"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice husky and magnetic when he noticed her trying to leave his embrace."I need to use the restroom." Phoebe's voice was quiet as she avoided his gaze. Her heart felt heavy from the tears she had shed moments before. She wanted to wash her face—or more truthfully, she needed a moment alone to gather herself.She pushed herself up, but her legs gave out before she could steady her balance. In an instant, she fell back into his arms."Ah, so greedy for my embrace?" His lips curled into a playful smirk, and a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. The wicked charm in his tone and demeanor was a stark contrast to his cold and silent self from the night before. It was as if he had become a different man."You... go to hell!" Phoebe's face flushed a deep red, both embarrassed and furious. She shoved him away with all her strength, wobbling as she stood. Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. How could any woman resist a man so handsome, so alluring? she
Oceanic MuseumOn the far side of the city, Laura resembled a bird newly freed from its cage, tasting the sweet air of liberty for the first time.Over the past few days, Wright had held her hand, guiding her through bustling streets and vibrant corners, introducing her to a dazzling array of wonders that left her breathless.For years, she had been like a delicate flower locked away in a secluded chamber, her world confined to four walls.The magnificent, expansive universe beyond had always been an unreachable dream, as fleeting as a reflection in water.Today, however, they stepped into a realm of fantasy — the oceanarium.A kaleidoscope of vibrant marine life spread out before them, painting the scene in hues of wonder. As Laura stood, entranced, her lips gradually curled into a radiant smile.Her laughter, light and melodious, flowed like a spring stream thawing in early warmth."Laura, you're finally smiling at me!" Wright exclaimed, his eyes misting with emotion.His voice, rou
The moment Phoebe heard the man's heartfelt apology, the final barrier within her heart collapsed like a crumbling wall.All her past struggles and inner conflict melted away, as swiftly as snow vanishing under the warmth of spring.She resolved to seize one more chance at love—to follow the unrelenting tide of longing that surged deep within her—and return to Alexander's side.Over the following days, Alexander cared for her with meticulous attention. Under his gentle care, the pain in her ankle gradually faded as if it had never been there. Their time together began to shift, each gesture and glance now imbued with a tenderness and understanding that only lovers shared."Tell me, sweetheart, what would you like to eat?" Alexander asked, leaning slightly toward her. He wrapped her delicate hand in his large, warm grasp and placed it gently against his chest.The fluidity of his motion felt as natural as breathing, as though this intimacy had always been their destiny. His eyes overfl
Dishes were served one after another, and the waiter quietly withdrew, leaving an air of tension that seemed to freeze between the two of them.Phoebe pretended to be engrossed in the food before her, eyes darting away from Alexander's intense gaze, her focus reduced to the sound of her own nervous chewing.Alexander, however, ignored the lavish spread entirely. His elbow rested on the table, one hand propping up his chin, his eyes never leaving her.His gaze felt tangible, a heavy weight pressing down on her.As the food on her plate dwindled, Phoebe could feel the burning heat of his stare more acutely.She tried to steel herself, willing her head to stay down. Yet, an inexplicable pull defied her resolve, and her neck lifted ever so slightly against her better judgment."Why aren't you eating?" she asked softly, desperate to break the suffocating silence."I'm waiting for you." His deep voice carried a lazy, undeniable command, the end of his sentence curling with unspoken intent.
But then, just as her heart began to sink fully into regret, Alexander's lips curved into a sly smile.His eyes sparkled with amusement as he pulled a few bills from his wallet, handing them to the flower seller."Is this enough?" he asked with casual charm.Alexander typically frequented high-end establishments, paying with credit cards and rarely carrying cash.However, today was different. It was as if he had anticipated the situation, for he had purposely stuffed his wallet with a thick stack of bills, ready to fulfill Phoebe's every small wish during their outing.He didn't want to risk being caught empty-handed at a critical moment and losing his poise."That's enough, that's enough! I only need ten dollars." The little girl's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the large bills.She waved her hands repeatedly, clearly overwhelmed by the generous amount."Keep the change," Alexander said with a nonchalant wave of his hand.The girl's cheeks flushed with excitement, her
Alexander kissed Phoebe passionately, as if pouring all the love surging within him into that single, lingering kiss.When he finally pulled away, his breath still ragged, it felt like he could hardly part with her.Their lips reluctantly separated, both gasping for air.Phoebe's cheeks flushed a deep red, reminiscent of a ripe peach dangling from a spring branch, her skin glowing with a tempting sweetness that made one long to steal another taste.Embarrassed, she cast her eyes downward, her gaze catching sight of the curious onlookers circling them. Some were filled with envy, others merely curious, but every glance felt like a needle prick against her skin.A thin layer of tears welled in her eyes, her face growing even redder with shame as if it might burst into flames. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.After gathering himself, Alexander intended to spend a leisurely day shopping with Phoebe, hoping to pick out something she would love to win her smile.However, shop
They were watching a romantic movie filled with enough steamy scenes to make anyone blush. Sweet moments intertwined with intense, passionate encounters that bordered on bold, pushing the limits of propriety.Thankfully, most of the audience consisted of couples, either dating or married, so no one seemed surprised by the provocative content.Except for Phoebe. Every time a sensual scene appeared on screen, her immediate reflex was to lower her head, unable to meet the imagery head-on.Although the film wasn't overly explicit, her naturally shy disposition made such moments unbearably awkward.Even a simple kiss had her cheeks heating with embarrassment; now, with far more intimate scenes unfolding, she could barely breathe.Despite her own experiences with physical intimacy in real life, Phoebe's easily flustered nature led her to escape from the on-screen passion—either by sipping her drink in deliberate distraction or pretending to focus on anything else."What's the matter?" Alexa
One hand might have been trapped in her grip, but his other continued its sinful exploration, trailing along her waistline.Heat radiated wherever his fingers touched, a firestorm of sensation that left her trembling with anticipation and dread.Even without seeing his face, she could vividly picture his wicked grin, the smug amusement dancing in his eyes. His sheer audacity made her body burn with both anger and a strange, forbidden thrill.Alexander in this state was unrestrained, a force of untamed dominance cloaked in charm. He was dangerous, relentless, and devastatingly alluring.His touch was a thief of reason, and she was helpless against the temptation that threatened to consume her.Phoebe clenched her teeth, cheeks aflame as she clung to his hand with all her might. Tears welled in her eyes, her whispered protest trembling with desperation. "Stop…" Her voice cracked with frustration, heart thudding painfully against her ribcage.But he didn't stop."Enjoy it, sweetie."His
In the DA Corporation's conference room, the atmosphere was as tense as the moments before a storm.After months of being elusive, Alexander had finally made an appearance.At this moment, the company's top executives were all gathered. The directors and shareholders sat around the long conference table, their expressions varying. Among them was the representative of the mysterious company that had successfully acquired DA Corporation. He surveyed the room with a smug sense of satisfaction."Sir, the paperwork for the company's handover has been prepared. We kindly ask for your signature here." A staff member stepped forward respectfully, presenting the documents and a pen to Alexander.Alexander's gaze swept over the documents, and without a trace of hesitation, he swiftly signed his name. His expression remained calm.Letting go of DA Corporation was nothing more than a minor step in his grand scheme. To him, this was merely another move on the chessboard. More importantly, there we
Laura shuddered violently as the breath drawing near sent chills down her spine. She instantly lowered her gaze, not daring to meet his eyes. Panic surged through her, and she frantically shook her head, her body twisting desperately as she tried to retreat.But before she could escape, Gavin's hand clamped down on her flailing leg, capturing her like a hunter seizing his prey. Any chance of breaking free vanished in an instant.She turned her gaze away, her eyes darting elsewhere in terror. Even catching a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye made her heart pound with fear—she couldn't bear to look at him directly.Gavin's cold gaze bore down on Laura's pale lips, his eyes as frigid as ice, capable of freezing the entire world."Slut." His voice was hoarse with fury. "You've only been gone a few days, and you're already spreading your legs for another man?"Rage churned inside him. She had really left him. She had really gone to another man's bed. The thought gnawed at his pride
Early the next morning.Leroy slowly awakened, feeling a soft, warm weight pressing against his chest.He lowered his gaze and found Laura clinging to him like a cuddly koala, her arms wrapped tightly around him. One of her legs draped lazily over his, her posture exuding a sense of comfort and intimacy. Her small lips parted slightly with each gentle breath, accompanied by a faint, rhythmic snore—she was sound asleep.Leroy watched her in silence, his eyes brimming with tenderness and affection. As he gazed at her peaceful face, his lips curled into a subtle smile. He realized that with her by his side, life seemed to have taken on a whole new warmth, filling his world with an unexplainable sense of joy.She was never a burden—she was a priceless treasure granted to him by fate.Leroy carefully adjusted his position, trying to move without disturbing her. But the moment he shifted, Laura instinctively snuggled closer, tightening her hold on him as if, even in her sleep, she refused t
It was already late. Laura was probably asleep.But Phoebe couldn't wait any longer. Even if she disturbed Laura, she had to see her with her own eyes. Something about Laura felt off, like a thick fog lingering in her mind, making her uneasy.She still remembered the way Wright had looked at her last time—his face grim, his expression heavy, as if he were hiding countless secrets.Standing before Laura's door, Phoebe hesitated only for a moment before raising her hand and knocking.Knock. Knock.The sound echoed through the silent corridor, clear and distinct. But inside the room, there was nothing—no response, no movement. It was eerily quiet.Phoebe frowned. She knocked again, harder this time, repeating the motion several times. Still, silence.Her unease deepened.Taking a slow breath, she reached for the doorknob. With a slight twist, the door creaked open. A wave of cold air rushed out, brushing against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.The room was pitch black. Careful
Phoebe collided with Gavin's blazing gaze. At that moment, he gracefully lifted his slender fingers and slowly unbuttoned his suit jacket.A flush crept up Phoebe's cheeks. Her eyes involuntarily followed his movements, watching as he unfastened each button with deliberate ease. Then, the impeccably tailored suit jacket was carelessly tossed onto the plush bed.Her heartbeat stuttered, then rapidly accelerated, pounding as if it might burst from her chest.Nervousness gripped her, and the air was filled with his unique scent, surrounding her completely.He gave her no chance to retreat. His long fingers gently lifted her delicate chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Embarrassment overwhelmed Phoebe, and the moment her eyes landed on his striking features, a fleeting image of another man surfaced in her mind.Her face stiffened instantly, and a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes.Why? Why would she think of him at a time like this?A surge of complex emotions churned within her, and s
Tonight, Phoebe had no intention of going back to her own home. Sitting in the car, she hesitated for a moment before dialing her mother's number. As soon as the call connected, her cheeks flushed, and with a hint of shyness in her voice, she murmured into the receiver, "Mom, I'm not coming home tonight. I'll be staying at Gavin's place." The moment the words left her lips, she felt as if her face had caught fire. Her naturally reserved nature made her incredibly self-conscious, and hearing her mother chuckle on the other end only deepened her embarrassment. A wave of regret surged through her—she wished she could take back what she had just said. But it was too late now. She had already agreed to go with Gavin, and she couldn't bear the thought of disappointing him. Hanging up the call, Phoebe realized her palms were damp with sweat. She took a deep breath to steady herself.I made this decision willingly. There's no reason to be nervous.After all, they were already engaged. Liv
After hanging up the phone, Gavin rushed over, his heart pounding with urgency.From a distance, he spotted Phoebe sitting alone on a bench by the street. Under the shroud of night, her silhouette looked particularly lonely.As if sensing his presence, Phoebe's eyes welled up the moment she saw him.In the very next second, she sprang from the bench like an arrow released from its bow, dashing toward Gavin without hesitation. She threw herself into his arms, as though she had finally found the safe harbor she had been searching for after drifting for so long."Why didn't you answer my calls today? I was so worried about you." Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a trace of suppressed sobs. She had spent the entire day in distress, her heart suspended in midair, unable to settle.Perhaps she had grown too used to his daily calls—so when his voice suddenly vanished from her world, an inexplicable fear crept into her heart.She was afrai
Weekend.Gavin hadn't called in a long time, leaving Phoebe restless with worry.Now, she dialed his number again. Once, twice… several times in a row, but all she got was the monotonous beeping sound—no answer.He used to call her every day without fail, sharing bits and pieces of his daily life. But today's unusual silence filled Phoebe with an unsettling feeling.Overwhelmed by anxiety, she quickly got dressed, determined to go to Gavin's place and find out what was going on.Please, let nothing bad have happened.On the way, Phoebe sat in the back of a taxi, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Her fingers tapped restlessly on her knee, each tap echoing the urgency in her heart.As if fate was against her, the evening rush hour had turned the city streets into a gridlocked mess. Traffic crawled at a snail's pace, each meter forward feeling like an eternity.Phoebe stared at the endless line of cars in front of her
Leroy watched in shock as the crimson blood spread, feeling as if a sledgehammer had slammed into his chest. A sharp pain shot through him, as if the knife had pierced not Laura's hand but his very heart. She had blocked the knife for him—without hesitation! A flash of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes. Without a second thought, his hand clamped down on the assailant's wrist like an iron vice. With all his strength, he squeezed. A sickeningcrackechoed through the night—the unmistakable sound of bone shattering. The sheer force of it was proof of Leroy's fury reaching its boiling point. The man let out a bloodcurdling scream, his wrist exploding in pain. His grip on the knife instantly loosened, and with a sharpclang, the weapon clattered to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Leroy, still seething, delivered a vicious kick. Every ounce of his rage powered that single s