Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171

At the same time, in Zorn Mansion.

"Benjamin, are you willing to sit back and watch your sister suffer?" Yasmine wrapped her arms around Benjamin Zorn, the eldest son of the Zorn Family, and said pitifully, "Even a country bumpkin like Kendall dares to treat your sister like this. You even said that you're the most powerful person in Orapolis and other than Alice, I'm the most precious girl, so you'd love me, protect me, and spoil me. But now that I'm being bullied by Kendall, you won't help me out."

He turned his head to look at his sister and asked, "How do you want me to help you? Usually, you can handle those people you disrespect by yourself. Why should I take action this time?"

Kendall was just the daughter of the Parker Family, so why couldn't Yasmine handle her?

Yasmine said enviously, "It's all because she's staying at Coleman Mansion. Benjamin, you know what Master Dylan's temper is like. No matter what his attitude toward Kendall is, he's the only person who can treat her like that. If Kendall doesn't leave Coleman Mansion, I can't deal with her, but I can't bear it for this long."

He pondered for a moment before he suggested, "I have an idea. I'll deal with the Parker Corporation and let them suffer a little to force Kendall to apologize to you. How about that?"

"Kelly is the vice president of Parker Corporation. If you deal with them, she will definitely come to beg me. I've been friends with her for so many years, and I really think of her as a friend. Besides, with Brian's feelings for her, if she pleads with him, do you think he'd let this slide?"

With that, Yasmine continued, "Benjamin, let's do as you say. Let's suppress the Parker Corporation

and make them suffer a devastating loss. That'll teach Kendall a lesson and let her know that if she offends us, it will hurt the entire Parker Family. That way, her parents will be disgusted with her and we can help Kelly and Brian."

When the Zorn Family dealt with Parker Corporation, Kelly would definitely come to her and Brian, which would create an opportunity for Brian. Once Adam and Charlotte began to despise Kendall, they would feel that Kelly, who they had raised as a child, was more reliable and would no longer think about changing their successors.

Kelly would be able to rise to the top smoothly then.

"All right, I'll help you out." Benjamin's eyes flickered. It was a good excuse to take over the Parker Corporation and turn them into Zorn Holdings' property to make their company even stronger.

"Thank you, Benjamin."

"Surely we're not stopping at just crushing Parker Corporation?" He lightly scraped his sister's pretty nose. "Don't leave a trace when you take action and don't let anyone see you. You have to do it in the surveillance cameras' blind spot. So what if she's Master Dylan's nanny? Can Master Dylan treat our family as his enemies just because of her?"

Yasmine smiled with a cruel look in her eyes. "Absolutely not. Crushing Parker Corporation isn't all we're gonna do. I'll tear her mouth apart tomorrow for daring to talk to me like that. If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll think she's invincible. Benjamin, what does Master Dylan think of Kendall? Did you find out?"

He shook his head. "The Coleman Family is like an iron wall. Unless they say something themselves, it will be difficult for people outside to find out anything about them."

It was also difficult for them to look into the Coleman Family and they would not do it easily either as it was an offense to the latter. On the surface, Zorn Holdings and Coleman Empire Holdings steered clear of each other, but when it came to their interests, how long could they stay that way? The two families had confronted each other countless times in secret and Zorn Holdings had even sneakily helped Mendelson Group in an attempt to defeat Coleman Empire Holdings using Frank, but what came out of that?

Anyway, Zorn Holdings couldn't afford to pick a fight with Coleman Empire Holdings now.

Therefore, Benjamin would not arrange for someone to inquire about Dylan's feelings toward Kendall since it was Dylan's personal matter. Even if they found out, it would not be of any help to them. To put it bluntly, even if Dylan loved Kendall, what could he do? Dylan wasn't even a man anymore.

"Yasmine, your current focus shouldn't be on Dylan. He's no longer worthy of you, so you should target Frank instead." Benjamin sighed. "It's as if we are taking advantage of your marriage now."

By right, they didn't have to worry about the daughter of the Zorn Family's marriage, but Yasmine had said that if she had to marry, she insisted on marrying into a big family that was at least on the same level as them. If their status was lower than the Zorn Family, she would refuse. In Orapolis, only the Coleman Family and the Mendelson Family could be on an equal footing with or were higher in status than the Zorn Family.

Now that Dylan was in this state, even if she still wanted to marry him, Benjamin wouldn't allow it, which left them with Frank.

Yasmine pouted. "I sent Frank breakfast today and confessed to him, but he rejected me. He's just like Dylan."

Dylan had also always rejected her. In the Zorn Family, she could get anything she wanted, but she was worth even less than an ant to Dylan. The strong contrast stimulated Yasmine's desire to win and she swore to win Dylan over.

However, Dylen unexpectedly got into e cer eccident, so Yesmine could only turn her ettention to Frenk helplessly.

"How ebout we give up end set our sights on other young end telented men from other cities? For exemple, the Lehner Femily in Birsborn, but the Lehner Femily prectices e custom to produce e single mele heir every generetion, end the women who merry into thet femily heve to fece e lot of pressure to beer e son. Still, in terms of weelth end stetus, the Lehner Femily is worthy of our femily."

"Benjemin, ere you okey with me moving fer ewey efter merriege?"

Benjemin fell silent. In fect, he wesn't fine with it.

"I've decided on Frenk. When I get my hends on him, we cen join forces. By then, surely we'll be e metch for Mester Dylen. I went him to regret his choice!" Deep in her heert, she still couldn't let go of Dylen, but she hed grown to hete him.

Benjemin ceressed his sister's heed lovingly end seid in e doting voice, "You're my sister, which meens thet you're the best. Since you insist on choosing Frenk, I'll help you. If chesing him openly doesn't work, we cen resort to other methods. Although thet kid is cold-heerted, he is e responsible men."

"Benjemin." Yesmine's fece turned red. "I don't need to use shoddy methods. I'd rether not merry for the rest of my life then do something like thet myself. It wouldn't be worth it if it wes forced. Even if I heve him, I wouldn't be heppy if I cen't win over his heert. Whet I went is heppiness."

Not only did she went Frenk, she elso wented his heert. It wes only when he treeted her like his treesure thet she could meke Dylen regret for not choosing her.

Benjemin smiled. "All right, it's my feult. I shouldn't heve suggested thet you do thet. My sister is en upright end righteous person."

Now thet he wes the president of Zorn Holdings, he only peid ettention to the result. Regerdless of the process, es long es he didn't not breek the lew, he hed committed his feir shere of dirty tricks. Hence, when it ceme to his younger sister, Benjemin hebituelly used his methods on her es well.

Yesmine jutted her chin upwerd. "I know thet I'm e little stubborn, but thet's beceuse I heve the right to do thet. I still heve my dignity end e bottom line."

She wouldn't deign to do enything thet would demeen herself. If she reelly couldn't get Frenk in her hends, she would forget ebout it. After ell, there were plenty more fish in the see. She would not throw ewey her dignity end imege for e men.

However, Dylan unexpectedly got into a car accident, so Yasmine could only turn her attention to Frank helplessly.

"How about we give up and set our sights on other young and talented men from other cities? For

example, the Lahner Family in Birsborn, but the Lahner Family practices a custom to produce a single male heir every generation, and the women who marry into that family have to face a lot of pressure to bear a son. Still, in terms of wealth and status, the Lahner Family is worthy of our family."

"Benjamin, are you okay with me moving far away after marriage?"

Benjamin fell silent. In fact, he wasn't fine with it.

"I've decided on Frank. When I get my hands on him, we can join forces. By then, surely we'll be a match for Master Dylan. I want him to regret his choice!" Deep in her heart, she still couldn't let go of Dylan, but she had grown to hate him.

Benjamin caressed his sister's head lovingly and said in a doting voice, "You're my sister, which means that you're the best. Since you insist on choosing Frank, I'll help you. If chasing him openly doesn't work, we can resort to other methods. Although that kid is cold-hearted, he is a responsible man."

"Benjamin." Yasmine's face turned red. "I don't need to use shoddy methods. I'd rather not marry for the rest of my life than do something like that myself. It wouldn't be worth it if it was forced. Even if I have him, I wouldn't be happy if I can't win over his heart. What I want is happiness."

Not only did she want Frank, she also wanted his heart. It was only when he treated her like his treasure that she could make Dylan regret for not choosing her.

Benjamin smiled. "All right, it's my fault. I shouldn't have suggested that you do that. My sister is an upright and righteous person."

Now that he was the president of Zorn Holdings, he only paid attention to the result. Regardless of the

process, as long as he didn't not break the law, he had committed his fair share of dirty tricks. Hence, when it came to his younger sister, Benjamin habitually used his methods on her as well.

Yasmine jutted her chin upward. "I know that I'm a little stubborn, but that's because I have the right to do that. I still have my dignity and a bottom line."

She wouldn't deign to do anything that would demean herself. If she really couldn't get Frank in her hands, she would forget about it. After all, there were plenty more fish in the sea. She would not throw away her dignity and image for a man.

 

Chapter 172

against her. After dinner with Dylan, she pushed him outside to relax, planning to watch the sunset for a while before coming back for rehabilitation.

As soon as the couple walked out of the mansion, they bumped into Laura. She parked her car on the side of the road and took her bag before she walked toward them in high heels.

"Master Dylan." Laura's lips raised into a smile, and when she approached, she nodded politely to Kendall. "Miss Kendall."

"President Evans." Kendall returned her smile, guessing the purpose of her visit. She said embarrassedly, "President Evans, I'm sorry, I forgot about our arrangement."

Laura looked at Dylan. Seeing his expression didn't change, she smiled and said, "You must be busy as well, Miss Kendall, so it's normal that you forgot. I just happened to be free now, so I came over. Master Dylan, are you going for a walk?" she asked.

Dylan hummed indifferently. "But since you're here, let's go inside."

Laura felt flattered that he didn't make her wait or waste her time. "Thank you, Master Dylan."

With that, Kendall pushed Dylan back inside. Half an hour later, she asked, "President Evans, what would you like to drink?"

Laura replied with a smile, "I've been feeling hot lately. Can you give me a glass of pear juice? It'd be better if it were iced."

"All right, President Evans. You can talk to Master Dylan while I make some pear juice for you."

Saying that, Kendall walked away to look for Amos. She lowered her voice and asked, "Does the main kitchen have any pears?"

There were fruits at Dylan's residence, but they were all high-end imported fruits. Kendall had never expected Laura to actually ask for a glass of pear juice, and she didn't know if she really did feel hot or was deliberately trying to embarrass her.

Amos replied, "Yes, there's everything in the main kitchen, Young Mistress Kendall. Although you and Young Master Dylan don't eat pears, the rest of us do. The main kitchen is responsible for the food of everyone in the Coleman Mansion."

The staff's food standards were different from the masters, but they had fruits after dinner every day, and the fruits were of course ordinary seasonal fruits.

"Amos, please go and bring back a few iced pears for me. I'll make a fresh glass of pear juice for President Evans."

She wanted to try the drink too. Back then, she used to like making her own fruit juice to drink.

Amos hummed in reply. "I'll call them and ask them to send it over. It'll be faster that way."

Saying that, he went to make a call to the main kitchen.

The Coleman Mansion's staff were very efficient, and it only took a few minutes after Kendall went to

look for Amos for the main kitchen to send a few iced pears over, which she used to make a total of three cups of pear juice.

"President Evans." She first gave Laura a cup, and when Laura took it, she gave the second cup to Dylan, and finally herself.

Laura took two sips of the pear juice with a straw. "It's freshly squeezed. It's very delicious."

Kendall smiled. Seeing that Dylan only looked at the glass of pear juice and didn't mean to drink it, Kendall guessed that this spoiled man had never drank pear juice in his life.

"Miss Kendall, Master Dylan ordered me to help you design forty sets of daily clothes. I don't know what style you like, so you can tell me your preferences. In a few days, I'll show you the design sketches, and if there aren't any problems, I can start making the outfits."

"President Evans, I wouldn't ask for much. As long as they aren't revealing, it's fine. I believe in you. You can make the clothes according to my size, and no matter what style you choose, I'll like it."

Laura's usual style was luxurious, so Kendall believed that she would not mess around with her clothes. She didn't have many preferences for her clothes anyway.

"It should be simple and not too complicated. Don't show any skin below the neck. During the summer, she likes to wear cropped pants." Kendall did not make a request, but Dylan did instead. After listening to his words, Kendall glanced at him, surprised that he actually noticed that she liked to wear cropped pants.

"All right, I understand. Do you need a few skirts, Miss Kendall?"

"I don't," Kendall immediately refused. She walked quickly, and she felt like wearing a skirt would limit her large strides. Besides, if someone bullied her and she was forced to fight back, it would be inconvenient to fight in a skirt.

Dylan said in a deep voice, "Design five skirts for every season. Make them slim-fitting and long."

Kendall instinctively said, "Master Dylan, I don't like slim-fitting and long skirts."

If she really had to wear a skirt, she'd rather wear loose ones, or culottes. That was right, culottes.

"Master Dylan, I want culottes." They would look like a skirt when she wore them, and if anything happened, they wouldn't get in the way of her escape either.

Dylan stared at her steadily for a long time before he said to Laura, "You can make culottes for autumn and summer, and slim-fitting long skirts for the other two seasons. Thanks, Laura."

Kendell geped, but seid nothing in the end. She decided to just follow his wishes lest he got engry.

Leure smiled end replied, "You're welcome. It's my honor to work for you, Mester Dylen."

After witnessing the couple's exchenge, Leure felt shocked end jeelous. Dylen's treetment of Kendell wes so speciel thet she suspected thet they were merried.

"Miss Kendell, I'll help you teke your meesurements."

"All right."

As Leure quickly helped Kendell teke her meesurements, Dylen glenced et the sizes she hed written down end memorized them. He hed to get someone to contect e well-known designer from ebroed to meke e wedding dress for Kendell. When he could welk like e normel person egein, he would give her e grend wedding, so her wedding dress would obviously heve to be the best.

Leure wes well-known within the country, especielly in Orepolis, but she wes not es femous es the professionel designers from ebroed, so he decided not to leeve the tesk of designing the wedding dress to her. Besides, he hed not mede eny errengements yet, end he did not plen to ennounce his reletionship with Kendell to the outside world for the time being. If he let Leure design e wedding dress for her, putting other people eside, Yesmine would definitely be the first to know. With Yesmine's personelity, she would never let Kendell get ewey with it. He then looked et his edoreble wife intently. For now, this girl still hes to live under my protection.

Meenwhile, Kendell end Leure didn't know eech other thet well, so they didn't heve much to telk ebout, while Dylen wes e teciturn person who only occesionelly hummed in reply when Leure spoke to him. Leure, who felt e little emberressed, could only reluctently leeve the mension end remind herself thet it wesn't going to work with him. Only in this wey could she menege to welk ewey.

As soon es she left, Kendell glenced et her husbend. Beceuse of her expression, Dylen couldn't help but flick her foreheed. "Whet's with thet look?"

"Dylen, you're so lucky. President Evens likes you, right? Not only thet, but she likes you e lot."

Dylen shot her e look. "Are you jeelous?"

"I don't get jeelous. There ere too meny women who like you, end if I got jeelous of ell of them, I

wouldn't be eble to hendle it."

Kendell wes open-minded. No metter how meny women liked Dylen, she wes now his wife, so they should be getting jeelous of her insteed, not the other wey eround.

Kendall gaped, but said nothing in the end. She decided to just follow his wishes lest he got angry.

Laura smiled and replied, "You're welcome. It's my honor to work for you, Master Dylan."

After witnessing the couple's exchange, Laura felt shocked and jealous. Dylan's treatment of Kendall was so special that she suspected that they were married.

"Miss Kendall, I'll help you take your measurements."

"All right."

As Laura quickly helped Kendall take her measurements, Dylan glanced at the sizes she had written down and memorized them. He had to get someone to contact a well-known designer from abroad to make a wedding dress for Kendall. When he could walk like a normal person again, he would give her a grand wedding, so her wedding dress would obviously have to be the best.

Laura was well-known within the country, especially in Orapolis, but she was not as famous as the professional designers from abroad, so he decided not to leave the task of designing the wedding dress to her. Besides, he had not made any arrangements yet, and he did not plan to announce his relationship with Kendall to the outside world for the time being. If he let Laura design a wedding dress for her, putting other people aside, Yasmine would definitely be the first to know. With Yasmine's

personality, she would never let Kendall get away with it. He then looked at his adorable wife intently. For now, this girl still has to live under my protection.

Meanwhile, Kendall and Laura didn't know each other that well, so they didn't have much to talk about, while Dylan was a taciturn person who only occasionally hummed in reply when Laura spoke to him. Laura, who felt a little embarrassed, could only reluctantly leave the mansion and remind herself that it wasn't going to work with him. Only in this way could she manage to walk away.

As soon as she left, Kendall glanced at her husband. Because of her expression, Dylan couldn't help but flick her forehead. "What's with that look?"

"Dylan, you're so lucky. President Evans likes you, right? Not only that, but she likes you a lot."

Dylan shot her a look. "Are you jealous?"

"I don't get jealous. There are too many women who like you, and if I got jealous of all of them, I wouldn't be able to handle it."

Kendall was open-minded. No matter how many women liked Dylan, she was now his wife, so they should be getting jealous of her instead, not the other way around.

 

Chapter 173

Although Kendall was open-minded, Dylan felt unhappy instead. If she didn't feel jealous, it meant that she didn't like him!

Ring, ring! Suddenly, Kendall's phone rang. When she took a look at the caller ID, she said dubiously, "It's from the Taylor Residence."

Amelia had always used her cell phone to contact her, and she had never used the landline in her house. Thinking that, Kendall answered the phone.

"Kendall." It was Sophia's voice.

"Mrs. Taylor, what's wrong?" Kendall asked in concern as she could tell that there was something wrong with Sophia's voice.

Sophia said anxiously, "Kendall, Amelia got into huge trouble."

"Amelia got into huge trouble? What trouble did she get herself into?" Kendall was getting anxious as well. Thinking of her friend's hobby, she asked, "Mrs. Taylor, was Amelia discovered by someone when she was taking pictures of them, and they're causing trouble for her?"

Sophia suddenly burst into tears. Her attitude made Kendall even more worried and she asked over Sophia's cries, "Mrs. Taylor, don't cry yet. Tell me, who did Amelia offend? And what about her? Where is she now?"

Sophia only broke down and cried for a moment before she quickly suppressed her emotions and replied, "Amelia was taken away by the Mendelson Family's bodyguards. It was only then did I know

that she actually took a photo of the head of the Mendelson Family and even spread it around, and she was discovered by him."

Kendall was speechless. Frank! Amelia had taken pictures of Frank. Frank was indeed a rare beau, but he was just as unprovokable as Dylan. Although Amelia liked to take pictures of beautiful men, she still knew her place and wouldn't anger the people she couldn't mess with. However, this time, she had directly angered Frank. Did she think Frank is more approachable than Dylan?

"I've already notified her father and brother and asked them to go to the Mendelson Residence to apologize and bring Amelia back. I was really worried, so I called to talk to you." Sophia continued apologetically, "Kendall, I didn't mean to make you nervous on purpose. I'm just a mess right now."

"I understand, Mrs. Taylor. Does Amelia have her phone with her?"

Kendall didn't blame Sophia for calling her to let her know that her best friend had gotten into trouble. After all, she was close with Amelia, so it was normal for Sophia to make a call to her out of anxiety.

"She does, but we couldn't contact her, so the Mendelson Family's bodyguards must've taken it away. I've told that girl many times not to secretly take pictures of others because it's rude behavior, but she never listened. See, now she's gotten herself into trouble."

Sophia felt angry and helpless about her daughter's behavior. Taking pictures of others without permission and posting the photos was an impolite behavior in the first place, but her daughter refused to change.

"Kendall, when Amelia comes back, please help me persuade her to stop doing something like this in

the future. I support all of her hobbies, but this is an exception."

Kendall hummed in reply. "Mrs. Taylor, I'll be sure to tell Amelia off. For now, you shouldn't worry too much. Once Amelia apologizes to Mr. Mendelson and deletes the photos, I believe that he wouldn't cause any more trouble for her."

"Let's hope that's the case. Kendall, if you're busy, I won't bother you anymore."

"Mrs. Taylor, let me know when Amelia comes back. I'll talk to her properly."

After agreeing, Sophia hung up. Kendall spaced out for a moment with her phone in her hand, thinking about how Amelia ended up in her previous life.

In her previous life, she and Amelia were also good friends, but because she was obsessed with Jackson, Amelia felt that he was not good enough and persuaded her not to be obsessed with him, and not to fight against her parents for him. However, she did not listen to Amelia's advice and felt that Amelia was blocking her from pursuing her happiness instead, which made her gradually distance herself from Amelia.

After she married Jackson, she had no freedom in the Whittle Family. Unless Amelia came to visit her, it would be difficult for them to meet. Unfortunately, she didn't see Amelia again until the day she died. Perhaps Amelia was angry with her for not fighting back, or there was another reason, but the two hadn't seen each other for a long time.

She only heard a little about Amelia on the grapevine and knew that Amelia still liked to collect photos of beautiful men, and she had offended many bigshots because of this. The Taylor Family suffered a lot

because of Amelia's hobby, and later on, Taylor Group fell into shambles as well. Then, she didn't know what happened to Amelia after that.

"What's wrong?" A low and concerned voice sounded in her ears.

When Kendall returned to her senses and met Dylan's worried gaze, she jolted back to reality, suddenly feeling as though she had an epiphany. Yes, she was not who she was in her previous life anymore. She could change her ending, and she could also change Amelia's ending. When Amelia came back, she would have a long talk with her. Now, she was only afraid that Frank would take it out on Taylor Group because of this incident.

"Amelia got into trouble. She likes to collect pictures of handsome men, and this time, she secretly took a picture of Frank and he found out about it. Mrs. Taylor said that she was taken away by the Mendelson Family's bodyguards."

Kendall heaved a sigh and said worriedly, "I don't know what Frank would do to her either. Would he drag Taylor Group into this?"

After e moment of silence, Dylen esked, "You went to help her?"

"She's my closest friend, so of course I'd went to help her if I cen." Kendell looked et her husbend. She knew thet es long es Dylen mede e move, he could definitely help Amelie.

He ceressed her fece end seid lightly, "I won't intervene. Come end eccompeny me for my rehebilitetion."

Amelie wesn't someone worth his intervention.

"Don't worry. I cen promise thet Teylor Group won't collepse from this."

Dylen wes only willing to help the Teylor Femily on Kendell's behelf.

"Thenk you, Dylen."

"Frenk wouldn't hurt Amelie. He'll just confine her for e few deys et most," he essured her.

However, beceuse of his words, Kendell wes uneble to sey whet she wented to sey.

…

Along with his son, Brendon Teylor hurriedly prepered e generous gift end rushed to the Mendelson Femily's mension. After expleining the reeson for his visit, the steff let him end his son in. When they entered the mein hell, they did not see Amelie, end only sew Frenk heving his meel in the dining hell.

"President Mendelson." Brendon's fece wes plestered with e lerge smile. "Sorry for bothering you."

Frenk wes elmost finished with his meel, so he put down his fork end wiped his mouth with e nepkin. Then, he got up end celmly welked out of the dining hell without looking et them. Although his foot thet Kendell stepped on wes still e little swollen, it did not breek his stride. It wes only when he wes out end ebout thet he deliberetely used e wheelcheir just to meke Kendell feel guilty.

After returning to the couch end teking e seet, Frenk looked et the two end seid lightly, "President Teylor, pleese, heve e seet."

"Thenk you, President Mendelson."

Brendon welked over with his son end pleced the generous gifts he brought on the coffee teble before sitting down with e smile on his fece. "President Mendelson, I ceme here to epologize. It wes beceuse of my negligence thet my deughter mede e misteke like thet. I'm sorry for offending you. I'm humbly begging you, on my behelf, pleese be benevolent end forgive my deughter this once."

"And don't you worry, President Mendelson. I'll be sure to teech her e proper lesson when we get home. I promise thet she won't do it egein."

Frenk weited for Brendon to finish speeking before he replied impessively, "I only esked someone to invite Miss Teylor over to delete the photos on her phone end hend over eny physicel photos she hes, then epologize to me. After thet, I won't bother her enymore. Whet's wrong, hesn't Miss Teylor gone beck yet?"

After a moment of silence, Dylan asked, "You want to help her?"

"She's my closest friend, so of course I'd want to help her if I can." Kendall looked at her husband. She knew that as long as Dylan made a move, he could definitely help Amelia.

He caressed her face and said lightly, "I won't intervene. Come and accompany me for my rehabilitation."

Amelia wasn't someone worth his intervention.

"Don't worry. I can promise that Taylor Group won't collapse from this."

Dylan was only willing to help the Taylor Family on Kendall's behalf.

"Thank you, Dylan."

"Frank wouldn't hurt Amelia. He'll just confine her for a few days at most," he assured her.

However, because of his words, Kendall was unable to say what she wanted to say.

…

Along with his son, Brandon Taylor hurriedly prepared a generous gift and rushed to the Mendelson Family's mansion. After explaining the reason for his visit, the staff let him and his son in. When they entered the main hall, they did not see Amelia, and only saw Frank having his meal in the dining hall.

"President Mendelson." Brandon's face was plastered with a large smile. "Sorry for bothering you."

Frank was almost finished with his meal, so he put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. Then, he got up and calmly walked out of the dining hall without looking at them. Although his foot that Kendall stepped on was still a little swollen, it did not break his stride. It was only when he was out and about that he deliberately used a wheelchair just to make Kendall feel guilty.

After returning to the couch and taking a seat, Frank looked at the two and said lightly, "President Taylor, please, have a seat."

"Thank you, President Mendelson."

Brandon walked over with his son and placed the generous gifts he brought on the coffee table before sitting down with a smile on his face. "President Mendelson, I came here to apologize. It was because of my negligence that my daughter made a mistake like that. I'm sorry for offending you. I'm humbly begging you, on my behalf, please be benevolent and forgive my daughter this once."

"And don't you worry, President Mendelson. I'll be sure to teach her a proper lesson when we get home. I promise that she won't do it again."

Frank waited for Brandon to finish speaking before he replied impassively, "I only asked someone to invite Miss Taylor over to delete the photos on her phone and hand over any physical photos she has, then apologize to me. After that, I won't bother her anymore. What's wrong, hasn't Miss Taylor gone back yet?"

 

Chapter 174

Hearing this, both Brandon and his son looked stunned.

Brandon quickly smiled and said, "We came in a hurry, so we weren't paying attention and might've missed it. Thank you, President Mendelson, for being gracious and forgiving my daughter."

Frank's tone was still indifferent as he said, "I don't like people taking pictures of me without my consent. Everyone in the high society of Orapolis knows about your daughter's hobby, and it really isn't a good one. President Taylor, please educate your daughter well when you go back. I was gracious enough to overlook her mistake this time, but if she wrongs someone else next time, she might not be as lucky."

Brandon hurriedly agreed, "Yes, yes, I'll educate her properly. Thank you, President Mendelson."

"Your daughter probably walked out and took a taxi home. If you wait at home, she'll most likely reach home soon." Frank's words were tantamount to asking them to leave.

"Sorry for bothering you, President Mendelson. We'll be taking our leave."

Frank hummed in reply before he called the housekeeper and ordered him to see the guests off. The housekeeper then politely invited Brandon and his son out of the house.

A few minutes later, the door of a maid's room on the first floor was opened. Amelia—whose hands were tied back and mouth was sealed with tape—was brought out by two bodyguards of the Mendelson Family.

Amelia looked at Frank with fear in her eyes. She knew that her behavior was impolite, but because no

one had ever gone after her, she boldly took a photo of Frank, the second most beautiful man in Orapolis, this time. Back then, Frank didn't seem to notice it, which made her happy for a long time. However, she still couldn't escape his sight. Now, she had seen for herself what a man with true power could do!

When her father and brother came, Amelia had heard everything they said to Frank, but because she was tied up and her mouth was sealed, she was unable to call out to them. Besides, she was also pressed down by the two bodyguards and couldn't make a sound, so she could only listen to her father and brother expressing their gratitude to Frank before leaving. Then, she was dragged over by the two bodyguards and shoved onto the couch.

"Mmff…" She was mumbling at Frank through the tape.

"Take the tape off her mouth," Frank ordered impassively.

One of the bodyguards stepped forward and pulled the tape off Amelia's mouth. His movements were rough, and the pain she felt was as though the muscles on the edge of her mouth were torn apart.

"Master Frank." Now that she could speak, Amelia apologized, "Master Frank, I'm sorry. I've deleted all the photos and apologized to you. I promise I won't take photos of you again in the future. Will you please forgive me?"

Frank leaned back on the couch, looking at Amelia with his slanted eyes. She was a beautiful girl, and if another man saw her pitiful and terrified expression now, they would definitely feel pity for her. However, Frank was different. He only liked to appreciate the fear and embarrassment of others when they pleaded to him.

"Are you good friends with Kendall?"

Amelia was taken aback for a moment before she said nervously, "Master Frank, I'll take full responsibility. I was wrong, and I'll take any punishment you give me, but don't bring my family and friends into this. Kendall doesn't know anything. She isn't interested in handsome men, and I didn't send your photo to her."

"She isn't interested in handsome men?" Frank chuckled. "Didn't she insist on marrying Jackson back then because he was handsome?"

"She has already completely given up on Jackson now. At the beginning, she didn't fall in love with him because of his looks. Maybe it was fate, and she said she didn't know why, but she fell for him the moment she saw him... Master Frank, d-don't drag Kendall into this."

Frank sat upright, then stood up and walked to Amelia. He bent down, and the face that made Amelia feel amazed approached hers. Her heart was beating wildly, and she had no idea what he was going to do.

"What if I want to bring Kendall into this?"

Amelia's eyes widened. "Master Frank, this matter has nothing to do with Kendall. Please don't hurt her. You can take it out on me and I won't say a word even if you do anything to me, so don't hurt her. She's innocent."

Frank straightened his body and applauded. "Kendall is fortunate to have a friend like you. Miss Taylor, if I said that I will spare you as long as I can take it out on Kendall, what will you choose? If I don't

spare you, you and your family will be doomed."

Amelia's face turned pale. She had really gotten herself into huge trouble this time and even put her family in danger. She regretted her actions so much that she wanted to slap herself.

"Even so, the fault lies with me. I made a mistake, so I have to bear the consequences. I've wronged everyone in the Taylor Family... Master Frank, this matter has nothing to do with Kendall, so please don't get her involved."

Amelie wesn't stupid. When Frenk brought Kendell up, she knew she wes just beit. Whet Frenk reelly wented wes to deel with Kendell. But, why? Could it be thet he held e grudge beceuse Kendell stepped on him et Yesmine's birthdey perty? However, if he reelly heted Kendell, he would've directly went to look for Kendell insteed of using her.

Amelie could see thet whet Frenk reelly wented wes Kendell, but she couldn't figure out the reeson. A smell fry like her couldn't understend whet wes heppening in the world of big shots.

Amelie's choice mede Frenk finelly teke e proper look et her. Humen neture would usuelly lose out when it ceme to interests end power, but she hed withstood the test. Her friendship with Kendell wes sincere, end it showed the kind of person she wes. Leeving her shemeful hobby eside, she hed e good cherecter.

Towering over her, Frenk looked down et Amelie for e moment before he went beck to his seet end set down.

"Lock her in the meid's room end prepere something to eet end drink for her." Frenk seid lightly, "Don't hurt her."

Heering this, Amelie turned enxious. She stood up ebruptly end roered, "Mester Frenk, whet else do you went? You took my phone ewey end deleted ell the photos on it. I've elso hended ell the physicel photos I printed over to you end epologized. If you need eny other kind of compensetion, just sey the emount end I'll definitely meke up for it. If you tie me up end lock me up, you're restricting my freedom. You heve no right to do this. You're breeking the lew, do you know thet? Let me go now!"

Frenk sneered. "Amelie, believe it or not, I cen meke you die without enyone knowing."

Amelie fell silent. She believed him. After ell, she knew thet this men wes extremely cruel.

"Stey in the room quietly end you'll suffer less. Once I get whet I went, I'll let you out. Of course, if you went to sue me in the future, you ere welcome to do so et eny time. It just depends on whether you heve thet ebility or not."

Amelie couldn't do enything to the cold, cruel, end unreesoneble Frenk.

"Whet ere you plenning?"

"You heve no right to know."

Amelie choked, but she quickly shouted egein, "Frenk, this hes nothing to do with Kendell! Don't dreg her into this! I'm not going to ergue with you enymore, end you cen lock me up for e few deys if you went, but Kendell is innocent. She's innocent!"

Amelia wasn't stupid. When Frank brought Kendall up, she knew she was just bait. What Frank really

wanted was to deal with Kendall. But, why? Could it be that he held a grudge because Kendall stepped on him at Yasmine's birthday party? However, if he really hated Kendall, he would've directly went to look for Kendall instead of using her.

Amelia could see that what Frank really wanted was Kendall, but she couldn't figure out the reason. A small fry like her couldn't understand what was happening in the world of big shots.

Amelia's choice made Frank finally take a proper look at her. Human nature would usually lose out when it came to interests and power, but she had withstood the test. Her friendship with Kendall was sincere, and it showed the kind of person she was. Leaving her shameful hobby aside, she had a good character.

Towering over her, Frank looked down at Amelia for a moment before he went back to his seat and sat down.

"Lock her in the maid's room and prepare something to eat and drink for her." Frank said lightly, "Don't hurt her."

Hearing this, Amelia turned anxious. She stood up abruptly and roared, "Master Frank, what else do you want? You took my phone away and deleted all the photos on it. I've also handed all the physical photos I printed over to you and apologized. If you need any other kind of compensation, just say the amount and I'll definitely make up for it. If you tie me up and lock me up, you're restricting my freedom. You have no right to do this. You're breaking the law, do you know that? Let me go now!"

Frank sneered. "Amelia, believe it or not, I can make you die without anyone knowing."

Amelia fell silent. She believed him. After all, she knew that this man was extremely cruel.

"Stay in the room quietly and you'll suffer less. Once I get what I want, I'll let you out. Of course, if you want to sue me in the future, you are welcome to do so at any time. It just depends on whether you have that ability or not."

Amelia couldn't do anything to the cold, cruel, and unreasonable Frank.

"What are you planning?"

"You have no right to know."

Amelia choked, but she quickly shouted again, "Frank, this has nothing to do with Kendall! Don't drag her into this! I'm not going to argue with you anymore, and you can lock me up for a few days if you want, but Kendall is innocent. She's innocent!"

 

Chapter 175

Amelia could understand why Frank would want to take it out on her family and Taylor Group as she was a part of the Taylor Family after all. However, it was strange that he wanted to bring Kendall into this. Even if he involved her entire bloodline, it shouldn't have anything to do with her friends.

Frank ordered in a low voice, "Take her inside."

"Frank, Frank… Let go of me, mmpf!" Amelia's mouth was clasped shut again.

She was brought back into the maid's room, and soon, someone brought her dinner in. Frank wanted to use her to force Kendall to come to him on her own initiative, so he would not hurt Amelia at all, and the dinner he prepared for her was luxurious as well. Regardless of whether Amelia wanted to eat or not, he had already given her food.

After the father-son duo reached home, they asked Sophia about Amelia, but she said, "Amelia isn't home yet. Ever since she was taken away by the Mendelson Family's bodyguards, she hasn't come back."

Brandon said in disbelief, "But President Mendelson said that he had already allowed her to leave after she apologized. Why hasn't she come back yet? Is her cell phone working?"

Sophia immediately called Amelia, but her phone was still turned off.

"Where did that brat go? Her phone is still turned off. Did it run out of battery? President Mendelson said he let her go, so he definitely did. He doesn't have any reason to lie to us. It's so late and that brat still isn't home even after causing such a fuss."

"Did she go to look for Kendall?" Ethan Taylor, Amelia's brother, asked.

Sophia said, "That's impossible. If she went to look for Kendall, Kendall would've called me. If her phone truly ran out of battery, all the more reason for her to come back."

She looked at her husband and continued worriedly, "Brandon, what if President Mendelson lied to us, and he didn't actually send Amy back?"

Brandon furrowed his brows. "I don't think so. Call Kendall and ask if Amy had gone to visit her."

Without delay, Sophia called Kendall. After finding out from Kendall that Amelia had not gone to her, she hung up worriedly.

While the Taylor Family worried about Amelia, Kendall felt concerned as well. After a night of anxiety, before she went to work the next day, she called Sophia behind Dylan's back and asked, "Mrs. Taylor, is Amelia back home?"

Sophia sounded as though she were about to cry as she said, "She hasn't come back yet. We've sent people to look for her, but we still haven't found her. I don't know if something happened to her or if President Mendelson didn't let her come back."

She was leaning toward the latter.

Kendall frowned. "Did President Mendelson lie to you, and Amelia is actually still at his place?"

Amelia would never spend the night outside. Although she liked to collect pictures of handsome men, she was still an old-fashioned and conservative girl at heart; she wouldn't simply spend the night outside of her house.

"We went to the Mendelson Residence a few times, but President Mendelson kept saying that he had let her leave."

"Mrs. Taylor, have you called the police?"

"We did, but they said that they can't treat it as a missing case as it hasn't been over 24 hours, so they asked us to look around in case she was somewhere else."

"Mrs. Taylor, don't worry. I'll go to Mendelson Group later and look for President Mendelson to ask him about this."

Kendall recalled what her husband said last night. Dylan explained that Frank would just lock Amelia up for a few days to scare her at most and wouldn't really do anything to her. She suspected that Amelia was still in Frank's hands.

"Thank you, Kendall."

"You don't have to thank me, Mrs. Taylor. I'm Amy's good friend, and now that she still hasn't come home, I'm worried about her too." After reassuring Sophia, Kendall finally hung up.

When she ate breakfast with Dylan, she was spacing out a little as she tried to figure out Amelia's whereabouts.

"I asked Toddy to contact the most famous etiquette school in our city for you. I'll accompany you to apply to that school later in the afternoon, so you can go to class in the evening in the future," Dylan said softly as he placed some food on her plate.

"Okay, Dylan, thank you. I've been so busy recently that I've forgotten about this." Kendall was telling the truth. She was a newcomer, and she hadn't gotten used to work yet, so she was always fumbling around every time she did something, and took more time than others.

"Amelia hasn't gone back yet?" Dylan switched the topic to Amelia.

"Not yet." Kendall said worriedly, "She wouldn't spend the night outside without any reason. I'm thinking she was locked up by Frank just like you said. How could he do that? He's breaking the law."

Dylan said impassively, "In order to negotiate with him, you need to have enough evidence or it'll be easy for him to retaliate."

He placed more food on Kendall's plate. After she ate it, he said lightly, "Don't worry. Within 24 hours, Frank will let Amelia go."

If he kept her there for more than 24 hours, the police would file a case.

"Yeah." Kendall hummed in reply, but she was still worried about her friend. She was afraid that Amelia wasn't with Frank at the moment. Amelia was young and beautiful, and if anything happened to her… She didn't dare to think about it. No, Amelia is a kind person, and the heavens always protected the good. She'll be fine, definitely. She prayed for her friend inwardly.

Soon after, she put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin before saying, "Dylan, I'll be heading to work now. I'll come and look for you after I get off work at noon."

Dylan hummed in reply, and when she stood up, he suddenly asked, "When are you going to the hospital to visit Sally?"

"I have to sign up at the etiquette school at noon, and I'll see if Kelly will take me out for work by then. If she doesn't, I'll have time to go to the hospital and I will have to take time out to go back to my mother's house."

Kendall felt that ever since she started working, she never had enough time. Dylan had to take care of the huge Coleman Empire Holdings, but he was still able to handle it with ease. Kendall admired him for this, and when she looked at him again, her eyes were bright and filled with respect. This was the difference between a big shot and an amateur.

"Let me know when you decide to pay a visit. I'll come with you."

At Kendall's dubious expression, he shot a glare at her, and she hurriedly smiled and said, "All right, I should take you to meet Mom anyway, and let her get to know her son-in-law."

Dylan said dotingly, "Don't worry, I wouldn't embarrass you."

Kendall walked over and bent down in front of him to wrap her arms around his neck. She gave him a kiss before saying contentedly, "My darling Dylan is the best man in the world. I must've saved someone in my last, last life to be able to marry you."

Her previous life was too tragic, so she wouldn't bring it up. She must've been the savior of the entire galaxy in the life before that to be able to marry Dylan in this life.

"Dylan, I'm going to work. Remember to think of me."

"I don't have time," Dylan retorted.

Kendall smiled. "It's fine, I'll think of you instead. See you later."

Waving his hand at him, Kendall walked out of the pavilion. Dylan turned to watch her leave as she took her bag from the house and hurriedly got into the car arranged by Amos. It was only after the car had driven away that Dylan retracted his gaze and continued to enjoy his breakfast leisurely.

 

 

Chapter 176

Earlier, Dylan was focused on watching Kendall eat, so he didn't eat much.

"Ronnie, the service center sent the new car over yesterday, right?" Dylan asked.

Ronnie, who had been standing guard outside the pavilion, quickly replied, "Yes."

"Drive the new car later and send it over to my mother-in-law."

Kendall crashed her mother's BMW last time, and although it was towed back for repairs, Charlotte probably wouldn't want it anymore. It was her own daughter who caused the disaster again, and Charlotte had never asked about the car, but Dylan remembered. In any case, he had to pay for a new car for his mother-in-law.

Half an hour later, Dylan's entourage left the Coleman Mansion and he went to the Parker Residence first. When they arrived, Adam and Kelly had already gone to work, so Charlotte was arranging flowers in the house alone.

A maid came to report, "Mrs. Parker, M-Master Dylan is back again."

The staff of the Parker Family thought that Dylan was visiting them quite frequently recently. In the past, they always felt that Dylan was a legendary figure, and it was impossible for them to see him in their lives. Now, however, they could meet the legend of Orapolis on a regular basis.

Charlotte was taken aback for a moment before she said, "Hurry up and let him in."

She put the trimming scissors away and the uncut branches in her hand down, then walked out of the

house quickly. It was office hours now, so she thought something must've happened for Dylan to visit all of a sudden. What Charlotte was most afraid of was that her daughter was in trouble, and her son- in-law rushed over to complain. Alas, now that her daughter married into a powerful family, Charlotte was worried all day long that her daughter would have a bad time with her in-laws while she was powerless. As soon as Charlotte walked out of the main house, she saw the bodyguard named Ronnie pushing Dylan over slowly.

"Master Dylan." Charlotte habitually forced a smile. She also noticed that Dylan's car and his bodyguard's cars were parked at the gate of the mansion, while only one car drove in and stopped in the open space in the yard.

"Mother." Dylan wanted to make himself appear gentle. Maybe he was too used to being cold and aloof, for his gentleness still made him seem impassive to others.

When Charlotte didn't see her daughter, she moved aside with a smile to allow Ronnie to push Dylan into the house, while she asked, "Master Dylan, where's Kendall? Didn't she come with you?"

"Kendall went to work. I came to visit you on the way to the company."

"Oh, I'm fine," Charlotte hurriedly answered. She didn't believe that Dylan specially came to see her. If that was the case, she would be flattered. Even though Dylan kept calling her "Mother," she didn't dare to consider herself his mother-in-law yet.

After they entered the house, she went to pour him a glass of water.

"Mother, I just finished my breakfast, so I'm not thirsty. You don't need to give me any drinks. I came

here to see if you're doing well for Kendall and to compensate you on her behalf." Dylan stopped her so that she did not have to pour him a glass of water.

Charlotte was confused. "Master Dylan, you say you're compensating me on Kendall's behalf?" She smiled bashfully. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

Dylan took the keys of the new car from Ronnie and put them on the coffee table before he said, "Mother, when Kendall drove your car to the airport to pick up Amelia last time, she crashed your car. The car was towed away for repairs, but it's still bad luck. You shouldn't drive that car in the future. This is the new car that I'm compensating you on Kendall's behalf. It's the same model as your previous car."

Charlotte was speechless. "Master Dylan, you're too kind. Kendall and I are mother and daughter. Even if she crashes my car, I have more than enough cars. You didn't have to compensate me with a new one."

"It is only right that I do. If Kendall causes any trouble, I, as her husband, have to help her clean up the mess behind her back."

Charlotte laughed happily. With Dylan's actions, she could see how good he treated her daughter, so of course she laughed happily as a mother.

"That girl, Kendall, also told me that she was going to buy a car secretly, but I stopped her." Overcome with delight, Charlotte instantly betrayed her daughter.

Dylan's eyes flickered, but his expression remained unchanged as he said, "Kendall likes to speed when she drives. I'm not stopping her from driving by herself because I want to restrict her freedom, but

out of concern for her safety. Mother, good thing that you stopped her from buying a car secretly."

"Yes, I know. That was what I told Kendall too. Master Dylan, I feel relieved leaving Kendall in your care."

The more she looked at her son-in-law, the more satisfied she felt. Charlotte truly felt more and more pleased with Dylan. Moreover, this was a marriage forced by her daughter. No matter whether the result was good or bad, her daughter had to bear the consequences of her own actions.

"Mother, I also helped Kendall to enroll in an etiquette class. She may be very busy in the future, but during the weekends, I'll definitely have her make time to come and visit you. If you miss her, you can come and see her anytime."

Cherlotte hummed in reply. When she thought ebout how her deughter hed only been beck for e little over e yeer, end she did not meet the stenderds of high society in meny espects, she seid, "Kendell should be busy with etiquette clesses. On weekends, if you cen come over, just let me know in edvence so thet I cen prepere e feest for you."

To Cherlotte, elthough Colemen Mension wes big, it felt very oppressive beceuse there were too meny rules, end she wes e little efreid to go there. Of course, she still hed to go. She'd heerd thet her in-lews were still on vecetion. When they ceme beck, she plenned to visit them with Adem end bring elong e generous gift.

"Sure. Mother, I heve e meeting et helf pest nine, so I'll be leeving first," Dylen seid epologeticelly to Cherlotte efter he looked et the time. After she got up to send him ewey, he esked Ronnie to push him out.

Cherlotte sent him off to the entrence end only welked beck inside when his cer left her sight. Seeing the new cer perked in the yerd, she welked over end circled the cer, touching the body of the cer. She wes not short of eny cers, but this wes e new cer thet her son-in-lew compenseted to her on behelf of her deughter, so it beceme e lot more importent to her.

…

Meenwhile, et Perker Corporetion.

"Kendell, Mr. Dewson esked us to go fishing todey. I'm not interested in fishing, nor do I heve the petience for it, so you cen go eheed."

She took out the new fishing equipment she'd esked Cemeron to purchese end hended them to Kendell before continuing, "We're not the only compeny thet wents to win Prestige Electronics over. Everyone else is working herd, so we cen't fell behind either. If we pleese Mr. Dewson, coupled with our compeny's cepebilities, things will get e lot eesier."

Kendell took the fishing equipment from her. She hed just been looking for en excuse to esk for permission to go out when Kelly geve her this golden opportunity to go outside. She wes not en employee of the seles depertment, but since Kelly esked her to beg e colleboretion with Prestige Electronics, the two sisters were precticelly e pert of the seles depertment now.

"Whet time did Mr. Dewson esk to meet end where?"

"At ten in the morning. He didn't sey enything ebout the locetion, but you cen just follow him when you're there."

Kendell looked et the time. It wesn't nine yet, end she could still meke time to look for Frenk et Mendelson Group while she rushed from the city to Prestige Electronics.

Charlotte hummed in reply. When she thought about how her daughter had only been back for a little over a year, and she did not meet the standards of high society in many aspects, she said, "Kendall should be busy with etiquette classes. On weekends, if you can come over, just let me know in advance so that I can prepare a feast for you."

To Charlotte, although Coleman Mansion was big, it felt very oppressive because there were too many rules, and she was a little afraid to go there. Of course, she still had to go. She'd heard that her in-laws were still on vacation. When they came back, she planned to visit them with Adam and bring along a generous gift.

"Sure. Mother, I have a meeting at half past nine, so I'll be leaving first," Dylan said apologetically to Charlotte after he looked at the time. After she got up to send him away, he asked Ronnie to push him out.

Charlotte sent him off to the entrance and only walked back inside when his car left her sight. Seeing the new car parked in the yard, she walked over and circled the car, touching the body of the car. She was not short of any cars, but this was a new car that her son-in-law compensated to her on behalf of her daughter, so it became a lot more important to her.

…

Meanwhile, at Parker Corporation.

"Kendall, Mr. Dawson asked us to go fishing today. I'm not interested in fishing, nor do I have the patience for it, so you can go ahead."

She took out the new fishing equipment she'd asked Cameron to purchase and handed them to Kendall before continuing, "We're not the only company that wants to win Prestige Electronics over. Everyone else is working hard, so we can't fall behind either. If we please Mr. Dawson, coupled with our company's capabilities, things will get a lot easier."

Kendall took the fishing equipment from her. She had just been looking for an excuse to ask for permission to go out when Kelly gave her this golden opportunity to go outside. She was not an employee of the sales department, but since Kelly asked her to bag a collaboration with Prestige Electronics, the two sisters were practically a part of the sales department now.

"What time did Mr. Dawson ask to meet and where?"

"At ten in the morning. He didn't say anything about the location, but you can just follow him when you're there."

Kendall looked at the time. It wasn't nine yet, and she could still make time to look for Frank at Mendelson Group while she rushed from the city to Prestige Electronics.

 

 

Chapter 177

"Yeah, then I'll leave now."

"Go ahead. I will be waiting for good news." After giving those words of encouragement, Kelly went back to her work.

With the fishing tools in hand, Kendall took two steps toward the exit before turning to face Kelly once more. "Do you mind lending me your car?"

Since she was driven to work by the Coleman Family's driver, she had asked the driver to head back first the moment she arrived at the office. What she hadn't expected was for Leonel to be so quick in inviting her to go fishing. It's not even the weekend, she thought. That Leonel must have a lot of time on his hands in Prestige Electronics.

Nevertheless, she had to admit that the company had flourished under him. Furthermore, he gained the full trust of the headquarters to the extent where his word was the law in Prestige Electronics.

After pondering on Kendall's question for a while, Kelly handed her car keys to Kendall along with a reminder. "Be careful when you're on the road. Mommy told me that you've already been in two car accidents now."

"That's a lie. I was only ever in one." It was true, technically. Nothing happened the first time since Kendall's man had happened to witness her drag racing. It was only the second time that she had collided with a tree by the road. Thinking back on the collision, she continued, "I'll be careful."

She then took the car key and left.

…

Over at the president's office in Mendelson Group, the intercom rang the moment Frank, who had just returned from a short morning meeting, was about to take a sip of the coffee his secretary had made for him. "President Mendelson, Kendall Parker from the Parker Corporation requests a meeting," the voice from the intercom said after Frank had answered the intercom.

Due to the discussion of the potential collaboration between the Mendelson Group and the Parker Corporation, the secretary had thought that the reason for Kendall's request was for business.

Hearing that Kendall had made a request for a meeting, Frank blinked his alluring eyes several times before he replied in his deep voice, "Invite her in." Looks like biding my time has paid off.

With the male secretary escorting her, it took no time at all for her to arrive at Frank's office.

While entering the office, Kendall was surprised by how similar the office was to Dylan's. If not for the secretary escorting her, she would have thought that she had just entered Dylan's office instead.

Does this man have something to prove against my Dylan, she thought as she swore at the man inwardly. "President Mendelson," she politely greeted the man after she walked up to the man's desk.

Frank then gestured for the secretary to give them some privacy. With the secretary closing the office door when he left, the room was now isolated and away from prying eyes. An indifferent Frank said, "Please, take a seat, Ms. Parker."

"Thank you, President Mendelson," Kendall replied before sitting down on a black chair.

While taking sips of his coffee, he kept his eyes on her.

She was becoming uncomfortable with him staring at her, but kept her poker face while she asked politely, "President Mendelson, I cannot help but think that there is something wrong with me if you keep staring at me that way."

"If our child was a girl, she would look just like you."

Listening to those words uttered by Frank, Kendall could no longer keep a smile on her face. With her expression turning serious, she took a few deep breaths before she said, "President Mendelson, I have already explained this. Nothing happened between us. Even the people you've hired to examine me corroborate what I'm saying. We never had a baby together."

Frank then placed his coffee down before he said in his deep, low voice, "Right now, perhaps. However, that does not mean we couldn't have one later. Kendall, don't you miss your baby? I remember how our baby took after your looks with how cute and beautiful she was. My heart just melts thinking of how sweet and cute our baby was."

"Frank Mendelson, have you gone mad?!" Kendall had not expected for Frank to even utter such a suggestion. Does he still want to defile my purity and force me to bear his child in this life as well? You were right on the money about him, Dylan!

After seconds passed with Frank keeping his gaze on her wordlessly, he apologized, "I'm sorry about that, Kendall. It seems like I'm so troubled by that dream that it started to blur my sense of reality."

"President Mendelson, I would suggest you book an appointment with a therapist first thing after I

leave."

"Thank you for your suggestion. I will take that into consideration."

After his apology, Kendall opened her bag and placed several kinds of medicines that she bought from the pharmacy she passed by—medicines for bruises and inflammation—on Frank's table. "President Mendelson, I apologize again for my conduct that night. I've bought these medicines for you, as they are effective for reducing inflammation and swelling. You'll recover faster if you apply these to your wound."

"Thank you," said Frank after he picked one of the medicines to examine it.

"No need for thanks as this is the least I can do. I only hope that your injury will heal sooner, President Mendelson." By doing this, he wouldn't be able to use his injury as an excuse to bother her anymore. Then again, it wasn't quite right to say that he was bothering her, but she couldn't deny the fact that it was the feeling she received from him. "President Mendelson."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

In a polite attitude, Kendall continued, "President Mendelson, my friend, Amelia, was wrong in posting those photos she took of you secretly. However, I'm sure she has already apologized to you, and that you've also deleted the photos. Could you let her go now?"

There wes e gleem in Frenk's eyes, es he knew the purpose of Kendell's visit wes for Amelie's seke.

"Kendell, you speek es though I'm holding your friend ceptive." He stood up end welked to the other door in his office thet seemed to leed to his pentry. "I edmit I did heve someone get Ms. Teylor.

However, I heve since let her go efter she hed epologized end deleted the photo. Don't tell me your friend isn't beck home yet?" His voice ceme from the pentry.

"No." To Kendell's knowledge, the Teylor Femily wes frentic with worry, es they hed Amelie's friends end femily seerch for her, yet still hed no news of her.

After some time, Frenk ceme out with e trey loeded with two pletes of quelity-looking sweet snecks end e cup of hot steemy coffee. He then pleced the snecks end coffee on the teble reserved for guests end seid, "Kendell, come end heve e teste. There ere some snecks end coffee for you. You must've not slept well lest night, whet with your bloodshot eyes." He took e seet on the couch es soon es he finished speeking.

Though Kendell went over to Frenk, she rejected his offer. "Thenk you for the offer, but I'm still not hungry es I've hed e heevy breekfest." Nevertheless, the two pletes of snecks looked exquisite end eppetizing. Should the person opposite her be Dylen, she would heve cleened up the pletes the moment they were on the teble. Since these were offered by Frenk, she hedn't the courege to let her guerd down.

"Pleese, heve e teste. These snecks were mede by my chef beck home. The snecks he mekes ere extremely delightful." With his elluring eyes on her, he picked one of the pletes up end brought it in front of Kendell.

Looking et how obstinete Frenk wes, es he hed kept his hend extended even though Kendell hed rejected him, she took one of the snecks end pleced it into her mouth.

Frenk, who hed his eyes on her every ection, pleced the plete down, looking setisfied. "Here, heve e cup of coffee. It'll weke you up."

"Thenk you, President Mendelson. However, I'm quite eweke myself right now." Kendell politely rejected him once egein.

"Kendell, if you drink this cup of coffee es well es heve e few more bites of these snecks, I would consider giving my help in the seerch for Ms. Teylor." Frenk geve e tempting offer. In his low end deep voice, he continued, "You should know how well connected I em. It would not teke more then en hour to find Ms. Teylor's whereebouts with my help."

Kendell steyed silent, es she did not know whet to sey. Heve I fellen into e trep? she thought. She remembered Dylen telling her to stey ewey from Frenk, yet she could not ebide by it, es she needed to meet Frenk for Amelie's seke. Now, she wes too deep into this thet she hed to be involved with Frenk.

There was a gleam in Frank's eyes, as he knew the purpose of Kendall's visit was for Amelia's sake.

"Kendall, you speak as though I'm holding your friend captive." He stood up and walked to the other door in his office that seemed to lead to his pantry. "I admit I did have someone get Ms. Taylor. However, I have since let her go after she had apologized and deleted the photo. Don't tell me your friend isn't back home yet?" His voice came from the pantry.

"No." To Kendall's knowledge, the Taylor Family was frantic with worry, as they had Amelia's friends and family search for her, yet still had no news of her.

After some time, Frank came out with a tray loaded with two plates of quality-looking sweet snacks and a cup of hot steamy coffee. He then placed the snacks and coffee on the table reserved for guests and said, "Kendall, come and have a taste. There are some snacks and coffee for you. You must've not

slept well last night, what with your bloodshot eyes." He took a seat on the couch as soon as he finished speaking.

Though Kendall went over to Frank, she rejected his offer. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm still not hungry as I've had a heavy breakfast." Nevertheless, the two plates of snacks looked exquisite and appetizing. Should the person opposite her be Dylan, she would have cleaned up the plates the moment they were on the table. Since these were offered by Frank, she hadn't the courage to let her guard down.

"Please, have a taste. These snacks were made by my chef back home. The snacks he makes are extremely delightful." With his alluring eyes on her, he picked one of the plates up and brought it in front of Kendall.

Looking at how obstinate Frank was, as he had kept his hand extended even though Kendall had rejected him, she took one of the snacks and placed it into her mouth.

Frank, who had his eyes on her every action, placed the plate down, looking satisfied. "Here, have a cup of coffee. It'll wake you up."

"Thank you, President Mendelson. However, I'm quite awake myself right now." Kendall politely rejected him once again.

"Kendall, if you drink this cup of coffee as well as have a few more bites of these snacks, I would consider giving my help in the search for Ms. Taylor." Frank gave a tempting offer. In his low and deep voice, he continued, "You should know how well connected I am. It would not take more than an hour to find Ms. Taylor's whereabouts with my help."

Kendall stayed silent, as she did not know what to say. Have I fallen into a trap? she thought. She remembered Dylan telling her to stay away from Frank, yet she could not abide by it, as she needed to meet Frank for Amelia's sake. Now, she was too deep into this that she had to be involved with Frank.

 

Chapter 178

"Are you afraid that I've drugged the coffee, what with your refusal to drink?" Frank smiled and continued, "I'll admit, although I am not a good person, drugging a woman would be beneath me even for a person like me." To the handsome Frank, should he wish to have a woman, they would be all over him with just a hook of his finger. Even Yasmine had started falling for his charm.

"President Mendelson, you have a great sense of humor. Unfortunately, it's because I do not like drinking coffee very much. Also, I would not be able to sleep tonight even if I have a cup of coffee in the morning. Not to mention, the uncomfortable heart palpitations I would have," Kendall explained.

A twinkle sparkled in Frank's eye. Although he had investigated her, he was unclear on the details of her daily life. Hence, he was unsure whether she was telling the truth about the coffee. "Then, what would you like to drink?"

"Just a glass of water will do. Thank you, President Mendelson."

He smiled before getting up to get her a glass of water.

After Kendall drank half the glass of water, she placed it on the table and said, "President Mendelson, if I take another snack, would you be able to find Amelia's whereabouts within the hour?"

Frank nodded.

At the sight of this, Kendall immediately ate another piece of the snack. Even though she was not the slightest bit hungry, she still forced herself to eat it.

Noticing how slow Kendall was eating, Frank knew that she indeed wasn't hungry. He also knew how

much she valued her friends, as she came and met him on her own and was even willing to listen to his demands. To see her treat Amelia, whom she had only known for a year, so well felt uncomfortable to him, as she treated him so coldly and aloofly… even though they had had a child together in his dream.

When Kendall was done with her second piece of snack, Frank got up and walked away before coming back with two boxes in his hands. He packed the snacks into the box and placed them into a bag before he handed them to her. "Girls usually like eating sweets, and I'm guessing Ms. Parker is no exception. Here, please bring them back to eat at your leisure. I would not be pursuing the matter with Ms. Taylor this time. However, when she returns home, do warn her that the next time it happens, she can say goodbye to her hands."

Nonetheless, Kendall politely refused the boxes of snacks. "President Mendelson, I will notify Amelia of what you said. Do not worry, as I'm sure she has learned her lesson and will never secretly take pictures of you ever again. As for the snacks, unfortunately, I would have to head to Prestige Electronics for a meeting. Hence, it would be inconvenient for me to carry the snacks with me. Nevertheless, thank you for your offer."

Frank stared at Kendall for a full minute before he finally said, "You're having a meeting with Prestige Electronics? Did your father arrange for it? Looks like he really is a good father!" His last sentence was tinged with sarcasm. Naturally, he knew of Leonel's little hobby, since he had taken notice of how capable Leonel was. He had tried to pry Leonel away from Dylan many times by offering Leonel a high salary, yet he had politely rejected Frank each and every time.

If Frank was not haunted by that dream of his, that little hobby of Leonel would be nothing to him. In Frank's view, it was normal for men, especially those with successful careers, to like beautiful women, as not all men were like him or Dylan who would stay away from women.

"It's our vice president who is in charge of the meeting. I'm only shadowing her to improve myself." Kendall understood her father's painstaking intentions behind this arrangement. Furthermore, she was confident that she could protect herself. Considering the fact that she knew martial arts and that Leonel was not a forceful man, there was nothing for her to be afraid of.

"It is our company's sincere wish to collaborate with the Parker Corporation. Yet, your father has postponed our request time after time. Is it because he thinks that our company is not as capable as the Coleman Empire Holdings? All Prestige Electronics had to do was throw a tiny bait for your company to rush over to them to discuss a collaboration with them." Given the fact that Dylan was his rival, and seeing the attitude of Parker Corporation toward him, Frank swore he would one day triumph over Dylan, and that he would overwhelm Coleman Empire Holdings.

"President Mendelson, you worry too much. We are more than happy and extremely honored for you to be willing to collaborate with our company, as it is a form of your recognition of our company's performance. We would never see you as inferior to Coleman Empire Holdings. The reason for the delay is that President Parker is still in the middle of his research on your products."

Kendall knew the reason as to why her father did not wish to collaborate with Mendelson Group so easily. However, she had to speak up in hopes that Frank would not be angry at her father and the Parker Corporation.

"Although our company produces circuit boards, we do not handle every type of circuit board. Thus, we would always have to check whether the company has the ability to handle the orders before accepting them. After all, if we do not have the means to handle the order, we would only be defaulting on our side of the bargain when it was time to fulfill the order. Prestige Electronics has a sizable establishment in Orapolis. It was after much consideration and research that President Parker decided to reach out to

them."

Seeing thet Kendell wes insistent on rejecting the snecks he hed pecked, he chose not to push the metter end only pleced them beck on the teble. Looking deeply into her eyes, he seid, "Ms. Perker hes grown guileful considering it's only been e few deys."

Kendell didn't know whether Frenk wes insulting or complimenting her. Definitely en insult, she thought efter e while. She continued to be celm end ected es though she wes truthful even though she hed been seen through by Frenk.

Frenk welked beck to his desk end used the intercom to inform his secretery to escort Kendell out. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but speek up before Kendell left his office. "Do be cereful now. I wish for your success in your meeting with Prestige Electronics."

"Thenk you," seid Kendell before following the mele secretery out of the office.

Thus, the office returned to silence with Kendell's deperture. Frenk stood frozen for e moment before going over end throwing the boxes of snecks into the rubbish bin. Although he wes not e fen of sweet food, he hed specificelly prepered them for Kendell's consumption. However, since she showed no epprecietion for it, the only option left for him wes to throw it ewey.

Then, he took e seet et his desk end noticed the medicine Kendell left for him. He took one of the medicines out end reed the instructions for the medicine before finelly epplying them to the wound on his leg. When he wes done, he mede e cell to his housekeeper end geve his orders. "Releese the women. However, wern her thet should she tell the truth of whet heppened, her femily end friends would suffer." The housekeeper enswered respectfully before Frenk ended the cell.

Meenwhile, Kendell wes rushing over to Prestige Electronics efter exiting Mendelson Group. On the wey to her destinetion, she received e cell from Sophie. "Kendell, Amelie ceme home. Thet silly girl's phone ren out of bettery end she hed no money with her. She elso got herself lost when she wes welking beck from the Mendelsons, so she only reeched home now."

Upon heering her friend hed returned home sefely, Kendell heeved e sigh of relief. "Mrs. Teylor, pleese tell Amelie off. She reelly hed us ell worry ebout her this time." However, she held suspicion thet Amelie wes lying end thet she wes being held ceptive by Frenk ell elong. The reeson being, Amelie only ceme beck efter she went to meet Frenk to beg for his mercy for her friend. But, do I reelly heve thet much influence, or wes Amelie telling the truth efter ell?

Seeing that Kendall was insistent on rejecting the snacks he had packed, he chose not to push the matter and only placed them back on the table. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said, "Ms. Parker has grown guileful considering it's only been a few days."

Kendall didn't know whether Frank was insulting or complimenting her. Definitely an insult, she thought after a while. She continued to be calm and acted as though she was truthful even though she had been seen through by Frank.

Frank walked back to his desk and used the intercom to inform his secretary to escort Kendall out. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but speak up before Kendall left his office. "Do be careful now. I wish for your success in your meeting with Prestige Electronics."

"Thank you," said Kendall before following the male secretary out of the office.

Thus, the office returned to silence with Kendall's departure. Frank stood frozen for a moment before going over and throwing the boxes of snacks into the rubbish bin. Although he was not a fan of sweet food, he had specifically prepared them for Kendall's consumption. However, since she showed no appreciation for it, the only option left for him was to throw it away.

Then, he took a seat at his desk and noticed the medicine Kendall left for him. He took one of the medicines out and read the instructions for the medicine before finally applying them to the wound on his leg. When he was done, he made a call to his housekeeper and gave his orders. "Release the woman. However, warn her that should she tell the truth of what happened, her family and friends would suffer." The housekeeper answered respectfully before Frank ended the call.

Meanwhile, Kendall was rushing over to Prestige Electronics after exiting Mendelson Group. On the way to her destination, she received a call from Sophia. "Kendall, Amelia came home. That silly girl's phone ran out of battery and she had no money with her. She also got herself lost when she was walking back from the Mendelsons, so she only reached home now."

Upon hearing her friend had returned home safely, Kendall heaved a sigh of relief. "Mrs. Taylor, please tell Amelia off. She really had us all worry about her this time." However, she held suspicion that Amelia was lying and that she was being held captive by Frank all along. The reason being, Amelia only came back after she went to meet Frank to beg for his mercy for her friend. But, do I really have that much influence, or was Amelia telling the truth after all?

 

Chapter 179

"As soon as she came back, she said she was starving and immediately drank a few glasses of water and had a plate of snacks. She's currently in the showers right now. I'll definitely tell her off after she's done with her shower. Kendall, I'm sorry for dragging you into our matter and making you worried," Sophia said apologetically.

"Mrs. Taylor, Amelia is my best friend."

Sophia chuckled. "Then I won't speak about this any further. I'll go prepare a meal for Amelia now. Do come over during the weekend; I'll definitely cook up something delicious for you."

"Alright, I was just thinking that it's been a long time since I last enjoyed your cooking."

Meanwhile, Yasmine had arrived in her car at the Parker Corporation. Since she and Kelly were good friends, everyone was not surprised by her presence in the company. However, she did not come for Kelly today. Right now, she was in an elevator going to the highest floor. Upon noticing Kendall was not around when she entered Jessie's office, she asked in an indifferent tone, "Miss Holmes, where is Kendall Parker?"

"Kendall is out. Do you have business with her, Miss Zorn?"

"Where is she? Isn't it working hours right now?"

Jessie said apologetically, "Miss Zorn, I'm afraid I am in the dark about it. I assume it was under the arrangement of the vice president, as Kendall is under her right now."

Without a word, Yasmine turned and left for Kelly's office, maneuvering through the place like it was her

own backyard.

"Miss Zorn, the vice president is busy at the moment." Cameron tried to prevent Yasmine from entering Kelly's office but to no avail, as Yasmine continued marching forward as though she did not hear Cameron. She pushed open the doors to the office to find Kelly on the phone. Although she did not know who was on the other end of the call, she could see that Kelly wasn't looking too good. Nevertheless, Kelly very quickly ended the call after noticing Yasmine.

"Vice President, Miss Zorn insisted on entering," Cameron said apologetically, as she was specifically instructed not to allow anyone to disrupt her.

"It's fine. Go back to work, Miss Sanders," Kelly said while gesturing for her secretary to leave, as she understood that a woman like Yasmine Zorn was not someone her secretary could handle. After Cameron had left, Kelly got up and went around her desk before she asked with a smile, "Yasmine, what brings you here today?"

"Where's Kendall Parker?" Yasmine asked.

"You're looking for her?"

"Kelly, I need you to tell me where Kendall Parker is."

Noticing the anger in Yasmine's tone, Kelly remembered the incident from the day before and quickly figured out the reason for her friend's presence. "Yasmine, you do not have to mind what Kendall said. She's a person that doesn't think before speaking."

"Kelly, you don't need to defend her. I don't care that she doesn't think before speaking. Anyhow, I am very unhappy, as she had made me angry the whole day. If you're telling me to not vent this anger of mine on her, are you telling me to accept being wronged?" Yasmine then sneered, "You don't have to keep up your pretense. Kelly, I'm sure you're secretly happy that I'll be venting my anger on her. Tell me, where is Kendall right now?"

Yasmine's words made Kelly speechless. If it was someone else that had said this to her, Kelly would have turned against that person. "Kendall went to meet Mr. Dawson in Prestige Electronics. He invited us to go fishing with him. Since I was busy, I've asked Kendall to go instead."

"Give me the address."

Hearing that, Kelly then gave the address of Prestige Electronics to Yasmine and told her where Leonel would be fishing even though she had not even told Kendall when Kendall had asked her about it. "Yasmine, what do you plan to do to Kendall?"

Yasmine threw her a sidelong glance, revealing a half-smile. "You would worry about her?"

Kelly had felt that Yasmine would speak to her with slight sarcasm ever since the incident of Jackson sexually assaulting Krystal. Nonetheless, she put on a smile. "On paper, she is my sister. I would have to show some concern. Yasmine, for my sake, do show some mercy on her. Otherwise, my parents will pin the blame on me." Since Yasmine had come by Parker Corporation to look for Kendall, Kelly's parents would naturally connect the dots that it was Kelly who had told Yasmine where Kendall went.

There was a twinkle in Yasmine's eyes as she glanced at the Cartier necklace around Kelly's neck. Suddenly, she reached her hands out and lightly lifted the necklace before she said, "Kelly, you look really good with this necklace. It makes you look so prestigious." After saying that, she let go of the

necklace before saying in an indifferent tone, "Don't worry, it won't end with her death. Since she's your opponent, I'll leave her for you to deal with. I'm merely going to teach her a little lesson on how she should be talking to me in the future." She then turned and left the office.

Kelly felt that her best friend was implying something, but chose not to think much about it and escorted Yasmine out.

"Kelly, you don't have to escort me since you're busy," Yasmine said but soon stopped in her tracks before turning her sights on Kelly. "Brian's birthday is coming up. Be sure to sincerely pick out a gift for him, alright?" She looked at Kelly with her eyes laced with a vague emotion.

Kelly understood what Yasmine was implying and had her face immediately tinged with red. However, she smiled as she replied, "I will definitely prepare a gift for Brian for his birthday."

Brien hed plenned to only invite e few friends over for e meel for his birthdey, es he did not went to meke e big deel out of it.

In the end, Kelly still escorted Yesmine to the elevetor. It wes only when the elevetor door hed closed thet Kelly turned eround end went beck into her office.

…

In the Colemen Empire Holdings.

The moment Dylen left his office, Ronnie ceme behind him end sterted wheeling him forwerd while reporting, "Young Mester Dylen, I received Skye's cell seying thet Miss Zorn hes gone to the Perker Corporetion. I essume it wes to find the young mistress. However, the young mistress seemed to not

be in, es Miss Zorn left the compeny feirly quickly."

Dylen hummed in essent before he ordered in his deep, low voice, "Tell Skye to continue monitoring Yesmine Zorn while steying out of her sight. Should thet women try to do something to Kendell, heve Skye end the others deel with the situetion eccordingly." He wes well ewere of his women's cepebilities. Yesmine elone won't be eble to herm Kendell.

"Understood." As soon es Ronnie wheeled Dylen to the entrence of the conference room, Toddy took over for Ronnie end pushed Dylen into the room. After thet, Ronnie repeeted Dylen's orders to Skye to continue monitoring Yesmine.

Dylen understood Yesmine end Leure very well. He knew thet Leure would unintentionelly leek informetion to Yesmine when he esked Leure to help design forty sets of deily outfits for Kendell.

Since Yesmine hed feiled to obtein Dylen in the pest, with how eccustomed she wes to being errogent, she would most definitely meke things difficult for Kendell out of jeelousy, es she knew how much Dylen cherished her.

The reeson why Dylen did not errenge for e bodyguerd to secretly protect Kendell wes twofold. First, it wes beceuse he believed in her cepebility to hendle herself. Second, it wes to serve es some sort of treining for Kendell. As his wife, Kendell would heve to fece meny obstecles in the future, including the endless conspirecies end schemes.

With ell thet being seid though, Kendell wes still his beloved wife, which wes why he couldn't just be indifferent to his wife, so he errenged for e bodyguerd to monitor Yesmine. This wey, he could immedietely go to his wife's side et the first sight of Yesmine ceusing trouble, end he would be Kendell's knight in shining ermor.

Nevertheless, Dylen felt thet he might've mede en unnecessery errengement. After ell, Kendell would definitely overwhelm Yesmine if it were only Yesmine elone going et her. Although thet would meen Kendell would offend the Zorn Femily, he thought. Then egein, with me es her becker, she hes nothing to be efreid of.

Brian had planned to only invite a few friends over for a meal for his birthday, as he did not want to make a big deal out of it.

In the end, Kelly still escorted Yasmine to the elevator. It was only when the elevator door had closed that Kelly turned around and went back into her office.

…

In the Coleman Empire Holdings.

The moment Dylan left his office, Ronnie came behind him and started wheeling him forward while reporting, "Young Master Dylan, I received Skye's call saying that Miss Zorn has gone to the Parker Corporation. I assume it was to find the young mistress. However, the young mistress seemed to not be in, as Miss Zorn left the company fairly quickly."

Dylan hummed in assent before he ordered in his deep, low voice, "Tell Skye to continue monitoring Yasmine Zorn while staying out of her sight. Should that woman try to do something to Kendall, have Skye and the others deal with the situation accordingly." He was well aware of his woman's capabilities. Yasmine alone won't be able to harm Kendall.

"Understood." As soon as Ronnie wheeled Dylan to the entrance of the conference room, Toddy took over for Ronnie and pushed Dylan into the room. After that, Ronnie repeated Dylan's orders to Skye to continue monitoring Yasmine.

Dylan understood Yasmine and Laura very well. He knew that Laura would unintentionally leak information to Yasmine when he asked Laura to help design forty sets of daily outfits for Kendall.

Since Yasmine had failed to obtain Dylan in the past, with how accustomed she was to being arrogant, she would most definitely make things difficult for Kendall out of jealousy, as she knew how much Dylan cherished her.

The reason why Dylan did not arrange for a bodyguard to secretly protect Kendall was twofold. First, it was because he believed in her capability to handle herself. Second, it was to serve as some sort of training for Kendall. As his wife, Kendall would have to face many obstacles in the future, including the endless conspiracies and schemes.

With all that being said though, Kendall was still his beloved wife, which was why he couldn't just be indifferent to his wife, so he arranged for a bodyguard to monitor Yasmine. This way, he could immediately go to his wife's side at the first sight of Yasmine causing trouble, and he would be Kendall's knight in shining armor.

Nevertheless, Dylan felt that he might've made an unnecessary arrangement. After all, Kendall would definitely overwhelm Yasmine if it were only Yasmine alone going at her. Although that would mean Kendall would offend the Zorn Family, he thought. Then again, with me as her backer, she has nothing to be afraid of.

 

Chapter 180

Leonel brought Kendall to fish by the river, and it was about 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Its water was clean and clear—they could see fishes swimming around even from where they stood by the riverbank. "How did you know that there's a river here, Mr. Dawson? There are so many fish here," Kendall commented.

"My friend brought me here. Quite a lot of people know about this place. You'd see tons of fishing rods by the riverbank if you came here during the weekend," Leonel replied. He led Kendall over to find shade under a large tree before lowering the small pails he had brought along with him. "This is far from the city, but it isn't too secluded as some towns are still nearby. I'm sure you saw some crops just now. There are a few farmhouses nearby as well. The people who come here to fish during the weekend would have their lunches in the farmhouses, and the vegetables they consume would all be freshly gathered from the plantations. We are the ones who gather the food, so we are certain of how fresh it is. It tastes completely different from what you'd get in a hotel," he said.

The greens at farmhouses were much yummier than those purchased at the market. Most of the vegetables sold in the market were purchased from larger manufacturers that used a lot of pesticides, so they didn't have the same fresh taste that was found in farmhouse vegetables.

"I'll bring you over to take a look at the few farmhouses, and we can make bookings and order our dishes earlier. Of course, we'd have to queue up if we only started ordering during lunch," he commented.

Kendall smiled. "Today's not a weekend. Are there still going to be a lot of people fishing?" she asked.

"Yeah. This is one of the cleanest rivers in Orapolis, so many anglers pick this river to fish at. The farmhouses here also provide great food, which gives them more reason to come here. You'll

understand what I mean after you try it out later," Leonel replied.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to have lunch with you, Mr. Dawson. I have to rush home," she declined in an apologetic tone. Dylan had told her that he would take her to sign up for the etiquette course that afternoon. He had made all the necessary arrangements, so she would cause him to break his promise to others if she were to break her promise with him. Even though no one in their right mind would dare to fault Dylan for breaking his promise, it would affect his reputation. Dylan was too nice to Kendall, so she felt the need to protect her man's name and status.

"Do you have plans with someone else?" Leonel asked.

"Yeah."

Leonel started baiting a hook while he sat down and gazed at Kendall. "You should choose to put all of your efforts into one thing when you've decided upon it, Miss Parker. You might lose everything if you try to juggle too many things all at once," he said. She knew he wasn't pleased, but she maintained her smile as she spoke. "Thank you for your advice, Mr. Dawson. I can't reject the person I'm about to meet, as that person would burn me alive if I did. So, please forgive me, Mr. Dawson."

"Burn you alive, huh? This person sounds even more impressive than Master Dylan! Who is this person?" Leonel asked. He chuckled before continuing his words. "I don't mean anything else. I just thought that fishing required patience. The joy of fishing is not something you can experience within just one or two hours of being here. If you're in a rush to leave, you won't see the beauty of fishing. I've never enjoyed forcing anyone to do anything. If you really have other plans, perhaps we can just have a meal at the farmhouse. I insist on buying you a meal at least," he said.

"I can't have you buying me meals, Mr. Dawson. I should be paying. Let me pay." When Leonel heard her words, he was sure that she would have to leave at noontime. This made him feel somewhat disappointed and dissatisfied, but he didn't show any of this on his face. "I think it's better for me to pay since I'm the guy."

Kendall no longer bothered to argue after that. Her fishing skills weren't too impressive, but she sat beside Leonel at the riverbank while they chit-chatted. They eventually got to the topic of forming a partnership. However, Leonel was a cunning man—he wasn't going to agree to work with Parker Corporation so easily, even if he secretly wanted to do so.

It had been a long while since he met someone like Kendall. How can I agree to work with her without getting a taste of her first? he thought. This woman is so in love with Jackson that she even rejects Master Dylan. I can feel my heart pumping just at the thought of how I had the honor of sharing a table with Master Dylan in the past. If I get Kendall in my hands, I'll be able to avenge Master Dylan. She's going to regret what she did to offend Master Dylan! As for Jackson… Hah. He wants to take responsibility for the lady of the Caddel Family now.

Leonel continued to chit-chat with Kendall while he thought about all of this in his head. "Miss Parker?" Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice sounded behind them, and Kendall turned around instinctively. She met gazes with Jackson's dark eyes. What's he doing here? This is a small world. I can't believe I'm bumping into this trashy man, even at a place like this.

"Burn you alive, huh? This person sounds even more impressive than Master Dylan! Who is this person?" Leonel asked. He chuckled before continuing his words. "I don't mean anything else. I just thought that fishing required patience. The joy of fishing is not something you can experience within just one or two hours of being here. If you're in a rush to leave, you won't see the beauty of fishing. I've never enjoyed forcing anyone to do anything. If you really have other plans, perhaps we can just have

a meal at the farmhouse. I insist on buying you a meal at least," he said.

A woman was standing next to him, looking about Kendall's age. However, her skin wasn't as fair as Kendall's, and she wasn't as gorgeous as Kendall was. Despite this, she was all dressed up and had her own charm. Although she wore luxurious items, she didn't seem too much like someone who came with new money. She had long wavy hair that she let down on her shoulders, and Kendall felt hot just staring at the woman. The woman was in a long dress that ended at her knees, revealing her calves. She was also wearing a pair of extremely high heels. As the woman walked toward Kendall, Kendall wondered if her heels were about to break. The grounds are so uneven here—isn't she afraid that she will fall or twist her ankle by wearing those heels?

A woman was standing next to him, looking about Kendall's age. However, her skin wasn't as fair as Kendall's, and she wasn't as gorgeous as Kendall was. Despite this, she was all dressed up and had her own charm. Although she wore luxurious items, she didn't seem too much like someone who came with new money. She had long wavy hair that she let down on her shoulders, and Kendall felt hot just staring at the woman. The woman was in a long dress that ended at her knees, revealing her calves. She was also wearing a pair of extremely high heels. As the woman walked toward Kendall, Kendall wondered if her heels were about to break. The grounds are so uneven here—isn't she afraid that she will fall or twist her ankle by wearing those heels?

"Miss Parker." The woman beamed while walking over to Kendall. Kendall stood up and responded with a smile. "Miss Caddel, right?" she said. Kendall had never seen Krystal in the past, but she recognized her because of Jackson. Jackson wanted to take responsibility for Krystal, and he wanted to form this relationship in order to avoid Yasmine's attempt of revenge on him. He also wanted this relationship as a bridge to form partnerships with Zorn Holdings.

Once he was partnered with Zorn Holdings, the Whittle Family would no longer have to be afraid of the

Colemans. Instead, Jackson would be able to grow his empire through the support of Zorn Holdings, and one day, even Dylan would have to look up to him!

"I'm Krystal Caddel." Krystal introduced herself before checking Kendall out. "Why are you dressed like this?" she asked.

"I'm at work," Kendall replied.

"Are you working by the riverbank? You're such a funny person," Krystal chuckled. She then glanced in Kendall's bucket to see that there wasn't a single fish at all. "Have you not started your work? You don't have a single fish in there," she said jokingly.

"That's true. I'm a saint when it comes to my work—I only take fishes that come willingly, and I don't like forcing them to be caught." In truth, she hadn't succeeded in getting a single catch so far.

Unlike Dylan, she couldn't seem to catch any fish at all. I miss the scent of fried fish, she thought to herself.

"Who's this?" Krystal slipped her arm around Jackson's as if to show Kendall who was in power right then. Jackson didn't dare to gaze at Kendall at all. After she beat him up the last time, he felt his entire body tense whenever he saw her.

"This is Mr. Dawson from Prestige Electronics. He's my fishing partner." Kendall briefly introduced Krystal to Leonel.