MasukHey lovely readers,Just a quick note Anna in this chapter isn't Damien's caretaker, she's a completely different character, she's Ethan's friend,everyone calls her Anna but her full name is Anastasia.Think of it like a nickname! Just wanted to clear that up so no one gets confused 💕
Tae's grin widened as he feigned innocence."What do you mean, child?" he asked with a chuckle. "I'm the clueless one here."His gaze shifted away from Damien and landed on Anastasia. A warm smile spread across his face."And who is this lovely young lady standing beside my grandson?" he asked. "Are you his girlfriend?"Anastasia hesitated. Shyness crept into her expression as she glanced at Damien. She had no idea how to define their relationship, but she certainly couldn't tell his grandfather that.With a timid smile, she replied, "I'm his girlfriend."Tae's eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise."A girlfriend?" he repeated. "Well done, boy. You have excellent taste. She's absolutely beautiful."He gave Damien a friendly pat on the shoulder before gesturing for them to follow him."Now, now," he said cheerfully. "Let's go meet her parents. You can't take someone's daughter without asking for her parents' permission, can you?"His smile never faltered.Damien, however, didn't return
Kristen stood stunned, watching the two of them walk away hand in hand. He turned to Ethan with pity in his eyes, knowing his friend would be completely devastated.He was right. Tears were already streaming down Ethan's face, his eyes fixed on the direction they had gone. Kristen’s heart broke for his friend. Beyond looking like a complete mess from being pushed by Anastasia, Ethan was visibly crushed.Placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder, Kristen tried to lead him away, his voice solemn. "Let's go home."Ethan shoved his hand off. "No, I'm staying!"He stormed off toward Damien and Anastasia. Kristen didn't get angry; instead, he felt even more sorry for him."Ethan, wait!" Kristen called out, but Ethan didn't stop. Instead he followed the direction Damien and Anastasia had gone. By the time he caught sight of them again, they were walking toward the very front of the hall, hand in hand, while Dimitri remained on the podium.Gasps rippled through the room as guests watched Damien esco
Both Ethan and Kristen were stunned by Anastasia's words."My fiancé?" Ethan frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"Anastasia burst into laughter, her eyes gleaming with mockery.Kristen stared at her, barely recognizing the woman standing before him."What did you do, Anna?" he asked sternly. "I told you to let him go. Don't tell me you ignored me."He looked at his childhood friend, desperately hoping she hadn't done something that would hurt both herself and Ethan.Ethan's confusion only deepened."Let who go?" he demanded. "What the fuck are you two talking about?"Anastasia scoffed."As usual, Ethan is completely clueless. You'll find out exactly what's happening when Damien arrives."She turned to leave before glancing back with a sinister smile."Sit down and enjoy the show."She no longer needed Ethan. He had already served his purpose by bringing Damien here. Since Damien had promised Ethan he would attend, she knew he wouldn't break his word.Tonight, her grandfathe
Anastasia walked past her, feeling completely confident. She couldn't wait to put Aileen and everyone else who had ever doubted or insulted her right back in their place. By the time they saw her walking in beside Damien Blackwood, they would all be utterly speechless.A few minutes later, Anastasia had finished getting dressed. She had originally prepared another outfit for when Damien arrived, never expecting she would end up wearing it herself. It was a stunning white dress with elegant black stripes along the sleeves. The moment she looked into the mirror, a proud smile spread across her face."Today's the day," she murmured to her reflection. "I'm finally going to claim what's mine."With renewed confidence, she stepped out of the VIP suite. After all, it was her family's hotel. She could use any room she wanted whenever she pleased.As she walked downstairs, her smile gradually faded. There was still no sign of Damien.Moments later, Harold was escorted into the hall by Monica an
Ethan furrowed his eyebrows, thoroughly confused. "I don't get it. I've been played by who?"Kristen threw his hands up in frustration at how blind his friend was being. "Can't you see what's going on, Ethan? Why did she pick Damien out of all the men in the city? Doesn't she have anyone else she could ask?"Ethan fell silent. Kristen's words hit close to home; the thought had crossed his mind before, but he had quickly brushed it aside without giving it any deeper meaning.Meanwhile, the main event was beginning to get under way as guests poured into the grand ballroom. High-profile figures, business moguls, and socialites filled the room. For a man as powerful and wealthy as Harold Banks, a birthday celebration was never just a party—it was a display of status.The hotel hall was massive, yet a subtle hierarchy was clearly at play. The richest and most influential guests occupied the prime VIP tables right near the stage, while lesser-known attendees and distant acquaintances were s
Kristen was still confused. "Damien? Why is his coming here such a big deal? I don't understand—is there something else I need to know?" He looked back and forth between Anastasia and Ethan, searching for an explanation.Anastasia quickly decided this was not the time for Kristen to find out what was going on. If he found out, he might talk Ethan out of it and ruin her plans entirely, which she couldn't allow.She turned to Ethan. "Please text him again. I'll catch up with you guys later." With that, she spun around and walked away, needing to discuss something important with her father.Once Anastasia was out of earshot, Ethan was left alone with Kristen, who was still demanding answers."Are you going to keep hiding whatever secret you and Anna have," Kristen asked, his voice low and serious, "or are you going to spill it right now?"Ethan sighed. "Let's find our seats first. It's a long story."Kristen nodded, and the two of them followed the usher to their designated table. It was
Ethan froze at the door, hearing the apology made his eyes widen in pure shock. He slowly turned back to look at the man behind the desk, wondering if he had heard correctly."I'm sorry for strangling you," Damien said, his voice level. "It wasn't intentional, it was out of instinct."Ethan froze.
The final bell of the day usually felt like a victory, but for Ethan, it sounded like a death toll. He walked toward the school exit, his stomach tied in knots. He had no idea how he was going to face Damien, let alone ask the man to tutor him. It felt like crawling back to a lion and asking it to
Ethan froze, disbelief rendering him completely silent as his mind struggled to process what he had just heard. Had the living Yama truly asked him to marry him? The words felt impossible absurd and unreal like something his broken mind had invented to escape the pain. He stared at Damien desperate
Metropolis Prison was the most dangerous prison in the country, a place where the most violent criminals were kept. Murderers, serial killers, and men whose names inspired fear lived within its walls. It was not a place meant for someone like Ethan Vale.Ethan lay on his bed or rather, what could b







