"If I drink these, you won't bother Roy again, right?"Cynthia glanced at the three glasses of red wine, which were filled to the brim, before looking up at the man sitting across from her, who wore a series of earrings in his left ear. She asked.This man, Frank, has recently been the subject of a major interview for the magazine Cynthia works for. But in the course of his work he repeatedly tried to get close to her. Her colleague and friend, Roy, had been punished by Frank to help her, and even their camera had been smashed.Meanwhile, that interview didn't go ahead, and their supervisor was unusually angry, leading to both her and Roy being punished.Cynthia was here today to apologize for Roy and to try to persuade Frank to continue with the interview.Frank, half-lying on the sofa, stared at her. She had a strikingly beautiful face, but it was her perfectly tailored suit that wrapped around her slender frame that caught his attention.To him, she was even more enticing than wome
Amidst the whispers and stares from the bar's patrons, Cynthia stumbled out, her steps unsteady and desperate.The late spring night breeze carried a chill, cruelly slipping into her collar. She was soaked, unsure whether it was sweat or spilled liquor from her struggle earlier, and as she stepped outside the bar, a shiver ran down her spine.Suddenly, a strong wave of dizziness hit her, overwhelming her like a rushing tide.Her body felt drained, as if her muscles had been stripped away, and she was left weak and on the verge of collapsing onto the cold ground.Those drinks were definitely tampered with!Shaking uncontrollably, Cynthia fumbled for her phone, her fingers sluggishly gliding across the screen as she tried to call her best friend, Erica, hoping for her to come and help.But fate seemed unwilling to spare her.Just then, two tall, shadowy figures appeared from behind her, silently approaching. Before she could react, a large, rough hand covered her mouth.Cynthia felt the
Cynthia's face was pressed hard against the wall, causing a sharp pain."I spent a lot of energy satisfying you last night. And you're just leaving like this? Not even a thanks?" Lucien's magnetic voice whispered in her ear.He was utterly shameless! To put it bluntly, he had committed a crime! And now, he was asking her to thank him?!"I have nothing to say to you. Let me go!" Cynthia felt stripped of all her dignity in front of him.She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists, forcing her hands over her head. The barely hanging clothes slipped off her body, and she was once again pressed against the cold wall.Shame surged through her, overwhelming her thoughts."Nothing to say to me? Have you forgotten? We used to be husband and wife." Lucien's arms tightened around her waist, his body pressing dangerously close to hers. His lips brushed against her translucent earlobe, "I'm the one who knows best how slutty you are."His thumb ran over her lips, speaking slowly, "Your sk
Cynthia looked at Roy, a mix of emotions rising within her. Roy was handsome, and as a colleague, she knew him well. He was loyal, passionate, and responsible. If they were to date, he would treat her wonderfully—spoiling her and loving her. In every way, he seemed like a perfect partner.But..."Roy..." Cynthia wasn't sure how to begin.Roy spoke earnestly, "Cynthia, I love you! Over the course of our time together, I've realized I've unknowingly fallen for you. I know you need a warm embrace. Please, give me a chance. Marry me, Cynthia."Around them, guests turned to watch this heartfelt proposal, with some even encouraging her to say yes!"Say yes!"More voices joined in, repeating, "Say yes! Say yes!"Say yes?Once, she had thrown herself into love, only to be burned. Now, she had no expectations left...As Cynthia hesitated, a man suddenly walked up to them, his presence imposing and unnerving.He casually sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulder, his lips brushing agains
As soon as Cynthia heard her son's voice, a pang of emotion surged in her heart."Harley, are you okay?""I'm not okay, Mommy. I miss you so much. Mommy, make sure you eat on time and don't stay up late. Wait for me..." Harley rambled on, his words warming Cynthia's heart.A smile tugged at her lips. "Well, well, well, I know all about it, and what about Gerald? Did he listen to you?""Ugh, he doesn't listen at all. A woman came to see him again today, and he dragged me out..." The phone seemed to be snatched from Harley's hands, and his protesting voice could be heard, muffled as if someone was holding him down. Cynthia could almost imagine Gerald pressing Harley's head down.Sure enough, Gerald's familiar raspy voice came through the phone. "There's no woman, don't listen to his nonsense.""Yes, there is! A woman with a big butt, really ugly! His taste is getting worse... no medicine can fix it..." Harley's voice came again, but was cut off midway. Without a doubt, Gerald was coveri
On the other side.Cynthia's hands trembled slightly as she held the phone to her ear, listening to the steady dial tone. Yet, her gaze never left Roy. Biting her lower lip, her face was filled with guilt and remorse as she whispered, "Gina, can you come over? Something happened, and I need your help."After hanging up, she took a deep breath and slowly walked toward Roy, each step feeling as though she were carrying a crushing weight."I'm sorry..." Cynthia's voice wavered with emotion.If not for her, Roy wouldn't have been humiliated like this, wouldn't have been beaten so badly. She knew all too well who had orchestrated this—Lucien, the man she both feared and despised.But Roy didn't know. At that moment, his face was twisted in fury, his eyes burning with rage as if ready to set the entire world on fire. His fists were clenched tight, his whole body tense like a provoked beast, ready to pounce and tear his enemy apart."You don't need to apologize. This isn't your fault—it's th
Lucien's face contorted with a storm of emotions, dark and unreadable.It had only been six years, yet she had already learned to threaten him with a knife.Cynthia tilted her head up, locking eyes with Lucien. Time had passed swiftly, but he seemed untouched by it—unchanged in every way.The same striking face she knew so well, the same abyssal gaze. The way he looked at her now was exactly how he had watched her last—filled with an overwhelming hatred, as if he wanted to tear her apart.Six years ago, there might have been a shred of mercy left in him. But now, the tide of time had washed away every trace of warmth between them, leaving behind nothing but pure, seething hatred. There was no kindness left in his gaze, only cold, merciless fury.Perhaps it was the dim lighting of the room, or perhaps it was the sight of his loathing expression, but Cynthia's eyes stung. Her grip on the knife trembled slightly, and the sharp blade nicked Lucien's neck. A bead of crimson welled up, star
Lucien stood alone in the room, the air around him drained of all life, leaving only an oppressive silence in the wake of the violent confrontation. Blood trickled steadily from his palm, yet his expression remained vacant and hollow, as if he felt no pain at all.The door burst open, and Sandy stepped inside. The sight before her made her eyes widen in shock, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, a gasp escaping before she could stop it. "Lucien!"Without a second thought, she turned and shouted toward the hallway, urgency thick in her voice. "Hurry! Get me some gauze!"Moments later, the necessary supplies were rushed into the room.Sandy dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling slightly as she carefully cleaned the blood from his palm. Though her movements were gentle, they carried a sense of urgency. She wrapped the gauze around his hand, layer after layer, securing it firmly.Throughout the process, Lucien remained motionless, as
"Daddy, you must've made Mommy mad," Harley crossed his arms and sighed like a little adult. "She's ignoring you." He added with a worried look, "Gerald never dares to upset Mommy. The last time he did, she didn't let him through our front door for a whole month. Do you think she'll kick you out too?"Lucien crouched down to meet his son's eyes, catching a key word with razor-sharp precision: "Gerald… Daddy?" His voice sank, and his knuckles unconsciously tightened. That title pierced his chest like a thorn."He's been around since Mommy was pregnant with me!" Harley blinked, then leaned in mysteriously, curling a finger for Lucien to come closer. When Lucien obliged, the little boy's warm breath brushed against his ear. "He really likes Mommy, but she says he always brings around ugly weirdos." Then, tugging seriously on Lucien's tie, he warned, "If you act like him, Mommy won't want you either—and then I won't have a daddy again."Lucien's pupils constricted. He gently cupped the ba
The sound of the door closing finally faded, and Cynthia opened her eyes in the darkness. Her lashes trembled, her gaze full of conflict and struggle piercing through the night.She knew Lucien's history with Jessica came before their reunion—but the sudden appearance of a child, that line about "peaceful coexistence," and his proposal for Jessica to get an abortion all pierced her heart like thorns. In the dark, she clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.Twenty hours of being confined to the bed had left her legs numb. As she propped herself up against the headboard, she spotted a neatly folded dress nearby—its fabric carrying an unfamiliar warmth. The night outside was ink-dark, and then a child's voice suddenly pierced the silence:"Mommy! Mommy!"Staggering, Cynthia gripped the cold metal doorframe. Harley's voice, thick with sobs, crashed through the quiet. She fumbled the door open—and his small figure flung itself into her arms with such force they both tum
Lucien nearly crushed the steering wheel when he got Vicky's call. By the time he arrived, the scene in front of him made his blood run cold—Erica gripping a kitchen knife, dragging Cynthia behind her, Harley charging ahead with a broom, and Vicky chasing them in a panic. It looked like a total madhouse.Just as he got out of the car, he heard Harley's sharp little voice shout, "You big meanie!"A piercing screech of brakes tore through the air.A scooter came speeding from the side. Harley stood frozen in the bike lane, the broom falling from his hands with a clatter as he squeezed his eyes shut in fear."Harley!" several voices screamed in unison.Lucien moved on pure instinct. He lunged forward and scooped the child into his arms at the last possible second. They both crashed into the roadside bushes, dry branches tearing jagged scratches into his skin.Cynthia rushed over and grabbed Harley, her fingers trembling as she checked him all over. "Tell Mommy—does anything hurt?"Harley
Cynthia raised her hand to hail a taxi to Erica's place, but before she could, a strong hand clamped around her wrist. Lucien was suddenly there behind her, his eyes a storm barely contained."You hate me that much?" he said hoarsely. "You can't even stand to stay one more minute?""Stay?" She let out a cold laugh. "What, to talk about how many mistresses you have? How many illegitimate children? Maybe we should count now, just so your grandfather won't have to bring them home one by one. That way, I'll know how many people I'm supposed to share you with!"Lucien's temple twitched with rage. "I told you, no one but you is worthy of having my child! You're the one who wanted her to keep it!""Oh, so now it's all my fault?" Cynthia's eyes turned red with unshed tears. "Should I thank you for giving me the exclusive privilege of bearing your children?"Her voice trembled. "You think an abortion makes it go away? And when the next one comes along, you'll have her abort it too, all for me?
Back at the apartment, Cynthia walked straight to the bedroom without so much as glancing at Hogan."I'll find you some clean clothes,"she said."Um…"Hogan rubbed his nose, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "If you've got any... new underwear..."Cynthia paused. "Take a shower first. I'll bring it over when I find some."Throughout the exchange, neither of them acknowledged Lucien, even though his shirtfront was just as soaked.Sensing the tension radiating from Lucien, Hogan raised his voice deliberately. "Lucien, I'm going to shower now~ Where are the slippers?""Let Stephen bring the underwear,"Lucien said coldly. "The only ones I have are ones I've worn."Hogan blinked. "There's a supermarket downstairs. They probably sell them—"Before he could finish, someone grabbed the back of his collar. Lucien was already dragging him toward the door."Go dry off outside.""She's
Lucien's expression shifted subtly as he stepped toward her. "We do have a son. His name is Harley."His gaze never left Cynthia's face, but she wouldn't spare him even a glance."Impossible!"Janet shrieked, springing to her feet. "You've been divorced for six years! That bastard could be anyone's—""Janet."Cynthia's glare was sharper than any knife. "You'll regret saying that."She turned to Lucien, her tone calm as if speaking of someone else's life. "I found out I was pregnant after the divorce. I gave birth to him alone… raised him alone..."Her voice finally trembled. "I never planned to let you know."Lucien recalled the strange sense of closeness he'd felt when he first met Harley. His heart was struck like a gong. She had borne all of this—alone."I know."He pulled her into his arms, his voice hoarse. "Harley is my son."Mandy approached slowly. Cynthia immediately noticed the brui
Cynthia had just stepped out of the kitchen when she nearly collided with Marcus, who stood at the doorway with a frail-looking girl. The girl kept her head down, her steps hesitant."Come in,"Marcus said, stepping aside. But when he looked up and saw Cynthia, his expression shifted dramatically.The girl slowly lifted her head, and the moment their eyes met, both she and Cynthia froze in place.That face—it looked so much like hers. Even more than Jacqueline ever had. Put them side by side, and no one would doubt they were sisters."Dinner's ready..."Lucien's voice came from behind, but at this moment, it sounded sharp and jarring."Lucien..."Tears welled up in the girl's eyes as she stared longingly at the man behind Cynthia, yet she didn't dare take a step closer.Cynthia turned and saw Lucien's face clouded with dark fury. She said softly, "She's here for you."His pupils contracted. He reached out for her,
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. Cynthia carefully helped Lucien slip into a T-shirt, her fingers pausing for a moment when they brushed against the bruises on his back."You should really get checked out at the hospital," she said softly."You'll come with me?" Lucien pulled her into his arms like a child asking for candy."Mm-hmm." She agreed without hesitation, lifting her gaze to meet his deep, intense eyes. On impulse, she rose onto her toes and brushed a light kiss against the corner of his mouth. "Good morning."The sudden kiss lit up Lucien's entire face, so radiant it was almost blinding. Cynthia's ears burned red as she hurriedly pushed him away."We should get going."He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. "Okay."Every small act of tenderness from her was a priceless gift to him. He had all the patience in the world to wait—until she opened her heart completely.When they stepp
"Mommy can't come home tonight, okay? Be good and listen to your auntie,"Cynthia said gently into the phone.From the other end came Harley's exaggerated wail, "That uncle tricked you again! I'm never talking to him again! Hmph!"Erica took the phone from Harley. "You're staying at the Brown estate tonight? They accepted you back this fast?"Cynthia looked out at the night sky, her voice tinged with fatigue. "Not exactly. Lucien got beaten half to death by his grandfather just to bring me back. If you had seen it…""What?!"Erica shrieked. "And you? Are you okay? I swear, what kind of century are we living in where people still solve things with violence? Should I call the police?"Cynthia instinctively rubbed the red marks on her arm. "I'm fine. He took all the hits for me.""That's a relief,"Erica muttered, then lowered her voice, "That scumbag didn't give you any trouble, did he? If he so much as touches you, just