”Gwen?!”Linus’ temples throbbed wildly. Gwen Zimmer had called him countless times, and every time, she caused such a commotion.She was bad-tempered and vicious, and her so-called love for Linus was truly unbearable.“Linus, I’m drunk… Will you still refuse to see me?” Gwen hiccuped.There she went again. No matter how Linus rejected her, Gwen would never give up.She would resort to any means necessary just to get a glimpse of him.Linus pitied her at first, thinking that her life was truly miserable. Rejected by her own father and threatened by her own mother, she entered this world without blessings and was seen as nothing more than a money tree.Gwen was likely far too intoxicated as her speech was slurred. “Have you completed the task the organization assigned to you?”“Mhm.”Linus switched his phone to speaker mode and set it down.“Gwen, if you’re not feeling well, just go to sleep. I have things to do.”Linus tried to speak gently, hoping that Gwen would stop degra
Linus had never been one to sleep in. As soon as he woke up, he grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and prepared to report back to the organization.His mission went smoothly this time, nearly scaring the pants off the CEO’s son.[Alice, three million in assets have been transferred to our company, so Mr. Zimmer wants to hold a celebration banquet.][Got it.]Linus suddenly received another text from the same woman from yesterday, Charlotte.[Are you really not going to consider it? We can negotiate the compensation again.]Linus replied without any hesitation: [No need.]Then, he turned off his phone and drove to the organization.The reputation of Spades preceded it. While everyone knew about it, only a few really understood how it came to be, what it actually did, or where they were based.Nevertheless, just mentioning this organization made people queasy.Linus tucked his gun into the inside of his thigh just in case, a habit he had developed over the years. In the early d
"Did you call just to tell me this?”Linus had previously warned Moose not to call unless it was important as he was often busy with urgent tasks. What if he accidentally missed something important?“Of course not…”Moose hesitated whether to tell Linus now or just wait until he arrived, but he decided on the latter. “Forget it. Just hurry over. I’ll tell you face to face.”It seemed serious.Linus understood Moose well. Despite his casual and unserious demeanor, Moose was actually quite reliable.After hanging up, Moose glanced at the radiant Gwen not far away, who was silently worrying about Linus.Linus might be decisive and ruthless during his missions, but as his subordinate, Moose knew he had a soft side.Why else would Gwen be so hung up on Linus? Everyone in the organization knew how Gwen felt about Linus and vice versa.However, Gwen still refused to listen, see, or understand. She even resorted to guilt-tripping Moose, putting him in a dilemma.Upon seeing Moose han
"I don’t regret it, and I’d do it again if I had to.”Moose was nearly moved to tears. He exaggeratedly patted Linus on the back and said, “Linus, you’re a real man. No wonder Gwen can’t forget you. No matter how you reject her, she still wants to be with you. If I were a woman, I wouldn’t be able to resist you either!”Linus’ expression turned icy cold. “You'd better stop with the nonsense.”Moose covered his mouth, indicating that he would not dare say such things again.“Alright, I won’t waste any more time with you. Where’s Mr. Zimmer? I need to report to him in person.” Linus locked the car.“He’s waiting for you in the suite on the 25th floor.”After receiving instructions from Linus to prepare the briefing for the next mission, Moose skedaddled.…Daniel Zimmer was Gwen’s grandfather, and he was currently speaking to her about something.“Grandpa, when Linus arrives, you must help me persuade him. He hasn’t called me at all the past few days. I’ve been the one calling h
"Fine, I’ll help you this one time. But if it doesn’t work, promise me you won’t do something this foolish again.” Daniel looked at Gwen sternly and continued, “Were you completely drunk at home yesterday? In the end, it was the maids who cleaned up your mess.”Daniel despised a lack of self-control more than anything else. Gwen’s father had endured countless scoldings from him as he taught him the consequences of blindly pursuing profits in business. Especially with their connections to this secret organization, they had to be even more cautious.That was also why Daniel had never approved of Gwen’s father, Lee Zimmer. If he could not smooth out his rough edges and resolve the issues he left behind over a decade ago, he would surely encounter even bigger problems in the future.On the contrary, Daniel’s admiration for Linus was justified. He knew that Linus had forbearance, self-restraint, and outstanding abilities—an ideal candidate for the leader of Spades.Gwen’s relentless per
She was done for…Gwen heard her inner self roar like a wild beast. As soon as Linus said those words, she collapsed onto the couch.“Linus, do you actually mean that?”“Yes, and I’m sure you’ve long known how I felt. You know that the one in my heart… isn’t you.”Gwen gripped her hair with one hand and her chest with the other. She felt pain from head to toe, her entire body screaming in agony. She could hardly catch her breath.“You…”Gwen could not manage a complete sentence.“Gwen, Moose once asked me this. When you first joined the organization and were ostracized by everyone, humiliated by your father, and used as a cash cow by your mother, would I still choose to help you again if given the chance?”“What did you say?” Gwen asked mechanically.“I said I would still help you.”“Linus…”“Gwen, you need to understand that there are limits to human emotions. Anyone with a conscience won’t just walk away after seeing you beaten and scarred.”Perhaps other people in this r
The photo from Daniel seemed familiar to Linus, but he could not recall where he had seen it before.“This mission is not going to be easy. I’ll have people backing you up, but remember, you’re up against Leon Corporation, so never lower your guard.”“Yes, sir.”Linus did not need Daniel’s warning to know that dealing with Leon Corporation was going to be difficult, even with his capabilities. He despised having to engage with them directly, but it seemed to be the only way to find a breakthrough.“I never intended to get involved with Leon Corporation again. Besides, what happened over a decade ago is hardly worth mentioning.”Daniel must have been reminiscing about the incident many years ago. Before he was deeply involved in Spades, he was just an ordinary businessman. In the power struggle against Leon Corporation, he eventually lost ground.All these years, he watched Leon Corporation soar rapidly while he struggled to survive. His desire for revenge grew day by day. When th
Daniel was unwilling to let Gwen be embarrassed in front of so many people within the organization, which put Linus in a very dangerous position.Looking troubled, Daniel said, “Linus, I don’t want to force you into anything, but Gwennie has been set on you for many years. I can’t bear to see her like this. Can’t you just… play along? Gwennie is a stubborn girl, and I’m afraid she might do something stupid.”Linus remained silent, pressing his tongue against the top of his mouth.He did not want to agree to what Daniel was proposing.If Daniel were to assign him a dangerous mission right this instant where he could potentially lose his life, Linus would not hesitate for even a second. However, on this matter, he would not relent.“Linus, consider it… Perhaps you could…”“Mr. Zimmer, I believe Gwen will find the right person for her. I can't agree to this.”If he was going to refuse anyway, he might as well be decisive about it. Being hesitant would not teach Gwen to let go. For
As Gabriella examined the luxurious clothes, bags, shoes, and pants, she could not help but feel that Lucy was completely unappreciative of such treasures. She failed to utilize them to enhance her appearance! They spent quite a while going through the various garments and accessories, yet there were still items they had not finished checking out.Lucy gave an awkward smile, acknowledging her own laziness. After a long search, Gabriella finally found a piece that caught her eye. As she checked the tag, she was surprised to find that the dress was designed by a renowned French designer. It featured a V-neck, with simple yet elegant sleeves that revealed a hint of Lucy's arms, while the skirt was a refined and tailored fit.Gabriella held up the dress against Lucy, murmuring to herself, “Hmm, this one’s nice! You should try it on!” Even though she spoke to Lucy in a tone reminiscent of an older sister, she still maintained her authority as a mother-in-law. It made her words both
Since the previous incident, Lucy had become increasingly attentive to her children. She watched over them at nearly every moment. She feared that Charlotte might seize any chance to harm the children, so she remained vigilant and meticulous, avoiding any lapses. In her eyes, Matthew Leon and the children represented her entire world, and she could not afford even the slightest mishap.One day, Gabriella Sharpe visited their home. She arrived as lively as ever, wearing impeccably applied makeup that included an expensive shade of lipstick. Her appearance radiated the elegance of a woman of high social standing, making her stand out among the people on the street.Lucy welcomed Gabriella warmly, treating her with utmost respect. It created an atmosphere of family harmony. Gabriella settled into a chair, savoring the fruit that Lucy offered her. She held Johnny closely, reluctant to part with him. She showered him with compliments and laughter."Mom, you seem to be in a great mood l
Matthew noticed Lucy’s absent-mindedness and asked gently, "Lulu, what’s on your mind?"“Oh, nothing… I just think what happened to Charlotte is so sudden,” Lucy replied.“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. She was always trying to harm you. Her fate is something she brought upon herself.” Matthew patted her head comfortingly.However, Lucy found it suspicious. Although the news reported Charlotte’s assassination and that the monastery had burned down to ashes, it did not mention her body. That kind of crucial detail would not have been overlooked by the media.Matthew had also considered this possibility, but he had kept it to himself to avoid alarming Lucy. Charlotte had been sent to the monastery because of him and Lucy, and she had to harbor a deep hatred for them. If she managed to orchestrate her own escape, what if she was now seeking help from Spades to target Lucy? That would be dangerous.“Lulu, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the ch
With nothing left to hold onto, Charlotte walked down the empty streets, her heart heavy with despair. She wore a black veil that covered her completely, revealing only her eyes. She even had on dark sunglasses. She dared not walk in the open or be seen, nor did she dare expose Juliana’s crimes to the world.She used to be a princess. Everything she had done, every privilege and indulgence, was backed by Arthur and Juliana’s love and permission. Now that her supporters had betrayed her, what right did she have to be reckless or demand anything? Surviving itself was a luxury. How could she even think of acting willfully?As she wandered in anguish, Charlotte found herself by the river. She remembered coming here with Arthur and Juliana when she was a child, laughing and walking along the bank. Now, each memory felt painfully ironic, and every kiss from Juliana seemed sickening. How could her world be so false? How could even the people she trusted most turn against her?Charlotte cou
Charlotte continued to hide within the castle, unwilling to leave and equally unwilling to let anyone know she was alive—unless they promised never to send her back to the monastery. However, she doubted that would happen, so she kept to the shadows. After all, the castle had plenty of food. It was far better than anything at the monastery.One night, Charlotte quietly slipped into Arthur and Juliana's bedroom. To her surprise, Arthur was not there, and only Juliana was present. 'Dad must be too upset to sleep,' Charlotte thought. She knew him well—whenever he was troubled, he would retreat to the study rather than go to bed.As she watched her beloved mother, a tiny bit of her resolve wavered. Juliana looked utterly exhausted, as if she had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. Charlotte had a sudden urge to go in and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible. Charlotte realized that seeing someone through a wall of separation was the most painful thing of all.Just as
The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on Charlotte was sensationalized across all media outlets. The internet was flooded with headlines about her close brush with death, sparking worldwide shock. No one could believe that Charlotte, notorious for her arrogance and harsh treatment of offenders, could have been targeted like this. Many who resented her strict, often cruel ways were both thrilled and stunned by the news. The royal family immediately tightened security at the monastery, dispatching a large police force to investigate what had happened. The monastery became a focal point of public intrigue.“What? That's impossible! How could there be no trace?” Juliana exclaimed in disbelief. Standing before her was the chief forensic investigator.“Yes, Your Majesty, there's no sign of Princess Charlotte’s remains,” the investigator confirmed firmly.“Fine, I understand. Leave me, and keep me informed if anything changes,” Juliana replied, pressing her fingers to her
As the footsteps came closer, Charlotte held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared—it was clear they were targeting her. She watched as the figure approached the bed, moving so quietly it was as if they made no sound at all. What could they possibly be planning? Surely, the headmistress would not go this far?The figure drew closer to the bed, bundled up the pillows and blankets, and then doused something over them. Charlotte could smell it—it was gasoline! Was the headmistress planning to kill her to silence her? She froze, unable to move. The shadow struck a match and dropped it onto the bed. In an instant, flames surged up from the blankets.In the fire’s glow, Charlotte could make out that it was not the headmistress but a man. After setting the fire, he quickly slipped away without making a single sound. Charlotte crept out while stifling a cough, afraid he might hear and return. The flames grew quickly, engulfing the bed and spreading t
Over the past year or so, Charlotte had gradually come to understand that the world was not just about picturesque landscapes and lavish feasts. In the shadows, beyond her sight, lay a world full of schemes and deception. Despite her ongoing attempts to plot against Lucy Quinn, she had not noticed this aspect at all until she arrived at the monastery. Here, she realized how dark human nature could truly be.The women at the monastery constantly criticized and belittled her, while the headmistress was corrupt, using her position for personal vendettas. She was also driven by greed for wealth and status. All Charlotte wanted was to escape this dreadful place and return to her castle. She wanted to go back to her plush, comfortable bed. There, she led a life surrounded by maids tending to her every need.Thinking of this, she remembered Lucy and envisioned her seated in her rightful place, basking in the affection of Arthur and Juliana. She could see Lucy's haughty expression starin
In a moment of heat, Charlotte blurted everything out. Joan was dumbfounded! Was this really Charlotte? She usually did not talk this much, did she? It was not just Joan who was shocked; the headmistress across from Charlotte was equally taken aback. Charlotte was usually so obedient. How had her tongue turned so venomous today? The headmistress was left speechless as every word Charlotte said was so reasonable that no one could argue against it, and it even warranted some compliments! Although Charlotte was confronting the headmistress, each of her statements felt like a plea for justice.Charlotte was not done yet and continued, “Since you know I’m a princess, you should give me some consideration. Yet, in reality, I’m the one giving you all the consideration. Is that reasonable?” Charlotte’s arguments were layered and logical, her thoughts clear. It left the headmistress in a muddle while Joan looked on with envy! The headmistress glanced at Charlotte, feeling quite displease