Two hours earlier, Kendrick had just hung up on a call with Aron.On the phone, Aron mentioned that Anna’s mother, Briley, had asked her old lover to surprise Anna.A surprise? Kendrick sneered.He didn’t need to think twice to know this woman was up to no good.So far, his dear mother-in-law hadn’t done a single thing that was genuinely good for Anna.Just recently, she’d brought pastries over, hoping to use them as a chance to get rid of the baby in Anna’s belly.Kendrick had already warned her about that. Clearly, she hadn’t given up—only made her tactics more discreet.He glanced toward the restroom.Anna had gone in and wasn’t by his side at the moment.Coincidentally, Seraphina had just come over to deliver a gift on behalf of Ryan, so she went with Anna to the restroom.Since Seraphina was with her, Kendrick wasn’t too worried. The more pressing task was to warn Jax to stay alert and absolutely not let any strangers near Anna.Jax was outside the banquet hall. Just as Kendrick
Aron's kiss was so fierce it left Rachel breathless.She struggled desperately, like a restless bird fluttering in his arms.But his large, powerful hands easily pinned down her slender wrists, as though he'd clipped her wings.The moment she tried to resist, sharp pain seized her joints, rendering her completely immobile.All she could do was endure his kisses and let him do whatever he wanted.Perhaps because she stopped struggling, Aron's kisses gradually softened—from a storm to a drizzle.But his breath grew heavier, and his body burned hotter.When he tore her clothes off and pressed his aggressive kisses onto her shoulder, Rachel realized—she had become his prey.All resistance was futile; all reluctance had to surrender.She could only stay in his world, at his mercy.He wanted her, and she had to submit.So what if she didn’t want to be a backup?So what if she didn’t want to be his outlet?In the face of his physical strength and the power imbalance between them, she had no
Rachel stood watching Ms. Sanchez on stage, her heart a mix of emotions. Then she saw the distinguished gentleman—clearly the man Ms. Sanchez had been gazing at so lovingly—sit down at the piano.He began to play, joining Ms. Sanchez in a duet.With the man she loved playing beside her, Ms. Sanchez’s music became even more graceful and flowing. The two performed in perfect harmony, occasionally exchanging tender glances. Even as an onlooker, Rachel could feel the sweetness between them.Qinse heming—a perfect match in music and in love. That phrase seemed to capture this moment exactly.Rachel turned to glance at Aron beside her, worried the sight might be painful for him.She was just about to suggest they leave when Aron took her hand. “Let’s go,” he said.His voice was calm, but Rachel could still hear the tinge of sorrow in it.Without a word, she leaned over and pressed herself against his side, wrapping her arms around his waist just like she had on the way here.Aron froze for
Aron’s question left Rachel both amused and exasperated. Was he really that afraid she’d quit?But suddenly, she had the urge to tease this rich young master a bit.“Then what if I ask for an annual salary of a million? Would you still agree?” she asked with a smile.He chuckled, “I can give you even more.”Being held in his arms like this made her feel like a little girl acting coy in her older brother’s embrace.She had never acted cute with anyone before, and she certainly never expected that being pampered would feel so blissful.So she asked again, “Would you give me anything I want?”“If I have it, I’ll give it to you,” Aron said, gazing deeply into her eyes, his tone impossibly sincere.Rachel listened to that unwavering answer and finally understood why some women could be swayed by a few sweet words from a man—smiling foolishly, willingly offering everything.Those words really did make her heart flutter.Rachel, emboldened, asked, “Even things like cars and houses?”He chuck
Rachel seemed to be under a spell—she actually obeyed his command and closed her eyes.But with her eyes closed, the rest of her senses heightened.She could feel the cool, sweet touch of his lips. She couldn't tell whether the creamy sweetness came from her mouth or his.Her hearing sharpened too. She could hear the strong, steady beat of his heart, his breathing, and even the sticky, quiet sounds of their kiss.Yet her brain felt dull.She had a thousand reasons to push him away—but in that moment, she forgot them all.She forgot she was on a crowded pedestrian street. She forgot all the rules: that he was her employer, that he was an untouchable young master, that maybe he was just playing around, trying to take advantage of her.Not only did she lose all intention to resist, she even responded to his kiss.Rachel parted her lips almost instinctively, her kiss lingering and deepening, lost in the intimacy.And her response only gave Aron more room to push further—what had started a
The longer Rachel stared at the painting of herself, the more her face burned with embarrassment. She felt like digging a hole and hiding in it.Right beside her was a piece of white cloth, which she instinctively picked up to cover the painting.But as soon as she unfolded the cloth, her wrists were gently caught from behind.Mr. Knight’s deep, magnetic voice sounded from behind her.“The paint’s still wet. If you smudge it, you’ll have to take your clothes off again so I can repaint it.”He’d left the room earlier without closing the door, and Rachel hadn’t noticed when he’d come back.Now he stood behind her, holding her wrists as he slowly lowered them. His posture was almost an embrace.Rachel could feel his chest against her back. She was so flustered, she couldn’t say a word.Then his warm breath brushed her ear.“Or… are you hoping I’ll paint you again?”She immediately shook her head. “I just… I was worried dust might fall on it. I wanted to cover it with a cloth.”“No need f