Chapter 1

Eighteen years of relying on each other, inseparable, my brother died.

He died on a rich socialite's private yacht, simply because he accidentally stained her dress.

She, always pampered and arrogant, ordered her men to break his bones and throw him into the ocean to feed the fish.

When his body was recovered, it was already shattered beyond recognition.

I didn't shed a tear, didn't make a scene. I only did two things.

First, I found out that the rich socialite's most beloved person was Marcus Thorne, the CEO of Thorne Enterprises.

Second, I became Marcus Thorne's personal assistant.

Phoebe Sterling, since you made me lose the person I loved most, it’s time for you to taste that pain too.

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It was midnight, in the lavish Grand Imperial Hotel. I led Marcus Thorne to the presidential suite at the very end of the hall.

The man beside me had quite a bit to drink today. A faint blush touched his usually stoic face, his eyes were tightly shut, and his breath reeked of strong liquor.

I expertly swiped the room card, unlocked the door, and then slipped his phone from his pocket, dialing the number pinned at the top.

Once the call connected, I deliberately loosened my grip, letting him accidentally pull me close as we tumbled heavily onto the bed behind us.

The sound, heard from the other end of the phone, took on a completely different, suggestive meaning.

Sure enough, the person on the other end instantly flared up.

"Marcus? Where are you?"

"Hello?"

"Is there a woman there?! Marcus?"

Before the person on the other end could completely lose her mind, I discreetly hung up.

Everyone in their circle knew how much Phoebe Sterling loved Marcus Thorne. They had grown up together.

Although Marcus Thorne was known for being aloof and self-controlled, deeply affectionate and loyal, with only her in his heart, never getting close to other women, she still lacked a sense of security. From childhood, she never allowed any other woman within arm's reach of him.

Too much love often leads to too much possessiveness.

If she were to lose him completely one day, she’d surely go insane.

And that, exactly, was what I wanted.

Now, by deliberately creating this misunderstanding, I figured it wouldn’t be half an hour before she’d come banging on the door, making a huge scene.

A cold smirk played on my lips. I set the phone aside and walked into the bathroom to wet a towel.

Before stepping back into the living room, I delicately unbuttoned the top button of my shirt.

The handsome man on the bed was still fast asleep. I leaned in close, gently wiping his face.

He truly was the kind of man every woman in this city dreamed of but couldn't touch. His exquisite features, his undeniably handsome face—any woman who saw him couldn't help but feel a flutter.

But what I wanted was far more than something so simple.

I pressed harder, and he frowned, then opened his eyes.

Seeing my face, his eyes instantly sharpened, and he grabbed my hand, questioning.

"What are you doing?"

Like a deer caught in headlights, I flinched back.

"Mr. Thorne, you drank too much. I haven't been with the company long, and I didn't know your address, so I just booked a room for you upstairs from the banquet hall to rest."

"I was worried you wouldn't be comfortable, so I used a wet towel to wipe your face."

After hearing my explanation, Marcus Thorne's expression softened slightly.

He loosened his tie, taking a deep breath.

His gaze casually dropped to me.

Feeling his eyes on me, I quickly clutched my neckline with a hurried hand.

A rapid knocking on the door sounded, right on cue.

"You little fox, get out here now!"

"How dare you try to seduce my man? Are you asking for trouble?!"

"Open the door!"

I jumped off the bed, heart pounding, and whispered urgently, pleading with him.

"Mr. Thorne, Ms. Sterling can't know I'm in here. A man and a woman in the same room, no matter what we say, she won't believe it."

"If she sees me, I'll lose my job!"

"Please, I'm begging you, okay?"

My face was pale, my large, bright eyes wide and innocent, making me appear even more delicate and vulnerable.

Marcus Thorne frowned, a silent acknowledgment of my plea.

A wave of relief washed over me. I quickly scurried into the bathroom and hid.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, the vulnerable expression wiped clean from my face.

Phoebe Sterling.

The show is about to begin.

Get ready for what's coming…

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