Lahat ng Kabanata ng Obsessed with Punishment: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Laurent's absence was a void.Caroline was leaving, and he wasn't even calling.Ethan scratched his jaw, puzzled. "Guy's too quiet. Car crash or something?"Caroline laughed, "If someone hit him, they'd be doing the world a favor."Ethan sighed. "He has dragged you through a lot."Caroline paused, while Nikki and Sandrine exchanged a look, knowing better than to interrupt him.He continued, "He's my boy, but he's done you dirty. We only heard his side back then, so we didn't know the full deal. As an outsider, I won't meddle in what you two had. Only you guys know the truth. But you're Sandrine's ride-or-die, and that makes you family to me."Caroline was shocked, while Nikki sucked in a breath, shooting Sandrine a look, as if asking, "Is he confessing?"Sandrine's mouth hung open. 'I didn't sign up for this.'Ethan added earnestly, "If you ever need help, hit up Sandrine. We're here for you. Bet Laurent won't have a problem with that."If one day Caroline and Sandrine stoppe

Caroline stirred as the plane's landing gear kissed the tarmac.Nine hours aloft, and she'd barely rested, tormented by dreams of Laurent.Like a song lodged in her mind, those eyes of his could slay and spark infernos.He was magnetic, devastatingly handsome even among the elite, with sharp, rebellious eyes that could unravel the steeliest resolve. His charm was captivating.Now, though, she was free.Innis folded his blanket with precision in the seat beside her. "Up?""Yeah.""We're heading to the hotel I've booked.""You're a lifesaver.""Just doing my job, full-time butler and all," he teased. "Slept well?"Not at all. Laurent had haunted her dreams."It was fine," she lied."Good," Innis said, gathering their carry-ons.They disembarked into Norosgard's shimmering heat and got ushered into a private car bound for the Sailboat Hotel.The air seemed to carry the heady scent of opulence, wrapping everything in a dizzying haze of luxury.Caroline had exchanged her curr

Caroline's breath caught, her brow furrowing.She studied him, eyes narrowing. "You've thought this through, haven't you? If Laurent finds out...""He won't," Rafael cut in, his tone dripping with arrogance. "And even if he does, he's not going to lose it over a woman. Don't flatter yourself, Caroline."Her lips curved into a wry smile. "Good. Then I'm in."He blinked, caught off guard by her swift agreement. His gaze turned appraising. "You got a gown for this? These events are high-stakes.""I don't," she replied, unfazed. "You're taking me shopping tomorrow, right?"The bluntness of her demand made him pause. 'A typical gold-digger.'"You need me," she pointed out, her voice smooth but firm. "I'm doing you a favor, Rafael. If you want me to play along, you meet my terms."He raised a brow. "You've got fire.""Laurent thought the same way," she said, her tone teasing but edged with steel. "I'm tired. You can go."He pulled out his phone. "Your number?""Figure it out," she

Caroline's calm, detached voice deflected Mina's attack, making her feel like punching a cloud.She gritted her teeth. "Your fan? Don't make me gag!""If you're not a fan, why do you care about my life?""What the..."Mina faltered, her mind racing. She couldn't admit she'd flown to Norosgard on Hannah's orders, tasked with spying on Caroline.Hannah had been grounded, reined in by Brendan after that kidnapping case. She'd complained to Mina and begged the latter to keep tabs on Caroline, who might stir trouble abroad.This encounter was part of Mina's plan, which she couldn't spill."I'm here for my girl," she said, jutting her chin out. "Got a problem with that?""Nope," Caroline said, her smile disarming. "Just curious why she is so mad. Is it because I'm Laurent's ex? That's old news. Or because I was married to Roderick? That's also history. So, what's Hannah's deal? She's crushing on Laurent or Roderick?"Mina's mouth opened, her brain short-circuiting. "You... You're tw

Mina got nowhere with Caroline at breakfast and didn't pester her afterward.In the afternoon, Rafael showed up at her door, saying he'd take her shopping for clothes so she wouldn't embarrass him at the evening banquet.Caroline tilted her head. "Can I go for the crazy expensive stuff?"His lips curled into a half-smirk. "What kind of gold-digger question is that?""Then I'm only picking the priciest," she fired back, flipping her hair."You'd have to burn through a fortune to break me," he said, waving her over from the plush leather seat of his Bentley. "Hop in. Innis, you're tagging along since you've got nothing better to do."Innis perked up. "I got a cut too? Hell yeah, I want the fancy stuff."Rafael shot him a look. "Get out. You're uninvited."Innis crossed his arms, undeterred. "I'm hitting the banquet too. If I show up looking like a thrift-store reject, it's your reputation that takes the hit."Rafael blinked. "Who invited you?""Alexander Lane," Innis said, puff