Alanna nodded. Chelsey stood by the bed and carefully unwrapped the bandage. When the wound was revealed, Alanna's brow immediately furrowed. "Does it hurt?" Chelsey asked.Alanna endured the pain. She glanced at the wound and quickly looked away. "It's manageable.""What do you mean manageable? Your face has turned pale from the pain." Chelsey changed the dressing while saying, "This wound will leave a scar. Do you still have any scar removal cream?"Alanna nodded. Garrett Jacinto had often beaten her until she was bruised and battered in her early years. Since then, she had frequently used scar removal creams. She kept them stocked at home to this day."What happened to that fan afterward?" Chelsey asked with a frown."The legal process was followed for a lawsuit.""That's it? You're not going to investigate further?"Alanna scoffed, "What else could I have done? The authorities have concluded that Melanie had nothing to do with it." And with Hades protecting Melanie so we
Alanna avoided his gaze. "I had my phone on silent and didn't see it," she explained.Hades scoffed. He approached her and towered over her. "Didn't see it? Really?" he pressed.Alanna looked up to meet his gaze. "What else could it be? Why do you think I didn't answer, Mr. Florentine?"Hades' expression darkened instantly. "Ms. Jacinto, haven't I told you not to throw useless tantrums?""What do you mean by 'useless'?" Alanna couldn't hold back her frustration. "Is it that only Melanie's tears are 'useful' in your eyes? Only Melanie has the right to be upset, and I don't even have the right to throw a tantrum?"Hades narrowed his eyes slightly. He reached forward to pinch her chin with his cold fingers. "Why do you make yourself sound so aggrieved? I've hired a caretaker for you and provided compensation for you. What are you still feeling aggrieved about? Is it because I didn't take you to the hospital?"Alanna laughed as her eyes unexpectedly welled up with tears. She fought
Alanna's lips were tightly pursed. After a moment, she laughed and met Hades' gaze. "It won't happen again. Mr. Florentine, rest assured that I won't get upset over such things anymore."Hades looked at her with a profound gaze. He had intended to tell her he would try to answer her calls in the future, but now... He scoffed at the thought. He had felt unnecessarily hopeful.Hades felt agitated as he tugged at his soaked shirt. "Call Yves. He's nearby. Ask him to bring me a change of clothes."Alanna's lips twitched slightly. She wanted to tell him he didn't need to stay. She was fine now, so she wondered why he needed to linger. But before she could speak, Hades had already entered the bathroom. Hades was particular about his attire. He would never wear a drenched outfit again. Even if he were to leave, he would probably wait for Yves to bring him clothes.When she realized this, Alanna still made the call. Yves was indeed nearby. He quickly delivered the clothes, including a pa
Yves' brows furrowed instantly. "Ms. Jacinto, I'm not joking. I'm telling you the truth. After being by Hades' side for so long, are you really content to just hand him over to Melanie? If I were you, I wouldn't be willing to give up without a fight."Alanna smiled. She felt like there wouldn't be any difference even if she refused. She understood that relationship matters shouldn't be forced. In the past three years, she had tried to make Hades fall for her, to feel even a flicker of affection for her, but she had failed. She hadn't succeeded before, and now, it was even less likely with Melanie's return.Alanna didn't respond. She was unsure of what to say.Yves grew anxious. "Ms. Jacinto, you don't know how worried Hades was when he couldn't reach you. There was traffic on his way here, so he just left his car and ran to see you. Are you saying he doesn't care for you at all? I don't believe it."Alanna knew that if Hades truly had no regard for her, his character wouldn't al
Hades still harbored anger inside. Alanna's indifferent demeanor deeply unsettled him. She made it seem as if his presence was inconsequential. She could chat and laugh with Terrence, yet his company seemed superfluous. He had intended to smoke a cigarette to calm down. He couldn't understand why he was so easily affected by her emotions. Finishing the cigarette only intensified his irritation.He stubbed out the cigarette and headed back to the hospital room, only to find her lying in bed. She curled up into a small bundle on the bed. Alanna wasn't short. She was 5.5 feet, which meant she was quite tall for a woman. It was just that she was too thin. She was already slender, and her waist was so tiny that a hand could encircle it. However, she was well-proportioned where it mattered. Now, she seemed to have lost even more weight after the miscarriage. Especially in the oversized hospital gown, she appeared even more fragile, as if she could shatter upon touch.The anger insi
Alanna nodded. "Yes, I've thought it over and decided to resign." She got up, entered the bathroom, and avoided Hades' gaze. She knew without looking that his expression wouldn't be pleasant. But having sent the message, she had nothing more to say.When she came out after freshening up, Hades had already gotten dressed. "The company's lawyer will discuss the termination with you today." After speaking, he left with a stern face.Alanna's lips twitched, but she ended up saying nothing.When Chelsey came to check on her, she asked, "Did Hades come last night?" Alanna nodded. Chelsey huffed. "At least he has a conscience. But your man is really intimidating. I just met him outside, and with his presence and that look on his face, I'm surprised at myself for daring to speak to him like that."Alanna's lips twitched involuntarily. "He's not 'my man,' so stop making such comments."Chelsey chuckled, "Isn't he though?" After saying this, she gave Alanna a suggestive look. "I'v
Alanna quickly opened the company's website to take a look. Although operations had resumed normally, fans of Melanie were still calling out for their "Mr. Florentine" in the comments section below the site. "Mr. Florentine, when will you marry our sister?" "Mr. Florentine, you two are so sweet." "Mr. Florentine, I'm here to witness your love." "Mr. Florentine, hurry up and announce to confirm your relationship with our sister." "Mr. Florentine..." The uniform calls of "Mr. Florentine" made Alanna feel stifled.The company's website wasn't unattended. Yet, these comments remained prominently displayed on the homepage. Without Hades' consent, this would have been impossible. This was probably what it meant to have a loved one; even their fans were indulged.She took a deep breath and tossed her phone aside. Just as she was about to lie down, someone knocked on the room's door. "Come in." The door opened, and Alanna paused in her movements. It was the company's chief
"Mr. Florentine, I'd like to discuss the termination agreement with you," Alanna started. A cold laugh came from Hades' end. "Ms. Jacinto, haven't you seen the agreement?" Alanna's lips were tight. "I have.""Then, is there something you don't understand?" Hades inquired. Alanna took a deep breath. "I just want to resign normally. If you think it necessary, I can wait until you find a suitable replacement before proceeding with the resignation."Hades' voice was cold. He showed his displeasure even through the phone. "Ms. Jacinto, my company isn't a charity. You signed the labor contract, so you should abide by it."Alanna clenched her fists. "Mr. Florentine, you agreed to my resignation at the club then." Hades instantly recalled the incident at the club when Alanna accepted Terrence's offer. His face darkened immediately. The entire boardroom fell into a tense silence. Every executive present dared not even breathe too loudly.Hades slammed his pen onto the table which st