With roadside parking off-limits, Sean skillfully maneuvered the car into the nearest parking lot.Equipped with a black umbrella, he splashed through the pooled water to join Elio, shielding him from the unrelenting rain.At that moment, Sean found himself at a loss for words.After all, he had been the one to bring Candice to this location.Upon returning to the banquet, Sean discovered that Elio was already outside, making his way directly to this very spot.Having stood by Elio's side for many years, Sean was intimately familiar with almost every aspect of his life.What he witnessed in Elio was a man devoid of joy, weighed down by the expectations of his parents.Every facet of Elio's existence—his career, his future, even his marriage—had been meticulously orchestrated by them.Since birth, Elio had never experienced true autonomy. He was merely a puppet shaped by the Hoffis family to inherit their fortune.For someone like Elio, who had always been drawn to Candice's ca

Elio's deep voice softly pronounced her name. "Candice."Perplexed, Candice responded, "Yes?""Candice," he called out once more."I'm here, right beside you. What's wrong?" Candice replied patiently."Candice, Candice..." Elio's voice grew heavier, infused with a sense of desolation. As he continued, his eyes reddened further, his gaze gradually drifting away.Observing Elio's condition, Candice felt utterly bewildered.She had been by his side the whole time, so why was he repeatedly calling her name without providing any further explanation?Was he intoxicated?With a bitter twist to his lips, Elio struggled to speak, his words slow and labored. "Ca… Can… dice."Concern etched on her face, Candice leaned closer. Meeting his gaze, she reassured him. "I'm here." Elio stole a glance at her, offering a faint smile before reclining further back on the sofa. With his eyes closed, he murmured, "You've intruded into my dreams once more.""What?" Candice couldn't quite grasp his

Candice's gasp echoed through the room, her hands flying to her mouth in disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the unfolding scene.Elio's chilling presence was so overpowering that it reduced the arrogant man to trembling silence. He bowed his head in submission, too terrified to speak.Every word Elio spoke carried an icy intensity, freezing the air around them. "If you're thirsty, get your own drink. Don't expect my team to cater to your needs."The words "my team" echoed through Candice like an explosion, stirring a blend of nervousness and anticipation that hastened her heartbeat.While she understood that Elio was referring to his subordinates from headquarters as "my team", she couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction.Terrified and flustered, the man swiftly bowed and offered an apology. "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Hoffis, I've made a mistake."Elio's demeanor remained icy as he turned and walked away without acknowledging Candice, leaving her bewildered.Despite El

Used to the safety in Norvania, Candice never imagined that in broad daylight, criminals could boldly storm into a hotel and abduct someone.She was thrown into a car with her hands and feet bound, eyes blindfolded, and mouth gagged. She curled up in a corner of the car. She was terrified, shivering uncontrollably.The foreigners in the car laughed heartily, speaking in their native language filled with filthy words."This woman is really beautiful.""Not only did we get the money, we also got a pretty girl to play with. Guys, this is a great deal!""Look at that body, that face. She's a real prize, isn't she?""Let's have some fun with her later."Hearing these vile conversations, Candice was terrified and helpless.From their words, it was clear they were hired to kidnap and violate her.She felt very disgusted, making her want to vomit.Half an hour later, Candice felt herself being dragged out of the car.After being carried into a room, she was tossed onto a soft bed.

Candice entered the bathroom and took her bath.The entire process took a little over an hour.Normally, after bathing, she would wash her hair and blow-dry it. Then, she would do her skincare routine, apply a face mask and hand mask, and finally apply lotion and cream all over her body.By the time she finished all this, more than an hour had passed.When she came out of the bathroom, she was surprised to find Elio already in her room.His pillow and blanket were on the sofa. He was sitting there in casual sleepwear, looking at his phone.She was slightly stunned. She was nervous for some reason because she had thought Elio was just joking when he said he would stay with her. She didn't expect him to come to her room to accompany her.She froze in place with her heart racing like crazy. She just stood there and nervously looked at him.Elio put down his phone and then looked up at her. He curiously asked with a gentle voice, "Do you always take this long to shower?"With her