Xoan and Yaslyn, both enthusiasts of car racing with their respective achievements, did not need any professionals to identify potential issues. Xoan's decision to bring Yaslyn along was to explore the issue together.As they walked, Yaslyn felt a surge of warmth remembering Xoan's refusal to disclose any information about Zyra. "Thank you for keeping Zyra's secret back there, Xoan," she said.His discretion surprised her. She expected him to lay out all suspicions for everyone's consideration. Instead, he purposefully omitted mentioning Zyra."For you," he responded, two simple words that spoke volumes.A mix of emotions overwhelmed Yaslyn. She felt touched, elated, and flooded with an inexplicable affection. Composing herself, she followed Xoan to an abandoned warehouse on the southern outskirts of the city. The car was brought here to keep it safe from prying eyes and prevent any interference in their investigation.The surroundings bore no signs of recent visitors. Xoan took o
"Your audacity, even in the face of death… I want to see if it's your life that's resilient, or just your tongue," Wrenley growled, her chest heaving with fury."We'll find out soon enough," Xoan replied, a glint in his eye betraying a potent murderous intent."I trapped you in here, though. Let's see what you can do." Wrenley scoffed, her arms crossed defiantly."Don't celebrate too soon."Xoan's stern warning seemed to momentarily unnerve her, but its effect was fleeting."You know, Xoan. I once adored you…but I'm just thoroughly disappointed now. Since you chose to be with her, you both must endure the pain and torment I've suffered!" She laughed, her face twisted with malice.Suddenly, a clap of thunder echoed.Wrenley glanced at the overcast sky and frowned."It looks like a heavy rain is coming. I won't waste any more time here. Have fun, you two." With that, she climbed into a sports car parked nearby and sped away.Once she had left, Xoan and Yaslyn exchanged glances.
"Why not take advantage of a ready-made scapegoat who clearly identified herself?" Yerick was indifferent to who took the blame. Had that woman not harbored malicious intentions and locked them both up, he would not have wanted to take such measures. To seize the chance to kill Xoan and pin the crime on Wrenley meant he would walk away unscathed. Why would he refuse such an opportunity?"You're downright evil," Yaslyn retorted and stepped back, only to find her foot sinking into a muddy puddle."Enough," Yerick said, attempting to pacify her. "I've told you I won't hurt you. Come with me to the car. It's raining heavily, and it won't be good if you catch a cold."He took a few steps forward, reaching out to help her, but Yaslyn forcefully shook off his hand."Don't touch me. You're disgusting.""Do you still find me repulsive?" Yerick's gaze lowered and hardened."I've always found you incredibly repulsive. You're the most repulsive person in the world," Yaslyn deliberately provo
Yaslyn spoke with such authenticity impossible to ignore. She did not pretend and claimed that her wish to be with Yerick was genuine. After all, such a lie would have been too transparent for him to believe. Instead, her candid response brought Yerick a peculiar sense of relief. Yes, it was infuriating that Yaslyn loved Xoan, but at least she was not deceiving him.Yaslyn observed the subtle shift on Yerick's face and understood she managed to set the trap. Her strategy was deliberate, and she knew Yerick was inherently suspicious. Any attempt to deceive him would have put him on guard and jeopardized her chances to rescue Xoan. However, if Yerick truly believed her words, all subsequent actions would fall seamlessly into place.Yerick smiled and gently touched her face. This time, she did not pull away. Instead, she revealed a constrained, slightly bashful smile. Her expression was perfectly calibrated—neither overly passionate nor devoid of a certain warmth that hinted at her grow
The rain poured relentlessly, turning the streets into rivers of mud.Yerick crouched down and lifted Xoan's chin, allowing the rain to stream down his cheeks and drench his clothes."Look at you, all dirty and pathetic," Yerick taunted with a sneer. "Even I can't help but feel a twinge of pity for you, bro."His words were soft, but the strength in his grip increased."What do you want? Just say it," Xoan shot back, pulling away from Yerick's hold. Holding his head high, he met Yerick's gaze unflinchingly."You're still so obstinate even now, Brother. Aren't you afraid I might kill you?" Yerick drawled, producing a knife from behind his back. With a delicate flick of his wrist, he tapped the sharp blade lightly against Xoan's face—a movement as elegant and gentle as if wiping away a tear with a silk handkerchief."Suit yourself," Xoan replied, his gaze fixed on Yerick but seemingly looking past him to Yaslyn seated in the car, draped in Yerick's coat.At that moment, a flicker
"Alright, then! If you're so hell-bent on helping him, don't blame me for showing no mercy to both of you." Yerick spat out a threat, but what he felt more than anger was a sense of deep disappointment. It was as though Yaslyn was rubbing salt into his wound.Before Yerick could say anything more, his breath caught in his throat. Xoan's grip on his neck was unrelenting, suffocating him almost to the point of breathlessness. The explosions outside were orchestrated by Xoan's men to create chaos and confusion.It was not long until people arrived and forcefully broke down the door.Seeing Yerick subdued, a collective sigh of relief went through the crowd. The leader dragged the driver from another car and threw him at Xoan's feet. "Mr. Xoan Warren, we've brought him here.""Please, don't kill me! I haven't done anything. I didn't do anything, I swear!" The driver, thinking his end was near, was terrified to the point of incontinence.Xoan knew he could not keep choking Yerick indefi
A single word of concern sent waves through Yaslyn's heart."I understand. I'll be careful next time," she murmured with a hint of grievance in her tone and her head lowered. "But I took a hit for you. Can't you at least hold off on quickly contradicting me?"Xoan's eyes locked onto her swollen hand, and a wave of pain washed over him that felt even more intense than his own injuries. "That's why you shouldn't do such things again. You know, I can't possibly be hurt," he said. Yerick's clumsy attempt to strike him from the front had little chance of success. Combined with his agility and quick reflexes, Xoan was nearly invincible."But I don't want even the slightest mistake. If the knife had struck true, it would've hit your heart. I'd rather it cut my hand instead."This was no mere scratch. If the blade had cut a tad deeper, slicing her wrist, Yaslyn's hand would have been rendered useless.Xoan took a deep breath. "Regardless, your safety is always the most important."Yaslyn
"President, I tried to stop Mr. Gaston Jurado, but he just stormed right in. I couldn't stop him!" Secretary Sarah's anxious voice quickly followed.Yaslyn, however, remained unfazed as she casually sipped her teacup. Indeed, she had nothing to fret about. After all, she was not the perpetrator of the incident.Gaston Jurado, with a face red with fury, stormed into the office. Gazing at Yaslyn before him, he felt a surge of anger welling up within him."Mr. Gaston Jurado, next time you decide to visit, remember to find proper evidence first. After all, I don't have the time or energy to entertain you with such trivial games," Yaslyn quipped. She expected the speedy inquisition to be from Hendrix and was surprised to see Wrenley's father, Gaston, instead.With a smile, she extended her hand dismissively. "If Mr. Gaston Jurado is here only to accuse without evidence, let's leave it at that. I have work to do. Please show yourself out."Gaston was taken aback by Yaslyn's bluntness an
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi