Adrienne sat at the restaurant, savoring each mouthful of the delectable pasta dish she had ordered. She hadn't planned on dining alone, but an unexpected change in plans with Ryan led her to venture out to the hotel restaurant solo. "Food truly has its way of healing the soul," she remarked with a contented smile, raising her forkful of pasta to her lips. A voice, dripping with disdain, unexpectedly broke her reverie. "Well, that has to be the most absurd line I've ever heard." Startled, she glanced up to find a familiar figure occupying the seat across from her. Tapping into her memory banks, she gradually recognized those tall, broad shoulders, brown hair, and captivating brown eyes – it was none other than the arrogant jerk she had encountered at the restaurant two evenings ago. "Remember me?" he asked, his voice filled with disdain. Adrienne stared at him for a moment, trying to place the face. "You don't look like someone worth remembering. Who are you?" Linc grinned,
"Richard?" Adrienne's voice held a tinge of surprise and caution as she spotted him approaching her. "Two cans of refreshing soda for my lady in red," he said, extending one of the cans towards her with a smile. Adrienne scoffed, her annoyance evident as he sauntered over to her. "What are you doing here? How did... I have so many questions right now." Richard chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "And I'll gladly answer all of your questions, one at a time." He winked at her before handing her the can. She accepted it, opened it, and took a generous sip, mirroring his actions. "Thank you," she murmured, her annoyance fading slightly. "So... what are you doing here?" she inquired, her tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Richard's smile grew wider. "I came to see my lady," he responded with a subtle flirtatiousness. Adrienne rolled her eyes, not completely convinced. "How did you know I was here or that I was coming here? Did you follow me?" "No, Adrienne, I di
Adrienne's heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen, her mind struggling to comprehend the horrifying scene unfolding before her. The deafening explosion echoed in her ears, drowning out all other sounds, as flames consumed her car and the valet trapped inside. The valet's desperate screams intertwined with the crackling of the inferno, piercing through Adrienne's consciousness. In that moment of shock and desperation, Adrienne's first instinct was to run towards the engulfed vehicle, tears streaming down her face. But before she could take a step, a strong arm reached out to hold her back. It was Richard, equally stunned by the sudden chaos, who shouted above the commotion with concern in his voice. "Adrienne, no! It's too dangerous!" Richard's grip tightened around her arm, desperation evident in his eyes. "We need to get you away from here!" Adrienne's frantic gaze searched the area, hoping to spot a fire extinguisher, anything that could help save the valet. As the secon
Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance, anticipation hanging in the air. The footsteps grew louder, echoing through the grand hallway of the mansion. As the figure came into view, Ryan's heart skipped a beat as he immediately recognized Linc. This was Ryan's first time seeing Linc, but the moment he walked in, Ryan knew that he had finally found the 'half brother' he had been searching for. "And you are?" Renee asked Linc nonchalantly, breaking the silence that enveloped the room. Linc paused for a moment, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "I present to you... Lincoln Williams," Michael announced, his voice filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. Linc stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room with a confident gaze. He seemed taller than anyone else in the space, radiating an air of authority. His eyes found Anabelle, and with a playful wink, he tried to engage her. But Anabelle, sensing the tension in the room, quickly averted her gaze. "It'
"Fucking relationship?" Adrienne's mouth went dry as she absorbed the venomous words escaping Ryan's lips. The man standing before her seemed like a stranger, his aggressive side unmasking itself for the first time. "I have made countless sacrifices for you, only to find out you've been cheating on me," Ryan seethed, his voice heavy with betrayal. Adrienne's mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of their crumbling relationship. "Ryan... you pushed me," she uttered in disbelief. A dismissive scoff escaped Ryan's lips as he averted his gaze. While his attention wandered, Adrienne seized the fleeting opportunity to rise from the floor. "Why did you push me?" she asked through a tremor in her voice, the pain infused in her words palpable. Ryan's response cut through the air with a bitter edge. "Why did you cheat on me?" Blood rushed to Adrienne's head as she vehemently defended herself. "I have never cheated on you, Ryan. Never." A wicked smile cur
She leaned even closer to Adrienne, their noses almost touching... and Adrienne's eyes widened in shock at how close they were. Panic rushed through her, and she quickly pulled back, creating a significant distance between them. "What are you doing?!" Adrienne exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. Lisa, taken aback by Adrienne's reaction, immediately realized her mistake. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to find the right words. "I'm sorry, I...I didn't mean to...I thought..." Adrienne interrupted, her tone firm but understanding. "You were too close, and that means you crossed a boundary. It made me quite uncomfortable." Lisa nodded, feeling guilty, her words faltering. "No... Listen... oh... too close... yeah... sorry for leaning in like that..." Adrienne reassured her, realizing Lisa's genuine remorse. "It's okay." "And about Ryan... There's something he said that's making me uncomfortable," Adrienne continued, her voice filled
"D-Daniel..." Adrienne whispered, her voice trembling. In one swift motion, he forcefully pushed her against the bathroom wall, causing her chest to collide with it in pain. He gripped her right hip, brushing against her skin while his behavior escalated. Trembling, she felt his lips on her shoulders, his teeth sinking into her delicate flesh. "Stop!" Adrienne protested, her voice filled with fear. "You're drunk!" Ignoring her pleas, he swiftly turned her to face him, attempting to kiss her. Adrienne managed to dodge his advances, turning her head away from his intoxicated breath. Helplessly trapped against the wall, she struggled to reason with him. "Daniel," she tried, desperate to bring him back to his senses. Suddenly, in a moment of unexpected strength, he scooped her up into his arms and stumbled out of the bathroom. Both of them completely unclothed, the remnants of water drenched their bodies, but he seemed oblivious to it all. His intention was clear - to carry her to th
"An unknown number? Answer it and put it on speaker," Richard said firmly. "I know the person calling. He once gave me his number, and I can remember a few of the digits," Adrienne explained, picking up the call. "You finally decided to answer. Good girl. I was starting to think I'd have to blow up your house this time," Linc's voice crackled through the phone. "What do you want now?" Adrienne asked, trying to remain composed. "Just checking up on you, my dear. To see if you're still being a pain in the neck," Linc laughed wickedly. "Why do you hate me so much? What have I done to deserve this? We've only met twice!" Adrienne shouted, frustration evident in her voice. "Stop being so damn frustrating, and maybe I'll consider leaving you alone!" Lincoln shouted back. "Frustrating? What about me is frustrating you?" Richard instinctively reached out and took the phone from her hand. "Call her and threaten her one more time, and you'll find yourself explaining to your mother in he