After stepping out of the room, Gloria woke up from her trance and struggled.
She said, "I won't go, Mr. Hammond. I won't go. Can I live alone? I prefer to live alone. I beg you. I don't want to move there." She refused to leave, but she was too weak to cut herself loose. It was no use begging for mercy, and she scolded angrily, "Patrick! You are so overbearing. You are breaking into my home! It is kidnapping!" Before she could finish her sentence, a phone was handed to her. Patrick said, "Take it and call the police." Gloria had used all her tricks. He was not angry even if she begged for mercy or scolded him. Patrick was terrifyingly rational! "What exactly do you want?" Gloria asked dejectedly. Her hoarse voice was no longer as humble as when she was begging for mercy. It didn't even sound as mad as she cursed just now. There was simply despair. "Patrick, I'm so tired. Please." She was exhausted and desperate. It was as if she wa"There are books there. You can read them if you want. I'm going to a meeting," Patrick said. Gloria was stunned as Patrick turned around and walked out of the office, leaving her here alone. Looking around, the decoration here was no different from three years ago. It was his usual style. Gloria was arranged to sleep in Patrick's bedroom for two nights. However, she had not slept for two nights. She sat down on the sofa and soon could not resist the sleepiness and fell asleep on the sofa. About an hour later, the door opened silently. Patrick stood at the door and was surprised to see that Gloria had fallen asleep on the sofa. Then, he walked to the sofa and looked at the woman in front of him for a long time. It seemed that the temperature in the office was relatively low. Gloria, who was on the sofa, was not sleeping soundly and slowly curled up. He took off his suit jacket and covered her with it. When he got close to Gloria, he
Patrick stood up and walked towards Gloria. He raised his hand, looked at his watch, and said, "Let's go. It's time for lunch. Let's go downstairs to eat." Gloria thought that she might go through the torture of being stared at by the crowd this morning, so she didn't want to leave this office. She lowered her head and said in a low voice, "I'm not hungry." Patrick raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm hungry." "I don't want to eat. I'm not feeling well and have no appetite. I won't have lunch." Gloria said again. Patrick knew that it was her excuse. He said calmly, "You don't feel well. Alright, I'll take you to the werewolf hospital of Black Thorn Pack." Then, he took out his phone and made a call. "Sean, are you in the werewolf hospital now?" Gloria, who was on the sofa, suddenly reached out and pulled his sleeve. There was a trace of surprise in his eyes. He did not expect that the call would make her so anxious. Caught off
Moonlight Group was founded by the old Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack, but the actual operator was Gloria. On the day of Gloria's 18th birthday, he signed the change of property rights himself, and from then on, Gloria, an 18-year-old girl, became the CEO of Moonlight Group, a huge company. With Gloria running the company, the profit generated by Moonlight Group could cover the half-year expenses of the Silver Spring Pack. When the old Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack, Gloria's grandfather, was still alive, he favored Gloria especially. Even Harry, his grandson, couldn't be compared with her. Gloria had been nurtured by the old Alpha since she was a child, and Harry did not get to have such treatment. Because of this, back then, Gloria was known as the confident and flamboyant Miss Carter. In terms of packs, she-wolves' marriages tended not to be valued, including Alphas' daughters. The best thing that could happen to an Alpha's daughter w
Gloria followed Patrick to a jewelry store with a simple décor. Yet when Gloria walked into the jewelry store, she realized that it was no ordinary craft workshop. On both sides of the jewelry store were a variety of accessories and each of them had a unique design. She couldn't help but exclaim, "It is the side business of some great artist, right? Who is the owner?" It might be true that Patrick could erase her identity and her past. However, he couldn't alter her taste. She had been nurtured by the old Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack since she was a kid. In other words, it was something in her blood. "You are right. This is..." Just as Patrick was about to speak, he was interrupted by a woman. "I didn't expect to run into you when I came to Gabbs on vacation, Mr. Hammond. I guess it was the Moon Goddess' blessing." From a room inside the shop came a woman with features both deep and delicate. Gloria sized the woman up quiet
Gloria still remembered that three years ago. She stood in front of that gate. She and Harry looked at each other through the gate. Today, she looked serious and determined. Her steps were slow yet very steady. Everyone was watching them as they walked in. Patrick was born to be eye-catching. Nobody could ignore him. But today, people paid more attention to Gloria. With a little makeup, it was easier for people to recognize who she was. "That is ... Gloria?" "Why is she here?" "Why is she with Mr. Hammond?" "I thought she had disappeared." "That was a long time ago. Don't you know that? I heard from Audrey that Gloria had become a timid woman. She's no longer like before." Everyone was discussing Gloria and Patrick while looking at them. Their eyes were filled with doubt and disbelief. Harry and Alger were chatting with guests. At this moment, they looked at Gloria with gloomy expressions.
Gloria's mind became clearer after the despair. She understood that Camille had already revealed her thoughts the moment Camille said, "I will visit you another time." "Camille, do you still consider it a kind gesture if you pay a visit?" Gloria asked. Gloria removed Camille's hand, which was grabbing her arm tightly. She pushed Camille away and said, "Will you excuse me? Camille, I'm busy." After that, Gloria turned around and walked clumsily towards Patrick in her heels. She didn't walk towards Alger and Harry again because there was no point in questioning them anymore. Standing not too far, Alger and Harry saw that Gloria was not walking towards them. They heaved a sigh of relief, but before they resumed calm, they were frightened again. "Why is she walking towards Mr. Hammond?" Alger asked Harry, looking worried. Alger had no clue, and neither was Harry. Camille was shocked and a little annoyed after Gloria pushed her awa
Gloria clenched her fists as she uttered her theory, controlling herself desperately for fear that she might rush forward and punch the man she had called Daddy for more than twenty years. Her heart ached. The people around knew that Moonlight Group was no different from worthless already, but a lot of them were still interested and kept bidding. Their voices calling out bids rang in her ears. Gloria hated that she could do nothing but stand by and watch them. She clenched her fists harder, letting her nails sink into her palms. "You've run Moonlight Group too well," Patrick said meaningfully. He reached out and unclenched her fists gently. Gloria gritted her teeth and thought, 'You are right. I've run the company so well that even though everyone here knows Moonlight Group is a shell now, they're still bidding because the company's reputation is still there.' "Any other offers?" Alger said to the guests who showed up today in high spirits
Gloria had been trembling with anger, but after Harry said that, she calmed down. Gloria raised her head and looked at the young and handsome face in front of her for a while. Suddenly, she chuckled and said, "I never knew that you were so jealous of me, Harry. Grandpa brought me up and taught me. Do you think that he favored me and I took your position? Mr. Carter, do you think that I took everything that should belong to you?" Gloria suddenly felt that she did not understand this "family" that she had spent twenty years with. "Grandpa gave me a chance, but he also gave you a chance. That summer, when it was so hot that people could fire eggs on the ground, grandpa asked us to transcribe the history of werewolves under the shade of trees. But you were playful and couldn't stand the heat. You couldn't sit still and ran to the house to play video games. I was afraid that he would punish you, so after I finished my part, I helped you finish yours. Mr. Carter, fr
"Does it hurt?" Luana silently asked herself.Once, she had known pain—excruciating, soul-crushing agony that had left her curled on a cold floor, voiceless and desperate.It had been a pain that stripped away all hope in this man before her, eroding her very will to live. It had been so severe that even in her final moments, when she'd longed for a glimpse of him, he'd refused even a phone call.That pain was no mere physical wound. It was a despair that seeped into her very being.It was after enduring such torment that she had finally seen Cline for what he truly was—a man utterly ruthless toward her.Yet now, here he was, holding her and asking if she hurt. The irony was bitter, almost laughable.With a cold, expressionless face, she said, "The five minutes are up. Let me go."But Cline, who had finally held the person he'd obsessed over, had no intention of releasing her so easily.He held her tight and said, "
Cline held tight to her arm, as if he'd never let go unless Luana gave him a chance to speak.Luana, brows furrowed, sighed and relented, "Five minutes, right here."Cline's cold gaze shifted to Dorian, who shot him a glare before turning to Luana."Five minutes, then home," Dorian warned.Luana nodded meekly, "Okay."Only after Dorian strode into the villa did Luana turn to Cline, her voice cool and impatient."Well?"In Dorian's presence, Luana had been the picture of obedience, just as she used to be with him.Now, though, Cline saw a change in her—calm, distant, and edged with impatience.This new version of Luana only deepened the ache in his chest.He longed to reach out, to brush his fingers against her face, but as his hand rose, she flinched violently, stepping back as if struck.Luana stared at Cline's right hand, her pupils suddenly clouded with fear, as if the ghosts of past trauma had res
Luana nodded in agreement and turned toward the stairs.But after just two steps, she froze, her fingers brushing the banister.Slowly, she turned back, her voice hesitant. "Clarissa, I came back as Dorothy... What about Gehrmann?"Clarissa had guessed that Luana had returned as her sister Dorothy the moment she heard Dorian call her by that name.Clarissa's smile was warm, reassuring. "I won't say a word to him or Cline. Your secret's safe."Relief flickered in Luana's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, the word soft as a feather.As Luana walked away, Clarissa watched her retreating figure, worry knotting her brow."Is this luck or a curse?" she thought, "Leaving Cline only to be trapped by Dorian."At the car, Luana opened the passenger door and slid in."Home at ten seems early," she ventured, her tone tentative.Dorian glanced over, his indifference palpable. "Make it eight, then."Luana's lips twitched
Clarissa watched Luana's fingers tighten around the phone until her knuckles whitened. "When I first saw those messages flooding in, I tried luring him out myself—posed as you, planned to bring the cops. But instead of catching a creep, I got..."She trailed off, the memory of the man in the café still prickling her nerves.A man as cold and heartless as Cline—why would he cling to memories of Luana like this?"Anyway," she shrugged, "he never showed. Guess some ghosts stay buried."Luana's voice was a whisper. "These things... they should've been my fight. Not yours."Clarissa cut her off, "If it were me in this mess, you'd do the same. So quit with the thanks already."Luana nodded meekly, her lashes drooping as she glanced back at the phone screen.The mystery gnawed at her—Mr. Night's messages reeked of obsession, yet he hid in plain sight. Why?She couldn't fathom it, and frankly, didn't care
"I had no choice but to pull a dumb move—I seduced Gehrmann and took Naomi's spot as his bedwarmer," Clarissa said flatly, her voice echoing off the brick walls."I thought I could use him to get back at Cline. Turns out I was dumber than a bag of hammers—Gehrmann wouldn't lift a finger against Cline for any woman." She kicked at a pebble, watching it skitter into the shadows. "By the time I figured that out, he wouldn't let me walk away."Clarissa shifted her weight, catching Luana's profile in the dim light."But don't you worry, Luana. I ain't falling for Gehrmann's charm. This world's got exactly one good man left—Albion. And he's six feet under."So, I won't be that girl anymore—the one who pours her heart out for every little kindness, even when it's not worth it."Mentioning Albion again made Luana's eyes dim as if the light behind them had been switched off.She lowered her lashes, hiding the sorrow pooling th
Third Person's POVLuana tightly embraced Clarissa, hoping to alleviate her pain.Clarissa, however, patted her back with a smile and said, "It's alright. After finding out the truth, I was devastated for a while, but then I pulled myself together. I installed surveillance cameras and recorded every moment of their infidelity, which I sent to my lawyer."I won the lawsuit, but I couldn't get the house back. I could only recover the mortgage payments, the money I spent on him, and compensation for emotional distress..."However, what I didn't expect was that someone would expose Albert's bigamy online, ruining his reputation. His company fired him, and no other major firms would hire him. As far as I know, his current salary isn't even enough to cover the mortgage. Plus, his mother has cancer, which is why he keeps begging at my door."Clarissa's voice turned cold as she continued, "He thinks I'm still the naive woman I once was, that if he kneels a
Clarissa took a deep breath, opened the bedside table, and took out a marriage certificate, handing it to Luana."You two weren't entirely meant to miss each other. At least he kept his promise from when you were young and married you."Seeing the marriage certificate, Luana's eyes welled up.She reached out and slowly unfolded it...Name: LuanaName: AlbionBeside them was a composite photo of the two, dressed in white shirts, with a red background, their faces beaming with happiness.When Luana was eighteen, she had asked Albion, "When are you going to marry me?"Albion, engrossed in a book at the time, looked up and playfully tapped her nose with his pen, saying, "When I'm capable of giving you happiness."Luana pouted, dissatisfied, "But when will that be?"Albion held up his book and replied, "After I've mastered all this knowledge and become someone worthy, then I'll marry you."Luana rested her chin
Last time, it was her negligence that failed to keep Albion by her side. This time, she was determined to do everything in her power to protect Luana.Clarissa raised her hand and gently patted Luana's shoulder, hoping to offer some warmth.Time ticked by, and they remained in the same position until a man in a gray suit approached.Clarissa looked up at him, noticing his gaze fixed on Luana, and her tension grew.Before she could inquire about his identity, the man stepped forward and gently pushed Luana's head with his slender fingers."It's ten o'clock. It's time to go home..."Luana, recognizing Dorian's voice, didn't lift her head, her lifeless eyes fixed on the floor.Dorian frowned at her silence, then bent down slightly and spoke patiently, "Dorothy, come home with me."Luana raised her weary head and said, "I don't want to go home today..."She wanted to stay and support Clarissa, to quietly live for herself for
She couldn't believe it. Even with the news reports and Clarissa's own words, she still refused to accept it.Albion, the gentle and considerate young man who had cherished her, how could he have taken his own life in such a tragic way? It was impossible.Luana shook her head in disbelief. "No, he wouldn't do this..."Clarissa stepped forward and embraced Luana. She felt Luana's body growing cold, and her heart ached."Luana, I don't want to believe it either, but..."Clarissa's words trailed off, tears streaming down her face.Three years ago, fearing Albion might do something rash, she had followed him to the cemetery.There, she found no sign of Albion, only bloodstains on the tombstone.Her unease grew as she searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found.The next day, the news reported that Coburn Group's CEO, Calvert, had committed suicide at the cemetery.Only then did she realize Albion had truly done s