LOGINVivian stared at the palm of her hand, which still felt warm from Billy's embrace. Inside the dim old apartment, the steady sound of his breathing contrasted sharply with the frantic pounding of her heart.Moving as slowly as possible, as though afraid of waking the monster sleeping beside her, Vivian carefully slid herself off the edge of the bed. She picked up her handbag and coat from the wooden chair with trembling hands. Her gaze lingered for a few seconds on Billy's face, which looked so vulnerable beneath the soft glow of the bedside lamp, before she finally turned away and walked out of Room 402.Click.The apartment door closed firmly. At the same time, Vivian leaned her back against the cold metal door in the silent hallway and let out a long breath that had been trapped in her throat."That's enough, Vivi. Don't look back again," Vivian whispered to herself, her voice hoarse.She hurried down the hallway, stepped into the freight elevator, and returned behind the wheel of h
The rumble of the black sedan's engine finally faded, leaving behind a suffocating silence inside the basement of an old apartment complex in a corner of the city. Vivian Wheeler sat behind the wheel, gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her breathing was still uneven, while the sour smell of alcohol mixed with vomit from the back seat continued to assault her senses.She glanced at the rearview mirror. Billy Harvey was still sprawled there, unconscious, his shirt disheveled and his breathing heavy."Why did I have to bring him here?" Vivian whispered to herself, her voice trembling as she struggled to contain the turmoil of emotions inside her.This place was neither a luxury hotel nor her new apartment in the heart of Manhattan. It was an old apartment complex located on the outskirts of a quieter district. A place that had silently witnessed her past. Apartment 402 upstairs was where Thabita Salton had once surrendered all her dignity, body, and soul to Billy Harv
The icy Manhattan night air pierced through their skin as Vivian managed to support Billy's unsteady body into the back seat of her sedan. Vivian's breathing was ragged, her chest rising and falling as she struggled with the man's weight."Ugh, what a hassle," Vivian muttered under her breath as she slammed the car door shut from the inside, locking the two of them in a cabin that suddenly felt cramped.Billy slumped in the corner of the leather seat, his head resting against the fogged-up window. The scent of whiskey mixed with his strong masculine fragrance wafted from his disheveled clothes, filling Vivian's chest with an inexplicable flutter.Vivian adjusted her blouse before pulling out her phone to call Lily."Lily, I'm in the car. I'm going to—"Grab!Before she could finish her sentence, a strong hand seized Vivian's wrist with a powerful jerk. Startled, Vivian dropped her phone onto the floor of the car as her body was pulled forward, colliding with Billy's warm chest."Mr. H
The pounding bass from the speakers of the nightclub in downtown Manhattan seemed to hammer relentlessly against Billy Harvey's chest. His fifth shot glass of the night clinked loudly as it hit the glass table. The amber liquid inside was already gone, leaving behind a burning sensation in his throat, yet it failed to numb the pain in his chest."Bill, you've had too much to drink," Donna Amanda said, her slender fingers with blood-red nail polish slowly creeping up onto Billy's shoulder.Billy did not answer. He merely let out a rough grunt without turning his head. His gaze remained fixed on the strobe lights spinning wildly.Donna shifted closer, pressing her body wrapped in a tight mini dress against Billy's side. To her, seeing Billy in such a mess after returning from Vivian Wheeler's apartment was a golden opportunity she had been waiting for over the past five years."You have me, Bill. Why are you still looking for that strange woman?" Donna whispered, her breath carrying the
Vivian Wheeler stood near the large window of her apartment, gently stirring a cup of warm chamomile tea. The glow of New York City's lights outside reflected against the glass, revealing the reflection of her face, which looked weary yet remained resolute.Knock! Knock! Knock!A knock at the front door shattered the silence of the night. Vivian frowned slightly and glanced at the wall clock, which already showed a little past eight. She set down her cup and walked gracefully toward the door. The moment the oak door swung open, Vivian's eyes widened as she held her breath for a second."Kennan?" Vivian asked, her voice rising a note in surprise.A tall man with a sharp jawline and honey-colored eyes stood there. Kennan smiled faintly, revealing the dimple that made his handsome face appear warm. In his hand rested a small casual suitcase."Quite a surprise, hm?" Kennan teased, his voice deep and soothing.Vivian immediately opened the door wider, allowing him inside."How are you here
Cakra’s footsteps sounded measured on the marble floor, breaking the silence of the CEO's office, which still felt tense. In his hand, a black leather folder was gripped tightly. The man stopped exactly two steps in front of Billy Harvey’s large desk. "Mr. Billy," Cakra called out, his voice breaking the silence with a very stiff, professional tone. Billy, who had been leaning his head against the back of his leather chair, slowly opened his eyes. The remnants of a headache still clouded his temples, leaving a visible trace of fatigue on his handsome face. "How is the report I asked for?" Billy asked, his voice hoarse and heavy. Cakra opened the folder in his hand, adjusting his glasses for a moment before reading the sheets of paper inside. "Our investigation team in Paris has just sent the official data regarding Miss Vivian Wheeler, Young Master." Billy straightened his posture, both hands resting on the desk, locking his gaze onto Cakra. "Tell me everything. Do not leave anyth
Meanwhile, inside his study room, Billy slowly opened his eyes when he felt a small, cold towel being placed on his forehead. The dizziness in his head had slightly lessened, although the throb at his temple still felt bothersome."Mr. Billy, you are awake?" Cakra stood beside the sofa with a worri
"Vivi, slow down!" Lily was half-running, chasing Vivian’s wide footsteps along the corridor toward the private elevator.Vivian paid no heed to her assistant's call. Her index finger pressed the elevator button repeatedly with impatience, her breath panting as if she had just escaped from a monste
Vivian tidied up her tablet with deliberately slowed movements, trying to hide the slight tremor at the tips of her fingers. Billy’s gaze, which locked onto her eyes, felt far too intimidating."Alright, I’m sorry I misunderstood you about that night," Billy said, his voice softening, losing most o
Chapter 10The sound of something shattering echoed loudly inside the silent apartment.Billy Harvey stood panting in the middle of the living room. The photo frame he had been holding moments ago now lay on the floor, its glass shattered into pieces. The photo inside had come loose, slightly bent







