In the towering skyscraper, an imposing international conference hall was hosting a global video conference.Alexander, dressed in a sleek black suit, exuded understated luxury and elegance, every inch a symbol of wealth and power."Sir, the project here is progressing smoothly, but there's been a bit of a complication.""Complication?" His cold voice cut through the room, interrupting the speaker. With a sharp motion, he tossed the documents in his hand onto the conference table, his hawk-like eyes narrowing on the subordinate delivering the report."Well, it's like this…" The subordinate cleared his throat nervously.Suddenly, a phone rang, its discordant sound breaking the tense atmosphere in the conference room.The subordinate hesitated, unsure whether to continue. To everyone's surprise, Alexander stood up and walked out of the room. His tall, commanding figure leaving the room left his subordinates exchanging bewildered glances.He took a call during a meeting?The company had
Standing at the door to the room, Alexander suddenly felt a heavy weight pressing on his chest, as if something inside was stirring uneasily. His thoughts were chaotic.Who should he believe?He hadn't noticed anything amiss in Melissa's demeanor, but Phoebe's recent behavior had been particularly strange. Melissa hadn't really said much—it was all his conjecture.Reflecting on Phoebe's odd actions and heightened emotions, he wondered: Was she simply desperate to return home? Or was it the trauma of her brother's sudden death weighing on her?Or maybe, just maybe, there was indeed something off about Melissa.He couldn't be certain yet. He needed to observe for a few days.The investigation into the incident where Phoebe was harmed was still unresolved.Who was obstructing it?All the leads had been cut off—and cleanly at that. Things were growing increasingly complex.Was he up against a formidable adversary?What was their objective? Were they targeting him? Or was Phoebe the real t
The next day, Alexander left early, leaving Phoebe to sleep in. When she finally woke up, she found herself bored out of her mind.After being cooped up in the room for several days, she decided to go out for a walk. She didn't plan to go far—just a casual stroll nearby.However, the moment she stepped out of the hotel, she bumped into Melissa.Phoebe immediately lowered her head, trying to avoid her, but Melissa's sharp eyes caught her."Phoebe, you're looking good today," Melissa remarked with a sly smile.Phoebe glanced at her but didn't respond. To her, Melissa still had that same fake demeanor. Nothing had changed.Alexander had assured her that Melissa wouldn't harm her, and she trusted him. Yet, being near Melissa made her instinctively uncomfortable."Don't be in such a rush to leave," Melissa continued, her tone overly cheerful. "I was just about to go for a walk too. You know, pregnant women should take more strolls—it's good for the baby's health!""I'd rather walk alone,"
"Wahhh… You murderer! You killed my child! You killed my child!" Melissa cried and wailed on the ground, her voice piercing through the air."I… I didn't mean to," she stammered, trying to explain."You did it on purpose! You didn't want me to have this child!" Melissa accused, her voice filled with venom."I'm not as malicious as you think!" she retorted.A crowd quickly gathered around them, murmuring amongst themselves.She couldn't understand some of the languages they spoke, but the condemning gazes of those around her were crystal clear. She adjusted her thoughts, piecing together the situation while staring at the writhing Melissa on the ground. It suddenly dawned on her—Melissa had done this on purpose!Melissa was framing her!All she had done was grab Melissa's clothes without using much force, yet Melissa had deliberately thrown herself to the ground, causing herself to miscarry.Oh heavens, how terrifying.She was horrifyingly calculating. Melissa had always been cunning,
7 PM, Airport.The waiting lounge was eerily quiet. Phoebe sat on the spacious sofa, waiting for her flight."Miss, it's time to board," her subordinate gently reminded her, snapping her out of her daze."Alright," she replied with a faint, stiff smile.Instinctively, she turned to glance at the empty waiting lounge. A bitter smile crept onto her face. Why would he come? At this moment, he was probably by Melissa's side.On the plane, Phoebe closed her eyes, trying to rest. She hadn't slept well the night before, dozing uncomfortably at her desk. She felt exhausted now.When she woke up, she'd be home, she thought. All the unhappiness would fade away.Golden sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled into the cabin, softly warming her. Yet, it didn't reach her heart.Phoebe had planned to take a cab home by herself. But as she stepped out of the airport, a car arranged by Alexander was already waiting for her.Once inside, she rolled down the window, letting the cool air in as sh
Alexander returned to the hospital room, only to find the bed empty—Phoebe was gone.Panic seized him, and his eyes burned red as he stormed out of the room, yelling at a group of nurses."Where did she go?" he roared."W-what?" The nurses froze, startled by his thunderous voice, their words tumbling out in fragments."I said, where is the woman from this room?" he repeated, his face dark with anger."S-sir, we didn't notice..." one nurse stammered, trembling at his fury."Damn it! Are you all useless? How could you not notice her leaving?"***The air was heavy with tension, mingled with the pungent smell of disinfectant that permeated the hospital corridors.Phoebe wandered aimlessly through the hallways, her mind a fog of confusion. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care.A sudden, bitter laugh escaped her lips. She was pathetic.The taste of her tears lingered on her lips—salty, bitter, and sour. She had no idea how far she'd walked, only that she kept circling the
"Oh, you're not completely clueless, are you? I didn't even say it, and you already guessed?" Melissa smirked, her expression brimming with pride. "But let's be honest, if I didn't tell you, you'd probably live your whole life as a fool! Hahaha."Her twisted and triumphant laughter pierced Phoebe's nerves like needles."Why would you do this?" Phoebe's voice trembled, her body swaying unsteadily. Her lips had turned pale, drained of all color.She could barely believe the words coming from Melissa's mouth.Her brother's death… was Melissa's doing?What a horrifying truth.Did Melissa not have family? Did she not understand the pain of losing a loved one?How could someone be so cruel?"The only mistake was that he was your brother! If you want to blame someone, blame yourself! Alex's obsession with you forced my hand. Do you know how much it costs every time I frame you? Luckily, it's all Alex's money, so I don't feel the pinch!" Melissa spoke casually, as if narrating a trivial story
"Do you have to be so ruthless?" Alexander's voice was gritted, his words laced with frustration, and his eyes darkened with a foreboding storm.Phoebe stared at him, her eyes reddened, tears welling up until they spilled down her pale cheeks."Ruthless? Do you even know what she did to me?" Phoebe's voice trembled with bitterness as she pointed an accusing finger at Melissa, her sorrow unmistakable.The sight of Phoebe's tears twisted Alexander's heart painfully. He wanted to reach out, to wipe them away, but his hand froze mid-air. Instead, the words that escaped his lips were colder and harsher.Was this still the Phoebe he once loved?Had he spoiled her too much? Had his care turned her into this unreasonable, cruel, and venomous person?Or had he misjudged her all along? Was this who she truly was?A bitter sneer crept into his thoughts. Women—so unfathomable, so deceitful. And the type of woman Alexander despised the most was one who played mind games with him."She's in this st
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