and responded nonchntly, ¡°That ount¡¯s been deleted. Why should it matter to me?¡±


    The host was at a loss for words, taken aback by her dismissive tone.


    The online audience, exceeding seven million viewers, reacted.


    ¡°Is Ellie making fun of us?¡±


    ¡°Why does she seem so aloof? Yet, why do I find her confidence so appealing? Is something wrong with me?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not here to learn how to be a top stylist, beauty! We¡¯re eager to hear about your life as aposer!¡±


    ¡°OMG, OMG! Everyone! Check out the painting in the top left corner! Wasn¡¯t that auctioned offst year for 98 million?¡±


    ¡°As soon as the live broadcast started, I noticed a cab full of luxury car keys next to the shoe rack¡­ I thought my eyes were deceiving me.¡±


    ¡°Did anyone notice the fruits on the coffee table? Have any of you tried them? They look like those from the videos about the world¡¯s most expensive fruits.¡±


    ¡°Why are there beautiful, rich women in the world who can bothpose music and style fashion?¡±


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    ¡°Is there room for a garbage man in the goddess¡¯s home? Do you think I could make the cut?¡±


    Meanwhile, Ellie was responding to the host¡¯s questions, oblivious to the online chatter.


    ¡°Miss Gordon¡­¡± The host paused, briefly checked the live roomments, and nodded towards the artwork behind Ellie, remarking, ¡°The viewers seem to find that painting on your wall quite appealing.¡±


    Ellie blinked, realizing she had asked the servants to store away the antique items just yesterday but hadpletely forgotten about the collection of oil paintings from thest century!


    ¡°That¡¯s a replica, pretty convincing, isn¡¯t it?¡± shemented casually, her face calm and apanied by a smile.


    ¡°It does look impressive,¡± the host replied, then added, ¡°Ms. Gordon, people are admiring the jade cabbage on your cab. It¡¯s quite pretty.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes followed the host¡¯s gaze to a jade cabbage standing about twenty centimeters tall on the right side of the yellow rosewood cab.


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 Chapter 609

    ?Chapter 609:


    It was vibrant green and as pristine as porcin, with remarkable craftsmanship that made it appear incredibly lifelike and undoubtedly very precious.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just amon stone, treated with dye and acid, not worth much,¡± Ellie dismissed it with ease.


    ¡°Did I just catch a glimpse of Miss Gordon looking like she forgot to hide it, or was that just me? Hahaha, ¡®not worth much,¡¯ Ellie, you¡¯re too modest! But honestly, I¡¯ve studied gemstone appraisal, and now I¡¯m questioning my skills. That looks like Grade A jade to me.¡± The host saw thesements, also suspecting Ellie might not be telling the truth.


    After all, with such an extensive estate, security, and transport services, would she really disy a fake jade piece?


    Trying to keep the conversation light, the host suggested, ¡°Well, if it were real, it could be worth a hundred million.¡± Ellie found herself at a loss for words.


    The viewers in the live roommented, ¡°I¡¯m reading Miss Gordon¡¯s expression. She seems to want to say that the host doesn¡¯t need to speak the specific price. She¡¯s so lovely!¡±


    The host inwardly cringed, wishing to swiftly change the topic when suddenly, someone entered the room.


    ¡°Ellie, did you have friends over today?¡±


    Omiros walked in, scratching his head, then stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of cameras everywhere.


    Thinking Ellie had friends over for some fun, he was eager to join in, for he saw the cars outside and the open door.


    ¡°OMG! Who is he? Such a good-looking boy!¡±


    ¡°Am I seeing things? The esports legend, Omiros, who¡¯s been missing for six months! Wow!¡±


    ¡°Even with bed hair, flip-flops, and baggy shorts, he looks amazing!¡±


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    ¡°Just curious, why is the esports star, Omiros, at Ellie¡¯s ce?¡±


    ¡°Yes, why? Besides, I heard he just called Miss Gordon Ellie? It seems they¡¯re familiar with each other, right?¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable! I was just here to see Miss Gordon sort out a giarism issue, and I¡¯ve walked into a whole other story!¡±


    Everyone looked at each other, buzzing with surprise.


    Ellie massaged her temples, recalling the high school kid next door who was holed up studying for exams!


    As Omiros¡¯ outings had dwindled to just once a month due to intense study sessions, Ellie had nearly forgotten his asional ventures outside.


    Omiros nced around, confused. ¡°What¡¯s happening here? Ellie, are you throwing some kind of event?¡±


    Ellie, still a bit dazed, told Omiros, ¡°Omiros, I¡¯m currently live on a show.¡±


    Omiros stood there, baffled.


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 Chapter 610

    ?Chapter 610:


    Right then, over eight million viewers were treated to the surprised look on Omiros, his hair all tousled. The viewers burst intoughter in the chat.


    Omiros quickly stepped out of the camera¡¯s view and chose to remain silent.


    Ellie checked the time and promptly told her audience, ¡°That¡¯s it for me, everyone. See you all next time!¡±


    Despite the audience¡¯s reaction, the production team quickly turned off Ellie¡¯s camera and moved on to the next guest due to the unnned interruption.


    The mood in the room turned awkward and tense.


    The host, feeling uneasy, started, ¡°Miss Gordon, about what just happened¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, that was my cousin. Today¡¯s live mishap was on me for notmunicating better.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s apology made the production team feel even more apologetic. ¡°Miss Gordon, you¡¯re being too generous!¡±


    Having the famous esports star Omiros identally show up on their live show turned out to be a huge win for the production team!


    Ellie filled Omiros in on what happened during the live broadcast. Omiros simply responded with an ¡°oh,¡± unfazed by his brief and less-than-ttering appearance on screen.


    ¡°Ellie, are you thinking about announcing that you¡¯re not single anymore?¡± Omiros asked seriously.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Ellie was puzzled by his sudden question.


    Yet, she couldn¡¯t shake off a sinking feeling.


    Omiros gestured towards her right ring finger. ¡°That diamond ring of yours is quite the sparkler.¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


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    It was only when she nced at her fingers that she realized she had left her diamond ring on!


    ¡°The men¡¯s suit hanging by the entryway and the leather shoes near the shoe rack¡­ If the camera catches them, viewers will definitely take notice.¡± Omiros, keen on how adept inte users were, added, ¡°They might even figure out the brand and line of Kaiden¡¯s clothes.¡±


    Ellie was silent, not knowing how to respond.


    Seeing the look on Ellie¡¯s face, the host was uncertain whether to bring it up.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, are you married? Earlier, there were questions about why every cup herees in pairs. Plus, the extra nket on the couch seems to be for both a man and a woman¡­ I¡¯m afraid most of those viewers have figured it out.


    So, what¡¯s your n for this¡­¡±


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words again.


    ¡°It feels like the universe is conspiring against me!¡± she muttered to herself.


    .


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 Chapter 611

    ?Chapter 611:


    Within the GT group¡¯s conference room, Kaiden momentarily halted the discussion, settling into the principal chair to engage with a live broadcast on his phone.


    The gathered executives, granted a brief interlude, observed their CEO in the central seat, his attention riveted to the smartphone¡¯s disy. It seemed that Kaiden was studying some important business secrets. The senior executives exchanged puzzled nces toward Bruce for insight. They wanted to know what was going on from Bruce. Standing next to Kaiden, Bruce was privy to the reality that Kaiden¡¯s focus was on a live stream rather than professional matters.


    Finding himself at a loss for words, Bruce remained silent. He avoided the probing eyes of others, pretending to have no idea what Kaiden was doing.


    Following the conclusion of Ellie¡¯s broadcast, Kaiden adeptly navigated to his Twitter ount.


    As anticipated, he discovered extensive online discourse surrounding the live stream, dominating the trending topics with discussions about Ellie. Among the trending searches was one notably capturing the essence:


    ¡°Ellie, An Unbridled Presence.¡±


    At this juncture, the finer details had yet to capture the broader public¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe¡­ What are youughing at?¡± someone couldn¡¯t help asking.


    Having known Kaiden for years, this was a rare glimpse into a moment of his genuine joy.


    Kaiden lifted his gaze, asking, ¡°Is my wife considered unbridled?¡± The senior manager, puzzled by his question, could only muster a forced smile in response, asserting, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe is the epitome of grace and poise. How could she ever be deemed unbridled?¡± Grace and poise?


    Kaiden¡¯s smile deepened at the thought.


    No.


    . is your storytelling hub


    The meetingsted until noon. After lunch, it continued in the afternoon. Nevertheless, even though they had only one hour for both lunch and rest, the executives were still curious about why their boss frequently checked his cellphone during the meeting.


    And he was in a good mood!


    When they realized that the first thing Bruce did after the meeting was log onto Twitter, everyone promptly followed suit and logged onto Twitter as well.


    By this point, Twitter was aze with heated debates.


    Gerardo and Edwin publicly backed Ellie, while numerous recordbels and musicpanies were eager to secure her signature or purchase rights to her otherpositions.


    Even Critport University seized the moment to market itself on its official Twitter ount with an enticing message:


    ¡°Dear high school students, do you aspire to be Ellie Gordon¡¯s junior? Are you keen on taking a course taught by Ellie Gordon herself? Or perhaps you¡¯re interested in witnessing the brilliance of this exceptional student? If so, consider applying to Critport University following your college entrance exams!¡±


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 Chapter 612

    ?Chapter 612:


    The onlinemunity couldn¡¯t resist voicing their frustration.


    Did the university have any idea how hard it is to be admitted there?


    Mere hours before, an expert had scrutinized the oil painting and the jade cabbage that appeared in the live video, unable to identify them as fakes on first inspection.


    This led to the emergence of another trending topic: ¡°Worthless Imitations.¡±


    The irony was hard to overlook.


    As executives scrolled through Twitter, they marveled, ¡°The boss is wealthier than we imagined!¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe was incredibly beautiful and skilled at making stories!¡± The conversation swiftly shifted to the surprise appearance of Omiros at Ellie¡¯s residence, fueling spection about her marital status.


    Even Omiros¡¯s fans were moring for answers, but his club remained silent, citing difficulties in reaching Omiros as he prepared for college entrance exams.


    Inquisitiveizens meticulously analyzed screenshots from the live stream.


    ¡°The men¡¯s suits and ties are this year¡¯s limited edition Armani. I couldn¡¯t identify the brand of the men¡¯s shoes, but they appeared to be handcrafted. The car keys match vehicles¡­¡±


    Ranging from eight to nine figures in price, and the watches were equally costly. There were also numerous collectible-grade lighters¡­¡± A lot ofments surfaced.


    ¡°She must be living with a wealthy man, right?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t anyone notice the pink diamond on her ring finger? Oh my, is that a wedding ring? Did she get married at such a young age?¡± Thements started to talk about her wedding ring.


    ¡°I heard that Edwin¡¯s family is very rich. He¡¯s acquainted with Omiros. Could this be his residence?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve previously heard rumors that Ellie has a sugar daddy. It must be Edwin, right?¡±


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    ¡°That would exin a lot! Otherwise, why would Edwin and Gerardo go out of their way to tter her?¡±


    ¡°tter? That¡¯s hardly the word. Her music is actually quite remarkable. Their interaction didn¡¯t seem typical of a sugar daddy rtionship¡­ Moreover, she¡¯s wearing a wedding ring. That fact alone suggests she is not someone¡¯s mistress; she is married!¡± Someone refuted thement.


    ¡°But would a sugar daddy openly acknowledge his role? And does a wedding ring definitively prove marriage?¡±


    Public opinion was ever-shifting, creating a somewhat stifling atmosphere.


    Observing this, the executives promptly set aside their smartphones, hoping Kaiden remained unaware of thesements.


    Thest thing they wanted was to find themselves in hot water during the afternoon meeting!


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, concerning the online spection about Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s marital status¡­ Do you need us to deal with it?¡± an employee from the Secretary¡¯s Office inquired with a hint of anxiety, fearful of being dismissed for acting too slowly.


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 Chapter 613

    ?Chapter 613:


    ¡°We are legally married. What exactly is there to address?¡± He had purposefully left his suit jacket hanging in the living room.


    Now his attention was focused on a message from Omiros, indicating that Ellie had left with the program¡¯s crew ten minutes earlier. Omiros even boasted about achieving a¡­


    Significant improvement on histest exam. The secretary said, ¡°But there are rumors about Mrs. Thorpe and Mr. Stephens¡­¡±


    ¡°Edwin can manage that on his own.¡±


    Kaiden had caught wind of the gossip but remained unfazed.


    Wasn¡¯t this a good opportunity?


    It was a good opportunity for him to express his frustration to Ellie and have herfort him.


    After the secretary exited, Kaiden made a call to Ellie, who had just arrived at the airport with the crew.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Ellie answered.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you aware of the current online discourse?¡± Kaiden asked, his tone deliberate.


    ¡°Not as of yet.¡±


    En route, she had been upied negotiating with talent agencies interested in purchasing her music, in addition to fielding calls from numerous journalists at her studio.


    Holding his phone in one hand while thoughtfully resting his chin in the other, Kaiden exuded a sense of tranquility.


    He told her, ¡°It appears people believe you have a sugar daddy.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Are you referring to yourself, by any chance?¡±


    She had anticipated thatizens would scrutinize everything from her home decor to her wedding ring, sparking rumors.


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    ¡°Edwin is the one they consider your sugar daddy,¡± Kaiden sneered. At that, Ellie¡¯s expression shifted to one of immediate alertness, finding Kaiden¡¯s remark somewhat odd.


    ¡°That¡¯s absurd!¡± she dered.


    ¡°Is it, though?¡± Kaiden retorted with a scoff. ¡°However, I can¡¯t help but think there¡¯s a ring of truth to it.¡± Ellie found herself at a loss for words.


    What on earth were thoseizens concocting?


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, how should we address this situation?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ What are you suggesting?¡±


    ¡°Surely, affirming our legitimate rtionship isn¡¯t asking too much, Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    When Ellie was on the phone with Kaiden, a staff member nearby murmured, ¡°Theizens are amazed by howrge Miss Gordon¡¯s home is!¡±


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 Chapter 614

    ?Chapter 614:


    The host chimed in, ¡°Theyck perspective. They should see her expansive manor!¡±


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


    The conversation was not meant for her ears, yet she heard every word. After ending the call with Kaiden, she found herself deep in thought. The presence of men¡¯s suits, ties, and shoes in her home had seemed odd.


    The servants in the main building were meticulous; it was unlikely they¡¯d err by leaving the master¡¯s clothing in the living room.


    Clearly, Kaiden had left them intentionally.


    But even with this realization, she couldn¡¯t muster any anger.


    His desire to affirm their rtionship disarmed any potential irritation.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, could you assist us with something?¡± a crew member¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Your livestream has generated significant attention. Many viewers are still posting messages about you in the chat. We¡¯d appreciate it if you could address these questions. Their focus on you is affecting the livestream of other guests.¡±


    Ellie pulled out her phone and opened the crew¡¯s livestream.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the current guest?¡±


    ¡°Carole.¡±


    Carole?


    As the staff member spoke, Ellie¡¯s phone disyed Carole, smiling awkwardly on the screen.


    Noticing Ellie¡¯s surprise, the host assumed she was unfamiliar with Carole and began to exin.


    ¡°Miss Lambert is a jewelry designer who recently returned from overseas. It¡¯s her turn to interact with the audience, but the chat is overwhelmed with questions about you, so¡­¡±


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    Carole¡¯s difort was evident on the screen, a mix of embarrassment and irritation.


    She had likely been following Ellie¡¯s livestream.


    Ellie regretted her decision to join the show without thoroughly checking the guest list.


    She would have preferred another year of free sses at her alma mater over participating in this show.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, do you know her?¡± The host noticed Ellie¡¯s sudden change in demeanor.


    ¡°Yes, we have a personal issue,¡± Ellie responded indifferently, locking her phone screen. She leaned back casually and added, ¡°I¡¯ll address the audience after her segment.¡±


    Her intention was clear¡ªshe wanted to witness Carole¡¯s difort. The host was left speechless by her frankness.


    True to her word, Ellie refrained from logging into Twitter until Carole¡¯s segment concluded.


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 Chapter 615

    ?Chapter 615:


    Upon checking, she noticed a tweet from Edwin mentioning her in a trending post. Ellie was puzzled.


    Edwin¡¯s tweet read: ¡°She is my friend¡¯s wife. The spection that she is my mistress is ridiculous! Reporters and bloggers, please don¡¯t throw out unfounded words! Thank you!¡±


    His words radiated a desperate plea for understanding.


    It was apparent thatizens spected about an affair between her and Edwin.


    Ellie began to type a response:


    ¡°Hello, everyone, I¡¯m Ellie. I¡¯d like to address some concerns. Firstly, I am married, but not to Edwin. He¡¯s young; let¡¯s not rob him of his chance to find love. Secondly, Omiros is busy with college entrance exams and can¡¯t engage with his fans right now. He¡¯s been performing well, and I want to express his gratitude to all his supporters and friends. Thirdly, my husband isn¡¯t a public figure and prefers to stay out of the limelight, so I¡¯d appreciate it if the focus could be on my work. Thank you!¡±


    After posting her message, Ellie set her phone aside, choosing to ignore any further notifications.


    The prospect of spending five days with Carole weighed heavily on her, casting a shadow over her mood.


    The host, ncing at Ellie, continued to monitor the online situation. Despite her presence, he seemedpelled to keep abreast of thetest developments.


    Ellie¡¯s response effectively reduced the livestream¡¯s viewership to four million, a number that continued to dwindle. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with conversation.


    ¡°Omiros looked so stressed today. Clearly, the exams are taking a toll on him!¡±


    ¡°Top in video games, but no escape from the college exams! Having an aplished sister-inw must add to the pressure.¡±


    ¡°I think Ellie¡¯s husband warned Edwin¡­ but that¡¯s just spection.¡±


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    ¡°I love how she refers to her husband. They must be a close couple.¡±


    ¡°Who is her husband, anyway? An older man, maybe over fifty?¡±


    ¡°Yuck, no way. Edwin calls him ¡®friend,¡¯ so he can¡¯t be that old.¡±


    If Ellie were to continue following the online chatter, she¡¯d notice there was always someone casting aspersions on her character.


    Uponnding in Glostin, Ellie headed for a private ind near the coast, where the event would take ce. She was to travel there by yacht from the dock.


    At the wharf, Ellie was the third guest to arrive.


    From afar, she spotted a familiar face.


    ¡°Baylee! Why are you here?¡± she eximed, rushing over to embrace Baylee warmly.


    Baylee revealed her role in the program: ¡°I¡¯m a top-tier auctioneer and an expert in collectibles!¡±


    Auctioneering and connoisseurship were niche professions, demanding not just a keen aesthetic sense and deep knowledge of collections but also substantial resources to acquire such expertise.


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 Chapter 616

    ?Chapter 616:


    It was a field where talent and wealth were equally crucial.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention you wereing?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°I reced another guest,¡± Baylee admitted. ¡°I was concerned about you dealing with Carole¡ªnot about being bullied, but more about being repulsed by her,¡± she added in a lower tone.


    Curious, Ellie asked, ¡°How did you manage to rece someone?¡± She faintly remembered that the Curtis family wasn¡¯t connected to anyone in the entertainment world.


    Baylee touched her nose, answering, ¡°Marvin helped me.¡±


    With his extensive connections, Marvin was aware of Ellie¡¯s participation in the show and offered Baylee the opportunity to join. Though Baylee was hesitant to involve herself with Marvin, her concern for Ellie prevailed.


    ¡°Another guest is Darrell Vargas,¡± Baylee disclosed.


    ¡°The close friend of Erick?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve also heard he¡¯s been pursuing Carole recently.¡±


    Ellie was speechless. s, another individual was about to trouble her. She should have been more diligent in reviewing the guest list for the event!


    ¡°Hello, Miss Gordon. I¡¯m Tobias Valdez. I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about you!¡±


    At that moment, a suave man with curly hair approached.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Valdez,¡± Ellie greeted, shaking his hand.


    Tobias, a fashion designer, was a rising name in the industry. However, his des paled inparison to Ellie¡¯s.


    As Tobias was about to continue, Ellie¡¯s phone rang. It was Kaiden.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she said to Tobias before stepping away to take the call.


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    ¡°You¡¯ve arrived?¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice came through.


    ¡°Did you check my schedule?¡± Ellie asked, noting his awareness of her whereabouts.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t deny it, instead gently inquiring, ¡°Are you upset?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Ellie told Kaiden.


    There was no need for her to get upset over something so trivial. She added, ¡°However, you have to respect my privacy. You can¡¯t investigate me anymore. Otherwise, I will get angry.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    As Kaiden replied, his eyes were glued to the photo sent by his informant within the program¡¯s crew.


    Dressed in a long red dress, Ellie strolled down the dock, capturing his attention with her stunning appearance.


    ¡°Take care.¡± After a moment¡¯s pause, he added, ¡°Call if you run into any trouble.¡±


    His words sounded a little strange to her.


    After a brief pause, Ellie snapped back to reality, her expression subtly changing. ¡°Kaiden, are you asking me to call you every day?¡± Her voice carried a soft, yful, and sweet tone.


    .


    .


    .

 Chapter 617

    ?Chapter 617:


    Kaiden tightened his grip on the pen, nearly breaking it.


    ¡°Just reach out if you need help,¡± he insisted, refusing to admit it.


    ¡°Baylee is also part of the program. If anythinges up, we can handle it together,¡± Ellie said, a sly smile ying on her lips.


    When Baylee was suddenly mentioned, Kaiden looked at Ellie in confusion.


    ¡°Baylee is there too?¡± Kaiden asked with a frown.


    He sounded like he was talking about a love rival.


    Ellie smiled and replied, ¡°Yes! If all you want is a daily call, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°You are doing this on purpose.¡± Kaiden saw through her teasing and gritted his teeth.


    She understood what he was getting at!


    ¡°Why would I do that on purpose?¡± Ellie refused to admit guilt. ¡°If you want a daily call, just say the word. As your wife, I¡¯m here to fulfill your wishes.¡±


    The catch was he needed to be more direct.


    A brief silence lingered on the phone.


    For some reason, Ellie felt a twinge of nervousness.


    She understood Kaiden well. Despite his affectionate banter in bed, he was, in reality, a man of pride.


    He didn¡¯t want to explicitly make such a request, so he used this minor matter as an excuse.


    She was determined to make him admit it!


    Ellie half-expected him to drop the topic.


    But then he sighed, seemingly yielding. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll eagerly await Mrs. Thorpe¡¯s call every day.¡±


    A satisfied smile yed on her lips as Ellie replied, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make sure to keep you satisfied!¡± With that, she hung up the phone.


    Your next favorite is on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s£®??o??


    Baylee looked at Ellie with a raised eyebrow, yfully pulling the corners of her mouth. ¡°El, your smile is practically stretching from ear to ear! You are a married woman, for heaven¡¯s sake! Show some restraint!¡±


    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡±


    Trying to contain her smile, Ellie patted her face. Despite her efforts, the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.


    ¡°You are dangerously close to announcing to the world that you are head over heels in love,¡± Baylee teased.


    When Ellie nced around, she saw a few staff members discreetly looking at her.


    Before she could react, a group of people approached from a distance. When Ellie and Baylee recognized those faces, the smiles on their faces faded.


    ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m Carole. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you!¡±


    Carole was dressed in a striking white gown and adorned with an eye-catching sapphire ne she had designed.


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    .

 Chapter 618

    ?Chapter 618:


    Her gaze scanned the crowd, eventuallynding on Ellie with a knowing smile.


    It was obvious that she knew Ellie was part of the show!


    A tall and attractive young man stood beside her. His eyes, long and narrow, coupled with an unconsciously raised chin, exuded an air of arrogance.


    Kaiden, too, had an arrogant air about him, but it was the kind that came with a sense of earned entitlement. On the other hand, this man seemed proud for no apparent reason.


    ¡°I am Dan-ell, a wine-tasting connoisseur,¡± he introduced himself, his tone dripping with superiority.


    Tobias wasted no time in extending his greetings.


    The Curtis family had faced financial turmoil, and in the past two years, Baylee¡¯s fame had faded. Therefore, Tobias didn¡¯t pay much attention to her. Instead, he warmly weed Ellie, and now he was ingratiating himself with Carole and Darrell.


    Both Ellie and Baylee shared an understanding of this guy. Tobias seemed adept at maniption, and they were keen on keeping their distance from him!


    In the GT group, Kaiden beckoned Bruce over with a nod.


    He ordered, ¡°Look into the variety show Mrs. Thorpe participated in. What is Baylee doing there?¡±


    Bruce already knew the answer to this question.


    As a top-notch assistant, Bruce was always one step ahead and had already gathered intel on Ellie¡¯s activities.


    He exined, ¡°Marvin pulled some strings to switch a guest seat for Miss Curtis. Moreover, there is a special guest in attendance this time, Mr. Thorpe.¡±


    After a brief pause, Bruce continued, ¡°It¡¯s Kristopher Wright.¡±


    Kaiden narrowed his eyes.


    He recalled that Kristopher, who was the new owner of Hagua auction house, had generously gifted Ellie hundreds of millions.


    ¡°Inform them that the scheduled meeting for tomorrow will now take ce tonight. I¡¯ll be heading to Hagua tomorrow. Get me all the information avable on Kristopher.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Bruce sighed.


    It appeared that he was in for another round of overtime!


    The crew encouraged the five guests to mingle and get to know each other.


    ¡°There is no need for introductions here. Who doesn¡¯t know Miss Gordon? We go way back.¡± Darrell paused for a while and then continued, ¡°She used to be engaged to a good friend of mine. She is very popr! Many men are smitten by her charms.¡±


    Many men were smitten by her charms¡­


    Darrell¡¯s words could easily make people assume that Ellie was a flirtatious woman.


    A hush fell over the surroundings.


    Upon hearing this, Carole kept her gaze low, concealing the amusement twinkling in her eyes. Outwardly, she appeared uninterested in being drawn into the unfolding drama.


    .


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 Chapter 619

    ?Chapter 619:


    Baylee¡¯s expression darkened.


    Sensing the tension, Ellie discreetly squeezed Baylee¡¯s hand to offerfort.


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, I¡¯m no longer Miss Gordon,¡± Ellie said calmly.


    With a scornfulugh, Darrell said, ¡°You really know yourself¡­¡±


    ¡°Call me Mrs. Thorpe,¡± Ellie interrupted smoothly. ¡°Or you can call me aunt, just like your friend Erick does. I might begrudgingly ept this title.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha!¡± Baylee burst intoughter.


    The room fell into an uneasy silence as the staff struggled to stifle theirughter, shoulders shaking with the effort to contain it.


    ¡°Ellie, you are practically asking for trouble!¡± Darrell spat out, visibly angered as he defiantly rolled up his sleeves.


    Unfazed, Baylee raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Mr. Vargas, do you really want to go down this road again? I beat you back in middle school. Do you still want to fight me alone?¡±


    Back then, Darrell was three years older than Baylee and Ellie. He was a notorious bully in middle school and had suffered defeat at Baylee¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Baylee, I let you win for Quincy¡¯s sake. Who do you think you are now?¡± Darrell retorted, refusing to acknowledge his less-than-ster past. ¡°How about I fight you?¡±


    Unable to tolerate Darrell¡¯s deliberate mention of Quincy in front of Baylee, Ellie took a step forward.


    When Carole heard that, she intervened by pulling Darrell aside. ¡°Darrell, let it go. It¡¯s not a good idea to bring personal conflicts into the program.¡±


    Darrell snorted, ncing defiantly at Ellie and Baylee. ¡°I won¡¯t argue with you two for the sake of Carole and the crew.¡±


    Baylee and Ellie couldn¡¯t help but roll their eyes.


    Darrell was a loser attempting to mask his shorings with excuses.


    Your favorite stories are on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m


    The program crew trembled with fear.


    Why did they choose guests with such personal grudges?


    With only six people in total, four of them were on the brink of a physical confrontation upon their first meeting.


    Could the show proceed without any further disruptions?


    ¡°Thest guest has arrived!¡± the director announced. He felt a wave of relief and swiftly changed the subject.


    Ellie nced over and recognized the man in the wheelchair.


    He was strikingly handsome with a fairplexion, exuding a refined and gentle aura that paradoxically suggested he was concealing his true power.


    From a distance, the man caught her gaze, and his eyes twinkled with a subtle smile directed only at her.


    ¡°Kristopher?¡± Ellie was taken aback.


    ¡°Is he the mysterious man who paid for your purchases at the auction?¡± Baylee quirked an eyebrow in curiosity.


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 Chapter 620

    Chapter 620:


    Ellie nodded.


    The production team was dumbfounded.


    How was it that Ellie seemed to know everyone?


    ¡°Please meet Mr. Kristopher Wright, a renowned photographer,¡± the director introduced him to the group.


    Everyone took turns introducing themselves, noticing Kristopher¡¯s demeanor was reserved yet courteous. However, when it came to Ellie, he noticeably softened.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, you¡¯re¡­¡± Carole stared at his legs, surprised.


    Kristopher seemed not to notice her at first.


    But when Baylee repeated the question, Kristopher replied, ¡°My legs are fine. However, I¡¯m not feeling well. Exercising isn¡¯t a good idea for now.¡±


    Carole was embarrassed by his response.


    It was clear that Kristopher didn¡¯t show much regard for her.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, you¡¯re looking better now.¡± Ellie noticed he appeared healthier than theirst meeting.


    Kristopher smiled and looked directly at Ellie, nodding. ¡°I¡¯m dealing with some concerns. I need to get better.¡±


    Ellie thought his statement sounded odd, as if he meant for her to hear it.


    Was she imagining things?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get to thank you at the Hagua auction. I¡­¡±


    ¡°It was nothing,¡± Kristopher cut her off, knowing what Ellie was about to say. ¡°Miss Gordon, if you keep being so formal with me, I¡¯ll get upset.¡±


    The idea of him getting upset felt strangely personal.


    Yet, they had met only a few times!


    Stories live now on galn¦Ò??????????o??


    Now that all the guests joining the program had arrived, they were to take a yacht to the ind.


    ¡°By the way, the cruise ship and yacht are courtesy of Carole¡¯s family,¡± Darrell mentioned with a grin. ¡°We all owe Carole a big thanks!¡±


    Glostin was where the Lambert family began their business. After moving overseas, they left their localpany to manage the maritime operations. The Lambert family¡¯s firm was a major yer in Glostin¡¯s maritime transport and tourism industry.


    Everyone felt thankful toward Carole.


    Carole, wearing a polite smile, gave Ellie a look as if nothing unusual had urred, her gaze carrying the confident and dismissive air one might have towards an enemy on their own ground.


    This gesture from the Lambert family was a first for Carole, and she couldn¡¯t hide her joy.


    Meanwhile, Kristopher boarded a separate yacht with his team.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, would you care to join us?¡± Kristopher called out, looking back from his position on the yacht.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noa: Hope you have a great Friday dear ones. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (¡ä?? ? ??`) ?


    .

 Chapter 621

    ?Chapter 621:


    ¡°No, thanks,¡± Ellie replied, a bit taken aback.


    ¡°That¡¯s Kristopher¡¯s private yacht. He¡¯s been having some health issues, so he¡¯s got a medical team with him, including a top-notch heart surgeon!¡± a crew member chimed in, offering some context.


    Everyone around expressed their amazement.


    ¡°Who is Kristopher? I¡¯ve nevere across this photographer before,¡± Tobias inquired with keen interest.


    ¡°He¡¯s a friend of the director. He may not be well-known, but his work speaks for itself.¡±


    At that, Carole pondered to herself.


    It appeared that Kristopher and Ellie shared a unique connection¡­


    Ellie and Baylee ended up on the same yacht.


    As Baylee gazed out at the endless sea, a thought struck her.


    She asked, ¡°El, don¡¯t you own an ind somewhere around here?¡±


    Ellie thought for a moment. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Two years ago, Garfield Barton, the head of the Rich Private Foundation, couldn¡¯t find any good lots at the auction, so he ended up buying Ellie an ind, thinking it would be a great spot for her to take a vacation.


    Since Ellie was too busy to take a holiday, they transformed the ind into a private resort instead.


    Baylee inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the name of the ce?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to check the emails.¡±


    After some searching, Ellie discovered the name and told Baylee, ¡°Dreamboat Ind.¡±


    The yacht was moored by the shore.


    Elegant letters at the dock spelled out the name of the private ind. It was Dreamboat.


    Explore captivating tales on g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s


    Baylee was at a loss for words.


    Ellie was equally taken aback. She was speechless.


    What a coincidence!


    ¡°Carole, your family really thinks of everything. There¡¯s coffee and juice waiting on the yacht,¡± someoneplimented Carole as soon as they got off.


    Ellie and Baylee exchanged puzzled nces.


    Why did everyone else get coffee and juice, yet there were premium teas and a 1982 Lafite for them?


    And the yacht¡¯s crew¡­ They treated Ellie with exceptional courtesy.


    Ellie tucked away her questions forter investigation.


    The entire ind was decorated in a whimsical, romantic style, with every detail meticulously nned.


    The ind boasted lush tropical rainforests, abundant fruits, well-built structures, pristine white beaches, and lush tropical rainforests that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.


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 Chapter 622

    ?Chapter 622:


    Tobias asked with a grin, ¡°I heard the ind¡¯s butler personally invited the show¡¯s crew. Carole, did you have a hand in this?¡±


    Carole¡¯s smile stiffened momentarily before she responded, ¡°Yes. I do know the owner of this ind.¡±


    She had learned beforehand that the ind¡¯s owner was a no-show, likely having purchased it as an investment, which meant her lie was safe.


    ¡°So, you yed a part in this after all!¡± the director chimed in, clearly appreciative of Carole¡¯s involvement. Ellie felt puzzled. What were they implying?


    Was Carole being credited for everything?


    Just then, a voice broke the silence.


    ¡°Good afternoon, everyone! My name is Garfield Barton, the butler here. Wee to Dreamboat Ind. We¡¯ve arranged your amodations. Please, follow me.¡±


    The speaker was a man in his forties, eloquent and dressed in a sharp suit, exuding the air of a true gentleman.


    His gaze swept over the group,nding on Ellie with a nearly formed smile.


    Ellie was caught off guard, fearing her cover might be blown, and quickly shook her head in denial.


    When Garfield turned his gaze away, Ellie let out a sigh of relief. She didn¡¯t want her wealth to be known, aiming to avoid unnecessaryplications or social entanglements.


    Kristopher saw this moment, lowering his gaze and offering a smile. The show¡¯s team had rented a few small vis on the ind¡¯s eastern side, where the six guests were to share a luxurious three-story vi. Garfield approached the group and announced, ¡°Miss, this will be your ce of stay. Please,e with me.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes shifted to Carole, who had just mentioned knowing the owner of the ind.


    Fresh content live on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m


    ¡°People close to the ind owner sure receive special treatment!¡± someone remarked with a hint of jealousy. Caught off guard, Carole paused for a moment.


    She didn¡¯t know Garfield, but perhaps the owner had indeed befriended the Lambert family!


    With a smile, Carole moved forward, saying, ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you¡­¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, Miss Curtis, the first suite on the east side offers the best sunrise view. Would you like it?¡± Garfield stood before Ellie, extending the invitation with respect.


    Carole¡¯s smile froze, and her voice cut off mid-sentence.


    Garfield was speaking to Ellie?


    Wasn¡¯t it Carole?


    The surprise left everyone speechless.


    ¡°Mr. Barton, could there be a mistake? Carole is the friend of your ind¡¯s owner. Ellie¡­¡± Darrell interjected, worry in his voice.


    ¡°Miss Gordon is an esteemed guest on the ind. We decided to work with the show because she¡¯s here,¡± Garfield exined. ncing at Carole, he continued, ¡°As for thisdy, I¡¯m not acquainted with her.¡±


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 Chapter 623

    ?Chapter 623:


    Garfield¡¯s remarks hit Carole hard.


    Upon hearing them, Carole¡¯splexion drained of color. She gripped her hands into fists and tried to control her emotions. The awkwardness was palpable among the bystanders.


    Subsequently, Ellie and Baylee departed alongside Garfield.


    ¡°Garfield, you know I prefer to keep my background under wraps and not unt my wealth to others,¡± Ellie sighed.


    Garfield, overseeing the Rich Private Foundation, was known for his worldly wisdom.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, life is brief. Enjoy it while you can!¡± Garfieldmented. ¡°And regardless of your ns, is it fair for Miss Curtis to endure hardships by your side? Moreover, I haven¡¯t disclosed your ownership of the ind.¡±


    Baylee couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle and said, ¡°Garfield, your sense of humor never fades.¡±


    Ellie, eventually giving in, gratefully epted Garfield¡¯s arrangements. Garfield, a product of a prestigious education, remained loyal to Ellie after she assisted him in settling his family¡¯s debts, helping in the foundation of the Rich Private Foundation.


    The vi where Ellie and Baylee resided was a testament to Garfield¡¯s thoughtfulness, customized for Ellie, adorned with personalized decor, and filled with her preferred flowers, eustomas, and baby¡¯s breath.


    ¡°Garfield, are you aware of the details on the show crew¡¯s sea transportation? Our yacht is stocked with exquisite tea and Lafite,¡± Ellie said to Garfield.


    ¡°The sea transport for the crew is managed by the Lambert family, with Katharine Lambert, the second daughter, overseeing the dock operations. A week ago, I heard she splurged on a premium tea.¡± Garfield had specially investigated this and said, ¡°Miss, it turns out you¡¯re the only one among your peers who¡¯s fond of this tea.¡±


    At that, Ellie and Baylee looked at each other.


    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??


    Initially, they both assumed that the tea and the Lafite were meant for Carole and were misced on their ship.


    Now, it appeared the luxury items were meant for them.


    Ellie was at a loss for words. Was it because of the connection she had with Susanna?


    The program¡¯s crew showed great interest in the lodging Garfield arranged for Ellie and Baylee.


    They had intended to explore the area but were halted halfway.


    Protecting them from public view in this manner sparked spection about the connection between Ellie and the enigmatic owner of the ind.


    Upon hearing murmurs, Carole developed a theory.


    She assumed the ind must be Kaiden¡¯s property!


    When Garfield reappeared, Carole quickly approached him, asking,


    ¡°Pleased to meet you, sir. Is Kaiden Thorpe the owner of this ind?¡±


    Garfield gazed at Carole, clearly puzzled, and replied, ¡°No.¡±


    .


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 Chapter 624

    ?Chapter 624:


    ¡°How could that be? Besides Kaiden, who else could afford such luxury for Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Miss, it might be wise not to measure others by one¡¯s yardstick. Miss Gordon is quite capable. What makes you think she couldn¡¯t own the ind herself?¡±


    ¡°Owned by her? That¡¯s hard to believe.¡±


    ¡°Just a bit of humor,¡± Garfield put on a fake smile and said, ¡°Considering Miss Gordon¡¯s ess to exclusive jewelry collections from the Light Show, wouldn¡¯t you agree that her resources are beyond those of ordinary people?¡±


    Garfield was intimately involved in the jewelry dealings.


    This revtion sent a shiver down Carole¡¯s spine.


    He was aware of the Light Show!


    Wasn¡¯t he using the term ¡°ordinary people¡± to describe her? Was this Garfield¡¯s way¡­ of issuing a caution?


    The crew¡¯s evening gathering was held. It was only at this event that Ellie and Baylee made their presence known again.


    As the six participants and directors convened around the bonfire, discussing ns for the uing live broadcast, the day¡¯s responsibilities were set aside, offering everyone a chance to rx.


    Yet, rxation was far from anyone¡¯s mind.


    They pondered the connection between Baylee, Ellie, and the ind owner.


    No matter how they tried to get the information, Baylee and Ellie refused to tell them the truth.


    Kristopher, after taking a call, departed the scene in his wheelchair.


    Ellie quickly approached him once the call ended. ¡°Mr. Wright!¡±


    ¡°Ellie.¡±


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????, the heart of fiction


    People often referred to her as Ellie, but when the word came from his mouth, it carried an unexpected tenderness.


    It made her feel a tad uneasy.


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to be here for the show. Is it not to your liking? I didn¡¯t expect you toe,¡± said Ellie.


    Considering his fragile health and somewhat reserved demeanor, he didn¡¯t seem like someone who would be inclined to participate in such a spectacle.


    Kristopher offered a smile, hinting at deeper motives. ¡°I¡¯m here for a specific reason.¡±


    What he desired was the individual right before his eyes.


    Ellie chose not to probe further.


    She also arrived here for a reason¡ªto repay Charlie for helping her once and to honor her alma mater¡¯s kindness.


    Carole¡¯s eyes clouded with resentment. She discreetly snapped a photo of Ellie and Kristopher from afar and shared it with Kaiden.


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 Chapter 625

    ?Chapter 625:


    Kaiden received a photo from Carole along with a brief message: ¡°Kaiden, I ran into Ellie among the program crew. And there¡¯s also a good-looking guy who seems to be close to her. Quite a coincidence!¡±


    Kaiden immediately recognized the man in the wheelchair as Kristopher upon first sight.


    Well, he himself used to sit in a wheelchair.


    The sight of Ellie beside another man, particrly Kristopher in a wheelchair, stirred a sense of discontent in Kaiden.


    Kristopher¡¯s health background was known to him, including his heart condition and choice to use a wheelchair forfort.


    In the photo, beneath the glow of the moon, wavespped at the beach. There, Ellie stood by Kristopher¡¯s wheelchair, her gaze lowered in conversation.


    The photo was taken from afar, so it was hard to see their expressions. However, Kaiden could sense a lovely and harmonious atmosphere between them.


    Carole¡¯s words had the potential to easily mislead people into misunderstanding the rtionship between Ellie and Kristopher.


    That would be the case if Kaiden hadn¡¯t received background information about Kristopher beforehand.


    Kristopher Wright, a 28-year-old male, had a heart condition since birth. His family background remained a mystery, and his upation was shrouded in secrecy. He owned numerous mines, including gold and diamond mines located abroad.


    His profile as a photographer in Workce Diary seemed hastily constructed, with des and a resume that appeared fabricated overnight. No prior link between Ellie and Kristopher could be found.


    And that¡­


    That was the doubt!


    More books avable at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv?ls


    Ellie had shared with Kaiden that she first encountered Kristopher near the Gordon family¡¯s vi, and interestingly, Kristopher mentioned he had an apartment in the same neighborhood.


    ording to the investigation, they had never met before. Additionally, there wasn¡¯t a house near the Gordon family¡¯s area owned by Kristopher. The only vi that remained vacant throughout the year belonged to a foreign businessman.


    Ellie had no reason to fabricate such a story.


    Thus, the only logical exnation was Kristopher¡¯s deliberate removal of evidence of his proximity to her!


    Kaiden¡¯s focus narrowed on a particr note.


    Social connections pending verification: Hostility exists between Kristopher¡¯s father and the Lambert family.


    On the ind:


    ¡°Would you prefer separate amodation?¡± Ellie said, ¡°I could discuss it with Garfield.¡±


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 Chapter 626

    ?Chapter 626:


    Kristopher couldn¡¯t help but smile even wider as he gazed at her lovely face illuminated by the moonlight. ¡°Perhaps I should start by expressing gratitude to you, the owner of the ind?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ How did you know?¡± Ellie eximed in surprise.


    ¡°Garfield calls you Miss and your friend Miss Curtis,¡± Kristopher remarked.


    The differing addresses hinted at the varying levels of closeness Garfield shared with them.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t resist a chuckle.


    However, she wasn¡¯t aware of the shy smile that graced her lips at that instant.


    The smile reminded Kristopher of when she clinched the gold prize and received des from Cecelia during her youth.


    Little did she realize the depth of his feelings for her and how every minute detail of her youth was cherished and safeguarded in his heart and memory.


    ¡°Can you keep it a secret?¡± asked Ellie, interrupting his thoughts.


    With a yful grin, Kristopher joked, ¡°Will hush money be involved?¡±


    Ellie paused, cing a finger on her chin as if pondering, but her phone rang with a video call before she could respond.


    ¡°Hold that thought. I have to take this call.¡±


    Turning away, Ellie slipped on her earphones and answered the video chat.


    Kristopher caught a glimpse of a man¡¯s face on Ellie¡¯s phone screen.


    It was Kaiden!


    Kristopher¡¯s expression darkened abruptly.


    ¡°Ellie, have you forgotten something?¡± Kaiden asked, looking slightly vexed on the other end of the video chat.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ellie furrowed her brow, puzzled.


    Discover what¡¯s new on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls


    Kaiden pursed his lips. ¡°A little liar said she would call me!¡±


    ¡°But we just spoke on the phone today, didn¡¯t we?¡± She defended herself, rejecting the ¡°liar¡±bel.


    Kaiden looked furious as if daring her to repeat that statement. Ellie cleared her throat and touched her nose. She decided it was best not to argue with him.


    Besides, Kaiden took the initiative to video chat with her, and she was delighted.


    ¡°Are you still at the office?¡± Ellie noticed the massive projector screen behind Kaiden.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Kaiden clicked his tongue, adding, ¡°While I¡¯m making money, you¡¯re having a st behind my back.¡±


    ¡°Having a st behind your back?¡± Ellie retorted confidently. ¡°Everything is above board! Look, the beach here at night is breathtaking, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Kaiden was rendered speechless.


    Ellie then intentionally switched to the back camera and revealed the ind¡¯s beautiful scenery to Kaiden, showing him all the different perspectives.


    .


    .


    .

 Chapter 627

    ?Chapter 627:


    However, Kaiden wasn¡¯t paying much attention to the scenery. His focus was on Kristopher behind Ellie.


    As Ellie moved her phone around, Kaiden and Kristopher made eye contact for a moment, with Kristopher having been staring at Ellie.


    In that brief moment, hostility emanated from both their gazes.


    ¡°Beautiful, right? I¡¯ll bring you here so you can enjoy it as well when you¡¯re free, okay?¡± A gleam of joy sparkled in Ellie¡¯s eyes.


    After all, it was her ind!


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯d like that,¡± Kaiden agreed immediately.


    His quick response surprised Ellie.


    She almost felt as if he would being there soon.


    ¡°By the way, I bumped into Kristopher here,¡± she said, lowering her voice as Kristopher was nearby.


    ¡°You should stay away from him,¡± Kaiden warned.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because he generously gave you hundreds of millions of dors for no apparent reason, Ellie. Not many would do such a thing.¡±


    Kaiden was reserved about discussing the matter in depth with Ellie.


    He was still conducting an investigation into Kristopher¡¯s situation.


    Ellie wanted to say that it wasn¡¯t for no reason.


    Besides,pared to the amount that Kristopher spent at the auction house for her, Kaiden¡¯s gesture of purchasing a set of emeralds for two billion when they were newlyweds was far more remarkable.


    Of course, she couldn¡¯t say that to him.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s, the heart of storytelling


    Otherwise, it would infuriate Kaiden.


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Kaiden called out suddenly, his expression displeased as he received no response.


    ¡°Ah, got it!¡± Ellie shifted her camera toward the distant crowd. ¡°Did you know that Carole is here too?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kaiden acknowledged.


    The Thorpe family endorsed Carole with experience and a substantial portfolio. They seized the chance to elevate her reputation and make her a household name in the country.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m on the same TV show as her. If we have a disagreement, don¡¯t hold it against me for bullying her,¡± Ellie asserted.


    In fact, Ellie remained convinced that she and Carole would not be able to see eye to eye.


    Kaiden let out a helpless sigh. ¡°You¡¯re my wife, Ellie. Of course, I¡¯ll stand by you.¡±


    Ellie smiled, pleased with his response.


    ¡°Then make sure to get to bed early. If you keep working overtime, your subordinates will start scolding you behind your back,¡± Ellie said, kicking the sand at her feet.


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 Chapter 628

    ?Chapter 628:


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare say anything to my face.¡±


    On the other hand, if he were to forgo overtime and leave the following day, he would face reprimands from the executives.


    Ellie chuckled. ¡°Then I¡¯ll let you go. I still have something that I have to do.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Kaiden stopped her. ¡°Have you forgotten something?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you call me? What did I forget?¡± Ellie was confused once again. Kaiden parted his lips to say something but decided against it. Feeling crestfallen, he hung up the phone, gritting his teeth in frustration.


    Today, he witnessed a manager and his wife blowing a kiss to each other before ending the call.


    Why wasn¡¯t Ellie like that?


    She still didn¡¯t think to do it even when he dropped hints to her. Ellie felt cheerful after her video chat with Kaiden, and her smile persisted as she neared Kristopher.


    She continued where they had stopped before the video call. ¡°Mr. Wright, regarding the hush money¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about itter. I haven¡¯t decided yet,¡± Kristopher teased. Ellie nodded. ¡°Okay!¡±


    After a moment of silence, Ellie tentatively asked, ¡°You¡­ Are you in a bad mood?¡±


    Kristopher stopped twisting the ring on his finger and quickly regained hisposure. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me,¡± Ellie said, suppressing her suspicion.


    After all, he had gifted her hundreds of millions of dors!


    Kristopher raised his head and looked at Ellie with a deep gaze. ¡°Miss Gordon, if something that has always been yours suddenly bes someone else¡¯s, what would you do?¡±


    The question seemed cryptic to Ellie, and she pondered momentarily. ¡°What¡¯s meant to be mine will stay mine. It will never be someone else¡¯s. However, if it does be someone else¡¯s, then it was never really mine in the first ce.¡±


    I??¨¨$? ¡é??t?€§ñ? 1n ??l¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Kristopher disagreed.


    That night, led by Garfield, Kristopher and his medical team were guided to a separate vi. Tobias looked on enviously.


    Darrell¡¯s face darkened.


    Carole sighed. ¡°Miss Gordon is popr!¡±


    Darrell snorted. ¡°Bah! She¡¯s just a social butterfly! A woman who¡¯s been with Erick and is now fooling around. I don¡¯t know how Kaiden can tolerate it!¡±


    Carole nced at Darrell and said sadly, ¡°Miss Gordon and I have a grudge against each other. I¡¯m afraid she won¡¯t be nice to me for the next two days.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Carole. I¡¯ll protect you! I¡¯ll show her not to mess with you!¡± Darrell immediately reassured her, extending a supportive gesture.


    Carole averted her gaze and smiled. ¡°I mentioned it casually, but I want to express my gratitude for your kindness.¡±


    .


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 Chapter 629

    ?Chapter 629:


    The next day dawned with the beach transformed by the meticulous hands of the program crew, its beauty seamlessly blending with the anticipation of the live broadcast about to unfold.


    Carole spotted Ellie, her figure draped in a flowing white dress that danced upon the pristine sand, an ethereal sight tinged with a hint of aloofness.


    Though Carole prided herself on her own allure, she couldn¡¯t deny the maic appeal of Ellie¡¯s grace and poise; a jealousy that simmered beneath her surface.


    ¡°Does Kaiden know how close you are to Kristopher?¡± Carole¡¯s question held a hint of probing, a subtle test aimed at Ellie.


    She had sent a photo to Kaiden the previous day, but his silence had left her unsettled.


    ¡°Are you nning to tattle to my husband?¡± Ellie¡¯s retort dripped with sarcasm, puncturing Carole¡¯s facade ofposure.


    With a frustrated clench of her fists, Carole pivoted on her heel and departed, her expression a canvas of stormy emotions left in her wake.


    As the live broadcastmenced, the host unveiled the rules of thepetition against the backdrop of the rolling cameras.


    ¡°In this activity, points will be awarded. The guest with the highest tally at the end will secure a sponsorship fund of five million dors, courtesy of our program. The winnings will be donated to the winner¡¯s chosen university or charity organization!¡±


    The announcement reverberated across the beach, setting the stage for the day¡¯s challenges.


    ¡°Today marks the beginning, with a series of diversepetitions on the agenda. Each challenge is tailored to the professional and personal expertise of our guests. Winners will earn valuable resources, to be carried forward into subsequent rounds!¡±


    In the inaugural challenge, two sets of seven sses of red wine awaited the participants.


    The host continued, ¡°The rules are simple for this round. Contestants must discern the names, years, and histories of each wine ss swiftly and urately!¡±


    Discover the best stories at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    It was a gauntlet custom-tailored for Darrell, a test of his refined pte and encyclopedic knowledge of wine lore.


    ¡°How about a littlepetition, Ellie?¡± Darrell leaned confidently against the bar counter. His gaze held a glint of mischief. ¡°Even though you¡¯ve tied the knot with another man, you¡¯ve spent enough time with my friend to pick up a thing or two, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Everyone knew Ellie was married, but Darrell¡¯s words were a sly attempt to paint her as flighty and fickle.


    Carole interjected with feigned concern, ¡°Mr. Vargas, the stream is live.¡±


    A ripple of tension passed through the crew, evident in their shifting expressions.


    Baylee, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, wrinkled her nose in disdain.


    ¡°My husband always stressed the importance of sharing drinks with a select few,¡± Ellie replied with a knowing smile, shaking her head gently.


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 Chapter 630

    ?Chapter 630:


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, your invitation does not appeal to me.¡±


    In the livestream room, the director observed the flurry ofments.


    ¡°Ellie is clearly implying that he does not deserve her attention! She is cool!¡±


    ¡°Look at her go! Ellie¡¯s not letting anyone push her around!¡±


    ¡°Wait, is Ellie dropping hints about her mysterious husband? So who is he? The suspense is killing me!¡±


    Carole shot Ellie a quick nce, her emotions momentarily getting the better of her, darkening her usuallyposed expression.


    Kristopher¡¯s fingers brushed against the beads on his wrist, his brow furrowing with a touch of indifference.


    The atmosphere crackled with tension.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that, Mr. Vargas.¡± Baylee approached the table with a smirk, her fingers tracing the rim of a ss of red wine. ¡°But simply sipping wine is dreadfully dull. Let¡¯s spice it up, shall we? If you lose, you¡¯ll have to do something amusing¡ªlike bark like a dog for me. How does that sound?¡±


    d in a vibrant red dress, Baylee¡¯s delicate features belied the strength in her stance, creating a striking contrast.


    Darrell erupted intoughter, his gaze fixed on her as if she were an overly confident idiot. ¡°Alright!¡±


    Wine tasting was his domain, and he relished the chance to prove his superiority. In his mind, Baylee was walking straight into the lion¡¯s den.


    Ellie leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile ying on her lips.


    The irony was unmistakable.


    In the livestream room, the director buried his face in his hands, grappling with regret.


    Had he made a grave mistake by inviting this group?


    Updates always at galno¦Íe??s


    Self-centered and indifferent to others¡¯ feelings, these people cared only for their own amusement, oblivious to the chaos they left in their wake.


    ¡°She¡¯s like royalty! My word, she¡¯s captivating!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to imply anything else, but¡­ Baylee and Ellie really do seem like a couple!¡±


    ¡°Is there some tension between Darrell and Ellie? Why do I get the sense he¡¯s singling her out? And that¡¯s why Baylee is retaliating against him.¡±


    ¡°Darrell¡¯s a wine connoisseur. Baylee stands no chance against him.¡±


    ¡°Barking? That¡¯s just in disrespectful.¡±


    ¡°Barking¡­ Seems a bit low, doesn¡¯t it?¡± the directormented, his expression filled with despair.


    His show was intended to be a serious, career-focused program!


    However, his inquiries fell on deaf ears!


    Baylee and Darrellmenced their tasting.


    The air grew thick with tension; only the distant waves provided any sound.


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 Chapter 631

    ?Chapter 631:


    Five minutester, both set down their sses almost simultaneously.


    ¡°Cheval nc 1947, Lafite 1869, Screaming Eagle Cabe Sauvignon 1992, Lafite 1787, Margaux 1787, Romanee-Conti 1990, Margaux 2009,¡± Darrell rattled off, casting a challenging nce at Baylee. ¡°Now, bark!


    Or perhaps you¡¯d like Ellie¡¯s assistance.¡±


    Kristopher squinted his eyes.


    Barking?


    How was Darrell so foolishly confident that he had won the game?


    Baylee arched her eyebrows, her words deliberate. ¡°Cheval nc 1947¡­¡±


    ¡°Lafite 1787, Screaming Eagle Cabe Sauvignon 1992, Lafite 1869, Margaux 1787, Romanee-Conti 1990, Margaux 2009.¡±


    Their responses in the years they guessed for the two Lafite vintages were inverted.


    The host announced, ¡°Baylee takes the win!¡±


    ¡°How, how is that possible?¡± Darrell¡¯s face darkened. He took another sip from his two sses. Hisplexion turned ashen then.


    With a mischievous grin, Ellie taunted, ¡°Mr. Vargas, can¡¯t even take down an amateur like Baylee? You might as well donate that tongue of yours after all that barking.¡±


    Little did the crowd know, that when Baylee embarked on her wine-tasting journey, Darrell was still guzzling beer on street corners.


    Darrell¡¯s face flushed with rage, his eyes aze as he stared at the live camera, rendered speechless.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, we¡¯re all friends here. Just a little banter. No need to take it so seriously,¡± Carole, attempting to y mediator, stepped in. ¡°With so many eyes on us, it¡¯s not a good look.¡±


    With an enigmatic smile, Ellie cast her gaze downward, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.


    Fresh chapters uploaded on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls?c?m


    Baylee chuckled, ¡°Miss Lambert, you¡¯re quite intriguing. I¡¯m the star here, yet you seem fixated on El. Do you have something against her, or is it me you¡¯re underestimating?¡±


    Carole¡¯s smile faltered at Baylee¡¯s words. ¡°Miss Curtis, I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°What you meant doesn¡¯t matter if you won¡¯t back Mr. Vargas,¡± Baylee cut in, gesturing for Darrell to begin. ¡°Mr. Vargas, the stage is yours!¡±


    Tobias counted himself lucky for keeping quiet earlier.


    ¡°Goodness me! Talk about drama! It¡¯s riveting!¡±


    ¡°Did you see Ellie¡¯s face just now? Her contempt revealed she didn¡¯t see herself as Carole¡¯s friend. Haha!¡±


    ¡°The show from the first two seasons was rather dull. Now, it¡¯s a must-watch!¡±


    ¡°Carole had a point. Ellie and Baylee crossed a line.¡±


    ¡°And if Baylee loses? What will Carole say then? Darrell started this, mentioning Ellie¡¯s ex-boyfriend intentionally. Why would you back Darrell?¡±


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 Chapter 632

    ?Chapter 632:


    ¡°They definitely have history. Personal grudges, for sure.¡±


    ¡°And what was Darrell hinting at about Ellie and his friend? Any juicy gossip? Drop it in my inbox! Immediately!¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s hubby won¡¯t be pleased¡­ I bet.¡±


    ¡°Woof!¡± Darrell reluctantly barked.


    Suddenly, Kristopher, silent till then, raised an eyebrow.


    The director saw a lifeline and grabbed it, eager to change tack. ¡°Kristopher, any thoughts?¡± the host jumped in, steering the conversation.


    Kristopher nodded. ¡°Saw Mr. Vargas mouthing off, but couldn¡¯t catch a word.¡±


    Darrell¡¯s heart sank.


    The crew panicked.


    He¡¯d barked, for heaven¡¯s sake!


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, give it another go. We didn¡¯t catch that,¡± Kristopher pressed.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t stifle herughter. Who knew the suave Kristopher had such cunning up his sleeve?


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t hear it either,¡± Ellie remarked.


    ¡°Woof, woof, woof!¡± Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Darrell resorted to barking, shooting Kristopher a re full of anger.


    Throughout the next two hours of the live stream, Darrell was on the lookout for a chance to get back at Baylee, Ellie, and Kristopher, yet he found no opening.


    Carole, on her part, remained exceptionally courteous.


    She was never one to stir trouble herself.


    After the initial conflict, the ensuing silent confrontation felt oddly calm.


    Explore new stories g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s.c?m


    The moment the broadcast ended, Darrell went straight to Ellie and Baylee.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t do anything rash!¡±


    Darrell looked like he was going to fight, which made the crew of the program very nervous.


    But when he finally approached them, all he did was spit out a threatening, ¡°You¡¯ll see!¡± Then he angrily stormed off.


    Ellie and Baylee couldn¡¯t help but scoff.


    To them, Darrell was nothing but a toothless, barking dog, too aware of his own limitations to take them on.


    Carole shot a look at Ellie, Baylee, and Kristopher before hurrying after Darrell.


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, please, calm down. Ellie¡¯s acquainted with the butler Garfield. There¡¯s no need for any trouble here with her,¡± she advised.


    Darrell understood what Carole meant.


    Right, once they were off this ind, he¡¯d have the Vargas family¡¯s backing. What did Ellie and Baylee have? He could do whatever he wanted to them!


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 Chapter 633

    ?Chapter 633:


    Yet, the thought of leaving Ellie and Baylee unchallenged on the ind gnawed at him!


    And Kristopher, an unexpected pest, only added to his frustration!


    The show was akin to a vacation opportunity for the guests.


    Its team filmed only in the morning, leaving the afternoon as leisure time for them.


    In no time at all, Workce Diary became a hot topic beyond its usual audience.


    Curiosity about Ellie¡¯s past rtionship spiked after Darrell¡¯s remarks. People were curious about the rivalry between Darrell and the twodies, Baylee and Ellie.


    It caused quite a stir when Darrell ended up embarrassing himself, even imitating a dog¡¯s bark.


    Some people liked the idea of pairing Ellie with Baylee!


    Yet, neither Baylee nor Ellie showed any concern over these whispers.


    They returned to their vi, where Garfield had arranged for their lunch.


    ¡°Does Kristopher get to enjoy the caviar too?¡± Ellie asked Garfield.


    With a shake of his head, Garfield responded, ¡°The caviar is reserved exclusively for you and Miss Curtis.¡±


    Garfield showed clear favoritism toward Ellie, not extending such delicacies to others.


    While the rest had to make do with fast food and a seafood barbecue, it looked luxurious. The reality was that these meals were quite simple to put together.


    ¡°Should I have some sent over to Kristopher?¡± Ellie asked.


    Garfield understood what Ellie meant.


    After Ellie nodded, she noticed something odd in Garfield¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Miss, isn¡¯t it true that¡­ Kristopher isn¡¯t your husband?¡±


    Explore new chapters g?l¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    After a short pause, Ellie realized what Garfield meant.


    Torn between amusement and bemusement, she rified, ¡°Garfield, what¡¯s gotten into you? Kristopher is merely a friend!¡±


    Garfield gave a casual shrug and advised, ¡°Miss, you¡¯re still quite young. Honestly, exploring options with different men isn¡¯t a bad idea. Kristopher seems like a decent choice.¡±


    Baylee, biting on her fork, cautioned him, ¡°Garfield, remember Ellie¡¯s husband tends to get jealous easily. Comments like yours might just set him off.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not good for men to be jealous. Miss, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to look for others a bit.¡±


    Baylee couldn¡¯t contain herughter, holding a pillow.


    Just as Ellie was about to respond, her phone rang with a call from¡­


    Kaiden.


    ¡°El, are you up for meeting?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    His question left Ellie puzzled.


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 Chapter 634

    ?Chapter 634:


    ¡°Come to the dock,¡± Kaiden told her.


    With that, he hung up the phone.


    Almost at the same time, Garfield received a text from the ind¡¯s security. He informed Ellie, ¡°Miss, there¡¯s a man at the dock iming he¡¯s here to see¡­¡±


    Before Garfield finished his words, Ellie dashed off, phone in hand.


    Baylee, eyes wide with surprise, murmured, ¡°Is Kaiden actually here?¡±


    ¡°Just as we were talking about him ¡ª the miss¡¯s husband makes his appearance!¡±


    Afterwards, Garfield had the chef prepare extra dishes and, as he left to deliver them to Kristopher, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll be a delivery man. Miss Curtis, make yourself at home.¡±


    Later that afternoon, Kristopher sat in his wheelchair, soaking up the sun.


    Seeing him, Darrell recalled the embarrassment of his earlier behavior, feeling a surge of anger, and rushed over to confront Kristopher.


    ¡°Kristopher, I¡¯d strongly suggest you stay out of the dispute between me and the two bitches, Ellie and Baylee! Or else, you¡¯ll learn your lesson the hard way!¡±


    Kristopher was initially watching Ellie¡¯s house, but suddenly, Darrell blocked his view.


    He looked down, visibly annoyed, at the hand that was clutching his shirt.


    Darrell, mistaking Kristopher¡¯s silence for fear, was on the verge ofughter.


    But then, a loud scream broke the silence.


    In an instant, Kristopher stood up, forcing Darrell down with his face against the ground.


    With his knees on Darrell¡¯s back, Kristopher applied pressure, eliciting a pained shout from him.


    Darrell was frightened.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the seemingly frail man in a wheelchair to possess such strength. Kristopher acted so fast that he couldn¡¯t react!


    ¡°Do you really think you can intimidate me?¡±


    Though Kristopher spoke softly, his words sent a chill down Darrell¡¯s spine.


    Before he could say more, an assistant interrupted, ¡°Sir, Garfield has arrived.¡±


    Kristopher warned, ¡°Darrell, mind your own business if you value your life.¡±


    Darrell felt a shiver run through him, suddenly too terrified to utter a single word of defiance.


    By the time Garfield approached, Kristopher was back in his wheelchair, appearing unchanged, while Darrell stood there, head bowed, trembling.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, this is for you. I hope you enjoy the caviar,¡± Garfield said with a smile.


    Kristopher epted it with a simple ¡°thank you.¡±


    ¡°Garfield, he was just¡­¡±


    Darrell¡¯s attempt to speak was cut short by a sharp look from Kristopher, the coldness in his gaze unmistakable.


    ¡°Does he get the caviar and not me?¡± Darrell asked, shifting the topic.


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 Chapter 635

    ?Chapter 635:


    Garfield, aware of the morning¡¯s events, responded with a smile, ¡°Perhaps the owner of the ind doesn¡¯t like you.¡±


    Kristopher, meanwhile, showed little interest in the caviar.


    Yet, the gift was from Ellie, making Kristopher grip it even more tightly without realizing it.


    He wished Ellie had delivered it herself.


    The moment Garfield left, the warmth in Kristopher seemed to vanish. It was as if a de had been ced over Darrell¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Garfield¡¯s close to Ellie. You¡¯re worried she¡¯ll find out you went after me,¡± Darrell chuckled, thinking he had leverage over Kristopher.


    ¡°Would you even dare to tell her?¡± Kristopher responded with a sneer. In an instant, Kristopher¡¯s subordinates had silently gathered around.


    Darrell¡¯s smirk froze on his face.


    ¡°You¡­ you have feelings for Ellie?¡± Darrell couldn¡¯t believe it and said, ¡°But Kristopher, Ellie¡¯s married!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, just worry about keeping yourself alive and staying quiet.¡±


    The air was heavy with the scent of the sea, and the breeze caused Kaiden¡¯s clothing to flutter.


    He was on the dock¡¯s edge, watched closely by a handful of security personnel.


    Merely five minutes earlier, these guards had been instructed by their boss to grant Kaiden ess to the ind.


    Once on the ind, Kaiden stood still, his gaze casually fixed on the Dreamboat sign etched in gold in the distance.


    ¡°Sir, you can go and find the person you are looking for,¡± one of the guards reminded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait here for my wife toe for me.¡±


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    Shortly after Kaiden¡¯s words, a figure in white appeared, moving gracefully like a butterfly in the breeze.


    ¡°There she is, my wife.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, why are you here?¡± Ellie inquired.


    The sea breeze prompted her to unconsciously squint her eyes, but the surprise in her beautiful gaze couldn¡¯t be concealed.


    Kaiden suddenly felt that the fatigue from working all night was all worth it.


    He smiled. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who extended the invitation?¡± He helped her tuck her unruly hair behind her ear, turned to the side, and thoughtfully shielded her from the wind.


    ¡°When did I¡­¡±


    Ellie¡¯s words trailed off as she suddenly recalled the phone call fromst night and the conversation she had with him.


    He had clearly exploited the ambiguity in her words!


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 Chapter 636

    ?Chapter 636:


    Kaiden, captivated by her rosy lips, gently cradled her face in his hands and leaned in for a kiss suddenly.


    The surrounding guards discreetly averted their gazes, following Garfield¡¯s explicit instruction that thisdy was of paramount importance and warranted the utmost respect.


    The public disy of affection left Ellie feeling somewhat self-conscious.


    However, after so many instances, she had grown ustomed to Kaiden¡¯s unreserved nature.


    ¡°How long do you intend to stay?¡± Ellie moved forward with Kaiden.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say yet.¡±


    Kaiden secured Ellie¡¯s wrist, allowing his hand to slide down to hold hers.


    Recognizing her aversion to the difort of their intertwined fingers pressing against each other, he opted to always cradle her hand, as if cradling an adorable child.


    ¡°Baylee and I are staying here.¡± Ellie guided Kaiden to an exquisite vi, gesturing toward the sea cliff beside it. ¡°You can experience the beauty of the sunrise here at five in the morning.¡±


    Kaiden had already observed that the design in this area was more considerate than in other residential zones. The area even cultivated various species of flowers that required meticulous care.


    Very much like the woman he was currently holding in his arms.


    This ce felt like a delicate gift from the ind to its owner.


    ¡°Have you ever seen the sunrise here?¡± Kaiden asked Ellie, his lips curved in a teasing smile.


    Ellie promptly realized he was yfully referencing her tendency to sleep in. There was no way she had risen at five-thirty.


    Ellie huffed and averted her head from him.


    1@?€$? ¡é#4??€?$ 1? g??novels.c?m


    Finding even the back of her head endearing, Kaiden leaned down to ce a kiss on the top of it.


    ¡°ng!¡±


    Baylee stood at the doorway, holding a ss of wine and sporting an awkward smile after identally kicking a porch ornament.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯ll step out for a bit!¡± Baylee swiftly excused herself, not wanting to be a third wheel.


    Kaiden appreciated Baylee¡¯s considerate move.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t concerned about Baylee going out alone, as Garfield and the ind¡¯s staff would take care of her.


    Taking Kaiden to her room, Ellie noticed his empty hands and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you bring any clothes to change into?¡±


    Kaiden remained silent, indicating that he hadn¡¯t.


    Aware of his tendency to shower upon entering a new space, Ellie allowed him to use the bathroom and called Garfield to arrange the delivery of men¡¯s clothing.


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 Chapter 637

    ?Chapter 637:


    After a while, Ellie knocked on the door, holding a set of men¡¯s clothes. ¡°Kaiden, here are your clothes.¡±


    The bathroom door opened.


    Instead of taking the clothes, Kaiden reached out and pulled her in.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    Startled, Ellie found herself surrounded by steam, taking a moment for her eyes to adjust and see him clearly.


    Kaiden stood bare.


    He possessed a perfectly sculpted inverted triangle physique, with glistening muscles decorated by droplets of water, and wet hair adding a touch of untamed elegance.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze briefly flickered to his crotch before she quickly looked away.


    ¡°Join me for a shower?¡± Kaiden inquired.


    He then took the clothes from Ellie¡¯s hand and ced them on a dry rack. The bathroom was spacious, nearly twenty square meters, with a sunken bathtub in the center that could amodate two or three people.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Ellie¡¯s eyes were filled with caution.


    Apanying him for a shower? It couldn¡¯t be just a simple bath.


    Leaning against the marble washstand, Kaiden remarked, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I watched your program this morning.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not happy.¡±


    Ellie felt puzzled. His discontent seemed too ordinary!


    But knowing his character, she yed along. ¡°Why are you unhappy?¡± Kaiden sulked, expecting Ellie to grasp the reason without him explicitly stating it.


    Ellie remarked in a low voice, ¡°Carole is targeting me, so I should be the one who is upset, okay? But I don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Kaiden chuckled.


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    ¡°What are youughing at?¡± Ellie asked, puzzled.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Kaiden embraced Ellie and kissed her while saying, ¡°Let mefort you, baby.¡±


    Ellie couldn¡¯t fathom how they ended up in bed.


    Kaiden¡¯s words turned out to be nothing but a ruse. What was promised asfort was empty words!


    Driven by some unknownpulsion, Carole kept an eye on the activities in the small vi to the east.


    Standing on the rooftop, she observed from afar as Garfield led two servants pushing two rows of clothing into Ellie¡¯s vi. Her pupils shrank sharply.


    Those¡­ were all men¡¯s clothes!


    Carole¡¯s heartbeat unconsciously sped up as she intended to take a closer look. However, she noticed Baylee sunbathing in the small yard outside the vi.


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 Chapter 638

    ?Chapter 638:


    Baylee wasn¡¯t with Ellie?


    Considering Garfield had just delivered men¡¯s clothes into the vi, a thought crossed Carole¡¯s mind.


    Was Ellie hiding a man there?


    Carole¡¯s eyes sparked with curiosity, prompting her to immediately call Kaiden.


    Meanwhile, an intimate atmosphere prevailed in the bedroom.


    ¡°Your phone is ringing.¡± Ellie pushed against Kaiden¡¯s chest, sensing his firm muscles and a thinyer of sweat.


    Kaiden paid no attention to his phone.


    He was determined to not let anything disrupt the mood.


    He was subtly punishing her for her distraction.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Ellie protested.


    ¡°Baby, why are you so delicate?¡± His voice, low and husky, resonated with lethal sensuality.


    The call concluded without receiving an answer.


    After a few seconds, the caller persisted.


    ¡°Answer¡­ Answer the phone! It might be an emergency regarding work!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice, somewhat breathless, suggested urgency.


    Irritated, Kaiden picked up the phone, briefly pausing when he saw the screen.


    Both were close enough for Ellie to clearly see the caller ID.


    It was Carole!


    Ellie instinctively felt disgusted.


    Kaiden, about to toss the phone back onto the nightstand, was halted by Ellie.


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    ¡°Answer it!¡± she insisted, tilting her chin up. ¡°I want to hear.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Kaiden reminded her of what they were currently engaged in.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± Ellie affirmed.


    She was absolutely certain.


    Ellie wanted to hear what Carole had to say to Kaiden!


    Kaiden pressed the answer button, ready to listen to whatever Carole had to say.


    Ellie was so close to him that she could hear the voice from the device.


    ¡°Kaiden?¡± A soft voice echoed amidst the silence.


    Since Kaiden didn¡¯t say anything, Carole hesitated and called out his name again.


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Kaiden propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze fixed on the woman in his arms.


    Ellie wasn¡¯t a very open person. Yet, surprisingly, this time, she was willing to let him answer the call, and at such a strange moment.


    Her behavior only meant that she was up to no good.


    ¡°Were you busy just now? You didn¡¯t answer my call,¡± Carole asked in her soft tone.


    .


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 Chapter 639

    ?Chapter 639:


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s tone was harsh and tinged with impatience.


    Ellie thought to herself, Of course he was busy!


    Carole immediately responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kaiden. I didn¡¯t know you were busy! I¡¯ll say this quickly. I¡¯m actually joining the same program as your wife, and I just saw¡­ I just saw a man entering the house where your wife is staying, and he hasn¡¯te out yet. Someone even delivered some men¡¯s clothes there. So, I just¡­ I just¡­¡±


    Carole¡¯s tone was frantic with worry, as if she had caught someone red-handed and didn¡¯t know what to do. She continued, ¡°I thought you should know about this, so¡­¡±


    In Kaiden¡¯s arms, Ellie listened silently. She thought, So, Carole came to tattle on me?


    A sh of scorn crossed Ellie¡¯s eyes. Then, suddenly, her mind was filled with a wicked n.


    Kaiden was about to hang up the call after hearing Carole¡¯s nonsense, but the next second, Ellie¡¯s slender arms wrapped around his neck tightly, not giving him a chance to end the call.


    Then, her sweet voice came through. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you haven¡¯t finished talking yet?¡±


    Kaiden was speechless. He looked at the face of the woman who was clinging to him like an octopus.


    Indeed, Kaiden waspletely bewildered.


    The tone and voice Ellie was using didn¡¯t sound like her usual self at all.


    While Kaiden was still in a daze, Ellie stuck out her tongue and swept it across his Adam¡¯s apple very slowly. Her action was so sudden and provoking that Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but let out a gasp, his eyes darkening with lust.


    Ellie forced herself to sound coquettish and continued, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, are you on the phone with another beauty? Could it be that I am not satisfying you?¡±


    Her flirtatious words had a great impact on Carole, who heard everything from the other end.


    Explore magic at g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s,


    ¡°Kai¡­ Kaiden, you¡­ you¡­¡± Carole was truly flustered now, stuttering and unable to utter aplete sentence.


    She doubted her own ears.


    Yet, the woman¡¯s voice on the other end of the phone was clear. Despite sounding so sweet, those shameless words echoed in Carole¡¯s mind again and again, reminding her that there was a woman with Kaiden!


    And it was not just any woman, but one with a special rtionship!


    She recalled that Kaiden¡¯s breathing seemed to be unstable¡­


    What was he doing?


    No wonder Kaiden had no time to bother with the fact that Ellie might be having an affair with another man.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging up.¡± Kaiden immediately ended the call.


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 Chapter 640

    ?Chapter 640:


    It took a while for Carole to recover from her shock after the call ended. Kaiden was with another woman behind Ellie¡¯s back¡­


    The initial feeling of surprise quickly faded and was reced by excitement. The fact that Ellie was not Kaiden¡¯s only woman made her eyes shine with anticipation.


    ¡°Why did you say those words?¡± Kaiden tossed the phone aside, questioning Ellie¡¯s strange behavior earlier.


    He didn¡¯t understand her actions but went along with them.


    Ellie blinked her eyes innocently. ¡°Just ying.¡±


    ¡°Just ying?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple moved up and down, as if he was trying his best to swallow back all his lust down his throat. However, the tingling sensation still lingered around the area where her tongue had touched, and his expression became dangerous.


    His whole demeanor was that of a predator who had been watching his prey and was ready to pounce on it.


    Completely unaware of his lustful eyes, Ellie recounted the whole event with resentment, ¡°Miss Lambert was tattling on me, telling that I am having a secret lover!¡±


    Ellie, with her chin tilted upward and her cheeks flushed from their intimate activities, looked particrly delicate and charming.


    ¡°A secret lover? Isn¡¯t that me?¡± Kaiden teased.


    He did catch the insinuation in Carole¡¯s words.


    Ellie hummed in displeasure. ¡°All she knows is to tattle to you.¡± In fact, it wasn¡¯t just tattling. Carole was ndering her!


    While Ellie was still angry, with her lips pouted, Kaiden kissed her cheek. ¡°Didn¡¯t you already y a prank on her? Why are you still upset?¡±


    Ellie opened her mouth to speak, then stopped mid-way, ultimately letting it go.


    Your next tale lives on g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s,


    She couldn¡¯t really me Kaiden. Carole¡¯s antics weren¡¯t his fault, and she had to admit that he had reacted pretty well just now.


    Kaiden¡¯s kiss moved from her cheeks to her lips, then to her neck, and the kiss went on and on.


    In between the kisses, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. I am all yours, baby.¡± The room was then filled with even more intimate noises.


    For dinner, Garfield specially arranged additional dishes for Kaiden. Sitting at the table with Kaiden, Ellie felt that Baylee¡¯s nces toward her were somewhat strange.


    Why was it strange?


    After all, the two spent the entire afternoon in the room together, and adults would definitely know what they were up to.


    ¡°When does your man n to leave?¡±


    While Kaiden was on a call, talking with Bruce to handle business, Baylee moved closer to Ellie and quietly asked her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Ellie shrugged and made a guess, saying, ¡°If nothing urgentes up, he might leave with us on the same day.¡±


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 Chapter 641

    ?Chapter 641:


    She wasn¡¯t actually just guessing. Kaiden had a history of skipping work.


    Looking at Ellie¡¯s nonchnt expression, Baylee couldn¡¯t help but voice her concern. ¡°If Marvin tries toe to the ind with the help of Kaiden, you must stop him for me.¡±


    Ellie thought Baylee was being overly cautious about Marvin. That very night, Kaiden mentioned Marvin, saying that he mighte.


    Ellie shook her head without hesitation. ¡°Baylee specifically asked me not to let hime.¡±


    Kaiden wrapped his arms around Ellie,pletely engulfing her in his embrace. He said, ¡°Alright. It¡¯s up to you. After all, you are the ind owner.¡±


    He merely mentioned it in passing. Now that Ellie disagreed, Marvin would have to figure out a way on his own.


    Ellie suddenly looked up. With a shocked tone, she asked, ¡°How did you also know?¡±


    How did they guess she was the ind¡¯s owner?


    Was it that obvious?


    Where did she slip up when it came to concealing it?


    Meanwhile, Kaiden caught the word ¡°also¡± from her inquiry. Who else had guessed it other than him?


    It was certainly not Baylee, so it must be someone from the program team.


    Kaiden quickly went through the list of participants in his mind, and he finally figured out that it must be Kristopher.


    His gaze darkened upon realizing that.


    ¡°Judging by the attitude of Garfield and the dock guards towards you, I assume that you are the owner of the ind,¡± Kaiden answered.


    But it wasn¡¯t just that.


    Feel the magic on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s


    The ce where Ellie was staying was the most special on the ind, and the d¨¦cor of the vi closely matched her tastes. The wardrobe in this bedroom was filled with thetest women¡¯s fashion, all in sizes that fit Ellie perfectly.


    All these details unequivocally proved that Ellie was the owner of this ind.


    Ellie¡¯s eyes curved into a smile, and she said with her sweet voice, ¡°Then, wee Mr. Thorpe to my ind for a vacation!¡±


    Kaiden chuckled, feeling utterly content inside.


    How could his wife be so outstanding? She even owned an ind.


    And it was such a lush, luxurious one.


    The next day, the sunlight was quite dazzling, and the morning breeze across the sea was exceptionally refreshing.


    Ellie chose a blue floral dress with thin straps that revealed her delicate corbones and rounded shoulders. Her long hair was done up in a loose braid, making her look elegant and leisurely. The whole style was perfect for a beach setting.


    Looking at herself in the mirror, her eyes suddenly squinted at certain spots.


    .


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 Chapter 642

    ?Chapter 642:


    There were two very noticeable hickeys on her corbone and the back of her neck!


    She hadn¡¯t turned her head to check before and hadn¡¯t noticed them.


    ¡°Kaiden!¡± Ellie red at the man who was leisurely sitting on the bed while watching her get dressed. She scolded, ¡°I told you not to leave marks on me yesterday!¡±


    Kaiden looked repentant. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll be more careful tonight.¡±


    Ellie was caught off guard. He even had a n for tonight!


    Ellie¡¯s face clearly showed her disbelief at Kaiden¡¯s words.


    ¡°Sometimes, I just can¡¯t control myself. You should know that by now,¡± Kaiden said shamelessly.


    Ellie was at a loss for words.


    How brazen he was!


    Ellie had no choice but to put a white chiffon shawl over her dress to cover any exposed skin.


    Kaiden nodded in satisfaction when he saw this.


    Certain things were meant for his eyes only.


    He would never allow them to be exposed, especially when someone with unclear intentions like Kristopher was around.


    ¡°The show wille to an end in the evening. You can take the time to explore the area, and if you need an office space where you can work, just ask Garfield,¡± Ellie said to Kaiden just as she was about to leave.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kaiden replied with a nod.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t help but feel that he was unusually agreeable today. She found it a bit strange, but she didn¡¯t think too much about it.


    Today¡¯s broadcast was scheduled for the afternoon, but Ellie and Baylee arrived early. They sat down on the beach chairs and chatted leisurely.


    Stay connected g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s


    All of a sudden, a shadow loomed over Ellie, blocking the sunlight from reaching her. It was Carole.


    ¡°Ellie, I called Kaiden yesterday,¡± Carole said to Ellie as she looked down at her.


    But Ellie couldn¡¯t care less.


    Of course, she knew that Carole had called Kaiden.


    Not only did she know, but she also listened to the conversation!


    Trying to drive a wedge between Ellie and Kaiden, Carole went on, ¡°From what I heard, it seems Kaiden was with a woman. I even overheard some intimate sounds. I shouldn¡¯t be¡­¡±


    ¡­telling you this, but I just feel that you have the right to know. I swear to you on my reputation that it¡¯s nothing but the truth.¡±


    At this point, Baylee, unable to hold back any longer, suddenly burst intoughter.


    Carole was taken aback by Baylee¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°Sorry, Miss Lambert,¡± Baylee quickly apologized, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to mock you. But I can¡¯t help but think¡­ isn¡¯t this too much of a coincidence?¡±


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 Chapter 643

    ?Chapter 643:


    But before Carole could even respond, Ellie threw her a question.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t tell me because you care about me. Rather, it¡¯s because you want me to think that Kaiden doesn¡¯t love me and that my position as Mrs. Thorpe isn¡¯t secure. Your aim is for me to be heartbroken, right?¡±


    Carole broke into a smile but said nothing in response.


    Truly, her intention had been to make Ellie feel heartbroken.


    By now, the time for the live broadcast was fast approaching, so the staff began to urge all the guests to get ready.


    Ellie gave Carole a meaningful smile before getting up and heading to the broadcast spot.


    Carole frowned in confusion.


    Why did Ellie¡¯s smile feel like¡­ it was meant to mock her?


    She had just told her that Kaiden was with another woman and yet Ellie was still so unperturbed. Why?


    Or were Ellie and Kaiden in an open marriage, each having their own fling?


    Perhaps because of the tension during the previous day¡¯s broadcast, the production team made things a lot different today. This time, they didn¡¯t have the guests focus on the same task. Instead, they gave each guest a different task.


    Garfield had maximized this opportunity to coborate with the team. Not only did he provide the best service for Ellie, but he also had the team introduce the ind¡¯s charms to the general public. Hence, the team picked different scenic spots across the ind as locations for the tasks.


    Ellie¡¯s tasks were mostly standard and involved fashion styles that concerned color coordination and body proportions.


    The final segment was at a square on the west side of the ind.


    Get the newest chapters g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv??ls


    The square¡¯s centerpiece was an eighteen-meter diameter ancient Roman clock face, embedded in the ground and surrounded by red roses. It featured a Baroque-style theme, depicting freedom and romance.


    To enhance the atmosphere, the sunset cast golden hues across the square, making the entire scene look breathtakingly dreamlike.


    Around the clock face, each hour mark was represented by a masked NPC dressed in distinct styles.


    Ellie¡¯s task was to critique the outfit of each NPC, identifying any inuracies in historical context or aesthetic mismatches. She was also to articte the intended style and the emotion it was meant to invoke. Apetent stylist had to have excellent aesthetic skills and ensure that the style aligned with the era while properly conveying the intended emotion.


    Understanding all these details required extensive knowledge, but it was a piece of cake for Ellie.


    She began her critique with the NPC closest to her, suggesting how simr styles could be matched in reality, and also exining the effects of different colorbinations. The live audience was stunned.


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 Chapter 644

    ?Chapter 644:


    ¡°Wow. She is actually trying to teach us?¡±


    ¡°My mind seems to have an understanding of colorbinations. But when ites to practice, I am lost on how to match colors for my daily wear.¡±


    ¡°Before Ellie pointed out all the ws, I thought this outfit was perfect! It was only when I listened to her that I saw how imperfect it was. I¡¯m so ignorant about these things!¡±


    ¡°Wow! Look at this NPC. He¡¯s so handsome!¡±


    As Ellie approached thest NPC, her pace began to slow down.


    The individual before her wore a silver mask that covered most of his face except for his eyes.


    The exposed eyes looked deep and cold, seemingly void of any emotion. He was a big man dressed in a slightly retro suit. His perfect physique and innate noble demeanor made him stand out among all the NPCs. Ellie was taken aback by surprise when she looked at his masked face.


    It hadn¡¯t taken her long to figure out who he was.


    But the question on her mind was, how could Kaiden be here?


    And he was even participating as an NPC in the program!


    Despite the fact that most of his face was covered, Ellie recognized him at a single nce.


    But as she opened her mouth to speak, she suddenly remembered that they were on a live program.


    ¡°Why has she stopped talking all of a sudden? And why¡¯s she staring at thatst NPC?¡±


    ¡°Wow. Where did this NPCe from? He¡¯s so handsome!¡±


    ¡°That NPC has been looking at Ellie all along. Maybe they know each other.¡±


    ¡°Miss Gordon, please continue. Is there a problem?¡± a staff member asked in a whisper as she sidled up to Ellie.


    Discover fresh updates g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í?ls


    This knocked Ellie back to reality, and she quickly returned her attention to the task at hand.


    But looking at Kaiden¡¯s outfit, something suddenly urred to her.


    ¡°I forgot to mention the simplest and most direct point despite all the information I¡¯ve shared this afternoon,¡± she began. ¡°When a character possesses exceptional characteristics like this NPC does, even a simple T-shirt would look good on him or her.¡±


    The filming crew couldn¡¯t help but chuckle when they heard this.


    Ellie had spoken nothing but the truth.


    With his figure and aura, Kaiden could make a cheap, simple outfit look just as good on him as an expensive one.


    ttered by her statement, Kaiden broke into a smile, and it showed clearly in his eyes.


    ¡°May I have the honor of asking you for a dance then?¡± he asked in a polite and gentlemanly tone.


    Ellie was shocked by his boldness.


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 Chapter 645

    ?Chapter 645:


    But just then, music began ying from a vintage record yer, and all the other NPCs surprisingly paired up in five teams and started waltzing to the music.


    It was at this point that it urred to Ellie that the NPCs, instead of numbering up to twelve to signify the twelve hours on the clock face, were actually only eleven.


    Apparently, she was meant to be the twelfth!


    Kaiden had nned this all along!


    With Tchaikovsky¡¯s ¡°Waltz of the Flowers¡± ying in the background, Ellie stepped onto the giant stones of the engraved clock face. The setting sun and tranquil horizon provided a wonderful backdrop, making the moment feel as though time hade to a halt. Ellie couldn¡¯t find the words to describe how she felt. Her heart was brimming with emotions, threatening to spill over at any moment.


    Ellie gently ced her hand in Kaiden¡¯s, her eyes lighting up with a smile.


    ¡°Do you know how to dance?¡± she asked, recalling his years of pretending to be disabled.


    Kaiden wrapped his right arm around Ellie¡¯s waist confidently. ¡°We¡¯re about to find out.¡±


    Ellie, who had been taught the waltz from a young age as part of her upbringing in high society, noticed that Kaiden¡¯s steps were a bit awkward, probably due to a quick lesson he¡¯d taken.


    However, his confidence and charm made even his clumsy steps look graceful.


    Kaiden whispered, ensuring only Ellie could hear him, away from the microphone and the live audience.


    The audience, however, was quick to jump to conclusions.


    ¡°Is it just me, or does this dashing NPC have a connection with Ellie?¡±


    ¡°Look at the way he gazes at her! Ahhh! My heart can¡¯t handle it!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just a character in the game. Remember, Ellie is a married woman.¡±


    Find your next adventure at g¦Á ?¦Ç ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s


    ¡°When I see Ellie dancing with another man, I think it shows that she¡¯s not faithful.¡±


    ¡°Are you insane? Stop with the sexistments.¡±


    ¡°Still, they do make a stunning pair on the screen.¡±


    ¡°Ellie is stunning when she dances with this NPC!¡±


    ¡°I just hope her husband isn¡¯t watching this¡­¡±


    The broadcast segment featuring Ellie ended with the waltz.


    After the camera was turned off, Kaiden took off his mask and gently kissed her, starting at the corner of her mouth, then her lower lip, clearly wanting more.


    Looking deeply into Ellie¡¯s eyes, he said, ¡°I hope you enjoyed that, Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    He was referring to the borate surprise he had nned for her. Ellie, with cheeks tinged pink, gently pushed him away, hinting that they were not alone.


    Even though the live broadcast had ended, there were still people around.


    The crew and the NPC were left speechless.


    Indeed, the two of them were not alone!


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 Chapter 646

    ?Chapter 646:


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Kaiden made his way over to thank the filming team.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, you¡¯re too kind!¡±


    Ellie, a bit puzzled, asked, ¡°How did you manage to set this up with the crew?¡±


    ¡°I organized it this morning while you were still asleep.¡±


    ¡°And here I was, clueless, even when I stepped out at noon. You really had me fooled!¡±


    The team had managed to keep the surprise a secret, and Ellie hadn¡¯t suspected a thing.


    Not only the crew, but Garfield must have been in on it too.


    And Garfield didn¡¯t tell her!


    Kaiden gently patted her head, saying, ¡°Baylee thought it should be a surprise.¡±


    Ellie was taken aback.


    For crying out loud! Even Baylee knew?


    They were thest to return to the broadcast center, as they were quite far from it.


    Carole stood up in shock upon seeing Ellie and a man walking hand in hand from a distance.


    Why was Kaiden here, and when had he arrived?


    Her astonishment was fleeting.


    She quickly noticed Kaiden holding Ellie¡¯s hand.


    Kristopher frowned disapprovingly but swiftly concealed his emotions, although his eyes remained icy.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Thorpe! We¡¯re honored to have you here.¡± The director and producer greeted him eagerly.


    They had only spoken over the phone earlier that day and were now meeting him for the first time.


    ¡°I appreciate how well you¡¯ve looked after my wife,¡± Kaiden said, shaking hands with them.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where magic happens


    His words were a clear sign of support for Ellie.


    Carole¡¯s grip tightened, her nails digging into her skin.


    She wondered if Kaiden was indifferent to the concerns she had shared with him.


    ¡°Kaiden,¡± Carole said, approaching with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes.


    Kaiden acknowledged her with a nod but offered no additional attention or words. Carole¡¯s smile froze.


    Kaiden looked around the room, his eyes finally settling on Kristopher. With Kaiden¡¯s arrival, nearly everyone stood, except for Kristopher.


    Kristopher remained seated, coolly meeting Kaiden¡¯s gaze, his expression betraying no emotion as he held his own in terms of presence.


    Darrell let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    He had spoken ill of Kaiden in private, mocking him for marrying the woman Erick had abandoned. Yet, the truth was, Darrell was intimidated by Kaiden. Luckily, he went unnoticed.


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 Chapter 647

    ?Chapter 647:


    The dinner, thanks to Kaiden, was significantly more luxurious.


    The room filled with enthusiastic apuse.


    Around the corner, Carole overheard some staff members whispering to each other.


    ¡°It feels like Mr. Thorpe arranged a small wedding feast on our show!¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! The dance he did with Ellie earlier was like something out of a fairy tale!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe looks so good next to Ellie. It¡¯s such a shame only we get to see this, haha!¡±


    Carole finished her wine in one go, but the drink did little to soothe her growing annoyance.


    ¡°Miss Lambert!¡± a staff member called out, trying to spread some cheer, ¡°Don¡¯t you think Miss Gordon and Mr. Thorpe make a great couple?¡±


    ¡°A great couple? That¡¯s absurd,¡± Carole answered sharply. ¡°Ellie is merely someone who found her way into the Thorpe family by taking over another¡¯s engagement.¡±


    The enthusiastic group fell silent, their gazes fixed on Carole, the atmosphere turning awkward.


    Carole, realizing she had said too much, still chose not to backtrack.


    She offered a polite smile and excused herself.


    ¡°What did Miss Lambert mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? You shouldn¡¯t have asked her. She and Ellie aren¡¯t on good terms, so she¡¯s hardly going to praise Ellie¡¯s marriage.¡±


    Meanwhile, the not-so-popr variety show Workce Diary once again gained widespread attention!


    At first, the conversation focused on the ind¡¯s stunning features and facilities.


    ¡°The wine cer showcased after Mr. Vargas¡¯s part was incredible! A dreame true for wine lovers!¡±


    ¡°The views of the coast in Kristopher¡¯s segment were breathtaking!¡±


    Unforgettable stories on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s??o??


    ¡°Kristopher looks remarkably dashing, even in a wheelchair! Why does he get so little screen time? It¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°Baylee¡¯s antique appraisal was absolutely charming, just like when she¡¯s protecting Ellie!¡±


    ¡°Carole¡¯s collection of corals and shells is simply beautiful!¡±


    ¡°You know what? I dream of a vacation!¡±


    But everything took a dramatic turn when Ellie made her appearance at the clock square, propelling the ¡°Ellie¡¯s Mysterious NPC¡± topic to the top of the trending searches.


    ¡°Is this NPC really not a celebrity? Those eyes could captivate me for a whole month!¡±


    ¡°Oh my! This scene is the peak of romantic gestures. Isn¡¯t this a wedding scene? The setting sun, the beach, a passionate kiss¡ªeverything¡¯s perfectly timed! Plus, they even have five pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen!¡±


    ¡°I know Ellie¡¯s married, but allow me just a moment to fantasize about these two!¡±


    ¡°Everyone, go back and watch that scene again! Notice the ring on the handsome NPC¡¯s left ring finger? It¡¯s there, and it¡¯s an exact match for Ellie¡¯s wedding ring!¡±


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 Chapter 648

    ?Chapter 648:


    ¡°Come on! It¡¯s just a men¡¯s tinum ring. How did you figure out it¡¯s an exact match for Ellie¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Being in eight rtionships has taught me that there¡¯s something going on between Ellie and that good-looking NPC! Maybe he¡¯s Ellie¡¯s husband!¡±


    ¡°Or maybe an ex-boyfriend? Does anyone else remember what Darrell mentioned besides me?¡±


    At that moment, Ellie found herself awkwardly caught between Kaiden and Kristopher, bing the center of attention.


    ¡°Thanks, Mr. Wright, for taking care of my wife,¡± Kaiden said, wrapping his arm around Ellie¡¯s waist, subtly marking his territory.


    Kristopher shot Ellie a look and said, ¡°Whatever I do for her is none of your business.¡±


    Hisment made it clear that he was there for Ellie, not because she was Mrs. Thorpe.


    Kaiden¡¯s expression grew colder with each passing second.


    Ellie sensed the rising tension, nced at Kristopher, then at Kaiden, and gently tugged on Kaiden¡¯s sleeve.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, please excuse us.¡± Kaiden wanted to leave with Ellie, eager to keep her away from Kristopher.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, you should get some rest early.¡± Noticing his pale face, Ellie made sure to advise him.


    Kristopher offered a faint smile, but his eyes remained cold.


    ¡°Get some rest early¡­¡± Was her advice out of pity for his frail health?


    Kristopher ced a hand over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm.


    Yet, its frailty was a bitter truth.


    At times, Kristopher resented not having a stronger body.


    Don¡¯t miss it: g?l§Úov???.c§àm


    But if he had a robust physique, maybe Ellie wouldn¡¯t be the same Ellie. Would she?


    A few stepster, Ellie quietly asked Kaiden, ¡°Do you have a problem with Kristopher?¡±


    She remembered Kaiden advising her to keep her distance from Kristopher, and just moments ago, there seemed to be an almost-sh between the two.


    ¡°I just can¡¯t deal with him.¡±


    Ellie found herself at a loss for words. It seemed there were quite a few people Kaiden couldn¡¯t deal with.


    Seeing Kaiden¡¯s reluctance to divulge the truth, Ellie decided not to press further.


    As the evening wore on, directors, producers, and various executives approached Kaiden to toast him. Word had spread that Kaiden had unexpectedly visited the ind, sparking the curiosity of the show¡¯s behind-the-scenes investors.


    However, they were denied ess to the ind since they hadn¡¯t made an appointment, and the ind¡¯s owner wasn¡¯t amodating. Now that she was Mrs. Thorpe, Ellie knew she¡¯d be expected to mingle if those individuals showed up.


    Although Ellie was skilled atworking, she found little enjoyment in it.


    Baylee approached Ellie while she was trying to find a quiet moment away from the crowd, not too far from Kaiden.


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 Chapter 649

    ?Chapter 649:


    ¡°You know, people online are guessing that the guy you danced with today is Erick,¡± Baylee pointed out.


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie was taken aback.


    ¡°Remember how Darrell brought up your gossip earlier? There¡¯s chatter online iming that NPC might be your ex-boyfriend.¡± Ellie almost choked on her drink in disbelief. ¡°Erick is just under six feet tall. How could anyone confuse Kaiden with Erick?¡± she questioned, immediately leaping to her husband¡¯s defense.


    Baylee couldn¡¯t help butugh at her friend¡¯s protective stance.


    Ellie quickly grabbed her phone to see what people were saying online. The onlinemunity was divided, with some suggesting the mysterious man was merely a staff member, while others spected he was Ellie¡¯s ex-boyfriend.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t anyone guessing he¡¯s my husband?¡± Ellie was puzzled.


    ¡°Given the grandeur of your mansion shown on the first day¡¯s live broadcast, it¡¯s clear your husband isn¡¯t just anyone. Do you really think someone of his stature would show up to an event like this?¡± Baylee reasoned.


    Ellie was speechless. Kaiden had really skipped work to be here! She let out a sigh and said, ¡°I decided to be on this show because it wasn¡¯t well-known.¡±


    Who would have guessed that her decision to join would lead to her constantly bing a hot topic, always making it to the trending searches?


    It was ridiculous!


    ¡°Someizens and promotional ounts are starting to snoop around your ex-boyfriend¡¯s background. They¡¯ll likely stumble upon Erick soon,¡± Baylee updated, leaving the next move up to Ellie.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll issue a statement tonight.¡±


    Ellie really didn¡¯t like her personal life being in the spotlight, but given the current situation, staying silent would only give those with hidden agendas more freedom to twist things.


    Every journey starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????


    Then, Baylee tapped Ellie¡¯s shoulder and gestured towards something.


    ¡°Look over there.¡±


    A short distance away, Carole was walking up to Kaiden.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯re here, and we haven¡¯t really had the chance to talk yet,¡± Carole smiled.


    With Kaiden not responding, Carole stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kaiden, I won¡¯t tell anything to Ellie.¡±


    This close interaction caused a few bystanders to nce at each other, feeling that something was amiss. Considering that Carole and Kaiden shared a good rtionship, why was it that she didn¡¯t seem to get along with Kaiden¡¯s wife, Ellie?


    Kaiden gave Carole a quick nce and said to the people around him, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Then, turning to Carole, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s step outside.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    Kaiden led the way, heading away from where Ellie was, while Carole shot Ellie a triumphant grin. Her look was clearly meant to taunt. Ellie just squinted in response.


    .


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    .

 Chapter 650

    Chapter 650:


    The ind evening was cool and refreshing. Outside, the noise from the hall was muffled, leaving the sound of the night breeze through the palm trees and the waves hitting the shore in the distance.


    The moon shone brightly that night, illuminating the swimming pool nearby with shimmering light.


    The scene¡¯s beauty made Carole feel unexpectedly anxious.


    ¡°Kaiden, why did you want to talk out here?¡±


    ¡°You mentioned something about Ellie and a guy spending a lot of time together in the vi.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Yes, I can see Ellie¡¯s vi from mine. It was odd seeing Miss Curtis staying outside that day. Then I noticed Garfield, the butler, taking some men¡¯s clothing inside.¡±


    Carole couldn¡¯t hide her eagerness. He was finally getting to the point!


    ¡°And about Garfield, he seems to treat Ellie quite differently. At first, I thought you owned the ind, and that¡¯s why he was so respectful toward Ellie. But when I asked around, that wasn¡¯t the case¡­ It turns out Ellie has a lot of connections.¡±


    After Carole stopped talking, she noticed Kaiden looking at her with an expression that seemed to carry a deeper meaning. ¡°Kaiden, is something the matter?¡±


    A wave of unease washed over her. She reyed her previous words in her mind, checking for any mistakes, and let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    ¡°The man you were talking about¡­¡± Kaiden began. ¡°That was me.¡±


    It felt like a bolt from the blue to Carole. She stared at Kaiden, disbelief etched on her face, her mouth open to speak but no words came out for quite a while. Kaiden went on, ¡°And I know the owner of the ind.¡±


    ¡°How can that be¡­¡± Carole was still hung up on what he had just revealed. ¡°You mean, it was you? Then the woman¡¯s voice I heardst night¡­¡±


    ¡°It was Ellie¡¯s.¡±


    L?t£åst ch?pt?rs in g??lnovels.??¦Ï??


    A look of shock crossed Carole¡¯s face. She had suggested to Ellie that Kaiden might be unfaithful. No wonder Ellie looked at her as if she were the butt of a joke¡­ Ellie had known all along!


    It had been Ellie and Kaiden from the start, and she was the only one left out of the loop!


    Ellie had done it deliberately!


    Having conveyed his message, Kaiden turned to search for Ellie. To his surprise, she was already nearby, casually leaning against a pir with her arms crossed, a smile ying on her lips.


    Carole, who had been observing Kaiden, reeled at the sight of Ellie. The shock made her stagger. Ellie¡­ Had Ellie overheard her?


    ¡°When did you get here?¡± Kaiden approached and took Ellie¡¯s hand.


    It was cold from the night air, so he gently warmed it with his thumb. Ellie cast a sardonic nce at Carole before entering the hall with Kaiden. ¡°I¡¯ve been here since you were. Just making sure you weren¡¯t flirting with anyone else,¡± she said candidly.


    .


    .


    .<hr>


    Message from Noa: New week with renewed hopes! Have a great week, dear readers. God loves you, and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


    .

 Chapter 651

    ?Chapter 651:


    Her words triggered memories of the previous day for Kaiden, bringing out augh. ¡°Are you content with what you saw?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely!¡±


    ¡°Any reward for me?¡±


    Ellie looked up and met his suggestive gaze.


    A yful thought struck her, and she smiled. ¡°Yes, of course! You¡¯ll get it when we get back to our room.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened, clearly misinterpreting her meaning.


    Ellie, aware of his thoughts, decided not to rify. She wanted to tease him!


    Since Ellie disliked social events and Kaiden was preupied with his anticipated ¡®reward,¡¯ they left the gathering early and headed back to their vi.


    Once in the bedroom, Kaiden¡¯s gaze became more intense, like a predator poised for the chase, eagerly awaiting the right moment. He sat down on the sofa, patiently awaiting the promised reward. Ellie, suppressing her giggles, fetched her phone and scrolled through Twitter.


    The online buzz about the mysterious man was growing, with some users even identifying her ex as a wealthy Thorpe scion.


    As Kaiden watched, Ellie pointed her phone¡¯s camera at him and began typing away.


    ¡°I¡¯ve given you your reward!¡± Ellie announced, beaming.


    Kaiden, momentarily speechless, realized he¡¯d been yed.


    ¡°Calm down!¡± Ellie quickly added. ¡°Check Twitter. I¡¯ve posted something.¡±


    Kaiden, somewhat mollified, opened Twitter and found Ellie¡¯s ount.


    Hertest post read, ¡°My husband paid me a visit.¡±


    Attached was a photo of a man¡¯s left hand and suit pants, adorned with a tinum ring¡ªunderstated yet striking.


    New updates in g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    The post stirred immediate reactions. One usermented, ¡°The ring! The ring matches the one the handsome man wore! Wow, he is her husband!¡±


    ¡°God damn! Her husband really showed up?¡±


    ¡°Am I the only one who noticed her husband¡¯s watch? That limited edition Rolex is stunning! Ah, the perks of being wealthy¡ªno need to work. So jealous!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the show crew bothered by this public disy of affection? Seriously!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, just a photo isn¡¯t enough! We need a picture of your husband¡¯s face! That¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll believe you! Humph!¡±


    ¡°Amidst the clock square, the sunset beach, and full-dressed waltzes¡ªyou should just get married already! Oh wait, you¡¯re already married. Well then, have a baby and share their pictures soon!¡±


    The spections linking Ellie¡¯s ex-boyfriend to the handsome man seen with her vanished after her post. Kaiden found himself engrossed in Ellie¡¯s tweet.


    Noticing his silence, Ellie yfully waved her hand before his eyes.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a reward?¡± she teased. ¡°Before my post, no one connected you to the handsome man. Aren¡¯t you pleased? I¡¯ve brightened your day, haven¡¯t I?¡±


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    .


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 Chapter 652

    ?Chapter 651:


    Her words triggered memories of the previous day for Kaiden, bringing out augh. ¡°Are you content with what you saw?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely!¡±


    ¡°Any reward for me?¡±


    Ellie looked up and met his suggestive gaze.


    A yful thought struck her, and she smiled. ¡°Yes, of course! You¡¯ll get it when we get back to our room.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression darkened, clearly misinterpreting her meaning.


    Ellie, aware of his thoughts, decided not to rify. She wanted to tease him!


    Since Ellie disliked social events and Kaiden was preupied with his anticipated ¡®reward,¡¯ they left the gathering early and headed back to their vi.


    Once in the bedroom, Kaiden¡¯s gaze became more intense, like a predator poised for the chase, eagerly awaiting the right moment. He sat down on the sofa, patiently awaiting the promised reward. Ellie, suppressing her giggles, fetched her phone and scrolled through Twitter.


    The online buzz about the mysterious man was growing, with some users even identifying her ex as a wealthy Thorpe scion.


    As Kaiden watched, Ellie pointed her phone¡¯s camera at him and began typing away.


    ¡°I¡¯ve given you your reward!¡± Ellie announced, beaming.


    Kaiden, momentarily speechless, realized he¡¯d been yed.


    ¡°Calm down!¡± Ellie quickly added. ¡°Check Twitter. I¡¯ve posted something.¡±


    Kaiden, somewhat mollified, opened Twitter and found Ellie¡¯s ount.


    Hertest post read, ¡°My husband paid me a visit.¡±


    Attached was a photo of a man¡¯s left hand and suit pants, adorned with a tinum ring¡ªunderstated yet striking.


    New updates in g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    The post stirred immediate reactions. One usermented, ¡°The ring! The ring matches the one the handsome man wore! Wow, he is her husband!¡±


    ¡°God damn! Her husband really showed up?¡±


    ¡°Am I the only one who noticed her husband¡¯s watch? That limited edition Rolex is stunning! Ah, the perks of being wealthy¡ªno need to work. So jealous!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the show crew bothered by this public disy of affection? Seriously!¡±


    ¡°Ellie, just a photo isn¡¯t enough! We need a picture of your husband¡¯s face! That¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll believe you! Humph!¡±


    ¡°Amidst the clock square, the sunset beach, and full-dressed waltzes¡ªyou should just get married already! Oh wait, you¡¯re already married. Well then, have a baby and share their pictures soon!¡±


    The spections linking Ellie¡¯s ex-boyfriend to the handsome man seen with her vanished after her post. Kaiden found himself engrossed in Ellie¡¯s tweet.


    Noticing his silence, Ellie yfully waved her hand before his eyes.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a reward?¡± she teased. ¡°Before my post, no one connected you to the handsome man. Aren¡¯t you pleased? I¡¯ve brightened your day, haven¡¯t I?¡±


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 Chapter 653

    ?Chapter 653:


    ¡°You mentioned the Hill family¡¯s chaos. I¡¯ve sorted it out. Why don¡¯t youe and see?¡±


    His casual tone belied theplexity of resolving family disputes, a fact not lost on Baylee.


    A pang of realization hit her.


    She had once used the Hill family¡¯s turmoil as an excuse to distance herself from Marvin. Yet, he had taken her offhand remark seriously, treating it as a genuine issue.


    Despite her resolve, Baylee couldn¡¯t ignore his effort.


    He had taken her casual excuse to heart,pelling her to at least acknowledge his gesture.


    Amidst Baylee¡¯s contemtion, she unintentionally blurted out an ¡°Okay.¡±


    Marvin, sensing her unease, tried to console her. ¡°Mr. Thorpe and Miss Gordon are on the guest list too.¡±


    The presence of her friend promised to bring a sense of familiarity andfort during the uing banquet.


    With that simple ¡°Okay,¡± Baylee blinked, her voice now infused with newfound confidence.


    The sudden appearance of an individual who showered her with gentleness and consideration left her entranced, especially after years of enduring misery.


    At the banquet, Carole, absorbed in her mobile phone, scrolled through a Twitter notification from Ellie.


    Numerousizens were engaged in a mission to deduce the identity of Ellie¡¯s husband, scrutinizing the features of a Rolex watch adorning his wrist. Shortly after, Ellie followed Kaiden, the CEO of GT Group.


    Kaiden, seldom active on Twitter, quickly followed her back, making her his only follow on the tform.


    Coincidentally, Ellie¡¯sst name was Gordon, a detail Kaiden had previously disclosed as his wife¡¯s surname.


    New updates uploaded to g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    The exchanges on social media sparked a lively debate within the program team.


    ¡°Could this be their unique way of professing love? There is no public interaction on Twitter, yet their love is unmistakable.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll unveil their marriage certificate phototer. Their romantic gestures are endearing.¡±


    ¡°It just dawned on me why people love delving into celebrities¡¯ love lives. Everyone¡¯s eager for a glimpse into their idol¡¯s romantic tale.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my goodness! Their names are trending at the top. The news of their love has be an inte sensation.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no surprise that Ellie has been avoiding Carole. Remember the rumors about Carole and Kaiden? How could Ellie not be upset with her?¡±


    ¡°Quiet! Lower your voice. We don¡¯t want Carole overhearing our conversation.¡±


    But Carole had already caught wind of their gossip.


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 Chapter 654

    ?Chapter 654:


    She found it irritating to be the subject of others¡¯ jokes, silently cursing them for bringing up her past.


    Ellie¡¯s public disy of affection for Kaiden only fueled Carole¡¯s jealousy.


    ¡°Carole, what¡¯s going on? Why the long face?¡± Darrell observed, seeing her sulking in a corner.


    ¡°Nothing major,¡± she replied, powering off her phone. ¡°Kaiden and Ellie¡¯s love got me reflecting. Erick has always had a soft spot for Ellie. I can¡¯t help but feel sorry for him.¡±


    Darrell¡¯s eyes expressed disdain. ¡°I share the same sentiment. Erick went to extremes to win her heart, attending sses at Critport University every day and acting as her devoted servant. Yet, Ellie readily threw herself into Kaiden¡¯s arms without a second thought.¡±


    His booming voice drew the attention of several colleagues, who became keenly interested in his words.


    Growling, Darrell added, ¡°Stop staring. I¡¯m speaking the truth. I have a photo of Ellie with her ex-boyfriend. Interested in seeing it?¡±


    They chuckled, waving their hands, specting that the photo might reveal something scandalous.


    They refrained from pushing the boundaries of Kaiden¡¯s patience, fearing potential retaliation.


    The conclusion of the live-streaming program featured an exhibition. Every contestant had to craft an artwork representing their profession using the materials provided.


    The staff members found themselves in a difficult position, needing to coordinate six contestants whose rtionships had turned sour.


    Thankfully, none of them intended to instigate a quarrel or fight during the program.


    A spectator called out, ¡°Isn¡¯t it ufortable to work silently with someone you consider a sworn enemy?¡±


    Latest stories on


    The director found himself in a perplexing situation, unsure how to respond. What drove certain members of the audience to always seek conflict?


    In their pursuit of sensationalism and increased poprity, some variety shows intentionally instigated conflicts among contestants, asionally resorting to video edits to fabricate dramatic stories. The director preferred to maintain harmony among the six contestants, knowing that offending any of them was not an option.


    Tobias, a fashion designer, cleverly fashioned tropical nts into an eco-friendly costume. Baylee outperformed Darrell in the wine-tastingpetition, prompting Darrell to resolve to showcase his impressive wine-concocting skills on camera. Carole crafted a distinctive ne from shells and coral collected from the seaside.


    However, the audience¡¯s focus soon shifted away from the showcased objects.


    ¡°Ellie stretches her neck, peering in a specific direction. Is someone significant present?¡±


    ¡°Carole nces in the same direction asionally.¡±


    ¡°Rumors circted that Carole was Kaiden¡¯s girlfriend. In response, Kaiden rified by stating that his wife was a certain Miss Gordon.¡±


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 Chapter 655

    ?Chapter 655:


    ¡°I used to be a fan of Carole¡¯s. However, I lost interest in her due to recent events.¡±


    ¡°I suppose Kaiden was seated on the right side.¡±


    ¡°Turn the camera to him. Let me catch a glimpse of his handsome face!¡±


    ¡°Follow my instructions! I¡¯ll give you a tip.¡±


    ¡°Keep in mind, the program doesn¡¯t permit the audience to offer tips.¡±


    The director addressed Kaiden, ¡°Mr. Thorpe, our program is expected to be lengthy. It might be wise for you to take a break in the pavilion while awaiting Miss Gordon.¡±


    His presence had diverted the audience¡¯s attention from the contestants¡¯ exhibitions!


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Kaiden declined with a shake of his head, keeping his gaze fixed on Ellie. He remained steadfast, sitting in his original spot.


    Ellie whispered to a female assistant, ¡°Ask Kaiden to leave. His presence is disrupting our work.¡±


    The assistant found herself torn between following Ellie¡¯s directive and the potential risk of upsetting Kaiden.


    Laughter echoed among the spectators.


    ¡°Wow, Ellie, you forgot to mute your microphone! We heard everything you said.¡±


    ¡°If she had more experience in variety shows, she wouldn¡¯t have made such a blunder.¡±


    ¡°This is hrious! I get it now. Ellie isn¡¯t fond of her husband!¡±


    ¡°Shift the camera to Kaiden. It won¡¯t disrupt your work.¡±


    ¡°I prefer not to be with my husband when I¡¯m working. I can¡¯t resist stealing nces at him.¡±


    ¡°They share a strong affection for each other!¡±


    ¡°Ew! Witnessing Carole with them seems to disturb their affectionate rapport.¡±


    Don¡¯t miss fresh updates on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s take a look at Kristopher¡¯s work,¡± announced the host. Members of the team emerged from behind the stage, each holding a series of oversized photos: a sunset above the sea, a cliff in morning sunlight, seaside scenery, a bell tower on the square, a wine ss, and so on.


    Producing high-qualityndscape photos required a mastery of photography techniques.


    Everyone was captivated by the breathtaking beauty captured in the photos. Kaiden squinted, his disinterest clear, impatience evident on his face. He noticed a woman¡¯s figure in each of thendscape photos: on the reef, within the wine ss, by the sea, under the sun.


    The woman was Ellie.


    In one photo, her bluish shawl adorned a chair on the beach¡¯s right side. Another photo disyed the window of her bedroom, gleaming beside a cliff bathed in sunshine.


    Surprisingly missing from the photo of a bell tower overlooking a za, Kaiden couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Kristopher was trying to erase his presence alongside Ellie.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, what do you think of the photo of the house on the cliff at dawn?¡± the host asked Ellie.


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 Chapter 656

    ?Chapter 656:


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Ellie replied, giving Kristopher a thumbs-up. ¡°Mr. Wright¡¯s photos are incredible. I¡¯ve been to these ces before, and Mr. Wright captured their beauty perfectly at the right moment.¡±


    Anybody observing Kristopher would notice that he had worn a polite smile from the start, but it was insincere. Only when Ellie praised him did the mask fall, revealing true joy in his eyes.


    The host continued, ¡°Most people are unfamiliar with how an auction works. Miss Curtis, would you take the viewers through the live auction tonight so they can experience the fun?¡±


    The staff handed Baylee a tablet to view the onlinements on the live-stream. Then, they turned on therge, open-air screen. Baylee had suddenly be the auctioneer for the evening.


    She disyed pictures of the collection.


    But she froze when the images appeared on the screen.


    A moment of silence passed.


    The pictures on the screen weren¡¯t from the collection.


    They were photos of Ellie and Erick!


    And there were so many!


    One photo showed Ellie sitting in a ssroom. Erick was standing next to her, watching her intently.


    Another photo showed Erick standing before Ellie, holding arge bouquet of red roses.


    A third photo depicted Ellie in a champagne-colored wedding dress, standing beside Erick. He wore a suit with a pocket square that matched her dress. They looked like a perfect match.


    It was a coge of their journey from friends to lovers.


    Discover fresh tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§à??


    ¡°What?? That doesn¡¯t look like Kaiden, does it?¡± someone whispered.


    Baylee acted quickly and turned off the projector.


    The online viewers watching the live-stream erupted in confusion. ¡°I thought the photos of Ellie in the school uniform and the wedding dress were so romantic, but when I looked closely, I realized it was Erick! He is a descendant of the Thorpe family! What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°I saw the photos closely just now. It really is Erick. But Ellie¡¯s husband is Kaiden, right?¡±


    ¡°A reliable source says that Erick is Kaiden¡¯s nephew! Oh my god!¡±


    ¡°Do you remember what Darrell said the day before yesterday? Oh, there was some truth in his words!¡±


    ¡°What the hell is this? Ellie first dated the nephew and then married his uncle! Ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°Is Mr. Thorpe still there? Maybe their marriage will end in divorce after this.¡±


    Covering the microphone with her hand, Baylee frowned at the director. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the projector?¡± she hissed.


    The director was trembling.


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 Chapter 657

    ?Chapter 657:


    He had no clue!


    He didn¡¯t even dare to look at the expression on Kaiden¡¯s face. The situation was so overwhelmingly stressful that he felt like he might die. No one dared to speak. Everyone was waiting for Kaiden¡¯s and Ellie¡¯s reactions.


    Ellie remained staring at the big screen, expressionless, even though it was off. Her calm demeanor made everyone nervous. She was a bomb waiting to explode.


    Kaiden¡¯s face darkened, but no one could tell what he was thinking. No man would be happy to see photos of his wife with her ex-boyfriend disyed in front of so many people.


    Everyone thought that Ellie was doomed this time.


    ¡°Stop the live-streaming at once!¡± the director ordered the cameraman. How could the show continue like this?


    ¡°No! If you stop it now, the viewers will be upset,¡± Ellie said lightly, stopping the cameraman.


    It would be hard to clear the situation if they stopped the live-stream now.


    The tens of millions of viewers watching the live-stream were speechless.


    They were astonished by Ellie¡¯s response. They couldn¡¯t understand what was going on in her mind.


    ¡°Should I praise Ellie for being considerate?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha! It¡¯s so funny!¡±


    The camera crew was baffled. The team couldn¡¯t fathom what Ellie was thinking, but the director didn¡¯t let them stop the screening, so it continued.


    Noticing the absence of panic and sadness on Ellie¡¯s face, Kristopher couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Other women might have broken down in this situation.


    But not Ellie!


    She was no longer the weak girl who needed his protection during her childhood.


    Kristopher¡¯s face twisted in disgust as he recalled Erick¡¯s appearance.


    Yuck! How had such a man managed to be Ellie¡¯s fianc¨¦?


    Cecelia should have died earlier!


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with these photos?¡± the director asked the man in charge of the projector.


    Trembling in fear, the man shook his head. He was just as clueless as the director.


    ¡°Yesterday, I heard Mr. Vargas say he had some photos that he wanted to show us,¡± someone whispered.


    ¡°Yes, he was drinkingst night when he showed me these photos. They were the exact same pictures!¡± another voice added in a hushed tone.


    Darrell had been leisurely watching everything from the sofa.


    He didn¡¯t expect to be dragged into the controversy so suddenly.


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 Chapter 658

    ?Chapter 658:


    ¡°Me? I admit that I had these photos, but I didn¡¯t put them in the projector!¡± Darrell yelped, shooting a nervous nce at Kaiden.


    Even if he wanted to do it, he would never dare pull such a stunt with Kaiden present in the audience.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, who do you think is responsible for this?¡± the director asked helplessly.


    Kaiden suddenly stood up and walked toward Ellie. He stopped in front of her and took her hand in his.


    After a brief pause, Ellie looked up at him, unconsciously holding her breath as she felt the warmth of his palm.


    ¡°When my wife was young and naive, she met a man who wasn¡¯t worthy of her,¡± Kaiden began. ¡°But now, someone has exposed that part of her life.¡±


    Though Kaiden didn¡¯t have a microphone, he stood close enough to Ellie that his voice echoed through the microphone clipped to her cor.


    Everyone heard him clearly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t respond to this screening right away because I wanted to give everyone a chance to see what Erick looked like before,¡± he continued. ¡°I think we can all agree that Erick isn¡¯t worthy of my wife.¡±


    Kaiden handled the situation with perfect grace and dignity, despite the harshness of his words.


    However, the audience couldn¡¯t help but agree with the point he made.


    Everyone was left speechless.


    Kaiden had delivered a savageeback!


    Ellie felt the tension leave her body.


    She had been pretending to stay calm, but deep down, she was worried Kaiden would be furious because of the photos. She knew how possessive he could be.


    It used to bother him that she had been Erick¡¯s fianc¨¦e.


    More novels avable at g¦Áln¦Òv???s?c?m


    Now, Kaiden¡¯s words gave Ellie confidence in their rtionship. She squeezed his hand and looked at the camera, saying, ¡°That was indeed my ex-boyfriend, but¡­¡±


    Kaiden suddenly grabbed her microphone.


    ¡°What are you doing? You don¡¯t need to tell them your love story,¡± he pointed out.


    Meanwhile,ments from the online viewers kept pouring in.


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe is so handsome! He¡¯s the most attractive man I¡¯ve ever seen! I¡¯m addicted to his good looks!¡±


    But after hearing Kaiden¡¯s words, thements shifted.


    ¡°Damn it! How arrogant he is! He thinks so highly of himself!¡± Kaiden lifted the microphone to his mouth.


    The sea breeze carried his soft, maic voice, amplifying it for all to hear.


    ¡°First of all, Ellie married me after breaking up with Erick. Secondly, Ellie is discerning, especially when ites to choosing her partner. It was her family that pressured her to be with Erick. Andstly, the only rtionship between her and Erick now is that of aunt and nephew.¡±


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 Chapter 659

    ?Chapter 659:


    Darrell was stunned.


    Kaiden, known for his arrogance and reticence, had never bothered to rify anything publicly before. Darrell couldn¡¯t believe Kaiden was going out of his way to dispel the false notions that viewers had about Ellie.


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, do you think my husband¡¯s words are true?¡± Ellie asked, turning to Darrell.


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± he replied, shaking like a leaf.


    He knew that Kaiden¡¯s words belittled his friend Erick, but they were true. A heated debate erupted among the viewers.


    ¡°Let me get this straight! So Mr. Thorpe is saying that there¡¯s no love triangle between them. Ellie was forced to be with Erick, and he¡¯s now her nephew! In short, Erick isn¡¯t worthy of Ellie!¡±


    ¡°Erick has a fake education degree; he definitely doesn¡¯t deserve to be with Ellie. After all, she¡¯s far more educated and qualified than he is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still curious about what¡¯s going on between Erick and Ellie. Can anyone exin?¡±


    ¡°Even if there¡¯s no love triangle, one thing¡¯s certain ¡ª Ellie is a wanton woman. How could she break up with her ex and immediately marry someone else?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sexist! Didn¡¯t you hear that she was with Erick because of family pressure? The two families wanted to unite through marriage, that¡¯s all. Understand?¡±


    ¡°Then, maybe that¡¯s the same reason Ellie married Kaiden. And you guys still believe they were in love? I¡¯m speechless!¡±


    Thements grew increasingly intense, and the director realized he couldn¡¯t control them any longer.


    Seeing the fiery debate and high viewership, he wondered if he had unintentionally turned this into a reality show!


    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s time to end the show,¡± his assistant reminded him.


    Stay connected through g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    The director was relieved that Kaiden and Ellie didn¡¯t want to speak to the viewers anymore. He instructed the crew to quickly turn off the cameras and end the live broadcast.


    The show had turned into a nightmare.


    Carole watched the entire drama unfold but remained silent.


    Kaiden had exined everything on Ellie¡¯s behalf, but the damage caused by these photos couldn¡¯t be undone. Netizens would believe what they wanted to believe.


    Kaiden eyed Darrell suspiciously.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do that!¡± Darrell blurted out immediately, holding his hands up in protest.


    ¡°I¡¯ll believe you after I check your phone to see if you have these photos. Or, can you tell me who else has them?¡± Baylee chimed in.


    ¡°I do have these photos on my phone. I don¡¯t know who else has them, but¡­¡± Darrell sighed.


    He wasn¡¯t the one who uploaded the photos onto the projector.


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 Chapter 660

    ?Chapter 660:


    Darrell wanted to exin himself, but when he saw the expressions of the people around him, he realized no one would believe him unless there was another suspect.


    Besides, it was well-known that he didn¡¯t get along with Ellie!


    The ind ced a high value on guest privacy. Many areas in themon spacescked surveince cameras, making it impossible to prove his innocence.


    Darrell gripped his phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white.


    He was frustrated.


    Then, something urred to him.


    Last night, Carole had borrowed his phone!


    Darrell recalled that after Carole bragged about how good his phone¡¯s camera was, she had borrowed it to snap somendscape pictures. When she returned, she started transferring the photos to her own phone while Darrell watched.


    At first, Darrell didn¡¯t think much of it, but then it hit him. Carole could have easily sent the pictures of Ellie and Erick to herself. She was the only one who could have done it.


    Darrell stared at Carole, shocked.


    Carole¡¯s heart was pounding, but she was skilled at maintaining herposure, not revealing her nervousness.


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, I trust you, but what we need right now is some proof,¡± Carole said, pretending to be worried.


    In that moment, Darrell felt his heart break. It was as if a beautiful dream had just fallen apart.


    Proof?


    He had no proof that Carole had taken any photos.


    The mood grew tense, like a standoff.


    Updates loaded at g@lno¦Íe??s


    Darrell looked down. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything like that, but if you all think I did, then fine, I¡¯ll own up to it and apologize!¡±


    Ellie confronted Darrell directly. ¡°Mr. Vargas, do you have any other suspicions about someone?¡±


    Darrell wrestled with himself for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying, ¡°No!¡±


    Carole quietly breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Did you see how Darrell looked at Carole? It seemed quite suspicious,¡± Ellie whispered to Baylee.


    ¡°Totally,¡± Baylee agreed, having noticed it too.


    This day was supposed to mark the grand finale of the episode, but instead, it ended in chaos.


    The PR team sprang into action, releasing statements and enlisting influencers to sway public opinion. However, their efforts proved futile. Online discussions were dominated by Ellie¡¯s connection to the Thorpe family, overshadowing any previous gossip about Carole¡¯s alleged romantic ties to Kaiden or usations of meddling.


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 Chapter 661

    ?Chapter 661:


    Carole, secretly pleased with the shift in focus, found it was still not enough. She reached for a contact she had never called before.


    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this?¡± came the response, a woman¡¯s voice, irritated and tinged with sadness.


    ¡°Miss Gordon, are you aware of the buzz online? Do you dislike Ellie?¡± Carole said, her toneced with cunning. ¡°With everything happening, don¡¯t you think Ellie deserves to face more trouble? Shouldn¡¯t some information be shared with the public?¡±


    Meanwhile, Darrell, lost in his sorrow, was in his room when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it, hoping it was Carole, only to find Baylee standing there instead.


    ¡°Surprised to see me, Darrell?¡± Baylee noticed the fleeting joy on his face quickly fade.


    ¡°Did you think it was Carole?¡± she asked.


    Darrell¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°I have nothing to say to you. That incident wasn¡¯t my doing.¡±


    ¡°Was it Carole, then?¡± Baylee asked, dropping Carole¡¯s name.


    Darrell¡¯s reaction was immediate¡ªshock shed across his face, as if he wondered, ¡°How did you find out?¡± Yet, he remained silent.


    ¡°Darrell, think about the consequences you¡¯re willing to face and those you¡¯re not. Ellie let you off because she knew you weren¡¯t the mastermind. I didn¡¯t approach you directly because there was no point. And Kaiden? He¡¯s ignored you because you¡¯re not on his radar. But what about your family?¡±


    Darrell¡¯s body tensed. ¡°What are you getting at?¡±


    ¡°You know exactly what I¡¯m saying,¡± Baylee replied. ¡°You go to great lengths to protect Carole, but do you think she¡¯d do the same for you?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea what you mean!¡± Darrell retorted.


    Both Baylee and Darrell knew Carole was likely behind it all, but the proof remained elusive.


    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.c??m


    ¡°Is this the path you¡¯ve chosen?¡± Baylee nced at him briefly, her tone uninterested.


    ¡°Maybe your parents should have considered a n B,¡± she added, her words dripping with a sense of resignation.


    It seemed the Vargas family was bound to fail with Darrell in charge. Baylee wasn¡¯t optimistic about getting through to him.


    Carole had been unusually calm today, leaving no clues behind and even setting up a fall guy from the beginning. Even if they proved Carole¡¯s involvement, it wouldn¡¯t undo the damage to Ellie¡¯s reputation.


    Baylee¡¯s reason for confronting Darrell was clear but crucial. In the best case, Darrell would call out Carole for his family¡¯s sake. In the worst case, he would stop putting Carole on a pedestal, which would at least make things easier for Ellie.


    As for the Vargas family¡¯s innocence? If they were ready to take the fall, they had to y the part.


    Kaiden contacted Jerome to ensure that all photos, topics, andments were erased. By evening, the online chatter had quieted down. But then, a video surfaced.


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 Chapter 662

    ?Chapter 662:


    The woman in the video looked tired and frail, winning over the audience¡¯s sympathy. It was Demi.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how many of you remember me,¡± she began, ¡°but I¡¯m here on this tform to shed light on Ellie¡¯s marriage. What I¡¯m about to reveal is known to all in Critport¡¯s high society. I was once Erick¡¯s girlfriend, and I know the truth about Ellie¡¯s marriage. She ended things with Erick before marrying Kaiden. The rumors that she led them on or was indecisive arepletely false.¡±


    At first, everyone assumed Demi was speaking out in support of Ellie. But then, her story took an unexpected turn.


    ¡°Ellie¡¯s marriage to Kaiden actually happened because of a marriage alliance between the Gordon and Thorpe families. And how do I know this? Because the Gordon family, the family in question, is my own family. Ellie was taken in by the Gordon family, while I¡¯m their real daughter. By marrying Kaiden, Ellie took the ce meant for me.¡±


    The fake pregnancy was a desperate move after Erick left me, even though he had promised we¡¯d get married. He just tossed me aside once he got what he wanted. And the reason I tried to frame Ellie? I just couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her climbing over me to be Mrs. Thorpe.¡±


    This confession exploded like a bomb, amplifying the already intense conversations.


    Demi was self-destructing, but she was taking everyone down with her.


    ¡°Damn! Even my mom¡¯s jaw dropped. Is this the soap opera of the year or what?¡±


    ¡°I actually feel bad for Demi now¡­ Justst month, I was bad-mouthing her, and now I see her in a whole new light.¡±


    ¡°Erick has unquestionably be a disgrace!¡±


    ¡°Had it not been for Ellie, Demi would¡¯ve married Kaiden. There wouldn¡¯t have been a fake pregnancy or any schemes, and Demi wouldn¡¯t be this wrecked. She was on her way to bing a shining star and a remarkable housewife.¡±


    ¡°Looks like Ellie¡¯s the real troublemaker here.¡±


    Your source of stories: g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c??m


    ¡°Ellie, as an adopted daughter, wouldn¡¯t she have felt thankful? The way she treated Demi before was disgraceful!¡±


    ¡°Come on, Ellie! Could you pleasee forward and give an exnation?¡±


    ¡°Kaiden, I managed to get rid of your live segments and Erick¡¯s photos with Ellie, but it¡¯s likely people have already saved them. Demi¡¯s video has been taken down as well, but it¡¯s had a huge impact, and the information it revealed is spreading quickly. Right now, people aren¡¯t looking at your wife too kindly,¡± Jerome sighed. ¡°Photos and videos can be erased, but words linger on.¡±


    ¡°Should we just wipe everything off the inte?¡± Jerome proposed.


    Wiping the te clean online seemed like the fastest solution to lessen the blow. However, such drastic measures could provoke a negative reaction from the onlinemunity, possibly intensifying the situation by making Ellie seem guilty.


    Kaiden¡¯s face was a mask of severe displeasure.


    Demi had a knack for burying herself!


    ¡°Don¡¯t erase anything,¡± Kaiden decided. ¡°Let¡¯s not try to suppress the trending discussions. Instead, reach out to a few more contacts for me.¡±


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 Chapter 663

    ?Chapter 663:


    That evening, the ind was unusually silent and deste.


    After her bath, Ellie reached for her phone, only to have Kaiden snatch it away. ¡°It¡¯s bedtime,¡± he said, lifting her into their bed.


    Ellie quickly caught on and asked, ¡°Is it because people online are talking badly about me? It¡¯s fine, I just want to see.¡± She was no stranger to rumors and negative talk. Compliments and criticisms, admiration and insults¡ªshe had been through it all.


    Kaiden gently ran his fingers through her hair, his expression warm and caring. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, let me take care of this, okay?¡±


    ¡°You think you can fix it? Really?¡± Ellie asked. Could the issue be resolved without involving her, the protagonist of the controversy?


    Kaiden chuckled at her doubt. ¡°Why do you think I can¡¯t handle it, baby?¡±


    Ellie gave a nod and a smile. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Then, Kaiden took Ellie¡¯s phone and left the bedroom.


    As soon as the bedroom door shut, his rxed expression turned serious. Ellie¡¯s smile disappeared.


    She pulled a tablet from the bedside drawer and began checking the online chatter. She looked unfazed and detached, as if the harsh words online were about someone else.


    Solving this problem wouldn¡¯t be easy. After all, the stories about her past with Erick and what Demi had said were well-known among Critport¡¯s high society. Ellie couldn¡¯t imagine what Kaiden¡¯s n was.


    Ellie had agreed to let Kaiden handle the matter, so she didn¡¯t pay much attention to what came next. After texting Baylee to let her know she was fine, she returned the tablet to its ce in the bedside table drawer.


    Unable to sleep, Ellie decided to take a walk, donning a coat. This ind was her domain, and she felt safe here. Stepping outside, Ellie¡¯s gaze fell upon a figure.


    Kristopher, seated in his wheelchair, was staring intently in a specific direction. Following his gaze, Ellie realized he was looking straight at her room¡¯s window, sparking both curiosity and unease within her. Recalling Kaiden¡¯s words, she contemted slipping back inside unnoticed.


    Your escape begins with g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?????m


    ¡°Miss Gordon!¡± Kristopher called out, halting her retreat.


    Ellie approached him, masking her intention to flee with a smile. ¡°Kristopher, what brings you here?¡± she inquired, her tone light and casual.


    ¡°I came to see you,¡± Kristopher replied.


    Ellie was surprised. She immediately understood the reason for his visit. ¡°Mr. Wright, please, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already forgotten about today¡¯s incident. Kaiden will take care of it.¡±


    Kristopher sneered, yet he quickly looked away, concealing the chill in his eyes that the dim light failed to reveal. His smile held an icy edge. ¡°Miss Gordon, it feels like you¡¯re keeping your distance from me,¡± Kristopher observed softly, looking up. ¡°Is it because of your husband?¡±


    Ellie¡¯s smile wavered. Kaiden was indeed a significant factor.


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 Chapter 664

    ?Chapter 664:


    ¡°Mr. Wright, we¡¯re neither family nor friends. Your actions at the auction left me feeling uneasy.¡±


    Neither family nor friend? Kristopher¡¯s expression darkened at her words. Wanting to change the subject, he extended an item towards her. ¡°I brought this for you. I hope you like it,¡± he said, offering what appeared to be a poster.


    Ellie gave Kristopher a puzzled look and hesitated to ept the item. Sensing her reluctance, Kristopher reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s nothing pricey.¡± Only then did Ellie take it, thanking him with a slight nod.


    An awkward silence fell between them, making Ellie feel a bit ufortable. She didn¡¯t want to seem rude by just walking away after receiving his gift. Searching for a conversation starter, she nced at the cross hanging around his neck and asked, ¡°Mr. Wright, are you religious? You always wear that cross.¡±


    Kristopher nced down at the silver chain. ¡°Not really religious, no. Maybe I just hope it¡¯ll make me a better person?¡±


    Ellie chuckled, thinking he was making a joke. ¡°Last time, you mentioned you had met a lovely girl. Have you seen her since?¡±


    Kristopher¡¯s face lit up, clearly eager to talk about that. ¡°Yes, I have.¡± It was obvious this topic entertained him.


    Curiosity getting the better of her, Ellie pressed on, ¡°Does she still remember you?¡±


    He shook his head, a shadow of sadness crossing his features under the moonlight. ¡°She never did.¡±


    Kristopher¡¯s face, illuminated by the moonlight, had the refined beauty of polished jade, marked by a touch of solitude etched above his brows. The girl he had longed for through the years didn¡¯t hold any memory of him. Ellie wanted to offer some words offort but found herself at a loss. Kristopher, however, seemed to find some sce in sharing. ¡°She¡¯s doing well, though. She¡¯s strong, hardly gets sick. I just wish she was a bit tougher.¡±


    ¡°Tougher?¡± Ellie echoed, puzzled. ¡°My husband says the same thing. Do all men think alike?¡±


    Discover more at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s


    At that, Kristopher¡¯s hand tightened involuntarily. Her words felt heavier than intended.


    ¡°Mr. Wright, I should head back now. Thanks for dropping by. Good night!¡± A whirlwind of emotions tangled within Ellie, Kristopher¡¯s demeanor tonight addingyers ofplexity to her thoughts, especially considering Kaiden¡¯s warnings. She left with a polite farewell, echoing the properness of their interaction.


    ¡°Good night, Miss Gordon,¡± Kristopher replied softly.


    Back in her room, Ellie unfolded what she thought was a poster, only to discover it was a photograph.


    The image captured a rainy scene: a little girl standing under a streemp, her shadow stretched long and thin across the wet pavement. d in an oversized ck raincoat, the girl appeared small and isted, yet there was a resolve in her stance. Hidden within the raincoat¡¯s wide sleeves, her right hand gripped something unseen.


    Ellie recognized the scene with a jolt¡ªit was her at eight years old, holding a candy, a memento of a challenging day.


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 Chapter 665

    ?Chapter 665:


    That day, Litzy had taken Ellie and her brother to the amusement park, a day that turned sour when her brother was injured. med for the ident and left alone in the park by Litzy, Ellie waited through the changing sky until the rain poured down, unnoticed by anyone.


    Passersby moved quickly past her until a teenage boy approached. In the midst of the downpour, he draped his ck raincoat over her shoulders, undeterred by the rain soaking him¡ªa testament to his patience.


    ¡°Choose one,¡± he offered, extending his hands to reveal a candy and a dagger. The young Ellie instinctively reached for the candy, but the boy nudged the dagger closer, suggesting, ¡°The dagger could help you get more candies. Think about it.¡±


    Ellie withdrew her hand, stating firmly, ¡°I can¡¯t touch bad things.¡±


    The boy¡¯s face was mostly obscured by a ck baseball cap, revealing only his fair chin and the pale, slender curve of his lips. A sneer tugged at the corners of his mouth as he countered, ¡°The dagger can protect you. Candy is fleeting, consumed and gone, perhaps even poisoned.¡±


    Ellie stood her ground. ¡°I¡¯ll protect myself from now on. I don¡¯t need the dagger, but thank you.¡±


    Though his lips tightened in apparent displeasure, he handed over the candy. The rain revealed his vulnerability as he coughed harshly, a stark contrast to his earlier stoicism. ¡°If no onees for you, walk home. Keep moving forward, and don¡¯t look back,¡± he instructed, despite the evident difort.


    Ellie couldn¡¯t fathom herpliance that day. But she discarded the candy, fearing its potential poison. Yet, his directive¡ª¡±If no onees for you, walk home. Keep moving forward, and don¡¯t look back¡±¡ªprofoundly shaped her growth. She learned to rely less on Houston and Litzy, embracing independence and resilience.


    Now, realizing the photographer had been alone with her since the perspective was from behind, Ellie felt a wave of realization wash over her. Her heart swelled with a mix of remorse and revtion.


    Kristopher had been that boy¡ªthe one who had made such an indelible impact on her youth. All this time, she had been unaware of his identity.


    M??? ??d???? ?? g????????.????


    The unresolved issue lingered in Ellie¡¯s mind, and Kristopher¡¯s unexpected visit had her convinced she¡¯d be restless through the night.


    Surprisingly, sleep imed her swiftly, a testament to thefort she found in Kaiden¡¯s assurances. His promise was a nket of security, under which she found peace.


    The break of dawn brought rity and a sense of warmth, wrapped in a familiar embrace.


    Ellie¡¯s first sight upon awakening was Kaiden¡¯s defined chest.


    ¡°When did you get back?¡± she murmured, her voice a soft whisper against the morning quiet.


    ¡°After you were asleep,¡± Kaiden replied.


    She realized he had returned quitete and had probably been trying not to disturb her.


    Propping herself up on her elbows, Ellie leaned forward to press a kiss to Kaiden¡¯s chin¡ªa silent thank you for his presence and protection.


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 Chapter 666

    ?Chapter 666:


    ¡°Good morning, Kaiden,¡± she greeted, her words muffled against his skin. In response, Kaiden cradled her neck gently, pulling her into a deeper kiss, one that spoke volumes of their affection and longing for each other.


    However, as the moments stretched on, an unexpected tension crept beneath the covers. Ellie tensed, her reaction immediate as she pressed against Kaiden¡¯s chest, signaling a pause.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie stuttered as she sensed his growing sexual arousal.


    ¡°I¡¯m a man. Isn¡¯t this normal?¡± Kaiden asked, unapologetic about the proof of his arousal.


    ¡°Well¡­ why don¡¯t you go to the bathroom and take care of it?¡±


    Kaiden glowered at Ellie, his fierce expression demanding an exnation as to why he had to go to the bathroom to masturbate when his wife was right there. Ellie struggled to hold on to her resolve, but as the seconds passed, she could feel herself wavering. Any second now, she would give in to him.


    But at that very moment, Kaiden sighed and got up from the bed. He returned her phone to her and went to the bathroom. Secondster, Ellie heard the sound of rushing water.


    It was only when Ellie had her phone in her hand again that she remembered yesterday¡¯s debacle. She was curious to find out how Kaiden had resolved it.


    As soon as Ellie opened Twitter, she saw the hashtag ¡°Demi lied¡± among the top trending topics.


    What was going on? Ellie wondered in confusion.


    The second she clicked on it, she saw severalments from second-generation rich men of different powerful ns who were all active on social media.


    ¡°When Ellie married Kaiden, Kaiden was in an awkward situation. Anyone who knows even a little of the inside story knows it was impossible for Ellie to scheme to marry Kaiden. It could only have been Demi plotting not to marry him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m speechless. What kind of brains doizens have these days? So you can all be misled by anyone? Kaiden doesn¡¯t depend on the Thorpe family at all, so who in the family could force him to marry someone?¡±


    I??€?? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ§ä¦Å?? ?¦Ç g?l§Ú¦Ò¦Í¦Å??.c?m


    ¡°My father once asked me why Mr. Thorpe was willing to marry Ellie when I, a rich yboy, didn¡¯t want to get married. I also want to know the answer to that question. How could he be willing to marry someone his family ordered him to marry?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, Ellie is the adopted daughter of the Gordon family, but the family didn¡¯t treat her well. On the contrary, Ellie brought many benefits to them. When my father cooperated with the Gordon family, he was interested in Ellie and wanted her to be his¡­¡±


    ¡°Daughter-inw¡­ Kaiden, don¡¯t worry, my father has realized his fault! We no longer have such an idea! Please forgive us!¡±


    ¡°Ever since childhood, Ellie has received rewards totaling millions of dors. The Gordons were the ones who benefited from all of them. Stop talking nonsense! What debt does she owe the Gordon family?¡±


    ¡°You have no idea how incredible Kaiden and Ellie are. The two of them are together because they chose to marry each other. Don¡¯t mention any marriage alliance between their families! What¡¯s more, Kaiden is a discerning man and doesn¡¯t like Demi, so it¡¯s impossible for him to be with her.¡±


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 Chapter 667

    ?Chapter 667:


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about any marriage alliance between their families. Isn¡¯t it possible they¡¯re in love? Who would spend over two billion dors on jewelry for a woman he doesn¡¯t love, and then follow her around the world? Have you ever seen such a person?¡±


    Netizens were shocked by this flurry of tweets. Soon, severalments in Ellie¡¯s favor started flooding Twitter.


    ¡°It¡¯s amazing! So many people from wealthy families are speaking up for Ellie. She¡¯s really popr!¡±


    ¡°In short, their marriage is not the result of any family alliance, and Demi is insane. The Gordons are truly awful.¡±


    ¡°Spending over two billion on her and apanying her on a trip around the world¡­ Ah! So Ellie was the woman who appeared several times before? Oh my god! What a coincidence!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m part of the fringe of the upper-ss circle in Critport. Ellie has been an idol in the circle since she was a little girl. She¡¯s so admirable that most of us girls can¡¯t even be jealous of her! To tell you the truth, I once thought Mr. Thorpe wasn¡¯t worthy of her when they got married¡­ Damn it, I spilled the beans!¡±


    Anotherizen quickly replied to thatment. ¡°Hahaha, you¡¯re too straightforward. Aren¡¯t you afraid of getting in trouble with Mr. Thorpe? He¡¯s not easy to deal with!¡±


    ¡°Do you know how in TV series, the viin often blows himself up so others will die along with him? Isn¡¯t Demi¡¯s little stunt the same? She¡¯s trying to take Ellie down with her! What a bitch!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to ask this. If there was a marriage alliance between their families, why did Demi allow Ellie to marry Kaiden? Couldn¡¯t she have chosen to marry Erick instead?¡±


    Several otherizens expressed the same confusion.


    But Ellie could understand what had happened.


    £í????£å £õ??£ä??£ô£å£ó ??£î ???£ì????£ö??£ì??.??????


    Demi had underestimated Kaiden, thinking her little stunt would force him to destroy Ellie. She was so arrogant that she believed she could marry Erick solely based on her charm.


    However, she was wrong.


    Ellie continued scrolling through thements until she came across a video posted by a blogger. The video was an interview with a couple who happened to be passing by. The female blogger¡¯s caption read, ¡°I ran into a handsome couple outside Studio Cityst winter. I didn¡¯t expect that I¡¯d meet the people I¡¯m shipping in real life! Ha ha!¡±


    In the video, the man wore a ck cashmere overcoat and a ck mask that covered most of his face, revealing only his sharp eyebrows and cold eyes. The woman was none other than Ellie.


    The blogger asked, ¡°Are you two lovers?¡±


    Ellie replied, ¡°Uh, no.¡±


    The man in the mask said, ¡°She is my wife.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the best way for you to resolve conflicts?¡± the blogger asked.


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 Chapter 668

    ?Chapter 668:


    The man replied, but his answer was difficult to hear.


    Ellie watched the video again before she remembered where it hade from. The interview had taken ce when she was filming Peerless Grace with the crew.


    ¡°Wow, the man was none other than Mr. Thorpe! Why didn¡¯t the blogger post this earlier? She actually kept it hidden for so long! I¡¯m unfollowing her!¡±


    ¡°Ellie denied it, then Kaiden said she was his wife! That¡¯s hrious! Could it be that Ellie didn¡¯t want to reveal their rtionship?¡±


    ¡°Am I the only one who wants to know what Mr. Thorpe said in the end?¡±


    ¡°Have sex? Ha ha! That¡¯s indeed a good option!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe defended her during the anniversary of Critport University. The couple clearly love each other very much! I¡¯m so envious!¡±


    ¡°How can anyone say this is a forced marriage? They¡¯re clearly so intimate! Ha!¡±


    ¡°Is there something wrong with Demi¡¯s brain? Maybe she should be sent to a psychiatric hospital. She¡¯s truly insane!¡±


    It never crossed Ellie¡¯s mind that Kaiden would employ such a simple yet effective method to resolve the issue.


    Unlike the other times when Demi had caused trouble, she had been telling the truth this time, which made it difficult for Ellie to handle the matter since she couldn¡¯t directly refute her ims. Kaiden, however, had chosen to distort the truth so that the world would assume Demi¡¯s words were lies.


    With Kaiden¡¯s current power and position, it was effortless for him to ask a few wealthy young men to speak up for him. Once one person voiced support, others would quickly follow, and before long, the narrative they wanted the public to believe would be the only one dominating social media.


    The sudden appearance of the interview at that exact moment was like irrefutable evidence, perfectly supporting the statements of those influential men. The video alone was enough to shatter every im Demi had made.


    Get thetest g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s


    Suddenly, the bathroom door opened.


    Kaiden walked out with a bathrobe tied loosely around his waist. He hadn¡¯t bothered to dry his hair, and droplets of water fell from it,nding on the carpet. Seeing her clutching her phone, he asked, ¡°Are you satisfied?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ellie didn¡¯t know how to describe his behavior, so she simply smiled at him and nodded.


    From this moment on, no one would ever believe anything Demi said again. Looking at the smile on her face, Kaiden found her so endearing that he barely suppressed the urge to pinch her cheeks.


    But she hadn¡¯te over to him yet.


    He picked up a hair dryer and waved it at her. ¡°Reward me?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll reward you!¡±


    She walked over, took the hair dryer, and began to dry his hair. Kaiden¡¯s hair felt softer when wet than it did when dry, and the strands slid effortlessly through her fingers, making her heart tremble.


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 Chapter 669

    ?Chapter 669:


    He was so tall that Ellie had to stand on a stool to reach him. She couldn¡¯t stop smiling, her heart racing wildly.


    The peaceful silence in the room was broken by a sudden knock at the door.


    Ellie turned off the dryer and set it down. Kaiden gently lifted her off the stool before walking toward the door. When he opened it, he was met with Garfield standing on the other side.


    ¡°Miss, Katharine from the Lambert family is here,¡± Garfield announced.


    Carole had stayed up most of the night, anxiously awaiting news that Ellie¡¯s reputation had been destroyed. But when she woke up the next morning, she was shocked to find that public opinion had shiftedpletely.


    Netizens were now fawning over Ellie and Kaiden. Someone even mentioned that Ellie was a strong, beautiful woman with a tragic past.


    Carole knew that Demi had told the truth. This included the marriage alliances between the Gordon and Thorpe families, as well as the one between the Thorpe and Lambert families. Yet, these young, wealthy men were spewing nonsense. Why were so many people helping Ellie spread lies? Why was no oneing forward to reveal the truth?


    Carole¡¯s anger boiled over. She swept everything off her dresser in a fit of rage, sending items crashing to the floor. In the process, a perfume bottle shattered into pieces. She stood in the middle of the room, her chest heaving with frustration.


    Then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door.


    Carole took a deep breath, quicklyposing herself before opening it.


    It was a crew member standing outside. ¡°I just came to inform you that Katharine is at the dock. Do you want to go there?¡± he asked.


    ¡°My sister is here?¡± Carole asked in surprise. The news brought a glimmer of hope, and her eyes lit up with joy. Now, she would have someone to support her.


    Without wasting any time, she rushed to change into something more presentable. When she finally stepped outside, the first person she encountered was Darrell, who had alsoe to see Katharine. Katharine was the sponsor, so the crew was notifying everyone of her arrival.


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    ¡°Mr. Vargas, Miss Gordon¡¯s issue won¡¯t cause any significant impact. You don¡¯t have to worry about it,¡± Carole said, trying to reassure Darrell with a positive tone.


    Darrell felt a chill run down his spine. If he hadn¡¯t thought deeply about it for so long and be 100% sure that only Carole had the chance to get those photos, he would have easily been deceived by her. He would never have believed that she was the one orchestrating all these maniptions behind the scenes. But now that he knew she was the one responsible, he felt disgusted by her pretense of innocence.


    ¡°Mr. Vargas, why are you looking at me like that?¡± Carole asked in surprise. She could feel that the way Darrell was looking at her had changed; it was no longer filled with the same enthusiasm and admiration as before. This shift made her feel uneasy.


    ¡°No, no¡­ it¡¯s nothing,¡± Darrell quickly assured her, turning his face away. He was thinking that his affection for her had been in vain.


    Ever since Baylee¡¯s visit, Darrell had been questioning why he had protected Carole so much. He had spent the whole night thinking about it, and after much deliberation, he came to the conclusion that he did have feelings for her. But now, knowing her true nature, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to expose her wrongdoings to the public. He couldn¡¯t help but consider himself insane for blindly defending her all this time.


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 Chapter 670

    ?Chapter 670:


    There were already a lot of people waiting at the dock when Carole arrived, almost at the same time as Ellie. Despite being about ten meters apart, they recognized each other instantly.


    A woman in a ck leather skirt stood at the dock, wearing high heels and arge, fashionable sun hat that covered her head. Beneath the sun hat, most of her face was hidden by ck sunsses, with her lips painted bright red.


    The director and the producer were conversing with her, but she mostly nodded and gave only asional verbal replies, her tone cold and distant. Everything about her radiated dominance. She seemed like someone born to be a queen, and no one dared to look down on her.


    But suddenly, she seemed to sense something and quickly looked up. ¡°Ma¡¯am, Carole ising,¡± one of the crew members said.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, your sister is here to see you.¡±


    It was well known that Carole was Katharine¡¯s sister, so the crew immediately informed her of Carole¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°Katharine!¡± Carole called out excitedly, quickening her pace.


    When Katharine heard Carole¡¯s voice, she removed her sunsses, revealing her stunning face.


    She nced at Carole, who was rushing toward her, then shifted her gaze to Ellie.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe!¡± Katharine called out as she walked toward Ellie.


    Immediately, the crowd fell silent, their surprise evident.


    Carole, only a few steps away from Katharine, froze. The joy in her eyes turned into disbelief.


    She was stunned to see that Katharine had ignored her and went directly to greet Ellie instead.


    It felt like a p in the face, and in public, no less! Her face flushed with embarrassment, while jealousy surged in her heart stronger than ever.


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    The whispers began among the others present. ¡°Katharine is Carole¡¯s sister, isn¡¯t she? But she just ignored her sister and went to greet Ellie, right?¡±


    ¡°Could it be that Katharine agreed to sponsor the show because of Ellie, not Carole?¡±


    ¡°At first, it sounds ridiculous, but when you think about it again, it doesn¡¯t seem impossible.¡±


    ¡°Hi, Mr. Thorpe,¡± Katharine greeted Kaiden politely. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡± Since Kaiden was holding Ellie¡¯s hand, Katharine didn¡¯t offer to shake his hand.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, I¡¯ve heard a lot about you too,¡± Kaiden replied, acknowledging her greeting with a nod.


    Katharine wasn¡¯t interested in engaging in much conversation with Kaiden, so she quickly turned her attention to Ellie, smiling warmly at her.


    ¡°Thank you for taking care of Susanna, Mrs. Thorpe,¡± she said with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t been able to thank you sooner.¡±


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 Chapter 671

    ?Chapter 671:


    It was at this point that it suddenly dawned on Ellie. So all of Katharine¡¯s special treatment toward her was because of Susanna.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, Miss Lambert,¡± she replied politely. ¡°Anyway, Susanna is my friend. It¡¯s only natural that I do my best for her. By the way, on our way here, we had top-quality ck tea and red wine on the yacht¡­¡±


    ¡°You and Miss Curtis liked it, right?¡± Katharine interrupted eagerly before Ellie could finish expressing her gratitude.


    ¡°Yes, we did,¡± Ellie acknowledged. ¡°Thank you very much for your kindness, Miss Lambert.¡±


    Meanwhile, Baylee remained quiet, only joining the conversation when her name was mentioned.


    Kaiden nced at Katharine, silently critiquing her with his eyes. Even though she behaved naturally, he noticed how intently she was watching Ellie¡¯s face. Her kindness toward Ellie was so unusual that he found it suspicious. He actually suspected that Katharine was simply using Susanna as an excuse to get close to Ellie.


    In line with protocol, most of the crew eventually left the ind, while the guests and the main members of the crew stayed behind to have lunch with Katharine.


    ¡°Katharine,¡± Carole called, forcing a smile as she came over to join them.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t have time to say hello to you earlier,¡± Katharine apologized, though she didn¡¯t seem sorry at all. ¡°It¡¯s been some time since you returned. Have you gotten used to living in the country again?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have,¡± Carole replied with a nod, adopting a humble demeanor. ¡°It¡¯s just that I miss you a little. Even though Daniel is also back in the country, he seems so busy that he doesn¡¯t even have time to sit down and have lunch with me.¡± In truth, Carole had called Daniel several times, but he had politely refused each invitation to meet for lunch.


    Listening to Carole, Katharine felt she was merely makingints. She cast her a brief nce but didn¡¯t respond. Carole was stunned by the look Katharine gave her, and her smile froze instantly. She didn¡¯t dare try any more tricks after that.


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    Ellie felt sick at the sight of Carole and quickly said to Katharine, ¡°Miss Lambert, we¡¯ll get going now. See youter.¡±


    ¡°Okay then,¡± Katharine acknowledged with a nod. But as Ellie left, she looked at her retreating figure thoughtfully.


    To be sure, Ellie really did look like her grandmother. In fact, Ellie¡¯s face in reality looked even more simr to her grandmother¡¯s than her face in the photo.


    But then, ording to Daniel¡¯s investigation, it was impossible for Ellie to be the same person as Elsie.


    At first, Katharine couldn¡¯t help but suspect that Daniel was wrong, so she did her own investigation and still came up with the same result!


    Nheless, she believed the most dependable course of action was to arrange for Ellie to undergo a paternity testter, after they departed the ind. With this thought in her mind, Katharine couldn¡¯t help but look at Kaiden, who was walking right beside Ellie.


    This man had good genes. If Ellie turned out to be her sister, then the heir to the Lambert family would not be forced to rely on a loser like Daniel, who couldn¡¯t even deal with Susanna! And then, everything would be perfect!


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 Chapter 672

    ?Chapter 672:


    Ellie and Baylee veered off to the side, their voices hushed in conversation.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t Katharine seem a bit too frosty towards Carole?¡± Baylee murmured.


    Ellie nodded knowingly. ¡°Daniel¡¯s attitude toward Carole isn¡¯t much warmer either. She¡¯s not part of the main Lambert lineage; she¡¯s from one of the branches, more like a distant cousin.¡±


    Being relegated to a branch suggested a distant connection.


    ¡°No wonder,¡± Baylee rolled her eyes. ¡°Carole struts around like she¡¯s the main attraction, parading as Miss Lambert.¡±


    The Lambert family tree had long branched out, but only the main trunk thrived. Others had be peripheral.


    Baylee had traveled light. Her luggage was neatly stacked in the courtyard. She then soaked herself in the picturesque seascape.


    ¡°Miss Curtis, Katharine would like a word with you.¡± A servant approached her. ¡°This¡­ This is your grandmother?¡±


    Baylee¡¯s surprise was palpable as she gazed at the old photograph on Katharine¡¯s phone.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Katharine confirmed, her tone tinged with nostalgia. ¡°Quite the resemnce to Miss Gordon, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    Truly, the simrities were striking. It was more than just a resemnce. The woman in the photograph, in her early thirties, despite the low resolution, disyed delicate features remarkably akin to Ellie!


    The primary differencey in their auras. While Ellie exuded an aura of icy elegance, this woman radiated warmth and grace, like a delicate bloom in a sunlit garden.


    ¡°Mind if I smoke?¡± Katharine inquired politely.


    ¡°Please, be my guest.¡±


    With graceful precision, Katharine extracted a slenderdy¡¯s cigarette, skillfully ced it between her lips, and ignited it.


    Many would find women smoking a sign of decadence, but Katharine carried herself with the elegance and sophistication of a woman in control.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard Miss Gordon was adopted into the Gordon family. The Lambert family lost a baby girl twenty years ago, around the same time Miss Gordon was born. I hope Miss Curtis can assist us in obtaining Miss Gordon¡¯s DNA sample.¡±


    The moment Baylee saw the photo, she sensed that a paternity test loomed on the horizon. But she was perplexed.


    ¡°Why¡­ Why not approach Ellie directly?¡±


    ¡°What if she¡¯s not the one?¡± Katharine blew a smoke ring. ¡°We¡¯ve weathered many disappointments over these twenty years. We don¡¯t want Miss Gordon to endure the same heartache.¡±


    If there was a match, it would be cause for celebration. If not, it would be as though it never happened.


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 Chapter 673

    ?Chapter 673:


    Baylee¡¯s eyes narrowed as she recalled something from the photo. ¡°I noticed test tubes in the background,¡± she remarked.


    Katharine, taken aback by her observation, responded, ¡°Yes, my grandmother was an extraordinary chemist. Those test tubes were her prized possessions.¡± Hmm¡­ Chemistry¡­


    Baylee¡¯s thoughts drifted to Ellie¡¯s remarkable talent in biochemistry. Despitecking formal training, Ellie possessed an innate understanding of chemical reactions. She effortlessly memorized them and coupled that knowledge with predictive and innovative thinking that defied logic. A surge of excitement coursed through Baylee as she pondered the possibilities.


    After years of Ellie¡¯s relentless search for her rtives¡­ Could there finally be a breakthrough?


    ¡°I can assist with obtaining her DNA, but I must oversee the entire paternity testing process,¡± Baylee asserted, wary of entrusting such sensitive material to others.


    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Katharine beamed with gratitude. ¡°Thank you so much, Miss Curtis!¡±


    Meanwhile, hidden behind a column, Carole listened in disbelief to their conversation. She gasped and covered her mouth in shock and fear.


    Ellie¡­ Could she possibly be Elsie Lambert? The idea seemed inconceivable. Elsie had been taken twenty years ago, and despite the Lambert family¡¯s exhaustive search, she was presumed dead! If she was found, what would be of Carole¡¯s ce?


    Carole had earned eptance as an adopted daughter into the main family because she was the only girl close to Ellie¡¯s age. To win over the elders¡¯ affection, she had tirelessly cared for the sick patriarch, shown utmost respect to the Lambert siblings, and tried her best to please! But her status had grown uncertain since the patriarch¡¯s passing. She couldn¡¯t even serve as a substitute for Elsie in the siblings¡¯ eyes, so her position within the family had be awkward.


    The notion of finding Elsie, only for it to turn out to be Ellie, was unthinkable. Carole couldn¡¯t allow Baylee to help Katharine. No, she couldn¡¯t allow it!


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    The luncheon felt more like a corporate affair, with people approaching Katharine for pleasantries while Carole yed the role of apliantpanion.


    ¡°Who are you texting?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s sharp eyes caught Ellie¡¯s attention, particrly when he noticed the name ¡°Kristopher¡± in her contacts.


    ¡°Umm¡­ Kristopher,¡± Ellie confessed after a brief pause.


    Kaiden¡¯s gaze bore into her, as if demanding an exnation.


    Feeling guilty, Ellie touched her nose nervously. ¡°Kaiden, I remember what you said, but he didn¡¯t show up today. I heard he wasn¡¯t feeling well, so I just wanted to check on him as a friend.¡±


    After all, Kristopher¡¯s absence at the dock earlier troubled her. And he hadn¡¯t shown up since.


    ¡°His health is his concern; he should see a doctor,¡± Kaiden responded coolly.


    ¡°Are you his doctor?¡±


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 Chapter 674

    ?Chapter 674:


    Ellie quickly tried to smooth things over.


    She coquettishly held his hand. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be upset. I still owe him a favor, and since he guessed I¡¯m the ind¡¯s owner, I thought it¡¯d be polite to ask.¡± She showed Kaiden the message exchange where she had only asked, ¡°Mr. Wright, I heard you¡¯re unwell, do you need any help?¡±


    Kristopher had replied, ¡°No need, thanks.¡±


    It was nd¡ªjust a standard, unremarkable conversation.


    Kaiden¡¯s frown slightly eased.


    He yfully pinched Ellie¡¯s cheek. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, keep your distance from other men!¡±


    Ellie mulled over Kristopher¡¯s seemingly polite response, somehow feeling he was in a sour mood.


    After some contemtion, she sent a message to Garfield.


    Ten minutester, Kristopher received a nourishing soup from Garfield, apanied by a candy ced beside the tray.


    ¡°This was ordered by Miss Gordon for you,¡± Garfield remarked. He was puzzled by the addition of candy himself, as men generally don¡¯t fancy sweets. As he pondered, he observed the typicallyposed and detached Kristopher reach for the candy, his lips curling into a rare smile.


    It was as though he had finally received the answer he sought.


    Kristopher¡¯s absence wasn¡¯t because of illness; it was his aversion to encountering Katharine, a member of the Lambert family.


    Why, indeed, was she here?


    He was intrigued. Was it for Ellie?


    Soon, Ellie received a new message from Kristopher: ¡°Candy is for little girls.¡±


    Humph! Ellie mused to herself. Even little girls don¡¯t like candy, especially when they¡¯re scared into thinking the candy might be poisoned.


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    ¡°Where¡¯s Baylee?¡± Ellie nced around, only to find Baylee¡¯s spot empty.


    ¡°Miss Curtis stepped out momentarily,¡± a waiter informed her.


    Half an hour passed with no sign of Baylee.


    As such, Ellie grew concerned and considered sending someone to find her.


    Then suddenly, her phone rang. It was Marvin.


    ¡°Ellie, where¡¯s Baylee? Is everything alright?¡±


    ¡°Why did you ask that?¡± Ellie stood up in surprise, startling everyone nearby and drawing all eyes towards her in an instant.


    Marvin exined, ¡°The bracelet I gave her has tracking and sensing abilities. She hasn¡¯t gotten up since she fell five minutes ago. I tried calling her, but got no response.¡±


    ¡°Give me the location!¡± Ellie said urgently.


    She quickly called Garfield and started looking for the exact location using the coordinates Marvin had provided.


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 Chapter 675

    ?Chapter 675:


    Kaiden excused himself from Katharine, who was deep in conversation, and approached Ellie. ¡°Ellie, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°It seems like Baylee had an ident.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s face turned pale with worry, her hands trembling.


    How could Baylee get into an ident on the ind? How was this possible?


    The previously cheerful atmosphere vanished instantly. All eyes turned to Ellie, filled with concern and confusion.


    Carole¡¯s eyes, however, showed no interest in the situation.


    Ten minutes passed.


    The seawater sshed onto the southern reefs, creating waves that were one meter tall.


    Someone wearing blue clothes was lying motionless at the edge of arge reef, her lower body in the seawater.


    Ellie¡¯s heart suddenly raced, and she ran, her fear propelling her forward.


    She was so nervous that she almost lost her bnce on the reef, but thankfully, Kaiden came to her rescue just in time.


    Kaiden didn¡¯t scold her for being careless, nor did he tell her to take it easy. He understood how important Baylee was to Ellie.


    Baylee¡¯s face was pale, her lips had turned purple, and her breath was weak. The rising seawater soaked her clothes and hair, giving her a disheveled appearance.


    ¡°Baylee¡­¡± Ellie¡¯s voice shook as she embraced Baylee, trying to help her up.


    The doctor who was with them quickly intervened. ¡°Miss Gordon, Miss Curtis has been bitten by a snake. It¡¯s best if you don¡¯t touch her!¡±


    When people remain still, their metabolism and blood cirction slow down, which helps control the spread of toxins to some extent.


    That¡¯s when Ellie noticed the bite marks on Baylee¡¯s calves and feet. Dark purple blood flowed down from the wounds.


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    ¡°Oh my God! Howe there are snakes here?¡±


    ¡°Snakes?¡±


    Everyone who hade along was startled and began to look at their surroundings anxiously.


    Garfield hurriedly led the ind¡¯s security guards on a search and discovered that the snakes had escaped.


    ¡°How do we detoxify?¡± Ellie quickly calmed down and asked.


    ¡°She needs some serum.¡± The doctor gave an emergency treatment to the wounds of the unconscious Baylee. ¡°But Miss Curtis is not in a good condition to take a yacht. The yacht is too bumpy for her¡­¡±


    ¡°I will get someone to bring serum to the ind,¡± Katharine responded immediately.


    The doctor frowned and exined, ¡°It¡¯s difficult for the ind hospital to figure out which kind of snake venom Miss Curtis was bitten by. I¡¯m worried we won¡¯t have time to get the serum over to the ind. If only we had ess to a ne!¡±


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 Chapter 676

    ?Chapter 676:


    Ellie¡¯s face lit up with hope at the doctor¡¯s words.


    Carole figured out what Ellie was thinking, and her eyes showed contempt for Ellie. She said, ¡°Miss Gordon, this ind¡¯s runway isn¡¯t for everyone, and we don¡¯t have a ne¡­¡±


    ¡°Garfield! Get the helicopter ready and call the closest hospital to get the serum ready!¡±


    Ellie and Carole were almost done talking when they both spoke at the same time.


    Just as everyone was about to react to Ellie¡¯smanding words to Garfield, they noticed him nodding in agreement.


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    After saying that, Garfield stepped aside to get things sorted.


    All eyes turned to Ellie in surprise, leaving them momentarily speechless. Only Ellie stayed calm, taking off her coat and wrapping it around Baylee while holding onto her hand.


    Kaiden recalled a time when he considered giving Ellie an ind as a present, only to realize she already owned one. Apart from the ind, she also owned a helicopter.


    Just two minutester, Garfield returned.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, the ferry bus is on its way. The helicopter is on the runway, but the pilot¡¯s off the ind for now.¡±


    ¡°I will fly it!¡± Ellie responded.


    Everyone was surprised.


    Even the doctor, who was busy organizing the transfer of Baylee onto a stretcher, stopped to look at Ellie in disbelief.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m licensed to fly a helicopter,¡± Ellie assumed they were doubting her flying skills.


    The doctor and the rest were at a loss for words.


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    It wasn¡¯t her flying skills they were doubting. They were just shocked that she knew how to fly a helicopter! And even more surprising was how readily Garfield listened to her!


    ¡°We¡¯ve located her. We will arrive at the hospital in fifteen minutes.¡± Meanwhile, Kaiden gave Marvin a call.


    Carole was puzzled about whom Kaiden was calling. She recalled that Baylee¡¯s parents were no longer alive and that Baylee didn¡¯t have a boyfriend, so who was Kaiden talking to about all this?


    Carole had a sense that something wasn¡¯t right. It looked like things had gotten out of hand since the moment Ellie found Baylee.


    ¡°Garfield, isn¡¯t this runway supposed to be exclusive to the ind¡¯s owner?¡± Carole tried to keep a smile, but it became a challenge, making her expression seem a bit strange.


    Garfield looked at Ellie, but she ignored him, so he exined, ¡°Miss Gordon owns the ind, and the helicopter is hers too.¡±


    ¡°What? She owns¡­¡± His words left Carole in total disbelief.


    The others were also unable to stay calm.


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 Chapter 677

    ?Chapter 677:


    ¡°Oh my God! I can¡¯t believe Ellie is the secret owner of this ind!¡±


    ¡°It makes sense now why she and Baylee have that big house!¡±


    ¡°Oh my God! But honestly, it doesn¡¯t surprise me much.¡±


    As Garfield looked at the surprised faces of those around him, a satisfied smile spread across his lips. He was proud of Ellie¡¯s sess and wealth, eager for others to recognize and look up to her!


    Ignoring thempletely, Ellie hurried Baylee and the doctor onto the ferry bus, racing towards the runway as fast as possible. Kaiden gently held Ellie¡¯s hand to give herfort. She felt very nervous and scared, making her hands cold.


    ¡°Baylee¡¯s going to be okay. Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± Kaiden gave her gentle reassurance. Despite appearing calm on the outside, Ellie was actually extremely nervous. Kaiden¡¯s words stirred her emotions, causing tears that had been held back to suddenly fill her eyes.


    ¡°Kaiden, I¡¯m really afraid¡­¡± Unbeknownst to her, tears streamed down her cheeks as she gazed at him.


    Kaiden rested his forehead against hers and softlyforted her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everything¡¯s going to be alright.¡±


    ¡°Out of everyone I grew up with, only Baylee truly treated me with sincerity. I¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Those who love you will be okay. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡±


    Ellie was almost about to fall apart, but as soon as she arrived at the runway, she calmed down and walked calmly to the helicopter¡¯s driver¡¯s seat. It seemed like she had always been strong.


    ¡°Let me take care of this.¡±


    Kaiden gently guided Ellie into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. ¡°Sweetheart, your hands are shaking. Are you sure you still want to fly the helicopter?¡±


    ¡°Do you even know how to fly a helicopter?¡± Ellie asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.


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    ¡°I¡¯m capable of more than you think.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s get moving!¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s emotions were mixed. Just a moment ago, she was doubting his abilities, and now she was asking him to take charge.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Kaiden said warmly. ¡°I will do as you say.¡±


    At the hospital, the chief physician, with twenty years of experience, remarked, ¡°Good thing you got here when you did. If the poison had reached her heart, we might not have been able to save her. The helicopter definitely made a difference.¡±


    Ellie sighed with relief. ¡°When do you think my friend will wake up?¡±


    ¡°In about three to four hours.¡±


    Ellie expressed her gratitude to the doctor, the weight of the situation finally easing from her shoulders. She sat down, her heart still racing as if she¡¯d narrowly avoided a disaster.


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 Chapter 678

    ?Chapter 678:


    She turned to Kaiden and asked, ¡°Something about this doesn¡¯t add up. Why would Baylee end up there without any clear reason?¡±


    The southern region of the ind boasted vast, untouched tropical ecosystems, home to potentially venomous insects, snakes, and ants. This area also attracted sea snakes due to its unique ecological environment.


    ¡°Ellie, you should try to rx,¡± Kaiden suggested, gently massaging her head. ¡°We¡¯ll find out when Baylee wakes up.¡±


    ¡°Yes! We need to talk to her!¡± Without hesitation, Ellie called Garfield. ¡°Garfield, have you found anything?¡± Kaiden was left speechless, not expecting her to act so quickly.


    ¡°Miss, I discovered some powder in the rock crevices on the beach, untouched by the sea, that seems designed to attract snakes,¡± Garfield reported, his tone unusually serious.


    This meant someone had deliberately set this up.


    ¡°Can you trace who¡¯s responsible for this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve personally checked all the ind¡¯s residents; they are all trustworthy. Miss, it must have been someone from the crew.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s mind raced through the faces of everyone involved, finally settling on Carole and Darrell.


    While Carole might have a reason to cause trouble, her likely target would be Ellie, not Baylee. Darrell, on the other hand, had been publicly embarrassed by Baylee, giving him a motive for revenge. However, Ellie couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Carole was somehow involved.


    Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway. Marvin made his entrance, walking quickly. ¡°Where is Baylee?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in her room, out of life-threatening danger now.¡±


    Ellie noticed Marvin¡¯s messy hair and the intense anxiety in his eyes, reminding her of how she had felt earlier. Her heart softened without her realizing it, and she asked, ¡°Do you want to go see her? She might wake up soon.¡±


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    ¡°Yes, I would.¡±


    As soon as Marvin stepped into the ward, Ellie smacked her forehead in regret. Why did she let Marvin in impulsively? Wasn¡¯t this just like letting a predator into the den?


    Not long after, the rest of the crew showed up. Ellie updated them that Baylee was stable but not awake yet, making it not the best time for them to visit her in the room.


    Kaiden noticed how Ellie handled the crowd, all the while closely watching their reactions to see if she could identify any potential suspects. Over time, Kaiden had learned Ellie did not like social gatherings. Yet, her social skills were undeniably sharp, fitting her past reputation as the top socialite. To her, personal preferences didn¡¯t interfere with her ability to engage effectively.


    ¡°Someone is there with her?¡± Tobias tried to look into the room, spotting a man¡¯s figure.


    Ellie openly shared, ¡°That¡¯s Marvin Hill.¡±


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 Chapter 679

    ?Chapter 679:


    ¡°Marvin Hill?¡± The surprise was evident even in the director¡¯s voice.


    Marvin, the eldest son of the Hill family, carried a name that held weight, a legacy well-known even when Kaiden was considered an outcast in the Thorpe family.


    Carole¡¯s expression shifted slightly, her hand instinctively balling into a fist as she suppressed the fear inside. Baylee¡­ What business did she have getting involved with Marvin, that madman?


    Ellie wanted everyone to know that Baylee wasn¡¯t someone who could be easily bullied, even in the face of the Curtis family¡¯s downfall. Not just Ellie, but Marvin also stood by Baylee! Even if Baylee hadn¡¯t nned on epting Marvin, it was no big deal to use her admirer¡¯s influence to intimidate others!


    Katharine couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    ¡°Why are youughing, Miss Lambert?¡± Ellie asked, genuinely confused.


    ¡°I¡¯mughing because you¡¯re so talented and amazing, your best friend is amazing, and even the friends she makes are not bad.¡±


    Silence fell over the group. Ellie was praised as ¡°amazing,¡± while Marvin was simply deemed ¡°not bad.¡± Why did it seem like Katharine favored Ellie so much?


    With Baylee still unconscious, the rest gradually left.


    ¡°Darrell!¡± Ellie called after him.


    Darrell, burdened by the incident with the photograph and his role as the scapegoat, felt a deep-seated guilt towards Ellie. He paused but remained silent.


    Ellie closed the distance and softly asked, ¡°Do you have anything to do with Baylee¡¯s ident?¡±


    Darrell¡¯s reaction was quick, like a startled cat puffing up its fur, immediately bing defensive. ¡°You didn¡¯t believe me when I said I wasn¡¯t behind the photo! And now you¡¯re trying to me me for Baylee¡¯s ident too?¡±


    ¡°Alright then. I won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡±


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    Ellie was just testing Darrell; his response almost convinced her of his innocence.


    Yet, when Darrell mentioned ¡°Baylee,¡± Carole turned her attention their way. ¡°Ellie, dragging Darrell into this because of a personal issue isn¡¯t right, especially when Baylee¡¯s situation was just an ident.¡±


    After receiving a supportive nce from Carole, Darrell turned on his heel and departed.


    Carole¡¯s expression became tense.


    ¡°How are you so sure it was an ident?¡± Ellie asked, maintaining a rxed demeanor.


    ¡°Being bitten by a snake sounds idental, doesn¡¯t it? Is it even possible to direct a snake?¡± Carole shot back.


    ¡°Garfield discovered a powder among the rocks that lures snakes.¡±


    ¡°Is that even a thing?¡± Carole pretended to be shocked, but inside, she felt uneasy. It was unlucky that Baylee was discovered too soon; otherwise, the powder would have been washed away by the sea!


    Kaiden and Katharine came over upon hearing their conversation.


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 Chapter 680

    Chapter 680:


    ¡°Miss Gordon, you can¡¯t possibly be suspecting Darrell first and now me?¡± Carole countered. ¡°I get where you¡¯reing from, but I was with Katharine throughout Baylee¡¯s ident.¡±


    Katharine gave her a look. She really didn¡¯t want to give Carole an alibi.


    ¡°Click!¡±


    The door to the ward swung open, and Marvin came out.


    Ellie seized the moment and said, ¡°Mr. Hill, perhaps you could look into what happened to Baylee?¡±


    Marvin agreed without hesitation, ¡°Alright.¡±


    Carole, meanwhile, seemed visibly unsettled.


    Before she took her leave, Katharine left her contact details with Ellie, offering her assistance if needed.


    ¡°Carole, aren¡¯t you going as well?¡± Katharine asked, noticing Carole¡¯s stillness beside her.


    Carole offered a small smile. ¡°Katharine, I think I¡¯ll stay a bit longer, and wait for Baylee to wake up.¡±


    She wanted to have more time with Kaiden, as well as keep track of how the investigation was progressing.


    Katharine¡¯s lips curved slightly. ¡°You and Baylee aren¡¯t exactly close friends. She might not want to see you when she wakes up.¡±


    Carole looked pale under Katharine¡¯s straightforward remark.


    ¡°Why leave this matter to Marvin?¡± Kaiden inquired, thinking Ellie would handle it personally.


    Ellie held Kaiden¡¯s gaze for a moment.


    Kaiden quickly grasped the situation. ¡°You suspect Carole might be involved, and you¡¯re worried I might take her side.¡±


    Discover your escape on g aln ov el s


    Ellie confirmed with a nod and said, ¡°Yes.¡±


    She passed the issue to Marvin, effectively taking herself and Kaiden out of the equation. If it turned out Carole was behind it, she wouldn¡¯t have anyone to turn to for help.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s my fault that you think this way,¡± Kaiden sighed. ¡°But why do you suspect Carole?¡±


    Her suspicions were based on intuition, as there was no concrete evidence at the moment. Ellie, choosing not to answer directly, posed a question of her own. ¡°If it turns out that Carole is indeed connected to Baylee¡¯s injury, would you stand by her side?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t,¡± Kaiden responded promptly, without a trace of hesitation.


    Ellie¡¯s face lit up with a satisfied and rxed smile. ¡°Then, let¡¯s wait for the findings from Marvin¡¯s investigation!¡±


    She had earlier shared with Marvin the specifics of Baylee¡¯s ordeal and the clues Garfield had uncovered.


    As they concluded their discussion, they noticed through the ward¡¯s small window that the woman on the bed had awakened and was attempting to sit up.


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    Message from Noa: Good afternoon dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?


    .

 Chapter 681

    ?Chapter 681:


    Marvin hastened inside, helping Baylee up. He gently inquired, ¡°Do you need water? Or perhaps your phone?¡±


    Baylee, puzzled by Marvin¡¯s sudden presence, met his gaze. The man¡¯s eyes sparkled with urgency and relief upon seeing her wake up. In his eyes, she saw a reflection of herself, momentarily the sole focus of his world.


    ¡°Marvin¡­ Why is he here?¡± she questioned, surprised by his presence after what she assumed were many days of unconsciousness.


    ¡°I was worried about you. Do you feel ufortable anywhere?¡± Marvin asked.


    ¡°My foot and calf hurt a lot,¡± Baylee sighed.


    Marvin¡¯s proximity felt overwhelming, prompting Baylee to instinctively want to push him away, but Ellie¡¯s worried nce made her hesitate.


    ¡°It¡¯s likely the aftermath of the snake bite. The doctor mentioned that pain in the wound is normal,¡± Ellie tried to reassure her, catching Baylee¡¯s anxious signals and subtly nudging Kaiden. ¡°Kaiden, why don¡¯t you and Marvin go grab some dinner for Baylee and me?¡±


    Reluctance flickered across Kaiden¡¯s handsome features. He preferred to purchase dinner with Ellie rather than with Marvin!


    Marvin, after adjusting the hospital bed for Baylee¡¯sfort, stepped back. ¡°I¡¯ll give you space, can you please not push me away?¡±


    Baylee, caught off guard by his insight into her thoughts, awkwardly fidgeted with her hair.


    ¡°Baylee, we found you on the southern part of the ind, near the rocks. Why did you go there?¡± Ellie sat down, shifting the conversation to a more serious tone.


    ¡°I received a message from Quincy iming to have information about my leg injury from years ago. He urged me to head south,¡± Baylee shared, her expression turning notably cold.


    Hearing Quincy¡¯s name made Marvin frown. ¡°He¡­ Wasn¡¯t it obvious that there was something wrong with that message?¡±


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    Ellie struggled to find the right words. ¡°It was suspicious,¡± Baylee concurred, her gaze meeting Ellie¡¯s. ¡°But Ellie, the mystery surrounding my leg injury has haunted me for years. I suspected Aphrodite, but Icked evidence. I thought¡­ perhaps Quincy had a change of heart. How foolish of me!¡±


    At her words, a cold chill shadowed Marvin¡¯s eyes.


    Baylee¡¯s previous ident involved a fall down a hill, resulting in cuts from discarded ss and des. The injuries damaged her muscles and ligaments severely, nearly disabling her leg in the process. Was it not an ident?


    Baylee continued, ¡°I discovered a box on the rocks, and unexpectedly, snakes swarmed from all directions as I approached. The box was nowhere to be found by the time Ellie and the others arrived, likely swept away by the strong currents.¡±


    Ellie quickly identified a discrepancy. ¡°How could Quincy have known you were on the ind? Even if he was aware of the filming, he couldn¡¯t have known the ind¡¯syout.¡±


    Baylee¡¯s fingers toyed with the bedsheet. ¡°If not Quincy, then another suspectes to mind. Aphrodite! She once used Quincy¡¯s phone to call and warn me.¡± It was clear Aphrodite had ess to Quincy¡¯s phone.


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 Chapter 682

    ?Chapter 682:


    ¡°Baylee, are you trying to absolve Quincy?¡± Marvin asked, his toneced with displeasure.


    Baylee preferred not to engage with him on this.


    ¡°Marvin, this is not the time for personal grudges, especially not against a romantic rival,¡± Ellie intervened, unable to hide her annoyance.


    ¡°Should grievances be overlooked at any time?¡± Marvin countered, adamant. ¡°The phone belonged to Quincy. He must bear responsibility.¡±


    Kaiden, silently observing, found himself in agreement with Marvin.


    Baylee was left without words. Nursing a headache, she changed the subject. ¡°Ellie, how did you manage to find me?¡±


    Ellie looked at Marvin. Marvin honestly spoke, ¡°The bracelet I gave you has a locator and safety rm system in it.¡±


    Baylee, taken aback, examined the elegantly designed diamond bracelet on her wrist, then looked at Marvin with disbelief.


    ¡°Baylee, I never imagined you¡¯d actually wear it,¡± he admitted, a hint of luck in his voice.


    Baylee opened her mouth to respond, but Marvin cut in. ¡°I may stand a chance to be your boyfriend, right?¡±


    Rendered speechless, Baylee instinctively reached to remove the bracelet but paused, remembering the intensity of his gaze upon his arrival. The memory alone made it impossible for her to proceed.


    ¡°Haha.¡± Marvin¡¯s softughter broke the silence.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny? Marvin, installing a tracker in the bracelet without my consent is a breach of my privacy!¡± Baylee protested, her anger evident yet without a clear outlet.


    Marvin, amused by the situation and seeing the bracelet still on her wrist, continued to chuckle softly.


    Baylee¡¯s discharge from the hospital was not yet approved, so Ellie decided to stay with her for the night. As she bid Kaiden farewell outside the hospital, his expression was cold.


    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, where the best stories live


    ¡°Ellie, would you really prefer a hospital bed over spending the night with me?¡± Kaiden pressed her against a pir, his teeth clenched.


    ¡°Baylee appears calm, but she¡¯s undoubtedly shaken by this ordeal,¡± Ellie voiced her concerns.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t Marvin stay with her?¡± Kaiden suggested.


    In fact, Marvin had already been dismissed by Baylee.


    Sensing his displeasure, Ellie took his hand. ¡°Kaiden, don¡¯t be petty. It¡¯s just one night. I¡¯ll be with you once I return home, won¡¯t I?¡±


    Her words seemed to offer him somefort, though he remained quiet. After a moment¡¯s thought, Ellie proposed, ¡°Shall I apany you to the hotel and then return here?¡±


    Kaiden, seeking apromise, suggested, ¡°You walk me to my room.¡±


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 Chapter 683

    ?Chapter 683:


    ¡°If I do that, I might never make it back,¡± Ellie joked, aware of his intentions.


    Disappointed yet yful, Kaiden tousled her hair.


    ¡°Then go back. I¡¯ll watch until you¡¯re safely inside.¡± He was even more concerned for her safety, especially in light of Baylee¡¯s recent scare.


    ¡°Alright, see you tomorrow!¡±


    Ellie turned towards the hospital, Kaiden¡¯s image etched in her mind.


    Recalling the reluctance to part that she¡¯d observed in couples during her college days, Ellie rushed back to him.


    Without hesitation, Kaiden opened his arms to wee her with a hug.


    Ellie embraced Kaiden tightly, resting her ear against his chest, where she could hear his strong heartbeat. In his arms, she felt safe and enveloped in warmth.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Kaiden teased, a yful note in his voice, ¡°Have you changed your mind and wanted to sleep with me?¡±


    ¡°In your dreams!¡± Ellie retorted, standing on her tiptoes to nt a quick kiss on his lips before pushing him away with augh and stepping back.


    The early summer breeze danced through her hair, casting her smiling face in a radiant glow under the streetlights. ¡°Goodnight, Mr. Thorpe!¡±


    Her words barely faded before she turned and sprinted back into the hospital, disappearing from his view.


    Kaiden stood still, his initial irritation giving way to amusement at her yful departure.


    Despite feeling utterly disarmed by her actions, he knew he would always stand ready, arms wide open, for her to return to him.


    After Ellie¡¯s bold move earlier, Kaiden hurried back to his room and took a quick cold shower. Then, he called Bruce for some important work. While he was going over papers, his phone rang.


    He thought it might be Ellie. But it was Carole calling instead.


    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all


    Kaiden¡¯s smile faded as he remembered what Ellie had said. Ellie wasn¡¯t one to jump to conclusions without reason.


    Deciding to ignore the call, Kaiden put his phone on silent and let it go to voicemail.


    Not long after, the doorbell chimed. Kaiden went to answer it, and his expression tightened when he saw who was there.


    ¡°Are you busy, Kaiden? I tried calling, but you didn¡¯t pick up,¡± Carole said, looking pretty in her dress and makeup, clearly prepared for the asion.


    ¡°How did you know I was staying here?¡± Kaiden asked nkly.


    ¡°Our family has a stake in this hotel,¡± Carole exined.


    A spark of memory ignited in Kaiden¡¯s mind: Glostin was the cornerstone of the Lambert family¡¯s legacy. Even though they had scattered across the globe, Glostin remained their stronghold, with Katharine¡¯s maritime investments and their eldest son¡¯s stake invish hotels keeping their ties strong.


    Since Carole was part of the Lambert family, it made sense for the hotel manager to disclose Kaiden¡¯s room number to her.


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 Chapter 684

    ?Chapter 684:


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Kaiden asked.


    ¡°I wanted to check on Miss Curtis,¡± Carole said.


    Carole¡¯s response flickered with a glint of hope, her eyes brightening with expectation. ¡°Oh, by the way, I¡¯ve got a ce here in Glostin. Kaiden, you can crash at mine if you want.¡±


    Casually leaning against the door frame, Kaiden watched Carole closely, taking in every detail.


    Even without words, Carole could feel Kaiden¡¯s impatience. A sense of unease crept over her, knotting her stomach.


    ¡°Carole, I¡¯m married,¡± Kaiden gently reminded her.


    ¡°Kaiden, you¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡± Carole¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ¡°I just meant you and your wife coulde over, you know, as a friendly gesture!¡±


    Surely, if she could find his hotel info, she would know Ellie hadn¡¯te with him. Why did she have to be pretentious?


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you here about Baylee?¡± Kaiden asked.


    Carole¡¯s palms grew sweaty as she stuttered nervously, ¡°Kaiden¡­ do you think I¡¯m involved too?¡±


    Her smile faltered slightly. ¡°It kinda makes sense. Ellie¡¯s your wife, so you¡¯d listen to her, right?¡±


    Ignoring her implications, Kaiden stayed firm. ¡°You should head back.¡±


    ¡°Kaiden¡­¡± Carole pressed against the door, shaking her head in disbelief. ¡°Carole, it¡¯s not right for us to meet privately at such ate hour,¡± Kaiden said. ¡°Especially, we should avoid meeting in a hotel room without anyone else present.¡±


    Carole looked hurt as she asked, ¡°Is it¡­ Is it because of Ellie? Does she not like me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got nothing to do with her,¡± Kaiden replied, his expression darkening at Carole¡¯s unfounded suspicions.


    ???€$? ?§ß???€?$ 1? g??l??ov?l??.????m


    Indeed, Ellie never warmed up to Carole. But she remainedposed and understanding, never imposing her views on others. Respect guided her interactions, shaping her rtionships with those around her.


    Kaiden resisted the urge to m the door, with his brother¡¯s final wishes to take good care of Carole etched in his memory.


    ¡°Carole.¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice cut sharply through the air, each word as cold as ice. ¡°If my brother hadn¡¯t died, you¡¯d be family now. You know how important it is to keep things proper between families.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gone, Kaiden! In fact, I never really married him. So I¡¯m not your sister-inw!¡± Carole¡¯s words echoed defiantly down the corridor.


    Caught in Kaiden¡¯s icy stare, Carole stepped back in panic.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she stumbled over her words, the weight of her mistake heavy on her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    ¡°Just leave!¡± Kaiden¡¯s voice was firm as he closed the door without hesitation.


    Alone in the silence, Kaiden wished his brother could see how things had changed, how the past was slipping away.


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 Chapter 685

    ?Chapter 685:


    Sitting on the sofa, Kaiden found himself missing Ellie. Then he decided to call her on video. But the call ended almost as soon as it began.


    Ellie¡¯s message popped up. ¡°Baylee¡¯s falling asleep. Let¡¯s talkter!¡± Kaiden couldn¡¯t help but seethe at her message.


    Carole gazed at the shut door, dazed. She couldn¡¯t catch a glimpse of Kaiden from outside.


    Her heart slowed as the noise faded away. She regretted her words. But she was grateful she hadn¡¯t confessed her feelings for Kaiden.


    Kaiden¡¯s rejection lingered in her head all the same. His words had cut deep. A tear threatened to fall from her eyes.


    Then a call from Aphrodite came in.


    ¡°Carole, you told me to use Quincy¡¯s phone to send that message to Baylee, just for a little lesson, right? So why did Marcelo, one of Marvin¡¯s guys,e to¡ª¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice quivered.


    Carole sucked in a deep breath, her eyes mped shut, trying to block out the chaos.


    In Carole¡¯s n, Baylee was meant to die, leaving no trace back to them. But now, Baylee was alive, and Marvin was tangled up in their mess.


    If Ellie had taken on the case, Carole could have muddled through using Kaiden¡¯s influence, since Ellie and both Quincy and Aphrodite had a bad rtionship, limiting her reach.


    But Marvin¡¯s involvementplicated everything.


    ¡°Don¡¯t freak out, Aphrodite. The message got wiped, right? They have no proof. And Quincy won¡¯t y ball with Marvin,¡± Carole said reassuringly.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right! Marvin¡¯s eyeing the Hill family¡¯s prestige; he won¡¯t openly sh with Quincy,¡± Aphrodite tried to calm herself, echoing Carole¡¯s reassurance.


    Taking a gamble on Baylee seemed worth it for now.


    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, where stories thrive


    After the call, Aphrodite realized something puzzling. Why was Marvin¡¯s man poking around about Baylee? ¡°I didn¡¯t send any messages!¡±


    Quincy¡¯s voice, simmering with anger, floated from the other room.


    ¡°Marcelo, don¡¯t push it, or my patience with Marvin will run out!¡± Quincy hissed.


    ¡°Miss Curtis got a message from you, guiding her to the scene.¡±


    Quincy, growing even more agitated, responded, ¡°And why¡¯s Marvin dragging me into this mess?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t know?¡± Marcelo said. ¡°Mr. Hill is pursuing Miss Curtis, hoping she would be his wife.¡±


    The world seemed to hush at that moment.


    Quincy and Aphrodite turned ashen.


    ¡°Baylee¡­ Marvin¡­ How could this be?¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice faltered in disbelief, her heart sinking with fear. She instinctively nced at Quincy.


    Quincy¡¯s hands were balled into fists, and he was gritting his teeth, visibly struggling to ept what he had just heard. He had been aware of a new man getting close to Baylee recently. Despite using his resources and contacts, he couldn¡¯t figure out who it was. It never crossed his mind that it would be Marvin, his cousin, who usually showed no interest in women.


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 Chapter 686

    ?Chapter 686:


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with Baylee? What happened to her?¡± Quincy managed to ask, finding some calm.


    ¡°Miss Curtis is fine, with Mr. Hill taking care of her. But as for what happened¡­¡±


    Marcelo scoffed, ¡°Aren¡¯t you aware?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you. I haven¡¯t sent any texts!¡± Quincy disyed the message log on his phone to Marcelo, who showed no interest in seeing it. Messages could be erased, anyway.


    ¡°Mr. Rollins, if you don¡¯t clear this up, you¡¯ll be excluded from future Hill gatherings, and we¡¯ll end all deals between the Rollins and Hill families!¡±


    ¡°Marcelo, Quincy is a favored grandson of Mr. Shelton Hill. Do you really want to cause trouble over this situation?¡± Aphrodite was in a state of panic.


    ¡°Should someone with bad intentions toward the future matriarch of the Hill family really show up?¡± Marcelo shot back.


    Causing trouble over this situation? That was something Marvin never worried about!


    Marcelo then hinted, ¡°Mr. Rollins, just think about what would happen if the public learned you sent a message to trick your ex-girlfriend with the intent of harming her. How do you think your family¡¯s stock prices would react overnight?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do it!¡± Quincy was seething with anger. How could he possibly think of hurting Baylee again? He¡­ he hadn¡¯t even reached out to her!


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you say. What¡¯s important is what the public believes.¡± Marcelo was clearly using the threat of spreading the rumor to force Quincy¡¯s hand. After all, since when did rumors need proof? And as for being without shame? Well, Marcelo and his boss often considered shame to be unnecessary.


    Quincy was deeply troubled. When did Baylee and Marvin even meet? Why did Marcelo keep saying he sent the message that caused Baylee¡¯s ident? How badly was Baylee hurt now? These questions raced through Quincy¡¯s mind.


    Aphrodite couldn¡¯t keep her fingers still, her anxiety getting the best of her. Carole had convinced her that Marvin wouldn¡¯t take any action as long as they stayed under the radar, avoiding any provocation¡­ And yet, Marvin was prepared to go to such lengths for Baylee?!


    I??§Ö$§ä ¡é#¦Áp?¨º§ñs I§Ú galno¦Íels


    ¡°Why does Miss Watts look so nervous?¡± Marcelo teased with a smirk.


    ¡°Miss Watts, it¡¯s important to weigh the value of your friend and boyfriend,¡± he added.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it was me! No! Actually, it was Carole!¡± Aphrodite blurted out.


    Caught off guard, Aphrodite identally let Carole¡¯s name slip.


    Quincy stared at Aphrodite in disbelief.


    Panicked and starting to cry, Aphrodite quickly took Quincy¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Quincy. I was the one who used your phone to message Baylee. Carole and I thought it would be a good lesson for her¡­ But I swear, I didn¡¯t want to hurt her!¡±


    Marcelo¡¯s voice grew louder. ¡°Miss Curtis could have lost her life on that ind, and you¡¯re saying you didn¡¯t intend any harm?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Quincy¡¯s face lost all color, shocked by the revtion.


    In Glostin, Carole hadn¡¯t expected any mishaps from Aphrodite and had nned to stay in for the night. However, she was awakened early by a knock at the door.


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 Chapter 687

    ?Chapter 687:


    ¡°Carole!¡±


    Surprised, Carole opened the door to find an unexpected visitor. It was Katharine, seeking her out for the first time.


    Before Carole could even greet her, Katharine got straight to the point. ¡°We need to go, now.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    Carole noticed Katharine¡¯s expression was unusually stern and impatient, which made her uneasy.


    Marcelo had shared the findings of their investigation, which had led Ellie to contact Katharine. Since Carole was a member of the Lambert family, there was a chance she might try to use the Lambert name to defend herself. Ellie thought it best for Katharine to be the one to bring her in.


    Meanwhile, Baylee hadpleted her hospital discharge process and was enjoying breakfast with Ellie at the hospital¡¯s tea table. The two women chattedfortably, but the mood was quite different for the two men seated with them ¡ª it was noticeably tense.


    A series of knocks sounded at the door. Almost simultaneously, Katharine¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, I¡¯ve brought the person.¡±


    Standing behind Katharine, Carole felt her heart tighten at those words. Her gaze instinctively shifted toward Baylee.


    Baylee leaned back in her chair, herplexion pale, like a fragile flower.


    Ellie stood up, immediately getting to the point. ¡°Katharine, there¡¯s something you need to know. Before Baylee¡¯s ident, she received a text. It turns out it was sent by Aphrodite. She said she and Carole wanted to teach Baylee a lesson.¡±


    Katharine stared at Carole in disbelief. She had suspected Carole might be in some sort of trouble, but the thought that Carole could have orchestrated Baylee¡¯s ident was beyond her imagination.


    Kaiden, who already knew the¡­


    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lno¦Íels.??????


    Truth, observed Carole with a calm detachment. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it!¡± Carole protested, her face draining of color.


    ¡°Did you send it or not?¡± Ellie asked, her tone turning cold.


    Startled by Ellie¡¯s seriousness, Carole nced at Katharine, hoping for support. Katharine, ignoring Carole¡¯s silent plea and unfazed by Ellie¡¯s intensity, even seemed slightly entertained.


    Despite her gentle and elegant appearance, Ellie was no pushover.


    ¡°Ellie, do you have any proof to use me like this? Yes, I called Aphrodite, but I have no reason to hurt Miss Curtis!¡±


    Carole tried to stay calm, believing she should keep denying everything, even in the face of Aphrodite¡¯s betrayal.


    ¡°Do you think we have no way to hold you ountable if you just deny everything?¡± Ellie saw right through her.


    Carole bit her lip, trying not to let her hands shake.


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 Chapter 688

    ?Chapter 688:


    ¡°How dare you use me like this? What are you trying to do?¡± Carole asked, her frustration clear.


    Ellie just smirked, unimpressed by Carole¡¯s attempts to deny everything.


    Marvin, tired of the back-and-forth, made a bold proposal. ¡°Carole, we¡¯ll put snake-attracting powder where Baylee had her ident. You stay there for half a day, and we¡¯ll call it even.¡±


    He thought that since Carole had harmed Baylee, she had to face the consequences on her own.


    Carole, unlike Baylee, didn¡¯t have a loyal friend like Ellie toe to her aid, nor someone to organize a rescue helicopter for her. She found herself trapped with no escape.


    ¡°You¡¯re asking me to die! This is murder!¡± Carole shrieked, her voiceced with terror.


    Marvin chuckled, but the amusement never reached his eyes.


    ¡°Carole,¡± he said smoothly, ¡°everyone will believe it was an ident.¡± He was right. Just as they all suspected Carole¡¯s schemes without concrete proof, her own ¡°ident¡± would be seen the same way.


    Carole shook her head, her gaze darting between Ellie and Baylee, who regarded her with undisguised disdain.


    To Carole, Marvin was the executioner, already raising the axe.


    Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for Katharine¡¯s sleeve, desperation etched across her face. ¡°Katharine¡­¡±


    Katharine¡¯s voice was cold as she pulled her sleeve away. ¡°Carole, I warned you. Using the marriage alliance to get close to Kaiden and Leo was thest favor the Lambert family would extend.¡±


    Her gaze hardened. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have interfered with Elsie¡¯s matters.¡±


    Every chapter lives on g a lno vels ;m


    Baylee¡¯s eyes flickered towards Ellie.


    Ellie had always been sensitive about the Lambert¨CThorpe marriage alliance. Carole had once misled her into believing she was betrothed to Kaiden, making Ellie feel like a mistress.


    Was Carole recing someone named Elsie?


    And if Ellie truly was Elsie, then wasn¡¯t she the one destined to be with Kaiden? A surge of resentment filled Carole. Elsie again.


    In her mind, using the unused marriage arrangement was perfectly reasonable. So why was she being cast out by the Lambert family? Wasn¡¯t an adopted daughter still a daughter of the Lambert family?


    But dwelling on this wouldn¡¯t save her.


    Tears streaming down her face, Carole approached Kaiden. ¡°Kaiden¡­¡±


    Before she could reach him, Ellie stepped in, blocking her path.


    ¡°Miss Lambert, it¡¯s best for you to maintain a respectful distance from my husband.¡±


    The feigned kindness usually present in Carole¡¯s eyes vanished, reced by a cold, obsessive glint. It was as if she were trying to drill holes through Ellie with her gaze.


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 Chapter 689

    ?Chapter 689:


    Of all the women who had imed to be the lost Elsie Lambert, none had made Carole feel as threatened as she did in that moment.


    Quickly regaining herposure, Carole looked past Ellie at Kaiden. ¡°Kaiden¡­¡±


    ¡°Carole, I¡¯m staying out of this,¡± he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ellie had already delegated the situation to Marvin, effectively removing Kaiden from the equation.


    Carole stumbled back, her body trembling with fear.


    No one in the room was willing to help her. But she refused to give up. Her life would not end here.


    Desperation sparked a memory in Carole¡¯s mind.


    She snatched a small gold locket from her neck and thrust it toward Katharine. ¡°Katharine,¡± she pleaded, ¡°Grandfather instructed you to protect me before he passed.¡±


    Katharine¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Are you attempting to manipte me with Grandfather¡¯s words?¡±


    ¡°I just want to be safe! Grandfather said this locket signifies I belong to your family!¡±


    The sight of the locket stirred something in Ellie, reminding her of the silver pendant that symbolized her own parents¡¯ love.


    After a tense moment, Katharineid out her conditions. ¡°If I intervene, this locket and your status as our foster daughter are relinquished.¡±


    Carole was stunned for a moment before nodding repeatedly. ¡°Please. Please help me!¡±


    Had she known the cost, she would have nned more carefully.


    Ellie observed Katharine with cold indifference. Indeed, the Lambert family remained the biggest hurdle.


    Katharine ignored Carole and pocketed the locket. She then turned to Baylee. ¡°Miss Curtis, you are the directly affected party, and I propose to send Carole abroad tomorrow. She¡¯ll be gone from Critport permanently. What are your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Baylee responded without hesitation.


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    ¡°Baylee!¡± Ellie eximed. This was far too light of a punishment.


    Baylee reached for Ellie¡¯s hand and patted it. ¡°It¡¯s the best solution.¡±


    Carole crumbled to the floor, overwhelmed by the sudden defeat. How had she be so utterly powerless?


    The answer, she realized, was simple: because of Ellie.


    She had known Kaiden first, yet Ellie became his wife. Light had once been friendly with her, but now ostracized her, favoring Ellie in her ce. Even Kaiden, who once showered her with attention, now coldly rejected her pleas¡ªall because of Ellie.


    Tears streamed down Carole¡¯s face as Katharine led her away.


    As the door shut, Katharine locked eyes with Baylee. Everyone thought Katharine was thanking Baylee, but Baylee knew it was a signal of their secret agreement.


    ¡°Baylee!¡± Ellie burst out, her voice filled with frustration. ¡°Letting Carole go so easily feels wrong.¡±


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 Chapter 690

    ?Chapter 690:


    Baylee remained calm. ¡°Imagine the scandal if she died on your ind. Besides, unlike her, we wouldn¡¯t stand by and watch her be mauled by snakes.¡±


    Ellie looked down, conflicted. While she didn¡¯t wish death upon Carole, she wasn¡¯t against her experiencing the fear of near-death.


    ¡°Ellie,¡± Baylee said gently, ¡°what truly matters is that Carolepletely disappears from your life.¡±


    Baylee had considered all angles; under the current circumstances, this was the best solution. If Ellie really was Elsie, having Carole still around the Lambert family would be unbearable.


    Ellie noticed Baylee¡¯s furtive nces toward Marvin and suggested, ¡°You two talk. We¡¯ll wait in the parking lot.¡±


    The private hospital was eerily quiet. Ellie and Kaiden walked hand in hand, the silence heavy between them.


    ¡°Kaiden, you haven¡¯t said a word.¡± Ellie finally broke the quiet, her voiceced with concern. ¡°Are you upset?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Kaiden stopped abruptly.


    Ellie tilted her head up, her gaze meeting his.


    ¡°I see your lips pursed,¡± she noted softly.


    Kaiden sighed, cupping her face and gently lifting her onto the curb.


    ¡°Ellie, I¡¯m just feeling bad for my brother, not upset with you for handling Carole.¡±


    Relief washed over Ellie. A small smile yed on her lips as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t done anything wrong, and you can¡¯t possibly be mad at me, right?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s fingers softly brushed against Ellie¡¯s cheeks. After a brief pause, he chuckled, though the sound carried a hint of self-ridicule.


    ¡°I keep wondering, was my brother wrong about everything from the start, or did Carole end up losing her way?¡±


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    Ellie gazed at Kaiden, her eyes filled withpassion. ¡°It¡¯s hard for you too, right?¡±


    Kaiden wasn¡¯t ready to confess his feelings, yet his silence spoke volumes.


    Ellie reflected on Kaiden¡¯s journey so far. Neglected by his father, ignored by his mother, only his brother had offered him true kindness. And with his brother gone, Kaiden found himself ensnared by the Thorpe family¡¯s constraints, burdened with heavy responsibilities.


    Brisa, his birth mother, could perhaps be forgiven¡ªbut Carole?


    The more Ellie pondered over it, the deeper her empathy for him grew. She opened her arms and pulled him into a hug.


    ¡°Kaiden, remember, you¡¯re not alone. There are people who care about you and won¡¯t let you down. I¡¯m here for you too,¡± Ellie whispered gently.


    Kaiden¡¯s dark eyes flickered with emotion, then settled. He embraced her, resting his chin on her shoulder and nestling his face into her neck, inhaling her distinct fragrance. The woman he held was both kind and strong.


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 Chapter 691

    ?Chapter 691:


    ¡°Ellie, are you trying to make me feel better?¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Ellie returned his smile.


    ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±


    How could he say no? Ellie was his sole source offort after years of loneliness.


    It was hard to imagine that Kaiden, the force behind GT Group and the stoic Mr.


    Thorpe would ever needforting. But she, with her purity and charm, was irresistible.


    The hospital room grew even quieter after Ellie and Kaiden departed. Baylee shifted ufortably under Marvin¡¯s silent gaze. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to say anything? You mentioned you had something to share with me.¡±


    Marvin, facing Baylee, adopted his usual gentle demeanor, making him seem very friendly. Baylee yed with the porridge she had been given. She began, ¡°I appreciate what you¡¯ve done. Ellie said I might not have made it if you hadn¡¯t helped her find me in time.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for thanks,¡± Marvin replied, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of something unspoken.


    Baylee sensed he was looking for more than just a thank you¡ªperhaps a dinner invitation or a present. Marvin leaned in, his gaze locking with hers. ¡°Baylee, just remember, I¡¯m interested in you.¡±


    The idea of expecting gratitude from the woman he saw as his future partner seemed ridiculous to him. It just didn¡¯t add up.


    Baylee instinctively leaned back, trying to create some distance between them by pushing against his chest. ¡°Please, don¡¯t stand so close.¡±


    ¡°Baylee, you seem to be acting differently towards me,¡± Marvin observed quickly. Before, her rejections were direct and icy.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same! You¡¯re just confused.¡± Baylee, feeling a strange sense of guilt, quickly stood up straight and told him firmly, ¡°Stay away from me!¡±


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    Marvin, with his arms folded across his chest, let out a chuckle. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be as proud and unyielding as you are now? Why would someone like you, the queen bee, give in? You could have just told me to leave right away!¡±


    ¡°Marvin, really, what are you trying to do? Seriously, stopughing!¡± Baylee¡¯s voice grew louder without meaning to. Her attempt to sound tough didn¡¯t quite hit the mark.


    Without her knowing, Marvin thought she looked like a small Pomeranian trying to be intimidating, which he found adorable.


    ¡°I was meaning to ask you, what do you think about how I¡¯ve been dealing with Carole?¡± Baylee returned to the main topic. ¡°I appreciate the effort you¡¯ve made for me.¡±


    ¡°Baylee, I did it for you, not for Carole. Youe first when ites to how she¡¯s handled,¡± Marvin exined. ¡°Making you happy is all that counts.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Baylee was taken aback.


    ¡°What?¡±


    She felt overwhelmed. Standing up, a bit awkwardly, she gave him a hard look. ¡°Marvin, have you never fallen in love before? How do you manage to say such sweet things?¡± Despite having been in a rtionship before, Baylee couldn¡¯t understand why Marvin¡¯s words made her feel so vulnerable.


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 Chapter 692

    ?Chapter 692:


    ¡°Is that really sweet-talking?¡± Marvin asked, looking genuinely surprised.


    Baylee was rendered speechless, unable to find the words to respond. Marvin, almost as if he could read her thoughts, leaned in so close that their noses were nearly touching.


    ¡°Baylee, I like you, and I¡¯m going to love you even more as time goes on.¡± Baylee¡¯s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed red, something she hadn¡¯t intended.


    ¡°I figured that¡¯s what sweet-talking was all about.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Baylee gasped, stepping back to put some space between them. But Marvin had already moved back.


    ¡°If you enjoy hearing it, I can keep going.¡±


    Marvin¡¯s smile reminded her of the days when he would innocently crash on her couch.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear that, okay? Cut it out!¡± Baylee felt her cheeks burning, wishing the warmth would disappear, but it stubbornly stayed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head out, Ellie and Kaiden are waiting for us.¡± Marvin smiled.


    Before Baylee could take a step, Marvin grabbed her hand.


    ¡°Baylee, you¡¯re blushing.¡±


    With a nk expression, Baylee retorted, ¡°Marvin, are you trying to pick a fight?¡±


    Marvin, not bothered by her challenge or the hint of a fight, gently suggested, ¡°Baylee, why not consider giving me a chance to be your boyfriend? Please, think about it.¡±


    Baylee thought back to what Ellie had told her the previous night.


    Ellie had said Marvin was the first to sense something was off after her ident. His urgency and worry almost broke through his calm voice over the phone. And he didn¡¯t rush to the hospital from Critport, but because he was already in Glostin, waiting for her. Even if he had his own reasons for approaching her, his concern and protective instincts were real.


    The warmth and affection she felt from him was genuine. ¡°I need some time to think,¡± Baylee sighed.


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    ¡°You¡¯ve said that before.¡±


    ¡°But this time, I mean it.¡±


    Marvin nced at her, a hint ofint in his eyes. ¡°You were really offhand with mest time, huh?¡±


    Baylee was at a loss for words.


    Kaiden had already arranged for a private ne. During their return to Critport, Ellie and Baylee rxed on the sofa, engrossed in dramas and enjoying their conversation. Kaiden and Marvin looked at each other before settling down to work on their paperwork.


    ¡°Baylee, you and Marvin¡­¡± Ellie whispered, giving Baylee a gentle nudge.


    ¡°What do you mean, him and me?¡± Baylee suddenly became defensive.


    ¡°The vibe between you two seems strange. Marvin had a certain look after you left the hospital room.¡± Ellie tried to find the right words. ¡°Marvin¡¯s expression mirrors the satisfaction Kaiden disys when he shares some intimate moments with me.¡±


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 Chapter 693

    ?Chapter 693:


    Baylee faced Ellie, shocked. ¡°Come on! That¡¯s not the case. There are no intimate activities between me and Marvin!¡±


    Ellie quickly changed the subject as the flight attendant handed them two sses of juice and some cake slices.


    Baylee tasted a macaron, found it overly sweet, and stopped Ellie before she could grab one herself. ¡°Marvin confessed his love for me again. I said I¡¯d think about it,¡± Baylee whispered.


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    ¡°You seem too calm, don¡¯t you think?¡± Baylee frowned.


    Ellie¡¯s reaction was surprisingly nonchnt for a best friend hearing such interesting news. She looked at Baylee. ¡°You¡¯ve given Marvin that same answer before. Haven¡¯t you ever thought about changing the way you let him down? I think he actually did a good job this time.¡±


    Baylee suddenly realized that she was the viin here.


    Before Ellie could say more about it, her attention shifted to the fallout from the variety show. Because of the shocking revtions about Ellie, numerous reporters were camped out at the airport, hoping to catch Ellie and Kaiden, who never appeared.


    ¡°At least we didn¡¯t leave with the crew,¡± Baylee looked on the bright side.


    ¡°They¡¯ll likely target Demi next,¡± Ellie spected. ¡°It¡¯s strange there hasn¡¯t been any follow-up about Demi.¡±


    At the Gordon house, Houston yanked the curtains aside, spotting two paparazzi lurking in the bushes. He quickly dialed the estate¡¯s management to have them escorted off the premises.


    This ordeal had stretched over three days, with reporters crowding the vicinity until the estate¡¯s security stepped in, although a few still managed to slip through.


    ¡°Demi, look at the chaos you¡¯ve stirred up!¡± Houston, in a burst of anger, hurled a cup in the direction of his daughter, who sat on the couch, deep in thought.


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    ¡°Demi!¡± Litzy, reacting swiftly, moved to protect Demi. ¡°Houston! She¡¯s your biological daughter!¡±


    ¡°And that gives her the right to bring trouble upon us?¡± Houston fumed. ¡°My house has turned into a spectacle, flooded with reporters. I¡¯ve even lost several business deals because partners are worried about upsetting Kaiden. Can you grasp the magnitude of our losses?¡±


    ¡°I only told the truth! It¡¯s those schemers who are spreading lies about Ellie!¡± Demi retorted, standing her ground. She felt unjustly used by the relentless media, who twisted her words and maligned her connection with Ellie, aiming to smear her name further. The media and the public were easily deceived by lies!


    Enraged, Houston stormed over to Demi. He delivered a sharp p to her.


    ¡°Demi!¡± Litzy shouted, stepping in to help. Houston, unrelenting, struck Litzy as well. Both the mother and daughter were in shock, their faces bearing identical red marks from the ps, unable to believe that Houston had hit them.


    Houston warned, ¡°Litzy, if you keep defending your daughter, who keeps causing losses, you might as well move back to your parents¡¯ house!¡± Then he turned to Demi and yelled, ¡°And you, apologize to Ellie right now!¡±


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 Chapter 694

    ?Chapter 694:


    ¡°I won¡¯t apologize to Ellie! I didn¡¯t do anything wrong! Why would I ever say sorry to Ellie, that bitch?¡±


    At the airport, Marcelo showed up to fetch Marvin and also brought some invitations. Marvin handed birthday invites to Ellie and Kaiden, making a point of Ellie¡¯s significance by giving them one each. Marvin also gave Baylee a ride home.


    While driving back to Moon Manor, Ellie remembered, ¡°Baylee looked somewhat unsettled when she saw the invite.¡±


    ¡°Marvin asked Baylee to be his date,¡± Kaiden said as he worked on some paperwork.


    ¡°Really? How did you find that out?¡± Ellie was both surprised and a bit wary.


    ¡°Kaiden, since when have you and Marvin been so close?¡±


    ¡°I figured as much,¡± Kaiden said. ¡°Marvin¡¯s gaining more influence in the Hill family, and people are keen to match him with potential brides.¡±


    There were rumors that Marvin might not be interested in women, hinting at a secret condition or doubts about his sexual orientation. These rumors clung more stubbornly than those about Kaiden, who had once pretended to have a disability. If Marvin was serious about marrying Baylee, it was time he introduced her to everyone.


    ¡°Marvin wants to introduce Baylee to the public?¡± Ellie inquired.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Kaiden confirmed, making Ellie realize that Baylee must¡¯ve consented to apany Marvin. Otherwise, Marvin wouldn¡¯t have sent her an invite on his own, which also exined his recent cheerful demeanor. It appeared that Baylee was genuinely considering giving Marvin a chance to be her boyfriend.


    ¡°What are you thinking about so hard?¡± Kaiden asked, gently easing the crease in Ellie¡¯s forehead with his fingertip. He hated to see her worrying. He was there to take on her concerns.


    ¡°If Marvin brings Baylee as his date, she¡¯ll be trapped¡­¡± Ellie voiced her concerns with a furrowed brow.


    ¡°Ellie, if anyone¡¯s trapped, it¡¯s Marvin.¡±


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    Ellie countered, ¡°The world tends to be more lenient with men. When a man leaves a woman, it¡¯s the woman who usually ends up med.¡± And Baylee was a woman with no family to shield her.


    Kaiden, gently holding Ellie¡¯s hand, gave her wrist aforting squeeze. ¡°Marvin¡¯s in a unique spot. Shelton¡¯s still kicking, and by having Baylee by his side now, Marvin¡¯s making a statement about how serious he is. Baylee,cking a strong family backing, is exactly what Marvin¡¯s critics within the Hill family would focus on. They¡¯d prefer he picked someone less influential. They¡¯ll definitely jump on that! Moreover¡­¡±


    Kaiden stopped for a moment, then added, ¡°There¡¯s also Quincy!¡±


    This showed that by inviting Baylee to his birthday, Marvin was bracing for not just family bacsh but also the awkwardness of dating his cousin¡¯s ex-girlfriend. Staying single would be tough unless Baylee didn¡¯t want the rtionship. Basically, Baylee had the upper hand here.


    ¡°Quincy will be at Marvin¡¯s birthday party too!¡± Ellie mentioned, her voice dripping with bitterness.


    ¡°That¡¯s the real reason you got an invite,¡± Kaiden noted, seeing right through the ploy.


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 Chapter 695

    ?Chapter 695:


    With Ellie now Mrs. Thorpe and her friendship with Baylee well-known, people would have to tread carefully around her feelings for Baylee.


    As they neared the gates of Moon Manor, their driver slowed down and announced, ¡°Sir, Madam, it seems Mr. Gordon and Miss Gordon are waiting for you ahead.¡±


    Peering out, Ellie spotted Houston looking both hopeful and awkward by the porch, with Demi standing defiantly by him, looking like she¡¯d survived a battle, but her eyes betrayed deep animosity and envy the moment they met Ellie¡¯s.


    ¡°Should we go meet them?¡± Kaiden asked Ellie.


    They could easily bypass this encounter and head straight into the manor.


    After a slight hesitation, Ellie made up her mind. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s meet them.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, Kaiden¡­¡± Houston, all excited, pped his hands together, itching to greet Kaiden with a handshake.


    Yet, catching sight of Kaiden¡¯s cool and detached look, he hesitantly pulled his hand back.


    ¡°Ellie, your sister was tricked into bad-mouthing you online recently. She¡¯s here now to make things right and apologize,¡± Houston said as he gently tapped Demi on her shoulder.


    Upon feeling the touch, Demi couldn¡¯t help but shiver, her eyes betraying her fear of Houston.


    Ellie¡¯s gaze fell on the concealed green marks under the long sleeves of Demi¡¯s shirt. It was clear she had been subjected to physical abuse.


    ¡°Come on, speak,¡± Houston said, noticing Demi¡¯s silence. His voice was firm.


    Demi¡¯s body shook as she stammered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    ¡°I need a moment alone with Demi,¡± Ellie said.


    Demi looked up, taken aback by the request.


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    Kaiden, worried, grabbed Ellie¡¯s hand tightly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. When ites to strength, I¡¯m more than a match for Demi,¡± Ellie reassured him with a smile.


    Kaiden signaled to the security team. Promptly, they approached with a handheld metal detector, scanned Demi for any hidden weapons, and upon finding none, nodded towards Kaiden.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Kaiden released Ellie¡¯s hand and said, ¡°I¡¯ll stay right here, waiting for you.¡±


    His final words were also meant for Demi.


    Not too far off was a bench. Ellie made her way over and took a seat.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about? Are you here to tease me? Or do you expect me to say sorry to everyone through the press? No way. I¡¯d choose death over giving you that satisfaction,¡± Demi said with a sneer.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t care about what people think, and your apology means nothing to me,¡± Ellie said, looking down at her wrist. ¡°Do you think you can stand firm if Houston goes after you again? If you were truly unyielding, you wouldn¡¯t havee here today.¡±


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 Chapter 696

    ?Chapter 696:


    Demi quickly covered her wrist, her face flushing with shame.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to conceal it; I¡¯ve been hit too,¡± Ellie said in a tone that was both calm and detached, leaving Demi taken aback.


    ¡°Abuse can be a one-time event or a recurring nightmare. If he couldy a hand on you, what¡¯s stopping him from doing the same to me?¡± Ellie added, ¡°And being younger made me an easier target.¡±


    ¡°How can that be¡­¡± Demi couldn¡¯t believe it, convinced Ellie was lying to her.


    ¡°Demi, growing up in this family would have been a nightmare for you,¡± Ellie said, having epted her painful past as nothing more than a memory now. ¡°Though you¡¯ve unveiled my secrets, you weren¡¯t exactly dishonest, so I won¡¯t hold it against you. But remember, this is thest time. I don¡¯t want to cross paths with you again.¡± Ellie stood up before adding, ¡°And do me a favor, pass a message to Houston. It doesn¡¯t matter if I forgive you or not, he and I are finished. He should stop hoping to use me to reach Kaiden!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not mad at me?¡± Demi was taken aback. ¡°Ellie, I almost ruined your reputation! Are you just putting on a show of kindness?¡±


    ¡°I had every intention of not letting you off the hook, but then, all of a sudden, I felt generous and changed my mind.¡±


    Seeing that Demi too had suffered under Houston¡¯s hand sparked a sense of sympathy in Ellie. After all, had Demi note back to the Gordons, escaping that mess would have been much harder for Ellie.


    Today, she didn¡¯t see Litzy; she thought Litzy might have been in a bad ce too. She¡¯d decided to forgive Demi, but she knew Houston wouldn¡¯t, and that was going to hit Litzy hard.


    Demi¡¯s eyes briefly welled up with tears, feeling as though she¡¯d been granted a new lease on life. Ellie¡¯s forgiveness signified that Houston might refrain from hitting her again. However, it also implied that Houston wouldn¡¯t make her life any easier.


    Ellie walked back, linking arms with Kaiden, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s head back!¡±


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    ¡°Ellie!¡± Houston called out. He still had something to say.


    Kaiden stood protectively by Ellie and said, ¡°Mr. Gordon, my wife has severed ties with your family. Isn¡¯t that clear enough?¡±


    Houston let out a forcedugh, his gaze lingering on Ellie. ¡°How can the ties bepletely severed? Ellie might not be my flesh and blood, but I brought her up. The debt of raising her isn¡¯t any less significant than that of giving birth. How can she just cut it off like that?¡±


    Without Kaiden there, he might havebeled Ellie as ungrateful.


    Kaiden just watched Houston silently. His gaze carried a silent warning that seemed to pressure Houston into admitting his wrongdoing, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.


    Houston¡¯s lips parted then shut, as if he wanted to speak, but suddenly found himself voiceless.


    ¡°It looks like even you know your statement is not reasonable,¡± Kaiden said. ¡°With that in mind, I¡¯d appreciate it if you left my wife alone.¡± Kaiden led Ellie back to their car.


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 Chapter 697

    ?Chapter 697:


    ¡°Ellie!¡± Demi suddenly called out. She then continued, ¡°That day, the push to upload the video was someone else¡¯s idea!¡±


    Ellie and Kaiden both turned to look at her at the same time. Demi revealed, ¡°It was Carole!¡±


    At this moment, the name Carole meant nothing to Ellie anymore, except to stir up a little disgust.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Ellie noticed Kaiden had been quiet since they left the gate.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Kaiden drew her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly, and gently kissed her head. Ellie, puzzled by his silence, felt his tight embrace making it difficult for her to breathe. She twisted her head around to look at him, only to see the side view of his ear, slender, with a certain elegance, radiating a cool and sophisticated charm.


    ¡°Kaiden, can you tell me what¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°I just felt like holding you close.¡±


    He expressed his regret for the troubles she had endured. Ellie being targeted by Carole was partly his fault, after all. Surprisingly, Demi was also entangled with Carole!


    After dinner, Ellie received a message from Katharine, informing her that Carole¡¯s ne had already departed. Ellie sent her gratitude in response.


    Inside a private hospital, Baylee inquired, ¡°Miss Lambert, are we going ahead with the DNA test?¡± She was holding a clear stic bag, inside it a single hair strand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait for Daniel,¡± Katharine replied. ¡°We can¡¯t proceed without his part of the sample.¡±


    Baylee was puzzled. Katharine, considering Baylee¡¯s bond with Ellie, decided to be open about the situation.


    ¡°In our family, there are three descendants in this generation. Glenn Lambert, the oldest, was myte uncle¡¯s child. My real parents preferred sons, so I was taken in by the Lambert family. My adoptive parents treated me and Glenn as if we were their own. However, in our household, only Daniel and the lost Elsie are the biological children of my adoptive parents.¡±


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    That was why they were eager to find the lost Elsie, to bring sce to their deceased parents, who had also been their benefactors.


    ¡°I am here!¡± Daniel walked in, produced a hair strand, and handed it to the nurse who was waiting.


    Baylee handed over Ellie¡¯s hair, which she had discreetly taken from the bed Ellie had used.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Susanna?¡±


    Katharine didn¡¯t see an issue with Baylee being there and began talking with Daniel.


    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t be here today,¡± Daniel sighed. Given Susanna¡¯s unpredictable mood, he wanted to avoid any disappointment. Katharine nodded, then began her lecture, asking, ¡°Have you won her heart? You¡¯re twenty-six now, Daniel.¡±


    Daniel rubbed his temples, exhaling in frustration. ¡°Katharine, Susanna doesn¡¯t have feelings for me.¡±


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 Chapter 698

    ?Chapter 698:


    Katharine looked at him with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Catching her drift, Daniel quickly added, ¡°You better hope Ellie is our sister. In this way, the issue of the family¡¯s heir could be resolved more quickly.¡±


    Baylee was at a loss for words. To them, inheriting the Lambert estate seemed more like a burden than a blessing, huh?


    Realizing Baylee¡¯s confusion, Katharine rified, ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand, Miss Curtis. Our family isn¡¯t facing any trouble. It¡¯s just that my brother and I wish for our family¡¯s legacy to continue through our biological lineage. But Daniel, he¡­¡± She paused, her expression hardening. ¡°He had been promised a wife since childhood, and yet nothing hade of it!¡±


    Baylee was left speechless, unsure of what to say next. It seemed as if they were suggesting that Kaiden¡¯s GT Group wasn¡¯t in need of an heir. Besides, Ellie had her own wealth!


    The DNA test results, expedited, would be ready in three hours. They spent their time waiting in a nearby caf¨¦, not speaking a word, surrounded by a quiet tension.


    Eventually, the hospital called, requesting their presence to collect the test findings.


    The doctor passed the report to Katharine, delivering the conclusive verdict. ¡°There¡¯s no familial connection.¡±


    They immediately turned serious, all three of them. Silence hung between them until they left the hospital.


    Daniel sighed. ¡°The evidence we uncovered suggested Ellie wasn¡¯t Elsie. We hoped for a twist.¡±


    Despite her stunning beauty, Katharine couldn¡¯t conceal her disappointment. ¡°Miss Curtis, thank you for your assistance. I¡¯ll arrange for your transportation. Oh, hold on!¡±


    Katharine¡¯s demeanor shifted dramatically as she nced at her phone, her eyes lighting up with a sudden burst of joy that she swiftly concealed.


    ¡°Miss Curtis, Daniel and I will personally escort you. Please, join us in the car.¡±


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    Baylee looked puzzled.


    Once inside the car, Katharine disyed an electronic document on her phone to Baylee, exining, ¡°I had two other samples tested by a privateb, and here are the results.¡±


    Both oues affirmed adherence to gic principles, with a probability of parentage exceeding 0.9999, conclusively establishing a kinship connection.


    Baylee gasped. ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Daniel was momentarily stunned, then swiftly conjectured, ¡°Did someone tamper with the hospital¡¯s test results?¡±


    ¡°It appears that way,¡± Katharine interjected. ¡°Glenn mentioned that if Ellie were truly our younger sister, someone must have manipted her birth records to mislead us. That implies they could tamper with other matters as well. I never fully trusted the hospital¡¯s findings to begin with.¡±


    Their visit to the hospital for a paternity test served as a distraction, diverting attention from their covert actions.


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 Chapter 699

    ?Chapter 699:


    Daniel, devoid of expression, inquired, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you inform me sooner? You even feigned disappointment.¡±


    Katharine brushed off her useless brother and extended her hand to Baylee. ¡°Miss Curtis, I apologize. I took the liberty of collecting a strand of Ellie¡¯s hair while at the hospital. Thank¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thank you for looking after her all this time. If you require anything in the future, don¡¯t hesitate to ask,¡± Katharine said, shaking Baylee¡¯s hand.


    Baylee was ted by the oue, but as she thought about Glenn and Katharine¡¯s maneuver, she couldn¡¯t help but admire how discreet and clever they had been. They had yed their cards well, executing a grand scheme she hadn¡¯t expected.


    ¡°Nevertheless, I trust Miss Curtis will maintain discretion regarding this matter for the time being,¡± Katharine asserted. ¡°Until we unearth the culprit, it¡¯s unwise to reveal Ellie¡¯s identity.¡±


    Baylee nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of keeping quiet. The Lambert family had been searching for Ellie for an extended period, suggesting that someone had made a deliberate effort to erase her trail. The tampered paternity test result was additional evidence of that, and they needed to stay cautious until the investigation wasplete.


    Katharine then turned to Daniel, ¡°Keep this information from Susanna for now.¡±


    Daniel nodded. ¡°Got it. Susanna¡¯s too naive and might identally say something.¡±


    In the hospital parking lot, a doctor handed Kristopher a transparent bag containing a strand of hair. ¡°This belongs to Miss Gordon.¡±


    Kristopher nodded, taking the bag from the doctor before dismissing him. The car¡¯s interior light softly illuminated his delicate features, though it didn¡¯t color his paleplexion. Kristopher stared at the hair in his hand. The quality was exceptional¡ªfine, soft, and lustrous, just like its owner.


    He brought it close and pressed a soft, tender kiss on the strand, a gesture without desire, but filled with care and longing.


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    Meanwhile, Marvin¡¯s birthday celebration was set to take ce at a luxurious five-star hotel owned by the Hills. On the day of the festivities, a renowned fashion house delivered haute couture attire, and Ellie discovered that Kaiden had already arranged for three beautiful dresses for her.


    Ellie selected a strapless gown that cascaded in hues from smoky blue to pink, adorned withyers of tulle. It exuded elegance and sophistication with a hint of girlish charm. ¡°How does it look?¡± she asked, stepping out of the dressing room, turning, and eagerly awaiting Kaiden¡¯s opinion.


    Kaiden frowned.


    Perplexed, Ellie examined herself in the full-length mirror, questioning, ¡°Isn¡¯t it appealing? I find it quite lovely.¡±


    Kaiden¡¯srge hand gently grazed Ellie¡¯s bare shoulders, gliding over her soft skin. ¡°Ellie, in this attire, you¡¯re too alluring,¡± he murmured, his voice deep and filled with maic allure. ¡°Put on something more befitting of a woman of dignity.¡±


    Kaiden regretted his choice of dress. He had merely followed the designer¡¯s suggestion, overlooking the fact that it would enhance Ellie¡¯s charm twofold.


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 Chapter 700

    ?Chapter 700:


    ¡°Come on, how am I not dignified?¡± Ellie retorted, her gaze defiant as she dered, ¡°I¡¯m wearing this!¡±


    The dress hugged her figure wlessly, and the longer Ellie admired it, the more content she felt. She inquired, ¡°By the way, how did you know my size?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s hand trailed from her shoulder, skimming over her chest and waist before settling on her shapely hips. He smirked. ¡°Measured by hand.¡±


    Ellie was left speechless.


    She pushed him aside. ¡°Move. I still need to do my makeup.¡±


    This topic needed to be dropped, lest the dress, deemed ¡°not dignified¡± in his eyes, be discarded.


    ¡°Ellie, have you forgotten something?¡± Kaiden retrieved theb from her hand and began to brush her hair.


    ¡°What?¡± Ellie nced up at him in the mirror, puzzled.


    ¡°My attire.¡±


    Ellie turned to him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you usually not too concerned about coordinating your attire?¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s wardrobeprised two full cabs of suits, predominantly simr in style and color¡ªluxurious and refined.


    ¡°Today is different.¡±


    Kaiden leaned in and brushed a kiss against the corner of her lips.


    ¡°Today, I am here as your husband,¡± he dered, emphasizing the importance of coordinating with her attire.


    Ellie nced at Kaiden, her eyes twinkling with a smile she could barely contain. She nodded. ¡°Alright then!¡±


    Rising to her feet, she gathered her dress and made her way into the walk-in closet, selecting a charcoal grey haute couture suit for Kaiden.


    Once Kaiden slipped into the suit and assessed their reflection, a slight frown creased his forehead. He still wasn¡¯t fully satisfied.


    Ellie, with a discerning eye, chose a royal blue tie for him. She gestured for him to lean down as she skillfully tied a Windsor knot.


    She noticed Kaiden evaluating the tie and then her dress, weighing them against each other.


    ¡°My dress blends smoky grey with cherry blossom pink. Would you prefer a pink tie?¡± Ellie stifled a giggle, teasing, ¡°Well, you are quite the looker; pink would surely suit you as well!¡±


    Kaiden¡¯s expression briefly clouded, but it cleared up swiftly. Apliment from her was a rarity¡ªvery rare indeed.


    With a grace that matched her attire, Ellie moved to the jewelry section and selected a sapphire ne. She lifted her hair, allowing it to be ced around her neck.


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 Chapter 701

    ?Chapter 701:


    Kaiden stepped in, securing the ne, and their reflection showcased how the noble sapphire and the elegant tie were in perfect harmony.


    ¡°Satisfied now?¡± Ellie¡¯s smile broadened, her gaze softening as she looped her arms around his neck in a rxed embrace. ¡°Mr. Thorpe, since when did you be so adept at coordinating? There was a time you had me wear slippers to work!¡±


    With her hair still raised, Kaiden seized the moment to nt a kiss on her earlobe.


    ¡°All thanks to my dear wife¡¯s exemry guidance.¡±


    The birthday banquet for Marvin was a notable gathering, drawing not only his own circle but also the extended Hill family.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Thorpe, it¡¯s been a while!¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, you are absolutely stunning tonight! The two of you make such an enviable pair!¡±


    As Ellie and Kaiden made their entrance, they instantly became the center of attention.


    Ellie sensed a shift in how people approached her, unsure whether it was Kaiden¡¯s presence or another factor that sparked their increased interest.


    Observant attendees noticed Kaiden¡¯s expression soften at the mention of how well he and Ellieplemented each other, prompting a wave of praise for their pairing.


    Ellie, with a steady smile, left the mingling to Kaiden while she searched for Baylee. However, she couldn¡¯t find her anywhere.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, are you looking for Mr. Hill?¡± someone asked before identally providing the information Ellie needed. ¡°Mr. Hill left to fetch ady. It¡¯s intriguing to specte which family¡¯s daughter has caught Mr. Hill¡¯s eye!¡±


    This stirred further curiosity among the crowd.


    At that moment, Quincy and Aphrodite walked by, overhearing thement and casting nces toward Ellie. ¡°Which family¡¯s daughter, indeed?¡±


    I@?e$t ¡é§ß@???§ñ$ ?¦Ç ???§Ú?v¦Å??.c?m


    The realization struck Ellie, and she knew the mysteriousdy they were wondering about must be Baylee. The thought visibly unsettled both Quincy and Aphrodite.


    ¡°Mr. Hill has arrived!¡±


    The anticipation in the air was palpable. ¡°Atst, we¡¯ll see who has captured Mr. Hill¡¯s heart!¡±


    ¡°Am I hallucinating? Could it really be Baylee?¡±


    ¡°Baylee, the ex of Mr. Rollins? But aren¡¯t Mr. Hill and Mr. Rollins cousins? Thisplicates things¡­¡±


    ¡°Marvin hasn¡¯t rified Baylee¡¯s role. Perhaps she¡¯s merely apanying him.¡±


    ¡°But when has Marvin ever brought a woman? You think she¡¯s merely apanying him? That¡¯s ridiculous!¡±


    The atmosphere turned tense as eyes darted toward Quincy.


    Quincy and Baylee¡¯s past romance was well-known, once celebrated as the golden couple. Yet, Quincy¡¯s actions indirectly led to the demise of Baylee¡¯s father and her family¡¯s downfall, after which he aligned himself with Aphrodite. Quincy casually watched as a brand-new Maybach rolled in.


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 Chapter 702

    ?Chapter 702:


    Beside the Maybach, Marvin reached out, gracefully assisting Baylee from the vehicle.


    d in a gown that mirrored the night sky and ented with a diamond hairpin, Baylee¡¯s regal yet icy demeanor was softened by the elegance of her appearance. Her subtle smile, as she linked arms with Marvin, painted her as a sovereign of the night.


    ¡°Baylee!¡±


    Ellie was the first to pierce the quiet, guiding Kaiden toward them. Her dress, slightly toorge, threatened to trail along the floor as she descended the stairs. Kaiden, ever attentive, subtly lifted the hem to prevent it from catching.


    A murmur of surprise rippled through the guests. While it was known that Kaiden was devoted to Ellie, witnessing such an act of care firsthand elevated her status in their eyes, hinting at the depth of their rtionship. This act, however, was merely the tip of the iceberg.


    Soon after, the crowd eagerly engaged in exchanges of greetings, with Marvin and Baylee graciously mingling with the guests. Ellie breathed a sigh of relief, as attention shifted from her and Kaiden to the other distinguished guests.


    Jerome approached, after offering his greetings to Marvin, and joked with Ellie.


    ¡°You really keep your cards close, Ellie!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow in confusion.


    ¡°To own a private ind and a helicopter at your age is quite the feat!¡± Theo chimed in with a chuckle.


    Edwin¡¯s gaze lingered on Ellie, mixed emotions swirling within. He couldn¡¯t afford to own a private ind. It made sense why his mother believed he wasn¡¯t good enough for Ellie. Indeed, he was unworthy!


    ¡°Eh, how did you know about this?¡± Ellie expressed her astonishment.


    ¡°It¡¯smon knowledge among our circles,¡± Jerome revealed. ¡°Darrell got drunk a few days ago; he was shouting in a bar about your ind and helicopter, bragging about how awesome you are, and that he had been dumped.¡±


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    Edwin spected, ¡°He couldn¡¯t possibly have a crush on you, could he? Knowing he¡¯s not worthy and thus feeling heartbroken?¡±


    Upon hearing Edwin¡¯s spection, Kaiden¡¯s expression turned noticeably colder. Realizing that mentioning someone else¡¯s affection for Ellie displeased Kaiden, Edwin awkwardly touched his nose.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Ellie, with a lightugh, brushed off the concern. ¡°I¡¯ll invite you to the ind when you¡¯re free.¡±


    As for the reason for Darrell¡¯s broken heart, it was most likely Carole. He only had himself to me!


    ¡°Where¡¯s Levy?¡± Kaiden inquired, looking around.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone to pick up his girlfriend,¡± Jerome revealed with a smile. ¡°He¡¯s changed his type this time; she¡¯s a good girl, deeply interested in chemistry.¡±


    Before Ellie could give it much thought, she noticed a waiter calling Marvin away. She quickly informed Kaiden and made her way toward Baylee. However, Ellie noticed that Aphrodite and a few socialites had already approached Baylee before she could.


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 Chapter 703

    ?Chapter 703:


    ¡°Baylee, are you Marvin¡¯s girlfriend?¡± one of the short-haired socialites asked, eyeing Baylee critically.


    Before Baylee could answer, another girl chimed in, ¡°Tilda, you¡¯re overthinking it. Baylee isn¡¯t the proud Miss Curtis she once was. Plus, she¡¯s Quincy¡¯s ex-girlfriend. How could Marvin possibly be interested in her?¡±


    Ellie arrived just in time to hear Aphrodite¡¯s mockingughter.


    ¡°Marvin and Quincy are cousins. So what? Kaiden and Erick are uncle and nephew, and I¡¯m no longer the esteemed Miss Gordon. Didn¡¯t I still marry Kaiden?¡± Ellie said, moving to stand by Baylee¡¯s side, her demeanor calm and collected as she faced the group.


    ¡°Ellie, you¡¯ve got quite the luck. Maybe others don¡¯t realize it, but how could I miss it? You just took advantage of Demi¡¯s marriage arrangement!¡± a youngdy sneered.


    Before Ellie and Baylee had a chance to reply, a clear voice cut in, ¡°Even so, that doesn¡¯t concern you!¡±


    ¡°Susanna, you¡¯re here as well!¡± Ellie eximed, utterly surprised. Then, she noticed the people standing behind her. ¡°Hello, Miss Katharine Lambert, and Mr. Daniel Lambert,¡± she added, recognizing them.


    Katharine gave those youngdies a cold look. ¡°Since when did other people¡¯s marriages be your concern? Didn¡¯t your families teach you any manners?¡±


    The youngdies, suddenly scolded by Katharine, who radiated a queenly presence, found themselves speechless, feeling small in her presence.


    ¡°Ellie¡­ I may call you as such, right?¡± Katharine asked.


    Ellie nodded and said, ¡°You¡¯re wee to call me as you please.¡±


    ¡°Those heels seem a bit high, don¡¯t they?¡± Katharine said, eyeing Ellie¡¯s crystal heels. ¡°Why would Kaiden allow you to wear such high heels? They must be exhausting.¡±


    Attendees around them couldn¡¯t resistparing the height of Katharine¡¯s heels with Ellie¡¯s.


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    For crying out loud! Katharine¡¯s heels were even higher!


    Why didn¡¯t Katharine worry about her heels?


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I only changed into them just before exiting the car. Kaiden has a pair of ts in the car for me,¡± Ellie said with a lightugh.


    The others remained expressionless as they felt Kaiden¡¯s love and care for Ellie once more!


    Were they being mocked forcking a considerate partner? Or a partner who would think ahead to providefortable shoes?


    Katharine nodded, pleased with the exnation.


    Daniel thought Katharine¡¯s exaggerated concern was somewhat absurd to outsiders and quickly shifted the conversation, saying, ¡°Mrs. Thorpe, since you and Susanna are close, could you show her around? Miss Curtis, should you face any difficulties, don¡¯t hesitate to let us know. We¡¯re more than willing to assist!¡±


    Thedies who had sided with Aphrodite and attempted to embarrass Baylee were intimidated by Daniel¡¯s words. The Lambert family might stay out of domestic social circles, but their reputation for being fiercely protective was well known. Daniel¡¯s statement was a clear signal of showing support for Baylee.


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 Chapter 704

    ?Chapter 704:


    How Baylee had gotten in touch with the Lambert family remained a mystery. Observing Susanna standing there, radiating confidence like a proud rooster, both spirited and vulnerable, yet supported by the Lambert family, those youngdies withdrew their intentions, no longer daring to provoke.


    ¡°Why did the Lambert family suddenly decide to join us? They¡¯re not usually seen at our social gatherings,¡± someone wondered.


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Aphrodite, where¡¯s Carole?¡±


    Aphrodite¡¯s expression shifted slightly as she nced at Ellie and Baylee, her eyes filled with dislike and fear. Why wasn¡¯t Carole here? She had been secretly shipped off overseas!


    Aphrodite was stunned that Ellie had not only stolen her best friend¡¯s man but now even her own family members were supporting Ellie!


    ¡°Did you see how the Lambert siblings can¡¯t seem to take their eyes off me? It¡¯s like they are glued to me,¡± Ellie murmured to Baylee.


    Baylee stayed calm and replied, ¡°Really?¡±


    Susanna smiled. ¡°It¡¯s because Ellie is stunning! And Daniel nced over at Baylee a couple of times too, because she¡¯s equally gorgeous!¡±


    Ellie and Baylee were both taken aback, at a loss for words.


    Katharine and Daniel, on behalf of the Lambert family, proceeded to engage with other notable families and their heirs.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the gloomy look all of a sudden?¡± Katharine asked as they walked.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out how Kaidennded such a good catch, getting married to our sister when none of us were around,¡± Daniel whispered. ¡°And she¡¯s just twenty-one!¡±


    Katharine responded with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°Well, our sister is twenty-one and owns her own ind and helicopter. And what about you? You¡¯re twenty-eight and still single!¡±


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    ¡°Come on, I was talking about our sister, Katharine.¡±


    ¡°Getting married early isn¡¯t that bad. If Kaiden proves to be unworthy of Ellie, an early marriage and subsequent divorce could provide a fresh start.¡±


    ¡°Um, perhaps we should save such discussions for home. Kaiden might not take it well.¡±


    Meanwhile, Ellie, Baylee, and Susanna huddled in a corner to chat. Out of the blue, they heard amotioning from the lounge area, sounding like something crashing to the floor. Baylee¡¯s face tensed as she turned toward the noise.


    Before Ellie could inquire, they overheard two people murmuring to each other as they walked by.


    ¡°Marvin has lost it, cutting off several big deals with the Rollins family and ending all projects with the Watts family because of a woman.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no surprise the head of the family is furious.¡±


    Instantly, a suspicion crept into Ellie¡¯s mind as she nced at Baylee. A woman, the Rollins family, the Watts family¡­ This might well have something to do with Baylee¡¯s ident!


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 Chapter 705

    ?Chapter 705:


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t said anything to me,¡± Baylee admitted, her gaze flickering toward the lounge area, a shadow of worry crossing her face. After a brief pause, she stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look.¡±


    Just as Susanna was about to dig into their mysterious conversation, her attention shifted to the entrance of the banquet hall. She nudged Ellie¡¯s sleeve and said, ¡°Ellie, look over there!¡±


    The room fell silent briefly when Erick and his family arrived, but soon enough, everything went back to how it was. The Thorpe and Hill families were intertwined through business, which made the invitation to Erick¡¯s family understandable.


    Ellie nced at Kaiden, who seemed indifferent to Erick and his family¡¯s presence. She chose not to pay any more attention to them.


    ¡°Look over there,¡± Genesis whispered to her son, nodding subtly in one direction.


    ¡°Ellie,¡± Erick said, a hint of reluctance in his voice.


    She was the center of attention, effortlessly captivating everyone with her presence. He believed she should have been by his side.


    ¡°No!¡± Genesis said sharply. ¡°Focus on the woman next to her! That¡¯s Susanna, thest of the Todd family, now adored by the Lamberts.¡± Erick didn¡¯t catch what she was implying.


    ¡°After considering all the options, Susanna seems like the most suitable match for you,¡± Genesis exined.


    Erick eximed in disbelief, ¡°Mom, are you crazy? Susanna is Daniel¡¯s fianc¨¦e!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve checked. There¡¯s no romantic rtionship between Susanna and Daniel at the moment. Susanna¡¯s naive and easily swayed. Even if she marries someone else, the Lamberts will still have her back.¡± Genesis gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°If you can win over the Lambert family, you might stand a chance against Kaiden.¡±


    Stand a chance against Kaiden¡­ The thought of defeating Kaiden was too tempting for Erick. Moreover, Susanna was quite attractive.


    ¡°Susanna knows I used to date Ellie; she¡¯ll be cautious of me.¡± Erick frowned.


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    Genesis smiled confidently. ¡°Once you get herid, it will be easier for you to marry her.¡±


    The door to the lounge was firmly shut. A tall, dignified man paused at the doorway.


    ¡°Baylee, it¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Quincy stood tall, his eyes fixed firmly on Baylee. She offered a slight nod in response.


    ¡°Sorry about that text message¡­ I didn¡¯t know about it beforehand,¡± he exined.


    Baylee had no intention of continuing their conversation. She really didn¡¯t wish to interact with him any further. However, his reference to the message, especially with all the hassle Marvin went through with the Rollins family affair, reignited her anger.


    For the first time, Baylee gave Quincy her full attention.


    ¡°So? Did you teach Aphrodite the lesson she deserved?¡± Baylee said mockingly. ¡°Come on, you¡¯ve never really cared for the well-being of the Curtis family, have you?¡±


    If he had, her parents might not have met their end.


    ¡°Baylee!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me, or Aphrodite will start pestering me again!¡± Baylee voiced her irritation.


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 Chapter 706

    ?Chapter 706:


    Just as Quincy was about to reply, the door to the lounge cracked open. A figure appeared at the doorway, turning back to address someone inside.


    ¡°Even without my parents¡¯ guidance and support, I managed to grow up safely and secured my ce in the Hill family. Grandfather, do you really think you can still control me?¡± Marvin¡¯s tone was cold.


    Shelton, visibly upset, retorted, ¡°Marvin, I had no intention of meddling in your love life, but with all the notable women in Critport, why insist on choosing a girl from the Curtis family?¡±


    ¡°It has to be her!¡±


    Baylee was taken aback, her heart racing at the sound of those words. Before she could react, the door swung wide open. There she was, meeting the intense stare of dark eyes that seemed to grow warmer upon seeing her.


    ¡°Baylee, why are you here?¡± Marvin inquired, his eyes flickering with surprise at the sight of Quincy standing beside her. His expression darkened again.


    ¡°Um, I came to see you,¡± Baylee stammered, her thoughts still echoing his earlier deration.


    With a smile, Marvin yfully tousled Baylee¡¯s hair.


    He then turned to Quincy, saying, ¡°Grandfather expects you inside. Go in.¡±


    Quincy pressed his lips together, searching for any hint of difort in Baylee at Marvin¡¯s affection. But there was none. Absolutely none. Baylee seemed to wee Marvin¡¯s affection as if it was the most natural thing in the world!


    Quincy felt a chill, as if his heart had sunk into a deep, thorny abyss. The pain was sharp and prating.


    Just as he was about to respond, Marvin stepped in closer, shielding Baylee from Quincy¡¯s view, effectively cutting off any further exchange.


    ¡°Quincy, were you about to say something to your future cousin-inw?¡±


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    Struck as if by a physical blow, Quincy entered the lounge, closing the door behind him.


    ¡°I am not going to be his future cousin-inw. Marvin, you¡¯re spouting nonsense!¡± Baylee looked visibly ufortable, her face twisted in awkwardness.


    Marvin, unconcerned, asked, ¡°How did you get here? Has anyone been giving you a hard time?¡±


    ¡°Eh, no,¡± Baylee answered, caught off guard by his immediate concern for her well-being.


    He sounded like he was ready to get revenge for her at a moment¡¯s notice. Then Baylee recalled that the Rollins and Hill families had actually suffered some setbacks because of her. Her heart raced uncontrobly.


    His actions and words were the final blow to her patience.


    ¡°Marvin!¡± Baylee stopped him out of the blue.


    Before Marvin had the chance to question her, Baylee guided him into a nearby hallway and quickly pressed him against the wall.


    Marvin was momentarily surprised but then, wearing a smile, he inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


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 Chapter 707

    ?Chapter 707:


    ¡°You told your grandfather, ¡®It has to be me,¡¯ right?¡±


    Baylee, significantly shorter than him, created an awkward scene as she held him against the wall.


    Marvin showed a rxed posture, indicating he was entirely at ease. ¡°Yes. Baylee, I¡¯ve mentioned this before, I want you to be my wife.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? Marvin, your grandfather isn¡¯t wrong. There are countless noble women for you to consider, and I¡¯m hardly a match.¡±


    Though she possessed a considerable fortune of her own and didn¡¯t need financial support, herck of family influence meant she couldn¡¯t help his career in any way.


    ¡°Baylee, only the weak attempt to exchange marriage for power.¡± Marvin tenderly moved a strand of her hair away from her face and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want that.¡±


    His current status was achieved by his determination to remain independent. Marvin was on the verge of saying more when Baylee suddenly stood on her tiptoes and kissed him!


    His eyes opened wide, brimming with happiness.


    ¡°Levy!¡± Jerome called out to his friend from a distance.


    Ellie turned her head to follow Jerome¡¯s gaze. Levy, dressed in a dark blue tailor-made suit and wearing gold-rimmed sses, emanated a discreet elegance, drawing the gaze of numerous unwed nobledies.


    Standing next to Levy was a woman, her skin beautiful and her presence gentle, radiating a subtle, understated beauty.


    It was Flossie!


    Ellie inhaled sharply.


    Her suspicions were now a reality.


    Levy¡¯s new girlfriend was indeed Flossie!


    ¡°I heard Levy¡¯s new girlfriend won him over with her charms. She must be quite skilled in bed,¡± muttered a wealthy young man nearby.


    ¡°It was sad that she orchestrated a meeting by identally spilling a drink on Levy at a bar, then insisted on making it up to him. It was such an old trick. She is probably a gold-digger!¡±


    Ellie¡¯s expression darkened upon hearing these words.


    She turned her head and said, ¡°Susanna, I¡¯m going to say hello to Levy. Want toe along?¡±


    Susanna declined, ¡°I want to use the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°Then take care.¡±


    ¡°No worries! I¡¯m not a child who trips while walking.¡± Susanna nudged Ellie lightly and said, ¡°Off you go, I¡¯ll catch up in a bit.¡±


    Ellie, still concerned, nced at Daniel to ensure he noticed Susanna¡¯s departure before moving forward.


    ¡°Hey, Ellie!¡± Levy greeted her warmly and introduced thedy beside him. ¡°Meet my girlfriend, Flossie.¡±


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 Chapter 708

    ?Chapter 708:


    Flossie¡¯s smile was tinged with nervousness. ¡°I know Miss Gordon.¡±


    Levy, caught off guard for a moment, quickly regained hisposure. He picked up on something as he noticed Flossie tightening her grip on his arm.


    ¡°Yes, I know her,¡± Ellie said with a nod, choosing not to borate.


    Flossie appeared too nervous to meet Ellie¡¯s gaze directly.


    Kaiden, blessed with a sharp memory, instantly recalled that Ellie had specifically asked about Levy after their encounter with this young woman in the parking lot.


    ¡°Ellie, do you mind showing Flossie around? She¡¯ll be bored with me,¡± Levy suggested, letting go of Flossie¡¯s hand.


    Ellie was more than willing, and Flossie tagged along, wearing a reserved smile. Levy pondered deeply.


    Flossie¡¯sck of resistance to his suggestion and her readiness to apany Ellie hinted that her unease around Ellie was due to¡­ admiration!


    Ellie led Flossie to a quiet spot.


    ¡°Boss,¡± Flossie said, standing with her gaze lowered.


    Ellie let out a sigh. ¡°Flossie, regarding your situation with Levy¡­ I shouldn¡¯t interfere with your private life, but are you aware that Levy is known as a yboy? He¡¯s been with so many women that they could team up for a card tournament. He¡¯s not the best choice for a partner.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Flossie gently answered.


    ¡°You know? And you still decided to be with him?¡± Ellie pondered over the gossip she had heard. Could it be that Flossie was the one who initiated pursuing Levy?


    Ellie was convinced that Flossie, hailing from an educated family, wasn¡¯t after Levy¡¯s money; her family was financially supportive.


    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m aware of what I¡¯m doing and I¡¯m sticking to my decision.¡± Flossie looked up at Ellie with determination. Then she added, ¡°I appreciate your worry.¡±


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    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll respect your decision,¡± Ellie said, still worried. ¡°But if you ever need help, just let me know, alright?¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ellie!¡±


    Using the term ¡°Boss¡± showed respect for their professional rtionship, while ¡°Ellie¡± signified a deeper, personal connection. Ellie was curious about how Flossie, a brilliant chemist and a year her senior, made the choice to be with Levy.


    ¡°Your girlfriend is one of Ellie¡¯s employees,¡± Kaiden said, giving Levy a look. ¡°Are you serious about her this time?¡±


    Levy caught on to what Kaiden was hinting at. Rather than replying directly, he asked, ¡°What does ¡®one of Ellie¡¯s employees¡¯ mean?¡±


    ¡°Ellie funded aboratory, and your girlfriend ys a big role in thatb,¡± Kaiden said, making no effort to conceal this fact.


    ¡°She also invested in ab? She¡¯s always full of surprises,¡± Theo said, looking at Edwin, amazed by how unfazed he was. ¡°Doesn¡¯t this shock you?¡±


    ¡°Why should it? Ellie has her own private ind and a helicopter. The fact that she¡¯s invested in ab hardlyes as a surprise,¡± Edwin added. ¡°Flossie and Ellie got to know each other at the final round of a chemistry contest. Honestly, if you told me Ellie was a key yer in theb, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised. Her skills in chemistry are incredible!¡±


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 Chapter 709

    ?Chapter 709:


    Both Kaiden and Theo gave Edwin an intense look.


    ¡°Um, I was just mentioning it. I¡¯m not that familiar with Ellie!¡± Edwin shied away from Kaiden¡¯s cold stare, feeling a bit scared.


    Theo yfully hit Edwin on the head and said, ¡°Enough already!¡±


    Shortly after, Ellie and Flossie came back, both looking much more at ease. Flossie timidly linked her arm with Levy¡¯s, her eyes glowing with pure happiness and admiration.


    Levy stared at Flossie, who was standing next to him. He was lost in thought.


    Ellie, turning around by chance, saw Daniel caught up in a chat with Talon, while Katharine was engaged in a conversation with another family head.


    Ellie nced at her watch. It had been thirty minutes since Susanna said she was heading to the restroom, and she hadn¡¯te back yet. Worried, Ellie tried to call Susanna. There was no response.


    After trying two more times with no reply, Ellie¡¯s concern grew, and she quickly went to find Daniel.


    ¡°Susanna told me she was going to the restroom, and it¡¯s been thirty minutes without hering back. I¡¯ve tried calling her, but there¡¯s no answer,¡± Ellie said worriedly.


    Daniel¡¯s normally calm expression disappeared as soon as he heard this. Talon looked at Ellie, his gaze briefly hardening before heposed himself and said, ¡°Miss Todd is probably just out for a stroll. She¡¯s grown and can look after herself. No need to overthink it.¡±


    Ellie and Daniel didn¡¯t listen to him.


    Daniel went straight to inform Katharine about what had happened.


    They looked everywhere but couldn¡¯t find Susanna, which made them even more worried.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to find Marvin!¡± Ellie said, picking up the hem of her dress as she made her way to the lounge.


    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??


    The lounge was at the end of a corridor on the west side of the banquet hall. Upon entering, Ellie caught sight of a man pressing a woman against the wall and kissing her. The woman was adorned in a ck dress speckled with stars.


    Marvin, always alert, noticed someone approaching. Seeing Ellie out of the corner of his eye, he stopped, slightly annoyed at the interruption.


    Ellie was taken aback for a moment by what she saw.


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡± Baylee¡¯s lips were shockingly red, and she clumsily lifted her hand to cover her face.


    ¡°Um¡­ Sorry to interrupt, but Marvin, I need your help,¡± Ellie said. ¡°Susanna, who came with the Lambert family, is missing.¡±


    Baylee and Marvin¡¯s faces immediately turned serious.


    Since this was Marvin¡¯s domain, he was perfectly ced to coordinate a search. He quietly instructed the servants and the Hill family¡¯s security to begin looking for Susanna, managing to keep the guests mostly unaware of the situation.


    ¡°Erick and Genesis are nowhere to be found,¡± Baylee suddenly mentioned. Ellie¡¯s heart raced, remembering that Susanna had vanished while Daniel was upied with Talon.


    .


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 Chapter 710

    Chapter 710:


    Was this just by chance, or¡­ could it have been nned?


    ¡°They¡¯ve found her!¡± a servant excitedly dered, hurrying over.


    Susanna, barely conscious, was overwhelmed by a scorching sensation all over, her thoughts blurry. She felt someone undressing her. Her instinct was to fight back, but when her hand brushed against something warm, she involuntarily craved more. It was the touch of warm skin with masculine hair.


    Struggling to open her eyes, Susanna snapped to alertness for a moment when she caught sight of the man in front of her. Weak and trying to escape, she fell to the floor.


    ¡°Erick! What¡­ what¡¯s happening? Where am I?¡± she hissed.


    Erick maintained a cold detachment as he said, ¡°Miss Todd, don¡¯t you remember? You followed me here.¡±


    Inwardly, Erick was unhappy that the drug wasn¡¯t strong enough to keep her asleep.


    Susanna grabbed a nket to cover herself. Before she could gather her wits, Erick said, ¡°Miss Todd, we¡¯ve already been intimate. What are you covering for? I¡¯ve seen it all.¡±


    Susanna sat there, shocked to her core. Tears quickly filled her eyes. She appeared utterly vulnerable and sad, sparking a wave of sympathy in anyone who saw her.


    ¡°Miss Todd, please, don¡¯t cry. I¡¯ll look after you. I¡¯m even ready to marry you,¡± Erick said, his voice gentle.


    He moved to dry her tears, but she panicked and moved back.


    When he reached for her, Susanna acted on impulse. She grabbed themp from the nightstand and swung it at Erick.


    But her attempt was weak. Erick caught her arm before she couldnd a hit.


    ¡°Susanna, I offered to marry you out of kindness. After those intimate moments you shared with me, do you think Daniel would still marry you? Show some gratitude!¡± Erick furiously smashed the bedsidemp off the table with a forceful blow.


    ¡°Bang!¡± The sound was deafening as themp crashed to the floor.


    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m is packed with great reads


    ¡°Damn you! You¡¯ve slept with so many women. I find it disgusting! You can still get married, so why can¡¯t I find someone to marry me?¡± Full of rage, Susanna yelled, ¡°You worthless piece of trash, leave! I will not marry you!¡±


    Erick found himself at a loss for words. He was confused. What was going through her head? Did she not grasp the gravity of her situation?


    Suddenly, the door flew open with a forceful kick from the outside, causing it to m against the wall with a loud bang.


    ¡°Susanna.¡±


    Daniel was the first to burst into the room. His mind went nk at the sight of Susanna on the floor. Driven by fury, he threw a punch at Erick. ¡°Ouch. Holy crap!¡±


    Erick crashed onto the bed with such force that he bounced. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, leaving him in shock.


    Removing his jacket, Daniel wrapped it around Susanna and pulled her close. He tried to find words offort, but no sound came out. His throat felt as parched as a desert. His heart ached as though a hand had clenched it tightly.


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    Message from Noa: Nice morning dear ones, there will be a new novel release in a few hours. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (?>?<?)


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    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!