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
He realized he was starting to feel sympathy for Alanna.He found the notion laughable. He couldn't believe he, of all people, would feel sympathy. Such emotions were foreign to him. Yet, the sight of Alanna biting her lip in distress lingered in his mind. He thought he wouldn't care about her. When she wanted to leave, he let her go. Now, he wanted her back. He was prepared to use any means necessary to make it happen.He had never hesitated to use these methods on Alanna before. But now, he found himself reluctant. What was once a pleasant game to him had lost its appeal. He felt that it wasn't fun anymore. He didn't want to play anymore. And... he didn't want to torment her any longer.As the cigarette in his hand burned down, Hades exhaled the smoke and made a call.…When Alanna woke up, it was already noon. She forced herself out of bed despite her aching body. She checked her phone and noticed several missed calls from Tara's doctor. Confused, she called back immediatel
Melvin had always felt slighted by Hades. Despite his diligent years in the Florentine family, only Hades received Cyrus' approval. No matter how hard Melvin worked, it was as if Cyrus was blind to his efforts. This resentment led Melvin to challenge Hades multiple times. Hades hadn't taken him seriously initially. But this time, he decisively crushed him by demolishing Melvin's assets.Henry murmured a lot to Alanna, but she was somewhat distracted. She didn't want to presume that Hades' drastic actions against Melvin were because of her, yet she felt unsettled. Melvin's curses echoed throughout the top floor. "Hades, you bastard! Don't think you're any better than me. Do you really think you can control everything? Sooner or later, I'll make you kneel and apologize to me!"Alanna absentmindedly reviewed the contract in her hands. Suddenly, she felt a slimy, cold gaze on her. Startled, she looked up only to see the elevator doors closing. "Honestly, Mr. Florentine can be quite
As he spoke, Hades began unbuttoning his shirt. Alanna then noticed his shirt was stained with blood. She paused, but before she could speak, Hades removed his shirt. He discarded it into the trash and headed straight into the bathroom without a word. Alanna's gaze lingered on the shirt in the bin. It was then she noticed the heavy scent of blood in the room. Hades was no saint, and his hands were not clean. It was a fact Alanna had considered before.Rarely had she seen him engage in physical confrontations, with the incident at the club being an exception. What had prompted this second occurrence was unclear to her.Hades didn't take long in the shower. When he came out, the dishes on the table had cooled down somewhat. Alanna warmed them up in the kitchen. Once everything was reheated and back on the table, she mentioned, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."However, Hades suddenly grasped her wrist. "Sit down and eat something with me." Alanna hesitated for a mo
Alanna emerged from the apartment into the gently falling snowflakes. Yet, all she could see was Hades' darkened expression when she spoke those words. She knew those words would displease him, but she said them anyway. She didn't want to harbor any more hope if this relationship was destined to end.Taking a deep breath, Alanna suppressed the sourness in her heart. She glanced back at the still-lit apartment and let out a bitter laugh before turning to leave.Hades remained seated on the couch inside the apartment with a cold expression. After what felt like ages, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.He felt like she must have been looking forward to the end of their agreement, as being with him was just making do.Normally, Hades might have admired Alanna's rationality and clarity. But now, her logic greatly irked him. He wondered if being with him was so unbearable for her.Yet, he didn't stop her from leaving. Just as Alanna had said, he wasn't indispensable to her. Women were no
Alanna hesitated but decided to inform Hades anyway. She sent him a message that said, "Going on a trip with Chelsey. Will be back in three days." Chelsey had booked a night flight. When Alanna arrived at the airport, it was still two hours before takeoff.She had planned to wait for Chelsey to arrive before grabbing something to eat together. However, Chelsey called her unexpectedly and informed her, "Ally, I can't make it. I was almost at the airport when my director called. I have to be on duty during the holiday. I'm sorry, Alanna. I'll celebrate your birthday with you when you return."Alanna blinked, then remembered her birthday was approaching. But her birthdays were never anything special. Every year, Chelsey would send her a message, or they would have a meal together if she weren't too busy. That was all there was to it. "Okay, then I'll go on my own."Junaris was special to Alanna. She indeed wanted to revisit it. The plane landed after 11 p.m. Alanna pushed h