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Chapter 438
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Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 439
Dexter only grew more aggressive, firmly locking Angela's wrists so she couldn't move away.Trembling with rage, Angela bit down hard on his lip. He let out a muffled groan of pain, then scoffed, raising a hand to wipe away the blood at the corner of his mouth.Seizing the opportunity, Angela shoved him away, hastily straightening her clothes before delivering a resounding slap across his face.She didn't hold back, so the slap was loud enough to stun the entire cafe. Heads turned in shock—some even recognized Dexter—but no one dared to stare at him for too long."You bastard!" Angela spat, glaring at him before storming away.Dexter sat there in a daze, his long fingers brushing against the corner of his lips, a bitter smile creeping onto his face.…When Angela arrived at Villa Heights, she found that Dexter had already moved out. Fiona hadn't been there ever since she'd left, and even Mia and Leo had departed a few days ago.The once-lively villa was now eerily empty, leavin
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 440
Angela used to wake up at exactly five every morning. She would practice kickboxing or hit the gym, then read, handle business matters, eat breakfast, carefully select an outfit, and head to work. Her mornings were always a whirlwind of productivity.But now, she wouldn't sleep at night and wouldn't wake up in the morning.On a good day, she would open her eyes around noon. More often than not, it was two or three in the afternoon before she even stirred.She'd lazily pick at whatever the maid reheated for her, glance at a few company reports, and then go back to doing absolutely nothing.Things she had once firmly refused to do had now become an integral part of her daily routine.For example, she used to avoid junk food and sugary drinks like the plague. But now? The house was overflowing with snacks, and she guzzled soft drinks like they were water.Did she care that it was unhealthy? Not in the slightest. It felt good. It felt liberating, as if she was finally. Truly free.O
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 441
It was game over. Austin was here.Angela was sweating nervously, but she didn't want to end the live stream now. She had held on for so long, and success was within reach. There was no way she could give up so easily."Austin, just wait a little bit. I'm almost done, just ten more minutes!"Angela anxiously shifted her gaze back to the screen, silently praying that he wouldn't interfere. If anyone disturbed her now, she would definitely lose her temper."It's been two days and two nights. Wow, you've really outdone yourself. Are you insane? Do you not value your life anymore?" Austin's face was cold, and his gaze was as sharp as a knife."That's not it. I know where the line is. I'm almost done—so close to winning!" Angela felt overwhelmed and helpless. "Don't come near me! Stay right there!""Oh, the streamer's getting scolded! She's totally freaking out.""Who's this guy? His voice is quite pleasant. I bet he's a total hunk.""Could this be the streamer's boyfriend? Maybe he
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 442
Austin knew very well that Angela was just shaken and hadn't yet managed to adjust. She was using this dazed, aimless way of living to numb herself and vent her pain."Forget it." His voice softened. "Go eat something."The maid had already prepared a meal. She hadn't eaten a proper meal in days, so the table was filled with different types of oatmeal. Angela devoured two bowls of savory oatmeal with a ferocity that was nothing like the powerful and commanding Ms. Graham she was at the company.Austin stared at her thoughtfully. She looked like a glutton, eating with an almost barbaric enthusiasm.After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly asked, "It's been seven days. How much longer do you plan to laze around?"Angela ran a hand through her messy hair before waving him off. "I want to rest for at least a month, okay? I haven't had a break in forever. Working nonstop every day has been suffocating me. "Right now, I just want to eat and sleep, sleep and eat, eat then sleep, and s
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 443
Angela had never felt this carefree before. An hour later, she finally cleared the game!The number of viewers watching her live stream had skyrocketed, and countless people were cheering for her, congratulating her. But after the high of victory, she was hit by an overwhelming sense of boredom and emptiness.The adrenaline in her brain had dissipated. At this moment, it was as if her soul had been sucked out of her body.She just sat there, lost and unsure of what to do now.No, she couldn't stop. If she stopped, she would start thinking about unpleasant things. As if ensnared by a curse, she was powerless to escape her own mind.Angela's breath hitched. She shut down her computer and started to practice a few kickboxing moves in her room.It had been over half a month since she'd last trained. Her whole body felt stiff as if rust had settled into her bones. Even just a little movement made her break out in a sweat, leaving her uncomfortable and exhausted.Still unsatisfied,
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 444
Fiona was the only one in the hallway, sitting on the bench, looking uncharacteristically defeated."Madam Fiona." Angela's voice was hoarse. "How long has he been in there? When will he come out?"Fiona's eyes were red as she shook her head sluggishly. "The doctor didn't say, so I still don't know. His injuries are severe. His shoulder and legs are badly hurt. I just don't know anymore…""He's a lucky man; he'll definitely be fine." Angela spoke firmly, but rather than comforting Fiona, it was more like she was reassuring herself.Fiona was silent for a moment, then suddenly noticed that Angela didn't look too good."What happened to you? You look so haggard. A few days ago, Dexter said you were playing games without stopping. Since when did you even like gaming? What happened between you two? He's been in a terrible state these past few days—drinking nonstop, acting like a completely different person."Angela hesitated, lowering her head. After a long pause, she finally said, "
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 445
Angela mumbled to herself, acting like a fool.She stood up and stretched a little. After sleeping with her head down all night, her arms and legs were stiff and numb, making her feel incredibly uncomfortable.And yet, strangely, she felt more at peace being here than anywhere else.It wasn't that she wasn't worried about Dexter. It was just difficult to describe this feeling. When she was alone at home or numbing herself with reckless behavior, she felt lost, as if her heart was wandering restlessly.Every day, she was itching for a fight, her mind filled with wild and chaotic thoughts. It was like she was having an anxiety attack.The doctor said Dexter was out of danger. His injuries were mostly external, and internally, he wasn't too badly hurt.Even so, it would still take at least two or three months before he could walk again.Angela sat down, staring at his gaunt face, and let out a bitter smile."Dexter, what were you thinking? Street racing? I remember the last time y
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 446
"It's good that you remember. Take care of yourself too—don't wear yourself out. If you do, it'll mean I didn't take good care of you, and then Ms. Lawson will be mad at me." Austin's lips curved slightly into a faint smile.Angela stayed at the hospital for another three days. During this time, whenever she was alone in the room, she would either read or play games and spend the rest of her time engaging in on-and-off chats with Dexter.Though, to be more precise, she was simply letting things out, aimlessly venting, treating him like a confession booth.Dexter simply lay there, motionless. Though he had already regained consciousness, he was never found out.Day after day passed. That afternoon, Angela told Austin she would be going to Horizon for a visit which was meant to prepare her for taking over as CEO in the future.She had already spent a month in a slump. She couldn't continue being a useless wreck forever.Angela had just left the hospital when she suddenly remembered
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Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 485
Angela's expression remained indifferent, her gaze utterly calm. "Get rid of that thing. They're just people who hide in the shadows and resort to cheap, disgusting tricks. There's nothing to be afraid of." With that, she took an alcohol wipe and scrubbed her hands thoroughly. Then, she tossed it into the trash can precisely."And what do you want?" Angela turned around and stared at Ingrid icily.Their eyes met, and Ingrid instinctively wanted to step back. Nothing about Angela had changed. It was the same face and the same person, but for some reason, her presence suddenly felt overpowering. That glance from her was enough to send a chill down Ingrid's spine."I'm here to tell you that if you don't back down, my dad will resign and take the company's key personnel with him. When that happens, things will only get harder for you." Ingrid instinctively straightened her back and lifted her chin arrogantly as she spoke. It was as if she was certain Angela would give in.Sure e
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 484
Besides, Angela still had Raquel and Harry to handle PR matters.Over the next few days, she was under unprecedented pressure. Nearly half of Horizon's management went to the hospital to visit Erwin. Unsurprisingly, upon their return, their attitudes toward Angela had changed.Some even confronted her publicly, accusing her of disrespecting Erwin, acting willfully, and putting the entire company in danger.Angela didn't offer much explanation. Instead, she instructed Raquel to quietly observe the company's operations and document all unreasonable management practices. That way, she could develop a new, effective system.While employees might have valid grievances, it was crucial for them to respect their superiors and not undermine their authority.Thanks to Angela's relentless drive for progress, the headquarters' live stream studio was rapidly built and successfully passed its trial broadcast.Around 6:00 pm, just before the workday ended, Angela gathered key team members to re
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 483
In Jennifer's eyes, Dexter was no longer just a typical tall, rich, and handsome eligible bachelor. He was a shining golden ticket. If she held on to him tightly, he could boost her career and help her secure a strong position in the entertainment industry.Meanwhile, Angela had no idea she was already being targeted. She was caught in another deadlock altogether. "Immediately stop the live commerce sales," Erwin demanded from his hospital bed. Even though he had just regained consciousness and his face was still pale, he hadn't forgotten his stance. He stared straight at Angela, pressing her for a clear answer. However, Angela wasn't someone who could be swayed by a few harsh words. "Mr. Mack, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that."She was unmistakably firm. She showed no sign of backing down just because Erwin was ill. Backing down simply wasn't an option. If she did, it would only lead to more concessions. And if that happened, there would be no place left for her in the c
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 482
"I'll go take a look," Fiona said. Angela watched her leave, feeling uneasy. She was worried and anxious. At that moment, Austin came over to inform her that Erwin had woken up. Hence, Angela had no choice but to follow him to the ward first.Meanwhile, Fiona approached Dexter and immediately saw through their trick. She shot Dexter an irritated glance, her eyes silently questioning whether he had lost his mind that he had done something so ridiculous. Jennifer was also aware she had made a fool of herself and tried to defend her actions. "Mr. Bamford, you didn't see it, but when you fell, Ms. Graham quickly turned to look. She must still have feelings for you." "Childish," Fiona muttered, clearly exasperated. She personally wheeled Dexter to his ward and then sent Jennifer away. Dexter was unwilling to admit his lingering feelings in front of Fiona. Hence, he maintained a stiff expression and remained silent.Fiona pulled over a chair and sat down with a serious expressi
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 481
Ingrid was puzzled, and her eyes widened in shock. "Austin, do you even know what you're saying?"Austin's impatience showed as he replied coldly, "This was an accident, and no one expected it. There's no need to overreact." Then, he turned his head away, no longer meeting her gaze.Ingrid suddenly turned around and slapped Angela hard without hesitation, her anger boiling over.She was quick, but Austin was faster. He grabbed her hand in one swift motion. "What are you doing?"At that moment, his instinctive reaction revealed a clear divide between those he was close to and those he wasn't. It was clear that Angela mattered more to him.Ingrid took a step back, looking at him in disbelief. After a long pause, she finally exclaimed, "What am I doing? I'm making her pay the price!"Meanwhile, Jennifer and Dexter were observing the scene on the lawn.Jennifer immediately noticed something was wrong in the hallway and hurriedly said, "They're arguing! Mr. Bamford, doesn't Mr. How
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 480
"Did I ask for an explanation?" Dexter snorted.Rocky quickly lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Bamford.""She does have some capabilities." Dexter fell silent for a moment before scoffing. "But not much." Rocky was a little surprised. He quickly glanced up at Dexter, but seeing his unreadable expression, he hurriedly lowered his head again. "If she were with me, she wouldn't have to deal with all this nonsense. What a fool." Dexter suddenly sneered, his irritation visibly growing. Then he asked, "What the hell is Austin doing?" Rocky answered respectfully, "Mr. Howard has been taking good care of Ms. Graham. She's been trying to push forward with livestream sales these past couple of days, but the old-fashioned board members aren't easy to deal with. Mr. Howard has been her biggest support.""It's his mentor's company. Of course he'd care." Dexter glared at Rocky.Yet, Rocky had no idea what he had said wrong this time. It felt like no matter what he said, it was always th
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 479
"I drove here. Get in my car. They're going to the nearest hospital," Fiona said. Angela was momentarily stunned. The nearest hospital was exactly where Dexter was. But there was no time to dwell on that now. Given Dexter's condition, it was questionable whether he could even manage to get out of bed. Overthinking it wouldn't help."Why did you call me just now?" Angela's mind was a mess, so she randomly picked a topic to shift her focus. Fiona casually replied, "I was planning to introduce you to someone. My friend's son just returned from overseas. He's really handsome and has great prospects."Angela was taken aback.Austin, sitting in the back seat, was stunned. He glanced at Angela and found that she wore the same look of disbelief. "Why are you looking at me like that? You just divorced Dexter. How could I let an outsider take advantage of someone outstanding like you?" Fiona looked at Angela with an expression that seemed to say, "Why are you young people all so
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 478
Angela wasn't afraid of arguing with others. She was only scared of Austin using his sheer presence to suppress her. But to her surprise, Austin simply gestured for her to come closer. Angela felt numb and thought she was doomed. Panic surged as she approached, looking distressed.Austin merely patted her arm, his gaze carrying a hint of admiration. "Look at you, all grown up and capable now. You did well. You should always have the courage to make tough calls and the guts to stand your ground without fear."Angela froze and stared at him in disbelief. "Are you actually praising me?"Excitement rushed through her, making her feel alive. With his support, she felt fearless."I'm backing you up. After all, you're right. Ms. Lawson did entrust you to me. It's my responsibility, my duty, to support you." Austin's gaze softened as he looked at her. Angela's eyes grew teary. She looked at him, and suddenly, that ever-stern, intimidating face didn't seem so frightening anymore. She sa
Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim Chapter 477
Erwin was already furious. Upon suddenly hearing Angela's voice, he became even more displeased, turning his back to her directly. "Mr. Mack, back when Ms. Lawson was still alive, she told me more than once that you had worked tirelessly for half your life, supporting her all the way, and that you were her most steadfast right-hand man. "I've always believed that you held firm to your principles for this company. But I never expected you would sacrifice the company's interests and even use such words to provoke Austin just because you are dissatisfied with me. This is truly unbecoming of a gentleman!" Angela was fuming. She had been trying to suppress her anger, but Erwin and Ingrid had gone too far. "How dare you criticize me? Have you even looked at yourself?" Erwin was so frustrated that he laughed, almost raising his hand to slap Angela. Yet, in the end, he held back."I know exactly what kind of person I am far better than you do. Austin and Ms. Lawson know it even bet
