Love Ends Here

"Lawrence, you're already 30. You're not young anymore. Are you really planning to stay at that company forever? If you're not getting married, just come back for a blind date. Your Aunt Ella found a young lady for you. She's coming back from abroad next month, and she seems nice. Come meet her."It was nearing the end of the workday when Lawrence Hale received the call from his mother, Maddison Pace.It wasn't the first time she had called to pressure him about marriage. Usually, he'd hesitate or brush it off. But this time, his answer was different."Alright. I'll come back once I quit my job."On the other end, Maddison went silent for a moment. "You're serious about coming back?""Yeah, I'll be back."After hanging up, Lawrence started packing up his desk to leave when the office phone buzzed."Come in."Lawrence pushed the door open, and his gaze immediately landed on the woman standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.She had a stunning figure and a beautiful face. Under

When Julia discovered that Lawrence had turned off his phone, she was so furious that she nearly smashed it.He had spent the entire afternoon at a café. For the first time, he felt like time truly belonged to him.It wasn't until dark that he turned his phone back on. Dozens of missed calls and countless messages flooded in."Where are you?"I'm waiting for you at your place. Come back now."Lawrence, I'm giving you half an hour. Come back now."The last message was sent at 3:00 pm, and now it was 6:00 pm.Looking at her messages, Lawrence sneered. Just by reading these, he could imagine how angry Julia must be at that moment.He wandered around, ate some of his favorite foods, and then returned home leisurely.The apartment was pitch dark when he walked in. He bent down to change his shoes. As he flicked on the lights, he saw Julia sitting on the couch.Seeing him come back so late, Julia was seething. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting fo

Lawrence had never known he was just a substitute. The moment he saw Patrick, many things he hadn't understood before suddenly became clear.He now understood why Julia had always loved giving him that particular tie. It was the one Patrick wore.Looking down, Lawrence felt his eyes begin to tear up.Back at his apartment, still wearing the ruined suit, Lawrence threw the ring he had so joyfully chosen for Julia onto the table. He stared blankly at the moon outside the window.He remembered the first time he met Julia. It was at a bar seven years ago.He had been short on money and worked there as a waiter. Then, he met her. Julia had immediately taken an interest in him and hired him as her assistant.Over time, Lawrence developed feelings for her. Perhaps sensing this, Julia had invited him to become her lover.At that time, she hadn't made their relationship public, and he thought it was just a matter of time before it happened.But now, he understood that he would never be

In the chaos, Julia, just freed from her restraints, rubbed her red wrists. She asked in confusion, "What money?""It's nothing." Brandon sneered. "This gentleman said if we abducted you and he came to the rescue, he could force you to marry him. What's wrong? Now you want to back out?"Julia's anger exploded as soon as she heard that. "Lawrence Hale! You actually had someone abduct me? Are you out of your mind?"Lawrence looked at Julia and put on a mocking smile. "Can't you tell? I don't even know these people. Besides, do you think I'm that kind of person?"Just then, Patrick appeared at the perfect moment. Julia rushed into his arms, almost on the verge of tears. "I was so scared, Patrick. I never thought Lawrence would be like this!""It's okay. It's fine now. You're too much, Lawrence. Are you even a man?"Although Patrick was scolding him, Lawrence saw a flash of amusement and provocation in Patrick's eyes.Suddenly, he understood.These people were hired by Patrick."W

"I'm asking you! Did Lawrence have someone abduct me?" she demanded."Yes!" Patrick pulled her into an embrace. "Jules, you heard what they said that day! It was Lawrence who hired them. If I hadn't shown up in time, who knows what could've happened?""Then why did they beat him up so badly? I only told them to teach him a lesson. If they knew him, how could things have gone so far?" Julia shouted. Her eyes were red with anger."How would I know?" Patrick argued, "Maybe Lawrence staged the whole thing himself. Maybe he disappeared on purpose to get your attention. Otherwise, why would the police still be unable to find him after all this time?"His words slowly brought some life back into Julia's fading hope. "So, you mean... Lawrence's not dead? Yeah, he's definitely not dead!"Patrick saw the light in Julia's eyes, which had faded earlier, slowly starting to gather again. At that moment, he understood something."Jules, have you… fallen for Lawrence?" he asked.The question ma