Cynthia's steps were unsteady, her body still weak. She tilted her head slightly, leaned closer to Lucien, and whispered, "Why are you here?"
Lucien lowered his head slightly, locking eyes with Cynthia. A smirk played at the corners of his lips as he said, "You took my money and then ran off to a place like this—how could I not come see for myself? I was thinking, if you dared to spend my money on another man, I'd break one of your legs."
His tone was calm, not too light nor too heavy, but it sent a sharp jolt through Cynthia's heart.
She opened her mouth, wanting to refute him, but the words seemed stuck in her throat. After a brief hesitation, she spoke softly, "Everything I told you just now was true. I didn't lie."
She wasn't sure why she felt the need to explain herself to Lucien. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the drug still in her system, making not only her body weak but also lowering her e
(Flashback)"This is yours." Cynthia's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of nervousness and shyness. She had finally managed to dig out the boy's workbook from the towering pile of slightly disorganized books and gently handed it over.Opposite her, a strikingly handsome boy slowly lifted his head. His eyes were bright and deep, as if holding a galaxy of stars.He reached out, took the workbook, and smiled slightly. "Thanks," he said in a low, warm voice.His smile pierced straight through Cynthia's defenses. She felt her heartbeat accelerate uncontrollably, pounding wildly as if it would burst out of her chest."Your name is Edric? I'm Cynthia," she mustered her courage, trying to sound composed as she looked at him.The boy responded with a simple, indifferent, "I know."His voice was deep and magnetic—just two words, yet they sent a ripple through Cynthia's heart."You're outstanding. Everyone knows you. It's you who
Cynthia was completely unprepared when she was yanked into the water. Her face plunged straight into the freezing pool, the icy coldness piercing through her skin.Panicked, she struggled frantically, but a strong hand coiled around her waist like a serpent. The force was overwhelming—unyielding like iron chains—as it pulled her deeper and deeper into the water.The sound of water roared in her ears, deafening and relentless. Her vision blurred in the dim light, and all she could make out was the vague outline of a face and the powerful figure beside her, radiating an aura of dominance.Her body collided against the other person's chest, and in her desperation, she instinctively wrapped her arms around him. The water surrounding them was cold and slick, but the body she clung to felt solid and warm—her only lifeline in this chaotic abyss.As they sank further, Cynthia's breathing became more labored. Her lungs burned, as if a massive sto
After stepping out of the pool, the two headed straight for the bathroom.Freshly showered, Cynthia reached for the nightwear Lucien had tossed her way. But the moment she unfolded it, she froze.A white, silky slip dress—thin, short, and barely covering anything.There was no doubt in her mind—Lucien had done this on purpose.Her previous clothes, drenched from the pool, lay in a soaked heap on the side, completely unwearable. Left with no other choice, she went to find Vicky and asked if there were any other options.Vicky's answer was straightforward: her new clothes wouldn't arrive until tomorrow. And as for women's nightwear—this was the only one available.Cynthia frowned in suspicion.Given Lucien's notorious reputation, with women constantly coming and going from his life, how was it possible that he didn't have a few spare sets of female clothing lying around?She didn't believe it for a second.But the thought of wearing something left behind by another woman made her stomac
The second half of the night felt like an endless and torturous nightmare for Cynthia. She lay in bed, her eyes fixed on the dark ceiling, her thoughts tangled like a chaotic web. She drifted in and out of restless sleep until the first rays of dawn quietly seeped into the room. When Cynthia finally opened her eyes, a single word stabbed into her heart like a sharp dagger—mistress.Yes, today was the first day she had agreed to become Lucien's mistress. She slowly got up, allowing the maid, Vicky, to dress her in the luxurious clothes Lucien had prepared and apply delicate makeup—everything was flawless, down to the finest detail. Yet, in Cynthia's eyes, the reflection in the mirror was unbearable to look at. No matter how she viewed it, she felt like a heavily adorned woman waiting for a client—no different from a prostitute. Or perhaps, like a meticulously groomed bird in a gilded cage—granted beautiful feathers but stripped of the freedom to soar, trapped within these wal
Moments later, they both sat at the dining table. Lucien had already regained his usual demeanor—his face an expressionless mask of indifference. Vicky, too afraid to make a sound, carefully set the breakfast dishes in place, barely letting her gaze linger on either of them before quickly retreating from the dining room. In front of Cynthia sat a glass of milk, along with an assortment of delicate pastries, a perfectly cooked egg, and a steak. By contrast, Lucien's meal was far simpler—just a black coffee and a sandwich. It was obvious that his breakfast routine was fixed, and the extra dishes on the table had been specially prepared for her. Staring at the excessive amount of food before her, Cynthia felt a flicker of irritation. Did he take her for a pig? How on earth was one person supposed to eat so much? Lucien sat with his usual elegance, his posture reminiscent of an aristocrat from the Middle Ages. He focused entirely on his meal, never once sparing her a glance. Cynth
On the other side of town, Jacqueline had just arrived downstairs at her apartment building. She pulled a cigarette from her bag, skillfully lit it with a lighter, and took a deep drag before exhaling a stream of smoke. Nicky, spotting her, quickly jogged over and urged, "Wait until you're inside! If the paparazzi catch you smoking here, it'll be a mess." Jacqueline frowned, her face flashing with impatience. She shot Nicky a sharp glance and said irritably, "Enough already. There are so many bodyguards around—where would the paparazzi even come from?" Nicky was momentarily speechless. Though he knew she had a point, he chose not to argue further. Instead, he handed her phone over. Jacqueline took it, her fingers swiftly scrolling through the screen. When she saw that Marius hadn't called, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. How did things go with Marius? Had Cynthia been punished yet? She knew perfectly well that Marius liked her, and using him to deal with Cynt
Early the next morning, Cynthia arrived at the office. As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed a group of colleagues gathered together, buzzing with excitement over some big news.Pearl, known as the office's queen of gossip, stood at the center of the crowd, her expression animated as she spoke."Did you guys hear? That whole rumor about Jacqueline and Lucien—it was all her doing! She orchestrated the entire thing, hoping to force Lucien into admitting she was his girlfriend. But guess what? Lucien never took her seriously at all. In the end, Jacqueline had no choice but to deny everything, but in reality, she was the mastermind behind it!"Upon hearing this, Gina's face lit up with the joy of sweet revenge. She couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Serves her right!"Cynthia stood quietly to the side, a flicker of sympathy surfacing in her heart.She recalled Jacqueline's pitiful figure as she left, a dejected and broken silhouette. Softly, she murmured, "I actually think she's
That morning, a sensational piece of news spread like wildfire through every corner of the magazine office—Jacqueline was scheduled to arrive that afternoon for a cover shoot."What the hell? Who the fuck invited that bitch?" Gina slammed a stack of documents onto her desk, her face filled with fury."I heard Mrs. Roberts personally extended the invitation. A big celebrity like her coming here? We should be grateful," Pearl replied, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up slightly.Mrs. Roberts was none other than the wife of Jeffrey Roberts, the magazine's chairman."Celebrity? Please. She's nothing but a scheming whore," Gina scoffed, her voice sharp and piercing.Pearl smirked, amused. "Gina, why do you hate Jacqueline so much?""I just do. Got a problem with that?" Gina huffed, as if her disdain needed no explanation.Seeing that Gina wasn't in the mood to elaborate, Pearl changed the subject, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Honestly, I don't care about Jacqueline. What I'm
Their eyes locked in midair, sparks colliding in the silent tension. In an instant, memories of the previous night's passion surged like an unstoppable tide, drowning out all restraint.Lucien could no longer hold back. He leaned in and captured Cynthia's lips in a fierce, searing kiss. At the same time, he swiftly yanked the blanket away, his movements urgent yet filled with tenderness. His body pressed against hers in an unrelenting embrace.Cynthia knew this was playing with fire, but every nerve in her body had already been ignited. Lucien's lips trailed away from hers, grazing the delicate curve of her ear. He nibbled at the tip, sending a sharp jolt of sensation through her, spreading in waves that left her trembling. Instinctively, she shut her eyes.In this heightened world of sensation, she found herself responding, kissing him back, surrendering to his passion. Encouraged, Lucien's kisses deepened, more possessive, as if he wanted to pull her into himself, to fuse their very
The next morning, Cynthia slowly woke up, her head throbbing with a dull ache that pulsed relentlessly."Headache?" A lazy voice sounded above her.Instinctively, Cynthia lifted her gaze, and in that unguarded moment, Lucien's face came into view. The sudden sight of him startled her, making her body involuntarily tense.She gave a slight nod in response before sinking back down. But then, a chilling realization hit her—she was curled up in Lucien's arms, completely bare under the covers.Her mind went blank for a second before a wave of shame and anger surged through her. There was no doubt in her mind—this had to be Lucien's doing! He must have taken advantage of her drunken state and stripped her naked!"I'll get you some water," Lucien said gently, seemingly unaware of her inner turmoil. He got up and walked over to the table, pouring a glass of water.Cynthia quickly pulled the blanket tighter around herself, wrapping it securely as she sat up. Taking the glass from Lucien, she t
Anders threw an arm around Marius's shoulder, acting as if he were completely oblivious to Marius's anger. Instead, he turned to Cynthia and said, "Cynthia, just say the word. What do you want me to do? Break one of his legs? What do you think?"Though his words were directed at Cynthia, his gaze flickered toward Lucien. Lucien stood quietly to the side, his expression indifferent. He made no move to stop Anders, nor did he attempt to help Cynthia out of the situation. He simply watched, as if waiting for her to handle it herself.Cynthia narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Marius the way a master looks at a pet. That look alone made Marius's skin crawl, as if a cold serpent had fixed its eyes on him. Then, she spoke at a leisurely pace. "No need to break his leg. It's all in the past. However—Marius, you'd better start using your brain from now on. Stop letting people manipulate you."On the surface, it seemed like she was pleading for Marius, but in reality, her words carried an
Meanwhile, downstairs, Cynthia was frantically searching everywhere.She had no idea how long she had been looking when a glimpse of black caught her eye near a patch of grass. It was the very same bank card that Lucien had so casually tossed away. Seizing it like a priceless treasure, Cynthia picked it up and clenched her teeth in fury."That lunatic! I shouldn't have bothered coming down to find this!" she muttered under her breath, vigorously wiping off the dust and grass sticking to the card.Then, she suddenly froze. A realization hit her—without the PIN, what use was this card to anyone who found it?In an instant, rage flared up inside her, rising from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. Her fingers trembled violently as she gripped the card.How dare he?! she screamed internally. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to snap the card in half.***Late at night.Inside the car, Cynthia sat in silence. She didn't ask Lucien any questions about their destination.
Cynthia gently closed Georgia's bedroom door and took a few steps forward. As she lifted her gaze, she caught sight of a flickering glow near the balcony, the faint arcs of light piercing through the darkness. She hesitated for a moment, then, almost instinctively, moved toward the glow. When she got closer, she realized who it was—Lucien.Without thinking, she blurted out, "You haven't left?"Lucien turned his head slowly at the sound of her voice, his expression calm as he met her gaze. "Where else should I go?" he asked in return.His words caught Cynthia off guard, as if something lodged in her throat, rendering her momentarily speechless. Indeed, given the tangled mess of their relationship, it wasn't exactly surprising that he was still here.Just then, a faint but distinct creaking sound came from the balcony railing.A warning flashed through her mind—the landlord's reminder: The railing is old and unstable. Don't lean on it, or you might fall.Before she could even think, her
Cynthia slowly regained consciousness, only to find that Lucien was already gone. As she moved slightly, a wave of soreness spread through her body, as if she had endured some kind of harsh punishment. Yet, she couldn't deny that Lucien's skills in bed were nothing short of extraordinary—just as they had always been.After taking a shower and changing into fresh clothes, Cynthia stepped out of the bathroom, only to realize that night had already fallen. The room was shrouded in darkness. She reached for the switch, and with a soft click, light illuminated the space. As her gaze landed on the glass tank, her footsteps faltered.The turtle had been placed back inside. It lay motionless at the bottom of the tank, quiet and still.Cynthia slowly approached, her eyes locked onto the small creature. Lucien's words echoed in her mind: You're just like this turtle.As much as she hated to admit it, there was some truth to his cruel remark.Her marriage to Lucien was like that glass tank—an en
Lucien strode over to Cynthia, pulled her into his arms, and firmly clasped her waist. Towering over the disheveled Edric on the ground, his eyes glinted with disdain. "If you want to speak to my wife, you'll have to get my permission first."Cynthia instinctively tried to push him away. "Lucien!" she called softly.At the sound of her voice, Lucien turned his head slightly and glanced at her. That one look sent a sharp jolt through Cynthia's heart. In his eyes, she saw overwhelming possessiveness, fierce protectiveness, and a trace of barely contained rage.Edric scrambled to his feet, looking utterly pathetic. His suit and face were smeared with dirt, and his bloodshot eyes locked onto Lucien and Cynthia with seething anger. His clenched fists trembled slightly, but he dared not make another move.Lucien glanced at him with contempt before lowering his gaze to Cynthia. "Darling, let's go home."His tone was gentle, but chilling to anyone who heard it.Simon helped Georgia from the t
After the call ended, Cynthia sat frozen in her seat, her mind blank. Several seconds passed before she slowly came to her senses and took a deep breath — a breath that seemed to drain all the strength from her body. After hesitating for a moment, she stood up and headed straight to her manager's office to request leave.She knew full well that, no matter how strained her relationship with Georgia had been, she couldn't just turn a blind eye. Blood was thicker than water — no matter how much she tried, she couldn't cut those ties completely.When she arrived at the hospital, she went directly to the Radiology Department. Spotting Edric sitting there, Cynthia stormed over."Where's Georgia?" she demanded."She's inside, getting some scans done," Edric replied calmly, looking up at her."What exactly happened? And why are you here?" Cynthia's tone was sharp.Edric furrowed his brows slightly but still explained patiently, "I accidentally scraped her with my car, so I brought her here ri
Sitting in the car, Cynthia stared silently out the window. After a long while, as if gathering all her courage, she slowly turned her head and softly asked, "How did you know I was there?""I told you we'd go home together after work. Why didn't you wait for me?"Lucien's tone was noticeably cold.Cynthia froze, suddenly recalling that he had indeed mentioned this. Lowering her eyes slightly, she murmured, "I forgot,"with a hint of barely noticeable guilt in her voice."You remember everything when it's about other people, but when it comes to me, you forget it all completely,"Lucien said, visibly annoyed. His eyes fell on the clothes she was wearing, and his expression darkened even more. "Take it off."Cynthia was still startled by his earlier words, and now, hearing this sudden command, she frowned slightly. Is he seriously thinking about... here, in the car?"What? Do you just love wearing another man's clothes that much?"&nbs