Patrick tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "You have no say in the affairs of the Hammond family."
"Ask Grandpa if he considers me a member of the Hammond family. Patrick, how dare you be so ruthless to grandpa!" Ellison mocked. "You can't wait to become a member of the Hammond family, right? Ellison, your intention of getting the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack is so obvious, but you are not qualified!" Patrick retorted. He walked in front of Alex. "I know what you want, but you are old. It's time to let go of your power over this family. Do you think that you can regain control by messing around while I'm not in the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack?" "Patrick!" Alex was angry. His fingers were trembling as he pointed at Patrick. "You bastard!" Patrick ignored Alex's curses. He smiled coldly and turned around to leave. "Stewart, call the pack guards over." Alex was shocked. He shouted behind Patrick, "What? Are you goingGloria was in a trance. The past that had been lost in time seemed to become clear again. She remembered that when Harry fought with those rogues, he shouted fiercely, "Gloria is my sister. If anyone dares to bully her again, I will kill him!" She also remembered Harry's fierce look. It was as if he would bite the person he saw the next moment. Gloria sat upright on the sofa for another three hours. She stared blankly at the empty space. She seemed to be reminiscing. Memories were not always pleasant, but Gloria felt satisfied with those little happy moments. In the quiet living room, the phone rang urgently. Gloria was shocked and became sober. She looked at the screen, and her eyes became cold. It was Patrick. She did not press the call, nor did she pick it up. Gloria stood up from the sofa, picked up her backpack, and walked to the door. She suddenly stopped when she saw the two pairs of slippers placed side by side
"Do you still remember how you got this scar?" Gloria stared at the scar and stroked it gently with her fingers. Harry was weak, and his face was pale. After a while, he said, "I don't remember." Gloria smiled faintly. "When I was in primary school, I hid my family background and was bullied by senior students. Later, you found it out and dragged me to your bedroom. Harry, you were so good at dealing with wounds. You helped me treat my wounds and then drove me out of your room. I was afraid that you would tell Grandpa. If so, he would be disappointed in me and think that I was useless. I was worried for the whole day. Seeing that he did not blame me, I knew that you didn't tell him. Later, for a long time, I came home with injuries every day, and you caught me and pulled me into your room to treat my wounds." Gloria exerted more force on her finger and pressed the wound on Harry's shoulder. "Your injury was caused by fighting with rogues. You were injured to p
"What do you mean?" Harry froze. Gloria turned and was about to leave. Harry grabbed her arm hurriedly. "Did you find a donor?" He stared at Gloria, so nervous that his heart beat quickly. Gloria looked down at Harry and saw anticipation and hope in his eyes. Her lips curled into a gentle and bright smile. "Yes, I found one. Harry, you will be fine." Harry was stunned. Gloria looked over her shoulder with a faint smile, and that smile would be stuck in his mind for the rest of his life. "Harry, live a good life." After that, Gloria closed the door. Harry didn't even have time to express his gratitude. He called Camille excitedly. "Camille, I will be OK! They found a match!" He shared the good news with Camille with joy. Camille could not believe what she had heard. After hesitating for seconds, she finally confirmed that she had not heard it wrongly. "Really? Who is the donor? We must thank him properly.
Mandy arrived at Gloria's home. Gloria got a cup of warm water for her. "The Carter Group is gradually getting back on track. "During this time, you have been busy helping me out." Gloria took out the stock rights transfer agreement that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Mandy. "Sign it." Mandy picked it up in confusion. The next second, she sat up straight and browsed through it quickly. After a while, her expression was solemn. "You want to transfer 50% of the shares of the Carter Group to me?" "Just sign it. You earned it." Gloria said, "You know me well. If I have made a decision, nothing can change my mind. If you don't want to sign it, I will exchange the shares for money and donate it in your name." "What is going on?" Mandy asked anxiously. Gloria chuckled and interrupted Mandy, "I didn't give it to you for free. I want you to continue to work hard for me, and I'm just trying to win your support." Mandy breathed a sigh o
Patrick's lips curved into a weird smile. He said, "Back then, you managed to escape to Waikiki Beach. Now, where are you going this time?" Gloria's lips gradually turned pale, and she was still trembling. A slender finger pressed against her trembling lips. Patrick smiled, "Three years ago, you escaped to Waikiki Beach. Now, you want to escape from me by killing yourself?" Gloria didn't say anything, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Patrick was smiling, but his eyes were cold. "Gloria, I'm asking you. Where are you going to escape to this time? Answer me!" Gloria looked away, not daring to meet his red eyes. He suddenly grabbed her chin. "I'm asking you a question! Look at me! Where are you going?" Patrick stared fiercely at Gloria. They were so close to each other, yet he felt she was far away from him. He closed his eyes. "Gloria, well done!" She wanted to escape from him even if she had to die! "I
As time ticked by, Patrick told himself that he could wait. He could spend the rest of his life with Gloria, as long as she said she loved him. "Say you love me." He was getting tougher. Gloria remained silent. Patrick felt a burning pain in his heart. He seemed to have lost something important. Something more important than his life. "Is it that difficult?" He asked with a cold smile. Behind his tough attitude, there was a hidden plea. Gloria did not notice it. In the past, she could say those words happily a thousand times, but now, she felt it was hard to do so. Patrick stared at her, and no one could tell what he was thinking. He was in despair at first, but now he was losing his mind. He believed that she would forgive him. He bent down, pressed his arms beside her, and kissed her passionately. Gloria knew that a storm was coming. A slap sounded. "Bastard!" Gloria said in a hoarse
Kevin nodded and went aside, which forced the woman and the little boy to step into the house. Kevin bowed slightly and closed the door tactfully. "Mazey, have a seat." Patrick looked at the woman and the little boy, who were Alger's lover and illegitimate son. He didn't want Gloria to take the risk, so he found them. Mazey was shocked. She had a feeling that something bad would happen. She had no choice but to bite the bullet. She sat down with her son. Patrick didn't intend to waste time and went straight to the point. He pushed a file bag on the coffee table in front of Mazey. Mazey opened it in confusion, and her face changed greatly the next second. She slammed the file bag on the table and said angrily, "Nonsense! Vince has done the marrow matches for Harry. Gloria also knows about it!" Patrick remained unmoved. "Alger faked Vince's medical reports, right?" "Nonsense! Alpha Patrick, you are slandering us!" Mazey
Gloria had no time to dodge. Because of Damon's slap, half of her face swelled up immediately. She put on a sarcastic smile. "Why are you still laughing? If not for you, how could I injure the pitiful Gabrielle accidentally and kill her?" Damon's tone became even more emotional. Gloria almost burst into tears from laughing. "Did I instigate you or threaten you to kill her? You killed Gabrielle out of selfishness. It's a fact!" Gloria said. "Shut up! I had no choice but to do that! If not for the incident that night, I wouldn't have hurt Gabrielle at all. Only now do I know that she is my biological sister. It is all your fault! You caused the tragedy!" Damon roared hysterically. Someone had swapped the two children deliberately to give the Carter family a warning. Damon didn't know the person had brought his sister back later and misunderstood for so many years. What was worse, he had just figured out the truth. Gloria could not bel
Cline released Luana with a hint of despair, staggering back a step.His bloodshot eyes locked onto hers as he asked, "Never at all?"Luana's lashes fluttered, her composure unwavering as she shook her head again.The smile on Cline's lips deepened with bitterness. "What about these, then?"He pulled out a letter he'd carried always, holding it before her. His voice cracked, his eyes red as he repeated, "What do these mean?"Luana's gaze fell on the perfectly preserved letter, and her expression froze—a chord struck deep within.She wondered when exactly she'd lost all hope in him.Her thoughts drifted back to that night when he held her close, their intimacy shattered by his cold words, "Don't delude yourself into thinking I'll love you."She'd felt like ice, realizing she was nothing to him but a vessel for his emotions. Yet now...Luana slowly lifted her eyes to Cline, his composure completely undone.Whe
Luana fought with all her might, her slender hands clawing at Cline's arms.Her nails bit through his skin, drawing blood, yet he held on relentlessly."Cline!" Luana roared in fury, finally dropping her Dorothy act and staring him down as Luana.Hearing his name from her lips, Cline's eyes reddened further. "You finally admit it..."Luana sneered. "So what if I do?"Cline froze, his bloodshot eyes slowly meeting hers.Her face was an icy mask, devoid of emotion, filled only with contempt.This cold Luana left him at a loss.As he opened his mouth to speak, Luana turned her head, her calm eyes reflecting Cline's pale face."Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?""Yes..." Cline's heart leaped at the chance to connect, and he nodded eagerly, about to confess a decade-old truth.But Luana cut him off, her voice ice-cold, "If you loved me, why wouldn't you wait until our contract ended before break
"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