My Beloved Girl: When You Are Gone

The typhoon howled in the dark night.

This didn't stop the black Bentley from speeding across the asphalt road defying the strong winds.

The rain poured, splashing against the car. Even the wiper couldn't do much to clear the car window of the rain drops.

The violent gust of wind swept past the car.

Meanwhile, inside the car, Caspar Qiao sat in the backseat, calm as ever and completely unaffected by the tumult roaring outside. His fingers drummed on the keyboard as he was completely focused.

All of a sudden, Caspar closed his laptop.

The Crystal Bay Project of Z City!

Three years ago, Caspar missed the first phase of the Crystal Bay Project. Today, he was determined to get to the second phase!

'Three years passed by, from 80 million to one billion, from the leading project of the Z City to the top one of the Z Country. It's worth it!'

As Caspar thought of this, excitement spread across his face. However, it was gone as soon as it came. The look on his face quickly shifted-from excitement to severity.

'It took me three years to turn the tide and made up for that devastating mistake I made in the business. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about that unexpected humiliation.'

Thinking of that year and that day, Caspar immediately clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Leona..."

Caspar murmured.

Perhaps, it was inappropriate to say that he was murmuring.

Although Caspar's tone was low, he still gritted his teeth in utter hatred and anger.

As Johan He sat in the driver's seat, he felt a chill run throughout his entire body.

'Even though boss's voice was low, I still heard him. I've heard that name countless of times in the past three years. I'm not wrong about this.

If I wasn't sure about something before, this suddenly cold and tense atmosphere only confirms my suspicions.

Ah, there goes the gleam of silver light.

Silver light...

He's taken out the necklace from his chest and is caressing it in his palm again. He's holding it tightly as if he's strangling that woman.'

"Alas..."

Johan sighed, unable to deny the ominous feeling that crept in his chest.

'Every time boss starts behaving like this, I always get the short end of the stick. He takes it out on me!'

"Distracted?"

Caspar's cold voice came from the backseat.

'Sure enough!' Johan thought inwardly.

"The project in Africa is short in staff."

Johan sighed. 'It's my fault for being distracted. I have to focus since I'm driving and this weather is crazy! Even so, there's no need to send me to Africa.

Besides, there's a reason why I'm distracted. Anyone would be scared if they saw boss act like this. It doesn't help that I'm driving. No matter what I'm doing, it's natural to be afraid of boss when he's like this!'

"Boss..."

Johan pleaded.

However, as soon as Johan opened his mouth, he noticed a black figure pass in front of the car.

Instinctively, Johan swerved, slowed down, and slammed his foot on the brake pedal.

A strange noise could be heard from the right side of the car.

The sound was imperceptible but it was frightening!

Johan froze for a moment.

He'd never felt this before. But this could only mean one thing-he had hit someone.

"Fuck!" When Johan came to his senses, he cursed, "Who would be outdoors in this weather? !" The streets were practically deserted but he still hit someone. What was that person doing outside in the storm?

Outside the Bentley.

The angry storm pattered against the road as the thunder boomed across the sky.

Meanwhile, Leona Ling was completely oblivious.

Leona struggled to get up as the puddle of rain reached her ankles. She braved the rain storm as she walked steadily towards the car parking in front of her.

'This is the only way to get to the WF Mansion from the QT International Group.

There's still half an hour left since the signing is at nine.

A car passing by here in this weather? This could only be Caspar's car, ' she thought inwardly.

She had only taken ten steps.

Yet Leona felt as if she had been walking for ten years.

Inside the Bentley.

A slender figure could be seen through the car window despite the blurred vision caused by the raindrops.

Caspar couldn't see the person's face very well but for some reason, his heart ached.

There were just some emotions that could be felt deep in the bones.

Pain...

Hatred...

And...

Caspar held the butterfly pendant of the necklace on his palm. He enclosed it in his hand so tightly that he started bleeding.

He was overcome with sadness.

The word "Leona" hidden in the pendant was like a knife, cutting through his heart for the past three years.

After a long while, a faint smile appeared on Caspar's face.

"Drive,"

Caspar ordered.

After a short pause, Johan slammed his foot on the gas pedal obediently.

Meanwhile, outside...

Amidst the violent storm, Leona trembled but stood still like a leaf desperately clung to the tree, as she was too frail to do anything else.

Leona couldn't see the face of the man in the car properly as it was raining and the window was heavily tinted but she knew that he was looking right at her too.

Leona clenched her hands into fists.

A piercing pain suddenly shot through her right arm while her left arm felt as if it was a thousand pounds heavy.

Just then, she heard the sound of an engine running. Her chest tightened as panic spread across her face.

'Grandpa is already in the advanced stage of aplastic anemia and his hematopoietic function is weak. All his organs are barely functioning now. Caspar's our best bet. He's grandpa's last hope.

I can't let him go!'

"Grandpa, wait for me..."

Leona murmured. She raised her left hand with difficulty and knocked on the window twice as this was all her strength could bring her to do.

'Grandpa is the only family I have left. I grew up with him. Even if I die, I will beg Caspar just so he can save grandpa.'

Thinking of this, Leona knocked on the window two more times again.

The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Caspar's handsome face.

A bitter smile appeared on Leona's face.

'Three years have passed!

Three years ago, when I left without saying goodbye, I had imagined countless scenes when we would meet again but I had never thought that it would be this way.

He sits in the car as noble as a God. Meanwhile, I'm soaking wet, frail, and weak. I'm as humble as dust as if God wants to wash me away into oblivion.'

Meanwhile, Caspar carefully eyed the woman that stood in front of him-her black hair flitted against the wind as her dress fluttered outlining her slender figure. Her beautiful face was pale and delicate, her eyes moist. She was like a fragile fairy that made him want to hold her in his arms and care for her.

'Care?

Forget that.'

Caspar frowned as he shut his eyes close.

When Caspar opened his eyes again, his eyes were calm and steady unlike the sea in this storm.

"Miss, what can I do for you?"

Caspar said indifferently.

Leona tightened her hands.

'That hurts!

Miss?!

Three years have passed. I thought he would hate me but I didn't expect that he would forget me.

Huh...'

Leona smiled ironically.

'Well!'

"My name is Leona Ling. I know that Mr. Caspar's time is precious. I would like to ask a favor from you. You could save a person. You can set whatever conditions you want."

The car continued to hum, which meant that Leona's time was limited. Knowing that, she went straight to the point.

"Ha-ah..." Caspar sneered. "Looks like you know who I am. How dare you show your face to me just to ask something from me?"

Upon hearing this, Leona pursed her lips.

"Mr. Caspar, I am hoping you could donate your bone marrow to save my grandpa. I will be willing to do anything. No complaints, no protests, nothing... I'll work like a horse."

"Work like a horse?"

Caspar's mouth twitched.

"You're so funny. I'm not a farmer. Why would I want a horse?"

"What can I do to make you agree?"

As she spoke, she had a resolute look on her face. Her voice was hoarse and low almost as if she was flirting with him.

Silence fell upon them.

After a long while, Caspar suddenly smiled. "If you really want to save your grandfather, why don't you get in the car and have a talk with me?"

Inside the car, the partition between the front seat and the back seat were put in place.

'Caspar is sitting in the middle, which means I have to sit in this little space... In this cramped and narrow space...' Leona shrank back instinctively as she pressed her body against the inner wall of the car.

The air conditioner in the car was set a little cold. Thus, Leona shivered in her soaking wet clothes.

"Are you cold?"

With an evil smile, Caspar stretched out his hand and raised Leona's chin, forcing her to look up at him.

They were only inches apart from each other.

"Hmmm.... Not so much..."

Leona said in a low voice, her vision a little blurry.

"Not so much?" Caspar eyed Leona carefully before saying, "Your face is red. Since you're not cold, does that mean it's hot in here?"

As he spoke, he reached out his head and set the air conditioner to the coldest level.

'Cold!

It's so cold! I feel that in my heart!

Just like how he is to me right now.'

Suppressing her extreme physical discomfort, Leona begged, "Mr. Caspar, please, please, help me..."

"Help you?" Smiling maliciously, Caspar interrupted her. "Miss Leona, you remind me of this particular night three years ago. There was this woman who begged me like this too but..."

All of a sudden, Caspar pulled Leona's body away from the car door and into his arms, whispering in her ear, "We weren't in a car... We were in bed! What do you think I did? Do you think I let her go?"

"Please..."

Leona struggled to raise her head from Caspar's arms, squinted and murmured, "Help me..."

"Help you?"

Smiling coldly, Caspar lowered his head and gazed into Leona's face, a complicated look on his face.

After a long while....

"I'd rather die!"

Caspar's words made Leona tremble all over.

Then a gust of cold wind blew from behind.

Before Leona could even realize what was happening, Caspar forcefully pushed her out of the car. When the car sped off, something silver was thrown out of the car and landed right in front of her.

Leona picked it up with much difficulty.

The silver necklace was wrapped in a check and a plastic bag.

'One million!

And the necklace!

Three years ago, when I left, I left the most precious thing I had on his table as my last gift.

Now he practically threw it on my face.

It's over!

Everything's over!'

A single tear fell from the corner of her eye as it quickly disappeared amidst the violent storm.

In the WF Mansion

The man with grey temples put down the pen and shook Caspar's hand eagerly. "The younger generation is feisty! Mr. Caspar, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation!"

"Likewise! I wish us a pleasant cooperation too!"

Caspar stretched out his hand with a faint smile. However, the man suddenly froze as he seemingly noticed something. "Mr. Caspar, are you hurt?"

Caspar lowered his head and followed the man's gaze. He looked down at his white shirt. There was a bright red bloodstain.

The rain kept pouring as it drenched Leona.

A sharp pain came from her right arm as her eyes slowly opened, her eyebrows furrowed together.

Leona gradually came back to her senses. The first thing she did was clasp the necklace and the one million dollars that was more symbolic of Caspar's humiliation than anything. Leona's pale mouth twitched as she muttered, "Leona, you can't give up. Grandpa is still waiting for you!"

Despite her subdued tone, it was enough to strengthen her-she couldn't afford to be weak now.

The winds were still howling almost as if it were getting stronger by the minute.

She struggled to get up. When she finally did, she staggered as the wind blew her forward. It was too strong for her.

At this moment...

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The whistle of a car came from behind, followed by the voice of a stranger. "Miss, it's crazy out here. Where are you going? Let me give you a ride."

He then hurriedly added, "Oh, I'm going towards the direction of the SY Road. I think that's where you're headed too if I'm not mistaken."

'SY Road!'

Leona, who had been a little hesitant, instantly calmed down.

'I was in such a hurry that I didn't even get to bring any money. I couldn't pay the fare so I'm walking now. No one in their right mind would go out for a drive in such a weather let alone give me a ride?

What a kind man. He stopped when he saw me. He was nice enough to assure me that he wasn't a bad guy. What a good man!'

As Leona thought of this, she smiled at the man in the car and said gratefully, "Thank you, sir. I'm also going to the SY Road. Drop me wherever's convenient for you."

At No. 5, SY Road.

In the villa of the Ling family.

In the corner of the living room on the first floor, the clock showed that it was already midnight.

In the deep night when one would expect silence, the sounds of heavy moaning could be heard from upstairs.

Leona had just closed the door behind her and this was what greeted her. She was still shivering from having just come from the outside where it was cold and stormy.

She frowned.

She clutched the antipyretic medicine in her hands before throwing it to the cabinet beside her as she made her way upstairs.

She just wanted to go back to her room right away.

She had no interest in staying in the living room any longer than necessary, not even to get some water so she could take her medicine.

However,

the people upstairs wouldn't let her go so easily.

"Sherman..."

Leona suddenly stopped and loosened her grip on the butterfly necklace and the check as they slowly slipped from her fingers.

Sherman

was her fiance.

And that speaker was undoubtedly Lena Ling, her elder sister.

"... Tell me, who's better, me or that flirt?"

Silence followed.

Then Sherman Lu said, sounding tired,

"That flirt's just nothing but trouble. Do you think I'd want someone like that? A troublesome flirt?"

"Of course you won't. You're so..." after a short pause, Lena continued, a malicious smile on her face, "...dedicated."

"Umm,"

Sherman replied lightly.

"But you still didn't answer me!"

Lena said coquettishly.

"You're better,"

Sherman finally answered affirmatively.

There was no way Leona could know all these. Upon hearing Lena ask Sherman who was better between the two of them, Leona couldn't help but

be offended.

'I'm sure Lena's referring to me. I'm the flirt she's talking about.

For some reason, Lena likes to call me that.

Who's better between the two of us?'

Leona smiled bitterly.

'Of course, Sherman wouldn't think I'm better.

I already knew three years ago that he didn't love me.

Love is a feeling and feelings are constantly changing.

I don't blame him.

He was the one my grandpa liked. I devoted myself to him for the sake of grandpa's health. I didn't care what happened to me. I just wanted grandpa to feel better.'

The last thing Leona expected to happen was this.

Most of all, she didn't expect that it would be her own sister that would do this to her.

It hurt.

It made her chest ache.

She felt as if the pain had enveloped her and she was drowning.

Leona held on to the stair railing beside her as she gasped.

"Leona..."

Lena's familiar voice rang in Leona's ears, soft and hoarse.

"... Are you okay? It's already late. Why are you home so late?"

Enduring the shooting pain in her stomach, Leona raised her head. The look in her eyes was cold and unfathomable.

All of a sudden, Lena clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

'I hate her.

I hate how Leona is innocent, smart, and noble at the same time.

We're both daughters of the Ling family but why is she better than me?

Why is she so arrogant anyway?

I'm obviously the winner here. I already have Sherman-the man she loves.'

"Are you seriously asking me why I'm home so late? Lena, do you really not know? You should take care of your own business. Keep in mind what you shouldn't touch what's not yours..." Leona said with a smile as she gazed at Lena who was gritting her teeth, her face white as a sheet. She then walked past Lena and made her way upstairs to head to her bedroom. She then added, "After all, there are things you can never make up once you've done."

'This is a warning for Lena.

No!

This is advice.

She's my sister.

I still hope that she'll be fine.'

However, Lena didn't seem to take it well.

"Ha-ah...

Ha-ah..."

Lena guffawed.

After a while, Lena wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and headed downstairs. As she stood next to Leona, she looked back at Sherman who was just walking out of her room, fully dressed. "But Sherman and I love each other. What else can I do?"

Leona raised her head at the exact moment Sherman walked out of the room, her eyebrows knitted together.

'I'm so tired.

This is terrible.

As much as I want to ignore them... I can't.... For Lena, this is a good opportunity. She always makes it a point to attack me. She'll never let it go.

I can't even live in peace even when I'm just home!'

With this in mind, Leona turned and walked towards the cabinet where she previously placed her antipyretic medicine. She picked it up and made her way towards the water dispenser where she poured herself a glass of water so she could take her medicine.

Then she headed to the kitchen and grabbed the biggest porcelain cup she could find from the cupboard. Casting a meaningful glance towards the living room, she warmed up a cup of milk in which she added honey. After a pause, she decided to add a spoonful of coffee too.

'If I have to deal with this, I need to cheer myself up.'

"Well, aren't you comfortable!"

Sherman said instinctively as he watched Leona busy herself in the kitchen.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he was visibly surprised at himself.

'Why did I say that?

Is it because Leona seemed unaffected by me and Lena? Why wasn't she hurt?'

Sherman shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts away.

Leona raised her eyebrows upon hearing Sherman's voice come from behind her.

'What does he want? Why can't he just leave me alone?

Does he want to humiliate and hurt me that bad?

That's okay.

Let's settle it right here.'

Thinking of this, Leona turned around and took a sip from her drink. In a careless tone, she said, "Not bad."

In response, Sherman felt angry.

Sherman silently took a deep breath as he thought back to what had happened between him and Lena just now. To make himself feel better, he thought back to how he had just slept with Leona's sister and how all of Leona's accounts and assets were currently frozen.

"Looks like you're in a good mood,"

Sherman said sarcastically.

Then Sherman pointed at Leona's bandaged arm and her medicine. "I guess he's treating you well."

'Huh,'

Leona sneered inwardly as she glanced at her arm. She remembered how the kind-hearted man not only drove her home but also took her to a nearby clinic to have her bandaged up and buy her some medicine. He didn't even leave his name and phone number, which meant that she couldn't thank him and pay him back the money. She was a little disconcerted but more grateful than anything.

'I can't believe a stranger would be so kind to me. Meanwhile, my own sister and my fiance treat me like this. I devoted myself to my fiance only to have things end up like this. They're already together yet they're still bothering me.'

At the thought of this, Leona's chest tightened.

Leona lowered her head to take a few more sips from her drink-this was her way of making herself feel better. Then she raised her head and gazed at Sherman, her eyes clear and bright. "He was a good man. Even strangers know how to help people who are in trouble, unlike some people who are shameless and assume everyone else is like them."

"Who the hell are you talking about?"

Lena suddenly chimed in, her voice sharp.

Leona looked at Lena, who standing next to Sherman, resentfully. She smiled as she spoke, "Don't you owe me an explanation?"

"You..."

Lena stammered in anger.

'What explanation is she talking about?

Who does Leona think she is?

The legal wife?

Is she forgetting that I'm Lena? I'm the woman who landed Sherman, not her!'

Lena glanced at Sherman who had a straight look on his face. She flaunted the necklace and the check that she had picked up from where Leona stood earlier. When she spoke, she feigned disappointment. "I just want to remind you that you have a fiance already unlike before. Can't you restrain yourself a little? Do you not care about Sherman's feelings at all? One million! Huh... I guess he was generous. He gave you one million just for a one-night stand. Oh.... No..."

She then looked at the clock by the corner of the living room. "It's only midnight. Oh.... How silly of me to forget what my sister is capable of! After all, you're a flirt. I'd like to know though. Which one's more suitable to your taste? That man from three years ago or the one from tonight?"

"Taste?"

Leona smiled slightly but her eyes were cold as ice. "Are you really doing this in front of my fiance? How about I tell you now what I like? !"

'What does she mean?'

Lena was taken aback upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, Leona was quick as she raised her hand and a sharp pain shot in Lena's forehead.

The porcelain cup was shattered into pieces. Lena immediately covered her forehead with her hand as she glared at the seemingly innocent and harmless Leona. Startled, she spat, "Did you just hit me?"

Hearing this, Leona was speechless.

'Why do you need to ask? You already know I hit you.'

"Now does that answer your question?" Leona grinned as she continued, "Are you just saying all this because you've forgotten what you did? Do you have amnesia or something? Did you forget what I told you tonight before I left? But..." Leona pretended to be surprised. "No, you're only a few years older than me! You can't be that forgetful, right?"

"You..."

Lena's face turned red with anger. Lena felt embarrassed to be caught lying. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, Sherman cut her off.

"Then how do you explain the one million? Who did you sleep with?"

Sherman was furious.

'Her bandage seems to have been done in a clinic or a hospital. I can't be wrong about this.

I said that on purpose just because Leona didn't even seem to be mad when she found out what happened between me and her sister. I just wanted her to get mad.

But I didn't expect this! She had a one-night stand with another man!'

Sherman frowned, disgust and disdain spread across his face. "Leona, I underestimated you! I didn't know you could be such a bitch !"

"Bitch?"

Trying to restrain herself, Leona glanced at the visibly angry Sherman with a funny look on her face. "What right do you have to talk to me like that? Why don't you tell me of the only instance in my life when I was humiliated three years ago? You were there too. Why would I..."

Leona couldn't hold it back any longer.

Unable to finish her sentence, she was already choking with sobs by the end of it.

'In any case, that night, I don't know how I ended up in such an awkward situation. I never would have done anything like that.

It had nothing to do with love,

let alone anything else.

I just wanted to be with the person I loved the most.

But...

I just lost my virginity to that man. I was hurt and confused.

No one ever asked if I was willing or not.

But I was never ashamed when it came to Sherman,' she thought to herself.

"Sherman..."

After calming herself down, Leona raised her head again.

When she did, only coldness could be seen in her eyes. "If you hadn't taken advantage of me three years ago, how could I have offended him? Otherwise, I wouldn't have been humiliated this evening. I'm curious about how it felt to put your fiancee in a situation like that. If you hadn't frozen all my accounts, I wouldn't have had to take back the check in humiliation. Sherman, can't you see that this is all your fault?"

Sherman frowned. "You-"

"Leona!" Lena interrupted Sherman in anger. She raised a finger and pointed it at Leona as she spat, "This is all your fault. How dare you blame it all on Sherman! Caspar refused to save your grandpa. You deserve it!"

"What did you just say?"

Leona asked in surprise.

'What on earth does Lena know?

I haven't mentioned a word about Caspar or my grandpa since I came back.'

"Humph!"

Lena sneered.

"Caspar had agreed to donate bone marrow. But..."

Lena spoke slowly as if she wanted to emphasize each word.

She thoroughly enjoyed seeing Leona so nervous, sad, and hurt. She felt as if every cell in her body was jumping for joy.

'It's so wonderful to see Leona like this.

I don't want this to end just yet.'

"Ah, Caspar didn't even say a word when he heard that the man needs help is your grandpa. He even turned and left as if he was trying to avoid you! He seemed disgusted as he left. After Caspar left, the doctors all felt sorry for your grandpa. After all, Grandpa is well-respected and has a good reputation. If anything, it's you, Leona, who hurt Grandpa. Do you know that?"

Lena said resentfully, her hands clenched into fists.

Only she knew what she had done just to get the name of the donor.

She would never forget that-the humiliation she felt when she had to have sex with the fat doctor for the information.

'But...

Caspar did a good job.

I thought I had to persuade Caspar just to refuse to donate the bone marrow. I thought I would need to sleep with him. I didn't expect that Caspar would easily agree after I mentioned Leona's name.'

A wave of emotions filled Lena's chest-both of delight and regret.

'Why was it the fat doctor who I had to sleep with instead of Caspar? I'd be more than willing to sleep with Caspar.

Three years ago, Leona was lucky to sleep with him.

How dare she still hold on to what happened back then! She was the one who profited. I'm so envious of her!'

Leona didn't even notice the strange look on Lena's face.

The look of disgust on Caspar's face upon learning that the one he was going to help was Leona's grandpa was still etched in her mind.

'That one million that perfectly symbolizes my humiliation.

The necklace that he threw to my face.

His firm refusal.

I was aware of how much he hated me but I didn't know it was to this extent. Looks like he would never let it go.

I feel as if my heart is being shattered into a thousand pieces.'

Leona leaned against the wall behind her, feeling as if her legs had turned into jelly.

"Humph!"

Hans Ling snorted, seemingly furious.

As soon as Leona came to her senses, she raised her head and saw her father coming down the stairs, an aggressive look on his face.

A bitter smile appeared on her face. 'Dad's here. Things aren't looking so well for me. They're only going to make things harder for me.'

"I didn't expect any of this. You said you loved your grandpa. You said you would do anything to save him. How could you do this? This is all your fault! You're the reason why he couldn't get that bone marrow donation!" Hans Ling spat.

"Dad, I..." Leona muttered, frowning.

"Shut up!" Hans Ling interrupted. "Are you really going to try to convince me that you aren't the reason why Caspar refused to donate the bone marrow to your grandpa?"

"It's just a misunderstanding. I'm going to-"

"Shut up!" Hans bellowed. "I heard what you two were talking about. You really think your sister would wrong you? You're nothing but a bearer of bad luck! A black sheep! If anything happens to your grandpa, it's your fault. Don't you ever forget that."

"Dad..." Leona choked. "How could you talk to me like this? I'm your daughter!"

A look of realization dawned on Hans Ling as he saw the pitiful look on Leona's face. He snorted coldly as he stopped himself from scolding her further.

Meanwhile, Lena sneered inwardly. 'Does she seriously expect that she can get away with what she did without any consequences? Why does she always have it easy? I'm not going to just stand by and let this happen!'

With this in mind, Lena took a step forward, cleared her throat, and said, "Dad, Leona's still pretty young. We have to forgive her no matter what she has done."

"Young?"

As Lena expected, Hans's anger was aroused again.

"She's old enough! She's an adult now. If she commits a crime, she could end up in jail!"

"You're right, Dad. Leona..." Lena called out. She looked at Leona with disappointment. "Dad's scolding you and disciplining you for your own good. We can't risk the Ling family's reputation being ruined. We can't let it get to that point. The burden will fall on all of us if that happens!"

Seemingly amused, Leona chuckled as she responded, "For my own good? Does that also include you sleeping with Sherman, my fiancee?"

"You..."

Lena was too angry to say anything.

"What's going on here?" Hans Ling snorted. "What else can I do with such a disobedient daughter? Lena, you don't have to worry about her anymore!"

With that, he raised his hand and pointed at the door. He shouted angrily, "Get out of here!"

Leona was not surprised at all by her father's reaction.

She knew that her father, who only ever cared about women and drinking all day long, had no right to make her leave like that. 'But he's my father!' Briefly glancing at Hans Ling, Leona kept her mouth shut as she turned towards the door, ready to leave. She had only taken two steps before she remembered that her check and necklace were still with Lena. So she turned and in a cold voice, she said to Lena, "Give me back my money and my necklace."

'I plan to use the check to help Grandpa.

While the Ling family is not poor by any means, I wouldn't dare place Grandpa's future on their hands.

Caspar used this check to humiliate me. I'm taking this check no matter what.'

After hesitating for a while, Lena reluctantly handed the necklace and check to Leona, who had been shooting her daggers with her eyes.

In a sudden a turn of events,

Sherman suddenly blocked Leona from taking the necklace and the check.

Leona said angrily, "Give them back to me, Sherman."

"Give them back to you?" Sherman inched closer to Leona as he said in a low voice, "Well, what a bitch! Come with me if you want them."

With that, Sherman shot Leona a meaningful look. He smiled proudly as he turned and headed upstairs.

"You..."

Leona was angry and speechless.

'How could such a horrible person exist?

I'm not afraid of him.

I won't let Sherman do anything to me.

I'll risk my life if that's what it takes to fight him!'

Leona decisively followed Sherman upstairs.

"Dad asked you to leave. Didn't you hear him?"

Lena then roughly pushed Leona out the door and slammed it shut in her face. Only then did she heave a sigh of relief.

Outside the door,

the morning light shone.

Leona leaned weakly against the door, allowing herself to slide slowly to the ground.

The tears she had been holding back all night long finally came pouring out.

'It's dawn.

The storm has stopped.

A brand new day signifies brand new hope, but it doesn't ring true for me.

My grandpa is still waiting for me in the hospital but I still don't know what to do.'

Leona felt useless.

Despair surged in her chest.

Ding!

Her phone screen lit up as the headlining news for that day came into view.

"Last night, QT International Group reached an agreement on a large-scale multinational project, with an estimated profit of 1 billion. The president of the group, Caspar Qiao, agreed to accept our interview."

Leona's eyes were animated. She quickly grabbed her phone as she ran out of the villa area.

"Grandpa, wait for me..."