On a summer night, the city was ablaze with lights, hosting a world-renowned luxurious yacht party.
Phoebe stood still by the window like a beautiful statue, not moving an inch.
However, her hands at her sides were clenched tightly, her knuckles pale. The sea breeze brushed her face, but all she could feel was a bone-chilling cold. The moonlit night outside was mesmerizing, yet she had no heart to appreciate it.
Watching the elite guests move across the yacht's deck, each of them radiated an aura of wealth and prestige. They whispered in low voices, laughing softly, clinking their glasses in elegant toasts.
She smiled bitterly. This was the stark difference between the rich and the poor.
The world was never fair, and all she could do was use her body to save her family.
Raising her eyes to the empty night sky, her heart filled with a deep sadness. She felt utterly lost.
"Follow me." A deep, magnetic voice came from behind her.
Phoebe closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling in turmoil. She struggled for a long moment before finally loosening her clenched fists. A self-deprecating smile crossed her lips. At this point, did she even have a choice?
She was just a student, meant to enjoy the carefree life that kids her age had. Yet here she was—about to engage in such a dirty transaction.
Steeling herself, she summoned every ounce of strength and courage she had left, following the man the bar manager had introduced to her.
With each step, she tried to calm her breathing, gripping the hem of her dress tightly as she silently passed through lavish hallways. The luxurious evening gown accentuated her graceful figure, her delicate shoulder blades peeking through, but the exposed skin on her back sent an uncomfortable chill down her spine.
She was always conservative by nature, and this was the first time she had worn such revealing clothes. It made her feel uneasy.
"Remember what I told you?"
"Mm-hmm."
The man leading the way had been sent by the buyer. He was young, handsome even, but cold and distant, making him difficult to approach.
He guided her through the hallway and into an elevator. It ascended quickly, stopping at the 36th floor.
When the doors slid open, she followed him into an empty corridor, the silence suddenly filling her with dread. She clasped her hands behind her back, struggling to hold on to her courage.
She kept reminding herself: Phoebe, you can't back out now. For your parents, for your brother, for your family, you have to face this.
Soon, they stopped in front of a room. The man turned to her and gave one final instruction.
"Remember what I said. If you don't follow the rules, I can't guarantee you'll leave here alive." His voice was cold, chilling her to the bone.
Phoebe nodded, her mind racing to recall the forbidden rules.
First, no resistance. Second, no kissing. Third…
"After it's over, take this pill. The boss doesn't want any trouble."
Phoebe took the small white pill from him. She didn't know what it was, but the man had been clear—she had to obey.
If she broke even one of the rules, she wouldn't get a single penny.
She had no choice but to accept.
"You can go in now."
"Okay." Phoebe pressed her lips together, feeling as though her feet had turned to lead, each step harder than the last.
She wanted to run—so badly.
But was it too late to back out now?
The thought of her brother, Gordon, sent a wave of pain through her heart. She couldn't just watch him die! In her memories, he was kind, smart, and talented. He could still be saved. If they could pay off the loan sharks, if he could get clean from drugs, he could start fresh and live a new life.
This was her only chance—if she didn't take it, he was as good as dead.
With renewed determination, she steeled herself, raising her hand to knock.
With a soft creak, the door slowly opened.
She forced herself to step inside, her heart pounding as the door clicked shut behind her. The sound echoed in her chest, and a wave of panic surged through her. She trembled uncontrollably, waiting in the thick silence.
For a long time, nothing happened. She exhaled shakily, her rigid body relaxing slightly.
No one was there.
Ignoring the luxurious surroundings, she quickly scanned the room for the bathroom, then rushed inside.
Her first task was clear: she needed to clean herself, and then, like a prostitute, lie on the bed and wait for the man to arrive.
The luxurious bathroom was filled with a delicate feminine fragrance.
Standing before the mirror, surrounded by mist, Phoebe resembled a beautiful goddess, motionless, her hands by her sides, fingers curled tightly into fists. Her nails dug deep into her palms.
Despite her young age, her figure was flawless, her skin fair and soft. In the mirror, her delicate, pinkish body was wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her white skin glowed with a delicate blush, like cherry blossoms in spring, and droplets of water glistened as they slid down her skin.
Her face, bare of makeup, was still stunning. She hadn't applied any, knowing that the man didn't like it. Yet her face was pale, drained of color from fear, like a porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment.
Her long lashes drooped, and droplets of water clung to them like unshed tears. Her once-rosy lips were now colorless, etched with deep bite marks.
Soon, she would sell her innocence to a mysterious man.
Her heart twisted in agony, but…
She had to keep going.
Stepping out of the bathroom, her fear surged once more.
Suddenly…
All the lights went out.
Without warning, darkness engulfed the room, plunging her into a pitch-black world.Power outage?Phoebe's heart clenched, fear and panic consuming her.It felt like a suffocating weight was closing in, making her body tremble uncontrollably.Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past her, and before she could react, a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist.Her bare back pressed against a firm chest. Even through the fabric of his shirt, she could feel the heat emanating from him.Startled, she let out a cry, "NO…"But the man chuckled darkly, his deep, husky voice breaking the silence of the room. "Don't make a fuss..."His voice was intoxicating, but why did it carry such an overwhelming sense of dominance? The aura of this man was formidable!"You...who are you?" Phoebe mustered the courage to ask, her voice trembling.Though the room was pitch dark, the man's sharp eyes could clearly catch every emotion in her wide, clear eyes—those beautiful eyes, like black pearls, pure and flawl
Two years later.At the art gallery, the staff bustled through the exhibition halls, meticulously preparing for an upcoming grand solo art show."Phoebe! How's the progress on Curtis' exhibition?" A deep voice asked from the other end of the phone."Everything's ready, just waiting for the gallery to open." Phoebe adjusted the outdated glasses perched on her nose. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail, giving her a fresh and elegant appearance.After hanging up, Phoebe carefully examined the paintings on the wall. This exhibition was part of Curtis' nationwide tour, and she was fortunate to have been selected as the temporary tour assistant for this world-renowned artist.During a small exhibition, one of Phoebe's own pieces caught Curtis' eye by chance. He appreciated her unique perspective on art, and that stroke of luck made her his chosen assistant.Phoebe had a natural talent for painting.For the past two years, her goal had been to apply to Valleybrook's top art school. H
Her heart clenched tightly, a wave of fear and panic rushing through her.Curtis quickly extended his arm, pulling her waist close to him, wrapping her in a firm embrace. His heart raced, and Phoebe clung to him like a frightened rabbit, seeking warmth and comfort."Phoebe, don't be scared. I'm here, everything's going to be fine," he whispered, gently stroking her soft hair in a soothing gesture.The car came to an abrupt stop after a series of jolts, skidding to a halt at a sharp corner. Only when Phoebe felt the car come to a safe stop did she slowly open her tightly shut eyes. She was still shaken, her gaze lifting toward the man holding her. A hoarse whisper escaped her lips, "Are we safe?""Yes, we're fine now," Curtis nodded, his gaze soft and reassuring. In this moment, he felt needed by her, a feeling he savored."What just happened? Did we crash?" Merle asked, steadying himself, his voice shaky.Curtis was about to ask the driver what had happened when he noticed that their
Phoebe sat in the car, anxiously waiting. She kept glancing toward the distance, silently praying that Curitis would return safely.The events of the day were terrifying, and the mysterious people they encountered filled her with fear. The suppressed memories from her past resurfaced, dragging her into a pit of darkness. The unsettling gaze of that man earlier left her deeply uneasy."Merle, do you think someone is targeting Mr. Curitis? Could they be part of a terrorist group?""It's possible... but Phoebe, don't overthink it. He'll be fine. Let's wait here for him." Merle tried to comfort Phoebe, though he, too, was still shaken by what had happened. They could do nothing but wait for Curitis to return—only then would they know what was going on.Suddenly, the sound of an approaching car broke the silence.Phoebe's heart raced as she looked outside—Curitis was back."Did they hurt you?" The group rushed forward, anxious to see if he was okay. Seeing him unharmed, they finally let ou
Three days had passed, and Phoebe walked through the hospital, her body exhausted. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at her parents lying unconscious in their beds.She would find the money. Her parents would be okay!But—Where was she going to find so much money? She had already begged for help wherever she could, lowering herself, speaking softly, but the amount she managed to borrow was still a pittance.Suddenly, a face flashed in her mind. She remembered Curtis, and for a moment, a glimmer of hope sparked within her.She could ask him for a loan, and once she graduated and found a job, she'd pay him back.Nervously, she tried calling Curtis' private number. But after several attempts, the phone was still switched off.She tried calling Merle as well, but no one answered. Disappointment crashed over Phoebe once again, and the last bit of hope in her heart crumbled.She wandered aimlessly through the streets, her figure fragile and lost. The path ahead seemed uncertain, and
Night had fallen.Phoebe stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. She was startled by the new face before her—she could hardly believe the beautiful woman in the mirror was herself.She had blossomed even more than she had three years ago, her beauty radiant and captivating, though she hadn't noticed it herself.Usually, she dressed casually, favoring simple, neutral colors.But now, she was wrapped in an elegant, black gown that hugged her curves, making her look like a goddess who had descended to Earth—graceful and mesmerizing.Her skin was smooth and flawless, her makeup meticulously applied, and her hair as black as ebony.Her slender figure radiated charm with every subtle movement. She was stunning, alluring, a true beauty. Yet, Phoebe had no heart to admire her own reflection."You are the most enchanting girl I've ever seen," the stylist said, nodding with satisfaction, showering her with praise.Phoebe lowered her head, a shy blush tinting her che
Phoebe stood frozen, her body stiff as disbelief washed over her. Her face, already pale, turned ashen, and a cold dread settled deep within her.She was terrified—this man was drinking the blood from her neck like a vampire.Could it be that the manager had set her up with a sadistic psychopath? A man with some twisted, violent fetish?Panicking, Phoebe started struggling with all her might, pushing against the man pressing her down. "No—please, stop. Don't do this!""Please... stop..." She repeated her plea in desperation, but the icy aura radiating from the man made it hard to breathe.Her fear intensified as she tried to push him away, even though she had mentally prepared herself for what was to come.But this man... this man was different. He made her heart race with sheer terror.Angered by her resistance, Alexander's grip tightened, sending sharp pain through her body.How dare she defy him again and again? Fine. If she wanted to fight, then she'd better be ready to face the c
The first gentle rays of morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the girl curled up like a baby on the bed. Her eyes were closed, but her eyelashes trembled slightly. She seemed uneasy, her brows furrowed just a little. Yet her sleeping face remained peaceful and beautiful.It took a long time before Phoebe's consciousness gradually cleared. Slowly, she opened her clear, bright eyes and let out a soft groan, trying to move her body.Down there—it hurt. It felt like she had been run over by a truck.The memories of last night flooded back, making her shiver uncontrollably.God, recalling those shameful moments, a wave of humiliation exploded within her, tears rolling down her cheeks...The man was no longer in the room, but his faint masculine scent still lingered in the air.Phoebe sniffled, blinking back the tears as she pulled the black silk blanket off her aching body. Naked, she sat up slowly, her bare skin exposed to the cool air.Her once flawless,