160
###Chapter 160
Elise was dragged away by a group of bodyguards. Soon after, her screams echoed from the storage room. Days and nights passed before she was found barely alive–her breasts bitten off–then tossed onto a ship with no way back. There, she was forced to serve the depraved and deranged continuously, her torment live–streamed to satisfy shadowy, sinister watchers. She was doomed to bear child after child, only to have them taken away again and again until her death.”
High above the city, Dawson stood, his soul seemingly lost, his heart racing in panic with no calm in sight. He was determined to find Maxine, wherever she might be. He swore he would bring her back, tell her he was wrong, that he would never hurt her again, and that from now on, his loyalty and love would belong only to her.”
While Dawson was desperately searching for Maxine, the Patterson Corporation began facing constant troubles. First, the scandal from the recent adoption ceremony sent their stock prices plummeting. Then, shortly after, their largest distributor and logistics partners abruptly ended contracts, offering a string of polished excuses. Meanwhile, other potential partners grew cold or outright refused to work with the company.
Since Patterson Corporation products mainly relied on export–ninety five percent of their sales–the entire inventory became stuck with no outlet, losses soaring by tens of millions daily.}}]
Dawson was baffled. Confident in his goods‘ quality, how could everyone suddenly shun them?}
A subtle hint from someone prompted a thought.
“Did you offend the Clark family?”
The name immediately popped into Dawson’s mind: Lawrence Clark–the man who controlled the largest overseas logistics network and wielded immense influence behind the scenes. But Dawson had no grudges with Lawrence; how could he have angered him?” Frustrated, he ordered his assistant. “Find a way to get me a meeting with Lawrence.“}
The assistant soon returned with news. “Mr. Clark says he’s been busy lately, but if you want to see him, you’re invited to his wedding in two weeks.”
Dawson didn’t question why Clark would invite him. Instead, he exhaled in relief. Was this an olive branch?
“Check what Mr. Clark and his wife likes–I want to buy a gift myself.“}
Soon, the assistant came back frowning. “There’s no info on Mr. Clark’s wife, except that she’s apparently an excellent jewelry designer. She even designed the wedding jewelry herself.”}]
Dawson was momentarily dazed. Maxine used to have a passion for jewelry. But every time she showed interest in she just wanted to use her hobby as an excuse to get gifts from him.}
Could it be? No, that was impossible!
piece, he thought
Suppressing the thought, he smiled to himself. Maxine was just an ordinary woman. How could she possibly know a business titan like Lawrence? If she did, she would have told him.
What Dawson didn’t know was that Maxine not only knew Lawrence–they were childhood sweethearts, betrothed since they were kids. She was also the one secretly helping the Patterson family through its darkest times by quietly asking her brother for assistance. Without her, the Patterson Corporation would have collapsed long ago.”
She had walked through the darkest moments of Dawson’s life alongside him. To avoid him feeling indebted, she never told him she was Enrique Fernandez’s younger sister–the very man he wanted to impress the most.
On the other hand, before our wedding, I kept our engagement low–key, only close friends and family knew the date was approaching. On weekends, when busy, my brother would invite my parents and me over for family dinners. Those times made me feel happy and relaxed. This week was my sister–in–law’s birthday. We threw a lavish party and invited many socialites. It was my first public event since returning home, and my parents wanted everyone to know I was back, constantly nudging me to greet guests.
I saw Lawrence, who had just returned from a business trip. The moment he arrived, all eyes were on him. Few knew this wealthy, young diamond bachelor was about to marry.”
Admiring glances came his way–he was handsome, rich beyond measure, and though occasionally sharp–tongued, harmless enough. Our eyes met across the room, and we exchanged a knowing smile.
A moment later, Lawrence lifted his glass and approached me. “Miss Fernandez, long time no see. I hope you’re well.”
But we had just gone to a movie together a few days ago, where he fell asleep and drooled all over his chin from boredom. Those embarrassing pictures were safely stored in my alburn.
Before I could say anything, two ringing, mocking voices interrupted us.”
“Oh, isn’t that the poor woman who’s been married for six years, only to have her husband cheat on her with adult film stars and then abandon her?“%
“Who knows if she wasn’t the problem, and that’s why her husband slept around.”
Turning around, I saw two identical young women in lavish dresses–one pink, one blue. Their eyes mocked me but also blatantly showed Just for Lawrence.
“Mr Clark, why bother with a divorced old woman? Stay away from her.“!
They pressed their ample chests against his arm, crossing their long, pale legs seductively.
“My sister and I are free tonight”
1:15 PM
I calmly watched as they flirted shamelessly with Lawrence on either side. But he just tilted his head, smiling at me wordlessly, waiting for my reaction.
The scene was sharp and stinging. That bastard–was this his way of throwing this mess onto me? Was it payback for those embarrassing photos?
I looked at the two girls, their overly long fake lashes and excessively plumped lips, and smiled.
“Maybe I’m interested in another man.”}
“And you two? Flitting around every handsome man like flies–do you think you’re something special?“}
“What did you say, you second–hand trash?!” one of them shrieked.
The blue–dress girl slapped toward me–but her slender wrist was firmly grabbed.}
“Hey, no hitting, Smurf.“}
“W–What…”
She struggled for a moment, then realized Lawrence had called her “Smurf.“}
Her pouty lips immediately twitched in anger.
“You–are you insulting me?!“}
Pointing at me with her free hand, she shouted, “All because of this old woman?!“}
Lawrence’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening, his smile still on his face but no warmth in his gaze.}]
“What’s wrong? This old woman is my future wife.“}]
“And you, openly seducing her fiancé right in front of her, aren’t you the ones who are shameless?“}
He let go of her hand amidst their stunned silence. His face grew colder, and even his crooked smile became terrifying.”
“I hate hearing bad words about the woman I love.”}]
“And here’s a tip–if you want to win a man’s favor, don’t trash talk other girls in front of him. No man likes a little slut, except when he’s treating you like a toy.“}
“Get lost.“”
The two girls ran off embarrassed and furious.
Lawrence walked over to me, puzzled. “Aren’t the Smurfs cute?“}
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think your sharp tongue is much cuter.”
“Oh? You just called me cute, Miss Fernandez. That makes me want to kiss you right here in front of everyone.“>
Lawrence’s hand slid naturally around my waist.”
Since most people here had already heard him call himself my fiancé, I didn’t resist. Under their curious stares, I let him hold me close, feeling the warmth of his mature, confident presence seeping through my clothes.
His lips hovered close, the distance between us nearly gone.
“What’s going on here? Is someone causing trouble?”
My sister–in–law walked over, drawn by the commotion.
Lawrence’s hand loosened reluctantly. Flushed and breathless, I rasped, “Nothing, really. Lawrence already chased the flies away.” My sister–in–law glanced at our overly intimate posture, lifted her brows, and gave a teasing wave.
“Ah, I see. I’ll come back (ater–you two carry on.”
“No-” I tried to explain, but Lawrence silenced me with a sudden kiss.
It had been so long since someone kissed me like that–deeply, and fiercely.
Leaning against the big tree, Lawrence held me pressed to the bark, his tongue invading with maddening heat and confidence.
His body was hot, assertive, unrelenting. My strength faded as I melted into him, into that searing kiss that made even the hairs on my
arms stand.
“Lawrence…” The word slipped from me, dazed and surrendered.}
But just then, his kiss softened. He gently wiped the damp corner of my lips, his eyes filled with restraint. “Sorry. I lost control.”
His knees clenched to restrain himself, breathing ragged, hand brushing my flushed cheeks.
“I’ll wait–until our wedding night.“>
This man…
His steady gaze burned through me, gentle yet intense.}
He remembered.
He knew I was Catholic.
He wasn’t like that despicable Dawson–he would respect everything I held sacred.
Even when I was already so willing to give in.”
I buried myself in his arms, overcome with emotion, sobbing softly.
He camed me to a quiet spot and held me while I cried, never rushing me, just being there.
115 PM 0
Even Won was already so willing to give in…
I buried myself in his arms, overcome with emotion, sobbing softly.
He carried me to a quiet spot and held me while I cried, never rushing me, just being there.
When my tears finally dried, he looked down with a small, meaningful smile.
“Let me tell you something good. Dawson is going down soon.”
