The next day was gloomy, with a dull gray sky. Lizzie stood by the window, the swelling on her foot had subsided leaving only a slight pain when she exerted pressure. Her phone, placed on the bedside table, sprung to life, playing Guo Jing's "I Don't Want to Forget You." Seeing the caller ID, she answered, "Louise.""Lizzie, are you okay?" Louise’s voice was filled with concern."I'm fine. What's up? Why are you asking such strange questions so early in the morning?" Lizzie didn't understand why Louise would call so early and ask such questions."Didn't you watch the TV? Didn't you see the news?" Louise queried.Lizzie shook her head, "No, I didn't. What's the juicy gossip this time?""Lizzie, turn on the TV now, and you'll understand." Louise sighed."Okay." Walking to the living room, sitting on the sofa, she picked up the black remote control from the coffee table, and pressed the power button. As the 52-inch TV lit up, photos of Lizzie and Jacob flooded the channels."Lizzie, you
"Dad, I got it," the call ends and the screen of his laptop shuts down, his hand rubbing his forehead. He wonders if it's really Lizzie's capability or if she can't keep things under control when he's away. Is Jacob really worth all this? Was she so bold to meet him in broad daylight, even though she's known as the young mistress of Kolo family? But since when did Lizzie become the center of attention, or was it Jacob trying to gain her through media publicity?If that's the case, Jacob got it all wrong. Until everything he aims for is his, Lizzie can only be his, Bruno's wife."Sir, look at this mess. Lizzie is such a disgrace to our Kolo family," Flora glared at the magazine showing the two in close proximity.Yelun picked up the magazine from the table, "These gossip magazines are not trustworthy. We should hear from Lizzie first.""Sir, no smoke without fire, don't you get it? If Lizzie didn't meet this man, how could these photos be taken? It's disgraceful! Besides, would Lizzie
Bruno's hand was still hanging in the air. "Someone beat me to it," he said and gently lowered his hand, caressing her face tenderly, "Does it hurt?"Lizzie looked at him in surprise, his face was filled with an undeniable weariness. Was he angry? Shouldn't he be shouting at her? Yelling at her? Only such a man would be like him. Was the Bruno in front of her still Bruno?"Why aren't you speaking?" Bruno asked, his tone indifferent, "Too hurt to talk? Hmm?""No, it doesn't hurt," Lizzie lied, the left side of her face still burning with pain.Bruno bent his head slightly, looking at her, "Anything you want to tell me?"Lizzie pushed away his hand, "You mean this?" She looked at the magazine on the coffee table, two faces on the cover were strikingly eye-catching.Bruno sat down on the couch, his deep eyes focused on the magazine, "You even bought so many copies. Are you planning to keep them for memory?" His gentleness had vanished, and his tone had returned to its usual coolness."Th
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry." Did Lizzie's explanation even matter anymore?"How did you end up with Jacob?" Yelun finally voiced his question, albeit shaken. He wanted to believe Lizzie, but the truth of what had occurred was of utmost importance.Lizzie glanced at Bruno who was engrossed in a magazine and didn't meet her gaze. As she was about to explain, Bruno intercepted, "Dad, the truth is rather simple. Lizzie and Jacob barely know each other. They met by chance on the street, Lizzie turned her ankle, and Jacob kindly helped her. Unfortunately, someone snapped a photo. That's all there is to it."Lizzie listened to Bruno's explanation and marveled at how effortlessly he lied."Is that true?" Flora questioned, skeptical of their seemingly rehearsed statement. She felt the situation was far from simple."Bruno calmly countered, "Mom, do you doubt it? The media is simply grasping at straws. It's a desperate attempt for a story when they have nothing substantial to report."The room fell s
"Hello." Lizzie stared at the number, hesitating for a while before she answered."Lizzie, why did you take so long to answer? Did you not want to pick up my call?" Yufenly’s voice was teeming with anger, her volume high.Fearful that Bruno might hear Yufenly’s loud voice, Lizzie shifted the phone to her right ear. "Mom, that's not it. I ..." "Alright, no need for explanations. I want to know what's going on between you and Jacob? Hurry home and let’s talk about it." Yufenly roared into the phone, her voice rising with each word."Right now?" Lizzie asked in a low voice, her head slightly tilted. Barely had she finished speaking when Bruno took the phone away and brought it to his ear."Ah.." Lizzie wanted to say something but a fierce glare from Bruno silenced her."Of course, now. If not now, when? Ruoya said you bullied her yesterday, she cried all night. What did you do to her? Is it Jacob again? Why are you still hanging around Jacob after getting married? You…” Yufenly continue
Lizzie cast her luminous eyes down and turned around, preparing to stride towards her apartment."Lizzie." Jacob emerged from around a corner, his face a portrait of desolation. New stubble sprouted from his face, his usually crisp shirt now crumpled and reeking of alcohol."What happened to you?" Lizzie was taken aback. Jacob, always immaculate, was now a disheveled shadow of his former self, a sight she hadn't fathomed."I—I'm fine." Jacob tried to steady his swaying body, belching. "And you? Are you okay? I've been worried about you. You went to the Kolo's this morning, didn't you? Did anyone from the Kolo family give you a hard time?" He had been camping out under her apartment since leaving the bar in the wee hours, watching until daybreak as Bruno's Cayenne sped out of the garage. He had waited, downing can after can of beer, until Lizzie finally returned.Lizzie shook her head. "No, they understood.""Good, that's good." Jacob let out a bitter smile, his head nodding nonstop."
“I was afraid you’d be upset if you saw it.” Adeline pulled the magazine from his grasp, setting it aside.“Why would I be upset?” Bruno’s countenance betrayed no signs of displeasure, only a faint hint of amusement.Adeline cast a glance out the window, “It seems like you really do not care for her, to the point where you don’t mind her being intimate with other men.”“Do you wish for me to care?” Bruno asked nonchalantly, his arm snaking around her slim waist.“That’s for you to decide, not me. If you do care, what will you do?” Adeline deflected, shifting the conversation back to him.Bruno took a sip of the coffee just delivered by the waiter, “Divorce.” His sensuous lips uttered the word devoid of any emotion.“So, you’re not going to divorce her then.” Disappointment flashed across Adeline's face. She hadn’t expected the news she’d paid so much to unearth would be dismissed so casually by Bruno.“Are you upset?” Bruno raised an eyebrow, looking at her.Adeline stayed silent, her
"Hello, is this Lizzie? This is Adeline, the personal assistant to the CEO. Do you remember me?" Adeline's gentle voice came through the phone.Lizzie was momentarily stunned upon hearing Adeline's voice. "What do you need?""Well, the CEO just left, but I realized that I might have dropped my earring in his car. Could you please help me retrieve it?" Adeline requested."Why don't you just call him directly?" Lizzie felt a bit hesitant about this situation."Mrs. Jiang, if it's inconvenient for you, it's okay. These earrings were a gift from my boyfriend and they're very precious. But the CEO has high standards, so if they're in his car, it's fine. But if they're somewhere else, I..." Adeline hesitated, but her eyes were filled with satisfaction.Lizzie hesitated for a moment. "Alright, I can help you take a look, but I can't guarantee that I'll find them.""Thank you, Mrs. Jiang. If you do find them, please give me a call, and I'll come pick them up myself," Adeline said, her lips cu