Chapter 9 The One Who Has a Contract with You Is Me

Indeed, Alexander didn't look well. Although he wasn't as haggard as Laura, his usually rosy lips were now dry, clearly showing the toll of longing.

Seeing the man she once deeply loved standing before her, Laura's heart shattered once more.

What was she now? Just a pawn to repay a debt, a pitiful soul forced to sell herself to a stranger.

How could she possibly love Alexander with such a status?

In her despair, Laura gritted her teeth and forced herself to speak, "Alexander, I... I'm not the same Laura anymore. You... you don't need to look for me anymore. From now on..."

"Laura, what are you talking about?" Alexander interrupted, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise at her seemingly final words.

"What do you mean by 'not the same' and 'from now on'? Are you trying to cut ties with me? Why? What did I do wrong? We love each other, but you said you had to repay a debt, and I accepted it. I watched you prepare to become someone else's wife! Isn't that enough? Now I just want to care for you as a friend. Do I not even have that right?"

"No! You have the right! It's me who doesn't!" Laura's tears, which she had barely managed to hold back, flowed again at Alexander's words.

Her heart ached so much she wished she could rip it out to stop the pain.

"Alexander, you don't know, I... I..."

Oh God, how could she say it? How could she tell the man who loved her that she had been with another man, a faceless stranger?

Seeing her struggle to finish her sentence, Alexander sensed something significant had happened. He asked seriously, "Laura, what happened? Weren't you supposed to be preparing for the wedding? Why aren't you at the Smiths' or at work, but wandering here alone and looking so lost?"

"You... you went to the Smiths'?" Laura's eyes turned cold and sharp at the thought of the Smiths' cruelty and William's shamelessness. The vulnerability she had shown moments ago faded, "What did they say?"

"They wouldn't say anything." Alexander sneered, deeply disappointed with the Smiths' attitude. "I went there myself. The Smiths and William all insisted you were fine, just busy, and wouldn't let anyone disturb you. I wasn't satisfied, so I went to your school, only to find out you had resigned. Laura, what is going on?"

"I..." Laura trembled at Alexander's deep concern, unable to form a complete sentence, just crying, "Alexander, I... I..."

"Laura?" Seeing her in such pain, Alexander was both anxious and scared. He quickly moved to sit beside her, gently wiping her tears with a tissue.

"What happened? Tell me! You just cry without saying anything, and it's killing me. I don't know how to help you! I... I'm so useless! Laura, did William... did he hurt you or do something to you? Tell me, and I'll make sure he pays!"

Yes, William had hurt her, using the most despicable means.

He had the nerve to sell her to a stranger to pay off his gambling debts!

Wouldn't you call that hurting her?

Laura felt increasingly miserable, the unspeakable sorrow almost overwhelming her.

But she couldn't tell the man she loved the most. She had to keep it to herself.

Until the dam inside her broke, and the tears flowed freely.

She couldn't help but throw herself into Alexander's arms.

Her tears, like a broken string of pearls, silently told her sorrow.

Eventually, she cried out loud.

"Let it out, you'll feel better." Alexander, seeing the situation, guessed she must have encountered something significant. He didn't press her further, just held her tightly and comforted her softly, "Laura, remember, no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

In Alexander's arms, Laura finally let out her pain, tears flowing endlessly.

When she had cried herself hoarse, she slowly stopped, raising her red face and sniffling, "I'm sorry, Alexander, I got your clothes all wet..."

"It's okay," Alexander sighed inwardly but still gave her a warm smile, "It's just a piece of clothing. As long as you feel better, I'll do anything."

His genuine concern slowly eased Laura's pain and resentment, replacing them with deep gratitude and guilt.

"Alexander, I... I... I don't deserve your kindness... Please, don't be so good to me..." she said haltingly, her heart in turmoil.

"Laura, the more you say, the more confused I get. What do you mean, don't be good to you? Haven't I always been like this? I've always loved you..." Alexander frowned, his handsome face full of confusion.

"Alexander!" Laura seemed terrified of the word "love," screaming to interrupt him, "Don't talk about love... We can't go back... I know you're good to me, or you wouldn't be here with me so late... Oh no!"

She suddenly cried out, remembering Anna's warning: "Be back in your room by nine."

Oh God! What time was it?

Laura panicked, quickly pulling out her phone. It was already 9:30!

Her face turned pale with fear. She was half an hour late!

Without explaining, she pushed Alexander away and ran out of the café.

Alexander, startled by her reaction, instinctively got up to follow.

"Laura! You..."

"Don't follow me!" Laura's voice came from a distance, "I have something urgent. I'll contact you later!"

"But you..." Alexander wanted to follow, but his phone rang.

He had to stop and answer.

"Hello? Yes, Mr. President, what can I do for you?"

By the time he finished the call, Laura was long gone.

She had only one thought: she had to get back to the Manhattan Hotel as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, she didn't know what terrible things might happen.

The Manhattan Hotel was still luxurious and grand at night, its neon lights sparkling like a dream.

But Laura had no time to appreciate it. She ran all the way to room 888, not even pausing to catch her breath, and burst in, reaching for the light switch.

"I told you not to turn on the light when you enter this room!" A hoarse, commanding voice suddenly rang out in the darkness, stopping Laura in her tracks.

"And clearly, you didn't take my words to heart. It's already ten o'clock."

Laura froze.

She recognized the voice of the mysterious masked man from the previous night.