***Lyra sat in the corner of the room, her gaze fixed on Anastasia as she played the piano. Her fingers danced across the keys, producing a soft yet emotional melody. It was as if she were speaking through the notes. Lyra could only stare, her mind torn between worry and guilt. The conversation she had with Steven earlier continued to haunt her, making her even more uncertain about Maximilian's secret.Lyra's phone vibrated in her hand and displayed a message from Maximilian:"Lyra, I'm entrusting Anastasia to you. Please don't let her know. I'll take care of everything. Trust me; I love her very much."Lyra sighed deeply, feeling the weight grow heavier. She wanted to tell Anastasia the truth about Maximilian, but her promise to him prevented her from doing so. Maximilian claimed to love Anastasia and wanted to make her happy.Anastasia finished her song and approached Lyra. Her smile was gentle, but her face was full of concern. "Lyra, are you sick?" she asked, furrowing her brow.
***Renata sat with Anastasia, Selene, and Shayne in the living room of the Kingsley family's main residence. That evening, the light conversation was filled with praise for Renata, a doctor who had dedicated her life to helping others. Shayne seemed to hold her in high regard, and Selene looked at her with pride."Renata," Shayne said with a wide smile, "not many people are willing to dedicate their lives to helping others like you do. You are invaluable to your family and to us as well.”Renata smiled gracefully. “Thank you, Uncle. Everything I've done pales in comparison to what the Kingsley family has given me."Selene chimed in. "That's right. We're proud of you, Renata."After a brief chat, Shayne and Selene excused themselves to take an important call, leaving Renata and Anastasia alone in the quiet living room. Renata turned her gaze to Anastasia with a faint smile and started a seemingly casual conversation."Anastasia, you know, don't you? The Kingsley family has a good repu
***"Mama Selene, what's wrong? Did I say something to hurt you?” Anastasia asked anxiously, reaching for Selene's hand to calm her down.Selene shook her head and tried to wipe away her tears with trembling fingers. “No, dear. Quite the opposite. You make Mama feel so comfortable that Mama can laugh like this. The last time Mama felt this way was years ago. I lost my precious daughter, and my son left because he was disappointed in us, his parents." She cried again, but with a smile.Anastasia looked at Selene with sympathy. "Mama, honestly, I just want to see you smile. Please don't cry like this."Selene took a deep breath, seeming to hold back emotions that had been buried for so long. "Mama isn't crying because she's sad, dear. She is crying because you remind her of someone who was once very close to her, but whom she can no longer touch. When I see you, Mama remembers all the hopes and dreams she once had.”Anastasia listened patiently, giving Selene time to express her feeling
***Anastasia sat in the company meeting room with a pale face, staring at her phone, which was filled with bad news. The circulating news portrayed her as a woman who would do anything for popularity. Now, with the emergence of news about Maximilian—or Max Stone, a man with a history of legal troubles—her image had grown worse in the public eye. The marriage to Max Stone was seen as a way for her to reclaim Leon Hale.Her concert, scheduled for next week, had been postponed indefinitely. This was a major blow to her plans and dreams, and the mocking comments on social media only made her feel worse. Many wrote that Anastasia and Max Stone were a perfect match because they were both from the "lower class." Feeling heartbroken, anxious, and guilty, especially toward Max, who had been dragged into it, Anastasia gathered the courage to apologize to Christian and Christina. These two people had played a significant role in her career, accepting her and believing in her music.Christian, s
***In Christian Idzes's office, Anastasia stared blankly out the window, her mind still reeling from the various insults she had read and heard directed at her mother. Each word tore at her heart, but she had to endure the public ridicule. Suddenly, light footsteps entered the room.Anastasia turned around and was surprised to see a man with a hat and a mask partially covering his face. However, she recognized those eyes—eyes she knew so well—and they met her gaze. Without thinking, she ran over to him and hugged Maximilian tightly. The tears she had been holding back finally broke free."Max, they insulted my mother again," she sobbed hoarsely. "I can't accept that my mother is being slandered! She's not a cheap woman! They always attribute bad news to her. I can't stay silent, Max. I don't care if they insult me, but Mama... I can't take it!"Maximilian clenched his fists; anger raged in his chest. Seeing Anastasia cry like this made his heart ache. "I will not stay silent," he vow
***Maximilian strode into the living room steadily. Selene was waiting for him there with a gentle smile. She set a cup of tea on the small table in front of him and looked at him expectantly."Drink up, dear," she said, pouring warm tea into the cup in front of him.Maximilian took the cup and drank slowly. After a moment of silence, Selene broke it with a question that hit the nail on the head."You're still allergic to contact with strange women, aren't you?" Yesterday, Renata accidentally touched you, and Mama saw how your body reacted,” Selene said in a worried tone.Maximilian looked down, took a deep breath, and replied, "She didn't touch me by accident, Mom. He touched me on purpose.”Selene's eyes widened in amazement. She tried to hide her surprise with a deep sigh and gazed lovingly at her son. "Son, don't be cold to her. I know you're still angry, and I totally understand. But can you make peace with the past?"Maximilian turned his gaze out the window and looked at the g