Yesterday, I was so caught up in the moment and my happiness that I didn't think much about it. But today, as I looked at the countless roses, I felt a pang of guilt and regret.Flowers were perishable items, not necessities. Their purpose was to add beauty to life and not be wasted. I couldn't help but wonder how much all these roses cost.A single bouquet would have been enough to express his feelings, and I couldn't understand why Colin would spend so much.After all, Colin had promised to be frugal. We were supposed to save up while we were young so that we could find a place to settle down. Yet here he was, splurging his money on flowers. Men could be so impractical sometimes.Not only was I regretful, but I was also a bit anxious.Last night, I posted that provocative message in a moment of heated emotion. There was no way Jasmine missed it.While she couldn't confront me directly, being the cunning and manipulative woman she was, she was definitely planning something behin
It was a meaningful celebration that fostered an atmosphere of liveliness as professionals from diverse fields engaged in animated conversations.I didn't enjoy such environments. After telling Helen, I wandered around the club alone and quickly found a quiet corner to hide in. There, I opened my phone and started studying the materials I had photographed in detail.This particular spot seemed to be the most remote within the club. It was seldom visited by patrons or staff alike. For a good half hour, I sat undisturbed without encountering even a passing waiter.Behind me loomed a sizable tree, its thick branches drooping low to provide ample concealment. Ensconced in this nook, I remained invisible to the rest of the partygoers.Nico proved himself a genius in the industry. Despite the laboratory being established just a month prior, he had already proposed several formulas, awaiting only the gathering of ingredients for testing.One of these formulas utilized a combination of pl
I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart still pounding from the shock. Stumbling upon such a colossal secret by chance… It was a blessing that no one else knew, or I could have ended up silenced for good.It seemed that the elite circles were rife with secrets and shady dealings. Surviving in their world wouldn't be easy. I was glad I came from an ordinary family. With my level of social intelligence, I'd probably be eaten alive if I were to mingle in the aforementioned circle.With both individuals gone, my mind was too unsettled to continue reading. To avoid overhearing any more dangerous secrets, I put away my phone and started wandering around.The club's layout was truly distinctive, resembling a labyrinth of winding corridors. Each turn was a mystery, and the full extent of the path remained hidden until the journey's end.Both events took place on the ground floor. As I looked up at the varied lights above, an inexplicable urge to explore the upper levels stirred within me.
This exclusive club, being a public venue, didn't permit loud shouting. So, I took off running toward the direction where the group had disappeared.However, the club's immense size posed a challenge. By the time I reached the other side, Colin had vanished without a trace. Despite exploring numerous small corridors, I found no indication of his whereabouts.Elegantly dressed patrons continued to come and go, some with smiles, others with blank expressions. But none of them bore any resemblance to the person I was desperately seeking.Colin had disappeared. Could I have possibly misidentified someone else as him?No, that couldn't be.My eyesight had undergone rigorous training, and Colin was etched in my memory. I knew his figure better than my own.It had to be him. There was no room for error.Luxurious private rooms filled the area near the lounge, forming an array of interconnected spaces. Colin couldn't have vanished into thin air; he must have entered one of these rooms.
A strong hand grabbed my wrist, effectively halting my frantic search. I looked up to see Matthew staring at me in surprise. Concern was evident in his eyes. In his eyes, I saw my own panicked reflection. My hair was disheveled, and I looked like a mess."Matthew, I... I..." At that moment, I realized how hard it was to speak coherently when you were distressed."What's wrong? You look awful. Matt, let go of her and give her a moment to calm down," Helen said as she approached from behind, gently patting my shoulder.Matthew released my wrist and stepped back, smiling apologetically.Helen grasped my shoulders and said gently, "Lulu, take a deep breath. Don't panic. Slow down and tell us what happened."I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, struggling to push down my anxiety. It took a good three minutes before I could collect myself."I just saw Colin, but when I tried to catch up to him, he vanished. I have a feeling he's in danger. "Helen, you're familiar with the people
It was clear that Jasmine had a sinister plan in motion—she wanted to be the one to deliver the antidote.Colin was in real danger of being taken advantage of.The conversation I overheard between the man and woman hinted at a nefarious scheme. They wanted to set someone up for a compromising situation.As the pieces fell into place, it became evident that Jasmine had orchestrated it all. By instructing the tall guy to drug Colin, she would ensure that she and Colin could consummate their relationship right under my nose.Jasmine's fixation on Colin had spiraled into madness, pushing her to desperate lengths.My heart plummeted, yet my mind remained razor-sharp. I had to admit that I was too impulsive last night. Her plan was cunning, her intentions poisonous. If she pulled it off, it would rewrite the endings of countless stories.Even if Colin held feelings for me, it seemed our narrative might meet an untimely end.His conscience could weigh heavy, forcing him into retreat. P
Helen said, "Exactly. Mr. White knows what kind of person Jasmine is. He wouldn't be foolish enough to let his guard down around her. Don't worry too much. Let's think of another plan."How could I not worry? What else could we do?I grabbed hold of a passing waiter, hoping he might have some answers. "Excuse me, where's your boss? I need to speak with him urgently.""Sorry, Miss, but our boss is out of the country on a business trip," he replied, offering a respectful nod."Then who's running things on this floor? Or in the surveillance room? Where can I find them?""Sorry, but it's after hours now. Can I help you with something?""I've got someone really important here, but I've lost track of which room he's in. He's in danger, and I need to find him. Can you check the surveillance footage for me? I have the exact time frame. All I need is to know his location. We'll handle the rest.""Sorry, but our clients' privacy is confidential here. We can't give out their whereabouts. O
I shrugged off Helen's grip and bolted toward the path, leaving her and Matthew trailing behind. Their anxious calls to be careful and wait for them echoed in the air.Helen was on her period, making it hard for her to keep up. Matthew, torn between attending to her and fretting over my safety, was drenched in sweat.But I couldn't give a damn about anything else. My sole focus was fixated on that damn closed door. Schemes and caution be damned! I'd never felt so clear-headed in my entire life.As long as Colin was okay, nothing else weighed on my mind. From now on, it was all about the ones I cared for. The rest? They didn't mean anything.Finally reaching Nimbus Hotel, I found Suite 5. Memories of being shut out made me push the door with caution. To my surprise, it budged, inching open.Inside, darkness swallowed the room. Even with my sharp eyes, I couldn't make out anything, let alone tell if Colin was in there. Was this a setup? I nudged the door open a bit more and stepped