Iris's face turned ashen as Derek Ashton emerged from the crowd, his towering figure commanding attention. Murmurs bounced back and forth like a tennis ball, growing louder and more urgent as Derek's purposeful strides devoured the distance between him and Autumn. Every eye in the room, including Iris's, was fixed on the unfolding scene. Derek's approach was met with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, but he seemed oblivious to the commotion he was causing. His gaze was fixed on Autumn, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her blush. He extends his hand to Autumn. With a shy smile, she offered him the back of her palm, and he took it with a gentle reverence, his lips brushing against her skin in a soft, tender kiss. Iris's attention snapped to Ivan, who was seething with anger. His hands were balled into fists, his eyes blazing with a fierce red glow. She instinctively reached out to comfort him, her hand closing around his in a soothing grasp. But Ivan was having none of
Autumn's hand reached up to Ivan's, her fingers desperately trying to pry his grasp loose. Her eyes slowly reddened as they welled up with tears, falling down her almost crimson face like a river of pain. As hard as it was, she tried to word a 'no' to Ivan, who seemed to have turned deaf to her pleas. But her voice was hoarse, barely audible, so she summoned all her strength and screamed, "No!" with all her might, trying to fight Ivan off her. Unexpectedly, a fist collided with Ivan's face, immediately separating him from Autumn. The force of the blow sent Ivan stumbling backward, releasing his grip on Autumn's neck. Her limbs went weak, her legs could barely hold her as she stumbled to the cold concrete of the floor. Although Ivan's hands were no longer clamping her neck, she still felt the imprints of his hand encircled round her neck. She let out multiple coughs, her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. As Autumn struggled to catch her breath, her ears picked up the sound of he
Maverick's voice was laced with condescension as he began, "You know, Autumn, out of everyone in this household, you used to strike me as someone intelligent." He paused, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her, his gaze lingering on her like a challenge. "But it seems you're starting to share the same brain cell as your husband," he said, his tone dripping with disappointment.Autumn felt a shiver run down her spine as Maverick's words hung in the air, his cigarette smoke curling around her like a noose. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat."I gave you a chance, Autumn," Maverick continued, his voice rising in anger. "I took you under my wing, and this is how you repay me? By discarding everything I've done for you... for my brother?" His eyes blazed with indignation, his face reddening with rage.Autumn's heart raced as Maverick's anger intensified, his words pouring out like venom. "I throw a party for you, and all those people from D.O.N Corps leave with rumors
Autumn's head throbbed with a dull, aching sensation as her eyes slowly fluttered open. Her entire body, from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet, ached in unison, as if each muscle was protesting her awakening. A low, husky moan escaped her lips as her vision gradually transformed from a blurry haze to crystal clarity. Her gaze bounced around the room, drinking in the familiar comforts of her room.Her palms, fragile and trembling, grasped the softness of her mattress, struggling to anchor herself to steady. Her mouth felt parched, her dry throat itching to be scratched. She blinked again, wincing as the shock of the light finally assaulted her sight. With a rough, scratchy cough, she swiftly cleared her throat, and with a surge of energy, she swept her leg over the side of the bed, her foot thudding against the cool, wooden tile of the floor.As she stood up, Autumn took a long, hard look at herself, noticing she was changed into her favorite silk pajamas, a soft, pale bl
Ben's face reddened with indignation. "You have no respect? Is this the way to greet your father?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room. Normally, Autumn would be trembling, her head bowed in submission, but today she stood tall, her gaze locked on her father's, unwavering and unafraid."Oh, my bad, father," Autumn said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you still acknowledged me as your daughter." Her words were a bold challenge to Ben's authority.Ben's jaw dropped, his face purpling with rage. "Have you lost your damn mind? Have you forgotten who brought you into this world?" he spat, his voice venomous.Autumn's smile was a thin, sugary coating on a razor-sharp retort. "It's you, of course, father, but I see no point in kissing your shoes if you hate me so much. Wouldn't I look like a fool if I kept up the habit?" Her voice was honey-sweet, but the words cut deep, a stark contrast to the timid, submissive daughter Ben was accustomed to.Iris, sensing
All eyes were drawn to Iris, her striking thin figure, as she emerged elegantly. Her outfit, a vibrant pink designer ensemble, consisted of a fitted top, a flowing skirt, and a tailored jacket, perfectly complementing her poise. A matching pink purse hung gracefully from her shoulder, while her black heels clicked confidently with each step.As she entered the elevator, her gaze swept across the buttons before selecting her desired floor. Out of habit, she retrieved a compact mirror from her purse and quickly touched up her already-flawless makeup. With a satisfied smile, she returned the mirror to her purse.The elevator doors slid open, and Iris stepped out, her heels echoing in the corridor. She navigated the apartment complex with ease, producing a key pass from her purse and swiping it through the lock. The door swung open, and she entered, her senses immediately assaulted by the overpowering stench of alcohol.Iris stormed in the room, slamming the door behind her, determined to
Ivan's gaze remained transfixed on his phone, his eyes scanning the screen with a mix of emotions. As his driver navigated the roads, whisking him away from the hospital, Ivan's mind wandered to Autumn. Normally, she would be the first to rush to his side, showering him with concern and affection, but this time, an unsettling silence greeted him. No gentle texts, no soothing words, just an eerie quietness.A hint of a smile crept onto Ivan's face as he pondered the situation. Perhaps Autumn felt guilty, her conscience was probably gnawing at her, fearing even a simple message might shatter the fragile peace between them. The thought brought Ivan a sense of satisfaction, a strange comfort in knowing he wasn't the only one affected.But as the minutes ticked by, Ivan's thoughts took a curious turn. Autumn's behavior was odd to say the least, a departure from her usual clinginess. She would often lavish him with attention, her texts and calls a constant reminder of her insignificant pres
Autumn's warm breath lingered in the air as she let out a slow, languid yawn, her lips parting softly. Her eyes, heavy with the weight of fatigue, shimmered with unshed tears. She quickly wiped them with the back of her hand, smudging her vision momentarily. As her gaze cleared, it settled on the butler who had silently guided her through the labyrinth of Derek's mansion. He approached her now, carrying a silver tray adorned with a bottle of Grand Marnier and a single glass. A smile touched her lips—small but genuine. After what felt like an eternity confined within Ivan's bedroom, she was desperate for a drink.The butler set the tray down on the nearby table with a quiet precision. Just as Autumn reached for the glass, a sharp sting shot through her hand as the butler slapped it away. Startled, she jerked back, her eyes snapping up to meet his. An awkward laugh escaped her lips, and she looked at him with a mix of surprise and confusion, her fingers lingering where his had made cont