Simon stood in the hallway, dressed in a dark navy suit, with his right hand in his pocket, exuding his usual arrogant aura. Laura felt her heartbeat quicken, yet she steadied herself before walking up to him. "Do you need something from me, Mr. Moore?""Playing dumb, are we?" Simon's gaze sharpened. "You took my mother's money, then blocked my number. Do you think that settles everything between us?"Laura glanced at him and retorted, "What else? Or maybe you think one million dollars isn't enough to cover the five years of my life I wasted and want to compensate me more?"Simon sneered. "Not bad. After all this time with me, you've certainly honed your sharp tongue."Laura knew this was the calm before the storm. Simon rarely went on a yelling spree. Instead, he would cut one down with his sharp words.Laura's colleagues were walking by, and she didn't want to make a scene or attract unwanted attention. So, she muttered, "If you're done, I need to get back to work."But Simon s
Half an hour later, Laura finally emerged from the law firm. Simon stepped out of his car with a dark look and blocked her path.Laura jumped and angrily asked, "Were you following me?"Simon glanced at his car. "Get in. We'll talk inside.""Mr. Moore, we're done. How many times do I need to say it?" Laura felt wronged and sad at the memories of the humiliation she got from his mother and his fiancee, Hailey. Her eyes watered as she choked out, "If you keep harassing me, I'll have to tell your mother about it. That'll show her who's the real clingy one !"Simon smirked. "Do you think I'd be afraid? Laura, do you think getting a new lawyer will save your father? You're too naive! You probably have no idea how Lionel actually won that last case, do you?""What do you mean?" Laura asked anxiously. "Explain yourself!"Did he mean Lionel wasn't actually a competent lawyer but had used some underhanded means to win his case? Was there even a point in hiring someone like him for her father?B
Laura couldn't believe that Simon was still so self-righteous. She wasn't one to cry easily, but she couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Yes, I was wrong! I was blind to be with a man who had a fiancée and became his mistress! Simon, you're a bastard. Why didn't you tell me you already had a fiancée? Why did you have to let your mother be the one to tell me?"Simon stared at her sharply. "Are you jealous? Laura, who do you think you are? Know your place. I told you long ago, only I decide when this ends between us. Unless I've had enough, don't ever think about leaving me!"With that, he grabbed her hair and slammed his lips against her.Laura couldn't bear being entangled with a man who had a fiancée any longer. She summoned her courage and bit down hard on his lip.Simon grunted in pain but didn't let her go. The taste of blood mixed between them, and it only seemed to excite him more.But as the salty taste of her tears seeped into the kiss, something seemed to extinguish th
Because Laura had worn the necklace for so long, the clasp often loosened. It must have fallen off at Simon's earlier.Laura felt sad, and her first reaction was to retrieve it. However, she had worked hard to cut ties with Simon. Was she really about to walk back into the lion's den?As she showered, Laura muttered to herself, "Anyway, it was that woman who cheated first, who abandoned my dad and me. Why should I keep anything she gave me?"Her mother had never visited after all these years. If the necklace was lost, so be it. It was important to her yet meant nothing to her mother. Laura smiled sadly.After her shower, she began cooking some noodles, adding an egg and two slices of ham. It was nutritious and affordable.She hadn't eaten lunch, as she had been rushing to meet a deadline, so this meal was satisfying. Just then, her phone rang. It was Lionel.Laura quickly picked up, hoping there was some development with her father's case. "Hello, Mr. Fowler, is there news from t
Laura didn't want to talk about Simon. She sometimes wondered if his so-called expertise was just an image crafted by his law firm's PR team.Five years had passed, and not only had he failed to help Harry, but he had also caused both her and her father a great deal of suffering. Laura's heart tightened at the mere memory of that man.Lionel brought her back. "Ms. Scott?"She snapped out of it and quickly replied, "I'm not sure what happened. Maybe he isn't as good as you."Lionel sensed she was hiding something. He smiled. "Mr. Moore's rates are much higher than mine. No wonder you seem financially stretched. Didn't you spend quite a bit with him?"Laura forced herself to nod, though she thought bitterly to herself that while she hadn't spent much money, five years of her youth had been wasted.When they reached the city, Lionel suggested, "Let's grab dinner. It's just about dinnertime.""Oh, no need. I'll just cook for myself when I get home." Laura hesitated but ultimately de
A trace of anger flickered across Laura's face. "Simon, don't make it sound so awful! Do you think everyone is as shameless as you? Mr. Fowler isn't that kind of person!"Simon's eyes narrowed angrily as he scanned their surroundings. "So, you're living here after you left me? You would rather lower yourself to this level?"Laura replied coldly, "I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm supporting myself through my own hard work. Even if things are tight right now, they'll get better. Mr. Moore, if you came here today just to mock me, well, you've succeeded. This is the best I can afford at the moment. Are you satisfied now?"Simon frowned, then took out the necklace she had left at his place from his pocket. "I didn't come to mock you. I came to return this. You said it's a keepsake from your mother."Laura felt a pang in her heart. She hadn't expected him to remember. Her anger from moments ago was instantly subdued. She took the necklace and murmured, "Thank you."Just then, a w
Simon went into the bathroom to shower. Suddenly, Laura remembered something and called out, "By the way, I don't have a new towel. I'll go downstairs and buy one for you."His answer came through the door. "I'll just use yours."Laura was surprised. Wasn't he a neat freak? Could it be that he had been faking it all along?She walked to the living room, muttering to herself, "What a weirdo!"Before long, Simon's assistant, Alex, arrived. "Ms. Scott, here are Mr. Moore's clothes. I brought two new sets for him."Alex was one of the few who knew about the relationship between Laura and Simon. Nevertheless, Laura still felt incredibly awkward. After all, only a handful of people knew the nature of their relationship. This made her feel as though she were being exposed in front of anyone familiar with them.Laura awkwardly took the clothes and thanked Alex, who gave her a knowing smile, probably assuming she and Simon were playing some kind of role-playing game that had brought them
Laura was incredibly frustrated. She didn't want to draw a line with Simon during the day only to have him barging into her life again that same night. After thinking it over, she said, "You could take a detour. It's not like there's only one way to get to your house."Simon glanced at her. "A detour? Easy for you to say. Do you know how far that would be? How much of my time would it waste? Laura, none of this would've happened if I hadn't come here to return your necklace."Laura glared at him angrily. "People weren't wrong when they said lawyers are petty down to the bone! You're so insufferable!""And yet you endured it for five years." Simon glanced at her. "What's wrong? Can't handle just one night?"Laura took a deep breath to resist the urge to punch him.Meanwhile, Simon acted as if he were at home. He grabbed a hair dryer from the bathroom and started drying his hair. Laura huffed angrily and decided to ignore him. She turned her focus back to the news and pretended he w
After visiting Harry, Simon left the prison with a heavy heart.He drove along a mountain road, letting the cool air blow against his face. He smoked a few cigarettes to clear his mind before finally heading home.It was late when he got back. Laura was in the kitchen trying to make something to eat. Simon sighed and walked over. "Go rest. I'll handle this."He took the ladle from her and began cooking.Laura didn't leave. Instead, she stood to the side, lost in thought. When had Simon started becoming this gentle? He used to be so distant and untouchable.She had been with him for five years, yet she had never known he could cook.Deep down, Laura wished he stayed the same cold and unreachable figure. At least then, she could keep her feelings in check.Simon asked, "Why aren't you resting?""I… I've been lying down all day. I just wanted to stand for a bit." She came up with an excuse. After a brief pause, she hesitantly asked, "Did you smoke?"Simon only then noticed the
Harry finally realized Simon had orchestrated everything. He had believed the Jensens were the mastermind behind this.Suddenly, thoughts of his daughter flooded his mind. He tried to stand up and confront Simon, but the handcuffs and shackles restrained him, forcing him to remain seated.Harry glared at Simon. "What have you done to my daughter? Tell me! What exactly have you done to her?"Simon smirked. "Nothing much. I simply taught her how to serve me, please me, and keep me happy."Harry's heart dropped. The thought of his daughter, whom he had lovingly raised and cherished, reduced to Simon's plaything after his imprisonment, tore his heart to pieces.It was a fate worse than death. "You! What happened to your father back then was my fault! I take full responsibility!" Harry's voice trembled, "But Laura is innocent. I beg you, let her go. Don't hurt her! You can kill me if you want. I'm begging you. Please, let Laura go!" Simon gazed at the desperate man before him. Ye
It was as if Simon blamed Laura for always asking stubborn questions.Their relationship was far from normal. He didn't understand why she insisted on getting to the bottom of everything.Laura's heart dropped. She returned to the bedroom, feeling utterly lost. Her heart ached. Simon was the most ruthless, selfish, and self-serving man she had ever met.Everything she had endured last night seemed insignificant to him. What mattered to him was that his mother hadn't caused her death, sparing him from any trouble.Around noon, Simon entered the bedroom.Laura was sitting on the rocking chair by the window, staring outside. The once-proud Laura now carried a sense of melancholy.Simon's heart tightened seeing her pale face. Unfortunately, apologizing wasn't his strong suit. He was too prideful for that.Still, he walked over to her and stroked her hair. "Don't take what I said to my mother earlier to heart. It wasn't aimed at you. Laura, you've been with me for five years. I thoug
Simon's words comforted Laura.After finishing the soup, she burrowed back under the covers. She peeked out to gaze at Simon, who was working on the couch. She could never get enough of him no matter how long she looked.Even though she knew she was being pathetic, she couldn't help herself. She was charmed by Simon. Every move he made exuded the poise and charisma of a mature man. Especially when he was focused on his work, it always stirred a sense of admiration in her.Eventually, drowsiness took over, and she drifted off to sleep again. She wasn't sure how long she slept. But later, she groggily heard Simon's voice as he spoke on the phone.Simon was on the balcony, talking to Fiona. Fiona feigned innocence. "How would I know she was on the balcony? I just noticed it was about to rain and wanted to close the balcony door for you."Simon's tone sharpened. "Mom, there's no point in making these excuses. We're mother and son. I can see right through you. If you pull another st
Laura understood Simon was technically still single since he wasn't married yet. She could still deceive herself and live in denial. But he would become someone else's husband once he married. Would she want to be his mistress?If it came to that, even she would despise herself.Simon hummed. "You can decide for yourself when that time comes. You can leave if you don't want to stay with me. But my promise will be void. You'd better believe me when I say, only I can save your father."Looking at Simon's emotionless face, Laura suddenly realized how cruel and cold-hearted he truly was. The feelings she thought they shared, the love and devotion she had poured her heart and youth into, were but a transaction in his eyes.Laura nodded. "Then let's set a deadline. I'll give you one year. If, after one year, my father's case remains unchanged, then we'll… cut ties."Simon replied calmly, "Fine, as you wish. Now get some rest."Only then did Laura close her eyes and stop resisting his t
Simon didn't give Laura any chance to react. He took a sip and then lowered his head before capturing her lips.Laura's eyes widened as Simon forced her to swallow the soup. She pounded on his shoulders before Simon let her go.He demanded, "I'll have no choice but to feed you like this if you don't drink the soup and take your medicine."Laura glared at him, her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment. She grabbed the bowl and downed the soup in one go. Then, she took the cold medicine he handed her.Simon finally relaxed and tucked her in. "Sleep."But how could Laura possibly fall asleep? Especially when Simon lay down beside her, pulling her into his embrace. She gritted her teeth. "Can you not touch me? I'm begging you. Don't touch me!"Simon didn't respond. He held her tightly, his warmth radiating through the thin fabric of her pajamas.Later, he noticed Laura was trembling and thought she was cold.When he turned her to face him, he realized her eyes were red, an
A sharp pain pierced Simon's chest. In the next instant, he held Laura tightly, as though trying to shield her from the cold. But still, she trembled uncontrollably. Without hesitation, he rushed to fill the bathtub with warm water and slowly placed her into it.Simon stroked Laura's pale face, then gently instructed, "Stay in the bath for a while. I'll make you some peppermint tea. If you start running a fever later, we might need to go to the hospital."Having said that, he turned to leave the bathroom. But as soon as he closed the door, he heard her crying.Simon froze in his tracks, then turned and rushed back in. He quickly undressed and stepped into the tub before pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Laurie. I'm so sorry I came home so late," he apologized in a hoarse voice. "I-I didn't know they would—""Go away! Don't touch me!"Laura shoved him away with all her strength. Her voice broke as she screamed, "While you were happily spending time with your family, I was
As soon as Simon finished speaking, he froze. He had repeated what Laura had told him that day, almost exactly.He was a lawyer. Yet, his response was far from professional. Laura's words and actions had crept into his thoughts without him even realizing it. The realization unsettled him, leaving him feeling irritated.Meanwhile, William avoided Simon's gaze, guilt written all over his face. "Why are you bringing this up again? I've already told you. Those people came from some poor countryside. They don't deserve one million dollars."Besides, who in the right mind would complain about having too much money? If I can settle this with 200 thousand dollars, why should I pay a million? Didn't you say you found evidence to clear Brooks Group of most of the responsibility?"Simon had indeed found such evidence. That crucial piece meant Nick's family couldn't demand much compensation. Yet, a tightness gripped his chest, as if something unseen was pressing down on him. For some reaso
Fiona fixed her gaze on Simon, then replied, "Tell me honestly. Do you really only see Laura as the daughter of our enemy? If so, why do you keep putting off your engagement to Hailey?"Is there something else on your mind? Let me warn you. If you've developed any sympathy for that bitch, I'll end my life right in front of you!"Simon's heart sank as he heard that. He could clearly see the unwavering determination in her eyes. He would never doubt Fiona's words. After all, it was Harry who had caused Anthony's death, and that had shattered her life completely.The humiliation and torment Fiona had once endured flooded Simon's mind. He clenched his fists, unwilling to dwell on it any longer.He knew that Fiona would never accept Laura. The incident was something Fiona could never get over. Suddenly, she became agitated and grabbed Simon's arm tightly. Her voice was desperate as she demanded, "Tell me now. Do you have feelings for that bitch? Answer me!""Mom, calm down. I promi