CH071: The Cocktail Party

~LORETTE~“Actually…” she says. “I brought with me a little something.”I lift a brow, staring at her in disbelief. Ava? Brought me something?For a second, I almost laugh. Perhaps pigs have finally grown wings because the last person I ever expected to show me kindness is standing right in front of me with a gift in her hands.And even if she truly did bring me something, there is no way I would accept it. Who knows what kind of trap could be hiding beneath that sweet smile of hers?But before I can question her, she continues.“It’s from Nate.”The words instantly stop me.Ava’s smile widens, a playful glint flashing in her eyes. “He was actually the one who wanted to bring it to you, but something urgent came up that needed his attention. So I offered to deliver it for him.”Although that explanation sounds far more believable than the first, my suspicion only grows.What exactly is Nate sending me that requires such an extravagant shopping bag? Since when did that start?Before I

CH072: Jealous Husband, Crazy Mistress

~LORETTE~“Are you kidding me?” My eyes widen as I stare at him in disbelief.Of all the things Nate could accuse me of, this has to be the most ridiculous. He is the one who sent this dress to me and somehow managed to put me in this situation, yet he has the audacity to stand here looking at me as though I am the one who intentionally planned all of this!“You never stop surprising me, Lori.”His voice is low and almost disappointed, as his dark eyes move over me with an intensity that makes my irritation burn even hotter.I try to pull away from him, but he doesn’t let me go. His body blocks my escape, forcing me to remain exactly where I am.In that moment, I catch the familiar scent of the cold, masculine cologne that always seems to surround him.Immediately, I push the thought away.Absolutely not! I have no business noticing anything about him.“Are you doing this to catch the attention of another wealthy man?” he asks, his jaw tightening. “Is that it? Trying to add another n

CH073: Games

~LORETTE~Just before Ava’s hand can reach me, my instincts take over. I move quickly, grabbing her wrist and stopping her before she can push me. At the same time, I fight desperately to keep my balance because I know exactly what will happen if I lose my footing.Panic rushes through my veins as I use every ounce of strength I have to push Ava away, my heartbeat thundering loudly in my chest.But Ava refuses to back down. She fights back just as fiercely, her eyes filled with determination as she continues trying to force me backward.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I scream at her. “Leave me alone!”But she doesn’t listen.In the middle of our struggle, my hand catches her hair. My fingers tighten around it instinctively, and a sharp scream leaves her lips.“Witch! Let go of me!”Her hand immediately reaches for my hair in retaliation, and pain shoots through my scalp so suddenly that a cry escapes me.Then she shoves me, hard. This time, I lose my footing.My eyes wid

CH074: A Deer Caught In Headlights

LORETTE The moment my palm connects with Ava’s face, shocked gasps erupt around us.Ava’s head snaps to the side from the impact, her eyes widening as she stares back at me in complete disbelief, almost as though she cannot process that I actually did it.Nate looks at me like he’s convinced I have completely lost my mind.“Have you lost your mind, Lori? What the hell was that for?!” He shouts.But I don’t even entertain any of their reactions. Instead, before anyone can even recover from the first slap, I raise my hand again and deliver another one across Ava’s face.This time, the crowd reacts louder. Whispers spread instantly, and people begin taking steps away from me as if I have suddenly transformed into some dangerous creature they need to stay away from.Exactly what Ava wants.It is so obvious that she orchestrated all this just to paint me as unstable. To ruin the reputation that I have just built for myself. Only this time, unlike before, I am not going to stand there and

CH075: Odd Nate

~LORETTE~When I open my eyes again, the first thing that greets me is the sharp ache splitting through my head.I blink slowly, trying to adjust to my surroundings, and that is when I notice the man sitting beside me.Nate.His fingers gently brush strands of hair away from my face before tucking them behind my ear with a softness that feels almost unfamiliar. The tenderness in his touch makes it seem as though he is handling something fragile and precious enough to break if he is not careful.I just stare at him, stunned, before I find my voice again. “Nate?” I call softly, my voice weak and barely above a whisper. The moment I try to sit up, he immediately moves closer, carefully helping me into a sitting position.“Slowly. You’re still weak.” His voice is low and gentle.He adjusts the covers around me before reaching towards the bedside table beside him. When his hand returns, I realize he’s holding a tray filled with a bowl of steaming soup.“I had the staff prepare this for

CH076: The Fourth Brother

~LORETTE~As the man continues performing CPR on the old driver, I search through my memories, trying to figure out where I have seen him before.There is something familiar about him that I can’t quite place.It is only after he finishes reviving the man and the ambulance arrives to take the old man away that everything finally clicks.The crowd surrounding us begins thanking him for his quick response, and the moment I hear his voice again, recognition strikes me.“Marcus?”I say his name cautiously, almost testing whether I am right.For the first time, the man turns his full attention towards me.A small frown appears on his face as he studies me, clearly trying to understand how I know his name.Then, just as quickly, recognition flashes across his eyes.“Oh my…” His expression changes completely. “Lori?”He hurries towards me, staring at me from head to toe as though he cannot believe what he is seeing.Then, he pulls me into a hug. The warmth of his embrace catches me off guard