"You're incredibly cute!" Zoe exclaimed as she reached out to touch Mavis's cheek—who was smiling, showing off her two front teeth, out of affection—but Dustin's hand prevented it with a push.
"No, you'll make her cry!" Dustin swiftly lifted Mavis, who was sitting on the sand beside Lili, and carried her away. Moving her farther."I won't hurt her! Oh my!" Zoe widened her eyes at Dustin's aggressive stance. While Lili shook her head with a regretful expression, she let Dustin take her sister away."Let alone you; sometimes I'm not even allowed to touch her. Imagine that. I'm her mother—I'm the one who gave birth to her in pain and all, but Dustin's the one in control." Lili complained.But the complaint wasn't serious. Zoe didn't see Lili as genuinely angry. Despite her complaints, her eyes didn't look annoyed.Lili even smiled afterward, watching how Dustin laughed as Mavis scattered grains of sand into the air with her tiny hands, then tuIf the worst-case scenario were to happen, Lili actually started planning the details. And of course, Zoe laughed upon hearing that possibility. It was a great plan because, in Zoe's mind, scenarios began to form to deal with the worst.Let's say her name is ruined—she can no longer be a singer, and Wolf's credibility is also tarnished; they wouldn't be poor. At the very least, Wolf's inheritance is still available as a last resort. Of course, Zoe was also beginning to make money."My advice is to just talk to Wolf," Lili said.She no longer referred to the issue as a simulation because, of course, she understood that Zoe was trying to find answers to the problem between her and Wolf."I'll try." Zoe was very hesitant to discuss it with Wolf because she had a shadow of doubt that he might do something too reckless—maybe not to the extent of killing Emily, but he could do something that would make the situation even more complicated."And where ar
"Where do you want to go?" Wolf wondered as he saw Zoe still wearing the dress and outerwear she had on for dinner last night when he came out of the bathroom."We're going for a walk on the beach. Enjoying the night air," Zoe pointed to the beach area, which was obviously dark."No. There's no 'we' like that. We'll enjoy this together," Wolf refused, pointing to the bed."No. We're going for a walk on the beach," Zoe insisted, opening the door that would lead them to the terrace. There were stone stairs at the end of the terrace, which presumably ended at the beach."Why do we have to go for a walk?" Wolf protested, as it was clear he wouldn't be tempted by activities that didn't involve the bed at the moment."Because I want to," Zoe affirmed, opening the door and stepping out ahead of him."You can't even sunbathe anymore. Why go to the beach?" Wolf grumbled, but he couldn't let Zoe go to the beach alone."Oh, it's so cool," Wolf murmured as he manage
"That means you'll lose what you've built so hard; you have to redo all the hard work for years," Zoe continued to worry."So what? Difficulties didn't kill me before. I'm still alive now. I'll work hard again, and I'll repeat it. I'm more experienced, so it should be easier to build it again. Nothing is difficult."Wolf stroked Zoe's cheek, pushing the corners of her lips. He wanted Zoe to erase the worry from her face, forcing her to smile."The difficult part is finding a woman like you—who can boldly ask me to marry, knowing that I am not suitable to be a husband—this is the global opinion of women who have slept with me."Zoe, who was almost touched, of course had to laugh at those words. She didn't expect Wolf to discuss such a topic with those women."Are you seriously asking them about this absurd thing?" Zoe asked."Yes, but not all of them. But it's more or less the same. It means I have to take care of you because the incident where a woman asked me to m
"Daring to disturb me after sleeping hours and asking me to meet you at the bar! Are you insane?!" Clay was definitely angry at Wolf for suddenly asking him to leave his room. Especially after finding out it was for the bar."You're complaining, but you came anyway," Wolf said as he handed Clay a drink that looked like blue sea water."I came to save you! If Zoe finds out you visited a bar after she went to sleep, you'll be in big trouble!" Clay retorted."And you won't get into trouble with Lili?" Wolf asked back, knowing their troubles would be similar."Anyway, just tell me what's going on." Clay sat across from Wolf, slightly covering his ears because the bar was quite noisy. There was live music showcasing traditional Mexican dances."That devil woman is back," Wolf said, finishing his small drink order."Which devil woman? You have too many... Oh, Fuck! That one? Your stepmother?" Clay, who wasn't interested at first, immediately leaned in when Wo
"What did you drink last night?" Zoe pushed Wolf's body back to lie down and sniffed around his chest—around his neck. Checking because she caught a whiff of alcohol when he woke up. During dinner, they refrained from drinking alcohol due to Lili's prohibition."Just a little. I needed to talk to Clay about something. We didn't do anything. Don't misunderstand."Wolf raised his hand, then took off the casual shirt he had worn last night. He didn't drink too much, but the alcohol he had was strong enough. That's why Wolf went straight to sleep without changing clothes, because he was already half drunk. Now his head was hurting too. That blue drink was apparently dangerous."What were you talking about?" Zoe wasn't suspicious; she was just curious."This and that. Reminiscing about the past." Wolf wasn't lying. They talked about Emily's and Lili's past issues."Oh... Are you reminiscing about the time when you could point and women would follow you?" Zo
They had breakfast at the hotel restaurant like normal visitors. Wolf's behavior was anything but normal.After canceling what they had planned to do earlier, Wolf was now doing something that puzzled Zoe even more.Wolf provided her with a variety of food options on the menu. He didn't allow Zoe to stand at all."What's this again?" Zoe restrained Wolf's hand from feeding her, asking with a touch of irritation because she hadn't received an explanation since earlier.Wolf's behavior might seem sweet, but it was excessive. Wolf wasn't the type of person to be overly sweet, either. Zoe's annoyance was now increasing, along with her bewilderment."I want to feed you. Is that not allowed?" The question had the same tone.Every time Zoe questioned why Wolf was acting strangely, he would respond with a counter-question. When it came to that, Zoe had to accept it. She opened her mouth, and the sweet slice of papaya went in.Zoe accepted it to ensure Wolf
"Did you really go on vacation with Wolf? HOW COULD THIS BE? LORIA, ARE YOU BRAVE OR CRAZY?!" Darcy panicked, realizing that if Zoe stuttered, it meant it was true. She was on vacation with Wolf."Wait! Hold on! How did you know?" Zoe's panic momentarily subsided, and she realized Darcy shouldn't have known. They both went very quietly."I know from the news, of course! It's very clear that you two went on vacation to Mexico! Vallarta, the beach, and you looked very intimate! This is insane! This is absolutely insane!" Darcy shouted again in panic, while Zoe glanced at Wolf, who was looking at her with a smile."Darcy already read it? Her work is always fast," Wolf said calmly."YOU KNEW?! Wolf, you knew about this?!" Zoe's infection caused her to scream like Darcy.Quickly, Wolf grabbed Zoe's phone and turned it off. Darcy shouldn't hear their conversation. Darcy tried to call Zoe again, but Wolf turned it off."Let's go back to the room."
"I beat her to it, Zoe. We announced our relationship first. We deprived Emily of the chance to speak up. Emily loses the element of surprise she wanted. She loses because, even if she speaks, no one is surprised anymore. When Emily mentions the competition, few people listen to her. Emily becomes nobody, not a whistleblower."Zoe still understood. She knew well enough what Wolf was doing. But she didn't understand how it would fix the damage."Even if it's not Emily saying it, the damage will still be there, right? People will still see our relationship as a source of cheating. People will talk about your involvement in that competition." Their relationship is still exposed."Yes, but not with the harsh tone Emily hoped for. Read the news again," Wolf requested.Zoe took Wolf's phone and reread it. At first, Zoe didn't understand what Wolf was trying to show her, but on the third read, she realized the news was leaning towards Wolf's wrongdoing.The news wa
"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,