Alanna scoffed. "In that case, isn't it better if we get to the bottom of this, Ms. Smith? No one can smear your reputation if things are made clear, can they?"The truth did not matter in her battle with Melanie. Victory depended on Hades' favor, which she clearly lacked.She was fighting a losing battle.She knew that even if they checked the surveillance cameras, it wouldn't matter in the end; as long as Hades placed the blame on her, then no amount of proof would change his mind.Even so, she wanted him to know the truth."There's really no need for that, Ms. Jacinto," Melanie said hastily. "I've already said that I'll let this slide. What else do you want from me?"Alanna looked at her calmly. "How could we let this slide? We can't let you suffer such a grievance, Ms. Smith."Hades stood between them with an unreadable expression. "The filming is starting soon, Ms. Jacinto. Are you sure you want to continue wasting everyone's time like this?"It was clear where his loyalti
Alanna swallowed her retort.She knew Hades' temperament. He'd already given her an ultimatum so that he would see her tonight either way.Alanna did not want to make trouble for herself. "I'll go home," she said."Do hurry," Henry said in amusement.When Alanna returned home, Hades had just finished showering.His loose bathrobe barely hid his perfect figure.He sat down on the sofa and lit a cigarette as he stared at Alanna through the smoke.After a while, he smiled. "I didn't know you could be so feisty, Ms. Jacinto."Alanna did not move.She knew that he was talking about what happened earlier that day at the studio. "I'm not going to stand there and let someone bully me. Are you going to defend Ms. Smith, Mr. Florentine?"Hades continued staring at her for a moment. Then, he snuffed out his cigarette and said, "Come here.""You can talk from there," Alanna said.Hades just stared at her.In the end, Alanna caved and walked over to him.Hades pushed a box that was on
Once the bullies got Alanna trapped, they would throw mud and stones at her. Sometimes they would throw vermin at her as well.At one point, she had had enough and beat up Melanie in retaliation.In return, Tucker had gone to her house and whipped her with his belt.At the time, she had cried and told him about what Melanie had done.She could still remember what he said to her."You have to suck it up even if she threatens to kill you!"The same thing was happening now—but it was so much more hurtful when Hades said it.She pushed down her bitterness and asked, "Why should I?"Why should she avoid Melanie? Why should she be the one to avoid her?Hades wasn't cheating on Melanie with her. She hadn't done anything wrong. Why should she avoid her?Hades just looked at her calmly. "Because she's Melanie Smith, and you're just Alanna Jacinto."His words were like a sharp knife stabbed into her heart.Alanna forced out a smile. "What if I don't?"Hades gave her a deep look. "Th
Alanna calmed herself down and met Hades' gaze. "I'm just feeling a little unwell," she said. Then, she lowered her head to wash her face.Hades just stared at her silently.After a while, he turned and left.Alanna let out a relieved breath when she heard him leave.She freshened herself, grabbed some medicine, and went to the bedroom.She took the medicine following Chelsey's instructed dosage. Just as she swallowed the last pill, Hades entered the room.He saw the medicine boxes on the bedside table. Hands in pocket, he sauntered over and picked it up."Where did you get this?""From the hospital.""When?"Alanna was silent for a moment. "The night I was hospitalized."Hades narrowed his eyes. "I didn't know you had gastritis. How did it get so serious?"Alanna smiled. "I've always had gastritis. You just never noticed."Hades only paid attention to her when it came to her relationships with other men.He had probably never cared about her health before."Is that so?"
As soon as Alanna sat down, Hades wrapped his arm around her waist.He hooked his chin over her shoulder, his warm breath smelling of alcohol brushing against her cheek. "Why did you come?"Alanna's back was stiff. "I thought you were drunk."Hades laughed. "When have you ever seen me get drunk?"Alanna fell silent.He was right. He'd never been drunk before.Hades was a cautious man. He would never let himself lose control of any situation, so he never got drunk.Even though he used to attend a lot of socializing events, he'd never let himself get drunk."Sorry," Alanna apologized."No need to apologize," Hades said languidly. "I was just curious. You'd come here no matter who called, wouldn't you?"Alanna was silent for a moment. "I'd come as long as it's related to you."His answer was callous. "You're an idiot."Then, he moved away and leaned back against the couch.Alanna considered the tone of his voice—it had been rather sarcastic, though she could tell that he mean
Everyone in the room assumed that Hades didn't mean that, though they echoed his sentiments as according. Alanna was the only one who knew that he really did not care at all.He didn't care whether she would be kissed or not. He only cared about the purity of his property.She took a deep breath and calmed herself.The game was still going on.This time, she wasn't as lucky.Learning her lesson from the last round, Alanna chose Truth.Yves clicked his tongue and asked, "Do you love anyone, Ms. Jacinto? How long have you loved them?"Everyone stared at Hades after he asked that question.Hades raised an eyebrow. He looked interested.After a brief pause, Alanna answered, "Yes."The room erupted into excitement while Hades narrowed his eyes."How long have you loved him?" Yves asked with a smile after glancing at Hades.How long?Alanna couldn't remember either.They'd first met when she was 17 years old. If she counted from there, then it would have been about ten years.
What kind of man did Alanna love? How could she have loved him for ten years?Ten years—she was only 27 years old now, and she'd already been in love with a man for ten years.She was probably thinking about that person while she was having sex with him.The more Hades thought about it, the angrier he got."Ten years? Does that mean you've loved him since you were 17?"Alanna stiffened for a moment before relaxing. "Yeah.""Then why aren't you with him?"Alanna was silent for a moment. "He doesn't love me back."Hades scoff. "I see. What if he tells you that he loves you back?"Alanna laughed. "That won't happen. He loves someone else."Hades gave her a look. "Why do you still love him when he loves someone else? You're infatuated with him, aren't you?"Alanna smiled. "Yeah. Love is blind, sometimes."Hades' expression was chilly. "Stop the car," he said suddenly.Startled, Alanna put on the indicator lights and stopped the car by the road. "What happened, Mr. Florentine?"
When Alanna came out of the bathroom, she saw an intern from the marketing department running toward her. "Ms. Jacinto! Ms. Renee got into a fight!"Alanna frowned. "What happened?"The intern hesitated. "She heard someone talking badly about you and tried to defend you, but things got heated.""Where is she?""She's been called to Mr. Florentine's office."Alanna took a deep breath and headed upstairs.Henry was waiting for her at the door of Hades' office. "Ms. Jacinto."Alanna nodded at him. "What's the situation?""She might be fired."Alanna's heart sank.Renee had been with her for as long as she had worked with Hades.She knew about her family's situation. Her mother wasn't in good health, and she had two younger siblings to take care of.If she got fired for defending her, Alanna wouldn't be able to handle the guilt.Pursing her lips, she asked, "How's his mood today?"Henry shook his head. "Not good."Alanna took a deep breath. "I'll go in and talk to him.""Ok