"Alanna Jacinto!" Hades tightened his grip on Alanna's chin. Alanna fell silent. Hades had seldom lost his temper. Most of the time, he would appear calm and composed. He would keep all of his emotions deep inside and not let anyone notice his true feelings. However, Alanna could see how his eyes blazed with anger at the moment, terrifying her. "I was just joking." Alanna looked him in the eye. "Do you think I'm worth that price, Mr. Florentine?" Hades' eyes narrowed. "For that price, you'll need to perform and live up to my expectations." Then, he got up from the couch. "Go home as soon as you get off work." Alanna forced a smile. "Alright." After work, Alanna went back home. Her home was an apartment she received from Hades as a gift when they had just started their relationship. She was filled with happy and hopeful thoughts when she decorated every part of the apartment back then. She had always called this place home—a home that belonged to the two of t
"What's wrong?" Hades asked in a low voice. His gaze fell on Alanna's lower abdomen. Hades had always been a keen-eyed and wary man. Alanna could tell that he was growing suspicious of her. She lowered her head. "I feel a bit sick in the stomach since I haven't eaten for a day." Hades remained expressionless. He grabbed Alanna by the back of her neck and made her look up at him. "Is it really just a stomach problem?" Alanna looked him straight in the eye. "Yes. Garrett has been giving me a headache all day. It made me lose my appetite." She continued, "I already felt rather unwell in the stomach earlier. I must have vomited because I ate the porridge too quickly just now." Hades stared at her for a while. Although he didn't seem convinced, Hades nodded. "You should go for a checkup tomorrow." Alanna balled her fists. "Alright." She pressed her lips together for a few seconds. Then, Alanna couldn't hold back from asking, "Do you suspect that I'm pregnant, Mr. Florentin
"Chelsey, I need your help." "What is it?" "The father suspects that I'm pregnant. He'll have his secretary bring me for a checkup tomorrow. Can you help prepare a fake report for me?" Chelsey fell silent. "Chelsey?" Alanna slightly frowned as she called out her name. "Is Hades Florentine the father?" Chelsey asked. Alanna was momentarily stunned. She didn't expect Chelsey to have guessed the father's identity so quickly. Still, Alanna felt that there was no need for her to hide this from Chelsey. She admitted frankly, "That's right. Hades is the father." "Fuck! Was it really him? Did he use his position to force you into a relationship with him? That bastard looks like a decent man, yet he's done something so despicable! He even used his authority!" Alanna was at a loss for words as she listened to Chelsey cursing incessantly. After a brief pause, she gave a low chuckle. "He didn't use his position to force me into this." Chelsey stopped shouting at once. "Did yo
The next morning, the chief secretary arrived outside Alanna's apartment and knocked on the door. She stood by the door and smiled softly. "Ms. Jacinto, Mr. Florentine asked me to bring you to the hospital for a checkup." "Alright." At the hospital, Alanna felt slightly relieved when she saw it was Chelsey who was in charge of drawing her blood samples. After they settled things up at the hospital, the chief secretary took Alanna to a restaurant to eat. "Mr. Florentine said that you could have the day off." "Okay." Alanna didn't refuse the offer since she had a few things to take care of. After she parted ways with the chief secretary, Alanna headed for the place she and Shane had agreed to meet up at. "What would you like to drink?" Shane asked as Alanna sat down at their table. "Just plain water." Shane ordered a glass of water for her."You told me you needed my help with something. What is it?" Alanna beamed a smile at him. "I didn't get to ask about the deta
She was probably someone Hades had taken a fancy to. After all, Hades never got close to those he had no interest in. Yet, Alanna was seeing Rita with Hades for the third time now. Alanna stood rooted to the spot by the entrance. Shane raised a brow. "What's wrong?" Alanna snapped to her senses. "Why don't we eat somewhere else?" Before Shane could say anything, he heard someone calling Alanna's name. "Ms. Jacinto, are you here for lunch too?" Rita called out haughtily. Alanna's lips grew pale. She turned around and met Hades' eyes. The man was looking at her with a piercing gaze. Yet, Alanna couldn't read any emotions from his eyes. Alanna greeted him in a small voice, "Hello, Mr. Florentine." Hades gave a slight nod. Then, he turned his eyes to Shane. Coincidentally, Shane was observing Hades. Hades Florentine was regarded as the golden boy in their city. Various impressive stories about Hades circulated in the elite circles of Jagersville. According t
Alanna closed her mouth upon hearing those words. She turned to look at Shane and smiled apologetically. Shane was not bothered by the arrangement. He was more than willing to have a meal with Hades. After the two sat down, Rita nudged Alanna with her elbow. "So, tell us the truth. You two were on a date, right?" Alanna subconsciously looked at Hades. Seeing Hades showed no reaction, Alanna said, "I'm afraid that's none of your business, Ms. Bettany." Rita didn't seem offended by her words in the slightest. She glanced at Hades and puckered her lips. "What's this, Hades? Do you normally forbid your employees from having romantic relationships? Look at how beautiful of a couple Ms. Jacinto and Mr. Lawson make!" Then, Rita turned to Alanna and winked at her. "Ms. Jacinto, you don't have to feel so scared of Hades. What's wrong with having a boyfriend and going on dates? Hades may be your boss, but he can't possibly interfere with your personal life." Alanna curled h
Alanna didn't get a cab. She just continued to walk aimlessly by the road. Then, a familiar car stopped before her. The window of the car was rolled down, and Hades' face appeared before her. "Get in."Alanna paused for a moment before opening the door and getting in. "When will the results be out?""Today at 3:00 pm."Hades nodded in response and stopped talking altogether. Alanna explained, "About my father, I asked him about it."Hades turned to look at her. "So you want to have a meal together?""I just don't want to be indebted to you.""The easiest way to repay debts is with money.""I don't have any money."Alanna raised her head to look at Hades. He should know how broke she was. Hades held on to the steering wheel with one hand and smiled mockingly. "The one million dollars you got yesterday has already been used up? Did you find yourself a boy toy and squander all that money on him?""I didn't!" Alanna replied at once. Hades snorted. Alanna fell silen
Alanna frowned. "Did he say who it is?"Renee shook her head. "What do we do now?"After a moment of silence, Alanna said, "I'll go talk with Mr. Florentine."Upon arriving at Hades' office, Alanna instantly heard his voice. It seemed like he was on the phone. It was the first time she heard him speak so gently. It made her feel a pang in her heart. She took a deep breath and adjusted her breathing. Then, she knocked on the door."Come in." Hades' voice came from inside the office. Alanna pushed the door open and walked in. "Okay, I have work to do. We'll talk later."Hades hung up and looked at Alanna. "What business do you have with me?""I'm here to talk about the endorsement of the new product. Our proposal was approved. Why did you suddenly decide to change the brand ambassador?" Hades loosened his tie. "No need for so many questions, Ms. Jacinto. You just have to follow orders."Alanna's expression fell. She spent over six months working on that proposal. Yet, this