โYouโre asking me? What do you think youโre doing?โAaron stood with his hands on his hips, looking down at Selena from the edge of the bed. When he had thrown her onto the bed, her jacket had slipped off her shoulders, revealing the thin straps of her slip dress. Her pale skin was marked with small, reddish blooms.Aaronโs eyes darkened as he saw the marks he had left on her the previous night. His throat felt dry, and an inexplicable heat spread through his body.For a moment, he felt parched.Selena knelt on the bed, straightening up, her petite frame exuding a surprising intensity. โIโm trying to get Aveline and Lucas to divorce! Since marrying him, Aveline has been completely ruined! Are you blind? Can't you see it?โAaron sneered. "Why do you care? Haven't you heard the saying, โCouples fight but make up laterโ? Just because theyโre having problems now doesnโt mean itโll last. What will you do then?"Pointing at her, he continued, โUse your brain for once and stop meddling in th
Selena struggled but couldnโt break free.Panic started to set in.What was this jerk thinking?Did he want to go for another round?No way!He wasnโt good in bed, so she didn't want to suffer through that again!She resisted fiercely.Her body was soft, and as she writhed beneath him, Aaron's gaze grew darker."Keep squirming, and I'll take you right now," he said in a hoarse voice.Selena froze, feeling his arousal, her face flushing with anger. "You... you better get off me right now!"Instead of getting up, Aaron held her tighter. "Youโd better stay still. Iโll be done in a minute."He leaned down, his breath warm against her delicate skin, sending shivers through her.Selena stopped moving entirely, terrified of what he might do next.This man was insufferable!...Lucas stared coldly at Russell, but a wicked smile played on his lips. "Sure, go ahead and introduce him to her. Iโd like to see how good this lawyer is.โRussell kept his gaze on Aveline.Aveline lowered her eyes sligh
Aveline immediately remembered that Aaron had taken Selena to the bedroom.She moved to go over to the bedroom, but Lucas blocked her."Move aside!" Aveline demanded, her face stern.Lucas grabbed her hand and whispered, "If you go in now, won't it just make things awkward for them?"Aveline paused, considering his words.Lucas continued, "Some things are mutual. If she didn't want it, no one could force her."Aveline frowned, glancing towards the bedroom. Ultimately, she decided not to intrude.Thinking about the marks on Selena and her nonchalant attitude, perhaps...Maybe she just wanted to have some fun. Once she was done, she wouldn't stick around.Aveline turned away, and they all left, closing the door behind them.The hallway was narrow, forcing them to walk single file.Lucas led the way, Aveline followed in the middle, and Russell brought up the rear.Russell said to Aveline, "I brought back something interesting with me. I'll show you when you have time."Aveline glanced bac
"Really?"Lucas stared at her fair, pure face, then suddenly leaned in, cupping the back of her head as he kissed her.His kiss was skillful, teasing her bit by bit, waiting for her to give in and respond."I don't believe you," he murmured, his breath heavy and warm as he traced the shape of her lips, his voice huskier than usual.Outside, the night deepened, the streetlights casting long shadows that barely reached the inside of the car, which remained dim and intimate. Their breaths mingled, and the temperature inside the car steadily rose.The car was parked under a tree, its shadows flickering. The dappled light cast a faint shadow over their faces.Aveline wanted to resist, but it was too late. Her body was too accustomed to Lucas' touch. So familiar that it took him no time at all to make her melt.Lucas chuckled lowly. "But your body says you like me."Aveline's eyes filled with unshed tears, her breath unsteady as she said, "My reaction is perfectly normal. Being teased by a
Lucas' eyes bore into her flushed face. "Fine, I'll handle it myself."With that, he unbuckled his belt.The sound echoed in the car, making Aveline's breath hitch, and she suddenly felt like there wasn't enough air.Her mouth went dry.The next moment, Lucas pulled her hand over."What are you doing?" Aveline gasped, instinctively pulling away.Lucasโ eyes remained fixed on her. "I'm taking matters into my own hands.""You..." Aveline started to protest, her cheeks burning fiercely. Her fingers curled slightly, bringing waves of heat.Lucasโ Adamโs apple bobbed as he continued to stare at her, his breathing growing heavier.Aveline turned her face away, deciding to let him be.Fine, she wasn't going to help."You really are heartless," Lucas's husky voice teased her senses.Aveline bit her lip gently, trying to keep any sound from escaping.She wasn't sure how long it had been. Even without actively participating, her fingers felt weak and achy. The atmosphere in the car grew even mor
Russell lowered his gaze, emotions swirling in his eyes like an inky abyss. After a long moment, he finally started his car and drove away.Upstairs.Aaron held Selena for what felt like forever.โCan you get off me already?โ Selena gasped, struggling to breathe under his weight.Aaron gritted his teeth. โWant to say that again?โFeeling the heat radiating from his body, Selena didnโt dare provoke him further. After all, he had her pinned down. If she got the chance to get up, sheโd definitely knock out his teeth!โTheyโve all left, so you should go too,โ Selena said.She had heard the sounds of them leaving clearly. It was awkward, but it didnโt really matter.Aaron lifted his head and looked at her flushed face. Her beautiful features were bare, as pure as porcelain. Her eyes were lively and shimmering, tinged with a faint redness, a clear sign of her emotions.Aaron leaned in slightly.โWhat are you doing? Youโre not thinking of kissing me, are you?โ Selena asked, her face expressio
Lucas drove straight back to the Tudor Estate.Aveline was speechless. He had lied about buying gifts.She got out of the car, expressionless, and headed inside.โWhere are you going?โ Lucas grabbed her arm.โItโs late. Time to rest,โ Aveline said.โWe can rest later,โ Lucas replied, guiding her toward another part of the estate.The Tudor Estate was vast, with many areas Aveline had never explored. As they reached a doorway, Lucas opened the door to reveal a room filled with an array of collectibles.โWhatโs all this?โ Aveline asked, surprised.โPick something to give to Grandma,โ Lucas said.Aveline walked in, seeing glass cabinets showcasing various items under direct lighting. The room was filled with antiques, paintings, crystals, gemstones, and jewelry.Each item had a price tag beneath it. Some were purchased, while others were acquired at auctions. All were incredibly expensive.Aveline couldnโt help but gawk at the long strings of zeros on the price tags.This was insane!Stan
She was lost in thought, wondering when she could finalize the divorce as quickly as possible.Lucas approached her and extended his hand. Aveline was wearing an elegant black gown that accentuated her noble features. Her delicate facial features were beautifully highlighted, with a hint of innocence in her mesmerizing eyes. Her slender waist curved gracefully into her hips.Aveline placed her hand in his.Lucas gripped it tightly, his eyes swirling with intense emotion as he said in a deep voice, "Ave, you look stunning."Aveline smiled softly. "Thank you. Did you just realize that?"Lucas was at a loss for words. He felt somewhat helpless but wasn't angry. The tenderness in his eyes only grew stronger.Taking Aaron's advice, he had been treating her warmly. Though Aveline still resisted him, their interactions over the past couple days had been relatively pleasant. If things continued this way, perhaps their life together wouldn't be unbearable after all.The two left the Tudor ma
Jolie stirred, her eyes fluttering open in the dimly lit cabin. The sharp, handsome features of the man before her were so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath. His lips, carrying his familiar scent, gently traced hers, as if torn between waking her and letting her sleep. Her breath hitched, a brief moment of confusion washing over her. Gavin noticed and, in response, pressed a firm kiss to her lips. "Did I wake you?" "You did that on purpose," Jolie replied, her voice soft and husky from sleep. "Mm." Gavin didnโt deny it, his tone unapologetic as he leaned down to kiss her again. Still groggy, Jolie found herself caught off guard, his lips capturing hers with a growing intensity. By the time she realized what was happening, he had deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing and tangling with hers in an intoxicating rhythm. Her breath quickened, and she instinctively pushed against him. Gavin pulled back, only to trail kisses along her cheek and down her neck, his
The night air was cool, a gentle breeze slipping through the car window and lifting the strands of hair framing her face. They fluttered across her vision, briefly distracting her, yet she could still clearly see his eyes. At that moment, the unease and uncertainty stirring in her chest melted away, replaced by an inexplicable sense of calm. It felt as though there was nothing he couldnโt handle. As long as he wanted to. Jolie smiled softly and said, "Alright." When they arrived at the private airstrip, the captain came forward to exchange a few words with Gavin. Standing nearby, Jolie watched and couldnโt resist asking, "How long will you be staying?" Gavin glanced at her. "How long do you want me to stay?" The overly intimate tone of his words, spoken with such casual ease, caught her off guard. Her cheeks flushed immediatelyโespecially since there were others around to hear it. Lowering her gaze shyly, she murmured, "You can stay as long as you want." She turned he
Gavin looked at her, his gaze steady, and replied in a calm voice, "Youโve got the leverage to do it." Oh... Jolieโs heart skipped a beat, her pulse momentarily thrown off rhythm. What was this feeling? It was as if someone was spoiling her, cherishing her unconditionally. Even though it was just a simple conversation, it carried a warmth she couldnโt ignore. For a moment, she realized that what she once thought was affection and care had been nothing but an illusion. A smile unconsciously curved on her lips as her eyes lit up. "Does this mean I can walk around Larbor City like I own the place?" Gavin raised an eyebrow. "Are you a crab?" Jolie burst into laughter, her mood instantly lifted by his quick-witted remark. Her earlier irritation dissipated, replaced by lightheartedness. Whether or not he meant it, the fact that he sided with her made her happy. "Iโm full. Should we head out?" she asked, her appetite long gone after everything that had happened earlier.
The girl stared in disbelief, her hands clutching her face. "You hit me?" Jolie blinked innocently at her. "Werenโt you the one insisting I hit you earlier? I just gave you another slap to match your story. You should be used to it by now." "Jolie Quin!" Ian had reached his limit, his voice full of anger as he glared at her. "Apologize to her!" Jolie glanced at him, her expression calm but icy. "Get lost." She had thought he might be reasonable, but clearly, he was blinded by infatuation. She had no patience to deal with him any longer and turned to leave. Before she could take a step, Ian grabbed her arm roughly. "Jolie, youโre not leaving without apologizing! I donโt think Iโve ever wronged you, have I? We used to get along just fine, didnโt we?" "Let go," Jolie said, her brows knitting in disgust. She hated being touched, especially by someone she considered beneath her. Ian tightened his grip, his hand digging into her arm hard enough to cause pain. "Jolie, yo
Jolie was completely baffled, a string of question marks running through her mind. But when the girl suddenly dropped to her knees, it genuinely startled her.She quickly reached out to help her up. "Get up first. We can talk properly."Before Jolie could react, the girl grabbed her hand and slapped herself hard across the face with it.Smack!The crisp sound echoed in the quiet hallway, leaving Jolie frozen in shock."Why did you hit me?" The girl, who had just been crying like an innocent damsel in distress, now clutched her face and loudly accused her. "Ian and I are the real couple! Youโre the one coming between us. How could you hit me?"Jolie blinked, completely dumbfounded, as the girlโs voice rang out.A few passersby paused, glancing over to witness the commotion.Meanwhile, Ian, who had been waiting and wondering why his girlfriend hadnโt returned, came looking for her. The scene he walked intoโhis girlfriend on the ground, crying and accusing Jolieโmade him stride forward,
The person in the hallway glanced at her briefly but quickly looked away, as though she were a stranger. Jolieโs hand, lifted halfway to wave, stalled in mid-air.What... was that? Gavin noticed her reaction and asked in a low voice, "Whatโs wrong?" "Nothing," Jolie replied, shaking her head and brushing it off. The man outside was Ian. Pretending not to know her was probably his way of avoiding unnecessary troubleโafter all, they had already "broken up." The door to their private room shut completely, and Gavin hadnโt seen Ian or his group. He turned back to her and asked, "Do you come here often?" "Yeah," Jolie nodded. "I come here a lot with friends." So, this was one of her favorite hidden gems. The fact that she was willing to share it with him felt significant somehow. Gavin caught himself lingering on that thought and was momentarily taken aback by his own reaction. He kept his expression neutral, not letting on what had crossed his mind. The food arrived qui
The reason it wasnโt the same was simpleโher plan would fall apart if she got caught.Of course, that wasnโt something she could admit.Jolie simply said, "I just donโt want any unnecessary complications. Since youโve already arranged the flight, letโs just leave directly."Gavinโs dark eyes fixed on her for a moment, but he didnโt press the issue.It was clear she didnโt want to talk about it any further, so he let it drop.When the elevator doors opened, the two of them walked out together. A car was already waiting at the entrance. Gavin, ever the gentleman, opened the door for her.The car pulled away from Cooper Enterprises, and Gavin asked, "What do you want to eat?"Jolie, busy typing on her phone, replied, "I know a good restaurant."It was a cozy place she loved, one she often visited with her friends."Alright," Gavin replied, pulling out his phone to respond to some emails. With his work condensed into such a tight schedule, he seized every spare moment to handle it.Jolie p
Gavin suddenly recalled Wilfried's words, "That girl doesnโt even like you."Lowering his gaze slightly, Gavin pushed the thought aside without explanation, his expression remaining cool and indifferent as he watched her. After Jolie finished looking through the photos, she turned to him and asked, "Why do you have pictures of all these women?" "My father brought them over," Gavin replied. "Oh." Jolie nodded knowingly and didnโt press further. It was easy enough to figure outโthe Cooper family obviously wanted him to consider an arranged marriage, so they sent over these photos for him to choose from. She could understand that. In fact, she even helped him look through them, just in case one of these women turned out to be a good match for him. After all, their relationship wasnโt meant to last forever. When he grew tired of her and she had her fun, theyโd part ways, and everything would return to normal. As she neatly organized the photos and placed them back on the ta
It was Jolieโs first time visiting Cooper Enterprises, and she couldnโt help but feel a sense of curiosity about the place.No, to be precise, it was her first time stepping into any corporate office. The Quin family also had company, but she had never visited, nor had Daisy or Terence ever asked her to.The private elevator for the CEO was stunningly opulent, its polished surface gleaming like a mirror, perfectly reflecting their images. Jolieโs heart began to race with an inexplicable excitement.The assistant glanced at her and said with a warm smile, "Miss Quin, thereโs no need to be nervous. Mr. Cooper will definitely be delighted to see you."Jolie nodded and replied, "Iโm not nervous."The elevator moved swiftly, and as they neared the executive office, Jolie adjusted her cap and mask, pulling them snugly to hide her face as much as possible.Meanwhile, near the adjacent employee elevator, Rosalie was holding a stack of files, ready to head downstairs.She froze the moment she s