His Destructive, Toxic Love

"I never pegged you as the sentimental type. Guess you really did love Mrs. Welton when she was alive," Eliza said, her words dripping with sarcasm.

He smirked slightly. "That's not entirely true. There were some regrets and misunderstandings."

Eliza adjusted her clothes and hair, flashing a disinterested smile. "No wonder."

She didn't stick around.

Eliza left the room and went to find Aaron. He was being pulled into conversations by Justin, mingling with various political and business bigwigs, exchanging toasts and pleasantries. She decided not to interrupt. After sending him a quick text, she left the party early.

The streets of Oak Falls were quiet at night. Taxis were hard to come by. She stood by the roadside for what felt like forever, unable to flag down a cab. Reluctantly, she decided to splurge on an exclusive service. A sleek, black Rolls Royce pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down.

"Ms. Valerie, need a lift?" Casper's familiar, handsome face appeared from inside.

"No, thank you. I've already called for a ride. It should be here soon." Eliza instinctively stepped back, her tone polite but distant.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"In that case, I won't bother you further." Casper's voice was gentle and deep. The window rolled up, and the car slowly drove off. Dillon, sitting in the passenger seat, was stunned. "Mr. Casper, was that..."

"Her name is Valerie, Aaron's girlfriend," Casper said coolly.

Dillon furrowed his brows. Valerie? Why did Aaron's girlfriend look exactly like Eliza? That seemed too dramatic to be real.

"Dillon, look into this Valerie for me," Casper ordered in a low voice.

Dillon turned to Casper, puzzled. "Mr. Casper, are you thinking... she might be your wife? But wasn't she..."

"If they're not twins, do you believe there could be two people who look exactly alike?" Casper cut Dillon off, narrowing his eyes.

Casper didn't buy it. No matter how

good an actress she was, there was

a flicker of unease when she looked at him. Was it because she found him unfamiliar, his status and

power, or something else entirely? He needed to know.

"Mr. Casper, think some people look very similar, but this Valerie isn't exactly like the Madame. The Madame had a tear-shaped mole at the comer of her eye, and she wasn't nearsighted. Ms. Valerie wears glasses, and also—"

"Dillon," Casper interrupted, "all those can be changed. Just look into it. I need answers ASAP."

"Yes, sir."

The black luxury car discreetly navigated through the avenues of Oak Falls.

Meanwhile, Eliza had returned home.

"You're back?" Chelsea looked at Eliza, who seemed out of sorts, and asked worriedly, "What's wrong? Did you and Dr. Martin fight?"

"No." Eliza sighed softly, feeling a tightness in her chest.

Chelsea blinked in confusion. "Then what's the matter?"

"Chelsea," Eliza said as she flopped onto the sofa, hugging a pillow, "I saw... Casper."

"What?" Chelsea's heart jumped to her throat, "How could that be? Are you sure you didn't mistake someone else for him? It's been three years. Maybe you were just seeing things?"

Eliza shook her head lightly. How could she mistake him? Even if he turned to ashes, she would recognize him.

"It was really him. He seems to be suspicious of me."