Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating every corner of the room.Phoebe frowned slightly, her eyes squinting against the bright light as soon as she opened them. A pleasant, masculine scent filled her senses, and when she looked up, she saw a handsome face next to hers.Remembering his gentle touch from the night before, warmth filled her heart.His embrace was comforting, his chest radiating warmth against her.It wasn't until she felt the heat of skin-on-skin contact that she realized, with a sudden shock, that she wasn't wearing anything.Her face flushed with embarrassment, a delicate blush spreading across her cheeks. She wanted to move but didn't dare, afraid to wake him—she'd only feel more awkward if he woke up. So, she let him hold her possessively, feeling the heat of his body against hers.She found herself liking the feeling of being in his arms more and more...As she gazed at his flawlessly handsome sleeping face, Phoebe couldn't hel
By the time it was over, Phoebe was completely exhausted, while the man above her remained as firm as ever.Seeing that he was about to continue, Phoebe hurriedly pressed her hands against his chest. "Don't you have work? You'll be late...""It seems I haven't satisfied you enough... Otherwise, why would you want me to 'leave'?"He deliberately emphasized the last word, making Phoebe want to crawl into a hole from sheer embarrassment. He was being impossible!"Women are all so hypocritical," Alexander's thin lips curled into a wicked smile. He continued, his tone teasing, "Especially when they're beneath a man... Saying 'no' with their mouths, but their bodies? Much more honest."His mocking words made Phoebe's body tremble slightly, her face burning with embarrassment, her ears turning a deep shade of red."I... I...""Are you trying to say... 'Give it to me' or 'I want more?'" He raised an eyebrow, enjoying the array of expressions on her face.Phoebe was mortified! How could he be
That night, Alexander didn't come home. However, he did leave her some instructions—she was to prepare nutritious meals and have them ready for pick-up.For several consecutive days, it was the same routine. Three meals a day, Phoebe would cook, and one of his subordinates would come by to collect the food."Miss. Here's the menu for tomorrow," the subordinate said with a smile, handing her the list while holding the freshly prepared meal."It's ok," Phoebe replied with a light smile. Looking at the varied and elaborate dishes on the menu, she sighed softly. It seemed like she would have to make another trip to the supermarket after school.Many of the dishes were ones she had never heard of before. But to make sure she got them right, she spent hours poring over cookbooks. During the day, she had classes and no time to experiment, so she'd stay up late into the night in the kitchen, practicing how to prepare everything.One afternoon..."Phoebe, you seem so out of it lately. You look
It was the afternoon after school.Phoebe had just parted ways with Alva when she lifted her gaze and locked eyes with a man walking towards her.She instinctively wanted to turn and leave quickly, but he had already stepped up to block her path.With a gentle smile that seemed to radiate warmth, he said, "Phoebe, are you trying to avoid me again?"Phoebe stopped, feeling awkward. "Professor, I... I'm in a hurry... I really have to go..."She had hoped that if she kept avoiding him, he would eventually leave and return to France. Yet, after all this time, he remained persistent, which only made her feel more guilty.Passersby occasionally glanced their way, and Phoebe lowered her head, feeling the weight of their intrigued and curious looks.Thank goodness they had moved a good distance away from the school; otherwise, rumors would surely start flying.Curitis was far more popular at the school than she had imagined.On his first day, he had attracted a large crowd of female students
"What are you standing there for? Get in the car!" Alexander's voice was cold and commanding, his gaze sharp enough to kill.Phoebe bit her lip, the car too conspicuous, making her want to turn and run. But she had no choice; she steeled herself and opened the back door, jumping inside.She knew that if she didn't get in, it would only anger him further and attract more attention from onlookers, making her situation even more awkward."Sit in the front." Another icy command, the air thickening with tension.As soon as she settled in, his sharp shout startled her. Sensing his anger, she quickly jumped out and slid into the front seat.The atmosphere in the car was tense and strange.Phoebe cautiously glanced at him; his tightly pressed lips and furrowed brow told her he was clearly upset. His piercing black eyes radiated a chilling indifference, laced with barely concealed fury.What's wrong with him? Why is he angry?She didn't know. Was it related to her?It had to be! But how had sh
Phoebe glanced at Alexander, confused about what he was trying to achieve.She wanted to ask but didn't dare to, so she turned and followed the stylist into the dressing room.Makeup, hair, clothes, accessories... from head to toe, inside and out, the stylist meticulously handled everything.She stayed inside for a full three hours before the makeup artist finally finished.Phoebe looked in the mirror, stunned by her reflection. Even she couldn't believe how breathtaking she appeared.She recalled a similar moment three years ago when she had been amazed at her own transformation. But the emotions she felt then were completely different from now."You look perfect! You're like a goddess," the stylist praised, clearly pleased with their work. Every little detail was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.Phoebe's cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness. Would Alexander like her like this?Satisfied, the stylist pushed her out of the dressing room."Sir, she's ready. What do you think?"
On a dreamy summer night, a luxurious cruise dinner is held at Valleybrook.In the banquet hall, lights glitter and wine flows, creating an atmosphere of opulence.The entire event is a dazzling display of grandeur, filled with guests from esteemed families, business magnates, and politicians. They raise their glasses and engage in lively conversation, creating a bustling scene.Phoebe lowers her gaze, mechanically linking her arm with Alexander's as they step into the dinner hall.The crystal chandeliers reflect her slender figure. Her long gown trails behind her, requiring her to gently lift it with her fingers, which only adds to her elegance and charm.Yet with each step she takes, her heart tightens. Her palms are slick with nervous sweat, for this is a place she had visited three years ago.Entering again fills her with an unsettling dread, as memories of that night flood back.Phoebe glances at him with suspicion, her long fingers gripping his arm tightly.Why did he bring her
In the corner, Phoebe watched Alexander chatting intimately with another woman, feeling a pang of discomfort.She wanted to leave but hesitated to do so.Turning away dejectedly, she tried to avoid looking at them, perhaps subconsciously trying to escape something. But in that moment, she unexpectedly bumped into someone."I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..." she hurriedly apologized."Phoebe..."Her heart skipped a beat as she raised her eyes to meet a pair of melancholic blue ones.Curitis... he was here too, which took her by surprise."Professor... you're here too..." Phoebe managed to force a smile, recalling how she had slapped him earlier that day and the harsh words she had spoken. She suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed."Phoebe... you look beautiful tonight.""Thank you. I...""Phoebe, how do you know him?" Curitis asked, noticing her instinctively glance towards Alexander.Anger flashed in his eyes as he tightly grasped her slender arm.His sudden movement attracted the attention
In the early morning, Phoebe slowly regained consciousness. Her mind cleared, but she couldn't immediately tell how much time had passed.The dim wall lamp still emitted a faint glow, and the heavy curtains remained tightly drawn, blocking out every trace of light.She instinctively shifted, only to freeze at the firm pressure wrapped around her waist.A strong arm was holding her tightly. She was curled up in a warm yet unfamiliar embrace. A violent shudder ran through her, every muscle in her body tensing in an instant.Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Fear and despair consumed her. What had happened?"You bastard! Let me go! Let me go!" Phoebe's voice trembled with anguish as she screamed, her words choked with sobs. She thrashed desperately, her hands clawing at the arm encircling her waist, trying to break free from the stranger's hold.But the moment she turned her head and saw the man's face, all movement ceased. Her breath hitched. Her expression went from pan
Phoebe's mind felt as if it were wrapped in a thick, impenetrable fog. Her usual clarity had vanished without a trace, leaving her in a dazed and sluggish state.She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, desperate to see who was in front of her. But the man's head was buried against her chest, completely obscuring her vision.What was happening? Who was this man pressing against her? What was he doing to her?A whirlwind of questions surged through her muddled mind, fueling her growing sense of unease. Everything around her became a blur, her consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind. Darkness crept in, swallowing her whole, leaving her with nothing but emptiness."Oh, Phoebe...you are mine. Mine."Alexander's voice was thick with longing as he pressed soft kisses against her through the sheer fabric of her dress. In his world, perhaps only in this dreamlike state could he truly possess her without restraint.His long fingers trembled slightly as he painstakingly undid the but
Phoebe's pale fingers unconsciously scratched at her own skin, as if doing so could ease the burning fire raging within her body."Oh god, what's happening to me?" The heat inside her felt like it was consuming her whole.She desperately needed cold water to extinguish the flames coursing through her veins. Fighting through the discomfort, she fumbled her way toward the bathroom door.Her vision blurred, her steps unsteady, as if she were lost in a dark labyrinth. She didn't know how long it took, but at last, she found the door—the one thing that could save her.Without hesitation, she turned on the cold water and submerged herself in the bathtub.The icy water enveloped her burning body.She had no idea how long she stayed there, but gradually, the searing heat began to fade, and the sensation of being consumed by fire slowly dissipated.When she finally rose from the bathtub, her mind was still clouded, as though she had been drugged. Her consciousness wavered—one moment clear, the
For the past few days, Phoebe had felt as if she were trapped under a heavy cloud of gloom, unable to shake off the oppressive weight pressing down on her heart. Ever since she had heard those words, it felt as though a massive stone had settled in her chest, leaving her burdened with unrelenting thoughts.Longing for someone to confide in, she eagerly arranged to meet Alva at a dessert shop, hoping that a heartfelt conversation with her friend might provide some comfort.Phoebe arrived early, choosing a seat by the window, her eyes frequently drifting toward the entrance. Minutes ticked by, and customers came and went, yet Alva never appeared.With no other choice, Phoebe ordered a drink and idly sat there, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she waited.Before long, her phone rang. Seeing Alva's name on the screen, she quickly picked up."Phoebe, something came up. I can't make it today. Let's meet another time, okay?" Alva's voice sounded hurried.Phoebe's heart tightened w
Phoebe's thoughts were like wild horses, and those long-buried memories surged back like a tidal wave. Why hadn't they gotten married? Wasn't that what he wanted the most?He had ruthlessly made her abort the child in her womb just to marry Hermosa."He doesn't care whether he marries Phoebe or not,"Dana said coldly. No matter how Dana intended to explain, in her heart, Alexander had already been nailed to the unforgivable pillar of shame.Her eyes were downcast, her gaze filled with coldness, as if Alexander had been completely erased from her world, leaving not a trace behind.Dana leaned forward slightly, her expression sincere yet tinged with urgency. "Phoebe, there must be some misunderstanding between you two. After you left, the boss rushed to the hospital in a panic, desperate to get you back, but..."But he was in a car accident...Yet, she didn't finish that sentence.Phoebe keenly caught the fleeting, strange expressi
It was the weekend, and with her parents out of the house, Phoebe felt restless. The suffocating weight on her chest urged her to step outside, to clear her mind.Just as she reached for the door, the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the silence.Frowning, Phoebe walked to the entrance and pulled open the door—only for her expression to turn icy the moment she saw Dana standing there.A flash of memory hit her like a thunderbolt—the last time she had seen him, he had abducted her. Fear and rage surged through her veins. Instinctively, she moved to slam the door shut, her hands gripping the handle with force, sending it hurtling toward Dana.But just as the door was about to close completely, Dana reacted swiftly, shoving his arm into the narrowing gap, stopping it just in time."Phoebe, aren't you going to invite me in?" His lips curled into a seemingly harmless smile, but in Phoebe's eyes, it was filled with calculation, making he
Inside the house, Phoebe had just taken off her shoes and was about to step into the living room when a sudden, urgent knock on the door startled her. She froze for a moment. Who could be knocking this late? Could it be her father forgetting his keys?Thinking of this, a helpless smile tugged at her lips. She slipped her shoes back on and quickly walked toward the door.As she opened it, her heart brimmed with expectation, but all she saw was an empty hallway—there wasn't a single soul in sight.Had she misheard? Just as she was about to close the door, her gaze inadvertently dropped to the ground, where she spotted her phone lying silently on the doormat.Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she crouched down and slowly picked up the phone.In that instant, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning—Alexander had been here!The more she dwelled on it, the more certain she became. She had felt it earlier—a pair of unse
In the dimly lit car parked not far away, Alexander stared intently out the window, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.No one inside the car dared to make a sound, afraid of disturbing him in his torment.Dana quietly observed Alexander's profile. He watched as Alexander slowly lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. Perhaps he inhaled too sharply, as he suddenly broke into a violent cough, his body trembling uncontrollably.Dana sighed inwardly. He knew all too well—Alexander's love for Phoebe was genuine, deep, and unwavering.He couldn't bear to see him in such agony. If this continued, Dana feared Alexander might do something reckless.Watching Alexander chain-smoke, the glow of the cigarette flickering in the dark car, Dana finally couldn't hold back. After hesitating for a long moment, he braced himself and spoke up. "Boss, you should stop smoking. It's bad for your health."He knew his words would likely be ignored, or w
Today is the birthday of Phoebe's father Ryan's colleague's child, and Ryan is attending the birthday party, so he won't be home for dinner.In the spacious and bright dining room, warm yellow light softly bathed the table, casting a glow on the exquisite dishes. At the table sat only Anila, Phoebe, and Gavin.Anila wore a radiant smile, her eyes full of love and warmth as she kept checking on Gavin, making sure he was comfortable.Phoebe sat beside them, watching this warm scene. A smile naturally curved on her lips, her eyes filled with joy.She knew deep down that her parents genuinely liked Gavin, and Gavin, in turn, treated them with sincerity and respect.Whenever he had free time, he would sit with them, patiently listening to their stories and offering a kind, gentle smile.Not only that, but he also frequently chose thoughtful gifts for her parents, always surprising them with something special. Even the little details around the ho