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
Luana stumbled over her words, trying to explain. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lie to you before. Albion—no, Calvert—he and I, we...""It doesn't concern me."Cline cut her off coldly. "I came to you because I can't stand being lied to. Now that I know the reason, it doesn't matter anymore."His words felt like a bucket of ice water poured over her, chilling her to the bone.All the things she wanted to say to him were stuck in her throat, unable to come out.She forced herself to nod calmly. "Alright. Then... take care, Cline."As soon as she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. She quickly turned around so he wouldn't see.Behind her, she heard the sound of the door opening and closing. Without a moment's hesitation, he left the lounge.Luana glanced back at the closed door, feeling as if a knife had sliced through her heart, leaving it hollow and aching.Her legs felt weak, an
Luana never expected that after Cline let Calvert in, he would continue to kiss her.It wasn't until she heard Calvert's voice that she understood his intention.Although she had already let go of Calvert, seeing his eyes turn bloodshot with despair still startled her.She couldn't help but feel that the man struggling to rush towards them wasn't Calvert, but Albion.Because only Albion would lose control when he saw her being hurt by another man.Instinctively not wanting to upset Albion, she struggled desperately.But the more she struggled, the harder Cline kissed her, even going so far as to slide his slender fingers inside her clothes right in front of Calvert."Cline, don't touch her!" Calvert roared in a fit of madness, wishing he could rush over and kill Cline.But his body was pinned down by the bodyguard, leaving him helpless as he watched Cline take possession of Luana bit by bit.Luana forcefully pushed Cline
"So you did plan this with him!" Cline's cold, emotionless voice came from above Luana's head, making her pause for a moment."I didn't.""Then how did he know you were here?""I'm not sure, maybe it's because..." Her explanation was cut short by Cline's cold interruption."Stop making excuses. Getting your bag back wasn't just to contact him, was it?"Seeing Cline's stubborn and indifferent expression, Luana fell silent.He had already made up his mind that she had contacted Calvert to pick her up. No amount of explanation would convince him; it was futile."He comes to pick you up as soon as you're recovering. If that's not premeditated, then what is it?" Cline's distrust and relentless questioning left Luana feeling exhausted.She took a deep breath and replied indifferently, "Yes, I did arrange with him. The day I could walk again, I asked him to come and get me."Hearing her admission, Cline's lips curled into a col
"Remember to use the scar-removing medicine," Eva said. With her delicate and elegant appearance, she was the epitome of beauty—her face couldn't afford to be marred by scars.Eva nodded in agreement and left with her medical bag.As the dean of a private hospital, her schedule was usually quite busy.Had it not been for Cline, it would have been nearly impossible to get an appointment with her.Thinking of Cline, Luana felt a lump in her chest.She couldn't understand his intentions. He was about to get married to his fiancée, yet he kept her locked up at home.Did he want Runa and yet couldn't bear to let go of her?If that was the case, Cline was being incredibly greedy.Luana glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows. At some point, the sky had darkened and a heavy downpour had begun.The weather matched her mood perfectly, prompting a deep sigh from her.As she sat on the bed, hugging her legs and
"Only a day apart, and you're already missing each other so much. It seems your old flame has been rekindled?"Faced with his sarcastic remark, Luana didn't bother to explain. She simply lowered her long eyelashes, hiding the discomfort in her eyes.Seeing her silence, Cline's face turned even colder. His grip on her chin tightened uncontrollably."Didn't you say you didn't love him anymore? Why are you rekindling your old relationship?"Luana endured the pain in her chin and forced a smile at Cline."If I can be your lover for years without loving you, why can't I rekindle my relationship with him?"It wasn't clear whether it was the first part of her sentence that choked Cline or the latter that left him speechless, but it made him so angry that he couldn't find words.Luana glanced up at him and saw his usually frosty, charming eyes gradually turn bloodshot. Her heart jolted, but she quickly suppressed the involuntary feelings that
Calvert seemed to have lost the strength to speak, only managing a faint nod.Clarissa knew his stubborn nature from childhood. Trying to persuade him to leave would be futile. So she steeled herself and told him the truth."Every time Luana is taken away by Cline, she won't be back in less than two or three days. You can't just keep squatting here, can you?"Judging by his reaction, it seemed he already knew who Luana had sold herself to back then.Since that was the case, there was no harm in telling him the truth. He wouldn't stand a chance against that man anyway.Clarissa's words hit Calvert like a sledgehammer, delivering a fatal blow."Every time?" he asked incredulously, his bloodshot eyes slowly turning towards Clarissa. "For these five years... she's been with Cline?""Mm-hmm," Clarissa replied indifferently. That single word, however, almost caused Calvert to collapse.He had thought she had only sold herself once, b
Hearing this, Luana felt even more guilty. "Clarissa, he got hurt trying to save me. Could you tell him to go back to the hospital first? I'll come to see him in a few days."Clarissa latched onto the key phrase. "Save you? What's going on?"Luana briefly explained the incident with Travis's private revenge.Upon learning the truth, Clarissa shouted that she wanted to teach Travis a lesson.However, upon hearing that Cline had already dealt with Travis, she immediately fell silent."So... you're with Cline now?"Luana could only nod in affirmation, not daring to hide anything from Clarissa.Clarissa sighed deeply and muttered, "What a complicated relationship," before hanging up the phone.She put her phone in her pocket and, carrying a large pot of corn chowder, walked towards the entrance of the small apartment.She had been excited to bring the soup to Luana to help her regain her strength, but as soon as she stepped
After Eva left, Cline glanced towards the guest bedroom and noticed the door was ajar. His expression darkened immediately.He unconsciously quickened his pace and entered the room, only to see Luana adjusting the IV drip.Her small, palm-sized face showed no significant emotional fluctuation. She remained as gentle and well-behaved as before.She even smiled at him when he entered, which dispelled his doubts.The volume of his conversation with Eva hadn't been loud enough for her to overhear.Cline subconsciously let out a breath of relief and sat down beside her bed, asking, "Feeling better?"Luana nodded and replied, "A bit better."Then, they fell into silence. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.Seeing that Cline had no intention of leaving, Luana couldn't help but speak up, "Mr. Moriarty, could you help me find my bag?"Her bag had been left in the banquet hall at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Her phone and other belon
Cline finally put down the vegetable salad and picked up a napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth.In the five years she had been with him, he had never taken care of her like this. Luana was utterly shocked.She stared blankly at the man in front of her with her clear, innocent eyes, feeling as if all of this was surreal.Cline, however, didn't seem to find anything amiss. He calmly wiped her mouth with the napkin.After cleaning her up, he took out his phone and called Eva. He asked Eva to bring medical equipment to the villa.Hearing this, Luana quickly snapped out of her daze and said, "I'll be fine with just some rest. There's no need to trouble Dr. Eva."Cline glanced at her coldly, his tone domineering and brooking no refusal. "Whether it's troublesome or not, I'm the one who decides."Luana had no choice but to keep quiet and let him arrange everything...When Eva pushed a cart full of instruments into the room, Cline
Cline coldly interrupted him, "No meeting."Russell immediately seemed a bit embarrassed. "Mr. Moriarty, he is, after all, the CEO of Coburn Group. Right now, people from Coburn Group are constantly asking me for him. I can't keep him locked up forever..."Russell's meaning was clear—he could withstand the pressure for a while, but not for long.Cline's face darkened as he thought for a few seconds, and finally relented, "Let him go."He then hung up the phone directly and looked at Luana, who was examining him.In fact, Luana had already guessed who he was talking about and didn't ask.As long as he was willing to release Calvert, she could thank him later once she had recovered a bit.Cline stared at the IV drip for a while until the liquid in the bottle was completely gone, then he helped her remove the needle.Luana glanced at the three bottles of medicine still on the side. Logically, they should be administered one