Alanna tightly pursed her lips. "Hades, Travis is just an ordinary friend to me! If there was truly more between us, do you think you'd still have any part in this?"Hades' eyes narrowed sharply. Then, he chuckled coldly. "So, should I thank him then?"Alanna said no more. She didn't want to argue with Hades over such matters anymore. Travis was part of her social life. These are the connections she would keep now and in the future. She wouldn't cut off her friends for this man as she had done before.Hades looked displeased. But he didn't say anything more. The two of them returned home in silence.Upon entering the house, Alanna went straight to the cloakroom to pack her things. She didn't have many belongings. Most of her clothes were provided by Hades. The clothes she originally had were pitifully few.Hades stood at the entrance of the cloakroom and watched her pack. "Have you found a place?""Yes, I have found one," she replied. Hades' expression turned sour instantly. "A
Hades' words were undeniably insulting. Even though Alanna thought she was impervious to hurt, those words from Hades still stung her. She suppressed the pain in her heart and walked out with her head held high.However, Hades reached the door before her and grabbed the handle. "I'll take you."Alanna sidestepped him. "No need. I can take a cab."Hades scoffed. "Ms. Jacinto, I think you should have some awareness as a lover. Won't you even let me know where you plan to live?"Alanna's eyes were downcast. She never looked back at him. It still hurt even though they had agreed to no longer love each other."Mr. Florentine, I'll be here if you need me. There's no need for you to know where I live." Despite her words, Hades picked up her suitcase. The standoff between them continued until Hades' phone suddenly rang. The familiar ringtone made the already awkward atmosphere even more so."Mr. Florentine, you might as well take Melanie's call. After all, she's your darling!"Alanna
After sending the message, Alanna went to bed. When she woke up the next day, she realized there was nothing on her phone. Hades hadn't replied. Alanna let out a slight sigh of relief. Yet, she still felt a tinge of melancholy. She knew she needed time to adjust to her new environment. But one day, she knew she would be fully adapted.Upon arriving at the office, Alanna heard her colleagues whispering. "Mr. Florentine has a girlfriend." "I heard it's not Melanie." "Did you see the scratches on Mr. Florentine's neck and behind his ears? Wow, that looks thrilling." "Ah, I'm suddenly so envious of that woman. Having Mr. Florentine as a boyfriend must be amazing."Alanna only listened for a bit before tuning them out. However, Renee kept whispering endlessly to her. "Ms. Jacinto, have you heard? Mr. Florentine has a girlfriend. Apparently, it's not Melanie."Alanna laughed. "Renee, don't believe or spread rumors. If Mr. Florentine had a girlfriend, it could only be Melanie."Re
Alanna looked at Melvin with her lips slightly pursed. She remembered what Yves once told her. Hades had disciplined Melvin because he meddled in business he shouldn't have. So, instinctively, she avoided Melvin. "Sorry, I have other things to attend to." With that, she bypassed Melvin and headed straight for the private room. Melvin didn't stop her but watched her enter the room before withdrawing his gaze. A sinister smirk briefly crossed his otherwise fierce face as he looked away."Go and find the best-looking public relations person we have here for the lady who just walked in. Make sure she is well taken care of tonight."The person beside him hesitated. "Boss, who is she?"Melvin scoffed coldly. "Hades' girlfriend. I want to see how he reacts when his woman cheats on him."His eyes flashed with malice. He also wanted to test if Hades was truly invulnerable.Alanna was greeted by a cacophony of noise as soon as she entered the private room. The usually carefree Renee had
"Ms. Jacinto, did I do something wrong? Don't be so cold to me. Just tell me what it is, and I'll change, okay?" James said.Alanna's head began to throb with pain.Renee gave her a flirtatious wink from the side. "Why don't you just let him stay? You're alone anyway."Alanna's brows furrowed instantly, and she stood up to leave. James followed her out. "Don't go. You'll upset me."But Alanna didn't stop. She pushed through the private room door, only to lock eyes with a familiar pair the moment she looked up. The man stood at the other end of the hallway while exuding an air of languor. He was dressed in a black shirt with the hem neatly tucked into his waistline. His tall presence was imposing even from a distance. Despite looking somewhat displeased, his natural aristocracy couldn't be overshadowed. A young woman stood beside him. She was barely in her twenties. She was cute and charming, and she was clinging to his side.Alanna hadn't expected Hades to be here. She remembe
Alanna stood still and did not say a single word. Instead, her gaze fell on the young lady next to Hades. She indicated that Hades was out having fun too.The young lady looked back at Alanna with hostility. "Mr. Florentine, who is this woman?"Hades did not answer her question. He swept his cold gaze over Alanna. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned to the young lady beside him. "Leave."The young lady was stunned for a moment. "Mr. Florentine, what are you saying? I...""Don't you understand what I'm saying? Get the hell out!" The young lady's face turned pale. She looked hurt as she stood up and left.Once the young lady had left, Hades spoke. "Come here." Alanna did not move and did not want to sit next to him. Fortunately, Hades did not press the issue. He laughed coldly, stood up, and walked toward Alanna. His gaze then shifted to James beside her. "Ms. Jacinto, is this the type of man you like?"James was clean and fresh-looking. He was decently appealing
Terrence watched their retreating figures. He felt as if he was suffocating. He stepped forward and kicked James again to find some relief. Lately, he hadn't been troubling Alanna. Yet, her image grew obsessively in his mind. Terrence felt tormented and increasingly resentful.He had heard about the conflicts between Alanna and Hades. He thought he would have a chance with her if she left Hades. But to his frustration, she presumably preferred a gigolo over him. Annoyed, Terrence kicked James again. "Wretch!"Hades pulled Alanna out and headed straight to the parking lot. After putting her in the car, he scoffed. "Ms. Jacinto, you always manage to surprise me." Alanna stayed silent. She felt no guilt about the evening's events but knew Hades wouldn't see it her way."What brought you to the Vortex Vibes?" he asked."End-of-year department gathering," she replied softly. Hades laughed coldly. "Is this how your department usually gathers? In a nightclub?"Alanna's lips twitched,
Hades held her waist and looked down at her with rare tenderness in his eyes. Alanna was momentarily lost in the gentleness on his face. But soon, she snapped back to reality and smiled at him. "Mr. Florentine, are you reneging now?"Hades looked at her. After a moment, he let her go and leaned against the wall to light a cigarette. "Alanna, I gave you a way out. Are you sure you don't want to come back?"Alanna turned and walked toward the door. "I'm sure." She left after speaking as she opened the door and walked out directly.Hades stood still, and his expression was dark. After a moment, he took out his phone and made a call. "Take down all the properties under Melvin's name tonight!"After the call, Hades stood by the window. He watched Alanna disappear into the night before he took a drag of his cigarette. He had intended to let her have her freedom for a few more days. But tonight's events made him regret letting her go. He felt that she belonged to him and that she shou