Gilbert pressed her hands in indignation.Kisa hissed. "Mr. Kooper, what do you want again? Didn't you think I was disgusting? Why do you want to put your clothes on me? Aren't you afraid I will stain your clothes?"Gilbert glared at her, hating her attitude. He sneered. "You are at least my wife. Aren't you embarrassing me when you are naked?"Kisa let out a sardonic laughter. "Mr. Kooper, are you suffering from amnesia? Have you forgotten that I am divorced from you?""Heh! You really think we're divorced?"Kisa's expression changed. "W-What do you mean?""I don't care how much you love Jensen. You are not going to be with him for the rest of your life.""You—""Let's go! Aren't you embarrassing enough?" Gilbert said, reaching for her.Kisa backed away in disgust. "Embarrassing or not, it is my business, not yours, Mr. Kooper. Besides, as much as you say I'm disgusting, I find you just as disgusting, including the clothes you wear." With that, she took off the blazer. She co
"Even so, I don't need your help, and you don't have to pretend in front of me."Gilbert was so pissed that he clenched his fists in silence. 'She doesn't need my help, but she wants Jensen's. Heh, she relies on Jensen now.' Jealousy and anger that had been running through him for days. He just felt like he was going crazy with this woman. In his rage, he laughed sarcastically. "You really think I am helping you? I just said you are disgracing me.""You..."Kisa was about to say something when Gilbert tossed her a lavender evening gown. "Put it on. Do you really think you can seduce men dressed like this? Ridiculous."It exasperated her that he always mocked her with such insults. Kisa looked down to hide the hurt and sadness. She did not want to get involved with him anymore, or even say another word to him. She grabbed the lavender evening gown and slowly made her way to the bathroom.The burn scars on her back were once again imprinted into the man's eyes. Gilbert's heart skipp
The man was in pain and abruptly pushed her away. When he wiped his mouth, his hand was stained with blood.Kisa stepped back in shock. She looked into his eyes and shivered. "Y-You made me do this.""If Jensen had kissed you instead, wouldn't you have been enjoying instead of biting him?" His voice was filled with rage as he said the last sentence.Kisa was afraid of his out-of-control look as much as she hated and resented him. She clenched her hands and said, "Yes, you are right. If it was Jensen, I would be enjoying it, and you, I just feel disgusted." 'Didn't he always say I was disgusting? What's with this forced kiss? It is ridiculous and ironic, just like that time when he called me cheap and disgusting and forced himself on me. Doesn't he feel that his words and actions contradict each other?'The knuckles of his hands crackled as Gilbert clenched his hands. Kisa's heart was pounding, and she turned to leave, fearing that he would do something to her again. But as soon as
The sadness in her eyes was apparent as much as her face was full of vengeful passion.Jensen took a long, hard look at her. "Gilbert did nothing to you just now, did he?"Kisa sneered. "What else could he do to me now?""But aren't you depressed because of him?"Kisa laughed and shook her head, then said in a careless tone of voice, "I'm just puzzled; some people say one thing and do something else, so contradictory."Jensen looked at her with a smile. "You mean Gilbert?""Yes. He called me dirty and cheap, but then he just kissed me against my will. Don't you think he is ridiculously contradictory?"Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say for a moment.Kisa shook her head and smiled. "Forget it. What is the point of talking about him? I'm tired. Let's go back and rest."Jensen stared from behind at her exhausted body with a hard-to-describe emotion. He knew Gilbert best; this younger brother of his never knew how to express his love, and the more he cared about somet
The accompanying picture was the scene where Lea identified Sharon. And as she zoomed in, she noticed that both Sharon and Anthony were staring at Lea with intimidation. Kisa's heart skipped a beat upon seeing this. Near the end of the party yesterday, she hurried back home and did not know what happened to Lea. Carolyn, Sharon, and Anthony were all ruthless and vindictive. Kisa was afraid that they might take revenge on Lea. After all, Lea was just an ordinary person with no backing. Anxious, Kisa quickly dialed Lea's phone, but Lea did not answer despite calling her several times. As a bad feeling hit her and she became panicked, she drove to Lea's place in a hurry.Lea rented an ordinary one-bedroom apartment, which was not comparable to those luxury apartments, but the place was clean. Kisa stood in front of the unit on the second floor, where Lea lived, and knocked on the door, but no one answered. She frowned, and the bad feeling only got stronger. She gave it a few more knocks.
Kisa stared in alarm at the mess in the house. The TV, coffee table, couch, and other furniture were all smashed to pieces; clothes, dishes, household items were scattered all over the place. She clenched her hands and asked Lea in anger, "Carolyn and Sharon did this, too, didn't they?"Lea pursed her lips and said nothing.Kisa gritted her teeth. "They better still be here. I'm going to beat them to death.""Kisa..."Lea called out to her in a predicament. Kisa did not see anyone in the living room, so she checked out the bedroom, which was just as messy, the bedsheet rumpled, as if someone had exercised on it. She saw at the end of the bed an inky blue tie, which looked familiar. As she was about to pick it up and take a closer look, Lea grabbed it and hid it behind her back with a smile. "Don't get mad, Kisa. They are gone. They are long gone, and they are not coming back, really.""The tie...""It belonged to a client of mine. I found it in a bar and brought it back with me,
The woman with bruises on her face was twisting her fingers. Jensen looked at her and chuckled. "Don't be nervous. Since you are Kisa's friend, you are mine, too.""T-Thank you, Mr. Kooper.""No need to be so formal. Feel free to call me Jensen, as Kisa does.""Okay, Jensen," Lea said, looking less nervous than she had just been.Jensen scanned her with a smile. "How did you end up waitressing at the party yesterday?""I..." Lea tensed up again.Kisa brought out the finished dishes and could not help but laugh at the scene. "Jensen, don't be so serious with her. She will be scared."Jensen smiled helplessly. "I'm serious?""No, no, no, Mr. Kooper...""Hmm?""I mean Jensen." Lea changed her tone in a panic. "Y-You are not serious at all." She could not even speak properly because she was nervous.Kisa brought them both over to the dining table with amusement and said to Jensen, "Lea used to take part-time jobs to supplement her income. I think a friend of hers must have intro
Jensen leaned against the door and smoked as he gazed at the door to Kisa's room with a frown.At GK Pictures's CEO office, Davian placed the information he had checked carefully on Gilbert's desk and said, "Mr. Kooper, this is all I found about your brother's relationship with that lecherous woman."Gilbert buried his head in his work and did not look up. "Read it out to me.""Okay." Davian nodded in response and hurriedly picked up the neatly folded documents. Ever since the party, Gilbert had become unpredictable, sullen all day long, so much so that Davian found he could no longer speak freely as before. Now he really wished that Kisa was there. As long as the Kisa was in, Gilbert would not make him a punching bag when he was not happy. And now, Gilbert would take it out on him when he was upset. Davian started to summarize the information when he thought of how miserable his life was. "I could only find things about your brother and that woman for the past seven years; there is
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