After dinner, Angelo sat in the tub and cursed at Drake for the pain in her leg when there was a knock at the door.

She got up, dried herself, put on a corset, and wrapped herself in a bath towel before she opened the door.

​​

"What's wrong, Drake?"

Seeing Drake standing outside, Angelo didn't dare to do anything but forced a smile.

Angelo had a red tinge to her face after a bath, and her delicate collar bone was exposed, looking seductive.

Drake looked away to cover the restlessness in his eyes.

"We'll climb the mountains tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he closed the door at once and walked to his study room.

Angelo didn't notice his change but kept thinking about climbing.

What a bitter life she had! She complained inside, threw herself to her bed, and buried her head under the pillow.

The next day was the same as the day before. She climbed the mountain and then went to the Rushmore Karate. Railey was indeed a serious coach. Angelo had a sore body every day. And she silently cursed Drake over and over again.

Five days later, Angelo suddenly realized that her body was improved.

Railey had finished teaching all the basic moves.

"Karate is a kind of martial art. We should pay attention to flexible reactions to the attack. Now let's fight."

Railey postured as he spoke. Angelo then did the same.

"Attack me."

As soon as Railey finished his words, Angelo gave a front kick. Railey fought back at once. He controlled his force, but Angelo still felt very painful.

Angelo looked at Drake, who was standing not far away, and bore it when she thought of her identity now. She's a young man to everyone's eyes, and that alone forced her to endure the torture.

"Again!" Railey shouted, looking at Angelo, who was standing there.

Angelo changed her moves to attack, which were all blocked by Railey.

"It's not hard enough. The force must be exerted at the moment of the kick, like a spring."

Angelo nodded to show that she understood him. Then she stepped forward and kicked with all her strength. A touch of appreciation appeared in Railey's eyes.

He kicked back to fight with Angelo. But as a professional karate player, his kick brought Angelo the pain she couldn't stand, and she felt her leg was broken. She withdrew at once but didn't have time to block the attack.

Finally, Railey kicked at her chest, and she sank to the floor in a fit of pain.

"Are you all right?"

Railey hurried up to check her, but Drake had already come to her.

Angelo had been telling herself that she couldn't cry, but the severe pain in her chest was too much for her.

Tears kept falling from her eyes. A low whimper reached Drake's ears, and his heart gave a violent twitch.

"Angelo?"

Railey asked in confusion, looking at the sobbing Angelo. He knew he kicked hard, but he had controlled his strength to the level Angelo could take. Angelo couldn't be hurt even if he kicked at "him." How could a man cry because of pain?

Hearing Railey's voice, Angelo wanted to tell him that she was fine. But the pain from her chest was so much that she couldn't talk, and more tears fell.

"Get out!"

Drake said as he gave a stern look at Railey. He was furious when he saw Angelo like this.

Wade hurriedly came forward and was confused when he saw Angelo crying on the floor.

"What's wrong, Railey?"

"I kicked Angelo by accident," Railey said worriedly. He was frightened by Drake's look.

"Drake, I believe Railey didn't kick hard. Angelo should be fine," Wade tried to meditate.

Hearing that, Drake looked at Angelo, who was still crying and clenched his hands.

"I don't want to see him in the Rushmore Karate anymore," Drake said with firmness.

Wade looked at Railey and then nodded.

"Yeah, Mr. Drake," he replied and then dragged Railey out.

The Rushmore Karate was set up by someone else, but it's real owner was Drake.

Railey was the best coach in the gym, but Wade had to fire him because of Drake's order.

It had been a while, and Angelo felt much better. She then wiped the tears with her hand from her face.

Thinking of the scene just now, she looked warily at Drake. She had never seen him so angry before.

"I'm sorry, Drake. I didn't want to cry."

Her voice was hoarse from the cry. She felt that Drake must be angry with her cry, which was a humiliation of the Thorne.

Besides, Wade shared the same thought with Angelo.

Drake was upset to hear Angelo's apology. He walked to a board and then kicked it apart.

Angelo flinched. She stood up and tried to apologize, but Drake's voice boomed, "You go home first."

She had to say yes and walked outside, where Hale had been waiting.

Drake sat down in the lounge when he saw Angelo leave. He knew why Angelo apologized.

But actually, he was angry because his heart throbbed when he saw her cry. And he was clear in his mind.

Looking at the broken board, he became more upset.

He was always calm and rational, and he was proud of that. But it just broke when it came to Angelo.

***

In the Thorne's house

Angelo was thinking about Drake's anger in the practicing room while cutting her steak, and she became more restless.

Drake had been torturing her these days, for which, however, her status in the family was improved.

Her cry might be a humiliation of the Thorne. She worried that she might lose everything because of this incident.

She finished her dinner mechanically and then went to take a shower. Looking at the corset belt, she, for the first time, hated herself being as a woman that she couldn't bear much pain.

The next day, she got up at five.

When she walked to the living room, she didn't see Drake there.

She sat down in front of the table and started to have her porridge.

Finally, "Hale, where is Drake?" she asked.

At this time, Drake should be eating here.

**************************************************************************************************

Dearest Lovies,

As I've promised earlier, another birthday mass release from this humble author, as my way of giving back the love and support you guys have showered to me.

It's been almost two years being part of this platform, and even though I haven't got any chance to see you all in person, yet I could feel the undying support you have given to every novel I've published.

From the bottom of my heart, a million thanks!

Wǒ ài nǐmen! (I love you, all!) Zàicì fēicháng gǎnxiè nín! (Thank you so much, once again!)

Anna Shannel Lin