A wave of despair washed over Edward as the familiar notification of the Domination System echoed through his mind. The initial surge of happiness and relief dissolved swiftly, making way for an unsettling apprehension that settled deep within his being.His hold around Brenda's waist tightened, seeking solace in her comforting presence. Yet, his thoughts were ensnared by the grim awareness of the ominous road that stretched ahead. The weight of the impending darkness pressed upon him relentlessly. Edward understood all too well that refusing the mission could have dire consequences. However, the mere thought of succumbing to the puppet strings of the Domination System, carrying out acts of violence against his will, sent shivers down his spine, haunting his every waking moment.As Brenda sensed Edward's distress, she looked into his eyes and spoke. "What's wrong, Ed? You seem... distant. Is something bothering you?""I... I'm fine," he managed to say, his voice trembling slightly. "
Ivy's voice trailed off. The world seemed to blur around her. But then, her gaze shifted to Edward's hand, lying limp on the pavement. And that's when she saw it—a faint movement in his pinky finger.Without hesitating, Ivy reached out and took hold of Edward's hand, cradling it in her own. Her fingers trembled as she pressed her thumb against his pinky, hoping for another sign of life. And there it was—a faint response, almost imperceptible but undeniably real. Edward's pinky finger twitched ever so slightly in Ivy's touch.A surge of hope flooded Ivy's being. "Brenda! Look, his finger moved! He's alive!"Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief, her tears momentarily halted. She turned her attention to Edward's pale face, searching for any other signs of life. As if in response to Ivy's revelation, a faint rise and fall of his chest confirmed his faint breath. She leaned in closer, her trembling voice filled with a newfound hope. "Edward, can you hear us? Can you feel us? Please, fight!"
Brenda's mind raced as memories of Luke flooded her thoughts. She remembered him as a kind and intelligent person, excelling in academics and always supportive of her aspirations. It was difficult for her to fathom that Luke could be capable of attempting to kill Edward."I can't believe it," Brenda murmured. "Luke was never like this. We had our differences, but he would never resort to violence."Edward's gaze softened as he reached out to hold Brenda's hand. "Sometimes, people change in ways we never expect."Brenda looked into Edward's eyes, her confusion and concern evident.Edward took a deep breath, his voice calm yet firm. "I didn't intend to hurt him before, but it's different now. I'm sorry, Brenda, but I had to do what needed to be done."Just as Edward finished speaking, Ivy's voice cut through the air, filled with anger and determination. "No! It's not enough to do what needed to be done. Luke must be dealt with decisively!"Brenda turned her gaze towards Ivy, startled by
Luke's eyes widened in disbelief, his anger momentarily replaced by shock. He never expected that the highly skilled assassin from the Poseidon Club would fail in their mission to eliminate Edward. The realization that his plan had fallen apart left him questioning everything.In that moment, a wave of doubt washed over Luke. Who was Edward really? How had he managed to evade death? Had Luke underestimated his opponent, or was there more to Edward than he had previously believed? The doubts swirled in Luke's mind, clouding his judgment and leaving him uncertain about his next move. As his mind spun, he couldn't help but compare himself to Edward. The wealth and connections Edward had seemed far beyond his reach. He had hoped to intimidate Edward, by showing his menacing influence and making Edward leave Brenda forever. But now, faced with the reality of Edward's power and toughness, Luke felt an uneasiness about his own position... and his fate.Luke gritted his teeth, his fists cle
Adele, although still recovering from her initial surprise, couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of meeting Edward's cousin. She quickly composed herself, determined to make a good impression. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her attire to match the situation. As she got ready, her mind buzzed with thoughts about meeting Ivy and the potential reasons behind their discussion. She wondered what connection Ivy had with Edward and what urgent matter had prompted her call.With her appearance perfected, Adele quickly made her way to the café. Upon arriving, she spotted Ivy sitting at a table, and her eyes widened ever so slightly as she took in Ivy's striking beauty and impeccable sense of style. She had expected Edward's cousin to possess a certain level of elegance, but Ivy exceeded her expectations. She silently marveled at the thought that Edward, whom she considered the most handsome man in the world, could have such an equally stunning c
The servant's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by Edward's commanding presence. It was a request that went against the usual dynamics of this house, where the Westbrook family held all the power. With a nod of acknowledgment, the servant quickly scurried away to carry out Edward's demand. Edward's heart pounded in his chest as he awaited the arrival of the Westbrook family members. It was time to face the past head-on and reclaim his dignity.Minutes ticked by, each one filled with mounting anticipation. Just as Edward was beginning to wonder if they would ever arrive, the door swung open once again. Two individuals walked into the room, their expressions a mix of confusion and shock upon seeing Edward. It was Edward's ex-fiancée, Emily, and her mother, Camille.The room fell into a stunned silence as Camille and Emily locked eyes with Edward. Their surprise was evident on their faces, mirroring Edward's own icy smile. They had not expected to see him in this particular
The weight of Edward's words settled in the room, leaving Emily speechless. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The realization that Edward believed she never loved him struck her like a dagger to the heart. She wanted to deny it, to prove him wrong, but deep down, she knew there was some truth to his words.Without another glance, Edward turned away from Emily and walked toward the staircase leading to the second floor, where his old room awaited him. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as his footsteps faded, leaving behind an indescribable void.Emily watched Edward's retreating figure, her heart torn between longing and frustration. She wanted to call out to him, but the words eluded her. It was as if her voice had been stolen.Upstairs, Edward walked around his old room, collecting a few belongings that held sentimental value—each item a reminder of the life he had once envisioned with Emily. Among the belongings was an old, weathered album filled with faded
As the miles melted away beneath the wheels of the sports car, Edward's thoughts drifted to Brenda. He realized that in his urgency to seek answers, he had inadvertently dragged her into the chaos of his family's secrets. Guilt washed over him, and he squeezed her hand tightly, silently apologizing for the turmoil he had brought into her life."Brenda, please stay in York. I need you to handle the business matters with the Balmore family. I trust you to represent me."Brenda nodded, her voice filled with reassurance. "I will take care of everything. But please, be careful and come back to me."As Edward and Brenda continued their journey, the vibrations of Edward's phone interrupted the quiet ambiance of the car. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was a message from Ivy. His surprise was evident as he read her words, stating that she had just returned to Windsor estate. Edward's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Although Ivy seemed bored and unhappy to be in the city of York, he