Gloria went back to the Public Relations Department lounge and sat inside. She was the only one there. Time ticked by, and soon, it was time to go home.
Same as yesterday, she received no work at all. Gloria was not stupid. She had been out of work for the last month, sitting on her hands. She vaguely had a theory about the reason why. She left Fittro Club and went back to her dorm. She walked up the stairs, and just like yesterday, she saw Lucas at her door. This time, Gloria did not ask anything. She just took out her key in front of Lucas and opened the door. Then she said, "Come in, Mr. Lucas. I'll make you something to eat." Lucas looked at Gloria's back as she cooked in the kitchen in an orderly manner. The corners of his mouth curled up since he was in a good mood. He ate up as usual. When he put down his knife and fork, there was a check for 20 thousand dollars at the corner of the table. "I guess the food I make is mGloria didn't look embarrassed at all. She said frankly, "Mr. Lucas, I never said that the food I cooked was worth 100 thousand dollars. You gave it to me because you thought it was worth it. I was short of money, so I accepted it. Why did I accept it, though I knew it was not an equivalent exchange? Perhaps you have forgotten that I am a woman who will do anything for money. I'm a call girl. I'm not a socialite. I need money. I need one million dollars. It means the world to me. If I don't come up with this money by the deadline, I'm going to lose something very important." "That has nothing to do with me." Lucas was expressionless. He did not care about anyone else. He raised his hand and glanced at his watch. "I have wasted a lot of time already. Miss Carter, I have disturbed you for a long time now. There's no need for us to meet again in the future." "I thought so, too. That's why I walked you downstairs." She thought for a moment. Then she said, "Mr. Luc
A crisp slap rang out. It was particularly clear in the corridor at night. Lucas' face went sideways. After a long while, he slowly raised his hand and touched his cheek in disbelief. "That was quite a slap," Lucas said. Gloria's hand was shaking, but her eyes looked determined. She felt the pleasure of revenge. She said, "Mr. Norman, you enjoy rubbing salt on other people's wounds so much. Now you know. It hurts." After that, she angrily turned around and walked up the stairs, ignoring his reaction. Lucas was still standing on the stairs. He touched his cheek, which was in pain, and he did not chase after her. His eyes were flickering with an obscure light. He kept staring at her back till she disappeared. He walked downstairs, went out of the neighborhood, and got into the sports car parked on the side of the road, his cheeks burning. He touched his face again and sighed, "It does hurt." He picked up his
Lucas stood up, turned his head to look at the vigilant woman, and asked, "Aren't you going to send me off?" "No. Mr. Norman, close the door when you leave," said Gloria. "Isn't it a basic requirement in your line of work to see people off? Or, Miss Carter, do you think that I'm not a guest for you anymore, since you're off work and in your dormitory now? Miss Carter, maybe I should go to Fittro Club, the place where you work, to see you tomorrow. What do you think?" Lucas said casually. Gloria thought, 'Seriously? Are you threatening me again? How despicable!' Gloria gritted her teeth. Each time, Lucas always managed to make her grind her teeth with hatred. She said, "Mr. Norman, you are right. I shouldn't neglect my guests, just because I'm off duty. Mr. Norman, let me send you off." As she spoke, she walked forward while looking at the man next to her even more vigilantly. She thought, 'Who knows what's wrong with him? He
Gloria looked flustered and viscerally rejected Christine's statement. She quickly said, "Christine, I haven't changed." "Gloria, haven't you noticed? The expression on your face is no longer rigid. All I could see in your face before was a dull, lifeless look," Christine looked at Gloria and said. "Now I think you're more like a living person." Gloria opened her mouth. She wanted to say something to refute Christine. "Gloria, who made you change? Lucas?" It didn't seem that Christine felt glad for Gloria. She went furious instantly and rebuked Gloria sternly, "He's up to no good! Gloria, I want you to feel happy, more than anyone else. But this man, Lucas, shouldn't be the one to walk you out, because he could get you hurt again." Gloria did not speak. Christine exhaled hard and said, "Gloria, promise me not to see him again. I will arrange a new dormitory for you today." "No!" Gloria immediately looked up and called out. In the ne
Patrick would come to Gloria tomorrow. At the thought of that, she felt desperate and helpless about her fate. She had no idea where to come up with the rest of the money. Lucas left Gloria's dormitory building and sat in his car. He felt bored all of a sudden. He figured that it was probably the so-called emptiness he felt after the game ended. He started the car and was heading back to the Sea Moon Pack. Lucas' departure took away the glimmer of hope that Gloria finally traced back. She became soulless again. By constantly touching her wound, he continually made himself become a distinctive, unique part of her misery. Lucas was a playa. He knew every bit of the subtle change that was taking place in Gloria through his constant touch of her wound. Gloria had no idea, yet he did. In other words, he won the hunting game. The next day, the moment Gloria arrived at Fittro Club, she was called to the office by Christine. "Did you
Gloria looked at Harry in disbelief for a while. After that, she lowered her head expressionlessly and said, "Mr. Carter, then I won't make things difficult for you." "Gloria, don't be like this. I have no choice. Don't blame me." Harry took out his wallet and handed a stack of bills to Gloria. "Take this to buy yourself some food and clothes." Gloria stood there and didn't take the money at all. Harry grabbed Gloria's hand and stuffed the money into her hand. He said, "Gloria, stop acting like this and learn to accept others' kindness. Don't be as willful as before." Gloria looked at the money in her hand, and her heart ached. "I am a call girl, but I don't want money from your family!" Gloria said in a gruff voice. She threw the money in the air and the notes scattered everywhere in the elevator. "Also, you are no longer my brother." The elevator returned to the original floor it was on. When the elevator doors opened, Gloria ignored Harry and walked out. Then he gra
Gloria's shoulders trembled, and she clenched her hands into fists. Harry's sudden appearance caught her off guard, and she tried to restrain the urge to scream. She was furious because of Harry's remark about her. What did Harry know? He was the son of the Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack. He had money, and he had the pack guards protecting him. When Gloria got out of the werewolf prison, she had only a few dollars on her. Where else could she go besides Fittro Club? There were so many packs in Gabbs, yet not a single one of them would take in a rogue who was an ex-con from the werewolf prison. Gloria didn't have a wolf, so she couldn't be a real rogue either. She might not survive a day in Shadow Forest. With trembling hands, Gloria took out her phone and glanced at it. She sniffed, raised her head, slowly turned around, and walked towards the elevator. She would not give in. Even if there were only forty minutes left, she w
Warren pulled Gloria's hair while making a gentlemanly gesture. He said, "Gloria, should I invite you into the room, or do you want to go in yourself?" Gloria knew very well that she was doomed today. Warren would never let go of her! "Mr. Middleton, I'll save the trouble for you," she said slowly in a hoarse voice. She pushed Warren's hand gripping her hair, and walked into the room as steadily as she could. Till now, Christine realized that there was something odd going on. She followed Gloria in. "Hey, everyone, come and meet Gloria," after Warren entered the room, he said to his friends in the room with a smile. They were sizing Gloria up with teasing eyes. Christine wanted to come to Gloria's rescue. She said, "Mr. Middleton, it turns out that you know Gloria. Unfortunately, she has other things to do today. I'll take her to see you properly some other time. We'll be leaving now." As she spoke, she stepped forward to hold
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