The night in Valleybrook was quiet and serene. Under the moonlight, the luxurious villa exuded opulence. The garden was fragrant with the scent of flowers, and the large swimming pool reflected the soft light. Elegant music filled every corner of the hall, with a symphony orchestra playing beneath the crystal chandeliers. The guests at the gala were all members of high society, cloaked in the guise of charity, but in truth, they were merely polishing their own images. These charity events were nothing more than a show—an opportunity for the wealthy to flaunt their fortune, and for the less fortunate to beg for aid. Phoebe entered the venue in a pale green evening gown, accompanied by Miles. It was her first time attending such a grand event, and from the moment she stepped inside, she was nervous. Her palms were slick with sweat. Sensing her anxiety, Miles whispered, "Don't be nervous." Phoebe nodded, though her heart continued to race. The venue was crowded. They found a
Phoebe finished her speech and hurried off the stage, returning to Miles's side. "Phoebe, you did a great job! Well done," Miles said with a kind smile. Phoebe had always been one of his most promising students, and her performance was exactly what he had expected. "Thank you," Phoebe smiled back softly, letting out a sigh of relief. She was glad everything had gone smoothly. As she sat there for a while, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. There was a strange intensity in the air, and it felt eerily familiar. She looked around but saw nothing unusual, just the glare from the glass reflecting the lights. Maybe she was just imagining things. She checked her phone. It was already 10 PM, and she noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number. The call had come in around 6 PM, and the caller had tried three times. Who could it be? Only a few people had her number. She thought about calling back but decided it was too late. She'd return the call in t
When Phoebe woke up again, she found herself lying on a large bed. A harsh beam of light pierced through her eyes, making them sting. She blinked several times before finally adjusting to the brightness.But as soon as she took in her surroundings, the unfamiliar environment made her whole body tense with alarm.She remembered being at the banquet when Samuel forcefully dragged her away. She had struggled, but then he had taken something out and covered her mouth with it. Her vision had gone black, and she'd lost consciousness."Ah, sweet thing, you're awake?" A vulgar voice sounded from above her.Following the voice, she looked up—and the next second, her eyes widened in shock. Her body froze as if struck by lightning.Phoebe stared in terror at the four leering men around her. They were all naked.Oh God, what were they planning to do?"W-What do you want?" Phoebe's voice trembled, her body instinctively retreating."Don't be scared, baby. We'll take good care of you tonight."The m
When Phoebe came to, she vaguely remembered someone carrying her into a car. Her body, as if it had a mind of its own, clung to him like a water serpent, entwining with him.Then she felt it—a strong, heated body pulling her tightly into its embrace. The way he held her was possessive, forceful, and far from gentle. He seemed angry, but none of that mattered. What mattered was that this sensation felt strangely familiar.It felt like Alexander. Was this a dream? Or was it just her desperate hope that it was him?She didn't understand why he was the first person to come to her mind. She had tried so hard to forget him, thinking that if he disappeared, she could erase every trace of him and pretend nothing had ever happened. But she was wrong..."Ugh..." She let out a soft moan, her body acting on its own. It felt like she was wandering through a desert, thirsting for water, yearning for some relief. She could feel a coolness enveloping her, and she instinctively wanted to be closer, to
After Phoebe fell into a deep sleep, a serene atmosphere enveloped the room. However, Alexander could still hear her softly murmuring in her sleep.Her faint voice flickered like a flame swaying in the wind, intermittently persistent as it reached his ears."Don't...""Alexander, help me, please help me."She kept crying out for those people not to come near him while desperately calling his name for help.Alexander's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, a painful mix of anguish and pity overwhelming him. He pressed his lips together, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.He immediately took out his phone and called one of his subordinates, his voice cold and decisive: "Retrieve the hotel surveillance footage, now!"The wait felt interminable, every minute and second stretching on, intensifying Alexander's anxiety. He paced back and forth in the room, occasionally glancing at the sleeping Phoebe.In less than half an hour, the phone rang. Alexander quickly
Only then did Alexander realize she was still completely naked. Without hesitation, he took off his shirt and threw it at her. "Put this on."Phoebe had no choice but to take the shirt and rush into the bathroom, though she knew there wasn't really much point in hiding.Inside the bathroom, Phoebe tugged at the black shirt she was wearing. The fabric was soft and comfortable, and it felt warm against her skin, just long enough to cover her hips.But with nothing underneath, she felt incredibly insecure.Her face burned with embarrassment, and she felt like she might die of shame at any moment.His voice urging her from outside the door made her move quickly. Better to have something to wear than nothing at all.She hurried downstairs. He had told her the kitchen was on the first floor.The kitchen was large but eerily empty. It was obvious that it hadn't been used in a long time. The cabinets were spotless, and everything looked brand new.Strange. Does he not eat at home often?Shakin
In the dining room, they ate in silence. Phoebe was starving and ate quickly, almost wolfing down her food without much grace.Alexander frowned, clearly not used to seeing a woman eat so carelessly."You'll live here from now on," he said suddenly."What?" Phoebe looked up, mid-bite, confused. Was he talking to her?Alexander repeated his words calmly as he continued eating his meal with elegance.The second he said it, the piece of beef she had just swallowed seemed to get stuck in her throat, and she coughed a few times, her eyes wide with shock. "Why?""Don't forget, you're my wife now," he said, his tone sharp, clearly irritated by her attitude. Any other woman would be grateful for such an offer.Wife?Her head started to spin again."But... I didn't agree to that contract willingly. It doesn't count! Mr. Davis, can we talk about this? I'll pay you back the money, and in return, please void the contract! I'll pay you back quickly, and you can even charge me interest...""This isn
All morning, Phoebe was distracted. Curtis's words kept replaying in her mind, and she couldn't calm down. "Phoebe, what are you daydreaming about? Look at this! It's gone viral!" Alva laughed, handing Phoebe a gossip magazine. "What's got you so excited?" Phoebe snapped out of her daze and took the magazine, glancing at the cover. Instantly, she froze. The glaring headline and lewd images drained the color from her face, leaving her mind in a whirl. She knew those people. "Isn't it wild? 'Four Tycoons Forced to Self-Castrate!'" Alva said with indignation. "Look at those disgusting old men—serves them right for harassing so many innocent girls!" "Phoebe, are you okay?" Alva asked, noticing her friend's pale expression. She had been fine just moments ago. "I'm... I'm fine... just engrossed in the story," Phoebe mumbled, staring at the article. It happened yesterday. Thank God she hadn't been harmed by those scumbags. "That was a close call..." she thought with a relieved
Phoebe's pale fingers unconsciously scratched at her own skin, as if doing so could ease the burning fire raging within her body."Oh god, what's happening to me?" The heat inside her felt like it was consuming her whole.She desperately needed cold water to extinguish the flames coursing through her veins. Fighting through the discomfort, she fumbled her way toward the bathroom door.Her vision blurred, her steps unsteady, as if she were lost in a dark labyrinth. She didn't know how long it took, but at last, she found the door—the one thing that could save her.Without hesitation, she turned on the cold water and submerged herself in the bathtub.The icy water enveloped her burning body.She had no idea how long she stayed there, but gradually, the searing heat began to fade, and the sensation of being consumed by fire slowly dissipated.When she finally rose from the bathtub, her mind was still clouded, as though she had been drugged. Her consciousness wavered—one moment clear, the
For the past few days, Phoebe had felt as if she were trapped under a heavy cloud of gloom, unable to shake off the oppressive weight pressing down on her heart. Ever since she had heard those words, it felt as though a massive stone had settled in her chest, leaving her burdened with unrelenting thoughts.Longing for someone to confide in, she eagerly arranged to meet Alva at a dessert shop, hoping that a heartfelt conversation with her friend might provide some comfort.Phoebe arrived early, choosing a seat by the window, her eyes frequently drifting toward the entrance. Minutes ticked by, and customers came and went, yet Alva never appeared.With no other choice, Phoebe ordered a drink and idly sat there, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she waited.Before long, her phone rang. Seeing Alva's name on the screen, she quickly picked up."Phoebe, something came up. I can't make it today. Let's meet another time, okay?" Alva's voice sounded hurried.Phoebe's heart tightened w
Phoebe's thoughts were like wild horses, and those long-buried memories surged back like a tidal wave. Why hadn't they gotten married? Wasn't that what he wanted the most?He had ruthlessly made her abort the child in her womb just to marry Hermosa."He doesn't care whether he marries Phoebe or not,"Dana said coldly. No matter how Dana intended to explain, in her heart, Alexander had already been nailed to the unforgivable pillar of shame.Her eyes were downcast, her gaze filled with coldness, as if Alexander had been completely erased from her world, leaving not a trace behind.Dana leaned forward slightly, her expression sincere yet tinged with urgency. "Phoebe, there must be some misunderstanding between you two. After you left, the boss rushed to the hospital in a panic, desperate to get you back, but..."But he was in a car accident...Yet, she didn't finish that sentence.Phoebe keenly caught the fleeting, strange expressi
It was the weekend, and with her parents out of the house, Phoebe felt restless. The suffocating weight on her chest urged her to step outside, to clear her mind.Just as she reached for the door, the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the silence.Frowning, Phoebe walked to the entrance and pulled open the door—only for her expression to turn icy the moment she saw Dana standing there.A flash of memory hit her like a thunderbolt—the last time she had seen him, he had abducted her. Fear and rage surged through her veins. Instinctively, she moved to slam the door shut, her hands gripping the handle with force, sending it hurtling toward Dana.But just as the door was about to close completely, Dana reacted swiftly, shoving his arm into the narrowing gap, stopping it just in time."Phoebe, aren't you going to invite me in?" His lips curled into a seemingly harmless smile, but in Phoebe's eyes, it was filled with calculation, making he
Inside the house, Phoebe had just taken off her shoes and was about to step into the living room when a sudden, urgent knock on the door startled her. She froze for a moment. Who could be knocking this late? Could it be her father forgetting his keys?Thinking of this, a helpless smile tugged at her lips. She slipped her shoes back on and quickly walked toward the door.As she opened it, her heart brimmed with expectation, but all she saw was an empty hallway—there wasn't a single soul in sight.Had she misheard? Just as she was about to close the door, her gaze inadvertently dropped to the ground, where she spotted her phone lying silently on the doormat.Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she crouched down and slowly picked up the phone.In that instant, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning—Alexander had been here!The more she dwelled on it, the more certain she became. She had felt it earlier—a pair of unse
In the dimly lit car parked not far away, Alexander stared intently out the window, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.No one inside the car dared to make a sound, afraid of disturbing him in his torment.Dana quietly observed Alexander's profile. He watched as Alexander slowly lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. Perhaps he inhaled too sharply, as he suddenly broke into a violent cough, his body trembling uncontrollably.Dana sighed inwardly. He knew all too well—Alexander's love for Phoebe was genuine, deep, and unwavering.He couldn't bear to see him in such agony. If this continued, Dana feared Alexander might do something reckless.Watching Alexander chain-smoke, the glow of the cigarette flickering in the dark car, Dana finally couldn't hold back. After hesitating for a long moment, he braced himself and spoke up. "Boss, you should stop smoking. It's bad for your health."He knew his words would likely be ignored, or w
Today is the birthday of Phoebe's father Ryan's colleague's child, and Ryan is attending the birthday party, so he won't be home for dinner.In the spacious and bright dining room, warm yellow light softly bathed the table, casting a glow on the exquisite dishes. At the table sat only Anila, Phoebe, and Gavin.Anila wore a radiant smile, her eyes full of love and warmth as she kept checking on Gavin, making sure he was comfortable.Phoebe sat beside them, watching this warm scene. A smile naturally curved on her lips, her eyes filled with joy.She knew deep down that her parents genuinely liked Gavin, and Gavin, in turn, treated them with sincerity and respect.Whenever he had free time, he would sit with them, patiently listening to their stories and offering a kind, gentle smile.Not only that, but he also frequently chose thoughtful gifts for her parents, always surprising them with something special. Even the little details around the ho
The car slowly came to a stop. Phoebe looked at the familiar door of her home, and the tension in her body finally loosened a little as she let out a deep breath.But that breath was still filled with unease and anxiety. Her mind couldn't settle.She couldn't make sense of everything that had happened. The confusion left her feeling unsettled.Since Alexander had sent people to force her back, why had he never shown up? She had been certain that he would appear before her, wearing his usual smug expression, ready to mock her with cruel, biting words or do something else to make her suffer like he always did.But reality had caught her off guard.She had been inexplicably released, and Alexander hadn't shown his face at all.It felt like some bizarre dream, leaving her feeling completely bewildered.The more she thought about it, the more her mind spun, like a thousand ants were gnawing away inside her. Trying to calm herself, she step
"Miss, please eat something." The maid stood outside the closed door, her voice soft with a mix of caution and helplessness as she gently coaxed.In response, there was only the sharp crash of objects being violently knocked over, the sound of them smashing onto the floor, sharp and piercing."I won't eat! Let me out! Do you hear me?" Phoebe screamed, her voice raw with anger and despair.As she yelled, the food tray and its contents were sent flying across the room, followed by rapid, angry pounding on the door, each blow seeming to try and shatter the door that kept her trapped.The maid sighed softly, shaking her head in resignation. She turned and walked slowly back to the kitchen. This was the third time she had brought food, but each time it had ended up on the floor. It seemed she would have to keep doing this, keep bringing food, until Phoebe's mood improved and she would finally eat."Let me out! Let me out!" Phoebe's hoarse cries filled the room, but all she got in return wa