When Alexander emerged from the bathroom, he found Phoebe already dressed and sitting upright, her posture stiff. He couldn't help but laugh. "Not going back to sleep?""No." Phoebe glanced at him quickly before lowering her gaze again. Damn it, why didn't he just put on clothes before coming out of the bathroom? Instead, he had wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out like that. He must have a thing for exposing himself.Wait—Phoebe looked again. That towel... it was her towel—the one she used to dry herself off with. How could he wrap it around his body like that?But as she took a closer look, she couldn't help but find it funny. The towel had cartoon patterns all over it. The more she looked, the more she wanted to laugh. Her lips twitched, but she managed to hold it in."Think I look funny?" His expression darkened slightly.Phoebe quickly shook her head. "No!"But in her heart, she thought he really did look ridiculous. Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. After all
After finishing breakfast, Alexander took Phoebe straight to the airport. Without saying much, he ushered her onto the plane. It wasn't until she was seated that Phoebe realized how confused she felt."Where are we going?" she asked."Abroad," Alexander replied."Ah?" Phoebe's mouth formed an "O.""For what?" she pressed, voicing her curiosity."I have some business to take care of," Alexander answered, his hands still busy working. He had brought her along to give her a change of scenery and to keep her by his side."Oh," Phoebe mumbled, puffing out her cheeks as her mood sank.So, he was here for work. She had assumed this trip was meant to be a relaxing getaway for the two of them.Watching him work so diligently, Phoebe couldn't help but stare. From the moment they boarded the plane, he hadn't stopped, not even for a moment. He's so busy.But despite his hectic schedule, he still made time to see her every day.He looked so handsome while working—especially his profile, with its s
When Alexander returned from handling his business, he found Phoebe fast asleep. He moved quietly into the room, his cold and indifferent expression softening as he gazed at her peaceful face.Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently stroked her cheek, a tender smile playing on his lips. The affection in his eyes was unmistakable.Unable to resist, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before rising and leaving the room, softly closing the door behind him.In the study, Alexander reviewed several documents. The silence was interrupted by his phone ringing.Frowning, he picked it up and answered without much interest."Alex, you finally decided to take my call?""What do you want?""I want to see you!""I'm busy.""I'm pregnant."Alexander's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning sharp and icy. His grip on the phone tightened, his fingers curling with such force that it seemed the phone might shatter."What did you say? Say it again.""Alex, I'm pregnant!" Melissa's soft an
Morning sunlight streamed gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow across the room.On the bed, Phoebe's fair skin glowed under the warm light, making her look ethereal, almost unreal.She nestled lazily in Alexander's arms, her slightly disheveled hair veiling the soft curve of her neck.Her long, curled lashes fluttered faintly, and her innocent face, serene in sleep, radiated a tender sweetness that tugged at the heart.Alexander lay on his side, holding her with a possessive tenderness.His sharp eyes locked onto her delicate features, drinking in the sight of her nestled against him. His lips curved into a faint, rare smile, and a glimmer of warmth danced in his deep gaze.Unconsciously, his slender fingers traced the contour of her cheek, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear.At that moment, Phoebe seemed as pure as an otherworldly sprite.She was stunning. Young. So tempting that it ignited a deep, primal desire to claim her.Lifting a strand of
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.Satisfied, Alexander leaned down to kiss her flushed cheek. "Good girl," he murmured.His voice made Phoebe even more embarrassed. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Avoiding his gaze, she quickly jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.Watching her retreating figure, Alexander's lips curled into a wicked smile."Sir, your breakfast," the attendant said from outside."Come in," Alexander replied.Once breakfast was set, Alexander didn't bother waiting for Phoebe to finish her shower. Instead, he stripped off his clothes and strolled straight into the bathroom, leaning casually against the doorframe to admire the view."Hey! What are you doing in here?" Phoebe gasped when she saw him.She instinctively sank deeper into the water, trying to hide her body. She was certain she had locked the door, yet here he was—and stark naked, no less!What was worse, she found herself sneaking glances at him, captivated by his physique.Her ga
The elevator slowly ascended, stopping only at the 48th floor.The doors opened, and Alexander naturally took Phoebe's soft hand, leading her toward his office.Along the way, several curious glances from his subordinates followed them. Phoebe felt embarrassed and almost pulled her hand back, but Alexander gripped it tighter, almost as if to show off, as though he didn't want anyone to miss the fact that they were together.Was he trying to prove something? It almost seemed like he was sending a message.Phoebe didn't quite understand his intentions. She stole a glance at his expression—it seemed like he was in a really good mood.Seeing him like this, Phoebe didn't dare to pull her hand away. She simply let him lead her... Could it be that, by doing this, he was showing that he no longer saw her as just a tool?From the elevator to the CEO's office, Phoebe didn't dare lift her head.Only when the door to the office finally closed behind them did Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. Havin
As night slowly descended, Alexander continued to move in and out of the meeting room, while Phoebe obediently waited in his office. Whenever he came out, she didn't disturb him. Instead, she simply watched him from a distance, and when he left again, she couldn't help but stare at his retreating figure, lost in thought.When Alexander was focused on his work, Phoebe mostly played the role of invisible background noise. However, his secretary was very kind to her, often coming by to check on her, offering drinks, snacks, and even bringing her magazines and newspapers.At first, Phoebe was full of energy, sneaking glances at him, but as time passed, she grew tired. Eventually, feeling bored, she lay down on the sofa.Goodness, the work here was so monotonous and exhausting!Phoebe couldn't fathom how Alexander managed to keep going. He was so focused and dedicated to his work. Even she, the observer, had reached her limit—how was he able to endure it?She wondered for a moment before f
A little later.In a top-tier Western restaurant, Alexander and Phoebe were seated at a table near the window, a spot Alexander had specifically chosen.From here, they had a perfect view of the entire city skyline, which looked absolutely stunning in the night.Although Phoebe had a slight fear of heights, she couldn't help but be drawn to the breathtaking scenery around her. She gazed down at the city, captivated by its beauty.The night sky, hazy and enchanting, only enhanced the view, making everything seem even more magical.Phoebe couldn't help but get lost in the view, marveling at how vibrant and beautiful the city was. She hadn't expected it to be this grand."Do you like it here?" Alexander asked, noticing that Phoebe's gaze was still fixed on the city below. A hint of jealousy crossed his mind—he preferred it when all her attention was on him."I do!" Phoebe nodded and then turned her gaze back to him. "This place is beautiful."After speaking, her attention once again drif
Phoebe dragged her exhausted body home, moving quietly to avoid disturbing her family. She didn't turn on the lights but relied on her familiarity with the house to navigate her way carefully to the bedroom in the dark.Stepping inside, she saw her children sleeping soundly in bed. Her heart instantly softened, overflowing with warmth as she unconsciously sat down beside them."Kids, Mommy saw your daddy today," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out, she gently brushed her fingers over their cheeks, her touch unbearably tender. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips.That night, Phoebe slept more peacefully than she had in a long time.In her dreams, she saw the bright, happy faces of her children, playing and laughing together. She saw herself joining in, their joyous laughter filling the air. And Alexander… he was there too. The four of them stood in a beautiful garden, basking in the warm sunlight. It was a dream so wonderful, so perfect, that she wis
On most afternoons, as soon as lunch was over, Phoebe would return to her desk without delay, diving right back into work. But today, she was different. Instead of heading straight back, she wandered aimlessly around the company's surroundings, unwilling to return. It wasn't until 2:30 PM that she finally, and reluctantly, made her way back to the office.As she walked, her mind kept replaying the moment she had shaken off Alexander's grip earlier. His darkened expression told her everything—he was furious. She was almost certain he would take his revenge in the afternoon, assigning her a slew of unreasonable tasks just to make things difficult for her. With this uneasy thought lingering in her mind, Phoebe stepped into the office.Strangely enough, the entire afternoon passed without any sign of Alexander. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. There were no assignments, no sudden calls to his office—nothing.Sitting at her desk, Phoebe felt restless. Every now and then, she gla
Phoebe covered her lips, tears streaming down her face as she ran toward the restroom. She kept her head low, afraid of letting anyone see her in such a disheveled state. Once inside, she hurried into a stall, locked the door tightly, and slowly crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.Her cries echoed within the small cubicle, filled with sorrow and despair, as if trying to release all the grievances she had suppressed over the years. She cried for what felt like an eternity until her eyes were so swollen she could barely keep them open.Standing up shakily, Phoebe walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection—her puffy, distorted eyes a stark reminder of her breakdown. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands under the icy water, and splashed it onto her face repeatedly. The coldness stung her skin, but it also helped her regain a bit of clarity. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and made a firm decision in her heart.Ba
Upon reaching it, he freed one hand and, with a swift motion, swept everything off the surface.A loud crash echoed through the office as papers, stationery, and files scattered across the floor.The next second, Alexander carefully laid Phoebe down on the now-empty desk. She instinctively tried to sit up and escape, but before she could make a move, his towering frame loomed over her, pinning her beneath him.Phoebe's hands immediately pushed against him, her voice trembling with near desperation. "No, don't."But Alexander was far too strong. In an instant, he seized her wrists and forced them above her head, rendering her completely immobile."Isn't this the reason you came back?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.Phoebe's eyes welled up with tears. "I didn't… The public records never indicated you were the owner of this company. If I had known, I—"Before she could finish her sentence, Alexander abruptly leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce, stormy kiss that swallowed her wor
Phoebe's fingers hovered over the cold doorknob for a second, her knuckles whitening. She drew a sharp breath and pushed open the heavy black door.The CEO's office was more expansive than she had imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering cityscape beyond, while at the center of the room, a large black executive chair sat with its high back turned toward her—tall enough to nearly obscure the figure seated in it."Sir, I'm the new secretary, Phoebe Garcia." Her voice cut through the silence, so clear she could hear the faint tremor in her own words.No response.The chair rotated slowly, and Phoebe's gaze traveled upward—over polished leather shoes, long legs, an immaculately tailored suit—until it landed on that face.Alexander Knight.Her breath hitched. Her pupils constricted. It was as if every drop of blood in her veins had frozen solid.Thud. The cardboard box in her arms crashed to the floor, the small potted succulent inside shattering, soil streaking her skirt.
Monday, Alexander's office.The sharp scent of nicotine hung heavily in the air, making it hard to breathe. The thick curtains were drawn tightly shut, blocking out even the faintest trace of sunlight. On the desk, countless files were scattered—each one filled with information about a certain woman.Alexander sat there, eyes tightly shut, brows deeply furrowed. He had locked himself in the office for two whole days, isolating himself from the outside world entirely.For the past two days, it felt like he was wandering through a maze of agony, memories flashing through his mind like fragmented images. The stories Dana had told him surfaced again and again, chaotically piecing together inside his head.Maybe it was because those memories were too familiar. Maybe it was the scent that lingered around him lately, or the figure that haunted his dreams. He had lost his memory for five years, but within these two days—it all came flooding back.All the love, all the hatred, played like a mo
In the car ride home, Jeremy sat sulking in his seat, puffing out his cheeks, eyes fixed straight ahead, completely ignoring Amy. Amy gazed at him pitifully. She had apologized several times, but Jeremy remained unmoved.Amy felt both aggrieved and anxious. Is Jeremy really that angry with me? Is he just going to ignore me like this? No, she couldn't stand it. She didn't want her brother to keep giving her the cold shoulder."Jeremy, I'm sorry. Please talk to me. Forgive me, will you?" Amy sobbed as she stole glances at Jeremy, desperately hoping he would at least spare her a glance — even just a fleeting one.Jeremy folded his arms tightly across his chest and turned his head toward the window, deliberately avoiding Amy's gaze. He secretly made a vow to himself: From now on, I'm never taking her out again.Seeing that Jeremy still refused to pay her any attention, Amy had no choice but to seek help from their mother. She threw herself into Phoebe's
OfficePhoebe was fully engrossed in her work, her eyes scanning the design proposal on her screen with meticulous focus. The office was silent except for the rhythmic tapping of her keyboard and her soft breathing. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness. She instinctively looked up and saw a police officer walking toward her."Excuse me, are you Miss Phoebe Garcia?"Phoebe frowned slightly, puzzled. "Yes, I am. May I ask what this is about?""It's about your child. She's downstairs waiting for you," the officer explained briefly.Phoebe's face turned pale in an instant. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the front desk.Jeremy recounted everything that had happened, his voice filled with urgency. Phoebe, though shaken, took a deep breath to calm herself and turned to the officer. "Officer, can we check the security footage?""Of course. I'll request authorization now." The officer made a quick phone call,
For the past month, Phoebe's work had been progressing smoothly. She quickly adapted to the team and earned the recognition of both her colleagues and superiors. However, as her workload increased, the time she spent with the children grew less and less."Jeremy, are you sure this will help us find Mommy?" Amy stood at the kindergarten gate, her face full of worry as she looked up at Jeremy."Of course!" Jeremy grinned with confidence. "Just follow me closely."With that, he tightly grasped Amy's small hand, leading her toward the bus stop like a little adult.After a long bus ride, they finally arrived near the city center. Jeremy carefully helped Amy off the bus, holding her hand firmly. As they approached the entrance of LD Corporation, just as they were about to step inside, Amy suddenly frowned and tugged at Jeremy's hand anxiously."Jeremy, I need to go potty.""You're so troublesome." Jeremy scrunched his little brows in frustration a