In July, Brighton City was in the midst of a scorching summer, with the sun blazing and heat waves rising from the ground.
By the time Anna walked from the airport to the front gate, the back of her dress was already slightly damp with sweat.
"Anna, over here."
A purple Porsche Panamera honked its horn in front of her. The window rolled down to reveal a beautifully made-up face.
Upon seeing her, Anna quickly walked over and opened the passenger door to get in.
The cool air conditioning inside the car wrapped around her, and she leaned back into the seat with a relaxed sigh, "Ah, this feels like heaven."
Rachel, the driver, turned slightly, opened the car's mini-fridge, and handed her a bottle of chilled sparkling water.
"Drink some water first. I know you don't like sugary, unhealthy drinks, so I brought this specially for you."
Though they were close friends, they had different habits when it came to food. Rachel, for example, loved sugary and icy drinks to quench her thirst during the unbearable summer heat.
"Thanks." Anna twisted the cap off the bottle and tilted her head back, drinking the water. Her smooth, delicate neck formed a graceful curve as she did so.
Rachel clicked her tongue in admiration. "Anna, we haven't seen each other in just over a year, and yet, I swear you've gotten even more beautiful."
"It's not that exaggerated." Anna smiled and casually placed the bottle in the cup holder.
"There's no exaggeration in it."
Rachel's gaze traveled over Anna, from head to toe, as if she were appraising a masterpiece.
Anna's honey-brown hair, soft and voluminous, hung loose down her back. Her eyes, large and almond-shaped, had a slight upward curve at the corners that made them look enchanting. Her small face, smooth as porcelain, and delicate features combined innocence with allure, making her irresistibly captivating.
With her ballet training, Anna's posture was flawless, and her aura radiated an elegant grace. The moment Rachel saw her during their first year abroad, Anna had fulfilled all her childhood fantasies of a fairy.
Rachel's voice became serious as she warned, "Anna, you really should avoid getting into a relationship."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
As she drove the car away from the airport, Rachel explained, "Because I honestly don't think any man is worthy of you. No matter who you're with, they're the lucky one, not you."
Anna adjusted her seat, "I'm not thinking about a relationship right now."
She wasn't opposed to being in one, but so far, no one had made her heart race. And, for her, a relationship needed to be built on mutual affection.
"Keep that mindset," Rachel said, then casually asked, "Your parents aren't coming back to the country, so why don't you stay at my place?"
"You're going to Seabrook for a vacation, right? Let's go together in a few days."
Whenever Anna had time off, she liked to stay at a beach in a different city for a while. The ocean had an inexplicable pull on her, one that kept bringing her back.
"You have time?" Anna looked at Rachel, who was wearing a sleek, foggy-blue suit dress—sharp and fashionable.
It was clear from her outfit that Rachel had come straight from the office.
"I'm the boss, of course I have time," Rachel replied confidently. "You're finally back in the country, so I must accompany you."
Anna still chose to return to her own home.
Although the villa hadn't been lived in for a long time, there were regular visits from a gardener to tend to the garden and cleaning staff to keep the place tidy. No matter when she came back, it was always ready for her.
Seabrook.
The vast, endless blue ocean sparkled under the bright sunlight, creating a shimmering effect like a massive sapphire. The waves rolled in, crashing against the rocks, sending splashes of foam into the air as they brushed against the soft, powder-like sand.
Anna strolled along the beach in a pair of diamond-adorned flip-flops, her red backless halter dress billowing in the breeze. Her pale skin and slender body were on full display—her sharp shoulders, her sculpted collarbones, and the smooth, white expanse of her back.
Tourists around her frequently turned their heads to admire her, some of them unable to tear their eyes away, mesmerized by her presence.
Rachel leaned over and whispered in Anna's ear, "Anna, so many people are staring at you."
Anna, unfazed, just shrugged. She was already used to the attention and had mastered the art of ignoring it.
She winked at Rachel and said, "It's probably because I'm just that beautiful."
Rachel, caught off guard, was flustered by Anna's playful teasing. "I'm straight, don't try to flirt with me."
After a moment, she added, "And take the 'probably' out of that statement."
Not far ahead, under a cream-colored sunshade, a man with silver hair lay lazily on a beach chair, his hands clasped behind his head. His long legs stretched casually, and a pair of black sunglasses rested on the bridge of his nose.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke his moment of relaxation.
"Chase, wake up, stop sleeping, there's a beautiful woman walking toward us!"
The man on the chair didn't move, only parted his lips slightly to respond, "Not interested."
If it were a rare, luxury car heading his way, he might open his eyes. But that was highly unlikely—his collection of rare cars was in his private garage, far beyond the standard showroom models.
Ryan, insistent as ever, slapped his shoulder, "If you don't open your eyes, you'll regret it."
"You won't see such a beautiful woman again," he continued to prattle on.
Chase Maxwell just felt the noise in his ears and reached up to rub them. With a sigh of impatience, he reluctantly opened his eyes and glanced sideways.
Just one glance, and through the crowd on the beach, he spotted that vibrant red dress.
The sea breeze lifted the uneven hem of her skirt, and her long, white legs were dazzling. Her honey-brown, wavy hair shimmered under the sun, adding to her vibrant, radiant look.
There were many tourists in dresses, some in red too, and even others wearing even lighter outfits. But none of them had the same aura. She seemed to radiate light, drawing every eye in her direction.
As she passed by, the people and the scenery around her appeared dull in comparison. She was more brilliant than the red dress itself.
Anna scanned the area ahead, searching for a place to rest, and accidentally met Chase's gaze.
Though his sunglasses obscured his eyes, she could feel his stare. In fact, she had already seen him before he looked at her—his striking silver hair was hard to miss.
Even lying on a beach chair, his towering figure and perfect proportions were impossible to ignore.
"Moon, there's an empty spot over there. Let's go sit and rest."
"Okay," Rachel linked her arm with Anna's as they moved forward.
Under the sunshade ahead, the two men were still talking.
"See? I told you, Chase," Ryan said, turning toward his friend.
Chase, hearing the voice, finally recalled his gaze and lazily responded, "Yeah, she's beautiful."
A perfect face, a slender body, an aristocratic aura.
"Wow, Chase, you—" Ryan's voice stopped mid-sentence when he saw that the object of their conversation had just sat down beside them under the sunshade.