Without moving much, Ella stood up from the couch, took a glance at the somewhat unconscious Lucien, and then left the room. Cendy, still excited, noticed Ella's unsteady steps and hurriedly followed her.

"Ella?" Cendy called out to her. Ella paused, gritting her teeth at the discomfort in her stomach.

Cendy rushed over to support her. "Does it hurt?"

"A little. Help me get to the restroom."

"Okay." Cendy assisted Ella and couldn't resist saying, "You're not used to drinking much, so you should've held back a little."

Ella couldn't argue in this state, so she let Cendy lead her away.

As soon as Ella entered the restroom, she couldn't hold it back and began to throw up. It was an agonizing experience that seemed to tear her lungs apart. Cendy stayed by her side, continuously patting her back to offer support. Ella continued to throw up for a while until she started feeling slightly relieved in her stomach. She then went to the sink to wash her hands and wipe the corners of her mouth.

Barely managing to find some comfort, Ella asked, "Cendy, do me a favor."

"What is it?" Cendy felt uneasy, sensing something in Ella's serious tone.

"I'm going to leave, but I need you to stay here."

"Why?" Cendy wasn't pleased with the idea of Ella leaving.

Ella explained, "You stay sober, and when Lucien leaves later, ask Hedy to walk him back. Hedy hasn't had much to drink."

Cendy didn't understand why that was important. "Why Hedy?"

"You can't tell anyone I asked you to do this, including Bowen."

"Why?" Cendy was even more confused.

"Just do what I say," Ella stared into her eyes. "Please."

"Fine. I'll do it. I swear to god, it's gonna catch up with you one of these days." Cendy takes a deep breath to calm herself.

"I'm going now. Remember what I said."

With that settled, Ella walked out of the restroom while Cendy followed behind her. Looking at Ella's unsteady pace, Cendy was about to reach out and support her, but as soon as Ella walked out of the bathroom door, she all but fell into a man's embrace.

Cendy's eyes widened as she watched Eden look down at Ella.

"You initiated this," he murmured to her.

Cendy was curious. Initiated what?

In the next second, he saw Eden suddenly bend down, lazily carry Ella across his arms, and leave in style.

Cendy just watched as they walked further and further away. Ella looked so petite and lovely in his arms… Cendy thought Eden would be the perfect boyfriend for her.

'Shit!' Cendy realized, 'How could I just let Eden carry her off like that!? Is Ella too drunk to push him away?'

In the end, she let it go. After all, Ella showed no sign of resisting in Eden’s arms. If this wasn't what Ella wanted, she would openly refuse, drunk or not. Ella had always been fiercely self-disciplined, and lately, she'd been so assertive that it was clear she wouldn't put up with this if it wasn't what she wanted.

Cendy sighed again, singing softly to herself, "Let her be, let her be, there is no way to turn back …."

—

Eden embraced Ella and they returned to his limo. As they drove away, Ella remained in his arms, not pushing him away. Despite feeling queasy and dizzy, there was something about Eden's embrace that inexplicably provided her with a sense of security. It was as if… she felt safe with him.

Despite the emotions stirring inside her, Ella tried to refocus on her objective for the night—she would reveal Lucien's true nature. With that in mind, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest peacefully. As she drifted off to sleep, memories from her past life and the current one intertwined, forming a complex tapestry in her mind.

Eden leaned down and whispered in Ella's ear, "You're not going to answer, so does that mean you'll come with me?"

"Don't mess with me..."

"Can you get changed on your own, or do you need my help?" Then Eden paused and added, "You shouldn't want this. I'm not a good person, Ella!"

"Not to you, no..."

For the rest of the night, Ella felt disoriented, as if trapped in an unending dream from which she couldn't awaken.

When Ella opened her eyes the next day, she was so shocked by the scene in front of her that she didn't know how to react at first.

Where… was she?

Ella sat up from the large bed with a sudden jolt, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. She didn't recognize this place at all.

Just as she was trying to calm herself down, Eden walked out of the bathroom. He only had a towel around his waist, and drops of water dripped from his hair and down his upper body. He was already eye candy with clothes on, but now? He seemed too perfect to be real.

Ella screamed.

She'd never felt so frazzled before. Not once during the thirty-two years she lived in her past life—not even while Lucien was literally stabbing her to death.

None of what she'd been through before could even compare to this moment.

The longer she looked at him, the longer she screamed.

Eden, who was standing in front of her, seemed half-amused by Ella's screams, but his face displayed a curious interest.

"Why am I here?!"

"You chose to come with me last night, Miss Ford," Eden replied calmly.

"I was drunk!" Ella recalled how she had left the nightclub last night, following Eden. She realized now how foolishly she had trusted him at that moment, an inexplicable trust that she now realized was downright stupid.

Ella couldn't fathom how a man like Eden, a flirt who seemingly couldn't control his desires, could bring a woman home and do nothing. In his world, it probably seemed normal. But for her…

It was different. She was more sentimental and had never been the type to indulge in casual sex.

"What's on your mind?" Eden crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Nothing!" Ella retorted with a touch of venom, feeling defensive. She tried to mask her surprise as a mere annoyance, but deep down, she was impressed.

"Really? Nothing?" Eden moved closer to the queen-sized bed.

Ella's heart fluttered with a mix of emotions, and she felt on guard. Eden was standing there with only a towel loosely hanging around his hips. Slowly, he climbed onto the bed, getting closer and closer to her. Ella couldn't bring herself to back away, feeling cornered.

Eden's handsome face was right in front of her, but despite his charm, Ella couldn't help but resist. She attempted to push him away, but the second her hands met his firm chest, she yanked them back. Looking up at Eden as he leaned over her, she found herself unable to resist. Overwhelmed, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.

If she already given him a blowjob once…

What's one more time?