His Ruthless Possession

After a chilling silence, Kieran restrained his anger and asked, "Why?"

"Because she's annoying," Chris replied nonchalantly.

"You..." Chris stood up in agitation, his eyes blazing with frustration. He ran a hand through his hair and with a helpless expression, continued, "Brother, please don't treat her like that! Just because she doesn't show her vulnerability doesn't mean she's not hurting. Just because she likes you doesn't give you the right to hurt her!"

"Does it hurt?" Kieran asked, his voice calm yet piercing.

"Yeah!" Chris answered stubbornly, his hands trembling with suppressed emotion.

Chris's expression remained composed, but his hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white with tension.

"Brother, I've never understood why she loves you so blindly. I still don't get it!" His voice grew quieter, tinged with sorrow. With those words, Kieran turned and walked out of the office without another word.

Kieran sighed wearily and leaned back in his chair, his mind clouded. "Chris, I don't understand either. So much has changed, but she always stays the same..."

His gaze turned distant, and for a moment, he allowed himself to be lost in his thoughts. When she was around, she was annoying, a constant source of frustration. Now that she's gone, he couldn't help but feel... lonely, as though something vital had slipped from his grasp.

After work, Liora was about to ride her bike home like usual when she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind.

"Liora!"

She turned around and saw Kieran and Chris walking side by side. The contrast between the two was stark—Kieran's posture rigid, aloof, and impatient, while Chris beamed at her with a smile that could light up the darkest room.

The eyes of nearly every woman around them were glued to the two brothers. When Chris called her "Liora" in such an affectionate tone, all those women immediately shifted their attention to her, whispering amongst themselves.

"Oh my goodness! The boss, no matter how capable she is, couldn't possibly deal with so many women vying for his attention!"

But seriously, these two were quite the eye-candy! Kieran had blue eyes and dark, tousled hair, his jaw sharp as if carved from stone. Chris, on the other hand, had black eyes and light brown hair, with a smile that seemed effortlessly inviting, like a breath of fresh air. Both were as beautifully sculpted as a piece of art from the Louvre.

Rumor had it that they were mixed blood from five different countries, a blend of rare and exotic features. The details were fascinating, but explaining them would take far too long.

"Liora, let me give you a ride," Chris said, his voice warm and inviting.

"No, it's okay. I came by bike!" Liora politely refused, her voice light but firm, not wanting to impose.

"I can give you a lift!" Chris immediately walked over and took her bike from her hands, his playful grin making her heart skip a beat.

"Brother, we'll head out first," Kieran said without sparing a glance, his voice detached as he started walking toward the garage, his pace brisk and unhurried.

So, Liora had no choice but to follow Chris, who was now pushing her bike along. The situation felt surreal, as if she were caught in a scene from some kind of romantic drama.

Uh, why did it feel like there were invisible skulls attacking her from all sides? The stares of the surrounding women seemed to pierce through her.

"Liora, come on, hop on!" Chris urged, a teasing note in his voice.

"I'm not sure about this! I can't let you ride me..." Liora hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly at the implication.

"Is it because you're heavy?" Chris teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Of course not!" Liora immediately responded, defensive yet amused. She took a deep breath and finally resigned herself to the situation, slowly climbing onto the back of the bike.

"Chris! I think you've changed a lot since you came back!" The cool breeze against her face lifted her spirits, and the gloomy mood from earlier, caused by Kieran, had greatly improved.

"Really? How have I changed?" Chris asked, his tone genuine, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"You've gotten even more handsome! And much more cheerful!" Liora smiled as she looked at his broad back, feeling a sudden pang of realization. The frail boy from years ago had now grown into a mature, confident man.

Chris grinned widely, his smile pure and childlike, as if he were simply enjoying a compliment without any pretense. The simplicity of the moment made Liora's heart flutter, though she quickly pushed the feeling away.

Back home, with an evening gathering to attend, Liora ate only a light meal, just enough to satisfy her hunger. Her mind was preoccupied with the strange interaction earlier, but she forced herself to focus on the present.

After trying on several outfits in her room, she sadly realized that all she had were her sports clothes. She had hoped to wear something a little more formal, but in the end, she simply shrugged it off. She decided not to bother changing and simply wore the outfit Ethan had bought for her during one of their outings.

At the Scarlet Bar, the evening unfolded in its usual chaotic manner. Liora stumbled several times, her heels not quite agreeing with the unfamiliar terrain, and even got blocked by a sleazy drunk who tried to approach her. She shot him an irritated glare, ready to defend herself when she suddenly felt a familiar, cold presence surrounding her.

"Idiot! Why are you running around like that?"

"Huh? Boss? I got lost..." Liora said, her voice lacking confidence, the embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. She couldn't help but feel that familiar mix of emotions whenever he appeared—annoyance, curiosity, and an inexplicable sense of relief.