There was no such thing as off-the-book members of the Island of Despair before this.That was why Luca did not know about them either. During the time she was away from the Island of Despair, she wondered how much Abel had actually done. However, the more he did, the more it showed he was becoming restless... At the very least, it proved he had intentions. However, Luca was not sure about whether this matter had anything to do with Luke. She just felt very passive now, not knowing what Abel was up to or whether it had anything to do with Luke. Therefore, they could only passively observe what he was doing and then analyze his actions."Don't think too much. If he really takes action, we'll know." Luke knew what she was worried about. Worrying now was useless. After all, Abel was in the shadows while they were in the light."If you're free today, could you accompany me to visit Marcos' mother?" asked Luke. He was entrusted by Marcos to check on Sarah's recent condition.
Karen recalled how Percy had only helped her to find Silas and then everything else was handled by her. If only he had been willing to help handle everything, things would not have turned out so bad. After all, Percy was much calmer when dealing with things. If he had handled this matter himself, Silas would not have ended up half-dead at her hands. The more Karen thought about this, the more uncomfortable she felt. She glanced at the news report again. Even though the situation was resolved, she could not feel happy at the moment.…At five in the afternoon, Luca left the laboratory on time and ensured other researchers also left on time. After clocking out, she left the building. In the parking lot, she saw Luke's car parked in its designated spot and hurried over. Lliam saw Luca and helped open the back door. Luca bent to get into the car, but before she could sit down, Luke pulled her into his arms. Sensing her unease, he chuckled lightly and said, "No need to rus
Sarah raised her hand and invited them to have some tea. "Please, have some tea. This is brewed with spring water from the mountains. It tastes fresher." Luca felt that Sarah had something on her mind. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and asked in a soft voice, "Ms. Poplar, do you know something?""I know a lot. Over these years, Russia hasn't given up searching for me because I know too much. But here I am, hiding out in A City. What else can I do? What surprised me, though, is that while Russia has been quiet, A City has managed to dig up evidence of his crimes. "Despite the pressure from Russia, they've gone ahead and nabbed him. A City is more progressive than any other country.” Sarah took a sip of the green tea and let out a sigh.She had dreamed many dreams, all of them scenes of Matysh being arrested. However, every time she dreamed about it, it happened in Russia and never in A City. This time, Matysh's arrest was in A City, so her dream had partly come true.L
As Luca listened to Luke, who sat beside her, she unconsciously furrowed her brows. Luke was quite adept. When he chose to speak, every word seemed to strike at Sarah's heartstrings. She knew he was pushing Sarah to reveal what she knew. It was not for their benefit but for the relevant authorities' benefit.That was the real way to help Marcos."I understand..." Despite Luke's words, Sarah did not seem to blame him for meddling.After all, this was all for Marcos' good."Ms. Poplar, let me say one last thing. Marcos is no longer a child. He has the ability to protect himself and those he cares about. So, you should trust him instead of trying to protect him in other ways." Luke finished his sentence, held Luca’s hand, and rose to his feet."Ms. Poplar, we have a dinner appointment to attend. We won't disturb you further for now. Please take your time to think it over.”Sarah watched them leave and nodded.They had come today because Marcos had promised to visit her. Was
As Luca heaved a sigh, Lliam had already parked the car at the entrance of Blue Coast Restaurant. After Luke and Luca got out of the car, they were led into a private room by the waitress at the entrance, where Percy and Nina were already waiting for them."Sorry for being late," Luke said to Percy. When they returned, they encountered some traffic, so they were ten minutes later than the agreed time."Mr. Crawford is a busy man. I’m used to it." A hint of mischief flashed across Percy’s eyes as he teased Luke.Nina wore a helpless smile and replied, "It's okay. Actually, we just arrived.""I didn't expect traffic on the way back, sorry," apologized Luca. They all valued punctuality. That was why being late required an apology."Dr. Craw, it's okay," replied Percy. He could joke with Luke but not with Luca. After all, Luca was now arguably the most capable among them. Most importantly, Luca was Nina's good friend.There was a saying, a man should never offend his girlfriend
Fortunately, she did not expose herself in front of Percy.The waitress let out a sigh of relief and stood to the side of the private room. Even though she did not reveal any flaws, her focus today was solely on serving this private room. Therefore, she had to stand by the door. She had to be ready to provide service to the guests while also keeping an eye on things.The waitress remained stationed by the door, watching as the kitchen staff brought out the dishes. She knocked on the door again, "Sir, may I serve the dishes now?""Sure." Percy's voice came from inside.The waitress pushed the door open, signaling the kitchen staff to bring in the exquisite dishes.As plate after plate of food was placed on the table, the sight left Luca astonished. There were only four of them, yet they had ordered so many dishes. Could they finish it all?Luke shared the same thought with Luca. He teased Percy, "That's quite a spread. With so many dishes, do you think we'll be able to finish th
"Madam Mallory, this isn't Mallory Manor. If you've got something to say, just spit it out. I'm not interested in hearing you beat about the bush," replied Luca in a cold voice.A wave of anger roused within Karen. What kind of attitude was this?Did she think she was all that just because she had Luke supporting her?The thought of Luke made Karen even more enraged. Why was it that people and things associated with this name always seemed to be exceptionally difficult to deal with?"I have something to discuss with you!" When Karen saw that Luca was about to leave the restroom, she thought if she did not sort things out here, she would not have the chance to do so later.She did not want anyone to see her begging Luca. Even if Percy might help her if he knew about it, she did not want him to witness this scene. It was too embarrassing.Luca paused for a moment, unable to imagine what Karen wanted to talk to her about.Could it be about what happened with Nina before? However,
"Since you think it’s nice too, I'll buy it," replied Nina, proceeding to place the order.After placing the order, Nina rose to her feet."Where are you going?" asked Luca."I’d like to use the restroom," answered Nina with a smile on her face.At the thought that Karen was also dining in this restaurant, Luca stood up and said, "I'll go with you.""You're going too?" Nina asked in surprise, wondering why Luca was going again when she had just come back."Just keeping you company," said Luca. She took Nina's hand as they walked out of the private room together.Luke and Percy, who were behind them, did not say anything. Luca closed the private room door behind her and then walked toward the restroom with Nina.When Nina saw this, she could not help but say, "Why do I feel like you're acting strangely?""Am I?” Luca shook her head. "I just want to be with you.""You were gone for so long just now. Did you meet someone?" asked Nina, feeling that Luca's behavior was odd. She wo
“I heard from the boss that he's coming because of Vivian.” Gale paused for a moment before adding, “But never mind, you don't seem interested in her affairs anyway. I'm just letting you know he's on his way.”Gordan frowned. Ray was coming for Vivian?What could that ugly woman possibly need?“What do you mean by that?” asked Gordan.Gale smirked. “If you and Ray meet, that’s bound to end in a fight. And since you can't win against him, you might want to mentally prepare yourself, or better yet, find somewhere else to stay. It’d be safer that way.”Gordan's expression darkened. “If you have nothing nice to say, just zip it.”Gale grinned, clearly pleased with himself like he had just hit a sore spot.Gordan exhaled sharply. “Of all times, why is he coming to A City now? He’s just making things worse.”“It can't be helped. Vivian's situation is urgent.” Gale covered his mouth mockingly after he said that. “Oh, right. I forgot you don’t like hearing about her.”Ray wanted to br
Luke sat in the villa, staring at Luca’s message.He was worried.For a moment, he considered calling her, but then he remembered that there were surveillance cameras everywhere on her side. He dismissed the idea immediately.Her safety came first.Luke reminded her: [Take care of yourself. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. Just focus on keeping yourself safe.] The worry in his heart refused to subside, but at this moment, there was no better solution.“Boss, you’re worried about your wife, huh? If you really can’t stand it, we can sneak you in again during the next shift change, just like last time,” said Gale.It had been his idea last time.Now, the real Lucius was still locked up in the basement of the villa.It had been nearly a month. Luke had forced him to take the antidote Luca had recreated. The man was still alive, proving the antidote worked perfectly.“That plan is too risky.” Luke put his phone away. His gaze was dark and thoughtful.“Risky, sure. But at lea
Luca had not expected Abel and Shanks’ relationship to be like this.It seemed Abel still did not trust Shanks.Shanks continued, “Abel isn’t someone who trusts people easily. He doesn’t trust anyone. You think he’s devoted to Kassy now, right? That’s just his obsession. He's allowing Kassy to receive my treatment, but if it were him… No matter if he were blind or crippled, his safety would always come first. If he were seriously injured, maybe he’d accept treatment, but he definitely wouldn’t do it right away.”Luca stayed silent. Shanks really understood Abel well.Abel did not trust anyone—not even Kassy.Calling him paranoid would not be an exaggeration.Luca felt like they were getting off-topic, but she had never seen this side of Shanks before.In her mind, he was always buried in his work at the lab, only leaving for meals and sleep. Other than that, he was practically never outside.The lab was like his home…“Are you troubled by Hera’s situation?” Luca asked directly
Hera was startled by Luca's words.The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue suddenly got stuck in her throat.“I…” Hera hesitated, feeling conflicted. Leaving Abel might not be such a bad idea. At least she would not have to live in constant fear.She was finally realizing how unpredictable his moods were. At first, she thought it did not matter as she could still look at other men. She just had to ensure there was no physical contact. In reality, even if she so much as glanced at someone, Abel's expression would darken with anger.It was frustrating. Now, the only person she was allowed to look at was Gerald. Still, what was the point of just looking at Gerald?At that thought, she lifted her gaze to Luca.Luca added, “I’ll give you five minutes. If you refuse treatment after that, I’ll take the medicine back to Mr. Shanks and won’t try to convince you again.”Hera's heart tightened. She did not even need five minutes. She had made her decision within 30 seconds.“I’
“If Abel finds out that Hera's body isn't suitable for organ donation to Kassy, what do you think he'll do?” asked Shanks.He already knew the answer, but he still wanted to hear Luca’s thoughts.“He has invested a lot of time and money in Hera. If he gets nothing out of it, he won’t let her off easily,” Luca said bluntly.Luca and Shanks were on the same page.They did not have a good relationship with Hera, but they had no intention of ruining her either.Hera’s personality was unpleasant, but that was not enough for them to hate her so much that they wanted to see her suffer.“What methods do you think he’ll use?” Shanks asked again.Luca was silent for a long moment.Shanks already knew the answer, yet he still wanted her to say it out loud.After thinking it over, she finally said, “There are plenty of ways he could go about it, but no matter what he chooses, Hera’s fate is sealed. She’s as good as dead…”She lowered her gaze, her tone firm and certain.Shanks nodded.
Hera heard that Luca had returned and immediately went to find Shanks. She narrowed her eyes.That woman went to see Shanks. Could she be talking about her?The thought made Hera uneasy. She had a nagging feeling that something was wrong with her medical report.However, when they left the medical center earlier, Abel asked Luca when the report would be ready, and she said it would be available tomorrow.Hera turned to Gerald and said, “Take these back for me first.”“Alright.” Gerald carried the bags as he walked away. He could not help but wonder what exactly Hera bought. These bags were really heavy!Only after Gerald went upstairs did Hera slowly make her way up as well. Her room was on the third floor, but she stopped when she reached the second floor. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before heading toward the laboratory.The door was closed.Instead of knocking, Hera pressed her ear against it, trying to eavesdrop.However, the laboratory was special
“This cup of coffee is from that gentleman for this lady.” The waiter smiled as he explained, placing the cup in front of Luca.Hera followed the waiter’s gaze and immediately recognized the man Luca had been looking at earlier.Her eyes darkened. She had noticed the man glancing in their direction. However, she had assumed he was looking at her.After all, she was dressed seductively, had put on makeup, and was undeniably beautiful. Any man who saw her would be attracted. If a man’s eyes lingered on her, it was not surprising at all.Realizing that the man had been watching Luca the whole time instead of her, Hera suddenly felt annoyed.Luca noticed her displeasure, glanced at Gordan, then smiled and said to the waiter, “Please thank the gentleman for me.”“Of course, miss. Enjoy your coffee.” The waiter, sensing the tension between the two women, quickly grabbed his tray and left before Hera’s sour mood could affect him too.“Hmph, feeling proud of yourself?” asked Hera.Luca
Although Luca did not know the exact value of the clothes, she was certain that anything Luke had specially sent over would not be cheap.So, when she caught the sales associate’s skeptical glance, she felt a bit helpless but did not bother to explain. The truth would speak for itself. Besides, she had no intention of justifying herself to a sales associate.Hera, despite her love for luxury goods, did not actually know much about haute couture. So, when she noticed the sales associate still sizing up Luca, she immediately snapped, “What are you looking at?”“N-Nothing.” The sales associate quickly averted her gaze and turned her full attention to Hera, smiling brightly. “Our esteemed guest, what can I help you find today?”Hera thought for a moment before saying in a serious tone, “Show me your new handbags.”The sales associate’s eyes lit up when she heard this. Anyone who could afford so much designer clothing had to have deep pockets. This meant a solid commission for her!
The sales associate nodded and said, “Yes, we do. I’ve already placed them in the fitting room for you. Would you like some assistance?”Hera shook her head and pointed straight at Luca. “No, I want her to do it.”Luca shook her head helplessly. It seemed that Hera was determined to make her play the role of a sales associate today.Luca asked, “Ms. Sanchez, where’s Mr. Abel?”“What does that have to do with you?” Hera shot her a wary look. “Where he goes isn’t important. What matters is that you’re spending the day shopping with me. And if I’m not happy, be prepared to face his punishment.”Then, Hera strutted toward the fitting room like a proud peacock.Luca had no choice but to follow.Inside the fitting room, Hera closed the door behind them and commanded, “Help me unzip the back.”“Alright.” Luca lowered her gaze. Since they were both women and Hera clearly had no reservations, there was no reason for her to feel uncomfortable. She placed her hands on the zipper.Hera re