Holly's question caught Erin by surprise. "Holly, from the looks of it, you're more inclined to trust Chandler?""Something just feels off about the sudden turn of events. Your cousin stays over at the mansion for one night, and this happens. Isn't it too much of a coincidence? Furthermore, Chandler is a man who has tons of beautiful women at his beck and call. Would he need to stoop so low as to force himself on your cousin?" Holly stood by Erin's bedside, expounding the situation.Erin stopped and pondered on her words for a while as Holly continued, "It's possible that Chandler was really feeling wronged to fly into such a rage."That elicited a dissatisfied response from Erin. "Hey, why are you taking his side? Who's the one hospitalized now?"Holly defended herself, "Erin, you know that I'm not taking his side. I just don't want to jump to conclusions. Besides, I wasn't there personally, so I didn't see what happened, which is why I'm trying to make sense of the situation.""But M
Erin could tell from Matthew's voice that he was pleasantly surprised; somehow, she felt bad about it. She chuckled awkwardly. "Do you find it strange for me to call you?""Yes! Very strange indeed! You never once contacted me of your own accord even though you've got my number, and I make sure that my phone's never switched off," Matthew teased.Erin found herself at a loss for words."Erin, is there something you'd like to know?" Matthew probed.Erin was amazed. "How'd you know?""That's because I'm on the same wavelength as you!" Matthew laughed, sitting in the VIP lounge like the rockstar that he was. His manager gestured for him to take note of the time, waving their boarding ticket in his hands.Erin giggled. "Alright then, maybe that's true.""Can you give me a few minutes, Erin? I'll call you back right away!""Yeah, sure. You go ahead."Matthew swiftly ended the call and told his companions, "I'm not attending the music festival anymore. You guys have fun and enjoy yourselves.
Erin was a tad shocked as she had expected him to send her straight home."Where to?"Matthew had removed his mask and flashed her an enigmatic smile. "My recording studio."Erin glanced at her wristwatch, looking uncertain."If you do not wish to go, I'll send you home right away," Matthew offered.The hint of disappointment in his voice had Erin reluctant to decline his invitation. She thought that since she didn't need to go to work the next day, she might as well go along with his plan.Matthew sped up happily when Erin agreed to go with him. "Drive slower, Matthew. We've got low visibility due to the rain. Better to be safe than sorry." Erin was worried.He gave her a sidelong glance as the corners of his lips lifted. "Sure, whatever you say."The adoration in Matthew's eyes made Erin feel awkward, so she turned to look out the window. Her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.Out of nowhere, Erin suddenly said, "I would like to apologize to you for what my cousin did.""That's al
Ian was not angered by Matthew's words. Instead, he simply laughed it off as Matthew stared at him coldly.The thought that Erin was leaving in such haste because of this man brought a hint of sharpness to Matthew's amber eyes.Erin was also astonished by Ian's response. She was surprised that he hadn't flown into a horrible rage."Let's go, Erin." Ian reached out and placed his arm around her waist.His sudden intimacy repulsed her. But she remembered how he told her that paparazzi were lying in wait outside, so she did not struggle to free herself.A coldness crept into Matthew's eyes when he saw Erin's compliance with Ian's actions. He couldn't hold back from asking, "Erin, aren't you divorced already?" It was just an offhanded question, but somehow, it gave Erin a sense of condescension.It was as if she had become a foolish woman who was going back to her cheating ex-husband. She wanted to explain herself, but the thought of the paparazzi out there, as well as her relationship wit
Ian's pleading and all the memories the house brought her messed up Erin's thoughts. She clearly knew that he was in the past, but she'd be lying if she said that she did not feel anything from his change in attitude."Stop it, just stop it!" Erin's tears fell uncontrollably as she leaned limply in his embrace.Ian desperately yearned for Erin, both physically and emotionally. In the heat of the moment, he cradled her face in his palms and was about to plant a kiss on her lips.But Erin rejected his advances. The name 'Tracy Brown' flashed in her mind like a bright neon light along with the devastating scene she saw. It was right here in this mansion that she fell out with Ian and Tracy!In the end, Ian only managed to brush against her lips lightly before he was forcibly pushed away.The image of Erin escaping as quickly as she could manage left Ian with a hollow feeling within him. Not only did he not manage to rekindle her feelings for him, his carnal desire for her was not sated ei
Erin froze when she heard the pleasing and soothing voice by her ear. Her eyes jerked open, and she stared straight at him. Though she couldn't see him clearly, she could make out his familiar figure and silhouette. And she could recognize his voice anywhere.A mixture of anger and sadness came over her as she asked with a tremor in her voice, "Chandler?""Yes, it's me," he answered.In order to reassure her of his identity, he even switched on the night light on the nightstand. A soft purple glow lit up the room. The gorgeous face that Erin was madly in love with emerged before her eyes.The fear and shame she felt earlier on were instantly replaced by pure relief."Thank goodness it was him." That was the only thought that went on in her head.The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Finally, she burst out in tears, sobbing like a child. "Have you lost your mind? Why did you treat me like that? I was scared to death!"Chandler did not know how to answer Erin when s
Erin opened her eyes to see her cousin staring fiercely down at her, and she was drenched all over. She could not contain the fiery flames of fury rising within her too. "What's gotten into you, May?"Seeing the innocent look on Erin's face, May screamed, "What's gotten into me? Who allowed you to wear my clothes without my permission?""Your clothes?"May held a creased Chanel top and spat at her, "What's this, Erin? Are you going to tell me that this is yours?"Her rude attitude made Erin feel extremely disheartened. She had not even been able to bring herself to question May about everything she just learned.But now, May was shouting and screaming at her over a mere shirt. Erin looked at the shirt aloofly. It was the shirt that Chandler had used to cover her face earlier on. Who would have known that it was such an expensive piece?"Is this really how you're treating me over a shirt?"Erin's words did not lead May to reflect on her actions. Instead, she answered even more rudely, "
Erin wasn't quite used to how open Dana was being. Dana would never have visited such a place in the past. But she thought of how she had once acted on impulse and hired a male escort in the past and decided that she was in no position to judge Dana.Erin awkwardly proposed, "Dana, why don't we just have time to ourselves? We can just sing and have a few drinks. I don't think we need the male escorts, do we?"Milly and Ella obviously felt uncomfortable with the arrangement too. "That's right, Dana. I think we don't need them…" Ella echoed.Ella only learned that Milly was going to be there when she entered the private room. Had she known earlier, she would not have turned up.Ever since she had a falling out with Milly, she no longer talked to her anymore, unless it was absolutely necessary.If not for Dana, who told her that she would find a job back in her hometown, she did not even feel like attending the gathering.There were eight of them in the room, all well-dressed and looking