Ruoya left the room with a face full of smiles. "Jacob, I won't bother you any longer." She had more important things to do now; she needed to prepare the most gorgeous evening gown for tomorrow's banquet."Sure, go ahead! I'll pick you up tomorrow." Jacob said, smiling until her figure disappeared from his office.He opened his drawer and took out a long, red box. The heart-shaped necklace glimmered up at him. She had finally refused to accept the necklace, which was essentially her way of telling him she was moving on. Jacob put the necklace back in the drawer and pulled out a photo from underneath. His fingers caressed the smiling face in the photo – a picture he had taken of her a year ago. That smile had always made his heart flutter.He stared at the photo in a daze, only snapping back to reality when a knock sounded on his office door. "Come in."He temporarily put everything to do with Lizzie aside. He would have to forget about her for now. But he knew he could never truly fo
Bruno stopped in his tracks, reaching out to gently touch her face, "You're beautiful, your earrings are beautiful, but you are even more so." His face wore a soft smile, but his dark eyes were unfathomable.Adeline's smile was even sweeter, as she took his arm, "Let's go! We shouldn't be late."The moment they stepped into the hotel banquet hall, they were met with numerous curious gazes. Many saw Bruno and Adeline as the perfect couple, responding to the guests' stares with nothing but smiles.With a screech, a black Benz pulled up. Through the car window, Jacob saw Bruno and Adeline together, and wondered, wasn't Lizzie supposed to come? What does this mean?Ruoya followed Jacob's gaze and saw Bruno arm in arm with another woman. A triumphant smile spread across her face in the next second."Jacob?" Ruoya gently called out to him."Let's go!" Jacob parked the car and walked around to the passenger side, helping Ruoya out of the car. Dressed in a stunning red strapless gown, with wa
Adeline stood in front of the long table, holding a small plate with a piece of cream cake on it. She stood there in a daze, but her eyes were fixed on Lizzie sitting at the piano. Though Lizzie was only wearing a simple and elegant white dress, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and a faint smile on her lips, her eyes slightly lowered, her fair face devoid of any makeup, in the light, she appeared even more delicate and porcelain-like.Adeline couldn't help but feel jealous of Lizzie's understated beauty. She reached up to touch the diamond earrings on her ears, then set down the plate and walked towards the restroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she took out a compact from her bag and touched up her makeup, applying a light pink lip gloss. Looking at her flawless face in the mirror, the slightly upturned corners of her lips, and the chilling cunningness emanating from her beautiful eyes, she delicately removed one of the earrings and waved it in front of her eyes.
Everything seemed to be calm and uneventful. Lizzie was sitting on a couch, staring blankly at the cake in front of her. Jacob was surrounded by several guests, engaging in what seemed like an interesting discussion. Yet, he looked concerned, frequently casting glances at Lizzie.Lizzie could only manage a small smile before diverting her gaze, only to meet another pair of intimidating deep-set eyes. The man behind them wore a smile, but she couldn't feel it. Despite the significant physical distance between them, she felt as cold as if she was standing in a chilling wind.Adeline, garbed in a regal purple outfit, was standing beside him. The sight of this made Lizzie feel so insignificant, as if her existence couldn't even be perceived."Bruno, I seem to have lost my earrings," Adeline said, loud enough for most of the guests to hear, stopping their conversations.Some guests expressed their concern which caused a minor stir, attracting the attention of the hotel manager."I'm not su
Lizzie turned her head, glancing at him. Her lips barely curved upward, but the faint smile was there. Jacob knew that this was her way of telling him that she was okay. She was doing just fine.As he watched her white figure move into the elevator, he knew she was anything but okay. Why did she always have to be like this, protecting others before herself? It was the same a year ago, and it was no different now. When he wasn't there for her, how much pain had she endured? How much humiliation had she swallowed?Regret gnawed at him. He should not have left her behind at his mother's request. But could he still change things now?She was avoiding him, always maintaining a distance. How could he make it right again?After apologizing to Manager Chen, Lizzie left the luxurious hotel. The night wind was surprisingly cold, and she realized that she had left her jacket in the banquet hall. Rubbing her arms to warm herself, she began to walk down the dimly lit street.She trudged along for
"Have you finally learned some sense?" Bruno looked at her indifferent gaze and nonchalant tone, and deep down, he found it disturbing.Lizzie responded with a faint smile, "I've seen and understood, is this not what you've always wanted?"Bruno sat down by the bed, reached out and caressed her face, her enchanting facade was still cold as ice.Lizzie tried to dodge, but he held her chin tightly, leaving her with no room to escape, "Let go!""You just mentioned your enlightenment, and now you are disobeying again." Bruno showed no intention of releasing her."What do you want?" Lizzie looked into his unfathomable dark eyes, but saw nothing.Bruno caressed her face once more, lightly and tenderly, "Don't you have anything to say to me? Or anything to clarify?""Clarify what? The earring? Don't you all already know? Have you not already made a conclusion? What else is there for me to say?" Lizzie didn't feel the need to explain anything further, let people think whatever they want!"I'm
Suddenly a chill enveloped her, Lizzie pushed him away forcefully, wrapping her arms around her chest. However, she couldn't ward off his penetrating gaze. Bruno's large hand held her slightly trembling one, using just a bit of strength, she had already fallen into his arms."Unbutton," he placed her hand on his chest.Lizzie pursed her lips, glanced up at him. Now, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. In this brightly lit room, she was almost bare; his scorching gaze never left her.Her hand shaking, she unbuttoned his shirt. The sight of his bronzed skin entered her vision, she managed to unfasten all the buttons of his shirt.Just as Lizzie withdrew her hand, he grabbed it again, "Unprofessional," he said blandly, gripping her small hand forcefully."I..." she looked up at him.Bruno had already pulled her closer, "Who told you to leave work half-done, hmm?" His warm breath caressed her neck.She understood his meaning, but she couldn't follow through."Why silent?" He l
Yufenly nodded, "Good, that's settled. By the way, about what happened at the banquet last night, Ruoya told me. How could you make such a scene? It's fortunate that no scandalous news has come out, otherwise, it would not only disgrace the Jiang family but also undermine the Kolo family's dignity. And you, would be thrown out of the Kolo family." When Ruoya told Yufenly about the banquet last night, she was worried. If Lizzie really gets kicked out by the Kolo family, the consequences would be severe!Lizzie, however, remained silent, head down, offering no explanation."If that happens, would you have the face to come back? You know about your father's temper. I haven't mentioned this to him, nor will I. You should know what to do, right? Also, don't tell your dad about the money, it will only upset him," Yufenly admonished, reminding her not to tell Jianmin Jiang about the fifty thousand dollars.Lizzie nodded, "Mom, I understand. I have class this afternoon. I'll head back now.""