Miley’s POV:
Alcohol fueled my uncontrollable thoughts. Emotions and feelings suppressed for a decade now magnified infinitely.
The resentment of unrequited love and the bitterness of unwillingness overlapped and deepened, stirring restlessly within me.
“Mr. Robinson, may I ask you a question?”
Everett held his cigarette between his fingers, flicking ash from the tip with his pinky. “What would Miss Taylor like to ask?”
“Do you remember me?”
He frowned. “Have we met before?”
The flicker of hope in my eyes instantly extinguished.
Though I had long anticipated this answer, hearing it confirmed from Everett’s own lips still left me feeling profoundly let down.
I lifted my glass and downed it in one gulp.
Gathering my courage with alcohol, I said, “We have met. Ten years ago, you participated in a hostage rescue as part of the special forces. Do you rem
Eleanor’s POV:From outside the car window, I saw him leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed.Knock… knock…I tapped on the car door. He frowned slightly and looked out the window.Seeing me there, he rolled it down. “What is it?”“Mr. Robinson, is your stomach acting up?”“No…”“I called Assistant Davis. He said your condition requires medication, and he’s on his way.”“….”“Why does Davis have to blab everything?”Fearing Everett would blame Davis, I quickly added, “I also told Scarlett. She said you should rest inside until Davis arrives.”At those words, his eyes lit up.“She really agreed to let me inside?”If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would never have believed that a man like Everett Robinson, CEO of W.S., could look so flustered.I
Scarlett’s POV:Eleanor had a point.I hesitated for a moment before sighing softly. “Let’s see how things go. Where are those properties you mentioned?”“Right under the tree up ahead.”Eleanor pointed toward the window. “You can see them from here!”I stepped out of the bathroom and walked toward the window.Fortunately, I had drawn the curtains as soon as I entered the room, so I wouldn’t be caught on camera.I gently peeked through a small opening and looked down.It was too dark outside, so I could only vaguely make out a black sedan parked beneath the tree.I frowned. “The car doesn’t look like a paparazzi vehicle. Eleanor, did you misidentify it?”“I couldn’t tell what kind of car it was!” She scratched her forehead.I kept staring at the car, a sudden suspicion rising in my mind.“Go down and check
Everett’s POV:After the call ended, Davis immediately stepped forward to retrieve his phone, looking at me with concern.“Miss Taylor is clearly lying. I can’t help but feel she has ulterior motives in asking for your number. Mr. Robinson, you must be cautious!”“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing the bait.” I stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray. “Her attitude toward me is already brimming with eagerness. By engaging her, I’m keeping her focused on me. At least this way, before I figure everything out, Scarlett might stay somewhat calm.”“You have thought this through quite thoroughly, but Miss Scarlett doesn’t know that. I sense she is quite averse to Miley too.”“We can’t worry about that now.” I glanced at my watch. “You should go rest.”He nodded and turned to leave.I entered the bedroom, grabbed my pajamas, an
Davis’s POV“…”How could I have known that in those five minutes, Amelia had orchestrated this entire scene?It was fortunate I had only been gone for five minutes. Had it been any longer… well, Mr. Robinson’s integrity might have been compromised.Reflecting on it now, I realized I had indeed been negligent that day.“Mr. Robinson, I’m sorry.”He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Never mind. Right now, we need to confirm whether Amelia shared these photos and videos with anyone else. Also, did Miley say anything else?”“I’ll look into Amelia’s end.” I paused before adding, “Miley only sent these photos and videos.”“Ask her what she meant by this.”I nodded and dialed Miley’s number.On the other end, she answered quickly, “Assistant Davis.”I pressed speakerphone. “He
Davis’s POVBefore long, Alicia replied. This time, she messaged directly on WhatsApp.Alicia: (I am currently in Eastern Europe. Even if I rush there, I won’t arrive until the morning after tomorrow, okay?)I handed the phone to Mr. Robinson. He lowered his gaze. Alicia’s newly updated WhatsApp profile picture showed a breathtaking cliffside landscape… likely one of the souvenirs from her vacation, as expected.“Got it.”I took back the phone and typed:Davis: (Mr. Robinson says it’s okay!)Alicia: (Got it. Send me the details of the person I need to protect later.)Davis: (You don’t know your boss’s ex-wife well?)Alicia: (????)Alicia: (Did the boss get divorced? I’ve only been gone a little over a year. Already?)Davis: (It’s a long story!)Alicia: (I don’t feel sorry for the boss, but I wish his ex-wife well.)Davis: (….)Auntie, stop talking!Sometimes I couldn’t figure Alicia out. Simply put, she was a mix of aloofness and bluntness. As one of the world’s top elite female bodyg
Everett’s POV:I pondered Miley’s words.They largely matched the information I currently possessed.Before she came to L.A., the Taylor family heiress had never been publicly acknowledged. She remained so low-key it was as if the Taylor family had no daughter at all.“I understand,” I said, my expression neutral as I looked at her. “Ten years ago, during that kidnapping case, I was simply doing my duty as a soldier. Saving you was my mission. Miss Taylor, you needn’t place such importance on the fact that I saved you.”“Impossible!” she snapped. “I could never forget you! To me, you were the hope that kept me going all these years. I valued you so deeply… how can I treat you so casually…”Her eyes were bloodshot, her gaze fixed on me with extreme obsession.My expression darkened slightly. “If you insist on clinging to this delusion, Miss Taylor, then I suppose there is no point in continuing this conversation tonight.”I stood up, making a move to leave.She panicked, scrambling to