Sanchez laughed heartily again."No need, Wolf. This is just a small matter. I won't be that harsh on you. We've been friends for a long time; I'll tell you for free. But I want to know first why you want an explanation about that incident."Sanchez wanted to make sure he wouldn't be in danger when he told the truth. He wasn't worried that Wolf would report him or leak secrets—just ensuring. Their relationship was symbiotic.Many of Wolf's artists would fall if Sanchez opened his mouth, and Wolf could easily prove how much bribery money Sanchez had received over time. They were both cautious now."I just want to know if this incident is dangerous for Iris or not. I'm cleaning up her entire past. Let's say that. She has caused me enough trouble lately." Wolf presented a reason he had already prepared. He knew Sanchez wouldn't easily fall for a light excuse."Oh, I see. What if I tell you that this incident won't affect Iris? Is that enough?" Sanchez asked."No. I want to know what real
Zoe stood near the stairs that would lead her to the stage. She just stood there because everything was ready. Her outfit, consisting of only two small pieces of fabric, was perfect, along with her makeup and the red stiletto matching the wig she wore today.But Zoe couldn't bring herself to climb those stairs. She had tried to focus on the music and ignore the cheers of the audience to move her body, but it didn't work.Zoe felt like crying again at the thought of having to undress up there. She tried to recall how easily she had climbed and performed this job not long ago. It should still be the same. Nothing had changed. Her body was the same, her face was the same, and her need for money was still the same. But Zoe couldn't do it anymore."Are you going up or not?!" Megan's reprimand came from the stage. Zoe's turn to perform was approaching. However, Megan had to step forward because Zoe still hadn't come out.Zoe wanted to ask for a little time, but Megan scoffed when she saw he
Wolf rubbed his aching chest, almost as if a truck had just run him over. Marco may be human, but Wolf felt his massive body was made of iron. Wolf had actually tried not to come every day, knowing he'd be kicked out, but Marco was always vigilant and recognised him.Tiana seemed serious about not letting him meet Zoe. Tiana asked all the guards at the front door not to allow him in. They had memorised Wolf, of course, as he had been a long-time patron of Rainbow Wing. But that status didn't make Tiana more lenient. Once she decided not to accept Wolf anymore, she tried her best to prevent him. No matter how Wolf tried to cover his face, they still knew and kicked him out."I think your height won't deceive anyone." Marco told Wolf what made him easily recognizable. Wolf did have above-average height."Marco..." Wolf took a breath as he stood. He even knew the name of the bald guy, having heard his name often."I just want to meet her, just once," Wolf said."No." Marco answered witho
Wolf rushed in and saw Tiana sitting in the lobby of the building, smiling when she noticed him."I knew you would come," Tiana said."Let's go upstairs," Wolf said, pointing towards the elevator, and they went up immediately.The building wasn't completely empty; many people were still working at night. Whether it was overtime or a preference for a quieter environment, some singers and songwriters liked working at night. But Becca was no longer there. Wolf passed by her empty desk as he opened the door to his office and gestured for Tiana to sit on one of the guest chairs."I won't offer you a drink because I don't know where it is. I hope you can speak quickly before getting thirsty," Wolf said."I'll keep it brief," Tiana replied, sitting down on the sofa."What do you want from Zoe?" Tiana asked calmly.Wolf hesitated for a moment, unsure if his answer would satisfy Tiana. "Her voice. Zoe has an incredibly beautiful voice. I want to make her a successful singer," Wolf said."Is th
He only knew that he didn't want to let go of Zoe."It feels wrong. It didn't feel right. I wanted to closely monitor her progress earlier. She has to stay with me again." Wolf can only give that answer.Tiana chuckled softly. "You're absurd. You look like a child whose candy has been taken away.""I'm not sulking! I just don't want to use that method!" Wolf grumbled."Yeah, and it's weird! Don't you feel it?" Tiana shook her head."I've never seen you obsessed with a woman like this. I've at least set you up with..." Tiana counted it in her head."Fifteen maybe—different girls. But you never pursued them a second time. But Zoe...""None of them had a voice like Zoe's," Wolf interjected. That was true, although what initially tempted Wolf was her body.This time, Tiana just smiled. She continued to look at Wolf but refrained from asking further questions."Okay, I accept that reason. You can meet her," Tiana said.Wolf immediately stood up. "No more Marco blocking me?!""No. But if yo
Wolf took off his jacket, wrapped it around Zoe, and lifted her. Quickly, he maneuvered through the chaos and ran towards the second floor. There were a few grabs at the collar of his shirt, but Wolf managed to fend them off by twisting his body.Fortunately, he was familiar enough with the layout of Rainbow Wings, having visited often. Wolf had no trouble finding the staircase leading to the second floor. He knew that the second floor wouldn't be too crowded, as VVIP guests usually wouldn't care about anything happening outside their respective rooms. That's how he was once inside.Sure enough, the second floor appeared undisturbed. Meanwhile, the commotion downstairs continued, now accompanied by police sirens, shouts, and warning shots to quell the disturbance."Where do I go?" Wolf wondered, failing to open the nearest door. The door was locked; possibly someone was inside.Zoe pointed to the left with her head while her body remained tightly wrapped. But Zoe's indicated direction
With her swollen eyes, Zoe gazed at Wolf kneeling in front of her. The kneeling position alone was enough to make Zoe question whether reality was real or not. Wolf's words only further distanced her from the real world.Wolf offered something without mentioning what the return for it would be, implying that it should only happen in the world of dreams. It is too beautiful not to be true."There's a reward I ask for, of course."Zoe almost snorted as the world began to feel real when Wolf mentioned a reward."I've fallen in love… with your voice. I want your voice. It's really… really beautiful."Zoe wanted to curse. Her heart had almost stopped for a moment when she heard Wolf say 'love'. The pause had almost turned its meaning into something entirely different. The discussion about the voice that followed brought Zoe back to life, warming her body.He only discussed the voice. Zoe immediately reminded herself not to think too far again. Zoe had to remind herself again that she was f
Zoe lowered her head. She felt afraid, understanding that Wolf's expectations of her were extremely high. Yet she dared not hope too much, considering she could no longer speak after what happened yesterday.Of course, Zoe had tried to speak during her time at Rainbow Wings dozens of times, but she hadn't been able to produce a single word.But Wolf's offer this time was much more 'healthy' than before. She didn't have to hide her vengeance, and she had something to offer, not just his body. The clear difference would lead to a different direction in this agreement.[I accept.] Zoe handed over the pink cat, and Wolf cheered."YES!" Wolf jumped up and rushed to hug the surprised Zoe. Wolf truly embraced her.It was not a perfunctory hug, but a tight one that lifted Zoe from the bed, forcing her to stand as Wolf swung his body in sheer joy. And it was the first joyous hug Zoe has received in the last few years.Tiana had also hugged her, but it was different. Tiana's hugs were usually b
"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,