The music blared, shaking the ground beneath it. Sultry bodies swayed to the rhythm, bottles of expensive liquor sparkled under the dim, colorful lights, and the crowd tangled in heated dances, some passionately kissing. The murky, vibrant lighting gave the scene an otherworldly, almost sinister allure.This was the MidNight Bar—a lavish escape for the debauched or those seeking relief from life’s pressures.Few knew, however, that the bar was one of the many assets owned by the powerful Adonis family. The first two floors catered to entertainment, but the third floor was an exclusive gathering place for influential figures. Without connections to the Adonis family, one would never set foot there.At that moment, in a private lounge on the third floor, expensive bottles of liquor were scattered across the room. Four men occupied the space: two were flirting with their girlfriends, one seemed restless, and the last, seated at the center and clearly the host of this gathering, had his h
Alice ended her workday and, upon stepping out of the university gates, noticed an official car waiting across the street. She immediately recognized it as the car Louis frequently used for work.Sure enough, the car door opened, revealing Louis’s assistant.With a smile that held only coldness and mockery, the assistant addressed her, “Miss Alice, please get in.”The assistant never called Alice “Madam,” a clear indication that, despite being Louis’s legal wife, Alice’s status was neither acknowledged by Louis nor accepted by others.Alice didn’t seem to care and silently got into the car. She gazed out the window, the golden hues of the sunset casting an ethereal beauty across the ground.“Miss Alice, tonight you’ll be accompanying the chairman to a party. He asked me to remind you to prepare well and not embarrass him,” the assistant said while driving.Of course, Louis hadn’t said the latter part, but she enjoyed embellishing things like this. Having worked for Louis for many year
Time passed just like that, without grand parties. Alice's life was actually quite normal, except for the fact that after work, she had to endure being “tortured” by Louis every night.Ever since the charity gala, it was unclear what had gotten into Louis, but he had suddenly become much more aggressive than usual. Alice even thought she wouldn’t survive that night! What was he, a breeding stallion?Alice rubbed her waist, cursing Louis silently in her heart.“What’s wrong?” The voice of the “stallion” suddenly rang out.Alice looked at him, pursed her lips, and said nothing, as if sulking.Seeing her like this, Louis found her a little adorable. He pinched Alice’s cheek, leaned down to her ear, and whispered softly, “Don’t tell me you’re still not satisfied?” As he spoke, his large hand started to rub Alice’s waist.Alice’s entire face turned crimson, her eyes hazy, and her waist so soft she could barely sit upright. But her legs were still trembling—there was no way she could let Lo
Louis dragged Alice out of the bar and drove home himself, his speed so reckless it seemed he was flirting with death.The moment they arrived, Louis pulled Alice into the house and violently threw her onto the sofa.Her wrist throbbed in pain from his rough grip. Under normal circumstances, Alice wouldn’t complain; she’d softly ask Louis what was wrong. But tonight, something had changed.The one-year term of their contractual marriage had expired. The divorce papers had already been automatically submitted and approved. Legally, they were no longer husband and wife—this was stipulated in the marriage contract Alice had signed.Alice stood up and faced Louis, her voice calm as she said, "You're hurting me."Louis, eyes red with anger, roared, "So what if I’m hurting you? I only grabbed your hand! Or do you not want to hold my hand anymore and would rather hold someone else’s—like Silas’s?"Alice rubbed her temples. "There’s nothing between Silas and me." She was genuinely surprised w
"Write me the latest report on Experiment R-X000, the submission deadline is in two days." The brief and fluent voice made the intern straighten up instinctively and quickly respond, "Understood, Dr.!"After assigning the task, Alice left the lab, removing her rimless glasses from her nose as she walked and gently rubbing her forehead.Lately, the workload at the lab had been overwhelming, and for some reason, even though she had been apart from him for just two days, Alice found herself frequently dreaming about Louis. Every time she closed her eyes, he was there."Could it be that I love him without realizing it?"Alice joked with herself, but she knew that was impossible.After leaving the lab, Alice unlocked her phone and saw two consecutive messages from Silas.[Are you free?][I’d like to invite you to lunch. I’ll be waiting for you at the school gate this afternoon.]Alice’s eyes were devoid of emotion. While she felt that Silas was the most normal one among Louis's friends, th
Evening, at the most luxurious hotel in Mystia City, this was the venue for the technical exchange banquet between cities.In this era, the development of science and technology was a focal point for many, carrying hopes of a revolutionary breakthrough that could transform the world and propel humanity toward a more advanced future. Under Louis's leadership, even the Adonis family had invested heavily in this field.It was undeniable: anyone capable of creating a groundbreaking and practical invention would undoubtedly become a globally influential figure. As a result, scientists garnered a certain level of respect from society. Esteemed scientists, in particular, were highly sought after, with even the wealthiest individuals willing to spend fortunes to lure them into their companies.Yet, amidst the prominent scientists—many with white hair or none—stood Alice, a young woman so strikingly youthful that she was often overlooked.People didn't associate her with being a scientist when
Could it be that Louis liked Alice? Impossible!Maya speculated, then quickly dismissed the thought. Her bright past and the confidence instilled by those around her made her sure of herself. Everyone believed Louis loved her deeply—so did she.She stepped forward, wrapped her hands around Louis’s arm, and gently said, “These people are so rude. Louis, you’re so kind. Even after the divorce, you still treat Alice so well.”She wore a white dress that complemented her delicate and gentle features tonight. The gown was meticulously tailored, modest from the front but revealing a large portion of her back, partially hidden by her flowing hair. The front displayed a deep neckline and a glimpse of her entire chest. Clinging to Louis’s arm, she “accidentally” pressed her soft curves against him.After sending away the gossiping man, Louis’s gaze instinctively drifted toward Alice.Today, she was dressed rather formally—not in the glamorous evening gowns she used to wear when accompanying hi
Alice lifted her gaze to Louis, her expression puzzled. She had always known Louis to be a genius in business but utterly clueless in social relationships. Now, she had discovered something new—Louis was surprisingly stubborn.Raising an eyebrow, Alice looked at Louis and calmly said, "You think I came here because of you? Louis, have you ever considered that you might be suffering from severe delusions?"Louis frowned deeply, anger flashing in his eyes at her words.Indeed, he believed Alice had come here because of him. After all, why else would someone like Alice, who disliked parties, attend this event alone?Standing beside him, Maya pursed her lips, seemingly dissatisfied as she interjected, "Alice, you can't talk to Mr. Louis like that! Apologize to him right now!"Louis frowned slightly, confused by Maya's sudden interference in his conversation with Alice. Perhaps she was upset on his behalf, but such intervention felt unnecessary. Still, Louis chose not to address it at the
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