Intense pain spread from Luke's head to every nerve ending in his body. The bright red blood was a shocking sight. Luke's eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief that he would be shot. The coldness that was spreading through his limbs also told him that the fall season in Moscow was a lot colder than A City. Luke did not know which of his enemies would assassinate him in a foreign country. As the owner of a multinational conglomerate, he was not a merciful person and had driven many to bankruptcy. He had experienced his fair share of threats, but those were only child's play. His head was so painful that it felt like it was going to explode. He was beginning to see hallucinations. Sean and Mallory One's panicked screams and angry howls were fading in his ears. The last image he saw was Bianca's fair and beautiful face. … On the top of a hill. Wayne, wearing black shades, was dressed in a black combat suit that accentuated his burly figure. His fierce and terrifying
Queenie could see how anxious Bianca was. She glared at Leia accusingly, then handed her phone to Bianca. "You can use my phone for now, Bea." "Thank you, Aunt Queenie." Bianca took the phone and dialed Luke's number. Luke's phone was turned off. Bianca was incredibly anxious. Her breathing was shallow and labored. She did not give up and kept on dialing Luke's number. However, the result disappointed her. She tried dialing Sean's number but could not get through either. That made Bianca even more anxious. Following that, she dialed Jason's number. Jason picked up after a few seconds. "Yes, Ms. Rayne?" Bianca spoke frantically, "Mr. Doyle, do you have any other way of contacting Luke? I can't reach him on his phone, and I don't know what's going on." "Don't worry, Ms. Rayne. I'll contact the staff in the Russian branch, and I'll give you a reply soon," Jason comforted her. "Mm, please hurry! I broke my phone, and you can call me back on this number." "Yes, Madam."
Bianca was knitting a sweater in the mansion. She had to keep busy to distract herself from worrying. After waiting on tenterhooks for two days, she did not receive good news about Luke. Instead, Jason came to visit her at the house. Behind him was an overly handsome man. The two men dragged themselves into the living room with solemn expressions on their faces. Bianca's already haggard eyes from not sleeping well became bloodshot when she saw Jason. She put the knitting needles down and rushed up to Jason. She looked behind the men but did not see Luke. Bianca grabbed Jason's elbow and asked him, "Where's Luke, Mr. Doyle? Why isn't Luke with you?" Jason's eyes were moist. He turned away and averted Bianca's gaze. Behind him, Gordan fell on his knees with a plop. "What are you doing?" Bianca was surprised by that man's sudden actions. Gordan explained to Bianca, "I'm Gordan Norton, Sis. Luke ordered me to change my face not long ago." "So it's you," Bianca said.
Seeing that Bianca was awake, Allison choked her neck with both of her hands and shook her. Her venomous gaze was like a knife that threatened to stab her. Bianca was already weak. She instantly became dizzy after being shaken about. Before she could see clearly what was in front of her eyes, she fell into unconsciousness once more. She felt very tired. She wished that she could close her eyes forever. In her dreams, she saw Luke once more. The man's back was tall and straight like a pine tree. Her heart thumped faster at that sight. She ran toward Luke and called out his name. Luke turned around. The man's tightly pressed lips smiled gently at the moment he saw her. Tears welled up in Bianca's eyes. She dared not touch him, lest he disappeared like a reflection in the water. Luke's gaze was loving and indulgent. He slowly walked toward her, held her hands, and kissed them gently with his lips. "Can't you take care of yourself when I'm gone, silly girl?" Bianca'
Queenie's gentle expression darkened when she heard Bianca mention Allison. She was angry that Allison had come to the hospital to raise a commotion earlier. She looked at Bianca and said gently, "She was indeed here earlier, but Old Master Crawford chased her away. Bea, I understand that Allison is in a bad mood because she has lost her son, but that doesn't excuse her from acting toward you that way. She wants to get physical on you even though you're pregnant, not to mention that the baby in your womb is her grandchild! I think you shouldn't stay with the Crawfords. How about staying over with me for a while?" Allison had blamed Bianca for what happened to Luke. However, no one had expected that to happen. There was no reason for her to blame Bianca. Moreover, it was already hard enough for Bianca, a heavily pregnant woman, to lose her husband. Did Allison not think of the consequences of getting physical with her? What if Allison's rash actions cost two lives? Queenie u
Bianca had never expected that the almighty Luke Crawford would leave the mortal world so abruptly. She could not accept that fact. "Please sign here, Mrs. Crawford." Mr. Todd handed Bianca a pen, seeing that she had no response. Bianca took the pen woodenly and stared blankly at the document. Her face displayed pain, agony, and then anger. She was angry that the man might have known that he was going to be in mortal danger, and that was why he had enacted a will before he left. She knew that Luke was loyal to his friends, but could he have spared a thought for her and the children? Was that how he was going to make it up to them? No! He should have returned safely and let Bianca complain to him, not leave her alone to process the shocking news! Bianca threw the pen away angrily and yelled hysterically, "Get lost! Go away! How dare he leave the children and me behind? How could he? I don't need any so-called compensation from him! Not a single cent!" The atmosphere in
Jack Norman tried to make himself seem as approachable as possible, but he could not totally shed his air as an influential politician. Bianca was intimidated for a short while, perhaps because of Jack's stern expression. She subconsciously huddled closer toward Queenie. Queenie thought that Jack had frightened Bianca, so she frowned at him. Then, she held Bianca's hand and brought her to the seat next to hers. "You can sit here, Bea. Don't be a stranger here. You can treat it as your own house." Old Mr. Norman was dressed in formal wear. He seemed to be in good spirits. He smiled at Bianca while pointing at the seat next to his. "Queenie, let Bea sit beside me. I love to talk to young people," he said to Queenie. Ever since Old Mr. Norman found out that Bianca was his granddaughter, he had hoped to see her someday. Queenie and Bianca had not done their DNA test yet, but he could tell that Queenie and Bianca were mother and daughter. No one would doubt that. Now that
Cold sweat beaded on the unconscious man's forehead. His sharp eyebrows were furrowed uncomfortably. It was not a peaceful sleep. "Bianca, Bianca…" He kept mumbling. Kassy lay down next to him and gently touched the man's boiling forehead. She turned around and spoke unhappily to the doctor, "В Какое Время Он Может Проснуться? что он говорит самопроизвольно? (When can he wake up? What is he mumbling to himself?)" She did not understand what he was saying, but the fact that he was repeating the same word disconcerted her. The doctor examined the man carefully and slowly spoke to Kassy in Russian, "Miss, it's been a week since the man's surgery, and he should have been awake by now. Perhaps the severity of the bullet wound might delay his recovery by a few days. I have to say that the man is really lucky. The odds of survival are less than 0.1%." Kassy leaned over and kissed the man's forehead. There was a mysterious glint in her sinister gaze. "I have my eyes on him, and tha
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