Maybe the public didn't expect William Knope of Harborville to be serious about Sarah, given her reputation. A few years ago, someone had dug up dirt on Sarah online, and respectable figures with money had shunned her ever since. Sarah had become quite the talk of the town and for all the wrong reasons. There weren't many saints in the world. People were self-serving and enjoyed seeing others fail. Everyone loved a good story about others falling from grace. Sarah seemed to have gotten a fresh start. She no longer had to scrimp and worry about money or pawn off her few remaining pieces of jewelry. At least she could keep up appearances again. She had finally managed to grab a lifeline, so of course, she wasn't going to let go of it. She could revisit her plans for the future once she had a firm footing.Zoey looked at the photos in the online article. There were a few blurry photos of Sarah's back, none of which showed her face. Zoey found the article uninteresting after reading i

The mist surrounded them.Zoey's features looked fair under the fog in the room. Her lips were moist and glistening. They looked like water-coated jelly emitting a sweet fragrance.It sounded like Laurence was seeking her permission. But he obviously had never listened to her opinions or heeded her words in such matters. Before she could voice her refusal, he had already pressed down upon her. His kisses were always dominant and intense. It was as if he wanted to consume Zoey's breath and engulf her entirely. It was intense and overwhelming.She was forced to tilt her slender and fair neck. Zoey gradually lost her strength in this unexpected kiss. Laurence gripped her waist and prevented her from collapsing due to her weak legs.Her attempts to push him away inadvertently turned on the faucet of the bathroom sink. The flowing water was like a river. Its sound was gentle and soothing. The water splashed onto their clothes and faces, soaking their garments.Zoey's body went limp.

Zoey had already fallen asleep. She didn't hear anything at all. The night was so quiet that they could hear each other's breaths. These brief moments of tranquillity felt like stolen treasures. Once morning broke, the dream would come to an end. Laurence had slept enough during the day, so he wasn't feeling sleepy. In the dim moonlight, he could see the person in his arms quite clearly. She must have been exhausted. Otherwise, she wouldn't sleep so soundly by his side.The moonlight cast its silvery glow upon the woman's face. She looked gorgeous even in her sleep. Her long eyelashes resembled the delicate and gracefully curved wings of a butterfly. Her face was petite, and she seemed insecure under the covers. It was as if the covers would protect her from nightmares.Laurence gently ran his fingertip between her brows, hoping to soothe any uneasiness in her dreams. But then he chuckled to himself. He realized that perhaps he was the cause of her nightmares.Soon, the next d

Those insensitive to emotions tended to realize their feelings late. People with a keen sense of emotions were less likely to be oblivious to their feelings. Laurence pushed his loved ones away with his arrogance and prejudice.His sharp eyes turned a shade colder after he spoke. He had no interest in sharing his past with outsiders and didn't intend to say more.Seeing that he was about to leave, Claire grinned and offered her help, "We're going to visit the lake tomorrow. Would you like to join us?"Zoey began to feel unwell after returning to her room because of the alcohol. It wasn't like she had consumed much. She wasn't drunk and was still quite clear-headed. Yet she felt a discomfort that she couldn't pinpoint. She couldn't express where exactly it was coming from. She felt as if an overwhelming sadness was about to consume her. It suffocated her.She opened the French windows to let in the cold breeze, hoping it would alleviate her unease. She calmed down slightly.After

"How is that romantic?" Zoey asked with a soft voice. Her gaze drifted into the distance. Her dark eyes seemed to hold a deep pool of water. It reflected nothing but endless emptiness.Cold sweat formed on her back. Ultimately, she was afraid of this man. She feared his unpredictable behavior. There were times when Laurence seemed capable of anything. It was as if he could go mad and do things beyond the bounds of an ordinary person.If he truly wanted to commit suicide with her ...Zoey had no doubt that he would push her into the lake, drag her into its depths, and let her drown in the water. He would let her suffocate and take her to die with him.However, she didn't want to die. She had just gained hope. Her life had finally started to improve. Why would she choose to die?Zoey silently clenched her fists. Her knuckles turned pale, and her throat felt dry. Her voice was hoarse but not as stiff as before."Humans have nothing left once they die. What's gone in this life is