Lionel's Office"Sir..."Barton handed a file to Lionel. "This is the information you requested. It's all been thoroughly investigated."Lionel took the file and photographs, glancing at them briefly before his expression darkened.Amos?!How could it be Amos?"Damn it!"Who gave him the nerve to do this? Doesn't he know that the Lumina Group depends entirely on K Group?If it weren't for him handing Lumina that order, this new general manager wouldn't have had any achievements to speak of."Withdraw all investments from Lumina immediately! As for the new project, change to another media company.""Yes, Sir."Barton turned to leave."Wait!"Lionel called, stopping Barton just before he reached the door. "I want you to investigate Amos thoroughly!"She shouldn't have had any involvement with him, so how did he get obsessed with her?Suddenly, Lionel remembered an odd encounter at a banq
"Lion...you...know?" Chloe asked weakly.She had planned to tell him last night, but when Joanna knocked on the door to say that Florence had an accident, she completely forgot about it."You still dare to say that?!" Lionel replied, his tone a bit angry. "You hid something this big from your husband? You have some nerve!""At first, I was going to hide it because I was angry," Chloe admitted. "But then I wanted to tell you. It's just that Joanna interrupted me, so I never had the chance." She pouted and leaned her face against his, almost like a child seeking affection."I really want to scold you for being so disobedient..." Lionel raised his hand, but instantly, it gently lowered to caress Chloe's face. He was so careful now, especially since she was pregnant. He couldn't bring himself to hurt her, not even with a finger."Lion, you're going to be a dad. Are you happy?" Chloe lifted her head and studied his face, trying to find some clue about h
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
"Lion...you...know?" Chloe asked weakly.She had planned to tell him last night, but when Joanna knocked on the door to say that Florence had an accident, she completely forgot about it."You still dare to say that?!" Lionel replied, his tone a bit angry. "You hid something this big from your husband? You have some nerve!""At first, I was going to hide it because I was angry," Chloe admitted. "But then I wanted to tell you. It's just that Joanna interrupted me, so I never had the chance." She pouted and leaned her face against his, almost like a child seeking affection."I really want to scold you for being so disobedient..." Lionel raised his hand, but instantly, it gently lowered to caress Chloe's face. He was so careful now, especially since she was pregnant. He couldn't bring himself to hurt her, not even with a finger."Lion, you're going to be a dad. Are you happy?" Chloe lifted her head and studied his face, trying to find some clue about h
Lionel's Office"Sir..."Barton handed a file to Lionel. "This is the information you requested. It's all been thoroughly investigated."Lionel took the file and photographs, glancing at them briefly before his expression darkened.Amos?!How could it be Amos?"Damn it!"Who gave him the nerve to do this? Doesn't he know that the Lumina Group depends entirely on K Group?If it weren't for him handing Lumina that order, this new general manager wouldn't have had any achievements to speak of."Withdraw all investments from Lumina immediately! As for the new project, change to another media company.""Yes, Sir."Barton turned to leave."Wait!"Lionel called, stopping Barton just before he reached the door. "I want you to investigate Amos thoroughly!"She shouldn't have had any involvement with him, so how did he get obsessed with her?Suddenly, Lionel remembered an odd encounter at a banq
Florence's expression froze instantly.She quickly forced a bright, blooming smile. "You're funny. It was just a drunken night. Why should you take responsibility? You go on ahead. I want to talk to Joanna for a bit." Without giving him a chance to object, she pulled her shoulder free from his grasp.Joanna's sharp eyes glimmered with awareness. Given her keen mind, she had already sensed that something significant had occurred between them.There was no way she believed Florence's dismissive excuse."Florence, don't be like this. It's my fault..." Alex started to say, but Florence's face darkened immediately. Joanna, noticing the tension, quickly intervened, "Alex, you stayed with Florence all night. Go get some rest. You can talk when she's feeling better."Though reluctant, Alex's heart ached when Florence refused to even glance at him. His voice low with disappointment, he murmured, "Florence, I'll be going for now. I'll come back to check on you...""Mm." Florence turned her head
Florence's expression froze instantly.She quickly forced a bright, blooming smile. "You're funny. It was just a drunken night. Why should you take responsibility? You go on ahead. I want to talk to Joanna for a bit." Without giving him a chance to object, she pulled her shoulder free from his grasp.Joanna's sharp eyes glimmered with awareness. Given her keen mind, she had already sensed that something significant had occurred between them.There was no way she believed Florence's dismissive excuse."Florence, don't be like this. It's my fault..." Alex started to say, but Florence's face darkened immediately. Joanna, noticing the tension, quickly intervened, "Alex, you stayed with Florence all night. Go get some rest. You can talk when she's feeling better."Though reluctant, Alex's heart ached when Florence refused to even glance at him. His voice low with disappointment, he murmured, "Florence, I'll be going for now. I'll come back to check on you...""Mm." Florence turned her head
The next morning, Lionel and Chloe hurried to the hospital, only to find that Florence was still unconscious, much like the previous night.Alex, who had clearly stayed up all night, had red-rimmed eyes from exhaustion. Lionel cast a cold glance at him and then at his sister on the bed before leaving for work.Chloe, worried that Florence might get upset upon waking and seeing Alex, decided to stay and keep watch."Alex, let's talk," Chloe said, pulling a chair up next to Florence's bed."Sure. Go ahead.""Do you really not have any feelings for Florence?""It's not that…" Alex sighed, his voice laden with guilt. "I watched her grow up. She's always been like a sister to me. I never thought of her in any other way. But somehow...I don't even know what happened…"He clenched his fists, frustration written all over his weary but still handsome face. The lines of regret etched deep as he rubbed his temples.Sometimes, he wasn't sure of his own feelings. Whenever Florence chased after him
Florence already had a naturally round and charming face, but now, with alcohol flushing her cheeks, her entire face glowed a deep crimson, making her look as adorable as a rosy red apple.The room was in complete disarray—several glasses lay shattered on the floor. Florence sat amidst the mess, a bottle of red wine in hand. When Lionel entered, she turned her mouth up into a crooked smile."hehe…" she slurred, her words garbled as her tongue tripped over itself. Her glassy eyes were unfocused, and her fingers tugged at her hair as she rocked unsteadily, her delicate brows knitting together in pain."Florence! You're supposed to be sick—why are you drinking?!" Lionel scolded sharply, bending down to snatch the wine bottle from her hand.Thud—Florence collapsed to the floor."Florence!" Chloe rushed in, shoving Joanna aside in her panic.Joanna's face contorted, a flash of malice glimmering in her eyes. However, Lionel and Chloe were too preoccupied lifting Florence to notice.Her bod
During dinner, Florence didn't come downstairs, but Alex did."Well, everyone's here," Alex greeted casually, pulling out a chair and sitting down."Perfect timing, as always," Lionel remarked sarcastically."Of course," Alex replied, unbothered, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Compared to Lionel's cold demeanor, Alex's laid-back attitude was like night and day.The two men were polar opposites—yet both exuded charm, confidence, and undeniable good looks."Where's Florence? Not here?" Alex asked after scanning the room a few times. He waited a while but didn't see any sign of her. Finally, he couldn't help but ask.Lionel glanced up from his bowl, his gaze sharp, as if Alex were a rare creature. "Have you lost your mind?"In the past, Alex had avoided Florence like the plague, scurrying away like a mouse from a cat. But today, he was asking about her? Something wasn't right.Alex choked slightly, letting out an awkward laugh. "Florence is my sister too. It's only natural to care ab
"No! I was wrong! I won't insult you anymore, okay?" She knew she couldn't afford to provoke him now.If it weren't for the baby, honestly... well, she would have been tempted too.Since Lionel had returned after his last trip, it had been quite some time—far too long—for both of them.It wasn't just Lionel who was feeling restless; even she couldn't deny the simmering desire. However, such thoughts were far too embarrassing to voice aloud. Over her dead body would she let her feelings show."That's more like it!" Lionel's voice was hoarse as he struggled to suppress the fire coursing through him. He finally let go of her, sparing both of them further torment.Ten days without touching her. Ten days without even a simple kiss. Just being close enough to breathe in her scent sent him on edge, and now, holding her warm, soft body against his was almost enough to end him.Opening the door, Lionel gestured for the cleaning staff wait
Lionel's OfficeLionel was engrossed in reviewing documents, with Barton standing silently by his side. Just then, Joanna walked in."Lion…"Joanna called softly."Get out!"Lionel said without looking up, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.Joanna froze, caught between retreating and explaining herself. Her face turned red, then pale, a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress tightly.Glancing at Barton for support, she turned back to Lionel. "I just…""Out! Don't you know to knock before entering my office?"Lionel cut her off icily before she could finish. Barton stood still, expressionless, as though oblivious to the tension in the room."You!"Joanna's face contorted with anger. There was only one person in the world who dared to treat her like this—Lionel!Grinding her teeth, she suppressed the urge to lash out. Exhaling sharply, she stepped out, knocked twic