The next day, Phoebe prepared breakfast early and headed straight to the hospital.As soon as she entered the room, she was met with a shocking scene. A group of men with hostile expressions surrounded the hospital bed. She immediately recognized them as loan sharks."What do you want? Mom, are you okay?" Phoebe rushed over, pushing the men aside and placing herself between them and her mother."Phoebe, don't worry about me! Get out of here!" her mother, Anila, cried out."Here...This is your money!" Phoebe pulled out a crumpled check from her bag."Well, aren't you impressive? Got the money so fast?" A sleazy middle-aged man grinned as he took the 500,000-dollar check, his leering eyes roaming over Phoebe.He hadn't expected Gordon to have such a sister...Her innocent, schoolgirl appearance was exactly the type they liked to toy with."Where's my brother?" Phoebe frowned slightly, feeling her stomach churn with disgust at the man's gaze."We'll bring him out soon enough!" the sleazy m
The luxurious bedroom was entirely decorated in black tones, giving off an oppressive and heavy atmosphere. Phoebe stood in silence, feeling Alexander's piercing gaze sweep over her like a predatory panther.His presence was overwhelming, causing her whole body to tense. Fear, anxiety, and panic surged through her all at once."You're late," Alexander's voice was as cold as ice, enough to freeze the air around them. Damn it. No one had ever dared to make him wait."I'm sorry... I... it won't happen again!" Phoebe lowered her head, apologizing in a weak and timid voice. Her face had gone pale, and her palms were sweaty from the tension.Alexander rose elegantly and walked toward her, each step closer making her more nervous. He gripped her chin tightly, forcing her to look up."And what about this time? How do you think I should punish you?" he growled."I... sir, I swear it won't happen again!" Her voice trembled with fear, and the pain from his grip brought tears to her eyes.Damn it
"What...what does this mean?" Her face was filled with shock and confusion as she asked, her voice trembling. God, what had she just done? She must have been bewitched to sign it! She didn't even read the contract before signing it! Wasn't this supposed to be a lover's arrangement? How did it turn into a marriage contract— and for three years? Tears welled up in Phoebe's eyes...she felt deceived."Does that expression mean you're unwilling?" Alexander's voice was cold, his face hard. Damn woman, what kind of reaction was this? Any other woman would be ecstatic, but not her. She looked like she wanted to run away."I...I...I..." she stammered, still unable to wrap her head around what had just happened. "Don't worry, you'll be well compensated," he said, his tone dismissive. "Wait...I didn't read it properly before signing. It doesn't count!" Phoebe protested. She didn't care about the money. No matter how much it was, she didn't need it. She had wanted to clear things up wi
"Alex... I want more... give it to me..." On the luxurious bed, the woman straddled Alexander's waist, her legs spread wide. Her brown, wavy hair fell down, sensual and alluring. "Alex, you're amazing! Mm... Ah..." The woman's moans of pleasure filled the room as her fiery red lips hungrily kissed the man's chest beneath her. The silk dress she wore had already slipped down to her waist. The woman, a newly debuted model, was using her looks to try and land a wealthy benefactor, hoping it would boost her career to supermodel status. The man before her could give her everything she wanted! She needed to capture his heart. Alexander narrowed his eyes in disdain as he looked at the lustful woman beneath him. Sure, she looked good, her body was definitely something. She had what it took to get into his bed. But unfortunately for her, she had miscalculated. Even as his body moved over hers, his mind wandered to someone else... Suddenly, halfway through, his interest vanished. A
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 walking a good distance, Laura finally glanced back. Seeing that Wright hadn't followed them, her furrowed brows relaxed slightly."Phoebe, don't listen to his nonsense.""What nonsense?" Phoebe pretended not to understand. So, she was in a relationship already. Watching them earlier, they looked so perfect together—a golden couple that was truly pleasing to the eye. Melissa was so beautiful, and it wasn't surprising that such a handsome guy liked her."We...we're not." Laura's cheeks were so hot they could almost cook an egg."Laura, it's okay to have a boyfriend. I think you two are a great match." Phoebe assumed Laura was just shy and smiled sweetly at her. Although she was still young and inexperienced in these matters, having someone who cared for Laura seemed like a good thing. However, Phoebe couldn't help but worry—Wright had a reputation for being a flirt. Was he truly sincere about Laura?"No, it's not like that. I don't like him. I just...I just feel like being liked
Laura"Little thing, I've been chasing you for so long, aren't you even touched?" Wright teased, his tone playful yet carrying a hint of frustration. Staring at the ice-cold beauty before him, he felt utterly defeated. It was the first time he had spent so long chasing a girl without success. Initially, he thought it was just a game, but to his surprise, he had genuinely fallen for her. There was no denying it now—he was hopelessly in love.Laura kept her head down, walking forward without sparing him a glance. Despite over a month of his persistent pursuit, she remained indifferent. He was so annoying, showing up every day to bother her, impossible to avoid or chase away."What's so urgent at home that you rush back every day? How about I take you on a romantic date?" Wright leaned closer, flashing a charming smile that caused the nearby girls to look on enviously. Yet Laura didn't even spare him a glance.Remaining silent, she kept walking with her usual downcast gaze.Wright felt a
After bidding Alva goodbye, Phoebe nearly sprinted out of the school. Instead of taking the bus, she hailed a taxi. Taking a bus would be too slow, and a taxi would get her there much faster. Normally, she would never spend the extra money, but today, all she wanted was to see him as quickly as possible.However, once inside the taxi, her courage began to waver. A sense of fear crept over her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what she was afraid of. She kept telling herself she couldn't back down, refusing to allow herself to retreat.When the taxi pulled up in front of the apartment complex, she realized she didn't have an access card. The security guard stopped her at the gate, and no matter how much she pleaded, he refused to let her in. Fortunately, a shift change brought a new set of guards, and one of them recognized her from a previous visit, allowing her to enter.As the villa came into view, Phoebe's steps grew heavier, as if her legs had turned to lead. It was incredibly d
"Miss, you come here every day to buy a newspaper, but you barely look through it. Are you searching for some important news?" the newspaper vendor asked with a friendly smile. Every day, this young lady would buy a paper, flip through a few pages, and leave with a disappointed expression. This had become her routine."I..." Lost in thought, she hesitated. What could she say? She was searching for news about Alexander. Any mention of him, no matter how small, would suffice."Do you have any fashion magazines?""Of course! What kind are you looking for?" The vendor gestured toward the stack of magazines on the table."I'd like an entertainment magazine," she said, clinging to a sliver of hope. She had often seen him mentioned in such magazines before. Perhaps he would appear in one of them again. She just hadn't looked hard enough."Here, try this one. It's full of gossip—rich people, celebrities, their private lives, and whatnot.""I'll take it," she said, handing over the money.On h
One Month Later."Phoebe, stop pushing yourself so hard. Come eat something first; you can continue drawing afterward."Alva snatched the pencil from Phoebe's hand and pulled her up, ready to take her out of the studio. "Who studies like you? It's like your life depends on it. You even forget to eat!""Alva, I'm not hungry. Let me finish this drawing first."Phoebe smiled and reached for her pencil, but Alva quickly hid it behind her back, refusing to give it back. She insisted Phoebe eat with her instead. For a month now, her friend had been working too hard. Study required balance, not self-torture. Sitting in one spot all day without moving wasn't learning—it was punishing oneself. If Phoebe didn't get up soon, she'd rust."No way. Finish your meal first, and then you can draw again,"Alva said firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation."But Alva, I'm almost done!"Phoebe glanced longingly at her unfinished drawing.
The door suddenly swung open from the outside. Phoebe lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with fleeting hope before it quickly dimmed. How much she wished it was Alexander walking in. How much she longed for him to stand before her, whole and unscathed. But the person who entered was a middle-aged man, unfamiliar to her, though it was clear from his demeanor that he was one of Alexander's subordinates.Her disappointment was momentary, replaced almost instantly by desperate anticipation. Barefoot, she dashed toward him with urgency.“Him... How is he? Please, tell me. I'm begging you. I just need to know if he's okay.”“Miss, you're free to leave now. Gather your belongings, and I'll have a car take you home,” the man said, ignoring her questions and instead delivering his instructions calmly.Leave?“What do you mean?” Phoebe asked, her eyes widening in shock.“You are free now,” he replied.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Phoebe's tears began to fall uncontrollably.It wasn't true—not what she had said. She didn't want him to die. Even if she couldn't forgive him, she would never wish for his death.“Fine. As you wish,” Alexander said coldly, letting go of her.He stood up and walked toward the door. But after just a few steps, his tall, solid frame collapsed to the floor.Curled up on the ground, Phoebe instinctively raised her head at the sound. A flash of white light surged through her mind, and in the next second, she was scrambling toward him in a panic, sobbing.Kneeling by his side, she shook his body desperately. Her tear-streaked face was unrecognizable.“Alexander, wake up! Please, wake up! Don't scare me, okay?” she cried.No matter how much she called his name or shook him, he didn't respond. The blood from his head only flowed more freely. Her trembling fingers pressed agai
Alexander kissed her deeply, completely lost in the moment, while Phoebe stared blankly at the ceiling. What else could he possibly do to her besides this?She wanted to push him away, but her overly full stomach left her feeling sluggish. All she wanted was to lie down comfortably for a while.When Alexander finally seemed satisfied, he pecked her lips a couple more times before letting her go.The moment he released her, Phoebe wiped her mouth in disgust.Her reaction displeased Alexander. Did she find his kiss so revolting? Fine. The more she resisted, the more he wanted to kiss her—until every inch of her body bore his scent."Don't touch me," Phoebe warned, glaring at him."I'll do whatever I want," he shot back.With that, Alexander grabbed her head forcefully, pressing his lips back to hers. His tongue invaded her mouth, relentless and domineering, capturing her own with a fierce hold.It hurt.The despicabl
It felt strange that he would do something like this, but she had to admit that stepping out to get some air, even if it was just moving from the bedroom to the living room, was refreshing."Bring a bowl of oatmeal." Alexander commanded."Yes, sir." The servant immediately obeyed, heading to the kitchen to fetch the oatmeal that had been simmering over low heat."Leave it here and go.""Yes, sir."After the servants left, the living room fell silent, leaving only the two of them. Alexander sat down with Phoebe still in his arms, cradling her like a child. His tall frame completely enveloped her petite form."Put me down," Phoebe demanded firmly. She felt uncomfortable in his embrace. In the past, such closeness would have left her flustered, her heart racing uncontrollably. But now, there was none of that. She didn't want to be near him at all. In fact, she wished she'd never have to see him again.Ignoring her words, Alexander picked