Glancing at the wall clock, Sarah noticed it was 6:35 AM. Despite their hunger, they eat in silence, sitting across from each other at the table. She ate quickly, knowing that later that afternoon was her grandfather’s funeral.Then, Grayson's phone rang, and he excused himself to answer the call. The conversation that followed left a sense of tension hanging in the air. Sarah couldn't help but overhear parts of it, and it piqued her curiosity even further.Grayson received the call someone mysterious, and his expression turned solemn as he listened to the authoritative voice on the other end of the line. "Bring Sarah back to Shanghai," those words were firm, and his tone conveyed the weight of his authority.The command was clear and left no room for negotiation. Grayson understood that he needed to follow these instructions, and the complexities of their situation seemed to deepen. With a nod, he replied, "Understood, Chairman. I will make the necessary arrangements.""Avoid getting
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
"What a filth!" She couldn't contain her disgust as she gagged, the stench of the tunnel overwhelming her senses. She stumbled, her stomach turning, and finally, the inevitable happened. She threw up, her body revolted against the foul odor.As soon as she could, she crawled out of the tunnel, her skirt torn and dirty. The sewer led her to a small, dark hole, which she squeezed through, emerging into a dense, unfamiliar forest."God, I'm still on Lao's property," she groaned, pulling out her phone and dialing her uncle Vincent's number. "Uncle, please help me. I'm in Shanghai, at Lao's mansion.""Sarah?! Oh, God, I've been looking for you! Where are you?""I'm in the woods. I escaped through the sewers.""Hang on. I'll be there with my men immediately. Go and hide!""Okay, please hurry." As she spoke, she looked up and saw towering pine trees. The sound of voices carried through the air, a chilling reminder of her danger. She knew she had to move, or she'd be found."I need to climb th
The cold water was biting, but Sarah didn’t have time to feel it. She swam as fast as her tired body would allow, pushing through the ache in her muscles and the sharp sting of her wounds. The shouting from the men behind her was getting closer, bullets slicing through the air, some splashing into the lake around her.She heard the familiar “whup... whup… whup…” of the helicopter’s blades overhead, growing louder. Sarah dared to look up, water dripping from her hair into her eyes. The helicopter was hovering lower now, just above the water, the downdraft creating ripples across the surface."SARAH!" her uncle’s voice cut through the chaos. "GRAB THE LADDER!"She saw it—metal steps descending from the helicopter, swinging just above the water’s surface. The current made it difficult to get close, but she fought against it, using every last bit of her strength. Her uncle’s men were firing back at Benjie Lao’s goons, the air filled with the sound of gunfire. They were out in the open, hol
For three long and painful days, William had barricaded himself from the outside world. The heartache of Sarah's unexplained departure had driven him to isolate himself at the mansion’s bar, leaving him in a state of emotional turmoil. The once-bustling world around him had become a distant and hazy backdrop to his profound despair.William took another glass of scotch, wincing as he felt the effects of the excessive alcohol consumption. His stomach rebelled with an acid reflux, a painful reminder of his self-destructive behavior.In this troubled state, his loyal bodyguards, Tony and James, entered the room, concern etched on their faces. "Chairman Xu, you need to take care of yourself," Tony implored. "This isn't the way to cope with your emotions."James nodded in agreement, adding, "We've been looking for her diligently. We'll find her, but you need to regain control."William's voice was hoarse as he responded, "I can't... I can't think of anything else but her. I need her back."
The rain pours down relentlessly, adding to the weight of the burden Sarah carries. Her umbrella shielded her from the downpour, but it did little to alleviate the heaviness in her heart.Her lovely Chinese-American features glistened with raindrops, but her tired eyes reflected the weariness of her soul.In one hand, she holds the handle of a large umbrella, trying to shield the stack of boxes she carried on the other. The boxes were filled with various items, from groceries to household supplies.As she trudges on, Sarah felt the weight of the boxes and her responsibilities pulling her down. But she refused to give in to exhaustion, her spirit resilient despite of the heavy weight in her arms.Finally, she reached the ornate gate of the village where the Lui mansion stands tall. Just as she was struggling to open the gate, a guard came to her rescue, holding the enormous iron grill open for her."Here you go, young lady. Let me help you with those boxes," he offered kindly.Sarah man
"Hurry!""Yes! I'm almost done, Mira.""I'll help you, dear. You have to make it fast. Let's run along, at any moment, Huifen is going to burst fire and sulfur if you fail to hand that gown to her in matter of minutes." Mira helps Sarah carry the heavy box of Adelle's elaborate gown.Perspiring, Sarah entered Adelle's grandiose room. This used to be her room when she was a little girl. She had only recently been allowed in there again because she painstakenly did the minor dry cleaning of Adelle gown's hem, as a result when she accidentally drop it during one rainy afternoon. Only Adelle's nanny and parents are allowed to go in her cousin's room. Her eyes widened as she look at it's interior. It had changed immensely since she was last here as a six-year old girl."My dear aunt, here is Adelle's debutante gown," Sarah said as she marveled at the room. Meanwhile, Adelle's nanny was brushing her long hair.Huifen raised an eyebrown, "You better have cleaned it properly, or you'd be in bi
For three long and painful days, William had barricaded himself from the outside world. The heartache of Sarah's unexplained departure had driven him to isolate himself at the mansion’s bar, leaving him in a state of emotional turmoil. The once-bustling world around him had become a distant and hazy backdrop to his profound despair.William took another glass of scotch, wincing as he felt the effects of the excessive alcohol consumption. His stomach rebelled with an acid reflux, a painful reminder of his self-destructive behavior.In this troubled state, his loyal bodyguards, Tony and James, entered the room, concern etched on their faces. "Chairman Xu, you need to take care of yourself," Tony implored. "This isn't the way to cope with your emotions."James nodded in agreement, adding, "We've been looking for her diligently. We'll find her, but you need to regain control."William's voice was hoarse as he responded, "I can't... I can't think of anything else but her. I need her back."
The cold water was biting, but Sarah didn’t have time to feel it. She swam as fast as her tired body would allow, pushing through the ache in her muscles and the sharp sting of her wounds. The shouting from the men behind her was getting closer, bullets slicing through the air, some splashing into the lake around her.She heard the familiar “whup... whup… whup…” of the helicopter’s blades overhead, growing louder. Sarah dared to look up, water dripping from her hair into her eyes. The helicopter was hovering lower now, just above the water, the downdraft creating ripples across the surface."SARAH!" her uncle’s voice cut through the chaos. "GRAB THE LADDER!"She saw it—metal steps descending from the helicopter, swinging just above the water’s surface. The current made it difficult to get close, but she fought against it, using every last bit of her strength. Her uncle’s men were firing back at Benjie Lao’s goons, the air filled with the sound of gunfire. They were out in the open, hol
"What a filth!" She couldn't contain her disgust as she gagged, the stench of the tunnel overwhelming her senses. She stumbled, her stomach turning, and finally, the inevitable happened. She threw up, her body revolted against the foul odor.As soon as she could, she crawled out of the tunnel, her skirt torn and dirty. The sewer led her to a small, dark hole, which she squeezed through, emerging into a dense, unfamiliar forest."God, I'm still on Lao's property," she groaned, pulling out her phone and dialing her uncle Vincent's number. "Uncle, please help me. I'm in Shanghai, at Lao's mansion.""Sarah?! Oh, God, I've been looking for you! Where are you?""I'm in the woods. I escaped through the sewers.""Hang on. I'll be there with my men immediately. Go and hide!""Okay, please hurry." As she spoke, she looked up and saw towering pine trees. The sound of voices carried through the air, a chilling reminder of her danger. She knew she had to move, or she'd be found."I need to climb th
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
Glancing at the wall clock, Sarah noticed it was 6:35 AM. Despite their hunger, they eat in silence, sitting across from each other at the table. She ate quickly, knowing that later that afternoon was her grandfather’s funeral.Then, Grayson's phone rang, and he excused himself to answer the call. The conversation that followed left a sense of tension hanging in the air. Sarah couldn't help but overhear parts of it, and it piqued her curiosity even further.Grayson received the call someone mysterious, and his expression turned solemn as he listened to the authoritative voice on the other end of the line. "Bring Sarah back to Shanghai," those words were firm, and his tone conveyed the weight of his authority.The command was clear and left no room for negotiation. Grayson understood that he needed to follow these instructions, and the complexities of their situation seemed to deepen. With a nod, he replied, "Understood, Chairman. I will make the necessary arrangements.""Avoid getting
Grayson woke early and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast himself. As he chopped onions, his phone rang—it was his grandfather, Chairman Benjie Lao. Grayson knew immediately that an early morning call like this meant trouble, something urgent and possibly deadly. His stomach tightened as he answered."Grandpa, I’m guessing you’ve got something important to tell me," Grayson says, his voice steady despite his unease. He knew his grandfather well enough to expect the worst."You’re a crazy brat! Deliver Sarah to me!" Benjie’s voice thundered through the phone, punctuated by the loud stomp of his cane. "Don’t defy me, fool. I know you bedded her without consent. Love will take you nowhere. Marry her, then kill her immediately!" His tone left no room for misinterpretation.Grayson's jaw clenched. His eyes darkened as memories of his childhood flashed in his mind—being forced to train with his father's men, getting shot, and enduring a samurai’s blade across his back. The thought of
As they returned to the mansion after their half-day excursion in Nanchang city, Grayson and Sarah found themselves in high spirits as if they have no problems at all. The connection between them had deepened, and curiosity about each other's worlds had grown. The mansion, with its grandeur, was a stark contrast to the bustling streets of the city they had just explored.They decided to plunge into the pool while still in their clothes on, laughter bubbling up between them like the water splashing around. The coolness of the water was a delightful contrast to the heat of their bodies, and they felt carefree, like kids again, giggling as they splashed each other playfully.“Come on, you can’t be scared of a little water!” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he dunked her lightly, pulling her under for a brief moment before she resurfaced, gasping and laughing.“I’ll get you for that!” she declared, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sen
Sarah's eyes flutter open as she senses a gentle touch against her cheeks. Her heart quickens, and even before she fully comprehends what's happening, the undeniable presence of another person lingers before her. She lies still, her senses on high alert, trying to discern who could be sharing this intimate space with her in the dark.As Sarah slowly opened her eyes and beheld Grayson's impassive face hovering over her, her heart raced, and she instinctively shielded her nearly bare bosom from the gossamer fabric of her silk nightgown. She sat up, her nerves on edge. "Grayson, what a surprise," she managed to utter, attempting to conceal her vulnerability."Well, tomorrow is your Grandpa's burial, and I must take you there," Grayson stated, his emotions turbulent as he observed Sarah's vulnerable yet alluring state. "You have a natural beauty that drives me crazy," he added, reaching out to caress her hair before standing. "It's almost seven. I suppose we should have breakfast together.