The next morning, Elijah woke up just after eight. Marcia was still asleep, resting her head on his arm, with one hand wrapped around his waist. Her breathing was calm and steady, eyes closed, making her look as serene as ever.Elijah frowned slightly. He never considered her particularly beautiful, but she was captivating in a way he couldn't ignore. Her personality wasn't exactly charming, her appearance unremarkable, and her aura too cold.He couldn't quite understand what drew him to her.Before coming to Liverpool, he had investigated her several times.The identity created for her, "Patricia Roberts," was that of a 29-year-old woman with a relatively smooth life. She had studied in the U.S. for four years and had two relationships there. The most significant hardship she'd faced was losing both parents in a car accident two years ago, which had driven her to return to her homeland.Calvin, who had introduced "Patricia," had said they barely knew each other, though she was compet
Although Marcia was briefly enchanted by sweet words and a handsome face, after dinner, she didn't actually follow Elijah to the church for vows. Currently, she doesn't have a real ID that could pass government scrutiny—all her IDs are fake.This time, however, Elijah didn't push her. With an unusual gentleness, he said, "Go change clothes; we're going to work."Taking her hand, he led her to the bedroom and picked out a red dress for her, a vibrant color that, in Marcia's opinion, was a little too short.She tugged at the dress uncomfortably, her hands slightly sweaty with nerves. "I don't think red suits me. Does it look strange?"Elijah chuckled softly, sounding genuinely sincere. "It looks good. You should wear bright colors more often." He gestured to the closet. "Feel free to wear anything from here."Even without checking the labels, Marcia knew the clothes he picked wouldn't come cheap. She intended to refuse but instead found herself asking, "Did you buy these?""They were gi
Booth shivered in fear. "Sir.""Is this how you hit on my secretary while I was gone?" Elijah's tone was light, but Booth felt his legs weaken.He chuckled nervously, "Sir, you misunderstand. I just had a question for Patricia, not... hitting on her..."Ignoring him, Elijah turned to Marcia and said mildly, "I have something to take care of. You can leave work early and GO HOME." He emphasized the words "go home."Marcia noticed and glanced at the tense Booth beside her, recalling his gossip from earlier. She blurted out, "Sir, where are you going?"Elijah raised an eyebrow, pausing without a word.Marcia bit her lip, "I was planning to go to a bar with Booth after work. I just didn't want to be unreachable if you needed me."Booth, feeling the chill of Elijah's gaze on him, quickly said, "Sir, there's a group of us going. It's not just the two of us."Elijah gave him a cold look and said to Marcia, "I won't be contacting you tonight. Booth, HAVE FUN!" With that, he turned and walked
There's a saying: All men are fickle.From Marcia's experiences, she knew it was more than that—men could be ruthless in ways women couldn't even imagine.Still, she had always thought that Claire and Fidel were different.They'd been together since high school. When Claire worked as Marcia's assistant, Fidel was still in medical school. Claire split her paycheck three ways: the smallest part went towards her rent and living expenses, another portion was sent back to her family, and the biggest share went to support Fidel.Back then, Claire often talked about the day Fidel would become a doctor and how they'd get married and live happily ever after.Marcia, lost in the bliss of her own relationship with Alan at the time, used to dream of both their happy endings but couldn't help feeling sorry for Claire.While other girls begged their boyfriends to take them to the movies or buy them gifts, Claire worked extra hours. When other girls were upset and needed their boyfriends' comfort, C
Claire was doing her makeup, but when she looked in the mirror, she found the reflection unbearably unattractive.She thought about the woman in Fidel's phone—the fair skin, the flawless makeup, the perfect figure—she couldn't compare at all.Frustrated, Claire punched the mirror, not wanting to see her own face. Marcia grabbed her, shouting to Nicole, "What are you standing there for? Help me hold her down!"Nicole hesitated, glancing at the blood on Claire's hand and muttering, "But this dress is limited edition!" Still, she rushed over to help.Claire sobbed and struggled, crying, "I'll kill them!" Her hands were covered in blood, but she didn't seem to feel any pain.It took both of them an enormous effort to calm her down. Seeing the shards of glass in Claire's hands, Marcia suggested, "Maybe we should take her to the hospital?"Nicole looked down at her now-bloodstained white dress, her face twisted in disgust. "The hospital? Like hell! If anyone sees me like this, they'll think
Demon was a five-story modern building, different from typical red-light districts. The women here came from all over the world, representing every type imaginable.As Marcia entered the lobby, it was clear that this was the busiest floor, and also the most affordable.In the center was a stage where a woman provocatively danced, stripping while a crowd of drunken men cheered and hollered. Some men, unable to restrain their urges, clutched the women beside them, touching and kissing without shame. This place was a den of pure indulgence.Marcia couldn't help but frown, thinking to herself: Is Elijah really here? She felt a sting of jealousy.He was whispering sweet things to her this morning, and now he's here? She couldn't help but think, Men really can't be trusted."Hey there, gorgeous! New here? I don't think I've seen you around before!"Just as she spotted the elevator, a drunken man blocked her path.He looked at Marcia's cold, impatient expression and belched, leering. "Well,
Elijah? When did he arrive? How much of that did he hear just now?A sharp alarm went off in Marcia's mind, and she stammered, "I—""Shh..." Elijah placed his finger gently on her red lips, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Just choose?"No sooner had he finished speaking than a group of men in dark blue uniforms appeared behind them, blocking Fidel and Sherry's path.Fidel was still composed, his eyes filled with suspicion. But Sherry, her face as pale as a sheet, collapsed to the ground, not even a shred of resistance left in her."What are you trying to do?"Sherry seemed to recognize a few of the men and cried out anxiously. "Where's my boss? Call my boss out! I'm just doing my job, I haven't done anything wrong. Why are you doing this to me?"The men stood silent, their faces impassive, staring at Marcia, seemingly waiting for her to speak.Marcia's breathing grew shallow as she looked at Elijah, her hand trembling as she gestured toward Fidel. "My friend is still wait
Marcia followed Elijah into the car, and the playful mood caused by the others' teasing faded as the two of them were alone. The quiet between them made her uneasy.She stole a glance at Elijah. His shirt was unbuttoned at several points, and his usually neat hair was loosened, giving him a slightly wild and untamed look."Sir," Marcia hesitated, "if you've been drinking, you shouldn't drive."Elijah shook his head. "I haven't been drinking."But he didn't look sober. His eyes were wild, full of energy, even hinting at a suppressed anger. There was something magnetic and almost provocative about him in the dim light.Marcia's throat tightened. She whispered, "Do you have something you want to ask me?""Do you have something to confess?" Elijah's gaze burned like fire as it lingered on her anxious face, making her shiver. "If you don't have anything to confess, then I have no questions."Marcia quickly lowered her head, her palms sweaty, too afraid to speak.Nervously, she fidgeted wit
Her hand fumbled across the bed, finally reaching the bedside lamp. "You lunatic! It's your fault, not mine. Why do you always blame others? Kate left with someone else—what does that have to do with me? Let go of me!"She rolled her eyes in defiance, but her arms were too weak to resist. Just a little more, and she could grab the lamp...Alan's eyes burned crimson with rage. "It's all your fault! I was fine with Kate before you came along! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have given her to Harold. That bastard said he just wanted her for one night, but now he won't return her! He's no different from Elijah—both beasts! No, fools! Secondhand goods, and yet they enjoy it so much! Is every woman I've been with so desirable? Marcia, tell me—who's better, huh?!"He lost all reason, furiously trying to tear off Marcia's pants. But in his drunken state, he couldn't manage. Frustrated, he pressed against her through her clothes and shouted, "Say it!
Meanwhile, back in his room, Booth snapped out of his daze.Covered in sweat and grime, he had no interest in showering after his conversation with Jane. Instead, he slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly into the distance.It was unclear how long he sat there before irritation drove him to his feet. Booth stormed into the bathroom, peeled off his shirt, and splashed cold water onto his face. Suddenly, something didn't feel right.Jane was staying on the 17th floor—that much he remembered clearly. So why had he seen her waiting for the elevator on the 22nd floor? This was a hotel, not a crowded office building where people often rode the elevator in the wrong direction just to secure a spot.A suspicion crept into Booth's mind—Jane was hiding something from him. He couldn't explain the feeling, but his instincts rarely failed him.Pulling out his phone, he tried calling her, only to find her phone was turned off."Damn it,"
Calvin walked into the hotel lobby and spotted the manager, Charles, speaking on the phone at the front desk.The moment Charles saw Calvin, he hung up immediately and greeted him respectfully. "Sir, would you like me to arrange a car for you?"Calvin raised an eyebrow. "Your efficiency is quite impressive.""My apologies for earlier, sir. I hope you'll forgive us," Charles said with a polite smile.Calvin replied casually, "You were just doing your job, ensuring the guests are taken care of. By the way, she...""Please rest assured, sir. We'll take excellent care of her. Mr. Elijah has already instructed us," Charles responded quickly, knowing exactly who Calvin was referring to.Calvin chuckled. "Seems like he's not too busy in America.""He's just concerned about his wife, that's all. Sir, this way, please. Your car is ready." Charles gestured respectfully. Calvin glanced in the direction Charles indicated, seeing a black Mercedes-Benz van parked at the entrance.Calvin gave Charle
Jane reached out to steady Marcia's back and said softly, "Sir, my name is Jane. May I ask for yours? I joined Sin Corporation the same year as Patricia—quite the coincidence, isn't it?"Calvin frowned slightly at Jane's sudden familiarity but answered curtly, "Calvin."Unbothered by his aloofness, Jane smiled and scanned the room numbers as they walked. "Oh, here it is—2711! Calvin, I almost forgot. Do you have her room card? Without it, we can't get in."After a moment of hesitation, Calvin handed Marcia's bag to Jane. "It should be in her bag. Check inside."Jane accepted the bag cheerfully and rummaged through it. "Found it!"She held up the card and swiped it against the door lock. With a soft beep, the door to 2711 clicked open."Come in, Calvin," Jane said, stepping aside.Calvin nodded and entered quickly, not noticing that Jane discreetly slipped the room card into her own pocket instead of returning it to the bag."Lay her down on the bed," Jane suggested. She glanced at Cal
Calvin didn't drive. Partly because he had been drinking, and partly because it had been a long time since he had been this close to Marcia.Marcia was light as a feather on his back as he slowly carried her toward the hotel.He had grown used to keeping track of Marcia's every move, but her heart had always been out of his reach.As a child, Marcia would cling to his arm with a sweet smile, half-coquettish, half-pleading, as she said, "Calvin, when I grow up, let's get married, okay?"She was just speaking innocent words of a child, but he took them seriously.Her casual remark stayed with him all these years. He had waited for her to grow up, imagining her as his perfect bride. But when she finally did, she showed up holding Alan's hand."Calvin, this is Alan. I...I want to marry him. You're the most important person to me, so you're the first to know," she said.Back then, Alan was a nobody, his humble demeanor barely concealed by his clean, smiling face.Calvin couldn't recall wha
Some people completely lose their memory once they get drunk.After just three glasses of red wine, Marcia had already lost all self-control.Kevin was slightly better off, still holding on to a sliver of rationality as Booth supported him. Kevin managed to exchange a few polite words with Bill and Cliff, ensuring they left the Cote Bistro with the contract in hand.Only after confirming its authenticity did Kevin collapse onto the sofa in the lobby, refusing to move no matter how hard Booth tried.After a chaotic mess, Booth entrusted Kevin to the lobby manager and went back to look for Marcia, only to find Calvin already carrying her. "I'll take her back to the hotel," Calvin said indifferently before striding off.Booth instinctively wanted to follow but was stopped by a waiter. Apparently, someone else had passed out in the private room.Pushing open the door, Booth found Myron slumped awkwardly in a corner, dozing.What's worse than one drunk person? Two drunk people—and worse st
Kevin's eyes were slightly red, but he let out a hearty laugh. "Look at what you're saying. It's an honor for Azure to have you both here today!"With that, he downed another glass of red wine.Marcia hadn't expected him to drink so heavily and looked at him with concern. Just as she was about to intervene, Myron gently shook his head. "Gentlemen, Kevin is like a brother to me. We're mainly here to catch up today, so I won't say too much. Let me also raise a glass to you both! Even though Eli isn't here, I hope you'll consider working with us on my behalf."After speaking, Myron downed his glass in one go. This time, Bill and Cliff clinked glasses with him and took a sip of their own drinks.Bill set his glass down and chuckled. "Myron, I'll toast with you today, but next time, you'd better bring a wife, or marry Nancy already! Otherwise, don't even think about getting me to drink again."Cliff, after finishing his glass, was stopped by Alison, who took over drinking on his behalf.Ma
After laughing, Marcia felt she had been too distant with Calvin, so she smiled at him and said, "Calvin, since you've returned to the country, I haven't properly hosted you. When are you heading back to Liverpool? Let me treat you to a meal before then.""I'll contact you after I get there," Calvin replied with a gentle smile, raising his glass toward her.Marcia nodded firmly and responded enthusiastically, "Alright."Just then, there was a knock at the door.Knock, knock, knock...As they were chatting, Booth pushed the door open and entered."Ma'am, everyone has arrived!" Booth announced.Marcia and Kevin exchanged a glance before quickly heading toward the door. Three individuals entered slowly as introductions were made, and the group exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats with smiles all around.Due to Elijah's influence, the guests were exceptionally polite. Myron also played the perfect mediator, lightening the atmosphere with a few jokes, making everyone laugh.Mar
Calvin looked at Marcia's surprised expression and let a faint smile tug at the corners of his lips. "Are you really that shocked to see me?" he asked softly.Marcia shook her head with a light laugh. "I should be asking you that! You disappeared from the hospital that day without a word. What brings you here?""Elijah personally invited me. It's hard to say no to his invitations, don't you think?" Calvin chuckled. "I'm here representing Shine Glow Group."Kevin, who had been wearing a playful expression, paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow curiously. "SG Group?""The owner of SG, John Linton, is my uncle. He's not feeling well and specifically asked me to attend in his place," Calvin explained, extending a hand toward Kevin. "I'm Calvin, Marcia's childhood friend."Marcia couldn't help but laugh. "We grew up as neighbors. He's closer to me than a real brother. But wait—how did I not know John was your uncle? You don't even share the same last name!""It's through my mother's side