There is no need to ask so menacingly, actually, because Zoe has no intention of resisting. But of course, Zoe curses her obedience again. Naughty thoughts shouldn't have surfaced.But Wolf's low, teasing voice—not to mention his touch—only exacerbates the feelings that currently engulf Zoe.Wolf takes her to the center of the room, and Zoe is about to follow when Wolf sits on the sofa, but then he releases her hand. Zoe frowns, because that is certainly unusual."Are you disappointed? Come on, don't be too predictable." Wolf taunts, looking at the wrinkles on Zoe's forehead. That smug smile clearly annoys Zoe.Zoe finally raises her middle finger. It's very clear that Wolf has been teasing her since earlier. He didn't invite her here to sleep with him.[WHAT DO YOU WANT?!!!!!]Zoe adds as many exclamation marks as possible to show her anger. Wolf just smiles, then pours the brandy that has been prepared according to his order."Sing for me..." Wolf raises his glass, stating his reque
Zoe blinked several times, wanting to see if the figure currently sleeping beside her would yawn and vanish into thin air, becoming a part of her dreams. But Wolf was still there, sleeping soundly with heavy breaths. His arm wrapped around Zoe's waist, preventing her from moving away.This was unusual because Wolf usually never stayed until he fell asleep beside her. Even if he did stay until he slept, Zoe wouldn't know, as she often fell asleep quickly, and by the time she woke up, Wolf was already awake. Whether he had showered or had already gone to work, Zoe couldn't remember.Normally, Wolf rarely sleeps at home. So, apart from the days they "did it," they never slept together in the same bed. Zoe didn't know where Wolf slept on other days, and she didn't care too much. But now, she was wondering if Wolf was with another woman when he wasn't with her."Damn it!" Zoe cursed inwardly. She didn't want to know and didn't need to know.As long as he used a condom when sleeping with he
After that trip to Los Angeles, Wolf disappeared for almost a week. Not entirely vanished, as Zoe would occasionally see him come home. Just to change clothes, grab something, or whatever it was. Clearly, Wolf was never at home for more than two hours, and Zoe was, of course, extremely grateful for that. Apart from the relief from sleep duties, Zoe could continue her stalking activities.Actually, Zoe also wanted to know how the consultation with the psychiatrist went, but she wouldn't force Wolf with questions, as it was his wish.And honestly, Zoe just didn't want to be disappointed in case the psychiatrist she would meet later said that her condition was difficult to handle or something like that.At the moment, Zoe prefers to run and feel safe. Her escape, of course, involved doing what she had planned from the beginning: taking revenge.Zoe wore cheap sunglasses she bought yesterday. Even though they covered her eyes, Zoe still wore blue contact lenses to hide her original eye co
"ARE YOU BLIND?!" Iris yelled. Zoe held back a smile upon hearing it but, of course, didn't show it.Zoe quickly typed a reply on her phone. [Sorry, it was unintentional. And sorry again, I can't talk because my throat is sore.]"Are you sure it's just your throat that's sore? I think your eyes has a problem too! You're not using them properly!" Iris raged, swatting away Zoe's attempt to pat her shoulder.[Sorry, it was really accidental. I'll cover the cost of cleaning your clothes] Zoe apologized again, adding the money aspect because she knew it would make Iris even angrier."Money? I don't need your money! You made my body sticky and uncomfortable!" Iris kicked over the drink Zoe had placed on the floor, spreading the wetness.Zoe regretted not being able to capture the epic scene on video. But Iris's voice was expressive enough."Iris, please don't be angry," Cleo intervened with panic, looking around to see if anyone was recording the scene. Little did she know that Zoe's phone,
"I want to see the face that you consider ugly," Max said, smiling as he gazed at Zoe's face.Zoe felt like she was dying as Max continued to stare at her. Max's eyes rolled, focusing on a spot on Zoe's nose, but that was it.Zoe's heart, initially pounding with panic, slowly calmed and shrank when she didn't see any sign that Max recognized her.Apart from her currently reddened face, Zoe's makeup could be considered heavy—far from her usual simple self. But the freckles on her cheek and nose didn't reflect the real Zoe, as her face used to be clear and flawless."I don't see any flaws here. You don't need to be embarrassed to take a photo with me." Max released Zoe's chin, and of course, Zoe instinctively stepped back.[Sorry, but I am really embarrassed.]Zoe wrote it with trembling hands, fortunately still managing to write it correctly.Max laughed again. "You're so cute," he said."Let's do this. I'll give you my phone number. If you want a more private photo session, just conta
"Have you already woken up? I want to ask you something."Zoe just yawned and wanted to go back to sleep, but reluctantly opened her eyes upon hearing that.Zoe turned and was surprised to see Wolf still sitting beside her. He was still not wearing any clothes, judging by his exposed waist, but he was modestly trying to cover half of his body with a blanket. Zoe noticed a snake tattoo circling his waist. And this was the second time Zoe saw Wolf in bed upon waking up.Zoe pulled the blanket closer, furrowing her brow and raising her hand. She wanted to know why Wolf had awakened her."I want you to hear something and tell me your opinion."Wolf took one of the earphones out of his ear, handing it to Zoe, who immediately put it on. But she asked Wolf for a moment to ask a question, grabbing her phone first.[Why do I have to listen to this?] Zoe wanted to know."You ask too many questions. Just listen." Wolf pushed away Zoe's phone and played a video on his own phone.A song and a pers
"Sara works for my company. Almost all the artists under Wolf consult with her regularly, if needed."Wolf explained as they walked into the building where the psychiatrist's office was located. Not far from Wolf's building—Wolf's own company. The company's name was the same as his own, and it momentarily confused Zoe.[What's your real name?] Zoe asked as they ascended to the tenth floor. Zoe just wanted to distract her panicking mind with a light conversation."You know Wolf isn't my real name?" Wolf frowned.[I'm sure any mother in this world wouldn't name their child after a wild animal.]Wolf chuckled as he read Zoe's writing. "I thought Wolf sounded cool. I chose it carefully."[No. You just chose it to look scary.]"But I am scary, aren't I? I chose that name because my real name is not scary at all. It's too clever."Zoe wanted to know what he meant by a clever name, but they had already entered the psychiatrist's room.Zoe read the name on the door. Sara Salgado. Seeing her n
"Venti caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino, extra banana, extra sprinkles, extra caramel, extra whipped cream, extra ice, extra cinnamon topping, and seven pumps of black caramel sauce."Zoe looked at Sara, who was ordering a colorful drink, with her mouth wide open. She only needed two words to order her drink earlier: warm Americano.The barista behind the counter remained unfazed; she was accustomed to such situations. She even smiled as she handed Sara her vibrant order and Zoe's plain black one."Let's sit over there."Sara pointed to a corner of the coffee shop's patio, and they sat down. The weather was cold, but bearable. What wasn't bearable for Zoe was how Sara could casually consume—eat?—her colorful order with a spoon.Due to the excessive extras, Sara couldn't just sip her drink; she had to use a spoon.[Is our session over?] Zoe asked, writing it on the colorful, cat-shaped sticky note Sara had given her.Sara didn't want Zoe to answer via text but to write it on the stick
"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,