Sharon frowned at seeing the face of the woman in front of her turn pale. She said viciously, "What are you doing? I'm telling you—I can now fix you as easily as killing an ant. Don't try to pull any tricks in front of me. Otherwise— Aaaaaah!"Before Sharon could finish her sentence, a wooden stick hit her hard on the back. She screamed and fell into a puddle on the ground.Kisa snapped back and was ready to run. Just as she spun around, she felt a dull pain shot through the back of her shoulder. She grunted, eyes rolling back, and she passed out at once.The spring rain went on and on, and worries flooded his mind. Gilbert was standing in front of the window looking out at the rain, his upright back exuding an indescribable loneliness and sadness.Davian sorted his hair, which was blown out of shape by the wind and rain, before he came in. "Mr. Kooper.""Is there any news of her whereabouts?""I have sent men to look everywhere, but they haven't found Mrs. Kooper."Gilbert was
"Gilbert, help me, help me. Gilbert." Sharon cried out in fear, her panic-stricken face looking pitiful. On the other hand, Kisa looked calm, as if life and death had nothing to do with her at this moment.Gilbert said nothing, his hand clenching the phone involuntarily.Howard laughed and said, "It seems that you have difficulty in choosing. Maybe I will decide it for you."With that, he whisked the dagger down.Gilbert's entire body tensed up in that instant, his heart in his mouth. The next second, a bloody cut appeared on Sharon's face.It was not until two seconds later that Sharon felt the pain and screamed. Her voice rang out through the phone and echoed throughout the living room on this side. Even Davian could not help but shudder when he heard that, thinking to himself, 'This scream is almost as if a ghost cries.'"Howard, what are you doing? What did you do to my face? Aaaaah! My face, aaaaah!""Does bleeding on the face of such a beauty look good, Mr. Kooper?""You
Sharon screamed again before she could finish her sentence. She was slashed on the face again, and two bloody cuts interlaced into a ghastly X-pattern."Aaaaah, my face! Aaaaah!"Howard grabbed her by the collar and pressed the dagger to her bloodied face.Sharon shut up instantly, staring at him with a trembling body."Do you know why I chose to start with you?"Sharon shook her head, not even daring to breathe.Howard sneered and said, "Because Gilbert cares more about you. Besides, wouldn't it be more exciting to slash you on your pretty face?""No. You are mistaken. Gilbert cares about her, not me. Really."Kisa sneered quietly. 'This woman used to like to show off proudly in front of me, telling me how good Gilbert treated her. Now she would say anything to stay alive.'Howard ran his fingers over the blood on the knife like a mad man. "No matter who he cares more, none of you will escape. Ahh, I suddenly thought of a fun game."Sharon's face turned pale, the two bloody
But Kisa just closed her eyes again and did not make a sound.In desperation, Sharon compromised. "It was because my mom told that old lady a secret."'A secret?' Kisa opened her eyes and looked at her. "What secret?""Find a way to deal with that psycho first. Otherwise, I won't tell you.""Since you won't tell me, forget it," Kisa said nonchalantly and closed her eyes again to fake sleep."You!" Sharon cried out and repeatedly cursed Kisa.Sharon cried in fear as she saw Howard finish his cigarette and walk toward her with a few daggers. "I don't know what the secret is. My mom didn't tell me, really. You deal with that psycho, and as soon as I can get out of here, I will get my mom to tell me the secret."Seeing Kisa not move, Sharon screamed and yelled, "It doesn't matter that your ugly face is ruined, but I'm different. I know you are just jealous of me. You work with that psycho to complete the game to ruin me, right?"Kisa sneered in her mind, astounded by Sharon's imagi
Howard propped the stick against the ground and smiled at her with an evil sneer. "What do you have to say?"Kisa tensed up, her eyes glanced at Sharon involuntarily.Sharon looked stunned, face covered in blood, her eyes widening, and she kept panting and shivering as she whimpered uncontrollably. She had wetted her crotch, looking in a terrible state.Seeing Howard coming toward her, Kisa tried to keep her composure. "I have something I want to say to you.""Heh, I thought you wanted to volunteer first." Howard tapped the stick against her leg.Kisa was nervous as hell, cold sweat slowly trickling down her back, and her mind was racing, thinking about what she could do to give this man the motivation to live. As long as he wanted to live, he would not make a rash decision to kill them. At least he would make a deal with Gilbert for them.As she was thinking, Howard suddenly growled impatiently. "You b*tch, say what you have to say or I will break your leg right now.""Wait. I
Howard looked at her mechanically. "What do you mean?""Gilbert has immense influence, and there is nothing he can't do in Calthon. Getting you out of town is a piece of cake for him.""You mean I can make a deal with Gilbert with the life of the two of you?" Howard came to his senses, but he then sneered. "And what makes you think Gilbert will make that deal with me? He can find another woman without you two.""You are right, but it is still a chance. Why don't you try? If he really doesn't want to make a deal with you, it is not too late for you to kill us by then, isn't it?"Howard had a few moments of hesitation.Kisa continued. "If Gilbert agrees to make a deal with you, he will meet all your demands. You can take a large sum of money to leave this place to start over, and when you make a name for yourself, then come back to take revenge on him and Anthony. Don't you think this is a thousand times better than killing us now?"Howard seemed to be tempted now.Kisa knew that
"You can't go!" Madalyn yelled at the top of her lungs.Gilbert shook his head and looked at his grandmother in puzzlement. "I'm just trying to save them. What's wrong with that?""It is wrong for you to save the murderer who wants your grandmother dead."Looking at Madalyn's insistent attitude, Gilbert was anguished. He asked himself if the relationship between his grandma and Kisa had come to the point of beyond salvage. But he had to go, even if his grandmother opposed it. He walked past Madalyn and out without looking back.Madalyn cried out in grief behind him. "She wants your grandmother dead. If you insist on taking the risk of saving her, you will regret it when you find out the truth." She fell, sitting to the floor. "That woman should never have been born. She should never have come into this world."In the warehouse, Kisa was relieved to see that Howard had been convinced. She glanced at Sharon and saw that she had not yet come out of her shock. Her eyes were still wide
Sharon, who had just been scared dumb, suddenly seemed to come to her senses and shouted, "Gilbert, I beg you, save me. I don't want to stay here. He is a ps. He will torture me to death. Kisa and he are in cahoots. Look, my face is full of bruises and that woman is fine. They are in cahoots. They are putting on this show to hurt you."Kisa stared at Sharon. 'This woman is terrible to the bone. Even when she is scared to death, she still doesn't forget to frame me.' Sensing Gilbert's eyes, Kisa calmly met his gaze."She said Howard and I are in cahoots. Do you believe that?"Gilbert did not answer, but looked at Howard. "I have to take them both, or you won't get anything.""Is that so?" Howard took a knife in each hand and placed it across the necks of Kisa and Sharon. "If you insist on taking both, then you won't get any of them. I'm not afraid of anything now. Try me.""No, Gilbert. I'm scared. Save me, Gilbert. Save me." Sharon cried out in fear again. And compared to her pani
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