《Darling, Please Love Me Again! (Gisele Meyer)》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Darling, Please Love Me Again! Webfic ¡°Don, our home is being robbed¡­¡± Gisele Meyer huddled behind the curtains, clutching the phone tightly. Outside, three men were closing in on her. Gisele could hardly breathe. ¡°Dorian, please save me. Save our baby.¡± She had already informed her husband, Dorian Jefferson, that it was their third wedding anniversary that day and that she had nned a surprise for him. But instead of Dorian, she was faced with three menacing men who had abruptly barged in! Gisele trembled with fear, her body as cold as ice. She was barely able to maintain herposure as she cleverly evaded them. Yet, she still ended up cornered in the storage room upstairs. ¡°What is it again?¡± A man¡¯s impatient voice came through the phone. ¡°Don, there are men ro- ¡°Before Gisele finished her sentence, the line went dead. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. Gisele listened to the busy tone as she clutched a piece of paper in her hand. When the call ended, she dropped it as if her energy had drained. It was a medical report indicating that she was four weeks pregnant. ¡°Damn b*tch!¡± Gisele didn¡¯t have time to think. A burly man grabbed her by the hair and yanked her to her feet. ¡°You¡¯re a sl*ppery one,¡± he growled. Gisele winced in pain; her scalp felt like it was about to rip. Before she could scream, she was flung hard onto the bed. The burly man grinned hideously as he unzipped his pants. One of his aplices seemed somewhat hesitant and pulled the burly man back. ¡°What are you afraid of? Do you think she¡¯s Mrs. Jefferson? Come on, Dorian has only been here a few times in the past year. ¡°How many people in Hearthfield even know that she¡¯s his wife? Look around¨Cthe whole vi is deserted.¡± The burly man snorted, looking fearless. Gisele could taste blood in her m*uth. Indeed, it seemed that her status as Mrs. Jefferson wasn¡¯t solid enough that even an intruding burr could freely insult her. After the burly man finished speaking, he snapped a switchde open. Casually, he began to toy with Gisele¡¯s clothes. Frozen, Gisele looked at the burly man. It seemed like she had run out of energy to resist. The burly man cursed under his breath. Gisele was pretty he had to give her that. Her eyes were like shimmering pools, and her skin was so pale that his handprint stood out in stark contrast to it. Her nose and l*ps were like those of a fairy in a painting. The timid way Gisele nced at him almost captivated him. He had never known that Gisele had such a side. It seemed that the job was worth it! The next second, Gisele¡¯s body suddenly jerked up, and the tip of the knife plunged into her chest. Bright red blood sttered everywhere! The wound was close to the corbone. The burly man didn¡¯t know if he had hit a blood vessel. He panicked and tried to withdraw the knife! He had been hired to rough Gisele up, but he had never meant to kill her. In a split second, Gisele grasped the knife and switched its angle, thrusting it into the nurly man¡¯s thigh. Blood gushed out, and the burly man cursed in pain. Gisele had hit the femoral artery right in the center. ¡°You¡¯re dead meat, b*tch!¡± Gisele rolled out and climbed onto the window ledge in one swift motion. They were on the second floor. But the Jefferson vi had a spacious open¨Cconcept design on the first floor, with ceilings nearly 16 feet high. The distance from the window to the ground wasparable to that of a typical building with three or four stories. ¡°Bitch, don¡¯t try to threaten me! Why are you still acting like you¡¯re Mr. Jefferson¡¯s faithful wife? In his family, you¡¯re treated worse than a dog. Nobody cares if you die!¡± The burly man started yelling his head off. He didn¡¯t seem to care who was around. It was as if Gisele was the intruder there. Because no one woulde to rescue her. For three years of their marriage, she had been ¡°shelved¡± because one of the housekeepers had reported to Dorian¡¯s grandfather, Den Jefferson, about her marriage with Dorian. The housekeeper had been fired a few months ago. But Dorian. Gisele took onest look at her phone. She messaged Dorian: ¡°It¡¯s true. Someone is robbing us!¡± Dorian replied: ¡°Are you done messing around? Apart from that, he said nothing else. Gisele closed her eyes. ¡°Oh my God! That woman really jumped! There¡¯s so much blood! ¡°Boss, she got your artery. We can¡¯t let you bleed like this!¡± ¡°With that much blood, that stinkin¡® b*tch is probably a goner.¡± Gisele could no longer hear anything as she plunged into darkness. Next to her, the pregnancy report was stained with blood. The only thought running through her mind at that moment was about her baby. She thought, ¡°My baby¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± When Gisele woke up, everything was white before her, and she had an IV drip attached to her hand. ¡°Gigi, how are you feeling?¡± As soon as Angie Abbott, Gisele¡¯s friend, saw thetter wake up, her face filled with concern. Angie had been Gisele¡¯s best friend since high school. Apart from Gisele¡¯s grandmother, Angie was the only person in the world who would think of her. ¡°I was supposed to get herbs from you today, but I couldn¡¯t reach you. Lucky for you, I went to your house to look for you¡­ Angie¡¯s voice quivered as she recalled the sight of Gisele drenched in blood. Her head. buzzed, and she felt dizzy. ¡°Thank goodness the wound isn¡¯t deep. There¡¯s a slight fracture on your foot, but the baby¡­ The Jeffersons have been pressuring you for years to have a child, and now that you finally¡­ ¡°The baby wasn¡¯t supposed toe into this world anyway,¡± Gisele said, her eyes slightly vacant. When the pain reached its peak, it became less intense. She had narrowly escaped death, but Dorian hadn¡¯t even sent her any messages. ¡°That scumbag, Dorian, still hasn¡¯t answered his phone. He¡¯d better be dead, or else! ¡± Angle touched the red marks on Gisele¡¯s face, her eyes full of anger. At that moment, the TV in the hospital room aired a breaking news segment. On the screen stood a tall figure. It was Dorian. He stood beside an elegant and noble woman. The two made a dazzling pair, like a fairytale prince and princesse to life. The host¡¯s face conveyed both sympathy and amusement. He announced, ¡°Sierra McMin, the renowned socialite, has received a cursed letter. Meanwhile, the charismatic CEO of Jefferson Group, Dorian, is seen attentively apanying her.¡± Sierra, the scion of the McMins, a prestigious family of doctors, was a medical prodigy She was also Dorian¡¯s childhood sweetheart. The host introduced Sierra with exaggerated expressions. Eachbel used to describe her was dignified, painting her in a dazzling light It aroused the envy of countless young women, especially as she was the only woman acknowledged by Dorian in public. Even though Sierra had been away studying abroad for three years, people still gossiped about her. She had returned to Hearthfield recently with a barrage of des. Schrs from near and far lauded her as the top beauty in the medical field. Her fame had soared to such heights that her poprity and fanbase had surpassed those of celebrities. Shortly after returning to Hearthfield, Sierra had received a cursed letter. Perhaps that was a result of the intense amount of attention she had been receiving The paparazzi wasted no time in capturing photos of the scene. Each photo depicted the frightened princess being guarded by Jefferson Group¡¯s heir. The scene looked more like a delightful romanticedy than a scandalous incident. In one of the photos, tears glistened on Sierra¡¯s beautiful face as she stood in the luxurious vi while Dorian gently embraced her slender figure. He stood at six feet and two inches tall with a sturdy physique. His tailored shirt entuated his noble bearing. His chiseled side profile was sharp, yet his long eyes held nothing but tenderness. Many swooned at such a dreamy scenel Beside the all¨Cck Maybach, Don shielded Serra protectively. His taut jawline disyed his deep concern. His Intense gaze was fixed on the distressed beauty before him. It was as if nothing could harm the princess he had vowed to protect. There were also snapshots from the corridor of St. Anne Hospital. Dorian smoothed Sierra¡¯s tousled hair, looking resolute and firm. The host exined that Sierra believed she didn¡¯t need psychological intervention. But Dorian had insisted on arranging the best psychologist for her. This idol drama began when a gruesome photo had appeared with the cursed mail. The photo depicted a pregnant rabbit being cut open with her babies removed from her body. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Looking at the photo in the cursed letter, Gisele¡¯s features twisted into a bitter smile. While Dorian had beenforting Sierra, Gisele had foolishly called him. When he had escorted Sierra to the hospital, Gisele had been fighting against three thugs for her life. ¡°Are you done messing around?¡± That was what he had said to her. Now, they were in the same hospital. Yet he was apanying Sierra in the VIP psychological room, while Gisele was left holding her baby¡¯s death notification. ¡°I¡¯m going to find that pair of scumbags right now!¡± Angie couldn¡¯t bear to see Gisele like that and abruptly stood up. ¡°What¡¯s so great about Sierra? In theplex emergency simtions during university, she lost to you. If you hadn¡¯t married Dorian, she would have had no chance to be the top beauty in the medical field. With your skills, you can easily crush her!¡± Angie scoffed. Gisele attempted to pull Angie back, but thetter was very strong. She ended up dragging Gisele halfway off the bed. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± The movement pulled on Gisele¡¯s wound, making her wince from the pain. Seeing this, Angie¡¯s voice choked with emotion. ¡°Gigi, why are you so foolish? Does that scumbag know that you¡¯re the one who took care of Den for three years? ¡°Two years ago, he had been close to death in a car ident. Does he know that you prepared for a transnt to save him? ¡°And when he wanted to go to Moshocor to find Sierra, Den didn¡¯t allow it. In the end, Den let him go, but only because you were willing to undergo artificial insemination. ¡°Does he know any of this? You¡¯ve treated him better than his mother. Are you blind, or is he blind?¡± Tears welled up in Gisele¡¯s eyes as well. That was right; Dorian had always thought that she had married him just totch onto the Jeffersons. But she had married Dorian because she loved him. For ten long years, she had secretly pined for him. Setting aside all dignity, she had given everything to be his wife for three years. Yet, Dorian had no desire to know about this affection of hers. Dorian and Sierra made a talented and beautiful pair. But Sierra was an illegitimate daughter. There might have been other reasons, but Den had been strongly against their rtionship. Tycoons and politicians who opposed Jefferson Group had once feared Den¡¯s methods. His methods made even powerful opponents tremble. Gisele didn¡¯t know the exact details. Shortly after, Sierra had gone abroad to study, and Dorian had been set up for matchmaking by Den. Three years ago, Dorian hadn¡¯t been willful enough to defy Den. Without even meeting the candidates to be his wife, he had chosen Gisele randomly from the candidates presented to him. The Meyer family had just been there to make up the numbers. In fact, Gisele¡¯s parents, Peter Meyers and Thalia Everly, had bribed the Jeffersons¡® butler, Alfred Perry, to get them on the guest list. Gisele was admittedly beautiful and pure, so she had been allowed in by chance. No one knew how happy she had been when she had learned that Dorian had chosen her. It had been like all her wishes in life hade true! Perhaps she had used up all her luck that one time. After that, all of Gisele¡¯s expectations and hopes had turned into a joke. On her wedding night with Dorian, Gisele had sat alone until dawn. Three years into the marriage, not a single person in Hearthfield knew that she was Mrs. Jefferson. Now, even the child she had conceived through artificial insemination had been lost. Gisele¡¯s phone rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, she instinctively sat up straight. Dorian? ¡°Where are you?¡± Dorian¡¯s cold, husky voice came through the phone. Before Gisele could reply, he continued. ¡°Make some barley porridge.¡± 1 Barley porridge was good for calming and detoxification. Gisele often cooked various porridges for Dorian and had his assistant, Jon Kiss, deliver them. Sometimes Dorian ate them. Sometimes he threw them away. The porridge Gisele made had remarkable effects. Den¡¯s health had improved over the years because of her. She had been preparing different porridges and nutritious soups for him every day. ¡°Send it to St. Anne Hospital.¡± Dorian¡¯s voice raised a bit before Gisele could reply. Gisele¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Her fingers shook as she saw Sierra¡¯s Facebook post. It was a photo of a bowl of barley porridge. Angie jumped up, ready to start cursing. ¡°Today is our third wedding anniversary,¡± Gisele said, holding Angie¡¯s hand firmly. Her words seemed unrted to the current situation. ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Dorian¡¯s tone became impatient. ¡°I wish¡­ that we¡­¡± Get divorced. The word ¡°divorced¡± felt like ashes choking Gisele¡¯s throat. She could almost see herself spitting them out, dripping with blood and flesh. ¡°I¡¯ve transferred 100 thousand dors to your ount. Hurry up and send the porridge.¡± With that said, Dorian hung up. Soon after, Gisele got a notification on her phone, letting her know she had received 100 thousand dors. She had also gotten an address. Gisele winced, her whole body aching like a truck had run over her. Angie immediately held her back. ¡°Are you kidding me? You¡¯re not going back to cook porridge, are you?¡± Gisele used her phone to ce a food delivery order. She fl*pped through her gallery and put a few photos together. Then, she printed out a copy of her marriage certificate. Next, she called for a courier service. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. In less than half an hour, news about Sierra and the CEO of Jefferson Group went viral. Sierra¡¯s food delivery arrived. But the package seemed to contain Dorian¡¯s marriage certificate! At first, theizens were buzzing with spection. They assumed Dorian and Sierra had gotten married in secret and gotten a marriage certificate. Yet, this narrative quickly shifted when a few photos were released. Upon receiving the food delivery, Sierra identally spilled the hot porridge. The mishap left her covered in porridge from the waist up. After Dorian helped her clean up, he took a few calls and quickly left with a frown. At first, Sierra maintained her elegant and dignified image as a talented socialite. However, she soon found herself under scrutiny. Jefferson Group rified on their official Facebook page that Dorian and Sierra were not married. In just half an hour, the situation had changed. People went from thinking that Dorian and Sierra were a perfect match to bing suspicious about Sierra interfering in Dorian¡¯s marriage. Sierra left the hospital wearing a ck mask. She fled in a hurry through the hospital parking lot, narrowly avoiding the reporters, who rushed over after catching wind of the news. ¡ª ¡°Such a relief!¡± Angie chuckled, pping her thigh as reports kept popping up. ¡°Should I send Sierra another banner. It¡¯ll say, ¡°The kind Mrs. Jefferson graciously grants porridge!¡°¡± Gisele began to pack her things. She had fallen from so high and lost her baby, but she had only suffered a fractured right leg that didn¡¯t even need a cast. It seemed that a lowly life such as hers could sustain anything. ¡°Where do you n to go now? You¡¯re not thinking of going back to appease Dorian, are you?¡± Angie hurriedly blocked her. ¡°If you go back to that scumbag, I¡¯ll break your leg for real!¡® Gisele removed her IV drip and calmly replied, ¡°I¡¯m going back for a divorce.¡± It was her third wedding anniversary. Since she had lost her baby, she might as well give her pitiful baby a send¨Coff. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Gisele hadn¡¯t even returned to Jefferson Vi when Dorian called her. ¡°Are you the one who pulled that stunt with the marriage certificate? Didn¡¯t I give you money?¡± Gisele gripped the phone, steadying her breath. ¡°A divorce certificate looks much better now after you see the marriage certificate. Am I right?¡± ¡°Gisele, even if you want to be snarky, you should know your ce.¡± Dorian¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t only impatient; it also carried a cold and oppressive tone. ¡°You¡¯d better-¡± ¡°I¡¯m hanging up.¡± Before Dorian could finish, Gisele hung 1. up. It wasn¡¯t that she dared to be defiant with Dorian. It was because the second wave of bleeding from the miscarriage had suddenly attacked her. Gisele trembled, clutching her abdomen. She took out a needle case from her bag and inserted silver needles into her CV 4 and CV 8 acupuncture points. Her phone kept buzzing as she slumped in the cab, falling into a deep sleep. By the time the driver reached Jefferson Vi, Gisele finally regained some color. As soon as she pushed open the car door, she heard a string of shrill sounds. ¡°Have you seen the news today? Jefferson Group¡¯s stocks dropped by 5 points. The Meyers can¡¯t cover the losses!¡± ¡°It¡¯s been three years since the wedding, and she has given us no child. She has only brought us bad luck!¡± ¡°Exactly! Shees from a low¨Css, uneducated family of trash. She¡¯s not even fit to be a woman!¡± The ones speaking were Dorian¡¯s mother, Celeste Pritchard, and his aunt, Za Jefferson. They had never been satisfied with Dorian¡¯s choice of wife. All of Gisele¡¯s encounters with them were filled with hurtful words. It was as if they thought that it was the only way they could redeem the prestige they had lost by being rted to Gisele. ¡°Shut up!¡± A resounding voice cut them off, silencing them instantly. It was Den, the founder of Jefferson Group and Dorian¡¯s grandfather. Den had been a force in the business world his entire life, carving out a bloody path in both business and politics. He always had the final say in the Jefferson family. He was the only person in the family whomanded Dorian¡¯s respect and fear. But Den soon sumbed to a coughing fit, as if he were going to shatter his chest. When Den had been younger, he had been on the battlefield. As a result of that, he had been left with a lung injury.. It hadn¡¯t been that bad when he had been much younger. But now that he had gotten older, it kept getting worse day by day. ¡°Where¡¯s his medicine?¡± Dorian promptly called out. When Gisele walked into the hall, everything was in chaos. Za saw Gisele and suddenly shoved her. ¡°I was wondering why Dad started coughing so badly. Now I see it¡¯s because you¡¯ve returned!¡± Gisele staggered back, putting pressure on her fractured foot. She almost fainted from the pain. Za showed no remorse. Instead, she raised her thin eyebrows. ¡°You jinx! No wonder you can¡¯t have children. If you did, you¡¯d end up killing them yourself!¡± The words hit Gisele¡¯s ears, making her dizzy. 1 Dorian was beside her. Upon seeing her pale face, he instinctively reached out his hand toward her. But just as he extended his hand, Gisele swayed away, dodging him. Dorian suddenly remembered the phone call she had abruptly ended earlier and frowned. Normally, Gisele¡¯s gaze would only be fixed on him whenever he was around. Yet, at that moment, she had avoided him. Dorian let out a cold snort as he withdrew his hand. Gisele bit her tongue hard to steady her breathing. Without a word, she stepped forward and repeatedly massaged Den¡¯s chest and LU 9. Soon, she was perspiring profusely. It wasn¡¯t from the exertion of the massage but rather a cold sweat. She couldn¡¯t control the wave after wave of cold sweat that made her palms sl*ppery. But, thanks to Gisele¡¯s gentle massage, Den¡¯s cough gradually subsided. Thereafter, Alfred brought the medicine and served it to Den. ¡°Tsk, people from low¨Css families have a knack for this sort of thing.¡± Za turned sheepish when she saw that Den had recovered. But her words were filled with contempt as she asked, ¡°Who are you trying to fool with that pitiful act?¡± Both Den¡¯s and Dorian¡¯s gazes swept over Za. She averted her eyes at once. ¡°What happened at St. Anne Hospital today?¡± Den had calmed down. He looked at Dorian with a piercing gaze. ¡°Why are you ming Don, Dad?¡± Celeste saw Den questioning Dorian and immediately snuck a covert nce at Gisele. 1 ¡°Don always knows his ce. But someone is stilltching onto him. Are we going to let him be the last of the Jeffersons?¡± Celeste smiled, her eyes crinkling. ¡°I once had Don¡¯s fortune told. Apparently, he¡¯s quite hot - tempered. Only a girl from the McMin family ispatible with him. ¡°She will have no problem conceiving many kids, unlike someone who failed even with artificial insemination!¡± This was news. Years ago, no one had said anything about Sierra beingpatible with Dorian. But Sierra had be famous after her return. She was no longer the same person she had been three years ago. She was still the top beauty in the medical field. Just the mention of her name brought a glow to Celeste¡¯s face, unlike when thetter thought of Gisele. Before Celeste could continue, Den mmed his cane on the floor. ¡°Did I ask you?¡± ¡°Grandfather.¡± Dorian straightened his back. ¡°It¡¯s not Sierra¡¯s fault.¡± Den was about to blow his top when Gisele suddenly announced, ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡± The entire hall fell silent for a moment. Dorian¡¯s gaze shed intensely as he pulled Gisele to face him. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant?¡± Gisele was pulled forward by Dorian¡¯s tug. ¡°Name your price,¡± Dorian said in a low voice. Gisele closed her eyes, but luckily they didn¡¯t well up with tears. Then, she gave Dorian a serious yet unfamiliar look, as If she wanted to memorize the agitated and determined look on his face. She felt like she really was despicable; she insisted on hearing the answer from Don before giving up hope. ¡°Gisele!¡± Gisele was startled when Dorian called out to her. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t make it clear. There was a misunderstanding between Dorian and Ms. McMin today.¡± Gisele lowered her head. ¡°If I had been pregnant, others wouldn¡¯t have interpreted it incorrectly when Dorian took Ms. McMin to the hospital. Sorry to make you worry today, Grandpa Den.¡± By saying this, Gisele had defused Dorian¡¯s earlier statement¨Cit was not Sierra¡¯s fault. When Dorian heard that, he unexpectedly gave Gisele a once¨Cover. The woman¡¯s face was deathly pale, but she couldn¡¯t conceal her innate ssic beauty and gentleness. Her clear eyes were devoid of emotion when she met his gaze. They seemed to be voids of emptiness, yet they highlighted her inherent coolness and pride. Dorian frowned without realizing it. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Gisele had never looked at him like this before. ¡°Is that so?¡± Den snorted. ¡°Even if it was a misunderstanding, it can¡¯t happen again! Do you hear me?¡± Den hadn¡¯t bought Gisele¡¯s exnation, but he decided to let it go for now. He knew about the little things that had been done in the name of the curse letter. After all, no one would have dared to post that rification on Jefferson Group¡¯s official Facebook page without his permission. But at the end of the day, it was Dorian and Gisele¡¯s rtionship that mattered. It wasn¡¯t worth risking their marriage over a woman like Sierra. ¡°Today is your third wedding anniversary. Go back and have a good time.¡± Den waved his hand, then pointed at Dorian. ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere today. Stay with Gisele to celebrate-¡± ¡°Grandpa Den, I have something to inform you.¡± Gisele interrupted Den before he could finish. She took out a document that she had prepared in her bag. Before she could take the docume out of the bag, Dorian grabbed from her. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 A divorce agreement? What was Gisele trying to do? Dorian¡¯s face darkened. How dare she bring up divorce in front of Den? Was she aware of what would happen once she proposed divorce to Den? It meant that the Jeffersons would carefully evaluate his marital status. ¡°Let¡¯s go home first.¡± Dorian forcefully pressed Gisele¡¯s hand back down. Gisele didn¡¯t feel pain, but her fingers ached from Dorian¡¯s grip. Before she could recover, Dorian had dragged her out of the vi. ¡°How long are you going to make a fuss?¡± Dorian released Gisele as soon as they left. ¡°Isn¡¯t divorce what you always hoped for, Mr. Jefferson?¡± Gisele looked at Dorian as she rubbed her fingers to ease the numbness. Dorian frowned. Gisele had never looked at him with such a calm expression before. Her eyes used to be timid and filled with adoration, and she had always avoided his gaze. Yet, they had constantly followed him. Now, she appeared calm and unruffled as she met his eyes steadily. Somehow, this entuated her graceful demeanor. She stood there in silence, but she exuded a sense that few things could shake her resolve. Gisele had chosen to be his wife unwaveringly for three years. She would not waver now that she wanted a divorce. The crease between Dorian¡¯s brows deepened as he extended his hand toward Gisele. ¡°Let¡¯s go back first.¡± ¡°I already sent the divorce agreement to your office. There won¡¯t be any dispute over the division of assets.¡± Gisele stepped back. ¡°Dorian, from now on, I wish you all the best.¡± As Dorian was about to say something, a car stopped in front of Gisele. It was the e¨Chailing cab that Gisele had arranged in advance. She opened the car door, but Dorian pressed his hand on the frame, saying, ¡°I¡¯m not finished with you. Who allowed you to leave?¡± Gisele lowered her head and sl*pped into the car under Dorian¡¯s outstretched arm. Only then did he notice how slim and agile she was. By the time he thought of pulling her out, she was already sitting inside, looking poised and elegant. ¡°Gisele, don¡¯t make me say it again.¡± Dorian¡¯s upbringing prevented him from dragging Gisele out of the car. ¡°Grandfather told us to- Gisele interrupted Dorian and said, ¡°Mister, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Miss¡­ I¡¯m only a driver. Why don¡¯t the two of you¡­¡± The driver interjected with caution. Dorian didn¡¯t need to make his identity known. Hismanding demeanor alone indicated that he was either wealthy or of noble status. His clothes alone could also buy the driver¡¯s entire car. The driver feared that if he touched Dorian, he wouldn¡¯t be able to cover the cost of damaging the latter¡¯s clothes. ¡°Drive, or I¡¯ll give you my first¨Cever bad review,¡± Gisele said. ¡°My esteemed passenger, please fasten your seatbelt. I¡¯m about to drive away now,¡± the driver promptly replied. Dorian frowned. So, Gisele was also capable of precisely targeting one¡¯s weakness? Gisele mmed the car door shut, leaving Dorian with a face full of exhaust fumes. ¡°Mr. Dorian, Mr. Dorian¡­¡± Dorian was heading toward his car when Alfred hurried out. ¡°Mr. Jefferson Senior said today is a special day. You must go to Jefferson Manor. If he finds. out you didn¡¯t, he¡¯ll personally attend the board meeting this year.¡± Dorian¡¯s frown deepened. Den was the one who led the Jefferson family, but Dorian¡¯s performance over the years stood out. After Dorian had gotten married, Den hadn¡¯t attended any board meetings. He imed that he preferred to stay at home. If Den resumed attending the meetings, it would draw spection ¡°Mr. Dorian, before the board meeting is convened, Mr. Jefferson Senior hopes to see you and Ms. Meyer get along,¡± Alfred said. ¡°Understood.¡± Dorian sat in his car and opened the navigation. But Jefferson Manor wasn¡¯t listed under his frequent addresses. Dorian paused briefly. Alfred kept his head respectfully lowered as he spoke, his smile carrying a hint of meaning.¡± Jessie is already waiting for the two of you at the manor.¡± Dorian entered Jefferson Manor¡¯s address and started the car, mumbling to himself, Grandfather, don¡¯t you worry.¡± Half an hourter, he reached his destination. Jefferson Manor wasn¡¯t new to Dorian since it was one of the earliest properties owned by the Jeffersons. It had primarily been used as a nuptial home. Dorian had rarely gone there and had visited even less after he had married Gisele. As he stepped into Jefferson Manor, he paused. The manor hadn¡¯t changed much, but it felt somewhat foreign. The living room had once been spacious and airy. Now, it had beige tablecloths, health teas, a small bookshelf, and fresh flowers. All of them had been meticulously arranged to foster a sense of tranquility. Under the flowers, there was a fluffy cat figurine. Without realizing it, Dorian¡¯s frown softened at the sight of it. Several lush, plump nts sat beside the windowsill, apanied by a matching watering can adomed with kittens. Next to themy culinary medicine books, all of which had dog¨Ceared pages. Dorian randomly fl*pped through one of the books. It was filled with densely packed sticky note annotations. Each was almost more detailed than the original text. He picked up a recipe book next, finding multiple versions of recipes for a red bean and barley porridge. Several modifications had been written down, outlining changes in texture and health benefits. The elegant handwriting conjured the image of a meticulous woman sitting by the window, jotting down her culinary experiments. ¡°Mr. Dorian, you¡¯re back.¡± Jessie Winslow, the housekeeper, greeted Dorian as she wiped her hands and walked out of the kitchen. Like Alfred, Jessie had worked for Den for years. After Dorian got married, she had moved to Jefferson Manor to take care of Dorian and Gisele for a while. But, six months ago, Jessie had returned to Jefferson Vi due to Den¡¯s deteriorating health. ¡°Isn¡¯t she back yet?¡± Dorian put down his book, frowning. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. In the past, if he was going toe to Jefferson Manor, she would have been waiting at home. ¡°Mr. Dorian, Madame Gisele might be busy. But she made soup as usual,¡± Jessie said right away when she saw that something was amiss with Dorian¡¯s expression. Then, Jessie brought some soup for him. A whiff of its rich and familiar aroma aroused a primal craving in him. His surroundings, coupled with the fragrance, felt tranquil and cozy. Dorian, who¡¯d had a hectic day, didn¡¯t hesitate to pick up his spoon. ¡°Give her a call and ask when she¡¯ll be back.¡± Jessie was taken aback. This was the first time Dorian had initiated contact with Gisele. She responded in a flurry. Just as she took out her phone, it rang. Jessie looked at it and was even more delighted. ¡°It¡¯s Madam Gisele.¡± Dorian tilted his chin, and Jessie immediately answered and put it on speaker. ¡°Madam Gisele.¡± ¡°Jessie, I slow¨Ccooked the lentil soup.¡± Gisele¡¯s clear voice came through the phone. Dorian raised an eyebrow. Gisele must have instructed Jessie to remind him to drink the soup. She had used to make porridge and soup, then sent them to the Jefferson Group. Following that, she had repeatedly reminded Jon to make sure he drank it. ¡°Discard the soup. Or you can feed it to the dogs.¡± Gisele¡¯s calm voice came through. Dorian had just taken a sip of the soup when he started violently coughing. Reflexively, he pinched his throat, making the cough silent. Despite this, his face flushed red after a couple of chest heaves. ¡°Mr. Do-¡°Jessie became worried when Dorian coughed like this. Dorian immediately raised his hand, suppressing his cough. He gestured a zipping motion over his m*uth to silence Jessie. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jessie?¡± Gisele asked, puzzled. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 ¡°Madam Gisele, that soup¡­ You¡¯d let / mmer for quite some time. It¡¯s nicely done now. What a shame to pour it out. ¡°Mr. Dorian will be back at the manor today. The lentil soup would be nourishing for hist delicate stomach,¡± Jessie spoke quickly, then cleverly muted the call and showed her phone to Dorian. Dorian immediately erupted into a coughing fit. Then, he took a few sips of the lentil soup to suppress it. ¡°I spat into the lentil soup.¡± Gisele¡¯s indifferent voice came through. Dorian had just taken a big gulp of soup. At that moment, It got stuck in his throat. He was unsure of whether to swallow it or spit it out. Jessie¡¯s hand trembled as her phone felt ufortably hot. She hurriedly changed the subject, her voice quivering. ¡°Madam Gisele, when will you be back?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t be going back to Jefferson Manor anymore,¡± Gisele said. ¡°But, Madam Gisele, you¡¯re all alone out there. Where are you now?¡± Jessie was genuinely worried. Gisele had been barely 19 years old when she had married Dorian. At that time, her face had. hinted at innocence. Jessie had looked at her as if she were her child. During the first two years of her marriage, Gisele had never spent a night at her parents¡® home or elsewhere. ¡°I¡¯ve found a ce to stay.¡± Gisele quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s very safe.¡± Jessie muted her phone again, seeking Dorian¡¯s opinion. In the old days, if a man¡¯s wife left after an argument, the best way to resolve conflicts was for him to go and bring her back himself. ¡°Tell her that if she doesn¡¯t return by 10:00 pm, I¡¯ll freeze all her cards,¡± Dorian said coldly. He pushed the lentil soup aside, his demeanor cold. Jessie¡¯s heart sank. Gisele had been living at Jefferson Manor this whole time, relying solely on the Jeffersons. The Meyer family had never been reliable. They knew the kind of life Gisele had been living with the Jeffersons. Yet over the years, the Meyers only sought to benefit from her because of her marriage. It was inte at night, and if all Gisele¡¯s cards were blocked, she would be¡­ ¡°Jessie, all the cards and checkbooks are in the beside table in my bedroom. If Dorian returns, please give them to him,¡± Gisele said over the phone. Jessie was sweating profusely. She showed Dorian her phone screen again, having muted it. She didn¡¯t understand how Gisele could predict Dorian¡¯s thoughts and actions so urately. ¡°I haven¡¯t touched any of the money in there. You can have Jefferson Group¡¯s finance department check on it.¡± Gisele continued speaking in aposed manner. ¡°My wedding ring and jewelry are all in the second drawer. I¡¯ll leave it to you, Jessie.¡± ¡°Madam Gisele¡­¡± Jessie didn¡¯t know what else to say. Dorian grabbed a tissue and wiped the corner of his m*uth. Then, he furiously tossed it onto the table, holding back his pent¨Cup frustration. ¡°Tell Gisele that if she doesn¡¯te back-¡± ¡°Onest thing. Please tell Mr. Jefferson not to make things difficult for the Meyers. He¡¯s been eating the meals I prepared for three years. Please consider it my request that he show them mercy.¡± Gisele finished speaking and hung up the phone. Dorian¡¯s unfinished message got choked in his throat. The dial tone sounded from the other end of the line, while Jessie remained frozen, holding the phone. Did Gisele mean that Dorian had been living off her for three years? Gisele hadn¡¯t used the household allowance Dorian had provided her at all. And he had indeed grown ustomed to eating the meals Gisele cooked. So, in a way, he had been living off her. Dorian tossed his spoon aside. ¡°What trash! Even the dogs wouldn¡¯t eat it.¡± Jessie dared not look up. Realizing how he was reacting, Dorian¡¯s face grew even darker as he retreated to the study. ¡°Not a word about today to Grandfather,¡± Dorian said before closing the study door. Jessie nodded repeatedly. For the next three days, Gisele didn¡¯t set foot inside Jefferson Manor. Whenever Dorian came home, he never caught sight of her. His expression grew gloomier with each passing day. ording to Jon. Dorian has been in a foul mood. mt, at this time, one person entered the Jefferson Group with a cheerful air about him. It was Bernard Murray, the second son of the Murray family. He was one of Dorian¡¯s tow close The Murray¡¯s, (entre and old money, had started out in chemistry In Hearthfield and amassed their wealth through that. Buttely, they had struck it big in the world of e¨Csports live streaming. Pertsand, in particr, was an oddball among Hearthfield¡¯s elite. He was notorious for being a yboy and having an easygoing reputation. His new talk show, which merged medical treatment with live streaming, had caused quite a stir. Bernard excelled at simplifying sensitive andplex toples, making them understandable to the general public. He blended humor and entertainment, making his show relevant to millions of people. Perhaps no one else could pull off a show with millions of viewers like he could. ¡°Jonnie, is Doge in?¡± Bernard shouted at Jon as soon as he entered the lobby at Jefferson Group. Jon, a former special forces soldier, was a true special operations champion. Thanks to his exceptional skills, he had received earnest pleas for him to stay and train specialized units. The reason he had chosen to work for Dorian instead was because thetter had done him a lifesaving favor in the past. Jon¡¯s inherent military sharpness and solemnity made most steer clear of him. Well, except for Bernard, who tenaciously called him ¡°Jonnie¡°. Bernard approached Jon, whose knuckles were white from clenching his fists so tightly. He brandished a document in front of Jon¡¯s face. ¡°Jonnie, look at this document. Watch me. Dorian will beughing in three seconds t.¡® Jon¡¯s m*uth twitched slightly as he pressed the elevator button. ¡°Mr. Murray, this please.¡± way, Once they were inside Dorian¡¯s office, Bernard pped a file down onto Dorian¡¯s desk. ¡°The guests for this episode are something else. She must showcase her skills in front of the aristocratic veterans, who have weathered many challenges. ¡°If your dream girl has talent, she can transition from being just a beauty in the medical field to a prominent figure in the industry.¡± After ncing through the documents, Dorian¡¯s expression cleared slightly. ¡°Please confirm Sierra as a guest. Then, you can fill in whatever sponsorship amount,¡± Dorian said, lifting his gaze from the file. Dorian could tell the value of this episode just from the documents. Most of the patients. Bernard had invited were elderly veterans from the military convalescent home. Dorian had recognized the names of a few of Den¡¯s former colleagues and subordinates on the list. Bernard¡¯s ability to invite them guaranteed that this episode would be sensational. Once this was made known, countless people would be scrambling to invest. ¡°Don, are you serious about Sierra?¡± Bernard frowned upon hearing Dorian¡¯s words. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°There¡¯s no need to doubt Sierra¡¯s medical skills.¡± Dorian signed a document and left the sponsorship amount nk, as promised. ¡°But I¡¯m still waiting for Gigi Toby Fluff,¡± Bernard said with undisguised regret on his face. ¡°Fluff?¡± Dorian looked disgusted. ¡°Which ex¨Cgirlfriend of yours is that?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t start on me now, please! Gigi Toby Fluff is my idol! This episode is dedicated to her!¡± Bernard exaggeratedly eximed. The next second, he filled in 50 million dors for the sponsorship amount. Jon¡¯s l*ps twitched again. 50 million dors in sponsorship was at least three times the expected amount for a show of this caliber. Yet, Bernard had dared to write that! Bernard still looked regretful. ¡°I¡¯ve seen her volunteering with a mask on. Her professionalism, medical skills, and acupuncture skills¡­ Wow! ¡°Besides that, her skin is as fair as snow, and her ample chest and slim waist¡­ Oh my, 36D and no more than 24 inches. And there¡¯s a red mole by her ear¡­. Jon was rendered speechless as he watched Bernard. Was he still talking about her medical skills? If Bernard continued, his thoughts would need to be censored! But Dorian seemed a little distracted. Gisele¡¯s skin was very fair. She always dressed modestly, drawing less attention to her bust, but she had a very slim waist. When she lowered her head, a snow¨Cwhite nape would be exposed, and she had a tiny red mole behind her ear. And, wait a minute¨Cshe seemed to like cats too¡­. Dorian was in a daze when Bernard suddenly shouted, ¡°What? Did Gigi Toby Fluff agree to be a guest? Send her the invitation Immediately!¡± Bernard mmed the signed contract in front of Dorian. ¡°I want to breach the contract!¡± Dorian lifted his eyes, looking dangerous, Bernard was the first person to breach a contract with Jefferson Group right after signing it! He was willing to go that far for Gigi Toby Fluff? Bernard turned excitedly and spoke into his Bluetooth earpiece. ¡°Give me Gigi Toby Fluff¡¯s number. I¡¯ll talk to her myself to show her my sincerity!¡± After getting the phone number, Bernard wasted no time. Before leaving, he turned back to look at Dorian. ¡°Don, sorry about that. My idol is here. She¡¯s above everything else.¡± Dorian stood up and mmed his palm on the table, covering the signed contract. The atmosphere in the office instantly became so cold that it could send chills down one¡¯s spine. Even Jon, who was at the far entrance, was affected. His sturdy frame trembled involuntarily. But the culprit, Bernard, seemed oblivious as he called the number. His face was glowing, and he even cleared his throat repeatedly before speaking. It was as if he was worried that his rough voice might hurt his idol¡¯s ears. As Bernard cleared his throat, the call connected. He spoke gently as he suppressed his excitement. ¡°Hello, Gigi. I¡¯m the investor for ¡°The Ideal Nursing Home¡® program. Thank you for joining us. With you on board, our show is sure to shine!¡± Bernard was fawning, and his voice dripped with warmth. ¡°Are you free toe to the office and sign the contract today? ¡°If not, I can deliver it to you! Just give me your address, and I¡¯ll be there within 30 minutes. Seeing Bernard about to make his escape, Dorian reached out. He grabbed Bernard¡¯s cor and yanked off one of his Bluetooth earpieces. A gentle and polite voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Thank you. I happen to have some time. See you at the officeter.¡± Dorian was about to say that Bernard had already signed a contract with him when he heard. the woman¡¯s voice. Her voice sounded vaguely familiar, yet he couldn¡¯t quite ce where he had heard it before. Looking like an agitated cat, Bernard ended the call. His eyes were wide as he chastised Dorian. ¡°Dorian! Don¡¯t be so rude! I agreed to pay the penalty for breaching the contract, and you Chapter 6 Chapter 6 will still make a profit. You¡¯ll earn 100 million dors in less than 10 minutes! Don¡¯t push it, Don.¡± Although the penalty sum pained Bernard¡¯s heart, seeing his idol and working closely with her made up for it. That loss was no big deal! Bernard was the one who had made outrageous demands, and it was also Bernard who had broken the contract. How fickle could he be? ¡°No one dares to breach a contract with Jefferson Group.¡± Dorian blocked Bernard¡¯s attempt to leave. He towered over Bernard, looking down at him. The pressure in the office plunged. The air became so thin that it was hard to breathe. As Bernard met Dorian¡¯s piercing gaze, his expression suddenly changed. The next moment, Bernard, who was over 6 feet tall, leaned coquettishly against Dorian¡¯s shoulder. His face was filled with feigned resentment as he clung to Dorian¡¯s arm. ¡°Okay, okay, Don. I know I was wrong! I¡¯ll pay the penalty, and on top of that, I¡¯ll offer myself to you, alright?¡± Those cloying words made Dorian¡¯s face darken like the bottom of a pot. He stiffly pushed Bernard away. ¡°Baby!¡± Bernard batted his eyshes at Dorian, his voice lilting. ¡°I admit I was wrong! Can you forgive me just this once?¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± Dorian withdrew his hand and took several steps back, putting some distance. between them. ¡°You can break the contract, but you must let me meet this Gigi Toby Fluff with you.¡± What kind of person could make the great Bernard act so meekly just by hearing her voice? Bernard nced at him and reluctantly nodded. ¡°Well¡­ alright! But there are rules you have to follow. You must show respect to my idol, and you can¡¯t speak rashly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Dorian nodded dismissively and picked up his car keys, heading out first. 2 ¡ª In the grand lobby of the Murray Corp. Tower, a crowd of employees had gathered. All of the women were d in ck and white professional attire and high heels. ring furiously, they formed a circle as if holding a condemnation rally. A woman¡¯s voice sounded from the center of the circle as she pleaded. ¡°Ms. Brown, what did I do wrong? Everyone likes Mr. Murray. Why are you firing me for that? ¡°You can ask them. Don¡¯t they like Mr. Murray too?¡± The female employees sucked in a breath of cold air and stepped back as if being used of liking Bernard was an insult. The manager, Ava Brown, sneered with her arms folded over her chest. ¡°Do you see now? Which one of them shows signs of having other thoughts about Mr. Murray? And which of you are trying to use your work rtionships to have an office romance and get ahead?¡± The dismissed female employee had tears streaking down her face. She looked shocked. She stammered, ¡°H¨CHow is that possible? How could they not like Mr. Murray?¡± A female employee with a doll¨Clike face and a devilish figure remarked disdainfully, ¡°Why would anyone like that shy peacock? The peacocks in the zoo are much better than him.¡± Beside her, another female employee with delicate features also expressed her distaste. ¡°You didn¡¯t come to Murray Corp. for that man, but for the benefits, right? Social insurance, a triple sry bonus at the end of the year, three extra menstrual leave days per month, and a month¡¯s sry bonus on holidays¡­¡± She listed the benefits proudly. Her disdainful expression finally softened. ¡°Aren¡¯t these better than a man?¡± Suddenly, a coldugh echoed through the quiet lobby. Everyone turned toward the source of the sound. As soon as Ava saw Bernard, she frowned. She turned to the dismissed employee and said, ¡± You better leave now. Don¡¯t linger here. If you want to pursue Mr. Murray, go behind the building and try him there!¡± Then, dozens of slender and beautiful employees turned around in unison without even sparing Bernard a nce. They began discussing among themselves. ¡°Our resident guest for ¡®The Ideal Nursing Home¡® is the recently returned medical genius, N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Dr. Sierra!¡± ¡°Wow, oh my god! Aren¡¯t we very blessed? They say she stunned international doctors with her herbal medicine and acupuncture skills abroad. She¡¯s truly the pride of our country!¡± ¡°Yes, but that Gigi Toby Fluff is so disgusting. To gain fame, she used Dr. Sierra¡¯s published medical paper of having errors. How could a genius make mistakes? She just wants to get attention!¡± Chapter n Bernard wanted to avoid paying attention to them. But the second he heard them Insult his idol, he imediately wanted to go up and argue with them. However, he was pushed into the CEO¡¯s private elevator by Dorian. Before he could even respond, the elevator doors slowly closed. He was beyond frustrated that he hadn¡¯t been able to speak up for his Idol. As soon as the private elevator doors closed, Gisele walked into Murray Corp. Tower. She was dressed in a clean white dress with simple makeup and t shoes. ¡°Hello, exxcuseme. Which floor should I go to to sign the contract for ¡°The Ideal Nursing Home?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the deal with Gigi Toby Fluff-¡°The receptionist had still been continuing the female employees¡® previous discussion when she suddenly heard Gisele¡¯s voice. She turned and looked at the delicate woman in front of her in shock. Was she Gigi Toby Fluff? Even though Gisele was wearing a mask, her fair, radiant skin and gentle eyes that sparkled revealed a kind demeanor. Her bearing waspletely different from the rumors! ¡°Seventh floor, Conference Room 704,¡± the receptionist murmured. ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± Gisele had heard their discussion earlier, but she didn¡¯t care about others¡® opinions of her. What she needed was to stay true to herself. After taking the elevator to the seventh floor, Gisele knocked on the door of Conference Room 704 and entered. ¡°Hello-¡± Before she could continue, Gisele saw two men sitting in the conference room. One of them was Dorian. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 ¡°Gi-¡°Bernard stood up excitedly, but he had no chance to continue. Dorian, who was sitting beside him, frowned. His piercing gaze scrutinized the masked Gisele from head to toe. Under his unabashedly fiery gaze, Dorian sneered mockingly. ¡°You yed hard to get by running away from home. Now, you¡¯re following me around.¡± ¡°Mr. Jefferson, you¡¯re overthinking.¡± Gisele briefly nced at him with an unbothered expression before returning her attention to Bernard. Bernard covered his m*uth with a handkerchief he carried with him, preventing himself from screaming. Gigi Toby Fluff was standing before him! Dorian leaned back in his chair, tilting his chin up to look at her. His deep voice was filled with displeasure as he said, ¡°If you want to go home, go now. If not, hand over the keys.¡± Gisele knew it. He wanted her to make way for Sierra, but he made it seem like she was the one being disobedient and unreasonable. Gisele stood silently at the doorway, with the light shining behind her. Her fair skin. appeared even more translucently pale under the light. Even the tiny pores on her ch*eks were visible. The white mask concealed her downturned l*ps. Herrge eyes reflected a subtle sense of fragility. So, the man she had loved for three years could be uncouth to defend his lover. A throbbing pain seized her heart as if it were being gnawed at by thousands of ants. Yet, there was nothing she could do apart from straighten her back. ¡°Okay.¡± Gisele stared straight into Dorian¡¯s emotionless, ck eyes and strode toward him. Still seated, Dorian remained motionless. In his eyes, Gisele was ying hard to get again. He didn¡¯t understand why she never got tired of such childish antics. Gisele walked up to him and took out a set of keys, which she¡¯d had for three years, from her bag. She clenched the keys tightly. The cold metal dug painfully into her soft palm, yet she seemed numb to the pain. 1 ¡°Here, take it,¡± Gisele said softly, opening her fair palm. Don¡¯s brows, which had just rxed, furrowed once again. Did she mean to return the key? He hesitantly took the keys. Before he could speak, Gisele leaned in. Caught off guard by their abrupt proximity, Dorian froze. His nose filled with her faint herbal scent, which was soothing to the heart and mind. At the same time, an inexplicable sense of pride and irritation ignited within him. Couldn¡¯t Gisele keep her word? Gisele saw the subtle expressions on his face up close. It was only a moment, but she saw it all too clearly¨Che hated her being near him. Suddenly, strange sounds echoed in the silent conference room. Bernard looked at the two of them in confusion. Gisele¡¯s hand moved swiftly and precisely. She used her index and middle fingers to strike several of Dorian¡¯s acupuncture points. Dorian¡¯sposed expression turned pale in an instant, and his thin l*ps turned purple. His posture was hunched due to dizziness and pain from the acupuncture strikes. Right after her attack, Gisele¡¯s face showed annoyance as she muttered, ¡°Too noisy.¡± Forced to lean on the table, Dorian mustered his willpower to lift his head again. The dizziness made him feel like he could pass out at any moment. Enduring the difort, he clenched his hands on the table, his veins bulging on his forehead. His usually calm ck eyes now seemed stormy, like a violent tempest. He red at Gisele with a bloodthirsty look in his eyes. Bernard stared at them nkly, his gaze shifting between Dorian and Gisele. ¡°My idol!¡± He snapped out of his daze, covering his m*uth with a handkerchief in amazement. Doctors typically used silver needles to stimte acupoints for healing effects. But Gisele¡¯s strikes had been precise, hitting each point urately with the right pressure. Dorian had had no chance to resist. It likely required at least a decade of practice to achieve this level of precision. Dorian endured the dizziness and tried to speak, but he found that he couldn¡¯t make a sound. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Gigi Toby Fluff. I¡¯m here to sign the contract,¡± Gisele sald. She exuded a gentle air. It seemed as if she wasn¡¯t the same woman who had ruthlessly struck Don a moment ago. Bernard excitedly shook her hand. Hepletely ignored Dorian, who was dizzy and sweating profusely on the table. ¡°Please have a seat. We were supposed to have a test of your medical skills before signing the contract. But since I witnessed your skills a few minutes ago, it¡¯s not necessary anymore. Bernard smiled in admiration as he retrieved the contract. ¡°This is the contract for our show. Please take a look. If there are no issues, we can sign it now.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Gisele ced her bag down. She sat across from Bernard and carefully read through the contract. Dorian narrowed his eyes. He was so dizzy that he saw two Giseles and then multiple Giseles. But no matter how many Giseles there were, her side profile was so perfect that it was hard to look away. The mask covered half her face, but it couldn¡¯t conceal her high¨Cbridged nose. Thoserge eyes that had used to gaze at him timidly now shone with confidence, exuding a radiant glow. In that instant, Dorian recognized Gisele as a precious gem, sparkling and enchanting. ¡°Mr. Murray, most of the terms look fine. About the drugs and equipment mentioned, can I apany you when selecting the partners for those?¡± Gisele closed the file, smiling confidently. ¡°I believe anypany coborating with Murray Corp. must be reputable. But someone with expertise can notice more details.¡± After a brief moment of consideration, Bernard epted her suggestion. ¡°That¡¯s reasonable. No problem¡± ¡°Additionally, I may not be able to disclose prescriptions or medicinal diets.¡± Gisele raised another concern. ¡°Each person¡¯s condition is different. Some remedies can be used by anyone, but nowadays, many people don¡¯t pay attention to their health. Any misuse. of medication can lead to adverse reactions.¡± It was also a measure to prevent viewers from trying to self¨Cmedicate after watching the show. Bernard¡¯s eyes lit up, and he chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯re raising this concern for all our sakes. I have absolutely no problem with that.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Gisele had no other issues. She took the pen and elegantly signed the contract. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. There were two copies of the contract. After signing, Gisele took her copy and stood up, preparing to leave. Bernard looked at the cool and confident Gisele with the utmost admiration. As he rose to see her off, Dorian, who had been lying on the table, suddenly found some strength and grabbed Bernard. His crimson eyes looked threatening as he forcefully pinned Bernard¡¯s shoulders down. Bernard immediately understood Dorian¡¯s intentions and eximed, ¡°What about him? He looks like he¡¯s getting worse. He can¡¯t speak, and he¡¯s constantly sweating.¡± Gisele, who was at the door, turned back in confusion, as if she had only just remembered Dorian. ¡°A hard p can snap him out of this state.¡± Gisele¡¯s voice, soft, innocent, and pure, resonated through the area. p Dorian? Hard? Bernard blinked his charismatic eyes, giving Dorian an ambiguous smile. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Dorian glowered at Gisele with bloodshot eyes. Perspiration dotted his cool, seemingly indifferent face. He looked like he¡¯d just taken a shower. ¡®ll have to bear with it then, Don.¡± Bernard helped him sit down before raising his hand to p him. It was at this crucial moment that Dorian closed his eyes, deciding that he could no longer tolerate it any further. Furious, he grabbed Bernard¡¯s hand to stop him. When he opened his eyes again, he seethed angrily. ¡°Gisele!¡± The rage he felt cleared his vision. He could even speak properly now. Bernard, whose hand was being held hostage by Dorian, cried out in pain. ¡°Hey! It hurts! Let go of my hand, Dorian! I did that for your own good!¡± Bernard hissed in pain. ¡°Are you sure about that? Or were you simply pulling my leg?¡± Dorian¡¯s eyes were still bloodshot when he let go of Bernard¡¯s hand. He looked horrifying. He turned to look at the entrance but couldn¡¯t see Gisele there. How dare she trick him? ¡°Hey! Is Gigi the person your grandfather wanted you to marry?¡± Bernard asked with a sad face. So, his idol, was married to Dorian? After calming himself down, Dorian strode out of the conference room. Just before the elevator closed its doors, he dashed inside. Gisele looked at him in surprise. They held each other¡¯s gaze. Quickly, she averted her gaze as if he were no more than a stranger to her. She was about to press the button for the first floor when Dorian stepped forward to block her with his body. Her finger, which was supposed to press the button, was now touching his abdomen. It was hard, and it made her blush. ¡°Come back with me!¡± Dorian ordered, his face as dark as an impending storm. ¡°Also, don¡¯t join the show this time. You¡¯ve made yourself enough of an embarrassment. Don¡¯t drag the entire family down with you!¡± Gisele raised her head to look at him. She looked upset as she stared up at him with tearful eyes filled with disappointment. ¡°Is joining a TV show more embarrassing than cheating on one¡¯s partner?¡± she asked. ¡°Gisele!¡± Dorian hissed. Anger shed across hils plercing eyes. She didn¡¯t know if he was mad at her because he felt huunited or If It was because the soft- spoken Gisele, who had always looked up to him in admiration, was now speaking to him with a sharp tongue. She smiled bitterly at him. Her throat felt as if she had just swallowed a knife. She put on a brave front and said, ¡°You¡¯re afraid that I would tell the public about our rtionship, right? Dorian fell silent. Judging from how he avoided her gaze, she could tell that her guess wast right. Gisele felt as though someone had torn her heart out of her chest. Even the simple task of breathing felt like a chore.1 Her face turned paler than it had already been. If she had been the kind of person who liked to brag, she would have announced their marriage the moment they had registered their marriage. Why would she wait until they were going to get a divorce to tell the world about their rtionship? ¡°Yes. Youe from a small family with no status or even a substantial background,¡± Dorian stated inly. ¡°So what if you studied medicine for a few years?¡± He continued, ¡°The producers invited experts who have contributed a lot to the country. What if you make a mistake and hurt someone? My family would have to help you. clean up the mess again.¡± His voice had always been music to her ears, but this time, his words were full of scorn and Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. derision. Gisele nced down at the ts she was wearing as she listened intently to him. She was probably the only woman in the world who was humiliated to such an extent by the man she loved the most. Dorian had never tried to understand her. He had never spared her a nce, nor did he care about how she felt. Instead, he crushed every bit of confidence she had ever had. The two of them fell silent in the enclosed space of the elevator. Gisele could hear his breath since he was right beside her. Still, she didn¡¯t feel happy at all. It was quite the opposite. All she felt was pain after hearing what he had said. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t hurt so much. She was in so much sorrow that she had to pat herself on the chest to calm herself down. The pain made it hard to breathe. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you toe back, my baby¡­¡± All of a sudden, the merry ringtone of Dorian¡¯s phone sliced through the silence of the air. From the corner of her eyes, Gisele saw him answering the call without even looking at the screen to see who the caller was. ¡°Sierra,¡± he said. His tone was soft when he uttered Sierra¡¯s name, as if he were missing her a lot. As a rival in love, Gisele was jealous of Sierra, who had managed to get all of Dorian¡¯s gentleness and patience so easily. 1 ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t worry about the show. I¡¯ll sign the contract in your stead,¡± he said,forting Sierra. Gisele couldn¡¯t hear what Sierra said to Dorian. But his words made her realize that he had said those things about terminating the contract and her embarrassing the Jeffersons, all because he wanted her to leave. He wanted to keep this path of fame for Sierra. Oh, the irony behind that! Dorian wanted to make Gisele, his wife, give in just so he could satisfy his mistress¡® demands. ¡°Okay. Just wait for the good news.¡± Dorian¡¯s voice was gentle throughout their conversation. Gisele tried to calm herself down and force the tears back. She raised her head adamantly and moved past Dorian to press the button for the first floor. 1 She shot him a relieved smile after he hung up and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Jefferson, I won¡¯t terminate the contract on my own ord.¡± She continued, ¡°I won¡¯t contact anyone in your family either because I have a boyfriend.¡± The atmosphere in the elevator, which had just started to improve, Instantly turned tense. The smile on Dorian¡¯s face faltered at her words. He exuded a chilling air as he sneered at her. ¡°Were you so unbearably lonely that you had to cling to someone like you did three years ago?¡± Gisele raised her eyes to meet his cool, indifferent expression. She didn¡¯t expect him to be so cold¨C blooded as to say something like that to her. How could he humiliate her like this just because she loved him but he didn¡¯t? Just then, they heard the sound of the elevator doors opening. Gisele looked away from him and calmly stepped out of the elevator. All the things she had done for him for the past three years were nothing but atrocious and humiliating to him. Dorian caught a glimpse of the sorrow in her eyes. Somehow, it made him feel annoyed. He strode forth, grabbed her by the arm, and dragged her away with him. The staff at the reception didn¡¯t even get the chance to talk to Gisele when they saw her leaving as Dorian dragged her away behind him. After throwing her into the passenger seat, he quickly got into the car, started the engine, and mmed his foot on the gas pedal without caring if she had put on her seat belt. The car sped into the distance. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Gisele frowned when she realized that the route he was taking seemed familiar. She couldn¡¯t help herself from trembling out of anger. Her l*ps were red as she bit her lower l*p in frustration. The image of her lying down on the ground in a pool of blood shed through her mind. She had been totally helpless when she had lost her child at that time. ¡°Let me out!¡± she yelled, her voice finally getting a sliver of rage. Dorian sneered. From the corner of his eye, he could see Gisele tightening her arms around herself, looking weak and pitiful. The car screeched to a halt. Dorian hurled her against the window, and she slid back into the passenger seat. ¡°Do you crave it so much that you have to seduce others all the time?¡± he shouted. ¡°I can give it to you if that¡¯s what you want!¡± After parking the car, he nced over at Gisele, who looked all poor and weak. He climbed on top of her and started tearing at her clothes with one hand while his other reached for her legs. 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Dorian pressed his l*ps against Gisele¡¯s as his warm hands caressed her smooth skin. At first, he was gripped by an inexplicable wave of anger and wanted to teach her a lesson. But soon, he found himself indulging in the k*ss Gisele stayed submissive as she stared at him. He was so close to her now. She could even feel his warm breath on her face. She found it funny somehow. This was the first time Dorian had k*ssed her in the past three years. It was an aggressive one, and it was addictive, making her sink deeper and deeper into ¡°Does your boyfriend k*ss you like this?¡± Dorian let go of her. The tips of their noses touched as he stared at her, the bashful look on her face reflecting in his piercing eyes. Gisele¡¯s m*uth was slightly open. She stared at the reflection of herself in his eyes without much of an expression. He had humiliated her so, but her body had still reacted to him. It made her feel ashamed. 1 The air in the cramped space of the car grew hotter steadily. Dorian suddenly had the urge to be bawdy. His fingers lightly brushed Gisele¡¯s skin. His touch was a little cold, making goosebumps pop up all over her body. Resistance was written all over her face. ¡°What? Are you keeping your virginity for your boyfriend?¡± A shadow fell across Dorian¡¯s face as his eyes darkened considerably, and he grabbed her by the neck. Gisele smiled bitterly at him. She didn¡¯t have a boyfriend. Still, she put on a determined look as she raised her eyes to look at him. Thest traces of a blush vanished from her face as she forced herself to say, ¡°Yes. You did that for Ms. McMin. So why can¡¯t I?¡± She didn¡¯t know if Dorian was mad at her for saying that or if he was angry simply because he thought she had cheated on him. He started k*ssing her over and over again. Disgusted by his actions, Gisele raised her hand to p him across the face. The p broke the warm and humid atmosphere in the car, making Dorian stop what he had been doing. His eyes were bloodshot when he stared at her. The ch*ek that had suffered the blow was starting to swell. The p had left a huge and clear mark on his dashing face. The air in the car turned as cold as ice. It was so chilling that Gisele got goosebumps all over again. She regretted acting so rashly and pping him, but it was toote now. After mustering her courage, she shot him a determined look ????? ¡°I¡¯ll pretend like nothing ever happened today. If something like this happens again, I don¡¯t mind letting Ms. McMin stand and watch from aside as we do the deed.¡± The p had been so strong that the inside of Dorian¡¯s ch*ek was bleeding. The pungent taste of blood filled his m*uth as he carelessly licked the bleeding wound with his tongue. He rested his arms back on the steering wheel and snickered. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Call Bernard and tell him to terminate the contract. Also, tell him to make Sierra the main guest of the show,¡± he said. ¡°If you do it, I¡¯ll take it as you paying for that p. I¡¯ll let Meyer Group live too.¡± Dorian was threatening Gisele by bringing up Meyer Group. Inwardly, sheughed at herself for it. He was aware of what was most important to her. The air was suffocatingly tense as the two of them stared at each other. Neither Gisele nor Dorian were going to give in. Just then, Gisele¡¯s phone started ringing. She thought of rejecting the call as she took her phone out, but she saw that Peter was the one calling. Noticing this, Dorian snat ched the phone from her grasp. He answered the call and put it on speaker mode. ¡°Gisele! What the heck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Peter¡¯s frustrated voice sounded from the phone. Gisele nced at Dorian. She knew what he had done when she saw the smile on his l*ps. He had put her family under pressure. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you can¡¯t make Mr. Jefferson happy, but why did you pi ss him off?¡± Peter yelled. Chapter 9: ¡°Why do I have such an ignorant fool for a daughter? You must have had so much fun in your life that you¡¯ve gotten ahead of yourself!¡± Peter couldn¡¯t stop ranting. He kept reprimanding her for doing something wrong. ¡°Are you even listening to me? We¡¯ll go bankrupt if we can¡¯t ship out that batch of goods!¡± he roared. ¡°Gisele, you owe this family everything that you have today. Do you really think you can retain your position as Mr. Jefferson¡¯s wife if our family goes bankrupt?¡± Gisele didn¡¯t have the chance to speak since Dorian had answered the call. She pursed her l*ps as she tried to push away whatever was stuck in her throat. Her chest felt tight, and it made her feel suffocated. Was it because she wasn¡¯t loved by anyone at all? 1 Even Peter scolded her without even knowing the truth. ¡°Okay,¡± she muttered. She finally managed to force a word out of her m*uth after keeping her emotions bottled up for so long. After hanging up, she put on a smile and said, ¡°You did it, Dorian.¡± She took her phone back from him, opened her contacts, and called Bernard. Dorian simply watched her with one hand on the steering wheel. The curve of a smile on the corner of her l*ps was like a hundred needles piercing through his heart. It hurt, but it didn¡¯t show on his face. ¡°Mr. Murray, I¡¯m sorry to tell you that I want to terminate the contract,¡± Gisele said slowly and clearly as she looked Dorian right in the eye. Bernand assumed that she hade across a problem. He hadn¡¯t expected her to call and tell him that she wanted the contract terminated. ¡°Why? Is it because it doesn¡¯t match up with your schedule?¡± he asked. ¡°We can adjust the time and date for the recording, though. Just tell me what¡¯s troubling you. We can settle it together.¡± Bernard wasn¡¯t going to give up so easily. This was Gigi Toby Fluff they were talking about! She was his idol! Besides, he would rather break the contract with Dorian andpensate for it than let Gisele go just like that. He truly wanted a humble doctor like her who was full of potential to be known to the public. Gisele smiled wryly. Despite that, she sounded rxed when she spoke to him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just too busy these days,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for taking your time. There¡¯s this young woman who¡¯s just returned from abroad.¡± She continued, ¡°Her name¡¯s Sierra McMin. She¡¯s the perfect person for the job. I suggest making her a permanent guest on your show.¡± Her tone was light, but her words stabbed at her heart repeatedly. ¡°Huh? Are you serious?¡± Bernard couldn¡¯t get his head around it. Gisele kept her eyes on Dorian the entire time. She said firmly, ¡°Yes. Ms. McMin is extraordinary. She¡¯s a role model for someone like me.¡± ¡°Okay, then. I¡¯ll send you the papers for the termination of the contract via emailter on.¡± Bernard finally gave in. ¡°You don¡¯t have to pay the fee for breaking the contract.¡® He added a tad shyly, ¡°Though, I¡¯d be really d if you could show up for the show when you¡¯re free.¡± Gisele was relieved to know that she didn¡¯t have to pay the termination fee. ¡°Thank you, she said. After hanging up, she rposed herself. In a business¨Clike tone, she asked Dorian, ¡°Are you happy? Can I leave now?¡± Instead of waiting for him to reply, she reached for the handle to open the door. However, the car started moving at high speed, so she could only shut the door. As he drove, Dorian felt angry for no apparent reason. Gisele had finally agreed to terminate the contract, but why wasn¡¯t he happy? 1 Instead of feeling d that she had done so, his mood turned foul. He ran through red lights several times. He drove so recklessly that Gisele felt nauseous. She was on the verge of puking when the car came to a halt. Gisele opened the door and stumbled out of the car. Her face was already pale, but it turned even paler when she saw the towering shadow of Jefferson Manor looming before her. She froze on the spot. After getting out of the car, Dorian grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the manor. The hall was empty. Gisele¡¯s gaze fell on a spot on the stairs. That was where she hadnded when she fell from the second floor and lost her child. She stared at the spot, her eyes turning bloodshot. The spot had already been scrubbed clean long ago, but she could still feel the pain in her abdomen. With her body bent over a little, she trembled ever so slightly that it was unnoticeable, and she subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Jessie walked out of the kitchen. She seemed delighted to see Gisele there. ¡°Madam Gisele, you¡¯re back,¡± she said. Gisele didn¡¯t respond. She was still trapped in the grief of losing her baby. She continued to stare at the spot at the bottom of the stairs as if the tiles could exin themselves to her for causing her miscarriage. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Dorian found Gisele¡¯s behavior strange, but he didn¡¯t care. ¡°Thest thing I need you to do is take a picture with me. It¡¯s for Grandfather. You can leave after that,¡± he said. Gisele narrowed her eyes, which were full of hatred, at him as she swallowed her fear. ¡°I refuse.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t call the shots here!¡± Dorian roared as he grabbed her by the shoulder and walked her to the spot that she had been staring at. Gisele stood at the spot at the bottom of the stairs as she tried hard to push away the fear and anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her. Her mind was gued by the scene that day, when she hadid in a pool of her blood as she had wallowed in sorrow with eyes full of despair. It was the very day she had lost the final ounce of love she had for him. Her legs turned to jelly, and she sank to the ground. Her face looked even paler under the light. She looked so pitiful and forlorn that both Dorian and Jessie looked at her with suspicion in their eyes. It was especially so for Jessie. On the day Gisele had prepared lentil soup, Dorian had called. Jessie and asked her toe to Jefferson Manor to check if burrs had broken into the manor. There had been nothing strange when she had arrived. Everything had seemed fine. Besides the faint smell of blood in the air, the only strange thing was that the CCTV had been broken. Later on, she had found a bag containing what was seemingly chicken blood in the kitchen. Gisele had prepared lentil soup that day, so Jessie hadn¡¯t put more thought into it after that. Gisele¡¯s baby hade to her so quietly, and it left the world silently too. It was as if it had all been just a dream. No one except her knew that she had once been pregnant with Dorian¡¯s child. ¡°Jessie, go and bring us the baby clothes,¡± said Dorian as he pulled Gisele¡¯s trembling arm. A sliver of annoyance shed across his face. Gisele should have at least told him beforehand why she wanted to put on such an act. Jessie froze for a moment before replying, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll go and get them for you.¡± The baby clothes, which were spin¨Cdried, were ced in a basket. Dorian then handed his phone to Jessie and ordered, ¡°Record me and Gisele when we hang out the clothes to dryter.¡± ¡°Huh? Okay.¡± Jessie was confused, but she gingerly did as she was told. Dorian was picking up one of the onesies from the basket when he noticed Gisele still rooted at the same spot. Her red¨Crimmed eyes were dull, and she looked as if something had sucked the life out of her. He wasted no time stuffing the onesie into her hands. He demanded, ¡°Gisele, you¡¯d better hurry and do what you need to do!¡± Gisele¡¯s eyes zeroed in on the soft piece of fabric in her hands. She stared at it unblinkingly. These were the clothes she had specially picked for her baby after she had started going for the IVF procedures. After she had taken the injections, she had happily headed to the shops selling baby stuff. At first, she had simply gone window shopping. Later on, after two embryos had been sessfully imnted in her body, she had finally gotten the courage to buy a few clothes for the baby. Gisele¡¯s hands clenched the clothes tightly. Resistance was written all over her face. ¡°Hurry up,¡± said Dorian as he stood behind her and grabbed one end of the onesie with her. The warmth from his chest that seeped through his clothes snapped Gisele out of her daze. She tossed the onesie aside and pushed him away, her hands trembling. She was on the verge of a breakdown, but she pretended to be just fine. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what I said? I said I refuse!¡± she shouted at him. ¡°So what?¡± Dorian took a step backward as he stared at her indifferently, as if he were looking at a stranger. ¡°So what? What are you afraid of? You just don¡¯t have the guts to go against Grandpa. Den, right?¡± she sneered. Disdain shed in Gisele¡¯s eyes as she said, ¡°There are scandals about you and Sierra everywhere. Why didn¡¯t you seem scared then? ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of taking photos with me as if we¡¯re looking forward to having a baby together? It¡¯s all just a ruse anyway! ¡°Do you have it in you to make your lover sad if she sees this? Aren¡¯t you afraid that I¡¯ll share these pictures with the world so that everyone knows she¡¯s your mistress?¡± Gisele calmly tossed questions at him. She was moreposed now. Although she had been a bit frightened because of what had happened that day, she was level¨Cheaded enough to face it now. Her barrage of questions rendered Dorian speechless. His face darkened all of a sudden. His eyes bore into her pale face and small frame. She looked especially small and helpless in the huge living room. It seemed like she had be thinner than she had been a few days ago. ¡°If you have nothing else to tell me, we¡¯ll see each other on the day we get divorced,¡± she said. ¡°I hope you and Ms. McMin can live happily ever after.¡± The corner of her l*ps lifted into an evil, provocative smile. Straightening her back, she puffed out her chest as she regained control of her jelly¨Clike legs and walked out of the manor adamantly. ¡®Stop right there!¡± Dorian demanded. Gisele did, but it was only a brief moment before she continued going forward. ¡°Gisele! I dare you to leave this house!¡± Dorian¡¯s ferocious threat echoed in the almost empty living room. Gisele looked at the door. She was only a few steps away from it. She sighed lightly and turned to walk up the stairs. ¡°Well, then, I¡¯ll wait until we sign the divorce papers to leave,¡± she said. From the start, they had never had anything to talk about. Even that day, he had threatened her most of the time rather than actually talking to her. It was hrious. She wanted a divorce, but he didn¡¯t want to agree to it. Instead, he kept Chapter 10: thinking of ways to torture her. ¡°Gisele,¡± Dorian hissed, his voice dangerously low. Gisele went to the second floor and headed straight to her room. After shutting the door, shey down in bed and wrapped herself in the nket. She didn¡¯t even care to change. It was as if the nket could give her the warmth she yearned for so that she could stop feeling the agony and pain that she had always felt. Gisele slept untilte in the morning the next day. She had slept for such a long time that she woke up with a terrible headache. After taking a shower, she changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed downstairs to grab something to eat. As she walked past the couch, she saw Dorian sitting there in his loungewear. Had he spent the night at the manor? He leaned on the couch as he scanned the financial section of the newspaper in his hands. A cup of Americano was ced on the coffee table near the couch. He caught a glimpse of Gisele from the corner of his eye. ¡°You¡¯ll prepare oatmeal porridge for breakfast today. We¡¯ll have chicken potato soup for lunch,¡± he said. ¡°Go and prepare them now. Prepare an extra portion and pack it in that lunchbox.¡± Gisele found it hrious how Dorian could boss others around so simply. What made him think that she would prepare all that food for him or even pack an extra portion for Sierra? She was about to refuse when Dorian¡¯s phone started ringing. His expression had been gloomy when he had talked to her just moments ago, but it changed the moment he saw the name on the screen. His gaze turned gentle, and Gisele immediately knew that Sierra was the one who was calling him. He answered the call. Before he could speak, Gisele raised her voice and, in a yful yet bashful tone, said, ¡°Honey, do you really think it¡¯s a good idea to have chicken potato soup so early in the morning? She added, ¡°You must¡¯ve been worn outst night!¡± 2175/5 Gisele had barete finished talking when Don rushed over to her and covered her m*uth. with one hand te red at her, silently warning her not to babble any more nonsense. So to im Your Surprise Reward Chapter 11 Chapter 11 ¡°Don, do you prefer chicken potato soup or barley soup?¡± Gisele asked, her voice soft. There was a hint of joy in her voler as she looked at Dorian. li Don¡¯s face darkened. He held his breath for a moment before he spoke into the phone,¡± P¡¯ll call you a bitter.¡± On the other end of the line, Sierra stiffened the moment she heard Gisele¡¯s voice. Before she could respond, Dorian had already hung up on her. He said he would call her backter. Was he going to teach Gisele a lesson? What will he do to her, though? Sterra¡¯s slender hands balled tightly into fists, making her fingernails dig into her palms. Still, she didn¡¯t react to the pain, even if she felt it. Gisele averted her gaze from Dorian. She was about to leave when he stopped her. He stood before her, his dashing face demanding authority like always. ¡°Are you happy now?¡± He spat the words out. ¡°Why should I be?¡± Gisele raised her head slightly to meet his cool gaze. For a brief, fleeting moment, she felt the urge to gasp out of fright and run back to her bedroom to hide. But her gaze fell on that spot at the bottom of the stairs where she had fallen the other day, and the cowardice that threatened to overtake her vanished immediately. It had never been her fault. Why did she have to make herself seem so low and pathetic? Dorian looked her up and down, and as he did so, he noticed how fair her skin was. Back then, Gisele¡¯s beautiful eyes would purposely avoid his gaze, albeit in a rather unnatural manner. Now, they met his gaze steadily, full of determination. ¡°Very good.¡± Dorian could only utter these two words after so long. Gisele had no idea what he meant by that, but she didn¡¯t want to torture herself by giving it much thought. She grabbed a ss of water and went back to her room. Later, she got a call from Angie. ¡°Gigi? Did you go back there again?¡± Angie asked. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that you pitied that jerk and forgave him for what he did.¡°. Angie sounded frustrated, yet Gisele could sense the hesitance in her voice as she gingerly asked that question. After drinking some water, Gisele sat on the couch in her room, leaned back, and closed her eyes to get some rest. ¡°That madman dragged me back here,¡± she said. ¡°But I¡¯ll leave this hell of a ce very soon. ¡°Huh?¡± Angie was puzzled. Gisele then briefed her on what had happened the day before. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, though,¡± she said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll get rid of it quickly.¡± ¡°Okay then,¡± Angie said, sounding worried. ¡°Then, will your Before she could finish, another call came in. Gisele frowned. ¡°My dad¡¯s calling. Talk to youter,¡± she said. ¡°Okay.¡± After hanging up, Gisele answered Peter¡¯s call. She was mentally prepared for his barrage of reprimands, but what greeted her was his gleeful voice. ¡°Oh, my sweet daughter, we¡¯ve managed to ship out our goods! I knew you¡¯d do your job to help me settle this problem!¡± The joy in his voice was as clear as day. He continued, ¡°Can you not me me for scolding you yesterday? You¡¯re married now, so you should obey your husband¡¯s wishes. Our family gets to live a better life as long as you make Mr. Jefferson happy.¡± Gisele listened to him speak in silence. Sheughed bitterly on the inside. 1 So, that was what Dorian had meant by ¡°very good¡± earlier. It was because she hadn¡¯t left when he had threatened her the night before. Even though he was an illegitimate descendant of the Jefferson family, his wit and intelligence won the hearts and admiration of many in the business field. His control over all his employees and subordinates was practically unmatched. The method of punishing others and rewarding them for their work wasn¡¯t unheard of. Still, Peter seemed to enjoy being trapped in Dorian¡¯s grasp. Apparently, he thought it was Dorian¡¯s gift to them.. Gisele inhaled deeply. Then, she voiced the question she had kept to herself for some time. ¡°Dad, has ourpany not seen any improvements at all for the past three years?¡± What had happened in thest two days wasn¡¯t new. It would definitely happen again. Where had Meyer Group¡¯s money gone? ¡°What now? So, you want to get money from us because you helped us with something?¡± Peter snapped. ¡°Have you forgotten that you¡¯re no longer a part of this family? Whatever happens to thepany has nothing to do with you!¡± He carried on with his yelling. ¡°All you need to do is take good care of Mr. Jefferson and give birth to his child!¡± With that said, he abruptly hung up. Gisele leaned back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling in silence. Just then, someone knocked on her door. She then heard Jessie¡¯s voice. ¡°Madam Gisele, Mr. Dorian said he wants to have his porridge by nine o¡¯clock.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Gisele responded as she got up from the couch. Regardless of what had happened, Dorian had helped the Meyers with their business. Even if she didn¡¯t feel like it, she still had to do what she was told for the sake of her family. 1 She rposed herself and walked to the door. When she opened it, she saw Jessie standing in the doorway.. ¡°Madam Gisele, it¡¯s not like I don¡¯t want to make the porridge for Mr. Jefferson,¡± Jessie exined helplessly. ¡°It¡¯s just that he¡¯s used to having the porridge you make.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Jessie. I get it,¡± Gisele replied with a smile. If she hadn¡¯t insisted on making Dorian food every day for the past three years, he wouldn¡¯t have gotten used to her cooking. She was the one to me for this. Gisele scoffed. Just about anyone could live after losing someone in their life. That was why¡­ An indecipherable look shed across her face. Suddenly, she seemed to be in a good mood. It was as though she had figured everything out. She was no longer indecisive or unsettled. Jessie¡¯s heart broke for Gisele. She knew just how much Gisele had suffered. After all, Jessie was the only person who knew Gisele¡¯s suffering since she had been there by the latter¡¯s side every day. Somehow, Gisele seemed to possess this sort of magical ability, which gave her the streng and resilience to do whatever she wished. Dorian stared at hisptop screen in the study, upied with work. All of a sudden, there was a commotion downstairs. Furrowing his brows, he nced at the door of the study. The soundproofing qualities of the walls in Jefferson Manor weren¡¯t that bad, not to mention the 15¨C foot height of the ceiling, which reduced any noise from reaching the second floor. Usually, the noise from downstairs couldn¡¯t be heard on the second floor. Soon, he heard the noise again and again. Dorian scowled. He hadn¡¯t slept well enough the night before, hence his foul mood. Standing up, he massaged his temples and opened the door. He left the study and headed downstairs to see what was going on.. Gisele ran all over the room with a wooden bat in one hand and a basin in another, chasing a half¨C plucked chicken. The chicken had a wound on its neck, and it dashed around the house without any intention of slowing down. Dorian watched in astonishment as the chicken ran around, dripping blood on the clean white tiles of the house. His face turned as dark as the midnight sky. ¡°Gisele!¡± He forced the words through gritted teeth. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± In the middle of the messy living room, Gisele stopped running. She raised her head to look at him. ¡°What? Have you never seen a person kill a chicken?¡± she asked. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to have potato chicken soup?¡± That said, a look of annoyance shed across her face, as if she were ming him. She then continued her pursuit of the half¨Cplucked chicken that was half¨Calive. A vein pulsed on Dorian¡¯s temple. He didn¡¯t believe that it would take so much effort to kill a chicken. He wouldn¡¯t believe that the person who sent the cooking ingredients wouldn¡¯t have the decency to kill the chicken before sending meat to the manor either. After Gisele had chased the chicken for about five minutes, it lost too much blood and stopped running for good. Gisele grabbed the chicken firmly by its neck. Before Gisele went back into the kitchen, she waved at him with the chicken in one hand and beamed. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back! Your meal will be served soon!¡± she said. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Her voice was as sweet as honey that seeped into his heart. Only then did Dorian realize that Gisele¡¯s voice actually sounded pleasant to the ears. Gisele prepared the food really quickly. After cleaning the ingredients, she tossed them into a pot to simmer. The steps to make the chicken potato soup were very easy. Time passed. Soon, it was 11:00 am. Gisele stood beside the dining table in an immacte chef¡¯s uniform and an apron tied to her waist. Dorian stared at the food on the table with an unpleasant look on his face. He gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t prepare this out of spite?¡± Chapter 12 Chapter 12 ¡°Of course! The chicken potato soup was carefully made with the best ingredients I could. find,¡± Gisele answered. ¡°As for the chicken in the soup.. She paused and nced at him with a meaningful look. ¡°You¡¯ve seen how lively it was before it became your food.¡± Dorian¡¯s face darkened even more after she gave her reasoning. The chicken potato soup this time didn¡¯t have the light golden hue it usually had. Ayer of fat from the chicken floated on the surface. He could see specks of what seemed to be blood from the chicken in the soup. When he looked closer, he could also see the quills of chicken feathers still stuck to some pieces of chicken skin. Was this even edible? ¡°You don¡¯t seem to like this soup, I guess. I¡¯ll cook something else next time then,¡± said Gisele. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try the oatmeal porridge?¡± She took the bowl of chicken potato soup away and came back with a bowl of oatmeal porridge. She ced it in front of him. The oatmeal porridge seemed much better than the soup. It looked edible. ¡°You should give it a try first,¡± said Dorian as he stared at the porridge dubiously. Gisele lifted an eyebrow. She didn¡¯t utter a single word. She scooped a spoonful of porridge from the bowl and gently blew on it before finishing it in one gulp. Gisele smiled as she swallowed. It looked like she was enjoying the porridge. Sure that there was nothing wrong with the porridge, Dorian let his guard down and started eating. After taking just one spoonful of it, he spat it out. Coughing non¨Cstop, he asked, ¡°Gisele! What the hell did you put in this porridge?¡± He would usually look dashing and all, but at that moment, he looked simply hrious. Gisele couldn¡¯t understand why he was so pissed. With a stern look, she exined, ¡°I used the best fruits and nuts we have when I prepared this, but the berries were too sweet.¡± She added, ¡°That was why I added some bitter gourds to it. Didn¡¯t you say you don¡¯t like sweet things?¡± Thest question sounded rhetorical, yet she managed to make it sound like she was really confused about it all. It seemed like she had prepared all this after taking into ount Dorian¡¯s health. But for some reason, he exuded a particrly foreboding air. ¡°You,¡± he said threateningly. ¡°Finish this.¡± He stood up, his face as stern as could be, and moved so that she could sit on his chair. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Gisele asked in an incredulous tone. Dorian nodded. He stood beside her with his l*ps pursed. The look on his face said that if she couldn¡¯t finish the porridge, he would make sure that she wouldn¡¯t make it out of there alive. ¡°I won¡¯t hold back then.¡± Gisele had a smile on her l*ps as she started gulping down the porridge that she had taken an hour to make. The ingredients she had used to make the porridge were all top¨Cnotch. Even the bitter gourds she had used were imported. It was a shame that Dorian couldn¡¯t appreciate food of such high quality. He stared at her intently as she finished the porridge so as not to miss any change in her expression. He was waiting tosh out at her if she showed even the slightest trace of a wince. Unfortunately for him, she gobbled up the porridge as if she was enjoying herself a lot. She made it look like the porridge wasn¡¯t bitter in the least. It made him wonder if there was something wrong with his taste buds. While he was dazed, Gisele finished a small bowl of the porridge. ¡°Should I continue?¡± Gisele asked, waving the now¨Cempty bowl in her hand. Dorian snapped out of his daze. The look on his face shifted several times before he finally said, ¡°Have another bowl of porridge, thene to the study to give me a foot massage!¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Gisele nodded without much of an expression. Giving him a foot massage wasn¡¯t that unusual anyway. After a day¡¯s work or if Dorian got drunk, Jon would usually call Gisele and ask her toe over to give Dorian a foot massage. Each time, she had taken some hangover medicine for Dorian. After giving him the medicine, she would proceed to give him a massage. It would relieve the fatigue he felt and help to quickly get rid of the effects of a hangover. That way, he wouldn¡¯t feel unwell when he woke up the other day. She thought he had never known about it. Otherwise, why hadn¡¯t he mentioned it once for the past three years? She scooped herself another bowl of porridge and started eating It. Don had returned to the study, leaving her alone in the dining room. She ate spoon after spoon of the bitter porridge, yet she didn¡¯t even wince once at the taste. It was as if she were a robot who couldn¡¯t differentiate between tastes. As bitter as the porridge was, it couldn¡¯t beat the amount of bitterness and sorrow in her heart. Silent tears fell as she finished the food. Jessie, who had been cleaning up the kitchen, noticed this and couldn¡¯t stop herself from sighing. Gisele was simply too pitiful! After gobbling up all of the porridge, Gisele sat in a daze for quite some time. Dorian waited for her upstairs for so long that he almost lost his cool. He was about to head downstairs when she entered the study in her loungewear. Her eyes were a little red, like she¡¯d been crying before she came upstairs, but she smiled at him. ¡°You should go and shower so that you won¡¯t feel so tired anymore,¡± she said with a smile. That way, you¡¯d feel morefortable during the massage.¡± She looked sincere when she said that. It was as if they had gone back in time. Raising an eyebrow, Dorian went to the bathroom to shower. When he was done, Gisele had already prepared a basin for his foot bath. She took his hands. and led him to the bed. ¡± After he sat on the side of the bed, she told him to put his feet into the basin and asked if the temperature of the water was just right. Her hands were slightly cool to the touch. When he nced at her, she looked like nothing had ever happened between them. She was simply focused on doing the task at hand. She had prepared the ingredients for his foot bath herself. This time, she had added a little bit of something. She had added in some nourishing herbs that could improve a person¡¯s s**ual functions. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. He liked Sierra so much. Surely he wouldn¡¯t want to embarrass himself in bed and make her look down on him when the time came, right? A sliver of misery shed across Gisele¡¯s eyes when this thought struck her. She and Dorian had been married for three years, yet they had never slept on the same bed before. Ten minutester, Dorian feltfortable and warm all over. ¡°Lie down,¡± Gisele said in a business¨Clike tone. Dorian sensed the displeasure in her tone, but she looked indifferent as if nothing was wrong. So, he didn¡¯t resist. Hey down on the bed while she kneeled down beside him. Looking at him from this angle, she could get a clear view of his abs and his V¨Cline. yfully, she poked his abs with her cold fingers. ¡°Gisele!¡± Dorian called out. The coolness of her fingertips gave him quite a shock. With his eyes narrowed at her, he pursed his l*ps. He had this cold, distant air about him that kept people away from him.. Dorian grabbed her wrist, which now held a bottle of essential oil, to stop her from poking him again. The more Gisele tried to take advantage of him, the more serious she looked. ¡°What is it?¡± She pushed his hand away and opened the bottle. It contained a blend of dozens of herbs and was specially made to reduce fatigue. After applying the essential oil, she started gently massaging his body. Although he was at the office all the time for work, he had the figure of a model. It made her feel safe. It was a pity that this sense of security could never be hers. A wave of forlornness swept through her heart. Some things had been decided from the start. It was useless, even if she forced him to stay by her side. ¡°Your abs need a good massage,¡± she said. ¡°Especially here, on both sides. By massaging these two points, you can regte endocrine¨Crted conditions.¡± Her voice was gentle when she spoke as she pressed gently on his lower abdomen. Her hands were soft as she massaged the two acupuncture points she had mentioned. She was serious about giving him the massage, but she wouldn¡¯t give up the chance to pull his leg too. Her hands seemed to possess some sort of magical power. No matter where she touched him, it gave him the urge to do something bad to her. Just as he realized this, his eyes fell on the hint of a smile on her l*ps. In a swift motion, he pulled her down on the bed and pushed himself up so that he was right above her. He stared down at her. Through gritted teeth, he said, ¡°You did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you? Since the meal earlier, she had pretended to obey hismands. But at the same time, she was doing this kind of thing to disgust him. Gisele¡¯s long eyshes fluttered as she blinked. She was about to exin herself when they heard a woman¡¯s sof yet shocked voicee from behind them. ¡°What are you two doing?¡± Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Dorian and Gisele, who were lying on the bed, looked at the door in unison. Dorian was bare¨Cchested and pressed down on Gisele. Her slender arms were wrapped tightly around his firm, lean body, while her red l*ps gently brushed against his chest. ¡°Ah!¡± Gisele eximed and quickly hid behind Dorian, looking panicked as if she had been caught doing something wrong. Dorian pushed her away fiercely, but she had the foresight to wrap her arms around his waist, preventing him from pushing her away. ¡°Are you just going to abandon me after ying with me?¡± Gisele¡¯s gentle and husky voice slowly rose. Dorian¡¯s and Sierra¡¯s expressions changed simultaneously; the former darkened while thetter blushed and turned pale alternately. Her beautiful eyes were filled with watery waves, staring at Dorian with a pitiful look while her lower l*p caught between her teeth. It was a picture of such vulnerability that it would melt the heart of anyone who saw it. Gisele released Dorian, sat up, and wiped her slender hands. Her beautiful face was flushed with a thinyer of sweat glistening on her forehead. After wiping the oil from her hands, Gisele rose and walked out with a detached andposed air. ¡°Ms. McMin, please have a seat. Thank you foring to take care of my husband.¡± Though the words were quite ordinary, Gisele used an extremely ambiguous and husky tone. Just hearing it made one¡¯s thoughts wander. Dorian, who had been lying on the bed, sat up abruptly. His jaw clenched, and he red at Gisele¡¯s back. How dare she say such things in front of Sierra? Sierra bit her l*p, and arge tear hung precariously from her eyshes. It seemed as if it would fall at any moment, making her appear even more fragile. Gisele watched Sierra weep. Despite being a woman herself and despite the rivalry between them, she couldn¡¯t help but admit that Sierra was indeed beautiful, a goddess worthy of admiration. 1 As Gisele was about to walk past Sierra and out of the room, arge tear silently rolled down the latter¡¯s ch*ek. She called out softly, ¡°Gisele¡­¡± Gisele turned around, puzzled. Their faces were very close together when Sierra suddenly grabbed her hand and leaned back. ¡°Ah!¡± A cry of surprise rang out. Dorian, who had been buttoning up his shirt on the bed, rushed over swiftly and caught Sierra in his arms, cushioning her fall. As Sierray in Dorian¡¯s embrace, her head involuntarily tilted up, and her l*ps met his jaw in a k*ss. Gisele stumbled backward as she was pulled off bnce by Sierra¡¯s sudden movement. To prevent herself from falling, she instinctively grabbed the doorknob, but she twisted her ankle in her haste. The sharp pain from the sprain made her face pale. As her gaze fell upon the couple, who were still embracing on the floor, her eyes felt like they had been pierced by something. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stared at them in a daze. The hero¡¯s rescue k*ss seemed so romantic, yet why did she feel so distressed? ¡°Don, my foot hurts so much,¡± Sierra said delicately, her soft hands tightly embracing his waist. Dorian held her gently, asking softly and patiently, ¡°Did you sprain your ankle? Or did you hurt yourself somewhere else?¡± ¡°Yes. I sprained it. Look, it¡¯s swollen so badly.¡± Sierra spoke with a coquettish tone, two tears falling with each word. Tears welled up in her long eyes, turning them red. Her expression morphed into one of vulnerability, making her resemble a pitiful white rabbit. Gisele had no interest in watching their disy of affection. She knew that if she didn¡¯t escape this suffocating room immediately, she would lose control and demand justice for the baby no one knew about. ¡°Gisele! Are you going to walk away after pushing someone?¡± Dorian stood up abruptly, reaching out to grab her hand. The pain in Gisele¡¯s wrist and ankle was nothingpared to the ache in her heart. It was a heart she had meticulously mended, threadbare and stitched with invisible scars, yet it continued to beat with a fierce determination to live. She defiantly looked up, her clear and bright eyes staring straight at him. ¡°Dorian, do you think I¡¯m a despicable woman?¡± Her voice, clear and yetced with sorrow, left him momentarily stunned. Dorian couldn¡¯t grasp her meaning, but his gaze remained fixed on her beautiful eyes, transfixed to the spot. Those eyes, which always carried a hint of mncholy, like those of a frightened fawn, would only light up in his presence. Yet now, they seemed to be bleeding tears. The sight made him loosen his grip slightly. Gisele looked past him at Sierra, who was sitting on the bed, her pale face now smug, as if unting her victory. Gisele¡¯s throat parched, and swallowing felt like knives scraping down her dry throat. 1 ¡°Do I need to remind you of the consequences of crossing her?¡± She knew Dorian was aware of everything, but his heart was biased. Naturally, he wasn¡¯t in favor of someone insignificant like her. She snatched her hand away and darted a nce at Sierra, who sat perched on the bed. Sierra said softly, ¡°Don, it wasn¡¯t Ms. Meyer¡¯s fault. It¡¯s my own clumsiness that I twisted my ankle while rushing to see you.¡± Dorian turned anxiously to inspect her ankle, which was swollen and discolored. It indeed looked dreadful. ¡°But Don, could Gisele give me a massage? She was top in her ss at school,¡± Sierra said, batting her teary eyshes, her delicate face pleading. Gisele didn¡¯t want to watch their tender scene and turned to leave. ¡°Stop,¡± Dorianmanded. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Gisele paused, her swollen foot hovering in the air. Come and give Sierra a massage ¡°DO leaving no room for resistance. ordered. His voice was cold. It was amand, Gisele gently ced her swollen foot down, the pain piercing through the bone marrow, making her instinctively take deep breaths. Her luck seemed to worsen whenever she was involved with them. ¡°Maybe Gisele doesn¡¯t want to? Let¡¯s forget it then.¡± Sierra spoke considerately on her behalf Dorian¡¯s breath grew heavier. Gisele took several deep breaths to steady her aching heart before turning with a smile. ¡°Does she need a massage?¡± Hearing her distant voice and seeing her smile made Dorian frown subconsciously. He sensed something edd. ¡°150 thousand dors. Pay first.¡± Gisele stood at the door, clearly ready to leave if they were unwilling to pay. Dorian stared at her coldly, a malicious smile on his l*ps. ¡°Are you crazy for money? Are those hands even worthy?¡± ¡°Whether they¡¯re worthy or not isn¡¯t for you to say, but for everyone else to judge.¡± Gisele suppressed her heartache. She then yfully said, ¡°Perhaps it wouldn¡¯t be worth it for you, but what about Mr. Murray? It¡¯s a different story entirely. ¡°For him, a million dors wouldn¡¯t break a sweat, let alone a measly 150 thousand, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± Bernard had proposed a hefty fee of 200 thousand dors per episode, plus a guaranteed appearance bonus. On top of that, there had been performance¨Cbased bonuses that could easily match the price she had quoted Dorian, ensuring afortable retirement for the elderly veterans they were supporting. The exact amount of the bonuses would vary, but they would not be less than the price she had given Dorian. ¡°Take your time to decide. Let me know when you¡¯ve made up your mind,¡± Gisele said, turning to leave with a calm expression. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 100 thousand dors.¡± Dorian bargained with a displeased expression. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Gisele paused as she was about to leave. Reaching swiftly for her phone, she disyed Angie and ber joint business ount information to him. ¡°Transfer it here. Thank you.¡± Dorian¡¯s surprise turned to annoyance as he saw Gisele¡¯s diligent smile. He couldn¡¯t exin whee it bothered him so much. It was no wonder she could leave her home so effortlessly. After all, the money she swindled each year surpassed the average person¡¯s sry. Upon sessful transfer, Gisele¡¯s previously stern visage blossomed into a smile, her voice. soft and soothing. ¡°Just a moment, please.¡± ¡°What trick are you ying now?¡± Dorian grumbled, visibly annoyed. Gisele retreated to the doorway and leaned against the wall. She produced thin needles and strategically ced them at KI 3, KI 4, and SP 6 acupuncture points on her swollen ankle with practiced ease, aiming to ease the pain. After ensuring the pain had subsided, she made her way back into the room. ¡°Don, I¡¯ll need to apply ice after the massage. Could you fetch an ice pack for me? Thanks.¡± Sierra¡¯s request was casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Dorian had intended to give Gisele an order, but he saw her preparing to give Sierra a professional massage in a practiced manner. He nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be back shortly.¡± His tone carried a hint of warning, implying Gisele should behave and not consider harming Sierra Gisele managed a wry smile. Had he always seem her as an unreasonable woman? Sierra reclinedfortably on the bed, her soft voiceced with a contrivedugh. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Meyer. ¡°No worries. I might not perform my best since I was quite worn out earlier, but I¡¯ll do my best. Please bear with me, Ms. McMin,¡± Gisele replied, her smile tinged with shyness. She positioned herself at the bedside, gently holding Sierra¡¯s foot. A momentary shock shed across Sierra¡¯s face. She instinctively yanked her foot back, but Ciiselo¡¯s grip remained firm. Suddenly, a crack echoed through the room. Sierra¡¯s face paled with pain, and her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at Gisele. ¡°Oh, Ms. McMin, why are you so worked up? It¡¯s quite normal for something intimate to happen between a husband and wife after three years of marriage, isn¡¯t it? ¡®t tell me you and your boyfriend don¡¯t have any physical needs?¡± Gisele suppressed her heartache and forced a brilliant smile. She then retracted her hand and wiped it with a disinfectant wipe. Sierra clenched the bedsheets tighter. The thought of Gisele lying there before her made her skin crawl. After cleaning her hands, Gisele stood up and suggested, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s best to apply cold. pressure to your foot for now. A massage might worsen it, and we wouldn¡¯t want your to lose its perfection.¡± ¡°Your concern is appreciated, Ms. Meyer. Since my boyfriend and I are not married, we naturally stay within our limits. However¡­¡± foot A confident smirk yed on Sierra¡¯s l*ps as her voice trailed off. ¡°Thanks to Don¡¯s generous sponsorship, I¡¯ll be appearing on the Murray family¡¯s new medical show. My expertise, coupled with his faith in me, guarantees a hit. ¡°The buzz is already building, even before it had aired. I wonder if they¡¯re more interested in seeing my medical skills or watching Don and me shower each other with affection. Her smile showed her dimples, which should have appeared sweet. Yet, it bore a hint of smugness due to her triumph. Gisele tossed the used wipe in the bin, a sharp pang shooting through her heart. Dorian¡¯s efforts to promote Sierra came at the cost of more than just sacrificing her. ¡°Gisele, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re understanding and won¡¯t do anything to hurt Jefferson Group¡¯s stock price again, right?¡± Sierra raised her head gently to look at Gisele standing in the doorway. Even if her boyfriend was Gisele¡¯s husband, what of it? The one who was not loved was always redundant. Gisele was the redundant one. Pausing at the door, Gisele turned and looked at Sierra. Her silhouette was outlined against the light, and her tone was mocking. ¡°Oh, sure. I¡¯ll certainly be very understanding. If I appear on the show and make a ssh, won¡¯t that boost Jefferson Group¡¯s stock price?¡± Sierra clenched the sheets, her face impassive yet mocking. ¡°You¡¯re wee to try, but the show has its standards. You might not qualify. However, I could ask Mr. Murray to arrange a screen test for you to fulfill wish.¡± your ¡°Is that so? But your words hardly matter, do they? As the esteemed Mrs. Jefferson, how could I possibly seek the spotlight? ¡°Besides, even if your words held any weight, my husband would surely object.¡± Gisele feigned distress, her wordsden with veiled sadness. ¡°What would I object to?¡± Dorian entered with an ice pack in hand. Sierra stood up and hopped over, wanting to go over to Dorian, but Dorian got there first and walked over to her side. He gently and slowly wrapped his arms around her soft waist and said, ¡°Why are you moving around so much?¡± ¡°Gisele said she¡¯s very envious that I can go on the show to disy my medical skills, and she would love to go too. I encouraged her to take that brave step, but she said you wouldn¡¯t be happy about it.¡± Sierra¡¯s voice was sweet and melodious, like the sound of a bird chirping. Dorian¡¯s stern and disgusted gaze fell upon Gisele. How dare she instigate Sierra to stand up for her? Standing quietly by the door, Gisele looked as if she belonged nowhere, prompting Dorian¡¯s disdain to subside. Sierra leaned against his strong arm and held his hand coquettishly. ¡°Don, give Gisele a chance, alright?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to thank Sierra?¡± Dorian indirectly prompted Gisele with his chin. Gisele hesitated, seemingly disbelieving their words. What Dorian despised the most was Gisele¡¯s distrustful demeanor. He then took out his phone and dialed Bernard¡¯s number for a video call. ¡°Hey, Doge. You didn¡¯t change your mind, did you?¡± Bernard teased. Dorian spoke with a stern face, enunciating each word firmly. ¡°Have Gigi Toby Fluff be the special guest. Send me the contract.¡± A/A ¡°What?¡± Bernard was so shocked that his m*uth foll open. When Dorian¡¯s camera shifted, showing Cisole standing against the light at the door, Bernard was dumbfounded. Had Gisele actually managed to persuade Dorian with her body? Although he also wanted to call Gisele to sign the contract, he hadn¡¯t expected the opportunity to come so unexpectedly! ¡°Mr. Murray, is it inconvenient?¡± Gisele asked gontly, probing. Startled, Bernard hurriedlyposed himself and sald excitedly, ¡°Of course not! I¡¯ll send the contract via email now. Please sign first, Gigl.¡± Gisele walked over and took Dorian¡¯s phone. Their fingers identally touched, and her cool fingertips made Dorian frown. Was she wearing so little because she wanted to catch a cold and make him care about her? What a schemer! Gisele signed her name on the contract without even loolding at it, as if afraid they would change their minds if she waste. Sierra, who had been anticipating a spectacle, was taken aback. Gisele had rapidly signed the contract in under a minute; it seemed like a deliberate taunt aimed at Sierra! After signing, Gisele passed the phone back to Dorian calmly. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, your signature, please.¡± Dorian took the phone and nced at it. It was the spot for the spouse¡¯s signature. Without giving it much thought, he signed his name. Bernard had done this to prevent Dorian from changing his mind again and to ensure that Gisele would be able to participate in the show. ¡°Alright, the contract¡¯s all set. Let¡¯s meet at the nursing home next Monday to shoot the promo. ¡°Don, don¡¯t forget to bring your wife along. She¡¯s my idol!¡± Bernard cheerfully urged, oblivious to Sierra¡¯s presence there. The thought of working alongside his idol thrilled Bernard beyond words. Sierra shot Gisele a cold re. Then, she took Dorian¡¯s hand and said coquettishly, ¡°Don, my feet hurt so much. Can you ask Gisele to keep massaging them for me?¡± Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Before Dorian could speak, Gisele, who had been about to leave, turned back with a smile. ¡°Ms. McMin, if I were you, I¡¯d be running straight to the hospital for a shot. Those high heels have clearly done a number on your foot. ¡°With the show only two days away, it might be best to get your foot checked at the hospital. You wouldn¡¯t want to end up in a wheelchair, would you?¡± Sierra¡¯s face turned pale, and she subconsciously retracted her foot. Dorian immediately scooped Sierra up bridal style, his stern face softening with a touch of tenderness. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ll go you to the hospital.¡± with ¡°Thank you, Don.¡± Sierra nestled into his chest, her smile sweet and radiant. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Gisele stepped aside to let them pass but ended up getting bumped by Dorian¡¯s arm. A sharp pain shot through her shoulder. Gisele stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the spot where Dorian and Sierra had disappeared. Only when the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house did her tears silently trickle down her ch*eks. She had known this scene would happen, but her fragile heart still ached uncontrobly after experiencing it firsthand. Gisele dragged herself back to her room with leaden feet and copsed onto the bed in silence. As she drifted in and out of sleep, the shrill ring of her phone pierced the stillness. She fumbled groggily for her phone and answered. ¡°Gigi, are you still at Jefferson Manor? When are youing back?¡± Angie¡¯s worried voice. came through the phone. She sighed deeply as she spoke. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t continue dealing with the Meyers. They never cared whether you lived or died but demanded such an unconditional sacrifice from you. It¡¯s utterly heartless.¡± ¡°What did you find out?¡± Angie was hesitant to tell her the results of her investigation. ¡°The Meyer family¡¯s business is in deep trouble, Gigl. Theirtest financial reports show they¡¯re losing a ton of money. ¡°Even if the batch of medicinal materials held by Jefferson Group makes some money, it won¡¯t be enough to plug the hole in the finances.¡± Gisele¡¯s mind raced with questions. Where had the Meyers been funneling all the money they had made from Jefferson Group over the years? Why did they seem like an insatiable vold, constantly demanding more? ¡°Gigi, you¡¯re still in recovery. Wouldn¡¯t it be better toe back and recuperate first? Angie persuaded her. She recognized that Gisele¡¯s prolonged stay at Jefferson Manor was detrimental to her well- being. With a gentle tone, she suggested, ¡°Once you¡¯ve fully recovered, you can deal with them however you see fit. Is that alright?¡± Gisele gulped as tears welled up in her eyes uncontrobly. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll return home after I finish recording the show on Monday. Grandpa Den keeps a close eye on us, and I can¡¯t bear to upset him right now.¡± Gisele managed to get the words out. Her voice was hoarse. Angie¡¯s eyes red with anger as she immediately became furious on her behalf. ¡°His own grandson doesn¡¯t hesitate to hurt his feelings. What can you do as a daughter¨Cin-w with no blood ties? That bastard, Dorian, is simply exploiting your love for him!¡± ¡°Calm down. Let¡¯s go shopping after recording the show on Monday,¡± Gisele said, stopping Angie from saying more. Angie sighed. ¡°Alright, then. Take care of yourself.¡± After hanging up, Gisele curled up on the bed, lying in just a corner of therge bed, looking sadly lonely. Her phone pinged with a notification. Upon seeing the message about a bank deposit, Gisele¡¯s emotions were momentarily soothed. The reason she had deliberately set a trap for Sierra was driven by a dual motivation. She had wanted to make some money and give Meyer Pharmaceuticals free advertising. For two whole days after Dorian had whisked Sierra away, Gisele remained confined to her room. Chapter 15. During this secluded period, she sought out the detailed profiles of the elderly participants in the forting program. She also utilized the time to immerse herself in the study of various pills and medicinal concoctions. On Monday morning, Gisele was dressed in a sleek, sporty outfit. Her graceful waist and impressive figure were entuated by the tight vest. The golden ratio of her body,plemented by the close¨Cfitting and soft fabric, was disyed perfectly, leaving not an ounce of excess fat in sight. Gisele stood on the side of the road with her backpack, looking at Dorian and Sierra, who were in a car. ¡°Get in the car,¡± Dorian said in a cold voice. Gisele wanted to refuse, but Dorian¡¯s next words rang out. ¡°Do you want to be scolded by Grandfather? Then, go get a cab right now.¡± Gisele pursed her l*ps, took the initiative to open the car door, and sat in the back seat. Thanks. Let¡¯s go.¡± Dorian nced at Gisele in the rearview mirror. Her skin was as white as snow, and her delicate features were mostly obscured, but he could see the tenderness in her clear eyes. She really didn¡¯t hesitate to treat him like a chauffeur! ¡°Gisele, we have five esteemed veterans joining us today, each with their own tales of pain. Have you read their profiles yet?¡± Sierra enthusiastically handed her the information from the passenger seat. Gisele nced up briefly, recognizing Sierra¡¯s attempt to show Dorian her kindness and willingness to move past their differences. ¡°No worries. I¡¯d already received it from Mr. Murray,¡± Gisele replied, looking away at the passing landscape outside the window. She smiled softly as she said, ¡°Are you fond of cramming at thest minute, Ms. McMin?¡± Sierra¡¯s face fell, and she awkwardly retracted her hand, which was hovering in mid¨Cair. Dorian¡¯s warm,rge palm enveloped Sierra¡¯s small one. He then said in a cold, domineering voice, ¡°She¡¯s just a passerby. There¡¯s no need to be so kind to her.¡± Sierra looked deeply hurt and nodded obediently, then remained silent. Gisele turned her head to the side, feeling tired. Just as she turned to face forward, she met Dorian¡¯s eyes in the rearview mirror. It was a look that seemed to me her for making his beloved cry. Gisele swiftly averted her gaze, pretending not to have noticed his stare. They pulled up outside Hearthfield Grand East Care Center. The ck Maybach glided smoothly into the parking lot. Gisele stepped out into the serene surroundings first, where nature¡¯s breath was fresh and inviting. After a thorough security check of their belongings, they were allowed into the center. Bernard and the crew were already waiting for them. Upon spotting Gisele, Bernard rushed toward her eagerly with breakfast in hand. ¡°Gigi, have you had breakfast yet? If not, why don¡¯t you eat something before we start filming?¡± ¡°Mr. Murray, is this your next girlfriend?¡± Sierra was dressed in a white dress. She wore mid -heeled leather shoes on her feet, and her long, ck hair cascaded down her shoulders. Standing in the sunlight, she looked just like a young, fresh graduate out of college. Dorian¡¯s cold and displeased gaze fell upon Gisele, and he suddenly remembered her saying that she had a boyfriend that day. Bernardpletely ignored Dorian¡¯s sullen face, paying even less attention to Sierra, and remained attentive toward Gisele. ¡°Gigi, sit down first. Let me tell you about the recording process. ¡°We need to record for three days for this episode. Although it¡¯s just a pilot, we¡¯ll have to stay overnight here. ¡°This care center has been contracted by us, and since all the participants are elderly veterans, their safety is of utmost importance. So, there can¡¯t be any unrted people nearby. Do you understand?¡± Gisele nodded, peeling a hard¨Cboiled egg while listening to Bernard. Left out in the cold, Dorian watched themugh and chat. A twinge of displeasure crossed his heart. His chest tightened even more at the thought of Gisele¡¯s gently peeled egg possibly going to Bernard. When Gisele finished peeling the egg, Dorian quickly walked over and snatched it. He then swiftly stuffed it into his m*uth.. Gisele watched in astonishment as Dorian devoured the egg in one rude gulp. Was he that hungry? Suddenly, a soldier rushed over and said, ¡°Mr. Murray, we found contraband In Ms. Meyer¡¯s luggage. Please cooperate with us for inspection.¡± Chapter 16 Chapter 16 ¡°How could this be? Gisele has always been aw¨Cabiding citizen. Could there be a mistake? Sierra spoke out gently and understandingly, defending Gisele. Dorian wrapped his arm around Sierra¡¯s delicate shoulders, hisughter tinged with scorn. Sierra, you¡¯re too kind¨Chearted.¡± Gisele caught Dorian¡¯s icy gaze, feeling an ache in her chest so intense that it was hard to breathe. Did he really see her in such a negative light? Couldn¡¯t he see any good in her? ¡°I¡¯ll apany Gigi. You can continue with the procedures,¡± Bernard said, not quite pleased with Dorian¡¯s attitude but also not insistent. The soldier shook his head. ¡°Mr. Murray, only Ms. Meyer can go alone. Once everything is verified and confirmed, we will allow her toe back.¡± He was taking her away for questioning alone. ¡°No. Are you guys going to bepletely unreasonable?¡± Bernard became anxious. Gisele was his idol; how could she possibly do anything illegal? Gisele held Bernard¡¯s hand. Despite the hot weather, her hand was cold. Bernard looked at her worriedly, but she smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine. They¡¯re also worried that someone might use us neers to harm the elders. It only right to check.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. All of you, please continue. I¡¯ll go cooperate with the inspection,¡± Gisele said, interrupting Bernard. She turned to follow the soldier away, her gaze lingering on Dorian¡¯s handsome face in the corner of her eye. But he didn¡¯t even nce at her. He just kept his head down, chatting affectionately with Sierra. As Gisele was taken away, an unusual glint shed in Sierra¡¯s eyes as she chatted flirtatiously with Dorian. ¡°Can you get any more revolting?¡± Bernard grew irritated as he watched Dorian and Sierra, who were practically glued together. His voice wasced with sarcasm. ¡°If you can¡¯t get enough of each other, get a room! Don¡¯t make a spectacle of yourselves here!¡± 215 Sierra¡¯splexion turned pale, and she leaned on Don as if she might copse. ¡°Bernard,¡± Dorian said, narrowing his eyes in warning. Bernard snorted arrogantly, ring at him before turning to leave. ¡°Doge! Don¡¯te crying to me later for regretting your actions today.¡± Dorian chuckled coldly. Regret about Gisele? Even if every woman in the world were to disappear, leaving only Gisele, he wouldn¡¯t regret 1. it. ¡°Don, can we plead for Gisele before they start filming the show, please?¡± Sierra¡¯s soft, melodious voice drifted over. Dorian frowned, not quite agreeing with her request. ¡°Sierra, you¡¯re too kind.¡± ¡°It¡¯s simply part of a doctor¡¯s habit. Besides, Gisele and I are colleagues. We should look out for each other,¡± Sierra cooed, nestling in his embrace. Not far away, the crew members setting up the equipment watched them with sparkling eyes. They had stumbled upon the couple who was their favorite online ship in real life. This was simply sweetness overload! The talented and beautiful couple was captivating just standing there, and that was without even considering Sierra¡¯s brilliance as a medical genius. Despite his reservations, Dorian joined Sierra in going to find Gisele. ¡°What kind of contraband did Gisele bring?¡± Dorian asked with a tense face. A security guard posted at the door ryed the message inside. Soon, the manager of the nursing home emerged and exined, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Meyer brought herbal medicines that she researched herself, all of which were made without a license. ¡°While we are just a private nursing home, the elderly residents here are either rich or powerful. If they identally ingest anything unclean and something happens, we won¡¯t be able to exin ourselves. ¡°Another thing is that Ms. Meyer¡¯s suitcase contains self¨Cdefense tools and a baseball bat, which are considered dangerous items. ¡°Our care center has security guards patrolling the whole day, so there is no danger at all. If those elderly residents are identally injured¡­ Well, that wouldn¡¯t be good for us either, would it?¡± With each item the manager mentioned, Gisele¡¯s head lowered a little. Her hands were clenched tightly. Crescent¨Cshaped nail marks formed on her pale fingers yet she seemed to feel no pain. ¡°Then, can I ask for an assurance? It¡¯s the first time Gisele is participating in a reality show and visiting this care center. She wasn¡¯t aware of these rules,¡± Sierra inquired fervently. The manager¡¯s face clouded with difficulty, and he hesitated to say, ¡°We can only do that if she signs a written guarantee not to bring these items here again.¡± ¡°Don, could you vouch for Gisele, please?¡± Sierra turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, looking up at him pitifully. w with to The guards standing nearby were stunned. Sierra was not only a medical skills and a popr socialite in Hearthfield, but also kind¨Chearted! She and Dorian were standing together, looking like a dazzling painting. It was a captivating sight to behold. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Dorian nced at Gisele with a sharp, cold look and nodded. ¡°Fine.¡± He reviewed the document, aware that if Gisele caused any harm to the elders during the filming, he would bear most of the responsibility. Dorian hesitated and didn¡¯t sign. Sierra said understandingly, ¡°Or maybe I should sign? I can vouch for Gisele¡¯s character.¡± ¡°No need. She doesn¡¯t deserve to have your name associated with hers.¡± After saying that, Dorian signed his name with ir. Gisele sat on a stool, like a statue. Each of his words pierced her already¨Cwounded heart. She had only brought a set of silver needles, yet the security guards tantly imed Sierra¡¯s luggage as hers too, denying her any chance to exin and locking her in the security room. Bernard had told her beforehand what items she was allowed to bring. How could she possibly make such a mistake? ¡°What? Do you need someone to escort you?¡± Dorian threw the pen and looked coldly at Gisele. Gisele¡¯s heart felt as if it had been viciously carved out, the pain making her breathing hitch. She staggered up and left.. After this interlude, Sierra and Gisele went to their room to change clothes. ¡°Did you enjoy the surprise?¡± asked Sierra. Once they were alone in the room, away from survelnce cameras and other people, Sierra¡¯s wless face broke into a mocking smile. Gisele¡¯s hand shook as she clutched the care center¡¯s uniform, her calm eyes fixed on Sierra. Was Sierra¡¯s reach truly so extensive that she could manipte events from the shadows? Or was it Dorian who had orchestrated all of this behind the scenes? After she changed into her uniform, Sierra saw Gisele standing motionless. Her voice was low and melodious as she said, ¡°There¡¯s one more surprise, and you¡¯ll love it even more, Gisele. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t help you!¡± Gisele felt like she was facing a formidable enemy. Her face was serious as she asked, ¡°What are you trying to do? Ruin your own debut?¡± ¡°How could that be? The one who¡¯s beenbeled a suspicious person and ruined is you, it?¡± Sierra sneered with an air of superiority. Her face grim, Gisele took a step forward, closing the distance between them. isn¡¯t ¡°Ms. McMin, have you mistaken who you should be targeting? The person not marrying you isn¡¯t me. What¡¯s the point of targeting me over and over?¡± Gisele hit a nerve, and Sierra clenched her fist, visibly agitated. How had she not hinted at it enough with Dorian? If Gisele hadn¡¯t won over Den, why would she need to resort to such underhanded tactics? ¡°Ms. McMin, you¡¯re a top socialite in Hearthfield, and a genius in medicine¨Chonors that others can¡¯t even reach on their tiptoes. ¡°Are you sure you want to tarnish your reputation with dirty tricks again and again?¡± Gisele¡¯s eyes, clear in their moral distinction, stared directly at Sierra. ¡°The trash you cherish might not be someone else¡¯s treasure. As for the surprise you mentioned, you better make sure it¡¯s foolproof. Otherwise¡­¡± Gisele lowered her voice, sidestepping Sierra as she prepared to go in and change. ¡°Karma will bite back upon the wicked.¡± Though she had spoken in a gentle voice, her words made Sierra feel as if a demon from hell had quietlye to im her life. Sierra caught a glimpse of ck shoes appearing at the door. Suddenly, she fell to her knees with a thud. Her eyes reddened, and she apologized in a choked voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Gisele.¡± The moment Gisele was about to respond, she caught sight of Dorian walking in, his face set in a stern frown. At once, all the words she had nned to utter retreated back inside her. Dorian¡¯s presence rendered any exnation she might have given as nothing more than self¨Cjustification. ¡°Gisele!¡± Dorian stormed in, seized her by the cor, and lifted her up. ¡°Why are you so malicious? Must you always pin your own mistakes on others?¡± Elevated to a higher height, Gisele stood on tiptoe, her cor constricting her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe. She was forced to meet his gaze, but her l*ps suddenly curled into a radiant smile. ¡°Dorian, why are you sulking here with me instead of helping Sierra up? Could it be because you care about me?¡°¡± Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Dorian¡¯s hands froze. Kneeling on the floor, Sierra lifted her head to look up at him. ¡°You care about me.¡± Gisele¡¯s smile grew wider as she continued, ¡°That¡¯s why it bothers you if I turn out to be a wicked person, or if I¡¯m pinning my faults on someone else.¡± Dorian and Sierra¡¯s expressions shifted in unison. At the sight of this, Gisele¡¯s mood. improved drastically. ¡°Don¡­¡± Sierra stood up, wobbling. Dorian let go of Gisele before scoffing in contempt. ¡°Being concerned about you is worse than having concern for a stray!¡± ¡°Really? But you¡¯re clearly so affected.¡± She batted her eyes and teased him. ¡°Do you really know what your heart wants?¡± His anger immediately quelled, and he red at her with disdain. Although hurt by his sharp gaze, Gisele picked up her uniform and headed inside as though nothing had happened. She swiftly changed into the pink attire and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, revealing the entirety of her small face. Her features were refined, but she still looked slightly under the weather. After getting changed, she put on a white face mask and headed outside. At the sight of her fragile figure, Dorian felt a pang of heartache on top of his Sierra stared at Dorian, who was now silent. annoyance. She felt slightly regretful about stirring up discord earlier. She had assumed that Gisele would continue to stay silent and put up with the insults Dorian threw at her. She hadn¡¯t expected Gisele to behave out of the ordinary. Outside the door, Gisele followed Bernard around and got to know the cast of the show. This time around, the oldest among the participants was 95¨Cyear¨Cold Collin Doug, while the youngest was 85 years old. Another man in the group was Michael Lourdes. He was a recent transfer from another old folks¡® home and was 65 years old. That made him the new youngest person among them. Being the main guest on the show, there were many things Sierra had to personally attend 1. to. Gisele only had to assist her and make the former stand out. Dorian sat and watched Sierra through the camera. However, his gaze was constantly drawn to Gisele instead. Gisele sat quietly next to Sierra. Every time an elderly person felt unwell, she would promptly offer them massages and converse with them in a gentle voice. The day passed by in a rxed manner. When evening came, the crew started preparing for the wee banquet. The banquet started around 5:00 pm to amodate the elderly¡¯s early bedtime. ¡°Stop working, Gigi.¡± Bernard eximed, ¡°Come out and have fun with us!¡± Gisele was sorting out herbs for a prescription. He dragged her out of the kitchen excitedly, insisting that she shouldn¡¯t stay in there. But she was extremely cautious. ¡°I don¡¯t really like crowds,¡± she said as she shook her head with a smile. ¡°Besides, Mr. Doug is heading to bed soon; I should give him his medicine so he can sleep in peace.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯ll only take a while,¡± he replied before shoving her into the crowd. Sierra and Dorian were huddled together like a loving couple. At the sight of Gisele, Sierra picked up a ss of champagne and handed it over to her. ¡°This is made from fruits, Gisele. You won¡¯t get drunk off of it; have a taste.¡± While Gisele had been changing earlier in their room, Sierra had mentioned that there was a surprise waiting for her. She suddenly remembered the conversation. Champagne might not be enough to get her drunk, but it would make it easier for her to get into trouble. ¡°No, thank you,¡± she declined with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll just have some milk.¡± Sierra shrugged and redirected her focus back to the movie, leaning into Dorian¡¯s chest. She wrapped her arms around him and turned to look at Gisele intermittently, as though she were showing off. Gisele found it mildly amusing. She picked up a box of unopened milk and poured herself a ss. The milk tasted oddly sweet. She cast a confused nce at the packaging and realized that it was vored. Upon seeing the various artificial voring on the ingredient list, she eased her mind. ¡°What do you usually like to do, my idol?¡± Bernard had poured himself a ss of milk as well. He took a sip and stared at her. He was awfully curious about the kind of person she actually was since she had been given the cold shoulder by Dorian for three years. Gisele subtly nced toward Dorian from the corner of her eye. She kept telling herself not to look, but she couldn¡¯t help it. Even though she appeared nonchnt, her heart still ached. Bernard wanted to cheer her up and get to know her better, but he was interrupted by one of the editors. ¡°Could I have a moment of your time, Mr. Murray? We need to talk about the post- production editing.¡± ¡°Sorry, you¡¯ll have to excuse me.¡± He shot Gisele an apologetic smile and got up to leave with the editor.¡± She shook her head with a smile. After finishing her ss of milk, she returned to the kitchen to prepare the medicine. It had been brewing for three hours and was perfect for consumption right now. She also added in some ingredients to help with sleep. Collin was already asleep when Gisele got to the room. She took the medicine inside and realized that Michael was there as well. An incense had been lit. The original fragrance in the room was reced by the thick smell of mosquito repellent. The odd mix of smells made her feel like something was amiss. She drew a deep breath in order to figure out what had been used in the incense, only to feel her head grow heavy. ¡°Mr. Doug, Mr. Lourdes, have some of this before you go to bed. It will help you sleep,¡± she exined softly with a smile. Michael swiftly walked over and handed the medicine to Collin. He then said gleefully, You¡¯re so hardworking, Gisele. You¡¯re always so sweet with your words, too. If only my granddaughter was half as caring as you are.¡± After inhaling the overbearing incense for so long, Gisele felt herself growing more and more light¨C headed. Her entire body felt weak, so she sat on the nurse¡¯s bed. Collin took a few sips of the medicine before waving his hands in dismissal. Seemingly ufortable, he then lied down and shut his eyes. Michael set the bowl down and walked toward the door. He locked it before walking toward Gisele and sitting next to her. At the sight of this, she immediately got up and headed toward the chair instead. She took two steps before her head started spinning. She narrowly avoided a fall by grabbing onto a table to stabilize herself. ¡°Are you okay, Gisele?¡± Michael asked with a wide grin. He then stretched out his hand to help her stand. Gisele avoided his rough, dirty hands and furrowed her brows. ¡°I¡¯m alright. I¡¯ll leave Mr. Doug in your care and head back to rest,¡± she said. ¡°Don¡¯t leave yet. Let¡¯s have a chat! How am I supposed to know about their lifestyle habits if I don¡¯t get to know you better?¡± Michael chuckled as he yanked on her hand. In a swift moment, she lost her bnce and fell to the floor. There was a loud noise. Gisele¡¯s head hit the table during the fall. Her forehead knitted together, and her face paled from the pain. ¡°You know about everything, don¡¯t you?¡± Michael closed the distance between them with a quick move. Seeing his hideous face up close scared the wits out of her. She tilted her head back to look at him before asking, ¡°Did Sierra put you up to this? Are you not afraid of getting found out?¡± She tried to calm herself down. She was drenched in a cold sweat, but she didn¡¯t dare to let her guard down. Michael paced arrogantly in front of her. ¡°So what if they find out?¡± He scoffed. ¡°Who would believe anything you say?¡± She slumped to the floor. Her nails dug into the palm of her hands as she tried to keep herself awake. 1 ¡°Since you already know everything, I can just be straightforward.¡± Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. He kicked her in the chest and continued with a sinisterugh, ¡°You should¡¯ve died with that short¨C lived child of yours that day. Why are you still alive? ¡°Since you¡¯re adamant on staying alive, here¡¯s a taste of hell on earth!¡± As soon as he finished talking, he took out a whip and startedshing her with it. On any other day, Gisele would have been able to dodge. However, she could barely move her body at the moment. So, she couldn¡¯t save herself at all. o consecutiveshes fell on her body with loud smacks Three Her skin stung from the whip, and the pain made her significantly more clear¨Cheaded. She stumbled onto her feet and hid behind Collin¡¯s bed, only to find Michaelughing. ¡°Did you think this old man could save you?¡± Heughed. ¡°Soon, everything is going to go ck!¡± He grabbed Gisele, who was covered in blood, without any sympathy and wiped the blood on Collin¡¯s body. Collin had been resting. Suddenly, his eyes shot open, and he began having spasms. His eyes were wide open, but they looked incredibly dazed. He reached out his hand as though he were asking for help. Soon, he went listless. Gisele watched on in horror. Were they trying to frame her for his death? ¡°Did you see that?¡± Michael¡¯s eerie voice rang out across the silent room once again. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡® Chapter 18 Chapter 18 ¡°What¡­ What are you going to do?¡± Gisele was on the floor, struggling to push Michael away. His eyes narrowed into a smile, and he started dragging her out by her ankles. ¡°Don¡¯t you like to jump off buildings? Why don¡¯t I send you to keep your unborn childpany?¡± Her heart sank. On top of framing her for Collin¡¯s death, Sierra was trying to make it look like she killed herself out of guilt? Were they trying to pin everything on her? A wave of despair washed over her. There were quite a number of staff in the courtyard downstairs. If she really jumped down, it would cause problems for both Bernard and the Meyer family. What a wicked scheme! Gisele kicked Michael¡¯s hand away and tried to escape. He gritted his teeth from the pain and walked over menacingly. He pped her on the face and yelled, ¡°You b*tch! I was being generous by letting you die in one piece. What else do you want?¡± Gisele fell to the floor limply. Her ears rang from his strikes. Michael tried to drag her outside by her legs again. He opened the door, only to be faced with Dorian. In a split moment, his face turned pale. He instinctively tried to shut the door again, but Dorian was quicker. He kicked the door open in one swift movement. Michael was hit by the door and immediately fell to the floor. He spat out a m*uthful of blood and subsequently fell unconscious. Dorian walked in and caught sight of the wounded Gisele. He promptly bent down to pick her up. ¡°S¨CSave me¡­ I don¡¯t want to die,¡± she mumbled incoherently before passing out. His face darkened. He turned around and walked off with her in his arms. He went downstairs and headed straight toward the parking lot. Sierra was walking over with a bowl of medicine. Upon seeing his disappearing figure, she called after him hurriedly, ¡°Try this, Don¡­¡± He was marching off in a hurry. It didn¡¯t look like he had heard her. He ced Gisele in the car and swiftly drove off. Sierra clenched her fists subconsciously. A hint of anger shed across her pretty face. If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, that had been Gisele in Dorian¡¯s arms. Why had he gone upstairs? Her eyes filled with fury at the thought of two perfect opportunities being ruined. ¡°Yo, you seem quite bothered by the fact that the married couple left together, Ms. McMin.¡± Bernard was holding an iced beer in one hand and a barbecued chicken wing in the other. With a refined air around him, topped off with a handsome face and a toned body, he could be doing anything at all and still be the center of attention. Sierra regained her usualposure and smiled sweetly. ¡°Why so concerned, Mr. Murray?¡± She asked. ¡°Do you like Gisele?¡± ¡°Yeah, I do!¡± He didn¡¯t deny it. He took a sip of his beer and narrowed his eyes slightly. He thenughed and said, ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t like a talented, beautiful woman with such a great personality?¡± Then, he paused. Aplicated expression shed on his face. ¡°Of course, the Doge is blind to this. So, he¡¯s an exception!¡± he added. Doge? A shocking realization dawned on Sierra. Was he referring to Dorian? They were silent for a brief moment before a nurse¡¯s cry sounded from upstairs. ¡°Someone died!¡± she yelled horrifically. ¡°What happened?¡± Bernard immediately left his beer and chicken wings before promptly striding inside. He was then met with the nurse, who was slumped on the floor. Her legs had gone weak from shock. Sierra turned her head away. A sly grin made its way onto her face. She had only seeded halfway, but this was enough to send Gisele to the depths of hell. Bernard ran upstairs. The room was filled with an overbearing smell of incense, Michael was lying on the ground. The corner of his m*uth and the floor were both stained with blood. Bernard walked over to check if he was still breathing, and he was. However, when he walked over to check on Collin, his expression immediately soured. Collin was dead. The old man¡¯s body was barely warm. Bernard thought about how Gisele had been carried off by Don. Something felt wrong. Even though he knew that she was Don¡¯s wife, he had long known that Sierra was the one who got along with thetter. Gisele looked as though she was nothing but a stranger. ¡°Call the cops! Don¡¯t touch anything here. We¡¯ll wait for the police toe over first,¡± he dered promptly. The show¡¯s director walked over with a knitted expression. ¡°Are we still shooting, Mr. Murray?¡± He asked. Collin had been fine earlier in the day. How could he have just died out of nowhere? The situation was incredibly sketchy, no matter how one looked at it. ¡°Yes, we are! Not only do we need to document everything clearly, we need to get the surveince footage out in the open as well.¡± Bernard gave out the instructions in a low voice. The room had multiple cameras at different angles for easy editing post¨Cfilming. If someone had tried to frame Gisele, all the footage would be evidence to prove her innocence! Sierra rushed over in a hurry and started checking on Michael with a pale face. ¡°I¡¯m a doctor,¡± she said. ¡°Mr. Lourdes is in a horrible condition. We need to send him to the hospital first.¡± No one dared to utter a word. Bernard nced at how phony she was and said coldly, ¡°Since you¡¯re a doctor, just tend to him here. We¡¯ll send him to the hospital after the poli are done documenting the crime. scene.¡± There were signs of a fight in the room. Even though Michael was unconscious, but he hadn¡¯t sustained heavy injuries. Bernard narrowed his eyes and stared at Sierra. Did she have something to do with this? Meanwhile, Bottan barhet orders after he carried title into the en, ¡°Fake us back to tou had already hopped hate the car when he had notled Dorianing out with Gisele in Having received Borton¡¯s instructions, Jon promptly stopped on the elerator. The car then sped into the night to the pitch ck vehicle, Dorian hold Cibsolo in his arms, Her body foli feverish, but she was He patted her chools lightly and said, ¡°Citsole, wake up.¡± She looked as though she was asleep in his arms. The wounds from theshes were still bleeding, and the smell of blood filled the entire backseat. ¡°No¡­ D¨CDon¡¯t hurt my baby.¡± She slowly woke up in a daze. Before even opening her eyes, she instinctively tried to protect her baby, who was already long gone. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. The baby was something she yearned for. For three years, she had endured countless hardships and gone through endless checkups, injections, and medication in order to conceive But it was all gone now. Dorian cradled her and said gently, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. No one will hurt you.¡± In the dark of the night, Gisele opened her eyes dazedly. Being met with nothing but darkness made her extremely ufortable. She tried to get up to move away from Dorian¡¯s embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± He pressed her down. Her eyes reddened, and she choked out the words. ¡°Why did you save me?¡± If he had gotten to her in time on the day of their third anniversary, would their baby still be alive now? Dorian froze at her question. He furrowed his brows and looked at her with a solemn expression. Her body ached, but she was surprisingly clear¨Cheaded. She reached out and held onto the Chapter 19 Chapter 19 nape of his neck before lifting her head to k*ss him. Her k*ss was unnatural. It wasn¡¯t gentle at all, but it made his face and ears red. His rtionship with Sierra had always been tonic. So, he wasn¡¯t exactly adept at matters like this. Despite that, he was well aware of what Gisele meant by the k*ss. ¡°Gisele Meyer! Take a good look at who I am!¡± He barked. ¡°Are you sure you want to continue with what you¡¯re doing?¡± He held her face and stared at her pale face in the dark of the night. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! y Her l*ps curved up into a smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who¡¯s unwilling?¡± she asked hoarsely, Shocked by her words, Dorian¡¯s hand, which had been holding her, sl*pped for a brief moment. However, he immediately tightened his grip once again as soon as he noticed her body sl*pping down. ¡°Hmm.¡± He shot her a vague respon150, ¡°Dorian¡­¡± Gisele opened her m*uth. Then, she fell entirely unconscious. His eyebrows knitted together, and he urged Jon, saying, ¡°Paster!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Jon sped up. Fortunately for them, there were barely any cars on the road at night. Hence, they reached the manor in about half an hour. Dorian carried Gisele into the room. The family doctor, Eric Thompson, was already waiting for them inside. Gisele wasid on the huge bed. Her ch*eks were slightly red and puffy. She curled up into a ball obediently. The wounds on her body were incredibly ghastly. Eric dressed her wounds first. Then, he gave her a checkup with a machine. Upon noticing how weak her body was, he instinctively furrowed his brows. Why was she in such a fragile state? ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson was dosed with an aphrodisiac. On top of that, she has a high fever from the shock she had received,¡± Eric exined honestly. He hung up a bag of fluids and swiftly sterilized her arm before inserting the needle into it. Dorian¡¯s brows furrowed. What had happened had been extremely dangerous. Could she have orchestrated all of this to trick him? It would be just like their third anniversary. She had lied and said burrs had snuck into the manor to get him toe home. Eric stood at the side, awaiting instructions. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. After a while, Dorian spoke again. ¡°I understand. Just stay here for the time being.¡± He nced at Gisele, who was covered in wounds. All the sympathy he had for her immediately disappeared when he found out that this was just an borate ploy. The lengths she could go to were unbelievable! He returned to his study in a foul mood. Then, he took out his phone, only to realize that it had run out of battery. He charged his phone for a while before turning it back on. His phone screen was bombarded with a dozen missed calls and almost 100 unread messages. Most of them were from Bernard and Sierra. Dorian didn¡¯t open the texts and immediately called Sierra back. ¡°Don.¡± Her hoarse and tired voice came from the other end of the line. His heart immediately sank. ¡°Why are you up so early?¡± he asked worriedly. It was about 5:30 am. On normal asions, Sierra didn¡¯t wake up until 6:30 am. ¡°Did you not see my messages, Don?¡± She got a bit worked up, but she soon reverted back to her usual, sweet voice. She then continued, ¡°Where did you and Gisele go? She¡­ killed someone. The police want to interrogate her at the station.¡± Sierra gripped her phone tightly. She didn¡¯t dare to breathe as she waited for his reply. Dorian furrowed his eyebrows and questioned, ¡°How is that possible? Michael passed out because I kicked the door down, but that wasn¡¯t enough to get him killed.¡± Upon noticing how her question about their whereabouts got ignored, Sierra¡¯s heart fell even further. She knew better than anyone how strong that poison was. In order to avoid repeating her mistakes, she had made sure to use a special incense too. Had all of it worked out in Gisele¡¯s favor instead? ¡°I¡¯m not too sure either. I think you should get her to make a trip down to the police station, Don.¡± She didn¡¯t want to dwell on this matter. So, she forced a cough and tried to sound weaker than she was. ¡°Don, could you apany me to the hospital?¡± she asked before coughing again. ¡°My lungs feel really ufortable.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll drop by in a while.¡± Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Her l*ps curved up into a smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who¡¯s unwilling?¡± she asked hoarsely, Shocked by her words, Dorian¡¯s hand, which had been holding her, sl*pped for a brief moment. However, he immediately tightened his grip once again as soon as he noticed her body sl*pping down. ¡°Hmm.¡± He shot her a vague respon150, ¡°Dorian¡­¡± Gisele opened her m*uth. Then, she fell entirely unconscious. His eyebrows knitted together, and he urged Jon, saying, ¡°Paster!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Jon sped up. Fortunately for them, there were barely any cars on the road at night. Hence, they reached the manor in about half an hour. Dorian carried Gisele into the room. The family doctor, Eric Thompson, was already waiting for them inside. Gisele wasid on the huge bed. Her ch*eks were slightly red and puffy. She curled up into a ball obediently. The wounds on her body were incredibly ghastly. Eric dressed her wounds first. Then, he gave her a checkup with a machine. Upon noticing how weak her body was, he instinctively furrowed his brows. Why was she in such a fragile state? ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson was dosed with an aphrodisiac. On top of that, she has a high fever from the shock she had received,¡± Eric exined honestly. He hung up a bag of fluids and swiftly sterilized her arm before inserting the needle into it. Dorian¡¯s brows furrowed. What had happened had been extremely dangerous. Could she have orchestrated all of this to trick him? It would be just like their third anniversary. She had lied and said burrs had snuck into the manor to get him toe home. Eric stood at the side, awaiting instructions. After a while, Dorian spoke again. ¡°I understand. Just stay here for the time being.¡± He nced at Gisele, who was covered in wounds. All the sympathy he had for her immediately disappeared when he found out that this was just an borate ploy. The lengths she could go to were unbelievable! He returned to his study in a foul mood. Then, he took out his phone, only to realize that it had run out of battery. He charged his phone for a while before turning it back on. His phone screen was bombarded with a dozen missed calls and almost 100 unread messages. Most of them were from Bernard and Sierra. Dorian didn¡¯t open the texts and immediately called Sierra back. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don.¡± Her hoarse and tired voice came from the other end of the line. His heart immediately sank. ¡°Why are you up so early?¡± he asked worriedly. It was about 5:30 am. On normal asions, Sierra didn¡¯t wake up until 6:30 am. ¡°Did you not see my messages, Don?¡± She got a bit worked up, but she soon reverted back to her usual, sweet voice. She then continued, ¡°Where did you and Gisele go? She¡­ killed someone. The police want to interrogate her at the station.¡± Sierra gripped her phone tightly. She didn¡¯t dare to breathe as she waited for his reply. Dorian furrowed his eyebrows and questioned, ¡°How is that possible? Michael passed out because I kicked the door down, but that wasn¡¯t enough to get him killed.¡± Upon noticing how her question about their whereabouts got ignored, Sierra¡¯s heart fell even further. She knew better than anyone how strong that poison was. In order to avoid repeating her mistakes, she had made sure to use a special incense too. Had all of it worked out in Gisele¡¯s favor instead? ¡°I¡¯m not too sure either. I think you should get her to make a trip down to the police station, Don.¡± She didn¡¯t want to dwell on this matter. So, she forced a cough and tried to sound weaker than she was. ¡°Don, could you apany me to the hospital?¡± she asked before coughing again. ¡°My lungs feel really ufortable.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll drop by in a while.¡± Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Dorian sat on the chair and rubbed his aching temples. The day before, he had been headed to the bathroom when he had heard a piercing scream from a room on the second floor. That was why he had rushed upstairs and kicked the door open. Collin had been there when Dorian had gotten into the room. Was he the one who had died? 95 year¨Cold Collin had always been rtively healthy. Aside from the usual issuesmon among the elderly, he didn¡¯t have any issues with his health. Yet, he had been found dead overnight. Did Gisele really have something to do with this? He didn¡¯t think any further and left the room with his phone in hand. When he reached downstairs, he was greeted by Jessie. ¡°Mr. Dorian, breakfast is almost ready,¡± she said as she dried her hands. ¡°Do you not want to have some before you go?¡± ¡°No need. When the police drop byter, just cooperate with their demands,¡± he instructed in return. Jessie looked shocked. Why would the policee over all of a sudden? Oblivious and confused, she waited until 10:00 am before the police swarmed into the room on the second floor. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Then, they transferred the unconscious Gisele to a hospital near the police station. She was to be questioned as soon as she woke up. Worried, Jessie stopped thest police officer before he left and asked, ¡°Sir, could I know what happened with Madam Gisele? Why are you taking her away?¡± The police officer replied professionally, ¡°She is suspected to be involved in a murder. We need to take her back for investigation.¡± ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean? Madam Gisele is the kindest person She didn¡¯t get to finish before the officer interrupted her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ma¡¯am. If she is innocent, we¡¯ll definitely do her justice.¡± ¡°O¨COkay!¡± She stammered in response. After the police left, Jessie was restless. She realized that this was a serious matter. She instinctively made a call to Don, but it didn¡¯t go through. Hence, she could only call Jefferson Vi instead. ¡°Something is wrong, Alfred!¡± Jessie immediately eximed once the call had been picked 1. up. A woman¡¯s arrogant voice rang out from the other end. ¡°What happened, Jessie? You¡¯re yelling before even checking who¡¯s on the other side of the line.¡± ¡°Ms¨CMs. Jefferson?¡± Jessie¡¯s brain stopped functioning for a brief moment. Then, she fell silent, unsure if she should continue. Za sat on the couch, admiring her new manicure. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jessie? Are What happened?¡± She urged impatiently. ¡°Or is this news only for Alfred¡¯s ears?¡± ¡°No¨Cnothing.¡± Jessie didn¡¯t know how to respond. vou mute? Other than Den, none of the Jeffersons cared about Gisele. There was no telling what would happen if she told Za that Gisele had been taken away by the police. Despite that, she was also worried about Gisele. So, she mustered up courage and said, Madam Gisele was taken away by the police. She still has a high fever and is unconscious too ¡± ¡°Ha! That b*tch has been finally apprehended by the authorities? Serves her right!¡± Za snickered without a care. She continued, ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s actually unconscious? And she still had you call the vi when she¡¯s been arrested? Did she get in trouble and want Dad to help her out?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. I called-¡± Jessie didn¡¯t get to finish before Za interrupted her impatiently. ¡°It¡¯s fine. It doesn¡¯t matter. I understand the situation, and I¡¯ll make sure to inform Dad.¡± She hung up immediately after. She leaned on the sofa and narrowed her eyes. Gisele wasn¡¯t even remotely good enough for Dorian. How dare she expect them to help her? ¡°Was that Jessie, Za? Did something happen to Don?¡± Celeste, who was about to head out, asked as she came downstairs. Za raised a brow and told her why Jessie had called in contempt. When she was done, she added, Dad can¡¯t know about this, Celeste. That b*tch should go through some hardships, lest she continues to go after things that don¡¯t belong to her!¡± ¡°Who should go through hardships now?¡± Den¡¯s solemn voice rang out from the door. Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Den dried his hands with the towel prepared by the housekeepers and shot Celeste and Za an icy look. ¡°What? Did you forget everything you said?¡± The air in the massive living room seemingly stilled from his domineering presence. Za swiftly went over and took his arm in hers. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal,¡± she exined with a smile. ¡°Jessie told us that Dorian and Gisele didn¡¯t go homest night. Apparently they were on some show. She called to ask if we should check up on their whereabouts.¡± She then led Den to the lounge chair while repeatedly blinking at Celeste. Surely she wasn¡¯t going to tell him the truth? ¡°Th¨CThat¡¯s right, Dad. Don¡¯t think too much of it. This is the first time I¡¯ve heard about them going on a show together. I was just wondering if they would go through any hardships,¡± Celeste lied awkwardly. Den sat down on the couch and scoffed. He didn¡¯t believe a single word they said. If he hadn¡¯t forced Dorian to return to Jefferson Manor two days ago, thetter wouldn¡¯t have even known where the manor was! His silence made Celeste and Za incredibly uneasy. Suddenly, the house phone rang. Worried that it might be Jessie, Za walked toward the phone in a hurry. ¡°I¡¯ll get it!¡± she said unnaturally. ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Den said in a solemn voice. He walked over with his cane and sat down next to the phone. He didn¡¯t speak when he picked up. Celeste and Za didn¡¯t know what the person on the other end said, but they felt like Den¡¯s expression worsened as the conversation went on. The air around him felt colder than a freezer. He hummed in response to something said on the other line before hanging up. The two women shot each other a look before Celeste asked, ¡°Dad¡­ Who was that?¡± ¡°Who did you think it was?¡± He looked extremely angry. He scoffed and continued, ¡°Did you think I wouldn¡¯t find out if you kept the news from me?¡± Za ducked slightly. Despite being afraid, she still insisted stubbornly, saying, ¡°Dad, this is that brat¡¯s own doing. Why should we be the ones to clean up after her?¡± ¡°How dare you?¡± Den slowly stood up and gave her a piercing re. ¡°Based on how fast things are escting in the media, did you think that you wouldn¡¯t be affected?¡± he asked with a coldugh. Then, he said, ¡°When you decided to sweep it under the rug instead of looking for a solution, did you think that the public is blind?¡± Za pursed her l*ps and didn¡¯t dare to offer a counterargument. ¡°The situation is not as bad as you say it is, right, Dad? Besides, isn¡¯t Don with her? Even if he doesn¡¯t like her, surely he¡¯d perform a thorough investigation for the sake of our family¡¯s image.¡± Celeste tried to ease the tension between them. Laughing, she then walked over to Den to take his arm. He dodged her hand and said, in a domineering manner, ¡°You better pray that nothing happens.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. He then headed upstairs alone. On the phone call earlier, the police informed him that Gisele was a suspect in a murder. Additionally, she was currently in custody at a nearby hospital as she was unconscious and had a high fever. They were still investigating, but the station had called him to give him a heads up. After Bernard was finished at the crime scene, he found out that Gisele had a fever and rushed over to the hospital to see her. The air conditioning in the room was at a very low temperature setting, but Gisele¡¯s temperature refused to decrease. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and her ch*eks were tainted pink. Her beautiful l*ps were dry and chapped. ¡°Who did you think it was?¡± He looked extremely angry. He scoffed and continued, ¡°Did you think I wouldn¡¯t find out if you kept the news from me?¡± Za ducked slightly. Despite being afraid, she still insisted stubbornly, saying, ¡°Dad, this is that brat¡¯s own doing. Why should we be the ones to clean up after her?¡± ¡°How dare you?¡± Den slowly stood up and gave her a piercing re. ¡°Based on how fast things are escting in the media, did you think that you wouldn¡¯t be affected?¡± he asked with a coldugh. Then, he said, ¡°When you decided to sweep it under the rug instead of looking for a solution, did you think that the public is blind?¡± Za pursed her l*ps and didn¡¯t dare to offer a counterargument. ¡°The situation is not as bad as you say it is, right, Dad? Besides, isn¡¯t Don with her? Even if he doesn¡¯t like her, surely he¡¯d perform a thorough investigation for the sake of our family¡¯s image.¡± Celeste tried to ease the tension between them. Laughing, she then walked over to Den to take his arm. He dodged her hand and said, in a domineering manner, ¡°You better pray that nothing happens.¡± He then headed upstairs alone. On the phone call earlier, the police informed him that Gisele was a suspect in a murder. Additionally, she was currently in custody at a nearby hospital as she was unconscious and had a high fever. They were still investigating, but the station had called him to give him a heads up. After Bernard was finished at the crime scene, he found out that Gisele had a fever and rushed over to the hospital to see her. The air conditioning in the room was at a very low temperature setting, but Gisele¡¯s temperature refused to decrease. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and her ch*eks were tainted pink. Her beautiful l*ps were dry and chapped. Bernard sat down beside the bed and reached out to touch her forehead. He instinctively retracted his hand when it came into contact with her burning skin. Unconscious, Gisele suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand. ¡°D¨CDon¡¯t leave,¡± she mumbled. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 23 Chapter 23 ¡°Gigi?¡± Bernard leaned in and looked at her dainty face. Her eyes were still shut. Hershes were full and curled. The pair of attractive eyes that constantly brought hope to others were squeezed shut. Even though she was ill, it didn¡¯t affect how beautiful she was. At that moment, she seemed to be battling nightmares. A few minutester, she opened her eyes with some difficulty. ¡°Dorian¡­ Mr. Murray?¡± Gisele looked at him with her eyes zed over. Bernard immediately reached for the call button upon seeing that she had woken up. He exhaled in relief and said, ¡°You¡¯re finally awake, Gigi. We were afraid you were going to burn your brain off if you had stayed unconscious any longer.¡± She let go of his hand and forced out a smile. Bernard¡¯s heart ached at the sight of the forced smile on her pale face. a ¡°Sorry for making you worry.¡± Her hoarse voice sounded as bad as a broken drum. He poured her a ss of water. She dly epted it and finished it all in one gulp. The water soothed her lungs, which were aching because of her high temperature. Sheid back down on the bed and thought about the situation at the care center when she had left. the day before. She said hesitantly, ¡°About the care center¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Doug is dead,¡± Bernard said calmly. Gisele¡¯s eyes widened abruptly. ¡°Is that true? How could that happen?¡± she eximed in disbelief. Bernard was just about to nod his head when the doctors and nurses swarmed into the hospital room. After some checks, the doctors confirmed that her fever was indeed going down. Subsequently, the police stepped forward and spoke to her. ¡°Ms. Meyer, a murder took ce at 7:00 pmst night at Hearthfield Grand East Care Center. We found your fingerprints at the scene of the crime and suspect that you¡¯re involved in it. ¡°Please cooperate with our investigation. No matter what the truth is, we will not wrongfully use anyone, but we won¡¯t let the culprit get away with it either.¡± After the police officer finished talking, the room was so silent Gisele¡¯s rough breathing nould be heard clearly A momentter, Gisele nodded. ¡°Alright, thank you¡± She still had a fever. It made her head heavy, and she struggled to keep her eyes open. Nevertheless, she tried her best to do so anyway. Worried, Bernard furrowed his eyebrows and suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you take her statement after her fever subsides? She can¡¯t escape even if she wanted to anyway.¡± He then added, ¡°Besides, the autopsy would probably take a while as well.¡± ¡°You have a point, Mr. Murray, but the current situation is incredibly disadvantageous to Ms. Meyer. I¡¯m afraid the longer we wait, the fewer details she¡¯ll remember about the scene. The police were also looking out for her best interest. Pulling herself together, Gisele nodded weakly at Bernard. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I can give a statement right now.¡± As she had difficulty moving about, the police had Bernard leave the room so they could just question her in the room. Bernard paced along the corridor restlessly. Who could possibly use such foul and dirty medicine? At the moment, everything pointed to Gisele as the culprit. However, there was no animosity between her and Collin. How could this have happened? Just as he was thinking of calling Dorian, his phone rang. The director of the show asked nervously, ¡°Mr. Murray, news that we put the pilot episode. of the care center show on hold has been leaked. Should we inform the PR team? His eyebrows knitted together, and he replied calmly, ¡°Didn¡¯t I lockdown all the news?¡± ¡°It was Ms. McMin.¡± The director immediately fell silent and awaited the uing storm. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Bernard stilled. Then, he hung up and swiftly called Dorian. The second the call connected, he asked impatiently, ¡°Doge! Did you get Sierra to leak the news about the care center?¡± The culprit hadn¡¯t been determined yet. But even if it were Gisele, shouldn¡¯t Dorian be protecting her as her husband? In that split moment, Bernard felt incredibly sorry that Gisele had such a cold¨Chearted man for a husband. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 ¡°Mr. Murray, what are you insinuating? Are you using me of putting Gisele in a difficult. spot?¡± Bernard heard Sierra¡¯s sorrowful and hoarse voice from the other end of the phone. She sounded like she had been crying. Left speechless, he frowned. After all, Gisele was Sierra¡¯s love rival and had participated in the same show. If something happened to Gisele, it made sense that Sierra would want to add fuel to the fire. Resentment filled Sierra¡¯s eyes. She was shocked that Bernard would still suspect her after she had feigned innocence. What exactly was so great about Gisele that made him do so? Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Who¡¯s on the call?¡± Dorian spoke coldly from within the bathroom. Sierra rose and walked barefoot toward the bathroom with her phone in her hand. Biting her l*p with a pitiful expression, she exined, ¡°Mr. Murray called. He¡­ He used me of hurting Gisele and wanting to cause her trouble.¡± ¡°What bullshit!¡± Dorian tossed away the towel he had used to dry his hair. He grabbed the phone and barked at Bernard, ¡°Bernard Murray, does that lying b*tch, Gisele Meyer, deserve you standing up for her?¡± ¡°Standing up for her? Aren¡¯t you going to look into the events?¡± Bernard was consumed by rage. If Gisele wasn¡¯t Gigi Toby Fluff, no one would have cared about her role in the murder case or her life experiences prior to that. Bernard was the only person who would speak up Gisele after she was revealed to be Gigi Toby Fluff. It turned out that not even Dorian would do so for her, despite being her husband. Dorian shed a chilling smile. ¡°The police will do justice by Gisele if it¡¯s a misunderstanding. Why are you reaching out to me?¡± He was reminded of the time Gisele mentioned her boyfriend. He felt dismayed that she had been dating his good friend Bernard behind his back. Thankfully, he had discovered the truth early. Otherwise, he would have been cuckolded. Meanwhile, Bernard was angered by Dorian¡¯s ridiculous remark. He would have punched Porkan in the face if they had been standing in front of each other. e furiously hung up on Dorian, which thetter mistook as an act of shame. oran recalled how proactively Gisele had behaved the night before. Was making Bernard save the damsel in distress part of her n? Later, when she had btedly realized that Dorian hade to the rescue instead of Rand, had she ended up malding a mistake? ¡°on¡± Sierra cantionsly stood on tiptoe and helped dry his hair. She looked at him with mixed emotions, noticing that he was upset with Gisele. At the same time, Bernard stood in the corridor and scrolled through thements on the trending news. The police had only released the news of Collin¡¯s death without offering details on the cause of death. Despite having no knowledge of the crime location or the suspects, theizens brazenly threw out wild guesses, More and more ¡°insiders¡± spread news using Gigi Toby Fluff of trying to sleep with Collin but failing. A blurred photo emerged as evidence. The photo, taken from the security footage, looked extremely pixted and blurred because it had been zoomed in many times. Still, anyone could tell that the couple in the footage were having s**. Bernard furrowed his brows in worry. If such spection continued, the show would be ruined even if Gisele waster proven innocent. The mastermind behind the rumors was certainly vicious. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Soon, a thought mecurred to Bernard Could one of his heartbroken eggs have done this to isole, knowing that he was one of the Investors in the show? ¡°Hello. I tilsele Moyer in this room?¡± An ley female voler echoed through the corridor, it Was Angle Bernard snapped out of his daydream and studied Angle in confusion. ¡°And you are?¡± ¡°I asked you it Gisele Meyer is staying in this room. Just answer the question!¡± Angle instantly grew impatient and F**ked him on the forehead. Hernard frowned in disbelief at how aggressive she was. At the same time, Angle was irritated about not getting an answer from him. She had been spamming Gisele¡¯s phone since the morning, but she hadn¡¯t been able to get through to thetter. It wasn¡¯t until the news broke about Gigi Toby Fluff¡¯s Involvement in a murder case that she realized something grave had happened. Angle shot a disdainful look at Bernard, who was hot but looked a little dumb. She walked past him to enter the room and ran into the police, who had just emerged from the room after taking Gisele¡¯s statement. The police walked around Angle to address Bernard. ¡°Mr. Murray, we¡¯re done taking her statement.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Bernard collected himself. He approached the police. ¡°Is she free to go around as usual for the time being?¡± After all, Gisele was merely a suspect, and the police had no conclusive proof that she had murdered Collin. Besides, he had protected the contents of the security footage after he had discovered them. ¡°You may bail her out.¡± ¡°Alright. Thank you, officers. I¡¯ll see you out.¡± Feeling relieved, Bernard pointed in the direction of the elevator. Angle studied the shy Bernard from head to toe. So, was he the Bernard Murray, whose exes could line up around a block? Well, he seemed better¨Clooking in person, but she wasn¡¯t interested in gaudy men. She entered the room. The second she saw Gisele struggling to reach for the ss of water, she jogged over. She grumbled, ¡°You should have called for help if you want water! We were at the door!¡± Gisele asked quizzically in a hoarse voice, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Angie poured a ss of lukewarm water for Gisele before helping her up. She then held the ss while Gisele drank from it. Annoyed, she teased, saying, ¡°Did you n to keep this from me if I didn¡¯t show up? Do you take me for a fool?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t n to hide it from you,¡± Gisele lied with a straight face. After Gisele was done drinking water, Angie ced the ss aside and helped the former lie down in bed. Her brows furrowed in worry as she questioned, ¡°Any clues? How can I help?¡± Their priority was to clear Gisele of suspicion. Otherwise, theizens would make it into a big issue over time. Even if Gisele was acquittedter, no one would ever believe in her innocence. ¡°No, it all happened so fast. I had nothing on me. Michael Lourdes brought up details from the day of my miscarriage, so I suspect that the same person orchestrated these two incidents. But I have no evidence yet.¡± Memories of that fateful night made Gisele shake in fear. Michael was responsible for Collin¡¯s murder, but she had no solid evidence to use him. Had it not been for Dorian¡¯s help, she might have lost her life that night as well. Angie had a serious expression as she sank into deep thoughts. This entire situation sounded complicated and tangled. At that time, they overheard a fight break at the door. Gisele made out Bernard¡¯s, Dorian¡¯s, and Sierra¡¯s voices from the argument. What were Dorian and Sierra there for? Had theye tough at her? ¡°Gigi isn¡¯t feeling well. Please leave!¡± Bernard firmly turned them down. Not only that, he also coldly warned Dorian, ¡°Doge, send your men on their way, or I¡¯ll get mine to deal with them.¡± but Enraged, Angie shot up from her seat and headed out of the room. ¡°Gigi, have some rest. I¡¯ll stop them. I will not allow that cheating couple to disturb you.¡± Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Gisele grabbed Angie¡¯s hand to stop her from storming out of the room, but Angie sprinted out with no intention of stopping. Bernard stood towering at the door to block Dorian and Sierra from going in. No matter what Dorian said to him, he didn¡¯t budge. ¡°Bernard Murray, you were the one who called me and told me to visit Gisele. Why are you stopping us from seeing her when we¡¯re here?¡± Dorian confronted Bernard. ¡°Don.¡± Sierra gently took Dorian¡¯s arm and coyly shook her head at him. Then, she shed a sweet smile at Bernard. She exined, ¡°Mr. Murray, I¡¯m technically Gisele¡¯s colleague and friend. After that shocking incident, the least I could do is visit her and offer help if she needs it.¡± ¡°Do you really think we don¡¯t know that you¡¯re here to gloat at her?¡± Angie shoved Bernard¡¯s arm out of the way and went up to re at Sierra. As she was slightly taller than Sierra, she stared down at thetter. Sierra, who had been in shock after Angie had popped out of the room without warning, stumbled backward into Dorian¡¯s arms. She trembled like a deer in the headlights as she teared up. Dorian gently held her waist. Looking up, he addressed Angie indifferently, ¡°Are you trying to speak up for Gisele? That woman¡¯s not worth it. She¡¯s willing to sacrifice her reputation for money.¡± Angie chuckled in anger. She couldn¡¯t believe that Gisele had given her heart to such a bastard for three years. Every time he mentioned Gisele, he put on a disdainful expression, as if her name were filth. Bernard stood stoically behind Angie, who folded her arms across her chest. She was at his shoulder level when she stood. Incensed, she seemed ready to punch Dorian at any time. ¡°I thought the rich were well¨Cmannered. Even an animal learns to behave after it is domesticated and tamed. You act like a gentleman when, deep down, you¡¯re a savage!¡± Angie taunted Dorian assertively, calmly directing a barrage of harsh insults at him with her arms folded. Narrowing her eyes, she continued, ¡°An apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree. No matter where you were raised, you would grow up to be a jerk. 212 ¡°Have you forgotten about your roots after a few years of living in wealth? Dorian Jefferson, do I think no one knows about the devious acts youmitted in the past?¡± you Then, she followed up by rattling off examples. She couldn¡¯t tolerate Dorian hurling insults at Gisele. Gisele might have been able to endure the humiliation because she was in love with Dorian, but Angie was different. Bernard watched Angieunch the verbal attacks with a look of admiration. Her voice sounded like heavenly music to his ears at that moment. Dorian¡¯s expression crumbled as he fixed a piercing gaze on Angie. He instinctively tightened his grip on Sierra¡¯s waist. No one had ever treated him with such impudence since he had taken the reins of Jefferson Group after bing an adult. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. Sierra¡¯s heart sank. She hunched and said in a teary voice, ¡°Ms. Abbott, you could have communicated nicely if Dorian offended you. You shouldn¡¯t have insulted him!¡± Dorian was stunned by Sierra, who hade to his defense with vulnerable yet firm behavior. He watched her stand in front of him, shielding him. In a daze, he was transported back to his time at the orphanage. Back in the day, he had been regrly bullied by the older kids at the orphanage due to his good looks. But one day, a young girl had bravely shielded him with her fragile shoulders. She had been his ray of sunshine. The image of Sierra ovepped with the memory of the girl in his mind. Still, a question lingered. He had been gued by it for a while, but he had never brought it up. Lying in bed, Gisele was separated from the crowd at the door by a wall. From her angle, all she could see was Bernard¡¯s wide back. She smiled bitterly at Dorian¡¯s and Sierra¡¯s hypocrisy. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Dorian and Sierra could nder and look down on Gisele all they liked, but they wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to scor him. ¡°Goodness, can¡¯t you even stand this much? Are those measly words already too much for you? Huh?¡± Angie rolled up her non¨Cexistent sleeves. Suddenly, she examined Sierra with a wry smile. ¡°You wretched couple have done such disgusting things, but you feel offended just because of something I said? ¡°I didn¡¯t expect a wench like you to be capable ofpassion, but what does that have to do with me? A couple having an extramarital affair would still have to be punished in this monogamous society. ¡°Or, Mr. Jefferson, are you going to let your child experience what you went through when you were young? Well, it¡¯s a good thing that Gigi¡¯s baby- Before Angie could finish speaking, Gisele immediately shouted, ¡°Angie!¡± The sensitive Gisele felt the nerves on her forehead tugging at the back of her head. Shet could feel a dull paining in waves. She didn¡¯t want Dorian to know that she had once been pregnant. Gisele¡¯s eyes were slightly red, and she ced a hand gently on her t belly. It would be enough if she and Angie were the only ones to know about her baby, who hadn¡¯t been fated to be hers. Angie realized that she had misspoken. Turning around, she lifted Bernard¡¯s arm. Then, she poked her head into the room as she apologized earnestly, ¡°Sorry, Gigi. I¡¯ll watch my words. from now on!¡± Gisele responded with a gentle and weak smile. ¡°Ms. Abbott, your words are just too harsh!¡± Sierra silently allowed her tears to stream. down her ch*eks. The sobbing tone in her tender voice was extremely obvious. ¡°Who can choose the parents they¡¯re born to? If possible, no one would want to be an illegitimate child! You¡­ You¡¯re going too far! ¡°Don and I grew up together, and we like each other. So, why can¡¯t we be together?¡± Angie burst out inughter. ¡°Is this the trick you¡¯re pulling this time, wench? Do you think that only the unloved are considered homewreckers? ¡°Go and ask the judge or your fans and see if they agree with your opinions!¡± Sierra¡¯s body swayed, and her face became as pale as a sheet. She looked at Dorian with tears. in her eyes. ¡°Don, T- Before she finished speaking, she fainted. Angie clicked her tongue. Sierra was quite impressive to be capable of fainting at will. It was a pity that she wasn¡¯t an actress. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Ms. Abbott, yourck of decency will be your undoing!¡± Dorian had a foul look on his face as he carried Sierra in his arms. When he turned around to leave, he nced coldly at the entrance of the room. He raised his voice, saying, ¡°Gisele, Sierra and I were nice enough to visit you, but since you can¡¯t appreciate it, quit spouting nonsense in front of Grandpa.¡± With that, he turned around and left without another nce back. ¡°Hey, you-¡± ¡°Forget it, Angie. I¡¯m tired. I want to rest,¡± Gisele felt her heart turning cold and deste. No matter what happened, she would never take the initiative to use anyone. Even if Den asked her about it, she would cover it up. But Dorian didn¡¯t believe her. Bernard looked at Angie with respect, his pretty eyes shimmering. Angie was about to turn around when she saw his smitten behavior. She instantly stepped away from him, saying rudely, ¡°Hey! Why are you looking at me like that? Even though you were on Gigi¡¯s side just now, you¡¯re friends with that bastard. Stay away from us!¡± ¡°For Gigi Toby Fluff¡¯s sake, I can stop being friends with Doge!¡± Bernard betrayed Dorian without any hesitation. He could use money to maintain their friendship, but he rarely encountered a woman with a sharp tongue like Angie! Angie thought that his expression was weird, so much so that she subconsciously wanted to avoid him. Just then, a cheerful and youthful voice rang out in the quiet corridor. ¡°Gigi Toby Fluff? Is she staying in this room?¡± ara Angie, who was so startled that she shuddered, subconsciously leaped into Bernard¡¯s arms. They looked at the 18¨Cyear¨Cold young man, who had popped out of nowhere, and asked at the same time, ¡°Kid, where did youe from?¡± Chapter 28 Chapter 28 ¡°I was in the room next door. Miss, you were so good at arguing just now. It was impossible not to listen in.¡± When the young man spoke, he pointed at the room next door. It was only then that Bernard and Angie noticed that the young man was wearing a hospital gown. He had sharp facial features, and he had dark circles under his eyes. His skin was so fair that it almost glowed. Therge hospital gown looked like a stylish outfit on him. He looked like a lean guy, but he seemed to have firm muscles overall. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Looking at him, Angie shook her head. ¡°Poor thing. Are you an adult? What illness do you have? Is it serious?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m an adult! I¡¯ll be 18 years old in three days!¡± The young man had a cheerful smile on his face. He scratched his head sheepishly. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s nothing serious. I just have a tiny heart problem. It¡¯s not serious at all!¡± After answering Angie¡¯s questions, the young man tried to peek into the room behind them. His eyes lit up, and a look of admiration appeared on his face. Even his voice softened a lot as he said, ¡°Um¡­ can you please step aside? I¡¯d like to take a look at Gigi Toby Fluff.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Angie and Bernard were about to step aside when they realized that she was clinging to his body! ¡°Ah!¡± The two screamed at the same time. Angie subconsciously got off Bernard and shoved him forcefully. She said in disdain, ¡°You damned peacock! Get away from me!¡± Bernard, who had been caught off guard by the sudden shove, fell on his butt on the cold and hard floor. ¡°Ah! Hey, woman! What the hell are you doing?¡± Bernard got up furiously, putting a hand. on his butt in a very unrefined manner. Angie frantically patted away the non¨Cexistent germs on her body. A look of disdain appeared on her exquisite face. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s so dirty! Who knows if you¡¯re sick or not, you damned peacock? I have to go home. and shower to sanitize myself!¡± Angie, who had walked ahead in disdain, suddenly remembered something. Turning back to the room, she said, ¡°Gigi, rest well here. Don¡¯t worry about the police. I¡¯ll hire the bestwyer for you, so you don¡¯t have to be scared of anything!¡± After sending Gisele a flying k*ss, Angie immediately rubbed her hands in disdain. Red rashes had appeared on her skin, as if she were really allergic to Bernard. ¡°Woman! Was it really necessary for you to do that? I¡¯m not some germ monster!¡± Bernard was beside himself with rage. He had never seen a woman who despised him this much. Even if she wasn¡¯t crazy about him, she didn¡¯t have to hate him so much, right? The young man took the opportunity to excitedly enter the room. When he saw Gisele¡¯s clear and radiant eyes despite her illness, he instantly rxed. He seemed friendly as he walked up to the bed and sat beside it. Then, he said carefully, ¡°Can I call you Gigi?¡± He would be an adult soon, but at that moment, his voice sounded a little childish. ¡°Of course, before. but you are?¡± Gisele asked politely. She didn¡¯t remember where they had met ¡°Gigi Toby Fluff, you¡¯ve saved my whole family!¡± the young man shouted animatedly. Realizing that his voice was too loud, he hastily lowered his volume as he said with a sheepish smile, ¡°My name is Johnson Bridge. ¡°Three years ago, at 2:35 pm on July 14, in the mountains behind Olympian Gardens, my grandpa had a heart attack and fainted. ¡°You were wearing a white mask and carrying a basket on your back when you saved him.¡± Back then, Johnson had just been a junior high student. He had panicked and hadn¡¯t known what to do. All of a sudden, a woman¡¯s gentle and cool voice had rung out. ¡°Kid, help me carry your grandpa to a ce with shade for first aid.¡± Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Johnson had looked up at Gisele, who had been dressed in white and standing against the light. Back then, he had thought that she was an angel. He had hastily helped Gisele carry his grandfather to a shady spot. Then, he had dazedly watched Gisele perform first ald on his grandfather, despite her feeble figure. Gisele had finally stopped when Johnson¡¯s grandfather seemed to have recovered. By then, she had been so exhausted that her forehead had been covered in sweat. It had been a hot afternoon, but she had acted as if she hadn¡¯t felt the heat at all. She had never stopped for a breath while she had contacted the ambnce. Then, she had apanied Johnson to take his grandfather to the hospital. She had even paid 10 thousand dors for him. To this day, he still hadn¡¯t managed to pay her back. Later on, he had seen the masked woman from back then in a TV show that was introducing the top ten outstanding youths in Hearthfield. It was only then that he had learned that she was called Gigi Toby Fluff. Johnson stopped reminiscing and scratched his head as he said shyly, ¡°Sorry, Gigi; we haven¡¯t paid you back for the hospital bills yet. What¡¯s your ount number? I can transfer the money to you right now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not that much money anyway.¡± Gisele waved her hand, smiling. She only had a faint impression of the incident back then, and she didn¡¯t remember the details. In the past few years, she had tried everything she could do to help those in need. She had never once thought of getting something in return. Even though 10 thousand dors was a huge sum to her as well, she thought that it wasn¡¯t appropriate to get the money back. Johnson¡¯s youthful face immediately soured. He said in slight disappointment, ¡°Do you think that I¡¯m not earning enough money? I¡¯m great at earning money. I¡¯m the technical expert on our team!¡± ¡°Alright. If I need help, I¡¯ll ask you, okay?¡± Gisele couldn¡¯t bring herself to turn him down. Johnson thought for a moment. Then, he said with hesitation, ¡°Alright, then. But promise me that you¡¯ll think of me! I¡¯m staying in the room next door.¡± Chaster 20 Gisele nodded. Suddenly, a nurse¡¯s high¨Cpitched voice rang out at the door. ¡°Johnson! Where have you run off to this time? T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Do you want to live or not? You¡¯ve dyed your operation time again. Do you really not want to live anymore? You¡¯re just an 18¨Cyear¨Cold brat!¡± When Johnson heard the nurse calling him, he hastily stood up. He walked outside awkwardly. ¡°Gigi, 1-1¡¯ll be going back now! I¡¯ll visit you again after I¡¯ve dealt with the nurse! Before Gisele could say anything, she saw Johnson dashing out. When the angry nurse in the corridor saw him, she spoke more sternly. ¡°Stop running! Do you actually want to live or not?¡± ¡°Of course I do. If you don¡¯t believe me, go and ask her!¡± Johnson pointed at Gisele, who was on the bed. Gisele didn¡¯t know what to say. She nodded and then said in a hoarse voice, ¡°He¡¯ll cooperate. ¡°That¡¯s right! I follow everything she says.¡± Johnson nodded obediently. Then, he walked toward his own room. The nurse sighed, looking heavy¨Chearted as she did so. After Johnson left, she said to Gisele, ¡°Ms. Meyer, he¡¯s a pitiful child. But if he listens to you, please help me convince him. ¡°His health condition doesn¡¯t allow him to drag it out any longer. The doctor is doing this for his own good.¡± ¡°What illness does he have?¡± Gisele frowned curiously. Johnson did look a little ill, but it was probably because he had stayed up toote at night. Did he have any other illnesses? Chapter 30 Chapter 30 The young nurse sighed. ¡°Johnson had been diagnosed with heart failure, and he is currently managing it with medication. But it¡¯s tough because he isn¡¯t taking care of himself. ¡°We did have a heart avable for transnt, but unfortunately, he declined the surgery. Moreover, he is an orphan who lives with his grandfather. ¡°Sadly, his grandfather passed away a year ago.¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Gisele frowned at the nurse¡¯s words. She wondered if Johnson¡¯s orphan status had dampened his desire to live. The nurse, who had been rambling on, suddenly came to her senses. She smiled and said, Miss, he seems to like you. If you ever get the chance, why not drop a hint about cherishing his own life? ¡°With his gaming talent and all those fans, he¡¯s got a lot to live for.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Gisele said with a smile. After the nurse left, the room fell into silence. What made Gisele different from Johnson? The only thing was that her family was still alive, but she felt like they might as well not be. With her fever still burning, she drifted back into sleep. In the neighboring rooms, Sierra had already changed into a hospital gown. Though the loose garment hugged her figure snugly, it only entuated her beauty. As shey in the hospital bed, she tightly held Dorian¡¯s hand with her cold fingers. ¡°Don, can you stay with me? I can¡¯t sleep. I¡¯m scared.¡± She sniffled, and her eyes welled up with tears. ¡°Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is images of Mr. Doug¡¯s passing. I know Gisele well. But what could have caused such a drastic change in her?¡± Dorian suddenly recalled the night when Gisele had been drugged, and a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. He pondered the possibility that Gisele had intended to scheme against him but had inadvertently harmed someone else in the process. Yet, despite this unintended consequence, she had still managed to achieve her ultimate goal. ¦° 212 He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Sierra sincerely. ¡°I¡¯m here for you. Don¡¯t He knew that regardless of whether Gisele¡¯s actions had been deliberate or not, she needed to face the consequences. Being his wife didn¡¯t absolve her of responsibility. Sierra¡¯s eyes shimmered as she nestled her ch*ek into his palm, silently pleading for his The serene calm of the hospital room sharply contrasted with the frenzied chaos unfolding coline mors were circting that Gisele might have had malicious intentions and had possibly been driven by greed. Although Collin¡¯s descendants denied these rumors, they made it clear that they wouldn¡¯t make usations until the autopsy results were out. However, they vowed not to let the murderer escape punishment once they got the results. Waiting quietly for the autopsy results would have been tolerable if not for the inte trolls stirring up trouble. ¡°A 65¨CYear¨COld Man Was Nearly Murdered!¡± The headline shot up to the top ten trending searches within an hour. The antide detailed an interview with Michael Lourdes, who recounted the harrowing incident That night, Mr. Doug and I were chatting when Gisele burst in and fed him her concoction to poison him. If I hadn¡¯t acted quickly, I might have met the same fate as him.¡® On the night of the interview, Michael went live. Upon seeing the luxury yachts and festivities in the donations, the 65¨Cyear¨Cold man smiled broadly. ¡°Wow, luck is really on your side! That heartless woman thinks she can get away with harming others just because she¡¯s a woman. She¡¯s despicable!¡± ¡®Hey, tell us what happened!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re confused, just ask the streamer. He mentioned getting a beating when he refused to take the concoction, but why haven¡¯t we seen any noticeable injuries? Is this all just a hoax?¡± Since Michael couldn¡¯t read, he wasn¡¯t bothered by the barrage ofments. Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Michael¡¯s son sat behind him and announced the names of the viewers who had offered the gifts. Michael then expressed his gratitude to the contributors. He said excitedly, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it! That woman seems delicate, but she¡¯s surprisingly strong. The guards stopped her that morning when she tried to enter the center. ¡°They said she was carrying a bunch of unlicensed medication. Who would have thought that, despite her daytime assurances not to tamper with our medication, she would still go ahead and did it? ¡°Do you know Gisele is envious of Ms. McMin? It¡¯s because she feels inferior in her medical skills. ¡°When Mr. Doug and I were coughing that day, she rushed to prove herself. But in doing so, she poisoned him, and I almost became her victim.¡± His yellow teeth were visible when he spoke. Then, he narrowed his eyes and took a drag of his cigarette behind the camera while spinning stories that mixed truth and lies. Blending fact with fiction, he recounted his escape, and his eyes widened dramatically. ¡°I¡¯ll have to save that story for tomorrow. I¡¯m feeling traumatized and want to rest now. That¡¯s all for today.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. During the one hour of live streaming, Michael had received gifts worth hundreds of thousands of dors. He had even received private messages from viewers expressing doubts about the ims he had made during the livestream. After Angie returned home and showered a dozen times, her once¨Cfair skin turned red due to excessive scrubbing. Yet, she still felt unsatisfied. She reached for her phone to distract herself, only to stumble upon Michael spreading rumors on a livestream. ¡°Damn it! Look at him, all poor and broke, yet still spreading lies!¡± She hastily reported him. Feeling that wasn¡¯t enough, she requested livestream videos from otherizens and reported it to the police. She told them that Michael might be the one behind Collin¡¯s death and was attempting to frame Gisele. ¡°Officers, watch this video. How many victims do you think would talk like that? Michael must be hiding something. And if we talk about motives, he seems even more suspicious than Gisele.¡± Angie analyzed the situation and said solemnly, ¡°He must¡¯ve been paid off to do this, which. is why he¡¯s so desperate to me it on Gisele.¡± The police received Angie¡¯s video and assured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ma¡¯am. We won¡¯t falsely use anyone. We¡¯ll thoroughly investigate this matter.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± After hanging up, Angie messaged Gisele and urged her to avoid reading the online rumors. Unfortunately, it was already toote. Gisele, who had slept all afternoon, hadn¡¯t been able to sleep anymore, so she had borrowed a nurse¡¯s phone. As she scrolled through thetest news, her mind raced with potential suspects. Apart from Sierra, she couldn¡¯t think of anyone else. She even entertained the unsettling possibility that Sierra might be behind the burrs she had been attacked by in Jefferson Manor. Also, Michael¡¯s remark about the burry incident lingered in her mind and only fueled her suspicions. Just the memory of the incident caused Gisele to tremble uncontrobly. Leaning against the headboard, she buried her face between her knees in the darkness. As Gisele felt herself sl*p into despair, a familiar voice broke through the darkness. ¡°Gigi?¡± Gisele was taken aback. She raised her head with a bewildered expression. Johnson flicked on the light, but its brightness stung her eyes. She instinctively shielded herself from the re. ¡°Dinner time! Shall we head to the cafeteria together and then stroll in the garden?¡± His youthful and cheerful tone seemed to radiate boundless energy- She stared at him as she recalled the nurse¡¯s earlier words. As a former medical student, a twinge of guilt pricked at her conscience. She nodded and replied hoarsely, ¡°Okay.¡± Johnson happily pushed the rented wheelchair inside the room. He gently assisted Gisele as she got out of bed. Just as she was about to tell him she could manage on her own, a voice at the door interrupted them. ¡°Oh, I was worried you¡¯d be lonely in here. Don, it looks like I was fretting for nothing.¡± ¡°Oh, I was worried you¡¯d be lonely in here. Don, At that moment, Gisele¡¯s hand rested on Johnson¡¯s neck. She turned to see Dorian standing from the doorway. His expression darkened, exuding negativity that made the others uneasy in his presence. Chapter 32 Chapter 32 She said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. McMin. Johnson will be of legal age in three days¡± ¡°Yeah! Mind your own business and stop meddling in our affairs¡± Johnson pushed the wheelchair forward. Although he knew Gisele¡¯s actions were deliberate, he showed no mercy in his words. After leaving the room, he excitedly asked, ¡°Gigi, could you apany me on my 18th birthday? I want to go to the amusement park and ride the carousel to make a wish. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the cafeteria and grab the couple¡¯s special meal. It¡¯s delicious and on special offer. I¡¯m craving it! Gisele kept her head down to conceal her inner pain. She had done her best, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Since her rtionship with Dorian wouldn¡¯t work out, she decided not to force it. She knew she should focus on more meaningful pursuits. Meanwhile, Dorian watched their retreating figures with a dark expression until they entered the elevator. Then, he looked away. ¡°Don, are your feet okay? Don¡¯t me Gisele. It¡¯s understandable that she¡¯s frustrated right T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Sierra said softly, as if she were defending Gisele¡¯s actions. now, He sneered and said disdainfully, ¡°She needs to take responsibility for what she did.¡± ¡°Shall we grab dinner?¡± Sierra asked, feeling relieved and hoping to move past the issue. Earlier, she had heard Johnson¡¯s voice in the room. So, she had purposely suggested visiting Gisele. But she hadn¡¯t expected to witness what she had intended Dorian to see. Nevertheless, his demeanor left her feeling unsettled. ¡°Sure,¡± Dorian replied, his tone softening as he treated her with deference. As mealtime approached, the hospital cafeteria bustled with activity. Patients and their families filled the spacious area, and their chatter echoed throughout the entire first floor. ¡°Gigi, would you like to go upstairs?¡± Johnson asked, concerned that the noise might bother her. Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Gisele shook her head and mustered a smile. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Go ahead and eat without me. I¡¯ll wait for you in the garden,¡± she said before wheeling herself away. Johnson looked at her retreating figure with concern etched on his face. He decided to grab some food first and catch up with herter. Sierra had thought that Dorian would take her to a fancy restaurant. But to her surprise, he took her to the hospital¡¯s cafeteria The constant buzzing, reminiscent of flies, grated on her nerves. Despite this, he seemed unfazed and gestured for her to sit at a greasy table while instructing Jon to fetch the food. Don, can we eat somewhere else?¡± She grimaced, repulsed not only by the environment but also by the unappetizing food. She wondered if a pampereddy like her was really supposed to dine at such a ce. Dorian sat upright. He calmly scanned the crowd, as if searching for someone. Sierra¡¯s hands were clenched tightly beneath the table. She wondered if he was looking for Gisele Meanwhile, Gisele sat alone in her wheelchair in the garden. The sky darkened as the soft glow of themps bathed the lush grass in a gentle yellow light. She tilted her head back and looked at therge, round moon. She felt a sense of tranquility washing over her. ¡°Gigi, dinner¡¯s ready!¡± Johnson¡¯s cheerful voice broke her reverie as he ced the food container before her. ¡°Thank you.¡± Gisele epted the food. She paused, then said, ¡°You¡¯re still a patient. You don¡¯t have to worry about me. Taking care of yourself is what¡¯s important.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°But I¡¯d like to take care of you,¡± Johnson insisted, opening his food container and digging in Yet, as he handled the container and utensils, his hands trembled slightly. ¡°Are your hands okay?¡± Gisele frowned. ¡°I¡¯m fine! It¡¯s just an upational hazard. I just need a few days¡® rest.¡± He chuckled and shook his head. She knew he was a professional e¨Csports yer and assumed he had tendonitis. ¡°Come to my hospital room tomorrow morning, and I¡¯ll give you an acupuncture treatment. ¡°She spoke to him as if he were her younger brother and then opened her food container. Gisele wasn¡¯t sure if Johnson¡¯s kindness was because she had saved his grandfather or if he had ulterior motives. Despite her uncertainty, she didn¡¯t want anyone to suffer. He grinned. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Your focus should be on your recovery right now. If the fever persists, it could lead to brain damage. Then, the world would lose a talented doctor like you. Gisele paused upon hearing him call her ¡°a talented doctor¡°. She looked at Johnson, her voice quivering with emotion. ¡°Do you really think I could be a talented doctor?¡± Ever since she had married Dorian three years ago, she had put her career ns on hold. Though she still dabbled in researching herbal remedies, her efforts paledpared to those of a practicing physician. Johnson encouraged between bites, saying, ¡°Absolutely! You¡¯re an incredible doctor, Gigi. You¡¯ll continue to make a difference in countless lives and tackle many challenging diseases. He motioned for her to eat faster and suggested they discuss the futureter. Gisele foundfort in his words, and a smile formed on her l*ps. After all, she had once dreamed of bing an exceptional doctor. After finishing their meal and resting for half an hour, they returned to the room. Upon returning to the room, Gisele spotted Angie, whose skin was beet red. Gripping Gisele¡¯s shoulder with a mix of excitement and concern, Angie eximed, ¡°You scared me! Where have you been? I have some news to share with you.¡± Chapter 34 Chapter 34 ¡°I just went out to grab something to eat.¡± Gisele stood up from her wheelchair and moved to the edge of the bed, sitting beside Angle. Concern shed across her face as she noticed Angle¡¯s red neck. ¡°Are you having an allergic reaction? Your skin looks irritated.¡± ¡°Um¡­.¡± Angie¡¯s expression tensed, and she awkwardly reached up to cover her neck. She hesitated, unsure how to tell Gisele about her allergy to peacocks. Gisele noticed Angie¡¯s elbow was also red. Concerned, she stood up and rolled up Angie¡¯s sleeve. ¡°What happened?¡± Angie replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine; don¡¯t worry. I just had a reaction to something. I took some allergy medicine, and I feel better now.¡± She guided Gisele back to a morefortable position, her expression serious. ¡°Stay put. I¡¯ve got something important to tell you.¡± Gisele straightened up, looking puzzled. ¡°You¡¯ve seen Michael¡¯s livestream, right? I reported him to the police, and they¡¯ve sent someone to investigate it!¡± Angie growled. She believed that scumbags like him deserved to be behind bars. Gisele¡¯s heart raced upon hearing that. She frowned and asked, ¡°What did they find? Angie responded, ¡°They suspect Michael orchestrated this, and whoever¡¯s pulling the strings has a grudge against you.¡± Her voice grew louder with indignation. ¡°You know who would hold such a grudge against you, don¡¯t you?¡± Gisele fell silent as the oue of the investigation confirmed her suspicions. ¡°Gigi, what are you going to do next?¡± Seeing her silence, Angie sensed her inner turmoil. She knew that anyone else facing such retaliation from a mistress would likely struggle to cope emotionally and mentally. Gisele bit her l*p and muttered, ¡°Let¡¯s leave it to the police.¡± Even if there was evidence, she knew Dorian would defend Sierra. In the end, Gisele would be painted as the scornful wife. All she wanted now was a peaceful divorce and to earn money. If the opportunity arose, she hoped to be one of Ss Lyons¡® students and study. medicine. He was an international medical specialist. gie was taken aback by her response. Angie N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. She gently patted Gisele¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Alright, then. You should focus on recovering in the hospital for the next few days. Don¡¯t worry about anything else.¡± Gisele nodded with a smile. Before getting into bed, she took an ointment from her bag and handed it to Angie. It was a form she had developed. ¡°If you encounter an allergen again, use this ointment immediately,¡± Gisele instructed. Angie nodded and tucked Gisele into bed before leaving. She didn¡¯t want Gisele to get involved in the mess, but that didn¡¯t mean she would go easy on Sierra. As she passed by Sierra¡¯s ward, she saw her sitting pale on the bed while Dorian fed her fruit. Angie crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. She smirked and teased, ¡°A beauty like you lost a limb at such a young age. Isn¡¯t it pitiful? tired? You¡¯re fighting to be the mistress while keeping up that fake facade. Don¡¯t you ever get Sierra¡¯s eyes began to well with tears when Angie¡¯s sudden voice startled her. She looked toward the door pitifully. Dorian turned around. His icy face scanned behind Angie, hoping to glimpse someone else. When he didn¡¯t see Gisele, he was disappointed. He had seen Gisele and Johnson head to the cafeteria but hadn¡¯t been able to find them. Angie continued, ¡°Ms. McMin¡¯s tears always tug at my heartstrings. But if those proper wives were to discover that their revered top socialite is actually a mistress, imagine the chaos that would ensue. She leaned against the doorframe, feigning deep contemtion. Dorian stood up, his imposing stature filling the room with an undeniable presence. He said coldly, ¡°Is this how you were raised, Ms. Abbott? To act like a nuisance in someone else¡¯s space?¡± She retorted, ¡°You! Despite my shorings, I still have enough dignity not to lower myself to being a mistress, especially not as shamelessly as that b*tch!¡± She stood up straight and defended Gisele. ¡°Can¡¯t you see the reality? Can someone who¡¯s opposed by Mr. Jefferson Senior be truly trustworthy?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Angle seethed as she struggled to breathe. She red at Dorian, wishing she could crack open his skill to see what was in his head. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll shut up!¡± Angle snorted and turned to leave in a huff. After a couple of steps, she nced back at them disdainfully. ¡°Dorian, mark my words. One day, you¡¯ll regret this!¡± And when that day came, even if Dorian regretted it and wanted to reconcile, Angle would make sure that Gisele never took him back. Once Gisele got divorced, Angie would set her up with dozens of handsome men. She was confident that there would surely be one who could rival Dorian. ¡°Don, it¡¯s all my fault. You shouldn¡¯t bother with me anymore.¡± Sierra¡¯s voice trembled, and tears streamed down her ch*eks. Dorian coldly watched Angie¡¯s cheerful departure. He turned back to stand by Sierra¡¯s side and gently patted her back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to go through this,¡± he said. Sierra sald tentatively, ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just You and Gisele¡­. Sensing his restrained demeanor, she inched closer and nestled her face against his chest. She could sense the change in Dorian¡¯s behavior toward Gisele over the past few days. Although he hadn¡¯t realized it himself, Sierra feared that Gisele might steal him away if things continued like this. Dorian ced his hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her back to meet her gaze. He said solemnly, ¡°Sierra, my marriage with her will soon end.¡± Sierra¡¯s heart softened as she pursed her l*ps and prepared to lean over to k*ss him. But before she could, Dorian stood up instinctively. He said awkwardly, ¡°You should rest. I¡¯ll check with Bernard about the case¡¯s progress.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sierra¡¯s gaze lingered on his departing figure as disappointment filled her eyes. But the prospect of soon bing his legal wife lifted her spirits. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. As for Gisele, Sierra was confident she would never practice medicine again. She believed Gisele¡¯s future would be spent behind bars. Since she hade to terms with her life, Gisele found more peace. Each morning, she tended to Johnson¡¯s tendonitis with acupuncture before taking a nap. In the afternoons, she strolled through the garden. In the evenings, Johnson would take her to the bustling night market on the street behind the hospital, where young people gathered. On the third evening, Gisele¡¯s fever subsided, Johnson, now dressed sharply and with maturely styled hair, exuded a newfound sense of sophistication. ¡°Gigi, will you celebrate my birthday with me?¡± Johnson nervously rubbed his hands. Gisele was set to be discharged the next day, so the nurse had asked her to persuade Johnson about the surgery. As she had been wondering how to approach the topic, he approached her first. After a moment¡¯s thought, she nodded. ¡°Of course.¡± He gently tugged at her sleeve. His eyes flickered with excitement and apprehension as he stole asional nces at her. The two headed to the hospital¡¯s back entrance. At that moment, the night market was in full swing. The lights¡® glow cast a warm ambiance, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of street food. As they entered, the crowd parted, and they each gave Gisele a red rose. In a spontaneous gesture, Johnson grabbed the microphone and began to sing with soft music in the background. ¡°In the car, I just can¡¯t wait¡­ ¡°To pick you up on our ver first date¡­ ¡°Is it cool if I hold your hand?¡± The crisp voice, apanied by the melody, echoed in the bustling night market. With her hand sped in his, he guided her forward. As Bernard emerged from his sleek ck Bugatti at the hospital¡¯s back entrance, his gaze swept across the crowd in disbelief. ¡°Gigi is here?¡± Dorian, who had been striding toward the back door, abruptly stopped. With a quick turn, his impassive eyes scanned the scene before him. He immediately spotted Gisele and Johnson with their hands tightly sped together. Chapter 36 Chapter 36 ¡°Who¡¯s that kid next to Gigi? He¡¯s singing that song pretty darn well.¡± Bernard couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of happiness, even though he also felt slightly disappointed deep down. He wondered how different things would have been if Gisele hadn¡¯t been Dorian¡¯s wife. Then, maybe he would have had the courage to take the first step and confess to her.. Dorian strode deliberately forward with a sullen look. ¡°Hey, Doge! Where are you going?¡± Bernard called out nervously as Dorian strode off. As he watched Dorian¡¯s retreating figure, a twinge of concern for her tugged at his heart. However, Dorian continued forward. By now, a crowd had formed a circle around Gisele. As the song reached its climax, the lyrics echoed through the space. ¡°Honest, let¡¯s make this night last forever¡­ Forever and ever. The melody of ¡°First Date¡± gradually faded into silence. Johnson kneeled before Gisele with arge bouquet. His expression was brimming with emotion. ¡°Gigi, will you be my girlfriend? Or let me be your boyfriend?¡± Gisele was taken aback. She wasn¡¯t sure if Johnson had meticulously nned this moment or if it was a spontaneous decision. Nevertheless, his gesture left her thoroughly surprised. ¡°Say yes! Say yes!¡± ¡°Lovelydy, your boyfriend has put a lot of thought into this. He¡¯s been nning this afternoon for you. He¡¯s quite romantic.¡± ¡°Yeah, give him a chance! Say yes!¡± The crowd of onlookers erupted in cheers. They boldly referred to Johnson as her boyfriend rather than a potential suitor. Standing amidst the lively crowd, Gisele watched the spectacle unfold around her. She felt like an outsider amidst the festivities. As she remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, beads of sweat began to form on Johnson¡¯s forehead. Some of the onlookers couldn¡¯t help but sympathize with him. They could sense her hesitance. ¡°A young man smitten with a married woman. Aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡± Dorian approached with an impassive expression. At his words, the crowd quickly parted. Their eyes widened as they turned to face him. Johnson frowned and looked at Dorian disapprovingly. ¡°Isn¡¯t this gentleman being a bit nosy? This is between me and Gigi.¡± ¡°Me? Nosy?¡± Dorian scoffed. His piercing gaze was fixed on Gisele. ¡°Gisele, can¡¯t you a man by your side? Do live w you cling to them every moment just to feel whole?¡± His words cut deep. Bernard nudged him as he silently urged Dorian to soften his tone. Gisele defiantly met Dorian¡¯s icy stare. Edging closer to Johnson, she gripped his hand with her cold fingers. She chuckled softly before speaking. ¡°And what about you? Can¡¯t survive without a woman, can you? You married me three years ago, only to cheat on me for the next three. ¡°My actions pale inparison to yours, don¡¯t they?¡± A sudden p of thunder echoed overhead, leaving the spectators momentarily stunned. ¡°And besides, we¡¯re in the process of getting a divorce. So, what¡¯s wrong with me seeking a new life?¡± Gisele countered. She had married him, but that didn¡¯t mean she had surrendered her autonomy. Did divorcing him imply she was forbidden from pursuing her own happiness? Dorian¡¯s expression soured as he snarled, ¡°Who do you think you are? You¡¯re nothingpared to Sierra. You begged to marry me three years ago, and now you willingly engage in adultery.¡± He stepped forward and roughly grabbed Gisele¡¯s chin with his warm, dry palm.. He forced her to look at him. ¡°You¡¯ve tarnished my family¡¯s reputation. Even ten Meyers wouldn¡¯t suffice to make amends!¡± With a vicious flick, Dorian released Gisele¡¯s chin, making her stumble. Johnson swiftly steadied her and asked, with concern etched in his face, ¡°Are you alright, Gigi?¡± Bernard grumbled disapprovingly, ¡°Can¡¯t you be civil, Doge? N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°But isn¡¯t this kid too young?¡± Bernard noticed Johnson¡¯s youth and spected that Gisele might not be interested in someone so young. ncing sideways at Dorian¡¯s deeply displeased expression, Bernard realized it was the first time he had seen Dorian look so grim in almost three years. Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Bernard walked over and gently squeezed Gisele¡¯s hand. He whispered, ¡°Gigi, let¡¯s be wise here. It¡¯s better not to pick this kid, okay? Trust me.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly at his words. She had never considered epting, Johnson¡¯s proposal. She treated him like a younger brother. So, how could she ever consider being with him? Just as Gisele was about to shake her head, a tall figure pushed through the crowd. Without a word, the man¡¯s hand came down hard on her face. Her ch*ek stung as it was turned to the side, and it swelled visibly within moments. ¡°Bitch! Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Jefferson! Embarrassing yourself is one thing, but who the hell are you trying to drag the Meyer family down with you?¡± The man¡¯s words were slurred due to alcohol. Yet, Gisele stood tall. Her slender frame seemed particrly fragile amidst the crowd. At that moment, her once hopeful eyes brimmed with sorrow. She stared at her brother, Gordon Meyer, as he continued to hurl insults at her. ¡°What are you staring at? Do you have a problem?¡± He raised his hand again, as if to strike her into submission. Dorian¡¯s cold gaze swept over them. Hisrge hand swiftly intercepted Gordon¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. A contemptuous snort could be heard, as if mocking them. But Gordon remained oblivious and tried to curry favor with Dorian. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, don¡¯t worry. Our family would never produce such disgraceful offspring. ¡°If she refuses toply, I¡¯ll hit her until she does. I¡¯ll ensure she bes the perfect wife for you!¡± Gisele felt a chill enveloping her, like she had plunged into an icy abyss. While Dorian¡¯s actions felt like needles piercing her heart, Gordon¡¯s felt like a death sentence. Despite being siblings, Gordon treated her like an enemy. He even wished she was dead. ¡°What gives you the right to hit someone? We live in a society governed byws!¡± Johnson criticized him bluntly. Cearly intoxicated, Gordon chuckled dismissively. ¡°What gives me the right? I¡¯m her brother. And who do you think you are, kid? Do you really think you¡¯re good enough for my sister? Mr. Jefferson, what¡¯s your take on this?¡± Dorian raised an eyebrow and smirked. ¡°How dare youpete with me for a woman?¡± He might not have wanted her, but that didn¡¯t mean she was up for grabs. Johnson¡¯s eyes zed with anger, and his fists clenched as he moved to strike Dorian. But just as his fist was about to connect, Jon appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Johnson¡¯s hand, sending him awkwardly to the floor. ¡°Stop!¡± Gisele shouted. Ignoring her plea, Jon stepped on Johnson¡¯s back and deliberately exerted force. As the bystanders realized the altercation had escted into physical violence, those wary of legal consequences hastily dispersed. Even those who had intended to capture the scene on camera deleted their photos cautiously, afraid of bing Jon¡¯s next target. With the crowd dispersing, the once bustling night market felt eerily deserted. Jon lifted his foot from Johnson¡¯s back, who struggled to rise. But he was knocked down again before he could regain his footing. Then, Jon pressed his foot onto Johnson¡¯s fingers with chilling indifference as he deliberately increased the pressure. Gisele¡¯s eyes welled with tears as she copsed beside Jon. Desperately, she clung to his foot and shook her head. ¡°Please, don¡¯t be so merciless! After all, Johnson was just a young man. Crushing his hand would be devastating for him. Those hands were as vital to him as his very life. They were his means of survival. With tear¨Cfilled eyes, Gisele looked up at Dorian. She cried and shook her head desperately. Dorian, please let him go. I lied to you earlier. I never wanted to be with him. I swear.¡± When hearing Gisele¡¯s words, Dorian let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. But seeing her cry so bitterly for a stranger still made him uneasy. Chapter 38 Chapter 38 THE ¡°Gisele! What are you doing making a scene here?¡± Gordon bent down to pry Gisele¡¯s hand away. The stench of alcohol hit her, almost making her gag, but Gordon remained oblivious.¡± Apologize to Mr. Jefferson! Do you want to disgrace our family?¡± Despite Gordon¡¯s warning, she refused to let go. She clung tightly to Jon¡¯s foot, knowing that releasing him would ruin Johnson¡¯s future. She hadn¡¯t intended to be with him in the first ce; she had been merely retaliating against Dorian. ¡°Dorian, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Gisele finally bowed her head. She should have realized sooner that she had no choice or means of resisting him. She knew the consequences would be unbearable. Lying on the ground, Johnson felt a wave of sorrow for Gisele. His once cheerful voice cracked with emotion. ¡°Gigi, don¡¯t fret. Let him stomp on me if he wants! You don¡¯t need to worry about me.¡± He knew his rash confession hadnded Gisele in this situation, so he had to ept the consequences. ¡°You make quite the peculiar pair.¡± Dorian chuckled softly. Gisele¡¯s skin crawled at Dorian¡¯s words. She sl*pped her hand under Jon¡¯s foot, lifted her head, and gazed at him with tear¨Cstreaked. eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This won¡¯t happen again. Let¡¯s go home.¡± Coincidentally, she was due to be discharged tomorrow. So, leaving now wouldn¡¯t make much difference. Jon knew Gisele¡¯s hand was beneath his foot, yet he remained unmoved. He was cold and unfeeling like a robot, and he listened only to Dorian¡¯smands. Dorian smirked coldly. ¡°Release her.¡± Jon quickly withdrew his foot and stood behind Dorian. The usually bustling street, which was typically filled with people, was deserted except for a few of them. Gisele struggled to get up and reluctantly trailed behind Don with her swollen face. Johnson¡¯s voice trembled with sadness as he called out, ¡°Gigi¡± Gisele stopped and managed to give a strained smile as she turned around. ¡°Get the surgery done soon and live a good life.¡± This was probably the best she could do for him. When Dorian¡¯s cat sped past them, Bernard btedly waved and called out, ¡°Hey! Weren¡¯t you supposed to be with Sierra? Why are you going back?¡± Bernard¡¯s expression betrayed his confusion. Dorian had been provoked by Gisele just now. For someone as outstanding and focused as him, besides Sierra, no one else could stir hist calm heart. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Yet, only Gisele had managed to do it. Gordon staggered and shouted to his friends from afar, ¡°What are you standing around for? Aren¡¯t we continuing the drinking elsewhere? Let¡¯s go!¡± Watching Gordon¡¯s unsteady gait, Bernard furrowed his brow. For heirs like Gordon, even all the wealth in the world wouldn¡¯t be enough for them to squander. At that thought, Bernard felt deeply sorry for Gisele. Despite her hard work, she was burdened by such nuisances. Gisele thought Dorian would leave her at Jefferson Manor¡¯s gates. She didn¡¯t expect him to get out of the car, grab her, and drag her inside without waiting for her to steady herself. As soon as they entered, Dorian forcefully threw her off like a dirty rag, causing her to fall onto the couch. Gisele¡¯s knees were rubbed raw from being dragged. A patch of her skin had been scraped off, and blood oozed from the wound. Lying on the couch, her once bright eyes now appeared dull, as if coated with ayer of dust, devoid of their former shine. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you upset that I interrupted your date with that wild man? Are you pissed off now?¡± Dorian lunged forward, gripping her hands tightly. Inches away from Dorian¡¯s face, Gisele chuckled out of anger. ¡°Does getting upset serve any Chapter 39 Chapter 39 ¡°Pristine, huh? I bet you¡¯ve cheated on me countless times over the past three years while you paraded around as Mrs. Jefferson, right?¡± Gisele¡¯s chest tightened with anger as she stared at him in disbelief. Was she really that despicable in his eyes? Would he use her of infidelity if she told him she had been pregnant a week ago? Seeing her pale face andck of expression, Dorian snarled out angrily, ¡°Did I hit a nerve? Are you counting how many lovers you¡¯ve had?¡± ¡°Dorian.¡± Gisele raised her weary eyes. Their dullness was tinged with a hint of sorrow. ¡°Why are you so eager to make yourself a cuckhold? Unlike you, I won¡¯t engage with other men until our divorce is finalized. ¡°Preserving the Meyer family¡¯s reputation is paramount to me.¡± Her voice faltered at thest sentence, with tears pooling in her eyes. It seemed like they would fall if she blinked. Staring at her swollen face, Dorian¡¯s mind shed back to the sight of Gordon¡¯s p, which had been delivered without a moment¡¯s thought. An inexplicable sense of displeasure surged through him. ¡°You better live up to your words.¡® His gaze fixed on her tempting l*ps, a vtile blend of desire and anger churning within him. Gisele observed him contemptuously, then withdrew her hand from his. Before he could react, she abruptly stood up and k*ssed his thin l*ps. Dorian¡¯s deep eyes widened in disbelief as Gisele¡¯s l*ps met his own. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. Reacting on pure instinct, Dorian shoved her away. His expression contorted into a mask of anger. ¡°¡®Gisele, do you have a death wish?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it expected for the spouse to fulfill their marital obligations?¡± Gisele tucked away her forlorn expression and smiled coyly. rv, right?¡± She added, ¡°If Grandpa Den sees us being so affectionate, he wouldn¡¯t be angry, Dorian felt disgusted and stood up. He hastily grabbed a handful of tissues to wipe hist m*uth before retreating to the bathroom. Gisele chuckled mockingly. Despite herughter, she silently copsed onto the couch as tears streamed down her ch*eks. She wondered whether marrying him had made her feel inferior. Gisele perked up at the sound of the iing call and sat upright. ncing around, she noticed Dorian¡¯s phone lighting up. She scoffed. There was no mistaking who it was. As the sound of teeth brushing and gargling emanated from the bathroom, Gisele answered the call and turned on the speaker. ¡°Babe, are you still busy? Didn¡¯t we agree to have dinner with Mr. Murray tonight?¡± Sierra¡¯s flirtatious tone sent shivers down Gisele¡¯s spine. Gisele looked toward the bathroom door with a cold gaze. ¡°Really? Sorry, Sierra. Your ¡®babe¡® is having dinner with his legal wife tonight. It looks like you¡¯ll be on your own.¡± ¡°Gisele? You two¡­¡± Sierra¡¯s voice trembled on the other end. A sudden recollection of Dorian carrying Gisele away from the center shed through Sierra¡¯s mind. Gisele lifted her chin as she reclined on the couch. ¡°What about us? You constantly address my husband as ¡®babe¡®. Do you truly believe he would divorce me for you? ¡°Ms. McMin, once my identity is revealed, your current image will be shattered by the revtion of your status as the mistress. ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d keep a low profile.¡± Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Gisele blurted out everything in one breath. Then, she shot a provocative nce at Dorian as he opened the bathroom door. Watching him rinse and brush his teeth made Gisele feel disgusted, yet she still blew a k*ss his way. At that moment, she sprawled seductively on the couch. On the other end of the phone, Sierra¡¯s voice trembled with tears as she said, ¡°Gisele, have you misunderstood something? I¨CI didn¡¯t mean topete with you for Don.¡± Her words were choked between sobs, but the sound of her crying through the phone sent shivers down Gisele¡¯s spine. She shouted at Dorian in the bathroom, ¡°Honey, didn¡¯t you hear how heartbroken your mistress is? If you don¡¯tfort her soon, her heart will shatter. After all, she is a stunning woman¡­ She mimicked Sierra¡¯s coquettish tone as she addressed Dorian. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. But before she could finish, he finished rinsing his m*uth, strode over, and snatched his phone away. ¡°See youter.¡± With those simple words, he ended the call. Gisele arched an eyebrow as she feigned amusement. ¡°Can¡¯t handle it, huh? I thought you had limitless patience, but I guess not.¡± Dorian¡¯s disgust simmered as he uttered, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely incorrigible!¡± With that, he walked away. She sneered, pondering if she was genuinely incorrigible. She had loved him to the point of self¨Ctorture. She was top¨Ctier love¨Cstruck idiot. Was that all she amounted to? Despite her earlier bravado, she wondered why solitude brought such deep despair. Gisele curled up on the couch with her arms wrapped tightly around her slender legs in an attempt to ward off the chill. Yet, the hollowness within her gnawed painfully at her core. ¡°Meow!¡± A lively little creature leaped from the floor andnded on the couch beside her. 212 Its fluffy body nestled gently against her legs, which emanated aforting warmth against her skin, With a graceful movement, its tall curved elegantly upwards as It lightly brushed against her ch*ek. The soft meows drow Cisole¡¯s attention to the little creature before her. She scooped it up and murmured, ¡°Sesame, you¡¯re back.¡± She tenderly scratched Sesame¡¯s forehead and chin. Sesame was a pure white cat with a small patch of ck fur on its forehead. It looked like a little sesame seed bum. The day the burrs had broken In, Gisele had been worried that Sesame would be in danger. Thankfully, it escaped unscathed. Otherwise, she would¡¯ve med herself for failing to protect her cat. The rumble of a car engine outside the manor gate was soon apanied by approaching footsteps. Gisele eased back, stroking Sesame, and teased, saying, ¡°Forget something again? Want me to wee¨CGrandpa Den?¡± Before she couldplete her jestfulment, she turned to find Den entering with a cane and Alfred by his side. ¡°Heh, Gisele, are you holding down the fort solo today?¡± Den inquired as he strolled in. She released Sesame and stood up promptly. She hurried over to assist Den. ¡°Grandpa Den, Don mentioned an urgent matter at thepany and had to leave. Should I call him back?¡± ¡°No need. Your face¡­¡± Den sat down and noticed Gisele¡¯s attempt to hide her swollen face. Before she could respond, his tone turned stern. ¡°Did Don hit you? How could he darey a hand on his wife?¡± Chapter 41 Chapter 41 ¡°No, Grandpa Den. It¡¯s not Don¡¯s fault. I was careless and bumped into something.¡± Gisele said, her voice tinged with guilt. She had never intended to ept Johnson¡¯s proposal, but her spiteful words at Dorian and saying anything disrespectful in front of Den were unnecessary. Den ordered Alfred, ¡°Go get an ice pack for her.¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll grab it now,¡± Alfred replied as he headed to the kitchen. She sat awkwardly beside Den and smiled faintly. ¡°Grandpa Den, is there something on your mind? You could have simply asked Alfred to inform me. Why did you feel the need toe yourself?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about you being a murder suspect.¡± Den tightened his grip on his cane as he broached the sensitive topic. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He reassured her, saying, ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I believe you¡¯re innocent. While the situation. has caused quite amotion, the Dougs have expedited the process. We may expect results in the coming days. ¡°Also, I dropped by mainly to ask if you have any specific suspects in mind?¡± Alfred returned with the ice pack, which Gisele epted. She gently pressed it against her swollen ch*ek. She smiled and shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯ve maintained a low profile all these years. I doubt I¡¯ve offended anyone.¡± She knew that bringing up unfounded suspicions would only stress him out. Den said, ¡°It¡¯s likely tied to the Doug family, but don¡¯t sweat it. The police will straighten it out.¡± He changed the subject and said, ¡°But you and Don should consider having a child. A little one can smooth things over between you two.¡± Gisele felt embarrassed and instinctively ced her hand on her t belly. It used to be the home for her and Dorian¡¯s bay¨Cone they had struggled so hard to conceive after multiple attempts and harvesting dozens of eggs. Unfortunately, she¡¯d had a miscarriage. ¡°Grandpa Den, I understand. I¡¯ll talk to Don as soon as I can.¡± She smiled and nodded. Den nodded and gently patted her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re the only daughter¨Cin-w I acknowledge. The rest aren¡¯t even in the running.¡± She smiled but remained silent. As she saw that he was about to leave, she remembered the herbal tea she had prepared earlier and hurried to fetch it. He handed it over to Alfred. She said, ¡°Grandpa Den¡¯s lungs aren¡¯t in the best shape. Remember to brew this herbal tea for him. It¡¯s good for soothing coughs and relieving respiratory difort. ¡°Once he¡¯s finished,e back to me for more. I¡¯ve got plenty!¡± ¡°You¡¯re so thoughtful,¡± Den said affectionately. He looked at her and felt a sense of injustice. Dorian had overlooked a fine girl like her in favor of Sierra, and Den felt indignant on Gisele¡¯s behalf. She watched as Den¡¯s car pulled away, then sighed. She knew why he had dropped by unannounced. He must have heard that she and Dorian wereing home together, so he had swung by to check if everything was amicable between them. Yet, she was relieved that he had shown upte. Otherwise, he would¡¯ve been furious. Gisele sighed and went upstairs to take a shower. She had nned to feast at the night market after being hungry the whole day, but she had lost her appetite after the incident. After showering, she drifted off to sleep with her slightly swollen ch*ek pressed against the pillow. At noon the next day, Gisele woke up to find the news app buzzing with another story about Dorian and Sierra¡¯s cozy outing. In the snapshot, Dorian was seen walking out of the hospital with his arm linked with Sierra¡¯s. It sparked spection amongizens that her hospital stint might be linked to a bun in the oven, which exined her prolonged stay at the hospital. Gisele chuckled wryly. She knew Dorian would never mistreat Sierra. As she prepared to put down her phone, she received an unexpected text message Upon reading it, she felt a shiver run down her spine, and herplexion drained of color. She couldn¡¯t fathom why Dorian would stoop to such extremes. Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Gisele¡¯s fingers trembled as she punched in the numbers while cursing the length of the phone number. ¡°Hello.¡± The phone was answered immediately, and her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°Dorian, how dare you?¡± ¡°Ms. Meyer.¡± Jon¡¯s voice came through the phone, cold and ruthless. Gisele¡¯s heart plummeted to the depths of despair in an instant. How could she forget? Dorian was likely with Sierra at this very moment, and there was no way he would pick up her call. Gisele clenched her phone tightly. Her pale fingers betrayed the anger pulsing within her. ¡°Why did he freeze my card?¡± She suppressed her anger and sadness. She feigned indifference to the inconvenience of having her card frozen. Jon¡¯s voice echoed through the receiver. His tone was mechanical. ¡°Ms. Meyer, this is a small lesson to jog your memory. Your card will be unfrozen once you¡¯ve taken a moment to reflect and apologize to Ms. McMin.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle bitterly at his words. She wondered why she should be the one to apologize. Was it her fault that Sierra had be a mistress? Had a single penny of his ever been on that card? All the exnations she wanted to give were stuck in her throat and left unspoken. Meanwhile, Jon had already hung up, as if even one more word from her would waste his time. She stared nkly at the text messages on her phone screen. When she had decided to divorce Dorian, she had returned all the cards Dorian and Den had given her. This particr card, the only one with Dorian¡¯s name on it, was something Gisele had humbly begged for on their first wedding anniversary. She had intended to bridge the gap between them. She had believed that as long as they shared this card, even if he didn¡¯t reciprocate her love, she could gradually integrate herself into his life. She had wanted to show him that she still deserved affection despite having a greedy father. But she had been dead wrong since she was the only one using that card. Every cent in that bank ount had been earned through her and Angle¡¯s hustle selling traditional herbs, including Bernard¡¯s upfront payment. In the room, Gisele took a deep breath. Her smile tinged with sadness as she whispered, ¡± Well, Gisele, you¡¯re t broke now.¡± But why did her heart ache so much? Why was her breath getting heavier? In the high¨Cend apartment in the heart of Hearthfield, Sierra held a ss of red wine. She was dressed in a sleek satin sl*p dress that entuated her curves. Her long, beachy waves flowed over her slender shoulders. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. A delicate scent wafted through the air as she settled onto the couch, casting a cozy ambiance over the apartment despite the bright sunshine outside. Soft, warm lighting and soothing melodies added to the romantic atmosphere. ¡°Do you have something on your mind, Don?¡± She snuggled against his chest, her eyes. dewy with affection. Dorian stiffened slightly, not entirelyfortable with her intimate gesture. Just as he was about to scoot away, Sierra, graceful as a vine, tilted her head. With a delicate touch, she brushed her ch*ek against his and inadvertently spilled red wine onto his white shirt. ¡°Don.¡± Her voice was soft and inviting. Then, her fair hand traced his neck, her ruby l*ps tantalizingly close to his. But suddenly, Dorian¡¯s mind was flooded with memories of Gisele¡¯s plush, tender k*sses. In their three years of marriage, he had only rejected intimacy once when she had been drugged. Closing his eyes, he fought to banish the thoughts of Gisele. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to love a woman so consumed by vanity. Yet, as Sierra¡¯s passionate breath enveloped him, Dorian¡¯s Instincts took over. He swiftly pushed her away. Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Sierra¡¯s back mmed against the couch armrest. Tears streamed down her face as she asked, ¡°Don, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°The wine spilled on me, and wearing wet clothes feels ufortable,¡± Dorian replied impassively. Seeing that he was about to leave, she quickly apologized in a coquettish voice, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It wasn¡¯t intentional. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go to the bathroom and change? I bought some clothes for you when I was out shopping earlier.¡± He quickly refused, ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ll change at the office. You stay at home and rest. If you need anything, just call me.¡± Sierra wanted to say something to keep him there, but he hurried away without a pause. Left alone in the apartment, she stomped and muttered, ¡°Argh! F**k you, Gisele!¡± She couldn¡¯t help but wonder why everything had been fine before. When she hadn¡¯t returned to the country, Dorian would fly over to be with her every few days. Now that she was back, though he was still sweet, she could tell that something had changed. Dorian frowned and closed his eyes to rest in the luxurious yet understated Bentley. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The damp shirt made him extremely ufortable. But he didn¡¯t want to change in Sierra¡¯s apartment because he was worried about the irreversible consequences. It would have solidified Sierra¡¯s status as the mistress. Dorian tried to convince himself with this reasoning. It definitely wasn¡¯t because he felt repulsed and had bolted when she had tried to k*ss him. It absolutely wasn¡¯t because the person he wanted to k*ss was Gisele, prompting his escape. Jon suddenly broke the silence and said, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, there¡¯s a suitcase in the trunk for you¡­ Ms. Meyer took the liberty of preparing some fresh clothes.¡± With that, he kept his eyes on the road. 212 Dorian nced at the trunk and noticed a small suitcase. He opened it and saw an array of neatly folded shirts and pants. ¡°Did she stop by?¡± he asked coldly. He couldn¡¯t shake off his perplexity at Gisele¡¯s attempts to please him, especially after he had explicitly requested that she apologize to Sierra. Jon shook his head. ¡°No. She had prepared it a long time ago.¡± The anger in Dorian¡¯s chest instantly dissipated. He changed out of the dirty clothes and into a clean, freshly ironed shirt. The shirt even had a faint medicinal scent, which was oddly pleasant. Feeling much better after changing, he asked casually, ¡°Did she call?¡± Last night, while Dorian had been at the hospital, he had received a text message from the bank about his card. He r realized that Gisele had pretended to return all the cards to Jessie before leaving home, but she had still been secretly using his card. So, he had frozen the card to teach her a lesson. He wondered what right Gisele, who depended on him, had to meddle in his life. ¡°Yeah, I told her exactly what you said,¡± Jon replied. Dorian frowned, displeased with her attitude. Had Jon¡¯s message not provoked any other reaction from Gisele? Or was she really that indifferent? As the car was about to turn into the basement parking entrance of Jefferson Group Tower, Jon suddenly stopped the car. He nced toward the window and said, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Meyer is here.¡± Dorian was still in thought. When he heard this, he chuckled. He figured that Gisele nned to meet him and use some trick to get him to unfreeze the card. He had overestimated her. When he looked over, he frowned again. He wondered what she was up to this time. Chapter 44 Chapter 44 As he nced through the car window, Don¡¯s expression turned grim. He looked at the sachet¨C like things hanging around Gisele¡¯s neck. A crowd had gathered around Gisele, consisting mostly of office workers from surrounding buildings, with the asional presence of elderly residents, who lived nearby. Gisele, who was standing in the crowd, appeared mostly unperturbed, except for her slightly bloodshot eyes. When she spoke, she always had a genteel smile on her face. Had she actually set up a stall on the main street next to Jefferson Group Tower? Although he couldn¡¯t hear her, Dorian could imagine her melodious voice vividly exining the things she was wearing around her neck to the crowd. When Jon noticed that Dorian hadn¡¯t given any orders, he drove the car into the basement parking lot. However, he suddenly heard Dorian¡¯s unfeeling voice. ¡°Go over and take a look.¡± ¡°Got it, Mr. Jefferson.¡± After saying that, Jon drove out of the basement parking lot and made a detour to get to the intersection on the main street. Further down the road was the renowned main street of Hearthfield, where no vehicles were allowed to enter. Therefore, Dorian simply rolled down the car window and watched Gisele through the crowd. With the window rolled down, the hubbub of voices immediately reached Dorian¡¯s ears. He couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brow. Yet, despite the noisy crowd, he could immediately discern Gisele¡¯s voice. She had a unique voice that was incredibly charming, but in a graceful way. When she spoke, it was like listening to a gentle melody. ¡°Everybody, take it easy! I¡¯ve still got several boxes left. In order to ensure everyone gets a chance to try these goodies, please don¡¯t hoard them!¡± Gisele¡¯s voice echoed as she held the jar of jam and exined, ¡°What I have here is a jam made with mangoes and strawberries. It¡¯s sugar¨Cfree, additive¨Cfree, and all¨Cnatural. ¡°It also contains a little bit of traditional herbs that can help treat coughs and other respiratory problems.¡± Dorian¡¯s brow furrowed when he heard that. After all, he had consumed a lot of that jam Chacter 42 273 before. ¡°Meanwhile, these tea bagse in two varieties. There¡¯s one forbating fatigue and another for calming nerves. I also have edema¨Creduction ointments, insect¨Crepellent ointments, and many more! T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Gisele enthusiastically introduced the benefits of the items she was selling to everyone. She even applied some anti¨Cinmmatory and itch¨Crelief ointment to a mosquito bite on a child¡¯s skin. The cool, soothing sensation and pleasant herbal scent immediately relieved the child¡¯s itching. The result was so impressive that it prompted everyone to mor for it. ¡°Hey! I want those anti¨Cfatigue sachets and tea bags! Give me a week¡¯s worth! Actually, make it a month¡¯s worth!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that e ointment! You¡¯re truly a lifesaver!! ¡°I¡¯ll take a set of jam. I¡¯m going to buy it as a gift.¡± Everyone in the crowd went on a shopping frenzy as if those products were free of charge. Gisele smiled as she packed everyone¡¯s orders. As she handed over the neatly wrapped tea bags and sachets, she exined, ¡°If you find them effective, you can purchase them on our online store at ¡®Sunshine Apothecary¡®! ¡°They work just as well as the ones you bought here, as they¡¯re all personally handcrafted by me!¡± As she said goodbye to the customers, Gisele was about to start packing for the next customer when she noticed Dorian in the crowd. After a quick nce, Gisele immediately went back to the task at hand. It was as if Dorian was just an insignificant person. Those who had purchased their desired items left happily, and the crowd around the stall gradually dwindled. As lunch break came to an end, there were fewer products at Gisele¡¯s stall. Dorian scrutinized Gisele with his profound gaze. She was truly a woman of insatiable greed. She was even selling a sachet for 95 dors. Wasn¡¯t that just daylight robbery? Jon waited until there was no one at Gisele¡¯s stall before he walked up and said in a businesslike manner, ¡°I¡¯ll buy this bag of tea bags.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry! Our humble store can¡¯t afford to do business with a giant like Jefferson Group. Please find another ce to shop,¡± Gisele sald curtly, not even bothering to spare A nce at Don. Dorian¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Was she deliberately ying hard to get? Chapter 45 Chapter 45 After all the customers had left, Gisele took out the cash from her fanny pack and counted it. Most people had paid electronically, and only a few had paid with cash. Despite that, there was still a thick stack of money that needed to be counted. Dorian nced at Gisele, who had acent smile stered all over her face. When he saw her smile, it truly grated on his nerves. ¡°Mr. Jefferson?¡± Jon looked at Dorian with a somewhat pleading expression. Dorian didn¡¯t even nce back as he walked toward Jefferson Group Tower. ¡°What¡¯s so amazing about a bunch of trash? As soon as he said that, Jon didn¡¯t press further and just followed him away. When they walked away, Gisele¡¯scent smile vanished, and a wry one crept across her face instead. While others had considered those items valuable, he merely saw them as nothing but a bunch of trash. What Dorian didn¡¯t know was that the ¡°trash¡± he was talking about was the result of her spending many sleepless nights painstakingly re¨Cformting traditional remedies to produce those ointments, jams, tea bags, and more. She had invested so much effort into it! Gisele sighed softly and rallied herself. ¡°Gisele, you¡¯re doing very well! You can do this! You¡¯ll get over him soon!¡± Meanwhile, Dorian took the private elevator to the top floor of Jefferson Group Tower. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he was greeted by the familiar aroma of medicinal herbs. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Immediately after, he saw that almost every one of his secretaries was carrying an anti- fatigue sachet. Even though they were in an enclosed space, the numerous sachets only produced a faint. fragrance. It wasn¡¯t overpowering. Instead, it made one feel rxed instead. Dorian¡¯s face turned grim, and he picked up his pace. Gisele had mentioned that she wouldn¡¯t do business with anyone from Jefferson Group, yet every secretary in thepany had one of the sachets. He was even more convinced now that Gisele was ying hard to get and trying to make him yield first. As soon as he stepped into the office and shut the door, Dorian heaved a sigh of relief as he completely isted himself from the invigorating scent of the anti¨Cfatigue sachets. After unbuttoning two buttons of his shirt, he sat down and took a sip of water. When he tasted the nd tap water, he immediately furrowed his brows. Dorian pressed the inte with a sullen expression, and Jon immediately walked in. ¡°Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Jefferson?¡± ¡°When did Jefferson Group be so poor that it can only afford to serve tap water?¡± Dorian asked as he mmed the insted mug on the table. Jon earnestly exined, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, this isn¡¯t tap water. It¡¯s a 16¨Counce imported cier mineral water that costs 140 dors.¡± If this was considered poor, then perhaps no one in the world could afford to drink tap water. Dorian was rendered speechless. Did he really care about whether it was expensive mineral water? What he really cared about was the tea he usually had! ¡°Are you perhaps asking about the tea you usually consume?¡± Jon suddenly grasped Dorian¡¯s unsightly expression and solemnly added, ¡°We¡¯re currently out of them since Ms. Meyer used to replenish them regrly.¡± Dorian immediately understood what Jon was trying to imply. Jon had probably wanted to buy some earlier because Gisele hadn¡¯t replenished them for quite some time. However, he hadn¡¯t managed to buy any, so Dorian couldn¡¯t drink any either. Dorian felt inexplicably agitated. Whenever he felt agitated, he couldn¡¯t help but cough incessantly. Jon tactfully turned on the air purifier and brought him a ss of warm water. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, please have a drink. It¡¯s Korra Aqualuxe, priced at 420 dors per bottle. It is said to contain anti¨Cinmmatory properties.¡± ¡°Are we out of those jams as well?¡± Dorian¡¯s expression immediately became gloomy. Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Jon silently handed over the ss of warm water, clearly conveying his message¨Cthey were indeed out of jams as well. Dorian coughed so violently that his chest started to hurt. In the end, he reluctantly epted the warm water Jon offered him. Aside from the slightly salty taste it hadpared to the water earlier, was this water really worth 420 dors? After taking a sip to soothe his throat, Dorian refused to drink anymore. He said irritably, ¡°Get out of here! And tell the senior executives that we¡¯ll be having the new quarterly nning meeting in ten minutes.¡± Jon replied monotonously, ¡°Noted, Mr. Jefferson.¡± Dorian sat in the spacious office, surrounded by everything familiar to him. His favorite woody pear blossom scent permeated the space. Yet, at that moment, he felt like he was suffocating. Everything around him was getting on his nerves. Meanwhile, Jon went to the senior executives¡® office on the lower floor and ryed Dorian¡¯s message to them. At that moment, the senior executives, who had been working on some documents, were dumbfounded. Someone hesitantly asked, ¡°Are you for real, Mr. Kiss? We just wrapped up the new quarterly n two days ago. Mr. Jefferson even approved of it during the meeting. Why are-¡± ¡°Please ask him about it in the meeting,¡± Jon said as he walked away. All of the senior executives were rendered speechless. Since Dorian had decided to hold another meeting, it meant that he was dissatisfied with the 20% profit margin in their n. But they had already exerted themselves and racked their brains toe up with it! Everyone was on the verge of tears. ¡°There are only five minutes left! We don¡¯t have time toe up with a new n.¡± After five minutes had passed, the meeting took ce in Conference Room 1 of Jefferson Group Tower. The spacious conference room, which could easily amodate 50 people, was only upied by 15 people. Nevertheless, when Dorian walked in with a scowl on his face, all the senior executives felt so suffocated that they felt like they couldn¡¯t catch their breath. ¡°What are you all staring at? Get on with this meeting,¡± Dorian snapped when he noticed that the meeting had been going on for three minutes, yet no one had said anything yet. His expression grew even more grim than before as he said that. The atmosphere in the conference room felt more stifling than it had been a moment ago, leaving the typically decisive senior executives on the verge of tears. Since they hadn¡¯t had time toe up with a new n, they naturally didn¡¯t have anything to say during the meeting. The project manager began to present, clutching the n that had been approved at the meeting two days prior. As he spoke, he trembled uncontrobly. They had anticipated Dorian reprimanding them. Yet, he remained silent throughout the meeting. As a result, it somewhat alleviated the tension in the conference room. Meanwhile, in Jefferson Vi, Den happily looked at the photos taken by the private investigator. In the photos, both Gisele and Dorian had their faces turned to the side, and even from that angle, their striking looks were apparent. They were truly a match made in heaven! Za, who had just woken up from her nap, came downstairs. She was about to go shopping. When she saw Den¡¯s beaming face, she suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. She walked over in her high heels and asked, ¡°Dad, what are you looking at?¡± When she saw the photo of Dorian and Gisele, she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She indifferently averted her gaze and said, ¡°Dad, what¡¯s so interesting about this? Gisele looks so shabby, and she¡¯s even peddling out there! She¡¯s aplete disgrace!¡± No one apart from Den attached any importance to Gisele. ¡°You obviously have no idea what¡¯s happening between them! ¡°When Don found out that Gisele¡¯s stall had been set up on the main street behind Jefferson Group Tower, he immediately went to check it out despite acting all hypocritical about it,¡± Den said as he contentedly put away the photos. After that, he took out his phone and called Gisele. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. On the other end of the phone, Gisele, who had skipped lunch to set up her stall, had taken advantage of the lull in customers to buy a takeout meal to eat. ¡°Hey, Grandpa Den.¡± Gisele¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she picked up Den¡¯s call. When she suddenly recalled how he had visited her the day before to cheer her on, her heart filled with pain again. Den smiled warmly and said, ¡°Gisele, you¡¯ve done a wonderful job! If you had done this earlier, I might have be a great¨Cgrandfather by now!¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 47 Chapter 47 ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gisele was genuinely confused. What had she done to receive such a response from Den? Den thought she was shy about it, so he merely advised her to take care of her health while she was busy. ¡°Alright, Grandpa Den. You should take care of yourself as well.¡± Gisele ended the call, still puzzled. As she continued to eat her takeout, she btedly realized that Den had actually called to praise her for doing a wonderful job. Did he actually think that she had set up a stall near Jefferson Group to attract Dorian¡¯s attention? Gisele was somewhat bemused by the whole situation. i her Jefferson Group Tower was located in the heart of Hearthfield¡¯s central business district; it was was the most crowded and essible ce for people to set up stalls in the entire city. Despite Den¡¯s misunderstanding, Gisele had no intention of exining herself. She was simply focused on making more money. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. She spent two days running her stall, selling all of her online store¡¯s inventory. Although she earned quite a lot of money, it paled inparison to the hundreds of thousands of dors Dorian had withheld from her. As she manned her stall, Gisele mulled over the idea of selling the highly sought¨Cafter form she had previously refined. In the past, somepanies had wanted to acquire her refined form for beauty supplements. Gisele had initiallye up with it to cater to wealthy women. Although it came with a hefty price tag, the results were undeniable. However, those wealthy women had thought that it was of low quality since it wasn¡¯t from a high¨C end brands. In the end, it hadn¡¯t sold well in the market. Furthermore, when she had been approached by the pharmaceuticalpanies, all they had wanted to do was mass¨Cproduce it at a lower cost to achieve the effects she had marketed. Gisele had immediately turned down their offer since she hadn¡¯t wanted topromise her. integrity. While she was feeling troubled, someone else was also going through a difficult time. In just two short days, Dorian started to look extremely haggard. He was so agitated that he didn¡¯t even bother to return to the manor, and he even ignored Sierra when she said she wanted to meet with him. Dorian hid himself in the walk¨Cin closet of his office lounge. The closet was filled with the faint scent of the herbal sachets that only Gisele could concoct. Although it was very faint, it was better than nothing! Jon suddenly reported from the entrance of the closet, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. McMin has arrived.¡± Dorian, who had finally managed to fall asleep, was roused from his slumber. He opened his bloodshot eyes and pushed open the closet door, his gaze flickering as he nced at Jon several times. However, Jon remained indifferent. Dorian had always appreciated Jon for being taciturn and straightforward. However, he couldn¡¯t help but feel that Jon had also be two¨Cfaced. First, he had used the expensive mineral water to take a dig at Dorian. After that, he had instructed all the employees who had bought sachets from Gisele to only use them in their own homes. In the end, he had even asked them to take a leave of absence. After Dorian tidied up his clothes, he walked out and nced wearily at Sierra. ¡°Don, are you alright?¡± Sierra took out an herbal ointment from her purse and pulled him toward the chair at his desk ¡°This is an herbal ointment I specifically concocted for you. It helps alleviate fatigue. Please take a seat and allow me to apply it to you.¡± Dorian remained calm and closed his eyes after taking a seat. Sierra¡¯s fair hand scooped up some ointment and gently massaged it near his temples. However, the strong herbal scent made Dorian frown Dorian stopped her and said, ¡°You can just leave the ointment here. If there are no other pressing matters, you can go back first. I have a meeting to attend shortly.¡± After saying that, he got up and walked away. Sierra was taken aback. It was the first time she had given him the ointment she had personally made, and yet he didn¡¯t seem to like it. As soon as she remembered seeing Gisele¡¯s stall while driving into the basement parking lot, Sierra¡¯s eyes shed with hatred. Was Gisele that desperate to get Dorian¡¯s attention? She would never let Gisele get what she wanted! Chapter 48 Chapter 48 When Stora stepped out of Jefferson Group Tower, Giselle¡¯s stall wasn¡¯t bustling with activity. There were only a couple of people standing in front of her stall, chatting and joking around. Sierra lept her head held high and walked over arrogantly in high heels. ¡°Excuse me, may know if you offer personalized prescriptions to sull specific needs?¡± Gisele, who had been about to call it a day, paused, looked up at Sierra, and gave a slight nod. ¡°Are there any remedies avable that can be used to Improve my rtionship with my boyfriend?¡± Sierra asked gently. Although it seemed like she was seeking advice, it sounded more like she was showing off her rtionship. Gisele was puzzled by Sierra¡¯s behavior. If she hade here to show off, then her actions were totally unnecessary. However, if Sierra¡¯s goal was to put her down, then she had aplished it. ¡°Oh, my goodness! Isn¡¯t that the top socialite in Hearthfield, Sierra McMin?¡± ¡°Oh, my gosh, I can¡¯t believe it! I¡¯m a huge fan! Can I get a selfie with you? I¡¯m a medical 1 student, and I aspire to be a doctor as outstanding as you.¡± ¡°Sierra McMin? Isn¡¯t she the one Hearthfield¡¯s richest man is after? She¡¯s even more stunning in person than in her photos!¡± At first, there were only a few people scattered around. However, as more people recognized Sierra, Gisele¡¯s stall was quickly surrounded by a crowd. Although the atmosphere in front of the stall was very lively, Sierra was the true center of This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. attention. Although she was smiling graciously at everyone, her attention was on Gisele. ¡°Do you really not have any herbal remedies here that can assist with fertility?¡± Those out of the loop thought Sierra and Dorian were about to tie the knot and were preparing to start a family. However, to Gisele, it was clearly a provocation. After all, she and Dorian had been married for three years, and they didn¡¯t even have a child together. ¡°Wow! Is the news from yesterday true then? Are Ms. McMin and Mr. Jefferson really trying to start a family? They¡¯re such a power couple, so their kid will definitely be just as remarkable!¡± ¡°Congrattions, Ms. McMin! We can¡¯t wait to hear the good news! ¡°Ms. Meyer, your products are absolutely the real deal! Please make sure toplete Ms. McMin¡¯s request as soon as possible! There¡¯ll definitely be plenty of customers lining up to buy your productster!¡± All eyes were on Gisele. After two days, they had developed a great deal of trust in Gisele¡¯s products. Quite a few online store customers had alsoe over in person after learning that she had set up a stall there. Most of the online store customers ordered personalized prescriptions, which were expensive but very effective. As Gisele gazed at Sierra¡¯s beaming smile, she was reminded of the baby she had lost. She had been incensed when she had learned that Sierra was the mastermind behind everything, from Michael and the others to the three thugs. However, given the circumstances, it wasn¡¯t the right moment to openly confront each other. Gisele smiled warmly at Sierra and said, ¡°It turns out you¡¯re looking for some libido remedy, huh? I¡¯ll prepare it for you right away.¡± Gisele had used the money she had earned from the previous days¡® sales to purchase arge quantity of herbs, which allowed her to customize remedies to each person¡¯s specific symptoms. ¡°Wait-¡± Sierra¡¯s face was a mask of conflicting emotions. She wanted to stop Gisele, but then she hesitated. However, Gisele had already grabbed herbs like deer antler glue, dodder seeds, and barrenwort, which were known for their kidney¨Cnourishing and aphrodisiac properties. When she saw Sierra hesitating, she stopped and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± All eyes were on Sierra, wondering what she had wanted to say earlier. Chapter 49 Chapter 49 One of the women in the crowd noticed Sierra¡¯s embarrassment and immediately teased, Ms. McMin, are you too embarrassed to say it?¡± Sierra hesitated, unsure of how to respond to the situation. She had never had that kind of rtionship with Dorian! How would she know if he was good in bed? Besides, Dorian would never allow her to say such things. It would be a blow to his pride. At that moment, Sierra felt like she was caught between a rock and a hard ce. Gisele, however, noticed Sierra¡¯s embarrassment and immediately eximed, ¡°I see!¡± Gisele¡¯s exmation was deliberately drawn out, and it immediately brought everyone¡¯s attention back to her again. She set aside the herbs she had picked up and chuckled with delight. ¡°Are you feeling embarrassed because you¡¯re longing for some intimacy but haven¡¯t quite achieved it yet? In that case, you¡¯ll need some aphrodisiac incense!¡± She picked up several sticks of incense in different colors and scents and said, ¡°Which color and scent do you prefer? I¡¯ve got a variety of aphrodisiac incense here that¡¯s guaranteed to do the trick!¡± ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean that!¡± Sierra felt the strange gazes of the people around her and anxiously exined, ¡°I¡¯m actually being reserved about it. I don¡¯t really-¡± Gisele quipped, ¡°How is wanting to have a child before getting married being reserved? 1 mean, getting pregnant out of wedlock isn¡¯t exactly reserved, right?¡± She set aside the incense and suddenly said, ¡°Ms. McMin, I have all the aphrodisiacs and fertility remedies you¡¯re looking for! However, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t sell them to you right now. ¡°You shoulde back to me after you¡¯ve tied the knot. Otherwise, it would greatly diminish your reputation and set a bad example for others. ¡°Imagine this¨Cthe top socialite of Hearthfield getting pregnant out of wedlock. Even the mere thought of such a headline has got me all worked up!¡± Gisele seemed to have Sierra¡¯s best interests at heart. She bent down to pick up the brush pen from the trolley. She immediately erased the words ¡°personalized prescription¡± from the small signage on the folding table, and rewrote the words. Sierra¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment when she heard what Gisele said, and her brimmed with tears, looking like she had been picked on. eyes The crowd that had been praising Sierra suddenly fell silent, unsure of what to say. They knew that Dorian truly doted on Sierra. It was rumored online that he had invested 50 million dors in ¡°The Ideal Nursing Home¡± just to let Sierra be a guest on the show. ¡°Alright, everyone! If you need anything, feel free toe and consult me! I guarantee that I¡¯ll be honest and upfront with everyone!¡± Gisele shouted out boldly and unabashedly. Everyone took a closer look at the small signage and saw that the previous wording had been changed to ¡°Sierra McMin, Hearthfield¡¯s top socialite, has visited here and spent a fortune to seek fertility treatment!!!! Those three exmation points on the signage truly emphasized the authenticity of this This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. matter. As someone read it aloud, passersby immediately gathered around when they heard it. Sierra, who was already standing at the center of the crowd, waspletely surrounded. In the sweltering heat, the smell of sweat permeated the air. Although herplexion was ghastly, she couldn¡¯t find a way out. She red resentfully at Gisele, yet thetter acted as if nothing was wrong, and even described the previous conversation in a vivid and detailed way, embellishing it. ¡°Even Dorian Jefferson, the wealthiest man and financial magnate in Hearthfield, can¡¯t perform in bed anymore! What does this mean, everyone? ¡°It shows that money isn¡¯t everything! Maintaining good health is of utmost importance. Our herbs are of the highest quality, and the prescription is my own unique form. It¡¯s 100 % satisfaction guaranteed! ¡°Even Hearthfield¡¯s top socialite, Sierra McMin, personally visited to seek fertility. treatment with a considerable sum of money. Those who are interested cane and have at look!¡± Gisele¡¯s voice repeatedly echoed through the crowd. Sierra¡¯s face flushed with fury and she eximed, ¡°Gisele, do you even have a license to be a herbal medicine practitioner? How could you recklessly prescribe herbal medicine here? ¡°Besides, the case involving your plot against one of the founding fathers of our country, Mr. Doug, hasn¡¯t even been resolved yet. Are you trying to harm more innocent people here? Everyone in the crowd suddenly fell silent. They had all been keeping up with the recent news, but they had never expected that the murder suspect would be the beautiful stall owner standing before them. Chapter 50 Chapter 50 ¡°No way! At that time, the news only mentioned a woman with the surname ¡®Meyer¡®! It turns out that the murder suspect is this beautiful youngdy before us!¡± ¡°I¡¯m truly at a loss for words. What¡¯s the use of someone like that having a license as a herbal medicine practitioner? Isn¡¯t she just gambling with other people¡¯s lives?¡± ¡°Well, this is awkward. Can I perhaps get a refund for these?¡± At first, the noisy crowd looked unsure. Although there was a tiny chance it was a mistake with the medicine, they didn¡¯t want to waste money and end up feeling worse. Gisele calmly surveyed the crowd and spoke with a clear, melodious voice. ¡°Regarding Ms. McMin¡¯s questions, I will answer them one at a time. ¡°However, after I¡¯m done, I also have questions for Ms. McMin. I wonder if Ms. McMin can answer them truthfully then?¡± All eyes turned to Sierra, a top socialite that many people could only look up to from afar. ¡°Of course.¡± Sierra crossed her arms and haughtily raised her chin. ¡°Alright, regarding the first question. I do have a license to practice herbal medicine. Here¡¯s a copy of it.¡± Gisele took out the copy of her license that she had prepared beforehand and showed it to them. She then continued, ¡°As for the murder case, the police haven¡¯t even closed the case yet. How come you¡¯re already so determined about the oue?¡± After answering Sierra¡¯s question, Gisele didn¡¯t forget to ask one herself. Sierra stared at Gisele, who was undaunted by the threat, and a peculiar glint passed through her eyes. ¡°Ms. McMin, it¡¯s widely known that you¡¯re a medical prodigy and studied clinical medicine at a top 50¨Cranked university abroad. May I ask why you¡¯re here at my stall today? ¡°Is it because you want to use herbal medicine to treat your boyfriend¡¯s condition to spare his pride?¡± Gisele asked earnestly. Everyone who had been previously looking at the copy of the license stared curiously at Sierra. It seemed surprising that someone as distinguished and capable as Sierra would face such an ordinary problem as well. Sierra¡¯splexion was so unsightly that it was difficult for her to maintain her usualposure. No matter how she answered, it would be detrimental to Dorian¡¯s reputation! Gisele took back the copy of her license, nced at the tall figure standing outside the crowd, and smiled sweetly. ¡°It seems that Ms. McMin¡¯s silence speaks volumes. ¡°However, traditional means of healing require practitioners to thoroughly observe and take note of the patients¡® needs in and out. If there is indeed an issue with the male party, he shoulde for a consultation himself. ¡°It turns out Mr. Jefferson is infertile!¡± The outspoken crowd immediately understood Gisele¡¯s implication. They immediately went wild. Such news was simply too shocking! Gisele beckoned to the crowd, saying, ¡°If you¡¯re looking for anything, feel free toe and see me!¡± After that, she turned toward Sierra and smiled sweetly as she said, ¡°Ms. McMin¡¯s charm is truly remarkable. She even managed to bring Mr. Jefferson here. They¡¯re truly perfect for each other!¡± The crowd hurriedly turned around, and when they saw Dorian, they were all taken aback. It turned out that Dorian was infertile and that even the best hospitals couldn¡¯t help him, so he had to resort to a small herbal medicine street stall instead! ¡°Don.¡± Sierra turned around with her bloodshot eyes, looking helpless. Dorian¡¯s face was devoid of emotion, and the chill emanating from him prompted the crowd within three feet to instinctively step back. Most of them had only seen Dorian on the TV screen before. Now that they had seen him in person, they were all overwhelmed by the chill he emanated and couldn¡¯t bring themselves to approach him. ¡°Come here,¡± Dorian said, his gaze fixed on Sierra. His gaze suddenlynded on Gisele, who was standing behind Sierra. At that moment, she had a very content expression on her face. Her unbothered gaze made people feel very derisive. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Sierra stood still, her face flushed and her voice trembling as she said, ¡°Don, Gisele humiliated me.¡± She hade to pick a fight with Gisele, not to be humiliated by her! She would never allow Gisele to walk away unscathed! Why should she be the one to suffer humiliation? Someone as repulsive and lowly as Gisele was the one who should have been humiliated! Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Dorian¡¯s face was even more grim than before, and he was momentarily vexed. He stood in ce with his l*ps tightly pursed, showing no intention of stepping forward. ¡°It seems Mr. Jefferson is feeling a bit shy. No worries, I¡¯ll be packing up soon. We can find a ce to check on your condition!¡± As Gisele said that, she chuckled to diffuse the awkward atmosphere. After that, she announced, ¡°Everyone saw that, right? Even Dorian Jefferson, the financial magnate of Hearthfield, has visited my stall. What are you still hesitating about? ¡°Come right up! As a thank¨Cyou to our customers, anydies who purchase fertility herbal medicine within the next hour will receive exclusive goodies from Mr. Jefferson!¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. After saying that, Gisele promptly took out some printed photos from the trolley. They were Dorian¨C themed merchandise she sold as an add¨Con item when business was slow. Besides those photos, Gisele had also brought along some of Dorian¡¯s personal belongings, such as belts, socks, cups, and so on. Gisele had also considered sellingrger items like shirts, coats, and pants. However, Dorian¡¯s clothes were too costly, and no one could possibly afford them. Most importantly, all of the clothes were haute couture and made¨Cto¨Corder. All of the codes on the clothes could be used to verify their authenticity. As a result, wealthy individuals weren¡¯t interested in buying secondhand items, while ordinary folks couldn¡¯t afford them. She had even considered selling those clothes to women who admired Dorian. However, was too risky. If Dorian found out, she wouldn¡¯t gain anything from it, and she would feel upset about it as well. Gisele was already powerless against Sierra, and she didn¡¯t want to add another person to the equation. Although it was quite selfish of her to think that way, she still did it. ¡°Oh, my goodness, it¡¯s Dorian Jefferson!¡± ¡°I want it! Give it to me!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take three! Can you also throw in an extra one as a gift?¡± Those who had initially been reluctant to get san GTE A own a photo of Dorian¡¯s abs. They were almost willing to buy out Glentado andiya s**ti Compared to Gilsole, who was practically grimming from ear to ear, Serra¡¯splexion was extremely unpleasant. She looked over the crowd at Dorian, who was close by. She couldn¡¯t help but seethe with anger. Why had he betrayed her in the first cer Hadn¡¯t he promised that he wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with Glera Sierra didn¡¯t even have the time to be sad about it. Since there were too marry people and she was standing next to Gisele¡¯s stall, she was suddenly pushed by someone, She tumbled forward and fell straight to the ground. Her fair face, hands, and knees were all scraped and bloody, looking extremely terrifying ¡°Please take your time. There¡¯s enough for everyone.¡± Gisele pacified the crowd as she bent down to help Sierra, Despite her dislike for Sierra, she couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch thetter be trampled on. When Sierra saw Gisele, her expression twisted into a grimace as she sneered. ¡°Gisele, do you really think you can outmatch me? When you were burgled, Don and I were having a cozy, intimate time together. ¡°When you lost your baby, we were indulging in each other. Tell me. How did it feel to be harassed by those thugs? ¡°What was it like to be k*ssed by that disgusting m*uth? You¡¯re se delicate and lovely, yet you¡¯ll soon be spending the rest of your life rotting in prison!¡± Gisele was provoked by Sierra¡¯s words, and her eyes immediately turned bloodshot. She was filled with rage as she watched Sierra¡¯s smug, condescending expression. She instinctively raised her hand and pped thetter. The resounding p shocked the frenzied crowd into silence. Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Cole¡¯s hands shook as her l*ps paled. What kind of vile person could be so brazen and self- righteous in front of the victim of their own atrocities? ¡°Don¡­¡± Sierra covered her face, turned around, and pressed herself against Dorian¡¯s shoulder. She sobbed softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Don. I saw Gisele having a hard time and thought I¡¯d help her out, but I didn¡¯t expect her to¡­¡± Dorian Indifferently put one hand in his pocket, his fathomless eyes devoid of any emotion. Suddenly, he raised his hand, as if he were about to p Gisele across the face. It seemed like he had been too lenient with her recently! Otherwise, how could she have repeatedly tested his limits recently? Gisele was still trembling with rage as she raised her head to meet his gaze. Her exquisite and lovely face disyed resolve, and her eyes, which were always radiant, glistened with grief. At that moment, Dorian¡¯s hand suddenly froze. Why did Gisele appear to be even more sorrowful and devastated than he had imagined? Was it because there was no one to stand by her anymore? All of a sudden, Dorian felt so irritated. Yet, he still couldn¡¯t bring himself to p her. At that moment, the crowd had already been driven away by Jon, leaving only the four of them on the street. All of a sudden, Gisele smiled wryly. That man who defended Sierra¡¯s dignity was also the man who had harmed her and her unborn baby. What had made her think that she could protect their unborn baby? Was it because of Den¡¯s care and protection? As she thought about it, Gisele felt her blood run cold as she stood there, paralyzed with fear. ¡°You¡¯re too presumptuous, Gisele!¡± Dorian scowled at her as he looked at her fake smile. Sierra leaned against Dorian¡¯s shoulder and shot Gisele a provocative look, as if to convey that what she could acquire with a beckon, Gisele could never get, no matter how hard she tried. ¡°Jon, get this utter disgrace out of here!¡± Dorian¡¯s fury intensified when he saw her tant disregard for him. After he gave out the order, he immediately stormed off. When he walked away, Sierra nearly stumbled to the ground. Thankfully, she regained her footing and hurriedly caught up with him. As soon as they left, Jon¡¯s towering and imposing figure strode over to Gisele. He effortlessly lifted the entire trolley and strode directly toward the dumpster nearby. When she saw this, Gisele quickly regained her senses and chased after him. ¡°Mr. Kiss! Please don¡¯t throw it away! I swear I¡¯ll never set up my stall here again, alright? ¡°I promise I¡¯ll nevere here again, and I¡¯ll never cause trouble for Dorian. Please don¡¯t throw away my herbs!¡± Gisele hurriedly blocked Jon¡¯s way, but he calmly sidestepped her each time until he tossed the trolley into the dumpster. All of her expensive herbs and incense were lumped together with the dirty and foul- smelling garbage pile. Gisele suddenly fell silent, staring at the pile of garbage in a daze. Jon said indifferently, ¡°Ms. Meyer, after you.¡± Gisele, who had been bracing herself to pick up her stuff from the garbage pile, was taken aback Jon¡¯s emotionless words were warning her that if she didn¡¯tply, she would be subjected to more humiliation. It seemed like if she were to defy him, the Meyer family would suffer as well. Gisele raised her head and tightly clenched her fists. She walked toward the car, one step at a time. As soon as the car door was closed, her previously upright posture immediately copsed. At that point, Gisele¡¯s thoughts werepletely muddled. While she was in a daze, she was taken back to Jefferson Manor. As soon as Gisele stepped into the empty living room, Jon locked the door and ordered the people nearby, ¡°Keep an eye on this ce. No one is allowed in.¡± ¡°Got it, Mr. Kiss!¡± Based on the uniform sound of their voices, it was clear that there were nearly dozens of N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. people present. Gisele shuffled forward, her gaze drawn to the ce where she had fallen the day of the burry. She didn¡¯t stop until she was standing in the very spot where it had happened. Then, she crouched down and sat on the floor. After that, she gently caressed the floor with her pale fingers. How could she have been so foolish? Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 53 Chapter 53 It was all foreshadowed, wasn¡¯t it? Ever since Sierra¡¯s return, it was already evident that all of this would end in disaster before Gisele even divorced Dorian. She had mistakenly believed that she could give the baby enough love to let them gro happily, despite Dorian¡¯s absence as their father figure. grow up Meanwhile, Dorian was tending to Sierra at St. Anne Hospital. As he gently applied an ice pack to Sierra¡¯s injuries, his entire being radiated an air of aloofness. On the way to the hospital, Sierra had tried to talk to Dorian several times. However, he had consistently avoided her gaze, as if he hadn¡¯t wanted to talk to her. Suddenly, a phone rang out in the room. Dorian took out his phone and nced at it. After that, he handed the ice pack to Sierra and said, ¡°I¡¯m going to answer the call. Wait here for me.¡± ¡°Don, I-¡°Sierra¡¯s beautiful eyes flickered as she looked at Dorian. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Before she could finish speaking, he had already walked away. Sierra gently bit her l*p. She knew she had acted out of line earlier. However, it was all because she felt insecure about their rtionship, and Dorian wasn¡¯t doing anything about 1. it. Despite that, she dared not express those thoughts to him openly. Dorian walked away and answered the phone. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Hey, Doge! You can¡¯t care less about your wife¡¯s life, huh?¡± Bernardined over the phone, ¡°You¡¯re so heartless! You don¡¯t care about Gigi at all, and you don¡¯t even care about the Jefferson family¡¯s reputation. She¡¯s really unlucky to have a husband like you!¡± Dorian retorted with a scowl, ¡°Do you think she would be happy if she had a husband who is as shy as you are?¡± Dorian and Bernard were childhood friends. They were also close friends who could trust each other with their secrets. The only thing he had never told Bernard was that he was married to Gisele. There wasn¡¯t much to say about it anyway, given that his wife was destined to be Sierra. ¡°Of course! Just look at my ex¨Cgirlfriends¨Cwait a minute. What was I going to say again?¡± Bernard almost got sidetracked, then hurriedly said, ¡°The person who orchestrated Mr. Doug¡¯s murder has been found. Come over here.¡¯ ¡°Can¡¯t you handle this yourself?¡± Dorian asked with displeasure. He wanted nothing to do with Gisele. Bernard furrowed his brow and said gravely, ¡°Don, this matter is rted to your sweetheart. ¦§ ¡°Send me your location. I¡¯lle over now. After saying that, Dorian immediately hung up the phone. Was H case rted to Sierra? A wave of inexplicable irritability washed over him. Dorian felt even worse as he recalled Sierra behaving in a way unbing of ady as she had pestered Gisele at the stall. Even when Sierra had used up all the ice packs in the ward, Dorian still hadn¡¯te back. Hadn¡¯t he just stepped out to answer the phone? A surge of anxiety swept over Sierra, so she put down the ice pack and walked out. As soon as she reached the entrance, she saw Jon stationed by the door like a guard. She peered outside and asked, ¡°Mr. Kiss, where¡¯s Don?¡± What kind of phone call could have gone on for nearly an hour? Could it have been a call from someone at Jefferson Vi? ¡°Mr. Jefferson has gone to the police station, and he instructed me to keep youpany before he left,¡± Jon said solemnly. Why had Dorian gone to the police station? A surge of fear gripped. Sierra, but sheposed herself and said, ¡°Are there any updates from the police? Has Gisele finally been proven innocent?¡± Jon nced strangely at Sierra, his gaze seemingly asking, ¡°Do you really think Mr. Jefferson would head over to the police station if it wasn¡¯t rted to you?¡± Sierra¡¯s bath hitched as she deciphered Jon¡¯s gaze, and her legs felt weak as she stood there. Had Dorian left without telling her because the police had discovered something that linked her to the case? Impossible! A middle¨Caged woman¡¯s voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. ¡°Sierra stays here, right?¡± Sierra steadied herself and peered out with a pale face. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes she saw who it was. Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Jon solemnly greeted Celeste. ¡°Mrs. Jefferson.¡± Sierra hesitated, subconsciously covering her partially swollen ch*ek, and took a few steps. back. After that, she said in a gentle, feeble voice, ¡°A¨CAunt Celeste, what brings you here?¡± Celeste was dressed in a light blue designer skirt suit and had her hair pulled back, presenting an impably polished appearance. She sported a new mini handbag and carried several shopping bags from luxury brands such as Louis Vitton and Chanel. ¡°Sierra?¡± Celeste removed her sunsses and saw her slightly bruised ch*ek. She immediately walked over in concern and said, ¡°My goodness! Who would dare to do this to your face? Tell me. I¡¯ll make them pay for it!¡± Sierra gracefully swayed her body, leaned against Celeste¡¯s shoulder, and then murmured, It¡¯s not a big deal. Gisele didn¡¯t mean to hurt me. It¡¯s because I didn¡¯t-¡± ¡°So, that b*tch did this to you? Does she really think that we would ept her into our family after she married Don?¡± Celeste glowered angrily as she soothingly patted Sierra¡¯s hands. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about anything, Sierra. As long as you have Don and I by your side, that woman won¡¯t be able to cause you any trouble.¡± As she said that, she handed the shopping bags to Sierra. ¡°This is a little gift for you. You¡¯ve only just returned from abroad, and you¡¯re already hospitalized.¡± Sierra was touched by Celeste¡¯s concern. She bashfully responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have worried you, but I¡¯m really fine. ¡°Don was just being cautious and wanted me to stay at the hospital for a few days to be on the safe side.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to be safe than sorry.¡± Celeste smiled and added, ¡°Sierra, I actually have something else I wanted to discuss with you on this visit.¡± Sierra, who had just rxed, felt her heart skip a beat. Although her smile faltered slightly, she remained calm. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Aunt Celeste, please don¡¯t hold back. If there¡¯s anything I can do to help, I¡¯ll dly do it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that. It¡¯s nothing major. Do you recall the dark spot¨Cremoval remedy you gave me three years ago?¡± Celente asked with a smile. Sierra was confused. What did Celeste mean by the remedy she gave her three years ago? ¡°That remedy you gave me before you went abroad worked wonders! All the other wealthy women in our circle are also using your remedy now!¡± Celeste eximed with pride. Sierra smiled demurely, yet a wave of jealousy washed over her. It turned out that all it took was a simple dark spot¨Cremoval remedy to win over those wealthy women. After a gentle cough, Celeste continued, ¡°I¡¯m here today because of Deborah Gupta of the Witham family. ¡°I know you¡¯re highly skilled in medicine, Sierra. If you can cure Deborah¡¯s illness, Dad definitely won¡¯t be able to overlook your ability to help Jefferson Group.¡± The Witham, Jefferson, and Murray families were the three aristocratic families of Hearthfield. Their three¨Cway rivalry was well¨Cknown in the city. However, the Murray family had suddenly decided to venture into the entertainment industry, going as far as taking the helm of the industry in the country. Besides that, they had even gained international recognition for it. Meanwhile, the Jefferson family had undergone a significant overhaul under Dorian¡¯s leadership, ultimately reshaping the entire Jefferson Group. As a result, Jefferson Group had emerged as the leadingpany in Hearthfield. As for the Witham family, they primarily worked with overseas markets, and their headquarters in Hearthfield had be a branch office instead. As a result of their sudden move, they had ended up bringing in numerous overseas orders for Jefferson Group. Furthermore, Den and Deborah were former ssmates, so if Sierra could cure Deborah, it would make it much easier for her to marry Dorian! ¡°Sierra, what are your thoughts on this?¡± Celeste asked again, seeing that Sierra hadn¡¯t responded. She had onlye over because she had boasted to Deborah that her future daughter¨Cin-w¡¯s medical skills were remarkable. Deborah and the other socialites were skeptical, so they had made a bet. If Sierra could cure Deborah, then Witham Group would provide Jefferson Group¡¯s hospitals with thetest medical equipment imported from overseas at a discounted price. On the other hand, if Celeste were to lose the bet, the new medical equipment imported by the Witham Group wouldn¡¯t be provided to Jefferson Group at the price agreed upon three years ago. Instead, Jefferson Group would have to repurchase the medical equipment at the current market price. It was worth noting that the price three years ago was only half of the current market price! Celeste didn¡¯t dare tell anyone about such an important matter, so she could only turn to Sierra for help. Sierra gently bit her l*p and covered her forehead with her delicate hands. She said weakly, ¡°Of course I would help you out, Aunt Celeste. However, I¡¯m still worried that there might be unexpectedplications, so-¡± She was just about to refuse, but Celeste suddenly grabbed her hand and said, ¡°I knew I was right about you! After you¡¯re discharged in a couple of days, I¡¯ll invite Deborah¡¯s family to Jefferson Vi. ¡°You and Don cane along then. What do you say?¡± Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Sierra suddenly fell silent at the thought of going to Jefferson Vi. She had always yearned for the opportunity to go there. It was also the main reason she was jealous of Gisele. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll leave all the arrangements to you, then. Don and I will definitely be there on time,¡± Sierra said as she nodded and smiled. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Celeste beamed with joy as she grabbed Sierra¡¯s hand. ¡°Alright. For the next couple of days, make sure to take care of yourself. You don¡¯t need to worry about that woman. Za and I will deal with her!¡± ¡°Thank you, Aunt Celeste.¡± Sierra was aware that Za and Celeste disliked Gisele. Apart from Den, who was a difficult person to deal with, she had practically won over the entire Jefferson family. Meanwhile, in Jefferson Manor, Gisele drifted in and out of sleep. She woke up and fell asleep intermittently until she finally woke up at 8:00 pm. Gisele¡¯s heart sank as her eyes swept over the pitch¨Cck room. Suddenly, her phone rang. When she looked at her phone and saw Angie¡¯s call, she immediately answered it. ¡°Angie¡­¡± ¡°Gigi, we¡¯re in trouble! A bunch ofpetitors have flooded our online store and bought our products at the lowest possible price. I can¡¯t even get theptop to work from my side right now!¡± Angie¡¯s voice was filled with despair. Gisele¡¯s mind instantly snapped to attention. She gently reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it yet. If you can¡¯t get theptop to work, just leave it. I¡¯lle to you right away!¡± ¡°Okay. I¨CI¡¯m currently at the apartment.¡± In just half an hour since the incident, more than ten thousand orders had been ced. If it were a normal transaction, Angie wouldn¡¯t have had to worry about it. However, no ordinary transaction. it was Each herbal sachet would usually cost hundreds of dors, yet the price online had been deliberately set to 9.9 dors! 212 Gisele quickly changed her clothes and rushed to the door. She was just about to open the door when it suddenly hit her. She had been locked up by Dorian. Still, she had to rush to Angie¡¯s side! Gisele turned around and made her way to the backyard. Since she couldn¡¯t go out through the front door, she decided to take an unconventional route. The bodyguards were only guarding the front door, and the backyard had been left unguarded. Gisele scaled over the wall in the backyard and crept away from Jefferson Manor. It was only when she was far away from Jefferson Manor that she broke into a run. asionally, a car would drive by on the deserted road. As Gisele waved to hitch a ride, she suddenly spotted a familiar Maybach. As the car stopped, her expression instantly changed. Without looking back, she hurriedly tried to hide away! She had just managed to escape. She couldn¡¯t possibly be caught and taken back again, right? Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 56 Chapter 56 All of a sudden, someone with a long, slender leg stepped out of the car. Gisele merely nced at the scene, then quickly turned around and tried to dive into the bushes. A man¡¯s voice suddenly called out, ¡°Gigi!¡± Gisele stiffly turned around and let out a sigh of relief when she realized that it wasn¡¯t Dorian. She forced a smile on her pale face as she looked at Bernard¡¯s towering physique. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Mr. Murray.¡± Bernard nodded in assent as he smiled gently and said, ¡°We just left the police station. My car conked out, so I took Dorian¡¯s car instead.¡± Gisele¡¯s nervousness red up again. Did that mean Dorian was also in the car? When he noticed Gisele¡¯s expression, Bernard calmly exined, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so nervous. Doge went to apany his sweetheart. Where are you going? Do you need a lift?¡± Gisele broke out in a cold sweat. She was unsure whether she should reject the offer. However, there wasn¡¯t a single cab nearby, and the situation on Angie¡¯s end was very pressing. Bernard chuckled softly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell Doge about it. You¡¯re someone I look up to, so I¡¯m really happy to be able to help you.¡± Gisele thought about it for a moment and then said firmly. ¡°Thank you for your help then!¡± Once they were in the car, Gisele gave Bernard the address, and they immediately drove to Angie¡¯s apartment. Besides that, Bernard also filled her in on the police¡¯s findings. ¡°It was determined that Mr. Doug¡¯s death has nothing to do with you. It was done by a caretaker who was caring for him. She wanted to be his significant other, so she took this drastic measure.¡± Gisele fell silent when she heard that. Did that excuse even make any sense? When he noticed herck of response, Bernard continued, ¡°Michael identally found out about the caretaker¡¯s n and took a liking to you, which eventually led to that incident. ¡°Both he and the caretaker were turned down by their respective love interests after all. Oh, that reminds T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. 1. me. This matter is connected to Sierra as well,¡± Gisele, who had been silent all that time, turned to look at Bernard¡¯s dimly lit side profile and tentatively asked, ¡°You mean, she has something to do with this incident?¡± ¡°The caretaker bought that medicine from Sierra. McMin Group owns a pharmaceuticalpany, and Sierra asionally goes there to perform free consultations.¡± Bernard frowned as he said that, finding it quite incredulous. ¡°She¡¯s such a pampered youngdy. It¡¯s hard to believe that she would provide free consultations for people in need.¡± Gisele nced at the pitch¨Cck night outside and chuckled softly. It was truly incredulous. After all, as long as Sierra asked him, Dorian would have everything sorted out for her. Therefore, even if she didn¡¯t do anything, she could still have a good reputation. Gisele was used to such things by now. Bernard saw that she was still silent, so he changed the topic. ¡°Filming for the show may be postponed due to Mr. Doug¡¯s incident. I will notify you once we¡¯re back on track. Okay?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Gisele readily agreed. After all, she had already epted the payment. Although the money was in the frozen back ount, she still had to uphold her end of the bargain. Meanwhile, Angle was anxiously pacing back and forth at the apartment¡¯s entrance. When she noticed Gisele getting out of the Maybach, she approached her with a look of astonishment. Gisele, did that bastard- ¡°Why is it you? What are you doing here?¡± Angle¡¯s eyes widened in surprise when she saw Bernard, and she instinctively took a few steps back. Although there was a certain distance between them, Angle felt a sense of difort enveloping her. Every inch of her was covered in goosebumps! When Bernard caught sight of Angie, his previously handsome face turned fierce. ¡°I haven¡¯t even asked you what you¡¯re doing here yet! Do you think you own this whole ce? Why can¡¯t Ie here?¡± ¡°Why, you!¡± Angie was so agitated that she could barely speak Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading¡ª Chapter 57 Chapter 57 Gisele hurriedly supported Angle and said, ¡°Thank you for driving me here, Mr. Murray. Since Angle isn¡¯t feeling well, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t invite you in for some tea. I¡¯ll make it up to you another time. See youter!¡± ¡°Sounds good, I¡¯ll be in touch then!¡± Bernard said as he bid farewell to her. Gisele anxiously brought Angle back to the apartment. As she was about to perform acupuncture on her, Angie, whose body had been stiff with tension, suddenly rxed. Besides that, her goosebumps also subsided. N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°You¡­ Gisele was so taken aback that she couldn¡¯t utter another word. Angie would break out in goosebumps whenever she thought of Bernard. She shook her head and told Gisele, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s just check out our online store first!¡± As soon as she mentioned the store, both of them hurriedly walked toward theptop. ¡°Sunshine Apothecary¡± was co¨Cfounded by Gisele and Angie before Gisele got married. Angie handled most of the day¨Cto¨Cday operations, while Gisele primarily supplied pre¨Cmade herbal sachets, incense, herbal tea, and other finished products as needed. They would also asionally ept custom orders as well. They would offer personalized prescriptions for customers who required specialized treatment. For instance, if a customer couldn¡¯t handle the bitterness of herbal medicine, Gisele would refine the herbal tablets into sugar¨Ccoated ones. These tablets, which retained their effectiveness, were well- received by many customers. At that moment, the screen showed the store¡¯s backend which was hacked. The products were deliberately set at a ridiculously low price range by the hacker. Gisele sat before theptop and tried to undo the hack. However, she realized that her efforts were futile. With no other options, Gisele took out anotherptop. After that, she quickly typed away on the keyboard. In a short while, the screen went dark and disyed a string of codes. Gisele scowled and fixed her gaze on the screen. She was only a novice inputer coding and didn¡¯t have a particrly deep understanding of it. As line after line of codes continued to pour in, Gisele kept a close eye on theptop screen beside her. She knew that the other party was manipting their system remotely. She knew that as long as she could disable the remote ess and reset the store¡¯s password, it would not be so easy for the other party to control it again. After half an hour, Gisele finished typing thest line of code and took back control of the store from the other party. She was just about to file aint when the page suddenly refreshed and disyed the message, ¡°This store has been closed.¡± ¡°What the hell?¡± Gisele said in a panic as she quickly logged into the store¡¯s backend. Chapte 57 It turned out they had been banned by the online shopping tform they¡¯re on. They imed that Gisele and Angie were engaged in fraudulent activities. Moreover, they had also frozen tens of thousands of dors in their online store¡¯s ount. Angle¡¯s eyes immediately welled up with tears. She bent down and carefully examined the content on the screen. ¡°They actually forcefully closed our store? What exactly are those people aiming for?¡± They had been diligently running this store, and every month they would donate a third of their profits to nursing homes, orphanages, and other charitable organizations. The remaining two¨Cthirds would be split evenly between the two of them. Gisele, who was sitting tiredly on the chair, suddenly recalled what she had said in front of the stall in the afternoon. Had Dorian overheard her and deliberately shut down her store? However, if that was indeed the case, then why did he not simply arrange for someone to shut it down. directly? Why did he allow her to believe that she still had a chance to fight back against the other party? Gisele soon realized what was going on. Dorian was telling her that no matter how hard she tried, it would all be for naught if he so desired. Gisele turned to Angle and said, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, Angie. Our store was forcefully closed down because of me.¡± Angle was just about to console Gisele when her phone started to ring. ¡°I¡¯ll answer the call first.¡± Angie walked to the balcony to take the call. ¡°Hey, Dad?¡± Gisele¡¯s face turned grim as she considered how to go about negotiating with Dorian. Since her online. store didn¡¯t affect Sierra¡¯s business in any way, why couldn¡¯t she continue operating it? While Gisele was lost in thought, Angie suddenly cried out, ¡°Why should I? I¡¯m not going! You can go by yourself!¡± After saying that, she angrily hurled her phone to the ground. Hearing the loud thud of Angie¡¯s phone hitting the floor, Gisele immediately came to her senses, stood up, and walked over. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Angie?¡± Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Angle buried herself into Gisele¡¯s arma and walled. ¡°H¨Che¡¯s sending me abroad to keep Abbott Corporation afloat!¡± she said In between sobs. Gisele stood there and let Angle cry in her arms. She felt her blood run cold, so much so that she felt her breath being stifled, Was this Dorian¡¯s way of teaching them a lesson? ¡°Don¡¯t cry¡­¡± Giseleforted in a low whisper, finally finding her voice after quite some time. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. But Angle, who was usually headstrong and resilient, cried like a helpless child. ¡°What should I do? Would things have turned out differently had I not said what I did, GI?¡± Even if she were a fool, she knew that this was Dorian¡¯s warning to her. ¡°This has nothing to do with you. It¡¯s my fault, this is all because of me,¡± Gisele said before managing a weak smile and taking Angie¡¯s hand tightly in hers. Angie shook her head and said, ¡°This is all because I was ignorant. I was so ignorant that I fell in love with him, married him, and took the ce of the woman he loves. That¡¯s why things turned out this way.¡± But just t as she was about to exin further, there was a knock on the door. Gisele patted her on the shoulder and handed her a piece of tissue to wipe her face with. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, don¡¯t worry about me. It¡¯s you I¡¯m worried about. You must take good care of yourself there, you hear me?¡± ¡°Gi¡­¡± Angie had barely managed to control her tears, but when she heard Gisele¡¯s words, tears fell once again. When Gisele opened the door, she found four bodyguards at their door. They had stern looks on their faces, and theypletely ignored Gisele. They had their eyes on Angie. The leader of the bodyguards called out to her, ¡°Ms. Abbott, pleasee along with us.¡± ¡°Are we in such a rush? I¨CI haven¡¯t packed yet. Can¡¯t we wait till tomorrow?¡± har A look of panic took over Angie. She knew that she had no other way out, but she never expected them to Gisele frowned and blocked the bodyguards outside the door. ¡°It¡¯s past 9 pm now. Are there any more international flights out? Can¡¯t we wait for a flight that leaves tomorrow morning?¡± ¡°The flight¡¯s in two hours,¡± one of the bodyguards answered. Gisele intended to say something, but with a wave of his hand, a bodyguard pushed her away. He marched straight up to Angie and forcibly dragged her out. Their actions were rough, and the more she struggled, the tighter their grip on her arms became. It was only a matter of seconds before red marks started appearing on her arms. When Angle saw that her struggles were in vain, the only thing she could do was turn around and remind Gisele, ¡°Gi, you must get a divorce with that vile man! Live your life well!¡± The only one Angie was worried about was Gisele. Though Gisele was no longer as timid as she used to be, what were her chances of getting anything out of going against the richest man in Heathfield? Tears streamed down Gisele¡¯s face. She bit her l*p as she nodded forvently. ¡°I will. I¡¯ll take good care of myself, and you must do the same too! Don¡¯t worry about me¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t until Angle was dragged into the elevator that Gisele slumped to the ground. She felt that she was truly wretched. Everyone around her was always implicated because of her. But she¡¯d never thought of taking anyone or anything away from Sierra¡­ All of a sudden, a cold, dominating voice boomed from above her. ¡°Must I break your legs to stop you! from running away?¡± Gisele froze for a split second before looking up at Dorian in surprise. Why was he here? Her mind was nk as she quickly scrambled to get up on her feet. Her face was as pale as a sheet and her eyes had the most miserable look in them. Dorian¡¯s expression was dark as he fixed his sinister gaze on her. Why was she putting on such a pitiful act? Was she trying to get him to take pity on her? He grabbed her hand in frustration and was about to yank her over to the elevator. But the moment his hand came in contact with hers, she acted like his touch scalded her. She immediately pulled her hand back, raising her defenses. ¡°What? Will you keep your virginity for that boyfriend of yours?¡± Dorian shot her a sharp look and taunted, ¡°Say, if he knew how you¡¯d panted and begged for mercy beneath me, would he still want a promiscuous gold digger like you¡­¡± Chapter 59 Chapter 59 Smack! Gisele gave Dorian such a hard p that her palm went numb from the contact. Dorian¡¯s l*p cracked from the impact, and as he ran the tip of his tongue over the inside of his m*uth, he tasted the metallic tang of blood. The vein on his forehead pulsed, and the emotions in his eyes were soplex that no one could tell what exactly he was feeling. Gisele was stunned by her own actions. Had she just pped Dorian? It wasn¡¯t until Dorian wrapped his fingers around her neck that she snapped back to reality. Then, she shed him the most beautiful smile. ¡°Have you ever thought what Sierra would think of you when you say something like that?¡± ¡°Are you nning to tell on me?¡± Dorian asked as he tightened his grip around her neck. Gisele grabbed his hand, trying to pry it off her. But he was too strong for her, and she was no match for him. She only managed to force out several words in a strained voice. ¡°I¡­ What rights have I got to do that? I was under the influence of drugs that day. Can you¨Ccan you say the same for yourself?¡± An image of what happened that day suddenly popped up in Dorian¡¯s mind. He loosened his grip on and an awkward expression crossed his face. Gisele. She fell to the ground and began coughing violently. She looked like she was about to hack her lungs out. Nothing but the sound of her coughs were heard in the silent hallway. After the bout of coughing finally passed, Gisele raised her head and smiled. ¡°Dorian, I won¡¯t hold you ountable for what happened that night. But please do not go overboard, or I really wouldn¡¯t mind letting her know just how filthy you are!¡± Dorian fixed a piercing gaze on Gisele. ¡°She really articted herself well, didn¡¯t she?¡± he thought. An inexplicable sense of fury rose within him. This was the first time he was experiencing both anger and embarrassment at the same time. He felt even more disgruntled by how Gisele was looking into his eyes without any intention of averting. her gaze. ¡°Grandfather asked for you to go home at noon tomorrow,¡± Dorian said as he looked away. Then, without even so much as a backward nce, he turned and left. Gisele exhaled in relief. But at the same time, she wondered why Den was looking for her, and why he got Dorian to convey her the message. Gisele was so tired that her mind was nk. She was too tired to give it any more thought, so she turned T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. and went back inside the apartment. Gisele and Angie had bought the ce when they first started working. Though it wasn¡¯t a huge ce, it was enough for the both of them. ording to Angie, this would be their safe haven if ever they had a disagreement with their respective husbands. Gisele cleaned the ce up. She had an urge to question Dorian earlier on, but she refrained from doing so. There was no point dwelling on something that was already set in stone. At 11:00 am the next morning, Gisele showed up at the Jefferson vi in a flowery dress. She looked really sweet and demure with her dark, glossy hair hanging over her shoulders. ¡°Ms. Gisele, you¡¯re back,¡± Alfred greeted her cheerfully. Gisele responded with a smile and followed him into the living room. Unexpectedly, there were other guests there. Besides Den, Za, and Celeste, there was an olddy, a middle¨Caged woman, and several youngdies with them. They all seemed to be in good spirits. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Gisele is back,¡± Alfred announced at the door. Everyone¡¯s eyes fell on Gisele. The fewdies whom she¡¯d never met before sized her up. One of the youngdies, Felicity Palmer, who was in a blue dress, said sarcastically, ¡°Ms. Celeste, didn¡¯t you say that Sierra McMin, the genius doctor, is your daughter¨Cinw? Well, who¡¯s this then?¡± Celeste¡¯s expression hardened, and she red at Gisele with hatred. What was she doing here at such a time? Just then, a car pulled up at the door. Dorian and Sierra got out of the car and strode in. When Den saw Sierra, his face fell right there and then. ¡°Don, why have you brought this woman home? Do you wish to see me dead? Is that what you¡¯re trying to achieve by angering me like this?¡± The moment Sierra caught sight of Gisele, she nched instantly. Why was she here too? Chapter 60 Chapter 60 ¡°Who asked you toe here to check on Den at such a time? Celeste dernanded. Then, with a frown, she berated Gisele, ¡°Well, why are you still idling there? Help him up and go check on him It was clear that Celeste had no intention of revealing Gisele¡¯s identity. Instead, she tried to paint a vague idea of who Gisele was, Gisele stood tall and answered with a smile, ¡°Sure. Grandpa Den, let me help you up to your room. where you can take a rest first. There¡¯s something I need to talk to you about too.¡± Den, who was furing, felt a sense of helplessness stirring within him when he saw how deferential Gisele was behaving. ¡°Oh? Doen she have a medical background too? Why don¡¯t shee and take a look at Mrs. Witham Senior too? Felicity asked in a challenging tone. The hunger for gossip in her eyes was obvious. Sierra stumbled backward and fell into Dorian¡¯s arms. Then, with all color drained from her face, she asked in a concerned tone, ¡°Don, Gisele was just involved in awsuit. What if something happens to Mrs. Witham Senior if she deals with her treatment too?¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Dorian said reassuringly as he held her hand. Then, his cold, hard gaze fell on Gisele, as though warning her not to speak ill of Sierra. ¡°Ms. Palmer, you must be joking. Ms. McMin was sent by Hearthfield to study overseas in Sloane University for her master¡¯s. She gained direct admission there! How can I everpare to her excellence? Gisele continued with a slight chuckle, ¡°Though we¡¯re of the same profession, I¡¯m nowhere near as good as her.¡± It was true that Gisele¡¯s qualifications weren¡¯t as perfect as Sierra¡¯s. After all, Sierra had Dorian backing her, which was about as good as having half of Hearthfield¡¯s resources behind her. Sierra exined shyly, ¡°Gisele¡¯s just being humble. Actually, Ms. Palmer, Gisele was also a great talent in the medical field. It was a pity that she got a little too caught up in her rtionship¡­¡± Her voice gradually softened and died off, but it was clear as day what she was trying to imply. She was saying that Gisele had ced her rtionship before her studies and her profession. How could anyone in their social circle not know that Gisele was Dorian¡¯s wife? Back then, Den had publicly announced that he was searching for a good match for Dorian. A majority of the upper ssdies had sent in their application in hopes that Den would deem them suitable, and that they¡¯d be able to marry Dorian Felicity was Sandra Palmer¡¯s niece, and she had dreamed of marrying Dorian too. ¡°You should take a look at Deborah first,¡± Sandra said, looking quite haggard. try the kam heat of po w trout forty ya w Tatedate with a toy look od tanned, ¡°Why want you taking toode pes forter, you get to show you KANNA fusata started to eject the nation, Hour Sectants rone sonded rats in Manag IN Iajast her AFRICA, 1 ngre to it on beat of Csate the if that than wow wow Sierra looked M Gate with jewey Decian had always san gran sones y es Gis, he tasted her we has oumou get the webgly. ¡°Then they can past give her the day was going agy sem pak MASTMATT SAY wouldn¡¯t be too much to w for three days par ATV, worst in the red & you and looked at Sandra abog Sandra had always disives honey Clerk and also Eveetory she was the weather say pay in the whole of Heartfeld, she was then callsys wou menial things, and always made na sont to indian do around and show off wheENA SECRET & LABAI of myting go ¡°Of course we don¡¯t have a prodern with that by how will you arrange to whos yong to go from? Barow precarg THE STE TESTS ¡°Besides, if effects from the try redres don¡¯t show up within three days, and the one who teste next produced a result, how can we determine which testment was it that heged te one adhes Sandra didn¡¯t mind letting Deth Gogh, be the experimental subject in therpetition, but they had to be sure who was going to take credit for t Gisele understood what they meant, but she had no intention of getting muraived, so she said, ¡°Why apologies, Mrs Wither, but Mrs. Witham Seniors condition ispler She needs to be hospitalized and undergo surgery id suggest you send her to the hospital I¡¯d Though Deborah sat on the couch without a word the entire time, her condition wasnt looking great. She asionally grabbed at her chest and gred for breath Chapter 61 Chapter 61 ¡°Domestic doctors can only guarantee a sess rate of 30%! How can we get the surgery done?¡± Sandra asked with a sigh. This was only one of the reasons. The other reason was that they wanted to get help from Sierra to persuade Ss Lyons, an international specialist, to perform the surgery for Deborah. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? Are you trying to set us up?¡± Celeste¡¯s expression quickly darkened. If other doctors only had a 30% chance of sess, no matter how skilled Sierra was, the most she could guarantee was a 50% chance of sess! In the end, she would be the one who messed up the order the Jefferson family was about to get! Celeste would never let that happen! But Za wasn¡¯t bothered about that and said to Sierra excitedly, ¡°What¡¯s so difficult about that? You know Ss, don¡¯t you? He¡¯s the best surgeon in the nation, and you¡¯ve had the chance to conduct several experiments with him in the past. It should be no problem for you to put in a word for us, right?¡± Sierra felt like she was put on the spot, and she felt very uneasy. ¡°Really? If you can really persuade Dr. Lyons to perform the surgery on Deborah, we¡¯ll give you the order even if it¡¯s at a loss to us!¡± Sandra announced resolutely. Seeing that there was still a chance for them, Celeste quickly turned to look at Sierra and said, ¡°Quick Sierra, agree to it! This order is worth at least several billions! ¡°Once we get the order, you¡¯ll make a great contribution to Jefferson Group, and the position of Dorian¡¯s wife will certainly be yours!¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Sierra bit her l*p, looking at Dorian with a pitiful gaze. Dorian frowned and said with displeasure, ¡°Mom, do you think that your son needs a woman to get him business?¡± ¡°Of course not. I just thought.¡± Before Celeste could say what she intended to, Deborah, who had been silent the whole time, began wheezing and gasping for air. She shook all over and struggled for breath so badly that she slid off the couch. ¡°Mom!¡± Sandra lost herposure. As amotion broke out in the living room, Gisele walked up calmly and made Deborahy down on her back. Then, she turned and asked Sandra, ¡°Mrs. Witham, have you got Mrs. Witham Senior¡¯s medicine? ¡°Y¨Cyes! I have it!¡± In the panic of the moment, Sandra took the medicine from Felicity. Gisele fed it to Deborah without a hint of fluster. Then, she took out a silver needle and inserted it into several of her acupuncture points, including the HT 6, PC 6, and the CV 17. After she was done with that, she crouched down beside Deborah and observed her countenance, Once her condition stabilized, Gisele removed the needles. ¡°Mrs. Wither, Mrs. Witham Senior¡¯s condition is serious, and she needs surgery. Time is of the essence,¡± Gisele said as she carried Deborah up and ced her on the couch in a sleeping position. For a moment, everyone turned to look at Sierra. Out of everyone present, she was the only one who was acquainted with Ss. If she wouldn¡¯t help , then there was most likely no one else who could perform the surgery for Deborah. Sierra stared straight at Gisele. Had she said that on purpose? Was she trying to make her look bad? T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. When Sandra saw Sierra standing there rooted on the spot, she pleaded with tears in her eyes, ¡°Ms. McMin, I¡¯m begging you, please help us. As long as you can get Dr. Lyons to perform the operation, we will give you anything you ask for!¡± Sierra bit her l*p and took a step back. She was still hesitant and did not agree to the request. Gisele, who was taking care of Deborah, turned and took a look at her. She was curious as to whether Sierra would actually agree to help them out Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Felicity, who spoke without a filter, taunted condescendingly, ¡°Ms. McMin, everyone says that you have the heart of a saint, but you won¡¯t help even when you won¡¯t be required to perform the surgery yourself!! say you¡¯ve got a heart of stone!* The two other youngdies looked Sierra up and down questioningly. Everyone imed that Sierra was a medical genius and that she was very sessful. But judging based on their reactions earlier on, Sierra had been shocked silly and was nowhere near as calm and collected as Gisele, who was a nobody. ¡°Perhaps she¡¯s not actually that close with Professor Ss?¡± another one of the women quipped. That seemed like a moment of revtion for most of them. Felicity chimed in, ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what this is all about. No wonder she won¡¯t help even when Aunt Sandra begged her to help. It turns out it was all a lie! ¡°Felicity,¡± Dorian said in a warning tone. Felicity wasn¡¯t about to back down and wanted to carry on, but Sandra tugged at her arm lightly. They were here to seek help, not to make enemies. Silence fell in the living room, and Za looked displeased as she reached for Sierra¡¯s hand. ¡°Sierra, why won¡¯t you agree to it? Are you worried that it¡¯d be embarrassing to ask Ss for help?¡± They could not understand why Sierra was reluctant to help. To them, it was something to take pride in to be able to speak to Ss, even more so for someone like Sierra, who was somewhat a medical celebrity whom everyone held in high regards. ¡°No, it¡¯s just that I¡¯m afraid he might be very busy¡­ It¡¯s the time of the year that he¡¯s recruiting students. I¡¯m afraid that he won¡¯t be free. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I can give it a try,¡± Sierra said before biting her lower l*p, appearing pitiful and afflicted. Ss¡® autumn recruitment was as different as it could get from usual school¡¯s admission. He required a written examination before interviewing those who passed. Then, marks from both sessions would be added up, and the top three candidates with the highest marks would be recruited as his apprentice. Usually, those who were epted were really talented people who were not only smart and adaptable, but also extremely coordinated and in good physical shape. Deborah looked pale as she rested. Seeing her in this state, Sandra couldn¡¯t refrain herself from asking.¡± Celeste, I only brought Deborah here because I trusted you. And now, you¡¯re going to let her be carried out like this? ¡°Are you sure this wouldn¡¯t be an embarrassment to both the Jefferson family and the Witham family? Also, will the contract we signed be nullified?¡± ¡°Sandra, you¡¯re asking too much!¡± Celeste red at her angrily. what Then, she shouted at Sandra, ¡°Yes, i armati was bragging a litte, but we about you? Who were op despicable to get me to sign a contract, and you hit the front of Stratos conditism from an ow dare you question me now? ¡°I hid the truth? Why didn¡¯t you read the contract? Sandra never expectart Celente to store here a hysterical shrew For a moment, a huge ruckus broke out. Den got a splitting headache from seeing then squable the that, so he got up and walked over to Gisele Gisele, this doesn¡¯t concen you Hene,e with me to the study¡± ¡°Sure,¡± she said before shooting Deborah a worried gaze ¡°Enough!¡± Dorian shouted in the noisy living room. Instantly, everyone fell silent and looked over at him with anticipation in their eyes This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Dorian¡¯s deep gaze fell on Gisele, and he said, ¡°The contract still stands Gisele will be lent to you so that she can treat Deborah. She¡¯s gifted in using traditional means of healing if anything happens in this period of time, she will be held liable. Everyone turned to look at Gisele, who stood on the stairs. Her slender frame eaned fal, and there was a helpless smile on her exquisite face. In the end, she was the one who was sacrificed The truth was, she already had a premonition that this would happen once things started getting messy Sandra frowned and retorted in a disgruntled manner, ¡°Mr. Dorian, are you trying to brush us off? No matter what, this is life on the line!¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare to have the surgery done if you¡¯re unable to get Professor Lyons to do it, would you?¡± Dorian retaliated. At that, Sandra fell silent. Sierra was inwardly ted. She knew that Dorian would take her side unconditionally Chapter 63 Chapter 63 ¡°As for that nonsensical contract that you signed, it¡¯s not even legally binding. I think that¡¯s all that¡¯s left to be said,¡± Dorian carried on saying. Then, with his brows furrowed, he looked at Alfred and said, ¡°Please send the guests out.¡± Sandra shot Deborah a worried nce. Would she be able to leave like that? ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll bring a wheelchair over,¡± Gisele said when she finally snapped back to her senses. Sierra held onto Dorian¡¯s arm and said anxiously, ¡°Don, will you be sending Gisele to the Withams? What if Deborah doesn¡¯t get better?¡± Gisele came out of the storeroom pushing a wheelchair in front of her. She paused when she heard what Sierra said. She felt a slight sense of anticipation within her. She wondered what Dorian would say. ¡°The Witham family is hiring her, aren¡¯t they?¡± Dorian looked at Sandra impassively. When Sandra heard that, she quickly broke out in a smile and said, ¡°Yes, of course we¡¯re hiring her. Thank you for letting us have her, Mr. Dorian.¡± That was a good enough answer for Gisele. It wasn¡¯t the best, but it wasn¡¯t the worst either. In fact, she was quite thankful that that was the answer he gave them. At least he acknowledged her medical skills and didn¡¯t just send her off like she was worth nothing. ¡°We need to move Mrs. Witham Senior slowly, and we can¡¯t let her get too emotional,¡± Gisele said as though she heard nothing. She went over to carry Deborah and moved her into the wheelchair. Before she left, she smiled at Den and told him, ¡°Grandpa Den, if you run out of medicine, just send Alfred to me. I¡¯ll prepare them beforehand and he cane and collect them at any time.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Den nodded. He knew who the true culprit behind the scene today was, and he understood that though they imed that Gisele was hired by the Withams, she was actually sent there to cover up the mess. The moment Gisele and Sandra left, Den¡¯s sharp gaze fell on Sierra immediately. ¡°What are you still here for? Why aren¡¯t you getting out of my house yet?¡± Sierra seemed startled and cowered behind Dorian. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Grandfather,¡± Dorian called out with his brows furrowed. Den got up and went up the stairs. ¡°Dorian, if you ever bring unwanted people back home again, I guess it¡¯ll be time I take the position of president of thepany away from you!¡± ¡°No, Den, what¡¯s that supposed to mean? Don has made such huge contributions to Jefferson Group. How could you¡­.¡± Celesteined resentfully. Then, she turned and looked at Sierra with dissatisfaction, ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with you, Sierra? Didn¡¯t you agree to help us back at the hospital? Why did you go back on your word today?¡± ¡°Yes, Sierra, you¡¯ve appeared in multiple interviews with Ss in the past. Are you not on good terms with him? This is a good chance for you to change Dad¡¯s perception of you.¡± Sierra backing out of the deal at thest minute did not sit well with Za either. How could a reputable figure like her bepared to someone like Gisele? That was an insult through and through. Sierratched onto Dorian¡¯s arm weakly. She felt as though there was something stuck in her throat, and. she couldn¡¯t even get a word out. Gisele, who had just left with Sandra, however, felt exceptionally free and at ease. ¡°Ms. Meyer, please don¡¯t think that I¡¯m an unreasonable person. Since we agreed that I¡¯m hiring you, I¡¯ll pay you ordingly. I saw how well you performed the first aid earlier on, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re an excellent medical student, aren¡¯t you?¡± Sandra looked at her amiably. Gisele smiled politely and answered, ¡°I understand. Please rest assured, Mrs. Witham. I¡¯ll take good care of Mrs. Witham Senior.¡± She couldn¡¯t be happier about being able to escape Dorian and earn some ie at the same time! Felicity, who was riding shotgun, turned around and red at Gisele fiercely. ¡°Hey! You¡¯re Dorian¡¯s wife, for goodness¡® sake! Don¡¯t you feel humiliated by that? Have you never thought of proving Sierra wrong and making her ask for your forgiveness?¡± Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Sandra couldn¡¯t help but turn to nce at Gisele. Her skin was fair and her features were delicate. Her long, dark Isnir cascading past her shoulders gave her a gentle look, and her dark eyes looked like stars shining in the dark. ¡°Don¡¯t you know that throwing a tantrum only works for one who in loved, Ms. Palmer?¡± Gisele said with a slight chuckle Only one who was loved had the right to cry, to throw a tantrum, and to kick up a fuss. If one was not loved, even if he kept quiet and blended into the background, he¡¯d still be despised. Felicity made a face and looked out the window. ¡°But he would willingly let the person he loves be labeled as a homewrecker. This shows that you actually do stand a chance.¡± Gisele chose not to answer her. She had already proven herself multiple times as to whether she stood a chance. Things went silent in the car. Gisele lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers, a demure and faint smile on her face at all times. When the car pulled into the Witham manor, Gisele hurried over to help Deborah into her wheelchair and pushed her in. The Witham manor was about the same size as the Jefferson vi. However, while the Jefferson vi had a more traditional design, the Witham manor took on a more modern architecture. After they went through the front yard, they entered the living room. The towering main manor, which was four¨Cstories high, stood alongside several double¨Cstorey vis. The architectural style of these buildingsplemented the main manor perfectly. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. The moment Gisele stepped into the manor, she noticed a middle¨Caged man and a young man sitting in the living room. They looked alike and were most probably father and son. ¡°Charles, you¡¯re finally back.¡± The smile was instantly wiped off Sandra¡¯s face as she hurried up to him toin about how unreasonable the Jeffersons were, and how they had just sent Gisele over to cover up the mess. The middle¨Caged man was Charles Witham, and the young man who stood behind him, Aspen Witham, studied Gisele attentively. He noticed how fair she was and how exquisite her features were. Though she was slightly petite in frame and appeared weak, she exuded a gentle and elegant demeanor. When the light shone on her, Gi?ele looked like an angel and was absolutely captivating. Charles frowned after he heard what Sandra said, and his sharp, stern gaze fell upon Gisele After quite some time, he patted Sandra on the shoulder andforted her, ¡°It¡¯s been tough on you. Don¡¯t worry about Mom¡¯s surgery. I¡¯ll try my best to get Prof. Lyons to perform it.. ¡°As for Ms. Meyer¡­ Everyone in high society knew that Dorian had gotten mailed three years ago. The Witham family was no exception Let her stay, she performs deupuncture really well. Deboral¡¯s condition is prettyplex now, so we cannot afford to let her leave,¡± Sandra swiftly sold.. Chartes fell silent. The reason he wanted to send Gisele away was because at the end of the day, she was still part of the Jefferson family. If news were to get out, it might tarnish their reputation. But since Sandra had spoken for her, he had no reason to turn her down and could only let her stay. Gisele promptly expressed her appreciation, ¡°Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Witham, I¡¯ll take good care of Mrs. Witham Senior.¡± She needed the money. Having this job would be a great financial help to her. ¡°Aspen, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s send Grandmother to her room.¡± Felicity looked at her cousin, Aspen, curiously. She followed his gaze, only to find him looking at Gisele. Had he been staring at Gisele the whole time? It was true that Gisele was pretty, much prettier than Sierra even. But still, she was Dorian¡¯s wife. It wasn¡¯t appropriate for Aspen to stare at her like that, was it? Gsafe went with Felicity and Aspen so sente Deborah in her room. Then sher checking on her and ensuing than she want high, they left the room Me Wither, Wi Witham Semor might not be able to get the surgery done yet, but her condition can be improved by means of maditional healing Gumenty, not only is the suffering from a heart condition, she has other conditions brought about by old age too. Goale said gently, exining to Aspen in a Azen felt that her voice was very soothing much like a cat¡¯s purr. He wished that she would continue ¡°Asen Reich nacked him on the shoulder Why was he spacing out all of a suddent A momentter. Aspen snapped back to the present and said with a smile to you need us to do anything? As long as it within our sounds, we¡¯ll do anything to make your job easier¡± Um Does Mis Witham Senor are taking her medicines usualy? Well, if she doesnt like mediores, In need to make her a special brew.¡± Goele then gestured for them to walk before continuing. That wouldnt be too difficut. I¡¯lle up with a prescription for her first, and then I need Wr. Witham to send someone with me to purchase the tets from the ferd marker¡± to She could have gone alone, but she was worried that they might not sust her with it Aspen shot her a gente smile before saying Will go with you. It just so happens that the reason I¡¯m back in the courty is to purchase a bench of hero. Are you experienced in the field? Do you need more people to For a moment, Gisele was captivated by his warm smile He gave off a calm and gente temperament, and he was handsome too, but in a way that was differet from how Dorian was handsome Aspen did not have Donan¡¯s aggressiveness, and he didn¡¯t look the leser of line a business tycoon. Instead, he looked more like a young man fresh out of university To we dont need anyone else. I have the experience. We can go now,¡± Gisele responded with a faint As the both of them headed our, Gisele exined to him about Deborahs condition, and how the complication with the surgery was due to her old age. Besides, her arteries were not only blocked in one part so it would not be so simple to perform an angiosty on her. MOs doctors would not perform the surgery unless they were fully confident of it Felony intended to tag along but before she managed to catch up with them, they had already left. Since when wat Aspen to chatty? Has he taken an interest in Gisele? Felicity muttered as she watched Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Gisele went with Felicity and Aspen to settle Deborah in her room. Then, after checking on her and ensuring that she was alright, they left the room. ¡°Mr. Witham, Mrs. Witham Senior might not be able to get the surgery done yet, but her condition can be improved by means of traditional healing. Currently, not only is she suffering from a heart condition, she has other conditions brought about by old age too,¡± Gisele said gently, exining to Aspen in a professional manner. Aspen felt that her voice was very soothing, much like a cat¡¯s purr. He wished that she would continue speaking. ¡°Aspen!¡± Felicity tapped him on the shoulder. Why was he spacing out all of a sudden? A momentter, Aspen snapped back to the present and said with a smile, ¡°Do you need us to do anything? As long as it is within our bounds, we¡¯ll do anything to make your job easier.¡± ¡°Um¡­ Does Mrs. Witham Senior hate taking her medicines usually? Well, if she doesn¡¯t like medicines, I¡¯ll need to make her a special brew.¡± Gisele then gestured for them to walk before continuing. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be too difficult. I¡¯lle up with a prescription for her first, and then I¡¯ll need Mr. Witham to send someone with me to purchase the herbs N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. from the herb market.¡± She could have gone alone, but she was worried that they might not trust her with it. Aspen shot her a gentle smile before saying. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. It just so happens that the reason I¡¯m back in the country is to purchase a batch of herbs. Are you experienced in the field? Do you need more people toe along?¡± For a moment, Gisele was captivated by his warm smile. He gave off a calm and gentle temperament, and he was handsome too, but in a way that was different from how Dorian was handsome. Aspen did not have Dorian¡¯s aggressiveness, and he didn¡¯t look the least bit like a business tycoon. Instead, he looked more like a young man fresh out of university. ¡°No, we don¡¯t need anyone else. I have the experience. We can go now,¡± Gisele responded with a faint smile and a nod. As the both of them headed out, Gisele exined to him about Deborah¡¯s condition, and how the complication with the surgery was due to her old age. Besides, her arteries were not only blocked in one part, so it would not be so simple to perform an angiosty on her. Most doctors would not perform the surgery unless they were fully confident of it. Felicity intended to tag along, but before she managed to catch up with them, they had already left. ¡°Since when was Aspen so chatty? Has he taken an interest in Gisele?¡± Felicity muttered as she watched Chapters them drive off. Gisele and Aspen soon arrived at the herb market. They got out of the car and saw the market packed with people. There were many vendors who had stalls set up to sell herbs. They had huge sacks of various herbs arranged next to each other, and the air carried a faint fragrance of herbs. ¡°Mr. Witham, please watch your step,¡± Gisele said as she gestured for him to take heed where he stepped. Aspen chuckled and said, ¡°Ms. Meyer, you can just call me by my name.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Gisele agreed. Though it was already 1:00 pm, the ce was still crowded and noisy. It seemed like a tremendous effort for them to even inch forward in the crowd. Aspen saw how Gisele, who was so petite in size, went ahead of him to make a path through the crowd. She was so slender that she almost lost her bnce and fell down multiple times as the people in the crowd pushed and shoved against each other. Aspen, who was about 6¡¯2 in height, strode up to her and quickly steadied her. He held her hand in his and made her walk in front of him so that he could protect her from behind. He stretched his arms out around her, forming a protective barricade to distance her away from the bustling crowd. ¡°Gisele, where are you headed to purchase the herbs? Perhaps you can tell me and I can navigate our way there.¡± Aspen said with a smile on his face, though he had a slight crease on his forehead. Gisele stumbled and fell into his arms. Though she was about 5¡¯7, she still seemed small in his embrace. Just as she was about to say something, an exmation from someone was hearding from somewhere in the distance ¡°Gisele? Don, it really is Gisele! Gisele looks so sweet with her boyfriend!¡± Sierra covered her m*uth with her hand after she said that. She had nothing but contempt for Gisele in her heart. What a floozy Gisele was! She had barely left the Jefferson vi for several hours, and she¡¯d managed to hook up with another man so quickly? Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Dorian¡¯s expression was dark ass gaze shot over to them Even through the crowd, Gisele could feel the sharp gaze that seemned to pierce through her, making her so ufortable that she felt suffocated But still, she kept up a nonchnt facade. Sierra gripped Dorian¡¯s hand tightly and asked softly, ¡°Don, have I said something wrong? She was jealous of and hated Gisele. But more importantly, she was scared that Gisele would affect Dorian¡¯s emotions. ¡°No, you haven¡¯t,¡± Dorian looked at her and shot her a warm smile. Gisele looked away nonchntly and thanked Aspen after regaining her bnce. ¡°Thank you, Aspen. Let¡¯s head over to Hearty Herbs up ahead to get our herbs.¡± Gisele pulled Aspen along by the arm, trying to avoid Sierra and Dorian. ¡°Gisele, are you mad at me?¡± Sierra rushed over to them, but before she could get close, the crowd forced her away. Had Dorian not reacted fast enough to hold her, she¡¯d have fallen to the ground. Dorian looked past Sierra and stared at Gisele with a dark gaze. ¡°Sierra asked you a question. Have you gone dumb?¡± Sierra tugged at his arm coquettishly and said with a slight blush, ¡°Don, this is not the ce to talk, let¡¯s go up ahead where there¡¯s less people. We can talk there, alright?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Dorian nced away. Gisele forced herself to look away as a wry smile tugged on her l*ps. Just then, a hand reached out to hold her hand. Startled, she looked up at Aspen and tried to free her hand from his. However, his grip on her hand was tight. ¡°There¡¯s too many people here. Let¡¯s head over to Hearty Herbs first,¡± he whispered into her ear. Gisele understood that the history between Withams and the Jeffersons went a long way back. It was impossible for Aspen and Dorian to not know each other. But judging by how the two of them had not exchanged a single word since they met, she could tell that they were most likely not on the best of terms. It took them quite some time to make their way out of the crowd and into Hearty Herbs. There was no one else in the store besides the middle¨Caged owner, who was dozing off. When he caught sight of Gisele, he immediately smiled brightly at her. ¡°Hey, Gigi, you¡¯re here again? Say, is your business doing that well? Why don¡¯t you tell me how you do it, and I¡¯ll sell you my herbs at wholesale price!¡± The owner of the store, Jett Pohler, who had a stubble, chuckled. Gisele had sold him several priscriptions in the past, and these prasenptions had brought him quite a huge profit. So every time she visited him for herbs, he would sell them to her at a cheaper price As time went on, the two of them got familiar with each other. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°No,¡± Gisele sand as she thought of the herbs that don hand dumped indo the trash can. She felt bad for the Wastage Then, she continued with a smile, I¡¯m not selling herbs anymore. I found a household that hired me to be a caretaker, so I¡¯m here to get some supplies with my employe ¡°We¡¯re actually here to get some supplies for my grandmother. Please give Gi the best quality herbs that she neoda, Aspen interrupted as he closed the gap between himself and Gisele She tensed up and tried to distance herself from him, but Aspen whispered into her ear, ¡°Ms. Meyer, I¡¯m doing this for a reason. Please y along. I¡¯ll exin this to youter.¡± Gisele figured that since he had a reason for it, she should bear with it even though she felt quite ufortable. When Sierra and Dorian stepped into Hearly Herbs, they were greeted by the sight of Gisele and Aspen behaving intimately. When filerra saw that, a hint of confusion shed in her eyes. Had Gisele really taken an interest in someone else? But the feeling that followed after the revtion was a pang of difort. Why was Aspen on such close terms with Gisele? Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Sure thing, sir! You can never get low grade herbs here at Hearty Herbst But good¨Cquality and top¨C notch quality herbs, you name it, we have it! Jett chuckled as he nodded. Then, he turned to look at Dorian and Sierra who stood at the door. ¡°Hi there! What would the two of you need?¡± ¡°Jett, we¡¯ll head to the back of the store to get the herbs we need. You can go ahead and entertain your customers,¡± Gis said. She felt nauseous at the sight of Sierra. She felt she would throw up if she had to interact with her again. And if she did so, who knows what trouble Dorian would put her through again. ¡°Sir, Gisele¡¯s my friend. I¡¯ll go pick out the herbs with her,¡± Sierra said before turning back to look at Dorian. She smiled sweetly at him before continuing. ¡°Don, can you wait for me here?¡± Dorian nodded in agreement. Sierra linked her arm with Gisele¡¯s and followed her to the back of the store. Dorian walked over to Aspen and observed him with a dark gaze. As he did so, Aspen sized him up warily too. The store was spacious and had a very soothing fragrance of herbs. Jett came out from behind the counter and poured them each a cup of tea. The tea was made of Nelumbo leaves, Reed rhizomes, Cassia seeds, and Isatis roots. ¡°Gentlemen, please have some tea,¡± Jett offered cheerily Dorian was about to turn down the offer, but when he caught a whiff of the familiar scent, he epted it and took a sip. His eyes narrowed. ¡°Did youe up with this blend of tea?¡± ¡°How could I havee up with this? It was Gigi who researched the recipe!¡± Jett looked really proud at the mention of Gisele. He beamed and said, ¡°She might look young, but she¡¯s really talented! I had wanted to buy the recipe for this tea from her much earlier on, but she told me that she came up with this recipe for her husband, so she can¡¯t sell it.¡± At the mention of that, a regretful expression came over him as he shot Aspen a displeased look. But he quickly broke out in a smile again and continued, ¡°But when she came in to restock a few days ago, she suddenly decided to sell me the recipe. I had wondered if she was getting a divorce then.¡± He then quickly shot Aspen an apologetic grin. It was pretty obvious what he was thinking Dorian¡¯s expression hardened, having been ignored the whole time. Bright as Aspen was, he promptly understood what had happened between Gisele and Dorian. He smiled gently and said, ¡°Gigi came up with a better recipe, so it doesn¡¯t make sense for her to hold on to the previous recipe.¡± His words clearly carried a double meaning to them. Dorian shot him a fierce and fiery re. But Aspen seemed to not notice it and carried on sampling the Tea. He really hadn¡¯t expected Gisele to be so capable. But for someone like Den, who had a discerning eye. to approve of her, surely she must be someone of extraordinary caliber. Jett was just about to agree when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He lifted his gaze to check the temperature on the air¨Cconditioner and found that it was only 70¡ãF. That wasn¡¯t a cold temperature, but he couldn¡¯t help shivering. ¡°Uh, gentlemen, please carry on. I¡¯ll go out and get some sunshine for a bit.¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Jett walked out the store, feeling goosebumps rising on his skin. That was so peculiar! Had the air¨Cconditioner broken down? He never felt so cold at such a temperature before! When it was only the two of them left in the store, Dorian, who had his l*ps tightly pursed, finally spoke up. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that you were back? Am I not your buddy anymore?¡± That only elicited a scoff from Aspen. All of a sudden, a loud scream came from the doorway at the back of the store. ¡°Ahh! Don! Help!¡± Chapter 68 Chapter 68 When Dorian heard themotion, he ran over to the back of the store without a second thought. Aspen followed closely behind. Over at the back of the store, Sierray disheveled amidst sacks of herbs. One of her ch*eks was swollen, and there were streaks of blood trickling from the corners of her l*ps. Her clean clothes were all dusty, and there was a cut on her arm which bled. Dorian hurried over and helped Sierra up anxiously. Then, he turned and pinned an usatory look on Gisele. ¡°Why are you always at odds with Sierra?¡± Gisele, who had a penknife in her hand, was as pale as a sheet. She opened her m*uth ever so slightly. and mumbled incoherently. Nobody could catch what she said. However, seeing her petite frame shaking so badly would make anyone feel bad for her. Aspen rushed up to her immediately. Then, he took off his jacket and put it on her. ¡°Gigi, are you alright?¡± he asked gently. As he asked, he carefully pried the penknife out of her hand. The moment Gisele lifted her gaze, she met Dorian¡¯s impassive expression. A bitter smile tugged on her l*ps instantly. She hadn¡¯t even given an exnation yet, and he¡¯d already decided that she was the one making things difficult for Sierra. Why did he never question whether it was Sierra who was ndering her? ¡°Don, i¨Cit hurts.¡± Sierra felt uneasy at the look the couple were exchanging. When Dorian turned to leave, he red at Gisele and ordered, ¡°Why are you still standing there like a statue? Follow up!¡± ¡°Hold it right there.¡± Aspen reached for Gisele¡¯s hand, stopping her from going with them. ¡°Don, aren¡¯t you going to find out what exactly happened? Will you be pushing all the me on Gigi just because she has the penknife in her hand?¡± *Aspen, the weapon was in her hand. Who else could be the assant if not her?¡± Dorian narrowed his eyes. An ufortable feeling within grewrger with each passing second. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. He didn¡¯t like other people touching, or even thinking, about what belonged to him. But not only had Aspen done both of it, he was even showing it off and challenging him. That made him really furious. Aspen disagreed, ¡°Whether or not you think it was Gigi who did it, we need to judge based on evidence, don¡¯t we? Even if there aren¡¯t any surveince cameras around, we can always find fingerprints on the penknife.¡± Then, he continued with strong conviction, ¡°Gigi has a medical background, I trust that she won¡¯t harm someone intentionally. Besides, she isn¡¯t a fool. She wouldn¡¯t do that in broad daylight.¡± A glint of hope shed in Gisele¡¯s eyes. Did he really trust that she hadn¡¯t hurt Sierra? Sierra, however, was shocked. Did Aspen really trust Gisele that much? Or was he infatuated with her? When she went to the back of the store with Gisele earlier on, Gisole had given no response to whatever she said. It wasn¡¯t until the mention of her unborn bastard that she finally got worked up. But before Gisele could do anything to her, she gave herself a hard p and pulled out the penknife she brought along with her to draw a gash on her arm. Then, she pushed the penknife Into Gisele¡¯s hand before finally copsing into the sacks of herbs, pretending that it was Gisele who had shoved her. How could her perfect n be ruined by Aspen? Sierra cowered as she lifted her gaze to look at Don. The sharp contours of his face seemed cold, and his expression was so unfriendly at that moment that it made one want to stay away from him. ¡°D¨CDon, this isn¡¯t Gisele¡¯s fault. I had been careless¡­.¡± Sierra said with trembling l*ps. Her face was drained of any color. Anyone who saw her in that pitiful state would take pity on her. Dorianforted her softly as his gaze fell on Aspen. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here.¡± His gentle words brought a victorious smile to Sierra¡¯s l*ps. When Dorian¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t on her, she smirked and shot Gisele a challenging look. che Gisele sensed the tricks she had up her sleeves, but Aspen wasn¡¯t about to back down. He looked like he was about to go up against Dorian. However, Gisele didn¡¯t wish to have innocent people involved, so she asked softly, ¡°So what should I do for you to forget about this?¡± ¡°Gigi¡­¡± Aspen muttered with his brows furrowed. Gisele shook her head at him with a bitter smile. Even with surveince footage as proof, Dorian would not believe her. So what was the point of exining? A look of disappointment shed in Dorian¡¯s cold eyes. ¡°Since you were the one who hurt Sierra, you will personally treat and take care of her for this period of time.¡± Gisele froze up. Had he just ordered her, his legal wife, to take care of his mistress? ¡°Gigi isn¡¯t free,¡± Aspen said, trying to help her out of it. No one noticed when Jett walked in, but when he saw the scene, he asked in horror, ¡°H¨Ch¨Chad someone broken in? Was it a robbery?/ ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, everyone. I¡¯ve got surveince cameras here. I¡¯ll go get them¡­¡± Gisele ignored him and walked up to Dorian. Then, she shed him the brightest smile she could manage, apta:65 and asked, ¡°So what you mean to say is that if I wish to make it up to Ms. McMin, I¡¯ll have to go take care of her. Is that right?¡± Chapter 69 Chapter 69 If only Dorian would check the surveince footage, or if he hadn¡¯t treated her so harshly, Gisele could forgive all the nasty things he¡¯d said to her out of panic. If only he¡¯d had given her a chance to exin, she would have forgiven him. Dorian was blinded by her smile momentarily. Then, he replied, ¡°Yes.¡± She had hurt someone, but she did not seem to have any intention of apologizing, and was even smiling so brightly. That made him feel even more ufortable. ¡°Sure,¡± Giseleplied with a smile. Aspen frowned, not too happy with the decision. ¡°Gigi¡± Smack! ¡°Ahh!¡± Sierra let out a loud shriek the moment a pnded on her face. The very next second, before anyone could react, Gisele took out three silver needles and inserted them into Sierra¡¯s wound. Bleeding from the minor wound had actually stopped, but when the needles were pieced into the wound, Gisele paired it with a twisting motion. As the needles twisted and turned, blood began flowing from the wound again immediately. The pain was much more unbearable than when Sierra inflicted the wound on herself. ¡°Don¡­¡± Sierra was in so much pain that tears fell. She never expected Gisele to be so ruthless and that she would actually cause her pain, even with Dorian right there with them. Slow to react, Dorian was just about to say something, but Gisele had already extracted the needles, Then, without another word, she pushed them both to the ground. ¡°From tomorrow onward, I will go and visit you every other day and take good care of you. Just send me your address,¡± Gisele said expressionlessly. She had given him a chance. He just didn¡¯t appreciate it. Gisele turned to Aspen and smiled sweetly. ¡°Do you have wet tissue?¡± ¡°Will a handkerchief do?¡± Aspen¡¯s perception of her took a 180 turn. He quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. Gisele nodded with a smile. Then, she took the handkerchief from him and wiped her fingers with it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aspen. I¡¯ll buy you a new one to rece this.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Aspen wasn¡¯t too concerned about a mere handkerchief. Gisele then chucked the soiled handkerchief into the trash can with such a disgusted look that it was as Couple though she wasn¡¯t throwing away a handkerchief, bot Dorian, whom she considered dirty Dorian, who was still on the ground, clenched his jaws with a dark expression as he watched her leave. Why, that wretched woman! When they passed by the store front, Gisele handed a prescription that she jotted down on a piece of paper to Jett. ¡°Jett, please prepare these herbs for me. I¡¯ll send someone to collect them tomorrow.¡± ¡°Oh, sure, no problem!¡± Jett took the prescription from her and puffed out his chest, agreeing to it with a chuckle. ¡°Of course I¡¯ll get them all sorted out for you, we¡¯ve worked together for so many years!¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Thank you, Jett,¡± Gisele said before taking her leave. Jett was just about to tell her about the surveince cameras, but she¡¯d already left. ¡°Jett, please email me a copy of the surveince video. I¡¯d appreciate that,¡± Aspen said as he handed his name card to Jett. Jett eximed jovially when he heard that, as he eximed, ¡°Gigi sure has a doting husband! I was just about to tell her about the surveince cameras! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be sure to send you a copy of the footage! ¡°Thank you,¡± Aspen said with a smile. Before he left, he caught sight of Dorian, who stood there with an ashen expression on his face. A smile tugged on Aspen¡¯s l*ps. ¡°Mr. Witham, thank you for that,¡± Gisele said when they got back into the car. Had it not been for him, perhaps she¡¯d have be aughing stock. ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be thanking you. Had it not been for you, I¡¯d have been the one embarrassed and end up bing aughing stock,¡± Aspen said gently with a bitter look on his face. Gisele stared nkly back at him, not understanding what he meant by that. Chapter 70 Chapter 70 As they drove on, Aspen¡¯s gentle voice sounded in the car. ¡°The Withams, the Jeffersons, and the Murrays are aristocratic families. Did you know that?¡± Gisele nodded. However, as the Withams had changed their key areas of operation, they gradually became less known in Hearthfield. Most people only knew the Murrays and the Jeffersons as aristocratic families of Hearthfield, ¡°Great, that makes things easier. So I¡¯ll keep the story short.¡± Aspen chuckled with feigned lightheartedness, but the mncholy in his voice was clear. ¡°Maybe timing is crucial in love. Perhaps as the one who cameter, I¡¯d been too greedy to wish to fight for my chance. Maybe I¡¯d gone against fate, and that¡¯s why I ended up in such a sorry state.¡± Though he didn¡¯t make himself too clear, Gisele managed to catch the gist of it. But if who came first mattered in love, then why was that not the case for her? She was the one who knew Dorian first. Seeing how down she looked, Aspen felt guilty and said with a slight chuckle, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bringing up such unhappy things. Honestly speaking, Don does hold a ce for you in his heart. Your marriage would not havested three years if he did not love you.¡± Gisele only smiled and said nothing. It was true that they shared three years of marriage, but they only met during family gatherings whenever there was an asion. How hard could it be to maintain a marriage like that? Silence hung in the air as the both of them kept quiet in the car. Gisele got out of the car just before they reached Witham Manor. Before she left, she told Aspen, ¡°Mr. Witham, please send someone to collect the herbs from Jett tomorrow, and send them to me at this address. I¡¯ll process them beforeing back again tomorrow.¡± The address that Gisele gave him was the apartment that she bought with Angie. Besides the apartment, the Jefferson Manor had a herb processing machine too. But she didn¡¯t wish to return to that ce which had no warmth in it. ¡°Sure. Here¡¯s my number. I¡¯ll be in town for quite some time to apany Grandmother. If there¡¯s anything I can help with, just give me a call,¡± Aspen said as he passed her his name card after taking the note with Gisele¡¯s address on it. Gisele took his name card with slight hesitation before smiling at him with a nod. As Aspen sat in the car and watched her leave, the smile on his l*ps faded away. It wasn¡¯t until she disappeared down the road that he finally said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The chauffeur started the car and continued driving back to Witham Manor. Chaptecie 203 Over at St. Anne Hospital, Dorian¡¯s expression was dark as he sat in the empty and silent corridor. He held his phone in his hand and stared at the screen. He was watching the surveince footage from Hearty Herbs. Sierra, who already had her wound treated, waited for quite some time for Dorian, but he never came. She walked out of the emergency room uneasily. She found him in the corridor, watching something on his phone with a stem look on his face. He gave off a cold and detached demeanor. All of a sudden, a thought struck her and she shuddered involuntarily. ¡°Don,¡± Sierra called out with a slight tremble in her voice. Dorian immediately put his phone into his pocket and smiled at her. ¡°Has your wound been dressed? I¡¯ll send you back.¡± Sierra went up to him and tried to link her arm around his, but Dorian inconspicuously moved away and walked over to the hospital exit. Siema stood there and looked at her outstretched hand. The fear within her intensified. In the past, he would definitely have made her stay back for a day for further observations. But now, he didn¡¯t even bother to show her any concern and only offered to send her back. He even shied away from her touch. Sierra trudged along behind Dorian worriedly, but he did not even realize that she¡¯d fallen behind. When they got into the car, Sierra attempted to speak up several times, but Dorian¡¯s attention was on his phone. Then, when they finally reached her apartment, she held his hand and whined coquettishly when she noticed how he seemed to have no intention ofing out the car with her. ¡°Don, won¡¯t you apany me? I still feel a little woozy, and I¡¯m afraid to be all alone at home.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got things to deal with at work. I¡¯ll get someone to watch over you,¡± Dorian said impassively as he pulled his arm away from her. Sierra looked at him longingly. Just as he was about to close the car door behind him, she hurriedly asked, ¡°Don, are you angry at me for ndering Gisele?¡± In the end, she was the one who confessed. ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much about it,¡± Dorian denied without the slightest change in his expression. Sierra smiled bitterly. How could she be the one overthinking things? He was so different now, from his expression to his actions,pared to the past few days. If he wasn¡¯t ming her for what she did, then why was he so cold toward her? ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Don. I just wanted your attention. I have no one else but you now¡­ Sierra¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at him pitifully. Then, in a choked voice, she said. ¡°Will Chante/70 you be leaving me too, Don?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. When Dorian saw how gentle and vulnerable she was, he suddenly thought of how she was like as a chi However, she had never been so weak back then. In fact, Sierra¡¯s character as a child was like Gisele¡¯s character now. She never gave in to bullies and would always rely on herself to seek out justice. Dorian lifted his gaze to look at her and sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about it. You must be worn out today. Go back and have a good rest.¡± ¡°Alright. Don, I only did what I did to see if you really love me. You know how insecure I am¡± Sierra suddenly leaned close to him with pouty l*ps. She wanted him to k*ss her. As Dorian stared at the perfect shape of her l*ps, an image of Gisele¡¯s l*ps suddenly shed in his mind. They were soft and carried the slight fragrance of herbs. It waspletely different from the scent perfume that Sierra had on her. ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Readingre Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Dorian averted his gaze. Although his tone was still gentle, it was void of emotions. ¡°Go home and rest. Call me if there¡¯s any problem.¡± Sierra was a utile disappointed. After she had shown so much Initiative, Dorian still seemed unattracted to her. Feigning a brave front, she walked toward her apartment and wanted to find out if he would wait on the same spot until she was in her house. She turned around just a few secondster, but his car was already nowhere to be seen. Frozen on the spot, she clenched her fists, realizing that Dorian had changed. In the Maybach, Dorian said with closed eyes, ¡°Back to Jefferson Manor.¡± Jon paused for a second. Then, he hit the pedal, turned around and headed toward Jefferson Manor. As expected, there was no one else in Jefferson Manor besides Jessie, who was cleaning the house. The house was empty andcked the warmth of life, giving off an eerie atmosphere instead. Doriany on the couch, and Jessie approached him after the house chores were done. While rubbing her. hands nervously, she asked, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, what would you like for dinner? I¡¯ll prepare it for away. ¡°It¡¯s alright. You can rest after cleaning up.¡± Dorian refused in a solemn voice. you right His answer caught Jessie by surprise. Just a minute ago, she was worried that Dorian would ask her to give Gisele a call, but he dismissed her for the day instead. Although she couldn¡¯t read Dorian¡¯s mind, she nodded without hesitation. ¡°Okay, Mr. Jefferson. See you tomorrow.¡± Deftly, Jessie packed up and left. Soon, the already quiet house immediately lost itsst remnant of liveliness and turned as dead as an abandoned city. Lying on the couch, Dorian suddenly remembered Gisele sitting- unwillingness as she reluctantly took a picture for Hector. the floor, her pale face full of What was she thinking at that time? Soon, without even realizing, he drifted off to sleep. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Just like that, he slept until 2:00 am. Staring into the dark living room, he waited a while for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before turning on the lights. When the lights flickered on, the loneliness around him dissipated, but his stomach started rumbling. So, he strolled into the kitchen and scanned around, only to find nothing in the clean and tidy kitchen. With his phone in his hand, he returned to the living room and called Jon. ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± After saying those words, he hung up and left Jon, who was on call round¨Cthe¨Cclock, in total confusion. A few minutester, he finally understood what Dorian meant and punched in a string of numbers. The phone rang for a long while before someone picked it up. ¡°Hello? Gisele¡¯s sleepy voice echoed from the other end of the line. Chaste: 71 ¡°Ms. Meyer, Mr. Jefferson is hungry,¡± Jon said indifferently. Having picked up the call in a daze, Gisele was confused and blurted, ¡°He should eat something if he¡¯s hungry. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s a three¨Cyear¨Cold who can¡¯t feed himself. Even if he is, he shouldn¡¯t be looking for me.¡± Then, she hung up, turned over, and went back to sleep. She was exhausted. That afternoon, when she returned to the apartment, she had grounded all the herbs in the house and made them into different types of pills, teabags, and cooking ingredients. She was so busy that she only managed to grab a bite at midnight. After that, she washed up simply and went to bed. ¡°Ring, ring.¡± Once again, her phone started ringing. This time, her blurry mind cleared up a lot, and she answered the call. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Ms. Meyer, Mr. Jefferson¡¯s stomach feels ufortable whenever he¡¯s hungry. Please make him a healthy meal and deliver it to Jefferson Manor,¡± Jon¡¯s crisp and cold voice said quickly. As though worried that she would hang up, before he ended the call, he added, ¡°If you have any questions, you can check with Mr. Jefferson. He¡¯s waiting for you.¡± Click. Then, he hung up. Completely awake, Gisele stared at her phone in disbelief. Did he just order her to make a healthy meal in the dead of the night? Gisele rubbed her eyes and called Jon. ¡°We¡¯re sorry. The number you¡¯ve dialed is turned off. Please try againter¡­¡± Speechless, she wondered when Jon started beingzy. Didn¡¯t he know how much Dorian hated her? As she snuggled in her huge, soft bed without moving a muscle, she struggled within herself because of this. A part of her didn¡¯t want to do this while part of her nagged her to do it. ¡°This is so annoying! Whoever wants to eat should just cook for themselves!¡± Gisele wailed, tossing around in bed. Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Meanwhile, in Jefferson Manor, Dorian thought that Jon would send a cook over within thirty minutes after he called him. Even if he couldn¡¯t do that, he could easily buy some food ande over. Unexpectedly, no visitors rang the doorbell of Jefferson Manor even an hourter. Due to the prolonged hunger, his stomach was already starting to hurt. Lying in a fetal position on the couch, he called Jon¡¯s number again. However, all he heard was, ¡°We¡¯re sorry. The number you¡¯ve dialed is turned off. Please try againter¡­¡± Dorian furrowed his brows and his eyes glinted coldly. What was Jon up to? He sat up in anger and wanted to walk out. Just then, a sharp pain jolted through his stomach, and he grunted, bending his waist as his face contorted from the pain. After taking two steps, he sumbed to the pain and fell to the floor. Lying on the clean, white tiles, he stared at the high ceiling with empty eyes. When he was about to pass out from the pain, sounds came from the door. A few secondster, Gisele walked through the door with a food container in her hand. h a pallid face. Before she could change into indoor sl*ppers, she found Dorian on the floor, curled up with a She stared at him in stunned silence. That day when the ruffians entered the house, she had no choice but to jump off the second floor. The way he looked now reminded her of how she had to fold her limbs on the floor after that. ¡°G¨CGisele?¡± Dorian was dizzy from the pain, but he tried his best to keep his eyes focused. To his dismay, he couldn¡¯t see anything besides double shadows. Wiping the look off her face, Gisele walked over calmly and ced the food container on the coffee table. Then, she crouched down next to him and gently rested her slightly cold fingers on his wrist. Dorian raised his head at her. He had never seen her read his pulse with such a serious expression. Suddenly, he seemed to be able to see things clearly with his blurry eyes. Gisele appeared incredibly serious as she read his pulse with her head lowered. Every move she made right now made his heart skip a beat, and he stared at her,pletely smitten. Unaware of his gaze, Gisele ced her index finger on the pulse of his wrist. Her perfectly arched brows furrowed, and dissatisfaction washed over her clean, small face. A few minutester, she released his hand and retrieved a small pill box from her pocket. There were at least ten types of pills in it. She picked out two and fed them to Dorian. As there wasn¡¯t any water, he had to swallow the pills dry. In her arms, the familiar scent of herbs she always carried with her drifted into his nostrils. As the slightly bitter pills dissolved in his m*uth, he couldn¡¯t help but cringe, despite being usually expressionless. ¡°How are you feeling? If you¡¯re feeling better, get up and eat something,¡± Gisele urged, helping him to sit 1. up. Dorian pulled a long face as he left her embrace. Her scent faded as he pulled away from her embrace. Not caring about what was on his mind, Gisele stood up and opened the food container. Then, she went to the kitchen to get some utensils, While scooping out the soup, she said, ¡°Because there wasn¡¯t much time, I prepared this using a high¨Cpressure cooker. It may not taste so good but take some so your stomach is not empty. Later in the morning, get Jon to buy you breakfast.¡± ¡°Is that carrot and lentil soup?¡± Rising to his feet, Dorian walked over, and a look of disgust appeared on his pale face. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Gisele passed him the soup and nced at him nonchntly. ¡°You have to take it even if you don¡¯t like it. This is good for the health of your spleen and stomach. It also helps with its recovery.¡± Dorian sl*pped into a seat next to her and held the bowl. Stirring asionally, he managed to finish the full bowl of soup after taking several small sips in the beginning. Seeing how much pain he was in, Gisele couldn¡¯t help but nag, ¡°Your stomach issue has developed over time. Take more care of it after this, or maybe you can ask Ms. McMin to treat it for you. If you don¡¯t treat it now, it will develop into gastritis or even stomach cancer over time.¡± Dorian¡¯s hand which was holding the spoon paused mid¨Cair, and he stared at her deeply. The words that Gisele wanted to say were stuck in her throat after she caught his gaze. For the first few seconds, Gisele was able to hold his gaze, but she averted her gaze when she caught the cold, murderous look in his eyes. Enjoy Ad Free Reading>> Chapter 73 Chapter 73 ¡°Are you still carrying a torch for me now?¡± Dorian looked away indifferently after he said those words. Gisele stared at him in confusion. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve poured in a lot of effort. It¡¯s already 2:00 am, but you still got up to cook.¡± A sarcastic sneer spread across his face, and he swiftly finished the soup that he hated. Then, he rose to his feet and cast a look at her. ¡°Can¡¯t you live without a man? If your boyfriend calls your now, you¡¯re going to him right away, aren¡¯t you?¡± Cynical words poured out of his l*ps mercilessly and stabbed Gisele¡¯s heart. Stunned, she shook her head at him in disbelief. The reason she woke up in the dead of the night to cook was because he asked Jon to order her! Moreover, he looked so pitiful when he was in pain from gastritis, and she came over personally because she couldn¡¯t bear to see Den worry about him. In a huff, Gisele kept away the food container and tossed it into the bin along with the other utensils. Peering at his back steadily, she said, ¡°You are right, I can¡¯t live without a man. But I won¡¯t care if someone gets cranky in the middle of the night again. As for the affairs between my boyfriend and I, please stay out of it. We¡¯re-¡± Suddenly, Dorian gripped her slender neck and forced her to look into his eyes. With a solemn face, he said sharply, ¡°Repeat what you just said.¡± ¡°Which one?¡± Gisele snapped angrily. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Dorian¡¯s face was livid with anger as his sharp gaze cut her like a knife, but when she met his unreadable. eyes, thest shard of fear in her dissipatedpletely. ¡°Dorian, you¡¯re one to insult me. I brought you food out of kindness, and all I get in return is your sarcasm. While speaking, tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought them back. ¡°As for a boyfriend, why can¡¯t I have a new start when you have your dream girl and childhood lover?¡± Previously, when Johnson confessed his feelings for her in the night market behind the hospital, Dorian had lunged at them like a raged beast. At that time, she had argued with him by saying the last thing she had just said. Dorian released his grip on her throat and drew back his hand in disgust. ¡°I know you¡¯re anxious, Gisele. But now is not the time for that.¡± Gasping for air, she had no idea what he meant by that. ¡°As long as you¡¯re still Mrs. Jefferson, your family will get hurt if you make a cuckold out of me!¡± he threatened and headed for the staircase without looking back, leaving Gisele on the spot. If this had happened in the past, her chest would throb painfully, but now, she felt nothing. It was as though everything Dorian had just said was unrted to her. From the second floor, Dorian gazed down suddenly. When he saw that Gisele didn¡¯t show signs of leaving, his unsettled heart calmed down, and he cleared his throat before saying coldly, ¡°I want to have a mix of cold and hot breakfast tomorrow. Also, buy something else extra and have everything ready by 7: 00 am.¡± After saying that, he stormed straight into his room, having no regard as to whether Gisele consented to his instructions or not. After all, no matter what he wanted to eat in the past, she would prepare it right. away and deliver it to him. As Gisele stood at the doorway, a mocking smile yed at the edge of her l*ps. She was no masochist, so she wasn¡¯t going to treat him well unconditionally after he had hurt her repeatedly. The next morning, Dorian woke up early and went downstairs at exactly 7:00 am. At the sight of the breakfast spread, his grumpy mood from not sleeping well the night before took a turn for the better. Feeling good, he grinned. ¡°Gisele, you- However, Jessie came out of the kitchen before he finished speaking, and his smile turned stiff. ¡°Did you prepare this, Jessie?¡± ¡°Yes, it was Mrs¨CMs. Meyer who told me that you want to have breakfast at home, so I came over at 5 am to prepare it.¡± Puzzled, Jessie wiped her hands on the apron uneasily. ¡°Do you not like it? What would you like instead? I¡¯ll prepare it immediately.¡± She had prepared the food ording to Gisele¡¯s recipe. Why wouldn¡¯t Dorian like them? Was he mad because the one cooking wasn¡¯t Gisele? Dorian took out his phone and called Gisele. She had developed some guts now, pretending to understand his orders but not taking them seriously! Chapter 74 Chapter 74 The line connected for a second before Dorian heard, ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is busy. Please try againter¡­¡± The call had connected, but someone hung up on him. Great, now, Gisele actually dared to reject his calls. Holding her breath, Jennie watched as Dorian called Gisele repeatedly. She wanted to tell him that Gisele had told him not to call. Nevertheless, noticing that he might lose his temper any second, she decided to remain silent. Dorian called non¨Cstop and hung up until Gisele was so annoyed she had to pick up his call. help you?¡± ¡°How man may I ¡°Are you just going to shrug off my order like this?¡± Dorian was truly furious. Although he didn¡¯t know the reason behind it, he did know that only Gisele could pacify him. Gisele furrowed her brows and said with a polite tone, ¡°Dorian, you merely mentioned that you would like abination of hot and cold breakfast, but you didn¡¯t say that I have to prepare it. ¡°Furthermore, can¡¯t you afford to hire a housekeeper, given your family¡¯s wealth? Why do I have to cook when I¡¯m the young mistress of the house?¡± Dorian had no words for rebuttal. Of course, the Jefferson household had nock of housekeepers, but Gisele had been the one preparing his meals for the past three years. How could she quit just as she pleased? ¡°Gisele Meyer, let¡¯s hope you can remain this tough after this. Besides gritting his teeth in anger, Dorian had no other things to say that could make Gisele regret her actions. Gisele¡¯s chest tightened at his threat, and she wondered why a grown man insisted on giving her, a defenseless woman, a hard time. This time, before she could say anything, he hung up on her. It seemed like he was mad for real. Gisele was a little worried. Now, the only hold he had on her was the Meyers, and her disappointing father and brother weren¡¯t helpful to her situation. At the thought of them, her heart sank. Despite them both being born into the same family, Gordon could enjoy all the benefits from home. On the other hand, she had to provide for the family even though she wasn¡¯t capable. There was nothing she could do to retaliate against Gordon who was draining her dry until she becamepletely useless to them. A sad smile formed on her l*ps, and she got ready quickly before heading to the Withams with the herbal sachets she had prepared. Right after she got into the cab, she received an international call. ¡°Angie?¡± she said, sounding concerned. Angie¡¯s bright voice echoed from the other end, ¡°Gigi, I¡¯vended in Les Anderes! Don¡¯t worry about me. Once I¡¯ve settled down, I¡¯ll start the sale of your herbal sachets and other products. It will be a big hit in this city. Then, we will upy Les Anderes and be millionaires in this city!¡± Gisele felt relieved at her jovial attitude, and her heart finally rxed. However, she was still worried. ¡°We can n our dreamster. The more important thing is your They grow up together and had never left Hearthfield except during school holidays. All of a sudden, Angie had moved to another country thousands of miles away, and Gisele was worried that she couldn¡¯t adapt Im fine! Angie interjected without hesitation. Her voice sounded a little disgruntled as she said, ¡°My major is finance, and I¡¯ll defeat that jerk once I¡¯m finished. ¡°But you shouldn¡¯t endure the suffering in silence when I¡¯m not in Hearthfield. The Meyers are utterly rotten. Even if you can help them for a short period, you can¡¯t do so in the long run. Do you get it?¡± ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Gisele said meekly. Angie didn¡¯t believe her at all and knew that Gisele merely didn¡¯t want her to worry. ¡°Gigi, you¡¯re more gifted in medicine than Sierra, and Ss Lyons has already begun his annual recruitment. ¡°By bing his private student, you can return to Hearthfield Medical University for studies. This is a rare opportunity. Don¡¯t you want to give it a shot?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Of course I do.¡± Gisele answered promptly. Noticing that Gisele hadn¡¯t be aplete fool hung up on love, Angie breathed a sigh of relief and encouraged her, ¡°Rest assured and prepare for the test. Don¡¯t worry about the money because I still have some savings- ¡°That¡¯s okay. I have money and found a part¨Ctime job as a caretaker. It¡¯s only a few hours of work a day. so it¡¯s not tiring.¡± Gisele then roughly told Angie about her situation and kept reminding her to take care of herself in the end Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Sniffling, Angie smiled and said in a choked voice, ¡°Alright, wait for me to return after I finish my studies. That¡¯s all for now!¡± After the cali, Gisele reyed Angie¡¯s words in her mind. If she could be Ss¡® student, she could continue with her favorite medical studies and even be a surgeon. Being a surgeon was a sacred upation as well as the ultimate dream of her life. Upon reaching Witham Manor, Gisele wanted to check on Deborah¡¯s physical condition, but she saw people gathered around instead. ¡°Excuse me, please let me through.¡± Shoving the house helpers aside, Gisele squeezed into the crowd. only to find Deborah lying on the floor and her house doctor, Joey Puschl, administering first aid on her. Immediately, Gisele took out her silver needles and turned to the house helper who was gossiping next to her. With a frown, she asked, ¡°Did anyone call the ambnce yet? Don¡¯t gather around here. Move away so there¡¯s air venttion.¡± ¡°We already called the emergency services and the ambnce will be here soon,¡± someone hurriedly This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. answered. Relieved, Gisele fed a cardio relief tablet to Deborah before applying the silver needles on her. Working together with Joey as he administered first aid, she applied the needles quickly. Deborah¡¯s heart was failing mainly because of blocked arteries. Her days were numbered if she didnt undergo a surgery soon. Gisele and Joey continued to monitor Deborah until the ambnce arrived, and they both left in it. At Central Hospital, Deborah was rushed into the ER while Gisele waited outside. From Joey, she found out what had happened. Early in the morning, Deborah had woken up feeling energetic. After iming that she was not sick, she insisted on working out, and that was when she passed out Fortunately, Joey was around and was able to prevent a tragedy. ¡°Mr. Witham and Mr. Aspen have been informed about this. They¡¯reing over now. However, Mrs. Witham Senior needs to have surgery as soon as possible. If this drags on, I¡¯m afraid she won¡¯t even have a 30 percent chance of survival,¡± Joey said with a sigh. Gisele wanted to say something, but no words came out. While they were waiting outside the ER, she suddenly heard someone calling from behind, ¡°Gigi Toby Fluff!* She turned to the source of the voice in confusion and saw that it was Johnson¡¯s nurse who had called her. ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m stepping aside for a while. Please call me once Mrs. Witham Senior is out,¡± she politely said. Waving his hand, Joey gestured for her to attend to her business. Gisele paced to the young nurse and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you remember me.¡± It¡¯s impossible to forget you. You have no idea how Johnson sings your praises. Every day, he tells me how amazing you are. How can I possibly forget about you?¡± the nurse replied, smiling brightly and asking Gisele to leave with her. At the mention of Johnson, Gisele asked, ¡°How¡¯s he doing? Did he have his surgery yet?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not doing well.¡± The nurse sighed as they stepped into an elevator. After pushing a button, she turned to Gisele seriously. ¡°Will you please speak with him? The videos on his tform are removed. Even The ount he has been ying and upgrading for a long time has been frozen, ¡°Now, he simply lies in bed everyday without moving a muscle and isn¡¯t as lively as he used to be anymore. Gisele looked surprised and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Chapter 76 Chapter 76 The nurse shook her head. ¡°I heard that he provoked some big shot in Hearthfield, but how could he do that when he has been lying in the hospital all day?¡± Gisele paused. If Johnson had offended any big shot, Dorian was the only one in question. Why would he push a patient to a dead end? The doors of the elevator slid open, and the nurse noticed that Gisele was still standing inside in a daze after she had stepped out. ¡°Hey, Gigl Toby Fluff. Are you okay?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Gisele¡¯s face was gradually losing its color, and she appeared to be in unease. However, she forced o smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She walked out of the elevator and followed the nurse toward Johnson¡¯s ward. On the way there, the nurse told her about Johnson¡¯s recent daily life. When they reached his ward, the nurse stopped talking momentarily, turned to Gisele, and said hesitantly, ¡°Go on. I¡¯m going to get his medication.¡± After giving her a nod, Gisele walked in slowly. On the bed, Johnson was much paler than before and had lost a lot of weight. The youth who was once full of life looked so ashen that he looked barely alive. The boy who always wore a bright smile on his face was now lying quietly. Pursing her l*ps, Gisele felt that she had done him wrong. If she hadn¡¯t been willful, he probably wouldn¡¯t be in this state now. ¡°Gigi¡­¡± Johnson¡¯s eyes popped open as he snapped back from his reverie. At first, he thought his eyes. were ying tricks on him, so he struggled to raise his hand and rubbed his eyes. When he saw that Gisele was still there, he beamed at her. Instantly, tears welled up in Gisele¡¯s eyes, and she sl*pped into a seat next to him. ¡°You-¡± ¡°Gigi, I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry about me. As he struggled to sit up, she went over and helped him, asking softly, ¡°How can I not worry about you? Johnson, you¡¯re still young and have a whole future ahead of you. ¡°Why won¡¯t you have the surgery? Only with a healthy body can you continue with the job you love. Isn¡¯t that good?¡± ¡°Gigi¡­¡± The smile on his face waned, and he mumbled sadly. ¡°But they all died during surgery.¡± Gisele¡¯s pupils contracted as it dawned on her the reason he rejected the surgery. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know what she could offer asfort, and the atmosphere in the room turned somber. Just then, Sierra¡¯s gentle and cutesy voice came from the door. ¡°Maybe a part of the ward will have to be freed up. Although this is charity, we shouldn¡¯t take it lightly. Like the wards¨COh, isn¡¯t that Gisele? You¡¯re here, too?¡± Looking all awe¨Cinspiring, Sierra had appeared at the door with a team of dozens of medical staff. With her as the lead, the team consisted of directors, vice director, and others of simr rankings. They held great respect for her and treated her like an esteemed guest. ¡°It¡¯s great that you¡¯re here, Gisele!¡± Sierra approached Gisele happily and hugged her arm intimately as though they were best friends. ¡°Don is organizing a medical consultation event for charity with St. Anne Hospital and Central Hospital. We¡¯re currently missing a herbal medicine practitioner. Will you set up a payable booth at the hospital lobby on that day?¡± The doctors who were about to act as though they were delighted to have Gisele as part of the charity event were surprised. What payable booth? Everyone turned to her with probing gazes. ¡°I¡¯m not free.¡± Gisele pulled her arm away. She realized that Sierra had grown ustomed to being the mistress and was even a little proud about it. Every time Dorian did something for her, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from showing off in front of Gisele. Did she assume that everyone was jealous of her because she had a doting man? The dazzling smile on Sierra¡¯s face disappeared in an instant. Chapter 77 Chapter 77 A young nurse felt unjustified on Sierra¡¯s behalf, ¡°Hey, what kind of attitude is that? Ms. Sierra invited you because she thought highly of you. You should watch your attitude.¡± The others started criticizing Gisele as well. To receive an invitation by the top socialite of Hearthfield and the top beauty in the medical field was an honor. Not to mention setting up a payable booth, even being asked to be a janitor by Sierra would be an honor. Gisele had no words to say for herself because it was akin to speaking to a wall to exin herself to people who revered Sierra. ¡°Don¡¯t speak like that about Gisele. I¡¯m sure she doesn¡¯t have any ill¨Cintentions.¡± Sierra spoke up for Gisele in feigned kindness and even sounded a little sorry as she said, ¡°I just wanted to generate some ie for her because I know that she¡¯s been struggling recently. After all, we¡¯re as close as sisters and it makes me feel bad to see her suffering.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so kind of you, Ms. Sierra!¡± The young medical staff gazed at her with admiration in their eyes, but when they had to look at Gisele, all they had for her was disgust. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but my mother only has two children, and that¡¯s me and my brother. Furthermore, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m that close with you, Ms. McMin. Why would you say that we¡¯re like sisters?¡± Gisele retorted. They would only be sisters if one was the first wife and the other was the second wife. A flicker of resentment shed past Sierra¡¯s eyes at Gisele¡¯s stubbornness, but she kept the smile on her face and shifted her attention to Johnson instead. ¡°Gisele, your friend is in a critical condition. Looks like he has a heart problem. Why won¡¯t you ask him to have surgery as quickly as possible?¡± Gisele rubbed her temples in exhaustion. Even though Sierra wasn¡¯t tired of acting, she was tired of watching her acting. ¡°Ms. McMin, may I speak with you in private?¡± Gisele already knew what she was nning. Since they had run into each other unexpectedly, she reckoned that Sierra wouldn¡¯t stop and leave until she obtained something from Gisele. Meanwhile, Sierra was hesitant and in a dilemma. On one hand, she wanted to speak with Gisele, but on the other hand, she was worried that Gisele would bully her. The vice director of Central Hospital, Jason Lambert, said with a frown, ¡°What is it that you cannot speak about in the open? What if something happens to Ms. Sierra?¡± ¡°Are you saying that the security of Central Hospital is so bad that a riot will break out any time?¡± Gisele asked, puzzled. Stumped for words, Jason looked very embarrassed, and Sierra said politely, ¡°Dr. Lambert, thank you for your concern, but I¡¯m good friends with Gisele. I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t hurt me, so please move on and wait for me ahead.¡± She stood up and sent everyone out apologetically. Even though they wanted to stay behind to support her, they had to leave for now because they didn¡¯t want to cause her trouble. The moment the door closed Gisele ratsed her head and looked at her seriously ¡°What to you want from Sierra took one look at Joshakon, who was already very weak but was still trying his best to protect Gisele. Sierra chuckled She found him rather amusing. Nothing much Set up a payable booth during the charity and I ask Den to save him (1) Sere raised her chin obnoxiously as though she was deciding the life and death of a stray animal. Initially, Gisele thought that Sierra would frame her by saying that she was bullying her. Unexpectedly, she wanted her to set up a payable booth during the charity event to humiliate her. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. This was akin to divulging to the public her love for money. It would paint the bad impression that in a charity event where the consultation fees were waived, Gisele was willing to do anything for money! While Gisele was silent, something popped up in Sierra¡¯s mind. cing a finger on her wless face, she gasped in surprise. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! You¡¯ll have to attend as Gigi Toby Fluff.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare?¡± Johnson shouted, but he sounded weak. He was lost at first, but when Sierra mentioned Gigi Toby Fluff, it hit him that she was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing As though she had heard a joke, Sierra covered her face and giggled sarcastically. ¡°Kid, are you trying to be a knight in shining armor even though you¡¯re already hopeless beyond cure? ¡°Your videos are removed from the Inte, your ount is frozen, and the club breached its contract with you withoutpensation. Do you have any idea who was the cause of all this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Chapter 78 Chapter 78 With a solemn face, Gisele berated, ¡°Ms. McMin, since we¡¯re negotiating a deal, will you please come up with a substantial term?¡± She could set up a booth as Gigi Toby Fluff, but it wasn¡¯t helpful if Sierra merely persuaded Dorian to let Johnson have the surgery. ¡°What are your terms?¡± Sierra asked casually. Taking a look at the increasingly skinny Johnson, Gisele sighed. ¡°Besides the surgery, there¡¯s also the fees for his future medical expenses until he¡¯spletely fit to make a living for himself.¡± ¡°Not a problem.¡± ¡°And all his ounts should be reinstated. The people who had humiliated and insulted him before have to offer a personal apology, not forgetting the club¡¯spensation, not a penny less.¡± In one shot, Gisele named all the terms that came into her mind. Johnson led a miserable life, and because of her, the situation just became worse for him. If she was able to, she would like to make up to him as much as possible. Sierra didn¡¯t answer her immediately as she contemted the situation. All the terms Gisele listed were not a big deal. In contrast, if she told Dorian about all of it and let him know how much Johnson mattered to Gisele, maybe it would lead him to have other ideas about Gisele. If Dorian was aware that Gisele kept other people on her mind, maybe she wouldn¡¯t have a special ce in his heart anymore. ¡°No, Gigi!¡± Johnson said anxiously. Thest thing he wanted was to be a burden to others. Even if it woulde at the cost of his life, he would have no regrets. Aftering to a decision, Sierra agreed readily, ¡°Okay, it¡¯s a deal. You must attend the day of the charity opening. The next day, I¡¯ll ask Dorian to arrange a surgery for this kid.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Gisele agreed without second thoughts. ¡°As long as Johnson is safe, I can do anything you ask of N?velDrama.Org content rights. me.¡± Finally, she understood why yesterday Dorian said that she would need his help. At that time, she merely shrugged it off because there was peace at the Meyers, and Dorian had already thwarted her online shop and booth. Even the straightforward Angle was abroad, so she had nothing to worry about. s, the problem sprouted because of Johnson. Feeling satisfied, Sierra spun on her heels and opened the door to leave, only to find Dorian standing there. ¡°Don..¡± Unease shed across her face. This morning, she had specially called to inform him that she wasing to Central Hospital. In reply, he told her toe alone and that he wasn¡¯t able to make it here due to a morning meeting. But, here he was now. Was it because of Gisele? Dorian nodded, his eyes fixed on Gisele, who was standing next to the bed. Just a second ago, he heard her saying that she could do anything as long as Johnson was safe. Was she so fickle that she could fall for anyone and take care of any man except him? Suddenly, the air of hostility built up around Dorian. Sierra, who wanted to approach him, was startled and stood rooted on the spot, afraid to take another step closer. Stepping past her, Dorian walked ahead and came to a stop in front of Gisele. Roughly, he grabbed her slender arm and chided, ¡°I have no idea that my wife is such a phnthropist. Are you willing to do anything for every sick man?¡± ¡°Let go of me!¡± Feeling his grip tightening, Gisele furrowed her brows subconsciously. However, he held an iron grip on her wrist and put on a stiff smile. ¡°What? Don¡¯t you have the guts to answer my question?¡± ¡°Dorian!¡± Taking a deep breath, Gisele then shouted as she stared at Sierra behind him, ¡°Will you only be satisfied after hearing an answer from me? Yes, I¡¯m phnthropic to every sick man. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Healers were usually benevolent, and she loved her upation. She felt sorry for and worried about every sick person, wishing that there would be no more illnesses and pain in this world. What was wrong with that? Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Dorian had assumed that Gisele wouldn¡¯t have the guts to say it, but she had just admitted it graciously Just like that, she confessed to something so disgusting. ¡°As your wife, I¡¯m phnthropic to anyone except you. Does it make you feel horrible?¡± Gisele asked with a sarcastic sneer. As though shaking off a poisonous snake, Dorian hurriedly shook off his hand and chastised, ¡°You¡¯re filthy! ¡°Aren¡¯t we the same?¡± Gisele snapped back immediately. Since she already made the deal with Sierra, the pleading part was now Sierra¡¯s job. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Narrowing his eyes, Dorian took out a piece of disinfectant wet wipe and cleaned his hands. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that he¡¯ll die?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid to die! Even if I¡¯m dead, I¡¯ll put you under a curse. You¡¯ll never get Gigi nor happiness in your life, ever! Gigi deserves a better man than you! Johnson snapped. Thest thing Johnson wanted was to be a burden on Gisele. On the other hand, he wished to have an early death. That way, he wouldn¡¯t be a burden to her anymore. He confessed his feelings for her before this because he wanted to take better care of her. Also, he hoped to be someone she could rely on, but he was too naive Not only did he embarrass Gisele, but he even lost the job that was supporting his livelihood, not to mention the surgery which he may not survive was awaiting him, like a devil by his door. Dorian watched as Gisele kept her eyes glued on Johnson. Jealousy welled up in his chest, but he didn¡¯t know what that emotion was. All he wanted to do was to hide Gisele in a ce where nobody could see her. ¡°Don.¡± The neglected Sierra gazed at Dorian with a trembling face. From the moment he entered the ward until now, Gisele was the only one in his eyes and words. He was even willing to waste his time arguing with a kid. If he hadn¡¯t regarded Johnson as his rival in love, he wouldn¡¯t have wasted his time on a stranger. This realization shook Sierra, and it confirmed her previous guess that Gisele had a ce in Dorian¡¯s heart. With knitted brows, Dorian said to her, ¡°Dr. Puschl and the others are waiting for you at the nurse station ahead. Get your work done first. I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the garage.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we-¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Dorian had grabbed Gisele roughly and headed out. When they passed by her, Gisele muttered in a low voice, ¡°Ms. McMin, please don¡¯t let me down.¡± Sierra¡¯s nails dug deep into her palms as she wondered whether there was a need for her to plead with Dorian on Gisele¡¯s behalf. Right before leaving the room, Gisele said to Johnson, Gisele sad to Johnson, ¡°Johnson, everything is over once you¡¯re dead Only when you have a healthy body can you be strong and protect-¡± Her sentence was abruptly cut off because Donan dragged her away. As though on purpose, he walked ast and hurriedly, not caring whether Gisele could keep up or if she would trip Finally, they came to a stop in the elevator, and Gisele couldn¡¯t hold back anymore, grumbling, ¡°Donan Jefferson, have you lost your mind? We¡¯re in a public space. Do you want others to find out about our retationstop? What are you going to do about Sierra if that happens? Let me go With a solemn face, Dorian lowered his head, grabbed the back of her head, and k*ssed her. She must have deliberately provoked him with these words, so he wasn¡¯t going to do as she wanted His aggressive k*ss gradually became passionate, and the temperature in the closed elevator kept rising. Just as Gisele was turning weak from his k*ss, the elevator doors slowly slid open with a ding Outside was a bunch of journalists with long and short lenses, capturing the scene frantically. When they saw the people locked in a k*ss, they were stunned. Chapter 80 Chapter 80 The small space outside the elevator was crowded with people, and the cameras were still shing away as everyone¡¯s jaw hung in stunned silence. ¡°You nned this!¡± Snapping back to his senses, Dorian grabbed Gisele¡¯s wrist tightly. He had underestimated her. Not only was she trying to make a cuckold out of him, but she also provoked him on purpose so that the media could capture intimate pictures of them. With this scandal, she could then use it against Sierra. Opening her m*uth, Gisele wanted to exin herself. But when she saw how sure he was, her l*ps curled into a bitter smile instead. As a person who could barelye up with a hundred dors, what could she offer to the journalists to do something like this? She kept away her self¨Cpity and asked with a smirk, ¡°So, are you giving them more reason to gossip by holding my hand so tightly and whispering into my ear?¡± Immediately, Dorian tossed her hand aside and took out the disinfectant wet wipes that he always carried with him in his pocket before wiping his fingers. Gisele couldn¡¯t help but trace his movements with her eyes. He had pretty fingers, and she thought that should the Jeffersons go bankrupt one day, Dorian could be the top male model of the continent simply with his face, body, or even fingers. ¡°If you don¡¯t take care of them with a reasonable excuse, the herbal ntation project in negotiation with the Meyers-¡± With a professional smile on her face, Gisele stepped forward in the elevator and nodded at everyone before he could finish speaking. ¡°Thank you for your effort, everyone. This is only a rehearsal. As Ms. McMin is busy, I have to stand in for her now. Please show me how the pictures look.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± The journalist looked at one another hesitantly Although Gisele appeared calm, she was in fact very nervous. She didn¡¯t know if these journalists were Sierra¡¯s doing or not, but if they weren¡¯t, the saucy pictures and videos of her and Dorian locked in a k*ss would be viral on the Inte in less than a night. In the pin¨Cdrop silence, the journalists looked at each other and handed Gisele the camera. Under the lens, the elevator door opened slowly and the image of them k*ssing appeared. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. They looked like the perfect couple, added with the fact that the cameras were prepared beforehand, the entire scene was captured in a romantic angle. Just looking at the videos and pictures could intrigue others into asking about their sweet love story. There was a little joy in Gisele¡¯s heart, but it was overwhelmed by disappointment. s, none of this was real. ¡°The pictures and videos are great, but some of the camera angles are bad. The people in these pictures look deformed. A person as perfect as Ms. McMin cannot have a picture with ws,¡± Gisele corrected them like an expert. The journalists stole a look at Dorian, who was standing with his back straight in the elevator. When he said nothing, they nodded and said, ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll adjust the angles now.¡± ¡°Great. Later, Mr. Jefferson and Ms. McMin wille downstairs in this elevator again. Set up the cameras carefully. The pictures and videos must have a wow effect upon publishing so that people could see how amazing Ms. McMin is. Do you get it?¡± Gisele advised sternly with a straight face. While speaking, she fished out her cell phone and secretly took a picture of the photo. This was their only picture together. The journalists nodded in unison. ¡°Got it. Thanks for the advice, Ms. Assistant.¡± Keeping away her phone, Gisele returned their camera and turned to the elevator. ¡°You may go up now. Juste down with Ms. McMin using the positions earlier and there¡¯ll be perfect pictures.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen someone jumping in to be an assistant.¡± Dorian stared at her with a stiff smile, feeling somewhat disgruntled. He had no idea what was the cause for his disgruntlement, but he thought that the brilliant smile Gisele was wearing now seemed like an eyesore. In reply, Gisele merely smiled without a word. If it made him happy to be sarcastic at her, she decided to Just let him be because this was the only thing she could do to make him happy. Immediately, Dorian felt powerless because his sarcasm didn¡¯t work on her. ¡°Ms. Assistant, we¡¯ve made the adjustments,¡± the journalists shouted at her. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re going up now. Please don¡¯t make the same mistake as earlier. Ms. Mn hates imperfections,¡± Gisele hinted at them, smiling softly. Chapter 81 Chapter 81 If the journalists said a word about what happened, the consequences that awaited them might not be pretty. Dorian¡¯s piercing gaze swept over them, and they all nodded and agreed, even deleting the pictures in their cameras. They had to admit that Dorian had conceded a lot just to have his k*ssing pictures with Sierra appear perfect when ¡°secretly¡± captured by them. Not to mention in Hearthfield, nobody in the country could make Dorian concede to this extent. Gisele returned into the elevator and pressed a button. After the doors closed, she showed Dorian the QR code for her booth and said with a smile, ¡°Please settle the bill, Mr. Jefferson.¡± Dorian¡¯s zing eyes fixed on her like a beast eyeing its prey. ¡°The price is 10,000 dors, but seeing how sincere you are toward Ms. McMin, I¡¯ll give you a discount. Make it 9,999 dors, then. I wish you an evesting rtionship.¡± Her brows and eyes turned into crescents while she spoke, and her smile looked genuine. Realizing that she seemed delighted, Dorian felt his chest tightening. As though his windpipes were blocked, his breathing was rugged and uneven. When he was silent, she thought that he was unhappy with the amount and softened her tone even more. If you find it too expensive, I¡¯ll deduct a part as your wedding gift. It¡¯s enough if you pay me 6,666 dors.¡± If he let a PRpany handle the situation, it would cost him more than a few thousand dors. A businessman as outstanding as Dorian would know very well what to do.. ¡°Dorian, the elevator doors will soon open¡­¡± Gisele said, trailing off. Pulling a long face, Dorian stuck his hands into the pockets of his trousers and replied indifferently, ¡°Get it from Jon.¡± ¡°Okay, I wish you a blissful rtionship with Ms. McMin. May you have a healthy child!¡± Right after the cheerful words left her l*ps, the elevator doors opened slowly. Standing outside, Sierra took a look at them and focused on their l*ps subconsciously. Somehow, their l*ps looked a little swollen N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. to her. ¡°Hey, Don.¡± Sierra took a soft step in. Although she had many questions in her mind, she didn¡¯t know where to start so she wouldn¡¯t sound random. Meanwhile, Gisele walked out of the elevator and winked at them, reminding them in a sweet voice, Remember that the pictures will only be perfect with the positions earlier.¡± Dorian¡¯s face was incredibly gloomy, and he exuded a murderous air around him. Sierra was confused, but when she recalled everything she had orchestrated in the parking garage downstairs, she felt a cold chill passing through her heart. 72 Did the journalists she arranged arrive early and capture smutty pictures and videos of Dorian and Gisele? Before she could delve deeper, the elevator doors slowly came to a close. The bright smile on Gisele¡¯s face disappeared as the doors closed, and she massaged her temples in exhaustion as she tried to encourage herself. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t force yourself to smile if you don¡¯t want to.¡± Suddenly, a gentle and husky voice echoed from behind her. Chapter 82 Chapter 82 When Gisele spun around, she saw Aspen and cast him an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry, I was held up due to my personal affairs. How is Mrs. Witham Senior doing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. We¡¯re already done with the hospitalization procedures.¡± Aspen pursed his l*ps and said earnestly, ¡°During the following days, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to trouble you to take care of my grandmother. The doctor said her situation is not looking good, but herbal medicine can improve her condition. Still¡­ this is not a long¨Cterm n.¡± Knowing that this was her responsibility, Gisele said with a smile, ¡°This is my job. There¡¯s no need for formalities, Mr. Witham,¡± After they arrived at Deborah¡¯s ward, Gisele learned about her condition from the doctor and started taking care of her diligently. From the moment she entered the ward, she didn¡¯t stop working. First, she administered acupuncture ording to the doctor¡¯s information and wiped Deborah¡¯s body afterward. When she had finished tending to Deborah, she fetched a bucket of water and started cleaning the bedside table. The tall and sturdy Aspen seemed redundant standing next to her, and he whisked out his phone to capture the scene in a picture. In the picture, Gisele looked very demure as she bent over and cleaned the bedside table. Although only. her profile was captured, the integrity she carried in her job was visible on her face. Smirking, he sent the picture to the group chat with Bernard and Dorian. ¡°Thanks to Mr. Dorian¡¯s rmendation, I found a pretty and kind caretaker. May I know if she¡¯s still single?¡± After he sent the text, Bernard reacted with the sticker of a baby with widened, shocked eyes. ¡°Doge!¡± he texted, tagging Dorian. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you for this. How can you send my idol to be a caretaker? Prepare yourself for the death that awaits you!¡± He proceeded to send multiple texts tagging Dorian but received no reply. Only then did he calm down. When did you return, Aspy? Will you tell me what¡¯s happening between you and my idol? Let¡¯s have a drink at Stonebridge Pub tonight,¡± he texted. Stonebridge Pub was thergest and most luxurious high¨Cend club in Hearthfield. It was established by Dorian, Bernard, and Aspen soon after they became adults. In the beginning, it was just a regr pub, but it took a dramatic turn in three years. Businessmen enjoyed conducting business negotiations in this ce because it was fun but also had conference rooms, which was kind of a one¨Cstop service for businesses. Aspen lifted his head to look at Gisele, who was cleaning on the balcony, before returning to his phone.¡± Sure. Tonight 8:00 pm at Stonebridge Pub.¡± After sending the text, he kept his phone and rolled up his sleeves. ¡°Gisele, you don¡¯t have to do any of 72 this. Your only responsibility is acupuncture on my grandmother. Leave the rest to the other caretakers,¡± he said with a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s alright. This is no trouble at all.¡± Gisele returned the rag she had just used to its ce. The Withams paid her a high sry of ten thousand dors a month. Although they said her job was to take care of Deborah¡¯s health, she only needed to perform acupuncture on Deborah once a day and provide a menu for her therapy. The other expenses from the herbs were paid separately by the Withams. Undoubtedly, she had to treat such a generous customer well. Maybe they would introduce other customers to her. When the timees, withbined customers, she would have a substantial ie and be able to return the money Angle lent her. Besides that, part of the money she earned could also be used to support her expenses while studying. This made her believe that she had something to look forward to in the future. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. At 8:00 pm, in the exclusive private room in Stonebridge Pub On this level, there were threerge suites besides a huge private room. Another small room was within the private room, and a smart temperature controller was installed in it to keep the room at a constant temperature. This was because the room had rows of wine cabs which stood as tall as a grown man. The alcohol storage room simted the temperature of a cer to store wine. Whenever the three of them were in the mood for a drink, they could always have the drink that they wanted. ¡°Will you attend my show as a special guest, Aspy? You majored in nursing in college. If you appear in my show, it will definitely be a global hit!¡± Bernard said as he picked out a bottle of Tequ Ley .925. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 This bottle of liquor was worth 3.5 million dors, and its extravagant price was precisely why Bernard had chosen to collect it. He had added this brand of liquor into his collection because it was the most expensive liquor. Despite appearing tactless and easygoing, Bernard had a love for drinking. The higher the alcohol- content, the more he liked it. Hence, most of the drinks in the wine storage were from his personal collection. Taking the tequ in a tinum bottle, Aspen opened the bottle and took a whiff. ¡°Do you mean ¡®The Ideal Nursing Home¡°? How many days will Gisele stay in the program?¡± he asked warmly. N?velDrama.Org content rights. While he was speaking, the door swung open, and both of them turned their heads simultaneously. When they saw Dorian dressed in gym attire, they paused in surprise. Bernard was the first to snap back to his senses, springing to his feet and covering his mouth in shock. You actually showed up! This is unexpected! You refused toe thest time I asked you out for a drink. What made you give up the It seemed like Dorian had just finished exercising. His usually impable hair now looked messy, but in a natural way. The high and mightypany owner whom everyone looked up to during the day had turned into the good¨Clooking young man next door. Dorian took a nce at Aspen on the couch and plopped into a couch in another corner with his hands in his pockets. ¡°Here, give me the tequ, Aspy. Thest time we gathered to have a drink so casually was three years ago. This time, let¡¯s agree not to get riled up over a woman,¡± Bernard said, disregarding everything else as he tried to liven up the atmosphere. Just before this, Aspen was warm and had a smile on his face, but he suddenly turned cold. The chilly air around him seemed to bepeting against the deadly air exuding from Dorian, and neither wanted to yield. Bernard poured out the drinks. When he saw that nobody made a move, a frown appeared on his face. Hey, both of you! Are you guys still at it? Is it worth it to give up on your friendship over a woman?¡± ¡°Yeah, a woman was controlling the usually decisive Mr. Jefferson.¡± Taking the ss from Bernard¡¯s hand, Aspen finished the strong liquor in one shot. Pulling a long face, Dorian took a ss as well and finished the drink without even batting an eyelid. After a shot, the fury within them seemed to be ignited. Seeing them in this state, Bernard wanted to protect his drink out of reflex. It was a waste of good liquor to have these two dummies drink it without enjoying it. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you think about the dumb things you¡¯ve done before speaking about others?¡± Rising to his feet, Dorian snatched the bottle of tequ in Bernard¡¯s hand and poured a ss. ¡± Back then, Someone couldn¡¯t get the person he loved, so he took it out on himself in a bad way but tegretted it halfway and came back again. Do you remember who that was?¡± Don mocked, Aspen was speechless. This incident happened three years ago. At that time, upon learning that Sierra wasnt the one Dorian was marrying, Aspen had looked for Sierra to confess his feelings for her, hoping that she would consider him. However, she turned him down. To add salt to the injury, Dorian also insulted him badly. After that, he went abroad and would only return during the festivities. While pointing out each other¡¯s ws, Dorian and Aspen continued million dor liquor to finish. They spoke about matters that took ce since they were children. Yes, they were now speaking about Gisele, 3. ng. It didn¡¯t tan long for the 5 the topic involved Gisele. Aspen was feeling the alcohol in his system. With one hand holding a ss, he held his phone in his other hand. ¡°With just one call, I can make Giselee over to me right away. Dorian, do you think that everyone has to revolve around you?¡± ¡°Call her.¡± In one gulp, Dorian finished the liquor and fixed his eyes on Aspen. Not everyone would revolve around him, but Gisele was something else. Nervousness gnawed at him, and he felt uneasy. I At the same time, Aspen already made the call. After Gisele picked up, he put the call on loudspeaker mode, and her soft voice sounded, ¡°Aspen? What¡¯s up with you at this hour?¡± Chapter 84 Chapter 84 Pin¨Cdrop silence fell over the private room in an instant. In his shock, Bernard turned to Dorian in disbelief, trying to find traces of other emotions on his face. In the dim lighting. Dorian leaned into the backrest of the couch, his stunning face hidden in the dark. Besides his prominent nose bridge, the rest of his face was obscured. ¡°Will youe and get me? I¡­ drank too much,¡± Aspen said gently as he came up with an excuse, his sharp gaze fixed on Dorian. With his jaw hanging in shock, Berard shifted his gaze between Dorian and Aspen repeatedly. Did he miss something important in a mere few days? On the other end of the line, Gisele furrowed her brows. It was close to 10:00 pm now, so she didn¡¯t really want to leave her house at this hour. In addition, she wasn¡¯t even that close with Aspen. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring anyone with me. If my parents find out that I went out drinking, they¡¯ll be mad at me,¡± Aspen added. At the end of his speech, he even sounded a little aggrieved, as though whining that his parents still had a firm control over him even though he was almost thirty./ ¡°Okay, send me the address.¡± Crack! N?velDrama.Org content rights. As Gisele finished speaking, the sound of a hand crushing a ss to shards could be heard. Aspen hung up the call casually and sent Gisele a text. The quiet private room turned even more silent after the ss shards hit the floor. After his shock subsided, Bernard said warily, ¡°Aspy, tell me the truth! Did you fall for my idol? Listen, do you know the concept of getting in line?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Aspen was in high spirits as he poured himself a drink. However, Bernard snatched the ss from him and finished it in a gulp before snorting proudly. ¡°I¡¯ll woo Gigi once she and Doge are divorced. When that timees, I¡¯ll let everyone know that she¡¯s the best-¡± While bragging, he felt a murderous stare on himself and swallowed the remaining words abruptly. The awkwardness in the air thickened. Several times, he wanted to break the ice, but it was futile against Dorian¡¯s sharp eyes which were hidden in the dark. About 20 minutester, Aspen¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Sorry, let¡¯s call it a night here. Someone is here to pick me up.¡± He waved his phone screen in front of them, showing them Gisele¡¯s name which was shing on it. Immediately, Bernard jumped up and ced his arm around Aspen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I want to go with you even if it means sleeping at your ce.¡± ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go.¡± They walked out, and Dorian, who was as que as an innstle man, got up as well and followed after At the lobby on the first floor, they immediately caught sight of Gisele at the door. Dressed in a chers with cartoon printing paired with a pair of fitting jeans and white canvas shoes, she let her dark hair full loosely around her shoulders. Her youthful outfit appeared pure and pleasantpared to the girls hanging out in Stonebridge Pub who were dressed in racy outfits. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to trouble you, Gisele,¡± Aspen apologized gently, approaching her From the corner of her eyes, Gisele saw Dorian. In his casual clothes, he looked different from his usual self, and she rarely saw him like this. Looking away, she returned Asper¡¯s smile and answered, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Let¡¯s go, then.¡± After speaking, she nodded with a smile at Bernard as a greeting and pretended not to have seen husband, Dorian. ¡°I¡¯m going to Aspy¡¯s house today. Take me along as well?¡± Buoyantly, Bernard paced over and d his arm over Asper¡¯s shoulder before they started heading for the exit Tracing their steps, Dorian trailed behind until they reached Asperis car Gisele opened the door for them, and Aspen sent Bernard to the back seat while he took the passenger seat. When Gisele opened the driver¡¯s door and wanted to climb in, she felt a cold palm gripping her wrist. Turning her head, she asked in confusion, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, what are you doing? Pin¨Cdrop silence fell over the private room in an instant. In his shock, Bernard turned to Dorian in disbelief, trying to find traces of other emotions on his face. In the dim lighting. Dorian leaned into the backrest of the couch, his stunning face hidden in the dark. Besides his prominent nose bridge, the rest of his face was obscured. ¡°Will youe and get me? I¡­ drank too much,¡± Aspen said gently as he came up with an excuse, his sharp gaze fixed on Dorian. With his jaw hanging in shock, Berard shifted his gaze between Dorian and Aspen repeatedly. Did he miss something important in a mere few days? On the other end of the line, Gisele furrowed her brows. It was close to 10:00 pm now, so she didn¡¯t really want to leave her house at this hour. In addition, she wasn¡¯t even that close with Aspen. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring anyone with me. If my parents find out that I went out drinking, they¡¯ll be mad at me,¡± Aspen added. At the end of his speech, he even sounded a little aggrieved, as though whining that his parents still had a firm control over him even though he was almost thirty./ ¡°Okay, send me the address.¡± Crack! As Gisele finished speaking, the sound of a hand crushing a ss to shards could be heard. Aspen hung up the call casually and sent Gisele a text. The quiet private room turned even more silent after the ss shards hit the floor. After his shock subsided, Bernard said warily, ¡°Aspy, tell me the truth! Did you fall for my idol? Listen, do you know the concept of getting in line?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Aspen was in high spirits as he poured himself a drink. However, Bernard snatched the ss from him and finished it in a gulp before snorting proudly. ¡°I¡¯ll woo Gigi once she and Doge are divorced. When that timees, I¡¯ll let everyone know that she¡¯s the best-¡± While bragging, he felt a murderous stare on himself and swallowed the remaining words abruptly. The awkwardness in the air thickened. Several times, he wanted to break the ice, but it was futile against Dorian¡¯s sharp eyes which were hidden in the dark. About 20 minutester, Aspen¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Sorry, let¡¯s call it a night here. Someone is here to pick me up.¡± He waved his phone screen in front of them, showing them Gisele¡¯s name which was shing on it. Immediately, Bernard jumped up and ced his arm around Aspen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I want to go with you even if it means sleeping at your ce.¡± ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go.¡± They walked out, and Dorian, who was as que as an innstle man, got up as well and followed after At the lobby on the first floor, they immediately caught sight of Gisele at the door. Dressed in a chers with cartoon printing paired with a pair of fitting jeans and white canvas shoes, she let her dark hair full loosely around her shoulders. Her youthful outfit appeared pure and pleasantpared to the girls hanging out in Stonebridge Pub who were dressed in racy outfits. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to trouble you, Gisele,¡± Aspen apologized gently, approaching her From the corner of her eyes, Gisele saw Dorian. In his casual clothes, he looked different from his usual self, and she rarely saw him like this. Looking away, she returned Asper¡¯s smile and answered, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Let¡¯s go, then.¡± After speaking, she nodded with a smile at Bernard as a greeting and pretended not to have seen husband, Dorian. ¡°I¡¯m going to Aspy¡¯s house today. Take me along as well?¡± Buoyantly, Bernard paced over and d his arm over Asper¡¯s shoulder before they started heading for the exit Tracing their steps, Dorian trailed behind until they reached Asperis car Gisele opened the door for them, and Aspen sent Bernard to the back seat while he took the passenger seat. When Gisele opened the driver¡¯s door and wanted to climb in, she felt a cold palm gripping her wrist. Turning her head, she asked in confusion, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, what are you doing? m Bonus For Free Every Day** Chapter 85 Chapter 85 Even though it was wed past 10.00 pm, the lively atmosphere at Stonebridge Pub was just getting started. The parking lot was still bustling with activity¨Csome patrons had just arrived, while others were stumbling out after indaging too much in drinks. Time to head home.¡± Dorian remarked indifferently as he pulled Giselle close, causing her to stumble into his embrace. Struggling to keep her bnce, Giselle tripped and identally bumped into Dorian¡¯s chest. pect against his sturdy body caused a jolt of pain in Gisele¡¯s nose. It prickled ufortably, nearly bringing tears of difort to her eyes. Seated in the passenger seat, Aspen leaned over, reaching for Gisele¡¯s hand. His voice was both gentle and firm. ¡°Don, you¡¯ve had too much to drink. This is Gisele, not Sierra.* ¡°Yes, Dorian, please take a good look. I¡¯m Gisele, not Sierra,¡± Gisele said, trying to hold back her tears. She couldn¡¯t help but notice the strong scent of alcohol on Dorian, causing her brows to furrow in worry. However, Dorian paid no heed to Gisele¡¯s words. He forcefully grabbed her hand and led her toward his car. Gisele stumbled clumsily as he pulled her along, mostly dragging her along with him. As Dorian roughly shoved Gisele into the car, Aspen hurried over and wedged himself between the closing door. His usually gentle tone turned cold as he spoke, ¡°Dorian, must you treat Gisele like this?¡± ¡°Our rtionship is none of your concern,¡± Dorian retorted as he settled into the back seat. The atmosphere inside the car became tense as soon as he entered. His hands gripped Gisele¡¯s neck tightly, making it difficult for her to breathe. Aspen pursed his lips, ncing down at Gisele. ¡°Gisele, do you want to stay?¡± Gisele hesitated, her gaze shifting to Dorian. If she had known Dorian would be present, she wouldn¡¯t havee at all. Initially, she had mistaken Aspen for a customer, and in her line of work, customers always took priority, which was why she had agreed to pick him up. ¡°Perhaps you should apany him and see how it goes.¡± Although Dorian appeared calm outwardly, his anger was simmering inside! Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be her first choice? Why was she hesitating now? N?velDrama.Org content rights. Dorian angrily grabbed Gisele¡¯s delicate hand, hisrge palm applying more pressure than usual due to his rage. Chapte Gisele endured the pain, understanding Dorian¡¯s implicit threat. If she didn¡¯tply, the Meyer family¡¯s future in Hearthfield might be at risk. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of him, Gisele,¡± Aspen reassured her. Gisele smiled softly and replied, ¡°Thank you, Aspen. I¡¯ll handle this. You should ask Mr. Murray to arrange a driver for you.¡± As her words trailed off, Jon escorted Aspen away and then shut the door, proceeding to start the car. Struggling to contain his anger, Dorian eased his grip on Gisele¡¯s hand ever so sligh though his dissatisfaction remained palpable. It seemed that Gisele neither acknowledged their marriage nor found it inappropriate to be outte at night, even going as far as to picking up and escorting a man home! As the car elerated, the atmosphere inside grew tense. Dorian, having consumed copious amounts of potent alcohol, began to feel the world around him spin gradually, his dizziness intensifying. Eventually, the car pulled up at the entrance of Jefferson Manor. ¡°Mr. Kiss, would you mind escorting Dorian into the room? If he requires assistance, please contact Ms. McMin,¡± Gisele instructed calmly as she exited the car. In the past, she might have attended to Dorian herself, but she refused to subject herself to such degradation anymore. As Gisele headed toward the parking lot, her wrist was suddenly seized. ¡°You¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Dorian forcefully pulled her into the car, causing her to stumble into his embrace. There, she was met with the warmth of his breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol. In the next moment, his lips found hers in the dim light. Hisrge hands started to roam over her tender body, unable to remain still. Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Gisele was startled by the sudden turn of events, her mind momentarily going nk. When she regained her senses, she found herself breathless from the kiss, with Dorian pinning her down. In the dim light, Dorian¡¯s eyes gleamed with intensity, emitting a fierce gaze as he leaned in to kiss her, almost as if in retaliation for her hesitance to stay. ¡°Gah!¡± Gisele winced in difort. Her eyes widened as she angrily seized Dorian¡¯s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. ¡°Dorian! Y¨Cyou better let go of me! Can¡¯t you see who I am? ¡°I know you can handle your alcohol, so why the charade? Aren¡¯t you concerned about how devastated Sierra will be if she walks in on us?¡± Gisele feared that Dorian might attempt to force himself on her in the car, but what terrified her even more was the prospect of tomorrow morning. She worried that after they had s**, he would feel repulsed and disgusted by her, using her of promiscuity. In his drunken state, Dorian found Gisele¡¯s protests irritating. Hushing her with a kiss, he muttered, ¡°Shh!¡± Immediately after, his gentle, tender lips shifted into a disy of dominance, taking charge of her mouth, while his hands firmly constrained hers. With a heavy heart, Gisele watched as Dorian seemed consumed by his urge to kiss her. Hisrge hand gripped her buttocks while her slender arms encircled his shoulders. Locked in an ambiguous embrace, their passionate kisses drew them closer to the vi, Jon now nowhere in sight. In the vast and eerie Jefferson Manor, the couple continued to embrace, their lips intertwining. Even the frigid air appeared to thaw, gradually warming like water approaching its boiling point, until eventually, the metaphorical kettle reached its climax and overflowed. ¡°Dorian¡­¡± Gisele breathed out, her voice soft as she sumbed to his passionate kiss, her flowing locks cascading over their entwined shoulders. Without hesitation, Dorian hastily removed her clothing, leaving a trail of passionate kisses and love bites This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. on her fair, delicate skin. ¡°Don.¡± Gisele¡¯s delicate and alluring, voice echoed, but Dorian swiftly silenced her with a kiss, preventing any further words from escaping her lips. With a sobering awareness, Gisele observed Dorian¡¯s passionate demeanor, experiencing a bittersweet sensation within her. Despite Dorian being the one under the Influence of alcohol, Gisele found herself captivated by his tenderness, even in her sober state. They made out from the car to the living room, their passion undiminished as they moved to the second floor, ultimately arriving in the master bedroom¡­ As they stepped into the vi, their clothes were strewn across the floor, enveloping the room in an atmosphere saturated with desire. Exhausted, Gisele struggled to keep her eyes open. Drifting toward sleep, she caught a faint whisper by her ear, ¡°Rainie¡­ Rainie, don¡¯t go.¡± Rainie¡­ Gisele¡¯s eyes snapped open instantly, her longshes trembling as she gazed at Dorian. Did he still remember her? She longed to ask him but didn¡¯t know where to begin. Summoning her strength, Gisele rose from the bed, her body aching. Despite the difort, she made her way to the bathroom for a shower. Her tears mingled with the hot water, streaming down her face, tracing the path of hickeys on her skin before vanishing down the drain. The next day at midday. Dorian slept until noon, only to be awakened by a splitting headache. Sitting up, he noticed his mouth was dry. Without bothering to look, he reached for the ss on the bedside table and took a sip. The familiar bitterness of Sophora root made him instinctively frown as soon as it touched his tongue. It was the hangover remedy that Gisele had specially prepared for him. After social events in the past, he would always rely on a cup or two of this. Her unique blend of hangover relief effectively mitigated symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and thirst. As Dorian pondered, he couldn¡¯t shake off the memory of Gisele¡¯s hesitationst night, questioning whether she truly cared for him or if it was merely an act. ¡°Gisele, don¡¯t you dare¡­¡± Dorian said, his words trailing off as he turned away. Chapter 87 Chapter 87 113 Seeing Sierra naked in bed, Dorian immediately averted his gare, moving to the edge of the bed to create some distance. As he tried to get up, he realized he was also naked. Awakened by themotion, Sierra moved closer, hoping to embrace him. Her long hair partially obscured her petite face and beautiful breasts, though the hic keys on her porcin-like skin were faintly visible. ¡°Don?¡± Sierra, who had been neglected by Dorian, gared at him in bewilderment from her distant position. She wore a sweet and bashful smile as she asked, ¡°Don, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Dorian¡¯s mind went nk at the sight of her coy expressi If his memory served him right, he should have been with Giselest night. So, how could ¡°Don, if you want to act likest night didn¡¯t happen. I can do that too,¡± Sierra¡¯s voice interrupted his thoughts. She draped a thin nket around herself, revealing the love marks on her neck Dorian¡¯s gaze intensified, a smile ying on his lips. ¡°What happenedst night?¡± he asked. The only memory he retained from the previous night was Gisele¡¯s incessant chatter in his ear, which had annoyed him so much that he silenced her with a kiss. ¡°Last night, Mr. Kiss and Gisele brought you back. I was waiting for you at Jefferson Manor to discuss the guest list for the charity g. But when you returned¡­¡± Sierra blushed, ber face turning shy and embarrassed. ¡°You i just picked me up and started kissing me. I tried to get you to drink some hangover remedy, but you refused and even said I was being noisy.¡± ¡°Boom-¡± The sudden sound of thunder rumbled outside, causing Dorian¡¯s face to pale considerably. Sierra¡¯s ount didn¡¯t match his recollection; he distinctly remembered it was Gisele who had been noisy. ¡°Dorian, if you can¡¯t remember, then don¡¯t dwell on it. Just being with you is enough for me, ¡°Sierra said, sitting up. The shy blush on her face faded, reced by a paler hue. ¡°You drank the hangover remedy, right? I made it especially for you. I¡¯ll go take a shower first.¡± As she left, the sound of running water filled the bathroom. Dorian was still in shock, his gazending on the crimson stain in the center of the bed. So, it had been Sierra with himst night, not Gisele? In the bathroom, Sierra stood beneath the shower, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she pinched her fair skin. She was consumed by resentment. If she had arrived earlierst night, she would have been the one with Dorian, and she wouldn¡¯t be forced to pretend now. After standing under the steaming water for half an hour, Sierra eventually emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed.. Meanwhile, Dorian had freshened up and changed into a ck and white suit. ¡°Don, would you mind apanying me for some shopping? We¡¯re in need of public donations for the g, and I also have to find a suitable gown.¡± Sierra skillfully avoided any mention of the previous night¡¯s events as she approached Dorian and leaned on his arm. As Dorian gazed at Sierra¡¯s bare face, thoughts of Gisele unexpectedly surfaced in his mind. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Despite the absence of cosmetics, Gisele¡¯s skin was naturally wless,plemented by delicate features. Her fairplexion boasted a healthy wheatish tone, unlike Sierra¡¯s somewhat sickly pallor. ¡°Okay,¡± Dorian agreed with a nod. As they walked out together, he continued, ¡°Sierra, I want to apologize forst night. I had nned to save that for our wedding night, and I realize now that I¡¯ve hurt you.¡± ¡°Sierra had not expected him to broach the topic, so she was surprised when he brought it up on his own. Her earlier tension melted away, and she giggled, replying, ¡°It¡¯s okay, as long as you¡¯re going to be my husband.¡± Dorian simply nodded in response, choosing to remain silent. After a light lunch, they made their way to the mall. As Dorian walked into the mall with Sierra, he spotted Gisele smiling and linking arms with Aspen. With several shopping bags in hand, it seemed she hadpleted her shopping and was about to leave. Amidst the bustling crowd, Gisele immediately noticed Dorian. Her smile faltered slightly as Chapter #2 she observed how close he was to Sierra. But to Dorian, her reaction seemed to convey a sense of unhappiness upon seeing him. Once again, that unsettling feeling of being out of control washed over him. He truly disliked feeling this sense of powerlessness. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Sierra whispered tenderly in Dorian¡¯s ear, ¡°It¡¯s Gisele and Aspen.¡± Suppressing his difort, Dorian let out a faint ¡°Hmm,¡± before averting his gaze awkwardly. Nheless, Gisele¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Dorian. Seeing him casually nce elsewhere, she couldn¡¯t help but feel suffocated. Aspen gently patted her arm and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Gisele, Aspen, what a coincidence to run into you both,¡± Sierra spoke up, her voice filled with delight as she held onto Dorian¡¯s hand, inadvertently revealing the array of hickeys on her porcin neck. ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a stroll together and grab lunch afterward?¡± Gisele and Aspen both noticed Sierra¡¯s cluster of hickeys, with some barely visible on her V- neck dress that entuated her cleavage. Gisele wondered if Dorian sought out Sierra after she leftst night because he wasn¡¯t This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. satisfied. Upon pondering this, Gisele¡¯s body instinctively recoiled with disgust, prompting her to take a step back. Simultaneously, she and Aspen declined with a firm, ¡°No, thank you. We¡¯re busy.¡± Following their implicit rejection, the two exchanged a meaningful nce. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a bit disappointing. By the way, are you two a couple?¡± Sierra asked, her gaze tinged with envy but her tone gentle. ¡°You both seem very well¨Csuited. Aspen, does Aunt Sandra know about your girlfriend? Wouldn¡¯t she want you to be with someone who could assist you with your career?¡± Aspen met Dorian¡¯s gaze with a smile. ¡°Having such an amazing girlfriend is a blessing.¡± He neither confirmed nor denied his rtionship with Gisele, nor did he address Sierra¡¯s question about Sandra¡¯s knowledge of his rtionship. Gisele¡¯s hand remained on Aspen¡¯s arm. From up close, she could sense his subtle trembling and even noticed his hand unconsciously picking at his palm. ¡°We¡¯ve finished our shopping. Mrs. Witham Senior is expecting us at home. We won¡¯t keep you any longer,¡± Gisele politely remarked, turning to Aspen with a gentle tone. ¡°Shall we head back?¡± ¡°Alright. While Aspen maintained a stoic expression, his bodynguage betrayed his inner thoughts at that moment. As the two pairs prepared to go their separate ways, Dorian, typically quiet, unexpectedly broke the silence. ¡°Wait,¡± he uttered. Gisele, who was leading the way, halted in her tracks, her back facing Dorian as she awaited his further words, ¡°Did you just reject Sierra¡¯s invitation to go shopping and have a meal?¡± Dorian¡¯s question pierced the silence. While Dorian stood firm in supporting Sierra, his words also served as a warning to Gisele not to be too arrogant. After all, he had the power to make life difficult for the Meyer family if he wished. With her back turned to him, Gisele closed her eyes in despair. Was Dorian truly prepared to let Sierra disrupt their intimate world just to amodate her, leaving Gisele to wait on the sidelines? ¡°Gisele,¡± Aspen murmured, his demeanor calm. He couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for Gisele. From his viewpoint, he could see her thick, trembling eyshes and the pallor of herplexion. She must be feeling very ufortable. Gisele managed a bitter smile, her voice strained as she tried to sound nonchnt. ¡°I¡¯m fine. You go on ahead. I¡¯ll stay for a meal with them and then head back.¡± Her voice reached Dorian as he nced back ¡°Head back after having a meal with them? Was ¡°head back¡± still a term they could use in their rtionship? A wave of anger surged in his chest. Impatiently, Dorian called out, ¡°Gisele Meyer.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Gisele¡¯s body reflexively shivered as she quickly turned around. Sierra stole a disapproving nce at Gisele, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized Gisele¡¯s attire. Despite the scorching summer heat, Gisele chose a conservative outfit, revealing only a hint of her fair neck with a short¨Csleeved top. She paired it with a navy pleated skirt that reached down to her calves. But to Sierra¡¯s surprise, Gisele also had a scarf wrapped around her neck. Chapter 89 Chapter 89 As memories of Gisele¡¯s passionate night with Dorian flooded Sierra¡¯s mind, she ignited with fury, battling an urge to retaliate against Gisele. ¡°Don, perhaps we should forget about it. Pressuring her to join us will make us appear unreasonable,¡± Sierra¡¯s coquettish voice chimed in. Dorian responded with a dismissive nce. With a smile, Gisele quickly interjected, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. I¡¯m delighted to have dinner with both of you, Ms. McMin and Mr. Jefferson.¡± What was there to fear? It was just a meal, after all. ¡°I¡¯ll apany Gisele then,¡± Aspen promptly offered, disying his gentlemanly manners. Sierra and Dorian nced at Aspen simultaneously, sharing a moment of confusion at his protective demeanor toward Gisele. Gisele smiled gratefully at Aspen, but to Dorian, her smile felt like a provocation¨Ca subtle message conveying how well¨Cmatched she and Aspen were. ¡°Let¡¯s go shopping first,¡± Sierra suggested. Observing Dorian¡¯s unease, she promptly led him into the mall. expressed Gisele and Aspen trailed behind them. Observing Gisele¡¯s unsteady steps, Aspen his concern, ¡°Gisele, if you¡¯re having trouble walking, feel free to lean on me. It¡¯s perfectly fine.¡± Earlier, Dorian had observed Gisele grasping onto Aspen¡¯s arm. Yet, the reality was that Gisele had almost stumbled, leading Aspen to assist her in regaining her bnce. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Gisele reassured Aspen, letting go of his arm. She realized she couldn¡¯t continue clinging to Aspen. If someone with malicious intent had captured a photo of that moment, she wouldn¡¯t know how to justify it. Dorian and Sierra walked ahead. Nheless, Dorian found himself distracted, trying to catch snippets of Gisele and Aspen¡¯s conversation happening behind them. However, their voices remainedrgely muffled, carrying traces of joy in their tone but the specific words evading Dorian¡¯s ears. Dorian¡¯s expression darkened even further. Sierra couldn¡¯t help but notice Dorian¡¯s change in demeanor. Even as she browsed through the dresses, he appeared lost in thought. Sierra felt a twinge of regret about inviting Gisele along. If she hadn¡¯t, perhaps Dorian would. have paid more attention to her. After all, Dorian was hers from the start! ¡°These are all so lovely. I¡¯m torn between them. Gisele, could you help me decide?¡± Sierra held up a dress, appearing conflicted. As Gisele was about to speak, Dorian instructed the store attendant, saying, ¡°Could you please pack up all of these dresses?¡± ¡°Don, isn¡¯t this a bit excessive?¡± Sierra gazed at him yfully, her eyes twinkling. The boutique they were in specialized in tailored clothing, and while they might not have a hundred dresses, they probably had between thirty to fifty dresses showcased. Buying all of them would result in a significant expense, possibly amounting to hundreds or even thousands in value! Dorian nced at Sierra, who was marveling at the dresses, and reassured her in a gentle tone, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem.¡± Having said that, he turned back to the store attendant and requested, ¡°Along with these dresses, could you also arrange to send the new styles from each quarter for Sierra to consider?¡® Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Dorian¡¯s eyes once again found Gisele. He was determined to show her everything she could never have in her lifetime unless she pleaded for it! ¡°Sure thing!¡± the store attendant replied eagerly. After finalizing the dress selections, they proceeded to a top¨Crated restaurant for a private dining experience. As they settled in and ced their orders, Gisele¡¯s phone rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, her features contorted in confusion. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering your phone, Gisele? Who¡¯s calling?¡± Sierra inquired, snuggling closer to Dorian, her head tilted affectionately as she smiled. Gisele nced at Dorian with a troubled expression, hesitating before passing him her phone. Upon looking at the screen, Dorian and Sierra¡¯s expressions also shifted. Chapter 90 Chapter 90 ¡°I¡¯ll head outside to take the call,¡± Gisele stated, grabbing her phone and preparing to leave. However, as she took a step, Don¡¯s cold volce Interrupted, ¡°Answer it right here. I want to see what kind of nonsense you¡¯ll spout in front of Grandpa,¡± Gisele hesitated for a moment before ncing at Don, sighing Inwardly. What could she possibly say in front of Den? Taking a deep breath, Gisele eventually answered the call. Den¡¯s face appeared on the screen, sporting a yful smile as he remarked, ¡°Gisele, what took you so long? Shouldn¡¯t you be having dinner by now?¡± ¡°Grandpa Den, I¡¯m already at the restaurant,¡± Gisele remarked with a smile, her expression reflecting concern. ¡°You seem much healthiertely. How¡¯s your mood been these days, Grandpa Den?¡± As Den pondered the information from the investigator¡¯s report the previous night, het couldn¡¯t conceal his delight. While alcohol might impact sperm quality, moderate drinking could also strengthen the bond between married couples, which is a positive oue. Gisele was puzzled by Den¡¯s cheerful demeanor. Was there something positive happening that she wasn¡¯t aware of? Despite her efforts, Gisele couldn¡¯t recall any notable event worth celebrating. ¡°Oh, Gisele, I heard from Uncle William that he saw you and Don shopping and dining together. Where is Don? Howe I don¡¯t see him?¡± Den inquired, his smile still bright. Gisele quickly nced at Dorian, who sat opposite her with Sierra by his side. If Gisele were to flip her phone¡¯s camera, Den might catch a glimpse of Sierra. Contemting Den¡¯s cheerful inquiry, Gisele started to wonder if this supposed Uncle William had only seen her with Dorian and hadn¡¯t noticed Sierra, who was busy trying on clothes. ¡°Gisele, where¡¯s Don? Can¡¯t you two sit together?¡± Den urged with a smile. Gisele let out an awkward chuckle. ¡°Ha, ha¨Cha¡­ Grandpa Den, Don went to the restroom. He¡¯ll be back soon.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait for him to return. You two should sit together and video¨Ccall me. This is your first time dining out together, isn¡¯t it? It appears that mischievous Don is upping his game,¡± Den muttered to himself. Gisele kept a smile stered on her face, yet internally, she grappled with a sense of helplessness. If Den had known about Sierra, he likely wouldn¡¯t have spoken that way, would he? ¡°Get over here,¡± Dorian said coldly, fixing his gaze on Gisel Sierra looked at Dorian in disbelief. Was he seriously asking to be in the same video frame as Gisele? ¡°Don, I¡¯ll excuse myself to the restroom for a moment,¡± Sierra said, quicklyposing This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. herself. Rising to her feet, she deliberately walked over to Gisele, making sure Den on the video call could see that she was also present. Her intention was clear¨Cto reveal to Den that what he longed to see was nothing more than an illusion. Gisele couldn¡¯t shake off the concern that Den might notice Sierra. She promptly stood up and took a seat beside Dorian, creating the illusion of them being closely situated in the video call. However, in reality, there was still some physical distance between them. ¡°Grandpa Den, Don is back ¡°Gisele informed him, avoiding any i of Sierra If Den brought up Sierra, it would be Dorian¡¯s responsibility to address it. After all, she was the one he favored, so it seemed appropriate to let Dorian handle the situation. Dorian briefly nced at the screen before averting his gaze. As Sierra left, her strong perfume scent gradually faded away, reced by Gisele¡¯s citrusy aroma with a hint of herbal notes. This change infused the air with a refreshing and revitalizing sensation. ¡°Seeing the two of you so in love, I could peacefully depart this world,¡± Den said cheerfully. Despite catching sight of Sierra passing by on the screen earlier, it didn¡¯t dampen Den¡¯s joy upon witnessing Dorian and Gisele enjoying dinner together. With a sweet smile, Gisele replied, ¡°Grandpa Den, please don¡¯t say that. You¡¯ve got plenty years ahead of and down the road, you¡¯ll have the chance to look after your great- grandkids.¡± Chapter 91 Chapter 91 ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± Den chuckled heartily in response. Dorian observed as Gisele kept her distance from him, her posture stiff, refusing to lean into his embrace. The mere thought of Gisele affectionately leaning against Aspen stirred a wave of agitation within Dorian. His hand instinctively found its ce on her shoulder, drawing her closer and pressing her against his chest. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Gisele was taken aback by his sudden gesture. Worried that he might hold it against herter, she tried to sit up, creating some distance between them. However, his grip remained strong, keeping her firmly against his chest. In the end, she had no choice but to settle into this ufortable position, leaning awkwardly against him. Sierra, originally heading to the restroom, stood at the corner instead, silently observing them. Anger surged in her eyes, so intense it seemed her fury could ignite Gisele on the spot. Meanwhile, on the other end of the video call, Den grinned widely, his eyes disappearing in his excitement. With an enthusiastic nod, he said, ¡°Alright, you two go ahead and eat. Grandpa won¡¯t interrupt you anymore.¡± ¡°Okay, Grandpa Den, please take a break after your meal. We can wait until it¡¯s cooler * outside to y chess together,¡± Gisele advised, expressing her concern about Den ying chess in the hot weather. Den nodded in agreement before ending the call. Alfred, who stood near Den throughout the video call, appeared puzzled. ¡°Mr. Jefferson Senior, wasn¡¯t Ms. McMin also at the restaurant? Didn¡¯t you mind?¡± Upon learning from William that Gisele and the others were shopping and dining together, Alfred assumed that Den¡¯s call was to question Dorian and encourage Gisele to assert herself more. Nheless, he didn¡¯t anticipate the situation unfolding as it did. Den seemed topletely overlook Sierra, almost as if he didn¡¯t even realize she was there. ¡°I bet you¡¯re not aware, are you? Mr. William informed mest night that the lovebirds, Dorian and Gisele, kissed passionately from the car all the way to the vi,¡± Den remarked with a satisfied smile, reclining in his rocking chair with a focused gaze. Even though Don seems cold as ice during the day, it won¡¯t be long before they develop strong feelings for each other. What does Sierra have topare with that? Den believed that as long as Dorian changed, a remarkable woman like Gisele would surely be able to capture his heart. Moments ago, he had witnessed the affection between the couple firsthand. However, William wasn¡¯t actually a rtive, he ran a private detective agency specifically hired to gather information through investigation. While Den remained content, the atmosphere at Gisele¡¯s table had turned into a battleground. 213 Sierra returned as if nothing had happened, while Gisele had already resumed her seat next to Aspen. The dishes were gradually served, with most being Sierra¡¯s favorites but not catering to Gisele¡¯s liking Sierra had a penchant for spicy food, while Gisele preferred milder vors. Despite the table being adorned with an array of exquisite signature dishes, only the Greek sd suited Gisele¡¯s taste; everything else failed to appeal to her pte. ¡°Gisele, don¡¯t be shy, dig in,¡± Sierra encouraged, before gesturing toward the scarf draped around Gisele¡¯s neck. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel warm? There are no outsiders here; feel free to take off your scarf.¡± As Sierra spoke, Gisele instinctively covered her neck. Adorning her ivory skin were the love marks Dorian had left the previous night, and he hadn¡¯t spared her back either! ¡°Don¡¯t be self¨Cconscious; we¡¯re all friends here,¡± Sierra reassured Gisele as she approached and helped her remove the scarf. With a sudden pull, Sierra swiftly tugged the scarf away, giggling shyly. ¡°Oh! I didn¡¯t realize you and Aspen were having fun like that. But Aspen, you should also be more considerate Girls deserve to be treated with care, not roughness.¡± Sierra¡¯sment triggered a shift in Aspen and Dorian¡¯s expressions, instantly creating tension at the dinner table. Dorian rose to his feet and approached, yanking the scarf off forcefully, his eyes brimming with coldness. ¡°Did you sleep with Aspen?¡± im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 92 Chapter 92 ¡°You¡¯re hurting me!¡± Gisele struggled to free herself from Dorian¡¯s grip, but his hold was firm, making it impossible for her to break free. Dorian¡¯s expression darkened, exuding a threatening aura. ncing at Aspen, he chuckled coldly, saying, ¡°Impressive.¡± Without regard for Gisele¡¯s ability to stand on her own, he forcefully lifted her and briskly walked out. ¡°Don¡­ Don¡­¡± Sierra was taken aback by Dorian¡¯s rage. She wanted to intervene but was harshly pushed aside. Aspen stepped forward to lend his hand. ¡°Was this part of your n?¡± he inquired, his tone cold. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®my n¡®?¡± Sierra looked at him with teary eyes, a glimmer of hatred flickering in her gaze. ¡°Do you and Gisele not know how to be discreet? Why do you have to be so conspicuous?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re the best judge of whether I can cozy up to a woman or not?¡± Aspen retorted, gripping Sierra¡¯s wrist as he took a step closer. Sierra slowly retreated until she was backed against the wall, the chilly surface helping to clear her mind a bit. She swallowed nervously, her face pale with a touch of desperation. ¡°A¨CAspen, must it be like this between us? Didn¡¯t you say that as long as I am happy, that¡¯s all that matters?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Aspen gently tucked her hair behind her ear, their breaths mingling. He chuckled softly. ¡°But are you truly happy now? Does being a mistress bring you happiness?¡± Sierra¡¯s demeanor shifted at the mention of ¡°mistress¡°, her tearful gaze transforming into one of steely resolve as she locked eyes with him, dering, ¡°The title of Mrs. Jefferson has always belonged to me.¡± If Den hadn¡¯t been involved, she wouldn¡¯t have been expelled. Sierra¡¯s nails dug into her palm, the sharp pain jolting her senses. Aspen gently took hold of her hand, nting a soft kiss on her clenched fist. He let out a sigh before speaking, ¡°Does being with me cause you so much distress? Please, don¡¯t harm yourself; I would feel terrible,¡± ¡°Will you help me, then?¡± Sierra spoke up, her expression resembling that of an injured. rabbit, carrying an innocent plea as she met his gaze. 212 Meanwhile, Dorian had forcibly escorted Gisele out of the mall and into his car, treating her with disdain as if she was a mere object. With a powerful shove, he pushed her into the back seat, leaving Gisele bruised and battered from the rough treatment. The pain coursing through her body caused her delicate features to contort in agony. Towering over her, Dorian¡¯s furious gaze bore down, his rage almost palpable. ¡°Who gave you the guts to betray me?¡± Dorian¡¯s bloodshot eyes radiated a chilling aura, suffocating Gisele as if her throat had been sped, making it hard to breathe. For a moment, Gisele¡¯s mind went nk. As she regained herposure, she regarded Dorian with a puzzled frown, as though questioning his sanity. ¡°Dorian, you should know better than I precisely who betrayed whom! You manipte situations effortlessly, and while you could easily destroy the Meyer family, it¡¯s them I care about the most.¡± After all, she would be foolish to have an affair within their marriage. Initially consumed by anger, Dorian¡¯s rage subsided somewhat at her final words. After all, he held Gisele¡¯s fate in his hands. So, naturally, she couldn¡¯t have done such a thing. Despite this, she had mentioned moving on before, and even his two friends had a good rtionship with her. .Dorian¡¯s arm rested on the back of the seat as he leaned forward, his gaze piercing as it N?velDrama.Org content rights. settled on Gisele lying across from him. Speaking coldly, he demanded, ¡°So, care to enlighten me about this boyfriend of yours?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t being truthful about that,¡± Gisele replied, meeting his gaze squarely. Dorian¡¯s cold demeanor softened noticeably, and the icy aura surrounding him dissipated.¡± Are you searching for a new man after our divorce?¡± Chapter 93 Chapter 93 ¡°I¡­ It¡¯s true,¡± Gisele¡¯s words trailed off. Suddenly, Dorian¡¯s hand closed around her throat. ¡± You¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± Dorian¡¯srge hand hovered over Gisele¡¯s delicate neck, ready to inflict pain if she dared to speak another word. Tears welled up in Gisele¡¯s eyes as she met his gaze. She knew Dorian didn¡¯t love her. After all, he had never made any effort to understand her situation or her family¡¯s struggles. It was clear that Dorian had little regard for Gisele¡¯s life, emotions, or well¨Cbeing. As long as she didn¡¯t disrupt Sierra¡¯s peace, her destiny and feelings were inconsequential to him. As Dorian caught sight of his diminished reflection in Gisele¡¯s dark eyes, he suddenly froze. Why was he so consumed with anger over Gisele¡¯s actions? He didn¡¯t love her, so why did it matter who she was involved with? Why did he care at all? Before long, Dorian found his rationale. It boiled down to this¨CGisele couldn¡¯t afford to tarnish the Jefferson family¡¯s reputation. While she might be willing to endure personal disgrace, jeopardizing the honor of the Jefferson family was a risk too great to take. As Dorian felt his grip loosen around her neck, Gisele couldn¡¯t help but scoff. ¡°Dorian, do you still insist on meddling in my life even after our divorce? Even if I wanted to stay, do you honestly think my father would allow it? ¡°Don¡¯t you know the challenges of dealing with the Meyers? Shouldn¡¯t you be more informed about them than I am?¡± Gisele¡¯s voice dripped with sarcasm and fear, tears shimmering in her eyes as she defiantly locked her gaze with his, her red lips pursed firmly. Nheless, Dorian¡¯s contempt for Gisele mainly stemmed from her ties to the Meyer family, who, despite their modest status, were renowned for their relentless pursuit of wealth. Furthermore, both Peter and Gordoncked experience in business management, yet they consistently harbored excessive ambition and had a penchant for boasting. Over the past three years, they sought assistance nearly every six months, and each time, it was Gisele who stepped up to help. So, when Dorian caught sight of Gisele clinging to a pile of worthless trinkets, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of repulsion. Despite orchestrating deals that could potentially yield millions in profits, all she could offer were a few hundred dors¡® worth of herbal sachets and tea bags. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°So, are you saying it¡¯s eptable to seek out another man during our marriage?¡± Dorian asked as he leaned closer, his voice carrying a hint of usation. The herbal aroma emanating from Gisele offered some sce to his troubled heart, but his frustration remained etched on his face, refusing to dissipate. ¡°It¡¯s merely a marriage of convenience. Who decides what¡¯s right or wrong? You act as you please, so why can¡¯t I?¡± Gisele countered defiantly. in this ¡°While I can, you¡¯re not entitled to! Since we¡¯re both pawns in this game, by my rules than anyone else¡¯s!¡± Dorian snapped in exasperation. it¡¯s better to y His gaze was fixed on Gisele¡¯s red lips, and without hesitation, he leaned down and softly sank his teeth into them. The softness of her lips appeased his inner fury considerably. Gradually, his nibbles evolved into gentle kisses as he parted her lips. The cramped confines of the car were brimming with desire. Dorian roughly stripped away Gisele¡¯s clothing, his eyes fixating on the hickeys scattered across her skin. ¡°You were the one beside mest night, weren¡¯t you, Gisele? You¡¯re quite the cunning one,¡± he sneered. Despite their night of intimacy, Gisele maintained a facade of innocence, pretending as though nothing had transpired. Gisele parted her lips slightly, seemingly on the verge of exining herself, but before she could speak, Dorian¡¯s lips descended upon hers once more. This time, his kisses were different¨Cdomineering, tinged with aggression. Even the grip of his hands was noticeably firmer than before. As Gisele struggled to breathe, Dorian reluctantly released his grip. ¡°Can¡¯t you even catch your breath? With your poor kissing skills, how do you still expect to attract a sugar daddy?¡± he quipped. ¡°So, was it Sierra who taught you to kiss so well? Does she even know you¡¯re now engaging in marital activities with me?¡± Gisele questioned, undaunted by his menacing re. Dorian restrained her, feeling her warm breath grazing his face as she spoke. Despite the ticklish sensation, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to release her, preventing her from escaping. ¡°Dorian, she¡¯s no longer your wife. Do you really want to see her suffer because of this?¡± Gisele softened her voice, trying to persuade him to release her. Dorian¡¯s gaze wavered briefly, but after a momentary pause, he scoffed, ¡°Are my affairs any concern of yours? Do you honestly believe that saying all of that will excuse you from fulfilling your obligations?¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 94 Chapter 94 ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ Please, Don, don¡¯t act i this. I never intended to interfere,¡± Gisele interjected, her unease palpable. She found herself in a situation she didn¡¯t want to be in, feeling the sting of potential humiliation. Every time Gisele closed her eyes, she couldn¡¯t escape the nauseating weight of Michael pressing down on her, yet she couldn¡¯t resist him. ¡°No, please, stop. I¡¯m begging you, please¡­¡± Gisele cried out in despair, her disappointment. evident in her voice. Lowering her head, Dorian captured her lips in a passionate kiss, quieting her protests. His hands continued their movements, but they softened in their touch. Reluctantly, Gisele could only endure. She shut her eyes, and a glistening tear trickled down from the corner of the eye. Just as Dorian was about to adjust his position, he suddenly noticed her tears. In that instant, a sudden blow struck his heart. It was unlike the rage that had consumed him earlier. Instead, it felt like a heavyweight, crushing his chest and making it difficult to breathe. Dorian froze, propping himself up with his arms as he took a deep breath. His expression darkened, and he forcefully pushed her away, sitting up. ¡°What are you pretending to be, some virtuous maiden?¡± he spat out. ¡°Gisele felt his words ruthlessly pierce her heart. Enduring the pain, she mustered the strength to sit up, adjusting her torn cor¨Ca stark testament to Dorian¡¯s aggression. With no other option, she sat beside him, her body hunched over like a startled bird. ¡°Start the car,¡± Dorian ordered, picking up his phone and dialing a number. Within moments, Jon entered the car from outside, silently starting the engine and driving away. Gisele was visibly frightened, herplexion turning pale as she trembled, her lips quivering non¨C stop. Dorian grew increasingly irritated by her pretense at this moment. He wrapped hisrge 454544 ?? N?velDrama.Org content rights. hand around her. ¡°Enough! I promised not to touch you. How much longer do you n to keep up this act 7¡± casele trembled even more violently as his palm made contact with her. Her eyes lost focus as she murmured unconsciously, ¡°Please don¡¯t touch me! I¡¯m begging you¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not touching you,¡± Don frowned, observing her with displeasure. Gisele curled herself tightly into a ball, her pupils darting around anxiously. She whispered in agony, ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ please don¡¯t!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t touch me! No, no¡­¡± She continued to murmur unconsciously, trapped in a distressing cycle of memories. Initially, Dorian thought she was merely pretending, trying to avoid his touch. However, he couldn¡¯t ignore the sight of her nails digging deeply into her arms, her hands tightly crossed around her legs. Despite the blood trickling from the ces where her nails had pierced, she seemed oblivious to the pain. Dorian¡¯s heart sank as he instructed, ¡°Quickly, drive back to Jefferson Manor. Have Eric wait there!¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Jon replied respectfully. Dorian seized Gisele¡¯s hands, preventing her from causing further harm to herself. But as soo11/ he took her hands, Gisele, under the impression that she was being restrained, began to struggle frantically. She kicked and punched, crying out in despair,¡± Don¡¯t, please don¡¯te near me, no¡­ Even though no one touched her neck, Gisele wore the expression of someone on the verge of drowning, her face contorted in agony. ¡°Faster!¡± Dorian urged. Jon pressed firmly on the gas pedal, disregarding several red lights to reach Jefferson Manor as swiftly as he could. Meanwhile, Sierra continued to wait at the restaurant, growing increasingly concerned as Dorian failed to return. Despite her attempts, she couldn¡¯t reach him by phone either. Feeling helpless, she decided to head to the parking lot. However, upon reaching the parking lot, Dorian¡¯s car was nowhere in sight. et¡¯s go, I¡¯ll drive you back,¡± Aspen offered, stepping out of the elevator. He couldn¡¯t d but feel a pang of pity as he noticed her fragile physique, Sierra lifted her chin defiantly, her eyes red with emotion. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me,¡± she said stubbornly. ¡°Since you chose to help Gisele, we¡¯re not friends anymore¡± ¡°Regardless, I can¡¯t let you take a taxi back,¡± Aspen insisted. He simply couldn¡¯t bear to see Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Especially since the woman in front of him was still the one Aspen loved. With a swift motion, he grabbed Sierra¡¯s hand and forcefully pulled her into the car. Despite her resistance, Sierra eventually relented and got into the vehicle. As she caught a whiff of Gisele¡¯s faint herbal scent lingering in the car, a hint of jealousy shed in her eyes. Despite Sierra being constantly surrounded by men, this time it felt like Gisele waspeting with her! Even with men she didn¡¯t desire, she wouldn¡¯t let them be captivated by Gisele. ¡°Aspen, I was upset when I saw Don leave earlier, so please don¡¯t take what I said to heart,¡± Sierra said softly, her gaze meeting Aspen¡¯s with a coquettish smile. Focused on the road, Aspen asionally felt Sierra¡¯s delicate hand brushing against his own. ¡°I haven¡¯t taken it to heart,¡± he replied with a gentle smile, his expression remaining unchanged. Despite Aspen¡¯s reassurance, Sierra found herself torn between belief and doubt. As she reminisced about their shared childhood memories, a wistful expression adorned her face. ¡°Aspen, we¡¯re still good friends, aren¡¯t we?¡± Aspen¡¯s bright smile faltered briefly at her words, and he spoke firmly, ¡°Sierra, you know that being just your friend has never been what I wanted.¡± Upon hearing this, Sierra¡¯s attempts to manipte Aspen¡¯s thoughts dissolved instantly. She had assumed he would agree with everything she said earlier, believing he would unquestioningly be her sidekick and support her in everything she did. However, she didn¡¯t expect his rejection. Sierra remained silent, quietly gazing ahead. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what Dorian and Gisele might be doing at that moment. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Meanwhile, Gisele, who had been brought back to Jefferson Manor, had already drifted into a peaceful sleep after Eric administered a sedative. Gisele¡¯s tranquil face was streaked with tears, her neatly manicured nails bearing stains of blood. Despite her soft and wless skin, her arms bore several scratches. After rinsing with disinfectant, a pink hue became faintly visible on her delicate skin¨Ca subtle testament to the force Gisele had exerted on herself. Seeing that Gisele was alright, Dorian finally left the room. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Gisele is not in any serious condition, but she is experiencing post- traumatic stress disorder. To fully recover, she may require ongoing treatment,¡± Eric exined truthfully. Treating post¨Ctraumatic stress disorderprehensively was indeed challenging, as many patients often experience the onset of severe mental disorders due to recurring symptoms. Some may even develop dissociative identity disorder, leading to the formation of multiple personalities. Dorian wasn¡¯t naive; he quickly grasped Eric¡¯s implications. It appeared that Gisele¡¯s post¨Ctraumatic stress reaction was likely triggered on the first night of recording. ¡°I understand,¡± Dorian nodded, then headed into the study. Eric had nned to discuss the treatment for Gisele¡¯s condition, but sensing Dorian¡¯sck of interest, he decided not to press the topic. Upon waking from her slumber, Gisele felt like a drowning person who had been rescued and brought to shore¨Cdrowsy and disoriented in the dimly lit surroundings. Outside, the streetlights on the balcony cast their glow, apanied by a crescent moon hanging in the dark sky. All of a sudden, Gisele sensed something beneath her foot on the bed. In the subdued light, she carefully tried to make out the object. However, before she could identify it, a small creature hopped onto the bed and began to rub against her with its soft body, emitting faint purring sounds. ¡°Hello, Sesame,¡± Gisele murmured as she cradled the cat in her arms. Leaning against the headboard, she gazed out at the scenery beyond the balcony. With a gentle touch, she stroked Sesame¡¯s head and whispered, ¡°Sesame, do you miss Peanut? Peanut must be there¡­¡± At that moment, a sharp ¡°Bang!¡± echoed from the door, apanied by a sudden ¡°tter¡± as the room¡¯s light flickered on. Standing in the doorway, Dorian wore a solemn expression, a spilled bowl of soup at his feet. Gisele furrowed her brow in response. Was he trying to bring her soup? Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Dorian briskly approached, his curiosity evident. ¡°What were you just saying?¡± he asked Gisele. Despite feeling the urge to touch her, he hesitated, mindful of what he had learned about post¨C traumatic stress disorder during his research in his study. He didn¡¯t want to inadvertently trigger any distress for her. Gisele casually met his gaze with a neutral expression. ¡°Oh, you mean when I was asking if Sesame would miss Peanut?¡± Despite her calm demeanor, a spark of anticipation flickered in Gisele¡¯s heart. Did Dorian still remember Peanut? ¡°Peanut? Is Sesame its mother?¡± Dorian gestured toward Sesame, noting the uncanny resemnce between the two cats, right down to the patch of fur on their foreheads. One might even argue they were identical! Dorian scrutinized Sesame intently, a cold chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°What¡¯s the point of letting this animal on the bed? A mere pet can earn your affection, yet you seem to disregard human rtionships.¡± ¡°Sesame is more than just a pet! It¡¯s Peanut¡¯s offspring, and Peanut has always been affectionate since it was a kitten. They¡¯ve never harmed anyone!¡± Gisele retorted, holding Sesame close. Sesame seemed to understand Dorian¡¯s words and let out a discontented ¡°meow.¡± Confusion flickered in Dorian¡¯s eyes. Was Gisele familiar with Peanut? Peanut was the cat he had cherished since childhood, his only pet throughout his life. Since returning to the Jefferson family, Celeste had forbidden him from keeping pets and even insisted he get rid of Peanut. Nheless, Dorian couldn¡¯t bring himself to do it and ended up secretly releasing Peanut. The only other person who knew about Peanut¡¯s existence at the time was someone else¡­ and that person¡­ Gisele regarded Dorian warily as she asked, ¡°Is there anything else?¡± If he insisted on her getting rid of Sesame, she would take Sesame to Angie¡¯s apartment. After all, she couldn¡¯t bear to abandon Peanut¡¯s offspring. ¡°You¡¯re impossible!¡± Dorian pretended to be angry as he turned away, taking a few steps before ncing back at her. Gisele¡¯s previously calm demeanor shifted abruptly. Clutching Sesame tightly, her eyes widened with resolve. ¡°Sesame is clean! It goes to the bathroom and even flushes the toilet on its own. It stays in my room, so you can¡¯t force it out!¡± ¡°Remember toe downstairs for dinner,¡± Dorian reminded her. As he nced at the innocent¨C looking Sesame, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. With numerous cats resembling each other and sharingmon names, it seemed highly unlikely that Gisele could be the little girl he had encountered in his childhood. Puzzled, Gisele watched Dorian leave in a huff. Why was he so angry? ¡°Bing bing.¡± The phone on the bedside table began to ring. Releasing Sesame, Gisele picked up the phone. Seeing Den¡¯s iing video call, she hastily got out of bed and dashed barefoot to the door. ¡°Dorian, wait!¡± Gisele hurried past the spilled soup, racing to catch up with Dorian. With a somber expression, Dorian turned around, but before he could utter a word, Gisele had already answered the video call. Wearing a cheerful smile, she greeted, ¡°Hi, Grandpa Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Den.¡± ¡°Why¡¯s that little rascal standing there with such a gloomy face? What¡¯s he up to?¡± Den of excitement. grumbled aloud, though inside, he felt a surge It seemed that his long¨Cawaited great¨Cgrandchild was on the way. Gisele turned around, feigning surprise as she covered her mouth. ¡°Don, why are you still here? Didn¡¯t you mention having an international conference call? You should prioritize your work; I can manage on my own.¡± ¡°Gisele, you¡¯re truly mature beyond your years,¡± Den remarked, his tone filled with admiration. With a gentle smile, Gisele replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine, Grandpa Den. After all, work is important, and rushing can lead to mistakes. With your wealth of experience, I¡¯m sure you understand these things better than I do.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, you¡¯re right. As long as you and Dorian are doing well, I¡¯m at ease,¡± Den egressed his concern for Gisele before allowing her to rest. With the conversation with Den now settled, Gisele breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Dorian frowned as he stood at the top of the stairs, his gaze inadvertently drawn to Gisele¡¯s pristine feet. Chapter 97 Chapter 97 ¡°Why haven¡¯t you¡­¡± Gisele¡¯s question faltered as she noticed Don¡¯s gaze fixed on her feet. Startled, she attempted to pull her feet back, causing her to stumble and nearly fall. With his long legs, Dorian swiftly closed the distance and caught her. Sensing her resistance, he whispered gently, ¡°Do you want to get hurt?¡± Gisele promptly shook her head inpliance, her hands ced cautiously on hils shoulders. Her body tensed, resembling a fish that had been lifeless for quite some time. Dorian¡¯s displeasure was evident as he felt her stiffness. After cing Gisele on the bed, he grumbled irritably, ¡°You¡¯re as rigid as a dead fish. Who would want to touch you?¡± ¡°You would!¡± Gisele shot back, pouting. Just as Dorian was about to walk away, he stopped, giving her a meaningful look. Gisele quicklyughed awkwardly. ¡°Hehe, I was just joking around. Don¡¯t take it seriously.¡± Without further confrontation, Dorian turned around and left, opting to let the moment pass. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Shortly after, Jon arrived to pick up pieces of the shattered bowl near the door. Once he finished, he made his way to the study. Inside, Dorian had been waiting for some time. He sat on a chair with a stern expression, yet his eyes betrayed a sense of confusion. As Jon entered, Dorian quickly put away a photo he had been holding. The picture, taken over a decade ago, showed Dorian with a young girl. Unfortunately, water stains had blurred the girl¡¯s face, obscuring her features except for her frail body. Later, Dorian tried to restore the girl¡¯s face byminating the photo, but his efforts were in vain, and he eventually gave up. Despite knowing it was Sierra in the photo, Dorian still cherished this first picture of himself with her. Rubbing his temples, he directed, ¡°Look into what happened near Hearthfield Orphanage back then, and also investigate a cat named Peanut.¡± tas Just as Jon was about to nod in agreement, the mention of the cat caused him to freeze. Noticing Jon¡¯s reaction, Dorian asked, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°Mr. Jefferson, do you have a photo of this cat? Was it a stray?¡± Jon hesitantly asked, wary of Dorian¡¯s potential assumptions. He quickly added, ¡°Stray cats aremon in many areas. While people may asionally feed them, the names they give to the same cat can vary.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a stray. It looks just like the cat Gisele has now,¡± Dorian whispered. Jon nodded, then left the study. Gisele had a restless night, tormented by dreams of a threatening, looming presence. Several times, she found herself trapped in the grip of a sinister hand. ¡°Please, no! Leave me alone,¡± Gisele pleaded, sinking deeper into the nightmarish realm she couldn¡¯t escape. Upon hearing the disturbance, Dorian quickly entered the room from his study. Observing her troubled expression as she slept, he gently inquired, ¡°Gisele? Are you awake?¡± Despite his repeated calls, she remained unresponsive. With no other option, Dorian got into bed with her and wrapped his arms around her restless form. In her dream, Gisele fled desperately, running until she reached the edge of a cliff. She thought that by jumping, she could finally break free from the clutches of the evil hand. However, she found herself falling into a warm embrace instead, a sanctuary thatpletely freed her from its grip. The next morning, Gisele woke up feeling refreshed. She went to Witham Manor to administer acupuncture for Deborah. After finishing her tasks, she got ready to leave, only to be intercepted by Aspen. ¡°Mr. Witham?¡± Gisele looked at him, puzzled. Aspen smiled gently. ¡°Did Don give you a hard time yesterday?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine, thank you for your concern, Mr. Witham,¡± Gisele replied earnestly, offering a smile. Seeing her polite response, Aspen could only smile back helplessly. ¡°I don¡¯t have any hidden agendas. I simply want to suggest a coboration. ¡°I tried the medicinal jam you made¨Cit¡¯s sweet but not overly so, with just the right note of herbal fragrance. If you¡¯re interested, I¡¯d like to talk about the idea of mass¨Cproducing this medicinal jam.¡± ¡°A coboration?¡± Gisele eximed, her hand covering her mouth in astonishment. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 98 Chapter 98 Aspen smiled gently as he pulled out the preliminary draft contract from his briefcase. ¡°Feel free to review our proposed coboration,¡± he said. ¡°I understand that herbal medicine prescriptions can vary for each individual, so I¡¯ve designed forms that can be mass¨Cproduced and are generally suitable.¡± Gisele, still processing the proposal, eventually epted the contract. She found herself pleasantly surprised by Aspen¡¯s profound understanding of partnership dynamics within the herbal medicine field. Gisele nervously clutched the papers, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words, feeling tongue¨Ctied. Together, they walked out of the manor. ¡°Gisele, there¡¯s no need to be so anxious. Let¡¯s approach this like any other partnership. Oh, and regarding payment, it will be directly deposited into your ount. Is that alright?¡± Aspen paused, turning to face her. Despite feeling a bit uneasy, Gisele reluctantly agreed. She smiled gratefully and said, Thank you, Mr. Witham. I¡¯ll put in my best effort and won¡¯t let you down.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with the formality?¡± Aspen couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at Gisele addressing him as Mr. Witham¡°, shaking his head with a smile. After bidding Aspen farewell at the door, Gisele began to pack up her things as she prepared to head back. However, as soon as she turned around, she noticed Sandra standing in the doorway, quietly observing her. Politely, Gisele approached Sandra, nodding with a smile. Just as Gisele was about to pass by, Sandra asked abruptly, ¡°What do you think of my son?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Gisele eximed in surprise, turning to face Sandra. Observing Sandra¡¯s serious expression, Gisele could only reluctantly contemte her question. Eventually, she replied in a professional tone, ¡°Mr. Witham is a very kind person; he¡¯s gentle and outstanding.¡± Sandra then asked bluntly, ¡°Do you have feelings for him?¡± Gisele blinked in shock, her long, thickshes fluttering. Her mind went momentarily nk, and she blurted out, ¡°No, definitely not. We¡¯re notpatible in that way.¡± Chapter On Sandra¡¯s smile faded slightly at Gisele¡¯s words, a hint of regret coloring her tone. ¡°t understand. But it might be worth considering,¡± she remarked before leaving. Still standing in the same spot, Gisele watched Sandra¡¯s silhouette fade into the distance, her mind swirling with confusion. What was Sandra trying to convey by urging Gisele to reconsider her feelings for Aspen? Nheless, Gisele was a married woman, and on top of that, Aspen and Don were good friends¡­. Setting aside these conflicting thoughts, Gisele packed up her belongings and prepared to leave. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. She had scheduled a meeting with a senior from Hearthfield Medical University, mainly to discuss the assessment criteria for admission into Ss¡® program. Their chosen venue was a private restaurant owned by a divorced single mother, known for its distinctive blend of northern and southern regional vors, as well as its diverse selection of international cuisines. In Hearthfield, only true food enthusiasts could uncover this hidden culinary gem. Despite its small size, the restaurant operated exclusively by reservation. Without Gisele¡¯s connection to the owner, securing a booking would have been challenging. Hailing a taxi, Gisele arrived at the restaurant around 11:30 am. In the vicinity, numerous other eateries advertised themselves as private kitchens, each offering a variety of cuisines. As Gisele stood by the entrance, her phone rang. Checking the caller ID, she promptly answered. ¡°Mavis?¡± ¡°Gisele, I¡¯m truly sorry, but something unexpected hase up. I might not be able to make it today,¡± Mavis¡® voice conveyed a sense of urgency. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she continued, ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll arrange for one of Professor Lyons¡® students to reach out to you. He just got admittedst year, so he should have a better understanding of Professor Lyons¡® expectations.¡± Feeling somewhat disheartened, Gisele shed a sheepish smile and remarked, ¡°Mavis, do you think I might be bothering him?¡± ¡°No, not at all. He¡¯s quite amodating. I¡¯ll forward you his contact details. He should be on his way,¡± Mavis apologized again and suggested nning for lunch together soon. Once the call ended, Gisele¡¯s spirits lifted slightly. If she does get admitted to study under Ss this year, the personing to meet her would be her senior. Chapter 99 Chapter 99 Mavis quickly forwarded the person¡¯s contact number to Gisele. Just as Gisele was about to initiate the call, she suddenly heard her name being shouted. ¡°Gisele!¡± She looked around and spotted Gordon as he emerged from a nearby luxurious car. A serious expression settled upon her face. Gordon was embracing a stunningly attractive woman, their bodles pressed against each other so closely. It was as if they were trying to merge into one. The sight made Gisele feel nauseous. ¡°Is Mr. Jefferson here as well? Why didn¡¯t you inform me beforehand?¡± Gordon pushed the woman away and hastily adjusted his suit. Seeing his pretentious demeanor, Gisele scoffed, ¡°You know Dorian¡¯s whereabouts better than I do. Why bother pretending to ask me?¡± ¡°Oh, so you¡¯ve learned to talk back now!¡± Gordon quipped. ¡°Dad expects more help around the house from you, but just look at what you¡¯re up to!¡± He draped his armzily over the woman¡¯s shoulder, giving her a leisurely once¨Cover. Gisele red at her brother, feeling exasperated by him. Despite the temptation to give him. a couple of ps, she knew she¡¯d end up worse off if she did. So, she held herposure, swallowing her anger. ¡°Beep beep.¡± Just then, Gisele¡¯s phone rang. As she was about to reach for it and leave, Gordon. interrupted her. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Are you nning to cheat on Mr. Jefferson?¡± Gordon¡¯s tone was impatient as he blocked her path. ¡°Transfer 200,000 dors to me now.¡± Gisele paused, her voice calm. ¡°Do I look wealthy to you?¡± Not to mention, the clothes she was wearing were bought three years ago. Even if she had 200,000 bucks to spare, she wouldn¡¯t let him squander it away again! ¡°Ha! Can you believe Mrs. Jefferson is trying to pretend she¡¯s poor?¡± Gordon taunted, turning to the woman beside him. N?velDrama.Org content rights. She chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Her? Do you think that¡¯s the case? Just by looking at her¡­ it doesn¡¯t seem very likely. But iming she doesn¡¯t even have 200,000 dors, well, that actually seems quite believable.¡± Gordon couldn¡¯t resist bursting intoughter, finding amusement in his sister¡¯s predicaments as usual. As Gisele¡¯s phone continued to ring incessantly, she hurriedly answered, saying, ¡°Hello, this is Gis-¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Suddenly, Gordon snatched her phone and flung it to the ground, snarling, ¡°Gisele! If don¡¯t give me the money, forget about having a good life. Do you really think nobody knows about you cheating on Mr. Jefferson?¡± you Gisele frowned as she gazed at her badly shattered phone, feeling a pang of heartache. Buying a new phone would surely be another hefty expense. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Since you can¡¯te up with the money, I¡¯ll personally ask Mr. Jefferson¡­¡± Gordon seized Gisele¡¯s arm, his other hand reaching for her hair. Just as Gisele was about to fight back, a tall figure blocked Gordon¡¯s hand. ¡°What¡¯s a grown man doing bullying a youngdy like this?¡± a cold voice rang out, cutting. through the air. Gisele couldn¡¯t help but wince in pain at Gordon¡¯s tight grip on her arm. As she looked up, she spotted a young man with neatly styled hair standing before her. A faint scent of disinfectant emanated from him. She quickly took a few steps back, creating some distance between Gordon and her. Gordon¡¯s hand felt like it was on the brink of breaking from the man¡¯s strong grip. He shot back angrily, ¡°It¡¯s none of your business! Who do you think you are? Let go of me!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you go if you promise to never mistreat a woman again,¡± the man stated firmly, maintaining his tight grip on Gordon¡¯s hand. Frantically, Gordon nced behind him, but Gisele was nowhere to be seen. He could only shout at the top of his lungs, ¡°Gisele, do you want everyone to know about your affair?¡± ¡°What? Gisele cheated?¡± A woman¡¯s shocked and excited voice suddenly eximed from nearby. Chapter 100 Chapter 100 Gisele swiftly turned toward the source of the volce. As she saw the approaching person, her expression immediately darkened. Gordon¡¯s expression also shifted slightly. While he had intended to use Gisele¡¯s infidelity as leverage against her, the prospect of others finding out was apletely different matter. Worried about the situation escting further, Gisele addressed the young man, ¡°Thank you, but you can let him go. He¡¯s my brother¡­¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Even if he¡¯s your brother, he shouldn¡¯t be treating you like this,¡± the man asserted firmly before turning to face her with a cheerful smile. ¡°You must be Gisele, right? I¡¯m Leonard Anderson, Mavis¡® ssmate, and your senior. Feel free to call me Leo.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Gisele eximed, her surprise evident as she looked up at Leonard¡¯s towering figure. At nearly six foot two inches tall, he loomed over her, but his youthful face contrasted with his imposing height, giving him a boyish appearance. But what surprised her even more was Leonard referring to himself as her senior. Wasn¡¯t that term reserved for fellow apprentices of the same master? With a wink, Leonard offered her a sweet smile and said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a feeling you¡¯ll end up bing one of Professor Lyons¡® students. You seem pretty talented and hardworking.¡± ¡°Th¨Cthank you,¡± Gisele stammered, her confidence bolstered by his words. Suddenly, the excited woman rushed over, panting as she looked at Gisele. ncing up at Leonard, who stood at six foot two inches, she couldn¡¯t resist asking you¡­ the person Gisele had an affair with?¡± ¡°Are Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, the woman quickly grabbed her phone and began snapping. pictures. While Leonard certainly radiated the youthful charm she found attractive, there was something oddly boyish about his appearance. ¡°Aunt Za, he¡¯s actually a student at Hearthfield Medical University,¡± Gisele exined, feeling somewhat exasperated. Encountering Za in this exclusive restaurant caught Gisele off guard. Judging by her appearance, she had likely just finished shopping nearby and was now ready to dine here. Za sneered disdainfully, remarking, ¡°Stop pretending. The way you two are standing so close, even a blind person can tell something is going on between you!¡± ¡°No, no, Aunt Za, it¡¯s not like that at all. She¡¯s here with me. Besides, how could my sister ever do anything to upset Mr. Jefferson?¡± Gordon, who was smug just moments ago, now cowered like a lapdog, his demeanor submissive. With her arms crossed, Za held her phone and retorted haughtily, ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re fooling? I always sensed that something was off about you, Gisele. Turns out you¡¯ve got a side piece!¡± ¡°Aunt Za, what exactly do you want?¡± Gisele asked directly. Meanwhile, Gordon reached out to grab Gisele¡¯s hand, intending to force her to kneel and beg for mercy. However, before his hand could make contact, Leonard stepped in, firmly stating, ¡°Let¡¯s keep things civil. There¡¯s no need toy your hands on her.¡± ¡°Hey! What¡¯s your issue with me touching my sister? It¡¯s none of your concern!¡± Gordon eximed, anger evident in his expression. Nheless, Leonard didn¡¯t back down at all, standing quietly in ce. Amidst this tense exchange, Za suddenly had an idea. Waving her hand, she called out, Gisele, come here. If you promise me one thing, I won¡¯t tell Don about your affair.¡± Gisele nced warily at Za, her body tense and unmoving. ¡°Gisele! Why are you just standing there? Go over there right now!¡± Gordon wished he could obey Za¡¯smand himself. Gisele¡¯s lips tightened as she boldly stepped out from behind Leonard, positioning herself squarely in front of Za. She steadied herself, ready to face whatever was about to unfold.. Approaching Za, Gisele braced for a potential p. Yet, to her surprise, Za leaned in,. whispering a few words into her ear. Finally, Za cautioned, ¡°As long as you take care of what I just mentioned, I will delete the photos I took earlier!¡± ¡°But if Grandpa Den finds out¡­¡± Gisele spoke up as she furrowed her brows in concern. Za waved her phone in Gisele¡¯s face, her finger hovering over Dorian¡¯s number as she threatened, ¡°You better think carefully. Cheating on Don is no trivial matter! Or else, I¡¯ll call him right this instant!¡± As Za spoke, she pressed the dial button, shooting a provocative look at Gisele. Despite the tension in the air, Gisele couldn¡¯t help but find the situation somewhat amusing. Za¡¯s confident stance in confronting Dorian suggested she wasn¡¯t naive; it seemed she was well aware that their rtionship hade to an end. ¡°Gisele, what are you still standing there for?¡± Gordon¡¯s anger red up. At that moment, Dorian¡¯s cold and ruthless voice echoed through the phone, ¡°Aunt Za.¡± Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Naomi slowed her pace, maintaining her usual smile. ¡°Are you here to hire me for a case?¡± She was talking as if she and Brendan were merely acquaintances, not husband and wife. Brendan flicked the half¨Csmoked cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. ¡°Aren¡¯t you nning on going home?¡± Naomi quirked an eyebrow and nodded at the door. ¡°Hey! That¡¯s my home behind you.¡± With his hands in his pockets, Brendan observed Naomi silently. ¡°I¡¯m finally here, Naomi. So why don¡¯t both of us take a step back? And Mom is already getting suspicious.¡± Naomi felt likeughing. She had taken more than a step back. Now, her back was to the wall. But she didn¡¯t want to argue with Brendan. Letting out a yawn, she sighed. ¡°You can deal with your mother yourself. I¡¯m going back to sleep.¡± As Naomi made her way toward the door, Brendan reached out and grabbed her arm. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Naomi turned around. ¡°Brendan Ludwig, what the hell are you doing here sote? Don¡¯t make me call security.¡± Brendan pulled Naomi back. ¡°Naomi, I¡¯m offering you a chance. You¡¯d better take it.¡± ¡°No!¡± Naomi retorted. ¡°I don¡¯t want it. I¡¯m sure you know how shameless I can be.¡± Did he expect her to ept his gesture of goodwill? Who did he think he was? Seeing Naomi stand her ground, Brendan began to grow irritated. He had alreadye over and even conceded to her. What more did she want? Brendan bit down his anger. ¡°What do you want?¡± Naomi pulled her hand away and clicked her tongue. ¡°Mr. Ludwig, all I want is for you to stay the fuck away from me.¡± Since she stopped seeking him out, he kepting back to find her, which always led to arguments. Given the state of their rtionship, it was better for them to keep their distance! Brendan frowned. ¡°Have you finally decided to get a divorce?¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly it!¡± Naomi smirked, ¡°Now¡­¡± Before Naomi could finish, Brendan interrupted her. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it, Naomi. You¡¯d better come back to me now, or both of ourpanies will suffer.¡± Naomi was amused by this and snorted. ¡°I¡¯ve never realized how much of a hypocrite you are. Have you ever thought about ourpanies when you cheated? I¡¯m just following your lead and returning the favor! Naomi used to brush off the rumors because she cared about their marriage. But now that she had given up, Brendan¡¯s threat meant nothing to her. He didn¡¯t respect her back then. So why should she respect him now? If she was bound for hell, she swore she would drag him down with her! It wasn¡¯t as if she couldn¡¯t live without him. Brendan turned red with anger. ¡°Fine, Naomi. If that¡¯s what you want. I can¡¯t wait to see which fool would want you now.¡± Naomi flung his hand aside. ¡°Please get out of my way. I¡¯m going home!¡± She pushed past him, only for him to pull her back, mming her against the wall. He soon leaned down to devour her lips.. Under Brendan¡¯s intense kiss, Naomi pushed him away with all her might and pped him. She yelled, ¡± Brendan Ludwig! I¡¯m already letting most things slide! At least have some respect for yourself! ¡°You don¡¯t want to have peace? Fine! But don¡¯te causing trouble for others! Aren¡¯t I doing you a favor by moving out? Hell! I¡¯ll even sign the divorce papers now! What more do you want from me?¡± Brendan¡¯s face burned with humiliation as he growled through clenched teeth, ¡°When did I ever say I wanted a divorce?¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!