Christine didn't understand why she was so concerned about Gloria, a girl who had nothing.
In fact, she knew the reason, but she didn't want to admit it. Gloria reminded Christine of her youth. Perhaps, this was her way to comfort the younger Christine before. "There's no need. I'll eat at the cafeteria in the club." Christine shook her head. Everyone thought Gloria was humble and self-abandoned, but they failed to see Gloria's pride under her humble disguise. "You must have been a confident person before, right?" Christine asked. Gloria trembled. She kept silent for a long time and then said, "Before? It felt like a lifetime ago." "Wait a minute. This is for you." Christine handed a check to Gloria. "Mr. Wyatt asked me to give it to you." "That's a lot of money." The number on the check shocked Gloria. Christine smiled bitterly. "I was shocked too. Gloria, what did you do to make Mr. Wyatt so generous to you?"Derrick slowly turned his head and looked away in the direction Gloria had gone. His gaze fell on Lillian. Derrick didn't need to use his abilities as a werewolf. He could read Lillian's thoughts from her expression. He could see a trace of discontent in Lillian's eyes about Gloria. He thought that Lillian was just like most of the women he met, arrogant and ignorant. In fact, Lillian looked young and energetic. She had beautiful long brown hair and fair skin. But she was far less attractive than the woman named Gloria. Derrick kissed Gloria twice, and he grew more passionate as he kissed her again. However, the two kisses were both interrupted, which made him a little unhappy. However, Derrick was different from Patrick. He tended to hide his emotions, so, Lillian wouldn't know he was displeased. He glanced at Lillian. The smile on Derrick's face was still there. He asked, "Your name is Lillian?" Lillian
In the evening, when it was time to get off work, it began to drizzle in Gabbs. Gloria was slowly walking in the rain. Gloria arrived at a convenience store near Fittro Club. "Miss, a total of six dollars and forty cents," the attendant said as she looked at the umbrella Gloria placed on the counter. Gloria glanced at the umbrella. This was the cheapest one in this store. She then checked her purse. She could afford it, but she hesitated. "Thank you. The rain is not heavy. I guess I don't need this umbrella." Walking out of the convenience store, Gloria wrapped herself in her clothes tightly. She lowered her head and continued to walk forward. The rain was not heavy. However, every time it rained, the wound on her waist would cause more pain. However, as she reached the dormitory, the rain grew heavier. Gloria was drenched. She stumbled and finally arrived at the door of her dormitory. She put the key into the keyhole
Lillian's impatient voice interrupted Gloria's thoughts. She said angrily, "Gloria, I said that I accidentally locked the door. I didn't mean it. What do you want?" Lillian thought that Gloria was accusing her. Lillian had been angry with her ever since she saw Gloria and Derrick kissing in the stairwell. She had explained the reason to Gloria. She thought that Gloria should be grateful and not pretend to be weak. Looking at Gloria's pale face, Lillian remembered that Derrick helped Gloria out when she was bullied by Patrick at Fittro Club. She couldn't understand why Derrick paid special attention to Gloria. The more Lillian thought about it, the more unhappy she felt. In Lillian's eyes, Gloria could not be compared to her at all. Lillian was prettier, sweeter, and better educated. However, Derrick treated Gloria so differently. Lillian thought, 'Gloria must have slept with Derrick, that would be the only expla
Gloria was lost in her memories, and she did not hear those unpleasant words from Lillian. "Gloria, you scolded me for being mean just now, and now you are going to play dumb?" Lillian's sharp voice was mixed with Gloria's panicked cry. There was a loud bang. Gloria fell and her head hit the doorknob. She gasped and turned to look at Lillian, who was shocked. Blood streamed down her forehead, and her world became a red blur. Gloria found that Lillian looked frightened. What happened? "It's not me! It has nothing to do with me! You didn't stand firm. It has nothing to do with me!" Gloria's vision became more blurred, and the last scene she saw was Lillian panicking and running past her out of the room. Her vision was blurring, and she was still confused. What happened to Lillian? "Christine, I want to ask for leave." Gloria felt very sleepy, and she muttered to herself without knowing what she was t
Christine's smile disappeared when she heard what the manager said. She stared at the manager. Christine used to be a rogue, and Patrick saved her back then. Patrick asked her to join the Black Thorn Pack. When Patrick found out that she had Alpha's blood, he asked her to help him run the Fittro Club. Although the manager of the Public Relations Department was also from the Black Thorn Pack, she did not have Alpha's blood. Therefore, when Christine showed her Alpha aura, the manager immediately felt the pressure. "Emily, I asked Gloria to work in your department. Are you questioning my decision or judgment?" Cold sweat dripped down Emily's forehead. She quickly denied it, "I didn't. If you think highly of her, then I will spend more time teaching her. Christine, I have to go now. I still have work to do." Christine stood in place. When she heard that Gloria wanted to rest for a few days, she was pleased. Finally, the silly gi
Gloria became more silent as she saw Lilian's reaction. She didn't really need Lillian's apology. She simply wanted others to show some respect. She almost forgot the feeling of being respected. Patrick, the mighty Alpha, destroyed a werewolf. He destroyed Gloria. Gloria felt pain and regret. She told herself not to expect too much. She shouldn't expect people to respect her. "Gloria, tell me how much money you want. Even if I have to give you all my savings, I will not apologize to you. You crawled on the ground and barked like a dog for money. A person like you is not worthy of my apology!" Lillian said angrily. After Lillian finished speaking, she thought for a few seconds and revealed a disdainful smile. She continued, "If you want to tell others that I hurt you, it's fine. However, no one will believe you. Let me remind you, I am a student at Gabbs University. I am here to earn my tuition fees, and in the eyes of others,
Hearing Gloria's words, Lillian was even more frightened. Lillian was afraid of Christine, so she did not stop Gloria anymore, but Lillian hated Gloria even more. Slowly, Gloria walked out of the hospital. Lillian did not notice that the humble and incompetent Gloria was getting calmer and more confident as she walked out. Lillian did not notice that a man was leaning lazily against the door frame of the ward next to Gloria's. The man glanced at Gloria, who then disappeared at the elevator entrance. Then he walked past Lillian to the elevator. Gloria took the elevator downstairs. She had a problem with her legs, so she walked slowly. She walked out of the hospital and stood at the intersection to get a taxi. "I want to go to Fittro Club. Can you make it a little cheaper?" The driver glanced at Gloria and said, "I charge by the meter. If you don't want to go, I'll leave now." The driver wouldn't give her a discou
In the lounge of the Public Relations Department, the call girls were having a heated discussion. Despite the lessons from Yuna and Ruby, no one else took them seriously. Besides, the big boss hated troublemakers, and they did not do anything to Gloria. These people had a problem with Gloria because they didn't think she met the standards to work in this department. Moreover, before she came to this department, Gloria was a cleaner and had been cleaning the bathrooms for a few months at the club. For some reason, Gloria suddenly became their colleague, so it was normal that they felt uncomfortable about it. Gloria followed Emily to the VIP room on the fifth floor. Emily didn't know why this customer had asked Gloria to serve him. Emily looked at Gloria expressionlessly and said, "You'll serve in the VIP room. Remember to talk and behave properly and to make the customers happy. Don't offend the customers. Understand?" "Yes, Emily,"
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
"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