”Got it.” Percy understood what he meant.It was already midnight by the time they finished their drinking session.After drinking, the three had their respective drivers drive them home instead of driving themselves.Luke sat in the backseat while looking at the bright lights of A City. Even though it was already midnight, the streets were still lively as if the nightlife was never-ending.“Boss, do you need me to turn up the heater?” Lliam asked faintly as he looked at Luke through the rearview mirror, who was silent the entire time.“No need.” Luke withdrew his gaze and leaned back on the chair with his eyes closed. He drank a little too much today, so he was feeling a little tipsy.He drank this much not because of Pierre but Luca…The woman he loved most.Luke wished that he could just get rid of the Island of Despair for good, but he could not do it yet for the sake of Luca’s health.How long would he have to wait before Luca developed the antidote and escaped the clutch
“You’re right.” He agreed and buried his jaw in her neck.A wave of ticklish heat washed over Luca, causing her to feel even hotter. "If they’re after the money, is the Mallory family able to pay the demanded amount for Pierre?" she asked.Pierre had become a disgrace to the Mallory family now. He had caused so much trouble that if it were not for Madam Mallory, no one would be willing to clean up his mess.Even Old Master Mallory’s heart had grown cold toward him.Would Old Master Mallory really give the money to Pierre if Abel asked the Mallory family for the ransom?"Pierre can’t get into any trouble now," said Luke. Even if Old Master Mallory refused to give the money, he would not just sit there and watch Pierre suffer at the hands of his kidnappers.However, Pierre must be going through a lot of pain at the moment....On the other hand. Pierre was still tied to a chair with a dirty, smelly piece of cloth stuffed in his mouth. His right leg was fastened to two pieces
"He values his life too much to commit suicide," replied Alexsia as he glanced at the man lying on the bed.Pierre believed he still had a chance to escape. That was why he would never take his own life.Kazimir nodded and glanced at Pierre, who looked half-dead. He felt disgusted and asked, "Did you give him a shot?""Yes. I used the medicine given by the organization. The man who developed the medicine guarantees that he won’t die even if he takes it." Alexsia smiled as he patted his companion's shoulder. Then, he added, "Keep an eye on him. I'm leaving to have a cigarette.""Okay." Kazimir nodded. Then, he pulled a chair and sat down."Oh, by the way, he might try to bribe you to help him escape. Don't lose your patience. I’m afraid that you might kill him," Alexsia reminded him."Don't worry. He's our boss' fortune charm. I won’t dare to do such a thing." Kazimir chuckled. He was amused by Pierre’s naivety. It seemed like Pierre had no idea what kind of organization the Is
Alexsia ignored what he said while he secretly mumbled to himself that this was why Kazamir hated those naive, rich kids.…On the other hand.Luca had been busy with work at Watsons Biopharmaceuticals all day. She was asked to take a leave after she received a phone call from Luke. Confusion was written all over her face when she got into Warren’s car and arrived at the mall."Did Mr. Crawford tell you to drop me off here?" asked Luca."Yes, Ms. Craw," answered Warren, noticing how bewildered she was. "Have you forgotten that the party will be held tonight?"Luca glanced at her phone and realized that today was Friday…“I totally forgot about it…” She had forgotten about the dinner amidst a string of responsibilities she had to juggle for the past few days."Boss has already made an appointment with the fashion house on the tenth floor for you," said Warren.Luke already expected that Luca would forget about it and made arrangements for her.Luca would be the center of att
"Okay." Luca rose to her feet and followed the stylist to the fitting room. Hundreds of gowns were displayed on the racks. There was a dazzling array of choices."Ms. Craw, since it's the company's dinner, I shall pick something simple and elegant for you. I’ll go with something that matches your makeup and hairstyle and isn't too showy," suggested the stylist. She walked to the end of the rows of gowns and asked for Luca’s opinion.The last row of gowns was the most exclusive gowns displayed. The stylist picked a few simple, short dresses and tried matching them with Luca's body figure. "I think these will look great on you. Ms. Craw, what do you think?""I'll take this." Luca pointed at a black-colored short dress. It had clean cuts, and it was perfect for the event tonight. It would not make Luca look overdressed."You have good taste. I’ll let my assistant help you get changed." The stylist smiled and handed the dress to her assistant. Luca shook her head and replied, "It
"It's on the fifth floor,” replied Rhett as he pressed the button heading toward the fifth floor.Luca nodded and watched the number that gradually went up as the elevator rose.Rhett asked, “Dr. Craw, have you reviewed the report yet?”“I did. But I think something’s missing. I’d like to request more funds for this project. We have to hold a meeting next Monday,” answered Luca. She did not intend to discuss work with Rhett now. However, she decided to go along with it since he brought it up.“Sure.” Rhett nodded. Mo Stone was more familiar with the paperwork. He knew it would be much easier for Luca with him and Mo Stone helping her.Ding. The elevator door slowly opened when it arrived on the fifth floor. Luca stepped out of the elevator, and Rhett led her to the left. “Gabriella Hall.”“Alright.” Luca followed Rhett into the banquet hall.Many employees were already seated.Someone noticed Luca's arrival and said, “Dr. Craw is here.” It caught everyone's attention, and t
Dr. Linwood paused before realizing what he had just said, and immediately tried to explain himself, “Dr. Craw, you had more chances of interacting with Mr. Crawford when you were working at T Corporation, so I thought you would know.”Luca forced a smile by lifting the corners of her mouth.She did have more chances to interact with Luke, but she did not ask whether he was coming today.He would come, right?It was Watson Biopharmaceutical’s big day after all. As the boss, it was only right that he attended.“I don’t know,” said Luca.“Hehehe.” Dr. Linwood smiled to ease the tension, but in reality, the professors there all thought that Luca and Luke were having an affair.“By the way, I remember that Mr. Crawford has mentioned that whoever’s research enters the final stage will move to T Corporation’s office. I wonder if that’s still true?” A research professor quickly changed the subject.“I don’t know. Working at T Corporation is great, but who would want to leave under the
Luke originally wanted the stylist to give her a more glamorous look, but after listening to her opinion, he went with her idea.She looked pretty even with a simple look.Luca felt his eyes on her, and she started breathing faster.“Mr. Crawford, the ceremony is about to begin,” Luca reminded softly. If they stayed in here any longer, people would start to misunderstand.Mo knew that she was inside.With a guy and a girl were alone in a lounge, it would be hard for other people to not overthink.“What did you just call me?” Luke narrowed his eyes to show dissatisfaction. Was she using this alienating title on purpose to keep her distance from him?“This is a public setting, and the people from Watson Biopharmaceuticals are inside.” Luca knew that calling him that would upset him, so she had to explain.“Uh-huh.” Luke was still unhappy.What did those people have to do with him?She was his beloved wife.“Luke…” Seeing his expression, Luca had no choice but to compromise and
“Alright.” Percy turned and walked toward the physician's office.When he stepped out of the psychiatric hospital again, his gaze fell on a black car parked by the side of the road.It was a special vehicle for the disabled.Apart from the hospital's own vehicles, no other cars were allowed inside the psychiatric hospital's grounds. This was to prevent patients from using vehicles to escape or harm others.Therefore, cars visiting family members were generally parked along the road on either side of the hospital.Hence, seeing a car parked by the side of the road was perfectly normal.Percy smirked slightly and stared at the car for a while before getting into his own car and leaving.Inside the black car, the driver let out a long sigh of relief.“Mr. Pierre, we almost got spotted by Mr. Percy just now,” said the driver after watching Percy get into the car and drive away.Percy’s eyes darkened. “What's the big deal? Even if he finds out, so what? I'm here visiting my mom. I'
Once Percy was dead, everything would belong to Karen and Pierre.That thought alone made Karen stop her outburst. Instead, a twisted smile spread across her face as she stared at him.“Percy, you're lying to me,” Karen murmured under her breath.Her words made Percy pause his work. He looked at her calmly and said, “Aside from that share transfer agreement, I’ve never lied to you about anything.“As your son, I believe I’ve done nothing wrong. If you think I’ve deceived you, that’s just your perception. In reality, I’ve lived up to my role. But you… You’ve used me as an excuse to harm the person I love. Who told you to do it?” Percy only came here for the answers.Was it Old Master Mallory’s tacit approval that gave Karen the confidence to act, or was it Pierre who pushed her to this point?Karen let out a cold sneer, “Harm her? Yes, I won’t deny it. That cheap tramp, Nina, has no right to set foot in the Mallory family! I’ll see to it that she's dead before that happens, and Ol
Karen’s subordinate had always thought Pierre was not someone to be messed with.With his temperament, he was clearly unfit to be an heir.That was also why her subordinate could never understand why Karen always favored her youngest son.Still, at the end of the day, Karen was the one signing his paycheck, not Percy—and certainly not Pierre. Hence, whatever Karen wanted him to do, he did without question.Thinking about it now, the subordinate figured it was not his place to say anything. If even Pierre did not think Karen deserved respect, what right did a mere employee like him have to comment? There was nothing he could say.Pierre, meanwhile, was stewing over Karen’s latest schemes. His expression darkened as he muttered bitterly, “She couldn’t even use that woman to threaten Percy properly. Now, she’s been sent back to the psychiatric hospital? She’s absolutely useless.”The subordinate hesitated for a moment as he wanted to say something. He almost pointed out that t
“That bag…” Nina pointed at the bag. “Your mom brought it over.”Percy walked over, picked up the bag, and opened it. When he saw what was inside, his brows immediately furrowed.“What’s all this?” asked Nina.Percy handed her the bag. “Just some stuff.”Curious about what it was, Nina took the bag and peeked inside. It was filled with car models and small toys.She suddenly remembered what Karen said earlier and asked hesitantly, “Are these your childhood toys?”“Yes.” Seeing these things again stirred something in Percy’s heart, but it still did not change his feelings toward Karen.Nina was surprised. She picked up a few of the items and said, “I didn’t expect these to be so well-preserved.”“I thought they would've been thrown out.” Percy still remembered these toys.Technically, they were his, but in reality, they ended up with Pierre. As the Mallory family’s heir, he was too busy to play with toys. Hence, they were his, but it never felt that way.Nina said, “Earlier, s
After signing the agreement, Karen eagerly handed it over to the man she believed to be the lawyer.The moment the doctor took the shares transfer agreement, a syringe containing anesthesia slipped from his sleeve and was swiftly injected into Karen’s hand.“You...” Karen felt a sharp sting, but before she could speak, her consciousness faded.At the same time, the knife in her hand clattered to the floor.The doctor quickly steadied her to prevent her from hitting her head when she collapsed.“Luckily, the dose was strong enough, or she wouldn’t have been knocked out so quickly.” He gently laid her down, checked to make sure she was unconscious, and then hurried out of the office to notify the hospital director.Percy quickly stepped forward, gently lifting Nina’s chin to examine her wound.“I’m fine,” Nina said in a soft voice, lowering her head to hide the injury on her neck.“Let me take a look at you,” Percy insisted, gently lifting her chin again. After checking, he added
“Mr. Mallory, won’t you feel guilty if something happens to Nina?” Sue did not understand why he refused to call the police.“It won’t happen.” Percy furrowed his brows as his mind raced to find a solution.Sue was even more confused. “Just because you say it won’t happen, does that mean it won’t? Yes, Madam Mallory is your mother, but Nina is also your wife. If your mother harms your wife, shouldn’t you call the police? Instead of doing that, you’re leaving her in this dangerous situation. I honestly feel sorry for Nina.”Sue had always been straightforward. She thought Percy would protect Nina for life, but seeing him defend Karen at the cost of his wife’s safety, she was deeply disappointed.She felt she was in no position to feel sorry for Nina, but she could not understand Percy’s actions.Percy furrowed his brows. Calling the police was not an option.The Mallory family could not afford this kind of turmoil.If Old Master Mallory found out that he handed his mother over to
Nina trembled when she was touched. Her whole body was shaking.Karen’s touch was icy cold, and when her hand fell on Nina’s face, it carried a chill.“Don’t hurt her!” Percy’s voice was hoarse, his anger barely concealed in his eyes.He was furious but kept reminding himself not to provoke Karen.“Hmph, look at how nervous you are.” Karen's patience wore thin. Without another word, she laid out her conditions. “If you want me to let her go, fine.”“What do you want me to do?” Percy knew the conditions she was about to propose would not be as simple as keeping her out of the psychiatric hospital.It could involve Pierre.Perhaps even the company.Even though Karen had spoken to him about the high hopes she had for him, Percy did not believe a word of it. To her, from beginning to end, the only person who mattered was Pierre.Percy was merely a tool to secure her position in the Mallory family.“See? You still care about this woman. You’ve disappointed me!” Karen glanced at Ni
“Mr. Mallory, I didn’t dare to go in. Nina and your mother are still inside.” After Sue realized that Nina might be in danger, she had been waiting outside, unwilling to leave.She had been planning to rush in with the other employees if she heard Nina scream.Percy's expression darkened. He did not blame Sue for the situation, so he did not say anything. Instead, he quickly walked to Nina’s office door and pushed it open.The sight before him sent a chill through his veins, as though his blood had turned to ice.“You're here?” Karen fixed her eerie gaze on the person who had opened the door. A strange, sinister smile curved at the corners of her lips. She stood behind Nina with a knife tightly gripped in her hand.The sharp blade was pressed against Nina’s neck, already leaving a faint red mark.Sue gasped at the sight and instantly lost her composure.Karen frowned in dissatisfaction, moving the knife slightly and muttering, “Why is there another woman here? Tell her to leave!
“'ll contact someone in A City to investigate,” said Gale.“Let Percy know while you're at it,” added Luke. “He needs to be aware of this.”“Got it.” Gale hurried off to handle the matter.…After taking Gale's call, Percy hung up and stared icily at the middle-aged man standing before him.Under Percy's chilling gaze, the man nervously dabbed at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.“Mr. Mallory, my sincerest apologies…” The man, the director of the psychiatric hospital, had come to personally apologize to Percy today.Karen had escaped.Two days ago, Percy admitted Karen to the psychiatric hospital. After an evaluation, the doctors determined her condition warranted hospitalization, so she was admitted.Even though Karen was against it, given her mental state and with the consent of an immediate family member, the hospital was legally authorized to proceed.Percy had even informed the hospital to take special care of Karen. He had explicitly instructed them not to