The question was somewhat unexpected. After all, they had only met for the third time today. Thus, Alanna was momentarily taken aback. Nonetheless, she politely inquired, "May I ask what aspects of my mother you're interested in, Mr. Simmons?"Jeff responded, "Your mother's age, her profession, and, if it's not too much trouble, her maiden name?"Mentioning her mother brought a hint of sourness to Alanna's heart. Her mother had always been an exceptional woman—beautiful, gentle, and talented in dance and art. Unfortunately, life had not been kind to her. A series of unfortunate events had led her to her current state. She never got the chance to showcase her talents, especially because of one man.Alanna swallowed the lump in her throat and composed herself before responding. "My mother's surname is Thortorn. She's been out of work due to a car accident three years ago." She refrained from elaborating further. As for her mother's age, Alanna was unsure about that. Her mother had
Jeff left Alanna his phone number nonetheless. "We should keep in touch. Don't mind him," he suggested. Alanna promptly saved Jeff's number. Jeff cast a glance at Hades with a smile. Hades' gaze was profound, but he ultimately chose to remain silent.After Jeff departed, Hades showed no sign of wanting to leave. He didn't drink coffee, so only a glass of water sat before him. He toyed with the glass with his slender fingers as if it were a piece of art. "Mr. Florentine, aren't we leaving?" Alanna asked. Hades raised his eyebrows slightly. "We have to leave because Jeff left?"His remark carried an edge, which hinted at his displeasure. Alanna presumed it was due to her saving Jeff's number. Yet, she knew she had her own social life to maintain. "If you prefer to stay, we can linger a while longer," she said without adding anything further.Hades observed her and asked, "Do you fancy someone like Jeff?" Alanna pressed her lips together and diverted her gaze to the window.
Alanna paused as she was surprised by Hades' sudden question. She took a moment before asking, "Why do you ask all of a sudden?" Hades' eyes narrowed slightly. "Can't I ask?" he retorted. "It's not that. I just prefer not to bring it up," she explained.Hades' gaze grew even colder. "It seems you have been deeply hurt," he observed. His grip on her waist tightened almost painfully. "You still can't forget him, can you?" "It just feels uncomfortable to remember, that's all," Alanna admitted.Hades' expression turned colder. "It seems you're quite devoted." Alanna chose not to respond to that comment. Hades continued after a pause, "What kind of person is he to linger in your thoughts like this?" "A good person. He was kind to me," she said softly.Hades scoffed. "He's kind to you, but why is he not with you anymore? Are you sure he's not just a player who toyed with your feelings?" Alanna looked down. "He forgot about me." Hades raised an eyebrow. "Forgot? How? Was he
Only then did Renee nod. "The New Year commercial should've already been aired by now, but Melanie's the only one who hasn't finished shooting her part. Her progress is way behind schedule."She even went to Brunstein City two days ago. When she returned, all I did was remind her that she should speed things up, and she hit me."Guilt crept into Alanna's heart. She knew it was most likely her fault that Renee had to go through that.Alanna and Melanie had a dispute when they were in Brunstein City. Melanie couldn't do anything to her when Hades was there, so she took it out on Renee upon returning instead.Alanna couldn't help but say, "I'm sorry,"Renee pursed her lips. "Why are you apologizing?"Alanna didn't elaborate on the matter. She merely asked, "Where's Melanie? Is she still in the office?"Renee gave her a quick nod. "She went to the topmost floor."Alanna nodded. "Get some ice from the break room and apply it on your injury. I'm going up."When Alanna arrived at the
Henry witnessed the whole thing. He approached Alanna in shock. "Ms. Jacinto, why didn't you just put up with her?"He meant to say that Alanna should've just compromised whenever possible since it wasn't every day that Melanie showed up there.Some time ago, Melanie had been in a bad mood and proceeded to find faults with the secretarial department whenever she came. The entire department had to tolerate her antics.However, Alanna decided to do the opposite today. After what she did, she'd probably have to face Melanie's wrath.Alanna smiled bitterly. "Even if I didn't do that, do you think I wouldn't get in trouble? I'm still going to get told off, anyway. Might as well do it, then. At least I get to entertain myself.""But…"Alanna chuckled. "It's fine."Truth be told, she didn't give a damn anymore. Hades could get mad at her for all she cared. It wasn't the first time it happened, anyway.…Melanie went downstairs. Without even knocking, she shoved the meeting room door
Upon seeing the tears streaming down Melanie's face, Hades eventually nodded. Melanie suppressed her anguish. Then, she took the clothes Henry handed her and left to change.Then, Hades asked Henry, "Where's Alanna?""She went to the studio," Henry replied.Hades snorted. "Acting as though none of this has anything to do with her, huh?"Henry paused before explaining, "Mr. Florentine, actually, Ms. Smith splashed coffee on herself before Ms. Jacinto did."The emotions in Hades' eyes were unreadable. Henry couldn't help but clench his fists on either side of him.After a long pause, Hades asked, "So?"Henry bit the bullet and answered, "Ms. Jacinto isn't at fault."Hades smirked. "Did she do it?"Henry pressed his lips together before saying, "She did."Hades scoffed again. "Then why did you say she wasn't at fault?"Henry stiffened. In the end, he heard Hades say, "You're dismissed."…Alanna was waiting for Hades' call, but to her surprise, she heard about Henry's dismiss
Alanna's response didn't make Hades feel any better. Still, he didn't say anything about it.While gently pinching her face, he bent over slightly to kiss her on the lips. "Don't start a fight with her the next time something like this happens. Just come to me."Alanna wanted to ask if he would side with her if she did so, but in the end, she decided against it. One shouldn't get their hopes up when the outcome was clearly impossible."Alright," she replied nonchalantly.Hades stroked her hair. "You should get back to work, but don't exhaust yourself."He paused before continuing, "I won't be back for dinner tonight."Alanna didn't ask further. It was evident that he was going to console his crush. Perhaps she was so used to it that she felt nothing.Calmly, she nodded and left the office. She had a short exchange with Henry and went back to work.After work, Alanna headed straight for the hospital Tara was at. She hadn't visited Tara for some time now.As usual, Tara lay moti
Alanna thought an apology was all she'd get from Bernice. It surprised her to find out that Bernice had been placed in custody.Alanna smirked. "So what? I warned you, didn't I? You'll still have to go to jail for slandering!""But I wasn't behind all those rumors on the internet!"Alanna lowered her gaze with a sneer. Indeed, Bernice wasn't the mastermind, but Alanna had suffered because of her all the same.She replied, "You should confront Melanie about this. After all, you were taking the blame for her!" A flicker of hatred crossed Bernice's pale face when she heard Melanie's name. "Let's have a chat, Alanna."Alanna shook her off. "Sorry, I'm not interested in whatever you're proposing."Then, she walked around Bernice and headed for the roadside.However, Bernice called out, "Alanna, I know how you miscarried!"Alanna halted abruptly. She felt as though someone was squeezing her heart. She turned around and asked, "What did you say?"A savage grin flashed across Bernic