“Hmm?”


    “You went out, didn’t you?” He gazed into my eyes.


    I felt a pang of guilt. “Um…”


    “Phoebe, forget about him; he’s not worth it,” Colin’s words came out of the blue.


    My heart raced as I looked at Colin, wondering who he was referring to.


    In my memory, Foebe did have an ex–boyfriend, a real piece of work, even worse than Dexter. Was


    Colin talking about him?


    Without an exnation, I looked down and walked away.


    Colin’s eyes were always so intense as if they could pull you in–I dared not look too long.


    “Madam, these are the clothes and jewelry that the Mr. Samuel has sent over. He says that now you’re


    part of the Langley family, you should outshine everyone else,” the nanny said with a look of envy as


    she brought in the luxurious custom attire and jewelry.


    I nced at the garments and jewelry; they were indeed valuable, with a single ne costing eight


    figures.


    Standing up, I approached the mirror and casually started to get ready.


    “I saw the CEO of Fitzgerald Group arriving with his fiancée–what a perfect match they make.” the


    nanny reminded me.


    I frowned, looking at her. “Dexter and Melody?”


    She nodded.


    Ah, talk about a small world. Well, I couldn’t be med for this; it was just Melody’s bad luck to bump


    into me here.


    Knowing Brendan cared about appearances, I did my makeup and slipped into a strapless: evening


    gown.


    The gown plunged daringly low, entuating Foebe’s already wless figure to a tantalizing degree.


    Looking at my reflection, I had to admit, to describe myself as a Muse wouldn’t be an exaggeration.


    Foebe was truly stunning, the kind that would stand out in the entertainment industry..


    “So beautiful…” even the nanny couldn’t help butpliment.


    Yet, my expression soured. Such a low–cut gown–Samuel was truly despicable.


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    Indeed, it seemed all men were the same, even when confined to a wheelchair.


    At the doorway, Samuel sat in his wheelchair, apuding. “I must admire the old man’s taste–top–


    notch choices. You look absolutely ravishing.”


    His praise made me want to gag.


    I watched him warily and managed a smile. “Thank you for thepliment, Uncle.”


    By asserting my role, he should have gotten the hint.


    But, of course, his intentions were far from pure.


    Samuel nced at the nanny. “Leave us; I have something to discuss with her.”


    The nanny hesitated but didn’t dare say more, and she kindly closed the door behind her as she left.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I watched Samuel, my brows furrowed. “What is it you wanted to discuss, Uncle?”


    “Phoebe, you’re a smart girl. You must understand who will eventually take charge of the Langley


    family?” Samuel rose from his wheelchair and approached me.


    I stared at him in surprise. He wasn’t disabled? He could walk? Why y the part of the wheelchair–


    bound man–why not just lie down in a coffin instead?


    “I don’t understand what you mean, Uncle,” I said, taking a step back.


    “It’s such a pity for you, being with a madman. If only I were…” Samuel clenched his teeth, a fierce look


    shing in his eyes as if there was something he deeply resented.


    The Langley family’s inability to produce heirs was theughingstock of Sea City, a jokemonly


    shared even among Dexter and his circle. They mocked Samuel, saying the Langley family, with such a


    heritage, ended up with a dud like Samuel. He had ruined himself in his youth and would likely meet his


    end at the hands of a woman.


    “Foebe, once this child is born, the madman will lose his value. The old man has no other heirs but me.


    If you y your cards right with me, only then will you have a life worth living. understand?” Samuel


    was done pretending,ying it all out in the open. He reached to grab my dress with ill intent.


    I tried to dodge, but he pinned me against the vanity.