This situation would be unbearable for any man, let alone a military officer."Have you always known about your brother and this woman?" Iris asked.Denise shook her head. "I only found out after he got into trouble. Before that, he did mention that he had a girlfriend, but he wouldn't get married. When my family asked, he said she's a divorcee and didn't want to marry again so soon. We didn't think much of it. Turns out the woman is a military spouse, not a divorcee."After a pause, Denise asked, "It's a difficult case, right?"Iris replied honestly, "Don't get your hopes up."Denise's shoulders slumped, looking dejected."I'll ask Mr. Just to see if there's a way," Iris continued. "I consider you a friend, so don't do this again." She handed the card back to Denise.Reluctantly, Denise took it back. "I feel like I'm troubling you.""It's no trouble. Besides, you bought me lunch, didn't you?" Iris replied.Denise smiled. Regardless of the eventual outcome, she was grateful fo
"Ted." Iris' eyes widened in shock and confusion at Ted's words and facial expression. How could he say such a thing?"You got it wrong," she clarified, trying her best to keep her mind clear. "He's just my boss. He has no feelings for me, and I don't think about him in that way either...""Really?" Ted was clearly unconvinced. He said, his voice hoarse, "You'd rather have him take you home than me. Why? You've known me for eight years; don't I deserve your trust more than someone you've only known for a few months? Am I not worth your trust?"Iris stood up from the couch. "I don't feel so well; I have to go..."She attempted to leave, but Ted seemed unperturbed."You're not leaving," he stated unhurriedly.The moment Iris stood up, she swayed unsteadily and fell back onto the couch. "What have you done to me?"Something felt terribly wrong. This wasn’t merely the feeling of being drunk.Why did she feel so weak?Ted embraced her, gently kissing her on the forehead. She strugg
Iris did not have the strength to escape, so spoke softly in an attempt to reach Ted's conscience. "I've known you for eight years, Ted. Even if I don't love you in that way... I've always considered you my good friend... and I've always trusted you... This is against the law... If you do this, I'll never forgive you..."Ted responded with a manic laugh, sending a shiver down Iris' spine. She felt suffocated by the darkness in Ted's heart."After we have sex, you'll fall in love with me. It's not illegal for a man and a woman who love each other to have sex, is it?" he said, reaching to unbutton her coat. "Do you know that I've never loved another woman in my life?"His fingers brushed against her delicate neck, making Iris' hair stand on end – Iris' body instinctively rejected him.Ted's voice dropped to a low, hoarse whisper. "I'm a normal man with needs. Do you know how I usually satisfy my needs?"Iris was the subject of his fantasy. Every time he masturbated, he fantasized ab
Ted quickly ended the call, glaring at Iris. "Are you really so unwilling to be with me?"Since Iris' plan was foiled, she stopped pretending. Ted would no longer believe her anyway.She expressed her disgust of him openly. "I can't believe you're actually such a disgusting man, Ted Zeller! Simply looking at you makes me feel sick! How could I possibly want to be with you?"His eyes twitched. "You find me disgusting?"A moment later, he continued, "Okay, if that's how you see me, then I'll show you how disgusting I can be!"Fury consumed him as Iris' words filled his mind. He lunged at Iris, tearing at her clothes recklessly...Bang!Suddenly, the door to the private room burst open. Yvonne rushed in, grabbed a bottle and smashed it on Ted's head. Mike seized the chance to pull Ted away from Iris.Mike was with Yvonne when Iris made the call; he had run into her. Yvonne knew where Iris and Ted were; that was why they could reach the place so quickly.Yvonne kicked Ted viciousl
Mike, who was suddenly pushed aside, looked confused at first. However, Yvonne seemed to recognize the man, so he quietly stepped back.Jason assessed Iris. Despite the cold weather, her face was flushed, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead...Yvonne replied angrily, "She was drugged."Jason looked up abruptly, cold fury flashing in his eyes. "Who did this?""Ted Zeller," Yvonne answered. "I won’t let him get away with it."Without hesitation, Jason scooped Iris into his arms. Yvonne quickly went to summon a doctor.There wasn't really an effective treatment for Iris' condition. She was given a sedative to help her through the ordeal.Panting slightly, Iris complained, "I feel so uncomfortable..."Her hair was matted with sweat, clinging to her face and partially obscuring her features. Her lips were slightly parted, crimson and inviting, as she breathed heavily.The sound of her heavy breathing was unbelievably seductive."Everyone leave," Jason instructed."But—"
Jason replied, "You heard wrong," before promptly hanging up.Samuel was left confused. He wondered if Jason might be in a relationship.Putting his phone away, Jason got up to pour a cup of warm water and put it on the table. He helped Iris sit up, then held the cup to her lips, tilting it slightly.Sensing the water on her lips, Iris drank eagerly, quickly finishing the entire cup."Do you want more?" Jason asked softly.Looking up, Iris immediately saw his sharp, distinct facial features. Though she felt a bit better now, she was exhausted, and her body felt weak. "No, I'm good," she replied hoarsely.Realizing she was leaning against him, Iris quickly pulled back and distanced herself from him. Adjusting her collar, she asked, "Mr. Just, what are you doing in the hospital?""My little sister got injured, so I came to visit her," he explained, placing the cup back on the table.Iris was surprised. She had known Jason for some time now, but she rarely heard him mention his fa
He dashed out of the hospital.Jason's phone stopped ringing, but soon rang again. He pressed the answer button, and a sweet voice came through. "Where are you, Jason?""I'll be there in a minute," he replied before hanging up.Looking at the screen, he recalled his regret for failing to notice Iris' messages right away. He thus marked her number as a priority contact – the only contact he had designated this way.He put away his phone and headed toward another ward.Yvonne already realized what Iris wanted to do. She asked, "Are you sure about this?"Iris asked, "Is there any reason to hesitate?"She was so scared back then. She couldn't fathom how her life would become if she was raped. Even now, she still had lingering fear.Fortunately, she had escaped unharmed!It's not that Yvonne wanted to stop Iris; she was just aware of how difficult it would be to convict Ted. The Zeller family would not tolerate such a scandal.Moreover, Ted went to law school too. It would not be
Iris' hands paused mid undressing, images of Ted from earlier flooding her mind. She trembled slightly; the shock she had experienced was not something easily calmed in such a short time.To avoid worrying Yvonne, she forced herself to respond calmly, "No..."Yvonne heaved a sigh of relief. She was so glad that no irreversible harm had been done to Iris; otherwise, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.Iris stood under the shower, vigorously scrubbing her skin until it turned red. No matter how hard she washed, she still felt dirty.After a long time, she emerged dressed, drying her damp hair with a towel.Knock, knock—There was a knock at the door, and Yvonne opened it to find Mike standing outside. She quickly averted her gaze and walked back into the apartment without saying anything.Mike felt dejected, his hands gently clenched. Yvonne was determined to end their relationship, and he felt helpless. No matter how hard he tried to prove his feelings for her, sh
The cars started, the roars of the engines merging into an exhilarating symphony."START!" someone shouted, and the race began!The cars surged forward like pouncing jaguars, leaving behind a trail of smoke and cheers on the track.The sleek lines of the cars resembled finely honed muscles, brimming with explosive power. They raced like untamed wild horses, galloping down the track with lightning speed, cutting through the night.Seated in the car, Iris finally experienced the danger and thrill of a car race for herself. Her body was in the car, but it felt like her soul was always a step behind, trying to catch up!The race was a test of skill, especially when navigating the U-shaped bend. The sound of tires grinding against asphalt filled the air.Brad, initially in second place, skillfully overtook at the bend, seizing first place. Caught up in the atmosphere, Iris couldn't help but feel happy for him!No accident occurred. They crossed the finish line, claiming victory!I
Iris climbed out of the car.A crew-cut guy in an LV denim jacket perched on the hood of a silver sports car whistled at her. "Hey, beautiful."Brad shot the man a glare. "Piss off.""Is this your girlfriend? She's pretty," the crew-cut guy smirked at Brad.Brad replied, "She's not my girlfriend.""How can you bring someone who's not your girlfriend? Don't you know the rules?" the crew-cut guy questioned.Their race had a rule where the passenger seat could only be occupied by the driver's girlfriend.The crew-cut guy leaned back, draping his arm over the girl beside him. "Just admit it. What's the point of denying it?""She's my big sister," Brad explained, then turned to Iris with a smile. "Don't mind them, Iris. That's just the way they are, always running their mouths.""Your big sister?" A girl with braids asked curiously, "Don't you only have an elder brother? When did you get a big sister? Is she your father's secret illegitimate child?""Piss off," Brad snapped. "You
Iris settled at the empty dining table. She had a healthy appetite because she was in a good mood. She ordered a steak and a bowl of minestrone soup. She finished everything, savoring each bite. After enjoying her meal a bit too much, she felt pleasantly full.When she headed back downstairs, she encountered the pregnant woman again. The woman had chestnut-colored wavy hair, fair skin, and wore a long dress that accentuated her protruding belly. Iris noted that she looked quite young, much younger than Renee. It made her wonder if all men preferred younger women.Wendy was young too."Hi," Iris greeted with a smile.The pregnant woman looked around, puzzled. "Are you talking to me?"Iris nodded. "I'm a lawyer from the Golden Path Law Firm; my last name is Glover. If you have any property disputes in the future, feel free to come to me. I can be your lawyer."The woman sized Iris up, thinking, She seems normal enough, but her words are so strange. Is she crazy?Iris maintained he
Concerned that Iris' words would negatively impact Stanley's image in Fiora's mind, Renee yelled angrily, "You're not fit to say that. You're just the woman my son dumped. Shame on you, you uncultured swine."Fiora glanced at Iris, muttering, "Rude," before briskly walking towards the exit.Following Fiora's lead, Renee echoed, "Rude." As she walked past Iris, she couldn't resist a parting jab, "You couldn't get pregnant even after four years of marriage. There's definitely something wrong with your body. A secondhand woman who can't even bear a child – what future do you have? You'll end up with a broke man or an ugly old man."Iris laughed, unfazed. "I may not have a child, but the Stein bloodline will definitely continue. Someone will bear a child for you."Renee was confused. "Are you stupid? Who's going to bear a child for me?" She thought Iris' words were nonsensical; she expected someone to bear a grandchild for her, not a child.Iris merely smiled, choosing silence over ex
The fragrance in the mall was quite pleasant, helping to relax Iris' mind.She spotted the pregnant woman making her way into a Channel store. The woman appeared to be a big spender. Most women who were willing to be with old men were in it for the money. Wendy probably genuinely liked Stanley, but Iris wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason she had an affair with him was because of his wealthy background. In contrast, Fiora seemed to genuinely loved Stanley. She didn't appear to be interested in his money, but rather in him as a person.Iris turned away, heading in another direction. She planned to buy some herbal tonics for her parents. Her parents lived frugally, often reluctant to spend money on themselves. They often worked late into the night, which would surely take a toll on their health.She entered a high-end gift shop, filled with various health products. She purchased a few expensive tonics.With her purchases in hand, she passed a storefront displaying a beaut
"I'm very willing to help," Jason added, glancing sideways at her. Iris fixed her gaze straight ahead. "I'm already immensely grateful that you would give me opportunities to gain experience as a favor for Professor Sandler. I can't keep troubling you with my private affairs."She understood the importance of boundaries. You can't keep taking advantage of someone else's goodwill. She knew when to draw the line.If Jason could hear her inner thoughts, he would definitely say, "I wish you would keep 'taking advantage' of me."He gripped the steering wheel tight. Not going overboard was supposed to be a good thing, but it wasn't in her case. He sighed softly."Mr. Just, you can just drop me off at that intersection up ahead," Iris pointed. That intersection led to a large mall. Even if Jason hadn't mentioned it, she was going to buy something. However, she had no intention of letting Jason pay for it. He was helping her, so it wouldn't be right to make him spend money.As they re
It was so sudden. It caught Iris off guard.He said with smiling eyes, his voice low and sexy, "Your ex-husband is watching."Iris placed her hands on his chest. At such close distance, his unique scent enveloped her, stirring her senses. She moved her head to the side slightly. "H-How do you think I did today?" she asked.She was referring to her performance in court.Jason tightened his hold, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "You did very well."The warmth of his breath on her ear and neck sent a shiver down her spine, prompting her to shift slightly. "Um, Mr. Just..."Even if they were acting, there was no need to be this intimate.The height difference made his belt buckle press against her lower abdomen. It felt uncomfortable because it was rock hard.As a mature woman who had already been through a divorce, she tried not to overthink it, but the intimacy of their position was undeniable. She didn't dare to move her lower body at all. She could only push him gen
Iris looked back at Stanley emotionlessly.Her clean, neat, and professional attire, paired with her short hair, projected an air of coldness that made her seem unapproachable.For the first time, Stanley felt a 'distance' between them. It felt like she was very far away from him.She was like a completely different person to the Iris he knew.While her face remained the same, her entire aura had changed; she was no longer the gentle, understanding woman in his memory. Instead, she had transformed into a strikingly cold beauty."You promised me we would reconcile," he said, looking into her eyes.Iris raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips as she asked, "Did I say that?""During the break. Have you forgotten? We...""Do you have evidence?" She cut him off coolly. She was careful not to say anything that could be used against her. She had only hinted at reconciliation.Stanley's eyes narrowed. "You tricked me?"Iris' smile brightened. "You must have misunderstood
Because Iris had experienced betrayal from a spouse herself, she could understand her client's feelings, so she spoke the words with conviction. Her client looked at her with teary eyes. She was grateful to Iris for voicing her inner thoughts."Thank you, Ms. Glover, for saying what I want to say."Meanwhile, Stanley's expression grew stiff. He felt like Iris was talking about him. He was ashamed of what he did with Wendy, feeling for the first time that he might have gone too far.The ball-less man's face twisted with frustration. It seemed like the more they argued, the less he sounded like a human.His terrible behavior towards the end of the trial directly impacted the judge's perception of him, leading to a more favorable outcome for Iris' client.Iris' client still had to go to prison; after all, she had indeed committed a crime. However, the sentence was only six months. Given the circumstances, it could already be considered quite lenient.She was also required to c