It was already eight in the morning when Eve woke up. Last night had been the longest night of her life.She had slept very well in his arms—which felt so unreal! Considering how on edge she'd been around him lately, it was quite bizarre. Nevertheless, at the very least, he didn’t take advantage of her, and she slept peacefully. After giving it some thought, she finally got up and headed to the bathroom to take a bath. She would be visiting her mother in the hospital this morning, and later, she planned to accompany Kelly. It was autumn, and winter was coming in a few weeks. The weather was starting to get colder. Once she finished bathing, she put on a beige long-sleeved turtleneck sweater dress that reached below her knees. The upper part of the dress was semi-loose, while from her waist down, it was well-fitted—perfectly emphasizing the curves of her body. She paired it with three-inch heeled brown ankle-length boots. She looked especially elegant and fashionable in her trends
Evie felt a sense of uneasiness as she and Alex arrived at the front door of her mother's room. She didn’t know how her mother would react to her explosive news. Would she be angry? Sad? Or perhaps even despise her? The uncertainty made her both anxious and worried. Noticing her restless expression, Alex gently pinched her hand, a silent reassurance that everything would be fine. Then, hand in hand, they stepped into the room. Inside, Evie’s brother, Perry, was peeling an apple for their mother, occasionally chatting with her. He was the first to notice their arrival. He immediately paused what he was doing and called out, "Sister! Mr. Harris!" Perry greeted them warmly. Ellie, who had been sitting on the bed with her back to them, turned to see her daughter. A gentle smile graced her face as she laid eyes on Evie. "Mom, Perry," Evie broke free from Alex’s hand and rushed to hug her mother. She was relieved to see her mother looking much better. The gauze that had been on her h
Hospital Corridor..Not long after Perry left to buy coffee, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Alex stepped out.Eve studied his expression carefully, trying to find any clue about his conversation with her mother. However, his face remained unreadable, as indifferent and composed as ever.She wondered what her mother had told him during the past twenty minutes."Done talking?" she asked casually.Alex hummed in agreement, offering no further details.Eve narrowed her eyes slightly. So secretive."What did she tell you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.Alex was just about to speak when his phone suddenly rang. Without hesitation, he answered the call right in front of her.For the first few seconds, he listened in silence. But then, his expression stiffened.Eve noticed the sudden change in his demeanor."I’ll discuss the details later," he said in a clipped tone before en
A few moments after Alex's father departed, there was another knock outside."Come in," he uttered in a deep voice.It was Adam, his chief secretary, who entered with some news."Mr. Harris, Ms. Croft and old Mrs. Harris are here, waiting in the lounge. They want to speak with you. Shall I let them in?"Alex was silent for a moment. His grandma was really persistent in her plans. Maybe it was about time to tell her the big surprise."Let them in," he replied shortly.The lounge area was next to his grand office, and within minutes, he could already hear his grandmother’s imposing voice.Margaret entered the room in a dignified manner, but her face was full of displeasure. Over the years, though she had significantly aged, she still carried her regal and autocratic aura.Back in the day, this distinguished old lady had once held power over all of York State. Rumors had it that she was just as ruthless and cunning
"Is it that guy you were with last time?"Evie simply nodded at Kelly's question. Kelly was still unable to believe the unexpected news. The fluctuation on her face clearly described her astonishment."How did you end up marrying that stranger?""He forced me," she replied directly.Kelly's stupefied reaction immediately turned into displeasure."You were forced? Why?!" Her tone was a bit sharper this time.Evie knew how protective Kelly was toward her friends. She would go to any lengths to protect them, no matter the cost."I don't know," she replied with a long sigh.Then she added, "You probably wouldn't believe who I married."Kelly perked up right away at the mention of the man's identity."Who?""Alexander Harris." There, she dropped the bomb.Kelly was slack-jawed. Everyone knew who Alexander Harris was in York State! That name alone sent chills down their spines. And her f
The two gutsy women decided to head home after the farce they’d run into. Kelly was no longer in the mood to shop, and neither was Eve.Alex was already waiting for her in the parking lot, and after a long day of running around, she felt drained.Kelly was still cursing nonstop about the two nasty women they had encountered earlier, all the way to the parking lot. Her anger hadn’t calmed down yet.Not far from them, Eve already spotted Earl standing beside the eye-catching, luxurious car that belonged to his boss.“Who’s that handsome guy?” Kelly nudged her lightly as soon as she saw Earl.“He’s Earl—Alex’s executive assistant,” Eve replied simply.“Well, he doesn’t look like just an assistant to me.”Kelly gave her a knowing look. Honestly, when Eve first saw Earl, she had the same thought. He didn’t quite fit the image of a typical assistant. In fact, there was something about him that reminded her of Alex—composed, co
Over at the old manor…"Dad," Freya uttered when both she and Hailee arrived home. She was beaming with tears while throwing herself to her father like a spoiled brat."Oh dear, what’s wrong?"Caroline was the one who consoled her first."Mom, Dad, you have to avenge me," Freya ranted with a pitiful look."Why, what happened?"Edward’s scowl deepened. He knew that this youngest daughter of his was outrageous most of the time. As she had been pampered since childhood, she grew up into an arrogant young lady.But he wasn’t an unreasonable person who tolerated the wrongdoings of his daughter. He didn’t want her taking the wrong path—that’s why he always reprimanded her so she would realize her mistakes."Sister-in-law and I had been shopping in the afternoon and were offended by two wretched women. And one of them insulted me in front of many people. Wuu… that woman is so mean! Dad, you have to avenge me! I was disgraced by her in public," Freya fake-cried in front of her father.Edward’
Summerville City, York State..Summerville City thrived on power and ambition. Its skyline was a testament to dominance—glass towers clawing toward the heavens, casting long shadows over the streets below. The rich dictated the rules, and the weak? They were swallowed whole.At the center of it all stood Galaxy Empire Tower, an eighty-six-story monument to wealth and control. It wasn’t just the tallest building in the city—it was a crown. And seated at its highest floor was the man who wore it.Alexander Harris stood before the expansive window of his office, his sharp gaze cutting through the cityscape below. His posture was effortless—broad shoulders squared beneath a tailored suit worth more than most people’s annual salaries. His expression was devoid of warmth.This city was his. Every deal, every contract, every shattered opponent. Controlled. Owned.Behind him, his trusted executive assistant, Earl Frost, stood with the precision of a soldier delivering orders."Sir, Mr. Trevor
Over at the old manor…"Dad," Freya uttered when both she and Hailee arrived home. She was beaming with tears while throwing herself to her father like a spoiled brat."Oh dear, what’s wrong?"Caroline was the one who consoled her first."Mom, Dad, you have to avenge me," Freya ranted with a pitiful look."Why, what happened?"Edward’s scowl deepened. He knew that this youngest daughter of his was outrageous most of the time. As she had been pampered since childhood, she grew up into an arrogant young lady.But he wasn’t an unreasonable person who tolerated the wrongdoings of his daughter. He didn’t want her taking the wrong path—that’s why he always reprimanded her so she would realize her mistakes."Sister-in-law and I had been shopping in the afternoon and were offended by two wretched women. And one of them insulted me in front of many people. Wuu… that woman is so mean! Dad, you have to avenge me! I was disgraced by her in public," Freya fake-cried in front of her father.Edward’
The two gutsy women decided to head home after the farce they’d run into. Kelly was no longer in the mood to shop, and neither was Eve.Alex was already waiting for her in the parking lot, and after a long day of running around, she felt drained.Kelly was still cursing nonstop about the two nasty women they had encountered earlier, all the way to the parking lot. Her anger hadn’t calmed down yet.Not far from them, Eve already spotted Earl standing beside the eye-catching, luxurious car that belonged to his boss.“Who’s that handsome guy?” Kelly nudged her lightly as soon as she saw Earl.“He’s Earl—Alex’s executive assistant,” Eve replied simply.“Well, he doesn’t look like just an assistant to me.”Kelly gave her a knowing look. Honestly, when Eve first saw Earl, she had the same thought. He didn’t quite fit the image of a typical assistant. In fact, there was something about him that reminded her of Alex—composed, co
"Is it that guy you were with last time?"Evie simply nodded at Kelly's question. Kelly was still unable to believe the unexpected news. The fluctuation on her face clearly described her astonishment."How did you end up marrying that stranger?""He forced me," she replied directly.Kelly's stupefied reaction immediately turned into displeasure."You were forced? Why?!" Her tone was a bit sharper this time.Evie knew how protective Kelly was toward her friends. She would go to any lengths to protect them, no matter the cost."I don't know," she replied with a long sigh.Then she added, "You probably wouldn't believe who I married."Kelly perked up right away at the mention of the man's identity."Who?""Alexander Harris." There, she dropped the bomb.Kelly was slack-jawed. Everyone knew who Alexander Harris was in York State! That name alone sent chills down their spines. And her f
A few moments after Alex's father departed, there was another knock outside."Come in," he uttered in a deep voice.It was Adam, his chief secretary, who entered with some news."Mr. Harris, Ms. Croft and old Mrs. Harris are here, waiting in the lounge. They want to speak with you. Shall I let them in?"Alex was silent for a moment. His grandma was really persistent in her plans. Maybe it was about time to tell her the big surprise."Let them in," he replied shortly.The lounge area was next to his grand office, and within minutes, he could already hear his grandmother’s imposing voice.Margaret entered the room in a dignified manner, but her face was full of displeasure. Over the years, though she had significantly aged, she still carried her regal and autocratic aura.Back in the day, this distinguished old lady had once held power over all of York State. Rumors had it that she was just as ruthless and cunning
Hospital Corridor..Not long after Perry left to buy coffee, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Alex stepped out.Eve studied his expression carefully, trying to find any clue about his conversation with her mother. However, his face remained unreadable, as indifferent and composed as ever.She wondered what her mother had told him during the past twenty minutes."Done talking?" she asked casually.Alex hummed in agreement, offering no further details.Eve narrowed her eyes slightly. So secretive."What did she tell you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.Alex was just about to speak when his phone suddenly rang. Without hesitation, he answered the call right in front of her.For the first few seconds, he listened in silence. But then, his expression stiffened.Eve noticed the sudden change in his demeanor."I’ll discuss the details later," he said in a clipped tone before en
Evie felt a sense of uneasiness as she and Alex arrived at the front door of her mother's room. She didn’t know how her mother would react to her explosive news. Would she be angry? Sad? Or perhaps even despise her? The uncertainty made her both anxious and worried. Noticing her restless expression, Alex gently pinched her hand, a silent reassurance that everything would be fine. Then, hand in hand, they stepped into the room. Inside, Evie’s brother, Perry, was peeling an apple for their mother, occasionally chatting with her. He was the first to notice their arrival. He immediately paused what he was doing and called out, "Sister! Mr. Harris!" Perry greeted them warmly. Ellie, who had been sitting on the bed with her back to them, turned to see her daughter. A gentle smile graced her face as she laid eyes on Evie. "Mom, Perry," Evie broke free from Alex’s hand and rushed to hug her mother. She was relieved to see her mother looking much better. The gauze that had been on her h
It was already eight in the morning when Eve woke up. Last night had been the longest night of her life.She had slept very well in his arms—which felt so unreal! Considering how on edge she'd been around him lately, it was quite bizarre. Nevertheless, at the very least, he didn’t take advantage of her, and she slept peacefully. After giving it some thought, she finally got up and headed to the bathroom to take a bath. She would be visiting her mother in the hospital this morning, and later, she planned to accompany Kelly. It was autumn, and winter was coming in a few weeks. The weather was starting to get colder. Once she finished bathing, she put on a beige long-sleeved turtleneck sweater dress that reached below her knees. The upper part of the dress was semi-loose, while from her waist down, it was well-fitted—perfectly emphasizing the curves of her body. She paired it with three-inch heeled brown ankle-length boots. She looked especially elegant and fashionable in her trends
But he always made a remarkable move whenever they were together. It made her even more puzzled every time. When he finished blowing her hair, he took the remote control and turned on the heating system, making the whole room feel a little warmer. "Thanks," she casually said in a lukewarm tone as she got up. "Should I receive some merit then?" He arched his handsome brow and teased her. "Stop spouting nonsense! What reward are you talking about? I didn’t tell you to dry my hair," she spat without looking at him and quickly turned around. Alex, on the other hand, gently shook his head, amusement written all over his face. She looked so cute in her nervous state. After grabbing his pajamas, he proceeded to the bathroom. Evie, who was already on the bed, breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t really feel safe around him. His strong and oppressive aura made her feel like she would suffocate at any moment. She always felt like he would devour her entirely under his intense gaze.
After Alex dropped her off back home, he then went to the company. It was already two in the afternoon.Evie, on the other hand, was arranging her things in the closet, but halfway through, she felt sleepy.She decided to continue her unpacking later and took a nap. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.__It was already dark outside when Alex arrived home. He hadn’t finished his paperwork at the company and decided to complete it at home so he could accompany his wife at the same time.But he didn’t find his little wife in the living area. Instead, Butler Clark welcomed him."Where is Evie?"He immediately asked."The young mistress hasn’t come down ever since you brought her back in the afternoon," Butler Clark informed him."Prepare dinner. We’ll come down soon," he instructed Butler Clark before making his way to the lift.He soon arrived at the master’s bedroom and found her still sleeping sou