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1,921,847	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	1551061485448051		Struggling to quit vaping or reduce anxiety Try Aerosolry Breathlace! Kick the e-cigarette habit and find relief with our natural product. Say goodbye to harmful effects and hello to a healthier lifestyle. Join others who have quit vaping or found solace with our revolutionary product. Experience the power of breathing techniques and aroma therapy. Shop now for a calmer, healthier you! Get yours	SHOP_NOW	https://glasgowmu.co.uk/products/breathlace-2	122516897514622	Glasgowmu.gl01	https://facebook.com/100093193116529	1,009	1	1,374,916,183,388,900	2024-07-12 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Shop now	Glasgowmu.gl01	120213784632430212	glasgowmu.co.uk	NONE	video		https://glasgowmu.co.uk/products/breathlace-2	2024-07-11 23:08	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450736895_3551818021636333_4345477862770892968_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XCzxnBQKCI4Q7kNvgGaqg0j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAoWvlFHw-U7REs6W_ELSNb1YEHwGuWj84Wxos6MJHOFQ&oe=6697223C	person_profile	0	Glasgowmu.gl01	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450584870_446912968138958_1791587901165141389_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LIYgLHTCtJUQ7kNvgF-YVsp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDkpZjj3f_wT7ocdFFsKGmE__lNqJ6xxoZyOCa8Yn3mPw&oe=66970377	3	Glasgowmu.gl01	2024-07-12 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,040	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921034}'	Yes	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	401690159567369	Atada por el amor: La ternura de mi marido discapacitado	Creía que su esposa se casó con él por su riqueza, a pesar de que era lisiado. Planeaba utilizarla y luego divorciarse de ella. Inesperadamente, después del matrimonio, se enamoró perdidamente de ella. Su esposa quería divorciarse todos los días, ¡pero él solo quería mimarla!<br /> =====<br /> "Kaelyn sabe lo de nuestra boda y ahora amenaza con tirarse de un edificio. Sabes que ha estado deprimida, ¿verdad? Tengo que ir a salvarla", dijo Theo Ward con impaciencia, apartando a Elyse Lloyd de un empujón. <br /> "¡Hoy es el día de nuestra boda! ¿Qué se supone que debo hacer si te vas ahora? Recuerda que Kaelyn Bennett ya te ha traicionado antes. Te ha causado tanto dolor, ¿por qué todavía te preocupas por ella?". <br /> Debido a la fuerza que ejerció, ella se torció el tobillo. Mientras se desplomaba en el piso, estiró desesperadamente la mano para retenerlo. <br /> <br /> La expresión de Theo se volvió aún más fría. "No estás en posición de juzgar lo que pasó entre Kaelyn y yo. A pesar de sus defectos y del sufrimiento que me causó, no te puedes comparar con ella". <br /> <br /> Un dolor agudo atravesó el corazón de Elyse al darse cuenta de que su novio nunca había dejado de pensar en Kaelyn. Para él, ella nunca sería tan importante como esa mujer. <br /> <br /> "¿Qué hice para merecer esto? ¿Por qué me tratas así? Por favor, espera hasta que termine la boda. Estamos a punto de intercambiar anillos. Puedes irte después". <br /> <br /> Theo esquivó la mano extendida de Elyse y le dijo con voz despectiva: "Te preocupa más esa ceremonia que la vida de una persona. No tienes corazón. Tenemos que aplazar la boda". <br /> <br /> Ignorando su rostro pálido, el hombre se alejó del altar decorado, indiferente a las miradas perplejas y preocupadas de los invitados. <br /> <br /> Cuando el novio se marchó, la multitud se sumió en el caos. <br /> <br /> "¡No, por favor, no me dejes, Theo! ¿Qué voy a hacer sin ti?, gritó Elyse, con la voz entrecortada, sentada en el piso. <br /> <br /> Su cuerpo tembloroso y las lágrimas que arruinaban su maquillaje daban lástima. El hombre al que amó durante tres años había elegido, sin dudarlo, a otra mujer en lugar de a ella en el día de su boda. Aunque le embargaba el sufrimiento de Kaelyn, parecía indiferente a la profunda sensación de pérdida y humillación de Elyse, dejándola abandonada en el altar. <br /> <br /> A su alrededor, innumerables pares de ojos lo presenciaron; algunos invitados se burlaban de ella, otros expresaban su simpatía y muchos se regodeaban. Elyse nunca había experimentado semejante tormento.<br /> <br /> Su padre, Lanny Lloyd, se acercó y, en lugar de consolarla, la reprendió con dureza: "¡Ni siquiera puedes retener a un hombre! ¡Qué inútil!". <br /> <br /> Tras sus duras palabras, se marchó con su esposa, Glenda, sin mirar atrás. <br /> <br /> Su hermana, Mabel, salió de entre la multitud con una sonrisa burlona. "Vaya, qué vergüenza, Elyse. Tu novio huyó y ahora eres la burla de todos. Me avergüenzo de ti. Imagínate cómo se sienten mamá y papá".<br /> <br /> Con esas palabras, se dio la vuelta y también se fue. <br /> <br /> Uno a uno, todos los miembros de la familia de Elyse se alejaron, dejándola completamente sola. <br /> <br /> Al principio, los parientes y amigos de Theo se sintieron responsables; pero al ver la reacción de la familia Lloyd, todo rastro de culpabilidad desapareció. <br /> <br /> "Ni siquiera sus propios padres la apoyaron. Parece que no es todo culpa de Theo". <br /> <br /> "Sí, si fuera una buena mujer, ¿por qué la dejaría su prometido?". <br /> <br /> "¿Ella lo engañó? ¿Qué otra cosa haría que su novio la dejara así?". <br /> <br /> Los murmullos críticos de los invitados que la rodeaban se hicieron cada vez más fuertes y ásperos. <br /> <br /> De repente, Elyse escuchó ruidos cerca. Al girarse, vio a un hombre de traje sentado solo en una silla de ruedas. <br /> <br /> El oficiante, con nerviosismo, preguntó: "¿Dónde está su novia?". <br /> <br /> Secándose las lágrimas, Elyse paró a un empleado que pasaba por su lado y preguntó: "Ese hombre es el novio, ¿verdad? ¿Dónde está su prometida?". <br /> <br /> El trabajador la miró y respondió: "No vino. Escuché que era porque no podía soportar su discapacidad". <br /> <br /> "¿Y él ha estado esperando aquí todo este tiempo?". <br /> <br /> El empleado asintió. <br /> <br /> El novio en la silla de ruedas se encontraba de espaldas a Elyse y los separaba una distancia considerable, así que ella no pudo ver su expresión; pero empatizó con el dolor del rechazo. Ambos eran desafortunados y abandonados. <br /> <br /> Tras un momento de reflexión, una mirada decidida apareció en los ojos de la joven. Aunque había amado a Theo durante tres años, él la traicionó. ¿Por qué iba a seguir siéndole fiel? Se dio cuenta de que ya no lo necesitaba en absoluto. <br /> <br /> Cuando se puso en pie, los invitados que habían estado susurrando y burlándose de ella se quedaron en silencio. Todas las miradas se centraron en ella cuando se levantó el dobladillo del vestido y se dirigió con confianza hacia el novio abandonado. <br /> <br /> La visión de una novia con un vestido blanco acercándose dejó a sus invitados atónitos. <br /> <br /> Al oír los susurros a su alrededor, el hombre de la silla de ruedas se giró despacio. <br /> <br /> Elyse se detuvo y contempló al apuesto joven, en cuyos ojos apareció un destello de sorpresa. Luego le tendió la mano y le dijo: "Hola, me enteré de que necesita una novia. Mi prometido acaba de dejarme. ¿Qué tal si nos casamos?". <br /> <br /> Capítulo 2 Ella tramaba algo<br /> "Me llamo Elyse Lloyd. Si le parece bien, podemos casarnos hoy mismo", propuso la chica con firmeza. <br /> <br /> Su audaz declaración dejó a todos los presentes estupefactos, y varias personas sacaron sus celulares para captar el momento. <br /> <br /> "Señorita Lloyd, ¿está segura de esta decisión? Dada mi discapacidad, puede que no pueda ofrecerle un futuro prometido", respondió el hombre sin ocultar su condición, y la animó amablemente a reconsiderarlo. <br /> <br /> "Ya lo decidí", respondió la joven con determinación. <br /> <br /> "Soy Jayden Owen", se presentó. Al ver su determinación, el joven le tomó la mano mientras le decía: "Me preocupa que más adelante se arrepienta de esta decisión". <br /> <br /> Elyse prefirió no responder. Estaba segura de sí misma. Hasta entonces, solo pensaba en casarse con Theo, quien nunca correspondió a su amor. Ahora, ya no le importaba quién era su cónyuge. <br /> <br /> Tras una breve ceremonia y completar rápidamente los trámites necesarios en la Oficina de Asuntos Civiles, Elyse y Jayden se unieron como esposos. Con el certificado de matrimonio en la mano, la chica sintió un gran alivio. <br /> <br /> Theo le había roto el corazón y estaba decidida a no volver con él. En cuanto a la reacción de su padre, aunque ella ya no podía unirse a la familia Ward, él tenía otra hija. <br /> <br /> Conocía demasiado bien a su hermana pequeña Mabel. Siendo alguien movida solo por la codicia, ¿cómo iba a resistir la tentación de convertirse en la esposa de Theo y en miembro de la familia Ward? Por lo tanto, casarse con Jayden era la escapatoria perfecta para que Elyse escapara de las garras de su familia. Ya no tenía intención de volver a casa. <br /> <br /> Mientras ella miraba pensativa el certificado de matrimonio, Jayden le preguntó: "¿Qué te preocupa? ¿Te arrepientes de casarte con un discapacitado?". <br /> <br /> Elyse sacudió la cabeza, agarró la silla de ruedas y contestó: "Creo que fue una buena decisión". <br /> <br /> Jayden sonrió, aunque sus ojos delataban un atisbo de escepticismo y desconfianza. ¿Cómo podía una mujer querer casarse de verdad con un inválido? Pensó que ella solo estaba fingiendo, una actuación que no duraría para siempre. <br /> <br /> Pero necesitaba una esposa momentánea para distraer a su familia mientras él perseguía sus propios objetivos. Por lo tanto, decidió seguirle el juego por el momento. <br /> <br /> Elyse ayudó a Jayden a subir al automóvil y se dirigieron a su casa. Era una propiedad lujosa, con jardín, piscina, mayordomo vestido de traje y sirvientas uniformadas. <br /> <br /> Al pisar la elegante alfombra de lana, Elyse se dio cuenta de que su nuevo esposo distaba mucho de ser común. <br /> <br /> El mayordomo, Driscoll Lee, se acercó a ellos con respeto y preguntó: "Señor Owen, ¿es esta su esposa?". <br /> <br /> Al contemplar la magnífica mansión y recordar el nombre completo de su marido, Elyse se dio cuenta de repente de quién era. <br /> <br /> Los Owen eran la familia más influyente de la ciudad, y Jayden destacaba entre ellos por su perspicacia para los negocios así como por su excepcional talento. Era uno de los hombres más ricos y poderosos. Sin embargo, tras un accidente automovilístico un año antes que le costó las piernas, él se había alejado de la atención pública y sus logros anteriores quedaron olvidados. <br /> <br /> Entonces, ¿se había casado con el legendario Jayden Owen? <br /> <br /> Elyse recordaba haber oído rumores sobre su compromiso con una chica de la familia Foster. Se suponía que la novia que había desaparecido el día de su boda era ella. <br /> <br /> Al oír el nombre completo de Jayden, Elyse no había pensado mucho en eso. Si hubiera sabido antes sus orígenes, no habría tenido el valor de proponerle matrimonio. <br /> <br /> Aunque Jayden notó la sorpresa y el pánico en el rostro de la chica, permaneció en silencio. Dudaba que realmente no lo hubiera reconocido. Después de todo, su discapacidad era bien sabida. <br /> <br /> "Ella es Elyse Lloyd, mi esposa. A partir de ahora, será la anfitriona de este lugar", la presentó Jayden con firmeza. <br /> <br /> "Joanna Foster escapó porque no deseaba casarse con un hombre discapacitado", añadió sin titubear. <br /> <br /> "¿La señorita Foster no fue a la boda?", preguntó Driscoll, asombrado. <br /> <br /> La familia Foster había estado ansiosa por forjar una unión con los Owen a través del matrimonio, presionando para que Jayden se casara con Joanna. No obstante, el día de la boda, la novia había desaparecido. ¿No era esto una humillación deliberada a Jayden? <br /> <br /> Driscoll sintió compasión por él y lo consoló: "Señor, quizás sea lo mejor que se haya ido. Parece que, después de todo, usted ha encontrado a la persona adecuada". <br /> <br /> Elyse no había mostrado ninguna resistencia a la discapacidad de Jayden y estaba dispuesta a casarse con él. Eso sin duda era importante. <br /> <br /> Capítulo 3 Él podía caminar<br /> Mientras Elyse contemplaba las piernas de Jayden, una profunda simpatía la invadió. Él, que antes estaba en la cúspide del éxito, ahora parecía muy vulnerable. Su novia lo había dejado plantado en el altar debido a su discapacidad, un gesto que carecía de cualquier atisbo de respeto. La traición debió de herirlo más profundamente de lo que ella podía imaginar. <br /> <br /> Tras acercarse a Jayden con sinceridad, la joven le tomó la mano y lo tranquilizó: "No te preocupes. Ahora somos marido y mujer. Cuidaré de ti el resto de nuestras vidas". <br /> <br /> La expresión de Jayden se endureció. ¿Esta mujer hablaba en serio, comprometiéndose a cuidarlo por tiempo indefinido? Dudó de sus intenciones, sospechando que no era más que una muestra superficial de empatía. <br /> <br /> En silencio, Jayden llevó su silla de ruedas al estudio del primer piso. <br /> <br /> "Lo lamento", dijo Driscoll, al percatarse de la tensión. "Desde su accidente, ha estado algo más temperamental". <br /> <br /> Elyse respondió comprensiva: "No pasa nada. Lo comprendo". <br /> <br /> Reconoció que cualquiera en su situación podría experimentar esos cambios, y enseguida, siguió a Driscoll escaleras arriba. <br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> En el estudio, un hombre calvo llamado Vinny Bailey, vestido con una camisa negra ajustada que resaltaba su musculatura, encendió respetuosamente un puro para Jayden. <br /> <br /> "Señor, Joanna se ha ido al extranjero", informó. "La familia Foster está buscando una solución". <br /> <br /> "Me quitaron treinta millones y cinco grandes proyectos. ¿Es así como me lo pagan?". <br /> <br /> Jayden exhaló una nube de humo con indiferencia, pero su tono estaba teñido de determinación. "Si no doy ejemplo, los demás pensarán que soy un pusilánime. Es hora de que los Foster aprendan la lección". <br /> <br /> "¿Quiere que traigamos de vuelta a Joanna?", preguntó Vinny. "Y sobre su nueva esposa, ¿deberíamos presentársela a nuestros hombres?". <br /> <br /> "No hace falta", respondió Jayden, con voz firme mientras agarraba un documento y se acercaba a la ventana. <br /> <br /> La silla de ruedas ya no era más que un accesorio en un rincón, ignorado mientras él se movía con una destreza asombrosa. El documento que tenía en las manos detallaba la vida de Elyse desde su infancia hasta sus años universitarios, incluido su pasado romance con Theo. <br /> <br /> Hojeando las páginas, Jayden comentó: "Una mujer corriente. Se casó conmigo solo por mi fortuna". <br /> <br /> En el pasado, los Owen habían declarado su intención de encontrar una esposa adecuada para Jayden, principalmente para asegurar la continuidad de su linaje. Tras su anuncio, la mayoría de las familias acomodadas dudaron en vincularse mediante el matrimonio, excepto los Foster. Tras elevar su estatus social casando estratégicamente a sus hijas, vieron otra oportunidad. Su objetivo estaba claro: cambiar a la chica por sustanciosos beneficios económicos y recursos. <br /> <br /> Vinny también no percibió otra motivación para el matrimonio de Elyse con Jayden que la ventaja monetaria. Sin embargo... <br /> <br /> "En un principio iba a casarse con Theo Ward", mencionó de forma casual. <br /> <br /> "¿Ward? ¿La conocida familia Ward?". Jayden enarcó una ceja, intrigado. <br /> <br /> "Sí, pero parece que el prometido cambió de opinión y huyó para reunirse con su exnovia después de una llamada repentina", continuó Vinny. <br /> <br /> Luego especuló: "Tal vez ella se casó con usted por rencor a Theo Ward". <br /> <br /> El joven dejó de rebuscar entre sus documentos y miró a Vinny, molesto. "Estás simplificando demasiado las cosas. Al casarse conmigo, tiene mucho más que ganar. Esa es la verdadera razón por la que me eligió, a pesar de mi invalidez". <br /> <br /> Jayden era consciente de que tal vez Elyse aún no le hubiera revelado sus verdaderas intenciones, pero le resultaba indiferente el interés de ella en su fortuna. <br /> <br /> Necesitaba una esposa para satisfacer las expectativas familiares, y si las motivaciones de esa mujer eran puramente financieras, eso simplificaría cualquier posible separación futura. <br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> Mientras tanto, Elyse estaba tumbada en la cama, consultando su celular. Y pronto se fijó en los temas de tendencia. <br /> <br /> "Novio se fugó por su exnovia". <br /> <br /> "Novia se casa con un extraño para enfurecer a su novio fugitivo". <br /> <br /> Mientras se desplazaba por los comentarios, constató que el público encontraba todo el escenario asombroso y criticaba las acciones de ambas partes por actuar de forma irracional. <br /> <br /> No obstante, la polémica había puesto el nombre de Elyse en el centro de atención. Algunos comentaristas incluso habían desenterrado sus antecedentes como violinista en una orquesta, descubriendo vídeos de sus actuaciones anteriores. <br /> <br /> Ensimismada, la joven estaba viendo los vídeos cuando Theo la llamó. "¿Dónde estás, Elyse? Vamos a vernos y a hablar". <br /> <br /> Capítulo 4 ¿Con quién te casaste<br /> Mientras Elyse bajaba las escaleras hacia la entrada de la residencia, Driscoll se acercó a ella con evidente preocupación. <br /> <br /> "Es bastante tarde. ¿Adónde va? ¿Quiere que le consiga un auto?", le preguntó. <br /> <br /> "No, gracias. Volveré pronto", respondió la joven. <br /> <br /> Driscoll la vio marcharse antes de dirigirse al estudio. <br /> <br /> Elyse, que había acordado reunirse con Theo, llamó a un taxi y se puso en camino. <br /> <br /> Quince minutos más tarde, entró en una cafetería, donde enseguida vio a Theo, que estaba muy animado, escribiendo mensajes en su celular. Un destello de sarcasmo cruzó sus ojos cuando se acercó y se sentó frente a él. <br /> <br /> Theo levantó la vista y su expresión se ensombreció de inmediato. "¿Por qué llegas tan tarde? ¿Tienes idea del tiempo que llevo esperando?", se quejó. <br /> <br /> Elyse se sintió muy decepcionada. A pesar de su larga historia juntos, la actitud dominante de Theo hacia ella contrastaba con su comportamiento con Kaelyn. <br /> <br /> Ella lo amó, creyendo que podría soportar cualquier cosa por él. Pero ya se daba cuenta de lo equivocada que estaba. Si no se amaba a sí misma, ¿cómo podía esperar que alguien más lo hiciera? <br /> <br /> "Si no quieres esperar, puedes irte", replicó ella con frialdad. <br /> <br /> Theo, sorprendido por su respuesta, se mostró cada vez más molesto. "Estás resentida por lo que pasó en la boda, ¿verdad? Comprendo tu enfado, pero, ¿no puedes ser más comprensiva y razonable? Me fui porque Kaelyn estaba en una situación desesperada, deprimida y pensando en suicidarse". <br /> <br /> "Puedes irte con quien quieras. No hace falta que me expliques nada, ya no me importa", afirmó Elyse, indiferente. <br /> <br /> Theo no creía que a ella le diera igual. Llevaban tres años juntos y todo el mundo sabía cuánto lo amaba. Pensó que su indiferencia no era más que el resultado de su enojo. Y estaba seguro de que podría resolverlo con facilidad. Unas palabras dulces y ella volvería a él. <br /> <br /> "No es para tanto. Regresé contigo después de ocuparme de todo, ¿no? Visitaré a tus padres pronto y podremos empezar a planear la boda de nuevo...", declaró él, intentando arreglar las cosas. <br /> <br /> "No hace falta", lo interrumpió Elyse. <br /> <br /> "¡¿Qué?!". <br /> <br /> "No habrá boda", sentenció la chica con el rostro desprovisto de emoción. "Terminamos". <br /> <br /> "¿Por qué sigues molesta? Me fui en la boda, pero volví por ti. ¿No puedes perdonarme?". Theo frunció el ceño, desconcertado. <br /> <br /> "¿Perdonarte? ¡¿Perdonarte por abandonarme por otra mujer?!". Elyse golpeó la mesa con la mano, alzando la voz. "¿Tienes idea de lo que he pasado desde que te fuiste? Tu familia me insultó, a pesar de que fuiste tú quien me dejó en el altar... ¡por otra mujer!". <br /> <br /> "¡Elyse Lloyd!", gritó Theo, enfurecido. "Da igual lo que digan los demás. ¿Nuestra relación de tres años no es lo suficientemente fuerte como para que confíes en mí?". <br /> <br /> "¡Tres años, y sin embargo nunca olvidaste a tu exnovia!", contraatacó Elyse, con el rostro marcado por la decepción. "Pensé que estaríamos juntos para siempre, pero parece que tres años era el límite. Se acabó. Está claro que no somos el uno para el otro". <br /> <br /> Mientras hablaba, sacó un anillo de su bolso y lo dejó sobre la mesa: el mismo con el que él le había pedido matrimonio. Recordó la alegría que ella sintió entonces, ahora ensombrecida por la tristeza. <br /> <br /> Elyse miró a Theo por última vez, cerrando en su mente el capítulo de los tres años que habían pasado juntos. Tomó su bolso y se marchó sin vacilar. <br /> <br /> Theo se quedó perplejo. ¿Realmente Elyse estaba terminando con él? Siempre la había considerado sumisa, con una familia que dependía de la suya. ¿Cómo podía marcharse así? <br /> <br /> Humillado, la persiguió, la agarró del hombro y le dijo con furia: "¡No tienes derecho a ponerle fin! Recuerda que el negocio de tu padre depende de los Ward. Sin mí, tu familia no tiene nada. ¡Vuelve y nos casaremos dentro de unos días para compensar lo de hoy!". <br /> <br /> "¡Suéltame!". Elyse se defendió con ferocidad y gritó con desafío así como con frustración: "¡Estoy casada, deja de molestarme!". <br /> <br /> "¡¿Y qué si estás casada?! ¡Siempre me pertenecerás!". En cuanto lo pronunció, se quedó inmóvil y preguntó incrédulo: "¿Qué dijiste? ¿Cómo que estás casada? ¿Con quién?". <br /> <br /> Mientras él estaba aturdido, Elyse se soltó de su agarre. Se dio la vuelta y se sorprendió al ver a su esposo sentado tranquilamente en una silla de ruedas a pocos metros detrás de ella. <br /> <br /> "¡Jayden!", exclamó. <br /> <br /> Capítulo 5 ¿Puedes estar de pie<br /> "¿No lo dejé claro? Estoy casada. Se acabó. Este es mi esposo", declaró Elyse, moviéndose rápidamente al lado de Jayden y agarrándolo del brazo con firmeza. <br /> <br /> La mirada de Theo se desvió hacia él, pero no lo reconoció. Con una mueca, se burló: "Para vengarte de mí, ¿te casaste con un minusválido?". <br /> <br /> Extendió la mano con autoridad y ordenó: "¡Elyse, ven aquí! Te lo compensaré cuando volvamos". <br /> <br /> Pero la joven lo miró como si fuera un extraño. <br /> <br /> "¿Me oíste? ¡Ven aquí!". La voz de Theo se elevó con frustración. <br /> <br /> Reflexionando sobre el pasado, Elyse era consciente de que una vez habría corrido a su lado sin dudarlo. Lo amó durante tres años, con sentimientos sinceros y profundos. Ahora, la intensidad de su afecto no hacía sino aumentar el dolor de su traición. <br /> <br /> Al pensar en su primer cumpleaños después de ser novios, Elyse recordó que quería celebrarlo junto al mar. Para complacerla, Theo le había comprado una cámara, prometiéndole capturar bellos momentos. <br /> <br /> Sin embargo, justo cuando estaban a punto de subir al avión, Kaelyn, que se había lesionado en un rodaje, llamó a Theo. <br /> <br /> Sin pensárselo dos veces, él abandonó a Elyse en el aeropuerto, convirtiendo lo que se suponía que iba a ser una ocasión feliz en el cumpleaños más decepcionante que había vivido nunca. <br /> <br /> Theo había prometido una vez asistir a la primera actuación de Elyse con su orquesta, pero al final se ausentó. Ella pasó toda la noche esperándolo, solo para descubrir al día siguiente que se había perdido la función porque Kaelyn se emborrachó en una cena mientras intentaba conseguir un papel. Preocupado por que pudieran aprovecharse de ella, se quedó a su lado. <br /> <br /> Durante todos esos tres años había sido el protector de Kaelyn, aunque jamás ofreció el mismo amparo a Elyse, su novia. Este cúmulo de decepciones alcanzó su punto álgido en la boda. La joven sabía que merecía amor y respeto; no abandono. <br /> <br /> "Ahora soy la esposa de Jayden. Mi lealtad es para él", declaró Elyse, con la voz llena de determinación. <br /> <br /> "¡Elyse Lloyd!", gritó Theo. <br /> <br /> Pensaba que Elyse le guardaba rencor e inventaba historias para vengarse de él. Entonces intentó agarrarla de la mano, pero Jayden intervino rápidamente, bloqueándolo. Theo luchó por liberarse, sin conseguirlo. El hecho de que no pudiera vencer a un hombre discapacitado lo enfureció aún más. <br /> <br /> "¡Suéltame!", exigió, molesto y furioso. <br /> <br /> "No quiere irse contigo. ¿No puedes entender eso?", replicó Jayden con calma. <br /> <br /> Mantuvo el agarre hasta que Theo gritó de dolor. <br /> <br /> "Recuerda eso, Elyse. ¡Te arrepentirás!", escupió Theo, con un tono lleno de humillación, mientras miraba a la chica, luego se alejaba furioso. <br /> <br /> Al verlo marcharse, una sonrisa amarga se dibujó en el rostro de Elyse. Sabía que Theo no perdonaría fácilmente la vergüenza, pero para ellos ya no había vuelta atrás. <br /> <br /> "Vamos a casa, Elyse". <br /> <br /> "De acuerdo". <br /> <br /> Después de ayudar a Jayden a entrar en el automóvil, se sentaron en silencio, cada uno ensimismado en sus propios pensamientos y evitando adrede cualquier discusión sobre Theo. <br /> <br /> "¿Cómo sabías que estaba aquí?", preguntó Elyse de repente, con curiosidad. <br /> <br /> Sin girarse para mirarla, Jayden contestó: "Driscoll mencionó que no era seguro que estuvieras sola a estas horas, así que vine a recogerte". <br /> <br /> Aunque había sospechado que ella tramaba algo, resultó que solo estaba viendo a su exnovio. Esta revelación lo dejó un poco decepcionado. <br /> <br /> "Ya que te casaste conmigo, deberías terminar con él. Los miembros de mi familia son estrictos y no puedo encubrirte si descubren que sigues viendo a otro hombre". <br /> <br /> "No volveré a verlo. Me reuní con él para devolverle el anillo", respondió Elyse, asintiendo con firmeza. <br /> <br /> Jayden prefirió no hacer más comentarios. Consideraba que mientras ella respetara sus principios, debería ser libre de tomar sus propias decisiones. <br /> <br /> Al llegar a casa, Elyse notó que Jayden se dirigía directamente al despacho una vez más. Movida por la curiosidad, preguntó a Driscoll: "¿Por qué está siempre en el estudio?". <br /> <br /> "El estudio no solo es su lugar de trabajo, sino que también se ha convertido en un santuario para su alma", explicó Driscoll. <br /> <br /> "¿Y por qué no vuelve a su habitación?". <br /> <br /> "Lo hace a veces, pero no sabemos cuándo. Prefiere que no nos preocupemos demasiado por él". <br /> <br /> Entonces Driscoll se marchó. <br /> <br /> Después de refrescarse en su habitación, Elyse se preparaba para ir a la cama, pero sus pensamientos se quedaron en los acontecimientos del día con Jayden. Se dio cuenta de que, a pesar de su carácter reservado, él se preocupaba de verdad por su seguridad. <br /> <br /> Sintiéndose agradecida y con ganas de expresarle su aprecio, salió de la habitación y se encaminó hacia el estudio. Cuando se acercó, se dio cuenta de que la puerta estaba entreabierta, arrojando una pizca de luz al pasillo. <br /> <br /> Elyse la empujó con cuidado y, para su sorpresa, vio al joven de pie. Jadeó y preguntó: "Jayden, ¿puedes caminar?". <br /> <br /> ......<br /> <br /> "Tú necesitas una novia, yo necesito un novio. ¿Por qué no nos casamos?" Ambos abandonados en el altar, Elyse decidió casarse con el extraño discapacitado del lugar de al lado. <br /> <br /> Compadeciéndose de su estado, ella juró malcriarlo una vez que se casaran. No sabía ella que en realidad era un magnate poderoso y saludable.<br /> <br /> ¿La discapacidad falsa de Jayden fue revelada así de repente?<br /> <br /> ¿Qué sucederá en adelante? <br /> <br /> Los capítulos disponibles son limitados aquí, haga click el botón abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo más contenidos maravillosos. <br /> (Al abrir el APP, directo accederá a este libro)<br /> <br /> &5&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.manobook.com/13336375-fb_contact-sp-	109739908479801	Love Story House	https://facebook.com/100083774743284	24,916	1	1,145,419,896,673,244	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn more	Love Story House	120210582812670255	fbweb.manobook.com	NONE	image		https://fbweb.manobook.com/13336375-fb_contact-sp-p12_2-0529-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=200518&accid=779668184115661&jump=1	2024-07-10 21:25	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450472159_1417260688982548_2137158157026463962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FRr2ZkB42R4Q7kNvgGJp0Cr&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAyyV-8a4Wtp4ezbZYRzA1w3L0nvRUY9LRCEwyYYsI2nA&oe=669655C8	person_profile	0	Love Story House	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450463379_1164385591486247_4972824043562275740_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jguu-bBqrQ8Q7kNvgHURkwV&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCnl0SXW7I4WSXD3bT0fPcI8wT-J32FXrYX-bkBjGFZOw&oe=66964882	3	Love Story House	2024-07-11 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,139	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	1163735468010784	KEPT by JOANNA ADAM	If you are looking for a book to take on holiday, don't forget to pack KEPT. The story of two sisters, steady Beth and impetuous Tina, rivals in love. The best kept secrets are those you choose to forget. Find me at joanna@joannaadam.com	SHOP_NOW	https://www.amazon.com/Kept-best-secret-choose-for	262172216972050	Joanna Adam author	https://facebook.com/61556634473307	22	1	982,546,000,083,661	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Shop now	Joanna Adam author	120211344801350032	amazon.com	NONE	image	Kept is a heartfelt and engaging story of two sisters, conventional Beth, and impetuous Tina. Secrets and lies simmer beneath the surface in the family and events transcend the generations. It is a study of identity, guilt, loss, and redemption. Laura is visiting her grandmother; the old photogra...	https://www.amazon.com/Kept-best-secret-choose-forget/dp/1739513118/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VU8Gvee361YtTlQTttKS4_2ilD6wpr6JayXnmRZsrmAV0JAcp6at9yKDx8KGMo1JoiL8vWvghkC8-YKuazmMRIQr039STiNP73k2QdhKrM1-2qqRRqYMaNa_oEyYLPt1BQQ-6UYBb-hYsgKEocq3IJBzvlSm3OrPuLu52TugpGDxp3wOA-OtAAHLwup2X-ks-RCvf86x9OzM_sgXFsSt4RbjJbpSVZ9MXiCtroKVGA0.2rgpUm0pLdKM781MF1aT-NJC757OlOi50sfdff4zc8M&qid=1720625085&sr=8-6	2024-07-10 15:41	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450850960_1407280359864614_2909146563523834156_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wmkGZa77XFQQ7kNvgGAq8QI&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYANbHFDwDi8ElRCDjaw1lJXr5UBv8JeZOkPLAtnpPhhLg&oe=66967646	person_profile	0			3	Joanna Adam author	2024-07-10 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,275	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921277}'	No	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	1022512339470332	Are you a Clea or Joanna?	Are you a Clea or a Joanna when it comes to your finances? 💸 Whether you’re more of a spender or a saver, click the link in our bio to download THE Money Edit — our guide to saving money and staying organized with @thehomeedit — and receive a little extra help to jump-start your financial goals. #TheHomeEditPartner	LEARN_MORE	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/589713999;39813	91699792158	First Horizon Bank	https://facebook.com/FirstHorizonBank	83,143	1	390,352,880,695,952	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn More	First Horizon Bank	120210847919180106	firsthorizon.com	NONE	dco	THE Money Edit with First Horizon	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/589713999;398132784;o	2024-06-17 17:26	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448653952_1737545313719094_7575779958806225857_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wdgRs2ldH2oQ7kNvgFaJ7fG&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDgWnYzhENVffIVqEsYP_ANqnxb3JMmBTKe1DUhyWJRMQ&oe=66966B96	person_profile	0			3	First Horizon Bank	2024-07-09 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,037	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921034}'	No	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	368693289574310	Atada por el amor: La ternura de mi marido discapacitado	Creía que su esposa se casó con él por su riqueza, a pesar de que era lisiado. Planeaba utilizarla y luego divorciarse de ella. Inesperadamente, después del matrimonio, se enamoró perdidamente de ella. Su esposa quería divorciarse todos los días, ¡pero él solo quería mimarla!<br /> =====<br /> "Kaelyn sabe lo de nuestra boda y ahora amenaza con tirarse de un edificio. Sabes que ha estado deprimida, ¿verdad? Tengo que ir a salvarla", dijo Theo Ward con impaciencia, apartando a Elyse Lloyd de un empujón. <br /> "¡Hoy es el día de nuestra boda! ¿Qué se supone que debo hacer si te vas ahora? Recuerda que Kaelyn Bennett ya te ha traicionado antes. Te ha causado tanto dolor, ¿por qué todavía te preocupas por ella?". <br /> Debido a la fuerza que ejerció, ella se torció el tobillo. Mientras se desplomaba en el piso, estiró desesperadamente la mano para retenerlo. <br /> <br /> La expresión de Theo se volvió aún más fría. "No estás en posición de juzgar lo que pasó entre Kaelyn y yo. A pesar de sus defectos y del sufrimiento que me causó, no te puedes comparar con ella". <br /> <br /> Un dolor agudo atravesó el corazón de Elyse al darse cuenta de que su novio nunca había dejado de pensar en Kaelyn. Para él, ella nunca sería tan importante como esa mujer. <br /> <br /> "¿Qué hice para merecer esto? ¿Por qué me tratas así? Por favor, espera hasta que termine la boda. Estamos a punto de intercambiar anillos. Puedes irte después". <br /> <br /> Theo esquivó la mano extendida de Elyse y le dijo con voz despectiva: "Te preocupa más esa ceremonia que la vida de una persona. No tienes corazón. Tenemos que aplazar la boda". <br /> <br /> Ignorando su rostro pálido, el hombre se alejó del altar decorado, indiferente a las miradas perplejas y preocupadas de los invitados. <br /> <br /> Cuando el novio se marchó, la multitud se sumió en el caos. <br /> <br /> "¡No, por favor, no me dejes, Theo! ¿Qué voy a hacer sin ti?, gritó Elyse, con la voz entrecortada, sentada en el piso. <br /> <br /> Su cuerpo tembloroso y las lágrimas que arruinaban su maquillaje daban lástima. El hombre al que amó durante tres años había elegido, sin dudarlo, a otra mujer en lugar de a ella en el día de su boda. Aunque le embargaba el sufrimiento de Kaelyn, parecía indiferente a la profunda sensación de pérdida y humillación de Elyse, dejándola abandonada en el altar. <br /> <br /> A su alrededor, innumerables pares de ojos lo presenciaron; algunos invitados se burlaban de ella, otros expresaban su simpatía y muchos se regodeaban. Elyse nunca había experimentado semejante tormento.<br /> <br /> Su padre, Lanny Lloyd, se acercó y, en lugar de consolarla, la reprendió con dureza: "¡Ni siquiera puedes retener a un hombre! ¡Qué inútil!". <br /> <br /> Tras sus duras palabras, se marchó con su esposa, Glenda, sin mirar atrás. <br /> <br /> Su hermana, Mabel, salió de entre la multitud con una sonrisa burlona. "Vaya, qué vergüenza, Elyse. Tu novio huyó y ahora eres la burla de todos. Me avergüenzo de ti. Imagínate cómo se sienten mamá y papá".<br /> <br /> Con esas palabras, se dio la vuelta y también se fue. <br /> <br /> Uno a uno, todos los miembros de la familia de Elyse se alejaron, dejándola completamente sola. <br /> <br /> Al principio, los parientes y amigos de Theo se sintieron responsables; pero al ver la reacción de la familia Lloyd, todo rastro de culpabilidad desapareció. <br /> <br /> "Ni siquiera sus propios padres la apoyaron. Parece que no es todo culpa de Theo". <br /> <br /> "Sí, si fuera una buena mujer, ¿por qué la dejaría su prometido?". <br /> <br /> "¿Ella lo engañó? ¿Qué otra cosa haría que su novio la dejara así?". <br /> <br /> Los murmullos críticos de los invitados que la rodeaban se hicieron cada vez más fuertes y ásperos. <br /> <br /> De repente, Elyse escuchó ruidos cerca. Al girarse, vio a un hombre de traje sentado solo en una silla de ruedas. <br /> <br /> El oficiante, con nerviosismo, preguntó: "¿Dónde está su novia?". <br /> <br /> Secándose las lágrimas, Elyse paró a un empleado que pasaba por su lado y preguntó: "Ese hombre es el novio, ¿verdad? ¿Dónde está su prometida?". <br /> <br /> El trabajador la miró y respondió: "No vino. Escuché que era porque no podía soportar su discapacidad". <br /> <br /> "¿Y él ha estado esperando aquí todo este tiempo?". <br /> <br /> El empleado asintió. <br /> <br /> El novio en la silla de ruedas se encontraba de espaldas a Elyse y los separaba una distancia considerable, así que ella no pudo ver su expresión; pero empatizó con el dolor del rechazo. Ambos eran desafortunados y abandonados. <br /> <br /> Tras un momento de reflexión, una mirada decidida apareció en los ojos de la joven. Aunque había amado a Theo durante tres años, él la traicionó. ¿Por qué iba a seguir siéndole fiel? Se dio cuenta de que ya no lo necesitaba en absoluto. <br /> <br /> Cuando se puso en pie, los invitados que habían estado susurrando y burlándose de ella se quedaron en silencio. Todas las miradas se centraron en ella cuando se levantó el dobladillo del vestido y se dirigió con confianza hacia el novio abandonado. <br /> <br /> La visión de una novia con un vestido blanco acercándose dejó a sus invitados atónitos. <br /> <br /> Al oír los susurros a su alrededor, el hombre de la silla de ruedas se giró despacio. <br /> <br /> Elyse se detuvo y contempló al apuesto joven, en cuyos ojos apareció un destello de sorpresa. Luego le tendió la mano y le dijo: "Hola, me enteré de que necesita una novia. Mi prometido acaba de dejarme. ¿Qué tal si nos casamos?". <br /> <br /> Capítulo 2 Ella tramaba algo<br /> "Me llamo Elyse Lloyd. Si le parece bien, podemos casarnos hoy mismo", propuso la chica con firmeza. <br /> <br /> Su audaz declaración dejó a todos los presentes estupefactos, y varias personas sacaron sus celulares para captar el momento. <br /> <br /> "Señorita Lloyd, ¿está segura de esta decisión? Dada mi discapacidad, puede que no pueda ofrecerle un futuro prometido", respondió el hombre sin ocultar su condición, y la animó amablemente a reconsiderarlo. <br /> <br /> "Ya lo decidí", respondió la joven con determinación. <br /> <br /> "Soy Jayden Owen", se presentó. Al ver su determinación, el joven le tomó la mano mientras le decía: "Me preocupa que más adelante se arrepienta de esta decisión". <br /> <br /> Elyse prefirió no responder. Estaba segura de sí misma. Hasta entonces, solo pensaba en casarse con Theo, quien nunca correspondió a su amor. Ahora, ya no le importaba quién era su cónyuge. <br /> <br /> Tras una breve ceremonia y completar rápidamente los trámites necesarios en la Oficina de Asuntos Civiles, Elyse y Jayden se unieron como esposos. Con el certificado de matrimonio en la mano, la chica sintió un gran alivio. <br /> <br /> Theo le había roto el corazón y estaba decidida a no volver con él. En cuanto a la reacción de su padre, aunque ella ya no podía unirse a la familia Ward, él tenía otra hija. <br /> <br /> Conocía demasiado bien a su hermana pequeña Mabel. Siendo alguien movida solo por la codicia, ¿cómo iba a resistir la tentación de convertirse en la esposa de Theo y en miembro de la familia Ward? Por lo tanto, casarse con Jayden era la escapatoria perfecta para que Elyse escapara de las garras de su familia. Ya no tenía intención de volver a casa. <br /> <br /> Mientras ella miraba pensativa el certificado de matrimonio, Jayden le preguntó: "¿Qué te preocupa? ¿Te arrepientes de casarte con un discapacitado?". <br /> <br /> Elyse sacudió la cabeza, agarró la silla de ruedas y contestó: "Creo que fue una buena decisión". <br /> <br /> Jayden sonrió, aunque sus ojos delataban un atisbo de escepticismo y desconfianza. ¿Cómo podía una mujer querer casarse de verdad con un inválido? Pensó que ella solo estaba fingiendo, una actuación que no duraría para siempre. <br /> <br /> Pero necesitaba una esposa momentánea para distraer a su familia mientras él perseguía sus propios objetivos. Por lo tanto, decidió seguirle el juego por el momento. <br /> <br /> Elyse ayudó a Jayden a subir al automóvil y se dirigieron a su casa. Era una propiedad lujosa, con jardín, piscina, mayordomo vestido de traje y sirvientas uniformadas. <br /> <br /> Al pisar la elegante alfombra de lana, Elyse se dio cuenta de que su nuevo esposo distaba mucho de ser común. <br /> <br /> El mayordomo, Driscoll Lee, se acercó a ellos con respeto y preguntó: "Señor Owen, ¿es esta su esposa?". <br /> <br /> Al contemplar la magnífica mansión y recordar el nombre completo de su marido, Elyse se dio cuenta de repente de quién era. <br /> <br /> Los Owen eran la familia más influyente de la ciudad, y Jayden destacaba entre ellos por su perspicacia para los negocios así como por su excepcional talento. Era uno de los hombres más ricos y poderosos. Sin embargo, tras un accidente automovilístico un año antes que le costó las piernas, él se había alejado de la atención pública y sus logros anteriores quedaron olvidados. <br /> <br /> Entonces, ¿se había casado con el legendario Jayden Owen? <br /> <br /> Elyse recordaba haber oído rumores sobre su compromiso con una chica de la familia Foster. Se suponía que la novia que había desaparecido el día de su boda era ella. <br /> <br /> Al oír el nombre completo de Jayden, Elyse no había pensado mucho en eso. Si hubiera sabido antes sus orígenes, no habría tenido el valor de proponerle matrimonio. <br /> <br /> Aunque Jayden notó la sorpresa y el pánico en el rostro de la chica, permaneció en silencio. Dudaba que realmente no lo hubiera reconocido. Después de todo, su discapacidad era bien sabida. <br /> <br /> "Ella es Elyse Lloyd, mi esposa. A partir de ahora, será la anfitriona de este lugar", la presentó Jayden con firmeza. <br /> <br /> "Joanna Foster escapó porque no deseaba casarse con un hombre discapacitado", añadió sin titubear. <br /> <br /> "¿La señorita Foster no fue a la boda?", preguntó Driscoll, asombrado. <br /> <br /> La familia Foster había estado ansiosa por forjar una unión con los Owen a través del matrimonio, presionando para que Jayden se casara con Joanna. No obstante, el día de la boda, la novia había desaparecido. ¿No era esto una humillación deliberada a Jayden? <br /> <br /> Driscoll sintió compasión por él y lo consoló: "Señor, quizás sea lo mejor que se haya ido. Parece que, después de todo, usted ha encontrado a la persona adecuada". <br /> <br /> Elyse no había mostrado ninguna resistencia a la discapacidad de Jayden y estaba dispuesta a casarse con él. Eso sin duda era importante. <br /> <br /> Capítulo 3 Él podía caminar<br /> Mientras Elyse contemplaba las piernas de Jayden, una profunda simpatía la invadió. Él, que antes estaba en la cúspide del éxito, ahora parecía muy vulnerable. Su novia lo había dejado plantado en el altar debido a su discapacidad, un gesto que carecía de cualquier atisbo de respeto. La traición debió de herirlo más profundamente de lo que ella podía imaginar. <br /> <br /> Tras acercarse a Jayden con sinceridad, la joven le tomó la mano y lo tranquilizó: "No te preocupes. Ahora somos marido y mujer. Cuidaré de ti el resto de nuestras vidas". <br /> <br /> La expresión de Jayden se endureció. ¿Esta mujer hablaba en serio, comprometiéndose a cuidarlo por tiempo indefinido? Dudó de sus intenciones, sospechando que no era más que una muestra superficial de empatía. <br /> <br /> En silencio, Jayden llevó su silla de ruedas al estudio del primer piso. <br /> <br /> "Lo lamento", dijo Driscoll, al percatarse de la tensión. "Desde su accidente, ha estado algo más temperamental". <br /> <br /> Elyse respondió comprensiva: "No pasa nada. Lo comprendo". <br /> <br /> Reconoció que cualquiera en su situación podría experimentar esos cambios, y enseguida, siguió a Driscoll escaleras arriba. <br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> En el estudio, un hombre calvo llamado Vinny Bailey, vestido con una camisa negra ajustada que resaltaba su musculatura, encendió respetuosamente un puro para Jayden. <br /> <br /> "Señor, Joanna se ha ido al extranjero", informó. "La familia Foster está buscando una solución". <br /> <br /> "Me quitaron treinta millones y cinco grandes proyectos. ¿Es así como me lo pagan?". <br /> <br /> Jayden exhaló una nube de humo con indiferencia, pero su tono estaba teñido de determinación. "Si no doy ejemplo, los demás pensarán que soy un pusilánime. Es hora de que los Foster aprendan la lección". <br /> <br /> "¿Quiere que traigamos de vuelta a Joanna?", preguntó Vinny. "Y sobre su nueva esposa, ¿deberíamos presentársela a nuestros hombres?". <br /> <br /> "No hace falta", respondió Jayden, con voz firme mientras agarraba un documento y se acercaba a la ventana. <br /> <br /> La silla de ruedas ya no era más que un accesorio en un rincón, ignorado mientras él se movía con una destreza asombrosa. El documento que tenía en las manos detallaba la vida de Elyse desde su infancia hasta sus años universitarios, incluido su pasado romance con Theo. <br /> <br /> Hojeando las páginas, Jayden comentó: "Una mujer corriente. Se casó conmigo solo por mi fortuna". <br /> <br /> En el pasado, los Owen habían declarado su intención de encontrar una esposa adecuada para Jayden, principalmente para asegurar la continuidad de su linaje. Tras su anuncio, la mayoría de las familias acomodadas dudaron en vincularse mediante el matrimonio, excepto los Foster. Tras elevar su estatus social casando estratégicamente a sus hijas, vieron otra oportunidad. Su objetivo estaba claro: cambiar a la chica por sustanciosos beneficios económicos y recursos. <br /> <br /> Vinny también no percibió otra motivación para el matrimonio de Elyse con Jayden que la ventaja monetaria. Sin embargo... <br /> <br /> "En un principio iba a casarse con Theo Ward", mencionó de forma casual. <br /> <br /> "¿Ward? ¿La conocida familia Ward?". Jayden enarcó una ceja, intrigado. <br /> <br /> "Sí, pero parece que el prometido cambió de opinión y huyó para reunirse con su exnovia después de una llamada repentina", continuó Vinny. <br /> <br /> Luego especuló: "Tal vez ella se casó con usted por rencor a Theo Ward". <br /> <br /> El joven dejó de rebuscar entre sus documentos y miró a Vinny, molesto. "Estás simplificando demasiado las cosas. Al casarse conmigo, tiene mucho más que ganar. Esa es la verdadera razón por la que me eligió, a pesar de mi invalidez". <br /> <br /> Jayden era consciente de que tal vez Elyse aún no le hubiera revelado sus verdaderas intenciones, pero le resultaba indiferente el interés de ella en su fortuna. <br /> <br /> Necesitaba una esposa para satisfacer las expectativas familiares, y si las motivaciones de esa mujer eran puramente financieras, eso simplificaría cualquier posible separación futura. <br /> <br /> ----<br /> <br /> Mientras tanto, Elyse estaba tumbada en la cama, consultando su celular. Y pronto se fijó en los temas de tendencia. <br /> <br /> "Novio se fugó por su exnovia". <br /> <br /> "Novia se casa con un extraño para enfurecer a su novio fugitivo". <br /> <br /> Mientras se desplazaba por los comentarios, constató que el público encontraba todo el escenario asombroso y criticaba las acciones de ambas partes por actuar de forma irracional. <br /> <br /> No obstante, la polémica había puesto el nombre de Elyse en el centro de atención. Algunos comentaristas incluso habían desenterrado sus antecedentes como violinista en una orquesta, descubriendo vídeos de sus actuaciones anteriores. <br /> <br /> Ensimismada, la joven estaba viendo los vídeos cuando Theo la llamó. "¿Dónde estás, Elyse? Vamos a vernos y a hablar". <br /> <br /> Capítulo 4 ¿Con quién te casaste<br /> Mientras Elyse bajaba las escaleras hacia la entrada de la residencia, Driscoll se acercó a ella con evidente preocupación. <br /> <br /> "Es bastante tarde. ¿Adónde va? ¿Quiere que le consiga un auto?", le preguntó. <br /> <br /> "No, gracias. Volveré pronto", respondió la joven. <br /> <br /> Driscoll la vio marcharse antes de dirigirse al estudio. <br /> <br /> Elyse, que había acordado reunirse con Theo, llamó a un taxi y se puso en camino. <br /> <br /> Quince minutos más tarde, entró en una cafetería, donde enseguida vio a Theo, que estaba muy animado, escribiendo mensajes en su celular. Un destello de sarcasmo cruzó sus ojos cuando se acercó y se sentó frente a él. <br /> <br /> Theo levantó la vista y su expresión se ensombreció de inmediato. "¿Por qué llegas tan tarde? ¿Tienes idea del tiempo que llevo esperando?", se quejó. <br /> <br /> Elyse se sintió muy decepcionada. A pesar de su larga historia juntos, la actitud dominante de Theo hacia ella contrastaba con su comportamiento con Kaelyn. <br /> <br /> Ella lo amó, creyendo que podría soportar cualquier cosa por él. Pero ya se daba cuenta de lo equivocada que estaba. Si no se amaba a sí misma, ¿cómo podía esperar que alguien más lo hiciera? <br /> <br /> "Si no quieres esperar, puedes irte", replicó ella con frialdad. <br /> <br /> Theo, sorprendido por su respuesta, se mostró cada vez más molesto. "Estás resentida por lo que pasó en la boda, ¿verdad? Comprendo tu enfado, pero, ¿no puedes ser más comprensiva y razonable? Me fui porque Kaelyn estaba en una situación desesperada, deprimida y pensando en suicidarse". <br /> <br /> "Puedes irte con quien quieras. No hace falta que me expliques nada, ya no me importa", afirmó Elyse, indiferente. <br /> <br /> Theo no creía que a ella le diera igual. Llevaban tres años juntos y todo el mundo sabía cuánto lo amaba. Pensó que su indiferencia no era más que el resultado de su enojo. Y estaba seguro de que podría resolverlo con facilidad. Unas palabras dulces y ella volvería a él. <br /> <br /> "No es para tanto. Regresé contigo después de ocuparme de todo, ¿no? Visitaré a tus padres pronto y podremos empezar a planear la boda de nuevo...", declaró él, intentando arreglar las cosas. <br /> <br /> "No hace falta", lo interrumpió Elyse. <br /> <br /> "¡¿Qué?!". <br /> <br /> "No habrá boda", sentenció la chica con el rostro desprovisto de emoción. "Terminamos". <br /> <br /> "¿Por qué sigues molesta? Me fui en la boda, pero volví por ti. ¿No puedes perdonarme?". Theo frunció el ceño, desconcertado. <br /> <br /> "¿Perdonarte? ¡¿Perdonarte por abandonarme por otra mujer?!". Elyse golpeó la mesa con la mano, alzando la voz. "¿Tienes idea de lo que he pasado desde que te fuiste? Tu familia me insultó, a pesar de que fuiste tú quien me dejó en el altar... ¡por otra mujer!". <br /> <br /> "¡Elyse Lloyd!", gritó Theo, enfurecido. "Da igual lo que digan los demás. ¿Nuestra relación de tres años no es lo suficientemente fuerte como para que confíes en mí?". <br /> <br /> "¡Tres años, y sin embargo nunca olvidaste a tu exnovia!", contraatacó Elyse, con el rostro marcado por la decepción. "Pensé que estaríamos juntos para siempre, pero parece que tres años era el límite. Se acabó. Está claro que no somos el uno para el otro". <br /> <br /> Mientras hablaba, sacó un anillo de su bolso y lo dejó sobre la mesa: el mismo con el que él le había pedido matrimonio. Recordó la alegría que ella sintió entonces, ahora ensombrecida por la tristeza. <br /> <br /> Elyse miró a Theo por última vez, cerrando en su mente el capítulo de los tres años que habían pasado juntos. Tomó su bolso y se marchó sin vacilar. <br /> <br /> Theo se quedó perplejo. ¿Realmente Elyse estaba terminando con él? Siempre la había considerado sumisa, con una familia que dependía de la suya. ¿Cómo podía marcharse así? <br /> <br /> Humillado, la persiguió, la agarró del hombro y le dijo con furia: "¡No tienes derecho a ponerle fin! Recuerda que el negocio de tu padre depende de los Ward. Sin mí, tu familia no tiene nada. ¡Vuelve y nos casaremos dentro de unos días para compensar lo de hoy!". <br /> <br /> "¡Suéltame!". Elyse se defendió con ferocidad y gritó con desafío así como con frustración: "¡Estoy casada, deja de molestarme!". <br /> <br /> "¡¿Y qué si estás casada?! ¡Siempre me pertenecerás!". En cuanto lo pronunció, se quedó inmóvil y preguntó incrédulo: "¿Qué dijiste? ¿Cómo que estás casada? ¿Con quién?". <br /> <br /> Mientras él estaba aturdido, Elyse se soltó de su agarre. Se dio la vuelta y se sorprendió al ver a su esposo sentado tranquilamente en una silla de ruedas a pocos metros detrás de ella. <br /> <br /> "¡Jayden!", exclamó. <br /> <br /> Capítulo 5 ¿Puedes estar de pie<br /> "¿No lo dejé claro? Estoy casada. Se acabó. Este es mi esposo", declaró Elyse, moviéndose rápidamente al lado de Jayden y agarrándolo del brazo con firmeza. <br /> <br /> La mirada de Theo se desvió hacia él, pero no lo reconoció. Con una mueca, se burló: "Para vengarte de mí, ¿te casaste con un minusválido?". <br /> <br /> Extendió la mano con autoridad y ordenó: "¡Elyse, ven aquí! Te lo compensaré cuando volvamos". <br /> <br /> Pero la joven lo miró como si fuera un extraño. <br /> <br /> "¿Me oíste? ¡Ven aquí!". La voz de Theo se elevó con frustración. <br /> <br /> Reflexionando sobre el pasado, Elyse era consciente de que una vez habría corrido a su lado sin dudarlo. Lo amó durante tres años, con sentimientos sinceros y profundos. Ahora, la intensidad de su afecto no hacía sino aumentar el dolor de su traición. <br /> <br /> Al pensar en su primer cumpleaños después de ser novios, Elyse recordó que quería celebrarlo junto al mar. Para complacerla, Theo le había comprado una cámara, prometiéndole capturar bellos momentos. <br /> <br /> Sin embargo, justo cuando estaban a punto de subir al avión, Kaelyn, que se había lesionado en un rodaje, llamó a Theo. <br /> <br /> Sin pensárselo dos veces, él abandonó a Elyse en el aeropuerto, convirtiendo lo que se suponía que iba a ser una ocasión feliz en el cumpleaños más decepcionante que había vivido nunca. <br /> <br /> Theo había prometido una vez asistir a la primera actuación de Elyse con su orquesta, pero al final se ausentó. Ella pasó toda la noche esperándolo, solo para descubrir al día siguiente que se había perdido la función porque Kaelyn se emborrachó en una cena mientras intentaba conseguir un papel. Preocupado por que pudieran aprovecharse de ella, se quedó a su lado. <br /> <br /> Durante todos esos tres años había sido el protector de Kaelyn, aunque jamás ofreció el mismo amparo a Elyse, su novia. Este cúmulo de decepciones alcanzó su punto álgido en la boda. La joven sabía que merecía amor y respeto; no abandono. <br /> <br /> "Ahora soy la esposa de Jayden. Mi lealtad es para él", declaró Elyse, con la voz llena de determinación. <br /> <br /> "¡Elyse Lloyd!", gritó Theo. <br /> <br /> Pensaba que Elyse le guardaba rencor e inventaba historias para vengarse de él. Entonces intentó agarrarla de la mano, pero Jayden intervino rápidamente, bloqueándolo. Theo luchó por liberarse, sin conseguirlo. El hecho de que no pudiera vencer a un hombre discapacitado lo enfureció aún más. <br /> <br /> "¡Suéltame!", exigió, molesto y furioso. <br /> <br /> "No quiere irse contigo. ¿No puedes entender eso?", replicó Jayden con calma. <br /> <br /> Mantuvo el agarre hasta que Theo gritó de dolor. <br /> <br /> "Recuerda eso, Elyse. ¡Te arrepentirás!", escupió Theo, con un tono lleno de humillación, mientras miraba a la chica, luego se alejaba furioso. <br /> <br /> Al verlo marcharse, una sonrisa amarga se dibujó en el rostro de Elyse. Sabía que Theo no perdonaría fácilmente la vergüenza, pero para ellos ya no había vuelta atrás. <br /> <br /> "Vamos a casa, Elyse". <br /> <br /> "De acuerdo". <br /> <br /> Después de ayudar a Jayden a entrar en el automóvil, se sentaron en silencio, cada uno ensimismado en sus propios pensamientos y evitando adrede cualquier discusión sobre Theo. <br /> <br /> "¿Cómo sabías que estaba aquí?", preguntó Elyse de repente, con curiosidad. <br /> <br /> Sin girarse para mirarla, Jayden contestó: "Driscoll mencionó que no era seguro que estuvieras sola a estas horas, así que vine a recogerte". <br /> <br /> Aunque había sospechado que ella tramaba algo, resultó que solo estaba viendo a su exnovio. Esta revelación lo dejó un poco decepcionado. <br /> <br /> "Ya que te casaste conmigo, deberías terminar con él. Los miembros de mi familia son estrictos y no puedo encubrirte si descubren que sigues viendo a otro hombre". <br /> <br /> "No volveré a verlo. Me reuní con él para devolverle el anillo", respondió Elyse, asintiendo con firmeza. <br /> <br /> Jayden prefirió no hacer más comentarios. Consideraba que mientras ella respetara sus principios, debería ser libre de tomar sus propias decisiones. <br /> <br /> Al llegar a casa, Elyse notó que Jayden se dirigía directamente al despacho una vez más. Movida por la curiosidad, preguntó a Driscoll: "¿Por qué está siempre en el estudio?". <br /> <br /> "El estudio no solo es su lugar de trabajo, sino que también se ha convertido en un santuario para su alma", explicó Driscoll. <br /> <br /> "¿Y por qué no vuelve a su habitación?". <br /> <br /> "Lo hace a veces, pero no sabemos cuándo. Prefiere que no nos preocupemos demasiado por él". <br /> <br /> Entonces Driscoll se marchó. <br /> <br /> Después de refrescarse en su habitación, Elyse se preparaba para ir a la cama, pero sus pensamientos se quedaron en los acontecimientos del día con Jayden. Se dio cuenta de que, a pesar de su carácter reservado, él se preocupaba de verdad por su seguridad. <br /> <br /> Sintiéndose agradecida y con ganas de expresarle su aprecio, salió de la habitación y se encaminó hacia el estudio. Cuando se acercó, se dio cuenta de que la puerta estaba entreabierta, arrojando una pizca de luz al pasillo. <br /> <br /> Elyse la empujó con cuidado y, para su sorpresa, vio al joven de pie. Jadeó y preguntó: "Jayden, ¿puedes caminar?". <br /> <br /> ......<br /> <br /> "Tú necesitas una novia, yo necesito un novio. ¿Por qué no nos casamos?" Ambos abandonados en el altar, Elyse decidió casarse con el extraño discapacitado del lugar de al lado. <br /> <br /> Compadeciéndose de su estado, ella juró malcriarlo una vez que se casaran. No sabía ella que en realidad era un magnate poderoso y saludable.<br /> <br /> ¿La discapacidad falsa de Jayden fue revelada así de repente?<br /> <br /> ¿Qué sucederá en adelante? <br /> <br /> Los capítulos disponibles son limitados aquí, haga click el botón abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo más contenidos maravillosos. <br /> (Al abrir el APP, directo accederá a este libro)<br /> <br /> &5&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.manobook.com/13336375-fb_contact-sp-	109739908479801	Love Story House	https://facebook.com/100083774743284	24,916	1	1,990,998,287,963,605	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn more	Love Story House	120210582512220255	fbweb.manobook.com	NONE	image		https://fbweb.manobook.com/13336375-fb_contact-sp-p12_2-0529-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=200518&accid=779668184115661&jump=1	2024-07-10 21:21	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450467492_7403795573056010_5974958859407809631_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jxa4iuzgsvIQ7kNvgGHvk73&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCNCaqN002PzWwr6WLzNVY2s3kgQJfAQJ5CgB8uPA6SfQ&oe=66965437	person_profile	0	Love Story House	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450695099_991766329259818_1154013723870012554_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uThyCY40MwAQ7kNvgEJtzqO&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD4XgpQF6fnNUE1XFmYa-4AwNqrTNhniFxwWQZFnEM0BQ&oe=66964687	3	Love Story House	2024-07-11 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,921,879	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921927}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	441401402058004	Enjoy Romance🥰Read More 👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"<br /> <br /> &13&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	105235075579900	Funread	https://facebook.com/100083845110483	12,150	1	2,203,874,089,978,622	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Funread	120210196853730660	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	image		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=216543&accid=1910509592737470	2024-07-09 22:22	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450251273_1155599045748088_3610522292033238898_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Kbu6InULpKIQ7kNvgHIV8Vo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOD1ZBWbrfFYzIeYV84pe1f-zHM1LLfRwOHYODDfnBiA&oe=6696FB07	person_profile	0	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450449723_851794623479416_5063950253912121376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qL806oThuWYQ7kNvgFpIHnZ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBpb8l5l3z94TNqMbXBGH8XaqE0JMzIst4CioqmvEy14A&oe=66970E02	3	Funread	2024-07-11 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,888	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1922040}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	453662477462848	Read next chapter👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"<br /> <br /> &13&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	215069711684182	Late reading	https://facebook.com/61554989897813	14,733	3	480,030,371,147,281	2024-07-12 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Late reading	120210899678610758	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	image		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575	2024-06-16 22:48	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448559295_1598821694232413_5279923679773925168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wGHa3_uFtQcQ7kNvgF7Z8zL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCWDC0w3ufxbnscuXzD3pQWaGN03LPZtnjFUWs-Vc8Aqg&oe=6696FEC3	person_profile	0	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448230345_354823274308417_7913064327686404732_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=io4_ykI6Ex8Q7kNvgHwVnjV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCiLn_RGjn3rnX6PycBQXxwpMfxW-_HOx5qt8dkk7qqHg&oe=669718DD	3	Late reading	2024-07-12 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,223	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	1452927435345636	3 habitaciones 2 baños - Departamento	3 habitaciones 2 baños - Departamento - $20.000,00<br /> <br /> 3 habitaciones 2 baños - Departamento<br /> <br /> Tijuana<br /> <br /> Departamento en Renta en Fracc Logroño By La Rioja, Condominio Pedroso E-101 y B-104 <br /> <br /> ⁃ Espacio para Sala y comedor <br /> ⁃ Cocina , con cocina integral,estufa y campana <br /> ⁃ Cuarto de limpieza <br /> ⁃ 3 Recámaras , con clóset cada una <br /> ⁃ 2 Baños completos <br /> ⁃ Recámara principal con baño completo <br /> ⁃ Espacio para estancia de TV <br /> ⁃ Boiler <br /> ⁃ Primera Nivel <br /> ⁃ Jardín Estancia<br /> Espacios amplios , área muy tranquila y en muy buena ubicación <br /> <br /> Fraccionamiento cuenta con casa club , acceso controlado, el mejor lugar para ti y tu familia. <br /> <br /> Requisitos <br /> ⁃ comprobante de ingresos <br /> ⁃ 1 mes de depósito <br /> ⁃ 1 mes de renta cubierto <br /> ⁃ 2 avales con propiedad o de lo contrario 2 meses de depósito adicional <br /> ⁃ Identificación vigente de Baja California <br /> ⁃ Contrato por 6 mese o 1 año <br /> <br /> Para más información y detalles te agendamos cita al siguiente contacto:<br /> <br /> Facebook Marketplace	CONTACT_US	https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/118451911923	108940774032213	Joanna Ortiz	/marketplace/?seller_profile=100046252031921	0	1	330,787,936,752,790	2024-07-10 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Contact us	Joanna Ortiz	120208111183050044		NONE	image		https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1184519119235660/	2024-07-09 20:07		regular_page	1	Joanna Ortiz	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450354608_524897719861480_950697759803570306_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BOVcbEJ5FOIQ7kNvgGVFHGR&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCguYtwqZH5BimIsE6_LWHo7QS1JmRyVivxxzzoJKRKzw&oe=6696531D	3	Joanna Ortiz	2024-07-09 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,922,067	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921908}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	2467709510286419	She was going to marry her fiancé tomorrow, but she was mistaken for a runaway bride by a billionaire and kidnapped to get the marriage certificate and taken home...	She dropped out of high school, had a bad reputation, was jilted by her fiancé, and was laughed at by public. Yet the following day, she wed a billionaire, and was doted on by him who was arrogant and averse to women.<br /> =====<br /> "Ow, that hurts..." As she felt something hard pierce her body, Marissa Nash momentarily felt dizzy from the agony.<br /> She had forgotten about the bunch of Dreamweed on the seat and had accidentally sat on it. Its long, sharp thorns had dug deep into her flesh.<br /> Then, noticing blood seeping from between her legs, she gasped in shock and exclaimed, "Oh no!"<br /> Dreamweed was known for its strong anesthetic properties, meaning she would likely be numb for the next six hours. Realizing this, she decided to close the shop and rest.<br /> <br /> Gritting her teeth against the pain, she removed the thorns and wanted to go put up the "Closed for Today" sign.<br /> <br /> But before she could stand, a tall, well-dressed man in a sharp suit entered the flower shop through the glass door. His imposing presence quickly dominated the space.<br /> <br /> His face was handsome and stern, his eyes a mix of disdain, hatred, and something fiercely destructive.<br /> <br /> Marissa slightly frowned; she did not recognize him and knew nothing of his intentions.<br /> <br /> But it was evident he wasn't here on a friendly visit!<br /> <br /> She had many enemies. Though she often used aliases and disguises on her missions, there was always the risk of being unmasked. There was also the possibility that a traitor emerged within the organization she belonged to. It wasn't uncommon for enemies to seek her out for revenge or abduct her.<br /> <br /> Feeling her strength fading away, she dared not act hastily. All she could do was try to remain calm on the surface.<br /> <br /> "Are you here to buy flowers, sir?"<br /> <br /> "Heh!" The man scoffed.<br /> <br /> Without a word, he scooped her up and carried her outside.<br /> <br /> Marissa instinctively tried to punch him, but her feeble punches felt more like gentle taps against his solid body.<br /> <br /> What awaited her outside left her stunned.<br /> <br /> Down the narrow, run-down Vintage Street, over a dozen luxurious black Rolls Royces were lined up impressively.<br /> <br /> Over a hundred stern-faced bodyguards in black surrounded her modest flower shop, making it seem like a fortress.<br /> <br /> Passersby had already scurried into nearby stores, driven by fear.<br /> <br /> It was as if a scene from a mafia movie had come to life, with the mafia boss making a dramatic public appearance.<br /> <br /> Despite Marissa's extensive experiences, she couldn't determine which powerful person in Blebert was targeting her.<br /> <br /> To cause such a spectacle in broad daylight was incredibly bold and insane!<br /> <br /> The man roughly shoved her into a car and then climbed in beside her, settling next to her.<br /> <br /> Once the door was shut, the car's interior was engulfed by his intense, chilling presence, making it hard to breathe.<br /> <br /> Marissa tried to remain composed and discreetly reached into her pocket for her phone to send out a distress signal.<br /> <br /> But just as her fingers grazed the device, the man beside her snatched it away.<br /> <br /> She glanced at his harsh, tense face. "Sir, could you at least tell me your name and why you're abducting me... Ugh!"<br /> <br /> Her plea was abruptly cut short as his hand clamped tightly around her throat.<br /> <br /> "I'm not interested in your antics! Say another word, and I'll end you right here!"<br /> <br /> To save her life, Marissa quickly shut her mouth.<br /> <br /> Powerless to fight back, she could only sit and wonder what would come next.<br /> <br /> However, what happened next left her completely astounded.<br /> <br /> The man brought her to the City Hall.<br /> <br /> Before she knew it, her name was listed next to his on the marriage certificate.<br /> <br /> Thrown back into the car, Marissa was in shock.<br /> <br /> She stared vacantly at the marriage certificate in her hand, finally seeing the man's name, Connor Daniels.<br /> <br /> In Blebert, only one Connor Daniels fit the profile of possessing such immense wealth and influence--the current head of the top family, also known as the wealthiest man in Blebert!<br /> <br /> The situation was both horrifying and bewildering.<br /> <br /> She had never encountered such an extremely prestigious and fearsome person.<br /> <br /> While she might have unwittingly offended him, an assassination attempt or revenge on her would make sense, but a forced marriage...?<br /> <br /> "Um, Mr. Daniels..."<br /> <br /> "shut up!"<br /> <br /> Marissa attempted to find out what was going on, but Connor cut her off before she could begin to ask questions.<br /> <br /> Then, he grabbed her left hand and slid a priceless diamond ring onto her finger.<br /> <br /> "Make my grandma happy as you did before. Don't provoke me again!" he ordered.<br /> <br /> Marissa was left speechless.<br /> <br /> She had never even met his grandmother, so how was she supposed to make her happy?<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, there's clearly been a misunderstanding... Hmm..."<br /> <br /> She found herself once again gripped tightly by the throat.<br /> <br /> His demeanor was tense and grim. Each word he said seemed to echo from a place of deep darkness.<br /> <br /> "You went to great lengths to trick my grandma into forcing this marriage upon me. Yet, after I had agreed and our wedding invitations had been sent out, you vanished on the day we were to legalize our marriage? I'm not interested in why you chased me and then ran away, r do I mind the embarrassment and complications it caused. But my grandma was rushed to the hospital because of this, and we need to resolve it! With her health in a critical condition, you will return and act the part of the dutiful granddaughter-in-law. If you try any tricks, I'll make sure the entire Nash family pays dearly!"<br /> <br /> Marissa started to piece things together.<br /> <br /> He had abducted the wrong person!<br /> <br /> She resembled his actual runaway fiancee closely, leading to this mistake.<br /> <br /> She had planned to go back to her hometown Adagend tomorrow to marry her fiance, Derek Tucker. What was she supposed to do now?<br /> <br /> Chapter2 Buried Alongside Her<br /> Marissa was seething with anger for being mistaken for someone else.<br /> <br /> Her carefully laid plans had been completely ruined by Connor, and even if she were to regain her freedom in the future, she would be a divorced woman.<br /> <br /> This blind and rude bastard!<br /> <br /> She was consumed by the desire to tear Connor apart.<br /> <br /> Yet, at this moment, she was powerless to defend herself. His overbearing and aggressive presence forced her into submission once again.<br /> <br /> As the sun set, casting its last golden light, their car pulled into the opulent grounds of Daniels Manor.<br /> <br /> No sooner had Connor pulled her from the car than a distressed butler hurried over with urgent news.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, you must come quickly. Your grandma has collapsed again and they're trying to revive her. This is the third time she's fainted. The doctors say her heart is failing, and her condition is... very critical..."<br /> <br /> Connor's expression twisted into one of anger.<br /> <br /> Marissa instinctively recoiled, sensing the murderous intent emanating from him.<br /> <br /> Before she could react, he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the car door.<br /> <br /> His grip was that of a madman, his hand tightening around her neck to the point where she nearly passed out.<br /> <br /> "You better hope my grandmother gets through this! If she doesn't, I'll make sure you're buried alongside her!"<br /> <br /> With one last menacing squeeze, Connor let her go and stormed off towards the mansion.<br /> <br /> Gasping for air, Marissa clutched her bruised throat and coughed painfully.<br /> <br /> "Ugh... Ahem..."<br /> <br /> The sensation of being so close to death left her both terrified and seething with anger.<br /> <br /> This man was completely insane!<br /> <br /> He still hadn't realized that he had married the wrong woman.<br /> <br /> Given his current unstable and aggressive demeanor, if his grandmother passed away, she was certain she'd be buried alive alongside her!<br /> <br /> To ensure her survival until the truth came out, she knew she must try to save his grandmother.<br /> <br /> With that resolve, she gathered her strength and followed Connor into the mansion.<br /> <br /> Inside the bedroom, Arabella Daniels, an elderly lady with silver hair, was lying motionless on the bed.<br /> <br /> Medical personnel were desperately attempting to save her, but the monitors tracking her vitals indicated her blood pressure and heart rate were critically low. She was indeed on the brink of death.<br /> <br /> Connor stopped at the doorway, his face strained. Marissa, trailing behind him, held her breath.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, the heart monitor's rhythmic beeping stopped, replaced by a continuous flat tone.<br /> <br /> The medical team paused briefly before resuming their intense efforts to resuscitate Arabella.<br /> <br /> However, Arabella's heart remained unresponsive.<br /> <br /> The lead doctor finally said somberly, "Mrs. Daniels has passed away. Please accept our condolences."<br /> <br /> Connor was in denial. His eyes, already reddened, became wild with grief.<br /> <br /> "I don't accept this! Keep trying! Use whatever means necessary, regardless of the cost!"<br /> <br /> The doctor sighed and said, "Mr. Daniels, your grandma's heart has stopped. Further attempts are futile."<br /> <br /> Connor was on the verge of a breakdown.<br /> <br /> He had lost his parents at a young age, and it was his grandmother who had raised him. She was the closest family he had.<br /> <br /> "No, Grandma can't just go like this! She wanted to see me married and meet her great-grandchildren. She said only that would bring her peace!"<br /> <br /> The room fell eerily quiet, everyone too apprehensive to speak. Finally, Neil Daniels, Connor's brother, broke the silence with a scornful remark. "Enough, Connor. What's the point of saying all this now?"<br /> <br /> He was Connor's eldest brother, twenty-three years older than him.<br /> <br /> His words were sharply cutting.<br /> <br /> "Grandma died stressed out because of your runaway fiancee. Her death is your fault. You can't even handle a woman. How are we supposed to trust you with running the whole family? If you feel any remorse for Grandma, hand over the family leadership and shares, and step down from managing the family business!"<br /> <br /> Connor's lips tightened as he tried to contain his emotions.<br /> <br /> Neil had always been bitter that their grandmother had entrusted Connor with the shares and family leadership instead of him, her eldest grandchild. He never missed a chance to pin a blame on Connor.<br /> <br /> Usually, Connor didn't let Neil's accusations slide and always had a retort ready to keep his conniving brother in check.<br /> <br /> But today, Connor had no desire to argue. He was too overwhelmed by grief and wanted his grandmother to rest in peace.<br /> <br /> But Glenn Daniels, Connor's third elder brother, who used a wheelchair, couldn't stand it any longer.<br /> <br /> "Neil, Grandma chose Connor to be in charge. It's unseemly for you to try to take the family leadership and shares now!"<br /> <br /> "Glenn, since when do you have a say in this family?" Neil's wife, Lorna Daniels, jumped in sharply before Neil could respond, her voice laden with sarcasm. Despite her carefully applied makeup, her malicious nature was evident.<br /> <br /> "Connor doesn't have the integrity required for his position. It's only right that he hands over the family leadership and shares! And you, contributing nothing from that wheelchair, think you deserve a share too?" Lorna was known for her harsh words, and she hit exactly where it hurt.<br /> <br /> As expected, Glenn grimaced, gripping his knee, rendered speechless by the distress.<br /> <br /> Marissa observed the family drama silently from the sidelines, uninterested in their squabbles.<br /> <br /> While the others argued, she had been closely observing Arabella's condition.<br /> <br /> As the argument intensified, Marissa said calmly, "Mrs. Daniels can still be saved..."<br /> <br /> Chapter3 Who Dares Lay A Finger On My Woman<br /> The moment Marissa spoke, all attention shifted to her.<br /> <br /> Connor, deep in grief, seemed to only remember her presence now, turning his head sharply toward her, his eyes filled with a fierce anger.<br /> <br /> Marissa instinctively took a step back, feeling as if she was walking dangerously on the edge of a knife.<br /> <br /> "Isn't that the runaway bride who's from the Nash family?"<br /> <br /> "How dare she show her face here?"<br /> <br /> The crowd looked at her with evident disdain.<br /> <br /> Marissa felt like prey surrounded by a pack of wolves. Cautiously, she asked Connor, "May I see Mrs. Daniels? Perhaps I could be of some help."<br /> <br /> What?! Everyone was shocked.<br /> <br /> Lorna let out a sharp, mocking laugh and said, "Miss Nash, are you out of your mind? Everyone knows you never finished high school. When did you become a medical expert?"<br /> <br /> Marissa ignored the cutting remark.<br /> <br /> Her focus was solely on trying to save a life, and she pleaded with Connor, "Since the doctors have given up, what harm is there in letting me try? Things can't get much worse."<br /> <br /> The medical team was outraged.<br /> <br /> How could they let a notorious rich girl, declared a failure by her own family, overturn their death declaration?<br /> <br /> The Daniels family members were also seething with anger.<br /> <br /> This woman, who had disgraced them by fleeing the wedding, now had the audacity to step in upon Arabella's death.<br /> <br /> Everyone expected Connor to demand this lunatic be thrown out.<br /> <br /> Unexpectedly, the fierce anger in Connor's eyes faded.<br /> <br /> He continued to stare at Marissa's face, leaving the room in suspense about his thoughts.<br /> <br /> Neil, unable to contain his anger, slammed the table and said, "How can we let this ignorant girl meddle? Throw her out now!"<br /> <br /> The bodyguards, anticipating this command, started to approach Marissa to escort her away.<br /> <br /> "Who dares lay a finger on my woman?!" Suddenly, Connor's voice rang out, stopping everyone in their tracks.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned.<br /> <br /> Connor's commanding presence filled the room, leaving no room for defiance.<br /> <br /> Even the troublemakers, Neil and Lorna, were forced to remain silent.<br /> <br /> With a single command, Connor had taken control of the situation.<br /> <br /> He then took Marissa by the hand and led her to the bedside, simply saying, "Please."<br /> <br /> No one dared to question the decision of the head of the family.<br /> <br /> Marissa started to examine Arabella's body.<br /> <br /> Given that she had not fully regained her strength and had been roughly choked by Connor thrice, her hands shook noticeably, making her examination seem clumsy.<br /> <br /> This clumsiness was misinterpreted negatively by the onlookers.<br /> <br /> They assumed she knew nothing about medicine; she was merely seeking attention and was visibly nervous.<br /> <br /> There had always been many women trying to garner Connor's attention with dramatic gestures.<br /> <br /> But for Marissa to use Arabella as a part of her scheme was unprecedented.<br /> <br /> She had previously convinced Arabella to agree to her and Connor's marriage, showing some cunning. But now, with Arabella gone, did she really think she could revive the dead?<br /> <br /> Such a thought was pure insanity!<br /> <br /> Everyone watched Marissa intently.<br /> <br /> They were eager to see her make a fool of herself, expecting Connor to throw her out and the downfall of the Nash family alongside her.<br /> <br /> Marissa paid them no mind. After finishing her examination, she paused in thought for a moment before pulling out her acupuncture kit.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing the kit, the doctors scoffed, and the observers mocked her even more.<br /> <br /> They had anticipated some sophisticated medical intervention, but she resorted to acupuncture, which many regarded as mere folklore.<br /> <br /> Arabella's heart had stopped to function; not even surgery could save her, and Marissa thought a few needles would revive her?<br /> <br /> Connor must be out of his mind to allow her to treat Arabella.<br /> <br /> Arabella was so revered. How could Marissa be permitted to mess with her body? It was a disrespect to her!<br /> <br /> Yet, Connor did not intervene, so no one dared openly criticize her actions.<br /> <br /> Marissa sterilized the silver needles and started positioning them at strategic points on Arabella's body.<br /> <br /> Her increasing weakness caused her hands to tremble more visibly, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.<br /> <br /> The spectators, noticing her shaky hands, were both anxious and terrified witnessing the positioning of her every needle.<br /> <br /> When the first needle was inserted, there was no change.<br /> <br /> The second needle followed, and still, no response.<br /> <br /> By the ninth needle, there was still no sign of any miracle.<br /> <br /> At that point, the onlookers could no longer restrain themselves.<br /> <br /> "Stop!" Neil shouted furiously.<br /> <br /> "You have some nerve, trying to deceive us! Do you think we're fools?"<br /> <br /> "Using Arabella's body for your scheme--you must be tired of living!"<br /> <br /> Everyone glared at Marissa, furious and ready to tear apart this woman who they believed disrespected Arabella.<br /> <br /> Even the usually gentle Glenn appeared unusually grim. "Connor, are you really going to let this woman continue with her antics?"<br /> <br /> But Connor did not stop Marissa. Instead, he yelled, "Everyone, be quiet!"<br /> <br /> Marissa breathed a sigh of relief. She had only one needle left.<br /> <br /> If Connor had succumbed to the crowd's influence and halted her, all her efforts would have been for nothing.<br /> <br /> Connor's authoritative presence shut down the opposing voices once more, but the room felt heavier with all that pent-up anger lurking beneath the surface.<br /> <br /> With the room's full attention on her, Marissa positioned the final, tenth needle.<br /> <br /> As she did, Arabella abruptly inhaled a breath of air.<br /> <br /> She was alive!<br /> <br /> Chapter4 They Had Abducted The Wrong Person<br /> Did a miracle just happen?<br /> <br /> Everyone in the room looked as if they had witnessed the impossible.<br /> <br /> No, it was as if they had seen God.<br /> <br /> The doctors, who had previously declared the patient beyond help, looked as though they wanted to bow down to Marissa in reverence!<br /> <br /> Connor was overjoyed.<br /> <br /> Only Marissa remained calm and concentrated, continuing to massage and press various points on Arabella's body.<br /> <br /> Ten minutes later, Arabella's blood pressure and heart rate stabilized.<br /> <br /> Although Arabella hadn't regained consciousness, her breathing was regular, and her skin color was returning to normal.<br /> <br /> The person declared dead was now in stable condition!<br /> <br /> "How... she...?" Lorna stuttered, pointing at Marissa, her words trailing off in disbelief.<br /> <br /> Everyone had labeled Miss Nash as dumb. When had she developed such extraordinary medical abilities?<br /> <br /> The esteemed doctors in the room felt both humiliated and ashamed.<br /> <br /> The lead doctor couldn't resist asking, "Miss Nash, from whom did you learn your medical skills?"<br /> <br /> "I picked it up from acupuncture books and just replicated what I read," Marissa answered, making up a simple explanation to avoid any complications, given everyone in the room was now thinking she was another woman.<br /> <br /> This response shattered the earlier sense of wonder in the room.<br /> <br /> Who would seriously attempt to treat someone as critical as Arabella with basic acupuncture techniques learned from books?<br /> <br /> This woman must be out of her mind.<br /> <br /> She had simply struck it incredibly lucky today!<br /> <br /> Ignoring the mixed reactions from the crowd, Marissa meticulously gathered her silver needles.<br /> <br /> Large beads of sweat trickled down her cheeks--she was completely exhausted.<br /> <br /> The effects of the Dreamweed had weakened her, and she hadn't rested at all. Instead, she endured rough handling by Connor that nearly crushed her.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, she felt a warm hand gently wipe the sweat from her cheek. Marissa turned her head, only to see it was Connor.<br /> <br /> His eyes conveyed a deep sense of gratitude, almost as if he was trying to soften her with his look.<br /> <br /> Feeling uneasy with such closeness, Marissa quickly stepped away.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, can we talk?"<br /> <br /> "You look exhausted. Rest now. We can talk later, once you've had some sleep," Connor suggested, his voice unexpectedly tender, mirroring the softness in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Realizing how exhausted she truly was, Marissa agreed to his suggestion.<br /> <br /> Before leaving, she asked, "Could I have my phone back, please?"<br /> <br /> Connor paused for a brief moment, then swiftly pulled her phone from his pocket and handed it to her.<br /> <br /> Marissa accepted her phone and followed the servant out.<br /> <br /> The night had deepened outside, the sky hinting at an impending rainstorm.<br /> <br /> Marissa was led to a guest room in an adjacent building and immediately checked her messages.<br /> <br /> Derek and she had planned to go back to their hometown the next day to get married. With her phone off for so long, he must have been incredibly worried.<br /> <br /> Sure enough, after three hours without her phone, it was bombarded with notifications.<br /> <br /> Over a hundred missed calls and dozens of texts greeted her, all from Derek.<br /> <br /> Marissa gave a wry smile and quickly texted Derek to reassure him that she would meet him at the train station as planned at noon the next day.<br /> <br /> The wedding date couldn't be changed. Before meeting Derek, she needed to divorce Connor.<br /> <br /> He had turned what was supposed to be her first marriage into her second, and she was determined to make him regret it.<br /> <br /> All she needed now was a good night's rest, and then she would set things right!<br /> <br /> With that resolve, she climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep.<br /> <br /> In a small conference room in the same building, tension filled the atmosphere.<br /> <br /> Domenic Wells, Connor's trusted assistant, stood before him, delivering his report with due respect.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, the young woman's name is Marissa Nash, 22 years old, originally from a small village in Adagend. She owns a small flower shop on Vintage Street. Her family's financial struggles forced her to drop out of school shortly after beginning high school to start working, contributing to family expenses. She left her village at fifteen, wandered through various towns, and settled in Blebert only last year. As a young woman on her own who earns a decent income, she's the subject of various nasty rumors back in her village. Essentially, her reputation isn't stellar."<br /> <br /> While saying this, Domenic had already prepared himself for any harsh punishment.<br /> <br /> The intended bride from the Nash family had fled from her marriage to Connor, and he, under orders, had searched the entire city, ending up at a small flower shop on Vintage Street. Regrettably, they had abducted the wrong person!<br /> <br /> The two women merely shared a resemblance and the same surname, Nash.<br /> <br /> This mistake had landed his boss in a significant predicament.<br /> <br /> Though the actual bride, whom Arabella had approved of, was despised by Connor, she had a suitable social standing.<br /> <br /> But now, the new "Mrs. Daniels" was nothing more than a high school dropout with a questionable background from a tiny village!<br /> <br /> This was a blow to his boss' dignity!<br /> <br /> If this village girl attempted to blackmail them or refuse to let go of Connor, he feared that even sacrificing his life would not be enough to atone for this mistake.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, I have failed in my responsibilities and am prepared to face whatever punishment you deem necessary!"<br /> <br /> The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.<br /> <br /> Connor remained silent for a long time, repeatedly examining the brand-new marriage certificate.<br /> <br /> Then, suddenly, he got up and moved towards the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the clouded sky. He opened his mouth, seemingly about to say something.<br /> <br /> Chapter5 Legally Dividing Community Property<br /> "The weather is nice," Connor said out of the blue.<br /> <br /> Domenic stood frozen, while Marc Bailey and Terry Bailey, the two captains of the bodyguard team, looked terrified.<br /> <br /> Connor was known for being unpredictable. A dark expression on his face didn't always signify anger, whereas a smile might be the calm before the storm.<br /> <br /> Without a second thought, Domenic, Marc, and Terry all knelt with a heavy thud.<br /> <br /> At that moment, lightning flashed across the window, followed by a booming thunderclap that rattled the entire building.<br /> <br /> The rain began to fall in torrents.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Connor turned around and said softly, "Send someone upstairs to check the situation."<br /> <br /> Upon hearing this, the two bodyguard captains remained motionless, and Domenic, the well-educated special assistant, seemed completely lost.<br /> <br /> Cade Garza, the seasoned old butler who had a deep understanding of human nature, took charge. He promptly summoned a maid and instructed, "Quickly go upstairs and see if our esteemed guest was startled by the thunder. If she's awake, let us know immediately. Also, prepare a lavish meal in the kitchen and be ready to serve her at any moment!"<br /> <br /> After a brief pause, Cade personally retrieved some swelling-reducing ointment and passed it to the maid.<br /> <br /> Once these orders were given, Cade looked to Connor and asked, "Mr. Daniels, do you find these arrangements enough?"<br /> <br /> Connor nodded.<br /> <br /> After the thunderstorm, Marissa woke up.<br /> <br /> Though she hadn't slept long, she felt her energy had returned.<br /> <br /> During previous missions, she often had to make do with minimal sleep. Her body had adapted, trained to recover energy swiftly from brief rests.<br /> <br /> Noticing a cooling sensation around her neck, carrying a faint medicinal scent, she sniffed gently and recognized it as some ointment.<br /> <br /> As she opened her eyes, she saw several maids standing by her bed with respect.<br /> <br /> The head maid approached with a warm smile and said, "Mrs. Daniels, you are awake."<br /> <br /> "Please, call me Miss Nash." Marissa corrected her politely as she sat up.<br /> <br /> The maids exchanged puzzled glances. Miss Nash had previously preferred the title Mrs. Daniels. What had changed her mind today?<br /> <br /> Then the head maid said, "Mr. Connor Daniels is waiting for you downstairs. Dinner is ready. Would you like to come down for a meal?"<br /> <br /> Marissa, feeling quite hungry, freshened up and headed downstairs.<br /> <br /> There, Connor was seated at the dining table, absorbed in a newspaper.<br /> <br /> He seemed more controlled andcomposed now, presenting himself as nothing more than a charming gentleman, easy on the eyes.<br /> <br /> Yet, Marissa shot him a disdainful glance and silently started to eat.<br /> <br /> She only raised her head after satisfying her hunger.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, I believe you understand now that you've made a big mistake. Even though I come from a humble background, you've wronged me, and it's only right that you make amends, correct?"<br /> <br /> Connor looked at the woman before him and gave a slight nod. "Yes, I apologize."<br /> <br /> "So, Mr. Daniels, would you prefer to resolve this legally, or can we settle it privately?"<br /> <br /> "Let's handle it privately," Connor responded.<br /> <br /> He then offered a slight smile. "Miss Nash, please, specify your terms."<br /> <br /> Perfect!<br /> <br /> Marissa quickly requested paper and a pen, and set about drafting an agreement...<br /> <br /> Silence enveloped the dining room, broken only by the scratching of Marissa's pen against the paper.<br /> <br /> Connor was intrigued to see what terms she would propose and learn more about the kind of person she truly was.<br /> <br /> She was dressed casually in a blue checkered shirt, overalls, and Martin boots, her hair tied in a loose braid, without a trace of makeup.<br /> <br /> Her outfit was typical for someone who ran a flower shop, yet it rendered her quite striking.<br /> <br /> She looked exceptionally pure and vibrant, standing out like a beacon among the crowd.<br /> <br /> His eyes lingered on her, starting from her jet-black hair and moving slowly downward.<br /> <br /> He studied her expressive eyes, the shape of her nose, her rosy lips, and her flawless skin.<br /> <br /> When his gaze landed on the red marks around her neck, a pang of guilt hit him hard.<br /> <br /> As he remembered how he had treated her harshly, remorse washed over him.<br /> <br /> Just then, Marissa set down her pen and looked up, meeting his probing gaze.<br /> <br /> Startled and feeling guilty, Connor quickly looked away.<br /> <br /> Marissa passed the paper to him, her demeanor composed.<br /> <br /> There were two agreements in total.<br /> <br /> Connor took them and began to review them carefully.<br /> <br /> The first agreement was primarily about the compensation.<br /> <br /> The initial clause demanded five thousand for physical injuries.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, you physically assaulted me three times, resulting in neck injuries. I'm requesting five thousand in compensation. That seems fair, doesn't it?" Marissa interjected just in time.<br /> <br /> "Very fair," Connor said, continuing to read.<br /> <br /> The next clause asked for one hundred thousand for emotional distress.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Daniels, your actions have caused me significant emotional suffering. One hundred thousand in compensation isn't unreasonable, right?" Marissa added.<br /> <br /> "Very reasonable." Connor agreed once more, his tone still gentle.<br /> <br /> He moved on to the following clause.<br /> <br /> The third clause concerned medical fees, totaling ten million.<br /> <br /> Connor was momentarily at a loss for words.<br /> <br /> He lifted his head and looked at Marissa from head to toe, his eyes nearly widening in bewilderment, yet he still couldn't quite understand her.<br /> <br /> Marissa offered a slight smile. "Mr. Daniels, although my medical intervention was somewhat fortuitous, the fact remains that I revived your grandmother. The value of Mrs. Daniels's life is immeasurable. Surely, ten million for medical expenses isn't too much?"<br /> <br /> Slightly amused, Connor smiled faintly. "Very reasonable."<br /> <br /> He immediately signed the agreement after speaking.<br /> <br /> He then wrote a check for 10, 150, 000 dollars and handed it over to Marissa.<br /> <br /> She accepted it without hesitation and tucked it into her pocket.<br /> <br /> Connor then proceeded to the second document.<br /> <br /> It was a divorce agreement.<br /> <br /> The content was straightforward--legally dividing their community property.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing the phrase "community property," Connor couldn't help but chuckle.<br /> <br /> He looked at her intently for a few moments before softly inquiring, "Miss Nash, are you interested in getting more money out of this?"<br /> <br /> ......<br /> <br /> ====<br /> Marissa Nash, who is going to marry her fiancé tomorrow, is mistaken by the billionaire Connor Daniels as his runaway bride, and is kidnapped to get the marriage certificate and taken home.<br /> <br /> After being brought home, she accidentally revived his grandmother who had been declared dead with ten needles!<br /> <br /> Connor later found out that he kidnapped the wrong person, but he became interested in this mysterious girl.<br /> <br /> Can Marissa successfully divorce and marry her fiancé?<br /> <br /> What happens next? <br /> <br /> Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters <br /> (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app)<br /> &5&	LEARN_MORE	https://web.weread.mobi/57264322-fb_contact-enp59_	111692811836799	Heat Novel A	https://facebook.com/100089743291944	189	1	353,889,574,238,746	2024-07-12 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Heat Novel A	120210754333010597	web.weread.mobi	NONE	image		https://web.weread.mobi/57264322-fb_contact-enp59_2-0625-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911	2024-07-11 02:57	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450812162_1683168742508140_1718993702332497811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yLiLqYBIGyoQ7kNvgEbAuHK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAkboZkSUXB1aIqjv76AzG1ImtaNtc3dFwbF6vpjvoD2Q&oe=669718B0	person_profile	0	Heat Novel A	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449956930_833292038897826_3133492116476769527_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oxmP3ocbd9wQ7kNvgF7RsGZ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAA3QGUj-P_OZ6o90Ir316WGtCL41AwND3H9Peh3NDaQA&oe=669712EB	3	Heat Novel A	2024-07-12 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,291	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	455475057270600		Discover your dream home in the prestigious Imagination Farms community of Davie, FL! This elegantly remodeled 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom residence exudes sophistication and luxury. Featuring a dedicated office, an elegant kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, and a new roof, this home is designed for modern living. Safety and convenience are paramount with a reliable generator and durable hurricane shutters. Enjoy serene water views from the expansive yard or unwind in the newly remodeled pool. This exquisite property perfectly combines comfort and style, making it the ideal retreat for any homeowner.<br /> <br /> Price: 2,395,000<br /> <br /> Contact me for more information. 954.816.6313<br /> Joanna Guzman <br /> Roni Sterin Group \| The Keyes Company	CONTACT_US	http://www.joannaguzman.keyes.com/	1534179656900898	Joanna Guzman, PA - ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ	https://facebook.com/joanna.real.estate.matchmaker	311	1	1,051,342,076,714,755	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Contact us	Joanna Guzman, PA - ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ	6639618483720	www.joannaguzman.keyes.com	NONE	video		http://www.joannaguzman.keyes.com/	2024-07-09 10:03	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450103839_1119157805853361_5135538910334998967_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=goFpTwByrxQQ7kNvgGV7Vrd&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBV563z32-P2gtUvmPbZ7p15VdpTIom_P5qUenEUHbZ2w&oe=66965047	person_profile	0	Joanna Guzman - Real Estate Matchmaker	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449849768_1011839070556225_7570257951627313616_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kHaVTyjXq3cQ7kNvgGYOCD9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBVAZSBi0nkXbpZssuTqvBHtIXPoQikCq7txkcLcNPiOQ&oe=66966306	3	Joanna Guzman, PA - ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ	2024-07-09 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,775	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921776}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	1002272221294573	Prepare for Your Immigration Interview: Tips and Strategies	🗣️ Prepare for Your Immigration Interview with Confidence! Facing an immigration interview? Our latest video provides essential tips and strategies to help you tackle your immigration interview successfully. 👉 Watch the video now to get prepared! 💬 Have questions or need personalized advice? Message us on Messenger! Franco Law Group is here to guide you through the interview process.	MESSAGE_PAGE		242495222438135	The Franco Law Group, APLC	https://facebook.com/TheFrancoLawGroup	4,479	1	1,215,452,172,799,209	2024-07-10 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Send Message	The Franco Law Group, APLC	6600069641890		NONE	dco	Facing an immigration interview? Our latest video provides essential tips and strategies to help you tackle your immigration interview successfully. Learn how to prepare, what questions to expect, and best practices for a successful outcome. Watch now to get prepared. If you have any questions or need personalized advice, message us on Messenger! Franco Law Group is here to guide you through the interview process.		2024-06-25 16:25	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448954780_1485512072049118_6235870586834359017_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R-iN3lH8nEAQ7kNvgF0puBg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBn5Qegcv1twPo7CvBjHE34j0UZpd92Eyh-vkQXkGyoQQ&oe=6696F44F	person_profile	0	Franco Law Group, APLC	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449083450_993986168658446_7467693406549793464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qHtpkC5pET0Q7kNvgGrKxso&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC-tX7Bbe_9WH31b9mB0m1DCp6TeVStDzj26-uJLaDx0g&oe=6696F243	3	The Franco Law Group, APLC	2024-07-10 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,693	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921828}'	No	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	842024794481790	Claim Your Free New Patient Special! ➡️	📣 ATTENTION 📣 Round Rock & Surrounding Areas!<br /> <br /> We Are Offering A Free New Patient Special This Month Only To Promote Health & Wellness! ($197 Value)<br /> <br /> We're Looking For 27 Men & Women Who Want To Live A Pain-Free Life & Get Back To The Things They Love!<br /> <br /> Click the "Learn More" button to see if you qualify...<br /> <br /> 📍: 1930 Rawhide Drive Suite \| Round Rock \| TX 78681	LEARN_MORE	https://www.app.roundrockdiscandnerve.com/survey	466578756835765	Round Rock Disc & Nerve Center	https://facebook.com/roundrockdiscnerve	2,777	1	986,958,979,631,044	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Round Rock Disc & Nerve Center	120210724689940388	www.app.roundrockdiscandnerve.com	NONE	video	Offer Expires In 14 Days.	https://www.app.roundrockdiscandnerve.com/survey	2024-07-03 10:33	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449784306_1198305731200975_5441146911247734089_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WHK3siKg2GoQ7kNvgG2f1sg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCCz6Mtix9TxkB15BpWy-RR5nkgnIBl77IM-WmY9BJpNQ&oe=669711AE	person_profile	0	Round Rock Disc & Nerve Center	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449705984_378194355281943_1765272073063765631_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_QKq_ZYYMwQQ7kNvgEyOGaX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD_tsLau5LjnvjtUOGK6Mq8eEsHHIOMmi6bHmpFEWEGMw&oe=6696F93F	3	Round Rock Disc & Nerve Center	2024-07-03 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,920,957	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1921166}'	Yes	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	1913970469029622	📲Search [8821] or [Her Alpha's Orders] in Wehear APP to listen to the full version	For a year now, Jo-anne had been Mated to the future Alpha of the Eclipsed Moon Pack. She had tried for a year to learn about him, do the things that he liked, was being taught by his own mother how to be the Luna of the pack, for when the time came.<br /> <br /> It didn’t matter to Westley how much she tried, he didn’t care, never asked her anything. He hated being Mated to her. No matter how many times he demanded to know why she did this to him, Jo-anne could not answer him. She did not know anymore than he did, about their Marking and Mating.<br /> <br /> She had woken up in a bed next to him, Marked and Mated by him, she had been the first to wake up. Her body had ached all over.<br /> <br /> That was all she knew about it. When she had looked at the man in the bed her heart had, near stopped beating, Westley Carlton, the future Alpha of her pack’s sleeping body on the bed. Had been more than horrified. She had no memory of what happened to her.<br /> <br /> Her father, Heath, had come bursting into the hotel room, looking frantic and worried, had likely been looking for her. She could see it was daylight outside, must have been missing all night. He had taken one look at her bruised state and started yelling at Westley.<br /> “My girl... Why did you Mark and Mate my daughter?! Answer me!”<br /> Westley had woken up with the bang of the room door. He had been staring at the man quite taken aback, had turned and looked around the room, landed his green eyes on her, looked more than shocked to see her standing there desperately trying to pull her clothes on, gotten out of the bed as he’d touched his neck, his eyes had widened, and then he’d yelled at her, “What did you do to me?”<br /> <br /> Jo-anne had burst into tears. She didn’t know what had happened. This couldn’t be her fault, she’d never even had a boyfriend. She had just woken up like he had.<br /> <br /> Her father was still ranting and West, who yelled at him to shut up, as he’d found his pants and yanked them on. To West’s shock and hers, her father had not shut up, he’d pointed a finger right at West, right in his face and snapped at the future Alpha of their pack.<br /> <br /> “You’re in the wrong here. I will see to it you are made to honour what you have done to my daughter.”<br /> <br /> West had greeted him right in the face, to Jo-anne’s horror, and stormed off out of the room. Leaving her father lying on the ground. She had run over to him and helped him up. “Dad, are you okay?”<br /> <br /> “Don’t worry Jo-anne. Alpha Damien will make this right. I assure you.” He’d taken her right to the Alpha’s office. Alpha Damien had looked at Jo-anne, the state of her. The Mark on her neck, he could smell his son Westley on her and asked her to sit down and explain what had happened.<br /> <br /> Sitting had been very uncomfortable and she’d nearly cried in pain. Damien had noted it, called for the packs doctor. He’d already heard West’s side, the man was standing in the room glaring at her the whole time, uncaring for her pain, it seemed. Jo-anne had told her Alpha she didn’t know, woke up like this in a bed with West, that she had no memory of what had happened or how she had gotten there.<br /> <br /> She had been informed she'd been missing feared kidnapped. <br /> <br /> “Honey, you been missing for days.”<br /> <br /> And then Alpha Damien had told her, “That’s true. Four days, in fact, we have had search parties out looking for you. West and Terrence even out there looking for you.”<br /> <br /> “Well, now we know why he never found her,” her father had grated out angrily.<br /> <br /> “I did not take her,” West had yelled.	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1,921,917	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1922040}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	511222114591937	Read next chapter👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	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1,922,101	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1922040}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	26343938701886082	Read next chapter👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	215069711684182	Late reading	https://facebook.com/61554989897813	14,733	1	847,767,023,980,650	2024-07-12 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Late reading	120211394534160758	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	image		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575	2024-07-09 23:03	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450613484_1027866355421881_8270436301520988360_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kSJscXfQyz8Q7kNvgHoQU--&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCh1YOfHEUsH2pftx0PrJ6UWYfqwIFjABl5b_bO8k-YnQ&oe=669723C7	person_profile	0	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450823138_445460168464309_579361391306919277_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2zk5jt8zzQAQ7kNvgFVEpXt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAjgsu4bjan7g1__RdfUsYEtkC7iLC0JIxP7vCdSAFSUg&oe=6696EE0C	3	Late reading	2024-07-12 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,921,947	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1922040}'	Yes	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	879224307365060	Read next chapter👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	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1,921,831	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-12 08:57	active	1112	1666992774086686	📚《The Return of the God of War》ALL chapters for Free！😍	😭Six years ago, he was framed by his family. They broke his limbs and left him on the roadside. Six years later, he returned as God of War and made them kneel for three days and nights.👊👊👊<br /> Chapter 1 The Return Of The God of War<br /> In Erudia, a private jet landed at North Hampton Airport, where all international flights experienced an eight-hour delay because of it.<br /> At the private passageway were five men in suits and leather shoes, standing as straight as a javelin.<br /> Every now and then, they would raise their wrist to look at the time, for a big shot was coming to town.<br /> The upper-class society of North Hampton had learned about his arrival, but no one had the capability to get an inch closer to the private passageway.<br /> Even the richest man in North Hampton who came to pay homage was chased away.<br /> <br /> Finally, there were movements coming from the passageway.<br /> <br /> “God of War!!!” the mass cried out, their eyes filled with awe and veneration at the sight of the undefeatable legend of Erudia.<br /> <br /> He, who was dubbed the God of War, was the one and only Five-Star God of War in the history of Erudia.<br /> <br /> Once, he'd inflicted a crushing defeat on the strongest battalions in eighteen countries. He was an overbearing and formidable man.<br /> <br /> He who overwhelmed the world with his unparalleled power had even created the Five Great Wars Regiment, Cavalry Regiment, and many more.<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> Setting foot on his homeland, Levi Garrison was overcome with emotions.<br /> <br /> Once upon a time, he used to be an orphan who was abandoned on the streets of North Hampton and then adopted by the Garrison family.<br /> <br /> However, the Garrison family had never been fond of him.<br /> <br /> His adoptive parents, who had a tendency to beat and scold him, treated him like an outsider.<br /> <br /> As for the outsiders, they treated him as a nobody.<br /> <br /> But he didn't care a stiver. He had always been proud of his surname since he was a child, and he strived to bring glory to this family when he grew older.<br /> <br /> At last, Levi had established Levi Group, the largest dark horse in North Hampton's business community.<br /> <br /> With billions of assets, it ranked among the forefront of North Hampton, pushing the declining Garrison family to the top.<br /> <br /> However, not only did the Garrison family showed no signs of appreciation, they even harbored dissatisfaction towards him. Jealous of his success, they regarded him as a thorn in their flesh and coveted Levi Group.<br /> <br /> No matter his wealth and power, unless they were in control, he was just an outsider in the Garrison family's eyes.<br /> <br /> Eventually, on Levi's wedding night, the Garrison family plotted a frame-up against him by getting him drunk before tossing him onto his sister-in-law's bed. They wanted to create the illusion that he was doing something untoward to her and was caught in bed by his brother and adoptive parents.<br /> <br /> That night, the Garrison family had brutally broken his limbs and left him on the road like a wild dog.<br /> <br /> Not only was he handicapped, but he also had to take the flak for something he didn't commit.<br /> <br /> From an upstart in the business world, he had become the target of disdain overnight.<br /> <br /> And the next day, he had been punished for several crimes and sentenced to six years in prison.<br /> <br /> He could never forget the ruthless and sinister faces of everyone in the Garrison family and the ridicule of his friends, classmates, and business partners.<br /> <br /> More so, he could never forget the disappointment on his newly wedded wife, Zoey's face.<br /> <br /> He had regarded the Garrison family as his home and devoted himself to the family.<br /> <br /> Yet, they treated him like trash.<br /> <br /> It felt as if a knife was being twisted in his heart every time he thought about this.<br /> <br /> How he hated the Garrison family!<br /> <br /> But who would have thought that Levi had been secretly transferred away from prison to join the military?<br /> <br /> In a few years, he dominated the military world and became the one and only Five-Star God of War.<br /> <br /> Now that he came back, the Garrison family ought to stay on their toes.<br /> <br /> “How's it going, Azure Dragon?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> Azure Dragon, the commander of the Five Great Wars Regiment, took a step forward and said respectfully, “Sir, I'm afraid your wife, Ms. Zoey Lopez will remarry at ten o'clock tonight!”<br /> <br /> Ever since Zoey's husband was sent to prison on their wedding night, she had been living like a widow.<br /> <br /> Only God knew how much pressure she was put under.<br /> <br /> And right now, the person Levi couldn't wait to see the most was Zoey.<br /> <br /> After a moment of hesitation, Azure Dragon continued, “To add on, Sir, the Garrison family is holding a successful listing celebration banquet at the Crystal Palace Hotel tonight! Many people had invited the God of War just now, including the Garrison family, but I didn't accept nor refuse directly.”<br /> <br /> “What time?” Levi asked tersely.<br /> <br /> “Eight o'clock, Sir.”<br /> <br /> “Okay. Tell the Garrison family I will attend the banquet!”<br /> <br /> Since the time for the two events didn't clash, Levi gladly accepted the invitation.<br /> <br /> The celebration banquet for the public listing of Garrison Group was held at North Hampton's Crystal Palace Hotel.<br /> <br /> With the help of Levi Group, they had become a rich and powerful family in one fell swoop.<br /> <br /> The hall was bustling with noise and excitement, and sounds of glasses clinking could be heard ringing in the air every now and then.<br /> <br /> “God bless the Garrison family,” said Joseph, the head of the Garrison family. “The younger generations are the stars among men. Garrison Group is now listed and has become an upstart in North Hampton!”<br /> <br /> Joseph's three sons and daughter welcomed their guests with bright smiles on their faces.<br /> <br /> The younger generation of the Garrison family was all the smugger and prouder because, after today, the Garrison family would become a powerful family, and they would become one of the top rich kids.<br /> <br /> Most of the guests who attended today's banquet were from the top circle in North Hampton.<br /> <br /> “Garrison, do you know what happened today?! Your celebration party is nothing compared to that.” They were gossiping about the major event that had happened today.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! I heard that a big shot has arrived in North Hampton!”<br /> <br /> “The richest man in North Hampton wanted to meet him but was shooed away. Apparently, he's not qualified enough!”<br /> <br /> “So? Jesse Nielsen had been waiting for five hours in advance at the airport!”<br /> <br /> Joseph nodded. “Yes, I know about that too. I even sent someone to invite this big shot to the celebration party!”<br /> <br /> “No way! Why would this big shot attend such a party?”<br /> <br /> No one believed it.<br /> <br /> In fact, as an upstart, Joseph was just trying his luck.<br /> <br /> “Dad!” shouted Jaycob, the second eldest son of the Garrison family could be seen running over. “The big shot has accepted our invitation to attend our celebration banquet! He's on the way!”<br /> <br /> “Jesus! God has indeed blessed the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> Everyone in the Garrison family could barely conceal their delight as this was their chance to reach the sky in a single bound.<br /> <br /> The grandchildren of the Garrison family gathered together, sunshine flooding their souls.<br /> <br /> Levi's brother, Bryan, and sister-in-law, Victoria, smiled. “Well, it all starts with Levi's imprisonment that the Garrison family is at where we are today...”<br /> <br /> “Right, speaking about Levi, do you guys know today's the day that kid gets out of prison?!” somebody asked abruptly.<br /> <br /> “Really? Isn't that bad luck? Why did he have to be released on such a big day?!”<br /> <br /> “Please, please, please don't come back! He's the Garrison family's biggest disgrace!”<br /> <br /> Victoria's lips tugged into a sneer. “Speaking of which, Levi is the crowning glory of the Garrison family's status today.”<br /> <br /> “That's what he's supposed to do!” Bryan said. “He should contribute to the Garrison family for raising him, an orphan! His multi-billion Levi Group means nothing. To put it bluntly, he's just a dog raised by the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> Someone gave a chortle. “As a matter of fact, I've been interested in Levi's wife for a long time now. She's still widowed, and I'm so going to marry her!”<br /> <br /> The man's remark caused gales of laughter.<br /> <br /> “Everyone, stop what you're doing. I have an important announcement to make,” Joseph said and went on to announce that the big shot was coming.<br /> <br /> A thunderous applause was heard.<br /> <br /> But when the applause had died down, there was still someone clapping.<br /> <br /> The sound was loud and clear, approaching from afar.<br /> <br /> On the red carpet, a man came clapping, looking bold and energetic.<br /> <br /> His stride gave off a majestic and imposing aura, which made the mass hold their breaths.<br /> <br /> “It's Levi!” Bryan and Victoria exclaimed.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, all eyes were riveted on him.<br /> <br /> “I forgot this little brat got out of jail today!” Levi's adoptive parents spoke in unison.<br /> <br /> Ignoring the astonished gazes darted at his way, Levi walked step by step towards Joseph.<br /> <br /> “A little bird told me that the company is now listed. How are you feeling, Joseph? Are you happy?”<br /> <br /> Levi flashed him a meaningful smile.<br /> <br /> “How dare you show up here, you insolent brat! And what did you just call me?” Joseph's fury sprang to life.<br /> <br /> “Who let him in? Didn't you know he just got out of prison? How inauspicious!”<br /> <br /> Bryan rose to his feet. “What the hell are you doing here, Levi?”<br /> <br /> Levi sized him up. “Why can't I be here?”<br /> <br /> “Well, for starters, you're an orphan! The Garrison family has raised you, but you were ambitious and ungrateful. You had inordinate ambitions for your sister-in-law, and you wanted to take possession of the Garrison family! You'd even tried to kill your parents when things go south! Have you no conscience? Do you have any sense of morality left in your heart?”<br /> <br /> “You've lost your reputation in North Hampton, and everyone knows that. Have you no shame to have the brass neck to come round here?”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2 Sinner In The Family<br /> <br /> “Everyone knows why you're back. You want to leech off the Garrison family; you want our money, isn't it?!”<br /> <br /> “You've long been expelled from the Garrison family, you ungrateful wretch! The Garrison family has nothing to do with you! Now, get lost!”<br /> <br /> Levi's adoptive parents rose to their feet and pointed at his nose, hurling abusive remarks at him.<br /> <br /> The Garrison family's brazenness of distorting the truth was mind-bending.<br /> <br /> How disappointing!<br /> <br /> He had thought they would feel somewhat apologetic after six years, but they were unexpectedly more aggravated.<br /> <br /> They took everything from him, crippled him, and ruined his reputation, turning everything upside down and making everything his fault instead.<br /> <br /> The Garrison family didn't have the slightest bit of compassion to speak of.<br /> <br /> Bryan zipped towards Levi, assessing him condescendingly. “Hmph! Don't you just want money now that you're back?”<br /> <br /> Flap!<br /> <br /> Bryan threw a credit card to the ground and lifted his foot, shaking his leather shoe. “My vamp is dirty. Lick it clean, and the one million in this card is yours!”<br /> <br /> His words elicited a fresh burst of laughter as the crowd looked at Levi as if they were looking at a dog.<br /> <br /> “Oh my! One million? That's more than enough to cover his living expenses. I bet he'll lick it!”<br /> <br /> Victoria gave a wry look.<br /> <br /> “On your knees!” Bryan roared, seeing that Levi was glaring at him. “Now, lick my shoe!”<br /> <br /> Levi stared at him coldly and held his peace.<br /> <br /> “Kneel!!!”<br /> <br /> Bryan rushed to Levi and pressed his shoulders, forcing him to kneel, but the latter didn't budge.<br /> <br /> “I said kneel!!!”<br /> <br /> Bryan struggled to rivet him to the spot.<br /> <br /> “Drop dead!”<br /> <br /> Levi suddenly slapped Bryan in the face, sending him flying almost eight meters away.<br /> <br /> Silence engulfed the room; one could even hear a pin drop!<br /> <br /> Unbelievable!<br /> <br /> Everyone in the Garrison family was stupefied.<br /> <br /> What did Levi just do?<br /> <br /> Did he just knock Bryan to the ground with a single slap?<br /> <br /> Plod!<br /> <br /> Bryan was about to get up when Levi stepped on him, crushed him, and crossed over him.<br /> <br /> Looking at the approaching Levi, Joseph instinctively stepped back.<br /> <br /> Levi went up the stage and adjusted the microphone stand.<br /> <br /> Everyone looked at him, wondering what he was going to do next.<br /> <br /> “Listen up, everyone...”<br /> <br /> “I'm sure you remember what happened six years ago, yes? For the love and care I had received from the Garrison family during childhood, I'm giving you one month to kneel before me for three days and three nights to repent your sins!”<br /> <br /> “Remember, that's everyone from the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> “If I don't see any shadow within a month, the outcome is simple—I swear I'll wipe off every single one of you here today!”<br /> <br /> Levi's voice was low and deep.<br /> <br /> But as soon as he finished, the crowd was laughing like a drain.<br /> <br /> “Did prison life eat his brain or what? What conceited nonsense is he spouting?”<br /> <br /> “The Garrison family right now is a juggernaut in North Hampton. He's just a criminal. Isn't it a pipe dream to destroy the Garrison family?”<br /> <br /> “Did he knock his brain loose or something?”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> “Bear in mind that I have limited patience. You only have one month! Of course, you may gather your strengths and connections to fight against me! I'll be waiting.”<br /> <br /> Levi then took his leave straightaway, disregarding the mockeries of the crowd.<br /> <br /> “Stop right there, you bastard! Did I tell you to leave?”<br /> <br /> Ben, Levi's adoptive father, wanted to stop him.<br /> <br /> “Ben, let him go!” Joseph said. “It's a big day today. I don't want to see bloodshed!”<br /> <br /> He was afraid about the impact that would bring about if the big shot saw this.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! There are so much more opportunities to take care of him!”<br /> <br /> “He's in luck that the big shot is on his way!”<br /> <br /> With that, Levi left the place under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people.<br /> <br /> After Levi had left, Joseph asked anxiously, “Jaycob, where's the big shot? Isn't he here yet?”<br /> <br /> Jaycob looked dazed. “According to the time, he should have arrived long ago. Let me ask...”<br /> <br /> After making a phone call, Jaycob blanched. “Dad, the big shot was here, but he left already.”<br /> <br /> “What? The big shot was here?”<br /> <br /> “The big shot said that the Garrison family are a bunch of unworthy stupid pigs!”<br /> <br /> “I get it. He must have left in a fit of rage after witnessing the ruckus that brat had created!”<br /> <br /> “He must have thought that the Garrison family disrespected him!”<br /> <br /> Joseph trembled with rage. “That brat will pay for this!”<br /> <br /> The multitude reacted accordingly.<br /> <br /> Levi has ruined the Garrison family's glorious event!<br /> <br /> He just pissed off the big shot!<br /> <br /> That's equivalent to cutting off the Garrison family's chance to reach the sky!<br /> <br /> Levi Garrison is indeed the sinner of the Garrison family!<br /> <br /> At that moment, the Garrison family wished to skin Levi alive.<br /> <br /> His adoptive parents, brother, and sister-in-law especially hated him to the bone. “Just you wait, Levi!”<br /> <br /> After leaving Crystal Palace Hotel, the next person that Levi was going to look for was his wife, Zoey Lopez.<br /> <br /> In this life, he owed no debt to the Garrison family, nor his friends and classmates, but Zoey.<br /> <br /> He had been imprisoned on the second day after the wedding, making Zoey lose her reputation. That even put her through six years of widowhood.<br /> <br /> This woman has carried too much on her shoulders for six years.<br /> <br /> But now that I'm back, I'll hold your hand, and we'll conquer the world together!<br /> <br /> After hesitating for a long time, Levi pressed the doorbell.<br /> <br /> Thud!<br /> <br /> The young woman dropped her mobile phone to the ground as the door opened.<br /> <br /> Upon taking a closer look at Levi's face, Zoey broke down in tears.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, quick, just get the parcel and come in. It's almost time for the family banquet! Your grandfather is going to settle your marriage at the family banquet tonight. You can't get away from this!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah! Quickly get dressed! Your grandfather is going to set you up with someone else!”<br /> <br /> Zoey's parents' voices sounded from the inside.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, I'm back!” Levi said excitedly, wanting to fling his arm around her, but Zoey slapped his hands away.<br /> <br /> “Why did you come back? I've already forgotten about you...”<br /> <br /> Zoey's voice was choked with sobs.<br /> <br /> Very soon after, Zoey's parents, Aaron and Caitlyn, came out, looking horrified.<br /> <br /> “How dare you have the nerve to come back? Do you know how much criticism my family has suffered because of you? Especially Zoey. Do you know how much she has suffered for the past six years?” Zoey's father, Aaron, reproached.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, her mother, Caitlyn, pushed and shoved Levi. “You should know that this relationship between you and Zoey is impossible in this life the moment you went to jail! You're a criminal! You're just a street rat in North Hampton! You're only putting Zoey in harm's way by coming to see her!”<br /> <br /> Naturally, Levi had known of Zoey's sufferings for the past six years, including her refusal to remarry because of him.<br /> <br /> Levi put on a serious face. “This time, I'm back for good. I won't leave Zoey ever again. I will grant her a bright future and let her own the world!”<br /> <br /> Levi's declaration had Aaron and Caitlyn hooting with laughter.<br /> <br /> “You've spent six years in jail. How are you going to give Zoey a future?” Aaron asked with a sneer.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! With your mouth?” Caitlyn chimed in. “There's a limit to talking big!”<br /> <br /> Nonetheless, Levi smiled. “Don't worry. I'll reclaim what I lost in those years! I'll destroy the Garrison family in a month!”<br /> <br /> “Levi!” This time, even Zoey couldn't bear to listen to his nonsense any longer. “Can we be more realistic? It doesn't matter if you just get out of prison. Can't you just be down to earth and start anew? I believe that you will make a comeback one day, but you can't just indulge in tall talk. Do you know just how powerful the Garrison family is right now? And besides, today's era is a far cry from what it was six years ago!”<br /> <br /> “Zoey, trust me,” Levi said earnestly. “I can make the Garrison family bow at my feet with just a word!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Ten Billion To Sit At That Table<br /> <br /> Preposterous!<br /> <br /> Levi's bravado nearly drove Zoey and her parents round the bend.<br /> <br /> Having been caged up for six years, did he finally lose his mind?<br /> <br /> “Fine. If you say so,” Zoey said, shoving her mobile phone to Levi directly. “Then prove it! I'd like to see how you make the Garrison family bow their heads with just one word!”<br /> <br /> “I...”<br /> <br /> Levi was stunned.<br /> <br /> It was true that he could exterminate the Garrison family with his words, but he had given them one month; it would be too uneventful to destroy them now.<br /> <br /> “See, you can't do it, can't you? Then don't you ever talk big if you can't!”<br /> <br /> Zoey smashed the phone to the ground, marking her wrath.<br /> <br /> Following that, her parents pushed Levi away. “Go now. You're not welcome here. We've got a family banquet to attend!”<br /> <br /> “No. Mom, Dad, let him in!”<br /> <br /> “What do you mean, Zoey?”<br /> <br /> “I won't remarry. My husband is back.”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn couldn't talk her round, so they could only let him in.<br /> <br /> After that, Zoey took Levi to her bedroom.<br /> <br /> “Since you're back, you're still my husband. I don't care about the gossips. Besides, I believe you're innocent, and anyone with discerning eyes can see that it was the Garrison family who'd framed you!”<br /> <br /> Levi could feel the warmth in his heart.<br /> <br /> She trusted him, and that was more than enough for him.<br /> <br /> “But you must promise me to start from zero and be down to earth. I believe you will achieve something great with your ability! I'll give you five years!”<br /> <br /> “That's unnecessary,” Levi said. “Just give me one month. In a month, I'll de—”<br /> <br /> “Shut up! I don't want to listen to your nonsensical and unrealistic talks! Why can't we just be realistic?” Zoey shouted.<br /> <br /> “Even if you have nothing now, as long as you take one step at a time, I believe you'll get back on your feet!”<br /> <br /> Levi shut up obediently.<br /> <br /> “I bought you these six years ago.” Zoey took out a suit from the cupboard. “Change into it at once and follow me to the family banquet!”<br /> <br /> “Zoey, what is up with you?”<br /> <br /> Seeing Levi all dressed up, Aaron and Caitlyn were naturally dissatisfied.<br /> <br /> Zoey clung onto Levi's arm. “Mom, Dad, Levi is my husband now! I will make myself clear to Grandpa tonight!”<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn looked daggers at Levi, sighing helplessly, “For Heaven's sake!”<br /> <br /> The Lopez family banquet was held at Golden Port Restaurant, where they contracted the entire restaurant.<br /> <br /> Naturally, the Lopez family was not as powerful as the Garrison family, but they were considered above average in North Hampton.<br /> <br /> When Zoey and her family arrived at the main hall, they were greeted with strange and jesting gazes.<br /> <br /> In the past, when Zoey and Levi had gotten married, Aaron's family status was the highest in the Lopez family.<br /> <br /> But after Levi's downfall, Aaron's family had experienced a seismic shift in life, and their status in the Lopez family took a nosedive as they became the subject of ridicule, especially during family events.<br /> <br /> “Look! Is that Levi beside Zoey?”<br /> <br /> “Yeah! It's really him! He's released from prison already?”<br /> <br /> All eyes fell on Levi at once.<br /> <br /> Harry, the head of the Lopez family, snorted and turned a blind eye to the four of them.<br /> <br /> The old man's favorite now was Fabian, his eldest son, and his family.<br /> <br /> Mainly because Fabian's son-in-law, Samuel Robertson, was of mixed ethnicity who was born rich and had lived overseas.<br /> <br /> This time, Harry was going to set up Zoey with Samuel's younger brother, Chris, who had been casting covetous eyes on Zoey for some time now.<br /> <br /> With no one paying attention to them, Aaron and his family could only find a place to sit first.<br /> <br /> As they were about to take their seats, a voice was heard. “No, Aaron. You guys can't sit here.”<br /> <br /> It was a reminder from Henry, the second eldest son of the Lopez family.<br /> <br /> “What?”<br /> <br /> “There are sitting arrangements to the family banquet this time.”<br /> <br /> Aaron looked puzzled. “How so?”<br /> <br /> “There are four tables for the family banquet! And it's decided according to the family contribution!”<br /> <br /> “For example, the first table is given to the family who contributed over five million to the family in a year; a million for the second table, a hundred thousand for the third table, and less than a hundred thousand for the last table, or should I say no contribution at all!”<br /> <br /> Henry smiled smugly. “Our family has made good profits this year, and we've contributed just about five million to the family. So excuse me, but this table here is ours.”<br /> <br /> “Of course, you can also sit at the first table without contributing. That is if your family has tens of millions of assets.”<br /> <br /> “Unfortunately, we couldn't be any clearer about your family's situation,” sneered Maddison, Henry's wife. “Now that there's an ex-convict in your family, I'm sorry that you guys can only sit at the last table!”<br /> <br /> “Mom, Dad, as far as I know, Uncle Aaron and his family didn't contribute much to the family last year,” said Shaun, Henry's son, walking over with a glass in his hand. “Their company went bankrupt, and they even borrowed over two million from Grandpa. Clearly, it's a negative contribution. It's unfair to the relatives sitting at the fourth table! I say we add a fifth table for negative contributors!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah, I agree!”<br /> <br /> The rest of the Lopez family concurred.<br /> <br /> “Okay, we'll do as Shaun says! This shall motivate you people!”<br /> <br /> Harry gave his consent.<br /> <br /> “Hurry up and sit down. Don't just stand there and make a fool out of yourselves.” Harry glared at Aaron.<br /> <br /> With that, Aaron and his family walked over to the fifth table quietly.<br /> <br /> “Which table should a ten billion contributor sit at?” asked Levi suddenly, pulling Zoey's arm.<br /> <br /> Levi was the one and only Five-Star God of War, and wealth to him was just a number.<br /> <br /> In fact, he didn't know exactly how much he had, but he could still fork out ten billion casually for the family contribution on behalf of Aaron's family.<br /> <br /> As soon as Levi said that, everyone was stunned at his query.<br /> <br /> After a few moments of silence, the crowd blossomed into an enormous belly laugh.<br /> <br /> “Ten billion? You must be kidding me! Even the aristocratic Garrison family may not have that much money!”<br /> <br /> “This kid must have a loose screw in the head to come here and embarrass himself!”<br /> <br /> “Hey, Aaron. Did you know you have a son-in-law worth ten billion? Hahaha...”<br /> <br /> Sensing the jeering gazes and titter from the people around, Aaron and his family wished the ground could swallow them whole.<br /> <br /> This is embarrassing!<br /> <br /> Too embarrassing!<br /> <br /> Zoey's temper sparked, and her eyes blazed with rage.<br /> <br /> “Levi Garrison, is it not enough for you to talk big at home that you have to come here and embarrass me? Do you think you haven't done enough after all these years?”<br /> <br /> Zoey trembled as tears silently rolling down her cheeks.<br /> <br /> “But I do have ten billion!” Levi said helplessly.<br /> <br /> At this time, no one bothered to listen to Levi's sheer bull because the star of the day, Fabian's son-in-law, had arrived.<br /> <br /> Everyone, including Harry, went out to the entrance to greet him.<br /> <br /> “I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting.” Samuel wore an apologetic expression.<br /> <br /> “Your flight was nearly ten hours late. What's up with that?” Harry asked in concern.<br /> <br /> Samuel smiled. “Grandpa, don't you know? A big shot has arrived in North Hampton, and North Hampton Airport was sealed off for eight hours.”<br /> <br /> What? Is there such a thing?<br /> <br /> “Who's this big shot to have the airport sealed off, Samuel?” Harry asked smilingly.<br /> <br /> “It's not just that. It's said that a hundred planes escorted the private jet of that big shot, and there were a hundred thousand people guarding at the airport.”<br /> <br /> “Damn!”<br /> <br /> “What?”<br /> <br /> The crowd gasped in shock.<br /> <br /> “He's the commander-in-chief of Nine Warzones, the God of War of Erudia. Haha, you may not believe it if I say this, but I met this great man when I was at a gathering abroad, and we even exchanged numbers. I didn't expect him to take up a post in North Hampton! I'll ask him out sometime in support of the Lopez family. That way, you'll gain a foothold in North Hampton in no time,” Samuel said loftily.<br /> <br /> “God! That's incredible! How did you even get to know someone like him?”<br /> <br /> “My brother-in-law is so cool!”<br /> <br /> “The Lopez family's son-in-law is one of a kind! Of course, except for one!”<br /> <br /> Everyone looked at Samuel with veneration; the old man was all the more impressed, Aaron and Caitlyn begrudged Fabian's son-in-law, and Zoey was envious as well.<br /> <br /> But she believed that in five years, Levi, too, could make her grandfather proud.<br /> <br /> Yet, unbeknownst to them, Levi was actually barely stifling in his laughter.<br /> <br /> This kid is quite something to know that I've arrived.<br /> <br /> But his ability to make up nonsense is even more impressive.<br /> <br /> “You're saying you know the God of War?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> Samuel raised his head. “Yeah, we had a drink together. Is there a problem?”<br /> <br /> Levi chuckled. “Then why don't I recognize you?”<br /> <br /> Chapter 4 I Am The God of War<br /> <br /> “Huh?”<br /> <br /> Samuel froze, and so did the rest.<br /> <br /> What does he mean?<br /> <br /> Samuel frowned. “Are you saying that you're the God of War?”<br /> <br /> Levi smiled. “Yes, I am the God of War. But I never knew you.”<br /> <br /> The crowd burst into laughter; Samuel especially laughed his head off.<br /> <br /> Even old man Harry was amused as he had never seen such a sensationalist before.<br /> <br /> Clown!<br /> <br /> Levi is such a clown.<br /> <br /> “Gosh, Zoey, your husband is hilarious!” Melanie, Samuel's wife, derided. “He called himself the God of War, just to prove himself and save his pride! Do you even know who the God of War is? He's the commander-in-chief of Nine Warzones who can wipe off a clan with just his words! What? Is the prison a warzone? Jeez, Zoey, what a husband you have there. I feel terrible for you!”<br /> <br /> The others also tried to get a word in. “Don't bring him out in the future, Zoey. You might not think it's embarrassing, but we do!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah, don't ever let him attend any of our family banquet in the future. The Lopez family wants to preserve our reputation!”<br /> <br /> “Aaron, your family is really rotten. I'm so disappointed in you.” Harry gave Aaron a dark look.<br /> <br /> “God! What sin have I committed in my previous life to deserve this?”<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn looked down, their expressions ugly.<br /> <br /> This is the most humiliating day ever!<br /> <br /> Zoey sat in the corner. In the face of many insults and derision, she didn't utter a single word, but tears rolled down her cheeks silently.<br /> <br /> Never in her mind would she expect to be confronted by such humiliating moments.<br /> <br /> Zoey looked at Levi, feeling a little disgusted.<br /> <br /> She didn't mind that Levi was imprisoned, nor did she mind the stigma of him having gone to prison.<br /> <br /> All she cared about was Levi's attitude.<br /> <br /> Initially, she thought that he would start from scratch and live a practical life after he got out of prison, but the Levi Garrison right now was a bitter disappointment.<br /> <br /> He's so unrealistic! A sensationalist! Not to mention his damned pride!<br /> <br /> What a buffoon!<br /> <br /> Zoey didn't want to admit that this was her husband.<br /> <br /> “Okay, aren't you the God of War?” Samuel refused to let Levi off so easily. “There will be a welcome banquet tomorrow night in North Hampton, specially dedicated to welcome this big shot! I hope to see you there!”<br /> <br /> Samuel was up to date.<br /> <br /> Indeed, there was such a banquet.<br /> <br /> As Levi had decided to settle down in North Hampton, the higher-ups had assigned him as the deputy of North Hampton, which was more reasonable.<br /> <br /> After all, his purpose of being here was uncertain, and everyone was afraid of this big shot.<br /> <br /> It was easy to cause panic.<br /> <br /> For this reason, North Hampton had decided to host a welcome banquet.<br /> <br /> “Oh? Can you also attend such a welcome banquet, Samuel?” Harry couldn't help but ask upon hearing their conversation.<br /> <br /> Samuel squared his shoulders and smiled. “I just received two invitation cards!”<br /> <br /> In fact, Samuel had gone out of his way to buy two invitation cards for two million just to show off at the family banquet today.<br /> <br /> All those present looked at Samuel in awe.<br /> <br /> Now that's two million well spent! He thought to himself smugly.<br /> <br /> “Can you get any more of this invitation card, Samuel?” Harry asked cautiously. “If so, your father and I would like to expand our horizons!”<br /> <br /> Fabian gazed at Samuel with anticipation in his eyes.<br /> <br /> “I'll get it no matter what!”<br /> <br /> Samuel flat out agreed, although he could feel the burn in his pocket.<br /> <br /> That's another two million there!<br /> <br /> “It's just a matter of one phone call!”<br /> <br /> Samuel made a call and purchased two more invitation cards.<br /> <br /> “Say, Zoey,” Melanie said, scooting over to Zoey. “Will I see you at the banquet tomorrow? Hahaha...”<br /> <br /> Zoey's face darkened, knowing that Melanie was embarrassing her on purpose.<br /> <br /> Not long after, a black car stopped in front of Golden Port Hotel, with a man in a suit walking in soon after.<br /> <br /> “Aren't you Riley, the secretary?”<br /> <br /> Harry quickly went up to greet him upon realizing who the visitor was.<br /> <br /> Riley, who came into contact with the upper management every day, was the secretary of the North Hampton Office Building.<br /> <br /> Surely, he had to show his respect.<br /> <br /> “Greetings, Mr. Lopez. I'm here for one simple purpose—to send the Lopez family ten invitation cards for tomorrow's banquet!”<br /> <br /> After dropping off ten invitation cards, Riley left in a hurry.<br /> <br /> It was a mission assigned to him from the head secretary of North Hampton.<br /> <br /> At this moment, the head secretary of North Hampton was sitting in the car outside.<br /> <br /> He was afraid of meeting the legendary God of War.<br /> <br /> The words of his big boss echoed clearly in his ears, Every important family member of the God of War's father-in-law's family must attend tomorrow's banquet. He was to send out the invitations in a low-profile manner while keeping the identity of the sender unknown.<br /> <br /> Hence, he had assigned Riley for the task.<br /> <br /> Levi said nothing when he saw this scene.<br /> <br /> Samuel, however, was taken aback.<br /> <br /> What's going on?<br /> <br /> Didn't I just buy two invitation cards?<br /> <br /> Why did they send us ten cards at once? And who was it again? Riley, the secretary?<br /> <br /> “You're the best grandson-in-law, Samuel,” Harry guffawed. “To have the secretary from the office building send us ten invitations at once with just a word; the Lopez family is proud of you!”<br /> <br /> Fabian was all smiles.<br /> <br /> “Damn! You're amazing, Samuel!”<br /> <br /> Shaun regarded Samuel with admiration.<br /> <br /> “Melanie has indeed married a good man! You're surely the happiest woman in the world! Unlike Zoey, who married a criminal!”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> “I'm sorry that my husband is too amazing, Zoey. Just say the word if you need our help in the future. But I dare not get too close to you, though,” Melanie paused. “Lest someone tries to jump his sister-in-law...”<br /> <br /> Zoey could feel her anger boiling up.<br /> <br /> It was obvious that Melanie was insulting her, but she couldn't do anything about it; Samuel's ability to have the secretary from the office building send the invitation cards in person with just a phone call was just too over the top.<br /> <br /> Besides, an invitation for a banquet of this level wasn't something the Lopez family could easily obtain.<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn, on the other hand, were even more envious.<br /> <br /> With a son-in-law like that, I bet we'll wake up with a smile every morning.<br /> <br /> Life will be all about counting money.<br /> <br /> Right, isn't Samuel's brother in love with our daughter?<br /> <br /> However, the couple couldn't change Zoey's mind, so they didn't muse out loud.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Samuel was completely flummoxed by the whole thing.<br /> <br /> Where in the world do I find connections in North Hampton?<br /> <br /> They must be mistaken.<br /> <br /> But since it's at this point now, I guess I should just go along with it.<br /> <br /> It'll make me look good, anyway!<br /> <br /> Samuel chuckled. “I'm sorry, Grandpa. I could only get us ten invitations. After all, there aren't many places available for this kind of banquet.”<br /> <br /> Harry grinned from ear to ear. “You're the cream of the crop, Samuel! Here, let Grandpa give you a toast!”<br /> <br /> Upon seeing this, Aaron was green with envy.<br /> <br /> “Grandpa, why don't you distribute these invitations?” Samuel said.<br /> <br /> “Sure.”<br /> <br /> Harry had four children in total. Everyone received an invitation, all except for Aaron's family.<br /> <br /> The last few remaining invitations were given to Shaun and some of his favorite grandchildren.<br /> <br /> “Thank you, Grandpa!”<br /> <br /> Shaun and the others flourished the invitation cards in their hands before Aaron's family.<br /> <br /> Without a word said, Aaron's family bowed their heads and remained silent.<br /> <br /> In Harry's eyes, they were no better than the younger ones, and they acknowledged it. They could only blame themselves for being worthless.<br /> <br /> Just then, someone's voice broke the silence. “Why didn't we get an invitation?”<br /> <br /> It was Levi.<br /> <br /> Chapter 5 Proving Himself To His Wife<br /> <br /> Everyone laughed themselves silly at Levi's question.<br /> <br /> “Do you think your family is qualified to get an invitation? Have you guys ever contributed to the Lopez family?” Shaun retaliated directly.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! Dream on! Can you guys be any more shameless to expect to receive an invitation?” Henry questioned unabashedly.<br /> <br /> Zoey and her parents had given up on all hope.<br /> <br /> They looked at Levi with nothing but disgust in their eyes.<br /> <br /> However, Levi let out a cold snort. “It's for my sake that this invitation is given to you! I intended to give them to my in-laws, and they were given to you passingly.”<br /> <br /> “Have some pride, Levi!” Fabian exploded. “Clearly, Samuel got these invitations through his connections. What the hell has it got to do with you?!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah! Who the hell do you think you are?” Samuel's anger mounted. “How dare you try to take credit for this?”<br /> <br /> Soon after, Henry pointed at Aaron. “Just look at your son-in-law, Aaron! Do something about him, and don't bring him to our next family banquet! We cannot tolerate such insolence!”<br /> <br /> Levi was about to say something when Zoey pulled him outside. “Come with me!!!”<br /> <br /> She couldn't stand him any longer as hot torrents of grief coursed down her face.<br /> <br /> “Levi, please, don't embarrass me anymore. I really can't hold on if you keep this up!”<br /> <br /> Levi wiped away her tears and asked, “Do you want to attend the banquet, Zoey?”<br /> <br /> “Who wouldn't want to? Didn't you see the look in Mom and Dad's eyes?” Zoey said grumpily. “But there's nothing we can do, even if we want to go. It's not like you can get us in, can you?”<br /> <br /> “I can!” Levi said decisively.<br /> <br /> This was too much for Zoey to handle. Her temper sparked, and she turned on her heels, trying to leave.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, why don't you trust me?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> “How am I supposed to trust you when you're behaving like this?” Zoey replied with a question of her own.<br /> <br /> Levi chuckled. “I'll definitely get you inside. I, Levi Garrison, am a man of my word!”<br /> <br /> Zoey nodded. “Okay, I'll trust you just this once! If you can't do it, we're over!”<br /> <br /> “Deal!”<br /> <br /> “Fine, I'm going all out on this one!” Zoey said resolutely while wiping her tears. “I don't need this stupid pride! I'm going to continue to attend this family banquet and tell everyone that my husband is capable of getting an invitation for tomorrow's banquet too!”<br /> <br /> “Okay, ladies first. Let me just make one call.”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> “Azure Dragon, tell Jesse I'll attend the banquet he's hosting tomorrow,” Levi said once the call went through.<br /> <br /> “What? So you agree to attend the banquet? Thank God! The higher-ups were so worried that you won't give Jesse this honor!”<br /> <br /> “Yes, I'll attend. But please ban some of the people from this event...”<br /> <br /> “Roger that, Sir! I'll make the arrangements now!”<br /> <br /> Returning inside, Levi saw Zoey holding her head high, looking as proud as a peacock.<br /> <br /> It was obvious that she had made the announcement as many pairs of eyes were fixated on him.<br /> <br /> “Say, how do you guys think this punk got the invitation? By stealing?”<br /> <br /> “Who knows if he bought it for the sake of pretending!”<br /> <br /> Samuel laughed. “Don't you guys know that one invitation cost over one million?”<br /> <br /> “Aaron's family owes Grandpa about three million. How can they afford to buy an invitation?”<br /> <br /> Right then, dinner was served, marking the start of the family banquet.<br /> <br /> “I think the four of them can just have a bowl of noodles each. There's no need to serve them. What do you guys think?” Henry asked.<br /> <br /> Samuel laughed. “Let's just feed them. Otherwise, it'll look like Grandpa is mistreating them.”<br /> <br /> “Alright then.”<br /> <br /> Other tables were bustling with noise and excitement, with everyone toasting each other and currying favor with Samuel, but it was deadly silence at Levi's.<br /> <br /> Aaron glanced at Samuel, then back at Levi, sighing, “What's the point of getting envious? Such is my fate!”<br /> <br /> Caitlyn glowered at Levi. Can today be any more humiliating?<br /> <br /> However, they didn't dare to leave without the old man's permission and could only continue to suffer from the humiliation in awkward silence.<br /> <br /> Right then, Samuel came over with a glass of wine, followed by a group of people who had been paying court to him.<br /> <br /> He walked past Levi and stood before Zoey. “I was going to introduce my brother to you, Zoey. He's so much better than me! But it seems that you're not fortunate enough to enjoy a good life. It's a pity that you have a bad taste in men!”<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn sighed.<br /> <br /> If only Levi didn't show up, Zoey would have been with Chris, and our family would have been rich again.<br /> <br /> How amazing is that?<br /> <br /> But sadly, it seems that we are plagued by poverty!<br /> <br /> Soon, the family banquet ended.<br /> <br /> “Let's go to my house. I want to have a good talk with my grandson-in-law regarding the Lopez family's future development and tomorrow's banquet. All of you must sit in and listen. It'll be good for you,” Harry instructed.<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn looked at Harry in anticipation, hoping that the Lopez family would lend a hand to alLeviate their current livelihood.<br /> <br /> But little did they know Harry responded, “Aaron, you guys can go back on your own!”<br /> <br /> Aaron hesitated a little. “Dad, but I...”<br /> <br /> “No buts! We don't need you here. Besides, your good son-in-law just came back from prison. I don't want him to stain my place with bad luck!” Harry said, then left with the crowd.<br /> <br /> Before leaving, Samuel, Melanie, and a few others stood before Levi, waving the invitation cards in their hands. “Don't disappoint me tomorrow night. Don't say you know me if you can't get in. I can't afford to throw my reputation down the gutters.”<br /> <br /> Levi snickered. “You'll never know who's the one who can't get in when the time comes.”<br /> <br /> “Alright then. We'll soon see about that.”<br /> <br /> Everyone left happily with an invitation card in their hands, leaving Aaron and his family sighing and groaning.<br /> <br /> Aaron cast a deep glance at Levi.<br /> <br /> If only he could bring honor for the family...<br /> <br /> It's a pity that he just got out of prison. Even surviving is a problem for him.<br /> <br /> After that, Levi followed Zoey home.<br /> <br /> Compared to the Garrison family, this was his home—a home where a woman had been waiting for him for six years.<br /> <br /> Back home, Levi took the initiative to lay a mattress on the floor, but Zoey let him sleep on the bed instead.<br /> <br /> Thereafter, he lay on the bed while Zoey continued to draft a plan at the desk.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> “I'm drafting a proposal for an ecological park development project at West City. Even if the chance of success is not even one percent, I'm going to try my best to win this bid!” Zoey smiled.<br /> <br /> Until the following night, not once did Zoey complain about him, nor did she show a long face.<br /> <br /> But she couldn't help it anymore as it was almost time for the welcome banquet.<br /> <br /> “Levi Garrison, I trusted you so much and bet everything on you. But where's the invitation? How on earth am I supposed to believe you now? I'd thought you would come up with ideas to get us in, but you didn't step out from this house nor made a phone call the moment we came home last night. Do you think the invitation will just fall from the sky?”<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn added, “What are you waiting for? Zoey had made a big promise last night. If you don't make this happen, there won't be a place for us to live in the Lopez family in the future.”<br /> <br /> Levi glanced at the clock. “It's almost time. Just follow me.”<br /> <br /> Driving in Aaron's Haval, they arrived at Paradise Villa, where the God of War's welcome banquet was held.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, I will prove to you now that I can do it!”<br /> <br /> Levi pulled Zoey and headed towards the entrance.<br /> <br /> 👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚《The Return of the God of War 》. Enjoy Romance Now🥰	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	389321244253054	Wonderful novel	https://facebook.com/61561928424575	4	1	1,934,748,270,295,706	2024-07-12 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Wonderful novel	120209919160710371	page.joyreadings.com	NONE	video		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=5594&brand=2&app=0&ppid=4026&pid=FBW2A&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&ori_campaign_id=120211997553860551&ori_adset_id=120211997553930551&ori_ad_id=120211997578190551	2024-07-11 22:40	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450447815_838280387813213_2251012633391615442_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dsjai72StO0Q7kNvgH5824A&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAS_Qf5GKbmbs53lI7COko59-2fl4QwFv35z4GBzKbsbA&oe=66970A08	person_profile	0	Wonderful novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450503280_353965007740190_4892317783940198434_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JENPKRL4IVoQ7kNvgEsTiRm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBXTpXL80velThXrbftLnuwIGjM5EHy42VSrmMkFo1O2g&oe=66971F2A	3	Wonderful novel	2024-07-12 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,921,295	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-11 20:45	active	1109	404581672587983	Sad News for the family & Friends of Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines......	Chip Gaines had hit a breaking point with Joanna Gaines...	LEARN_MORE	https://thestarsworldwide.com/fixer-upper-dark-dow	331297386736772	Trending News	https://facebook.com/61560883830083	48	1	1,744,252,372,979,844	2024-07-11 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn more	Trending News	120211012857180110	thestarsworldwide.com	NONE	image	HGTV’s Fixer Upper is one of the most popular real estate reality TV shows of all time. Chip and Joanna Gaines have become super famous thanks to their roles presenting the super popular show, and celebs in their own right.But when their marriage began to unfold, the truth about the dark secrets b...	https://thestarsworldwide.com/fixer-upper-dark-downers-oc/?utm_source=facebook-oc&utm_campaign={{ad.name}}&pixel_value=0.09	2024-07-09 05:31	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450058334_2187063061727893_3522351330023632791_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q00cJJgciMIQ7kNvgHnbv8B&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBa5V6Ab4Bp9hzmjA5NH2oDizdoISQtfZyNUcnroJF_CA&oe=66966593	person_profile	0	Trending News	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449949208_777143954626109_2062417186711349400_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yL8f8KQnCzEQ7kNvgHO0Ryu&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAylYlVqFAG66X7i8ixPlAd36fpUFBnj2UvkdSJP2zGhg&oe=669668BB	3	Trending News	2024-07-09 02:00	View Edit Delete

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