Become the path beneath her feet

"Elise, what's going on with you?" Nadia asked, utterly confused.

Elise suddenly let out a cold snort.

"Nothing's going on. Just don't call me anymore. And don't ever mention that you know me!"

"Are you in some kind of trouble? Tell me, I want to help!" Nadia asked, her voice filled with concern.

Elise grew impatient. "I'm fine, don't get any weird ideas. Also, I'm not going back to the apartment, and I'm not going to that lousy job anymore. That's it. Don't call me again. It's annoying. Bye!"

"Beep—"

After being abruptly cut off, Nadia finally remembered the texts she had sent before leaving work today.

Feeling frustrated, Nadia slapped her forehead. She had been so busy with work that she had forgotten about everything else. And now, she had tried to be friendly with Elise, only to be met with cold indifference.

Judging by Elise's arrogant tone, it seemed like she really wanted to cut ties with Nadia.

Nadia smiled bitterly. No matter how close friends are, eventually, they drift apart for various reasons.

So, Nadia decided not to dwell on her issues with Elise. It looked like Elise wasn't coming back, and Nadia would need to find someone else to share the apartment with.

Stretching, Nadia went back to her room to grab some clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

As she picked up the washbasin, she noticed the blood-stained nightgown she had taken off that morning but hadn't yet washed. It reminded her of the man from last night.

She wondered if his abdominal wound had gotten any better. She hoped it hadn't become infected.

Nadia shook her head, wondering why she was thinking about that man for no reason.

She picked up the laundry detergent and poured it into the washing machine, completely unaware that the jade pendant the man had left her last night, which she had tossed on the sink this morning, had already disappeared.

Elise arrived at the Mitchell Family's Mountain-view Gardens and saw the golden medals of honor hanging on the walls of the hall. She immediately guessed what the hidden identity of First Young Master Mitchell was.

"Is the Young Master a soldier?" Elise asked worriedly, looking at Butler Lee beside her.

Butler Lee smiled and nodded, then shook his head. Their Young Master was not only a Major General in the Special Forces but also an undercover Narcotics Officer. He felt it was an honor to serve such a distinguished person.

However, Elise's face turned gloomy as she looked at Butler Lee.

If the man she was about to marry was a soldier, wouldn't that mean she would be practically "widowed" while he was away?

Soldiers were either stationed at the base or fighting criminals. Their lives were always on the line, and what good was money if he wasn't around to enjoy it?

If she had known this earlier, she wouldn't have pretended to be Nadia.

Elise felt a pang of regret, her eyes losing their sparkle.

Butler Lee saw through Elise's thoughts and added, "Don't worry, Young Madam. The Young Master will retire this year and transition into the business world to take over the Mitchell Family Group from the Old Master."

"Really?" Elise's eyes lit up immediately. Butler Lee nodded slightly with a forced smile, wondering why the Young Master had chosen such a "practical" woman.

"Young Madam, are you truly willing to be with our Young Master? If you regret it now, there's still time to back out," Butler Lee reminded her with a smile.

Elise didn't hesitate for a moment and declared firmly, "For the rest of my life, I'm sticking with him!"

"Very well! Since you have made up your mind to marry our Young Master, he has instructed me to fulfill any request you might have," Butler Lee said respectfully. His words filled Elise with joy.

"Does that mean whatever I want, your Young Master will give it to me?" Elise asked, blinking her eyes innocently.

Butler Lee answered with utmost seriousness, "Yes!"

"Then... what if I want the stars in the sky, Can your Young Master get them for me?" Elise teased.

Butler Lee replied without hesitation, "Of course!"

"I'm just kidding!" Elise burst into laughter, then composed herself and raised an eyebrow as she got down to business.

"Actually, I want to acquire a decoration and renovation company. Can you handle that for me?"

Butler Lee nodded, "Just give the order, and it will be done." With Butler Lee's affirmative response, Elise's eyebrows arched slightly, and a mischievous, triumphant smile curled on her lips.

"Young Madam, whatever you like, just let me know!" Butler Lee added.

Young Master Mitchell had already instructed him to ensure that the future Young Madam Mitchell would live comfortably and happily in their home.

"Hahaha—hahaha—"

Elise couldn't help but laugh with glee at Butler Lee's words.

This was exactly the luxurious life of a wealthy lady she had always dreamed of.

But all of this originally belonged to Nadia Clark.

This fact was always a thorn in Elise's heart. During dinner at Mountain-view Gardens, Elise sat at the elegant long table, holding a pair of silver chopsticks, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

She gazed at the table full of delicious and aromatic dishes, her mouth watering, unsure of where to start.

Meanwhile, in a small rented apartment, Nadia had only cooked a simple homemade dish. She sat at the kitchen table, slowly chewing her rice.

Back when she shared the apartment with Elise, Elise never ate at home. After all, Elise never lacked men to take her out for meals.

Nadia never questioned Elise's private life, and Elise was considerate enough not to bring men back to the apartment overnight.

However, in daily life, it was mostly Nadia who took care of Elise.

Whenever Elise got sick, had a fever, or suffered from menstrual cramps, even in the middle of the night, it was Nadia who spent her own money to buy medicine and took good care of her.

Elise never appreciated Nadia's kindness. She always thought that since Nadia came from a poor, rural area, being able to live with her in a big city was Nadia's fortune.

Therefore, Nadia taking care of her was only natural. The most frightening thing about a person is their ingratitude.

Nadia never truly saw what kind of person her daily companion, Elise, really was. She thought that Elise's daily smiles represented the strength of their friendship.

Little did she know, Elise's smiles hid a dagger, her true nature buried deep within her heart.

After dinner, Nadia cleaned up the kitchen, then grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

During the day, Nadia didn't have time to go grocery shopping, and now her fridge was empty. She decided to visit the nearby fruit market to buy some fresh fruits to stock up.

With her best friend Elise no longer around, every day from now on, it would just be her coming and going from this rented apartment. Although Nadia felt a bit lonely, she was determined to make her life comfortable and enjoyable.

At the fruit market, Nadia picked out some dragon fruit, bananas, and apples, and carried the bag to the counter to weigh and pay.

Just as she took out her wallet to pay, a long, slender hand had already handed a hundred-dollar bill to the cashier.

"Here's your change, fifty dollars. Please keep it safe, and we hope to see you again," the female cashier said with a bright smile, handing the change to the person who had paid.

Nadia was stunned and followed the hand with her eyes, looking up.

"Miss, your boyfriend is so handsome!" The cashier smiled at Nadia and then glanced at the man beside her, complimenting him with amazement.

This man was indeed very handsome! His face looked like it had been sketched by a court painter, with sharp features and flawless details.

He was dressed in a military uniform and boots, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs, exuding a strong sense of restraint and discipline.

He was a full head and a half taller than Nadia.

"You..."

"Come with me!"

Before Nadia could finish her sentence, the man reached out, grabbing her small hand unexpectedly and leading her out of the fruit market.

"Who are you? Let go of me!" Nadia demanded, holding a bag of fruit in one hand while trying to free herself with the other. But the man kept pulling her forward, making it impossible for her to stop.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," they say, but Nadia couldn't understand the man's feelings. She was even starting to think he might be crazy. After all, she didn't even know him!

The man suddenly stopped and turned around, causing Nadia to bump right into his chest. As soon as she looked up, he bent down and kissed her.

His kiss was forceful and domineering, prying her mouth open and taking what he wanted. His heart pounded fiercely, and his breath came in quick gasps, leaving Nadia's mind blank.

This familiar taste... It was just like the man from last night...

He held her tightly, pouring all his warmth, his breath, and his passion into the kiss.

Nadia struggled with all her might, her hands flailing as she tried to push the rude man away.

"Hiss—"

Suddenly, the man let go of her, clutching his stomach in pain. Nadia froze for a moment, then realized with a shock that he was the injured man who had crawled into her room last night.

"You..." Nadia was at a loss for words. She wanted to scold the man for his inappropriate behavior, but seeing his face turn pale with pain made her feel a bit guilty.

She changed her tone, "Oh, forget it! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you. How about I take a look at the wound on your abdomen?"

Why did he suddenly kiss her anyway? Nadia was initially furious, but remembering that she had accidentally hurt his abdominal wound, she found herself unable to stay angry. She decided not to hold it against him.

"I'm fine, really. I just don't have much time. I wanted to visit you at the villa, but the butler said you were out. I just came from the hospital after changing my bandages and didn't expect to run into you here. So, it must be fate between us.

Darling, wait for me. Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll be with you every day," Geraldo said, lifting his hand to gently ruffle Nadia's hair, his voice filled with deep affection.

What should he do?

It seemed he had truly fallen for the woman who saved him. Love at first sight, and even deeper at second.

Geraldo never thought he would fall so deeply in love overnight, trapped in the world of romance, unable to free himself.

Even though they had only known each other for twenty-four hours, it felt like they had known each other for a long, long time.

Perhaps, deep down, he had a sense of familiarity with her. It was this feeling that made him wait for her appearance.

Nadia, however, was left staring at Geraldo Mitchell in bewilderment, completely unable to understand what he was saying.

"Darling, I have to go now. Good night. Make sure the driver takes you home early, so I don't worry," Geraldo said, bending down to gently kiss Nadia's forehead.

Nadia stood there, bewildered. Just as she was about to ask what he meant, she saw him swiftly turn around, leap over the roadside flowerbed, and nimbly jump into a military green SUV that had just pulled up, with someone inside opening the back door for him.

With a "bang," the door closed, and the military green SUV sped off into the distance.

He was in such a hurry that he didn't even give her a chance to ask any questions.

Nadia raised her hand and patted her forehead. It hurt, so everything that had just happened wasn't a dream.

And what was up with that man anyway? He had kissed her forcefully and said some inexplicable things.

If he was safe and sound, why did he come back to find her?

She had noticed that the military green SUV had white plates, indicating it was a military vehicle.

Could he be from the army?

Nadia was just guessing wildly and didn't really dwell on the man's matters.

Maybe he was just grateful that she had saved him and meant no harm.

After getting back into the car, Geraldo rubbed his lips with his thumb, as if savoring something.

His comrade, Gregory, patted Geraldo's shoulder and teased, "Hey, First Young Master. Don't think I didn't see anything from inside the car just now. So, how was it? Were her lips sweet?"

Geraldo's face immediately tightened, and his sharp black eyes glared at Gregory.

Gregory couldn't help but chuckle. He raised his hand and made a zipping motion across his lips, signaling that he would shut up.

Shortly after, before starting his second mission of the day, Geraldo sent a message to Butler Lee at Mountain-view Gardens, asking if Elise had returned home.

Butler Lee quickly replied, informing him that the Young Mistress had safely returned home and had bought a lot of expensive, limited-edition clothes.

"Well, as long as she's happy," Geraldo muttered to himself as he sent the message to Butler Lee and then turned off his phone.

Losing her best friend had already been a heartbreaking experience for Nadia when she first entered the workforce. She never expected another blow to come so soon, just a week after Elise left.

Nadia had thought she could smoothly get through the internship arranged by the company.