The woman's fever wouldn't go down. Her face flushed red. She opened her trembling eyes slowly. They appeared misty and unfocused, and her vision was blurred. It seemed like she couldn't quite hear what Jason was saying. All she could see through her blurred vision was his calm face. He pushed her away, but she clung to him again. Jason's body stiffened. He didn't dare move. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. Although she was sick, she had strength. She pressed her burning-hot face against his neck as warm tears flowed down her cheeks. She thought she was in a dream, which took her back to the past. She didn't need to hide or pretend anymore. She said, "I've missed you so much."Her words rang in Jason's ears clearly. He felt them tingle and became numb. He used all his might to avoid losing control. Soon, the surging heat in his chest gradually subsided. He regained his composure. Slowly, he released her arms. His expression was blank. He said indifferently, "Y
The mist surrounded them.Zoey's features looked fair under the fog in the room. Her lips were moist and glistening. They looked like water-coated jelly emitting a sweet fragrance.It sounded like Laurence was seeking her permission. But he obviously had never listened to her opinions or heeded her words in such matters. Before she could voice her refusal, he had already pressed down upon her. His kisses were always dominant and intense. It was as if he wanted to consume Zoey's breath and engulf her entirely. It was intense and overwhelming.She was forced to tilt her slender and fair neck. Zoey gradually lost her strength in this unexpected kiss. Laurence gripped her waist and prevented her from collapsing due to her weak legs.Her attempts to push him away inadvertently turned on the faucet of the bathroom sink. The flowing water was like a river. Its sound was gentle and soothing. The water splashed onto their clothes and faces, soaking their garments.Zoey's body went limp.
Laurence knew his impulsive actions had angered her. He expected her to be upset, but he never thought she would get this angry.Did Zoey really find him that repulsive? She seemed so disgusted whenever he touched her that she would tear his heart out and chop it into pieces.He couldn't quite describe his current feelings. It was beyond words. He felt a strange sense of fulfillment seeing his reflection in her eyes. But it was accompanied by an unending ache. It hit him in waves and was difficult to soothe.Laurence's complexion was already quite pale. He was at his most vulnerable after the injury and surgery. The pain from the torn wound was hitting him.He gazed at Zoey steadily. His black eyes reflected an indescribable sadness and sorrow. He seemed heartbroken.Laurence opened his mouth. With a hoarse voice, he said, "I'm sorry."All he could say was sorry. It wasn't to brush her off or appease her anger. He really meant it. Laurence was aware of his own despicableness,
Zoey had already fallen asleep. She didn't hear anything at all. The night was so quiet that they could hear each other's breaths. These brief moments of tranquillity felt like stolen treasures. Once morning broke, the dream would come to an end. Laurence had slept enough during the day, so he wasn't feeling sleepy. In the dim moonlight, he could see the person in his arms quite clearly. She must have been exhausted. Otherwise, she wouldn't sleep so soundly by his side.The moonlight cast its silvery glow upon the woman's face. She looked gorgeous even in her sleep. Her long eyelashes resembled the delicate and gracefully curved wings of a butterfly. Her face was petite, and she seemed insecure under the covers. It was as if the covers would protect her from nightmares.Laurence gently ran his fingertip between her brows, hoping to soothe any uneasiness in her dreams. But then he chuckled to himself. He realized that perhaps he was the cause of her nightmares.Soon, the next d
Zoey turned her head away and avoided the man's intense gaze. His deep, dark eyes seemed to pierce through her, making her shiver with discomfort and fear."I haven't noticed any changes.""Okay." Laurence seemed unfazed by her reluctance to acknowledge his change. "I'll make sure you notice next time."He planned to make it more obvious next time. He really seemed different from before. People changed for better or worse.Zoey remained silent. She lifted the glass of her specially crafted cocktail and gently sipped on it. The drink tasted more like juice with a hint of alcohol. It wasn't strong. The alcohol content wasn't high. It wouldn't get her drunk, but it was enjoyable.Laurence was not one to follow medical advice. He had left the hospital against his doctor's recommendations. Now, he was indulging in food and alcohol without restraint. He held up his glass and took a few sips.Zoey couldn't keep her silence any longer. She blurted, "Don't you care about your life?" Her
Those insensitive to emotions tended to realize their feelings late. People with a keen sense of emotions were less likely to be oblivious to their feelings. Laurence pushed his loved ones away with his arrogance and prejudice.His sharp eyes turned a shade colder after he spoke. He had no interest in sharing his past with outsiders and didn't intend to say more.Seeing that he was about to leave, Claire grinned and offered her help, "We're going to visit the lake tomorrow. Would you like to join us?"Zoey began to feel unwell after returning to her room because of the alcohol. It wasn't like she had consumed much. She wasn't drunk and was still quite clear-headed. Yet she felt a discomfort that she couldn't pinpoint. She couldn't express where exactly it was coming from. She felt as if an overwhelming sadness was about to consume her. It suffocated her.She opened the French windows to let in the cold breeze, hoping it would alleviate her unease. She calmed down slightly.After
Zoey choked. Her expression was difficult to read.She was stunned and didn't know how to respond. She felt like she had lost her ability to retort or respond coldly after falling asleep on Laurence. Zoey hung her head and felt disheartened. She was frustrated. Laurence found her demeanor endearing.The vehicle had to stop by the side of the grassland. There was still a considerable distance away from the lake. Due to the high altitude and low oxygen levels, the trek was physically demanding. Zoey wasn't in the best shape. She'd hardly had the opportunity to exercise in recent years. She was fragile and prone to illness. After walking for a while, she struggled to keep up with the rest of the group. She didn't want to be a burden. So, despite her heavy breathing, she worked hard to keep up.Laurence strolled beside her calmly. With his tall frame and long legs, he looked more at ease when climbing. He paid attention to his physical fitness, so this mountain path was not challe
"How is that romantic?" Zoey asked with a soft voice. Her gaze drifted into the distance. Her dark eyes seemed to hold a deep pool of water. It reflected nothing but endless emptiness.Cold sweat formed on her back. Ultimately, she was afraid of this man. She feared his unpredictable behavior. There were times when Laurence seemed capable of anything. It was as if he could go mad and do things beyond the bounds of an ordinary person.If he truly wanted to commit suicide with her ...Zoey had no doubt that he would push her into the lake, drag her into its depths, and let her drown in the water. He would let her suffocate and take her to die with him.However, she didn't want to die. She had just gained hope. Her life had finally started to improve. Why would she choose to die?Zoey silently clenched her fists. Her knuckles turned pale, and her throat felt dry. Her voice was hoarse but not as stiff as before."Humans have nothing left once they die. What's gone in this life is
Ryan had a reason for barging into the room. He thought he had seen something he shouldn't have.He had witnessed Zoey's relationship with his brother over the past few years. He hadn't thought so many things would happen between them when they got married.In the end, Laurence fell for her.The high and mighty guy had willingly become the loser for that woman.Zoey could tell from Ryan's reaction that he had misunderstood. Without bothering to explain, she walked straight out of the office.Laurence ignored Ryan, too. He treated Ryan as if he didn't exist and strode out the door after Zoey. Ryan was left alone in the office, dumbfounded.Laurence's assistant greeted him politely. "Are you here for ..."Ryan was still in a daze. He snapped to his senses and said, "I'm here to see my brother!""Mr. Scott just left.""I saw that.""Then, is there anything else I can do for you?"Ryan turned around to leave but returned halfway. He put his arm around the assistant's shoulder as
Zoey could feel the gazes on her as she stepped into the office. There were hardly any familiar faces left in the office.She secretly sighed in relief. She would have felt awkward and at a loss if she had to face the inquisitive gazes of acquaintances.Laurence held Zoey's hand, and she had no choice but to let him do as he pleased. She couldn't resist him.They entered Laurence's office. His office looked cold and plain, just like he was.Zoey noticed he was still grabbing her wrist. She took a deep breath and asked, "Where should I sit?"Perhaps surprised by her sudden cooperative attitude, Laurence raised an eyebrow. After a pause, he kindly reminded her, "The door is locked."Without a key, the door couldn't be opened from the inside.Zoey tried to pull her wrist away. "Got it."Laurence watched her sit on the sofa, and he relaxed slightly. He asked politely, "Would you like something to drink?"Zoey was momentarily lost in thought. She replied, "Warm water will do"Laur
Zoey was composed. She didn't seem worried about Laurence investigating her past in Novarvia. But deep down, she wasn't confident.Laurence had long lost any moral boundaries. Despite knowing she was married, he showed no concern about interfering in her marriage. He would likely become even more audacious and unrestrained if he discovered that her marriage was fake.Just the thought of it gave Zoey a headache. She never thought getting rid of someone would be so difficult, even if they held a certain position of power. Shaking him off became increasingly challenging.Lost in her contemplation, Zoey failed to notice the driver had changed direction. When she finally realized, the car was parked at the entrance of the Scott Group.Zoey pondered briefly. She thought the driver was sending Laurence off. She waited patiently and remained seated in the car.The man beside her calmly looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you getting out?"Zoey furrowed her brows. "Why should I?"
Sarah always seemed like she was thriving. Looking radiant, she hooked arms with the man beside her. She no longer looked as worn as she had a few months ago.Laurence was acquainted with the man beside her. His gaze was indifferent, showing neither surprise nor much emotion. Firmly grabbing Zoey's hands, Laurence wouldn't let her leave his side.Laurence had no intention of greeting Sarah or engaging with William. He held Zoey's hand, seemingly aware she didn't want to deal with them either. He turned his face to her and said, "Let's go."Zoey didn't refuse. They left quietly.This time, Sarah didn't stop Zoey. She usually tried provoking her.Once they were far away, Zoey immediately shook off Laurence's hand. He saw her furrowed brows and the undisguised disgust in her eyes. She must have hated Sarah a lot. She didn't even want to see her.Laurence explained, "I didn't know she would be here today."Zoey ignored him and walked ahead. The man behind her suddenly circled he
Zoey had no idea whether she was acting out of spite or being stubborn, but she arrived at the restaurant as promised. The restaurant had a private courtyard that offered great privacy. She didn't want to cause the person she was meeting any trouble. Neil's wife was once Zoey's client. Both parties were pleased with the business transaction. Zoey didn't like socializing, but she was out of alternatives. She forced herself to befriend Neil's wife. She had something to ask of Neil because her passport application had been dragging on without any progress. Zoey didn't want to lose control of her emotions again. She could still keep her cool if she stayed away from Laurence. To her surprise, Laurence had found out what she had been secretly up to. It was like he had installed a bug on her. She was horrified. "I've heard a lot of good things about you, Ms. Jenner." "You're too kind, Mr. Jackson." Neil was nicer than she expected. He didn't act superior or avoid the topic. Inst
Zoey ended the phone call. Without having to ask, Zoey knew what was going on when she saw Laurence. Needless to say, Laurence had taken the liberty to take the morning off for her. She couldn't be bothered to be angry. Instead, she felt numb as it had happened too many times before. Zoey looked down at her changed pajamas and turned to the man by the bed. She asked, "Where are my clothes?" Laurence met her gaze. He didn't feel embarrassed at all. "They were in the wash. They are in the dryer now." Zoey lifted the bed covers and stepped onto the carpet. She made a beeline for the walk-in closet, which was filled with many clothes she hadn't taken with her when she'd left years ago. She picked an outfit and put it on. Laurence was still in the bedroom when she walked out of the walk-in closet. He put on his tie and looked over at her. She glanced at him and said, "You should've woken me up last night." Laurence approached her. He was tall and looked sharp in his suit, with
Zoey was fast asleep. She thought she was dreaming when someone lifted her up. Her body clock over the last few days had been regular. She was going to bed early. Now, she couldn't keep her eyes open. Maybe she went back to sleep because she didn't sense any danger.Laurence hooked his arm behind Zoey's knees in a cradle and pulled her arm over his neck to secure her from falling. She mumbled in her sleep. He guessed that she was dreaming.Laurence couldn't hear what she was saying. He leaned in with his ear near her lips, but her mumbling stopped.The chauffeur, dedicated to his job, was on standby outside. Seeing his employer in the distance, he opened the door respectfully.Laurence carried Zoey into the car. The chauffeur closed the car door and glanced again at the woman in his employer's arms from the rear-view mirror. She looked familiar, but he didn't want to make any assumptions. "Where to, sir?" The chauffeur couldn't read his employer's mind, so he was careful not to
The bar wasn't too far from the restaurant. It was less than a ten-minute drive away. Laurence refused to let go of Zoey's wrist. He was bold to show off their closeness even though it was inappropriate. The others could hardly take their eyes off the couple. It was drama in the flesh. If they remembered correctly, Zoey had denied their relationship online two days before. She had even announced her marriage to someone else to set the record straight. What was going on? They had a hunch about the situation, judging by the resistance on Zoey's face. Maybe her ex-husband wouldn't leave her alone. The man seemed relentless in his pursuit. Nevertheless, it was not their business to get involved. At the end of the day, it was between Zoey and Laurence. Everybody quieted down and sobered up. The group caught a cab to the destination. Laurence shamelessly invited himself to join the group, and no one objected, not even politely. They weren't fools. They wouldn't offend the man for
Zoey felt a tingling sensation along her ear. It felt as if she had been electrocuted. Laurence's tone was half-joking, but there was seriousness behind it. He was ready to tell on her to her husband the moment she nodded. Zoey had lost her patience with him a long time ago. She couldn't help but snap back every time. She looked up. Her face was small. She was about to tell him to get lost when the man took the chance to deepen the kiss. He squeezed her chin, forcing her to part her lips to let him in. Zoey was pinned against the wall. His scorching breath took hers away. She was trapped like prey in a snare. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became.Laurence didn't stop with a brief kiss. He didn't give Zoey room to breathe, and she could feel her limbs going weak. Her tongue was going numb. The woman opened her mouth, gasping for air. She hung onto his collar to stop herself from going limp. The man was always greedy. He could never get enough of her. Zoey had