"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 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
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
The luxury car rolled to a stop, and the driver promptly stepped out to open the door. Gavin emerged, his tall and commanding presence instantly drawing attention. Terence and Daisy quickly descended the steps to greet him. "Mr. Cooper, it’s wonderful to see you," Terence said, a flattering smile on his face. "You’ve come at the perfect time," Daisy added, her tone enthusiastic. "Please, come aboard." Gavin gave a faint nod. "Of course." The banquet was being held on the third deck of the ship, where many guests had already gathered. Some stood out on the deck, admiring the sunset over the water. Gavin’s arrival caused a ripple of surprise among the crowd, but the reaction quickly turned into a flurry of polite greetings as people eagerly approached him. Jolie noticed him immediately. His presence was commanding, making him stand out effortlessly, like a lighthouse towering over a crowded harbor. Her brows furrowed slightly. Why was he here? She distinctly remembere
Daisy smiled warmly at Jolie, speaking to her softly, "Mr. Cooper is over there. Go and invite him."Following Daisy's gaze, Jolie looked over. Standing at the intersection of light and shadow was Gavin's tall figure. His face was devoid of any unnecessary expression, his dark, deep eyes fixed intently on her as he held a glass of champagne in one hand.For no apparent reason, she felt an air of domineering authority emanating from him. It was as if she was already his possession.Jolie quickly averted her gaze and nodded slightly. "I understand.""Go on." Daisy patted her hand with a smile.Taking a deep breath, Jolie turned and began walking toward Gavin. The scene drew curious looks from the surrounding guests. "Is Miss Quin inviting Mr. Cooper to dance?" "Is the Quin family planning to form an alliance with the Cooper family?" It wasn’t entirely impossible. After all, Gavin had attended Jolie's birthday banquet. As everyone watched Jolie's approach, their astonishment grew whe
Ian spoke up, his tone calm and polite. "I met Jolie half a month ago. It was love at first sight for me. After spending some time together, I grew quite fond of her, and we decided to be together. I apologize for not informing you sooner, Mr. and Mrs. Quin. That was my oversight."Jolie playfully blinked at her parents and added, "Mom, Dad, I just wanted to surprise you."Surprise? This was clearly a shock!However, with Ian standing there, Terence and Daisy couldn’t say much. They forced polite smiles and nodded."Alright, as long as you’re both happy. Go on and enjoy yourselves for now," Daisy said with a strained smile.Jolie looped her arm through Ian’s and led him a short distance away."Phew..." Jolie exhaled deeply, glancing at Ian as she blinked mischievously. "Well, I’d say I’ve made it halfway through with my family."Ian raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why only halfway?"Jolie sighed. "To be honest, my parents will never agree to us being together. They’ll find ways to make us
Gavin wrapped an arm tightly around her slender waist, refusing to let go. Instead, he pulled her even closer, his grip firm and unyielding.Jolie pressed her hands against his chest, trying to push herself back. "Thank you, Mr. Cooper.”But before she could retreat, his grip tightened, holding her in place. Instead of creating distance, it only brought her closer, their bodies now pressed together, every movement amplified by the proximity.Jolie frowned slightly and asked, "What are you doing, Mr. Cooper?""You’ve got a boyfriend now," Gavin said, his dark eyes fixed on her. "When did that happen?"Jolie pursed her lips. "I don’t think that’s any of your business.""Is that so?" His tone remained cold, but there was a dangerous edge to it that sent a chill down her spine."You’re my woman. Getting a boyfriend now—is that your way of insulting me?" His voice dropped further, laced with a quiet menace, his gaze sharpening as he spoke."Don’t be ridiculous, Mr. Cooper," Jolie said, her
Gavin released her, his gaze lingering on the flush that painted the corners of her eyes. For once, the edges of his lips curved into a faint smile. He leaned down, brushing a light kiss against her earlobe, and murmured, "Tonight. My room. The third time."With that, he let her go and walked away without looking back.Jolie clutched the railing, her breathing uneven, her cheeks tinged with a deep blush. She bit her slightly swollen lips, glaring at his retreating figure. She was certain he had done it on purpose. She announced her relationship in front of everyone, only for him to demand that she fulfill their agreement—how infuriating!"Boom!" A deafening explosion startled her, and fireworks lit up the night sky. Jolie looked up to see colorful blooms bursting one after another over the ocean, painting the darkness with vivid, dazzling colors.Guests began gathering on the deck to watch the fireworks display. Yet Jolie felt no joy, only a growing sense of chaos in her life. Everyt
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