In a lofty luxurious skyscraper's topmost office, a man was seated on a couch, elegantly cradling a glass of red wine. His gaze was fixed on the floor-to-ceiling windows directly opposite him, feasting on the panoramic view of the city — all of Paris, France.
Once, there was a woman who told him that she wanted to visit Paris, to ascend the highest tower in the city and take in all of its splendor.
"But Lilliana, I've constructed a building even taller than the Eiffel Tower. How did I lose you?”
The man's eyes brimmed with tear, as he clutched the glass in his hand tightly.
Just then, a knocking sound broke the silence.
Instantly, the man's gaze switched back to its default icy demeanor. In an indifferent tone, he beckoned, "Come in."
"Boss, we've searched the entire city. Madame... she is not here."
Crash!
The glass in the man's hand was completely crushed, scattering shards all over the floor. Several pieces embedded themselves into his hand, and blood trickled down, but his face remained stoic, not even a flicker of discomfort appearing on it.
"Boss, five years have passed. We've scoured every corner of the world. Maybe Madame is truly..."
"Silence!"
The man jerkily rose to his feet; veins popping out on his forehead, cold eyes radiating intense contempt, and his bleeding right hand tightly clenched.
His subordinate was taken aback by his fury, bowed his head in haste, and sighed inwardly. After all these years, the boss was still hung up on that lady, even if it meant searching the ends of the earth to find her.
"Have the people here start over the search. Even if it means turning Paris upside down, I want her found. Also, book me a ticket for tomorrow's flight back home."
The man's cold words provided a sigh of relief to his subordinate, who eagerly nodded in affirmation and hurried out.
Inside the luxurious restaurant, the pleasant sound of a violin filled the air, waiters in tidy uniforms skillfully navigated through the room with trays in hand.
"Lilliana! Come home with me tomorrow and meet my mom. They're really interested in you, urging me to bring you back."
One sentence choked Lilliana Lindsey, who was just about to put a piece of steak into her mouth.
After a few hurried sips of water, she finally caught her breath, patting her chest as she gasped and looked back at her boyfriend Holden Grimes across the table.
Knife and fork in hand, Lilliana, regardless of the food leftover at the corner of her mouth, lowered her head and asked in astonishment, "What did you just say!? But I haven't prepared at all."
Her boyfriend, Holden, was someone she met while abroad. They've been dating for over two years, and they're both 23. He's been incredibly good to her, treating her kindly, giving into her, and spoiling her.
She was a conservative person, following the principle of no sex until marriage.
Against her expectations, Holden really did as he said and hadn't even touched her in two years of dating, nor had he had any love affairs. In a society where men only cared about their sex life, a man like this was rare. Therefore, Lilliana was fully prepared to spend her life with him.
Observing his girlfriend's shyness, Holden let out a laugh, taking the napkin from the side to wipe off the food debris from the corner of her mouth. His eyes were full of affection.
"No worries. My family is very kind. Although my grandfather is a bit strict, he wouldn't give you a tough time seeing how adorable his granddaughter-in-law is. Plus, my uncle is coming back tomorrow; it's a perfect timing for you to meet him."
"But..." Lilliana felt a vague unease in her heart, sensing that something significant was about to happen.
