LOGINIn the misty steam of the hot spring, Bruce and Claudia stood dangerously close, their proximity creating a scene that felt intimate, sensuous, and painfully sharp to the eye.Isolde knew they shared a connection. She believed she had accepted it and had restrained herself with thoughts of repayment and reason.But when she saw it with her own eyes, saw them together in the pool, so open and unguarded, and saw him hold her in his arms, the last thread of her rationality snapped with a deafening crack.Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. An icy chill shot up from her feet, as if her blood had reversed and crept through every limb and joint. Her heart felt seized by an invisible hand and twisted tight, the pain so sharp she could barely breathe.A destructive impulse surged through her mind. She wanted to rush forward and drag Claudia out of the pool. She wanted to tear away the hand Bruce had placed on another woman.Her breathing grew rapid and harsh, and darkness flickered a
Claudia had been staring at her phone when the sudden commotion made her snap her head up.In the next instant, her eyes widened, and her phone nearly slipped into the water. "Holy shit?!"Bruce stood before her, his strong, well-built body fully exposed in the steamy air and warm lighting.Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, muscles defined with power and precision. Droplets of water slid down his sculpted abs and along the sharp lines of his V-line.The sight was striking, so alluring that it quickened her pulse.'No wonder he's the man I've set my sights on.' The thought surfaced at the worst possible moment, and she swallowed instinctively.Almost at once, doubt and unease washed over her, like cold water dousing any lingering infatuation.She fixed a wary gaze on Bruce as he stepped into the hot spring. She barely registered the beauty before she leaned back, her voice tight. "Bruce, what exactly is your scheme?"Last time, he had soaked in a wetsuit, fully covered, not even
Claudia's chest heaved with anger, the fringe of her dress trembling. "You had an agreement with me. I helped treat Isolde's hands. How can you turn around and fund Ydoria? This is outright betrayal!""Betrayal?" Bruce gave a low, mocking chuckle. "When Your Highness used me as a shield, publicly revealed our relationship on your own, and forced me to play along in this charade… that wasn't betrayal?"He crushed the cigarette into a nearby sandstone ashtray, his movements measured yet heavy with unspoken pressure. "I'm simply learning from Your Highness' way of handling matters and returning the favor."Claudia fell silent, anger rushing to her face and threatening to break her composure.Through clenched teeth, she said, "Bruce, don't forget that Isolde's hands are still under my medical team's care. At my command, I could cripple her for life. If she becomes disabled, she'll suffer forever, and she'll hate you forever."This was her final and strongest bargaining chip.Bruce's
The madness and recklessness burning in Isolde's eyes made Claudia's heart tighten.The smug, provocative expression on Claudia's face faltered at once.No matter what Bruce was planning, the one-week agreement had not yet ended, and everything had yet to unfold. If Isolde lost all reason and caused a scene, all plans would collapse, and every prior effort and calculation would go to waste.The sense of being held by the throat, especially by someone like Isolde whom she had never taken seriously, was unbearable.Claudia's expression darkened, her face turning both pale and flushed, her arrogant composure nearly impossible to maintain. "Isolde, you only know how to act tough in front of me. Bruce has wronged and betrayed you like this, yet you don't even dare raise your voice at him?"She stepped closer, her gaze sharp. "Are you so in love with him that you've lost yourself, or… do you not love him at all, which is why you can endure this so calmly?"The two of you don't look lik
Inside the hot spring club, steam lingered in the air, carrying a faint, soothing fragrance.The private bath area lay in near silence, broken only by the soft sound of flowing water.The moment they stepped out of the car, Bruce, as always, lifted Isolde into his arms and carried her with steady ease to the soft sofa bed in the private lounge. He set her down with care."You're hurt. You shouldn't be soaking. Just sit here and let the steam warm you. It'll help." He draped a thin blanket over her legs, every movement precise and deliberate.Isolde studied his profile at such close range, her gaze conflicted.Considerate? He truly was.But if he were truly considerate, why bring her here?In the end, she said nothing and only nodded.At her quiet compliance, as she suppressed every trace of emotion, a dark undercurrent flickered in Bruce's eyes before he forced it down.He straightened, his tone even. "I'll go change."Only after he disappeared into the changing room did the
Isolde's polite smile was now almost impossible to maintain. 'This man really is… skilled at playing both sides. While flirting with Claudia, he still makes a show of caring for his wife.'Bruce seemed completely unaware. He picked up a piece of cut steak with his fork and, as if by habit, brought it to Isolde's lips. His voice dropped to a low, magnetic tone. "The steak here is quite good. Try it."Isolde did not want to eat. Every part of her resisted. Yet in this situation, reason compelled her to obey, and she opened her mouth.The meat was tender and full of juice, melting on her tongue. The seasoning was precise, the quality unmistakably top-tier.'It seems this star-rated restaurant isn't a place Bruce has visited only once.' The thought tightened her throat, and the delicious beef suddenly became difficult to swallow. Humiliation, anger, and exhaustion surged within her."My hand hurts." Isolde's voice was cold and emotionless. "I want to go back.""It hurts?" Bruce immed
"Wait!" A crisp, steady female voice shattered the silence of the hall.The violinist rose from the musicians' section and, under the stunned stares of everyone present, walked straight toward Cheron.She raised her voice, clear and commanding as it carried across the banquet hall. "Alan Princeton
Alan had been waiting a long time. When he saw Cheron wheeled out, the final trace of uncertainty in his heart vanished.He strode to Bruce's wheelchair with the confidence of a victor, bent slightly, and spoke in a voice meant only for them."I heard you tried to play the pity card, hoping your t
"Murder! Sandra, you killed someone! I'm calling the police, calling the police!" Maxime fumbled for his phone and started to dial.'Call the police?' The words struck Sandra like a thunderclap and snapped her awake. 'No. He can't call the police!'After coming this far, she could not go to jail.
But moments ago, Cheron had said only that the ceremony was canceled. From his words, it was clear that he had no intention of restoring Bruce's inheritance rights.How had this happened? Where had everything gone wrong?"Do you regret it now?" Bruce asked quietly. His deep dark eyes locked onto h







