"I come at a cost," Lennox said coldly, using his long, icy fingers to lift Claire's chin. The smoothness of her skin under his fingertips added a deeper intensity to his gaze.Before Claire could comprehend, her mother's voice sounded again, this time much closer. "Claire, are you in there?"Upon hearing Margaret's voice outside the bathroom, Claire had no time to contemplate the meaning of Lennox's mentioned "cost." She quickly nodded in agreement, then released him and hurriedly walked out. "Mom, I'm here!"After striking some kind of deal with Lennox to secure his silence, Claire let him go and briskly went out to intercept her mother.Regardless, overcoming the immediate crisis was the most crucial thing at the moment."Why were you so quiet in the bathroom? I thought you had gone out again," Margaret reproached gently, but as she looked at Claire emerging from the bathroom, she smiled tenderly."I was just washing my face," Claire grinned and casually explained, reaching out to
"Claire, impatient, bit down and pierced her tongue, the bloody metallic taste filling the corners of her mouth.Lorneaux's movement froze, his icy gaze slightly widening. In the intimate fusion of breath, with the proximity so close, Claire distinctly saw a sudden flash of danger in his pitch-black eyes, like the dangerous gaze of a hellish demon. Startled by the impending danger, she involuntarily loosened her grip, abruptly closing her mouth.""She only wanted him to stop kissing her, not to bite off his tongue. He wouldn't hold a grudge, would he?"Claire, it seems you've forgotten our agreement," Lorneaux's charming gaze turned icy, the crimson blood staining his lips, giving him a slightly crazed appearance. "I've mentioned before, seeking my help comes with a price."Before Claire could react, Lorneauxs kissed her again, more forcefully than before, ruthlessly seizing her sweetness, wild and brutal, devoid of any tenderness.Last time, she forgot the words spoken in their intim
"Claire's gaze traveled along his chestnut-colored skin, tracing the contours of his collarbone and the curve of his throat. Her eyes lingered for a moment on the sensual line of his Adam's apple before finally settling on Lorneaux's sharply defined face."As she studied his features, Claire suddenly became acutely aware of his body pressed against hers, his arm heavy around her waist, their legs entangled beneath the sheets. Most importantly, she blushed awkwardly as she realized they were both naked.Though he seemed still asleep, Claire felt her cheeks heating up. She began to gingerly shift her body, attempting to extricate herself without waking him, when her gaze met his, now open and focused on her.Stunned under Lorneaux’s gaze, Claire’s brain short-circuited. Without hesitation, she heard herself saying, 'Um... good morning.'""As soon as the words left her mouth, her heart resumed its normal pace. Claire immediately lowered her eyelids, bowing her head, feeling somewhat awkw
"Baby, you seem to have lost quite a bit of weight. Don't follow other girls on those diets. Eat more, put some meat on that face; you'll look even more beautiful," Andrew said kindly, looking at her.After a glance at his father, Lorneauxs withdrew his gaze from him and cast a cold look at Claire.Despite wearing a loose hoodie, he knew better than anyone how much flesh she had underneath. Upon closer inspection, despite her curves being just right, she did seem too thin.Under Lorneauxs's scrutiny, Claire felt uncomfortably exposed, as if she were not wearing any clothes. She dared not look in his direction, and after giving Lorneauxs a sweet smile, she quickly slipped over to her mom's side.After breakfast was served, the table resumed its quiet atmosphere until everyone finished eating."Son," Lorneauxs, about to leave for work, was called by his dad.Stopping in the middle of getting up, Lorneauxs turned his gaze towards his father. "Dad, is there something?"Claire couldn't hel
"Hey, Claire, what are you looking at?" Lorneauxs asked, leaning back with his long legs and a neatly placed file on his thigh. He kept his head down, completely engrossed in his work, seemingly oblivious to Claire sitting beside him.Claire stared boldly at Lorneauxs, her gaze unwavering. Lorneauxs didn't even glance in her direction, as if she didn't exist at all. She wondered what he was thinking—calling her to the car and then ignoring her like that.Lorneauxs had handsome features, exuding an air of wealth and aloofness."Hey, Claire, what are you looking at?" Lorneauxs asked, leaning back with his long legs and a neatly placed file on his thigh. He kept his head down, completely engrossed in his work, seemingly oblivious to Claire sitting beside him.Claire stared boldly at Lorneauxs, her gaze unwavering. Lorneauxs didn't even glance in her direction, as if she didn't exist at all. She wondered what he was thinking—calling her to the car and then ignoring her like that.Lorneaux
Lorneauxs's cold eyes narrowed, laser-like, locking onto Amanda. He had never seen her so at ease and genuinely smiling in his presence. Seated across from her was a casually dressed man with a stubble on his chin, appearing quite handsome yet exuding a sense of decadence and nonchalance.Suddenly, Lorneauxs came to a halt, causing his entourage behind him to break out in a cold sweat, fearing that tonight's business might go south. Drenched in sweat, they stood still, holding their breath, anxiously waiting.Claire and Williams were engrossed in conversation, oblivious to a tall, cold-looking man approaching them. "So, the filming can really start next month?" Claire's bright eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly gazed at David Williams.The thought of her script finally getting approval filled her with immense joy. "Of course, the funds have been secured for quite some time now."David Williams looked at Claire, in high spirits. However, before he could finish his sentence, t
"You answered Miss Garcia's call, so you should know that David wants to meet me," Claire innocently said under Lorneaux's dangerous gaze, suddenly recalling his earlier question.She muttered a curse under her breath but dared not show any displeasure, answering meekly."You can meet, but don't meet him alone again," Lorneauxs said in a calm tone.He knew that David wanted to meet Claire but was unaware of their private meetings. Imagining her sweet smile at David, Lorneauxs gave her another cold look. "Don't meet men alone."A hint of confusion flashed in Claire's bright eyes as she quickly widened them. "I was just having dinner with David."First, she wasn't allowed to eat barbecue, and now she couldn't meet David alone—did Lorneauxs really want to control her life?"Stop asking, if I say no, then it's a no," Lorneauxs said sternly, his icy gaze intensifying, warning her in a commanding tone.Claire glared at John, preparing for a visual showdown. But soon, she huffed angrily, tur
Having worked here for so many years, Lorneauxs's father had never given him anything.So when he showed up tonight with a gift, Lorneauxs immediately became suspicious."I just came in, said nothing," his father's amiable smile disappeared.His father walked over and placed the gift down."If you're not up to something, why are you giving me a gift?" Lorneauxs said."I've discreetly slipped things to you more than once," Lorneauxs's father muttered with bitterness.But he still accepted the gift, this rare thoughtful gesture surprising his father.Looking at Lorneauxs, his father took a seat across from him."You're approaching 30, son. Don't you think it's time to start dating?" his father asked.Lorneauxs set down the gift, locking eyes with his father. "I don't consider it a priority," he calmly replied."Tell me honestly," his father leaned in, "is there a reason you're avoiding romantic relationships? Is there something you find difficult to discuss?"His father subtly hinted th
Quentin pushed open the doors of the emergency room and said to Lorneauxs, "I heard you brought in a young girl covered in blood.""Another late-night shift, huh, Doctor?" Quentin didn't wait for an invitation, striding purposefully towards the gurney.As Quentin briskly walked past, Lorneauxs didn't attempt to stop him. He knew it would be futile; Quentin would find out what he wanted to know one way or another."I was dragged out of bed to assist with this emergency," Quentin casually replied as he reached the bedside.Quentin bent over the gurney, carefully examining the pale, unconscious face of the girl. He could see delicate features and youthful skin still retaining a glow of youth. She seemed to be in her teens."Poor child. I wonder what happened to her," Quentin muttered under his breath.Judging by her delicate features and obviously underage appearance, she was exactly the type Lorneauxs favored.Quentin straightened up, mocking, "You know, she bears a striking resemblance
Claire quickly rushed back to her room, still trembling all over.From now on, her goal was to prevent Lorneauxs from doing anything inappropriate, especially within the confines of this house. "Especially in this house, she would be scared out of her wits."In Lorneauxs' home, Claire, as usual, locked the door before going to sleep, but she didn't bother with the windows. If Lorneauxs wanted to come in, no door could keep him out.In the midnight hours, Claire woke up again. But this time, without external disturbances, she woke up due to pain."Ugh," Claire groaned, clutching her stomach.Curled up in agony, she tossed and turned, feeling her cheeks damp with cold sweat."Hmm," she frowned. Then, a sudden thought struck her. "Why am I hurt so badly... is it my period?"However, she had never experienced cramps like this before during her menstrual cycle.With a slight movement of her legs, Claire felt the inner thighs slippery and wet. Translating into English,But strangely, she ha
Having worked here for so many years, Lorneauxs's father had never given him anything.So when he showed up tonight with a gift, Lorneauxs immediately became suspicious."I just came in, said nothing," his father's amiable smile disappeared.His father walked over and placed the gift down."If you're not up to something, why are you giving me a gift?" Lorneauxs said."I've discreetly slipped things to you more than once," Lorneauxs's father muttered with bitterness.But he still accepted the gift, this rare thoughtful gesture surprising his father.Looking at Lorneauxs, his father took a seat across from him."You're approaching 30, son. Don't you think it's time to start dating?" his father asked.Lorneauxs set down the gift, locking eyes with his father. "I don't consider it a priority," he calmly replied."Tell me honestly," his father leaned in, "is there a reason you're avoiding romantic relationships? Is there something you find difficult to discuss?"His father subtly hinted th
"You answered Miss Garcia's call, so you should know that David wants to meet me," Claire innocently said under Lorneaux's dangerous gaze, suddenly recalling his earlier question.She muttered a curse under her breath but dared not show any displeasure, answering meekly."You can meet, but don't meet him alone again," Lorneauxs said in a calm tone.He knew that David wanted to meet Claire but was unaware of their private meetings. Imagining her sweet smile at David, Lorneauxs gave her another cold look. "Don't meet men alone."A hint of confusion flashed in Claire's bright eyes as she quickly widened them. "I was just having dinner with David."First, she wasn't allowed to eat barbecue, and now she couldn't meet David alone—did Lorneauxs really want to control her life?"Stop asking, if I say no, then it's a no," Lorneauxs said sternly, his icy gaze intensifying, warning her in a commanding tone.Claire glared at John, preparing for a visual showdown. But soon, she huffed angrily, tur
Lorneauxs's cold eyes narrowed, laser-like, locking onto Amanda. He had never seen her so at ease and genuinely smiling in his presence. Seated across from her was a casually dressed man with a stubble on his chin, appearing quite handsome yet exuding a sense of decadence and nonchalance.Suddenly, Lorneauxs came to a halt, causing his entourage behind him to break out in a cold sweat, fearing that tonight's business might go south. Drenched in sweat, they stood still, holding their breath, anxiously waiting.Claire and Williams were engrossed in conversation, oblivious to a tall, cold-looking man approaching them. "So, the filming can really start next month?" Claire's bright eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly gazed at David Williams.The thought of her script finally getting approval filled her with immense joy. "Of course, the funds have been secured for quite some time now."David Williams looked at Claire, in high spirits. However, before he could finish his sentence, t
"Hey, Claire, what are you looking at?" Lorneauxs asked, leaning back with his long legs and a neatly placed file on his thigh. He kept his head down, completely engrossed in his work, seemingly oblivious to Claire sitting beside him.Claire stared boldly at Lorneauxs, her gaze unwavering. Lorneauxs didn't even glance in her direction, as if she didn't exist at all. She wondered what he was thinking—calling her to the car and then ignoring her like that.Lorneauxs had handsome features, exuding an air of wealth and aloofness."Hey, Claire, what are you looking at?" Lorneauxs asked, leaning back with his long legs and a neatly placed file on his thigh. He kept his head down, completely engrossed in his work, seemingly oblivious to Claire sitting beside him.Claire stared boldly at Lorneauxs, her gaze unwavering. Lorneauxs didn't even glance in her direction, as if she didn't exist at all. She wondered what he was thinking—calling her to the car and then ignoring her like that.Lorneaux
"Baby, you seem to have lost quite a bit of weight. Don't follow other girls on those diets. Eat more, put some meat on that face; you'll look even more beautiful," Andrew said kindly, looking at her.After a glance at his father, Lorneauxs withdrew his gaze from him and cast a cold look at Claire.Despite wearing a loose hoodie, he knew better than anyone how much flesh she had underneath. Upon closer inspection, despite her curves being just right, she did seem too thin.Under Lorneauxs's scrutiny, Claire felt uncomfortably exposed, as if she were not wearing any clothes. She dared not look in his direction, and after giving Lorneauxs a sweet smile, she quickly slipped over to her mom's side.After breakfast was served, the table resumed its quiet atmosphere until everyone finished eating."Son," Lorneauxs, about to leave for work, was called by his dad.Stopping in the middle of getting up, Lorneauxs turned his gaze towards his father. "Dad, is there something?"Claire couldn't hel
"Claire's gaze traveled along his chestnut-colored skin, tracing the contours of his collarbone and the curve of his throat. Her eyes lingered for a moment on the sensual line of his Adam's apple before finally settling on Lorneaux's sharply defined face."As she studied his features, Claire suddenly became acutely aware of his body pressed against hers, his arm heavy around her waist, their legs entangled beneath the sheets. Most importantly, she blushed awkwardly as she realized they were both naked.Though he seemed still asleep, Claire felt her cheeks heating up. She began to gingerly shift her body, attempting to extricate herself without waking him, when her gaze met his, now open and focused on her.Stunned under Lorneaux’s gaze, Claire’s brain short-circuited. Without hesitation, she heard herself saying, 'Um... good morning.'""As soon as the words left her mouth, her heart resumed its normal pace. Claire immediately lowered her eyelids, bowing her head, feeling somewhat awkw
"Claire, impatient, bit down and pierced her tongue, the bloody metallic taste filling the corners of her mouth.Lorneaux's movement froze, his icy gaze slightly widening. In the intimate fusion of breath, with the proximity so close, Claire distinctly saw a sudden flash of danger in his pitch-black eyes, like the dangerous gaze of a hellish demon. Startled by the impending danger, she involuntarily loosened her grip, abruptly closing her mouth.""She only wanted him to stop kissing her, not to bite off his tongue. He wouldn't hold a grudge, would he?"Claire, it seems you've forgotten our agreement," Lorneaux's charming gaze turned icy, the crimson blood staining his lips, giving him a slightly crazed appearance. "I've mentioned before, seeking my help comes with a price."Before Claire could react, Lorneauxs kissed her again, more forcefully than before, ruthlessly seizing her sweetness, wild and brutal, devoid of any tenderness.Last time, she forgot the words spoken in their intim