Lionel's gaze was murderous, his face dark as a storm cloud, while Moira's anguished screams echoed, a clear sign to everyone—they had made a grave mistake.Instantly, their legs weakened, nearly giving way beneath them."M-Master, I thought..." Grace stammered, trying to explain, but upon receiving Lionel's piercing glare, she quickly swallowed her words, raising a trembling hand to gesture towards Chloe's old room.Lionel turned and entered Chloe's room.She was soaking in the tub, her skin smooth as porcelain, her black hair floating gently on the water's surface. Just by her silhouette, he knew it was the woman he held in his arms every night.How could he have made such a mistake?This time, his steps slowed. Or rather, he hesitated, almost shrinking back. Deep down, he feared seeing that cold, indifferent expression on her face once again.A small part of him hoped she would, like Moira, throw herself into his arms, crying, telling him she was afraid, that she needed him, beggin
"Lion... Lion..." Moira's frantic voice echoed as she called out, "Where did he go?" She wrapped herself tightly in a bath towel, her temper flaring as she shouted at the nearby servants.Seeing their nervous expressions and the subtle glances toward Chloe's room, Moira wasn't a fool; she knew where to go. She stormed toward Chloe's door."No, Miss Moira, you can't go in!" Grace blocked the entrance.The door hadn't been closed, and the sounds from within were unmistakable. The two of them were entangled together!Grace couldn't let Moira disrupt them a second time, fearing Lionel's wrath would fall on them all.Blocked by a mere servant, Moira was livid. "Move! Who dares to block my way?" She clutched her towel with one hand, ready to kick Grace but held back, her face twisted with frustration.She could see exactly what was going on just by their expressions. Inside, Chloe and Lionel were tangled up in something intimate. A burning jealousy ignited in her eyes, and she seethed."Mis
Finally, dusk began to fall, and Chloe found herself glancing toward the doorway for what felt like the hundredth time. After everything that had happened that morning, she was desperate to leave.She and Lionel had agreed on a day to get her divorce papers, but she knew he could handle it much faster if he wanted to; with his connections, it could be done in mere minutes.As darkness settled, there was still no sign of his car pulling up. Chloe sighed quietly, determined that no matter what, she would get the papers tonight.Heading upstairs, she curled up on the sofa, intent on waiting.She wasn't sure how much time had passed when, in a half-dazed state, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway, followed shortly by footsteps ascending the stairs.As the tall figure appeared in the shadows, she immediately spoke, her tone cold and detached. "Where are my divorce papers?"Her voice was icy, emotionless, as though they had never shared any history.In the darkness, Lione
Lionel glanced out through the dining room's floor-to-ceiling window as the household staff began to search the grounds. His expression darkened, but he remained seated.Grace noticed the displeasure brewing on her Master's face, misinterpreting it as irritation at the disturbance. She hurried outside to scold the servants.After about ten minutes, Mandy, unable to wait any longer, rushed directly into the dining room to report to Lionel."Master, Madam is gone! We searched both the front and back gardens, but she's nowhere to be found. Her personal bag is missing too! She must have left... What if something happened to her?"As Mandy's voice grew increasingly anxious, her eyes welled with tears, and she choked up.Lionel's face grew darker in response, his silence thickening the air.But Moira, sitting nearby, had had enough."Why all the fuss?" she snapped at Mandy. "It's just some...woman who went missing. She's not dead! Cry when she's actually gone for good."Mandy cast a resentf
Three days had passed, and it was as if Chloe had suddenly vanished without a trace.Lionel's expression grew darker by the hour, his brows furrowed tightly.He hadn't returned home in three days, often dozing off at his desk when he was exhausted, and at night, he would just find a bar to drown his sorrows, spending the night on the couch in a drunken stupor.His appearance had changed drastically; he was unshaven, his hair was a tangled mess, and he wore the same clothes day after day, reeking of alcohol from a distance. His face was a terrifying shade of ashen gray.At first, he had resolved that once he found that woman, he would confine her and punish her severely, making sure she never dared to run away again.But as time went on, Chloe's absence only deepened his fear. What if something had happened to her?The thought sent him into a frenzy, but his pride prevented him from confiding in anyone.He spent hours combing through news reports for any information about her, yet foun
Geoffrey couldn't understand how despicable Lionel had to be to make this woman want to hide from him! He suppressed the urge to confront Lionel and pulled Chloe into a corner.Fortunately, there were many people around, and Lionel didn't seem to notice them as he moved away."Okay," Geoffrey said, patting Chloe's back.Chloe quickly slipped out of Geoffrey's embrace and glanced back in the direction of Lionel, relieved to see that he was indeed gone.She didn't know why, but the moment she spotted Lionel, her instinct was to hide. She believed he wasn't looking for her; she just didn't want to see him.The sight of his detestable face made her heart ache.Taking a deep breath, Chloe composed herself and walked ahead, while Geoffrey walked beside her without asking any questions.Just seeing her mix fear with a hint of anticipation made his heart sink; it felt like she had lost something precious.He didn't want to admit it, but he grasped Chloe's hand and continued walking forward."
At this moment, Eamonn's handsome face was flushed from the alcohol. He had a woman on each side of him. One woman had her arm draped over his shoulder, while the other was teasingly pinching his thigh.Eamonn held his drink high, a wide grin on his face, playfully touching the woman on his left and kissing the one on his right."Stop it..." The woman on the left blushed and pressed herself against Eamonn's chest.The woman on the right seemed equally determined, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. With her low-cut top, Eamonn could barely keep his eyes off her fair skin!What a beast!I still remember that night when Eamonn publicly confessed his love for Cynthia, jokingly pretending to confess to Chloe, who was taken aback. He claimed he had loved Cynthia for a long time, since college.If he loved her so much, why did he cast her aside like yesterday's trash?What does love mean to a man? So casually spoken, it dazzles women into a stupor, only for them
"What? Furious that I've exposed your filthy soul?" Eamonn sneered, wiping his mouth."Once, you were noble and elegant, almost ethereal, captivating, alluring, cold and proud. Every man's heart raced for you. And now? Look at yourself. Do you still think you're so pure?"Eamonn laughed disdainfully, his mocking gaze fixed on Chloe.Chloe hadn't expected this. She'd come to confront him, yet here she was, facing humiliation instead. Fine, she thought, she was already branded a disgraceful woman in his eyes. His words barely stung her anymore. She steeled herself, glaring at him, her voice colder than before."Don't change the subject. You betrayed Cynthia. She's carrying your child, yet you still treat her like this!"Eamonn rose and leaned close to her, his tone dark and sinister. "Want to know why? It's because she's an IDIOT! She really thought I loved her. She actually believed that I was going to confess to HER that day. Tell me, Chloe, who do you think I wanted to confess to tha
For the sake of her child, she didn't want to leave. But… she couldn't let her child be born a bastard, facing the criticism and judgment that came with such a status. She wouldn't let her child live with such a shameful identity. She had to take her child and leave his life behind.Lionel felt a sharp pain in his chest. This time, he had really hurt her."No! I won't agree to this!" He growled fiercely, his cold lips trembling slightly."Heh…" Chloe let out a bitter laugh. "Lionel, even now, you still say no? What right do you have to say that? Will your future wife allow my existence? Even if she does, I won't shamelessly cling to you here. I won't share a man with another woman. Let's part on good terms. You marry Joanna, and I'll find a man who wants only me and get married. Let's wish each other well!"On the surface, her smile was small, but inside, her heart felt like it had been pierced open, bleeding profusely.At this point, Lionel still wanted to command her so arrogantly?
The gaze of both men turned sharply toward Chloe, but they could only see the cold, distant silhouette of her back.Hearing Chloe's hoarse voice, both men seemed frozen, as if struck by lightning. They were momentarily immobilized, like they had been enchanted. By the time they snapped out of it, Chloe had already walked several meters away."Chloe…" Geoffrey quickly turned and chased after her.Lionel's face darkened, his long legs making it easy to overtake Geoffrey, whose injured leg slowed him down. In just a couple of steps, Lionel was already right behind Chloe.Without a word, Lionel reached out and pulled Chloe into his arms."Let go! Lionel, I've become a joke. Are you trying to make it impossible for me to live here anymore?" Chloe said coldly, her eyes never meeting Lionel's. She suppressed the pain in her heart and spoke with an icy detachment."Chloe, please don't be angry. It will hurt you. I can't bear to see you suffer like this. I want to live with you, I want to be w
Chloe instinctively pulled her hand away and reached out to Geoffrey. "Geoffrey, I want to marry you. Will you marry me?""Ah?" Geoffrey was taken aback, but as soon as he caught the murderous look in Lionel's eyes, he smirked. "I've been waiting for this." He grabbed Chloe's hand, pulling her close to him."Chloe..." Lionel's hand reached out to grab air, his heart aching with a sharp pain. "Come home with me. I'll explain everything."Chloe acted as if nothing was wrong, forcing a faint smile. "No need. There's nothing for you to explain. A woman like me doesn't deserve your respect."Turning her head, she looked away. Though her heart ached painfully, her blood rushed, and she longed to throw herself into his arms, to tell him everything—her fears, her sadness, and that they were having a child. But she couldn't. He was already engaged to another woman.Even though she was of low status, she would never share a man with another woman!She clenched her fist, forcing back the bittern
After receiving Lionel's call, Grace deliberately walked over to Chloe's room and listened carefully. There was no sound coming from inside.Hmph, she's really able to sleep through everything!Grace curled her lips into a mocking smile, feeling quite pleased with herself.She went downstairs to direct the servants on their tasks.By the time daylight broke and breakfast was ready, Chloe still hadn't come downstairs. Grace found herself looking back at the stairs over and over, but there was still no sign of her.Eventually, feeling something was off, Grace walked to Chloe's door, knocked, and called out, "Madam, breakfast is ready. If you don't come out soon, it will get cold."Still, silence.She raised her voice and called again, "Madam, Master will be home soon."No response. Could something have happened?Thinking this, Grace lost her composure. She nervously twisted the door handle, opening the door and quickly stepping inside. But the room was empty.Her heart sank.Grace's fac
"Geoffrey, take me to my mom's." Chloe finally looked at Geoffrey for the first time.Since getting into Geoffrey's car, she had been lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of Geoffrey's gaze as he scrutinized her."Did you two argue?" Geoffrey's voice was low and hoarse, filled with a deep, painful concern as he looked at Chloe.Seeing the redness around her eyes made his heart ache, as if thousands of needles were running through his veins, causing him sharp, excruciating pain."No." Chloe took a deep breath and answered calmly."Don't lie to me. Chloe, you don't lie." Geoffrey grabbed Chloe's hand and said, "I've told you before, Lionel isn't the best choice for you. His background is too complicated, he's really not right for you. Chloe, come with me. I promise I'll marry you immediately, and you won't suffer one bit."A passionate man, a passionate gaze, and passionate words, but Chloe's heart remained unmoved.After her heart was broken by the past, giving it to Lionel had bec
AstralisThe Williams estate remained brightly lit through the night.As the last guests departed, the household staff moved efficiently, tidying up the courtyard and clearing away the remnants of the celebration.Earl, filled with joy and having indulged in a few too many drinks, had retired early for the evening.Only his immediate family remained in the grand hall—his sons, daughters, and grandchildren all gathered together."Lion, congratulations on rekindling things with Joanna," Lewis, Lionel's cousin, remarked with a grin.Lionel shot him a frosty glare. "Thank you," he replied curtly, rising from his seat. He turned to address the elders. "I'm feeling a bit tired. If you'll excuse me, I'll head to my room now.""Go get some rest. It's been a long day for you!"His aunt Hannah forced a smile and waved dismissively, hiding her envy behind a facade of politeness. Beneath her outward cheer, her heart burned with jealousy. Earl was clearly playing favorites again. Even though Joann
Just as she sat up in bed, she heard footsteps outside the door. Her heart leaped with excitement. She jumped out of bed, rushed to the door, and flung it open, calling out, "Lion—" But the person standing before her was Grace."Madam, it's me. The Master won't be coming home tonight." Grace stepped inside, carefully balancing a tray of food, a bright smile plastered on her face as if something delightful had happened. "Before he left, he made it clear that I must take good care of you. I wouldn't dare neglect his orders. I saw you were asleep during dinner and didn't want to disturb you, but I figured you'd be awake by now, so I brought your meal upstairs.""Thank you," Chloe murmured, disappointment flashing across her face as she followed Grace back inside.She sat down to eat, but every bite felt like a lump in her throat. The food refused to go down smoothly. She glanced at her flat belly, clenched her teeth, and forced herself to eat a bit more before giving up entirely.When Gr
Joanna's face flushed with a hint of redness. She glanced at Lionel, who was not far away, her eyes flashing with a mischievous, almost mocking glint. She said, "Lion has always been great, and... I'm willing to marry him!""Good! Good!" The guests erupted in applause and cheers.The atmosphere in the room reached its peak, with everyone smiling and congratulating Earl and Samuel.Earl and Samuel, unable to hide their joy, raised their glasses to toast to their friends and relatives, their eyes moist with emotion.Both families were prominent in the business world, and this union was a powerful alliance. Everyone could foresee that the future of the business world would belong to them. Lionel, the head of K International Group, would see his value soar to an unprecedented level.He was like a god standing on a cloud, commanding the world. With a snap of his fingers, he could send financial storms across half the globe.Such a deity, who coul
"You, I...fine, it's my fault. I was wrong. Now that things have come to this point, we must take responsibility for what needs to be handled. An important guest is arriving today. Get yourselves ready and come out quickly. They might already be on their way."Knowing that if he softened his tone, the young man would only grow more defiant, Earl—proud as he had been all his life—was ultimately forced to bow his head before his grandson."Ha…" Lionel let out a cold laugh. "Responsibility? If anyone has to take responsibility, it's you. Every consequence of this mess stems from your decisions. What does any of it have to do with me?""You—you—what nonsense are you spouting?" Earl bristled, his anger making his mustache quiver. "Oh, I see. This must be because of that woman! But let me tell you, your wife can only be Joanna, no one else! If you take a step back and marry Joanna, everything will be negotiable. Love as many women as you