Hades looked at her. "Ms. Jacinto, didn't you try to steal me?"Alanna met his gaze. "Aren't you single?"Hades' brow furrowed slightly.Then Alanna continued, "If you're single, how can there be talk of stealing Ms. Smith's man?"Hades snorted. "Ms. Jacinto, you better always be this confident."Alanna pursed her lips, and she didn't reply. Only she knew she didn't feel confident at all. Hades might claim to be single to others, but his heart was with Melanie.Hades took her around the stables and picked a horse that looked spirited. "Sure you don't want to ride?" he asked her.Alanna shook her head. She had actually learned horse riding.Horse riding, fencing, golf—Hades had taught her all of them. But she didn't feel like riding today."I'll take you with me."Alanna frowned and was about to refuse, but Hades lifted her onto the horse before she could speak.Hades mounted behind her, spurred the horse, and they bolted off."Hades!" Alanna cried out.They were going too
When Hades saw her coming out, he walked over to her."Tired?""I'm okay."Hades nodded. "Then, come have dinner with me later."Alanna stiffened suddenly. "Mr. Florentine, I can go back with Mr. Simmons."Hades' eyes narrowed sharply. "Alanna, why not take my car?"Alanna felt bitter and melancholy. "Aren't you going to see Ms. Smith?"Hades looked at her. "It's just dinner. After eating, we'll go back together."Alanna laughed. "But I don't like being around Ms. Smith. You must have noticed that she doesn't like me."Hades scoffed coldly. "Then you should know that I don't like you riding in other men's cars."Alanna looked down at the floor. "You can drop me off downtown. I can take a taxi back."Hades didn't say anything else. It was unclear whether he agreed or not.Jeff came over to say goodbye and casually asked, "When are you planning to return to Jagersville?"Actually, their business trip was already concluded. But Hades glanced at Alanna. "We'll stay two more da
What Terrence meant was clear to all three of them.Hades' face was covered in a layer of frost.In the past, he didn't care much about such insulting words from Terrence.Human nature was flawed. When someone couldn't get what they wanted and felt envious, they tended to adopt a sour grapes attitude.But now, seeing Alanna enduring the humiliation made him feel annoyed."If you're so bored, I can find some more work for you, Mr. Abbott!"Terrence's face almost cracked. It took him a while before he snorted. "Hades, is it worth it to fall out with me over a woman like her?""Whether it's worth it or not is my business. If you still want to try it, I'm ready."Terrence snorted again but said no more. He didn't want to experience being tormented by Hades again. A simple word from him could make Terrence suffer a lot.Hades was notoriously ruthless and unfathomable, even within their circle.But Terrence still couldn't fathom the idea of Hades falling for Alanna. How could a man
Hades caressed her wrist gently. "Feeling unwell?""Would you let me leave early if I were?"She was indeed feeling unwell, but it was more about her feelings than her health.Hades' eyes narrowed slightly. "If you're not feeling well, I can have someone bring you medicine. Let's eat first. Then you can go."Alanna laughed. She freed her hand and walked out.She couldn't figure out why Hades was insisting that she stay for the meal. Was it just to see her uncomfortable? Or to show her how affectionate he and Melanie were?Once outside, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.Back in the private room, Hades turned to Melanie. "Do you find it fun to always pick on her?"Melanie immediately became defensive. "What do you mean by that? I was just trying to have a conversation, but she's the one who's acting cold."Hades raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you just ignore her then?""Then why did you bring her here? Hades, why are you doing this to me? You said you liked me!"Hades loo
When Melanie posted that photo, the internet was already in chaos. But the picture was actually taken well before. It was snapped right at the beginning of the event. She simply chose the right moment to release it. She intended to provoke Alanna into confronting Hades. Given his temperament, she wondered how Hades could tolerate a woman causing trouble repeatedly. She knew he would grow tired after a few incidents."So, Hades doesn't care about you at all, Alanna. Don't you find that pitiful?"Alanna clenched her fists tightly as she felt a suffocating pain in her heart. She didn't fully believe Melanie's words. But she knew better. Regardless of when the photo was taken, Melanie couldn't have posted such a Tweet without Hades' tacit approval under those circumstances.Moreover, if he cared, she felt he could have made her delete the Tweet even if it had been posted. But he didn't. The Tweet was still online, and that signified that no one else could intervene even if they hadn't
Fortunately, the dinner was coming to an end. As they were getting up to leave, Melanie expressed her desire to go out for some fun. Hades didn't say anything but looked at Alanna. "I can't go. You guys have fun," she said. "What about you, Hades?" Terrence asked him. "I'm a bit tired. Let's plan another time," Hades replied while looking genuinely fatigued.Melanie pouted but didn't insist further. As they were leaving, they ran straight into Hudson. Hudson seemed to be the youngest among them. He wasn't dressed in a suit today but casually, with a youthful and sunny disposition. His eyes lit up upon seeing Alanna. "Ms. Jacinto" he greeted, then turned to Hades. "Mr. Florentine, what a coincidence to meet again."Alanna nodded at him but didn't say much. Hades' gaze was intense, and he didn't respond at all. Hudson didn't mind and continued looking at Alanna. "Ms. Jacinto, you seem a bit unhappy. Is something wrong?"Alanna smiled lightly. "I'm just a bit tired, Hudson. Sor
Alanna only realized what Hades was about to do when his kiss landed. "Hades!" she exclaimed. They were at the restaurant's parking lot entrance, where people were constantly coming and going. However, Hades seemed not to care at all. He left her no chance to resist.His kiss was fierce. It was almost as if he was fueled by anger. Alanna knew she had probably upset him tonight. But she really didn't want to engage in such public displays. She struggled reluctantly."Try struggling again, Ms. Jacinto!" Hades' voice was tinged with anger. Alanna stiffened. "Not here," she pleaded softly.Hades hadn't intended to go too far. Once he confirmed that Hudson had seen them and left, he immediately carried Alanna into the car. Only inside the car did Alanna breathe a sigh of relief.Hades loosened his tie and started the car. Back at the hotel, he pressed her against the door in a burst of passion. The kiss landed once more, which left Alanna feeling almost suffocated. But she didn'
"I'm going to take a shower!" Alanna retorted as she shook off his grasp and headed into the bathroom.Tears started to fall once she was inside. She had rarely thought of the child lately. Holding onto certain memories only brought pain. She had been trying to let go of it. Yet, tonight, he had reopened that wound. The pain was unbearable for her.The hot water streamed down. Alanna crouched and hugged herself under the spray. That seemed the only way to lessen the heartache. Tears continued to fall from her eyes. Yet, she remained quiet. Her suffering was silent, much like her love for Hades. It started intense and fervent. She felt she could do anything for him. But over days and years, her love seemed to be quietly depleting.It took a while for Alanna to calm down. She wrapped herself in a towel and left the bathroom. Hades stood by the window, smoking. He saw her exit. Then, he entered the bathroom without a word. He soon returned with a hair dryer."Come here," he said.