"I understand, Father. Leave it to me."Cyrus stood up, smoothed the creases on his clothes, and departed with light steps. It was as if the dark and sickening affairs within the cafe were unrelated to him, and he was left untouched.Watching him leave, Otto positioned the camera and sneered at Noah. "You're still resisting? Xavia, make your move already.”Duskfall never offers a nurturing hand without expecting something in return, and to enjoy the benefits it offers, one must be willing to obey. Xavia would probably be nothing more than a wealthy man's mistress if she had not chosen Duskfall, and her dreams of becoming a renowned violinist would remain unfulfilled. Xavia was well aware of all this as the moment she entered Duskfall, her first lesson was one on gratitude.With a deep breath to calm her nerves, Xavia approached Noah with small, measured steps. She pressed her fair skin against Noah's arm, a delicate touch meant to soothe.“Come on,” she whispered, her voice tinged
Otto’s body tensed as he took a step forward, all the while keeping a safe distance from Noah. "What are you trying to do?"Was Noah about to strike out like a cornered mouse? Despite Otto’s ability to defend himself, the situation still sent a chill down his spine.Noah sank the blade further into his palm. The intensified pain nearly consumed him, washing away the unwelcome desire that had gripped him. His pale face glowed with a sharp, cold light. "Do you want me to enter the abyss and serve Duskfall like a slave just like you?"Otto's mouth twitched. The implications of Noah's words were not lost on him. "Is it not possible? Do you think you can take on Duskfall single-handedly?”"I might not be able to, but I refuse to be their puppet. If we can cooperate, then we're friends. If you refuse and wish to destroy me, know that I'll drag you all down to hell together with me. I've already contacted the media. Should I fail to leave the cafe unscathed, if I'm found dead or even inju
"I'm a psychiatrist, and I overheard your conversation with the doctor. Why don't we exchange numbers? If you visit me at my office, I'll examine you," the man offered.The man was bald and had a greasy face. His frivolous eyes scanned her up and down as if he were bestowing some great favor upon her."No need. My mind is fine," Chloe replied with a polite but clear refusal, her discomfort apparent."Don't be ungrateful," he snapped, his tone becoming unpleasant. "Do you have any idea how many people line up just to get an appointment with me every day? I'm offering this to you for your own good. Don't wait till you’re sick in the head before you come and beg me to examine you.”"You call yourself a doctor when your mouth is as foul as a toilet bowl? My friend isn't sick, so don't you dare curse her!" Emily responded, her anger bubbling over. Her words were sharp, and she clearly picked up the man's malicious intent."You’re in a hospital, so aren’t you sick?" the sleazy man mused
Chloe's indifference greatly displeased Joseph. His voice suddenly grew sharper. "No, I have to protect you. I don’t feel safe while you stay with Noah."He could not fathom what Noah had done to make Chloe act as if she had been afflicted with amnesia, completely disregarding the truths that they had uncovered together. He also could not stand idly by and watch her slowly sink into peril. Of course, he had his own selfish motives, longing to rekindle his old flame with her, even though the possibility seemed slim.Chloe's lips curved into a faint smile. "Would I be safe by your side then? You didn't treat me kindly back then either.""I..." He found himself at a loss for words, his mind drifting back to the events of five years ago. But who had not stumbled during their youth? He was wrong for not understanding how to love someone properly, but he was not as despicable as Noah. Noah was a man who acted one way in public and another in private. He constantly presented himself as an
Chloe turned her head and locked eyes with Joseph. Her face was devoid of expression. Her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips parted, but Jasper quickly interjected, "No, Ms. Chloe isn't married yet. She's not my mother."The waitress smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I thought you two were a couple.”This included Jasper, who was dressed in a formal khaki green shirt complete with a small bow tie, looking obedient and handsome. He looked like a miniature version of the man behind him, seemingly destined to grow up to be a heartthrob."It's okay. I'm used to this since I don't have a mother," Jasper said in a serious tone.His words caused Chloe's heart to seize up. On impulse, she found herself wanting to take a family portrait with Joseph. Though Jasper had not requested spicy chicken wings, she could see a desire hidden deep in his eyes. She did not know that what he longed for was not the insignificant chicken wings but the profound need for motherly love and a harmonious family.
Emily scoffed. "I've heard of private hospitals ripping off their patients, but I've never heard of part-time scams. This is ridiculous.”Chloe remained expressionless. Her delicate and beautiful face turned serious, making her look quite intimidating. She had only intended to spend some money. Little did she know that they would make a complete mockery out of her."I do have 150 thousand dollars, but words are just words. You haven't presented any evidence of wrongdoing, so why should I pay you?" she said as she glanced at the time on her phone. "Here's the deal. I know that medical equipment is costly, so let’s call the police to determine if this is a scam or not. I don't mind solving this through legal or private means." "Sure, no problem," the doctor readily said and squinted at the hospital Dean with a sly grin. "Let’s call the police right now. I was starting to worry about the hospital's profit for the month. A fat sheep coming to us for the slaughter sure is a welcome sigh
"What are you talking about? We’re the victims here...""Move." Annoyed, Tyson pushed the sleazy doctor to the side, intending to leave him for last. This kind of thing has happened many times before. Previously, he was occupied with major cases and rarely paid attention to trivial matters like this one. However, he happened to be free today when Joseph messaged Tyson. Even though Joseph had not told him the whole story, he had a general idea of what happened after seeing his colleagues and him heading to the same location.Tyson looked at the man and sighed at his incompetence despite all the years the man had worked as a police officer."Uncle, who is he? Why are you so scared of him?" the sleazy doctor asked cautiously."I don't know, but he's not someone to mess with.""That’s Joseph Whitman, the CEO of the Whitman Group," a younger police officer said, "You're in trouble now."The sleazy doctor and his uncles exchanged glances as their legs went weak and their faces turned
"Mind your own business," Chloe said coldly before turning to Jasper and smiling. "I have to go now. See you later.""See you later, Ms. Chloe. Take care of yourself."Joseph watched Chloe walk away until her graceful figure completely disappeared from his sight. Then, he lowered his gaze to the small hand gripping his thigh tightly. "So why aren’t you letting me chase after her?""No reason. I just think there's something more important right now.""Such as?""That woman named Vanya is locked up in our house. Ask her where Ms. Chloe's child is and whether they're alive or dead. Get the answers and then arrange to meet Ms. Chloe again. Isn't that a better plan?"Joseph froze. "You know about this?" He had been keeping this from Jasper, not expecting him to be so observant."Yeah, I overheard your conversation with Sir Callum," Jasper said as he looked at Joseph earnestly. "I hope to have another friend, a younger sibling, and it doesn’t matter to me if it’s a sister or a brother