Before Chloe found herself in Orchard Village, Flora had already shown signs of mental instability. Due to Chloe's disappearance and Donna's failure to secure a reputable hospital in time, Flora was admitted to a psychiatric institution.
That afternoon, Chloe and Donna visited Flora at the hospital. Flora looked significantly thinner and was still in the same state as before—vacant, with a silly grin on her face.
Clutching a pillow tightly, she repeatedly called it "baby." When she saw Chloe, her gaze turned dark and menacing. Pointing a trembling finger at Chloe, she lunged forward, screaming, "You evil woman! You killed my child! I'll strangle you!"
Several doctors rushed in and restrained her just in time, preventing her nails from scratching Chloe's face.
Did Flora still recognize her?
Chloe studied Flora's pale face as the doctors held her down. Flora's constant struggling twisted her features grotesquely. Only after being administered a
Florence was shopping at the mall. Joanna had returned, and she wanted to pick out an outfit as a gift for her.Having grown up together, they shared similar tastes in brands and styles. Their clothing was always high-end, limited edition pieces that highlighted the elegance and prestige of their upbringing. The kind of outfits that, when worn, exuded sophistication and grace, ensuring they became the center of attention wherever they went.A group of sales assistants hovered around Florence, their golden customer, tirelessly recommending items and gesturing enthusiastically. But Florence was someone with her own strong opinions. No matter how sweetly the saleswomen smiled or how honeyed their words were, Florence remained unmoved unless she truly liked what she saw."Well, shopping for clothes, are we?" A tall figure suddenly appeared, blocking Florence's view.Florence looked up and was greeted by Alex's radiant, sunshine-like smile.Alex?! What
As Chloe left the art center with Lisa at the end of the workday, they lingered at the entrance for a moment before Marcus arrived."Chloe, thank you so much…" Marcus said warmly as he stepped out of his car, his gratitude evident in his smile."It was nothing," Chloe replied, her lips curving into a faint smile. She couldn't help but take a moment to observe Marcus. Despite the time that had passed, he was still the same man she once knew—handsome, charming, and exuding an aura that made him an ideal partner in the eyes of many women.Yet, behind that polished exterior lay a man who had endured the pain of losing his beloved wife at such a young age. It took extraordinary strength to bury that grief and carry on with his responsibilities."I truly don't know how to thank you," Marcus said, his voice touched with emotion."There's no need," Chloe replied, waving her hands dismissively. "I enjoy spending time with Lisa.""Lisa, i
Chloe stood in front of the mirror, her eyes cast downward, revealing only her long, delicate lashes. Her jade-like face had a hint of alluring pink, and her rounded, upturned nose was a striking perfection. Her lips, though devoid of any lipstick, were still irresistibly rosy and moist.Suddenly, she glanced at the clock on the wall; it was the umpteenth time she had checked the time. The hands pointed to 9 PM. She curved her lips into a radiant smile at her reflection, looking as breathtaking as a goddess fallen to earth.Today was Valentine's Day, and like other couples, Chloe was also preparing to spend a romantic evening with her boyfriend, Amos.Thinking of Amos's warm and handsome face, Chloe couldn't help but smile, despite pressing her lips together.She checked the time again—9:05 PM. Chloe's delicate brows furrowed slightly.They had agreed yesterday, when they parted, to have dinner together tonight and plan the rest of the evening. However, Amos later sent a message sayin
Not far away, she saw the woman's black lace underwear intertwined suggestively with a pair of bright red boxers.She wouldn't be naïve enough to think this was some kind of strip show between a man and a woman.The clothes were strewn about so chaotically and intimately that just looking at them made her blush, further fueling her imagination of the intense passion that had erupted here.The sounds coming from inside the room were clear, as if to confirm her worst fears. Each moan, louder than the last, made it impossible for her to pretend she didn't understand."Amos, Amos... ah..." The woman's voice, laced with desire, called out sweetly.The response was a series of deep, heavy breaths.Chloe's face turned deathly pale. She bit her lip hard, her vision blurring as her trembling hands gripped the phone tightly.How absurd. She had been waiting for him since 5 PM, anxious and restless, not even drinking a sip of tea just to be ready for him.She struggled to move her feet forward,
A week laterBlues Bar, located on a somewhat secluded street, hadn't always done well in business, but ever since Chloe started working there, the place had become more popular by the day.Her music was like a spell, capable of calming people's anger, bringing them joy, and making them feel completely at ease.For an entire week, Chloe had been missing. The bar owner, Mag, had tried calling her so many times that her phone was nearly dead, but she still couldn't reach her.Customers were growing more restless, almost to the point of tearing the bar apart.Tonight, the bar was packed again, and with only five minutes left until showtime, there was still no sign of Chloe. Mag was starting to sweat with worry.Standing on her toes, Mag anxiously scanned the bar, and finally, she saw a figure dressed in white appear around the corner. She couldn't contain her excitement and shouted, "She's here! Chloe's here!"Instantly, the bar fell silent. As Chloe stepped inside, hundreds of pairs of
Later.When Chloe opened the door, she felt utterly exhausted, wanting nothing more than a bath and some rest. To her shock, she found herself face-to-face with a heavily made-up face on the sofa.The sight stunned her so much that she nearly dropped her bag.It was the first time she'd seen her since that day. Just the sight of that face made Chloe recall the image of them entwined together, and instinctively, she wanted to avoid it.Flora was quicker, grabbing her hand. "Chloe! Stop!"Chloe stared blankly at the face in front of her."Let go!" She didn't want to get entangled with her. She didn't hate her sister; she only hated herself for believing a man's sweet lies.Chloe felt none of the heartache she expected. Flora, red with anger, shouted, "Chloe, you heartless monster! I slept with your man! I was FUCKED your man! Are you blind or deaf?"How could she not feel pain? She had slept with her man just to make her suffer—to suffer so much that she couldn't breathe, so much that s
Two Months Later.Bar ParadisoPeople called it paradise on earth—a world of luxury and excess that others spent their whole lives pursuing. Yet, it was a world of decadence and corruption.In one of the lavish private rooms, a man lounged on a sofa in the corner. His face was so strikingly handsome that it seemed like the masterpiece of a dedicated artist, sculpted with the utmost care. His sharp, defined features exuded a wild, yet refined allure, with an aura of untouchable power.Resting his elegant chin on one hand, his deep brown eyes—mysterious and unfathomable, like a bottomless pool—gazed thoughtfully at an ancient painting on the wall. He gently swirled the wine in his glass, lost in thought.With a tilt of his head, the fiery red liquid flowed smoothly down his throat, filling his mouth with its rich aroma. His cold, somber face, shrouded in the dim light, was a stark contrast to the vibrant, lively scene behind him.Suddenly, the crisp sound of high heels clicking against
Lionel squinted his eyes. He knew he couldn't make it far and needed to find a room immediately. Stumbling out of the private room, his body felt like it was about to explode from the searing heat coursing through him. His silver-gray shirt was already soaked through with sweat.He staggered his way up to the VIP rooms on the 15th floor. As he stumbled toward a door, he was fortunate—it was unlocked and automatically opened. He needed to cool down his body fast.As he lifted his leg to step inside, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman lurking under the dim, yellowish corridor light. She was acting suspiciously, glancing around nervously, and slowly edging closer to him.Lionel rubbed his eyes. Despite his increasingly muddled mind, he recognized her immediately—she was the same woman who had been trying hard to flatter him with drinks earlier.With his experience in dealing with women, he could tell what they were thinking with just a glance or a subtle gesture.At first g
As Chloe left the art center with Lisa at the end of the workday, they lingered at the entrance for a moment before Marcus arrived."Chloe, thank you so much…" Marcus said warmly as he stepped out of his car, his gratitude evident in his smile."It was nothing," Chloe replied, her lips curving into a faint smile. She couldn't help but take a moment to observe Marcus. Despite the time that had passed, he was still the same man she once knew—handsome, charming, and exuding an aura that made him an ideal partner in the eyes of many women.Yet, behind that polished exterior lay a man who had endured the pain of losing his beloved wife at such a young age. It took extraordinary strength to bury that grief and carry on with his responsibilities."I truly don't know how to thank you," Marcus said, his voice touched with emotion."There's no need," Chloe replied, waving her hands dismissively. "I enjoy spending time with Lisa.""Lisa, i
Florence was shopping at the mall. Joanna had returned, and she wanted to pick out an outfit as a gift for her.Having grown up together, they shared similar tastes in brands and styles. Their clothing was always high-end, limited edition pieces that highlighted the elegance and prestige of their upbringing. The kind of outfits that, when worn, exuded sophistication and grace, ensuring they became the center of attention wherever they went.A group of sales assistants hovered around Florence, their golden customer, tirelessly recommending items and gesturing enthusiastically. But Florence was someone with her own strong opinions. No matter how sweetly the saleswomen smiled or how honeyed their words were, Florence remained unmoved unless she truly liked what she saw."Well, shopping for clothes, are we?" A tall figure suddenly appeared, blocking Florence's view.Florence looked up and was greeted by Alex's radiant, sunshine-like smile.Alex?! What
Before Chloe found herself in Orchard Village, Flora had already shown signs of mental instability. Due to Chloe's disappearance and Donna's failure to secure a reputable hospital in time, Flora was admitted to a psychiatric institution.That afternoon, Chloe and Donna visited Flora at the hospital. Flora looked significantly thinner and was still in the same state as before—vacant, with a silly grin on her face.Clutching a pillow tightly, she repeatedly called it "baby." When she saw Chloe, her gaze turned dark and menacing. Pointing a trembling finger at Chloe, she lunged forward, screaming, "You evil woman! You killed my child! I'll strangle you!"Several doctors rushed in and restrained her just in time, preventing her nails from scratching Chloe's face.Did Flora still recognize her?Chloe studied Flora's pale face as the doctors held her down. Flora's constant struggling twisted her features grotesquely. Only after being administered a
In the morning, Lionel opened the car door as usual and stepped into his Maybach, ready to head to work."Lion, wait for me."Joanna called out, striding over in a chic plaid winter dress paired with a pure white cashmere vest and knee-high boots. Her wavy hair swayed in the crisp morning breeze with every step.Lionel paused. Joanna met his cold gaze as she confidently slid into the Maybach."Starting today, I'll be working at K Group,"Joanna declared, brushing her hair back casually. Her delicate features, perfectly complemented by just the right amount of makeup, exuded sophistication, elegance, and allure—a vision of beauty capable of capturing any man's attention."Are you joking?"Lionel frowned, his gaze brushing over her charming face without betraying any emotion."I'm serious! With my dual doctorates, do you really think I'm not qualified? Or would you rather I consult Grandfather about this?"Joanna replied con
Chloe's body stiffened, her shy smile frozen on her face. It had been about ten minutes since Joanna had called for them, and Chloe had assumed she had already gone downstairs. Who would have thought Joanna was still waiting here!Chloe wasn't used to being affectionate with Lionel in front of others.She immediately tried to pry Lionel's hands off her waist, but he tightened his grip instead, his hold becoming even more possessive as if to show off."Lion, Chloe, I thought you didn't hear me," Joanna said with a radiant smile as she gazed at the two of them. The blush on Chloe's cheeks, her slightly swollen lips, and Lionel's brooding, unsatisfied expression were all captured in her perceptive gaze. "Did I... interrupt something?" She stepped back awkwardly, giving way at the door."Oh, no, not at all," Chloe quickly responded, her face flushing even more as Lionel kept his silence, his darkened expression betraying his mood. Unlike him, Chloe wasn't rud
"Come on, let's get back inside. You're practically turning into an icicle!" Lionel wrapped Chloe in his arms, clasping her delicate hands in his large, warm ones. Holding each other close, they headed into the house, completely ignoring Florence and Joanna standing behind them."Joanna, did you see that? He's not the man he used to be anymore! Even with you here, it's like you don't exist," Florence murmured."How could this happen?" Joanna muttered in disbelief, watching the pair walk away. Shaking her head, she tried to process what she was seeing.Lionel's reaction was not what she had expected. Back when she returned to the country, she had braced herself for his anger, ready to endure his scolding no matter how harsh it was—because she knew she was in the wrong. Yet, all he did was utter a faint grunt, barely glancing at her face before walking away with Chloe in his arms.She wasn't just anyone; she was Joanna! At the very least, he should've
In the hall, two people chatted idly, while Chloe sat alone on the second-floor terrace. She could hear Grace constantly instructing the servants—preparing this, tidying that—and specifically reminding them to make the room on the third floor as comfortable as possible for Joanna.Joanna isn't just a guest here? She has her own room? Chloe frowned slightly, recalling a memory. Once, she had tried to go up to the third floor to sleep, but the moment her hand touched the doorknob, Grace had slapped it away, snapping at her, "That room isn't for you!"So that room belongs to Joanna, Chloe thought wryly.As she sat idly on the terrace, a sudden sound of piano music floated down from the third floor. Startled, Chloe stood up. It wasn't surprising that the Williams family had a piano, but what did surprise her was that she hadn't noticed it until now.The piano notes were crisp and clear, melodious and captivating, played by someone who was clearly a master. Chloe, who hadn't touched a pian
When Lionel came out, he saw Chloe smiling foolishly in the direction of the hall entrance. He looked around but couldn't spot Alex anywhere, so he turned to Chloe and asked, "Where's Alex?""He's gone," Chloe replied with a soft smile, maintaining her earlier posture.Lionel immediately pulled Chloe into his arms. His dark, obsidian-like eyes locked onto her face. "What exactly are you and Florence plotting?"With his sharp instincts, he was certain there was a secret between Chloe and Florence. And the mastermind behind it all might very well be this woman with the smile that concealed a blade."Nothing!" Chloe flatly denied."Really nothing?" Lionel gritted his teeth as his eyes darkened. "I have plenty of ways to make you talk." Bending down, he scooped Chloe into his arms and carried her upstairs.The days had been so blissful that Chloe hadn't noticed how quickly time passed. Before she knew it, winter had arrived.One morning, as Chloe stepped out of the hall, she came face-to-
Lionel was fuming as he returned to the hospital room. Without a word, he tucked Chloe back into the blankets. Though his expression was grim, his movements remained gentle."Lion, I just—""Don't talk. Close your eyes and rest!"Chloe wanted to explain, but Lionel cut her off domineeringly before she could finish.Fine, she knew he was just worried about her.Chloe didn't protest further. She obediently lay back, reaching out to grab Lionel's hand, her fingers playfully tracing over his palm. Truthfully, she was trying to placate him, hoping to ease his anger.Lionel was furious that Chloe had left her bed when she was supposed to be resting, but even more so that she'd gone to see the man who had nearly caused her death.She was truly thoughtless, completely ignoring his feelings.Fine, he'd just bring her home where she'd be safe!As he thought this, her soft, delicate fingers wrapped around his hand, instantly softening his mood. Sitting beside her bed, Lionel's face relaxed as he