Laura's eyes widened in shock at the scene before her. Frozen in the posture she had assumed when she screamed, her voice trembled as she began, "You…" She wanted to ask him what he was doing to Phoebe, but fear stilled her tongue. Deep down, Laura was terrified of Gavin, unwilling to provoke him with even a simple question. She worried her inquiry might anger him.Her gaze shifted to Phoebe, lying naked on the couch. Watching her brother's actions, Laura's heart trembled, her mind spinning in confusion and embarrassment. The sight was unsettling, evoking an inexplicable sense of shame. Memories flashed in her mind—Gavin had once treated her in a similar way.Gavin glanced at Laura, then back at the woman beneath him. His body stiffened instantly, and he pulled away, lips parting as if to speak. Before he could utter a word—Smack.The sound of a resounding slap echoed through the air.Phoebe glared at him with undisguised disgust, her trembling body curling into itself as she hugged h
Morning sunlight filtered gently through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Phoebe stirred awake, instinctively reaching out to her side, only to be startled by the absence of Laura, who should have been there. Her eyes snapped open, and to her shock, the first thing she saw was Gavin.In that instant, the terrifying memories of the previous night surged back like a tidal wave, gripping her heart with fear. She recoiled instinctively, her gaze filled with wariness and terror, locking directly onto Gavin's.For a moment, Gavin's expression froze. The guarded and frightened look in Phoebe's eyes pierced him deeply, leaving a searing pain in his chest he couldn't ignore."You're awake?"His voice, magnetic as ever, carried an uncharacteristic softness, tinged with concern that he didn't bother to hide."What do you want?"Phoebe's voice trembled, her fear evident."Did I scare you last night? I... I'm truly sorry.
Inside the slowly moving car, the atmosphere was subtly tense. Gavin focused intently on the steering wheel, driving steadily, while Phoebe sat in the passenger seat, her heart consumed by a growing sense of urgency.Throughout the ride, she bit her lip several times, hesitating to speak. Her mind was fixated on asking about Alexander's whereabouts.After all, Gavin had confidently assured her earlier that he had found Alexander. Yet, so much time had passed, and he hadn't said a word about it, as if his promise had been entirely forgotten.Phoebe grew increasingly restless, worry gnawing at her. Was he lying to her? Had he merely used this as a ploy to coax her into the car?The thought stoked the flames of anger within her, and her face flushed red with frustration. Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, she burst out."Are you going to tell me or not?" Phoebe raised her voice, her tone a mix of urgency and indignation. She fixed her gaze on
The next day, Phoebe arrived at the agreed location on time, following Gavin's instructions from the day before. She had assumed they would head straight to the evening banquet, but what greeted her instead was a high-end fashion studio."Why are we here?" Phoebe asked suspiciously, standing at the entrance without any intention of stepping inside.Her eyes stayed fixed on Gavin, trying to discern his intentions from his expression."As my companion for the evening, you'll need to be appropriately dressed," Gavin replied with an air of calm confidence. After a brief pause, a faint smile tugged at his lips."Phoebe, do you think showing up in your current attire would be appropriate for such a formal occasion?" His gaze swept over her outfit, making his point clear.Phoebe instinctively glanced down at her casual student clothes, then turned to her reflection in the glass panel on the wall.She couldn't deny that her outfit was utterly unsuit
There was an inherent wicked charm and untamed energy about Gavin.As he approached step by step, Phoebe's heart inexplicably began to race.Feeling flustered, she lowered her head.She couldn't deny the man before her possessed an extraordinary allure, both in looks and demeanor. His every move exuded an irresistible charisma.Yet, Phoebe's heart was already filled with someone else, leaving no room for anyone else."Let's go,"Gavin said, his arm slightly bent in an elegant gesture, inviting Phoebe to take it.Phoebe frowned slightly, her heart filled with hesitation and conflict.After a brief pause, she gingerly extended her delicate arm and looped it through his. Wearing these high heels felt like walking on clouds—unsteady and precarious.Clinging to his arm seemed the most practical choice.Still, Phoebe couldn't help but wonder if he had done this on purpose.He knew she rarely wore heels
As night fell, a grand and luxurious banquet unfolded within a palatial villa. The interior was brilliantly lit, filled with the mingling of elegant figures and murmurs of distinguished guests from all walks of life.A sleek black car glided smoothly through the gates of the villa, coming to a halt under the respectful gaze of the waiting servants.The car door opened, revealing Gavin's tall and commanding figure. His steps were steady as he exited the vehicle and circled around to the other side, where he gracefully opened the door for Phoebe with a gentlemanly gesture.Phoebe stepped out lightly, her movements poised and graceful. She naturally linked her arm with Gavin's, but beneath her composed demeanor, her heart raced uncontrollably. A subtle wave of nervousness spread through her body, impossible to suppress.Her eyes darted anxiously through the crowd, searching for the tall figure that haunted her thoughts. Yet after a few moments, a faint glimmer of disappointment crossed h
Alexander entered the grand banquet hall with his date in tow, commanding attention like a storm disturbing a calm lake. In an instant, the event's serene atmosphere was shattered, and a wave of whispers and speculation rippled through the crowd. His presence, as a figure of such significance, was akin to dropping a bombshell amidst the gathering of elites and dignitaries—impossible to ignore."Mr. Davis, welcome! We are honored by your presence," greeted a slightly overweight middle-aged man who rushed forward, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile. Bowing and scraping, he resembled a sycophantic lapdog, eager to curry favor with the powerful Alexander. Not long after, several others followed suit, surrounding Alexander in a small circle of flattery and eager conversation.Alexander's expression remained indifferent, his features as unreadable as the surface of a tranquil lake. He responded with a curt "Hmm," giving no clue to his inner thoughts or emotions."Is this your new
"Alex, what are you looking at so intently?" Samantha's voice was sweet and coquettish, her eyes shimmering as she playfully asked the question.Her tone carried the intimacy of lovers oblivious to their surroundings.A fleeting, complex emotion crossed Alexander's deep eyes—like a shooting star in the night sky, gone in an instant. His thin lips pressed into a stern line, ignoring Samantha's question entirely. He continued to gaze silently in one direction, his expression inscrutable.The faint smile on Phoebe's lips froze, transforming into something stiff and bitter. It was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her, chilling her to the bone.Every inch of her body felt the cold seeping in, numbing her.Why was he acting this way? Had he not seen her? Why did his gaze treat her like a stranger—so indifferent, as though they had never shared a connection?It was as if everything between them had been a fleeting dream, now completely erased.Was it because of her impulsive
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