《Missing Mrs. Lowry: The Billionaire鈥檚 Wakeup Call》
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Megan Quigley didn¡¯t know if it wasmon for unfaithful men to have two cellphones.
While Sullivan Lowry was taking a shower, his mistress sent him a selfie. It was a very young girl with
delicate features, dressed in opulent clothing that seemed too mature for her age, which made her
appear somewhat uneasy.
¡°Mr. Lowry, thank you for the birthday gift¡±
Megan stared at the photo for a long time until her eyes began to sting. She¡¯d always suspected that
Sullivan had someone on the side, but she had never expected it to be such a young girl. Beyond the
ache in her heart, she was surprised by her husband¡¯s taste.
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She thought, what a pity to have stumbled upon Sullivan¡¯s secret.
The sound of the bathroom door sliding open interrupted her thoughts.
Momentster, Sullivan emerged, enveloped in steam, his defined abs and solid chest wrapped in a
white bathrobe¨Ca picture of rugged attractiveness.
¡°How much longer are you going to look at that?¡±
He snatched the phone from Megan¡¯s hand, gave her a sharp nce, and started getting dressed.
His demeanorcked any sign of embarrassment at being caught by his wife. Megan knew he felt
secure in his financial power over her, as she was now kept at home by him, even though she had
been a renowned violinist before their marriage.
Megan didn¡¯t argue over the photo. She couldn¡¯t afford to
Seeing he was about to leave, she hurriedly spoke up, ¡°Sullivan, I have something I want to tell you.¡±
He leisurely buckled his belt, then looked at his wife, possibly recalling her submissive tenderness on
the bed earlier, chuckled arrogantly, ¡°What now? You want more?¡±
But this affection was merely toying. He had never truly considered this wife of his important; she was
merely an obligation following an unexpected turn of events.
Sullivan withdrew his gaze as he picked up a Patek Philippe watch from the bedside table and ¡°I have
five minutes left. The driver is waiting downstairs.¡±
Megan guessed where he was headed, her eyes dimmed, ¡°Sullivan, I want to go out and work.¡±
Go out to work?
his wrist, speaking indiffere
Indifferently.
Sullivan finished fastening his watch and turned to look at her. After a long pause, he pulled out a
checkbook from his pocket, scribbled a figure, tore it off, and handed it to her, ¡°Isn¡¯t good enough to be
a full¨Ctime housewife? Work doesn¡¯t suit you¡±
After saying that, he was about to leave
Megan followed, her attitude very humble, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of hardship! I want to go to work. I can y
the violin.¡±
But he had no patience to listen. In his mind, Megan was like a frail creeper that had grown
ustomed to being tended to, utterly unsuitable for public exposure or hardship.
Sullivan nced at his watch and said, ¡°Time¡¯s up!¡±
He left without a backward nce, and Megan couldn¡¯t keep him. All she could do was grasp at his
sleeve as he reached for the doorknob and ask desperately, ¡°My dad¡¯s celebrating his birthday this
Saturday. Will you have time?¡±
Sullivan paused, ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±
The door closed softly, and soon after, the sound of a car starting came from downstairs, fading into the
distance.
A few minutester, the housemaids came upstairs.
They were aware of the couple¡¯s average rtionship, so they acted as messengers, ¡°Mr. Lowry will be
away in Harmony City for a few. days on important business. Also, thepany has just sent a batch
of hisundry. Should we send it out or do you prefer to hand wash and iron, ma¡¯am?¡±
Megan knelt on the couch. After regaining herposure, she replied softly, ¡°Hand wash, please.¡±
Sullivan disliked the scent of dry¨Ccleaning solvents, so almost all his clothes, including suits and coats,
were hand washed and ironed by Megan.
Aside from that, Sullivan was demanding in other aspects as well.
He detested restaurant food and couldn¡¯t stand the slightest disarray in the bedroom. So, Megan
leamed to cook, to tidy, to arrange flowers. she gradually became the perfect full¨Ctime housewife.
Her life was almost entirely revolved around Sullivan.
Yet Sullivan still didn¡¯t love her.
Chapter 1
Megan looked down at the check
Last year, her family business failed her brother was in custody facing charges, and her father¡¯s
sudden illness cost more than a hundred thousand a month. Each time her stepmother Cons returned
home, theined that Megan received too little from Sullivan
¡°He¡¯s the president of Lowy Pharmaceuticals, with a fortune of billions Megan, you¡¯re his wife, isn¡¯t
what¡¯s his also yours?
Megan could only offer a bitter smile
How could Sulliver¡¯s ever be hers?
Sullivan didn¡¯t love her, he was usually cold to her. Their marriage was devoid of love, only serial. He
had even forbidden her from having his children, reminding her to take the pill after they made love
Right she needed to take her pill
Megan reached for the pill bottle, poured out a pill and swallowed it numbly
After taking the pill, she gently opened a small drawer Inside was a thick diary, filled with the full
affection of an 18 year old Megan for
Sullivan
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Six years, Megan had loved him for six whole years!
She closed her eyes tight in a sudden moment.
Chapter 2
Megan didn¡¯t see Sullivan return. On Friday night, a significant incident urred in the Quigley family.
News came out that Wyatt Quigley, the eldest son of the Quigley family, might face a ten year sentence
due to an economic case Involving the Quigley Group
Ten years, that was enough to ruin a man.
That very night, her father Joseph Quigley suffered an acute stroke and was rushed to the hospital for
emergency surgery
Megan stood in the hospital corridor, frantically dialing Sullivan¡¯s number, but after several tries, nobody
answered. Just when she was about to give up, Sullivan texted her.
Brief as ever.
(Still in Harmony. If urgent, contact my secretary Bianca]
Megan called again, and this time Sullivan picked up. She blurted out immediately, ¡°Sullivan, my dad..¡±
Sullivan cut her off. His tone was slightly impatient, ¡°Do you need money? I¡¯ve told you many times if
it¡¯s urgent, contact Bianca¡. Megan, are you listening?¡±
Megan looked up at the electronic screen, her expression nk as the news was yed.
The CEO of Lowry Pharmaceuticals, to win over hisdy¡¯s heart, had booked the entire amusement
park for fireworks show.
Beneath the brilliant fireworks, a young girl sat in a wheelchair with a pure and lovely smile, while
Megan¡¯s husband, Sullivan, stood behind the wheelchair. He was holding a phone, speaking to her,
Megan blinked slowly. After a while, her voice cracked, ¡°Sullivan, where are you?¡±
There was a pause on the other end, seemingly annoyed by her check¨Cin, but he still answered
dismissively. ¡°Still tied up. I¡¯ll hang up now. If there¡¯s nothing else, get in touch with Bianca.¡±
He didn¡¯t notice the near tears in her voice, but the way he looked down at the y
young girl beside him¡ was very tender, exceedingly
tender.
Megan¡¯s vision blured-
It turned out that Sullivan could be this gentle, too.
From behind, she heard her stepmother Cora¡¯s voice. ¡°Did you get in touch with Sullivan? Megan, you
must Sullivan for help with
Cora stopped mid¨Csentence, for she too saw the scene or the electronic screen.
After a moment, Cora found her voice again, ¡°He¡¯s gone to Harmony City again? Megan, Megan, I
don¡¯t believe that when Sullivan was in aa, this girl named Cressida Baldwin yed the violin and
woke him up?¡±
Cora grew more agitated as she spoke, her thoughts turning to the Quigley family¡¯s plight, and she
couldn¡¯t help but shed tears, ¡°But Megan¡ you need to be clear¨Cheaded, don¡¯t quarrel with Sullivan
now.¡±
Megan clenched her fists, her nails digging into her flesh, but she felt no pain.
Quarrel with Sullivan?
She wouldn¡¯t, not because she¨CMrs. Lowry¨Cknew the bigger picture, but because she had no right to
do so.
A wife who wasn¡¯t loved, her title was mere nominal!
She stared at the fireworks filling the sky, murmuring softly, ¡°All those fireworks must¡¯ve cost a lot of
money, right?¡±
Cora didn¡¯t understand what she meant.
Megan lowered her gaze and began to dial Bianca¡¯s number.
Disturbing someone¡¯s peacete at night was always unwee.
Bianca, having been by Sullivan¡¯s side for so long and enjoying a superior status, knew Sullivan didn¡¯t
care about his wife, so after hearing Megan¡¯s request, she spoke with a cold and aggressive tone.
¡°Mrs. Lowry, you¡¯ll need to submit a request and have Mr. Lowry sign off before you can get a check.¡±
¡°Just like the jewelry you wear, which also needs to be logged before use.¡±
¡°Mrs. Lowry, you do understand what I mean, right?¡±
Megan hung up the phone. She bowed her head, quiet, and after a moment, she lifted her eyes to her
reflection in the ss, gently lifting her hand. On her slender ring finger, she wore the wedding ring
It was the only thing she owned that didn¡¯t require Sullivan¡¯s permission, didn¡¯t need to be logged and
reported by his secretary How pitiful was her role as Mrs. Lowry was
Megan blinked away a haze, whispering. ¡°Find someone to sell the wedding ring.¡±
Cora was stunned. ¡°Megan, have you lost your mind?¡±
Megan tumed slowly, her footsteps echoing lonelily through the deserted night¨Ctime hall. After a few
steps, she stopped and said with quiet determination, ¡°Cora, I am perfectly sane. I¡¯ve never been this
clear headed.¡±
She was going to divorce Sullivan,
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Three dayster, Sullivan returned to Borough City
As the evening sky melted into twilight, a gleaming ck limousine slowly rolled into the driveway of a
grand estate and came to a
stop.
The driver opened the car door.
Sullivan got out of the car, closed the rear door behind him and, upon seeing the driver ready to take
his luggage, he waved him off, ¡°I¡¯ll take it from bere ¡±
No sooner had he entered the grand foyer than the housekeeper approached ¡°Sir, there¡¯s been trouble
with Mrs. Lowry¡¯s father recently. Thedy has been quite upset. She is upstairs now¡±
Sullivan was already aware of the Quigley family¡¯s predicament.
With a subtle frown of concern, he carried his suitcase upstairs, pushed open the bedroom door and
found Megan at the vanity, sorting through her belongings.
Setting his luggage down, Sullivan loosened his te, sat on the edge of the bed, and observed his wife.
Megan had always enjoyed doing household chores since they morried¨Corganizing, baking cookies¡ If
it weren¡¯t for her stunning looks and figure, Sullivan might as well have taken her as a housekeeper in
his mind.
Megan remained silent for a long while.
Sullivan, tired from his business trip and seeing that she wasn¡¯t speaking, didn¡¯t bother to initiate
conversation¡ He headed into the closet, took a bathrobe to the shower room. While he was
showering, he thought that given Megan¡¯s timid nature, by the time he finished, she would have cooled
down, unpacked his suitcase, and slipped back into the role of a docile wife.
He was quite certain of it.
Thus, when he came out of the bathroom to find his suitcase untouched, he felt the need to talk to her..
Sullivan sat on the sofa and casually picked up a magazine to read.
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After a while, he looked up at her and said, ¡°How¡¯s your father condition? I¡¯ve already reprimanded
nca about what happened that night
His said it lightly, seemingly insincere.
Megan put down what she was holding, looked up, and met his gaze in the mirror.
In the mirror, Sullivan¡¯s features were sharp, his demeanor aristocratic. Even in a simple bathrobe, he
looked better than anyone else.
Megan watched for a long time until her eyes were sore, then said calmly, ¡°Sullivan, let¡¯s get a divorce!¡±
Sullivan was visibly surprised. He knew Megan must have been upset about the incident that night, and
although he had Bianca rush to the hospital as soon as he heard about the Quigley family¡¯s troubles,
Megan did not ept it.
This was the first time she had gone against him, she had always beenpliant before.
Sullivan turned to pick up a cigarette box from the coffee table, took one out, lit it and took a drag. After
a moment, thin wisps of smoke slowly drifted out. He spoke softly, ¡°A few days ago, you said you
wanted to go to work, howe.. now you¡¯re talking about divorce? Tired of being Mrs. Lowry, wanting
to experience life outside? Megan, go and see how many people out there work overtime and endure
others¡® attitudes just for a meager sry? Megan, you live in a 2000¨Csquare¨Cfoot vi as Mrs. Lowry,
what¡¯s there to be dissatisfied with?¡±
His tone was cold and indifferent.
Finally, Megan couldn¡¯t bear it anymore. Her lips trembled as she gave a faint smile, ¡°Mrs. Lowry? Am I
really Mrs. Lowry?¡±
She stood up suddenly, pulled Sullivan to the closet, and with a swish, slid open the doors to reveal a
row of jewelry cabs, all secured with password locks¨Clocks to which only nca knew the
combinations.
Pointing at the locked cabs, Meganughed sarcastically, ¡°Which wife needs to get clearance from
her husband¡¯s secretary to even touch a piece of jewelry? Which wife has to file an submission for
every cent she spends? Which wife steps out without even enough money for a cab fare? Sullivan, tell
me, is this how Mrs. Lowry is supposed to live?¡±
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
¡°Yeah, my family business tanked, and you throw me a hundred grand a month¡± Megan said, the
bitterness seeping through her words.¡± But every time I take that check, I feel like¡ like some cheap
hooket; the money was just a token of charity after someone¡¯s had their fun!
Sullivan cut her off, his tone icy. ¡°Is that what you think?¡°.
He gently but firmly grasped her chin, ¡°What kind of prostitute is that¨Cyou don¡¯t even know how to
please a man, only capable of whimpering like a kitten! You want a divorce? What kind of life will you
live without me?¡±
Megan winced as he squeezed too hard, raising her hand to push him away.
In a sh, Sullivan caught her wrist, his eyes drilling into hers as he pointed to her bare ring finger,
¡°Where¡¯s your wedding ring?¡±
¡°I sold it!¡± Megan¡¯s voice was tinged with despair, ¡°Sullivan, let¡¯s just get a divorcel
It took all her strength to utter those words.
Sullivan was the man she had loved for six years, but if it hadn¡¯t been for that night, if she hadn¡¯t seen
the sky lit up with fireworks, she might have remained trapped in this loveless marriage for many more
years.
But she had seen them, and she didn¡¯t want to be with him anymore.
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Maybe life after divorce would be harder, and maybe, as Sullivan said, she¡¯d have to endure others¡®
attitudes just for a meager sry, but she had no regrets.
Having said her piece, Megan gently pulled her hand away and began to gather her belongings into a
suitcase.
Sullivan¡¯s face twisted with anger watching her frail silhouette. He had never imagined Megan would
rebel like this, determined to divorce him.
A silent rage red within him.
The next second, he had scooped Megan up and, in a few quick strides, tossed her onto the bed, his
tall frame pinning her down. His face was close to hers, their eyes locked, their breaths mingling in a
heated exchange.
After a moment, he whispered dangerously into her ear, ¡°You are bringing up divorce because of
Cressida, aren¡¯t you? Can¡¯t you just be honest, Megan? Mrs. Lowry was what you wanted all along,
wasn¡¯t it? Why you don¡¯t want it now?¡±
Megan trembled beneath him. Even now, he still believed that what had happened back then was her
doing.
Perhaps it was the contact of their bodies, or perhaps it was her soft and frail posture, but either way,
Sullivan suddenly found himself aroused. His gaze darkened with desire as he pinched her chin and
kissed her, his hand deftly undoing the silk of her nightgown.
Megan was beautiful, her skin fair and tender.
If Sullivan didn¡¯t touch her, it would be fine, but once he did, he absolutely couldn¡¯t stop after just two or
three times. He kissed her tender neck, pressed her hands to either side of her body, their fingers
interlocked.
He had always been dominant in bed, and Megan could hardly resist, always sumbing to his
desires.
But now they were talking divorce, how could they still do this?
¡°No, Sullivan, it¡¯s wrong.¡±
Her voice trembled, sounding lustful against the backdrop of the bedroom, her hair fanned out on the
pillow¨Ca sight so beautiful, waiting to be ravaged.
Sullivan pressed against her tender red lips, iming her recklessly while speaking dirty words, ¡°We¡¯re
still legally married, how is it wrong? You always say ¡°no, but when has it ever truly been a ¡®no,huh?¡±
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The point of no return has been reached. Sullivan found himself caught between a rock and a hard
ce.
Moreover underneath him, Megan was as delicate and fragrant as warm jade Sullivan couldn¡¯t deny his
attmction to her body, even if he didn¡¯t love her
He was poised to take what he wanted, his intentions clear
Megan, her breathing in quick gasps, pressed firmly against his shoulders ¡°Sullivan,¡± she panted,
¡°I haven¡¯t been on the pill these past few days. I could get pregnant¡±
At her words, Sullivan halted. No matter how much he desired her, he hadn¡¯t lost his reasoning. He
didn¡¯t want a baby out of this mamage with Megan¨Cat least not now.
After a moment, he let out a snort. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been giving this a lot of thought these past few
days!¡±
Her mild resistance was nothing to him: Sullivan propped himself up on one hand beside her while
pulling out an unopened small box from the nightstand drawer with the other, branded with some
English letters.
Just as he was about to open it, his phone rang
Ignoring it, Sullivan continued to unwrap the box, leaning in to kiss Megan. But Megan refused, shaking
her head trying to break free. The phone kept ringing.
Finally, Sullivan picked it up with annoyance.
It was his mother, Cami.
¡°Sullivan,¡± she said, her tone detached, ¡°your grandmother isn¡¯t feeling well. Come over and see her!
Oh, bring that woman with you. Your grandmother says she wants to eat her homemade cake¡±
Cami wasn¡¯t particrly warm to anyone, young or old. Her coolness was palpable even through the
phone.
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Sullivan, hand still on Megan¡¯s body, looked down at her from above. He seemed to consider for a
moment before telling the person on the phone, ¡°I¡¯ll bring her over.¡±
Hanging up, he got up and dressed swiftly. ¡°Grandma¡¯s sick. She wants to see you. We can deal with
any issues when we get back.¡±
Lying limp on the bed, Megan mustered the energy to dress in silence.
After zipping up his trousers, Sullivan cast a nce at Megan¡¯s slender back and the unopened box of
condoms on the nightstand. His lips pursed, and then he left first.
When Megan came downstairs, Sullivan was waiting in the car smoking.
The twilight was fading, the sky dim and the light murky
Megan wore a white silk blouse with a matching ck skirt of the same material, long enough to reach
her ankles, exposing only a glimpse of her delicate, baster legs.
door ¡°Get in
She headed for the back seat, but Sullivan opened the passenger door,
Megan had no choice but to silently get into the car.
The ck Bentley rolled out of the vi¡¯s gate.
Sullivan held the steering wheel with one hand, focusing on the road ahead, asionally ncing at
Megan through the rear¨Cview
mirror.
During their three years of marriage, she rarely rode in his car. Now that she wanted a divorce, she
naturally did not want to talk
Both of them remained silent.
Half an hourter, they drove into a manor vi halfway up the hill. The omate ck gates swung open,
and the vi lit up like daylight as they approached.
Sullivan killed the engine and tumed to Megan. ¡°Granny¡¯s unwell, she can¡¯t handle any stress. You
know what to say
Megan stepped out, her voice cold. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±
He watched her for a moment before catching up and grabbing her hand. He could feel her reluctance,
but he tightened his grip. ¡°Remember what you just promised.¡±
Her fingers curled slightly, but she didn¡¯t pull away.
Inside, Cami was waiting. She frowned slightly at the sight of their sped hands but soon spoke in a
measured tone. ¡°Dr. Harper just left. Go check on your grandmother,¡±
Then, her gaze shifted to Megan.
11
Megan called out ¡°Mom,¡± and it took a long moment before Cami grudgingly replied.
If it were any other time, Megan would have felt dejected, but now she didn¡¯t even care about Sullivan,
to how could she care about this. Sullivan¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts. ¡°Let¡¯s go see Grandma¡±
Entering the bedroom, they found Heleise in difort, grumbling on the bed. Yet, her eyes lit up at
the sight of Sullivan and Megan Tve hoped and hoped, and finally, our Megan is here¡±
Sullivan gently nudged her forward. He leaned close to his grandmother¡¯s ear. ¡°I know you¡¯re not
feeling well, so I brought Megan to see you,¡± he whispered
The olddy¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile. But then she pretended not to hear clearly, stretching out her
ear and asking loudly. ¡°What? You and Megan are working on having a baby? Sullivan, having a baby
is more important. I¡¯m old, I¡¯m totally fine.¡±
The subtext was clear family expectations weighed heavy, even in the face of illness
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Megan grasped the car door then slowly let it go.
The atmosphere inside the car was stilling.
Sullivan had just returned from a business trip and had made a detour to the Lowry Mansion. He was
visibly tired. With one hand on the steering wheel and the other rubbing his forehead, he spoke with
impatience, ¡°How much longer am you going to keep this up?¡±
By now, he merely thought it all was a tantrum
Megan feli a chill in her heart. Sitting up straight, she stared ahead and after a long pause, spoke softly,
¡°Sullivan, I¡¯m serious! I don¡¯t want to be with you anymom
Sullivan tumed sharply to look at her. He was a handsome man, with well¨Cdefined features that Megan
had once been quite infatuated with. But now, she felt nothing, not in the slightest
His eyes locked onto hers as he unbuckled his seat belt, ¡°Get out!¡±
With a faint sound, the locks disengaged.
Megan stepped out immediately, walking briskly toward the vi¡¯s entrance.
In the dim light, her back was as straight and resolute as her decision to divorce.
Sullivan lit a cigarette before getting out of the car and following her upstairs.
Their argument had ended on a sour note.
That night, Megan slept in the quest room, while Sullivan, too proud to cajole her, changed into his
pajamas andy down. But when going to sleep, he patted the empty space beside him, feeling
somewhat unustomed to it.
In the past, no matter how indifferent he was, Megan liked to sleep holding him from behind.
In the early moming, sunlight shone into the bedroom.
Sullivan found it imitating and shielded his eyes, awakening in the process.
Downstairs, faint noises could be heard..
He recognized them as the sounds of the housekeeper setting up the dining room, something Megan
and the servants usually did together, including preparing his breakfast just for him.
Feeling slightly better, Sullivan got out of bed and strolled into the dressing room and changed his
clothes.
Then he froze.
Megan¡¯s suitcase was gone.
He slid open the wardrobe, confirming that several of her fr¨¦quently worn clothes were missing.
After a few seconds of silent contemtion, he closed her wardrobe and chose a business suit as
usual, got dressed, and after a quick
wash, he was fastening his watch while heading downstairs. He casually asked the housekeeper
¡°Where¡¯s Megan?¡±
The housekeeper spoke cautiously. ¡°Madam left early in the morning with her suitcase, Sir. She didn¡¯t
even call for the driver.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
¡°She¡¯s gone!¡±
Sullivan ignored the news, sat down to eat his usual breakfast of ck coffee and whole¨Cwheat toast.
His attention, however, was captured by the newspaper headlines.
Scandalous stories about him and Cressida filled the pages, each headline more sensational than the
last. After scanning them for a moment, Sullivan asked the nearby housekeeper in a low voice, ¡°Did
Madam see the newspaper before she left?¡±
¡°She didn¡¯t have breakfast, Sir. She just left the housekeeper answered honestly
Sullivan nced at her and then picked up his phone to call Bianca, ¡°Deal with those newspaper
stories.¡±
After a brief exchange, he was about to hang up.
Sullivan¡¯s slender fingers fiddled with his tie knot, loosening it slightly, his tone was very calm, ¡°Also,
find out where Megan sold her wedding ring. I want it back by four this afternoon.¡±
2 2 3 5 5 3 F
Bianca on the other end paused. After a moment, she replied softly, ¡°That can¡¯t be possible! Mrs. Lowry
loves you so much, how could she sell her wedding ring?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s reply was to hang up the phone.
Throwing the phone on the dining table, looking at those news articles, he lost all appetite.
1/2
11:1
Chapter 7
Megan returned to her family home, where Cora had just finished making soup to take to the hospital
Seeing Megan, Cora lost herposure. Pointing at the suitcase, her tone was harsh, ¡°Which couple
doesn¡¯t fight? It¡¯s normal for men to stray asionally. That Cressida looks so shabby, and with a limp
leg at that¡ I¡¯ve heard she¡¯s even a divorcee. Such a person could not possibly affect your status.¡±
¡°What status do I have with Sullivan!¡± Megan gave a self¨Cdeprecating smile, packing the chicken soup
into a thermos, ¡°I¡¯ll go check on Dad at the hospitalter.¡±
Cora red at her.
After a while, Cora wiped her hands with a dishcloth, angrily said, ¡°Your father would probably be
furious to know you¡¯re getting a divorce. Megan.. let¡¯s step back a moment¨Ceven if you can¡¯t stay with
him, can you really manage everything after the divorce? With us, the Quigley family, in this state, what
do you have to support yourself?¡±
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Megan slowly twisted the lid on the thermos. Once it was sealed, she looked down and murmured,
¡°There¡¯s always a way out. The money from selling the wedding ring should cover Dad¡¯s medical bills
for half a year, and for my brother¡¯s legal fees. I¡¯ve decided to sell the house, and i also get a job to
support us.¡±
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
The house was a legacy from her mother; no matter how tough times were before, it had never been
considered for sale.
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Cora was stoned. She didn¡¯t try to persuade Megan but couldn¡¯t help feeling it was the wrong move
Afro Megan had gathered herself, they went to the hospital.
Joseph Quigley¡¯s condition had stabilized after treatment, but his spirits were low, weighed down by
concerns for his eldest son Wyatt¡¯s future.
Megan didn¡¯t bring up the topic of her divorce just yet.
In the aftemoon, the attending physician came for the rounds.
Dr. Begonia Hunter, despite his youth, was an authority in neurosurgery, standing at an imposing 6¡¯1¡°,
his demeanor was as captivating. as his expertise.
After the examination, he nced at Megan, ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside¡±
Megan was taken aback. But immediately, she put down what she was holding and softly told Joseph,
¡°Dad, I¡¯ll be right back.¡±
Momentster, they found a quiet corridor to converse in
Seeing Megan¡¯s nervousness, Begonia offered a reassuring smile. Then, he lowered his head to
review the medical records, ¡°Last night! discussed with a few directors from the surgical department.
We unanimously rmend that Mr. Quigley undergo a tailored rehabilitation treatment, otherwise, it
will be difficult to return to his previous state. But the cost is a bit high, around $150,000 a month¡±
$150,000 was an astronomical figure for Megan at that moment. But she didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We¡¯ll proceed
with the treatment.¡±
Begonia closed the file, silently observing Megan
Actually, they knew each other before, but Megan had forgotten..
When Megan was just a little girl, he lived next to her house. He remembered that every summer
evening, small stars would light up on the terrace outside Megan¡¯s bedroom, and Megan would always
sit there eagerly, thinking of her mother,
Megan once asked him, ¡°Begonia, will Mome back?¡±
Begonia couldn¡¯t answer, just as he couldn¡¯t now as he watched her, reminded of the news of her
marriage three years ago when he returned to the country. He thought Megan had married for love, but
the reality was far from good. Sullivan was cold and cruel to her.
Just as Begonia was about to speak, a chilly voice echoed from the other end of the corridor, ¡°Megan.¡±
It was Sullivan¡
223322 5 2 2 5 2 3 5 7 2 2 2 ? ? * * * * * * * * *
Dressed in business attire ¨C a charcoal shirt, ck suit ¨C he looked like he hade straight from the
office. His polished leather shoes clicked crisply on the floor as he approached,
Soon, Sullivan stood before them, extending a hand, his voicezy yet with a slight disdain.
¡°Begonia, long time no see!¡±
Begonia looked at the hand and gave a faint smile, shaking it, ¡°Mc Lowry, what a rare surprise!¡±
The handshake was brisk, and Sullivan turned to Megan, ¡°Shall we visit Dad?¡±
An undercurrent flowed between the two men,
Megan didn¡¯t notice it, and it wasn¡¯t appropriate for her to show discontent with Sullivan in front of Dr.
Begonia, so she nodded, ¡°Dr. Begonia, I should get back¡±
Begonia offered a small smile.
Megan and Sullivan walked towards the ward together without speaking.
Since she had thought of divorce, she no longer tried to please and appease him as she used to
As they neared the ward door Sullivan suddenly caught Megan¡¯s wrist, pinning her between himself
and the wall, his gazeplex. He had noticed the way Begonia looked at Megan it was the way a
man looks at a woman.
¨C
Sullivan gently stroked Megan¡¯s cheek, which was soft and inviting. His voice was husky. ¡°What did you
say
Megan tried to break free, but Sullivan applied a little force, pushing her back.
him?¡±
Their bodies pressed together hardness against softness..
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Megan found it unbearable ¡°Sullivan, this is a hospital!¡±
¡°I¡¯m well aware¡± Sullivan replied, unfazed. He pressed his body against hers, his handsome face close
to her ear, his voice carrying a hint of danger. ¡°Do you know who he is?¡±
She understood the veiled implications of his question.
R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
He was the president of the Lowry Group, a man of status and position. He wouldn¡¯t allow his wife to
get too close to other men.
Megan gave a bitter smile. She said, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t entertain sordid thoughts like you, and I¡¯m not in
the mood¡ Rest assured, I won¡¯t get involved with anyone else before our divorce is finalized¡±
With those words, she pushed him away and turned to enter the patient¡¯s room.
Sullivan followed suit, pushing the door open and stepping inside. His frown deepened as he realized it
wasn¡¯t a private room.
Cora, ever the peacemaker, brought over a chair and whispered soothingly. ¡°Take a seat! I¡¯ll have
Megan peel an apple for you. Oh, Megan, don¡¯t just stand there! You¡¯ll be going home with Sullivan
soon. Your father will me in my care!¡±
Sullivan sat down and engaged in small talk with Joseph,
He might have been distant with Megan, but in front of her father he was impable. With years of
experience in the cutthroat business world, it was easy for him to charm people when he put his mind
to IL Joseph had always like him.
When Sullivan suggested transfering Joseph to a different hospital, however, the old man declined with
a chuckle. ¡°Let¡¯s not trouble ourselves! This ce is good, and Dr. Begonia has been very attentive,¡±
Sullivan, always careful to measure his words and did not insist. ¡°As long as you¡¯refortable, Dad.¡±
At that moment, Megan handed him a freshly peeled apple. Sullivan epted it only to set it aside,
grasping her wrist instead. Standing up, he addressed Joseph and Cora, Tll take Megan back first.
Take care of yourself, Dad¡±
Joseph nodded, watching them leave.
As Cora was tidying up the room, Joseph suddenly asked, ¡°They have been having issues, haven¡¯t
they?¡±
Cora¡¯s hands trembled slightly. She quickly covered up, ¡°Not at all! Megan and Sullivan are doing
great!¡±
But Joseph sighed. ¡°You¡¯re still lying to me! Megan looks at him differently now; her eyes used to light
up when she looked at Sullivan, but not anymore.
Cora paused, then said softly, ¡°Maybe you should talk to her.¡±
Joseph leaned back against his pillow and after a moment murmured, ¡°No, I won¡¯t talk to her. If she
doesn¡¯t bring it up, I¡¯ll pretend I don¡¯t know. Wyatt¡¯s already lost his freedom, I don¡¯t want Megan to lose
hers too.¡±
Cora bit her lip, holding back words that wouldn¡¯t change anything.
Sullivan took Megan downstairs.
The evening sun cast a fiery glow on the sleek ck Bentley, its opulence undeniable. Megan was
pushed into the car, when she tried to get out, her wrist was held down.
Sullivan¡¯s expression remained neutral, betraying none of the force he exerted, Megan couldn¡¯t move
at all, a clear testament to the stark difference in their physical strength. Only when she stopped
struggling did he release her.
Inside the car, Sullivan sat in silence, smoking.
Megan, her breath still uneven, watched his profile, the dim light casting deep shadows over his sharp
features, the kind of face that could easily make a woman¡¯s heart skip a beat.
She remembered how, once upon a time, it was that very face that had bewitched her for so many
years.
Sullivan turned to look at Megan. He rarely fretted over matters concerning Megan, he didn¡¯t care much
about her, but he also didn¡¯t want to change wives. Men of his status rarely did.
Finally, he put out his cigarette and pulled a velvet box from his pocket. Insidey a diamond ring.
Megan¡¯s throat tightened. It was the wedding-ring she had sold
Had Sullivan bought it back?
Sullivan kept his gaze on her face, not missing any slight change in her expression, as if trying to read
into her very soul.
After a while, he spoke coolly. ¡°Hold out your hand. Put the ring on. Thene home with me.
Whatever happened before, we¡¯ll pretend It never did. You¡¯re still Mrs. Lowry.¡±
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
He seldom graced her with leniency, yet Megan turned it down. Her slender pale fingers curled slightly.
Sullivan¡¯s patience was wearing thin. ¡°What on earth do you want?
Megan murmured low, ¡°Divorcel I want a divorce from you.¡±
With Sullivan swamped in work and Megan refusing toe home, this moming, he couldn¡¯t even find
his cufflinks, which set him off. Just as he was about to lose his cool, he saw Begonia talking to a nurse
in front of a white BMW in the parking lot,
Sullivan¡¯s mood soured even further, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Then his phone rang
It was Bianca.
Sullivan answered with an edge to his voice, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
Bianca dutifully informed him, ¡°Ms. Baldwin just had a fall while getting out of bed. It¡¯s possible she
injured a nerve in her leg. She¡¯s in a foul temper right now. Mr. Lowry, perhaps you should visit her in
Harmony City? If you do, she will surely be delighted.¡±
Sullivan held the phone, silent for a moment, clearly hesitant because of Megon nearby.
The volume on his phone was high enough for Megan to overhear. She let out a faintugh, opened
the car door, and walked away without looking back.
A chill evening breeze swept over her, and she shivered.
She thought, fortunately, when Sullivan had earlier taken out the wedding ring, she had not been
moved, had not reconsidered, and had not thought about returning to that suffocating marriage
Thank goodness.
As her figure disappeared into the distance, Sullivan watched her go while still speaking to nca, ¡°Get
her the best doctor!¡±
¡°But won¡¯t you visit her in Harmony City?¡± Bianca asked, surprised.
Sullivan had already hung up. After ending the call with nca, he tried to reach Megan, but her
number was unreachable. The messages, too, couldn¡¯t be delivered.
Megan had blocked his number and on social media as well¡
Sullivan, fuming, tossed his phone aside. After a while, he picked up the diamond ring and observed it
quietly. Now he was convinced that Megan was determined to leave him. However, without his consent,
she would still have to be Mrs. Lowry
Three dayster, in the executive suite at the top floor of the Lowry Group building.
Sullivan stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows, speaking on the phone with Heloise. The olddy
missed Megan again and urged him to bring her over for a visit
Sullivan pacified her with soothing words.
Just then, there came a knock on the door. ¡°Mr. Lowry, you¡¯ve received an express delivery.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s brows arched, suspecting what it might be.
Momentster, nca entered and ced an express package on his desk, softly saying, ¡°It¡¯s sent by
your wife.¡±
Sullivan nced out the window for a few seconds before slowly walking over. His long fingers picked
up the document and tore it open. As he suspected, it was a divorce agreement
He skimmed it quickly. Megan was proud, she wanted nothing. She was leaving with nothing!
His expression darkened, and after a long pause, he asked in a low voice. ¡°What has she been up to
lately?¡±
Bianca hastily replied, ¡°It seems she¡¯s selling the house! There have been many viewers, but no buyers
yet. Also, she is looking for a job. She won some domestic awards in college, and it seems a decent
institution is interested in signing her offering a good sry and
benefits¡±
Sullivan sat down in his leather chair.
After a moment, he held up the divorce papers, staring at them silently. His voice was as cold as ice.
¡°Get someone to make an offer on that house, drive the price down to rock bottom and buy it!¡±
Then he scoffed, ¡°As for the job/she can¡¯t handle the grindr
nca was taken aback. She had expected Mr. Lowry would wreak vengeance on the Quigley family
to the fullest, but he hadn¡¯t
Chapter 10
Didn¡¯t he despise Megan the most?
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She hesitated only a few seconds before Sullivan¡¯s scolding tone jolted her, ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡±
Bianca quickly made her exit.
Outside the office, she clenched her fists, hesitated for a moment, then took out her phone to make a
call.
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Two dayster, Megan sold the house.
The mansion, valued at 50 million, was pressed down to 24 million by the buyer, which had Cora
cursing them out for their greed.
But Megan just gritted her teeth nad said, ¡°Sell H
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Her brother couldn¡¯t wait inside, and aside from attomey fees, the Quigley family had a massive debt to
be cleared. Under such pressure, Megan mally had no choice.
After selling the house, she managed to see his brother Wyatt.
Wyatt, always so handsome and distinguished, used to have all the daughters of prestigious families
chasing after him. But now, he looked somewhat haggard as he spoke to Megan through the pane of
ss.
¡°Find awyer named Alton. Megan, he can help me, and he can help you.¡±
Megan wanted to ask for more details, but time was up, and Wyatt was being taken away.
He looked at his sister, his eyes brimming with a hard¨Cto¨Cleave sentiment. Megan, the darling of the
Quigley family since she was little, was now running around for the family.
Wyatt had read the papers. He knew exactly Megan¡¯s situation.
As he was led away, Megan stood up, gripping the bars tightly until her knuckles turned white, ¡°Bro..¡±
Wyatt mouthed two words silently-
¡°Take care.¡±
Megan watched him being taken away, and after a long while, she slowly sat down.
Alton?
Yes, she had to find Alton.
Megan had just stepped out of the detention center when she received a call from the training center.
The caller addressed her with the utmost respect as Mrs. Lowry, informing her that they no longer
needed people anymore.
Megan hung up quietly after the call. She guessed this was Sullivan¡¯s doing¨Che was forcing her to go
back to him.
She wasn¡¯t naive enough to think that Sullivan had grown fond of her over time. He merely needed a
wife to serve him, a figurehead to stabilize Lowry Group¡¯s presence in the stock market.
?? ?? ? ? ?
To him, she, Megan, was worthless.
Her phone rang
g again, and she saw an unfamiliar number.
On the other end was Sullivan. His voice was as cold and refined as ever, ¡°Megan, let¡¯s talk.¡±
At noon.
The brilliant sunshine of September couldn¡¯t w
warm Megan¡¯s body.
Half an hourter, Megan stepped into the Lowry Group building.
nca, the secretary personally greeted her and escorted her all the way to the top floor to the CEO¡¯s
office.
When the door was opened, Sullivan was perusing documents.
The sunlight streamed in through the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, bathing him, emphasizing his striking
good looks. Even Bianca took an extra nce.
¡°Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Lowry has arrived.¡±
Sullivan looked up, his gaze sweeping over Megan.
slender and beautiful, but with an added touch of weariness.
Having not seen her for a week, she was still s
Sullivan showed no sympathy, his feelings for Megan always as cold as iron. He gestured to Bianca
with a slight lift of his chin, ¡°Leave
us! And close the door
Once Bianca left, Sullivan again looked at Megan, his mocking tone broke the silence, it¡¯s been a week,
and finally, Mrs. Lowry graces us with her presence! Why don¡¯t you take a seat? You used to love
baking muffins, finding any excuse to bring them here. Forgotten. where the sofa is?¡±
¡°Sullivan, I¡¯m not here to reminisce.¡±
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Chapter 11
Sullivan watched her intently. After a moment, he scoffed, ¡°So, you came here to plead?¡±
He picked up a cigarette case from his desk, shook out a cigarette, and lit it, all the while keeping his
piercing gaze fixed on her
Sullivan had a sexy way of looking at a woman.
As the thin smoke rose, he spoke softly, ¡°Before you came, I did some calctions for you. Considering
the current situation of the Quigley family, you need to make at least thirty to forty thousand a month to
cover your dad¡¯s medical expenses, and that includes the money from selling your wedding ring!¡±
Megan was expressionless, ¡°As long as Mr. Lowry is generous, I¡¯ll find a way.¡±
¡°Mr. Lowry?¡± Sullivanughed coldly. ¡°Justst week, you were still wrapped around my neck in bed,
purring like a kitten calling me Sullivan, What, in a matter of days it¡¯s Mr. Lowry?¡±
Megan knew he wasn¡¯t going to let her go. Her voice was soft but firm, ¡°Sullivan, you have no feelings
for me! I ask for nothing in the divorce, and you lose nothing, right? You could easily find another young
and beautiful woman to marry
Sullivan, pinching the cigarette, watched her. He sneered, ¡°And then what? Have you parade around
with the title of ex-Mrs. Lowry, giving me cuckold¡¯s homs everywhere?¡±
His words were harsh
Megan was angered, her voice hoarse, ¡°If you¡¯re unwilling to divorce and also unwilling to let me go,
then I have only one way left!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s expression turned incredibly grim.
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Before Megan could even react, he was already by her side, pinching her delicate chin and whispering
dangerously close to her ear, ¡°Are you talking about selling yourself?¡±
Megan was shaking all over. She didn¡¯t deny it.
Instead of getting angry, Sullivan chuckled. He leaned in close, whispering like a tender lover, ¡°And to
whom would you sell yourself? in Borough City, bearing the title of Mrs. Lowry, see who would dare to
take you? Besides, could you stand being touched by another man? Men who buy wonen go straight to
it, just like on our wedding night. Remember how much that hurt¡ have you forgotten?¡±
Megan¡¯s face turned ashen
How could she forget? On their wedding night, Sullivan was extremely rough to get back at her.
That night Megan was almost killed.
Seeing that things were in his favor, Sullivan backed off. He released her, gently caressing her cheek,
¡°Come back as Mrs. Lowry, and we can be as we were before.
Megan¡¯s slender neck was tightly strained. Suddenly, her eyes caught the gleam of a brand¨Cnew violin
resting in the bookcase across
the room
Megan remembered the tabloid stories that the CEO of Lowry Group spent a whopping 20 million to
buy an exorbitantly priced violin, all for ady¡¯s smile.
So, this was it¡
Meganughed. The same as they were before? To be his ything in bed, to serve and please him
every day without a shred of care or respect in return, to be less regarded than his secretary, to share
her husband with others that was the ¡°before¡± she knew.
Such a past, such a man, she wanted none of it!
Megan¡¯s smile faded, and she said word for word. ¡°Find someone else to be Mrs. Lowry!¡±
With that, she turned to leave
But in the next second, she was enveloped in an embrace.
Sullivan¡¯s arms wrapped around her waist, his handsome face nuzzled against her ear, carrying the
faint scent of aftershave that could easily stir a woman¡¯s heart.
Megan¡¯s body shivered slightly
Sullivan sneered, his long hands moving over her thin frame, easily oveing her defenses
Megan tilted her head back slightly. Her thin legs in high heels, fair and slender, couldn¡¯t stop
trembling¡ Sullivan knew her body too well. If he was in the mood, he could y her like an
instrument, making her sensitive.
Just like now!
Sullivan pressed close to her slender back, his hands and words equally provocative.
¡°Divorce? And who will satisfy you if you divorce?¡±
¡°So wild! Which ordinary man could easily satisfy you, hmm?¡±
Megan listened in shame, struggling desperately.
Perhaps others didn¡¯t know him; but having been Mrs. Lowry for three years, she knew best.
Sullivan, appeared like a polished businessman, was a brute in bed, taking pleasure in making her cry
out and break down. Sometimes, Megan thought he had a psychological issue, delighting in tormenting
women.
Sullivan was getting more and more out of line.
Finally, Megan couldn¡¯t bear it anymore and pped him across the face.
The air froze. This was the first time she had struck him¨Ca first for the distinguished Mr. Lowry to be
pped by a woman, and by none other than his once meek wife.
Sullivan had a bad temper and immediately gave her a cold look.
The heat of the moment was gone, as if their previous intimacy had been nothing but an illusion.
He grasped her delicate chin, leaned in close, his voice so cold it could shake out ice beada.
¡°You¡¯ve be capable! You¡¯ve learned to hit me?¡±
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11:11
¡°Do you really want to divorce me?¡±
Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
¡°Megan, three years ago, you schemed to marry me, and now, you¡¯re scheming to leave me! Do you
think the doors of the Lowry family swing both ways as you please? Or do you think I, Sullivan, are
good tempered and can be easily manipted?¡±
Megan paused, a chill spreading through her
Atst Sullivan spoke his truth. He resented her, the Quigley family, and Wyatt. He resented that
ident that forced him to marry her
That¡¯s why he tormented her in bed, mrely bothering with forey, delighting in her tears and
breakdowns.
That¡¯s why, when the Quigley family fell, Sullivan, who could have helped, chose to watch from the
sidelines.
Megen didn¡¯t exin about the past anymore. She only trembled her lips and said, ¡°Sullivan, I was
foolish to have loved you in the past!¡± But not anymore.
Having said that, she started to fix her disheveled clothes. Her silk blouse had several buttons torn off,
and the hem of her dress was lifted to the root of her legs, with her flesh¨Ccolored sheer stockings were
rolled down to her knees.
It was utterly indecent
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Megan was disheveled
Sullivan, however remained impably dressed, except for the slight dew on his dark cks that
hinted at the indulgence, which edded some sensual imagination
Megan¡¯s hands were shaking uncontrobly, sinuggling numerous times to grasp the tiny, delicate
button
Sullivan stood by watching indifferently, making no move to assist her. He instinctively reached for his
cufflinks, only to find them missing, which caused his brow to furrow in annoyance
He couldn¡¯t find them, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to ask at this moment.
Finally, Megan managed topose herself.
She looked up at Sullivan, who was also observing her. His gaze inscrutabile, but Megan had no desire
to decipher it. With a resigned tone, she said, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯m really tired! Let¡¯s just part amicably, shall
we?¡±
Without waiting for a reply, she opened the door and left.
This time, Sullivan did not stop her. He simply stood there, watching Megan¡¯s retreating figure, and
after a long moment, he allowed himself a cold, mirthless smile.
Divorcing couples usually part in chaos, how many of them can actually part ways amicably!
As Megan left the Lowry Group building, her legs were still trembling.
The skin that Sullivan had touched still burned, as if his hands were still there¡ And his words echoed
in her mind.
¡°Come back as Mrs. Lowry, and we can be as we were before.¡±
¡°Do you think the doors of the Lowry family swing both ways as you please? Or do you think Sullivan,
are good tempered and can be easily manipted?¡±
Those words made it hard for Megan to breathe.
It took her a long while to calm down before she returned to her rented house.
The 60¨Csquare¨Cmeter t in the old neighborhood, with its bare¨Cbones fumiture, was worlds apart from
the grandeur of the Quigley Mansion where she used to live. That day, Cora stood silently in the
cramped living room for a long time.
Megan knew Cora was not ustomed to it, but at the moment, this was all she could afford.
In the kitchen, Cora was busy making soup again.
Seeing Megan return, she put down her work. ¡°How¡¯s your brother?¡±
Megan did not mention Sullivan. While changing her shoes at the door, she softly said, ¡°He told me to
find awyer named Alton. He said he could help us with thewsuit
¡°Alton?¡± Cora mused, ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard that name before! Anyway, make sure to find this person; if he
is as good as your brother say. your brother might be released.¡±
Megan nodded, ¡°I¡¯ve already called Lucia to ask her to help me find out.¡±
She and Lucia had been friends since childhood. After college, Lucia became a model, traveling the
world with extensive connections.
Hearing Lucia¡¯s name, Cora had aplex expression. She had disapproved of Megan associating
with Lucia, considering her to be part of theplicated entertainment industry. It was unexpected that
they would need her help now.
Cora was silent for a moment. She handed Megan a bowl of soup. ¡°Drink this, it¡¯ll do you good. You¡¯ve
lost weight recently. Weren¡¯t you supposed to start work at the training center next week?¡±
Megan locked down at the soup and replied softly, ¡°I¡¯m not going. I¡¯ll look for another job.
Cora sat down with her ¡°What happened?¡±
Not wanting to worry Cora, Megan feigned nonchnce, ¡°It was Sullivan! He interfered¡ and they
rescinded my offer. It¡¯s okay, Cora. I can find another job. There are plenty of ads in the newspaper
I be fine once your brother is out¡±
She thought Cora would scold her. But Cora remained silent for a long time, only saying, ¡°It¡¯ll be
This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
She got up and went back to the kitchen.
After a while, Cora¡¯s voice came through, somewhat strained, ¡°Megan, do you think I¡¯m so heartless to
force you to live under Sullivan¡¯s shadow? Your father and I know exactly what kind of man he is, but
what can we do? If your brother doesn¡¯t get out, what will you do?¡±
Cora¡¯s voice broke into sobs.
Chapter 13
Megan¡¯s heart ached, but she suppressed her emotions and went to Cora, leaning gently on her
shoulder, ¡°Cora, I¡¯ve grown up! Even without my brother, I can take care of this family.¡±
Cora burst into loud weeping.
Megan searched for a few days but couldn¡¯t find a suitable job.
She understood that any higher¨Cend institution had likely been warned off, and wouldn¡¯t hire her.
So, she lowered her standards and went to a performingpany. Though called apany, it was
really just organizing opening and anniversary celebrations, being paid per performance.
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Megan was pretty and yed the violin well,
The manager paid her $300 a gig, and on busy days, Megan had to run to three or four venues. She
yed at least six hours a day. leaving her slender fingers calloused and blistered.
Despite the grueling schedule and all the running around, Megan never once regretted it.
She hadn¡¯t called Sullivan, and neither had he. Though asionally, she¡¯d catch a glimpse of him in
the news, attending gs and acquiring businesses.
In every snapshot, Sullivan was the epitome of poise and nobility.
In the past, Megan sometimes apanied him at these asions, watching his vibrant spirit with a
quiet flutter in her heart.
But now, those scenes felt distant and alien to her..
Evening, on the hospital¡¯s rooftop.
Megan sat in silence, a cold Coke she¡¯d picked up from the convenience store beside her¨Ca rare
indulgence she would have once shunned for its unhealthiness
It was then that Dr. Begonia approached, who was as tall as ever in his surgeon¡¯s white coat.
He stood by Megan, silently watching the sunset with her.
As thest glimmer of sunlight vanished, Megan tumed, saw Begonia, and stood up hurriedly,
somewhat awkwardly, ¡°Dr. Begonia.¡±
His gaze met hers with a gentle reminiscence.
Megan felt uneasy
Then, Begonia looked into the distance and softly said, ¡°Megan, you used to call me Begonia when you
were a child¡ remember those summer nights? You loved sleeping in the tent, and my mom would
always bring you snow cones. She¡¯s missed you over the years.¡±
Megan was stunned for a long time, finally remembering
¡°Begonia,¡± she murmured, spoken with a hint of bittemess. It reminded her of the carefree days when
she was the cherished little princess of the Quigley family.
Now, everything had changed.
Begonia watched her silently. Then, reaching into his pocket, he produced a bank card, ¡°There¡¯s two
million in this ount, and the PIN is your birthday. It should cover your father¡¯s medical bills
Megan refused, ¡± can earn money myself, really
Begonia noticed her hands, which were covered in several medical sters, far from their once
delicate softness
His voice tightened slightly. ¡°Megan, you don¡¯t have to make it so hard on yourself.¡±
He took out some ointment and began to treat her wounds.
Once done, Megan curled her slender fingers and spoke softly, ¡°I used to live under the protection of
others without a sense of self. Yes, I have nothing now, but I¡¯m only 24. I want to start over on my own.¡±
She looked up at Begonia
And his gaze was as tender and profound as ever.
Megan only stayed at the hospital for two hours before she rushed off to a bar¡¯s opening.
By the time it ended, it was nearly midnight/
Carrying her violin, she walked alone on the deserted streets, wrapping her arms around herself to
ward off the chilly night air
The neon lights dimmed in thete hour,
The giant screens on skyscmpers yed gossip news, supporting the night¡¯s splendor¨CBorough City¡¯s
business tycoon Sullivan had flown to Harmony City to spend a rorntic Thanksgiving with hisdy
love.
In the footage, nca, pushing Cressida in a wheelchair, was cornered by reporters in an elevator.
Sullivan looked impatient beside them.
Megan thought he must be irritated at being caught on camera.
Following
that was Cressida¡¯s interview. She smiled sweetly at the camera, ¡°I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I
hope my leg gets better.
11-11
Chapter 14
Also, I hope to leam violin from the musical genius Paxton. Mr. Lowry? He¡¯s the most important man in
my life¡±
After speaking, there was a hint of guilt in Cressida¡¯s eyes.
Four years ago, she had impersonated Megan, making Sullivan believe she was the one who yed
the violin every day. She feared Sullivan discovering the truth.
1. He
But quickly, she convinced herself that Sullivan wouldn¡¯t know since he woke up to find Cressida with
the violin in the hospital room. would never know.
Late at night on the streets of Borough City.
Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Megan stood still, her gaze lifted to the giant screen, watching Sullivan¡¯s tendemess for someone else.
She felt a chill through her bones. Only then did she snap back to reality, murmuring softly, ¡°So.
Thanksgiving hase.¡±
With her violin on her back, she turned and walked away.
The streetlights stretched her shadow long and thin down the quiet road.
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Perhaps it was Cressida¡¯s ir for drama that finally caught the attention of Cami.
Comi sought out Megan
At the time, Megan was performing at a supermarket, dressed in a cheap gown rented from the
performingpany, band¨Caids on her hands from ying the violin.
Who would¡¯ve guessed that she was the young Mrs. Lowry of the Lowry Group?
Cami stood at the back of the small crowd with a somewhat
stern e expression.
Megan caught a glimpse of her, her fingers faltering for a moment, but then she concentrated on her
music.
with several
During the break, Cami approached her with a cool detachment, ¡°There¡¯s a caf¨¦ across the street. Fll
be waiting for you there.¡± Then she left without another word.
Megan continued to polish her violin.
A concerned colleague whispered to her ¡°Megan, are you in trouble? That lody looked like a tough
cookie!¡±
Megan shook her head with a light smile, ¡°No worries! She¡¯s just¡an acquaintance. An elder.¡±
The colleague looked half¨Cconvinced.
After changing back into her own clothes, Megan headed to the caf¨¦ at the corner.
Cami was
was sitting at a window seat, her elegance making her stand out.
Megan took a seat across from her.
Cami ordered a lemonade for Megan,menting mildly, ¡°Coffee¡¯s not good for your skin,
She nced at Megan¡¯s attire and couldn¡¯t help but reprimand, ¡°if you want to experience life, I could
arrange for you to y with the finest orchestras! What kind of ce is this for ady? And what on
earth are you wearing? Everything must return to its rightful ce before Sullivanes back! It¡¯s all a
mess.¡±
She said a lot.
Megan just listened quietly, and in the end, she smiled faintly.
¡°I think this is fine. Also, I¡¯m divorcing Sullivan. Don¡¯t you know where he went?¡±
Cami paused. This was the first time Megan had spoken to her in such a tone, and Megan hadn¡¯t
called her
¡°Mom.¡±
In the past, no matter how indifferent Sullivan was to her, Megan always treated her with respect
For a moment, Cami felt out of her element
Megan simply spoke her mind, ¡°I know you don¡¯t like me, so I¡¯m surprised you came to see me today. I
always thought you¡¯d prefer it if Sullivan and I got a divorce.¡±
Cami observed her in silence
Megan had changed; she was no longer timid, but rather sharp¨Ctongued.
But
Cami, after decades in high society, had her ways. At Megan¡¯s words, she simplyughed¨Ca serene
and detachedugh.
She put away her smile then, ¡°Yes, I indeed don¡¯t like you much! You¡¯re too pretty. Pretty y women
bring trouble! But I dislike the idea of Cressida entering our family even more. Someone of her chaotic
family background, how could she think she can climb the ranks of the Lowry family?¡±
She suddenlyughed again, ¡°But she has no chance now! With a broken leg and a divorce in her past,
even an average man wouldn¡¯t have her, let alone Sullivan!¡±
Megan felt a chill run down her spine at her words.
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Yet Cami remainedposed. She gently touched Megan¡¯s cheek, sighing softly. ¡°You are beautiful!
No wonder Sullivan, despite all his resentment, can¡¯t let go!¡±
With that, Cami stood up to leave. She looked around dismissively. ¡°Til talk to Sullivan. He¡¯lle to
bring you!
back¡±
She added with a hint of disdain, ¡°This ce isn¡¯t suitable for you!¡±
Cami left the caf¨¦, where a sleek, ck sedan awaited her outside.
The driver respectfully opened the car door for her.
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
The window was hell down, revealing Sullivan¡¯s noble visage.
Dressed in a ssic ck and white sult, it looked as if he¡¯d just emerged from some upscale
gathering; there was a hint of rxation about him, making Megan seem all the more disheveled by
contrast.
Through the miny night, their gazes met and held in silence.
Megan¡¯s lips quivered from the cold. Her hands clutched at her violin as if it were thest lifeline in her
existence. She knew this was the olive branch Sullivan was extending to her
All she had to do was swallow her pride and get into the car She would immediately have a clean
nket and hot shower, wouldn¡¯t need to perform at the mall the next moming, and would wake up in a
luxurious and softrge bed, resuming her role as Mrs. Lowry
once more.
But that wasn¡¯t what she wanted!
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Megan stood in the rain, quietly locking eyes with him.
As the rain grew heavier, it wet hershes and blurred their vision of each other.
For about a minute, she on forward in the rain with one hand over her head.
Droplets sshed up, speckling the expensive car body.
She passed by him in the rainy night, their paths diverging.
In the dead of night, the sound of Megan running in the rain knocked on Sullivan¡¯s heart¡ softly, dully,
He didn¡¯t leave the car, he let Megan pass by. He saw her pallid face. He noticed her beautiful fingers
bandaged with medical tape, her simple clothes, and the total absence of any fine jewelry on her.
Yet even so, Megan didn¡¯t bow to him.
The rain continued..
In front of the windshield, the wipers swayed tirelessly.
Inside the car, the driver and Bianca sat in silence, both aware of Sullivan¡¯s foul mood.
After a long pause. Sullivan finally spoke softly, ¡°nca, can you exin why Megan isn¡¯t working at
that training center and instead chose to perform with this rather undignified performancepany?
Does she like to suffer?¡±
Bianca was greatly shocked. After contemting for a moment, she spoke in a low voice, ¡°I thought
this would make here back home sooner! Mr. Lowry, I can exin to her that this wasn¡¯t your
intention.¡±
In the dim light, a crimson glow lit up between Sullivan¡¯s fingers.
He smoked with an air of distinction
Through the thin haze of smoke, Sullivan¡¯s voice carried a hint of mockery, ¡°In her heart, what
difference does it make whether you did it or I did?¡±
nca rxed slightly.
But then Sullivan snuffed out his cigarette and turned his voice icy, ¡°Get out
nca was stunned, ¡°Mr. Lowry, it¡¯s raining outside.¡±
Sullivan leaned back into the leather seat, tilting his head back slightly, his pale neck and strong
Adam¡¯s apple visible in the dark
He chuckled derisively. ¡°Megan can run out there, why can¡¯t you? Bianca, what makes you think you¡¯re
more delicate than Megan?¡±
Bianca was utterly embarrassed. She knew this was Sullivan¡¯s way of punishing her for undermining
Megan without his consent. His message was clear either get out and run or get out of the Lowry
Group altogether.
She had underestimated Megan¡¯s ce in Sullivan¡¯s heart and overestimated her own!
With shaky legs, Bianca stepped out of the car.
The rain was heavy, drenching her business suit
Her whole head and face were drenched, and with gritted teeth, she took off her high heels.
She began to run through the rain!
The driver in front was dumbstruck, knowing full well that nca was usually haughty, priding herself
on being Mr. Lowry¡¯s junior, she always looked down on others.
1/2
11:12 0
Who would have thought she¡¯d see this dayl
Sullivan reclined in the back seat watching quietly, but his thoughts were with Megan.
He pondered, why he insisted on having Megan return?
Megan¡¯s disposition was too gentle, not to his taste. Truthfully, Sullivan had never truly liked anyone.
Even the idea of marrying Cressida had been more about the astonishment of a violin¡¯s melody that
lingered in his memory upon waking.
Butter on, he no longer enjoyed the music whenever Cressida yed. It gave him a headache!
As for Megan, it must have been habit.
The other day, he had misced his cufflinks, and if Megan had been there, she would¡¯ve told him their
exact location immediately. And just yesterday moming, as he went to the wardrobe to change, he got
a static shock from a metal handle.
It was the first time since they had married.
With Megan around, she always paid great attention to the humidity in the house. In autumn and winter,
she would wrap anything that could generate static with insting covers¡ Life with Megan was
actually quitefortable. But he took pleasure in it while disregarding her.
On this rainy night, Sullivan sat in the car, thinking of all the things about Megan. He concluded at the
end that the reason he wanted Megan to return was because she fit the role of Mrs. Lowry, not
because he had fallen for her
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
11:13
Chapter 17
Megan dashed back to the modest apartment she was renting
From a distance, Cora, holding on umbre, anxiously waited downstairs
Megan slowed her pace. ¡°Cora, howe you are here?¡±
Once inside, Corn gave her a towel and began drying Megan¡¯s damp hair while saying, ¡°I was worried,
so I came to check on you. How could you not call a cab in this downpour?¡±
Megan repited softly. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to get a cab when it mins.¡±
Cora urged Megan to take a shower. When she came out, Cora had heated up some soup to warm her
up.
As Megan sipped her soup, Cora hesitated before asking. ¡°So, what¡¯s thetest with you and Sullivan?¡±
Megan paused. Then, continuing with her soup, she murmured, ¡°He refuses to sign the divorce papers!
I can¡¯t find awyer willing to take the case just yet, but I¡¯ve filed for separation. In two years, whether
he likes it or not, I¡¯ll be free.¡±
Cora chose not to press further. She silently applied ointment to Megan¡¯s finger her eyes tearing up at
the sight of the injury.
In those years, Megan was a high¨Ctalent student at the music academy; many maestros wanted to take
her as a student, including that musical genius, Paxton, who had knocked on her door several times.
Now, here she was¡ ying her violin in such ces.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Megan knew what was on her mind. She reassured Cora, ¡°Once Dad gets better and my brother¡¯s out,
I¡¯ll continue my studies!¡±
Cora smiled. ¡°I believe you, dear! Maybe one day you¡¯ll be a musician.¡±
Megan offered a faint smile.
It had been a long while since she had smiled like this. When she smiled, two little tiger teeth were
faintly visible, which was actually quite cute.
Back in her room, she sat on the bed, carefully wiping her cherished violin.
Then her phone rang: it was her manager from the performancepany. ¡°Megan, there¡¯s an opening
for a high¨Cend French restaurant tomorrow. They want something ssy. I thought of you night away!
y for four hours and you¡¯ll make 5,000 bucks¨Cit¡¯s like money falling from the sky! I know you need
money. Let¡¯s split it fifty¨Cfifty. That¡¯s fair, right?¡±
$2,500 for four hours..
Megan stood up abruptly. Although she was not usually sociable, she still managed to butter up the
manager with a few kind words.
He instructed her, ¡°Dress up pretty tomorrow!¡±
Megan hummed in acknowledgement.
Hanging up, she couldn¡¯t help but embrace her violin, caressing it tenderly.
After a moment of delight, she went to pick out the right outfit. She searched for a long time, and then
she saw the white silk blouse paired with a ck long dress. Megan looked at them and touched them,
somewhat in a trance, this outfit was what she wore as Mrs, Lowry.
It had been ages since she¡¯dst worn them,
The next evening, the at a high¨Cend French restaurant located on a prime road in Borough City, the
lights were brightly lit.
Waiters bustled with their trays, weaving through the crowd.
Megan, in a flowing silk gown with her hair swept up, entuating her neck with a pair of pearl
earrings, looked stunning.
Under the chandeliers, the grace with which she yed the violin was enchanting
Through the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling ss, a ck Bentley pulled up outside. Sullivan leaned against it,
casually smoking. He wore a ck shirt and casual pants¨Ca more rxed look than his usual business
attire.
Grey smoke was expelled and instantly tom apart by the night breeze,
It was the first time Sullivan had seen Megan y the violin, His gaze was a mix of male desire and a
possessiveness he couldn¡¯t quite understand. He didn¡¯t enter the restaurant but waited outside.
He saw that from time to time, men were amazed by Megan and handed her their business cards, but
Megan politely declined them all, focused solely on her music.
Sullivan was
pleased
102
11:13
He thought, as long as Megan came home with him, he could pretend her rebellion never happened.
At half¨Cpast ten, the restaurant closed
Megan packed up her violin and bid farewell to the restaurant mariager. He was impressed with her
performance and paid her on the spot, saying he would call her for future events.
Megan thanked him again.
As she walked out of the restaurant, Sullivan saw hering out, slowly put out his cigarette in a
leisurely manner, just as he was about to call her when someone beat him to it
¡°Megan¡±
She tumed toward the voice.
A few yards away. Begonia had just parked his car and was waving through the lowered window. ¡°Get
in! I¡¯ll give you a ride home.¡±
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Megan felt it was too intimate. She was about to decline when Begonia took a Tupperware from the
passenger seat. ¡°My mom made these homemade meatballs, with your favorite filling. She asked me to
drop them off to you¡±
Megan felt a wave of embarrassment. ¡°She still remembers?¡±
Begonia smiled wormly and leaned over to open the passenger door. ¡°Get in. It¡¯s on my way¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t refuse now. She climbed into the cor and buckled up. ¡°Then, thank you for the lift
Begonia held the steering wheel with both hands and nced at Megan clutching the Tupperware. His
gaze was gentle. ¡°If you¡¯re hungry, feel free to eat it. It¡¯s still warm¡±
Nevertheless, Megan didn¡¯t want to appear too close, and she also feared dirtying his car, so she
shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ll eat it at home.¡±
Begonia didn¡¯t press her and gently pressed on the elerator. After a short drive, he said cheerfully.
¡°Eating it slowly at home is also good!¡±
The white BMW slowly pulled away.
From about thirty feet away, Sullivan watched the car disappear, his expression dark enough to drip
with gloom. He took out his phone from his jacket and made a call. The response was swift.
Everything was as he suspected.
The hidden owner of the restaurant was none other than Begonia.
Megan used to be just a little girl in his eyes. But years had passed, and she had blossomed into a
mature woman, mode enticing by Sullivan¡¯s own tutge.
Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion, Megan fell asleep in the car. When the vehicle stopped, she was still
asleep.
Begonia turned to look at her, at her delicate but somewhat haggard face, at her soft body tucked
under the silky dress¡ He had never allowed himself to look at a woman so candidly before.
all
all the m
more
Begonia¡¯s feelings wereplicated. He couldn¡¯t resist leaning in and gently touched her fair and
tender cheek. His voice was husky, ¡°I knew you first¡±
Megan woke up. She opened her eyes and looked around. ¡°We have arrived already?¡±
When her gaze met Begonia¡¯s, she paused, clutching the Tupperware a bit tighter.
Megan was a grown woman now. She wasn¡¯t slow to understand.
The check for two million, the specially delivered homemade meatballs.. it was a stretch to call it a past
favor
Megan weighed her words carefully
me anymore.¡±
Begonia gazed at her quietly
before speaking softly, ¡°Begonia, I can take care of my family issues. You don¡¯t have to worry about
They were both adults; they could read between the lines.
Megan had guessed his intentions and rejected them! Probably because she was concerned about
Sullivan, afraid of affecting him.
Begonia didn¡¯t make it difficult for her. He tapped the Tupperware in her hands with a light chuckle.
¡°Alright! But if you need anything. you can always reach out to me.¡±
It was impossible for Megan not to be moved. It¡¯s always a blessing to receive help in times of need,
and anyone would be grateful. But in the world of adults, there are always too many concerns.
Momentster, Megan stood in the night breeze, watching the white BMW slowly drive away. Only after
the car left did she slowly walk towards the old stairway
The lights in the stairwell had been out for days, and with no property management, repairs were slow,
leaving the ce engulfed in
darkness
Megan was about to use her phone¡¯s light when a strong male arm wrapped around her.
After several stumbles, she was pinned against the stairwell wall by a man.
Through the sliver of moonlight from the window, Megan saw Sullivan¡¯s outraged face, looking as if he
had caught her in the act She pushed at him. ¡°Sullivan, let me go!¡±
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Sullivan stared at her, his eyes icy cold. His imposing male physique pressed against her softness, the
posture utterlypromising
The Tupperware slipped from Megan¡¯s hand.
1/2
11
apter
Her wrists were grasped and raised high above her head, pinned in ce.
The scent of aftershave from the man wafted behind her tender ears, ¡°Is it because of him that you
want a divorce?¡±
Megan shook her head, about to speak.
Suddenly, she let out a long, high pitched scream.
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Sullivan gripped her tightly, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her ck silk dress
They had yed the part of husband and wife for three years, and he knew exactly how to stir her
passions, how to bring herfort, and make her body soften under his touch
In the dimly lit, agingdor, their bodies entwined.
They had both received elite education from a young nge¨CMegan was the quintessentialdy of
breeding, while Sullivan¡¯s fastidiousness about his surroundings bordered on obsessive
But in that moment, none of that mattered to him. He wanted to see her break down, to hear her cry out
in his arms, to listen to her voice¨Choarse and tender¨Ccall out his name without any conscious
thought¡.
Megan was on the verge of copse under hismanding touch.
¡°No! I¡ I didn¡¯t!¡±
¡°Sullivan, let me go! Stop doing this!¡±
Her voice was a raspy whisper, quivering, only serving to ignite his desire for dominance further,
Each feeble attempt she made to struggle was firmly quashed by Sullivan, followed by even more
rough and humiliating treatment. He even leaned in close to her ear and murmured with malice. ¡°Do
you know who he is? Haven¡¯t you noticed his resemnce to me? What, looking for a stand¨Cin?¡±
He knew her body well, and his skill was unmatched.
Soon enough, Megan was melting under his touch.
Sullivan gazed at her, his eyes glued to her sweaty forehead, his voice devoid of warmth, ¡°That¡¯s it
then?¡±
Megan leaned against his shoulder, her delicate skin looking even more pale and fragile against the
backdrop of his dark shirt.
While the afterglow faded, her mind sharpened. She was certain there was bad blood between Sullivan
and Begonia
But she didn¡¯t specte further. Because at that moment, just dealing with Sullivan¡¯s fury was enough
to exhaust her
She remained silent
Sullivan looked at her with a sneer. After all, he was a scion of high society, always picky, and couldn¡¯t
stay in the decrepit corridor forever After venting his frustration, he carried Megan to the car parked in
the alley.
The ck Bentley was starkly out of ce amid the surrounding decay. Sullivan turned on the car¡¯s air
conditioning and tossed a few tissues to Megan, while giving disdainful nces at her as she tried to fix
her disheveled dress.
53 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 F 2 + 3 = 25 = 22 35 2 32 0
Truth be told, he was hardly in better shape himself.
Ever since Megan had demanded a divorce, relief had been rare for him. Just watching her in that
wanton state was enough to stir him, but Megan hadn¡¯t taken any precautions, and there were no
condoms in his car
He had restrained himself!
After rposing herself, Megan finally calmed down. She pondered over what Sullivan might be
thinking, which weren¡¯t hard to guess. It was merely the difort of seeing his wife, not yet divorced,
being too close with another man.
It had nothing to do with love.
As for this ludicrous intimacy, Megan found it nothing but embarrassed. She deliberately scoffed,
¡°Sullivan, you are not jealous, are
you?¡±
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Sullivan ran his finger gently across her soft cheek,ughing densively. ¡°As if you¡¯re that precious! I¡¯m
merely reminding you that you¡¯re still Mrs. Lowry! Don¡¯t associate with irrelevant men¡±
Megan¡¯s smile thinned, ¡°But you can associate with irrelevant woman, right?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was deep. He wasn¡¯t particrly concerned about the business with Cressida, most of
the time, Bianca handled it. And his trips to Harmony City were only asionally punctuated with
casual visits.
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Megan¡¯s legs were like jelly as she left, but she did her best to hide it. She didn¡¯t want Sullivan to see
her weak, it would make the situation even more unbearable.
What was the big deal, anyway?
It was nothing but a roll in the hay. In the past three years, Sullivan had tried every which way with her.
This was just another notch on the bedpost.
Besides, they hadn¡¯t even
gone all the way!
The hallway was still dim, thick with the lingering scent of an intimate tangle. Megan fought back the
humiliation as she picked up the box of gourmet meatballs she had dropped, along with her neglected
violin.
Dragging her weary body home, she was about to unlock her door when she heard, ¡°Megan!¡±
The hallway light flickered on.
There stood a familiar face.
¡°Lucia,¡± Megan mumbled unconsciously. It took a moment for her toe back to her senses. ¡°How
did you find me here?¡±
¡°I stopped by the hospital. Cora gave me your address.¡±
Lucia tilted her chin up. ¡°Just got off the ne and came straight here. Make me something to eat, will
you? I¡¯ve been starving for nearly 12 hours. Airline food is just atrocious!¡±
Megan opened the door and let her in.
As Lucia stepped inside, her nose twitched¨Cshe turned and embraced Megan.
Megan knew what was on Lucia¡¯s mind and couldn¡¯t help choking up a bit. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lucia, really. I¡¯m
getting used to it.¡±
Lucia remained silent. She knew Megan was lying. How could she ever get used to this ce? Megan
was born with a silver spoon in her mouth; back in the Quigley family mansion, even the powder room
was bigger than this apartment
It took a while for Lucia topose herself.
Once calm, she pretended to be light¨Chearted. ¡°Whip up something for me to eat, and I¡¯m going to take
a shower! Ill stay over tonight. We haven¡¯t caught up in ages.¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t resist another embrace. She was a great cook. By the time Lucia finished showering,
Megan had reheated the meatballs and prepared two servings of ssic Italian pasta and one of
German bratwurst
They sat down to eat
To break the tension, Lucia leaned in and whispered, ¡°I heard some noises in the hallway while I was
waiting for you.¡±
Megan looked up.
Lucia¡¯s expression grew more mysterious. She cleared her throat and said, ¡°You know, the sound of a
man and a woman getting busy. It was too dark to see clearly, but I bet my bottom dor on it¨Cthe guy
was really into it, and the girl¡¯s moans were just¡ seductive. I bet he¡¯s quite the lover!¡±
Megan suddenly remembered her encounter with Sullivan in the hallway. And now Lucia had heard
them.
She certainly didn¡¯t want to admit it, but Lucia had a nose like a bloodhound. Seeing Megan¡¯s
expression and then leaning in to catch the faint scent of aftershave on her neck¡
Lucia¡¯s gaze was
was piercing. ¡°It was you and Sullivan, wasn¡¯t it?¡±
Megan kept her head down, focusing on her pasta. After a moment, she gave a soft acknowledgment.
¡°Yes, he was here.¡±
Lucia was livid, stabbing at her pasta. ¡°You two are at each other¡¯s throats, and he still expects the
marital benefits? And in the hallway. for heaven¡¯s sake? I always thought he yed the aloof type, but
he¡¯s quite the dark horse, isn¡¯t he?¡±
Megan was too embarrassed to discuss what Sullivan did in the bedroom.
Feeling for Megan, Lucia sted both Sullivan and Cressida, letting off steam. After calming down,
Lucia ced her hand on Megan¡¯s and spoke seriously. ¡°Cora told me everything. You can¡¯t keep
ying your violin in those joints. We need to keep our feathers preened,
sweetheart¡±
Pulling out a slim cigarette, Lucia lit and took a slow drag
Lucia was a model, thin as a rail, and when she smoked, her face took on a captivating allure.
She locked eyes with Megan.
After a while, Lucia spoke up: ¡°You should go to Timothy Lawson¡¯s ce. Its a proper six¨Cstar hotel,
and the clientele will be more upscale. I¡¯ve already spoken to him. Two hundred a night, not a penny
less, and four days off a month.¡±
Chapter 21
Lucia had a history with Timothy, which Megan knew about:
Megan wanted to refuse, but Lucia was insistert.
Lucia¡¯s lips curled around the cigarette, exhaling a wisp of smoky grey in a manner that seemed
completely nonchnt. ¡°I slept with him ages ago, there¡¯s no sacrifice involved here.¡±
Megan was at a loss for words.
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Lucia patted her hand. ¡°There¡¯s something else you need to be aware of. Remember Paxton? I heard
there¡¯s a big shot back home whos set up a foundation and wants Paxton to head it. The catch is
Paxton is supposed to teach the big shot¡¯s mistress.
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Megan grunted an affirmative, ¡°I know! It was Sullivan who invited him.¡±
Lucia was taken aback, ¡°That mistress is Cressida? Megan, howe these two just can¡¯t seem to
disappear? If it hadn¡¯t been for that ident back then, you would¡¯ve been off studying abroad with
Paxton by now instead of waiting on Sullivan hand and foot!¡±
Lucia took a drag of her cigarette to calm her nerves.
Finally, she spat out her disdain, ¡°Sullivan thinks he¡¯s the cat¡¯s pajamas, but damn, the cost of one
night¡¯s sleep is just too steep!¡±
She expected Megan to back down. But Megan simply said calmly, ¡°Paxton called me. He said he
hopes I can learn from him in the next four years here at home.¡±
Lucia was thrilled, snuffing out her cigarette. ¡°If you miss this chance, Megan, I¡¯ll never forgive you.¡±
Megan smiled slightly. ¡°I know¡±
Feeling somewhat relieved, Megan tidied up the dishes and, after taking a shower, returned to bed.
Lucia was already asleep.
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Megany down beside her, unable to resist resting her head on Lucia¡¯s shoulder. She missed Lucia so
much, with her around, everything seemed manageable.
The next moming, Lucia took Megan to the hotel owned by Timothy.
The Regal Bolt Hotel in Borough City, the epitome of luxury.
Practically six stars.
Normally, Timothy wouldn¡¯t bother with such matters, but to show his ¡°appreciation for Lucia, he made
a point of meeting Megan in person and arranged a job for her
From 8 pm to 11 p.m.
Three hours of work a night, with a sry of six thousand a month, was exceptionally generous.
Megan knew that Timothy was doing this for Lucia¡¯s sake.
She looked towards Lucia.
Lucia threw her a flirtatious wink.
Timothy gave her a look and called the hotel manager to show Megan around. Once they left, Timothy
walked to the door, locked it, and turned his attention back to the office.
The office included a lounge, but he bypassed it, taking Lucra right there on the desk.
At first, Lucia resisted, biting down hard on his shoulder. Timothy leaned closer, his lips near her ear,
and chuckled. ¡°Two months without touching you, and you¡¯ve be feral?¡±
Having abstained for a while, he was fervent, to say the least, leaving Lucia breathless from the
intensity.
After it was over, he left her there and went to shower without a second thought
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom¡
Lucia slowly got up from the desk, not caring about her disheveled state, and lit a slender cigarette,
smoking absentmindedly. She knew Timothy couldn¡¯t understand why she cared so much for Megan.
The truth was, Megan had been there for her.
They had met in junior high when Lucia¡¯s parents had been addicted to gambling and had sold
everything of value, nearly resorting to Belling Lucia herself.
After her parents had gambled away everything and took their own lives, Lucia was left an orphan with
nowhere to live and no means to pay for school. Her ssmates distanced themselves, treating her like
a freak until one day, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and found herself on the roof.
It was Megan who pulled her back from the edge. Megan secretly took her home, gave her clothes, a
hot bath, and brought her a te piled high with food¡ That was a taste Lucia would never forget.
Megan had hidden her for three days.
And then, Megan begged Wyatt to rent her an apartment. It was Megan who had taken care of her for
six years.
No one knew what Megan meant to her, if Megan needed her, Lucia would do anything, give up
anything.
11:13
Chapter 22
After finishing her cigarette. Lucia straightened her clothes and left with a no¨Cnonsense air
Timothy came out of the shower to find the office empty. He slowly approached the desk, noticing a
small puddle on it, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly Lucia was quite clever, even Sullivan had
to give him that much respect in his Regal Bolt Hotel He just wondered what Sullivan¡¯s reaction would
be Probably none.
Timothy had heard through the grapevine that Sullivan¡¯s marriage to Megan had been lukewarm from
the start, with no children even after several years. People in their circle were even betting on when
Sullivan would divores Megan
And wasn¡¯t there talk of someone being kept by him?
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
The Lowry Group
nca knocked, and upon receiving a nod, she pushed the door open.
Sullivan was on the phone, It was a call from Cami, and the topic of conversation was exactly what
Bianca hade to report to
Sullivan
This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
¡°Sullivan, are you mally letting Megan be the talk of the town? What¡¯s the deal with Timothy? And that
Lucia, with a reputation that¡¯s down the dran, Megan absolutely mustn¡¯t associate with her! Sullivan,
you need to keep your wife in check.¡±
Sullivan spoke with a hint of nonchnce, ¡°Mom, Megan¡¯s talking divorce! How am I supposed to
handle her?¡±
Cami cored most about the family¡¯s reputation. She ranted, and her son remained impervious,
leaving her so frustrated that she hung
up
Sullivan put down the phone and looked at Bianca, ¡°Megan¡¯s with Timothy now?¡±
Bianca was just about to speak.
Suddenly, she saw a velvet box next to Sullivan¡¯s hand. She recognized it it contained Megan¡¯s
wedding ring. If it was beside him, it meant he had been looking at it in his idle moments.
Yet Sullivan¡¯s ring finger still bore a silver wedding band.
Sullivan didn¡¯t love Megan, but he always wore his ring, a sign to other women of his marital status.
Bianca¡¯s fingers curled slightly
A momentter, she offered a faint smile. ¡°Yes! It was Lucia who introduced them! That¡ model with
the not¨Cso¨Cgreat reputation, I¡¯m not sure how Megan became acquainted with her.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t care about Lucia or Timothy.
His thoughts turned to Begonia. The way Begonia looked at Megan was unmistakably how a man
gazes at a beautiful woman¨Cthe so¨Ccalled childhood neighbor was nothing but a cover!
Sullivan leaned back. He flipped through some documents nonchntly. The dinner with Bet
Leach tonight, set it up at the Regal
Bolt Hotel.¡±
Bianca was surprised again. Because Sullivan¡¯s business engagements were usually confined to
corporate hotels, quite unremarkable
Indeed.
Was this exception because of Megan?
She didn¡¯t speak for a long while, and Sullivan nced at her. ¡°Any issues?¡±
Bianco quickly bowed her head, ¡°Mr. Lowry, Ill arrange it immediately.¡±
ht in the evening, on the 56th floor of Regal Bolt Hotel
At eight in
Bet and his crew had arrived early, including Timothy, sitting around ying cards.
Most of the men had young girls by their side.
Little stars, up¨Canding models!
They were the most powerful second¨Cgeneration elites in Borough City. Sullivan, being top¨Ctier among
them, was greeted with several standing to wee him as he arrived.
Once Sullivan sat down, Timothy personally poured him a drink, teasing. ¡°You¡¯re a rare quest here, but
there¡¯s someone even rarer, Sullivan. You¡¯ll never guess who!¡±
Sullivan had an inkling it would be Begonia,
Annoyed, Megan then appeared.
As usual, Megan set up her violin, ready to y.
Suddenly, her gaze froze¡ she saw Sullivan.
In the opulent hall, the lighting was dim.
Sullivan reclined on a sofa, an aura of privilege enveloping him as he watched her coldly.
His gaze reminded her of the way he looked at her on their bedroom¡¯srge bed, tormenting her as she
fell into passion alone. Even though Megan had already proposed divorce, she couldn¡¯t help but
tremble slightly when their eyes met
She yed the violin, her hands slightly shaking, yet the sound was captivating.
Sullivan was taken aback. He wasn¡¯t a music expert, but Megan yed Noctume Whispers
exceptionally well, a familiarity resonating amid the beautiful sounds. It seemed he had heard it
somewhere before!
Sullivan was certain that he had never heard Megan y the violin before or after their marriage.
Where then?
Pondering this, the piece came to
o an end, and apuse filled the room.
Downstairs, Bet was also surprised to run into Megan. He had a bit of a grudge against her; his
sister Victoria Leach had once eagerly pursued Sullivan, only to be outpaced by Megan, losing a
chance at a union with the Lowry family. How could Bet not hold a grudge?
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
He was hell¨Cbent on making things tough for Megan, leaning to the side with a smirk, testing the
watern, ¡°Hey, Sullivan, look who¡¯s here¨CMegan!¡±
Sullivan fiddled with his lighter, not making a peep.
Bet
was
sure now¨CSullivan didn¡¯t care about Megan, so he called out to her on stage, ¡°Hey Megan, over here!¡±
Megan looked their way. She knew Bet was up to no good, but Timothy was there, and she had to
show him some respect
Approaching. Bet poured her three sses of red wine. He spoke with feigned politeness, ¡°Megan,
what a surprise to bump into you here! When you married Sullivan, Victoria threw a bit of a tantrum, I¡¯m
here to apologize on her behalf today!¡±
Bet was a regr socialite¨Cwhat was drinking to him?
Three sses of red wine were like sipping water
He stared at Megan after downing his drink, ¡°Megan, you¡¯re Mrs. Lowry now. You wouldn¡¯t look down
on me, would you? Refuse to let bygones be bygones?¡±
Timothy sat there, a long finger propped against his chin.
Megan was one of his people originally, so it was his ce to step in. But since Sullivan hadn¡¯t said a
word, what was he to do? Besides, he was curious to see Sullivan¡¯s reaction.
He nced at Sullivan.
Leaning against the couch, still in intervening
ying
ng with th
the lighter, Sullivan¡¯s eyes were half¨Cclosed, emotion inscrutable. He seemed uninterested
Timothy thought to himself that it looked like Sullivan and Megan were really headed for divorce. He
was about to offer some words of peace when Megan picked up a ss of wine.
She stared quietly at Bet, asking softly. If I drink these three sses, does that mean you¡¯ll never
trouble me again, no matter what?¡±
Bet¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.
Yes, he¡¯d been nning to give Megan a hard time once she divorced Sullivan,
He hadn¡¯t expected Megan to be so much smarter than he thought.
But three sses were indeed enough to put Megan on the spot!
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Bet chuckled lightly, ¡°Alright, I promise you. Drink these three sses, and we¡¯ll wipe the te
clean. Even if you divorce Sullivan, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you.
Megan knew him well enough not to fear him backing out on his word. She looked down at the red wine
in her hand.
Her tolerance was low, one ss could knock her out, but she had no choice but to drink¡ the Quigley
family was on shaky ground, and she couldn¡¯t afford another enemy.
Megan tilted her head back and downed an entire ss.
The fair skin of her face flushed a soft pink, spreading to the tips of her ears, Her eyes gained a charm
not usually there, a blend of girl and woman, quite captivating.
Bet felt a flutter in his chest. He didn¡¯t quite understand what he was feeling.
After Megan finished two sses, Timothy finally spoke up, ¡°Bet, that¡¯s enough!¡±
But Bet wouldn¡¯t let up, still intent on making a point.
Megan was already feeling it, but she picked up the third ss, her slender fingers trembling slightly.
Just as she was about to drink, Sullivan spoke up with a cool voice, ¡°Enough!¡±
Everyone was surprised
Sullivan stood up from the couch, grabbed Megan¡¯s wrist, and took the wine ss from her hand. He
looked at Bet with a hint of displeasure. ¡°Ill drink thisst ss for my wife¡±
He tipped back the wine and then led Megan¨Caway.
Silence fell over the room
No one was a fool; it was clear that Bet had just made an enemy of Sullivan.
After a moment, Timothy gaye Bet a pat, ¡°Misjudged the situation, did you? Don¡¯t beat yourself up.
Even I didn¡¯t see Sullivan stepping in. But if you think about it, if he really didn¡¯t care, they would¡¯ve
divorced when the Quigley family started to crumble. It¡¯s been
?
11-13
vent now!¡±
over a year
Bet leaned back, covering his eyes with his hand. Suddenly, he felt a pang of difort
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Megan¡¯s head was buzzing with the effects of too much wine¨Cshe wasn¡¯t out cold but definitely riding
the buzz.
Sullivan guided her to the parking lot, opening the passenger door with one hand and gesturing for her
to climb in
Megan wasn¡¯t having it. Though tipsy, she wasn¡¯t beyond sense
Leaning against the car she tilted her head back, lips parting in a sultry, raspy voice, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t
want to go home with you! We¡¯re getting a divorce?¡±
From his taller vantage point, Sullivan¡¯s gaze was fixed on her, taking in her intoxicated allure
He¡¯d never seen Megan quite like this
d in a champagne silk blouse and a mermaid skirt, what should¡¯ve been a picture of elegance was
now exuding pure femininity. Every curve of her body seemed to be calling out for a touch, for
possession.
Sullivan leaned in close, teeth clenched. ¡°Look at yourself now. Where¡¯s that respectabledylike
demeanor gone?¡±
Megan lifted her gaze to meet his. There was a moment of rity in her eyes before they clouded over
again.
Sullivan stopped trying to reason with her and pushed her into the car, his movements tinged with
roughness. Megan fussed about getting out, her body slumped against the seat, mumbling words
Sullivan didn¡¯t care to hear.
He was irked.
Locking the doors, he was just about to fasten her seat belt when he caught sight of the car opposite
them¡ and the person sitting
Inside
Begonia
The headlights of their cars cast a glow as the two men inside assessed each other.
Begonia¡¯s gaze was as dark as a night steeped in ink. So was Sullivan¡¯s
After a moment, Sullivan leaned over to buckle Megan in. She, half¨Casleep and groggy, shifted
ufortably and kept on muttering. ¡°I¡¯m not going with you¡±
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Sullivan gently caressed her soft cheek, his voice hoarse. ¡°If not with me, then who?¡±
Without waiting for her reply, he straightened up and faced Begonia with an emotionless stare
Then,
1, under Begonia¡¯s watchful eyes, Sullivan drove away with Megan.
The luxury cars passed each other, Begonia¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly while
Sullivan let out a cold chuckle.
The night deepened as the lights dimmed.
Sullivan¡¯s car eased into the driveway of his mansion. The household staff, hearing the arrival, promptly
came out to open the car door, asking gently. ¡°Sir, would you like supper?¡±
Then she noticed Megan and eximed, ¡°Madam is back!¡±
Sullivan unfastened his seat belt and spoke in a detached tone. ¡°Prepare some hangover soup and
bring it upstairs shortly. Madam had a bit too much to drink.¡±
The maid nodded and hurried off.
Sullivan turned to his wife in the passenger seat
Megan had fallen asleep, her delicate neck tensed, her soft body trembling slightly in the air¨Cjust the
sight was enough to stir a man. Sullivan was no saint. It had been way too long since hisst bedroom
activity.
He leaned over, taking her in his arms, his eyes fixated on her face, watching her expressions as he
gently yed with her. Women have desires, too, especially a drunk Megan.
As Sullivan touched her, she couldn¡¯t help but moan softly, her murmurs repeating his name
unconsciously, ¡°Sullivan. Sullivan¡ With a click, Sullivan unbuckled her seat belt. He stepped out,
carrying Megan bridal style, and strode towards the mansion. The motion made her head spin, and she
instinctively clung to Sullivan¡¯s neck, sighing into his neck, ¡°Sullivan, slow down¡ slow down¡¡±
Even her plea for him to walk slower soundedden with innuendo.
Unable to resist, Sullivan leaned down to kiss her, their lips entwined, tasting of red wine and passion,
as their desire ignited.
1/2
In the master bedroom, under the brilliant chandelier, clothesy scattered haphazardly on the floor, his
shirt and belt, her skirt and stockings piled together shamelessly, inciting a blush to anyone who would
see.
The maid had prepared the hangover soup, intending to deliver it
But peening through the crack in the door, she caught a glimpse of the intimate scene on thevish bed
and quickly retreated.
Sullivan was impatient, putting on a rubber even before his clothes were fully removed.
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
He held Megan¡¯s slender neck in one hand, and with the other, he pushed her head down toward him
until their foreheads touched. His prominent nose met hers, and his thin lips were just a breath away.
The heat of his exhtion made Megan tremble slightly.
She was a mix of emotions, dazed and filled with desire
But deep down, something fell off
She and Sullivan. they shouldn¡¯t be doing this.
In the heat of the moment, Megan nestled against his neck, whispering into his ear, ¡°Sullivan, when are
we getting a divorce?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s body tensed. He pinched her delicate cheek, forcing her to look at him.
Megan¡¯s face was flushed, the blush spreading mature allure. She gazed at him, murmuring
unconsciously, ¡°Sullivan, do you know¡! don¡¯t like you anymore; I just don¡¯t!¡±
She repeated it several times
Sullivan¡¯s expression tumed ugly. He gripped her chin, stared at her for a long moment, and then said
softly, ¡°Do you think I care?¡±
He truly didn¡¯t need to care
Because he didn¡¯t love her, because their marriage was a mistake from the start, because¡
Logic told Sullivan that he didn¡¯t need to be concerned with childish affections. He just needed an
obedient wife, a way to release his pent¨Cup energy
Megan¡¯s supple body was there, on the bed.
He just needed to possess her. Just like every time before, even if Megan cried her eyes out, he
wouldn¡¯t be swayed. But now, seeing the tears in Megan¡¯s eyes, Sullivan didn¡¯t have the heart to
continue!
He let her go, tossing a nket over her carelessly.
Then, he wrapped himself in a bathrobe and went to the living room to smoke.
As Sullivan smoked, his pale Adam¡¯s apple bobbed gently, attractive and full of tension.
Soon, a thin veil of smoke rose around him, casting a hazy aura.
He didn¡¯t want to admit how frustrated he was.
He didn¡¯t want to acknowledge the anger that red within him when Megan said she didn¡¯t like him¡
and the difort, like something that belonged to him had been taken away!
He also didn¡¯t want to guess when she had stopped liking him.
After smoking a pack of cigarettes, Sullivan stepped out of the bedroom and slowly descended the
staircase. His face was stolc,
impassive.
The housekeeper was still up and noticed his sour expression. Hadn¡¯t Mr. and Mrs. Lowry been¡
Intimate? Why did Mr. Lowry look so displeased?
Sullivan¡¯s voice was indifferent. ¡°Bring me some coffee to sober up.¡±
After the housekeeper handed him the mug and quickly left, Sullivan snuffed out his cigarette and
carried his coffee upstairs.
The master bedroom was still faintly sweet, like the fragrance of blooming lotus in June¡ Clothes, both
his and hers, were scattered on
the floor.
Sullivan ignored the mess. He sat on the bed, looking at the woman lying there.
Her smooth skin, her waist so slender his arm could circle it, her legs well¨Cproportioned. She rubbed
against the sheets ufortably in her drunkenness, unintentionally exuding a woman¡¯s charm.
Sullivan¡¯s anger spiked
Perhaps recalling her earlier words, he spoke harshly, ¡°Get up. Drink this hangover coffee and then
sleep.¡±
Megan didn¡¯t respond. Her pale face buried in the pillow, her voice trembling, ¡°Sullivan, we shouldn¡¯t be
doing this¡¡±
Sullivan red at her.
After a while, his voice turned cold as he said, ¡°Dare to say that again! I should just smother you!¡±
That way, she couldn¡¯t utter those unpleasant words.
Sullivan was usually proud and marely catered to others. Besides, he had been feeling quite pent¨Cup
lately, so he didn¡¯t bother with her anymore and justy down to sleep.
But Megan was right there beside him. How could he sleep?
Tossing and turning for a long time.
Finally, Sullivan reached out and pulled her into his arms. He gritted his teeth near her ear. ¡°If you don¡¯t
like me, you won¡¯t have the chance to like anyone else!¡±
Megan felt cold. Now in contact with his warmth, she snuggledfortably into his embrace.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Down was just breaking as Sullivan stirred awake
It was the heat that did it. He found himself clinging to a human furnace, soaking his pajama top with
sweat.
Blinking his eyes open, he saw Megan¡¯s unnaturally red cheeks.
He touched her forehead and recoiled at its burning temperature.
Jumping out of bed, Sullivan hurried downstairs and instructed the housekeeper, ¡°Call Dr. Katherine,
have here over right away.¡±
The housekeeper, looking anxious, asked, ¡°Are you feeling unwell, sir?¡±
Sullivan was halfway back up the stairs when he paused, ¡°Tell her Madam has a fever, and it¡¯s urgent.¡±
Within half an hour, Dr. Katherine arrived
The bedroom was pristine, the traces ofst night¡¯s intimacy gone.
After a thorough examination, the doctor dered, ¡°She¡¯s got a high fever. I¡¯ll give her something to
bring it down. Also¡ Mrs. Lowry¡¯s been running on empty. She needs to beef up her diet¡±
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The message was clear, but Sullivan understood the subtext. Megan had been buming the candle at
both ends, often skipping meals.
She used to be so pampered.
Megan was g
given an injection, and Dr. Katherine advised, ¡°Best she stays in bed for the day¡±
Sullivan nodded and motioned for the housekeeper to escort the doctor out.
After the doctor left, Sullivan called out, mistaking the returning footsteps for the housekeeper, ¡°Prepare
a bowl of chicken soup, let it cool, and bring it upstairs.¡±
But at the door stood Bianca, carrying a bundle of Sullivan¡¯s suits and shirts that she had taken for dry
cleaning the week before and was delivering them early.
Surprise registered on her face as she saw Megan in bed.
Megan was back? And clearly, she and Sullivan had shared a bed. Even if the room was spotless, a
faint kiss mark on Megan¡¯s neck told its own story.
Sullivan, noticing Bianca and her bundle, frowned slightly. ¡°Just leave them on the couch and go. And
from now on, you don¡¯t need to worry about these things!¡±
Is for Sullivan
nca¡¯s eyes dropped, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. She liked taking care of these
personal details pretending, if only in her mind, that she was Mrs. Lowry. But Sullivan had seen through
her charade.
As she left, Bianca couldn¡¯t help but wonder why she felt such animosity towards Megan yet was
indifferent, even amodating, to Cressida. Perhaps deep down, she knew that if Sullivan were to
fancy anyone it would be Megan
Because men always go for the most beautiful. Sullivan was no exception.
Once Bianca had gone, Sullivan nced at the woman still sleeping in his bed. He pinched her cheek
gently, gradually applying more pressure until she turned away with a grimace.
Satisfied, Sullivan¡¯s gaze darkened. He moved to the living room, eyeing the freshlyundered clothes.
They were clean, but the solvent scent was off¨Cputting. More importantly, he disliked strangers
handling his personal belongings.
He was a rather conservative man, Matters of intimacy, for instance, were private. While some men
reveled in conquests, Sullivan had never entertained such thoughts.
The expressions men make in the heat of passion are hardly ttering. A reserved man like Sullivan
would never want an audience for such moments, and so he had never strayed
Only Megan had seen him moved by desire.
nca sat in the foyer, a cup of coffee served to her by the housekeeper.
She held the cup with an elegant poise, the very picture of thedy of the house.
That¡¯s when Sullivan descended the stairs, dressed not in his usual formality but in casual attire¨Ckhaki
cks and a white Armani knit.
lpp
The rxed outfit did not diminish his presence, on the contrary, it added a certain domestic charm.
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
nca¡¯s eyes betrayed an unmistakable adoration. Back in coge, she had a crush on Sullivan. But
her affection was insignificant among the throngs of elite heiresses.
Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Sullivan sat down opposite her
Bianca offered a slight smile, adopting her professional demeanor, ¡°Now that Megan has returned,
she¡¯ll be taking over these matters. Mr. Lowry, do I still need to keep track of Megan¡¯s living expenses
and jewelry purchases?¡±
Sullivan brised at her words.
Megan¡¯s reasons for wanting a divorce echoed in his head the same trivial matters.
Seeing his silence, Bianca took the initiative. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lowry. Il manage everything smoothly¡±
Sullivan watched her quietly. He was a man of keen perception, always aware of which women fancied
him or had designs on him. He never minded before because it never interfered with his life.
But now, Bianca was overstepping.
After a half¨Cminute of contemtion, Sullivan spoke in an even tone, ¡°Next month, you¡¯re relocating to
our Canadian branch. Your position and sry will remain unchanged.¡±
Bianca was stunned. After a moment, she forced a rigid smile. ¡°Mr. Lowry, I have a boyfriend now!¡±
Sullivan remained silent.
Bianca clenched her teeth. ¡°Next month, Mr. Lowry, you¡¯ll receive my wedding invitation!¡±
This time, Sullivanzily rose to his feet. ¡°I¡¯ll look forward to your good news then.¡±
Bianca trembled all over, fully aware that Sullivan had seen through her feelings. He would not allow
her to harbor such feelings for him. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Mr Lowry, is it because of Megan?¡±
Sullivan paused in his tracks. After a moment, his voice carried a stern edge as he said, ¡°No! It¡¯s
because you¡¯ve crossed the line.¡±
What he needed was apetent secretary, not a flirtatious siren. Bianca seemed to have never
understood that.
Megan had been in and out of consciousness for most of the day, waking up as dusk was settling in.
The bedroom was dim, lit only by the soft light filtering through the curtains.
She sat up, feeling weak, and noticed the ivory silk nightgown she was wearing. It must have been
Sullivan who changed her into it¡ The memories of the drunken night flooded back.
In the car, he yed with her body.
He carried her upstairs and, in his impatience, didn¡¯t even wait to reach the bedroom to slide off her
stockings. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. The belt buckle was ufortable, and in her
hazy state, she had reached for it¡
Megan covered her face with her hands. She didn¡¯t want to remember and even less to face it.
At the bedroom door, Sullivan stood silently watching her. He had been in a two¨Chour video conference
earlier, so he was dressed in formal attire, a crisp white shirt and ck trousers, the picture of
sophistication.
After the meeting, he found Megan awake and lost in thought
Guessing what she might be contemting, Sullivan spoke tly, ¡°Nothing happened! Drunk as you
were, what could have happened?¡±
Megan was a woman, and her body told her that Sullivan wasn¡¯t lying.
During the silent standoff, a servant brought up some nourishing soup. The servant was savvy, sensing
the tension and shing a cating smile. ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve been ill, and sir has been so worried! He
ordered us this morning to prepare something warming for you. A fish soup ¨C nothing better. You
should wash up and have some while it¡¯s hot. It¡¯ll make you feel better¡±
In front of the servant, Megan couldn¡¯t lose face.
Sullivan had her figured out, taking the tray from the servant. ¡°You can leave us!¡±
The servant scured away
Sullivan closed the door, ced the tray on the small round table in the bedroom, and then looked at
Megan, ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting up? Or do you expect me to feed you?¡±
His tone was harsh; he was still folding a grudge over her drunken confessions from the night before.
Chopter
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Megan might have been at her wit¡¯s end with Sullivan and might want to divorce him, but she wasn¡¯t
one to y fast and loose with her own well¨Cbeing. Especially not when her stomach was growling
louder than a dog in a thunderstorm.
The fish soup was both fragrant and tender, and after gulping down a bowlful, Megan felt aforting
warmth spread through her.
By the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, Sullivan leaned casually against the wall.
Twilight seeped through the panes, casting his chiseled profile in a soft light, entuating his strong
features. With his neat hair and tailored clothes, he looked every inch the man who knew his worth.
He¡¯d lit a cigarette but hadn¡¯t taken a drag, just let the smoke waft away into the evening breeze
outside the window
The bedroom air was tinged with the faintest hint of nicotine that melded seamlessly with Sullivan¡¯s
own scent.
Once Megan had finished the soup, Sullivan stubbed out his cigarette and turned to her. ¡°Grandma
called. She wants us to drop by. What do you say?¡±
Grandma Heloise had always been good to Megan.
Megan couldn¡¯t bear to break the olddy¡¯s heart, yet the truth about their marriage was bound toe
out sooner orter.
She weighed her words carefully, ¡°Sullivan, maybe you can exin things to her?¡±
¡°Exin what?¡±
His gaze was intense. ¡°Tell her you want a divorce so you can¡¯t visit? What¡¯s the rush¡ afraid it¡¯ll mess
up your little ns?¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t be bothered with an exnation. She stood to leave, to change and get out, but
Sullivan wasn¡¯t having any of it.
One hand captured her slender wrist.
Megan¡¯s wrist was delicate, easily encircled by his fingers. His expression was mocking. ¡°How about a
quid pro quo, Mrs. Lowry? Twenty grand for one time sound fair?¡±
She couldn¡¯t break free.
Sullivan picked up her phone, used her hand to bypass the lock, and removed himself from the
cklist. Then, he transferred $20,000
to her ount.
Afterward, he couldn¡¯t resist a dig. ¡°You don¡¯t make more than two grand for a night¡¯s performance at
Timothy Lawson¡¯s
Megan replied with cool sarcasm, ¡°And how much do you drop on Cressida¡¯s firework shows? At least
a cool million, right?¡±
¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
In the dimming light, Sullivan looked down and asked again, a soft edge to his voice, ¡°Megan, what¡¯s
that supposed to mean?¡±
Frustrated and embarrassed, Megan snapped, ¡°Nothing! Just let go of me, Sullivan!¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
But he only held on tighter. His eyes never left her, searing with an intensity that could make a woman¡¯s
legs turn to jelly. After a tense moment, he pulled her in closer, almost forcing her against his chest.
Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the steady rhythm of his heart.
The scent of his aftershave lingered, tantalizingly close to her ear.
His words wereced with provocation. ¡°So tell me, what would be interesting to you?¡±
It seemed like a question, but Sullivan didn¡¯t seem to want an answer because, in the next instant, his
hands were deftly unbuckling his belt and then unfastening his pants¡.
Megan was momentarily stunned. Her soft lips were captured by his, and Sullivan, holding her waist,
stumbled back onto the couch.
He kissed her with urgency, his hands guiding her to discover the fervor of a man in his boldest
moments. Sullivan¡¯s breaths were unrestrained, his forehead against hers, his nose brushing lightly
against her skin, the flesh¨Cto¨Cflesh contact sparking a primal desire.
This encounter was unexpected and unanticipated by both.
In that moment, Sullivan couldn¡¯t think, all he wanted was to kiss her passionately, to engage in the
most intimate of dances Somewhere deep down, he knew it wasn¡¯t just about lust; there was
something more.
For the first time, he felt something different for Megan.
He wanted to see her beneath him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
He wanted to hear the sounds she made just for him.
His hot kisses lingered at her ear, his voice husky andden with desire, tantalizing beyond measure.
¡°Let me have you!¡±
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Megan¡¯s mind snapped into focus, her resistance ring up. How could she just give in?
She nted her hands on his chest, shaking her head from side to side, dodging his kisses, her voice a
sultry blend of womenly maturity. ¡°Sullivan, we can¡¯t keep doing this.¡±
Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
But Sullivan was past the point of restmint. He imed her lips, his tone bold and unapologetic. ¡°Why
not? Mrs. Lowry, we¡¯re stillwfully wed.¡±
Megan was caught in his embrace
He had been frustrated all ofst night, and now he had no intention of letting her slip away..
Her silk nightgown was hiked up, his hands reveling in the softness of her skin. Sullivan drank in her
warmth, his gaze intently fixed on her, watching as she melted into his touch.
It¡¯s amon vice in men: the more a woman pleads, the more a man wants to dominate
Sullivan was no exception.
Lifting her up against him, his eyes locked on hers, he taunted with ascivious whisper, ¡°Your mouth
says no, but your body tells the truth, Mrs. Lowry. You should see yourself¡ utterly slutty!¡±
Megan¡¯s temper red. When she spoke, her voice was a husky rebuke, ¡°You¡¯re no saint yourself!¡±
Sullivan leaned in to kiss her again.
5 3 6 5 3 2 2 2
In the dim light, his handsome face was charged with desire. Sullivan, in his prime, with vigor and
wealth to his name, had no shortage of young women pining for him. But none knew how he was
behind closed doors.
Always dominant!
A semi¨Ccoerced affair was never pleasant, and Megan was unreceptive.
Amid their struggle, a knock sounded at the door.
The hesitation in the servant¡¯s voice was evident, subdued, ¡°Sir, your mother¨Cinw called. She¡¯s
asking if Madam is here¡ What should I say?
Inside the room, themotion ceased.
Megan pushed Sullivan away, tidying her sweat¨Cdampened hair, and called out, ¡°Tell her Ill be right
there.¡±
The servant acknowledged. Footsteps receded into the distance.
Megan quietly straightened her clothes and, after a moment, asked with a mix of embarrassment and
annoyance, ¡°Where are my clothes from yesterday?¡±
¡°They¡¯re gone. Things got pretty heatedst night, Sullivan replied nonchntly, reclining on the sofa.
He didn¡¯t bother to fix his half¨Cundohe trousers as he reached for his cigarette pack and lighter, cing
a cigarette between his fingers.
His eyes stayed on Megan. After a pause, he sneered mockingly. ¡°There are clothes in the wardrobe,
aren¡¯t there? Or is it that you no longer wish to be Mrs. Lowry so much that you can¡¯t even bear to
touch the clothes? Yet just now, beneath me, you seemed to quite enjoy it.¡±
Megan had no patience for his vulgarity. She went to the walk¨Cin closet, picked out the most
nondescript outfit she could find, grabbed her phone, and made for the door
But Sullivan rose to follow her ¡°Il drive you!¡±
Megan declined coldly, ¡°We¡¯re getting divorced. Why bother with such courtesies? Sullivan, let¡¯s
considerst night a mistake. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±
As she spoke, her wrist was caught in his firm grasp.
Clearly, Sullivan wasn¡¯t in a good mood. He said nothing, just pulled her down the stairs..
In the hallway, the servants were busy, not daring to nce up, pretending to be absorbed in their
chores.
Megan was practically thrown into the car, and Sullivan followed, mming the door with a force that
would have bothered her once. But now, she just leaned back in her seat, pondering whether he was
frustrated or had been given a hard time by Cressida.
The thought of that woman filled Medan with a sense of constriction.
Her palm was enveloped by his, and Sullivan¡¯s voice softly broke the silence, ¡°What are you thinking
about?¡±
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Megan snapped back to reality, noticing the car hade to a halt at a crossroads. The light ahead
was red
She pulled her hand from Sullivan¡¯s grip and tumed her head away, her demeanor cooling. ¡°Nothing¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze lingered on her averted profile. He felt an ufortable twinge in his heart.
His mind wandered back to the early days of their marriage when Megan was just past her twenties
Back then, Megan adored him. Every evening, when he came home from work, she would dash
downstairs to relieve him of his briefcase, eagerly sharing the menu. she had nned for dinner and
drawing him a warm bath before bed.
At night during their intimate moments, he would sometimes hurt her on purpose. She would just
snuggle up to him with her nose slightly red, wmpping her arms tightly around his neck and softly
pleading with him to be gentle
In those honeymoon days, she was truly joyful.
But gradually, Megan stoppedughing and ceased her yful affection
It seemed she had finallye to ept the fact that he didn¡¯t love her and slowly realized that no
matter what she did, it was all in vain, she was always met with indifference and disregard
Megan was still considerate, but her attentiveness had be more akin to performing her wifely
duties.
There was no love, just obligation.
Just like the truth she revealed after a few sses of wine, she had stopped liking him a long time ago.
These thoughts made Sullivan¡¯s imitation grow, he looked away with no intention of speaking to Megan
again.
The green light came on, and the ck Bentley slowly pulled away.
Under the neon lights, the car¡¯s luxury shone brightly.
Megan¡¯s palm rested against the car window, her gaze fixed on the French bistro they were passing by
and she froze
It was closed for business.
Just the other day, it was bustling, and she yed the violin andter encountered Begonia and
Sullivan¡.
Megan slowly turned her head, examining Sullivan¡¯s profile. She finally understood why Sullivan had
insisted on driving her
¡°Sullivan, are you showing me this on purpose?¡± she asked softly.
Sullivan kept his eyes on the road, ignoring her.
It wasn¡¯t until they reached the bottom of her apartment building that he turned to look at her and
spoke, ¡°Do you know who owns that restaurant?¡±
Megan had her suspicions, but she kept quiet.
Sullivan shorted softly, leaning back into his seat with azy posture. ¡°Tm not sure what Begonia had in
mind by helping you. But Mrs. Lowry, don¡¯t forget you¡¯re still a married woman.¡±
Megan offered a faint smile.
It wasn¡¯t hard to guess Sullivan¡¯s thoughts; he wasn¡¯t hiding them.
It was just the typical male ego at y; he didn¡¯t want his wife, whom he no longer cared for, to be with
any other man, not even in their fantasies.
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She didn¡¯t want to submit to Sullivan, but she didn¡¯t want to drag Begonia into their mess either.
Her him.¡±
After a moment¡¯s consideration, Megan spoke calmly, ¡°Our marriage has nothing to do with him!
Sullivan, don¡¯t go after
Sullivan¡¯s eyes bored into hers.
After a long silence, he reached out and gently caressed her face, ¡°1 trust you, Mrs. Lowry!¡±
His touch camed a hint of yfulness.
Megan recoiled, turning her face away. ¡°I¡¯m not Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Sullivan looked at her steadily for a few seconds. Then he withdrew his hand, sitting up straight.
His tone was more serious than Megan had ever heard before as he asked, ¡°Megan, if you had the
chance to do it all over again, would you choose Begonia or me?¡±
Megan was taken aback, she hadn¡¯t expected Sullivan to ask such a question.
But clearly, Sullivan was not interested in her answer. He leaned over to open the car door for her. ¡°Get
out¡±
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Chapter 31
As soon as Megan stepped out Sullivan hit the gas, and the ck Bentley quickly disappeared into the
night, vanishing from her sight
Megan stood alone in the night air
The chill of the evening wrapped around her, she pulled her cost tighter pondering Sullivan¡¯s question.
If she could choose again, who would she choose?
Megan smiled faintly, eyes downcast In youth, one always chooses the one they love, even if it means
flying too close to the me and suffering for it. Now, given another chance, she thought perhaps she
would choose someone who loved her
But life doesn¡¯t offer so many second chances.
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Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Megan climbed the stairs to find that Com wasn¡¯t at home. A quick call confirmed that Corn hadn¡¯t
called Sullivan¡¯s ce either
Megan hung up, suspecting that the housekeeper at the mansion had fibbed to cover for her
She didn¡¯t give it another thought
Tonight was a rare night off from work, so she took a shower and went to bed early.
In her sleep, she dreamed of her early married days with Sullivan, where he was as cold as ice, his
words alwaysced with impatience.
She woke up to the buzz of her phone.
A message from Sullivan, brief and to the point: [Don¡¯t forget to visit Grandma tomorrow. I¡¯ll meet you at
Regal Bolt after work.
How could Megan forget?
Thinking of Cressida¡¯s fireworks show, she epted the transfer of $20,000 and donated it to the local
animal shelter.
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At 1 a.m., Sullivan¡¯s car was parked by the curb
He leaned back in his seat, scrolling through his phone. Megan had epted the transfer,
He figured she ought to reply to that!
She used to message him all the time, even when there was nothing important to say.
Those trivialities, Sullivan never responded to.
Looking back, it seemed that ever since the Quigley family business went under, Megan had stopped
sending those kinds of messages. She also stopped curling up beside him in bed, like a puppy at his
neck, asking if he could ever fall for her.
It had been a while, but he had never cared enough to notice.
For the first time, Sullivan sat alone in his car, his thoughts on Megan, on their marriage.
Come moming, Megan made a hos
a hospital visit She bought an assortment of fruits, and although Cora was pleased, she feigned
imitation at the needless expense. ¡°We haven¡¯t finished what we bought a few days ago, why buy
more?¡±
Joseph Quigley was in good spirits. Propped up in bed, he insisted, ¡°Have some yourself, darling, It¡¯s
your thought that counts.¡±
Cora¡¯s eyes reddened at his words.
After some talk, Cora took Megan aside to discuss something urgent. ¡°Yesterday, out of the blue, they
transferred Dr. Begonia to a facility out of town for training. They say it¡¯ll be a while before he returns!
Megan, tell me honestly, is this Sullivan¡¯s doing? Is there something between you and Dr. Begonia?¡±
Megan paused. Thinking ofst night and the show Sullivan had put on, she realized this was another
warning from him.
A chill ran through her.
For the first time, she felt the extent of Sullivan¡¯s possessiveness. It wasn¡¯t about her but rather about
the status of being Mrs. Lowry.
Not wanting to worry Cora, Megan reassured her gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Cora. Il handle it.¡±
Having grown up under Cora¡¯s care, her character was well known. Cora didn¡¯t press further.
As Cora returned to the room, Megan stood in the hallway, her gaze on her phone. She wanted to
apologize to Begonia, but after much hesitation, she decided against making the call. Perhaps not
disturbing him was the best form of protection for an adult.
Megan spent the moming at the hospital.
After lunch, she nned to buy some new guitar strings. Just as she reached the bus stop, a ck
Range Rover abruptly pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down to reveal a handsome face.
It was Bet
Seeing Megan again stirredplicated feelings within him. He used to look down on her, thinking
she¡¯d cling to Sullivan till death did them part. But now, she had the audacity to challenge Sullivan and
ask for a divorce. And her attire had changed.
She¡¯d shed the Mrs. Lowry look for a white blouse, ck cks, and a ck knit vest¨Ceffortlessly
natural.
Bet stared at that delicate face. Graceful, exquisite, pure as the snow on pine branches.
For some reason, he blurted, ¡°Where to? Let me give you a lift!¡±
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Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Megan was caught off guard.
Due to some business with Victoria Leach, Bet hadn¡¯t exactly been Mr. Congeniality with hertely,
and just the other night, he¡¯d given her a hard time.
And now he was offering her a ride
Instinctively, Megen felt there was an ulterior motive. She took a step back, her tone distant. ¡°Bet,
you said you¡¯d stop giving me a
hard time.¡±
Benisett just looked at her, assessing. Finally, he let out a few words, almost carelessly, ¡°I did say that.¡±
And with that, he drove off, his ck Land Rover leaving twin trails of exhaust in its wake.
Megan thought the Bet issue was settled.
But that evening, she saw him again on the 56th floor of Regal Bolt, sitting at a card table with Timothy
and a few others, conspicuously without the usual entourage of starlets or models.
When Megan took the stage, Bet nced up.
This small, seemingly inconsequential gesture didn¡¯t escape Timothy¡¯s notice.
Catching a glimpse of Megan on stage, Timothy casuallyid down a winning pair with a flourish,
¡°Bet, you¡¯re not exactly a regr here. What brings you by tonight? What wind blew you this way?¡±
Bet¡¯s tone was indifferent, ¡°Not wee?¡±
Timothy chuckled, ¡°Are you kidding? I wish you woulde by every day and spread your wealth
around,¡±
At that, Bet¡¯s lips curved in a slight smirk¡
Mid¨Cconversation, Sullivan arrived. Dressed as if he¡¯de straight from home, in a crisp ck shirt
and cks beneath a navy peacoat, his tall and lean form effortlessly drew the room¡¯s attention.
Timothy¡¯s gaze flicked back to Bet.
Bet shifted in his seat, his expression growing more detached.
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With an inscrutable smile, Timothy said, ¡°Sullivan¡¯s here too! What¡¯s this¡ing to pick Megan up
after her set?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t take the bait. He sat down across from Timothy pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his
coat pocket, and casually ced it on the coffee table before speaking. Tm taking Megan back to the
family estate for the night. Grandma¡¯s been asking about her.¡±
Timothy¡¯s smile widened, ¡°Sounds serious!¡±
He lowered his voice conspiratorially. ¡°But are you still in a position to ask Megan for favors? I heard
through the grapevine from Lucia that you two are on the brink of divorce. Hasn¡¯t Megan¡¯s settlement
proposal alreadynded at your office?¡±
Sullivan had no interest in sharing the details of his marital woes. He lit a cigarette, took an indifferent
drag, and exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
That¡¯s when he noticed Bet in attendance, and while Bet¡¯s face remained impassive
sometimes a man¡¯s intuition is particrly sharp, especially when the woman in question is his own
wife. His radar was rmingly urate.
Bet was here because of Megan
In the haze of pale smoke, Sullivan¡¯s gaze deepened as he watched Megan on stage.
She was d in a sleek ck cocktail dress, her bare shoulders tantalizing. Her legs were a work of
art¨Cslender, straight porcin, and delicate.
Sullivan watched her for a long moment before he looked away and said, ¡°Let¡¯s y cards. Same
stakes as usual? One hundred a
hand?¡±
¡°Sounds good to me, Timothy agreed.
Bet didn¡¯t speak. He simply snuffed out his cigarette and began to shuffle the deck.
At ten, Megan clocked out early. She¡¯d barely stepped off the stage when Sullivan tossed his cards on
the coffee table and stood up, Tm heading out!¡±
Timothy watched Sullivan leave, a knowing smile ying on his lips. Tuming back, he shuffled the deck
with a cigarette dangling from his lips and said offhandedly, ¡°Bet, stop staring. Thedy¡¯s been
mamed for three years. Man, you¡¯re fickle. Just the other day, you were on her case, and now you¡¯re
smitten? What¡¯s the deal? Did you pop the wrong pill or get hexed or something?¡±
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Bet, holding the cigarette between his fingers, exhaled a perfect smoke ring. He red at Timothy
and spat out, ¡°Get lost! I have no clue what you¡¯re babbling about.¡±
Timothy pointed at Bet¡¯s chest. ¡°You¡¯ve got a sickness right here! Don¡¯t you forget who she¡¯s
married to!¡±
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Chapter 34
Chapter 34
She slipped out of her little ck dress, standing in only her ck lingerie, her pale skin glowing softly
under the dim light
With a creak, the door swung open.
Megan, startled, quickly grabbed a shirt to cover her chest and turned around to see who it was.
In the doorway stood Sullivan. His gaze fixed on her as he slowly shut the dressing room door behind
him¡¡
Megan bit her lip ¡°Sullivan, this is the women¡¯s dressing room!¡±
But Sullivan acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard her. He approached her, and before she could react, he took
the shirt from her hands. Then, with one hand, he pinned her against the locker to scrutinize her in the
light.
Megan wasn¡¯t ustomed to this. Her skin prickled with tiny goosebumps. She shivered slightly.
She dared not scream for fear of drawing others in.
But Sullivan did nothing more. He just quietly looked her over as if they had never been husband and
wife¡ as if it was his first time seeing her body.
There wasn¡¯t even a trace of desire in his eyes.
After a long moment, his grip rxed.
Megan tumed her back to him, her fingers trembling slightly as she dressed. She tried to sound
nonchnt. ¡°Sullivan, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±
Sullivan was a mix of emotions.
During their three¨Cyear marriage, he disregarded Megan.
When she proposed divorce, he hadn¡¯t taken it seriously. In his mind, Megan seemed to belong
exclusively to him. It never urred to him that so many men coveted his wife, and he had been
oblivious all along.
He moved closer to her from behind. His breath, tinged with a faint scent of tobo, warmed her
delicate earlobe, tuming a small patch of her clear skin a tempting pale pink
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Sullivan¡¯s eyes lowered, his Adam¡¯s apple involuntarily moved, and his voice came out huskier than
usual, ¡°What am I to do you, Mrs. Lowry? A femme fatale, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t understand his meaning, and Sullivan didn¡¯t want her to.
On the ride back to the Lowry Mansion, he was silent, only asionally ncing at her when stopping
at red lights, making Megan¡¯s skin crawl. But she didn¡¯t tter herself into thinking Sullivan had
suddenly fallen for her
She wasn¡¯t that vain.
Late at night, a ck Bentley pulled into the Lowry Mansion. As the car stopped, Sullivan said casually,
¡°Consider a job change. Ill arrange something for you.¡±
His tone was ambiguous, and Megan couldn¡¯t be bothered to guess his intentions.
She gripped the car door handle, softly saying, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s on your mind, but I quite
like my job! And I don¡¯t to arrange anything for me!¡±
She had taken a job to move away from him. If she epted his offer, then what was the point of
everything she had done?
Megan tried to get out of the car, but Sullivan caught her wrist.
need
you
His eyes were a depth she had never seen, especially captivating when angry. They were locked in this
standoff for what felt like half a minute before Sullivan finally asked in a steady voice, ¡°Megan, is it that
you don¡¯t want anything I give you? Do you really hate me that much?¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t break free from his grip. She blinked, her voice a trace bewildered, ¡°It¡¯s not hate!¡±
¡°Then what is it?¡±
Sullivan pressed, but their conversation was cut short.
The car door suddenly swung open.
The servant outside, seeing their sped hands, beamed, ¡°Madam Heloise heard some noise, knew it
was the young master bringing the young mistress home, and specially asked me toe get you!¡±
Megan knew he had misunderstood and tried to pull away. But Sullivan didn¡¯t release her hand.
Instead, he held it, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her soft hand, pretending to be the picture
of a loving couple!
Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The Lowry Mansion was aze with light.
Servants bustled about bringing dishes of rich, hearty food to the table, which soon groaned under the
weight of avish feast
Heloise took personal charge of overseeing the dining. She was particrly concerned about her
grandson¡¯s well being that night and had instructed the kitchen to prepare a special soup for him¨Ca
sumptuous turtle soup believed to bolster one¡¯s vitality. Then, she arranged a dish that was reputed to
nourish and hydrate a woman¡¯s body, cing it with solicitous care by Megan¡¯s side
With a beaming smile, Heloise dered. The got a good feeling about tonight! You¡¯re bound to
conceive¡±
Even though Megan had been married for three years, such intimate talk still made her blush,
especially with several servants standing around in the hall
Sullivan caught her eye. His face was cool andposed as he cajoled his grandmother, ¡°Well then, I
guess I¡¯ll have to put in some extra effort tonight to ensure you get to hold your great¨Cgrandchild soon.¡±
Heloise¡¯s smile widened, as if she could already see a chubby, rosy¨Ccheeked great¨Cgrandchild waving
at her. Shedled another bowl of turtle soup for her grandson. ¡°This has been simmering for hours;
drink it while it¡¯s hot. It¡¯ll give a man strength.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t flinch.
Me
Megan thought he was quite the actor and adept at cating people.
For three years of mamage, every time they were intimate, he would remind her to take her
contraception. He clearly didn¡¯t want children, yet in front of his grandmother, he yed the dutiful
husband.
Feeling her gaze on him, Sullivan looked back at Megan, then wiped his lips with a napkin, ¡°Grandma,
it¡¯s gettingte. Megan and I are going to head upstairs to bed!¡±
Heloise shooed them off, ¡°Go on, go on!¡±
Once they left, she tumed to her rituals, lighting candles for the ancestors, muttering under her breath
about Sullivan¡¯s mother¡¯sck of concem for the Lowry family legacy. It was outrageous that she would
retire to bed early, knowing full well that her son and daughter-inw were visiting
Upstairs. Sullivan caught Megans slender wrist and led her to the master bedroom.
Once inside. Megan pulled away, her voice t. The act is over. You can let go of me now.¡±
Sullivan tightened his grip, trapping her in his embrace.
Beneath the crystal chandelier, Sullivan¡¯s handsome face took on a hint of desire
He looked down at her, his aristocratic nose inadvertently brushing against hers as he spoke in a low,
husky voice, ¡°We¡¯ve had the tonic why not make it count? It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve been together
as husband and wife, Megan, I don¡¯t believe you don¡¯t want it¡¡±
Alone with her, the man finally showed his true colors. His im of his grandmother wanting to see her
might have been just a ruse. In reality, he probably wanted to lure her back for a physical encounter,
Megan felt a mix of shame and imitation.
Sullivan guided her hand towards himself.
Megan thought he was out of his mind, but her body betrayed her, craving the sweetness it had been
fed.
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Sullivan held her soft hand close. He whispered seductively in her ear. ¡°Do you want it? If you do, I¡¯ll
give it to you right now.
In the past, she would have wrapped her arms around his neck, melted into his embrace, and kissed
him because Sullivan was rarely this tender. But now, she felt pitiful in a loveless marriage, having
wasted three years.
Megan curled her fingers into her palm. She kept her head down, breathing softly against his shoulder,
deliberately saying something to dampen his spirits
¡°Sullivan, if you really want it that badly, you could¡¯ve gone to Cressida. It doesn¡¯t bother me that much,
and besides, we¡¯re close to getting a divorce!¡±
The next second, Sullivan let her go. He stepped back, taking in her indifferent demeanor.
She truly didn¡¯t care!
If a woman cared for her husband, she would never say such things. Sullivan had never felt a physical
impulse for Cressida, but at that moment, he was too angry to exin anything to Megan.
Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Chapter 36
His voice dripped with sarcasm, ¡°Megan, arent you magnanimous now!¡±
After his bitingment, he shrugged her off and headed for a cold shower
Ten minutester, Sullivan emerged from the bathroom, drying his thick hair with a towel. He noticed
Megan had made a makeshift bed on the couch, clearly nning to tough it out for the night.
It irked him.
The anger he had managed to suppress was bubbling up again. Without thinking, he scooped Megan
into his arms, tossed her onto the plush king¨Csize bed, andy down on top of her his body pressing
hers into the mattress.
Megan¡¯s face was buried in the pillow
Sullivan didn¡¯t want to touch her not really. Anger was still stewing in his heart. Just as he was about to
let her go, Megan¡¯s phone chimed. A new message.
Sullivan frowned slightly, ¡°Who¡¯s texting you thiste at night?¡±
Pinned down, Megan snapped back, ¡°None of your business!¡±
Sullivan let out a coldugh. With one hand pinning her slender shoulder, he leaned over to the
nightstand, grabbed her phone, and used her fingerprint to unlock it
Megan felt humiliated. ¡°Sullivan, you have no right to do that?
He ignored her plea. Staring at the message, his expression turned dark and stormy.
It was from Begonia, no text, just a photo of a cityscape at night.
The message seemed innocent enough. But they were all adults here, and the subtext was clear ¨C only
a man smitten with a woman would feel the urge to share such moments in the dead of night.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze lingered
Then, he looked down at the woman beneath him. Her fair face was buried in the pillow, her delicate
nose flushed red, and even her crying trembled with a woman¡¯s allure; no wonder she was on the
minds of so many men.
Sullivan tossed the phone aside. He lowered his voice to a whisper as soft as a lover¡¯s. ¡°Sending you
messages thiste! Tell me¡ how far have you gone with him, hmm?¡±
As he spoke, he grabbed her, rough and unrestrained. He was intent on causing her pain.
Megany on the pillow, trying unsessfully to break free, allowing him to toy with her. But she
stubbornly bit her lip, refusing to plead with him, only letting out a thin, sharp cry when he went too far.
Her forehead was dotted with sweat. She was a mess, enduring his punishment.
This was the real Sullivan, this was their true marriage¡ His previous tendemess had been nothing but
a facade; what he truly enjoyed was tormenting her in bed.
She kept s
silent, and Sullivan¡¯s rage b
burned even hotter.
He flipped Megan over, leaning over her, and tormented her by every means, yet withheld release.
His voice was deep, tinged with frustration, ¡°Tell me, how far did you go? Have you kissed? Has he
touched you? If you won¡¯t speak, 1 have ways to make you!¡±
Finally, Megan couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and began to cry beneath him. ¡°No! No! Sullivan¡ I haven¡¯t!¡±
Sullivan stopped his torments. He gazed down at the woman in his arms, her delicate face flushed with
a slight red, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly wretched because of him.
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He couldn¡¯t help but lick the tears from theer of her eyes.
Megan flinched, thinking he was going to hurt her again. Her gaze
e was vacant, her lips parted, her voice a hoarse whisper, ¡°Never! There¡¯s never been anything
between us
Sullivan cradled her cheek and kissed her. His fingers, well¨Cdefined, tangled in her hair as he kissed
her deeply
Megan didn¡¯t struggle. She blinked softly as if still in a daze. She seemed so docile, and Sullivan kept
kissing her, his hand moving untie her robe, preparing to make love to her..
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Megan trembled in his arms, her mind a whirlpool of the not¨Cso¨Csweet memories s that haunted the
past three years. Her body felt nearly
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dysfunctional from the emotional toll
Sullivan was on the brink of iming herpletely when his phone enpted with a persistent ring.
Annoyed, he grabbed the device and saw Bianca¡¯s name shing on the screen. With a moment¡¯s
hesitation, he answered, but his tone was brusque, ¡°What¡¯s so important that it can¡¯t wait till moming?¡±
On the other end, Bianca¡¯s voice wasced with urgency ¡°Mr. Lowry, Cressida¡¯s back in Borough City!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. He nced at Megan, then got up and stepped outside to continue
the call, but not before Megan caught the gist of Bianca¡¯s announcement.
Cressida was back in Borough City. Sullivan¡¯s mistress had made her grand return, and for Megan, the
official Mrs. Lowry in name, it was a p in the face.
After a brief two minutes, Sullivan returned, his expression taut.
Cressida had made quite the entrance, surrounded by paparazzi at the airport, where she had the
misfortune of breaking her leg, again. And to add insult to injury, her parents had announced to the
media that their Baldwin family was now inws with the illustrious Lowry Group
This was undoubtedly a scandal of epic proportions.
Sullivan had to handle it personally, and that included dealing with Cressida.
As he dressed, he nced at Megan, whoy limp
p on the bed, and said in a detached tone, ¡°Got an emergency, you should get some sleep. Ill be back
in the morning to take you home.¡±
Megan tumed her back to him, silent.
18 7 5 2 2 2 2 2 2
Sullivan took onest look at her before grabbing silence of the night
his cos
coat and hastily leaving. Soon, the sound of a car engine revving up
p filled the
Megan knew he wouldn¡¯t return that evening. She thought about the past, how each time Sullivan
visited Cressida in Harmony City, she would be consumed by jealousy, often losing sleep. But now,
Megan realized she no longer cared.
His coldness, his cruelty, all the ways he had wronged her they didn¡¯t matter anymore.
Not loving Sullivan was indeed a relief.
The sky was barely lit when Sullivan walked into the hospital room at Pinecrest Hospital.
Cressida, in her hospital gown, leaned against the pillows, her doe eyes filled with adoration as she
looked at Sullivan
He sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone, checking for any messages from Megan.
None
one came
Bianca entered the room, leaned towards Sullivan, and whispered. ¡°The media¡¯s been handled, Mr.
Lowry. Nothing will leak that
shouldn¡¯t.¡±
Sullivan looked at her, then pocketed his phone. He was about to respond when Cressida, watching his
face carefully, said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Lowry. My father thought we were an item. He assumed a wedding
was in the cards when he spoke to the press!¡±
Before Sullivan could reply, Bianca couldn¡¯t contain her irritation. ¡°Ms. Baldwin, it seems you¡¯ve
forgotten that Mr. Lowry is a married man. Where did you get the idea that you were in a rtionship
with him, let alone that he would marry you?¡±
Normally, Bianca would use Cressida to needle Megan, but now seeing Cressida¡¯s maniptive
attempt to gauge Sullivan¡¯s stance, Bianca lost her cool. She wouldn¡¯t tolerate such lowly tactics from
anyone who dared set sights on Sullivan
Her agitation was evident, and Sullivan gave her a sharp look. Bianca remembered his previous
warnings and promptly stepped back, pressing her lips together.
Cressida was adept at reading the room. With trembling lips and eyes brimming with tears, she
appealed, ¡°Bianca, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. I never thought I was dating Mr. Lowry. I¡¯m aware he has a
wife. His kindness to me¡. was only because I once unwittingly awoke him. All I want is to heal my leg
and learn from Paxton. I dare not hope for anything more. Bianca, you wouldn¡¯t hold that against me,
would you?¡±
nca was seething, now fully aware of Cressida¡¯s cunning. Every word was innocent, yet each was a
dagger aimed at her! Bianca turned to Sullivan, seeking his cue.
Sullivan was already in a foul mood, thanks to the Baldwin family¡¯s blunder. He faced Cressida with an
expression void of warmth ¡°Until these matters are settled, I suggest your parents watch their tongues.
They should know what can and cannot be said!¡±
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Cressida gripped her delicate fingers tightly together Yet, on the surface, she was the picture of docility.
¡°I understand, Mr. Lowry!¡±
Sullivan stood and made his exit.
Outside, Cressida¡¯s folks stood there, the very image of in, unassuming people, eager to strike up a
conversation with Sullivan as he emerged, but before they could utter a word, he had already stepped
into the elevator
Bianca shot them a re and followed suit.
In the elevator, it was just Sullivan and Bianca, the red numbers on the digital disy ticking down
steadily.
¡°Why send Cressida to Pinecrest Hospital?¡± Sullivan suddenly asked. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that where Megan¡¯s dad
was treated?¡±
Bianca¡¯s heart tightened But she quickly offered an exnation, ¡°Mr. Lowry, it wasn¡¯t intentionall By the
time I got to the airport, the ambnce had already taken Cressida to the hospital. Will you be visiting
Cressida before her surgery tomorrow?¡±
As the elevator dinged open, Sullivan was the first to step out, leaving behind a dismissive, ¡°I¡¯m not a
doctor!¡± Bianca humed after him.
As Sullivan slid into his sleek ck Bentley, the window rolled down, and he half¨Cturned to Bianca. ¡°Set
up a dinner with Paxton when he gets to Borough City.¡±
Bianca understood, he wanted to introduce Cressida.
She couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I¡¯ve heard Paxton¡¯s taken a shine to a student. I¡¯m afraid this
might not pan out!¡±
Sullivan was scrolling through his phone and hardly looked up.
¡°Who¡¯s caught Paxton¡¯s disceming eye then?¡± he asked nonchntly
Bianca forced a smile. ¡°Details are sketchy, but Paxton has publicly praised this violinist and said he
intends to mentor her personally.¡± Sullivan looked up at his sectary, his voice cool and detached. ¡°Then
let¡¯s put Paxton¡¯s integrity to the test¡±
At half¨Cpast seven, Sullivan returned to the Lowry Mansion..
The opulent dining hall was filled with the aroma of breakfast
Cami, dressed in her elegant attire, sat at the dining table directing the servants, her peripheral vision
catching her son heading upstairs. She stopped him with a detached tone, ¡°She¡¯s gone already!¡±
Sullivan paused mid¨Cstride. He turned and took a seat at the table, where a servant promptlyid out a
napkin for him
Seeing her son disinclined to speak, Cami couldn¡¯t help but vent. ¡°I heard you were out dealing with
Cressida¡¯s mess in the middle ofst night? Sullivan, I don¡¯t really want to meddle in your affairs, but
the gossip is that you and Megan are heading for a divorce!¡±
She paused and added, ¡°No matter what, Megan is leagues above Cressida.¡±
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Sullivan took a sip of his ck coffee and gestured to the servant. ¡°Remember, no creamer next time¡±
The servant nodded earnestly
Only then did Sullivan address his mother¡¯s concems, ¡°I have no ns for divorce¡ and I have no
interest in Cressida.¡±
¡°But she¡¯s interested in you!¡± Cami¡¯s face twisted with disdain at the mention of Cressida, ¡°She¡¯s a
crow trying to y peacock!¡± Sullivan didn¡¯t respond.
Not wanting to strain their rtionship further, Cami pushed an invitation across the table towards
Sullivan, ¡°There¡¯s a party at Mrs. Lambert¡¯s on Thursday. Regardless, you need to show up with
Megan, y the loving couple, and squash those divorce rumors.¡± Mrs. Lambert?
Sullivan nced at the invitation, it was indeed from the wife of Mr. Lambert of Daybreak Corp
Mr. Lambert had a project underway, one Sullivan was vying for, with decent odds.
Given the timing, the party seemed especially crucial, and without hesitation, Sullivan said, ¡°Til bring
Bianca instead. There¡¯s a project that could use her insight¡±
world of business.
Besides, Sullivan didn¡¯t want Megan, to get involved in the cutthroat w Cami disapproved, ¡°nca
may bepetent, but she¡¯s just a secretary. Since when do men bring their secretaries to a social
event?¡±
ure that project, no matter what.
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In the parking lot of the Lowry Group, Sullivan killed the engine of his sleek ck sedan and sat there
for a moment, debating internally before he decided to give Megan a call The call went simight to
voicemail.
Megan was obviously pissed. He contemted the reasons. Maybe it was his rough treatment the
night before, or perhaps it was how he had slipped away in the dead of night. Surely, she must have
overheard nca¡¯s words on the phone.
Sullivan leaned back into the leather seat and lit up a cigarette, his free hand still gripping the cell
phone. He wondered whether to text her, maybe buttes ner up a bit
But that thought fluttered away as quickly as it came. Sweet nothings and making up¨Cit wasn¡¯t their
style. He never loved Megan, not in the past, not now, and certainly not in any imagined future.
As he pocketed his phone, Bianca approached, opening the car door for him with a chirpy energy
despite having not slept all night. He always admired her work ethic, which is why she was still around,
even after overstepping her boundaries once.
They entered the elevator, and Bianca began to debrief him on his schedule, but Sullivan cut her off.
¡°Clear your schedule for Thursday night,¡± he said coolly. ¡°Mrs. Lambert of Daybreak Corp. is throwing a
soiree, and you¡¯ll apany me. Thepany will cover your shopping spree. You know how crucial
the Daybreak project is¨Cdon¡¯t screw this up.¡±
It took Bianca a moment to process his words. ¡°Mr. Lowry, you want me to¡ attend Mrs. Lambert¡¯s
party with you?¡±
¡°Is that a problem?¡±
¡°No, no problem at all! Bianca was quick to reassure him, her voice oozing professionalism. ¡°Rest
assured, Mr. Lowry. I¡¯ll make a good impression and help you clinch that project¡®
Without a response, Sullivan stepped out of the elevator.
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Inside the elevator, Bianca fixed her makeup in the mirror. She admired her elegant figure and refined
features, thinking that normally, a high¨Cprofile event like Mrs. Lambert¡¯s would be an asion for a
wife, but Mr. Lowry chose her instead.
It was a clear sign, wasn¡¯t it? In his eyes, she was more important than Megan. It seemed she had
overestimated Megan¡¯s standing. Megan, Mrs. Lowry, was nothing but a ceholder
Bianca invested a lot of effort for the event. After days of searching, she chose an Italian designer
gown¨Cromantic yet intellectual, and white toplement Mr. Lowry¡¯s ck tuxedo.
As she admired herself in the mirror, she caressed the fabric and smiled, ¡°This is the one.¡±
She confidently swiped her card for the hefty price tag of seven grand, and the store manager assured
her, ¡°We¡¯ll keep this gown safe for you. Juste to pick it up before the event.¡±
With a dignified nod, Bianca was about to leave when her phone rang. It was Sullivan.
In his usual detached tone, he instructed, ¡°Mrs. Lambert wants Megan toe early to help out, but I
suggested you instead. Take down the address and get in touch with Mrs. Lambert
?? ? ??
nca¡¯s heart skipped a beat. At that moment, she felt like the true Mrs. Lowry
On the other end, Sullivan hung up and, golf clubs in hand, started walking towards the crowd gathered
on the green when he heard a familiar voice, ¡°Sullivan!¡±
Turning, he saw Bet. It was clear Bet had overheard Sullivan¡¯s call. With a slight tilt of his chin
towards Mr. Lambert, he teased, *Not letting Megan go? Can¡¯t bear the thought of othersying eyes
on her?¡±
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Sullivan¡¯s lips curved into a smirk, signaling the caddy to tee up before he leaned into his stance and
swung. He watched where the ball Landed.
As he strolled toward the spot, he drawled, ¡°Since when did you get to know me so well? Yeah, you
gotta keep a tight leash on the missus, dont want her catching other fellows¡® eyes. Right, Bet?¡±
Bet¡¯s expression soured. After a moment, a cold sneer yed on his lips. But sometimes, no
matter how tight you hold on, it doesn¡¯t make a difference, does it? There¡¯s a saying. Love is like sand
in the hand¨Chold too tightly, and it slips through your fingers.¡± Under the setting sun, the fairway was a
stretch of lush green.
d in a crisp white polo and cks, Sullivan exuded casual elegance as he focused on his next shot.
Two strokes and the ball was in the hole.
Sullivan lost interest in ying further. Handing his clubs to the caddy and taking a towel to wipe his
hands, he shed Bet a grin. ¡°Bet, since we were kids, I¡¯ve never failed to get what I want.
Besides, you know my temper,¡±
He didn¡¯t want to fall out with Bet over Megan. Though she was his wife, Megan hadn¡¯t reached the
level of importance in his heart that warranted a full confrontation. A gentle warning should suffice.
With that Sullivan took his leave.
Bet remained where he was, his expression indifferent. He didn¡¯t understand his own feelings!
He¡¯d never liked Megan much before, but now he found himself yearning for Sullivan to let her go, to
get a divorce. Perhaps then he might have a chance.
Sullivan hadn¡¯t expected Bianca to botch things up-
On Wednesday afternoon, Bianca had gone to help out at Mrs. Lambert¡¯s estate, but she was sent
packing in less than two hours.
Sullivan was a titan in the business world.
There¡¯s an old saying. ¡°Even when you strike a dog, you must consider its owner, which just showed
how irate Mrs. Lambert must have been
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Bianca felt wronged. Mrs. Lambert had not only berated her but also sent a message for Megan to
come over.
nca, looking at Sullivan¡¯s expression, whispered, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I think this deal might be dead in the
water Mr. Lambert must have someone else in mind; otherwise, his wife wouldn¡¯t have dismissed you
like that¡±
Sullivan closed the folder. ¡°What exactly did Mrs. Lambert ask you to help with?¡±
After Bianca recounted the events, she added. ¡°Mr. Lowry, I really did my best! But Mrs. Lambert
insisted on having Megan over, especially for tomorrow¡¯s dinner party.¡±
She harbored a secret desire- Hoping against hope that she¡¯d be the one attending the dinner party the
next day.
Sullivan listened quietly, then made a decision on the spot. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s dinner party. I¡¯ll take Megan.¡±
Bianca¡¯s heart sank. Her lips quivered as she couldn¡¯t help but belittle Megan. ¡°But Megan doesn¡¯t
understand a thing about the project, and she knows nothing about the business world.¡±
Sullivan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on his subordinate, his tone indifferent. ¡°But Megan
understands Mrs. Lambert. And, Bianca, I¡¯m informing, not consulting you.¡±
After Bianca left, Sullivan dialed Megan¡¯s number. Perhaps out of spite, she persistently declined his
calls. Sullivan tried several times, but only to be cut off each time.
Quite the temper!
After a moment¡¯s thought, he sent her a text.
[Need cash, right? Join me for a dinner party. How does $200,000 sound?]
He didn¡¯t believe Megan could resist that sum
But Sullivan was wrong. After sending the message, he waited half an hour but didn¡¯t receive a reply
from Megan.
Sullivan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly.
Then, without another word, he transferred $200,000 to her.
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sty little coffee shop when her phone buzzed with a notification Sullivan had transfered a
Megan was sitting across from Lucia in a co?y
Lucia had called her out to share some news about Alton, awyer who had apparently gone off the
grid to provide legal aid to an Indigenous tribe With a heavy heart and a touch of disbelief, Lucia
recounted the details, her voice betraying a mix of concern and frustration
Lucra took a big gulp of her coffee and grimaced. She had never developed a taste for this pretentious
brew.
¡°You know, Megan,¡± Lucia said softly, trying to offer somefort, ¡°well keep digging. I refuse to
believe that Alton is the only one out there who can handle the job¡±
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As Megan was about to respond, her phone alerted her to the iing transfer: $200,000 from
Sullivan. Her expression wavered, catching Lucia¡¯s attention.
¡°What¡¯s got you looking like you¡¯ve seen a ghost? Lucia leaned in, nosy as ever.
¡°Oh, it¡¯s from Sullivan, that jackass!¡± Lucia¡¯s eyes widened at the amount. ¡°What¡¯s he ying at? Is he
expecting a night in your bed for this? I knew it¨Cmen are all the same, driven by their baser instincts¡±
Megan didn¡¯t respond; instead, she pocketed her phone, her mood tuming somber.
¡°You know, we could use that money.¡± Lucia suggested, half¨Cjoking.
Megan offered a wry smile. ¡°Sullivan¡¯s money isn¡¯t that easy to take.¡±
Lucia cursed under her breath a few more times before she had to leave for an engagement. Despite
her distaste for the coffee, she finished every drop. It was a habit ingrained in her from childhood.
Once alone. Megan prepared to leave, but her phone chimed again. This time, it was a message from
Paxton, saying he would arrive in Borough City on Saturday and was eager to see her.
A smile unwittingly crossed her lips as she texted back, then headed to her job at Regal Bolt.
After work, close to 11 p.m., Megan stepped out into the brisk autumn night, wrapping her thin coat
tighter around her. She paused when she noticed a sleek ck Bentley parked at the curb.
Sullivan sat inside, d in a ssic ck and white suit, smoking.
Feeling her gaze upon him, he looked over
Under the neon glow, their silent exchange felt like a reunion of long¨Clost acquaintances.
Eventually, Sullivan stubbed out his cigarette and stepped out to open the passenger door for her.
¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡±
Megan knew he wanted something from her and approached the vehicle, settling into the seat under
his watchful eye.
As Sullivan got back in and buckled up, he casually asked, ¡°Hungry? Fancy grabbing a bite?¡±
Megan wasn¡¯t fooled by his unusual gentleness. ¡°Let¡¯s just talk here,¡± she said, her voice steady.
With a flick of his wrist, Sullivan lit another cigarette, letting the smoke fill the car. Holding the cigarette
between his fingers, he spoke with a hint of gravity, ¡°Mrs. Lambert is quite fond of you. She¡¯s hoping
you could help with the arrangements for tomorrow night¡¯s banquet
Megan remained silent.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t want to?¡± Sullivan asked, ncing her way
Megan¡¯s smile was faint, almost mncholic ¡°Sullivan, I wasn¡¯t your first choice, was 1? You¡¯re only
willing to pay me this much because nca couldn¡¯t cut it, right?¡±
Surprised by her acuity. Sullivan remained silent.
Megan¡¯s tone grew even more detached. ¡°The Daybreak Corp. project is worth billions. $200,000 is too
little. I want $2 million.¡± Sullivan¡¯s brow furrowed ever so slightly. It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t afford to pay,
it wasn¡¯t that he was stingy with women. But he was a businessman, and businessmen strive for
maximum profit¨Ceven if the women question was his own wife.
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Sullivan smirked with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°Quite the appetitel Aren¡¯t you worried about biting off more
than you c
can chaw?¡°
Megan retorted with a coldugh. Whether I can handle it or not is my own business! I want the full two
million for pulling this off for
you
Sullivan¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°And what if the project falls through?¡±
The smile on Meann¡¯s face faded. ¡°That would simply mean you weren¡¯t up to the task.¡±
No one had ever challenged him so brazenly before. Sullivan found it amusing. He leaned in,
whispering in Megan¡¯s ear, ¡°It seems I mist secure this project after all, otherwise my dear Mrs. Lowry
might think I¡¯m not capable enough¡±
His proximity and the masculine scent that enveloped her sent a shiver down her spine.
Megan pushed him away, ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to be talking business? Cut the sleaze!¡±
She was still put off by the events of that night.
A disloyal husband always brought to mind images of infidelity, which were repulsive just to think about.
As they got out of the car Sullivan caught her wrist.
Megan held back her imitation, ¡°I get in touch with Mrs. Lambert first thing in the morning! But only if
the two million is in the ount!¡±
Sullivan watched her closely before saying, ¡°I can write you that check right now.¡±
Megan met his gaze
Sullivan chuckled, ¡°What? Don¡¯t trust me?¡±
Megan turned away, gazing into the dark night ahead, ¡°After dealing with someone like you for so long,
even a fool leams a thing or
two.¡±
Even though they
y were parting ways. Megan faltatio
parting ways, Megan felt a tinge of regret. Regret for having trusted the wrong person the first time
around.
Sullivan handed her the check, and as he did, he suddenly spoke up, ¡°About Cressida¡¡±
This was the first time he had brought up Cressida with Megan. He didn¡¯t know if this counted as an
exnation.
Hearing that name caught Megan off guard, but then she replied indifferently, ¡°I know she¡¯s in Borough
City, working at the same hospital as my father. You¡¯re going to help her with her leg, introduce her to
Paxton to fulfill her dreams.¡±
Sullivan looked into her eyes as if trying to discern her true feelings.
Megan¡¯s tone grew even more detached, ¡°The whole town knows about it,
t, no
d
need to snoop around.
With that, she pushed open the car door. A chill wind blew as she stepped out, coughing twice, but she
didn¡¯t look back.
She walked away resolutely, moving further and further away from Sullivan with each step.
Back at home, she clenched the check tightly in her hand, the pressure making her palm ache.
Megan stared at the two million. Her emotions surged.
This was the first time she had ¡®skimmed some far off Sullivan, and sadly, she had to use the title of
Mrs. Lowry to earn it. But she believed she would make it on her own, and someday, everyone would
refer to her as Ms. Quigley.
The next morning. Sullivan¡¯s driver came to pick up Megan.
For the sake of ying her role well, Megan dressed in the elegant and luxurious attire she had once
worn as Mrs. Lowry.
Mrs. Lambert took a liking to her immediately. She chatted warmly with her, holding her hand, and
eventually confessed in a hushed tone, ¡°My husband is not very adept at these things. I¡¯ve told him a
few times I wanted you toe over, but Sullivan¡¯s secretary just doesn¡¯t get it¡±
In high society, ¡°the other woman¡± was loathedProperty ? N?velDrama.Org.
Mrs. Lambert whispered, ¡°It¡¯s about time someone put Bianca in her ce! She might be good enough
as an assistant, but when ites to being a socialite, Megan, you¡¯re leagues ahead of her.¡±
Megan smiled graciously. ¡°Thank you for thepliment, Mrs. Lambert!¡±
Mrs. Lambert patted her delicate hand and beamed, ¡°Well then, let¡¯s go have a look at the venue and
start nning.¡±
Megan smiled in agreement.
As Mrs. Lambert led her into the foyer, someone began descending the staircase, adjusting their
cufflinks
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Bet wasn¡¯t surprised to see Megan. He surveyed her from his vantage point, taking in the opulent
dress that adomed her figure.
After a few seconds, he descended the stairs and stopped beside her with a casualpliment, ¡°Nice
dress, though you looked better at the hospital that day¡±
Bolt¨Cshe
Megan was mature enough. Thinking of Bet¡¯s cryptic remarks, his daily visits to Regal Bolt- she
wasn¡¯t oblivious, but she yed The fool
Bet was not a man to trifle with
Mrs. Lambert, blissfully unaware, introduced him with a warm smile, ¡°Megan, this is Mr. Lambert¡¯s
distant cousin, Bet. A bit of a fascal since childhood, but he¡¯s always dropping by for a visit.¡±
Megan responded with a subtle smile, ¡°We¡¯ve met ¡±
Mrs. Lambert patted her shoulder. ¡°Silly me, I forgot Bet and Sullivan grew up together! You two
catch up; I need to fetch those crystal sses. The staff here are always miscing things.¡±
With that, Mrs. Lambert excused herself.
Once she was gone, Bet, hands in his pockets, tumed his gaze to Megan. He lit a cigarette and
asked, ¡°So, nning to go back to being the belle of the Lowry estate?¡±
Megan looked away, ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s any of your business.¡±
He studied her porcin face and the delicate shadow cast by hershes, charming yet innocent:
Taking a deep drag, he left without another word
Megan exhaled with relief.
Interacting with Bet was always a tense affair, his moods were as unpredictable as the weather.
Right on cue, Mrs. Lambert reappeared, having noticed nothing.
Megan helped her with the arrangements,
ts, busy until four in the afternoon. That¡¯s when Sullivan called.
¡°I¡¯m in the parking lot. Go change into your gown.¡±
Megan hesitated. But Mrs. Lambert overheard and chimed in with a smile, ¡°Is Sullivan¡¯s here for you?
Off you go! Doll yourself up, and be the most dazzling flower tonight¡±
ck B.
Megan didn¡¯t argue back but walked to the parking lot apanied by Mrs. Lambert. There, Sullivan¡¯s
sleek ck Bentley was
Bunjeve
The window was half down, Sullivan was the picture of sophistication in his ck and white tuxedo, a
crisp white pleated shirt, and a luxurious ck velvet jacket.
Stately and refined.
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As Megan approached, he didn¡¯t get out of the car but leaned over to open the passenger door for her.
Mrs. Lambert couldn¡¯t help but tease a little.
Sullivan nodded politely and drove off with Megan.
Megan leaned back in the seat, her rxed demeanor softening her features. Sullivan, unable to resist,
took her delicate hand in his, caressing it gently. She withdrew it subtly
¡°Cool it, Sullivan. There¡¯s no need for that between us.¡± she said, her tone distant
Sullivan, rebuffed, focused on the road. At a red light, he turned to her and asked softly, ¡°How did
things go with Mrs. Lambert? How did nca manage to offend her?¡±
Megan gazed at the sunset clouds, her expression serene. ¡°nca ced a M in the main hall at
her will. But she didn¡¯t know Mr. Lambert¡¯s past indiscretions his mistress adored M¡¯s work, so it
became a sore point for Mrs. Lambert.¡±
¡°She set up high tables for the service a faux pas. Ladies prefer low tables; high ones are for the help.¡±
¡°Plus. Mr. Lambert¡¯s child is allergic to red beans, and yet Bianca had the expensive chef fill every
pastry with red beans. It was because you, Sullivan, you like them.¡±
¡°She wanted to impress, but she crossed Mrs. Lambert
As Megan spoke, herposure never wavered, her skin glowing, her profile delicate and exquisite.
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Sullivan eyed her with a curious gaze. After a moment, he chuckled lightly. To this a big deal among
Indies?¡±
His voice suddenly dropped a notch, even carrying a hint of tenderness, ¡°So Megan, when did you pick
up these tricks? Was it during your time as Mrs. Lowry?¡±
The words were leasing. The kind of flirtation reserved for the intimacy between couples.
Megan wasn¡¯t in the mood for such games. She turned her face away towards the car window and said
coolly, ¡°You pick things up here
and there.¡±
Sullivan was about to say more. But the traffic light of the intersection turned green, and the cars
behind them were already honking impatiently Sullivan had no choice but to gently press the gas pedal
and drive off.
Soon, they arrived at the most upscale hair and beauty salon of Borough City.
Given Sullivan¡¯s special status, he and Megan were personally greeted by the manager.
The manager was sweet¨Ctalking and quite the chammer, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, with your delicateplexion
and slender frame, our salon has just received a tailor¨Cmade Archea gown that would look absolutely
stunning on you. You must be the most filling belle in all of Borough City¡±
And with that, he had the gown brought out
It was indeed beautiful.
Sullivan nced at Megan and gently urged, ¡°Go on, try it.
A short whileter, inside the changing room, Megan slipped into the gown but couldn¡¯t reach the
zipper at the back. After several attempts, she quietly called for assistance. After a moment, footsteps
approached from outside.
The door opened, and to her surprise, it was Sullivan who entered.
Their eyes met, and for a second, both were taken aback.
The changing room was brightly lit, surrounded by mirrors reflecting Megan¡¯s vulnerability. The gown
draped softly over her. Its hemyered yet not heavy, adding a sense of lightness.
The back zipper was undone, and the neckline revealed a generous expanse of tempting skin. Her fair,
soft flesh was covered not with a bra but with nude nipple pasties.
She stood there, looking soft and tender
Sullivan locked the door behind him without a sound and approached her, asking in a low voice, ¡°Can¡¯t
reach the back?¡±
As he spoke, his hands were already at work.
Megan found herself enveloped in his embrace from behind, leaning against him in disarray
Sullivan was tall, around 6¡¯2¡±
Even in her high heels, Megan only came up to just above his shoulder, and he easily took control. He
didn¡¯t hurry to zip up the delicate chain but instead leaned in close to her neck, nipping gently.
Megan trembled slightly. Her voice came out weak, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ll call out¡±
His desire ring; he caressed her sensitive body, deliberately misinterpreting her words, ¡°Then do it,
Megan, I love to hear your moans. Megan was both embarrassed and annoyed, ¡°Sullivan, let go of me!
Someone coulde by at any moment.¡±
Of course, Sullivan knew that
Her teasing and hall¨Cexposed body roused him, but he hadn¡¯t lost his s
senses yet. He trailed his hands up along her waist to the zipper and gently pulled it closed¡
Once done, Megan tried to push him away. But Sullivan held her firmly, forcing her to look at their
reflection in the mirror.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman they we
were a perfect match.
He gazed into her eyes and whispered like a lover, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, I really want to take you right here.¡±
His words were crude.
Megan couldn¡¯t resist snapping back, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, did Cressida leave you unsatisfied? Sorry for
leaving Mr. Lowry so pent up¡± Sullivan didn¡¯t bother to exin. He quite enjoyed Megan¡¯s jealous yet
denying demeanor.
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He gripped her waist, turning her around and pressing her against him. Through the thinyers of
fabric, Megan could feel the change in his body, a sign of his arousal.
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Their bodies were pressed close together, rubbing against one another
To say Megan felt nothing would have been a lie. But she couldn¡¯t deny her aversion to Sullivan, so she
made an excuse, ¡°The event starts at seven, and you care so much about that project. You wouldn¡¯t
want to bete, right?¡±
Upon hearing this, Sullivan eased his grip on her. He nced at her reflection in the mirror, a wry
chuckle escaping his lips, ¡°Mrs. Lawry, you sure know how to kill the mood.¡±
But the immediate crisis had been overted.
The ride back was silent.
At seven in the evening, Sullivan¡¯s sleek ck Bentley glided into the Lambert Estate. He stepped out
and opened the door for Megan. As she bent to exit the car, Sullivan took her hand.
She couldn¡¯t help but look up at him.
They locked eyes under the grand lights, amid the whispering night breeze.
Sullivan tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her close and whispering in her ear, ¡°Stick with me
tonight. Don¡¯t go charming any other
understand?¡±
men.
His words betrayed a possessive desire.
Leaning against his shoulder, Megan spotted Bet.
Bet stood under the porch light, a ss of red wine in his hand, his gaze dark and fixed on her.
She didn¡¯t want to provoke him. Her lips trembled slightly as she embraced Sullivan lightly.
Bet¡¯s eyes narrowed before he turned away.
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Sullivan was no fool. He gently lifted her chin, his voice dangerously husky, ¡°Learning to y the game,
are we?¡±
Megan turned her face away, ¡°Sullivan, remember your goal for tonight.¡±
His gaze was inscrutable, ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t forget, Mrs. Lowry¡± Then he led her by the hand, the
perfect picture of a loving couple
Megan yed along. They even danced together at the g, earning rounds of apuse.
Mrs. Lambert went out of her way to introduce Megan to some distinguisheddies, billing her as the
firstdy of the Lowry Group and a fantastic violinist
To elevate Megan¡¯s status, Mrs. Lambert boasted with a bit of bluster ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Paxton ising
back. Everyone knows he¡¯s favored student, but do you know? It¡¯s none other than our very own Mrs.
Lowry!¡±
Megan was taken aback. This was only known to her, Cora, and Lucia. But Mrs. Lambert..
got a
Coaxed by the others to perform, partly to give face to Mrs. Lambert and partly to test the truth, Megan,
in her ethereal designer gown, graced the green, the lights around her like fireflies.
She yed Mass¡¯s ¡°Meditation and by the end of the piece, no one doubted Mrs. Lambert¡¯s words
anymore, not even Mrs. Lambert herself.
Megan was the one Paxton had been looking for!
Megan bowed in thanks.
Lifting her gaze, she met Sullivan¡¯s eyes. He stood there casually. But his eyes held a message only
she could understand ¨C a mix of lewd desire and possessiveness that had nothing to do with art and
everything to do with a man¡¯s primal longing for a woman.
Megan couldn¡¯t bear that gaze. She feigned a need to use the restroom.
Meanwhile, Sullivan¡¯s eyes followed her, and Mr. Lambert pped him on the shoulder with augh,
¡°Young love, so enviable! Makes me jealous as an old man.¡±
Sullivan returned the gesture with a smile.
Mrs. Lambert came over, fu and talented she was.
fussing over her husband¡¯s appearance, then turned tovish praise on Megan, saying how beautiful,
poised,
Mr. Lambert patted his wife¡¯s hand affectionately. ¡°If you like her so much, why not make her your
goddaughter? It¡¯s rare to see such a shine to someone!¡±
e you
take
9
Mrs. Lambert shot her husband look. Despite being over 40, her charm was undiminished.
She yfully scolded, ¡°I¡¯m only 14 or 15 years older than Sullivan. It wouldn¡¯t be right to take his wife
as my goddaughtert Besides, count the coins in your pocket and see if you¡¯re worthy. If you¡¯re serious,
youll work more with Sullivan. That way, Megan and I can grow closer.¡±
Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Mr. Lambert knew the score when it came to the business deal at hand.
He had other engagements, so he made his exit early.
Sullivan expressed his thanks to Mrs. Lambert.
As Mrs. Lambert watched her husband¡¯s retreating figure, a mist of emotion clouded her eyes.
She tumed to Sullivan and confided. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know this; but back in the day, Mr. Lambert was a yboy and almost divorced me I was practically invisible in our social circles, everybody looked downuponme. Then I met Megan in one of those events. She was just a teen, maybe 15 or 16, but she had this way of lifting spirits. She came with Wyatt Quigley, wearing a charming little ball gown, and in a quieter, she danced ballet for me. You can¡¯t imagine how long it had been since I¡¯dughed. I felt so defeated back then.¡± After a brief pause, Mrs. Lambert chuckled softly, ¡°Look at me, getting all sentimental!¡±
She walked away with a blend of solitudeanddignity in her stride. Even though she now enjoyed a rock¨Csolidstatus as Mrs. Lambert, respected by her husband, shewasacutely aware that women like her always live hard, like walking on thin ice. She also knew Megan had it tough, which is why she lent her a helping hand.
Sullivan remained where he was, knowing that with Mrs. Lambert¡¯s blessing, the deal was as good as sealedProperty ? N?velDrama.Org.
But his thoughts weren¡¯t on the billion¨Cdor project.
They were on Megan.
Megan had confided her frustration, her desire not to be Mrs. Lowry. Was she feelingthesame disappointment andck of love for her husband as Mrs. Lambert had? The difference was, the Lambert household was Mrs. Lambert¡¯s lifelong battlefield, while Megan didn¡¯t
ven want Sullivan anymore.
Megan emerged from the restroom just shy of 9:30 PM. She figured it was about time to make her exit.
Preupied with her own troubles, she almost collided with someone at the door,only to realize itwasBet.
They were so close that Bet could catch the faint scent of her perfume.
was a subtle hint of orange.
Megan tried to sidestep him, but he caught her, his warm fingertips grazing her slender waist.
She looked up at him, her eyes a mix of surprise and shock.
Bet quickly let her go, but as his hand retreated, he couldn¡¯t resist clenching his fingers, holding onto the warmth that was unmistakably Megan¡¯s.
His words, however werecoldand cutting. ¡°What¡¯s the matter had enough ying the tough girl on the outside? Feeling that theforts of being Mrs. Lowry are more appealing? So you¡¯re running back to Sullivan?¡±
Megan dign¡¯t y dumb anymore. She shot back frankly, ¡°Bet, you promised not to make things difficult for me. What do you call
She left it at that.
As she walked away, Bet¡¯s voice was light yet heavy. ¡°Megan, whatever Sullivan can give you, I can too. And whatever he won¡¯t give you. I will. Think about it¡±
stopped. After a moment, she responded softly. ¡°Thank you for your generosity. Bet. But I don¡¯t want it.¡±
Sheathed away, leaving Bet alone under the crystal chandelier that cast his handsome face in a stark, pale light. He felt insane for offering such a thing to his childhood friend¡¯s wife. He had said he wanted Megan to be with him!
Afterposing himself, Bet also left the scene.
Unnoticed, Mrs Lambert had been standing around the corner of the staircase. She had heard everything, holding onto the banister to keep from fainting
And that fallen for a marned woman man was Meganwoman.
Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Megan emerged from the bathroom and didn¡¯t look well.
Sullivan set his wine ss down and loaned in, ¡°Everything okay? Should I let Mr. Lambert know we¡¯re
taking
Megan didn¡¯t object
Sullivan texted both Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, then he left with Megan
They sat back in the car. He looked at her tenderly, ¡°The project is a deall I should thank capable¡±
you, Mrs. Lawry. I never knew you were this
Megan leaned on the leather seat. She had been busy all day, and now she was super tired and didn¡¯t
want to even move a tor
It took her a few seconds to react to Sullivan. She turned to meet his eyes and said gently, ¡°I¡¯ve always
been like that! It was just you never noticed¡±
In their three years of marriage, most of their interactions were on bed. As for the other times, he was
always working in thepany or going to harmony City to meet Cressida.
Megan eventually grew indifferent towards him, no matter how deep she once loved. Now she couldn¡¯t
be moved a bit by his abrupt tendemess
Her serene demeanor was captivating
Sullivan couldn¡¯t help himself and leaned in to steal a kiss.
Megan¡¯s hand covered her lips, stopping him short. She gazed up at him with soft eyes, ¡°Sullivan, that
two million doesn¡¯t cover sleeping with you. Remember, I¡¯m all about keeping it professional.¡±
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A tendemess washed over Sullivan. He kissed the palm of her hand, his voice husky with emotion, ¡°I¡¯m
not asking for anything more then yourpany, Megan.¡±
She hesitated, not pulling away, yet not encouraging him either. It was all too awkward!
Sullivan retreated and drove off. This ce was far from hers, and it took an hour to get there.
Megan was too tired. Unexpectedly, she fell asleep on the car seat after half an hour. When she woke,
she found the car already parking near her apartment.
She was confused and asked a bit huskily. ¡°How fast! Thank you for getting me back. Il clean the gown
and send it back to you¡±
Then, Megan began to leave the car.
But the next second, her waist was cap
was captured by Sullivan. He took her into his brace, and with a press, the seatback leaned down,
Megan was trapped in his embrace. She wanted to shake off, but Sullivan pressed her down tenderly.
Their bodies locked, she could feel the change in him, that tempting bulge pressing against her
stomach. He was aroused.
She didn¡¯t dare to move, fearing that it may tempt him even further.
Sullivan kissed her gently in all angles. His warm palms wandered around her slender waist. He asked
hoarsely while keeping kissing and caressing. ¡°Do you like it? Megan, do you like me kissing you like
this?¡±
Megan kept silent. She didn¡¯t want to respond yet couldn¡¯t escape. How embarrassing!
Finally, Sullivan seemed content with the embrace. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes
searching her face for a reaction as Megan turned her face away, burying it in the crook of his neck.
It was an intimacy beyond the kissing and caressing, stirring something deep within them.
Sullivan whispered against her nose and then fell silent, simply holding her, as if they were a couple in
love, as if they were a devoted husband and wife.
But Megan knew better. This fleeting tenderness was nothing more than a surge of dopamine!
¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Sullivan inquired, reaching out with his warm fingers to trace her lips when she
didn¡¯t respond. making me some pasta upstairs? I haven¡¯t had much to eat tonight.¡±
Megan declined, ¡°It¡¯s not a good time.¡±
Sullivan kissed her gently, ¡°How about $10,000 for a bowl, Mrs. Lowry?¡±
For the right price, Megan relented.
¡°How about
Sullivan got up to open the car door for Megan, and as she moved to step out, he suddenly caught her
hand. She turned to look at him
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was tender, his voice slightly hoarse as heplimented. ¡°That dress looks stunning
on you¡±
It was perhaps the warmest moment they¡¯d shared in their t
three years of marriage.
Megan felt a wave of emotion, but all she did was offer a slight smile and say. ¡°Thanks.¡±
They ascended the staircase, one after the other
The aging infrastructure had Sullivan frowning, but thankfully, the broken hallway light had been fixed.
Behind them, a silver car lingered in the night.
Bianca sat inside, quietly watching the direction they disappeared to. She was dressed in a white gown,
bold and beautiful, that was meant for the g. She had followed them from the Lambert Mansion.
She saw Sullivan guide Megan out, his expression softer than she¡¯d ever witnessed before, his
possessive gestures unmistakable as his palm seemed to never leave Megan¡¯s slender waist.
She had always thought Sullivan was indifferent towards Megan. She had also believed that Megan, in
an unloving marriage, had been tormented for three years, scarred all over. Yet, at the g, Megan
was the center of attention! Her violin performance was breathtakingly beautiful!
That¡¯s why Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but steal a kiss from her in the car earlier.
Bianca gripped the steering wheel, her face the picture of dejection.
She couldn¡¯t ept this!
She took out her phone, picked a photo of Sullivan and Megan dancing, and sent it to Cressida through
a private Twitter ount. She was certain, upon seeing such an intimate photo, Cressida wouldn¡¯t be
able to sit still!
Bianca chuckled to herself.
There were codain things, and if she couldn¡¯t have them, neither would Megan.
Megan¡¯s residence was modest.
Sullivan, nearly six¨Cfoot¨Ctwo, had to duck to avoid the door frame as he entered
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Once inside, he couldn¡¯t quite stretch out and looked somewhat cramped sitting on the only armchair.
Megan seemned more at ease. She headed to their bedroom to change out of her dress into more
comfortable clothes.
She went to the kitchen to cook
Sullivan took off his coat, leaned back on the sofa with a cigarette, his eyes fixed on Megan¡¯s figure.
In the past, after work, Megan would cook for him just like this.
But he had never truly watched her. Even in bed, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to her features. He
knew only that her skin was pale, her waist slim, her legs long and straight.
He often lost himself in their physical intimacy, even without love,
He watched quietly.
The cigarette between his fingers released a thin veil of smoke, encircling him in a soft haze.
Megan prepared two bowls of pasta
The rich broth, finely shredded chicken, a handful of pasta, topped with a plump poached egg and a
couple of bright green veggies, and finally, a few drops of oil
The aroma alone was mouthwatering.
Sullivan stubbed out his cigarette and moved to the small dining table to eat. As a man from a wealthy
family, he wasn¡¯t used to such a modest setting and took a while to getfortable. He took a bite and
found it delicious.
Sullivan looked up at Megan, who was eating gracefully across from him, and said softly, ¡°How did you
pick up these domestic skills, given your background as a Quigley?¡±
Megan paused, pasta in mid¨Cair,
was aplete novice in the kitchen. She had learned to cook because of
So, Sullivan still didn¡¯t know that when they got mamed, she was aplet his pickiness.
But whether he knew or not didn¡¯t matter anymore.
10-12
¡°It¡¯s just simple stuff, not hard to leam Megan replied indifferently.
Sullivan held her gaze for a moment longer before falling silent
After dinner, Megan took the dishes in wesh
Sullivan remained at the table, pulling out another cigarette but not lighting it, just holding it between his
lips as he continued to watch Megan¡¯s profile. His gaze was especially captivating when he was
focused
The kitchen light bathed Megan in a warm glow. The sight of her, eyes downcast and engrossed in her
task, was somehow deeply altuning at least Sullivan found himself wanting to embrace her tight then
Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Sullivan thought about it, and then he acted on 11. He squeezed into the cramped kitchen, wrapping
his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on Megan¡¯s slender shoulder de, tilting his head
slightly to nt a tender kiss on the soft flesh behind her ear.
The sudden disy of affection caught her off guard. Megan¡¯s knees nearly buckled. She nced
down at the unwashed dishes in her hands, her voice barely a whisper, ¡°Sullivan, you said you¡¯de
up for a bowl of pasta, and now.. what is this?¡±
Sullivan tightened his embrace, whispering near her ear, ¡°Megan, pleasee back to me!¡±
Megan stiffened.
For the first time, Sullivan wasn¡¯t using amanding tone to get her toe with him. It sounded
more like a plea, and that subtle change tugged at her heartstrings.
She remained silent, head bowed.
Sullivan kissed her hair, looking up slightly. ¡°Please, Megan¡ please?¡±
The abrupt ring of a cell phone cut through the moment.
Sullivan frowned slightly, reluctant to answer, but Megan was alreadying back to reality.
¡°Answer it.¡± she said.
Sullivan nced at the phone; it was Cressida calling. He dismissed the call and tried to exin, but
Megan had already guessed who it was. As she continued washing the dishes, she said indifferently,
¡°You should go! Don¡¯t forget to wire me that $10,000
She acted nonchnt, and all she could think about was the money.
The Intimacy of moments before evaporated.
Sullivan took a step back, watching her silhouette. After a long pause, he asked softly, ¡°Megan, is it that
you won¡¯te back with me
no matter what?¡±
Megan¡¯s silence was a clear rejection.
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Sullivan had his pride; he couldn¡¯t beg. He transferred the $10,000 to her right then and there. Then, he
grabbed his coat from the couch and left.
Megan kept washing dishes. She heard the chime of the transfer notification on her phone, heard
Sullivan leaving and the door vibrating softly as it closed. She forced herself not to care because she
knew all too well where Sullivan¡¯s tendemess hade from.
It was her value!
If she hadn¡¯tnded Mrs. Lambert, if she hadn¡¯t helped him secure that deal, he wouldn¡¯t have given
her a second nce, wouldn¡¯t have stooped to visit her just for a bowl of pasta, and wouldn¡¯t have
spoken to her in such tender tones.
Because he was Sullivan, the Sullivan who was fierce and unyielding in the business world.
Their parting was not amicable.
Megan convinced herself she didn¡¯t care, yet her eyes were slightly moist. She wasn¡¯t made of wood,
she had feelings.
Megan didn¡¯t see Sullivan in the following days.
She felt relieved.
One day, she went to the hospital to visit Joseph. Not long after her arrival, she noticed Cora seemed
off, as if something was weighing on her mind.
Sure enough, at lunchtime, Cora made the excuse that she was craving Cajun fish stew, something
she couldn¡¯t finish alone. Joseph, suspecting nothing,ughed and said, ¡°Doesn¡¯t Megan like it too?
Invite her to share with you. You two can catch up.¡±
After fluffing his pillow and fussing over him a bit more, Cora left for the hospital cafeteria.
Before the Cajun fish stew arrived, Megan softly asked, ¡°Cora, what¡¯s happened?¡±
you know anything about her
Cora tried to hold back, but the words spilled out. She revealed to Megan, ¡°That Cressida¡ Megan, do
yo past?¡±
Megan only knew that Cressida used to be a nurse.
She shook her head.
Cora was livid, scoffing with disdain, ¡°Cressida¡¯s parents, they were nothing but the Quigley family¡¯s
former chauffeur and a cook! Your father and I never treated them poorly, but look what they¡¯ve donel
Their daughter shamelessly stole your husband! And now, here she is in the hospital, in a room
Sullivan¡¯s paying for, with the best doctors at her disposal. The irony of it all!¡±
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Cressida¡¯s parents used to work for the Quigleys, of all people!
Just then, the waiter brought over a steaming pot of fish stew but Core had lost all appetite. She was
still fuming. ¡°There¡¯s definitely something fishy about them!¡±
Megan felt a knot in her stomach too, as she gently touched Cora¡¯s hand in aforting gesture.
She understood Cras all too well.
Cora came from a well¨Cto¨Cdo family, and at 26, she was headstrong about marrying 40¨Cyear¨Cold
Joseph, a widower with two kids. The whole affair caused such a nift that she cut ties with her own
family.
Cora was always so proud and defiant. She swore to live a life that would prove her family wrong, to
show them her choice was
s the right one. But now, how could she bear being looked down upon by a former servant? How could
she possibly swallow that pride?
Megan tried to console her for a long time. Then she mentioned the inheritance of two million dors,
¡°With this money, things will be a bit easier. Cora, our days are only going to get brighter!¡±
Cora let out augh, coaxed by Megan¡¯s words.
But as sheughed, tears welled up in her eyes, ¡°Megan, it¡¯s not for me that I¡¯m upset. It¡¯s just not fair
to you! A daughter of a chauffeur and a cook, looking so in, how could she possibly¡¡±
She paused, her voice heavy, then continued, ¡°Sullivan must be blind!¡±
Megan joined in, trying to lift her spirits.
Core felt much better after venting. She was worried about her husband, so after picking at her food,
she left in a hurry, leaving Megan staring nkly at the pot of fish stew.
¡°Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Suddenly, a voice called out, familiar yet fore
Megan looked up and saw Cressida.
35 5 3 G G F# G
foreign.
Cressida was sitting in a wheelchair, d in a hospital gown, looking frail. But her seemingly delicate
almond eyes were sharp.
Cressida hade to Megan as ast resort
These days, Sullivan wouldn¡¯t take her calls or visit her in the hospital. When she called Bianca, she¡¯d
get nothing but snide remarks, being told she was trying to punch above her weight.
She was desperate, so she turned to Megan
Cressida,ing from a humble background, was not above using low tactics. Ignoring her own
dignity, she looked at Megan with tearful eyes, even clutching at Megan¡¯s sleeve with a pitiful look,
¡°Mrs. Lowry. I¡¯m begging you, please don¡¯t cling to Sullivan. He and I are truly in love! If you step aside,
we both will be happier. After all, a forced union is never sweet, don¡¯t you agree?¡±
Megan had been married to Sullivan for three years, and for those three years, Cressida had always
been there. But this was the first time Megan was confronting her face¨Cto¨Cface.
She was crass and shameless!
In the past, Megan would have been at a loss.
But perhaps because she no longer cared about Sullivan, she was surprisingly calm. She even spoke
to Cressida with a level tone, ¡°Ms, Baldwin, these are things you should be discussing with Sullivan! If a
woman hasn¡¯t secured her position, the problem usually lies with the man, not the wife.¡±
Cressida bit her lip, looking embarrassed. She had always thought of Megan as naive, but now she
realized Megan wouldn¡¯t be swayed easily.
People around them were beginning to whisper, and Cressida was losing face. Just as Megan was
ready to leave, Cressida couldn¡¯t contain herself and blurted out behind her, He never loved you!¡±
Megan stopped in her tracks.
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Cressida seemed pleased with herself, Holding her head high as she went on.
¡°If he loved you, why wouldn¡¯t he save your brother? If he loved you, why would he let your father stay
in a rundown ward? While I am staying in the best room Pinecrest Hospital has to offer, with the finest
medical care! Mrs. Lowry, he doesn¡¯t love you at all!¡±
Megan lowered her eyes, speaking softly. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business¡±
As she walked away, her heart ached in a dull, persistent throb.
How could she not know?
Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Megan¡¯s wish was simple heal her father¡¯s illness, rescue her brother from the clutches of despair, and
start anew as a family.
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Fate, however was not so kind
Neither was Sullivan!
That night, while performing at Regal Bolt, Megan received an urgent call from Lucia. ¡°Megan, get to
the hospital quick! There¡¯s been trouble!¡±
Achill shot through Megan¡¯s spine.
¡°What happened?¡± she asked, her voice trembling
Lucia hesitated before speaking in a hushed tone, ¡°Cora
a and Cressida had a blowout. It¡¯s a mess;
yourself, Cora might be taken away.¡±
The phone slipped from Megan¡¯s hands.
the cops
are involved. Prepare
Timothy drove Megan to the hospital, fortunately, it wasn¡¯t too far. They arrived at the chaotic scene
within half an hour
But Megan was toote. By the time she got there, Com had already been taken away
The ce was still in disarray, with the Baldwin family making a scene. Dahlia was wailing, holding her
daughter¡¯s scalded arm,menting about her beauty being ruined and vowing to make Cora pay with
years behind bars. Caleb Baldwin stood by, silent and brooding
To Megan¡¯s surprise, Sullivan also showed up, with Bianca in tow.
The moment he arrived, Cressida threw herself into his arms vulnerably.
Dahlia¡¯s tears flowed anew. ¡°With her leg already giving her trouble and now her arm scared, how¡¯s our
little darling supposed to live the rest of her life?
A nurse chimed in, ¡°We need to treat that wound quickly, or there will be scars.¡±
Cressidas wheelchair was broken, Despite pushing with all her might, it wouldn¡¯t budge!
Sullivan bent down to lift her, intending to ce her on a stretcher, but as he looked up, his eyes met
Megan¡¯s
Megan blinked slowly. She watched her husband cradle another woman with tender care. Clearly,
faced with a choice between his wife and his mistress, he chose thetter
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was locked on Megan.
For a long moment, she remained silent.
Suddenly, Sullivan bypassed the stretcher, instead, he carried Cressida straight into the elevator.
Cressida, in pain, found satisfaction in her vanity. She nestled against Sullivari¡¯s chest and shot Megan
a triumphant smile.
Whispers spread among the onlookers.
¡°How romantic, like a prince and his princess
¡°Look, being the legitimate wife means nothing if there¡¯s true love!¡±
I bet hell divorce her
Joumalists swarmed the scene, and Megan felt the sting of public humiliation as if pped across the
face
Seeing her daughter¡¯s prevailing over, Dahlia struck Megan without relent, ¡°if anything happens to our
girl, I¡¯ll make your wicked stepmother pay!¡±
The p was meant for Megan¡¯s cheek.
It might not have hurt much, but it was a wake¨Cup call. It underscored the ridicule of Megan¡¯s past
efforts and the cruelty of her three¨Cyear marriage of endurance.
Meanwhile, the elevator doors slowly closed with Sullivan holding Cressida.
Sullivan¡¯s expression was dark and inscrutable
Megan stood motionless. She realized the dire consequences of being unloved were truly humiliating!
Inside the elevator, even Bianca sensed something was
12:03 1
Megan was still Mrs Lowry, after all. Cressida¡¯s mother daring to p her was outrageous. nca,
knowing Sullivan better than anyone, nced at him.
Sullivan was expressionless
Cressida coord, ¡°Sullivan!¡±
Sullivan nced at Caleb, who had enough sense to offer to take his daughter, ¡°Let me carry her. No
need to trouble you, Mr. Lowry¡±
Cressida caught in her pride, was displeased, ¡°Dad¡°¡±
Sullivan simply replied, ¡°Sure¡±
As he let go, whether by ident or Caleb¡¯s misstep, Cressida fell hard onto the ground. Her surgically
repaired leg snapped, and the scalded skin on her arm tore open, leaving a gruesome wound
Sweat beaded on Cressida¡¯s forehead from the pain.
Caleb scrambled to lift his daughter.
Sullivan looked down, his voice cold, Tve got business to attend to at thepany. I¡¯m leaving¡±
When the elevator doors opened, he walked out
Bianca humed after him
Behind them, Cressida whined, ¡°Mr. Lowry! Mr. Lowry¡¡±
Caleb, holding his daughter, sighed softly. ¡°Darling, did we go too far? You framed Mrs. Quigley, and
your mother pped Miss Quigley¡. What if Mr. Lowry doesn¡¯t marry you? What then?¡±
Cressida seethed with resentment. ¡°There¡¯s no way I can¡¯t hold on to Sullivan¡¯s heart.¡±
Lucia returned from the
e police station just in
station just in time to see Megan getting pped.
Known for her fiery temper, Lucia didn¡¯t care about negotiation leverage. She lunged at Cressida¡¯s
mother, raining blows and curses, ¡°You think you can p Megan? You¡¯re nothing but trash, and your
daughter, a whore who spread her legs for Sullivan, Your whole family isn¡¯t worthy of Megan¡¯s shoes!¡±
Dahlia could bully the meek but was no match for Lucia¡¯s ferocity. Within moments, Dahlia¡¯s face
resembled a battered pig, pitiful to behold. She threatened to sue Lucia.
Lucia kicked her in the ribs, ¡°Go ahead, sue me! I¡¯m right here. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll make sure your other
cheek matches!¡±
Dahlia was relying on Sullivan¡¯s support to be brazen
That¡¯s when Timothy stepped in. He pulled Lucia back and calmly asked Dahlia. ¡°What if I disable you
right now? How many years do you think Id get?¡±
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Dahlia froze in ce. She stared at the man in front of her, who had a refined appearance yet his aura
was thick with malevolence, especially the teardrop male at theer of his eye that gave off an
ominous vibe.
Hesitating for a moment Lucia burst out and pped Dahlia hard across the face. It vented some
frustration, but Cora¡¯s case was already filed and nothing could change that.
Lucia feared Megan might do something drastic.
But Megan was calm
After washing her face, she softly thanked Timothy.
Lucia wanted to stay and support Megan, but Timothy forcefully took her away.
Soon, at Timothy¡¯s vi, in the opulent bedroom, clothes were strewn all over the floor
On the oversized bed, Lucia wept bitterly, cursing and sobbing and finally pleading. ¡°Megan¡¯s family
can¡¯t take any more trouble. Please help her, Timothy. I¡¯ll even bear your child if that¡¯s what it takes!¡±
They were but a fleeting affair
Back in the heat of their romance, Timothy had held her chin, coaxing Lucia to have his child. She was
only 19 then, far from ready.
But now she gave in!
Timothy was no fool. He clenched his jaw, his eyes turning bloodshot as he fiercely imed the woman
beneath him. When he finally took a breather, he stopped and gently touched Lucia¡¯s face, asking with
a coldugh, ¡°Such a big sacrifice! But tell me, is this for Megan, or for Wyatt?¡±
Wyatt¡
Lucia¡¯s mind went nk for a moment at the mention of that name, which was a taboo in her heart.
She thought she had concealed it well. Angered and embarrassed, she snapped, ¡°What¡¯s it to you who
I¡¯m doing this for? Are you even a man, Timothy? Can¡¯t you handle a woman and make a baby?¡±
Timothy sneered. He flipped over and pinned her beneath him.
Their bodies pressed together as if they were two interlocking puzzle pieces.
Timothy showed no mercy. He grabbed her cascading hair, forcing her to look up at him, his voice
dangerously soft, ¡°You really think I¡¯m a fool, easily deceived? I know exactly what the women in my
bed are thinking, no matter how wild they scream. Besides, you were barely grown when you first came
to me! ying games with me, Lucia? You¡¯ve got a lot to learn!¡±
He set!
t to work on her with renewed ferocity.
Lucia cried and screamed under his assault, but her fiery spirit wouldn¡¯t be quelled.
Her nails scratched deep into Timothy¡¯s arms. With no shame, she yelled, ¡°Fine! Let¡¯s just end this! I
find another man. With my look, i won¡¯t struggle to find someone to sleep with. Who do you think you
are, Timothy? Do you have something extra that other men don¡¯t?¡±
The louder she screamed, the harder Timothy went
¡°I ought to finish you off for that!¡±
All night long, Lucia¡¯s voice never ceased, and the vi¡¯s staff dared not listen closely. Whenever
Timothy brought Ms. Lucia home, it was a tempestuous affair that seemed as if a life¨Cor¨Cdeath struggle
unfolded.
After several rounds of passion, Timothy finally had his fill and withdrew to the bathroom to shower.
When he returned, Lucia was still there. She wore one of his shirts, buttons undone, revealing her long
legs as she leaned against the headboard and smoking, looking seducing
Timothy chuckled, ¡°Just a moment ago you were crying, and now you¡¯re back to your wild ways!¡±
He took the cigarette from her fingers and took a drag himself, ¡°Women shouldn¡¯t smoke! Better quit!¡±
For once, Lucia didn¡¯t retort
Leaning against the headboard, Timothy smoked while she nestled against his abdomen, her fingers
tracing circles on his abs, her voice sultry, ¡°Have you cooled down?¡±
Timothy nced down at her. He smirked, ¡°The swelling¡¯s gone down, not the anger!¡±
Lucia leaned in to kiss him
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12-03 T
Timothy knew all too well these little tricks of hers were for Megan. Otherwise, she would¡¯ve fought
back and left long ago.
He grabbed her hair and snuffed out the cigarette. He spoke inly, ¡°Regardless of Megan¡¯s
rtionship with Sullivan, she¡¯s still Mrs. Lowry. That woman, striking Megan in public, was actually
pping Sullivan¡¯s face! Sullivan¡¯sck of action probably means he¡¯s waiting for Megan toe
crawling backi
Heughed at the thought, ¡°She¡¯s always too stubbom to relent, Isn¡¯t she?¡±
Lucia was stunned. Sitting up, she still hadn¡¯t recovered, ¡°Are you saying Sullivan is deliberately
ignoring it?¡±
Timothy almost wanted to burn her with the cigarette. He dressed swiftly, buckling his belt as he said,
¡°Megan knows it too well! Sullivan¡¯s ying a cruel game!¡±
Looking at Lucia, he added, ¡°If you¡¯re tired, stay the night!¡±
But Lucia got up instantly. She changed back into her clothes right in front of Timothy and, draping her
arm over his shoulder as she left said, ¡°I never spend the night at a sugar daddy¡¯s ce!¡±
Even as her words dripped with seduction, Timothy saw right through her. He pinched her chin,
assessing, ¡°You¡¯ve been spoiled so many times. Even if Wyatt got out of jail, he¡¯d hardly want you!¡±
Lucia felt a sting.
No one knew that she¡¯d been dishonored in her teens, which was a shadow over her life. She was
never good enough for Wyatt
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But sheughed carelessly. ¡°Right! I¡¯m so dirty I can only match with you, Mr. Lawson!¡±
Timothy scoffed, ¡°You wish!¡±
Luciaughed till tears rolled down her cheeks.
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Megan kept Cora¡¯s predicament to herself.
Joseph thought Cora was just out on some errand for a couple of days, leaving the nurses in charge for
a while. When he caught Megan daydreaming, he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°You should head on home!
The nurses have got it covered here.¡±
Megan shook her head. She didn¡¯t want to go anywhere right now, she just wanted to stay put!
The night was serene.
Joseph, being a patient, eventually couldn¡¯t resist sleep any longer.
Megan sat alone on the rickety chair, lost in her own world. A faint red mark graced her cheek, a
souvenir from Cressida¡¯s mother¡¯s p Outside the hospital room, separated by a pane of transparent
ss, Sullivan stood quietly
He observed the wound on Megan¡¯s profile, her distant
gaze, and the numbness in her ey out of Mrs. Lambert¡¯s house, tired but spirited when she spoke.
eyes¡.¡. He remembered how she lookeding
Tve always been like that! It was just you never noticed.¡±
¡°Sullivan, that $200,000 doesn¡¯t cover sleeping with you. Remember, I¡¯m all about keeping it
professional.¡±
Back then, Megan was alive with spirit.
In truth, Sullivan knew that if he let go, Megan would quicklye back to life. But then she wouldn¡¯t
be Mrs. Lowry anymore. She might be Begonia¡¯s or Bet¡¯s wife¡
Caught between pleasing others and pleasing himself. Sullivan chose to please himself!
He left quietly, believing Megan woulde to him.
She was always so clever!
The wind was strong at the hospital¡¯s rooftop.
At the edge of the sky, a hint of light began to show.
Megan watched the faint glimmers, knowing full well that dawn was breaking, yet the light couldn¡¯t
prate the darkness in her heart.
Her brother once said that life is full of choices, but Megan now felt she had none. She had no choice
but to turn to Sullivan
Even if his mistress had set Cora up, she would have to swallow her pride and ask for his help, fully
aware of the price. Sullivan only wanted her for his camal desires and to maintain the facade of a
marriage.
In the dim light, a tall figure stood behind her.
He had been with her for a long time.
Megan turned her head unintentionally and was surprised to find Begonia there, looking travel¨Cworn as
though he had just hurried back. His gaze was gentle and warm, offering a hint offort.
Megan felt a lump in her throat.
No words were needed; she could guess why he hade back so suddenly! But she couldn¡¯t afford
to be vulnerable, at least, not in front of Begonia, because she didn¡¯t want to drag him into her mess
anymore. His selfless acts were debts she could never repay. She didn¡¯t want to be a burden to a good
man!
So, Megan mustered a faint smile and said to Begonia, ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Begonia.¡±
Side by side, they watched the sunrise, the dawn¡¯s early light¡.
The morning breeze tousled Megan¡¯s hair, and she turned to say nonchntly, ¡°I¡¯ve thought long and
hard and decided to return to Sullivan. Being Mrs. Lowry isn¡¯t so bad, after all. No need to struggle or
live in fear! A woman needs a ce to call home, and being alone is just too hard.¡±
Having said that, she looked straight at him.
Begonia did the same.
Their eyes met, a silent exchange of bitterness, helplessness, and his sympathy.
Unbeknownst to them, this moment was captured from a perfect angle that made the photos looking
quite intimate. And they were sent to Sullivan¡¯s phone early in the morning.
At six in the morning, Sullivan, d in a crisp white robe, reclined on his bed, staring at those photos.
The rooftop in the morning light, a man and a woman locked in a deep gaze, an atmosphere filled with
an indescribable sentiment,
19¨Cna 1
especially the love brimming in Begonia¡¯s eyes as he looked at Megan
Sullivan stared for a long while, his expression dark and unreadable.
At eight in the moming.
Megan helped Joseph with breakfast and exchanged a few words with the nurse before leaving. As she
left, she discreetly handed over an envelope with two thousand dors inside.
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Stepping out of the hospital, she dialed Sullivan¡¯s number.
Sullivan was driving when he answered her call, yet he remained silent
Beth were quiet
Finally, Megan broke the silence, ¡°Sullivan, I need to see you¡±
His voice was cold. ¡°Wannae back home, Mrs. Lowry? The lobsters are in season. Lilith¡¯s cooking
is top notch. How about you join me for dinner and we can enjoy them together?¡±
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N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Megan bit her lip, a wave of determination cresting within her ¡°I want to talk about Cora¡±
Sullivan¡¯s voice was a shade colder when he replied, ¡°Do you now? Well,e to my office then ¡±
The line went dead before she could muster a response
Thete¨Cautumn streets were biting, a chill that seemed to seep into her very bones.
This was the meal Sullivan
Those moments of tenderness in days past were merely lures to bring her back into the fold. And once
they proved ineffective, he¡¯d shed that facade to reveal his true nature¨Ccallous and distant.
Megan pocketed her phone without hesitation and boarded the next bus, transferring twice before
arriving at the towering edifice of the Lowry Group.
The employees knew her face and recognized her as Mrs. Lowry, but they also whispered of her
tamished status within the Lowry empire
Bianca descended the sleek marble staircase to greet her.
At the executive floor nca pushed open the heavy oak door to the CEO¡¯s office with a demeanor far
from warm. ¡°Mr. Lowry is out on business, Mrs Lowry Please, wait. Il make you a cup of coffee.¡±
Megan stood alone amid the opulence of the office, her eyes drawn to the violin resting like a treasured
relic in the bookcase behind Sullivan¡¯s chait
She was lost in thought, oblivious to Bianca¡¯s return.
Following Megan¡¯s gaze. Bianca offered a thin smile. ¡°Mrs. Lowry, do you know why Cressida despises
you so? You may not be aware, but four years ago, Mr. Lowry considered marrying her. He never had a
favorite, so to him, any bride would do. And then Cressida fell into his world, awakening him.¡±
She set the coffee on the low table. Straightening up, her smile held a hint of malice. ¡°But you see, Mr.
Lowry¡¯s mother found Cressidacking, not fit to grace the family¡¯s name. So even without you,
Cressida would never have passed through the Lowry¡¯s doors.¡±
Her words hung heavy, disregarding Megan entirely.
Megan suddenly asked, ¡°And you, Bianca? Would Sullivan¡¯s mother approve of your background?¡±
Bianca faltered, caught off guard.
Megan managed a bittersweet smile, how could she not see through Bianca¡¯s facade?
Once, her love for Sullivan had driven her to understand those around him, and Bianca¡¯s longing gaze
was often undisguised. Megan was no fool and saw the truth with rity.
Sullivan left Megan waiting the entire day. At four in the evening, he finally returned to thepany,
stepping through the door to find Megan silhouetted against the window, watching the sun dip below
the horizon.
Hearing the entrance, she tumed slowly to face him.
Sullivan held her gaze for a moment before instructing Bianca, ¡°Leave us. No visitors today, no
exceptions.¡±
Once Bianca had gone, Sullivan closed the distance to his desk and settled into his chair. His fingers
deftly loosened his tie, seekingfort before fixing his attention back on Megan, ¡°What is it you want
to talk about? Begging for mercy?¡±
Megan stood with her back to the window.
The evening sky zed red, a reminder of life¡¯s vastness and one¡¯s own insignificance.
She lowered her defenses. ¡°Yes! I¡¯m begging you, Sullivan. Can you please let Cora go?¡±
She knew what he wanted, but she was only willing to offer one thing, and so she began to unbutton
her blouse.
The office was dim, her skin glowing in the soft light, smooth and enticing like fine satin¡ Her blouse
and skirt fell to the floor, her body trembling slightly.
6 6 =? d? 5€ 3
Sullivan¡¯s eyes darkened with anger. Yet his fury only made his gaze morepelling, his thoughts
inscrutable. He fiddled with a gold pen on his desk, then scoffed, ¡°Why stop? Go on.¡±
Standing, he approached her, stopping before her exposed form. His touch was light on her shoulder,
teasing, more fitting for one of those fleeting flings than for his wife
With a snort, he taunted, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect the virtuous Mrs. Lowry to be so slutty. What¡¯s this? ying the
seductress now?¡±
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Befor Megan could react, she was spun around by Sullivan, her back against the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling
windows, his arms encircling her lightly from behind.
He forced her to look at their reflection in the ss.
His words wereced with humiliation. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you¡¯re offering yourself in exchange for
Cora¡¯s freedom, right? But I¡¯ve had this body of yours a thousand times over Do you really think it¡¯s still
worth something? Or would you rather slum it with men in ces. like this then go back to being the
respectable Mrs. Lowry?¡±
His few sentences shattered herpletely.
How could Megan possibly fight back?
Sullivan knew her body too well, taunting her with words while tormenting her flesh.
Her pale legs pressed against the fabric of his dark suit pants, a picture of indecency.
He gave her a light pat, a waming, ¡°Keep still, don¡¯t dirty my pants!¡±
Sweat beaded on Megan¡¯s forehead, her hair sticking to her skin in a mess as she finally broke down in
tears, ¡°Sullivan, please don¡¯t do this!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t do what? Isn¡¯t this what you wanted, to sleep with me?¡±
Sullivan was clearly angry. He leaned close to her chilled face, his words crystal clear, ¡°Megan, you
must feel so wronged. You¡¯re probably wondering why I won¡¯t divorce you, why I can¡¯t let you go,
right?¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Megan was somewhat dazed.
Sullivan cupped her delicate face, his tone soft, Ill tell you the answer!¡±
He slipped off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Megan¡¯s body.
Megan struggled: ¡°Sullivan, what are you doing?¡±
Sullivan lifted her in his arms and headed straight for the door, his voice cold and disdainful. ¡°Didn¡¯t you
want to sleep with me? There¡¯s a ce I¡¯ve been wanting to take you back to for a long time.¡±
Megan had an inkling of where he meant.
It was room 6201, the Hilton Hotel, where they first made lovel
How could she agree to go there?
She fought him desperately, even crying out in her struggle. If she could live her life over, she wished
she¡¯d never opened that door, then today might never have happened.
But all the struggle and tears couldn¡¯t stop Sullivan.
In his loose suit jacket, Megan just wore a set of ck lingerie. Even as they passed through the
company lobby, where employees dared not look too closely, anyone could guess what had transpired.
Sullivan put her in the car.
Megan didn¡¯t struggle anymore. She sat, staring nkly, lifeless eyes resigned to her fate.
Sullivan took out his phone and made a brief call. After hanging up, Megan was still in a daze.
Sullivan, expressionless, started the car.
He thought, he didn¡¯t need to consider her feelings.
The car sped along, and in less than 20 minutes, they were parked at the Hilton Hotel in Borough City
Sullivan unbuckled the seat belt and carried Megan out. She flinched in his arms.
Instead of going through the lobby, Sullivan took the elevator straight to the top floor, where there were
only two presidential suites.
6201 and 6202.
The hotel manager was waiting at the door,
, and on seeing Sullivan emerge from the elevator, he smiled and handed over the key card.
¡°Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Lowry, have a pleasant evening!¡±
Sullivan took the key card and swiped open the door to Room 6202.
The door closed behind them.
The 1600 square meter suite was the epitome of luxury, furnished with world¨Cfamous brands. Aside
from the master bedroom, study, and living room, it also boasted a home theater and a game room,
hence the steep price of a million a night.
12:03
Sullivan carried Magan straight to the home theater.
It was a miniature cinema, with a set of luxurious dark sofas in the center that looked incredibly soft and
inviting.
Megan was dropped onto them, and then the lights dimmed.
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Sullivan sat beside Megan, taking out his phone and synced it up with Bluetooth, bringing up a video he had hoarded in his digital
vault For three long years.
The screen flickered to life¡
The shaky footage mvealed Megan¡¯s slender figure pushing open a door and stepping into the brightly lit suite. Her face was
clear as day, it was unmistakably her.
Megan felt a chill wrap around her entire body.
Sullivan pinched her chin gently as he asked, ¡°Scared to watch?¡±
Hisugh was cold and mocking. ¡°Didn¡¯t you insist all along that it was the door to room 6201 you pushed open? Well, watch
closely until the end, Megan, and see for yourself whether it was 6201 of 6202)¡±
In the video, Megan moved towards therge bed. The luxurious white bedspread was pristine, and therey Sullivan, having
had a drink, resting peacefully.
That drink was potent
Beyond the hangover, there was an unusual sensation that set his body aze with a desire to find release with a woman.
However, Sullivan was a man of restraint, even after years in the cutthroat world of business, he never indulged in fleeting
romantic entanglements. The Adam¡¯s apple in Sullivan¡¯s pale throat bobbed slightly.
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Suddenly, a pair of soft hands caressed his face, the slight coolness a wee relief. His bloodshot
eyes snapped open.
The girl¡¯s cheeks were tinged with pink as she leaned in and captured his lips
That kiss was like a detonator to the 25 years of Sullivan¡¯s suppressed desires. In a swift motion, he
flipped her beneath him and in that instant, he saw her face clearly it was Megan.
¨C
He didn¡¯t have any affection for Megan. Yet, deep within his body, a dormant yearning pulled them both
into the abyss.
In the video, in his memory¡
Sullivan was rough; inexperienced as he was with women, and even without the alcohol, it was unlikely
he¡¯d have been gentle. With scarcely any forey, he and Megan became one.
The young girl¡¯s pale legs were stained with a trail of crimson. She wept in pain..
But he, savoring the taste, gripped her slender waist, relentless in his pursuit of pleasure.
The rest
was etched in their memories.
Sullivan sped up the video to the following moming¡¯s memorable scene, as reporters swarmed them
when he and Megan stepped out of the room. The footage was crystal clear, the room across was
6201.
Everything paused.
Sullivan pulled Megan into his arms, swiftly stripping off her coat to reveal her pale skin,
Three years had passed, and she was slightly more voluptuous, even more enticing.
Whispering coldly into her ear, he said, ¡°See that? The room across is 6201. You entered 6202, my
room¡ and you still im innocence, that it wasn¡¯t your intention to sleep with me to trap me into
marriage. Congrattions, Mrs. Lowry. This title will stick with you till death do us part. There¡¯s no
divorce in our future, only widowhood.¡±
He thought of her photo with Begonia.
328 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 38 2
Sullivan¡¯s words grew even more merciless. ¡°Even if one day I lose interest in this body of yours and seek pleasure elsewhere,
you¡¯ll have to cling to this title you schemed so hard to get, won¡¯t you?¡±
Megan trembled. She couldn¡¯t ept this reality. She was adamant that she had entered room 6201 that night.
How did it be 62027
How could it be?
In Sullivan¡¯s eyes, she was a schemer, yet he had shared her bed for three years, and even now, he could stomach the disgust to
be with her. But did she have a choice.
Megan¡¯s sobs filled the room. She wasn¡¯t weak; she wept for the absurdity of it all, and now she didn¡¯t even know whom to
me!
Sullivan scoffed. He wrapped an arm around her waist and, with a swift move, pushed her onto the couch, telling her to brace
herself against its back
Perhaps it was the video that sparked something in him. He felt an urge, his belt undone and trousers unzipped in one fluid
motion. It seemed he had no intention of undressing as he prepared to have his way with her right then and there.
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Megan felt utterly humiliated.
To her Sullivan made it clear that even with the title of Mrs. Lowry, she was nothing more than a vessel
for his carnal release, an exclusive ything. He had never shown her an ounce of respect.
In his eyes, she was like a cheap streetwalker!
Within the hundred square meter space of the media room, Megan¡¯s pitiful pleas mingled with
Sullivan¡¯s satisfied grunts. He hadn¡¯t felt this good in a long time!
Sullivan looked down at Megan. He couldn¡¯t see her face and felt unsatisfied, so he gently tugged her
hair, tilting her head to kiss her.
Megan was dazed, passively upied by him. In her hand was a paring knife she had grabbed in her
struggle. She felt deste and absurd.
And she knew that once she left this room, she¡¯d return to her former life as the seemingly respectable,
yet utterly devoid of self, Mrs. Lowry. Perhaps Sullivan would keep her confined at home, hidden away
like some shameful secret
Megan didn¡¯t want that. She didn¡¯t want to go back, nor did she want Cora to end up behind bars. She
was out of options¡ When Sullivan was
was pushed away, he was caught off guard! He looked at Megan in astonishment; they were both in a
state of disgrace! Megan knelt on the sofa, clutching the paring knife. Even with trembling hands, she
held it firmly as if the insignificant de could protect her.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes, once filled with lust, tumed cold.
Of course, his interest had waned
He casually zipped up his pants, sneering at her, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, nning to murder your husband with
that? Do you even have the guts?¡± Megan¡¯s face was pale. Her lips quivered as she stared at Sullivan.
¡°Sullivan, you won¡¯t believe anything I say, will you? I never meant to hurt you, and I really did enter
room 6201 by mistake. Do you think! plotted all along to be Mrs. Lowry?¡±
Sullivan was silent.
Silence sometimes equates to acquiescence.
Megan suddenlyughed, augh filled with bitterness. ¡°Yes! You really don¡¯t have to believe me! So,
Sullivan, can I atone now? Can i use my life to make amends for past mistakes, for my youthful
ignorance, for having loved you so much?¡±
The knife¡¯s point turned towards herself.
The cold
edge sliced through. Her tender wrist was stained with fresh blood, dripping drop by drop.
Soon a bloodstain spread across the carpet..
It was a horrific sight!
Sullivan was stunned; he hadn¡¯t expected Megan to do this! He took a step towards her, but she
retreated. Seemingly oblivious to the pain in her wrist, unaware that losing so much blood could kill her,
she still smiled, asking him, ¡°Sullivan, is this enough? If not, I can continue to atone until you are
satisfied.¡±
She cut into her arm time and again without hesitation, the girl who once feared pain seemed to no
longer know what it felt like. Sullivan watched her determined expression. He knew that if he didn¡¯t
compromise, Megan could bleed out right there and then, as she clearly had no fear of death.
Apart from shock, perhaps something else was shaking his soul, stirring within him¡..
Finally, Sullivan heard his own voice of concession, ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll have the Baldwin family drop the charges.
Cora can go home tonight.¡±
The paring knife ttered to the floor, Megan fainted from blood loss, copsing onto the couch, her
body covered in blood.
It was an image Sullivan would never forget
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When Megan awoke, it was two in the morning.
The light was soft, the walls pristine white, with a faint scent of antiseptic in the air,
She was in the high¨Cend ward of Lowry Hospital.
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Chapter 58
The hospital room was far from quiet. Two doctors were speaking with Sullivan at the bedside
¡®She¡¯s lost a lot of blood!¡±
¡°Look after the transfusion of 800 milliliters, she¡¯s out of danger. It¡¯s up to Mrs. Lowry when she wants
to wake up Yes, Mrs. Lowry¡¯s will to pull through doesn¡¯t seem very strong right now¡±
¡°By tomorrow moming at thetest. If she doesn¡¯te around by dawn, I suggest a full¨Cbody workup
for Mrs. Lowry.¡±
After a short while, the doctors left
Sullivan saw them out and upon closing the door, turned to see Megan stiming.
Her delicate face rested against the crisp, white pillow,
Her hair loosely spread over the pillowcase, the hospital gown hung ck on her, adding a fragile
beauty to her convalescent state.
Sullivan watched quietly for a few seconds before approaching. He sat down beside the bed, his tone
gentle, ¡°You¡¯ve been out for five hours! Hungry? I can have something brought in for you¡±
Megan buned her face deeper into the pillow.
She didn¡¯t want to look at him or talk to him
Sullivan knew what was on her mind and said calmly, ¡°Cora¡¯s been released. She¡¯s over at Pinecrest
Hospital now. Megan, you don¡¯t have to say a word to me, but I don¡¯t think you want your parents to
find out what happened tonight.¡±
Finally, Megan asked, ¡°Cora¡¯s back?¡±
Sullivan caressed her pale cheek mockingly as he said, ¡°If she hadn¡¯te back, I might have been a
widower by now!¡±
Megan tumed her face away in distress!
Sullivan had his fun and withdrew his hand, dialing the internal line to order a meal. Then he poured
Megan a ss of water.
¡°Sit up and have some water.¡±
But Megan was too weak. She couldn¡¯t sit up on her own, so after watching her struggle, Sullivan
gently supported her against his shoulder
Through the thinyer of his shirt, Megan could smell a mixture of his masculine scent and a faint,
disturbing fragrance the remnants of their earlier intimacy..
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That scent was
as unbearable for Megan.
It brought back memories of being pressed against the couch by Sullivan, the indignity of the act ¨C not
the first of its kind since their marriage, but this time it felt particrly humiliating.
¡°What are you thinking about?¡±
Sullivan set aside the ss and gently pinched her chin to force her to look at him.
A blush crept across Megan¡¯s pale face.
Suddenly, Sullivan guessed her thoughts.
His fingers lightly traced her velvet lips, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, ¡°it¡¯s not like we haven¡¯t
done it on the couch before. Back then, you didn¡¯t seem to mind the position.¡±
More than not minding, from his perspective, she always seemed particrly responsive in that
position, often bringing him to the brink unexpectedly.
As a married couple, he felt entitled to bring it up.
Megan wanted to avoid the topic. She turned her face into the pillow, her voice barely above a whisper,
¡°I¡¯d like to rest now¡±
There was a knock on the door.
Sullivan watched Megan¡¯s face for a moment before answering it.
Bianca stood at the door. As Sullivany executive assistant, delivering meals in the dead of night was
certainly beneath her pay grade But given the scandalous nature of tonight¡¯s events, the entire ward at
the Lowry Hospital was on lockdown.
No one knew that the wife of the Lowry Group CEO had been admitted for self¨Charm
nca couldn¡¯te in, either
Sullivan took the items and closed the door
Bianca lingered at the doorway. She stared at the door, Inst in thought. Although she hadn¡¯t seen what
had transpired, she could imagine. the extent of it. Moreover from their encounter just now, she
could detect a faint scent of intimacy on Sullivan.
They had been together at the hotel. And she couldn¡¯t help but wonder, just how intense had their
confrontation been for Megan to
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Sullivan returned with a tray of warm catmeal, setting it down on the small round table before scooping
Megan into his arms, intent on bringing her over for breakfast.
Megan was propped against the headboard, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°It¡¯s different!¡±
Sullivan paused, taken aback
After a moment, he realized what she was mferring to.
un with
Looking into Sullivan¡¯s eyes. Megan¡¯s voice softened even further, ¡°I used to love you, so even when I
didn¡¯t want to, I would put up it to make you happy¡±
¡°And now?¡± In the gentlemplight, Sullivan studied her delicate features, his tone hushed, ¡°Now you
don¡¯t love me, is that it? Megan, 1 don¡¯t know when you stopped loving me, but frankly, I don¡¯t care!
Love isn¡¯t a big deal these days!¡±
Sullivan was a businessman through and through.
He didn¡¯t believe in love!
In the business world, no one cared about feelings. What mattered were fame and power. Wives,
children, even lovers were mere essones to a man¡¯s status.
With that, he picked her up and headed for the couch.
Megan¡¯s body shook slightly. Her arm, wrapped in white gauze, instinctively curled behind her, this
unconscious act spoke volumes about her reluctance and fear towards him.
Annoyed, Sullivan scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in forcing myself on anyone, let alone a wounded one!¡±
Recalling the doctor¡¯s words. Sullivan¡¯s expression softened. Megan had not held back when she
lashed out; the wound was deep. If not properly cared for, it would scar, and only cosmetic surgery
could fix that
His touch became gentler as he set her down.
¡°Eat! You¡¯ll need the energy if you n to run away, Mrs. Lowry!¡±
He couldn¡¯t help the mocking lilt on thest words, but Megan didn¡¯t seem to care. She ate quietly. Her
presence was so subdued, almost silent, it was as if she wasn¡¯t there at all.
Watching her demurely spoon oatmeal, Sullivan found it hard to reconcile this image with her resolute
demeanor at the hotel¡ and he couldn¡¯t help but think of Cressida, the woman whose violin skills had
dazzled him, the one he nearly married out of gratitude.
He had dined with Cressida a few times. Given her modest background, Cressida made small noises
while eating.
Sullivan disliked that. But back then, he figured he wouldn¡¯t have to see her face too often after
marriage, maybe not even share a meal more than a couple of times a week. He could tolerate it,
maybe even get used to it¡
Perhaps his gaze was too intense because Megan couldn¡¯t help but look up.
Their eyes met
As Sullivan opened his mouth to speak, she lowered her gaze back to her oatmeal, showing no interest
in talking. Suddenly, Sullivan felt his mood sour
Clearly, Megan didn¡¯t care about his feelings..
Once she had finished eating and regained some strength, she crawled back into bed to rest.
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Her cold indifference treated him as if he were thin air.
After clearing the table, Sullivan stared at her for a few seconds before lying down on the couch,
abruptly turning off all the lights in a huff.
In the dead of
night, Sullivan woke unexpectedly.
Opening his eyes, he noticed an empty bed and heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.
Megan must be in there.
Was she showering?
Muttering a curse, Sullivan rose and yinked the bathroom door open.
And then, they both froze.
Megan hadn¡¯t expected him to wake up, and Sullivan certainly hadn¡¯t anticipated this scene¡ The
bathtub was full, and Megan stood naked at its edge, her hair cascading down to her slender waist,
highlighting her pale, supple skin.
Megan was in the middle of bathing. With one arm injured, her movements were clumsy.
TFUGL
Upon seeing Sullivan enter, she quickly covered her chest with her hands, her long, pale legs
involuntarily rubbing together and trembling ever so slightly
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It was downright tempting
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Sullivan strode over without a hint of entotion, took the washcloth from her hand with a tone that was
less than pleasant. ¡°Have you lost your mind? The doctor said you need to be in bed for at least two
days¡±
Megan turned away, muttering softly, I just wanted to freshen up!¡±
Sullivan thought for a moment and understood why she wanted a wash. Although they hadn¡¯t gone all
the way at the hotel, he had been with her for about 10 minutes. Those marks of possession, deep and
shallow, elicited a response from her body despite her resistance. Sulliver remembered how it had
been probably too long since they had sex, a mess of passion was heated to the brink
The thought of it stirred him, body and soul.
He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her delicate shoulder, his voice
husky as if filled with hot gravel and undeniably sexy. ¡°My scent¡¯s still on your skin, isn¡¯t it?¡±
Megan shivered.
Sullivan turned her around, his gaze deep and inscrutable as he looked down of her under themp.
Once upon a time, Megan would have been moved.
But now, she felt only pity. Sullivan¡¯s interest in her was purely physical, devoid of love, yet he wouldn¡¯t
let her go. After such a long entanglement, Megan was truly exhausted.
Sometimes, too exhausted even to resist.
She let him lift her onto the vanity, allowed him to turn the lights up bright, let him admire her body
openly and without restraint, as she was nearly exposed in front of him.
Sullivan began to wipe her down.
The towel glided over her body, and asionally, hisrge hands brushed against her sensitive spots.
At those moments, Megan¡¯s body would tremble uncontrobly, like a delicate flower drenched in
morning dew.
Sullivan tossed the towel aside, but instead of helping her into a hospital gown, he wrapped her in a
pristine white bathrobe and camed her back to bed.
He couldn¡¯t help but whisper in her ear, ¡°Did that feel good just now?¡±
Megan tumed her face away in difort. Her pale, blood¨Clostplexion seemed even more fragile
and beautiful.
She remained silent, utterly quiet. She did not struggle
Every night, he would help her with her wash, and each time she would shake. At first, Sullivan thought
it was a physical reaction, that she found his touch pleasurable. Later, he realized it was fear.
Fear of his proximity, his touch.
Afraid he might take advantage of the situation, wanting to be intimate with her again.
When Sullivan realized this, he lost interest and his tone turned indifferent. ¡°I¡¯m taking care of you, not
trying to sleep with you!¡±
At night, as Megan slept, Sullivan sat quietly by the bed, watching her
Megan had lost weight
Despite being nourished with soups and broths these past days, her face had grown noticeably thinner,
and she was anything but happy. She didn¡¯t speak to him or engage with him.
3 3 3 3 2 = * **
It was as if she had decided to be silent for the rest of her life.
There was a knock at the door.
Sullivan paused, then got up to answer it.
Bianca stood outside, still dressed in her business suit despite thete hour, her face showing signs of
fatigue. She spoke softly, keeping her voice down, ¡°Mr. Lowry, there¡¯s an urgent matter at thepany
that requires your immediate attention. Can you¡
¡°I¡¯m going to the officel¡±
Sullivan nced back at Megan onest time as he closed the door; she was sound asleep.
Bianca saw Megan too
Under the dim yellow light, Megan looked peaceful, as if she had no care in the world¡ a sight that
filled Bianca with both envy and Jealousy
12:04
Sullivan shut the door firmly, shooting Bianca a warning nce
Bianca didn¡¯t dare overstep again, quickly bowing her head to follow Sullivan¡¯s pace
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Sullivan wrapped up his business at the office, and the clock was striking seven in the morning.
He tidied up quickly ready to leave thepany
Bianca watched her boss, his sharp features defying the night¡¯s toll. While she had reapplied her
makeup several times to cover her sallowplexion, Sullivan appeared as crisp and vibrant as ever.
A few executives were still lingering in the conference room.
Seeking to appear close to Sullivan, Bianca sidled up to him and chirped in a chummy tone, ¡°Mr. Lowry,
are you heading out for breakfast or straight home? I¡¯ve ordered your favorite, the egg custard tart.¡±
Egg custard tart¡
Sullivan wasn¡¯t fond of sweets. The only tart he¡¯d ever praised was one Megan had made, but
ut nca was the handiwork of a chef from Grand Kirin Dessert House and had bought them several
times.
Each time, Sullivan had discreetly passed them off to his driver.
clueless. She assumed it was
Now, as Bianca mentioned it again, Sullivan was reminded that it had been ages since Megan had
baked anything for him. Back when he used to work from his home office, Megan would always bring
him hertest creations to try, her face alight with anticipation
In truth, she was seeking his praise. But his responses were always so tepid, a single bite and no
more! And Megan would look disappointed¡
Lost in thought, Sullivan was jolted back to reality by Bianca¡¯s impatient nudge, ¡°Mr. Lowry?¡±
Regaining hisposure, Sullivan looked at nca¡¯s hopeful face and said tly, ¡°You can go now¡±
Her embarrassment was palpable, but Sullivan felt no obligation to cushion her emotions.
He rode the private elevator down to the underground parking lot and slid into his car. Despite his body
crying out for rest, he found himself driving toward the hospital to see Megan.
In less than half an hour, Sullivan was at the Lowry Hospital, walking down its hushed corridors.
The door to Megan¡¯s room was ajar, and through the gap, Sullivan saw her on the phone, her voice a
soft murmur
¡°Cora, Im doing alright! Yes, I¡¯m out on a gig! The pay¡¯s decent. Don¡¯t worry.. Sullivan isn¡¯t giving me a
hard time!¡±
After a few more words, Megan hung up.
Sullivan was about to enter when he froze. Megan was crying, her face buried in the pillow, her usually
elegant nose flushed red
From the doorway, Sullivan watched, a pang of something unfamiliar stiming within him. He
remembered how Megan used to be so expressive, crying in secret when she was upset, much like a
child.
At some point, she¡¯d grown up. She didn¡¯t cry much anymore.
Reflecting on it, Sullivan realized it must have started when the Quigley family fell apart, and Wyatt was
taken away by the police.
He had never really cared. He thought back to that night at the hotel, when he had pinned Megan down
on the couch, disregarding her fierce resistance¡ Her crying now, was it still because of that?
Was the thought of being intimate with him truly so unbearable for Megan now?
Sullivan was no saint. His view on marriage was brutally simple: love might be optional, but sex was
not. If a managecked even that basic connection, how could it possibly survive?
He gently closed the door, leaving Megan to her tears.
Sullivan walked to the end of the hallway and pulled out a cigarette pack. Lighting one up, he stood
there, fingers elegantly holding the smoke, inhaling slowly.
His gaze drifted to the window.
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Autumn was in full swing, the maple leaves like zing fire,
After about half an hour, a nurse approached cautiously, ¡°Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Lowry hasn¡¯t been eating well
today. She didn¡¯t touch her breakfast at all. Maybe you could talk to her.¡±
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Sullivan was well aware that Megan¡¯s loss of appetite wasn¡¯t due to illness¨Cit was because of him.
Because he refused to grant her a divorce, she had sunk into a mncholic state, no longer wanting to
engage in conversation with anyone.
Without tuming around, he simply uttered, ¡°I know
The nurse, not daring to say more, quickly made her exit.
The hospital staff had been buzzing with gossip these past few days. Some whispered that Mr. Lowry
had a young mistress on the side, driving Mrs. Lowry to attempt suicide. Others spected that Mr.
Lowry¡¯s overwhelming love had suffocated his wife, plunging her into depression.
Despite the chatter, the details of Megan¡¯s suicide attempt were carefully kept within the hospital walls.
Sullivan finished his cigarette before returning to the room.
After three days of rest, Megan was almost back to her normal sell, save for the bandaged wrists.
When Sullivan entered, she was propped up against the headboard, engrossed in a book, her hair
cascading over her frail shoulders, the hospital gown hanging loosely ?on her frame.
Sullivan nced at the small round table. Breakfast remained untouched. He gently closed the door
behind him,
The slight noise caught Megan¡¯s attention, and she looked up, her eyes meeting his.
Sullivan didn¡¯t rush in. Leaning against the door frame, he watched her. The nurse said you haven¡¯t
been eating. What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t like hospital food? I can have the cook whip up something from
home and bring it over. What do you say?¡±
Megan shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± she said softly.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes were deep and unreadable, stirring a tempest inside Megan,
He slowly approached her, pulling the book from her hands as he reached the bedside. Megan
instinctively clutched the sheets.
He noticed her tension and gently caressed her delicate cheek, his touch tender, yet Megan trembled
under his palm. She was afraid of him.
His gaze grew more intense, and he spoke in a husky voice, ¡°Not hungry, or just can¡¯t stomach food
because you¡¯re by my side? Which is it Megan? Tell me¡¡±
He rarely called her by her first name, he usually called her Mrs. Lowry, with a hint of mockery.
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Megan closed her eyes, her neck tense. After a moment, she spoke in a voiceced with despair.
¡°Sullivan, let¡¯s get a divorce, please. Let me go. There¡¯s no love between us. You even despise me¡
why continue this charade? Sullivan, I want a normal life, not this¡ not as Mrs. Lowry.¡±
Her plea was apanied by tears.
Sullivan continued to stroke her face, listening to her beg for freedom.
Megan had seldom pleaded with him like this before.
Despite how terribly he had treated her over the past three years, she had never broken down until
now. Was being with him so agonizing? He remembered a time when she seemed to adore him..
Aplex mix of emotions swirled within Sullivan. It was like that night when Megan was drunk and
mumbled in her sleep that she didn¡¯t like him, leaving him with an ache in his chest.
Sullivan thought he shouldn¡¯t feel this way. He should not feel pity for her!
His hand encountered a cold dampness¨CMegan¡¯s tears. Her eyes were closed, her beautiful face
vulnerable in a way he had vited countless times, but never once loved.
He slowly withdrew his hand
By the time Megan opened her eyes, Sullivan had already left the room.
The door closed softly behind him, and his footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing fainter and
fainter with each step..
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Sullivan pulled into the driveway of his sprawling estate, the sound of gravel crunching under the tires
of his luxury car breaking the silence of the peaceful evening. The sight of his return caught the maid
off guard, as she had no idea about Megan¡¯s hospitalization and had assumed Sullivan was out of town
on business
As Sullivan killed the engine, the maid rushed to open the car door ¡°Six are you here for dinner? The
staff in the kitchen wasn¡¯t expecting you, and it might take about an hour to prepare something,¡± she
said with a slight tremor in her voice, aware of Sullivan¡¯s usual impatience
Sullivan, ha face etched with fatigue, replied with a dismissive wave, Just whip up something light.¡±
The maid scurried away to carry out his orders.
Stepping out of the car, Sullivan made his way into the grand foyer of the mansion. His staff had kept
the ce spotless, as if in anticipation of his retum. Despite his absence, the house gleamed, the
windows shining and the floors polished to a mirror finish.
After a night of restless busyness, Sullivan was ready to head upstairs for a hot shower. But as he
pushed open the door to the master bedroom, his gaze fell upon therge wedding portrait hanging
above the bedhead
In the photo, Megan¡¯s smile was sweet and captivating. Their wedding had been a hasty affair, and
since he wasn¡¯t fond of her at the time, he had been reluctant to pose for pictures. This particr image
was aposite, created by a photographer Megan had paid for
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Sullivan had chided her for fooling herself, but Megan simply said he looked handsome in the picture.
When she would tell him that, her eyes would sparkle like they held the stars and the ocean itself
But now, those same eyes had been filled with tears as she begged him to let her go. She imed he
despised her, that she was tired of the mutual torment, that she longed to be an ordinary person rather
than Mrs. Lowry. Sullivan had to admit, Megan hadn¡¯t been wrong. He had never forgiven her.
¨C
And now, he was even less inclined to do so she wanted to leave without giving him the chance to
reconcile his feelings. He couldn¡¯t forgive her for that.
Standing by the foot of the bed, Sullivan stared at the photograph for a long while before he finally
moved into the walk¨Cin closet to grab a bathrobe. Searching for his toiletries, he realized just how out
of ce he felt without Megan. Life without her was something he wasn¡¯t ustomed to, and deep
down, he suspected he cared too much about her.
Even if it was hatred, it was still too much attention.
He used to live with Megan, her presence a constant in his life, her body avable whenever he desired
it. Yet, he never used to think of her during work, while sleeping, or even care whether she cried.
This was not a pleasant realization for Sullivan, especially since the person in question was Megan ¨C
the woman he had loathed for three years.
After his shower, the meal wasn¡¯t ready yet. Sullivan leaned against the dresser that Megan would
often sit at, lighting a cigarette and taking a long, thoughtful drag. Megan had left without taking her
belongings with her. The dresser was cluttered with her myriad lotions and potions, a testimony to her
nightly beauty rituals that left her skin soft and delicate to the touch.
expecting to find more
As he nced at the array of bottles and jars, curiosity got the better of him and he pulled open a
drawer, exp cosmetics. Instead, he found a pale pink diary, thick and evidently a few years old.
Gently flipping it open, Sullivan scanned the pages filled with Megan¡¯s youthful handwriting,
documenting her affection for him at 18- candid, passionate, and endearingly naive.
[Sullivan ignored me all day today]
[He didn¡¯t even nce at the cupcakes I made him. Does he hate me?]
[If he hates me, why did he lend me his jacket when I stained my skirt during my period. Could he
secretly like me too? I don¡¯t care, tomorrow Sullivan will definitely fall for me
Sullivan turned to thest page. The date marked the bankruptcy of the Quigley family and the day
Wyatt was sent to jail.
He remembered that day, Megan had received a phone call. Her eyes brimming with unshed tears, she
had helplessly murmured, ¡°Sullivan!¡±
He knew she wanted his help. But she couldn¡¯t bring herself to ask, knowing all too well the distance
that had grown between them. All she could do was silently plead with her husband for a shred of
compassion, while Sullivan had been about to leave for a business trip to Harmony City.
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He hauled his suitcase downstairs, his departure imminent. Megan¡¯s delicate, fair fingers gently tugged
at the hem of his shirt. Tears bordered on spilling from her eyes.
But Sullivan had no intentions of staying, simply because he didn¡¯t love Megan. Despite her pleas, he
got into the car and drove away Helf spent roughly a week in Harmony City- the same week Cressida
underwent her first leg surgery, the same week the media uncovered his affair with Cressida, and the
same week rumors of his marital infidelity first surfaced.
When Sullivan retumed from his business trip, Megan didn¡¯t bring up her family problems. She did what
she always did¨Cunpacked his luggage, ran his bathwater. After his shower, Sullivan took her to bed
twice. It was the most silent they had ever been during intimacy. neither made a sound. Megan buried
her face in the pillow, stifling the pleasure, refusing to let any moans escape her.
She felt guilty
Afterward, he leaned against the headboard, lighting up a cigarette.
In a soft voice, Megan mentioned she needed money. Sullivan turned to look at her for a moment
before writing her a check. It had been over a year, but Sullivan still remembered vividly how Megan¡¯s
fingers trembled, barely able to hold onto that check. He thought that must have been the moment
Megan¡¯s feelings for him died- no love, no fondness. From that moment on, longer Sullivan¡¯s dear wife,
but Mrs. Lowry,
A knock at the door jolted Sullivan from his reverie.
The maid¡¯s voice called out, ¡°The meal is ready, sir. Will you be dining now?¡±
she was no
¡°In a moment,¡± Sullivan replied, his gaze lingering on thest line of the diary before him- the final entry
penned by Megan, a simple yet deafening sentence in Sullivan¡¯s world.
[Sullivan will never love me!]
He read it over and over again.
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Finally, he reached for a cigarette but didn¡¯t light it, contemting the emotions Megan must have felt
writing those words.
Outside, the maid¡¯s voice came again, ¡°Sir, have you fallen asleep? The manor just called to say your
mother wishes to see Mrs. Lowry, asking when you might bring her over for a chat.¡±
Sullivan put the diary away. He changed his clothes and went downstairs to eat. During the meal, the
maid cautiously brought up the earlier conversation, adding, ¡°Today is Mrs. Lowry¡¯s birthday! Normally,
the household would prepare a special meal for her.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s hand paused, chopsticks in mid¨Cair.
¡°Today is Megan¡¯s birthday?¡± he asked.
The maid blurted out. ¡°Yes, sir! Had you forgotten?¡±
Realizing her mistake, given the strained rtions between Sullivan and his wife, and his notoriety for
lavishing attention on his mistress, including a fireworks disy for her birthday, the maid regretted her
words.
Sullivan offered no reprimand.
After a moment, he said, ¡°Go to the kitchen and make a birthday cupcake.¡±
The maid, thinking their marriage was warming up, happilyplied. She returned with a delicate
cupcake, garnished with the sentence ¡°Happy Birthday¡± with Nute, an aromatic delight
Sullivan quietly finished the cupcake. He thought to himself, this was the first time he celebrated
Megan¡¯s birthday, and likely thest Megan
was in pain. She wanted a divorce.
If this was what Megan desired, then he would grant it to her.
He thought there were plenty of women in the world, many of whom could be Mrs. Lowry. Why
cling to a fling from three years ago and keep Megan tied to him? He didn¡¯t love her; there was no
need!
Indeed, no need at all.
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Sullivan lounged in the living room, sitting idly all aftemoon.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
As dusk approached, he finally stirred, picking up the phone to call Bianca. ¡°Get Lawyer Ivan over to the manor. I need him to draft a
vorce agreement¡±
On the other end of the line, Bianca was dumbfounded for a long moment before finding her voice.
¡°Mr. Lowry, do you mean to get a divorce?¡±
Sullivan hung up without further exnation, leaving Bianca to blink slowly, finally grasping her boss¡¯s intention.
And in that moment, a thrill of joy bubbled within her. She couldn¡¯t help but think that with Mr. Lowry getting a divorce, she, Bianca, being so close at hand, might stand a chance.
She had so many more advantages than Cressidal
Half an hourter, Bianca arrived at the manor with Lawyer Ivan.
The atmosphere in the study was oppressively somber
Even the maid seemed to sense something amiss, hastily retreating down the stairs after serving coffee, recognizing Lawyer Ivan and specting about a divorce brewing between Sullivan and Megan.
The aroma of coffee was rich, yet untouched
Sullivan stood by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, his silhouette elongated by the fading sun, a lonely arc. He spoke softly, instructing Lawyer van to prepare the document.
His offer to Megan was far from generous
After three years of marriage, he was only willing to give her a 1,300¨Csquare¨Cfoot condo and an additional two million dors in cash. The Lowrys were elite in Borough City, and such an arrangement would likely elicit ridicule if it came to light
Bur Sullivan wanted to give no more,
in his mind, Megan gaining her freedom meant she shouldn¡¯t be greedy. They had a prenup, and by offering her this, he was already being more than fair
Yet there was an unshakable heaviness in heart
Sullivan considered himself not one to be swayed by emotion, but this time, he had acted against his own nature, perhaps because of the image of Megan weeping into her pillow, or her red¨Ceyed pleas for him to let her go, or perhaps it was stumbling upon her diary and the youthful affection scrawled within, reminding him of the days she would call out ¡°Sullivan, Sullivan¡± with such endearment
Termamage hadn¡¯t been all that terrible.
Aside froth love, he was willing to give her everything else, but Megan wanted none of it.
She no longer loved him!
Sullivan tilted his head back slightly, feeling an unexpected warmth around his eyes, ming it on the maid¡¯s overzealousness with the
Barind him, Lawyer Ivan finished reading the agreement aloud.
¡°Me Lowry, shall it stand as is?¡±
Sullivan paused for a moment before turning and approaching slowly. He picked up the agreement, read it twice, and reached for the per, but his fund hesitated as he was about to sign.
Signing would finalize the divorce, severing the bond between him and Megan
No one would ever call out to Sullivan in that tender voice again!
re if the feeling was reluctance or regret, but in that moment, he truly hesitated, wondering if he shouldn¡¯t have made this
To let her go like this seemed, somehow, too easy for her!
Bianca watched him intently. She was a woman too, and she could clearly see Sullivan¡¯s special affection for Megan. No matter theck of love or the resentiment, Megan had shared his bed for three years. Bianca had identally witnessed Sullivan embracing Megan in the lounge, minutes before an important shareholders meeting pressing his young wife against the edge of the bed, clothes half undo
hand gripping her delicate wrist, the other holding her slim waist
She had seen Sullivans gaze fixated on Megans small face, so focused
During that meeting, his mood was exceptionally good.
Remembering these scenes, Bianca felt a pang of jealousy, gently prompting. ¡°Mr. Lowry?¡±
Sullivan snapped back to mality, his gaze lingering on the nk space of the agreement for a few more seconds before finally signinghis name
After signing, he dismissed Bianca and thewyer. He remained standing alone in the study for a long time.
In the evening, the maid knocked on the door ¡°Dinner is rendy, sir. Will you being down?¡±
Sullivan had little appetite. He changed clothes and headed out, asking the driver to take him out instead of driving himself due to his sour mood
The drive; leaned over to ask, ¡°Mr. Lowry, where to?¡±
¡°Take me to the Lowry Hospital, Sullivan replied tly.
He was on his way to the hospital now to give Megan the divorce papers to sign.
Once she signed them and started the divorce proceedings, they would no longer be husband and wife, and all debts of gratitude and gnevances would be erased
Noticing his sullen mood, the driver kept the conversation to a minimum. Half an hourter, they arrived at the hospital¡¯s parking lot. Sullivan ascended to the ward alone, greeted by a nod from the bodyguard, ¡°Mr. Lowry,¡±
Sullivan nodded back, took a few steps, then tumed to ask, ¡°Has anyone visited?¡±
The bodyguard first shook his head, then seemed to remember something and said, ¡°A local bakery delivered a birthday cake, said it was from a friend for Mrs. Lowry¡¯s birthday.¡±
Sullivan assumed it was from Lucia. But as he approached the ward¡¯s door and peered through the white ss to see the cake, he knew It wasn¡¯t Lucia but Begonia¡
A quaint 8¨Cinch cake, utterly charming.
The cake had a deep blue night sky adorned with tiny yellow stars, a miniature tent, and a little girl about six or seven years old sitting Inside, hands sped in a wish.
Inside the ward, Megan sat on the sofa, gazing at the little cake. She looked so youthful, as if holding countless tinyreyes sp
She seemed so tender, just like when they were newlyweds, when she used to look at him with that same sparkling gaze. But now, her softness was because of another man.
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A cake¨Cthat¡¯s all it took to light up her world!
Sullivan¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by the echo of her words, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t like you anymore.¡±
Could it be that she had fallen for Begonia?
His expression darkened, and a scoff escaped him.
Suddenly, Sullivan didn¡¯t want to let Megan go! He ripped the document in his hands into two, turning it
into a pile of useless scrap
Megan was about to slice the cake.
Sullivan burst through the door, appearing in the hospital room.
She saw his pale face and instinctively tried to hide the cake. It was the only luxury she could enjoy
under his watch, a cherished remnant of her childhood memories.
She knew who had sent it. She hadn¡¯t texted a thank you, nor made a call, she simply epted the
gesture.
Megan looked up at Sullivan,
After a moment, Sullivan sat beside her, his gaze shifting from the cake to Megan¡¯s face, his voice
unexpectedly tender, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me it was your birthday? The maid made you a birthday
cupcake, and I ate it! How about we share this cake and celebrate a little?¡±
¡°Sullivan!¡±
Megan knew him well. She looked up, her lips trembling slightly.
Sullivan gave a faint smile. He reached out, his fingers gently tracing her lips, flirting with a hint of
mischief before he whispered softly, ¡°Begonia¡¯s cake must taste good.¡±
He asked again, ¡°Do you like him?¡±
Megan closed her eyes lightly. ¡°No! Sullivan, I don¡¯t!¡±
Sullivan maintained his mild smile. He leaned in close to her ear, his voice a raspy whisper, ¡°Just
asking, no need to get so worked up! Mrs. Lowry, I trust you wouldn¡¯t do anything to betray me,
because I really wouldn¡¯t know who else to take my anger out on! I can¡¯t bring myself to hurt you, and if
I touched Begonia, you¡¯d probably be upset!¡±
Megan was on the brink of despair, ¡°Sullivan, what do you want from me?¡±
As she spoke, he lifted her onto the bed.
Megan tried to resist, but with a swift tug, he stripped off her hospital gown, skillfully restraining her
injured arm to prevent her from hurting herself further.
Her body.pale against the dark sheets, was a sight he always savored.
Quickly, Sullivan loosened his belt and unzipped his trousers.
He wasn¡¯t rough with her
With calcted slowness, he teased and coaxed her tender body, knowing exactly how to stoke her
passion, how to make her crave
more
All the while, he watched her face, as if trying to memorize every inch of her skin.
And he whispered into her ear those filthy words that shattered herposure, ¡°You first came three
months after we got married. Despite my harshness, your body was so sensitive that the sheets were
soaked and you couldn¡¯t sleep! Megan, do you realize how womanly you are in those moments? You
should¡¯ve seen yourself then, so wanton!¡±
And he would never let anyone else see her like that!
Especially not Begonia.
Megan flushed with shame and difort. Tortured by desire, her face blushed with a woman¡¯s allure.
She buried her face in the pillow to hide from Sullivan¡¯s gaze, but her muffled cries betrayed her as his
ministrations grew deeper and more insistent
¡°Stop it! Sullivan¡ please stop!¡±
¡°Let me go! Don¡¯t touch me there!
But Sullivan was unmoved. He gazed down at the wornan beneath him, his eyes devoid of lust.
Megan, pillowed beneath himh, had been entered twice over. Her lovely face was deep crimson,
breathing shallowly against the stark
white pillow. Her body was slick with sweat.
Sullivan ignored his own needs, kissing away the beads of sweat on her forehead, he teased, ¡°Feeling
good, Mrs. Lowry?¡±
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Megan¡¯s eyes remained shut, a hint of avoidance in her broken voice. ¡°Sullivan, we shouldn¡¯t be doing
this¡±
Sullivan chuckled, ¡°Shouldnt¨Cbut we did.¡±
His hand continued its motions, bringing her pleasure.
Megan couldn¡¯t break free. She was a mere mortal, vulnerable to physical sensation, almost resigned
to her fate. As he continued to provoke her Megan¡¯s delicate body responded in waves
Sullivan watched her intently, then abruptly stopped.
To her bewilderment, he withdrew and while shey there, lips parted, breathy and seductive, she
asked, ¡°Sullivan¡ what¡¯s wrong?¡± Before her eyes, he zipped up his trousers. He leaned in, stroking
her face, his voice cold and low in her ear, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, remember this feeling the craving without
satisfaction. Savor it!¡±
Megan felt a chill. All this time, it wasn¡¯t passion between a man and a woman; it was Sullivan¡¯s
punishment.
Because of that cake. Just because Begonia had sent her a coke¡
Sullivan treated her as he had in the past, conquering her with his body, then watching her sumb to
desire alone. In three years, he hadn¡¯t changed.
And neither had she.
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Megan stood frozen as Sullivan retreated to the bathroom.
Soon after the sound of running water filled the air, mingled with the asional low baritone hum of a
man at his ablutions.
Megan was a grown woman. She surmised that Sullivan was in there taking care of his physical needs.
After about twenty minutes, Sullivan emerged from the bathroom d in a typical white bathrobe. Its
cor slightly ajar, revealing his pale, firm chest detted with droplets of water that tmiled down his torso.
Sullivan paid no mind to it. He strode over and stood silently by the bedside, observing Megan lost in
thought
Eventually, Megan lifted her gaze to meet his
Theers of her eyes were tinged red, and her gaze was misty with unshed tears. No wornan could
stand such cruel treatment from her husband, even if she had endured this kind of marriage for three
years.
She thought she¡¯d grown ustomed to it.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze fell upon her pitiful little face, unmoved. Any sympathy he might have harbored for
Megan had beenpletely erased by a mere cake.
And it wasn¡¯t just anyone¨Cit was Begonia.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes darkened, his voice was calm and restrained, as if he had wrestled with a great
decision. Locking eyes with Megan, he dered. ¡°I won¡¯t divorce you!¡±
Megan¡¯s lips quivered.
Sullivan allowed himself a faint, detached smile, then continued, ¡°Megan, I won¡¯t give you to Begonia.
He
tossed a document envelope onto the bedside table.
Megan realized what it was. She grabbed the envelope, her hands trembling as she tore it open with
frantic haste. Inside were pieces of what once was a whole document.
A tom¨Cup divorce agreement, with Sullivan¡¯s signature on it
Now, ity in shreds.
Megan watched, dazed, as she blinked back the sting in her eyes.
Freedom had once brushed so close, and now, because of a cake, Sullivan withdrew thest shred of
mercy, deciding never to let her
Megan stared at the torn documents for so long that her eyes began to ache. Then, she raised her
eyes to Sullivan, her voice shaky, ¡°Sullivan, I can let go of everything.¡±
Her plea was almost servile.
But Sullivan was unmoved, a man of business, known for his heart of stone. He waited for his wife to
calm down.
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Only then could they continue to discuss things rationally.
He watched as the hope in Megan¡¯s eyes turned to disillusionment, watched as her expression sank
into despair. He thought it was just as well¨Che didn¡¯t need a wife who was overly emotional.
Emotions, after all, were the most useless thing in the world.
Finally, the hospital room fell silent.
Not just silent, but eerily so.
Sullivan broke the stillness, speaking in a detached, businesslike tone, ¡°Megan, everything in this world
has a price. Marriage does! So do feelings! If there isn¡¯t one yet, it just means the price hasn¡¯t been
agreed upon!¡±
Sullivan looked down, his gazemanding as he surveyed his wife.
Megan¡¯s face was ashen.
Yet still, he continued relentlessly, ¡°I need you to be Mrs. Lowry! Whether it¡¯s because you¡¯re
presentable, or my own desires, I don¡¯t feel like changing wives right now! And since you¡¯ve been
reluctant to resume your role as Mrs. Lowry, well then, Megan.. let¡¯s talk about the price!¡±
Megan was no fool.
Sullivan suddenly chuckled his hand caressing her cheek softly, his voice getle as a whisper. ¡°What you
want most in Wyatta. heedom isn¡¯t a? When you fought with me even during our most intimate
moments, you said you didn¡¯t like me, all because i didn¡¯t support vous famih. That I didnt help Wysht
Fine, now 111 help you, but remember Megan, this in¡¯t about affection, this
the cost for you toe back to me and be Mic Lowry?
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¡°Of course, you can always say no he sold with a sly grin ¡°But I can guarantee you, without my help.
Wyatt¡¯s looking at a decade behind bars. Megan, let me jog your memory¨Chow outstanding your
brother, Wyatt, used to be, how many heiresses had their eye on him? If it weren¡¯t for that one misstep,
if the Quigley family hadn¡¯t fallen from grace, he¡¯d be happily married with kids by now¡±
If once Sullivan had tom at Megan¡¯s flesh, now he was shredding her heart
They had finally stripped away all pretenses, no longer hiding their true intentions. He wanted her as
his wife not for love, but for the benefits and to save face
Wyatt¡¯s freedom was his bargaining chip.
Megan didn¡¯t melodramatically refuse. But she didn¡¯t immediately agree either. Her hands clenched the
bed sheet tightly as she restrained all her emotions, looking at him and saying in a soft voice, ¡°I need to
think about it.¡±
Sullivan wasn¡¯t surprised in the slightest. He thought, people grow up, and Megan was no exception.
The young girl who used to blush and call him Sullivan¡® was long gone. She was now Mrs. Lowry.
He was in a good mood, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. Leaning close, his warm breath
caressed her soft skin, his tone carrying a hint of intimacy. Im sure you¡¯ll make the right decision, Mrs.
Lowry.¡±
That night, Sullivan didn¡¯t leave; he stayed the night. But he slept on the couch.
The lights off, the hospital room was quiet and dim, filled only with their shallow breaths. Though they
tried to sound calm, neither of them could fall asleep.
Megan¡¯s face was pressed into the pillow
Sullivan¡¯s words echoed in her mind¨Che said that if she stayed and yed the role of Mrs. Lowry, he
would extend a helping hand to the Quigleys and save her brother from jail.
She said she would consider it, but deep down she already knew her decision, She felt nothing but
sorrow Over a year ago, she had begged Sullivan, but he had turned a blind eye. And now, though her
love had faded, fate still bound her to him.
All night long. Megan couldn¡¯t sleep.
At dawn, a nurse knocked and entered, letting in a sliver of light as she opened the door. It was like a
beam of light breaking into a dark world.
The brightness was blinding. Sullivan shielded his eyes and sat up.
Being the young and handsome owner of Lowry Hospital, the nurse barely dared to look at him as she
whispered, ¡°Mr. Lowry, it¡¯s time for Mrs. Lowry¡¯s dressing to be changed.¡±
Sullivan nodded slightly, ncing at Megan.
Megan was awake too but appeared haggard, and the pillow behind her was soaked¨Ca clear sign she
had cried most of the night. Was being his wife that distressing to her?
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was profound. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, then let out a scoff,
getting up to freshen up.
When he returned, the nurse had finished changing the dressing.
Speaking softly, she advised, ¡°It¡¯s healing nicely and shouldn¡¯t leave a scar. Try to keep the wound dry
for a few days.¡±
Megan nodded, watching the nurse leave.
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Now alone in the room, Sullivan was about to throw a sarcastic remark her way when his phone
buzzed.
It was Bianca reminding him that Paxton was arriving in town today and that a dinner was arranged for
the evening. He could bring Cressida along to meet Paxton.
Bianca¡¯s voice was loud enough for Megan to overhear
Sullivan gave Megan a nce and spoke into the phone, ¡°Got it.¡±
He hung up, his long fingers toying with the phone as he casually asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to ask me
something?¡±
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Megan avoided his gaze, her back against the headboard, her voice a delicate whisper ¡°I guess, the
price you mentionedst night. includes me turning a blind eye to your fling with Cressida and to any
future mistresses, right?¡±
Sullivan remained silent
Megan continued, ¡°Sullivan, the moment you chose to get involved with Cressida, you stopped
considering my feelings. And lets be honest, are we really husband and wife? No, we aren¡¯t. Like you
said, we are nothing more than¡ marriage partners.¡±
He had made it so clear. For her to y the role of the heartbroken fool would be ludicrous.
Finishing her piece, Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but let out a sardonic chuckle. He approached her gently
cradling her chin, his long finger tracing her flushed lips while he looked at her with a husky voice,
¡°You¡¯ve got quite a sharp tongue, don¡¯t you?¡±
Megan, unable to bear it, tried to turn away.
But Sullivan suddenly leaned in, pinning her against the headboard. His nose was close enough to
touch hers, their lips almost meeting, the softness of his breath enough to captivate the soul.
His eyes locked onto hers, his Adam¡¯s apple tantalizingly bobbing.
¡°One day, Il savor this,¡± he murmured.
Megan was no naive girl. After three years of intimacy with Sullivan, she could read between the lines
of what men said.
On nights when he came home tipsy, burning with desire, he¡¯d ask her to please him in ways she
refused. She would simply bury her head in the pillow and cry, so for three years, she never did what
he asked.
Her past refusals were out of modesty. Her current reluctance was because she no longer loved him,
and naturally, she wouldn¡¯t do such things for him,
Her lips quivered.
Sullivan let her go, retreating to the bathroom to change back into the clothes he had arrived in the
night before.
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Upon emerging, he spoke indifferently. ¡°Ill wait for your answer, Mrs. Lowry. Don¡¯t keep me waiting too
long.¡±
Megan looked up, her eyes red with hurt and humiliation.
Sullivan snorted and turned to leave. Descending to the first floor, his driver was already waiting, the
ck stretch limousine gleaming. in the morning light.
The driver held the door open, steadying himself on the roof as he asked, ¡°Mr. Lowry, heading to the
office?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t answer. He nced back up at the window, where he saw Megan standing, staring out
in silence. The shadows of the window panes seemed to bind her like ribbons, adding a seductive
vulnerability to her figure
Outside, a maple tree stretched its branches, its leaves fiery red.
Vibrant and full of life.
After a long moment, Sullivan softly told the driver, ¡°To the office.¡±
F 3 3 6 5 2 0 2
Settling into the leather seat, he closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. He pondered over Megan¡¯s
choice, her silence on the matter of Cressida, the prospect of them retuming to a facade of a marriage¨C
ying the loving couple by day, satisfying physical needs at night. Perhaps in a few years, he might
have her bear an heir to the Lowry family.
But with no lovel
He didn¡¯t love Megan, and Megan no longer loved him.
Fine.
In their social circle, most marriages were like this, harmonious in their own way. When husbands grew
dissatisfied with their wives¡® post¨Cpregnancy figures, they strayed, and the wives? The smart ones
pretended not to notice, even helping their husbands cover up and deal with mistresses.
Fine, this was the norm for everyone!
Sullivan arrived at the office.
Bianca was in high spirits to finally see Sullivan at the office.
Sullivan had been scarce at the officetely, spending most of his time at the hospital with Megan.
nca felt a pang of jealousy. At six in the evening, Bianca knocked and entered.
¡°Mr. Lowry, I¡¯ve confirmed with Paxton¡¯s assistant. Were set to meet at 7:30 at the HearthBond Hotel.
We can go pick up Ms. Baldwin
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Sullivan¡¯s brow knotted slightly as he twirled his pen between his fingers. His mind wandered back to
Cressida¡¯s dining habits and the sounds she made. He could tolerate it, but he wondered if Paxton
would mind.
Indeed, Bianca was a seasoned pre in the corpomte world
¦°
With just a lift of an eyebrow Sullivan conveyed his thoughts, and nca, ever so attentive, reassured
him, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Mr. Lowry I remind Ms. Baldwin about her table manners in the car. Paxton
comes from an old¨Cmoney family, these things matter to him.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t respond, but Bianca was certain she was right. She sneered inwardly at Cressida,
thinking, ¡°Eating like a pig and dreaming of marrying Mr. Lowry? Dream on!¡±
Cressida, however, seemed oblivious to these judgments. She had dressed with care, donning a white
frock withyers ofce, romantic and beautiful, making her face appear as delicate as a blossom
Bianca, pushing Cressida¡¯s wheelchair downstairs, looked down at her with disdain. ¡°Country
bumpkin!¡± she thought. ¡°Short and dowdy in that outfit!¡±
with Sulliv
Settling into the car, Cressida was quite pleased. nca sat shotgun, meaning she had the privilege of
sitting in the back with Sullivan
She nced at Sullivan¡¯s stoic face and mustered the courage to ask, ¡°Mr. Lowry, what do you think of
my dress? Do you think Paxton will like it?¡±
Bianca coughed lightly from the front seat.
Sullivan cast a polite nce and said nonchntly, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±
Bolstered by his response, Cressida grew more confident. Her mother always said that men loved
women in white, that it was instinctively alluring
Today, she was on a mission. Not only was she to dine with Paxton, but she also nned to find a way
to go home with Mr. Lowry. Perhaps y the drunk card and stay over. She believed no man could
resist that. Once she had a physical affair with Mr. Lowry, she could legitimately demand Sullivan to
divorce Megan.
After all, he didn¡¯t love Megan.
Lost in her fantasies, Cressida barely noticed the car stopping.
She expected Sullivan to carry her out, as he had once before.
But Sullivan stepped out and left it to the fifty¨Csomething driver to lift her. She refused to get out until
nca, with a cool tone, admonished, ¡°Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Lowry¡¯s time is precious!¡±
By then, Sullivan had walked away
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Bianca¡¯s words grew harsher, ¡°Ms. Baldwin, you¡¯ve been through a marriage, suffered abuse that left
you disabled. Mr. Lowry is just helping you out of pity, to get treatment and fulfill your dreams. As for
anything else, best not to get ahead of yourself.¡±
She added a reminder, ¡°Your mother assaulted Mrs. Lowryst time, and Mr. Lowry was not pleased.¡±
Cressida disbelieved. ¡°How could that be? Mr. Lowry didn¡¯t me me.¡±
Bianca scoffed.
Naive! If he didn¡¯t rebuke her, it was to save her dignity, Couldn¡¯t this fool sense Sullivan¡¯s growing
coldness? Whenever Cressida¡¯s name came uptely, Mr. Lowry seemed imitable
Women have a sixth sense, and nca felt that Sullivan¡¯s heart was with Megan.
Otherwise, why h hadn¡¯t he divorced her?
Amid this tangled conversation, Paxton¡¯s assistant emerged from the hotel, greeting Sullivan warmly,
¡°Mr. Lowry, Paxton has long admired you and has been eager to meet you! For your first encounter,
Paxton has prepared your favorite peach blossom brew. Tonight, we shall drink to our heart¡¯s content¡±
Sullivan¡¯s eyebrows arched gracefully. Adjusting his cufflinks with a casual air, he replied. ¡°I barely
know Paxton. How could he possibly know of this little indulgence of mine?¡±
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Paxton¡¯s assistant blinked in surprise. He realized he had just let something slip and quickly covered it
up with a smooth, ¡°Oh, Heamed 11 from quick seek¡±
Sullivan offered a faint smile, not pressing the issue further,
Relieved, the assistant turned his attention to Cressida.
Word was that Ms Baldwin was a prodigy, but he hadn¡¯t heard anything about her beingme. And that
outfit she wore was, well, less than ttering
Cressida was buzzing with excitement as she asked, ¡°You¡¯re Paxton, right?¡±
The assistant offered a polite smile and said, ¡°I¡¯m Paxton¡¯s assistant, Luke,¡±
Instantly. Cressida¡¯s interest deted, this man was not Paxton, but merely an assistant.
She rolled her eyes skyward.
Bianca, standing nearby, snickered. Luke was one of the most sought¨Cafter talent agents in the
industry, his hands full of golden opportunities. Young musicians would kill to curry favor with him!
Cressida was nothing special, yet there she was, giving him the cold shoulder
What a fool!
But Bianca kept this to herself; she wanted to savor Cressida¡¯s embarrassment.
Sure enough, when Paxton arrived, Luke leaned in to whisper a few words.
Paxton frowned slightly. But since Sullivan had brought her, he feltpelled to show some courtesy
and offered a perfunctory smile.
Cressida sat next to Sullivan, her heart pounding
If Paxton took her under his wing, by the time she finished her studies, she¡¯d be a world¨Crenowned
violinist, worthy of Sullivan¡¯s
attention.
Compared to her excitement, Sullivan¡¯s encounter with Paxton was understated. One was a wily fox in
the music world, the other a business tycoon; both concealed their sharp edges.
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As the drinks flowed, Paxton started toment.
¡°Between us, Mr. Lowry, the music business is tough these days! My name might ring bells, but trying
to make a ssh domestically is another story. ssical music isn¡¯t getting the love, you know. The
nouveau riche are all investing in talent shows, who doesn¡¯t like a little skin¡ Of course, Mr. Lowry,
you¡¯re different, a man of taste!¡±
At this, Sullivan smiled slightly. He didn¡¯t throw money at the problem but instead introduced Cressida,
¡°I have someone fd like you to meet, Paxton.¡±
It was as if Paxton noticed Cressida for the first time. He sincerely asked her to y a piece for him.
Cressida, thrilled, immediately yed a rendition of ¡°Anthem of Glee.¡±
Sullivan found it noisy, casually sipping his drink. His mind drifted to Megan, recalling the tunes she
yed at Regal Bolt, several of which he found quite impressive, even astonishing. He had never
known Megan could y the violin so beautifully,
Paxton also found the music intrusive. But a maestro is a maestro, his distaste not readily apparent.
He steered the conversation away from Cressida, ¡°ssical music sure is a tough gig! I¡¯ve always
dreamed of a world tour, to really showcase the ssical heritage globally. Let people hear our
compositions, instead of the same ol¡® Anthem of Glee¡°,¡±
Cressida felt slighted. Even she could tell Paxton wasn¡¯t impressed
Yet she was unwilling to let go of the opportunity and Interjected. ¡°Paxton, I can perform more¡
But Sullivan cut her off. He raised his elegant ss in a toast with Paxton, smiling, ¡°I¡¯m quite intrigued
by what you¡¯re saying, Paxton. Please, go on.¡±
In truth, Paxton had a measure of respect for Sullivan. A young titan in the business world, gracefully
navigating every situation. No wonder he had captivated his favorite student all those years ago,
causing her to abandon her dreams, intent only on marriage. But now the man of her dreams was
seated beside another, seemingly unimpressed.
Paxton became eamest. He spoke slowly, ¡°Years ago, I discovered a student at the conservatory with
tremendous talent. She yed Love¡¯s Destiny¡® so beautifully! I wanted her to study with me, and she
nearly agreed. But in the end, she chose to marry her very own Romeo¡±
Sullivan¡¯s interest piqued. He held the ss delicately, ¡°And then? She gave up on her musical
dream?¡±
things didn¡¯t go well for her Her family fell on hard units.
Paxton¡¯s gaze was intense. Looking at Sullivan, he said softly. ¡°Afterwa her husband strayed, and she
was left to fend for herself. I never saw her again.
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Paxton, a man of culture, felt his eyes brim with tears as he spoke passionately about his work.
Moved by his emotion, Cressida eximed, ¡°Oh, how heartbreaking!¡±
Paxton quicklyposed himself and clinked sses with Sullivan, his spirits lifting. ¡°But I¡¯ll find her.
It¡¯s never toote for music.¡±
Sullivan offered a restrained smile. ¡°Paxton, your dedication to ssical music is truly touching.¡±
With his subtle nce, Bianca knew her cue and gracefully presented a check for 2 million dors. Her
words were carefully chosen, ¡°This is a modest gesture of support for ssical music from Mr. Lowry.
Please ept it. And should you need more, Mr. Lowry won¡¯t hesitate to assist¡±
Paxton replied with a polite reserve, ¡°Such generosity from Mr. Lowry upon our first meeting is
overwhelming!¡±
As Sullivan readied to leave, Paxton¡¯s assistant, Luke, took the check and saw Sullivan and his party
out.
Returning to Paxton, who was still sipping his drink, Luke chuckled, ¡°Where did Mr. Lowry find such a
¡®gem? She¡¯s no match for Megan, from talent to emotion. And looks? Hardly aparison.¡±
Paxton drawled, ¡°Her ying is quite atrocious!*
Luke hesitated, then asked, ¡°So, you won¡¯t take Cressida on?¡±
Setting down his ss, Paxton sighed softly. ¡°Luke, our line of work might sound noble, but any job that
feeds you is tough. No matter how principled I am, it¡¯s hard without money. When someone¡¯s willing to
throw cash at ssical music, how can I refuse? We¡¯ve got enough hands for the menial tasks; we¡¯ll
find a spot for Cressida. The key isunching Megan and maintaining my reputation.¡±
Amused, Luke flicked the check. Then shall I arrange a meeting with Megan for you? How about at
Joyful Junction Caf¨¦ by Sea Fishermen¡¯s Haven? I recall Megan adores their pastries.¡±
25 22 2
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Paxton shot him a knowing smile, ¡°You have a good memory!¡±
After Sullivan¡¯s departure, Cressida was still puzzled as she asked, ¡°Why would Mr. Lowry give him
money if Paxton won¡¯t take me on? It¡¯s outrageous!¡±
nca thought to herself that Cressida didn¡¯t understand a thing.
For a maestro like Paxton to ept a novice like her on first meeting would be beneath him. The 2
million dors was just an opening bid, a show of Mr. Lowry¡¯s sincerity.
To Cressida, Bianca spoke with patience and a gentle tone, ¡°Paxton is very selective; he doesn¡¯t just
take on any student. Be patient, Ms. Baldwin. There¡¯s nothing Mr. Lowry can¡¯t handle.¡±
Cressida hesitated, then asked softly, ¡°Is my ying that bad?¡±
Bianca remained silent, adjusting her dress.
Sullivan usually didn¡¯t bother with such conversations.
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As the chauffeur brought the car around, Sullivan slipped inside. Cressida attempted to follow, but the
driver blocked the door. ¡°Apologies, Ms. Baldwin, but Mr. Lowry has private arrangements. Please wait
for apany car with nca.¡±
With that, the driver closed the door and drove off, leaving a distraught Cressida behind.
She hade with a mission, dressed in her finest, hoping not just to meet Paxton but to dine with
Sullivan, and perhaps even find an opportunity for intimacy.
But Sullivan had left her in the dust.
nca couldn¡¯t hide her schadenfreude. ¡°Ms. Baldwin, I¡¯ve always said¡ best not to harbor certain
thoughts!¡±
A sleek ck limousine then pulled up. Cressida, mistaking it for Sullivan¡¯s return, was overjoyed, but
her joy was short¨Clived.
The luxury car¡¯s window rolled down slowly, revealing not Sullivan, but his mother, Cami
Cami¡¯s stem gaze met Cressida¡¯s, Without uttering a word, the disdain in her eyes sent a chill down
Cressida¡¯s spine.
nca, sensing the gravity of the moment, bowed her head in respect, ¡°Madam!¡±
Cami ignored her, her gaze fixed ory Cressida like a venomous snake, leaving her trembling in fear
Chapter 73
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Chapter 73
Sullivan reclined in the backseat of his sleek ck sedan, his eyes closed as he tried to snatch a
moment of calm before the whirlwind of the day picked up again.
His mind wandered to something Puxton had mentioned earlier¨Ca student who had married her very
own Romeo, It made him think of Megan. Had she felt the same flutter of excitement when they had
exchanged vows?
¡°To have and to hold, from this day forward,¡± he mused to himself.
Sullivan was known for hisposure, buttely, thoughts of Megan had sent ripples across his
normally tranquil demeanor.
He dialed his assistant, ¡°How¡¯s the situation I put you on?¡±
The response came promptly. ¡°Mr. Lowry, I¡¯ve made contact with Lawyer Alton! In 12 hours, his flight
willnd at Borough City Dualstream International Airport. He¡¯ll be ready to tackle the Quigley Group
case with his legal team Immediately upon arrival.¡±
¡°And what are his odds?¡± Sullivan inquired, his voice a monotone.
A pause, then, ¡°Lawyer Alton demanded a retainer of two hundred million dors! He says he¡¯s got a
surefire win.¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Sullivan trusted Alton¡¯s capabilities. He ended the call and, despite his intention to rest, he found
himself flicking through the photos on his phone until he found one in particr.
It was a photo of Megan.
Taken ages ago while she slept in the early days of their manage when tears often stained her cheeks
before she drifted off into an exhausted slumber.
Her face and hair against the stark white pillowcase¡ it was a vision of innocence and allure.
He hadn¡¯t loved her then, but he¡¯d beenpelled to capture that moment. On business trips, alone in
hotel rooms, he¡¯d pull out the photo before bed. Once, driven by a mix of longing and frustration, he¡¯d
let his desire take over while gazing at her image¨Ca thrill he still remembered vividly.
Sullivan encrypted the photo. As he locked his phone, a cynical thought crossed his mind: all men have
their vices. Lust is one no man
can escape§Ö.
12 8 2 2 2 1 3 1/8 8 38
At nine in the evening, Megan sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on the television broadcasting the
news. Chiefwyer Alton was making headlines for his return to the legal world after a stint of
phnthropy. Alton¡¯s appearance was nothing short of triumphant, high¨Cprofile.
To the reporters, he said with that handsome and stem face, ¡°Fame and fortune are not my primary
concerns. For me, the pursuit of justice within thew is my life¡¯s ambition.¡±
Megan listened, her mind somewhere else. She knew Sullivan wanted her to s
er to see this¨Cto remind her that only he could bring Alton back, that only he could keep her brother out
of prison, provided she returned to him. Otherwise, all bets were off.
The next time Alton appeared on TV, it might be with a different narrative altogether. Truth is always
malleable in the hands of the powerful.
Her phone rang, cutting through her thoughts. It was Cora, her stepmother, calling with a tremble of
excitement in her voice.
*Megan, did you catch the news? Lawyer Alton is back! There¡¯s hope for your brother¡¯s case.¡±
Her voice softened, ¡°We have to fight for every chance we get. I know it¡¯s hard on you. Your father and
I can live more modestly. Once he gets better, I can find work to help out. If your brother is free,
everything will start looking up.¡±
Cora broke into tears, unable to hide her concem for Megan, whom she had watched grow up.
Megan¡¯s expression remained stoic. She didn¡¯t reveal the full extent of the situation to Cora, just
murmured reassurances, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Cora. And tell Dad not to worry, either I¡¯ll make sure Lawyer
Alton takes the case.¡±
Cora¡¯s reply
Chapter 74
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Chapter 74
After exchanging a few more words, they reluctantly ended the call.
Megan curled up on the couch, hugging herself gently as if to conjure a sense of security.
Her mind wandered through a coge of memories.
She reminisced about the golden days of her childhood spent with her brother, the way he had
comforted her every night after their mother passed away. He would read her fairy tales, sing lubies
until her eyes drooped shut.
He would carry her on his back to school, after the chauffeur pulled up at the school gates.
Wyatt was the best brother in the world.
The night deepened around her.
Megan fell asleep in the hospital room, her delicate face resting upon her knees, her beauty cold yet
fragile. She seemed like a delicate piece of ss art, ready to shatter at any moment.
Outside the room, Sullivan stood silently. He watched Megan for a long time.
The nurse, speaking in a hushed tone, stood beside him. ¡°She¡¯s been like this since watching the news
tonight, Mr. Lowry. Do you want to go in and wake Mrs. Lowry? It can¡¯t befortable sleeping like
that.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was unreadable. After a long moment, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a
terse, ¡°Don¡¯t tell her I was here.¡±
Descending to his ck Bentley, his mood was foul. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, but it only intensified
his agitation, and he snuffed it out abruptly.
As he put out the cigarette, he couldn¡¯t help but think there were plenty of women in the world, plenty of
beautiful ones at that¨Cno need to spend so much energy and money on Megan.
Property ? N?velDrama.Org.
A reluctant wife was hardly worth it.
Yet, he continued to do so.
It must be a matter of pride.
He couldn¡¯t bear to let her go, to have her in another man¡¯s arms: After all, having shared a bed for
years did make a difference.
The next day. Sullivan arrived at the hospital in the afternoon. He had strained his thigh muscle while
riding a horse, and Bianca apanied him. He didn¡¯t go to the emergency room but had a doctor
come to Megan¡¯s room to dress his wound.
Sullivan sat on the couch, casting a nce at Megan.
Megan leaned against the headboard, seemingly engrossed in her book, indifferent. But he had seen
her vulnerability the night before and knew it was just a facade.
Sullivan diverted his gaze and directed the doctor, ¡°Leave the medical kit.¡±
His injury was minor, and the doctor agreed.
After the doctor left, Bianca volunteered eagerly. ¡°Mr. Lowry, let me help you with the dressing!¡±
Sullivan leaned back, his arms resting on the back of the couch, his tone icy, it¡¯s my thigh that¡¯s injured.
nca, are you nning on taking my pants off?¡±
Bianca apologized profusely, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I didn¡¯t mean that!¡±
Sullivan lifted his chin slightly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡±
Once Bianca had left and the door was closed, Sullivan tumed to the person on the bed, ¡°Come and
help me with the dressing!¡±
He had been there for a while, and only then did Megan look up at him.
Despite the injury, Sullivan was the epitome of sartorial elegance, his ssic ck and white suit
impable. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the enticing movement of his Adam¡¯s
apple, enhancing his masculine allure.
As Megan got off the bed, Sullivan took off his jacket and slowly unbuckled his belt.
Under the bright lights, he stood before her unashamedly lowering his trousers to the crook of his
thighs, revealing a stretch of seductive lines, leading straight into his ck boxer briefs. The thin fabric
outlined his masculinity¡
Sullivan looked up, catching Megan¡¯s gaze. His voice became unexpectedly hoarse, ¡°After three years,
haven¡¯t you seen enough?¡±
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As soon as Megan managed to formte a response, she found herself abruptly drawn into Sullivan¡¯s
lap.
When she sat down, a muffled groan escaped from Sullivan, probably from pulling a ligament near his
wound.
¡°I should get off,¡± Megan whispered gently.
But her slender waist was encircled by his firm grip, their bodies close enough for his distinctively
masculine scent to wrap around her like a silk scarf, its enticing warmth hovering just out of reach.
He gazed down at her with an intensity that seemed to prate through to her soul.
Dressed in the loose hospital gown and perched atop hisp, her delicate, pale legs contrasted sharply
against the dark fabric of his cks, creating an air of forbidden intimacy, as if they were secret lovers
lost in a ndestine moment.
His voice, now even huskietmanded, ¡°Just sit on myp and apply the ointment.¡±
Without further protest, Megan took the first¨Caid kit he handed to her and silently began to tend to his
injuries.
The light in the room was soft and warm.
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From his elevated position, Sullivan observed her every expression.
The fact that she willingly sat on hisp told him all he needed to know about her decision¡ to sacrifice
herself for the greater good of her noble brother.
Suddenly, he felt a twinge of jealousy.
Whenever Sullivan felt this way, he had a tendency to take it out on Megan. His hand slipped under the
loose fabric of her gown, movements rough and impatient.
Megan was still applying the ointment. With a tremble of her hand, she found herself tumbling into his
embrace.
Sullivan pushed the first¨Caid kit aside, his hands now tormenting her with a mix of tendemess and
intensity. The chiseled features of his face, highlighted under themp, were touched by a hint of camal
desire, utterly captivating.
Since he wasn¡¯t in a position to go further, he made her straddle hisp, subject to his relentless
teasing until Megan bit into his shoulder in a mix of pain and pleasure.
Throughout it all, she waspliant, never resisting him¡
Sullivan knew all too well that she wasn¡¯t moved by passion; herpliance was solely for the sake of
her dear brother, allowing Sullivan to y with her as he wished.
He pressed his face against hers, his low, tremulous voice exuding a sense of mncholy indulgence,
¡°Being so obedient, does it mean you¡¯ve made your choice, ready to return as Mrs. Lowry?¡±
Megan remained silent for a long time.
Sullivan didn¡¯t need to guess her thoughts; he grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
Their eyes locked, both tormented by an unsatisfied longing.
Under her gaze, he manipted her body back and forth, leaving Megan feeling utterly vited. Her
delicate form began to writhe atop him, ¡°No! Sullivan, I dont want this¡
But there was no choice in the matter.
Sullivan¡¯s dominance was terrifying. He held her close, their faces pressed together, foreheads and
noses touching
Megan¡¯s cheeks flushed, her eyes glistening with moisture.
Sullivan always took pleasure in tormenting her body, as if her breakdown and loss ofposure gave
him satisfaction.
In the past, Megan would have cried. The huchiliation was too much!
But this time she didn¡¯t cry. After recovering from the initial shock, she rested against his shoulder,
breathing lightly as she asked, ¡°Sullivan, can you let me go now?¡±
?? ? ??? ?? *
He traced her reddened lips with a finger. After a moment, he scoffed, ¡°What, now that you¡¯ve had your
fun, you¡¯re not going to acknowledge it? Just a moment ago, your body was far more honest than your
mouth. A simple touch, and you were in ecstasy!¡± Megan felt indignant. She tried to pull away from his
probing fingers, but in the next instant, Sullivan gripped her chin. Let¡¯s talk business, Mrs. Lowry! Since
you¡¯re nning toe back, I have two conditions.¡±
He locked eyes with her his voice steady. ¡°You¡¯re not to visit Regal Bolt, nor are you to meet with
Begonia alone.
Finally, he voiced his darkest thoughts. He didn¡¯t love her, but he wouldn¡¯t allow any other man to touch
her, so he kept her trapped by his
side
12
Megan felt a profound sadness! Although she agreed to go back with him, it didn¡¯t mean she was
willing to be his caged canary again. She had tasted freedom once, seen the vast expanse of the sky
and realized the world outside wasn¡¯t as terrifying as she¡¯d thought.
Megan didn¡¯t argue back. Not only did she refrain from confrontation, but she also leaned into his
shoulder, her voice soft and yielding. ¡°Sullivan, don¡¯t think about locking me away. I want to work, to do
my own things, even if not at Regal Bolt. Also, I¡¯m not ready for children yet!¡±
Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Moganid downs er tanns, knowing als had to be crystal clear with Sullivan
There was no love between them, no why not
How could Sullivan, sharp as & tack, not notice the transforN?velDrama.Org owns this text.
He wanted her to be Mrs. Lowry well,
Megan had bloomed from a girl into a woman he had learned to bile her time, to negotiate with mens no longer pined for his affection, shu had be practical.
And Sullivan always had a soft spot for pragmatiam.
Just like Bet Leach¡¯s sister, Victoria Leach, the epitome of savvy that he once thought would be file future Inele Hut in the end, be married Megan, the fragile and delicate Megan
But now that Megan had be practical, it seemed so didnt like it one h
His difort was palpable as he withdrew his long fingers, a snort escaping him, ¡°Mrs. Lovey, you have imamed to negotiated
Megan continued softly, ¡°I have more terms! Sullivan, I don¡¯t want to take money from you or fianca anymore. I want 2% of the Lowry Group shares
Sullivan was taken aback. His handsome brow arched, a sneer on his lips, ¡°Do you even know how much 25% of the Lowry Group is worth? Even by a conservative estimate, it¡¯s worth 5 billion. Mrs. Lowry, arent you a little ton grandy?¡±
Megan smiled, eyes lowered.
After a moment, she looked up at him and said, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ve said it before stick around someone like you long enough, and even a fool leams a thing or twol Whether you love me or not, as Mrs Lowry, I have a right to enjoy your wealth Henides, aren¡¯t you refusing to divorce me just because you¡¯re afraid fil sleep with someone else? I think, Mr. Lowry, your illustrious pride is worth the price. And when Mr. Lowry tires of this body and doesn¡¯t care anymore, wouldn¡¯t it be a happy ending for me to take my shares and leave? Besides, 2%
Sullivan leaned against the sofa behind him. He stared at her coldly for a long moment before pulling a velvet box from his suit jacket pocket.
Megan recognized it. It was her wedding ring.
Sullivan yed with the box with his nimble fingers, a hint of amusement on his handsome face, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you¡¯ve actually convinced mel But I have a condition too. Those 2% shares cant be sold?
Megan agreed. After all, she was only after the dividends.
Sullivan flipped the velvet box open, revealing a dazzling diamond ring.
Looking into her eyes, he said, ¡°In addition to the shares, Il allocate a monthly allowance of 20 million dors to you, and those family: heirlooms worth hundreds of millions will be transferred to you From now on, they are yours.¡±
Megan¡¯s expression remained neutral as she said, ¡°I don¡¯t want those¡±
But Sullivan¡¯s gaze was piercing. ¡°But I insist on giving them to you!¡±
Before Megan could react, Sullivan had already pulled her into his arms, his head dipping down to kiss her, his lips pressing against hers
In their years of marriage, their intimacy had been frequent but rarely did they kiss. Megan was always shy in their kisses, never Initiating, but Sullivan didn¡¯t mind. From a man¡¯s perspective, he preferred a bit of innocence in his wife. He relished turning Megan¡¯s usually subdued face into a canvas of desire.
Just like now!
Sullivan kissed her passionately. He explored various angles until she was infused with his essence and clung to him in a heated daze, feeling his urgent arousal.
Sullivan paused. He gently touched her flushed lips, whispering sweet nothings meant only for spouses, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you¡¯re irresistible right now! I think¡ any man wouldy the world at your feet!¡±
But his tone was tinged with mockery. Because their marriage had shifted from Megan¡¯s one¨Csided affection to a transaction.
He believed it didn¡¯t bother him! He just needed a Mrs. Lowry, and Megan was simply the most suitable candidate.
He offered her money, but not his heart. The heart was something Megan had discarded, and something Sullivan treasured even less!
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Chapter 77
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Chapter 77
An Sullivan slid the wedding band onto Megan¡¯s ring finger, her hand tensed ever so slightly.
He watched her closely, and finally, she rxed her hand, allowing the ring to settle into ce. The
diamond sparkled brilliantly on her
delicate finger
With a voice that was husky with emotion, Sullivan said, ¡°Wee back, Mrs. Lowry¡±
Megais shivered. She was back at his side, having sold herself to Sullivanpletely. But from now
on, she wouldn¡¯t just be Sullivan¡¯s wife, she would be¡ Mrs. Lowry
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Sullivan didn¡¯t stay the night.
The next day, he didn¡¯t show up himself but sent Alton to the hospital to meet with Megan.
Alton came bearing two documents. One was a stock transfer form for the Lowry Group, the other
pertained to the Wyatt Quigley case.
They met in the small lounge of Megan¡¯s hospital room.
Alton was even more formidable in person than on TV not exactly the warmest character.
Noticing Megan¡¯s gaze, Alton cracked a slight smile and said, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you seem a bit more fragile
than I¡¯d imagined.¡±
Before Megan could react, he got down to business, ¡°Mrs, Lowry, let¡¯s get this transfer form signed first.
Once you sign, you¡¯ll immediately own two percent of the Lowry Group shares.¡±
He couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°In high society, manydies spend their lives without touching a penny of
their husband¡¯s fortune. You, Mrs. Lowry, have made a very sessful marriage.¡±
Megan replied with self¨Cdeprecating humot. Then I suppose I should be grateful to Sullivan.¡±
Alton offered a polite smile. He pointed to the spot where she needed to sign.
As Megan raised her hand to sign, the loose sleeve of her hospital gown slid down, revealing faint
scars on her arm to Alton¡¯s observant eyes. The marks told a story of self¨Charm.
Suddenly, Alton felt the urge to smoke. But reaching for his pack, he remembered that smoking was
inappropriate in the hospital.
While Alton was lost in thought, Megan had finished signing.
After checking the document, Alton handed over another file to Megan and stepped out to smoke.
During his smoke break, he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the scars on Megan¡¯s arms.
Back in the hospital room, Megan eagerly reviewed the documents. Alton was professional to the point
of intimidation; the case matenals he provided gave them a strong chance of winning.
At the door, Alton stood quietly, assuring her, ¡°Mr. Lowry gave me two hundred million dors. Rest
assured, Mrs. Lowry, we will win this
cose.
nd Alton saw a hint of moisture in her eyes.
Megan looked up. and
After sending Alton off, Megan took a walk in the hospital¡¯s small garden. The chill of the autumn
breeze reminded her that she hadn¡¯t been downstairs in a week
The maple leaves were a fiery red.
Lost in the view, she heard a familiar voice.
¡°Megan?¡±
Turning around, she saw Bet
Bet hade with his mother to pick up her medication and stumbled upon Megan by pure
chance. Seeing her in a hospital gown, he frowned and asked, ¡°Are you sick?¡±
Ever since she had guessed his feelings; Megan didn¡¯t want to engage with him. She nodded and tried
to leave.
But he caught her wrist.
Startled, Megan instinctively struggled ¡°Bet, let go of me!¡±
He had just opened his mouth 19 speak when he noticed the wedding ring on her finger¨Cso dazzling,
and yet so painful to him. He stared at it for a moment before sneering, ¡°I thought you had more pride.
Back to Sullivan¡¯s arms so quickly, huh?¡±
Bet was proud by nature, and Megan was the one he couldn¡¯t have but secretly longed for.
10:06
Chapter 77.
But as he reached out to pull her closer, Megan, without a second thought, pped im across the face.
Bet, who had never tolerated disrespect from a woman, grabbed Megan¡¯s hand. But then he saw
the fresh, deep scars on her a
Was this why she was hospitalized?
in that moment of shock for Bet, Megan pushed him away, her voice trembling, ¡°Bet, what do
you know besides making women miserable? Have you ever felt tuly desperate? The Quigley family is
bankrupt, my brother is facing a decade in jet, and Sivan is my husband, So what if I sell myself to him
again? Tell me, who else but Sullivan would spend two hundred million dors to hire Alton, or offer me
two percent of the Lowry Group shares? Was my choice wrong? And what does it have to do with your
Bet stood there, shoken. After a long silence, he said quietly, ¡°I had no iden¡±
Megan stepped back, her voice softening, ¡°Of course, you don¡¯t know the hardships of life, Bet. In
your world, it¡¯s all about what you want and don¡¯t want. You¡¯re just like Sullivan, you don¡¯t understand
others¡® struggles. You only care about your ownfort and pleasure. What others think or how they
suffer is irrelevant to you!¡±
With that, she walked away, leaving Bet standing there in stunned silence.
When Bet¡¯s mother finished her conversation with her old friend, she came looking for Bet and
noticed his distraught expression.
Bet forced a bitter smile. ¡°Mom, In fine!¡±
As he left his gaze lingered in the direction where Megan had disappeared. Unbeknownst to him, in the
lobby of the hospital department, stood a figure¡
It was Sullivani
Sullivan¡¯s eyes were deep, his emotions inscrutable. After a long moment, he finally turned away and
headed toward Megan¡¯s room.
Pushing the door open, he found Megan packing up; she was due to be discharged the next day.
Suddenly, she felt arms enveloping herl
Sullivan whispered huskily into her ear, ¡°Did you just finish up with Lawyer Alton?¡±
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Megan found herself wrapped in Sullivan¡¯s embrace once again. His closeness always caught her off¨C
guard, and with a slight turn of her hoad, she muttered, ¡°Yes, Lawyer Alton just left.¡±
She wanted to get back to packing but Sullivan was crowding her space.
He held her waist and leisurely caressed her body. It wasn¡¯t out of desire, but more like he was just
passing time.
Having been his wife for years, Megan knew all about his shorings. She didn¡¯t struggle; she let him
touch her.
After a while, Sullivan finally ceased his wandering hands and asked, ¡°What did you talk about?¡±
Megan replied indifferently, ¡°Shares and thewsuit.¡±
Sullivan waited for her to mention Bet and his obvious interest in her, but she didn¡¯t. His gaze
deepened as he stared at her for a long moment.
He didn¡¯t expose her silence. Instead, Sullivan changed the subject, ¡°Oh, by the way! I had nca look
for an apartment. It¡¯s in a great area, very suitable for your dad and Cora to live in. Well go check it out
tomorrow¡ okay?¡±
His thoughtfulness didn¡¯t move Megan.
She knew him too well. He may have given up 2% of the Lowry Group¡¯s shares, spent two hundred
million on Alton for thewsuit, but he expected value for his money. He wanted her to y the loving
wife, to bolster his good image.
Megan¡¯s expression remained neutral, and she agreed.
Sullivan wasn¡¯t pleased with her coldness. He pinched her chin, captured her lips in a kiss, and when
she finally let out a soft moan, he wrapped his arm around her neck and whispered like a lover, ¡°Mrs.
Lowry, I expect you home tomorrow night¡±
Megan trembled slightly, she knew what he meant.
Tomorrow night, he wanted her
When Megan was discharged from the hospital, Sullivan had an important meeting to attend.
He sent Bianca to pick her up.
As Bianca handled the discharge paperwork, Megan sat quietly in her hospital room, a luxurious white
Versace suitid out in front of her. A favorite among the high societydies.
Back when Megan was Mrs. Lowry, her closet was full of them..
Now, ying the role of Mrs. Lowry again, she had to wear thesevish clothes.
She caressed the expensive fabric with her delicate fingers, her face a mask of brief confusion, but she
didn¡¯t dwell on it for long. She slipped out of the loose hospital gown and into the designer suit
Bianca entered with a clipboard in hand. Without Sullivan, she was blunt with Megan, ¡°We¡¯re ready to
go, Megan!¡±
Megan turned to face her. Her gaze fell on nca, and then she spoke with a calm authority, ¡°nca,
from now on, please address me as Mrs. Lowry.¡±
Bianca was taken aback. She instinctively wanted to m
But as she met Megan¡¯s gaze, she was stunned.
mock her, Megan held no status in her eyes.
The same delicate face, the same eyes¡ but something was different.
A detachment, a coldness.
Megan had hidden herself away, behind a mask named Mrs. Lowry.
Bianca was shaken, She didn¡¯t dare step out of line and switched to a formal tone, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, the
apartment should be all set up. I¡¯ll take you there now! Mrs. Quigley should be there as well.¡±
Megan offered a faint smile.
Thanks to Sullivan¡¯s arrangements, the move was efficient.
The 216 square meter apartment was indeed spacious andfortable.
But Cora felt uneasy. Once the movingpany left, she pulled Megan aside, ncing at Bianca
before asking. ¡°Why y is it Sullivan¡¯s people managing this? Tell me the truth, Megan¡ are you back
with him?¡±
Megan knew she couldn¡¯t hide it. She came clean, her voice detached, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m back with Sullivan.
After all the hardships, Com, I¡¯ve
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Chapter 78
realized it¡¯s easier being Mrs. Lowry. It was my naivety tint caused you and dad such trouble¡±
Cora couldn¡¯t bear to hear this. She didn¡¯t want to cry, but tears fell nheless
Now she understood why thatwyer suddenly returned from abroad, why Wyatt¡¯s case was resolved
so smoothly.
It was because Megan had capitted to Sullivan.
While Cora struggled with her emotions, Megan felt no less pain. She embraced Corn, whispering. ¡®ll
take care of myself. Please, look after Dad¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Cora didn¡¯t want the mood to tum too somber. Wiping her tears, she forced a smile, ¡°At least have
dinner at home. I¡¯ll make you some beef meatballs. Il grab my purse and go get the groceries.¡±
After Cora left, Megan remained, preparing herself for the role she had to y once again: the dutiful
Mrs. Lowry.
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Megan stood by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, peering out in silence.
She watched as Cora descended the steps, copsing in tears on the curb. She had never seen Cora
like this, not even on the day the Quigley family fortune crumbled, when Cora had managed to keep
herposure.
Behind her, nca couldn¡¯t help but murmur softly, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, do you have regrets?¡±
Megan lowered her gaze. After a moment, she offered a faint smile. ¡°Regrets? I don¡¯t do regrets.¡±
How could she have regrets when there had been no choice?
Megan had stayed home for half a day. When she left in the afternoon, she carried only a small
suitcase.
As dusk fell, the sky was a canvas of colors, the sunset paintin
painting a spectacle of beauty.
A luxurious ck limousine glided through the wrought¨Ciron gates, circling to a stop on the vi¡¯s
driveway.
Sullivan stepped out from the shadows to o
open Megan¡¯s door.
He called her Mrs. Lowry. His handsome face broke into a charming, easy smile. ¡°L¡¯s whipped up a
crab casserole. Looks delicious. Perfect to pair with a bottle of red wer!¡±
His attentiveness was clear, Megan knew it was the novelty of the moment for him.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Even though they had been married for three years and he had imed her body night after night, in
this moment, Sullivan was filled with a sense of conquest, having maneuvered her back into his world.
Any man would swell with pride, and Megan was certain that crab casserole wasn¡¯t the only thing he
was eager to indulge in
She looked down, her voice soft but firm. ¡°Sullivan, there¡¯s no need for this.¡±
¡°No need for what?¡±
Suddenly, Sullivan pressed her against the side of the car.
The driver, knowing better, promptly took his leave, and they were left alone in the vast courtyard.
Bodies close, the thin fabric between them barely concealing his evident desire.
The twilights glow bathed Megan¡¯s face in a ttering light.
Sullivan gently cradled the back of her head. He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°So,
Mrs. Lowry, what kind of
marriage are we ying at this time? A charade of affection in public and cold indifference in private?¡±
Megan turned her face away, unable to bear it. ¡°You wanted me back, Sullivan. I¡¯m here. What more do
you want?¡±
His gaze lingered on her. After a moment, he released her with a scoff. ¡°What do I want? You know
exactly what I want, Mrs. Lowry¡±
Their homing was anything but pleasant.
Dinner was tense, not the anticipated warm reunion, and the bottle of red wine was left untouched by
Sullivan.
After dinner, Sullivan retreated to his study to work, leaving the household staff worried for Megan. One
whispered, ¡°Men like apliant woman. You might find life easier if you just go along with him a bit
Megan¡¯s expression remained neutral. She uncorked the wine, pouring herself half a ss, and sipped
lightly.
After a moment, she let out a faint smile. ¡°Beingpliant didn¡¯t make life any easier before.¡±
The staff member didn¡¯t dare to speak further.
After a modest drink, Megan ascended the stairs to the master bedroom, taking in the familiar
surroundings.
This had been her prison, and now she was back. Whether for five years or ten, as long as Sullivan
didn¡¯t release her, she would never be free
But Megan didn¡¯t wallow in sentimentality for long. She slipped into a bathrobe, preparing for a bath,
aware that Sullivan wouldn¡¯t let the night pass easily. She hoped a rxed body might make the
inevitable more bearable.
After soaking for half an hour, Megan felt limp and rxed. She blow¨Cdried her hair and tied her
bathrobe before stepping out
Unexpectedly, Sullivan was already in the bedroom. He had showered in the quest room and now
lounged in a crisp white robe by the bed, flipping through a magazine under a single readingmp¨Ca
clear signal of his intentions for the evening.
Megan watched him for a moment, then sat at the dresser, meticulously applying her skin care
products. Sullivan waited patiently.
When she finished, he set aside the magazine, came up behind her, and began to massage her
shoulders. His touch was gentle but
10
10:02
Chapter 79
Insistent.
Megan couldn¡¯t help but give in. She tilted her hond back, her slender throat taut, looking incredibly
vulnerable.
Sullivan nipped gently at the soft flesh behind her ear, his voiceced with a hint of mischief, ¡°Where
would you like it tonight?¡± Megan reached back, her hands trembling slightly as they encircled his neck
¡®Let¡¯s. let¡¯s go to bed.¡±
He chuckled softly, lifting her in his arms and kissing her as they moved.
Megan wasid on the bed.
Sullivan, supporting himself with one amm and embracing her with the other, kissed her until they both
ignited with passion. With a single motion, he untied her bathrobe and joined with her, no longer able to
wait¡.
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Sullivan towered over her, amanding presence in the dimly lit room. He watched her delicate nose
flutter, observed as she became increasingly lost in emotion. He knew his touch could unravel her, lead
her to cling to his shoulders, her breaths whispering softly against his neck. It was only in these
moments of sumender that her usually pale face bloomed with life, as if she was the Megan of old
returning to him.
Bending down, Sullivan captured her lips in a kiss, passion threatening to overtake them both
It took three ardent sessions before Sullivan felt a semnce of relief. Both were sheathed in a fine
layer of sweat as theyy entwined, their breaths mingling in the afterglow
Eventually, Megan stirred and sat up.
Sullivan tightened his grip on her waist, his voice hoarse with post¨Clove¨Cmaking huskiness, ¡°What¡¯s
up?¡±
¡°I need to take a pill,¡± she exined as she ran her fingers through her long hair, which cascaded down
her back. ¡°You didn¡¯t use a condom. I need to get the moming after pill¡±
Sullivan paused for a beat, taken aback.
Not having kids was a mutual decision, but hearing her speak so matter¨Cof¨Cfactly stirred an
unexpected imitation within him.
He set up. ¡°Missing it just once doesn¡¯t matter.¡±
Megan slipped into her robe. After swallowing the pill with water, she said in¨Cher calm voice, ¡°Better
safe than sorry. Besides, you said you wanted a few more years of fun. A baby now would be
inconvenient.¡±
Sullivan leaned against the headboard, watching her intently.
Megan really had changed. She wasposed, her emotions steady, and in her, Sullivan could see a
hint of Mrs. Lambert¡¯s poise.
After a long moment, he couldn¡¯t resist the sarcasm, ¡°Well, since you¡¯ve taken the pill, we might as well
go another round. You¡¯re protected now¡±
He expected her to refuse.
But Megan gently ced the ss down, approached the side of the bed, and tenderly ced her
hand on his thigh. She leaned in for another kiss, even initiating touches across his body.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes darkened with the oing storm,
In the next second. Megan was beneath him, her robe tossed aside without care. Her hair spread
across the pristine sheets, a vision of disarray.
Her current state reminded him of that night in the Hilton suite, when she had been left in a
compromising position. Initially, Megan had struggled, but it wasn¡¯t long before she stopped resisting,
lying submissive on the plush bed, surrendering to Sullivan¡¯s desires.
This time, Sullivan truly reveled in the experience. He always preferred it a bit rougher.
That night, perhaps due to the long absence of sharing a bed, neither slept well.
Sullivan dreamed.
He dreamed that Megan had divorced him and married Begonia. Waking with a start, he reached out to
find the bed empty.
¡°Megan!¡±
From the walk¨Cin closet, he heard faint sounds and got out of bed to investigate.
Inside the closet, the light cast a warm glow.
Megan had prepared his clothes for work: a crisp white shirt, a sharp suit, and all the essories
neatlyid out, awaiting their owner.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze fell on Megan.
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She was d in a light pink silk robe, tied at the waist to entuate her slender figure, her hair was
casually pulled up, revealing swath of delicate skin. She was selecting a watch for him.
Hearing his footsteps, Megan guessed Sullivan was up and asked softly, ¡°How about this Audemars
Piguet?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t speak. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his face pressing close to
hers. They resembled a couple still in the honeymoon phase of marriage.
Megan allowed the embrace
Sullivan kissed the soft spot behind her ear, his voice a mix of gravel and heat, murmuring. ¡°Mrs.
Lowry, I love it when you pick out my
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Chapter 80
clothes.¡±
In the early morning, a man¡¯s vitality is at its peak. With such intimate contact, Sullivan travitably
destred her again. After being pursued by him for most of the previous night, Megan still felt a tender
ache. Shan gently declined, ¡°I have things to do today.
I can¡¯t take it¡±
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
kong imanda n?r miha, traning i
After
de my fre
enters were mists to ane tinged at many er ma feed unt Where I go, what t
Subse bad on an anime He let her go with
two make a Ham for herself
The night before he eyes, he shaped sifth he and started guiding dent
Sutivan had a good physiqum. Tall and tean, with a taper of hakant Huerta, no avans fat and not the
oventona type you¡¯d find in a gym
ku streped down to just si pian pil hitack bears.
What we dined below made Megan aven her gion, a blush craping acres her chak tinting them with a
womanly char
Sutivan really liked her this way. He touched her face chuckling. ¡°Last night, you seemed pretty
satisfied!¡±
Pretips it was because of the samefaction, or Megan¡¯spliance, Sullivan was in a great mood
Banc definitely noticed Shopping at the office door. Bianca hesitated befom saying ¡°Mr. Lowry your
mother has been here since the
d sure enough, there was his mother, sipping tea on the couch.
he said, ¡°Mom, what brings you to the office? shing with grandma again?¡±
smed much more tense. She nced.
signaling her to leave.
ead and said. ¡°¡±¡°Step outside!¡±
lone. ?amilia started in on her son, ¡°I know things haven¡¯t been great between you and Megan, and I
understand you After all, the Lowry family needs a daughter¨Cinw But what I can¡¯t fathom is why
you¡¯d give her 2% of Lowry Group¡¯s
faint smile on his face.
spoke sharply. ¡°A Lowry family woman has never held shares in Lowry Group! Sullivan, there¡¯s a limit
to how much you should your wite Don¡¯t let Megan get toofortable!¡±
ually. ¡°What¡¯s the harm in indulging my own wife a little?¡±
stared at her son. After a long pause, sheughed coldly. ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re not just indulging her it¡¯s
because of that bastard, hun? you found out Megan has been in contact with him, and you can¡¯t stand
the thought of her being with that bastard after a divorce! How unbearable must that be for you? So no
matter the cost, you want to keep her. Sullivan, have you lost your mind?
in the vast office with just the two of them, they ripped away the veneer of civility and decorum
i
Cami¡¯s demeanor orice so refined, now mirrored that of amon housewife
Sullivan was all too familiar with it he watched his mother quietly his voice a cold whisper. ¡°You always
taught me to stop at nothing to
my goals, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Cami left, furious.
After she was gone, Sullivan stood alone in front of the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, gazing over the entirety
of Borough City,
His mood was foul because he was reminded of the person who always spoiled his mood, and
because his mother hadid bare the darkest part of his heart
The whole day the staff of Lowry Group trod lightly, fearing to provoke Sullivan¡¯s ine
At five o¡¯clock, Sullivan decided to leave work early
Chapter 81
Sullivan didn¡¯t immediately let go of Megan. He pressed her up against the closet door, his hand
sneaking inside her robe, teasing her with a light touch. ¡°What could possibly be more important than
me huh?¡±
Megan knew all too well these tricks men yed. She tilted her head back slightly, enduring his
firtation, asionally imable to suppress a soft moan.
After a moment, her eyes were misty, her voice tinged with moisture. ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ve told you not to keep
me locked up! Where I go, what t do it¡¯s my freedom¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t get an answer. He let her go with a snort. ¡°Seems like our Mrs. Loway wants to make a
name for herself
night before her eyes, he slipped off his robe and started getting dressed.
Sullivan had a good physique Tall and lean, with ayer of natural muscle, no excess fat and not the
overdone type you¡¯d find in a gym
He stopped down to just a pair of ck bowers.
What was outlined below made Megan avert her gaze, a blush creeping across her cheeks, tinting
them with a womanly charm.
Sullivan really liked her this way. He touched her face, chuckling, ¡°Last night, you seemed pretty
satisfied!¡±
Perhaps it was because of the satisfaction, or Megan¡¯spliance, Sullivan was in a great mood,
Bianca definitely noticed. Stopping at the office door, Bianca hesitated before saying, ¡°Mr. Lowry your
mother has been here since the moming! She¡¯s been waiting for you for ages!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s good mood vanished into thin airl
He pushed open the door, and sure enough, there was his mother, sipping tea on the couch.
Sullivan held the doorknob, smiling faintly as he said, ¡°Mom, what brings you to the office? shing
with grandma again?¡±
Compared to Sullivan¡¯s ease. Cami seemed much more tense. She nced at Bianca, signaling her
to leave.
nca was in a tight spot.
Sullivan tilted his head and said, ¡°Step outside!¡±
Once they were alone, Cami started in on her son, ¡°I know things haven¡¯t been great between you
and Megan, and I understand you want her back. After all, the Lowry family needs a daughter¨Cinw.
But what I can¡¯t fathom is why you¡¯d give her 2% of Lowry Group¡¯s
shares?¡±
on his face.
Sullivan sat down, a faint smile on
¡°You¡¯re well informed¡°¡±
Cami spoke sharply, ¡°A Lowry family woman has never held shares in Lowry Group! Sullivan, there¡¯s
a limit to how much you should spoil your wife. Don¡¯t let Megan get toofortable!¡±
Property ? N?velDrama.Org.
Sullivan replied casually, ¡°What¡¯s the harm in indulging my own wife a little?¡±
Cami stared at her son. After a long pause, sheughed coldly, ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re not just indulging
her. It¡¯s because of that bastard, huh? You found out Megan has been in contact with him, and you
can¡¯t stand the thought of her being with that bastard after a divorce! How unbearable must that be for
you? So no matter the cost, you want to keep her. Sullivan, have you lost your mind?¡±
In the vast office, with just the two of them, they ripped away the veneer of civility and decorum
Cami¡¯s demeanor once so refined, now mirrored that of amon housewife.
Sullivan was all too familiar with it, he watched his mother quietly, his voice a cold whisper, ¡°You always
taught me to stop at nothing to schieve my goals, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Cami left, furious.
After she was gone, Sullivan stood alone,in front of the floor¨Cto-ceiling window, gazing over the entirety
of Borough City.
His mood was foul because he was reminded of the person who always spoiled his mood, and
because his mother hadid bare the darkest part of his heart.
The whole day, the staff of Lowry Group trod lightly, fearing to provoke Sullivan¡¯s ire.
At five o¡¯clock, Sullivan decided to leave work early.
Chapter 82
Chapter 82
Chapter 82
Sullivan retumad to the vi, his arrival catching the mold by surprise.
Is Megan home?¡± As Sullivan made his way upstairs, he casually asked.
The maid hastened to reply, ¡°Mrs. Lowry is still home, sir, though she did instruct the chauffeur that
she¡¯ll be heading out shortly¡±
Sullivan paused mid¨Cstride but said nothing further. Upon reaching the second floor, he pushed open
the door to the master bedroom. and found Megan fully dressed, clearly ready to go out.
She was wearing a silk blouse paired with a mermaid skirt.
There was a certain austere beauty about her.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but take her in for a few seconds before he dropped his suit jacket onto the couch
and sat down, fixing her with a steady gaze. ¡°Back home and off again so soon? Cancel your ns and
have dinner with me.¡±
Megan had made ns with Paxton. There was no way she could cancel
But she didn¡¯t want to upset Sullivan either, so she spoke gently, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be home early,
Sullivan. If you¡¯d like to have dinner together, just let me know in advance so I can prepare.¡±
Sullivan was in a foul mood. He reached out and pulled Megan into his embrace.
He nuzzled her with his prominent nose, the intimacy of their bodies pressing together was overt but
his words carried a hint of mockery, ¡°Since when do I need to make a reservation to dine with my own
wife?¡±
Megan could read the room; Sullivan was not in good spirits.
But she didn¡¯t care. She evenzily wondered if he had argued with Cressida ande back feeling
low.
She pecked theer of his mouth in a cating manner, her voice soft, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ve got an
appointment, and I really mustn¡¯t bete!¡± Sullivan¡¯s grip on her slender waist tightened as he kneaded
it twice.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Just as he was about to let go, Megan¡¯s phone pinged with a message from Paxton¡¯s assistant, Luke,
sending her the location of their meeting
Megan didn¡¯t check her phone.
Sullivan stretched his neck, his voice carrying a leisurely tone, ¡°Not going to check your phone? Afraid I
see?¡±
Megan replied with a light tone, ¡°Would you like to go through it, Sullivan? If you wish, I could let you
screen every message I receive from now on.¡±
The conversation was unpleasant, but Sullivan justughed. He gently caressed Megan¡¯s slender
shoulder and said. ¡°Just kidding, don¡¯t take it to heart. You should head off. Weren¡¯t you worried about
beingte?¡±
After Megan left, Sullivan¡¯s smile faded. He bowed his head slightly, the light casting shadows across
his sharply defined features, casting his face into enigmatic darkness.
Once Megan was in the car, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Sullivan had a temper and was deeply suspicious. Every encounter with him since her retum was far
from rxing.
The chauffeur nced at her and asked lightly. ¡°Where to, Mrs. Lowry?¡±
Megan checked Luke¡¯s message and replied softly. ¡°The Joyful Junction Caf¨¦ at the Sea Fishermen¡¯s
Haven Hotel.
The chauffeur eased onto the gas, his voice cheerful, ¡°Their desserts are quite famous! My wife and
kids love them.¡±
Megan offered a small smile.
Half an hourter, they arrived at Sea Fishermen¡¯s Haven.
As Megan stepped out, the chauffeur prepared to park the car underground. His phone rang from the
glovepartment¨Cit was a call from Sullivan.
The chauffeur swiftly answered, ¡°Mc Lowry, I¡¯ve safely delivered Mrs. Lowry to her destination. You can
rest assured.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s voice was indifferent ¡°Send me the location. I¡¯ll pick her upter¡±
At the Joyful Junction Caf¨¦, Luke had reserved a private booth and ordered Megan¡¯s favorite dessert,
As Megan arrived, Luke stood to greet her with a smile, ¡°You kept us waiting! Only you could make
Paxton walt a full ten minutes.¡±
10:07
Megan quickly apologized. ¡°I got held up just me I was leaving.¡±
Luke was perceptive. He knew Megan had retished to Sullivan¡¯s side and guessed that was the cause
of the dy.
But he didn¡¯t bring it up, instead, he pulled out a chair for Megan, saying cheerfully. ¡°Take a noot and try
this! We can chat while we ent
Paxtonughed, ¡°It¡¯s been too long!¡±
Once Megan was seated, Paxton poured her a cup of coffee,menting, ¡°I can never get used to
coffee¨Chitter and it keeps you up at night! But you can¡¯t always avoid social obligations, and sometimes
you need to y the connoisseurl¡±
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Chapter 83
Megan hastily replied, ¡°You¡¯re too modest, Paxton¡±
It wasn¡¯t ttery, Paxton was a respected figure in the academicmunity, with an international
reputation that elevated him above his
peers.
Paxton had always taken a liking to Megan. With a chuckle at Luke, he said. ¡°I do enjoy Megan¡¯s sweet
talk.¡±
As Luke poured him a cup of tea, he yfully agreed, ¡°You should kick back and enjoy the chat today!
No need to be co formal. Remember when you met with Ms. Baldwin¡ Cressida, right? You were all
knotted up. It must have taken a Herculean effort to hide your distaste¡±
Paxton gave him a yful p on the back of the hand. ¡°Why bring that up?¡±
Luke feigned an epiphany. He repeatedly apologized to Megan, ¡°My bad, I didn¡¯t consider your feelings!
I owe you an apology. Megan.¡±
Megan wasn¡¯t bom yesterday! The two were clearly trying to prod the subject of Cressida, quessing
that Sullivan had introduced her to Paxton. Paxton wasn¡¯t impressed with her, but he was certainly
interested in Sullivan¡¯s deep pockets.
She smiled faintly and said, 1 understand where you¡¯reing from, Paxton.¡±
Once she opened up, Paxton began his tirade. Taking a sip of his coffee, he didn¡¯t mince words, ¡°That
girl¡¯s violin ying was just atrocious! I heard she yed for Sullivan every day when he was
comatose. Are you sure it wasn¡¯t her racket that woke him up?¡±
Megan looked down, stiming her coffee gently, the memories came flooding back.
When Sullivan had the car ident and fell into aa, Megan was only 20 and terrified. She visited
Sullivan daily, even had the nurses y recordings of her violin for him.
But she never imagined that it would be Cressida who would ultimately awaken Sullivan,
Paxton shifted from jest to seriousness. Looking at Megan, he said earnestly. ¡°Megan, you¡¯re the most
promising student, and I¡¯d like you to learn by my side. But because of funding, I too have to bow to the
almighty dor!¡±
Megan understood his predicament. She whispered consolingly, ¡°I get it.¡±
After a moment, her voice tinged with bitterness, ¡°I used to care so much about him, but now, it doesn¡¯t
really matter anymore.¡±
Paxton made her a series of promises
Two hours and a casual mealter, they had settled many matters,
Megan declined Luke¡¯s offer to drive her home, bidding Paxton farewell before leaving the Caf¨¦.
Walking through the hotel atrium, she ran into a familiar face.
It was Begonia,
Megan stopped two paces away and carefully said, ¡°Dr. Begonia!¡±
Begonia¡¯s gaze was profound.
? ? ? ? ?? ? ????? ??
Meeting an old friend, he hadn¡¯t expected to run into Megan here. She no longer called him by his first
name but Dr. Begonia, a deliberate distance between them. He looked at her, d in designer attire,
yet without a hint of joy.
She was unhappy.
Begonia felt a pang of sympathy, not wanting to trouble her. He spoke with a detached politeness,
¡°How have you been since you went back?
Megan hummed a response, ¡°Not too bad.
To keep herposure, she quickly bid him farewell, iming her driver was waiting outside.
As they passed each other, a hint of moisture glistened in Megan¡¯s eyes. It wasn¡¯t Begonia¡¯s warmth
she couldn¡¯t let go of, it was the relentless tides of life.
Outside the hotel, Megan was surprised to find not her driver, but Sullivan waiting for her.
Neon lights filled the sky. Sullivan sat in the ck Bentley, a white shirt entuating his noble profile.
He was scrolling through his phone, but upon seeing Megan emerge, he leaned over to open the car
door. ¡°Get in!¡±
Megan,ing back to her senses, quietly sat in the passenger seat and turned to ask him, ¡°What are
you doing here? Where¡¯s the
driver?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t answer her question. His long fingers gently touched her face, cool to the touch.
Her eyes were misty.
1/2
10:07
Sullivan¡¯s gaze darkened, his voice slightly tense as he spoke, ¡°Have you been crying? Did you run into
someone?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Megan yielded to his touch. She seemed more docile than before, but Sullivan sensed a change in her.
What was different?
Perhaps Megan had begun treating her role as Mrs. Lowry like a job. She shared his bed, met his
needs, kept house to make his lifefortable, but the love had vanished.
Men can feel the presence or absence of love, and Sullivan was no exception. He tried to convince
himself it didn¡¯t matter, yet there was a slight difort.
Megan said nothing.
So. Sullivan said, ¡°I saw you bumped into Begonia, Is that why our Mrs. Lowry is so flustered?¡±
Megan looked up.
Their eyes met, each studying the other.
After a moment, Megan spoke softly, ¡°Sullivan, you don¡¯t have to doubt me all the time. I haven¡¯t been
in touch with him behind your back, and it was just a coincidence¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze tumed analytical. After a while, he gently caressed her face and said, ¡°I believe you,
Mrs. Lowry. Now, shall we go home for dinner?¡±
Before Megan could nod, he lifted her into his arms.
She couldn¡¯t pin down what had gotten into Sullivan,
He kissed her passionately, his hands gripping her waist. As they kissed, she felt the unmistakable
change in his body, pressing against her with an assertive force,
Megan was ufortable. She tumed her face away, her delicate features tinged with a hint of
womanly charm. ¡°Weren¡¯t we going to have dinner?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s eyes were deep. He was about to le
let her go when his phone rang from the glovepartment. It was Timothy.
While still holding Megan, Sullivan took the call.
Timothy was straightforward. ¡°Victoria¡¯s back in town, and it¡¯s her birthday party! Everyone¡¯s here
celebrating, and we¡¯re just missing you, Sullivan. Come on over!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s eyes never left Megan as he listened to Timothy, and after the invitation, he chuckled, ¡°Well,
I¡¯ll have to ask Megan if she¡¯ll allow it¡±
Timothy choked on the unexpected PDA moment
¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re really something¡¡±
¡®Til be there in a bit. Send me the address¡±
Sullivan ended the call and tossed his phone aside.
There was no real need to ask Megan for permission, the power dynamics in t
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their marriage were clear¨Ccut.
He nced at Megan and said indifferently. ¡°Til drop you off first.¡±
5 2 2 2 2 2 2
He knew Megan had heard the conversation, and he was aware of Victoria¡¯s special status. After all,
Victoria had pursued him for years. A more attentive husband would avoid the appearance of
impropriety.
Perhaps it was a test, but he agreed to go.
Megan showed no reaction
The drive back was silent.
Upon arriving at the vi, Sullivan didn¡¯t get out of the car. Instead, he leaned over to open the door for
her. Megan paused, then offered a slight smile ¡°Sullivan, have fun!¡±
With that, she stepped out
Sullivan didn¡¯t drive away immediately but sat smoking a cigarette, the twilight casting a more defined
shadow over his sharp features.
The ember glowed at his fingertips¡.
At the Dusk Whispers Club, in the VIP suite, the birthday crowd v
The mood was electric!
was tight¨Cknit, lifelong friends.
After Sullivan arrived, he kept to himself on aer sofa, asionally sipping his drink and scrolling
through his phone
10.07
Timothy approached with a beer mug in hand. Leaning in, he teased, ¡°ying the brooding type,
Sullivan? When people show up, you gotta give them some attention, a few kind words for old timen
sake. Don¡¯t be a stranger; we all grew up together!¡±
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Sullivan tilted his head back slightly, exsaling a stream of grey smoke. His gazended on Timothy with
a hint of imitation. ¡°Do I look like a clown to you?¡±
Timothy, cought off guard by the remark, was about to ask about Megan when Victoria sauntered over
with a ss of red wine in hand She had dressed to kill that evening. Her outfit was a ssy dress that
embraced her femininity, and with every move, she exuded a deliberate cham.
She slid into the seat next to Sullivan, her tone familiar and light¨Chearted as she teased, ¡°Why didn¡¯t
you bring Megan along, Sullivan? Ever since you two got married, she¡¯s hardly been seen at these
shindigs. What¡¯s the matter¡ as big shot entrepreneur, do you think you¡¯re too good for us, or is it your
wife you¡¯re looking down on?¡±
Her words were a blend of flirtation and probing. Moreover, as she spoke, she leaned close enough
that her soft, pale skin brushed against Sullivan¡¯s crisp white shirt in a barely there caress. Victoria was
convinced no man could resist that
Timothy couldn¡¯t bear to watch. He pretended not to hear and took a swig of his scotch.
Sullivan put his phone down and turned to look at Victoria, along with her rather provocative dress.
Could any man really be oblivious to a woman¡¯s flirty hints?
Sullivan looked away and chuckled, ¡°She¡¯s not cut out for this scene.¡±
Victona, having put so much effort into her approach, was irked by his nonchnt rejection.
But then Sullivan shifted gears, ¡°However, since y
you mentioned it, I might as well call her over. I came in such a rush I didn¡¯t bring a present 111 have
my wife make it up to you!¡±
The words ¡°present¡± and ¡°wife¡± almost made Timothy spit out his drink.
Property ? N?velDrama.Org.
He nced up and caught sight of Bet, instantly understanding why Sullivan had spoken that way¨C
it was a deliberate performance for Bet!
True enough, Bet looked sour
On the other side, Sullivan dialed Megan¡¯s number, speaking with tender affection, hoping she would
join Victorias birthday celebration and bring a gift along.
Victoria listened, unimpressed. She knew Megan well after many years of acquaintance and was
certain Megan wouldn¡¯t be magnanimous enough to buy her a gift. No woman would graciously shop
for a rival.
But she was wrong
An hourter, Megan arrived in a chauffeured car, wearing a Dior knitted embroidered top paired with a
ck beaded maxi skirt¨Cgraceful and elegant with a touch of allure.
Megan handed a gift to Victona, her voice gentle, Tm so sorry, Victoria! If Sullivan had told me earlier
about your birthday. I wouldn¡¯t have had to scramble. Even though I¡¯mte, I still want to wish you a
happy birthday.¡±
Her words were carefully chosen to save Sullivan¡¯s face, not a hint of resentment in her tone.
Victoria¡¯s lips curved into a smile, ¡°Megan, you shouldn¡¯t have! This must have set you back a pretty
penny.¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes met Sullivan¡¯s. Her gaze was tender, followed by a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯s Sullivan¡¯s treat.¡±
The room fell silent.
They had once looked down on Megan, partly because Sullivan didn¡¯t seem fond of her, and partly
because Megan always seemed a bit childish, but now, she had transformed into the impable Mrs.
Lowry.
In the midst of the silence, Timothy drawled, ¡°Wasn¡¯t someone just itching to y Truth or Dare a
moment ago? H
Hey, Megan, you in? It¡¯s
quite the thrill!¡±
Before Megan could respond, Victoria flipped her hair back andughed, ¡°Unless Sullivan can¡¯t bear to
let her.¡±
She was still trying to sideline Megan. She could tell from the looks the men gave Megan¨Cthere was a
mix of awe and eagerness that irked her deeply
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
How could Megan not see that?
Yet she didn¡¯t argue and let Sullivan call the shots. After all, a smart woman knows she doesn¡¯t need to
steal the spotlight on asions
like this.
Everyone thought Sullivan would decline.
Instead, Sullivan leaned forward, stubbed out his cigarette, and said nonchntly, ¡°Let¡¯s y!¡±
He used to attend these kinds of gatherings, not really into these childish games, but today, he
surprisingly joined the fray.
Megan sat beside him, his arm casually draped over her shoulder.
They looked like the picture¨Cperfect couple.
When Megan asionally lost a round, Sullivan would pull her close, his warm hand gently caressing
her delicate cheek, tantly unting their affection.
Megan knew he was doing it on purpose, and she yed along.
The others joked around, but the Leach siblings¡® faces grew darker by the minute, especially Bet,
whose expression could have curdled milk.
Megan lost again.
This round was Truth or Dare, and the winner, Bet, was to ask the question.
Bet picked up his beer mug, took a hefty swig of the strong brew, while Timothy, sensing his
friend¡¯s agitation, whispered, ¡°Take it easy. Bet! We¡¯ve all been ying together since we were
kids, and they¡¯ve been married for years. It¡¯s not worth it!¡±
Bet shoved him away. Staring at Megan¡¯s serene face, Bet dropped a bombshell, ¡°Megan, do
you have someone you like right now?¡±
Silence fell over the room.
Everyone knew what Bet¡¯s question implied ¨C he had feelings for Megan! It was taboo, after all,
Megan was Sullivan¡¯s wife
Eyes stealthily nced at Sullivan.
Sullivan was unruffled, seemingly unsurprised, still holding Megan close. He also seemed to have
known about Bet¡¯s feelings all along.
Victoria was the first to speak up, looking at her brother, she burst out, ¡°Bet, have you lost your
mind?¡±
She tried to pull Bet away, but Bet pushed her aside and insisted, ¡°Megan, do you have
someone you like right now?¡±
The atmosphere grew tenser!
Megan was in an awkward spot.
Bet was making it difficult for her, and Sullivan showed no sign of intervening. She thought this
might be why Sullivan brought her here. He had seen through Bet¡¯s intentions and was deliberately
provoking him.
Megan knew the best thing to do was to profess her love for Sullivan on the spot, telling everyone
against her true feelings how deeply she loves Sullivan.
But¡
Megan lowered her gaze, a faint smile ying on her lips, suddenly not wanting to be so rational.
? ? ? ? ?
She looked Bet in the eye and answered seriously, ¡°No.¡±
The mood froze.
No one expected Megan to respond like that, including Sullivan,
His face turned even gloomier than Bet¡¯s, clearly stung by Megan¡¯s response. A man of his pride
andposure stood abruptly. saying with restraint, ¡°We¡¯re leaving!¡±
Megan knew he was angry. But she had no regrets!
Sullivan would likely just pin her down on the bed and have his way with her. She didn¡¯t care anymore.
As they were about to leave, Bet spoke in a dark tone, ¡°Sullivan, Megan doesn¡¯t like you anymore!*
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Sullivan let go of Megan. He turned to Bet with a coldugh, ¡°Whether she likes me or not, she is
Mrs. Lowry! Bet, that¡¯s a fact you can never change.¡±
?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?
Bet began undoing his shirt buttons.
10.07
Victoria screamed, even using his full name, ¡°Bet Leach, have you lost your mind?¡±
Bet faced Sullivan, fists ready, his voice filled with defiance, ¡°No! What¡¯s wrong with liking a
woman? So what if she¡¯s my friend¡¯s wife? Sullivan, she doesn¡¯t love you. Every second she spends
with you is just an act. Why can¡¯t you admit that?¡±
Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Sullivan was the epitome of high society¡¯s golden boy. It was not in his nature to throw punches, least
of all for a woman
But today was different. Today, he found himself in a fierce brawl with Bet, and neither of them held
back or came out on top without a few bruises to show for it
In the end, he delivered Bet a harsh kick!
He turned to Megan and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here!¡±
Bet, wincing in pain, grabbed Megan¡¯s ann with a bruised face but with eyes that bore into hers,
¡°Last time, you told me I was nothing but trouble for women, that no one but Sullivan could help you¡
Now, Megan, I¡¯m telling you I, Bet Leach, can be that man tool Whatever Sullivan can give you, I
can match it, and even offer what he can¡¯t! Why go back to him? Why chain yourself to a loveless
mamage? You¡¯ve said it yourself, you don¡¯t love him anymore!¡±
Megan looked at him quietly.
Finally, she gently pushed Bet¡¯s hand away and said with a faint smile, ¡°Bet, you seem to be
mistaken. I¡¯m choosing to go back to Sullivan of my own free will, and our marriage is stable. In the
world of adults, it¡¯s not just about love or affection, but also about mutual benefits, right?¡±
She added, ¡°You should understand that better than anyone.¡±
Bet¡¯s gaze tumed cold, as if he never truly knew her.
Megan¡¯s face remained impablyposed.
Eventually, Bet ground out through clenched teeth, ¡°You¡¯re such a hypocrite, Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Megan looped her arm through Sullivan¡¯s. She tilted her head back to look into his eyes tenderly as if
deeply concerned, ¡°Sullivan, let me take care of those wounds when we get home¡±
Sullivan looked down at her with an inscrutable gaze.
Half an hourter, their driver dropped them off at the vi
As soon as the car stopped, Sullivan led Megan upstairs with a firm grip. The house staff, seeing the
marks on his face and his furious. demeanor, dared not intervene in the couple¡¯s private affairs,
The bedroom door swung open, and Megan was tossed onto therge bed.
She sank into the plush mattress and before she could react, Sullivan was on her, unfastening his belt
and zipper, iming her without any preamble.
Megan¡¯s long hair spread across the pillow. Her slender, pale arms clutched the sheets, barely
managing to withstand Sullivan¡¯s intense desire.
As their bodies moved together, Sullivan gripped her hair and kissed her deeply, his eyes never leaving
hers, ¡°No more feelings for anyone else¡ huh?¡±
Megan breathed lightly: her gaze locked with his
She refused to respond
Sullivan was relentless, spoiling half the bed in his fervor
Megan finally spoke, wrapping her arms around his neck, her voice a husky tremor with a distinctly
womanly allure, ¡°Sullivan, you know, it¡¯s not so hard to be Mrs. Lowry without loving you.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Sullivan paused and looked down at her. His eyes were stormy, filled with emotions even he couldn¡¯t
comprehend,
Megan leaned in to kiss theer of his mouth. She caressed his handsome, lustful face and
whispered softly, ¡°And I don¡¯t think you need my love, Sullivan, Isn¡¯t this arrangement perfect? I don¡¯t
demand your affection or fidelity, and you don¡¯t try to control me!¡±
Sullivan let out augh that wasn¡¯t quite angry. He pressed his lips against her damp hairline,
murmuring like a lover, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, show me your sincerity, Mrs. Lowry!¡±
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Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Sullivan¡¯s desire was palpable, his aura seductive and raw
Megan continued to caress his chiseled face.
After a moment, Sullivan captured her delicate fingers, halting their dance across his skin.
He pinned her slender wrist firmly to the pristine pillow, mady to im her, when the sight of faint pink
scars on Megan¡¯s fair wrist caught his eye.
Those were the marks left from when she had cut herself thest time he forced himself upon her.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes tightened slightly.
Then he pressed close to her, his touch no longer harsh, but tender, as he nted soft kisses along the
scars, his voice hoarse, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡±
Megan tumed her face away, unable to bear it.
That night in the hotel, Sullivan had been on her, treating her like a whore¡ She hadn¡¯t let go or moved
on.
She could endure Sullivan¡¯s roughness, but his gentleness was something she couldn¡¯t stand. It
reminded her of a time when she had been like a beggar, pleading for his affection, begging for his pity.
Tears welled up in theers of Megan¡¯s eyes.
His tendemess, coupled with the overwhelming physical pleasure, made her feel exposed.
Suddenly, she cupped Sullivan¡¯s handsome face, her lips meeting his, mimicking his usual style, boldly
kissing him from every angle.
She clung to Sullivan, her passion as intense as that of a woman ustomed to indulgence.
Sullivan gripped the back of her neck, his eyes fixated on her
His whole body trembled.
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Afterwards, Sullivan slipped on a bathrobe and leaned back on the sofa with a cigarette.
The night was deep, the dew was heavy, and even the smoke was beautiful¡
Megan took a bath, fetched the first aid kit, and knelt beside him, gently applying ointment to his
wounds. Perhaps finding the cigarette smoke too strong, she gently removed the cigarette from his lips.
Sullivan remained silent. His eyes lowered. He watched his wife dressed in a silk nightgown. Her
demeanor was soft and gentle, a stark contrast to her earlier wildness in bed..
No man
dislikes. sex
Sullivan considered himself an ordinary man. Even if he didn¡¯t love Megan, he had shared a bed with
her for three years, and their sexual enjoyment had only intensified.
But Megan had never before been so proactive and passionate.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t decide if this was good or bad. At the moment, his body was satisfied, but afterwards,
he felt an inexplicable emptiness. Watching her delicate face, he thought, wasn¡¯t this what he wanted
when he demanded Megan back?
Why, then, was he still not content?
Sullivan¡¯s fight with Bet had caused quite a stir
The two families both cared about their reputations and used their influence to hush up the incident in
their circles, yet the gossip still spread, saying Bet had fallen for his childhood friend¡¯s wife.
Lucia, who had just returned to Borough City, had heard the news. She asked Megan out for coffee.
Their reunion began in silence.
Lucia had learned from Timothy that Megan has returned to Sullivan. After a long pause, she spoke in
an almost voiceless whisper, ¡°That bastard Timothy he sent me away so he could y his games
without me!¡±
She grasped Megan¡¯s hand, ¡°Is Sullivan¡ treating you well?¡±
Megan lightly flipped her hair, her tone nonchnt, ¡°Quite well! He brought Alton back from abroad,
spent a fortune on legal fees for my brother, upgraded our home, hired a housekeeper, and¡ I even
managed to secure 2% of the Lowry Group¡¯s shares without any trouble¡±
She spoke of her arrangement with Sullivan as if it were nothing.
Lucia knew Megan all too well.
Mansions, housekeepers, and shares meant nothing to Megan, she did it all for Wyatt
Megan pulled a document from her bag. She handed it to Lucin.
Lucia opened it to find a torn¨Cup divcice agreement with Sullivan¡¯s signature. She looked up at Megan
in shock.
Megan¡¯s expression remained serene, ¡°He was ready to let go, but for some reason, he suddenly
refused to divorce, I know Sullivan better than anyone, and since I can¡¯t escape, I might as well make
the best of it. You know, Lucia, it¡¯s actually not so bad this way!¡±
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Luc
Chapter 89
Lucia¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears. The weight of concem was heavy in her heart.
She gripped Megan¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°How can he be so fickle? Do you think he¡¯s hit a mid¨Clife crisis
already?¡±
The mood had been somber, but at Lucia¡¯s words, even Megan couldn¡¯t help but let out a chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s
entirely possible!¡±
They talked about everything and nothing.
Lucia¡¯s gaze settled on Megan, her expression aplex tapestry of emotions. ¡°Betnded in the
hospitalst night! Broke a rib. it was Timeiny who took him. Victoria couldn¡¯t stand Bet having
those feelings for you. They had a huge row right there in the ER. In the end, it was Mrs. Leach who
had toe and sort everything out. I bet the Leach household is in total chaos right now¡±
Megan stirred her coffee, her head bowed. Her voice was a low murmur. ¡°I didn¡¯t provoke him.¡±
Lucia knew that, of course. She worried Bet wouldn¡¯t give up. The truth was, Bet only held
back because Megan was Sullivan¡¯s wife, and if that ever changed¡
Lucia couldn¡¯t bear to think about it! She didn¡¯t voice these gloomy thoughts. Instead, after a long time
without seeing each other, Lucia insisted they go shopping for some sexy lingerie. She imed she
needed to up her game since a few young models had been circling Timothytely, and she had to
make sure she kept him hooked.
Megan knew it was not serious.
Lucia didn¡¯t really love Timothy, did she?
At the mall, Lucia coerced Megan into buying a few pieces as well.
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Megan felt they were a bit too much, but Lucia insisted, ¡°With your fair skin, you¡¯ll look stunning in dark
lace¡± And with that, Lucia disappeared into another fitting room.
Megan watched her friend¡¯s retreating figure with a soft smile. Then her phone rang.
It was Sullivan
Her smile faded as she answered the call with a gentle voice. ¡°Sullivan, whats up?¡±
Sullivan was at the Lowry Group headquarters, lounging in the plush CEO office, idly spinning in his
chair. ¡°Heard from Laura you went out. Meeting someone?¡±
Even in his mild tone, Megan detected an underlying note of control. She replied softly. ¡°Sullivan,
there¡¯s no need to beat around the bush and suspect me all the time.¡±
Silence came from the other end of the line.
Clearly, Sullivan was not pleased.
Megan lowered her voice further. ¡°I¡¯m out shopping with Lu.¡±
Sullivan blightened a bit, his voice taking on a warmer note. ¡°What did you buy? If you have time, could
you please pick up some shirts for me¡ Okay?¡±
It used to be Megan¡¯s habit to buy things for him, though he never wore them.
Now, he was pleading her to.
Megan didn¡¯t understand why Sullivan insisted on pretending to be the perfect loving couple. Weren¡¯t
they better off before, when things were clear¨Ccut?
She gently reminded him, ¡°Your shirts are privately customized. Sullivan. Have you forgotten?¡±
Men can tell when they¡¯re being humored by women.
But Sullivan didn¡¯t press the issue Instead, he chuckled lightly, his voice tinged with a hint of intimacy. ¡°I
must have forgotten, Mrs. Lowry.¡±
After hanging up, Megan felt drained.
Just then, Lucia burst out of the fitting room. ¡°Emergency call! I must run, Megap! We¡¯ll catch up next
time¡ Honey, could you settle the bill for me?¡±
Megan shook her head, resigned.
After Lucia left, Megan paid the bill and asked the staff to deliver Lucia¡¯s purchases to her ce.
She stepped out of the mall, it was still early.
The cinema was bustling with people.
The movie ¡°My Past Love 4¡± had just premiered. Young couples were all around the poster, taking
photos and checking in
1/2
10:07
Megan watched them, lost in a momentary trance, reminded that she was only 24 herself
Yet her heart felt battered and old.
10
She didn¡¯t want to go home, didn¡¯t want to return to a ce shared with Sullivan. Almost on impulse,
she bought a movie ticket, and holding it felt like she¡¯d stolen two hours of joy
Right before the ticket checkpoint, a familiar voice called her name from behind. ¡°Megan!¡±
Slowly turning around, Megan saw Sullivan, impable as always.
Chapter 90
Chapter 90
Chapter 90
Sullivan must havee directly from the office.
Dressed in a three¨Cpiece tailored suit that he wore with an effortless charm, he exuded a youthful
handsomeness underscored by the distinctive allure of a sessful man.
Many a youngdy sneaked nces at him.
ustomed to admiring eyes, Sullivan strode straight up to Megan, ncing at the massive movie
poster. ¡°Fancy watching this one?¡± he asked.
Megan clutched her movie ticket a little tighter. With a coy smile, she denied it. ¡°Just here to grab a
sodal¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was prating. He watched her for a moment, then casually bought her a drink. As he
paid, he remarked offhandedly. ¡°You never used to be a fan of this stuff.¡±
¡°People change Megan replied with a light smile.
Handing her the soda, Sullivan grinned. ¡°How about catching the movie together then?¡±
It was the first time Sullivan had extended an invitation for a date. In the past, this would¡¯ve sent Megan
over the moon, giddy with excitement for nights on end. But now, she couldn¡¯t be bothered to feign
interest.
Yet, she knew all too well that her husband wasn¡¯t easily dismissed. A direct refusal would be unwise.
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¡°Hmm. Megan hummed nomittally.
She handed him her shopping bag, iming she¡¯d go buy the tickets. But as Sullivan took the bag, he
fumbled, and it tumbled to the ground, spilling ckce lingerie all over the pavement.
And they were a size C!
Before any onlookers could catch sight of the spectacle, Sullivan quickly gathered the scattered items.
When he looked at her again, his sharp features bore a profound intensity. ¡°Just bought these?¡±
Megan took a sip of her soda, slipping her arm through his.
In a soft whisper, she teased, ¡°Just picked them up with Lucia. Sullivan, do you like them?¡±
His eyes darkened further.
Megan ramly flirted with him like this, especially after their marriage. His cool detachment and his
domineering nature behind closed doors meant there was little need for seduction. Yet, even knowing
her yfulness was deliberate, he felt a flicker of provocation.
Sullivan gave her a yful swat on the behind and saidzily, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you¡¯re getting naughty!¡±
They never did watch the movie. Sullivan took Megan home instead, in the back of a chauffeured car
Once seated, Sullivan couldn¡¯t wait to kiss Megan. His hand reached for the red privacy button; the
partition rose slowly, shielding them from the driver¡¯s gaze.
The temperature inside the car climbed, and Sullivan¡¯s voice was too heated. ¡°Let¡¯s go home and you
can model that lingene for me¡. yeah?¡±
Megan caressed his chiseled face and said softly, ¡°Sullivan, did you leave work early just for this?¡±
He paused slightly. Gripping her slender neck, his eyes were deep.
They both knew the truth: he hade to see if his Mrs. Lowry had been stepping out, and she, for her
part, was not entirely focused on
their home.
But neither spoke of it openly.
Megan picked a dyed, chestnut¨Ccolored hair from the seat beside her, her tone light. ¡°It¡¯s not Bianca¡¯s
hair color And since Bianca doesn¡¯t usually sit in the back, and the driver cleans the car daily, I¡¯m
guessing Cressida was in your car this morning. Sullivan, I don¡¯t pry into your affairs, but I expect a
basic level of respect in our marriage!¡±
She almost used him of having an affair with Cressida.
Sullivan nced at her sharply, scoffing. ¡°Is that all you wanted to say?¡±
Still with her gentle demeanor, Megan replied, ¡°Sullivan, if asking questions made any difference, we
wouldn¡¯t be where we are today. If you want me to be jealous, then I demand you cut ties with her Can
you do that?¡±
Chapter 91
Chapter 91
Chapter 91
Sullivan pinched her chin gently. He harbored no romantic feelings for Cressida. Whether they met or
not was inconsequential to him. He had only mended her leg out of a bygone loyalty, nning to hand
her off to Paxton and then wash his hands clean of the whole affair. Then, they would be done.
But he had no desire to exin this to his Mrs. Lowry
Married for three years, how could he not know Megan¡¯s mind?
She didn¡¯t care about him anymore. Not one bit!
Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths to avoid him, even dodging a simple movie night? Megan
loathed him so much now that she couldn¡¯t stand to watch a film with him.
¦°
All her former affection for him had gonepletely!
Feeling sour, Sullivan became particrly picky upon returning home. Usually, he was quite forgiving
with the housekeeper. But during dinner, heined that the food wasn¡¯t to his taste.
The staff was visibly shaken but didn¡¯t dare make a peep.
Megan knew his ire was directed at her. Not wanting the staff to suffer on her ount, she spoke softly
to Sullivan, ¡°If you don¡¯t fancy any of these, let me whip up a couple of your favorite dishes in the
kitchen.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t respond. He leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette he¡¯d pulled from his pocket, and after
a long moment, he said, ¡°Fine.¡±
Megan went upstairs to change before heading to the kitchen to cook.
The housekeeper felt terrible. She assisted Megan, apologizing profusely, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll try
harder to ensure things are perfect next time, so you won¡¯t be put in a difficult position by Mr. Lowry!¡±
Megan, under the harsh white light, looked tender.
¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Sullivan is a tough critic; it¡¯s not my first rodeo with him, and it¡¯s certainly not your
fault.¡± she said softly.
The housekeeper, still upset, added, ¡°But you¡¯re thedy of the house, you shouldn¡¯t have to do this
sort of menial work.¡±
Megan smiled nonchntly, ¡°It¡¯s just work. I¡¯d be doing it here or anywhere else. It¡¯s all for a living;
there¡¯s no should or shouldn¡¯t.¡±
The housekeeper finally felt a bit more at ease.
They chatted, not noticing Sullivan, who had been standing at the kitchen door all along
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
He overheard Megan¡¯s words about work, about not really thinking of this ce as home, about
treating the role of Mrs. Lowry as a job, just like she had said to Bet that night without sentiment,
purely transactional
Megan prepared two of Sullivan¡¯s favorite dishes.
Sullivan barely touched the food, and he didn¡¯t say much. Clearly displeased, he finished quickly and
retreated to his study to work.
Megan didn¡¯t bother guessing his mood. She bathed as usual, sat at her vanity, and applied her night
cream.
That¡¯s when Sullivan walked in. He moved behind her, and she heard his footsteps, meeting his gaze in
the mirror.
She thought Sullivan, miffed as usual, would take out his frustration in bed. But to her surprise, after
watching her for a few seconds, he walked into the walk¨Cin closet
The master of the house had a temper, the door mmed with a thunderous bang.
Megan recalled Lucia¡¯s words and found herself agreeing. Sullivan must be going through an early
midlife crisis!
That night, he didn¡¯t touch her. But he still held her close in his sleep, iming her body. His hand
lingered for a long while.
In the dead of the night, Megan was sound asleep.
But suddenly, Sullivan¡¯s eyes snapped open. Bathed in moonlight, he studied Megan¡¯s tranquil sleeping
face. It was infuriatingly peaceful, but it imitated him so much.
After a while, he got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
Kicking open the trash can, he fished put a stiff piece of paper a movie ticket.
The five o¡¯clock showing of ¡°My Past Love 4
Sullivan eyed it for a long time, scoffing softly to himself. Megan really thought he
was a In
fool!
Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Early in the morning, in the master bedroom¡¯s walk in closet
Megan was ironing Sullivan¡¯s shirt and had picked out a suitable tie, knowing today was the big
shareholder¡¯s meeting at the Lowry Group. To make a statement, she even added a tie clip for a touch
of sophistication.
Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her slender frame.
Megan was a bit surprised, considering the spat they¡¯d had the night before. She thought he¡¯d give her
the cold shoulder for at least a few days.
But Sullivan didn¡¯t bring up the issue with the movie tickets.
Holding his wife¡¯s delicate waist with one hand and examining the tie clip with the other, Sullivan said
with a warm tone. ¡°The house just doesn¡¯t run the same without you, Megan.¡±
Megan responded with a light smile, ¡°Well, I¡¯m back now, aren¡¯t I?¡±
No sooner had she spoken than Sullivan spun her around.
He pressed her against the ss of the disy cab, lifting her slightly so she was half¨Cseated on
his left thigh¡ Her robe fell open as her husband began to caress her.
Sullivan was like a wild animal that moming. But he wasn¡¯t truly looking to make love; hezily imed
her as he asked without much interest. ¡°You¡¯re back, but is your heart back too?¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t fathom his odd mood.
They had a marriage of convenience, what did love have to do with it?
Yet she didn¡¯t want to upset him and deal with the fallout, so she wrapped her arms around his neck
and yed along. ¡°Sullivan, if you want to go further, you¡¯d better hurry. You have the shareholder¡¯s
meeting at nine, and you need to leave the house by eight.¡±
Sullivan immediately lost interest. He let go of her and went to freshen up in the bathroom, his voice
carrying back to her, ¡°Since when did you start doing Bianca¡¯s job too?¡±
Megan flicked her long hair and smiled softly, ¡°I thought you¡¯d like it, Sullivan.¡±
In the bathroom, Sullivan stood in a pristine white robe, staring at his reflection when he heard Megan¡¯s
words, a smirk of mockery
crossing his face.
His Mrs. Lowry was quite hypocritic!
After Sullivan left, Megan returned upstairs to y the violin for a
for a while.
Around noon, Paxton¡¯s assistant, Luke, got in touch with her to discuss the details of studying with
Paxton. They agreed to meet at their usual spot
Luke was efficient, as soon as they met, he presented a contract and said softly. ¡°Starting next year,
Paxton is nning 32 ssical concerts worldwide. He wants you to be the secondary performer, with
a guarantee of no less than six pieces per concert. This contract is Paxton¡¯s show of faith in you,
Megan. This is unprecedented; Paxton has never shown such admiration for someone to offer such
high regard before officially taking on an apprentice.¡±
He added, ¡°Paxton is staking his reputation on you.¡±
Megan cherished this opportunity and looked over the contract again and again.
Luke chuckled, leaning back in his chair and flicking his nails, ¡°Paxton used to beg you to study with
him, and you never took him seriously. What made you change?¡±
Megan signed the contract without looking up, her voice soft, ¡°Just cleared out some cobwebs in my
head, that¡¯s all.
Luke was about tough but realized he couldn¡¯t. He became serious and said, ¡°Paxton¡¯s out of town
on business. When he¡¯s back in Borough City, he¡¯s likely to throw a banquet to announce your
partnership. He made me promise you wouldn¡¯t decline.¡±
Megan was grateful for Paxton¡¯s support of course, she wouldn¡¯t turn it down.
Later, Luke escorted her downstairs with grace, opening the car door for her gentlemanly. They
exchanged goodbyes with a smile. Their farewell was captured in a photograph, but only Luke¡¯s back
was visible.
Megan got into the car, and the driver asked, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, shall we head back to the vi?¡±
Megan noticed there was still plenty of time and replied, ¡°Take me to Pinecrest Hospital, please.¡±
They were on their way in a moment.
10.09
Chapter 02
hourter, Megan arrived at the rehabilitation center of Pineemst Hospital
Joseph Quigley had been moved to a new room. With Altoning back the country and Corp¡¯s
ambiguous words, it was clear to him that Megan had returned in Sullivan As her father, though
pleased for his son¡¯s potential happiness, was understandably saddened by his daughter¡¯s sacrifice
and had been silent most of the day
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After a brief stay, Megan decided to leave.
Core followed her out, hesitating befor speaking softly, ¡°Please don¡¯t be mad at your dad. He¡¯s been
having a rough time these past lew days, not talking much or ealing well¡±
Tearn welled up in her eyes, and Megan gently wiped them away, her voice tender ¡°How could I be
mad at powerless. Otherwise, why would I have to go back to Sullivan?¡±
Dad? C
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Cora was an old soul, steeped in tradition. She leaned in and whispered with a hint of concern,
¡°Megan, maybe it¡¯s time to think about having a baby. It might make things a bit easier¡±
Megan knew Cora meant well, worried that she might be neglected by Sullivan. There was a time
Megan herself had longed for a child with Sullivan, but since her return, the thought had lost its appeal.
With a soft smile, Megan replied, ¡°Maybe in a couple of years.¡±
Cora sighed softly, watching Megan walk away.
After leaving the rehab center, Megan stopped by the clinic to pick up a bottle of birth control pills. She
couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Sullivan had been more insistent on intimacy without protection Intely.
Sometimes, even after unwrapping a condom, he¡¯d cast it aside in his eagerness. She didn¡¯t want to
get pregnant, so it was up to her to take precautions.
¨C
After the errand. Megan was about to leave when she ran into thest people she wanted to see the
Baldwin women.
Despite their modest background, the medical staff treated them with deference because of Sullivan,
so Cressida and her mother Dahlia camed themselves with a certain pride.
Dahlia¡¯s temper red as she saw Megan¡
Thest time they met in the hospital, Sullivan had clearly favored Cressida. Dahlia had fully expected
that after Mr. Lowry¡¯s visit, he would divorce that Quigley girl and dere his love for Cressidal
But no, this shameless woman had wormed her way back into the Lowry family, clinging to the title of
Mrs. Lowry.
Releasing the wheelchair brakes, Dahlia confronted Megan with arrogance, ¡°Don¡¯t think just because
you¡¯re warming Mr. Lowry¡¯s bed that he¡¯s fond of you! Let me tell you Mr. Lowry is very attentive to our
Cressida. You¡¯ve heard of Mr. Paxton, right? He¡¯s about to take Cressida as his student and, out of
respect for Mr. Lowry, he¡¯s even nning to throw a few dinner parties for her.¡±
Prideced her voice as she spoke of her daughter¡¯s achievements.
Megan couldn¡¯t be bothered. She pressed the elevator button, ready to leave.
Dahlia lunged, knocking Megan¡¯s purse to the floor in a show of brute strength, her tone belligerent,
¡°Are you listening to me? If you have any sense, you¡¯ll divorce Mr. Lowry immediately.¡±
Megan¡¯s handbag hit the ground, spilling its contents including the bottle of birth control pills.
Dahlia paused, eyeing the little bottle, muttering to herself incredulously, ¡°Mr. Lowry still touches you? If
things are so bad between you, how can he still¡ you know? Cressida said he¡¯s been daydreaming
about her nonstop!¡±
Cressidas face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and envy. She had been married, had known a
man¡¯s touch. Though her legs were gone, her desires were not. Many a night, beneath the stark white
sheets, she had imagined Sullivan¡¯s strong arms around her, his handsome face close to hers as they
became one¡
The sight of the birth control bottle shattered her fantasies.
The truth was out: Sullivan and his wife shared an intimate life.
As the tension hung in the air, the elevator dinged open, and out stepped Sullivan and Bianca,
Sullivan,
keen¨Ceyed, noticed the birth control pills.
His brows lifted, and his gaze locked on Megan.
nca, ever tactful, gathered the items and handed the bag back to Megan, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, here¡¯s your
purse.¡±
Megan epted it with a quiet thank you. She turned to her husband, her expression calm, ¡°Sullivan,
I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re not here for my father. I won¡¯t disturb your business; I¡¯ll head back now.¡±
But Sullivan caught her wrist.
Megan didn¡¯t look back as she pulled away and stepped into the elevator.
Sullivan followed her in.
Cressida¡¯s mother opened her mouth to speak, but intimidated by Sullivan, she could only watch as the
elevator doors closed in front of
her.
Bianca had had enough of this mother¨Cdaughter duo. She couldn¡¯t resist a jab, ¡°Ms. Baldwin, please
keep your mother in check. Mr. Lowry was quite upset after thest incident. If you continue to provoke
Mrs. Lowry, please be careful. He might cut off your medical expenses, and Paxton¡¯s deal might fall
through as well ¡±
Dahlia couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Bianca, how can Mr. Lowry¡.with her?¡±
Bianca¡¯s coldugh echoed, ¡°Oh, not only does he, but it¡¯s quite frequent, indeed.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
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Megan slipped into her morning robe and stepped onto the balcony for a look
The car hadn¡¯t left, and Sullivan hadn¡¯t gotten in. He stood beside the sleek ck sedan, taking a drag of his cigarette
It was a crisp October moming
He was dressed in ck from head to toe, with a matching light trench coat thrown over his shoulders. The early
morning sun kissed his profile, and the gentle breeze tousled his neatly trimmed hair he stood out with an effortless
charm.
¨C
Sensing Megan¡¯s gaze. Sullivan nced up and locked eyes with her
Neither looked away
Sullivan even squinted slightly, as if trying to see her more clearly. He could see his wife standing in the soft light,
bathed in the glow, almost seductive.
Sullivan¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, and he took a deep puff of his cigarette. His cheeks sunk with the effort, exuding a
rugged masculinity. Then he let out a soft chuckle.
It sounded almost like mockery!
Just then, nca emerged from the foyer, luggage in tow. The driver loaded it into the trunk, and Megan realized
Sullivan was off on a business trip. The ring of her cell phone pulled her back to the bedroom.
Megan returned to see who it was.
To her surprise, the call was from Bianca, who spoke with a polite yet distant tone, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, would
you mind bringing down Mr. Lowry¡¯s medicine, please?¡±
Megan knew that Bianca wouldn¡¯t dare boss her around. It was Sullivan¡¯s doing
Without a word, Megan dressed herself a bit more formally and gathered the medicine boxes scattered
on the couch from the night before. As she was about to leave, her eyes lingered on a spot.
Sullivan had made a messst night; the couch bore the evidence.
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On closer inspection, there was a small, off¨Cwhite stain.
As Megan descended the stairs, she thought to herself that she would have to take care of itter. It
was better not to let the housekeepers see such things; they could be gossip fodder over dinner.
By the time she reached the parked car, Sullivan was already inside.
The window of the back seat was rolled down, though.
Megan handed him the box of medicine and gently reminded him to take a pill twice a day.
Sullivan listened absentmindedly.
Only when Megan finished did he respond with a detached voice, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask where I¡¯m
heading and how long Ill be gone?¡± He was obviously trying to rile her up, but Megan didn¡¯t bite. She
replied with good humor. ¡°Take care of yourself while you¡¯re away! nca, please look after Mr. Lowry!¡±
The car window rose before her face.
Sullivan didn¡¯t give Megan any consideration in front of the driver and his secretary; likely he was still
angry. Megan couldn¡¯t fathom what had set him off this time. Maybe he was just experiencing an early
midlife crisis!
With Sullivan away on business, Megan had a mare moment to rx.
Of course, she still performed her duties diligently, caring for her husband, reminding him to take his
medicine and to be wary of the autumn chill. She was the epitome of a traditional wife, and Sullivan¡¯s
business partners often heard about it, praising Mrs. Lowry for her attentiveness,
Sullivan ended the call, his eyes cold
How could Megan care about him and his illness? She must be thinking ill of him now.
On the fourth day of Sullivan¡¯s trip, a scandal broke.
The previous night at 9 PM, Megan called him and was answered by a young woman, ¡°Mr. Lowry is in
the shower and might not be able to take your call. Should I get him?¡±
Megan knew it wasn¡¯t Bianca. But she wasn¡¯t surprised. After all, Cressida was no beauty, and Sullivan was young and
vigorous. It was
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quite normal for him to seek out mistresses.
She didn¡¯t reveal her identity, simply said in a gentle voice, ¡°Sullivan¡¯s still got a bit of a fever. Please make sure he
doesn¡¯t overexert himself.¡±
The woman on the other end blinked in surprise. She had guessed it was Mrs Lowry Did Mrs. Lowry mean¡.
Her phone was snatched away It was nca. She was somewhat panicked.
Mr. Lowry had been discussing an endorsement deal with a leading actress. In the middle of their conversation, Mr.
Lowry¡¯s shirt got stained by a waiter, so he went to another room to rinse off in the bathroom. Bianca had gone to bring
Mr. Lowry some clothes, not expecting the actress to privately answer Mr. Lowry¡¯s phone,
Bisica nced at the phone, the call had ended. It was Megan who had called.
Bianca was at a loss for how to handle the situation when Sullivan walked in, immediately noticing Bianca with his
phone. He guessed something was up, took the phone to check the call log, and asked nonchntly, ¡°Did Megan call?
What did she say?¡±
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The maid had gone off to run some ermnds, and Megan took a moment to change into a more
comfortable outfit.
As she descended the staircase, she noticed the parlor had been set up with a spread of coffee, and
her breakfast.
Dahlia had a knack for reading the room.
Observing Megan¡¯s rosy cheeks, Dahlia couldn¡¯t help feeling frustrated, ¡°I meal, Mrs. Lowry, you can¡¯t
just sit back and soak up the good. life. You¡¯ve got to put some effort into your mariage! Are you just
going to turn a blind eye to Mr. Lowry pinying the field? You¡¯ve seen Alena, that stron. And don¡¯t you
feel even a hint of rm?¡±
Megan ignored their stares. She sat down at the coffee table and poured herself atte, savoring the
taste before offering a coy smile, ¡°Are you here because of Alena? Worried about Ms. Baldwin falling
out of favor, are we? Then you should be talking to Sullivan, not trying to work something out with me.
If I were capable of handling my marriage, how would Ms. Baldwin ever have found favor with Sullivan
in the first ce?¡±
Dahlia was momentarily speechless. She had tumed to Megan as ast resort. If Mr. Lowry really did
have a new me, what would be of their girl Cressida? That¡¯s why she thought to first team up
with Mrs. Lowry to deal with that Alena, then turn around and handle Mrs. Lowry herself. In the end, her
girl needed to be the only apple of Mr. Lowry¡¯s eye.
But Megan could see night through her.
¡°I can¡¯t help you with this, and I certainly can¡¯t control my husband. Please, just go,¡± Megan stated
bluntly.
Dahlia was known for her fiery temper. Not only did she refuse to leave, but she also started making a
scene by crying and rolling on the floor in protest
tegan call Sullivan to make hime back to Borough City since he wouldn¡¯t even take Cressida¡¯s
calls
She was insistent that Megan
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Megan sighed softly
The other servants shared a look, thinking this was indeed an eye¨Copener.
Just when the scene couldn¡¯t get any more chaotic, the sound of a car engine hummed in the
courtyard.
A servant rushed in to announce, ¡°Madam, the master has returned!¡±
Cressida and Dahlia went pale, especially Dahlia, who wished she could vanish on the spot. She had
stirred up trouble here, thest thing she wanted was for Sullivan to find out. If he did, she was sure it
would cost her dearly.
Outside, Sullivan stepped out of his sleek ck sedan. He was about to head upstairs, guessing
Megan was just starting her day.
However, a servant whispered to him, ¡°Sir, Ms. Baldwin and her mother are here. They y are causing
quite e a stir in the parlor
Ms. Baldwin? Sullivan thought as he paused, slowly shedding his light coat and unbuttoning the top two
buttons of his shirt before asking in a calm tone. ¡°Cressida?¡±
The servant nodded.
Sullivan changed direction and made his way toward the parlor.
As he stood at the doorway, Megan nced up and caught his eye. She lookedposed, nothing like
a woman dealing with her husband¡¯s mistress, but more like she was entertaining the most ordinary of
guests,
If she were a businesswoman on the corporate battlefield, Sullivan would have admired her cool
demeanor.
But as
His
wife, her calm was less appealing¨Cit meant she cared less about him!
Sullivans eyes darkened. He walked past the two Baldwin women to address Megan directly, ¡°Megan,
let¡¯s talk.¡±
** I F
He didn¡¯t call her Mrs. Lowry, but Megan.
There was a subtle intimacy in that choice since he never called Cressida by her name or rarely
addressed female business partners by theirs. And even with Bianca, his junior, he always referred to
her formally
In private, Sullivan reserved the use of first names for certain moments. Most often in the intimacy of
their bedroom.
For instance, when they reached the pinnacle of physical and emotional satisfaction, he would hover
close to his wife¡¯s ear, and whisper her name as he was almost losing control.
¡°Megan.¡±
in the
That utterance was a rare, intricate tendemess in the fabric of their marriage.
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Megan watched him, a calm smile graced her lips. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll wait for you in the living room.¡±
As she stood to leave, their paths crossed.
Sullivan suddenly gmsped her slender wrist, pulling her gently until she was close. Her cheek brushed
softly against his shoulder, her fair skin contrasting with his dark grey shirt, entuating her delicate
features
Megan blinked slowly.
2 32 5 25 521
Sullivan seemed to have forgotten that he had just been the talk of the town In Crossover City and
caused a scandal that had his ex storming over none too pleased Shouldn¡¯t he be tending to that fire
instead?
Megan gently pulled away. She granted him a gracious smile, then ascended the stairs. Her silhouette
was poised and graceful. She had been back by his side for some time now, showing no signs of
recent hardship she had endured. She had that air of innate grace, which was a characteristic of
someone raised in luxury.
Sullivan was momentarily lost in thought.
Cressida womed about his reaction, fidgeted with the hem of her blouse and said with a trembling
voice, ¡°Mr. Lowry, we came¡ out of
concem for Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Dahlia suddenly caught on and chimed in, ¡°Yes, exactly! We¡¯re here to keep Mrs. Lowrypany! With
the scandal in Crossover City, Mrs. Lowry must be feeling quite upset¡±
Sullivan scoffed coldly. He sauntered into the room and took the seat Megan had just vacated. Her
leftover coffee was still warm,
Sullivan took a small sip. He remained silent, and Cressida, unable to gauge his thoughts, felt her
palms sweating with nerves. She also noticed something that Mr. Lowry shared the same posture and
expression as his wife when they drank coffee, which made her feel somewhat inferior.
After a while, Sullivan finally looked up. His tone was chilly. ¡°My wife doesn¡¯t need yourpany.¡± he
said.
The Baldwin women were taken aback, struggling to respond until Cressida¡¯s voice shook, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I
promise this is thest time. We won¡¯t bother Mrs. Lowry anymore. Please believe me, okay? Consider
it¡ consider it for the old times when I helped you.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze fell on her, and then to her injured legs.
She still couldn¡¯t stand after a few surgeries. Maybe she never would again.
Sullivan¡¯s expression softened ever so slightly, but he didn¡¯t respond directly. Instead, he called for the
house staff. ¡°Arrange a car to take Ms. Baldwin back to the hospital. And tell the gatekeeper not to let
them in anymore!
The staff hurried toply
Cressida felt humiliated, tears rolling down her cheeks, but she dared not cry out loud.
As Sullivan left, he dropped a warning. ¡°Know your limits. My patience has its end.¡±
Cressida couldn¡¯t hold back her tears any longer.
This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Sullivan walked upstairs as he heard the sound of engine in the driveway¨CThe Baldwin women must
have left.
He knocked on the bedroom door before entering.
Megan was lounging on the living room sofa and engrossed in a book with a te of cookies nearby.
She seemed in good spirits.
Sullivan approached, picked up a cookie, and watched her tranquil face as he echoed the words she
had once said to Alena, ¡°Mr. Lowry¡¯s running a bit of a fever, so remind him not to exert himself!¡±
His tone carried a hint of sarcasm and Megan could surely tell.
She set down her book and looked up at him, ¡°Or perhaps I should haveshed out over the phone,
told her that I am Mrs. Lowry and I¡¯m staking my im? But Sullivan, if your lover can juste to and
leave our home unscathed, what can I do but be magnanimous?¡±
Sullivan sat down across from her. He gazed at his wife and his voice was hoarse with emotion, ¡°You
are soposed even if Cressida barges into our home. Megan, do you truly not care anymore? Is this
how you n to handle our marriage from now on, keeping it¨Cand me¨Cat arm¡¯s length?¡±
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Sullivan¡¯s words were always disarmingly tender, a siren¡¯s call that could sway even the most resolute
heart.
Despite Megan¡¯s coldness towards him, she couldn¡¯t help but be stirred by his gentle provocations.
But she remained lucid.
Sullivan moved closer and gently pressed her beneath him to give her a tender kiss, but Megan¡¯s heart
splintered. Her fingers traced the contours of his chiseled face as she whispered, ¡°Sullivan, do you love
me?¡±
Sullivan was a man who never spoke of love, nor had he truly loved anyone.
His silence was a tacit denial. That was a fact Megan had long known, but it still brought her a twinge of
sorrow. She probed further, ¡°Do you want to love me? Are you willing to give love in our marriage?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t deceive her. Pressing against her soft lips, he took possession of her mouth and gently
but firmly dered, ¡°No.¡±
With a heavy heart, Megan closed her eyes. She epted his kisses, felt the strength of his caress,
yet she found room to continue their conversation on marriage and affection. Her voice was faltering
and quivering with feminine cadence, ¡°Sullivan, if you don¡¯t love me, why should you require me to love
you? You have so many women out there who are craving for your affection. It¡¯s so easy to get their
love, isn¡¯t it?¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Sullivan watched her and saw how she caved to desire. He knew all too well that her surrender was
born of physical need, and once emotions were cast aside, Megan would be satisfied if he wasn¡¯t so
tough. She began to let go of her inhibitions and enjoy their physical union. She was using him as a
tool.
This unsettled Sullivan, so he naturally yearned to torment her.
He caressed her delicate cheek and scoffed softly, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, I¡¯m not feverish anymore. Can we
engage. in some¡ vigorous activity?¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes, which were clouded with confusion, flickered open.
She thought of Alena, of Cressida, and perhaps other women unknown to her.
Her wlessplexion turned pale, and she was haunted by images of Sullivan with other women
when she gazed nkly at his handsome features.
Her desire faded, leaving only repulsion.
Megan pushed him away forcefully and fled to the bathroom, gripping the sink as she fought the urge to
retch; she was so ufortable that even her forehead veins were throbbing, and that betrayed her
intense physical distress.
After a while, she faced herself in the mirror.
So disheveled, so broken¡
Once more, she felt Sullivan
cruelty. He couldn¡¯t have what he wanted, so he refused even a veneer of peace. He was determined
to break her until she begged for his forgiveness and his love just like before.
Footsteps approached the bathroom door.
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It was Sullivan!
Their eyes met in the mirror reflection.
Sullivan lit a cigarette right in front of her, his eyes on her as he said mockingly, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t
care Seems that you can also be disgusted by a cheating husband after all, I thought you were
heartless and beyond caring.¡±
Megan¡¯s lips quivered with sarcasm, ¡°It seems even you find yourself repulsive, Sullivant
He offered no exnation. He snuffed out the cigarette, stepped into the bathroom, and closed the
door behind him. He lifted her onto the sink and beganzily peeling away all her clothes to scrutinize
kis wife¡¯s fine figure.
When they were truly joined, Megan felt nothing.
That was exactly what Sullivan wanted. He wouldn¡¯t allow her pleasure.
As he took her, he humiliated her, ¡°Regardless of how filthy I am, you still submit to me, don¡¯t you? Mrs.
Lowry, you should see how pathetic you look right now!¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes were half¨Cclosed, her cheeks stained with tears. She and Sullivan seemed to have
returned to the past, to his torment and humiliation, but the difference was she no longer loved him.
Without love, the pain was far more bearable.
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After their intense encounter, Sullivan released Megan and headed into the bathroom for a shower.
When he emerged, he was the picture of elegance in a crisp suit, while Megan was a disheveled mess,
even too exhausted to move.
Sullivan had been rough with her, and it showed. He gave her a disdainful nce, then he snorted and
left
the room.
Settling into his sleek ck Bentley, he didn¡¯t drive off immediately. Instead, he lit a cigarette and took a
long, contemtive drag.
Truth be told, the encounter hadn¡¯t been all that satisfying for him either. Megan had been
ufortable, and it had dampened his spirits too. Still, there was a perverse thrill in the psychological
domination.
Just the sight of her pained expression had excited him, and he couldn¡¯t shake it off.
The thin smoke swirled around him, adding an air of mystery as he pondered over his wife and her
words.
She had asked him if he was ready to love her, to invest emotionally.
Sullivan chuckled at his own self¨Cdeprecation.
Raised in a household devoid of warm emotions, he didn¡¯t know how to love, nor did he have the desire
to. Yet, he was fixated on Megan¡¯s affection for him, and he couldn¡¯t understand why.
Perhaps it was her diary that had sparked this obsession.
He wanted to keep her close, to watch her descend into devotion, to see her love with abandon. For
Sullivan, it was a luxury.
And luxury alwayses at a high price.
With a shake of his head, Sullivan cleared his mind of the turmoil and drove to hispany.
Their rtionship had turned frosty after the incident.
Sullivan hadn¡¯te home for days, and he wasn¡¯t staying at thepany either. The gossip
columnists had a field day when they caught him with Cressida, who was gazing at him adoringly from
the passenger seat of his car, while Sullivan remained expressionless.
Rumors flew that he had spent a whopping $80 million on a love nest for him and Cressida, which had
convinced everyone that no matter how stunning Alena, the big¨Cscreen star, was, she couldn¡¯t
compare to the innocent allure of Cressida, the ¡°girl¨Cnext¨Cdoor¡°. Men, it seemed, preferred simplicity.
Even Cressida found herself fantasizing about the $80 million mansion, longing that Sullivan had really
bought it for her.
Dahlia advised her to y it cool.
¡°Cressida, darling,¡± Dahlia said to her, ¡°that Alena from Crossover City has disappeared off the radar. It
seems Mr. Lowry¡¯s fling with her was just a brief encounter, a moment¡¯s folly. And that other one at
home doesn¡¯t seem to be of much use either. So Mr. Lowry seems to hold you closest to his heart, after
all¡±
Cressida, with a coquettish smile, replied, ¡°It¡¯s because I was the one who woke him from hisa all
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those years ago. His feelings for me are tinged with gratitude.¡±
Dahliaughed along, then lowered her voice to remind her daughter, ¡°Cressida, make sure you never
tell anyone about the switcheroo. If word gets out, we could lose everything we¡¯ve climbed so hard to
achieve
Cressida paled, chastising her mother, ¡°Mom, what are you talking about? I didn¡¯t pull any switch. It
was me who woke Mr. Lowry; it had nothing to do with Megan. I never pretended to be her!¡±
¡°Right, right, my mistake!¡± Dahlia quickly agreed.
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Cressida¡¯s mood lifted once more.
Everyone pitied Megan, feeling that her position as Mrs. Lowry was a tragic one,
Lucia called again, railing against Sullivan as a ¡°tramp¡± andbeling Cressida a ¡°siren¡°¡ How else
could she remain at Sullivan¡¯s side with her looks?
Megan chatted with Lucia for a bit before hanging up.
Just then, a servant¡¯s voice came from the door, ¡°The car is ready, ma¡¯am. Are you leaving now?¡±
¡®I¡¯ll be down shortly,¡± Megan replied.
The servant hesitated before adding, ¡°Bianca¡¯s people just delivered some of Mr. Lowry¡¯s clothes. They
said he¡¯ll be staying out for a while longer and asked you to prepare a few sets of clothes for him to
take.¡± Megan read between the lines. She didn¡¯t get angry with a husband who didn¡¯te home,
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Megan considered Sullivan¡¯s social calendar meticulously, selecting several outfits and essories
that would suit his uing events. As she packed them away, a thought crossed her mind if Sullivan
were to frequently stay elsewhere, perhaps she should train his mistress to care for him to make him
live a cozier life.
Handing over the clothing to the maid, the servant expressed concern, ¡°Ma¡¯am, this isn¡¯t right for you to
do!¡±
But Megan remainedposed, ¡°It¡¯s just a task, nothing more.¡±
Compared to Sullivan¡¯s subtle torments, this was nothing at all.
What Megan didn¡¯t know was that Sullivan was actually in the car outside, hidden from view by the
tinted windows of the ck limousine. That made the domestic staff assume it was his assistant who
hade alone in the chauffeured car.
As the car door closed, Sullivan casually inquired from the back seat, ¡°What did she say?¡±
Lately, Sullivan had be a ticking time bomb in the office, ready to explode at the slightest
provocation.
The assistant replied cautiously, ¡°She didn¡¯t say much. However, it seems like thedy is nning to
step
out.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t pursue the matter further. As the car pulled away, he mused that Megan seemed quite
busy
ofte.
Before noon, Megan made her way to Alton¡¯sw office to discuss the progress of a case.
The 30¨Csquare¨Cmeter office was far from luxurious, and the bookshelves lining the walls were filled
with volumes of legal tomes.
Dressed in a formal suit, Alton sat at his desk by the window. The ts of the blinds were casting a
mottled pattern of light and shadow across him. A cigar was elegantly held between his fingers, and
when he spoke of the case, his words were sharp and precise without any unnecessary flourish. He
informed Megan that with thetest evidence, the chances of acquittal were around eighty percent.
Megan murmured softly, ¡°So, there¡¯s still uncertainty.¡±
Alton¡¯s smile was faint as he tossed a document onto the desk in front of her. Leaning back, he took a
puff of his cigar before speaking bluntly, ¡°Let¡¯s be honest, Mrs. Lowry, the biggest variable is you. Can
you assure a stable marriage with Mr. Lowry before the trial? His scandals have been plentiful ofte.¡±
As Megan opened the file, she froze. It was the divorce agreement that Sullivan had drawn up, but it
didn¡¯t show his sign.
Alton lifted his hand slightly, ¡°I got it through special channels.¡±
Megan remained silent.
Alton¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a moment before falling on her wrist, hidden by clothing and thus
concealing any remaining scars. Yet, he knew that the dame¡¯s wounds were not just physical but
emotional as well.
¡°Why not insist on the divorce?¡± he asked directly.
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The question tore at Megan¡¯s hidden wounds. She looked at the young, ambitiouswyer with
restrained emotion, ¡°Because no one but Sullivan can take my brother¡¯s case. You, Alton, should know
that best.¡±
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But Alton did not back down, his gaze intense as he said, ¡°From what I understand, there are plenty of
young talents eager for Mrs. Lowry¡¯s attention. Some are even willing to invest two hundred million, and
they can afford it.¡±
He revealed to her, ¡°Dr. Begonia has approached me.¡±
With a faint smile tinged with the typical sarcasm of awyer, he added, ¡°I can tell that Dr. Begonia is a
man of integrity. He¡¯s unlikely to be unfaithful after marriage, and he certainly won¡¯t cause his wife any
distress.¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes flickered downward, her longshes trembling. After a long moment, she spoke in a
hushed tone, ¡°Could you please not mention this to Sullivan?¡°.
Alton¡¯s light chuckle reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t say a word.¡±
As Megan rose to leave, her legs felt weak. Just as she reached for the doorknob, Alton¡¯s voice
followed her, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, here¡¯s my business card. Perhaps you¡¯ll need it after Wyatt¡¯s trial is over.¡±
Megan spun around sharply. She faced Alton, who was backlit, his features unclear.
Suddenly, her brother¡¯s words echoed in her mind. He had said, ¡°Go to Alton¡ Megan, he can help
me, and he can help you too!¡±
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The office was a quiet sanctuary. Alton¡¯s slender, gold¨Cwatch adorned wrist extended and handed over
a tinum business card bearing his private number.
Megan epted it gently. After a long, searching look, she asked softly, ¡°Why help me? I thought you¡¯d
side with Sullivan.¡±
Alton didn¡¯t respond, instead leaning back in his chair and taking a contemtive draw from his cigar.
Truth be told, he didn¡¯t know why as well. But if pressed for an answer, it might have been the memory
from the hospital when he saw the shocking lines etched into Megan¡¯s wrists, a painful echo of his own
mother¡¯s scars.
The difference, though, was stark. His mother had longed for death, and so she left.
Megan, on the other hand, clung to life.
Maybe it was something that lit up a spark of hispassion, he thought.
As Megan left, the business card was almost soaked with the sweat of her clenched palm.
Returning to Sullivan¡¯s side, she was the picture of sess to the world, but behind closed doors, it
was a different story. Yet she rarely allowed herself to entertain thoughts of leaving Sullivan. She didn¡¯t
dare. But now, amid the despair, a sliver of hope seemed to beckon.
She stepped out of the elevator at the lobby.
Passing through the revolving doors, to her surprise, she saw Begonia. Separated by a pane of ss,
they couldn¡¯t touch because their paths were diverging.
One leaving, one entering.
Megan still clutched the business card, fully aware of who Begonia was there for. She actually knew his
affection for her, but she could only disappoint.
It wasn¡¯t because she was Sullivan¡¯s wife, but because¡ it was toote.
He never confessed his feelings, and she never had a chance to reject them.
The doors spun on, light and shadow ying across their faces.
Megan offered him a faint smile filled with gratitude and a tinge of regret. If it weren¡¯t for Sullivan, she
could have at least called out to Begonia openly, could have visited his mother Cynthia to bake apple
pies together, and shared the warmth of their friendship.
But life had other ns.
He sought to save her, while she, in turn, sought to protect him.
Parked at the side of thew firm, a ck sedan idled with its window halfway down.
Sullivan sat inside, silently watching his wife as she looked at another man. Her eyes betrayed a clear
sense of loss and regret, which stabbed his heart like an invisible de.
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His wife harbored feelings for someone else!
Regardless of the nature of those feelings, they were there, and it unsettled him.
Sullivan reflected on when shest looked at him with that same expression. Was it two, or three years.
ago?
The driver, sensing the tension, remained silent, expecting Mr. Lowry to erupt, or at least whisk his wife
away. But Sullivan simply said, ¡°Back to the office! Don¡¯t mention today¡¯s incident to my wife.¡±
With a press of the elerator, the ck sedan smoothly departed.
Sullivan sat in the backseat as a ray of sunlight pierced through the gap and cast a small patch of gold
on his face. It just entuated his handsomeness.
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He was still thinking of Megan and her affections. He pondered her past fondness for him and the
words she said after returning to his side, iming that an adult¡¯s marriage didn¡¯t need love, only
mutual benefit.
He once believed the same. He had paid a steep price to bring her back, thinking all he needed was his
fulfilled desire and a presentable Mrs. Lowry. But now, he realized he wanted more.
He didn¡¯t just want Mrs. Lowry; he wanted Megan as well. He wanted Megan to love him!
Sullivan wasn¡¯t naive enough to think money could buy affection; if it could, he and Megan wouldn¡¯t be
in
this mess.
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Sullivan had never fallen in love, but that didn¡¯t mean he was a stranger to the art of affection.
The car was silent.
Sullivan mused to himself that if showing a bit of emotion could win back Megan¡¯s favor, he wouldn¡¯t
mind ying the part of a truly devoted husband.
It was a weekend evening.
The ck car pulled up to the vi, and the driver stepped out to fetch Sullivan¡¯s suitcase and inquired
with respect, ¡°Mr. Lowry, would you like me to carry your luggage for you?¡±
Dressed in sleek ck¨Ca sharp suit was a man¡¯s charm¨CSullivan stood out against the twilight, so
dashing that even the seasoned house staff couldn¡¯t help but steal another nce.
Sullivan casually asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Megan?¡±
Before anyone could answer, the soft strains of a violin floated down from the third floor.
The melody was gentle, made even lovelier by the encroaching dusk.
The servants couldn¡¯t resist singing Megan¡¯s praises, ¡°Mrs. Lowry¡¯s violin is a real treat to the ears!
Would you care to listen, sir?¡±
e in his
Sullivan allowed a small smile to grace his lips. He carried his suitcase upstairs, pushed open the door
to the study, and there he saw Megan. She was wearing an ash¨Cgrey dress that cinched at the waist,
her hair cascading down her slender back.
A beautiful sight!
He quietly admired her for a moment before setting down his suitcase and approaching her. He
wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chiseled face resting on her delicate shoulder and his
voice unusually tender as he said, ¡°That¡¯s a lovely dress.¡±
Megan was caught off guard by his embrace. The violin nearly slipped from her grasp.
Before she could collect herself, Sullivan¡¯s hand gently caressed her waist, his touch soft and light. The
other hand set the violin aside as he guided her towards the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, his gaze fixed on
her soft face.
It was October, and the sycamore trees outside were a ze of golden hues.
Inside, the light was warm and inviting.
They hadn¡¯t seen each other for a week, and their reunion actually felt like rediscovering a long¨Clost
love.
Sullivan¡¯s lips captured hers and ran them over in all kinds of ways. Only then did he stopped and
whispered against her tender lips, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you seem to have been doing quite well these days.¡±
Megan looked up at him, her expression a mix of confusion and surprise. She couldn¡¯t fathom what had
As she was about to speak, her lips were captured once more, this time not in a fleeting touch but in an
urgent, possessive kiss. They stumbled over to the couch and entwined in a tumultuous embrace.
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He didn¡¯t undress her but continued to stroke her waist, asking if she was okay with it
He mentioned wanting her before dinner.
Sullivan¡¯s face pressed against her neck was scorching, his masculine scent enveloping her and
sending an eversting shiver through her spine.
Megan trembled beneath him, the memory of theirst encounter somehow casting a shadow over her.
Yet she couldn¡¯t deny Sullivan. She knew resistance would only make her life harder, it was better to go
along with him. Instead of bringing up the past, she kissed his chin softly and whispered, ¡°Just give me
a
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
minute.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s eyes were deep with longing. He touched her waist again, the firmness beneath his fingers
intoxicating.
Megan rose from beneath him, straightening her dress as she stepped out.
Sullivan sat up slightly and shrugged off his jacket. When he was about to light a cigarette to soothe the
ache in his body, Megan returned from outside with a small box in her hand.
With the cigarette poised on his lips, Sullivan watched her intently as she knelt before him, fumbling to
open the box, her movements timid as she prepared to attend to him. Suddenly, he grasped her hand
and asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you want me to use this because you find me unclean?¡±
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Megan whispered a soft ¡°no.¡±
She averted her gaze, her voice even lighter, ¡°I¡¯m just¡not at my best right now, still riding out the tail
end of my period.
Sullivan paused. When he regained hisposure, he couldn¡¯t help but gently caress her warm cheek.
Megan rarely wore makeup at home, her skin naturally fair and tender. As he touched her, he found
himself bing more and more enamored with the feeling.
He looked at her and chuckled softly, ¡°Megan, do you really see me as such a beast? Do you think I¡¯d
force you into anything if you are still during your period?¡±
Tears gathered at the corners of Megan¡¯s eyes, but she didn¡¯t respond.
He understood what she thought of him then: a man who only cared for his own pleasures and was
indifferent to his wife¡¯s well¨Cbeing. Indeed, he hadn¡¯t always been kind to her, and he had a rough edge
in the bedroom, but he had never pressed her during her time of the month, had he?
Sullivan caught her slender wrist and gently pulled her up to sit on hisp.
Megan wasn¡¯t used to this intimate moment. She and Sullivan had never been this close before. In the
past, he only held her when he wanted one thing, and he certainly never let her sit like this.
Sullivan gazed into her reddening eyes, touched them softly, and asked with a low, tender voice, ¡°Did I
make you ufortablest time?¡±
Megan felt embarrassed.
Even though several days had passed since theirst encounter, the memory of his dominance and the
shameful words he had spoken still made her heart race and her body tremble.
She tried to convince herself it didn¡¯t matter, but intimate contact was inevitable in a marriage, and
Sullivan¡¯s assertive nature in that regard frightened her. Even after years of marriage, he had never
truly
harmed her.
She remained silent.
Sullivan guessed that he had indeed cast a shadow over herst time. His eyes fell to her hand, which
still clutched a small box. He took it and tossed it aside. Megan watched him, puzzled by his intentions.
Sullivan leaned forward and kissed her gently. He also guided her hand, slipping it inside his shirt to
touch his body.
His skin was warm, and the lean muscle felt like it was wrapped in ayer of the softest velvet that
exuded an exquisite sensation.
Megan had been married to him for years, and although they had been intimate countless times, she
had never touched him like this. Her hand moved passively under his guidance.
Sullivan, holding her slender wrist, kissed her while encouraging her touch. It was a feeling neither
Megan nor Sullivan had experienced before, a sensation like a gentle current running through them.
The sensation itself made them tremble involuntarily.
Sullivan didn¡¯t recognize this as being moved. He thought it was just the desire between a man and a
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woman.
After a long kiss, he pressed her gently against him, his chin resting on her hairline as he said in a
husky tone, ¡°How many days before your period ends?¡±
Megan¡¯s cheeks red with heat; she wasn¡¯t used to discussing this. Her voice trembled slightly, ¡°Two
days.¡±
Sullivan let out a softugh,fortably leaning back on the couch, not bothering with his disheveled
shirt or belt. He pulled Megan down to lie beside him, his palm gently pressing on her slender back to
prevent any escape.
After a while, he askedzily and casually, ¡°So it¡¯s still six days, huh?¡±
Megan was young, and her cycle was long. Those six days each month, when Sullivan had to keep his
hands to himself, were sometimes a struggle.
His inquiry elicited a quiet affirmation from Megan.
Shey on his chest but seemed preupied, wondering if Sullivan was acting out because of a lost
love¡ something that made him seem so¡ abnormal.
She pondered whether he was as tender with other women outside as he was with her now.
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Chapter 107
Both Sullivan and Megan were lost in their own thoughts.
The sound of knocking broke the silence, followed by the maid¡¯s voice, ¡°Dinner is served, Mr. and Mrs.
Lowry. Shall I set the table now?¡±
Sullivan called out, ¡°Yes, please do.¡±
As the maid¡¯s footsteps faded away, Sullivan still hadn¡¯t released Megan.
She squirmed a bit, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? Dinner¡¯s ready. Let me up.¡±
Sullivan gazed at her intensely, his eyes never wavering.
Megan couldn¡¯t guess what was on his mind. She pushed against his chest, trying to rise, but he
caught her wrist and ced it back over his heart. His heartbeat was strong and thumping rhythmically
beneath her palm.
Megan quickly withdrew her hand as if scalded.
With a teasing smile, Sullivan hooked his finger under her chin, ¡°Scared of a little heartbeat, Mrs.
Lowry? What¡¯s on your mind?¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t stand this kind of provocative talk. She found herself missing his no¨Cnonsense attitude;
it was painful at times, but at least it was bearable. His current softness left her feeling out of her depth.
Megan turned away to straighten her dress, and onceposed, she headed for the door, ¡°I¡¯ll take
your luggage back to the bedroom. Why don¡¯t you freshen up, Sullivan? They¡¯ve started serving dinner
downstairs.¡±
No response came from behind her.
Hand on the doorknob, she couldn¡¯t help but look back. She saw Sullivan lounging on the couch, his
eyes following her with a depth that was inscrutable. Noticing her nce, he smiled subtly and asked,
¡°Are you blushing, Megan?¡±
Megan¡¯s lips tightened, and after a moment, she murmured, ¡°We¡¯ve been married too long for that,
haven¡¯t
we?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t press further.
After Megan left, Sullivan lit up a cigarette.
The thin smoke rose, and his expression was unreadable.
In the world of business, Sullivan was a master at reading people. He knew Megan¡¯s bravado all too
well, but a smart man also knows that a woman¡¯s greatest weakness can often be tenderness.
Sullivan wanted to reconcile with Megan. He didn¡¯t apologize or offer exnations like other men might
have. He knew Megan had feelings for him once. He just had to charm her, and she would surely fall
for him again, while he watched her sumb with clear eyes. He even considered having a child with
her.
This
year was too rushed, but next year might be good for trying. A wife and child¡ Sullivan liked the
thought.
He finished his cigarette in silence and then went downstairs for dinner.
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Chapter 107
At the table, he was reserved, not exerting any of his masculine charm. After the meal, he retreated to
his study to work.
Megan breathed a sigh of relief.
That evening, after her bath, she sat at her vanity to apply her skincare routine. She pondered the
intimacy earlier¨Clikely just a whim of Sullivan¡¯s. Distance should be usual theme of their marriage.
As she thought, she couldn¡¯t help but pull out Alton¡¯s business card.
¡°Mrs. Lowry, here¡¯s my business card. Perhaps you¡¯ll need it after Wyatt¡¯s trial is over.¡±
Alton¡¯s words made Megan¡¯s heart race.
Just then, she heard movement at the bedroom door. She recognized Sullivan¡¯s footsteps and quickly
stashed the card inside her diary. It was safe there; Sullivan had always shown disinterest, even
disdain, for her girlish sentiments.
In an instant, Sullivan entered the room. He saw his wife in her silk nightgown, applying her creams.
She tried to appear nonchnt, but Sullivan caught the slight flush behind her ears¨Ca sure sign she
was hiding something.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hand leisurely opening the small drawer.
As if casually, he asked, ¡°What are you looking at?¡±
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Megan¡¯s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson. Her delicate hand sped the small drawer shut,
preventing him from peering inside. ¡°It¡¯s nothing! Just a new bottle of perfume I bought. I just
unwrapped
it.¡±
¡°Oh!¡± Sullivan, however, was uncharacteristically patient, his demeanor slow and deliberate. ¡°Spritz a
bit,
let me have a whiff! Isn¡¯t it said that perfume is a woman¡¯s best nightwear?¡±
His undeniably flirtatious tone wasced with an irresistible dominance.
Megan couldn¡¯t resist it.
In the midst of their conversation, Sullivan had already opened the drawer, and sure enough, there was
a bottle of perfume. He picked it up and lightly sprayed a bit behind Megan¡¯s ear. Perhaps it was the
shock, but her tender skin there quivered slightly.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze intensified. He held her small, rounded shoulders, his handsome face nestling into the
nape of her neck, his prominent nose pressing against that patch of soft skin. His husky whisper was
incredibly seductive, ¡°It does smell nice!¡±
Megan trembled uncontrobly. ¡°Sullivan!¡± she eximed.
Sullivan chuckled lowly, ¡°You¡¯re not even clean yet, so don¡¯t tempt me!¡±
At that moment, as if just noticing the diary lying there, he picked it up before Megan could stop him
and began to casually flip through it. One arm wrapped around his wife, the other lightly turning the
pages.
He didn¡¯t just look; he read it aloud word by word.
The passionate and naive musings of an 18¨Cyear¨Cold Megan felt especially embarrassing when recited
by
him.
It said, ¡°Sullivan ignored me all day today! He didn¡¯t even nce at the cupcakes I made him. Does he
dislike me? If he dislikes me, why did he lend me his jacket when I stained my skirt? Could he possibly
have feelings for me too? I don¡¯t care; tomorrow Sullivan will definitely like me!¡±
Megan was flushed with embarrassment. Even though she was no longer in love with Sullivan, these
memories were still mortifying, as if Sullivan had stripped her bare for his own inspection. When she bit
her lip and was about to speak, a tinum business card fell out.
It was Alton¡¯s.
The atmosphere froze. Megan¡¯s body tensed slightly; she was unsure of what Sullivan would think
upon seeing the card. If he guessed her intentions to cross him, she couldn¡¯t bear to think of how he
might punish or torment her.
Perhaps he would rip open her nightgown and ravish her body. Every torture he gave her would tell her
that leaving him was out of the question.
Megan shivered, not out of weakness, but because, after three years of marriage, she knew Sullivan¡¯s
temper all too well. He was always quick to anger, especially with her.
But none of what she feared happened.
Sullivan did nce at the card, but merely remarked nonchntly, ¡°Why do you have Alton¡¯s card?
Have you been seeing a lot of himtely?¡±
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Megan rxed slightly. She looked down and spoke softly, ¡°I sometimes visit hisw firm to discuss my
brother¡¯s case.¡±
Sullivan asked a few questions about the case. When he wasn¡¯t being provocative, the mood was
much lighter, and Megan responded with ease. Suddenly, she stopped talking.
Because Sullivan had lifted her onto the vanity.
The cold, gold surface pressed against her skin, sending chills up her spine in the dead of night,
making her shiver ever so slightly.
Sullivan, usually a smoker, used his index and middle finger to yfully touch her, his voicezy and
enticing
¡°Howe you¡¯re not wearing any underwear?¡± he quipped.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Megan didn¡¯t dare to acknowledge theirpromising state. She gently closed her eyes as her
delicate face tilted up slightly, ¡°I¡¯ve taken a bath and now I¡¯m ready for bed!¡±
Sullivan let out a softugh. He continued to tease her gently, not going too far, just fondling tenderly.
While kissing the back of her ear, he murmured like a lover, ¡°It¡¯s so soft! We¡¯ve been married for years,
and yet you¡¯re still like a young girl, why?¡±
Megan was on the brink of copse from his teasing.
Just then, Sullivan¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Bianca.
Bianca¡¯s voice was urgent, ¡°Mr. Lowry, there¡¯s been an incident at the hospital! Some nurse made a
mistake with Cressida¡¯s IV. The nurse got the meds wrong. She¡¯s been throwing up and had diarrhea,
even passed out for a bit!¡±
As Sullivan took the call, he didn¡¯t move away from Megan; his eyes stayed fixed on her face as if he
didn¡¯t want to miss any subtle change in her expression.
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After Bianca finished, Sullivan¡¯s voice said coolly, ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡±
But he didn¡¯t leave immediately. Instead, he gently caressed Megan¡¯s cheek, which had lost its earlier
warmth and was now slightly cool to the touch. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the hospital. Try to get some sleep
early.¡± His sound was a little raspy as he said.
Megan remained silent.
Sullivan grabbed the jacket at the foot of the bed, draped it over his shoulders, and gave her cheek one
more tender stroke before heading out into the chilly autumn night heavy with dew.
Once Sullivan was gone, Megan let out a sigh of relief and her breath came in short gasps.
Thankfully! She thought to herself.
Thankfully Bianca¡¯s call came through, and thankfully Cressida¡¯s ident had pulled Sullivan away.
Otherwise¡ she might have drowned once more in Sullivan¡¯s tenderness, struggling and suffering in
her own chains.
Megan slid off the vanity. She nced at the fallen business card and the neglected diary, then gently
tucked them away.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
That diary was the chronicle of her youth. Even in her deepest resentment, she had never thought of
discarding it.
When Sullivan arrived at Pinecrest Hospital, Cressida was still in the emergency room.
Caleb Baldwin stood outside the emergency room, his face a mask of shock, while Dahlia was causing
a scene on the floor, demanding that the hospital directore and exin the situation. ¡°My Cressida
is meant to be the future Mrs. Lowry. If you don¡¯t save her, my son¨Cinw will surely have your jobs
and turn this ce to rubble!¡± she wailed.
Bianca couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. Seeing Sullivan approaching, she quickly admonished Dahlia, ¡°Mr.
Lowry is here! You want Cressida to keep breathing? Then shut your trap!¡±
Dahlia, usually so domineering, was suddenly deted in Sullivan¡¯s presence.
Tear¨Cstreaked, she turned to him and begged him to take charge, ¡°Mr. Lowry, Cressida saved your life
once. You must do everything to save hers. I¡¯m on my knees here!¡±
Sullivan wasn¡¯t swayed by her dramatics. He sat down on a bench and tilted his head towards Bianca,
¡°What happened?¡±
Bianca summarized the situation crisply, ¡°Medical ident. The hospital¡¯s already called the police, but
so far, there¡¯s no lead. Mr. Lowry¡ what do we do now?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze lingered on the OR doors. After a moment, he spoke softly, ¡°Once she¡¯s out of danger,
move her to Lowry Hospital for treatment.¡±
Dahlia felt a pang of guilt. They had chosen Pinecrest Hospital to show off to the Quigley family, never
expecting there to be a mole in this ce. Yes, she must tell Mr. Lowry about this.
She spoke up, ¡°Cressida is kind¨Chearted, so nobody would want to harm her intentionally. She must be
hurt
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by her rival! I¡¯ve heard that Mrs. Lowry¡¯s lover works here, and he¡¯s in a high position. He¡¯s the only one
who could¡¯ve done this. Mr. Lowry, you must investigate your wife and don¡¯t let her make a fool of you.¡±
Bianca had to admire her nerve. Her daughter was fighting for her life, and yet she managed toe
up with a n with double benefits.
Just then, a tall figure approached from down the hall.
Dahlia¡¯s voice grew louder, ¡°That¡¯s him! Dr. Begonia is conspiring with Mrs. Lowry to harm Cressida.
Mr. Lowry, you must scrutinize Mrs. Lowry and never let her cheat on you.¡±
Dahlia had unwittingly struck a nerve with Sullivan. His face turned stone¨Ccold. Seeing Begonia, he
was reminded of the faint regret in Megan¡¯s eyes and of the possibility that his wife might harbor
feelings for another. She took Alton¡¯s card and contemted leaving him!
In an instant, Begonia was upon them. He looked at Sullivan with a mocking smile, ¡°Mr. Lowry, you¡¯re
quite the busy man! Up all night caring for your mistress, aren¡¯t you worried about your house catching
fire?¡±
Sullivan casually smoothed his trousers. He curled his lip into a sneer, ¡°I can¡¯tpete with Dr.
Begonia, who is always coveting someone else¡¯s wife. You were putting on such a show of affection by
delivering food and offering rides, and you must be quite pleased with yourself!¡±
Begonia¡¯s hands were pocketed in his white coat. Under the corridor lights, his sharp features bore a
resemnce to Sullivan¡
After a pause, he spoke in a calm tone, ¡°Because you never appreciated her.¡±
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Sullivan was on the verge of speaking when the operating room door swung open.
The doctor stepped out, taking a deep breath of relief. ¡°After a thorough stomach pump, the patient is
out of danger now. Please rest assured, Mr. Lowry. Our hospital will fully cooperate with the authorities
regarding this medical incident¡±
Sullivan¡¯s expression was calm. Turning to Bianca, he gave his instructions, ¡°Make the arrangements to
transfer Cressida to the Lowry Hospital at dawn.¡±
Bianca, looking exhausted with dark circles under her eyes, nodded in agreement.
It was then that Dahlia spoke up, her voice tinged with concern, ¡°Mr. Lowry, aren¡¯t you staying with us?
With our little Cressida? She just came back from death¡¯s door, she needs you by her side!*
Bianca snapped at her, ¡°Mr. Lowry isn¡¯t a doctor!¡±
Dahlia fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Sullivan then turned to Begonia with a slight smile, ¡°Rushed off my feet, I didn¡¯t manage to soothe
Megan properly. She¡¯s probably sulking under the covers right now. Don¡¯t worry, Begonia, I¡¯m heading
home to
sweet¨Ctalk her.¡±
He nced at his watch.
¡°With seven hours before the morning rush, I reckon that¡¯s plenty of time to charm ady. A tiff between
husband and wife is often short¨Clived. You know, Begonia, you really should consider tying the knot;
then you¡¯d understand the joys of having a wife.
His inimical words wereced with a hint of flirtation.
Begonia could definitely read between the lines.
Watching Sullivan¡¯s figure, which was so noble and dignified, Begonia lowered his gaze with a smile.
Sullivan himself hadn¡¯t realized that his concern for Megan had long surpassed that of an ordinary
couple. Those flirty remarks were nothing but a man¡¯s possessive desire.
When Sullivan returned to his vi, it was 1 a.m.
The house was shrouded in darkness, and even the upstairs lights were out.
Megan hadn¡¯t left the light on for him.
Sullivan lit a cigarette, then, taking off his coat, he climbed the stairs and pushed open the bedroom
door. Without turning on the light, he sat on the edge of the bed, kicked off his shoes, andy down
beside Megan. He wrapped his arm around her, his face close to hers.
Megan shivered slightly, and he knew she wasn¡¯t asleep, and she probably wasn¡¯t in the best of moods
either.
In the darkness, he whispered, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you sleeping?¡±
Megan¡¯s cheek rested quietly against the pillow, and after a while, she replied softly, ¡°I was just about to
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dun oft
Sullivan chuckled. His hand then slipped under the covers to caress her tenderly just as he had before
leaving. Megan struggled faintly under his touch, but he held her even tighter and his voice was husky
in her ear, ¡°So I was the one who disturbed you?¡±
His tone was as gentle as could be.
Like a deeply loving husband.
Megan¡¯s love for him had faded, but at that moment, she felt a sudden urge to cry.
In the dark, her eyes welled up with tears. She was grateful the lights were off, which spared her the
shame of being seen in her most vulnerable state.
Shey in silence, so Sullivan didn¡¯t press further. He just held her and caressed her as if he was
making a gesture that seemed both habitual and purely meant tofort her. All the while, Megan held
back her
soft cries.
Sullivan slipped under the covers with her.
She was in her silk nightgown, feeling soft and smooth.
He was still dressed in his shirt and belt, even with a faint scent of hospital antiseptic on him, reminding
Megan where he had been. No matter how indifferent she tried to be, she couldn¡¯t help but say,
¡°Sullivan, go take a shower.¡±
Sullivan rolled her over into his arms.
The world spun as she found herself beneath him.
He stared at her delicate face, his voice a low growl, ¡°You grabb weren¡¯t clean, but because you find
me dirty, don¡¯t you?¡±
the condom earlier not because you
Megan felt embarrassed. She turned her face away, her voice trembling with a mature woman¡¯s allure,
¡°No! Sullivan¡ stop saying this.¡±
Sullivan caught her hand, guiding it toward him. She couldn¡¯t pull away; his dominance was terrifying,
and his desire unmistakable.
Sullivan pursued her, kiss her deeply. He savored her lips tenderly until she cried, then he spoke softly
and gently, ¡°Megan, I¡¯m clean. I haven¡¯t touched Alena, Cressida, or any other woman.¡±
Megan froze while tears were streaming down her face, which embarrassed her more.
After three years of marriage, her heart had turned cold toward him. Now, hearing him swear his
fidelity, she should have felt nothing, but her heart was unexpectedly stirring. Helpless beneath him,
she listened to his almost confessional words.
He said she was the first woman he took home. He said that no matter how he got turned on during the
business trips, at best, he would only pleasure himself; he never touched women of the night or flirted
at social events.
As he spoke, his words grew bolder; he imed he had only been sleeping with her.
Sullivan was not lying.
Indeed, Megan was the only woman he had ever been with. All his sexual experiences were learned
with her, every position was discovered through her, and every tantalizing technique was reserved
solely for
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her.
Sullivan rarely spoke of such matters, but when he did, it was seductive and arousing. Nothing live the
usual, straightced Mr. Lowry who seemed almost asexual,
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
727
If a man like him set his mind to it, he could easily seduce a woman.
At least, Megan¡¯s cheeks were now flushed with color,
Sullivan felt her skin burning hot to the touch, so he chuckled lowly as he switched on the bedsidemp
His wifey disheveled, her hair spread across the pillow.
In that moment of beauty, Sullivan¡¯s soul was struck. He now understood why some men still sought
their wives even during their monthly cycle. It wasn¡¯t that other men were all saints, it was just that
some were not sufficiently tempted. Given enough provocation, many would turn into beasts.
Sullivan curbed his desire. He held her slender neck and bent down to kiss her while whispering almost
mischievously, ¡°I could just devour you!¡±
Those words revealed his preferences. He always had a taste for the rougher side of intimacy
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Chapter 111
When dawn¡¯s early light crept into the bedroom, Sullivan awoke to find Megan¡¯s side of the bed empty.
He thought she might be in the walk¨Cin closet, so with a graceful roll out of bed, he tiptoed in that
direction.
His suit and shirt for the day were neatly hung up, with a matching watch and cufflinksid out¡ but no
sign of Megan,
Sullivan figured she might be downstairs whipping up breakfast.
After freshening up, he donned his clothes and made his way downstairs with a spring in his step.
In the dining room, the housekeeper was setting the table, cing two freshly baked croissants and his
usual cup of strong ck coffee. The morning¡¯s newspaper was to be ced on the left, as per his
wife¡¯s instructions.
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Upon seeing Sullivan descend, the housekeeper greeted him with a respectful ¡°Good morning, sir.¡±
Sullivan took a seat; casually flipping through the paper before inquiring, ¡°Where¡¯s Megan?¡±
The housekeeper paused, then with a gentle voice informed him, ¡°She left early this morning,
mentioned something about visiting her family. Said she might stay a few days.¡±
¡°Got it,¡± Sullivan replied nonchntly. But a subtle smile creased his lips as he took the cup to sip the
coffee. He thought Megan might just be feeling shy.
After what he¡¯d said to herst night, although she hadn¡¯t verbally responded, she did respond to his
kiss. He remembered her teary eyes and quivering body.
After breakfast, Sullivan prepared to head to the office. As he settled into his car and buckled up, he
couldn¡¯t resist checking his phone for a WhatsApp message from Megan, but his Mrs. Lowry had sent
none.
Sullivan literally dialed her number.
At the Quigley Apartment.
Joseph was already discharged from the hospital and was making good progress, which was a silver
lining in his life. All he needed was weekly visits to the rehab center.
However, he always stayed confined to his room.
Megan was helping Cora make pies as Cora softly encouraged her, ¡°Give it some time. Your dad will
come around.¡±
Megan nodded.
Cora looked up from sealing a pie and eyed Megan, noting her healthyplexion, and figured
Sullivan hadn¡¯t been giving her troubletely. She broached the subject cautiously, ¡°Any more rumors
about that star called Alena and Sullivan?¡±
Megan¡¯s thoughts drifted to the previous night.
Sullivan had assured her that there was nothing between him and Alena, nor had he been involved with
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Cressida.
She believed him, there was no reason for him to lie.
Megan bit her lip and whispered, ¡°He said it was a misunderstanding.¡±
Cora patted her hand, ¡°A misunderstanding that¡¯s got you staying here a few days?¡±
Megan was at a loss for words. She felt a flutter of panic, preferring the arrangement they used to
have- Sullivan asionally visiting to fulfill his desires and then going their separate ways. It was more
effortless for her.
Butst night, he seemed different. The things he said were as if he wanted to start over.
Megan¡¯s heart was in turmoil when her phone rang. It was Sullivan.
Cora tactfully excused herself.
¨C
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Megan answered the call. Neither spoke at first, the faint sound of their
breathing over the phone easily brought back memories ofst night¡¯s intimate whispers. Sullivan¡¯s
breath was sprayed on the soft skin behind her ear, his desire evident even as circumstances made it
inconvenient. In that case, he had whispered to her for what felt like an eternity.
Megan couldn¡¯t bear to think further. She was the first to break the silence, ¡°Sullivan, I want to stay at
my dad¡¯s for a few days.¡±
After a brief pause, he replied in a gentle tone, ¡°Megan, are you avoiding me?¡±
The silence returned. His voice grew softer, ¡°Is it because ofst night? Are you scared?¡±
Megan¡¯s heart pounded like a drum. In her nervousness, she actually just ended the call. Hanging up,
she touched the phone tenderly, feeling the warmth still lingering on her ear.
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On the other end of the phone, Sullivan gazed at his smartphone and allowed a silent chuckle to
escape his lips.
He never failed to acquire what he wanted.
He longed for Megan, and she would be his!
After hanging up the phone, Megan stepped outside.
Cora, noticing her troubled expression, prodded gently, ¡°Trouble with Sullivan again?¡±
Megan shook her head, confiding in Cora with the truth, ¡°Things were rough a few days ago, butst
night he came back with a changed attitude. Cora, I just can¡¯t figure out what¡¯s going on in Sullivan¡¯s
head.¡±
Cora retreated to her bedroom and returned holding a flyer. With a soft smile, she said, ¡°It¡¯s an
exhibition of your mother¡¯s artwork when she was alive, Megan. If you¡¯re feeling upset, why not go and
take a look? Come back for dinner, and I¡¯ll save you some pies.¡±
Her mother¡¯s art exhibition¡
Megan received the flyer and caressed it lovingly. Her mother, a Quinn by birth, had been a sensation
in the city at a young age. Tragically, her life was cut short. Now, her extensive body of work was highly
sought after, with each piece valued millions.
Cora could tell Megan was eager to go and softly urged her, ¡°Consider it a little break for yourself.¡±
Megan nodded in agreement. Her mind was indeed in turmoil, and she longed for her mother.
The exhibition of Megan¡¯s mother¡¯s artwork was on disy at Borough City¡¯s most renowned gallery,
and interested buyers could discuss purchases directly with the gallery manager.
Megan took her time to appreciate each piece. She was particrly drawn to a painting called ¡°Rain¨C
Swept Begonia,¡± priced at 5.8 million dors. Megan didn¡¯t have that kind of money on hand. She had
nned to save the money from the sale of her house for her and Cora¡¯s retirement, and she didn¡¯t
want to touch the allowance from Sullivan. Her finances would only loosen up after the end¨Cof¨Cyear
bonus.
Enamored with the painting, she lingered before it for a long time.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind her, ¡°Like it? If you like it, it¡¯s yours!¡±
Megan froze for a moment before slowly turning around.
It was Bet!
It had been a long time since theyst met, and Megan thought he had given up hope.
Seeing her silence, Bet let out a coldugh, ¡°Not willing to ept? I guess that makes sense! Now
that you¡¯re back with Sullivan, just 2% of The Lowry Group¡¯s shares ensure you a life offort.
What¡¯s a few million to you now? But tell me, how does it feel to share a husband with other women?
Or have you stopped caring?¡±
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Megan wanted no further entanglement with him, ¡°I¡¯ve told you before it¡¯s none of your business!¡±
She turned to leave, but Bet caught her by the wrist. He had grasped the very spot where she had
once cut herself
Megan flinched, and Bet seemed to notice, his gaze dropping to that spot.
After a long look, he asked in a soft tone. ¡°Megan, what did I lose to him?¡±
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Megan couldn¡¯t answer.
Bet didn¡¯t seem to care for a reply. His voice was filled with a bitter edge, ¡°I would give up
everything for you! Could Sullivan do that? He can¡¯t. He can¡¯t even let go of Cressida, let alone¡¡±
Bet didn¡¯t finish his sentence. They had all grown up in the same circle. Some things about
Sullivan were not known to Megan, but he and Timothy knew.
Megan gently pulled herself free from his grip. Looking him in the eye, her voice was barely a whisper,
¡°Bet, stop loving me! And don¡¯t give up everything for me! Pining for a love that isn¡¯t yours is too
painful.¡±
She added softly. ¡°Thank you for your affection, but I can¡¯t ept it.¡±
With that, Megan turned and walked away.
Bet stood motionless, watching her slender and straightened figure get blurred into the y of light
and shadow. He couldn¡¯t even discern whether Megan still held any love for Sullivan.
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Chapter 113
As the autumn evening unfurled a tapestry of fiery hues across the sky, Megan made her way back to
the Quigley Apartment.
Upon opening the front door, the warm and soothing voice of Sullivan greeted her.
¡°Back in my college days, if a pipe burst, I¡¯d be the one fixing it.¡±
¡°And if my clothes get dirty, I¡¯ll just change them in the morning. No need to fuss, Cora!¡±
What on earth was he doing here?
Megan closed the door behind her and quietly changed out of her shoes. Cora, hearing the familiar
sound of Megan¡¯s arrival, came out to meet her with a whispered update. ¡°He¡¯s been here for over an
hour, even fixed the kitchen sink! Is he here to take you back home?¡± she asked.
Cora¡¯s surprise was evident.
How could Sullivan, who was always so haughty, have ever handled such things? It seemed that when
men decided to woo you, they¡¯d go through any lengths.
Shrugging off her coat, Megan stated softly, ¡°I¡¯m staying home tonight.¡±
Cora breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll start dinner. We¡¯ll talk it over at the table, and try not to
ruffle
your father¡¯s feathers. He won¡¯t say it, but he¡¯s really got his reservations about Sullivan.¡±
Megan knew this well and nodded in agreement.
Just then, Sullivan emerged from the kitchen and identally locked eyes with her. He gazed at her
quietly for a moment before speaking in a soft tone, ¡°Cora mentioned you went to an art exhibit. Did
you catch an eye infection from all that art staring?¡±
Megan felt slightly ufortable.
It was something Bet had said earlier, about sacrificing everything, that had reminded her of her
own reckless abandon in the past, and how it hadn¡¯t ended well.
She covered it up by saying, ¡°It¡¯s quite windy outside. Got some dust in my eyes.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t press further.
Dinner was served with Joseph maintaining a chilly demeanor throughout the meal. In an attempt to
lighten the mood, Cora looked at Megan and suggested tentatively, ¡°How about you go back with
Sullivan tonight? The neighbors will have their dance parties out till the wee hours. You¡¯re not used to
that kind of noise being all cozy in your vi and all.¡±
Megan remained silent.
Sullivan, setting down his fork with a slight smile, chimed in, ¡°Cora, a little bustle is quite refreshing! I¡¯ll
stay here with Megan for a couple of days to keep you and Joseph¡¯spany.¡±
Cora simply kept her eyes on her te.
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Sullivan¡¯s thick skin was imprable. How could Megan possibly outmaneuver him?
After dinner and some light conversation, Sullivan followed Megan back to her room.
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It was a decent¨Csized bedroom about forty square meters,plete with a small sitting area and an
ensuite bathroom.
Sullivan was a clean freak. So as soon as they entered the bedroom, he began to undress, slipping out
of his shirt and trousers until he was left in nothing but a pair of sleek ck boxer briefs that were
snugly outlining his form.
Megan, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, averted her eyes.
Catching a glimpse of her embarrassment, Sullivan casually tossed his car keys to her. ¡°There¡¯s a
change of clothes in the trunk of my car. Would you mind fetching them for me?¡± he required.
Megan realized Sullivan hade prepared.
When Sullivan entered the shower, she went after him and asked, ¡°How long are you staying?¡±
Sullivan turned on the shower and soon the water filled the bathroom. It made his voice hazy and a
littlenguid, ¡°Until you decide toe home with me.¡±
He is so cheeky, Megan thought.
She went downstairs to get him a change of clothes. And after her return, she found Sullivan had
already emerged from the shower, his body loosely draped in a bathrobe, his hair damp. He was
lounging on the sofa by the window andzily flicking a lighter in his hand.
Upon seeing Megan¡¯s return, he asked nonchntly, ¡°I had Bianca check. You haven¡¯t used the bank
card I gave you. Why not spend my money?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t respond immediately. She carefully hung up his clothes, smoothing out any creases
because she knew how Sullivan valued order. Only then did she reply, ¡°I still have some of my own
money left.¡±
Sullivan reached his arms, pulling her down to sit in hisp.
Megan had barely settled when she started feeling uneasy. A quick nce down sent her blushing
furiously.
Sullivan gently traced her soft cheek, seemingly unfazed, ¡°It¡¯s not as if you¡¯ve never seen it before.
Why so shy?¡±
With her face turned away, Megan leaned against his shoulder.
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Sullivan twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, his voicenguid and seductive in the velvet
night, ¡°That little bit of cash you¡¯ve got, did you scrape it together fiddling at Timothy¡¯s hotel? A few
hundred or a few grand? Won¡¯t even buy you a decent cup of espresso.¡±
Megany against his shoulder, silent. Perhaps her money meant nothing in his eyes.
But to Megan, it was every ounce of her courage. Even though she had returned, she¡¯d do her best to
stand on her own two feet. She didn¡¯t want to live under Sullivan¡¯s shadow and didn¡¯t want to ept a
check from his hand after they¡¯d been intimate.
She said nothing, but Sullivan knew it all.
He wrapped his arms around her to pull her into his embrace. Hisrge palm enveloped hers.
And like that, he held her for a long time.
Megan squirmed slightly and muttered, ¡°Sullivan, I need to take a shower.¡±
But Sullivan caught her hand, fingers intertwining with hers. His forehead pressed against hers, his
prominent nose grazing against her skin in a slow, intimate dance, too provocative for words.
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Megan couldn¡¯t take it.
She tilted her head back slightly, ¡°Sullivan, stop it!¡±
His eyes locked onto her face, his voice hoarse, ¡°Stop what? You don¡¯t like it? But your body seems to
be telling me a different story. You¡¯re practically melting.¡±
He was a mature man, and he knew instantly that her monthly cycle had ended. She had lied to him
last night.
Megan¡¯s cheeks red up like they were on fire. She was terrified of causing a scandal at home if her
father or Cora overheard them.
Sullivan kissed her cheek gently, his slender fingers parting the thin fabric of her clothes, soothing her
with tenderness and patience he rarely showed.
And he even didn¡¯t try to take her. He just focused on making her feel good. His chiseled face was
scorching as he pressed it against hers, but his gaze never left her face. He was watching her delicate
face to see how she surrendered to the sensations.
Suddenly, Megan bit down on his shoulder, letting out a muffled cry, and she wept.
Sullivan turned her face towards him and kissed her softly,forting her. His gentleness in that
moment could have tempted a nun.
Afterwards, Megan fled to the bathroom to clean up. Her legs were still shaking, and it took a while for
her to steady herself.
As she soaked in the bath, she couldn¡¯t help but overthink.
She knew him well; if he really wanted her, he¡¯d ask her to keep quiet. He had strong desires, and
without releasing them, he probably couldn¡¯t sleep. In their years of marriage, he had never held back.
When she returned to the bedroom, Sullivan leaned against the headboard and was busy with work on
his phone.
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But the room still camed a familiar masculine scent, and Megan¡¯s cheeks warmed as she realized he
must have taken care of himself. Shey down next to him carefully, fearing he might pounce again.
Sulivan looked down at her and asked, ¡°How long are you nning to stay?¡±
Megan¡¯s delicate hand rested on the pillow as she whispered back, ¡°Maybe two or three days.¡±
Sullivan said nothing more. Hey down, apparently ready to sleep, but his hand still possessively
wrapped around her waist. That deprived Megan¡¯s sleep, and she was fidgeting now and then.
Suliran massaged her, ¡°Can¡¯t sleep? How about another round?¡±
She froze in fear!
In the darkness, Sullivan smiled silently. He leaned close and whispered in her ear, ¡°Got some urgent
business at thepany. I¡¯ll be out early tomorrow, but I¡¯lle pick you up when I¡¯m back, okay?¡±
This was the first time Sullivan had shared his schedule with her. It wasn¡¯t premeditated. It was just that
the mood and the vibe felt right to share such things with his Mrs. Lowry. And observing her reaction
after his words was gratifying.
Megan was beautiful, a sight for sore eyes.
Sulivan was a man, and men desire beauty. It was impossible not to appreciate the allure of a pretty
WOMEN
Megan tumed her back to him. After a long silence, she finally asked, ¡°Sullivan, what are you trying to
say? What do you mean to me?¡±
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Sullivan flicked on the bedsidemp, bathing the room in a soft glow. He propped himself up against
the pillows and fixed Megan with a deep gaze, ¡°What do you think?¡±
Megan had no idea.
With a faint smile, Sullivan¡¯s voice was so husky and maic at night, ¡°Megan, I¡¯ve never truly loved
anyone, and I don¡¯t even know what it feels like. But this is the first time I¡¯ve cared about a woman¨C
cared enough to ditch my rules, cared enough to chase after you and fix your leaky faucet,¡±
He paused, then continued, ¡°Or do you think I¡¯m just looking for someone to warm my bed? You should
know, if it were just about that, there are plenty of pretty women out there to satisfy that need¡±
Megan wasn¡¯t one to indulge him, ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you.¡±
Sullivan chuckled softly. Under the light, his features were chiseled, the edge of his eyes and brows
carrying the charm of a mature man. Megan knew if he wanted thepany of young girls, he wouldn¡¯t
need to spend a dime.
Sullivan gently caressed her cheek. In a hushed tone, he said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s age catching up with me, but
I find myself longing for a family life. Megan, I want us to have a child, a boy or a girl¡ But more than
that, I want your affection, like the kind you write about in a diary, where your eyes and heart are filled
with only me.¡±
As Sullivan spoke, he thought he was just sweet¨Ctalking her, and his words were just a ploy to keep her
by his side. But when the words left his mouth, an unexpected thought bubbled up within him.
Forget the past and start over with her. And to truly love her.
Yet that absurd thought was just fleeting. Sullivan mused that perhaps domestic life had softened his
mind that he literally wanted to love Megan genuinely.
Sullivan¡¯s tender words were moving, and he was the kind of man Megan had pined for in her youth. As
he spoke, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a stir of emotion. It¡¯s just that the hardships she had endured in
their years of marriage made her hesitant to again ce her feelings in someone¡¯s hands, especially
someone like Sullivan.
Megan¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She leaned against the headboard, quietly staring at the
opposite wall.
It took her a long time before she spoke in a low voice, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re sincere, but if
you are, it¡¯s toote for us. A world meant for three is too crowded! And I don¡¯t know if this is just a
whim¡ Today you say you want my affection, but you might discard it like an old rag tomorrow, not
even sparing it a nce.¡±
Her voice trembled slightly, ¡°Sullivan, falling for someone takes courage, and I¡¯m no longer that 18¨C
year¨Cold girl.¡±
Megan finished speaking, her gaze lingering on him. There was a touch of sadness, her eyes misty
with
tears.
Sullivan gently wiped away her tears, whispering, ¡°Megan, I¡¯m not being impulsive. I¡¯m serious¡ I want
to start over with you!¡±
After he spoke, he tenderly cradled the nape of her neck. Kissing her, he was nearly moved. He
thought
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that years of marriage must have softened even the sturdiest of hearts. He guessed he must have
developed some fondness for Megan.
But he knew well enough that this fondness was not love. He wanted Megan and her affection, and he
also made concessions for her. He told her that from now on, he would let Bianca handle all matters
rted to Cressida¨Che wouldn¡¯t see Cressida anymore.
Megan turned to look at him, and even though every ounce of reason told her not to be moved, her
emotions tipped the scales. She decided to trust him once more.
In a soft voice, she said, ¡°Sullivan, maybe I¡¯ll take years or decades to find the fondness I had for you.
Will you still want it then?¡±
As she spoke, her bathrobe hung loosely and her hair slightly disheveled, exuding a fragile beauty.
Sullivan kissed her tenderly.
After a long while, he pulled her into his embrace and murmured, ¡°I will.¡±
Property ? N?velDrama.Org.
Sullivan left for a project in Crossover City for a week.
Megan didn¡¯t reach out to him much during that.
Sullivan had expressed a desire to start anew, but Megan still held on to a woman¡¯s pride¨Cshe didn¡¯t
want to appear too eager. With age, she learned that men don¡¯t value women who are too forward.
Men¡¯s excitement fades, and they grow tired. Especially after three years of marriage.
But Sullivan, every night around ten, would call her, and if it was toote, he would send a WhatsApp
message. He was as attentive as a man in the throes of first love, or as a husband deeply in love with
his wife. He was so good to her that Megan felt it was almost too good to be true.
Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Chapter 115
Sullivan flicked on the bedsidemp, bathing the room in a soft glow. He propped himself up against
the pillows and fixed Megan with a deep gaze, ¡°What do you think?¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Megan had no idea.
With a faint smile, Sullivan¡¯s voice was so husky and maic at night, ¡°Megan, I¡¯ve never truly loved
anyone, and I don¡¯t even know what it feels like. But this is the first time I¡¯ve cared about a woman¨C
cared enough to ditch my rules, cared enough to chase after you and fix your leaky faucet,¡±
He paused, then continued, ¡°Or do you think I¡¯m just looking for someone to warm my bed? You should
know, if it were just about that, there are plenty of pretty women out there to satisfy that need¡±
Megan wasn¡¯t one to indulge him, ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you.¡±
Sullivan chuckled softly. Under the light, his features were chiseled, the edge of his eyes and brows
carrying the charm of a mature man. Megan knew if he wanted thepany of young girls, he wouldn¡¯t
need to spend a dime.
Sullivan gently caressed her cheek. In a hushed tone, he said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s age catching up with me, but
I find myself longing for a family life. Megan, I want us to have a child, a boy or a girl¡ But more than
that, I want your affection, like the kind you write about in a diary, where your eyes and heart are filled
with only me.¡±
As Sullivan spoke, he thought he was just sweet¨Ctalking her, and his words were just a ploy to keep her
by his side. But when the words left his mouth, an unexpected thought bubbled up within him.
Forget the past and start over with her. And to truly love her.
Yet that absurd thought was just fleeting. Sullivan mused that perhaps domestic life had softened his
mind that he literally wanted to love Megan genuinely.
Sullivan¡¯s tender words were moving, and he was the kind of man Megan had pined for in her youth. As
he spoke, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a stir of emotion. It¡¯s just that the hardships she had endured in
their years of marriage made her hesitant to again ce her feelings in someone¡¯s hands, especially
someone like Sullivan.
Megan¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She leaned against the headboard, quietly staring at the
opposite wall.
It took her a long time before she spoke in a low voice, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re sincere, but if
you are, it¡¯s toote for us. A world meant for three is too crowded! And I don¡¯t know if this is just a
whim¡ Today you say you want my affection, but you might discard it like an old rag tomorrow, not
even sparing it a nce.¡±
Her voice trembled slightly, ¡°Sullivan, falling for someone takes courage, and I¡¯m no longer that 18¨C
year¨Cold girl.¡±
Megan finished speaking, her gaze lingering on him. There was a touch of sadness, her eyes misty
with
tears.
Sullivan gently wiped away her tears, whispering, ¡°Megan, I¡¯m not being impulsive. I¡¯m serious¡ I want
to start over with you!¡±
After he spoke, he tenderly cradled the nape of her neck. Kissing her, he was nearly moved. He
thought
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that years of marriage must have softened even the sturdiest of hearts. He guessed he must have
developed some fondness for Megan.
But he knew well enough that this fondness was not love. He wanted Megan and her affection, and he
also made concessions for her. He told her that from now on, he would let Bianca handle all matters
rted to Cressida¨Che wouldn¡¯t see Cressida anymore.
Megan turned to look at him, and even though every ounce of reason told her not to be moved, her
emotions tipped the scales. She decided to trust him once more.
In a soft voice, she said, ¡°Sullivan, maybe I¡¯ll take years or decades to find the fondness I had for you.
Will you still want it then?¡±
As she spoke, her bathrobe hung loosely and her hair slightly disheveled, exuding a fragile beauty.
Sullivan kissed her tenderly.
After a long while, he pulled her into his embrace and murmured, ¡°I will.¡±
Sullivan left for a project in Crossover City for a week.
Megan didn¡¯t reach out to him much during that.
Sullivan had expressed a desire to start anew, but Megan still held on to a woman¡¯s pride¨Cshe didn¡¯t
want to appear too eager. With age, she learned that men don¡¯t value women who are too forward.
Men¡¯s excitement fades, and they grow tired. Especially after three years of marriage.
But Sullivan, every night around ten, would call her, and if it was toote, he would send a WhatsApp
message. He was as attentive as a man in the throes of first love, or as a husband deeply in love with
his wife. He was so good to her that Megan felt it was almost too good to be true.
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Chapter 117
They never spoke about it, but each knew that Megan¡¯s first touches since her return were reluctant.
Even when, on asion, she felt a fleeting rush of pleasure.
Tonight was clearly different.
Amid the soft glow of the bedsidemp, Sullivan¡¯s tenderness was palpable. His every move seemed
measured and thoughtful as if each caress carried the weight of his concern not to hurt her or to cause
any distaste. He whispered into her ear to ask if she was
Megan wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips sealed with silence. Yet her body could not lie. That
night, after three years of marriage, they found a depth of satisfaction that was profoundly mutual.
Afterwards, Megan soaked in a bubble bath.
Sullivan, in his trousers and a crisp shirt, settled on the patio to feel the breeze and smoke a cigarette.
The night wind teased his neatly trimmed hair and softened his usually stern features. From the
bathroom, he heard the stir of Megan finishing her bath, knowing her ritual of blow¨Cdrying her hair and
applying her skincare would yet consume a good part of the evening.
Leaning back in his chair, Sullivan flicked through his phone casually.
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A new message blinked on WhatsApp.
It was from Cressida¡¯s primary doctor, which detailed hertest diagnosis: [Mr. Lowry, the IV
administered to Ms. Baldwinst visit contained a prohibited substance. Despite immediate
intervention, it has caused irreversible damage to her organs. After consulting with specialists, we
believe Ms. Baldwin may not have more than two years left.]
The message listed the medication involved.
Sullivan stared at the name, his long fingers clenching the phone until his knuckles whitened.
For a moment, he closed his eyes. His mood plummeted, the tion from his recent intimacy with
Megan dissipating into the darkening night.
After a long pause, he made a call.
The phone rang, and when answered, his voice was icy, ¡°Did you have a hand in what happened to
Cressida? Don¡¯t you think your hands are stained with too much already in trying to preserve the Lowry
family¡¯s honor? I¡¯ve told you before, there¡¯s no future for me and
Cressida.*
The person on the other end was silent before replying with equal reserve, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t understand
what you mean.¡±
Without another word, Sullivan hung up. He took out another cigarette, his hands trembling slightly as
he lit it. Memories flooded him like a tide¨Cthe man leaving with his suitcase, a dignified while hysterical
woman chasing after him, and their young son hidden in the stairwell watching the drama unfold
helplessly.
¡°Percy Lowry, don¡¯t bothering back once you leave this door! Go be with her! What is she to have
you so head over heel?¡±
But the man left anyway.
The dignified woman sat on the floor, muttering, ¡°I
children with another woman?¡±
you leave me! You¡¯re my husband; how can you be intimate and bear
She repeated those words, but unaware that the child was watching intently.
That scene would cast a shadow over the next twenty years of his life, teaching him¡ not to love
again.
When Megan emerged from the bathroom, Sullivan was fully dressed.
She paused, ¡°Sullivan, are you going out?¡±
Despite his sour mood, he managed a faint smile and pinched her cheek, ¡°There¡¯s a bit of business at
the office. I need to take care of it. Go to sleep; don¡¯t wait up for me.¡±
With that, he was gone.
Megan watched his retreating figure before settling in front of the vanity, proceeding with her nightly
skincare routine as usual. After finishing, she stared at the drawer containing her birth control pills, lost
in thought.
Tonight, Sullivan hadn¡¯t used protection, and she was ovting. Without the pill, the likelihood of
pregnancy was high.
After a long hesitation, Megan finally swallowed a pill with water. Her emotions as an adult, she
reasoned, must be controlled. Even with a heart stirred, reason must prevail. Without certainty of the
future, it was unnecessary to bring a new life into the world.
Sullivan did not return that night.
Chapter 118
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Chapter 118
Property ? N?velDrama.Org.
Megan couldn¡¯t help feeling slighted. No sooner had they been intimate than he announced he had to
workte at the office, a session that apparentlysted all night.
What kind of work takes all night?
She didn¡¯t want to overthink it, but deep down, Megan had an inkling that Sullivan¡¯s overtime was for a
woman. Ironing his shirts, she couldn¡¯t help but recall the words he¡¯d whispered in her ear that night
which promised he wouldn¡¯t see Cressida again..
Lost in thought, footsteps echoed in the stairwell.
It should be Sullivan!
Wom from his overnight endeavors, Sullivan looked a touch haggard as he enveloped her in a hug
from behind, the faint scent of antiseptic clinging to him was the one only belonged to the hospital.
U
His embrace was tender, but for Megan, it was like a p in the face he¡¯d been to the hospital, so he¡¯d
seen Cressida.
The saddest part? His promises hadsted barely a week.
Megan didn¡¯t confront him; that felt too cheap.
Eyes downcast, she murmured softly, ¡°Bianca called early, reminding you of an important meeting this
morning. She said to make sure
you¡¯re on time.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s hand paused on her slender waist. ¡°Why¡¯d she call you?¡± he asked.
With a faint smile, Megan teased, ¡°She didn¡¯t keep youpany during your all¨Cnighter? Perhaps your
phone was off.¡±
He checked his phone to find it dead. Powering it back on, he saw four missed calls from Bianca but
none from Megan. Despite his absence all night, she hadn¡¯t called once. His smile faded, ¡°You trust me
that much?¡±
Megan hung the freshly pressed shirt. Turning to him with a light smile, she yed the part of the
dutiful wife, ¡°You said you wanted to be a faithful husband, right? Then I trust you!¡±
He moved to kiss her, drawn by her softness in the bathrobe.
Megan turned her face away unnoticed. Her gentle voice was the epitome of a supportive wife, ¡°Better
take a quick shower, or you¡¯ll bete! If you¡¯re tired at lunch, take a nap.¡±
ncing at the time, Sullivan realized she was right ¨C he was runningte. He nted a quick kiss on
her lips and headed for the
shower.
@ I F 2 w S G S I G Z 0 I 2 = O G = = * 25 C = p = E 2 wa z z
In the bright closet, Megan¡¯s face was as pale as paper, managing only a weak smile after a long while.
She thought it was not that big
of a deal!
It was just her heart, quietly stirring again only to be shredded once more by him. It didn¡¯t hurt much,
just a dull ache. At least he wasn¡¯t as harsh with her anymore.
Megan picked up his suit and began ironing, numbing herself to the emotions. She yed the
affectionate wife, navigating a marriage that seemed loving on the surface while working towards her
own goals.
Paxton was busy preparing for a concert, and Megan
way
from home, would meet with him. Her violin skills were flourishing.
Luke, after listening, couldn¡¯t help but tell Paxton, ¡°You¡¯re going to be an overnight sensation!¡±
Paxton, ever modest, insisted, ¡°Can¡¯t get cocky! Stay humble!¡±
In her spare time, Megan inquired about the buyer of a certain vi, but despite her persistence, the
agents remained tight¨Clipped, only mentioning it was purchased by a well¨Cknown tycoon from Borough
City and advised her to give up hope.
Megan returned home in the evening.
Sullivan was already there, watching her get out of the car in the twilight. He pulled her into his arms
without a care for the driver¡¯s presence, his voice a tender chuckle, ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you! Been
busytely?¡±
His gentleness was still there.
Megan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he turned to her for physicalfort due to Cressida¡¯s poor health,
which made it impossible for her to fulfill his needs, and also for the prospect of children.
Was this Sullivan¡¯s idea of a favor?
Yet outwardly, she was all gentleness, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the busy one? You¡¯ve hardly spent two nights at
home this week. I know you¡¯re busy with work, but others might start gossiping and saying you¡¯re
having an affair!¡±
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Sullivan gazed at Megan¡¯s serene face, glowing in the twilight¡¯s gentle embrace, her beauty a soft
whisper in th
He couldn¡¯t help himself and leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered
something saucy¨Ca yful jest te would be innocent enough between loving spouses, but to Megan, it
was repulsive.
Behind Sullivan, a maid peeked around the corner, curiosity etched on her face.
Megan¡¯s voice was a gentle reminder, ¡°Isn¡¯t it time for dinner?¡±
Sullivan caught her slender wrist, chatting casually as they walked towards the dining room. He
mentioned the evening¡¯s special¨Ccrab, freshly delivered that afternoon.
¡°Isn¡¯t that your favorite? Make sure you have an extra serving or two,¡± he said with a lighthearted
nudge.
Megan offered a faint smile in return.
At dinner, she didn¡¯t let her discontent show, nor did she confront her husband about his behavior.
When he yed the doting lover, she yed along.
Later that night, when Sullivan sought intimacy, Megan did not refuse. But just when the moment was
upon them, her hands trembling, she reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out a small box,
asking him to wear protection,
Sullivan paused, taken aback.
Truth be told, he didn¡¯t like to use it, and perhaps neither did Megan,
He kissed her softly, murmuring his longing for a child, mentioning how he was nearing thirty and many
of his childhood friends were already blessed with families¡
Megan looked up at him, her fingers tenderly tracing the lines of his handsome face.
So dashing!
No wonder he was confident in swiftly winning her over, reigniting the spark she felt for him, Sullivan
definitely had the charm to do so.
She concealed the emotions in her eyes, her voice gentle, ¡°It¡¯s too soon, Sullivan. We still need to find
our rhythm, and besides, aren¡¯t you swamped with work? I¡¯d want you to have the energy to care for a
child when the timees.¡±
Sullivan propped himself up, gazing down at her.
After a moment, he agreed with a lingering kiss.
Post tender moments, Megan followed her usual routine of a rxing bath and skincare.
Meanwhile, Sullivan retreated to his study.
A wife often knows if her husband¡¯s heart lies elsewhere. Though Megan bore his touch, she was
acutely aware that Sullivan¡¯s affections were spent on another.
During their intimate moment, his eyes had drifted
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moment of release.
Megan suspected it had something to do with Cressida.
Recently, Cora had been telling her that what goes aroundes around. Cressida¡¯s misfortune with
her medication was her karma.
After her beauty routine, with Sullivan still absent, Megan decided to sort through his discarded clothes
in theundry room. While emptying his pockets, she found an invitation to a private soiree, clearly in
the handwriting Luke. However, the invite was addressed to Cressida.
A bitter smile crossed Megan¡¯s lips. She returned Sullivan¡¯s coat to its ce and stepped out onto the
balcony.
The night was cool as she wrapped her arms around herself.
Three years of a cold marriage, and she still harbored hopes for his affection?
She
ridiculed herself inwardly, ¡°Megan, you¡¯re dreaming!¡±
O & F F G D E G S C
She put the invitation back in the coat pocket and left everything as it was. She afforded Sullivan his
dignity and, in doing so, preserved her own, even as her heart was punctured anew.
Shey in bed, dimming the bedsidemp to its lowest setting.
Sullivan still hadn¡¯t returned to their bedroom.
Perhaps he was in his study, pouring his heart out to his mistress, engaged in his own version of a
tonic love affair.
In the study, enveloped in a haze of smoke, Sullivan was indeed thinking of Cressida, but Megan was
on his mind, too.
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Leaning back on the sofa, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, he held a medical report from the
experts at the Lowry Hospital. After multiple consultations, it was clear that Cressida was facing kidney
failure.
Two years, that was the optimistic estimate.
More likely, she had just one year left to live.
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Word had gotten around that Sullivan was spending a lot of time with Cressida, and it had reached
Cora¡¯s ears.
She remembered Sullivan¡¯sst attentive visit and grew concerned for Megan, so she made a point to
invite her out for a coffee¨Cjust the two of them.
Cora sneered, ¡°Heard she¡¯s not long for this world! Her kind isn¡¯t even worthy of the phrase ¡®beauty
cursed with an early demise.¡±
After a pause, Cora quizzed Megan, ¡°What¡¯s your game n?¡±
Deep down, Cora was old¨Cfashioned, believing that if you can¡¯t keep a man¡¯s heart, you might as well
have a hold on his wallet. In her eyes, the best move was to have a child and secure the Mrs. Lowry
title.
Megan looked down, idly stirring her coffee.
Truth be told, Sullivan wanted a child, too, but Megan did not.
She was now sober to the reality that she held two percent of the Lowry Group¡¯s shares, ensuring a
comfortable life ahead without the need to toil away. Why bring a child into the world to forever be tied
to Sullivan in a marriage of resentment?
The thought of leaving had taken root in her. But it would require careful nning, as Sullivan clearly
wasn¡¯t ready to let go.
Megan remained silent for a long time, which made Cora anxious. ¡°Megan, say something! Tell me,
how has Sullivan been treating you these days?¡±
Megan brushed her long hair aside and offered a faint smile. ¡°He¡¯s busy grieving for his darling. How
could he have time for me? Don¡¯t worry about me, Cora. I¡¯m not that fragile.¡±
As she spoke, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
¡°I¡¯ve been through tougher times before; this is nothing,¡± she said.
Seeing her take it so well, Cora felt both relieved and pained. She took Megan¡¯s hand. ¡°Tomorrow is
your wedding anniversary with Sullivan. You should really talk things through!¡±
Megan hummed in agreement. She mentioned having booked the most luxurious restaurant for a
candlelit dinner, already arranged with Sullivan to celebrate.
Cora was somewhat reassured, but Megan knew all too well that this romantic dinner was not a date
between husband and wife but an encounter with a heart turned to ash.
Her heart had turned to ash for Sullivan!
October 28th, the anniversary of Sullivan and Megan¡¯s marriage.
At eight in the evening, Megan sat in the Conrad Hotel¡¯s top tier restaurant. Tonight, she had spent a
fortune to reserve the entire ce, charging it to Sullivan¡¯s card.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
She was dressed in exquisite attire, adorned with her most precious jewels.
But her face was etched with solitude.
Sullivan hadn¡¯t arrived yet. She had made several calls to fall answered by Bianca, who spoke in
hushed tones as if avoiding someone, ¡°Mr. Lowry is still in a meeting and might not be able to make it
on time, Mrs. Lowry. Perhaps you could¡¡±
¡°I¡¯ll wait for him,¡± Megan said softly, her gaze fixed on the night beyond the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows.
Bianca fell silent. She had always been acutely aware of the dynamics between Sullivan and Megan.
She had once harbored feelings for Sullivan and envied Megan deeply. But now, seeing Sullivan by
Cressida¡¯s sickbest the felt it was a pity. Sullivan was just a step away from happiness, yet he had let it
slip so easily. He had forsaken Megan to make amends with Cressida.
After a moment, Bianca spoke softly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Lowry. I¡¯ll pass the message
Mr. Lowry
Megan ended the call. She requested a ss of red wine from the waiter. As the wine filled the ss,
its rich color added a touch of opulence to what should have been an enchanting evening, and she was
lost in thought.
By nine o¡¯clock, even the waitstaff couldn¡¯t bear to watch her wait any longer. They approached gently.
¡°Mrs. Lowry, would you like to start with the appetizer? You must be hungry by now.¡±
Megan lifted her eyes and smiled faintly, agreeing.
The exquisite appetizers were served one after another, but Megan didn¡¯t touch a morsel; she had no
appetite.
When Sullivan finally arrived, it was close to 11 p.m., with the city¡¯s glitz about to fade into the night
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His tall figure bore the subtle signs of weariness, a hint of impatience lurking beneath hisposed
facade. ¡°Bianca already mentioned that the office is swamped with meetings; I might not make it! Why
are you still waiting?¡±
He was probably hungry by now as he began to eat.
Megan watched him quietly. In the two minutes since he¡¯d entered, he¡¯d barely spoken two sentences
and hadn¡¯t given her so much as a nce. It was clear he was anxious, likely ming her, his wife, for
not understanding the situation.
He was so busy, and here she was, bothering him with something as trivial as their wedding
anniversary.
Megan bowed her head, her delicate fingers lightly touching her earlobe, responding to her husband¡¯s
comints with the grace of ady of high society. There was no trace of hurt in her demeanor, and
she managed a faint smile.
¡°I just wanted to celebrate with you for once! I was about to leave if you didn¡¯t show,¡± she said softly.
After a pause, she added gently, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯ve been a nuisance.¡±
Sullivan looked up. Under the glow of the dazzling chandeliers, he saw his wife radiating beauty and
elegance¨Ca sight for sore eyes.
His thoughts drifted momentarily to the hospital, with its pungent smell of disinfectant, the unpleasant
medley of drugs, Dahlia¡¯s dailyments, Cressida¡¯s pale, sickly features, and her careful attempts to
please.
Sullivan¡¯s expression softened. He consoled Megan appropriately. ¡°How could you be a nuisance? It¡¯s
my fault for making promises I couldn¡¯t keep.¡±
Megan, seeing his mood improve, smiled calmly and said what she¡¯d been waiting all evening to say,
¡°Sullivan, there¡¯s someone important I¡¯d like you to meet this Saturday. Could you perhaps find some
time? It is the weekend, after all, and even businessmen need a break, right?¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
She was considerate and yful in her approach.
Sullivan, nursing a ss of red wine, mentally sifted through his schedule.
Saturday was significant; he had promised Cressida he would attend a banquet. It was an important
day for her, and with her time running short, Sullivan wanted to amodate her wishes as much as
possible. He had no time to spare, but he still needed to appease his Mrs. Lowry.
Leaning in, he pinched her soft cheek gently and said, ¡°What a shame! This weekend is thepany¡¯s
major shareholder meeting, and as Mr. Lowry, my attendance is mandatory. How about¡ another
day?¡±
Megan strove to maintain herposure, but it was difficult. Her hands gripped the hem of her dress
under the table. Suppressing her emotions, she offered him a faint smile. ¡°That friend of mine might
only have this one chance to visit. It really is unfortunate, Sullivan.¡±
Sullivan leaned in for a kiss. He was tender. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mrs. Lowry. What can I do to make it up to
you?¡±
Megan reciprocated his kiss, smiling, but her facial muscles trembled uncontrobly¡ At that moment,
her heart went numb¨Cshe was done with Sullivan.
She knew he was leaving her for Cressida.
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Holding back the tears, she lifted her hand to caress his handsome face as if for thest time, filled with
wistful tenderness. ¡°I don¡¯t need anypensation. Being Mrs. Lowry ispensation enough?
Sullivan was perceptive. He sensed the change in Megan and guessed she might have realized
something but since she chose silence, he reciprocated with his own
The sweet nothings and promises of undying devotion from days past were forgotten
Sullivan left in a hurry.
Megan sat in silence, a bleak smile crossing her face. She had been the only one with feelings
involved, the only one to take his words of ¡°starting anew¡± to heart¨Cas if they were anything but a cruel
joke.
Luckily, she hadn¡¯t sunk too deep.
The night had drawn its curtains. Megan spoke softly, ¡°Check, please
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Megan descended the stairs and slid into the car, her gloomy aura unmistakable. The driver, noting her
mood, spoke in a hushed tone, ¡°Ma¡¯am, shall we head home now?¡±
Seated silently, Megan gazed through the window at the night, the sparse neon lights flickering in the
darkness.
Suddenly, she spoke softly, ¡°Leo, I need a walk. Take the car back, will you?¡±
The driver, Leo, furrowed his brow. ¡°I can¡¯t do that, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s the dead of night, and for you to be out
alone¡ Sir would be worried sick!¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Megan offered a faint smile. ¡°How would he know?¡±
Leo mped his mouth shut, remembering the whispers among the servants about the estate¡¯s master,
who often didn¡¯t return home at night. It was impossible he knew nothing. Yet, Leo was genuinely
concerned, so while Megan walked alone on the streets, he trailed behind in the car.
Megan lost track of how long she walked.
At two in the morning, she found herself beside the city¡¯s graffiti wall, a kaleidoscope of silly love
confessions. She crouched down, gently touching a small spot in the lower¨Cleft corner.
[Megan loves Sullivan forever.]
Staring quietly, her eyes moistened. Her youthful affection for Sullivan had been truly precious, yet after
all these years, cherished by no one, it had nowhere to belong.
In the still of the night, concerned she might catch a chill, the driver urged her to return.
Megan didn¡¯t refuse this time.
Nodding, she settled into the car, which was warm, but it couldn¡¯t chase away the chill within her.
Back home, her phone disyed a message from Sullivan. He was apologetic for being too busy to
keep herpany.
The next morning, a top¨Ctier luxury jeweler delivered a full set of ruby jewelry.
Judging by the quality and size, it was worth at least 50 million.
Megan epted it, thanking Sullivan for remembering their anniversary amid his hectic schedule,
saying she loved the gift.
After sending the message, she tossed the jewelry aside.
Sullivan didn¡¯t reply, probably overwhelmed by Cressida¡¯s health crisis, but Megan no longer cared as
she was busy with her own things.
The next time the couple met was on a Saturday afternoon.
Sullivan returned at half¨Cpast four, his ck Bentley pulling into the estate. An observant servant
rushed to inform Megan on the third floor, her tone light, ¡°Ma¡¯am, Sir is back!¡±
Megan was practicing the piano.
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Hearing the servant¡¯s words, she paused, contemting that her husband was likely home to change
before apanying Cressida to Paxton¡¯s private banquet,
Megan found it ironic but still left her piano to greet Sullivan.
Descending to the second floor, she encountered her husband.
Their eyes met, the atmosphere charged with subtlety,
It had been days since theirst encounter, and Sullivan looked more haggard, a testament to
Cressida¡¯s dire condition and his exhaustive vigil by his lover¡¯s bedside.
After a moment, Megan said softly, ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was profound.
They were adults; he couldn¡¯t treat Megan like a fool.
After some thought, he still tried to exin to Megan, ¡°Her condition isn¡¯t great, so¡ Megan, there¡¯s
nothing between us!¡±
Megan watched him quietly. Briefly, she smiled, sidestepping the subject. ¡°You¡¯re back early. Does that
mean you can make time for my friend? I thought you¡¯d be too busy, Sullivan.¡±
She thought, if Sullivan were to tell her now that he was sorry but he had no time because he needed
to be with Cressida, she would admire his honesty. She was willing to listen to his exnations, at least
for a moment.
But there was none.
Sullivan stepped toward the hallway window, fishing out a cigarette from his pocket. After half a
cigarette, he turned back to her with a detached tone, ¡°Prepare a formal suit for me, will you? I¡¯ve got to
head to the officeter.¡±
Megan lowered her eyes, hiding her disappointment. She smiled understandingly. ¡°Business must
come first! I¡¯ll get your suit ready. By the way, will you be home for dinner? I can ask L to¡¡±
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To heading out now! Sullivan cut her off, probably feeling a tad harsh, he softened his tone. ¡°I¡¯H
apany you after I wrap things up¡±
Megan chuckled, moving to help him select his attire and essories.
The walk in closet was bathed in brilliant light.
She chose his outfit, added a tie and a wristwatch¡ business with a casual ir, she mused.
Cressida¡¯s gase would no doubt be one of admiration when she saw him.
Suddenly, she was enveloped in a warm embrace.
Sullivan held her slim waist tightly, his handsome face nestled in the nape of her neck, his voice a
raspy blend of masculinity, ¡°Upset?¡±
While speaking, his hands gently caressed her, revealing a hint of his desire,
Megan detected a faint medicinal scent on him.
A wave of aversion passed through her, yet her voice remained soft, ¡°Don¡¯t you have an important
meeting at the office? Beingte wouldn¡¯t be good for Mr. Lowry¡¯s image; people talk, you know¡±
His voice was warm, ¡°You¡¯re concerned for me?¡±
Megan had a fleeting moment of haziness. She remembered the recent tenderness between them;
how could she not have been moved, even a little? She wasn¡¯t made of stone!
By the time she snapped back to reality, she looked down with a slight smile, ¡°Have you forgotten? I
own 2% of the Lowry Group. You work hard, Mr. Lowry, and I reap the benefits!¡±
Sullivan chuckled and went to shower and change,
When he emerged, Megan was sitting at the vanity, putting on jewelry, She had changed into a pale
forest green blouse and skirt, looking smart and elegant, with only stud earrings and a wristwatch as
essories.
She was truly beautiful.
Sullivan was pressed for time, but he couldn¡¯t help but kiss her temple tenderly, murmuring like a lover,
¡°I¡¯ll be back tonight to stay over¡ okay?¡±
If she could, Megan would have loved to ask him.
Did Cressida know he still shared a bed with his wife? Would she really not make a scene if she found
out?
But in the end, Megan just offered a faint smile.
Sullivan headed downstairs to his car, ncing back at the mansion with mixed emotions. He had felt
Megan¡¯s heart soften recently, but now he sensed her quietly retreating again. She didn¡¯t pry into his
personal life; she didn¡¯t ask about Cressida; she was content being Mrs. Lowry.
Just like before.
Sullivan lit a cigarette, lost in thought amid the thin smoke. Wasn¡¯t this what he had wanted? So why
did it hurt now that Megan was truly distancing herself?
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His phone rang; it was Cressida.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
He answered, her voice cautious, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯m ready! When will youe to pick me up?¡±
His gaze lingered upstairs. After a moment, he replied coolly, ¡°I¡¯ll be there in half an hour.¡±
The luxurious ck Bentley slowly drove away from the vi, fading into the twilight¡
Sullivan hadn¡¯t expected to run into Megan at Paxton¡¯s private dinner at the hotel. She was a vision in
pale green amid the autumn night.
Megan, however, was not surprised. She observed her husband calmly, noting the slight anger on his
handsome face, his elegant attire¨Cclothes she had picked out for him just that evening. She watched as
he pushed Cressida¡¯s wheelchair, like a lover from a past life, a scene identical to what she had seen
on the hospital¡¯s electronic screen.
In truth, nothing had changed.
She and Sullivan had merelye full circle. And thankfully, she hadn¡¯tpletely fallen for him, or
how mortifying that would be now!
As they locked eyes, Sullivan spoke, ¡°Are you following me?¡±
Megan looked down with a wry smile. Taking an invitation out of her purse, she held it up. Her voice
was still tender, ¡°Sullivan, I told you I would introduce the most important person to you. That person is
Paxton.¡±
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Turns out, Megan had known all along that he woulde here tonight. He stepped forward to catch
Megan¡¯s wrist, about to say something.
¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Megan wrenched free, taking a step back as she looked at him.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
¡°Sullivan, you promised you¡¯d stop seeing her! You said you had a meeting at the office tonight! But
you¡¯ve been with her all evening! What am I to you, Sullivan? What is our marriage to you? And all
those sweet nothings you whispered¨Cwhat? Just hot air?¡±
Sullivan grabbed her again, his frown deepening as he hissed, ¡°Cut it out!¡±
Megan let out a bitterugh. She hadn¡¯t even started, and he was telling her to cut it out? Cut what out?
Did she even have the right to make a fuss?
Tears misted her eyes as she looked at her husband and said softly, ¡°Sullivan, if you hadn¡¯t told me you
cared, if you hadn¡¯t said you wanted to start over with me, I wouldn¡¯t care about your little escapades
with her or the lovey¨Cdovey act you put on for everyone else. But you did say those things, Sullivan¡
You probably don¡¯t realize how disgusting I find it every time youe near me now. You¡¯ve be
unbearable!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s expression turned dark and stormy. He pulled her close, whispering in her ear, ¡°Unbearable,
huh? But you seem to forget how much you enjoyed our sex. Have you forgotten?¡±
Megan was forced to tilt her head back to look at him.
Beneath the chandelier, her fair skin glowed, except for the wetness in her eyes and a faint bruise that
seemed to throb at the end of her brows.
Sullivan caressed the small bruise, scoffing softly.
¡°Mrs. Lowry, I may have kept things from you, but it seems you haven¡¯t been entirely honest with me
either! It¡¯s a two¨Cway street in this marriage!¡±
Megan¡¯s lips trembled. ¡°There¡¯s no two¨Cway street. It¡¯s just you and Cressida!¡±
She pushed him away with force, straightening herself up.
She didn¡¯t want to waste her emotions or energy on them anymore. She had a private banquet to
attend shortly, where she would even have to perform in front of some of the industry¡¯s biggest
names¡
Just then, Luke came out to fetch the guests.
Spotting Megan, he approached with enthusiasm. ¡°Why haven¡¯t youe in yet? Paxton¡¯s been
waiting for you for ages. He was just talking you up to some of the teachers; everyone¡¯s eager to meet
you!¡±
Megan managed a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯ming, Luke.¡±
Noticing Sullivan and Cressida, Luke looked puzzled. ¡°Mr. Lowry, aren¡¯t you and Megan married? Why
are you here with Cressida? Aren¡¯t you worried about scandal?¡±
Sullivan replied coldly, ¡°You know my wife?!¡±
The two men locked horns in a verbal duel.
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Cressida, sitting in her wheelchair, turned pale. She had invested so much in tonight¡¯s private banquet,
even wearing adult diapers under her dress, thinking she would be the star of the evening. Yet, Megan
had
stolen her thunder.
When she saw Megan, Cressida knew that studying with Paxton was pointless.
Megan was the one Paxton was looking for!
Suddenly, Cressida¡¯s face turned ashen. Clutching the fabric of her dress, her voice cracked, ¡°It hurts
so much. Mr. Lowry, I¡¯m in pain! Take me back to the hospitall¡±
Sullivan looked down at her.
Cressida¡¯s forehead was beaded with sweat, herplexion nearly ashen. Without a moment¡¯s
hesitation, he scooped her up and headed for the elevator. The elevator doors opened and closed¡
Throughout it all, he didn¡¯t even nce at Megan.
Megan watched her husband carry another woman away.
His eyes brimmed with tenderness for Cressida. He had forgotten he had a wife, forgotten his vows¡
How could she have ever thought that Sullivan had even the slightest affection for her?
¡°Megan, you¡¯re such a fool!¡± Sheughed inwardly.
Luke, witnessing the scene, couldn¡¯t help but sigh. He looked at Megan with concern. ¡°Do you need a
moment? Or maybe we should reschedule? I can tell Paxton and the others you had a little ident on
the way here.*
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Megan shook her head. As the elevator doors closed, she whispered, ¡°Without marriage, I can¡¯t lose
my career, too! I¡¯m fine, Luke¡ let¡¯s go!¡±
The private dinner that evening was surprisingly a hit.
Megan in front of the seasoned pros of the industry, pulled off a stunning rendition of ¡°Love¡¯s Destiny,¡±
quickly cementing herself as the new darling of ssical music. Paxton was over the moon, introducing
her to a slew of influential figures.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Megan had her fair share of red wine.
On the drive back, she started feeling unwell, her stomach burning like a bonfire.
The driver dropped her home, making a point to tell the house staff that thedy was under the weather
and to whip up some hangover remedy soup.
The staff cared for Megan and got right on it.
But when they got to the second floor, they found Megan copsed on the couch, forehead slick with
sweat and her hands clutching her abdomen.
The maid was terrified. Gently shaking Megan awake, she asked, ¡°Ma¡¯am, where does it hurt? Should I
call your husband?¡±
Megan was in too much pain to speak.
The agony was unbearable¡
Seeing Megan in such pain, the maid panicked and, filled with concern, hurriedly dialed Sullivan¡¯s
number from thendline. After several attempts with no answer, she rushed downstairs to summon the
driver. Together, they carried Megan to the car.
Megan, delirious with pain, knew she needed the hospital. She muttered, refusing to go to The Lowry
Hospital. She didn¡¯t want to see Sullivan!
Leo mmed the gas pedal, heading for Pinecrest Hospital¨Cthey had a family friend doctor there¡ It¡¯s
always better to have a familiar face in times of trouble. But little did they know, Cressida had just been
admitted to Pinecrest Hospital not long before.
Fate has its own way of ying tricks on people!
After examination, Megan was diagnosed with acute gastritis, brought on by alcohol and emotional
stress.
She took her medicine and stayed in the hospital overnight, feeling much better by morning.
When she woke up, the maid went to handle her discharge paperwork. Megan, still a bit dizzy, decided
to wander around. She paused by the ss overlooking the lush green courtyard, and her spirits lifted
slightly at the sight.
From the hospital room behind her, a sudden argument broke out, a man¡¯s voice sounding eerily
familiar¨Cit was Sullivan!
His tone was as cold as ice,ced with mockery. ¡°That¡¯s right! I don¡¯t like her! But I¡¯ll be damned if I let
her like you!¡±
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¡°Begonia, what I reject, I sure as hell won¡¯t let you have!¡±
¡°Let her go? How could I? Let me tell you, I¡¯m not done ying yet!¡±
Inside, Begonia¡¯s voice was subdued, the two clearly in a heated dispute.
Megan stood outside, quietly listening to Sullivan¡¯s icy words echoing in her mind over and over.
¡°Let me tell you, I¡¯m not done ying yet!¡±
So, his derations of affection, his talk of starting over¡ it was all because he wasn¡¯t done ying!
She was merely a pawn in his game to show off to Begonia, a trophy in hispetition!
And when he was done ying, he would discard her like a used rag, never to nce her way again.
And her feelings for him, misced over and over again!
How ludicrous!
How humiliating!
When she had found out about his renewed dealings with Cressida, she had hesitated, struggled even.
She had even tried to probe if he had any real feelings for her, if he woulde clean¡
¡°Megan, your so¨Ccalled rity isughable,¡± she thought.
She stepped back, intending to leave without a sound, but then the maid¡¯s voice came from behind,
¡°Madam, what are you doing here? I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you!¡±
The door suddenly swung open, and there was Sullivan with his pallid face.
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Sullivan saw Megan in her hospital gown, her petite face pallid with illness. In her eyes, once brimming
with life, nowy a profound destion. She gazed at him as if he were a stranger.
Not long ago, she had nestled in his arms, her voice a tender whisper. ¡°Sullivan, the fondness I had for
you might take years, maybe even decades to return¡ Would you still want it then?¡±
He had said yes with all sincerity. But the truth was, he had tossed her genuine feelings aside,
trampling them into the dirt.
After what felt like an eternity¡
Finally, Sullivan¡¯s voice trembled as he spoke, ¡°Megan!¡±
He reached for her hand, only to be pushed away.
A sorrowful smirk curled her lips as she spoke from deep within, ¡°How naive of me! I actually thought
you cared for me! Even now, you believe that night was my scheme, my ploy. In your eyes, what am I
but a ything? I was foolish enough to hope for your affection, to cling to the idea that your talk of
starting over was true! Sullivan, it¡¯sughable, isn¡¯t it? Are you just calcting, or am I just stupid?
I thought, at worst, you just didn¡¯t fancy me! But it turns out you¡¯re simply not done ying! Sullivan,
when will you have had enough? When will you let me be? I¡¯m not cut out for these games!¡±
She didn¡¯t want to cry, but the truth was too much to bear.
She thought that even without love, even just a fling should have some warmth, right?
But after three years, to him, she was still nothing more than a ything, a cheap¡ woman!
Sullivan tried to touch her again.
Megan recoiled with even more force. She staggered back, her frail form in the hospital gown almost
translucent in the morning light, tears streaming down her face as she regarded him with a faint smile
through her blurred vision. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, Sullivan. I told you, I can¡¯t stand how dirty you¡¯ve be!¡±
With that, she turned to leave.
Behind her, a voice called out, ¡°Megan!¡±
But Megan was already out of reach, deaf to any other voice. In her world, only Sullivan¡¯s hurtful words
echoed relentlessly, ¡°I¡¯m not done ying!¡±
They rang in her ears, deafening.
Sullivan stood frozen.
The maid¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, almost crying out, ¡°Sir, where were youst night? Madam had an
acute gastric spasm; she was in agony. I called you several times, but you didn¡¯t answer. If anything
were to happen to her, how could I face her mother?¡±
Sullivan looked at her, ¡°Megan is sick¡¡±
Before the maid could respond, a woman¡¯s pained cry echoed from the room, mingled with the sound
of weak sobbing. Sullivan immediately returned to the ward.
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The maid hesitated, then asked, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you go after Madam first?¡±
Back in the room, Cressida was put back on a venttor, Sullivan was held up, unable to leave
By the time he dealt with the situation and rushed downstairs, rain was falling from the sky. The ck
car sat in the rain, its wipers swaying side to side,
Megan was already inside the vehicle, separated from him by a pane of ss. Raindrops slid down the
window, much like Megan¡¯s tears.
The doors were locked.
Sullivan knocked on the window. ¡°Megan, open the door! I need to talk to you.¡±
He wanted to tell her that it wasn¡¯t as she had heard, that he didn¡¯t treat her as badly as she thought¡
that, in truth¡ he had actually been happy with her.
Megan seemed not to hear. After a long while, she slowly turned her head, her eyes slightly red as if
looking at a stranger. She softly told the driver, ¡°Drive!¡±
The driver, not daring to make a sound, pressed the gas pedal.
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Half an hourter, Megan returned to the vi, stepping out of the car without bothering with an
umbre, allowing the rain to drench her, feeling each drop as a baptism for her soul and emotions. Her
shoes left a trail of wet prints on the pristine white carpet.
The housekeeper didn¡¯t dare offer advice, only went to brew some ginger tea to ward off the chill for
her.
Megan ascended the stairs, and the first thing that caught her eye was their ¡°wedding photo.¡±
Sullivan had been reluctant to take the picture; it was she who had persisted, spending so much money
to get it done. How many times had she gazed at that photo, hoping that one day Sullivan would love
her?
But now, every nce was ironic!
Megan stepped onto the bed and took the photo down. She removed it in haste, and the sharp edge of
the steel frame slightly cut her hand, leaving a streak of blood¡ Bright red droplets fell, shockingly
vivid.
But Megan seemed not to feel the pain. She threw the frame to the floor!
Then she moved to the vanity, sitting down slowly. The mirror reflected the disheveled image of a
woman. Megan quietly looked at herself in the mirror. Her whole body trembled, her hair soaked and
clinging to her face, her clothes drenched and sticking to her skin. She resembled a woman abandoned
by her husband, no¨Ca fate even more wretched than abandonment.
To be abandoned, at least, is to have been loved once.
But her, she had loved him for six long years, only to be told he wasn¡¯t done ying yet!
Megan lowered her gaze, slowly opening the little drawer; inside, the diaryy intact, chronicling the
youthful hopes and dreams of her entire adolescence.
With a bloodstained hand, she took out the diary. She flipped through it in a daze, reviewing her numb
adoration for Sullivan, realizing how foolish she had been!
[On the first day of our marriage, he was rough, but I thought he woulde to understand that it
wasn¡¯t my fault that night.]
[He would be gentle; he woulde to love me!]
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Megan¡¯s eyes filled with tears, feeling sorrow and irony. She felt it was all so unworthy for her past self.
Now, looking back, she couldn¡¯t even remember what it was she loved about him.
The only times he was good to her were part of a calcted deception.
Megan gently closed the diary. She took it along with the picture frame and also found Sullivan¡¯s lighter,
which he usually used for his cigarettes, on the nightstand. She carried these items slowly to the
balcony. She was ready to burn these ridiculous things, along with her ridiculous affection for Sullivan.
The sky continued to rain, and drops of water fell from the stone eaves above the balcony.
Megan didn¡¯t hesitate; she set the items alight.
The mes rose up, and she stepped back, sitting down on a lounge chair. The pale orange mes
reflected on her pale face, casting a glow.
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In the courtyard, a ck Bentley sped in, screeching to a halt.
Sullivan leaped out of the car and entered the foyer just as the housekeeper was about to take the
ginger coffee upstairs, who, upon seeing Sullivan, pursed her lips and said, ¡°Madam seems very upset;
she¡¯s upstairs!¡±
Sullivan was about to head up when suddenly he stopped in his tracks. He smelled something burning!
The scent wasing from upstairs, faintly invading his nostrils, but it rmed Sullivan greatly.
¡°Megan! Megan!¡±
Calling her name, he hurried up the stairs.
Megan wasn¡¯t in the bedroom, but there were wet footprints, and on the bed, a stain so clear and
evident. Sullivan¡¯s gaze shifted upwards; the wedding photo
3 ¡°bove the bed was gone!
He sensed something amiss and rushed to the vanity.
The small drawer was left open, and the diary was also missing.
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Sullivan¡¯s fingers trembled as they grazed the vanity-
Megan had taken the dairy!
Suddenly, a faint burnt scent wafted in from the balcony, the unmistakable smell of something
scorched. Sullivan¡¯s body jolted with realization, and he hurried out to the balcony.
There, he saw Megan burning their wedding photo.
And there, the dairy, too, was being consumed by the mes in Megan¡¯s hands.
Megan sat there, watching the fire silently as if she were burning something of no consequence.
¡°You¡¯re insane!¡±
Without a second thought, Sullivan lunged forward to rescue the dairy, his bare hands reaching into the
mes. He didn¡¯t even have time to think about why he was doing this¨Cit was just a dairy, after all.
The fire died down, but only half of the dairy remained.
Ignoring the burns on his palms, Sullivan frantically flipped through the dairy, and the page that opened
bore the line: [Sullivan will never love me!]
Sullivan¡¯s heart shook!
When he looked up again, his gaze fixed on Megan, ¡°You¡¯re burning it. Are you saying you don¡¯t want
the years of affection anymore?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want it!¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes were also reddened, and they red at each other like cornered beasts.
After a while, Megan spoke with a disheartened tone, ¡°I don¡¯t want it! Sullivan, I don¡¯t want anything to
do with you anymore!¡±
Sullivan was d in a thin shirt. A gust of autumn wind blew, bringing with it a fine drizzle that clung to
his frame.
The raindrops felt like needles against his skin, a stinging pain. He stared into Megan¡¯s eyes, filled with
disillusionment, and for the first time, he tasted true panic.
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The rain continued to pour.
The maid tidied up the bedroom, Megan took a shower, and then shey down on the bed to sleep.
Approaching noon, the maid brought in food, and Megan spoke in a muted voice that she wasn¡¯t
hungry.
Sullivan sat downstairs, smoking.
In front of himy a charred picture frame and the half¨Cburned dairy.
These were the things Megan didn¡¯t want anymore!
Through the thin veil of smoke, Sullivan stared quietly at those two items. His body was weary¨Ctending
to Cressida¡¯s illness had deprived him of a good night¡¯s sleep for a long time, but at that moment, he
didn¡¯t
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Want to sleep, nor could he
He thought of Megan
He pondered the reality of his rtionship with Megan, Wasn¡¯t this what he had anticipated?
Why did her sadness pain him en? His quilt towards Cressida was a matter of duty, but what about
Megan? Beyond needing her as Mrs. Lowry, beyond desiring her body, beyond using her to spite
Begonia, was there something more?
Sullivan thought long and hard, but he didn¡¯t know,
The maid came down from the second floor and approached him softly, ¡°Madam says she doesn¡¯t want
to call Sir, please talk to Madam¡±
Sullivan asked her to leave the food. His voice was hoarse as he inquired, ¡°Was Madam in much pain
last night?¡±
The maid¡¯s eyes reddened. ¡°Madam was in so much pain she nearly passed out! And you weren¡¯t by
her side.¡±
She bit her tongue, knowing it wasn¡¯t her ce to speak out of turn, and then she left.
Sullivan carried the lunch upstairs,
Pushing open the master bedroom door, Megan was lying there, seemingly asleep, but he knew she
wasn¡¯t she just didn¡¯t want to talk, didn¡¯t want to deal with him.
Sullivan set the tray on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed, silently watching her.
Megan¡¯s small face was buried in the pillow, a strand of her hair spilled across the pristine linen, and
her nose was slightly red, likely from crying again,
He spoke softly, ¡°Come on, eat something. You can¡¯t go without food. L said¡¡±
Megan shifted slightly, Her voice was muffled and hoarse as she spoke into the pillow, ¡°Sullivan, can
we just act normal? If you don¡¯t like me, if you see me as nothing but a ything, then don¡¯t talk to me
with that soft voice. It¡¯s as if you actually care, as if you love me. Sullivan, do you know? Now, when I
hear that caring tone of yours, I feel this visceral disgust!¡±
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¡°I bet you get a real kick out of it, don¡¯t you? Watching me crumble in your arms, thinking how cheap I
am, that a mere flick of your fingers and Ie running,¡± Megan spat out the words with a venom that
belied the vulnerability in her eyes.
¡°Sullivan, there was a time when I genuinely cared for you. But not anymore!¡±
As she spoke, Megan¡¯s voice trailed off, lost in the haze of her own heartbreak.
Sullivan was worn out.
Never one to be patient, Sullivan had already humbled himself more than he ever had for anyone, and
Megan was still giving him the cold shoulder.
Rubbing the corners of his eyes, he confronted her with a choice, ¡°So, what¡¯s it gonna be, Megan? y
nice, or pack your bags and leave? And don¡¯t forget, your brother is counting on Alton to help him with
thatwsuit. Can you really afford to cut ties with me?¡±
Megany there, her face half¨Cburied in the pillow, silent.
Sullivan could guess at her turmoil. She wanted a divorce, wanted out, wanted to sever all connections
with him so badly that she even burned her diaries. What feelings could she possibly have left for him?
But she had her Achilles¡® heel¨Cher brother Wyatt.
Seeing her silence, Sullivan¡¯s temper simmered down. He reached out and gently turned her to face
him. Her long hair fanned across the pillow, and her pale face bore the tracks of tears, making her look
all the more fragile.
Sullivan¡¯s long fingers brushed against her, his voice rough and strained.
¡°Megan, I never nned to toy with you. I never wanted us to part ways. Back then, I was just a little
pissed off and said things I didn¡¯t mean.¡±
But Megan was in no mood for exnations.
A husband who had a lover, a man who wouldn¡¯te home, a man who boasted to others that he
wasn¡¯t
done ying with her¡ the trust between them had copsed beyond repair.
Megan turned away, her voice muffled, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it!¡±
Sullivan thought he had humbled himself enough, but Megan was not having any of it. In frustration, he
pulled her back around, his hand gripping her delicate wrist as he pressed his lips to hers.
But Megan was not willing, not after everything. She struggled desperately against him, but Sullivan¡¯s
body was unyielding, pinning her down.
He even began to unbuckle his belt with one hand, his intentions clear. Megan¡¯s hair spread out on the
pillow as she looked up at him, her breaths now painful, murmuring, ¡°Don¡¯t¡¡±
But Sullivan wanted her!
It wasn¡¯t just physical desire; he was desperate to possess her, to prove she was still his wife, to prove
he still had a ce in her heart¡ and if not in her heart, then her body would have to do.
In that moment, Sullivan knew he had lost control. He had never been this unhinged, and he couldn¡¯t
begin to think about why. All that consumed his mind was the thought of making Megan his, to see her
lose
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control beneath him, just as she had before.
He was so consumed that he whispered in her ear, ¡°Let¡¯s have a kid, right now!¡±
¡°No! I don¡¯t want this!¡±
Megan fought him off with all her might, her pale face rubbing against the pillow to dodge his kisses.
Sullivan gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze to see how he would slowly strip away her
sanity, making her as wild as he was. He wanted her to scream, to be irrational, toe back to him, to
love him again!
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A p echoed across the room, the sound hanging in the air as Sullivan¡¯s cheek stung from the impact.
He paused, his gaze lowering to the figure sprawled on the bed. Megan¡¯s chest rose and fell with
heavy, uneven breaths; her silk nightgown had slipped down her shoulders, revealing the delicate
curve of her vicle and hinting at more intimate secrets. Her skin looked pale and fragile, like a
porcin doll in the dim light.
¡°Starting to fight back now?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth, his eyes shimmering with an unreadable
emotion, though his voice remained
soft.
His fingers closed around hers, pinning them above the pristine white pillowcase¡ yet he hesitated,
motionless.
Megan¡¯s nose was flushed red. She looked up at Sullivan, her voice nothing more than a shattered
whisper, ¡°Sullivan, what¡¯s this? Are you forcing me now? If not, then let me go!¡±
But Sullivan didn¡¯t release her grip. He watched her, the vulnerability in her gaze stirring something
within him, and after a long silence, he finally spoke in a hoarse whisper, ¡°When I said I wanted to start
over, I meant it.¡±
Megan turned her face away. Burying her cheek into the pillow, she murmured, ¡°There won¡¯t be any
children between us or anything else. I can¡¯t afford this game, Sullivan¡ It¡¯s over between us!¡±
After her deration, she stopped struggling. Shey beneath him,pletely defenseless.
Sullivan could have taken her then, with little resistance, as she had her own Achilles¡® heel¨Cher
brother¡¯s well¨Cbeing was at stake. She couldn¡¯t just throw everything away because he wasn¡¯t done
ying his games. No matter how unbearable it became, she still had to y the role of Mrs. Lowry.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, a loveless existence.
A heart encased in concrete!
Sullivan knew this, too. He knew he could possess her, even father a child with her¨Cthey were both
young and fertile. But he also knew that if he went through with it, it would truly be the end of whatever
fragile thread held them together.
Hey still for a long while until Megan¡¯s raspy voice broke the silence, ¡°If you¡¯re not going to do it, then
let me go.¡±
This time, she easily shook him off, turning her back to him and lying down¡ Her coldness toward him
was palpable, even in the way she turned away. Sullivan watched her silently, realizing that the tables
had turned. Once upon a time, he had been the one to treat Megan and their marriage with
indifference. Now, she was doing the same to him.
He didn¡¯t leave, choosing instead to lie beside her.
Sullivan¡¯s hand reached out to touch her shoulder, not with any particr intention, just a need to feel
her¡ to confirm that she was still there beside him.
But at that moment, Megan tensed.
Sullivan¡¯s handsome face paled.
Later that afternoon, Bianca called to inform him that Cressida had been transferred back to the Lowry
Hospital and was eager to see Sullivan.
Taking his phone, Sullivan stepped out of the room. He settled onto the sofa in his study, massaging his
temples with a hint of exhaustion. ¡°Just tell her I¡¯m tied up!¡±
Bianca ryed his message honestly, ¡°If you don¡¯t show up, Cressida is being uncooperative with her
treatment. Her mother is making a scene at the hospital; it¡¯s quite unseemly. Mr. Lowry, have you
considered sending Ms. Baldwin abroad for treatment?¡±
Bianca was at her wit¡¯s end. She was just a secretary, albeit one with a seven¨Cdigit sry, but dealing
with the Baldwins at the hospital day and night was more than she could bear. And with her own
wedding just a couple of months away.
Hearing her plea, Sullivan actually gave it some thought.
For now, he needed to make a trip to the hospital to calm Cressida down.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
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Clutching his phone, he headed back to the bedroom, where Megan was still in bed, pretending to be
asleep. He softened his voice, ¡°I¡¯ve got to head out. Can you throw together an outfit for me?¡±
¡°Do it yourself!¡± Her voice was hoarse with sleep. ¡°Sullivan, from now on, I¡¯m not handling your
personal life. Hire someone for your clothes and essories. If ites to it, bring Bianca over, pay
her well to take care of it.¡±
Sullivan frowned, displeased. ¡°I don¡¯t like others meddling in my private affairs!¡±
Silence filled the bedroom,
After a moment, Megan¡¯s voice was scratchy. ¡°Well, then dislike it! I won¡¯t do it. If you think it¡¯s a waste
of money to keep me around, go ahead, divorce me. Sullivan, I don¡¯t need to be Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Sullivan stood silently. He thought he understood Megan¡¯s point. She would stay and be Mrs. Lowry,
but she wouldn¡¯t serve him anymore. She wouldn¡¯t even mind if Bianca became a part of their lives¡
She really didn¡¯t see him as a husband anymore, did she? In her mind, it probably didn¡¯t matter; he was
a womanizer, and one more or less made no difference to him!
With a cold snort, Sullivan retorted, ¡°You sure have a way of thinking!¡±
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And with that, he went to the walk¨Cin closet to change into a fresh set of clothes.
When he left, Megan didn¡¯t even look at him.
Sullivan made a quick trip to the hospital, not staying long.
Cressida was in tears, and he was getting irritated. Besides, no one likes to be in the oppressive
atmosphere of a hospital room, no matter how luxurious it is¨Cit¡¯s still a hospital.
Exiting the hospital, he settled into his car.
On the passenger seat was a paper bag containing the charred remains of their wedding photo and
Megan¡¯s diary. Despite the damage, Sullivan had found the best restorer and personally delivered
them.
In a quaint little coffee shop, with the aroma of coffee lingering in the air, Sullivan sat cross¨Clegged,
staring intently at the restorer across from him.
The restorer inspected the items carefully with a magnifying ss, then finally removed his sses and
said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Lowry, these items don¡¯t hold any collectible value. The photo, yes, and the diary
isn¡¯t from any famous personality, so it¡¯s not worth the high cost of restoration. Moreover, they¡¯re too
damaged to be properly restored. Perhaps you¡¯d like to take them back?¡±
But Sullivan didn¡¯t budge. He earnestly said, ¡°These items are very important to me. Perhaps you could
take another look, Kieran?¡±
To demonstrate his sincerity, he slid a check for ten million across the table.
Seeing the amount, the restorer, Kieran, sighed softly, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best. But Mr. Lowry, I can mend the
paper, not the missing words. No amount of skill in restoration can mend the chapters of a marriage.¡±
At that moment, Sullivan felt an overwhelming sadness.
Later, as he sat in his car, the restorer¡¯s words echoed in his mind¡ lingering long after the sun had
set.
He sat there from dusk till the night grew cold and the windshield fogged up, only then snapping back
to reality.
He checked his personal phone¨Cnumerous missed calls. Some from Bianca, some from hiswyer, and
thirteen from Cressida¡ but not a single one from Megan.
Never before had Sullivan been so clear about one thing: Megan didn¡¯t love him anymore.
She didn¡¯t just love him anymore; she didn¡¯t want him anymore, too!
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Sullivan returned to his vi just shy of 11 p.m.
As he stepped into the foyer, the maid approached him, her voice a whisper, ¡°Wee home, sir! Shall
I prepare ate¨Cnight snack for you?¡±
Shrugging off his coat and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, Sullivan replied in a subdued
tone, ¡°Just a te of in pasta, please. Is Madam already in bed?¡±
The maid, with respectful hands, took his coat and softly confirmed, ¡°She had a light supper, yed
piano for a bit, and hasn¡¯te down since.¡±
¡°Understood,¡± Sullivan muttered.
As the maid disappeared, Sullivan settled at the dining table, reached out to open the French doors,
and lit up a cigarette, taking slow drags. In the pale wisps of smoke, he remembered how Megan used
to wait for him at home, always with a spread of dishes or a batch of fresh¨Cbaked cookies, eager for
him to taste even a single bite, which would delight her for hours.
The dining table was just as empty now as it had been back then. Only now, it was Sullivan who sat
there alone.
Lost in thought, when the maid brought the pasta, Sullivan absentmindedly said, ¡°Sit down, join me.¡±
After a moment of silence and no response, Sullivan looked up, startled to find that it was just the maid
by his side, not Megan.
Sullivan abruptly closed his eyes, trying to ease the sting of pain. It must be the lights that were too
harsh, he thought¡
After finishing his meal, he went upstairs to bed.
Sullivan¡¯s steps were light as he ascended, careful not to wake Megan, who was enveloped in the
dimness of their bedroom.
Feeling a profound sense of loss, he yearned to hold her. When he finally did, Megan¡¯s voice softly
pierced the darkness, ¡°Sullivan, are you in the mood?¡±
He stiffened slightly.
Then Megan began to undress. The ties of her silk nightgown loosened, revealing her pale, delicate
skin d in ck silk lingerie, gleaming faintly in the soft light.
Sullivan¡¯s desires had always been strong, but tonight, he just wanted to hold her. Megan, however,
had other ideas. She would prefer a purely physical exchange and even pragmatically suggested, ¡°If
you¡¯re going to do this, make it quick. I¡¯m tired. And¡ remember to use protection.¡±
Her words struck Sullivan like a p to the face.
His cheeks burning hotter than any daylight sun, he sat up slightly and asked through gritted teeth,
¡°Megan, do you really think that¡¯s all I want from you?¡±
With her back to him, her tone was indifferent, ¡°What else is there?¡±
A chill settled in Sullivan¡¯s heart.
Sullivan¡¯s life became hollow. He woulde home every night, dine with her, and share the same
bed. They made love once or twice, but Megan was silent throughout, her face buried in the pillow,
offering no response. It felt like a solitary act for Sullivan, leaving him unsatisfied and empty after the
physical release.
Cora must have sensed something was amiss, calling once, but Megan brushed her off with a few
words, softly assuring her that Sullivan had been very attentivetely and came home every night.
Cora was thrilled, repeatedly saying how good it was to have him home.
But Megan was not happy.
The strain was wearing her thin. In just a few weeks, she seemed as though she had been through a
serious illness, her delicate face now even more strikingly refined. Sometimes, Sullivan thought she
might shatter under his touch.
Eventually, Megan began to pull through. She threw herself into her work, established her own studio,
and started preparing for Paxton¡¯s Global ssical Concert. asionally, she epted media
interviews, smiling at reporters, ¡°Please, don¡¯t call me Mrs. Lowry. Ms. Quigley will do.¡±
She was radiant in magazine and newspaper photos.
Sullivan often found himself staring at her image in his office, lost in thought until Bianca would have to
call his name several times before he snapped back to reality.
He wanted to reconcile, but Megan was unwilling. They continued to live together, yet apart.
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By early December, thest traces of autumn had gone..
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Lucia returned from Crossover City, likely having heard rumors from Timothy. She immediately sought
out Megan, taking her to a bar to unwind and promising to show her a slice of life.
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Megan had always steered clear of those shy downtown nightspots.
Sullivan hated them, and that was reason enough to avoid them. But since she no longer cared what
Sullivan thought, Megan found herself epting Lucia¡¯s invitation to hit the town.
The music in the bar was deafening, but Lucia seemed to thrive in the chaos, her body swaying to the
beat with practiced ease. always been drawn to the glittering nightlife, a remnant from her less¨Cthan¨C
gilded childhood.
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Pouring Megan a ss of red wine, Lucia eximed, ¡°This stuff goes straight to your head!¡±
Megan pulled her into a seat, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°Why here, of all ces?¡±
She was worried about Lucia.
She had
Nobody knew that Luc¨ªa had lost her hearing in her left ear as a child, an injury sustained during a
violent encounter with some thugs who were hounding her parents for debts. Megan had begged Wyatt
to spare no expense on the best ENT specialists in Borough City, but the damage was irreversible.
Lucia seemed caught off guard for a moment before she brushed her raven hair aside and chuckled,
¡°That¡¯s an old wound; it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore. Life¡¯s too short not to live it up. To hell with Sullivan,
Timothy, Cressida, all of them can fuck off!¡±
Right then, a fresh¨Cfaced twenty¨Csomething guy approached Megan, asking for her number.
Megan was about to decline when Lucia, her fingernails painted a vivid scarlet, gently caressed the
boy¡¯s hand, making him blush furiously. With a giggle, Lucia teased, ¡°Aren¡¯t you just adorable?¡±
She snatched Megan¡¯s phone and added the young man before Megan could protest. With an
apologetic smile, Megan said to the boy, ¡°My friend¡¯s had a bit too much to drink!¡±
The young man seemed clean¨Ccut and well¨Cmannered. He brushed off the incident with a polite ¡°No
worries¡± and returned to his friends¡® table.
Megan didn¡¯t dwell on the exchange; instead, she turned her attention back to Lucia, who was now
guzzling wine and ranting, ¡°Did you know Timothy¡¯s getting engaged? He¡¯s found a girl from his own
social circle. I met her at a fashion show once drop¨Cdead gorgeous and icy as hell. I bet she keeps that
frosty face even in bed! Timothy, that bastard, is trying to cut me loose without a second thought,
sleeping with me while he courts her. Men are such jerks!¡±
Megan was taken aback.
She had thought Timothy had a soft spot for Lucia. How could he suddenly be getting engaged?
Lucia continued to vent, vowing to take Timothy down a peg before breaking it off, then use his money
to make a fool out of him with a string of affairs.
¡°And just how do you want to take me down a peg? Shall I give you some advice?¡± A male voice
interrupted.
Megan looked up to see Timothy nodding at her before he scooped up Lucia, slurring and drunk. ¡°I¡¯m
taking her home. You want a lift, Megan, or are you staying?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t much care for the ce, but she felt like sitting alone for a while, and perhaps Timothy
and Lucia needed to talk, despite Lucia¡¯s inebriated state.
As Timothy hoisted Lucia to his car, he still found the presence of mind to call Sullivan and inform him
that Megan was being bothered by men at the bar, suggesting hee to fetch her.
After the call, Lucia vomited all over Timothy¡¯s luxury car, treating it like a gutter.
Timothy, unfazed by the mess, red at the woman who was now struggling with her sickness and
muttered, ¡°You could use a dip in the river to clean up.
Lucia regained some rity and leaned back in the leather seat, her feminine curves on disy. She
smirked with half¨Clidded eyes, ¡°And you think you¡¯re any cleaner, Mr. Lawson, parading around with
that dirty cucumber of yours? Does your fianc¨¦e not mind? Isn¡¯t she afraid of catching something?¡±
Timothy had never hidden his other affairs from Lucia. There was no point; she was nothing more than
a paid diversion, a ything that couldn¡¯t be taken seriously,
Hearing her taunt, he grabbed her injured ear and whispered menacingly, ¡°I¡¯m riddled with diseases,
and tonight, I¡¯ll pass every single one to you.¡±
But Lucia couldn¡¯t hear from that ear. She looked at Timothy, bewildered, ¡°What did you say, Timothy?¡±
His patience had run out. He dragged her out of the car and into a nearby five¨Cstar hotel, intent on
having his way with her as swiftly as possible¡.
Chapter 135
Megan was slightly tipsy.
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Chapter 135
It was 11 PM when she settled her tab and prepared to leave the bar, just as Sullivan walked in from
the chilly night outside. He wore a thin ck overcoat that did little against the winter cold, but the fine¨C
striped, blue shirt he wore underneath lent him a dapper air.
It seemed there had been a light drizzle outside as droplets clung to his coat, adding a brooding,
almost romantic air to his deep¨Cset eyes and furrowed brow.
The bar was still deafeningly loud.
They locked eyes across the crowded room, he with his intense gaze, she with a detached coolness.
Beneath her coat, Megan wore a slightly sheer silk blouse paired with a matching ck pencil skirt ¨C a
departure from her usual conservative style that added a touch of allure¡
Sullivan¡¯s eyes darkened noticeably.
After a moment, he made his way over to her. He took her coat, helped her into it, and meticulously
fastened each button from bottom to top, not missing a single one.
His dark, ulterior motives were unmistakable.
Megan found itughable. As he took her hand, she couldn¡¯t help but mock him, ¡°Sullivan, why the
charade of deep affection? I¡¯m hardly a naive girl in her early twenties.¡±
Sullivan tilted his head to look at her, ¡°You¡¯re only 24¡±
Megan smiled faintly. Yes, she was just 24, but she had already had her fill of the bitterness of love.
Megan didn¡¯t take the passenger seat; instead, she slid into the back.
Sullivan stood by the passenger door, staring at her, ¡°You treating me like your chauffeur now?¡±
Megan was a bit buzzed, her voice raspy as she half¨Cclosed her eyes, ¡°You sent Leo away to drive
yourself. Doesn¡¯t that make you the chauffeur? It¡¯s not like anyone forced you.¡±
With a ¡°thud¡°, Sullivan shut the car door, circled around to the driver¡¯s side, and buckled up, retorting
with mock derision, ¡°You sure have a sharp tongue now, Mrs. Lowry.¡±
Still soft, Megan replied, ¡°Isn¡¯t it all thanks to you?¡±
Sullivan watched her in the rear¨Cview mirror.
Her half¨Cclosed starry eyes, her serene and luminous face, the delicate curve of her neck ¨C
unspeakably exquisite, especially in the half¨Csheer ck silk blouse after she had removed her coat..
Sullivan swallowed, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing involuntarily. He realized that no matter how cold Megan
was to him, he couldn¡¯t stop fantasizing about her.
The car pulled up to the vi, the drizzle persisting like a finely woven curtain. The maid approached
with an umbre, which Sullivan took from him.
He guided Megan by the shoulder, leading her back to the house.
Once inside, Megan pushed him away, stating icily, ¡°I¡¯m a bit damp. I think I¡¯ll take a bath!¡±
With that, she gracefully ascended the staircase. Her silk dress shimmered under the crystal lights, her
aloofness only fueling the man¡¯s desire to conquer and possess¡
So, when Megan pushed open the bedroom door, she found herself pressed against it by Sullivan¡¯s
eager body.
The lights were off, the room cast in shadows.
Megan didn¡¯t resist.
Instead, she tilted her head back, her voice husky, ¡°If you want me, Sullivan, wait until after my bath.¡±
Those words only aggravated Sullivan.
¡°I can¡¯t wait, Mrs. Lowry! I want you now! So this is what it¡¯se to? A routine affair? Do we need to
freshen up before intimacy to feel anything at all? Do I even exist to you anymore?¡±
He didn¡¯t wait to get to the bed.
Chapter 135
Right there, he pinned her against the wall, his lips crashing onto hers.
Their marriage had seasoned them, he knew how to im her body was never asfortable as the
bed.
with ease, without the need for tenderness ¨C though, of course, it
Megan let him have his way, for their marriage had been reduced to this physicality.
She leaned into his shoulder, finding the position less taxing. Her hair, dampened by the rain, brushed
softly against Sullivan¡¯s neck¡ a subtle tickle that prated straight to his heart and went right to his
head.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
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Chapter 136
He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
A tangle of clothes, shoes, and stockingsy discarded on the floor, a testament to the heated moment.
Megan, slightly tipsy, felt the room spinning around her. She couldn¡¯t help but wrap her arms around
Sullivan¡¯s sturdy back for support.
Just then, the smartphone on the nightstand burst into life.
It was Megan¡¯s phone.
She reached out to grab it, but Sullivan was quicker. He suspected it was Begonia calling to share
some mundane slice of life with his wife, but upon unlocking the phone, he was met with an unfamiliar
yet strikingly young and attractive WhatsApp profile picture.
[Girl, I miss you. Can we meet up?]
Sullivan¡¯s expression darkened like a gathering storm. He fixed his gaze on Megan and questioned,
¡°Someone from the bar? You added him on WhatsApp?¡±
In truth, it was Lucia who had done the adding.
But Megan was far from confessing; instead, she wrapped herself around him, her voice sultry and
defiant, ¡°Yeah! A young, handsome guy! Sullivan, you can y your flirty games with Cressida, so why
can¡¯t I have someone on my phone¡ to cheer me up? And Sullivan, if you can¡¯t handle it, we can
always get a divorce!¡±
Her hair sprawled across the pillow, stunning in its disarray.
At that moment, Sullivan felt an urge to strangle her with his bare hands, but she was his Mrs. Lowry.
He couldn¡¯t do that to her. Instead, he would ensure that her heart and lips would only whisper his
name.
Their kiss was wild, his fingers intecing tightly with hers, locking her down as if she would never
escape his grasp, as if she could never fly away from the palm of his hand.
Megan¡¯s pupils dted with understanding. She knew Sullivan too well. His care and consideration
were not about love; they were about not losing her.
She was simply the woman who satisfied him the most. She thought cynically that if Cressida were a
beauty without equal or boasted a healthy body or a prestigious family background, then she wouldn¡¯t
stand a chance. To him, she was nothing more than a ything in his bed!
But for now, she didn¡¯t care.
It was just a matter of time. Once he grew tired of her, she would be free¡ Free as a bird in the vast
sky, where past acquaintances would be strangers, and a simple ¡°long time no see¡± would be an
insult to their shared history.
Megan endured, her head tilted back slightly.
Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of a new photo on the nightstand. Not the old one that one she had
burned ¨C but a fresh picture of her and Sullivan, looking natural and affectionate.
It was aposite created at Sullivan¡¯s behest!
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Stunned, Megan¡¯s delicate nostrils red as she reached out to touch the photo, her slender fingers
gripping the frame tightly. It was almost as if she and Sullivan were exerting equal force in a crazed
struggle to destroy each other.
The brass frame fell, striking Sullivan on the forehead. Crimson blood trickled down his face ¨C a
shocking sight.
Sullivan looked up at her, and Megan trembled slightly. The alcohol in her system had fully awakened,
igniting all her rational thoughts.
Her lips quivered as she whispered, ¡°Sullivan, if I had a choice, I would wish I had never fallen for you.¡±
For a moment, Sullivan¡¯s face twisted with aplex array of emotions.
Then, with a twisted smile, he gently cupped her chin and leaned in to kiss her tenderly, his voice as
soft as a lover¡¯s, ¡°Too bad, my dear! You did fall for me. Even if you burn the photos, the diary, you
can¡¯t erase the fact that you loved me! Megan, I will never let you go, never release you.¡±
He wanted her.
She was forever his Mrs. Lowry!
As Sullivan slowly took possession of her, Megan thought he must be insane.
And in that moment, she realized that perhaps she was insane too.
Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Chapter 137
In the dead of night, Sullivan stumbled into the Lowry Hospital, a steady stream of red soaking through
his hastily buttoned dress shirt and chinos. The reason? Excessive blood loss.
No matter how much he tried to hide it, the scent of masculinity clung
endured before seeking medical help.
10
him, a telltale sign of the physical ordeal he must have
The doctor, his expression a mixture of concern and disbelief, could only shake his head as he
prepared to stitch the wound.
¡°Mr. Lowry,¡± the doctor said with a light cough, trying to sound as casual as possible, ¡°If this happens
again, you need to stop whatever sport you¡¯re ying immediately and get to a hospital. These wounds
can be dangerous if not treated promptly.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t stop, Sullivan grunted, slumping against the couch and casting a sidelong nce at Megan, who
had apanied him. Her presence was a surprise ¨C perhaps she was there to gloat over his
misfortune.
Megan, seemingly uninterested in his plight, scrolled through her phone.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she was exchanging sweet nothings with that young boy she
mentioned behind his back.
Sensing his thoughts, Megan spoke up without looking at him, ¡°Not everyone is as sleazy as you.¡±
Sullivan scoffed, ¡°Sleazy or not, you seem to enjoy it.¡±
The doctor, feeling like an unwilling voyeur into Mr. Lowry¡¯s rocky marriage, hastily finished his
stitching, a neat six stitches that he assured wouldn¡¯t leave a scar.
¡°I¡¯m not a model. A scar or two doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Sullivan responded nonchntly as the doctor
internallymented the waste of such a handsome face.
Sulivan He had ho are and
Sullivan was ordered to stay overnight for observation. He had hoped Megan would stay with him, but
she felt she had done her duty for the day. As Sullivan settled in, she began to gather her things.
¡°Aren¡¯t you staying?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and annoyance.
Megan hummed an affirmative, her tone tired. ¡°I need some rest. Besides, Cressida is here. She can
wheel herself in any time to check on you. It would be awkward if I stayed.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s reply was icy, ¡°I should give you a medal ¨C ¡®Most Considerate Wife Award.¡±
Her retort was equally biting, ¡°Well, you and Cressida y your little games. I just took my chance to
shine.¡±
Suddenly, Megan¡¯s voice softened, and she spoke with a cold rationality, ¡°Enough, Sullivan. This is
pointless. The love and wrongs between us. It¡¯s all in the past. There¡¯s no need to keep hurting each
other. Let¡¯s let go.¡±
The harsh hospital lights made her pale face seem even more delicate as she continued, ¡°The shares I
hold in The Lowry Group are worth a fortune. Help my brother win his case, and I¡¯ll return them to you.
Then we can part ways, no strings attached. And Cressida¡ she can fulfill her dream of being your
wife.¡±
She looked at him, her eyes void of love or hate, as Sullivan¡¯s
gaze
flickered.
After a pause, he managed a strained smile, ¡°What about you, Megan? What¡¯s your dream?¡±
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?? ? ? ?? ? ?
She didn¡¯t answer, simply turned and left the room, leaving Cressida outside in her wheelchair, her face
etched with worry. Megan just nced at Cressida. She didn¡¯t unt her status orsh out; she no
longer saw herself as Mrs. Lowry.
In the game of love, those unloved are the true outsiders. It was the cruel reality.
As Megan walked away, her heels echoed in the long, lonely corridors of the hospital. She thought
about Sullivan¡¯s question ¨C her dream.
Once, Megan dreamed of being Sullivan¡¯s doting wife. But reality shattered that dream. Now, she just
wanted to be herself. When Megan was gone, Cressida cautiously entered the room. She had heard
Sullivan was injured ¨C by Megan¡¯s hand! She ached for him, wanting tofort him, believing their
rtionship was a mutual salvation, tragic yet beautiful.
Sullivan sat there, a bandage wrapped around his head, a shadow of pain and contemtion on his
rugged face.
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Chapter 139
The door to the hospital room received two soft knocks before being gently pushed open.
It wasn¡¯t a stranger who entered, but Sullivan¡¯s mother, Cami
Despite thete hour, Cami looked impable, dressed in elegant designer clothes and jewelry that
spoke of her noble bearing Sullivan watched her silently. His long fingers were still holding a
photograph.
Cami paused at the doorway, her gaze falling on the photo between his fingers. As a mother, she
had an innate sense of what was on her son¡¯s mind.
She turned to her attendant and said, ¡°Zoe, wait outside for me, please.¡±
Sensing the tension, Zoe quickly exited, closing the door behind her.
Cami watched the door close, then gracefully walked over to the sofa and sat down. Her heart had
grown cold a long time ago, much like the steel of a fishmonger¡¯s knife, honed by years of betrayal and
disappointment. Under the harsh light, her features appeared slightly stern.
She addressed her son, ¡°I¡¯ve been told that Megan was out at a bar drinking and that she ended up
fighting with you,nding in the hospital! Sullivan, she¡¯s thedy of the Lowry Group. Her actions are
unbing. I cannot tolerate this.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was inscrutable.
Once Cami had finished herint, he asked quietly, ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk to her yourself? Is it
because you¡¯re guilty? Because you don¡¯t dare to make these demands of her? Because deep down,
you know that this isn¡¯t the life she wanted to lead, is it?¡±
He tossed a photograph in front of her.
Cami picked it up, and her expression twisted with anger. Sheughed coldly, ¡°You found out? So
you feel sorry for her now? But remember, regardless of your sympathies, she¡¯s now thedy of the
Lowry family. She needs to act the part, not fraternize with riffraff, dragging the Lowry name through the
mud.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s lips were a thin line. He stared at his mother, noting her unrepentant demeanor, his voice icy,
¡°No matter her faults, wasn¡¯t she the one you handpicked for me? Because I wanted to marry Cressida,
you schemed to have Megan marry me instead. What did she do to deserve this? Because she loved
me?¡±
His voice quivered slightly at the end.
Cami simply sneered.
How wonderful, her beloved son was finally tearing off the mask.
And since the facade was crumbling, she might as well tear it offpletely.
Her smile became more distorted. ¡°Yes! But I didn¡¯t choose her just because she loved you. She came
from good stock, had an artist for a mother, a father of impable character, and a diligent, sessful
brother. Only someone with such credentials deserves to enter the Lowry family.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s facial muscles twitched. He spoke with a trembling voice, ¡°You seem to forget she was only
20 at the time.¡±
Cami¡¯s expression softened. She looked at her son with a twisted form of tenderness and love.
She said, ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re aware she was only 20! So why didn¡¯t you go easy on her? Why did you
keeping back to her, night after night, for years? Was it because she was beautiful? Because she
fulfilled desires you¡¯ve been repressing?
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
I did set Megan up! But Sullivan, think back to that first month of marriage, you came home every night,
can you honestly say you
weren¡¯t addicted?¡±
Sullivan stared at her, his chest heaving with emotion.
He spat out the words, ¡°You¡¯re sick in the head! Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma?¡±
Cami just smiled faintly. After a moment, she spoke softly, ¡°Marrying Percy Lowry was my biggest
karma.¡±
Cami left, and the room fell back into silence.
The rain outside grew heavier.
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Chapter 140
Even in the most upscale hospital room, the persistent pitter patter of rain could be heard, tapping
incessantly against Sullivan¡¯s
conscience.
He unlocked his phone and scrolled through his gallery until he found the picture of Megan sprawled
across the pillow.
Camille¡¯s words began to echo in his mind. ¡°But Sullivan, think back to that first month of marriage, you
came home every night, can you honestly say you weren¡¯t addicted?¡±
He couldn¡¯t deny it.
That photo was the ultimate proof of his insatiable appetite. Three years into the marriage, he despised
Megan yet was addicted to her body.
It was he who had tormented her for three years.
It was all him!
The rain outside continued its relentless descent as Sullivan began to dress.
On a rainy night, a sleek ck Rolls Royce glided into the driveway of a vi.
The windshield wipers kept swaying back and forth even as the car came to a stop, and the golden
Spirit of Ecstasy stood proudly in the deluge as if weeping in the rain.
Sullivan sat in the driver¡¯s seat. His white shirt stood out in the dark, but the house servants had all
retired for the night, leaving no one to greet him. He tilted his head towards the second floor, where the
lights were out.
Sullivan sat silently.
Returning to the mansion, he realized his impulsiveness. He hadn¡¯t even thought through why he had
come back. And yet, here he was, longing to see Megan.
He even wished that these past three years had been nothing but a dream.
If he could just go upstairs now, embrace her, whisper an apology in her ear, then maybe he could
wake from this dream and give Megan back her life.
Sullivan leaned back in the seat, eyes tightly shut. He now felt that even touching Megan was a sin.
At four in the morning, Sullivan stepped out of the car and into the quiet house, the autumn rain having
chilled the air to its core, sending shivers through his shirt¨Cd frame.
The master bedroom on the second floor, however, was warm.
Megan was presumably asleep on the bed, breathing softly, always a gentle sleeper.
Sullivan approached, removed his shoes and socks, andy down beside her.
He did whisper an apology by her ear, but time couldn¡¯t be rewound. They couldn¡¯t return to the past,
and Megan was still Mrs. Lowry.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
In that moment, Sullivan¡¯s heart was overwhelmed with anguish. His face trembled lightly against
Megan¡¯s slender shoulder.
Megan woke up.
She didn¡¯t turn around but allowed him to hold her quietly. She had faintly heard his apology. Her
proud, ever¨Cunyielding husband had said sorry.
She wasn¡¯t foolish. With a little thought, she understood why.
After three years, Sullivan had finally sought the truth about that night, realizing they had both been set
up. So this apology¡ Was it his confession?
Sullivan knew she was awake. His arm tightened, pulling her closer, and he murmured near her ear,
¡°Megan, let¡¯s start over! Let me make it up to you!
Megan closed her eyes gently in his embrace.
Indeed, she should have been grateful for his honesty, at least. Sullivan hadn¡¯t sunk to the level of
hiding the truth and continuing to torment her. He had even stooped so low as to suggest they start
over, to make amends.
¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t want anypensation. There¡¯s no starting over for us! I¡¯ll wonder if this is just a new
trick of yours, if my heartfelt sincerity will once again be callously trampled into the mud and shattered.
Sullivan, it¡¯s toote. I don¡¯t love you anymore.¡± Sullivan held her tighter, his whole body trembling¡.
Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Sullivan had only managed a meager three hours of sleep.
When he awoke, his arms were tightly wrapped around Megan. Her slightly disheveled silk nightgown
had slipped, revealing a delicate shoulder that shimmered softly in the pale down light.
She was still there, in his arms.
Sullivan bowed his head, nestling his face in the crook of her neck, findingfort in the warmth of her
skin.
He lingered for a moment before getting out of bed. Them was an important bidding meeting at the
office he couldn¡¯t afford to miss.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, Sullivan was struggling with his tie when he returned to the
bedroom.
Megan was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. At the sound of his steps, she looked
up, and their eyes locked.
A few secondster, she seemed to recall the events of the previous night. Her voice soft and
detached, she spoke, ¡°Sullivan, the truth doesn¡¯t seem so important anymore. It¡¯s been a long time,
and I don¡¯t hold onto it as I used to. We should move forward.¡±
The morning light bathed her in a gentle glow as she spoke with newfound rity. ¡°Think about what I
saidst night.¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t respond.
He took a step towards the bed, his voice husky, ¡°Would you mind helping me with my tie? I just can¡¯t
seem to get it right.¡± His voice trembled slightly towards the end, perhaps recalling the few tender
moments from their three¨Cyear marriage.
Unexpectedly, Megan didn¡¯t refuse
She knelt on the bed as she used to and deftly tied his tie, leaning in to make it easier for her
They were close, so close that their breaths mingled, warm and quick
Megan¡¯s fingers were skilled, and the knot she formed was beautiful
As she focused on the the, she revisited their earlier conversation, ¡°Sullivan, about us
Her waist was suddenly in his grasp.
With ease, Sullivan¡¯s hand encircled her, and he kissed her gently, not with force but with a tendemess
that seeped into her bones. He
was patient, his lips caressing hers softly, his masculine scent enveloping her as his hand pressed
lightly against her back, drawing
her close to him.
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The moon white silk of her nightgown contrasted with his dark cks.
It was a messy, poignant image.
Sullivan was still a young man, not yet thirty, and his desires were easily stirred.
Eventually, he stopped kissing Megan and rested his forehead on her shoulder, his breathsing out
in shallow maps, ¡°Megan, do
you want this? Because I really do.¡±
Megan¡¯s response was nonchnt, ¡°Don¡¯t you have to be at the office?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze deepened. He didn¡¯t actually crave her that much; he just wanted to see if she still had
feelings for him. But when he
sought confirmation, he was met with disappointment.
Megan felt little. She remained calm, straightened her nightgown, and repeated, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed
to go to the office?¡±
Sullivan checked the time and decided to leave first.
After he was gone, Megany back in bed.
Staring at the French ivory ceiling, she fought back tears, trying to keep her eyes wide open. All her
feignedposure and strength
crumbled in Sullivan¡¯s absence.
How could she just let go?
Because of one cruel twist of fate, she had lost the fervor of her youth, three years of her prime, and
had been trapped in a cold
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
marriage.
How could Sullivan¡¯s mere offer to start overpensate for all that?
She didn¡¯t want his reparations, and she didn¡¯t want himl
Her sobs were low and restrained, a necessary release after three years of endurance. No one knew
how she had lived through those years, nor how desperate she had once been.
At three in the afternoon, Megan left the house alone.
1/2
09:52
She drove herself in a white Maserati, a car she had bought long ago but seldom used. She used to
prefer being candles, cherished
the moment the driver would open the door and address her as ¡°Mrs Lowry
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Chapter 142
Looking back on it now, it seems downright hrious.
Megan just couldn¡¯t shake off her worry for Lucia, so she arranged to meet her at a cozy cofe.
Lucia was there first, perched by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, watching as Megan pulled up in her car
As Megan walked in, Lucia cocked her head and asked, ¡°Driving solo today? I thought all you high¨C
societydies had chauffeurs.¡±
Megan settled into her chair with a wry smile. ¡°Thinking about doing some driving on my own from now
on.¡±
Thatment was enough for Lucia to catch on to her ns, ¡°Seriously considering a divorce, huh?
Sullivan¡¯s been looking pretty whippedtely¡±
Megan didn¡¯t want to dredge up those matters. She looked intently at Lucia and asked, ¡°What about
you and Timothy? What¡¯s your game n?¡±
Lucia squirmed a bit, ying with her hair as she deflected, focusing on the positives, ¡°What could
possibly be up with us? Just the usual drama between a man and a woman, right? Life goes on with or
without someone.¡±
Megan stayed silent.
Unable to hold back, Lucia confessed, ¡°He¡¯s got a tight grip on my career, you know! If I burn that
bridge, how am I supposed to keep up in the social scene? Megan, let me tell you, I can¡¯t go back to
scraping by. I¡¯ve gotten too used to the good life!¡±
But Megan knew this wasn¡¯t her true feeling.
Lucia was like a piece of driftwood, always afloat, never anchoring. After all these years, Megan could
see that Lucia did have feelings for Timothy. Now that he was engaged, Lucia was hurting inside, just
pretending not to care.
Megan reached out, holding Lucia¡¯s hand, and pulled out a check from her purse
Five million dors
Lucia was stunned. She knew Megan wouldn¡¯t easily touch Sullivan¡¯s money, this had to be from
selling her house.
How could she ept this? Would she even be human if she did?
Megan pressed her hand firmly, her voice tinged with resolve. ¡°Ill take care of you!¡±
¡°Maybe I¡¯m still tied down to this marriage with Sullivan, but I¡¯ve changed. I¡¯ve got more cards in my
hand now! Listen to me, Lucia, the moment Timothy gets engaged, leave him. Make a clean break!
Move to another city, or go abroad, whatever!¡°
Lucia¡¯s throat tightened.
Her eyes slowly lifted to meet Megan¡¯s. She saw the same old Megan, delicate and gentle, with her
small face and slender figure, who always gave her all to Lucia, who always understood her best.
Lucia loved Timothy.
It wasn¡¯t love at first, but it had grown from their time together.
Yet she knew well enough that Timothy looked down on her, and his family would never ept a girl
with a tarnished reputation. His fianc¨¦e, Corona Neumann, was the perfect daughter¨Cinw for theN?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Lawson family.
What was she to do? She was tough with her words, butcked the courage to leave. Megan had
ripped off the band¨Caid.
In the bustling cafe, Lucia cried like a child, overwhelmed by the moment. It was as if she were back to
her childhood, standing on a rooftop¡.
Megan opened her arms, speaking calmly, ¡°Lucia,e to me!¡±
Her smile was gentle, ¡°I take care of you.¡±
Lucia sat in the sports car, clutching the check for five million dors that Megan had given her, and
dialed Timothy
¡°Timothy, let¡¯s break up. Ill pay you the four million breakup fee. You go on with your wedding, and I¡¯ll
go my own way. Well be strangers.¡±
After a moment of silence. Timothy finally spoke, his voice soft, ¡°Lucia, is this a breakup? I¡¯m just
dumping a mistress, that¡¯s all. Take your money and your dignity and get lost, far away from me!¡±
He hung up, guessing that Megan had coached her. Megan was much more cunning than Lucia,
knowing Timothy cared too about appearances to take the money directly.
much
With this grand gesture, Megan had saved both the money and Lucia herself.
AG
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Megan returned to the vi
The moment her white Maserati pulled to a stop, the door was promptly opened by the attentive maid,
who seemed quite delighted as she said. ¡°Mrs. Lowry, there¡¯s been a delivery at the house. Quite a
collection of exquisite items.¡±
She added with a hint of mystery, ¡°I believe they¡¯re from Mr. Lowry.¡±
The maid¡¯s simple joy for Megan was palpable, she thought Megan had finally made it. But how could
she know the sheer brutality of this mamane lor Megan, and her utter innocence?
Megan did not me the maid, merely offering a faint smile in response.
Ascending to the second floor, she pushed open the door to the master bedroom.
The living area was piled high with elegantly wrapped boxes from high¨Cend brands. Luxury garments,
rare jewels, the sort of stilettos every woman covets¡ even a haute couture dress from the recent
Paris runway that Sullivan had managed to acquire.
A disy of pure opulence, a grand gesture.
Sullivan entered quietly, wrapping his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder
and asking gently. ¡°Do you like them?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t reply.
She gently opened one of the boxes to discover a pair of satin heels studded with rhinestones, truly
beautiful. Sullivan indeed had impable taste.
A faint smile yed on Megan¡¯s lips. ¡°What woman wouldn¡¯t like these things? Sullivan, is this your
way of making amends?¡±
Her words said one thing, but her tone suggested indifference.
How could Sullivan not hear it?
He turned Megan around, lifting her onto the arm of the sofa, stepping forward to trap her in a rather
scious position.
The fine material of his tailored trousers, a thinyer of fabric away, brushed against her lightly.
Naturally, she felt it.
Megan¡¯s eyes softened slightly, and as Sullivan leaned in to kiss her, his voice wasced with a
seductive huskiness, ¡°Megan, we¡¯ve had our moments of joy, haven¡¯t we?¡±
¡°You mean having sex?¡±
Megan leaned back, her long slender fingers thoughtfully straightening his shirt cor. ¡°Sullivan, we¡¯re
all adults here. First, there¡¯s attraction, then the feeling follows¡ who the other person is, whether
there¡¯s love or not, it doesn¡¯t really matter that much! Look, you¡¯ve hated me for three years, and it
hasn¡¯t interfered with sex, has it?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze
aze darkened. He stared at her and said, ¡°Are you saying you could be just as enthusiastic with
another man?¡±
Megan¡¯s response was soft, ¡°First, there has to be attraction!¡±
Sullivan captured her lips, invading her mouth with fervor, silencing any further unpleasantries¡ All that
talk about attraction and feeling, it was all nonsense! She could only belong to him.
As he caressed her, Sullivan grew more aroused
Megan really didn¡¯t want to heat things up with him and pushed him away, stating bluntly, Tim not in the
mood!¡±
Just as Sullivan was about to speak, the voice of a servant came from the doorway, tentative, ¡°Sir, Ms.
Baldwin insists on seeing you!¡±
Sullivan frowned. He remembered ordering that Cressida should not be allowed in. How had she gotten
through?
But after a moment¡¯s consideration, he said, /Let her wait in the parlor!¡±
After instructing the servant, he looked at Megan.
She was still seated on the arm of the sofa, toying with the heels, her expression mocking, as if
amused by his predicament
That little expression was oddly stimting to Sullivan. He wanted to conquer her.
His forehead against hers, his voice dangerously soft, ¡°I really want to¡ well, fuck you to death¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Megan lifted her graceful head, herugh cold, ¡°Killing me would be less trouble than a divorce. Why
bear the guilt of a life?¡±
Sullivan wasn¡¯t angry. He pressed his lips against hers, whispering. ¡°A metaphorical death, in bed.¡±
With that, his gaze deepened even further.
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Sullivan wanted to start over with Megan, and it wasn¡¯t just about making amends. He longed to be with
her because, as he¡¯d said, they¡¯d had their share of good times¨Cjoy he¡¯d never felt with anyone else.
He desired Megan, and that was the bottom line.
But Megan didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation. Shezily brushed him off, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed
to meet Cressida? Why aren¡¯t you beading down?¡±
Sullivan detected an air of indifference in
i
in her to
The feeling was far from pleasant, Megan didn¡¯t care about him anymore. She didn¡¯t even flinch at the
mention of Cressida¡¯s arrival. Her emotions were tucked away so neatly, as if to say he wasn¡¯t worthy
of them.
Cressida¡¯s health was looking grim. She had coerced the nurses to bring her over, threatening them
with her dire condition¨Ca secret even to Dahlia.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
She waited in the parlor for what felt like an elemity, her ears catching the faintest noises from upstairs.
Sullivan was with Megan on the second floor, those sounds could only being from them.
Cressidas pretty face tumed pale with distress. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder, in the evening¡¯s
ambiance, if Sullivan would be making love to his wife if the mood was night?
Lost in thought, the door swung open, and Sullivan entered.
Cressida¡¯s sharp eyes noticed a smear of lipstick on the cor of Sullivan¡¯s crisp white shirt.
Her face grew even palec almost unable to stay seated!
She looked at Sullivan, her plea almost a wall, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I beg you, I don¡¯t want to go abroad. I want
to stay in Borough City. If Mrs. Lowry can¡¯t stand me, I can apologize and exin. I never intended to
rece her.¡±
Sullivan signaled the medical staff to leave
Once they were alone, he spoke calmly. ¡°This was my decision. Megan has nothing to do with it.¡±
Cressida didn¡¯t believe him!
Tears glistened in her eyes as she said, ¡°I exin to Mrs. Lowry I didn¡¯t mean for any of this to happen.
I¡¯m just in so much pain. Mr. Lowry, for old times sake, for the time I brought you back, don¡¯t send me
away. Let me stay by your side.¡±
In Cressida¡¯s mind, Sullivan needed her. During the days when Sullivan kept herpany, sometimes
he¡¯d fall asleep on the couch, and she¡¯d cover him with a nket, smoothing his furrowed brow as he
slept. In those moments, she felt like his wife, their bond tinged with tragedy.
But Megan, she only knew how to enjoy life.
Megan would dress in fancy
y clothes, make herself look pretty, and spend Sullivan¡¯s money. She didn¡¯t truly love Sullivan
Only Cressida could offer Sullivan warmth.
But Sullivan had made up his mind. ¡°Cressida, I did want to repay you back then, but it had nothing to
do with affection! I¡¯ve never had feelings for you! Not then, not now not ever.¡±
He was clear, ¡°I¡¯ve made arrangements. Once your condition stabilizes, you¡¯ll go abroad.¡±
It would probably be at the beginning of next month.
Cressida¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, her dream shattered.
All her fantasies were punctured by Sullivan¡¯s deration of no affection. She felt like she was back in
that summer when she¡¯d shamefully pretended to be Megan to earn Sullivan¡¯s gratitude.
Watching Sullivan leave, his eageress palpable, she knew his heart was with Megan.
¡°Mr. Lowry¡±
With tears in her eyes and a faint smile, Cressida whispered, ¡°Before I go, I¡¯d like to do a photoshoot. I
might¡ nevere back. It would be a keepsake.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s heart softened. After a few seconds of consideration, he agreed, ¡°Til have Bianca set it up for
you.¡±
Cressida¡¯s lips trembled as she tried to smile¡
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Alter waving goodbye to Cressida, Sullivan made his way back to the master bedroom on the second
floor
He contemted calling Megan down for dinner, realizing it had been ages since they¡¯d shared a
proper meal together. He was determined to make things right with her from now on.
Pushing open the bedroom door, he saw the gifts he had given her carelessly piled in a corner, a clear
sign of how she had discarded his affections. Sullivan knew Megan did this on purpose, she was
returning the treatment she had received from him in the past. It was just tit for tat
Frons the walk in closet, there came the faint sound of someone packing. Sullivan hastened over
Indeed, Megan was there, a suitcase open as she filled it with clothes, essories, and her usual
belongings¨Ceverything stuffed to the
brim
Sullivan watched, feeling a sharp pain in his eyes
With a swift move, he grabbed her wrist, pulling and pushing her down onto the sofa, his body close
and his voice dangerously low. Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t struggle. She looked up at Sullivan, observing the urgency and anxiety in his eyes as if he
truly cared about her.
She reached out with her slender fingers, gently tracing the contours of his face. ¡°So, you¡¯re done
talking to her? Made her feel all better?¡±
Sullivan was infuriated!
He caught her hand to stop the teasing caress and said gruffly, ¡°I¡¯m arranging for her to get treatment
abmad¡±
Megan looked surprised, then smiled serenely. ¡°How noble of you, hiding your mistress away in
comfort! How quaint!¡±
Sullivan leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a firm bite. ¡°Don¡¯t twist my words.¡±
Her gaze turned cool. ¡°Am I twisting them, Sullivan? You have no ties to her yet you insist on helping
her through her illness. her sickbed, holding her close in sweet embrace. How can you say I¡¯m twisting
your words?¡±
A photograph was thrust against Sullivan¡¯s chest.
Frowning, he took it and then froze
You stay by
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
It was him and Cressida. He was asleep on the somber grey couch of the hospital room, a nket over
him, and Cressida was resting. against his shoulder, having captured this tender moment
To any onlooker, they would appear to be a couple in love, especially with the look of adoration in
Cressida¡¯s eyes¨Ca look that couldn¡¯t be faked
Sullivan was certain, there had never been anything between him and Cressida
¡°Where did this photoe from?¡± he asked Megan.
Her silence was all the answer he needed. It wasn¡¯t Cressida¡¯s provocation: Megan had bought this¡
likely as leverage for a divorce
Sullivan tore the photograph, standing up, his tone icy. ¡°I won¡¯t divorce you. Not now, not ever!!
He walked away, slowly making his way to the door
Behind him, Megan¡¯s voice was equally cold. ¡°Sullivan, whether we divorce or not isn¡¯t so important to
me anymore. When you love someone, you think of them to the ends of the earth. When you despise
someone, even sharing a bed¡ is like living in separate worlds¡±
Sullivan paused.
With his long fingers, he gently stroked the metal doorknob, murmuring after a moment, ¡°Then let¡¯s live
in separate worlds under the
same roof.¡±
At least, Megan would be by his side.
At least, Megan would be in his bed.
Their evening ended on a sour note; they didn¡¯t
dine togeth
together, and when they went to bed, they turned their backs to each other,
As dawn barely broke, Sullivan awoke.
Reaching out, he found Megan¡¯s side of the bed empty
Staring at the ceiling, he eventually got up, washed his face, and went downstairs to question the maid,
who stuttered, ¡°Mrs. Lowry left early this morning!¡±
Sullivan turned to go back upstairs, tying the belt of his be tighter as he went, then stopped. ¡°Did she
take her own car?
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The maid bustled in with an update. ¡°Yes! She carried all the luggage herself!¡±
¡°She¡¯s really something¡± Sullivan remarked dryly before heading upstairs. ncing of the clock, he
realized it was too early to rise for the day, so he flopped back into bed, the faint scent of Megan still
lingering on the pillow, ensnaring his soul
He loved that scent on Megan
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Always so clean, with a hint of her gentle body wash. Every time they were intimate, he couldn¡¯t help
but bury his face in her hair, pulling her closest the thought was enough to unsettle Sullivan.
As he got dressed after freshening up, he wondered whether it was Megan¡¯s delicate allure that was
too tempting, or if his own desires were just too strong!
Yet, the more he thought, the angrier he got. Now, not even a single call from hert
She really was giving him the cold shoulder,
Megannded at Harmony City Airport around noon.
was ast¨Cminute request from Luke, who needed her to sort out some issues at a venue in Harmony
City. With Luke tied up, he had asked Megan to make the trip
She went straight to the venue to discuss matters with the management. Once they reached a
preliminary agreement, she checked into her hotel
Harmony City¡¯s CircumSphere Hotel, a single suite.
After settling in, Megan called Luke to update him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Luke, I¡¯ve got the basics sorted. It
looks like it¡¯s going to turn out well.¡±
Luke sounded thrilled, knew I chose the right person for the job! Megan, you¡¯ve nailed it! You¡¯ve really
bailed me out¡±
Megan chuckled, ¡°it¡¯s nothing major. You¡¯re too kind, Luke.¡±
They chatted a bit more before hanging up
It was only then that Megan realized she was hungry. ncing at the clock, it was already five in the
evening.
The setting sun painted the sky a brilliant red, visible through the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows
Feeling a little more at ease, Megan grabbed her purse and headed down to the hotel restaurant,
unexpectedly running into someone she knew
Begonia Hunter
He must have been in town for a medical conference, apanied by a mix of male and female
colleagues. They were all grabbing some food from the hotel¡¯s buffet while chatting.
Begonia did a double¨Ctake when he saw Megan.
After a brief word with his colleagues, he approached Megan. Under the glow of the chandeliers, he
looked into her eyes and said softly. ¡°What a nice surprise!¡±
Megan offered a faint smile. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening slightly.
She hummed in agreement, ¡°Yes, quite the coincidence.¡±
The scene was, indeed, quite touching.
6 F 3.
Begonia, dashing and vibrant, Megan, elegant and gentle. Their eyes locked, carrying too many
complex emotions to articte¡ like long¨Clost friends reunited.
This moment was captured and sent to Sullipan.
In the president¡¯s office of the Lowry Group/ Sullivan sat on a grey sofa, silently observing the
photograph of his wife exchanging looks with another man. Her smile was beautiful, her eyes sparkling
like they held tiny stars.
Sullivan caressed the screen softly.
In his memory, it had been a long time since Megan had smiled like that!
Was meeting Begonia such a joy for her?
He started dialing her number, but the call wouldn¡¯t connect, the phone endlessly repeating the same
cold message: Sorry, the number you have dialed is busy now.. Sorry, the¡.
He kept calling, over and over, listening to the chill in the voice,
1/2
09:52
He thought about how Megan must have felt in the past, calling repeatedly, never able to reach hirm
Sullivan hung up and pressed the Inte, Prepare the jet. fim going to Harmony city.
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Sullivan¡¯s ne touched down in Harmony City, and by the time his nedan glided up to the entrance of
the CircumSphere Hotel, the clock was striking nine in the evening
Neon lights were in full bloom. The night was soft and seductive
Stepping out of the sleek ck cat, Sullivan¡¯s gaze immediately locked onto a couple strolling side by
side.
His wite with anothat man
the early winter chill, she wore a dark camel cashmere coat, her raven hair cascading in loose curls
down her back, adding a touch of romance to the night. Her face was semene, even joyful, particrly
when she spoke with Begonia, her attention undivided.
Not like the icy nces she reserved for him.
Sullivan, every inch the aristocat, stood in the hotel atrium, ncing at his watch.
The photo was taken at six o¡¯clock sharp. It means Megan had been with Begonia for three hours the
entire time, their c resembling that of lovers.
Sullivan approached them.
Megan tumed her head, spotting him by chance, and the smile on her face faded.
Stepping beside her, Sullivan addressed Begonia, Fancy running into you here, Begonia! Sometimes
serendipity beats a formal invite.¡±
After a moment, Begonia reached out for a handshake, a slight smile on his face. ¡°Whether this is
serendipity, remains to be seen.¡±
Both men exchanged looksden with unspoken thoughts.
Sullivan turned to Megan, his voice soft like a doting husband. I haven¡¯t had dinner yet. Join me?¡±
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Without waiting for her response, he grasped her wrist and said to Begonia, ¡°Let¡¯s catch up another
time, Begonia. It¡¯s gettingte.¡±
Begonia read his thoughts, responding nomittally
But as Sullivan led Megan away, Begonia called out, stopping Sullivan under the myriad neon lights.
He looked earnestly at Sullivan and said, ¡°If you truly care for her, don¡¯t make her cry.
Sullivan¡¯s eyes shifted to Megan.
Her face was tinged with cold¨Cinduced rosiness, delicate and precious ¨C the kind that men adored.
Without a word, Sullivan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her a bit too tightly, a sign of
his difort and jealousy
Megan couldn¡¯t help but remark with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re acting as though you¡¯ve caught
me in the act! Dr. Begonia and t merely bumped into each other by chance.¡±
¡°Such a coincidence suggests a deep connection,¡± he replied dryly.
As soon as they entered the single suite, Megan found herself pinned against the door.
He peeled off her coat, revealing the ck dress clinging to her fair, delicate skin, dazzling in its
elegance.
Exhausted from the day, Megan had no patience for his insinuations. She softened her voice, pressing
against the door. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? I¡¯ve ordered room service for you¡±
Sullivan stood firm.
Under the crystal chandelier, his handsome features were far from cheerful. He leaned in, asking
lightly, ¡°Megan, do you have even the slightest affection for him?¡±
The air was charged with tension.
When a husband jealously questions his wife this way, it signifies his concern; her silence showed her
indifference.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t bear it and kissed her. He tasted red wine in her mouth.
Looking up, his sharp eyes fixed on her he asked, ¡°Have you been drinking with him?¡±
Megan retrieved his phone from his pocket, using his fingerprint to unlock it and casually found a
photo¡ of her and Begonia encountering each other at the restaurant.
Megan let out a coldugh, ¡°Still keeping tabs on me? You
You¡¯re a real bastard.
Then she lightly pped him.
Not hard, the gesture ambiguous in intent.
Sullivan didn¡¯t deny it. He held her hand tightly in his, and with every move she made, he calmly
pressed her back against the door, their gazes locked. Again, he bent his head to savor the wine on her
breath, and in the midst of those deep and shallow kisses, it was unclear
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It was a long time before he stopped.
His lips brushed against hers as he whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare fall for him!¡±
Megan pushed him away, her tone ley, ¡°I ordered you dinner! What¡¯s this childish nonsense about
falling for whom?¡±
But he pulled her back into his grasp.
Sullivan kissed her again, lifting her up as if she were weightless. It had been years into their marriage
before Megan realized the extent of Sullivers obsession. By the time he put her down, her legs
trembled like willow branches in the wind.
She was mortified to even think about what had just happened.
Sullivan was a beast!
His gentlemanly facade was just a mask. Underneath, he was no different from those lecherous men¡
maybe even more so.
But Megan¡¯s heart remained still. She had loved Sullivan deeply once. She had seen his pride, his
wealth, and the tenderness he could show when needed. These were irresistible to any young girl
experiencing the stimings of first love.
Yet, she had been hurt by him for three years.
Three years is long enough to cool the hottest of hearts, and Megan no longer believed Sullivan loved
her.
If he did, he wouldn¡¯t have done what he did by the door. His affection was still just a physical thing,
because she brought himfort, satisfied him¡ It was all about possession!
When he was done ying, he would withdraw.
And she would still keep her own heart.
Sullivan was actually quite busy with a new project that demanded his hands¨Con attention.
Megan was causing a stir and he had followed her to Harmony City, and even there, work piled up.
That night, he had ate meeting with thepany¡¯s executives.
The meeting ended at 1 am
Megan was already asleep.
Sullivan took a quick shower, slipped into his robe, andy down beside her, gently wrapping his arms
around her. He knew she was awake by the rhythm of her breathing, but he didn¡¯t call her out on it. He
was too exhausted to engage with her, the previous encounter by the door had been just enough to
satisfy her
He liked to see her lose control.
The night grew deeper.
Holding her close, he whispered into her ear, ¡°Goodnight, Mrs. Lowry¡±
He closed his eyes, ready for sleep.
Long after, in a half¨Cdream state, he thought he heard Megan speak¡
She said. ¡°Too ote.¡±
Sullivan woke up in the early morning light.
Megan was propped up, watching him with a rxed look in her eyes. Sullivan¡¯s heart skipped a beat,
wanting to pull her down for a kiss. He was a bit of a germophobe, but he had never minded with
Megan, hence the previous night¡¯s indiscretion.
Megan turned her face away slightly. In a soft voice, she said, ¡°Sullivan, you don¡¯t need to keep
watching me! I¡¯m touring the world after the new year. Are you going to follow me around the globe? It
makes no sense! Besides, I have my limits.¡±
His mood deted at her words,
Without saying anything, Sullivan got out of bed and went into the bathroom to freshen up and change.
Just as Megan was about to get up, her phone rang.
It was a real estate broker from Borough City. She had asked around about
ut the new owner of Quinn Haven, and there was news
The voice on the other end said, ¡°Ms. Quigley, I¡¯ve found out something. The buyer is a local tycoon.
He bought it as a gift for a youngdy. The gardens opened just this morning. I¡¯ll dig a bit more and get
back to you soon.¡±
Megan clutched her phone, a surge of excitement within her
N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
She thanked the caller in a hushed tone, hung up the phone, and looked up to see Sullivan.
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Sullivan whispered with a hint of curiosity, ¡°What¡¯s got you no lickled pink?¡±
Megan was rarely this chipper.
But the nature of her rtionship with Sullivan wasn¡¯t exactly the kind to share tidbits of joy. Clutching
her phone, she mumbled vaguely, ¡°That thing I¡¯ve been dying to get in finally back in stock!¡±
Sullivan thought it was some kind ofury item, maybe jewelry. He chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ll buy you whatever
you¡¯re hankering for
Megan didn¡¯t take the bait Pinching her phone, ale tiptoed barefoot into the walk¨Cin closet, leaving
Sullivan¡¯s voice trailing behind her, ¡°Always on that phone What, keeping secrets from me? Got some
new lunk in your DM67¡±
Inside the closet. Megan chose an outfit and slipped into it. Her voice was soft but clear, ¡°What secrets
could I possibly have? Isn¡¯t Harmony City your turf? Must be quite nostalgic being back here, bul?¡±
Sullivan felt a twinge inside
He followed her, leaning on the door frame, watching her calm demeanor and naid, ¡°I never had an
affair with hert I neverid a finger on hert That photo was snapped without my knowledge¡±
Megan justughed it off, nonchntly pulling up her ck fis stockings,
Her legs were slender, and with the stockings, she was the epitome of allure.
Sullivan, of course, was fond of that look, but when Megan wore such tempting attire out in public, it
didn¡¯t sit well with him. He grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s freezing out, and you¡¯re wearing that?¡±
Megan breezed past him toward the bathroom
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¡°You expect me
e to go bare¨Clegged under a coat and dress?¡±
Sullivan frowned and asked. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything thicker?¡±
ncing up while freshening up, Megan¡¯s gaze met Sullivan¡¯s in the mirror. After a moment, she said
softly, ¡°Sullivan, if you¡¯re not happy, I¡¯ll remember to wear something thicker next time. After all, I¡¯m still
counting on you to defend my brother in court. I wouldn¡¯t dare upset you.
Her sarcasm stung Sullivan.
Yet he didn¡¯t fly back home. Instead, he apanied Megan to the Harmony City Opera House for
Paxton¡¯s worldwide ssical musicunch, given that Paxton hailed from Harmony City
Upon arrival. Megan was greeted warmly by the event coordinator, ¡°Ms. Quigley, you¡¯re here bright and
early.¡±
Megan nodded in acknowledgment.
Then, as if just noticing Sullivan, the coordinator asked, ¡°And who might this be?¡±
Sullivan nced at Megan and then shook hands with the coordinator, saying, Tm her husband
The coordinator had an ¡®aha¡® moment, ¡°Ah, Ms. Quigley¡¯s off the market so young!¡±
Megan cast a sidelong nce at Sullivan. He gracefully gestured with his hand and retreated to the
audience seats.
Watching Megan work was fascinating to him; she oversaw everything from stage design to lighting
adjustments, her voice soft and weing as the spring breeze when she spoke¡ An attractive
woman always seemed to have an edge at work, efficient and swift.
Once the lighting was perfect
Megan stood center stage and yed a violin piece to test the acoustics. Under the bright lights, her
posture was captivating, her bowing graceful and ssical, her profile wless.
She shone so brightly that it moved Sullivan¡¯s heart.
His breath was uneven, yet he couldn¡¯t bring himself to look away, simply watching her from a distance
brought him immense
satisfaction.
A tender spot within him stirred.
Sullivan realized, he was smitten with Megan.
Just as he was lost in his infatuation, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a call from Bianca
Sullivan took onest look at Megan, unaware that this would be thest time he¡¯d see her perform so
eamestly, basking in her talent, shining in her element.
He answered Bianca¡¯s call.
And the moment he did, he heard Bianca¡¯s voice, shocked and panicked, ¡°Mr. Lowry, something¡¯s
wrong with Cressida!¡±
Chapter 150
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Chapter 150
What happened?¡±
Despite being shy of 20, Sullivan had always been the epitome ofposure, a rock in the tumultuous
seas of the business world. But what nco was about to reveal shattered his facade of calm.
Bianca whispered. ¡°You agreed to let Cressida have a photo shoot for some keepsake memories! This
was supposed to be my responsibility, but with my wedding prep consuming all my time, I delegated it
to my assistant. Clueless, the assistant handed over the keys to Duinn Haven to the Baldwin family
Cressida did her shoot there this morning and even had the gall to tweet about it. Only the unloved y
the other woman¨Cputrageous!¡±
Sutivan¡¯s on on his phone turned his knuckles pale.
Within five seconds, he concocted a n. ¡°Get in touch with the head honchos over at Twitter, pronto. I
don¡¯t care what it costs¨Chave them scrub Cressida¡¯s tweet from the back end! I can¡¯t have Megan see
this.¡±
Bianca replied honestly. ¡°We can do that. But, the tweet¡¯s already been shared over 100,000 times.
Pulling it now is like shutting the bam door after the horse has bolted. Mr. Lowry, Lapologize This is on
me.¡±
Silence hung heavy in the air.
After a long pause. Sullivan said, ¡°Do it anyway.¡±
Ending the call, he tumed to Megan.
Megan still stood center stage, bathed in the spotlight, but now her radiance was reced by a ghostly
pallor.
She saw Cressida¡¯s tweet. She saw those taunting words. It wasn¡¯t the tweet that cut her deep¨Cit was
the brazen invasion of her family¡¯s sacred space. Quinn Haven, by Sullivan¡¯s mistress. Cressida, the
other woman, had waltzed into the very love nest of Megan¡¯s parents¡ and Sullivan had allowed it.
He¡¯d permitted his mistress to parade in a pristine wedding dress within the walls that once echoed
Megan¡¯s mother¡¯sughter, capturing images of mock innocence and seduction.
Megan¡¯s heart shattered into a million shards.
For her, for all the Quigleys, it was an unspeakable humiliation.
A humiliation delivered by Sullivan, the man who incessantly called her Mrs. Lowry, the one who spoke
of starting anew, who held her tight and imed his love. He always said he wanted her affection, her
love, but did he really deserve it?
Megan¡¯s gaze on Sullivan was a mix of alienation and loathing.
Everything precious to her had been effortlessly destroyed by him.
What would the world say of her mother now?
They would say that her mother was useless, allowing the daughter of a chauffeur to trample and
shame the family. It was a family tragedy, letting Cressida climb into her son¨Cinw¡¯s bed for all to see!
Megan offered a bitter smile, facing the approaching Sullivan. ¡°You know, Cressida isn¡¯t entirely wrong.
Only the unloved y the mistress! Sullivan, regardless of our past, I always thought we could move
on, that even in divorce, we¡¯d part amicably. After all, we grew up together. But now¡ now you¡¯ve
unted your affair for the world to see, trampling me, trampling the Quigleys. Have you no shame?
Because I do, Sullivan. My father does!¡±
¡°Megan.
She pped Sullivan across his face. ¡°Sullivan, you disgust me!¡±
He didn¡¯t react, nor did he attempt to stop her hand. In a gentle tone, he dared to ask, ¡°Are you done?¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Megan¡¯s chest heaved with emotion as the stage manager approached cautiously.
¡°Ms. Quigley, shall we continue the rehearsal?¡±
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Megan hadn¡¯t even spoken when Sullivan caught her hand, his gaze intense. ¡°Tm heading back to
Borough City to handle this right now! Megan, I¡¯ll keep this under wraps, and minimize the fallout.¡±
Megan looked down, her expression somber,
After a moment, she forced a bitter smile. ¡°How can you possibly keep this under wraps? With over
100,000 shares, Sullivan, tell me,
how?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s grip tightened, but then he let go and walked away.
22 3 22 2 F82 ¡À 5 & F
This whole Cressida mess wasn¡¯t just affecting the Quigleys but also the Lowry Group. If not handled
properly, the Lowry Group¡¯s stocks could hit rock bottom today.
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Sullivan made it to the theater entrance.
he dide!
He couldn¡¯t help but tum back to look at Megan, but she didn¡¯t see him.
She stood under the spotlight, looking utterly vulnerable and alone.
She softly asked the theater manager, ¡°Could I have a moment to myself, please?¡±
The manager, empathetic towards her plight, quickly agreed. ¡°Of course, Ms. Quigley. I¡¯ll clear the
ce out. You can stay as long as you need. We close at 6 PM.¡±
Megan whispered her thanks.
Once everyone had left, Megan picked up her violin again and yed Meditation with her eyes closed.
It was her mother¡¯s favorite piece, and Megan remembered those summer nights as a child when her
mother would hum it to her as she fell asleep in her arms.
The music was tense, snapping from the strain..
Megan slowly put down the violin. She stood there for what seemed like an eternity, finally picking up
her phone to call her father Joseph. After a few rings, he answered.
Silence filled the air between them.
The shallow breathing on the other end told Megan that her father was already aware of the situation.
Choked up, Megan managed to say, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m sorry!¡±
There was silence on the line for a long half¨Cminute.
When Joseph finally spoke, his voice was hoarse with emotion, revealing the torment of that half¨C
minute. ¡°Megan, I never wanted you! trade your lifetime of happiness for Wyatt¡¯s ten years.¡±
Tears filled Megan¡¯s eyes as she slowly crouched down, overwhelmed by the pain. Her body ached,
her heart ached, and everything hurt. The pride of her family, which didn¡¯t copse when her brother
went to jail, shattered the moment Cressida stepped into Quinn Haven.
If she hadn¡¯t harbored that youthful crush on Sullivan, would she be in this mess today?
Her family, her father, subjected to such disgrace!
And her mother, who had kept their home spotless all her life, now couldn¡¯t rest in peace!
Megan crouched down, sobbing uncontrobly.
She stayed in the theater until dusk, and instead of going back to her hotel, she wandered silently
along the riverfront..
The setting sun was a fiery red, coloring the earth with its glo
The bustling city and its centuries¨Cold buildings only highlighted her downfall.
Megan walked from dusk till dawn, knowing that the scandal had been smoothed over during that time,
with no one mentioning Cressida¡¯s photos on social media anymore. They had been wiped clean. But
the elite circles of Borough City knew that Sullivan¡¯s mistress had entered Quinn Haven and taken a set
of innocently provocative photos.
F F 30E # *
Such irony!
At 7 AM, she returned to the hotel.
Stepping out of the elevator, she saw Sullivan leaning against the wall opposite her suite, staring at the
door number, lost in thought
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leaning footsteps, he turned to look at her, and their eyes met
Tame seemed to freeze.
livan¡¯s voice was hoarse, ¡°Where have you been? I¡¯ve been looking for you all night.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Megan slowly walked over to face him, not bothering to open the door, but instead leaning gently
against it.
The hallway light made her delicate face appear pale, and her expression was one of exhaustion. She
spoke to him with a calmness devoid of any usation, ¡°Sullivan, are you here to talk about divorce?¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze tightened slightly. ¡°I never thought about divorce.¡±
Megan offered a weary smile, bending down to remove her high heels which, despite their beauty, had
been causing her pain after a long night. Removing them brought her relief.
Holding her elegant heels in hand, she looked down. ¡°But you let Cressida take wedding photos in the
mansion my mother built with her own two hands! Even if our marriage is falling apart, the departed
deserve respect. Yet, Sullivan, the way you indulge your lover and Thepensation you offer her far
exceed what you¡¯ve offered our mamage. My family and I don¡¯t get even a modicum of respect from
you
Tears welled up in Megan¡¯s eyes as she pressed her head against the door, using it to support her
weary body.
ter slender neck tensed. Her lips quivered and she continued, ¡°Sullivan, you always talk about starting
over! But you don¡¯t love me, not even close, your affection is limited. You¡¯re just trying to correct the
course of your troubled life¡® In the end, it¡¯s all about you! How I feel and whether I¡¯m happy or doing this
willingly never crosses your mind. To you, it all boils down topensating me. Yes, you have a lot of
money, enough to buy all sorts of things any woman would desire or even negotiate terms with me,
knowing my vulnerabilities, knowing I¡¯m too scared to leave¡ But Sullivan, can love bom out of threats
truly be called love?¡±
After speaking, she paused, her breathing pained
She turned to open the door
Sullivan attempted to follow her in, but Megan resisted, the door pinning his fingers.
¡°I¡¯m too exhausted to deal with you right now. Sullivan
Ignoring his throbbing fingers, Sullivan locked eyes with her, his gaze unfathomable.
Having been married to Megan for three years, he was well aware of her temperament Her words just
now spoke volumes of her disillusionment, and he could feel her desire to leave him Yet he was not
ready to let go.
low voice, he told her it was his assistants mistake, not his intention
He could make it up to her
Megan, head bowed, didn¡¯t respond. She asked him to let go as she wanted to close the door. Sullivan
didn¡¯t persist, but as the door closed, he whispered, ¡°Im sorry¡±
The door shut, and Megan leaned against it, lost in thought
Outside Sullivan stood still
The light illuminated his face, highlighting his features, making him even more handsome. He stared at
the door for a long while, then slowly stepped back, leaning against the wall¡
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Megan refused, but Sullivan only tightened his grip on her cheeks, causing a sharp pain that quickly
turned into a bruse
In a moment, her tights were stripped away and tossed to the end of the bed.
Sullivan whispered against her lips, his voice low and sultry, ¡°I won¡¯t let you go! I never cared for her,
and there were reasons I had no choice over Can¡¯t you just listen for once? Remember how good we
were together not so long ago¡
Megan¡¯s hair spread across the crisp, white sheets. Her clothes in disarray, she appeared vulnerable
and helpless.
She looked up at Sullivan, her volce a shaky whisper, ¡°Sullivan, please don¡¯t do this!¡±
He narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Megan¡¯s lips trembled, ¡°We¡¯re still legally married. You wouldn¡¯t want a scandal, would you? Sullivan,
stop pushing me. If you keep this up, I can¡¯t promise I won¡¯t do something drastic. Maybe tomonow,
maybe in a week, the headlines across Borough City will scream about the Lowry Group CEO being
betrayed by his wife. I think that would interest people more than your usual tabloid fodder What would
your business associates think? How would you face them in negotiations?¡±
Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Who taught you this? Or did youe up with it all by yourself?¡±
Megan remained silent.
She stared into his eyes, watching his every move until Sullivan finally released her, convinced by her
threat. She despised him enough to follow through. She could tum to Bet or Begonia just to spite
him!
How cruel!
What could he say? That she had outsmarted him, or that she was finally letting go? Neither option
pleased Sullivan
He stood up from the bed, his voice calm, ¡°Till let you go, but I won¡¯t divorce you! Megan, don¡¯t push
me too far!¡±
Megan felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
It was as if she was waking from a nightmare, safely leaving Sullivan¡¯s side.
Only then did she realize her legs were shaking.
Sullivan walked out of the bedroom and into the study across the hall, shutting the door behind him. He
sat on the couch, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and took a deep inhale.
The smoke rosezily, blurring his features
He remembered a simr evening, his father, suitcase in hand, leaving their home while his mother
cried and begged him to stay. But didn¡¯t stop him. He was too eager to chase a childhood sweetheart,
forgetting the young son left behind.
The rain poured heavily, drowning out little Sullivan¡¯s cries.
Years passed, and Sullivan often wondered if his father had known what his son would face, would he
have stayed?
Would he have chosen not to leave?
Movement from across the room caught his attention
He heard the sound of a suitcase, followed by Megan descending the stairs. Eventually, the sounds
faded, so he moved to the window to watch quietly
He saw the maid speak to Megan, watched Megan smile faintly, and then she left.
She carried her suitcase, leaving the vi just like his father Percy did that day.
Thest light of dusk vanished from the sky.
Sullivan remained at the window until the maid came upstairs to call him for dinner, ¡°Sir, dinner is
ready!¡±
Sullivan nced at the cigarette butt between his fingers and asked softly, ¡°Did Megan eat anything
when she came back?¡±
The maid shook her head. ¡°No, she packed her bags as soon as she arrived.¡±
¡°Tm not hungry right now. You go ahead,¡± Sullivan dismissed the maid and slowly made his way back
to the bedroom, into the walk¨Cin
closet
She hadn¡¯t taken any of the expensive clothes or jewelry, they were all still there. She left his credit
cards behind as well.
On the bedside table was their wedding ring, which he had only recently ced on her finger before
she took it off again. He guessed that the painting of Rain¨CSwept Begonia he gave her was also left
behind.
She had left just like that
What they called separation was actually a removal, she had removed herself from the Lowry family,
from his world. What difference did
Chapter 154
it make from a divorce? Perhaps she just didn¡¯t want to tear off thest shred of dignity. After all, she
still had a brother in jail, relying on him for legal battles.
Why couldn¡¯t she endure it?
Perhaps it was because she found him repulsive, as she had said before-¡°Sullivan, you¡¯ve be too
vile for me to bear!¡±
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The maid ascended the stairs once more, her voice subdued, ¡°Sir, nca is hem!¡±
Sullivan, holding a diamond ring in his gmsp, silently contemted it before responding without much
emotion, ¡°Have her wait for me downstairs.¡±
Bianca was seated in the grand foyer on the first floor.
Upon her arrival, she overheard the maid mentioning that Megan had moved out, separating from
Sullivan. She thought this news would te her, yet, it didn¡¯t.
When Sullivan descended the stairs, he had changed into a fresh set of clothes. He looked somewhat
worn out, asking as he made his way down, ¡°What¡¯s so urgent that it requires a visit?¡± Completing his
question, he sat down at the dining table to eat.
Eating alone was invariably a somber affair, he didn¡¯t have much appetite.
nca, mustering her courage, carefully broached the subject, ¡°After the incident, Ms. Baldwin has
been eager to see you. But since you¡¯ve been avoiding her calls and not visiting her, she¡¯s ended up in
the hospital again¡ cutting her arms, losing a lot of blood.¡±
Sullivan, in the midst ofdling soup, paused momentarily at her words,
With a detached tone, hemented, ¡°Given her condition, does she even have any blood left to
lose?¡±
At that moment, nca grasped the significance of Cressida in his heart. She was about to probe
further when Sullivan, with his head bowed over his soup, added, ¡°Good, I have some questions for her
as well.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
His tone was light, yet it camed an ominous edge.
Bianca held her breath, not daring to make a sound.
?? ? ?? ? ? 68
At ten in the evening, within the top¨Ctier ward of the Lowry Hospital.
Cressiday op the b bed, her face ashen, with an IV needle in her hand for the blood transfusion.
Dahlia stood by, ceaselessly trying tofort her, but Cressida continued to weep softly.
The door swung open as Sullivan entered.
Dressed in a ssic ck and white suit, his appearance was strikingly austere against the night, a
stark contrast to Dahlia and Cressida.
He stood by the door, turning to Bianca, ¡°Take Mrs. Baldwin outside. Id like a word with Ms. Baldwin,
alone.¡±
Dahlia¡¯s mouth opened in protest, but she eventually left.
With the hospital room door closed, an almost suffocating silence ensued.
Cressida¡¯s delicate fingers clenched the bed sheet. She looked at Sullivan uneasily, her voice
trembling, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I never meant for that incident. I was just admiring the garden; it held memories
of my childhood.¡±
¡°That was Megan¡¯s childhood memory.¡± Sullivan dropped a stack of photos in front of her, his voice
cold, ¡°Your parents used to work for the Quigley family. You deliberately visited Quinn Haven to take
those photos, targeting Megant Did you think by driving her away, I would marry you?¡±
Cressida¡¯s lips quivered, ¡°Mr. Lowry, that wasn¡¯t my intention!¡±
What she thought was of little concern to Sullivan. After this incident, any sympathy he had for her was
nearly exhausted.
Sullivan moved towards the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, outside of which stood aurel tree, rustling in the
wind.
He watched quietly for a moment before speaking in a calm, yet cold voice, ¡®I¡¯m here to tell you two
things. First, I will never marry you, not now, not ever. Second, once your condition stabilizes, leave the
country. I won¡¯t see you again. If you engage in any more disgraceful acts, I won¡¯t be merciful. Your life
may not be long, but think of your parents¨Cthey have decades ahead of them!¡±
His almost ruthless words stunned Cressida. She looked at Sullivan, unable to believe he would treat
her this way. In a hoarse whisper she asked, ¡°Mr. Lowry, have you forgotten it was I who revived you,
that there was a time you thought of marrying me.¡±
Sullivan cut her off, ¡°I married Megan!¡±
Cressida, being acutely sensitive, suddenly realized something significant.
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Sullivan was head over heels for Megan. He cared deeply for her.
Cressida, on the other hand, had lost itpletely
Ripping off her IV line, her frail hands bled, but she couldn¡¯t care less. Her face contorted with rage as
she said, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your mother, it should¡¯ve been me you were marrying! Sullivan, do you really
think she just orchestrated that ident? No, she did much more! She arranged for me to many a
brutish man, a wife¨Cbeater¡ a man who beat me so badly I ended up in the hospital with internal
bleeding. It was toote; I lost my ability to have children. I became barren, while Megan, Mrs. Lowry,
was pampered and kept like a princess ct home. Is it so wrong that I¡¯m jealous, that I feel wronged?
From the beginning, she¡¯s had everything that should¡¯ve been mine. The title of Mrs. Lowry was meant
for me.¡±
She was trembling as she spoke. Muttering to herself, she questioned, ¡°What did I do to deserve this?¡±
Sullivan watched her in silence.
After a moment, he tumed and opened the window, letting the night breeze in to clear the stench of
blood in the room. Behind him, Cressida coughed violently from the draft.
But Sullivan didn¡¯t tum around.
He stared at theurel tree outside, his voice hoarse, ¡°I¡¯ll give you 50 million and arrange for you to get
treatment abroad. From now on¡ neither you nor your parents should evere back to Borough
City.¡±
Sullivan made his decision and left without lingering.
As he walked out of the room, Cressida sat on the bed, crying out his name, but he didn¡¯t look back.
After a while, Bianca came in and handed Cressida a check.
Cressida was shaking as she asked, ¡°Why is he treating me this way?¡±
Bianca was silent for a moment before giving her an answer, ¡°To be loved so passionately by someone
in three years of marriage, even the hardest of hearts would soften. Ms. Baldwin, if you¡¯re smart, you¡¯ll
take the money and give your parents afortable retirement.¡±
As nca left, she sighed.
Sullivan didn¡¯t understand love, but he must have¡ fallen for Megan.
Sullivan had just descended the stairs when he saw a luxurious ck sedan parked below, its window
halfway down.
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Inside sat his mother, Cami.
The night wind was brisk, and the look between mother and son was alien and cold.
After a moment, Sullivan approached, opened the door, and/sat next to her.
He stared ahead, his voice restrained, ¡°You brought Megan into my life, only to set up this tragic act
with Cressida to make me feel guilty for life. Is it because of Percy? Because you couldn¡¯t win my
father¡¯s heart, you didn¡¯t want me to be happy either? Mom, what am I to you?¡±
Cami¡¯s demeanor was haughty. ¡°Emotions are the most useless thing!¡±
She turned to her son and said, ¡°I know you¡¯re fond of Megan. Pampering her is enough, but just don¡¯t
get emotionally involved!¡±
¡°It¡¯s toote!¡±
Sullivan stared at her opulent face, emphasizing each word, ¡°I love her! She¡¯s the one for me! The way
I felt when she walked out the door with her suitcase it was exactly how you must have felt watching
Percy leave!¡±
¡°Sullivan!¡± Cami was shaking with rage, but Sullivan just opened the car door and stepped out.
Dressed in an expensive suit, his expression was cold and aristocratic. He lit a cigarette in the wind,
the thin smoke barely leaving his lips before being torn apart by the night breeze¡ just like the path he
had taken in life, every step was fraught with danger.
If he hadn¡¯t been ruthless, if he had shown any sign of weakness, how could he have made it to where
he was today?
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Echo Pavilion had
The next morning, Sullivan was on his way to the office when the maid informed him that someone
from the Ed delivered two items for him.
Sullivan buttoned up his cufflinks, his face rxing into a hint of curiosity as he asked, ¡°Where are
they?¡±
The maid presented two meticulously wmpped boxes, offering to carry them upstairs, but Sullivan
declined, ¡°Ive got it.¡±
He took the boxes upstairs and carefully opened them.
The items, now restored and clean, still bore the unmistakable mark of their history. As the restorer had
said, the highest craftsmanship couldn¡¯t mend the past nor bring back the words Megan had once
written
It was the diary that filled with Megan¡¯s passionate and somewhat naive musings,
Sullivan¡¯s fingers gently traced the words, his expression tender. Reading them, it was as if Megan was
still 18, her affection for him vibrant and undeniable.
He lingered over the pages before hanging a photo on the wall.
Three dayster, Megan ran into Sullivan at aworking event.
She and Luke were there to woo sponsors over dinner, and after a couple of sses of red wine, she
was feeling dizzy. A ssh of cold water in the restroom did little to sober her up
The evening was a bust¡
Megan knew too well. Being Sullivan¡¯s estranged wife, few dared to cross him by investing in her
concert. Their separation was public knowledge, and no one wanted to risk Sullivan¡¯s displeasure for
her sake.
Footsteps approached from outside the restroom, and soon, Sullivan¡¯s reflection joined hers in the
mirror. His impable appearance. starkly contrasted with her disheveled state.
Megan turned off the golden faucet, ready to leave.
He caught her wrist, and soon, she found herself falling into his embrace, her cheek pressed against
the fine fabric of his suit, catching the faint scent of dry cleaning solvent mixed with a hint of tobo.
¡°Let me go!¡± Megan¡¯s voice was low.
Sullivan didn¡¯t release her, instead looking her over. Her champagne silk blouse and ck pencil skirt
entuated a mature allure, n pale legs peeking out enticingly.
Sullivan frowned. ¡°You¡¯re socializing dressed like this?¡±
Megan pushed him away. She turned on the faucet again, squeezing out some soap as she said, ¡°It¡¯s
none of your business! We¡¯re separated, remember?
Sullivan watched her back and said, ¡°Separated we may be, but we¡¯re still married. Besides, I never
agreed to divorce!¡±
Megan remained silent.
She washed her hands thoroughly and then left. As she reached the restroom door, Sullivan spoke
softly, ¡°I had your diary restored, Megan. Come back with me.¡±
Megan paused,
In the mirror, Sullivan watched her his voice softer, ¡°Megan,e back with me.¡±
Tears welled in her eyes.
Yes, before they were married, he used to call her Megan.
He hadn¡¯t forgotten!
Her voice tight, she replied, ¡°Sullivan, maybe you like me a little now, but the pain you¡¯ve caused over
these three years is far more reall You want me toe back? To continue being Mrs. Lowry in name
only? To watch you make amends to Cressida? And just when I think there¡¯s hope for us, you crush me
all over again? Sullivan, ask yourself, has Cressida really left your life? If you have any feelings for me,
let me go!¡±
Under the chandelier, Sullivan¡¯s face was pale.
He looked at her and said, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for her to go abroad! She won¡¯t bother you again.¡±
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Megan didn¡¯t argue; it was pointless. She quietly stepped out of his sight, and outside, Luke was
waiting, his expressionplex, ¡°You okay?¡±
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Megan shook her head and said, ¡°No worries! Just feeling a bit buzzed.¡±
She took her jacket from Luke and sold, 1 better head back!¡±
Luke nodded, his hands buried in his pockets. ¡°Let me walk you home.¡±
Megan knew Luke had othermitments and said, ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking too. Just take a cab! I¡¯m
fine, the sponsorship stuff¡¡±
Luke gave her n reassuring smile and said, ¡°Tve got your back, so don¡¯t you worry. Between Paxton
and me, we can handle anything big. I¡¯ll head back in then. There¡¯s some other entertainment going on
later.¡±
Luke had been steadfast. Ever since Cressida gave up her music dream, he hadn¡¯t reached out to
Sullivan.
Grateful, Megan put on her jacket and bid Luke goodbye.
Reaching the ground floor, it was the peak time for cabs, and Megan waited about half an hour before
she managed to get one, her cheeks pink from the cold.
In the parking lot, Sullivan sat inside a sleek ck Bentley, watching Megan shiver slightly as she
waited, wrapping her coat tightly against the chill, checking her phone anxiously now and then.
Is this the life she wanted?
No chauffeur, no limousine, having to mingle andugh at others¡® whims¡.
Leaving him, was she really happier?
Sullivan leaned back in his seat.
He dialed Bianca, ¡°Check on the funding gap for Paxton. Also, send Megan¡¯s car over to her.¡±
The next day, Sullivan was reviewing documents in the CEO¡¯s office of the Lowry Group.
Bianca entered, cing a schedule on Sullivan¡¯s desk and said, ¡°Here¡¯s the preliminary venue n for
Paxton¡¯s 32 concerts next year. With the original sponsor pulling out, there¡¯s a significant funding gap,
at least two hundred million. Also¡¡±
She handed over a set of car keys to Sullivan, I¡¯ve parked the car near Megan¡¯s rental, but she refused
to take the keys, saying she didn¡¯t need it. Mr. Lowry, would you like to deliver it personally?¡±
Sullivan took the keys, murmuring, ¡°Leave it to me.¡±
Once nca left, the vast office regained its silence, Sullivan gazing at the keys.
He thought about Megan, shivering in the night cold.
He also remembered her saying she wanted his respect, his care¡ He was offering it now, but she
refused.
Standing by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, overlooking most of Borough City, he suddenly, missed Megan
profoundly.
He felt lonely
He picked up his phone, dialed her number, but hung up before it connected, feeling that apprehension
of getting too close because he cared too much.
After work, he drove to give her the keys.
Megan¡¯s rental was in a bustling downtown area, part of aplex attached to a hotel. Compact at 42
square meters but fully equipped.
As Sullivan drove there, he saw Megan getting into a white BMW, a license te he recognized¡
He saw Begonia, gently holding the door, her gaze tender.
Megan slide into the passenger seat, a slight joy in her expression. Did she enjoy Begonia¡¯spany
that much? Was she ready to move on with Begonia, waiting for the divorce from him?
Sullivan sat in his Bentley, his fingers white¨Cknuckled on the steering wheel.
As the white BMW was about to drive off, he pressed the gas pedal, pulling in front of it.
With a screech, the two cars nearly collided.
Sullivan sat there, quietly watching the car opposite, and watching his Mrs. Lowry.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
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Megan met Sullivan¡¯s gaze, her look calm and unflinching.
After a long pause, Sullivan dinled her number.
Megan answered, and she heard Sullivan¡¯s icy voice, ¡°Get out of the car.¡±
Megan looked at him, her voice soft, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ve told you, we¡¯re separated. Who I hang out with is
none of your business! I won¡¯t avoid my friends just because of you. Besides, today is Cynthia¡¯s birthday.
I was just going out for dinner, not cheating on you
¡°But you know Begonia has a thing for you!¡±
¡°So what? Cressida likes you, doesn¡¯t she? Did you keep your distance?¡±
Megan hung up.
Through the car window, Sullivan saw the moistness in her eyes.
Was it because of Cressida? She still cared
Then, Begonia started the car, ready to hit the gas and crash!
The cars brushed past each other, screeching loudly.
Sullivan was known for his temper, never backing down, especially not from someone like Begonia.
But Megan was in the car. He feared for her safety.
His ck Bentley slowly backed away, letting Megan leave him behind. As the cars passed by each
other, Sullivan¡¯s hand reached out the window, as if to grab her, but ultimately grasped only air.
I love you¡
These words echoed, but Sullivan was the only one to hear them.
Megan leaned back against the leather seat, lost in thought. Her eyes were slightly moist
After checking the rear¨Cview mirror, Begonia nced at her and then softly asked, ¡°Should you give him
another chance? Sullivan rarely cares about anyone.¡±
Begonia had known Sullivan for so long and understood his temperament. Sullivan backing off like that
was unheard of.
But if this isn¡¯t love, what is!
N?velDrama.Org owns this text.
Begonia¡¯s mother Cynthia didn¡¯t live with him; she resided alone in an old mansion, modestly fumished.
Megan brought her a small gift. ¡°Happy Birthday.¡±
Cynthia was delighted and replied. ¡°It¡¯s great to have you here!¡±
It had been a while since she¡¯d seen Megan, and she kept touching her hands. ¡°You¡¯ve grown so much!
You look just like your mom.¡±
Megan smiled gently.
She helped Cynthia make dinner, and they watched a prime¨Ctime TV show together.
Begonia was in the study reading an academic research report, it was actually his mother who wanted
to
o see Megan,
After dinner, Cynthia went to do the dishes, and Megan stepped out onto the balcony to gaze at the
distant night view.
It seemed to be a holiday, as arge firework burst in the sky. Megan watched, then a faint smile
appeared on her lips as she was thinking how nice it would be if there were fireworks every day, so her
mom wouldn¡¯t feel lonely in heaven.
Her smile was adorable, reminiscent of her in her twenties.
Downstairs, Sullivan stood quietly, looking up at Megan.
Seeing her smile, he found himself smiling inadvertently¡ then Begonia came out, handing Megan a
sparkler. The sparkler lit up, colorful and dazzling, Looking into Begonia¡¯s eyes, it was as if they held
countless tiny stars.
Sullivan¡¯s smile gradually faded.
When Megan was leaving, Begonia walked her downstairs.
As soon as the door opened, Megan found herself enveloped in a warm embrace.
It was Sullivan.
Right in front of Begonia, Sullivan pulled Megan Into his arms, even holding the back of her head.
Megan belleved that if she dared to move, Sullivan would kiss her
He had lost his mind!
As she looked up, Sullivan was also looking at her, his eyes telling her he had indeed lost it.
His eyes were a deep crimson. He whispered to her that conceding her presence was his greatest
compromise. He forgot about pride, forgot Begonia was the person he disliked the most, and couldn¡¯t
help but kiss Megan¡¯s lips lightly. The dry touch wasn¡¯t particrly pleasant, but he was almost
trembling.
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Megan, fearing Sullivan might do something even crazier, nald in a soft voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Sullivan slightly loosened his grip on her
She turned to say goodbye to Begonia, who gave her a faint smile. ¡°Megan, drop by whenever you
have time. My mom really likes you¡±
Megan nodded.
Ignoring Sullivan, she walked straight to the ck Bentley parked at the curb, opened the passenger
door, and got in.
Sullivan took a step back before following her into the car.
Soon, the car drove off.
Begonia stood there for a long time, until his mother came downstairs and joined him. She gently
patted his shoulder, smiling lightly. ¡°No wonder you like her.¡±
11 I
Begonia shoved his hands into his coat pockets. ¡®Mom, I think I was a step toote.¡±
Cynthia linked her arm with his, still smiling. ¡°Then keep her in your heart. Be there for her when she¡¯s
in trouble¡¡±
Sullivan drove fast.
After about five minutes, the car stopped abruptly on a deserted roadside, screeching to a halt.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Megan sat quietly.
She softly began, ¡°Today is Cynthia¡¯s birthday. He was just giving me a lift after work. Don¡¯t think too
much of it.¡±
Sullivan looked out into the night and said just as softly, ¡°Are you exining this to me or are you afraid
I go after him?¡±
Megan was blunt, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll go after him!¡±
Sullivan took out a cigarette, lit it, but before he could take a puff, he snuffed it out. Next, the sound of a
seat belt being unbuckled. He leaned closer, gripping Megan¡¯s shoulders. He stared into her eyes and
asked in a very low and soft voice, ¡°Do you like him? Have you ever fantasized about being with him?¡±
Megan pped him.
He seemed to have anticipated the p and didn¡¯t dodge. He had provoked it on purpose.
The atmosphere in the car turned tense.
Megan didn¡¯t want things to escte, she wanted to leave, but as she reached for the door handle,
Sullivan locked the doors. Sullivan watched her, then leaned back in his seat and spoke softly. ¡°Megan,
I¡¯ve continued to look after Cressida and pay for her medical treatments not because I like her nor just
out of gratitude for something that happened years ago. There are reasons I can¡¯t fully exin. She¡¯s
lost a leg, can¡¯t have children, and now she¡¯s facing multiple organ failure. She doesn¡¯t have much
longer.¡±
He turned to look at her. ¡°She was never my lover.¡±
Megan remained silent.
Sullivan then gazed back out into the night, his voice bing even huskler, ¡°Megan, I don¡¯t know how
to make a woman happy. I used to think all it took was money, expensive jewelry, or being good in
bed¡¡±
He looked somewhat embarrassed.
Megan, however, responded coolly, ¡°Are you done? Can you let me out now?¡±
Her hand was held down.
Sullivan¡¯s expression was calm, his grip on her imperceptible.
Megan couldn¡¯t move, and so they remained in a deadlock.
After a long while, he finally let her go and fook out two things from the glovepartment.
One was a car key, the other was a key to Quinn Haven¡¯s front gate.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze was deep, tenderly saying, ¡°Drive yourself to appointments from now on, and get a taxi
home. Also, Quinn Haven has been renovated. Your dad and Cora can move in anytime.¡±
Megan didn¡¯t take them. She looked down at the Quinn Haven key, her voice soft and hoarse, ¡°I don¡¯t
want it, Sullivan! Stop trying to please me with these gestures. We¡¯re over. Even if we¡¯re technically
married, it¡¯s just in name¡.
Sullivan watched her, and after a long pause, he asked softly. ¡°Megan, does it mean no matter what I
do, you won¡¯t ept it, and you won¡¯t change your mind?¡±
09:39
¡°Yes!¡± The car was dimly lit, Megan blinked back tears, repeating, ¡°Yes!¡±
At the top floor of the Lowry Group headquarters.
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nca tapped lightly on the door before pushing it open.
Inside the CEO¡¯s office, Sullivan was seated, reviewing documents, dressed sharply in a three¨Cpiece
suit, an aura of cool elegance about him.
Hearing the sound, Sullivan looked up and asked, ¡°How did it go?¡±
Bianca shook her head. ¡°I just had a meeting with Paxton¡¯s assistant. He refused to ept your
sponsorship. He said they would find her way.¡±
Sullivan leaned back in his chair. He was silent for a long while before speaking softly, ¡°I see. You can
leave now.¡±
Noticing his sour mood, Bianca quickly left and closed the door behind her.
The office fell silent.
Sullivan pulled out a diamond ring from his pocket, staring at it quietly.
Megan didn¡¯t want the car he offered, refused his investment. She didn¡¯t even want the Quinn Haven
anymore, it seemed like whether he had something with Cressida or not, she didn¡¯t care
She just wanted to leave him, saying to stop doing these things to please her, that they were over
regardless.
But Sullivan didn¡¯t want to part ways with her. He liked her, wanted to keep her close, feeling their story
shouldn¡¯t end on such a dismal
note
He sat from daylight till dusk.
When nca came in to tidy up the documents, she heard Sullivan mutter, ¡°Megan saw a therapist a
year and a half ago. Find him. Tell him I¡¯ve asked for a favor¡±
Bianca was taken aback. She instinctively said, ¡°Mrs. Lowry wouldn¡¯t like¡
Sullivan looked at her, ¡°Then she doesn¡¯t need to know.¡±
Bianca didn¡¯t dare to say more, immediately setting to work
In less than an hour, in the Lowry Group¡¯s small conference room, the expensive therapist had
assembled a tearn, tuming Megan¡¯s files into a presentation. The blue light from the LCD screen cast a
shadow over Sullivan¡¯s chiseled face.
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Bianca stood beside him, watching Megan¡¯s innocent face on the screen, her smile revealing a cute
canine tooth. Bianca listened as Sullivan detailed their marriage¡¯s ins and outs, even describing
Megan¡¯s preferred positions in bed with precision, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather.
She watched as the therapist coldly analyzed Megan¡¯s psyche, constantly adjusting strategies.
nca fled, running to the restroom, gripping the sink as she retched uncontrobly¡ until bile came
up, and she slowly slid to the
floor.
Disgusting!
She couldn¡¯t believe she once admired Sullivan, even less could she believe he would use such
business tactics on his own wife. A $5 million check, exposing his wife to scrutiny by ten doctors as if
she wereid bare, analyzing how to move her, when to appear by her side, what sweet nothings she
liked to heat and when was the right time to get intimate¡.
Sullivan was relentless, like a machine without emotion.
Cruelty incarnate.
nca felt like she was going insane!
After a busy day at the studio, Megan returned to her small yet cozy rented apartment.
Shey on the sofa for a while, nning to cook up somefort food for dinner. While cooking, Lucia
called, and she chatted away as she prepared the meal.
That¡¯s when a noise came from outside the door. Something scratching and scraping against it.
Megan went to open the door.
And there she saw a cute little dog, with ck eyes and snow¨Cwhite fur, wagging its tail adorably at
Megan.
At first, Megan thought it belonged to a neighbor. But there was something shiny hanging from the
dog¡¯s neck. She picked it up and took a closer look, pausing in shock.
00:39
It was her wedding ring!
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Megan hurried to the window to look down, and sure enough, Sullivan¡¯s car was parked below.
Dressed in ck, he leaned against the twilight, casually smoking. When Megan looked at him, his
gaze met hers, intense and
unwavering
After a moment, he dialed Megan¡¯s number.
Megan answered and got stright to the point, ¡°Sullivan,e and take your dog back.¡±
But he replied softly. ¡°Its name is Shirley! Three months old. Megan, haven¡¯t you always wanted a
puppy? It¡¯s adorable.¡±
Megan wanted to say more, but Sullivan had already hung up.
?
He snuffed out his cigarette and looked up at Megan with a slight chuckle before getting into his car
and driving away
Megan stared at the taillights until they disappeared, When she looked down, the dog was looking up at
her, its eyes filled with
innocence.
Of course, Megan wasn¡¯t going to keep it.
She changed her clothes and shoes, took the dog, and hailed a cab, nning to return it to Sullivan.
By the time she reached the vi, dusk had settled.
The maid was surprised to see her, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you are back so soon! Mr. Lowry just arrived! This little
dog is so cute.¡±
Despite her frustration with Sullivan, Megan never took it out on the staff. She asked hoarsely, ¡°Where
is he?¡±
The maid replied eagerly. ¡°He is upstairs! You might want to have a word with him. Dinner will be ready
shortly, and we¡¯ve added a few dishes to tonight¡¯s menu.¡±
Megan nodded and went upstairs with the dog named Shirley.
The master bedroom light was on. Guessing Sullivan was inside, she knocked on the door. His voice
came from inside, ¡°Come in.¡±
Megan pushed the door open to find Sullivan lounging on the sofa in the living area, flipping through a
magazine. He wore only a crisp white bathrobe, his hair still dripping from a shower.
Megan walked in.
He set aside the magazine and quietly observed her. ¡°Don¡¯t like it?
Megan did like the puppy, but not when it was a gift from Sullivan. She set the dog down and said
softly. ¡°Find it a new home. I won¡¯t keep it! And this too!¡±
She ced the wedding ring
on the coffee table.
The small ring sparkled under the crystalmp light.
Sullivan bent down to pick up the puppy, which whimpered and started gnawing at his palm, probably
hungry. He stroked its furgently. and the little one whimpered again.
Megan watched for a while but steeled her heart. Tm leaving!¡±
No sooner had she spoken, her wrist was caught, and in a whirl, she found herself gently pinned down
by Sullivan.
Megan gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Sullivan, let me go! Have you forgotten we¡¯re separated?¡±
¡°Separated and you came over? Separated and you¡¯re under me? That¡¯s not very convincing.¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes reddened, and she turned her face away, refusing to speak another word,
Her entire being radiated rejection.
Sullivan lowered his head, gently licked away a tear from the corner of her eye, and in her moment of
shock, he ced the white puppy in her arms, softly saying, ¡°How about being its mom?¡±
Megan fled in panic,
Being pushed away, Sullivan seemed surprised but didn¡¯t stop her¡.
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As the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the staircase, he gently set down the puppy, picked up
the wedding ring from the coffee table, and stared at it quietly.
The maid stood at the door, perplexed. ¡°Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Lowry has left!¡±
09
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Megan returned to her mnted apartment, feeling the chill seep through the walls as she entered. The
half¨Ccooked pasta on the stove was
sobering reminder of her disrupted evening, but the thought of finishing It was for from her mind how
She slumped into a chair, the house dim and unheated, wmpping her arms around her knees, lost in
thought. Memories of her younger days floated back to her, when she had dreamed of a future with
Sullivan, Imagining a life with two kids and a yful puppy had seemed so perfect. But could she ever
fit into the role of a mother, especially with Sullivan¡¯s words cutting deep..
¦°
She spent the night in contemtion, feeling a sore throating on by moming, likely the beginning
of a cold. Her phone rang. pulling her from her thoughts.
It was Cora, reminding her toe home for the New Year¡¯s Day celebration
¡°New Year¡¯s?¡± Megan echoed, momentarily confused.
Cora chuckled on the other end, ¡°Forgot, huh? Your dad¡¯s been looking forward to seeing you all
morning. He might not say it, but he¡¯s worried about you.¡±
After a brief silence, Megan sat up, a decision made. Til be there for lunch¡®
After freshening up and pushing thoughts of Sullivan aside, Megan arrived at the Quigley residence by
noon. Cora had prepared a feast, trying to lighten the mood by offering dishes rich in nutrients, aiming
to bring some warmth to the family gathering.
Joseph eventually broached the topic of her moving out. ¡°No matter what you decide, nobody here
mes you. Your brother wouldn¡¯t either,¡± he said softly, his words bringing tears to Megan¡¯s eyes.
Cora swiftly changed the subject, mentioning Megan¡¯s uing debut performance with Paxton and
the importance of focusing on her music over personal matters.
The afternoon passed without mention of Quinn Haven, a shared sonow that remained unspoken
among them.
As evening approached and Com busied herself with dinner preparations, she suddenly called Megan
over, pointing out Sullivan¡¯s arrival. His car, a sleek ck Bentley, was hard to miss. Stepping out into
the cold, Sullivan looked every bit the part of a man from Megan¡¯s dreams, his presencemanding
even from a distance.
The outside temperature was a bit chilly. He was wearing a dark gray overcoat that entuated the
crisp, snow white dress shirt, making his facial features stand out even more handsome.
With one hand, he held a puppy and used the other to close the car door.
Then, he casually nced up and looked at Megan.
Megan put on her coat and said something to Cora before heading downstairs. As soon as she
descended, she instinctively buried he small face into the cor of her warm camel¨Ccolored coat, which
complemented her fair and delicate skin.
¡°What are you here for?¡±
She didn¡¯t get too close to him, maintaining a certain level of caution
Sullivan hadn¡¯t spoken yet, he gentlyforted Shirley in his arms as he asked, ¡°Miss your mommy,
Shirley?¡±
After saying this, he looked at Megan.
In the twilight, Megan¡¯s face was slightly flushed. ¡°I¡¯m not its mother.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze deepened. ¡°But I want to be its father!¡±
Megan lowered her eyes, then looked up at him, saying earnestly, ¡°Sullivan, can we just be normal? If
you want to y love games, go use your charm on someone else. I can¡¯t handle it! I¡¯ll go upstairs¡
you drive away. My dad can¡¯t handle any of your dramal¡±
¡°Wait!¡± Sullivan called out to her. He turned back to the car, took out a document, and handed it to
Megan. ¡°Your brother¡¯s trial date has been set. It¡¯s scheduled for early next year¡±
Megan took it and read it several times. She murmured. ¡°That¡¯s still a long way off.
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Sullivan looked into her eyes, his voice soff, ¡°After the trial, are you nning to officially ask for a
divorce?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t answer directly, but her meaning was more or less clear
Sullivan¡¯s gaze darkened slightly.
The evening wind was strong, ruffling his hair.
Combined with the snow¨Cwhite shirt and dark gray overcoat, it was the look Megan had once loved the
most. He looked deeply at her ¡°Didn¡¯t we live well together not long ago? If we have one or two children
in a couple of years, Megan, we¡¯ll be better off than most couples in this world!¡±
Megan tightened her grip on the document. After a while, she tilted her head slightly, her voice choked
up. ¡°It does sound good! But Sullivan, if that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll have to break myself apart and rebuild. I¡¯ll
have to hide all the pain I¡¯ve suffered, and hold back tears so no
one notices: 111 have to wear e mask to continue being Mrs. Lowry, your bedsidepanion. I¡¯ll have
to pretend to be deaf and dumb to feel happy. Our children, even if we have them, you won¡¯t let me be
involved. You¡¯ll mold them into what you want. Like how you control mal My clothes, makeup,
hairstyle¡ which one of them len¡¯t ording to your preference? I don¡¯t want my children to end up
like that in the future, living only for you without a sell.¡±
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Sullivan¡¯s gaze was deep and prating
His voice was gentle as he spoke, ¡°Megan, how about we start with Shirley? I entrust it to you. You can
raise it however you wish; I just y the role of the dad here all decisions are yours.¡±
to
When men like Sullivan turned on their charm, it was hard for anyone -resist
Especially since evening a dog like Shirley had been Megan¡¯s childhood dream!
But she knew she had to let go, let go of her past dreams, let go of her feelings for Sullivan, and step
by step, walk away from his world, towards a life that was truly her own
She muttered apologies, saying she couldn¡¯t, and without looking back, she left.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Sullivan stood in the wind, watching Megan¡¯s tears.
Even though he knew she was putting on a show, he was slightly moved. He liked talking to Megan,
liked watching her softly speak her mind, even if what she said was unpleasant, even if she was talking
about leaving him.
Shirley, the dog in his arms, gave a soft bark
Sullivan was about to get into his car when he heard a scream from the hallway, it was Cord¡¯s voice.
¡°Ambnce! We need an ambnce! Someone help carry him down.¡±
Sullivan immediately put Shirley into the car, leaving the window cracked open, and after a nce at
Cora, he ran towards the Quigley family¡¯s apartment, choosing to take the stairs as the elevator was
out of order.
The door was wide open. Joseph had suffered a heart attack.
He was lying unconscious on the living room floor; Megan was performing CP pressed down forcefully,
calling out ¡°Dad¡± in a trembling voice.
on him. Tears filled her eyes as her delicate hands
¡°Let me!¡±
Sullivan, who had studied medicine before switching to finance, took off his jacket and gently tapped
Megan¡¯s hands to let her know to step back. His expenise was evident, and soon Joseph was
breathing again.
¡°Dad¡± Megan cried out in relief, overwhelmed with fear,
Joseph opened his eyes to see his daughter and Sullivan by his side.
Sullivan also sighed in relief and, taking out his phone, he made a call. ¡°Get an examination room
ready at the hospital, we¡¯ve got patienting in.¡±
The person on the other end responded promptly. ¡°Yes, Mr. Lowry!¡±
After handing the phone to Megan, Sullivan gently lifted Joseph and carried him down the stairs.
Without an elevator carrying a grown man down several nights of stairs was no easy feat. By the time
Sullivan reached the bottom, his shin was drenched in sweat, but he didn¡¯t even pause to wipe it off,
urging a frantic Cora. Follow behind and make sure he doesn¡¯t fall!¡° He then instructed Megan to get
into the car, telling her to take care of the dog.
The ck Bentley sped off into the night towards the Lowry Hospital.
Thanks to timely intervention and the best medical team, Joseph was out of danger, needing only a few
days in the hospital to recover fully.
Late at night, Megan stayed by her father¡¯s bedside.
Seeing Megan¡¯s dark circles, Cora felt a pang of sympathy, ¡°Go home and rest, Ill stay with your dad. If
not, the nurses are here too.¡± But Megan wouldn¡¯t hear of it, softly shaking her head, ¡°I want to stay
with Dad.¡±
Just then, Sullivan came in.
? ? ? ? ??? ????
cal down
He was carrying several containers of food, specially prepared by the hospital for its executives,
nutritious and delicious. He set the meal boxes and gently suggested, ¡°Cora, you should eat, too. Il
take Megan next door to rest.¡±
Cora was truly grateful for everything he had done today. She quickly stood, ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯ve been
such a help today!¡± Sullivan detected the formality in her voice and replied with a restrained, ¡°Megan
and I are married! Cora, please, don¡¯t be formal.¡± With that, he wrapped an arm around Megan¡¯s
shoulders, leading her away with a firmness that allowed no objection.
09:34
Megan didn¡¯t resist.
Once in the room next door, she stood in the middle of the small living area and and softly ¡°diivan, I
have nothing with which to thank you And I know you wouldn¡¯t help without le traton
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Bullivan was about to unluution he sh?ri
Hearing het, he ked an eyebritis, & emite ying on his lips me what a
be tat down on the couch ¡°You think you know me so well? Then tell
Megan looked den her fingers trembling as she began to unbutton trikine
Har skin shimmered under the hospitals harsh hights trembling slightly an inesistible temptation
¡±
I
Megan¡¯s voice was a whisper don¡¯t know what you want, but all can offer is my body Sullivan, I don¡¯t
know what you want from this attempt to close the distance between us now, but I¡¯d rather give you this
than owe you emotionally. Let¡¯s just get this over with so we
an be soun
Her words were straightforward, yeting from a woman of good standing, they were faden with
shame
Sullivan took a sip of water from a mug nearby, then set it down, looking at her silhouette
Then, with a hint of stemness, he said. ¡°You were about to offer your body, right? Why don¡¯t you turn
around? How am I supposed to be tumed on if I can¡¯t see you
Megan¡¯s fingers curled tighter, and slowly, she turned to face him
Sullivan leaned forward slightly, his elbows on his knees, hands sped in front of him in a pyramid
shape
There was a restrained sensuality about him
He watched Megan¡¯s blushing face, his voice soft, ¡°Take off your shoes,e here, and sit on my LAP
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Megan obeyed, a flush of embarrassment warming her cheeka.
His charcoal cks contrasted with her soft, fair skin, a sight that stirred a deep rush of desire
As Sullivan leaned in, Megan¡¯s delicate nostrils red ever so slightly, an involuntary sign of her
bashfulness. If not for their three years
of manage, one might think she was unacquainted with the intimacies shared between a man and a
woman.
¡°Are you scared or just not used to this? Sullivan¡¯s voice was deep and resonant, his gaze fixed on her
petite face.
¡°It¡¯s not that!¡± Megan rested her face against his shoulder, an act that always seemed to surrender to
the moment, something Sullivan found irresistibly charming. He loved being in control, especially when
it came to their moments of intimacy,pletely lost in his affection for her.
But at this moment, he had no intentions of iming her. He turned his head to look at her, gently
caressing her face.
It was burning hot!
Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy red!
Sullivan was not a man of naive passions, nor was he a saint. He carried Megan to the white hospital
bed, her hair spreading across the pillow¡
Pleasing a woman was addictive.
Sweat glistened on Megan¡¯s porcin face as it pressed against the crisp, white pillow, her expression
distant.
Sullivan, bending over kissed her gently.
He stroked her cheek, soothing her. ¡°If you¡¯re tired, just sleep. 11l be here, nothing will happen.¡±
Megan was in a half¨Cdream state.
She lifted her delicate hand, caressing his handsome face absent¨Cmindedly, tears the size of peas
escaping from her eyes. She knew, she was fully aware, asking him in a tearful voice, ¡°Sullivan, why
must you force me like this?¡±
The light cast a soft glow on Sullivan¡¯s face, softening his chiseled features,
His voice was gentle, ¡°I don¡¯t know! Perhaps I can¡¯t bear to let go, afraid that once I do, I¡¯ll never find
you again.¡±
Megan couldn¡¯t stop crying.
He took her hand, their fingers interlocking.
He whispered in her ear, ¡°You¡¯re like a little kid! Stop crying, you¡¯re breaking my heart¡±
When Megan opened her eyes, it was early morning.
The bed was empty beside her.
She vaguely remembered Sullivaning backte at night, lying beside her.
Megan dared not dwell on it, quickly getting up and walking to the opposite room.
Joseph was still sleeping soundly.
Cora was asleep on a small sofa nearby, Megan covered her with a nket and sat quietly by the bed.
Around eight, Sullivan arrived, followed by Bianca.
Sullivan appeared to have changed his clothes, donning a dark wool suit and a meticulously chosen tie,
looking every bit the picture of propriety, showing no signs of the previous night¡¯s recklessness or his
willingness to tenderly care for a woman.
He sat next to Megan, giving her a slight nod.
Bianca set breakfast in the room before leaving, but not without casting aplex nce at Megan
Once the door closed, Sullivan softly asked, ¡°Dad hasn¡¯t woken up yet?¡±
Perhaps because of the night before, Megan couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at him, just murmuring an
acknowledgment.
Sullivan nced at her.
After a moment, he let out a soft chuckle, ¡°Why¡¯s your face so red? Soft and blushing, just likest
night¡¡±
Megan replied hastily. ¡°I¡¯ve repaid you!¡±
Sullivan, sensing it was best to leave it there, changed the subject after a while, mentioning he had to
go to Zephyr City for a few days for an important business conference. He reassured her that he would
arrange for someone to take care of things at the hospital.
09.34
Chantic to!
Megan quietly thanked him.
In that thank you was a reluctantpromise.
In Sullivan¡¯s presence, she felt insignificant. He could provide the best and quickest medical care for
her father, something she was Incapable of doing herself.
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Sullivan, seeing the redness in her eyes, could guess her thoughts. He softly said, ¡°No need to thank
me; we¡¯re still married! As forst night It¡¯s normal for a husband and wife, isn¡¯t it?¡±
With that he stood up, his voice even gentler, ¡°I¡¯m leaving now! Call me if you need anything.¡±
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Cora stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open to see Sullivan making his way over. She attempted to sit
up, gently pressing her shoulder.
but he quickly approached,
¡°I¡¯ll be out of your hair in a jiffy!¡± he said before exiting the mom. The door opened and closed softly
behind him.
Cora turned her gaze towards Megan, looking like she wanted to say something but ultimately, she
held back.
Two dayster, Joreph¡¯s condition had stabilized enough for him to be considered for discharge at any
moment.
Around the same time, Megan received some uplifting news
Mrs. Lambert gave her a call, her voice as refreshing as a spring breeze ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you wouldn¡¯t
believe it, but you¡¯re exactly the kind of talent Paxton has been raving about! You see, my husband has
this friend, filthy rich and a ssical music aficionado, and just on a whim, I mentioned your situation.
Would you believe it, he agreed to fund you on the spotl Made our Mr. Lambert look like Scrooge in
comparison..
Megan was astounded. ¡°Really? How much is he willing to invest?¡±
With a calm and collected tone, Mrs. Lambert dropped the number. ¡°Two hundred million! Does that
take care of your urgent needs or what?¡±
Megan was overjoyed. ¡°That¡¯s an understatement! Mrs. Lambert, I owe you a dinner for this,¡±
Mrs: Lambert dly epted the offer.
After hanging up, however, Mrs. Lambert seemed lost in thought.
Mr. Lambert noticed her mood. ¡°Why the long face? It¡¯s Sullivan¡¯s money that¡¯s being spent, not ours.
No need for you to fret!¡±
Mrs. Lambert nced at her husband but didn¡¯t share what was really on her mind.
2 F2
The truth was she had her own reasons for facilitating this deal for Sullivan, mainly because of Bet.
Bet had taken a liking to Megan, and after a brawl with Sullivan at the club, which had be
quite the talk, the Leach family was worried their son might embarrass them further. Thus, they sought
Mrs. Lambert¡¯s advice.
She reasoned that if Sullivan and Mrs. Lowry were close, Bet would have no choice but to move
on. After all, it wouldn¡¯t do t the wife of a friend
he was set into motion.
And so, this scheme was set
to covet
Meanwhile. Mr. Lambert appeared to be preupied with a new fling, hardly concerned with family
matters, much to Mrs. Lamberts, Indifference
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Mrs. Lambert and Megan met for tea that afternoon, Mrs. Lambert, ever the steady one, arranged a
meeting time for the investment talk, earning repeated thanks from Megan, Holding her tea delicately,
Mrs. Lambert smiled. ¡°In our circle, we help each other out, don¡¯t we? You scratch my back, and I
scratch yours. That¡¯s how we get by.¡±
Megan hummed in agreement, ¡°I won¡¯t forget this favor.¡±
Changing the subject, Mrs. Lambert mentioned Timothy Lawson¡¯s recent engagement, cleverly
avoiding prying too much into Megan¡¯s friend, Lucia, who had once dated Timothy
As they wrapped up their meeting, Megan presented Mrs. Lambert with a gift¨Ca piece of sophisticated
embroidery from a renowned artisan, rare and costly.
Mrs. Lambert was genuinely pleased, admiring the intricate design, ¡°This is truly heartfelt! No wonder
Vict¡ Knowing whom Mrs. Lambert was referring to, Megan felt a little ufortable
fond of you!
Mrs. Lambert caught herself, correcting, ¡°No wonder Victoria can¡¯tpare! It¡¯s clear why Sullivan is
sof After saying their goodbyes, Megan, on her way out, spotted the news of Timothy¡¯s engagement to
Corona on a giant screen across the street. They looked like the perfect match.
Feeling a pang of sorrow for Lucia, Megan was suddenly caught off guard by a hand on her arm.
¡°Megan!¡±
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Megan froze for a second, then turned her head to see Timothy.
The guy who was supposed to be getting engaged, who looked so vibrant and lively in the engagement
video, now appeared haggard and worn, with a hint of red in his eyes.
¡°Where¡¯s Lucia?¡± Timothy¡¯s voice was raspy, and the grip on Megan¡¯s wrist was painfully tight.
Megan gathered herself.
She looked straight at Timothy and said softly. ¡°When we talked on the phone yesterday, she was at
her ce in Borough City. Timothy, aren¡¯t you getting engaged? Why are you looking for her?¡±
Timothy let go of her and imitably lit up a cigarette.
A pale grey smoke began to rise.
With his long fingers, he flicked the ash and spoke in a low voice, ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to reach her
sincest night! Megan, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to let her go; I can¡¯t let go of myself!¡±
Megan murmured in disbelief, ¡°Timothy, you¡¯re getting engaged! Do you want Lucia to be your
mistress? If you keep bothering her, will your fianc¨¦e Corona let Lucia be? Lucia has nothing¡ she¡¯s
just an orphan, and with Corona¡¯s family wealth and power, it would be easy for her to ham Lucia.¡±
Timothy¡¯s voice was hoarse, ¡°I won¡¯t let Corona hurt her.¡±
Megan¡¯s pupils shrank, ¡°How can you promise that? You can¡¯t even reach her now¡±
Timothy urged her to calm down.
Megan took a step back.
She looked at Timothy, her voice shaky and hoarse, ¡°if you knew what Lucia had gone through in the
past, you¡¯d understand why I can¡¯t stay calm! Timothy, you can get engaged, you can have a happy
marriage¡ but don¡¯t hurt Lucia. She¡¯s not like you; she has nothing! If she gets hurt, all she can do is
hide and lick her wounds, telling herself it¡¯s nothing¡¡±
After saying that. Megan tried calling Lucia¡¯s number. But all she got was a mechanical voice
apologizing that the call could not be _connected.
Megan tried countless times, to no avail.
Normally, Lucia traveled all over the world, and this wouldn¡¯t be unusual. But today, Megan felt an
intense unease.
That night, Megan woke from a nightmare, drenched in sweat.
In her dream, she saw Lucia standing on the edge of a cliff, covered in blood, turning to her and saying
softly. ¡°Megan, this time, I might be gone for good!¡±
¡°Lucia
When Megan woke up, her clothes were soaked through. She stared out into the night, gasping for
breath, still caught in the nightmare¡¯s grip.
Her phone¡¯s melodious ringtone broke the silence of the night,
Thinking it was Lucia returning her call, she immediately answered, ¡°Lucia¡¡±
But it wasn¡¯t Lucia on the other end, it was Sullivan.
In the dead of night, Sullivan¡¯s voice was deep and gentle. ¡°It¡¯s Sullivan. Megan, did you have a
nightmare?¡±
In the vulnerability of midnight, even if their rtionship was strained, even if he wasn¡¯t the person she
wanted to rely on, Megan still found herself saying in a hoarse voice, ¡°This afternoon, Timothy came to
me, saying he couldn¡¯t reach Lucia. Sullivan, I¡¯m afraid something might have happened to her.¡±
Thinking back to the dream, she couldn¡¯t help but curl up and cry softly.
She wasn¡¯t a savior, she felt even less capable than when she was a child. Back then, the Quigleys the
Quigley family¡¯s daughter, anyone she wanted to protect was off¨Climits to bullies.
Back then, she could hide Lucia away
Back then, she could protect Lucia and watch her grow up.
s were wealthy and influential, and as
In Zephyr City
09:34
Chapter 167
Sullivan had been up all night with work, wopping up detads for a trade meeting. Alone in a hotel mom
far from home, he suddenly felt
wave of loneliness and found himself wanting to hear Megan¡¯s voice
Hearing her cry over the phone, he was reminded of a young Megan, who must have felt just on
helpless when she missed her mother
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His voice was low and tender, like a blend of husband, lover, and elder all at once.
He told her to stop crying, mentioning that he¡¯d be back in Borough City by tomorrow and would
immediately arrange for someone to
look for Lucia
After a while, Megan¡¯s tears ceased.
Sullivan, phone in hand, listening to her faint breaths, couldn¡¯t help but whisper ¡°Megan, I tell you not to
cry, but I secretly adore it when you do. Every time you cry, I just want to tease you a bit more, make
you cry out, wrap your arms around my neck, and softly plead with me by my name.
Megan hung up.
The dial tone buzzed softly, but Sullivan just chuckled lightly.
He pressed the inte, summoning Bianca.
nca, having not yet gone to bed, found herself once again at the beck and call of her boss,
contemting whether it was about time for a raise as she knocked on his door.
Entering, she saw Sullivan leaning back, his fingers idly ying with his phone.
He calmly instructed, ¡°Look into Lucia¡¯s whereabouts¡±
Bianca paused.
Sullivan offered a faint smile, ¡°Start with Timothy¡¯s fianc¨¦e. If anything¡¯s happened to Lucia, she¡¯s likely
involved.¡±
It took nca a moment to process it. After a beat, she softly asked, ¡°Would Mr. Lawson risk a fallout
with his family over Lucia?¡±
Sullivan observed his capable secretary
After a moment, his smile grew even fainter as he replied, ¡°No way! The Lawson and Neumann families
just coborated on a 12¨Cfigure project. Neither side trusts the other, and a mamage between their
children is the only way to ensure peace. If Timothy dared to call off the wedding, Gabriel Lawson
would have his head¡±
Besides, Timothy wasn¡¯t that naive. He wasn¡¯t a knight in shining armor to him, Lucia was merely a
fleeting distraction
After Bianca left, she leaned against the door, thinking men truly understand men best. Men like
Sullivan and Timothy, their so¨Ccalled love¡® for a woman is but charity. Believing otherwise is simply
foolish.
She used to be jealous of Megan, but now, she pitied her
Sullivan, with depths unknown, surpassed Timothy by far
At 20, he graduated from a top domestic university, and at 22, he returned from Stanford to join the
Lowry Group, climbing to the top over countless obstacles.
Sullivan¡¯s ruthlessness, Bianca knew all too well.
The next day, Megan was visibly distressed.
Even Paxton noticed, telling her her performance was abysmal, and suggested she head home early
Megan apologized softly.
Exiting the music center, she tried calling Lucia again to no avail. Megan considered calling the police
but feared provoking the kidnapper. She felt on the verge of madness
A ck Bentley pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down halfway, revealing Sullivan inside.
Dressed in a dark blue shirt covered by a ck coat, he looked dashing
He turned to Megan, gently saying, ¡°Get in.¡±
Megan, without making a fuss¨Cshe needed his help after all¨Copened the passenger door, only to be
greeted by a little dog perched on the seat, looking up at her with big pleading eyes, its tail wagging
eagerly.
Megan¡¯s throat tightened.
Sullivan moved the dog aside, then repeated. ¡°Get in!¡±
Once Megan was inside, he ced the dog in herp. The small, soft creature was impossible for
Megan to resist. She almost froze as Sullivan buckled her in, leaning in so close she could smell the
faint scent of his aftershave.
Megan lowered her gaze, ¡°Sullivan, I¡¯ve said it before¨Ct have no way to thank you¡±
Sullivan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers.
Under his intensely masculine gaze, Megan trembled slightly, memories of that night flooding back,
especially his words after the fact, describing her as ¡°rosy and tender¡±
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Sullivan had a knack for understanding people, especially Megan.
After years of being intimately close, he knew exactly what pleased her, and he didn¡¯t mind going the
extra mile to pleasure her.
But that night, despite his efforts, he couldn¡¯t fully enjoy her vulnerable beauty due to her emotional
turmoil. Now, as she trembled nearly in his arms, Sullivan sensed her inner conflict between love and
resistance. The downfall of the Quigley family had left her vulnerable, presenting him with an
opportunity,
Pulling her closer, he wrapped one arm around her shoulder while gently petting a small dog with the
other. His voice was softer than ever, ¡°Do you miss how I used to pleasure you? Did it feel that good?¡±
Megan turned her face away, trying to hide her feelings. Having loved him for six years, she found his
masculine charm irresistible. As her cheeks warmed, Sullivan ced the barking dog back in her arms,
gently teasing, ¡°Shirley, Mommy¡¯s getting shy.¡±
At that moment, Megan felt her guard quietly shatter. She recoiled, preventing further contact, and
Sullivan, sensing the mood, decided
to back off.
Sitting up straight, he drove her to the hospital, discussing Lucia and Timothy¡¯s situation along the way.
He was honest with her; Timothy wouldn¡¯t choose Lucia over his own interests.
¡°I can only help you find Lucia,¡± he said as they arrived, ¡°but I can¡¯t mend their rtionship.¡±
Megan understood, nodding as she prepared to leave the car, Sullivan caught her hand, holding her
gaze before softly asking, ¡°Did you miss me these past few days?¡±
Megan¡¯s fingers curled slightly.
¡°No,¡± she lied.
Sullivan smiled faintly, handing her a gift box. ¡°Brought this back from the convention for you. It¡¯s a pill
that protects the heart, not yet avable in stores, thought it might help your dad.¡±
Megan thanked him and hurried inside, feeling a mix of emotions.
Inside the hospital, Megan was visibly distracted.
apple. Their conversation soon turned to Sullivan, with Cora
Cora, noticing her state, gently chided her for being careless with suggesting Megan reconsider their
marriage. It was clear to her that Sullivan had been more attentive and respectfultely.
Despite her concerns for Lucia, Megan couldn¡¯t help but feel differently about Sullivan now. His
restraint and whispered intimacies that night had shown her a gentler side of him, making it hard for
any woman to resist
Megan¡¯s search for Lucia had taken her as far as Paris, driven by a mix of hope and desperation. But
reality hit hard when Timothy¡¯s engagement news broke, and Sullivan called with an update on Lucia,
insisting on picking Megan up himself.
Dressed sharply in a white dress shirt and custom ck suit, Sullivan¡¯s appearance was striking as he
arrived to take Megan to Lucia, marking a moment of profound urgency and concem in their
complicated rtionship.
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On the way to the hospital, Megan¡¯s hands were clenched tight. She didn¡¯t ask Sullivan for details.
The hospital corridors felt endless, and as Megan paced through, the faint sound of a woman¡¯s
weeping, tinged with distortion and agony, familiar yet foreign, reached her ears.
Megan quickened her pace.
When she finally pushed open the door, Sullivan stood right behind her, his voice a low rumble, ¡°Some
thugs from the Corona gang made her deal in one ear Found her in an abandoned warehouse¡±
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Megan¡¯s eyes flooded with tears, her hand shaking on the doorknob. It took her a moment to gather the
courage to step inside.
Timothy and his fianc¨¦e had arrived before her, sitting quietly in the room.
Lucia was a shadow of her former self, sitting on the hospital bed, not acknowledging Timothy or his
fianc¨¦e nor hearing their attempts atforting words.
She was like a ghost
Only when Megan entered did a spark of life flicker in Lucia¡¯s eyes.
Megan gently hugged her, her voice quivering with apologies for arrivingte.
Lucia¡¯s cry was haunting, unlike any sound of grief Megan had ever heard¡
Timothy murmured in confusion, ¡°But doesn¡¯t she still have her left ear? Why can¡¯t she hear?¡±
Megan wrapped her arms tighter around Lucia
She closed her eyes, answering Timothy. ¡°Lucia lost her hearing in her left ear when she was just 15.
She¡¯s been living with hearing from only her night ear since then! Now, you and your fianc¨¦e have
taken that from her, too. I told you, she¡¯s just an orphan, powerless¡ In front of families like ours, she¡¯s
nothing! Why did you betray her feelings and hurt her physically?¡±
Timothy shivered all over
He looked at Lucia, at her frail body, remembering how vibrant she used to be. He recalled whispering
sweet nothings and crude jokes into her left ear while tormenting her and her always looking puzzled.
Because she couldn¡¯t hear him
Theirst time together, he whispered, ¡°If it were you, I¡¯d be overjoyed to marry you! A night of endless
passion¡±
She looked at him, as clueless as ever.
He realized she never heard any of it.
And now, she never would.
Timothy¡¯s eyes burned with a mix of emotions while his fianc¨¦e, Corona, coolly wrote a check for 20
million, saying to Lucia, ¡°20 million for one ear should be enough, right?¡±
Timothy grabbed her wrist.
Dressed in avish evening gown from some haute couturebel, Corona was dragged by Timothy into
the hospital restroom, a ce even the cleaning staff avoided due to its filth
There, Timothy took her without even bothering to close the door.
He treated her with contempt, spitting harsh words, ¡°Is this what you wanted? To provoke me because I
hadn¡¯t touched you? Now, you got your wish. We¡¯re tied together for life, and I¡¯ll make sure we y the
part of a loving couple!¡±
He even insulted her, ¡°Like a dead fish! You¡¯d fetch 200 at best out there!¡±
Corona pped him, ¡°Timothy, you¡¯re insane! All this for that cheap bitch!¡±
eap bitch here?¡±
Timothy sneered, ¡°She¡¯s the cheap one! You¡¯re even worse! Chasing after a man she discarded. Who¡¯s
the real cheap
Tears filled Corona¡¯s eyes.
Timothy gently caressed her face, ¡°Regretting it now? Toote! You¡¯ve pushed me too far!¡±
With that, he zipped up and walked away without looking back.
That night, Timothy called several starlets to Borough City¡¯s most exclusive club.
Corona, broken, returned to the Neumann household.
Harper Neumann greeted her with a p that left her ears ringing, berating her, ¡°Are you stupid? Do
you know how much we¡¯ve invested
in this alliance? You¡¯ve pushed Timothy to this point over some implevant girl. How are you two
supposed to live after this?¡±
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Chapter 170
He threw a stack of scandalous photos at her ¡°Look, this is his response! Did you really think our
arranged mamages could breed true love, that any man would stay faithful to you? You¡¯re a fool!¡±
Corona, looking at the photos, trembled, ¡°He did this for her¡±
Harper scoffed, ¡°You didn¡¯t challenge his love, you challenged his ego. That¡¯s something Timothy can¡¯t
stand. You¡¯ve awakened a beast. Once Timothy takes over the Lawson family, the Neumanns will be
his first target.¡±
Corona was left stunned.
09
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In the still of the night, Timothy made his way back to the hospital.
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Lu barely nced up at him before burying her face back into her knees, her whole being still
engulfed in deep fear. She didn¡¯t want to be near him again,
With a hard swallow, Timothy backed out of the room.
His steps echoed down the empty hallway, the sound of his leather shoes crisp in the silence. Pushing
open a window at the end of the hall, the night breeze rushed in, stinging his face and dispersing the
scent of cologne clinging to him.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and he knew it was Sullivan,
Trembling. Timothy lit a cigarette, its white glow stark against the night, reminiscent of the sultry nights
he had spent with Lucia,
His voice was thin. ¡°The first time I saw her, I was blown away. I went out of my way to have her. But
deep down, I knew I wouldn¡¯t marry her. Even now, I feel the same! It¡¯s just not possible, not realistic!
Sullivan, the best I can do is to let her go, to allow her a peaceful life¡¡± He looked down at the
cigarette between his fingers, his voice growing even more somber, ¡°Megan¡¯s with her, fm relieved.¡±
3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 5
Sullivan was silent for a long while.
Finally, he spoke softly. Tve consulted the best specialists for her. She¡¯s permanently lost hearing in her
right ear. Shell need a hearing aid from now on! Timothy, are you sure this is the choice you want to
make?¡±
Timothy tumed to snuff out his cigarette, speaking lightly. ¡°Only those in power have choices! Sullivan,
you, of all people, should know
this.
He left behind a check for $50 million, enough to secure Lucia¡¯s future.
Leaving the hospital, he looked up, his eyes moist
And for the rest of his life, no matter how many wild nights or beauties crossed his path, none would
compare to that night, to the thought of ¡°If it were you, I¡¯d be overjoyed to marry you!¡±
Sullivan handed the check to Lucia
Clutching the check, Lucia cried silently, her shoulders shaking, but she refused to make a sound. She
knew how strange, how embarrassing her voice sounded now¡
Megan wrapped her arms around her.
She urged Lucia to look into her eyes, and, using signnguage, she told her, ¡°You still have me! Lucia,
you always have me.¡±
Lucia¡¯s expression was distant.
Tears were in Megan¡¯s eyes, but she managed a smile and repeated in signnguage, ¡°You still have
me! Lucia, you still have mel¡±
Lucia¡¯s lips quivered even more, and soon she was crying out loud, her voice harsh and grating, but
Megan cried with her. She leaned on Lucia¡¯s frail shoulder, murmuring. ¡°You scared me to death! Do
you know that, Lucia? You scared me to death.¡±
Sullivan stepped out.
He took the same spot Timothy had stood in and lit a cigarette, the night breeze dispersing its scent
and slightly softening his heart, though his resolve remained unshaken.
He smiled gently to himself, ¡°Only those in power have choices!¡±
Two dayster, Lucia tiled on her hearing aid.
When she spoke her first words to Megan, Megan cried.
M
Lucia wiped away her tears, giving Megan aforting smile, ¡°Why cry, silly? I can hear now! And with
$50 million, I can livefortably for the rest of my life.¡±
Megan nodded through her tears, ¡°Yes, you can hear now!¡±
But she couldn¡¯t forget the look of despair on Lucia¡¯s face. Lucia loved being in the spotlight, aspiring to
shine brightly so those she admired would notice her.
But now, Lucia¡¯s chances were gone
The $50 million had severed her ties with Timothy and her career dreams.
09.35
At night, in her rented apartment, Megan opened a small bottle of whiskey.
Feeling down, she wanted a drink.
But the alcohol only made her feel more depressed. Half¨Casleep, she felt something fuzzy against her
face, as if something was rubbing against her.
Opening her eyes, she saw Shirley, perched on the sofa, tail wagging.
How did it get here?
Megan tried to remember but the alcohol had hit her hard, leaving her unable to support herself and
slumping onto the sofa.
Sullivan approached with a ss of water, only to find her in such a state.
Head slightly tilted back, her eyes half¨Cclosed
Her silk blouse was undone, revealing her mpidly heaving chest, and the hem of her shirt was
scandalously hiked up, exposing a sliver of her slender waist¡ She was drenched in the sum of a
mature women, tempting a man to indulge in her vors.
Under the warm orange light, Sullivan watched her quietly. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed gently.
It had been a while since they were intimate, and as a normal man, it was impossible not to desire,
especially with her lying so provocatively before him.
Setting the ss down, the water inside sloshed back and forth.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Megan.
His long finger slipped under his tie, loosening it before tossing it onto the back of the sofa, followed by
his cufflinks, which he set on the coffee table. The small, exquisite diamond cufflinks sparkled under the
orange light.
He leaned in to kiss her.
Megan was intoxicated, but she knew this wasn¡¯t right. She shouldn¡¯t be getting involved with Sullivan
like this
She tried to dodge his kisses, but he always found her, capturing her lips in a deep kiss, her hand
guided to feel his lean waist and his belt.
Their clothes remained on, but the tension was unbeamble.
Megany beneath him, her words slurred with drunkenness, ¡°Sullivan, why are you here? No¡ we
shouldn¡¯t do this.¡±
Sullivan gently caressed her flushed face.
His voice was unbelievably tender. ¡°Is it that we shouldn¡¯t, or is
is it that
you don¡¯t want to?¡±
Megan looked up at him helplessly, panting heavily.
Her trembling body betrayed her true physical response, after all, being ustomed to sweetness, she,
too, had her needs as a woman. Yet, she stubbornly replied, ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡±
Sullivan¡¯s gaze deepened.
After a moment, he took her hand to his face. His features were sharp and well¨Cdefined, evoking
feelings even through touch. Eventually, her delicate fingers brushed against his prominent nose, its
slight softness tantalizing.
Sullivan gently pulled her hand away, not letting her continue.
He whispered in her ear, ¡°Still saying you don¡¯t want to? You¡¯re almost addicted to touching me!¡±
Megan¡¯s breathing became morebored, and Sullivan lowered his head to kiss her again¡..
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Early in the morning, Megan woke to find Sullivan¡¯s handsome face erged and close as he slept on
the couch One hand was tucked under his head while the other dominantly rested on Megan¡¯s waist,
emanating warmth.
His shirt was in disarray, his ck trousers intact, though the belt was removed.
Megan assessed her own state
She was rtively put together but her intuition told her something was amiss beneath, and indeed,
buried in the couch crevice was a thin, sheer piece of ckce
Her cheeks burned.
Last night she and Sullivan had done it
Attempting to move without waking him proved futile when the hand at her waist tightened, pulling her
back against him. Adults as they were, the intimacy of their proximity spoke volumes.
The atmosphere was charged.
Sullivan¡¯s hand gently patted her waist, his voice deep and husky, ¡°Stay still! Don¡¯t make me lose
control again, and don¡¯t you cry about
Megan ceased struggling,fortably nestling against him, waiting for the moment to pass.
Eventually Sullivan softly caressed her shoulder, his gaze intense, ¡°Aboutst night, should I take
responsibility?¡±
Megan¡¯s memories of the evening were fragmented.
She couldn¡¯t recall the specifics, but perhaps it was for th
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the best, sparing her the psychological burden.
She sat up, gracefully running her fingers through her hair.
The hands of a violinist, truly a sight to behold.
Sullivan watched her, a rare leisure in his posture that hismitment to the Lowry Group seldom
allowed. This moming, he was content to simply admire his wife in the morning light.
He gently caught her hand. His voice softened, ¡°Why so quiet?¡±
Megan nced at the bottle of whiskey on the coffee table, momentanly lost in thought, then softly
said, ¡°We¡¯re adults. No need for responsibilities for such things! Besides, we haven¡¯t officially filed for
divorce, so one more time doesn¡¯t really make a difference!¡±
Embarrassed, she couldn¡¯t bear to confront the piece of ckce and retreated to her room to
change.
Afterward, she began tidying the living room.
Megan had be quite the homemaker during her three years of marriage to Sullivan. Organizing
and cooking had brought her peace. Sullivan sat back, watching her, a teasing smile ying on his lips,
¡°Letting go so easily? Last night, you were under me, crying like a kitten, begging me to stop!¡±
Megan¡¯s cheeks med, ¡°I was drunk, I don¡¯t remember
Sullivan didn¡¯t press further. He retrieved the delicate garment from the couch, pulling Megan close and
teasing, ¡°From our movie date?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡±
Sullivan looked at her, recalling her promise to try on every lingerie piece for him, a promise yet
unfulfilled.
Megan¡¯s eyes moistened at the memory of their brief happiness, of Sullivan¡¯s wish to start over, and his
commitment to being a good husband despite his struggles with love. How naive she had been to
believe.
Megan snatched the lingerie, her voice low, ¡°There won¡¯t be a next time, Sullivan. For some
experiences, once is enough for a lifetime.¡± Looking up slightly, she forced her tears back and said,
¡°There was no point in youing over and sleeping here! The problems between us wouldn¡¯t go
away just because of that. Nheless, I have to thank you for what you¡¯ve done for my dad and
Lucia. So, if you thinkst night wasn¡¯t enough¡
She approached him, taking the initiative to sit on hisp, understanding his desires and their shared
history intimately.
Megan kissed his chin messily.
Sullivan held her still, her lips trembling as she whispered, ¡°Till take contraceptives, no need to worry
about getting me pregnant!¡±
Sullivan, annoyed, retorted, ¡°Why would I worry? I wore a condomst night!¡±
Megan¡¯s face turned a deeper shade of red, unustomed to his blunt manner. After a moment,
Sullivan¡¯s imitation seemed to fade, and he moved to kiss her gently, ¡°Can¡¯t you tell if we did it or not
last night?¡±
09:35
Chapter 172
Megan looked up at him, wide¨Ceyed
Sullivan teased her neck, his voice rough ¡°What am I to do with you? So easily fooled. How can I let
you go¡ hmm?¡±
He didn¡¯t touch her further.
Megany on the couch, her heart softening, as Shirley, their dog, nestled beside her
Megan couldn¡¯t resist pettina hei
Woot woof
Shirley wagged its tail happily, circling Megan like a delighted child, Megan couldn¡¯t help butugh, it¡¯s
adorable¡±
Sullivan brought the dog into Megan¡¯s arms. He leaned in close, almost covering herpletely, his
gaze intense, ¡°Megan, how about being its mom?¡±
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Megan¡¯s smile faded as she turned her face away. Just then, the little dog licked her neck, tickling her
and making her squirm.
In trying to escape, she found herself identally nestled into Sullivan¡¯s neck, her voice carrying a hint
of coquetry, ¡°Sullivan, could you take it away, please?¡±
Sullivan scooped up the little dog but didn¡¯t let go of Megan. He pressed against her, his deep gaze
filled with a barely contained intensity. He leaned in close to her ear and asked softly, ¡°Can wo?¡±
Megan¡¯s checks flushed a deep red, her voice trembling. ¡°No¡±
Sullivan held her close for a moment longer, waiting for her to calm down before finally letting her go.
As he straightened his shirt and trousers, he mentioned, ¡°I¡¯ve got a big meeting this morning! Ie
see you tonight.¡±
¡°I¡¯m busy tonight, Megan replied quickly.
Sullivan chuckled lightly, asking casually, ¡°Got a date? With Begonin?¡±
Megan felt no need to exin herself, but she still said, ¡°It¡¯s an investor Mrs. Lambert introduced me to!
Mrs. Lambert says capable. We¡¯ve arranged to meet tonight to discuss things further.¡±
he¡¯s v
very
Sullivan put on his coat and asked, ¡°Need me to give you a ride?¡±
Megan declined.
Sullivan gently stroked her slightly reddened eyes, his voice soft, ¡°What, afraid people will find out
you¡¯re married?¡±
¡°No!¡±
Sullivanughed. He bent down to pick up Shirley, the little dog, and said tenderly, ¡°Say goodbye to
Mommy!¡±
Megan¡¯s face tumed an ufortable shade of red.
Without further ado, Sullivan left.
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After he was gone, Megan continued tidying up the house. Half an hourter, she received a breakfast
delivery from Sullivan,plete with hangover remedies and a card from Sullivan, teasingly refering to
her as Shirley¡¯s mom.
Megan sat quietly on the couch.
The little dog, breakfast, card¡ all were ssic moves in the game of courtship.
She was well aware of it
Normally, she might ignore such gestures, but these days, Sullivan had been her savior. He had used
his resources to take care of her father and Lucia. Without Sullivan, she knew her life would be in
shambles.
Megan was grateful to him.
She also sensed a change in him, he was considerate and gentle, and he hadn¡¯t forced himself on her.
That time in the hospital, when he had pinned her on the bed, he hadn¡¯t taken it any further Instead,
Megan had felt a sense of satisfaction.
Cora¡¯s words echoed in her mind, urging her to reconsider her marriage with Sullivan,
Megan¡¯s gaze dropped, her longshes trembling slightly.
For the first time since their separation, her heart quietly softened towards Sullivan.
ay with Lucia.
Megan spent the day
In the evening, she received a call from Mrs. Lambert, ¡°Don¡¯t forget about tonight¡¯s dinner, Megan. The
person we¡¯re meeting is genuinely interested in investing.
Megan assured her. ¡°I won¡¯t forget. Thanks for looking out for me, Mrs. Lambert¡±
After hanging up, just as Megan was about to speak, Lucia beat her to it, ¡°Go take care of your own
things. You don¡¯t have to stick around me all day! I can hear now, and food tastes good again!¡±
Her eyes were moist, ¡°One of us has to chase our dreams! Megan, I¡¯m still waiting to see you shining
bright, catching everyone¡¯s eye.¡±
Megan walked over and hugged Lucia softly, whispering. ¡°¡°1 willl¡±
Lucia smiled through her tears, ¡°Go on!¡±
Megan went home to change into a new outfit.
Upon arriving at the club, a waiter escorted her to the VIP room 2201, which boasted a spacious and
stylish interior,
Mrs. Lambert was already there.
09.35
As she was deciding on the menu, she greeted Megan naturally, ¡°I was just trying to make up my mind.
You¡¯re just in time to help me choose. Our guest tonight is quite picky¡±
Megan sat next to her offering her opinion with a nce, ¡°Given the weather, this French oxtail soup
would be perfect. And this¡¡±
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Mrs. Lambert nodded in agreement. Turning to the waiter, she su, ¡°That¡¯ll be all for now! And another
guest will be joining us shortly, you can go ahead and bring the dishes out.¡±
The waiter nodded and left.
Once they were alone, Mrs. Lambert leaned in for some gossip. ¡°On my way here, I overheard Mr.
Lambert on the phone. Timothy¡¯s been causing a stir over your friend, spending his engagement night
at the club. with a bunch of reality TV stars, Gabriel is livid!¡±
She sighed softly, ¡°Men are all the same, aren¡¯t they? All over you one moment, and then, a couple of
monthster, they barely remember your name. Better to rely on the money in your hand than a man.¡±
Megan felt a pang in her heart.
She thought of Lucia¡¯s lost hearing, of her sitting through the night in agony, all for a mere 50 million.
Mrs. Lambert saw the look on her face and changed the subject.
The waiter returned with a tter of dishes, lightening the mood. Mrs. Lambert and Megan chatted
about
this and that.
Then, from outside, a voice called, ¡°Mr. Lowry, right this way, to private room 2201.¡±
Mr. Lowry¡
Megan was momentarily stunned.
The door then opened, and who should be standing there but Sullivan? He ducked slightly to enter,
unbuttoning his coat with a grace that caught even Mrs. Lambert¡¯s eye. ¡°Sorry, traffic was a nightmare.
His every
is every move was a pleasure to watch.
Even Mrs. Lambert, at her age, couldn¡¯t help but take a few extra moments to appreciate him. ¡°Not a
problem at all! I was just chatting with Mrs. Lowry.¡±
Sullivan took a seat next to Megan, turning to look at her.
She must have dressed up specially, in a champagne silk blouse and a matching mermaid skirt that
unted her figure and femininity.
Perhaps it was his intense gaze, Megan ufortably flicked her hair and then found a slice of salmon
added to her te. Sullivan watched her intently, his voice soft, ¡°You look beautiful. Is that new?¡±
Megan was speechless.
Mrs. Lambert smiled like she was basking in spring sunshine. ¡°Ah, to be young and in love!¡±
Sullivan was all charm. ¡°You tter us, Mrs. Lambert.¡±
He came from a good family and had a knack for making everyone feel at ease. Mrs. Lambert left the
dinner quite satisfied. Though she had her own motives for Bet, she ultimately wanted Megan to be
happy.
As Mrs. Lambert was leaving, she said to Megan, ¡°Don¡¯t be mad I kept it from you; it was Sullivan¡¯s
request!¡±
Megan smiled faintly.
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The ups and downs between her and Sullivan weren¡¯t for others to worry about.
After seeing Mrs. Lambert out, Sullivan returned and casually unbuttoned his shirt a bit more, adding a
touch of casual sexiness to his crisp white shirt..
Megan hadn¡¯t said a word.
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He served her some dishes, leaning in, ¡°Upset to see me?¡±
¡°Not at all!¡±
Megan quietly continued her meal, then softly said, ¡°Sullivan, I don¡¯t need your investment.¡±
He gently rolled up his sleeves, his tone still soft, ¡°You don¡¯t want to spend my money? Last time, you
told me our finances were shared as husband and wife; why the distance now?¡±
Megan looked up at him. Her face was delicate and fair under themplight, though her eyes were a bit
red.
¡°You know why!¡± she said.
Sullivan leaned back. He watched her profile, his voice equally soft, ¡°I don¡¯t know. What I do know is
that I don¡¯t want my wife to dress up for some unknown man, go out drinking, and put on a forced smile
over some trivial sum of money. Megan, not only am I jealous, but it hurts me too.¡±
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Megan felt a pang of sorrow. She muttered, ¡°Sullivan, if you re¡
red, how did we end up here?¡±
Overwhelmed, she couldn¡¯t continue. Grabbing her clutch, she attempted to leave.
Sullivan leaned in, gently pressing on the back of her hand. ¡°Stay and finish this meal with me!¡±
Megan shook her head, murmuring..¡°Sullivan, it¡¯s just inappropriate for you to invest! Enjoy your meal;
I¡¯ll leave first.¡±
Sullivan held her still, his gaze dark and unreadable.
After a moment, as if after thorough contemtion, he grabbed his coat and followed. ¡°I¡¯ll take you
home!¡±
He was always assertive, refusing to be denied. He escorted Megan out of the private dining room and
opened the door of the ck Bentley in the parking lot for her.
The passenger seat was upied by a small, snow¨Cwhite bundle.
It was Shirley!
The tiny creature curled up on the leather seat, seemingly asleep. Hearing the noise, it lifted its head,
barely opening its jet¨Cck eyes, looking innocently at Megan.
A wave of profound sadness suddenly engulfed Megan.
At that moment, she saw herself, the one who waited every night for Sullivan toe home.
The immense sorrow choked her, leaving her breathless.
She couldn¡¯t bear to look at Shirley any longer, and stepped back hurriedly.
Standing in the darkness, she softly said to the person beside her, ¡°Sullivan, I want to go home alone.¡±
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Sullivan stepped forward, trying to touch her shoulder.
But Megan recoiled sharply, backing into the ck Bentley. Her eyes moistened as she silently stared
at him.
¡°Don¡¯te closer, Sullivan! Stay away!
She lowered her eyes, steadying herself on the car, then started to walk away from him. Her steps
were unsteady, much like the rocky path their rtionship had taken.
Tiny snowkes began to fall, scattering lightly.
Landing on Megan¡¯s hair, on her shoulders.
She walked alone amid the gentle snow, but even its soft touch couldn¡¯t soothe the pain in her heart.
She mustered the courage to leave him, and she was already halfway there, yet Sullivan wouldn¡¯t let
her go.
He was always there when she was sad.
Those once cherished memories revived, assaulting her, making her flee in panic. She had loved him
fearlessly for six years, and now, she couldn¡¯t even muster the courage to nce at him again.
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¡°Megan!¡± Behind her, Sullivan called her name tenderly.
Megan stopped, her eyes downcast, deeply saddened, ¡°Sullivan, why did you bring it back? You
know¡¡±
¡°That it reminds me of you, right?¡±
Sullivan closed the car door, watching her retreating figure, his voice rough, ¡°Bianca brought it over,
and I thought it resembled you, but I liked it. Megan, you said you wanted to go home alone, so I¡¯ll let
you go, but call me when you get home¡ okay?¡±
Megan turned sharply, her eyes teary as she looked at him.
Separated by a few inches through the gentle snow, they gazed at each other.
No ancient vows, just a three¨Cyear crumbling marriage and her repeated disappointments in him.
cweaty around
Megan didn¡¯t go home; she headed to Quinn Haven. Stepping out of the cab, her hand was sweaty the
key.
Sullivan gave her the key earlier, saying, ¡°I passed by Quinn Haven this morning, went in, and saw the
winter jasmine blooming in the garden!¡±
Deep into the night, Quinn Haven was partially veiled by the light snow, possessing a serene beauty.
Megan looked up, lost in thought.
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After a while, she used the key to open the ck wrought¨Ciron gate, pushing it open to see the dark
courtyard lit by small nightlights, making the snowkes dance like silk in the night sky.
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Megan strolled slowly down the cobblestone path, her eyes ching the numerous potted nts that
brought life to the garden, even in the chill of winter. The marble foyer was graced by a painting her
mother had done in her lifetime.
The living room had beenpletely redecorated.
The style remained the same, but every piece of furniture had been reced; even the carpet beneath
her feet was new¡ Behind the sofa, a massive mural hung.
It depicted a sky scattered with stars.
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§°§á§Ñ
a summer night, a young Megan slept sweetly in a little tent
Megan gazed at it until her eyes began to sting, then quietly left. As she stepped outside, the snow had
grown heavier, falling on her eyshes like feathers in the night.
In the corner, a witch hazel was bent under the light snow.
Its delicate yellow petals seemed even more fragile against the backdrop of Zinnia Baldwin¡¯s house.
After Megan left, Sullivan returned to the private room, eating alone under the extravagant lights,
emotionless until Bianca arrived.
Upon entering, she handed him a report, ¡°Dr. Simon¡¯stest analysis! It¡¯s the invoice from his
assistant.¡±
Sullivan gestured for her to sit across from him.
While dining gracefully, he read through the psychologist¡¯s analysis of Megan. No wonder the charges
were by the minute; the insight into Megan was incredibly sharp.
After finishing, Sullivan said nonchntly, ¡°Cut a check for him, settle the final bill!¡±
Bianca was surprised, ¡°Mr. Lowry, Mrs. Lowry hasn¡¯t returned yet.¡±
Sullivan looked up at her, his eyes inscrutable under the light.
After a moment, he wiped his lips with a napkin and said lightly, ¡°Megan will be back soon! Our
coboration with Dr. Simon is temporarily concluded.¡±
His confidence made Bianca uneasy.
As she followed Sullivan out, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if marrying Sullivan was a blessing or a
curse for Megan.
Sullivan drove back to the mansion.
The servant approached eagerly, but he was too distracted to care.
Upon reaching the second¨Cfloor study, he casually tossed the report and invoice on the desk, then
leaned back on the sofa, stretching his neck to rx.
Outside the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, the fine snow added a majestic touch to the night.
Sullivan found himself missing Megan,
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Chapter 176
Her ce was small but cozy, and after getting drunk, Megan had fallen asleep in his arms for a night.
He vaguely remembered that ever since the Quigley family Incident, she hadn¡¯t been as close to him as
Shirley used to be.
Lost in thought, his phone rang.
It was Megan.
Holding the phone, Sullivan tilted his head slightly, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he said, ¡°Are you at
Quinn Haven, or have you made it home? If you¡¯re at Quinn Haven¡ I cane pick you up.¡±
There was a long silence on the phone before Megan softly replied, ¡°I¡¯m home.¡±
Sullivan smiled faintly, ¡°Did you visit? Do you still like it?¡±
Megan didn¡¯t respond.
Hearing a soft inhale on the other end, Sullivan sat up slightly, ¡°Why are you crying? Should Ie
over?¡±
Megan murmured a soft no.
Sullivan, a mature man and husband to Megan for years, detected the vastpromise in that word,
and the call itself was a concession from her.
He had achieved his goal and felt victorious, yet he also felt despicable.
He wondered, was it an illusion?
How could he possibly feel remorse or despicable? From a young age, his mother taught him to
achieve his desires by any means.
But Megan was crying.
He thought, perhaps it was spending too much time with her that softened his heart. It wasn¡¯t about
love just the familiarity that breeds affection¡ nothing more!
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Sullivan hung up the phone.
Leaning back on the couch, he quietly watched the light snow falling outside, Imagining Megan curled
up on her sofa. Of course, he could drive over to her ce now, taking a step further in capturing both
her body and mind.
Without a doubt, she would be his by tonight.
She would wrap her antis around his neck, submissively enduring his possession simply because she
liked
him.
But Sullivan didn¡¯t move. There was no need, for he had already won her back; Megan was once again
caught in the web of their past love¡.
The snow night was serene and quiet.
At the door of the study, a servant knocked and said softly, ¡°Sir, there¡¯s a Mr. Baldwin here to see you!
He wishes to speak with you.¡±
Baldwin¡
Sullivan guessed it was Cressida¡¯s father.
He didn¡¯t want to see him. Resting his hand on his forehead, he said in a weary voice, ¡°Tell him to go
back! Say I¡¯ve retired for the night!¡±
The servant hesitated before responding, ¡°The gentleman is kneeling outside the front door, ?ir. It¡¯s
bitterly cold tonight, if he freezes to death, it¡¯ll be in the news tomorrow.¡±
At one in the morning, Sullivan met with Cressida¡¯s father.
The lifelong, honest driver, who had in his middle agee to live afortable life through his
daughter, was struck by thevish decor of Sullivan¡¯s mansion, his legs trembling from the cold snow
clinging to them.
The servant brought him a cup of hot cocoa.
The aroma filled the room.
Caleb Baldwin sipped the cocoa, his rough fingers trembling slightly around the mug.
Sullivan, sitting back on the couch, his voice slightly weary in the night, said, ¡°Cressida¡¯s condition is
stabilizing. Once the snow stops, she can head abroad for treatment. She¡¯ll stay there for her recovery,
and you and your wife should apany her! The money I¡¯ve provided will be more than enough for
the rest of your lives.¡±
Caleb spilled most of his cocoa.
Tears glistened on his weathered face as he apologized to Sullivan, saying, ¡°That¡¯s just waiting for
death! Mr. Lowry, I know Cressida is young and reckless, and she¡¯s caused you and Mrs. Lowry much
trouble, but¡ but please, for the sake of past affection, for the thought that you once considered
marrying her, let
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her¡ die at home.¡±
The honest man knelt down.
With tears streaming down his face, he said, ¡°I¡¯ve already told her mother, once Cressida is gone, we¡¯ll
10:26
**Chapter 177
take her ashes back to our hometown. I promise you, if her mother causes even the slightest trouble,
l¡¯IE deal with that irresponsible woman myself.¡±
After speaking, Caleb, trembling, ced two items on the coffee table.
He bowed several times to Sullivan. The simple, weak man didn¡¯t dare to ask for a response, leaving
slowly into the snowy night.
Inside, the scent of cocoa slowly faded.
Sullivan picked up the two items with his slender fingers.
One was a photo of Cressida. Her cheeks hollow, her whole figure thin and sickly, making it clear she
didn¡¯t have long left.
The other item was a vinyl record.
Sullivan ced it on the antique record yer, and the mncholic strains of Masne¡¯s violin piece
¡°Meditation¡± began to y. This melody was familiar to Sullivan, almost as if it were the tune Cressida
had yed for him during his periods of unconsciousness.
The violin music,den with sorrow, was heartbreakingly beautiful.
It was a rare moment that touched Sullivan¡¯s heart.
He listened quietly, his thoughts drifting to when he had considered marrying Cressida, spurred by the
memory of that fleeting emotion¨Cperhaps it was this melody that had moved him!
After a long while, Sullivan picked up his phone and dialed nca¡¯s number, his voice indifferent,
¡°Move Cressida to a special ward, tell the Baldwin family to stay out of the hospital if they¡¯ve got
no.business there, and most importantly, don¡¯t disturb Megan.¡±
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It waste at night.
Bianca was profoundly shaken.
It took her a moment to collect herself, and she couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Mr. Lowry, the VIP ward is
exclusively for the direct descendants of the Lowry family. Cressida¡ if Megan finds out, she¡¯s
definitely not going to be pleased.¡±
Sullivan, however, said, ¡°Do as I say!¡±
Hismand was not to be questioned by nca, but before hanging up the phone, she couldn¡¯t
resist adding, ¡°Mr. Lowry, I fear one day, you¡¯ll regret this!¡±
After hanging up, Bianca took a deep breath.
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she slightly tilted her head back, knowing all too well. She knew how
Megan had made her way back to Sullivan, how cruelly Sullivan had treated Megan, betraying her time
and again!
She had once believed that Sullivan loved Megan, but now, it seemed that love, within the iron¨C
hearted- Sullivan, was as shallow as a puddle!
The next evening, with the snow still falling.
Megan was leaving the music center when she saw Sullivan¡¯s car parked outside. She stopped in her
tracks, letting the gentle snowkes fall on her hair.
She felt a turmoil of emotions.
Two hours earlier, Luke had gone to the Lowry Group to sign a contract with Sullivan, epting his two
hundred million investment, making Sullivan the main sponsor of the Paxton Global ssical Concert.
It was a decision she had pondered all night, apromise with herself. Her heart told her to give
each)
other onest chance.
The door of the ck Bentley opened, and Sullivan stepped out, holding Shirley in one arm, which
didn¡¯t detract from his dashing looks but rather added a bit of a family man vibe.
Their eyes met, and after a long gaze, he walked up to her, brushed off the snowkes from her hair
gently, and said, ¡°Your eyes are still a bit red. Cried a lotst night?¡±
She turned her face away, too ashamed to admit it.
Sullivan¡¯s hand softly moved to sp the back of her neck, pulling her into his embrace. He bowed his
head to kiss her hair lightly and murmured, ¡°Let¡¯s go home, Mrs. Lowry!¡±
Megan¡¯s cheek rested on his shoulder.
His skin was warm, carrying a faint, pleasant scent of tobo¡.
Sullivan turned his face, pressing his nose against hers, and kissed her deeply, whispering, ¡°Last night,
I thought about you all night!¡±
The car was warm.
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Megan took off her coat and leaned back into the seat, saying softly, ¡°I should go back! It¡¯s too soon,
Sullivan; I¡¯m not ready yet!¡±
Shirley, in her arms, was hopping around.
Sullivan picked it up and ced it in the back seat, to which Shirley realizing its resistance was futile, it
finallyid down.
Otested with several barks. But after
Sullivan turned to Megan and said softly, ¡°Love doesn¡¯t need preparation. Only having a baby does.¡±
Having a baby¡
Megan looked stunned, somewhat adorably.
Sullivan leaned in to kiss her, deeply, then lightly, yet still unsatisfied.
He rubbed his nose against hers, the touch tantalizing, his voice even huskier with the allure of a
mature man, ¡°When shall we have one? Megan, I want to be a dad! Preferably a little girl, who runs up
to me in her little dress when Ie home from work¡ calling me daddy, asking to be picked up.¡±
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His words painted a beautiful picture, yet Megan was nearly in tears.
She leaned weakly against the seat back, putting up herst resistance, ¡°But I don¡¯t know our ending!
Sullivan, can I trust you one more time?¡±
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Returning to the vi felt like stepping into another lifetime.
Sullivan parked the car at the front of the vi, gracefully handed Megan her coat, and said with a deep
look, ¡°The snow¡¯s not too heavy. Let¡¯s walk together when you get out.¡±
Megan was concerned about Shirley, ¡°Will it be too cold?¡±
Sullivan nced back at the dog, then slowly said to Megan, ¡°I¡¯ll hold it close. As long as you¡¯re not
jealous.¡±
Megan put on her coat, opened the car door, and retorted, ¡°As if I would be!¡±
Sullivan chuckled softly and reached out to pick up Shirley, petting its head.
He whispered, ¡°Looks like Mommy¡¯s upset!¡±
Shirley ba
Shirley barked twice in response.
Sullivan, with his coat on and carrying the dog, closed the car door and caught up to Megan in a few
quick steps.
He walked beside her, with Shirleyfortably nestled in his arms.
The snow fell gently around them.
After a moment, Megan couldn¡¯t resist reaching out to gently pat Shirley¡¯s head.
As she withdrew her hand, Sullivan caught it.
His warm palm easily enveloped hers; the slight touch of dry and moist fingertips carried a hint of
flirtation. And then he ced her hand in his coat pocket while lightly wrapping his arm around her
waist, pulling her close.
¡°Sullivan!¡± Megan¡¯s voice was husky, calling his name, wanting him to let go.
Sullivan looked down at her. He remained silent, but his eyes in the twilight held an indescribable
tenderness¡
With the cold and the snow, the housekeeper had thoughtfully prepared a fondue pot, mentioning how
the mushrooms were particrly fresh and encouraged Megan to try more.
Megan found it delicious.
The housekeeper smiled, ¡°As long as madam enjoys it! I¡¯ll have some fresh ones sent overter.¡±
Saying this, she wiped her hands on her apron and went back to the kitchen.
The vi was warm; Sullivan had taken off his coat, remaining in a crisp white shirt and dark grey
trousers. He opened a bottle of red wine. A few bites of the fondue and a couple of sses of wine
later, his face had a healthy flush, looking even more charming.
He ate sparingly, focusing instead on serving Megan, who softly protested she couldn¡¯t eat that much.
Sullivan held his wine ss; lightly swirling it.
His gaze on her was deep, yful, yet assertive.
Megan hadn¡¯t nned on staying overnight, but then she thought, she and Sullivan were only
separated.
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Acting coy like a teenage girl in love seemed pretentious, so she didn¡¯t mention leaving.
As the night progressed, the snow grew heavier.
In the east bedroom, the heating was turned up high, warm as spring.
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Megan, after her bath, sat in front of the vanity, applying moisturizer. Halfway through, she impulsively
opened a small drawer. Her half¨Cburnt diary had been repaired, lying quietly inside.
If not for the half¨Cempty pages, she might have thought nothing had ever happened, that the
arguments and sadness were just illusions¡ But the nk pages reminded her that those were all real.
[I won¡¯t let go; just not ready yet!]
[Sullivan, it¡¯s over!]
[Sullivan, I¡¯m tired. I can¡¯t deal with you anymore.]
Memories of hurt and me surged like a tide, moistening Megan¡¯s eyes.
¡°What are you thinking about?¡±
Strong arms wrapped around her waist, the heat from Sullivan¡¯s shower enveloping her through the
thin robe, pressing against her lower back with a readiness that made Megan¡¯s legs weak.
Her voice was fragile, ¡°Nothing!¡±
She ced the diary back in the drawer and closed it.
Sullivan¡¯s face was close to hers; looking together into the mirror, he murmured, ¡°Nothing? Then why is
your face so red?¡±
Megan dared not look into the mirror.
Sullivan, fresh from the shower and wearing only a loosely tied robe, was a sight of temptation.
Sullivan then asked, ¡°When shall we take those wedding photos?¡±
Getting married to Sullivan and taking a dreamy set of wedding photos had once been Megan¡¯s
youthful fantasy. But now, shecked that eagerness, responding lightly. ¡°There¡¯s no need!¡±
Sullivan scooped her up in his arms and ced her at the end of the bed.
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Megan felt a chill as she sank deeper into the plush cushions, a vague sense of vulnerability creeping
over her. Before she could dwell on it, Sullivan¡¯s gentle touch calmed her, his body pressing closer.
He whispered tenderly, his breath warm against her ear, ¡°There are things I feel we need to address,
Mrs. Lowry. I want to please you, to see you happy¡ Tell me, what do you desire from me right now?¡±
His fingers intertwined with hers as he spoke, his presence both reassuring and overwhelmingly
charming. After all, Megan had loved him for six years, and beneath him, she melted like the first snow
of spring.
As Sullivan kissed her, Megan, unable to resist, arched back, trembling slightly in response to his
affection. Yet, he pulled back with a low chuckle, teasing her further.
Flushed and eager, Megan reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tender embrace.
Sullivanughed softly, a sound of pure delight, before he leaned in for a passionate, all¨Cconsuming
kiss, fulfilling her desires..
In the dim light, their shadows merged on the wall, entangled in an intimate dance thatsted through
the night.
The dawn brought a different kind of warmth. Megan, dressed warmly, went outside with Shirley to
build a snowman while Sullivan, in his cozy loungewear, watched them from the living
the ss windows framing the picturesque scene. Megan seemed to adore Shirley, often lifting the dog
out of the snow and showering it with kisses. The snowman she built, amusingly, took on Shirley¡¯s
likeness, much to the dog¡¯s delight.
Sullivan couldn¡¯t help but smile at the sight. His phone rang, pulling him from the moment. It was
Cami.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sullivan¡¯s tone was cool, his amusement fading at the sound of Cami¡¯s stern
voice
¡°I¡¯ve heard about your decision to ce Cressida in a VIP hospital ward. Have you lost your mind,
Sullivan? What if people find out? How will you exin her presence? As your mistress? Cami¡¯s
voice was sharp, her concern evident.
Sullivan massaged his forehead, weary. ¡°It¡¯s already done.¡±
¡°You¡¯re doing this to spite me, aren¡¯t you? I was only looking out for you. And don¡¯t forget, Megan is the
one you share your bed with. Do you want her back or not? If she finds out about this, what then?¡±
Cami¡¯s voice shook with anger.
Sullivan¡¯s gaze drifted back to the window, where Megan was now heading inside with Shirley. He
ended the call without another word.
Megan wouldn¡¯t find out. And even if she did, Sullivan believed she wouldn¡¯t leave him. Not after
everything. Like three years ago, she was bound to him by choice and by circumstance.
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Perhaps there was a time he¡¯d been softer toward her, but wasn¡¯t their rtionship always a
transaction? His wealth and attention for her affection and loyalty¡ and more.
He treated her well, and that should be enough. Love, however, was a vulnerability Sullivan couldn¡¯t
afford. Megan came back inside, nning to shower, but Sullivan had other ideas, drawing her close
on the sofa. As he began to remove her wet shoes and socks, Megan sensed his mood, her voice soft
and concerned,
Chapter 180
¡°What¡¯s wrong? You seem troubled.¡±
Sullivan remained silent, his hands wandering beneath her sweater with clear intent.
Blushing, Megan caught his hands, her voice a mix of embarrassment and urgency, ¡°Stop, please!
Lucia is getting discharged today; I need to be there for her.¡±
Sullivan paused, his gaze lingering on her before he reached for a cigarette, lighting it in a gesture of
resignation. ¡°Go shower. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±
As Megan leaned in for a quick kiss, Sullivan¡¯s expression remained unreadable under the dim light, a
complex mix of emotions hidden behind the smoke.
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Megan went to the hospital to pick up Lucia after her discharge.
As soon as the driver had parked, the car door was swung open by someone outside. To Megan¡¯s
surprise, it was Timothy Lawson. He stood amid the thinyer of snow, looking isted and forlorn.
Seeing Timothy again stirredplex emotions within Megan.
She remained quietly seated in the car.
Finally, it was Timothy who broke the silence. ¡°Megan, can we talk?¡±
In a streetside caf¨¦, Megan sat quietly behind a floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, watching the snow pile up.
outside, mindlessly stirring her coffee.
.
Timothy¡¯s voice broke the silence, ¡°Is she doing okay?¡±
Megan snapped back to reality and looked across the table at Timothy.
He was impably dressed, his appearance wless as ever, but he fidgeted with a cigarette pack, not
lighting one due to the setting¡ it made him appear restless.
She put the stirrer aside and took a sip of her coffee.
Without looking up, she started speaking softly.
¡°Every time I had coffee with Lucia, she¡¯din about its bitterness, saying she wasn¡¯t used to it.
But talk as she might, she¡¯d still finish her cup. Not because she enjoyed it, but because she couldn¡¯t
stand the waste. She¡¯d say it was bought with money!
When she was with you, she seemed to live a life of luxury, spending freely, but in truth, she donated a
lot of money to orphanages and kids without homes.
Because she once was homeless! Because her umbre was once torn apart, she said she wanted to
be someone else¡¯s shelter.¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes were slightly moist, and her voice choked up. ¡°The 50 million you gave her, she said she
wouldn¡¯t donate it! Because she might not be able to earn money anymore, she said she needed it for
her
retirement.¡±
She looked at Timothy, ¡°Now, you¡¯ve torn her umbre apart again, and you ask if she¡¯s doing well?
How could she be? Timothy, tell me, how could she be doing well without her hearing?¡±
Timothy remained silent for a long time.
As the coffee grew cold, Megan stood up to leave.
With her back to Timothy, she whispered, ¡°Ten years ago, I brought her home, and ten yearster, I
won¡¯t
abandon her!¡±
Timothy¡¯s eyes were filled with bitter sadness as he barely whispered a thank you with a trembling
voice.
Megan didn¡¯t need his gratitude.
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She wondered if this was the end for Lucia and Timothy. From now on, Lucia would lead a simple life,
while Timothy might y his games, perhaps one day taking over the Lawson family empire. Years
from now, he might recall their passionate affair, but it would just be a memory.
She felt sad for Lucia.
Upon reaching the ward, Lucia was all packed up and ready to be discharged.
Megan tried to hide it, but Lucia sensed something was amiss and softly asked, ¡°Did hee to see
you?¡± Megan simply nodded.
Lucia didn¡¯t ask further
What was there to ask? He had given her a check for 50 million; they were squared away¡
But as they left the hospital, they saw him again.
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Across the street, Timothy stood silently, a cigarette between his slender fingers, the smoke blurring his
figure. He looked deeply at Lucia and Lucia couldn¡¯t help but remember that aside from their intimate
moments, they rarely met like this outside.
A rare meeting, yet it signified a final farewell.
As she got into the car, facing away from Timothy, the hearing aid in her ear ringly exposed in the
sunlight. Timothy suddenly covered his eyes, unable to bear the sight. He had forgotten how much
Lucia loved to look beautiful.
As the car started, Megan gently held Lucia¡¯s hand.
Lucia¡¯s lips trembled slightly as she whispered, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past! Megan, I¡¯m okay!¡±
But she still cried. Her years with Timothy had been a roller coaster. She had never dreamed of
marrying into the Lawson family, but waking up in his arms, she had often gazed at his handsome face
in a daze¡
Megan took her home and stayed with her for most of the day.
In the evening, Luke called, suggesting that for the uing concert in half a month, Paxton had
decided Megan would perform the opening piece. Harmony City needed Megan to make another trip to
test the
venue.
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Luke couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°The buzz is unreal, Megan. Last night¡¯s tickets in Harmony City sold
out in a sh.¡±
Megan was pleasantly surprised.
After a moment of thought, she suggested, ¡°How about we head out first thing tomorrow morning?¡±
Luke teased her a bit before they ended the call.
Hanging up, Lucia shared in the excitement, ¡°I¡¯m all sorted now! Focus on your empire, Megan. Oh,
and send my thanks to Sullivan Lowry, will you?¡±
She hugged Megan tightly, whispering, ¡°As long as he treats you right, cherish your days together. Let
bygones be bygones.¡±
Megan¡¯s voice was hoarse, ¡°I know.¡±
They parted ways with a smile; a smile tinged with tears as if they were the young girls they once were.
Descending the stairs, Megan got into the car.
Noticing her good spirits, the driver asked, ¡°Ma¡¯am, are we heading back to the vi?¡±
Leaning back, Megan booked a ticket to Harmony City for the next morning on her phone and sent
Sullivan a WhatsApp message asking him toe home early as she had something important to
discuss.
After sending the message, a sweet smile graced her lips.
The driver had to ask again before she snapped back to reality and softly replied, ¡°Let¡¯s head to Global
za. I need to pick up something.¡±
Tomorrow was Sullivan¡¯s birthday.
With her leaving for Harmony City first thing in the morning, she wouldn¡¯t be there to celebrate, so
getting. him a gift seemed like the next best thing to make him happy.
After half an hour, Megan chose a pair of exquisite cufflinks for Sullivan.
$20,000, a bit pricey but worth it.
Returning to the vi by 7 pm, Sullivan hadn¡¯t arrived yet. He replied to her WhatsApp message, asking
her to have dinner without him as he would bete.
Not feeling hungry, Megan decided to take a shower first, spending some time ying with Shirley who
snuggled into her embrace, turning Megan¡¯s cheeks a soft shade of pink.
After her shower, she slipped into a ck silk robe. The soft fabric hugged her fair skin, creating an
enticing image.
It had been years since she¡¯d tried to seduce Sullivan like this. Partly because his desires were always
so apparent, it never seemed necessary, and partly because their rtionship had been strained,
leaving her feeling too ashamed to attempt it.
Flushing, Megan realized she was trying to please him, knowing his preferences well.
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Chapter 182
She waited for a long time, but Sullivan never came.
Eventually, she drifted off to sleep, Shirley snoring softly on her chest, both enjoying a peaceful
slumber.
In the dead of night, the phone in the study rang, breaking the silence.
Megan woke up to find Sullivan still hadn¡¯t returned home.
Half¨Cawake, she looked out the window to see the night sky filled with floating snowkes. It was
snowing
again.
When the phone rang a second time, Megan, cradling Shirley, headed to the study, thinking it might be
Sullivan calling back. But as she opened the door, the ringing stopped abruptly.
Turning on the wall light, the room brightened, revealing everything.
Sullivan¡¯s desk was tidy, with just a few scattered documents.
Megan, ever the organizer, went to tidy up but paused as her fingers brushed against something, her
face draining of color.
It was a psychological analysis report about her,missioned by Sullivan!
Her husband, the man she had dressed up for, hoping to please, had sought a psychologist to ¡®deal¡®
with her. Everything about their recent interactions, every physical response she had, was meticulously
documented. Even their intimate moment in the hospital room was described in detail!
The papers slipped through her fingers,nding softly on the floor, but to Megan, it sounded shattering.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway¡
Megan recognized them immediately; they were Sullivan¡¯s.
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e her heart
In a moment, Sullivan stood at the study doorway, seeing his wife amid the scattered papers¨Cpapers
he had forgotten to put away, containing the psychological report and invoices.
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Megan looked into Sullivan¡¯s eyes, which were deeper than the night sky itself, and found herself
unable to decipher his thoughts.
After a moment, he asked softly, ¡°You saw it?¡±
Pointing to the papers scattered on the floor, Megan¡¯s entire body shook uncontrobly. ¡°You used
psychologists to study me, to manipte me? Sullivan, what am I to you? A wife, or just a ything?
You say you love me, but is your love just about analyzing me in front of a dozen psychologists as if I¡¯m
laid
bare?
You got a puppy to please me! I thought you understood me, but it was all just a psychological game!
Even the dog¡ was just a tool for you!
Everything you did, it was all calcted, even down to when we would be intimate. You¡¯ve stripped me
of my privacy, my dignity! You don¡¯t love me; you¡¯re just obsessively trying to possess me! Sullivan,
you¡¯re not capable of love!¡±
Tears filled Megan¡¯s.eyes.
It was humiliating. Utterly humiliating.
Every time she gathered the courage to leave him, he would cling on, not letting go, convincing her
time and again of his sincerity that he truly cared for her. She had even begun to look forward to having
his child.
But the truth was brutal.
In his eyes, she wasn¡¯t his wife but a woman easily obtained with just a bit of effort. He watched her
downfall, time and time again!
The study was eerily quiet.
The ss of the French doors was misted over, but the light snowfall outside was still visible.
Sullivan remained calm, especially when Megan used him of not being capable of love. His eyes
were as dark as ink, unfathomable.
Finally, he walked over, picked up the papers, and shredded them. Amid the whirring sound of the
shredder, he retorted coldly, ¡°I¡¯m not capable of love? Then who is? Begonia Hunter?¡±
He watched Megan silently as she instinctively stepped back.
She knew him well, having been his wife for years. He seemed like he was back to their early days of
marriage, capable of pinning her down, tormenting and dominating her until she could no longer voice
her objections.
But as she moved, he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Then, he threw her onto the dark oak desk. Her robe hitched up, revealing her pale, delicate legs in a
compromising position.
Sullivan forced his way between her legs.
His belt dug painfully into her soft skin. He showed no mercy, gripping her chin and forcing her to look
at him.
Chapter 183
Her posture was demeaning as if she was throwing herself at him and willingly embracing him.
Sullivan pressed against her, his words harsh and cruel. ¡°You talk about being a ything? Mrs. Lowry,
does a ything require so much attention?
Did I need to spend money on legal fees for a ything¡¯s brother? Did I need to carry a ything¡¯s
father down ten flights of stairs? Did I need to care about a ything¡¯s feelings¡ to the point of zipping
up my pants even when I desired you?¡±
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Megan trembled uncontrobly.
Sullivan gently pinched her chin, forcing her to part her lips.
His fingers, rough with calluses, brushed against her soft lips, quickly turning them a tender red.
He untied her robe, his voice dripping with mockery, ¡°Mrs. Lowry, you can¡¯t have it all and then some!
Yes, I had psychologists analyze you to win you over, but didn¡¯t you also enjoy the benefits? Your
whole family profited because of me. Everything you wear, everything you use, isn¡¯t it all provided by
me? Even this sexy robe you¡¯re using to seduce me was bought with my money!¡±
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The light robe fell open, exposing Megan under the harsh glow of the officemp, her skin luminous
and pale.
Sullivan held her tightly around the waist, his grip unyielding. He even had the audacity to give her a
demeaning pat on the bottom, smirking coldly, ¡°Now, you¡¯ll see what it¡¯s like to truly be a ything!¡±
Megan¡¯s face turned ashen; escape was not an option.
Under the bright light, she was at his mercy, treated with a roughness that even the most desperate
wouldn¡¯t endure.
The light flickered painfully.
Her body ached, but her heart ached more. She clung to the edge of the desk with all her might,
enduring Sullivan¡¯s rage.
In her palm was a small, hard object.
It pressed into her skin painfully.
Unable to bear it, Megan turned her head and released her grip. In her sweaty left palmy a pair.of
exquisite cufflinks¡ Except the once sparkling diamonds were now stained with a hint of pale red.
A drop of blood from Megan¡¯s fingertip.
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Outside, the snowstorm gradually ceased.
At half¨Cpast two in the morning, Sullivan released Megan. ncing at her disheveled appearance, he
casually straightened his shirt and trousers.
His phone rang ¨C it was Bianca.
Sullivan answered, his tone detached, ¡°I¡¯ll be right there. The meeting resumes at 3:30.¡±
As he hung up and left, Megan remained sprawled across the desk, her body pale, her hair spread
over his paperweight, her entire being a picture of ruin.
Perhaps having vented, Sullivan¡¯s temper had somewhat subsided.
He lit a cigarette beside her and inhaled, his voice surprisingly gentle, ¡°Get dressed and go to bed.¡±
Megan remained silent.
He gave her another look and took his coat to leave.
He thought to himself, Megan was smart; she knew how to choose.
After all, why bother with the pretense of marital spats? The games of young love weren¡¯t for them¡
Money, power, and wealth were what truly mattered!
Long after Sullivan had left, Megan stilly there, motionless.
She couldn¡¯t move!
Her whole body was in pain, not just the skin and flesh, but her stomach churned violently.
Chapter 184
Tonight¡¯s events were nauseating! Her once naivety was equally repulsive! She had believed him so
easily, believed a man who had tormented and neglected her for three years.
He said she was indispensable, but in reality, it was because she fulfilled his needs.
It had nothing to do with love!
He was incapable of love; and he had no intention of loving anyone!
His affection for her, the luxurious gifts, they were all just a gilded cage he had built for her. He was
sure she wouldn¡¯t leave, for the cage was toofortable!
Indeed! He had hired a team of psychologists to analyze her, to deal with her.
He knew her every thought!
Exhausted, Megan closed her eyes. She let herself sink into the darkness, telling herself ¨C she was just
resting for a bit, just for a bit.
In her dreams, Sullivan¡¯s words echoed, haunting her incessantly¡
¡°Mrs. Lowry, you can¡¯t have it all and then some! Everything you wear, everything you use, i
provided by me?
Now, you¡¯ll see what it¡¯s like to truly be a ything!¡±
it all
Megan was drenched in a cold sweat, murmuring in her sleep, ¡°No! No! Sullivan¡ I can¡¯t love you
anymore!¡±
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Chapter 185
As noon approached, Megan was discovered by the housekeeper.
In broad daylight, the study¡¯s lights were still on. Megany sprawled across the dark oak desk, d
only in a ck bathrobe, with many marks on her body already dried.
Her eyes were tightly shut, and tears dried up. Shey motionless, her cheeks unnaturally flushed, her
body burning hot to the touch.
The housekeeper gasped in horror, ¡°Madam is running a fever!¡±
With years of experience behind her, the housekeeper knew exactly what had happened. She hurriedly
dialed Sullivan¡¯s cellphone, but it just rang and rang, with no answer.
At that moment, Sullivan was in a meeting with the top executives of the Lowry Group.
The group was nning a massive project that Sullivan wanted to develop, but the conservative
executives and shareholders thought it was too risky, with nearly half of them opposing. The meeting
had already dragged on for over 10 hours.
Unable to reach him, the housekeeper had no choice but to call the driver.
Considering Megan¡¯s dignity, two housekeepers gingerly dressed her and wrapped her in a coat for
warmth. Throughout, they hardly dared to look at her body, feeling that Sullivan had been too harsh,
lacking the gentle touch expected of a man!
As Megan was helped up, something fell from her palm.
It was a pair of cufflinks. They fell onto the dark carpet, glittering like the tears of a lover.
Once in the car, Megan slipped into semi¨Cconsciousness.
The housekeeper took her temperature ¨C 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Terrified, she tried Sullivan¡¯s phone
again, but still no answer. The elderly housekeeper couldn¡¯t help but cry, fearing that this might be the
end
for Mrs.
The driver floored it, racing to the hospital.
Half an hourter, they finally arrived at the Lowry Hospital, owned by the Lowry family itself. Normally,
admission to a special room would be immediate, without the need for registration or waiting, but the
driver was informed that the Lowry Hospital¡¯s special room was currently upied.
Who it was, the nurse wouldn¡¯t say.
Supporting Megan, the driver was ready to burst, ¡°Our Madam is the wife of the Lowry Group¡¯s head. If
she doesn¡¯t qualify for this room, then who does?¡±
Megan felt terribly sick, but a part of her was tense, urging her to see who was inside. Perhaps she
already knew the answer, but she needed to see for herself, to let her heart die.
The moment the door opened, she saw Cressida on the bed.
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Looking at the person on the verge of fading away, yet with a tranquil expression, eating fruit slices
NP
Chapter 185
handed by Dahlia, she cooed, ¡°Sullivan said he¡¯d try to see me in the evening! Mom, I think he still
cares
for me.¡±
Megan blinked gently. She was nearly at her breaking point, but she didn¡¯t disturb them. Instead, she
turned to the driver, ¡°Leo, arrange for a regr room, please.¡±
The driver and the housekeeper had tears in their eyes, sympathizing with her plight.
Supported by others, Megan walked painfully down the hallway, each step aching. This pain was given
by Sullivan, yet the person he tenderly cared for was in the special room, feeling sweet even in her final
moments.
Disgusting! Truly disgusting!
Sullivan imed Cressida wasn¡¯t his lover, yet he had her stay in the special room. Then what was his
wife to him? What was she?
Megan stopped in her tracks.
Suddenly, she looked out the window, where thin snow piled on the winter branches, presenting a bleak
view.
She then vividly remembered that night at Quinn Haven, with wintersweet in bloom, tender and
delicate. That night, she had felt a slight affection toward him.
Turns out, it was only ever her own downfall from the beginning!
What did it matter that she was framed back then or that he found out? In his eyes, her ce remained
the same as ever, merely an object for release, just a pretty ything!
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¡°Megan, you¡¯re absolutelyughable!¡± She mocked herself.
The conference room at the Lowry Group was filled with a somber atmosphere.
Bianca hurried through the door, leaning close to Sullivan to whisper, words into his ear.
Sullivan looked up at her.
Steeling herself, Bianca said, ¡°She had a fever¡ Also, there was a bit of a scuffle during the hospital
admittance. Megan might¡¯ve found out about Cressida being in the VIP ward!¡±
Sullivan sat in silence for a long while¡
Finally, he stood up. ¡°Meeting adjourned!¡±
He quickly left the room, with Bianca following close behind, speaking swiftly, ¡°The car¡¯s ready! Mr.
Lowry, shall we head to the hospital now?¡±
Sullivan didn¡¯t respond.
Seated in the car, he leaned back, closing his eyes gently. Images of Megan sprawled across her desk,
and her words echoed in his mind, ¡°Sullivan, you¡¯re incapable of love.¡±
Why had he treated her that way? It must have been those words that struck a nerve!
Because he was incapable of love, and Megan¡ she hit the nail on the he. T
When Sullivan arrived at the hospital, he didn¡¯t see Megan.
Luke stopped him at the entrance.
Luke¡¯s eyes were red. In the hallway, he red at Sullivan, ¡°Finally decided to see her, huh? Sullivan, if
you don¡¯t have her in your heart, let her go. Don¡¯t keep one foot in the door while eyeing the escape!¡±
He was, after all, an outsider. His ability to intervene was limited, and in his anger, he pulled out a
document and a check, ¡°This is the contract for our partnership, and here¡¯s your investment of 200
million. I¡¯m giving it back to you! Mr. Lowry, let me tell you, even if I have to sell my properties, even if
Paxton has to cash out hisst penny and busk on the streets, we¡¯ll never need your investment again!
Ha Megan isn¡¯t a wife to you; she¡¯s just a product you canbel. But to me and Paxton, she¡¯s a
priceless treasure!¡±
Luke¡¯s voice choked slightly, ¡°Let her go! Or she¡¯ll break under your hand! Damn, do you even realize
how talented she is? For you, she¡¯s already given up one opportunity.¡±
Sullivan scoffed, ¡°Megan is my wife. You don¡¯t need to stand up for her.¡±
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Luke was about to throw a punch.
In the room, Megan spoke softly, ¡°Luke, let him in. I have something to say to him.¡±
Luke clenched his fist but walked away.
Sullivan stood at the door,.looking at Megan.
Chapter 186
She leaned weakly against the headboard, covered in long sleeves and a long dress, which still
couldn¡¯t hide the marks he had left on her the night before. Now turning a faint blue, they were
shocking to see.
The roughness ofst night didn¡¯t satisfy him; in fact, as he withdrew from Megan, he felt an
unprecedented emptiness, unable to pinpoint the reason.
Megan looked up, their eyes meeting.
After what had happened, the intimacy and sweetness that had been between them days ago were
gone. The way she looked at him held no sweetness, and he found himself unable to utter any
endearing words.
It was as if they had be strangers overnight.
Sullivan spoke calmly, ¡°Feeling better?¡±
Megan¡¯s eyes reddened slightly as she looked into his eyes, her voice soft, ¡°Sullivan, whates after
constion? Is it bringing Shirley over to call me ¡®mommy¡®, making me soften, then exining that you
only put Cressida in the VIP ward out of pity to make up for her losses? Sullivan, I can¡¯t y those
twisted games of yours¨C1 concede.
Last night, you said everything I wear and use is because of your money. Yes, it¡¯s your money! But
Sullivan,
the result of my three years of youth I¡¯d rather have none of it! And besides, aren¡¯t these material thing
and countless humiliations? I don¡¯t want more, but I won¡¯t settle for less.¡±
Sullivan¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°What do you mean by that? Megan, what are you trying to say?¡±
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