Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.Satisfied, Alexander leaned down to kiss her flushed cheek. "Good girl," he murmured.His voice made Phoebe even more embarrassed. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Avoiding his gaze, she quickly jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.Watching her retreating figure, Alexander's lips curled into a wicked smile."Sir, your breakfast," the attendant said from outside."Come in," Alexander replied.Once breakfast was set, Alexander didn't bother waiting for Phoebe to finish her shower. Instead, he stripped off his clothes and strolled straight into the bathroom, leaning casually against the doorframe to admire the view."Hey! What are you doing in here?" Phoebe gasped when she saw him.She instinctively sank deeper into the water, trying to hide her body. She was certain she had locked the door, yet here he was—and stark naked, no less!What was worse, she found herself sneaking glances at him, captivated by his physique.Her ga
The elevator slowly ascended, stopping only at the 48th floor.The doors opened, and Alexander naturally took Phoebe's soft hand, leading her toward his office.Along the way, several curious glances from his subordinates followed them. Phoebe felt embarrassed and almost pulled her hand back, but Alexander gripped it tighter, almost as if to show off, as though he didn't want anyone to miss the fact that they were together.Was he trying to prove something? It almost seemed like he was sending a message.Phoebe didn't quite understand his intentions. She stole a glance at his expression—it seemed like he was in a really good mood.Seeing him like this, Phoebe didn't dare to pull her hand away. She simply let him lead her... Could it be that, by doing this, he was showing that he no longer saw her as just a tool?From the elevator to the CEO's office, Phoebe didn't dare lift her head.Only when the door to the office finally closed behind them did Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. Havin
As night slowly descended, Alexander continued to move in and out of the meeting room, while Phoebe obediently waited in his office. Whenever he came out, she didn't disturb him. Instead, she simply watched him from a distance, and when he left again, she couldn't help but stare at his retreating figure, lost in thought.When Alexander was focused on his work, Phoebe mostly played the role of invisible background noise. However, his secretary was very kind to her, often coming by to check on her, offering drinks, snacks, and even bringing her magazines and newspapers.At first, Phoebe was full of energy, sneaking glances at him, but as time passed, she grew tired. Eventually, feeling bored, she lay down on the sofa.Goodness, the work here was so monotonous and exhausting!Phoebe couldn't fathom how Alexander managed to keep going. He was so focused and dedicated to his work. Even she, the observer, had reached her limit—how was he able to endure it?She wondered for a moment before f
A little later.In a top-tier Western restaurant, Alexander and Phoebe were seated at a table near the window, a spot Alexander had specifically chosen.From here, they had a perfect view of the entire city skyline, which looked absolutely stunning in the night.Although Phoebe had a slight fear of heights, she couldn't help but be drawn to the breathtaking scenery around her. She gazed down at the city, captivated by its beauty.The night sky, hazy and enchanting, only enhanced the view, making everything seem even more magical.Phoebe couldn't help but get lost in the view, marveling at how vibrant and beautiful the city was. She hadn't expected it to be this grand."Do you like it here?" Alexander asked, noticing that Phoebe's gaze was still fixed on the city below. A hint of jealousy crossed his mind—he preferred it when all her attention was on him."I do!" Phoebe nodded and then turned her gaze back to him. "This place is beautiful."After speaking, her attention once again drif
Night had fallen, and the sky was dotted with countless stars, serene and beautiful.Inside the car, Phoebe's small face rested peacefully against Alexander's strong thigh as she slept soundly.Occasionally, she would stir in her sleep, her body shifting restlessly. Alexander looked down at her, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment.A warmth filled a deep part of his heart, no longer leaving it empty. Perhaps this was the life he had been looking for.The car soon entered the underground parking garage of the hotel. He had planned to carry her upstairs, but as soon as the car stopped, she woke up.Phoebe sat up, squinting her eyes. How had she fallen asleep again?"Did I wake you?" Alexander asked, thinking it was his fault."No, no. Did I fall asleep again?" She apologized, feeling a little guilty. He had worked all day without a moment's rest, and here she was, napping away."Are we here?" She looked outside, noticing rows of parked cars. She couldn't hel
The next morning, a faint floral fragrance lingered in the air as Phoebe woke up in its delicate aroma. Warm sunlight streamed through the glass window, carrying a sense of bliss that filled the room.Blinking drowsily, she turned over, savoring the warmth of the sun. Reaching out to the space beside her, she felt the lingering warmth on the sheets—he must have just gotten up! There was no sound of water in the bathroom, nor any sign of him in the room. He's probably already gone to work, she thought.The air still carried traces of his scent. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with it, and her chest swelled with an inexplicable sweetness and happiness.A knock at the door disrupted her reverie, followed by a man's voice."Madam, are you awake?"Phoebe opened her eyes and stared at the door. Was she hearing things? Was this voice addressing her?She didn't respond but listened intently."Madam, I'm the driver sent by Mr.
The next evening, Alexander brought Phoebe to a mysterious location.The stunning scenery along the way captivated her, pulling her into a serene daze.Turning her head slightly, she glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Today, Alexander was dressed in a formal black suit. On him, it exuded an almost devilish allure—only he could wear such a somber color with such a unique, magnetic charm.Noticing her gaze meeting his, Phoebe quickly lowered her head, touching her flushed cheeks. Did he catch me staring at him? The slight smirk at the corner of his lips confirmed it—he definitely did!Where is he taking me with all this secrecy today?"Nervous?"he asked casually."No!"Phoebe replied, feigning calm, though her sweaty palms betrayed her. Of course, she was nervous. Glancing down at her evening gown, her heart tightened. Memories of the last time she wore something this formal resurfaced unbidden.Why make
"Boss, long time no see. What do you think of this welcome dinner? Not bad, right?""I'm more interested in knowing where you've hidden Gavin's goods,"Alexander replied, walking in and sitting beside the man. He casually picked up a glass of wine and clinked it with his companion's."Haha."The man laughed heartily. "Well, he asked for it, didn't he? This is just a little lesson for him.""Merle, do you really think Gavin is that easy to deal with?"Alexander leaned back lazily on the sofa."Tsk, tsk, Alex, that's not the tone I expect from you. When have you ever been afraid of anyone?""So, what are you planning to do with his goods?""Of course, I'll sell them off,"Merle said, matter-of-factly."Give them back to him.""Are you serious? You want me to return them to him? That's a joke.""Since when have I ever joked with you?""Then why? I heard he's fearless and is even trying to steal wo
Ten minutes passed quickly before a stunning woman, dressed seductively, hurried over. Spotting Alexander from afar, she quickened her pace, moving as if the wind carried her forward.Just as she was about to introduce herself, Alexander didn’t spare her a single glance. Instead, he flicked his burning cigarette to the ground and crushed it underfoot with a cold expression. Then, he said curtly, "Follow me."Alexander strode ahead with firm, purposeful steps. The woman, struggling in her ten-centimeter heels, had to jog to keep up, calling out in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Alex, wait for me!"But Alexander acted as though he hadn’t heard her. His pace remained steady and unyielding.The moment he reentered the banquet hall, his gaze swept across the crowd like a sharp hawk, searching keenly. Soon, his eyes locked onto the center of the dance floor—where Gavin held Phoebe in his arms, dancing intimately to the elegant melody.Alex
Phoebe stood frozen in place, her eyes welling up with tears that threatened to spill over. In that moment, she looked like a helpless little puppy cruelly abandoned by its owner—full of grievance and sadness, with no one to confide in.For so many years, Gavin had been a great help to her, someone she regarded as family. Did she really not even have the right to greet him? Alexander was being so petty. Why couldn't he ever say something that would put her at ease? Why did he always jump to conclusions and misunderstand her so easily?Just then, Gavin approached her, raising an eyebrow as he spoke. "He left?""Yeah… he left me behind again."Phoebe's voice was soft, tinged with disappointment."He was jealous, wasn't he?"A playful glint flashed in Gavin's eyes as he recalled the sharp, icy glare Alexander had given him earlier. "I almost thought he was going to charge at me and start a fight.""I wish he had,"Phoebe mu
As they stepped into the grand banquet hall, a sea of elegantly dressed guests filled the space—powerful elites from various industries, all mingling and exchanging pleasantries.The moment Phoebe entered, she felt countless gazes land on her. Instinctively, she shrank back slightly, tightening her grip around Alexander's arm.Alexander's expression remained cold and unreadable as his sharp eyes swept across the room, catching the way certain men eyed Phoebe with curiosity. Without a word, he subtly withdrew his arm from hers, only to move behind her and slide an arm around her waist—a gesture both possessive and intimate.Phoebe let him lead her through the crowd, their presence drawing attention wherever they passed.She had always found these social events tedious, despising the superficial interactions and empty flattery. But tonight, she was surprised to realize that she no longer minded. With Alexander by her side, his promise still ling
Inside the car, the atmosphere was suffocating.Phoebe sat sideways in the passenger seat, her vacant eyes staring out the window. Yet, her mind was far from the passing scenery. Alexander's cold gaze and piercing words haunted her, swirling through her thoughts like ghosts refusing to fade.Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Though his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his mind was elsewhere. Phoebe's earlier words were like a sharp thorn lodged deep in his heart—every time he recalled them, a stabbing pain followed.A heavy silence engulfed them. No words were exchanged, no glances met—only the low rumble of the engine and the whooshing wind outside filled the void.Before long, they arrived at the hotel where the banquet was being held.Alexander glanced sideways and uttered two cold words: "Get out."Phoebe slowly turned her head, her eyes filled with grie
Phoebe was still lost in the dizzying heat of the kiss, her mind blank, unable to fully recover from the intoxicating sensation.Without warning, Alexander scooped her up once more, striding purposefully toward the private lounge attached to his office.The heavy door shut behind them with a muffled thud. Alexander carried her straight to the large, plush bed, leaning down slightly as he gently placed her onto the soft mattress.Phoebe's body sank into the luxurious bedding, her eyes widening in alarm as she looked up at him. "What… what are you doing?""I want you." His voice was deep and husky, laced with raw desire."No, you can't." Phoebe's breath came in uneven pants. Her emotions were in turmoil—fear and confusion tangled together, yet at the same time, her body betrayed her, reacting instinctively to his closeness. This only unsettled her more."Can't?" Alexander's lips curled into a faint smirk, his gaze dark and unreadable. Slowly, his eyes drifted downward, lingering at her
Phoebe stood in the secluded corner, her hands trembling slightly as they reached for the buttons of her blouse. Her gaze remained locked on Alexander's back, not daring to blink. Only after watching him remain completely still for a long while did she finally exhale softly and lower her head to begin changing.When she opened the gift box and saw the delicate black lingerie inside, she froze.Lifting the sheer fabric between her fingers, she muttered under her breath, "This is lingerie?"The material was nearly transparent—she could already imagine how revealing it would be once worn. For a moment, she weighed her options: should she stick with her own undergarments, or wear this?Her eyes drifted back to the black evening gown. Its design was exquisite and unique, seemingly crafted to pair perfectly with the lingerie, enhancing its elegance with a touch of allure.Biting her lower lip, Phoebe struggled internally before finally giving in. Slowly, she unhooked her own lingerie, her m
Phoebe dragged her exhausted body home, moving quietly to avoid disturbing her family. She didn't turn on the lights but relied on her familiarity with the house to navigate her way carefully to the bedroom in the dark.Stepping inside, she saw her children sleeping soundly in bed. Her heart instantly softened, overflowing with warmth as she unconsciously sat down beside them."Kids, Mommy saw your daddy today," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out, she gently brushed her fingers over their cheeks, her touch unbearably tender. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips.That night, Phoebe slept more peacefully than she had in a long time.In her dreams, she saw the bright, happy faces of her children, playing and laughing together. She saw herself joining in, their joyous laughter filling the air. And Alexander… he was there too. The four of them stood in a beautiful garden, basking in the warm sunlight. It was a dream so wonderful, so perfect, that she wis
On most afternoons, as soon as lunch was over, Phoebe would return to her desk without delay, diving right back into work. But today, she was different. Instead of heading straight back, she wandered aimlessly around the company's surroundings, unwilling to return. It wasn't until 2:30 PM that she finally, and reluctantly, made her way back to the office.As she walked, her mind kept replaying the moment she had shaken off Alexander's grip earlier. His darkened expression told her everything—he was furious. She was almost certain he would take his revenge in the afternoon, assigning her a slew of unreasonable tasks just to make things difficult for her. With this uneasy thought lingering in her mind, Phoebe stepped into the office.Strangely enough, the entire afternoon passed without any sign of Alexander. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. There were no assignments, no sudden calls to his office—nothing.Sitting at her desk, Phoebe felt restless. Every now and then, she gla
Phoebe covered her lips, tears streaming down her face as she ran toward the restroom. She kept her head low, afraid of letting anyone see her in such a disheveled state. Once inside, she hurried into a stall, locked the door tightly, and slowly crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.Her cries echoed within the small cubicle, filled with sorrow and despair, as if trying to release all the grievances she had suppressed over the years. She cried for what felt like an eternity until her eyes were so swollen she could barely keep them open.Standing up shakily, Phoebe walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection—her puffy, distorted eyes a stark reminder of her breakdown. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands under the icy water, and splashed it onto her face repeatedly. The coldness stung her skin, but it also helped her regain a bit of clarity. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and made a firm decision in her heart.Ba