In the corner, Phoebe watched Alexander chatting intimately with another woman, feeling a pang of discomfort.She wanted to leave but hesitated to do so.Turning away dejectedly, she tried to avoid looking at them, perhaps subconsciously trying to escape something. But in that moment, she unexpectedly bumped into someone."I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..." she hurriedly apologized."Phoebe..."Her heart skipped a beat as she raised her eyes to meet a pair of melancholic blue ones.Curitis... he was here too, which took her by surprise."Professor... you're here too..." Phoebe managed to force a smile, recalling how she had slapped him earlier that day and the harsh words she had spoken. She suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed."Phoebe... you look beautiful tonight.""Thank you. I...""Phoebe, how do you know him?" Curitis asked, noticing her instinctively glance towards Alexander.Anger flashed in his eyes as he tightly grasped her slender arm.His sudden movement attracted the attention
A bitter smile flickered at the corners of Phoebe's mouth, her eyes dimming in response."What's the matter? Is your lover gone, and now your heart aches?" Alexander growled, annoyance lacing his voice. He yanked Phoebe's slender frame closer, gripping her wrist tightly enough to almost break it, clearly indicating her distress."Behave yourself… and stop with that annoying expression. Smile for me… got it?"Did the icy glint in his eyes hurt her?Smile? He wanted her to smile?The tense atmosphere was interrupted by a loud voice."Alex, long time no see…" A man in his late forties approached, a renowned arms dealer."Monroe. What a pleasure…" Alexander replied with a light laugh, narrowing his eyes as he lifted his wine glass in greeting."Cheers.""It's my honor… Hahaha…" Monroe laughed boisterously and downed his drink. "Alex, are you interested in discussing a business deal?""Of course…" This was exactly what Alexander wanted."And who is this lovely lady?" Monroe asked, his gree
Under the dim, suggestive lights of the banquet hall, many people swayed to the music on the dance floor, their graceful movements harmonizing with the soft melodies.Phoebe had no interest in watching. She was tense and restless, awkwardly dodging the unwanted advances of the middle-aged man beside her. Alexander's indifference only emboldened him further.She shot desperate glances at Alexander, but he merely observed coldly.In that moment, she fully understood his callousness. In this evening's affair, she was nothing more than his bargaining chip.By bringing her here dressed so provocatively, he intended for her to attract the attention of these men…Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions.As Phoebe pondered this, Monroe's hand slid from her waist to her prominent chest, his alcohol-laden breath growing closer to her cheek."Smack!" The sound cut through the laughter, drawing everyone's attention.Monroe's face bore the unmistakable marks of five fingers, his expression twisted,
Three years ago, in this very place, she had been forced to sell her body to a mysterious man for money.Now, three years later, here she was again, being handed over to another man by him—just for the sake of his business."No, let me go, let me out!" She struggled fiercely. Even if she were to die, she wouldn't let him touch her.Smack—Another harsh slap landed across her face.Her clothes were already disheveled from his rough handling...As he was about to press down on her, Phoebe, gathering strength from somewhere deep within, kicked him hard in the abdomen."Aaah!" A shriek of pain filled the room. Monroe clutched his injured lower body, and in a fit of rage, threw a punch at Phoebe, knocking her into the wall."You bitch, you want to die?"Phoebe felt blood rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down, wiping nothing away. Despite the pain, she crawled to her feet, desperately searching for the door.But Monroe was faster. He blocked her path and violently ripped her dress.
Phoebe woke up with a start, her heart racing from a terrifying nightmare.Opening her eyes, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nose.She coughed lightly and tried to move, but the pain shooting through her body reminded her that last night's nightmare had been all too real."Miss, you're awake?" A nurse approached with a smile. "Are you feeling any discomfort?"Phoebe shook her head, her gaze quickly scanning the room, searching for Curitis. Panic gripped her as she realized he wasn't there. Her chest tightened as she anxiously asked, "What happened to the man who came with me last night?""The man who came with you?" The nurse looked confused."He... he was shot..." Phoebe briefly explained, her eyes filled with worry."Well..." the nurse hesitated. "I wasn't on duty last night. Let me check with the others and find out.""Thank you..." Phoebe replied politely, though her heart was pounding. She watched nervously as the nurse left, then returned a few minutes later."There w
Three days later."Curitis...""Why are you crying?" Curitis sat up, his gaze full of affection as he looked at her. Was she crying for him? Although he didn't want her to feel sad on his behalf, his heart still swelled with joy.Phoebe shook her head, choking on her sobs."I'm so sorry. It's all my fault that you got hurt. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have..." She really was sorry."Silly girl, how is this your fault?" This was something he had willingly chosen."...Waaa..." she sobbed.Curitis chuckled lightly and affectionately pinched her nose. Then, in his slightly accented and not-so-fluent English, he softly coaxed her."Don't cry. See? I'm fine, aren't I?"His words only made Phoebe feel even more guilty."Alright, no more tears. Do you hear me? I chose to do all of this. Even if it meant dying for you, I would gladly do it." His voice was firm, his eyes full of deep emotion.Phoebe was stunned. She shook her head. "I'm not worth you doing all this...""Phoebe, you're in
"What right do you have? He already agreed to your terms, and you accepted!"That night, Curitis had agreed to his demands just in time to save her."Because we're perfectly compatible in bed..." Alexander sneered, his hand sliding down suddenly, grabbing her... Damn woman, she hadn't left him yet? And here she was, constantly calling out another man's name."No—" Phoebe's body trembled as she instinctively clamped her legs together. This was a hospital. He couldn't do this to her here."You can't go back on your word... Since Curitis already promised to give you the painting, I expect you to honor your agreement and let me go."Alexander gave her a wicked smile, one that sent chills down her spine."You're really that eager to leave me?""You're damn right! I want to leave you. I want to get as far away from you as possible..." Phoebe nearly shouted. To him, she was nothing but a plaything.Alexander leaned down, slowly whispering into her ear, "But I'm not letting you go."And with
"Phoebe, Phoebe, what's wrong? Please answer me..."The strange sounds from inside the room sent Curtis into a panic as he turned the doorknob frantically, but the door was locked from the inside, he couldn't get it open."Answer him or he's really going to bang on the door ..." he slammed into her punitively, although he didn't mind Curitis seeing him and Phoebe having sex, they were bound to be disturbed if he barged in. But he was desperate for Phoebe tonight; he wanted to enjoy her fully."Phoebe... Phoebe..." Curtis shouted, twisting the doorknob with all his might."Curtis... I'm... I'm fine... um..." She slowed her breathing, finally managing to speak, but even so, her suppressed reactions betrayed her, making it hard to stifle the alluring sounds she wanted to make."Phoebe, open the door. I want to check on you." Despite her reassurances, he still felt uneasy.Her voice sounded strange, like she was holding back something.What was wrong? Was she unwell?"Am I... I really am.
The next morning, at Phoebe's home."Hello! Is this the residence of Miss Phoebe Garcia?""Yes, it is. And you are?" Hermosa asked, confused by the unexpected visitor so early in the morning."Mr. Alexander Davis, our boss, assigned me to drive your daughter to school. I've been waiting outside for an hour, but she hasn't come out. Is she not attending school today?" the driver replied politely."Alex? You mean my daughter's boyfriend?" Hermosa paused for a moment before smiling, seemingly realizing something. He's very considerate of her."That's correct. Is she not ready yet?" the driver asked, his gaze briefly sweeping inside the house."Apologies, but Phoebe rushed out after receiving a phone call yesterday. She said a friend was looking for her and didn't even stay for dinner," Hermosa explained with a hint of concern.The driver froze for a moment. "She didn't come home last night?""That's right! We were worried all night. She didn't answer any of our calls either. We were just
"What... what did you say?" Her voice trembled, and her breathing grew uneven."Take it off!" he ordered, his eyes narrowing dangerously. His fingers gripped her pale wrist, his strength threatening to snap it.Laura followed his gaze to her own arm, her heart pounding in panic. "But... this..."Wasn't this a gift from him? Why would he ask her to take it off? And why did his expression look so terrifying? Had she done something wrong?"It hurts!" she whimpered softly as his grip tightened, pain shooting through her wrist. Instinctively, she tried to break free from his hold, but this side of her brother made her shiver uncontrollably.The pain was excruciating. Laura furrowed her brows tightly, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.With a forceful shove, Gavin pushed her down, his movements rough and unrelenting. He yanked her pajama pants, leapt from the water, and pinned her beneath him."Ugh!" Laura gasped as her head slammed against the hard floor, a sharp crack echoing in t
"Did you know? He really likes Phoebe," she murmured softly.Titan, lying silently like a loyal listener, rested his head on his paws."I'm so jealous of Phoebe," she whispered to herself. "If only he could like me, even just a little."But deep down, she knew Gavin would never look at her the way he did Phoebe. She tried to console herself: As long as he doesn't hate me, that's enough.Is he back now?What does he do out there every day?She had only overheard bits and pieces from the butler—her brother seemed to be involved in something akin to the mafia. But what exactly was the mafia? She wasn't entirely sure.Brushing off the grass from her clothes, she stood up. "I should head back now, Titan. I'll come visit you again when I can!"She coaxed Titan back into his cage. He whimpered in protest, reluctantly stepping into the enclosure and laying down, his sorrowful gaze fixed on Laura. He wished she wouldn't leave."Goodbye," Laura said, waving reluctantly. She gave Titan one last
After Gavin left, Astor didn't follow him. Instead, he walked toward the group of arrogant men who had been causing trouble moments before, raising his gun without hesitation."We're sorry! We're sorry! We were wrong!" they knelt, pleading desperately for their lives."Yes! We were wrong! We didn't want to hurt her! Someone made us do it!"Hearing this, Astor's hand paused. His voice was cold as ice."Speak. Who was it?"The men, thinking they might have a chance to live, scrambled to respond."She's called Sheridan!""Yes! We just overheard it, but that's the name we caught!"Astor's eyes darkened.A moment later, piercing screams shattered the stillness of the night, one after another, painting the air with an eerie tension.***At the hospital."Save her!" A frantic male voice echoed through the hallway.Blood streamed down Phoebe's legs in an alarming volume, staining Gavin's clothes entirely red.Doctors rushed out, quickly placing her on a stretcher and pushing her into the oper
On the other side, a burly man grabbed Phoebe from the ground and barked an order to the others, "Take the body back.""Let me go!""Do you want to die too?!" the man snapped harshly. Ignoring Phoebe's struggles, he began dragging her away, but a man suddenly stepped in front of him."Get out of the way!" the burly man roared at the stranger.The dim lighting in the bar obscured the stranger's face, but not the bloodthirsty glint in his eyes."Let her go." The cold, commanding voice cut through the air like a knife.Gavin lowered his gaze to the disheveled Phoebe, his entire presence radiating lethal intent."Mind your own business!" the man growled impatiently."Boss, this guy doesn't look easy to deal with... Look, he's got a whole group of bodyguards with him," one of the lackeys murmured nervously, his eyes darting toward the stoic men standing behind Gavin."Useless fool! What's there to be scared of?!" the burly man bellowed, though his expression darkened.Years in the underwo
"Gordon, what's going on?""Don't ask questions now. I need to get you out of here!"Before Gordon could finish speaking, a group of burly men suddenly appeared, surrounding both him and Phoebe, leaving no escape."What do you want?" Gordon positioned himself protectively in front of Phoebe, his gaze fixed on the men with a wary intensity.He had to shield his sister. It was his fault she was in danger, and he wouldn't allow anything to happen to her."Escape? You think it's that easy? The five million we gave you wasn't charity!""Keep the money. Just let her go!" Gordon shouted desperately at the men."Hahaha," the leader of the group laughed mockingly, as if Gordon had just told the best joke. "Do you think this is a place you can walk in and out of as you please?""If any of you dare touch her, I'll fight you to the death!" Gordon roared, his voice like a feral animal's, his desperation evident."Save your breath. You can't even save yourself, let alone someone else."Fueled by ra
As soon as Phoebe stepped through the front door, she heard the phone ringing in the living room."Phoebe, answer the phone! I'm busy in the kitchen!" Hermosa called out, poking her head out briefly."Okay, Mom, I'll get it..." Phoebe replied, quickly swapping her shoes and hurrying to the phone. The moment she picked up, her brother's voice came through the line.Phoebe froze, thinking she must have heard wrong."Hello, Gordon?" she asked, puzzled. He was supposed to be in rehab. Why would he be calling her out of the blue?"Phoebe, you have to come help me!" Gordon's voice was strained, filled with pain."What's going on?" Phoebe asked, worry creeping into her tone."I'm trapped at a bar, surrounded by some..."Phoebe gripped the phone tightly, her heart racing. "How did this happen? Aren't you supposed to be in drug rehabilitation center? Why are you at a bar?""Phoebe, there's no time to explain! Just come and help me!"Gordon quickly rattled off the location—a seedy underground b
That evening, after returning home, Phoebe took a quick shower and collapsed into bed, exhausted. She tried not to dwell on the events of the day. Instead, she picked up her phone and called Alexander. She longed to hear his voice, even if just for a few words."Phoebe, missing me already?"The deep, magnetic voice from the phone instantly eased her tense body."Yes," she answered softly, letting her feelings flow naturally."What did you do today?" Alexander asked in a gentle tone, leaning back on his sofa."I went to the supermarket," Phoebe replied in a soft voice."And?""Uh, slept? Ate? Watched TV?""So, you're still my little lazy pig?""I am not!" she retorted with a pout, her tone turning playful, almost coquettish.Moments like these reminded her that their conversations could be as casual and sweet as any other couple's.They talked for a long time, exchanging simple words that filled her heart with warmth. Eventually, Phoebe hung up reluctantly. She didn't mention the event
Just as the car hurtled toward her, a voice full of panic and fear rang out. "Watch out!" In the next moment, a pair of strong arms pulled Phoebe aside. The car barely missed her by a hair's breadth. The young man who had suddenly appeared held her tightly, his breathing uneven as he stood protectively in front of her. Normally composed and image-conscious, Werner was now furiously yelling at the car. "Are you blind?!" he shouted. Turning back to Phoebe, his tone softened with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" But before she could respond, he scolded her. "Why didn't you dodge? Are you an idiot? Don't you know how dangerous that was?" His voice was sharp, but the lingering fear in his eyes betrayed his worry. "If I hadn't been following you, who knows what could have happened? Just thinking about it scares me." Werner had been visiting his uncle in Meadowville when he spotted her walking alone.Without a second thought, he'd gotten out of the car and trailed behind her,