Mr. Arley's Woman

Twenty minutes later, Lucius arrived at the mansion and went to the second floor.

He broke down the locked door only to find out Levin stood near the balcony railing.

Their gazes met as Levin looked back.

"Who asked you to come?" Levin asked with an expressionless face.

Judging by Levin's position, Lucius suggested he was about to jump from the second floor. Instead of putting on a surprised face, Lucius took his ease in a chair behind Levin.

"You called me to help you with the office, and I'm willing to do it because you're not fit, but it seems like you're very healthy now." Lucius loosened his tie, which felt tight. He never got used to it. "Earlier, you injured your wrist, and now you want to jump? Good move!"

Levin did not react when his intentions, again and again, were known to Lucius. He looked forward and watched the bright sky. But somehow, it looked gloomy for him.

"At least I can meet Livia there," Levin replied. His voice was full of sadness.

"Is that it? How do you know she's already there? Although there were unidentified bodies, I'm sure that wasn't Livia. I just got information that there were seats that should have passengers, but it was empty. Maybe Livia never got on that plane."

Lucius' words made Levin's eyes widen. His blue eyes seemed to find the light again. However, it was only for a moment before his expression became gloomy again when he heard Lucius speak. "But if you still want to jump, then jump. Well, if you die and Livia comes back, I'll be by her side then."

When Levin turned around and gazed at him intently, Lucius asked, "Why? Are you not going to jump?"

Levin sighed heavily and sat down beside Lucius. "Are you sure there was an empty seat? Or are you just lying to me?"

"I asked Austin to find out about the cabin situation before take off, and they confirmed there were some empty seats that it was supposed to have," Lucius replied. He looked at Levin with a compassionate look.

Levin had already lost a lot of weight since he saw him before. Levin did not eat and only got his intake of intravenous fluids. And now, he even removed his IV tube. The sleepwear worn even looked too big.

"Stay alive. Whether you find Livia or not, stay alive to atone for your mistakes. Do you think Livia will see you even if you meet in the afterlife? I don't think so. Because you haven't made up for your mistakes and instead run away."

Lucius' words were like a sword that drew his heart because it was so on target.

Seeing that Levin remained silent, Lucius continued, "Three more days. After that, I'll go back to my own business, so make sure you eat and drink properly to stay alive and be able to atone for your mistakes."

After speaking, Lucius got up and left. Although it was cruel to force Levin to live to atone for his mistakes, that was all Lucius thought of for Levin to stop trying to end his life. Lucius was confident that after his words, Levin would rise again, even with different life goals.

Time passed quickly, and Lucius was back on his own business. He left Levin with a pile of work.

Meanwhile, Marleigh, who heard that Levin had returned to the office, decided to go to Zero Group.

Previously, she couldn't meet Levin at the mansion because the guards forbade her to enter even Edith wasn't allowed to enter.

In the CEO's office, Levin was sitting and reading documents after ordering Austin to continue searching for Livia's whereabouts.

"Levin!"

A familiar voice coming from the door made Levin turn his head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Arley. I've asked Mrs. Arley to wait, but she insisted on coming in," said Amber Gent, the secretary who replaced Austin.

Levin waved his hand so that Amber could leave them.

"Levin, thank goodness you're back to work. Edith and I were so worried when you locked yourself in your room. People who are still alive must indeed continue to live. Now you don't have to think about Livia because she's dead," Marleigh said while standing in front of Levin's desk.

Levin's expression instantly darkened. He clenched his fists, and his breath was panting for anger.

Marleigh didn't see Levin's change as he lowered his head. Marleigh thought Levin didn't care about Livia anymore, so she added, "As for Bart, he did that because he cared about you. Why did you put him in a coma? How can you be that cruel to your friend just because of a woman?"

Levin was speechless because of her words. It seemed like Marleigh didn't understand how he was feeling now after she mentioned Livia's name.

Levin tried to stay calm. He opened the drawer, took the gun, and leaned back in the chair while playing with the gun.

"Of course I can do that. A person who had stabbed me from behind deserved it. He should be grateful that he was still alive. And you, Mrs. Arley, didn't I warn you? Or do you want to test my patience?"

Marleigh's legs felt weak from Levin's icy gaze. She could feel a killing aura emanating from him.

The last time she saw Levin like that was before Levin had an accident that left him paralyzed.

Marleigh's voice stopped in her throat.

"Mrs. Arley, do you think I'm messing with what I say?" Levin asked, pointing a gun at Marleigh and immediately afterward pulling the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet passed through Marleigh and hit the wall.

While Marleigh fell to her knees from weakness, Levin was talking to himself as he saw the gun. "Is my hand weak because I haven't eaten, so I missed it?"

Levin's words made Marleigh speechless even more. She seemed to lose her consciousness.

"Mrs. Arley, you shouldn't force your luck continuously. My patience is not that much. If I see you again, I'm sure this bullet won't miss again."

Marleigh's entire body suddenly trembled in fear. She was sure that now she was not looking at a human but a monster.

Levin ignored Marleigh's reaction and ordered Austin to take her away.

After they came out, Levin sighed heavily. He hoped that his bluff would stop Marleigh from seeing him.

When Austin returned, Levin was already standing next to the window. Without looking back, he spoke sternly, "Austin, I need to vent my anger. Is anyone causing trouble with Zero Group? I will intervene myself. From now on, I will deal with those who make trouble."

Austin swallowed his saliva when he saw Levin's back. Although he didn't see his face, he could feel a firm determination in his voice.

Austin felt that Levin, who he had seen in the past, had returned: a man who had no mercy on his opponent. A man would do whatever it took to punish the person who was his opponent.

Livia's presence was like being a handler for Levin. And with her absence, Levin was again being a wild lion, ready to pounce on anyone in front of him.

***

After a long time, there was no news about Levin's cruelty, now that man had returned and caused a stir. So, anyone who mentions Levin Arley's name would get goosebumps in fear and amazement. Of course, Levin's name was a terrifying scourge for anyone guilty because Levin was like a punisher for them. As for most people, Levin was like a hero for helping them eradicate the bad guys.

"Sir, Miss Lindsey wants to meet. Should I let her in?" asked Amber over an internal phone.

There was no sound from the other party for a while.

When Amber was about to ask again, she heard Levin speak, "Let her in."

Levin, who was in his office, frowned. It had been a month since he had kicked Esme out that night. Was Esme still insisting on asking him to be responsible?

That would never happen!

He stopped wondering when the door opened, and a woman dressed in a white dress walked in. She then stood in front of him.

"What do you want?" Levin asked with a flat expression. He actually would have liked to get rid of everyone who had separated him from Livia, including Esme. However, he couldn't vent his anger to Esme because she was also a victim that night, and Esme was his best friend.

Esme took something out of a small bag and then placed the ultrasound paper on the table.

"I'm pregnant, and it's your child," Esme said matter-of-factly.

Levin was so shocked, and his eyes widened.

Levin was silent for a moment before he finally took a deep breath. There was no expression on his face, so it was difficult to know what Levin was thinking right now.

He picked up the internal phone and called Austin to come to his room with two bodyguards.

Esme stared at Levin in confusion.

"Why did you call the bodyguards? Do you want to kick me out again?"

Levin didn't speak, but when he saw Austin come in, he commanded, "Take Ms. Lindsey to the hospital."

Hearing the word hospital, Esme somehow felt frightened.

Before Esme could express her concern, Levin said, "Take her to the gynecologist and have an abortion. Make sure Doctor Pras supervises the surgery. I don't want to hear failure."

Esme heard Levin's voice so cold and cruel. How could Levin want to kill his child?

Esme was furious and was about to approach Levin, but the bodyguards grabbed her and dragged her out.

Levin turned his chair to turn his back on Esme. He ignored Esme's roar, which then disappeared.

He clenched tightly the armrests of the chair. His eyes were sharp and deep. The fact that Esme was pregnant with his child made his heart filled with anger. He would never let anyone have his child except Livia.

At noon, Levin got a call from Austin and said Esme was awake.

He immediately went to the hospital to see Esme. And just as he entered the ward, a pillow greeted his face.

His face darkened, but he didn't care and kept walking closer to the hospital bed.

"Fuck you, Levin!" Esme shouted. "You have killed your child! You don't deserve to be called a human!"

Her tears fell when she remembered that the baby in her stomach was gone.

"I didn't kill anyone because the fetus in your womb is still a lump," Levin said expressionlessly. He often talked about fetal development with Livia because they always wished to feel that moment as soon as possible, but fate didn't let that happen.

Esme was about to say something, but Levin had already said, "Esme, I'm sorry about what happened that night, but that was a mistake. And I have to do this because I don't want you to use that child to force me to marry you."

Esme clutched the blanket that covered her body tightly. She wanted to get up and hit him, but her body was so hurt, and she could only cry.

"Is this because of Livia? She's dead, so why can't you marry me?" Esme asked.

Levin clenched his hands, and his gaze became sharp. But he tried to stay calm, considering Esme's condition. He spoke then, "Livia dies or not, I will never marry again. So, I hope you don't mention this again, or I'll revoke all investment in your family's company. I still respect you because you're my best friend. But if you cross the line, I won't see our friendship again."

Levin's words left Esme speechless and just silent.

Who would have thought Livia's absence would make Levin lose his gentleness? He had already become a heartless man, and it was getting worse over time as Livia's whereabouts had not been heard.

***

Five years later, at the Rexton's Mansion.

"Sir, your son is chatting with Mr. Arley and Ms. Lindsey. Should I bring them here?" the bodyguard asked. He got the command to pick up Simon because Mosha wanted to play chess with him.

"Just let them. What about Prof. Hana Vian? Is Dr. Hans has already talked to her?" asked Simon's father and also the CEO of King Group, Mosha Rexton.

"I just got a message from Dr. Hans. He managed to meet Prof. Vian, and she's willing to see Mr. Rexton's condition. She said she would have surgery if there were no problems."

Mosha's eyes lit up when he heard the news. After hundreds of doctors gave up on Simon's condition, he finally found a glimmer of hope. His son, who has been suffering from partial paralysis for two years, finally had the opportunity to walk again.

"When are they going to Willberg?" Mosha asked impatiently.

"Dr. Hans said that Prof. Vian still has things to deal with, so they should arrive in Willberg in two days. But she asked that her visit be kept secret and the meeting be in a place she chose."

"It's not a big deal. You prepare everything Prof. Vian needs. I've been waiting for two years for this moment, but to wait two more days, I can't wait. Simon will also be happy if he hears this." The man in his late fifties couldn't stop talking.

After waiting for two days, the promised day finally came.

Mosha was in the director's office of Miracle Hospital. He sat alone while his two bodyguards stood behind him. Previously, he had asked the director for approval to use his office because the professor only wanted to meet at that hospital.

When the door opened, Mosha immediately looked to see what the famous professor, who was known as the hand of the god, looked like. Whoever was treated by her definitely would be healed. But unfortunately, it was so difficult to find her: only a few people could meet her. And those who had met couldn't give an idea of what the professor was like because they had promised to keep it a secret.

Mosha couldn't shift his attention to the woman dressed in a white blouse combined with a light blue maxi skirt and a black blazer as outerwear. Her hair was flowing to the left side, leaving the right side of her long neck exposed. Highlight its beautiful white skin.

Despite wearing flat shoes, her ideal body proportions kept her tall and elegant. The truth was Mosha could say that the woman's face behind the mask was an angel.

"Are you Professor Vian's daughter?" Mosha asked. He could only see her eyes, but he knew she was in her twenties. So, there was no way the woman he saw was the famous neurologist.

The woman shook Mosha's hand as she answered, "I'm Hana Vian."

Mosha couldn't believe it, but the presence of Doctor Hans, who also said that she was indeed Hana Vian, made Mosha just stunned.

"How come a young woman of your age has become a professor? And, it looks like you're younger than my son," Mosha amazed as they sat opposite each other.

"I just use my time as best as I can," Hana replied in a calm voice. "Mr. Rexton, regarding Mr. Simon Rexton, I have seen the results of his examination and checked his condition. If there is no external problem, I can operate him."

"I'll make sure there won't be any problems. I—"

Mosha stopped talking when he saw Hana take off her mask.

"Have we met before?" Mosha asked when he saw her face without a mask and felt familiar with her perfect face.

His eyes suddenly widened when he realized something.

Wasn't she Levin's ex-wife? No. There was no way Levin's ex-wife was Hana Vian. Moreover, the woman in front of him should be someone who was known as the hand of the god, so it was impossible if she was Levin's ex-wife.

But why did she look so familiar?

Actually, who was she?