"Alex... I want more... give it to me..." On the luxurious bed, the woman straddled Alexander's waist, her legs spread wide. Her brown, wavy hair fell down, sensual and alluring. "Alex, you're amazing! Mm... Ah..." The woman's moans of pleasure filled the room as her fiery red lips hungrily kissed the man's chest beneath her. The silk dress she wore had already slipped down to her waist. The woman, a newly debuted model, was using her looks to try and land a wealthy benefactor, hoping it would boost her career to supermodel status. The man before her could give her everything she wanted! She needed to capture his heart. Alexander narrowed his eyes in disdain as he looked at the lustful woman beneath him. Sure, she looked good, her body was definitely something. She had what it took to get into his bed. But unfortunately for her, she had miscalculated. Even as his body moved over hers, his mind wandered to someone else... Suddenly, halfway through, his interest vanished. A
The night in Valleybrook was quiet and serene. Under the moonlight, the luxurious villa exuded opulence. The garden was fragrant with the scent of flowers, and the large swimming pool reflected the soft light. Elegant music filled every corner of the hall, with a symphony orchestra playing beneath the crystal chandeliers. The guests at the gala were all members of high society, cloaked in the guise of charity, but in truth, they were merely polishing their own images. These charity events were nothing more than a show—an opportunity for the wealthy to flaunt their fortune, and for the less fortunate to beg for aid. Phoebe entered the venue in a pale green evening gown, accompanied by Miles. It was her first time attending such a grand event, and from the moment she stepped inside, she was nervous. Her palms were slick with sweat. Sensing her anxiety, Miles whispered, "Don't be nervous." Phoebe nodded, though her heart continued to race. The venue was crowded. They found a
Phoebe finished her speech and hurried off the stage, returning to Miles's side. "Phoebe, you did a great job! Well done," Miles said with a kind smile. Phoebe had always been one of his most promising students, and her performance was exactly what he had expected. "Thank you," Phoebe smiled back softly, letting out a sigh of relief. She was glad everything had gone smoothly. As she sat there for a while, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. There was a strange intensity in the air, and it felt eerily familiar. She looked around but saw nothing unusual, just the glare from the glass reflecting the lights. Maybe she was just imagining things. She checked her phone. It was already 10 PM, and she noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number. The call had come in around 6 PM, and the caller had tried three times. Who could it be? Only a few people had her number. She thought about calling back but decided it was too late. She'd return the call in t
When Phoebe woke up again, she found herself lying on a large bed. A harsh beam of light pierced through her eyes, making them sting. She blinked several times before finally adjusting to the brightness.But as soon as she took in her surroundings, the unfamiliar environment made her whole body tense with alarm.She remembered being at the banquet when Samuel forcefully dragged her away. She had struggled, but then he had taken something out and covered her mouth with it. Her vision had gone black, and she'd lost consciousness."Ah, sweet thing, you're awake?" A vulgar voice sounded from above her.Following the voice, she looked up—and the next second, her eyes widened in shock. Her body froze as if struck by lightning.Phoebe stared in terror at the four leering men around her. They were all naked.Oh God, what were they planning to do?"W-What do you want?" Phoebe's voice trembled, her body instinctively retreating."Don't be scared, baby. We'll take good care of you tonight."The m
When Phoebe came to, she vaguely remembered someone carrying her into a car. Her body, as if it had a mind of its own, clung to him like a water serpent, entwining with him.Then she felt it—a strong, heated body pulling her tightly into its embrace. The way he held her was possessive, forceful, and far from gentle. He seemed angry, but none of that mattered. What mattered was that this sensation felt strangely familiar.It felt like Alexander. Was this a dream? Or was it just her desperate hope that it was him?She didn't understand why he was the first person to come to her mind. She had tried so hard to forget him, thinking that if he disappeared, she could erase every trace of him and pretend nothing had ever happened. But she was wrong..."Ugh..." She let out a soft moan, her body acting on its own. It felt like she was wandering through a desert, thirsting for water, yearning for some relief. She could feel a coolness enveloping her, and she instinctively wanted to be closer, to
After Phoebe fell into a deep sleep, a serene atmosphere enveloped the room. However, Alexander could still hear her softly murmuring in her sleep.Her faint voice flickered like a flame swaying in the wind, intermittently persistent as it reached his ears."Don't...""Alexander, help me, please help me."She kept crying out for those people not to come near him while desperately calling his name for help.Alexander's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, a painful mix of anguish and pity overwhelming him. He pressed his lips together, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.He immediately took out his phone and called one of his subordinates, his voice cold and decisive: "Retrieve the hotel surveillance footage, now!"The wait felt interminable, every minute and second stretching on, intensifying Alexander's anxiety. He paced back and forth in the room, occasionally glancing at the sleeping Phoebe.In less than half an hour, the phone rang. Alexander quickly
Only then did Alexander realize she was still completely naked. Without hesitation, he took off his shirt and threw it at her. "Put this on."Phoebe had no choice but to take the shirt and rush into the bathroom, though she knew there wasn't really much point in hiding.Inside the bathroom, Phoebe tugged at the black shirt she was wearing. The fabric was soft and comfortable, and it felt warm against her skin, just long enough to cover her hips.But with nothing underneath, she felt incredibly insecure.Her face burned with embarrassment, and she felt like she might die of shame at any moment.His voice urging her from outside the door made her move quickly. Better to have something to wear than nothing at all.She hurried downstairs. He had told her the kitchen was on the first floor.The kitchen was large but eerily empty. It was obvious that it hadn't been used in a long time. The cabinets were spotless, and everything looked brand new.Strange. Does he not eat at home often?Shakin
In the dining room, they ate in silence. Phoebe was starving and ate quickly, almost wolfing down her food without much grace.Alexander frowned, clearly not used to seeing a woman eat so carelessly."You'll live here from now on," he said suddenly."What?" Phoebe looked up, mid-bite, confused. Was he talking to her?Alexander repeated his words calmly as he continued eating his meal with elegance.The second he said it, the piece of beef she had just swallowed seemed to get stuck in her throat, and she coughed a few times, her eyes wide with shock. "Why?""Don't forget, you're my wife now," he said, his tone sharp, clearly irritated by her attitude. Any other woman would be grateful for such an offer.Wife?Her head started to spin again."But... I didn't agree to that contract willingly. It doesn't count! Mr. Davis, can we talk about this? I'll pay you back the money, and in return, please void the contract! I'll pay you back quickly, and you can even charge me interest...""This isn
Golden sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the church, casting a dreamlike glow over the entire hall. Phoebe stood beneath an archway adorned with white roses, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her father Ryan's arm."Nervous?" Ryan gently patted the back of her hand.Phoebe took a deep breath, her gaze following the long red carpet all the way to the tall figure waiting at the end. Alexander stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, a white rose matching her bouquet pinned to his lapel. His deep, unwavering gaze was locked onto her, as if in his world, there was only her.The moment the orchestra began playing the Wedding March, Phoebe felt her eyes well up with tears. She clutched her father's arm and took her first step forward, the lace hem of her gown rippling like water, the hand-embroidered pearls on her train glinting softly in the sunlight."Oh my God, look at the flower kids! They're adorable!""They look just like the groom!"Guests' whisp
Phoebe finished getting ready and followed the two children out of the room. At the same moment, Alexander's door across the hall swung open.Their eyes met.In an instant, Phoebe felt her ears grow hot, the memory of last night's intimacy flooding back. Alexander's gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks, and a subtle tension crackled in the air."Daddy!""Daddy!"The crisp, cheerful voices of the children shattered the silence.Alexander's pupils contracted slightly as he mechanically turned his head toward them. Jeremy and Amy had already thrown themselves into his arms, their little faces rubbing against his suit jacket, leaving messy wrinkles."We're calling you, silly!" Amy said, tilting her face up to him, her eyes sparkling like stars.Alexander's hands hovered awkwardly in the air. The word Daddy struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving his chest numb with emotion. Slowly, he crouched down, his arms closing around the children, his fingertips trembling.Leaning against the wa
Alexander let out a satisfied, mischievous chuckle. He almost wanted to turn on the light just to see how adorably shy she looked right now."Baby, you're already wet down here," he murmured after a while, gently reminding her.Phoebe felt it too—the shame hit her so hard she wanted to crawl under the covers and disappear. Panicking, she tried to pull his hand away. "Y-You... get out!""Don't be shy, sweetheart. It's a normal reaction," he coaxed softly."I don't care if it's normal! You're not allowed to touch anymore," she snapped, mortified."But you want it too, don't you?"Even if she did, she would never admit it. Biting her lip, she shook her head firmly. "No. I don't."But Alexander wasn't one to let her have the last word. He decided to give her exactly what she insisted she didn't want.The moment Phoebe realized what he was doing, she gasped sharply. Did he even know how reckless he was being?"Stop. Don't do that," she whispered, but her words quickly melted into a choked
At 2:17 a.m., Alexander jolted awake for the third time.The guest room was steeped in the scent of mothballs, and the creases Phoebe had left on the bedspread that afternoon were still visible. Agitated, he yanked at his collar. His phone lit up in the darkness, only to go dark again—the "power off" alert thudding against his chest like a silent punch.Moonlight poured over the balcony like an interrogation lamp. When he stepped barefoot onto the window ledge, the night wind from the thirty-fourth floor lifted the hem of his robe. Here he was—the man who once made Wall Street tremble—now sweating nervously just to sneak into his wife's bedroom."Locked?" The doorknob didn't budge. He nearly laughed. She thought a simple lock could stop someone who could hack into the Pentagon?The curtain in the children's room wasn't drawn properly. Moonlight spilled inside, casting a silver glow over Phoebe's exposed shoulder. Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed—she was wearing that damned silk nightgo
Phoebe stepped out of the kitchen and saw only the two kids playing on the couch. There was no sign of Alexander or Ryan.Puzzled, she walked over. Before she could even ask, the kids pointed toward the study."Mom, Grandpa called Uncle in for a talk," they said."A talk?" Phoebe glanced at the tightly closed door, her heart tightening a little.With Anila helping her in the kitchen, dinner was ready in just forty minutes.When Phoebe came out again, Ryan and Alexander were already sitting together on the couch, chatting away.Phoebe looked over in surprise—they actually seemed to be getting along. Whatever Alexander had said, it had Ryan laughing happily.For the first time, the whole family sat down together for a meal. The mood was light and joyful. With the two mischievous kids adding their antics, the table was filled with laughter.After dinner, Alexander volunteered to clean up. Phoebe didn't stop him but followed along to lend a hand.The faucet gushed noisily in the kitchen.
After landing, Phoebe and Alexander stopped by the office for a quick check-in before heading to her parents' house.As the car rolled into the familiar neighborhood, Phoebe tightened her grip on the hem of her dress for the third time. "Are you sure we shouldn't call first?"Alexander, lazily twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers, let out a low chuckle. "A surprise visit's the only way to see how they really treat you."In the backseat, the Kyoto lacquerware and Shizuoka tea sets clinked softly with each turn."My mom might actually hit you," Phoebe muttered, keeping her face stern even as her nails unconsciously scratched fine lines into the leather seat."Perfect," he leaned closer, his breath warm against the tense line of her neck, "I'll show you just how much I can take."Hidden away in the trunk was also a property transfer agreement—the land her father had always coveted, now signed over under her mother's name.Phoebe turned to stare out the window, but couldn't q
At one o'clock in the afternoon, when the cruise ship docked, Phoebe's legs were still trembling. Alexander's strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, only making her struggle harder."Don't touch me!" Phoebe hissed through clenched teeth, her fingertips digging into the fabric of his suit sleeve.Alexander chuckled lowly and only tightened his grip. "What if you fall?" he murmured against her ear, his breath hot. "Who was it that cried last night, begging me not to stop?"Phoebe's ears instantly burned red. The curious gazes from nearby tourists made her skin crawl, and the man had the nerve to raise his voice deliberately:"Want me to carry you?""You—" She jerked her head up, only to meet his teasing grey-blue eyes. The flicker of mischief inside them made her instantly recall how those very eyes had darkened in the throes of passion the night before.In the end, she was swept into his arms. Alexander pressed her burning face against his chest."Be good. Take a nap," he said ge
In the early morning light, Alexander's bronzed chest shimmered under the golden glow. His fingers combed through Phoebe's slightly tousled hair, his Adam's apple brushing her forehead as he rumbled, "Awake?"A soft, sleepy hum was all she managed before a hot kiss pressed onto her forehead. He tightened his arms around her, the rough stubble on his jaw grazing the flushed tip of her ear."Stay a few more days?" he murmured, his voice husky and teasing, like a sea breeze whispering against her skin.Phoebe gently pushed against his chest with her fingertips. "I have a contract to sign this afternoon.""Forget it," he muttered, his breath scorching against her trembling lashes. "That little bit of money...""I miss the kids," she chuckled softly, burying her face against his collarbone. Her fingers traced the lines of his ribs. "I haven't seen my little troublemakers in a whole week."A low laugh rumbled from Alexander's chest. In one swift motion, he rolled her beneath him, trapping h
The sea breeze brushed gently past them as Alexander's long fingers traced Phoebe's slightly swollen lips, his gaze full of boundless tenderness."Having you by my side... it's the best thing in the world," he whispered, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head. "Don't be mad anymore, hmm?"Phoebe leaned into his chest and murmured softly, "Okay." Truthfully, her heart had already begun to soften the moment they were reunited."It's not easy making you happy," he chuckled lowly, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "I'll have to be extra careful from now on—treat you like royalty and never dare upset my little goddess again." Only heaven knew how tortured he'd been these past few days."You'd better remember what you just said." She was about to issue a stern warning when he pressed a finger gently to her lips."I swear," he said, lifting two fingers solemnly, his eyes burning with sincerity. "There won't be a next time."Phoebe smiled despite herself, and the