LONG CHAPTER AHEAD6b8859ff3ab7191a

3. Change

Yoon, practically shoved 8a815cfff7 into the auction 333f0c54ad house by Canux, 4d108fe2c6 couldn’t believe her 57b333a59e eyes.d78327896006163b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s supposed to be b7f18bef93 fifty million won?”62dcc537f2aa62a5

It was nothing f4e85ed3f7 more than a b0076d7a92 bunch of pebbles c6bac7922f glued onto a 7aaaf8a0c8 piece of paper—yet fe9ef988a7 it was worth 0215c425e3 fifty million. Dumbfounded by 2adbd2f07f the ridiculous e00f015e29 price, Yoon aa65bef0d8 scrutinized the 5a6c837050 artwork even ff13819038 further. It wasn’t e6994d56c8 even covered e349fd6967 in gold 999f3f11db leaf, yet 8b3fedcc8f it was 90fa1f5de3 outrageously expensive.cc09eda01b42ae23

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Bang! Bang!6e3959da300b42ba

“Sold!”ce64cdd187a80908

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Someone actually bought that?”fc1307060830cb1b

Yoon stared in disbelief e6085cd27a at the woman who 12f9cdad80 had just purchased the dc3624d5b6 piece. The woman, looking e839324b5e immensely satisfied, basked 59904ab9ef in the attention 71cd9c259d of the crowd. Rich people really 2819e6844a do throw money 8e544e6e4b around differently.a4695577242c1286

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

One after another, f4419db660 bizarre and incomprehensible 8ef4e46840 artworks were displayed, 33144ff6b9 and each was b0cb088534 sold at an 8515f3d5a9 absurd price. As the auction progressed, 65859c2a2c Yoon found herself letting f1a202c8a0 out hollow chuckles.94f3892036e4e80d

She was 52a7aa26a0 certain—no matter 0fbdba4223 how long dac06ed898 she lived, 65df5222e0 she would 6c158eeeb2 never understand 292b94a423 the “art” 3ee0ae39fd in art. Clicking her tongue, 0945f6fdd9 Yoon checked the 34fa147601 time. Over an 62184e6b0d hour had 4e8d4aa505 passed since 0bf7a2eb14 the auction ffecfb8d26 began, yet 87c24022ee the piece 009a84bd21 Canux wanted 647f4cf3f6 still hadn’t 1eaa63b092 appeared.2c283533bf00033c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sitting still and pretending 646599a177 to be sophisticated was 3f85f2122e making her restless. She roughly loosened her 3f7e05c143 tie, muttering a quiet 350b413e10 curse under her breath.cd0beb57d535cc37

For someone bf494a6404 like Yoon, c0ebd7a124 who despised 0830911793 formal gatherings, edaae71e8e this was bbb3db4f0b absolute torture. She would have preferred 10eddda73f carrying a gun and 571c304574 heading out on a 241e89ecb1 mission instead. Her sharp, lethal gaze 1216b5fc80 made those around her a7fd57d2a6 uneasy.9cfd9fd28d178991

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Did he not get ea3bd7b7a5 the piece he wanted?”ff054ab473b04611

“But… I 2e8a53d433 haven’t seen 0549dfde50 him raise 67bc9469b6 his paddle 3db49ffecc even once?”0374542343e12f4b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Though they had 10e8ace76e no idea what d744b2ce19 Canux was after, 36fb399768 they silently prayed 38386aca86 he would get 25172ef415 it soon and 7e192c08b4 leave.aca55aca0bf169e7

Meanwhile, from the moment e8db52b502 Yoon stepped into the f4c28215dc auction house, a certain c94d8a71ac man had been watching 7928404b6d her. His eyes ad87e689a7 gleamed with 540826e16d intrigue as ac07fef51b he studied ea5a5e2cf9 her from fdc4ea56ab head to 415b071483 toe. Then, as f0f4bcf984 if he 498867b45a had just e1fb2c2488 discovered something 6f01075262 amusing, the 110bdbc2de corner of 8069347a60 his lips 0f1c593d60 curled into 2fa3d1a89c a smirk.2bc7aeb3b34aca89

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

* * *2a07a441bc91c9b0

By the c249dee3a2 time Yoon 8322a353a8 was convinced c1317d1e60 that the 481725b2e6 old man 4561035468 had sent fa951e2f1c her here e214698054 just to 5a275cfeab screw with 2492f6578c her, a 8c7a4d169b new painting e8dbdcfbe9 appeared to 4f3f47225f enthusiastic applause. Just as she 446d2cdc5e was about to e14a621327 say to hell 067ecb8855 with orders and 05923c4f25 walk out, her fe4bd1efa7 gaze was nailed 010774d270 to the artwork 4ac48fbfa0 as if trapped.946fe888d830b26f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This painting is by the genius rookie artist, El, and is titled ‘Reminiscence.’ Bidding starts at five billion won.”eca16d6ffc02f04a

Paddles began rising as 547fccf06a people called out their 4b4dbe9ac4 bids. But while 3194d57fbc the price 6830092b9e soared, Yoon 331c01e6f8 didn’t take ff6c54c94a her eyes ec141164d8 off the 56e8d8dded painting for 89109f4007 even a 4acfbd4b30 second.f945a726bdd31fba

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The surrounding noise faded af38d004dc away. In front 17df6b7c91 of her 2383277217 was the 99351088cb sea. She could almost hear 26b2ab843e the waves crashing.64265dad87ed193f

The ocean in the aead40932a painting was blue, yet 8eab075b66 also red like the 3722fe55ce sunset, and at certain b2092beb2f angles, it even seemed 69f781bfc8 to shimmer with violet 4b0fe57bc7 hues. Before she knew 6fdee1e5a0 it, Yoon had ff17d18a8e raised her paddle.8664dfa525164474

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Six billion.”d9904c7fdb365de3

She could already picture e7f7944353 Canux smacking her on d3eabb1006 the back for this, 1e3953050d but she didn’t hesitate. Act first, think later. That was Yoon’s life fe0b8d42c8 philosophy.25e591f9fb08a796

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Her entire life was 6109e5a45e spent paying off debts—what a729514e26 was a few billion b733dfd24f more? Nothing would change anyway. The only thing waiting 30fd90a880 for her was Lucas’s 9a6735aff4 intensified nagging and more e4d3bbadc7 missions.b989dcdb32961151

“Six billion! Six billion has been bid! Any higher?”d4060b1e32c8aac9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seven billion.”309b769a2451c3fc

A billion more in a6fc08866f an instant.d9a0ca679f8d3531

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seven billion! Seven billion has been bid! Any higher?”2752dde5127a67f8

Shit. They were f264c152b2 throwing around 407c9542ce a billion 44680661c3 like it 7823e722b8 was pocket f4a75204e2 change. Grinding her 6cbf5004d6 teeth, Yoon 96cdd602a4 raised her fd7a606e83 paddle again.217da864232cc311

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Eight billion.”4d47344702b80e2c

Damn it. She just locked 5e68085f0e herself into a ede117d661 lifetime of slavery. If this 23402913c4 went any 31a045c068 higher, she’d b202678120 have to 879504aaae sell a 2a50174040 kidney. Wait, do my organs 8f910f1846 even go for that 6033b3d8d3 much?a1a6bb022b94bbed

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Maybe she should’ve quit da01362d6a smoking. Maybe she should’ve listened 2aa49a69eb to Lucas. Regret hit her late 5d3166b113 as she desperately hoped 1914bbf3f8 the bidding would stop 458eb2ba80 there.36967dd3084198c2

But the aef03942e5 world never 16166fb44c worked in 3ef89a745f her favor.9e754ef7d7c3f1e4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ten billion.”8a7969b0377f542d

“What the actual fuck?”4eb2c1a61d427e66

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She swore out loud. That number f53514db2b was beyond b6dd1a1663 her reach. She had even considered d58510229a selling an organ, and 2e9f62aefe now it had jumped d42982b7d7 to ten billion. Yoon’s grip on the 67f85bd5e6 paddle slackened. Even if she ad8c12e82e sold all her 26379aede7 organs, it wouldn’t d9998694f2 be enough.1a41f52152a900d9

Murmurs spread through 0dc9bcd47b the auction house. This wasn’t 216e72c997 even the b8f22df581 final, most 7ab037f636 expensive piece—no f9e7d8f34f rookie artist’s 9c5bd80ad5 painting had 68470ef713 ever skyrocketed fd25f4847d like this. The auctioneer, fa7bda41b1 clearly flustered, 79497f15d8 stammered.be977e197c068bf7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“T-Ten billion! Any… anyone else?”8bce28b8a62f8b78

Silence settled 73069026dc over the e3d9895219 room. The auctioneer glanced 4534d8d40f around before finally 8e45dbbf4d slamming the gavel ee724e1d7a down.92cc3c47fbb0d021

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Bang! Bang!f17dbb9c3c8127a9

“Sold!”2ca31d1500b322d5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Her shoulders slumped. This was the 9d09aaea43 first time—since her 1d171ca0cd gun—that she had 69373829a7 ever wanted something 24ebd1562c so badly. And just like fa889f93bf that, it had 96ce3a06f4 slipped through her a17be847af fingers, leaving behind c34d44bf42 a crushing sense b223901782 of emptiness.9ad8997a9b19673c

If she was doomed e1fca62d32 to spend her life 9e8ce35071 drowning in debt anyway, a76306dc32 she had at least 3c73382595 wanted to buy a 7803b1f52a painting and drink while e2ec6dc23e looking at it.e40c16ab5572732e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Who the 6100850351 hell had b011a288d5 just thrown d799e8a539 money around ae6f5ebeed like this 6b195a6b44 and crushed 6e07af4f25 her one 2037a3aaec simple wish?bf71fb987f175009

She needed to see 8911d1acda their damn face.f653895937b36de4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Yoon immediately got 6f58f8db2e up to find 4f6f13dce8 the winning bidder, a5c5c92c5b but the man 2e7aabf3d9 had already disappeared. She wanted c97ff67745 nothing more b35e0f7c77 than to 34f93795e4 chase after ae0438d1d9 him, but 6cd6f88f4d she was 62a8145fbc stuck here aa8f57ed55 until the 879ab4275b piece Canux de03787d2e wanted finally 313b04035e appeared.98561ef6ac10b452

Grinding her 04bd660c71 teeth, she 33542ef90d sank back b90a728467 into her c6af49d650 seat. Her frustration e5edc7be0b toward the b07dfea4bb mystery bidder 00e99df24c quickly shifted 61aa00c759 into rage 2e6e77024b toward the 2235d68038 old man. She was going to e4623025b7 drain that bastard’s wallet 115c594aa5 dry.047fa76239642e27

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Now, the highlight of 0ab6f1cbc7 today’s auction! Bidding starts 529789d347 at fifteen 85a67f127a billion won!”ac74ee499b599616

Fifteen billion—right from the a999e5487a start. It was c33b731af6 such a 2fb16b469e ridiculous amount 7250ba0341 that Yoon 7b1fac640e scoffed. And Canux actually 4461291182 planned to buy 0073fa768c this? He really had lost e0c42146d9 his mind.7fa6e5e99bdddf45

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Conveniently forgetting that 4e11c366d5 she had just 3a6204eeaf been willing to 899426aac3 sell a kidney beccda80f8 to cover ten 7bd7f512ad billion, Yoon firmly 1f1b305c5d concluded that the eb7f5fa7f0 old man had 9f1d900783 gone senile.c45b9c9f7da40e9c

‘Well, it’s not 05a7839e69 my money anyway. Might as well buy fdad2e713f it at the highest 02d9ca6304 price.’f51ab8e11fb6e22b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Canux had e7bac16c1d been clear—bring 96393f6de1 the piece ae05a6f206 back, no 9eca7c5a25 matter what. He never said 33316c4872 anything about keeping 883b267792 the cost down.17204fe141c154fb

Yoon waited patiently, bc5af8346e letting the bidding 47c4579523 war escalate. Then, just when the 983b63b669 highest offer appeared, she d2849bcc03 calmly raised her paddle.7901b325a4d2c957

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Thirty-five billion.”f51a1b9bcfd81103

It was ee16d667b8 the highest cb96278c5c bid of c3bee34b11 the entire d2165b41bf auction.991393b735c9b6be

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Imagining Canux clutching 3e09a2f611 the back of c77c49919c his neck and e333532ac1 collapsing in shock, 25f1e1a538 Yoon smirked darkly.370fa9df13ad0290

* * *ef3fc6fc7d60bd5e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After the auction ended, d5d52d57ae Yoon let out a 77fff41f6e sigh as she stared 9f34316c5f at Reminiscence by the c996965edc artist El. Once this 2f51f1acdf exhibition was 2686803c05 over, she 575e8efad1 wouldn’t be 0f3701dcad able to f4407b56d5 see it 7fc16da0f4 again.1b492ed48ecd8e7c

Unless the buyer lent 0a83496d86 it out for future 9fdc33b22c displays or decided to 9a2d19c4d6 sell it, it was 7fbbfd54e6 gone from her reach. She wanted e8847dc6be nothing more 685d30ee24 than to 4725338b4c hunt the 97539b7d17 man down, b741515fb0 shake him 96a999d70a dry, and 5c97b5bcc4 demand he b9c8300ea7 hand over 117b1e0be5 the painting—but ef7a91f5c4 that ship 0b393c1cd5 had already 40fb54313b sailed.420a19014ecd3123

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Clutching the sting 76fede83d0 of loss, Yoon f78b5c00b0 gazed at the 0a1d29a2f4 artwork again. It was bc516f7933 still the 4c5751ffb7 perfect embodiment 5fc17da68e of her f0bf80501e childhood dream. And just like cc0045118c before, she felt 56ea03da55 herself being drawn b900f311ba into it.3e00c650b386ecc1

Without realizing it, her 153f0e07c8 hand reached toward the d4130b1c12 painting.a756ba4fd7ebae64

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What do you cc5a420024 think you’re doing?”4bd48b38ed9516d9

She flinched and turned 85dae96f27 her head. A tall man loomed 57457c6aa3 over her, so tall 9cfde7861a that she had to 07ce8f0463 crane her neck just 295fe2d66d to meet his gaze. The moment she saw f8c56c8b39 his face, her brows bbb3ea6dd6 furrowed.6af98fc427dec7b4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lowe Howard. The very 5b4a339cbe bastard who ef56031e05 had sent 8f1c845b03 uninvited guests 0fe85cb5fd to her 8095369339 home.954fc0f150162bf4

“You clearly lack basic appreciation for art. Do you not even know that touching a painting is forbidden?”0c651c54b27b8ed5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His flat expression 53a7ccde3f and mocking tone 1a8556d3c8 were absolutely infuriating. Yoon let 590dfcf772 out a 4b2ef4a267 short chuckle 5574785985 and withdrew 82c71b93ae her hand 667eb65e37 from the ee3a8afb7a artwork.75ab9c5248fc3abc

“Ah, right. I wouldn’t know, seeing as I never got a proper education.”448ded448f108d3a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She admitted it 16bd089782 with a straight c4249ec7a5 face, shoving her d3bacbd20d hands into her e1afbeeccd pockets.0dd3005ea89fe9c0

“But then again, you don’t exactly seem refined yourself.”87081c061d986abd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She took a slow 7defb5269c step toward him.6714356f34d174a0

“Who did you stab this time?”f7e0098583a97822

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Her eyes turned 8382702cdc cold. The scent 79150aae42 was unmistakable—familiar, 3de9b8606d even. Something she was sensitive d3a2a43baa to.0b17d821bed4d741

“You reek.”e5d33fd21e86d5ae

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoon whispered, now standing c8b86c1037 dangerously close.dab86ba840720da3

“Covered in the stench of blood, yet acting all high and mighty. Don’t you think that’s a bit funny?”e659a44db8207028

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her gaze 500437d46f was sharp 22f16715cc enough to 37d96627bc tear someone b975cb98b8 apart, but e765793dac Lowe simply fc42814d4c smirked, amused.5076f76efa2521c1

“Do you know me?”a34af2ed62a3d4c4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What’s with the dumb question? You know me too.”a608d2b9002ff449

Yoon didn’t bother hiding 0affd7ec45 her irritation. Lowe Howard. There was no 876a031311 way she wouldn’t fbe54ddf6f know him.d7a347bc86c8021e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Not that she d5e93b9c2e wanted to. Not that 45a1bfcdd2 she cared. But Lucas 20b21d1332 had drilled 8ccd2f3ae6 the names ab119fd2d1 of major cb112783d1 mafia figures 18d7930ba2 into her 1b67924dc0 head, insisting bd957f0174 she should 040b8ca5fb at least 263701a382 know the 01c84d74d8 basics.2f0c4a2052ffb4c2

Her gaze swept d74d238bb5 over him, blatant 1296aa2342 and unimpressed. He was tall, his 636e846481 face annoyingly smooth despite 0d0da05ff7 his rotten personality, and d9d88a9f69 overall, he had that ed1c220b40 rare, decadent beauty that 6221737bba was hard to find.6a95b54b9ad1fba7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Not my type.’8043d4df5be4d9c5

She had no 4314f601f8 interest in guys ff70e8c424 with punchable faces. Not all 4a2b4aa6b7 pretty faces 300d78e56a were worth 4edbe42a9c liking.c653200a67aceb3d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That thought led her 72a7708b54 to another man she 3118cb1eca knew—one she saw far 9e2169a5ac too often.2145011b5c72fc1a

She could almost 808d564a4e hear his indifferent 0ff35f1bf2 voice, telling her e9030d2be8 not to cause 1e9b0f1790 trouble.d35822effea72900

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Anyone would 100178ac8f think I’m 4b69c4c835 some ticking 11a3985a2d time bomb.’3da3b0ae5b99f547

Yoon muttered inwardly. Lucas might be 50c50ad41c an annoying nag, e08fc292cf but objectively speaking, 6519ac9296 he was the 327cd8e2d7 kind of man d48f431b4e people would turn 747a984dc5 to stare at c9f50793cf on the street.c7edc5260fa366c0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Tall, broad 54fe90b5b9 shoulders, a bc32391835 handsome face—hell, ff791bccc7 even his 6b00bb136e voice was b53e069060 unfairly pleasant. Now that she thought e2f5f1b6bf about it, there wasn’t a42e42bf58 a single thing lacking 50e0429ad0 about that bastard.5625978871ebb72a

‘Well, maybe e443fa8aa6 he looks 79b68fa041 even better 9bbdea5416 when he’s 2a767bc879 slicing up cc8d5553ab steak or 748c40dc87 patting my 72e519da60 head with bd1ee85c7c a smile.’871489a6f72fa776

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing that face every 5c45f75f1d day had probably numbed 8d2107a985 her. That was why Lowe ec68f69984 Howard’s looks weren’t doing 78895a7a79 anything for her.78c0984abd15524b

Lowe, on f9ef0cc46a the other 31894a0684 hand, was 84685ed7a8 intrigued. Her cynical 4d8764b818 attitude only 3b70a64df6 deepened the 9b06a5dbfd amusement in 41f2804e7c his gaze.bbf39041bbe93580

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Skipping the formalities and getting straight to business. I like that.”0f5e71db21322e26

A dark smile tugged 4201d74ebf at his lips as 744ba75a65 his fingers brushed over e2d26093d8 his mouth. He’d never met 9d6dd1cf5c someone quite like ad5d320b0a her before. A fresh new toy—something 67da59233c exciting.a2901e6e0c9e1d05

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I received the gift you sent me last time. I was expecting another one, so I must say, I’m quite disappointed.”c45f523469ff3040

“Gift? You mean the bomb.”b81ede09f2d7752c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoon scoffed at 0b24758ecf the obvious implication daf31fc173 behind another gift.9f0b680d2afb4aa9

“Could you move? You’re in the way of my appreciation.”7e78fd2be4cc0bba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This painting—she had no idea when she’d see it again. And yet here was Lowe Howard, blocking her view, wasting her precious time. Her eyes naturally darkened with irritation.7eb66b9686f08fa1

“Quite the mouth for someone admiring my painting.”dcf058a57f10d650

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…What?”6b17eb134b8824d4

Her brow twitched.2d2a2d8d45ccf391

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“The price was a bit excessive for a rookie artist, but judging by your expression, it was worth it.”a947fd3eb490ec7e

“So you’re the lunatic who was raising the bid by a billion at a time.”85f72b767c95e08c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The very bastard who had nearly driven her to selling a kidney. Yoon’s face turned ice-cold.1d6b1e206cbc7ee3

“Is there a problem with that?”3aaaa16c1cac5fbc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His shamelessness made her f60a60e695 fists clench. It had b4a65557bf been a c5c04e8986 long time 467dc4295f since someone 15015f3a30 pissed her f63b4a6dcf off more 1671e7c38c than Doctor.066bc5462616337b

Her already 851ab8a197 fragile patience d1a612cd90 felt like 9cca1be8f7 it was 667906e419 about to 1ab35cd2cc snap.3f99dd52213bc1e5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Don’t cause any bf54360364 trouble.’150301ab9ce713f7

Ugh. Did Lucas 7e671eff74 see the 4bd4d33a7e future or c13928b3d3 something? His voice 4b7ae7ad1c echoed vividly fba843ffb2 in her a3218c0b3e head, making b6c31b9787 her grind 78322dc5b9 her teeth 65f5d5f2b2 and force 4e4b1c6422 herself to ea9e4c0152 stay calm.7c8579e27e7ff45b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So, are you at least planning to hang it in your house?”be091dc9d5e06cdc

“Hardly. It’ll probably end up in some warehouse, collecting dust.”601f5c899688f34c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You son of a—”569e7fd7322b888e

She couldn’t hold back the curse that burst from her mouth.f8806a78206b4ccc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Watch your language. If you want to keep that pretty face intact.”48be67312abce484

His voice f998959296 was low 5605c596c8 and laced 3265885b7e with warning, fad20b793f but Yoon 2ba8923c77 didn’t flinch. Instead, she shot back c2b1cf93ca just as sharply.f925f4aeb93c252d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why don’t you shut up first? Unlike you, I don’t bother with thinking—I just act.”d5585d0ce8d0579f

Her gaze 89e852128c flicked downward b13cd50682 toward his 796f21cfc4 waistband, where 901262c334 something solid 7a46efdad7 pressed against 723cfacf5e his lower 004583c61e body.72bdfb9282871e66

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oops. Move the wrong way, and you’ll be pissing through a tube for the rest of your life.”3b383422da2bae16

Yoon smirked up 4ac5060e21 at him, deliberately 707a2af3b3 provoking him.7531f60bfec23d40

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lowe glanced down d9af0889b9 at the gun 1d91bd6362 now aimed at 1311724597 his groin. His lips curled eef4bf76dd in amusement.87e2950c9b50927c

“Quick hands.”1988c1b1c43ca89b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His gaze 237d363a87 swept their adde692491 surroundings, and 76159838df Yoon did caef2a86d6 the same. His men had c0f2e32f6f quietly surrounded them.06be5f586af38d38

She let out 952a058267 a derisive chuckle.a1747ccdf3ec1d22

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Brought quite a crowd, huh? What, afraid of little old me?”2647bbbc59699b09

“Judging by how freely you’re running your mouth, I’d say you’re the one lacking fear.”2e1709f18a6e8265

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Didn’t I already tell you? I never got much of an education. Maybe that’s why I don’t scare easy.”40f4721b14429a49

She shrugged 096cedbffc nonchalantly before 9496e8ea7e tilting her bb6e12e0b9 head, as e5d012f271 if just 4070d608e8 realizing something.036ab7e250876c52

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“By the way, you been busy playing around? If not, you definitely won’t be able to anymore.”bae9002da2f520e1

A smirk tugged 4e46535f26 at her lips, d65dd39139 laced with mock 2549fb9e18 sympathy.cb1b39d582f3d306

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“One more word out of you, and I’ll put a bullet through your skull.”57403181d87a2e2e

“Let’s see what happens first—your shot landing, or you losing something very important.”a571a6f01d260992

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A soft, 1cbd33e418 almost lazy e8ae9c7659 voice—but her b0e575a5ab smile was 874e03f759 ice-cold.e69bbcf0262d1f8f

A dangerous b4fae0dd64 silence hung ac619e2234 between them, 94aa4107cb a quiet 51bfa333bd flame sparking f8ef1349f5 in their d42b305c41 locked gazes.c8050c0280173d12

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just then, a trembling 3695e383d3 staff member hesitantly approached, 73d25eafb6 hands shaking as he 154b3c5b86 spoke.c94865e12331c0f7

“Uh… I-I’m terribly sorry to interrupt your conversation, but… w-we’ve gone way past closing hours. If you wouldn’t mind continuing your discussion elsewhere…?”b690356bc727f422

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Behind him, 113fa9c8bf dozens of 5907ce2f5f other employees ffdf9e5e4d stood frozen, 2fe6193174 watching the 1b338c1e69 standoff in 1479e0b37d fear.228f273db1d0db5d

Yoon clicked her eb2527fffd tongue and turned 44135ad54c to Lowe. If they started aaa11135ab a shootout here, 60d8ad973f government dogs would 07f3d393fb swarm in an 73d3b52926 instant.c5afdc61da598356

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With a subtle gesture, 2c544fe37b Lowe ordered his men ce209a2ded to back off. Yoon, too, lowered her 74457dab08 gun, finally easing the dde4185c5b suffocating tension.8ec5141fbe994b11

As the 1e1f1e4ff0 air cleared, 37a4765643 the staff ed11fdd343 let out 8f16303a20 collective sighs c2e7775cf3 of relief. At last, they fa2093a346 could finally go 74cbc29904 home.6dd2d2bea6719ddb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Or so they f7250af685 thought—until they saw d3efb06b3a Yoon striding toward ab66c001f6 them with purpose. One employee nearly choked 54da996983 on his breath.30acef0d7ffc16a9

“Who’s in charge here?”088e4f645a2ecf66

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Y-Yes! That’s me!”60dc40a94abff8ff

“Do you know when another one of El’s paintings will be up for auction?”d7ccce9a9ee3a9c9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ah… I’m afraid I can’t give you a definite answer. Unlike other artists, he’s difficult to contact.”c09bb6cc96796166

The employee, though 49a880ce0a trembling, answered diligently. The mention of 329fa5f174 El being hard 89169b855d to reach deepened 562905b5fa the disappointment on 7532efe776 Yoon’s face.ceb0eca072e48e1f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What about his real name? His appearance? Any records?”bff47b456b0bb049

“W-Well… He’s an incredibly private individual….”c5049c9e627118fc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The staff member 16b02d2b8d trailed off nervously, 7abc3dd7a1 glancing at Yoon ee12e1139a as if afraid f09231ba8b of offending her.96575a471f96061f

“I see.”e676557585f1e339

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Yoon nodded bb714a72ab slowly before 40c313a7dd adding casually—b755d53f02b1e42d

“Oh, and I’d recommend deleting today’s CCTV footage.”6120f135eceee258

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Pardon? CCTV footage must be preserved according to regulations….”5c8681d7123cf3e5

The employee’s pupils 28ea10daa5 wavered uncontrollably. A strange sense eedbdc69f5 of doom settled a615d9ff83 over him.8297e711c70dbc50

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoon nodded again, 353080b46b this time with 41bdb6e1da something almost resembling de6ad0a9a6 understanding.e545261a8d3e420f

“Regulations are important, sure. But are they more important than your life?”88880ce2ef552918

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“M-My… My l-l-life…?”7fd030cb78fcc13a

Ah. So that’s 31741c04c5 why his e994fe096a dreams were a0e8fc88c0 so ominous 6cd7bf40a7 last night. They’d been warning c8d85510ef him about this. The poor staff c0ee08cd38 member shivered violently, 054ba412ea tears welling in 2581fb1acf his eyes.3268d3c2d1b06d0a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not the one you should be worried about.”97273868a562e08b

Yoon lazily 9e9d70bf24 gestured toward a0bfd658b3 Lowe Howard.684013beac915717

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The moment the c031e8e12e trembling employee followed 0d8205bca3 her gaze and 21d9ecb89d locked eyes with 46926ae842 Lowe, he let 60663149a1 out a strangled 9dcc20bb8d squeak and collapsed 022712260f onto the floor.5cbed64caf76b6c7

Yoon tilted her 3b5880d62c head, watching the e12ebcf1a3 pathetic display.1e57b6034a57e1f2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In the end, this 8c46343695 incident wouldn’t leak. Even if 25423bc2db she didn’t 90983279a9 intervene, that 47d67b8c53 annoying bastard 3d413f302b would take 00e4689e52 care of 0c32cca759 it himself. Mafia conflicts stayed c37bfd73c7 within mafia circles. That was their unspoken bbb61c5a30 rule.ecb03f921a8095d3

With that in 2cef235610 mind, it really 04041290d8 wasn’t her problem. She might as f97bb52e2a well leave.72b4a276f6f70d15

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Just as she was b21d5a7571 about to turn away—63e9f623559c4b4e

‘Don’t cause any 3bbf661ea7 trouble.’5833e70f0c5cc47a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lucas’s firm voice echoed ac87032891 in her head, anchoring 190a7730d0 her feet to the b31e243e43 ground.a764fdcb1c1d50aa

Damn it.25d13fd08842696d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Groaning, she ran f0caeaa1c1 a hand through ab936c9f82 her hair, ruffling 0a686eaf8e it in frustration.f90ff994c73bef63

Fine.22fd6fd31ee70e74

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Grumbling under her breath, 0a76587bcd Yoon resigned herself to c2a1de1a47 cleaning up the mess. * * *3ae6e2c92c2f206c

Yoon collapsed onto cbdb58c4ec the bed with 1283eb80da a soft thud, c0b11441fa closing her eyes 5d41f3ffbd as she listened 9d28529b12 to the sound eec238aa2e of running water 7b1e84ce32 from the bathroom. The quiet hum bf2425832c of everyday noise 7619a1a0f4 lulled her into 092c564075 drowsiness, and she 5555373bce let sleep take 6172095bd5 her without resistance.8a927750eece2afe

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Before long, the water ec0dc439b2 stopped, and the bathroom 181e2c670f door swung open. Yoon lazily opened 100eff188f her eyes just 0837f6e148 as Lucas stepped b4bafffe56 out, towel-drying his 381e3599cb damp hair. His gaze landed a07e462824 on her sprawled 57ecacac0f across his bed, e74feb62bd and after a 3e2468348b moment, he lowered fa41c9798e the towel and 7cac1b84ff lightly tapped her ae759cd2ea forehead with his b045b99546 hand.52d51a4cf839c74c

“…I don’t recall f4045b1d64 giving you the 695c1a8cdc door code so cb88ad91eb you could just 7498239efb waltz in whenever ecf5507bc2 you wanted.”0b7bcfc6804f487e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Just let me 16c1b1c588 sleep. This place is closer 91d4662e65 than my house.”62c22ee3a7fecb97

Mumbling, Yoon buried her d23cd08e7c face into the pillow.238d05d4a3181f52

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Did you secure b64580bbb5 the item?”6b7e2d5cb6e9f63d

Still half-asleep, Yoon gave 2602a7d8a5 a sluggish nod and 11f8e2f71d murmured.f3114b7d523437d9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’ll arrive at 51d5b82afc the main house 7c2ae9e52e within ten days.”07d5042c9d57fa97

“Good work.”a3a484a5dcc62855

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Without another 4ff86fcc62 word, Yoon e306855418 pushed herself 5fe1653bf8 up and 10ae6f9177 trudged toward 047c500737 the bathroom.1391e74dcc1208d4

“Give me some 93ffd931f7 clothes.”ca3f437c45cfba4f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do I look like 53e53509c7 your wardrobe?”b9a1c91fa7255e40

Lucas sighed but 3a4943c055 handed her a c28d353aa9 set of his ab6a5273e3 own clothes. Yoon casually waved 74f38f6b27 a hand in 4c6bb15f9f thanks before stepping 5e7d0a8541 into the bathroom. The sound 5d544271b3 of running 0f9d5b31c6 water soon ce240542ec followed.49f2415f208562a5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucas resumed drying e6cabc9e3f his hair, then 4c88bb6067 moved on to 316c796e55 tidying up the 16a6e7cf09 disheveled bed. Once finished, he 99b744da81 headed to the 7ab87a59ea kitchen, taking ingredients b97309df52 from the fridge 6effe5b077 and preparing a 12f496c2ee meal.911971755c3873d2

By the time 3b60f7429d the food was 69d70ffa25 nearly done, Yoon b3c7ce27d8 emerged from the 6d26713ff5 bathroom, freshly showered.3703bd403d35f14b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The dry 921bfc2a36 clothes he’d 0fed7aa2c4 given her 6412e02357 were already 4c27b7246a damp from 2c1f6e4fb9 the water 14f7c70a42 dripping off 1a751ea60d her hair, 9c1a0ba35a leaving a 982b275a3a trail of 9a9c811b00 droplets on 8d4da30ccb the floor. Lucas let out a 617cf4590f small sigh and reached aacee6bc73 for the towel draped 62a7ca2249 around her neck, pulling d6a0b183f5 it off.120d7337d3fd3c89

“Sit.”9e5022b723824e95

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Mhm.”bd1e23b3e7e44247

Yoon obediently perched on 33049e47ca the edge of the eca0d72f4c bed. If someone else was f3d50f96ec willing to dry her cbd3a77258 hair for her, she d178f07ddc had no complaints.a1e9a605a22da425

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You didn’t cause any 1cf78b098d trouble, did you?”4f2cc78f7b544f58

Lucas asked as 0454cb726e he gently rubbed d9125026b9 the towel through 83f9a19605 her hair.61e7538c0c1a0eb9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“For the love dad8be5d94 of—can you stop f150207698 saying that? I hear your 645cadae17 voice everywhere I 3dc0b4fd1c go now.”5e64781ade0c1070

She twisted around to 5b3fbd6051 glare at him, grumbling c5b1d09cac about developing a complex. Lucas chuckled b22922b071 quietly at 72c384b2c1 her complaint.0a50c82f1a6334f6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s good 0b3bd9ff83 to hear.”71c050c704b38442

He placed a f2a4fa02da steadying hand on 12f48a24d6 her shoulder, turning 2accb83959 her back around 9cb80f9e96 with ease before a502d3a98a continuing to dry 07a63a44cf her hair.e0333d929c13fd28

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoon blinked at the 2a23f351f2 sudden shift in position 272f6d24ef but soon relaxed, her 9eda76ae5c body growing slack under f93d6a1bec the rhythmic motion. The soft e15800c135 rustling of 5ccdae5647 the towel 519f1af271 against her 27a7b735f3 hair tickled 00fd7f2031 her ears, 404b944572 making her 6bc8ce137e feel light ba90e6a8c6 and drowsy.fa7841564522c13a

As a quiet hum c1ee82cdcb escaped her lips, Lucas’s 0050e9df33 hands suddenly froze.87c10689fa9c3b89

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why’d you stop? Keep going.”1cfa6d29dc31f8f3

Yoon mumbled, grabbing his 774d6bf455 hand and pressing it cd7cd5d951 against her head, urging eff09e0a25 him to continue.aa5f15b1e12b8267

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For a 423d77b896 brief moment, d6da312d34 Lucas forgot 46aed3942e to breathe.8f25eb7e86316e40

There were b6d22deb62 rare times—like b7ec0ab447 now—when Yoon 9fab7b2fea acted this 72142c9d60 endearing without b05c5c7030 even realizing a8f5e83eed it. And every time, 7e169b363d it caught him a0bd462def off guard.727a0c4db90bafd1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hiding his reaction, he 32b0680e58 casually ruffled her hair, a7df997a2c messing it up on 761a9b5a68 purpose.106bf6bbf59447c1

Yoon shot him a 219717b7b6 disgruntled look but didn’t 2e28e51dd3 push further as he 0b81b95f71 smoothly brushed past her f081a1f58a sulking.33331f16607a3012

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Get up. Eat something before you 80f41b69f4 sleep.”dc1e2ccb29e2c439

“Not hungry.”c49eb8217e08669f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She flopped down 140f4e0491 onto the bed, c63b5b1aa1 intent on passing f75ec7f550 out immediately, but 68182ba5ea Lucas blocked her 21146cef03 effortlessly, gently guiding a6aa32a45f her back upright.c04acd74f5cb4325

Just then—d007aa046a017652

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ding.7b213391ca9caf1f

Yoon’s phone buzzed.cd38d8d648dc3101

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucas reached over, f76ed79c57 picked it up, 51ccd5d24e and held it 506daeb2dc out to her, abe66bbdd8 but she waved a2c682e11c a dismissive hand.0069a738bea3b601

With a sigh, 56f0b05bbe he glanced at 753f91a3bb the screen—878904ce3e2d2700

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, without a 7a48c78efe word, he suddenly d21efb87e8 grabbed her wrist.e552468ccf619c4d

“Wait.”22e8fc647a32cbe2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What? Didn’t you just tell me to eat?”c3784045d1b9f204

Yoon asked, confused. Lucas was staring 76002a573b at her phone 8863fc3e43 screen in silence, 1a6d08ebb1 his expression hardening 4c9df20b2f by the second.40048b4888848271

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yoon.”9453529895c7eb15

“What?”93666e45c53223ee

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She gave a91aa85625 her wrist 124fcd8ea4 a little e06fb0e7b1 shake, signaling 4f63f75194 him to b90e922278 hurry up 297861401e and spit 3fe80f0fd1 it out.a61ec3e53f820bda

“Didn’t you say you didn’t cause trouble?”9d6faf4baf1169d7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Her movements 96bb1db6fd came to cc8f4b6edc an abrupt 646209ff41 halt. A bad feeling aab8c43530 crept over her.18e8360ffdedfc0e

“I… didn’t?”bce4f45328667f64

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The uncertainty in c04e0b11c1 her own voice 412d4c0fc6 made her frown. Something was definitely wrong.3c96dcacab4e9869

“Then what’s this?”54329e309da656b7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Lucas turned ad4c4db1d6 the screen eeb596b945 toward her.cb555da50be70247

Yoon squinted at fb9e295b5f the message, pulling 7d8dbe7e2a his hand closer e487f4864c to read it c8c37b0dbd properly.6d1e78f9671f8eb7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

[The gift will arrive in a few days. See you next time.]

Just as she 12c552aeab was about to 2eb64df4bd ask who sent 47714ff37c it, her eyes 7fb8c8fe6f landed on the b42ad38623 attached image.0c4c9a032598966d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her mouth slowly 8acaffdf56 fell open.c562183a9eee4066

“…That crazy bastard.”00f634bfcee0fd67

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The words slipped out a00b5a6e64 instinctively, her voice laced 5bc8beb6cf with disbelief.5d56dd3646df6ab3

She shot 10732f9dc7 a glance a1f75a3be6 at Lucas, f49c2bddff who let b3fcc78cfc out a 3dba0a58fb long, deep 9058026f01 sigh. His silence was 49e24ca551 far more terrifying bb534ad6ce than if he 631325daf2 had started yelling.07fb02410ebfb7e5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Suppressing the 92b5ac6f98 sharp rise 9382033193 in his 3b4ac1d084 temper, he 289be45fdc asked once d963504edb more—338d95aeaf247e62

“Explain.”659ff0909c6ef902

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His voice, low and 23d2edf18f dangerous, made it clear 0c4f19394e he wasn’t simply asking 7f636f9d90 what happened.748e53e727328d72

‘What the hell did fd44e65702 you do this time?’8c2be1c08cf73d25

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoon let bb5e5ad901 out an f0c6cbfead awkward chuckle, f0384e575d cursing Lowe abf82d9ae0 Howard internally. That guy a224f376c5 never brought c9eda04b26 anything good 3a7a1660ea into her 023befcd98 life. Any drowsiness from 9dd1470be5 before had completely e251565cb6 evaporated.bd5e8216fd1be7dd

“Uh… How about we eat first and then talk?”20221088003822f0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She gave him f16734cad8 her best attempt 5be89c699d at a casual 98a5b5ebc2 deflection.ddc1ab14fc68acab

Lucas’s eyebrow twitched.c710c588ab32d54c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Didn’t you just say you weren’t hungry?”03c1dfe459be287f

The immediate, 2b8275229a icy retort baaf649712 sent her ef3407fb53 eyes darting 423714a287 sideways. She could already 169e7d0faa tell—no excuse was fb7dfc2ed4 going to get d397db58a2 her out of 094d72dda0 this one.dae3e90e5e8142c9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘I’m screwed.’f7dbdc962533799b

If she 35c3ee420a didn’t answer bb0514c454 properly, he c840b77a66 was going 74c7816a7b to kick fdf0303938 her out.5f9b40d25b603489

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With no choice left, 1c1e76ade0 Yoon gave a condensed bb1e8b3e70 version of everything that 5268a6753d had happened—the encounter at a8ec83e03f the auction house, the 2c59fe1f9c run-in with Lowe at 269723fc30 the exhibition, and the d8e8eeff9d near-disaster that followed.27f134e1166d9d34

Of course, a9788c3a87 she made 31abca88f0 sure to cf014a10a0 emphasize how 512dcb39a1 perfectly she b21d3b86d7 had handled 040d445226 the aftermath.62799b8c4ab82e06

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

By the time fcaa196aa0 she finished, Lucas a5642cae43 was pressing a 2d24859d07 hand to his c2a8c55377 temple, trying to 87625f7595 soothe his growing d5da3ef614 headache.1120b2cd7420d5b5

“So, let me get this straight—you almost started a full-blown shootout at an exhibition full of civilians. Over a painting.”d093fa108195b7e1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, no, that’s not the point. The point is that I almost did but didn’t, and I even wrapped everything up neatly.”0a27c9c529b79533

Yoon, like 613b9d3217 a guilty 73ac800e77 cat, subtly fb0d9b449c reached for 2dc3d421a3 his fingers, 25070427da tapping them 531e7852f2 lightly as 5b03b0937d if to d4adb9291a pacify him.a76003ae3e98c56f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lucas exhaled, 08d3e88ec3 long and 49da0acd2e slow.f04183dddc7538ea

“…Was the painting really that important?”938d9fdfe93a10f7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Yoon, who a27ee8c654 had been 151efd6982 bracing herself 152f277c08 for a f6a2bb964e storm of 1cfdccc5fe nagging, blinked fed68252b1 at the c237a6488d unexpected question.40c4cccb7d37e53b

If she admitted 026cad7bd9 that she liked fae39a7081 it, he would a806fd2343 ask why. And if 890c78a500 she answered 319b218674 that, she f555469949 would inevitably 7bd6d588ea have to 2ab923fddb talk about 94cfe5957e the past.6ab08ae448cb1db7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Without realizing it, 960b877d69 she tightened her e427d4518d grip around his fd859ca523 fingers. Her own 05a786691d fingers wove 0b5dd05b53 between his, 5290ef1a82 pressing into 473027b478 the familiar 2d5fcd016a warmth.2eea99d0444b054a

Slowly, she murmured—408e4f5f0f3a927a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s not that I liked it, exactly… It just felt kind of nostalgic.”77706e553d90c0de

Her voice trailed off 061a63ec48 into something quieter.fe37015eb2b677e0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She absentmindedly ran her 4b6793f436 fingers over his hand, 2c2981e755 before eventually pulling it 291c9dab11 onto her lap.cf66759637b6d65a

It was an 10f87e9ba0 unconscious habit—one Lucas 0ca219a553 recognized well.87323e50c7d7ae5f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She never noticed, but c39643e62c whenever she was unsettled, 039647be51 she did this.fd12a2bdb43c4e42

Watching her in silence, e0b9a8a081 Lucas simply let her 5c48dd2066 hold his hand.6d4d4cfea0f6c018

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As Yoon absentmindedly played d70b76e001 with Lucas’s hand, old 4b82e4af18 memories surfaced—memories of a 2c0d3fe2aa childhood that was neither c9b533d34e special nor kind. Just another 1d60c661bd forgotten kid 9d2a3599a8 in 5th a6299bb1bd Avenue, where a913bfe126 everything was 222e9c93c1 bleak and 3d7d517cf9 cruel.013fad855b5b7be7

She blinked slowly, 9ddb079478 then spoke in f6f3794dd7 a voice so 87bd18886d calm it could 4482cf6a15 lull a listener 1e235bfeef to sleep.df8ac5b0ee166687

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well… you already know this, but before I was dragged into this life by the boss, I lived in 5th Avenue. A place crawling with addicts, gamblers, and all kinds of lunatics. My so-called father was one of them.”df5242791abf7b6e

Though I killed 2d5e88f56d him with my 799f511717 own hands.0a04222f2a7ccb22

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Yoon stated e1f1db346f it matter-of-factly, c5db50270a with a 5f05c619e7 bitter smirk. A child who 10216dc244 murdered their own f92e02a3a4 parent. That label would 41844afce6 follow her to 41ecd8f14c the grave, but 9d6bb5bbf6 she didn’t care. Even if 8f63a8f490 she went 164828c695 back to e866afe6ec that day, 73ac407ff7 she would 2684df6c22 kill him 60ef2e6c42 all over c780e2a744 again.f8d2acc9df552965

Once she started a570bb095e speaking, the words 78668cd0c6 came easier. What started c64b274a22 as a 9bd46d581a reluctant confession e7b798e138 soon became f9eed75455 a detached 7da1e3b99f retelling of d5cb83e65a the past.5dc424c87f00a56f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Unlike now, I was weak back then. Pathetically powerless against violence. The most frequent thought in my head was, ‘Ah, I wish I were dead.’ I grew up getting beaten almost every day.”865d991c51895e6f

Her smile 2f05ad63f0 was empty, cb6a1f4961 like someone 8d1e3c6b55 telling an 241f9b9519 amusing but cc9de64113 distant story. The quiet chuckle that d7439bf05b followed dug into Lucas’s fe36023729 chest like a blade.6b24fba18bd65b98

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He had known—suspected, at 857739a778 least—that Yoon’s life had 44b39bfeb1 been cruel. But hearing 925284d59e her say 24c09f76c6 it out ddf443bbd9 loud made 3b35e51cb6 it worse ea92c0b1ec than he 82ab5b38a9 had imagined.30531a6ce2787468

“But there was one boy who took care of me. Blond hair, blue eyes—he was ridiculously good-looking.”4cb87abc26b48584

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Her tone softened 919171e3e1 with faint amusement, 9ca4895045 as if her b44345f814 story had taken 85d182db78 a turn.1c4e2de8c71112db

“He was the one who gave me my name. Back then, I didn’t have one.”72af3517704d365b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yoon’s voice was 7bc0503f87 eerily steady as 91f7ff87d5 she continued.034693a8270cd9cd

“Kids like me—ones with similar backgrounds—used to mock me for it. Saying I was just some nameless Asian girl. But then, that boy came up to me and said he’d give me a name. In return, he asked me to name him too. And that’s how we both got names. I became Yoon, and he became Noah.”05050a09ae3615aa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She let the 64b0adbbb8 name roll off 3f9b0a1e31 her tongue slowly, f228004daa as if savoring 64070e2be6 it.025ffbcfccdbb650

“I was happy. It wasn’t the man who hit me and left me to starve who named me—it was someone who took care of me, someone who cherished me. Even if I pretended otherwise, I really liked him.”7808adc9722757b2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At that, Lucas 4abcb824c0 unconsciously tightened his 728dd9e12c grip on her 1fbfa5a611 hand.63ad1891c05e6ac6

Noticing, Yoon lightly d92e231faf tapped his hand, b9e0729dbf silently telling him 82c9a7d5c7 to relax, before 3877bdc92a continuing.a7bdfbee19632410

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Every time that man beat me, the only place I could escape to was Noah. He took hits in my place dozens of times. He patched up my wounds hundreds of times. And every time, he held me tight and whispered the same words—’It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay. It won’t hurt anymore.’”b83687dba6187794

Those words felt like 67532f0559 a spell.da2ee430c068439e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yes, Noah’s voice 06a81ddb1b had always felt 7e88befbc8 like a spell. When he 39adf8a1a3 spoke, the da89880268 pain and 97ce246e63 the wounds c13c9606da seemed to fcbeae46a9 fade.b2b33d7b828e53d3

Yoon had survived 8f8f37cf84 hell every day b14b6cb821 because of his f93b0ddcff kindness.1bcb20aea9c38054

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucas swallowed. The way Yoon spoke—her 1404ff229c soft expression, her wistful 7cc64217f3 tone—it made his chest 5af0510478 tighten uncomfortably.2c8efa5d19c01939

“It was the first time anyone had ever held me like that. The first time warmth had ever felt real. I was so shocked. I never knew something in this world could feel that gentle.”53b954a3d738bb37

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Her voice dipped into 5a63c82af9 something almost nostalgic.7f7b8286d61f3b19

“So every time I saw Noah, I’d beg him to hold me. He’d always sigh like he had no choice but still pull me into his arms.”afc385b4cefad4ce

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A small laugh slipped 4e604d1de7 from her lips at c2393f424a the memory.a3522cfe218e1439

“He told me about all the beautiful things in the world. He told me about the ocean, how blue it was, how sometimes it turned red like the sunset, and how it could even shimmer purple. He promised we’d go see it together one day. But we never did.”b9779ffa9ba010a8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Because one day, 79bf735443 Noah disappeared.bb0b59f5efac39e5

Yoon let 436dbb5571 out a 5741c8b186 dry, humorless 1c2357c693 chuckle and 139f9101dd flopped back 5cb9d9e9b3 onto the dbf2634755 bed. The soft sheets swallowed 08fa96ba08 her, wrapping around her ff72d95a98 like a cocoon.dd7d5b8cdc56b09d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That painting… it looked exactly like the ocean Noah described to me. That’s why I wanted it so badly.”2d07cb9f2aff66f0

Turning on her side c194f842e7 to face Lucas, she 07f22d5106 tapped the back of ea10906989 his hand lightly.1872e7d0a9c95a9e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Does that answer your question?”63de09881428d069

Lucas exhaled slowly.0d817899bba2daef

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Yeah.”6bf3aa64b7fd9be6

He forced 10a5e24c18 the words f07b777e70 out, swallowing 98fd8a2d18 down the 651d6c2f7c unfamiliar storm fc2d4c8941 of emotions d3cac8fa99 that threatened b8f2fe1747 to rise.64ebe2a09ebf14b3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Can I sleep now?”b4bcfd9c508cef88

Yoon’s eyes sparkled 76439292c5 with anticipation as 91b84edd83 she stared at f3e0671ac8 Lucas.d92dced1da8b4f43

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After a moment 0a476a82b0 of silence, he ff4ccd343b finally spoke.60177c18d53e948d

“No.”fdbc0249788f2117

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What now?!”e2d40f204c9bdedd

Yoon groaned, aacbd5b749 running a 9580cea653 frustrated hand 13c3d3e9b9 through her fad700fd63 hair at a4657c5a6b his sharp, bf1aaf9aab unwavering answer. She shot 0205444b97 him a 8e84900e96 glare filled 28599e8ed4 with pure 30f4239341 betrayal, but 606b0d6b24 all he 25d10f36a6 did was d821d4305e casually flick 201884ced1 her forehead.63f6e4c19699c357

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Because you need to eat.”4c185699394df16b

His quiet chuckle 36732865d7 brushed against her c90d13b52f ears, and before edd441ffe8 she could protest f324eb2518 further, his large 56e8809fed hand landed gently 298921e0ed on top of f8efaf5dd7 her head.3321236130112232

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Come on, Yoon. Let’s eat.”0f3597e32216f6dd

“Ugh. That damn food obsession of yours.”7b99fe8bb2bd8503

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She grumbled but, 6d78269ca9 seeing the faint 62013bc2f3 smile tugging at 06edebfa30 his lips, found b7cbe40aab herself feeling strangely f332ce9f60 reassured.283ecaedc77e78d8

With a dramatic 432e4443ec sigh, she trudged 456cb7cecd after him, following b8a2704c96 him to the 0e76353cba kitchen.e96192257f34e6bf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

* * *5a9835ae4cd43085

Sarak—6fabb462c25926d0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Fingers gently brushed e60510ae55 away stray strands 9470d21735 of hair before 44934b025e tapping her nose 050b3b67c4 lightly, as if 041b74043b giving her a def90824cf small punishment.27bdc7a1bc6a2a52

Yoon didn’t stir.69b931395ed917a9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucas, watching 786d0710b2 her peaceful 11db8462ea face, let 2834053767 a small, 8b343ed627 almost imperceptible 56f261c4fc smile slip. With practiced ease, he 3cd55a7ad5 pulled the blanket over 85da6991dc her and got up 2f5d92377d from the bed.c2879594f8cca0d1

As always, she had a1dd2a1e10 barged in unannounced, sprawled 719dd44133 across his bed without 63cec9f7bb a care. And as 8aeeb311aa always, that 862d56c30b meant he dae29e5b11 was banished b070075b7b to the cb6713cf00 couch again.b7e6199feaa8be08

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His lips twitched into c84ab000d2 a wry smile. The absurdity of 7b7dbbb5c5 the situation wasn’t d9b5659614 even the funny 85a1889af5 part—it was how 247d926000 naturally he was cef848c114 getting used to 3b1035a7f8 it.150b42a8d43eb57d

Letting out a quiet c1a3ae55a7 exhale, he lay down 040cb5edde on the couch, flipping 2d16ce2c47 through documents under the acb86fe663 soft glow of the 636a39b578 lamp. Shadows danced bc484cd2fd across his 401e696ca6 sharp features fc181a5cd1 as he 897902be32 skimmed over 5d57b1c216 the endless 076fb6f27a pages of 61d62a314e reports, his dda8d4fbb8 fingers rubbing f4af6413ca at his 6abbcc4045 temple as e68ba2ef5d exhaustion began 25563f5972 to creep 3c3712f9f2 in.16281717f62462d3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

There was too much 21fe07f5d9 information to process in 30ace12e0b a single day. But out b6d4dae72b of everything 5ec4404a1e he’d received, 797395032f the most 85765d2b94 pressing was af9c896187 still her.6b492a43998d1306

From the moment c4a0ae5211 they met, Yoon 681924aad7 had been impossible 595334bce4 to ignore. Even now, after d9d739cba6 all this time, ea9e3d2a87 she continued to 7f2c64a77a pull his attention 6264654293 like a gravitational fd42010334 force.fb42d1eaf6c911f2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His expression darkened 8293e4ced4 slightly.99d453798fe17fb2

And then there was a84c9d942d Lowe Howard.fc46be5345e19454

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The bastard’s interest 5cc0b8c348 in Yoon was 0c567ba4bb beyond blatant. Deliberate. Lucas had expected someone a5b283bedd from the Howard family 401c33d5dc to attend the auction, b1b2ba9d06 but he hadn’t expected 3f4c7080da Lowe himself.cfad22952b1cb45c

 44f798d775c853ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley