Travis looked at her. "Did something happen? Or did you face a problem while trying to resign?"There was a pause before Alanna answered honestly, "I had to pay Hades 50 million dollars as a penalty to terminate our agreement. I had no other choice but to sign an agreement with Edmund."Travis scowled. "Why didn't you tell me about this? Ally, do you really see me as your boyfriend?"Alanna's expression was taut. She took some time before saying, "Travis, I can handle this on my own."They had just started dating, and there was no way Alanna could ask Travis for money. Besides, she didn't want to rely on men again for matters that she could solve through some effort.Asking others for money would make her inferior to them. In this relationship, she wanted to be treated as an equal.Travis frowned at her. He never knew what she was like when she was with Hades, but he noticed that she would look to Hades for help whenever something happened. But with him, she behaved the total opp
Alanna frowned and glared at Hades. "Hades, just spit it out or scram!"Hades narrowed his eyes. "You're chasing me out?"Pursing her lips, Alanna ignored him and looked at Travis. "I'm hungry."Travis immediately poured out a bowl of chicken soup from the thermos flask. "Chelsey cooked this for you. You should have some first. I'll get you some food later."Alanna nodded. She initially wanted to drink it on her own. Although she was injured, she wasn't going to overreact and get someone else to feed her.But Travis insisted, and she gave in. While in this relationship, she wanted to try her best to give him a sense of security.As Hades watched Alanna drink the soup Travis fed her, spoon after spoon, his expression grew increasingly grumpy.Suddenly, he felt like an annoying third wheel. He should be the one feeding Alanna the soup, but now, another man had taken his place.He glared at the lovebirds moodily. In the end, he couldn't hold himself back any longer and said, "Alan
Hades' expression was dark. He was the one who had saved Alanna last night, yet she only had eyes for Travis.Hades was evidently furious, but Alanna couldn't be bothered at all. She wasn't in the mood to entertain him. All she wanted to know now was who the mastermind behind Garrett's actions was.Previously, she had her suspicions. Now, she knew she was on the right track after Garrett's sudden death.The timing was too convenient to be a coincidence. No matter how Alanna looked at it, it seemed as if someone was trying to silence Garrett.Alanna lowered her eyes. Suddenly, she asked, "Hades, how has Melanie been doing?"Hades was stunned. Almost immediately, he narrowed his eyes. "Why are you suddenly asking about her?"Alanna merely stared at him without saying anything.Having been together for such a long time, Hades knew her quite well. After a pause, he asked again, "Are you suspecting that she's behind this?"Alanna averted her gaze. She didn't admit that, but she didn
Alanna looked at Hades suspiciously. She had a feeling that that jerk was lying through his teeth. Just as she was about to reply to him, she saw someone approaching from behind Hades.Disgust filled her eyes. After wringing her hand free from Hades' grasp, she turned to leave. "I'll head over to the police station on my own for that."Hades glowered as he stood rooted to the spot. Instead of following Travis and Alanna, he just stared after them as they left."Mr. Florentine…" Esther looked at him tentatively. "Mr. Florentine, Melanie's refusing to take her medications again. Please check on her."Hades turned and glanced at her. Without a word, he turned and headed toward Melanie's ward.As Esther watched him from behind, a smile flickered on her lips. Then, she caught up with him."Was that Ms. Jacinto?" she asked. "She's really pretty."Hades paused and looked at her. That look sent shivers down Esther's spine. He didn't bother concealing the frost in his eyes.Esther casua
Alanna didn't hide the disgust she felt toward Hades.Hades didn't mind it at all and walked toward her. "Garrett's autopsy report is out."Alanna halted in her tracks. "So what is it? Was it an accident, or was he murdered?""He was murdered. Suffocated. And the time of his death coincided with the time we left the alleyway."Alanna felt goosebumps all over. She never expected that, as the victim, she would now become the suspect."What about the CCTVs nearby?" Travis couldn't resist asking.Hades met his gaze. "Do I look stupid to you, Mr. Silva? I checked all of them when I discovered Garrett was dead. During that period, Alanna and I were the only ones walking out of the alleyway."Alanna looked grim. Who was behind all this? What was that person trying to do? Was this directed solely at her, or was Hades one of the targets, too?Her mind was muddled. Initially, she suspected Melanie was behind this. But now, she was unsure of that theory. Could it really be Melanie? If it
Hades stopped right before he hit Alanna's face. His eyes were filled with agony as he asked, "Alanna, do you really care for him that much? Aren't you afraid that I might hit you?"Alanna was scared, of course. She had witnessed once before the amount of force that lay in his punch. However, she would never let him hit Travis again.Travis had been through a lot because of her. She didn't want him to get hurt for her sake again. That would only leave her feeling guiltier.Alanna stared at Hades for a while. Then, she smirked. "Hades, he's my boyfriend. Who should I care for if not him? You?"Hades felt a sting in his heart. Dazed, he stared at what was happening before him. After a long while, he scoffed and withdrew his hand.Without saying anything, he turned and followed the staff into the room. As she watched him leave, Alanna heaved a sigh of relief. She comforted Travis and left with the staff.The interrogation took nearly three hours. When it was all over, Alanna was tak
Jeff continued, "And you did all that just to sleep with her for another year? It's not even worth the effort. Why would you even do all that?"Hades leaned against the wall with his head tilted slightly upward. His expression was obscured by the cigarette smoke.Actually, he knew better than anyone else that he didn't have to do all that, but he just couldn't let go.He was reluctant to accept that Alanna, who was supposed to belong with him, was leaving him for good. To top it off, she now had a new boyfriend."But at least she would've belonged to me for the time being," he replied.Jeff studied his best friend for a moment before scoffing. "You know yourself best. You had taken advantage of her situation when that agreement was signed."Hades, if reluctance is all you feel, then heed my advice and move on. You can find someone else and make do for a year. It'll all pass in no time."Jeff continued, "It's a different story if you're sincere about winning her back. And you're
Hades' eyes lit up, but Alanna's next words snuffed out his joy. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Melanie committed a crime and deserves to be punished. Why should I break up with Travis?"Hades' expression soured. But before he could say anything, Alanna fell out of her seat. Her face was as pale as a ghost."Alanna!" With a grave expression, Hades held her. That was when he realized Alanna was sweating profusely. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"Alanna endured the pain and remained silent.However, Hades quickly realized what was happening. He immediately placed a hand over her stomach. "Are you having your period?"Instinctively, Alanna shoved his hand aside. "Please help me get some painkillers, thanks."Hades' eyes narrowed. She refused to let him touch her even when she was in this state. If she hadn't needed his help to get her painkillers, she would've never let him get this close.Hades didn't do as she said. Instead, he carried her and started walking out. He i