Derek's POV
I knew why Holly made a scene at my company. It was all for Daphne.I didn't fire Tabitha because I wasn't afraid of Holly. I just didn't want Tabitha to become a thorn in the side of the Amber's Eye Pack, or she might be in danger.It was also my way of punishing her.After all, she had been trying to draw a line between us.A few months ago, all I wanted was to get rid of her. Yet now that she had actually stopped bothering me, I ended up the one having trouble letting go.Whenever her distant expression emerged in my mind, I felt inexplicably restless.Tugging at my tie, I said to Rolf, "Go to Mark's place."Daphne was over the moon when seeing me. She even prepared a large table of food.Meanwhile, though Holly still pulled a long face, she kept pouring me drinks.I was polite but distant, focused on dandling Kyrian.Yet no matter how I tried, Kyrian barely laughed. Most of the time, he'd just stare out of the wiDerek's POVTabitha reached out and pulled my fingers away from her wrist one by one. "Remember? You said I'd be the only love of your life. And you failed to keep your promise.""I..."She pulled my last finger away.Then she turned around, leaving me nothing but her back. "Derek, don't come to me again. Whether I'm alive or not has nothing to do with you anymore."After saying that, she ran off into the distance.The cherry blossom petals were so many that it was like rain, engulfing her body bit by bit.I wanted to go after her, but all of a sudden, I realized that I wasn't even qualified to do so.So what if I caught up with her? What could I say?Or maybe the more pressing question was, what could I change? The end was already written.I covered my chest. Inside, my heart was beating violently. Weird. Why was I still this uneasy?Tabitha's POVI ran into the elevator, pressed the floor button, and gasped for breath.
Tabitha's POVInside the gift box was a phone watch in the shape of a bear.I didn't need it now.More than a decade ago, I asked Holly to buy me the most popular phone watch in the shape of a bear if I topped the final exam.The day my results came out, however, I saw her leaving with that man.It had been years. I didn't know exactly how I felt when I saw the late gift.I charged it up and wore it on my wrist.That night, I fell asleep while stroking the watch, happy as a kid who had finally received the candy she had been yearning for.It was dawn, and a new day began.I had to go to the hospital early in the morning for various checkups.It was sunny today. I looked out and silently cheered myself on.I'd be fine. Definitely.I packed my things and was just about to go out when I saw a familiar number flashing on my phone screen.It was Albert. Seeing that, I paused.During this time, I had thought about invit
Tabitha's POV"Sure. I'm about to be at the entranceto your neighborhood shortly, in fact. Just a minute away," Jasper said."I'll go downstairs now," I said.After checking the surveillance to make sure it was safe outside, I went out with my things and quickly got into the elevator.There were people all the way from the elevator to the entrance of the neighborhood. I didn't think anyone would be that bold to make a move.As the elevator descended, I became more and more nervous.The eighth floor, the seventh floor, and the sixth floor...I clutched my phone tightly. Jasper texted me, telling me that he was waiting for me at the entrance.He even sent me a smiley face, saying that I could take my time. There was no need to rush.The cute emoji made me less nervous. I smiled, feeling better.However, when I looked up, I realized that the elevator didn't stop on the first floor. It was still descending.I felt utterly uneasy aga
Tabitha's POVI was right all along. Dad was kindness personified. He would never commit such an appalling crime.As such a thought hit me, I burst into tears.'Dad's been nice to everyone. He doesn't deserve this!'"Elena was Derek's childhood sweetheart. If he finds out about it, you're dead meat!"Albert sneered disdainfully, "Use your brain. Why would you end up here if he found out about it?"He was right.Elena had always been Derek's taboo. Bringing her up was just like tearing his old wound open. So he surely wouldn't want to look into her death again."Why? Why did you do this?" I sobbed, lowering my head helplessly."You have only yourself to blame."Me? What did I do?"Your very existence is wrong."With that, Albert lifted me up, put me on his shoulder as if I were a sack, and started walking.Having been locked up for quite some time, I felt sick already.Being lifted all of a sudden made it even worse. My stomach churned.The sound of the sea breeze died down. I guessed
Tabitha's POVI had no idea what had happened between Ethan and Vilda.Judging from his reaction, he seemed to know her well."Where's her kid?""What the hell are you talking about?" he snapped."We examined her body. She had stretch marks, and her vagina showed signs of labor."Ethan shouted at me, "So what? She's dead already. She..."I was just about to find out more about Vilda when I heard Albert rush over. Sounded like he had put his arms around Ethan.Then he said, "Calm down. It's all over. What's the point of wasting time with her?"It was all over?Was Vilda's death a huge blow for Ethan?Why?If he was dying to see her dead, why would he be this troubled and distressed?Then Albert seemed to have taken him away. My world fell once again deadly silent.It was so quiet that my heartbeat was the only sound I could hear.I tried hard to call out to Crystal, yet she gave no response.The floor where my face touched was uneven, notwood or tile. Seemed I was in a shell house rath
Tabitha's POVI thought I'd be alone in here for a long time.Surprisingly, I heard something after a short while.Several people rushed in, dropped something, and left.Listening to the quiet breathing, I knew that another person had been brought here.Soon, the person woke up."What the hell is this place? Do you have any idea who I am? I am Luna of the Black Thorn Pack! You've got some balls kidnapping me! Derek ain't gonna let this slide!"Hearing Daphne's screechy voice, I couldn't help but frown.I didn't expect she would be kidnapped, too."Help! Someone! Help!""Save your strength. If shouting works, there'll be no kidnappers in the world," I couldn't help but say.Daphne instantly snapped, "Tabitha! You bitch! I knew it was you! You're jealous that I'm marrying Derek, so you pull this dirty trick to..."Her rant got me chuckling. "Seriously, are you delusional or just stupid? Till this point, you still don't have a
Tabitha's POVThough I was lying on the ground in a totally embarrassing pose, I tried my best to hold my chin up."Why would you wanna play such a boring game? You really think it's fun?" I snapped.The person chuckled, "Of course. There's nothing more interesting to me than watching him kill his loved one with his choices."The thought of wriggling free crossed my mind several times. Yet I knew it wasn't the right time. If I did it now, I'd die on the spot."If you like him, play fair. Don't you feel ashamed by pulling such dirty tricks?" I snorted in a scornful tone.Even though the person did a good job at disguising, my gut told me it was a woman.If it was a man who bore a grudge against Derek, he'd be more direct and violent.No way he would spend so much time cooking up such an elaborate scheme and go all out to get Daphne and me here just to force Derek to choose between us.Only a woman would do such things, a ruthless psycho no
Derek's POVThe next second, the scene cut to a stunning view. Above the clear blue sea, seagulls were hovering. Everything seemed so peaceful.Well, except for those two women hanging by ropes.Daphne was in an expensive gown. Even though she was blindfolded, I could see tears streaming down her face. Obviously, she was freaked out.Next to her was Tabitha. She was blindfolded, too, only revealing her delicate chin and pale lips.Leo began to roar in my head.Though Daphne couldn't see anything, she seemed to sense everyone's gaze on her.She screamed her lungs out, "Derek! Dad! Help! Please! I don't wanna die!"Tabitha wasn't doing good. Her forehead was covered in beads of sweat.Unlike Daphne, she was too weak to shout.Seemed she was suffocating because of the rope around her waist.Tabitha's POVDerek chose Daphne a year ago. I didn't think he'd choose differently now.This time, I wouldn't wait for an answer tha
Derek's POVI rushed over to Tabitha at once and prevented her from falling down.But I couldn't stop the blood from pouring out of her mouth.Leo howled frantically in my mind.He seemed to sense Tabitha's weakness.Everyone in the banquet hall was in a panic, rushing around anxiously. "Doctor! Why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?"
Third person's POVThe ongoing drama was no longer the center of attention. Instead, the woman at the door caught everyone's eye.The expressions of Alpha Elliott and Andrea changed drastically.How did Daphne manage to be here?They had already taken measures, not giving Daphne a chance to come near Tabitha.Who helped Daphne?
Tabitha's POVPhoebe was still trying to defend herself, but her voice was so weak in the face of solid evidence.She could only tell Ambrose over and over again how much she loved him.Ambrose held her hand, a hint of disgust appearing in his eyes for the first time. "Stop talking. Let's just go."No matter what kind of person Phoebe really was, what she did today was against everything Ambrose thought she was and also embarrassed him.
Ambrose's POVI frowned as I recalled. Back then, I was swamped with work every day.Phoebe would always come to me for money every few days.She used all kinds of excuses, such as her father getting sick, her mother losing her job to take care of her father, or something happening to her younger brother.She claimed that her father was in the intensive care unit, which alone would cost a huge amount of money in just one day, not to mention all the various expenses.
Third person's POVAmbrose turned around and looked at Phoebe, saying in confusion, "Aren't you the one who kept insisting on leaving?"Phoebe's expression froze for a second, and then she immediately burst into tears, saying with a grievance, "Do you think I want to stay here? I just can't bear to leave Zander behind. He has suffered so much with us over the years while we were building our career."Then she walked up to Alpha Elliott, and crouched down, grabbing his hand as she cried, "Elliott, do you know how much we've suffered these years? I know I co
Third person's POVPhoebe was gagged, and she stared at Derek with wide eyes.Obviously, she found it hard to believe. After all, she was an elder!"Phoebe!" Ambrose quickly pulled the towel out of her mouth.Phoebe instinctively was about to continue crying, yet Derek's cold gaze silenced her at once. She then pointed at Zander on the ground and said, "Save Zander first."Ambrose knew that it
Third person's POVTabitha was already suffering from excruciating pain. And then she was aggravated and verbally insulted by Zander, which made her so pissed off.Derek's hug made her feel like an abandoned puppy finally seeing its owner.She reached out and hugged him, saying, feeling utterly aggrieved, "Finally, you're back."Derek gently caressed her face. Though she had makeup on her face, he could tell at a glance that something was off with her expression.
Third person's POVAt that moment, a group of people clad in suits and polished leather shoes made a sudden appearance at the entrance, swiftly drawing the crowd's gaze.Rolf and Alvin had noticeable cuts on their faces, but they stood behind Derek with solemn expressions and respectful attitudes.Derek stood tall and imposing, a fresh scar marring his brow, yet it did nothing to soften his icy demeanor. His commanding presence was as intense as a force of nature, crashing over like a tidal wave.
Third person's POVZander never expected that someone would actually record this scene and expose it without any regard for the prestige of the Greenwood family.Orson's recording ripped off his fig leaf right on the spot.The dreams of all the hopeful young ladies present were shattered. This seemingly virtuous man turned out to be such a beast behind the scenes.Andrea couldn't hold back anymore. Her short temper flared up instantly.