Tristan paused, wiping his tears as he gazed at Cherry. Silence filled the air as he contemplated her promise.After watching him for a while, Cherry felt uneasy. Thinking that he did not believe what she said, she quickly reinforced her words. "I mean it, Tristan. I promise I'll always be with you and never let you be all alone."But even with such a declaration, Tristan remained silent, which made her anxious. "Don't you believe me? I'm serious—""I believe you, Cherry. And you should always remember what you just said." Tristan suddenly cut her off, his tear-stained face much calmer as he quietly watched her under the setting sun.His slightly blue eyes held a deep gaze, as he thought, 'She said she would always be with me. Forever!'Three years younger and blissfully naive, Cherry thought he believed her words and felt relieved. She boldly wrapped her arms around Tristan, her laugh even heartier than before. "Don’t worry, I'll always be with you."Tristan managed a smile as h

Cedric had always detested roses, and Sophie had also come to view them with disfavor, without a specific reason."Perhaps he wishes to begin anew with you, Ms. Luxford. After all, what's past is past," Linda commented."Is it, though?" Sophie mused, furrowing her brow as she gazed out the window. It had been three months since Vivienne’s tragic death, yet the memories lingered as if it were yesterday.'Once bitten, twice shy. Each time I gather courage, Vivienne’s dreadful end haunts me.'"Linda, do you know? I’m scared. I’m scared that there might be another Vivienne, or worse, that one day I might become someone like her."Linda's expression softened with empathy. "You’re nothing like Vivienne. You’ve navigated challenges tactfully, never resorting to harm."Sophie had employed tactics in her dealings with Vivienne or Melissa, though never to the point of endangering lives. Since the incident with Valerie, she had halted all her plans.She offered a slight smile, concealing h

Working at Luxford Group meant each employee was sharp and competent. Yet, when Cedric posed his question, they all hesitated like schoolchildren unsure of an exam answer.They finally managed to say, "White... roses are pretty."Cedric's demeanor softened slightly, though traces of dissatisfaction lingered. His gaze shifted toward the towering Luxford Group building before he wordlessly strode toward the entrance, leaving the nervous employees behind.-Sophie was in the midst of shutting down her computer, preparing to depart for the day when the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention.Assuming it was Linda returning for something, she turned, ready to inquire, only to find Cedric stepping through the door. His presence, emphasized by his impeccably tailored black suit, momentarily stole her breath."Who permitted your access up here?" she asked, regaining her composure.Even though it was after hours, there were still security guards on duty at the door. No one h

In the Crimson Bar's private room.Cedric's silence deepened the already tense atmosphere, much to Sean's annoyance. "Bro, you don't smoke or drink, and you've been silent for over 30 minutes now. Say something, will you?" Sean implored, unable to bear the silence any longer.Breaking his prolonged silence, Cedric unexpectedly asked, "How well do you know Jeanna?" The sudden shift in topic surprised Sean, sparking a livelier exchange."Very well, of course! What do you think I've been doing for over five years? I know everything Jeanna likes and dislikes. I even keep track of her menstrual cycle," Sean boasted."Then why haven't you managed to win her over?" Cedric asked, dousing Sean's pride with cold water and causing him to cough awkwardly."What use is understanding her if she's unwilling to understand me? What bad deeds did I commit in my past life to fall for such a woman and yet utterly fail to win her over?" The more he spoke, the more low-spirited Sean became.However,

Linda’s office was next to Sophie’s, separated by a transparent glass panel. While originally intended to foster a collaborative environment, the glass now afforded Cedric a view of the adjoining office. He pretended to scan the room, but his attention was drawn to the slender figure next door, a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips."Mr. Carlson, please let me know if there’s anything unsatisfactory about the office.""There’s nothing. It’s all very satisfactory." Cedric’s voice was smooth, his earlier smile fading as he maintained a professional demeanor. He appreciated the proximity to Sophie."Alright, then. I’ll let you settle in." Linda smiled politely and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, she accidentally collided with someone at the door."Sorry about that," Evander quickly apologized, managing to catch some of the falling documents in a swift motion, a testament to his agility.Linda recovered quickly from the minor mishap, recognizing Cedric's assistant. "It's actually