A week later
Blues 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 eyes followed her every move. She was a bit taken aback.
After a brief moment of silence, thunderous applause erupted.
She felt a bit overwhelmed by the attention. Naturally quiet and reserved, Chloe had always been cautious in this mixed crowd, but the regulars had grown accustomed to her presence and enjoyed communicating with her through her music.
Nodding slightly, Chloe sat down at the piano. Instantly, her slender, pale fingers began to dance across the keys, producing a stream of smooth, powerful, yet graceful notes that filled the room. The guests seemed enchanted, their worries melting away.
At some point, the music began to change, causing the patrons to stop whatever they were doing and fixate on Chloe as she played quietly. Her expression remained mostly unchanged, her eyes downcast, revealing only the slight tremor of her long lashes.
The music sounded like a lament, a mournful wail, as if it were crying out in pain, evoking a sense of heartbreak in those who listened.
***
At midnight, Chloe finished her shift. She closed the piano lid as Mag approached her.
"Chloe, are you in some kind of trouble?" Mag was a widow in her thirties, warm-hearted and sincere.
Chloe smiled faintly, her lips curving into a gentle crescent, "Mag, I'm sorry about this past week, I—"
"No need to explain," Mag interrupted. "If it wasn't absolutely necessary, you wouldn't have done this!"
Mag glanced toward the entrance, not seeing the man who usually came to pick up Chloe every day, Amos. "Let's wait a bit longer; the person who usually picks you up isn't here yet."
A sharp pain shot through Chloe's heart, but she maintained a soft smile. "No, it's fine. I'll go on my own." There was a bittersweet sadness to her smile.
Noticing the change in Chloe's music tonight, Mag, who had seen all kinds of people and events in her life, had already guessed what was going on. She patted Chloe on the shoulder and said, "If anything happens, don't forget you still have me."
"Mm." Chloe smiled gratefully.
Raising her head, she saw a tall figure at the door, and the faint smile froze on her lips. Mag followed her gaze to the man at the entrance—he was no longer the dashing, handsome man he used to be. His hair was disheveled, and stubble covered his face.
Chloe's expression disappeared, and suddenly, a cold indifference enveloped her. She drifted past the tall man at the door like a wisp of white smoke.
Seeing the distant, ethereal look in her eyes, Amos suddenly felt a sharp pain. He had a sense that his Chloe was slipping away like a wisp of smoke, drifting out of his world forever.
His eyes turned red in an instant. He reached out with his long arm and grabbed her delicate, pale wrist.
"Chloe, we need to talk." His voice was hoarse and raspy.
Chloe slowly lifted her eyelids, casting a faint glance at the man—or rather, her gaze passed right through him, distant and ethereal. She didn't say a word, just tried to pull her wrist free.
Her wrist was so slender and fragile that it seemed like it would snap with the slightest twist, so Amos quickly released her.
"I was wrong, but I truly love you. I was drunk, and I mistook her for you!"
Grabbing Chloe's hand, Amos shouted, his frustration and self-loathing clear in his voice. He was furious that Chloe wouldn't listen to his explanation.
"Ha…" Chloe laughed through her tears. Her newly dried tears started to fall again, big and heavy. She quickly wiped them away, her bloodshot eyes sharp as daggers, staring at Amos's handsome face as if wanting to cut it open to see if there was blood underneath that mask.
Mistook her?
He claimed he mistook her!
Could someone truly in love make such a mistake?
She didn't want to shed another tear for this man, but the dull ache in her heart was impossible to ignore.
Chloe's laughter sent chills through Amos, her mockery piercing his heart. He couldn't stand her sarcasm. He tightened his grip on her hand, leaving her wrist red.
"Chloe, please don't do this," Amos pleaded, a tear slipping from his eye. He quickly turned away, not wanting her to see it.
"Take your hand off!" Chloe's voice was icy, her entire body bristling like a porcupine. She yanked her hand free and immediately wiped it with a tissue, as if his touch had dirtied her.
"Chloe…" Her actions deeply hurt Amos. Was he really that filthy? After all, wasn't it common for men to have multiple women? And he hadn't done it on purpose!
Chloe gritted her teeth and growled, "Shut up! Don't humiliate me anymore!"
Betrayal was betrayal, with no excuses and no chance for forgiveness.
Not sparing him another glance, Chloe straightened her back and walked away with her head held high.
"Chloe..." The man let out a pained cry, his eyes moistening. His moon had truly forsaken him. Without the moon, how could the stars shine?
No!
He wouldn't allow it!
He got up and followed her from a distance, knowing her temperament all too well, too afraid to approach. He wished he could cut his flesh into pieces and feed it to the dogs, then carve out his heart and offer it to her.
But it was too late. Last night, when he had climbed into that bed, he had lost that privilege.
Could he tell her that it was because he loved her too much, loved her to the point of drunkenness, to the point of madness, to the point where his intelligence was reduced to zero, that he had ended up in the wrong bed?
Even he couldn't believe such an excuse, so how could he make her believe it?
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
The other sideIn the dimly lit room, the atmosphere was hazy and suggestive. The sound of fabric tearing sharply cut through the air as the woman's long dress was ripped by the man's hands, scattering in tatters across the floor."Let... let me go..." Chloe's pleas were filled with fear as the man's sudden ferocity and the unbearable heat from his body made her tender skin burn painfully.Despite knowing she couldn't escape his clutches, she continued to beg, "Please... let me go..." Her voice trembled, and her tear-streaked face was a heart-wrenching sight.Lionel hesitated for a moment. The woman's delicate, white neck seemed to carry a subtle fragrance, and her trembling, bloodied lips were even more enticing.Her hands, crossed defensively over her chest, only drew more attention to her seductive allure. Her bare skin was pale and incredibly soft, like that of a fairy.After a brief hesitation, Lionel lost the last remnants of his rationality to the seductive woman. Like a predat
Chloe's legs trembled as she returned home, grateful that her mother and brother had already left, sparing them from witnessing her disheveled state. She filled the bathtub with steaming hot water and sank into it, allowing herself a moment of weakness in the small, confined space.As she stared at the bruises on her body, memories of last night's chaotic events flooded back, and scalding tears fell, mingling with the warm water. She couldn't understand why her life had taken such a disastrous turn. It must have started when she caused her father's death. She killed him, and now even the heavens were punishing her. Betrayed by both her boyfriend and her sister, as if that weren't enough, she had inexplicably ended up in bed with a stranger.She felt too ashamed to face anyone."Chloe..." Her father's bloodstained hand had grasped hers as he stroked her face with his dying breath. "My darling... I'm leaving... This family... depends on you now... Take care of your mother... take care o
Chloe was overwhelmed with worry about raising money, unaware that the internet and media were already in a frenzy.Shortly after noon, headlines like "Lionel Williams, CEO of K International Group, Spotted with Flora Miler at Paradiso" along with a series of photos started appearing online. Although Flora's face was blurred out, the news spread like wildfire.The public was in an uproar.Lionel Williams was the dream man of millions, admired for his near-godlike perfection. The sudden revelation of such a scandal involving him was shocking and unacceptable to many.Some sympathetic fans tried to defend Lionel, but the majority were relentless in their condemnation, hurling insults like "hypocrite," "shameless," and "disgusting."Posts and comments spread rapidly, intensifying the controversy. The internet was nearly brought to a standstill, and K International Group's stock took a significant hit.Lionel, caught completely off guard, was furious.He had personally witnessed his men d
Flora's surgery was over, and she woke up on the third day.Her eyes were vacant, her face paler than paper, and her lips were cracked and peeling. She clutched the blanket tightly around her, leaving only her face exposed, staring blankly at the ceiling, saying nothing. She didn't even drink when offered water, as if she had completely lost her mind.Blood transfusions and IV drips kept flowing into her, but no matter how much Donna coaxed her, Flora remained silent.Chloe and their mother were beside themselves with worry and went to ask the doctor what was going on. But the doctor was evasive, unwilling to say much. He only mentioned that Flora's illness was severe, affecting her nerves, and urged them to prepare the money for treatment and keep her calm. Any shock could be fatal.In the evening, a girl in the same hospital room was browsing the internet on her tablet when she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my god! Lionel is getting married!"At the mention of Lionel's name, Flora's vacan
Hasn't she already slept with her man? Isn't she still standing here just fine? If Flora wanted her life, Chloe would probably let her take it without resistance, Chloe thought. It's what she owe... let it be... whatever comes, she'll take it.There was no sound from Flora, only the chilling sound of her laughter, tears streaming down her face as she laughed, her entire body shaking.Chloe watched her silently, waiting for her to release her emotions. Words of comfort wouldn't come out; since their father passed away, Chloe found herself becoming more cold-hearted."Chloe... I hate you!" Flora finally screamed.She knew it! She had always known!Chloe remained silent, waiting for her to continue."Lionel Williams, the president of K International Group, publicly announced that he wants to marry me... haha..." Flora trembled violently, her face as pale as a sheet, twisted in a grotesque expression."Congratulations!" Chloe said calmly, though her heart was in turmoil. Marrying into wea
"Ah! I'll notify the guards right away..." The secretary exclaimed, her face pale with fear, fumbling to make a call until Amos barked at her to stop."Get out! Close the door! I can handle this myself." Amos said sternly, and the secretary, trembling, shot him a glance before quickly exiting and shutting the door.Although Chloe had plunged the broken bottle into Amos's chest with fury, she was terrified herself, her face as pale as a sheet.She couldn't understand what had given her such courage. Trembling, she withdrew her hand, nervously twisting her fingers together."How could you be so cruel to me..." Amos gazed at her, pain flashing in his eyes.He ripped the broken bottle from his chest and tossed it into the trash. The wound wasn't deep, but the blood that splattered out was alarming. He felt pain, not just from the injury, but from a deeper heartache, as if the bottle had pierced countless wounds within him, making it hard to breathe.
Chloe rushed out of the villa, heading toward the Latham residence.As she reached the entrance, she saw several servants gathered outside. Lisa was being led by one servant, crying, while the others could not hold back their tears either.When Lisa saw Chloe, she immediately threw herself into Chloe's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Chloe... Waaa... My dad was taken away... I want my dad... Can you take me to see him?"Lisa's big eyes were red and swollen, her fair cheeks streaked with tears. Chloe hugged Lisa tightly, gently wiping her tears and soothing her. "Lisa, don't cry. Your dad will be okay. He'll be back soon."Though she tried to comfort her, Chloe understood that politics were complicated—who could say for sure?Having worked as a tutor for three years without incident, she had only limited interactions with Marcus but knew he wasn't the type to be corrupt.Once, she had witnessed someone claim Marcus had given him signific
(Flashback)That day, after Marcus and Chloe left Paradiso, Amos quickly followed suit.On the way back, he noticed something was off with his body. A chilling realization hit him: he had been slipped an aphrodisiac!No! Not just him—Marcus and Chloe had both been drugged! The red wine they drank had all come from the same bottle.Chloe had left with the drugged Marcus! His heart raced in panic. He ordered the driver to chase after Marcus; the amount he had drunk was excessive, and the effects of the drug were hitting hard and fast.It felt as if his body was about to explode, drenched in sweat. If he didn't find a woman soon, he might not survive!Just then, Flora's call came through."Amos, have you finished talking to your beloved? She's still waiting for you!" Flora's sugary voice made Amos wish he could reach through the phone and strangle her.This venomous woman must have orchestrated the whole thing!Amos gripped the phone tightly, growling through clenched teeth, "Where are y
After freshening up, food had been brought into the room, and the two sat in silence, as if nothing had happened, quietly eating.Chloe sat across from Lionel in revealing pajamas, boldly eating as if it were the most natural thing.In the past, she would have never dared to do this, rushing to hide under the covers after changing into her pajamas. But now, she was calm and collected in front of him, not a hint of embarrassment on her face.Her mind must be poisoned by the drugs!That was the only explanation Lionel could come up with.Strangely enough, he used to yearn for Chloe to wear such clothes and flaunt them in front of him, but now, seeing her sitting there made his eyes ache."Give me three million more, I need the money, and I'll pay you back however you want!" Chloe suddenly said, setting down her spoon. Her face remained cold, showing no shame despite asking for money.In the past, she would have scoffed at the idea of asking him for anything, yet now, her words flowed ou
As Chloe's awareness returned, shameful images flashed through her mind like scenes from a movie.She had thrown herself at Marcus, torn his clothes, and bitten his neck. They had held each other tightly on the bathroom floor...Oh God, how could she ever face anyone again?Despite her hazy consciousness, she vaguely remembered Lionel arriving just in time. It was he who had rescued her from the agony, not Marcus! Thankfully! Otherwise, she would have no choice but to die today.Relieved, yet the memories of her wild behavior started coming back.She had acted more disgracefully than a prostitute, and that thought broke her. Tears of frustration and sorrow streamed down her face.The proud woman she once was couldn't bear this version of herself. She was disgusted with herself to the point of wanting to disappear.Her tears flowed like a river, but they couldn't wash away her shame.“Shh, don't cry,” Lionel said softly, gently patting Chloe's back as she regained her clarity.His voic
"Lion…" Even in her dazed state, Chloe managed to call out Lionel's name. The moment she saw him, all the pain and frustration she'd been holding in exploded to the surface. Tears flowed uncontrollably, like a dam breaking. She began to sob, "Help me… please… I'm in so much pain… I feel like I'm dying...""Lionel?" Lionel's arrival clearly startled him.As Lionel looked into the bathroom, the sight of the two people clinging to each other made his blood boil. Every muscle in his body screamed with rage, and he was ready to kill!The terrified doctor at the door stammered, "They've… been drugged."If Lionel hadn't been aware of this beforehand, he would've killed Marcus on the spot—mayor or not, it wouldn't have mattered.In a flash, Lionel stormed into the room, but thankfully, the worst hadn't happened yet. He felt a wave of relief, though Chloe's sobbing and the pitiful state she was in broke his heart.Bending down, he roughly shoved Marcus aside, took off his coat, and covered Chl
Screech—The tires of the Bentley screeched sharply against the ground as it came to a stop. The Latham family had been waiting outside, and the doctor was already prepared.Marcus leaped out of the car in haste. He knew that if Chloe reached for him again or if he gave in, he wouldn't have the strength to resist. His self-control was already hanging by a thread.A group of people quickly rushed to support him."Hurry, give her the medication!" He roared at the doctor, drenched in sweat.The group hurriedly helped both of them into the house, administering the medication separately.After a moment, the doctor reported, "This isn't just a regular aphrodisiac. It's a rare and potent toxin, and the dosage is incredibly high. Prolonged exposure could seriously harm the body, especially for the woman.""What are we supposed to do, then?" Marcus was on the verge of losing his mind. He could feel it—despite the IV drip, the burning sensation inside him hadn't lessened one bit."The best solu
Chloe's beautiful eyes were filled with a mix of fear and confusion as she glanced at Marcus beside her.Although flames flickered in Marcus's gaze, and he could hardly resist the urge to pull Chloe into his arms, sensing her panic and distress, he forced a soft smile and reassured her in a gentle voice, "Don't be afraid! We've been drugged! I won't hurt you!"Even though he tried his best to stay composed, the tremor in his voice was unmistakable, and the smile on his lips was tinged with a bitter helplessness.He lifted his head and looked ahead, struggling to give his assistant an order, "Drive faster! Get us to the hospital!""But…," the assistant hesitated, his face showing deep concern and anxiety. "Sir, with your status, going to the hospital in this condition could harm your reputation. I think it would be better if I arrange for a doctor to come to the house.""That's fine!""No!"Both Chloe and Marcus shouted at the same time.They exchanged a glance before Marcus spoke up,
"Miss Miler, have a drink." Marcus poured Chloe a glass of red wine and placed it in front of her. His sharp, narrow eyes lingered on Chloe, as if he could see straight into her heart.He knew she must have been terrified earlier—her face still hadn't regained its color. A little wine could help calm her nerves.Chloe understood his intention. She nodded slightly, picking up the glass and sipping it slowly.As the two men clinked their glasses and discussed business, Marcus appeared to be agreeable on the surface, but in reality, he had already made up his mind. He had plenty of ways to ensure Amos would take a loss without even realizing it—and be grateful to him for it.After all, he was a politician.It took only about ten minutes for them to reach an agreement.Marcus stood up and shook Amos' hand, saying, "Amos, it's getting late. Do you mind if I give her a ride home? Women—once they've cooled down, a little sweet talk will do the trick."His words were perfectly crafted. They a