He turned around and left with his assistant, following Cline.
Calvert watched the retreating figures of the Moriarty brothers, surprised that Cline had stepped in to help them.
Then he thought again—maybe Mr. Moriarty also looked down on women who played tricks behind others' backs.
If he happened to witness it, he would stand up for justice as well.
Although he didn't think much of Luana, and although he had just called off the engagement with the Moriarty Group, Calvert didn't think about it further.
He shifted his gaze back to Prunella.
"Apologize," he said.
Herbert, seeing Calvert's anger, asked Prunella what had happened.
Prunella didn't dare to lie anymore and tearfully admitted that she had slapped Luana out of jealousy.
Herbert's initial intention to help Prunella dissipated. He said sternly, "You should apologize."
Lonnie was in the banquet hall entertaining the elders. He was still unaware of what
Earlier, Russell had said he left something at the Adams estate and went back to retrieve it.But Gehrmann thought the excuse was flimsy. Russell could have just taken the bodyguard's car back. There was no need for everyone to wait in this remote corner, so far from the Adams estate, just for an assistant.Sure, this assistant had grown up with Cline, but was it really necessary to have so many people waiting around for something so trivial?Gehrmann's unease grew. "Cline, you're not actually falling for Luana, are you?"He expected Cline to deny it, but instead, Cline suddenly replied, "What if I am?"Gehrmann was startled. He sat up straight, his voice tense as he tried to reason with him. "Don't do anything reckless. If you really fall for Luana, her life could be in danger. I know she's not the best person, but I don't want to see any more bloodshed."At those words, the emotions in Cline's eyes vanished.He turned to look at Geh
When Luana woke up from the dream, she felt absurd. How could she have such a dream?She raised her hand and touched her flushed cheeks and warm lips.It must have been because she accidentally kissed his face yesterday, which led to this embarrassing dream.For five years, she had been with him, each time being completely consumed by him. She had grown accustomed to his touch.Now, it was probably just a matter of not having adjusted yet. Given time, it would pass.As she comforted herself with these thoughts, Calvert's call suddenly came through.She picked up the phone and answered, "Mr. Coburn, do you need something?"Calvert felt a bit uncomfortable hearing her formal tone, but he quickly collected himself and replied, "Miss Hammond, Stanley isn't available today. Could you accompany me to the bidding meeting?"Stanley, who was practically inseparable from Calvert, wasn't available?Luana was puzzled but agreed none
After saying this with a meaningful tone, Runa gave Luana a disdainful glance."Not just anyone can attend Moriarty Group's bidding meetings, but Mr. Coburn brought you along. That means he thinks highly of you."She deliberately dragged out the last three words, as if implying, "Not for your work skills, but for something else."Luana caught the sarcasm in her words but felt it was pointless to engage. She pursed her lips and remained silent.Seeing that Luana wasn't responding, Runa's expression cooled for a moment before she put on a gentle, gracious smile again."You've done well. I'll make sure to give you a raise.""No need for a raise. Just approve my resignation," Luana replied bluntly, her tone firm, which left Runa slightly embarrassed.Runa's face turned cold, and she lifted her chin, looking down at Luana."Luana, climbing into Mr. Coburn's favor is a good thing, but it's not something to be proud of."With t
Luana mustered her courage and stopped Gehrmann in his tracks.Gehrmann hadn't expected her to dare block his way, and his expression immediately darkened."What do you want?"He wasn't surprised to see Luana here, but he was taken aback that she had stopped him. He had no idea what she was up to."Mr. Moriarty, do you know where I can find coffee here?"Luana had initially wanted to ask Gehrmann to help her with access, but seeing his sour expression, she quickly changed her request. If he could just tell her where the coffee was, she could figure out how to get back in.Gehrmann tilted his head slightly and glanced behind her. "Isn't it right there?"Luana turned around and stared at the white wall, completely baffled.Was Gehrmann seeing something she wasn't? Did they exist in different dimensions?Gehrmann looked at her as if she were an idiot, stepped forward, and tapped the wall. The door automatically slid open.
Luana was momentarily distracted by his question and replied calmly, "I didn't know. I just picked it randomly."In truth, she did know. He always preferred strong coffee to stay alert before exams.Calvert gave her a thoughtful look. "Have you been studying my preferences?"Luana shook her head. "No, I haven't."Calvert extended his hand. "Creamer?"Without thinking, Luana handed him a small box of creamer.Calvert glanced at the creamer in her hand and raised an eyebrow, a hint of triumph in his expression."Seems like you know I like to add creamer."Luana realized he was testing her and immediately wanted to take the creamer back.But he gently held her hand and said in a warm tone, "Miss Hammond, I need your help."He was holding the coffee and couldn't open the creamer himself, so he gestured with his eyes for her to add it for him.The way he asked her to open the creamer reminded her of Albion, soft
Luana thought for a moment. If she left the lounge, she might run into Cline, so she shook her head again.Calvert gave her a helpless look."I'll go get you something to eat."Without waiting for her to protest, he stood up and left.Given Calvert's status, Moriarty Group treated him with the highest level of hospitality.The dining area he went to was the same one where Cline was seated.Faced with an array of dishes, Calvert wasn't sure what to choose.He pulled out his phone and called Luana. "What do you like to eat?"Luana insisted she didn't want anything, but Calvert urged, "You have to eat something. You'll need to take care of me this afternoon."Reluctantly, she said, "Something easy to digest, then."Calvert's voice softened. "How about some fish, vegetables, and yogurt? What about a main dish?""No, that's enough.""Alright, wait for me."Pleased with her compliance, Calvert hung
Luana was holding a pillow, her small face resting on it, her long eyelashes covering her clear, innocent eyes.Seeing her deep in sleep, Calvert couldn't bring himself to wake her. Worried that she might be uncomfortable sleeping upright, he bent down and gently picked her up.The moment he held her, several fragmented memories flashed through his mind—as if he had carried her like this before.He looked down at her peaceful, beautiful face and felt, in that instant, that Luana had once belonged to him.But he couldn't remember her. No matter how hard he tried, the memories slipped away, and the deeper he dug, the more his head ached.The pain was like countless worms gnawing at his brain, devouring every fragment of memory until nothing remained.His face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his skin, but he held her tightly, unwilling to let go.It felt as though if he released her, he would lose her forever—a feeli
His eyes burned with raging fury, and his voice was icy cold.Luana was forced to meet his furious gaze, unable to look away.She was terrified of this version of Cline but had no idea how to explain herself.She had lied to him that day, saying she had just met Calvert, because she was afraid of revealing Calvert's past with her.She hadn't expected Cline to find out the truth so quickly, nor had she anticipated that he would confront her about it.She had always thought Cline didn't care about her, so he wouldn't pay much attention to anything related to her.But she had underestimated him. If he could find out whether she had slept with Travis, then naturally, he could uncover this too.However, if Calvert found out she had revealed their past, he wouldn't let her off easily.With that in mind, Luana pressed her lips together and refused to explain.Facing Calvert's ruthless methods was still better than being misunde
He set down the mirror, leaned back in the armchair, and propped his leg up, speaking with interest, "Luana, you're quite intriguing."Luana was taken aback. This man knew her name, indicating he knew her, yet she had no recollection of him. Who on earth was he?The man leaned forward slightly, his deep black eyes fixed intently on Luana's face. "Listen carefully, I am—"He paused, then his thin lips parted again. His clear voice reached Luana's ears, "Dorian Lamont."Dorian, Dorian... Luana searched her memory for this name but found nothing.She stared into his eyes, filled with confusion, eager to understand more.However, the man had no more to say. He rose and left the room.Shortly after he exited, a blonde, blue-eyed female caregiver entered.While assisting Luana in wiping her body, she chattered about something akin to a miracle, then left after cleaning up, without elaborating further.Once alone, Luana g
She quickly lowered her eyelashes, blocking out that scorching gaze.The man stared at her for a while, and upon noticing the flutter of her lashes, he confirmed she was truly awake.He straightened up, said nothing, and turned to leave, soon returning with an elderly man.The old man had golden hair and blue eyes, his head full of white hair. Dressed in a white suit, he looked spirited and elegant.The man led the elderly gentleman in, raised his slender finger, pointed at Luana on the bed, and asked with a frown, "George, how did she wake up?"George?Luana was taken aback. Eva had mentioned that Cline had contacted a renowned international heart specialist for her, and that expert was named George. Could this be him?George didn't respond to the man's question. Instead, he activated the medical equipment and began a full-body examination of Luana.His expression was focused, his eyes filled with disbelief.His reactio
Cline's face stiffened instantly. The body he had been barely holding together suddenly collapsed.Yes, Luana loved Albion, not him. What right did he have to stay here?He remembered how Luana had repeatedly asked him not to mess with her in the past...Since she despised him so much, if he didn't let Aibion be alone with her for a while, she would only hate him more.Thinking this, Cline slowly stood up and walked away without looking back.Calvert watched Cline's figure disappear, then turned back. He gently traced Luana's photo on the tombstone."Luana, forgive me for not telling him the truth—that you actually loved him... I just wanted to punish him for being so cruel to you... But please, don't blame me, okay?"With that, he kissed the tombstone one last time."Luana, I've passed the Coburn Group to my cousin and given all my personal assets to Clarissa. I... can come to stay with you now."Calvert took out
Calvert managed a calm smile, "Don't worry. I'm just fulfilling my promise to take care of you. But I have to manage the Coburn Group, so I won't be able to look after you in person. I can only support you financially."He lowered his eyes, filled with guilt, "I should have taken care of you both as soon as I returned to the Coburn Group, but my amnesia made you both suffer for five years..."Clarissa pushed the folder back, "I can't accept these. I can earn money myself."Calvert insisted, "Take it. Consider it compensation for my regrets over the years." With that, he got up and left."Where are you going?" Clarissa called out.Calvert turned back, his smile making her uneasy, "To visit her.""Albion, I'm the only family you have left. Don't do anything foolish," Clarissa's voice was choked with emotion.Calvert waved his hand without turning around and walked away.He bought a bunch of flower and went to the cemetery. In the
Clarissa had dreamed countless times that Luana was doing well in another world, much better than in the real one.She thought it was better that Luana didn't come back.After all, everyone must die eventually. Luana had just taken an earlier step.When her life ended, she would also go to that world to find Luana.Just as Luana had said in her dream, she would build a house there, waiting to welcome Albion and Clarissa when their lives in this world came to an end.Then, like after leaving the orphanage, the three of them would live in the same house, loving and taking care of each other.This way, the regrets they left in this life could be mended in another world...Clarissa came to her senses and looked at the letter Luana had left her, softly responding, "Alright..."She would live this life to the fullest and then find Luana in another world. She wanted to be sisters with Luana forever, never parting.Just as Clari
Gath traced the belt marks on her cheek with his fingertip in a mocking tone, "Came to see you... You've been doing so 'well' after leaving the Titlington family."Eva avoided his touch and coldly said, "You've seen enough, now go. I need to rest."Gath suddenly gripped her chin with a force that made her wince, "Eva, you're getting bold, huh? Speaking to me like that."Eva winced, but Gath let go as suddenly as he had grabbed her. She looked up and caught him avoiding her gaze."Gath, I'm hungry. Could you get me something to eat?" Eva softened her voice."Who do you think you are to order me around?" Gath raised an eyebrow."Someone you've been with. Does that count?" Eva fired back.Gath fell silent for a moment, then got up and left the ward.Eva watched him leave, her smile fading, her eyes cold and filled with loathing.'Gath, if you ever fall for me, I'll make you pay for all the pain you've caused!'No soo
"Do you know who she is? She's Sidney from the Preston family! You can't afford to tangle with her, so scram—"Zander let out a cold laugh, and the others joined in. "What a coincidence, she's exactly who we're looking for."Amid their eerie laughter, the man immediately abandoned Sidney, pushing through the crowd to flee.But he had barely taken two steps when a man in a black mask yanked him back.With a judo throw, the black-masked man sent him crashing to the ground, rendering him unconscious on the spot.Zander turned to Cline, "Sir, what shall we do with her?"Cline lowered his head, massaging his right hand that was oozing blood, as hatred surged within him.He was the cause of Luana's fatal injury, and now Sidney and Runa, who had humiliated her, deserved no less.He narrowed his eyes, his voice icy, "First, give her a hundred slaps, then..."He paused, his tone turning vicious, "Throw her into 'Nightfall'
Cline entered the study, unlocked a drawer, and retrieved a gold-bronze mask and a bottle of grey plant juice.He picked up a brush and carefully painted a wolf pattern on his neck.After finishing, he made a call.The recipient answered promptly, addressing him respectfully.Cline, gazing at the night outside, said coldly, "Tonight's targets are Sidney and Runa."The recipient responded promptly, "Yes, I'll come to pick you up right away."Cline hung up, his eyes cold and filled with malice as he looked at the manor lit by streetlights.Through the lights, he seemed to see the old mansion of the Preston family, and his eyes blazed with hatred.'Sheila, I promised my father I wouldn't kill you, but you've destroyed what I care about, so I'll destroy what you care about.''If you want to play, I'll play along...'Cline rewound the blood-soaked bandage on his hand and put on a pair of black leather gloves.He
Back then, he was young and naive, thinking that by attempting suicide, his mother would show him some kindness.But he soon realized that not all women who have given birth deserve the title of "mother."Ironically, the woman who wanted to torture him to death wasn't a wicked stepmother but his biological mother.The Moriarty family treated him with care, while the Preston family, his mother's side, devised ways to torment him.He had once doubted whether he was his mother's biological son, but investigations proved otherwise. He was her son, a plaything she intended to torture to death.His mother's method of torture was to force him to live and watch everything he cared about be destroyed before his eyes.Cline's lips curled into a bitter smile. He had once believed that all mothers loved their children and had yearned for maternal love.Now, he knew better. Cline lifted his hate-filled eyes and coldly regarded the woman in the whe