PART 1

"Your mother has a late-stage brain cancer," the doctor's words still echoed in Carista's memory. Along with the ringing bell, she quickly organized her stationery and left the classroom.

She needed to clear her mind by visiting a beverage shop in the campus canteen. She grappled with her thoughts about Angela, her mind filled with worry.

Carista needed a substantial amount of money to cover her mother's medical expenses. It felt like the world had become so unjust for her – first losing her father, and now facing the most dreaded problem in the world: losing her mother.

"Losing a mother," she whispered to herself.

"Carista," a man suddenly called out as he sat down next to her.

"Hi, Taylor."

"Aren't you having lunch?"

Carista shook her head. "No, I'm not hungry. I have to go to the hospital after this."

"To the hospital? Who's ill?"

"My mother."

Taylor was taken aback. "Really? Okay, I'll accompany you."

Carista was grateful to have a friend like Taylor – a kind and caring man, a true friend.

After having lunch with Taylor, they headed to the hospital. Angela was resting there, as the doctor had just given her medication.

"How's my mother's condition?" Carista asked.

"Your mother's condition is deteriorating day by day. You have to keep giving her the medicine to stabilize her condition," replied Dr. Eric.

Carista hung her head, walked out of the doctor's office, and met Taylor waiting in the hallway.

"How's it, Carista? Is your mother's condition improving?" Taylor asked.

Carista nodded with a faint smile. Taylor sighed with relief; he was truly glad to hear this.

After waiting for a while, Taylor decided to return to the campus because he had classes to attend in the afternoon. Carista went to her mother's room, where Angela was waking up from her sleep.

"Mom," Carista called out.

Angela smiled, raised her hand, and caressed her daughter's beautiful face.

"Carista, someone met me this morning and gave me this paper," Angela said.

Carista furrowed her brows and took a piece of paper from her mother's hand. She unfolded it and read the contents.

Falaric National Corp, Alley Street 89. 25th Floor, Mr. Elgar Gabriel.

Carista was deep in thought. She recognized the name mentioned on the paper.

"Who gave this to you, Mom?" Carista asked.

"I don't know. He was a well-dressed man. He also said that he had already paid part of my medical bills here. But he wants you to meet the person whose name is on the paper," Angela replied.

Carista was taken aback. She couldn't find the words to speak. In an instant, she got up and left the hospital room, leaving Angela bewildered.

Carista walked down the corridor and headed to the bus stop not far from the hospital. She had to meet the person whose name was on the paper – Elgar Gabriel, the man who had caused her father's death by aggressively demanding unpaid debts. Carista was determined to confront him, despite knowing that her father's debts were still unpaid.

Upon arriving at the Falaric National Corp building, Carista was greeted by a bald man who seemed to have been waiting for her. But how did they know that Carista would come?

Ding!

The elevator opened, and they reached the 25th floor, where the door facing them had a sign that read "Elgar Gabriel."

"Please, come in, Miss. Mr. Elgar is already waiting for you," the guard said.

Carista expressed her gratitude and then stepped into the mint-scented room. A man standing near the window turned to face her, and Carista suddenly felt nervous as she gazed at him.

He was Elgar Gabriel, 32 years old, but remarkably handsome and charismatic. His fair skin, sharp jawline, wolf-like sharp eyes, tall and muscular body exuded confidence.

"So, you actually came," Elgar said, extending his index finger, beckoning Carista to approach.

The woman hesitated, her gaze cold. "What do you want from me? How did you know I would come?"

Elgar smiled cynically, walked closer to Carista, and made her step back nervously.

Carista's back hit the door, and Elgar held her in place, preventing her from moving.

"Elgar—"

"Sssh... be polite to the man who's ready to pay all your mother's medical bills," Elgar whispered hoarsely, embracing Carista and then roughly kissing her neck.

"Please, let me go!" Carista whimpered in fear. "Let me go, Elgar!"

A moment later, he released her, moving away and chuckling sarcastically. "So, is this your response?"

"What do you really want, Elgar?"

"Marry me," Elgar replied.

Carista stared wide-eyed. "I will not!"

"Well, you're brave to reject me," Elgar said. He approached Carista again, lifting her and placing her on the sofa.

Elgar might have gone mad; he forcibly unbuttoned Carista's shirt, exposing her beautiful body. He held Carista and kissed her lips roughly, while Carista herself resisted and wept.

"Come on, Carista. You have to repay all I've done for your mother. Marry me, and I'll clear all your father's debts and ensure your mother's recovery," Elgar said.

"I won't! Please, let me go!" Carista begged, crying.

Carista's rejection only fueled Elgar's impatience. He pushed Carista and then choked her neck.

"Marry me, Carista, or I'll make your life a living hell," Elgar said menacingly before releasing his grip on the woman's throat.

Carista gasped for breath, adjusted her clothing, and looked at Elgar with fear. She got up and moved away from the coercive madman.

"I will never consent to marry you, Elgar. I still have my dignity."

"Dignity?" Elgar smiled dismissively. "In that case, let's see how long your dignity will last."

Elgar smirked, approached the woman once more, and gently caressed her face with his fingertip.

"If you marry me, I'll make all your burdens disappear. I'll consider your father's debt paid, cover your mother's medical expenses, and ensure you can continue your education until graduation."

"And one more thing... you'll receive all the privileges from me. Wealth and luxuries like you've never experienced before."

It sounded tempting, but Carista despised it. "I have to go home."

Elgar hugged her again, restraining Carista from resisting. In Elgar's opinion, Carista was incredibly beautiful, petite, slender, with an oval face, long hair, and a thin fringe. She had a well-defined nose, small, full lips.

Carista cried again when Elgar forced a kiss on her lips. His movements were gentler than before. Their kiss stopped when Carista's phone rang, and she released herself from Elgar's embrace to answer the call.

"Hello, Dr. Eric, what's going on?" Carista asked.

"Carista, we just wanted to inform you that your mother needs to undergo surgery today. Please prepare the funds so that the surgery can proceed immediately."