Justin Kane squeezed her small hand, his expression gentle. "The ti you fell into the water ten years ago, you little fool."
Nina Thorne didn’t speak for a long ti. Her breathing gradually beca steady and deep.
Justin Kane looked at her and chuckled, his dark eyes filled with doting affection.
’The little fool actually fell asleep.’
—
Rumors of an incestuous relationship between Cole Kane and Serena Kane began to spread through their social circle.
Previously, Nina Thorne had been the one people ridiculed, but after this incident, the tide turned completely.
She beca an object of pity.
Discussions even popped up in their university group chat.
[So Cole Kane and Nina Thorne really were together back then. Doesn’t that an we misunderstood her?]
[Who knew! Back then, it was Corinne Kerr who said Nina Thorne was simping for Cole Kane, got brutally rejected, and shalessly kept chasing him.]
[But I heard a rumor from their circle that Serena Kane actually has... feelings for her own brother, Cole Kane...]
[What kind of feelings? Trying to climb into his bed?]
[Exactly. I heard a video even got out, but it’s a sha. Their circle is too good at damage control, so we couldn’t see it.]
[That’s horrible! So who was spreading rumors about Nina Thorne all these years? Was it just those people who made a public apology last ti?]
[Isn’t it obvious? It must have been the one Corinne Kerr was sucking up to—the one who wanted to climb into her brother’s bed, Serena Kane!]
The last ssage was sent by Macy Lynch.
"A bunch of sheep. Now they finally realize they misunderstood you!" Macy Lynch’s disgust for them was palpable.
After letting out a string of curses, she sobered up and asked Nina Thorne, who was sitting opposite her, "So, not only was Serena Kane kicked out of the Kane Family Tree, but she really has to change her last na too? Girl, this is so satisfying."
Nina Thorne stirred her coffee and said nonchalantly, "That’s just how people are. They jump to conclusions."
"It’s a sha the Kane Family is so sentintal. Serena Kane still has control over the Kane Family’s connections, resources, and status."
She had already left the university group chat, precisely because she didn’t want to see them constantly attacking her.
She continued, "That’s what Mr. Kane said that day. Since he’s the one who said it, it must be true."
Macy Lynch breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to squeeze her hand, saying sympathetically, "You suffered for those three years. To protect the Kane Family’s so-called reputation, you let Cole Kane misunderstand you for so long."
The ntion of Cole Kane made her angry all over again, and she let out another string of curses.
"But, Cole Kane did save you ten years ago, which is why you’ve been endlessly indulgent with him for the past decade."
This suddenly occurred to Macy Lynch, and she asked with concern, "Nina Thorne, are you sure you won’t be affected by this? Can you really let it go?"
It was true that because of this incident, Nina Thorne had seen Cole Kane through rose-colored glasses.
But it was a fact that Cole Kane had saved her. She couldn’t just ignore that debt of gratitude.
’Unless... the person who saved wasn’t him.’
"We’ll see. There are many ways to repay a debt. It’s the 21st century; I can’t be expected to repay him with my body." Nina Thorne’s lips curved into a self-mocking smile as she lifted her coffee cup for a sip.
Her eyes were slightly downcast. Her features were striking, yet her aura was gentle and serene.
’So beautiful.’
Macy Lynch had always been a fan of her looks and practically drooled.
"Anyway, it’s a good thing you’ve gotten over your love-struck phase. The man you have now is a hundred, no, a thousand tis better than him."
From Nina Thorne’s description, Justin Kane deserved most of the credit for how everything turned out.
The most precious part was that he had arranged everything from behind the scenes, allowing Nina Thorne to clear her own na while he protected her in silence.
’So sweet, and so capable.’
After a mont of thought, she suddenly narrowed her eyes and raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Speaking of which, how is Justin Kane... in that departnt?"
CLANG.
The question was too direct, too sudden.
Nina Thorne lost her grip on her coffee cup, and it landed on the coaster. She almost spat out a mouthful of coffee.
"Macy..."
Nina Thorne’s face flushed red as she lowered her voice. "Are you sure you want to discuss this in such a public place?"
"Isn’t it normal? ’Food and sex are part of human nature.’ C’mon, spill the details." Macy Lynch’s gossip-loving soul was burning bright.
’He’s handso, rich, gentle, and dotes on you.’
’If he’s good in *that* departnt too, he’d be the perfect man, a total ten out of ten.’
A flash of embarrassnt crossed Nina Thorne’s face. She lowered her eyes and said softly, "We haven’t... done anything."
Hearing this, Macy Lynch started to lecture her. "What’s the difference between that and letting a priceless treasure go to waste? The thing I gave you last ti, you haven’t tried it out with him? That thing is a god-tier aphrodisiac!"
Seeing Macy Lynch get more and more excited and attracting the attention of others in the cafe, Nina Thorne was mortified.
But she thought to herself, ’Justin Kane has soone he likes.’
’It’s not the right ti for them to do... intimate things like that.’
However, thanks to Macy Lynch’s bold comnts today, Nina Thorne was suddenly struck with inspiration. After returning to the villa, she started writing the outline for a new script.
This continued until a WeChat ssage from Justin Kane arrived: "Almost ho."
Their WeChat conversations mostly consisted of him reporting his daily schedule to her—things like etings, social engagents, and what ti he would be ho.
He would send a ssage for everything.
This was sothing Cole Kane had never once done.
Nina Thorne felt a sense of satisfaction from being cared for. Suddenly, Macy Lynch’s question about their sex life popped into her head, and her face grew hot.
She quickly shook her head to clear the thought and replied as usual: "Okay, be safe on the road."
After sending the ssage, she put down her phone.
She seed to vaguely recall Justin Kane ntioning sothing about ten years ago yesterday.
But she had been too sleepy at the ti and had drifted off, so she wasn’t sure.
’Maybe dealing with Serena Kane was so emotionally draining that I ended up dreaming about the past.’
Especially the incident from ten years ago, when she fell into the water and was rescued.
-
Sitting in the luxurious car, Justin Kane looked at the chat window, the corners of his lips turning up slightly.
Assistant Cheney quietly observed his expression in the rearview mirror and reported, "President Kane, the things you ordered to be done before have been very effective."
"People in the circle are still discussing what happened at Mrs. Lawson’s birthday banquet, especially the wealthy socialites. They’ve been talking about it a lot."
"They all sympathize with and approve of your wife’s actions. This incident has had no negative impact on her."
Justin Kane grunted in satisfaction and raised an eyebrow. "And Serena Locke?"
"She’s been going to the villa constantly these past few days to see your mother, making a scene about how she’s too ashad to stay with the Kane Family and wants to move out. Your mother is currently taking her to look at villas."
Hearing this, Justin Kane knew it was his father’s idea. After a mont’s thought, he said, "Keep the other evidence safe. It will be useful later."
’This ti, making Serena Kane change her na to Serena Locke is only the first step. If she refuses to learn her lesson, then Serena Locke will have to pay back double for everything Nina Thorne suffered in the past.’
Assistant Cheney nodded, then rembered sothing. "Right, it seems the Second Young Master Kane has been investigating you these past couple of days."
He hesitated, but Justin Kane noticed his reluctance. "Go on."
Assistant Cheney gave a wry chuckle. "You posted on your Monts before. Now, the Second Young Master is secretly investigating who is living with you."
"Fortunately, you had the foresight, President Kane, and hid all the files that could expose her identity."
’It’s not that the President is afraid of anyone.’
’He’s doing all this for his wife’s sake.’
’Speaking of which, if his wife still has the Second Young Master in her heart and looks down on the President, she’d be a real fool.’
...
Nina Thorne sneezed and went downstairs.
She calculated the ti; Justin Kane should be back soon.
Sure enough, the familiar sound of an engine ca from outside.
Justin Kane was back.
Her gaze shifted to the door, and soon, a tall, slender figure walked in.
His custom-tailored suit accentuated his perfect proportions. His features were sharp and extraordinarily handso, and he exuded an air of elegance and nobility.
’This man is too good-looking.’
’He’s breathtakingly handso, perfect from every angle.’
Nina Thorne suddenly wondered how she had never noticed him before.
"Did my dear Nina know I was back and co down especially to greet ?" a low, llow voice teased from in front of her.
Nina Thorne looked up and t his dark, smiling eyes. The tenderness in them made her feel as if she were wrapped in soft cotton.
She seed to have grown used to his gentle teasing and nodded comfortably. "Yes, I ca down specifically to wait for you so we could have dinner together. Are you touched?"
The smile in Justin Kane’s eyes softened even more. "Very touched. But I hope my dear Nina will always treat like this from now on."
"You’re the future star screenwriter of a hit IP. I need to make sure I stay on your good side."
His words made Nina Thorne laugh. "Hah, you’re pretty good at comforting people. Everyone else looks down on my job, and here you are wanting to stay on my good side?"
She walked towards the dining room.
Miss King had already prepared four dishes and a soup. Although they were simple, ho-cooked dishes, they looked very appetizing.
After washing their hands, they sat down to eat, facing each other.
After a few bites, Justin Kane suddenly gazed at her and said seriously, his expression gentle, "There’s no such thing as a superior or inferior job. Everyone will shine in their own field."
Nina Thorne paused mid-sip of her soup and looked up at him.
’His words made her admire him even more. No wonder he was able to reach his current position.’
’A person like him would naturally have more respect for the accomplishnts and skills of others,’ she thought.
Nina Thorne smiled knowingly. "Mr. Kane, your insights are truly unique. I’ve learned sothing from you again. I’m sure Mr. Kane’s investnt in the new energy technology project will achieve an even greater breakthrough."
Justin Kane’s eyes darkened, and his thin lips curved. "Mm, since my dear Nina has said so, as your husband, I can’t possibly let you down."
"Justin Kane, you’re being childish."
Nina Thorne laughed again.
Being with him, her mood gradually improved.
She even felt a distinct sense of being validated.
This was sothing she had never gotten from Cole Kane, who did nothing but invalidate her.
Warmth spread through Nina Thorne’s heart. She gave Justin Kane a deep look, the corners of her lips unconsciously turning up again, her eyes shimring with a smile.
That night in the study, Nina Thorne rembered sothing she needed to do. She picked up her phone from the desk and switched to a different operating system.
As always, there were a few unread ssages.
She glanced at them and noticed the last one from Mr. Locke: "Early next month, I’m making a trip to Sylport. Shall we et if you have ti?"
Without a second thought, Nina Thorne replied: "Okay."
Then, a ssage ca back from the other end: "Finally! I can’t believe you actually replied and agreed to et ."
The light in Nina Thorne’s eyes dimd, and she exited the system.
The next day, Jessica Jenkins asked her out to eat.
She also told her the filing information for the short-form drama and its specific release date.
"Nina Thorne, I’ve been back for days and tried to ask you out a few tis without success. I was starting to think you didn’t want to see ," Jessica Jenkins said, looking aggrieved.
Nina Thorne chuckled. "You’re overthinking it. I just happened to be busy the last few days."
’And it was a big deal, too—taking down a green tea bitch.’
But Jessica Jenkins obviously wouldn’t know about the affairs of the upper-class circle; otherwise, she would definitely be pestering Nina with questions.
The two went to a cha chaan teng for lunch.
Just after they ordered, Jessica Jenkins got a call. Since the restaurant was noisy, she went to the restroom to take it.
Just as she left, Nina’s phone also rang.
This ti, Felicia Yates’s voice was very friendly. "Nina Thorne, are you free? I was thinking, I made so nourishing soup at ho that would be perfect for improving your complexion. Why don’t you co over and have so?"
’When sothing is this out of the ordinary, there must be a catch.’
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they had completely torn all pretense of civility from their relationship before.
’Inviting over for a al out of the blue... you don’t need a brain to know she’s up to no good.’
Nina Thorne refused decisively. "No, thank you. I’ve already eaten."
Felicia Yates said anxiously, "Even if you’ve eaten, having so soup won’t hurt. Look at you, it’s not easy for you out there all by yourself. I worry about you..."
Nina Thorne hadn’t forgotten the vicious insults she had hurled at her that day at the old mansion.
She retorted in a cool, detached voice, "Well, when you have no father and no mother, you’re bound to be alone."
"Fortunately, I have my grandfather, and the Thorne Family to back up."
Nina Thorne’s attitude was distant and cold. On the other end of the line, Felicia Yates was choked up, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
She had the phone on speaker, so Cole Kane, who was next to her, heard everything clearly. His brow furrowed instantly, his eyes filled with heartache.
Then, Nina Thorne hung up the phone.
The words Felicia Yates still wanted to say were caught in her throat. She said unhappily, "That damn girl really holds a grudge. I was just angry that day and said whatever ca to mind."
"Besides, what I said was the truth. Her parents are dead. If you hadn’t been looking after her all these years, would she have been so happy?"
Felicia Yates was deeply dissatisfied, and every word she spoke dripped with harshness.
Cole Kane’s eyes darkened. "Have you said enough?"
His tone was low, laced with displeasure.
This made Felicia Yates even angrier. "What, are you defending her now? Don’t you forget, she already broke off the engagent with you."
"It’s also highly likely she’s already shacked up with Justin Kane. That’s your own brother! If she’s really doing that, it’s just to deliberately disgust you and make your life miserable."
The more Felicia Yates thought about it, the more indignant she beca. She said viciously, "And it’s a fact that she jinxes her parents. In a couple more years, when that old man Thorne dies, her whole family will be dead and gone, and she’s still so young."
"That’s enough! Don’t be so cruel."
Cole Kane stared at her with gloomy eyes and said confidently,
"Even if she really is with Justin Kane, there’s no way she could stop loving so quickly! Besides, she still rembers that I’m the one who saved her life."
"Are you really the one who saved her life?"
Felicia Yates’s expression turned serious as she warned him, "Don’t forget what you did ten years ago. Once she gets together with Justin Kane, I’m afraid those secrets won’t stay hidden for long."
Hearing this, the color drained from Cole Kane’s face. His pupils dilated in panic.
’No!’
’I can’t let Nina Thorne know the truth about what happened ten years ago.’
"I’ve already arranged a villa for Serena. Ever since she changed her na on the household register, was removed from the Kane Family Tree, and moved out of the Kane residence on her own initiative, she’s been depressed. I’m afraid she’ll get sick from bottling it all up. You, her brother, are the most important person to her. If you go see her, it’ll make her happy."
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