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Chapter 111 Losing Control
Calista snapped back to her senses as he inched closer She found her gaze fixed on the man’s lips and unconsciously leaned back. But as soon as she moved, Lucian pulled her into his embrace
“Ten minutes”
There was no thyme or reason to his words. And yet, she understood what he meant
The man’s scent was familiar to her despite the lack of intimacy throughout their three years. together. She had no choice but to lean against his chest and listen to the sound of his steady heartbeat.
Apart from the thumping of his heart, the world was silent.
At that moment, she found herself unable to push him away. Perhaps it was because of the exhaustion from the recent argument that she felt drained.
She relaxed and allowed herself to lean fully against Lucian.
“He used to treat me like that too.”
It had been a long time since then. She needed time to recall the details carefully, Calista spoke slowly but Lucian didn’t interrupt her. He didn’t show a trace of impatience.
If the executives of Northwood Corporation who had been repeatedly lambasted came across them, they would likely think they were experiencing a haunting!
“This happened while I was still in elementary school. A fellow student accused me of stealing. He pushed me during our argument. I hit the back of my head against the corner of a table. It escalated to the point where a teacher had to intervene. The student called his parents, aunts,
uncles, grandparents… Twenty of them gathered and filled the teacher’s office. He single- handedly confronted the crowd and gave the student who refused to admit that he falsely accused
me a thorough beating. He got his face scratched.”
Looking back, she could no longer clearly remember what had happened back then. The most
vivid memories of him were of him punishing her over and over again for Nikolette.
Lucian didn’t say anything. He reached out and patted her head.
When he looked down, he could see her fair and delicate skin and her slightly reddened lips, Her
docile and gentle appearance was much cuter than her usual prickly behavior.
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It made batz want to kiss her It was merely a passing thought. He wasnt that desperate Calista pushed him away once the ten minutes were up. She touched her rumbling stomach
“Where’s the food? I’m starving
He scoffed
It’s a good thing you haven’t starved to death yet”
Soon, the waiter began serving the food. The table was filled as if it was a Thanksgiving spread.
Ironically, Calista who had claimed to have no appetite just moments earlier, ended up eating more. Lucian who had suggested eating, only ate a few bites before settling his cutleries aside.
After eating their fill the woman felt sleepy. She quickly fell asleep in the comfortably heated can. She leaned against the window.
The car’s movement had her bumping her head against the glass window. A resounding thud could be heard on impact.
Lucian closed his eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached over and pulled her close so she could lean against his shoulder.
With her soft body pressed up against him, the urge he tried to suppress back at the restaurant resurfaced with a vengeance.
After gazing at her for a moment, he lowered his head and planted a kiss on her warm and rosy
lips. The kiss almost led to him losing control.
If it weren’t for his conscience reminding him that he was still in a car with Jonathan at the
wheel, he would have gone too far.
He let go of her and turned to look out the window. His eyes were half–lidded as he calmed his
urges.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, who was in the front, could finally relax. It was a rough time. He was nearly
half–buried in his seat!
In the week that followed, Calista’s life was exceptionally calm. There were no disturbances.
Zachary had returned. But perhaps Lucian’s warning had worked or he noticed how ruthless she
had become.
He realized that he could no longer get anything out of her and couldn’t be bothered to waste time
+15 BONOS
She didn’t pay any attention to Nikolette’s affairs and had no idea if the problem had been solved.
But seeing Zachary’s determination to protect her no matter the cost, it was unlikely anything
major would happen.
Selena called Calista up one day. She wanted the girl to accompany her to an auction. Calista
hadn’t been keen to go. But, Selena was already waiting downstairs.
Before leaving, she took the car keys for the vehicle she had driven out of the Everglade Manor
from the drawer.
The car was far too expensive and drew eyes whenever it was in use. She had to pay a parking fee
to park there. She couldn’t sell it either because she wasn’t the owner.
Calista had planned to return it to Lucian. In a way, she’d then be able to repay him for the money
she owed him for buying her out of her familial ties to Zachary.
Selena’s car was parked at an obvious spot. Calista could pick it out at a glance. She got into the
car and was greeted by the sight of her mother–in–law’s downcast expression.
“Is something wrong, Mom? Are you ill?” she asked, puzzled.
Selena’s health was her primary concern now that she was openly pursuing a divorce with
Lucian. The elderly woman glanced up at the apartment building Calista had walked out of and
shook her head after a moment’s hesitation.
“It’s nothing. I’m doing fine. Don’t worry.”
She knew that Paul had asked for Lucian’s opinion before he bought it. She was right there. Were
they living together now?
“How did you know that I lived here?” Calista asked.
“I asked Lucian. He was the one who told me about it.”
Lucian knew that she lived at Paul’s place but showed no signs of jealousy. It seemed her daughter
-in–law was soon to be with another man. The more Selena thought about it, the more it hurt.
After giving it some thought, she said, “I know you share a deep connection with Paul, Calista. But,
don’t don’t rush into it. What if he takes you for granted once he has you? He doesn’t seem like
someone who would abandon you but you can never be too careful. You should wait until you and
Lucian…”
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She hesitated to mention the divorce.
“I’ll help speak up for you when the time comes. They will welcome you to their family in style.
Calista was confused.
“What are you saying?”
“You and Paul. Aren’t the two of you together?”
“Where did that come from?” Calista was as amused as she was lost for words. “Paul and I are just
friends. I’m only staying here temporarily. I pay rent.”
Selena grew excited. The melancholic mood that had been plaguing her for days was gone. There
was now a bright and cheerful air to her.
“You’re renting the place? That’s good news. It’s located in a prime spot. You can go ahead and pay
more. We don’t want to owe Paul any favors. I’ll transfer a few thousand dollars to you later. You
should keep it and spend it on yourself.”
The auction featured mainly jewelry and accessories. It was held at a five–star hotel. The guests
invited to it were respected figures from all walks of life.
Calista left for the bathroom while Selena waited for her by the entrance to chat with a friend.
Then, she heard someone next to her exclaim in surprise, “Look, isn’t that that dancer? Why does
she have what looks like a formal invitation from Mr. Northwood?”
