After driving for a while, Ellison stopped at a remote store.
"Look around. If you can't pick up a favorite cup here, we will go to another store." Then Gloria sat down on a recliner. Ellison pretended to focus on picking up a cup, but he was glancing at Gloria from the corner of his eye. "Anything you like?" Gloria noticed that Ellison was looking at her. "Yes," Ellison pointed and said, "I want this set." After stepping out of the store, Ellison found that the red marks on the back of his hand had disappeared. He rubbed that part hard with his back facing Gloria. He looked at the bruise and felt much more satisfied. Gloria led the way in front. She asked, "What kind of lounge chair do you want?" "I think yours is good." Ellison stared at her and smiled. Gloria nodded. "Alright, I'll take you to that store. Things there are a little expensive, but the quality is good." "Okay." Ellison agreed. They didn't spendIn the dead of night, Gloria went to the most remote house of the B&B. The look on her face was cold, yet the sadness in her eyes was more than obvious. "I'm here to see you," she said in a hoarse voice, yet there was no one else in the house except her. The room was dark, but she knew it so well that she walked forward untroubled. She fumbled on the table, lit a candle she found, and it illuminated the picture on the table. It was a portrait of a girl. She looked at it and said, "Mica, I miss you very much." Mica was smiling brightly in the portrait. Gloria did not have Mica's picture. She asked a wandering artist who traveled to Waikiki Beach to draw Mica's picture based on her memory. Gloria clenched her fists tightly, feeling bad. "Mica, if you still don't show up in my dreams, I'll forget your face soon." Gloria didn't want to say that she was lonely, but it was the truth. She missed Mica, but Mica didn't appear in h
Gloria walked forward as fast as she could. She could not move quickly due to her legs, yet right now, she reached the stage within just a few seconds. Gloria squeezed through the crowd, though she wasn't strong to begin with. She pushed her way to the front of the stage and said, "Ellison! Get down!" Ellison's gaze fell on her face. He looked at her and pulled off his belt in a fit of pique. He smiled at her, as if he was saying to her, "Are you going to drive me away? You say it's best for me. What do you know about what I want?" "Ellison! I don't want to bet anymore!" she shouted at the stage in a hoarse voice, sounding like a duck. "It's too late." Ellison's lips moved. He had made up his mind. Instead of leaving, he wanted to win the bet. He wanted Gloria! Memories surged in Gloria's mind. In her eyes, Ellison right now was just like her in the past! But Ellison didn't deserve it! She walked to the center of the stage, b
In the coffee shop, Brad was staring at the door. "Alpha Patrick, over here," Brad said as he stood up. "Where is the photo?" Patrick asked immediately. Brad immediately took out his phone and said, "Alpha Patrick, take a look." Patrick couldn't wait as he took over the phone quickly. Then, his body stiffened. He didn't dare look at the photo. Patrick tightened his grip on Brad's phone. He had searched for so many years, went to various places, and traveled thousands of miles, but now he was suddenly afraid. He looked down at the photo on the screen. At first glance, he knew it was her. "Where is she?" Patrick asked urgently. Brad betrayed Tammy. Patrick sent the photo in Brad's phone to his mailbox. Before Brad could say anything, Patrick left like a gust of wind. Patrick drove while contacting Stewart through mind link. "Do you know Tammy?" Patrick asked anxiously. "Why are you looking for
The next afternoon, Gloria received a text message. Her friend told her that many strangers were looking for her. Gloria panicked and said to herself, "Calm down. Take it easy. Patrick won't be able to find her." Gloria immediately called her friends in Hawaii and asked them not to reveal her whereabouts. Ellison was still living here, and Gloria could not drive him away. "Aren't you going to ask who I am?" On a sunny afternoon, Ellison stopped Gloria in the corner, who had been hiding from him. He said with certainty, "You are avoiding me." Gloria raised her head and said, "I'm not hiding from you. I'm doing this for your own good." "Actually, you're doing this for your own good. You're afraid of being in debt of love, and you don't want to owe anyone. Am I right?" Ellison said angrily. "Is there anything wrong with that?" Gloria glanced at Ellison indifferently. "Is it good for you if I lie to you?" "I actually hope you can
Ellison stood on the stairs. He saw Patrick and ran downstairs hurriedly to stop Patrick. However, when he saw Gloria's reaction, he could not take a step. Gloria came back to life because of Patrick. "What else do you want to throw at me? I'll get it for you," Patrick said. Ellison picked up the broom and said, "No need to bother you, Patrick. I happen to be free, and I'll help her." Hank wanted to stop Ellison, but Danny stopped him. Hearing Ellison's voice, Patrick looked over and narrowed his eyes. "Ellison." "Patrick, what are you trying to do?" Ellison stopped in front of Gloria. He handed the broom in front of her and said, "Madam, here you go." Gloria stared at the broom and asked in confusion, "A broom?" For a moment, she didn't get it. She looked at Ellison in confusion. The corners of Ellison's lips curled into a faint smile. "Madam, drive him out with it." Gloria had a moment of enlightenment.
Ellison suddenly stood up and pushed Patrick hard. He said, "Let her go. You are so selfish! Didn't you hear her? Gloria has no intention of going with you!" Patrick was caught off guard. He had been as fierce as a wolf just now, yet he fell to the ground unexpectedly. Everyone was shocked. Stewart's face darkened. He rushed forward and helped Patrick up from the ground. He shouted anxiously, "Patrick, are you alright?" Stewart felt his hands wet. He reached out his hand that held the back of Patrick's head, only to find that it was covered in blood. He was stunned. "What is this?" Ellison noticed that something was wrong and was about to walk over. Hank ran ahead of him and shouted, "Alpha Patrick?" Gloria's eyes widened in shock and refused to believe that Patrick had fainted. She said in a trance, "Alpha Patrick, stop pretending. Did you fall just because of a push? Stop kidding me." Stewart turned to look at her in disbelief. "Patrick
In the car that headed for the hospital, Patrick woke up. "You scared me to death. You finally woke up." Stewart was relieved. Patrick touched the gauze wrapped around his head. He became sober and asked in a hoarse voice, "He hurt me?" Although it was a question, Patrick raised it with a certain tone. "You remember it? It seems that you are not seriously injured. No wonder Gloria thought you were pretending to pass out," Stewart ridiculed. Patrick was depressed. He took a few deep breaths before saying, "Don't blame her." Stewart couldn't take it anymore. He complained, "You must be sick! You were injured, and she just looked at you indifferently, but you still asked me not to blame her?" "I'm not sick. I'm soberer than ever. I tortured her with all kinds of methods. It's normal that she doesn't believe me now," Patrick said bitterly. "This may be the punishment from the Moon Goddess." Stewart was disappointed by Patrick's s
Patrick returned to the Black Thorn Pack at night. His eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were stained with early morning dew. In Alpha's villa, he found Alex who was playing chess. "Why did you do that?" Patrick's expression was calm. He looked at Alex indifferently. Ellison had been fighting with Patrick in Waikiki Beach a few days ago. But now, he was playing chess with Alex leisurely. "Since you want to give up everything for the sake of Gloria, do I still need to leave the Hammond Group to you? You are not my only grandson," Alex answered Patrick while focusing on the chessboard. Patrick was not angry. He seemed to be measuring Alex's words. "Up to you." After a moment, Patrick said nonchalantly, "I'll wait and see if you are capable enough to take away the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack from me." He had worked day and night all these years to avoid the loneliness in his heart. He focused on expanding the territory bu
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
"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