Alexander swiftly pulled out a handkerchief, his movements both gentle and urgent. He carefully wrapped it around Phoebe's injured hand, trying to stop the bleeding."Stop pretending! Stay away from me!" Phoebe shoved him forcefully.Did he really think that hurting her one moment and then acting considerate the next would move her? How utterly ridiculous!"Alexander, listen to meâI will never love you in this lifetime!" Phoebe glared at him, her voice firm and unwavering.Alexander held her gaze, his expression unwavering. "You will love me again. In fact, maybeâwithout even realizing itâyou already do."If she truly felt nothing for him, why was her gaze filled with such turmoil? Emotions like those couldn't be faked.Phoebe scoffed, turning her head away with disdain. She forcefully pulled her hand from his grip and snapped, "You're dreaming!""Don't move. The doctor will be here soon," Alexander's voice was authoritative yet tinged with concern.Phoebe bit her lip and averted her
"Phoebe, pack your things and report to the CEO's office now!" the HR manager, Alvis, commanded.Phoebe, who had been carefully organizing documents at her desk, immediately stopped what she was doing and responded, "Got it, sir!""I mean NOW! Don't keep boss waiting!" Alvis urged. Phoebe didn't dare hesitate any longer and hurriedly stood up to gather her belongings.Ten minutes later, she was on the top floor, her arms full of items.The company had been doing well, but for some reason, it was mysteriously acquired by an unknown corporation last week, and with that, a new boss had taken over.The news had shocked the entire staff, including Phoebe. But what puzzled her even more was how she had inexplicably become the new CEO's secretary.Was she lucky or unlucky?On one hand, her salary had doubled, but on the other, she had suddenly become the target of envy and hostility from the female employees.As she stepped out of the elevator and arrived at the CEO's office door, she knocke
Five years ago...Outside a dimly lit, intoxicating bar at night, Phoebe stood with her head lowered, nervously watching the men and women who continuously went in and out of the establishment.It was her first time in a place like this, and the unfamiliar environment already made her feel uneasy. The leering gazes of some of the men nearby only heightened her anxiety, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. She was too scared to even take another step forward."Hey, are you...?" A voice suddenly appeared near her ear, making her heart skip a beat. The man didn't say so explicitly, but the leering look up and down his face said it all.Phoebe timidly raised her head, only to regret coming here the moment she saw the disgusting man standing in front of her. But there was no turning back now.A bitter taste spread in her mouth as she lowered her eyes. Did she even have a choice? She didn't.Her father was still lying in a hospital bed, her brother had accumulated a massive debt due to
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 r
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 eyesâthose beautiful eyes, like black pearls, pure and flaw
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 returnâonly 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 outsideâCuritis was back."Did they hurt you?" The group rushed forward, anxious to see if he was okay. Seeing him unharmed, they finally let out
Alexander swiftly pulled out a handkerchief, his movements both gentle and urgent. He carefully wrapped it around Phoebe's injured hand, trying to stop the bleeding."Stop pretending! Stay away from me!" Phoebe shoved him forcefully.Did he really think that hurting her one moment and then acting considerate the next would move her? How utterly ridiculous!"Alexander, listen to meâI will never love you in this lifetime!" Phoebe glared at him, her voice firm and unwavering.Alexander held her gaze, his expression unwavering. "You will love me again. In fact, maybeâwithout even realizing itâyou already do."If she truly felt nothing for him, why was her gaze filled with such turmoil? Emotions like those couldn't be faked.Phoebe scoffed, turning her head away with disdain. She forcefully pulled her hand from his grip and snapped, "You're dreaming!""Don't move. The doctor will be here soon," Alexander's voice was authoritative yet tinged with concern.Phoebe bit her lip and averted her
At this moment, Phoebe was desperate to escape, too frantic to notice the details around her."Don't touch me! What do you want? Let go of me!" she screamed in terror, struggling with all her might to break free.Right now, nothing in the world disgusted her more than his touch.But Alexander seemed to have lost his mind. Instead of loosening his grip, he tightened it, his fingers digging into her skin like iron shackles."Yes, I'm a beast! A beast willing to take you backâno matter what it takes!" he roared, his voice filled with an unrelenting determination.Yet the way he held her made him look almost deranged."YouâĶ bastard!" Phoebe was furious now.What did he take her for? Some toy he could play with at will? The thought of everything he had done to her ignited a firestorm of rage inside her. Without hesitation, she lowered her head and sank her teeth into his wrist.She bit down with all her strength, pouring every ounce of her anger and pain into that single act. She wanted hi
Several days had passed since Gavin returned from France, yet he remained entirely engrossed in his work, his schedule packed to the brim. Meanwhile, Phoebe's parents had been busy making meticulous preparations for her upcoming wedding.As the wedding day inched closer, a serene calm settled over Phoebe, as if everything was unfolding exactly as fate had intended, leading her toward a predetermined happiness.One day, Alva called. Her voice was laced with dejection, and she admitted outright that she was feeling down, earnestly hoping Phoebe could keep her company. Without hesitation, Phoebe agreed and spent the entire day with her. It wasn't until nightfall that she finally bid Alva farewell.Alva and Noah had been entangled in an on-again, off-again relationship for what felt like an eternity. However, this time, all signs pointed to a definitive breakup. Alva had always been rational, and her resolute decision to end things wasn't made on a whim—it was
Before long, they arrived at their destination, and Phoebe made a beeline for the nursery. The soft golden light draped over the two cribs like a delicate veil, casting a warm glow over the sleeping infants. Phoebe tiptoed closer, afraid to disturb them. Bending slightly, she placed gentle kisses on their rosy little cheeks. Then, with the utmost care, she reached out and lightly brushed their tiny hands with her fingertips. Her movements were slow and tender, each touch filled with boundless love and affection. She couldn't take her eyes off them for even a second. As if sensing her presence, Jeremy and Amy suddenly opened their bright, round eyes at the same time. Their clear, innocent gazes studied her curiously, making Phoebe chuckle softly, happiness brimming in her laughter. In her heart, she marveled at how incredibly lucky she was to have these two precious little angels. The babies sucked on
Time flew by, and Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. With their flight scheduled for 4 PM, Phoebe woke up early, brimming with excitement as she packed her luggage. The mere thought of finally reuniting with Jeremy and Amy filled her with uncontrollable joy, and the smile on her face never once faded. At precisely eleven o'clock, Gavin arrived to pick her up. They enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading back to Gavin's place. The plan was to rest for a bit before leaving for the airport at three in the afternoon. However, Phoebe was far from feeling tired. She was in the living room, deep in conversation with Laura, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. Seeing this, Gavin could only shake his head helplessly. Letting them be, he retreated to his study to take care of some unfinished business. Phoebe and Laura lounged comfortably on the sofa, chatting freely. Phoebe had kicked off her shoes a
"Damn it! What the hell are you grabbing me for?!" the man bellowed in pain, his features contorted as he struggled against the crushing grip on his arm. He thrashed desperately, trying to break free, but the strength of the man in the wheelchair was astonishing. His bones felt like they were on the verge of dislocating. "Apologize." Alexander's voice was cold, his presence radiating an intimidating chill. The undeniable authority in his tone made it clearâthis was not a request. "What the hell are you talking about?!" the man shouted, his voice tinged with both anger and confusion. He had no idea who this person was and hadn't done anything to provoke him, so why should he apologize? Alexander's grip tightened. The man broke out in a cold sweat as fear crept up his spine. His bravado crumbled in an instant, and his tone softened to one of pleading desperation. "Waitâstop! Please! I don't even know what I did wrong. Could you at least tell me?" "Apologize to the person you j
For the past few days, everything had been calmâlife was uneventful, until today, when Phoebe's phone rang. It was Gavin. He was calling to tell her that he would be taking her to France this Friday to visit the children. The news instantly ignited Phoebe's joy, and she spent the entire morning immersed in uncontrollable excitement. She carefully selected her outfit, grabbed her bag, and hurried out, heading straight to the shopping mall. From noon until the afternoon, she wandered through various stores, buying several adorable outfits for the children and picking out a few delicate little toys. She knew full well that Gavin had already filled an entire room with toys for themâso many that Jeremy and Amy probably couldn't even play with them all. But the moment she laid eyes on these toys, she was completely captivated and couldn't resist buying them. By the time she left the mall, Phoebe was carrying bags upon bags, her arms full. As she walked, images of Jeremy and Amy ap
Gavin seemed to sense Phoebe's confusion. He frowned slightly, his cold gaze sweeping briefly over Laura before softening as he turned to Phoebe. In a calm, measured tone, he said, "Phoebe, she was away during that time because she had some issues with her voice. I sent her abroad for treatment. I didn't tell you beforehand because I didn't want you to worry unnecessarily." Hearing his explanation, Phoebe suddenly understood. The doubt in her heart dissipated, but at the same time, a strong sense of guilt welled up inside her. Her eyes reddened slightly as she spoke with deep remorse, "I'm sorry, Gavin. I misunderstood you. How is Laura now? Has she recovered?" She looked at Laura with genuine concern in her eyes. "Not completely. Her condition is quite complicated and will take some time to heal," Gavin explained patiently. "Is it difficult to treat?" Phoebe frowned. "It can be cured, so don't worry too much. She just can't speak for now." Gavin reached out and patted Phoebe'
At four in the afternoon, Phoebe stepped out of her home, planning to make a quick trip to the supermarket to pick up ingredients for dinner.Her steps were light as she walked along the familiar street, but just as she lifted her gaze, her movements suddenly froze.Not far ahead, Gavin stood elegantly, leaning against his car door like a living masterpiece. The golden sunlight cast a soft glow on him, outlining his sharp features and adding to his naturally distinguished aura. His eyes were fixed solely on her, as if everything else around them had faded into insignificance.Phoebe's heart clenched, and for a few moments, her mind went completely blank. She quickly regained her composure and instinctively lowered her gaze.For the past few weeks, every time Gavin had tried to reach her, she had come up with excuses to avoid meeting him. When her phone rang, she ignored it. When text messages arrived, she never replied.Now, she ducked her head and pretended not to see him, turning sw