Derek's POV
I came back after dealing with Daphne, thinking Tabitha would be waiting for me in the living room.It was always like this. No matter how late I came home, I could always see her in the living room, sleeping on the sofa.She always kept a light on for me.But today was an exception. When I pushed open the front door, the room was dark, and Tabitha wasn't on the sofa.In the past, Tabitha would have met me by this time, grumbling and helping me with my clothes.She would nag and nag non-stop, but I liked her like this the most.Yet now, though the room was filled with warm air, I still felt cold.As I pushed open the door, through the light outside the bedroom, I could vaguely see a lump on the bed.Tabitha had already slept.I walked to the bedside and gently lay down beside her.Her unique scent lingered on the tip of my nose.I couldn't help but reach out and hold her in my arms.When I heard her wake upTabitha's POVUpon hearing Derek's words, I closed my eyes quickly.The next morning, I woke up in his arms.It had been ages since we slept together while hugging each other. The second I opened my eyes, I saw his handsome sleeping face.I suddenly felt that time had gone back three years when I could see him whenever I opened my eyes.He closed his eyes tightly. With a few strands of hair softly resting on his usually smooth forehead, he no longer looked that cold and aloof.There was a faint stubble on his tightly clenched jaw, and even in his sleep, he was still frowning tightly.I instinctively raised my hand to smooth his furrowed eyebrows.Yet after I lifted my hand, I realized that we were no longer mates. I was about to retract my hand when he opened his eyes at that moment.Our eyes met, and I saw fine dust flying in the air.My hand froze in mid-air. Either putting it back or leaving it there seemed a bit awkward.Whi
Tabitha's POV"Shut up!" Derek shouted angrily.My words pissed him off."Leo's in pain," Crystal said in my mind.I didn't have time to dwell on her words.Out of anger, I blurted out, "Derek, my family was ruined, Silver Moon Pack is on the verge of dissolution, and my dad has been in a coma. Everything happened because of you! Who gave you the balls to make me such an offer?"Derek pulled me out of the wardrobe with one hand, and I took the chance to punch and kick him hard."You think I'm gonna give in just because it's the second chance? No! And I won't be marked by you! Forget it!"After I finished speaking, I felt Crystal let out a painful whimper in my head.I knew the feeling well.Meanwhile, I saw a hint of pain flash across Derek's eyes.In the next second, he became even angrier. His face turned red, his eyes were filled with anger, and he raised his hand, about to hit me.I roared with fury, "Hit me! Better yet
Tabitha's POVWhen I pushed open the door to Derek's office, he was sitting in front of the desk, all zoned into his work on the computer.I scoped out his office setup, a hint of irony crossing my face. Who would have thought my first visit here would be as his ex-wife?After placing the lunchbox on the coffee table, I then fixed my gaze on him, who seemed too caught up in his work to even notice me.The night had fallen, and the city lights started to twinkle like a bunch of stars.Derek's handsome profile looked even more chiseled under the light, his jaw all clenched up.Neither of us spoke, and the room was dead silent.I couldn't read his mind, but I guessed he wouldn't blow up at me.After all, he didn't lose his temper after I went off on him this morning.With that thought in mind, I mustered up the courage and walked over, feeling his intense vibe the closer I got, even though he hadn't said a word.I had planned to suppres
Tabitha's POVThe purpose of the person who'd been lurking in the shadows was to tear me and Derek apart.Guessed he or she wouldn't be too thrilled about me and Derek being so close.Shame that I couldn't catch any vibe off the secretary's face to tell if she was the spy working for that mastermind.I piped up, trying to sound casual, "That secretary's got some nerve, barging in without giving you a heads-up."My voice carried a hint of jealousy.Derek wasn't mad, though. He just smiled and said, "Well, I won't fuss over the formalities when swamped with work."I hopped off his lap and wandered over to the huge French window.Staring out at the sea of lights, I couldn't help feeling lonely.Before I noticed it, Derek walked up behind me, asking in a low voice, "What's on your mind?"I said calmly, "Just imagining your engagement party with Daphne. Heard she picked the Magnolia Garden. It's definitely gonna be stunning."I knew
Tabitha's POV"Daphne probably won't be cool with it," I said.Knowing how Derek used to take her side unconditionally, I worried that she'd mess up my whole plan simply by a word of complaint.Derek ran his hand over my head, his eyes flashing a chill. "Just ignore her. It's not her call. I'm the one calling the shots," he snapped.Feeling reassured by his promise, I snuggled closer into his arms."Can I start work tomorrow?" I piped up."What position are you aiming for?" he wondered."Assistant." I looked up at him with an expectant look.Derek's eyes drilled into mine, like he was trying to read my mind through my face."What are you really after?" he grilled.I knew I was throwing him off by fawning on him today.But we were each other's second chance mate, and I figured he couldn't resist me getting close to him, even though he suspected me.I locked eyes with him, trying to earn his trust. "I've told you, I wanna sta
Tabitha's POV"I just thought your necklace was very beautiful, so I took a few more glances. Where did you buy it?" I had a smile on my face, trying to lighten the mood.Elizabeth's necklace was her only adornment, a small but delicate rose with a sparkling diamond at its center."This was the year-end bonus that Mr. Greenwood had custom-made two years ago," Elizabeth replied calmly."Oh, I see. I will work hard to earn this year's bonus then," I said with a smile.She just glanced at me before leaving with her bag.Charlie, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "Don't take it personally. She has always been like that."I asked, "So you mean Elizabeth has always been this cold?""Well, I haven't seen her smile since she started working here. Although cold, she's efficient at her job," he replied.We chatted for a while, and then I was the last one to leave the office.I didn't go far but waited in the underground parking lot.
Tabitha's POVI opened my mouth, and at that moment, I had the urge to let everything out.The thought flashed through my mind, and soon I remembered Derek's contemptuous face.He had mocked me countless times in the past, playing tricks and manipulating me. If I spoke up now, he might just dismiss it and think I was just exonerating my father.Moreover, before I could uncover the truth, revealing my suspicions too soon could tip them off and make things worse.So I swallowed my words again.Regardless of any mastermind, the relationship between me and Derek wouldn't be affected. His infidelity was a fact.I remained calm and responded with a muffled sound.With his answer, all the things became even clearer to me.I tightened my grip on his clothes, determined to uncover the truth. It became my only purpose for enduring."I knew it," I muttered."There's no need to dwell on things that have already passed, let's go to sleep," h
Tabitha's POVUpon hearing Noah's words, I followed his gaze and looked over.When I saw the painting hanging on the wall, I was stunned.Noah's excited voice still echoed in my ears: "Tabitha, do you know who painted this? The painter must have a broad vision and a beautiful mind."I looked at the painting, which presented a profound forest night scene with a full moon hanging in the night sky.The silver moonlight poured down, penetrating through layers of overlapping leaves, bringing a touch of mysterious brightness to the dark forest.In the forest, some wolves could be faintly seen, as if they were telling ancient legends.In one corner of the picture, there was a stone altar, adorned with delicate patterns, seemingly related to the legend of the Moon Goddess.Several wolves quietly guarded around the altar.Their postures were solemn and dignified as if they were performing some kind of sacred ritual.The eyes of the wolves in
Third person's POVForrest's account seemed flawless at first glance, but Tabitha's heart was filled with doubts.This was not a small sum. It was three hundred million dollars, not three thousand or thirty thousand.Moreover, before the auction, no one could predict the final price, so the amount Wilmot would need to borrow would certainly far exceed three hundred million.Orson, though well-off, could hardly come up with hundreds of millions in liquid funds.Besides, she and he were merely friends, not lovers.And how could he have access to mercenaries?It wasn't that Orson couldn't do these things, but everything seemed unlikely for him.Yet, aside from Orson, who else could have lent a helping hand?It couldn't be Derek... As soon as she thought of him, Tabitha shook her head.Derek was supposedly still in Africa. He couldn't have rushed over so quickly.Even if it were him, he would have taken her awa
Third person's POVTabitha wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, but she gradually woke from her slumber in a daze.She moved her fingers, and the numbness and weakness spread throughout her body as if every muscle was silently protesting the previous ordeal.Before even opening her eyes, her body felt as if it was being pricked by fine needles, with waves of soreness following one after another.However, a strange coolness emanated from a certain part of her body, which instantly brought her back to her senses.She slowly lifted the covers and, upon seeing the unfamiliar yet soft and comfortable pajamas, was taken aback before a blush crept onto her cheeks.She subconsciously clenched her legs, her mind involuntarily recalling the previous ambiguous scenes, thinking to herself, "He was so meticulous..."The bed was filled with a faint scent, a mix of some cleaning products and a masculine aroma, suggesting that the man had meticu
Third person's POVAfter the mercenaries had plundered the ship's wealth, they swaggered away without a care.As dawn approached, Tabitha, still in the throes of sleep, was quietly transferred amidst the chaos.Derek, freshly groomed and composed, gently opened the door to a burst of invigorating sea breeze, the wind's caress gradually dispersing the gloom that had long lingered in his heart.The entire ship, except for the level they occupied, was in disarray. Ninety percent of the passengers had already disembarked, and the remaining ten percent were their own people. Over a hundred enforcers, tightly bound with ropes, huddled on the ground in disarray.Matilda, released from her restraints by Alvin, rushed downstairs with urgency. The restaurant, dance floor, luxury boutiques, and entertainment venues were all reduced to chaotic ruins.Stumbling and falling into the wreckage, Matilda's tears flowed as she lamented, "It's gone. Everything
Third person's POVThe soft sunlight gently bathed the vast ocean, the sea shimmering with a dreamlike radiance.The large ship, after a night of turmoil, finally regained its calm, drifting effortlessly on the sea like a light leaf.For the guests on board, the previous night had been nothing short of a catastrophic disaster.All the ship's infrastructure had been subjected to large-scale, wanton destruction.ATMs were brutally pried open, the casino left in disarray, and all cash looted clean.Items that couldn't be taken were either smashed to pieces or utterly ruined.Wealthy merchants stood naked and disgraced, gamblers with bloodshot eyes, having lost everything, huddled helplessly in corners, too afraid to make a sound.In such a critical moment, they knew that preserving their lives was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Wealth was but an external possession.Matilda was forcibly dragged to a high place by Alvin
Third person's POVOn a distant rooftop, a man stood quietly, witnessing the chaos unfold from afar.When Manager Dalton, filled with fear and trepidation, called to inform him about the helicopters, he was initially delighted, thinking he had finally caught Derek off guard."Let them cause a ruckus. The more, the better," he instructed.Dalton couldn't help but wonder if his boss had lost his mind, questioning the logic behind such an order.In his view, if a single ship could bring down Derek, it would be a bargain.However, when he realized the arriving forces were private mercenaries, the man's face turned pale instantly.Derek hadn't used his men.This realization meant he couldn't link the events on the ship to Derek."Stop them, quickly!" the man shouted in a panic."It's too late, boss, they... ah!!" The call was cut off abruptly.Furious, the man hastily switched on the surveillance system, only to
Third person's POVThe one who kicked the door in was none other than Forrest.Gone was the simple and honest demeanor he displayed in front of Tabitha and Ayla; even the mask on his face had changed to one featuring a fierce demon totem.Standing there with the sea breeze at his back, he exuded a strong and imposing presence."Bingo, you got it. We're here for you," Forrest declared loudly.Matilda roared in anger, "Who are you? Do you know where you are? How dare you act so recklessly on this ship?"As she spoke, Matilda quickly pressed the alarm button. All the enforcers, upon hearing the alarm, rushed out with their weapons at the ready.Matilda seemed not to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, still snarling viciously, "Do you know what happened to the last person who acted out on this ship? They were minced and fed to the fish."At that moment, the personnel from the helicopters descended onto various decks in an or
Third person's POV"Don't bite. It hurts," the words echoed in Tabitha's mind, bringing back a memory from the past.When she first started her relationship with Derek, she had no sex experience.At that time, she found it extremely embarrassing to make any noise during their moments of intimacy, so she would always tightly bite her lips, refusing to let out a sound.It was on an unforgettable day when the man gently turned her chin, whispering these words into her ear.Tabitha vividly remembered that night as one filled with passion and madness.At this moment, she was completely unaware of how enticing she appeared.Her eyes covered with a silver scarf, the man slowly lifted her chin, forcing her to raise her head, revealing her long, swan-like neck.Her once neat dress slipped from her shoulders, exposing arms as white as snow and sexy, charming collarbones, with fine glitter on her skin twinkling a mysterious light in the d
Derek's POVI held her quietly, without any intention of pressuring her.I knew she was in immense pain and turmoil, and all I wanted was to help her escape this predicament."Ms. Hartley, we can discuss everything else later. The most pressing matter at hand is to resolve your current difficult situation. I understand you are an innocent woman, unwilling to submit easily to others. Still, the circumstances leave us with no other options," I took a deep breath and continued, "I can promise you solemnly that I will not disclose a word of what happens tonight to anyone. After tonight, everything will return to how it was, as if nothing had happened. If you don't have special feelings for me, I can... find someone else for you, like Forrest or..."Before I could finish, she reached out and gently covered my mouth with her hand, her eyes slightly reproachful. At that moment, my heart fluttered with a hint of panic."If there really is no other choice,
Third person's POVAs Tabitha spoke, her face flushed a deep red.Had it not been for the immense willpower forged through her chemotherapy, she would have lost control long ago.Derek gazed at her, a mix of shyness and allure, and despite knowing the drugs were to blame, his heart still raced uncontrollably."Alright, I'll turn away and not look at you," Derek slowly turned his head towards the window.In the pitch-black darkness, the sea appeared particularly gloomy and oppressive.The approaching roar of helicopter blades grew louder in the sky, signaling that the true revelry of the night was about to begin.About ten minutes later, Derek suddenly heard a soft moan from behind him.He quickly turned to see Tabitha, her face rosy and flushed, not only her hair and body drenched, but her eyes as well, as if misted over with steam, glistening and red-rimmed at the corners, exuding an irresistible, fatal sex appeal."Are