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Chapter 24

Author: Khogie
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-23 05:10:44

The sound of clinking glasses and quiet murmurs filled the air as everyone waited for the moment to be over. Hailey could feel every eye in the room on her. She stood there, frozen, heart pounding in her chest as her father’s words echoed through the hall.

“Kiss her,” he said, voice firm. “Seal the engagement.”

Her lips parted slightly, her body stiff, but before she could even think, she felt Santino’s hand on her waist. His touch was firm yet gentle. Then his lips were on hers.

The kiss wasn’t rushed. It was slow, almost tender, but there was something behind it, a quiet control, a kind of restrained fire. Her hands moved on their own, gripping the front of his suit tightly as her knees almost gave out. Her body melted into his before she even realized what she was doing.

But it ended just as quickly as it began.

The applause that followed snapped her back to reality. She blinked, her heart still hammering, and took a shaky step back. Her gaze slid to Santino’s face. He was compose
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