Just as Jolie turned to leave, she caught sight of a man standing not far away. She froze for a moment. Gavin? What was he doing here? Beside him stood a property manager, seemingly discussing something with him. Jolie hesitated, debating whether to greet him. But before she could decide, Gavin’s gaze shifted away, making the decision for her. Alright. No need to say hello then. She let her half-raised hand fall back to her side and headed toward the elevator. After stepping in, she pressed her floor’s button. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand suddenly reached in, triggering the sensors. The doors slid open again, revealing Gavin’s cool, unreadable gaze. “Mr. Cooper. What a coincidence,” Jolie said awkwardly, now left with no choice but to acknowledge him. Gavin stepped inside without a word, turning his back to her as he pressed the button for the 22nd floor—one floor above hers. Seriously? He had a place here too? In the same building, no less? Jol
Jolie smiled lightly and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now. Goodbye, Mr. Cooper.”She turned toward the door, but the sound of steady footsteps followed her. He was coming after her. Frowning slightly, she turned back to face him. “What’s this about, Mr. Cooper?” Gavin met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “I haven’t had dinner yet.” “Then go eat,” Jolie replied flatly. He countered calmly, “I hired Jackie for you.” Jolie froze. Was he seriously trying to claim credit? Unbelievable. How petty could this man get? Pulling out her phone, she said, “Tell me how much it cost, and I’ll transfer the money to you.” Gavin shook his head. “Just make me a plate of pasta. Consider it payment.” Jolie eyed him suspiciously. “That’s it? Just a plate of pasta?” “Yes,” Gavin confirmed.Still unsure, Jolie studied him for a moment, then turned and unlocked her door. She stepped inside, tossing a pair of disposable slippers at his feet. Gavin’s gaze fell briefl
Her body softened in his arms, and Gavin adjusted her position with ease, his hand steadying her thigh as he shifted her to straddle his lap. His kisses were unrestrained, his breathing heavy and erratic as he trailed down to her chin, her neck… When her shoulder strap slipped off and he pressed a firm kiss onto her bare shoulder, leaving a faint, suggestive mark, Jolie snapped back to her senses. “Gavin Cooper!” she called his name sharply, a clear warning—though her voice came out far softer than she intended, almost trembling. He didn’t push further. Instead, his breathing grew even heavier as he held her tighter, as though he wanted to pull her into his very being. It was a long moment before he finally released her. As soon as she was free, Jolie scrambled to fix her clothes and slipped off his lap, putting as much distance between them as possible. She sat on the sofa, her face flushed, her breath uneven, and her limbs weak from the intensity of the moment. Her red-r
Jolie opened the door and asked curiously, “When did you leave?”Gavin replied, “I live upstairs. I just went back to take a shower.” He had also changed into a simple set of loungewear—a white T-shirt—that made him look several years younger. Jolie’s gaze lingered on him briefly before she quickly looked away and shut the door. She headed straight to the bedroom, but Gavin watched her and asked, “Why aren’t you going to the master bedroom?” Without turning back, Jolie replied, “I don’t want to end up having to change the sheets later. It’s exhausting.” She was well aware of his tendencies. Once things started, they wouldn’t stop until everything was a complete mess. She cleverly opted for the guest room, figuring she could clean up after a good night’s sleep. However, Gavin said, “But I want to be in the master bedroom.” Jolie immediately frowned and turned back to glare at him. “Gavin, do you always have to be so demanding? This is my house!” Gavin looked at her cal
Gavin's expression darkened instantly. His fingers traced over the scars, and suddenly, he leaned down, pressing gentle kisses along each one. Jolie froze in shock. Her face showed disbelief as she tried to turn her head to look at him, but he held her down, making it impossible for her to move. How could he kiss such ugly scars? How could he bear to do it? Wasn’t his willingness to be with her because of her beauty? At that moment, her understanding of him wavered. As his kisses continued, her body trembled lightly. Biting her finger to stifle her emotions, Jolie felt her breath quicken. His touch was feather-light, sweeping over every inch of her back like a soft breeze, making her unable to handle the tenderness. Gavin’s actions were filled with care, his movements unhurried, and he seemed intent on ensuring her comfort. Watching her expression shift into pleasure time and again filled him with a profound sense of satisfaction. As the night deepened, their breath
Jolie took a bite of the noodles and then looked over at Gavin. “What is it?” Gavin asked in a calm tone, meeting her gaze. Setting her utensils down, Jolie stared at him earnestly. “Tell me, how did you make this? Can you teach me?” The same pasta, the same vegetables, the same seasoning—how could it taste so much better when he made it? How on earth did he do it? She was dying to know! “No,” Gavin replied bluntly. Jolie’s expression almost crumbled. Grabbing his arm, she began to shake it lightly. “Come on, teach me! I’m willing to pay tuition. This is really so good! Teach me, won’t you?” She was trying to coax him. Gavin glanced at her small hands resting on his arm. In the past, she was always polite and reserved around him, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. But now, she had dropped the mask, gradually revealing more of her genuine emotions in front of him. And this playful, coaxing behavior? That was something reserved for those she felt close to.
Gavin suddenly reached out, pressing his hand against the door, stopping her from closing it. “Hmm?” Jolie looked at him suspiciously, unsure of his intentions. His dark eyes bore into hers, studying her for a long moment before he finally spoke. “Jolie, you’re really asking for it.” What? Jolie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you just say?” Was he threatening her? How ridiculous! Aside from her parents, no one had ever dared talk to her like that. Anger flared in her chest as she shoved at the door, wanting him out of her sight. But Gavin easily pushed it open and stepped inside as though her resistance meant nothing. “Hey! Get out! I don’t want to see you right now!” Jolie snapped, her face turning frosty as she pointed toward the door. “Leave!” Gavin ignored her entirely, strolling further into the room and dropping onto the sofa with an air of ownership. “Go take a shower,” he said, lifting his chin slightly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"When will you divorce her?"In the private room, the girl gazed at the man before her with deep affection.Aveline stood outside the private room with cold hands and feet. Like the girl inside, she stared at the man's handsome, sharp face, as her complexion gradually turned pale.That was her husband, Lucas Tudor.He was mute, working as a server in this club. Today, she got off work early to go home with him but didn't expect to stumble upon this scene.The man who usually wore a server's uniform was now in a tailored suit, his short hair meticulously styled. His expression was noble and cold, with an air of elegance and aloofness she had never seen before.His thin lips parted, his voice low and pleasant. "I'll bring it up to her soon."She shut her eyes abruptly and turned to leave.He could speak.His voice was actually so pleasant.However, she never expected that the first words she would hear him say were about divorce.Aveline was in a daze, thinking she must have mistaken som
Gavin suddenly reached out, pressing his hand against the door, stopping her from closing it. “Hmm?” Jolie looked at him suspiciously, unsure of his intentions. His dark eyes bore into hers, studying her for a long moment before he finally spoke. “Jolie, you’re really asking for it.” What? Jolie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you just say?” Was he threatening her? How ridiculous! Aside from her parents, no one had ever dared talk to her like that. Anger flared in her chest as she shoved at the door, wanting him out of her sight. But Gavin easily pushed it open and stepped inside as though her resistance meant nothing. “Hey! Get out! I don’t want to see you right now!” Jolie snapped, her face turning frosty as she pointed toward the door. “Leave!” Gavin ignored her entirely, strolling further into the room and dropping onto the sofa with an air of ownership. “Go take a shower,” he said, lifting his chin slightly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Jolie took a bite of the noodles and then looked over at Gavin. “What is it?” Gavin asked in a calm tone, meeting her gaze. Setting her utensils down, Jolie stared at him earnestly. “Tell me, how did you make this? Can you teach me?” The same pasta, the same vegetables, the same seasoning—how could it taste so much better when he made it? How on earth did he do it? She was dying to know! “No,” Gavin replied bluntly. Jolie’s expression almost crumbled. Grabbing his arm, she began to shake it lightly. “Come on, teach me! I’m willing to pay tuition. This is really so good! Teach me, won’t you?” She was trying to coax him. Gavin glanced at her small hands resting on his arm. In the past, she was always polite and reserved around him, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. But now, she had dropped the mask, gradually revealing more of her genuine emotions in front of him. And this playful, coaxing behavior? That was something reserved for those she felt close to.
Gavin's expression darkened instantly. His fingers traced over the scars, and suddenly, he leaned down, pressing gentle kisses along each one. Jolie froze in shock. Her face showed disbelief as she tried to turn her head to look at him, but he held her down, making it impossible for her to move. How could he kiss such ugly scars? How could he bear to do it? Wasn’t his willingness to be with her because of her beauty? At that moment, her understanding of him wavered. As his kisses continued, her body trembled lightly. Biting her finger to stifle her emotions, Jolie felt her breath quicken. His touch was feather-light, sweeping over every inch of her back like a soft breeze, making her unable to handle the tenderness. Gavin’s actions were filled with care, his movements unhurried, and he seemed intent on ensuring her comfort. Watching her expression shift into pleasure time and again filled him with a profound sense of satisfaction. As the night deepened, their breath
Jolie opened the door and asked curiously, “When did you leave?”Gavin replied, “I live upstairs. I just went back to take a shower.” He had also changed into a simple set of loungewear—a white T-shirt—that made him look several years younger. Jolie’s gaze lingered on him briefly before she quickly looked away and shut the door. She headed straight to the bedroom, but Gavin watched her and asked, “Why aren’t you going to the master bedroom?” Without turning back, Jolie replied, “I don’t want to end up having to change the sheets later. It’s exhausting.” She was well aware of his tendencies. Once things started, they wouldn’t stop until everything was a complete mess. She cleverly opted for the guest room, figuring she could clean up after a good night’s sleep. However, Gavin said, “But I want to be in the master bedroom.” Jolie immediately frowned and turned back to glare at him. “Gavin, do you always have to be so demanding? This is my house!” Gavin looked at her cal
Her body softened in his arms, and Gavin adjusted her position with ease, his hand steadying her thigh as he shifted her to straddle his lap. His kisses were unrestrained, his breathing heavy and erratic as he trailed down to her chin, her neck… When her shoulder strap slipped off and he pressed a firm kiss onto her bare shoulder, leaving a faint, suggestive mark, Jolie snapped back to her senses. “Gavin Cooper!” she called his name sharply, a clear warning—though her voice came out far softer than she intended, almost trembling. He didn’t push further. Instead, his breathing grew even heavier as he held her tighter, as though he wanted to pull her into his very being. It was a long moment before he finally released her. As soon as she was free, Jolie scrambled to fix her clothes and slipped off his lap, putting as much distance between them as possible. She sat on the sofa, her face flushed, her breath uneven, and her limbs weak from the intensity of the moment. Her red-r
Jolie smiled lightly and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now. Goodbye, Mr. Cooper.”She turned toward the door, but the sound of steady footsteps followed her. He was coming after her. Frowning slightly, she turned back to face him. “What’s this about, Mr. Cooper?” Gavin met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “I haven’t had dinner yet.” “Then go eat,” Jolie replied flatly. He countered calmly, “I hired Jackie for you.” Jolie froze. Was he seriously trying to claim credit? Unbelievable. How petty could this man get? Pulling out her phone, she said, “Tell me how much it cost, and I’ll transfer the money to you.” Gavin shook his head. “Just make me a plate of pasta. Consider it payment.” Jolie eyed him suspiciously. “That’s it? Just a plate of pasta?” “Yes,” Gavin confirmed.Still unsure, Jolie studied him for a moment, then turned and unlocked her door. She stepped inside, tossing a pair of disposable slippers at his feet. Gavin’s gaze fell briefl
Just as Jolie turned to leave, she caught sight of a man standing not far away. She froze for a moment. Gavin? What was he doing here? Beside him stood a property manager, seemingly discussing something with him. Jolie hesitated, debating whether to greet him. But before she could decide, Gavin’s gaze shifted away, making the decision for her. Alright. No need to say hello then. She let her half-raised hand fall back to her side and headed toward the elevator. After stepping in, she pressed her floor’s button. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand suddenly reached in, triggering the sensors. The doors slid open again, revealing Gavin’s cool, unreadable gaze. “Mr. Cooper. What a coincidence,” Jolie said awkwardly, now left with no choice but to acknowledge him. Gavin stepped inside without a word, turning his back to her as he pressed the button for the 22nd floor—one floor above hers. Seriously? He had a place here too? In the same building, no less? Jol
Ian was surprised. "What’s so urgent?" Jolie paused for a moment before replying, "It’s about our partnership." "Alright," Ian agreed easily. Jolie quickly sent him her location and then began deliberating on how best to approach the conversation. Since she was the one ending their arrangement, she felt it necessary to handle things with care. After some thought, she decided to invite him to dinner. She couldn’t leave the apartment, but fortunately, there were plenty of ingredients at home. She prepared a simple yet thoughtful meal. By evening, the doorbell rang. Jolie walked to the door and cautiously peeked through the peephole. After confirming it was Ian, she opened the door. "I didn’t expect the address you sent me to be your home," Ian said with a polite, warm smile. "Is it okay for me to come in?" Jolie nodded. "It’s fine. Come in." She handed him a pair of disposable slippers. After switching his shoes, Ian stepped inside and glanced around. "Why are you here?
Jolie nodded. "Yes." Selena continued, “So, because you already had some contact with Gavin, the Quin family saw an opportunity and started pushing you toward him.” Jolie nodded again. “Then go along with it,” Selena said simply. “What?” Jolie looked at her in confusion. “But wouldn’t that mean giving them exactly what they want?” “Oh, you silly girl.” Selena gave her a soft, almost indulgent smile. “Do you think someone like Gavin Cooper is that easy to manipulate? Do you really think the Quin family can control him just by sending you to him? “Quite the opposite. If you truly manage to win him over, to the point where he’s devoted to you, then you’ll hold all the cards. If you tell him to keep his distance from the Quin family, they’ll end up with nothing—no leverage, no benefits. They’d be left with nothing but regret.” Jolie listened, her eyes gradually widening as if a whole new world had opened up before her. Selena spread her hands. “Expand your perspective. The w