His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza couldn't help but laugh at his behavior, a mix of amusement and disbelief coloring her reaction.

Did Casper really think she was arguing with his girlfriend over money?

"If that's the case, then I absolutely must have that slice of cake today," she declared, her voice firm and unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Do you think the money's not enough?" Casper sneered, contempt curling his lips as he tossed all the cash from his wallet at Eliza. "So, Ms. Valerie, you're that greedy for money. I must have misjudged you."

Eliza stood there quietly, letting the bills fall around her, a chilly smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Watching the money scattered at her feet, Eliza laughed. Casper was still Casper-always ready to charge into battle for others, yet always ending up standing up against her.

"Come on, I've given you so much money; you can at least give me the cake now, right? Besides, I've already paid for it," the woman said as she approached the counter, extending her pale hand. "Give me the cake, please." The server had never encountered such a situation before. To give or not to give?

"Miss, how about I check with another store to see if they have any matcha mousse left, and I can bring one over? This way, no one needs to argue and ruin the peace."

The server hurriedly made a call.

David stepped forward, protectively placing Eliza behind him. A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes as he spoke sharply, "What's the meaning of this, Mr. Casper? Why are you flaunting your money around like this? Are you trying to humiliate us?" "And you are?" Casper's gaze swept over David as if he were sizing up a stranger.

David was momentarily taken aback, a surge of confusion rising within him. Was Casper pretending not to recognize him over a trivial matter?

"You..."

David's words choked in his throat, finding himself at a loss for words for a moment.

In the midst of their standoff, the server, out of breath, hurried over with two slices of matcha moussex cake in hand. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he carefully handed each of the ladies a piece. "Here,NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.

now, there are two pieces of matcha mousse, one for each of you."

The tense atmosphere was momentarily eased. Casper and the woman left with their cake and got into their car.

David's face was full of confusion.

He turned to Eliza, his eyes filled with questions. "Why would Casper pretend not to know me? And he

spoke to you as if you were a stranger. What... what's going on?"

QUMS

"He's lost his memory and doesn't remember me," Eliza explained. It seemed Casper didn't remember David either. "He likely doesn't recognize you now either."

"It must be from that accident."

That accident had shaken the entire town of Falconridge, dominating the local news for days as if it were the soundtrack to those times.

Eliza managed a bitter laugh. "David, take the cake to Amaya for me. I'll head back to the hotel to rest. I'll visit Amaya tomorrow."

"Alright, get some rest."

"Mhm."

Under the night sky of Falconridge, with stars twinkling above, Eliza woke up from her nap feeling hungry. The hotel's rooftop boasted a decent restaurant, where she planned to enjoy a peaceful dinner.

Coincidentally, her gaze unwittingly

caught a familiar figure... Casper. Sitting next to him was the woman from the dessert shop with whom she had had the dispute earlier Opposite them sat an older woman who Eliza recognized as Casper's aunt.

Was this him introducing his girlfriend to his family? Eliza felt like she had chosen the wrong time and place.

Just as she was about to leave, her stomach protested loudly and untimely.