Larica held onto Lucas's arm, her eyes pleading and filled with tears. "Lucas, all of this started because of me. Please, give us a moment so I can explain to my sister?"

His arrogant expression softened, concern etched across his face. "But Rica, I can't let you talk to her alone. Just look at what she did to you," Lucas said, gently caressing Larica's delicate cheek, marked with the evidence of Lucille's harsh treatment.

"Lucas, she is still my sister. She deserves an explanation from me, at least," Larica leaned into his touch, assuring him. "I trust her, so please, leave us for a moment," she insisted.

Lucas sighed, his eyes still focused on Larica's cheek. Reluctantly, he turned to glare at Lucille, his wife of three years. He approached her with a cold, distant look as if she were a stranger.

"Lucille Powell, don't you dare lay your hands on her again. I will take action if you do," Lucas warned her, his tone devoid of warmth.

The man who had once cared for her now stood in her sister's embrace. Lucille found it strangely amusing to see the familiar face she had been married to for three years treating her with such indifference.

The irony was not lost on Lucille. Despite being with Lucas for all those years, she had never truly understood the kind of man he was. Looking back, she felt foolish for her naivety.

Once Lucas finally left the room, Larica's previously pitiful expression faded away. She composed herself, adjusting her hair and wearing a proud smile before her sister. Larica lifted the blanket, revealing her alluring and seductive figure. She didn't waste a moment to point out the fresh marks on her body, mocking Lucille.

"I bet you had no idea just how passionate and vigorous Lucas can be," she smirked, trailing her fingers along the marks. "I mean, now you know for sure. He's remarkable in many ways, especially when he makes me feel like the happiest woman in the world." Larica crossed her legs and flashed a smug smile. "I owe you a debt of gratitude, Lucy. You did your best to keep Lucas healthy and strong for your sister," she cooed, taunting Lucille further.

And she was right. Lucille had cared for Lucas for years, but she had never imagined he would use his strength to hurt her sister. It was a revolting thought that made Lucille feel sick to her stomach.

"Ew..." Lucille couldn't help but comment as she covered her mouth, the urge to vomit overwhelming her.

After a few seconds, Lucille turned to face Larica, her eyes hinting at a mix of sympathy and sorrow. "Do you find all of this truly fulfilling, Rica? Since we were seventeen, you've always had this habit of taking things from me. No matter what I liked, you would always claim it for yourself. And now, my brother-in-law? My husband? Is this truly what makes you happy?"

After hearing Lucille's statement, Larica's face turned pale instantly. Lucille hadn't intended to expose her sister, but she couldn't help feeling deeply hurt and surprised by what had just transpired.

Lucille and Larica had always been inseparable as twins, but their lives were tragic when they were seventeen. They were blackmailed and kidnapped, and during their captivity, Larica was subjected to humiliation and forced acts. When they finally managed to escape, Lucille noticed a change in Larica. Her sister began to enjoy stealing things from her, distraught Lucille.

Whenever Larica committed these acts of theft, she would play the victim, pretending to be innocent. Their parents fell for Larica's manipulations and consistently sided with her, punishing Lucille instead, even though she had done nothing wrong. Lucille endured the pain silently, considering it mere flesh wounds, but her parents' attitude was profoundly unfair.

Three years later, when the kidnappers were apprehended for another crime, they confessed to their heinous acts against the Powell Twins. The news spread like wildfire in Asheville City, and the mainstream media became involved. Reporters from various news agencies speculated about which of the Powell Twins had been the victim of the assault.

The media circus turned their misery into a spectacle, trying to guess which twin was more likely to have suffered assault based on their personalities and appearances. Driven by the pressure of the press and their desire to preserve Larica's reputation, their parents forced Lucille to admit that she was the one who had been assaulted.

Still, Lucille knew this was not right, no matter how much she cared for Larica. But their parents convinced her that, like the older sister, she had failed to protect Larica when she needed her the most and bore responsibility for what had happened to her younger sister. Sacrificing her reputation was the only way she could make amends.

Larica gritted her teeth and glared at her sister, her eyes filled with malice and wickedness. "If you hadn't pretended to faint, I wouldn't have endured that humiliation and assault by the kidnappers," she spat, her words laced with bitterness. "Lucy, remember this. No matter what happens, you owe me."

Even after all these years, those words echoed in Lucille's mind, a constant reminder that she had failed to protect her sister. She couldn't remember how many times Larica had hurled those words at her, but each time she did, Lucille would succumb to guilt and fall into the same emotional trap.

Lucille watched her sister's expression, her heart heavy with frustration and sorrow. "Rica, please, try to understand. I wanted to save you. I did. But we were both young and helpless. The kidnapper also knocked me out. What could I possibly have done after that?" Lucille reasoned, hoping to make her sister see the truth.

"I was willing to bear all the pain for you back then, Rica," Lucille continued, her voice filled with sincerity as she delved into the memories of that fateful year.

On the day of the incident, Lucille's classmates played a cruel prank on her, tricking her into eating mangoes despite her severe allergy. Her face swelled up, and she returned home looking terrible since she had no medication. This condition made the kidnappers overlook her and choose to harm Larica instead. But no matter how many times Lucille recounted the truth, nobody believed her.

She could still vividly recall the horrifying moments when the kidnappers started to harm her sister. Lucille had done everything in her power to protect Larica. She had rushed towards them, desperately trying to stop the kidnappers from doing further harm. But due to her weakened state, she immediately lost consciousness when one of the kidnappers slapped her.

Since then, Larica had always insisted that Lucille had feigned unconsciousness, blaming her for the terrible fate she had endured. "No need to sugarcoat your words. We both know that it was me who was hurt and not you. You will never understand how terrible it was," Larica coldly declared, refusing to acknowledge Lucille's perspective.

Lucille closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the years of pain and misunderstanding between them. They had been trapped in this cycle of accusation and blame for far too long. She knew her words would never penetrate the walls that Larica had built around herself.

"You say I owe you," Lucille whispered, her voice tinged with resignation. She reached for the pen and the folder containing the divorce agreement, her gaze steady on Larica.

"Will you finally find happiness if I give you my husband?"

She had fulfilled Larica's demands for years, willingly accepting punishment and taking the blame to protect her sister. She had always prioritized Larica's well-being above her own. She thought this day would be no different, and she would gladly choose her sister over herself as she had done before.

"Yes," Larica answered without a second thought. "I adore him and am happy to be with him." Larica looked serious in answering Lucille's question. But she knew she would hesitate if her older sister asked the same question before. However, at that moment, it was different. Larica was sure that she loved Lucas more than her life.

Despite having to decide with a heavy heart, Lucille willingly lets her sister have her way.

Lucille knew that Lucas was a bit of a neat freak like her. So she didn't expect Lucas to cheat on her. But even if the woman he cheated on her with weren't Larica, she wouldn't take Lucas back.

She couldn't tolerate a cheating man. She had pride and self-respect. She wouldn't waste her time on someone that no longer wanted her. Even if that meant all their years together would go down the drain.

'One last time,' Lucille thought before sighing and facing her sister.

"Alright. I'll give Lucas to you. But I warn you, Rica, this will be the last time. I will never let you have your way again without a fight," Lucille stated intently.

The Reed Family was in an absolute mess after the death of Lucas' grandfather. Many of his relatives had been eyeing the Reed Group for a long time. The entire clan must be fighting over the company at this moment. If anything, Larica saved her from that mess and signed herself in for their circus.

Regardless, given Larica's temperament, Lucille still worried about her. But this would be a good chance for Larica to realize the consequences of her actions, the price she had to pay for taking advantage of other people.

Knowing that she had won over Lucille again, Larica's previously pale expression turned bright. Finally, Lucas belonged to her. She beamed and proudly smiled as if she had accomplished something remarkable.

Then she grimly forewarned, "Don't worry, sister. From now on, you won't have anything for me to take."

"Don't worry, sister. From now on, you won't have anything for me to take," Larica declared with a smug smirk. Lucille paid little attention to her words, recognizing that Larica was referring to the fact that Lucille would soon be leaving the house she had shared with Lucas after the divorce. It no longer mattered to Lucille what her sister thought she could gain.

Despite the anger that had welled inside her earlier, seeing Larica's victorious smile oddly gave Lucille a sense of relief. She had successfully fulfilled Larica's demands over the years, and now, she no longer felt obligated to her sister after all this time. The decision to divorce Lucas didn't frighten her. Lucille knew she could support herself.

The weight of the past incident still burdened her, but Lucille believed that she had paid enough for her failure to protect her sister. She looked directly at Larica, who had a cunning smirk and reminded her, "Don't forget what we agreed upon. I hope you follow through with your words." The folder and pen in Lucille's hands felt heavy, but she knew she had to go through with it.

With trembling fingers, Lucille signed her name on the divorce agreement. She didn't allow her sister to witness any weakness, swiftly throwing the documents toward Larica. Walking out of the room, Lucille held her head high, refusing to falter even when she faced her now ex-husband, Lucas. He seemed uneasy, and Lucille felt suffocated, but she maintained her composure.

"I have signed the agreement. I hope you treat my sister well in the future," Lucille stated coldly. "Don't betray her as you did to me," she added before walking past Lucas without looking back.

Lucille appeared unfazed by the turn of events. There were no tears or traces of sadness in her eyes. It made one wonder if her love and care for Lucas during their marriage had been genuine or if she had been putting on an act all along. Could it be that Lucille had only pretended to care?

Lucas felt a pang of bewilderment as he watched her departing figure. His mother had prepared the divorce agreement without including any provisions for Lucille's entitlement to their property. He had anticipated Lucille would cry and plead with him not to let her go, but he never expected her to give up so easily.

A sense of guilt crept into Lucas' conscience as he clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words. "Lu... Lucy," he stammered, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Lucille held back the tears that threatened to escape and took a deep breath. Slowly, she turned around, her expression devoid of any emotion. When their eyes met, Lucille addressed him with a neutral tone devoid of lingering sentiment.

"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Reed?" she asked, maintaining her composure even in the face of their crumbling relationship.

Lucas felt uneasy witnessing the rapid change in the person who had cared for him in the past three years. It was as if he was facing a completely different person. However, he couldn't find a reason to argue against it. After all, they were on the brink of divorce, and there seemed to be no room for negotiation.

As he averted his gaze, Lucas made an offer, his voice filled with hesitation. "How many properties do you want? I-I can give them to you privately...."

Lucille nearly burst into laughter at his stammering and the absurdity of his offer. How could a well-known filial son in Asheville provide her with anything? His mother managed his entire financial affairs, and he couldn't even give her a penny without seeking his mother's approval. In reality, Lucille had to provide for herself. Now he was asking what she wanted in terms of alimony. She couldn't help but wonder how he intended to fulfill that request.

Lucas may now be the President of Reed Corp, but his private funds couldn't possibly support a quarter of the city's economic growth.

"How much are you prepared to give me, Mr. Reed?" Lucille blurted out with a bright smile, stunning Lucas.

The genuine warmth in Lucille's expression intensified Lucas' guilt, causing him to inadvertently add more zeros to his offer than he had intended. Her face betrayed no trace of anger or sadness. It was as if she was merely conversing with a friend.

"Fifty million," he finally uttered.

Lucille was taken aback upon hearing his offer. She believed Lucas could provide her with around a million from his private funds. However, she never anticipated that he would go the extra mile and offer such a substantial amount of money.

Just a few steps away, Larica had emerged, wondering why Lucas was taking so long. Overhearing his offer, she grew infuriated. She glared at Lucille with crossed arms, although Lucas remained oblivious to her reaction.

Larica approached Lucas, sensually taking his hand in hers. "Let me handle this," she pleaded, pouting and feigning tears.

As Lucas nodded, Larica wiped away her imaginary tears and stepped towards Lucille. "Lucille, I know you've always considered money to be worth less than dirt, and accepting it would undoubtedly humiliate you, but...." she started, attempting to convince her sister to decline the offer.

Larica sobbed, her voice filled with desperation. "Please, accept this money. Lucas and I are truly sorry for what happened. If you take it, it will bring peace to our hearts."

Once again, Lucas fell for Larica's act of selling misery. He found it heartwarming to see Larica embracing Lucille, convinced that his beloved Rica genuinely felt remorse for her sister. Unbeknownst to him, Larica's expression turned ugly as she whispered under her breath, "Don't you dare accept that money, Lucy."

Lucille gently broke away from Larica's embrace and locked eyes with her sister. Larica sensed that Lucille had already decided and confidently expected her to decline the offer.

"Since accepting the money will bring peace to your heart, who am I to refuse?" Lucille said with a genuine smile, cupping Larica's cheek. She then turned her attention to Lucas. "Mr. Reed, would you prefer to transfer the money directly to my account or provide me with a check?"

Lucille couldn't hide her satisfaction upon seeing the bitter expression on Larica's face. Lucille stood her ground and resisted Larica's demands for the first time in ten years. Larica seethed and badly wanted to grab Lucille's hair and yank it until she went bald, but she knew she couldn't do it with Lucas around.

The thought of losing fifty million dollars made Larica feel sick. Her stomach cramped, and she fell forward.

"Rica!" Lucas exclaimed, concerned for her well-being.

Fortunately, Lucille caught Larica before she hit the floor, whispering in her ear, "I already told you I will never let you steal from me again."

Larica shot Lucille a murderous glare and clenched her arm tightly before losing consciousness.

"It seems more than just normal stomach pain. It could be gastroenteritis. It would be best if you took her to the hospital right away," Lucille urged with a hint of urgency. However, Lucas just stood there, seemingly at a loss.

"Aren't you a doctor? Why don't you examine her?" he asked.

Lucille rolled her eyes before responding, "I'm a surgeon, not a physician. As for the money, transfer it to my account when you can. I'll send you my card number."

She glanced at Larica once more and added, "Hurry up. If you delay, it could become life-threatening."

Larica's pale complexion finally convinced Lucas that Lucille wasn't exaggerating, and he immediately scooped Larica into his arms and rushed out, heading for the hospital.

Left alone at last, Lucille's carefully constructed facade crumbled, and she collapsed to her knees. Suppressing her emotions had taken an immense toll on her, but she couldn't let them see her pain. She had to pretend it didn't matter, so they wouldn't derive satisfaction from hurting her.

Deep down, Lucille had truly loved Lucas and had invested herself in their three-year marriage, striving for harmony. Yet, he betrayed her by sleeping with her sister behind her back. Worse, their marriage was a sham, and he called her a dirty slut.

Throughout her life, Lucille had grown accustomed to putting on a tough front, facing her battles alone without anyone extending a helping hand. Now, in the eerie silence of the corridor, she could hear her heart pounding painfully in her chest. The weight of it all suffocated her, and she wept in solitude.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through the back of her head, reminding her of the earlier injury she had sustained. She reached up to touch the area and found blood on her fingertips, a physical manifestation of her defeat.

Just then, her phone rang from her pocket, and the timing couldn't have been worse.

"The most romantic thing I can think of is growing old with you…."

Was the universe taunting her with the lyrics from a random song, mocking her in this moment of despair?

Lucille knew she had to maintain her composure despite the flood of emotions. As a doctor, she had been trained to remain rational in the face of adversity. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her thoughts aside and swiped to answer the call.

"Oh, thank goodness you picked up, Doctor! Do you remember the patient you treated earlier? He's scheduled for surgery today, and he specifically requested your presence in the operating room," the caller rushed to explain before letting out a sigh.

"We informed him that you had taken leave, but he insisted—"

Lucille interrupted, her professional instincts kicking in. "It's alright. I'll be there soon!"

After ending the call, Lucille hurriedly straightened her clothes. Despite her chest's heaviness and swollen eyes from crying, she knew she had to push through. The operation would last several hours, and she hadn't had anything to eat. She quickly dialed the coffee shop next to the hospital where she worked, requesting a cheesecake and coffee to be prepared.

Getting into her car, Lucille drove towards the hospital, trying to clear her mind of the recent events. Upon arrival, she quickly stopped at the coffee shop, paying for her order before heading towards the hospital's basement parking lot.

With the cheesecake in hand and the warm coffee cup in the other, Lucille began munching on the sweet treat as she walked, her phone still clutched. Just as she was about twelve feet from the elevator, a tall man stepped inside and pressed the close button.

Realizing she was in a hurry for the operation, Lucille called out desperately, "Sir! Excuse me. Please wait a minute!"

Thankfully, the elevator doors reopened before fully closing, and Lucille sighed as she hurriedly stepped inside. However, in her haste, her foot caught on the entrance, causing her to stumble forward.

Time seemed to slow down as Lucille desperately tried to regain her balance. The coffee cup in her hand floated in the air, its contents spilling onto the man's crotch.

Gasping in horror, Lucille instinctively acted, reaching for a tissue from the bakery bag to wipe the affected area. She was grateful that the coffee hadn't been scalding hot, but the embarrassment and guilt flooded over her.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" Lucille repeatedly apologized, her voice filled with genuine remorse as she continued to dab at the stains.

The repetitive act of apologizing disgusted her at that moment. Throughout her life, she always immediately apologized for any wrongdoing, fearing severe consequences. Perhaps this ingrained habit allowed people, especially her own family, to trample over her. Lucille resolved to change this pattern for her well-being.

Meanwhile, consumed by her task of drying the stains, Lucille failed to notice the man's intense gaze. When she finally looked up to meet his eyes, time seemed to freeze. His strikingly handsome features swept her off her feet for the second time that day. She was rendered speechless, captivated by the depth of his gaze.

Since meeting Lucas, Lucille had believed he was the most handsome man she would ever encounter in her lifetime. But standing before her now, this man eclipsed Lucas entirely.

Radiating an air of cold confidence and arrogance, he possessed the visage of a Greek sculpture crafted by the gods. His deep, dark eyes, calm and mysterious, held a dangerous and untamed allure, stirring a feeling within Lucille that defied description.

'Sexy,' she thought, her mind momentarily consumed by her undeniable attraction towards this enigmatic stranger.

Lucille's prolonged gaze into his eyes had caused her to forget their compromising position inside the elevator. She was all too aware of the potential scandal it would become if any of her colleagues caught wind of the situation. She couldn't afford such notoriety as a respected surgeon at the hospital.

Reality abruptly jolted her back to the present, and she realized the awkwardness of their circumstances. Embarrassment flooded her, not just for the inconvenience she had caused but for preserving her dignity.

Clearing her throat, Lucille mustered the courage to speak. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to cause any harm. I was in a hurry and..." Her attempt to explain was cut short as she slipped on the still-wet floor, ending up back on her knees before the mysterious man. In her unsteady state, her arms unintentionally reached out, clinging to his thigh, while her head ended up perilously close to a rather compromising area.

At that precise moment, the elevator doors opened, and a man walked in. It was Kevin, a colleague of Lucille's.

"Sir Moore, Miss Ward, she..." Kevin's voice trailed off as his eyes widened, taking in the scene before him. His mouth gaped open in surprise, his gaze shifting from the woman on the floor to the stain on his boss's trousers and finally settling on his boss's face.

Sir Henry Moore, typically noble, solemn, and seemingly untouchable, now appeared furious, as if Kevin had interrupted something of great significance. Or at least, that was how Kevin imagined it.

"Oh! I didn't see anything. You can continue!" Kevin blurted out, quickly turning around to hide his concealed delight.

Coughing awkwardly, he pretended to have seen nothing, eager to give his boss some privacy.

His boss, Henry Moore, had always been a paragon of virtue, rarely seen in the company of women. Now, it seemed he had finally discovered some form of enlightenment. Who was Kevin to deny him that?

'But isn't it a bit too wild to engage in such activities in the hospital elevator?' Kevin pondered, stroking his chin thoughtfully, his mind swirling with curiosity.

His boss turned out to have the sultry and vulgar type. Kevin wondered how his boss managed to hide his preferences from him despite being together most of the time.

Meanwhile, Lucille desperately wished for the elevator floor to magically give way and whisk her out of the awkward situation. Gathering her composure, she quickly rose to her feet and nervously handed Kevin her business card.

"I assumed you were his secretary. Here's my card. I'm Lucille Powell, and I work here. I'm on my way to the operating room, so I'm in quite a hurry. I would be more than willing to cover the cost of the damage. Please leave your bank card number at the information desk, and I will wire you the money once I'm free," she blurted out, the words tumbling out in a rush as the elevator doors opened, revealing her floor just in the nick of time.

Without waiting for a response or daring to glance back, Lucille nodded hastily and briskly walked out of the elevator. She knew the man's eyes were fixed upon her, but time was of the essence, and she had no room for further embarrassment.

'What has gotten into you today?' she scolded herself inwardly, criticizing her clumsiness.

Kevin stole a glance at his boss, taking note of the intensity with which Henry stared at Lucille. There was something undeniably amusing about the entire situation. Suppressing a chuckle, Kevin couldn't help but find humor in the way Henry looked at that moment.

"Sir, should I arrange for a spare..." Kevin began, only to be swiftly interrupted by Henry Moore.

"I'm fine. Go and gather information about that woman," Henry instructed, glancing down at the coffee stains on his trousers.

Kevin's excitement grew as they exited the elevator and made their way to the VIP ward.

Rumors of Henry's sexuality had circulated for years, and seeing him in the presence of a woman now piqued Kevin's curiosity to new heights.

Could it be that his boss had finally been interested in the fairer sex?

The mere thought brought Kevin a mischievous smile, earning him a puzzled squint from Henry as they walked on.