Chapter 181 Did You Get Back Together with Him?
Today was cloudy. The soft daylight made the indoors a bit dim, but it outlined Lucas's features even more sharply and deeply.
Intense desire and possessiveness surged through my body. Surrounded by Lucas's scent, my consciousness drifted in and out.
"Lucas, I'm tired," I said in a low, hoarse voice with a hint of complaint.
Lucas paused for a moment. His fingertips traced slowly up along my waistline, reaching my chest, rubbing gently.
After a few seconds, he flipped me over so my back was facing up. He kissed my neck and back, saying dominantly, "One more time, the last time."
I kicked my legs a bit but eventually chose to indulge him.
When I woke up, it was already afternoon. I felt a bit annoyed at having wasted a workday.
The blankets were warm and cozy. Lucas's arm circled my waist, our bare skin touching, seemingly creating an electric current.
I sat up, but he pulled me back down.
"Where are you going?" Lucas hadn't fully woken up yet, his voice somewhat deep.
"I want some water."
"Wait." Lucas tucked the blanket around me, got up from bed with a tired look, casually grabbed his pants from beside the bed and put them on, walked to the coffee table to pour a glass of water, then came back and handed it to me.
I looked up and saw my reflection clearly in his deep eyes. There were several suggestive red marks on his neck, and scratches and bite marks on his chest.
My breath caught, and I instinctively looked away, my ears burning hot.
Lucas let out a pleased, light laugh.
"Satisfied?" he asked. "Satisfied with my service?"
I pretended not to hear. Lucas didn't press further. After I finished drinking, he lay back down beside me, pulled me into his arms, tightened his hold, yet didn't dare use too much force, as if holding the world's most precious treasure.
"Sleep a bit more?" His chin rested gently on top of my head, his tone unusually tender.
"Not sleepy, can't fall back asleep." I lay against his chest. The bedroom was very quiet, the atmosphere warm and cozy.
Lucas's broad hand rested on my lower back, the calluses on his fingertips brushing against my skin as he slowly massaged my sore muscles.
I squinted my eyes and enjoyed it for a while, then suddenly said, "Stephen suddenly approached me in a friendly way. What do you think his purpose is?"
"What?" Lucas's hand paused. "He wants to work with you?"
I rubbed my foot against Lucas's calf. "Do you think he's trustworthy?"
"You can try getting to know him for a while," Lucas said.
I used my toes to pinch his leg hair, asking curiously, "You seem to think highly of him?"
The leg hair being pulled hurt, and Lucas let out a soft sound, his large hand patting my butt once. "Stop it. Compared to most people in the Thornfield family, he's smarter and better at keeping to his principles."
I shook my head. "But he's not really part of the Thornfield family."
"You don't like him?" Lucas asked.
"I rarely hear news about his wife, but I always hear rumors about Diana being arrogant and domineering." I let go of his leg hair, lightly stepping on his foot intermittently. "The things Diana does—I don't believe he doesn't know anything about them."
Lucas didn't argue, only saying, "If Stephen had no flaws, do you think the Thornfield family would tolerate him?"
"I understand what you mean." I thought, although Stephen is the Thornfield family's Consigliere, he's still a Potter after all. No matter how prosperous the Thornfield family is, the benefits they give him are ultimately limited.
After thinking it through, I picked out two gifts and secretly sent them to Stephen as a thank-you.
Among the six people who drank last night, two from the Valeri family died from drug overdoses—one died suddenly at home, the other slipped and drowned in a pool.
Another day passed, and Jasper was drunk driving in the middle of the night, didn't see the traffic light clearly, crashed head-on with an oncoming truck, and died on the spot.
This made the entertainment news headlines. People talked about it for two days, then the buzz quickly died down.
Three targets remained. Marcus wasn't in a hurry to act. If they died one after another, even if disguised as accidents, the four major families would notice something was wrong.
And I'd been away from Starstream City long enough—it was time to go back.
When the tender green color of the new buds on the branches gradually deepened, Lucas and I took a plane back to Starstream City together.
Gale stayed in Dawnharbor. Marcus also didn't travel with us because he had to carry out assassination missions.
But traveling with us were over twenty members of the Garcia family and the Fletcher family.
They were all relatives of Karen and Jonathan.
The five major families once had deep-rooted power in Dawnharbor, leaving limited room for smaller families to survive. Karen and Jonathan had long wanted to leave, but the older generation was unwilling to leave their homeland, so those who came along were all young people with pioneering spirit.
They would build a foundation in the Chaotic Zone for both families' future in Starstream City.
The airport was bustling with people coming and going.
Brian waited at the arrival hall exit, looking forward eagerly.
"Bella!" As soon as he saw me, Brian walked over quickly and pulled me into his arms.
"Brian, I missed you so much!" I hugged Brian back tightly.
"It's a shame I couldn't witness your outstanding performance in Dawnharbor in person." Brian ruffled my hair. "But fortunately Gale and Marcus both recorded videos. I've watched those videos several times. Bella, you've grown up, you did great!"
I showed a happy smile.
Lucas said, "Brian, could you send me a copy of those videos?"
"Not for you." Brian refused without hesitation, pulled me into the car, and closed the door before Lucas could follow.
Lucas had to get in his own car and follow behind us.
Brian looked back and asked me, "Did you get back together with Lucas?"
I shook my head. "Not yet."
"If you like him and can't let him go, then do what your heart tells you." Brian put his arm around my shoulder, looking at me gently. "Gale, Marcus, and I don't want to see Lucas take you away from us, but we also don't want you to give up your own happiness because you're worried about what we think."
"I understand." I smiled at Brian, tilting my head to rest on his shoulder. "I know what you're hoping for. It's just that Lucas hasn't been changed for very long. If I forgive him so easily, I'd be letting my past self down too much."
"Good that you understand." Brian was very pleased to hear this. "Seeing that you're still clear-headed and not blinded by love, I'm relieved."
"I won't love him foolishly and without reservation anymore." I pressed my lips together and changed the subject. "What changes have there been in Starstream City during this time? Tell me about it, Brian."
"Alright." Brian nodded and began to explain. "The situation in Starstream City is becoming clearer and clearer."