"You lost your chance, Louis. You will never change." Alice coldly looked at Louis and spoke before turning away without hesitation. She didn't even want to look at him anymore.No, he had changed. He really had. Everything—everything was for her. Alice, I have indeed become a different person for you.There were so many things Louis wanted to say, but right now, the only thought in his mind was to stop Alice, hold onto her, and keep her from leaving!And so he did exactly that. Ignoring the pain in his legs, he lunged toward Alice.The sound of his body hitting the ground was heavy, like a hammer striking Alice's heart.She turned back and saw Louis lying there. For the first time, genuine anger flared in her eyes. "Are you insane, Louis?!"Louis looked up at her, forcing a weak smile. "Yes… maybe I have gone insane. I can't think about anything else but you. I can't imagine losing you, Alice. I've lost everything—right now, I only have you."Alice pressed her lips together, saying n
Alice ignored the assistant and pressed on. "What were you talking about? Who can't stand up? Who needs my invention to recover?"She already had a suspicion. The assistant was speaking with the doctor—who else could they be talking about besides Louis? But she refused to accept it. No… that can’t be right. Louis is fine. His legs will recover soon. There’s no way…!"Miss Alice…" The doctor hesitated while the assistant looked panicked.What the hell is happening? The assistant felt his mind racing. They were following the necessary procedures, but Alice had overheard them. Would this affect the chairman’s decision?He quickly signaled the doctor to stop talking. But it seemed the doctor didn’t catch his cue. Instead, he looked at Alice with a grave expression and said, "Miss Alice, I believe you have the right to know. You are Lord Louis’s fiancée; more importantly, your invention could greatly assist in his rehabilitation.""What are you talking about?" Alice stared at the doctor, h
Time passed, and a week had gone by since Louis regained consciousness. His recovery was so rapid that it left everyone in awe of his resilience and will to live.Aside from his legs still immobile, he was ready to be discharged from the hospital.Alice tidied up some of his belongings, her gaze landing on the wheelchair beside the hospital bed. She suddenly spoke gently, "Louis, once your leg injuries heal completely, you can start rehabilitation exercises. Everything will be fine."Louis, who had been smiling at Alice, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. Since Alice learned that he might never stand again, she had shown him an overwhelming amount of care—so much so that she was spoiling him more than ever.It felt like Alice was even more concerned about his legs than he was. Perhaps because he hadn’t truly lost them, he couldn’t fully understand her emotions.But her deep concern started to terrify him. If one day she found out it was all a lie, would she be able t
Mr. Drake and Ms. Aboli put on fake smiles. “Truly remarkable luck. As expected, nothing can bring down someone like you, Chairman.”Louis smiled, but then his expression abruptly turned cold. “I heard from Alice that during the board meeting, you, Ms. Aboli, suggested replacing me as the head of Ado Corporation. Do you still have that thought now, Ms. Aboli?”Ms. Aboli jolted in shock and quickly forced a laugh. “Of course not, Chairman! You misunderstood! I never intended to replace you! Everything I did was for the good of Ado Corporation.”Louis waved his hand dismissively. “I understand, I understand. No need to be so flustered, Ms. Aboli. Naturally, I trust your loyalty.”Ms. Aboli's face twisted in frustration. Why was she the only one being called out when she and Drake had the same intentions? Was Louis too blind to see Drake’s much larger ambitions? Everything she did was for the benefit of Ado Corporation!Louis either didn't understand Ms. Aboli’s thoughts or didn’t care.
Thunderous applause filled the hall as Alice pushed Louis forward.“Tsk, since when did Alice become your fiancée? Alice, this guy sure knows how to take advantage of the situation. He’s not a good person.” July suddenly sneered at Louis while simultaneously warning Alice.Louis was in an excellent mood and couldn't care less about July’s words. He shot her a provocative glance before turning to Alice. “Alice, you’re my fiancée, aren’t you?”Under July’s astonished gaze, Alice nodded. “Alright, can you two stop arguing here?”July’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No way. Alice, do you like him? Do you really like Louis? You agreed to be his fiancée?”Her voice had gotten a bit loud, drawing curious glances from the surrounding crowd.Alice looked at July and ruthlessly nodded. “Yes, I like Louis.”July frowned at Louis, inwardly wondering what tricks he had used to deceive Alice.At that moment, an all-too-familiar voice they all despised suddenly rang out.“Little brother, congratulatio
"Of course."Almost the moment he finished speaking, Louis froze. His entire body stiffened, his expression of disbelief as he stared at Alice. But in the next second, his gaze shifted rapidly from shock to pleading.Alice had already sat up. Her face was cold as she looked at Louis. Even though their position was undeniably intimate, at this moment, neither of them had even the slightest romantic thought."You lied to me again, Louis," Alice said in a low voice.She had never ignored warnings from the outside, and Louis’s behavior had made her suspicious. No matter how optimistic he usually was, his demeanor was not that of someone who would never stand again."No, Alice, listen to me—" Louis hurriedly spoke.Alice’s expression remained icy. "Fine, then explain your reason for deceiving me, Louis."Louis pressed his lips together and quickly said, "I never intended to lie to you, Alice. From the start, I never meant to deceive you. You overheard the doctor and the assistant talking..
Perhaps a handsome man stepping out of a luxury car with 99 roses in hand was a dream for many, but it was certainly not Alice’s dream—especially when that man was Louis.Alice’s voice was cold as she said, "What do you think you’re doing? I already told you I don’t want to see you again."Louis shook his head. "You never said that, Alice. You’re angry with me—I know everything was my fault. That’s why I’m here, seeking your forgiveness, your love. Please, give me another chance, Alice."Alice scoffed. "I’ve given you too many chances already, you liar."Louis remained where he stood, his eyes filled with determination and stubbornness. This time, he was certain of his goal and had no intention of giving up until he achieved it.Alice only found him more annoying than ever.She could feel the eyes of the crowd on them. Not wanting to be gawked at like some rare creature, she turned on her heel and walked away, not even sparing Louis another glance.Louis quickly caught up, flashing a
"I heard that Louis has completely stabilized his power. He’s still as outstanding as ever. No wonder he became the master of the most powerful corporation in the country." Sitting at the tea table, Mr. Campbell spoke slowly.Ron, sitting to the side, nodded. "That’s right. I heard that Cliff was pushed to the brink of imprisonment by him. But Cliff is quite capable himself—he’s been hiding so well that no one can find him."Mrs. Campbell scoffed coldly. "He really is a rat. Otherwise, back then, everyone wouldn’t have assumed he was dead."Ron nodded in agreement with his mother’s words.At that moment, Mrs. Campbell turned to Alice and suddenly asked, "Alice, what about your engagement with Louis? He’s been awake for quite some time now, but I haven’t heard you mention anything about it."Alice, sitting quietly to the side, couldn’t help but feel a little exasperated. If her mother was asking about her and Louis, then the rumors outside must have already reached her parents.Lowerin
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