Gloria walked forward as fast as she could. She could not move quickly due to her legs, yet right now, she reached the stage within just a few seconds.
Gloria squeezed through the crowd, though she wasn't strong to begin with. She pushed her way to the front of the stage and said, "Ellison! Get down!" Ellison's gaze fell on her face. He looked at her and pulled off his belt in a fit of pique. He smiled at her, as if he was saying to her, "Are you going to drive me away? You say it's best for me. What do you know about what I want?" "Ellison! I don't want to bet anymore!" she shouted at the stage in a hoarse voice, sounding like a duck. "It's too late." Ellison's lips moved. He had made up his mind. Instead of leaving, he wanted to win the bet. He wanted Gloria! Memories surged in Gloria's mind. In her eyes, Ellison right now was just like her in the past! But Ellison didn't deserve it! She walked to the center of the stage, bIn the coffee shop, Brad was staring at the door. "Alpha Patrick, over here," Brad said as he stood up. "Where is the photo?" Patrick asked immediately. Brad immediately took out his phone and said, "Alpha Patrick, take a look." Patrick couldn't wait as he took over the phone quickly. Then, his body stiffened. He didn't dare look at the photo. Patrick tightened his grip on Brad's phone. He had searched for so many years, went to various places, and traveled thousands of miles, but now he was suddenly afraid. He looked down at the photo on the screen. At first glance, he knew it was her. "Where is she?" Patrick asked urgently. Brad betrayed Tammy. Patrick sent the photo in Brad's phone to his mailbox. Before Brad could say anything, Patrick left like a gust of wind. Patrick drove while contacting Stewart through mind link. "Do you know Tammy?" Patrick asked anxiously. "Why are you looking for
The next afternoon, Gloria received a text message. Her friend told her that many strangers were looking for her. Gloria panicked and said to herself, "Calm down. Take it easy. Patrick won't be able to find her." Gloria immediately called her friends in Hawaii and asked them not to reveal her whereabouts. Ellison was still living here, and Gloria could not drive him away. "Aren't you going to ask who I am?" On a sunny afternoon, Ellison stopped Gloria in the corner, who had been hiding from him. He said with certainty, "You are avoiding me." Gloria raised her head and said, "I'm not hiding from you. I'm doing this for your own good." "Actually, you're doing this for your own good. You're afraid of being in debt of love, and you don't want to owe anyone. Am I right?" Ellison said angrily. "Is there anything wrong with that?" Gloria glanced at Ellison indifferently. "Is it good for you if I lie to you?" "I actually hope you can
Ellison stood on the stairs. He saw Patrick and ran downstairs hurriedly to stop Patrick. However, when he saw Gloria's reaction, he could not take a step. Gloria came back to life because of Patrick. "What else do you want to throw at me? I'll get it for you," Patrick said. Ellison picked up the broom and said, "No need to bother you, Patrick. I happen to be free, and I'll help her." Hank wanted to stop Ellison, but Danny stopped him. Hearing Ellison's voice, Patrick looked over and narrowed his eyes. "Ellison." "Patrick, what are you trying to do?" Ellison stopped in front of Gloria. He handed the broom in front of her and said, "Madam, here you go." Gloria stared at the broom and asked in confusion, "A broom?" For a moment, she didn't get it. She looked at Ellison in confusion. The corners of Ellison's lips curled into a faint smile. "Madam, drive him out with it." Gloria had a moment of enlightenment.
Ellison suddenly stood up and pushed Patrick hard. He said, "Let her go. You are so selfish! Didn't you hear her? Gloria has no intention of going with you!" Patrick was caught off guard. He had been as fierce as a wolf just now, yet he fell to the ground unexpectedly. Everyone was shocked. Stewart's face darkened. He rushed forward and helped Patrick up from the ground. He shouted anxiously, "Patrick, are you alright?" Stewart felt his hands wet. He reached out his hand that held the back of Patrick's head, only to find that it was covered in blood. He was stunned. "What is this?" Ellison noticed that something was wrong and was about to walk over. Hank ran ahead of him and shouted, "Alpha Patrick?" Gloria's eyes widened in shock and refused to believe that Patrick had fainted. She said in a trance, "Alpha Patrick, stop pretending. Did you fall just because of a push? Stop kidding me." Stewart turned to look at her in disbelief. "Patrick
In the car that headed for the hospital, Patrick woke up. "You scared me to death. You finally woke up." Stewart was relieved. Patrick touched the gauze wrapped around his head. He became sober and asked in a hoarse voice, "He hurt me?" Although it was a question, Patrick raised it with a certain tone. "You remember it? It seems that you are not seriously injured. No wonder Gloria thought you were pretending to pass out," Stewart ridiculed. Patrick was depressed. He took a few deep breaths before saying, "Don't blame her." Stewart couldn't take it anymore. He complained, "You must be sick! You were injured, and she just looked at you indifferently, but you still asked me not to blame her?" "I'm not sick. I'm soberer than ever. I tortured her with all kinds of methods. It's normal that she doesn't believe me now," Patrick said bitterly. "This may be the punishment from the Moon Goddess." Stewart was disappointed by Patrick's s
Patrick returned to the Black Thorn Pack at night. His eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were stained with early morning dew. In Alpha's villa, he found Alex who was playing chess. "Why did you do that?" Patrick's expression was calm. He looked at Alex indifferently. Ellison had been fighting with Patrick in Waikiki Beach a few days ago. But now, he was playing chess with Alex leisurely. "Since you want to give up everything for the sake of Gloria, do I still need to leave the Hammond Group to you? You are not my only grandson," Alex answered Patrick while focusing on the chessboard. Patrick was not angry. He seemed to be measuring Alex's words. "Up to you." After a moment, Patrick said nonchalantly, "I'll wait and see if you are capable enough to take away the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack from me." He had worked day and night all these years to avoid the loneliness in his heart. He focused on expanding the territory bu
After the final stake was announced, many people breathed a sigh of relief. They were afraid that Patrick would make a comeback. If so, they would suffer. People looked at Patrick, who was once high and mighty, and noticed that his face had become paler. "Patrick, since we have the result, you should withdraw from the position of the CEO of the Hammond Group." Someone stood up excitedly and scolded Patrick, "Pack up your personal belongings and leave the company immediately." "Who said that the decision was final?" In the conference room, a voice suddenly sounded. "I haven't voted yet." Alex, Ellison, and the others in the conference room turned to look at the person who spoke. "Mark? What are you doing?" Damon was the first to speak. Mark stood up with a smile. He walked behind Patrick and said, "Did I say that I would take Alex's side?" Other shareholders felt it ridiculous. They complained in their hearts, 'Aren't you the
On the other end of the line, Gloria pursed her lips stubbornly. She had begged him too many times in her life already. Those three years of quiet life had almost made her forget who Patrick was and who she was. She mockingly glanced at Camille aside, who had dressed appropriately. Right now, Camille was nervously watching her every move. Camille came over as soon as she heard of Gloria's whereabouts, but Camille's anxiety had nothing to do with Gloria at all. Gloria lowered her eyes, which were full of loneliness and sarcasm. She wanted to pull herself out of the abyss, but every time she thought that she could finally escape, she would be trapped again. All of them were holding the things that were most precious to her. They ignored her countess wounds and kept hurting her again and again. Gloria felt that her throat was getting more and more uncomfortable. She asked in a hoarse voice, "So what if I beg you? How should I beg you?"
Cline's brow twitched, his eyes filled with disdain as he regarded Dorian.He strode quickly to Luana, extending his hand with an unyielding tone, "Come with me."Before Luana could refuse, Dorian swiftly acted, his long arm encircling her shoulder and pulling her tightly into his embrace. A provocative smile played on his lips as he challenged, "On what grounds?"Cline's vision sharpened with pain, witnessing Luana clinging to Dorian, their bodies pressed close. A surge of rage erupted within him."Because I love her!"Cline's voice trembled yet rang out loud and clear, eight years of pent-up emotions bursting forth like a flood breaking its dam.Dorian, noticing the bloodshot eyes and the fervor in Cline's gaze, felt a flicker of realization. He glanced down at Luana in his arms.Her expression was calm, a faint smile curling her lips as if she had just heard an absurd joke, detached and indifferent.Not only did Dorian not l
Dorian rolled his eyes at the scene and impatiently pushed open the car door, stepping out to approach the Bugatti.He bent down and knocked on the window, "Dorothy, get out now."Luana, upon hearing Dorian's voice, froze for a moment before pushing away from Cline, who was still kissing her.Her breathing was slightly labored as she coldly instructed, "Open the door. My husband's here!"Cline's body stiffened. He averted his gaze from Luana and slowly looked at the man outside.Dorian, dressed in a gray suit, was impeccably neat. His handsome face and aristocratic demeanor made him look distinguished and aloof. Cline didn't care about Dorian's appearance, but he was annoyed that Dorian had called her Dorothy, not Luana.Cline swiftly fastened Luana's seatbelt and started the car, speeding out of the parking lot without another word.Dorian watched the Bugatti speed away, a look of frustration crossing his face.He muttered tha
Cline turned on the air conditioning, leaned sideways, and drew closer to Luana.His long, thick lashes lowered as he gazed at the petite Luana, his eyes revealing a longing he had never shown before."Luana..."He uttered her name as if it had taken all his strength.Luana opened her mouth to retort, but Cline suddenly gripped the back of her head with one hand, pressing her into his embrace.He whispered into her ear, "I... miss you so much."For three years, he had thought of her obsessively, to the point of madness, sleeplessness, and even hallucinations from medication.Now that he had found her alive and well, how could he let her go so easily?A flicker of disbelief crossed Luana's previously calm face, followed by a cold sneer in her heart.Would Cline truly miss her? He had never cared before. How could he miss her now?Was it because she was gone, and he couldn't find anyone to replace Runa, that he reme
For the past three years, his heart had felt hollow, a persistent ache that never truly subsided.Now, in this moment of holding Luana close, his restless heart finally found its resting place.To Cline, having someone he longed for still alive was like reclaiming what had been lost.He held Luana tightly, his throat constricting with emotion, unable to utter a word, wishing only to merge her into his very being and feel her presence undeniably.Luana, however, was perplexed by Cline's behavior.It was uncharacteristic of him—cold and distant at their airport encounter, avoiding even a glance, yet now he was uncharacteristically intimate.She wondered if the three years apart had taken a toll on his mental state.Frowning, she struggled to push him away, but Cline easily restrained her wrist with one hand.He spun her around, pinning her against the car door.Before she could speak, Cline captured her lips in a kis
Luana stood outside the door, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes as she contemplated Clarissa's changes over the years.Suddenly, the door creaked open from the inside.Angela, holding a child of about three years old, came into view.The little kid clutched a toy car, its round eyes wide with curiosity as it stared at Luana.Luana's gaze shifted between Angela and the child, a fleeting thought crossing her mind that Angela might be staying with Clarissa and Albert.Suppressing her doubts, she asked, "I'm a friend of Clarissa's. Is she home?"Angela froze, sizing up Luana from head to toe, unable to recognize the elegantly dressed woman with delicate makeup before her.It wasn't until Luana spoke that Angela's pupils contracted sharply, her face draining of color, her lips trembling as she stammered, "Y-y-y-o-u..."Then, as if she had seen a ghost, Angela retreated backward with the child, screaming at th
Dorian had just retrieved his suitcase from the baggage carousel when he spotted Luana approaching.He frowned slightly, his tone laced with displeasure, "Didn't I tell you to wait over there?"Luana rolled her eyes at him. "I was afraid you might grab the wrong luggage."With that, she slipped her phone into her small bag, took the suitcase from Dorian's hand, and began to wheel it away.Dorian, with his long legs, effortlessly kicked another large suitcase toward Luana. "This one's yours too," he said.Luana, though inwardly exasperated, shot a glare at Dorian's retreating figure and pushed both suitcases out of the airport behind him.Once outside, Luana handed the suitcase back to Dorian. "I'm going to meet a friend. Let's part ways here."Dorian tilted his head slightly, regarding her with an expression that seemed to question her intelligence. "You think I came all this way just to see you off?"Luana was speechless again
This meant he was giving her only one chance. If she refused, she would never be able to return home.Luana felt as if a heavy stone had settled in her heart, making it hard to breathe and preventing her from making a decision quickly.Dorian maintained his domineering posture, observing the shifting expressions on her face with a smug confidence, waiting leisurely for her response.Five minutes passed, and Luana took a deep breath before nodding. "Alright, I agree, but it's only a marriage in name."Dorian let out another faint sneer. "What else did you expect?"He picked up the diamond ring, nodded his chin, and gestured for Luana to extend her hand.Reluctantly, she stretched out her hand, and Dorian casually placed the ring on her right ring finger.After slipping the ring onto her finger, Dorian released her hand and looked into her eyes with his deep, dark gaze. "We go to the church tomorrow," he said.With that, he pocketed Dorothy's passport and turned to leave.Luana raised he
Luana stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her resemblance to Dorothy grew day by day, and fear began to gnaw at her heart.She had already been a stand-in once. How could she bear to become one again, especially for her sister?Accompanied by a caregiver, Luana visited a hair salon and had her hair extended to waist-length, styled in the familiar waves she once wore.Dorian said nothing when he saw her like this, but after she fell asleep, he took a pair of scissors and cut off her hair.Luana was terrified, nearly fainting from the shock.Dorian, however, propped his chin on his hand with a nonchalant expression and said, “Who said you can do that?”Luana gaped at him, unable to contain her frustration. "Dorian, are you crazy…?"Dorian let out a soft chuckle. "Only now figuring that out?"Speechless, Luana took a deep breath and tried to reason with him."I'm not Dorothy. I'm Luana. Can you stop d
Luana had long harbored such suspicions in her heart.If her mother had not passed away, Dorothy would not have had to flee with her across different places.Her mother and sister must have experienced some terrifying events back then.Thinking of how George had not mentioned her father once, Luana couldn't help but ask again, "And my father...?"Before she could finish, George spread his hands helplessly, "Sorry, that's all I know."Luana stopped pressing George for more information, but her gaze took on a more inquisitive hue.George, an internationally renowned cardiologist, had gone to such lengths for her sister—what exactly was their relationship?George placed the photo frame on the bedside table and, noticing Luana's scrutinizing look, guessed her thoughts."Dorothy and Dorian have been close friends of mine for many years..." he offered a brief explanation, yet said nothing of the conflict between Dorian and Doro