LOGINNaomi's ending today could be summed up in a single sentence.She had done too many wrong things, so she ended up with a tragic ending.However, even so, Ellena could not agree with Spencer's methods.No matter how Naomi had treated her in the past, Ellena's education and worldview made it impossible for her to accept what Spencer had done. She could not accept the idea of trading one life for another, nor could she accept the notion that someone had the right to decide who deserved to live or die.Life was not something that could be measured, compared, or exchanged.No one had the authority to stand above others and determine their fate.Even if that person was Spencer.Even if the person who had suffered was herself.She looked at Spencer steadily and sneered lightly."Do you want me to say thank you," Ellena asked coldly, "so that you can feel more at ease?"Her eyes were sharp and clear.There was not
Spencer glanced briefly at Paul, then followed after Ellena without hesitation.Paul's gaze remained fixed on Spencer's retreating figure. His instincts told him that allowing Ellena to be alone with Spencer was not a good idea. Ever since learning about Spencer's true nature, Paul had never lowered his guard around him.However, he also understood Ellena's personality.Once she had made a decision, no one could easily change her mind.In the end, Paul remained where he was, although his eyes never left the two figures moving farther away through the funeral hall.Ellena walked toward a quiet corner of the funeral hall where very few people passed by. The farther she walked, the quieter the surroundings became. The low voices of the guests gradually faded into the background until only the faint murmur of conversations remained.The sound of rain outside became clearer here, pattering steadily against the ground. Raindrops struck the large g
“Ellena.”The first person to notice Ellena was Madeline.The moment Madeline saw her, she immediately walked forward to greet her, her steps quick and somewhat anxious. The sound of her heels echoed softly against the polished floor of the funeral hall, disrupting the otherwise solemn atmosphere.Her face looked a little haggard, with faint shadows beneath her eyes, as if she had not rested well for several days. Her carefully applied makeup failed to conceal the exhaustion etched into her features. Even her usually elegant posture seemed slightly bent, as though an invisible burden had been weighing on her shoulders for a long time.However, Ellena did not feel that Madeline's haggard appearance was due to Jayden's death.Instead, she could tell at a glance that Madeline's exhaustion came from worry over Naomi's health. Naomi had always been Madeline's priority. Compared to that, Jayden's life or death no longer seemed to hold the sam
Ellena drove the car smoothly into the underground garage.The headlights cut through the dimness, sweeping across the cold concrete walls before finally settling on her designated parking space. The quiet hum of the engine echoed faintly in the empty garage as she maneuvered the car neatly into place.After turning off the engine, silence immediately enveloped the vehicle.Ellena did not move right away.She sat quietly in the driver's seat, both hands still resting lightly on the steering wheel. Through the windshield, she stared blankly at the gray wall in front of her. The underground garage was exceptionally quiet at this hour. The only sounds were the distant hum of ventilation equipment and the occasional faint noise of another vehicle somewhere far away.For a few seconds, she simply remained seated.Then, as though finally returning to reality, she unfastened her seat belt, pushed open the car door, and stepped out.The sharp click of her heels echoed softly against the concr
Vincent looked straight at Edward, a trace of shock clearly flashing through his eyes.For a brief moment, he seemed uncertain, as if he was not fully convinced that the person standing in front of him was really Edward. His gaze lingered, sharp and probing, as though he was trying to confirm whether this was reality or simply an illusion caused by the dim lighting in the underground parking lot.The surprise in his eyes disappeared quickly, but not before Ellena noticed it.The underground parking lot was quiet and nearly empty. The pale overhead lights cast long shadows across the concrete floor, making the atmosphere feel strangely cold. In the silence, even the smallest movements seemed amplified.At that moment, Edward leaned slightly toward Ellena and whispered softly in her ear, “He is looking at you. Go and ask him what he wants.”His voice was calm and low, carrying a hint of amusement that instantly irritated her.Ellena’s brows knitted together at once. She turned her head
Vincent leaned against a tree at the entrance of the residential area, a lighter held loosely between his fingers. His posture looked casual, but his eyes were fixed in one direction, as if he was waiting for someone.The evening breeze stirred the leaves above him. The warm glow of the streetlights stretched across the pavement, casting long shadows around his feet.From a distance, he appeared relaxed.However, anyone paying close attention would quickly notice that he was not as calm as he looked.He pressed the lighter unconsciously. A small flame appeared.Then he flicked it off.A second later, he pressed it again.The action repeated, absent minded and mechanical, revealing the impatience hidden beneath his calm exterior. It was obvious that his thoughts were elsewhere.Every few moments, his gaze would drift toward the road leading into the residential area.As if he was expecting someone to appear at any moment.
As Elaine spoke, tears were already welling up in her eyes. Her lips trembled ever so slightly, but she bit them together tightly, forcing herself to remain quiet. Her small hands clutched the hem of her dress as though clinging to some fragile strength. She was determined not to let her tears fa
Ellena’s chest tightened the moment those words left Elaine’s mouth. She had prepared herself to be stern, to discipline her daughter for recklessly following Edward, but the child’s trembling voice carried such raw pain that it cut straight through her resolve.For a mom
The two of them stared at each other in silence, eyes locked in a battle of wills. For several seconds neither spoke, as if the room itself had frozen in the weight of their confrontation. The dim light threw shadows across Edward’s features, accentuating the sharp lines of his face. His si
Ellena knew that it was useless to blame the security guards. Fear and urgency pressed on her chest like a weight, but she forced herself to remain clear-headed. The more time they wasted pointing fingers, the further Elaine might be taken away. What mattered now was immediate action.She







