Lanie was feeling unhappy. He did not want to stay in class. He was a precocious child, and he learned very quickly. His father had hired a personal tutor for him, and his intelligence was at the level of an elementary student. However, he had to remain in that class so that he could accompany his sister. Lanie thought that the teacher on the podium and the other children in the class were silly. He did not like how they wagged their heads when they spoke. Rainie did the same too, but she was his sister. He also thought that the teachers did not sing well. He would rather listen to his mother hum tunes to him and Rainie. He did not want to learn from the teacher. He had memorized the French song after listening to it twice. Unfortunately, the other children in the class had not picked it up, and the French teacher had to repeat it again and again. Lanie kept his lips tightly pressed together as he looked at the French teacher patiently repeat the song one more time. H
The reason why Bianca remembered that string of numbers so well was because, in one of their make-out sessions, she had asked him about his birthday. She was in the throes of ecstasy when the man whispered those numbers into her ear repeatedly and forced her to commit those six digits to memory. "What's wrong, Bianca?" Nina was confused. Very few people knew about Luke's personal life. That was why the majority of the workers in the company did not know about Luke's birthday. It was also not available on the Internet. "It's nothing. Why is the password changed?" She asked curiously. "I don't know. In any case, the password changed when the new supervisor came in. Who knows what she's thinking? I have to admit that I don't like her though. She's too domineering like a bully. I guess she's been putting up a humble guise in those TV interviews," Nina could not help but tell Bianca her opinion of the new supervisor. "Well, she has the talent and fame to be a bully. Whatever.
"Do you have something on your mind, Ms. Laviere? Or are you not used to the local weather?" Luke asked curiously. "I think I'm still not used to the weather here. I'll try to adjust myself so that I can be at my optimal condition," Mavis said coldly. Luke nodded. "Mm. I've always believed in your capabilities, Ms. Laviere. You can keep the document here. We'll discuss it in detail tomorrow." "Alright." Mavis turned around and left. Luke nodded in satisfaction. That was Mavis for him. In front of him, she had been distant and aloof, as though she desired nothing, and no earthly temptation could move her. That was what Luke liked the most about Mavis. She was capable, professional, and not bothered by personal matters. Those were the qualities of a perfect worker. "Ms. Laviere," Luke called out her name right when she was opening the door. Mavis stopped walking. With her face turned away from Luke, she smiled smugly. She turned around and resumed her usual, aloof exp
Xavier stepped forward and held Bianca's shoulders, not letting her leave. He looked into her eyes and observed the changes in her expression. Deep down inside, Bianca was not as calm as she looked. She was bothered by what Xavier said. Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she tried to push Xavier away. "You don't have to try to break us apart. I'll believe Luke no matter what he does." She took Nina's hand, and they walked away defiantly to the bus station. Xavier did not give chase. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his fists tightened and loosened… 'You'll come back to me someday, Bianca.' … Bianca wanted to take the bus home, but in her irritable mood, she decided to go to the kindergarten to pick up the two children instead. She gave Jason a call and found that he was on his way to pick up the children. She told him that she would be picking up the children with him today and asked him to wait for a while if he arrived first. After ending the call, Bianca
Back at home, the two children went to the study and did their homework, while Bianca went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. In the sink was a basin half-filled with water and two fishes. Bianca was going to prepare fish for dinner. Fish was very nutritious. It was the perfect food for a child's physical and mental development. Her children might be picky eaters, but Bianca wanted to try to change their food habits. After seeing Luke and Mavis ride in the same car, she was not in her element. She told herself not to overthink, but she could not control certain things. She picked up a fish from the basin and treated it as Luke. Whack! Whack! She hit the fish with the rolling pin, and it went still… She wanted to give a call to Luke, but she thought that it was beneath her dignity to do so. If Luke was really talking business with Mavis, then her call would be an unnecessary distraction. However, she nevertheless felt uneasy when she was reminded of Xavier's words…
Luke finally returned home late at night. When he opened the bedroom door, he was greeted by the tranquil scene of Bianca sleeping with the two children. The two children were neatly tucked under the quilt. Bianca was dressed in a silk nightgown. Her limbs that were as fair as ivory were outside of the blanket. Her cheeks were so soft and tantalizing… Luke pinched Bianca's cheeks, which woke her up. Bianca opened her eyes groggily. She looked like a newborn fawn. Luke could feel his abdomen become tight when he saw Bianca's innocent yet alluring appearance. "You're back." Bianca rubbed her eyes. Luke hugged her and gently kissed her forehead. "I'll go take a shower. You should sleep." He tucked Bianca under the blanket and said to her as though reprimanding a child, "You're already an adult, but you still kick the blanket when you're sleeping. What if you catch a cold?" Bianca wanted to say something, but he kissed her and walked away to the bathroom. Bianca looke
Jason dropped the children at school, then drove toward the company. Bianca sat in the back seat. The window was open, and she allowed the cold, piercing wind to blow on her face. The wind cut her delicate skin like a knife. It was painful, but it allowed her mind to be clear. Jason glanced at her and said, "The weather is cold today, Ms. Rayne. Mr. Crawford will blame me if you catch a cold." Bianca shook her head but did not reply to him. She closed her eyes. Jason was curious when he saw how languid Bianca looked. Did she have a fight with the boss? He did not think so. After being his boss's assistant for so many years, he knew how important Bianca was to Luke. Luke loved her more than anything else in the world. Why would he fight with her? … Meanwhile, in a shopping mall. Allison was dressed in a luxurious white fur coat and held two bulging shopping bags in her hand. She was at the checkout counter with two of her rich lady friends. The shopping bags were
Bianca seemed absent-minded the entire workday. She made many mistakes, and the department lead glared at her. "What's wrong? Is something bothering your mind?" Sue and Nina had asked her. Bianca shook her head and said nothing. Some things were not meant to be shared with other people. She tried to find many reasons to convince herself to trust Luke. Eventually, she could not hold back her doubts anymore and gave Luke a call. She dialed his number several times. The response she always got was, "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service." Her heart sank to the bottom of the abyss… She got off work right on time and returned to the apartment. Even though she had two children by her side, Bianca felt that the family was incomplete without a certain someone. The two children ate their dinner silently. She turned on the television. On the television was a news report. The tall and well-built man in her dreams appeared on television. Rainie instantly recog
Lucius was different.He did not care about getting close to anyone, whether man or woman. Even when Hera’s attempts to seduce him were blatantly obvious, he still remained unmoved and even showed signs of rejection.Gerald could not help but marvel at Luca’s sharp observations and incisive remarks. He could not help but clap his hands lightly, genuinely impressed.“Lucius truly is exceptional,” said Gerald.Luca came downstairs.When she took the last step off the stairs, the men in the living room immediately fell silent.They held their breath as they watched the woman in front of them. Her hair was straight, not like their boss' companion.The men's gazes grew intense.Luca’s expression darkened.Gerald stood beside her and said, “See, I told you—you’re like a piece of meat dropped into a pack of wolves. Be careful.”One of the men heard Gerald and asked unhappily, “Hey, kid, what are you saying? What wolves? We’re gentlemen. We’d never dream of doing anything inappropr
When Gerald heard this, his face fell. “Huh? Ms. Craw, you're not cooking anymore?”Luca said nothing. Luke had already left with the others. She turned her gaze back before walking inside.Gerald realized that Luca had only been cooking breakfast because of Lucius. The thought puzzled him. Had they taken a liking to each other from the very start? That did not seem right.In this fast-paced modern world, even if they had, using something as old-fashioned as cooking to win someone over did not add up.Still, the timing was too coincidental to ignore. Luca started cooking for everyone when Lucius arrived, and she stopped as soon as he left. That realization gave Gerald an eerie feeling.Thinking they might have known each other back on the island, it all suddenly made sense. Of course! They must have met before. How else could this all line up so perfectly?With that thought, Gerald quickly caught up with Luca. “Ms. Craw, my cooking is terrible. Why don’t you keep doing it?”
Kassy’s eye donor was Hera, the one Abel had brought over.Even though Hera’s eyes resembled Kassy’s, they did not meet the criteria for a transplant. However, Hera’s blood type matched Kassy’s exactly.Hence, Abel decided to use Hera’s eyes. His belief was that her eyes were specifically meant for Kassy.Shanks knew he would not be able to change Abel’s mind, so he did not try. Abel’s stubbornness was something even Kassy herself could not sway.Luca remained silent for a while, not saying anything further. She understood that using a cadaver was the best option as it would not harm anyone.However, the eyes Abel wanted for Kassy were not from a cadaver. He intended to take them from Hera.Luca certainly would not participate in such a surgery. It was too cruel.“What are you thinking?” Shanks suddenly asked.Luca shook her head. “I’m just thinking about the volunteer’s situation.”“You’re wondering if this solution will be marketed, aren’t you?” Shanks suddenly asked.L
“I’m still a bit worried. Let me take a look in your room and change the dressing while I’m at it.” Luca knew Luke would not want her to worry. Therefore, she needed to see for herself that everything was fine before she could feel at ease.“Alright.” Luke knew she was worried about him, so the two of them headed into the room.He took off his shirt, revealing the bandage wrapped around his torso.Luca could not help but chuckle at the sight. The wrapping was done by Gerald, and it was hilariously sloppy. It was haphazardly bound—overly tight in some places and entirely uneven. It looked like it was just meant to cover the wounds, with no thought for neatness.“Stop laughing.” Luke was clearly rendered speechless by Gerald’s lackluster bandaging skills as well.If it were not for the fact that it was difficult to bandage himself, he would never have let Gerald do it.“With it wrapped like this, how are you supposed to sleep at night?” Luca asked as she began unwrapping the ba
Abel chuckled. His voice was low and gravelly.“Hera, let’s agree on something. Don’t use threats of leaving to manipulate me anymore, or I won’t be happy,” said Abel in a low voice.What might have sounded like a plea or a compromise came across to Hera as a veiled threat.The cool sensation of his fingers brushed against her eyelids, and she could not help but shiver. His touch felt as cold as death itself. She could not feel a trace of warmth.Her hands clenched tightly together. The tension in her grip was the only thing keeping her from trembling further.“Alright,” Hera murmured obediently.Abel withdrew his hand. Hera opened her eyes. A strange unease stirred within her. For reasons she could not quite explain, Abel’s behavior filled her with an unsettling dread…“Will you stay at the hospital with me tonight?” Hera could not help but crave some semblance of comfort.Abel frowned slightly. “Stay here with you? And what about Luca?”“You could just send her home. I onl
Luca's expression was serious, and Hera realized she was not just trying to scare her. Ignoring her warnings had already caused her to suffer once.Unwillingly, Hera sipped on the cereal. Her resentment was evident in every movement.Luca noticed it was not difficult for her to handle. She quietly sat down and ate her own bowl of cereal.Hera did not have much of an appetite.Hera took a couple of bites before growing bored. She glanced at Luca and asked, “How did you end up working for Abel?”Luca did not respond. She calmly blew on her cereal and ate in silence, showing no intention of engaging in conversation.“I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” snapped Hera.Luca lifted her gaze briefly and replied, “You should finish your cereal before it gets cold.”“I’m not even hungry.” Hera really had no appetite and was not planning to eat the cereal.“It’s still better if you eat something. Otherwise, when hunger strikes later, don’t expect me to help you,” said Luca, “I’m only he
Luke had never taken the medicine that could speed up healing, so his recovery was nowhere near as fast as the others from the Island of Despair.Luca did not respond to Gerald’s comment. Her gaze fixed on him with intensity.“No stitches,” said Luke, “I trust you.”Luca bit her lower lip.“But if you don’t stitch it, it might tear open,” insisted Gerald, staring at Luke’s wounds.Luke glanced at his injuries and shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, as though the wounds had nothing to do with Luca.“Stitches will leave scars.”“Are you afraid of scars? What kind of man doesn’t have a few scars on him? Scars are a symbol of manhood,” teased Gerald with a playful tone, “Scars show you’re reliable, that you can protect a woman.”Luke gave him a look as though he were an idiot, then his gaze shifted to Luca. “I don’t want too many scars. I’m worried my future wife might dislike them.”Luca’s heart sank at his words, but his lighthearted remark eased her sadness. Despite the severity
Luca could not help but tremble with heartache. She fought hard to resist the urge to rush forward.Everyone in the room had survived brutal training to make it out of the Island of Despair, and they could not help but shudder when they saw the scene. The sound of the whip felt like it was landing on their own bodies.Gerald closed his eyes, unable to watch any longer. It was too cruel for him to watch.The ten lashes felt like an eternity, stretching on for what seemed like a century.Luca looked at the drenched clothes on Luke. His eyes were red, and his shirt was so soaked that you could wring out the blood from it. Her hands were clenched so tightly into fists that the veins were bulging.Abel tossed the whip aside, looking at Luke’s disheveled state with satisfaction. He enjoyed the thrill of this bloody scene.He turned to Luca, noticing her reddened eyes, and smiled even more devilishly. “Hera is in the hospital now. You’ll go take care of her for the next few da
Luca instantly understood the situation. It was about Hera.Hera was someone Abel valued, possibly as a future corneal donor for Kassy. While Abel might not love Hera now, he certainly took her health seriously.In a calm tone, Luca explained, “She was hospitalized due to inflammation that caused a fever.”Abel furiously flung his half-smoked cigar at her. The glowing embers singed her clothes, leaving a small burn mark.She instinctively stepped aside.Abel roared, “What kind of care is this?! I told you to look after her! Is this how you handle things?”Luca was perplexed. When did he ever tell her to look after Hera?Besides, she did take care of her.”When Ms. Sanchez fainted last night, she already had a low-grade fever. I diagnosed her condition as inflammation and prescribed anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medication. I also emphasized that she needed to take oral anti-inflammatory drugs. She didn’t trust me and threw out Mr. Shanks’ medication, which led to her con