The next day, the weather was sunny and warm. At ten in the morning, Adela was beautifully made up. "Adela, it's Saturday, why are you going out so early?" her mother, emerging from her room, asked. Adela answered distractedly: "Mom, I... I'm going to a friend's daughter's birthday party." Hearing that Adela was attending a friend's daughter's birthday, her mother, Mrs. Sienna, was delighted: "You should meet more of your old friends, you've been isolating yourself for years, not contacting anyone, I worry you'll become depressed." "But you seem to have turned a corner, finding a job you like, and becoming more open. Go ahead..." "Yes." Adela pursed her lips, her expression slightly pained. If her mother knew she was attending the birthday of Jonathan's daughter, her enemy, she probably wouldn't think the same. Adela left her rental house, then headed to a gift shop, carefully selecting a princess doll worth a few hundred USD, holding it close, ready to take a taxi to Way Heave
Hearing that Jonathan could be the VIP who reserved the top floor of the Way Heaven Hotel, the security guards hesitated to approach him, their palms sweating. If they offended such a high-profile person, they could lose their jobs. "Have you caused enough trouble, Jonathan?" "You still owe Edward five million USD, where do you get the money to book the top floor?" In her anger, Orla brought up the debt Jonathan supposedly owed Edward, which of course was just a tactic they used in their accounting to pressure Jonathan into a divorce. "My brother-in-law vacated the top floor for a VIP, and you’re saying he gave it to you? Jonathan, if you’re going to boast, at least make it believable!" Harding joined in the mockery. He had heard that Edward and his sister had originally booked the party at the top floor of the Way Heaven Hotel, but supposedly gave it up out of respect for the VIP who wanted to use it for his daughter’s birthday. "Edward, you gave up the top floor for me? I’ll h
At Carla’s sixth birthday celebration, Tommy also arrived. He gifted Carla a set of clothes from the leading children's fashion brand “Fate" worth thousands of USD, making her beam with joy. For Tommy, this gift was genuinely heartfelt. “Bro, why do you seem so distracted?” Tommy noticed Jonathan’s unusual demeanor during the party. “Aunt Adela hasn’t arrived yet!” Carla, holding a piece of cake, suddenly interjected. Jonathan chuckled, explaining to Tommy: "It’s about the girl I assaulted years ago.” Tommy realized: "You is still young, should find another sister-in-law for me!” “Ha ha, looking for a girlfriend for me sounds more like finding one for you!” Having a close brother like Tommy by his side made Jonathan more open. After the birthday party, Stephen messaged, indicating he had found Adela. Jonathan, unable to sit still, took Carla to meet her. When saying goodbye, Jonathan told Tommy: "In a few days, when things are calmer, I’ll bring your sister-in-law to visit.”
While on his way, Jonathan called Roger, instructing him to cease further investigation into Orla's matters. Next, he made a call to Devlin. "Hello, young master Wang!" Devlin's respectful voice came through the phone. "Regarding Orla, don't trouble her anymore!" Jonathan said coldly. Though Devlin didn't fully understand the situation, he dared not disobey: "I understand, young master Wang!" Just as Jonathan was about to hang up the phone, Devlin quickly asked with caution: "Young master Wang, about my daughter's leukemia…” Jonathan coldly replied: "What, am I supposed to follow your arrangements?” “No, no, of course not!” Devlin hastily responded. After giving his instructions, Jonathan wandered the streets alone. For Carla's sake, he had agreed not to pursue the fifty million USD from Orla, but that didn't mean he was giving up on reclaiming what rightfully belonged to him. He thought it was better to personally reclaim his belongings. Jonathan called Adela, asking her to
After the encounter with the old friends, Adela turned to Jonathan, irritated: “Why did you agree on my behalf?” Jonathan was straightforward: “I just wanted to preserve some dignity for you in front of your friends.” “Showing off!” Adela accused. “You think she can show off more than me?” Jonathan replied with a mischievous smile. Adela was left speechless. Among her former classmates, Britget was one of the few girls who came from a well-off family. Aside from being the daughter of the Kyle family, it seemed no one could compare to her in terms of wealth. However, getting to know Jonathan made Adela realize that he was even wealthier than the Kyles. Britget definitely chose the wrong person to show off to. But Adela wasn't interested in all these material things. Seeing that Adela remained silent, Jonathan spoke up: "Okay, since you've agreed, I promise you'll be the star tonight!” Adela wanted to refuse, but Jonathan interjected: "If you don't show up tonight, guess what Bri
"We haven't decided yet, we'll let everyone know when we do." Adela replied evasively to sidestep the topic. But Jonathan, lazily observing the decor, said: "Sorry, Adela and I don't plan to have our engagement here." Fergus laughed disdainfully, as if saying that Jonathan would need to prove his worth first! Fergus deliberately provoked Jonathan: "You're going a bit too far, Jonathan. Adela will only marry once in her life. Even if you have to exhaust all your assets, you should at least choose a decent hotel for the wedding. Such a significant event can't be celebrated in some roadside diner!" Adela, utterly detesting Jonathan, thought he was deliberately embarrassing her. "The quality of Way Heaven Hotel is just average, not worthy of Adela's status." Jonathan suddenly said with deep affection, looking at Adela: "That's why when I marry Adela, we won't choose Way Heaven Hotel." The room buzzed with excitement as everyone's gaze shifted to them, first in astonishment and then i
Slap! Britget suddenly slapped Fergus, then acted as if nothing happened: "Sorry, Fergus is drunk and talking nonsense!" The classmates remained silent, understanding Britget's fierce nature. Marrying Britget would surely be a life of suffering. The looks towards Fergus were full of contempt. How could he endure such a personality just for his career? Fergus was furious, wanting to retaliate, but couldn't bring himself to do it, knowing the consequences. "Fergus, are you trying to rebel?" Britget glared at Fergus, her gaze blatant and intimidating. Fergus, feeling humiliated, lowered his hand, trying to appease her: "No, I was just disrespectful because I'm drunk!" Britget finally seemed satisfied, then turned to Jonathan: "Jonathan, we're almost done with dinner, and it's still early. Fergus and I will pay for the meal. Why don't you plan what to do next? How about it?" Nobody asked Jonathan to plan anything, but Britget insisted on it. Fergus had already caused a scene; th
Finally, Jonathan looked up at Selena, his eyes curious: "Do you know why Near department store cancelled the order?" "It's because of Edgar's instigation!" "Yeah, knowing that, you still want to help me? What are you planning with me?" Selena: "....." Even if Selena didn’t speak, Jonathan knew. She was targeting him, likely believing he was a wealthy and powerful young master. People always aim for their interests. Especially someone like Selena, an outstanding woman experienced in the business world, who preferred profitable deals. Now, seeing his extraordinary appearance and uncertain but evidently not insignificant background, she had made her calculations. Otherwise, why would Selena risk angering Edgar to help him? But her scheme was aimed at the wrong person. Jonathan lost interest in making things difficult for her and said: "Alright then, it's just a multi-million dollar order from Near Department Store, I'm not too concerned. You do your job well, and as for whom I
At the Moonlight company's neighboring cafe. Jonathan and Juliette sat secluded in a dim corner. Juliette, shedding her pretense, took a sip of coffee before saying: "I've arranged to dine with Feagan tonight. What's our next move?" "How do you find Feagan?" Jonathan inquired earnestly. "Handsome, even more than you. And oozing charisma! If I were Adela, I'd choose him and kick you to the curb." Juliette quipped. Jonathan: "..." "Heh, just teasing!" Seeing Jonathan's knitted brows, Juliette laughed: "But seriously, Feagan seems like another wolf in sheep's clothing. He's no match for you! I entered his office and he stared at me for minutes. I've seen that type of gaze in Crystal Cove all too often. He's not a catch." "You've got the right hunch. Feagan is no pillar to lean on. If your old friend is by his side, she's bound to regret it." Hearing this, Jonathan hesitated: "Tonight, carry a mini-camera. Entice him to reveal his true colors. If you succeed, make a swift exit."
Katherine swiftly dismissed with a flick of her hand, her face etched with profound disagreement. "How can you suggest such a thing? If in the next two years you don't marry her and by some chance you decide to part ways with my dear Juliette, then what?" "If such were to occur, you would've squandered the best years of her youth! Absolutely not! It cannot be so." "Yet, for now, Juliette and I are not in a position to wed." Jonathan feigned discomfort, an aura of unease surrounding him. In a sudden whisper, Katherine interjected: "Even if marriage isn't immediate, there must be some assurance you can provide, mustn't there?" At this, both Andres and Wyatt, father and son, shifted their eager gazes toward Jonathan. Juliette inwardly smirked, thinking to herself, 'Mother is starting her games again.' It was clear the reason her parents were here tonight was solely for this imminent matter. They hadn't raised a daughter, but rather, it seemed, a mere commodity. "What assurance d
Once Tryphena was out of earshot, Juliette burst into giggles: "So Jonathan, that beauty is really your sister-in-law? Are you some kind of beast?" Of course, Juliette was jesting. Initially, she'd assumed the beauty Jonathan had turned down was just a stranger, and his mention of her being his brother's girlfriend was surely playful. But who was she kidding? Being a seasoned veteran in Crystal Cove' entertainment industry, Juliette had encountered countless personalities. Tryphena posed no threat. A few words were all it took to send her packing, all while maintaining her own clandestine identity. "Let's drop it. Since we've met, let's go somewhere." Jonathan said, steering the conversation away from Tryphena. "Agreed." Juliette cheerfully responded. As they strolled through the streets, their charisma was undeniable. The frequency with which heads turned to steal glances was remarkable. "How long are you staying in Elite Summit this time?" Juliette inquired with genuine interes
"It's rare to run into familiar faces in Elite Summit." Tryphena mused, her words a flurry of excitement: "Would you join me for dinner tonight? If you're busy, tomorrow is fine too. Let's exchange numbers and connect on social media first!" Although initially hesitant, Jonathan found himself swayed by the genuine warmth in her eyes: "Tonight it is." With contact details exchanged and plans set, the two bid each other a temporary farewell. That very evening, as the city's lights began to shimmer, Jonathan received an investigation update from Roger. Adela was seeing someone. Moonlight Corp, where she worked in Elite Summit, was primarily managed by her and Deputy CEO Vera. However, recently, a charismatic new CEO named Feagan William, reputedly a returnee from overseas studies and rumored to be the scion of some top executive from M & N, took the helm. Since Feagan's arrival, he seemed relentlessly smitten by Adela. He often accompanied her to business outings and ensured she ret
After a while, Jonathan broke the ice, initiating a topic of discussion. Moonlight, Adela's brainchild, was now the talk of the town. "Our autumn collection has been a great success, both in terms of sales and profits." Adela began: "But to claim the top spot might be premature. Despite the backing of renowned domestic and international fashion houses like Wind & Fire and M & N, we can't be overly confident in becoming the flagbearer of our nation's fashion industry." "We'll truly know our standing after assessing the sales for the next three seasons. Only then can we truly earn national recognition." Truth be told, Adela was not overly concerned about Moonlight's position or its future; her worries had nearly evaporated. But she shared this perspective nonetheless. Jonathan silently rejoiced, noting Adela's growth and maturity. She was no longer the fishmonger he once knew from the market; she had blossomed into a successful businesswoman. In a time not so distant, Adela would,
Tommy shook his head, his words hastening to fill the air between them: "My sister-in-law is doing well; she's thriving in her job. Not too long ago, she even moved to a new house." “But when I visited Curtis last, there was a man at her place.” Tommy, flustered and scrambling for words, replied: "Oh, he must've been just a business partner, discussing some contracts with my sister-in-law. Nothing more.” Jonathan's face darkened in thought. A man? From what he knew about Adela, she would never entertain business at her private residence. Could it be? Had Adela found someone? It was possible. After all, when he had left Elite Summit, she had suggested they take a year apart. This perhaps hinted that their time together might eventually come to an end. Though Jonathan's relationship with Adela had blurred past friendship, their bond, in essence, was only maintained by Curtis. They never really became lovers. So, it was perfectly normal for Adela to have a boyfriend. Yet, the very th
Mammon's lips curled into a gentle smile: "If gratitude is to be given, direct it to Jonathan. While Mr. Moore and I might be acquaintances, our bond isn't as profound. Had it not been for Jonathan's plea, the Moores wouldn’t have found me in their corner." "Yes, indeed!" "Now, Mr. Moore, we must expedite matters. The sooner we seal the agreement, the better." "Let us restart the project and alleviate our shared anxieties." Business attended to, Mammon shared a few parting words before departing in the company of Jonathan. Their venture could truly be described as a fruitful one. Barring unforeseen tribulations, the peril that threatened the Moore family was seemingly defused. Their reputation, however, was something they'd have to mend on their own. Considering their current scenario, evading a declaration of bankruptcy due to piled debts was almost a miracle in itself. To hope for more would be sheer fantasy. All agreements were set in stone. Soon, Mammon would dispatch his
"Come now! Don't be like that! We've been childhood playmates, remember? Regardless of circumstances, our bond persists." Wynstan responded, pouring two glasses of wine with an exaggerated flourish. "This is a vintage from my personal collection. A true delight for the palate. Try it." Given there were just the two of them, the spread wasn't overly grand. Yet, countless esteemed businessmen from Crystal Cove would give an arm and a leg to be part of this dinner. However, to Nora, the invitation felt more burdensome than honorary. A toast always called for full glasses. And business often demanded the libations flow freely. Seeing Nora's thoughtful gaze, Wynstan chuckled: "Finding my wine lacking, are we? I suppose, being the magnate you now are, this might not match your status." Truth be told, the wine wasn't cheap, retailing at over a thousand. Yet to Nora, it was mere triviality. The wine wasn't the issue. Even if Wynstan had offered a commonplace wine worth mere tens, its
Jonathan remained silent, not swayed by Dieter's hollow compliments. For Jonathan knew, of all places, Elite Summit was hardly a theater of illustrious figures. Were it Crystal Cove, perhaps he might've begrudgingly conceded the point. But Elite Summit? What did it offer? Still, empty flattery was better than none; it lent a certain sweetness to the air. "Jonathan, there's a favor I'd like to ask of you." Dieter finally disclosed his intentions. Jonathan wasn't surprised. The Moore family was in a state of disarray, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Why else would Dieter squander an evening over dinner with him if not to seek some favor? "Speak, sir." Jonathan invited, his voice tinged with resignation. Though he had stretched himself thin helping the Moores, he couldn't guarantee the extent of the impact he could make. "In recent days, I've tallied up the debts of the Moore Corporation. The sum exceeds 65 billion." Dieter elaborated: "We've acquired raw materials for project