"Huk!" The next second, Zoe almost vomited as she took a breath; the dirty and foul-smelling smell made her stomach upset.
"That's what you get for daring to cross me!" Zoe wiped her face to see more clearly who was yelling at her. Iris was standing near the door with a bucket in her hand."Iris? What...""That foul odor suits you well, given that you dared to wag your tail in an attempt to seduce the man of another woman!" Iris jeered again."I... seduce who?" Zoe didn't know who Iris was referring to; she just couldn't believe someone was accusing her of seducing Max. It was too absurd."Maxwell Taylor! I know you've been trying to steal him from me!" Iris snapped."Are you insane?!"Zoe would have been more accepting if Iris's anger was about Wolf, because it would make more sense. What Iris was doing now made her not only possess bad qualities but also appear unintelligent. Zoe was genuinely astonished by the woman's relentless efforOnce again, Wolf's appearance surprised everyone, including Zoe.She didn't really need Wolf's help, but since he was there, she would use it to perfect the drama.As soon as Wolf looked at her, Zoe, still sobbing, immediately turned behind the security guard next to her. Pretending to be embarrassed and hiding her messy face and body is a characteristic of someone greatly oppressed."What did you do to her?!" Wolf automatically turned and glared sharply at Iris.Wolf could tell from Zoe's soaked and crying state that something big had just happened because of Iris."It's not my fault! I was just defending myself because that cheap woman tried to steal my boyfriend."Iris harshly mentioned things that would make Zoe look bad, as there were still many recording the incident. Although security had already come out and dispersed the crowd to keep them away,."What did Loria do?" Wolf, of course, wanted to laugh at Iris's outcry. Like Zoe earlier, he d
"You! Tell Loria to meet me after she finishes cleaning up!" Wolf requested one of the staff—whatever department—as he hurriedly walked towards the elevator. The woman nodded and followed Wolf to the lift.Wolf deliberately spoke loudly to give the impression that he would also reprimand Zoe, not just Iris, for causing trouble.Actually, Wolf wanted to follow Zoe to her studio, but that would be too conspicuous. Wolf was sure the eighth floor must be chaotic by now because it was crowded. Surely, many people had spread the news about what had happened. So Wolf couldn't risk approaching Zoe directly by entering her studio.Wolf could also message Zoe, asking her to come upstairs, but it would be strange if Zoe met him without a clear command. Wolf insisted loudly to dispel all suspicion—so that people would see and no further questions would arise.After the employee he had instructed left on the eighth floor, Wolf continued
"You're alright, aren't you? Can you still speak? Do I need to call Sara?"After embracing Zoe, Wolf proceeded to check her body, something he had wanted to do since earlier. He wanted to know if Iris had hurt Zoe."Wolf, I just got splashed with water. I'm not injured," Zoe explained, puzzled as to why Wolf seemed panicked."Wait! Did you really think I was crying and in pain earlier?" Zoe asked, trying to hold back laughter.Wolf, who was examining Zoe's arm, immediately stopped moving and looked at Zoe."You weren't really crying?" To Wolf, Zoe had seemed so convincing earlier, especially when she hid her face behind her back, looking very pitiful."Could my acting deceive you? I wasn't crying," Zoe said incredulously.She then widened her eyes with her fingers, showing her clear eyes. There was no redness or puffiness, just a different color because Zoe hadn't worn soft lenses yet.That's why Zoe had a bit of trouble when she was about to leave the bathroom earlier, knowing she wo
Zoe lifted her messy head, her eyes still half-closed, her hand reaching out to grab her phone buzzing near her head."Who could be calling you so early in the morning?" Wolf, who was embracing Zoe's body, naturally woke up too, though he kept his eyes shut."Maybe it's Tiana," mumbled Zoe.She remembered that Tiana had tried to reach her last night, but Zoe, who had seen the missed call, hadn't had the chance to call back because Wolf kept her 'busy', even after they arrived home. Zoe had slept soundly afterwards."Yes? What's up?" Zoe asked, placing the phone in her ear and closing her eyes again."Loria? Are you okay? I'm sorry. I never imagined Iris would do that." Max's voice came through the line.Zoe opened her eyes, realizing that the caller wasn't Tiana. Zoe cursed inwardly upon seeing Max's name on her phone screen. Knowing she wouldn't answer the call, she let it ring."I had no idea Iris could be so ruthless. I truly regret it, Loria,"
"You came!" Iris exclaimed in relief as she saw Max walk into the house they lived in together."I've been waiting all night." Iris stood with unsteady steps—due to being drunk—and approached Max, hugging him."Do you know what happened? This isn't fair! Wolf suddenly kicked me out, even though the girl was at fault."Iris complained while crying, not caring that Max's hands hadn't been responding to hug or comfort her for a while."Iris, you were the one who splashed her with water first."That reply eventually made Iris realize that there was a change in Max's attitude. The man who would usually sweetly respond to her complaints in any situation.Listening to the details until the end and still mentioning things that would make her happier. Although he was not offering any solutions, at least Max would console her."Max, did you just defend that slutty girl?" Iris stepped back, looking at Max's now smile-less face more closely."
"Good afternoon."After greeting politely, Wolf sat facing two people who looked sour and angry.They were Brown and Maynard. They came as representatives of shareholders, as they were the largest shareholders of Wolf. They were the ones who could 'reprimand' Wolf."What kind of news is this?!"Maynard, older, with wavy and perfectly white hair, asked rudely as he threw an entertainment newspaper with the top headline about Iris no longer being part of Wolf. It wasn't Sanchez's writing, but the content was more or less similar to what Sanchez requested, although not in detail."The news is accurate. I terminated Iris's contract last night. But don't worry; I will personally pay the compensation for that contract. Using my own money," Wolf replied. He mentioned money to reassure them. The cancellation of the contract would not disturb the company's income."It's not about the compensation, Mr. Wolf! It's about the revenue!" Brown, slightly younger and th
PLAK!Max held his cheek in surprise. The slap was unexpected because he didn't feel like he had done anything wrong."Why..." Max was at a loss for words and looked at Billy with anger. He still couldn't understand why he got hit."That's to knock some sense into you! How could you suddenly be with Iris?! And you didn't say anything to me beforehand?!" Billy shouted."Because it was obvious to me! What Iris did yesterday was outrageous! And don't you see the consequences now? I can't be with her anymore! I'd be dragged down with her if we were still together!"Max fought back fiercely this time because he felt he was right. He couldn't sacrifice himself and go down with Iris. Max was actually relieved because he announced that his relationship with Iris was over one day after the incident.And Billy, who was abroad at the time, had no idea. He only returned today, two days later.PAK!Billy hit Max on the head with the document in his hand.
The police immediately brought Iris to sit down and called their colleague—the female police officer—to approach her and whisper about what she wanted to do.Her friend nodded and sat next to Iris, taking her hand with a sympathetic gesture. Holding it."We'll listen to whatever it is. Please, what do you want to report? There's no need to rush; just calm down." The female police officer persuaded her gently, according to procedure."The incident happened several years ago. I remained silent all this time because my feelings blinded me, but I should have spoken up sooner. I regret it so much... I was afraid at that time..." Iris covered her face again and cried."It's okay; calm down first. There's no need to be afraid anymore. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay. Everyone deserves time to gather the strength to say something difficult."The police officer gently patted Iris's thigh."A few years ago, the man I loved tried to kill someone