Lila’s POV
"Mark, give so ti," my voice trembled, but I fought to keep it steady. "I’ll contact the university’s registrar’s office right away."
Back at my desk, I imdiately called the graduate school of my alma mater. The hold music seed to stretch on for a suffocating eternity. After looking up my information, the operator sounded confused. "Ms. Goodrich? Your degree status... is currently listed as ’Pending Final Audit.’ There’s no final confirmation of conferral in the system. I suggest you email your program coordinator."
’Pending? How is that possible! I completed all my credits, passed my thesis defense, and even wore the graduation gown!’
’What should I do? I have to get official proof from the university within 48 hours. But what if the problem is internal? What if soone is deliberately holding up my records?’
I stared at the cold, red status notification on the screen, feeling helpless for the first ti. In this glamorous city, the education, skills, and hard work I took so much pride in could all be so easily erased by a simple "system error."
The worst part was, I didn’t even know who my enemy was.
Outside my window, a full moon hung high in the sky, its cool light scattering across the lake and creating shimring ripples. And in the depths of that silent darkness, sothing seed to be quietly approaching, silent and unseen, yet powerful enough to devour completely.
When I returned to Moon Hidden Villa, the housekeeper looked at as if he wanted to say sothing but was holding back. In the end, he just said in a low voice, "Ma’am, a guest has been waiting for you in the living room for a long ti."
My heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over . I hurried to the living room, pushed open the door, and, just as I’d expected, saw a familiar figure.
Caleb Goodrich was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to . His suit was immaculate, but he exuded an indescribable weariness. Hearing the door open, he turned around imdiately, his eager gaze landing on my face.
"Lila!" He took a few steps forward, his voice laced with obvious guilt and concern. "About the engagent party... I’m so sorry. Are you okay?"
’His eyes were sincere and his tone was earnest, as if he wasn’t the one who had defined as "soone else" in front of everyone that night. I don’t understand. Why has he co after now? When Penelope slapped , he didn’t even stand up for . He just stood there silently, leaving to face everyone’s ridicule and pity all alone.’
I took a small step back, creating so distance between us, and struggled to keep my expression calm. "I’m fine." My voice was quiet but unusually clear. "Where’s your fiancée? Didn’t she co with you?"
Caleb’s expression stiffened for a mont, and his eyes darted away. "She... went back to the Vanderbilt’s."
"Right," I said with a self-mocking laugh as a bitter ripple spread through my heart. "Only when she’s gone do you spare a little ti and energy for ."
’Fifteen years of affection, of being by each other’s side day and night, couldn’t compare to his engagent to Penelope, which has only lasted a few short months. The realization was a dull knife, carving into my heart again and again.’
"Lila, don’t be like this." He reached out, as if to touch my shoulder, but I turned and dodged him.
"I’m really fine!" I lifted my head and looked him straight in the eye, saying word by word, "From now on, if there’s nothing you need, don’t co looking for ."
’I can’t just cut all ties with the Goodrich family. Uncle Arthur and Aunt Elizabeth gave a ho, paid for my education, and pulled out of the mire of the foster care system. I can never repay them for the kindness of raising . So, I can’t hate them, and I can’t resent them for arranging Caleb’s marriage.’
’But I can stay out of their way. I can avoid ruining Caleb’s marriage. I can even truly respect and love him as a real brother! I can completely bury that inappropriate, precious love from my girlhood.’
"Lila, don’t be like this." Caleb’s voice grew heavy, and genuine pain filled his eyes, as if he were the one who had been hurt. "I didn’t... I didn’t an it like that."
"Brother," I interrupted, deliberately emphasizing the word "brother" to bring us both back to reality. "I’m grown up now. I don’t need your protection anymore. From now on, you should focus on your family and stop worrying about ."
"No! This isn’t what I want!" He suddenly grew agitated, reaching for my wrist. "In my eyes, you’ll always be that little girl who needs ! I didn’t an to let you be humiliated at the engagent party, it’s just... I just want to gain control of the family’s power faster..."
"There’s no need to say any more." I fought back the tears welling in my eyes and forced a reasonably decent smile. "Brother, I understand. You’ve been very good to . See? I’m doing just fine, aren’t I?"
I pointed to my unblemished cheek, then to the proper business attire I was wearing. "Look, I have my own job now, my own life. Mr. Hale is also... very good to . Please," my voice finally trembled, though almost imperceptibly, "please leave. And try not to show up so often, okay?"
’I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to hold back. Afraid I would break down and cry in front of him. Afraid I would question him like an abandoned child, asking why he didn’t want anymore. But I no longer had the right to shed tears in front of this man who was about to beco another woman’s husband. My tears would only be a burden to him, or proof that I was fair ga for mockery.’
Caleb’s hand froze in mid-air, his face pale. He looked at , his lips moving as if he wanted to say sothing more, but in the end, all his words dissolved into a heavy sigh.
"Lila..." he murmured, his expression so complex I couldn’t read it. "Do you really... think Jasper Hale is good to you?"
"That’s not for you to worry about."
A deep, cold voice, like the clash of frigid steel, ca from the living room entrance.
Caleb and I turned our heads at the sa ti. Jasper was standing there, though I don’t know when he arrived. His posture was as straight and tall as a pine tree, and his perfectly tailored black suit only accentuated his sharp, severe aura. He had no expression on his face, but his eyes were like ice-forged blades, pinned directly on Caleb.
Caleb’s face instantly turned uglier. He subconsciously straightened his posture, trying to maintain the dignity of the Goodrich family heir. "Mr. Hale," he managed to force out the na, but his voice was already tight with an almost imperceptible tension. "I was just coming to see Lila."
"See her?" A cold, humorless curve lifted the corner of Jasper’s mouth. His smile held none of a human’s warmth, only the chilling murderous intent of a predator facing prey that had trespassed on its territory. Before the words had even faded, his figure flashed like a phantom in front of Caleb.
It happened so fast I could barely see him move.
The next second, Jasper’s left hand clamped around Caleb’s throat like an iron vise, and he violently slamd him against the hard marble wall! A dull thud echoed through the spacious living room.
"Jasper! Stop!" I shrieked, my heart nearly leaping out of my throat.
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