He swiftly returned to the company, presenting the untouched items back to Cline and conveying Luana's words to him verbatim.
Cline raised his indifferent gaze and scanned the items on the desk before his cold eyes finally focused on the black card.
He asked Russell coldly, "An extra million dollars?"
Russell quickly nodded in confirmation, "Yes."
Before returning to the company, he had specifically checked the balance on the black card.
In addition to the monthly payments Mr. Moriarty instructed him to transfer, there was an extra million dollars.
It was evident that this was the so-called "selling body money" Luana was returning to Cline.
Cline furrowed his brows, deep in thought for a moment, then extended his well-defined fingers, picked up the black card, and snapped it in half.
He then pushed the stack of property deeds towards Russell and coldly instructed, "Clean this up."
Russell opened his mouth, wanting to say a few good words for Luana, but saw that Cline had already opened his computer and began dealing with work matters.
Seeing this, Russell also knew to keep quiet, picked up the items, and exited the CEO's office.
Luana, carrying her suitcase, arrived at her friend Clarissa's residence.
She raised her hand, knocked on the door, and then stood quietly waiting.
Clarissa, like her, was an orphan, and they grew up together in the orphanage, their bond deep as if they were blood sisters.
She remembered when she was taken away by Cline, Clarissa had said to her, "Luana, if he ever abandons you, remember that this place is always your home, and you can always come back."
It was also because of Clarissa's words that Luana had enough courage to refuse Cline's house.
Not long after, Clarissa opened the door. Seeing Luana at the doorstep, her lips immediately curled up, revealing a bright smile full of joy and her eyes curved.
"Luana, why have you suddenly come?" Clarissa asked.
Luana subconsciously gripped the handle of the suitcase in her hand and said with a hint of shyness, "Clarissa, can I live here?"
At this moment, Clarissa noticed the suitcase in her hand, and her smile froze, "What's going on? What happened?"
Luana forced a relaxed smile, trying to hide her inner pain, "I broke up with him."
Clarissa was slightly stunned, her gaze carefully examining Luana who was putting on a brave face. Her small face was severely gaunt, her eye sockets sunken, her complexion pale as paper, and her body standing in the cold wind was as thin as a fragile piece of paper, on the verge of collapsing. Seeing Luana in such a state, a strong sense of heartache welled up in Clarissa.
Without hesitation, Clarissa quickly stepped forward and tightly embraced Luana, comforting her softly, "Don't be sad. You still have me, and I will always be with you."
Hearing this, Luana could no longer hold back her inner sorrow. Her eyes instantly reddened, and tears swirled in her eyes.
She also hugged Clarissa back hard, gently patted her back, and said with a slightly choked voice, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Clarissa knew in her heart that Luana was just trying to comfort herself.
She was well aware of how deep Luana's feelings for Cline were.
Over the past five years, in order to gather a million dollars to return to Cline, Luana had worked desperately, foolishly believing that by doing so, she could change Cline's view of her.
But in the end, she was still abandoned by Cline.
Clarissa's thoughts suddenly drifted back to that rainy night five years ago...
If Luana hadn't sold her body for Bruno, perhaps she wouldn't have met Cline.
Then Luana might have been able to live a happy life. Unfortunately, life has no ifs, and everything cannot be restarted...
Not wanting Clarissa to fall into excessive sorrow because of her, Luana gently pushed Clarissa away and smiled at her tenderly, trying to lighten the mood, "Don't you want to take me in? You've been letting me stand outside in the cold wind. I'm about to freeze!"
Seeing Luana could still put on a strong face as before, Clarissa's worries gradually dissipated a bit.
She believed that Luana would soon be able to get out of this pain. After all, for children who grew up in orphanages and had no one to rely on, being abandoned seemed to have become a common occurrence in life.
In Clarissa's view, as long as one was still alive and well, there were no difficulties that could not be overcome, no hurdles that could not be crossed.
Thinking this way, Clarissa's mood slightly improved.
She picked up Luana's suitcase, took her hand, and led her into the house, saying as they walked, "This is your home. You can stay as long as you want, without any worries!"