Chapter 11
One look from Kirk was enough to make the bodyguard tremble.
“Second floor. Number 208.”
After getting the information he needed, Kirk crushed the walkie–talkie under his heel and turned around to go upstairs. The bodyguards stared at each other after seeing the crushed walkie–talkie on the ground, none of them daring to move a finger. Even after Kirk had gone into the elevator, nobody dared to fish out their walkie–talkies to call for backup.
The elevator arrived at the second floor in a flash. Kirk immediately spotted the red light outside the operation theater numbered 208. The piercing red gleam was like a knife slashing through Kirk’s heart. He clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.
He walked to the door and slammed his fist into it with a bang. The sturdy wooden door burst open, and everyone in the operation theater jumped in fright, staring at the entrance. They spotted Kirk at once, his eyes bloodshot, looking out of control. Other people didn’t know who he was, but they still trembled in fear at how terrifying he looked.
Only Sean recovered from his shock and approached him. “Kirk, what’s the matter?” In his memory, Kirk was always calm no matter what happened. What had happened today that could make him lose his self–control to this extent? Kirk pushed Sean aside and charged into the operation theater. When he saw Caroline lying on the bed covered in blood and her face pale, his gaze went dull immediately.
“What happened to her?”
Sean followed behind him and said, “Kirk, this is an operating theater.”
“I asked what happened to her!” A shot of fear went through Kirk as he turned around and stared at Sean grimly. Sean’s gaze traveled between Kirk and Caroline, and it suddenly occurred to him where he had seen Caroline before. She was the woman Kirk had married in a shotgun marriage! Which meant …
“She” Cold sweat broke out on Sean’s forehead. “We haven’t removed her kidney. Go out first. I’ll close the wound immediately.” Kirk didn’t budge, and Sean was very anxious. “Hurry up and get out. If we waste any more time, she’ll actually die,” said Sean. These words finally incited some change in Kirk’s stiff expression.
Kirk stared at Sean deeply. He trusted his medical skills fully, but…
“Leave it to me!” said Sean while giving Kirk a look that pleaded for his faith. Kirk’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat, and he slowly walked out, closing the door behind him.
The people in the operating theater started busying themselves again. Outside, Kirk stood motionlessly by the door, not daring to leave for even a moment. His mind was filled with the image of Caroline lying on the bed like a torn ragdoll. He had never felt such a fear that made
it hard for him to breathe. A few minutes felt like ages to him, then the red light suddenly started blinking rapidly.
Kirk pushed against the door anxiously, bumping into a nurse who was coincidentally walking out. “What’s happening?” he asked. The nurse was panting as she answered, “The patient is bleeding excessively. Dr. Yates asked us to contact the blood bank immediately.” Kirk was beside himself with panic, and he was about to rush inside when the nurse blocked his way.
“You are not a doctor and aren’t wearing a surgical gown. You’ll only increase the patient’s risk of infection.”
Her words stopped Kirk in his tracks. His gaze darkened as he asked, “How much blood does she need?” (1)
“Well, she’ll need as much as possible.”
“I’ll go,” Kirk said and was about to turn around and leave before the nurse called him out. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t own the blood bank! I don’t even know if I’ll get any blood if I go. Do you know that the patient is already in critical condition? Can you stop making
the situation worse!”
Chapter 12
Caroline was in critical condition. That knowledge made Kirk’s gaze darken as a murderous aura washed over him.
The nurse shuddered as she recalled how he had burst in. She worried that he would punch her. Thank goodness he had moved far away and was busy making a call.
“Ask the blood bank to prepare for a blood transfusion immediately,” Kirk said while gripping his phone, his voice grave.
His a**istant hesitated on the other end of the line. “Mr. Morrison, didn’t you say you don’t want others to know that you’re back-”
“Just do what I say!”
“Understood.” The a**istant paled and did as he was told.
After hanging up, Kirk closed his eyes and slowly let out a sigh. He was still mad and had not let go of it. He returned to the operation room to see the red light above the door still lit, as though it was prophesying something.
Half an hour later, Sean walked out of the operation room looking worn out. “Caroline’s fine. She’ll wake up at around night time.”
The frown on Kirk’s tensed face vanished in an instant, replaced by a much gentler expression. “Thank you so much.”
Sean shook his head and cast a glance around before pulling Kirk to a corner. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?” Kirk’s gaze was locked in the direction of the operating room.
Sean followed his gaze and said, “Logically speaking, there shouldn’t be any severe bleeding. The surgeon’s highly experienced, too, so a blunder like this shouldn’t have happened.” Kirk finally averted his gaze to look at Sean. There was confusion in his eyes.
“You think that the surgeon wants her dead?”
“For now, we can’t be sure if it’s accidental or intentional.”
“Got it.”
Kirk barely finished speaking when he saw a nurse pushing Caroline out of the operating room. He rushed after them. Sean looked at Kirk’s
gradually disappearing silhouette and raised an eyebrow. “The divorce probably won’t ever happen.”
The nurse left after moving Caroline to the ward. Now, the only people left in the room were Kirk and Caroline.
His brows scrunched together as he stared at her, looking as pale as a sheet on the bed. He sat beside her and subconsciously reached out to hold her small, tender wrist. The young woman’s hands were so light, it was as if they weighed nothing. It was as though she would fly away and leave at any moment. He tightened his grip on her hands.
Gradually, night fell, and the moon rose into the night sky.
Caroline’s eyelashes trembled ever so slightly as she lay on the bed. “Kirk she muttered. Kirk, who was taking a rest beside her, opened his eyes. His gaze was dark and weary.
*Kirk…” muttered Caroline. Her parched lips slowly moved as she called out his name. He gripped her hand tightly as if trying to give her
all of his strength. “I’m right here.”
Tears rolled down her face as she said, “I’m sorry…” It was as though she could hear him.
Startled, Kirk inched closer to her and whispered in her ear, “Why are you sorry?” His deep, raspy voice was magnetic.
Abruptly, Caroline started waving her limbs wildly as if being provoked or stimulated by something. “No! Let me go! No!” she screamed.
Seeing her reaction, Kirk immediately took her in his arms as if he was coaxing a child. He patted her back gently and said, “It’s okay. Everything’s okay…”
Caroline gradually calmed down, leaning on Kirk’s firm chest. The light fragrance from her roused him from his reverie, and he suddenly realized he was hugging her. Logically, he knew he should let go of her, yet he did not. After quite some time, a muffled voice sounded from between his arms.
Chapter 13
“Kirk?”
“Yeah?”
Leaning against him, Caroline felt the resonation in his chest as he spoke, and she realized that this was not a dream. She was lying in his arms. A blush crept up Caroline’s cheeks as she breathed in the strong scent of his cologne. “Where am I?” Caroline muttered uneasily.
“We’re in the hospital.” Kirk paused and let go of Caroline.
She was starting to move when he held her down.
“Don’t move,” he said. “You just had an operation. Get some rest.”
Caroline paled. “My kidneys
“They’re still here,” Kirk said, pointing at her back. “When I arrived, the operation was already halfway through. You were sewn up after that.
Caroline felt relieved. After a moment, she turned to him and asked, “Are you okay?”
This hospital block they were in was only accessible by the Morrisons, so outsiders could not enter it.
Kirk showed a mischievous smile and moved away from Caroline. “What do you think?”
She eyed him up and down to ensure he was not hurt and sighed in relief. Curious, she asked, “How did you get in here?”
“I told them that Eddy asked me to come here, and they let me in,” he said with unblinking eyes.
Caroline was not convinced. “Are they that easy to fool?”
Kirk nodded with sincerity in his eyes, and she finally stopped doubting him. Right then, she thought of another matter that troubled her.
“If I still have my kidneys, Eddy definitely won’t let me go. We should leave as soon as possible.” This place belonged to Eddy, so she could not let her guard down.
“He doesn’t have the guts to do that anymore, so don’t worry. You can rest well here,” Kirk said.
‘How are you sure?” Caroline asked. Kirk pushed a strand of hair out of her face and said, “If Mr. Morrison Senior finds out about this
Caroline understood what he was implying and let out a laugh. “I never knew you were this cunning
She froze as soon as she finished her sentence. Kirk was caressing her face with his hand. His fingers were rough. Her face felt numb with his touch, and she felt as if each stroke reached right to her heart. The mole in the corner of his eye made him look all the more seducing. Just one look at it would make her heart race.
She tore her eyes away from him, and her throat became dry. “About the divorce …”
‘My marriage certificate is missing,” Kirk said cooly, but something in his eyes changed.
“Huh?”
*The City Hall stipulates that marriage certificates are required for a divorce.”
Caroline’s voice trailed off. After a moment, she lowered her head.
“But if your marriage certificate is missing, how are we supposed to Blushing, she murmured, “Are you saying we’re not getting a divorce anymore?”
“Yes.” Kirk grunted. His tensed body now relaxed.
Caroline pursed her lips as she tried to suppress a smile. “I knew you were a good person!”
With his back facing her, Kirk said, “I’ll go get you something to eat.”
After a couple of minutes, he returned carrying bags of various sizes. Caroline watched as he entered the room with loads of buns. pastries, and porridge. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve thought he was on his way to feed an army.
“You’re too skinny. You should eat more,” ordered Kirk, looking at the food. It warmed her heart. She started to speak, but Kirk’s phone
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“Speak,” Kirk said.
“Mr. Morrison.” said the a**istant, kicking at the surgeon, who was limp on the floor. “Mrs. Morrison and Layla Evans never did a matching test. The report was forged. Layla Evans wanted her to die during the operation.”
Chapter 14
Kirk clenched his fists as he stared at his reflection in the gla**. His a**istant, Charles Lane, waited for a reply but was met with silence, so he asked, “Mr. Morrison, about our next course of action …”
“Toss him to the outskirts of the city to rot.”
“But we’re in Easton. This country isn’t our territory,” Charles reminded him hastily.
Kirk’s knuckles turned white, and his gaze darkened. “Then make him suffer for a few days. Let him go only when he learns how to keep his mouth shut.”
“Alright.”
Kirk eased the grip on his phone, emotions in chaos. He turned to see Caroline enjoying the food he had bought for her, her face glowing while she ate. She looked just like a bunny that just got its paws on some carrots, and the frown on his face gradually vanished.
Sean was a true professional. It only took three days for Caroline to move around freely.
“Just one more follow–up, and you’re good to go.” Sean grinned.
“Thank you, Dr. Yates,” said Caroline.
Sean glanced at her and said, “It’s no big deal. I’m the one who should be thanking you.” There seemed to be some deeper meaning behind his smile.
Caroline was confused. “Why so?”
Sean merely smiled and turned to look at the door of the ward. If it weren’t for her, he would never have had the chance to witness Kirk lose his cool. “It’s nothing. Take care. I’ll take my leave now.”
He had just left when Caroline’s phone started ringing. It was Gwen Jameson, her best friend. “What’s up, Gwen?” Caroline closed the door behind her. She did not tell her best friend that she was currently hospitalized.
Gwen seemed to be in a good mood. “Carol, do you know that Layla’s been kicked out of the hospital?”
“When did this happen?”
“Just yesterday! It’s hilarious! I heard that she refused to leave and had to be dragged out by security. She even claimed she was the Young Mrs. Morrison to–be and wanted to call Eddy. Do you want to guess what happened next?”
Caroline took a sip of water before asking, “What?”
“The nurses said that she made dozens of calls, but all of them went unanswered. In the end, it was Eddy Morrison’s father, Thomas, who answered the call. She switched to speaker mode for everyone to hear, but he told her to stop calling.” Gwen laughed. “She embarra**ed herself in front of so many people. It’s a shame I didn’t see it for myself.” (1
Caroline smiled softly. “Do you know the person who made her leave?” Eddy was head over heels for Layla, so he would never have let her
leave.
“I don’t know.” Gwen lowered her voice. “Is it Mr. Morrison Senior? But Eddy had it so well covered up. How did Mr. Morrison Senior find
out about this?”
Caroline wanted to reply but held back. Jude was the only person who could keep Eddy in check. But if he had known about this, he’d definitely have come to visit her here.
These days, Kirk would come to visit her after work. He was the only one who did so. If it was not Jude, who else had the power to make Layla Evans leave? Caroline did not get her answer even after she hung up. She did not like dwelling on things she could not understand, so she forgot everything about it.
When Caroline was having lunch in the afternoon, she heard someone knock on the door.
“Come in.” The door opened. Caroline’s eyes widened in surprise to see the person who entered the room. “Kirk?” Shouldn’t he be busy working at the office right now?
pa**ed it to Caroline.
“What’s this?” she asked.
Chapter 15
“This is for you,” Kirk said.
Their marriage was a contractual one. There was nothing besides a marriage certificate to prove it. However, after spending time with Caroline for the past few days, Kirk felt that he did not treat her well enough. So now, he was giving her a small gift.
Caroline accepted the box and opened it carefully. She was stunned at what she saw; in the box sat an emerald bracelet with a bluish- green hue to it. She knew it was a prized emerald just by looking at it. It was cold and comfortable to the touch, and Caroline loved it. However, when she thought of its price…
“This must cost a fortune. It’s better if you’d return it,” she said with reluctance.
“It’s not expensive.” Kirk plucked the bracelet from Caroline’s hands and helped her to put it on.
It fit snugly and perfectly on her wrist. Her wrist was slender as it was, and the bracelet gave her an air of exquisiteness. Kirk could not
but why can’t I seem to take it help but stare at her. But then, Caroline became anxious and started to take it off. “Nope. I can’t take it
off?”
…
Kirk smiled, amused at how adorable she was. “If you can’t take it off, it means that it has acknowledged you as its owner. If you really want to take it off, the only way is to smash it into pieces.”
Caroline was confused about how this all worked but still nodded to what he said. “Is it really that magical?” She did not buy it.
“If you don’t believe me, go on.”
Caroline touched the bracelet on her wrist. It would be a pity to destroy it. “Next time, don’t bring me gifts,” she said. Their relationship was but a contract. He did not need to buy her gifts.
Kirk did not reply. He raised his wrist to check the time. “I have an appointment in the afternoon. I’ve got to go.”
Caroline watched in silence as he left. So did he come to the hospital just to give her a gift? She touched the cold surface of the bracelet and felt something strange in her heart.
Caroline searched various shopping websites but failed to find a bracelet like the one she was wearing.
Gwen messaged her. It read, “Why do you have to know its price?”
Caroline browsed while replying, “So that I can pay him back. I don’t want to owe him anything.”
“Why don’t you just let him do what he wants? Didn’t you say that he’s quite the looker?” Gwen replied.
“That wasn’t what you said a few days ago.”
Gwen laughed clumsily and sent Caroline a voice message. “No matter what, you’re still the heiress of the Evans family. It was a shame that you married an ordinary white–collar worker like him, but at least he appreciates you and sends you gifts. He loves you, and it’s always better to have someone who loves you than someone who’s heartless.”
The last sentence hinted at something. Caroline laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m over Eddy Morrison already, but I don’t feel like falling for someone again.” Loving someone was much too tiring.
Once the message was sent, Caroline browsed for the bracelet once again, but she still did not manage to find it.
She messaged Gwen again. “Why don’t you accompany me to a jewelry shop to ask around about it? Grandpa Morrison’s birthday’s next month. We can get him a gift too.”
Gwen did not refuse, and the two agreed to go to the city center on Tuesday.
Time flew by quickly, and Tuesday came.
Caroline was discharged from the hospital. She recovered just fine, and with Kirk’s non–stop feeding, she did not disappoint him by gaining weight. Gwen’s eyes shone with delight the moment she saw Caroline.
“The saying ‘value your life and stay away from scumbags‘ really is true. Look at this radiant face of yours. I almost failed to recognize you.”
Caroline laughed. “Stop beating around the bush if you want to tell me I’m getting fat.”
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were running in circles around Eddy Morrison.”
Caroline smiled and hooked her arm around Gwen’s, and they walked toward the jewelry store together. The looks on their faces changed the moment they entered the store.
Chapter 16
In the store, a woman in an elaborate dress sat at the counter trying on different bracelets.
Gwen saw her and, disgusted, she exclaimed, “It’s Brie Collins!” Caroline’s hands balled into fists immediately.
The Collinses had devised the downfall of the Evanses many years ago. After that, the Collinses took over her family’s place as one of the four most influential families in the city. However, they were different from the other families with considerable lineage because, being nouveau riche, they did not have concrete support or power. So others often criticized them, notably after Caroline returned to the country.
As the heiress of the Morrisons, Caroline had gone through rigorous etiquette training since birth. Regardless of the size of any event, she always appeared elegant and poised. However, the children of the Collins family were different and often made a fool of themselves in the eyes of the media. Even Brie Collins, the favorite daughter of Howard Collins–the head of the Collins family–could not escape that fate.
Both the Evans and the Collins families were on bad terms, and Brie Collins regarded Caroline as a thorn in her side.
“Let’s go,” Gwen said, lowering her voice. She did not want to have her day ruined by insignificant people. Caroline nodded and started to turn when she heard an unpleasant voice from inside the store.
‘Since you’re here already, just come in,” Brie said. “Or are you afraid you can’t afford to shop here because your position in the Morrison family is uncertain now?”
Caroline put on a smile and turned to face Brie Collins. “I just don’t want to be seen in the same space as trash.”
“Who are you calling trash?” Brie smacked the table as she rose from her seat, laying waste to the effort she made to maintain an elegant
front.
Caroline pursed her lips. “Well, if the shoe fits, Ms. Collins.”
Brie Collins took a deep breath and laughed mockingly. “Right now, all you can do is talk. Let’s see who else will have your back when Eddy Morrison annuls the marriage agreement.” She thought her words would hit home since everyone knew Caroline loved him to death.
Yet Caroline merely smiled at her and walked to the cashier. “Can you please check the approximate price of this bracelet?”
This was the only jewelry store in the area and the most famous one in Osbury. Caroline did not want her trip to be in vain.
Brie glanced at Caroline’s bracelet and was momentarily stunned. Then she mocked, “Caroline Evans, you must’ve lost your mind. If you’re thinking of having it appraised, you should at least bring something genuine.” Even though the bracelet she wore looked fine, the Evanses definitely could not afford such an exquisite one.
“What do you mean?” Caroline’s face darkened. Although Kirk was just an ordinary white–collar worker, she believed in his character. This bracelet may not cost a lot, but he would never buy her a counterfeit to deceive her.
Brie scoffed. “Don’t you understand?” She continued, deliberately spacing out the words, “I said… your bracelet
is fake.”
Caroline glanced around to see the shopkeepers who were suppressing their laughter. She touched the bracelet on her wrist, and the corner of her lips tilted upward. “Are you sure?”
‘Of course.”
“Well then, let’s make a bet. If my bracelet is counterfeit, you can pick anything in this shop, and I’ll pay for it. If it’s real, you’ll pay me double the price of my bracelet. What do you say?”
Brie agreed immediately. “Sure. Send for Mr. York.”
Mr. York was the most professional appraiser in the jewelry store. He could tell the authenticity of any jewel with just a glimpse. Gwen tugged at Caroline’s sleeve. In a lowered voice, she said, “Carol, weren’t you a bit too rash?”
If the bracelet really was fake…
Chapter 17
In the store, a woman in an elaborate dress sat at the counter trying on different bracelets.
Gwen saw her and, disgusted, she exclaimed, “It’s Brie Collins!” Caroline’s hands balled into fists immediately.
The Collinses had devised the downfall of the Evanses many years ago. After that, the Collinses took over her family’s place as one of the four most influential families in the city. However, they were different from the other families with considerable lineage because, being nouveau riche, they did not have concrete support or power. So others often criticized them, notably after Caroline returned to the country.
As the heiress of the Morrisons, Caroline had gone through rigorous etiquette training since birth. Regardless of the size of any event, she always appeared elegant and poised. However, the children of the Collins family were different and often made a fool of themselves in the eyes of the media. Even Brie Collins, the favorite daughter of Howard Collins–the head of the Collins family–could not escape that fate.
Both the Evans and the Collins families were on bad terms, and Brie Collins regarded Caroline as a thorn in her side.
“Let’s go,” Gwen said, lowering her voice. She did not want to have her day ruined by insignificant people. Caroline nodded and started to turn when she heard an unpleasant voice from inside the store.
‘Since you’re here already, just come in,” Brie said. “Or are you afraid you can’t afford to shop here because your position in the Morrison family is uncertain now?”
Caroline put on a smile and turned to face Brie Collins. “I just don’t want to be seen in the same space as trash.”
“Who are you calling trash?” Brie smacked the table as she rose from her seat, laying waste to the effort she made to maintain an elegant
front.
Caroline pursed her lips. “Well, if the shoe fits, Ms. Collins.”
Brie Collins took a deep breath and laughed mockingly. “Right now, all you can do is talk. Let’s see who else will have your back when Eddy Morrison annuls the marriage agreement.” She thought her words would hit home since everyone knew Caroline loved him to death.
Yet Caroline merely smiled at her and walked to the cashier. “Can you please check the approximate price of this bracelet?”
This was the only jewelry store in the area and the most famous one in Osbury. Caroline did not want her trip to be in vain.
Brie glanced at Caroline’s bracelet and was momentarily stunned. Then she mocked, “Caroline Evans, you must’ve lost your mind. If you’re thinking of having it appraised, you should at least bring something genuine.” Even though the bracelet she wore looked fine, the Evanses definitely could not afford such an exquisite one.
“What do you mean?” Caroline’s face darkened. Although Kirk was just an ordinary white–collar worker, she believed in his character. This bracelet may not cost a lot, but he would never buy her a counterfeit to deceive her.
Brie scoffed. “Don’t you understand?” She continued, deliberately spacing out the words, “I said… your bracelet
is fake.”
Caroline glanced around to see the shopkeepers who were suppressing their laughter. She touched the bracelet on her wrist, and the corner of her lips tilted upward. “Are you sure?”
‘Of course.”
“Well then, let’s make a bet. If my bracelet is counterfeit, you can pick anything in this shop, and I’ll pay for it. If it’s real, you’ll pay me double the price of my bracelet. What do you say?”
Brie agreed immediately. “Sure. Send for Mr. York.”
Mr. York was the most professional appraiser in the jewelry store. He could tell the authenticity of any jewel with just a glimpse. Gwen tugged at Caroline’s sleeve. In a lowered voice, she said, “Carol, weren’t you a bit too rash?”
If the bracelet really was fake…
Chapter 18
Once again, Gwen’s imagination rendered Caroline speechless. “If he truly is some rich man’s son, why would he marry me so quickly?”
Gwen scratched her head, searching for an answer that never came to her. Caroline smiled, amused. “Fine. I’ll ask him about it when I go back home. Then we’ll get our answer.”
“Oh, right,” Gwen said, beaming.
After the two of them said goodbye, Caroline gave Kirk a call. “Let’s have dinner together tonight.” Even though they were married, they stayed in their respective homes. Strictly speaking, they had never even had lunch or dinner together. “Sure,” Kirk replied, the corner of his lips already tilting upward in a smile.
“Well then, come to my house. What do you want for dinner? I’ll go buy the ingredients to make it.”
“Just cook something you like.”
Eddy’s face suddenly popped into her mind. Whenever she made dinner for him over the past eight years, he would always list out the dishes that he wanted. He never asked her about the food she liked. It was as if she never had a favorite food.
“Alright,” Caroline replied. Although the sun had set, signaling the end of the day, her voice was bright and cheery.
Affected by her spirit, Kirk said in a soft voice, “Wait for me
…
to come home.”
His voice lingered, and the words plucked at her heartstrings. Caroline muttered a “Yes,” hung up, and went straight to do the shopping.
After hanging up, Kirk’s expression turned cold and unreadable as usual. He ignored the curious glances of those around him and said, ” Recently, Easton’s market has focused on cosmetics. Do any of you have anything to say about the results of this survey?”
Those present shook their heads in unison. They a**umed that Kirk’s gentle side was merely a fleeting illusion.
“No comments? We’re done for today.” Kirk rose from his seat, grabbed his phone and documents, and left the meeting room, leaving the company’s executives staring blankly at each other in confusion. These people were all transferred back from overseas and had been
working for Kirk for more than ten years. This was their first time seeing him leave the office early, and it was needless to say that they
were all astonished.
Kirk received a call from Sean just when he reached the parking lot downstairs.
“Mr. Morrison, guess who I met today?” said Sean.
“Stop beating around the bush.”
As if knowing Kirk was about to end the call, Sean cut straight to the point and said, “I met your wife! She was at the jewelry store in the city center. She must’ve gone there to appraise the bracelet you gave her.”
Sean could not hold back his laughter now. When they both attended the auction that day, he had a**umed it was because Kirk wanted to participate in the grandest auction in Easton. In the end, they left right after Kirk got the bracelet. He had been wondering to whom Kirk would give the bracelet before he chanced upon the latter driving to the hospital. The eagerness on his face then made Sean suspicious about Kirk and Caroline’s relationship. Were they really just partners bound by a contract?
Kirk’s eyes narrowed upon hearing Sean’s words. He recalled his conversation with Caroline not long ago and could not remember anything strange about it. The drive back to Caroline’s place was no longer pleasant because his thoughts were now in turmoil.
The doorbell rang. Caroline rushed to open the door with her apron still on. A smile spread across her face when she saw Kirk at the door.” You’re here.” She took a pair of slippers from the cupboard for him and turned to the kitchen. “The soup is almost ready.”
Kirk looked at Caroline’s figure in the kitchen and then glanced around the house. It was not huge, but it was cozy. There was no TV in the living room; there was a sofa set and table. A pot of spider plant stood in one corner of the room. It was simple yet elegant.
“Dinner’s ready.” Caroline walked out of the kitchen, carrying the soup pot with her. Kirk’s gaze fell on her. She was wearing an apron with a teddy bear printed on it. Her face was red, even without makeup, and she looked like a ripe apple ready to be plucked from the tree. His heart skipped a beat.
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Kirk raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair off her face. His hand was rough, and both of them shuddered from the spark of static when he touched her. Kirk froze, and after a moment, he let his hand slide slowly down to her soft lips. Now, it was Caroline’s turn to freeze. She thought her heart would jump out of her ribcage very soon. Kirk had his eyes locked intently on her glossy lips, and, as if they were inviting him, he leaned over and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Their lips met, and a chill ran up her spine.
Caroline snapped back to reality. Still breathless, she pushed Kirk away. “T–This isn’t in our contract…” She stuttered so much that she accidentally bit her tongue several times.
Kirk felt himself heat up at the sight of the blushing young woman before him. He licked his lips and said, “Yep, it isn’t. But if we were in public and you had pushed me away as you did just now, others would start to doubt our relationship as man and wife.”
Stunned, Caroline took a second to reply. “So you’re saying you were testing my reflexes just now?”
“Yes,” Kirk continued. “We’ll be meeting my family next month. You don’t want to blow our cover, right?” After knowing that Kirk was married, Jude had started asking him to bring her home to meet her and never ceased urging him to do so. He never expected this day to
come.
“M–Meeting your family?” Caroline recalled that Kirk’s family was abroad. This meant that she would have to go overseas. Foreigners were usually pretty open–minded, so kissing should be common to them. This would also mean that she and Kirk would be …
“That’s why we need to practice beforehand.” It was as if he knew exactly what was in her mind. “If you can’t accept it, I won’t go back then.
Caroline was guilt–stricken. “It’s fine. I–I’ll practice with you.” It was just a kiss, right? Although that kiss was her first kiss just now, she did not find it intolerable.
The comer of Kirk’s lips tilted upward in a smile.
‘Oh, right. Caroline touched her red–hot cheeks and sat before him. “I went to a jewelry store this afternoon. The appraiser told me that this bracelet-”
*… Is worth ten million dollars?” Kirk’s sounded nonchalant. Caroline raised her eyes to look at him in surprise. “How did you know?”
“And he also told you that it’s an antique, right?” he said. Now this made Caroline more bewildered. How did he get that right? It was as if he had witnessed the entire thing.
“Did you buy it? Where did you get so much money?”
Kirk smoothened out a crease on his shirt. “It’s a counterfeit,” he said.
“A counterfeit?”
“Yes. One of my friends is an expert in that field. I went to his place a few days back and bought it because it looked fine. It was only a few thousand dollars.”
Caroline heaved a sigh of relief. “I see.” She thought Kirk had embezzled money from the Morrisons. Thank goodness that the bracelet was merely a counterfeit. Not long after, Caroline’s brows knitted together once again. “But Mr. York’s a professional appraiser. He couldn’t have made a mistake.” Since stepping into this line of work at the age of 20, Mr. York had never made a blunder and was known to the world as a legendary jewelry appraiser.
Kirk became silent.
Chapter 19
“It proves just how good he is at his job. So, what did you make for us today?” Kirk changed the topic so flawlessly that Caroline did not notice it and went ahead introducing the food she made.
Kirk volunteered to do the dishes after enjoying the scrumptious food she prepared. Caroline had nothing to do, so she took out her computer and searched for a movie to watch.
She picked a comedy and completely forgot that another human being was present in her home as she indulged herself in the movie. When Kirk emerged from the kitchen, he was greeted by the sight of Caroline sitting on the carpet in an unladylike fashion, laughing her head off. In that instant, she did not look like the elegant and poised Ms. Evans that she usually appeared to be.
Abruptly, Kirk was reminded of the time when Caroline was still Eddy Morrison’s fiancée. He once flipped through an album of young Caroline attending events held by the Morrisons. She had always looked prim and proper in those pictures, as though she was a puppet guided by strings. There had been no liveliness or vigor in her at all.
Right here and right now, though, he felt that she was actually alive. He simply stood and watched her quietly, enjoying the silent moment of happiness and warmth that he had never experienced before.
Caroline’s phone rang, interrupting the moment of tranquility. She glanced at her phone on the table and scowled. It was Sarah White.
…
Her parents had not contacted her since they quarreled a while back. It was as if they had never had her as their daughter. Regardless, they were her parents, and as cruel as she wanted to be, she could not bear to ignore them. She answered the call and accepted her fate.
“Caroline!” Sarah was livid with fury. “Why haven’t you gotten a divorce yet?”
Yesterday, she just happened to meet Eddy Morrison when visiting Layla. He had always treated her with contempt, and this time, he greeted her with complaints about how she failed to bring up her daughter well.
Initially, Sarah was confused by it all. She later learned from his bodyguard that he went to the City Hall several days ago only to find out that Caroline was already married. He even thought of using his family’s influence to force the staff there into annulling her marriage so
that he could register his marriage with her. However, they failed to uncover the identity of the person she was married to, so his plan hit a
dead end.
Then Layla was kicked out of the hospital under some mysterious person’s order, and the CCTV footage of Caroline’s surgery was all destroyed. Even the staff who had met her husband resigned from their jobs and vanished without a trace. Everything was so messed up,
and Eddy was overwhelmed with frustration. That was why he lost his temper with her.
Sarah called Caroline the moment she reached home after finding out about the matter.
Caroline lowered the volume on her computer before she spoke. “Mom, my kidney type and Layla’s don’t even match.”
“Of course, you don’t match …” Sarah trailed off, and as if something struck her, she took a deep breath. In a soft voice, she said, “Carrie, I’m your mother. Do you really think that I’d cause you harm? Go get divorced and marry Eddy. This is your only way out.”
Caroline replied, “Mom, do you know I almost died during the surgery? They didn’t want my kidney in exchange for getting married; they
wanted me dead! Only when I’m dead can they two be together!”
Sarah paled. “What?”
“Layla said it herself.” Now that she was talking it, Caroline could not stop herself from shuddering in fear. “Mom, if I went for the surgery. I’d no doubt die. If I live, our family might get a chance at becoming one of the four major families again.”
Kirk pa**ed Caroline a gla** of water. Caroline took a sip from it and felt a lot better, but her mother drawled on and on. “Carrie, you must marry Eddy. And you must seize the position as the young Mrs. Morrison even if it means death. Only then will the Morrisons continue helping us Evans to regain our glory.”
The gla** in Caroline’s hand radiated warmth, but her hands were cold as ever. Abruptly, her phone was plucked away from her grasp. Looking up, she saw Kirk putting it to his ear.
Chapter 20
“Why don’t you spend your time being a pushy parent on Improving yourself instead?”
Sarah recognized Kirk’s voice right away. Raising her voice, she said, “My family’s affairs are none of your business! Where are you two? Don’t you dare tell me you’re at Caroline’s!”
“Don’t you worry.” Kirk had a bad impression of his mother–in–law. His voice dripped with bitterness. “If Caroline’s your daughter, stop telling her to marry Eddy Morrison. She doesn’t like hearing it, and neither do 1.”
Sarah snorted derisively. “How dare you compare yourself with Eddy. He’s the most Influential figure in Osbury. In Easton, no one could-
Kirk hung up instantly. Caroline noticed his pursed lips and thought that he had gotten pissed off again. This time though, she was not afraid of him. On the contrary, she felt something warm spread in her chest. “Thank you,” she said.
Kirk looked up from the phone and was met with her clear, pristine gaze. He wanted to say something, but the words lodged in his throat. All he could utter was, “You should rest early.”
“Alright.” Caroline stood. “Then you’ll …”
“I’ll be leaving.”
Caroline tailed him as he walked toward the door. “Where do you live?” she asked.
“The city center.”
“Are you renting a room there?” Rooms for rent in the city center were pricey, so he could most probably only afford to rent a room with a single bed there.
Kirk frowned. He thought of his luxury apartment and nodded anyway.
“It must be hard for you. Why don’t you move into my house?” Caroline looked down as she shifted from foot to foot, her voice becoming increasingly soft.
Kirk stared at the crown of her head and laughed. “It’s fine.” He was afraid that if they lived together, something like what happened earlier would repeat itself.
“Okay,” Caroline replied, her voice filled with a sense of disappointment that she could not understand.
Tonight was a sleepless night.
After returning to his penthouse in the city center, Kirk took off his clothes and threw himself into the cool bathtub. The after–effect of that kiss was a bit too much. It took more than an hour for him to finally calm down.
On the other side, Caroline tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. It was when dawn came that she finally fell asleep. However, Caroline only managed to get a few minutes of sleep when someone came banging at her door. Shocked, she shot up from bed and wearily dragged herself to the door.
Once the door was open, Dan Evans grabbed her hand and dragged her to the elevator. “Come with me!”
Caroline tried to yank her hand free. “What are you doing?”
“You’re going to the City Hall to marry Eddy now!”
Hearing that, Caroline tried harder to free her wrist from her father’s iron grasp. “Didn’t I tell you that I won’t marry him? I don’t wanna die!” At that moment, the elevator doors opened. Dan shoved her into the elevator and pressed the button frantically to close the doors. “If you don’t marry him, our company will go broke. How am I supposed to explain myself to your grandfather then?”
“Why is the company going bankrupt?”
Dan wiped the sweat on his brow. “Don’t you understand? We had the Morrisons‘ support all this time. Since you disobeyed Eddy Morrison repeatedly recently, he’s going to divest soon! Once this happens, the the Evans Group will be nothing but an empty shell!”
Betrayed by her fiancé, Caroline Evans decides on a whim to marry someone else. Everyone mocks her for the decision of giving up on the heir to the Morrison family and choosing some poor punk instead. However, that poor punk is actually secretly the top wealthiest person around, newly back in the country to invest in its development. He’s also her ex’s uncle! Lamenting about being tricked, Caroline Evans insists on a divorce. But her husband corners her and says unblinkingly, “That billionaire is not me. That guy had cosmetic surgery to look like me.” Looking at his handsome face, Caroline believes it. “What a curse to have the same face as someone of the Morrison family!” The next day, the world is surprised to find that the heir of the Morrison family has been kicked out and now has nothing. As for the newly crowned top billionaire, he starts wearing a mask to hide his attractive features.
