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On her way to deliver the takeout, Vivian Donovan saved a man, who later to be found out Bernard Jacobson, the richest man in Westmoor. He is also a business tycoon with great influence, the rumor said he is ruthless and unscrupulous, he only cares about money. When Vivian saved him, he promised a reward of one hundred million dollars. But when she married Bernard, Vivian suddenly realized: "I want a one hundred million dollars reward, not you!" "You risked your life to save me, and I, Bernard Jacobson, can only repay kindness by marrying you." "Why? Did you ask for my opinion when you married me?" "Will you marry me?" "No" "Then let me marry you." Bernard, you are shameless. "" "I don't care, I just want my wife." "Then... I don't want your money anymore." "I have sent the money to your account, it's too late to change your mind now." Vivian was speechless. it's so hard to be a good person. She just wanted to save someone, now she became someone's wife. 
After Blair saved the injured and amnesic Mable, she pestered him with a thick face and repaid him with her body.However, throughout their two years of marriage, Blair always turned his nose up at her.“You don’t deserve to like me!”So, Mable came to her senses and decided to start life anew by returning to her original self.After the divorce, Blair found that his ex-wife, whom he cast aside like old shoes, had transformed into an impressive big shot.Wealthy families revered her as their queen, while mysterious hidden families respected her as their lady.Ace mercenaries worshipped her as their mistress, while medical leaders regarded her as a legend.Even the world’s richest man would confess to her in fancy ways on live stream every day…“Mr…. Mr. Fowler, Madam—”“Wants to see me?”“No, the prince of Fargen, the richest man in Tolfiend, and major-general of Sorolen are all on their way to propose to Madam!”Blair slammed the desk and stood up. He dialed the phone and said, “Mabes, let’s remarry…”“Remarry? You’re not worthy!” 

An 18-year wait. A forbidden bond. A love he refuses to claim.What if your niece turned out to be your mate?Seventeen-year-old Xel, a rare Dragon-Were-Vamp hybrid, never expected to fall for the one man she shouldn't: her cold, ruthless uncle — Alpha Jax Stone, the most feared Alpha of the Diamond Heart Pack.But fate doesn’t care about bloodlines.For 18 years, Jax has fought the pull of the mate bond, trying to suppress his wolf’s obsession with the girl he swore to protect. In his desperate attempt to deny destiny, he wounds not only his fated mate—but himself.As the bond tightens and the wait comes to an end, bitter pasts resurface. A rising wave of supernatural drug trafficking, kidnappings of teenage dragons, and the dark secrets of Alpha Kai Stone pull them into a deadly mission where love might not survive.Now, Jax and Xel must face the greatest threat of all—not just a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows, but the impossible love they can no longer run from.Uncle by Blood. Mate by Moon. Monster by Choice. 

When the young Alpha Dylan was still the heir to the pack, his parents brought the innocent Cherry to live with them, hoping to foster a connection between them. Smitten with Dylan from the start, Cherry longed to grow closer to him, while Dylan remained aloof and distant. After a fateful night of revelry, the drunk Dylan succumbed to his desires, spending a passionate night with Cherry. However, his reaction the next day left her heartbroken and disillusioned. Feeling abandoned, Cherry decided to leave all by herself. Two weeks later, Cherry discovered that she was pregnant and decided to embark on a journey of independence and self-discovery in Berlin, where she pursued her dream of becoming a designer. Years went by, and Cherry returned to reunite with her father, only to be discovered by Dylan's friend, who soon learned about the existence of Cherry's daughter Fern. Witnessing this unexpected twist of fate, Dylan set off on a challenging quest to win back the love of his life. 

Lost to a Playful CompanionKyle's childhood playmate Anna and I were both attacked by Rogue.For Anna's reputation, he lied that she was accidentally injured during training.And I became the shame who was kidnapped by Rogue and was considered dirty.Facing my questioning, Kyle coaxed me softly:"Anna has been a noble since she was a child, and she can't bear such rumors. Dear, you and I know that you are stronger than her."Looking at Kyle, whom I have loved for ten years, my heart is full of bitterness.Later, the elders thought that I tarnished the reputation of Silvercrest Pack.On the day they forced me to leave,he was busy healing Anna's wounds.When he found out, I had already disappeared.Kyle, now, I don't want you. 

After her miscarriage, Sabrina Frye turns into the wife Nester Blackwell has always demanded.
She stops sharing the small joys of her day and the frantic, late-night calls when he doesn't come home.
Even when she is framed in a street scam and taken to the police station, the officers tell her she can leave if a family member posts bail, but she tells them that she has no family.
She calmly spends the next seven days in a cold cell.
A week later, the heavy iron gates of the station open with a metallic clang at dusk. As Sabrina steps down the stairs, a black Maybach screeches to a halt in front of her.
The door swings open, and Nester steps out. Dressed in a tailored suit, he's tall, with near-perfect body proportions. Like always, he looks cold and untouchable. 

I am Amalthea Jade, the daughter of the prestigious Matthew and Thea Jade. My parents died in a rogue attack, and the only hope I had was my chosen mate, Blake Cohl.I thought I got all the happiness in the world when I got married to him, but on my wedding night, he brought his fated mate to our wedding room. The mate, he can't reject.I would've let go of her if she hadn't provoked me, and naturally, I did what anyone would've done in a situation like this. I attacked her.There's a rule that if any person attacks another person without a reason, then he/she is punished with 20 whippings, but since I am the luna, I was given another option, apologize to my husband's fated mate.Bow down and apologize to the person who took away my happiness? He must be joking.Rather than bowing, I took not 20 but 50 whippings to remember this humiliation for the rest of my life.Feeling tired, I decided to leave, as my father also thought that Blake was the better alpha than me. But as I was leaving, I came to know that my parents’ death wasn't just a normal rogue attack case. It was more than that.The plan was simple. Avenge my parents, the humiliation I suffered, and start afresh, but what am I supposed to do when the Lycan king starts tailing me?How the hell am I supposed to react when he says he wants to marry me, and that he will destroy everything in my world if I keep refusing him? Not to mention how he hates me.“I can’t marry you because I hate all the males with the alpha syndrome, and I am already married,” I barked at him.“And? I don't see why that's a problem. Let me make it clear, Amalthea. I want you, and I will do anything to get you, even if it means I will have to turn this world upside down,” He smirked.How am I supposed to get on with my plans like this? Not to mention the rogue head who is strangely interested in my matters more than I am.Oh, and did I mention I was in the process of awakening my powers that even I didn't know of? 
“You shouldn’t be here, you're the Alpha King and Liam's uncle.” I managed to say, trying to resist his touch.He chuckled deeply, “You forgot one more thing” he said simply, brushing his thumb over my lower lips.“What is that?” I whispered almost inaudibly.“I'm also your mate.” He murmured, leaning towards me.“What do you want from me?” I asked, feeling so confused.“Isn't it obvious?” He asked with a smirk, “I want you.”..Aria is heartbroken, when her fated mate, the Alpha's son, betrays and brutally rejects her.Seeking for temporary comfort, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger who offers her the comfort she desperately craves that night, under the influence of a sexual stimulant and she flees the next morning.To her shock, she discovers her passionate night was spent with her ex-mate's uncle, the Alpha King, Alpha Knox Blackwood, who is also her second chance mate.Knox however is not willing to let her go. He has had a taste, and wants her for himself.Knox offers her a second chance — an opportunity to leave her past as an omega behind, and she quickly accepts.However, there are so many people not happy about this, and Knox has a dark secret. What happens when their dark pasts rise up to haunt them? 
Three years ago, Evelyn Blackwell was a wolf-less Omega, betrayed, rejected, and cast out of the Bloodbane Pack.She walked away with nothing but her unborn daughter and the ashes of a bond she once believed in.Now she's back.Not as someone's Luna, but as the founder of a medical empire, a world-renowned doctor,And the fiercely protective mother of a bright, wolf-less little girl.Her ex-mate, Alpha Calvin Wolfe, expected her to fade into obscurity.But the moment he sees her again, confident, radiant, and entirely out of reach, he knows he made the biggest mistake of his life.She doesn't want his apology.She doesn't want his pack.And she sure as hell doesn't want his pity.He falls to his knees, remorse all over his face."Evelyn, I love you. Can we get back together?"She scoffs,"Alpha Calvin, the cheater, you're not so sweet anymore."Her twin sons drop to their knees,"Mom, we only want you!"Evelyn waves them off,"No thanks, I already have an adorable daughter now." 
After 18 years of wandering alone, Sydney finally returned to her pack, reuniting with her family. But her dreams and aspirations shattered when her sister, Bella, fled on her wedding day with her fated mate, leaving Sydney to take her place in a political alliance with Alexander Torres, the powerful Alpha of the Nightscar Pack. Handsome, wealthy, and commanding, Alexander was everything a Luna could want—except for one thing: his heart belonged to Bella.On their mating ceremony day, Alexander whispered to Sydney, "The only thing you can get is the title of Luna." For three years, their marriage was a cold, distant arrangement, devoid of passion or connection. Until one night, when Sydney received a video from Bella—a video that revealed Alexander in bed with her sister.Betrayed and heartbroken, Sydney decided to break the mating bond and reclaim her freedom. However, Alexander became relentless,refused to let her go. He destroyed the rejection papers and demanded a $5 million compensation fee, determined to keep her tied to him.With Alexander’s grandmother’s help, Sydney finally succeeds in breaking free from the bond.As Sydney walked away, Alexander’s feeling to Bella wavered, his obsession with Sydney only grew.Alexander corners Sydney, pinning her against the wall with his powerful frame. His breath is hot against her ear as he growls, “You can try to run, Sydney, but you’ll always be mine,I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.” 



After two years of marriage, Cindy had met Eric just once, and that was at her father's funeral when Eric bullied her harshly. The next day, Eric made a high-profile announcement about his upcoming second marriage. Cindy, on the other hand, was netted out of the house. Then, after the difficult interview, nearly went to jail, and all kinds of bad luck accompanied her. Cindy realized that Eric had already hated her to the bone and wanted her dead ......Cindy returned from prison, but this time, Eric took the initiative to entangle her ...... 


Bethany Porter has been in a clandestine relationship with her best friend's uncle, Noah Vazquez, for three years, only to hear her best friend, Holly Vasquez, say, "My uncle's seeing someone, Beth."
It hits her then that she has been nothing but a substitute for the last three years.
To reclaim her late father's inheritance, Bethany agrees to her mother, Diana Reeves', arrangement and goes on a blind date. Unbeknownst to her, she sits at the wrong table.
"Let's get married. We can go our separate ways in a year," Bethany suggests.
Silas Brennan arches his brow. "Sure. Since there's still time, why don't we go get our marriage license now?"
…
Regret twists in Noah's chest when he sees the ring on Bethany's finger. His eyes mist over as he seizes her wrist. "Can you give me another chance, Beth?"
Before the gentle woman can respond, the man behind her draws her in, his arms settling around her slender waist. "Whoa there, are you trying to be a homewrecker, Mr. Vazquez? Sorry, but that's my wife's hand you're holding. Lay a hand on her again, and I'll cut it off!"
Noah belatedly realizes that the man who stole his girlfriend is his archenemy. 




Sean Horton is on the train home when a beautiful woman suddenly falls into his arms. Her lips are cherry red, and she smells delectable.Sean is aroused. He later discovers that she's the blind date he turned down for being too materialistic and fickle-minded. She thinks she can do anything because his family owes her a favor.From that day on, Sean can't stop thinking about her. He can't sleep at night.…Wendy Stowell has transmigrated into a book—she's taken on the role of an evil, scheming side character.The original Wendy has too many inkblots on her reputation to clean, so Wendy has no choice but to focus on getting into college and avoiding Sean. Yet Sean bosses her around, controls her, and educates her.One day, he comes to her with the letter she wrote to her family, informing them she has a boyfriend. He pins her to the wall, his gaze almost crazed as he says, "You're not allowed to date anyone, Wendy. Even if you wanted to date someone, that someone can only be me!" 

BLURB
."Ever have that feeling nothing you ever do matters?"
This is Lila Vitale's story, being overshadowed by her elder sister all her life no matter the efforts she puts in.
Finally, she is put in the spotlight when her elder sister, Lily, abandons her husband because he went blind, and she ( Lila) has to be the replacement by pretending to be her.
Lila is not happy about this at first but steps up to the challenge as she is finally seen and relied on by those she cares about.
Lucien, a year later regains his eyesight due to surgery. Lila, hopeful to be set free by the truth, gets disappointed when her sister Lily miraculously appears to take back the place she abandoned and the man Lila had grown to love.
To make matters worse, Lila realizes she was just a pawn being used all along and overhears death plots about her unborn child.
As the betrayal deepens, Lila tries reaching out to Lucien who treats her like a pest, hurting and giving her no choice but to disappear. Not too long after, Lucien figures out the truth and seeks out for her but isn't he too late?
Will Lila ever want to let him back into her life again, especially when she is hell-bent on revenge?
EXCERPT.
"You have to come back, Lila. To me. You and our children". He whispered gently, his blue eyes filled with care towards me, his hands on my cheeks, stroking them softly.
I closed my eyes, rubbing my face against his palm, enjoying the texture. How I had longed so much for this.
"Our children? Remember Mr. Knight. I never married you neither are my bastard children yours". I commented, repeating his exact same words five years ago as the side of my lips curled up in disdain. 
Life, they say, is not a storybook but life unfolds in chapters; good chapters, bad chapters. What happens when the chapters of Jasmine’s life were not only bad but terrible?***In a world where only the strong gets what they want, and where women are only considered toys, Jasmine, an omega wolf, is thrown into the furnace of life to burn by her mate whom she loved but now loathed.She was abused day and night, lost countless pregnancies in the hands of her toxic mate, and was used as a mere pleasure toy. Life seemed hopeless, and fate played a quick one when she discovered she was pregnant again.To protect herself and her baby, she ran away from the pack and ended up in the arms of another Alpha.What happens when she discovers this Alpha was her second chance mate?Is she finally going to be happy or has fate tricked her yet again? 


I am William Carter's secretary.For him, I've been stabbed, imprisoned, and used as an outlet for his urges when he was drugged with an aphrodisiac. When his nemesis kidnaps his lover, I offer to trade places with her.Everyone thinks I'm madly in love with William, and he's promised to marry me to repay my favor.I return home after enduring seven days and nights of torture, with countless scars and wounds on my body, only for William to toss a letter of termination at me. He explains nonchalantly, "Sophie and I are getting married. You can get the hell out of my sight."I realize he's played me for a fool once again.I don't throw a fit or burst into tears, only behaving like a robot who obeys every order.It isn't until much later that William sees me tearfully place a kiss on a tombstone, on which is a picture of a man who strongly resembles him. "Ty, I've carried out my promise to you. I protected William and took good care of him. I'll go look for you now, okay?"At that moment, the irreverent and arrogant scion of the Carter family suddenly breaks down. "Giselle, am I just my brother's replacement to you?" 
He turns to leave then suddenly stops still facing away he says, “ what happened in the hospital and my office won't ever happen again. It's just my wolf is having a hard time knowing that you rejected him. But it won't repeat itself, it's best if you moved on the way that I have. I will be marking Lexi on the full moon to strengthen my bond with her and completely break myself away from you.” “ Are you doing this because of me? To get your revenge on me?” The question slips out before I can control it. “Not everything is about you, Lucy.” He says as he finally walks away. Leaving me in a pile of brokenness once more.Lucy Reed is the pack's beta, who has only ever wanted to have power. Her only wish is to be mated to an alpha, but everything changes when she meets Kayden Gray who is an omega, the lowest rank in a pack, and she rejects him because he isn't what she wished for. This rejection motivates Grey to improve himself until he can challenge his pack’s leader for the position and emerge as the new alpha. He doesn’t stop there; his main goal is to make Lucy regret her rejection of him, so after a year, he becomes the alpha in Lucy’s pack as well, this makes him one of the most powerful alpha’s to ever exist. To make things worse Kayden decides to pick a chosen mate from the pack and Lucy can’t deny that she wants him back. What will happen to Lucy when catches feeling for the man she once rejected but he takes up a chosen mate?Will he ever forgive her and move on from the past? 

I'm a photographer who has been specifically invited by Native Geographic to hike up Mount Morac in order to take a cover photo for the next issue.
Halfway up the mountain, I feel short of breath, and my heart keeps hammering in my chest. At the same time, I can feel my temples pulsing rapidly.
Realizing that these are the symptoms of altitude sickness, I quickly dig out an oxygen canister and inhale from it sharply.
But as soon as the gas hits my lungs, I realize that something is wrong. Immediately, I turn to look at my fiance, Julian Gray.
"What the hell is this?"
Strangely enough, my voice comes out shrill and high-pitched. I sound just like a cartoon character.
As soon as Julian and his junior colleague, Bianca Reed, hear my voice, they burst out in laughter.
"Ahahaha! Oh my god, you're too funny! Hahahah!"
Both of them holler in laughter. Bianca even starts hammering the snowy ground in a dramatic fashion.
I instantly realize that Julian and Bianca have secretly swapped out the life-saving oxygen canister to a helium canister instead just so they can pull a prank on me.
Once they finally have their fill of laughing at me, I manage to hiss out, "Give… Give me… the oxygen… canister…"
After Julian wipes his tears of laughter away, he waves a hand at me casually.
"Oh, Bianca's physically weak, so I've given her the oxygen canister. You're a strong one—just hang in there, and it'll pass soon enough."
I don't bother wasting my breath arguing with Julian. With trembling hands, I dig out a satellite phone.
"Mr. Perez, someone has maliciously switched out my oxygen canister to something else. I'm suffering from a severe case of altitude sickness right now. Please arrange for a rescue team to pick me up as soon as possible." 
When a ruthless heiress and a struggling actress wake up in each other’s bodies, their worlds turn upside down.
Olivia Smith, born into power and pride, suddenly finds herself trapped in a life of poverty and pain.
Emma Williams, quiet and selfless, opens her eyes to luxury, influence, and danger.
But as they fight to survive in lives that were never meant for them, secrets begin to unfold, hearts are stolen, and destiny starts to blur the line between who they were and who they’re meant to become.
Borrowed faces… stolen hearts.
A story of identity, redemption, and love found in the most unexpected mirrors. 

Janet Longfellow finally understood that a loveless marriage couldn't last for long, so she asked for a divorce and left resolutely.Everyone was waiting to have a good laugh at her, and Nathaniel Webster was no exception. He believed Janet would come back to pray for his forgiveness sooner or later.However, he was slapped on the face every day after they got divorced.The heir of Longfellow Group?The mysterious genius of hacking?And she was even the well-known designer he wanted to work with!A popular best actor, a young racing driver, and an excellent rich single lined up to confess Janet. Nathaniel finally couldn't sit still. He knocked on Janet's door and confessed affectionately, "Honey, please forgive me. I love you, let's remarry."Janet responded, "Thank you, but I'm not interested. A loveless marriage can't last long!"The tables had turned. 


In her past life, Vivian Grant was seen as a powerless beauty trapped by the cold and ruthless Alexander Brooks. Even he believed she never loved him. But when enemies closed in, it was Vivian who sacrificed everything, including her own family, to avenge him.Now reborn, Vivian refuses to hide her strength. She's revealing her true identity, claiming her power, and rewriting her fate. No more submission, no more misunderstandings—this time, she'll take control of her life and her love.As regretful brothers beg for forgiveness and powerful enemies fall at her feet, Vivian has one goal: to rise without mercy and make the man she once loved fall for her all over again—on her terms. 

He is evil.
Some say he is a monster, a demon in disguise.
The gods and every supernatural being are scared of him, including his father.
His father, the king of all supernaturals and a half Lycan werewolf and vampire, had impregnated his mother and left them in a faraway undisclosed place, going back to his kingdom and back into his mate's arms and their son.
Seven years later, he appeared claiming to be his son, and when the young boy got challenged by the gods, he defeated Zeus sending fears into the hearts of every gods, monsters and supernatural beings.
He was a shape-shifter and has all the whole supernatural powers and no one dares to speak when he talks.
He was called Ruthless because no one knows his real name. He listens to no one, not even his father, his step mother or his half brother until an unknown ugly chubby girl walks into the supernatural school and Ruthless finds himself melting and his two cold hearts changing.
Vala, a half dragon, demon and elf, was sent on a mission to the supernatural school, make Ruthless fall in love with her and steal one of his heart's to unlock the chains that binds her father, Lucifer's brother.
Stealing any of his heart's is hard and impossible, and falling in love wasn't part of her plan.
Will she succeed in her mission?
Can she change Ruthless? 


Olivia, an illegitimate daughter, didn't care about getting rich or famous. She just wanted to live a quiet life with her boyfriend and spend the rest of her days with him. Her sister, though, had a great life with a loving family and a fiance, Tyler Harris, who deeply cared for her. But when her sister got very sick, her perfect life began to fall apart. Her sister asked her for something huge and unexpected: have a baby with Tyler. Olivia was shocked and thought it was crazy, but her father kept telling her she should do it, and she felt like she had no choice but to agree. Then came the night when the expressionless Tyler kissed Olivia, and that kiss marked the start of many troubles.Everyone knew Olivia as gentle and meek, but she was much more than that. Now, stuck in this mess, it looked like everyone else might finally get to see the real her... 




"System, I want to leave this mission world."The system quickly appears. "Your request has been approved, Sabrina. You'll have half a month to say your goodbyes to your family in this world."It disappears as quickly as it comes. Sabrina York is dazed at the mention of her family, and she slowly turns to look at the family photo on the table beside her.In it, her husband and son kiss her on each cheek, their eyes filled with love. It's a happy sight, but it makes her mind wander.No one knows she's a Challenger. Ten years ago, the system brought her to this world so she could win the affections of Jordan Faust, a scion in Jellipolis.Throughout those ten years, she and Jordan fall in love and end up marrying. Not only does she successfully complete her mission, but she also falls for her target. 
"Ms. Keane, the test results are not very favorable. You've been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. If you refuse treatment, you'll likely only have several weeks left to live—not even a month. Are you sure you wish to proceed without treatment? Does your husband agree to this?"
The doctor asks me over the phone.
"I'm sure… Yes, he agrees to this as well," I reply.
I gaze around the empty room after I end the call, feeling unbearably upset. I used to think the pain was just my recurring gastritis, but it's actually because of a tumor.
Sighing, I turn to gaze at the photo on the desk.
Silas Huntington, who's 18 in the photo, stares right back at me.
Even after all these years, I can still remember the day we took that photo. Snow had dusted our hair white, which made Silas ask whether this counted as us growing old together. 



“W-what do you want to do?”He removed his hand from the doorknob and walked back towards me, placing his backpack down and looked back at me. “Come sit.” He said slowly.I followed him over to the bed and sat down.“What are we going to do?” I was so nervous but there was a slight hit of anticipation in my tone that made him looked excited. “I mean, are we just sticking with what we did last time or—?““Tongue.” He said bluntly.“What?”“I’m going to teach you how to really kiss a guy using your tongue.”*****************************************************Stella Hemmings aimed to leave her wicked stepmother and evil stepsister behind because they treated her like Cinderella in the fairy tale story wherein they made her do the household chores and beat her. The only difference was that her stepmother sends her to school but on one condition. She had to hide her identity, like wearing a curly wig and round glasses. Why? Because she looked exactly like her mom and her stepmother hated her mom so much that she asked her to cover her face and make herself ugly.And just like Cinderella, she also has a Prince Charming but sad to say, he was bullying her. Stella had a huge crush on him but he never noticed because she’s ugly. He only had eyes on the sexy and famous cheerleader Maxine. Knowing she couldn’t compete with Maxine, Stella hid her feelings for Tyler Lewis. However, the stupid cupid played his role and let them crossed their path in an unexpected way.Stella needed a huge amount of money for the operation of her stepbrother’s heart surgery, so she asked her friend Lisa to help her. Her salary as a part time student in the coffee shop wasn’t enough to save money for Dino’s operation. So she went with Lisa to work in one of the famous nightclub intown but soon went into trouble and the guy who bullied her in the school, saved her and saw her without the wig and the round glasses. After that incident, she tried to avoid Tyler in the school as much as she could, for he might recognize her as the girl he saved that night in the nightclub.But how could she avoid him when her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Tyler, he was determined to show her that he had earned a spot in his heart. 
I had loved a man for five years, and hated him for just as long.
He took the money meant for my mother's treatment, and I leaked his company's secrets, bankrupting him overnight.
For those five years, we were locked in a fierce rivalry, a constant battle where everyone saw us as mortal enemies destined to destroy each other.
But the truth was, we hadn't been in contact for a long time.
When we met again, he had long since rebuilt his empire. Standing under the spotlight, facing a throng of persistent reporters, his words and demeanor were impeccably flawless.
A reporter suddenly brought up the past: "Back then, you mentioned a loved one you wished to spend your life with, even planning to marry at twenty-eight. Now…"
His fingers, holding the champagne flute, paused slightly. Then he lifted his gaze, a faint smile spreading in his eyes, clearly audible throughout the room: "Getting married soon."