Third Person's POV
Cline's hands, tidying the cuffs of his shirt, paused briefly. He slowly lifted his cool gaze and scrutinized Luana.
Her face showed no sign of sorrow. Instead, there was a hint of excitement.
It seemed that for her, this was indeed a form of liberation.
He furrowed his brows and asked, "You've long wanted to leave me?"
Luana nodded as if it was of no consequence, "Yes, I'm not young anymore. It's time to think about getting married and having children."
Marriage and children, for her at this moment, were clearly unattainable in this life.
But in front of Cline, she had to leave with grace and dignity.
Thinking of this, she smiled and asked Cline, "Now that the contract is terminated, can I start dating?"
The emotions in Cline's eyes were inscrutable. After staring at her quietly for a moment, he picked up the wristwatch from the bedside and left without another word.
"Do as you please," were the words he left behind.
Watching his receding figure, the smile on Luana's face gradually faded away.
Cline always detested others touching what was his, yet hearing that she would date others elicited no reaction.
It seemed... he was truly tired of her.
That made sense. She wasn't his mate.
A powerful Alpha like him would one day find his mate.
After Cline left, his personal assistant, Russell Woodward, entered with a tray of pills.
Russell handed the pills to Luana, respectfully saying, "Miss Hammond, if you please."
These were contraceptives. Cline didn't love her. Naturally, he wouldn't allow her to bear his child.
After every sex, he would send Russell to bring the pills and command him to watch her take them.
In truth, Cline didn't need to go through such trouble.
Children were rare between werewolves who weren't mates, and she didn't even have a wolf.
Yet, Cline still made such arrangements, proving his caution and care, leaving no chance for her at all.
Luana's heart ached again.
Whether it was due to her heart's complete failure or the deep hurt from Cline's ruthlessness, the pain was almost unbearable.
"Miss Hammond..." Russell, seeing her unresponsive, reminded her promptly, fearing she would refuse the medication.
Luana glanced at him, took the pill, put it in her mouth, and swallowed it dry, without even water.
Only then did Russell's worried expression ease. He took out the property deed and check from his briefcase and laid them out before Luana.
"Miss Hammond, this is Mr. Moriarty's compensation for you, including real estate, luxury cars, and an additional fifty million dollars. Please accept it." Such compensation was indeed generous.
Unfortunately, what she truly desired was never money.
Luana looked up at Russell and forced a smile, "I don't want these."
Russell was taken aback, showing a bit of confusion, "Do you think it's too little?"
Hearing this, Luana felt a surge of bitterness.
Even Russell thought she was after money, let alone Cline.
Offering such a high breakup fee must have been to worry that she would pester him for money later.
With a bitter smile, Luana took out a black card from her bag and handed it to Russell.
"This is his. Please return it to him and tell him that I've never used a cent of his money, and naturally, I won't accept his breakup fee."
Russell was completely stunned. Had Miss Hammond not used a cent of Mr. Moriarty's money in these five years?
Regardless of whether Russell believed it or not, Luana placed the black card on top of the pile of property deeds and left.
The winter in Los Angeles carried a chill.
Luana walked down the streets of the villa district, her thin figure cast on the ground, looking particularly gaunt.
She tightened her beige coat, gritted her teeth, and walked back to her apartment in high heels, step by step.
Upon entering, the apartment was spacious, occupying an entire floor and lavishly decorated.
Yet, Luana felt only a piercing cold, devoid of any warmth, much like Cline's cold heart.
She sat on the sofa, dazed for a while, then began to pack.
The apartment was a gift from Cline.
Since their relationship was terminated, she would not keep anything he had given.
Luana took out a suitcase, opened the wardrobe, and packed all her clothes into it.
She didn't have much to begin with, and after a simple sorting, she left the apartment with her suitcase in hand.
After getting into her car, she sent Russell a text message.
"The password for the Landmark is 0922."
Russell immediately understood the message.
Miss Hammond not only never spent a cent of Mr. Moriarty's money but also returned the apartment he had given her.
So resolute and decisive, completely unlike the woman who had knelt before Mr. Moriarty five years ago, begging him to spend a million dollars for one night with her.