Sidney had texted, "She’s not my girlfriend."Maria shut off her phone without replying and went to change her clothes."Does it even matter?" she muttered to herself.He had defended that girl in public, and it had irritated her. Now, with this half-hearted explanation afterward, it felt completely unnecessary."If she’s not your girlfriend, then why step in?" she thought. He even apologized on her behalf, acting like they were close—what was the deal with that? The whole thing left Maria feeling restless and annoyed. She opened a bottle of wine and began drinking straight from it.With an empty stomach and no food to cushion the alcohol, it didn’t take long for her to feel a dull ache creeping through her stomach. Sitting on the couch, her gaze drifted into the distance, her thoughts swirling.Looking back, she realized how happy she had been before Sidney entered her life. She had gone wherever she wanted and done whatever she felt like doing. When she was in a bad mood, she’d b
Maria stared into Herman's eyes, noticing the sincerity and warmth in them. There wasn’t a hint of deceit. She smiled and said, "Whoever you fall in love with is going to be very lucky."Herman smiled back and clinked his glass with hers. "I think that’s the least anyone deserves. Every person is an individual, free in their own right. Love shouldn’t be something that traps or binds you. It should make both people better, not something that drags them into endless suffering.""Well said!" Maria clapped her hands, downing another glass of wine.Herman watched her, his brows knitting slowly. After a pause, he asked, "That man earlier... you know him, don’t you?"Maria nodded, "Yes. He used to be a designer in my studio. Now, he’s my business partner."She drank a bit too quickly, and the alcohol hit her fast, a rosy blush creeping onto her cheeks."At first, the way things started between us wasn’t great. It was full of calculations and ulterior motives. I thought once everything ended,
Maria’s eyes were half-lidded, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at him through the haze of alcohol. "You... you're really good-looking," she murmured, her words slurred.She was definitely drunk.Herman gently grasped her wrist, removing her hand from where it lingered. "Thanks, you're not too bad yourself," he replied with a small smile.When he stood and put some distance between them, Maria blinked and asked, "Why are you getting up?""You should rest," Herman said softly. "If you need anything, call me. I’m heading out."Taking advantage of someone in this state wasn’t his style. He wouldn’t do something like that—especially when Maria clearly didn’t have feelings for him.He tucked the blanket around her, adjusted the air conditioning to a comfortable level, and quietly left the room.As the door clicked shut, the room fell into silence. Maria stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before slowly closing her eyes....When Herman stepped out of the room, he spotted someone sta
Maria forced herself to stand and open the door. Sidney was already there, his eyes narrowing in concern when he saw her pale face and the way she was hunched over in pain.“What happened?” he asked as he stepped forward to steady her.Maria leaned into him, her voice weak. “My stomach... it hurts a lot. Take me to the hospital.”"Alright," Sidney said, his tone serious. He helped her sit down in a chair, quickly grabbing her phone and bag before lifting her into his arms and hurrying out of the room.As they reached the hallway, Tiana happened to return and immediately blocked their way. "Hey, where are you taking her?""Move," Sidney said, his face dark with urgency.Tiana looked at Maria, noticing how pale and sickly she seemed. She was clearly in bad shape.Without further argument, Tiana stepped aside but followed closely, her voice filled with concern. "Maria, do you still know what's happening? Do you know who’s carrying you?""Yes," Maria whispered softly.Hearing that, Tiana b
Tiana sighed. "Of course we’re worried! What happened? How did you end up with a stomach perforation all of a sudden?""It’s nothing, I just had a bit too much to drink," Maria explained, her voice light but tired."That’s my fault," Herman interjected, his face filled with concern as he looked at Maria. "I should’ve made sure you ate something."Tiana’s eyes widened as she turned to her brother. "Wait, you were with her when she was drinking?""Yeah," Herman admitted.Tiana immediately gave him a light punch on the arm. "Why didn’t you stop her? Drinking on an empty stomach is dangerous!""It’s my fault," Herman said quietly."Stop arguing, I’m fine now," Maria said, waving her hand weakly. "I’ll be more careful next time."Tiana crossed her arms. "I don’t care. It’s my brother’s responsibility to take care of you until you’re fully recovered. If not, I’ll tell Mom and Dad that he’s been mistreating girls!"Maria was taken aback. "That’s really not necessary..."Tiana shook her head.
Maria blinked a few times, then said, "I’m feeling a bit thirsty."Herman shook his head gently. "You can’t drink water right now. How about this—I’ll use a cotton swab to moisten your lips. It’ll help a little, alright?"Maria was silent for a moment before asking, "When can I drink water?""In 24 hours," Herman replied.Immediately, Maria’s expression turned despairing, and she closed her eyes, looking defeated. "I’m really thirsty..."Herman didn’t say anything more but turned and busied himself. Moments later, Maria felt something cool and moist on her lips. Startled, she opened her eyes to find Herman sitting at the bedside, holding a cup of water in one hand and a cotton swab in the other, carefully moisturizing her lips.His expression was focused, his eyes resting solely on her lips, without any other intention. The room was brightly lit, casting clear lines across his handsome features. His calm, attentive gaze made Maria pause for a moment.It was a strange feeling, unfamil
"Alright, alright, best friend, I’ll give you a certificate of excellence!" Maria laughed.Tiana grinned cheekily, "Forget the certificate—just be my sister-in-law."Maria gave her a sideways glance. "If I become your sister-in-law, your carefree days will be over.""Why?" Tiana blinked her wide eyes in confusion."Because I’d team up with your mom and start arranging blind dates for you," Maria teased."No, please!" Tiana groaned dramatically, "I’m still young! I don’t want a boyfriend yet—don’t be so cruel!"Maria chuckled. "Then you better stop meddling in my love life."Tiana paused, then said, "Wait a minute. Does that mean you don’t like my brother?"Her eyes gleamed as she added, "Do you like that pretty boy?”"Huh?" Maria was caught off guard."You know, your business partner. He totally looks like a pretty boy—no real talent, just a bad attitude. You know what they call guys like him? A 'social climber!' And let me tell you, social climbers are not to be trusted. “Their ego i
Maria had been cooped up in the hospital for a week, and today she finally had the chance to stretch her legs with a walk around the artificial lake. Her body felt stiff from lying down for so long, and the cool breeze against her skin was a welcome relief from the heat.Herman walked beside her and asked, "Are you thirsty?""A little," Maria replied."Wait here, I'll grab some water," he said, turning to leave."Okay." Maria smiled, watching him walk away before turning her attention back to the lake. The hospital grounds, usually weighed down by an oppressive atmosphere, seemed lighter with people around, many of whom were also enjoying the fresh air."Ha, what a two-faced woman," a snide voice suddenly interrupted her peace.Maria turned to see Diana standing a short distance away, glaring at her with hostility."Are you talking about yourself?" Maria asked, blinking innocently. "That's quite an interesting self-reflection.""I’m talking about you!" Diana snapped, storming closer. "
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