Clover curled herself up on the chair in the deluxe room, her face buried into her knees. She was trembling all over. "Clover?" Danise offered her a glass of warm water. She didn't respond. From the moment they left DreamMare until they checked into the hotel, Clover hadn't been saying a word, and on top of that, she was ashen. Danise couldn't help but worry about what was wrong with her. Thinking about the sudden change in Clover after Evelyn's appearance, he asked with hesitancy, "Do you happen to know... Kyle's mother?" Clover gasped. "Clover?" Danise called again, gently patting her on the shoulder. That touch startled her so much that she jerked and fell off the chair directly. "Clover!" Danise hurried to help her up, but she remained seated on the floor. He furrowed his brows and immediately froze in his tracks when he saw the tears coursing down her wobbling cheeks. "What is it, Clover? What happened?" He bent lower to meet her eye, his voice filled with concern. "Dan
Stella took off her black cardigan and hurriedly left the performance hall. Her fan meeting had ended. She pushed her hair back and doffed her pink feathery earrings, dumping them into her bag like they were nothing but a piece of worthless belonging.Kenny walked beside her, shielding her from the enthusiastic crowd. A long line of fans eagerly extended their hands, yearning for a touch of hers. She grabbed a couple of hands at once and shook them several times before letting go. She had no time to attend to all. "Are we going to Kyle?" Kenny asked as he started the engine. She nodded.Kenny fastened his seatbelt and released the handbrake, smoothly reversing out of the parking space. As Stella rolled down the tinted window to bid farewell, her fans showered her with exuberant screams and beaming smiles. All of a sudden, a pang of bitterness surged up in her heart. She had the adoration of the public—everyone loved her, everyone but Kyle. While she might appear to revel in the fa
Clover was awake, and so was Danise.He sat at the round table, engrossed in the same romance novel he had been reading since the day they arrived at the hotel. She rustled under the blanket as she stared at the water droplets trickling down the casement, signaling the end of the rain.Her throat constricted. She pondered if there'd be a day when her life could be free of storms. Too many things had happened recently—from the scandal to Evelyn becoming Kyle's mother and everything in between. She felt utterly overwhelmed.When she got out of bed and slipped into the slippers, her feet flinched at the coldness of the floor."Hey, Danise.""Oh, you're awake." He picked up a clean fork and poked a sliced honey-glazed apple, offering it to her. "Here, have one."She shook her head and sat opposite him."Feeling... better?" he asked in a careful tone.Clover faked a smile and lowered her moist eyes, refusing to meet his worried gaze. She looked down at the carpet under the glass table, coun
The crews hustled up and down, meticulously inspecting the LED lighting and ensuring the seating arrangement could accommodate up to a thousand people. Vans arrived in quick succession, carrying boxes filled with the essential props for the music show later. Hasty footsteps echoed all around as the clock continued to tick away. A multitude of tasks had yet to be completed.Kyle was the second last to perform. He casually grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the box beside him as he waited for them to setup for his rehearsal. Standing at the corner of the stage, he stared across the vacant spaces laid in the open with a longing gaze. He wondered if she would show up tonight. "Brandon, is the pen drive with you?" A guy with spiky hair and torn jeans shouted from the side wing, his voice cutting through the loud, ongoing beats."It's on the black table! Put it on now, Leo!" As soon as the melancholic rhythm drifted to Kyle's ears, a thick and sour lump formed in his throat. The bottl
Half an hour more to go before the music performance kicked off. Two crew members stood at the stadium entrance, collecting admission tickets from the never-ending lines. A group of fans hoarded the merchandise stall nearby, splurging on lightsticks, posters, and banners featuring their favorite idols. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Colorful spotlights danced to the beats, flashing across the enthusiastic crowd. Kyle sat in the dressing room, clad in a ripped vest. It had no buttons or zips, perfectly showing off his abdominal muscles. His fans outside would probably go crazy and be sleepless for nights when they saw him.Adorned with broad metal wristbands, rings, and silver stud earrings, Kyle stared at his reflection in the mirror. A spearhead pendant hung around his neck, sending a chilly touch across his skin.He was hot and seductive—the image the public wanted him to be. Kyle nodded along as Brandon went through the event flow with him once more. Well, he wasn't going
The streets were dimly lit, and the stars gradually lost their twinkle as they disappeared behind the thick, gray clouds. A gentle wind, tinged with a hint of chill, brushed against her skin, sending a peculiar tingle down her spine. It took her a moment to realize it wasn't because of the breeze, but the fact that Kyle was still holding onto her hand, and she showed no signs of telling him to let go. Standing in front of a metal guardrail that separated the land from the shimmering lake, he asked, "Why... Why are you hiding from me, Clover? I don't understand. What did I do wrong?" "You did nothing wrong," she muttered, finally twisting her wrist to break free from him. "Then why won't you stay?" "Because it's not meant to be that way." "What do you mean by that?" Kyle pointed to his heart, his tears seeping in from the corners of his eyes. "You're everywhere inside here. Without you with me, I can barely keep it beating." "Kyle, I—" He took a step closer to her. "I like you, C
"Clover!" Danise swung open the door and entered the room in a hurry. He sounded panicky. Clover stood up from the couch, looking somewhat haggard. "What's the matter?" Her meeting with Kyle yesterday had left her tossing and turning all night. Swallowing hard, he pursed his lips and showed his phone to her.As soon as Clover's gaze fell on it, the color instantly drained from her already pale face. Was it her imagination, or did the headline of the news read, "Fallen of Blue Sea Corporation"?She continued reading, her breathing gradually turning ragged. The article wrote, "Years ago, there was a born leader shaping the world of business. He was Tremon Hon, the founder of Blue Sea Corporation, a renowned trading company based in Chailenia. He married Veronica Sun at the age of 29, and together they built a joyful family, welcoming their child, Clover Hon. Tremon was honored with numerous international awards for his remarkable achievements, ranging from working with local markete
Rolling down the tinted car window, Kyle glanced across the road at a place he used to enter without needing any reason. The door was shut. No queues. No crowds. It gave off a feeling that it was close to being abandoned. Its glory was gone in a single day, shattered heavily by the online controversy. "Brandon." "Hmm?" Brandon looked in the rearview mirror and met his broken gaze."Do you know what's my biggest regret?" Kyle asked. He shook his head, taking the second turn at the roundabout. "Eagering to become an adult." Kyle let out a soft, painful laugh. "If I had known that it would be this complicated, I would never have wished to grow up fast when I was a kid.” Brandon sighed. "Time doesn't speed or slow down for anyone, buddy." As the car drove past the back of the café, Kyle noticed that the door was opened ajar. He was stunned for a moment before he hurriedly asked Brandon to stop. Tears seeped in from the corners of his eyes when he caught sight of one of the tall figu