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Chapter 1 Time Travel "We're getting a divorce." "I married you to fulfill my grandfather's dying wish. Audrey is the only one I truly love." "Owen, I love you. Losing you will kill me." "Fine, then just don't die on me." Nerissa Jamison suddenly jolted awake, sweat beading across her forehead. She was gasping for breath. The room was huge, decorated in lavish, palatial style, rich and extravagant. Staring around at the unfamiliar surroundings, Nerissa froze for a moment. 'What's going on? I remember I died,' she wondered. At the same time, a flood of new memories poured into her mind. She saw a man glaring at a woman with utter disgust as the woman collapsed to the floor, begging him not to divorce her. After about ten minutes, Nerissa finally pieced together her situation. Clearly, she had traveled through time. The girl in the memories was also named Nerissa. She was born in the slums with no notable background, and her parents were unknown. Right after birth, she was abandoned by the roadside in a village. An elderly local found her and raised her. Six months ago, this ordinary village girl married into the Calloway family in Aosthorne. From there, she climbed the social ladder to become a wealthy wife envied by all. All of this was thanks to something that happened a year ago. A year ago, Griffin suddenly suffered a seizure and fell into the water while struggling. Nerissa happened to be nearby and saved him. When they met for the first time, Griffin was deeply impressed by Nerissa. For one, she was beautiful. But more importantly, he believed Nerissa brought good luck. At the time, Calloway Group was facing an unprecedented financial crisis. To repay Nerissa for saving him and to save the nearly bankrupt company, Griffin ignored opposition and insisted that his grandson, Owen Calloway, marry Nerissa. After Nerissa and Owen married, Calloway Group, on the brink of collapse, suddenly secured several large orders and not only survived but thrived day by day. Owen was hailed by the media as a rare dark horse in finance, a rising star who went from a ridiculed, fallen blue blood to the strongest newcomer in the industry. Owen always looked down on his slum-born wife. As his status grew, his contempt for Nerissa only deepened. Proud of being the golden boy, Owen believed Nerissa, who had no prestigious background or good education, was completely unworthy of him. Because of this, even though their marriage license had been registered for six months, they never lived together, let alone slept together. One month ago, Griffin died suddenly of a heart attack. At that moment, Owen's first crush, Audrey Pierce, returned from overseas to attend the funeral. To reunite with Audrey, Owen asked for a divorce and abandoned Nerissa. Owen had married Nerissa only to use her, but Nerissa had given him her genuine love. She loved Owen deeply and was willing to give everything for him. To avoid the divorce, she even collapsed on the ground begging Audrey to stop pursuing Owen. But Audrey sneered, "In love, the mistress is the one who isn't loved." With no help from Audrey, Nerissa threatened Owen, "If you insist on divorcing me, I'll kill myself." Owen, however, didn't care at all. His voice was cold and ruthless. "Fine, then just don't die on me." Having lost all hope, Nerissa swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills. But Owen forgot one thing. Nerissa not only brought good luck, but she also possessed astonishing business talent. Before Griffin died, Nerissa had only studied for two months, yet she surpassed decades of Griffin's experience. Calloway Group's turnaround against all odds was entirely due to Nerissa quietly working behind Owen's back. But to protect Owen's pride, Nerissa never took credit in public. Just a week ago, Nerissa stayed up all night revising a bidding proposal for Owen to submit to Stratford Group. Without Nerissa's efforts, Calloway Group would have long been a casualty in the corporate war, and Owen wouldn't have had a chance to become the rare dark horse of the decade in business. To be precise, Nerissa was the real dark horse. At that moment, a rapid knock sounded at the door. "Nerissa, I'm warning you. Death won't solve anything. As long as tomorrow isn't the end of the world, we will get divorced," Owen shouted from outside. Right now, Calloway Group was back on track, and Owen had been hailed by the media as a once-in-a-decade dark horse. To him, Nerissa no longer offered anything of value. Naturally, he wanted to get rid of this burden who could no longer contribute to his success. From now on, as long as he was around, the steady growth of Calloway Group was guaranteed. Nerissa frowned slightly. She was about to open the door when she looked down and realized she was wearing only a thin, light gray silk nightgown. The fabric was sheer, barely covering anything. Through it, she could faintly see her well-shaped, sexy figure. 'Hey, girl, your body's not bad,' Nerissa thought with a slight smirk. 'I love it. That jerk doesn't deserve to appreciate my good looks.' She turned and headed to the dressing room to change. The closet was full of clothes, but almost all were dull shades of gray. Nerissa knitted her brows, thinking, 'Oh God, look at these awful clothes. Even my 98-year-old neighbor wouldn't wear so much gray.' At 19, Nerissa was a young woman in her prime, and most ladies her age loved to dress up. She had filled her wardrobe with gray clothes because gray was Owen's favorite color. In this marriage, Nerissa had lost herself, becoming a puppet who mimicked every one of Owen's habits. After searching for a long time, she finally found the only white T-shirt and light blue jeans in the closet. After changing, Nerissa stood in front of the mirror and studied her reflection carefully. The girl had a beautiful figure, wearing a round-neck white T-shirt that exposed her graceful neck and pretty collarbones. When she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared, somewhat resembling her previous life. Despite her beauty, Nerissa had always been insecure because of her unfortunate background. To always look her best for Owen, she wore heavy makeup every day. Thick foundation covered her delicate eyebrows and eyes, and the exaggerated black eyeliner seemed to reach for the sky. This look diminished Nerissa's natural charm, making her appear much older and gaudier than she really was. She had planned to remove the heavy makeup before going downstairs, but after searching her vanity for makeup remover in vain, she shrugged, grabbed a jacket from the closet, threw it over her shoulders, and went downstairs with her exaggerated makeup still on. ***** On the sofa in the first-floor hall sat four people. Owen, his mother Evelyn Calloway, Owen's cousin Kaia Wexcombe, and Owen's second great uncle, Joel Calloway. Seeing Nerissa come down, Evelyn rolled her eyes. She wondered, 'Even if Nerissa wore fancy clothes, she'd still look terrible. And here she is, wearing such heavy makeup at night. That thick foundation is just awful. Who's she trying to scare?' Evelyn had looked down on Nerissa from the start, believing she was nothing but a burden, humiliating the Calloway family. If Griffin hadn't insisted that Owen marry Nerissa, Evelyn never would have agreed to the marriage. She wondered, 'Owen's the golden boy, the dark horse the finance world sees once every ten years. And Nerissa? She didn't even finish high school. Ridiculous, Evelyn thought. She's not even worthy of being Owen's servant.' Evelyn did not believe Nerissa truly had any business talent. To her, Nerissa was the least useful member of the Calloway family, so she fully supported Owen's decision to divorce. In Evelyn's mind, only Audrey, who came from a prestigious family and had a great reputation, was worthy to be Owen's wife. Nerissa was no match for Audrey. "Sign it," Nerissa said, ignoring the contempt in Evelyn's eyes as she walked straight up to Owen and threw the divorce papers onto the table. Owen looked up at the heavily made-up woman and felt nothing but disgust. Then he stood, grabbing her wrist tightly, and asked angrily, "Nerissa, what exactly are you trying to do?" Nerissa shook off his hand and glared at him with a hint of agitation in her eyes. Her voice rose. "You want a divorce, right? I've already signed." 'What? She agreed to the divorce and has already signed.' Owen was momentarily stunned. At the same time, the others in the living room doubted their ears. They had expected Nerissa to throw a tantrum, cry, or threaten suicide like usual. But now, she was calmly urging Owen to sign the divorce papers. It was so out of character. 'Nerissa's just a poor girl from the slums. If she divorces, she'll lose all the wealth and luxury she's enjoying now. Would she really give that up? Would she really abandon Owen and go back to having nothing?' they thought. Even Owen was taken aback. 'Nerissa loves me to her core, to the point of losing herself. She'd even kill herself to avoid divorce. How could she possibly agree so easily? Something's wrong with this divorce agreement,' he thought. Owen picked up the papers and scrutinized them carefully. But after checking twice, he found nothing unusual. And Nerissa had indeed signed. 'How is this possible?' Owen wondered. He tilted his head toward Nerissa, frowning with impatience shining in his eyes. "Nerissa, what new trick are you playing now?" 'I've really had enough of Nerissa. I don't have time to play these mind games,' Owen thought. Chapter 2 Joel's Concern "New trick?" Nerissa curled her lips into a faint, cold smile. "Mr. Calloway, are you deaf? I think I made myself very clear. It was my fault before, mistaking that jerk for Mr. Right. Now I'm wide awake. Please sign immediately." Owen narrowed his eyes, thinking, 'Nerissa must be faking. There's no way she's this calm. She's definitely trying to get my attention with this stunt.' Nerissa's dirty tactics disgusted Owen. He signed the divorce papers as fast as possible and said coldly, "See you at City Hall, Monday, 8 a.m." It was already late Friday night; City Hall had long closed, and it wouldn't open over the weekend. There were two copies of the divorce agreement. Nerissa took one, slipped it into her bag, and put it away. She looked up at Owen, her gaze icy, as if looking at a stranger. "I'll be there on time," Nerissa said. Almost everyone in the room expected Nerissa to resort to threats or tears to stop the divorce. But to their surprise, she turned and left without hesitation. Evelyn squinted and looked at Owen. "Nerissa's definitely playing hard to get. Just wait. She won't show up at City Hall on Monday." Joel, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I don't think so." 'Playing hard to get? No, Nerissa looks like she suddenly woke up,' Joel thought. Evelyn scoffed, "Joel, you're overestimating her." Evelyn had lived with Nerissa for more than half a year and knew better than anyone how much Nerissa adored Owen. Joel turned to Owen, hesitating before speaking. "Owen, are you really set on divorcing? Without her, the company—" Griffin had often praised Nerissa's talents in front of Joel. Joel knew Nerissa had a natural gift for business. When Griffin was bedridden, he even grabbed Joel's hand and urged him, "If Owen insists on divorcing Nerissa later, please stop him. I worry he'll make a mistake." Owen's sudden decision to divorce deeply unsettled Joel. Choosing his words carefully, Joel continued, "Owen, Calloway Group has already suffered a heavy blow and can't afford any more setbacks. "And the company is at a critical growth stage. Without her help, are you confident you can win the Celestial Dome Awards?" Calloway Group mainly developed online games. The Celestial Dome Awards were the highest honors in the gaming industry, the ultimate recognition for game creators. Whether Calloway Group could completely crush their rival and break onto the international stage hinged on winning that award. Yet at this crucial moment, Owen was divorcing Nerissa. Joel was deeply worried. Anger flared in Owen's eyes as he looked at Joel. "Joel, do you think I'm inferior to Nerissa?" Owen had never believed that Calloway Group's turnaround owed anything to Nerissa. Owen wondered, 'Besides tweaking my proposals and reviewing files, what else does she do? Owen thought. I graduated top of the Finance Department at Aosthorne University. 'Surely I'm more capable than Nerissa. Once she's gone, under my leadership, Calloway Group will thrive even more.' Joel frowned slightly, concern evident in his voice. "Though Nerissa's background is ordinary, her business talent is exceptional." Kaia sneered, her face dripping with sarcasm. "Business talent? What kind of business talent does a slum girl have? "Joel, you've lost your mind. Owen is the real talent here. He pulled Calloway Group back from the brink of bankruptcy. "What does Nerissa have to do with it? She didn't even finish high school. Do you really expect her to keep the company afloat? "Besides, don't forget Owen's latest plan even earned Mr. Stratford's praise. Owen might just become the first in Aosthorne to cooperate with Stratford Group, let alone win the Celestial Dome Awards." Lennox Stratford was only thirty but already a top figure in Cilowesad's financial world. At the same time, he was the white knight in every unmarried girl's dreams in Cilowesad. Kaia, naturally, admired him as well. Right now, Owen's latest proposal had earned praise from Lennox himself, which was a clear testament to just how brilliant Owen's business talents were. Kaia's compliment instantly filled Owen with a rush of superiority. 'That's right. I'm the golden boy. Even Mr. Stratford has praised me. My future is destined to shine,' he wondered. Sitting beside Kaia, Evelyn nodded approvingly, thinking, 'Kaia is right. Nerissa didn't even finish high school. Business talent? What a joke. Calloway Group is already on the right track. If Nerissa stays, she'll only cause trouble.' Evelyn then looked at Joel. "Joel, after all, this is family business. If you believe Nerissa really has business talent and don't want to waste it, why not take her in after she and Owen divorce? Thomas is still single anyway." Thomas Calloway was Joel's only grandson. Since graduating from college, Thomas had been aimless and mediocre, nowhere near Owen's level of excellence. Joel's expression shifted as he thought, 'You want Thomas to marry the castoff Owen abandoned? What exactly is Evelyn implying?' "Fine, Evelyn, since you and Owen have already made up your minds, I won't be the one causing trouble," Joel said, then turned to Owen with a serious tone. "Owen, I hope you won't regret this." 'Regret?' Owen's eyes were full of disdain as he wondered, 'If anything, I'm glad to divorce Nerissa. I will never regret it. 'Besides, I have such an outstanding proposal in hand. As long as I successfully sign with Stratford Group based on this plan, Aosthorne will belong to the Calloway family.' ***** It was already late at night. Nerissa, carrying her bag, walked alone on an empty street. She had just pulled her phone out of her pocket to order a ride online when she suddenly heard faint cries for help nearby. "Help. Someone help." Her ears twitched as she quickly pinpointed the direction of the voice and hurried toward it. Following the sound, Nerissa stepped into a dark alley and saw several punks harassing a girl. The girl's clothes were torn, exposing tender skin. Under the streetlight, the scene was painfully glaring. "Stop right there," Nerissa shouted angrily. The frightened girl looked up and saw an elegant figure standing against the light, wearing a baseball cap and striking a cool pose. Though she couldn't clearly see Nerissa's face, at that moment, Nerissa was her light. Hope surged through the girl. "P-please help me." Just then, the punks turned around. Seeing another girl, one tattooed man's eyes gleamed with lechery. "Hey, another one just walked right up to us. Guys, we're lucky tonight." The others smirked with ill intentions. "Let her go," Nerissa demanded fiercely again. The tattooed man's eyes were full of sleaze. "What if I don't?" He even grabbed the girl's chest, raising his eyebrows in provocation. Without hesitation, Nerissa sprang into action. Her moves were lightning-fast and brutal. Before the girl could even react, half of the punks had already fallen. Seeing half his men down, the tattooed man pulled out a pocket knife and pressed it to the girl's neck. His eyes turned bloodshot. "Don't come closer, or I'll kill her." The girl had just breathed a sigh of relief, but in an instant, her face turned very pale. She could feel the sharp blade cutting her skin, painfully. Nerissa had just time-traveled, and her senses were still slowly recovering. She was physically weak, and almost all her strength had been used up moments ago. As Nerissa pondered what to do next, a stone suddenly flew from the other end of the alley and struck the tattooed man's leg. A sharp pain exploded in his knee, and he collapsed to the ground. A swift figure joined the fray, a man standing tall in a white shirt with sleeves casually rolled up, revealing strong, well-defined forearms. His skills were excellent; with just a few moves, the punks fell one by one. Seizing the opportunity, Nerissa quickly approached the girl. She took off her jacket and draped it over the girl's exposed body, her voice gentle. "Don't be afraid. It's okay now." Her tone was soft, like warm sunshine on a cold winter day, both dispelling fear and offering comfort. The girl felt all her terror vanish as she hugged Nerissa tightly, sobbing. "Thank you." If not for Nerissa, the girl would have been ruined tonight by those punks. As the last punk fell, the man pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket and carefully wiped his hands. The cool moonlight cast a silver glow on his face. He lowered his gaze slightly, eyes cool and somewhat distant, landing on Nerissa. His deep voice was charming and pleasant. "Nice moves." Nerissa raised her eyes slightly and immediately locked eyes with a pair of deep, piercing eyes. The man had a strikingly handsome face, noble and elegant, his features radiating refined grace, colder than moonlight itself. Their eyes met like beams of light. He was like a beast lurking in the darkness, ready to strike a deadly blow at any moment, stern, with a hint of cruelty and sharpness. But Nerissa showed no fear. She met his gaze confidently, her tone light. "You're not bad either." 'She's not afraid of me?' The man thought, clearly caught off guard. Chapter 3 The Expert His name was Lennox, the ninth son of the Stratford family, a man held in the highest regard. Quincy Stratford and Hannah Stratford were deeply in love. When Hannah became pregnant at forty-five, the child came unexpectedly and was showered with extraordinary affection. Lennox was ruthless in his methods and had already begun to make waves in the business world at eighteen. Now, at just thirty, he stood at the very top of the financial elite, a true power broker in every sense. In the past, Lennox had served as a peacekeeping officer. His hands had been stained with the blood of aggressors, and there was a lethal aura about him that never quite faded. Very few people dared to meet his eyes. Nerissa was the first. "Lennox." Luke Merritt had just caught up when he heard Nerissa's remark about him. He froze on the spot. Lennox had long occupied a position of absolute authority. No matter what he did, he was always the best. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to flattery and praise from others. Even Luke, who stayed by Lennox's side, was constantly fawned over. This was the first time Luke had ever heard someone give Lennox such a blunt, impartial evaluation. Luke was intensely curious about what the woman looked like. But the night was dark, and with Nerissa wearing a baseball cap, he couldn't make out her face clearly. At that moment, sharp police sirens suddenly cut through the air. A group of officers got out of their cars, and the battered, bruised punks were all loaded into police vehicles. As witnesses, Nerissa, Lennox, and Luke naturally had to go to the police department to give statements. Nerissa accompanied the short-haired girl into the back seat of a patrol car. The girl had been badly shaken. Even after getting into the car, she clung tightly to Nerissa. Despite a female officer gently comforting her, she refused to let go, clearly treating Nerissa as the one she trusted most. About ten minutes later, they arrived at the nearest police department. Only after reaching the station did Nerissa learn the full story. The short-haired girl was named Faye Penhaligon, just eighteen years old and in her final year of high school. That night, Faye had gone out to clear her head with her best friend after the friend had a fight with her parents. When danger struck, however, the so-called best friend ran away without hesitation and didn't even call the police. Nerissa frowned slightly. "Miss, you actually keep friends like that?" Faye's voice was hoarse. "I didn't think she would abandon me." "Remember this lesson," Nerissa said, reaching out to pat Faye on the shoulder. "Stay away from people like that in the future. If you keep them around long-term, they'll ruin your luck." "Okay." Faye nodded. "I'll cut ties with her as soon as I get back. Thank you so much for tonight. If it weren't for you, I might have, " Toward the end, her eyes reddened again. No one knew how terrified Faye had been. Just a little later, if Nerissa hadn't appeared in time, she might already have been violated by those punks. Still in shock, Faye finished her statement and then slumped over the desk, drifting into a drowsy sleep. Nerissa carefully withdrew the hand Faye had been holding, informed the officer, and prepared to leave. It was too late. She needed to get home as soon as possible. But just as she stepped out of the office, a female officer followed her. "Ms. Jamison, the victim's parents just called. They said they'll be here shortly and want to thank you in person. Would you like to stay a bit longer?" "No, thank you," Nerissa declined politely. She had acted on instinct, nothing more. Since the statements were done, there was no need for her to stay and accept their gratitude. The female officer watched Nerissa's retreating figure with a thoughtful look. If she hadn't checked Nerissa's passport, she never would have believed that the girl in front of her was only nineteen, just one year older than Faye. Nerissa was calm under pressure, skilled in combat, and free of vanity. Even after taking down a group of punks late at night and saving Faye, she hadn't shown the slightest hint of pride. Most people, even if they didn't brag outright, would still feel smug. But Nerissa didn't. From beginning to end, she remained composed. The officer had worked at the police department for many years, and this was the first time she had encountered someone as distinctive as Nerissa. Nerissa turned a corner and came face-to-face with Lennox and Luke as they stepped out through another door at the same time. The three of them met head-on. Only then did Luke get a clear look at Nerissa's face, more precisely, her face beneath the heavy makeup. He stared at her in disbelief. "Y-you are Nerissa?" "Yes. Why?" Nerissa replied flatly. Owen was a once-in-a-decade rising star in finance from a blue-blood family. Without him, Calloway Group could never have pulled off such a dramatic comeback in such a short time. Naturally, a man that successful had his personal life constantly under public scrutiny. Not long ago, reporters had snapped photos of Owen and Nerissa attending Griffin's funeral together. Once Owen's wife's appearance was exposed, it sparked widespread discussion and regret. Some people even dug up Nerissa's background overnight. When they learned she hadn't even finished high school, the public sighed in disappointment. Most believed Owen should have married a well-matched heiress from an equally powerful family. Nerissa was considered completely unworthy of him. Luke had seen Nerissa once at Griffin's funeral. Back then, she looked very different from how she did now. Even though she was still wearing heavy makeup, the overall feeling was not the same. Luke swallowed hard. "It's nothing. I-I was just surprised." Nerissa said nothing more and turned to leave. Luke got into the car with Lennox. It wasn't until he settled into the driver's seat that Luke spoke again. "Damn. That woman just now really was Nerissa." "You know her?" Lennox asked calmly from the back seat. Luke paused, then realized Lennox was referring to Nerissa. He nodded. "Yeah. Her name's Nerissa. She's the wife of Owen, the new CEO of Calloway Group." He added, "Well, their backgrounds are worlds apart, so Owen has officially asked her for a divorce." "Nerissa?" Lennox lightly turned the silver ring on his index finger. No one knew what he was thinking, but a faint smile curved his lips. "Interesting." Luke looked utterly confused. 'Interesting? What's interesting about that? Did I hear him wrong?' he wondered. 'Lennox has always been aloof and restrained. 'Even when the number-one beauty in the entertainment industry threw herself at him, he wouldn't spare her a glance. How could he suddenly be interested in a divorced, discarded wife? Yeah. I must've heard wrong.' Just as Luke was doubting himself, Lennox spoke again. "I remember the proposal Calloway Group submitted this time was exceptionally impressive." Luke was momentarily stunned, then replied, "Yes. Their proposal really was outstanding. You even praised it during the meeting. It was creative, aligned with modern youth values, and incorporated elements of traditional Cilowesad culture. "Owen really is capable. Without him, Calloway Group probably would've gone bankrupt long ago." Everyone had assumed that after the crisis, Calloway Group would become unstable and gradually decline. Yet Owen had single-handedly pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. People praised him as a dark horse. Not only had he saved Calloway Group, but he had pushed it to an entirely new level. Industry insiders widely speculated that Calloway Group's future would be limitless. Many investment banking giants had placed their bets on Calloway Group, expecting Owen to lead them to the top. Lennox narrowed his eyes slightly. His expression was unreadable, his thoughts impossible to decipher. He spoke calmly. "If Owen were truly that exceptional and capable of leading Calloway Group out of crisis, then he wouldn't have been mediocre for all those years at the company." "Lennox, are you suggesting that Owen didn't come up with that proposal?" Luke caught the implication immediately. "Yes." Lennox gave a slight nod. If Owen were genuinely that gifted, Calloway Group would have gone international long ago. Luke squinted. "But who would willingly stay hidden behind Owen and let him take all the credit?" Luke thought, 'That proposal received rave reviews and was valued at over ten million. No idiot would work anonymously behind the scenes and give up all recognition. 'Besides, Owen comes from a blue-blood family. Griffin was once a towering figure. It's not strange for the Calloway family to produce a prodigy.' He added aloud, "Lennox, could you be overthinking this?" Lennox was formidable, yes, but not to the point where he could judge a man's true worth just by looking at him. Luke was about to say more when Lennox's deep voice filled the car once again. "Investigate it," Lennox ordered. "Find out who the real mastermind standing behind Owen is." Chapter 4 Grandpa Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a faint glow over Lennox's side profile. His thin lips were pressed into a hard line, radiating an overwhelming aura of authority that made it difficult for anyone in the room to even breathe. The atmosphere grew stifling. Even though Luke was his nephew, he did not dare say another word. He instinctively lowered himself, his tone turning impeccably respectful. "All right, Lennox. I'll have someone look into it immediately." Luke admired people with talent, especially promising juniors like Owen. Fine. If Lennox wants an investigation, then let him have one, Luke thought. Real genius isn't afraid of tests. I'm sure Owen won't disappoint him. Once the results are out, Lennox will realize he misunderstood Owen. The thought of uncovering the truth and shocking Lennox in the near future made Luke unreasonably excited. 'Lennox stands high above everyone else, untouchable and almost divine,' Luke thought again. 'All these years, no one has ever managed to shake him. And I'll be the first. Oh yeah.' ***** At the same time, Nerissa returned to the home she remembered. It was a very ordinary residential complex in Aosthorne. After Hunter Jamison adopted Nerissa, he had always rented an apartment here. Nerissa took the elevator up to the eighth floor and raised her hand to knock. About a minute later, the door opened. Standing there was an elderly man in his early sixties, his features gentle and kind. Hunter froze when he saw Nerissa at the door. Then he blurted out in shock, "Nerissa? Why are you back so late?" It was already past midnight. Hunter was sixty-three this year. His hair had turned gray in places, but he was still in decent shape. A year ago, when Nerissa insisted on marrying Owen, Hunter had strongly opposed it. He believed she was still too young and should not give up her education for a man. "Nerissa refused to listen and ended up having a fierce argument with him. Their relationship had grown extremely strained. In the end, Nerissa threatened to starve herself, and only then did Hunter reluctantly agree to the marriage. "Grandpa," Nerissa said with a smile. Only after she spoke did Hunter dare believe that what he was seeing was real. Overcome with emotion, he pulled Nerissa inside. But the moment his hand closed around hers, something occurred to him. He immediately let go, flustered. "Nerissa, I-I'm sorry." 'Her status is low now,' Hunter thought. 'She's a lady from a blue-blood family, while I'm just a janitor in this neighborhood.' Hunter braced himself for her to lose her temper. Instead, Nerissa smiled and took hold of the hand he had just released. "Grandpa, I really want to eat the pasta you make." Hunter was stunned. After Nerissa married into the Calloway family, she had slowly changed. She began to look down on Hunter for his humble background, for being a janitor in a residential complex. She even refused to acknowledge him as her grandfather in front of others. But now, seeing her hold his hand, Hunter felt his nose sting. "All right. Come in. I'll make you some pasta right away." Since marrying into the Calloway family, Nerissa had come home to visit Hunter fewer than three times. Hunter's coworkers all said he had raised an ungrateful child. At this very moment, Hunter wished he could grab a loudspeaker and shout to the entire neighborhood that his granddaughter had come back to see him. Before heading into the kitchen, Hunter casually turned on the air conditioner in the living room. That small gesture deeply moved Nerissa. The older generation was used to living frugally. Even on sweltering summer nights, Hunter was reluctant to turn on the air conditioner, yet he was always willing to give Nerissa the very best of everything. Nerissa sat on the sofa and looked around the living room. It was a small two-bedroom apartment with very little furniture, but it was spotlessly clean. By the door stood a coat rack, with a vest hanging on it, Hunter's work uniform from his janitorial job. Hunter was not the type to sit idle. Even at sixty-three, he had taken a janitorial position in the complex. He worked from 7:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, with one day off a week, earning 1,200 dollars a month. After Nerissa got married, Hunter rented out his bedroom to a coworker to save money. Worried that Nerissa might have nowhere to stay if she came home, he set up a simple small bed in the living room. Recently, that tenant had been hospitalized due to a work injury and was recuperating there. At the moment, Hunter was living alone in the apartment. About twenty minutes later, Hunter walked over carrying a plate of steaming pasta. "Nerissa, the pasta's ready." "Thank you, Grandpa." Nerissa took the plate from him and started eating. Hunter watched her with eager anticipation. "Nerissa, does it taste good?" "It's delicious." Nerissa swallowed a mouthful quickly and lifted her thumb. "Grandpa, you make the best pasta in the world." Hunter was instantly satisfied. He narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Then eat more. There's still some left in the pot." "Okay." Nerissa nodded slightly and kept eating. Hunter watched her as she ate, his eyes filled with nothing but tenderness and heartache. In the year Nerissa spent with the Calloway family, she must have suffered a lot just trying to fit into high society, he thought. She never used to have such refined table manners. But now, even the way she eats looks so polished. When Hunter thought about how Nerissa had suddenly come back in the middle of the night, worry crept into his eyes. He added, "Nerissa, y-you didn't suffer any mistreatment in the Calloway family, did you?" Nerissa set the plate down and looked at him. "Grandpa, Owen, and I are divorced." Her tone was calm, but the words hit like a boulder thrown into a still lake, sending waves crashing in every direction. Hunter's eyes went wide. 'She's divorced? How is that even possible?' Hunter thought, hardly believing his own ears. It took a long while before he found his voice. Nervously, he asked, "Nerissa, did someone in the Calloway family bully you? Don't be scared. I'm here. If they dared lay a hand on you, I'd fight them to the end." A year ago, Hunter had opposed Nerissa marrying Owen. A year later, when he learned that Nerissa had divorced Owen, he did not blame her for bringing it on herself. His first instinct was that she had been wronged and that he needed to stand up for her. Nerissa looked at Hunter and spoke softly. "Grandpa, don't worry. No one can bully me. I was foolish before. I treated Owen like he was everything. Now that I've come to my senses, I'll naturally stay away from him and live a better life." Hearing that she had not been mistreated, Hunter let out a breath of relief, then asked again, "Then, you're really divorced?" He still found it hard to believe. In his eyes, Nerissa had loved Owen desperately. During the time she went on a hunger strike, she had gone two full days without a single drop of water. 'She loved him that much. How could she suddenly get divorced?' he thought. Nerissa did not explain further. She simply took the divorce agreement out of her bag. "Here. I think you were right. "I'm only nineteen. I should focus on my studies, get into a university I truly want, and live up to my youth, and to myself." Nineteen was the most beautiful age of a person's life. It should be spent chasing dreams, not rushing into marriage. Only after seeing the divorce papers did Hunter realize that Nerissa was not lying. At that moment, his hands began to tremble. Nerissa looked at him and said with quiet resolve, "Grandpa, I was immature before. I was too willful and broke your heart. "I failed everything you taught me all these years. From now on, I'll study hard and make sure we live a good life together." Chapter 5 Meeting Again Hunter looked at Nerissa, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed to see the tiny baby she once was, still wrapped in swaddling clothes. When he had first found Nerissa, she had only been a few months old, her entire body covered in blood. Everyone had tried to persuade him not to take her in. She was far too young, they said. Without breast milk, there was no way she would survive. It had been winter, and not a single onlooker was willing to adopt her. Unable to harden his heart, Hunter carried Nerissa home anyway. Even though his son and his wife both opposed adopting her, he stood his ground and raised her himself. As her grandfather, Hunter, wanted more than anything for Nerissa to live well, to be safe, happy, and at peace for the rest of her life. So he took meticulous care of her. "Nerissa, we're family. There's no need for all that empty talk," Hunter said gently. "Since you've decided to start over, don't burden yourself with unnecessary thoughts. "I have a steady paycheck now. Paying for your SATs and college won't be a problem at all. It's late. Get yourself settled, wash up, and go to bed. Your room is already cleaned." Even if Nerissa never got into a top university and never gave him a better life, she would still be his granddaughter. Everything he gave her came with no expectation of return. "Okay, Grandpa." Nerissa nodded and walked toward her room. Hunter headed to the corner of the living room. Seeing him expertly pull the curtain shut and lower the single bed he slept on made Nerissa's chest tighten. 'I need to figure out a way to make money as soon as possible,' she thought. 'I need to improve our living conditions and get Grandpa a proper, luxurious room of his own.' After returning to her room, Nerissa showered and removed her heavy makeup. Sitting in front of the vanity, she finally saw her true appearance clearly. The owner of this body had delicate skin and striking eyes, a stunning beauty with an elegant presence. Nerissa had assumed they looked only seventy or eighty percent alike. She never expected their faces to be identical down to the smallest detail. Even the tiny red mole beneath the center of their brows was in exactly the same place. It seemed that waking up in Nerissa's body after the explosion and time travel had not been a coincidence. ***** At six-thirty the next morning, Nerissa finished a quick wash, changed into workout clothes, and prepared to go downstairs for a morning run. Hunter was already busy in the dining area. Nerissa smiled and greeted him, "Good morning, Grandpa." Hunter turned around, clearly surprised. "Nerissa, why are you up so early?" "I'm going for a run," Nerissa replied. She was still weak. She had only been in a fight the night before, yet her entire body ached when she woke up. Nerissa decided she needed to train properly and rebuild the strength and figure she had in her previous life. 'A morning run?' Hunter's eyes filled with tenderness again as he thought, 'She used to live so freely. 'Except for school, she slept in whenever she wanted. And now she's up at six in the morning, voluntarily going for a run.' Hunter could hardly imagine what kind of life Nerissa had lived over the past year in the Calloway family, just to please them. After going downstairs, Nerissa jogged two laps around the complex, then went through a full morning exercise routine. She did not return home until two hours later. Hunter had already prepared breakfast. There were freshly baked pies, milk, and a small plate of pickles. Smiling, he said, "Nerissa, go wash your hands and get ready to eat." "Got it, Grandpa." Nerissa went to the bathroom to wash her hands. Afterward, she joined Hunter at the dining table. The morning sun streamed in through the window, bathing both of them in a soft golden light. While eating, Hunter said, "Nerissa, Kennedy is still in the hospital. I happen to be off today. After breakfast, come with me and visit him." "Okay." Nerissa nodded and took a sip of milk. After finishing breakfast, Hunter suddenly received a call from his supervisor asking him to cover an extra shift. With no choice, he told Nerissa to go to the hospital first. Before leaving, Hunter pressed a bank card into her hand. "Nerissa, this card has the money I've been saving for you. The password is your birthday. Use it for your daily expenses from now on. "Don't worry about running out of money. What I make is more than enough to support you. If it's gone, just come back and ask me for more." To make sure Nerissa always had a safety net, Hunter saved five hundred dollars for her every month after paying the rent. Nerissa looked at him and asked, "Grandpa, how much money is on this card?" "About a little over ten thousand," Hunter replied. Nerissa continued, "Then consider this money an investment in me. Give me no more than ten days, and I'll turn the balance into ten times that amount. Grandpa, just wait, I'll take you to live in a big villa." Hunter nodded with a smile, but he did not take Nerissa's words to heart at all. 'She's only nineteen. Where would she get that kind of ability? he thought. Forget ten days. I don't think she could even double the balance in ten months,' he wondered. After saying goodbye to her grandfather, Nerissa picked up the nutritional supplements and headed out, boarding a bus to the hospital. About forty minutes later, she got off the bus. As Nerissa walked toward the hospital entrance, a figure in sunglasses hurried past her. A moment later, the man stopped, turned back, took off his sunglasses, and revealed a handsome face as he smiled and struck up a conversation. "Hey, beautiful. Haven't we met somewhere before?" Nerissa lifted her eyes slightly and immediately recognized him. It was Luke, the man she had seen just the night before. She had no interest in getting involved with him again, so she replied coolly and distantly, "We're not acquainted. Thanks." Luke watched her walk away, momentarily dazed. With his good looks and designer clothes, women usually approached him. This was the first time he had initiated a conversation, and the first time he had been rejected. The feeling was oddly unfamiliar. ***** Nerissa had a poor sense of direction. Following the signs for over ten minutes, she finally found the inpatient elevator and stepped inside. She had just pressed the button for the ninth floor when someone came running over. An arm shot in from outside, and the elevator doors immediately slid back open. The next second, Luke, the same man who had tried to flirt with her earlier, appeared at the elevator entrance and spoke respectfully. "Lennox." As his words fell, a tall, well-built figure stepped inside. Lennox was dressed in a tailored suit, his presence commanding and oppressive. The moment he entered the elevator, the air in the cramped space seemed to tighten instantly. Anyone else might have been intimidated by his overwhelming aura, but Nerissa remained completely unfazed. She clearly paid him no mind at all. Turning toward the elevator wall, she calmly adjusted her hair and admired her reflection, as if no one else were there. The mirrored surface was spotless, reflecting her graceful beauty with perfect clarity. Luke recognized her at once, the same girl from the hospital entrance. His pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of shock crossing his face. It was not for any other reason than their composure. Lennox possessed not only immense wealth but also striking, almost unreal good looks. Countless young women melted at the sight of him. Yet Nerissa looked straight through him, utterly indifferent. 'Who exactly is she?' Lennox thought. At that moment, someone suddenly grabbed Nerissa by the arm and yanked her back. She stumbled straight into a broad, solid chest, her forehead slamming painfully against the bridge of his nose. A faint, clean scent flooded her senses, impossible to avoid. At the same time, the wooden panel fixed to the elevator ceiling for dust insulation came crashing down right where Nerissa had been standing. If Lennox had not pulled her away in time, her head would have been split open. In truth, Nerissa's instincts had always been sharp. But because she had only just time-traveled, her senses were still recovering, and she had failed to notice the abnormality above. Staring at the fallen panel, lingering fear washed over her. She looked up at him and thanked him sincerely. "Thank you." "Just doing what anyone would," Lennox replied evenly. When Nerissa lifted her head, she noticed a fine sheen of sweat on Lennox's forehead. "Although it was already the height of summer, hospitals kept their rooms cool year-round to inhibit bacterial growth. He's only wearing a black silk shirt, she thought. Why would he be sweating? Traditional medicine emphasized careful observation. Nerissa immediately sensed something was off and spoke up. "Have you been feeling unusually irritable lately? And do you feel dizzy when you wake up in the mornings?" Lennox clearly did not expect her to identify his symptoms at a glance. He lowered his head slightly. His refined eyes carried the unmistakable authority of someone born to rule. Even with his edge deliberately restrained, he was still intimidating. After a brief pause, he said flatly, "Yes." Nerissa narrowed her eyes. "Excess heat is a yin pathogen. It causes constriction and blocks the flow of qi and blood. You've probably had these symptoms for two or three months. "In traditional medicine, this is a classic case of qi-and-yin depletion. If it isn't treated in time, it can severely damage your lungs and even lead to coma." As she spoke, she took out a pen and paper, quickly wrote out a prescription, and handed it to him. "This formula treats your depletion. I've written down all the precautions." Lennox accepted it and said calmly, "Thank you." Nerissa curved her lips slightly. "Now we're even." He had saved her once. She had saved him once. Nerissa disliked owing anyone favors. Luke watched her profile, his eyes filled with vigilance. Luke had accompanied Lennox to the hospital before. The doctors had said Lennox simply had excessive internal heat and only needed some cooling medicine. That diagnosis completely contradicted what Nerissa had said, and hers sounded far more serious. 'Is she using some kind of tactic to get Lennox's attention?' Luke wondered. At that moment, the elevator chimed. The ninth floor arrived. Nerissa stepped out. When she reached the corner, she turned back and reminded them, "Make sure you take the medicine I prescribed." Lennox watched the direction she disappeared in, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So it was her." 'Her? Who is she?' Luke was utterly confused. 'Lennox has been single since birth and treats women like a plague. Yet today, he broke his own pattern and saved Nerissa.' Luke felt as if he had uncovered a shocking piece of gossip. "Lennox, don't tell me you fell for her at first sight?" 'Love at first sight?' Lennox thought. Towering over Luke, Lennox exuded an oppressive presence. He raised his hand and tapped Luke on the head, his tone icy. "There isn't a woman in this world who qualifies for my affection yet. And for the record, I don't plan on getting married." Chapter 6 Disaster Lennox was a firm believer in staying single for life. Over the years, he had never been in a relationship, nor had he ever had a first crush. The person he loved most was himself. That was why Lennox would never allow an outsider with no blood ties to him to share his wealth or the business empire he had built with his own hands. What was his was his alone, and it would always stay that way. Luke looked up at Lennox. "Lennox, don't be so absolute. Just because you haven't met someone you like yet doesn't mean you never will. What if you do meet someone one day? Wouldn't that be awkward?" "Awkward?" Lennox's thin lips curved slightly as he let out a scoff. "Only the weak worry about things like that. I'm loyal to no one but myself." The elevator arrived at the VIP floor, and Lennox stepped out. As he moved, a wave of tightness and discomfort rose in his chest. He lifted a hand, curled it into a fist, pressed it lightly to his lips, and coughed a few times. As if something occurred to him, Lennox handed the prescription to Luke. "Send this to Simon. Have him arrange for the pharmacy to prepare it and deliver it daily." Luke's eyes widened as he said, "Lennox, are you really going to trust that prescription? That woman was clearly trying to scare you. "She's so young, she probably hasn't even gotten her pharmacist's license yet. How could she know anything about medicine? What if she were sent by a rival to harm you?" He paused, then continued, "Why don't I contact a reliable traditional medicine practitioner to take a look first? If your symptoms really are as serious as she claimed, it won't be too late to take this then." Luke thought to himself, 'You can never be too careful. Lennox held a powerful position and was resented by many. When people couldn't beat him openly, they resorted to underhanded tactics. Who knew whether Nerissa had been sent by an enemy?' ***** Before long, the two of them arrived at a high-end VIP ward. An elderly woman with a kind, gentle face lay on the hospital bed. When she saw Lennox and Luke walk in, the caregiver beside her immediately helped Hannah sit up. "Lennox, Luke, you're here." "Mom, take it slow," Lennox said as he strode to the bedside, replacing the caregiver and helping his mother sit up. "Grandma," Luke greeted her respectfully from the side. The elderly woman lying in the bed was Lennox's mother, Hannah. Hannah had given birth to Lennox at the age of forty-five. Now that Lennox had just passed thirty, Hannah was already seventy-five. Though well into her later years, she was still in remarkably good spirits. After helping his mother settle, Lennox sat down by the bed, picked up an apple, and began peeling it slowly. Luke continued, "Grandma, how are you feeling today?" Hannah smiled, "It's just some bruising to the soft tissue. I didn't break any bones. There's no need to make such a fuss." Some time ago, Hannah had been involved in a minor car accident while riding in a vehicle. It wasn't a serious issue, but given her age, the doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital for observation. "But Lennox, you really worry me," Hannah said, turning her gaze toward him. "What did I do?" Lennox froze in confusion. "You're already this old, and you've never even held a girl's hand. Don't you find that embarrassing?" Hannah said bluntly. 'This old? I haven't even had my twenty-ninth birthday yet, and she's talking like I'm eighty-seven,' Lennox thought. He pressed his fingers to his temple. "Mom, I've told you before. I don't plan on getting married." "Nonsense." Hannah cut him off without hesitation, pointing at him as she launched into a tirade. "Who goes through life without getting married? "When your father was still alive, his biggest wish was to see you and your sister live happily and have families of your own. "Luke is about to get married, your sister is about to become a grandmother, and you're still all alone. How am I supposed to put my mind at ease?" Hannah and Quincy had one son and one daughter together. Lennox was ranked ninth among all the cousins in the extended Stratford Group family; it wasn't that Quincy and Hannah had nine children. When Hannah gave birth to her eldest child, complications during labor left her with lasting health issues, and the hospital diagnosed her as unable to conceive again. No one expected that she would suddenly become pregnant at forty-five. Having a child so late in life filled the couple with overwhelming joy, and they doted on this son endlessly. Lennox did not disappoint them. Though he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he never developed the spoiled, decadent temperament often associated with blue bloods. He was not only gifted but also possessed astonishing business acumen. The only thing that troubled Hannah was that such an outstanding son was determined to remain single for life. Despite her high status, Hannah was, at heart, still just an ordinary mother. She wanted her son to live like everyone else, to get married, have children, and allow her to become a grandmother sooner, so she could enjoy the warmth and happiness of family life. Hannah continued, "Let's take a step back. Even if you refuse to get married, you could at least date someone. Starting a relationship would be fine." "I'm not interested in dating," Lennox replied. "And since I don't plan on getting married, why should I waste a girl's time?" "Then what are you interested in?" Hannah felt a tightness in her chest. Lennox parted his thin lips. "Making money." Hannah frowned and snapped, "Then go spend your whole life with money." Lennox gave a slight nod. "That's exactly the plan." Hannah clenched her teeth, wishing she could pin her son to the floor and give him a good beating. Lennox, however, was completely unfazed. He handed an apple to Hannah. "Have an apple." "No," Hannah snapped, swatting the apple out of his hand. Lennox bent down, picked the apple up from the floor, and said, "Mom, this apple costs ten dollars. If you're angry, take it out on me. Don't take it out on money." Hannah shot back, "All you ever think about is money. You won't even throw away a stupid apple. Other people guard their wealth because they have children to pass it on to. What about you? "When you die, there won't even be anyone to visit your grave. What's the point of hoarding a pile of cold numbers?" Lennox spoke calmly, "Those cold numbers can put me at number one on the global rich list." "So what if you're number one?" Hannah retorted. "What's there to be proud of? Having no wife and no children is the most pitiful thing of all." "In this world, plenty of people envy the person ranked number one on the rich list," Lennox said. "No one envies an ordinary person just because they have both sons and daughters. "You and Dad did have children, but tell me, whose name ever made it to number one on that list?" Hannah rolled her eyes. "Fine. You're amazing. You're number one. You can fly a plane in the middle of the ocean." Luke burst out laughing at Hannah's sharp humor. 'Grandma really packs a punch,' he thought. Hannah turned to Lennox and narrowed her eyes. "What goes around comes around. Everyone runs into someone they can't have. "God grows angry and sends storms; people grow arrogant and invite disaster. I believe your future road to chasing your wife will be miserable." 'Someone I can't have? Chasing my wife?' Lennox thought. A mocking smile flickered in his eyes. "Mom, take a look outside." 'Look outside?' Hannah wondered, turning her head in confusion. Outside the window, the sun was shining, the breeze was gentle, and everything looked perfectly normal. "What am I supposed to see out there?" Hannah asked. Lennox spoke evenly. "It's not even dark yet, and you're already talking in your sleep." Chapter 7 Lovely Hannah Hannah shot Lennox a sideways glare. "That's called Murphy's Law. Don't scoff at it. When you can't land yourself a wife one day, don't come crying to me. I won't help you unless you beg." As she said the last part, Hannah lifted her chin smugly, full of pride. 'I'll just wait for Lennox to come begging on his own,' Hannah thought. The mere idea of Lennox crying his heart out over some girl in the future made her ridiculously excited. Seeing his mother drifting off into wild thoughts again, Lennox spoke up. "Mom, that kind of thing is never going to happen to me." To him, chasing after women was a waste of time. He would rather use that time to make more money. Money, at least, could meet his material needs and offer some emotional comfort. Women, on the other hand, only spent their money. 'Why should I work my ass off just to spend money on someone I'm not even related to? No way in hell,' Lennox thought. At that moment, Lennox had no idea that one day in the future, he would be more than willing to hand over every last cent he owned to her. Of course, that was a story for another time. "Stop putting on an act," Hannah snapped, kicking Lennox. "Don't push me, or I'll teach you a lesson." Luke had never seen Hannah actually discipline Lennox before, so his curiosity was instantly piqued. "Grandma, how are you going to teach Lennox a lesson?" Hannah pointed straight at Lennox. "Listen carefully." "Okay." Luke nodded eagerly. Hannah continued, "Since he loves money so much, I'll spend every dollar in his bank account and show him who's boss." Luke laughed so hard that he nearly doubled over. 'Grandma is a genius,' he wondered. 'In this world, Hannah might be the only person who dares to point at Lennox's face, call him an idiot, and still threaten to discipline him. And somehow, Lennox never dares to talk back,' Luke wondered. No matter what, Luke couldn't have guessed that Hannah wasn't the only one in this world brave enough to put Lennox in his place; there would soon be someone who'd make Lennox surrender willingly. "Shut up." Luke was just reveling in his schadenfreude when Hannah's fierce comeback hit him right in the head. "You think you're going to get away with this?" Luke froze. 'They're crazy in a little fight, and I'm the innocent victim here,' he wondered. ***** On the other side, Nerissa arrived at Kennedy Zachary's hospital room, gifts in hand. The ward was shared by four patients. Nerissa was strikingly beautiful, with refined features. Even dressed simply in a white T-shirt and jeans, her natural elegance was impossible to hide. The moment she stepped into the room, she drew everyone's attention. People immediately began whispering, trying to guess which patient she was related to. Even Kennedy, one of Hunter's coworkers, failed to recognize Nerissa without her makeup. Nerissa walked over to Kennedy's bedside. "Kennedy, are you feeling any better now?" 'Kennedy? She knows me?' Kennedy thought. He looked utterly confused. "Miss, do I know you?" 'I don't think anyone in my family looks this pretty,' Kennedy thought. "I'm Nerissa, Kennedy," she said. "Nerissa?" Kennedy murmured. The name sounded vaguely familiar, yet when he looked at her face, it felt like he had never seen her before. Just as Kennedy was puzzling over it, Nerissa continued, "Hunter is my grandfather." Kennedy's eyes widened as he stared at her. "Y-you're Hunter's granddaughter? Nerissa?" "That's me," Nerissa smiled and nodded. Kennedy studied her closely, disbelief written all over his face. In his memory, almost every time he had seen Nerissa before, she was caked in heavy makeup and dressed in dull, unflattering gray clothes. Despite being only a teenager, she looked more like a woman in her thirties, old-fashioned and tired. Worse still, she always carried herself with an air of superiority, as if she looked down on everyone. All in all, Kennedy had never had a good impression of Nerissa. But now, not only had her looks changed, her style had changed, and even her personality seemed different. In the past, Nerissa would never have taken the initiative to greet Kennedy. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a lowly janitor. She had even shown little respect for her own grandfather, Hunter. That was why Kennedy often said Hunter had raised an ungrateful white-eyed wol