Gloria felt Patrick's shoulders tremble slightly. She closed her eyes to hide the pain in her eyes.
Suddenly, Patrick printed his lips on hers. She was surprised and struggled to push him away. Patrick whispered in her ear, "Gloria, I have that strange feeling again." Patrick grabbed her hand and put it over his heart. She felt suffocated and heartbroken. In the end, she was defeated again. Whether he was stupid or smart, whether he forgot everything or not, she had never won. Gloria gave up struggling and stopped pushing Patrick away. She closed her eyes and allowed him to continue kissing her. "Are you feeling better?" She asked. "Gloria, I'll be with you for the rest of my life," Patrick repeated seriously. Gloria met his deep eyes. Her smile was bright, which held him spellbound. She suddenly asked, "Do you want to go to the amusement park?" Patrick's eyes lit up. "Really?" Gloria nodded. "Let'"Patrick lied to you!" Ellison looked emotional. He had been waiting for the moment for a long time. "Shut up!" At the door of the conference room, Patrick shouted. The doctor said that his mind had regressed to an eight-year-old. But Ellison's words exposed the lie. Patrick was furious and glared at Ellison with his sharp eyes. "Gloria, I can explain." Patrick looked nervously at Gloria and was anxious. There were other people in the conference room, including Alex, Stewart, and some higher-ups of the Hammond Group. Gloria's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on one person. Soon, she shifted her gaze away. The slight mocking smile on her face disappeared before people could notice it. The person whom Gloria had just looked at saw it and clenched his fists. Everyone was staring at Gloria. Stewart said, "Gloria, Patrick didn't lie to you on purpose." "Fine, then explain it to me." Under everyone's gaze, Gloria
Patrick tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "You have no say in the affairs of the Hammond family." "Ask Grandpa if he considers me a member of the Hammond family. Patrick, how dare you be so ruthless to grandpa!" Ellison mocked. "You can't wait to become a member of the Hammond family, right? Ellison, your intention of getting the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack is so obvious, but you are not qualified!" Patrick retorted. He walked in front of Alex. "I know what you want, but you are old. It's time to let go of your power over this family. Do you think that you can regain control by messing around while I'm not in the Hammond Group and the Black Thorn Pack?" "Patrick!" Alex was angry. His fingers were trembling as he pointed at Patrick. "You bastard!" Patrick ignored Alex's curses. He smiled coldly and turned around to leave. "Stewart, call the pack guards over." Alex was shocked. He shouted behind Patrick, "What? Are you going
Gloria was in a trance. The past that had been lost in time seemed to become clear again. She remembered that when Harry fought with those rogues, he shouted fiercely, "Gloria is my sister. If anyone dares to bully her again, I will kill him!" She also remembered Harry's fierce look. It was as if he would bite the person he saw the next moment. Gloria sat upright on the sofa for another three hours. She stared blankly at the empty space. She seemed to be reminiscing. Memories were not always pleasant, but Gloria felt satisfied with those little happy moments. In the quiet living room, the phone rang urgently. Gloria was shocked and became sober. She looked at the screen, and her eyes became cold. It was Patrick. She did not press the call, nor did she pick it up. Gloria stood up from the sofa, picked up her backpack, and walked to the door. She suddenly stopped when she saw the two pairs of slippers placed side by side
"Do you still remember how you got this scar?" Gloria stared at the scar and stroked it gently with her fingers. Harry was weak, and his face was pale. After a while, he said, "I don't remember." Gloria smiled faintly. "When I was in primary school, I hid my family background and was bullied by senior students. Later, you found it out and dragged me to your bedroom. Harry, you were so good at dealing with wounds. You helped me treat my wounds and then drove me out of your room. I was afraid that you would tell Grandpa. If so, he would be disappointed in me and think that I was useless. I was worried for the whole day. Seeing that he did not blame me, I knew that you didn't tell him. Later, for a long time, I came home with injuries every day, and you caught me and pulled me into your room to treat my wounds." Gloria exerted more force on her finger and pressed the wound on Harry's shoulder. "Your injury was caused by fighting with rogues. You were injured to p
"What do you mean?" Harry froze. Gloria turned and was about to leave. Harry grabbed her arm hurriedly. "Did you find a donor?" He stared at Gloria, so nervous that his heart beat quickly. Gloria looked down at Harry and saw anticipation and hope in his eyes. Her lips curled into a gentle and bright smile. "Yes, I found one. Harry, you will be fine." Harry was stunned. Gloria looked over her shoulder with a faint smile, and that smile would be stuck in his mind for the rest of his life. "Harry, live a good life." After that, Gloria closed the door. Harry didn't even have time to express his gratitude. He called Camille excitedly. "Camille, I will be OK! They found a match!" He shared the good news with Camille with joy. Camille could not believe what she had heard. After hesitating for seconds, she finally confirmed that she had not heard it wrongly. "Really? Who is the donor? We must thank him properly.
Mandy arrived at Gloria's home. Gloria got a cup of warm water for her. "The Carter Group is gradually getting back on track. "During this time, you have been busy helping me out." Gloria took out the stock rights transfer agreement that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Mandy. "Sign it." Mandy picked it up in confusion. The next second, she sat up straight and browsed through it quickly. After a while, her expression was solemn. "You want to transfer 50% of the shares of the Carter Group to me?" "Just sign it. You earned it." Gloria said, "You know me well. If I have made a decision, nothing can change my mind. If you don't want to sign it, I will exchange the shares for money and donate it in your name." "What is going on?" Mandy asked anxiously. Gloria chuckled and interrupted Mandy, "I didn't give it to you for free. I want you to continue to work hard for me, and I'm just trying to win your support." Mandy breathed a sigh o
Patrick's lips curved into a weird smile. He said, "Back then, you managed to escape to Waikiki Beach. Now, where are you going this time?" Gloria's lips gradually turned pale, and she was still trembling. A slender finger pressed against her trembling lips. Patrick smiled, "Three years ago, you escaped to Waikiki Beach. Now, you want to escape from me by killing yourself?" Gloria didn't say anything, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Patrick was smiling, but his eyes were cold. "Gloria, I'm asking you. Where are you going to escape to this time? Answer me!" Gloria looked away, not daring to meet his red eyes. He suddenly grabbed her chin. "I'm asking you a question! Look at me! Where are you going?" Patrick stared fiercely at Gloria. They were so close to each other, yet he felt she was far away from him. He closed his eyes. "Gloria, well done!" She wanted to escape from him even if she had to die! "I
As time ticked by, Patrick told himself that he could wait. He could spend the rest of his life with Gloria, as long as she said she loved him. "Say you love me." He was getting tougher. Gloria remained silent. Patrick felt a burning pain in his heart. He seemed to have lost something important. Something more important than his life. "Is it that difficult?" He asked with a cold smile. Behind his tough attitude, there was a hidden plea. Gloria did not notice it. In the past, she could say those words happily a thousand times, but now, she felt it was hard to do so. Patrick stared at her, and no one could tell what he was thinking. He was in despair at first, but now he was losing his mind. He believed that she would forgive him. He bent down, pressed his arms beside her, and kissed her passionately. Gloria knew that a storm was coming. A slap sounded. "Bastard!" Gloria said in a hoarse
Upon learning of this possibility, Cline simply said, "Thank you," and hung up the phone.He gazed once more in the direction the black luxury car had vanished, now more certain than ever that Dorian had taken his Luana.However, he refused to believe they were husband and wife.Russell arrived with the bodyguards in a hurry, seeing Cline standing in front of the smashed Bugatti.Thinking Cline's car had been in an accident, he quickly approached."Mr. Moriarty, are you alright? Did you take too much sleeping pill and start hallucinating again?"For the past three years, Cline had been plagued by insomnia, clutching two mementos of Luana and struggling to sleep through the night.Russell, worried about his health, had obtained some sleeping pills from Eva.Little did he know, Cline had become addicted to them. Later, Russell found out that the medication could induce hallucinations when taken in excess.It was these hall
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