Trapped by Him

Chapter 371

Feb 22, 2026 369 / 398

Gehrmann had just stepped into the CEO's office when he saw Cline, hands in his pockets, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the building below.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a light on him, giving off an indescribable sense of loneliness.

"Cline," he called out, but Cline didn't respond.

Gehrmann walked over and followed his gaze, looking down to see Calvert carrying Luana into the car.

[$]

"They don't give a damn about us!" he muttered under his breath.

One was Cline's ex-lover, and the other had once been considered for a marriage alliance with their sister.

It was one thing that they were together, but they had the nerve to be all lovey-dovey right under the nose of the Moriarty Group.

"Do you think he'll marry her?"

Cline suddenly asked, startling Gehrmann.

He took a moment to realize Cline was talking.

"No way. The Coburn family would never agree to Calvert marrying someone with Luana's background," Gehrmann replied.

Cline and Luana had grown up together, childhood friends turned lovers.

They had been separated for five years due to amnesia, but now that they were reunited, it seemed likely they'd get back together.

Before Cline had learned about their past, he was sure Calvert wouldn't risk a feud with the Coburns over Luana.

But now, with Calvert's memory restored, he might do anything for Luana—they had been that much in love.

"Cline, are you okay?"

Gehrmann noticed the hint of sadness in Cline's eyes and felt a pang of worry.

Cline still had feelings for Luana, didn't he?

Why else would he care so much about her?

"I'm fine," Cline said, turning away from the window as the Rolls-Royce drove out of the complex.

He looked back at Gehrmann.

"What do you want?"

Seeing Cline's usual cold and distant demeanor return, Gehrmann swallowed his words.

"AI Unit 7 is ready. We're launching it next month. Do you want to send someone for another round of testing?"

"No need," Cline replied.

Gehrmann had spent years in the field of computer science, achieving countless remarkable feats. Cline trusted him completely.

"Just send me the data after it goes live," Cline said.

He ran the entire Moriarty Group, focusing only on results, not the process.

Gehrmann nodded. "Got it."

After discussing business, Gehrmann brought up Miss Ortega.

"Hey, Cline, did you see Miss Ortega arguing with the security guys downstairs?"

Cline gave a nonchalant nod, clearly uninterested. But Gehrmann couldn't help but complain.

"She not only argued with the guards but also claimed to be your fiancée. You're not even engaged yet—how could she..."

"I'll propose to her tomorrow," Cline interrupted, cutting Gehrmann off mid-sentence.

[$]

"What? Seriously?" Gehrmann was stunned.

Cline glanced at him coolly. "Tell Joey to get the engagement gifts ready."

Gehrmann stood there, stunned, before finally finding his voice.

"Cline, you really plan to marry Runa?"

Runa's character didn't match Cline's at all.

But it seemed Cline had no choice—she was the only woman he could marry.

Cline didn't respond, his eyes dull and distant.

He looked like he'd fallen into an abyss, so lonely and cold.

Gehrmann's eyes were filled with sympathy and helplessness.

"Cline, maybe you can wait a bit longer. There's no rush..."

"Wait for what? What's there to wait for?"

Cline's smile was cold, not reaching his eyes.

Gehrmann felt suffocated by Cline's demeanor.

He wanted to say something, but he knew it was useless.

No matter how long they waited or delayed, Cline would still end up marrying Runa.

"Well, I'll head to the Moriarty's estate and get Joey to prepare for the engagement ceremony," Gehrmann said, turning to leave.

[$]

He couldn't do anything else, but he could at least do what was best for Cline.

Cline's best choice now was to marry Runa.

The Rolls-Royce pulled up. Luana, lying in the back seat, was still asleep.

The driver asked Calvert, "Mr. Coburn, should I wake Miss Hammond?"

Calvert glanced back at Luana, who was sleeping soundly, and felt bad about waking her.

"You go ahead. I'll take the car from here."

The driver handed over the keys and got out of the car.

Calvert had no idea which building or apartment Luana lived in, and he didn't know when she would wake up.

After hesitating for a few minutes, he decided to take her to his private villa.

He had originally planned to stay there when he came to Los Angeles, but Miss Ortega had insisted on arranging a hotel for them, so he had never been here.

[$]

After parking the car, Calvert carried Luana inside.