Aveline said, "Braden is probably not interested."“Huh? Why?” Selena asked, confusion spreading across her face.Aveline explained, “Baron, Braden, and Maria all have a special bond with Lucas. No matter what, they wouldn’t betray him.”She paused for a moment, her thoughts drifting to Brian, the man who had always seen it as his duty to protect Lucas. She wondered how he was faring now.Selena shrugged. “Alright, I suppose. He’s helped me a lot recently, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have handled everything so smoothly.”Aveline replied, “It’s all over now. Taking him with you wouldn’t really serve any purpose.”“True,” Selena agreed, nodding as she let go of the subject.She ended up staying in Larbor City for a month. One night, Aveline suddenly went into labor. The family rushed to action—though there was some initial chaos, they quickly regained control. Drivers got the car ready, calls to the hospital were made, and everything unfolded smoothly.At the hospital, Lucas h
At first, the twin really did look quite wrinkly and not very cute, but as time passed, they started to fill out and became more and more beautiful. The baby boy had a calm demeanor, rarely crying or fussing. He spent most of his time either eating or sleeping, with large, dark eyes like black grapes, a high nose, a tiny mouth, and chubby, round cheeks full of baby fat.The baby girl, on the other hand, was much more lively and prone to fussing, expressing her displeasure whenever things didn’t go her way. She cried the most between the two.The baby boy was born first, and the girl was the younger sister. Every time, the sister seemed determined to make her brother cry, but she never succeeded. Once fed, she would calm down.“Have you thought of any names for them yet?” Selena asked, looking at Aveline, who was slowly recovering, while playfully toying with the little ones in the stroller.Aveline replied, "We’ve chosen some temporary nicknames, but we haven’t settled on their full n
Maria looked at the two little ones, absolutely delighted, and then turned to Aveline. "I’ve got some happy news to share as well."Selena guessed, "You're pregnant?"Maria nodded. "That’s right."Selena gave her a thumbs-up. "Wow, that was fast! You said it and made it happen."Maria smiled. "I couldn’t fall too far behind. I need to make sure my kid has the best opportunities and chances, right?" With their babies close in age to Ethan and Emma, Maria thought it would be perfect for them to grow up together, maybe even become childhood sweethearts.She looked at Selena and asked, "Weren’t you eager at first too? Why haven’t you made any moves yet?"Selena sighed. "I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m a little scared."Maria reassured her, "Take your time, no rush."Selena got up and left the room, heading outside for some fresh air. Seeing Aveline go through the struggles of pregnancy and the dangers of childbirth genuinely frightened her. On top of that, she worried she wouldn’t be a good m
Jolie watched Selena’s retreating figure and shook her head in frustration. What could she do? Selena’s emotional wounds ran deep, and no matter what Jolie tried, it seemed impossible to bridge the gap between them.Returning to the party, she glanced around at the crowd of men and women mingling with champagne flutes in hand, but her mind wasn’t on the event. She casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and sipped it slowly.What she didn’t notice was a man standing across the room, watching her. As she drank, his eyes darkened, and he licked his lips suggestively.After finishing about half the glass, Jolie started feeling strange. Her body was growing weak, her skin hot and feverish, and a strange itchiness spread through her veins.Her brows furrowed in confusion. What was happening? She headed toward the restroom, but as she rounded a corner, her legs gave out, and she had to grab the wall for support to keep from collapsing."Did someone drug me?" she murmu
"Let… let me go!" Jolie struggled with all her might, but the drugs were quickly sapping her strength, leaving her powerless to break free.The man, too impatient to care, ignored her pleas and began dragging her toward the back exit."Hey! She told you to let her go. Are you deaf?" A sharp voice suddenly cut through the air.The man froze, startled, and looked up to see a girl standing not far away."Who the hell are you? This has nothing to do with you. Get lost!" He snapped, not recognizing Selena, his tone turning nasty.Selena’s expression grew colder as she took in Jolie’s disheveled state. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and slapped the man hard across the face, then yanked Jolie away from him."Letting yourself fall into the hands of this scum? Where’s your fight?" Selena said sharply.Jolie’s blurry consciousness flickered at the sound of her familiar voice. When she realized it was Selena, her tensed body finally relaxed, leaning heavily into her for support."Take me
"Stop moving," Gavin growled in a low voice.But Jolie, completely under the control of the drugs, was acting purely on instinct, seeking out what her body craved most. She didn’t register his words at all. Instead of stopping, she slipped her hand inside his shirt, feeling the hard muscles of his chest."Mm..." Jolie let out a soft sound, whether from the satisfying feel of his muscles or because the touch of his skin intensified the drug’s effects, it wasn’t clear.Gavin's breathing became heavier. He couldn’t stay here any longer—this drugged and irrational woman could do anything at this point, and there was no telling what she’d attempt next.Quickly surveying his surroundings, Gavin spotted a quieter route. Without hesitation, he carried Jolie out through the back door, re-entering the villa through another entrance. He headed upstairs and slipped into the nearest empty room, laying her down on the bed.Just as he moved to leave, Jolie, still hazy and half-conscious, sensed his d
Gavin said nothing and simply hung up the phone, his expression darkening by the second.Behind him, Jolie’s soft, pained whimpers filled the air. She was writhing on the bed, her delicate skin flushed a faint pink.Gavin clenched his jaw, tugging at his tie. It had already loosened from when she’d pulled on it earlier, and with a rough yank, it came completely undone. Frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior.Where was Selena? She was supposed to be finding help, but she still hadn’t returned.His frown deepened as he reached for the door, ready to leave."Please… help me…"Her desperate voice, laced with a hint of a sob, echoed from behind him. The softness of it hit him like a lit match to his chest, sparking a heat he wasn’t used to feeling. "Please… I’ll pay you… I won’t take it for free…" Jolie’s voice broke as tears streamed down her face. She was sobbing now, her words dripping with helplessness and shame, as if offering him money would somehow make her request more bear
As the effects of the drug finally began to fade, Jolie lay exhausted on the bed, her body drenched in sweat. Her skin, especially across her delicate shoulder blades, bore faint marks from their encounter and her breath ragged as it brushed against her own back. Her vision was hazy, and she barely had the strength to speak."I... I’m fine now... you can stop," she murmured, her voice weak and broken from the strain of what had just happened.The madness of moments before still pulsed through her, the aftershocks of it lingering in her body. She never expected that grabbing a random man for help would lead to this, nor did she expect him to have such relentless stamina.Yet, the man behind her didn’t stop. He didn’t respond either. His large hands remained firmly gripped around her slender waist as if he were trying to squeeze the very breath from her."Stop... I told you to stop, didn’t you hear me?" Jolie’s anxiety spiked as he continued. What was wrong with him? They’d agreed he was
Aveline and Selena turned toward the voice and saw Gavin standing nearby, holding the Quin family’s invitation between his fingers. His expression remained impassive. "The invitation to Miss Quin’s birthday party," Aveline explained. Gavin set the invitation down without comment and walked away, his indifference as apparent as ever. Aveline frowned slightly. "Brother seems unusually interested in the Quin family." "Speaking of which…" Selena tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I came across something recently, and I’m not sure if it’s related to him." "What is it?" Aveline asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. Selena recounted her encounter with Jolie near the neighborhood gate and how she had seen her buying birth control pills. "Do you think it’s possible that she and Gavin…" Selena trailed off, but her meaning was clear. Aveline’s expression turned contemplative. "It’s possible, but they don’t seem like they’re in a relationship." Selena hesitated, frowning. "Gavin woul
Jolie set her phone aside, waiting for Daisy to finish her rambling before the call finally ended. She suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, as though everything around her had lost its flavor. Pushing her plate of pasta away, she stood up and went to her bedroom to change clothes. Afterward, she stepped outside and made a call to Ian. "Mr. Moore, good evening," Jolie began directly. "I’ve made my decision. I think we can give this a try." Ian’s voice was warm as he replied, "I think so too. Miss Quin, have you had dinner yet?" "Not yet.”"Then let’s have it together," Ian offered. "I’ll send you the location. It’s a new restaurant I recently discovered—it’s quite good." "Sounds great," Jolie agreed. She drove to the restaurant Ian mentioned, and by the time she arrived, he was already waiting. "Mr. Moore, you’re early," Jolie said with a smile as she sat down across from him. Ian smiled gently. "This is technically our first official date. Naturally, I wanted to arrive
"The pharmacy," Jolie replied. Selena raised an eyebrow, surprised. "The pharmacy? Are you feeling unwell?" Jolie pressed her lips together, choosing not to answer. Seeing her reluctance, Selena didn’t push further and drove to the nearest pharmacy. Jolie got out of the car, bought a pack of pills and a bottle of water, then returned to the car and immediately took the medication. Selena caught sight of the label on the box and frowned deeply. "Why are you taking birth control pills?" Jolie drank a sip of water and said matter-of-factly, "Because I don’t want to get pregnant right now." Selena was momentarily speechless. Her mind began connecting the dots—Jolie had come out of that neighborhood, not looking for her, and it was still morning… So, she’d been with a boyfriend? But something about Jolie’s demeanor didn’t quite fit the idea of a romantic visit to a boyfriend. Then another possibility struck Selena: Gavin also lived in that neighborhood. Her gaze sharpe
Jolie chuckled lightly. "Dolly, you’ve really thought this through, but I’m not ready to deal with it yet. When I’ve made up my mind, I’ll reach out to him." Dolly pressed on. "What exactly are you considering? Maybe I can help you figure it out." Grabbing a cushion, Jolie said, "Everything." Dolly went quiet for a moment before sighing. "Jolie, don’t you think you might be overthinking this? Your goal from the start was a simple arranged marriage. You’re not going to fall for him, and your relationship will be respectful but distant. “If you’re going to overanalyze even an arrangement like this, it’ll only make you unhappy. After all, in our circles, how many people are truly in love?" Jolie hesitated, her thoughts drifting. "You’re probably right, Dolly." Dolly sighed again. "I won’t push you. Just make sure you’ve thought it through before you contact him. He’s approaching this with the same mindset, so don’t leave him hanging for too long." "Alright, I—" Jolie began to
Jolie was speechless. This man was utterly shameless! The night was a whirlwind of passion. Once she decided to let go, she embraced the experience fully. Her sudden enthusiasm surprised Gavin, who hadn’t expected such a shift in her demeanor. Her flushed cheeks, quickened breaths, and slender legs wrapped around his waist revealed a fiery side of her that was completely unlike before. This time was far more intense than their previous encounters. It wasn’t until dawn that Jolie finally fell asleep. Gavin carried her to the bathroom, cleaned her up, and then carefully tucked her back into bed. Watching her sleep, her defenses completely down, his eyes darkened with unreadable emotion. …When Jolie woke, it was already noon. Turning over, she accidentally rolled into Gavin’s chest. Startled, she froze. Opening her eyes, she saw him propped up against the headboard. A pair of glasses rested on his face, and a tablet sat on his lap as he worked on something. "You’re no
Why was he wasting time with all these talks? Wouldn’t it be better to get straight to the point?Gavin easily read the impatience in her eyes. He remained silent for a moment before shifting his gaze away from her. Jolie frowned, confused by his reaction. What was he thinking? After a long pause, Gavin stood and walked toward the door. Jolie followed him out of the theater room. The living room lights were bright, casting a warm glow over the space. Gavin, now wearing a gray robe, his broad shoulders, and long legs effortlessly exuding authority, strode toward the liquor cabinet. He opened the glass doors, pulled out a bottle, and poured himself a small glass of wine. Taking a slow sip, he leaned against the counter with an air of ease. Jolie didn’t push him further. She had come to understand he operated on his own terms and at his own pace. "Miss Quin, what’s on your mind?" he asked suddenly. "Excuse me?" Jolie blinked, startled by the unexpected question. "What do
After finishing her shower, Jolie felt as though she’d gained some clarity. With her thoughts sorted, she decided there was no point in being reserved anymore. She stepped out of the bathroom dressed in a robe. But when she walked into the living room, Gavin was nowhere to be seen. "Huh? Where did he go?" she muttered, a hint of confusion flickering across her face. She called out tentatively, "Mr. Cooper? Mr. Cooper?" "Over here." A voice came from behind her, slightly off to the side. Turning around, Jolie spotted Gavin standing at the doorway of a room, the space behind him shrouded in darkness. She walked over, tilting her head curiously. "Mr. Cooper, what are you doing?" Gavin’s eyes darkened slightly as he studied her. Something about her had changed. Her gaze seemed brighter, clearer, and when she looked at him, the previous cold indifference was no longer as pronounced. What had happened to cause such a shift in her demeanor? "Come in," he said, turning an
Jolie’s breath hitched as Gavin captured her completely off guard. His lips dominated hers with an intensity that left her no room to resist, his tongue teasing and tangling as though he intended to consume her entirely. "Mmph..." A muffled sound escaped her, and she instinctively tried to push him away. The kiss was overwhelming, leaving her breathless, and she felt as if she couldn’t take it. But the moment her hands brushed against his skin, she recoiled as though burned. He had just taken a shower. He was wearing nothing but a towel, his skin warm and damp, carrying the faint scent of soap. Fortunately, the kiss ended as abruptly as it began. He pulled back slightly, though his breath still lingered over her lips, leaving her flustered. "You were going to push me away?" he asked, his deep voice tinged with something unreadable as his eyes locked on her flushed face. Jolie’s lashes quivered, her hands frozen mid-air, and her voice trembled as she stammered, "I… I was
Jolie said nothing further, standing up and leaving without looking back. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. Ian’s perspective was on an entirely different wavelength from hers. She knew that even if it wasn’t her, he’d find someone "like-minded" eventually. People like him weren’t uncommon in their social circle. But for now, she just couldn’t accept it. Ian followed her out, holding up his phone. "Miss Quin, how about we exchange numbers? If you change your mind later, you can always reach out." Jolie glanced at him, hesitated, and then pulled out her phone. She couldn’t outright refuse and burn bridges. Who knew? They might end up as partners someday. The two exchanged numbers. Meanwhile, across the street. A car was parked by the curb. The driver returned to the vehicle, handing a file to the man in the back seat. "Mr. Cooper, here’s the document you requested." Gavin’s gaze shifted from the pair across the street as he took the file and began flipping thro