“It’s that black card.”“That’s right, so wealthy, truly admirable.”“I wish I could be like her.”“...”The surrounding employees whispered, their tones filled with admiration and eyes shining with longing.Listening to those words, Katherine suddenly felt a strange sensation in her heart. Anyone had never admired and desired her before. No one had ever looked at her with that gaze, that admiring look.Now, experiencing this feeling for the first time, Katherine felt incredibly exhilarated. Unconsciously, she lifted her head high, her face radiant.The cashier had finished the transaction, returning the card, receipt, and bag of items to Katherine.“I’ll escort you out. Thank you for visiting and shopping here. Next time you have a chance, please visit our store again.”The cashier’s courteous manner made Katherine feel even more “proud” to be respected. She took back her card, receipt, and bag of items, then left.After leaving the IVY Moda store, Katherine went to a famous makeup s
“Choice?” Katherine asked again, in a haze of confusion. Wasn’t she already chosen? What was this about? What choice?Not letting her curiosity linger for too long, Laramie continued:“Yes, that’s right. Currently, I’m lacking an executive assistant. So, I’d like to offer you the position.”“Executive assistant?” Katherine went from puzzled to astonished. She knew that being the executive assistant to the CEO was a higher position than an ordinary office worker, with a higher salary, benefits, and responsibilities. She had originally applied for a normal employee position, but now she was being offered this position?Katherine couldn’t believe it.“Yes, that’s correct. I believe you’re very suitable for the role of my assistant. What do you think?”As soon as Laramie finished speaking, he reached out to stroke Katherine’s cheek. His action sent shivers down her spine.“I... I don’t think I’m suitable. You could choose someone else. Among the candidates today, there are also very outst
Justin swiftly made his way out of the hospital, as he was familiar with the entrance and exit routes. Outside, the chaos was no less. In the urgent situation, many people rushed inside, worried about their loved ones still there.At that moment, a hand suddenly grasped Justin’s. He turned to see it was Caesar.“My lord, we must hurry. Time is running out,” Caesar said, swiftly clearing the way for Justin. As he departed, Justin glanced back at the hospital one last time. Most patients here were soldiers, and the medical staff were trained in military environments, equipped to handle emergencies or sudden natural disasters. He believed everything would be fine this time.Caesar had also adjusted the vibration amplitude to remain within manageable levels, easing Justin’s discomfort.Together, Justin and Caesar quickly arrived at the airport. His close guards, who also doubled as ground staff and flight attendants, greeted him as he arrived.“No need for formalities. Let’s go quickly,”
Leona and Caesar, upon hearing this, finally discovered the inconsistency in the matter.“Your Grace, so...” Leona hesitated.“I will seek another medical opinion later. I refuse to believe that there is no one in this world who can diagnose a disease other than Verney,” Caesar added.“Your Grace is right,” Leona agreed.It took them a few hours to travel from the Mozzafiato country to Newtown City. As they approached the landing, Justin instructed his pilot to contact the international airport to request clearance for landing.Having fought in many countries before, Justin had established diplomatic relations that extended to various governments. His acquaintance with the government of Newtown made the landing request quite ordinary and readily accepted.At the same time, Justin also requested that the government and the airport chairman keep this matter confidential. He didn’t want any media attention on his arrival, nor did he want his identity to be revealed.There would come a da
“Indeed, a brilliant approach,” Justin praised.Then the three followed Monica upstairs. Justin thought the entrance to the base would be on the highest floor.However, when they reached the second floor, Monica stopped, then calculated something on the wall.“What’s that?” Leona asked, a bit puzzled.But at that moment, Justin was keenly observing Monica’s every move, simultaneously examining the patterns on the wall.The current wall was covered with old-style wallpaper, with rose patterns and brick walls.But upon closer inspection, each swirl pattern of the rose branch, combined with the square patterns of the brick wall, seemed to be arranged in a precalculated order rather than randomly.Altogether, Justin deduced it to be Morse code.As Monica’s index finger reached the end, he discerned this Morse code combined into the first letters of the Dawn Council.Right at that last character, Monica dabbed it, and immediately, the wall in front vanished, revealing a passage.“Here, let
The cold question and Katherine’s unusual attitude surprised Justin, leaving him frozen for a moment, as if he couldn’t believe the person standing in front of him asking that question, with the same demeanor as the wife who had comforted him just a few days ago. Justin was both astonished and incredulous. In his mind, he had imagined that she would be overjoyed and would rush to embrace him, eagerly whispering tender words. But everything unfolded contrary to his expectations, even somewhat disappointing Justin. Because Katherine now seemed devoid of any anticipation for his return.“Ka... Katherine, I’m back,” Justin said, as if reiterating to her he had indeed returned to her, just as promised, without fail.What had he done to upset her? What had caused her to be displeased? Or had his prolonged absence made her resentful?At this moment, Julie slipped away from him, as if reclaiming some private space for her parents.Approaching Katherine, Justin found her standing there, rooted
Justin squinted, clearly unsure of who the man was or why he was here. He could only see him swaggering in, taking long strides with deliberate sways of his shoulders.At that moment, Mrs. Laura seemed to recognize someone.“Young... young master Verney?” The mention of Verney’s name triggered a memory in Katherine’s mind. It seemed she had heard her mother mention it once before, in a proposed marriage. And this must be the young master whom Mrs. Laura had praised so highly the scion of the Cambrisz family.Katherine had imagined him to be handsome, refined, and exuding an air of sophistication, but she hadn’t expected this... Katherine thought, he’s a bit of a mismatch in her eyes...Meanwhile, Justin still hadn’t recognized the man before him, but he sensed an air of arrogance about him. Just then, Mrs. Laura suddenly approached with a smile, circling around the man as if they were old acquaintances. However, behind her smile, Justin could detect some discomfort.“Oh my, young mast
Katherine’s words struck Justin’s heart like a deep cut. Did she just call him... “friend”? And acknowledge the ambiguity in her relationship with Verney? Not quite acquaintances, yet not exactly friends?Katherine’s remark felt like a slap in the face to Justin in front of everyone. He felt absurdly amused, to where he couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.Even Laura couldn’t believe what Katherine had just said. She froze, as if struck by lightning, unable to utter a word. She looked from one person to another in bewilderment.What was happening? What was going on? If this had happened before, Laura would have been overjoyed, ecstatic even, laughing herself awake from sleep. But now, things were different, everything had changed. Now, Justin was her legitimate son-in-law!Laura couldn’t fathom what was wrong with Katherine. What had possessed her so heavily!? It was as if she had become a different person, simultaneously striking against what she had previously defended.With ov