Adult Romance: Haunted By My Handsome Billionaire

Water was everywhere.

It overwhelmed her, flooding her nose, ears, and throat.

Alsa's biggest weakness-she couldn't swim.

Yet now, she had fallen into the sea, the salty water surging into her lungs.

The early spring sea was bone-chillingly cold, and the suffocating fear gradually consumed her.

On the deck of the ship, people were rushing out in a frenzy.

Tonight's gathering consisted mostly of the elite heirs and heiresses of prestigious families.

There weren't many-just over twenty-but their combined wealth was enough to support a piece of New York City.

Yet even among them, there was a force greater than all-the Davies Family conglomerate.

The sea raged, waves surging higher, as bean-sized raindrops began to fall, turning into a torrential downpour within seconds.

Two figures struggled desperately in the dark waters.

"Help..."

"Help..."

Their cries for help were barely audible amidst the storm.

A tall, imposing figure in black suddenly broke through the crowd.

His sharp gaze locked onto the two struggling figures in the water, and for the first time, his usually composed face was filled with panic.

Without a moment's hesitation, without even removing his suit, he dove straight into the freezing sea.

The heavy rain blurred his vision, and the waves fought against him, but after much effort, he finally managed to pull one person out.

"Kyra, Kyra, wake up..."

Gasping for breath, he ignored his own disheveled state, anxiously calling out to the unconscious woman in his arms.

He never even thought about the other person still in the water...

Just then, a panicked female voice suddenly rang out from the crowd-

"Where's Alsa? Wasn't she with Kyra? Where is she?!"

"Yes! Alsa... Alsa fell in too!"

Someone shouted in alarm, sending a collective gasp through the onlookers on the deck.

A bright flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder, as if trying to tear apart the stormy night along with the dark sea below.

All eyes turned toward the raging waters, but there wasn't even a shadow of a struggling figure in sight.

The woman who had just mentioned Alsa and Kyra falling together suddenly broke down in tears.

"Alsa can't swim!!!"

The man holding Kyra stiffened abruptly.

Yes, he had seen Alsa too, just moments ago.

And then-before the woman's cries had even faded-a loud splash echoed through the storm.

Someone else had jumped in...

When Alsa was finally rescued, Kyra had already coughed up seawater and regained consciousness.

Her pale face was wet-whether from rain or tears, it was unclear-as she looked up at the two men before her, sobbing.

"Elvis..."

She cried out softly before reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing her small, pale face into his chest.

Despite being completely drenched, the man still exuded an undeniable charm.

His brows furrowed slightly, as if deep in thought, but his arms gradually encircled the woman's waist, holding her tighter.

"Don't be afraid, it's over now."

His gentle voice carried obvious relief and the joy of having survived.

The onlookers on the deck murmured among themselves, casting glances toward the other rescued figure-Alsa.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial respiration-again and again, until she finally coughed up two mouthfuls of seawater.

Her long, delicate eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her eyes cracked open just a sliver.

Her head was spinning, her body weak, but she could still clearly see the two figures tightly embracing beside her.

The corners of her lips curled faintly, and as the rain relentlessly pelted her pale face, her consciousness faded once more.

-

Alsa barely clung to life.

When she woke up, it was midday, three days later.

The hospital room was empty, except for her.

Bright sunlight streamed in through the window. Her weak yet clear eyes followed the dust floating in the air, her expression indifferent, lost in thought.

Eventually, she forced herself to get up, dragging her frail body to the bathroom.

Afterward, she gazed at the bright sunshine outside and decided to go for a walk.

Though exhaustion weighed down her limbs, she refused to stay in that cold, sterile hospital room any longer.

The hospital's back garden.

Alsa wore only a thin hospital gown. Though the sun was warm, the air still carried a chill.

She found a quiet spot to stand, gazing at a gardenia tree not far away, where small flower buds were waiting to bloom.

Her arms wrapped around herself.

Though her figure was slender and frail, an unyielding coldness emanated from her.

She had an exquisitely beautiful face, but her refined features rarely displayed much emotion.

Still, that did not diminish her allure.

Simply standing there, with her pale skin and dark hair, she exuded a solitary and untouchable beauty, both distant and captivating.

She took a deep breath, just as her mood slightly lifted-when someone stepped in front of her.

Kyra.

She held a steaming thermos in her hands, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, her bright eyes and delicate features framed by a man's suit jacket draped over her shoulders.

Kyra looked at Alsa's cold, beautiful face, taking in the unapproachable aura surrounding her.

That naturally chilling presence, the sharp gaze capable of cutting through the air-it made Kyra seethe with jealousy.

Yet when she saw Alsa's frail and weakened form, a triumphant smile spread across her lips.

Like a deliberate display, she pulled the jacket around her shoulders tighter.

Alsa's cold eyes locked onto her. "You really are like a lingering ghost."

Kyra arched a brow and slowly sauntered toward her, her smile growing even more radiant as she took in Alsa's pale, delicate figure.

Leaning in slightly, she whispered,

"Still refusing to give up, dear sister? Even the man you love most-loves me now."

A heavy pain flashed through Alsa's icy gaze.

She couldn't swim and had been underwater longer than Kyra. Now, just after waking up, no matter how much anger she felt, she simply didn't have the strength to vent it.

"You truly are despicable."

Kyra let out a cold laugh.

"But if I hadn't done this, would you ever understand what it means to let go? You're the one who keeps clinging to Elvis!"

"Kyra, do you have any limits?! Everyone knows Elvis is my fiancé! Do you take everyone for fools?!"

Kyra laughed, her laughter unrestrained, her body trembling with amusement.

"And yet... dear sister, don't you think that, in the end, they really are fools?"

"..."

Alsa was momentarily speechless, only staring at her coldly.

Kyra was right-everyone truly was foolish!

Such clumsy and underhanded tricks, yet people kept believing her unconditionally.

It was as if they loved Kyra so much that even if she tripped over herself, someone would still rush to adore her.

Fools.

Fools, all of them!

Including herself.

"What? Still not willing to admit defeat, sister? Then..."

Kyra's expression suddenly changed. Her face turned weak and pitiful as she stepped closer to Alsa, reaching out to grab her arm.

"Sister, it's all my fault..."

"Don't touch me!"

Sensing her approach and the sudden shift in demeanor, Alsa felt nothing but disgust.

She instinctively lifted her hand to block Kyra's reach, refusing her touch.

But Kyra stumbled back, staggering dramatically. The thermos cup in her other hand fell to the ground with a loud thud!

Water splashed everywhere!

Her weak, pitiful voice suddenly rose.

"Ah... It hurts!"

"Alsa, what are you doing?!"

A cold, harsh voice rang out behind her.

Alsa turned abruptly, only to see a figure already striding toward her.

Before she could react, she caught the sharp, ruthless glint in Elvis's eyes just before he shoved her aside.

Her already frail body slammed into the railing, a dull pain spreading across her waist!

Her face turned even paler as she gripped the railing behind her to steady herself.

Watching the scene before her, she felt nothing but the bitter taste of her own foolishness.

She had always known Kyra would stoop to the lowest tricks. Yet time and again, she still fell into her traps!

And Elvis-he wasn't a fool, but still...

"Elvis, it hurts..."

Hearing her voice, Elvis straightened up, his expression softening with concern.

"Hold on, I'll take you to the doctor."

He bent down and scooped Kyra into his arms, then turned his gaze to Alsa, his voice deep and firm.

"Go back to your room. I'll come see you later."

Alsa let out a cold laugh, her eyes full of mockery.

After Elvis carried Kyra away, she finally allowed herself a bitter smile.

Not far away, under a gardenia tree, an elderly woman sat in a wheelchair, silently watching the entire scene unfold.

"Mary, did you see all of that clearly?"

The old woman's sharp eyes remained fixed on Alsa's direction as she spoke.

Beside her, a woman in her fifties responded respectfully, "I saw it clearly, madam."

"Hmph, that little vixen and her pathetic, lowly tricks!" the old woman scoffed, her voice laced with disdain.

"But doesn't that also mean the other girl is even more foolish? She couldn't even outmaneuver such a cheap, clumsy scheme?"

The old woman shook her head, her eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"Mary, you're wrong."

"Please enlighten me, madam."

"The other girl is too upright. Because she herself refuses to use such tricks-despises them, even-some things are simply beyond her moral boundaries, against her sense of human decency! That's why she could never imagine that someone could be so utterly shameless."

Mary nodded. "I understand now, madam."

The old woman studied Alsa for a long moment before saying,

"Still... this is quite disgraceful."

She pondered for a moment before continuing,

"But she does have a fine temperament and good character. Go and bring her to me. I want to take a closer look at her."

Mary hesitated slightly.

"But madam, the young master is about to arrive. If he sees an outsider in the garden..."

"What? He thinks he can defy me?!"

The old woman snorted, though her tone carried a trace of affection for her grandson.

Mary chuckled. "Alright, alright! I'll bring her to you right away!"

Just as she spoke, the iron gate between the two sea hibiscus trees let out a faint creak.

The two turned their heads and saw a tall man in an expensive black suit striding toward them with steady steps.

His long, defined brows extended into his temples, his nose was high and straight, and his thin lips carried a sharp edge. His dark, ink-like eyes held a faint yet warm smile as his deep, cool voice rang out.

"Grandmother, who has upset you this time?"

The afternoon sunlight swept across his figure, casting a tall and majestic silhouette. Every movement he made exuded elegance and nobility.

The old lady looked at her grandson with satisfaction before turning to Mary and giving her a subtle glance. Mary immediately turned and walked away.

The man crouched down, taking the old lady's hand in his own. Seeing her pout in feigned anger, he let out a soft chuckle.

"Who dares to make Grandmother unhappy? I'll take care of them for you!"

The old lady scoffed. "Who else but you, you ungrateful child?! Hurry up and give me a great-grandchild!"

A trace of helplessness flickered through Vincent's dark eyes.

"Grandmother, I just returned to the country. Where am I supposed to find a woman to give you a grandchild?"

The old lady huffed. "You've been using that excuse for years!"

She puffed up her cheeks as she spoke but then turned her gaze toward Alsa.

By now, Mary had reached her and gestured for her to come over.

Alsa, puzzled, hesitated for a moment but eventually followed Mary toward them.

Vincent stood up, watching as Mary led a tall and slender woman in their direction.

Her face was pale, but it didn't diminish her beauty. She wore a loose hospital gown, and as she walked, the fabric billowed around her, revealing just how thin she truly was.

Vincent narrowed his eyes slightly, his deep black gaze locking onto the woman's approaching face.

But when Alsa drew closer and cast a wary, questioning glance at him, he finally withdrew his stare.

A flicker of surprise crossed his mind-this was the first time he had seen a woman look at him so directly.

More than that, her gaze merely swept over him briefly before shifting to his grandmother.

That look-indifferent and detached-caught him off guard and, oddly, left him with a faint sense of frustration.

He paused momentarily, then his thin lips curled into an almost imperceptible smirk.

"Madam, why did you call for me?"

As she spoke, Alsa bent slightly forward, her voice carrying the frailty and softness of someone recovering from illness.

A glimmer of light flickered in Vincent's deep eyes.

When speaking with someone who was confined to a wheelchair, the worst thing to do was force them to tilt their head upward-especially if they had cervical issues.

He had always been mindful of this and knew that maintaining such a posture was exhausting, much like holding a squat position for an extended time.

For someone so frail...

The old lady's smile deepened as she held Alsa's hand, studying her face for a long moment before nodding repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, very good, very good!"

Alsa had no idea what was happening and could only maintain a polite yet slightly awkward smile.

"Child, don't worry, Grandmother isn't a bad person. I just get a little lonely. You caught my eye, so I had someone bring you over. It was a bit abrupt-please forgive me, hmm?"

Faced with the old lady's unabashed warmth, Alsa shook her head.

"It's alright. I'm by myself anyway."

As she spoke, a fleeting trace of sorrow flashed through her clear eyes-so faint yet easily caught by the old lady.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, the old lady gently patted Alsa's hand.

"Good child, what's your name?"

"Alsa. Alsa."