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. “
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 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
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
"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
"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
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