LOGINThe bedroom door burst open with a loud bang.Bruce stood in the doorway, his tall frame nearly blocking all the light. A chilling aura radiated from him and instantly froze the room's warmth.The two maids, who had been holding up their phones and enthusiastically introducing men to Isolde, froze. Their phones slipped from their hands and hit the floor with a dull plop.The screens remained lit and faced upward, and Bruce's gaze dropped at once to the images displayed: a man in a black suit with a stern expression, whose attire bore a faint resemblance to Bruce's own.'Hmph!' They had even gone so far as to find a "stand-in."Bruce's face darkened, and the storm in his eyes seemed almost tangible. He strode into the room. Each step pressed down like a weight on the heart, his murderous intent spreading so heavily that it suffocated the air."Ladies," he said coldly. "Are you tired of your work at the palace and ready to switch careers to matchmaking?"He stopped in front of the
"In that case, the fans who ship you with Ms. Vancrest will gradually lose their illusions and accept reality. Your relationship with Princess Claudia will also proceed more smoothly. When you marry, public acceptance and support will be much higher—""Divorce?" Bruce cut Danny off mid-sentence.The word left his lips with a chill sharp enough to pierce through the phone line.The kitchen light fell across his sharply defined profile, deepening the shadows and making him seem even more forbidding."Who said I'm getting a divorce?"Danny shivered on the other end and stammered, "B-But it's all over the internet… the Last Meal, the Last Kiss… the topic's trending every day. Everyone says you and Ms. Vancrest are staging a ritual farewell before the divorce…"His voice trailed off as he spoke, and he finally sensed something was wrong.'But if it isn't a divorce, with Mr. Princeton's means and influence, how could he allow those topics to remain at the top for days? Unless…' Danny
"Wait… something's wrong.""The man holding the 'female ghost'… that face. Isn't that Mr. Princeton, who went to the amusement park with Princess Claudia?""The Prince? At the haunted house, he didn't hold her, but now he's holding a ghost?""What's going on? Is he scared out of his mind, or did he mistake someone, or…"There was too much to process. The crowd felt as if their brains might short-circuit.Isolde remained in Bruce's arms for a few seconds. As the shock faded and she noticed the dozens of eyes fixed on her, embarrassment set in."Uh… can you put me down? It's… kind of embarrassing…"With Bruce holding her in that ghostly state in full view of everyone, people would probably think he had lost his mind. It completely undermined his tall, heroic image.Bruce, however, did not care. He studied her terrifying makeup, amusement filling his eyes. "I'm holding my wife. Why would I care if anyone envies me?"He held her firmly, chin lifted, and strode toward the exit.No
Thinking back on the last ten minutes of nonstop harassment at breakfast, then at the "ghostly love story" before her, Claudia reluctantly realized that staying would accomplish nothing.Watching Bruce and Isolde's display would only deepen her anger. Her face turned pale, and she shot them a furious glare."This is pointless. I'm done." She spat the words, clicked her heels, and strode toward the locked, carved wooden door.Coldly, she spoke into her headset. "Open the door."The lock disengaged from outside, and the door swung open.Claudia stormed out, her expression dark.Inside, Bruce and Isolde remained where they stood. He raised his hand and gently brushed away the powder on her cheek, which had begun to crack and dry. His eyes brimmed with affection, his smile soft and unrestrained.He lowered his gaze to her. "Still playing?"More than half the haunted house remained unexplored. If he stayed with Claudia, the time would drag, dull and tedious. With Isolde beside him,
Bruce's smile deepened until it nearly melted, forming an absurd yet striking contrast with the eerie surroundings and the "ghost bride" in his arms.Claudia watched the bizarre scene. Her lips twitched uncontrollably, and her mind filled with bold, jagged question marks.Had Bruce been scared senseless? Or was he a hidden pervert, the kind who enjoyed this kind of horror aesthetic? He could even hold someone as ugly and terrifying as this "ghost bride" without hesitation?The thought sent a chill down her spine.Seeing his reaction, the female ghost lost interest. She lifted a hand wrapped in white silk and brushed the hair from her face. "How did you recognize me?"Bruce raised his hand and gently pushed aside the messy, sticky wig covering her face. His movements were careful and tender."With this look, I wouldn't even recognize myself in the mirror." The ghost glanced at her terrifying reflection in the bronze mirror, then at Claudia's ashen face. "Even she was scared half t
A sudden change erupted. Behind the canopy bed draped in blood-stained gauze, a white figure appeared out of nowhere and lunged forward.It was a "female ghost" dressed in a bridal gown. The gown was bright white, yet stained throughout with dark brown blood. Her long hair hung loose and covered most of her face, but through the strands, the exposed skin looked unnaturally pale and marked with eerie bluish patterns.Even more horrifying, in the dim light her eyes resembled two black voids, with dark red, bloody tears constantly flowing.Claudia was completely caught off guard."Ah!" she screamed and stumbled back several steps. Her high heel twisted, and she nearly fell, barely managing to steady herself against the wall. Her heart pounded so hard it felt as though it would leap out of her throat.Hadn't she already ordered that no NPCs be placed in this room? Where had this "female ghost" come from? Could it be a real ghost?Still shaken, she panted and stared fixedly at the whi
A black car lurked outside the hospital. Alan's cruel, cold eyes peered from behind the window as he scanned one of the inpatient buildings."He's up?! I told you people to make sure to halt all critical medication. I want him to never wake up again!" he growled.His assistant could feel beads of
"Ugh! They really are a pair of despicable lovers!" Walter ground his teeth in fury. "Isolde has been lying to you all along. She and Alan never really broke up. How dare she? How dare she deceive you like this and scheme against you!"The phone in Bruce's hand let out a sharp crack as the screen s
Sandra was on the verge of collapse. "Jason! Are you really going to stand by and watch me get kicked out?"Jason fell silent for a moment. Then he lowered his voice and offered a dangerous suggestion. "Haven't you already gotten married? You're Alan's legal wife. Find a way to transfer funds from
Jane chortled. "Oh God, she's strong-arming you into this whether you like it or not!" She rolled up her sleeves and stretched her arm with excitement."There's only one way to free yourself from this clanker, Bruce. Want me to smash this thing into scrap metal? Your wish is my command!"Bruce reg







