Geoffrey didn't push the issue when Chloe denied it. He started the engine. "I'll take you home!" The black Bentley shot into the night like an arrow.Chloe pouted, wanting to shout for him to stop, but looking around at the deserted, pitch-black wilderness and the late hour, where could she find a taxi?Either way, she was doomed! She might as well see if this man was truly a beast or just pretending to be a gentleman.Screech—The car came to an abrupt halt, and Chloe, who had been dozing off, lurched forward, only to be caught by the man's quick reflexes. She ended up falling right into his chest.The collision of her forehead against his chest snapped her awake. This man had done it on purpose! He was indeed bad news!Her eyes flared with anger as she tried to push him away, but her hands, still clutching her torn clothes, couldn't let go. She could only squirm in an attempt to shove him away with her shoulder."We've arrived at your home." The man ignored the fire in her eyes, in
"What are you doing?" Chloe cried out in terror as Lionel leaned in, biting her lips."Ugh... Get off me! I've signed the divorce papers; you have no right to touch me... Ugh..." Chloe couldn't believe her misfortune. She had escaped one predator only to come home to another. Why couldn't she escape her bad luck?Summoning strength from somewhere deep inside, Chloe managed to free her hands and slapped Lionel hard across the face.Slap!Lionel's head snapped to the side, and when he turned back to face her, his eyes were filled with even more malice. They were like a stormy sea, dark and terrifying."I'll show you whether I have the right to touch you!"He looked like he was about to tear her apart. Chloe's hand froze in mid-air, her eyes full of fear."Ah!" Chloe screamed as Lionel grabbed her and marched toward the bathroom."No! Let me go!" Chloe struggled, scratching and hitting, but Lionel's grip didn't loosen at all. She had completely enraged this beast.Cold water poured down
It was late at night.Grace was startled awake by the sound of Lionel rummaging through drawers. She quickly threw on a robe and found him frantically searching for something. "Sir, what are you looking for?" she asked, astonished."Where's the antiseptic ointment?" Lionel continued to search without even glancing up.In this household, Lionel never had to do anything himself, so how would he know where the damn ointment was?"Sir, are you hurt?" Grace asked, concerned. Seeing the displeased look on Lionel's face, she quickly corrected herself, "Oh, it's not there. I'll get it for you right away."Grace watched Lionel rush upstairs with the ointment, confused. She had just looked him over and didn't see any injuries. Could it be... that woman?! No, impossible! Lionel would never care about any woman other than Joa!And certainly not someone as undeserving as her!Despite the anger in his eyes, Lionel's touch was unexpectedly gentle as he applied the ointment, even though he didn't rea
Chloe checked the time; it was already nine o'clock!After the terrifying events of the previous night, she felt exhausted and decided she needed a few days to rest. She immediately picked up the phone."Hello, sir, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to come for your daughter's piano lessons for the next few days...""Hello, ma'am, I'm terribly sorry, but I'll need to take a few days off... Yes... thank you..."After hanging up, Chloe let out a sigh of relief.Wait! Mag! How could she have forgotten about Mag?The thought of Mag made Chloe panic. Last night, she had just watched as Mag was taken away, and then she had fainted!If anything had happened to Mag... she'd never forgive herself! In this indifferent world, apart from Cynthia, Mag was the only other person she cared about.Trembling, she dialed the phone. It rang for a long time before it was finally answered. Mag's slightly hoarse voice came through, "Chloe...""Mag, are you okay..." Hearing Mag's voice made Chloe's heart trembl
"What's wrong?" Cynthia, noticing Chloe's reaction, followed her gaze and glanced over. "Do you know him?"The man looked so familiar, like she had seen him in a magazine somewhere. Frowning, Cynthia tried to recall."No! How could I possibly know someone that rich?" Chloe denied hurriedly, her words stumbling over each other. She picked up her drink and looked out the window, trying to hide her unease.Lionel! That bastard is like a haunting ghost!In no time, Lionel had already approached."Cynthia, what are you doing here?" The woman next to Lionel, Moira, called out. Moira was a rising star, thanks to a recent drama series, and Cynthia used to be her personal makeup artist.In Moira's eyes, Cynthia, a mere makeup artist, had no business being in such an upscale restaurant."And why shouldn't I be here?" Cynthia shot back, her tone equally unfriendly.Moira was always condescending, and when they worked together, she constantly ordered people around. Now that she was famous, she tr
On the other side, Cynthia and Chloe walked out of the restaurant, exchanged a glance, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.Despite the laughter, Chloe couldn't shake her worry.That man was Lionel, after all—a man standing high above, commanding the world like a god. After being humiliated like that by Cynthia in public, Chloe was sure he'd hold her accountable. Her days ahead... well, they certainly weren't going to be easy."Are you worried?" Cynthia noticed Chloe's troubled expression and asked, linking arms with her."Aren't you afraid you might have crossed the wrong person?" Chloe asked instead of answering."Afraid?" Cynthia chuckled. "If I were afraid, would I have thrown that drink in his face? Don't tell me you didn't feel like doing the same!"Chloe smiled softly, thinking to herself, I've already done that before!"Honestly, I regret not asking him to cover my losses tonight! That dinner cost me a whole month's salary!" Cynthia sighed, thinking about how she hadn't
The deafening noise suddenly stopped.The servants, curious but afraid, peered out from their hiding spots. Grace shouted from behind, "What are you doing? Hurry up and get back to work!"The staff, not daring to say a word, quickly resumed their tasks.Chloe was surprised by the sudden silence. Grateful for the peace, she sighed and went to sleep.Since that day, the house had become eerily quiet. Even the air seemed to grow thin and cold. Lionel no longer brought up the incident with Cynthia in which she threw a drink at him. He continued his routine of working from seven in the morning until seven in the evening, while Chloe kept up with her piano teaching.With Blues still closed, Chloe came home before six every day. It seemed like she and Lionel had returned to their initial state, with no interactions between them in either time or space.***One afternoon, while Chloe was teaching one of her students, Lisa Latham, Lisa suddenly came down with a high fever.Chloe had never met
Chloe was someone who enjoyed peace and quiet. Even when her father was alive, she never attended any social gatherings.During college, while her classmates were busy dating and frequenting upscale places, she preferred to stay at home, read books, and tend to her plants. After her father's death, she had to start working hard to support herself.Today, she had originally declined Cynthia's invitation, but Cynthia, who was both persistent and dramatic, threatened, "If you don't come, I'll die in front of you!"Reluctantly, Chloe agreed.Sitting in the luxurious private room, Chloe looked around and realized that everyone was dressed to the nines. Even Cynthia had made an effort to look glamorous, while Chloe herself wore a plain, old knee-length white dress. She felt like a country bumpkin.She shot Cynthia an irritated look, feeling out of place.Cynthia patted her shoulder reassuringly. "You look beautiful no matter what you wear," she said, rising to get some drinks.These were Ch