The thorns on those flower stems, they didn’t prick Koa Jackson, but instead, they pierced him once again. Even so, he still felt unsatisfied. Knowing she was hurt, he’d feel distressed; not seeing her, he’d feel anxious; not having her, he’d always itch with longing, constantly hoping she’d turn back. Louis Cox let out a breath, ignoring Charlotte Chester, and stepped over to sit by the sofa, lighting a cigarette. Someone nearby lit it for him right away. He squinted and smoked slowly. Zuri Ginger’s anguished pleas and distorted, contorted voice fell on deaf ears to him. His mind was full of Mia Ginger. From their first meeting, so many memories suddenly flashed through his slightly squinted eyes like a movie, and he suddenly realized that what he relied upon was only those memories from all these years. That girl didn’t love him; it seemed like the first time he faced this issue. Louis smoked one after another, nearly half a pack, before the sounds inside slowly died down. A few men came out looking satisfied, grinning obsequiously. "Keep your mouths shut," Louis lifted his head from the swirling smoke and said calmly, "Consider the consequences if word gets out about being with her." "Of course, of course." "Thank you, Brother Louis." A few men hastily pledged their intention. "Get lost." Louis waved his hand. Someone opened the door, and the men scurried out quickly. Newest update provıded by novel•fire.net Louis leaned down to put out his cigarette butt, then stepped inside, looking down at Zuri Ginger. Clothes were scattered all around the bed. Her hair was disheveled, her body stained, spasming, yet her face bore an expression akin to coming back from the dead, utterly void. Louis met Zuri’s slowly turning gaze, a look filled with shame, yearning, anger, and bewilderment. Louis snapped out of it, gritted his teeth, said it, and turned to leave. He cast a glance at a few men guarding outside and said, "Let’s go." The men responded promptly, disregarding Zuri and Charlotte, and followed closely behind him as they left. Louis walked through the long corridor with a cold expression. For some reason, his ears felt a bit warm; he reached over, pinched his earlobe. A girl suddenly came out of a side room and stumbled into his arms. Louis frowned, instinctively gripped her shoulder and pushed her away. The girl let out an "ah" as she staggered and fell, angrily looking up, freezing when she saw his face. Marianne Jackson bit her lip and glared at him. Using the wall to stand up, she indignantly accused, "What’s with you? Is it necessary to react just because of a little bump? Apologize to me!" Louis let out a cold laugh and started to walk away. "Stop right there!" Marianne grabbed his sleeve. "Let go!" Louis’s face suddenly darkened. Marianne froze, a bit frightened, but stubbornly kept her grip, insisting, "Apologize to me!" Louis impatiently glanced at the men beside him. One of them, in the lead, grabbed Marianne’s arm and shoved her to the side.