Maxine went to the study and noticed that her usually stern father was busy at work. Her mother was also there, preparing a pot of tea. "Dad, Mom." Maxine greeted them softly, took the teacup from her mother's hands, and placed it on her father's desk. She turned around to face her mother and spoke sweetly, "Your tea-making skills are getting better, Mom. I could smell the tea leaves at the door. No wonder Dad always likes the tea you make for him. Isn't that so, Dad?" Irving's stern expression did not change, but the corners of his lips eased up a little. "Mm," he replied. "You really know how to tease me, my dear daughter." Verona could not help but smile genuinely. She had always loved her precious daughter. "What do you want for dinner today, Maxine? There's a newly-opened five-star hotel in town, and the signature chef is quite skilled. I'll bring you there tonight." "Never mind, Mom. The chef at home is quite skilled too. It's the same if we have dinner at home,"
Luke went to the company early that morning, while the driver picked up the three children and sent them to Crawford Manor because Old Master Crawford missed them. The people who remained in the mansion were Bianca, Old Master Rayne, and Wanda who came to visit. Johann had suggested a naturopathic treatment program for Old Master Rayne. The old man was already quite elderly, and his symptoms were chronic. Today, Bianca and Wanda were in the kitchen preparing a herbal remedy for Old Master Rayne. The thick smell of medicinal herbs wafted in the kitchen. They had to reduce the tonic three times in the pot, and they were only boiling it for the second time. Bianca thought that the smell alone was bitter. "Aunt Wanda, the tonic smells so pungent and bitter. Can Grandpa's stomach take it?" Bianca furrowed her brows. She could not imagine how her grandfather took the tonic every day. Wanda smiled when she saw how worried her niece was. "Don't worry, sometimes herbal remedies can be
Bianca and Wanda could only watch as Allison stepped into the mansion uninvited. Wanda was dazzled by the luxury brand clothing and accessories that Allison wore. Needless to say, her entire set of Chanel clothes cost six digits. The black handbag she clutched was a Hermes matte Porosus crocodile handbag. Her wristwatch was a limited edition Richard Mille that cost millions. Adding the two diamond rings on her middle and ring finger, she could have bought a decent house in downtown A City. Wanda knew that the Crawfords were wealthy and Luke made a lot of money, but it was quite eye-opening to see one flaunt their wealth so blatantly. Moreover, T Corporation was facing a life-and-death crisis. The families of the deceased were in the middle of demanding compensation from T Corporation. What if the media caught wind of Allison's lavishness? That would have caused the media to pile on even more unsubstantiated claims about Luke's company. She did not know if that woman was braze
The entrance to the building was crowded with people. There were many reporters from various media outlets, but there were even more angry protestors. They raised banners with slogans written in red ink, eager to claim justice for those who had lost their lives in the collapse of The Galleria. Those slogans looked as though they were written in blood. It was a spine-chilling sight. Allison mouthed a curse before stepping out of her bright-red Lamborghini. She opened the car door, put on her shades, and casually stepped out with her ten-inch high heels. She lifted her head and looked at the T Corporation building. The tall skyscraper gleamed like a pearl under the sunlight. Other buildings around it were nothing more than dust when compared to it. That was the business empire that her son had single-handedly built. She felt proud whenever she looked at the building. It was also something that she could brag to her friends. Her son's office was proudly located on the to
About ten minutes later, Allison entered the T Corporation building through a secret entrance. Her current appearance could only be described as pathetic. Her usually fair and well-maintained face was now black and blue and swollen all over. Her impeccably permed hair was also in a mess. Her arms and elbows were covered in bruises and bloody streaks. Even one of her high heels had gone missing. Jason nearly burst into laughter when he saw Allison's appearance. However, he had to put on a serious face so that he would not embarrass his boss's mother. "Why did you come to the company, Madam? You should've stayed at home." He pretended to be shocked. "The crowd outside is uncontrollable, and it's easy for you to get hurt. Did you forget that Mr. Crawford was seriously injured just last week?" He knew that there must be a reason why Allison would appear at the T Corporation building. Usually, when she wanted money, she would have made a phone call instead. Allison tried to stra
Allison felt a little embarrassed when she saw her son's gloomy face. "That's not a lot, right? Isn't T Corporation one of the biggest corporations in the country? It's even renowned internationally too. Don't tell me that the company is running out of money just because of this minor accident?" Luke lit a cigarette, feeling rather frustrated. Sometimes, he did not have the patience to deal with his mother, who only knew how to ask him for money. "This is a delicate scenario, Mother. You must have seen the situation at the entrance when you came here, right? Can you please not compound my troubles? I'll get the finance department to transfer three million dollars to your account. That should be enough for three months if you spend it sparingly. Please stop bothering me during this period." "What? Only three million?" Allison's face stretched exaggeratedly, and her voice became shrill. "Do you think that three million dollars is enough for me, my son? That's only enough for a fe
Luke picked up the coffee cup and took a sip. He frowned when he tasted the sweetness. That was not what he usually drank. He put the cup down after taking only one sip. The steam that rose from the cup and the sweetness of the aroma gave off an inexplicably eerie atmosphere. He gently closed his eyes and massaged his temples as he thought of the various things that troubled him. After resting for a while, he took out his phone and noticed several missed call notifications and messages. They were all from Bianca. Luke felt a lot more relieved when he saw that. He pressed a button to access his voicemail, and Bianca's soft and gentle voice entered his ears. "Remember to take a short rest when you're feeling tired, Luke. Please don't overwork yourself. I've made some soup for you. Should I send it over to your office?" Luke quickly typed a reply. [It's fine. It's not very safe here. You should stay at home and look after the children. Don't go anywhere. Just place the soup
Luke's mind was occupied by other troubles. He could not be bothered to wonder what was going on between the two of them. He nodded at the two women, then went to the balcony and lit a cigarette. "Mr. Crawford, I've already put the contracts you asked for on your desk. If there's nothing else, I'll be back to my office," Tina said politely. "Mm," Luke replied nonchalantly. Tina shot a warning glance at Mavis before turning around and leaving. After that, only Luke and Mavis were left in the office. Luke was standing at the balcony. One of his hands rested on the railing while the other held a cigarette. His silhouette was sharp against the bright blue sky. He looked like he was the ruler of the entire concrete jungle under his feet. He stood there without saying a word, emanating the bearing of an overlord. Mavis greedily locked her eyes on his handsome face. That man made all other men feel inferior. He was elegant, noble, and gentlemanly, but his character was asser
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