Hearing Travis's words, a surge of anger ignited within Luana, her heart trembling violently with rage.
She clenched her teeth fiercely, managing to hiss out a few words through gritted teeth, "Don't worry."
Seeing the fury and resentment in Luana's eyes, Travis finally released his grip, a look of regret crossing his face as he spoke with a hint of disappointment, "I had planned to enjoy our time first and then take you to try some more thrilling games. But since you're so repulsed by me now, let's just drop it. Rest assured, as long as you can secure the project successfully, we'll have plenty of chances to enjoy our time..."
In Travis's mind, compared to momentary pleasure and the satisfaction of desire, he yearned more for the position of heir.
As long as Luana could help him acquire the western land project, he was willing to temporarily suppress his desires and wait for her to fall in love with him before taking possession of her.
Thinking that Luana would eventually become his, Travis didn't feel as much reluctance to part.
He reached out, embracing Luana tightly and planting a fierce kiss on her cheek.
Then, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and strode away.
Seeing Travis finally leave, Luana, who had been crouching on the ground, exhaled as if she had used up all her strength.
Her hands trembling, she leaned on the sofa and slowly stood up.
At this moment, she was shivering uncontrollably, a chill spreading from the depths of her heart throughout her entire body.
She wasn't sure if her current state was from being frightened by Travis's recent misconduct or angered by Cline's previous humiliation.
In any case, she felt as if her heart was gripped by an invisible hand, the suffocating sensation making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Her hands shaking, she fumbled through her bag for the medicine bottle, poured out several pills to alleviate her heart pain, and swallowed them whole, enduring her physical discomfort as she left the private room.
It was the dead of winter, and the cold wind outside pierced her thin dress like icy needles, chilling her to the bone.
Yet, Luana seemed oblivious to the cold.
Her eyes were hollow and lifeless, like a soulless statue, mechanically walking step by step toward home.
Suddenly, a Koenigsegg sports car parked not far away started up and quickly pulled in front of her, blocking her path.
Russell got out of the car and approached Luana with quick steps.
With a respectful expression on his face, he said, "Miss Hammond, Mr. Moriarty is looking for you."
Luana seemed not to hear him at all, her face cold and her eyes devoid of any ripples as she continued to walk forward.
Russell, seeing this, sighed and had to walk faster to block her way again.
He repeated, "Miss Hammond, you know Mr. Moriarty's temperament. He is not someone you can afford to offend."
Luana's steps faltered slightly. Yes, she was well aware that as an orphan with nothing, she could not afford to offend the powerful and lofty Cline.
If she did not heed Cline's call and continued to defy him, she dared not imagine what the outcome would be.
It would likely be far more terrifying and difficult to deal with than Travis's threats.
Thinking of this, Luana's heart filled with helplessness and despair, and she let go of any resistance.
She stopped struggling and, like a puppet without a soul, followed Russell into the car.
After getting in and taking her seat, she glanced at the man sitting in the back seat.
Cline was dressed in an expensive suit, a luxurious wristwatch worth tens of millions on his wrist, exuding an innate nobility that seemed out of place amidst his surroundings.
In contrast, Luana was stained with wine, sticky and reeking.
In front of him, she felt like a ridiculous and insignificant jester.
The vast disparity in status made Luana feel incredibly inferior and oppressed, and she didn't want to stay in this place for a second longer.
So, suppressing her inner discomfort, she spoke, "Mr. Moriarty, if you have something to say, please hurry up. I'm in a rush to get home."
In their past interactions, Luana had always been well-behaved around Cline, rarely speaking to him in such a cold and harsh tone.
Cline didn't seem angered by her attitude. Instead, he slightly turned his head, his deep and gloomy eyes fixing intently on her.
His gaze seemed to have an invisible power, as if it could pierce through her body and seize her heart, causing an inexplicable tremor.
Luana felt a wave of panic in her heart and subconsciously wanted to avoid his gaze.
However, before she could move, Cline suddenly leaned in without warning...