In the midst of a deep, unconscious slumber, Luana's phone vibrated incessantly, pulling her back to reality.
Weary and disoriented, she forced her eyes open and reached for the phone.
"Baby," Travis's voice echoed through the line, "I heard you had a high fever yesterday. How are you feeling now?"
Hearing his voice, Luana's flagging spirits momentarily surged.
She found it odd that Travis, who had always been more interested in sleeping with her than anything else, was suddenly concerned about her health.
Was it because he knew she was dying and decided to let her go?
Luana's mind raced with possibilities, but she responded, "I'm better now."
"Good, that's all that matters," Travis replied before pressing on with his true concern, "You called me earlier. Did you take care of that thing?"
Luana understood that Travis's interest in her health was a facade. This was what he really cared about.
She sat up straight in bed, propping her aching forehead with one hand, and said, "I've spoken to Mr. Moriarty. He said he needs to think about it."
The excuse she had used to escape was to threaten Cline with a sex video to get a project from him for Travis.
Although she spoke with conviction, she knew it was all a lie.
She had no video, no intention of seeing Cline, and certainly no plan to extort any project from him.
Her plan was to keep stalling Travis with this excuse until Clarissa's wedding, after which she would confront Travis and end it all.
She decided to trade her life for the peace of Clarissa's life.
Travis, clearly impatient, grumbled, "The bidding starts next month on the tenth. How long does he need to think?"
Luana frowned, knowing Clarissa's wedding was on the ninth.
She had planned to deal with Travis after Clarissa's wedding, but with the bidding so close, Travis would never allow her to delay until the tenth.
After a moment of thought, she clenched her teeth and said, "He'll give me a definite answer by the ninth."
"SHIT!" Travis swore, "Give me the video, and I'll handle it myself."
Luana's heart raced, her palms growing sweaty with anxiety.
But she quickly regained her composure and said, "Mr. Elan, threatening Mr. Moriarty with this kind of video has already made him very dissatisfied with you. If you personally use this video to threaten him, it will only further enrage him. You'll not only offend him but also jeopardize the project. Wouldn't that be counterproductive? I'm sure you agree."
Travis considered her words and found them reasonable.
Threatening Cline in such a manner wasn't honorable, and if he did it himself, it might lead to a desperate situation.
He growled, "On the ninth, I want to see the contract, or I'll have my men violate your friend at her wedding!"
Luana's heart trembled, realizing Travis knew the exact date of Clarissa's wedding, indicating he had been watching them closely.
Not only was Clarissa in danger, but her husband might be as well.
She had to pull herself together quickly.
With that thought, Luana put down her phone, mustered the strength to get out of bed, and went to her desk.
She opened the drawer, took out several bottles of medication, and sorted out the ones with sedative effects into an empty bottle.
Then, she took the other heart failure medications and swallowed them all at once.
She had to survive until Clarissa's wedding and make Travis pay a heavy price for his actions.
There were about ten days left until the ninth of next month.
Luana visited different hospitals every day to get more medication, accumulating those with sedative properties.
After storing them safely, her gaze fell on the box on her desk, reminding her that she hadn't returned the dress and necklace to Travis yet.
She picked up her phone and scheduled a courier.
Although she intended to deal with Travis, she would return what wasn't hers.
The courier arrived quickly, and after sending the package, Luana felt more at ease.
Travis's eyes flashed with excitement when he saw the returned dress and necklace.
He thought Luana was indeed different from others. Anyone else would have sold these luxury items for money, but she returned them.
It seemed he had met a challenging opponent this time, but that was fine. Once she secured the project, he would make her say yes.
After resting at home for a while, Luana received a call from Clarissa.
The custom-made wedding dress was ready, and Clarissa wanted Luana to accompany her to try it on.
Luana gathered her weary body and went to the bridal shop that Clarissa had sent.