My One-Sided Love

7. Leave me alone

San Lu stepped out of the elevator, his gaze fixed on the white gauze wrapped around his palm as he made his way towards the hospital's exit. Assistant Harry, concerned, approached him cautiously.

"President, you don't have any appointments scheduled. Why don't you go and rest?" he suggested, his voice laced with hesitation. Just as Assistant Harry was about to turn away, San Lu abruptly halted, his eyes landing on the woman's figure facing away from him. He observed her exposed state and clenched his teeth in anger.

"Leave me alone," he snapped.

Assistant Harry, taken aback, quickly retreated, leaving San Lu to himself. Removing his coat, San Lu strode towards the woman. Mona Daly sighed and turned around, her eyes widening in shock as she locked gazes with the familiar and handsome man. Without a word, San Lu draped his coat over her shoulders and, before she could react, he grasped her hand and led her out of the hospital. He pushed her into the car, and without wasting a moment, he drove swiftly towards the hotel.

Arriving at the hotel, San Lu forcefully pushed the woman onto a couch, his eyes fixed on her intently.

"Didn't I tell you not to wear this?"

Mona Daly smirked slightly and straightened her posture.

"Seducing men is part of my job," she retorted fearlessly.

San Lu ground his teeth and forcefully pushed her back onto the couch. Mona Daly was taken aback by his harsh behavior, rendered speechless as she felt the weight of his body pressing against hers. He peered into her large, beautiful eyes with intensity.

"You are not allowed to seduce any men," he stated firmly.

"Why not? Remember who I am. This is how I survive, how I earn money," she replied defiantly, her voice barely above a whisper. The dark expression on his face faded as he realized he had no answer to her question. His gaze turned cold and deep, and she sadly smiled.

"Please, get up. My stomach hurts," she trembled, her voice filled with pain. San Lu withdrew from her and took a seat beside her. She held her stomach, her gaze fixed on the elegant black carpet beneath her.

"What were you doing at the hospital?" he inquired.

"I’m injured," she replied, raising her head to meet his eyes, tears shimmering in her own.

San Lu reached out, gripping her shoulders tightly, his expression filled with panic. "What's wrong?" he asked urgently.

Mona Daly stood up from the couch, her smile tinged with sadness. "I forgot to bring money when I left this morning," she confessed. San Lu's eyes darkened, and he clenched his teeth in anger. She hadn't been able to bring money, and as a result, they had subjected her to beatings. It seemed absurd to him.

"Why didn't you call me? I would have sent you the money," he said, his tone filled with frustration.

Mona Daly sighed, wiping away her tears as she met his gaze. "I have a mobile phone, but I can't call anyone. They can only contact me, and the device helps them track my location."

San Lu rose from his seat, his eyes cold as he stared at her back. "When I asked you not to wear such seductive dresses, I couldn't comprehend what you would wear when you left the hotel in the morning. But then I found the dress, along with the bundle of money. I felt joy for the first time, receiving a gift from someone. I forgot to bring money," she explained, her voice laced with sorrow. She wiped her tears and turned to face the young man.

"I don't even know your name or contact information because I'm not allowed to know my clients' identities. I'm not allowed to wear what I want or like. They provide me with clothes, food, and everything according to their rules," she continued, her smirk tinged with bitterness. She glanced at the coat lying on the couch.

San Lu realized in that moment that he was merely a client to her. Mona Daly observed his palm, growing uneasy.

"What's wrong with you? You're injured too," she remarked, stepping closer and gently taking hold of his hand. San Lu paid no attention to his own injury as he continued to stare at her pale face. Her beautiful eyes were slightly swollen, a sign that she had cried when they had hurt her.

"What are you looking at?" she raised her head and met his gaze.

"Do you want to sleep with me, or should I leave?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

San Lu snapped back to reality, sighing with a furrowed brow. How could he let her leave? She would go out and sleep with another man.

"Stay here," he stated coldly, striding towards the balcony. Mona Daly couldn't fathom his intentions and could only watch his back, filled with curiosity and uncertainty.

…

Lily Black entered the living room, causing Mrs. Peng to exclaim in surprise at her unexpected presence. Greeting both Mrs. Peng and Mr. Lu, Lily took a seat across from them.

Mr. Lu, setting aside his financial magazine, focused his attention on Lily. "How are your parents doing?" he inquired.

Lily Black smiled sadly, her gaze downcast. "I can't say that my parents are doing well," she replied.

Mr. Lu narrowed his eyes, growing more worried. "What's wrong with them? Should we be concerned?"

Lily Black sighed, her eyes flicking towards the financial magazine on the table. "They are worried about the marriage," she explained. "They are still contemplating whether they should invest in the diamond mine project for Lu Corporation or not."

Upon hearing the mention of the diamond mine project, Mr. Lu's expression turned serious. It was the largest project in the country, and Lu Corporation had already secured the tender. However, the project required a substantial investment, and Lu Corporation needed assistance from the Black Group, the second-largest company in the country, to fulfill it. The deal had been finalized between the two companies with a condition set by the Black Group's chairman.

Mr. Lu, now deeply concerned, asked, "What is there to worry about in this decision? Mr. Black already promised to invest in the project."

Lily Black smiled sarcastically, observing Mr. Lu's confused expression. "He made the promise on a condition. However, it seems that both the chairman of Lu Corporation and the president of the company have forgotten about that condition," she remarked.

Mr. Lu looked at her, perplexed. "Of course, we remember the deal between our families and companies. Please assure your parents that there's no need to worry. You are already engaged to the president of Lu Corporation," he tried to assure her, attempting to cover the situation. But Lily Black had made up her mind about her decision.

"It seems that you have forgotten about the deal. Let me remind you," she retorted.

Mrs. Peng watched her husband, sensing his growing worry and panic.

"My father promised to invest in the project only after I marry your elder son," Lily Black said, her smile now tinged with sarcasm. She turned to Mrs. Peng, meeting her gaze with a smirk.

Mr. Lu sighed, nodding slowly. "I remember the condition. You are already engaged to my son, but the marriage is being delayed. Matthew is currently occupied with work, making it difficult for us to discuss the wedding plans," he explained, his tone serious.

Lily Black smiled with pride, nodding slowly. "I will inform my father about the meeting," she replied innocently. However, Mrs. Peng and Lily knew that Mr. Lu was deeply worried.

"No, I will contact him after discussing it with Matthew," Mr. Lu decided, looking directly at Lily Black.

"He... I think he's not interested," Lily Black replied sadly, lowering her gaze.

"If he's not interested, he should consider the position he holds in Lu Corporation," Mr. Lu stated seriously. Lily Black and Mrs. Peng concealed their amusement.

Mr. Lu rose from the couch, addressing Lily Black. "Mrs. Peng will accompany you. I'll go and talk to Matthew," he declared, heading straight for the study room. Lily Black turned to Mrs. Peng, a sarcastic smile on her face.

"San Lu will never accept you," Mrs. Peng uttered sarcastically. Lily Black smiled, quickly standing up from the couch to leave.

"Don't worry. He will undoubtedly safeguard his position," she retorted, glancing back before making her swift exit.

Mrs. Peng watched her depart, her anger evident as she gritted her teeth. She had long awaited the moment when San Lu would relinquish his position, leaving her son as the sole heir to Lu Corporation. However, she had yet to find an opportunity because San Lu consistently excelled in every aspect. Being the eldest, he always received priority from Mr. Lu. Mrs. Peng knew it would be challenging to convince him to step down from his position. Therefore, she bided her time, patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity.