"Get off!"Aveline glared at him, her beautiful eyes tinged with red. What did he think she was? A tool for him to vent his emotions?Anger and humiliation surged within her, making her feel utterly miserable. She didn't want him to touch her at all.His hot breath brushed against her neck, turning her delicate skin a faint shade of pink, making her even more alluring.Lucas's breathing was heavy and labored, his eyes filled with unquenched desire. But when he saw the cold hatred in her eyes, he froze.He couldn't believe what he was seeing.She hated him?How could she hate him?Hadn't she loved him the most before?For a moment, their breaths were ragged, intertwined, but it didn't create even a hint of intimacy.It felt like a dead, stagnant pool.Aveline suddenly shoved him away, got up from the bed, and adjusted her clothes, her voice icy. "Does Miss Winter know about you acting like this? If she did, would she still want you?"How could he be so despicable, wavering between two w
After dinner, Aveline cleaned the kitchen and then went to the guest bedroom to take a shower and sleep.She had a good night's sleep.The next day.When she came out of the guest bedroom, Lucas was already gone.Aveline stood in the living room, thinking it over. It seemed she needed to change the locks.At least next time, he wouldn't be able to get in by calling the property manager.Determined, Aveline contacted a locksmith, and soon someone came to change the lock.This time, she installed a fingerprint and password lock.Only she and Selena knew the password.There was no way anyone else could get in now.After the locksmith left, she looked at the new lock with satisfaction and then messaged Selena. “Sweetie, here's the password for my door lock. Remember it.”Selena called her right away."Upgrading to something high-tech, huh?"Aveline opened the door and walked in, laughing. "Now you won't have to knock when you come over. Isn't that great?""Great, great," Selena said lazily
Aveline paused, her expression thoughtful. "What do you mean?"Selena scoffed. "If that scumbag's family cared about him, how could they not have found him after he disappeared for a year? They only found him after he regained his memory. Ave, this is the era of big data. Finding an adult isn't that hard."Aveline's lips pressed together slightly.Selena continued, "Forget it, let's not talk about him. It's bad luck."Finishing the last bite of her handmade pancake, Selena sighed contentedly. "These are so good. I could eat them every day."Aveline smiled. "Sure, pay up."Selena pouted. "You don't love me anymore."Aveline laughed. "I love you, but I can't let that get in the way of business."Selena was speechless.…After arriving at the mall, they saw Russell already there a distance away. His striking blue hair and handsome, almost otherworldly face made him look like a character straight out of a comic book.He exuded a carefree and rebellious aura, his lips curled in a lazy smirk
She kept a blank face, turned around, and left the men's clothing store, heading straight to another trendy store.When Russell came out and didn't see her, he paused, puzzled. "Where did she go?"Selena said in surprise, "Mr. Skyler, I didn't expect you to look so handsome in a suit. It seems that good-looking people can make even a rag look fashionable."Russell replied, "Thank you for the compliment."Selena added, "Ave went to the opposite store."Russell glanced at his suit, his eyes flickering briefly before he went back to change out of it. Then he headed to the trendy store across the way.Aveline had already picked out an outfit. She said to Russell, "Mr. Skyler, this set suits your style perfectly."Russell smiled. "But I thought the suit looked pretty good too."Aveline asked, "Do you like suits?"Russell replied, "I can wear anything."Aveline said, "Try this outfit, then."Russell agreed. "Alright."Selena walked over leisurely and, looking at Aveline, leaned in to say, "Y
"Mr. Skyler, how do you like this outfit?" Aveline asked, stepping back as Russell took a photo.Russell smiled, his handsome face carrying a hint of mischief. "It's great.""Then let's go with this one," Aveline said, pulling out her card to pay.Russell didn't stop her, his eyes lingering on her with a mysterious glint.Just as the payment was processed, Aveline's phone rang. It was a call from her department manager, Glen Lane."Hello? Mr. Lane," she answered.Glen’s voice sounded a bit strange. "Miss Young, are you busy right now? There's a data set that doesn't seem right. Can you come back and check it? It's important for the project."Aveline frowned. "Is it the data I worked on?"Glen replied, "Yes, it is."Aveline was puzzled. She had double-checked all the data before leaving work yesterday. How could there be a mistake?"Alright, I'll come back to take a look," she agreed.Glen added, "Great, thank you. Don't worry, you'll be paid for the overtime."Aveline thanked him and h
Aveline's face immediately darkened.It seemed Selena had been right. She had been forced to come back for overtime because of Lucas.Desmond tried to ignore her icy glare and handed her the file. "Miss Young, the data in this document is incorrect. Please recheck it."Aveline snatched the file, saying coldly, "If there's nothing wrong with this data, I won’t forgive you.”Desmond was speechless.He felt completely at a loss."Miss Young, it was Mr. Tudor's order, not mine," Desmond quickly explained, trying to distance himself from the situation.Aveline looked at him with disdain. "Is there any difference between you and him?"Desmond kept quiet.He returned to the CEO's office, feeling like the sky was falling.It was really tough being an assistant to the CEO!He took out his phone and sent a message to Brian on WhatsApp. “Are you interested in becoming an assistant?”Brian replied, “No, I'm just a bodyguard.”Desmond texted, “Maybe you should consider it.”Brian rejected firmly. “
Barbara's face instantly showed anger, her wrinkled features hardening. "That brat! I've told him before that a wife should be cherished, not bullied. He dares to bully you? I'll call him right now!"She reached for her phone, which she always wore around her neck. It was an old-fashioned button phone with speed dial, and she quickly called Lucas."Grandma." Lucas's warm, magnetic voice came through the phone.Barbara glanced at Aveline, who put a finger to her lips, signaling her not to mention her presence."Where are you, Lucas?"Lucas replied, "I'm at home. Do you miss me, Grandma?"Barbara huffed. "I miss you? Do you miss me? When was the last time you visited me?"Lucas said, "I've been a bit busy lately. I'll come over right now."Barbara responded, "Good, I'll be waiting!"She hung up and smiled at Aveline. "Just wait, I will get revenge for you!"Aveline hugged Barbara. "Grandma, why are you so good to me?"Though they had never met before, but after their first encounter, Bar
Lucas didn't understand why his grandmother suddenly brought up this issue, but he could only endure it silently."I understand, Grandma. I'll treat my wife well."Barbara huffed. "That's more like it."With that, she released Lucas' ear, which was already red from being twisted.Aveline, hiding behind a nearby bush, saw this scene and pressed her lips together. At first, she was pleased. But her mood quickly turned somber.After all, Barbara was Lucas' grandmother. Even if she scolded him, she wouldn't let anything really happen to him. The things she said—Aveline didn't believe them, and she doubted Lucas did either.Forget it.There was no point.Just as Aveline was about to turn and leave, a gentle voice called out, "Madam Barbara."Aveline's body stiffened. She turned and saw Sophia walking in from the entrance.She wore a beige long dress that reached her ankles, but her prosthetic leg was still noticeable. Her hair was draped over her shoulders, her light makeup was elegant, and
The corners of Gavin’s lips curved into a faint smile.The subordinate giving the report froze, his eyes widening in shock.What on earth?!Did he just witness that?Their notoriously serious and unsmiling boss—especially during work—had just smiled. In the middle of a meeting at his phone.Several others in the room noticed it too. Their gazes darted between each other in silent but frantic communication.What’s going on?Did Mr. Cooper just smile? At his phone? During a meeting?“Is he… dating someone?” everyone thought.“Ahem!”Gavin’s assistant cleared his throat, immediately breaking the silent chaos. First, it was a warning to the staff to rein in their imaginations, and second, it was a subtle reminder to Gavin, who was typing a reply.Even the assistant couldn’t help the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.Who would have thought?The president of Cooper Enterprises, a man known for his iron will and unshakable focus, was texting his girlfriend during a meeting… and smilin
Rosalie said, “That must be tough for you. But why did Uncle and Aunt suddenly decide to send you abroad?” Jolie’s eyes flickered. So, her parents hadn’t told their relatives the real reason? How typical.Of course, they’d be too embarrassed to admit it. Shipping their daughter abroad just to force her to break up with her boyfriend? What a humiliating thing to confess. Jolie replied calmly, “I wanted to study abroad to gain some experience. It’s for my future photography exhibition. I still have a lot to learn.” “Oh, I see,” Rosalie responded, feigning understanding. Then she added, “Where are you staying? If I get the chance, I’ll come visit you.” “There’s no need, but thanks for thinking of me,” Jolie said lightly. “I’ll only be gone for a year. I’ll be back before you know it.” Rosalie smiled on the other end. “Alright then. If you need anything, just let me know.” “Sure.” After a few more polite exchanges, the call ended. Rosalie stared at her phone, gripping it
"Beep! Unlocked!" The electronic voice of the fingerprint lock sounded unusually clear in the quiet night. As soon as Jolie stepped through the door, Gavin wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. His hot breath cascaded down onto her ear and neck, making her breath hitch instantly. She didn’t even have time to take off her shoes before she was swept up into his arms. His kisses were relentless, stealing her breath and unraveling her control as her emotions rose and fell with his every move. Before she knew it, she was seated on the entryway cabinet. Her dress had been pushed up to her waist, and her legs were forced to cling to his lean waist. His fingers trailed over her skin, leaving traces of his presence wherever they went. “Mm…” A soft whimper escaped her lips as his kisses marked her skin. Each mark, blooming like crimson flowers against her fair skin, painted a vivid contrast on her porcelain complexion. The room remained pitch dark, but
The lighting inside the cinema was dim, making it hard for Gavin to see Jolie’s face clearly. However, he could sense her stiffness. He glanced at her deeply before his gaze shifted back to the screen.The movie ended, and their hands remained intertwined the entire time. The warmth on Jolie’s cheeks had subsided as they stepped outside. Glancing at the tall, handsome man beside her, her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.“Jolie?”At that moment, a voice called out from not far away. Jolie froze, not turning around. The voice carried a hint of uncertainty, and the person’s companion spoke in confusion, “Are you sure? Didn’t they send Jolie abroad?”The speaker was Jolie’s cousin, Rosalie Quin, from her uncle’s family.Frowning slightly, Rosalie replied, “But she really looks like her.”Her friend scoffed. “You must be seeing things. Wasn’t Jolie sent abroad? Didn’t you mention her family even cut off her cards? I still can’t believe she’d go to such lengths over a guy.”Rosalie lowe
Jolie fiddled with her phone, trying to find the perfect angle for a good photo. Less than ten minutes later, there was a knock on the private dining room door. “Come in,” Gavin said calmly. A man in a tailored suit entered, holding a professional camera in his hand. Jolie looked at him in confusion. “Who’s this?” Gavin replied, “He’s an excellent photographer, a first-place winner in an international photography competition. Let him take your photos.” “What?” Jolie blinked in disbelief, glancing between the man and Gavin. So, because she complained about his lack of photography skills, he brought in someone with top-tier skills? And not just anyone—a world champion? Oh, dear! Jolie was suddenly at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but struggled to find the right thing to say. After a moment, she stammered, “Uh… actually, it’s not necessary.” “Not taking pictures anymore?” Gavin asked. Jolie shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m hungry.” Having someone else tak
Jolie looked at Gavin in surprise. “I’ve heard rumors before that you’ve never been in a relationship. At first, I didn’t believe it.”Gavin glanced at her and replied, “It’s true. I haven’t.”Jolie nodded. “Hmm, I believe it now.”His eyes held nothing but focus on his work.With both hands gripping the steering wheel, Gavin drove steadily down the road. The sunset had already faded, and the city lights were beginning to glow. Having stayed indoors for several days, Jolie felt a bit unfamiliar stepping out. She kept her gaze outside the window throughout the ride, her eyes betraying a quiet excitement she herself hadn’t noticed. Gavin stole several glances at her, but she didn’t notice any of them. Finally, the car came to a stop. Jolie stepped out and saw a restaurant ahead. The building had a three-story traditional design, exuding a strong vintage charm. Even the entrance was adorned with intricately carved beams and painted columns. Jolie glanced at the restaurant’s name
Jolie froze for a moment as Gavin moved closer. His earlier words echoed in her mind, making her inexplicably nervous. But instead of doing anything unexpected, Gavin grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Go change. I’m taking you out to eat.”Jolie stumbled forward a couple of steps, startled. A look of surprise flashed across her face. A date?She nodded quickly. “Alright.” Back in her apartment, she leaned against the door, her heart fluttering with unexpected excitement. It was her first date! She needed to dress up for this. Jolie rushed to her bedroom, took a shower, and began picking out an outfit. She carefully applied her makeup, making sure everything was just right. By the time she was ready, two hours had flown by. She sent Gavin a quick message, then opened her door—only to find him already standing there, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. He leaned casually against the wall, exuding an air of effortless elegance. Jolie blinked in surprise. “
“Awake?” Gavin walked over to her, his gaze falling on her slightly dazed face. Without warning, he reached out and pinched her cheek. The action was natural, even intimate, leaving her no time to react. Gavin wasn’t one to overthink—when he wanted to do something, he simply did it.Truth be told, he’d wanted to do this for a long time. Her cheeks were softer than he had imagined, and the sensation was oddly satisfying. Jolie nodded, then asked, “Didn’t you go to work?” “I’m back,” Gavin replied simply. Back already? She was a bit surprised but didn’t linger on it. Instead, she said, “There’s something I need to tell you.” Gavin naturally took her hand and led her to the sofa. Sitting down beside her, he said, “Go ahead.” Jolie hesitated for a moment, then said, “Technically, I’m still abroad.” The statement seemed abrupt and confusing, something that would make no sense to anyone unfamiliar with the context. But Gavin understood immediately. He nodded. “I know. S
As Jolie thought further, she realized her rebellion had been directed at none other than him. Gavin’s expression darkened instantly. Noticing his displeasure, Jolie quickly tried to defuse the situation. “Uh… weren’t you about to go work out? You should go. I barely slept last night, so I’ll head back and get some rest, okay?” She attempted to pull her hand free, eager to escape, but Gavin tightened his grip on her wrist, refusing to let her go. His dark eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and commanding. “You’ve already been up all night. Another few minutes won’t make a difference.” A sense of danger prickled at Jolie’s instincts. Her eyes instantly reflected her wariness as she stammered, “W-What are you going to do?” Instead of answering, Gavin wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, pulling her closer. His voice dropped even lower. “What do you think?” “I… I don’t know!” Jolie’s panic surged as she caught a glimpse of something in his expression she hadn’t seen befor