"I'm alright, I just had something to do this morning, so I....." Lizzie downplayed, unwilling to worry her friend."Oh, good. I was worried something had happened to you. We don't have class this afternoon, let's get out for a bit! I need to ask you something, it's hard to explain over the phone," Louise spoke with a subtle sense of unease.Lizzie had an inkling of what Louise wanted to ask. She took a deep breath, "Sure, that sounds good.""Why don't we meet at the Eury coffeehouse, is that okay? Do you need me to come get you?" Louise asked, intentionally choosing a meeting spot nearby."No, no need. I live downtown, it's not too far. I'll make my way over," Lizzie gently declined, not wanting to inconvenience Louise, even if she is her best and only friend.Louise understood Lizzie's stubborn disposition and refrained from pressing further. After ending the call, Lizzie sat before her vanity, resting her chin on her hands, gazing at her reflection. After some time, she opened a dr
Minutes later, the car pulled up at the parking lot of the resplendent Linglong Treasure Banquet restaurant. Bruno and Adeline entered together, the gilded opulence of the interior making the restaurant appear magnificent. The polished floor was so clean it could mirror a face. As they stepped through the revolving entrance, waitstaff approached, bowing slightly. After Bruno spoke a few words, they led them towards an elevator, guiding them to the dining area on the second floor."Mr. Cold, welcome! Please, right this way!" The restaurant manager greeted Bruno with infectious enthusiasm. It was clear from this reception that Bruno was a regular here.Bruno merely nodded, his face impassive, and headed towards a table by the window. Two glasses of water and a menu were served as soon as they settled."Adeline, what would you like to eat?" Bruno asked, taking a sip of water and motioning the server to pass the menu to her. Adeline flipped through the menu but hesitated to order.The man
Lizzie and Louise were strolling through a city park. After walking for a while, they sat down under a gazebo, each with a drink in front of them. "This kind of weather is so relaxing," Lizzie remarked, her face slightly tilted upwards, the soft golden sunlight adding a unique beauty to her fair complexion.The old Lizzie wouldn't have had the time to sit around in the park, taking in the scenery."True that! Lizzie, you don't have to work at the coffee shop anymore," Louise said, reminiscing about how Lizzie used to play piano at a café whenever she wasn't in class. It was saddening that the extremely wealthy Jiang family never gave Lizzie any allowance and even the rent for her apartment near school was paid for by her own earnings."I need to catch up on the courses I've missed. I'll think about part-time work later," Lizzie said. She had missed quite a few classes and she didn't think she would give up an opportunity to earn money through her abilities.Louise's eyes widened, "Rea
Lizzie hesitated, glancing at the lobby, "Could I wait here?" she asked."Sure, but we can't guarantee when the CEO will come down," the front desk receptionist replied. After finishing their conversation, they both went about their business, paying no more attention to Lizzie.With nowhere else to go, Lizzie sat alone on a nearby sofa, her phone clutched tightly in her sweating palms. She was uncertain whether to call him.Half an hour passed in hesitation. Jepan descended the stairs, and as he exited the elevator, the receptionist greeted him, "Mr. Pang, are you leaving already?""Why, are you reluctant to see me go?" Jepan responded with a wicked grin, draping an arm casually over the receptionist's shoulder."We wouldn't dare to bother Mr. Pang," she replied, leaning against him without a care, despite them being in the company foyer. Spotting the petite figure sitting alone on the sofa, Jepan extricated himself from the clinging woman and moved towards Lizzie."Sister-in-law?" Je
In such close proximity, Lizzie was engulfed by Bruno's presence. Realizing that their bodies were almost touching, she lifted her head to meet his deep gaze. "Let me go!" She demanded but found herself unable to see past his intense stare."Aren't you going to ask if I have time to come home? I'm very busy, you know." Bruno didn't show any signs of releasing her, instead studying her with unwavering eyes.Looking at him, Lizzie retorted, "Even if you're busy, it doesn't matter! If you can't return to the mansion, I think you should call home. That way, if you don't go home, I won't go home either. It's a win-win situation!" Lizzie had come to terms with the fact that she couldn't overpower him; her struggles were futile.Bruno suddenly let out a hearty laugh, releasing his grip on her waist. "Lizzie, you do have some interesting ideas, but this call, it's one for you to make, not me.""Why me?! No, I won't call!" Lizzie took a step back. Flora's tone during their last phone call hadn
Lizzie shook her head, saying, "Because Bruno didn't tell me, I didn't get to..." Her words were cut off by Flora, "This can't happen again, and if you're not busy at school, come home and get some lessons on being a good wife. Bruno's on a business trip these days, you can stay here."Although Lizzie was unwilling, she nodded, "Alright, mom, I understand."At that moment, Yelun emerged from his room, "Lizzie's back, why are you standing there? Come here, sit down.""Dad, I'm home." Lizzie nodded at Yelun."Ah, Bruno didn't come back?" Yelun looked around the living room, only to see Lizzie, but not Bruno.Lizzie briefly paused, "Yes, dad, Bruno's on a business trip, so he couldn't make it back for dinner." She said it lightly, with a smile on her face.Yelun nodded in response.Soon after, their butler Chaperone entered the living room, "Sir, madam, dinner is ready. Shall we serve it now?""Good, let's prepare!" Yelun turned to the butler, "Lizzie, you must be hungry too, come! Join
Lizzie waited until Flora entered the room before she stepped onto the stairs and headed upstairs to her bedroom. Sitting in front of her vanity, she placed the file folder and box on the table. She furrowed her brows, knowing that Flora was unhappy. Ever since their first encounter, Lizzie knew that her mother-in-law didn't like her, even found her annoying. However, on the surface, Flora pretended to be nice to her. In this household, only her father-in-law treated her well. She couldn't understand why and had been pondering this for a long time.She sat there, her gaze lost in thought as she stared at the file folder in front of her. After a while, she placed the leather file folder in the bottom drawer of her vanity and locked it. She wouldn't touch a single thing inside, and she would keep it safe until the day she returned it to him.The spacious room was empty except for Lizzie. She lay on the soft bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep until the early hours of the mor
A smile danced on Jacob's face, "Then let's go!" With these words, he headed towards the Mercedes Benz parked nearby."No need, let's walk! The restaurant ahead serves good food." Lizzie watched as Jacob opened the car door on the passenger side, gently declining his offer."Sure." Jacob closed the car door, joining Lizzie. Together, they headed towards a nearby diner.They took a seat by the window. Long green vines entwined around the large windows of the entire restaurant. Each dining table was enclosed with a half-height concrete divider, topped with various potted plants, creating a refreshing ambiance.Lizzie silently gazed outside, and Jacob knew her favorite dish without asking."Lizzie, everything here remains the same as a year ago." Jacob noticed the dullness in her eyes, a stark contrast to their previous sparkle.He was responsible for her past laughter, and equally responsible for her current sorrow.Lizzie turned her head, shifting her gaze from the window to Jacob, "Ac