Chapter 205: Chapter 205

Chiyoko stood at the entrance of the Smith Family Group building, looking up at the luxurious structure in front of her. In the end, she couldn't control her actions and walked into the lobby.

The receptionist stood up and politely smiled at her, saying, "Hello, miss. How can I assist you?" Although her tone was polite, her gaze couldn't help but wander over Chiyoko's body.

Having adapted to this mixture of surprise and contempt over the past two days, Chiyoko was no longer as sensitive. She lifted her golden-framed glasses and calmly said, "Could you please find Maxwell for me?"

The receptionist lowered her head apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Chiyoko. Mr. Maxwell has instructed that due to your recent high-profile appearances, to avoid any scandals, he is unable to meet with you in the short term."

The receptionist's words were polite, but the disdain in her tone was hard to conceal. Chiyoko could naturally sense it, causing her anger to flare up. She couldn't believe that these receptionists dare to assume she was Chiyoko Tokugawa and speak to her like this!

Maxwell being arrogant was one thing, but even the receptionists of the Smith Family Group dared to act this way! They truly were all the same!

"Is that really what Mr. Maxwell said?" Chiyoko raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, I'm sorry..." The receptionist lowered her head again, still maintaining that gentle yet cold voice.

Chiyoko noticed a few newspapers in the corner of the reception desk, featuring her large photos. Her face turned hot, and she adjusted her large-frame sunglasses before turning away, her back radiating anger and urgency, clearly trying to escape.

Behind her, the receptionists laughed with a hint of ambiguity. After the laughter, they quickly put on a serious expression. After all, they were working on the ground floor of the Smith Family Group and couldn't afford to laugh too excessively.

Chiyoko stood at the intersection in front of the Smith Family Group's entrance, glaring at the towering building behind her. A sense of hatred slowly rose from the depths of her heart, gradually gathering in her mind.

Maxwell was so heartless that he didn't even want to see her for a moment! He even allowed the receptionists to humiliate her. How could she forget this shame? Revenge... that word began to take root and grow in her heart.

He must be living a blissful life now with his beloved Flora, right? Finally kicking her, the nuisance, out of the picture? However, she wouldn't let them enjoy themselves for too long!

She turned her steps in another direction and took a taxi to an old house. Chiyoko saw Philip, who was now controlled by the Yota Gang, with a smug smile on her face.

Standing in front of the iron bars, Chiyoko looked at the unrecognizable Philip and sneered, "How does it feel? This kind of life isn't pleasant, is it? Tomorrow, you'll be sent back to Yota Gang, Japan. Anything you want to say?"

As soon as Philip, who was locked in a small room, saw Chiyoko, he excitedly approached her, grabbing onto the iron bars and stuttering with pleading, "Miss Chiyoko, please beg  Chairman Itou for mercy. Please don't kill me or send me back to Japan. Please, Miss Chiyoko... I was wrong, I know I was wrong."

He initially thought he could endure the torment of death, but he didn't expect Itou Tokugawa to punish him so cruelly. Being locked up here, tortured, and then sent back to Japan to die? How cruel!

"So you regret so soon?" Chiyoko sneered at him. "I was planning to have my uncle slowly torture you to death, and you couldn't endure it so quickly? How come you didn't think that I'm the niece of Itou Tokugawa when you framed me back then?"

She appeared to be smiling, but deep down, she was trembling with anger. She hated the man in front of her for impulsively doing something irreparable. Not only did he disgrace her, but he also deprived her of any excuse to return to Maxwell. Now, even Itou Tokugawa couldn't help her!

"Miss Chiyoko, as long as you help me plead for mercy, I will listen to you in everything from now on. I will never be impulsive again... I won't." Philip pleaded urgently. Two days of confinement had driven him almost insane!

"Unfortunately, you have already acted impulsively, and you have already ruined me. Do you think I would be foolish enough to plead for you? I came here today just to see your miserable state. I haven't had enough yet!" Chiyoko taunted.

Philip gasped, realizing that pleading with this malicious woman was pointless. However, he also knew that only by pleading with her could he have a glimmer of hope to stay alive. So he was unwilling to give up!

Philip dumbly leaned his head against the iron pillar, slumped to the ground, and said, "What do I need to do for you to save me, Miss Chiyoko? I will do everything you say, I will help you with everything..."

Chiyoko sneered, "I don't believe your words, and I trust even less in your abilities. How do you want me to help you? Huh?"

"Can you give me one last chance? In the past, it was because of my carelessness that I made mistakes. I absolutely won't make any more mistakes this time, I promise..." Philip spoke eagerly, even willing to kneel before Chiyoko.

"Do you want to get out?" Chiyoko raised an eyebrow at him and said indifferently, "You can get out, but first, you have to kill Flora for me. After I see her dead body, then I'll plead with my uncle for you. How does that sound?"

Philip paused for a moment, then wiped the tears from his face and said, "But Flora is always protected in the Smith Family mansion. No one can harm her, and I can't possibly bring her out."

That's a fact. The Smith Family mansion, no matter its location or security measures, is top-notch. Even mosquitoes can't fly in, let alone a person like him. So, he dared not make any hasty promises!

"Don't worry, I have a way to get her out of the Smith Family mansion, you don't have to worry about that!" Chiyoko sneered dismissively.

Philip, overjoyed, exclaimed, "That's great! As long as you can trick Flora out this time, I will help you get rid of your hatred! I promise I won't make any more mistakes, Miss Chiyoko, please let me out!"

"Why the rush? It won't hurt to keep you locked up for a few more days!" Chiyoko deliberately made him anxious. Before using him, she wanted him to experience some inhumane punishment, to reciprocate the pain and let him taste the bitterness!

"Miss Chiyoko," Philip pleaded urgently, his eyes begging Chiyoko. He couldn't bear to stay there for another hour, let alone a few more days. The mere thought of it made his heart race with fear!

"Don't want to? If you don't want to, you can change your mind anytime. I don't have to rely on you to get things done!"

As soon as Chiyoko finished speaking, Philip anxiously nodded and said, "No! I won't change my mind, I'll do whatever you say!"

"Good then. I'll go now." Chiyoko took one last look at him before turning to leave. As she stepped out of the room, a scene flashed through her mind, the humiliation she endured at the Smith Family Group. She suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked at Philip cruelly, "Killing her directly would be too easy for her. I want them to suffer, to be slowly tormented to death."

Her voice was eerie and ruthless, and her expression matched it. Even Philip, who had been involved in the underground world for so long, was chilled by her expression, yet he quickly nodded and said, "Miss Chiyoko, I understand your meaning. I will ensure she suffers immensely!"

"Oh, and... her baby. I will make sure that he doesn't live to see the light of day, as you desire." Trying to please Chiyoko, Philip continued making promises, assuring her that as long as she stopped tormenting him like this, he would fulfill her wishes!

Amidst this string of bloodthirsty promises, Chiyoko's figure retreated into the distance, eventually disappearing around a corner of the corridor.

When relationships between people become solely about exploitation, there is no room for love or affection!

Although she hated Philip, she still restrained her intense hatred and came back to use him, to continue manipulating him. Perhaps he could bring her some good news? Now, she didn't dare hope to return to Maxwell's side. What she wanted was for him to watch his beloved woman die before his eyes, believing that this pain was worse than death itself!

She could understand this pain because she had been experiencing it all along...

In the morning, when Maxwell finished breakfast and prepared to leave, he ultimately couldn't bear to leave Flora behind. He turned around and headed back upstairs. Returning to the bedroom, he saw Flora still asleep, her face displaying a peaceful and content expression.

Maxwell couldn't help but be influenced by her happiness. He leaned over and lightly planted a kiss on her lips.

As if sensing his impending departure, Flora instantly woke up from her sleep, startling Maxwell. Apologetically, he laughed awkwardly and said, "Sorry for waking you up."

Flora rubbed her groggy eyes with the back of her hand, then wrapped her arms around his neck. Maxwell then lifted her from the bed, allowing her to lazily snuggle against his chest.

"Don't you want to get up?" Maxwell chuckled softly in her ear, his long fingers combing through her waist-length hair.

"Mmm..." Flora snuggled against him, burying her face in his shirt with a lazy hum. She greedily inhaled his pleasant scent, feeling filled with happiness.

"Alright then, let's get up." Maxwell kissed her hair and gently lifted her off the bed, considerately helping her put on her shoes.

Flora instinctively retreated, murmuring, "I can do it myself."

For a man, especially someone as dignified and godlike as Maxwell, he felt it was unbecoming to have him help her put on her shoes. Flora would rather make the effort herself than compromise his status.

However, Maxwell didn't share the same view. Perhaps it was fashionable these days to say that a man who takes care of his family is a gentleman, or maybe he felt that doing anything for his beloved was worth it. In any case, he was more than willing to help!

Ignoring her protest, he insisted on helping her put on her slippers before supporting her as she stood up from the bed.

Flora's heart felt warm despite her reluctance. Though she didn't want to, she had to look up at him and urge, "Maxwell, you should go to work now, or else you'll be late. It's not good for the boss to be late, it'll set a bad example for Richard and the rest of the staff."

"It's okay, it's not the first time." Maxwell waved it off casually. Since meeting her, not only being late, but even being absent from work had become a common occurrence. However, the entire staff didn't dare to criticize him.

"If the leader is not upright, the subordinates will follow suit." Flora muttered softly before walking into the bathroom to freshen up, then she went downstairs with Maxwell.

Downstairs, Mrs. Smith and the two little young masters of the Smith Family were still having breakfast. As soon as they saw Flora, Robin shouted, "Flora, you said you'd accompany me swimming! How can you sleep so late?"

"Um..." Flora hesitated, glancing at the clock on the wall before chuckling, "It's only seven o'clock now, it's not late at all."

Richard looked up from his plate and chimed in, "Exactly, Flora is..."

"Call her sister-in-law!" Maxwell interrupted in a stern voice, feeling uncomfortable hearing Richard and the others refer to her as just "Flora". The two boys regarded him with awe and respect as an elder, but treated Flora as a friend, making him feel distant from her.

Richard paused, then obediently called out, "Sister-in-law... oh, it feels strange to say it. We're practically the same age, yet I have to call her sister-in-law. No wonder I find it difficult to say."

Mrs. Smith laughed and said to him, "Regardless of status, even if you're not used to it, you still have to call her that." In her heart, she had slowly come to regard Flora as a member of the Smith Family, hoping that she could smoothly become a new addition to the family, and that her child would be Maxwell's!

Flora was touched, as it was clear from Maxwell and Mrs. Smith's words that they were acknowledging her position in the Smith Family and recognizing her as Maxwell's wife. It was something she had never dared to dream of, yet miraculously, it had fallen into her lap today!

She realized that as long as she didn't give up, true love could truly come her way. She was grateful that she hadn't given up!

"You two enjoy your meal, I'll head to the office first." Maxwell sat Flora down on a chair and turned to walk towards the front door. Just as he stepped out, Flora followed, preparing to see him off.

"Why aren't you going to have breakfast?" Maxwell knew he couldn't convince her otherwise, so he simply embraced her waist and gently asked, looking tenderly into her eyes. He saw reluctance on Flora's face and suddenly felt a pang in his heart. It felt like a moment of life and death separation, a strange feeling that sent shivers down his spine.

Maxwell held her tightly and whispered, "Flora, don't look at me with that expression. It makes me feel uneasy. I'll finish everything I need to do after work and come back, okay?"

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back for dinner." Flora nodded. She didn't know why, but today she had an inexplicable desire for him to stay. She hoped he could stay and spend the day with her. However, she didn't speak up and asked him to stay because she didn't want to become a hindrance to his career. She couldn't help him with anything, only causing chaos!

"Alright, go back and have breakfast." Maxwell used his index finger to lift her chin, and he leaned down to kiss her on her lips. Reluctantly, he released her and got into the car that had been waiting at the door for him, driving away.

Flora stood in place and watched his car recede into the distance. She didn't leave even after she couldn't see it anymore. The feeling of unease grew stronger in her heart, as if this was the last time she would see Maxwell.

Flora was startled by her sudden burst of thoughts. After mentally scolding herself three times, she shook her head and decided not to dwell on these ominous thoughts anymore. Ultimately, it was Mrs. Smith who called her in for breakfast.

This feeling of unease accompanied Flora throughout the entire morning. She sat restlessly in her room and couldn't sleep. It wasn't until after lunch that she finally understood why she had been feeling this way!