"May I hug you? You deserve it," Jacob asked as the camera stopped recording. Zoe chuckled softly."Of course," she said."Congratulations! You finally made it to the final." Jacob gave a brief hug and a pat on the back, showing his true feelings off-camera. Such a hug could spark gossip if he's not careful. Zoe knew and appreciated Jacob's effort to protect her reputation.The hug only meant congratulations because Zoe had gone through two tough weeks and finally made it to the final. Another contestant performed even worse, saving Zoe from elimination—a stroke of luck.Two days ago, Zoe advanced through the semifinals with the last song arranged by Wolf. An easier song. Zoe managed to get through it smoothly, although Syanna said Zoe didn't perform a hundred percent. That achievement was almost unimaginable for Zoe because of her messy performance."Thank you once again for everything you've done," Zoe said. She was genuinely grateful to Jacob for being a patient mentor."I'm paid f
"Correct, it was Wolf who made it," Jacob easily guessed whose name crossed Zoe's mind."And I guess the song couldn't possibly be for Julio," Jacob smiled.The possibility of Wolf creating the song for Julio was as likely as snow falling in July in New York. Everyone in the building knew Wolf's nature and about his collection of women.Jacob rested his head on his hand. He was undoubtedly itching to ask what had happened to Zoe and Wolf, but he restrained himself. He didn't know Zoe as well as he knew Wolf. However, Jacob could still offer advice."I don't mean to meddle, but I can tell when a singer isn't singing with their whole heart. And that's what I've been seeing for the past two weeks."Zoe lowered her head upon hearing Jacob's words. She could already guess that Jacob must know something when he mentioned Wolf's name so easily earlier."Your performance yesterday was indeed better than it was two weeks ago, but it's still not satisfactory. Your emotion is strain, and your vi
Wolf dragged Emily to the edge of the road, intending to toss her into a taxi and send her back to Maryland.But it certainly didn't go smoothly. Emily struggled and hit Wolf's hand to free herself. Some people glanced over, puzzled by the scene, but only briefly, intrigued but shaking their heads and moving on.The sight of Wolf with an angry woman was not new, and at most it was just day-old gossip. They assumed Wolf was just trying to cut ties with a woman who didn't want to be just a bedmate. Normal and unsurprising.But for Zoe, the sight was all new. She continued to follow and watch from a reasonable distance. Not too close, but still able to hear what the woman was saying."Tomy, let me go!" Emily hit Wolf's hand for the umpteenth time."Tomy?" Zoe frowned upon hearing the call, which sounded even more personal than Thomas.Wolf finally let go of Emily's hand, disgusted by the nickname. They had reached the roadside, but it wasn't enough to call a taxi."What are you doing her
"That... your stepmother?" Zoe pointed at Emily, stuttering."Yes, but there's nothing between us!" Wolf quickly stated the fact before Zoe could think too far."You kiss her!" Zoe's voice remained disturbed, particularly because Wolf had kissed her stepmother; it was more than disgusting."That's not a kiss! She forced me!" Wolf vehemently denied, trying to approach Zoe, but Emily restrained their hand."Who is that woman?" Emily asked, and Wolf's patience was running out. He should eliminate the most disgusting thing first."Go away, Bitch!" Wolf snarled again, grabbing Emily's hand, moving faster, and raising their hand to hail a taxi."No! I don't want to!" Emily rebelled as Wolf opened the taxi door and tried to push her in."Sir, what are you doing?" The taxi driver, who had stopped, of course, panicked to see the altercation and got out. The question momentarily diverted Wolf's attention, and Emily managed to push Wolf away, freeing herself."Emily!" Wolf exclaimed as Emily now
Zoe was startled as her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. The call came from an unknown number. Zoe answered out of habit, without much thought."Mrs. Wolf?""Um... Yes?" Zoe replied hesitantly. She was surprised and puzzled because she didn't expect anyone to address her by that name. It was the first time someone had called her Mrs. Wolf."Sorry, we're from the emergency service. We regret to inform you that your husband has just been in an accident."For a moment, Zoe was confused about how the officer had contacted her, but then she realized that they must have found her phone number from Wolf's personal data already brought to the hospital."Mr. Wolf has been taken and will be treated at the hospital...""Yes, I know. I'm on my way to that hospital."Zoe ended the call and bowed her head, covering her face.She felt guilty for feeling what she shouldn't. Zoe felt relieved when she received the emergency contact as Wolf's wife. She was the one in that data, not anyone else. N
"I hope your explanation doesn't have anything gross in it—like sleeping with your own mother-in-law," Zoe added."I'll give you the full scoop."Wolf doesn't deny it, and it totally grosses Zoe out, but Wolf's expression, which appears to be in anguish, keeps Zoe glued to the waiting chair."Let me start from the beginning, okay? There might be stuff that doesn't really matter, but I'll bring it all up." Wolf doesn't have any willpower left to figure out what stuff matters and what doesn't."My mom is actually from South Asia. I have a mixed heritage. Maybe you have already guessed it." His wonderful green eyes indicate some white ancestry, while his face reflects a combination of diverse backgrounds."She passed away when I was a little kid. I didn't really know her. After my mother passed away, my dad never brought up her side of the family. He's busy, so he left me alone with a babysitter and money."This aspect of the story seems rather distant from Emily, but it helps Zoe feel s
Wolf still remembers that day vividly. He woke up and went downstairs as usual, then turned on the television to have some background noise while warming up food.Until he heard a news anchor mention his father's name, Wolf initially thought it was a joke. Wolf initially thought it was a joke, as he had heard similar news before about his father's death, although it was never confirmed.Wolf could only digest the news as true after realizing that what he saw on the screen was the funeral process. It wasn't just news of death anymore; they were already in the midst of the funeral process.Wolf, too busy as usual, had no idea about his father's death news and only found out after his funeral had taken place. Wolf also witnessed how Emily cried and went through her usual drama that day."I didn't know what to feel at that moment. I wanted to laugh because the person I hated finally died... But I couldn't... I didn't hate him that much after all."Wolf smiled bitterly. Previously, he thou
"But why has Emily said she's your wife after that?"Zoe was still puzzled about this. She believed that Wolf couldn't possibly marry Emily. The disgust Wolf showed towards Emily seemed very real. Zoe might believe more if Wolf married Sara, but not Emily. She wanted to know why Emily claimed to be Wolf's wife."That's because she's crazy. We met during the reading and signing of the inheritance letter, after which I called her crazy. Emily's dream was to marry me. She hoped that after my father died, we could get married.""She really thought something like that would be possible?!" Zoe was astonished again."Yes, as I told you. She's a bit crazy. Feeling like the center of the world and believing that any man would easily fall in love with her and would never be rejected. She will continue to use her beauty to get what she wants. The only thing she can use to make money is her face.""Oh, she's running out of time." Zoe instantly understood why Emily seemed so forceful. It was becau
"LORIA MOREAU!"Zoe froze. She heard her name, but couldn't believe it was hers."Wake up, baby. And smile. It’s yours."Wolf's whisper finally stirred emotions in Zoe. She blushed with emotion, only able to stand when Wolf helped her. Unfortunately, Wolf couldn't escort her to the stage.Luckily, Syanne's hand was there to assist her, followed by Jacob, who was closest to the stage, helping her navigate the stairs to reach the top.Zoe expressed her gratitude several times to the person presenting her award before finally standing in front of the microphone to deliver her speech.Zoe took a few deep breaths, wiping away tears, before finally being able to address the camera and the patiently waiting audience."This is something I never dreamed of, standing here and receiving this." Zoe glanced down at the trophy in her hands once more and smiled."I... I once buried this dream. I no longer hoped to sing, let alone receive this. Not long
Zoe did something that Wolf would not like. She wouldn't lie, but she would inform him later, once the task was complete. Zoe wants to handle this herself without anyone else's interference.Of course, it's not easy. She walks with an anxious heart. Zoe adjusts her sunglasses several times on her nose, while her other hand carries a beautiful pink flower and gift box.Zoe feels anxious, knowing that people will recognize her when she enters later. But she's resigned. It's not possible to hide her identity now, considering the person she's going to meet.Approaching the counter after filling out a form with the prisoner's name and number, Zoe submits it."Please wait over there. We'll call you," says the prison guard behind the counter.He stares at Zoe several times as another guard checks Zoe's belongings—making sure no contraband is smuggled, glancing to confirm—even reading her name on the form but doesn't comment.Relieved—because
"Here." Wolf handed the cup to Zoe.Zoe wanted to take it, but her hands were still busy responding to messages on her phone."Cliff really doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" Zoe asked."Hm? Why are you asking?" Wolf asked suspiciously."For Sara. She wanted to confirm this because she doesn't believe someone like Cliff is still single.Zoe sighed, showing the message Sara sent to her. Showing that she wasn't lying. She was indeed asking for Sara, not for herself."Not yet. According to Clay, he used to have one—a journalist or an MC, if I'm not mistaken. But they broke up when Cliff was about to move here. Either he moved and then they broke up, or they broke up and then he moved."Wolf just repeated Clay's words, of course. And now Zoe repeated them in the form of a message to Sara and sent it to reassure her."How do you know these details?" After sending the message and taking her cup, Zoe asked in amazement. The knowle
"Should have been in jail..."Max denied reality once again. For him, Loria still couldn't possibly be Zoe because she should have been in jail."You're endlessly foolish!" Billy slammed the table and went berserk.He grabbed Max by the collar with his handcuffs. Of course, chaos ensued immediately, and shouts erupted as the police guarding the area rushed in to subdue Billy, pinning him to the ground.But evidently, Billy was truly furious with Max, as he continued to resist and curse at Max even while being held down."YOUR STUPIDITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS!""SILENCE!"The judge's thundering voice overshadowed Billy's outburst. Not only Billy fell silent, but also the journalists and spectators who were making noise."Once again, if anyone disturbs me, I will reschedule this trial! UNDERSTOOD?!"The silence in the room signified that they all understood."Take him out. Mr. Dacosta, I'll make sure your charges include this incident. Assaul
The prosecutor began with standard questions, asking about Sara's background—education, how long she had been a psychiatrist, and so on. Only after that did she mention Zoe."Since when has Ms. Zoe Anderson been your patient?" the prosecutor asked."For over a year," Sara replied clearly. Gone was the cheerful demeanor she usually wore when facing patients."Can you explain Ms. Anderson's condition at that time?""Zoe came with a desire to heal because she suffered severe trauma that was very visible and prevented her from leading a normal life.""Could you please explain more about that trauma?"Sara nodded calmly because everything matched the expectations given by Cliff."Zoe came in a state where she couldn't speak, but medical examinations showed that Zoe didn't have any physical injuries anymore. The absence of any disturbances in her nerves confirmed that her inability to speak was a result of PTSD. Severe trauma due to a bad incident
"That's... Strange. You must be kidding!" Iris shook her head vigorously while staring at Zoe from head to toe, trying to recognize her as the same person she saw before with Max."Have I ever joked when talking to you?" Wolf replied flatly, pulling a chair for Zoe. The chair is furthest from Iris. She was still at a loss for words and kept staring at Zoe."Are you really Zoe Anderson?" Iris continued to stare at Zoe."Yes, before I changed my name to Loria Moreau, that was also my name." Zoe replied calmly. The apprehension that had plagued her earlier had vanished.The meeting with Iris might have been unexpected and almost annoying, but Zoe felt empowered, knowing that she was currently in control.Seeing Iris's surprise, Zoe felt satisfaction. A victory for successfully showing her new self to Iris. Zoe was no longer the disheveled individual she had encountered, who garnered disdain due to her perceived inferiority."That's impossible! You don't lo
Zoe smoothed her cream-colored skirt and blazer. Darcy's choice, so Zoe wouldn't appear intimidating or grim.She felt nervous, as she could see from a distance how journalists were crowding in front of the courthouse. They were undoubtedly waiting for the enigmatic figure of Zoe Anderson. There were no images of Zoe in the news because there was no documentation of Zoe's case.Due to her prior injuries and hospitalization, Zoe did not attend the trial as a suspect. No one recorded her face or bothered to find out at the hospital because the case clearly made her a suspect.Zoe also ran her fingers through her hair, which was back to being blonde. She wasn't wearing a wig today. It was the first time she would appear without her black hair, and honestly, it made Zoe even more nervous. It felt like she was removing the mask that had protected her. Zoe would be Zoe in front of everyone, no longer Loria.Wolf, who had been observing Zoe's nervousness, said, "Your be
"He's trying to save himself! So cunning!" Wolf hissed irritably.It was clear from Iris's statement that she only wanted to save herself by blaming Max and Billy."She made them look like she was under pressure to hide the truth about Zoe. Iris then used that pressure as an excuse to justify all her strange actions. She hid from her mistakes by using mental health as an excuse." Sara shook her head, looking annoyed. She was obviously upset when someone used mental health as a lie."She managed to escape using a lifeboat before her ship really sank." Cliff looked at Iris, who continued to sob and cry amidst her words."It doesn't matter. Let it be," Zoe said, folding her arms and staring at the television without blinking."What do you mean, let it be? She's lying again!" Wolf also pointed to the television with a disapproving face."At least she has been honest, especially about me. Whatever she said makes things right; just let it be," Zoe repeated.
"Why so fast?" Zoe stared at the summons she had received in panic.When Benson mentioned that she would receive a summons to attend court, Zoe assumed the trial would take place maybe around one or two months later, but it turned out to be only three days later and effective in two days."I think Benson waited until his file was complete before calling you. That's why now he just has to submit it to the court, and the schedule comes down immediately," Cliff explained. He took the letter from her hand to examine it."I only have to come once, right?"Zoe asked to confirm, as she really didn't want to attend the trial multiple times."Yes, that's why I asked to meet with the psychiatrist who treated you. I need to ask them to answer questions about your condition well. They have to give the right answers for the judge to grant the request," Cliff explained today's plan."I think they'll be here soon. She said they still had a patient earlier,