LOGINThe grand banquet hall was already filled with distinguished guests. Soft classical music floated through the air as celebrities, business tycoons, investors, politicians, and entertainment personalities mingled, laughed, and enjoyed expensive wine and delicacies.
Kai stood near the center of the hall. His calm smile never left his face as he greeted guests one after another.At the moment, he was engaged in conversation with some of his investors and long-time business asThe city lights stretched endlessly outside the window.Inside the car, silence settled between them.Stephanie absentmindedly played with her fingers as she watched the passing buildings.Kai couldn't help stealing glances at her.Finally, he smiled."Why are you still nervous around me?"She immediately turned."I'm not nervous.""Oh?""I'm just tired.""So your fingers always fidget when you're tired?"She quickly hid her hands beneath her purse."I wasn't fidgeting.""You were.""I wasn't.""You still argue exactly the same way."She folded her arms."I only argue when someone keeps teasing me."Kai chuckled."I missed this."She looked at him."What?""Our little arguments."Her expression softened for a moment before she quickly looked back out the window."...Yo
A comfortable silence settled between them.Stephanie let out a slow breath before placing a hand over her chest."You nearly scared the life out of me," she murmured.Kai took another step closer, the soft lights from the garden casting a warm glow across his face."I'm sorry."She folded her arms."No, you're not."A smile tugged at the corner of his lips."...You're right. I'm not."She shook her head helplessly."What are you doing here? You shouldn't be standing with me.""Why not?""Kai..." she sighed. "This is your party. You're the host. Hundreds of people are here. If someone sees us talking alone like this, they'll misunderstand.""I don't care what they think.""But I do."She looked around nervously."You have a reputation to protect.""My reputation has survived worse.""This isn't funny.""It isn't."His playful expression slowly disappeared, replaced by something much gentler."If people misunderstand..." he said softly, "...then let them."Stephanie blinked."You sa
Stephanie looked at Ashley calmly, refusing to let the rude words shake her."I'm really sorry," she said politely. "It was an accident."Ashley folded her arms with a mocking smile."An accident? People like you always have excuses."Stephanie nodded once."You're right. It was an accident."Ashley opened her mouth to speak again."And unlike some people," Stephanie continued before Ashley could say another word, "I apologized immediately."A few nearby guests exchanged glances.Ashley frowned."You—""But since we're talking about manners," Stephanie interrupted again with a gentle smile, "isn't accepting a sincere apology part of good upbringing?"A couple of guests covered their mouths to hide their smiles.Ashley's face stiffened."Do you even know who I am?"Stephanie shrugged lightly."I do now."Ashley scoffed."
The grand banquet hall was already filled with distinguished guests. Soft classical music floated through the air as celebrities, business tycoons, investors, politicians, and entertainment personalities mingled, laughed, and enjoyed expensive wine and delicacies.Kai stood near the center of the hall. His calm smile never left his face as he greeted guests one after another.At the moment, he was engaged in conversation with some of his investors and long-time business associates."It's always a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Ray," one of the investors said, raising his glass."The pleasure is mine," Kai replied with a polite smile as they clinked their glasses together.After exchanging a few more words, the investors excused themselves to mingle with other guests.Kai then walked over to Emma, who was speaking with a few actresses."You finally escaped them," Emma teased with a laugh."They never see
It was late in the afternoon when the doorbell echoed through the villa.Grace, who had been dusting the living room, walked over and opened the door.Standing outside was a delivery man dressed neatly in a company uniform. In his hands was a large rectangular gift box wrapped in luxurious cream-colored paper and tied with an elegant satin ribbon."Good afternoon," he greeted politely. "Is this Miss Stephanie's residence?""Yes, it is," Grace replied with a smile."I have a special delivery for Miss Stephanie."He carefully handed the beautifully wrapped box to her before bringing out a clipboard."Please sign here to confirm the delivery."Grace signed the delivery form and handed it back."Thank you. Have a wonderful day.""You too," she replied before closing the door.She turned around, admiring the elegant package.Mrs. Linda looked up from folding the babies' clothes."What's that?""A delivery for Miss Stephanie."Chef Daniel peeked out from the kitchen."I'll go call her."H
Stephanie hurriedly ended the call the moment she realized what had slipped out of her mouth.Her heart pounded wildly against her chest.She quickly excused herself from everyone downstairs and hurried into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Leaning against it, she pressed a trembling hand over her racing heart before walking to the bed and sitting down.She buried her face in her hands."Oh no..." she muttered."What was that, Stephanie?"She groaned softly."Why did I say me too? Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?"She let out a long sigh and flopped backward onto the bed."It was just a slip of the tongue," she whispered to herself. "He probably didn't even notice...""Didn't notice what?"Stephanie's eyes flew open.She sat upright immediately."K-Kai?"Leaning casually against the bedroom door was Kai, his hands tucked into his trouser pockets, one leg crossed over the other, wearing that familiar teasing smile that always made her lose her composure.She blinked s







