The next evening, Alexander brought Phoebe to a mysterious location.
The stunning scenery along the way captivated her, pulling her into a serene daze.
Turning her head slightly, she glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Today, Alexander was dressed in a formal black suit. On him, it exuded an almost devilish allure—only he could wear such a somber color with such a unique, magnetic charm.
Noticing her gaze meeting his, Phoebe quickly lowered her head, touching her flushed cheeks. Did he catch me staring at him? The slight smirk at the corner of his lips confirmed it—he definitely did!
Where is he taking me with all this secrecy today?
"Nervous?" he asked casually.
"No!" Phoebe replied, feigning calm, though her sweaty palms betrayed her. Of course, she was nervous. Glancing down at her evening gown, her heart tightened. Memories of the last time she wore something this formal resurfaced unbidden.
Why make
"Boss, long time no see. What do you think of this welcome dinner? Not bad, right?""I'm more interested in knowing where you've hidden Gavin's goods,"Alexander replied, walking in and sitting beside the man. He casually picked up a glass of wine and clinked it with his companion's."Haha."The man laughed heartily. "Well, he asked for it, didn't he? This is just a little lesson for him.""Merle, do you really think Gavin is that easy to deal with?"Alexander leaned back lazily on the sofa."Tsk, tsk, Alex, that's not the tone I expect from you. When have you ever been afraid of anyone?""So, what are you planning to do with his goods?""Of course, I'll sell them off,"Merle said, matter-of-factly."Give them back to him.""Are you serious? You want me to return them to him? That's a joke.""Since when have I ever joked with you?""Then why? I heard he's fearless and is even trying to steal wo
Phoebe nervously scanned the room, but there was no sign of Alexander. A sense of unease settled in her chest. He had been gone for so long—had he really left her here alone? Would he just leave her behind?The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.Just then, a familiar, magnetic voice called out from behind her. Phoebe instinctively turned around, her eyes locking onto the source of the voice."Phoebe.""Gavin?"Phoebe gasped, recognizing him. It was unbelievable—they had run into each other here of all places."I can't believe I'm seeing you here,"Gavin said, his gaze burning into her with an intensity that made it hard for her to look away.His smile was charming, though it couldn't hide the delight he was feeling inside. From the moment he spotted her in the hall, his eyes had been fixed on her. Every small movement, every subtle expression—he noticed it all.She looked stunning tonig
"Didn't I tell you not to wander off?"Alexander's voice carried a sharp edge of displeasure.His eyes burned with fury, his mind replaying the scene he had just witnessed—her sharing a moment of closeness with Gavin. The image gnawed at him, igniting a surge of jealousy he couldn't suppress.Even he couldn't deny it: they looked perfect together.Tonight, Gavin, dressed impeccably in his tailored suit, exuded a charm that was hard to ignore. Together, they looked like an ideal couple, radiating a sweetness that Alexander found unbearable."I…" Phoebe looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. She hadn't wandered anywhere; she had stayed in the same spot all along. How dare he accuse her? Especially after he was the one who had left her behind earlier?Alexander's domineering stance screamed both a challenge and a declaration of ownership. Gavin, unfazed, offered a casual smile, fully understanding the unspoken tension."You two seem to be enjoying yourselves," Alexander said, his gaze l
In the evening, while Alexander was in the bathroom taking a shower, his phone began to ring.The sound persisted for a long time. Phoebe called out to him several times, but the noise of the running water drowned out her voice, and Alexander didn't hear her.The phone rang multiple times, making it seem like there was something urgent. After hesitating for a while, Phoebe finally answered the call.Before she could say anything, the voice on the other end interrupted her."Alex. Why haven't you come back yet? Do you not want me anymore? Is that it?!" Melissa's heartbroken sobs filled the line.Phoebe froze. Her hand trembled so violently that she nearly dropped the phone."Alex, why won't you come see me? I miss you so much!" Melissa's crying grew more and more pitiful.When there was no response from the other end for a long time, Melissa adjusted her tone, cautiously testing the waters.She wasn't certain, but she gambled that it was Phoebe who had answered the call. However, she c
The night sky was shrouded in dark, oppressive clouds, and even the air seemed heavy with a suffocating tension.This city at night was wild and exhilarating, a kaleidoscope of indulgence and debauchery, revealing humanity's most primal and ugly instincts.For many, the night was their haven of freedom, with bars as their preferred sanctuary.Alexander drove aimlessly before stopping at a random bar.Once inside, he ordered a pile of drinks at the bar and began to drink with reckless abandon. The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke and alcohol, a smell so pungent it was almost unbearable.The sharp burn of the liquor scorched its way down his throat to his stomach. Yet, the more he drank, the more it seemed to fuel him. Somehow, this chaos brought him a strange sense of release.Tonight, Phoebe had truly infuriated him. When had he ever been so invested in a woman? Only with Phoebe had he shown such care—he had even changed himself for her.No other woman had ever made him al
A faint scent of rain lingered in the early morning air as the man in bed stirred awake. Alexander's hand instinctively reached out to the space beside him, only to find it cold and empty.Alarmed, he bolted upright, shaking off the remnants of sleep. His sharp eyes scanned the room, but Phoebe was nowhere to be seen.His gaze landed on a note resting on the bedside table. He grabbed it, and as he read, his expression darkened to an icy grimace."Left?"Alexander clenched the note, snatched his phone, and leaped out of bed. Dialing swiftly, he simultaneously rummaged through the drawers.Her passport and ID lay untouched.His frown deepened. She didn't take anything. Where could she have gone?A gut instinct whispered one name: Gavin. If she dared to turn to him, she would learn the consequences."Pull up the hotel's surveillance footage," he barked into the phone before ending the call abruptly. His cold gaze turned toward the window, shadowed with menace.If she dares betray me, I'l
The room echoed with the man's arrogant laughter.But in the next second..."Ahhh!"A blood-curdling scream filled the air, as though a pig was being slaughtered. The man clutched his groin in agony, writhing on the floor.Phoebe froze, her body trembling in fear. She had just kicked him with all her strength. Without giving it much thought, she jumped off the bed and ran to the door.The door was locked—it wouldn't budge."You bitch! How dare you!" the man cursed angrily, his face twisted in pain. He struggled to get up, but the injury incapacitated him. The pain was excruciating—he was certain he was ruined. Revenge could wait; right now, he needed a hospital."Bitch, come here!"Phoebe pressed her back against the door, looking at him with terrified eyes. She didn't move an inch, her hands fumbling desperately at the doorknob behind her."Stop trying. You won't get out without the key," the man sneered weakly. The arrogance he had shown earlier had completely vanished."G-Give me t
Alexander glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his gaze deep and unreadable. She had turned her body away from him, presenting only her back.The sight made him uncomfortable, as though she were deliberately distancing herself, avoiding him.His grip on the steering wheel tightened, and without warning, the car accelerated, speeding forward.The sudden burst of speed made Phoebe feel sick, dizziness washing over her. She gritted her teeth and endured it, staying silent. She wasn't sure when it happened, but the car abruptly screeched to a halt.The sudden stop sent her body lurching forward, slamming against the interior of the car. Pain radiated through her, and her stomach churned violently. If she hadn't gone the entire day without eating, she might have vomited right then and there.Her face was pale, and before she could catch her breath, a cold, commanding voice cut through the air."Get out." Alexander's tone was an unfeeling order, devoid of any warmth.She looked up at
"No… no… please…" Melissa shook her head frantically, her body jerking in fear and despair. Her hands flailed in the air, grasping at the fleeting chance for survival that had already vanished.But Alexander didn't give her any more chances for mercy. He suddenly reached out, grabbing her by the hair with irresistible force, lifting her up by the roots.Melissa let out a pained groan, the sharp pain in her scalp making her feel as though she might pass out. Then, the cold blade pressed against her cheek, as if an icy line was drawn, freezing her blood in an instant."Ah!" A sharp, blood-curdling scream followed, and a gash appeared on Melissa's face, dark red blood slowly seeping from the wound and trailing down her pale face, like a terrifying red snake.Tears of pain flowed from her eyes, mixing with the blood, and it was impossible to tell which was which.But this was just the beginning. Alexander's gaze held no mercy, only endless fury and hatred. His hand tightened on the knife
The air was heavy with an unbearable cold, as if even breathing could freeze into frost. Melissa's desperate cries for mercy echoed throughout the dead silence of the room. Alexander's expression remained dark as he slowly turned around.Seated in a wheelchair, a thin blanket draped over his legs, the dim, yellow light cast a sickly glow, highlighting his profile in a haunting manner.His face was unreadable, but a terrifying aura radiated from him, like a messenger from hell, emitting an unmistakable scent of death.His gaze, sharp as a dagger, pierced through Melissa. His voice was as cold as the ice of eternity. "What makes you think you have the right to beg for mercy?"His words were laced with boundless anger and disgust, each one landing like a hammer blow to Melissa's heart.Her body shook violently, her voice cracking from fear, her face streaked with the tangled tracks of her tears, a mixture of regret and the desperate desire to live."I know I shouldn't have done those thi
The dungeon was cloaked in near total darkness, with only a few faint rays of light struggling to seep through the cracks, casting mottled shadows on the ground.The damp air was thick with a nauseating stench, the foul smell a blend of age and sin.Rats scurried in the corners, their incessant squeaks adding to the eerie, terrifying atmosphere.Dana strode into the terrifying dungeon with several men in tow. His eyes searched the dark corners, quickly settling on Melissa, curled up in one of them."Drag her out!" Dana commanded coldly, his voice echoing through the empty dungeon.The men immediately stepped forward, roughly pulling Melissa from her corner.Upon seeing her, Dana exaggeratedly slapped his chest and feigned a look of terror. "My God, that's terrifying," he mocked, his face twisted in disdain and loathing despite his words."What do you want?" Melissa screamed in terror, her eyes wide with fear. Her face, twisted in horror from the extreme fear, looked almost monstrous.
The quiet morning at X Villa was abruptly interrupted by hurried footsteps. Dana, along with a few friends, rushed in, their expressions anxious.They had just received the news—Gavin had returned to the country, accompanied by a woman.A few months ago, Gavin had vanished without a trace. They had used all their connections, searched every possible corner, but found not a single clue. Now, however, he had returned in such a high-profile manner, it was utterly baffling.Logically, Gavin knew they had been searching for Phoebe, so he should have hidden her well, leaving no trace behind. But now, he was back, strutting around with a woman. What was his intention?Impatient and anxious, they desperately wanted to discuss a strategy with Alexander. They rushed to where he was, but Rod stopped them at the door."Rod, just open the door. Alexander won't blame you," Dana urged, visibly anxious."But…" Rod hesitated, his feet seemingly rooted to the spot, showing no sign of intending to open
France, CastleThe quiet hallway echoed softly with the sound of footsteps. A maid, dressed in a neat uniform, carefully held a delicate box in one hand and a pair of beautiful crystal slippers in the other. She arrived at a door, gently knocked, and waited for a response."Come in,"a soft voice called from inside.The maid opened the door, slightly bowing with a warm smile. "Miss, these clothes are from the young master."She carefully placed the items on a table nearby and added softly, "The young master is waiting for you downstairs."She then withdrew quietly, closing the door behind her.Phoebe sat dazedly at the edge of the bed, her hollow gaze fixed on the elegant gift box and the shimmering shoes on the table. Her fingers subconsciously tugged at the bedspread, her knuckles turning pale from the pressure.Are we really going back?The question swirled in her mind, tightening her heart like an invisible hand, causing a
The car moved slowly along the road, the scenery outside flashing by like a slideshow, but the atmosphere inside the car was suffocating, as if the air itself had thickened, making it hard to breathe.Laura sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her back straight, her hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, her knuckles white from the tension. Her lips were pressed together, as if glued shut by some invisible force, leaving her unable to utter a single word.Leroy's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. After several attempts to speak, he sighed in resignation, his voice thick with frustration and helplessness.But it wasn't just the silence that weighed on him—it was the faint scent of blood coming from the girl beside him. His gaze instinctively shifted to Laura. Her face had turned pale, her head slightly lowered, as if he had somehow hurt her.Laura, too, noticed the change. Her face flushed red instantly. She knew she had made
In the early morning, soft light filtered through the thin curtains and quietly bathed the room.A handsome man stood silently by the window, surrounded by the warm glow of the sunlight, as if an ethereal golden halo had been drawn around him.Suddenly, a faint sound came from the hospital bed, and he slowly turned around.He saw the girl on the bed beginning to open her eyes, still tinged with the remnants of sleep.His lips parted slightly, his voice low and magnetic. "You're awake?"Thinking back to last night, he remembered getting up to get some water. As he passed through the living room, he caught sight of a small figure curled up on the sofa, clearly in pain.As he approached, he realized it was her, suffering from menstrual cramps. The noticeable stain on the sofa immediately made his frown deepen.He was well-known for his obsessive cleanliness, holding impossibly high standards for his living environment. How could he toler
Phoebe slowly closed her eyes, and before long, soft and even breathing filled the room.Gavin quietly watched her, her peaceful and serene sleeping face making his lips curve into an involuntary smile. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, moving slowly as if afraid to disturb her. Afterward, he straightened up, turned off the light, and silently left the room.As the door softly clicked shut, Phoebe's eyes slowly opened.She gently turned over, instinctively pulling the blanket tighter around her, as if doing so could keep all her fears at bay. Gavin had always been like a guardian angel, constantly by her side, unwavering in his support.Whenever she found herself in a hopeless situation, surrounded by darkness, Gavin was always the first to break through the gloom, shining light into her world, bringing warmth and hope.How could such a thoughtful, gentle, and caring man not make her heart flutter? The happiness she longed fo
The next day, Hermosa packed her things and left. The villa suddenly felt even more silent.Alexander didn't go to see her off. Leaning against the large sofa, he silently drank his alcohol, his eyes slightly narrowed, as the frustration within him lingered, refusing to fade.He didn't know how much he had drunk. Bottles were scattered all over the floor. As he drank, his mind slowly started to unravel, but sadly, his consciousness remained sharp. Why couldn't this alcohol make him forget the pain?He had no interest in dealing with work—the company was already in complete disarray. He spent his days in the darkness, wallowing in despair.One disappointment after another. One discouragement after another.In his dreams, the same scene repeated over and over.His Phoebe had come back. He held her tightly in his arms, kissed her, and kept whispering apologies."Please, please, don't hurt my child… Don't..." In her sleep, Phoebe furrowed her brow, her face pale, her body uncontrollably t