MasukAt last, the men stepped back.Elva checked the camera screen, then powered it off and slipped it back into her bag.She walked slowly toward Gia and crouched down in front of her.Gia was tied to the tree, her head hanging limply.Hearing footsteps, she lifted her eyelids with extreme effort. Her unfocused gaze slowly settled on Elva's face. Suddenly, summoning the last of her strength, she spat forward--blood-tinged saliva landing at Elva's feet."Karma..." Gia's voice was so hoarse it was barely audible, yet filled with vicious resolve. "Even if...even if I'm like this now...as long as I'm still alive...I'll live better than you ever will..."Elva tilted her head slightly, unangered.She reached out and gently brushed her fingertips across Gia's swollen, split cheek, the gesture almost tender."What a shame," she murmured, as if sighing. "Such a face...even without makeup, it's enough to captivate anyone."She took a small transparent glass vial from her coat pocket. Inside was a c
Elva slowly turned around.Dressed in white, she stood out starkly against the dark green of the forest. Her face was even paler than her dress, her lips almost completely drained of color.She stepped closer and bent down, ripping the tape from Gia's mouth in one swift motion.Rip--Gia sucked in a sharp breath, pain flaring at the corners of her mouth as if they were on fire.A smile appeared on Elva's face. She turned to the two men beside her and spoke softly, almost reproachfully. "There's no need to be so rough."Gia's heart pounded wildly.Her hands and feet were icy as she shrank back, her voice trembling. "Elva...you lured me here on purpose, didn't you?"Elva clapped her hands lightly, her smile deepening. "I was wondering whether you'd actually show up. I even prepared to send someone to fetch you. I didn't expect you to cooperate so nicely.""I came to apologize!" Gia raised her voice. "What happened that day--I really didn't mean it...Please, forgive me just this once..."
The silver Maybach stood out sharply in the stream of traffic.When the light turned green, it accelerated smoothly through the intersection.Fion gripped the steering wheel, his palms slightly damp.He didn't know their final destination, but ever since Liam had gotten into the car, a heavy pressure had settled inside--cold, oppressive, the same aura he carried when he had just returned to the country."HG Manor," Liam said, rubbing his throbbing temples. He took out two painkillers and swallowed them dry.Fion glanced at him through the rearview mirror and asked cautiously, "You don't look well, sir. Should we postpone the trip?""Just drive," Liam replied, staring out the window, his voice stripped of emotion.Silence returned to the cabin.The mountain road twisted ahead, shadows of trees flashing past on both sides. Fion glanced back again--Liam had his eyes closed, brows tightly drawn, his pallor unmistakable."Sir...should we go back to the hospital first?" Fion couldn't help a
Late at night, the woman on the bed fluttered her lashes and slowly opened her eyes.The moment consciousness returned, the memories from before she blacked out surged back all at once.Her heart tightened. She quickly placed a hand over her lower abdomen--it was still flat, yet she could faintly sense a fragile, rhythmic pulse beneath her palm.She turned her head and gently brushed aside the stray hair falling over Liam's forehead.The instant her fingers touched his skin, she froze.He was burning hot.Ding--She pressed the call button. Medical staff rushed into the room almost immediately.Robin arrived soon after, rubbing his tired eyes.Seeing that Cecilia was awake, he looked surprised. "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"Cecilia tried to speak, but her throat was dry and tight. She attempted to push herself up, only to collapse back against the pillow from weakness. All she could do was lift her hand and point faintly toward the side of the bed.With that
Liam truly showed no mercy. Every strike carried ruthless resolve.Bang!He kicked the coffee table over. Cups and saucers rolled across the carpet, shattering on impact.Ronald stopped retreating and threw a punch in return.He remembered Gia mentioning that Liam had an injury in his left arm, so he deliberately aimed his attacks at that side.Liam noticed his intention--but didn't care. He even charged straight into the pain. The agony in his arm had long since gone numb.Ronald hadn't expected such reckless disregard. For a split second, his mind went blank.In that instant, Liam's foot slammed into his ribs.Ronald's jaw clenched as blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. A searing pain shot through his wrist--and he distinctly heard the sound of bone shifting out of place.Liam twisted hard, dislocating his right wrist without hesitation. Still not stopping, he grabbed Ronald's left arm and snapped it down with brutal force."Ah--!" Ronald finally screamed, staring at the man
In the hospital ward, Robin stared at the numbers on the monitor, his brow deeply furrowed.Liam sat beside the bed, his fingers brushing gently over Cecilia's pale cheek before finally closing around her icy hand.His voice was low. "What caused it?"Robin hesitated for a moment. "After a joint consultation, the department heads believe it may have been exposure to something prohibited during pregnancy.""That's impossible," Liam said flatly. "I personally prepared everything she uses.""Based on her physical reaction," Robin added, "it was likely something she's been carrying with her recently. Possibly in her handbag."Liam's gaze sharpened. He stood abruptly. "Her bag?""You thought of something?"Liam slammed his fist hard against the wall and spoke coldly toward the doorway. "Go home immediately. Bring me the white handbag next to the sofa."The bodyguards moved quickly. When the bag was delivered, Liam dumped everything inside onto the table.Robin examined the items one by one







