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 Phoebe adjusted the outdated glasses perched on her nose.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. However, due to the high tuition costs, she ultimately chose a more affordable university that offered a full scholarship.
This opportunity was rare and hard-won for Phoebe. She cherished it, seeing it as a chance not only to gain experience but to broaden her horizons and grow as an artist.
Curtis, who had rapidly risen in the art world in recent years, had a distinct style that was beloved by critics and collectors alike.
Young, vibrant, and full of life, his work mirrored his persona and made him a prominent figure in contemporary art.
As the gallery's opening hour arrived, the staff quickly vacated the space. Phoebe, dressed in a sharp professional outfit, moved through the corridors with a faint, content smile on her face.
The exhibition drew large crowds from around the world. Despite their different backgrounds, everyone shared a love for art.
In addition to managing the exhibition's logistics, Phoebe had the important responsibility of explaining the artworks to the visitors. She moved gracefully from one piece to another, offering detailed insights into each one.
Her understanding of Curtis' work was deep, and she effortlessly provided satisfying explanations to all who asked. These interpretations were entirely her own, not pre-prepared notes, and reflected her genuine understanding of the art.
By the end of the day, though physically exhausted, Phoebe felt fulfilled. She loved this kind of life.
***
The night in Valleybrook was serene and tranquil, its beauty lifting her spirits. A black SUV sped down the highway, cutting through the calm.
"Phoebe, today's exhibition went very smoothly. We should have a celebration dinner later," Curtis' French assistant, Merle, suggested cheerfully, speaking in fluent English as he glanced at Phoebe, a bright smile on his face.
"It's mainly because of Curtis' amazing work," Phoebe nodded modestly. This was likely the largest exhibition in the country so far, and it had exceeded expectations, with an overwhelming number of visitors attending.
"Phoebe, the exhibition's success is largely thanks to you," Merle praised, clearly impressed by her abilities.
"Merle, you're too kind. I don't deserve all that credit. It's the result of everyone's hard work, and, of course, Curtis' outstanding art," Phoebe replied with a shy smile, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment. She knew it wasn't solely her doing; it was a team effort.
"Phoebe, now that the exhibition is over, why don't you come to France with us?" Merle asked, his tone sincere. He clearly admired her skills.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm a bit of a homebody. I prefer to stay here and develop my career," Phoebe smiled politely, gently turning down the invitation.
Her gaze shifted to Curtis, who was resting in the front seat, his eyes closed.
This French man was strikingly handsome, with sharp, well-defined features and an athletic build. Being around someone like him made her feel secure.
Suddenly, Curtis opened his mesmerizing blue eyes, locking them with Phoebe's slightly startled dark ones.
"Phoebe, do you not like being around me?" His voice was smooth, as rich and intoxicating as fine wine.
Phoebe felt a bit flustered. She blinked her long lashes behind her thick-framed glasses and stammered, "No, it's not that. I just think I'm more comfortable here. I might struggle to adjust to a new place."
In truth, she loved the idea of France, the romantic allure of it, but as a family-oriented girl, she preferred to stay close to her parents, wanting to care for them.
"Phoebe, come to France with me, please? You'll have a much brighter future there," Curtis' gaze was serious as he tried to persuade her.
"I…" Words failed her. His eyes were so earnest, making it difficult for her to respond. Although they had only spent a month working together, mostly discussing business, this French artist had left a profound impression on her.
His deep blue eyes held a tinge of melancholy, and he spoke with a gentle warmth. Curtis was a gentleman through and through, always considerate towards women. The artistic aura that radiated from him was undeniably attractive.
But she couldn't leave her family behind. Shaking her head gently, she smiled and said softly, "I truly appreciate your offer, but I really don't think I'm suited for that. Besides, I haven't even graduated yet!"
"Phoebe, don't reject me so quickly. I'll give you time to think about it," Curtis replied.
"Yes, Phoebe, don't decide just yet. Take some time to consider it," Merle added. It was obvious to everyone how Curtis felt about her.
Phoebe bit her lip, her oval face almost entirely hidden behind her oversized glasses. It was the first time she'd seen such a sorrowful expression on his face. But she didn't want to explore whatever feelings lay beneath that sadness—those were far beyond her reach. She wasn't a Cinderella from a fairy tale and didn't dare dream of something so unrealistic.
"Thank you both for your kindness, I—"
"I'll give you time!" Curtis interrupted gently.
For a moment, the car was filled with silence, each person lost in their thoughts. Phoebe gazed out the window, her mind in turmoil.
Suddenly, the sharp sound of screeching brakes tore through the quiet night. An eerie fog seemed to descend upon them.
The suddenness of it snapped them all out of their thoughts.
Phoebe's chest tightened, and she nervously looked outside. The car rocked violently as the piercing sound of brakes filled the air.
What on earth was happening?
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 out
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,
Instead of going straight to the hospital, Phoebe decided to return to her dorm and change clothes first.Valleybrook wasn't far from Meadowville, just an hour by bus. But today, for the first time, she splurged on a taxi since she had no money on her and was wearing makeshift clothes. As much as it pained her to spend the money, she had no other choice.The taxi ride was fast, and in half an hour, she arrived back at school. Phoebe planned to go up to her dorm, grab some money, and then come down to pay the driver. However, the driver refused, fearing she might run off.After a tense standoff that lasted nearly ten minutes, with classes about to let out, she had no choice but to borrow the driver's phone and call her friend Alva for help."Phoebe, what's going on?" Alva rushed over, her face filled with concern as she looked at Phoebe, who was crouched on the ground in a daze.Seeing her friend in such a disheveled state, with visible marks on her skin, Alva's heart clenched with wor
After changing her clothes and treating the wound on her neck, Phoebe headed to the design building to request a leave of absence from her professor. She needed to take time off to care for her parents at the hospital.Clutching the bank card, she went to the payment counter. With the money from her friend, combined with what she had saved over the years from selling her artwork, she barely had enough to cover her parents' surgery costs.Inside the hospital room, Anila had already woken up, but her father was still unconscious."Mom, have some food.""Phoebe, my dear, you've been through so much," Anila said, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at her daughter."Mom, it's not hard at all. You and Dad just need to get better." Phoebe forced a smile."Ah..." Anila sighed, her face looking much older and more worn.Phoebe knew what her mother was thinking and gently tried to comfort her."Mom, don't worry. Dad will recover. You both just need to focus on getting well. As for the mo
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 clear—this 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. "Wait—stop! 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 calm—life 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 them—so 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
In the DA Corporation's conference room, the atmosphere was as tense as the moments before a storm.After months of being elusive, Alexander had finally made an appearance.At this moment, the company's top executives were all gathered. The directors and shareholders sat around the long conference table, their expressions varying. Among them was the representative of the mysterious company that had successfully acquired DA Corporation. He surveyed the room with a smug sense of satisfaction."Sir, the paperwork for the company's handover has been prepared. We kindly ask for your signature here." A staff member stepped forward respectfully, presenting the documents and a pen to Alexander.Alexander's gaze swept over the documents, and without a trace of hesitation, he swiftly signed his name. His expression remained calm.Letting go of DA Corporation was nothing more than a minor step in his grand scheme. To him, this was merely another move on the chessboard. More importantly, there we
Laura shuddered violently as the breath drawing near sent chills down her spine. She instantly lowered her gaze, not daring to meet his eyes. Panic surged through her, and she frantically shook her head, her body twisting desperately as she tried to retreat.But before she could escape, Gavin's hand clamped down on her flailing leg, capturing her like a hunter seizing his prey. Any chance of breaking free vanished in an instant.She turned her gaze away, her eyes darting elsewhere in terror. Even catching a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye made her heart pound with fear—she couldn't bear to look at him directly.Gavin's cold gaze bore down on Laura's pale lips, his eyes as frigid as ice, capable of freezing the entire world."Slut." His voice was hoarse with fury. "You've only been gone a few days, and you're already spreading your legs for another man?"Rage churned inside him. She had really left him. She had really gone to another man's bed. The thought gnawed at his pride
Early the next morning.Leroy slowly awakened, feeling a soft, warm weight pressing against his chest.He lowered his gaze and found Laura clinging to him like a cuddly koala, her arms wrapped tightly around him. One of her legs draped lazily over his, her posture exuding a sense of comfort and intimacy. Her small lips parted slightly with each gentle breath, accompanied by a faint, rhythmic snore—she was sound asleep.Leroy watched her in silence, his eyes brimming with tenderness and affection. As he gazed at her peaceful face, his lips curled into a subtle smile. He realized that with her by his side, life seemed to have taken on a whole new warmth, filling his world with an unexplainable sense of joy.She was never a burden—she was a priceless treasure granted to him by fate.Leroy carefully adjusted his position, trying to move without disturbing her. But the moment he shifted, Laura instinctively snuggled closer, tightening her hold on him as if, even in her sleep, she refused t