As he approached, the face framed by the gold-rimmed glasses came into clearer view, the former naivety now entirely replaced by a clean, sharp, and mature aura.
Time had passed, and upon seeing him again, Luana's heart was as calm as still water, undisturbed by any waves.
She raised her hand out of politeness and waved in their direction, saying, "Welcome."
The man, amidst the crowd, immediately noticed her waving and paused.
His trip to Los Angeles with his team was primarily for the western land bidding.
He had not intended for the Ortega family to be aware of his itinerary, but they insisted on sending someone to receive him and arranged a dinner.
Unable to refuse their hospitality, he reluctantly agreed, never expecting that the person sent to pick him up would be Luana.
After a few seconds of surprise, he composed himself, regained his usual composure, and led his entourage towards Luana.
Standing at nearly six feet five inches tall, he loomed over Luana by a head.
He had to lower his head to look at her and said, "Miss Hammond, long time no see."
Just that one phrase, "Miss Hammond," seemed to erect an invisible barrier, severing the bond they had built since childhood, leaving no trace behind.
A cold smile played on Luana's lips. She did not engage in further pleasantries.
She spoke in an official tone, "Mr. Coburn, this way, please," and turned to leave.
Her face was stern, and the sharp clicks of her high heels on the ground echoed as she headed straight for the underground parking lot.
The man following her, seeing her cold and distant demeanor, could not help but frown.
After a moment of hesitation, he strode forward, his long legs quickening his pace to reach Luana.
He asked, "Miss Hammond, are you still mad at me?"
Luana halted abruptly, looked up, and stared directly at him, retorting, "What qualifications do I have to be angry with you?"
Calvert's face showed a hint of helplessness, but he apologized, "I'm sorry, Miss Hammond. I've lost my memory and genuinely can't remember you. That's why I treated you that way five years ago. I hope you won't continue to be so cold towards me because of it..."
Luana gazed up at the face identical to Albion's.
Her heart, which had been calm, suddenly felt as if it had been slashed open by a sharp blade.
A strong impulse surged within her, wanting to ask Calvert if he was truly amnesiac or merely pretending not to recognize her.
Five years ago, when he woke up and learned that she had sold herself to save him, he initially acted like a madman, pinning her to the hospital bed and kissing her frantically.
But in an instant, he turned and fiercely choked her, accusing her of betrayal.
However, when the Coburn family arrived, claiming he was their lost young master, he suddenly claimed amnesia.
If he truly had amnesia, why, when she desperately went to the Coburn residence, begging him not to abandon her, did he utter such cruel words?
Luana slowly closed her eyes, her mind involuntarily recalling the two kicks he inflicted upon her.
Her heart felt as if it was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, the pain unbearable.
At that time, she didn't believe Albion had amnesia. She thought it was because she had lost her purity, and that's why he no longer wanted her.
After he was taken away by the Coburn family, she went to their residence day after day, lost all her dignity, and knelt before him.
She tearfully explained that she had sold herself to save his life, but he not only ignored her words but also lifted his heavy boot and brutally kicked her chest.
As he forcefully crushed her heart, he viciously cursed, "Don't use that as an excuse. You're just filthy!"
At that moment, she felt like a lowly, trampled wild dog, humiliated and beaten at his whim, yet she still refused to give up.
With tears streaming down her face, she reached for his pant leg, hoping he would consider their past and not abandon her so heartlessly.
But he bent down and cruelly broke each of her fingers that clung to his pants, one by one.
His gaze towards her was filled with disgust and the satisfaction of revenge.
The intense pain of dislocated fingers far surpassed the ache in her heart, a memory etched deeply into her soul.
She curled up in agony, opening her mouth to plead for mercy, but before she could utter a word, she received another heavy slap across the face.
It was then, in her weakened state, that Luana sensed a hint of werewolf aura leaking from him due to his emotional agitation.