Madam Judd's tone was gentle yet firm.Nara was stunned.“That’s impossible! How could I get it wrong?! You must have made a mistake!”She gritted her teeth at the last sentence.Madam Judd chuckled and said, “All three of these are fake.”Nara had an incredulous expression as she shone the flashlight on them again.“The jade has been soaked in strong acid, impurities washed away, then injected with glue. The methods of counterfeiting are becoming more sophisticated, reaching a point where it's hard to tell real from fake. To discern the authenticity of jade, one needs keen eyesight and extensive experience to make judgments. Just because you've seen more and possess more jade doesn't mean you understand more. Do you understand now?”The proud Nara was embarrassed by Madam Judd and couldn't find a way to save herself from embarrassment for a moment. “Understood,” Harmonia nodded.Nara had to reluctantly say, “Understood.”Madam Judd then immediately began the lesson.Though
Castell looked at her. His gaze was devoid of warmth but rather, it was as indifferent as cold water.“Tomorrow is your sister's assessment day, and I've been invited to Snow Manor.”Quinn nodded softly and asked obediently, “Is Nara confident that she will win?”Upon hearing this, Castell snorted with great dissatisfaction, “There's no such thing as losing among the Kenwoods! She will definitely be the winner!”Quinn shrank back in fear when she saw the ferocity in his eyes, and she did not dare to say another word. She simply nodded, forced a smile, and said, “In that case, I’ll stay at home and wait for Dad and Nara to come back victorious.”Only then did Castell nod begrudgingly.“Okay, go to sleep now.”Quinn waved to him and then turned to leave.The helicopter slowly ascended, gradually disappearing into the night.After Castell left, Quinn entered the room under Mrs. Clint's watchful eyes.After about an hour, Mrs. Clint entered the bedroom, made sure Quinn was asleep
Absalom froze in place while holding the snacks at the sound of those words. “She… She answered the call?” His heart felt a sharp pain that hurt a million times more than the wounds on his body.That one word ‘aunt’ was something he didn't want to hear but couldn't deny. They were together, weren't they?Quinn continued to disinfect his wounds, not noticing his expression as she went on and said, “Yes. I've already told her about you. Don't worry, they'll definitely come to rescue you!”“I'm familiar with the paths at home. If conditions permit, I'll guide you when the time comes.”He snapped back to reality, rejecting her without a second thought. “No need. You've done enough for me already by saving my life.”Quinn looked at him and said, “No. I have to see you alive and rescued before I can feel at ease.”“Why?” He asked.She was puzzled. “What do you mean why?”“No one cares about my life,” His eyes dimmed with sorrow.He even wondered if it would have been better if he
Quinn was startled. “W-what?”“I wasn't locked up here because I ruined your father's business and he is seeking revenge on me.”“Why are you locked up here, then?”Absalom frowned and replied, “It's complicated. It's not something that can be explained in a short time, but if I'm rescued, it means that there will be one more piece of evidence against your father.”Quinn bit her lower lip. She understood.If he were rescued, her father's actions of injuring him and imprisoning him would no longer be a secret.“You're his daughter, and once he falls, you might not be safe either.”Quinn hadn't thought about it deeply before, but now, Absalom's words weighed heavily on her heart.Even though her father had never cared about her and was always distant and cold toward her, and even though her sister bullied her since childhood, every word and action showing contempt toward her, they were her family, and that was something she couldn't change.Moonlight shone into the cellar throug
“Harmonia, why is the floor covered in blood?”Absalom’s eyes were icy cold. He looked at Harmonia in disgust. Harmonia’s ears were buzzing. The man she had loved for five years now made chills run down her spine. Today was Absalom’s uncle’s welcome home party. Three hours ago, she received Absalom’s text about a welcome home party at Northriver estate. She was to decorate the place in advance. The moment she stepped into the estate, Absalom’s childhood friend, Luna Woods, took a pill that induced abortions in front of her! By the time she realized this was a scheme to frame her, she turned to run away. But it was too late. “I’ll say it again. I didn’t do it!” Absalom laughed coldly, “Villagers are supposed to be honest and kind-hearted. How can you lie so remorselessly? I saw Luna covered in blood, and I heard her beg you to not harm the child! Are you still going to deny it?” “Absalom, you were the one who cheated in this marriage. You are the one in the wrong!
Harmonia clung to her last shred of hope until the unfamiliar scent of sandalwood reached her. The scent extinguished her faint glimmer of hope. A portable oxygen tank appeared. An oxygen mask was placed over her mouth and nose. The remnants of her will to survive drove her to inhale the oxygen deeply. She held onto his wrist tightly and gripped the string of rosary beads wrapped around it as if it were her sole hope to stay alive. All around her was utter silence, except for the rapid sound of breathing. She was forcefully pulled back from the brink of death. At that moment, Harmonia came to see her situation clearly. Once her breathing had become steady, he placed the inhaler in her palm before turning around and walking away. Harmonia struggled to raise her head and saw his imposing back, along with the hand that was wearing the string of rosary beads she had clung to moments ago. Harmonia put the inhaler over her mouth and took a puff. Using a dry powder inhaler felt
“I never thought about turning back, nor do I intend to. Not to mention, you aren’t worth turning back to.” Harmonia’s tone was indifferent. She had her back to Absalom and made no attempt to turn around to look at him even once. Words escaped through Absalom’s clenched teeth, one at a time. “Well, very well, I hope you won’t regret it!” Harmonia chuckled. She did regret something. She regretted losing her heart to the wrong man. She wished she had never done that. She could not hold back her tears any longer. They streamed down her face, one drop after another. Then, they vanished without a trace and left only dried tear tracks on her cheeks. Since she had loved him deeply, how could she feel nothing when it had come to this? However, since she knew nothing would come out of it, what was the point of persisting? Five long years… Even after five long years, she could not make him love her back. After she had opened her eyes, she decided to love what she had gained. It
Soon, Absalom returned and handed Harmonia a tube of ointment. “This is for your hand. Remember to apply the ointment.” He had noticed the swelling and bruising on her hand, so he bought her some medicine. But what was this? A carrot and a stick approach? He seemed to have forgotten that he was the reason she got injured! Harmonia snorted. “Awww, I’m so touched.” “Since you’re so touched, maybe you should reconsider so that you won’t regret it.” “Reconsider what? Adding an injury to my other hand?” Harmonia’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm. She even tossed the tube of ointment into the nearby trashcan right in front of Absalom. “Harmonia, what is the meaning of this?” “Oops, my hand slipped.” Absalom’s gaze turned icy, and his expression darkened. “You don’t know what’s good for you, woman!” He was right. She really did not know what was good for her. Otherwise, how could she have wasted her affection on him for a whole five years? “Take a look at the agreement.