NEVER AGAIN

The rain poured heavily from the dark sky.

Cold winds howled through the empty streets.

Barefoot and exhausted, Ella staggered forward.

Her clothes were soaked.

Her face was pale.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

Yet she continued walking.

She had nowhere else to go.

Behind her, a black Rolls-Royce slowly moved through the rain.

Inside the vehicle, Zeke sat silently.

His eyes narrowed as he noticed the familiar figure ahead.

For some reason, seeing her alone in the storm made an unfamiliar feeling rise inside his chest.

A feeling he couldn't understand.

Suddenly—

Ella collapsed.

Her fragile body fell directly into the rain-soaked pavement.

"Stop the car!"

Zeke's expression changed instantly.

Before Alex could react, Zeke had already opened the door and rushed into the rain.

The icy water drenched his expensive suit within seconds.

Yet he paid no attention.

He quickly lifted Ella into his arms.

She was freezing.

Far colder than she should have been.

Her eyelashes trembled weakly.

For a brief moment, her eyes opened.

She vaguely saw a handsome face above her.

Then darkness swallowed her consciousness.

"Ella!"

The panic in Zeke's voice surprised even himself.

"Call Dean immediately!"

Alex nearly choked.

Panic?

Young Master Zeke was panicking?

Was he dreaming?

Within minutes, the car sped toward Fredamo Manor.

The temperature inside was raised to the highest setting.

Throughout the journey, Zeke held Ella tightly.

Trying to warm her frozen body.

His expression grew darker with every passing second.

When they arrived, the entire mansion was shocked.

The servants stared with wide eyes.

Their young master had brought a woman home.

And not just any woman—

He was carrying her personally.

"What are you standing there for?" Zeke snapped coldly.

"Prepare a room!"

The servants immediately scattered

Dean arrived shortly afterward.

The moment he entered the bedroom, he froze.

Then he looked at Zeke.

Then at the unconscious woman.

Then back at Zeke.

A strange smile appeared on his face.

Unfortunately, Zeke's icy glare erased it immediately.

"Check her condition."

Dean quickly became serious.

After examining Ella, his expression darkened.

He rolled up her sleeve.

Both men froze.

Countless needle marks covered her arm

Evidence of long-term blood extraction.

Dean frowned deeply.

"She's been donating blood for years."

"What?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Dean swallowed.

"If this continues, her body won't survive another year."

Silence filled the room.

A terrifying pressure spread from Zeke.

Even Dean felt chills.

After a moment, Dean carefully attached the IV drip.

"Fortunately, she's young."

"But her health is in terrible condition

When everything was settled, Dean left the room.

Before leaving, he couldn't resist asking.

"Who exactly is she?"

Zeke didn't answer.

Instead, he looked toward Alex.

"Investigate Ella."

His eyes darkened.

"And investigate the Eleanor family."

"Everything."

Alex immediately nodded.

"Yes, Young Master."

The next morning.

Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Ella slowly opened her eyes.

Her head felt heavy.

For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was.

"Good morning, Miss Ella."

The voice startled her.

She sat up immediately.

A maid stood nearby with a warm smile.

The luxurious room around her was completely unfamiliar.

Panic flashed across her face.

"Where am I?"

Before the maid could answer, the bedroom door opened.

A tall figure walked inside.

Ella froze.

It was him.

The man from the banquet.

The man who had defended her.

The most powerful man in the city.

Zeke Fredamo.

"You..."

She pointed at him nervously.

"You were at the party."

Zeke sat calmly on the sofa.

As though he owned the entire world.

Which, in a sense, he practically did.

"You fainted in the rain."

His voice remained indifferent.

"I brought you here."

A maid entered carrying breakfast.

"You have a high fever.

"

Zeke glanced at her.

"Eat."

Ella felt awkward.

"Thank you, but I'll leave after breakfast."

For some reason, her words made Zeke frown.

Leave?

Why did that idea irritate him?

"It's not safe."

Ella blinked.

"The Eleanor family is looking for you."

His gaze lingered on her.

"And you don't have a home to return to."

His words struck directly at her weakest point.

Ella lowered her head.

Because everything he said was true.

Seeing her silent acceptance, a faint smile flashed across Zeke's eyes before disappearing.

One week later.

The timid girl who arrived at Fredamo Manor no longer existed.

Ella had cut her long hair into soft curls.

Without trying to imitate Bella anymore, her natural beauty finally emerged.

She purchased simple clothes that suited her own style.

For the first time in years...

She looked like herself.

Not someone else's replacement.

later, she met Andrew at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

The adoption was officially terminated.

Before leaving, Andrew handed her a debt statement.

Fifty million dollars.

Repayable at one million per month.

A punishment disguised as repayment.

Yet Ella accepted it without complaint.

She signed the papers.

Then walked away.

compared to freedom...

The debt meant nothing.

As she stepped outside the bureau, lifted her eyes toward the distant university campus.

A new life awaited her.

This time, she would rely on no one.

Not the Eleanor family.

Not Shane.

Not anyone.

Little did she know...

The most powerful man in the city had already set his sights on her.

And from the moment Zeke carried her out of the rain—

Neither of their destinies would ever be the same again.