Melanie's face instantly darkened as she watched Hades leave. Terrence clicked his tongue beside her. Yves chuckled lightly. "What's the matter, Mr. Abbott? Sour grapes again?" Terrence laughed. "Yves, what exactly did that woman offer you to make you defend her like this?"Yves smiled. "No benefits. I just think she should be my sister-in-law."Yves' words made Melanie's face even more unsightly. "Yves, it would be impossible for Hades and Alanna to be together. With her status, how could she be worthy of the Florentine family?"Yves shook his head. "Ms. Smith, Hades' marriage has never been something the Florentine family can decide. Otherwise, the previous engagement banquet wouldn't have been canceled outright, right?"The mention of the incident made Melanie grind her teeth in anger. Yves seemed to enjoy provoking her further."Moreover, someone said when they left that they would never come back unless Hades begged. So why have they returned now?"Melanie was furious as
Alanna stared at Hades standing before her. "How did you get here?" Hades frowned as he looked at her, then touched her forehead. "You're still feverish. Get changed. We're going to the hospital."Alanna felt a complex mix of emotions and couldn't quite wrap her head around the situation. She avoided his gaze and smiled. "It's okay. I'll just take some more medicine, and I'll be fine." But Hades grasped her wrist firmly. "Alanna, can't you just cooperate for once? Get changed, or do I need to help you with that?"Alanna pulled away from his grasp and suppressed the bitterness she felt. She asked, "How did you get here?"She didn't understand her own reaction. Perhaps the vulnerability of being sick and alone in a foreign place got to her. When she saw Hades appear at her door, she felt an unexpected warmth in her eyes. Despite the tumult in their relationship, she couldn't comprehend why he would still come looking for her.Hades looked at her. After a long pause, he laughed
Alanna knew he didn't want to elaborate. She didn't ask further and simply closed her eyes. But suddenly, Hades grasped her chin and kissed her. The kiss was gentle and tender, unlike any before. Alanna was taken aback. Before she could react, Hades had already pinned her down. "Hades, I...""Be still. It's just a kiss. But if you move again, it might lead to more," Hades said with a husky voice while pressing his body uncomfortably on hers.Alanna remained still.Hades teased, "Are you that afraid of having sex with me?""I'm not feeling well." She knew better than anyone how demanding he could be in bed. In her current state, she really couldn't handle it. Hades didn't actually intend to go any further. Even he wouldn't force himself on someone who was ill. After kissing her lips several more times, he finally got up and went to the bathroom.Half an hour later, he returned in a refreshed state. He pulled her back into his embrace after warming up in bed.…Early in the
Alanna rejected the call right away. She freshened up in the bathroom before leaving the apartment.Tara's private nurse, Jane Snyder, was elated to see her once she reached the hospital."Happy New Year, Ms. Jacinto."Alanna returned the greeting smilingly. Then, she passed the fruit basket that she had bought on the way to the hospital to Jane."Happy New Year to you too, Jane. Thank you for working hard last year."Jane was happy to have received such a wonderful gift."It's nothing. I work hard to earn a living, after all."Then, Jane turned to look at Tara, who was still lying in the ward. She couldn't help but sigh dejectedly.Yet another year had passed. This marked Tara's fourth year as a comatose patient.Jane had no idea when Tara would regain consciousness. She knew that Alanna was the one suffering the most.She decided to leave silently with the thermos flask. That way, Alanna would get some private time with Tara.Alana sat by Tara's bed and started massaging h
Tucker had been itching to get acquainted with the Florentine family for a very long time.This desire of his stemmed from the time he had Melanie impersonate Alanna and get reunited with Hades ten years ago.He never thought that Melanie was so willful to the point that she wanted to make Hades hers, be it physically or emotionally.Not only did Melanie fail in doing so, but she also gave Alanna a chance to become Hades' mistress.Alanna just chuckled in response. "If Hades truly wanted to marry Melanie, do you really think I'd be able to sabotage their relationship?"That question stabbed Tucker right where it hurt the most.He thought Hades would patch up his relationship with Melanie after his return. After all, the fact that Hades had given Melanie one of Brilliance Jewels' endorsement gigs was proof that he cared about her.The Smiths were already prepared to marry Melanie into the Florentines. But they didn't expect to see things heading in a different direction.Hades h
Alanna thought she'd reach her apartment first. She didn't expect to see Travis waiting outside for her right after getting out of the cab."How did you get here so fast, Travis?"The truth was that Travis was already in the area when he called Alanna earlier."I happen to be dealing with something in this area."After that, he handed Alanna a cup of hot cappuccino. "I remember you liking this beverage."Alanna's eyes lit up instantly. "I never thought you'd remember my preferences after all these years."Travis flashed her a gentle smile. "I was worried that your taste in beverages might have changed."Alanna just giggled without continuing the topic. She asked, "Aren't you going home for the holidays?""I did. I rushed back here without any prior notice."Truth be told, Travis didn't have to attend the conference. The minister's right-hand man was the one attending the conference.Although Travis was considered a rising star in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his qualifica
Alanna let out a frightened shriek. The next thing she knew, her assailant covered her mouth immediately.A familiar voice drifted into her ear at the same time."What are you screaming for?"Alanna's body almost went limp for a moment. She patted her chest. She still felt the tendrils of fright snaking around her heart. Then, she turned around to glare at Hades."What the hell is wrong with you, Hades? Why are you standing in the corridor instead of entering my apartment?"Hades chuckled coldly while giving Alanna's waist a hard pinch."You think I want to stay outside as well? How am I going to get into your apartment, huh? Am I supposed to break in?"Alanna froze momentarily. Only then did she remember that she didn't give Hades a copy of her apartment keys."Sorry, I forgot about the keys."Hades shot her a look before dragging her into her apartment. The moment the lights in the apartment were turned on, he trained his gaze on the cappuccino cup Alanna was holding. His
Alanna chuckled bitterly without saying another word. She sat behind her desk quietly and started preparing her files for the conference.Of course, Hades would never stop Melanie from pursuing her dreams. Not only would he not stop her, but he'd also give her his full-fledged support.Otherwise, he wouldn't have given Melanie Brilliance Jewels' endorsement gig when she had first returned to the country.To Hades, Alanna could never match up to Melanie.Perhaps it was like what Melanie had said to Alanna. Hades must have thought that Alanna didn't deserve to have her own dreams.Hades' expression was still dark as ever. Alanna's words left a bad taste in his mouth.The truth was, he never thought about Alanna's preferences in life. From the way he saw it, she should stay by his side, seeing as she was his woman and all.But Alanna made it sound like he had done something wrong.The room was eerily silent afterward. It didn't take Alanna much time to immerse herself in her studi