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
Alanna did not want to be caught between Hades and Melanie anymore. Holding Tara's hand, she couldn't help but feel the tears well up in her eyes. "Mom, please wake up soon, okay? I'm... tired." After saying this, her tears started to fall. She wiped her tears away and forced a smile. "But it's okay. There's been someone helping me these past three years. His name is Hades. Do you remember him? He's the crybaby from our time in the fishing village when we were kids."But he's an impressive and powerful man now. Maybe you'll get to meet him once you're better. It's just... He probably doesn't remember us anymore." She laughed lightly and squeezed Tara's hand. "Anyway, no matter what, you have to wake up. It doesn't matter if it's sooner or later. Just don't leave me here alone..."…After leaving Tara's hospital room, Alanna collected the bill from the doctor and went to the payment counter. She paid with everything she had in her bank account. After taking care of everything, sh
Alanna pursed her lips tightly. She expected Hades to challenge her regarding this issue. Yet, her heart still felt stifled. She felt that Hades truly seemed unwilling to leave her any way out. She managed a bitter smile. "I did say so, but Mr. Florentine, you never agreed."Hades raised his eyebrows slightly. "Ms. Jacinto, you initially wanted to uncover the truth in exchange for giving up this villa. Now that the truth is out, do you want the villa as well? Aren't you expecting too much?"His face held a smile, but his eyes lacked warmth."Hades," Alanna said. She endured the pain in her heart as she looked at him. "This villa was bought with my child's life!" Hades' smile vanished instantly. He looked at Alanna coldly for a long while before speaking. "Alanna, don't play the emotional card with me. Child or no child, I don't care."Alanna looked at him, then suddenly laughed. "If that's the case, then I'm not limited to you alone. There are other wealthy men in this world. If
Alanna's body was slightly stiff. The soreness from last night's ordeal had not yet subsided. Fortunately, Hades did not torment her further. He just kissed her a couple of times before letting her go.Before the end of the workday, Henry had completed the paperwork. Alanna looked at the property title placed before her and was unsure how to feel. She took a deep breath, picked up the title, and went to the real estate agency.The agent who had helped her rent her apartment a few days ago greeted her. The agent was somewhat surprised to see her property title. "Ms. Jacinto, you have such a large villa. Why are you renting an apartment? Isn't the villa comfortable?"Alanna didn't explain much. She only asked him to find a buyer quickly. The agent remarked, "Ms. Jacinto, your villa is well-located and well-equipped. It's top-notch in the market, and your asking price is reasonable. Don't worry, the moment we list it, buyers will come in minutes."Alanna nodded. She thanked him and
Alanna felt somewhat at a loss for how to answer Travis' question. She felt that her relationship with Hades couldn't really be described in terms of whether or not she was being treated well. After all, theirs was merely a transaction. "It's okay," she responded with a smile.At the very least, their cooperation over the past three years could be considered pleasant.However, Travis saw the hint of loss in her eyes. He frowned slightly and wanted to ask more but felt it might be too intrusive. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Ally, I've always liked you." It took a lot of courage for Travis to express his feelings. He had searched and waited for her for three years. No one knew how thrilled he was when Alanna suddenly approached him. But to his disappointment, Hades was already by her side when they met again.He knew it wasn't the right time to confess his feelings. But regardless, he wanted to let her know his intentions. Even if she couldn't accept them, he wante
"Ms. Jacinto, someone has finally arranged to view the house today. Please make sure you're there on time." Alanna's eyes brightened instantly. "Okay, I'm on my way." She ended the call and rushed to the location.Upon seeing the prospective buyer, Alanna's face turned pale. Blake stood at the villa's entrance with a sinister smile. Alanna forced her tone to remain calm. "Mr. Walsh, what a coincidence. What brings you here?" Blake's gaze lingered on Alanna greedily. "I'm here to view the house, Ms. Jacinto. Are you surprised?" He almost had his way the last time, but Hades had intervened just in time. He had been yearning for her for months but dared not act due to Hades' influence. Now, he'd heard Alanna had fallen out with Hades. He was eager to see who would come to her aid this time."Mr. Walsh, you should be aware of my relationship with Hades!" Alanna's posture stiffened as she tried to maintain her composure. Blake chuckled disdainfully. "Do you really think
Alanna did not respond to his question. She just wanted to free herself and take a cold shower. However, Hades refused to let her go. "Let me go, Hades. Please, let me go!" Alanna pleaded.She felt helplessly desperate. Despite an instinctive desire to draw Hades near, her consciousness struggled against it. "I need to shower, Hades. Let me go."Hades frowned deeply. Only then did he notice the abnormality was not just the slap mark on her face. Her temperature and overall state were far from normal. Realizing the potential cause, Hades' expression turned ice cold instantly. He suddenly grasped her wrist and trapped her in his embrace. "Alanna, where have you been? Who did you meet? What did you eat?"Alanna's senses were dulled. She could barely make out Hades' words. Her instincts were in turmoil. She wanted him, yet her conscious mind resisted.She bit her lip until it bled and did not relent. Hades held her tighter. When he saw her bleeding lips, he forced her to unclench h