Louisa's POV
The party started at dusk.Standing behind the upstairs window, I watched glamorous rich people gently walk into the mansion. Among them, I recognized some familiar faces, including prestigious businessmen, politicians, and celebrities. They were chatting with Lucas, who looked fascinating and sophisticated in a sleek tuxedo. He looked as confident as a prince holding a glass of champagne in his hand. It seemed that my husband was indeed doing a groundbreaking job to expand his social circle. Taking a glance at myself in the mirror for one last time, I bit my lips.I couldn't recognize the girl in the mirror. I had never put on this much make-up like this on my face. The only thing that looked familiar was my chestnut-colored hair and olive-colored eyes. "Look at you! You look stunning in this beautiful dress!" Jessica exclaimed with both of her hands overlapping on her chest. "Go downstairs and let Lucas see you! He'll be more than happy to present you in front of everyone!" Then, she nudged me and said, "As his wife, you'll have to get used to this kind of occasion."I slowly moved downstairs. My plan was to blend into the crowd without being noticed. But all of a sudden, I heard Jessica's loud voice from behind -"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? I hereby present it to you... Mrs. Louisa Farrow!"At that moment, everyone downstairs was looking in my direction, including my husband. Mrs. Louisa Farrow. This new identity sounded alien and dangerous to me.This grand entrance was completely different from what I had in mind. However, I had to go along with it. Then, I saw the darkening look on my husband's face.What happened? My heart sank. Did I do something to embarrass him in front of everyone?I wanted to walk away, but it was too late. I was standing there in front of everyone. I had nowhere to hide. My husband put down the champagne glass and walked straight toward me. He looked still calm and reserved as usual, but I could tell he was mad at me. "Is this some sort of sick game that you're playing with me?" he asked. "Lucas, I don't know what you're talking about..." "You're wearing Laura's dress. Where did you get this dress? You've got no right to wear it." Lucas' voice was stern and cold. I took a glance at Jessica. She had a shit-eating smirk on her face. That fucking bitch set me up! At that moment, I wanted to jump at her and punch her stupid face. But I didn't want to make a scene. So, I took a deep breath and said, "Lucas, there's something I need to tell you..." He interrupted me and said, "You've already said enough. Now go upstairs and stay there. I don't want to see you tonight.""What's going on here?" I heard Mrs. Farrow's voice from behind.As soon as she saw me, her face became pale. She covered her mouth with both of her hands and exclaimed, "This isn't happening... Lucas, whom are you talking to? Is that Laura?!" Lucas quickly approached her and caught her in his arms. "Mother, she isn't Laura. Laura's dead." He said in a low voice, trying to soothe her. "No! That's Laura! I recognized her dress!" Mrs. Farrow looked as if she was under a serious panic attack.Lucas immediately turned to me and said anxiously, "Take off your clothes."I petrified.Is my husband asking me to take off my clothes in front of a whole house of guests?!"You've heard me loud and clear, woman. Damn it! Take off your clothes now!" Lucas said in a pressing voice.Mrs. Farrow was going through a seizure in Lucas' arms, with her eyes rolling around and white foam in her mouth and everything. I ripped the satin dress off my torso and threw it at Jessica, who looked horrified by what she had done.Mrs. Farrow's body started to twitch like she was possessed. The crowd panicked and withdrew, but I walked forward wearing nothing but undergarments. "Stay away from my mother," Lucas warned me. I ignored him and held Mrs. Farrow's head in my hands. Her mouth opened and closed due to the spasm of her muscles. If I didn't do something, she would bite her tongue and choke on her own blood.I didn't think twice and put my arm into her mouth. She bit my arm and wouldn't let go of it. It was so painful that I had to bite my lips. "What are you doing?!" Lucas looked shocked, trying to pull me back. "I'm trying to save your mother's life," I said with fast and shallow breath. "Hold her head and keep it from bumping into anything. Do it right now before she breaks her neck!" Lucas immediately followed my instructions. Blood kept coming out of my arm. Lucas saw it and frowned. I looked at the crowd and said in an assertive voice, "What the fuck are you looking at?! Call for an ambulance!" People immediately took out their mobiles and started to dial. Mrs. Farrow's body was still twitching, but it wasn't as badly as it used to be. Finally, when the paramedics arrived, Mrs. Farrow was rushed into an ambulance. The gentle cool breeze at night was stroking my skin. I held my arms and realized that I was practically naked. At that time, someone placed a jacket on my shoulders to cover me up. I turned back and saw my husband standing behind me."My mother's condition is under control." Lucas took out a roll of bandage and grabbed my arm. Then, he started rolling the bandage to cover the bite mark on my forearm. I wrapped his giant jacket around my body and secretly inhaled. I loved the mixture of cigarettes and cologne on it. It was a unique smell that I would definitely miss."The paramedic told me that you've played a critical role in saving my mother's life," he said. "Where did you learn how to do it?""I used to work as a night shift paramedic in an E.R. at the City Hospital," I replied. "If I get shot one day, will you patch me up?" He lowered his head to get closer to me. His voice was deep and breathy. I could tell that he started to get curious about me. But it was too late. I had already made up my mind. We remained silent for a while.I could see disappointment in his eyes. "I didn't expect my mother would have such a strong reaction to a dress," Lucas said. I took a deep breath and said, "Jessica gave me the dress and told me that you would love to see me in it. I just wanted to impress you.""I am impressed." He said, placing his arms around my waist. "Not because of what you were wearing, but because of what you've done..."At that time, my husband's voice stopped.I looked up and followed his eyes to see Jessica sitting alone on the ground, holding her knees and weeping like a child. She looked so hopeless and innocent.Lucas said, "I have known Jessica all my life. She has always been the spoiled one. This must be one of her pranks. She's terrified right now and she needs my help. Do you mind if I go and check her out?" "Not at all." I let go of my husband and said in a decisive voice. "But before you go, I've got something to show you."I took out a mobile phone from my purse and handed it to him. It was the one that I used to record Dr. Jafar's confession. Lucas looked confused. "And one more thing. I don't want to be your substitute wife anymore. Lucas Farrow, I want a divorce."Louisa's POVLucas froze. "What did you just say?" He asked. "You've heard me. I want a divorce," I said. "Prepare the papers and I'll sign them."His face darkened.I continued in a plain voice, "Our marriage is a mistake. Let's stop it right now before we make it worse." Jessica popped up from nowhere and overheard my speech.Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, no! Louisa!" She exclaimed like a drama queen, with one hand placed over her forehead. "Do not do this to Luke! There's nothing going on between me and Luke. He's so kind and generous!" Then, without waiting for me to say anything, she leaned against Lucas and said, "Oh, Luke. What can I do to save your marriage? It's all my fault. If you want me to apologize to Louisa, I can say sorry to her. What shall I do, Luke?"This fucking bitch is pulling her fucking gimmick again. I thought to myself. Do you want hell? I'll give it to you.I grabbed the mobile phone in Lucas' hand, switched the volume to maximum, and displaye
Lucas' POVI don't understand women, yet my life is full of them.They are unpredictable creatures. Last minute she's my wife. The next minute she's standing on your doorstep, flirting with some other guy.I really should have chained her to my bed or locked her up in a dungeon or something.I don't love her, but she's my wife. It's complicated and I don't expect anyone to understand."I guess this is the Mr. Farrow that you've mentioned," the man who was flirting with my wife said. I didn't like his tone of speech and I didn't like his face. People like that don't usually last more than five minutes in my life. When he put his hand into his inner pocket, all my bodyguards stepped forward and pulled out their guns. At the same time, his crew did the same. A shootout was about to start. "OK, this is enough! Everybody! Put your guns down right!" My wife stared at me and that guy alternatively. The other guy took a glance at his men and suggested they put down their guns. My men
Lucas' POV"Who is he?" I asked. "He's one of Frank Sawyer's apprentices," Colin said.Frank Sawyer? The legendary hidden multi-billionaire Frank Sawyer?Only a few people have heard of Frank Sawyer's name and I am one of them.It seemed that my father used to work for him when he was still alive.And then, for some unknown reason, they drifted apart. My father refused to tell me anything about it. Frank Sawyer held the largest business empire in the world. He was one of the wealthiest men on earth and he had more influence than presidents and kings. Rumor has it that he passed away last week. How on earth does an ordinary girl like my humble wife have something to do with someone like Frank Sawyer? I thought to myself."Frank Sawyer was a self-claimed philanthropist. He had adopted children all around the world and trained them to be his private guards when he was still alive. Those apprentices were professionals, brainwashed killing machines. They can penetrate, kill, and overt
Lucas' POVLycidas!He's coming for my wife!I stretched out my arms, trying to pull my wife back.But I didn't get hold of her.Instead, my arms were pulled up and pinned behind my back.Before I realized what happened, my face was pinned against the ground. I couldn't move my body at all. "Lycidas, don't hurt him!" I heard my wife's broken voice. She was terrified. She was begging someone for my life.The most humiliating thing in a man's life was his wife begging for mercy from another man.I growled, trying to push myself up, but I failed.It was at that time that I felt a foot stepping hard over my neck. My vision turned black. I could feel the bitterness in my mouth. It was my blood."What is it, Miss Torrington? Why are you crying like this? Have I ever done anything violent to scare you?" Lycidas' voice was slithering in my ears like an evil snake."No... Lycidas... Let go of him! He just wants to talk to me..." My wife's voice was trembling. "OK, now I see. He divorc
Louisa's POVI woke up in a giant king-sized bed in a huge bedroom that looked like a basketball court.I couldn't remember how long I had slept, but when I woke up, I couldn't even feel the left half of my body.It took me a while before I could sit up straight.What is this place? I looked out of the giant French windows.It seemed that this place was located on a mountain or something.It was surrounded by tall, dense redwood trees.The door opened.A tall, muscular man walked in with a giant tray in his hands.For a brief moment, I thought it was Lucas.But when I rubbed my eyes, I recognized that it was Lycidas.He was wearing a white T-shirt and sweatpants.The rest of his outfit fit him perfectly, but it only looked tight around his chest area.I didn't know that he was this muscular because he was always wearing a suit."You've slept for three whole days." He kicked the door closed behind him and placed the tray in front of me. "I've prepared some breakfast for you. I hope you
Louisa's POVOutside my window, there was a guy sitting on a Harley Davidson.He was wearing one of those leather jackets that bikers always wear.He looked so hot even with his helmet on.He moved his hand and asked me to open the window.I rolled down the window and tried to act casually. But actually, my face was as red as a tomato.The guy lifted the screen on his helmet.The face behind the screen was as flawless as a 3D-printed AI face that directly came from some online RPG game.As his turquoise eyes lay on me, I felt a surge of adrenaline in my head. What the fuck is wrong with me, being so horny during the day?"Hey," he said. "Do you need a hand?"And yes, his voice was ethereal."I can't start my car. There's something wrong with the engine," I answered in a breathy voice."Are you in a hurry or something?" He asked."Actually, yes... I'm on my first day of work. I'm supposed to report to HR like... 15 minutes ago," I muttered."Well, in that case..." He closed the lid and
Louisa's POV"Miss Torrington. It seems that I bumped into you again." I heard a familiar low, husky voice.I lifted my eyes and saw the man on the Harley Davidson standing in front of me.But he wasn't wearing a leather motorcycle suit.He was in a sleek black tailored suit.And he looked ten times hotter wearing a black tie than he was wearing a helmet."Mr. Thornton!" Monica Hayden exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be down here on the 15th floor..."Mr. Thornton? I frowned. Is that his last name?He ignored Monica's brittle voice and continued helping me put all the papers back into the folder."What are you doing out there, you clumsy girl? Quit standing there like a pole and say hello to our CEO!" Monica urged me in a low voice.I was shocked.The handsome Samarian who gave me a ride to work and held my hair while I was puking was...The CEO of the company that I was working in?!He looked too young to be the CEO of the world's largest listed company.As I was in com
Louisa's POVThe room temperature seemed to rise.I instantly turned crimson. I had never been cornered by a man like this. He didn't really restrain me like what my ex-husband used to do in bed, but I literally couldn't move my limbs under his gaze. Just like what had happened this morning, this scene... His gaze and tenderness... They were things that I only dreamed about when I was a teenager. And it seemed that all my adolescent wet dreams were realized by this damn good-looking guy with a big job and an even bigger...This was too good to be true. I thought to myself. I lifted my head to look into his eyes. His scent was so sexy and sweet that I almost wanted to close my eyes, waiting to be kissed. But at that time, I felt a buzz coming from my thigh.I almost jumped up when I felt the buzz. My head bumped into his chest when I looked down to check what was going on. He chuckled slightly, but he didn't step back or let go of me. He just stood there, letting my forehead