She stopped pretending, and her eyes clearly reflected her dislike for him. Gavin glanced at her expressionless face, withdrew his hand, and turned away. “I’ve always preferred your honesty.” Jolie watched his tall figure retreat, rolling her eyes so hard it practically hurt. “Who cares what you prefer!” she thought.…Downstairs. Selena walked in through the front door, spotting Gavin and Jolie descending the staircase one after the other. A hint of surprise crossed her face. “You two… what’s this about?” Gavin replied, “I went to call her down for dinner.” “Oh…” Selena deliberately drew out the word, her gaze turning slightly mischievous. Jolie’s grip on the railing tightened. She asked, “When did you get back, Selena?” “Just now,” Selena answered. Jolie nodded and headed straight toward the dining room. Selena glanced at Gavin and said, “Aaron didn’t come. I’ll relay what you told me, but I can’t guarantee he’ll go along with it.” Gavin replied indifferentl
"Alright," Selena said, not pressing further. Jolie turned and left without another word. As she walked outside, her mind churned, contemplating her next move. How could she escape her current predicament? Her fate seemed sealed. She had to go through with an arranged marriage she couldn’t avoid. The only variable was the kind of man she’d end up with. When she saw Gavin at the Quin family’s banquet, she knew their target was him. They’d stop at nothing to push her toward him, hoping she could win him over. But she despised him. She wanted nothing to do with him. If that was the case, her best option was to find someone she could tolerate—someone the Quin family would deem acceptable for an alliance. If she started dating such a person, it would put an end to their schemes. At least then, her life wouldn’t be entirely unbearable. By the time she stepped out of the neighborhood, her plan had solidified. Pulling out her phone, she sent a message to a friend. The frien
"Hello." Ian extended his hand with a polite smile. Jolie shook his hand. "Hello." Ian introduced himself, still smiling. "My last name is Moore, but you can just call me Ian." "I’m Jolie Quin." Ian’s smile deepened. "I’ve heard a lot about you from Dolly. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Quin. Please, have a seat." Jolie nodded and took a seat. Dolly Rich signaled the server over and started browsing the menu. "Alright, order whatever you like. It’s on me." Jolie teased, "It’s not often you offer to treat. I’ll have to make sure you spend big today." "Go for it," Dolly said with a dramatic wave. Ian chuckled. "You’re too kind. But as the host, this meal should naturally be on me." Dolly winked at Jolie and added, "Ian’s just returned from overseas, and everyone’s been taking him out for meals. This is his first time hosting. We should definitely take advantage of it!" Jolie smiled but didn’t comment further. After ordering, the three of them chatte
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
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
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
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
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
Jolie stirred, her eyes fluttering open in the dimly lit cabin. The sharp, handsome features of the man before her were so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath. His lips, carrying his familiar scent, gently traced hers, as if torn between waking her and letting her sleep. Her breath hitched, a brief moment of confusion washing over her. Gavin noticed and, in response, pressed a firm kiss to her lips. "Did I wake you?" "You did that on purpose," Jolie replied, her voice soft and husky from sleep. "Mm." Gavin didn’t deny it, his tone unapologetic as he leaned down to kiss her again. Still groggy, Jolie found herself caught off guard, his lips capturing hers with a growing intensity. By the time she realized what was happening, he had deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing and tangling with hers in an intoxicating rhythm. Her breath quickened, and she instinctively pushed against him. Gavin pulled back, only to trail kisses along her cheek and down her neck, his
The night air was cool, a gentle breeze slipping through the car window and lifting the strands of hair framing her face. They fluttered across her vision, briefly distracting her, yet she could still clearly see his eyes. At that moment, the unease and uncertainty stirring in her chest melted away, replaced by an inexplicable sense of calm. It felt as though there was nothing he couldn’t handle. As long as he wanted to. Jolie smiled softly and said, "Alright." When they arrived at the private airstrip, the captain came forward to exchange a few words with Gavin. Standing nearby, Jolie watched and couldn’t resist asking, "How long will you be staying?" Gavin glanced at her. "How long do you want me to stay?" The overly intimate tone of his words, spoken with such casual ease, caught her off guard. Her cheeks flushed immediately—especially since there were others around to hear it. Lowering her gaze shyly, she murmured, "You can stay as long as you want." She turned he
Gavin looked at her, his gaze steady, and replied in a calm voice, "You’ve got the leverage to do it." Oh... Jolie’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse momentarily thrown off rhythm. What was this feeling? It was as if someone was spoiling her, cherishing her unconditionally. Even though it was just a simple conversation, it carried a warmth she couldn’t ignore. For a moment, she realized that what she once thought was affection and care had been nothing but an illusion. A smile unconsciously curved on her lips as her eyes lit up. "Does this mean I can walk around Larbor City like I own the place?" Gavin raised an eyebrow. "Are you a crab?" Jolie burst into laughter, her mood instantly lifted by his quick-witted remark. Her earlier irritation dissipated, replaced by lightheartedness. Whether or not he meant it, the fact that he sided with her made her happy. "I’m full. Should we head out?" she asked, her appetite long gone after everything that had happened earlier.
The girl stared in disbelief, her hands clutching her face. "You hit me?" Jolie blinked innocently at her. "Weren’t you the one insisting I hit you earlier? I just gave you another slap to match your story. You should be used to it by now." "Jolie Quin!" Ian had reached his limit, his voice full of anger as he glared at her. "Apologize to her!" Jolie glanced at him, her expression calm but icy. "Get lost." She had thought he might be reasonable, but clearly, he was blinded by infatuation. She had no patience to deal with him any longer and turned to leave. Before she could take a step, Ian grabbed her arm roughly. "Jolie, you’re not leaving without apologizing! I don’t think I’ve ever wronged you, have I? We used to get along just fine, didn’t we?" "Let go," Jolie said, her brows knitting in disgust. She hated being touched, especially by someone she considered beneath her. Ian tightened his grip, his hand digging into her arm hard enough to cause pain. "Jolie, yo
Jolie was completely baffled, a string of question marks running through her mind. But when the girl suddenly dropped to her knees, it genuinely startled her.She quickly reached out to help her up. "Get up first. We can talk properly."Before Jolie could react, the girl grabbed her hand and slapped herself hard across the face with it.Smack!The crisp sound echoed in the quiet hallway, leaving Jolie frozen in shock."Why did you hit me?" The girl, who had just been crying like an innocent damsel in distress, now clutched her face and loudly accused her. "Ian and I are the real couple! You’re the one coming between us. How could you hit me?"Jolie blinked, completely dumbfounded, as the girl’s voice rang out.A few passersby paused, glancing over to witness the commotion.Meanwhile, Ian, who had been waiting and wondering why his girlfriend hadn’t returned, came looking for her. The scene he walked into—his girlfriend on the ground, crying and accusing Jolie—made him stride forward,
The person in the hallway glanced at her briefly but quickly looked away, as though she were a stranger. Jolie’s hand, lifted halfway to wave, stalled in mid-air.What... was that? Gavin noticed her reaction and asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?" "Nothing," Jolie replied, shaking her head and brushing it off. The man outside was Ian. Pretending not to know her was probably his way of avoiding unnecessary trouble—after all, they had already "broken up." The door to their private room shut completely, and Gavin hadn’t seen Ian or his group. He turned back to her and asked, "Do you come here often?" "Yeah," Jolie nodded. "I come here a lot with friends." So, this was one of her favorite hidden gems. The fact that she was willing to share it with him felt significant somehow. Gavin caught himself lingering on that thought and was momentarily taken aback by his own reaction. He kept his expression neutral, not letting on what had crossed his mind. The food arrived qui
The reason it wasn’t the same was simple—her plan would fall apart if she got caught.Of course, that wasn’t something she could admit.Jolie simply said, "I just don’t want any unnecessary complications. Since you’ve already arranged the flight, let’s just leave directly."Gavin’s dark eyes fixed on her for a moment, but he didn’t press the issue.It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it any further, so he let it drop.When the elevator doors opened, the two of them walked out together. A car was already waiting at the entrance. Gavin, ever the gentleman, opened the door for her.The car pulled away from Cooper Enterprises, and Gavin asked, "What do you want to eat?"Jolie, busy typing on her phone, replied, "I know a good restaurant."It was a cozy place she loved, one she often visited with her friends."Alright," Gavin replied, pulling out his phone to respond to some emails. With his work condensed into such a tight schedule, he seized every spare moment to handle it.Jolie p
Gavin suddenly recalled Wilfried's words, "That girl doesn’t even like you."Lowering his gaze slightly, Gavin pushed the thought aside without explanation, his expression remaining cool and indifferent as he watched her. After Jolie finished looking through the photos, she turned to him and asked, "Why do you have pictures of all these women?" "My father brought them over," Gavin replied. "Oh." Jolie nodded knowingly and didn’t press further. It was easy enough to figure out—the Cooper family obviously wanted him to consider an arranged marriage, so they sent over these photos for him to choose from. She could understand that. In fact, she even helped him look through them, just in case one of these women turned out to be a good match for him. After all, their relationship wasn’t meant to last forever. When he grew tired of her and she had her fun, they’d part ways, and everything would return to normal. As she neatly organized the photos and placed them back on the ta
It was Jolie’s first time visiting Cooper Enterprises, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity about the place.No, to be precise, it was her first time stepping into any corporate office. The Quin family also had company, but she had never visited, nor had Daisy or Terence ever asked her to.The private elevator for the CEO was stunningly opulent, its polished surface gleaming like a mirror, perfectly reflecting their images. Jolie’s heart began to race with an inexplicable excitement.The assistant glanced at her and said with a warm smile, "Miss Quin, there’s no need to be nervous. Mr. Cooper will definitely be delighted to see you."Jolie nodded and replied, "I’m not nervous."The elevator moved swiftly, and as they neared the executive office, Jolie adjusted her cap and mask, pulling them snugly to hide her face as much as possible.Meanwhile, near the adjacent employee elevator, Rosalie was holding a stack of files, ready to head downstairs.She froze the moment she s