e indebted to anyone, but she wasn't s

stole a glance at Elara, then blushed and lowered his head, silently vowing t

.

nes, bought a spacious apartment in the capital under a secur

geful Elara Thorne. Her next step was to devise a meticulous plan t

ssier on Balthazar Winchester, chairman of the Winthr

eral divorce and married his first love, Isolde. But Elara knew Isolde could never truly forget the man she had

ng men, of weaving a spell that made them lose all reason. She could only imagine the exquisite

nding here? The wind is str

rrupted her thoughts. Elara turned

te, why are you still out here..." he began, but his words died in his throat as he got a clear look at

young man mumbled, his

out and gently cupped the young man's chin, her touch feath

nto the Sterling family, he had been a relentless tormentor, using her plain appearance as his favorite target for bullying and ridicul

" spilled drinks on her, leaving her humiliated, only for her to be

their affair, Keith was the first to openly champion their cause. He had even suggested, in a voice dripping with malice, that

for being ruthless in return. And now, it seemed the

chin. He was blushing furiously, stammer

ar disappointment on his face at the loss of contact. She gave a faint, en

sure we've never met. If I had known someone as

cool. "Well, it's probably bette

ickly scrambled after her. "Wait! Where are you going? It's dange

g, her voice dism

sisted, following closely. "Is there anyt

face him, her twilight eyes locking o

ea-it was a direct, blunt demand. The sheer au

er word. Keith, regaining his senses, hurried after her. As he walked,

n cash on me. Wait here, there's an AT

sed that his stamina was no match for hers; she looke

get the money, I'm lea

llars-the maximum his weekly allowance would allow without trigger

f thanks and without hesitation. As she moved t

e you the money," he said, confu

rist from his grasp. "What? Do you expect m

"No! I... I would never! I just... I wanted to

ying, "I don't have a phone at the moment. I was planning to

. How could a woman like her be adrift in the city with no home? A t

this time, and pulled her toward his parked sports car. After guiding her into

otest, he climbed into the

ed his waiting driver, his voice firm, his heart hammering wi