"Mr. Spencer, my fiancée is a little timid. I don't really care about winning this, so please be careful," Henry said worriedly. He looked at Cecilia, who kept her head low without saying anything."Please take care of my fiancée too, Mr. Gibson," Bennett said, emphasizing the words "take care" on purpose.Bennett's car was parked outside the villa, while everyone else's cars were in the parking lot behind the villa.Cecilia followed behind Bennett, keeping her head down. She'd played this game with Bennett countless times before back in Bryndale. He had won every single time.This was a game of trust and cooperation. To lose, either the man wasn't ruthless enough and hit the brakes, or the woman didn't trust the man enough and dodged.If the couple trusted each other enough and did neither, everyone would lose, and the last one standing would be the winner.Bennett's suggestion had spiced things up. The game was different now.In the past, Cecilia wouldn't have been afraid. Rig
The five cars were staggered along the road.Leroy's car was the first to appear. He was driving fast, heading straight for Daisy. Cecilia was scared even as she watched from the side. Leroy was driving too fast. Even if he hit the brakes now, Daisy would still die.The other four cars appeared around the bend one after the other, all of them speeding toward them at the same terrifying speed.The two cars on her left swerved. Cecilia saw the two women at the end of the track slumping to the ground in fear. Then, she looked over at Skylar. She did not look afraid at all. Instead, she was even smiling.Henry drove straight toward her. Neither of them flinched. The absolute trust they had in each other was apparent.Cecilia watched them distractedly until a scream pierced through her thoughts.Daisy had run away.Leroy's car brushed past her. He stuck his head out and yelled excitedly, "You're dead!"Shawn saw this. Worried that something would happen, he followed Leroy. Daisy had
When Henry opened the door and walked in, Cecilia was already sitting up.Her face was pale. She looked fragile."You're awake!" Henry grabbed her hand joyfully. Cecilia looked down at their joined hands. "Did I do well?"Henry hadn't expected those to be her first words. He was stunned.The Sullivans had just sent up the signed agreement for the land in the Northern District. That also meant that his position as the heir of the Gibson family had been secured.Henry tightened his grip on her hand and nodded. "The real Cecilia is back, isn't she, Henry?" Henry froze.Cecilia pulled her hand out of his grasp. "She was the one who kidnapped me last time, wasn't she? You know, I've been smelling someone else's perfume on you recently. She's smart though. She didn't use the same perfume today."Henry sniffed at his sleeve instinctively."I've always known that I was just someone you bought with money. I never had any unrealistic expectations; I needed the money, and you were a
The hospital room returned to silence.Bennett stared, frustrated, at Cecilia, who remained silent.No matter what, he'd gotten what he wanted. He'd gotten together with Skylar just to break up Henry and Layla, after all. Layla belonged to him and him alone.She had no escape."Will you come back to me now?" he asked.Cecilia forced out a smile. She was exasperated and strangely amused by the whole situation. What was she, a bus that anyone could ride?"Did you ever love me, Ben?" she asked him back.He did not answer.Cecilia knew that he wouldn't be able to answer her. Even back when she was with him at Jacksonburg, he'd never loved her.This was all just a game. She ran away, while he chased her. Bennett was just unwilling to let her go. Cecilia had betrayed him, only to throw herself into another man's arms—he couldn't swallow the loss.He was acting like a toddler who'd had his favorite toy taken away."Isn't it a little funny to talk about love when it comes to us, L
"I'm not saving him," Cecilia said firmly. She looked at Warren impassively."Wendy Walter, you ingrate! Have you forgotten who raised you?" Warren roared as he struggled. The burly bodyguards beside him held him down.Wendy Walter.It had been so long since she last heard that name. She hadn't heard it since she was sold to Samuel at the age of 17.After that, everyone called her Layla. Then, she was Cecilia.Cecilia laughed, tears flowing. She'd heard before that women were dandelions when they grew up; if they landed in the right place, they would sprout and grow flowers. If not, they would have a life of suffering.What of her life? She had almost forgotten her own name.Samuel laughed. He seemed to have expected that. "I know that. But he's not my only bargaining chip. I have him too."He slapped a stack of photographs down before Cecilia. "I know you've been spending a lot of money every month on your brother's treatment. Do you think he'll die if someone pulls the plug
The two stared at each other intensely for some time. Cecilia finally gave in and lowered her head with a sigh. "Bennett, what will it take for you to let me go?"Bennett looked down at the woman before him, resentment welling up in his heart. He had already driven a wedge between her and Henry, so why was she still unwilling to return to his side? Bennett's brows were furrowed, but his grip slackened. "Let you go? In your dreams!" He buried his head in Cecilia's neck and rained kisses all over her body furiously. Cecilia couldn't stop herself from trembling. She no longer struggled as before. If she initially feared being discovered by Henry, now she had nothing left to fear. Cecilia's eyes glazed over and her consciousness began to fade away. Whether or not she loved Bennett was irrelevant now. At the very least, her body did. News quickly spread throughout Jacksonburg that Cecilia was not the real daughter of the Jensen family. Moreover, she had gotten together with anoth
Cecilia quickly withdrew her hand. Henry stared at his empty palm and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. "Aren't you the same, Mr. Spencer?" Henry took a few steps toward him. After much effort, he had finally uncovered the past between Bennett and Cecilia in Bryndale. Bennett smiled instead of becoming furious. He beckoned to Cecilia. "Come here." She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Did he think she was a dog to call her over like that? Nonetheless, this wasn't the time to defy him. Cecilia knew it was best to act sensibly right now, so she went over to him obediently. Bennett suppressed his anger as he watched Cecilia approach him. He pulled her into his arms in one swift motion and placed his warm lips on hers before Cecilia could react. He bit down on her lip and took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside. Cecilia's breath quickened as Bennett deliberately threw a provocative glance at Henry who was standing nearby. Henry clenched his fists tightly, but there was
In the large room, Bennett sat half-reclined on the bed as he stared at the woman sleeping soundly in his arms. Her exposed arm was covered in blue and purple bruises. Cecilia was only 18 when she first came under his wing. She followed behind Avery, her bright eyes and flawless skin resembling a little rabbit.Her dark eyes sized him up cautiously, and her soft, adorable appearance made Bennett feel the urge to reach out and stroke her hair. After that, he kept her by his side for eight whole years. "Mm…" Cecilia pouted and rolled over. She seemed to be feeling cold as she snuggled closer into his embrace. His phone vibrated at that moment. Bennett pulled the blanket with his right hand and tucked Cecilia up with it tightly. Then, he reached for his phone with his left hand. "We've found out that those cars were indeed from Bryndale. It's Mr. Lance.""So, it really was him." Bennett played with Cecilia's hair, his long fingers running through her strands. A tender look appea
This was the first time Bennett had treated her with such tenderness. He had never been like this, even when she was by his side at around 18 or 19 years old. Perhaps this was how Bennett expressed his feelings for someone. Cecilia responded to him gently, her slender legs slipping between his. Their bodies gradually drew closer. Bennett's desire grew more intense as her response made him feel as though she had agreed to his proposal. His movements became especially cautious and careful, as if he were handling a precious jewel. His rough yet tender fingers explored every inch of her skin, sending shivers through her body. The heat from his body and breath enveloped her, the sounds he whispered in her ear were filled with desire. Since this was the last time, she would enjoy it while it lasted. Cecilia rolled over and took the initiative to remove her clothes. Her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall. The light from outside bathed her skin, making her body glow softly like
Cecilia felt intense pain everywhere, as if every bone in her body was broken. She was greeted with an all-white environment when she finally opened her eyes. The sharp smell of disinfectant told her that she was in a hospital. Cecilia forced herself to sit up. The pain that shot through her abdomen caused her to clutch her stomach instinctively as she surveyed her surroundings. She couldn't help but sigh with relief when Bennett was nowhere to be seen. Cecilia had already guessed what was going on from the moment Bennett appeared at Samuel's place. Just like Skylar had said, Bennett had used her as bait to find Samuel's hideout and take him down in one fell swoop. She stared blankly out the window. She didn't even react when the door behind her opened, Cecilia only returned to her senses when Bennett walked past her and shut the window. "Your body hasn't healed yet, so don't let the cold wind in." Bennett's tone was surprisingly gentle, unlike his usual rough demeanor. Thi
"I want the piece of land the Sullivan family owns in the Northern District," Samuel blurted out. Cecilia could clearly see Bennett's sharp features in the dimly lit room. There was a disdainful smile playing on his lips as he spoke, "Everyone's dabbling in advanced technology these days. Yet Mr. Lance, you're still dealing with real estate? "Besides, didn't you already take enough land when you took over my company three years ago?""Bennett, cut out the act! That land from three years ago never ended up in my hands!" Samuel became furious when he brought up the subject and kicked Cecilia hard in the stomach. "She sold the bidding price to foreign merchants. Are you telling me she didn't give you any of that money?"Bennett lowered his eyes and cast a glance at Cecilia, who was writhing with agony on the ground. His brows were tightly knitted together, and he clenched his fists. "Mr. Lance, I have already given the land to Henry. If you want it, you'd be better off dealing wit
"Move aside!" Samuel shoved Skylar away in anger. He crouched down to check on Cecilia's condition. "Get the sedative, quick!" Cecilia gradually calmed down as the liquid from the injection was injected into her arm. She opened her eyes and lay on the ground motionlessly. "Layla, I'll give you one more chance. It's not a big deal even if you've taken Jason away. All you need to do is agree to help me with one last job. Once I get that piece of land, I promise I won't trouble you anymore."Cecilia sighed and turned to look at Skylar. "Henry needs that piece of land to secure his position in the Gibson family. Ms. Ford, didn't you know that?""Hmph, that's none of your concern. Right now, I can't wait for his position to be shaken so that he'll come crawling back to me!" Skylar had a look of indifference on her face. "Henry really has fallen for the wrong person," Cecilia sneered internally and turned to Samuel. "Mr. Lance, Skylar must have given you the idea to snatch the land.
"Bring Cecilia back to me now!" Samuel's voice shouted through the phone. The bodyguards moved instantly and injected a sedative into the back of Cecilia's neck. Her body went limp as she collapsed to the ground. After the black MPV disappeared from sight, someone emerged from the elevator of the opposite building. He dialed a number on his phone, "She's been taken away. Start the operation now."Cecilia felt like she was trapped in an incredibly long dream. Bennett, Avery, Jason, Yvonne, Henry, and Skylar were in her dream. It was as if everything was mixed into her nightmare, replaying all the terrible events that had happened. She was suffering in her dream, feeling as though her heart was being torn apart. Cecilia tried her best to open her eyes and wake up from the dream, but her eyelids were too heavy no matter how hard she tried. She could clearly hear Samuel's voice in the distance. He was berating his men for losing track of Jason. Suddenly, a bucket of ice water spla
"Oh!" Cecilia was not prepared to feel the coldness of the air on her legs. Intense pain spread from her bottom half as Bennett rammed into her body again and again, fueled by anger and fury. She felt like she was being torn apart. At that point, only did Cecilia realize how gentle Bennett had been with her all this time. Even during the first time they met, he was only pretending to be angry. This time, his anger was real. Cecilia wasn't someone who could tolerate pain. Her entire body was flushed and covered in a light sheen of sweat. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively. Bennett took advantage of this moment to lean down and bit her earlobe gently. "What's the matter? Henry never made you feel this way, did he?" His tone was mocking and cold. Bennett towered above Cecilia, fully clothed while she lay beneath him, barely covered. She turned away as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Layla, do you love Henry that much?" he asked. Cecilia heard his question amidst
In the large room, Bennett sat half-reclined on the bed as he stared at the woman sleeping soundly in his arms. Her exposed arm was covered in blue and purple bruises. Cecilia was only 18 when she first came under his wing. She followed behind Avery, her bright eyes and flawless skin resembling a little rabbit.Her dark eyes sized him up cautiously, and her soft, adorable appearance made Bennett feel the urge to reach out and stroke her hair. After that, he kept her by his side for eight whole years. "Mm…" Cecilia pouted and rolled over. She seemed to be feeling cold as she snuggled closer into his embrace. His phone vibrated at that moment. Bennett pulled the blanket with his right hand and tucked Cecilia up with it tightly. Then, he reached for his phone with his left hand. "We've found out that those cars were indeed from Bryndale. It's Mr. Lance.""So, it really was him." Bennett played with Cecilia's hair, his long fingers running through her strands. A tender look appea
Cecilia quickly withdrew her hand. Henry stared at his empty palm and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. "Aren't you the same, Mr. Spencer?" Henry took a few steps toward him. After much effort, he had finally uncovered the past between Bennett and Cecilia in Bryndale. Bennett smiled instead of becoming furious. He beckoned to Cecilia. "Come here." She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Did he think she was a dog to call her over like that? Nonetheless, this wasn't the time to defy him. Cecilia knew it was best to act sensibly right now, so she went over to him obediently. Bennett suppressed his anger as he watched Cecilia approach him. He pulled her into his arms in one swift motion and placed his warm lips on hers before Cecilia could react. He bit down on her lip and took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside. Cecilia's breath quickened as Bennett deliberately threw a provocative glance at Henry who was standing nearby. Henry clenched his fists tightly, but there was
The two stared at each other intensely for some time. Cecilia finally gave in and lowered her head with a sigh. "Bennett, what will it take for you to let me go?"Bennett looked down at the woman before him, resentment welling up in his heart. He had already driven a wedge between her and Henry, so why was she still unwilling to return to his side? Bennett's brows were furrowed, but his grip slackened. "Let you go? In your dreams!" He buried his head in Cecilia's neck and rained kisses all over her body furiously. Cecilia couldn't stop herself from trembling. She no longer struggled as before. If she initially feared being discovered by Henry, now she had nothing left to fear. Cecilia's eyes glazed over and her consciousness began to fade away. Whether or not she loved Bennett was irrelevant now. At the very least, her body did. News quickly spread throughout Jacksonburg that Cecilia was not the real daughter of the Jensen family. Moreover, she had gotten together with anoth