After they got into the car, Sidney couldn't help but ask, "Did the Calderon Corporation really go under?"
Jayson turned the steering wheel and quickly drove out, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "It was announced yesterday."
Sidney thought to herself, how coincidental. The company collapsed right before the resort's grand opening.
"Didn't you lend them money to help them through? Was it still not enough?"
"Hah! If the management is hopeless, no amount of money will help!" Jayson laughed dismissively.
Sidney felt uneasy. No matter how the Calderon family treated her, she had spent over twenty years with them. Hearing this news left her feeling unsettled.
"You don't need to worry. Whatever needs to be sealed, will be sealed. Your father's not a three-year-old; he should be handling this himself. As for your sister, she should have some self-awareness by now."
Sidney didn't respond, just stared out the window.
Jayson didn't want her to stay lost in negative emotions. "There's a new bakery nearby. Do you want to check it out?"
"Let's go home," Sidney said, her voice lacking any warmth.
But Jayson still drove toward the bakery. He got out of the car, and shortly after, came back with a bag, handing it to her.
"I heard from Mr. Smith that their cakes are really famous. Give it a try."
Sidney opened the bag and carefully examined the cake inside the clear plastic box. It was beautifully decorated, each layer meticulously crafted.
"It looks really good."
Jayson glanced at the road ahead as he drove, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He wouldn't mention that he had ordered this cake himself, as a reward for his wife who had accompanied him to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
When Jayson returned home, he unbuttoned his suit jacket, stretched his legs out, and sat on the sofa, using the remote control to turn on the TV.
The first thing that appeared was a news channel, and soon the news began to report about the grand opening of the resort. They introduced the scale of the resort and the people who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He had paid for this news coverage, and it didn't surprise him; he just wanted to see if the money was well-spent.
Sidney stood by the sofa, watching herself and Jayson standing side by side, happily cutting the ribbon under the dazzling spotlight.
Then the screen shifted to an interview with Jayson and her. Sidney felt that the woman on screen seemed unfamiliar. Her face lit up, a soft glow spreading across her features. She couldn't help but gaze at herself, entranced by her own smile. It was a smile she'd never noticed could be so warm, so tender—one that made her look like a woman deeply loved, genuinely happy.
It was Jayson who had transformed her, who had taught her to hold her head high, to stand tall. In the time they'd spent together, he'd shielded her from the pressures of her father, stepmother, and sister, helping her reclaim herself. She knew, deep down, that despite the shadows of his past—so much of it left untold—his kindness to her had never wavered. It was impossible not to fall for him, to be drawn to the quiet strength he offered, the care that spoke louder than words.
She sat beside him, leaning in close and resting her head in his neck. She was happy with the changes she had gone through. For the first time, she felt that her life had a future, full of hope and possibilities waiting for her.
The sound of the TV shifted to news about the bankruptcy of the Calderon family. Sidney's heart tightened.
Bankruptcy, sealing of assets, investigations, and seizures.
She felt that her life was too good at the moment, and in front of the Calderon family, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
"What will happen to them?"
"Don't think about that. This is what they have to face. If you worry about them now, they won't appreciate it. Just watch how it unfolds."
Suddenly, the TV switched to photos of Sidney at today's event, with silhouettes of other Calderon family members. They began analyzing Sidney's marriage into the Nixon family, the relationship between the Nixon family and the Calderon family, and brought up a lot of entanglements. They even quoted Jayson's final words at the event. Sidney looked up, frowning at the broadcaster's analysis. As expected, they still dragged her and Jayson into it.
Although the Calderon family wasn't the richest in the city, they were an old, prestigious family, so naturally, such events would become fodder for discussion.
"Don't worry, it's normal for them to report like this. I've already made some arrangements over there, and they won't dig any deeper. This is also why I said those things in the end—people who are clear will stay clear. These reports won't affect me, and of course, they won't affect you." He said calmly.
Sidney nodded, watching Jayson turn off the TV.
He opened the box with the cake and handed it to her, "Try it! I heard that women feel better when they eat sweets."
Sidney forced a small smile, the corners of her lips trembling slightly as she picked up the fork. She hesitated for a moment before gently scooping a bite and bringing it to her lips.
It really tasted great.
She sighed in contentment, smiling at him.
"Two days from now, I have to go to C City for an impromptu trip. I won't be back for about two or three days. Can you manage on your own?"
Sidney paused, then nodded.
"Will you be able to sleep well?"
She hesitated a bit but nodded, "I'll try."
"If you can't sleep, call me then."
"Mm."
"Or, do you want to come with me?" Jayson asked, testing her.
He thought she might want to leave here for a while.
"Aren't you going on business? What would I do there?"
"I thought maybe you'd want to leave here and take a break."
"It's fine. I'm staying at home. As long as I don't watch the news, it's okay."
"Alright then! Stay at home and don't think about anything."
She nodded.
"You're only allowed to think about me."
"You're so full of yourself!"
Seeing her getting angry again, Jayson felt relieved. He stood up and headed upstairs, saying to her as she followed, "When you're done eating, come upstairs and help me pack."
With every bite of the cake, a warm feeling spread through her, and for a moment, she couldn't help but smile softly. She was grateful, in that quiet way, that he was still a part of her life.
She finished the cake quickly, savoring the last bite before springing to her feet.
As soon as she stepped through the door, she was captured by a powerful force, the familiar scent of him enveloping her.
His lips, soft and warm, found hers with an intensity that took her breath away. The kiss was urgent, as if he couldn't wait any longer, a storm of emotions unleashed in the quiet of the room.
After a long while, he finally released her swollen lips and said, "Do you know, when we were at the event today, all I wanted was to do this to you?"
Sidney felt her face flush as she looked at him, her heart racing.
His hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, teasing her.
Sidney surrendered completely to him, matching his movements. This time, she took the initiative, standing on tiptoe to kiss him, and they spent a night in passionate embrace.
