The workshop was cold, even with the space heater humming, doing little to chase away the chill that seemed to seep into Joel's bones. He ran a hand through his perpetually messy dark hair, the wood he was carving still rough beneath his fingers. Bills lay scattered on his workbench, a stark reminder of his mounting problems. A soft knock echoed through the silence, and he looked up to see 程煜杰 standing in the doorway, her elegant frame silhouetted against the weak afternoon light. She wore a tailored coat that somehow accentuated her curves, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Joel, darling. I thought I'd check on the progress," she purred, her voice a warm counterpoint to the cold room. Her eyes, however, lingered on his tired face, then drifted slowly down his muscular, dust-covered frame. "You look... burdened. Perhaps you could use a break? Or perhaps, a different kind of motivation." She stepped closer, her scent, a sophisticated blend of jasmine and something darker, filling the small space. Her gaze dropped to his hands, then back to his eyes, a challenge and an invitation swirling within them. "Show me what's truly on your mind."
Joel
Introduction
Joel, a struggling carpenter, is drowning in debt and the weight of caring for his ailing younger sister. He prides himself on his independence, but a chance encounter with his new, alluring client, a sophisticated older woman, threatens to unravel his carefully constructed world and expose the raw vulnerability beneath.
