LOGIN"This painting vanished long ago. I've heard of it and seen photographs, but never beheld it in person. Thank you for your gift. I like it very much," Margot said warmly, her smile radiant as she turned to her longtime housekeeper. "Lola, please unveil the painting for everyone to enjoy."“Yes, Mrs. Sullivan," Lola replied with quiet respect.Moments later, the artwork was displayed before the gathered guests.“This is breathtaking, truly a masterpiece of living detail!"“A remarkable work indeed, and so well preserved. To see this in my lifetime, now I have no regrets."“Mrs. Sullivan, we owe you our gratitude for letting us witness such a divine creation. The Eyes from Heaven is extraordinary."The guests poured out their admiration, silently agreeing that the Wright family was likely on the cusp of great fortune. Margot had not requested Lola to personally unveil any other gifts, a clear sign of her immense satisfaction with this one painting. The Wright family had struck gold, offe
Yet, here Amelia stood, speaking to Lucas as though they were equals, even with an air that threatened to eclipse his own. The guests couldn't help but wonder if she was more prestigious than Lucas.“Go ahead," Lucas said, his tone as cold as ever. He gave no sign of familiarity with Amelia, his manner detached and reserved.Lucas knew Amelia wouldn't want anyone to suspect they were acquainted, and he naturally wouldn't disappoint her. Her wishes would be respected completely.“Miss Reynolds and I made a wager earlier. We agreed that whoever succeeded in inviting you to dance would have the other leave the birthday banquet at once." Amelia’s voice was steady and unhurried as her eyes slid to Lorraine, still lying on the floor. "Now that I've won, I request Miss Reynolds to honor the wager."The guests exchanged glances, surprise rippling through them. So that was the reason for all this, it had been a bet over inviting Lucas to dance.Several young socialites felt a pang of regret. If
Amelia’s piercing gaze cut through the guests, sending an icy shiver down their spines. What was it about this woman that gave her such an unshakable hold over the room?“Did you actually see me strike Miss Reynolds?" Amelia’s voice was cold, her eyes locked unflinchingly on a nearby man, the unmistakable speaker who had thrown false accusations her way.Though fear flickered in his eyes, the man forced himself to stand tall and retorted, "If you didn't hit Miss Reynolds, then how else would she end up on the floor, clutching her stomach like this?"“Then go ahead, lie on the floor and fake it, just like she did." Amelia’s tone was as frigid as steel.“You're impossible!" he snapped, his voice rising in anger. "I'm not wasting my breath arguing with someone as unreasonable as you. Just apologize already."“So, you still insist I struck her?" Amelia’s voice remained even, her gaze steady. "Then I'll have no choice but to take you to court for slander."The man faltered under her stare,
Amelia decided Damian wasn't worth her time and continued scanning the banquet hall. Her brows furrowed, puzzled at how quickly Terrence had vanished. In only a short span, he had disappeared entirely from sight. She didn't know what he was plotting, but instinct told her his intentions went beyond competing with Lucas for her favor.Earlier, she had noticed Desmond and Eugene join the stir on the dance floor alongside Terrence. Though their faces were hidden behind masks, she had recognized them instantly. They, too, had slipped away swiftly, leaving no trace.Failing to find Terrence after a brief search, Amelia shifted her focus to locating Lorraine. They had struck a wager, if she succeeded in inviting Lucas to dance, Lorraine would have to leave the birthday banquet immediately. Before long, her eyes fell on a figure trying to sneak away, and she hastened after her.Meanwhile, in the middle of the dance floor, Damian caught sight of Amelia’s hurried exit, a faint smirk playing at
"Hey!" Eve exclaimed, startled, her hand instinctively flying to clutch her mask.“Damian! Why are you taking my mask?" Eve had planned to wear the mask later and invite a wealthy young man to dance with her. Who could say? Perhaps it might have led somewhere.“Let me borrow it for a while," Damian replied in a low, deliberate tone. Every mask had already been taken, and he had no idea where he could possibly find another.“What on earth do you need a mask for? Are you…" Eve’s words trailed off as a sudden thought struck her. Her eyes narrowed. "You're not actually thinking of joining those men to vie for Amelia’s attention, are you?"Damian said nothing, which only deepened Eve’s irritation.“Damian, Sophia is right here! How can you even think about running after another woman? What does that make her look like? Are you being fair to her?" Eve’s gaze burned with indignation as she clutched the mask tighter, refusing to let go.Sophia’s eyes shone with unshed tears, her voice tremblin
Then, without warning, another figure burst onto the scene, leaping into view and sweeping onto the floor to join the fray.A sharp intake of breath swept through the crowd, freezing their expressions in stunned disbelief, as if the very air had turned to ice.It was already a spectacle when three men vied for the attention of one woman, but now, with four, the scene bordered on the surreal.As those figures moved across the dance floor, the guests stared in astonishment, jaws slack in disbelief. It took them a moment to snap back to reality.“This is incredible! How does that woman command such attention? Who exactly is she?"“I almost pity Mr. Sullivan, being the only one without a mask. And he has to fend off three men."“The man in the dark purple suit, could that be Desmond? If I recall correctly, he was dressed in that very shade tonight."“Wow! Here's a thought. Could it be that all of them chose purple suits to match the woman's evening gown?"“No chance! That must be a coincid
Her sculpted jawline traced into a long, graceful neck, accentuating a poised, impossibly slender frame that looked too perfect to be real.With each casual toss of her hair, the crowd's energy spiked, more than a few men stared so hard at the screen that they practically forgot to breathe, gaping i
“Are you okay?” Mark asked, voice, soft and gentle.Jessica blinked, snapping back to reality.She quickly dropped her gaze, flustered.What happened between them had to stay dead and buried.“I’m…I’m fine…”“Let me check if you got a cut…you know…from the glass.” Gently cupping her face with both h
Damian stared hard at the sleek machine Amelia commanded.Something twisted in his gut. Like the ground had shifted under a truth he never saw coming. This wasn't the Amelia he knew. Not the woman he'd once married and walked away from. Just how many secrets did she keep from him?Beside him, Sophia
Lucas spoke up. "I'd like some too."Amelia didn't dwell on Lucas’ request, assuming he just wanted to try the ravioli instead of some little competition against Eugene’s over her attention. Without hesitation, she served him some.“They also do great baked ziti, the creaminess of added provolone ch







