"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
The boys sat down, and fortunately, the private room was large enough. The U-shaped couch against the wall was spacious, so even with eleven or twelve people, it didn't feel crowded.The atmosphere quickly became lively. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and playful banter filled the room.Chloe felt uncomfortable in this environment. Even Cynthia was getting involved in the fun, leaving Chloe feeling a bit suffocated. She poured herself a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.Surprisingly, the drink seemed to calm her chaotic thoughts. She reached for the bottle again, skipping the glass this time, and took a swig straight from the bottle.A burning gaze kept sweeping across her face, and though Chloe didn't dare to look, her instincts told her it was coming from Eamonn."Hey, everyone quiet down! Eamonn's got something important to announce today!" one of the boys grabbed the microphone and handed it to Eamonn.All eyes turned to him.Eamonn had graduated from Westridge Universi
The sounds from the master bedroom echoed until dawn, gradually subsiding as Chloe sat on the sofa, staring blankly.She didn't want to hear the nauseating noises, yet she stubbornly forced herself to listen until morning.She needed this to stay awake, to remind herself not to indulge in fantasies and to remember that aside from her father, no other man would ever treat her well.Stretching her stiff legs, she made her way downstairs, where the servants were already busy cleaning.As she stepped outside into the front garden, they exchanged glances, unable to suppress their sighs and shakes of their heads.Her eyes were red like a rabbit's, her face pale, and the worry etched on her brow seemed to deepen.Clearly, last night, the master had spent the night with the woman he brought home; otherwise, she wouldn't be in such despair.Chloe approached the swing, sitting down and absentmindedly rocking back and forth. She closed her eyes, letting the cold autumn breeze wash over her, feel
Chloe pushed Lionel hard, shouting, "If you want to... head to your master bedroom! There's a woman waiting for you impatiently in there!""Do you really want me to go to her?" Lionel's voice was hoarse from the alcohol, and even in the darkness, his furrowed brow was evident.Swallowing his anger, he kept his gaze fixed on Chloe's face.Chloe scoffed coldly, "What a joke! What does it matter to me which woman you want to sleep with? Move aside!" She raised her hand and shoved his shoulder forcefully.Though it was hard to see clearly, Lionel could still imagine the coldness of her expression. Her heartless words stabbed at him like a dagger.Feeling a sharp pain in his chest, his voice turned icy. "Yes! It has nothing to do with you! But you are still my woman! Tonight, I'm going to sleep with you!"Without waiting for her response, he bent down and captured her lips."Ugh, get off... you beast! You scoundrel! Who do you think you are, a king?" Chloe protested, kicking and struggling
In the study, Lionel was seething with rage!He yanked off his tie, irritated by everything around him. With a sweep of his arms, he sent the documents on the table crashing to the floor with a loud bang.A fire burned in his chest, fierce and relentless, as if it might scorch a hole right through him. It hurt!Damn that woman!He had offered to let her return to the master bedroom, promised to make the other woman disappear immediately. He had lowered himself, yet she hadn't even blinked before refusing, insisting he bring that woman into the master bedroom instead!Fine!Let her be ruthless! She didn't care about the master bedroom, did she? She didn't mind him bringing any woman there, did she?Well then! He would show her!He didn't need her!As long as he wanted, thousands of women would flock to him!"Ah..." Lionel went berserk, smashing everything in the study to pieces. In an instant, it looked like a disaster zone.Finally exhausted from the destruction, he collapsed into his
Lionel's cold voice was indeed intimidating; he was a proud and arrogant man. But in reality, it wasn't Chloe begging him—he was the one begging her to come back. He was just using a different way to save face.In love, everyone is equal!For love, no matter how fierce he pretended to be, he remained humble as dust.They both loved each other, yet neither was willing to back down or lay bare their hearts. They thought that yielding first would make them seem weak and that withholding their true feelings would give them control.But in truth, those who refuse to open their hearts are often the ones who lose control! In the end, they hurt only themselves.That was how they were—both proud and stubborn, equally cold, unwilling to show their true feelings for fear of being hurt, ridiculed, or trampled.In the end, they both ended up hurting each other deeply. Even at the height of their pain, they still wouldn't admit that they loved one another.Well, if they were going to be this stubbo
Chloe leaned against the doorframe with both hands."Did Lionel tell you to stay here? What's the matter? Afraid to go to the master bedroom? Or is it that you're just not allowed in there?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, something she was quite capable of, though she didn't always choose to indulge.Moira's face twisted in anger at Chloe's taunt."Get out of my way! I can stay wherever I please! It's none of your business, BITCH!" She screamed, grabbing Chloe's arm and forcefully pulling her out of the room.Weak from skipping both lunch and dinner and still groggy from sleep, Chloe stumbled as Moira yanked her aside. She barely managed to regain her balance after a few unsteady steps.Moira stormed into Chloe's room and slammed the door shut. Inside, the sounds of drawers being ransacked filled the air.Moments later, the door flew open, and with a loud 'thud,' Chloe's bag, clothes, and skincare products were tossed out into the hallway, scattered all over the floor. Some bottles s
At dinner, only Lionel, Moira, and Florence were seated at the table.Ten minutes passed, and no one made a move.Seeing the situation, Moira's eyes darted around. Could Lionel be waiting for that woman to join them?A sly smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she leaned closer to Lionel, softly whining, "Lion, are we expecting another guest? I'm starving..."She feigned innocence but cursed inwardly: That bitch better leave tomorrow and spare everyone the headache.Lionel didn't even glance at Moira, his attention still fixed on the newspaper in his hands. Moira's face immediately paled from the cold shoulder.Meanwhile, Florence, observing quietly, could instantly tell that her brother and Chloe had fallen out.Florence loathed this newly arrived woman.She wasn't too fond of Chloe, but even Chloe was better than this garishly dressed woman.From the way Moira moved and the look in her eyes, she was practically throwing herself at Lionel.Spoiled as Florence was, she never held
Chloe sat by the windowsill, her mind replaying Lionel's cold expression, and her heart ached uncontrollably. The pain was sharp, so vivid that she couldn't ignore it.Could it be that she... had truly developed feelings for him?Otherwise, why did it hurt so much to see him bring another woman home?The urge to storm up to him, grab him by the collar, and demand an explanation—while throwing Moira out so she'd stop disgusting her—was overwhelming.Yes, the reason she cried so hard yesterday wasn't just because Cynthia met a terrible man, but because she, too, was about to leave the man she had fallen for.If she hadn't developed feelings for him, she wouldn't feel this reluctant. If she hadn't fallen for him, she wouldn't feel so devastated.It turns out, the heart she thought had long turned cold hadn't actually died—it was revived by Lionel, beating fiercely again.Perhaps, all his care for her had unknowingly woven a net that trapped her heart, leaving her unable to escape, fallin
Seeing Chloe's pale face alternating between shades of green and white, Grace felt a sense of satisfaction, while Moira's arrogance seemed to rise even higher.Admiring Chloe's distressed expression, Moira deliberately provoked her. "What now? Still planning to kick me out?"She then turned to Grace with mock authority and shouted, "Can't you see the madam is upset? Go fetch some water, now!"Her smug attitude made it seem as though she were the real mistress of the house.Grace's lips twitched at Moira's outburst, and she quickly lowered her head, mumbling obediently, "Yes, yes, right away!"Hadn't they just been on the same side? Now Moira was shouting at her. Clearly, if she hoped to enjoy a few peaceful days, it wasn't going to happen.Grace was furious but didn't dare show it. In her heart, she compared Chloe and Moira. One was cold and indifferent, always dressed like a beggar, with a face that looked as though the world owed her millions—definitely not someone people liked. The
On her way home, Chloe's mood plunged to an all-time low. She wasn't sure how long she had cried with Cynthia, but oddly enough, she had cried even harder than Cynthia!Her eyes were swollen like walnuts, her legs weak and unsteady. Both of them were hungry, yet neither could stomach any food. The two sisters had a good cry together.She didn't understand where all her tears had come from, gushing out like a dam had broken. Ever since her father's death, she hadn't shed a tear in ages! She had thought she'd cried herself dry after he passed.No matter how difficult or painful things were, she never allowed herself to cry.But ever since entering the Williams household, it seemed like the rules had changed. Her long-dry tear ducts had suddenly sprung to life again!She remembered crying in Lionel's arms more than once, but she couldn't even recall what had made her cry on those occasions.And today? Why had she cried so much today? Was it really just for Cynthia?She had no idea how lo