"I deserve this punishment," Gloria said calmly.
She did not doubt it because of Sean's words. It was as if she had accepted her fate. Sean was very shocked. He had known Gloria since he was a child. Black Thorn Pack and Silver Spring Pack were adjacent to each other, and Silver Spring Pack was also very powerful. As the daughter of Alpha, Gloria had every reason to be proud. She was once flamboyant and happy. She had completed the shift at the age of fifteen, and her wolf was a silvery-white female wolf. Sean remembered that she was confident. The current Gloria, however, seems to have reached the end of her days. She was lifeless and spoke like an old lady over a hundred years old. Sean had seen her kneel to Patrick, but when he was facing this woman, he felt even more shocked. He could feel humbleness in her words. "Do you really think that you deserve all of this, Gloria?" Sean could not help but ask. GloriaPatrick stood in front of the sofa, pondering over things related to Gloria. Suddenly, he heard light footsteps behind him. Patrick was a werewolf, and he had a keen sense of hearing and smell. Thus, he knew at once that it was Gloria. Patrick turned his head. Seeing how tentative Gloria was, he began to get furious again. His wolf always emphasized that Gloria was their mate, but he never wanted to admit it. He hated to admit that the cowardly, humble woman in front of him was his mate. However, Patrick couldn't manage to ignore the fact that she was standing right there. Also, she could always affect his mood easily. "Stop right there. Where are you going?" said Patrick. "I'm going to work, Mr. Hammond," Gloria replied calmly. She sounded respectful, but Patrick could still sense her stubbornness. "Work? With your current condition? Do you know you almost died just now?" Patrick shouted in anger, again at Glor
Christine immediately sensed something from Leonard's words. After all, she had managed to take a place in Fittro Club for years. Her delicate brows furrowed as she asked, "Hold on. A dangerous job? What are you referring to?" Christine thought, 'Gloria must have lost her mind. She hasn't fully recovered yet, and she has already come back here, asking me for a job. However, I'm not insane or stupid. Who says I'm going to give her what she wants?' Christine said seriously, "I'm not that heartless, OK? She came back before she recovered, but I never gave her any work to do. Well, the only exception is that unfamiliar guest a few days ago. But he didn't give her a hard time." Leonard didn't think Christine was lying. He probed, "You know Toby, from Blue Moon Pack, right?" "Toby? The Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack? Yes, I know him. What about him?" Christine asked in confusion. "He was a guest here today. He was in Room 3 on the third floor." Leo
Christine walked very fast. She soon reached the Public Relations Department's lounge and walked past it toward the manager's office. Her stilettos tapped against the marble tiles, and she looked angry. The staff trembled in fear as they watched Christine walk straight toward her destination. She kicked the office door open, making a huge noise. Christine roared furiously, "Emily, I want an explanation!" Emily was startled. She looked at Christine, who appeared out of the blue, and asked, "Christine, what's going on?" Christine walked into the office and slammed the door shut, blocking those probing gazes. She stood at the door with her arms crossed. Looking at Emily coldly, she said, "Who said you could arrange work for Gloria? Don't you know that she is still sick? Did you have my permission?" Emily felt relieved and dissatisfied when she heard that Christine was here for Gloria. Emily said, "Christine, I'm the manager of t
The call girls in the Public Relations Department's lounge were surprised to see Emily panic. They heard Christine's voice from before dimly. However, they did not know what had happened between Emily and Christine. "What did Gloria do this time? Christine is here, asking Emily to find Gloria herself!" "What does Gloria have anything to do with you?" "Well, that's true." They were talking, yet Emily didn't have time to listen to their conversation at all. She rushed into the public lounge as fast as she could. She saw Gloria, who was in the lounge. "Gloria, you..." Emily was used to talking to Gloria arrogantly. Suddenly, she recalled Christine's words. She coughed awkwardly and softened her tone, saying, "Are you alright?" Gloria was puzzled. She thought, 'Since when did you care about me?' "I'm fine," Gloria said. "I want to ask you something. It's about Room 3 on the third floor." Gloria stiffened.
Leonard frowned at Christine's words. He did not agree with Christine. Christine joined the Black Thorn Pack later, whilst he was always by Patrick's side, protecting Patrick. In Leonard's eyes, Gabrielle, Damon's sister, was the love of Patrick's life. Gloria was nothing to him. He said with dissatisfaction, "There are some things that you don't know. Don't give random comments." Christine smiled. She figured that Leonard was the one with all self-righteousness. "Call her over," Leonard said as he pointed at Lillian's photo. Christine nodded. She disliked Lillian anyway. Lillian was called to Christine's office. On Lillian's way here, she had been uneasy all along. "Christine." Lillian now was very humble. Unlike the first time she went to Christine's office, she was no longer contemptuous when talking to Christine. "I'll cut to the chase. Tell us about what happened in the room on the third floor today," Christine sa
"Lillian, I told you to be kind the last time I spoke to you. Obviously, you didn't take my words seriously at all. You brought it to yourself. You have no reason or right to hate anyone," Christine looked at Lillian and said with blunt hatred in her eyes. Christine then looked at Gloria and continued, "Gloria, you don't need to help her. She deserved it." Lillian cried hard. She was no longer as arrogant as she had been before when she faced Gloria. Grabbing Gloria's clothes in both hands, she begged, "Gloria, please! Help me. This is the first time I've ever asked you for anything." Gloria stood in situ expressionlessly. She was amused by Lillian's words. She said, "That's right. This is the first time. Because the boss of Fittro Club won't believe you this time even if I play along with you and help you lie." "Gloria, you're here to twist the knife, aren't you?" Lillian's face was full of grief and indignation. She looked like she knew
Patrick thought, 'Do as I say? Is that how you were, Gloria Carter? I don't think so.' Patrick put his hand up. His arm was propped on the arm of the sofa while he supported his chin with his hand, looking lazy. He looked at the woman in front of him silently. Time ticked, and Gloria began to feel restless. Patrick never looked away from her face. The light was too dim for her to see the emotion on his face. Occasionally, she would look up tentatively, yet she could only see his cold eyes in the dimness. A few minutes later, she finally gave in, finding it hard to keep sitting still anymore. She raised her head and said, "Mr. Hammond, I'm here to ask you to forgive someone." She cut to the chase. Patrick nodded while sitting on the sofa. He said lazily, "I know. I was waiting for you to speak." Gloria was stunned for a second. Only then did she realize that the reason why Patrick was sitting there and staring at
Gloria thought, 'I know what it's like to owe someone her life because I can't pay it back. Even though I am working my ass off, trying to save money to get my freedom back, I know Mica will never see any of my efforts. I don't care about Lillian. I don't like or hate her, though she is selfish and insolent, and she has crossed the line many times. Also, it's not my intention to meddle in others' business and come here to plead for her. I simply don't want to owe someone her life, whether it's a nice person or not, and whether it has something to do with me directly or not. I just don't want it whatsoever. That's why I came here after all, though I was so reluctant.' When Gloria was yelling, she said she didn't want to owe someone her life, and Patrick heard her. Patrick pondered for a while, and he had his guess. Patrick did not know that Gloria was referring to Mica. Instead, he figured that Gloria was repentant for causing Gabrie
"Clarissa..." Albert wept and pleaded, "My mom has cancer, I got fired from my job, and the baby still needs milk. For the sake of our years together, treat me like a beggar and spare me a little help.""If you were truly a beggar, I'd give you some money to send you on your way, but you're not..."A clear voice cut through the air, tinged with exhaustion, coldness, and a hint of ruthlessness. "You're nothing but scum!""Clarissa!""Gag him and get him out of my sight!"At the command, the bodyguards immediately seized Albert and shoved him into the elevator."Humph, this despicable man!"Luana followed the voice and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the bar.The woman had a slender figure, waist-length curly hair, and fair, slender fingers holding a slender cigarette, while her other hand toyed with a wine glass.She tilted her head, staring into the red wine in her glass, as if observing another world from afar
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