Then, she turned back to Gary, her voice unwavering. “I want to get back what belongs to me. I offer fifty million.”A pin-drop silence filled the room. Her words were a declaration of war.Gary's face paled. He was caught between two impossible choices. Moonlight Group had already been sold to Theodore, but now, with Ainsley standing behind Eloise, the power dynamic had shifted.Not just Gary but the entire room was left reeling. They had assumed Ainsley had brought Eloise here to break her up. Yet now, she stood, challenging everything they believed.Just when they thought they had figured out the game, the board had changed entirely.Gary glanced at the people around him, feeling a wave of irritation wash over him. The curious stares, the hushed whispers, the way everyone seemed to be waiting for his response. It was suffocating. His fingers curled into fists at his sides. This was supposed to be his night; a moment of triumph, yet Eloise had managed to turn it into something else en
As soon as Lucian left the room, the people who had been simmering with anger but had not dared to voice their feelings suddenly erupted into hushed, bitter curses. Lucian ignored them. He turned, his sharp gaze lingering on the door for a moment before he pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He lit it, inhaling deeply, letting the smoke curl in the dim light. Then, with a flick of his fingers, the cigarette fell silently to the floor. He ground it beneath the polished leather of his shoe, crushing it methodically from side to side, as if trying to extinguish something far more than just the embers.His jaw tightened as he turned to the window, staring out into the night, his expression grim and unreadable. A moment later, he lifted his foot, stepped over the crumpled cigarette, and strode outside. The car tore down the road at an almost reckless speed, the night air whipping against the windshield. But Lucian didn't seem to notice. His hands gripped the wheel tightly,
Ainsley walked over to the bed and gestured to her. He ordered, “Sit here.”Eloise didn't know what was happening, but under his deep gaze, she gathered her courage and sat closer to him.Ainsley took a towel from a shelf and placed it on her head. He rubbed it gently, the fabric absorbing the moisture from her hair. Then he dried her hair with a hairdryer, his fingers combing through the strands with an unexpected gentleness.After her hair was dry, he said, “From now on, don’t sleep with wet hair.”Ainsley's actions didn't make Eloise feel better. On the contrary, she was about to go crazy because of this abnormal behavior.She didn't know what she was going to do, but she couldn't stand his behavior like that. She would rather Ainsley treated her the same way as before. She didn't want his sudden kindness.Finally, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she asked, “Why?”Ainsley put down the hairdryer and brushed her hair behind her ears. Instead of answering her, he said,
When Eloise heard what the fired receptionist said, she reached out her hand and stopped the receptionist. She said, “I can guarantee that Moonlight Group is not just a shell company like you said.”Eloise turned around and saw an employee standing hesitantly behind her. She asked, “What is your job in the company?”The girl looked startled by the sudden attention but quickly composed herself and stepped forward.“I’m an intern,” she said nervously. “Mostly, I just print documents.”“Do you know how to treat the customers who visit us?” Eloise asked, her tone steady and firm.The intern swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I haven’t done that before. But I think we should treat them politely and proactively,” she replied cautiously. Eloise nodded. “Very well. From now on, you'll be the receptionist of Moonlight Group.”Hearing Eloise's words, the fired receptionist felt humiliated. Her face turned red with anger, and she pointed at Eloise, shouting, “How can you ask an intern to be the receptio
Mandy’s eyes welled up as she looked at Eloise, her voice filled with emotion. “Miss Anthony, we’ve all been waiting for you to come back. We always believed that you would return to Moonlight Group.”Eloise’s heart clenched at Mandy’s words, a strange warmth creeping into her frozen chest.Mandy wiped the corner of her eyes and continued, her voice shaking. “Miss Anthony, three years ago, we tried our best to see you, but we were always blocked from accessing you. Later, we lost track of you completely. No one could tell us where you were.”Eloise’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides. “You tried to see me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Mandy nodded fervently. “Yes! Many of us did. But… it was impossible. It was as if you had vanished.”Although they had heard rumors that Eloise worked at Club Scarlet Heart, none of them had dared to look for her. If the rumors were true, Mandy believed that Eloise wouldn’t want to be seen like that.What Mandy said planted another
Ainsley returned immediately after Elijah contacted him through the mind link. The room was eerily quiet, the only sound was coming from the heavy rain outside.As he stepped inside, a cold chill ran down his spine. He followed Eloise’s scent, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. The dimly lit corridor led him toward the storage room with thick curtains covering the windows, no light could pass through, and the entire room was dark. The air was heavy, damp, and suffocating, making his heart ache.Ainsley looked around the room, his keen senses picking up the faint sound of breathing. His gaze swept over the furniture before finally landing on a small, trembling figure hidden in the closet. His chest tightened painfully at the sight. Eloise was cowering inside, pressed against the corner like a frightened child. She hugged her knees to her chest, her breathing uneven.For a moment, Ainsley just stood there, his fists clenched at his sides. He had never seen her like this before. No
"Eloise, you know what? The truth is that you were protected by the former Alpha. And you have yet to engage in the real battle."After saying this, Ainsley stood up, tidied his clothes, and left the study without another word.Sitting on the couch, Eloise was left alone. She stared at the desk, Ainsley's words echoing in her mind. Eloise had always believed she was exceptional, that the rise of the Moonlight Group was a result of her talent and hard work.However, Ainsley had just shown her a different perspective, one she had never considered in all these years. Her opponents were not all knights.Her grandfather, the former Alpha of the Golden Spring Pack, had warned her from day one about the treacherous waters of the business world. But she had been too arrogant to take his words seriously.Eloise was not stupid. On the contrary, she was highly intelligent. Whether Ainsley was mocking her or trying to teach her something, he was right about one thing. This video proved a point, so
"Really? Am I worse than you? You played the victim and seduced me, and now you're using the same trick to flirt with Ainsley." When Lucian mentioned Ainsley, he became even more furious, and his words turned harsher. He sneered, "I wonder how you managed to seduce Ainsley." He lifted Eloise's chin, came closer, and said, "You are sleeping with him, right? Tell me how hard he used to fu*k you. You must enjoy having sex with him? Damn it!" Eloise's chest heaved violently, and her face turned as pale as a ghost. She never thought she would hear such insulting words from Lucian. "Let me go," Eloise said, trying to stay calm. But her voice was shaking. She looked up and met Lucian's eyes. She still remembered that when she first met him, he was just as frivolous. But after getting to know him better, she had learned that wasn't really who he was. "Is that what you think of me?" Eloise asked. Lucian had once been like a ray of light that illuminated her world. If she had a choice, she
Time passed slowly.Eloise glanced at her wristwatch again, her brows knitting in frustration. The ticking felt like it echoed louder in the room than it had any right to, like each second was dragging its feet, deliberately mocking her patience. She shifted slightly in her seat, the silence becoming more stifling by the minute. Ainsley sat across from her, completely still, his small eyes trained on her face with an eerie calmness.The shrill ring of her phone startled her.Her body tensed instinctively. She snatched the phone from the table, her thumb sliding across the screen to answer.“Are you here yet?” she asked sharply.From the other end, Eric’s voice came hurried, uneven, and heavy with movement. He was clearly in motion. “I can’t come,” he said, no greeting, just urgency. “I’ll leave Ainsley with you for now.”Eloise shot upright. “Wait a minute,” she snapped. “Leave him with me for now? Isn’t Hank there?”She heard the sigh in Eric’s throat before he spoke. “Hank isn’t fre
Stepping aside, Eloise said in a formal tone, “Let me introduce you. This is Jack Ray, the representative of our partner.”Mandy, blinking in confusion, stepped forward and extended her hand politely. "Hello….."“Mandy, I’ll follow the project this time,” Eloise cut in swiftly, not allowing her to finish.Mandy froze, utterly bewildered.Eloise leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll explain after we get back.”Jack personally walked them all the way to the car, his gaze never leaving Eloise until she disappeared from his sight.Inside the car, Eloise slumped back against the seat.“Have you met Jack before?” Mandy asked curiously as they neared the Moonlight Garden. “I thought I was going to be in charge of the project?”Eloise forced a smile. “Don't misunderstand. There are certain things about this project I need to handle personally. You've been working so hard, Mandy. You deserve a break.”Mandy still looked unsure. “Okay… but rest well after this problem is solved, okay?”A
The secretary suddenly stood up, her voice hurried and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mandy." Our president said he wanted to meet with Ms. Anthony alone to seek cooperation this time.”Eloise, Mandy, and the other Anthony Group representatives exchanged confused glances, uncertainty flickering between them. What a strange request! Suspicion brewed silently in the air.Mandy parted her lips to protest, but Eloise reached out, stopping her with a firm hand. “Take the others out of the conference room,” she instructed quietly, her voice calm but commanding.“But…” Mandy’s brows furrowed in deep worry. She didn’t want to leave Eloise alone.Eloise looked at her steadily, her gaze unwavering, burning with determination. “Mandy, you know how important this cooperation is to me.”It wasn’t just important to her; it was crucial to the future of the Anthony Group. It was everything.Mandy hesitated a moment longer, then finally nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice reluctant. She signaled the othe
Ainsley was in a pitiful state; his clothes soaked through, his shoes worn out beyond recognition. He must have been searching for her for a long, long time, wandering alone through the rain.“Get in the car,” Eloise said urgently, her voice cracking as she took his trembling hand.Leading him carefully, she guided him back to the car, shielding him as best she could from the relentless rain.She pulled open the back seat door and gestured for him to climb in. But Ainsley stubbornly shook his head, water flying from his wet hair.“No,” he said firmly.“Why?” Eloise asked, frowning deeply, confused by his sudden refusal.“I don’t want to sit in the back seat, I want to sit there.” He pointed insistently at the passenger seat beside her.Eloise blinked, momentarily stunned. She didn’t quite understand what difference it made, but for Ainsley, it clearly meant everything.“I want to sit next to you,” he said seriously, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that surprised h
“No reward?” Ainsley’s mouth trembled, and he looked like he might burst into tears at any second.Eloise bit her lip hard. “Of course, you get a reward. Like I said, you did great.” She reached out and ruffled his hair. The next moment, she froze as Ainsley, clearly overjoyed, rested his head contentedly on her shoulder.Just then, Eric came up behind them, his voice low. “Everything’s ready, we can send it now.”No one spoke. The tension in the air was almost unbearable as they quietly got into the car. As the vehicle rolled down the dark road, Eloise stole a glance at Ainsley, who had already fallen asleep beside her.He used to occupy most of her life — in every memory, every thought. Now, the air inside the car felt stifling. Eloise turned her head sharply to the window, blinking hard. He couldn’t remember anything.All the entanglements they once shared ; love, hate and pain, now belonged to her alone.The car headed farther into the remote outskirts, taking a dark road lined wi
Eric hesitated, concern flickering across his face, but finally he nodded and stepped out, shutting the door behind him with a soft thud. Silence swallowed the room. Eloise stood motionless for a long, long time. The steady beeping of machines was the only sound, each one a harsh reminder of how fragile life was.Finally, she moved. Slow, heavy steps carried her to Ainsley’s bedside. She reached out with a trembling hand but stopped an inch from touching him.Instead, she sank into the chair beside him, folding her hands tightly in her lap to hide how badly they shook. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just sat there, hour after hour, her eyes never leaving his broken body.Five days and nights blurred into each other.Every time Eric or Jacob tried to pull her away, she stayed rooted there.“Won’t it hurt her if she doesn’t cry?” Eric asked once, whispering in a low voice, watching her through the window.“I’ve been through worse,” Eloise heard it she croaked, her voice raw and
“I want shoes to match,” she said softly.“Yes, ma’am. Right away,” the shop assistant said, hurrying off.Mandy walked closer and touched Eloise’s arm gently. “Eloise... are you sure you’re ready for this?”Eloise turned her eyes toward her. There was no hesitation in them. Only a fierce, burning determination.“I have to be,” she said, her voice almost breaking. “I don’t have a choice.”Mandy’s throat tightened. She wanted to hug her, to pull her back, to stop her from going, but she knew she couldn’t.Just then, Eloise’s phone buzzed.Mandy immediately grabbed it from the counter and handed it to her. “It’s Jacob,” she said quietly.Eloise answered on the second ring. “I’m ready.”“Good,” Jacob’s voice came crisply through the speaker. “A car is waiting for you outside. Your passport and visa are in the car. You’ll be taken directly to a private jet. You need to leave within the next twenty minutes.”“Understood,” Eloise said without hesitation.“And Miss Anthony... don’t be late,”
Mandy, who was driving, opened her mouth, only to realize she couldn't find a word to comfort Eloise. She knew Eloise too well, so she didn't feel the need for words to comfort her.The Anthony Group had many problems. Perhaps they had been overlooked, or perhaps Gary didn't think they were serious. Mandy was a little worried about Eloise, who was in the backseat. When Eloise was busy, she worked almost suicidly. Mandy thought she was supposed to hate Ainsley. After all, he was the one slowly forcing an extroverted woman into a corner. In all of Metrocity, Ainsley was the only person who could corner Eloise. But now, Mandy felt grateful to Ainsley. At least he would come on time to pick Eloise up for lunch and dinner, or Eloise would be too busy to eat.Mandy accompanied Eloise to work for several days, and Ainsley did not appear during this time.Eloise knew he was on a business trip.It wasn't the first time Ainsley had been on a business trip. Before, he'd call her no matter where
"Ainsley WIlliams! Damn you! "You promised me!” Eloise’s eyes blazed red with fury, veins visible on her temples as her body shook violently.Her scream echoed so loudly throughout the room that the light on the ceiling trembled from the force of her rage. She kicked at the bed frame, sending it crashing against the wall with a loud bang. The curtains flapped wildly in the air from the force of her movements, as if they too were disturbed by the storm erupting within her.The pain that flashed through Ainsley's eyes nearly froze him in place. His breath caught, but he focused hard on what he was doing, refusing to waver, even though guilt was clawing through his chest.Then her voice ripped through the room, raw and shattering, “Ainsley! I hate you!”Ainsley's eyes were filled with unbearable pain, the kind that didn’t show in blood but hurt worse than any wound. He clenched his jaw and abruptly lowered his head. Without a word, he pressed his lips to the scar on the back of her waist