LOGINPhoebe was amused to see Flynn like this. "I did promise Dahlia a few things, but they're all small stuff. I'm not losing out on anything."Flynn didn't quite buy it. "You'd better not be lying to me.""I'm not," Phoebe said. "But you wanting to beat Connor up just now really moved me. At least you're willing to stand up for me now. You're getting more and more reliable, kiddo."Flynn glanced at her and said nothing."Ride in my car," Phoebe said."It's not on the way. I'll just take a cab." Flynn liked to act cool, but his aloofness only really worked on starry-eyed teenage girls.To Phoebe, he was just being stubborn. And what was there to be stubborn about? She smiled and said, "I've got a first-aid kit in the car. I could disinfect your hand."Only then did Flynn realize that his hand was scraped and the skin was broken. How had Phoebe noticed such a small detail right away?He looked up at her, his gaze complicated. It felt just like that moment earlier when she'd chosen t
It all happened so fast, and with such vicious force, that it was downright terrifying. With Flynn's warning thrown in on top, like he was ready to tear someone apart, bite by bite, everyone watching felt their scalp go numb.Dahlia and her friends all started looking at Flynn differently. They'd thought he'd gone quiet because he was scared, especially once Phoebe arrived. It turned out he'd just been holding everything in for one big explosion.How did Flynn even dare to talk to Connor like that? He didn't have Connor's build or presence. Where did he get the guts to point a finger in Connor's face and threaten him like that?Damn it. He'd scared all of them speechless!Phoebe reacted fast. She darted in front of Flynn, her expression hard.Connor's expression was stony. There was surprise in his eyes at Flynn's outburst, but who knew if he was actually angry or not? And if he was, would he lose control? If he came at her, Phoebe could take it. But she absolutely wouldn't allow
Because of the pressure she faced from Philip and Connor, Dahlia had long since mastered the act of acting obedient. She knew that it worked in her favor, so she was used to putting on that act. To her, there was nothing embarrassing about saying all that just now; it was simply a tactic to get what she wanted. Shame wasn't part of the equation.Besides, in her mind, she'd already humbled herself enough. Flynn—no, her "dog"—ought to be wagging his tail by now, hurrying to please his "owner". She quietly waited for what she believed should naturally happen.Her attitude now was worlds apart from the way she'd been cursing Flynn and Phoebe out earlier. Her entourage all stared at her in disbelief. Some muttered shocked curses, while others gave her a thumbs-up, impressed by her sheer adaptability.Chloe, on the other hand, was calm. Ever since she'd met Phoebe, she'd never once seen Dahlia get the upper hand against her. Dahlia thought she could finally have Phoebe under her heel for
Phoebe said, "I don't have the right to discipline you. I'm just doing my job as an older sister and protecting my younger brother. Maybe no one else sees how wronged he feels, but I can see it, so there's no way I can pretend I don't."I have to think about Flynn's feelings. How else are we supposed to solve this? Have him apologize to you just like that? Then what's the point of me being here?"Dahlia went from furious to stunned.Phoebe didn't expect her reaction. "Why are you so surprised? Don't you have anyone you want to protect?"Dahlia had always thought that talking to Phoebe wasn't worth the time and effort. This was the first time she'd ever really listened to her say so much, and she suddenly didn't know how to respond. She just… just…She suddenly snapped her head toward Connor, who stood not far away. Out of nowhere, she had the urge to tell him that he'd let a pretty good woman slip away.Phoebe thought she was done with the conversation and asked, "So, do you agre
Dahlia clenched her jaw. "How do you expect me to trust you?"Phoebe said, "I won't lie to you.""No way. I want Sun to drive me for a while!" Dahlia said. "If you don't agree, then I'm not agreeing, either!"Phoebe looked at her. "Fine."Dahlia was still lost in the shock of this huge surprise.Phoebe cocked her head. "So, do we have a deal?"Dahlia snorted. "It only counts when I actually see Sun. You could be just bragging!""Okay." Phoebe tipped her head slightly. "Talk to your brother and make things clear; this matter ends here. If you or Connor refuse to make peace, then we can bring this to Philip. After all, you're the one who picked a fight with Flynn first. If not for your accident, I wouldn't even be talking to you right now."A two-inch gash that needed stitches had to be pretty deep. That was considered a significant injury. Phoebe didn't like seeing anyone get hurt, and Dahlia had definitely paid a price this time.Still, the fact remained that Dahlia had starte
Phoebe said, "I already heard about what happened from Flynn. He told me that he was just trying to scare you. You only got hurt when you fell on your own; he never planned to actually lay a hand on you. At most, it was an accident."Dahlia looked over at Flynn from where they stood, then gave a cold laugh. "So what if that's true?"She turned back, arrogance written all over her face. "He pissed me off the moment he dared to fight back, Phoebe. And don't forget that I got hurt because of him. No matter how you spin it, that's still a fact. Both you and Flynn owe me an apology, and you'd better get on your knees when you do it. Maybe then I'll stop being angry…"Phoebe said, "If I remember right, your birthday's pretty close to Philip's. Same month, and I think it's the day after tomorrow?"Dahlia was surprised. "I would've almost forgotten if you hadn't brought it up. But thanks for the inspiration. I'll invite a ton of people and throw a huge party for my birthday. With everyone
Phoebe had always figured that Flynn would find out by showing up at her place unannounced and catching Gideon there. She never imagined running into him right outside Leona's villa.Leona had to have heard the things Flynn had shouted earlier—they'd been right outside the villa, after all. That wa
Gideon held Phoebe's gaze, his careful question hanging in the air. Her silence hit him like a soft rebound.After several seconds, he pulled back, playing it safe again. "As a friend. That's all I meant."Phoebe's answer came quickly. "Not yet, Mr. Blackwood."He looked genuinely disappointed, b
Phoebe followed Jason and the group to the next venue.A black car trailed them the whole way. Inside it was Connor, who sat half-hidden in the shadows. His face gave nothing away.…After leaving the glitzy club, Jason brought everyone to a sleek, vintage, members-only private bar that required
Flynn's mind was about to explode. He had guessed that Phoebe and Gideon were together, but Gideon was actually Connor's older brother?His actual brother!Flynn was so shocked that he didn't even know what expression to make as he stared at Phoebe. How could things get this dramatic?She'd left







