ログインI slipped into the driver's seat but didn't fire the engine right away.
I leaned back wearily against the seat, picking unconsciously at the steering wheel. Five million dollars sat quietly in my account, and the ashen, defeated faces of the three White family members still lingered vividly before my eyes. It was a total, unqualified victory. Yet my heart felt like it had been hollowed out-empty and achingly cold, as if a sharp wind was blowing straight through the gap.Linda's face went white. She could barely stand.She whipped her head toward Alexander, her voice scraping through clenched teeth."You knew all along?"Alexander glanced down, adjusting his cuff."That's an interesting accusation, Linda. You're the one who played the video. How could I have known what was on it?"Linda's voice turned shrill, desperate to regain control."Gerald! Elena must have been forced!"Her composure was gone."Alexander. This is you. You set this up to save yourself!""Elena!"Her voice cracked. One last thread of hope."Tell the truth. Did Luke force you?"Every eye landed on Elena.She stood where the light met the shadow. Her slender back was straight, rigid.Her face was pale. The fabric of her gown was crushed in her grip. But slowly, she lifted her head."No one forced me."Her voice was soft. But clear."I wanted this."Edward Voss shoved away the hands holding hi
Linda's fingers curled into her palms, nails digging in.Alexander's unshakeable calm infuriated her.She hadn't expected him to be this direct.This unflinching.What gave him the right to stand there so steady?The videos and photos she had were enough to destroy Lisa White's reputation.Enough to drag him through the mud too."Alexander. You're determined to protect that girl, aren't you? To hell with the dignity of both our families?"She drew a breath, as if summoning her last ounce of resolve.Her voice lifted, carrying to every corner of the room."Fine. If you want to see, I'll show everyone.""Just don't come crying to me afterward, begging me to take it back.""Gerald."She turned to him, her voice heavy and cold."I didn't come here to cause trouble tonight. But Alexander has pushed me too far. He's treated my family like we're nothing.""If the Knights won't give the Voss family the respect we're
Gerald's fingers stilled.The lid of his teacup clinked softly against the rim.He looked up, gaze heavy as it settled on Linda."Speak."The music in the ballroom had stopped.No one knew when.Every eye was fixed on the head table.Linda drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something monumental.She rose to face the room.The polite smile stayed on her lips, but her eyes held pain."Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion. Another union between the Voss family and the Knights. I know this isn't the right time to speak.""But for the sake of both their futures, I have to."She turned to Gerald, her voice trembling slightly."Gerald. I've watched Alexander grow up. I've always believed in his character, his abilities.""For Elena to be matched with him... it's an honor for our family. A blessing."Then her tone shifted.Heavy with sorrow."Lately, though, I've heard things. Rumors I di
Luke's breath caught in his throat.It hit him like a live ember, searing his chest.He stared at Elena's closed eyelids.Her long lashes trembling slightly.Her cheeks flushed like a ripe peach.She was setting his heart on fire.Twenty-nine years he'd lived.Reckless.Unattached.A man who played by his own rules.He'd heard every line—flattery, seduction, persuasion.But none of it had ever hit him like this.Just a few words from her, and his whole world tilted.The last two weeks, he'd been the one dragging her into chaos, showing her how to be wild.On the surface, he was in control.But only he knew the truth.This little innocent had quietly pulled him into a different kind of life.And now, what he was about to do to her went against everything she wanted.His chest tightened.A strange ache twisted in it, unfamiliar and sharp.For the first time, he didn't want her to
I stepped back into the main ballroom.Lights blazed.Voices hummed.Clara was tucked beside the dessert table, shoving macarons in her mouth.She spotted me at once and darted over."Enchantress. What took you so long?""My brother disappeared too. Did you two…"She froze.Her eyes went wide."No way. Tonight's his engagement party. You two really snuck off?""That's reckless."I calmly pulled my hand away, picked a small cake off a waiter's tray, and stuffed it into her mouth."Don't be ridiculous."Clara chewed, cheeks puffed, and mumbled in protest."Mmph…Don't think you can bribe me with sugar!""My brother vanished right before you did. Not even a dog would buy that coincidence!"I gently squeezed her cheeks."Is that all you ever think about?"Clara giggled.She suddenly remembered something and slapped my arm."Seriously! My brother's getting engaged tonight. Wha
Ethan lifted his chin and stared at his adoptive father standing against the light. He was looking up at a mountain he'd never climb. Two paths. One was a life of humiliation. The other was complete ruin. He finally understood. From the very beginning, he never stood a chance. He didn't just lose Lisa. He lost the faith and security he'd leaned on for twelve years. For twelve years, Alexander had been both father and teacher. He'd given him a life of luxury. Everything others envied. He'd never once used his identity as Michael Hart's son to pressure him. This was the first time. Using the birth father he respected most to whip him for his most shameful present. Shame crashed down harder than any punch. He thought of the words carved on his birth father's tombstone. Eternal Hero. He thought of the yellowed photograph of comrades in Alexander's study. Two proud men. One died on the battlefield.
A lingering gloom hung over the White Mansion.Since the scandal at Nebula Hotel and the ten million ransom, the White family had been severely weakened. Chloe White stayed home all day, her former arrogance gone.Winnie Carter’s visit felt like an unwelcome intrusion."Chloe
Ethan's head spun. A vein bulged at his temple.She dared to call him that?He instinctively took it as a vicious insult, payback for the things he'd hurled at her back at the cove."Lisa!"His voice came out as a low growl. His fists clenched tight at his sides.He wante
Copying sutras?Last time, he’d done it with such ruthless focus because desire had burned inside him with no release.Copying scriptures had been the only way to force down the urge to pin her right on the pages and take her apart.But last night, she’d calmed that res
Every word I'd said hit Song right in the chest.She sucked in a sharp breath.Then she grinned, excitement flickering in her eyes."So we just sit tight? Watch her dig her own grave? Wait for her to show her hand?""Exactly."I leaned back in my chair."Winnie's the







