Emerald immediately held back and bit her lip to endure the pain. Her pink lip bled, and she could taste the blood. This was what she hated most about getting injured-the treatment. The additional pain from the medicine or creams was unbearable for her, and even though she had been drinking, she still felt every bit of the sting.The troubled look on her face reminded Alaric of the nights when she lay beneath him, clinging to his waist and begging him to be gentle. He suppressed the intense desire that surged within him and softened his touch considerably."You've always been so loud, Miss Greene," Alaric whispered teasingly, making sure Emerald heard him.Emerald's forehead creased when she heard that, but she ignored it. All she wanted now was for him to leave. They couldn't stay in the same room alone because Emerald knew she might give in-especially since she was drunk!The cold ointment gradually warmed under the heat of his palm, and his rough hand gently m
Emerald recalled the first day she met Alaric, when he had saved her. The man had been dripping wet, his short black hair neatly styled, his eyebrows raised, and his strong arms had supported her soft body. He exuded a potent, irresistible aura. Ethan had always told her she was a boring woman, but Alaric had awakened something in her that made her feel physically satisfied even without love.As the alcohol clouded her judgment, she found herself embracing Alaric, inviting him with boldness. The man took advantage of the moment, his kiss now gentle, guiding her hands around his muscular waist. With the soft sofa beneath her and the hard, warm man in front, her body was overwhelmed with emotions."You want me too, right?" Alaric's voice was sexy and enticing, whispering directly into her ear, deliberately pushing her to give in.Emerald was no longer sure if it was the alcohol or her own desires driving her, but she didn't protest. She wanted Alaric even more than he w
Emerald's expression hardened further, her disgust evident. "I'm sorry, but I don't have a habit of recycling trash. Besides, your twelve minutes can't satisfy me."Ethan's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He seemed to be grappling with the harshness of her words, unable to comprehend the insult from someone he had always perceived as gentle and kind."What did you say?" His voice was now laced with anger and threat.Emerald's gaze remained unyielding, her cold stare reflecting her final decision.Emerald's bold declaration cut through the tension in the doorway, her words deliberately aimed to sting and assert her newfound confidence. She wasn't interested in revisiting past grievances or allowing Ethan to invade her space any longer."I said I'm already taken. He's wild and hot. He can satisfy me for more than an hour. Sometimes it even lasts all night. Can you even do that? No, right?" Emerald's voice was firm, her challenge clear.Ethan laughed
So, this is all Emerald could think of.She stood on tiptoes and spoke into the man's ear with an ambiguous and sultry tone, "Don't worry. Next time, I'll sleep with you as much as you want, and I'll make sure Mr. Corrigan returns home having a great time."Emerald had no idea how her words affected Alaric. His eyes turned cold and deep. Suddenly, his hold on her waist loosened, and he let her go."I'll just wait for you then, Miss Greene," Alaric said calmly and turned away from her.He quietly retrieved his coat and put it on. Before leaving, he turned back and gently stroked her cheek."Damn, Emerald. You know how hard it is for me, but I'm respecting your decision. I'm looking forward to your promise," Alaric stated with a dangerous look in his eyes.His fingertips were hot, and the rough texture of his touch scraped against her cheek, causing a slight sting.Emerald realized he was angry and couldn't help but feel guilty. He had he
It was something Emerald thought was perfectly normal to say. She recalled the previous times she'd reached out, taking the initiative to invite him out several times that month, only to be met with silence. She had assumed Alaric was no longer interested and had probably blocked her number altogether. But then, she was startled to receive a voice message from him at three in the morning."Come down," Alaric's voice was both tired and irresistibly magnetic. "I'm downstairs in your garage."Without a second thought, Emerald slipped into her nightgown and went downstairs. From a distance, she saw an off-road vehicle parked in a shadowy corner, with a man's muscular arms resting on the lowered window. The glowing end of his cigarette flickered in the darkness, and as he noticed her approach, he stubbed it out.The vehicle, a black off-road model modified to be larger than a Range Rover, was covered in mud and dust-reflective of its owner. As the door opened, before Emera
"You're stuttering, your breath is hitching, and you're still saying you don't want it, huh?"There was a faint scent of cedar on Alaric's body, filling the cab with a woody aroma that felt almost like an aphrodisiac. As he trailed his lips slowly down her neck, goosebumps erupted wherever the warmth touched her.Emerald arched her body, her vision blurring, her mind conflicted between rejection and the undeniable welcome of his touch. It felt as if her body had a mind of its own, gradually surrendering to his advances. His large hand stroked along her shirt, and Emerald could no longer hold back. She gasped."Wait... Stop..." Emerald was breathless, trying to catch her breath.A few seconds of silence stretched between them. As they both caught their breath, Emerald's stomach growled loudly. Her face flushed deeply when Alaric looked at her in surprise."Are you hungry? Haven't you eaten anything yet?" He asked, clearly taken aback.Embarrassed, Emeral
"Usually when Mr. Corrigan hosts a banquet, the first and second floors are used for entertainment. The third floor is reserved for him and his friends during intimate parties or gatherings. The fifth floor is Mr. Corrigan's private area. No outsiders have ever entered."It became clear that Alaric was indeed the elusive figure behind the scenes. The servant swiped an elevator card and pressed the button for the fifth floor, implying that Emerald was considered more than just an outsider.This sense of unwelcome familiarity made Emerald uneasy. Regardless of Alaric's high status, she had no intention of engaging with him beyond their previous encounters. Her experiences with her own mother-being the mistress of her father-had left her wary. She did not want to find herself in a similar situation.Even as a child, Emerald knew she wasn't born out of love. She was simply the result of a mistake made by two people who had betrayed others. It's a burden she will carry wit
In the early months of their arrangement, they would meet and head straight to bed without a word. A typical no-strings-attached situation. But now, things seemed to be shifting.Emerald shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that plagued her mind, and made another attempt to break free from Alaric's hold. When she finally succeeded, he quickly caught her wrist, forcing their eyes to meet. A small smirk played on Alaric's lips as he suddenly pinched her chin, as if he had read her mind."I've slept with you so many times. Why didn't I notice before that you found my touch so repulsive, Miss Greene?" he asked in a husky voice.Emerald quickly averted her gaze and shook her head. "I'm just hungry," she deflected, changing the subject.Even though they had been intimate countless times, Emerald was like a hedgehog, always guarded, never allowing anyone to truly get close. Once she finally pulled away from Alaric, she marched straight to the table, acting as
At night, after Emerald had fallen asleep, she would secretly call her mother—until Alaric caught her in the act.At the shareholders' meeting, Alaric eliminated four people and uncovered the one who had been secretly buying up scattered shares.It was Griffin.In a final twist, Mr. Corrigan betrayed him, and Griffin realized too late that he had been played.Alaric regarded him with an icy stare. “Did you really think I’d invite you here for anything else?”He took slow, deliberate steps toward Griffin. “You wanted Teacher Greene to forget me. But in the end, she forgot you instead. You schemed and plotted, but did you ever consider that this would be the outcome?”Griffin let out a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with resentment. “Alaric, you’re unbelievably lucky. Fate favors you—again.”His voice turned sharp with frustration. “Why does it always have to be you?”Alaric’s expression remained unreadable. “I know you blame me. You think your father abandoned you and your son.”Griffin
Now that Alaric had decided to marry Emerald, he naturally had to address the issue of inheritance.He had promised that he wouldn’t let Emerald suffer any injustice.James was thrilled but hesitant to believe it. He looked up at her cautiously and asked, “Can I really call you that?”Emerald knew that despite his tough exterior, he was actually very sensitive.She crouched down, gently running her fingers through James’s hair. “Of course, if you want to.”Without hesitation, James threw himself into her arms. “I do! Of course, I do—Mom.”His tears fell onto her neck, and Emerald’s lips curved into a soft smile.I just got a son this big out of nowhere.James was so attached to her that even when they walked, he would hook his little fingers around hers.It all felt like a dream.When Emerald looked up, she noticed Jamilah standing on the terrace, silently watching her. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Jamilah quickly turned away.James sighed and explained, “Mom, my sister ha
"Get ready, that’s where we’re landing," Alaric whispered in her ear.As they descended, Emerald noticed the intricate details within the rose fields—windmills, charming fairy-tale cottages, and delicate pathways weaving through the flowers.It was the kind of place that would go viral the moment people saw it—a dreamlike destination straight out of a storybook.Under Alaric’s steady control, they landed smoothly on the soft grass. The moment Emerald unbuckled her harness, she threw her arms around him, holding him close.The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of roses, and amidst it all, she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat."Emerald Greene, I will never let anything hurt you again. From now on, I will make sure you're happy—forever.""Mm. I believe you.""Wow! This is straight out of a movie!" Iris gasped, pinching Gio’s arm. "I must be dreaming—this kind of romance isn’t even this dramatic in films!"Gio winced. "Ow!""That hurt!""Of course, it hurts! You pinch
Iris, still stunned, turned to stare at him. "Wait… is he that rich? So rich that he could casually win the title of ‘Little Prince’ or something?""He is the one who is the one who is the one.""Brother, why didn’t you tell me he was this handsome?! He’s so young and fair-skinned—he looks like he stepped straight out of an anime! Not a trace of that tacky, nouveau riche vibe at all."Even Emerald was taken aback, though not nearly as much as Iris.Noticing that the young man wasn’t much older than herself, she stepped forward, bent down, and offered him a hand."Are you okay?" she asked.Yngrid grabbed her hand and stood up, flashing a bright, friendly smile. “Don’t worry! Second Sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful! So gentle! No wonder Second Brother has been thinking about you for years—he finally got you.”Alaric frowned, glancing at the knife embedded in the table. “How many times have I told you? Stop running around with a knife in your hand.”Yngrid looked utterly clueless. “But
Emerald was sharp enough to catch the implication. This man was clearly from the Corrigan, but how could he be Alaric’s second brother?Nancy smiled. "It’s a long story. Sister-in-law, come inside quickly. Gabbi has been preparing all morning to welcome you."Gio, who was usually the most lively among them, suddenly looked uncharacteristically serious and polite. "Sorry to trouble you, then."Nancy turned his gaze to the other guest. "Welcome. You must be Ms. Benitez."Iris straightened up, her usual playfulness replaced by a bit of nervousness. "That’s me. Hello, hello."As the group walked inside, Gio trailed behind, but Iris discreetly poked his waist. "Who is he? You seem a little scared of him."She had met Gio’s friends many times, but she had never seen him act this cautious.Gio lowered his voice. "You may not recognize him, but you’ve definitely heard of the Medical Research Institute."Iris froze. "You mean the world’s number one pharmaceutical company?"Her mind was spinnin
The sun shone brightly, and magpies chirped from the branches—a perfect day.Iris, already waiting downstairs, let out a low whistle. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Interlocked fingers? Teacher Greene, Mr. Corrigan, could you two be any sweeter?”Caught off guard, Emerald instinctively tried to pull her hand away.But Alaric tightened his grip. “Don’t let go.”Her cheeks flushed, and she nodded. “Okay.”Iris was about to whistle again when Gio quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. “For the love of god, stop teasing them. My Alaric is the most patient guy—until he’s not.”Iris blinked. “Huh? But Mr. Corrigan seems so refined and gentlemanly.”Gio scoffed. “That’s just for women. When it comes to me, he’s got a double standard.”Clearly, Gio had endured Alaric’s ruthlessness one too many times. If Iris kept poking fun at him, Alaric would undoubtedly find a way to get back at them both.Completely oblivious, Iris had no idea what was happening. She tried to push Alaric into the front passenger seat,
"I won’t say things like that again," she murmured. "If I do, I’m not just belittling myself—I’m belittling your love, too.""That’s right." Alaric rubbed her head gently. "The past is heavy baggage. If you can, let it go. The future will be so much better."She smiled. "Your little Greene has finally grown up.""You have a daddy boyfriend, so you have to grow up."Emerald wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft. "Thank you… for teaching me how to love.""It’s my greatest honor to receive Teacher Greene’s love."Their eyes met, the space between them shrinking as they leaned in—Then Alaric’s phone rang.He exhaled sharply, turning it off without hesitation."Sorry. Let’s pick up where we left off."The caller was persistent. Emerald sighed, nudging Alaric playfully. "Go on, Mr. Busy."He had already spent so much time with her over the past two days, and she was more than content.But Alaric never returned after heading to his study. Emerald waited alone until eleven o’clock
At first, Emerald worried that Gio was just fooling around and that Iris would end up getting hurt. But later, through Alaric, she realized that Gio was genuinely working hard for their future.It was only then that Emerald recognized how extreme her past views had been—believing that marriage was a trap and love was nothing more than fleeting sweetness.Iris, in her simplicity, had understood something far earlier than she did: love is about two people growing together, striving toward a shared future.Even someone like Iris, who had spent years drifting through life, was now determined to change. And that alone was a good start.Gio had seen all kinds of people in his world, but it was Iris—pure and untainted, like a blank canvas—who truly captured his heart. She made him want to protect her.Now, Emerald could finally put her worries to rest.The so-called unreliable playboy hadn’t even touched Iris all this time. That fact alone proved he was someone she could trust."Ember, I'm n
Alaric stared coldly at the woman standing before him, utterly unfazed by her desperation."It doesn't matter who it is. I don’t owe you an explanation."Yngrid’s emotions spiraled out of control again, but before she could lash out, Winston’s expression darkened. The usual elegance in his demeanor vanished, replaced by an icy sharpness."Do you need me to remind you of your place?" he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.Emerald watched the scene unfold, quickly deducing that Winston held Yngrid’s fate in his hands. Yngrid’s reluctance was obvious, but in the end, she had no choice but to submit.She took slow, deliberate steps toward Emerald. "Emerald… I’m sorry for what happened," she forced out. "I apologize."Emerald didn’t miss the unwillingness in Yngrid’s eyes. And to be honest, she had no desire to accept it.But she also knew that she had finally convinced Alaric to reconcile, and the partnership with the Santos had been secured. Yngrid’s presence here w