In a split second, Bruno's large hand was already stroking her head. "Birthday girl, you've grown another year older, yet you continue to act so childishly. Who would have thought that I, Bruno, would marry such a foolishly adorable wife?""I...I'm not," Lizzie quickly wiped off the words on the glass window, then resumed her seated position.Another birthday, she was now twenty-one years old. She realized that her journey was still long, but how should she proceed? Just keep following this man in front of her, without the blazing passion, just living an ordinary life?With a snap of his fingers, Bruno beckoned a waiter pushing a cart with a twelve-inch birthday cake on it, while another waiter carried a large bouquet of flowers."Happy Birthday," Bruno said to Lizzie. He took the bouquet from the waiter and handed it to her."Thank you," Lizzie accepted the flowers, staring intently at Bruno. Was his return timed specifically for her birthday? Was her birthday the reason he hurried b
Ruoya's grip on the steering wheel tightened as she listened to Jacob's drunken mumbling. Her resentment deepened, stinging like a thorn in her heart. What was so special about Lizzie? Even in the Jiang family, she was not cherished by her parents. Then how dare she have Bruno and monopolize Jacob too?Ruoya glanced at the unconscious Jacob. A bitter smile played on her lips. She had given up everything back home to follow him, taking care of him for a year, yet he didn't appreciate it."Lizzie... Lizzie..." Jacob murmured, leaning on Ruoya unsteadily as they entered the apartment.Ruoya looked at the man before her, his hand tightly clasping hers, not Lizzie's. Yet his voice rang with Lizzie's name, making Ruoya's heart clench painfully."Jacob, I love you so much. Can't you give me any response at all? Just a little bit, isn't that okay?" Ruoya's hand brushed his face. She had fallen hopelessly in love with him, even knowing that he was Lizzie's boyfriend. She had stood by his side,
With a heavy sigh, Ruoya picked up the discarded clothes from the floor, piece by piece, dressing herself. Her gaze fell on the crimson splash on the beige bed sheet and it dawned on her that she was, indeed, Jacob's woman now.However, the realization only brought her more pain. Jacob's evasive gaze, the apologetic expression on his face, they were enough to confirm her fears. No matter that he'd taken her innocence, he would not marry her, nor take responsibility.Was she really okay with this? Hell no.After getting dressed, Ruoya walked into the living room. Jacob was there, head bowed, avoiding eye contact. Yet, she didn't utter a single word and continued to walk towards the door."Ruoya, give me some time," Jacob finally broke the silence.Time. The word triggered a bitter laugh from Ruoya. How many times had he used that excuse? Could she still believe him?She refused to be fooled again. She resolved to depend on herself. Even if she couldn't have Jacob's heart, she would sta
Flora glanced at her, "Lizzie, Emily will be back tonight. Even though you two have never met, you are her sister-in-law after all. You must take good care of her, understand?""Yes, Mom, I understand." The return of the unseen Emily stirred an inexplicable unease in Lizzie's heart.The absent Emily, who was she really? Lizzie had no clue."For dinner tonight, why don't you help Chaperone with the preparations? It'll be a nice gesture." Flora could hardly stand the sight of her reaping Yelun's affection without lifting a finger."Alright." Lizzie felt it was only right, considering they were family, despite not having met before."No need," Yelun interjected, "The servants can do the kitchen work. It's rare for Lizzie to visit. Why not sit and chat instead?"Flora's insistence was a reflection of her inner discontent towards Lizzie.Unfazed, Lizzie assured, "It's okay, Dad. Precisely because I don't visit often, I should help out."With Lizzie's agreement, Yelun didn't press further.
A flash of displeasure crossed Flora's heart, but she held it in, a somewhat insincere smile on her face. "Everyone is here. Let's have dinner."Bruno had never taken her seriously. He'd make such a statement in front of so many people, clearly intending to embarrass her. But she, Flora, would not easily be provoked into a direct confrontation with him."Sure." With Flora's assistance, Yelun moved towards the dining room.Exquisite dishes of various colors on the table seemed in no way inferior to a five-star hotel. Yelun sat in the main seat, looking at the four people on either side. "Emily, you just got back today. We should just eat at home. When I have time, I'll take you out for a meal. You won't blame me, will you?"Flora had been nagging at him daily, and he'd finally agreed to let Emily return home."Dad, why would I? I've been abroad for so many years, and I really miss home. Seeing these authentic Chinese dishes, I'm almost drooling." Emily laughed heartily. Returning to th
Bruno looked at Yelun sitting in the office, surprised to see Flora and Emily there too. This unexpected situation caught him off guard."Brother, I can't believe how well the company is doing in just a few years," Emily said excitedly as soon as she entered the office.She had talked to Yelun for a long time last night before he agreed."Is that so?" Bruno merely smiled."Of course, Dad, can I go and explore around?" Emily asked Yelun instead of Bruno."Go ahead," Yelun surprisingly agreed.Adeline was about to walk into the office when she accidentally bumped into Emily, causing the coffee she was holding to spill all over Emily's clothes.Emily's light beige coat was covered in coffee stains. She looked at the woman in front of her, feeling a sense of familiarity but couldn't quite remember."I'm sorry," Adeline quickly apologized."Is saying sorry enough? Do you know how much this coat cost?" Emily glanced at Adeline disdainfully.Adeline knew exactly who the person in front of he
Lizzie was held tightly by Bruno, his eyes filled with endless affection, rendering her speechless, her gaze dodging his heated look.Bruno chuckled lightly. "Let's head upstairs," he said nonchalantly, steering Lizzie towards the stairs.Only after Emily and Flora watched the pair ascend the stairs, did they exchange glances. "Mom, they didn't overhear us talking, did they?" Emily was slightly unsettled."Don't worry, Emily. And you should head to bed early. You're heading to work tomorrow, and your father hasn't mentioned buying you a new car yet," Flora said, looking at her daughter with concern."No worries, mom. She gave me the car keys," Emily comforted her mother. Despite Bruno and Yelun's disapproval, Lizzie had insisted on the gesture."But she's driven that car. Surely we can afford a better, newer one," Flora said, unhappy about her daughter inheriting anything from Lizzie."Mother, that's not the point. Everything here was ours to begin with. I'm taking it back, piece by p
"You're here to watch this, aren't you?" It surprised Bruno that she was still standing there, holding several magazines that featured him on their covers.Lizzie spun around swiftly upon hearing his voice. She thought she might have been hallucinating, but when she saw Bruno, all the books in her hands dropped to the floor."You, how are you…" Lizzie took a step back, her face full of astonishment.Bruno bent down to pick up the books she had dropped. "If you want to read them, buy them and do it at home. Have you not tired yourself out standing here all morning?"Seeing her standing there reading his interviews filled him with a sudden joy."I'm going now," Lizzie fled from the bookstore without collecting her books.However, Bruno bought all of her books and then left the store.As Lizzie rushed out, she bumped into someone coming from the other direction. "I'm sorry.""Why don't you look where you're going?!" The sharp voice of Song Mei Qiong didn't match her expensive attire."Au