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
At midnight, Phoebe changed out of her bar uniform, ready to leave.The bar was close to school, and it only took her about fifteen minutes to bike there. But before she could even get close to campus, a car suddenly swerved in front of her, blocking her path.Startled, she screamed, nearly being thrown off her bike. Heart pounding, she was still trying to catch her breath when a commanding voice rang out from above her."Get in the car!"Phoebe froze in shock. It was Alexander. Before she could react, he stormed out of the car, kicked her bike aside, and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground."You're disobeying me?" His voice was slow and deliberate, every word dripping with dangerous intent as he locked eyes with her.Phoebe's face paled as she struggled to breathe. Without a word, Alexander threw her into the car and got in himself. The door slammed shut, and the locks clicked into place. He pressed a button, and the car's windows darkened with a black tint.Phoebe c
The next morning, Phoebe woke up feeling like her entire body had been broken. Her most intimate areas ached with sharp pain. She glanced around and saw that Alexander was already gone.On the bed beside her, a gold card, a key, and a check for five million lay neatly on the sheets.Her hands shook with anger as she gripped the blanket tightly. What good was money? It was just a transaction for her body! She didn't care about the money—not at all!But last night had taught her one thing: the more she resisted, the more it fueled his desire to conquer her.He had made it clear that once he was done playing with her, he would let her go. Until then, she had to accept her role as his wife and cater to his every demand.Since she couldn't fight back, all she could hope for now was that he'd tire of her soon.After the brutal night, her strength was completely drained. Phoebe got up, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes were ringed with dark circles, her lip
The following week Phoebe'd been going to Alexander's villa as he requested. However, she only went after midnight, as she didn't want to give up her job at the bar, which ended at 12:00.After checking with the butler, she was shown to a guest room. Alexander wasn't there, and she didn't dare sleep in his bed. Besides, she didn't want to—it smelled like him, which unnerved her.By the time she showered and changed into her pajamas, it was already 1:00 a.m. She lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.This had been happening every night. Despite being exhausted, sleep wouldn't come.What exactly was she waiting for?Why hadn't Alexander come back in all this time? What was he doing?Damn it, why was she thinking about him again?That beastly man! She must have been cursed to even think about him. She should hate him—despise him.Phoebe clenched her fists, wishing he would never appear before her again. She slapped her head in frustration, turned off the light, and buried hers
Phoebe felt deeply embarrassed by her shameful thoughts. She was becoming less and less like herself.Stealing a glance at the man beside her, she noticed his eyes were still closed. Assuming he had fallen asleep, she carefully thought about how to slip away from him without making any noise."And what about the rest?" Alexander's eyes suddenly opened, locking onto her. He was waiting for her next move.Phoebe's already flushed cheeks burned even hotter under his gaze. She understood exactly what he meant.Fearing he might get angry, she didn't dare hesitate. Nervously, she got down on her knees and began to unbuckle his belt, then carefully unzipped his trousers, struggling to pull them off.Her face reddened further as she averted her eyes, her heart racing. She dared not look at his strong, muscular legs. When her fingers had brushed against them, she had felt a strange, electric-like jolt run through her."Keep going," Alexander ordered in a low voice.Phoebe looked up at him, pan
Fortunately, Alexander did not."Close your eyes and sleep," he ordered, his long, cold fingers intertwining with hers.His deep voice rumbled in her ear, but his actions were surprisingly gentle, causing her tense body to relax slightly. She had been bracing herself for him to go further, but instead, he stopped. And the way they were lying there, entwined like this... it almost felt like they were a couple in love.Her head rested against his chest, their fingers interlaced, her body pressed against his solid frame, surrounded by the scent of his masculine presence.His body was cold, likely from the shower, but holding her like this, he felt warm.Phoebe bit her lip, her long lashes fluttering. Her body still trembled slightly, but it felt like her heart was starting to thaw, little by little.Why was this happening?This strange, unfamiliar feeling...Was it just an illusion?How could she possibly think this cruel man was being gentle?She must have been frightened into thinking
At the university's design building—Class hadn't started yet, and a group of girls had already gathered, gossiping loudly about someone else's drama."Hey, did you hear? Eve just became someone's mistress," one girl whispered."Seriously? And the guy's an old man practically on his deathbed. Can he even get it up?" another asked with a smirk."They've got pills for that now. If he can't, medicine will make sure he can," they laughed."How much is she getting?""Eight thousand a month.""That's it? She sold herself cheap," the girl scoffed."Especially to an old guy!" someone added."Why would she do that for so little money? And with an old man? If she's going to be someone's mistress, at least find someone younger!""People are so desperate for money these days. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in our class was doing the same," one girl suggested."Who? Who?" The group perked up, their eyes darting around the room in anticipation."Look over there," Eden said with a sly grin, nodd
At a high-end French restaurant, Phoebe sat nervously in her seat. It was her first time in such a fancy place, and she felt out of place."Phoebe, why aren't you eating?" Curtis asked gently, his blue eyes soft and full of affection.His warm, magnetic voice wrapped around her, making her even more flustered. She stammered, "I'm... I'm not hungry. You... you eat."Seeing how she kept her distance from him, Curtis gave her a tender smile, one so gentle it could make anyone's heart flutter. "Phoebe, will you give me a chance?"Phoebe felt a pang of guilt. She had already turned him down once. She never expected him to show up at her school as a professor.For someone as kind and accomplished as Curtis, she felt undeserving. "I'm sorry, sir. I—""Just call me Curtis. And don't be in a rush to reject me. I'll win your heart, I promise," he said with confidence. He wasn't going to pressure her, but he would be by her side, waiting patiently for her to accept him.Just then, the restaurant
The next morning, at Phoebe's home."Hello! Is this the residence of Miss Phoebe Garcia?""Yes, it is. And you are?" Hermosa asked, confused by the unexpected visitor so early in the morning."Mr. Alexander Davis, our boss, assigned me to drive your daughter to school. I've been waiting outside for an hour, but she hasn't come out. Is she not attending school today?" the driver replied politely."Alex? You mean my daughter's boyfriend?" Hermosa paused for a moment before smiling, seemingly realizing something. He's very considerate of her."That's correct. Is she not ready yet?" the driver asked, his gaze briefly sweeping inside the house."Apologies, but Phoebe rushed out after receiving a phone call yesterday. She said a friend was looking for her and didn't even stay for dinner," Hermosa explained with a hint of concern.The driver froze for a moment. "She didn't come home last night?""That's right! We were worried all night. She didn't answer any of our calls either. We were just
"What... what did you say?" Her voice trembled, and her breathing grew uneven."Take it off!" he ordered, his eyes narrowing dangerously. His fingers gripped her pale wrist, his strength threatening to snap it.Laura followed his gaze to her own arm, her heart pounding in panic. "But... this..."Wasn't this a gift from him? Why would he ask her to take it off? And why did his expression look so terrifying? Had she done something wrong?"It hurts!" she whimpered softly as his grip tightened, pain shooting through her wrist. Instinctively, she tried to break free from his hold, but this side of her brother made her shiver uncontrollably.The pain was excruciating. Laura furrowed her brows tightly, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.With a forceful shove, Gavin pushed her down, his movements rough and unrelenting. He yanked her pajama pants, leapt from the water, and pinned her beneath him."Ugh!" Laura gasped as her head slammed against the hard floor, a sharp crack echoing in t
"Did you know? He really likes Phoebe," she murmured softly.Titan, lying silently like a loyal listener, rested his head on his paws."I'm so jealous of Phoebe," she whispered to herself. "If only he could like me, even just a little."But deep down, she knew Gavin would never look at her the way he did Phoebe. She tried to console herself: As long as he doesn't hate me, that's enough.Is he back now?What does he do out there every day?She had only overheard bits and pieces from the butler—her brother seemed to be involved in something akin to the mafia. But what exactly was the mafia? She wasn't entirely sure.Brushing off the grass from her clothes, she stood up. "I should head back now, Titan. I'll come visit you again when I can!"She coaxed Titan back into his cage. He whimpered in protest, reluctantly stepping into the enclosure and laying down, his sorrowful gaze fixed on Laura. He wished she wouldn't leave."Goodbye," Laura said, waving reluctantly. She gave Titan one last
After Gavin left, Astor didn't follow him. Instead, he walked toward the group of arrogant men who had been causing trouble moments before, raising his gun without hesitation."We're sorry! We're sorry! We were wrong!" they knelt, pleading desperately for their lives."Yes! We were wrong! We didn't want to hurt her! Someone made us do it!"Hearing this, Astor's hand paused. His voice was cold as ice."Speak. Who was it?"The men, thinking they might have a chance to live, scrambled to respond."She's called Sheridan!""Yes! We just overheard it, but that's the name we caught!"Astor's eyes darkened.A moment later, piercing screams shattered the stillness of the night, one after another, painting the air with an eerie tension.***At the hospital."Save her!" A frantic male voice echoed through the hallway.Blood streamed down Phoebe's legs in an alarming volume, staining Gavin's clothes entirely red.Doctors rushed out, quickly placing her on a stretcher and pushing her into the oper
On the other side, a burly man grabbed Phoebe from the ground and barked an order to the others, "Take the body back.""Let me go!""Do you want to die too?!" the man snapped harshly. Ignoring Phoebe's struggles, he began dragging her away, but a man suddenly stepped in front of him."Get out of the way!" the burly man roared at the stranger.The dim lighting in the bar obscured the stranger's face, but not the bloodthirsty glint in his eyes."Let her go." The cold, commanding voice cut through the air like a knife.Gavin lowered his gaze to the disheveled Phoebe, his entire presence radiating lethal intent."Mind your own business!" the man growled impatiently."Boss, this guy doesn't look easy to deal with... Look, he's got a whole group of bodyguards with him," one of the lackeys murmured nervously, his eyes darting toward the stoic men standing behind Gavin."Useless fool! What's there to be scared of?!" the burly man bellowed, though his expression darkened.Years in the underwo
"Gordon, what's going on?""Don't ask questions now. I need to get you out of here!"Before Gordon could finish speaking, a group of burly men suddenly appeared, surrounding both him and Phoebe, leaving no escape."What do you want?" Gordon positioned himself protectively in front of Phoebe, his gaze fixed on the men with a wary intensity.He had to shield his sister. It was his fault she was in danger, and he wouldn't allow anything to happen to her."Escape? You think it's that easy? The five million we gave you wasn't charity!""Keep the money. Just let her go!" Gordon shouted desperately at the men."Hahaha," the leader of the group laughed mockingly, as if Gordon had just told the best joke. "Do you think this is a place you can walk in and out of as you please?""If any of you dare touch her, I'll fight you to the death!" Gordon roared, his voice like a feral animal's, his desperation evident."Save your breath. You can't even save yourself, let alone someone else."Fueled by ra
As soon as Phoebe stepped through the front door, she heard the phone ringing in the living room."Phoebe, answer the phone! I'm busy in the kitchen!" Hermosa called out, poking her head out briefly."Okay, Mom, I'll get it..." Phoebe replied, quickly swapping her shoes and hurrying to the phone. The moment she picked up, her brother's voice came through the line.Phoebe froze, thinking she must have heard wrong."Hello, Gordon?" she asked, puzzled. He was supposed to be in rehab. Why would he be calling her out of the blue?"Phoebe, you have to come help me!" Gordon's voice was strained, filled with pain."What's going on?" Phoebe asked, worry creeping into her tone."I'm trapped at a bar, surrounded by some..."Phoebe gripped the phone tightly, her heart racing. "How did this happen? Aren't you supposed to be in drug rehabilitation center? Why are you at a bar?""Phoebe, there's no time to explain! Just come and help me!"Gordon quickly rattled off the location—a seedy underground b
That evening, after returning home, Phoebe took a quick shower and collapsed into bed, exhausted. She tried not to dwell on the events of the day. Instead, she picked up her phone and called Alexander. She longed to hear his voice, even if just for a few words."Phoebe, missing me already?"The deep, magnetic voice from the phone instantly eased her tense body."Yes," she answered softly, letting her feelings flow naturally."What did you do today?" Alexander asked in a gentle tone, leaning back on his sofa."I went to the supermarket," Phoebe replied in a soft voice."And?""Uh, slept? Ate? Watched TV?""So, you're still my little lazy pig?""I am not!" she retorted with a pout, her tone turning playful, almost coquettish.Moments like these reminded her that their conversations could be as casual and sweet as any other couple's.They talked for a long time, exchanging simple words that filled her heart with warmth. Eventually, Phoebe hung up reluctantly. She didn't mention the event
Just as the car hurtled toward her, a voice full of panic and fear rang out. "Watch out!" In the next moment, a pair of strong arms pulled Phoebe aside. The car barely missed her by a hair's breadth. The young man who had suddenly appeared held her tightly, his breathing uneven as he stood protectively in front of her. Normally composed and image-conscious, Werner was now furiously yelling at the car. "Are you blind?!" he shouted. Turning back to Phoebe, his tone softened with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" But before she could respond, he scolded her. "Why didn't you dodge? Are you an idiot? Don't you know how dangerous that was?" His voice was sharp, but the lingering fear in his eyes betrayed his worry. "If I hadn't been following you, who knows what could have happened? Just thinking about it scares me." Werner had been visiting his uncle in Meadowville when he spotted her walking alone.Without a second thought, he'd gotten out of the car and trailed behind her,