"Thanks." Abelin took over the tissues and slowly lifted his head. He then started to wipe his face while looking at his reflection in the mirror.Bryce eyed his reflection in the mirror and lowered his head to wash his hands. Suddenly, he realized something and looked up at Abelin's reflection.His gaze was fixed on Abelin's eyes, hardening as he continued to stare at them.They were about the same height, and their eyes were almost on the same level in the mirror. It wasn't until tonight that Bryce realized his eyes were almost identical to Abelin's.They both had large, dark eyes with deep double eyelids, and their eyelashes were long and thick. Their angular eyebrows were similar to each other's—even the shape of their eyes and plump lower eyelids were identical.Apart from their eyes and brows, everything else looked completely different.Holly's voice immediately rang in Bryce's brain, "I saw your eyes the first time we met, and my heart ached for you. I really wanted to ca
Bryce forcefully slammed the car door shut, rattling it for a good while. It would've fallen off if it wasn't for its sturdy build.Abelin's face fell slightly, and Holly hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gabelman. He's had too much to drink."He replied, "It's fine."Holly noticed Abelin was slightly drunk as well. Slightly worried, she asked, "How are you getting back later?"Abelin replied, "Heidi is here. Don't worry."Holly said, "Alright. We'll head back for now.""Go back safely," Abelin said.His gaze, tinged with a hint of drunkenness, was unexpectedly gentle. He was too intoxicated to rein in his emotions, and his stare was more affectionate than ever.Holly didn't give it much thought, thinking he only looked that way after drinking. She then turned around and walked over to the other side of the car.Upon looking at her retreating back, Abelin suddenly shouted out, "Wait!"Surprised, Holly turned around and looked at him. "Is there anything else you need, Mr.
Hunter was already asleep by the time they returned to the Fox residence.With the help of the bodyguards, Holly brought Bryce back to the bedroom and placed him on the bed.She helped him out of his shoes and clothes once the bodyguards left. She then went to get a pile of warm water to wet the towel before wiping his face and neck.When she reached his arm, Bryce suddenly held onto her hand and slowly said, "Even though… you looked… similar to Samantha… but—"Bryce's voice trailed away in the end. His eyes were shut, but his lips were still mumbling something unintelligible.Holly had to scoot closer to his lips to hear what he was saying. "But… I've never… taken you as her substitute. You and her… are both different people."His lips turned slack after finishing his words with difficulty, and his breathing slowly evened out. He had fallen asleep.Holly was puzzled. Why would Bryce suddenly talk about the past?However, she was rather happy upon hearing his words.She had
Nine intricately carved dragons encircled a round, deep-red garnet at the center of the gold-rimmed signet ring.In the past, such symbols were associated with supreme authority. Regardless of who the owner was, this signet ring hinted at ambitions for sovereignty.Holly asked Abelin, "Where did the client find it?"Abelin replied, "It's from Silverbrooks River. There's a saying that goes, vast fortune awaits those who can decipher the riddle."Holly nodded and said, "I've heard about it, too. It's the lost loot belonging to the rebel leader named Xander Crowe. Rumor has it that a vast treasure lies beneath the river. Many have been searching for it for over a decade.""Yes."Holly lifted the ring and asked, "Why do you say there's a treasure map inside?"Abelin smiled and said, "You're the one who uncovered the treasure map in the Fox residence."Holly's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "Does that mean you're unsure of its existence as well and are just here to try your luck?"Ab
Bryce answered the call promptly this time.Holly whispered, "Did you ask someone to transfer the money to me?"Bryce said, "Yes. It's originally your money anyway. You've worked hard to earn it." His voice sounded a little cold, yet she couldn't make out any emotions from it.Holly asked, "Why did you leave without informing me? Why didn't you pick up my calls? You didn't even respond to my text messages."Bryce said, "I needed to calm down."Holly's heart throbbed painfully. "Are you trying to break up with me? Just tell me outright if that's the case. You don't have to give me the cold shoulder like this."Bryce said, "Don't overthink it. I only needed to calm down for a moment."Holly paused before asking, "Are you keeping something from me? You should just talk to me about it directly. It's upsetting when you don't say anything. I'd rather argue with you than stay this way."Bryce remained silent for a moment. "I'm just feeling troubled now. I'll feel better after a whil
Bryce's expression darkened slightly as he lifted the vodka bottle to pour more drinks.Yax snatched the bottle away. "It seems like I'm right. Tell me. Why did you guys fight now? You were so willing to risk your injuries days ago just to travel far to find her. Why are you drowning your sorrows in alcohol now?"Bryce looked down and mumbled, "She wants to break up with me."Yax burst out laughing. "Are you joking? Is Holly that strong-willed? She looked like an easygoing person. I've always thought you were the dominant one in the relationship."Bryce pursed his lips. His emotions were buried deep within his gaze.Not only was she strong-willed, but she had even considered his eyes as substitutes.Such a prideful person like him was rendered to just a small, insignificant substitute. How could he bear such humiliation?Yax picked up a jug and poured Bryce some water, pushing it over to him. "Have some water for now. I'm heading out for a call."Fearing that Bryce would start
Yax followed behind Bryce, a bag in his hand. Upon seeing Samantha, he greeted her with a flirtatious "Yo" and said nothing else.They entered the elevator, and Samantha quickly slipped inside as well. She was peering eagerly at his figure from behind, shrinking and cowering like a pitiful person.Bryce stood tall and straight. He looked down and stared at the elevator buttons expressionlessly.Yax found Samantha's timid demeanor funny. "Why are you sneaking around like a snake, Ms. Cott? Are you thinking of stepping in now that Bryce and Holly have broken up?"Upon hearing that, Samantha blinked and asked eagerly, "Did they really break up, Yax?"Before Yax could even answer her, Bryce said without turning back, "Our relationship status has nothing to do with you. Stop being delusional."Samantha frowned. "We were childhood friends for over ten years, Bryce. Why would you rather consider an outsider like Penelope than me? I'm not any worse than Holly. I don't mind if you take me
Holly ended the call and blocked Samantha's number. Samantha's call no longer got through when she tried again.She was so upset that she had nowhere to vent her anger. She then got into the car and borrowed her driver's phone to call Holly again."Why are you acting all smug, Holly? You ended up getting dumped by Bryce anyway. He was even asking for hostesses to keep him company at Tentalion earlier. In his eyes, you're no different from those hostesses who would willingly sell themselves for money!"Holly's grip on her phone tightened. She icily replied, "Someday, that big mouth of yours will cause you trouble."After that, she blocked that number as well.How could Bryce call up hostesses when he was such a germaphobe? Samantha couldn't even lie properly.…It was still daytime in Calria due to time differences.Holly returned to her room after lunch to continue her work until nighttime.After washing up, she sat on her bed and picked up the signet ring. She then starte