Lucian, the undying, had just returned from attending a social gathering that night. He had more than a few drinks. It wasn't enough to get him drunk but it did leave him lightheaded.As he opened the door, he realized that someone was standing behind it.He was dressed in a long, black puffer jacket. His slightly grown-out black hair swept across his forehead. Only a pair of sparkling eyes and abnormally red lips were visibly in the darkness. Anyone would be startled in such a situation. Lucian immediately sobered up.He frowned and asked, "Why didn't you switch on the lights?"He reached out and flicked the light switch on the wall. The light illuminated the living room. Kyros, who stood there like a wooden stake, was now bathed in the light. There was still an air of eeriness, but at least he no longer looked like a ghost. The living room was as cold as an ice cellar. So, Lucian switched the heater on."How long have you been here? Why didn't you turn the heater on?"Kyros
A name list had been presented to Ethan. It was the list of employees who had been dismissed from the Northwood Corporation earlier today. "These people were all working for you, right? They were all fired for theft of business secrets. Do you think they can continue to mingle here in Capeton?"Cade's voice echoed in the spacious basement."These are just today's targets. There's going to be a second list coming tomorrow."Ethan panted. His grip on the list tightened. Despite the dim lighting, the words on the paper were reflected in his eyes. "All I was after was the money. Someone offered me five million to tamper with the project. Even if I continued to toil away at the Northwood Corporation for the rest of my life, I would never be able to make that much money. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course, I'd take the offer."He looked away from the name list and acted as if it had nothing to do with him."These people are just my colleagues. Whether the corporatio
The lethargic Selena opened her eyes. Upon opening them, she was greeted by the sight of a side profile too close to distinguish. All she could make out were their sideburns and a small patch of skin. She couldn't tell who they were. She let out an ear-piercing screech.The commotion nearly rendered Calista ears. She straightened up."Mom."Selena, now realizing that it was Calista, sighed in relief. She looked apologetic."I'm sorry. I just woke up. It's all a blur to me. I didn't mean to startle you.""Startle" was putting it lightly. She nearly scared the life out of her. Calista kept the thought to herself. Her scream alarmed Henry who was still smoking outside. The man scrambled in."What's going on?"Selena had a nightmare. She dreamt of a villa in the middle of spring. There was a garden full of blooming flowers. Sunshine bathed the green grass. In the center of it all was a chaise lounge. Someone was lying in it covered by a white fleece blanket. She had a book over
"How am I inferior to him?"Selena couldn't move. She was no different from a fish on the chopping block. All she could manage was closing her eyes. It was as they say, out of sight, out of mind. Behind her closed lids, she rolled her eyes.She was thinking about how amazing he was. Even the tallest point of the asylum wouldn't be able to contain his brilliance.Fletcher didn't wait for her to respond. He wasn't angry either. Instead, he reached for her phone that had been placed by the bedside table and pointed it at her face."Go on, give Henry a call. Tell him you're going on a business trip and that you'll be home in five days."His voice was soft."Stay with me for five days? It'll just be five days, Selen."By the end, he was outright pleading for her to agree.However, Selena knew that it was all an act to confuse her. The moment she showed any sign of being less compliant than he wanted, she would have no hope of reprieve."You should hand yourself in. You'll be treate
It was a man knocking on the window. He was tall; his height evident from the bent of his body. He wore a black hoodie with the hood covering the upper half of his face. A black mask covered the lower half.Calista's car was parked by a streetlamp. When he bent down to look in, the light beat down on his back, making his shadowed face appear much darker. He looked … like a ghost.Calista reached for the safety hammer in the compartment between the driver and passenger seats. Then, she held the pointed end toward the man while swiftly hitting the ignition button."It's me, Madam Calista. Calm down."The man hurriedly pulled down his mask and pressed his face up against the glass so she could see him better. "Don't go. I was sent by the boss."She was at a loss for words. He was the man who clamped her mouth shut back at the parking lot a while ago. He was one of Lucian's men, though she had long since forgotten his name.Relieved to see a familiar face, Calista finally eased u
Lucian was finally alone with Calista. He didn't want to continue discussing these unpleasant matters."Let Sett help you move."All he wanted was for her to pick up her essential items and leave the rest behind. They could always get her new ones. But, if he left a trail behind, there was a chance she would use it as an excuse to move out again. Calista gave it some thought."Alright."Since she was currently "on vacation", she didn't have to report to work at the Northwood Corporation. There was no need for her to live in a business center where even getting on the subway required a struggle. It'll also keep Lucian from being distracted because of her.Now that he successfully convinced his wife to move back into their home, remarriage wasn't far off. Once they dealt with Kyros, he was going to take her to the City Hall to legalize their marriage lest more troubles arose. Then, they would address the matter of his nonexistent child. But if she were to get pregnant, it me
Calista moved back into the Everglade Manor. David had preserved the flowers in the parlor and placed them in the vacant room on the second floor to avoid triggering her. The servants had cleaned the manor inside and out and changed the bed sheets in anticipation of her return.As it was extremely late by then, Calista didn't have the energy to unpack the boxes of luggage she brought from her apartment. She had originally only planned on bringing her daily necessities. Everything including clothes were at her disposal at the manor. However, Sett insisted on packing everything.What was once a nice apartment had been turned upside down. Safe for the furniture that had been there from the start, everything had been taken to the dumpster downstairs.Calista hastily took a shower and climbed into bed.The next day, she was awakened by the ringing of her phone. Having slept late the previous night, she was so tired that she could barely open her eyes. Her thoughts were muddled."He
However, Cade was extremely busy. The call lasted for all but two seconds."He told you to stay put at the Everglade Manor."How could Calista possibly stay put in a situation like this? Even if she wanted to stay, she had to know that Lucian was safe. The news was flooded with reports of his disappearance. She felt ill at ease without first learning if this was his or Kyros' plan.Calista got dressed. The moment she set foot outside, she ran into Paul. He let out a sigh of relief to see her well.After he learned of the goings-on with the Lancaster Group, he rushed to her apartment. However, after knocking on the door for a long time and receiving no response, he considered calling her. Yet, he was afraid she hadn't seen the news yet. Since she wasn't at her apartment, he thought of trying his luck at the Everglade Manor. Unexpectedly, he encountered Calista just as she was about to leave. He couldn't help but feel relieved. If he arrived a minute later …"I'm going to see