"You're Shania who was terribly ill last year?" Bianca ventured. The girl nodded happily, and Bianca smiled. "How are you recovering? Are your parents fine?" Bianca remembered that Shania used to be skeletally thin because of her illness. Now, she was spirited and energetic, totally different from what she was before. She should be in good health. "I'm so happy that you remember me, Madam! Thanks to your help, I went for surgery last winter, and my condition has been improving since. Look, I'm very healthy now." Shania twirled around in front of Luke and Bianca. Bianca could not help but laugh at how energetic the little girl looked. She pinched Shania's face and said gently, "Not bad. You look a lot better than before. There's so much color on your face now." "Thank you, Madam." Shania smiled shyly. She became curious when she saw Bianca's bulging stomach. "Are you pregnant, Madam?" "Yes, I'm bearing another life in my womb now." Bianca lovingly caressed her stomach.
Jim did not say a word. His face was scrunched up, and veins bulged on his temples. It seemed that he was trying to hold back intense anger! He continued to drag her deeper up the mountains! Scarlett was very tired. She wanted to suggest taking a rest, but she dared not. Instead, she tried to keep up. Suddenly, Jim pinned her on a thick and sturdy tree, and she shrieked in panic. "Ahh! Let go of me! What do you want?" Angrily, Jim pressed his lips onto Scarlett's lips, not giving her the chance to escape. "Jim, you're… you're hurting me…" Scarlett struggled and shoved timidly. Tears were welling up in his eyes. Jim ignored her protests. He continued kissing her overbearingly, drawing blood from her lips. Scarlett's eyes were filled with tears of humiliation and resentment, and they silently flowed down her cheeks. She stopped struggling. However, her piteous looks only made Jim angrier! Jim gripped so tightly that Scarlett's jaw was almost crushed to pieces. His eyes
Scarlett did not manage to save her baby. When Bianca met her in the hospital ward, she seemed paler and weaker than ever. Her face was ashen with despair, and her gaze was vacant as though her soul had left her body. "Scarlett…" Bianca felt sorry for the young woman. She gently held Scarlett's slender arm. "Don't be too sad. Take care of your body. Your health is more important, and you can still bear children next time…" "No, I won't. I won't ever bear children anymore…" Scarlett shook her head slightly. She was in despair. "He was the one who got rid of the baby. That's fine. That unwelcome life won't experience happiness anyway…" She was not fond of that baby at all. However, she eventually learned to accept the life in her womb and even anticipated its arrival. Scarlett thought that she would not mind losing that baby, but she did not expect it to hurt so much. Bianca was at a loss for words. She could see that Jim cared for Scarlett a lot and cared for the baby
Except on Bianca's first day at work, there were no further rumors about her going around in the company. She knew that it was all Luke's doing. Bianca knew that the only thing left for her to do was wait! She needed to wait for her innocence to be proved! As usual, Bella Sloan picked on Bianca and ridiculed her from time to time.However, Bianca was not at all bothered. She was not a cowardly woman. She used to simply endure it because Ms. Sloan was her boss, so she would avoid her if she could. However, since Bella framed her, Bianca had seen right through her. The news from Jason Doyle was enough to get Bianca excited. Everyone had a price. Jason finally found Mr. Yates after repeated verification. Mr. Yates was a witness who said he saw Bella open a bag with a white teddy bear outside the test venue. He later saw her take some documents out of the bag. At that time, because the test was about to take place, he had arrived late and was
Mavis stood up calmly and walked toward Bella with her chest puffed. Bella trembled and did not dare to move. She gritted her teeth and said, "Ms. Laviere, don't go too far! What do you want to do?" Mavis narrowed her eyes and replied, "Ms. Sloan, it's not what I want, but what you want." In Mavis' eyes, Bella was nothing more than an obedient puppy. If the puppy was behaving, she would reward her with snacks. If the puppy went against her wishes, she would give it up without a second thought. If it were not for the fact that Bella had helped her out a few times, she would not have even bothered befriending her. Bella yelled, "Mavis, don't think that I’ll be afraid of you just because you have something on me! It is what it is now. I'm not afraid of spilling! It’s okay for my reputation to be ruined, but Ms. Laviere, what about you? You’re all high and mighty in the company. If I tell the truth, do you think that people would still respect you?" "Oh?
Bella knew that Bianca was kind and the CEO was obsessed with her. As long as she could put in a good word for her, then she still had a chance. Bella had always acted high and mighty in front of Bianca. She was too proud to beg a woman she once looked down on. However, she had no choice but to beg Bianca under such circumstances. Bianca stared at Bella and said coldly, "All this was determined by the Education Bureau. I have no right to interfere." Bella’s makeup was melting from all the crying. She looked extremely miserable as she said, “You can still interfere! As long as you’re willing to forgive me and say a few good words in front of the CEO... Bianca, please forgive me. I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life..." "Ms. Sloan, I think you have to wake up to reality. There’s solid evidence and witness statements. Nothing I do can change the decision made," Bianca replied calmly. Besides, even if she could help Bella, she would not do th
Bianca was in a great mood because justice was on her side and all charges against her were dropped. She decided to cook dinner for Luke to celebrate. "I'll help you. You shouldn’t do it alone." Luke wanted to help wash the vegetables. However, Bianca ushered him to the study as she said, "Go get some work done. I can manage in the kitchen. Granny Florence will help. Don't get in the way." She knew that Luke had a lot of work backlogged because he had taken a day off to spend time with her. Although she was with child, Bianca was still physically active and capable. Besides, there was a caretaker to help her out, so there was no need for so many people to be in the kitchen. Luke was shoved into the study by Bianca. He shook his head helplessly as if he was abandoned... Bianca changed into comfortable maternity home clothes and started cooking. Granny Florence was right beside her helping out. Luke was not a fan of drinking milk but loved milk jel
In a blink of an eye, it was Saturday. Saturday was when Wanda and Bianca had agreed to meet in the hospital. Luke had something to attend to and could not accompany Bianca to the hospital, so he asked Zander to drive Bianca to the hospital instead. Luke instructed Bianca to take pictures of the report and send it to him when the check-up was completed. As soon as she arrived at the hospital, Bianca received a call from her aunt, saying that she was in Building 6, Room 606. Wanda told her to go to the specialist’s outpatient room. Bianca walked toward Building 6 but when she got to the front lawn of the hospital, she saw Queenie Zeigler dressed in a business suit. Queenie was clutching her chest with a frown as she hurried to the outpatient room. Queenie did not notice her and disappeared around the corner in a blink of an eye. Bianca wanted to say hello to her but it was too late.Bianca frowned and was worried about Mrs. Norman. Was she s
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
Luca placed her hand on Hera’s other wrist, checking her pulse. “Her condition is worsening. The inflammation in her body has intensified.“I prescribed her medication. Those are Mr. Shanks’ formulations, and they're highly effective for reducing inflammation. It shouldn’t be getting worse.” Gerald pursed his lips before finally speaking up. “Luca, when I was cleaning yesterday, I saw that Ms. Sanchez had thrown all the medication you prescribed into the trash. She didn’t take any of it.”Luca was speechless.She had been questioning whether the medicine was ineffective or if she had made an error in diagnosis. It turned out that it was Hera herself who had sabotaged her treatment.“What should we do now?” asked Gerald.“There’s no other option. She needs to go to a hospital,” Luca decided firmly. “Her condition is serious, and since she doesn’t trust my treatment, the hospital is her best choice.”“Can’t you help her just this once?” pleaded Gerald, “I mean, she looks really b