Zed's POV It's already four in the morning when the music from the ballroom stops. As the host of the party, I can't afford to leave the guests who danced into the night until three. While the youngsters were dancing, I checked the guest's logbook. But Maezy's name wasn't there. There's no suspicious entry as well because I was the one who listed down the guests to be invited. As to why she was at my engagement party, I had no idea. I have the feeling that she comes for revenge. I'm beginning to feel afraid for Yen. I wonder if they knew she was here last night. I want to warn her, but how? I don't want this to cause problems between Ella and me. Ara can also be her target, but she only plays a small role in her destruction. What I am being sure of is that she's here for James. Without James, she can't get enough resources for her financial needs. Mr. Yuki left her, and Kim has found out about her deception. I knew that Maezy did shady things for James, and she had been his accompli

Ella's POVThese two had not noticed me when I came down. I take my exit through the door to the garden, then walk stealthily towards the door that leads to the dining room. Zed and Ara have no idea that I am listening to their conversation."How can I? I always drop dead at the end of the day, and you're busy yourself. And besides, I just give you time to go on with your drama until you come crying to me.""I met her at the airport. She was crying, and I pitied her.""Fuck!"I didn't know how deep their friendship was until I heard how Ara recounted their experiences abroad."So, this engagement is only a drama?"I hold my breath. I can't keep listening to this conversation anymore. Just a few hours ago, Zed didn't appear unaffected. I already bawled my eyes out, but he went on pleasuring me. Last night was the most passionate, aggressive, and sensual of all the lovemaking we have done. I felt like that was our last.

“James!” I mutter, choking in the sudden lump that stuck in my throat.My voice comes out hoarse in that sensation, my chest tightening as I force myself to smile. Looking into his lifeless eyes, I can no longer stop my tears from gliding into my face. He’s no longer the carefree James I had known and made love to. Gone is the luster in his eyes and the striking aura that marks his physique. His hair is disheveled, and his prison-issued shirt crumpled.“Don’t cry. I’m still alive,” James says as he settles on a chair across from me. The metal from his handcuff screeches against the chair’s surface as he straightens up his back.I suddenly can’t grasp some words to tell him. I don’t know anymore if it’s right to ask how he is doing because I know the answer. It will only hurt him.“Are you just going to stare at me?” he chuckles; perhaps seeing how I open my mouth several times b

Zed's POV "What do you mean by that?" I roar from the doorway when I see her packing her things into a suitcase. All my nerves seem to quiver at the thought of her leaving me. I have already prepared my mind for this, but I realize I will never be ready.She scrambles to her feet – fear, worry, and anger seem to flash in rapid succession in her reaction."Zed, I'm sorry," she glances for a second, then returns to what she's doing.I slowly stride towards the back of the sofa. From there, I can look at her closely since it sits across the bed where her things are scattered."Just like this, Ella? Don't I deserve an explanation or a few words before you leave?" My shoulders drop as I throw her a frustrated look. My voice isn't loud, but its wave is enough to tell her I am hurting."If there's someone who should be explaining here, it should be you. Not me," she tells me, her voice starting to crack

"Look, Mr. D," I tell him, trying to convince him that my proposal is about myself. "My father had high expectations from me. He's been a businessman all his life, and he left a legacy that he expects will thrive under my care." I hold my breath, praying he won't be difficult to deal with. I just had a hard time convincing him to get into the discussion again. "Mr. D, has it ever occurred to you that you can lead a company of your own with that talent of yours? All you need is money, and I have that. You can't be an employer forever – you're wasting your time to become the country's next most outstanding business magnate. Look, Mr. Kim Mori is the one getting wealthier and wealthier because of your talent." Mr. D looks up, and his expression has softened. My heart immediately wells up, thinking of my soon victory. "Are you going to just pay or buy my rights? You're into business, and you know it's not wise. Money disappears even before you know it." He keeps tapping his pen on the