As she watched Luke and Bianca exchange rings and kiss, Mavis could not help but bawl. She pressed her lips tightly to stop herself from weeping. It was useless. Although she did her best to cry quietly and even though the sound of music was louder than her sobs, the pea-sized tears on her cheeks were real. She knew that her ten-year crush on Luke had to come to an end. When a security guard saw Mavis, who was dressed weirdly and crying, he stepped forward and asked, "Miss, are you alright? Do you need help?" "Thank you, I'm fine." Mavis shook her head to signal to the bodyguard that she was fine. She felt as though her heart was in pieces as she sat down in the farthest seat. She continued to watch Luke and Bianca's wedding. The scene of their happiness was pure abuse for her, but Mavis could not control herself. Luke knew nothing about it. In his striking eyes, there seemed to be only Bianca—his gentle and gorgeous Bianca. The wedding
The extraordinarily lavish wedding ceremony lasted until close to midnight. The guests slowly dispersed, and the lively venue resumed its peace. Luke and Bianca decided to have their honeymoon at the castle on the water. In the dreamy night, a black Rolls Royce adorned with flowers drove silently along a path among the woods toward the fairytale-like ancient castle. Countless fireworks illuminated the night sky, opening and closing like gigantic umbrellas. Bianca sat in Luke's embrace, looking at the beautiful scenery through the car window. She was entirely mesmerized. A firework's life was short, but it would give a lasting impression beyond its lifespan. Life was like that too. They might encounter multiple obstacles that stood in their way, but as long as they held each other tightly, they would be able to shine like fireworks. Their future would be as bright and blissful as they made it to be. The Rolls Royce slowed to a halt in front of the entrance of the c
Luke smiled bewitchingly. There was a playful glint in his gentle gaze. He gazed at Bianca as though she were a priceless treasure. Suddenly, the man picked Bianca up in a bridal carry. "Let this king bathe you, my queen." Bianca could not help but chuckle. She did not expect that the usually serious man would indulge in role-play… "Shouldn't the queen bathe the king instead? That's what I see in the movies," Bianca joked. "If that is what my queen wishes. Thou shalt not go back on thy word." Luke glanced playfully at Bianca. Bianca covered her mouth and smiled. "Hmm, if I'm your queen, does it mean that you have a harem that I don't know?" "Thou art my only queen. My empire shalt only be shared with thee." He grinned wickedly, and his hands quickly relieved Bianca of her clothes and even her underwear. He carried her and stepped into the bathtub. The lavish bathroom was covered in mist, and the man did not attempt to hide his desires. Bianca almost could not breath
Luke knew that Bianca loved to look at the architecture of foreign countries, especially European architecture. That was why Luke decided to bring her there for the honeymoon. Three days later, a gigantic cruise ship docked at the port of Venice, Italy's famous "Floating City." Venice was full of history. Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, the opera house, and the basilica were the famous attractions that oozed culture and beauty. Tourists of many different countries were wandering the city. Piazza San Marco was the liveliest spot in Venice. It had been the social, religious, and political center of the city, and it was a must-visit landmark of the city. Surrounding the public square were many cafes, boutiques, and specialty stores that attracted visitors from different countries. Near the square was an open field with neatly trimmed grass, exquisite corridors, a beautiful musical fountain, and flocks of pure white pigeons. The musical fountain was surrounded by various sc
It was a beautiful woman about five-foot-seven in height. Her curly hair was dyed purple-red. She had the typical face of an internet celebrity -- big eyes, a tapered chin, apple-red lips, and puffy cheeks. She had heavy makeup on her face, though it was obvious that she had many hyaluronic acid injections. Her appearance made her stand out from the rest of the tour group. Bianca could tell that the woman was Hera Sanchez, her classmate in junior high. Hera was once the prom queen. She was quite different from how she looked in high school, but her overall shape did not change. Bianca remembered Hera very well because she used to be her bully. Bianca did not remember the names of the two young women next to her, but she remembered seeing them before. They were part of Hera's gang. Hera was hugging the arm of a plump middle-aged man and resting her head on that man's shoulder. The man was a full head shorter than Hera. His face was as round as a plate, and his eyes w
Hera chuckled and spoke to Bianca arrogantly, "I'd love to bring my classmates on a trip, but I don't think I can do it this year." Bianca blinked, and a hint of mockery appeared on her lips. "Oh, why is that?" Hera grinned smugly. "You should know that you need a visa to travel, and it's such a hassle to apply for one. It'll take forever for everyone to get ready. Also, everyone's busy with their careers and families now, and we won't gather everyone. What's the point if we can't get everyone?" She thought that she was quite smart for thinking of such an excuse. Once she got out there, Bianca would not be able to find her. Bianca frowned. "There are some countries…" She wanted to say that certain countries, such as the Maldives and Mauritius, did not require a visa or offered visas upon arrival. Hera interjected before she could finish her sentence. She opened her eyes exaggeratedly. "You look confused. Don't tell me that you don't even have a passport!" Minnie and A
Hera was shocked by Luke's icy gaze. She felt as though her heart was popping out of her chest. She tried to calm herself down while still trying to dress down Bianca. "You probably don't know about her, Luke. Bianca and I used to be from the same town, and she's been a sleazy girl since I knew her. Not only does she have multiple boyfriends, but I've also heard that she secretly dates her teacher and trades her body for good results. Don't be deceived by her pure looks." Bianca crossed her arms and watched in amusement how Hera was trying to slander her. If she had a shorter temper, she would have slapped Hera several times already. Of course, she did not do that. If Hera found out that the "pathetic worm" had become Luke's wife, Bianca could not imagine the expression on her face! 'Hmm… this'll be interesting.' Bianca could not help but grin when she thought of how Hera was digging her own grave. Hera thought that Bianca's grin was supposed to instigate her. She gla
The people from the tour group began to discuss animatedly after hearing what Luke said. A girl with a round face almost collapsed. Her friend managed to steady her. "I didn't expect that the girl was Mr. Crawford's wife. If that's the case, she couldn't have smuggled here…" They did not expect that sudden revelation. The subject of ridicule was actually the wife of the CEO of T Corporation. "That's right!" The round-faced girl's friend was a tall young woman in glasses. "I thought that she looked somewhat extraordinary earlier. I bet Hera insulted her only because she's jealous of her." "Right. Hera looked so confident too! I nearly believed her. Tsk tsk, how shameless!" "Mr. Crawford's wife is so pretty. Look, I don't think she's wearing any makeup. Her skin is so smooth. She's the perfect match with Mr. Crawford." "Look at Hera's boyfriend. He might be rich, but he's probably a windfall tycoon… Not to mention he looks like a pig. Poor Hera… heheh…" Hera became the fo
The men in the room were wincing in pain, but when they heard Gerald’s words, they were so furious they almost wanted to lash out at him. However, all their strength had been sapped by the excruciating pain, so they could only groan helplessly.As Shanks made his way upstairs, he paused halfway up the staircase and asked, “Is Luca cooking?”Gerald glanced at the kitchen and replied, “Yes, Mr. Shanks. It’s their fault. Ms. Craw was delayed in making dinner because of them.”Shanks' expression remained unchanged as he simply said, “Let me know when it's ready.”“Yes,” answered Gerald.After Shanks went upstairs, Gerald hesitated for a moment but decided to help the men to their feet, placing them one by one on the couch or chairs. As they slouched, groaning in pain, Gerald shook his head. “Do you guys now understand what happens when you mess with the wrong woman, especially Ms. Craw?”One of the men winced and asked, “Why did she have to be so brutal when throwing down?”“She
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