LOGIN“I don’t understand,” Karter began.They sat in Zane’s study, coffee cooling untouched on the table between them.“What’s going on, Zane?”For once, the demands of their busy lives had been set aside. Both men had chosen to stay close to Jade that day.“We’ve known each other forever. And this is the first time I’ve seen you lose your cool with Catherine. Wasn’t she the most important person in your life?” Confusion clouded Karter’s usually calm, collected face. His voice dropped, edged with suspicion. “Why do I feel like you’ve got a thing for Jade?”Zane gave a dry chuckle. “You really have a knack for sounding like a talk show host, Karter. Ever thought of changing careers?”“Don’t dodge my question.” Karter’s tone hardened. “Zane, I don’t want to believe you’ve become my rival in love.”Zane sighed, leaning back, his gaze distant and thoughtful.“Do you remember how I survived the crash six years ago?” he asked quietly.“Of course.” Karter straightened, curiosity sharpening his fe
Jade thought the day’s drama was finally over. However, when she and Karter arrived at the Frost mansion, Helena—along with Catherine and Zane—were seated in the living room. The atmosphere was undeniably tense.“Jade,” Helena tried to stand at once when she saw her. Concern was etched in her kind face. “Are you okay now, child?”“Grandma,” Jade walked to her and sat beside her. “I’m good, Grandma.” She had no idea how Helena even found out what happened, but the older woman’s genuine worry warmed something fragile in her chest.“Are you sure? Did the doctors say you’re free to go?” Helena held her hands tightly, as if afraid Jade might disappear.“I didn’t even need to spend the night there, Grandma,” she said with a reassuring smile.“Thank goodness,” Helena breathed out in relief. “Zane, make sure Sierra pays for this—”“Grandma!” Catherine protested sharply.Clearly, that was not why she was here.“Catherine, I’m being lenient by having Sierra pay for what she did alone. Or do you
Jade’s head snapped to the side when Catherine’s palm collided with her cheek—hard. The sound echoed through the room.“Catherine!” Zane and Karter moved instantly, stepping between Jade and the enraged woman, instinctively shielding her.Jade, who had been preparing for discharge with the two men assisting her, staggered slightly from the force of the slap. The sting bloomed across her skin, hot and humiliating. She blinked, stunned, staring back at Catherine in disbelief.The other woman was shaking with fury.“See?” Catherine hissed, eyes burning as she took in how Zane positioned himself protectively in front of Jade. “What a whore!”The accusation cut through the air like a blade. Zane’s expression darkened instantly. Karter’s jaw tensed, his hand twitching as if he was restraining himself from stepping forward.Jade touched her cheek gingerly, her mind still trying to catch up with what had just happened. She couldn’t even form words yet.Although both Zane and Karter were ther
Jade didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. When she finally came to, the world around her was white and sterile. The sharp scent of antiseptic stung her nose, and a soft, steady beeping echoed somewhere beside her.She was in a hospital.Her throat felt parched, her head throbbed, and an IV needle tugged lightly at her arm. Panic fluttered in her chest as fragmented flashes returned—the SUV, the men, the cloth, the struggle…She jerked upright, heart racing.“Easy,” a nurse hurried over, gently easing her back against the pillows. “You’re safe now.”“W-what happened?”“You were found unconscious near a café. A passerby reported what looked like an attempted abduction. You were rushed here. You were lucky.”Jade blinked, trying to process the words.Wasn’t I supposed to meet Sierra’s driver?“By the way, your valuables are here,” the nurse continued. “A man named Karter called earlier. We informed him that you’d been brought in by some concerned citizens. He arrived while you
The days that followed were rather formal between Zane and Jade. He only spoke to her about work-related matters, and they no longer shared meals at home.With Zane’s wedding just a few months away, Jade told herself that the emotional distance was good for her. At least, that’s what her mind believed—her heart, however, disagreed and ached. Deep down, she had hoped to at least remain friends with the man she loved.Still, she was in no position to do anything but play along, especially when Catherine frequently requested her company for wedding preparations.Jade kept herself busy with her tasks, trying to distract her thoughts, when her phone lit up with a message notification beside her.‘I’m coming over for a meeting with your boss.’She only read the preview and didn’t dare respond. Ever since Zane caught her taking a personal call on her first day, Jade had been careful not to repeat the mistake.Besides, she already knew Karter was coming over for a meeting with Zane. Did he fo
Jade was dragged by the couple until dinner time. It had been a torture. But what could she do but comply like the special assistant that she was. “I’m glad I have someone to share my wedding ideas with now, Jade. When it was Ryan who was accompanying us, he just got bored listening to me. Much like Zane himself. They couldn’t be bothered with the details. It’s kind of frustrating, you know,” Catherine shared between their meal, rolling her eyes. “Wedding details really are girls matter, Ms. White. I’m happy to be able to give you a hand about it,” Jade sincerely answered. Though her heart cried inside her, she was genuinely happy for them. How could she not? Catherine was a very nice person. She was sure Zane would live a wonderful married life in the future. After dinner, they sent Catherine home first before heading back together to the Frost mansion. “Sit here in front. I’m not your chauffeur,” Zane told her upon his return from walking Catherine to her doorstep. Jade quietl
“Is your work area comfortable enough?”Zane sat behind his elegant desk while Jade stood in front of it, her posture straight but tense.“Yes, Mr. Frost. Thank you,” she replied, trying to keep her voice calm. But she couldn’t help wondering—why did he seem to be in such a bad mood? Did something
“Mr. Frost, the woman’s name is Jade Collins. She’s a single mother to her three-year-old daughter, Zia Collins. There’s no father listed on the birth certificate. She’s been here for a year now, working in the Administrative Department,” Ryan reported, handing over a file.Zane took the file from
“Hey, Jade. Have you heard the news?” Mireia asked.Jade smiled. Her friend really had a unique way of saying good morning.“Good morning to you too, Reia.”“Geez,” Mireia smiled sheepishly. “I’m just excited to tell you what I overheard in the elevator today. Guess what?”“The CEO is getting engag
“Jade, come back now. It’s getting dark.” “Alright, alright. Give me a moment.”Jade ended the call—the signal was weak anyway, and she could barely make out what her friend was saying. She slipped her phone into her backpack and started making her way down the same trail she had used to climb up.







