Liesel felt dizzy. She could hardly keep her balance. Elijah instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders as his eyes grew a tone darker.Heather's name carried weight, not just domestically but globally. Even after her death, stories about her brilliance and defiance lingered in certain circles. Back then, the holographic industry in Draskia had just begun to rise, but Heather had already proposed to start holographic research through reverse engineering, becoming the first in the country to do so.She founded her own luxury brand and before her death, impulsively shut it down. The dresses she created had long become limited editions. She had participated in overseas art festivals, won awards, and had even been called a treasure by some prince.She was beautiful, elegant, and graceful, but also wilful and wild. All of those traits combined to create the unique Heather.There had been rumors in the industry that if Heather were still alive, the most powerful capital in the
Jeffrey had lost his mind. It was impossible to communicate with him.Liesel stared at him for a while before turning to leave. As she passed by Natalie, who was still standing there in a daze, Liesel scoffed. "Natalie, did you hear that? Your mother was just a toy for my mother. What you thought was real was all just an act."Heather died on his birthday, and it was all for a prank. A bloody joke. Jeffrey had loved her to the point of madness."Natalie shook with anger. She glared at Liesel with fury.Liesel's gaze darkened as she continued walking. Just as she reached the door, Jeffrey's weary voice echoed through the room."Liesel. She's definitely still alive. She's watching you."Liesel paused. "Jeffrey, I think you've really lost it. Heather is dead. Didn't you see her body?"Her voice was cold. She didn't want to keep talking to a madman."It's fake," Jeffrey laughed eerily, his voice chilling. "The body was fake. No one noticed, but I did. Heather ran away. She got bo
Natalie was aware of the urgency of the situation. She nodded and began to formulate a plan in her mind, considering how to approach Jacob for help.The hall was now empty, save for Jeffrey. He sat on the floor, feeling lost and dejected.Though he wasn't young anymore, he had maintained his exercise regimen over the years and, except for social events, rarely indulged in smoking or drinking. He was good-looking, even in his fifties.With one hand on the ground, Jeffrey struggled to rise. His steps were unsteady. He leaned on the staircase railing as he slowly made his way up to the top. He retrieved a key to open a door.His hands trembled as he unlocked the door.The room was covered in dust. With each step, dust fell around him, and he began to cough from the airborne particles.He had avoided opening the door for years, fearing what he might find. The room had been Heather's true sanctuary.He had loved her deeply, and the room was designed specifically for Heather. It conta
The notes weren't written in Heather's diary. They were in a collection of scattered work logs she had kept over the years. Jeffrey couldn't bring himself to do anything more than make a copy of them.At first, he thought that "Jay" was referring to him.But when he read the line, "Dying for love is noble, but I'd live for you," it hit him all at once. He had been fooling himself all along. Heather had never loved him. Her heart had long since been claimed by someone else.She had chosen him only because he resembled that man—because his name was similar to his. He was nothing more than a replacement for Heather.Was Heather selfish? Yes, she was. She was selfish in a way that she couldn't spare even the smallest piece of her love for him. She reserved them all for another man.That man's name was Jay.Jeffrey had deluded himself into believing that Heather would stay with him because he looked like him. He grew more obsessed with his appearance and body. He wasn't the man Heat
Liesel still felt unsettled after leaving the Sharp residence. It felt as though a belief she had held onto for so long had just been completely shattered.She had despised Jeffrey for so long because of Heather's actions, but now she was being told that Jeffrey was the true victim of their relationship. It was absurd."Is she really still alive?" Liesel asked almost to herself.Elijah's gaze darkened, and after a brief pause, he spoke, "Lili, do you know why she started researching holograms? Why, all those years ago, after just attending a lecture, she became obsessed with it?"She wondered if it was just because Heather saw the immense potential of holography and its benefits, or if there was something else."If Jeffrey isn't lying, then Ms. Mallone might have studied holography to connect with her lover in another world. But think about it—if Heather truly longed for love all her life, and after finally perfecting holography, she could link her mind to see the person she yearn
Surrounding the villa was a cluster of buildings styled in the aesthetic of ancient Draskia architecture, evoking an air of timeless grace. Inside the villa's high-tech lab was a woman lying inside a holographic pod. Her striking beauty was undiminished despite the faint lines etched on her face. She possessed the unique allure of a goddess. Suddenly, the machine emitted a sharp noise. Her body jerked as an electric surge coursed through her, yanking her abruptly from the holographic world back into reality. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped. The woman's face bore an uncanny resemblance to Liesel's, yet it was filled with sorrow. While Liesel's beauty was dynamic and sharp-edged, hers was more serene. The woman hidden away on said remote island was Heather, the elusive woman everyone had been searching for."Ms. Mallone, you've failed again."Heather lifted her gaze and gave him a gentle nod. She climbed out of the chamber and reached for a towel to dab the cold sweat from
"Is he still not awake?" the guard asked. Heather lowered her gaze."No. His body has recovered significantly. However, the explosion from that research project caused severe damage to his physiological systems. Add to that the infighting within his family, which delayed his treatment, and we missed the critical window for recovery."Now, we can only rely on neural stimulation to try and wake him up." Her voice was calm, but her excitement betrayed it. She was waiting for him to return. After glancing at the time, the guard left. Once the door clicked shut, Heather pressed a hidden button, revealing a concealed passageway. She followed it to its end, stepping into a pristine, all-white room. Though it resembled a hospital ward, it was more like a private sanctuary. In the center lay a man, motionless. An IV drip delivered nutrients to his frail body. "Jay, I'm back. The neural interface responded more today. Maybe you can sense me now, just a little more."Heather smi
Heather had finally done it. Jeffrey loved her so much that he lost all sense of reason. Even knowing she was dragging his name through the mud, he accepted it without question. The world called him a scumbag, vile, a man who abandoned his family for a mistress—he bore it all. In the end, Heather got what she wanted and escaped to another country. She went to a secluded island with Jason. Jason's condition was dire and his chances of waking were slim, but Heather was relentless. When she first started researching holograms, it was a death wish—to die in the holographic world alongside Jason. But things were different now. Jason was alive, and she had to keep going. The goal of her work shifted: she wanted to develop holographic technology capable of stimulating his brain to bring him back to consciousness. As long as Jason was there, she had a reason to live. She manipulated the Turner family, Jeffrey, and even Liesel—but never Jason. Jason was the only person she couldn't
"You know how it is. It's always hard to strike a deal between two smart people."Charles laughed.He knew that when Liesel suggested a partnership with Ford Corporation to manufacture anti-cancer drugs, it was actually a huge trap.Liesel and Howard were both researchers. Who could say for sure that after they gave Ford Corporation the drug formula, they wouldn't refine the drug further and make something even more effective?Considering Liesel's and Howard's intelligence, there would undoubtedly be a more potent version of the drug. However, Liesel would never choose to continue working together with Ford Corporation. Therefore, he had decided to ask for a mile. He had asked to collaborate on the artificial intelligence project.It wasn't that he was being greedy.It was because Ford Corporation wasn't the same as it had been a year ago. He had to tread very carefully to avoid falling for someone's scheme again.Without Liesel and Drew, there were many tasks that only he and
"Do you not want to hug?" Liesel cocked her head at him. "Don't think I don't know you. I bet you already wanted to kiss me and hold me the moment you spotted Jacob. Otherwise, you wouldn't have tightened your arms around me."Hadn't Elijah done that to send Jacob a message that Liesel belonged to him?Having been together for so long, there wasn't anything that she didn't understand about him."In that case, thank you for giving me a chance and playing along." Since he couldn't think of an excuse, he just came clean. There was even a look of amusement on his face.He pulled her into his arms affectionately. She also hugged him back, like she was a child staking her territory."Should we add some more spice and kiss?"This was really becoming more and more provocative.Why not?A smile appeared on Elijah's face, as if he was saying to her, "Bring it on."And she did. She peppered Elijah's face with continuous pecks. Then, she yanked on his collar, like she was claiming him as
From a short distance away, Jacob could see Elijah's arm curled around Liesel's tiny waist. She seemed very dependent on him as she lay in his arms listlessly. It was a stark contrast to the way she behaved in public with other people.Whether it was with reporters or business partners, she always seemed like a steady pillar of strength. She was graceful and calm, but there was a hidden sharpness within her.Anyone who interacted with her could feel the hidden threat that was lurking inside of her.Yet, the Liesel now seemed to have shed all the sharp spikes on her body, revealing only the soft insides. She appeared gentle and submissive… Or rather, she only showed this side of her to her lover.He should have been the one to get all of this.He should have been her lover.He was the one who'd thrown all of this away. All he could do was watch as Elijah purposely pissed him off.He was a man too. Of course, he knew that Elijah was doing it on purpose.Of course, he resented Eli
Elijah seized Liesel's wrists while chuckling coldly. "So what if you're someone's wife? If I wanted you, all I'd have to do is tell him. Then, he'd definitely have someone clean you up nicely and send you straight into my bed."He lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you think that your husband is a decent man? Do you think that he'd disobey me for you?"Liesel swallowed. She was enraptured by the look in Elijah's eyes right now.He nibbled on her ear while patting her panicked and pale face. "If you're obedient, I'll treat you well. If you're unwilling to play along and make me happy, I'll kill your husband and lock you up in my home. You'll never see the light of day again."Stripping off her clothes, Liesel bit his earlobe and whispered, "It's such a waste that you didn't go into the acting industry with Chelsea."Elijah chuckled quietly, letting her hands roam all over him. They left a trail of fire in their wake. When he was all riled up and ready to go, Liesel suddenly hugg
Liesel left.Charles gazed at the still-warm cup of tea on the table. There was a chilling look in his eyes.This was one of the times he'd made the wrong move.After walking out of Charles' office, Liesel wasn't surprised to see Jacob. However, she didn't even stop and simply walked out.He trailed after her leisurely until she was nearly out of Ford Corporation. Just as he was about to call out to her, he heard a cheerful, gentle voice calling her name."Lili, I'm here to pick you up." Jacob's eyes darkened. When he looked up, he saw Elijah sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at Liesel.Liesel didn't mind at all that he was a cripple. With a grin on her face, she crouched down next to him. Then, she grabbed his hand and placed it against her cheek.Jacob's chest clenched when he saw that. It felt like arrows piercing his heart.Liesel could still feel Jacob's eyes on her, but she didn't care. She even pecked Elijah lightly on the lips in front of Jacob. Then, while pushing
"Charles, even though we worked together for three years, you still don't understand me at all."Liesel tapped her fingers against the desk. While it was quiet, it also sounded indescribably threatening."Have you not seen what happened to Dash?"If someone tries to snatch something from me, not only will I make their wishes come true, but I'll also make them pay the price."You can only take what I give you. If you insist on snatching what I'm unwilling to give… then you will find out the price you'll have to pay."She grinned, but it carried an obvious iciness.Dash was indeed the best example.He had tried to snatch collaboration opportunities from her, so she squashed him. And that wasn't all. She also bought his land and assets from him for dirt cheap.Dash tried to steal her data and establish his own vehicle manufacturing plant in Draskia, so she simply chased him and all his businesses out of Draskia.Anyone who tried to plot against her and steal from her suffered hor
"If you have something that even Jacob doesn't, you must be very loyal to him.""Thanks for the compliment." Charles chuckled quietly. "Of course, I am loyal to Mr. Ford. It's because I'm loyal to Mr. Ford that I kept the evidence just in case."If Matthew decided to betray Mr. Ford one day, then I could use this to retaliate against him. After all, you also know that Matthew is far from a nice person."Jacob placed a lot of importance on Matthew because his parents had passed away early, so he'd been raised by Matthew and Vincent since he was younger. He ended up viewing Matthew as somewhat of a father figure. His love for his family had ended up blinding him, making him unwilling to bring harm to Matthew.However, Charles was different. He didn't have any significant feelings toward Matthew. He only cared about protecting Jacob's interests.Matthew was a selfish person who only cared about his own interests. This was why Charles had gone against Jacob's orders and kept the evi
If it had been Elijah who'd done this, what would Liesel have done?Could she still be so righteous?However, Jacob's words only made her stifle a laugh. Without even turning around, she said sardonically, "If Elijah was this kind of person, then I would never have gotten together with him."Whether it comes to family or lovers, first of all, they should have the right principles. They should know what they should or shouldn't do."Even a child can tell what's right from wrong, but an adult like Matthew doesn't know where to draw the line. Jacob, one day he will pay the price for everything that he's done."In the end, Jacob didn't stop her from leaving.He couldn't help but clench his fists. His eyes darkened.Liesel had always been strongly opposed to evil. Making things worse, Drew was the scapegoat for Matthew's misdeeds this time.Over the years, Jacob had already gotten Matthew out of trouble countless times. He was getting tired of it.He really wanted to call out to Li
Natalie wanted to destroy Ford Corporation as soon as possible.Once there was a new leader in Ford Corporation, would Jacob still be so arrogant?Natalie laughed coldly. Then, she remembered the words she heard in the hospital, and her expression frosted over.She thought that since she was already in the same boat as Edward, and that Edward might become the future leader of Ford Corporation, she could go for him instead.After all, Edward was tall and handsome. In her eyes, he wasn't inferior to Jacob at all.However, she never thought… that Edward already had a lover, and that it was his sister, Ophelia, of all people.Till today, she still remembered how that bitch, Ophelia, had once insulted her because of her background. To defend Liesel, Ophelia had mocked her for being a bastard child.How come Ophelia deserved to be with Edward? They were siblings! Even if they weren't related by blood, they had still grown up as brother and sister. Weren't they afraid of getting expose