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.
Jolie’s entire body trembled as she listened to Daisy’s words. So, the punishment wasn’t over. They were trying to slowly break her spirit, forcing her to bow her head and yield to their will again. Clenching the phone tightly in her hand, Jolie felt a surge of cold fury rise within her. Daisy seemed to sense her daughter’s emotional shift and softened her tone, letting out a small laugh. “Jolie, you’ve always been such a good, obedient child. If you admit your mistake and behave, we’ll let this go. Then you can come back home. Of course, if you want to stay abroad and enjoy yourself for a while, that’s fine too. We’ll reinstate your accounts.” A slap on one cheek, and now they were dangling a sweet reward in front of her. But whether she got that reward depended entirely on them and her obedience. Ha! Jolie let out a bitter laugh in her heart, one that quickly turned into self-mockery. Taking a deep breath, she said evenly, “Alright, I’ll think about it.” Then, with
Jolie’s feet slipped into the perfectly fitting slippers, and she slowly stepped further into the apartment. This time, she took a moment to glance around. Though she didn’t inspect it thoroughly, she quickly noticed that the color scheme matched the master bedroom she’d been in before. The entire apartment, like Gavin himself, felt cold and uninviting. Standing behind her, Gavin watched her nervous and uncertain demeanor. A sudden thought crossed his mind—confessions were something he should handle. She was still a young woman, and she’d already rejected him once. It made sense that she’d find it hard to gather the courage to bring it up again. Jolie was in the middle of mentally preparing herself, trying to work up the nerve, when a shadow appeared in front of her. “Jolie.” His deep, resonant voice sounded from above her, drawing her gaze upward. Caught off guard, she found herself locking eyes with him. Gavin’s handsome, chiseled face held a serious, almost solemn
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
“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
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. “
"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
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
Jolie’s feet slipped into the perfectly fitting slippers, and she slowly stepped further into the apartment. This time, she took a moment to glance around. Though she didn’t inspect it thoroughly, she quickly noticed that the color scheme matched the master bedroom she’d been in before. The entire apartment, like Gavin himself, felt cold and uninviting. Standing behind her, Gavin watched her nervous and uncertain demeanor. A sudden thought crossed his mind—confessions were something he should handle. She was still a young woman, and she’d already rejected him once. It made sense that she’d find it hard to gather the courage to bring it up again. Jolie was in the middle of mentally preparing herself, trying to work up the nerve, when a shadow appeared in front of her. “Jolie.” His deep, resonant voice sounded from above her, drawing her gaze upward. Caught off guard, she found herself locking eyes with him. Gavin’s handsome, chiseled face held a serious, almost solemn
Jolie’s entire body trembled as she listened to Daisy’s words. So, the punishment wasn’t over. They were trying to slowly break her spirit, forcing her to bow her head and yield to their will again. Clenching the phone tightly in her hand, Jolie felt a surge of cold fury rise within her. Daisy seemed to sense her daughter’s emotional shift and softened her tone, letting out a small laugh. “Jolie, you’ve always been such a good, obedient child. If you admit your mistake and behave, we’ll let this go. Then you can come back home. Of course, if you want to stay abroad and enjoy yourself for a while, that’s fine too. We’ll reinstate your accounts.” A slap on one cheek, and now they were dangling a sweet reward in front of her. But whether she got that reward depended entirely on them and her obedience. Ha! Jolie let out a bitter laugh in her heart, one that quickly turned into self-mockery. Taking a deep breath, she said evenly, “Alright, I’ll think about it.” Then, with
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