"I also got your favorite milk and snacks." Giovanni smiled.
I glanced at the unusually cozy study but didn’t step inside.
Giovanni looked at me expectantly. "Honey, I bet you’ll love it."
I responded flatly, "Hmm, I like it."
Then I turned and walked into the bathroom. Warm water cascaded over my weary body, but my memories ran uncontrollably backward.
When the company was first starting, Giovanni was nearly at his wits’ end. The newly hired researchers all refused to perform pathological dissections on cadavers, quitting one after another.
I took on all the dissection work myself, reassuring him, "As long as I’m here, you can rest easy."
We made it through those tough times. I thought life was finally on the right track—until I discovered Giovanni’s clandestine meetings with Lianna.
Forget it. Let it end here.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, I froze.
The dining table was set with steak and red wine, a trail of rose petals leading the way.
Giovanni stood holding a sheer black silk robe, adorned with delicate sparkles.
"Honey, I made this for you with my own hands."
"You’d look stunning in it. I’d love for us to enjoy this together."
He leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. "You smell so good. I’ve missed you so much."
Was this his way of compensating for betrayal?
Feigning ignorance of his insinuation, I silently distanced myself and turned on all the lights. "Let’s eat. Finish up and get some rest."
After all, tomorrow I needed to check on the progress of the data uploading, which was important for the smooth execution of Project X.
Giovanni didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked softly, "Not feeling well lately?"
I forced a faint smile.
Some wounds can never be healed, no matter how hard you try to make amends.
The sharp chime of the doorbell interrupted us. Standing at the villa entrance was Lianna.
Her face darkened at the sight of the candlelit room and scattered roses. She deliberately emphasized each word, "I’m here to deliver a special research report to Mr. Collins."
"He needs to return to the company immediately to personally inspect this batch of medical equipment."
I lowered my gaze. It seemed they couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment.
Giovanni quickly changed and left with her. "Dr. Lopez has an important surgery tomorrow night. I need to check all the medical equipment."
I didn’t respond, silently watching them leave.
After he was gone, I pulled out my phone and checked the surveillance feed.
On the company’s heavy-ion radiotherapy machine, a red ribbon fluttered in the air.
One end was tied to the equipment, the other around Lianna’s waist.
As for Giovanni, he looked utterly content.
My phone buzzed again. The caller ID displayed that familiar unknown number.
"The black-market evidence chain is complete. Target for this operation: Lianna, female, 28 years old."
"Over the past six months, 12 cadavers have been sent to her secret lab without any proper documentation."
I gazed at the city lights outside the window and calmly replied, "I guarantee the mission will be completed on time."
—
The next day, Giovanni followed me to the dissection room.
He was acting oddly today—clinging to me like a shadow.
As I organized materials, he volunteered to sort the documents.
When I cleaned the instruments, he eagerly handed me cleaning supplies and clothes.
Even when I went to the restroom, he waited outside the door.
Just as I was reaching my limit, Giovanni leaned against me like a spoiled puppy, brushing his shoulder against mine.
"Honey, I want to stay by your side forever."
"You’re the love of my life. I can’t live without you."
