When Travis heard Luana say she could help secure the project, a flash of excitement lit up in his eyes, and his interest was piqued.
The western land project was about to initiate the bidding process next month, and Travis knew the significance of this project for him.His father, the influential Mr. Elan, had made it clear that if Travis could successfully secure this project, he would hand over the position of family heir to him officially.This was an opportunity Travis had longed for, a crucial step into the heart of power.However, the competition was fierce.Their rival was the Coburn Group from Washington, a leading enterprise with substantial strength and a renowned reputation.In terms of technology research and development, capital reserves, market share, and industry influence, Coburn Group held a distinct advantage.Beating Coburn Group in direct competition in their field was an almost unimaginable challenge.That's why Travis haHearing Travis's words, a surge of anger ignited within Luana, her heart trembling violently with rage.She clenched her teeth fiercely, managing to hiss out a few words through gritted teeth, "Don't worry."Seeing the fury and resentment in Luana's eyes, Travis finally released his grip, a look of regret crossing his face as he spoke with a hint of disappointment, "I had planned to enjoy our time first and then take you to try some more thrilling games. But since you're so repulsed by me now, let's just drop it. Rest assured, as long as you can secure the project successfully, we'll have plenty of chances to enjoy our time..."In Travis's mind, compared to momentary pleasure and the satisfaction of desire, he yearned more for the position of heir.As long as Luana could help him acquire the western land project, he was willing to temporarily suppress his desires and wait for her to fall in love with him before taking possession of her.Thinking that Luana w
A faint fragrance mingled with the scent of wine filled the air, momentarily disorienting Luana.Faced with Cline's proximity, she awkwardly shifted towards the car door, but the confined space offered little room for retreat.After a couple of moves, her back was pressed against the door.Cline propped a hand on the window, trapping the petite Luana within the circle of his arms.As an Alpha, he unconsciously exuded a powerful and oppressive aura that enveloped Luana, making her breathing increasingly labored, as if ensnared by an invisible net.His cold, wintry eyes glanced at her before settling on the diamond necklace at her neck.A mocking chuckle reached her ears, "Seems your new sugar daddy treats you well."His rare laughter was more chilling than his usual stern expression, carrying an Alpha's intimidating presence that sent shivers down one's spine.Luana wanted to explain, but the words "new sugar daddy" rendered her silent.Fr
When he raised his eyes, the corners were crimson, like embers under fierce flames, scorching and intense. The glint in his eyes seemed to hold the madness and resentment of a wolf's nature fully unleashed."Sold yourself to Travis, and I'm not allowed to touch you now?"His voice was pleasant, crisp and husky, full of magnetism, but his words were harsh.The word "sold" degraded her dignity to the dirt, and his speech carried the oppressive sense of superiority inherent to an Alpha, making Luana feel tiny and insignificant before him.She had once sold herself to him, thinking that by not spending a cent of his money, she could change his perception of her.Yet, in his eyes, she remained a "call girl" to be bartered at will.Luana felt as if her heart was pricked by needles, aching densely, but a smile rippled across her pale face."Mr. Moriarty," she coiled her hands around his neck, her smile brimming, "He paid me. Naturally, he wouldn't allow y
Luana smiled and said, "I asked you before if I could date, and you said I could do as I please. Now that I'm dating someone, it's natural for him to sleep with me, isn't it?"Cline's expression faltered, his usually indifferent face growing even darker.The suppressed aura of the Alpha around him became more unstable, as if it could erupt at any moment, engulfing everything around.Seeing him speechless, Luana suddenly raised her hand and touched Cline's eyebrows and eyes.She caressed his cheek from top to bottom with a hint of tenderness.This was the man she had loved for five years. How could she bear to hurt him?Yet, she didn't know that, in Cline's eyes, her action was seen as an affront to his Alpha dignity, for he now considered her "unclean".But he didn't love her, not even a bit. Why couldn't she let go?Lost in thought, Cline suddenly grabbed her wrist."Don't touch me!" he coldly uttered, "Dirty!"His voice carried the
Cline ignored him and walked straight past, heading into the villa.The servant waiting at the entrance bowed and greeted, "Mr. Moriarty."Cline removed his suit jacket and tie, handing them to the servant before walking over to the liquor cabinet.He casually picked up two high-end wine glasses, poured some decanted wine into them, and turned to hand one to Gehrmann who had followed him."Anything?" Cline rarely saw Gehrmann at his private villa, and especially not this late. It was clear he had something to discuss.Gehrmann accepted the wine and observed Cline, noting his expression was less gloomy than before. He mustered the courage to speak."Cline, has Luana offended you in the past?" The always gentlemanly Cline pouring wine over a woman's head was something Gehrmann had never witnessed.Cline gave him a cold glance. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't."Undeterred and even smiling, Gehrmann continued, "Is she the one you've been keepin
"Get in the car. I'll take you home," Gehrmann said as he opened the rear door, his gentle voice mixing with the sound of raindrops.Luana snapped back to reality, realizing the person before her was Gehrmann, Cline's cousin.She and Cline had broken up, and logically, she shouldn't have any more entanglements with anyone from the Moriarty family.However, with her phone dead, no taxi in sight, and all nearby shops closed against the rain, she hesitated for a moment before getting into the car.Her clothes were drenched, leaving the back seat wet as well.Luana quickly took out tissues from her bag, trying to wipe the carpet under her feet, blushing as she apologized, "I'm sorry for messing up your car."Gehrmann stopped her humble gesture, "Don't worry about it. It's just a carpet. If it gets dirty, we'll throw it away."Luana's hand, holding the tissues, paused. She almost forgot that the person who kindly offered her a ride had the Moriarty surn
Luana felt uncomfortable by Gehrmann's words and chose not to say more. She put down the umbrella and turned to leave.After walking a few steps in the rain, she felt indignant and turned back to Gehrmann, "Mr. Moriarty, I appreciate your kindness in taking me home, but you don't have to judge me with prejudiced eyes. I just thought the umbrella you gave me was too expensive, and I was afraid I wouldn't have the chance to return it. That's why I refused."Luana spoke her mind in one breath and, without waiting to see Gehrmann's reaction, turned and ran.Gehrmann watched the petite figure disappear into the rain, feeling slightly stunned.He had assumed that women like Luana, who sold themselves, would try to seduce any wealthy man they encountered.Otherwise, she wouldn't have moved on to Travis so quickly after parting ways with Cline.But her words just now made Gehrmann feel a bit embarrassed, as if he had misunderstood her.Running home in the
Luana slowly regained consciousness, her eyes fluttering open to find Cline and Albion vanished, replaced by Clarissa, whose face was etched with worry.She realized she had just had a nightmare, one that traversed the past and people she wished to never see again.Shaking off the lingering images, she swallowed the dryness in her throat and reached for water, only to find her arm hooked up to an IV."You had a high fever, so I brought you to the hospital," Clarissa explained, seeing Luana's delirious state.She then picked up a water cup and helped her take a sip.The sweet water flowed down Luana's throat, bringing her back to life a little."Clarissa..." she whispered."Hmm?" Clarissa responded gently, tucking a strand of hair damp with sweat behind Luana's ear. "Are you hungry?"Luana shook her head weakly and asked, "What did the doctor say to you?"She had been preoccupied with her heart failure and hadn't figured out how to talk to
He didn't blame her. He only hated himself for not cherishing her while she was still by his side.Clenching the letter in his hand, he stumbled and slowly turned to leave.His once-proud figure now seemed frail, as if a gust of wind could knock him down."Cline…" Just as he leaned on the car door, preparing to leave, her familiar, tranquil voice called out to him.Hearing his name, he turned slowly, his gaze locking onto her slender, fragile figure under the streetlight.This was the person he'd missed for three years. Just her soft voice was enough to make him want to run to her and hold her tight.But reality was a cold shower, dousing his fervor.He took a step forward, but she retreated three steps, panic in her eyes, as if he were a monster."Don't come closer," she said calmly, her voice clear and unrippled."I've said all I need to. Please don't disturb me again."Cline had hoped she'd called him ba
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