The next morning, a faint floral fragrance lingered in the air as Phoebe woke up in its delicate aroma. Warm sunlight streamed through the glass window, carrying a sense of bliss that filled the room.
Blinking drowsily, she turned over, savoring the warmth of the sun. Reaching out to the space beside her, she felt the lingering warmth on the sheets—he must have just gotten up! There was no sound of water in the bathroom, nor any sign of him in the room. He's probably already gone to work, she thought.
The air still carried traces of his scent. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with it, and her chest swelled with an inexplicable sweetness and happiness.
A knock at the door disrupted her reverie, followed by a man's voice.
"Madam, are you awake?"
Phoebe opened her eyes and stared at the door. Was she hearing things? Was this voice addressing her?
She didn't respond but listened intently.
"Madam, I'm the driver sent by Mr.
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
Meanwhile, at the square, Phoebe's legs felt weak and powerless, making it nearly impossible to stand no matter how hard she tried.Frantically, she looked around for a taxi, but not a single empty one was in sight. Helpless, she dialed Gavin's number.Before long, Gavin arrived at lightning speed. He quickly got out of the car and carefully helped Phoebe and Alva into the vehicle, then drove them straight to the hospital.At the hospital, after a thorough examination, the doctor concluded it was just a cramp and nothing serious. With some rest and a bit of massage, she would recover fully. Relieved by the news, everyone let out a sigh of relief. Gavin then promptly drove both women back to their doorstep.The car came to a gentle stop by the roadside. Alva, being considerate, got out first, leaving Phoebe and Gavin some privacy.Phoebe lowered her gaze slightly and said softly, "Thank you for helping today and for bringing us back. I really apprec
For the past month, if not for being swamped with endless affairs and busy cleaning up a series of troublesome messes, he might have already lost control and rushed off to find her.At this moment, however, a thought unbiddenly surfaced in his mind: Is she with Gavin right now?As soon as the idea emerged, it spread like wildfire through his heart, igniting an uncontrollable jealousy.Anger surged like a violent tide, breaking through the dam of his rationality. He abruptly raised his foot and kicked the chair beside him with all his strength.The chair toppled over with a loud crash, the sharp sound echoing through the silent room.Gone was his usual composure and cold demeanor; now, he resembled nothing more than a jealous husband, consumed by suspicion and rage.The memory of that night replayed in his mind—her dressed in an elegant gown, dazzling and radiant. But the man standing beside her was Gavin, accompanying her to the banque
At this moment, Alexander, the man at the center of the recent scandal, sat inside his car. Although a beautiful woman leaned against him, seemingly basking in his affection, his heart was filled with nothing but disgust."Alex, darling, please… I really want it," the woman cooed, her lips painted a bright, tempting red. She pouted slightly, her sugary-sweet voice dripping with a coy and cloying charm that could make anyone's heart flutter.Her fingers, like serpents, slithered boldly across Alexander's chest, inching downward with shameless audacity."Get out!" Alexander snarled, his fury erupting. The veins on his forehead bulged as his eyes blazed with anger and disdain.Without hesitation, he kicked the woman away, his action as swift as it was ruthless.To him, these women were increasingly revolting, their fake affection akin to a foul, putrid swamp that sickened him to his core. He felt his stomach churn, a wave of nausea rising."Did I… do something wrong? Are you angry with m
Elsewhere, as evening descended, two figures emerged from the campus."Phoebe, there's a movie later. Come with me, okay?" Alva suggested."Huh?" Phoebe's eyes widened, clearly lost in thought moments before."I said, there's a movie tonight. Come with me." Alva rolled her eyes and raised her voice slightly."I…"Before Phoebe could finish, Alva cut her off with a warning. "You've bailed on me so many times already. This time, you're coming.""Alva, my foot…""I'm here, aren't I? Don't worry. Come on, let's go." Alva supported Phoebe as they walked forward slowly.Though Phoebe's injury had mostly healed, her dislocated bone still required more time to fully recover.By 8 PM, the two had arrived at the cinema. Because of Phoebe's foot, they couldn't move quickly and entered after most of the crowd had already gone in. To their surprise, many of the good seats were still vacant.They exchanged a glance and laughed, picking a comfortable spot to settle into.As the lights dimmed, the mo
The restaurant was bathed in soft, warm lighting, casting a gentle glow over each meticulously arranged table and creating an elegant, relaxing atmosphere.Laura sat across from Wright, her hands clasped nervously, her fingers slightly curled.She seemed uneasy, out of her element. This was her first time stepping into such an upscale restaurant.Everything around her felt foreign and fascinating, yet tinged with an inexplicable fear, as if she were an intruder in a world that didn't belong to her—a stranger amidst the refined luxury.Other patrons, dressed in elegant attire, occupied the surrounding tables. Some engaged in hushed conversations, while others laughed heartily. The cheerful sounds interwove, creating an infectious liveliness that floated and echoed through the air.Laura's gaze wandered across the room, quietly observing the people around her. Her eyes betrayed a deep longing.Their faces radiated happiness and contentment—emotions she had never truly experienced. A que
LauraSince that night, an entire week had passed, and Laura had locked herself in her small room like a little snail, refusing to take a single step outside.The servants, worried about her prolonged isolation, began to grow uneasy. She hadn't left her room for days, skipping school and shutting everyone out. Afraid something might happen to her, one servant hesitated before deciding to report the situation to Gavin.Bringing food into her room, the servant glanced at Laura lying motionless on her bed. After much deliberation, she concluded it was best to inform Gavin. If anything were to happen to Laura, she couldn't bear the consequences of his wrath.Although Laura wasn't a true mistress of the house—her presence was almost insignificant—Gavin rarely paid her any attention. He never mentioned her, nor seemed to care about her at all.The thought filled the servant with a pang of sympathy. Laura was still so young; experiencing something like this was undoubtedly hard for her to pr
Gavin's face was filled with worry as he gently pressed on her ankle. There didn't seem to be anything abnormal—it looked like a dislocation. "I'll take you to the hospital."The car sped off into the night and soon arrived at the hospital.When the doctor realigned Phoebe's ankle, the excruciating pain overwhelmed her, and she burst into tears. Gavin wrapped her in his arms and, to prevent her from biting herself, put his arm into her mouth.Her scream pierced the air before she collapsed weakly against Gavin's chest. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her face turned alarmingly pale.Though her ankle was still swollen, Phoebe could now feel it fully. She forced a bitter smile, realizing just how agonizing bone pain could be.It felt as if she had died and come back to life.After prescribing medication for her injury, the doctor gave them a few instructions and left.Gavin went to fetch the medicine and returned shortly
The departure of the two caused a stir at the banquet.People whispered among themselves, but the minor episode didn't seem to dampen the festive atmosphere. Laughter and chatter resumed as if nothing had happened.Alexander squinted slightly, his icy gaze fixed on the backs of the departing figures. His handsome face was frosted with cold fury.Damn that woman. She would rather expose herself than look back at him even once. She must be waiting for Gavin.So, this was why she was so desperate to leave him—she wanted to throw herself into Gavin's arms.Damn it. She's already in Gavin's arms so quickly.How long has she been with him? Was it mere moments after he let her go that she ran straight to Gavin?Alexander's fists clenched tightly, his steps heavy as he stormed out, a chilling aura surrounding him."Alex, where are you going?"Samantha called after him anxiously when she saw him leave. They had barely been at
Samantha's lips curled downward slightly, her eyes brimming with disdain and contempt. She cast a sidelong glance at Phoebe, sprawled on the floor, and let out a derisive snort."Look at you," she sneered. "Absolutely shameless. Exposing yourself like this and not even trying to cover up. Do you even know what dignity means? All this just to grab attention and fame—how utterly despicable. You'd stoop to any low, even desecrating an occasion as solemn as this with your vulgar antics. Absolutely disgraceful."Her gaze flicked momentarily to Alexander standing nearby.Noticing that his eyes, like those of the other men in the room, were locked on Phoebe, a pang of jealousy surged through her.In a coquettish tone, she said, "Alex, you wouldn't be interested in a woman this desperate, would you?"Samantha hadn't even noticed Phoebe until the sound of her fall drew her attention.But the moment her eyes landed on Phoebe's breathtakingly beautiful face, a spark of envy ignited within her, s