I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

……

……

"Then I'll take my leave now."

After that, Phoebe shared the pastries she had made with everyone.

Although these snacks were originally prepared for Duanmu Yan alone, it seems like a wonderful thing to be able to share this sweetness with everyone.

After all, faith originates from love, love generates sharing, and sharing in turn repays love.

"Are you leaving already, Phoebe?"

"Yes, it's getting late."

"Then I'll give it to you."

"Hey, is that okay?"

"of course."

As night fell, the streets and alleys were shrouded in darkness. A casual suggestion ignited a glimmer of light in the girl's eyes.

The two walked side by side down the street late at night, their footsteps echoing softly on the cobblestones.

Duanmu Yan ultimately did not tell Phoebe what the order had done—even if she knew the sordid truth, given her personality, she would only be torn apart by faith and morality even more.

Some truths are like sharp blades; the more you know, the easier it is to wound a pure heart.

He looked up at the night sky, which was cut into narrow strips by the eaves.

Sometimes, a degree of ignorance is a form of compassion.

Phoebe's gaze swept over the youth's silhouette softened by the night, her eyes flashing with a complex light.

For some reason, the girl always seemed to want more.

At first, I was already happy enough if we could just bump into each other by chance on a street corner.

But now, that faint joy has long faded, and a deeper longing is stirring deep in my heart.

Why have I become so greedy?

—At what moment did I lose that easily satisfied self from the past?

"Phoebe?"

"Ah? Yes, I'm here." The girl snapped out of her chaotic thoughts and smiled gently. "What is it, Mr. Duanmu?"

Why do you seem so preoccupied?

"Huh, do I have one?"

"It's practically written all over your face." Duanmu Yan chuckled, gently rubbing her soft cheek. "Is something bothering you?"

Phoebe quickly shook her head: "No, that's not true."

——Of course.

The person who started this is looking at her with concern, completely unaware of what's going on.

"Really?"

"real!"

Duanmu Yan looked at the girl in front of him with a puzzled expression, and finally shrugged helplessly: "Okay, if anything happens, just tell me. Don't keep problems to yourself. After all, I'm Phoebe's family."

The moment those words left her lips, the girl felt her heart suddenly stop beating.

She hurriedly lowered her head, hiding her burning cheeks in the night, and gently pressed one hand to her chest, trying to soothe her restless heart.

—That's the sentence.

This tender bond is giving rise to an even more insatiable desire in her heart.

"Imperataus, forgive my sins."

So the girl made up her mind.

At the intersection, Duanmu Yan stopped.

"I'll leave you here," he said softly, the night air flowing over his shoulders. "Phoebe, tomorrow—"

The words have not yet fallen.

The petite blonde girl suddenly tiptoed and gently cupped his cheeks in her hands—a kiss fell like a feather, carrying a tender warmth and determination.

She clutched her violently heaving chest, as if her restless heart was about to leap out of her chest at any moment.

Without leaving a single word, only the hem of her skirt drawing a hurried arc as she turned—the girl dashed away like a deer fleeing the scene, quickly disappearing into the darkness of the night at the street corner.

The night breeze gently brushed past Duanmu Yan's stunned figure, the fleeting warmth still lingering on his lips.

“Phoebe, she…”

This sudden kiss caught Duanmu Yan completely off guard.

"He actually kissed me once and then ran away."

Volume 1: The Second Miss's Skirt. Chapter 171: Punishing the Second Miss in the Office.

Laguna, Bank Street.

Koleta sat alone behind her large desk, her fingertips brushing across the pages, making a soft rustling sound.

As the family's gun, Koleta had been secretly handling shady matters for the family. She rarely dealt with such family business matters in the past, but only in the last year, her grandfather allowed her to participate in the family business, and that's when she gradually became busier.

Although many in the family see her as the next head of the family, Koleta is very clear about her position—she is a member of a collateral branch of the Motari family, and if it weren't for her grandfather's favor, she might still be in a corner of some orphanage.

Therefore, she never coveted anything that did not belong to her.

She always maintained a proper distance and impeccable respect for her rightful heir—her uncle Coppola Motari.

Regardless of what others think, she just needs to do her best.

Dengdengdeng-

A series of knocks came from outside the door.

The young woman remained motionless, her lowered gaze still fixed on the open document. It was a risk assessment for the cooperation with Qiqiu Vulcan Mining—for the family business to take root in Qiqiu, a region dominated by nobles, the support of local powers was indispensable.

This agreement is both an opportunity and a trap; every clause could become a crossroads in our future.

"Come in."

The soft sound of the door hinges turning briefly pulled her from her reverie.

She looked up, and her gaze faltered slightly when it fell upon the newcomer. A barely perceptible glint flashed in her eyes, quickly disappearing beneath her calm gaze.

"Cat's Eye Stone? When did you get back?"

Duanmu Yan looked at the girl in front of him and smiled, "Just last night."

"Last night?" Koleta raised a delicate eyebrow and let out a soft snort. "Why didn't you tell me then?"

"It's so late, I was afraid of disturbing your rest." He smiled and took two steps forward to explain, "Look, I came straight here as soon as I got up this morning. Isn't that enough to prove how important you are to me, Miss?"

"Don't give me that." Koleta turned her face away, her voice tinged with a hint of resentment. "If it were really like you say, you wouldn't always be... flirting around with other women outside."

How many people are there now?

Koleta couldn't remember anymore.

In any case, there are already three in Laguna.

—Especially that wretched jellyfish spirit.

Secondly, there are the blond-haired monks from the religious order!

Finally, there's that gloomy woman!

None of them are easy to deal with.

"Sigh, let's not talk about these trivial things in our private time." Duanmu Yan walked behind Koleta and gently massaged her shoulders.

She gently closed her eyes, feeling the just-right pressure on her shoulders.

"Hmph, who has any private time with you?" The girl's tone was indifferent, but her tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed. "So, you saw Xia Kong?"

"I haven't said it yet."

“Because I already guessed it the moment you told me,” Koleta said knowingly. “Who else could be a bard being hunted by the order but her? So… can her abilities be of any help to you?”

Duanmu Yan nodded: "Yes, through her ability, I broke through Leviathan's blockade and saw Katishia again."

Katishia?

Oh right, I almost forgot.

The saint who is still trapped in Sonora.

I should feel pure sympathy for her, but a vague sense of crisis lingers in a corner of my heart—a sense of threat that is even more pronounced than when I'm with other people.

Is not it?

After all, when these two meet, there are almost never any third people present.

Although she wanted to rescue the saint from eternal loneliness more than anyone else, her past experiences made her begin to suspect: would that bastard Cat's Eye Stone take the opportunity to cuckold me again?

"How are you and Katishia getting along?"

So, she changed the subject and asked Duanmu Yan in a casual tone.

Although the girl's tone was devoid of any emotion.

But Duanmu Yan could still sense the probing in Miss Ba Shi's words—this was a question that could cost him his life.

Duanmu Yan's super brain told him that it was time to change the subject.

“Moreover, Miss,” he said, deliberately increasing the pressure of his massage, “she’s staying with me temporarily because she needs Xia Kong’s abilities to help her.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Duanmu Yan suddenly realized: Why does this topic feel so dangerous?

Koleta's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed: "Xia Kong... will stay with you temporarily? Hmm, that's fine. It'll be more convenient that way."

"Oh, doesn't the Second Miss object?"

"Do you really think I'm that heartless?" She sighed helplessly. "To rescue Katishia, Xia Kong's assistance is indeed indispensable. Living together can improve efficiency, I understand. Besides, that way, you'll have no reason to contact Cantrela!"

Her words abruptly stopped. She suddenly tilted her head back, her clear pupils reflecting Duanmu Yan's figure directly: "Of course, you shouldn't have any dangerous thoughts. Xia Kong is my friend, you absolutely cannot lay a hand on her!"

Duanmu Yan was embarrassed: "Second Miss, the way you're talking... makes me sound like some kind of sinner."

“Isn’t that right?” Coleta retorted.

Having learned from Yuno and Lupa's mistakes, she should have nipped all possibilities around this guy in the bud long ago.

"..."

Duanmu Yan was speechless.

“Oh, right,” Koleta casually adjusted her posture, “I need to attend a banquet this weekend, you’ll come with me.”

"I also need to go?"

"What else?" She glanced at him casually. "You're my boyfriend. Of course we have to go together."

"Can we cancel it?" He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear. "I think we can use that time to do something we love."

"Don't even think about it." The four resolute words crushed his delusions. "This is a formal meeting between the Mortari and Fesari families."

The Faisal family?

That means...

Will Cantrell be there too?

“…Alright.” He finally relented.

"Why do I have a feeling that you only agreed because you heard about the Feisali family?"

“This is clearly a baseless accusation, Second Miss.” Duanmu Yan’s fingertips slowly slid down her shoulder line and lingered on her back. “It seems we really do need to… improve our mutual trust.”

"Mmm..." A muffled whimper escaped the girl's throat, her fair skin flushing a captivating blush. "Don't...don't do anything rash...this is an office..."

"So what?" He leaned closer, inhaling the delicate fragrance emanating from the girl's neck. "Isn't it only natural to be tender with your lover?"

“You—” Koleta turned her face away in embarrassment and annoyance, her long eyelashes trembling and drooping, her voice gradually becoming as soft as a mosquito’s hum, “At least… go and lock the door first. And… hurry up, these documents must be processed today.”