MasukAnastasia 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 and Kristen soon arrived at the venue, which was the prestigious Banks Hotel where the birthday celebration was being hosted. All sorts of luxurious sports cars and limousines were parked outside. Because they had arrived late, Kristen had to park their car a bit far from the main entrance, as the front lot was entirely full. As they were led toward the entrance, they were greeted by a massive crowd of reporters flashing cameras and holding microphones. If it hadn't been for the hotel bodyguards guiding them through, they wouldn't have been able to push past the media wall. Once they finally made it inside the lobby, Kristen let out a breath and adjusted his white suit jacket. "I have a feeling this party is going to be crazy," he sighed, looking around the beautifully decorated hotel interior. "Wow, they really went all out for the old man, didn't they?" He clapped a hand onto Ethan's shoulder. Ethan, meanwhile, had been a nervous wreck since the moment they pulled up. His
Ethan was completely distracted as Kristen kept talking to him about the dress code for Anastasia's grandfather's birthday party. "Why do you think they picked white for the theme? Isn't that a little weird for a birthday?"Ethan just nodded his head absentmindedly, his eyes glued to his phone screen. "Yeah, yeah."Kristen finished buttoning up his suit jacket and snorted, realizing that Ethan hadn't heard a single word he had said. Testing him, Kristen asked, "And you're a total fool, right?"Ethan nodded once again without looking up. "Yeah."At that point, Kristen knew his friend was completely checked out. He gave Ethan a light push, shouting, "Ethan!"Ethan jumped in surprise, dropping his phone onto his lap. "Bro, what the hell?"Kristen shook his head in disappointment. "Are you serious right now? You haven't heard a single thing I've said."Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he finally looked up at Kristen's suit.Ethan paused, shifting uncomfortably. "Of... course I heard you," he l
Damien’s expression darkened, and he looked at Ethan with total disgust .He pointed a finger at him. "So, you know about it?"Ethan raised an eyebrow, completely confused. "Knew about what? Look, I know it seems a bit absurd that I'm asking you for this, but she needs a date really badly. Just let me explain first before you decide."Damien stared at Ethan's pleading expression. He forced himself to calm down, leaning back into his leather chair. "Okay. Explain."Ethan was surprised Damien was actually willing to listen, but he knew he couldn't waste his luck. He cleared his throat and began. "So... Anastasia's grandfather is pressuring her to bring a suitor to his party."Damien cut in, his voice laced with annoyance. "And how is that my business?"Ethan sighed. "Just wait, I'm getting to that part."Damien kept his eyes fixed on Ethan. He thought he knew exactly where this story was heading, and he felt certain that Ethan had been deceived by his friends yet again.Ethan continued,
You just made the right choice,” Damien said calmly.He walked toward Ethan and extended his hand.Ethan stared at it. His eyes lingered on Damien’s hand, hesitation filling him at first.Slowly, Ethan reached out. His hand was weak as he placed it in Damien’s whose grip was strong and without hesit
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
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







