Lucien had barely taken a few steps into the courtyard with Cynthia in his arms when she spotted Jacqueline standing in the center.Tonight, Jacqueline looked stunning—completely different from her usual sweet and innocent image.She wore a tight-fitting mini dress that accentuated her alluring curves, exuding an irresistible charm with every move. She was sultry, radiant.Cynthia instinctively lowered her gaze to her own disheveled appearance, a faint sense of inferiority creeping into her heart.Jacqueline's face was adorned with an enchanting smile—until her eyes landed on Cynthia in Lucien's arms. In an instant, that smile vanished, replaced by an icy, penetrating stare.Cynthia had expected Jacqueline to throw a fit at the sight of Lucien returning home with a disheveled woman in his arms. She braced herself for an explosive confrontation.But to her surprise, nothing of the sort happened.Just as Lucien set Cynthia down and she barely found her balance, Jacqueline gracefully app
"If I drink these, you won't bother Roy again, right?"Cynthia glanced at the three glasses of red wine, which were filled to the brim, before looking up at the man sitting across from her, who wore a series of earrings in his left ear. She asked.This man, Frank, has recently been the subject of a major interview for the magazine Cynthia works for. But in the course of his work he repeatedly tried to get close to her. Her colleague and friend, Roy, had been punished by Frank to help her, and even their camera had been smashed.Meanwhile, that interview didn't go ahead, and their supervisor was unusually angry, leading to both her and Roy being punished.Cynthia was here today to apologize for Roy and to try to persuade Frank to continue with the interview.Frank, half-lying on the sofa, stared at her. She had a strikingly beautiful face, but it was her perfectly tailored suit that wrapped around her slender frame that caught his attention.To him, she was even more enticing than wome
Amidst the whispers and stares from the bar's patrons, Cynthia stumbled out, her steps unsteady and desperate.The late spring night breeze carried a chill, cruelly slipping into her collar. She was soaked, unsure whether it was sweat or spilled liquor from her struggle earlier, and as she stepped outside the bar, a shiver ran down her spine.Suddenly, a strong wave of dizziness hit her, overwhelming her like a rushing tide.Her body felt drained, as if her muscles had been stripped away, and she was left weak and on the verge of collapsing onto the cold ground.Those drinks were definitely tampered with!Shaking uncontrollably, Cynthia fumbled for her phone, her fingers sluggishly gliding across the screen as she tried to call her best friend, Erica, hoping for her to come and help.But fate seemed unwilling to spare her.Just then, two tall, shadowy figures appeared from behind her, silently approaching. Before she could react, a large, rough hand covered her mouth.Cynthia felt the
Cynthia's face was pressed hard against the wall, causing a sharp pain."I spent a lot of energy satisfying you last night. And you're just leaving like this? Not even a thanks?" Lucien's magnetic voice whispered in her ear.He was utterly shameless! To put it bluntly, he had committed a crime! And now, he was asking her to thank him?!"I have nothing to say to you. Let me go!" Cynthia felt stripped of all her dignity in front of him.She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists, forcing her hands over her head. The barely hanging clothes slipped off her body, and she was once again pressed against the cold wall.Shame surged through her, overwhelming her thoughts."Nothing to say to me? Have you forgotten? We used to be husband and wife." Lucien's arms tightened around her waist, his body pressing dangerously close to hers. His lips brushed against her translucent earlobe, "I'm the one who knows best how slutty you are."His thumb ran over her lips, speaking slowly, "Your sk
Cynthia looked at Roy, a mix of emotions rising within her. Roy was handsome, and as a colleague, she knew him well. He was loyal, passionate, and responsible. If they were to date, he would treat her wonderfully—spoiling her and loving her. In every way, he seemed like a perfect partner.But..."Roy..." Cynthia wasn't sure how to begin.Roy spoke earnestly, "Cynthia, I love you! Over the course of our time together, I've realized I've unknowingly fallen for you. I know you need a warm embrace. Please, give me a chance. Marry me, Cynthia."Around them, guests turned to watch this heartfelt proposal, with some even encouraging her to say yes!"Say yes!"More voices joined in, repeating, "Say yes! Say yes!"Say yes?Once, she had thrown herself into love, only to be burned. Now, she had no expectations left...As Cynthia hesitated, a man suddenly walked up to them, his presence imposing and unnerving.He casually sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulder, his lips brushing agains
As soon as Cynthia heard her son's voice, a pang of emotion surged in her heart."Harley, are you okay?""I'm not okay, Mommy. I miss you so much. Mommy, make sure you eat on time and don't stay up late. Wait for me..." Harley rambled on, his words warming Cynthia's heart.A smile tugged at her lips. "Well, well, well, I know all about it, and what about Gerald? Did he listen to you?""Ugh, he doesn't listen at all. A woman came to see him again today, and he dragged me out..." The phone seemed to be snatched from Harley's hands, and his protesting voice could be heard, muffled as if someone was holding him down. Cynthia could almost imagine Gerald pressing Harley's head down.Sure enough, Gerald's familiar raspy voice came through the phone. "There's no woman, don't listen to his nonsense.""Yes, there is! A woman with a big butt, really ugly! His taste is getting worse... no medicine can fix it..." Harley's voice came again, but was cut off midway. Without a doubt, Gerald was coveri
On the other side.Cynthia's hands trembled slightly as she held the phone to her ear, listening to the steady dial tone. Yet, her gaze never left Roy. Biting her lower lip, her face was filled with guilt and remorse as she whispered, "Gina, can you come over? Something happened, and I need your help."After hanging up, she took a deep breath and slowly walked toward Roy, each step feeling as though she were carrying a crushing weight."I'm sorry..." Cynthia's voice wavered with emotion.If not for her, Roy wouldn't have been humiliated like this, wouldn't have been beaten so badly. She knew all too well who had orchestrated this—Lucien, the man she both feared and despised.But Roy didn't know. At that moment, his face was twisted in fury, his eyes burning with rage as if ready to set the entire world on fire. His fists were clenched tight, his whole body tense like a provoked beast, ready to pounce and tear his enemy apart."You don't need to apologize. This isn't your fault—it's th
Lucien's face contorted with a storm of emotions, dark and unreadable.It had only been six years, yet she had already learned to threaten him with a knife.Cynthia tilted her head up, locking eyes with Lucien. Time had passed swiftly, but he seemed untouched by it—unchanged in every way.The same striking face she knew so well, the same abyssal gaze. The way he looked at her now was exactly how he had watched her last—filled with an overwhelming hatred, as if he wanted to tear her apart.Six years ago, there might have been a shred of mercy left in him. But now, the tide of time had washed away every trace of warmth between them, leaving behind nothing but pure, seething hatred. There was no kindness left in his gaze, only cold, merciless fury.Perhaps it was the dim lighting of the room, or perhaps it was the sight of his loathing expression, but Cynthia's eyes stung. Her grip on the knife trembled slightly, and the sharp blade nicked Lucien's neck. A bead of crimson welled up, star
Lucien had barely taken a few steps into the courtyard with Cynthia in his arms when she spotted Jacqueline standing in the center.Tonight, Jacqueline looked stunning—completely different from her usual sweet and innocent image.She wore a tight-fitting mini dress that accentuated her alluring curves, exuding an irresistible charm with every move. She was sultry, radiant.Cynthia instinctively lowered her gaze to her own disheveled appearance, a faint sense of inferiority creeping into her heart.Jacqueline's face was adorned with an enchanting smile—until her eyes landed on Cynthia in Lucien's arms. In an instant, that smile vanished, replaced by an icy, penetrating stare.Cynthia had expected Jacqueline to throw a fit at the sight of Lucien returning home with a disheveled woman in his arms. She braced herself for an explosive confrontation.But to her surprise, nothing of the sort happened.Just as Lucien set Cynthia down and she barely found her balance, Jacqueline gracefully app
The highway stretched endlessly like a black silk ribbon, winding through the night.The chilly night wind cut against Cynthia's skin as she trudged along the desolate road, her lone figure engulfed by the vast emptiness. Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably, only to be swept away by the relentless wind.Her heart was heavy with sorrow, her steps unsteady. She thought about calling Erica, but her hand froze mid-air, realizing she had nothing on her—not even a phone. She had stormed out of the car with nothing.Occasionally, the headlights of passing cars illuminated her frail figure, making her feel utterly exposed. Fear, helplessness, and despair crawled over her like a suffocating net.She hated Lucien for pushing her to this breaking point. But more than that, she loathed herself—how had she let her life become such a mess, so utterly humiliating?Exhaustion weighed on her, and for a fleeting moment, she thought—perhaps she should just give up. Give up on everything, even
Once again, Cynthia was forcibly shoved into the car by Lucien. Since then, she had remained eerily silent, exuding an oppressive aura of stillness.Her body trembled uncontrollably, lingering in the chilling fear of nearly being strangled to death by Lucien just moments ago. The terror he instilled in her had reached an entirely new level.At that moment, Lucien's phone suddenly rang.He answered the call, listening to the voice on the other end, and his expression grew even darker. His gaze flickered toward Cynthia, who remained motionless beside him. Then, in a deep voice, he said, "Tell her to wait. I'm coming now."As soon as the words left his lips, the car swerved sharply. The vehicle, which had been heading toward Cynthia's home, abruptly changed direction and sped toward another destination.Noticing the shift, Cynthia's eyes widened with fury. Her voice erupted in rage: "Stop the car!"Lucien shot her a sidelong glance, a smirk curling on his lips as he mocked, "I was beginn
Hearing those words, Cynthia felt nothing but disgust. This man was truly a scoundrel!Her voice was filled with fury and resentment as she demanded, "Are you trying to force yourself on me again?"Lucien didn't respond immediately. Instead, his lips brushed against her neck, tracing a slow, feather-light path across her skin—gentle yet scorching, leaving an undeniable heat in their wake.His voice came as a murmur against her ear, teasing yet laced with something deeper. "That night, if I remember correctly, it was me who had my clothes ripped off. You were the one who forced yourself on me."His shameless words sent a shiver down Cynthia's spine, her rage igniting into a blaze. She shoved him away with all her strength, glaring at him as she bit out, "And what about the next morning?"Lucien didn't seem the least bit offended. Instead, amusement flickered across his face as he chuckled softly.In an instant, he grabbed both her wrists, pinning her firmly in place. Then, without warn
In the blink of an eye, the car came to a steady stop in front of a luxury boutique.He brought her here... to buy clothes?Cynthia thought back on the night's events. Lucien had been acting completely out of character—not only helping her out of a tight spot but also leaving Sandy behind to take her away, as if he genuinely cared about her.What exactly was he planning?But now was not the time to dwell on it. Cynthia was drenched, looking utterly disheveled. Even if he suddenly decided to show mercy and let her go, she couldn't possibly go home in this state.So, she stopped resisting and stepped out of the car, still wrapped in Lucien's jacket, and headed straight into the women's clothing store. Lucien followed closely behind her in silence.As they stepped inside, an eager sales associate immediately greeted them. Cynthia browsed through the racks, ignoring everything else, while Lucien stood at a distance, waiting quietly. His tall, commanding presence naturally drew attention,
Cynthia's body stiffened as if frozen, turning around with great difficulty.The moment she saw the person behind her, the tension in her chest slightly eased, and she let out a slow breath—it was Sandy.She had been so anxious that she hadn't even registered that the voice was female.Sandy approached with a glass of red wine in hand, her steps light and effortless. Perhaps due to the alcohol, a faint blush colored her cheeks. "Cynthia, I have something to say to you," she said."Go ahead," Cynthia replied, her tone indifferent.Sandy tilted her head slightly, studying Cynthia as if scrutinizing an object.After a brief pause, she finally spoke, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible hint of accusation. "Just now, Lucien stepped in to help you, but you dismissed him as meddling. Don't you think that was a bit too much?"The words snapped Cynthia's drifting thoughts back into focus.She hadn't expected Sandy to confront her over this. After a brief moment of surprise, she responde
Cynthia felt as if she had been frozen in place. Her mind went completely blank, and for a moment, she found herself unable to react, let alone speak.Sandy, on the other hand, wore an exceptionally warm smile and said softly, "Cynthia, we've met twice before. Do you remember?"From the very first time she had seen Sandy, Cynthia knew this woman was different.As one of Lucien's women, Sandy was treated with a level of importance that far surpassed Jacqueline.Yet, what puzzled Cynthia the most was Sandy's attitude toward her—Lucien's infamous ex-wife. Sandy was always polite, her face ever adorned with that gentle, unshakable smile.Even now, with Lucien approaching her yet again, Sandy showed no signs of jealousy or displeasure. Instead, she had taken the initiative to greet her.This unexpected friendliness made Cynthia feel incredibly uneasy.She couldn't figure out what Sandy's true intentions were, but something deep inside told her that this kindness was nothing more than a fac
At that moment, a rotund man was tightly gripping Cynthia's hand, his face plastered with a greasy smile as he spoke to Jeffrey beside him."Jeffrey, I'm really curious where you found such a beautiful editor. Cynthia, if you're ever unhappy at F.E., you're welcome at my company anytime. I can even start a magazine just for you and make you the editor-in-chief."Cynthia frowned slightly, her heart filled with disgust.The man's grip showed no intention of loosening. His lecherous eyes shamelessly roamed over her, and his repulsive hand occasionally rubbed against the back of hers, even brushing her palm from time to time.Suppressing her discomfort, Cynthia maintained a polite smile while subtly attempting to free herself with a clever twist of her wrist. But the man clung to her like sticky taffy, tightening his grip instead.Just then, a strong, firm hand abruptly clamped down on the man's wrist.Lucien's voice rang out, laced with a hint of mockery."Ford, what do you think you're
"Coincidence."Saying only that one word, Lucien stepped out of the car. Sandy followed closely behind, chuckling softly as she murmured, "WellA coincidence?I don't think so. You haven't gone to see her in days—I almost thought you had finally given up. I knew something was off when you agreed to attend this charity gala. This isn't your style at all. Turns out, YOU.COME.HERE.FOR.HER."As she spoke, she exited the car as well, naturally slipping her arm through Lucien's.She glanced up at him—the refined, jade-like features, the tall, impeccably built figure. Anyone would have to admit that he looked every bit the charming CEO who could make women swoon.Yet, who would have thought that a man like him would willingly become a lovesick fool for a single woman? Even she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at this moment. "When did you become so