"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
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
"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
"Damn!" Zoe cursed as she saw the elevator queue. It was so long, so she reluctantly changed direction and headed for the stairs. Her destination was the sixth floor; her leg would go limp if she ran. But waiting for the elevator would make her late. Zoe had no other choice; her morning had been filled with her boyfriend's curses, demanding her to fetch an item he considered a lucky charm. She won't make any more mistakes. Zoe ran up the stairs with her hand on her stomach. She wanted to be cautious, not to disturb her pregnancy. But she didn't want to ruin Max's appearance—her boyfriend. With stumbling steps, Zoe headed towards the dressing room where Max was waiting. "Here!" Zoe burst in, rushing to open the door, and hastily tossed the pair of socks—a good luck charm owned by Max—into the air. Max didn't have the confidence to sing without those smelly socks—he believed his performance would fail without them. A foolish belief, but Max cared deeply about it. Max knew Zoe would
Even the dumbest people can guess what happened in the room before Billy—Max’s producer, opened it. It's apparent as a sunny day.The sight of that butt is not new for Zoe. She saw it just this morning when Max got out of bed. They slept together last night. Max seduced her last night, almost causing Zoe to miss her 3 a.m. alarm. Zoe had to wake up early to prepare Max's things.She did it willingly and without complaint. Zoe never wanted to complain, even though the burden was getting heavier over time. She was willing to do it for Max—the man now trying to wear his clothes after sleeping with another woman."What's this?" Billy asked, not angry. He even seemed pleased as he watched the person with the camera take alternating pictures of Iris and Max."Be careful not to write anything bad about me!" The threat came from Iris, who was putting on her clothes."I won't. I don't want to have a feud with Wolf." The journalist knew who was behind Iris."There won't be a problem. You two ma
"You're all so stupid! I've said it over and over again to take care of yourselves! I don't care what you do if you don't cause trouble! Your brains can't even comprehend something as simple as this?!" Billy is furious and exclaimed. "You're the most foolish!" He glared at Max and shouted harshly."Can't you control yourself and stop sleeping with just any woman? You'll ruin your career if you keep getting involved with random women and getting them pregnant!""Who are you calling a random woman?!" Zoe snapped back equally loudly.Zoe might have just destroyed her chances for a career. But Zoe didn't care. Billy had just belittled her."I'm his girlfriend. We've been together for years! I'm not a random woman! Iris is the random one! You saw it for yourself, didn't you?" Zoe shout angrilyIris, the woman Max had met this morning, and by noon they were almost intimate. She's the random woman."But she's Iris White, and you're nobody! She can support Max's career to improve while you'r
Zoe's tears are the first that translate the sorrow."AAGHH!"But she couldn't say anything. Crying in silence was suffocating. Zoe wanted to scream, to release the pain that weighed on her chest, but only gasps and moans escaped her lips.Even swearing seemed beyond Zoe's ability. She wanted to be angry at Billy, she wanted to be angry at Max for not defending her, she wanted to be angry at Iris for starting all her misfortunes, but everything was held back in her throat."Please calm down for a moment. The explanation is quite long."The doctor interrupted with a regretful expression. He didn't want to disturb Zoe's grief, but he had to explain.With still-wet eyes, Zoe looked at him and blinked. She was urging him to continue. Her mind was still in turmoil, but Zoe wanted to hear it all."Your head was hit hard, and you underwent surgery to remove a blood clot. Now you're healthy, but your hair might be shorter because we had to shave it."Reflexively, Zoe tried to raise her hand t
TWO YEARS LATER"Zoe, wake up! There's a VVIP guest. You take it!"Zoe stood up from the sofa that served as her bed, looking at the person who had just woken her up with an annoyed expression, but then Zoe smiled. She recognized the person.Tiana, a woman in her forties, was also the owner of the strip club where she currently worked.Zoe reached for the string that was usually used to hang a name tag, but it wasn't a name tag hanging at the end of it. There was a stack of cards with various writings that could be chosen. But Tiana seemed impatient."Yes... yes. I know you'll thank me. But later. He's not a patient person and wants to have fun tonight."Tiana took the greeting card from Zoe's hand and threw it onto the table. Zoe looked at it disappointedly, as she had just found a quicker way to communicate besides writing."Sorry, but not tonight. I'll see it tomorrow. I need to get you ready. Put this on."Tiana wasn't usually rough, but her guest was a VVIP regular. In a hurry, T
A daring plan formed in Zoe's mind. A genuinely audacious goal. Wolf continued to observe Zoe, especially her face. Zoe tilted her head, allowing him to see her face more clearly. She positioned herself at the right angle so Wolf wouldn't judge her appearance too harshly. "I'll take a look first," Wolf said, placing his drink on the table. Not an ordinary table. The table was Zoe's stage. Round, wide enough for a dancer to move safely and freely, with an iron pole in the centre. "I hope you like it." Tiana excused herself. As the sound of Tiana's footsteps grew fainter as the room door closed, Zoe's heartbeat grew louder. She usually no longer got nervous and worked professionally immediately, but this time was different. She had to succeed in getting Wolf interested in her. She had to make him request full service and leave an impression. "You choose the song." Wolf handed Zoe a tablet containing a list of songs, and Zoe was thankful for it. She could choose a song she was very
"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,