While Perry and the intruders fought fiercely, Fred Colton launched a sudden attack on one of the opponents, knocking him unconscious. He quickly pulled Perry, urging him to escape.
But Perry yanked his hand away. "Lee is still in the—"
Fred cut him off anxiously. "No, it's too late! Miss Asienwegher is already in their hands. We don't have much time. All our people have been subdued. These men are merciless and ruthless. They've killed many of ours."
Perry hesitated, torn between rage and despair, before finally running toward the sea. Derek's men chased after them, but when Perry and Fred leapt into the water, the pursuers stopped at the shore.
Leo rushed to the edge, his eyes fixed on the waves as if he could see deep beneath. Fury seethed within him at what Perry had done to their little mate. When they followed her scent to the room where she had been kept, they discovered not only that Perry had bound her hands, but that he had impregnated her.
Leo's claws itched to tear Perry's throat out. Yet beneath his rage lay heartbreak. He didn't know how to face his mate. Not because he disliked her, but because her lifeless eyes shattered him. He blamed himself for delaying, for their carelessness. If only they had thought to secretly protect Elsie—knowing how much she meant to Lilian—none of this would have happened.
---
Engrossed in regret, Leo received a mind‑link signal. Derek wanted to speak. He connected, listening to Derek's words, then turned and ran toward the jets. Soon, three aircraft lifted off, heading back to Atherton. Lilian had pleaded to be taken there, and Derek agreed.
By the time they reached Lilian's villa in Atherton, Elsie was in the office, working overtime to take over Lilian's responsibilities. Derek decided to leave Leo with Lilian, under the pretense of keeping her company.
Lilian didn't speak much. She only nodded, smoothing her hair gently, then looked at Derek calmly. "Thank you for saving me again. I believe that after what you saw today, you wouldn't want someone like me. But if there's anything I can do to repay you, please…"
Derek cut her words short, placing a finger on her lips. Sparks ignited between them. Their eyes locked, unblinking.
---
Derek's face slowly approached hers, his lips pausing an inch away. Warm breath brushed her skin. Lilian didn't evade—her stillness was consent. Derek closed the distance, gently kissing her. Both widened their eyes at the sensation.
Lilian had never felt such sweetness from a kiss. Perry's touches and kisses had never stirred her heart. She wondered—was it because Perry had forced her? Or was Derek simply different? She was surprised Derek didn't seem to mind what had happened to her.
As Derek's kiss grew more intense, Lilian slowly closed her eyes, accepting it. She remembered the note she had scribbled: if Derek saved her, she would agree to his terms—even if it meant becoming his lover. Better Derek than Perry.
But Derek sensed her distraction. Her mind wasn't in the kiss. Reluctantly, he pulled back, gazing at her dotingly. His voice was hoarse. "Lily, listen. No matter what happened to you, I will never dislike you. There is no such thing as me not liking you, okay?"
---
Lilian's heart palpitated. She looked at him with sadness, sobbing. "Derek, please don't do this. There are many excellent women out there. Besides, I'm…"
Derek cut her off anxiously. "I know you're pregnant, Lily. But I don't care. It's you I like. I will take care of you and your child."
Lilian stared at him in shock. Why me? Derek was handsome, powerful, admired by women everywhere. Why insist on her? He had even left his company to search for her, spending nearly two months.
Lost in thought, she didn't respond. Derek panicked, grabbing her upper arms. "Lily, are you listening to me?"
She blinked her long eyelashes, snapping out of her reverie.
---
Derek took a deep breath, trying to sound calm. "I read your letter. But I want you to know—even without your promise, I would have looked for you. I feel it's my responsibility to take care of you. You don't have to repay me. I don't want you to accept me because of that. I will—"
This time, Lilian placed a finger on his lips. Her eyes shone with determination. "Don't say anymore. It's my decision to be with you, Derek, as long as you still want me. And as for this pregnancy…" She placed her palm on her lower abdomen. "I won't keep it."
Derek's eyes widened. "Lily, are you sure? It's also your child."
Lilian nodded firmly. "Yes. I don't want it, as long as it carries Perry's blood."
The room fell silent. Finally, Derek nodded. "I will support whatever you decide."
Lilian smiled softly. "Thank you, Derek."
He shook his head. "No need to thank me. That's what I should do. By the way, Noel has been crying ever since he couldn't see you. He was even admitted twice because he missed you so much."
---
Lilian's eyes widened in surprise. She knew Noel liked her, often crying when she came home late. But she hadn't realized his love for her was so deep it affected his health.
Guilt pierced her heart. "And how is he now?" she asked worriedly.
Derek shrugged. "He's better. But sometimes he still remembers you and starts crying, calling 'Mom.'"
Lilian was astonished. The time we spent together wasn't that long. How could such lasting feelings develop?
She looked at Derek earnestly. "Can you bring him to me whenever you come here?"
Derek nodded in agreement.