In her dream, Chloe felt a dog licking her face, its tongue leaving a sticky, uncomfortable sensation. It felt dirty and itchy. She waved her hand to shoo it away."Stop it... be a good dog and go to sleep..." The dog obediently stopped licking her face, and Chloe smiled, thinking how well-behaved it was.But soon after, the sticky sensation returned, this time on her neck. The dog was licking her neck now. She twisted and turned, but couldn't avoid it.The dog seemed heavy, pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she just wanted to sleep. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake off the dog.Growing annoyed, Chloe mumbled a warning, "If you don't stop, I'll hit you!"She waved her fist, ready to strike.But this dog was relentless. Not only did it not fear her fist, it continued its assault, moving to her chest.Her chest?!Suddenly, all traces of sleep vanished. Chloe's eyes flew open, and she realized that her chest felt cold, an
Chloe's piercing scream woke everyone in the house, and in an instant, the villa was ablaze with lights.Grace, Mandy, and a group of servants rushed upstairs and burst through the door, only to be struck speechless by the scene before them.Lionel lay in a pool of blood, wearing nothing but his underwear, while Chloe, trembling like a ghost, cowered nearby.It took only a glance for anyone to understand what had happened."Master…" Grace's voice quivered."Master…" The maids echoed in shock, scrambling toward Lionel, trying to lift him back into the room. But his large frame was too heavy for them to manage.Grace, being the most experienced, quickly dialed Barton and the family doctor. Barton and the doctor arrived swiftly, and only then were they able to move Lionel back into his room.Everyone was so busy with Lionel that no one paid any attention to Chloe. She leaned against the wall, frozen in the same position for what felt like an eternity.Her gaze was vacant, unfocused. Stil
As dawn broke, the villa, which had been quiet for only a short while, stirred back to life. Servants bustled about, cooking, fetching medicine—everyone was focused on Lionel.Lionel woke up, wincing at the pain in his head as his hand instinctively reached for the bandages. The memories of the previous night flooded back, hazy but vivid.That damn woman dared to hit him!"Ugh—" Furious, Lionel attempted to get up, but his hand brushed against his wound, making him grimace in pain."Master!" one of the maids who had been watching over him gasped. "Please, don't move, you're injured!""Get out!" With a wave of his hand, Lionel knocked over the medicine bottle and water cup, which clattered to the floor with a loud crash.The two young maids trembled in fear, stumbling out of the room and quickly ran to find Grace."This is a disaster," Grace muttered, hurrying to call the family doctor. But Lionel, already on edge, wasn't letting anyone near him.Bang!Lionel slammed the door, locking
Beads of sweat kept rolling down Lionel's forehead. He got up again. If he didn't deal with this woman today, how would he ever have control in this household again?Clenching her teeth, Chloe pushed Lionel hard before his hand could reach her neck. With a loud thud, Lionel fell back onto the bed.His mind spun with dizziness. Lionel closed his eyes for a moment, waiting for the dizziness to pass. When he opened them again, they were filled with a murderous rage."Master!" Grace gasped in shock, stepping forward to intervene. Was Chloe trying to get herself killed, treating Lionel so roughly?Barton grabbed Grace's arm and shook his head. Grace bit her lip, not daring to go against Barton's orders.With a sharp rip, Chloe yanked off the blood-soaked bandage from Lionel's head without giving him a chance to catch his breath.In reality, it wasn't as brutal as it seemed. Chloe was mindful of the wound, but when the tape pulled on his hair, she didn't care. Losing a few strands wouldn't
In the dining room, Lionel narrowed his long, sharp eyes, making his expression unreadable. He picked up the bowl of noodles and started eating in large gulps.Lionel's body was in remarkable shape; by the next day, he had already recovered to normal. The only sign of his injury was the bandage on his head, which couldn't be removed yet. Barton had moved Lionel's work back home, and the two of them retreated to the study.Meanwhile, Chloe, still recovering from Lionel's aggressive kiss, had also gone hungry the entire night.She woke up starving, but upon hearing noises outside, she realized Lionel was working from home. Not wanting to run into him, she decided not to leave her room.The thought of his beastly face filled her with a cold dread. She muttered to herself that she should've just let him burn with fever yesterday.Lionel was unpredictable, like a ticking time bomb. Chloe didn't want to provoke him with a wrong look or action, fearing he might explode and disturb the peace
Since Lionel's recovery, he resumed his work as usual, while Chloe, having no classes in the mornings, spent her time at home. She often sat on the swing, reading, feeling the breeze. When in the mood, she'd join the gardeners in learning about plants, trimming and pruning. In the afternoons, she'd go teach Lisa.The two rarely crossed paths, though Lionel would occasionally glance at Chloe sitting on the swing as he came home from work—though, of course, that didn't count as an encounter.When they did run into each other, Chloe would lift the corner of her mouth in a half-smile, while Lionel would raise an eyebrow. Their brief eye contact was indifferent, as if they were strangers.As for Chloe's clandestine meeting with a man at the cemetery and her overnight absence, not to mention her claim that Lionel had threatened to kill her, Lionel seemed to have either been too busy or simply forgotten about it, as he never brought it up again.Life seemed to have returned to how it was at
At Paradiso, the most telling sign of wealth and power is high-stakes gambling.This place isn't just a gathering spot for the city's elite but a must-visit for wealthy merchants from all over. However, the true gambling happens on the underground level, known only to diamond-level VIPs. Ordinary people are unaware of this secret. In the grand hall below, the sums wagered are jaw-dropping—one night's win or loss could buy a skyscraper, a yacht, an island, or even a small city.The casino hall was lavishly decorated. The floor was covered with bright red carpets, and the dazzling light from Bohemian crystal chandeliers cast a glow over the space. Surveillance cameras were discreetly placed at the entrance, on the ceilings, and above the gaming tables, constantly recording the activities inside.By 10 p.m., the casino was bustling. In the center of the hall, a slender woman swayed seductively as she performed a dance.At the bar, Geoffrey lazily swirled the whiskey in his glass, while L
The basement floor of the casino was brightly lit, with sections for high-stakes gambling, wine tasting, and late-night dining, all cleverly separated by spending categories. The place buzzed with excitement, luxurious yet not chaotic, showcasing the venue's unique charm.Chloe sat with Cynthia in an opulent private room, holding a drink in her hand. Cynthia was already showing signs of being tipsy.When Chloe first stood at the entrance of Paradiso, she realized that the "secret spot" Cynthia had mentioned was anything but ordinary. She wanted to leave immediately, but seeing Eamonn holding Cynthia close with a protective, almost theatrical tenderness, she found herself unable to walk away.Once inside the underground casino, it became clear that even regular members of high society couldn't easily access this place. Eamonn was, after all, just a fresh graduate with a decent job—how did he manage to get them in here?After settling them in, Eamonn had immediately disappeared into the
Slap!A sharp, crisp sound echoed as Joanna's face was harshly turned to the side, blood beginning to seep from her lips.Samuel shook with anger. After such a scandal, how could he face everyone here?"From now on, I sever all ties with her!" Samuel spat out, his voice filled with fury. He staggered back, nearly collapsing, but his subordinates rushed forward to steady him.Chloe stood frozen, stunned by the scene, when suddenly someone pulled her from behind, dragging her into a nearby makeshift lounge."Hahaha..." Joanna's laughter suddenly broke out, manic and unhinged.Her laugh was chilling, and the little boy next to her shrank back in fear. "Mommy, what's happening?""Shut up! Get away, bastard!" Joanna screamed, causing the boy to burst into loud sobs."Joanna... you've gone too far!" The blonde man hurried over, his face cold as he scooped the child into his arms and left the venue."Haha..." Joanna continued to laugh, swaying back and forth. She looked at Lionel, his cold,
"I'll cry if I want to. What's the matter? You can't stand it? If you don't like it, I'll go back to my mom's!" Chloe threatened, her hands on her hips, showing her teeth.Lionel raised an eyebrow. In the whole world, there was only one person who dared to threaten him—her! He quickly pulled Chloe into his arms, coaxing, "Alright, you can do whatever you want, I'll follow your lead. But please, don't make me worry so much. And from now on, you're not leaving my sight for a single second."What a joke—if she left, what would he do at night? He'd already gotten used to having her by his side. He couldn't function without her.A wave of worry washed over him. She now had her real father. Today, she was using her mom to threaten him—would she use her dad to threaten him tomorrow? What about her brother the day after?No! No! Anyone, but not her brother! Thinking of how Geoffrey once doted on her, Lionel's face darkened. From now on, he couldn't let Geoffrey anywhere near her—even if he we
Lionel watched as the people quickly fled, his narrow eyes darkening. He turned to Barton beside him and said, "Take care of this."With that, his tall figure swiftly moved towards the restroom.For some reason, he had felt uneasy all day.When he heard "someone's been killed," his heart was pierced with a sharp sting. The unease inside him deepened; he needed to see it for himself.As someone's face turned ashen, they quietly slipped out of the venue while Barton was busy calming the crowd."Lion..."Chloe's voice broke the silence, and Lionel froze. He looked up to see the familiar face, and her voice, thick with emotion, caused tears to well up in her eyes, which then fell, trembling.She had been so strong just moments ago, but the moment she saw Lionel, her heart felt fragile, as if it could shatter with a single breath.Seeing Chloe like this, Lionel was horrified. Blood was everywhere on her lips, and it sent a sharp pain through his chest. Without a second thought, he rushed t
Eamonn had been salivating over Chloe for a long time.To get to her, he had even used his proximity to Cynthia as a stepping stone, but little did he know, Lionel had beaten him to the punch.Even though Eamonn had the desire, he lacked the courage to act on it. He harbored those thoughts but never dared to lay a hand on Chloe.But when he was assigned a task—to torment Chloe, with the promise of a bright future and wealth beyond measure—he found himself going all in.As a man, there are always those few moments of madness in life. This was his chance. If he completed his task, not only would he rise in rank, but he would also fulfill his deepest desires."Monster!" Chloe broke free from one of his hands and slapped him across the face.Eamonn's face instantly bore five red marks from her fingers.He sneered, his voice cold and menacing. "Bitch! Still playing the innocent virgin? I'll make sure you regret this today."The devilish tone in his voice, combined with the devilish look on
"Chloe... long time no see." Eamonn shamelessly stood only a few steps away from Chloe, his body inching closer with each passing moment.Ever since Cynthia's accident, he had disappeared without a trace, and Chloe couldn't understand why he'd suddenly reappeared now."What are you doing here?" Chloe's voice was icy, and she showed no sign of warmth towards him.The mere sight of him reminded her of poor Cynthia, and the anger within her grew even stronger. Seeing him advance with that sinister glint in his eyes set off alarm bells in her mind."Stop!" Chloe took a large step back, not caring that her dress was still wet. She hurriedly wrapped a coat around herself.Eamonn ignored her words, his face still twisted with a smirk, taking a few more steps forward."Chloe, don't be like this. I'm not a virus. Why are you so afraid of me getting closer? It's been so long, and I have so much to say to you."He raised his hand, trying to grab Chloe's.Chloe swung her arm out to the side, evad
In the morning, Chloe and Lionel walked downstairs to find Joanna already seated at the dining table."Good morning, Lion, Chloe," Joanna greeted them with a graceful smile, delicately sipping her milk.Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Chloe's neck, and as expected, the marks from last night's kiss were still clearly visible.The sounds she overheard at the door yesterday flashed through Joanna's mind. Bitch! she cursed silently.Lionel ignored Joanna's greeting, and Chloe merely snorted in response. They both sat down to breakfast. As usual, Lionel fussed over Chloe, fetching this and that for her, while Joanna seemed to vanish into thin air, like a mere background figure.Since Lionel had ordered Lumina to be blacklisted, all those who once courted favor with K Group had severed ties with the company, leaving Lumina on the brink of collapse.While Lionel was listening to Barton's report, his phone rang.It was his father. Immediately, Lionel's face darkened."What is it?" he asked,
"Joanna, you're drunk! Calm down." Heather's voice was low and firm as he grabbed Joanna's wrist without hesitation, stopping her just as she lunged at him.Was she really drunk? Or just pretending?Heather's sharp tone, coupled with the pain shooting through her wrist, made Joanna freeze. Her dewy eyes instantly filled with tears."You yelled at me? You never raise your voice at me. You never refuse me. What's wrong with you? Don't tell me… your love for me was a lie?"Her lips trembled, and—plop—a single tear slid down her cheek. Joanna's delicate face was full of grievance as she accused Heather of turning against her.She really had gone mad.He had loved her. He had sincerely begged her to stop chasing after Lionel and to stay with him instead. He had been willing to take responsibility for their one-time mistake, promising to make her happy.But she had refused to even look at him, discarding him like a worthless rag.And now, after failing to win another man's love, after feelin
Joanna burned with jealousy, seething with anger as she stormed in. She grabbed Chloe off the bed and dragged her out, ready to feed her to the wolves.Bitch!Normally, Joanna could let things slide, but not now. What the hell was this? She'd just had a miscarriage a week ago, barely gotten back home, and now she was back in bed with a man?!Joanna cursed Chloe fiercely in her mind, but then, oddly, a sense of satisfaction crept in. She knew that a woman who had just miscarried shouldn't be anywhere near a man in bed. That was basic knowledge. But the fact that Lionel didn't care about Chloe's condition, that he was dragging her into bed as soon as he got home—well, that only proved one thing: he saw her as nothing more than a tool.If he truly loved her, he would have been more considerate!This meant that in Lionel's eyes, Chloe was nothing special either!Ha! What was there to be angry about now?Let them have their fun, let them wreck her completely, turn her into trash.Joanna fe
Chloe lost her child, and Joanna couldn't contain her delight. She hummed a cheerful tune, suddenly finding everyone pleasant to look at and treating everyone with uncharacteristic warmth and kindness.Mandy, on the other hand, was seething with resentment, while Grace spent her days on edge, terrified of Lionel's return and the punishment that might await her.A week passed, and Chloe finally returned from the hospital.Joanna, who had been all smiles for days, found her grin vanishing the moment she laid eyes on Chloe.In her mind, Chloe had tried to use the child in her womb to secure her place, and now that she had lost the baby, her bargaining chip was gone. Even if she didn't take her own life, she should at least be devastated—frail, despondent, a step away from death.Yet, after a week, Chloe looked radiant, her complexion even more glowing than before!There was no sign of grief over losing her child—she was laughing and