When Derrick took out the cigarette case, he took out a lighter as well. Gloria grabbed both the cigarette and the lighter.
Derrick was stunned. "What are you doing?" Gloria dodged him, lit the cigarette, took a puff of smoke, and exhaled a white mist. Then she looked at him and said, "Mr. Fisher, see? What do you really know about me? You don't even know that I smoke, and you just assume that the woman standing in front of you is not a gold digger?" Gloria glanced at the panic-stricken Derrick mockingly, her expression was magnified in the white smoke. Right now, the expression on Gloria's face made her look like a gold digger who despised a poor boy. "Go away," Gloria's eyes turned cold, and she deliberately said with disdain. She flicked the ash off, but her movement was very rusty, and she almost dropped the cigarette butt. Yet at this moment, Derrick's attention was on Gloria's face. Derrick never expected to see such aPatrick carried Gloria out of the car as she asked. Gloria shouted, "I won't get off! Let me go!" Being on Patrick's shoulder, she grabbed the car door and kept struggling. In a panic, she failed to care whether or not she had kicked Patrick. "Not getting off? You said you wanted to get off, right?" Patrick teased. Gloria choked. Then, she mocked, "Before I was sent to the werewolf prison, didn't you say that I wasn't your mate? You even rejected me!" "That was a mistake. I am correcting it now." Patrick's handsome face looked serious. "Patrick," Gloria smiled, "I am also correcting my mistakes." Patrick's eyes turned cold. He ignored her refusal as if he had not heard her words. Instead, he declared, "From now on, you are my mate, and you'll be the mother of our children, and become the Luna of the Black Thorn Pack." "You should have done this a long time ago." Leo cheered. About Gloria, Leo often had different though
A black Bentley drove on a boulevard and stopped at the iron gate of the villa of the Alpha of the Black Thorn Pack. Patrick got out of the car first and then bent down to carry Gloria out. Gloria looked blank and did not respond to him. Damon came out to welcome Patrick. "Alpha Patrick, you're back." As soon as he finished his words, he saw Gloria in Patrick's arms and wrapped in Patrick's suit jacket. Damon's eyes turned sharp as he could sense Patrick's smell mixed with Gloria's. His lips moved, but in the end, he did not say anything and bent slightly to welcome Patrick back. "Alpha Patrick, I'll help take Miss Carter upstairs." Damon did not want Gloria to stay in Patrick's arms. Patrick took a big step aside to avoid Damon and then continued walking forward. He said coldly, "It's getting late. Beta Damon, go rest." Damon didn't give up and said, "It doesn't matter." "Beta Damon, you don't need to worry about such
Patrick's eyes were cold. He carefully observed Damon's reactions and subtle changes in his expressions. Thus, he saw a trace of viciousness flash across Damon's face. He could not turn a blind eye to it and pretended not to notice it. He said, "Damon, you hate Gloria so much, and I can't be at ease. She is my mate and also the Luna of the Black Thorn Pack. She will live here with me in Alpha's villa. I won't give you a chance to hurt her." Although Damon hated Gloria, Patrick was relieved because of Damon's reaction. At least, Patrick could guess that Damon had only told his grandfather secretly that he was investigating the case four years ago. "It's late. You should rest." Patrick threw the cigarette butt to the ground and then walked away. Before he left, he glanced at the river not far from him from the corner of his eye. Just now, Damon didn't reveal the slightest bit of trace that he knew that Patrick's grandfather had framed Gloria
Damon's eyes darkened. He called out to Gloria, "Wait a minute!" He caught up to Gloria in two steps and handed a small paper ball to her. He said fiercely, "I'll give it to you, but I still don't believe in you!" Without saying a word, Gloria opened the paper ball, took out a pill from inside, and stuffed it into her mouth. The pill dissolved bit by bit in her mouth, and its bitter taste spread. She continued to walk forward. As she walked, she said, "I need more of it." Damon was dumbstruck and did not come back to his senses for a long time. He could not believe that Gloria would take the contraceptive pill in front of him. "No problem. I'll prepare more for you." Damon added angrily in his heart, "It would be best if you were unable to get pregnant!' Kevin was attentive to Gloria. Just as Gloria returned to the corridor, she saw Kevin walk over with a thick blanket in his hand. He asked with concern, "Luna, where have you been?"
At dawn, Gloria closed her eyes on purpose and pretended to be asleep. "Wake up, Gloria." Patrick pushed her. Gloria turned over and looked as if she had not slept enough. "Let me sleep a bit more." Patrick laughed. He rarely saw Gloria act cutesy, so he said generously, "Alright. I'll get Kevin to prepare the food. Get up and have breakfast later." "Okay," Gloria muttered. She covered half of her head with the quilt. Patrick's eyes flashed with tenderness. He reached out and rubbed her hair. "Be good." Gloria felt the mattress bounce and then heard the sound of the door closing. She turned over, pulled away the quilt covering her head, and revealed her indifferent eyes. She did not move until she heard the sound of the car downstairs. She got up from the bed and stood by the window, watching coldly as the car drove out of the villa. There was a light knock on the door, as if concerned about waking her up. Glori
Hearing Camille's words, Gloria was stunned. She looked at Camille with doubt in her eyes. Camille tightened her grip on Gloria's arm and nodded to her. Gloria took a deep breath and looked up at Patrick. She said, "What a nice day. I want to go for a walk." Patrick nodded. He walked toward Gloria while taking off his coat and putting it on Gloria. He said with concern, "Don't stay outside for too long. It's still cold." Gloria nodded and then left the room with Camille. Patrick cast a glance at Kevin. Kevin followed Gloria and Camille out silently. He kept a certain distance from them while making sure that they were within his sight. There were two tall trees outside the villa. In the past, Gloria liked them very much. Gloria stopped in front of the trees. She turned around and asked Camille, "The rogues who killed Gabrielle four years ago returned to Gabbs?" Camille nodded. "That's right." "How did you and Alpha Alg
"Gloria." Camille's face turned pale as she murmured. Gloria stood up, and Kevin intended to help her. She refused Kevin and said, "It's fine. I haven't seen Camille for a long time. She just told me a joke." Kevin nodded and then kept his distance from her again without saying a word. Gloria turned to look at Camille and smiled faintly. "What you said can only prove that I am a cold-blooded murderer." "No! I believe you, Gloria. Alger and I both believe that you are innocent. Back then, we had no evidence and were afraid of the Black Thorn Pack, so we did not dare to stand out and challenge Alpha Patrick," Camille said while observing Gloria's reaction. "Now, Alpha Patrick is so good to you, and you have become the Luna of the Black Thorn Pack. The rogues who committed the crime have now appeared in Gabbs. As long as we find them, we will find out the truth and prove your innocence," Camille said smoothly. Gloria wanted to laugh more. Wha
A few days later, Gloria talked about her trip to the Silver Mountain Spring with Patrick. "I have to go out for a few days. When I come back, I'll take you there," Patrick said. "Ask Christine to stay here with me. I'm bored at home. Since Alpha Alger and Luna Camille want to make up for their mistakes..." Gloria lowered her eyes and said unhurriedly while helping Patrick pack his luggage. "Anyway, Christine will go with me, and I'm just going to go there for a while." Patrick glanced at her and his gaze softened. "Alright then. I'll call Christine and ask her to go with you tomorrow." The next day, Patrick asked his people to take good care of Gloria before he left. Gloria stood at the door and waved goodbye to Patrick. "Stay safe and get back soon." They seemed just like ordinary couples. No one would have thought that there were so many issues going on between them. After Patrick's car was out of sight, Christine pulled Gloria a
"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
"Clarissa..." Albert wept and pleaded, "My mom has cancer, I got fired from my job, and the baby still needs milk. For the sake of our years together, treat me like a beggar and spare me a little help.""If you were truly a beggar, I'd give you some money to send you on your way, but you're not..."A clear voice cut through the air, tinged with exhaustion, coldness, and a hint of ruthlessness. "You're nothing but scum!""Clarissa!""Gag him and get him out of my sight!"At the command, the bodyguards immediately seized Albert and shoved him into the elevator."Humph, this despicable man!"Luana followed the voice and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the bar.The woman had a slender figure, waist-length curly hair, and fair, slender fingers holding a slender cigarette, while her other hand toyed with a wine glass.She tilted her head, staring into the red wine in her glass, as if observing another world from afar
Upon learning of this possibility, Cline simply said, "Thank you," and hung up the phone.He gazed once more in the direction the black luxury car had vanished, now more certain than ever that Dorian had taken his Luana.However, he refused to believe they were husband and wife.Russell arrived with the bodyguards in a hurry, seeing Cline standing in front of the smashed Bugatti.Thinking Cline's car had been in an accident, he quickly approached."Mr. Moriarty, are you alright? Did you take too much sleeping pill and start hallucinating again?"For the past three years, Cline had been plagued by insomnia, clutching two mementos of Luana and struggling to sleep through the night.Russell, worried about his health, had obtained some sleeping pills from Eva.Little did he know, Cline had become addicted to them. Later, Russell found out that the medication could induce hallucinations when taken in excess.It was these hall
Cline's brow twitched, his eyes filled with disdain as he regarded Dorian.He strode quickly to Luana, extending his hand with an unyielding tone, "Come with me."Before Luana could refuse, Dorian swiftly acted, his long arm encircling her shoulder and pulling her tightly into his embrace. A provocative smile played on his lips as he challenged, "On what grounds?"Cline's vision sharpened with pain, witnessing Luana clinging to Dorian, their bodies pressed close. A surge of rage erupted within him."Because I love her!"Cline's voice trembled yet rang out loud and clear, eight years of pent-up emotions bursting forth like a flood breaking its dam.Dorian, noticing the bloodshot eyes and the fervor in Cline's gaze, felt a flicker of realization. He glanced down at Luana in his arms.Her expression was calm, a faint smile curling her lips as if she had just heard an absurd joke, detached and indifferent.Not only did Dorian not l
Dorian rolled his eyes at the scene and impatiently pushed open the car door, stepping out to approach the Bugatti.He bent down and knocked on the window, "Dorothy, get out now."Luana, upon hearing Dorian's voice, froze for a moment before pushing away from Cline, who was still kissing her.Her breathing was slightly labored as she coldly instructed, "Open the door. My husband's here!"Cline's body stiffened. He averted his gaze from Luana and slowly looked at the man outside.Dorian, dressed in a gray suit, was impeccably neat. His handsome face and aristocratic demeanor made him look distinguished and aloof. Cline didn't care about Dorian's appearance, but he was annoyed that Dorian had called her Dorothy, not Luana.Cline swiftly fastened Luana's seatbelt and started the car, speeding out of the parking lot without another word.Dorian watched the Bugatti speed away, a look of frustration crossing his face.He muttered tha