She moved a beat slower still, the tingling sensation of skin contact coming from her ankle. When she looked again, a pair of large, clean, slender hands cupped her heels and effortlessly took off her shoes.
So Adriana asked a second time, “What are you doing?”
But the question in her stomach wasn’t only this one. She also wanted to ask why Calvin had suddenly shown up. Shouldn’t he be at the celebration banquet? Even if he wasn’t planning to attend, he still shouldn’t be meeting her here, at this time.
The occasion and atmosphere were bizarre.
Only, she didn’t get a reply from Calvin — instead, she was rewarded with a sharp crunching click.
Calvin held the high heels in one hand and struck them against the concrete floor with such force that the slender heel snapped off.
Adriana opened her mouth in shock and frustration, wanting to curse and lash out. “Calvin, if you’re upset, you
As night fell far from the downtown area, the half-full moon hung behind the clouds, and every gust of wind carried a thick atmosphere of terror.Adriana had never thought of herself as too timid before. But today, standing at the crime scene behind the police cordon, surrounded by lifeless silence, fear crept into her heart, thick and suffocating.Thinking about it during the day hadn’t felt that thrilling, but now, standing here in person at night, she had to admit — she really wasn’t mentally prepared for this.Seeing her uneasiness, Calvin slowed his steps, trying to keep her close to him. “Scared?”Adriana’s body instinctively leaned toward him, though her mouth remained stubborn as usual. “I’m a professional. I’ve experienced this kind of thing before.”Calvin suddenly quickened his pace. With his long legs and large strides, he pulled away in just two or three steps. All that was le
Without any warning, her body was suddenly attacked by a strong force. Adriana reflexively resisted, the bag in her hand smashing against his back — but in an instant, it was snatched away from her with one hand and thrown to the ground with brute force, disappearing somewhere in the darkness.Lips torn apart, her mouth forced open, she couldn’t make a single sound to call for help. There was no time to care about her clothes. The sound of fabric tearing filled her ears as her jacket was ripped off, and the buttons of her shirt were plucked apart by his rough hands, vanishing like they had never existed.Horrified from within, Adriana tried to bite down, but a sharp pain in her jaw made it impossible to close her mouth.Everything happened in just ten seconds or so — but for Adriana, it felt like half a century.She knew the violent man in front of her was Calvin, but the fear spreading from the depths of her heart still crawled over her
The next day, Adriana arrived at the law firm early in the morning.She analyzed the scene from last night, wrote up a report, and then went to Carson’s office.Carson’s face was still swollen, though better than yesterday. He was still not shy about speaking his mind. He casually remarked, “Did you not sleep well? Why do you look so awful?”Adriana handed over the report. “I’ve seen the scene. There’s some evidence I need to retrieve from the Public Security Bureau. Do you have a way to help me access the remains?”Carson read through the report, his face turning even darker than yesterday. “Wait… How do you know the details about how women are forced— Hold on a minute, don’t tell me you recreated the scene? Who did you reenact it with? A man or a woman?”“Deputy Director Carson, you’re focusing on the wrong point…”Carson tossed the repo
Adriana suddenly gained a whole new understanding of the phrase “barely make do.”Carson led the way to a Michelin one-star Japanese restaurant in New York City — the only truly authentic Japanese restaurant in the area. All the ingredients were flown in directly from Japan, and both the chefs and waitstaff were Japanese.The décor perfectly reflected the Japanese artisanal spirit — subtle, exquisite, and upgraded to be even more pleasing to the eye.Adriana smiled politely, though she was crying inside. “Deputy Director Carson, you have excellent taste.”“You’ve only discovered less than one percent of my good qualities.”Yes, yes, except for the scummy parts, Adriana muttered inwardly.Carson was clearly familiar with the place. The waiter immediately recognized him and respectfully led them to a private room, speaking Japanese as he introduced the new seasonal dishes.Carson responded fluently in Japanese, relaxed and casual, as if he were hosting in his own living room.Meanwhile,
A standard lunch with a bill showing $13,000 spent.Adriana was starting to seriously worry about herself — the speed at which she made money couldn’t keep up with the way it was disappearing. Yesterday, she lost her shoes and clothes. Today, she was out of food money.As they stepped outside, Carson casually grabbed her wrist and led her forward. Adriana was stunned.“Wait — I haven’t paid the bill yet! Hold on a second.”“What bill? You think I’d actually make you pay when you’re having lunch with me? I’m a member here — it’s directly debited from my card.”Hearing that she didn’t have to pay, Adriana felt a mix of relief and increased anxiety. Asking Carson for help at work was one thing — it could at least be framed as professional cooperation. But accepting his generosity in private settings blurred the line between personal and professional, and that unsettled her.“I owe you for this meal. Next time, it’s on me.”“So much effort just to avoid owing me a favor?”“You want the tr
In just a few days, Adriana had grown afraid of Carson. Quick on her feet and even quicker with her words, she worried that, at this rate, the entire upper class of New York City would soon know about their affair.Carson said, “As far as I remember, Anna doesn’t seem like the type to actively pick fights. And it’s true that I don’t like her character, but it’s not so bad that it’s outrageous—unless you two have a deep grudge.”Carson was also a little intimidating. As a lawyer, he had the ability to analyze situations beyond the surface, cutting straight to the core with seamless precision.But Adriana didn’t feel that her relationship with him was at a level where she could share personal details. Once again, she changed the subject. “Deputy Director Carson, are we still going to the Public Security Bureau? Are you still looking at the evidence?”She clearly didn’t want to continue the conversation, and since it seemed to invade her privacy or touch a sore spot, Carson decided not t
When it came to the details of her work, even with her closest friend, Adriana couldn’t say too much. She took a bite of a snack, savoring the sweet and spicy flavor, and said, “It’s difficult and challenging. My opponent is particularly strong, so I have to work even harder.”Snow didn’t fully understand the intricacies of Adriana’s industry, but she could still offer her support from the sidelines.“Let me tell you about something particularly disgusting. Do you remember Ray’s lover?”How could Adriana forget? The spectacular drama that unfolded during their camping trip on the mountaintop was still fresh in her mind. “Did you guys fight?”“Fight my foot! After what happened last time, I’ve learned to control my fists when I get angry.” Snow huffed. “What I wanted to tell you is—she got dumped by Ray. Just a few days ago, she was acting all high and mighty, as if she was about to become a young lady of status. But now? The producers, the director, and even her own agent have been sc
Snow was so angry she stomped her foot and cursed again. “See? That’s Calvin’s brilliance — he sells you out and you still count the money with a smile! Adriana, ten million is nothing to him! Look at you — satisfied with scraps. It’s stupid!”Adriana patted Snow’s back, trying to calm her down. Her eyes curved into a smile. “You’re all my own, my dearest friends. But right now, what I need is money. Besides Calvin, who else is handing me ten million? Where else am I going to earn that?”Snow’s eyes filled with tears as she wiped them with the back of her hand. “You… Clarke’s precious daughter, used to buying cars and watches without blinking — wasn’t eight or ten million just pocket change to you? Oh, my Adriana, how did you fall this far for a man?”“Okay, okay,” Adriana said soothingly. “What’s wrong with accepting it when the money’s already in my hands? Do you know how many people would envy me?”“You traded your heart for it. Can you really put a price on that?” Snow’s voice cra
“Thank you for the invitation, but today is obviously not suitable for a door-to-door visit. I’ll treat you to dinner another day as a thank-you for your frequent help over the past two days, whether it’s rare for you or not.”Adriana didn’t give Calvin a chance to respond. Today, she would not set foot in his house again—no matter what.A man and a woman in a closed space—it was easy to make irrational decisions, especially for a woman. The atmosphere could quickly lead to something impulsive. And besides, she wasn’t entirely immune to Calvin’s charm.Calvin stood calmly outside the car door, noting the resistance in her eyes.“Very well. I’ll wait for Lawyer Clarke’s thank-you banquet!”He was testing Adriana’s boundaries little by little, figuring out how to get along with her.The corner of Adriana’s mouth twitched into a polite smile. “Goodbye.”Turning the car around, Adriana gripped the steering wheel. The open window let in fresh air, and the sunlight warmed her face. The most
“Huh?”Kevin thought he’d misheard. “Green Lake Village? The village you went to yesterday, President?”“Yes,” Calvin replied. “Especially the house on the hill—Tony’s place. Fix it up for the old woman. Send some furniture and get everything properly arranged. You can take care of the details.”Adriana glanced at his serious profile as he focused on driving. Her earlier embarrassment vanished in an instant, and her heart gave a subtle flutter.Kevin’s brain short-circuited for a second, then quickly caught up. “Understood, President. I’ll contact a construction team and arrange everything on site.”The call ended, and the car fell silent again.Adriana touched the bridge of her nose. “Um, I’ll thank you on their behalf.”Calvin chuckled. “Is the next thing you’re going to say, ‘You’re a good person’?”Well… that was almost exactly what she was about to say. But saying something like that now? With everything going on? It felt… a bit out of place.Calvin added, “You can say anything y
Calvin looked at her as she instinctively reached out, her slender fingers curling with tension, knuckles protruding from the force.“Lawyer Clarke,” he said, “if you want something, just say it straight. There’s no need for adults to play games.”Adriana awkwardly lowered her head and cleared her throat. “Calvin, please watch your words. Can you not always say things that make people misunderstand? Like this morning, and just now—what exactly did you mean? Is there nothing else in your head besides that?”Calvin responded casually, “Which sentence did you misunderstand? Misunderstand what? Lawyer Clarke, please be specific. Maybe I’ll consider changing.”Adriana clenched her teeth and rolled her eyes at him, but couldn’t bring herself to explain further. “In short, it’s uncomfortable to hear.”When they found the car, Adriana was ready to hop into the driver’s seat, but Calvin pulled her toward the opposite side and shoved her gently into the passenger seat.“Be honest—sit. I’ll driv
Calvin’s identity couldn’t be exposed. Once everyone knew he was the president of Grand Empire—the young master of the Walker family—wouldn’t that cause chaos?That was Adriana’s first reaction.Before she could speak, her body had already moved. She stepped in front of Calvin in a flash, blocking him protectively, and said calmly, “I am his personal lawyer. If there are any problems, I’ll handle them.”Calvin looked at Adriana. She was a bit disheveled, but still stunningly beautiful. This wasn’t something they had discussed in advance, and yet she had reacted purely on instinct. If he couldn’t see that she cared, then he wouldn’t be Calvin.A faint smile tugged at his lips, like the first rays of a new sun piercing through the morning mist—just enough to gently light up the dull earth around them.The local cops weren’t used to handling major cases. They hadn’t dealt with many lawyers before, so they didn’t question it much in the moment. Adriana skillfully shifted the focus, removi
She shouldn’t have zoned out on such a special day. Adriana skipped over the topic and looked up at the round patch of sky above her head. “Why hasn’t anyone come yet?”Calvin replied, “The nearest police station is in town. With their efficiency, we’ll be lucky if they arrive before dawn.”Adriana sighed, "Yeah... there are just some things you have to know and accept."“Are you just going to stand there? Planning to turn into a statue?”She patted the dirt next to her, then thought better of it and pulled some hay over to make a rough cushion. “Don’t be shy, big brother. Sit down. Who knows how long we’ll be stuck here?”Scar chimed in, “Those guys are seriously unreliable. Might as well sit and wait.”Hearing a gangster complain about the police made Adriana laugh. “From the sound of it, you’ve had some experience?”Scar scratched his head, embarrassed. “Not too many times…”The cave wasn't big enough to tire Calvin, but sitting beside Adriana and gazing at the sky felt like a mome
Calvin listened as Adriana half‑chatted, half‑joked, half‑bluffed—effortlessly weaving her way into Scar’s mind and pulling out all his secrets. He couldn’t help but be impressed again.Was the girl he used to know really Adriana?He spoke calmly. “Where’s the rope?”Adriana looked around carefully and had to admit the truth. “The rope was yanked away.”In the darkness, she couldn’t clearly see Calvin’s expression—but she didn’t need to. He was probably frowning. That was one of his little habits. Maybe he hadn’t noticed it himself, but whenever he was annoyed or in a bad mood, he always squeezed his eyebrows together—and the depth of that crease depended on the seriousness of the situation.Scar cursed under his breath. “Son of a bitch! Bunch of assholes!”Adriana glanced up at the cave’s entrance, eyeballing its height, then turned to Calvin.“Can you fly up there?”Scar stared in disbelief. “You… can fly?”Calvin frowned. “No.”Adriana pursed her lips. Her body was exhausted—there
Scar couldn’t help but feel terrified. Adriana knew he wasn’t a core team member, and she didn’t expect him to hold any key information—but each knock on the door was another ray of hope.Adriana didn’t mince words. “I’m going to ask you a few simple questions. Answer them truthfully. Once we find out you’ve lied, forget saving your life—you won’t even walk out of this place alive.”Scar weighed his options. Based on their words, could they be trusted?However, he had no choice. A good man shouldn’t have to lie—but this woman was right: even if he escaped, his big brother would never trust him again. After a moment, he nodded. “You ask. I’ll tell you everything I know.”Calvin stood diagonally behind Adriana, one hand in his pants pocket, the other ready to protect immediately.The vegetable cellar was cramped and stifling, but Adriana felt as if Calvin’s presence purified the air. Whenever he stood near her, it seemed to grow clear and fresh.“How old are you?”Scar froze. Why is she
“Ahhhh!”The man let out a pig-slaughtering scream.“Scar! Scar, don’t be impulsive—ahhh!”Scar spat out several expletives. “Damn it! Who the hell are you?!”Calvin said coldly, “You don’t deserve to know.”Scar snapped back, “Bullshit! Trying to scare me? Do you even know who I am?!”Adriana’s limbs were exploding with pain, but through the haze, she quietly wiped some of the man’s blood and smeared it on her clothes, keeping the fingerprints. As long as she got out, they’d be able to identify who he was.In the dark, she groped for her cellphone in her pocket, relying on muscle memory. She found the shortcut key and tapped to begin recording…Now all she needed was for her jaw to recover—then she could ask questions and produce testimony.“Mmm! Uhhh!”Adriana struggled to make any sound, her voice warped into strange syllables. It was harder than she thought, but she didn’t care about appearances anymore. Not now.Sensing her distress, Calvin turned his fury into cold viciousness.
Adriana’s scalp tingled, and she swallowed hard. “That…”She didn’t have claustrophobia, but staring into the depths of a dark pit with no visible bottom was still a little creepy. Who knew what might be lurking down there?And it wasn’t winter anymore—global warming was real. The winter insects were waking up. What if something alive was down there?The hair on the top of her head practically stood on end.“I mean… let me take a look first.”She turned on her phone’s flashlight and leaned over to peer into the hole. But the beam didn’t focus well—it barely cut through the darkness. There was a corner inside, and she couldn’t see anything beyond it.Calvin watched her small, hesitant movements for a moment, silently amused, before saying, “Lawyer Clarke, it’s only right to dedicate yourself for the sake of justice.”Adriana forced a noble look, half-expecting Calvin to go down himself and gallantly let her stay at the top.She really had thought too much.“You tie the rope to the tree