The party quickly came to an end. Some attendees left with significant gains—partnership deals secured or even successfully recruiting a scientist for their companies. Of course, some walked away empty-handed, like Louis. Not that he had come expecting much—he was only there to accompany Maya.Well, no. He did make a "gain." Eslite introduced him to a brilliant scientist. It would have been better, of course, if that scientist weren't his ex-wife. The thought made Louis smirk coldly.He glanced at Maya, walking beside him all evening, and said, "Wait for me in the car. I need to take care of something."Normally, Louis wouldn't speak to Maya in such a tone, but his mind was in turmoil right now. All his thoughts revolved around Alice, leaving him with no energy to care about anything else.Maya didn't need to think hard to know what Louis wanted to handle—he was definitely going to find Alice. She wasn't sure what they'd talk about, but she didn't want Louis near Alice. The whole poin
"Is what Alice said true? Do you have a crush on me, Louis?" Maya looked at Louis, hesitating as she spoke these words.Her voice was filled with apprehension and surprise as if she couldn't believe such a thing could happen.Louis paused when he heard Maya's question. If it had been in the past, he might have panicked at the revelation of his feelings or confessed and accepted whatever response Maya gave him. But now, his mind was preoccupied with Alice's retreating figure and her careless words before leaving.Louis didn't fully understand his feelings for Alice, but he knew one thing for sure—he didn't love Maya.Maya hesitated, watching Louis with an anxious face, though inside, she was ecstatic.Before this, she had never sensed any affection from Louis. That's why she chose to go abroad to advance her career. But after hearing from friends and family that Louis was in love with her, Maya had been filled with regret! If only she had known about his feelings earlier, she could hav
Alice looked at Maya, suddenly smiled, and said, "That's right, quite a coincidence."Seeing that Alice wasn't intimidated by her presence, Maya secretly gritted her teeth, but outwardly, she showed no reaction.At this moment, the department head glanced at the two of them, his expression puzzled: "Oh, do you two know each other?"The department head was a chubby man with squinty eyes and a peculiar expression that always made him look extraordinarily cunning. In reality, his mind was also running wild with speculations.He knew about Maya's influential background and was aware of the rumors surrounding her—that she was Louis's secret crush. He also knew that Maya had easily secured a lecturer position at the university thanks to her family's influence.Although the Adel family had declined over the past few years, a skinny camel is still more significant than a horse. Ordinary people like him stood no chance of competing with the Adel family.Meanwhile, Alice was just a poor girl wi
"Many high-ranking officials and prominent business figures will attend the school's anniversary celebration. I hope everyone will prepare well..."In the meeting room, the principal was tirelessly emphasizing the importance of the school's 100th-anniversary celebration. Naturally, during such events, students and faculty members were expected to contribute performances. It was all just a heap of unnecessary trouble to Alice, or so she thought to herself.She wasn't paying much attention to the principal's speech, and her mind was preoccupied with the ongoing project in the laboratory.In just a month, her project would be unveiled to attract investors. At this critical final stage, everything needed to be meticulously checked and optimized to ensure there were no mistakes."Alright, that concludes today's meeting. I'll send the detailed plan to everyone's inboxes. Alice, stay behind; I have something to discuss with you."Several people glanced knowingly at Alice as soon as the princ
Louis heard Ron mention that some lecturers would perform, and his heart skipped a beat for some inexplicable reason.Unaware of Louis's thoughts, Ron smiled and asked, "Did you happen to know a lecturer at our university, Mr. Louis?"Louis was about to say no, but Ron quickly nodded as if he'd figured it out. "Ah, how forgetful of me! Of course, you must be here for Ms. Maya. Don't worry, and her performance will be up soon!"Ron smiled knowingly, though Louis wasn't sure what he thought he understood. Only then did Louis realize how casually this principal spoke to him, almost like an old friend, with no hint of pandering or a push for investments. Even Louis's long-time acquaintances didn't converse this easily with him—especially after he took control of the Adonis family.Eventually, Louis merely nodded, letting Ron assume whatever he wanted. Yes, he had come here because of Maya's invitation—or at least, that's what he told himself.Unlike Louis's muted reactions, the students w
"...The final performance, the closing act of the Mys University's 100th-anniversary celebration, is about to begin!"The emcee's resonant voice echoed through the hall. Upon hearing that this was the final act, everyone was drawn to the stage, and even the noisy livestream chat fell silent.[The final performance! This must be the most spectacular one!][Oh my gosh, I thought Miss Maya's act was the grand finale. Who could outshine her?][Some people need to stop dreaming. Maya's performance wasn't that great. She just did a few basic moves. Anyone who's learned dance could do that! Plus, her movements were stiff—she hadn't practiced in ages!][Can we not be so harsh? She's just a lecturer, not a professional dancer. For her to pull that off is already impressive!][Haha, some of you praise her endlessly and won't allow others to critique her? Maya's delusional fans are hilarious.]Louis gazed at the stage, feeling his heartbeat inexplicably quicken. Alice wasn't seated with the othe
For an entire year together, Alice had always appeared gentle before Louis. She treated him with unwavering sweetness as if her affection was honeyed. She seemed uninterested in speaking to anyone else besides him.Louis had taken this for granted—until Alice turned cold toward him. It was only then he realized just how impenetrable her coldness could be.At first, he thought she was simply angry with him, which was why she acted so distant. But after tonight, Louis finally understood: perhaps Alice wasn't angry. Maybe she didn't feel anything for him anymore.He only needed to hear her violin to know. Her music revealed ambition, resolve, and an unyielding heart. Could someone like that indeed drown in love? Louis didn't think so.Yet, why had Alice been so gentle and sweet during their year together? Now, Louis couldn't help but doubt her sincerity. A seed of suspicion sprouted in his mind—had he been deceived?But even so, he couldn't control his heart. The brief doubt in his mind
"How do you think Alice and I are?" Louis suddenly asked his secretary as they made their way to the school gates.The secretary was momentarily puzzled, unsure why Louis would bring this up out of the blue. A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind—could it be that Louis had feelings for Alice? After all, he had stood there watching her performance so intently.But one glance at Louis' cold, expressionless face made her hesitate. Having worked by his side for over two years, she knew better than most that Louis was not someone with a soft heart.Take Maya, for example. Although the world once buzzed with rumors of her being Louis' secret love, she had since been utterly dismissed. Outsiders might still believe in a connection between them, but the secretary knew fully that Louis felt nothing for Maya."Just tell me what you honestly think," Louis said icily, his gaze drilling into her.Straightening up, the secretary answered, "Sir, in my opinion, Alice is shameless. Despite knowing yo
Louis immediately became panicked, quickly getting out of bed. His whole body swayed, and his legs were so weak that he nearly fell. He had to hold onto the edge of the bed, his breath rapid, his heart pounding, still recovering from the long faint. Fortunately, his body was strong and recovered quickly, though he still felt a bit dizzy, and his vision was blurry.Not having time to worry about himself, he urgently asked, "How is Alice?"July suddenly fell silent, not saying anything. Her abrupt stop made Louis suspicious. He looked at her with a questioning gaze, his heart racing with a bad feeling.July's eyes flickered slightly, hesitation passing in a moment, but she couldn't hide the deep sorrow within. She looked at Louis as though considering whether or not to tell the truth, her lips pressed together, hesitant and speechless.Louis felt his palms go cold. July's silence was like an invisible hand tightening around his chest. A sense of unease spread through his body, every cel
Hearing that name, Louis’s body trembled slightly. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, filled with extreme exhaustion but also carrying an unspoken pain. His voice came out hoarse:"I can’t leave… I have to stay here, wait for her to wake up…"Ron clenched his fists, turning his face away to hide his emotions. In the stark white hospital room, worry and despair intertwined, enveloping everything.Louis slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on Alice lying in the hospital bed. She was still motionless, her weak breath completely dependent on the oxygen machine beside her. Alice’s body had noticeably weakened, her pale skin lifeless, making her seem as fragile as a delicate princess lost in a long, deep sleep. The painful tightness in Louis’s chest made him clench his hands to keep from letting out a sigh.He closed his eyes, as if trying to calm himself, but Alice’s image remained firmly etched in his mind. He couldn’t forget what Mrs. Campbell had just said. "If you collapse
Her face was covered in dirt, with small wounds bleeding on her forehead and cheek, but in this moment, Alice was still strangely beautiful. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips, even as tears involuntarily spilled, mixing with sweat and dust. Her eyes sparkled in the fiery red glow of the sunset, gentle yet full of sorrow. She loved Louis, and that had never changed.She spread her arms wide, waiting for the deadly embrace from Cliff.Louis and the others watched in despair as the scene unfolded before them. Louis rushed forward, wanting to pull Alice out of danger, but a figure moved faster than him—Vein.It turned out, he hadn’t died.The memory from the laboratory flashed back: Cliff’s final bullet had grazed Vein’s forehead, leaving a deep but non-fatal wound. When Cliff had left, he had sneered one last time, saying, "Get lost!" He thought Vein was no longer of any use, not worth finishing off. But now, Vein appeared, like a demon from hell, to stop everything.His messy hair
Cliff smirked, his eyes gleaming with challenge."So this is how you want to talk like a man? If that's the case, then let Alice go." Louis' voice was low, but the danger in every word was evident.Cliff burst out laughing, the gun in his hand still pressed against Alice's temple. "You think I'm stupid, Louis? I'm not crazy enough to let her go so easily." He gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with madness. "If you want to save her, then come over here."Just as Louis was about to take a step forward, Alice suddenly screamed, her voice hoarse with pain and fear. "Don’t! Louis, don’t move!" She struggled, but her strength had drained, her legs too weak to stand. Still, her eyes remained resolute.Louis froze, his gaze meeting Alice's with profound sorrow. She was protecting him, even though she was in the most perilous situation. The anger inside him burned fiercer than ever, but he remained patient, knowing that one wrong move could make Cliff act instantly.Cliff narrowed his eyes
Alice froze, her breath quick and shallow, feeling the suffocating grip of his embrace. Cliff’s face was close to her ear, a twisted smile still lingering on his lips."Alice, are you scared?" His voice whispered, laced with fake tenderness. "It’s just a joke, my love... I’m only trying to scare you."But immediately, his expression shifted. His eyes gleamed with madness, his muscles tensing, and his low voice suddenly turned fierce, like a thunderclap."But even if I destroy you… I’ll do it right in front of Louis!" He hissed each word, his eyes burning with a hatred so intense that it seemed to bring him a twisted pleasure.With that, Cliff bent down, gripping Alice’s arm tightly and roughly yanking her up from the ground. No gentleness, no pity—he dragged her as though she were nothing more than a discarded object. Alice staggered, her legs aching as if thousands of needles were piercing her skin, but she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to keep up with Cliff’s swift pace to avoi
But just then, her foot got caught on a large vine hidden among the rotting leaves. She didn't have time to react, her entire body was yanked downward, losing its balance. A wave of panic swept over her, and in the next moment, she rolled down a rocky slope.Alice screamed in pain as sharp stones and dry branches hit her body. Each impact was a sharp, piercing pain that seemed to cut through her flesh, and she even heard a dry "crack"—perhaps a few bones had broken. When her body finally stopped at the foot of the slope, the pain was almost unbearable, leaving her gasping for breath. Her body trembled, and her vision blurred from tears that welled up from the excruciating agony. Alice sobbed, her breaths caught in her throat. She wanted to scream, to cry out loud, but she couldn't. There was no time to be weak.Biting her lip until it bled, Alice shakily pushed her hands into the ground, trying to lift her battered body. But the pain from her ribs nearly made her collapse again. Don’t
The sound of the helicopter echoed in the sky, making her heart race. A spark of hope flickered in her mind, and she almost wanted to laugh despite being in a life-or-death situation. She whispered, as if to reassure herself: "They're coming... they're really coming..."But if she didn’t manage to escape, if she was caught again... Alice didn’t dare to imagine what would happen. What would Cliff do to her? His cold face, eyes full of absolute control, appeared in her mind, making her shiver. She didn’t want to be locked up in that dark room again, trapped like a bird in a cage, losing both her freedom and hope. No! She had to run! She had to escape from here at any cost!Alice had nearly given up everything to get this far. Over the past few days, she had starved herself to create a pitiful appearance, tricking Cliff into lowering his guard. But that had also made her much weaker. Her legs felt heavy, each step felt like walking on sharp blades. Her empty stomach clenched painfully, h
Cliff didn’t answer, only lunged again. In his eyes, there was only betrayal and fury, as if all the years they had fought side by side meant nothing anymore. But deep in his heart, a fear gnawed at him—the fear of failure. Could it be that he was going to lose again? Was everything he had worked for, everything he had done, going to be taken from him once more? No… he couldn’t let that happen.Vein quickly sidestepped, delivering a kick aimed at Cliff’s ribs. But Cliff was too enraged to feel the pain. He grabbed Vein by the collar and punched him squarely in the face again.The two of them struggled, crashing into the lab table, causing everything to shatter in chaos. Sharp shards of glass cut into their skin, blood dripping in droplets. Their eyes met for a brief moment—Cliff’s eyes were ablaze with fury, ready to burn everything down, while Vein’s eyes were cold, distant, yet tinged with something resembling... pity. No matter how intelligent Vein was, he could not overcome the in
Louis sat in the command seat, his eyes fixed intently on the island gradually coming into view. His heart pounded in his chest, each passing second cutting into his patience like a sharpened blade. Alice… She was there, imprisoned, suffering—how? The thought sent a surge of fury through him, but he had to stay calm. This wasn’t just a mission—this was redemption. He wouldn’t lose her again.His hand tightened around the seatbelt, his knuckles turning white. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, and Alice’s smiling face appeared in his mind. Her voice, her bright gaze—everything about her urged him to move faster, to be stronger. When he opened his eyes again, only cold determination remained.The radio crackled in his earpiece. "Target in sight. The island is ahead—signs of guards present." A voice came through from the reconnaissance team.Louis nodded, his gaze resolute. "Everyone, get ready. We don’t get a second chance."The helicopter circled, drawing closer to the island shrou