Sarah's security team sprang into action with practiced efficiency. An expert among them swiftly and deftly disarmed the device, rendering it harmless in a matter of seconds. The potential catastrophe had been averted, but the shock and fear lingered in the air like an unshakable specter.Sarah's gaze, sharp and unyielding, swept over the assembled guests, and her eyes settled on Cynthia and Benjie Lao. They wore expressions of feigned innocence, yet their guilt was palpable. Cynthia's fragile facade crumbled as she succumbed to the stress of the moment, collapsing in her mourning attire. Servants rushed to her aid, carrying her away from the scene.It was a stark reminder that even in the solemnity of a wake, the undercurrents of power, rivalry, and treachery ran deep, and Sarah would need to navigate them with unwavering resolve.In the wake of the attempted bombing, a palpable tension hung in the air, and Sarah could feel the weight of her responsibility pressing down upon her shou
The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue across the room where Chairman Vincent, Sarah, Catherine, and Hendrick gathered to discuss the relocation of the wake. The room was adorned with opulent furnishings, a testament to the wealth and power of the Xiang family. Outside, through large windows, a view of the vast and beautiful garden stretched as far as the eye could see.Chairman Vincent, an aging but still imposing figure, sat at the head of a long, polished wooden table. His sharp, calculating eyes bore the weight of a lifetime of business dealings. Sarah, his granddaughter, sat beside him, her presence a testament to the strength of the Xiang bloodline.His expression, while stern, also held a touch of nostalgia as he thought about the wake. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time, but the circumstances had taken an unexpected turn. He had hoped for a peaceful transition, but it seemed that challenges lay ahead.Catherine, the family lawyer and Vincent's truste
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the city, Sarah decided it was time to leave the grand mansion that had hosted her grandfather's wake. The heavy weight of her responsibilities seemed to momentarily lift as she retreated to the solace of her own thoughts.Gone was the somber attire she had worn throughout the day. Instead, she chose something that embodied youthfulness and vitality. Her choice was a mini balloon dress, adorned with playful patterns that brought out the vibrancy of her spirit. The dress hinted at her allure and beauty, its flowing fabric mirroring the grace with which she moved.For footwear, she opted for sneakers, a symbol of comfort and agility amidst the weight of her family's expectations. The juxtaposition of the dress and sneakers created a unique harmony, a blend of sophistication and casual charm that only Sarah could effortlessly pull off.Before departing the mansion, she took a refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash
“I never thought you could cook. Hmmm... "My mom taught me when I was nine years old. She was with us until my 12th birthday. She died in a car accident." William feeds her then kisses her lips. She could sense the bewilderment on the part of his mother's death. “I’m sorry to hear about that. Me, too. I lost both of my parents when I was young. So, I have no remember them. You're lucky you had you mom and still you have your dad.” William kissed her again. “You’re not alone now.” He reflected with what her said. He was shocked with how he reacted. He felt so protective of her. But in an instant, Sarah embraced her tightly and he did the same. "Tastes so good," she expressed her appreciation at the apple pancakes, then slaps his behind then laughs and ran. 'Wait 'til I catch you, I'll make you really fat by feeding you all of these and all my loadful cum." She ran to the bedroom then, he opens the door and finds her. They're like children playing hide and seek. He gave her a mout
It was a sunny morning, the golden rays streaming through the glass walls, filling the room with warmth. William had left her a sweet note and prepared breakfast, a gesture that made her heart soar. She felt like she was on Cloud Nine, blissfully unaware that this happiness was only fleeting.Then the phone rang, and everything changed.The voice on the other end was Catherine’s, tense and trembling. “There’s been a change of plans,” she said, her words shattering the calm.As she raised an apple to her lips, shock coursed through her body, freezing her in place. The apple slipped from her hand, rolling across the floor, as she sank to her knees in the kitchen, her back pressed against the counters for support."Oh, my God, Cath," she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "I can’t imagine such horror!"Adelle and Hendrick lay in the intensive care unit, clinging to their lives in a secret location, hidden for their protection. The horror of the assault that had brought them to
Sarah wakes from deep slumber, her mind a blank canvas as she cautiously opens her eyes. The luxurious surroundings of the room are unfamiliar, and she slowly becomes aware of her own nakedness, the fine silk sheets a stark contrast to her exposed skin. Her fingers trace across her body, searching for any noticeable changes, but nothing stands out. A subtle wetness between her legs serves as a reminder of the passionate night that she had the with William the other night ago, where they had a marathon of steamy sessions until dawn.But last night wasn't the case, she was summoned by her step-cousin, Grayson Lao to protect her from his grandfather, Chairman Benjie Lao. Until now, she is still puzzled why he is helping her, so she must have to take precautions.As she scans the room, her eyes fall upon a plush bathrobe hanging within reach, tempting her to slip into its comforting embrace. A wave of unease washes over her when she recalls the near-ruined state of her scanty dress, torn
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.
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
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.