Kisa's body jolted, and she instinctively sat up straight.Peter grinned and dropped his gaze."He said he had been just as desperate as me once upon a time, but he ended up with absolutely nothing."He flicked the ash off his cigarette and looked at Kisa."So, do you still carry a torch for him?"Kisa pursed her lips."He is the only man I have ever loved.""Uh-huh, his predicament is totally different from mine. At least you love him. But Jolina..."Peter's lips curved into a self-deprecating and bitter smile."What's the point of clinging on? I'm scared she'll end up dead. Gilbert told me you almost died in front of him once, and that was the most terrifying moment of his life. If Jolina dies, I don't think I'd be able to keep on living. So, I need to let go. I still want her to have a good life."Peter's voice was laced with discontent and helplessness.Kisa felt a pang of sadness listening to Peter's words. She tried to reassure him."Don't think of it that way. It's j
Kisa cocked her head in confusion. "Say what?""Nothing." Peter chuckled and walked out of the coffee shop, wrapped up in his coat like a burrito.Kisa stood there like a deer in headlights. She could not do anything but wait for Peter's message.When she got back to the Webb residence, it was snowing again. Mr. Webb Sr. and Thomas were posted up in the living room.Thomas kindly passed her a hand warmer, saying, "Mrs. Kooper, it's freezing outside. You should stay in and chill until the weather clears up, then I'll take you around Oceanville."Kisa smiled. "I went to see my friend. She's leaving Oceanville, and I wanted to say bye. Gilbert thought it was too cold, so he told me to come back, and he will take care of it."Mr. Webb Sr. raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Did Mr. Kooper help you see your friend off? That must be why I didn't see him this morning.""Haha, yeah, he will be back tonight." Kisa grinned.But Thomas probed, "Your friend... she isn't the woman that Peter h
Mr. Webb Sr. had a glint in his eye as he turned to Peter and asked, "Did you really see Mr. Kooper escorting that woman out of town?"Peter's eyes were bloodshot, like he was about to lose his mind. Thomas quickly pulled his father aside and said, "Come on, Dad, don't push him. Peter cares about that woman too much to be mistaken.""I just want to know if he saw Mr. Kooper." Mr. Webb Sr. persisted.Peter snapped back. "Gilbert could turn to ashes, and I'd still recognize him if he tried to take my woman away."Seeing his father's skeptical look, Thomas piped up, "What is the matter, Dad? Mrs. Kooper already confirmed that Mr. Kooper escorted the woman out of town. How could Peter be wrong?"Mr. Webb Sr. nodded thoughtfully and muttered to himself, "Looks like Mr. Kooper wasn't the one who snuck into the Tanner residence last night."Meanwhile, Kisa paced the room anxiously. When she heard a knock at the door, she rushed to answer it. It was Peter. She pulled him inside and asked
Kisa jerked awake, feeling a little disoriented. But before she could even gather her thoughts, the door-knocking sounded twice more, jolting her out of her daze. She dashed to the door and found Peter there, holding up a pale and injured Gilbert. Without wasting a single second, she quickly helped Gilbert inside.Once she shut the door, she turned to Peter and demanded, "Where did you find him?""In the basement of the Tanner residence," he responded.Kisa's eyes narrowed as she realized that there was indeed something off about the basement in the Tanner residence. She led Gilbert to the couch and looked at him with genuine concern, his face as white as a sheet."Are you okay?" she asked with a trembling voice, her eyes already welling up with tears.Gilbert squinted at her with half-opened eyes and snickered, "I'm not six feet under yet, so there's no need to fake your sadness like that."Kisa took a deep breath and muttered, "I'm not acting!"Gilbert smirked but said nothing
He looked at Kisa. "Do you know what I found at the Tanner residence?"Seeing his serious expression, Kisa's expression tightened. "What did you find?""As you suspected, there was indeed a person locked up in the basement, a scruffy-looking person whose face was hard to discern. That person had his tongue cut out.""What?" Kisa exclaimed, a chill running down her spine."Who was the person?""Adrien."Kisa was so shocked that she could not speak for a while. After a long time, she regained her composure and asked word by word, "Are you saying that the person locked up in the basement of the Tanner residence is the real Adrien?"Gilbert nodded. "Although his tongue was cut out, his mind is still clear. He used blood to write his name on the ground.""If he's the real Adrien, then who is the person in Calthon pretending to be Adrien?" Kisa asked in disbelief.Suddenly, she remembered something and exclaimed excitedly, "I know! If the person in Calthon is a fake Adrien, then his
The next morning, Kisa glanced at the man lying by her bedside and whispered, "Maybe you shouldn't go downstairs today. I will bring your food up quietly."Gilbert shook his head. He squinted his eyes and said, "Not showing up will only make people more suspicious.""But your wound...""It's fine," Gilbert replied, opening his eyes to look at her. His dark gaze was intense, and it made Kisa's heart skip a beat."W-What's wrong?" she asked."You've suspected that Adrien is my uncle for a while now, haven't you?" Gilbert asked. Kisa did not answer.He continued. "What do you want to do? What is your relationship with him? What are you planning?""He has been trying to harm both of us since Kerrona Hill, and he even wanted us to kill each other," Kisa said.Gilbert looked at her. "So what did you hope to accomplish by teaming up with him?""I only pretended to team up with him," Kisa explained. "Ever since I found out that Adrien wanted to harm us, I've been acting as if I wanted
As Peter walked past Gilbert, he intentionally bumped into his shoulder, but Gilbert did not even flinch. That was enough to put Mr. Webb Sr.'s suspicions to rest.He scolded Peter, "Hey son, watch where you're going! Mr. Kooper is a guest, apologize to him."Peter sneered at Gilbert, then sat down at the dining table, looking extremely smug and defiant. Mr. Webb Sr. shook his head helplessly and apologized to Gilbert.Gilbert just shrugged it off and said, "No worries. I sent his woman packing, and the fact he didn't fight me was showing his respect for me.""Looks like Mr. Kooper here is a real gentleman, always forgiving and forgetting." Mr. Webb Sr. chuckled as he led them to the dining table.Gilbert eyed Peter with a thoughtful expression, his suspicions growing stronger by the second.When they got back to the room, he was too weak to stand and leaned heavily on the cabinet next to the door. Kisa urgently pulled open his shirt to check the wound, and sure enough, the banda
Thomas was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He wanted to spill the beans, but at the same time, he did not want to throw his father under the bus. However, the cat was already out of the bag, so he had no choice but to go all in.He gawked at Kisa and stuttered, "Wait... so, I'm your brother? You sure about that?"Kisa nodded frantically. "I'm positive. Your birthmark and bracelet are a carbon copy of my mom's. You have to be my brother." She choked up at the end of her sentence, tears streaming down her face.Thomas held her tight, reassuring her, "Don't cry. We found each other, and that is all that matters."Kisa opened up to Thomas about their mom, and he listened intently, feeling envious and longing for the same kind of love. He had been deprived of his mother's love from a tender age and had always longed for that maternal affection.They talked late into the night, but Thomas knew Kisa needed some rest.As Kisa was about to leave, she hesitated and said, "Don't tell you
In a small town in the South, a gentle breeze caressed the cheeks of passersby, creating a pleasant and serene atmosphere. This town, known for its tourism, was adorned with flowers even in its narrow alleys. The surrounding houses were all quaint inns, exuding a poetic and picturesque charm.Beneath an arching bridge, Kisa set up an easel to display and sell her paintings. She had always loved painting since childhood. Although she had not achieved great success in this field, her vivid and evocative paintings were very popular with tourists. She would sell most of her paintings every day.On weekends, Blake would join her at the stall, but today was Wednesday, and she was alone. After arranging her paintings, she had barely sat down when people began to gather around. Some admired her art, while others immediately offered to buy. Her paintings were reasonably priced, which attracted many customers."Miss, I'd like that painting of the snow-covered rose garden at night.""Alright,
In the backyard, Kohen looked at his older brother's calm expression, a hint of worry in his voice. "Bro, are you alright?""I'm fine," Hayes said, adjusting the blanket on his lap. "Tomorrow, take me to meet those medical geniuses you found.""Oh, sure..." Kohen nodded in agreement, but after a moment, he could not help but ask, "Bro, what did that woman say to you that made you change your mind so suddenly?"Hayes gazed at the stars in the sky, his voice cool and distant. "She told me she's doing well, very happy. Then she pointed out how pitiful and miserable I am right now. She asked me if I don't feel envious, knowing how well she is doing compared to me."Kohen grimaced, realizing that the woman had provoked his brother into action.Hayes lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That's right. How could I not be envious? So, I want to heal my legs, live a good life, and show her that I can do better than her."Kohen felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. From Hayes's
Mentioning Hayes, Eylul's expression became complex. "Hayes is reclusive and doesn't like to see people. Only a single old servant has been taking care of him all these years. I only met him once, back when I married Kohen."Mia's heart ached, recalling the enigmatic yet deeply emotional man. She could not help but feel a lump in her throat. "How's his health?" Mia asked.Eylul replied, "His health is fine, but his legs have remained the same. Kohen has found top orthopedic experts for him and even sought out Kelvin Hoover from Calthon, but he refuses treatment. For so many years, he hasn't even stepped outside the backyard.""You mean he's been living in the backyard all this time?" Jensen asked gravely.Eylul nodded. "Yes, Kohen wanted him to live in the main house, but he refused. He only likes staying in the backyard. Moreover, the room he stays in used to be..." Eylul glanced at Mia. She had heard that Mia used to live in that room.With a complicated expression, Mia pursed h
"Let's forget everything that just happened,' Mia said.Jensen looked up at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and complex, profound and unfathomable.Mia tried to muster a smile. "You don't have to feel burdened. In a way, I forced you. And you must have always disliked me. Actually, I didn't come to you for money; I just wanted to see you. Now that I have, I should go. Jensen, from now on... take care."With that, she walked away, fearing that if she lingered any longer, she would not be able to leave. But after only a few steps, she was embraced from behind.Jensen's voice was low and hoarse. "Stay with me."Mia trembled at his words. Jensen continued. "But I still have so many things to do and someone in my heart I can't let go of. I don't know... when I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer. If you don't want to stay with me without any promises or guarantees, you can—""I'm willing," Mia blurted out, "as long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything
Mia's face changed instantly. " You... you know I like Jensen, why would you...""Heh, if you like Jensen, shouldn't you be willing to do anything for him? If you can't even do this, how can you claim to love him?""I won't do it! Doing this would be betraying Jensen. I would risk my life for him, but I can't do this."Adrien stared at her flushed face and gently chuckled, his words loaded with meaning. "Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered yet?"Mia frowned. Her body was indeed getting hotter and more agitated. 'Why would Adrien ask this? Could it be the drink...?'As the thought crossed her mind, her heart sank. Seeing Adrien's cold expression and the man's playful smile, Mia turned and ran. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was dragged back. Weakened by the drink, her desperate struggles were futile. As the man pressed her down, playing with her like a toy, she closed her eyes in despair. She thought she could never face Jensen again. With a bitter laugh,
Adrien Tanner, Jensen's father, stood before Mia with a warm smile. "My son is truly awkward when it comes to matters of the heart. He's even willing to refuse such a beautiful young woman like you."Mia stared at him, her tears suddenly streaming down her face. "I only wanted to see him, even if it was to face rejection. Wouldn't it better to say it clearly to my face?""Yes, it would." Adrien agreed. "But standing here stubbornly won't help, because he left on a business trip a couple of days ago."Mia's heart ached even more, realizing that Jensen had avoided using the front door just to evade her.Adrien continued. "I have a way to make him come to you willingly, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."Mia nodded. "What do I have to do?"Adrien motioned to his bodyguard, who handed him a glass of wine. "Drink this," he said.Mia furrowed her brow, hesitant.Adrien gently patted her shoulder, like a father would."Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. From the
Filled with guilt, Mia stepped forward, but Kohen suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her."Get out!"Jensen pulled Mia back. He looked at the cold man before him. It was this man who had taken him in years ago. At that time, Kohen was young, a carefree and privileged young man. Now, he seemed to have grown up all at once, his eyes colder and more distant.Jensen said with a troubled expression, "If you ever need me in the future, don't hesitate to find me."Kohen sneered coldly; pain etched in his brow. He mocked himself. "I never should have taken you in back then. In the end, it was I who harmed my own brother."Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say, only feeling an unbearable pain in his heart. It was the first time he felt he owed someone. That sense of indebtedness suffocated him."Get out, and don't let me see you two ever again."On that night, Jensen and Mia left the McCray family. As a result of Hayes's ordeal, the McCray family underwent tremendous
"What on earth happened?"Jensen did not speak. Mia choked out. "The collaboration between the Burton family and the McCray family was a trap. We were ambushed by the Burton family, and Hayes... he was hit by a car trying to save us.""Damn it!" Kohen cursed under his breath, abruptly pulling a knife from a nearby bodyguard and pointing it at them. "What are your lives worth? Why would my brother save you? Why?"Mia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. 'It's my fault. I wanted to save Jensen, but I should have gone alone. I shouldn't have dragged Hayes into this. He seemed cold-blooded and heartless, and I never thought that he would risk his life for me. Why was he so good to me?'"Kohen..."Suddenly, a weak cry rang out. Hayes had awakened.Kohen hurriedly moved closer, gripping Hayes's hand. "Bro!"Hayes's face was deathly pale. He did not look at Kohen, but instead turned his gaze to Mia. His eyes were calm. He saw Mia's red-rimmed eyes and the tears lingering there,
Hayes was sent flying by the car, his body crashing into a wall before bouncing back.Mia's entire body felt ice-cold as she trembled, yelling, "Hayes!""Kill them all!" A hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. It was Curtis. He looked at Kendall's lifeless body on the ground, his eyes filled with rage, shouting, "Run them over! I want them to join my grandson in death!""Ah!" Jensen roared, disregarding the guards' swinging knives, and like a madman, charged at Curtis. Curtis's face changed, desperately pulling a nearby guard in front of him as a shield. But it was useless. Jensen, like a crazed beast, attacked anyone in his path. Soon, his knife was held against Curtis's throat.Curtis trembled all over. "Wh-What do you want?"Jensen, covered in blood with splatters on his face, looked like a demon that had emerged from a battleground. He grabbed Curtis and held him hostage in front of him. "Let us go!""Don't even think about it!" Curtis retorted angrily. "You