That night, Yvonne had dinner with Xavier.Besides her reluctance to sit with him, the restaurant he'd picked was luxurious, and even the food had been catered to her tastes. While Yvonne was still reveling in the lovely aftertaste of the desserts, the conniving smile on Xavier’s face as he scrolled on his phone went unnoticed."So I hear that Stephen has gone back to Anderson Group?" Stephen leaned forward, tapping his fingers on the table as if to draw Yvonne’s attention.Yvonne glanced at him. "Stephen’s sight recovering and him returning to Anderson Group is such big news. Do you really need me to confirm that?"The Andersons were the most elite family in Northerna City. The smallest movement on their end could cause shockwaves through the entire city, much less the return of an esteemed figure. Everyone was definitely talking about Stephen.Xavier was just asking a rhetorical question.He smiled. "I’m just curious about his eyesight. He recovered so suddenly.""Luck was on
Hearing the whistles from all around, Yvonne began regretting following Xavier to this place.Taking advantage of the chaos, Xavier held Yvonne’s hand. "Why is it so lively here today?"Yvonne frowned. She tried to break free of his grasp, but it was tight. Just as she was considering which one of his fingers to break, she heard Stephen’s voice."It’s my party tonight. Is Yvonne coming here so late to embarrass me?"Yvonne was dazed. What party?Stephen’s gaze flickered over their hands. Coldly, he said, "I couldn’t even invite her, but you could, Mr. Robinson." Every word of his was a blade stabbing through Yvonne’s flesh.She wanted to cry. Would she ever have a chance to explain herself? This was all a misunderstanding.Xavier smirked. "Apologies. We had dinner before coming here. We certainly are late. I’ll take three shots to make up for it."Dinner? Stephen sneered inwardly. So, had Yvonne declined his invitation to eat with another man?When Yvonne caught Stephen’s glar
The whole way back, Stephen refused to communicate.When they reached Oceania Villa, he dragged her out of the car like a dog. Yvonne grew frustrated at once. "Stephen, all I did was have dinner with Xavier. Do you have to be this angry? If you touch me like that again, I’ll come at you!""I’d like to see you come at me." Stephen released his grip, unbuttoning his shirt. Then he rolled his sleeves up slowly and stepped towards her.Yvonne didn't back down. She kicked off her heels and prepared to fight him. If he refused to listen, she would fight him until he'd had his fill.Right at that moment, Tabitha ran out in a panic. "Madam! Mr. Anderson! You’re back! Your father has been waiting for a long time."Stephen’s gaze darkened. What was Charles doing here?Yvonne was perplexed, too. She was about to take a look, but Stephen barricaded her with his arm. He ordered Julian, "Lock her up in the basement.""I …" Julian watched uneasily as Stephen walked away. He looked at Yvonne wi
Moonlight shone softly through the orchard into the house. In the haze of light and dark, Yvonne saw a pair of eyes staring coldly at her."Stephen, it’s late at night. What the fuck are you on?""Do you know what happens to people who betray me?" Stephen slowly tightened his grip around her throat.Now that he'd realized that Yvonne could cure Conan, he didn’t want to keep her.Yvonne could sense the danger she was in and reacted naturally. Unfortunately, Stephen’s possessiveness was taking over, and he was drunk. He couldn’t tell how much force he was using. Her struggles only angered him, resulting in heavier punishment. His hand clasped around her neck, and he seemed to want to snap her in two.Yvonne knew what a murderous person looked like.Stephen wanted to kill her.Right before she suffocated, he finally let go.Yvonne immediately flipped him over and threw herself on the bed, gasping. Her chest heaved. Her throat was sore and tasted of blood, as if she'd swallowed san
Yvonne ran out from the backyard and climbed over the wall, landing squarely on her feet. Like a sparrow, she ran off swiftly in glee. The six-foot-tall walls weren't enough to keep her shut in.Little did she know that Stephen, who was standing on the second-floor balcony, had seen everything.She was truly uncontrollable and uncontainable.Julian stood behind Stephen in bewilderment. How could Mrs. Anderson be so fearless of Mr. Anderson?"Mr. Anderson, do you want me to send people out to catch her?""No." Stephen retracted his gaze. "Get someone to follow her and see what she’s up to."Julian nodded. "Okay."…Once out of Oceania Villa, Yvonne hailed a cab and went to the address that Rachel had sent her, which was a hotel. Rachel had probably been working when she was dumped.When Yvonne walked in, Rachel leapt into her arms in tears.People walked to and fro in the hall. On top of that, Rachel was a public figure. Yvonne was afraid of attracting people’s attention. So s
Rachel was confused. "Isn’t Xavier pursuing you?"Xavier had taken Yvonne to Euphoria Smith last night and had ruffled Stephen’s feathers. News of the two men fighting over an ugly woman had spread like wildfire. Yet he was getting engaged to Kayla now."Pursuing? More like messing around with me," Yvonne said indifferently. Suddenly, someone spoke from behind her, his words right next to her ears."I was serious."Yvonne was shocked. She turned and saw Xavier, who was walking towards the main table.Rachel pulled Yvonne over. "What did he say to you?"Yvonne looked at Xavier’s silhouette, frowning slightly. She truly had no idea what he wanted to do.On the other side of the hall, when Kayla saw Xavier, she said with a bright smile, "Xavier, you’re finally here. I …""Explain yourself." Xavier ignored her, pointing towards the stage. Yesterday, Jasmine told him that she was going to eat with their family and made him come over during his lunch break. It was only now that he re
His eyes, which had been full of affection just minutes before, were now ice cold.Kayla panicked and shook her head. "I … I didn’t do it.""You didn’t?" Xavier’s eyes grew even frostier. "My mother would never force me to get engaged to you out of the blue.""I … I truly have no idea." Tears welled up in Kayla’s eyes. She said weakly, "I only found out yesterday that Jasmine was throwing an engagement party for us. I’m not lying to you."Indeed, she hadn’t known anything. When Monica had told her the news, she'd been so happy that she hadn't been able to sleep the entire night. She'd gotten up early in the morning to dress up, wanting to be the prettiest fiancée in the world. But Xavier hadn't glanced at her for longer than a second throughout the party. Now he was looking at her as if she were some sort of enemy.Kayla grew even more miserable as her thoughts spiraled. Her tears rolled down her cheeks, and she grasped at Xavier’s clothes."I really like you, Xavier. Please be n
After they'd slipped away to the engagement party, Rachel's attention had been diverted from her breakup. The whole afternoon, they stayed at the coffee shop, chatting about rumors and gossip that Rachel had collected recently. As Rachel's incessant chatter filled the air, Yvonne enjoyed leisurely time for the first time in a long while.At that moment, she almost forgot that she was a runaway.It wasn't until Julian appeared in front of them and nodded respectfully at Yvonne that she remembered her situation. "Madam, you've been out for a long time now. Mr. Anderson would be worried.""Madam?" Rachel grabbed Yvonne's arm in shock. "Have you already married Mr. Anderson?"Rolling her eyes at Julian, Yvonne explained to Rachel, "Mr. Anderson and I have a good relationship. We often refer to each other as husband and wife at home, so his subordinates address me as 'Madam'."After listening to her explanation, Rachel's face was full of admiration. "You two lovebirds are so sweet!