Nyla went back to the restroom and splashed cold water on her face.Looking at her red eyes in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile bitterly.Damon must be disgusted with her now. He would probably be as cold toward her as he was before. Maybe that was for the best—they shouldn't have any connection at all.After calming down and letting her eyes return to normal, she left the restroom.When Nyla returned to the table, Clark's gaze immediately fell on her swollen lips."Nyla, what happened to your mouth?" Clark's expression was dark, and his tone was icy.Nyla looked completely out of place, as though she had just indulged in pleasure. With Damon in the restaurant, Clark couldn't help but be suspicious.Nyla maintained her composure. "I noticed my lipstick was smudged when I looked in the mirror, so I cleaned it off. I must have been too rough, which is why my lips are swollen.""Really?" Clark's eyes were fixed on her, his gaze filled with doubt.Nyla frowned, her expressi
As soon as Nyla finished speaking, Clark immediately agreed. His main priority was getting Nyla back by his side. Everything else could be dealt with later."Nyla, don't worry. I promise I won't overstep any boundaries. I swear."Nyla had heard these empty promises from him many times before and didn't take them seriously.Since she was going back, she was determined to protect herself. If Clark tried to force himself on her, she wouldn't let him get away with it."Okay. I'm heading back now. Drive safe," she said.…Over the next two days, Nyla rested and packed her things at home.On the day she was set to move, Valarie suddenly came to visit.Seeing Nyla unharmed, Valarie sighed in relief.However, her expression soon turned troubled. "Nyla, why didn't you tell me about being kidnapped?!"Noticing Valarie's disapproving look, Nyla explained, "I thought you were going through a rough time, and I didn't want to add to your stress. Since I'm fine, I didn't tell you."Valarie
Upon seeing Nyla's completely different attitude toward Clark—no longer the cold and distant demeanor she once had—Valarie's eyes flashed with frustration."Nyla, I hope you won't regret your decision today!" she said.With that, Valarie turned and walked away, feeling she might lose her temper if she stayed any longer.How had Nyla gone from being fine when she moved out previously to becoming so infatuated in less than a month?Fuming in her car, Valarie was about to start the engine when she suddenly had a troubling thought. When she had asked Nyla if she still had feelings for Clark, Nyla had hesitated. Moreover, her gaze toward Clark had been devoid of the previous affection and warmth—almost indifferent.Could it be that Nyla had some unavoidable reason for moving back?Valarie decided she would talk to her again in the near future.…After Valarie left, Clark said, "Valarie is always bad-mouthing me and ruining our relationship. You should have less contact with her in
Damon was reviewing documents in his office at Prospectus Technology when his personal phone suddenly rang.He answered, and Marie's booming voice came through. "Damon, come home for dinner tonight."Damon glanced at the pile of unfinished documents and immediately refused. "I'm busy.""No matter what, you must make time tonight. Otherwise, I'll go to your office and drag you home myself," Marie warned.Marie's commanding tone left Damon feeling helpless."There's too much to do today. I really can't make it," he said."No excuses. You must come back for dinner. Even with your busy schedule, you can always spare time for a meal," Marie insisted.Without giving Damon a chance to respond, Marie hung up.…By the time Nyla and Clark had moved Nyla's things back to the villa, it was already past 4:00 p.m.After taking a shower and changing clothes, they headed to the Sumner residence.As Clark pulled up to the entrance, Damon was about to walk in. Hearing the car, Damon turned a
Just a moment later, however, a trace of mockery flashed in Damon's eyes.Nyla had made it clear that she had no feelings for him. If he continued to pursue her, it would be nothing more than wishful thinking on his part."I got it," Damon replied.Marie had been about to persuade him further but was taken aback and looked at him with suspicion. She asked, "You're not planning anything bad, are you?"Damon stayed quiet.Seeing his silence, Marie frowned and was about to speak when footsteps echoed from the doorway."Madam Summer, Ms. Hulle has arrived."Everyone in the living room looked up to see a young woman in her 20s walk in.Erin Hulle, with her delicate features, was dressed in a light yellow spaghetti-strap dress. Her short hair grazed her collarbones. With her light makeup and elegant demeanor, she exuded a charm that was hard to ignore.Even Nyla, who had seen many beautiful women, couldn't help but be impressed by Erin's appearance.Marie's face lit up with a warm
Erin's smile stiffened slightly, but before she could say anything, Marie slammed her cutlery onto the table and chided, "Damon, is that how you serve food?!"She had wanted him to help Erin with the dishes to help them bond, but he nearly went so far as to place the whole plate in front of her. If word got out, it would surely offend the Hulles.Damon smiled at Marie. "Mom, if you know I'm bad at this, don't make me do it."Marie was fuming and about to explode, but Erin quickly intervened. "It's fine. I actually like fish, and it's more convenient this way. No need to keep troubling him to serve me."Seeing Erin's willingness to smooth things over, Marie beamed with satisfaction, growing even fonder of her."Erin, you're so considerate. This brat only knows how to make me angry. After dinner, take her home," she told Damon.Damon frowned, about to refuse, but Erin spoke first. "There's no need. I drove myself here."She could sense Damon's lack of interest in her, and forcing
If this were to get out, people might start saying she was being mistreated in the Sumners.Clark's smile deepened as he looked at Damon and said, word by word, "Uncle Damon, you probably don't know yet, but Nyla moved back today."Damon widened his eyes and turned his icy gaze to Nyla, who had remained silent.He wanted to ask her if she really intended to forgive Clark just like that, but he couldn't. He was only her husband's uncle. Beyond that, they had no other relationship. What right did he have to question her?Even though Nyla kept her head down, she could feel Damon's gaze on her. It sent a chill through her entire body, making her shiver involuntarily.After several seconds, Damon chuckled. "Well, that's good to hear."He looked away, a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold.Clark's gaze flashed with triumph. "Uncle Damon, you should focus on your own love life. I think Ms. Hulle and you are quite a match, don't you think, Nyla?"He turned to Nyla, seeking her op
Nyla stood still, sensing a dangerous vibe from Damon that made her instinctively want to flee."Uncle Damon, it's dark here, and it's not appropriate for us to be alone. I'll head back," she said, turning to leave.As she took a few steps, though, she heard footsteps behind her. Panicking, she tried to quicken her pace but stumbled and tripped.She lost her balance, but a strong hand grabbed her waist and pulled her back. Nyla fell into Damon's arms. She quickly pushed him away and stepped back.Damon narrowed his eyes, the menace in them intensifying as he remarked, "You use people and then discard them. You're quite skilled at that."Nyla bit her lip, feeling embarrassed. "Uncle Damon, thank you for just now, but we should keep our distance."Damon stepped closer, and Nyla instinctively tried to retreat but found herself against the door of the greenhouse. She had nowhere to go.When they were so close that they could hear each other's breathing, Damon looked down at her an