Chapter 6%
The car door closed with a thud, shutting out Lucas’s frantic shouting
I leaned back into the seat, finally breathing freely
“Nina, long time no see.”%
A deep, magnetic voice drifted from beside me. I instinctively shifted away K
Jack Harrison sat there casually, his long fingers tapping his knee. The dark suit he wore was perfectly tailored, emphasizing his lean frame and cool complexion.
The teardrop mole beneath his eye caught the faint light. His lips curved slightly with quiet confidence.
“Enjoyed the drama?” I snapped, glaring at him.”
He suddenly leaned closer, the scent of plum blossoms lingering on him, and gently brushed the wound on my forehead.%
“You look pitiful. Not like Nina I remember.“”
“What does it matter to you?” I slapped his hand away, but he caught mine firmly.”
“Nina, don’t be so rude!” My father grunted from the front seat.
“If Jack hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have known my daughter was suffering like this.”/
He met my eyes in the rearview mirror, anger simmering beneath his calm tone.”
“You think someone from a small–time family is worthy of dragging my daughter through the mud?”
I lowered my head. Tears streamed down uncontrollably.”
“Tsk.” Jack suddenly pinched my cheek.}
“Why are you crying now? You look awful.“/
“Ouch! Jack, let go!“}
The Carter family’s old mansion glowed with warmth and light.”
During dinner, Jack sat at the head of the table, cutting his steak slowly and gracefully.
I kicked the tip of his shoe. “Why are you still here?”
He took a sip of wine, replying calmly,
“Uncle Carter invited me to stay. He asked me to take you out and help you unwind.“}
“You-!” I stood up irritated, but he reached out and pulled me back down into my seat.
“Eat your food properly.” He placed a piece of pork rib into my bowl. “Why are you so thin? Like a monkey.“}
I kept my head down and quietly ate, avoiding his gaze. Truthfully, I had always been a little afraid of Jack.
That winter, I saved his life. After that, he often came over to our house. My father once warned me: “Jack may look as gentle as jade, but he’s a pure black lotus–ruthless beneath the calm.”
When I insisted on marrying Lucas, his eyes turned icy cold, just like my father’s. His expression was unreadable and grim.
“You’ll regret this,” he said.
I’d thought he was cursing me, and in a fit of anger, I shouted, “People like you deserve to die alone!”
After that, I heard he went to Southeast Asia and never came back.
I never imagined he and his father would show up immediately after just one call from me.
I snuck a glance at him. Five years later, he was more composed, more powerful. Every gesture radiated confidence. You’d never guess he had spent years surviving in Southeast Asia’s chaos.}
“What are you staring at?” He suddenly looked up, his deep eyes locked onto mine.”
I panicked and dropped my gaze, heart racing out of rhythm.”
Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere shifted to shifted–tense, frozen.}
The reporters exchanged looks of disbelief. All microphones turned toward Lucas.}
“Mr. Turner, just now… was your wife really the eldest daughter of the Carter family?“}]
Lucas was still staring in the direction I’d left. His fingers tightened unconsciously, gripping Lily’s wrist hard.”
“Ah!” Lily winced in pain, tears instantly welling up. “Lucas, you’re hurting me!“}
She leaned into him with practiced fragility, but a flicker of resentment flashed in her eyes as she looked down.
Just then, her agent rushed in, visibly panicked, face pale.
“Ms. Shaw, something happened. Director Zhang-“}
Lily quickly switched to her sweet public persona and smiled at the cameras.}
“Is there another new script for me?“}
The agent’s voice trembled as he handed her the phone.
“The investor wants you replaced immediately. If not, they’ll pull all funding from the film!“>
“What?!” Lily screamed. Her carefully applied makeup cracked with shock.
Reporters swarmed her instantly Flashbulbs went off like fireworks.
“Ms. Shaw, did you offend the investor?”
“Rumors say your roles were secured through questionable means. Any comment?”
Lily’s face turned ghostly pale. She clutched her chest, eyes rolling back, and collapsed.%
In the hospital ward, the stench of disinfectant was thick.
Lily opened her eyes and saw Lucas sitting beside her bed. Tears welled instantly.
“Lucas, this must be Nina’s doing!” she cried.”
“I clearly remember her father was just some ugly businessman.”
“She’s jealous because you’ve been paying more attention to me. She must’ve gone to the Carter family and asked Jonathan to pose as her father to humiliate me!”
She reached for his hand, but he coldly pulled away.
Realizing pity wasn’t working, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing against his chest.
“She plotted all of this! She wants to ruin me! I’m humiliated–I don’t want to live anymore!“> Lucas shoved her away.”
“Enough! I’m leaving. Get some rest.”
He turned to his assistant with a cold expression.
“Find out everything about Nina. I want the full story.“>
A heaviness settled in his chest. After all these years, had he ever truly understood her?!
In his office, his assistant burst through the door.
“Boss Lu, you need to see this! Look at the news!”
Lucas turned on the television. No matter which channel he switched to, the screen was filled with stories–about him and Lily. Just like the endless gossip that once surrounded Nina.§
Chapter 6
