Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rejected by One, Wanted by Another : Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

The faint light of dawn filtered through the guest bedroom window. Lucy sat up slowly, her eyes burning from a night without sleep. The mansion had gone quiet again. A few minutes later, she heard the front door open and close downstairs. The sound echoed through the house, and she immediately knew Zoe had finally left.Lucy pushed aside the blankets and headed for the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and stared at her reflection for a long moment. The hurt was still there, but it was no longer controlling her. She brushed her hair into a neat ponytail and changed into a dark blue sweater and a pair of fitted trousers. If Adrian wanted to treat this marriage like a battlefield, then she refused to walk into the fight looking defeated.A sharp knock sounded at her bedroom door."Mr. Matthews is waiting for you in the dining room," the head butler announced from the other side. "Breakfast is served."Lucy inhaled deeply before opening the door and making her way downstairs.

The black SUV rolled into the circular driveway and came to a smooth stop in front of the mansion. Before Lucy could reach for the door handle, the driver had already stepped out and opened the trunk. One by one, he lifted the heavy cardboard boxes containing her father's company records and carried them up the stone steps.Lucy followed him inside, her gaze lingering on the boxes. Each one held pieces of her family's past, answers that might explain how everything had fallen apart. The mansion was unusually quiet, Adrian's sports car was nowhere to be seen.The driver carefully placed the last box near the foyer wall before straightening his jacket."Will you be needing anything else this afternoon, Mrs. Matthews?" he asked politely.Lucy hesitated for a moment before reaching into her handbag. She pulled out her wallet and removed several crisp hundred-dollar bills. Stepping closer, she discreetly slipped the money into his hand.The driver looked down at the cash in surprise. "Ma'a

.He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her deeply. Their lips crashed together, parting instantly as their tongues met. He explored her, stroking her tongue with long, passionate licks that made her dizzy. He bit softly on her lower lip, then plunged back in again. She moaned into his mouth, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she kissed him back just as desperately.When they finally broke apart, she was panting, her lips swollen and glistening. Jonathan didn’t give her time to recover. He trailed hot wet kisses down her neck, sucking and licking at her sensitive skin.“Jonathan… don’t … leave marks,” she warned breathlessly, her voice shaky and barely audible. “Please… I can’t—”But even as she said it, her head tilted back, offering him more.His eyes burned with desire as he gently peeled her shirt open, sliding it down her shoulders while staring straight into her eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her heart race. He lowered his head and kissed the swell of her

The grand dining room doors opened, revealing a long banquet table glowing beneath the light of dozens of tall candles. The rich scent of roasted meat, truffles, and expensive wine filled the air. Around the table sat eight European investors dressed in immaculate tailored suits, their expressions unreadable as they quietly observed the room.At the head of the table sat Arthur Matthews.His sharp eyes immediately landed on Lucy and Adrian as they entered."Ah, there they are," Arthur announced, rising slightly from his chair with a broad smile. "The newlyweds have finally arrived."Several guests turned toward them."Please, sit down."Adrian offered Lucy his arm, and she slipped her hand through it. Together, they walked toward the center of the table, their movements perfectly coordinated.Their assigned seats were positioned directly across from the two most influential investors from Germany. As soon as they sat down, a photographer stationed near the fireplace lifted his camera

The gravel crunched beneath Lucy's flats as she made her way back toward the mansion. For most of the afternoon, she had wandered the estate grounds alone, trying to clear her head but it hadn't worked.Her phone felt unusually heavy in her pocket. Jonathan had sent three messages since morning, each one cheerful and casual, asking how she was doing and whether she was surviving another Matthews family event. She had read every message.She hadn't answered a single one.She pushed open the side entrance and stepped into the mansion. The quiet hallway stretched ahead of her, but as she neared the formal living room, the sound of voices drifted through the partially opened doors.She slowed down.Instinctively, she stopped beside the doorway and glanced through the narrow opening.Zoe sat comfortably on one of the velvet sofas, a teacup balanced in her hand as if she belonged there. Across from her sat Victoria, perfectly dressed as always, her posture rigid and elegant."You need to ke