“I’m having a street photoshoot for a magazine.”“Okay, then. Stay safe,” Xyla Quest admonished.“I will.” “Go home and have a rest after you’re done with the photoshoot, okay? Don’t overwork.” “Okay.”“Alright, I’ll call you again. Bye.”“Bye.”Josh Batton nodded dutifully over and over again. His feet remained rooted to the floor even though Xyla had ended the call a long time ago. Finally, he reluctantly lowered his phone and chucked it back into his pocket. When he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of the two workers. Nonetheless, his gaze fell upon them merely for a second. Giving the two a polite nod, he turned around and walked out of the cafe. The two female workers were nearly out of breath…Once again, they clutched each other’s hands in excitement, their fingers intertwining tightly. “Oh my god! Josh Batton just looked at us! I swear I’m not going to wash my face today because he looked at this face!”“I think that glance melted me! Do you know what ‘l
The men downstairs kept glancing at Xyla Quest. How they wished they could sit next to her. Yet, Xyla paid them no mind. Ignoring all the eyes upon her, she lowered her head and texted Stanley Batton. “I’ve arrived.”Buzz buzz buzz… Suddenly, a message popped up on her screen, showing that there was a one hundred fifty million transaction into her bank card a minute ago. Her vision went blurry the moment she saw the number of zeros in the text message. After attentively counting them several times, she was certain that it was not her imagination but a clear-cut one hundred fifty million dollars.It must be Stanley who transferred so much money to her. She could not think of another person other than Stanley. Dumbfounded by the amount of money, she decided to text him again to ask him. However, Stanley sent her a message before she even started typing. “Go ahead and bid for the antique pieces you like or the antique pieces that Dad likes.”Xyla replied, “... But we have mon
Xyla Quest stood up with a faint smile. “Yeah…”“And he is…?” Christopher Lancelot asked as he glanced at Jeremy Quest, who was sitting across from Xyla. “He’s my father,” answered Xyla.Upon hearing that, Christopher immediately reached out his hand to Jeremy. “Hello, Uncle. I’m Christopher Lancelot.”Jeremy quickly rose to his feet and gripped Christopher’s hand, his eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the man’s face. He remembered hearing the man’s name from his business partners before. If he was not mistaken, the man in front of him was a very successful businessman in Country Y. Besides having a large company and a huge market, he was well-connected too. Nonetheless, he was also a very powerful gangster in the gang. Jeremy smiled politely while shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you.”“I’ll leave you guys alone first… Let’s have a short chat after the auction is over.” Christopher behaved decently. Jeremy nodded in response. With that, Christopher walked away from the two of
At this moment, everyone was thoroughly shocked.When Xyla Quest fell off, Christopher Lancelot jumped down after her without caring about anything else. While holding onto a red curtain on the second floor with one hand, he grabbed Xyla’s hand tightly with his other.The instant Xyla felt Christopher’s warm hand upon hers, she found herself calming down instantly. Her thoughts also began to clear.However, her heartbeat was still beating out of control. It felt as if there was a little motor installed in her chest.Xyla would never have thought that this man would jump after her even though it was so dangerous.From the second floor, it was a long way down to the ground. Even if one didn’t die from the fall, one would end up becoming handicapped.Just like that, the two of their bodies dangled in the air. Christopher wouldn’t let go of Xyla’s hand no matter what.Due to the amount of force he was using, Christopher’s veins bulged on his neck and the back of his arm.When every
Very soon, a group of people charged upstairs and dragged the female waitress down. By now, her mouth was covered with black duct tape, and she couldn’t make a single sound. Even so, she still had a deadly look in her eyes.Still feeling frantic, Jeremy Quest hurriedly ran downstairs and over to Xyla Quest.Jeremy placed his trembling hands on Xyla’s shoulder. “Xyla… How… How are you? Are you alright?” He stammered.“I’m fine, Dad. Don’t worry,” Xyla said and shook her head.After carefully examining Xyla’s body, Jeremy pulled her into his arms. “Thank goodness you’re alright… Thank goodness you’re alright…”Xyla allowed Jeremy to hug her. Slowly, her heart rate became stable.After hugging Xyla for a long while, Jeremy finally let go of her carefully. He then turned to look at Christopher. “Thank you for saving my daughter,” Jeremy said.“You’re welcome,” Christopher replied with a smile.After that, Christopher suddenly stopped smiling and turned to look at the auction host.
“It’s that piece of sh*t again!” Christopher Lancelot snorted coldly.He then turned to look at his subordinates. “I know what to do… You guys take Miss Xyla and Mr. Quest to the entrance of the auction house. I have something to tell this woman.”Xyla Quest didn’t know what Christopher wanted to tell this woman, but she obediently held her father’s hand and started walking out from the parking lot when she heard what he said. They were escorted by her bodyguards as well as Christopher’s men.After they had left, the parking lot was closed off once again…This was another world of its own now.While the woman trembled, she looked at Christopher and kept struggling to set herself free.“I’ve told you everything I know. Can you let me go now?” She begged.Christopher narrowed his eyes before pulling the gun away from the woman’s forehead. After that, he threw his gun in the air before catching it steadily.The woman instantly felt relief in her heart.However, Christopher’s faci
As Xyla Quest stood in front of the auction house’s entrance, she turned around to look at Christopher Lancelot. “Thank you so much for today. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead now… And thanks for interrogating that woman for me…” she said.“Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to get involved with the rest of it. I’ll take care of everything for you,” Christopher said with a smile.Xyla knew he would take care of everything.“Okay. In that case, we’ll be leaving now. There’s still a lot to be done,” Xyla said and nodded.“Is there anything I can help you with?” Christopher asked.“Not really,” Xyla said.“Alright. We’ll part ways then,” Christopher said.“Once again, thank you, Mr. Lancelot,” Jeremy Quest said to Christopher with a look of gratitude.“It’s nothing. Alright, you’d best be going now…” Christopher shrugged nonchalantly as he spoke.Xyla smiled at him before holding Jeremy’s hand and getting into their car.The bodyguards that came with Xyla also quickly got in
Xyla Quest nodded confidently.She felt sure that she could do a good job.“Xyla… You really do make me proud.” Jeremy Quest expressed his fondness toward Xyla openly.Xyla held onto his hand affectionately. “Dad, you make me proud too. You’ve always been my role model.”Jeremy felt overjoyed after hearing what Xyla said. “Oh, my sweet Xyla. Alright, let’s go home now. Oh yeah, thank Stan for me. I’m delighted with the antique items he bought me.”When Jeremy mentioned Stanley Batton, his face became even gentler.“Alright.” Xyla held Jeremy’s hand and walked him back to the car. They were accompanied by the ocean breeze all the way.It was very warm inside the car. Within a few seconds, Xyla felt all the coldness melt away.It had been a long day, and she felt exhausted. After sitting down in the car, she couldn’t help closing her eyes. She wanted to take a nap.When Jeremy saw this, he didn’t say anything further. He removed his jacket and covered Xyla with it.***By the
Xyla quickly reached for Hannah’s hand. “Is that right? Hannah, you’re amazing…! You’re practically on par with Leon!”Hannah laughed, slightly embarrassed. “Not at all.”“Oh, cut it out. If you hadn’t helped me, how could I have improved so quickly?” Leon chuckled.“I guess I’ve lived up to my promise.” Hannah giggled along.Back then, she had promised Leon that she would become someone deserving of him.She claimed that she would grow with Leon.Without a doubt, she had done it.Now, Hannah had become a successful woman many would often speak of. She earned her rightful seat next to Leon as the CEO of Dragon Group.Stanley also turned to look at Hannah. “Yes, Hannah’s very capable. She’s our family pride.”Hannah laughed. “I was lucky to be accepted by your family.”In fact, Hannah genuinely felt grateful toward the Batton family over the years she had spent with them.They had helped her through all the hardship she encountered when she was poor and down on her luck.Aft
“Hannah, I’ve taken the first step for you. Are you willing to walk by my side for the rest of our lives?” Leon asked, serious.“Yes, I am…” Hannah answered without missing a beat.“I’ll protect you. From now on, you don’t have to worry about a single thing.” With that, Leon placed both hands on Hannah’s face and kissed her on the lips.The moment their lips touched, everything felt surreal…Hannah could feel pink, light bubbles floating all around her. It felt as if all the flowers in the world were blossoming at once.In Hannah’s dark, depressing life, Leon was her only salvation.He was a ray of hope that led her out of hell, so she could see light once more.Hannah thought she would never have anything to do with Leon after she quit school.Even until now, she still remembered how sorrowful she was on her last day of school.But now… Not only did she get the opportunity to interact with him once more, but they also became a couple.Their driver sighed to himself while
Over time, Leon’s feelings for Hannah grew deeper, stronger, and more intense.He had grown used to having her with him all the time.Thus, he hoped she would stay by his side for the rest of his life.Upon hearing his words, Hannah’s mind went blank.What did her dream guy just say?Was she dreaming?Hannah quickly pinched her palm at the thought in an attempt to discern between dream and reality.Her palm hurt. That meant this wasn’t a dream. It was real!Hannah felt even more dumbfounded…This meant Leon actually liked her! He was confessing to her, wasn’t he?Did her dream guy actually reciprocate her feelings?Never in her wildest dreams did Hannah imagine she would go through such an experience.Excitement jammed her mind, so much that she was rendered speechless. There were many things she wanted to say, and yet, she couldn’t utter a single word.Her heartbeat increased rapidly, and her entire body began to shake. Sensing her trembling body, Leon tightened his e
Immediately after, the men in black pulled out guns from their pockets, which they aimed at Raymond’s head.Raymond panicked instantly, going pale.He subconsciously retreated a step back. “Who are you? Don’t you know what you’re doing is illegal?”Leon sneered. “You don’t deserve to know my name. In this city, I am the law.”Leon’s domineering words made him seem even more imposing.At this moment, Hannah felt as if he was a guardian angel sent from Heaven to protect her.Something about him seemed oddly sacred and heavenly.“Mr. Batton, do I shoot him in the head?” One of the men dressed in black asked.“Mr. Batton? Are you Stanley Batton’s son?!” Fear was beginning to spread through Raymond. For one to have Batton as his surname and act this arrogantly in Atlantis, he could be none other than a member of the renowned Batton family.“How dare you address our president by name?!” Another man in black leveled Raymond with a chilling glare.Suffice to say, Raymond was terrif
Terrible pain ached at every part of Hannah’s body as she collided with the cold, hard ground.The pain was such that all her bones felt close to breaking. Everywhere hurt badly.At that moment, Hannah felt like a fragile doll made of clay that had been forcefully slammed hard against the ground until it broke into small pieces.Her mind went blank from the stinging agony.She braced herself and looked at the cold eyes staring back at her, filled with terror. Stammering, she asked, “Mr. Gray… What is the meaning of this?” “What’s the meaning of this? Ha! Don’t you know what’s good for you? You dumb b*tch… You’re lucky that I set my sights on you!”“How dare you refuse my feelings! Not just that, but you even made up a story to deceive me!”“Even when you saw me, you tried to trick me again!”“Do you think I’m stupid? That I can’t think? Do you honestly think I’d fall for your lies again and again?” Raymond went, his tone steadily rising into a furious roar.He then got on o
Although the sun had long sunk beneath the horizons and darkness had set in, the lively city wasn’t about to be silent anytime soon. Hannah felt deeply unsettled, so much that she didn’t leave right away.Instead, she waited in front of the bar, filled with hesitance and anxiety.Should she really leave?Would Rihanna truly be able to sort things out?The man was Raymond Gray… Neither Rihanna nor the bar could afford to upset him, lest they face terrible repercussions.Hannah remained standing on the same spot, uncertain. She really didn’t know what to do.Finally, she came to a decision. She took out her phone and tapped open a ride-hailing application on her phone.Yet just as she did that, she instantly closed it. Afterwards, she began pacing back and forth in worried circles, going to and fro aimlessly. Right as she was trapped in her worried musings, a group of people exited the bar. Raymond Gray, dressed in black, sporty attire, led all of them in a flamboyant manner.
A handsome waiter quickly walked in and looked at Rihanna. “Ms. Jensen, Mr. Gray out there insists that Hannah should get on stage to sing another song. I told him that Hannah would only sing three songs today…”“He lost his temper and claimed he’d destroy our bar if Hannah refuses to sing another song…” The waiter added. He was visibly trembling by the end of the sentence.Hannah figured Mr. Gray was probably the only son of the new mayor of Atlantis there weren’t many people with Gray as their surname in Atlantis. There were even less people who were arrogant like him. He was the only one.Hannah had heard about how terrible this person could be. He was known to be a womanizer too.Due to his powerful background, he looked down on everyone else. He didn’t respect women at all… Moreover, he had a relatively cruel personality. One could almost describe him as being a pervert.There was once when an owner of a bar offended a female internet celebrity he was dating. He directly hired
Hannah Roland smiled politely at Lina Cohen. “Nice to meet you… Thank you in advance!”“No problem… Do let me know if there’s anything you don’t like about your makeup too,” Lina said.Hannah nodded. “Okay, sure…”“By the way… Do all the signers here get such good treatment? I’m surprised we’re even assigned our own makeup artists,” Hannah asked carefully as she wasn’t aware about things like these..However, Lina smiled without answering Hannah’s question directly. She held Hannah’s hand casually the next second, “Come here. I’ll start doing your makeup now…”Hannah nodded…Lina was a very professional makeup artist. She took an hour to finish Hannah’s makeup.An hour later, Hannah’s appearance transformed completely.Lina permed Hannah’s long, black hair into natural-looking curls.Hannah had intricate peach-colored makeup on her face which made her appear lively and youthful.Once Lina was done with Hannah’s makeup, she happily retrieved a long, white dress from a clothes
Hannah Roland smiled without saying anything.***Hannah arrived at the bar where she worked at seven o’clock the next evening and walked into Rihanna Jensen’s office.Rihanna was going through paperwork in her office. When she saw Hannah, she immediately stood up and smiled at her. “Hannah, you’re here…”“Here’s the contract…” Rihanna said before pushing a thick stack of paper to the center of the table.Hannah quickly stepped forward and skimmed through the document. She then picked up a pen and signed it…Rihanna smiled upon seeing this. “Okay… I’ll transfer the money into your account tonight… I’ve told our big boss about your situation. He’s fine with my decision to pay your salary in advance. In fact, he even told me I did a good job…”“He said you can sing without worrying about a single thing… If you need any help in the future, do let us know…” Rihanna added.Hannah felt glad when she heard this, and became teary-eyed. “Thank you… Please thank our big boss for me too.