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
At that moment, Eamonn appeared out of nowhere, wrapping his arms around Cynthia. "Are you alright, sweetheart? Did he scare you?"Cynthia remained unaffected by his apparent concern. Looking ahead in a daze, she asked, "Who is he?""Lionel Williams," Eamonn replied with an air of knowledgeable reverence. "He's a big shot at Westridge. If he wants someone dead, they might not live another minute!" His tone was filled with admiration and envy."Chloe is really lucky!" Eamonn's voice had a touch of bitterness and mockery."What do you mean?" Cynthia, though still dazed, detected something unusual and turned to Eamonn, searching for clues on his face.The name sounded familiar, and his face seemed vaguely recognizable. Eamonn rubbed his nose, a glint in his eye. "I mean, if she can hook up with a man like Lionel, that's a huge stroke of luck!"Cynthia felt a pang in her chest. The once princely Eamonn now seemed entirely different, his warmth and harmless demeanor a mere mask. The man be
Chloe's back, stomach, legs, and arms were covered in bruises, with the most severe one on her thigh. Her ankle was slightly dislocated from being stepped on.Thankfully, as she had said, it was all superficial.Lying on the bed, Chloe felt like she was a piece of art being scrutinized under Lionel's intense gaze. Uncomfortable, she turned her head to the side.Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Chloe gritted her teeth and growled, "Have you looked enough? Can I get up now?"Leaning down, Lionel grabbed her trembling chin, his eyes blazing with anger. "You still dare to act tough? You should be grateful it's just superficial injuries. Otherwise, I wouldn't let you off so easily!"For a moment, there was an odd implication in Lionel's words, but Chloe dismissed it as an illusion. She almost wanted to laugh. If her injuries had been worse, he wouldn't let her off? What was wrong with this man?A sneer formed on Chloe's lips as she recklessly replied, "You must be really bored if you
Soon, Lionel regretted it—he regretted it so much that it hurt deeply!Every man that passed by cast obsessive glances in their direction, and some even kept looking back long after they'd walked away."Bang!" One man, completely mesmerized by the figure behind him, walked straight into a wall.Lionel's eyes were full of stormy fury.In the lobby, the burning gazes directed at them were so many, they felt like an intricate web closing in. Even though Lionel shot murderous glares at anyone who dared to look, some men still stared at Chloe, speechless, practically drooling.Just as Chloe felt the world darken before her eyes, Lionel had already thrown his jacket over her, covering her up completely."What are you doing?" Chloe angrily shoved it off, the jacket slipping down. She couldn't see—how was she supposed to walk?Lionel yanked it back up, covering her until only her head was exposed."Lionel, are you insane?""You are mine!" Lionel's voice was cold. He pulled her close and heade
As they spoke, Lionel had already carried Chloe into the bathroom, placing her in the water with her clothes still on.Chloe had been feeling sticky and uncomfortable for a while, and now the warm water soothing her injured body made her feel much better.But suddenly, a large hand reached over and began undoing the buttons on her shirt...Chloe immediately grabbed his hand and glared at Lionel. "What are you doing?""Taking off your clothes.""Why are you... taking off my clothes?!""To wash you," Lionel replied with a wicked grin. "How can I clean you properly if you're still dressed?"He had to be out of his mind! He'd always looked down on her, treating her with disdain and refusing to touch her. But now, it seemed like today, no matter if she was rotten meat or cheap, he was determined to have her.Chloe was furious. "Get away from me!""If you don't shut up, I'll kiss you," Lionel threatened, continuing to undo her buttons."You—" Chloe tried to speak again, but true to his word
"What's wrong?" Florence, sitting nearby, noticed Chloe clutching her stomach and quickly stood up, alarmed. "Your stomach still hurts? I'll call the doctor right now." She turned, about to rush out of the room."It's fine! It doesn't hurt anymore," Chloe called out, stopping Florence in her tracks."Really?" Florence asked, skepticism written all over her face."Really. I'm fine now!" Chloe reassured her repeatedly, and only then did Florence hesitate and sit back down.Chloe's heart warmed a little more toward Florence. Despite her sharp tongue and haughty demeanor, Florence's actions often spoke otherwise. Her arrogance was merely a mask to hide her true self.No matter how harsh her words or domineering her tone, at crucial moments, her kindness would shine through."Florence, you should go back. It's boring here, and I'm really okay now. It's just menstrual cramps. I'll probably be discharged this afternoon.""Alright! I'm leaving then. Take care and call me if you need anything,
"You're showing signs of a threatened miscarriage, and there's already some bleeding!" The middle-aged female doctor spoke with a tone of reproach. "Sigh, you have to be extremely careful during the first three months.""Ah..." Chloe's mind went blank, like a bomb had gone off in her head. "Th-Threatened miscarriage?" She repeated the doctor's words in a daze, completely unable to process what was happening. Her expression was blank, as if she had just been struck by lightning."Yes. Don't you know you're pregnant?" The doctor looked at her with surprise."Wait, you mean I'm...pregnant?" Chloe stammered, the news hitting her like a tidal wave. "How is that possible?" she murmured, almost to herself.She and Lionel had always used contraception. Even on the rare occasions they didn't have time to use protection, she had taken emergency contraceptives afterward. Where did things go wrong? She had always been so meticulous about this!Seeing Chloe still in shock, the middle-aged doctor v
When Chloe woke up, it was already late. Fortunately, as the director of the Art Center, her absence could easily be covered by someone else.After tidying herself up, she stepped out of the bedroom to find Florence sitting on the couch in the living room, casually munching on an apple.Seeing Chloe emerge, Florence picked up a box beside her and handed it over. "Here, for you.""What's this?" Chloe took the box, immediately noticing its luxurious design. Clearly, it wasn't an ordinary item. She recognized the English brand name on the box—a high-end fashion label she'd only ever heard about from Cynthia. Cynthia had once mentioned how outrageously expensive it was."This...probably doesn't suit me. You should keep it," Chloe said, pushing the box back toward Florence. She didn't feel comfortable accepting something so extravagant without earning it."Tch! Don't overthink it. It's not like I bought it specifically for you," Florence scoffed, still chewing on her apple. "It was on sale
Lionel looked up to see Chloe standing in her nightwear, her figure still glistening faintly from a recent shower. She looked like a blooming flower adorned with morning dew, exuding a soft, intoxicating fragrance that captivated him completely."Why are you here? If you're tired, you should go to bed early," Lionel said tenderly, his long arm already pulling Chloe onto his lap.Breathing in her delicate scent, his lips brushed against her skin, teasing her here and nibbling there."Stop it! Don't you have work to do?" Chloe said, her neck instinctively shrinking as Lionel's playful gestures sent shivers down her spine, leaving her both ticklish and covered in goosebumps."Who told you to smell so good?" Lionel teased, lifting her chin. His intense gaze fixed on her rosy lips, and he couldn't resist lowering his head to capture them in a passionate kiss.Whenever Chloe was near, Lionel seemed unable to control himself. It was as if he was addicted to her, his once-prized self-control
Joanna stared at Lionel's face—the face she had dreamed about countless times. Her eyes reddened as she whispered, "Back then, I left because I was angry with you. Nothing ever happened between me and Heather! I only involved him to make you jealous and staged that scene to provoke you..."Lionel remained expressionless, as if Joanna's words had nothing to do with him.When no further explanation came, Lionel's lips twitched slightly. "Are you done? You can leave now."The cold detachment in his tone made it clear that to him, she was nothing more than a stranger."Lion! How can you treat me like this?"Joanna's voice trembled, her pretty face on the verge of tears. She impulsively reached out to grab Lionel's hand. "I'm your fiancée, yet you look at me like I'm nobody. Even if you hate me, at least we grew up together as family. How can you act like I'm invisible? Do you know why I left three years ago? It was because you were too cold
"Didn't you already become someone else's 'dad'?" Chloe countered with a question instead of answering. Sometimes, Lionel's jealousy was just too much for her."Do you think that's what I wanted?!" Lionel spat out coldly, his tone icy. "It seems you're quite special to them. If I hadn't come to pick you up today, were you really planning to go back with him and play stepmother?""Lionel, what nonsense are you talking about?" Chloe's anger flared. Lionel's mild jealousy she could chalk up to him caring about her, but this—this wasn't jealousy. It was outright humiliation! "Do you really think I'm that kind of shallow woman?"Her face darkened as she yelled at Barton, "Stop the car. I want to get out!"Barton froze but didn't stop the car, pretending he hadn't heard her.Seeing Chloe's flushed face and the moisture welling in her eyes, Lionel felt a pang in his chest. He suddenly realized he might have gone too far.His grip loosened, an
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