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On the day of Stanley Frey and Tessa Hill's wedding anniversary, Tessa's present arrives as a phone call from the police."Hello, is this Mrs. Frey? This is the Nasterdam Police Department. There's been a report that your husband, Stanley Frey, has held a young woman against her will. We need you to come down and assist with our investigation."Tessa's heart sinks, her fingers instantly turning cold.With a vague idea of what this is about, she grabs a scarf and heads out the door.In the brightly lit police station, Tessa instantly spots the young woman who is surrounded by people.With a pout and clear annoyance on her face, the young woman snaps, "What's wrong with you people? Why haven't you arrested him yet? He locked me up in that presidential suite for seven days straight! I couldn't even get out of bed because of him! If that's not false imprisonment, then what is?" 

We’ve been married for three years, but I’ve never truly had his love. When his childhood sweetheart returned, just as promised, all I was met with were the cold, glaring divorce papers.“If I were carrying our child, would you still choose to divorce?” I asked, holding onto the faintest glimmer of hope, making one last desperate plea.His response, as expected, was just as cold as ever. “Yes.”I closed my eyes, choking back tears, and finally chose to let go—to honor his decision.Years later, my heart had turned to ash. Lying in a hospital bed, I trembled as I signed the divorce papers. “Alexander, from this moment on, we owe each other nothing…”What I never saw coming was the ruthless, decisive CEO kneeling at my bedside, his voice hoarse, almost broken, as he pleaded, “Vivienne, don’t divorce me… please.” 



After being evicted by the Gray family, Shannon Gray magically becomes the heiress of an affluent family.
The Gray family regrets kicking her out and wants the Jensen family to give them half its assets as compensation. Shannon sneers and uses a truth-telling talisman to expose the Gray family's true colors and the skeletons in its closet. Similarly, when a scumbag refuses to leave her alone, she easily makes him have nightmares every night.
Her cousins look down on her and think she's a disgrace, but the head of the Shaw family comes knocking on their door, looking for her. "As long as you're willing to save my daughter, I'll agree to any condition you have!"
The head of another affluent family that's never gotten along with the Jensen family shamelessly comes knocking, too. "I was a fool for acting the way I did in the past. I'll announce to the world that I'm your lackey as long as you're willing to help me!"
Later, even Shannon's cousin, who once detested her, becomes her loyal follower. "She's the best cousin ever, and I'll curse anyone who dares say a word against her!"
After everything that's happened, the Jensen family finally snaps to their senses and realizes that Shannon, whom they'd thought was a pitiful little thing, is a master at geomancy and divination.
Shannon needs to rid people and places of malevolence, save lives, and suck up to a bigwig. She can't help saying, "I'm exhausted."
Benjamin "Bigwig" Cooper takes the initiative to share her burden. "You don't need to suck up to me. I'm already yours." 
Introduction:She was the daughter of a plutocrat, an elite with multiple identities, known and respected by everyone; she was a young girl from a rich family, who was peacocky and shameless, loathed by all.After being reborn as her, she defeated the bad man and the angelic bitch, took revenge on the bad guy who killed her, married the most noble man, got into the sweetest relationship, and stunned the world!Reporter, "Mr. Leach, what is your favorite thing in the world?"Benson, "Jill."Reporter, "Mr. Leach, what do you like to do most every day?"Benson smiled, "Sleeping with Jill in my arms at night."Juliana: ... 
On the day Jeanette Young is diagnosed with terminal gastric cancer, William Ashford cheats on her with his first love, Giselle Wills.
Jeanette doesn't cry or make a scene. Instead, she tries to fix the marriage with everything she has, only to be met with divorce papers and Giselle flaunting a baby bump at her doorstep.
That's when Jeanette finally gives up and agrees to the divorce. She takes the hefty settlement, and since she won't live long anyway, goes on a revenge spending and investment spree.
Who would expect a random project she invests in to go viral overnight? A lottery ticket she buys hits 50 million dollars in winnings, and even the broke college student she sponsors turns out to be a future business prodigy.
In the blink of an eye, Jeanette becomes the most powerful investor in the game.
With money comes health, so her condition steadily improves, her career soars, and countless suitors vie for her attention. Even her cold ex-husband—William—starts getting attracted to her and frequently begs for reconciliation.
One night, the teary-eyed William pleads, "Please just give me one more chance."
Jeanette smiles. "Your life's a mess, Mr. Ashford. You don't deserve me."
Later, she learns the hard way that careless words do invite trouble. 



Mercity's richest man, Adam Alvarez, has been comatose for three years. His wife, Celine Tate, cares for him throughout. But when he wakes up, she finds a flirty text in his phone. His first love is back in the country.
His friends, who have always looked down on Celine, laugh about the matter. "It's time for the ugly little duckling to get kicked to the curb now the swan is back."
Only then does Celine realize Adam has never loved her. She's nothing but a poor joke.
So, one night, Mr. Alvarez receives a divorce agreement from his wife. The reason for the divorce—there's something wrong with his health.
Adam goes after Celine, his expression dark. That's when he discovers her standing under gleaming lights, looking gorgeous in a long dress. She's suddenly become a medical expert.
When she sees him, she smiles. "Are you here to see an andrology specialist, Mr. Alvarez?" 
Suzanne Yates has been Jenson Lambert's lapdog for a decade. She stuck by him when he was a nobody and accompanied him as he made his way to the top. Yet ultimately, she loses to Seline Yates.
She decides to give up on him and salvage her career. She's a miracle doctor, genius hacker, renowned lawyer, invincible gamer, famous designer, and award-winning actress… She's all of those things, which means she's also great at teaching a scumbag and a scheming bitch a lesson!
Jenson looks at Suzanne imperiously and says, "You're worthy of being my woman now, Suzanne."
Austin Hall suddenly darts forward to kick him aside. "How dare you try to get involved with my woman?"
Jenson is terrified. "M-Mr. Hall?"
Austin gently tilts Suzanne's head up. He asks dangerously, "Are you out here seducing other men again?"
She pales. She's about to flee when he sweeps her off her feet. 


Eleanor is Citadel's most spoiled and dazzling beauty. With just a glance, she can captivate any man, and it's said that admirers line up for her for miles. Yet, as the Hayes family's daughter, she didn't give them so much as a glance.Everything changes when her best friend throws down a challenge. "Eleanor, if you can win over my uncle Alexander, you can pick any car from my garage."Alexander Grant, the head of Grant Group, is cold, disciplined, and impossibly proud. He is the kind of man no socialite dares to approach. Rumor has it that not even the boldest socialite dares come near.Eleanor smiles. She has never failed to get what she wants, but even the most confident schemes can be upended by the twists of fate. 
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. 
On the day of our wedding, Justin had someone take off my wedding dress. He wanted to personally put it on my younger stepsister. He cut me an icy look, claiming, "I'll make you my wife, but my love belongs to Felicia. We'll get our marriage license after the wedding."The people around us laughed. They made a bet that I wouldn't wait around for Justin like I had before, considering that I had been holding on for five years to keep the engagement.Yet, the moment I left the church, I made a call. "Elizabeth, about your proposition the other day? It's a yes from me."…That night, I took a private jet and flew to my new home.From that moment on, my world was completely cut off from Justin's.…After not seeing him in five years, I ran into him when I attended a banquet with my daughter. The moment he sees my daughter in my arms, he gives us a humorless smile."So, you've come crawling back after five years. Why not put the child under Felicia's care from now on? I might just let her call me 'Dad'," he commented in a sneer.He had no idea the child wasn't his. 

In the third year of their marriage, Lynette Sterling and Zachary Wright have their worst fight yet.
On their wedding anniversary, Lynette presents forensic evidence of non-consensual intercourse and reports Zachary to the authorities. "I'm reporting my husband for forcing himself on me," she tells the police.
At the police station, Zachary remains the picture of composure in a tailored suit, his fingertips still faintly stained red. Even in custody, he carries the cold weight of a man who owns the room.
An officer approaches, casting an uneasy look at the legal predator looming nearby. "Mr. Wright, how would you like to handle this?"
Lynette's heart sinks. They aren't asking how to deal with Zachary; they are asking Zachary how he wants to deal with her.
Zachary lifts a brow, a captivating yet dark smile playing on his lips. He hooks a finger under Lynette's chin, his voice a low purr.
"Nettie, you really didn't hold back on trying to destroy me. But how can you tell such a bold lie? You weren't this heartless before. You used to do everything you could to match my freak in bed." 

Three years ago, I had my positive cancer diagnosis in one hand as I consoled Anderson Graham, whose eyes were red and teary.
"It's just cancer. I can beat this."
However, he continued crying until he was almost out of breath. He hugged me so tightly that I thought my bones would crack.
"Yvonne, promise me that you'll beat this. I'll wait for you to return so I can marry you!"
In order to live, I had to remove most of my stomach.
Every single day, I was faced with handful after handful of pills and never-ending chemotherapy.
Three years later, I'm finally healed and can return to Anderson's side.
During my return party, his female best friend chuckles as she raises a glass.
"Andy was as celibate as a priest while you were overseas. I kept a close eye on him every single night and made sure nobody else was in his bed.
"I practically tattooed the words 'Do Not Touch' on him to make sure nobody else would go for him!"
The noisy room suddenly becomes so quiet that I can hear a pin drop.
I do my best to ignore the prickling ache coming from my chest.
With an equally bright smile, I raise my glass and reply, "Should I give you an award for keeping his bed occupied, then?" 
Bonnie Shepard, a country girl, is the talk of the town. Rumors say she's a loser who loves fighting and fooling around.Her fiancé dumps her, and the esteemed Knight family distances themselves, causing the Shepards no small embarrassment. But when the world uncovers her true identity as the nation's leading researcher, everyone is awed.To their surprise, she's not only a math genius, but also a chess prodigy, a medical guru, and a kickboxing expert, outshining even the wealthiest tycoon on the Forbes list.Prominent figures and affluent heirs vie openly for her affection."Bonnie, will you marry me? I'm fit, and I’m the most romantic and considerate partner you'll ever find. Hell, I'll even handle all the household chores!""Bonnie, choose me, please? My family owns a mine, and you can buy anything you want!" Ivor Knight, the CEO who once spurned her, regrets it so much that he can only say, "Fuck off, okay? She's mine!" 
After Melissa Sam's untimely demise, she came to a profound realization of her past misery. Surprisingly, the person who had unleashed his anger upon her turned out to be her ex-boyfriend's deeply wounded uncle. It was rumored that this disfigured man, upon discovering the truth, removed his mask, revealing a startling appearance that left her stunned.With her newfound ability of Mind-Reading after being reborn, Melissa made a solemn vow to become a devoted wife in this life. Rumors soon spread across the city, speculating about an unknown actress named Melissa Sam, who was generously supported by an influential entertainment company. Whispers of a mysterious financial backer abounded.To everyone's astonishment, a declaration was made by the famous Mr. Steven, stating that there was no sponsor behind Melissa. He emphasized that the company existed solely for her and that she was their sole artist. Doubts arose, and people questioned if Mr. Steven would ever recoup his investment.However, the man gazed at Melissa's subtly protruding belly and said with conviction, "Certainly." 
Wynter Quinnell has never known that she's not related to the Yates family by blood. When her childhood sweetheart and the rest of the world turn on her, the Yates family kicks her out and tells her to search for her biological parents in the hole she'd crawled out from…Wynter laughs it off. She's about to stun everyone by revealing her secret identity, but it turns out the "hole" the Yates family had mentioned is actually the richest family in Kingbourne, the Quinnell family!Over the course of a single night, she goes from the Yates family's fake daughter, who's despised by everyone, to the actual daughter of the richest man in the country. She also has six brothers who absolutely adore her!Her eldest brother is a domineering president. "Let's pause the meeting right here. Get me a ticket back to the country—I wanna see who are the people who have the nerve to bully my sister!"Her second-eldest brother is a famous celebrity. "Cancel the function. I'm gonna take my sister home right now."Her third-eldest brother is a god in his industry. "Postpone the competition. Nothing's more important than my sister."This rocks the country!The Yates family regrets every wrong move they make, and Wynter's childhood sweetheart tries to win her back.But before she can reject him, Dalton Yarwood, the president of Yarwood Corporation and the son of the renowned Yarwood family, proposes to her. It makes her the talk of the town! 

Three Stories in one. Read about the Warner sisters Sutton, Blair and Keira.
In Bed With Her Shithead Boss - Coming home to find her fiancé in bed with her cousin should have broken her, but Blair refuses to fall apart. She's strong, capable, and determined to move on. What she doesn't plan on is drowning her sorrows in too much of her bosses scotch... or ending up in bed with her ruthless, dangerously charming boss, Roman.
One night. That's all it was supposed to be.
But in the cold light of day, walking away isn't so easy. Roman isn't a man who lets go-especially not when he's decided he wants more. He doesn't just want Blair for a night. He wants her, period.
And he has no intention of letting her go.
CEO's Runaway Mistress - When model “Audrey” discovers she’s pregnant with billionaire Luca De Santis’s baby, she’s terrified to tell him. Their eleven-month affair has been passionate but uncommitted. Before she can find the right moment, Luca brutally ends their relationship, revealing he’s engaged to a teenage heiress and cruelly accusing Audrey of trying to trap him when she reveals her pregnancy.
Heartbroken and alone, Audrey vanishes, returning to her real identity as Sutton Warner. Months later, a twist of fate brings them face-to-face again when Luca acquires the tech company where Sutton works. He’s stunned to discover the truth: not only is she carrying his child, but “Audrey” never existed. She’s actually Sutton, a gifted programmer with a mind as beautiful as her face.
As corporate sabotage threatens to destroy everything they’ve built, Luca and Sutton must navigate their complicated past while fighting their still-burning attraction. But with his cruel rejection still haunting her and her fierce independence at stake, can Luca convince Sutton to give him and their family a second chance before it’s too late? 


Six years ago, she was framed by her wicked sister and was abandoned by her then husband while she was pregnant.Six years later, she started anew with a different identity. Oddly, the same man who abandoned her in the past had not stopped pestering her at her front door.“Miss Gibson, what’s your relationship with Mister Lynch?”She smiled and answered nonchalantly, “I don’t know him.”“But sources say that you were once married.”She answered as she tucked her hair, “Those are rumors. I’m not blind, you see.”That day, she was pinned on the wall the moment she stepped in her door.Her three babies cheered, “Daddy said mommy’s eyes are bad! Daddy says he’ll fix it for mommy!”She wailed, “Please let me go, darling!” 


{Follow me on IG: KaiKitto / author_KaiKitto /for updates.}
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{Warning: R-18, Dark Romance}
"Someone, please save me!"
"Who are you asking for help, dear?" He smiled, bringing his face closer to mine, sending a wave of terror through me.
"Don't do this. I am your sister," I pleaded, my voice trembling. I didn't want to stoop to his level.
"No, my dear. You could never be my sister. This is my revenge, and you are my enemy. You will pay for your sins," he growled, freezing me with fear.
"Please!"
“You think you can hate me just because you discovered you're more powerful? Having two useless wolves inside that shabby body won’t save you, sweetheart.” 
Davina Bryson has always longed to be with her fated mate and live a peaceful life with him. However, her parents, Bryson and Elena, have other plans, to use her as a pawn to gain power.
They want her to be selected as the Alpha prince's chosen mate, bringing them closer to the royal family and paving the way for their ultimate goal of overthrowing them. She knows that her parents don't truly care about her, she's merely a tool for their ambitions.
She meets her destined mate Orion Lycaon, the cold-hearted king of the Lycan Empire; he's unwilling to accept her. But a prophecy foretells a war that threatens the supernatural world, and fate demands their union.
As they navigate their complicated destinies, Davina must confront her own strength and resilience, while Orion must confront and learn to accept her. Their bond becomes the key to winning the war and ensuring their race's survival.
But can she thaw Orion’s icy heart? Will he accept her for the war's sake? And will her parents allow their union or obstruct it?
Fate, power, war, and love collide as they fight for their future and the survival of their race. 

Avery Langford finally gets pregnant after five years of marriage and 99 rounds of IVF.She carries the prenatal report home, ready to share the joy with her husband, Damien Whitlow, only to freeze outside the study when she hears him bantering with his friends."There are things Avery never knew. I faked her infertility report and made her go through 99 IVF attempts. The baby she's carrying isn't mine—it's Julian Whitlow's. And the truth is, the woman I've loved all along is Serena Langford."The shock hits Avery like a bucket of cold water, and Damien still keeps talking."Next week at our fifth-anniversary dinner, Grandpa will announce me as the heir. That's when I'll make sure everyone knows Avery's been sleeping with that bastard, Julian!"Avery trembles with rage, her whole body shaking. She crumples the report in her fist, pulls a number from her blocklist, and types, "Julian, I want to discuss a big deal." 

Lila Hart spends five years pining after Damian Cross. He tramples her dignity, sets her up, and ruins her reputation.
She fakes her death, vanishes, and lands at a world-class research center, where she rises to the top as a leading researcher everyone courts.
Damian drops to his knees, desperation in his eyes. "I finally see it, Lila. You're the one I love the most. Please give me one more chance."
She says, "The Lila Hart who loved you is dead. We're strangers now."
Rhett Draven is the golden heir to a family that stands at the pinnacle of Evermere's high society. Again and again, he's drawn to Lila's grit, decisiveness, and beauty.
At the party, he treats her like something priceless and reserves her for the grand finale. Her new alias brings the house down.
Rhett watches as admirers crowd around her, laughter and light conversation filling the air. Jealous, he slips to her side and murmurs, "You said you'd make it official. When do we tell the world?"
Lila gives him a soft kiss, hooks a finger under his jaw, and beams. "Is this enough?" 

"Professor, I'd like to apply for the Starlight Project." Winona Jensen's voice cuts through the silence of the room.On the other end of the line, David Langley is surprised. "Winona, didn't you turn it down last time because of your boyfriend? What changed your mind all of a sudden? You're aware that this is a classified project, right? Once you commit, you'll be entirely isolated from the outside world for a full five years. You really need to think this through."Winona had made the call after coming to a decision, so her tone is firm. Seeing how determined she is, David relents."Well, if you're sure, then come to the university and sign the agreement. The project starts in two weeks. Someone will come to pick you up then. You and your boyfriend seem pretty close, so make sure you talk to him properly about all this." 
At the one-month party for our child, Eric appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, holding my favorite chestnut cake. But it wasn't for our child's celebration.
Because in his other hand, he held a divorce agreement.
He didn't even bother to pretend to feel guilty, stating bluntly, "Lucia is coming back, so…"
I scanned the agreement: the pack hospital went to him, all other assets went to me and the child.
Perfect.
But I still furrowed my brows, deliberately letting a hint of reluctance tinge my voice. "We built that pack hospital together. Are you really in such a hurry to kick me out?"
Eric handed me the pen, his tone cold. "You know, from the very beginning, this pack hospital was built for Lucia. You can have everything else except this."
I snatched the pen and signed my name quickly, afraid he might change his mind.
He stared at me, seemingly surprised. "Four years, and you didn't hesitate at all?"
I looked down at the child in my arms, then smiled at him. "I wish you and Miss Miller eternal happiness." 

Audrey Turnah fell in love with Jerry Dank at first sight. Up to the extent of leaving her elite international school, to join Jerry in the city school that was not up to her standard by any means.
However, she suffered a humiliating rejection from him at school. One that Audrey would never forget.
Due to this, Audrey was bent on teaching Jerry the lesson of his life, but she had a dream where he became a ruthless tyrant boss in the future, and sought revenge against the Turnah family, so Audrey thought twice and called off her former plan, but it was somewhat late. Audrey's dad had already declared war on the Dank family after Audrey reported Jerry to her dad that he bullied her at school.
Years passed, and Jerry returned to seek revenge on Audrey's family, as he had promised he would. It led to Audrey's father committing suicide, and Leopold, Audrey's childhood friend, being thrown in jail. The Turnah family and its affiliates suffered at the hands of Jerry Dank.
Audrey had to run away.
''Death. Yes. I will pretend to be dead,'' she said when she found out that Jerry had returned for vengeance.
Jerry originally hated Audrey, but after she disappeared, he became obsessed with her.
One day, Audrey heard that Jerry dug her supposed grave, and did not find her remains there. That meant he was looking for her desperately.
Her heart rang alarm bells and thud against her chest aggressively.
She packed her bag and was about to run away again when the door of her apartment swung open, and she saw Jerry's dark face staring at her with a faint smile.
''Going somewhere?'' Jerry asked her with an eerie voice.
Audrey, seeing that she could not run away anymore, decided to have a deal with Jerry. The deal, however, went wrong, and she found that she had been deceived into marrying Jerry.
Years later, she threw a divorce letter in front of him, but he engulfed her in deep kisses and asked her if she still wanted to leave him.
''No. No, I won't leave again,'' Audrey replied with tears in her eyes. 
On the day of her stepsister's marriage registration, Marissa Eagan is dragged along to be a witness. She stands in the cold, waiting, her vision still adjusting after a recent recovery from blindness, only to witness a scene she wishes she hadn't seen.Her stepsister, Roxanne, walks in arm-in-arm with Joshua Colman, her husband of five years.Marissa's world comes crashing down. For a moment, she thinks her eyes are playing tricks on her. Then, the staff member at the city hall hands over a marriage certificate to the couple with a bright smile. "Congratulations on becoming husband and wife."If Joshua is listed as the spouse on Roxanne's marriage certificate, who exactly is the man on Marissa's marriage certificate? 
Winona Nander is known in her circle for her untamed, radiant charm. She watches lions bare their teeth on the Alencan savannah, dances till dawn in the underground clubs of Bolund, and switches boyfriends every few days. There is hardly a reckless thing she hasn't done. But fate has its own plans. She is being arranged to marry Caleb Solt, the most disciplined and proper gentleman in their circle. At their first meeting, Winona deliberately shows up five hours late, intending to put him in his place. But her father's men drag her straight out of a bar and send her to the exclusive teahouse. When she arrives, Caleb is seated by the window, quietly sipping tea. The afternoon light filters through the lattice, tracing soft shadows across his refined profile. He sits with calm grace, as if he has been waiting not for five hours, but for only five minutes. 
I've loved Chris Gildon for a decade, but all he says is, "You're boring as hell. I couldn't be any less interested in you."He turns and spends his days and nights with another woman.We've known each other for ten years, but nothing comes from our relationship. I decide that I don't want to be his second choice anymore.Later, I get engaged to someone else. Chris knocks on my door in the middle of the night. "Maddie…""What can I do for you, Mr. Gildon?"As soon as the words are out of my mouth, a man's sexy voice rings out from the bedroom. "Babe, where did you put my underwear?"Chris staggers and spits a mouthful of blood before me. Sometime after that, I see that he's posted a story on his Instagram. It writes, "Once you miss out on someone, it stays that way for life. She might love you now, but that doesn't mean she'll love you forever. So, appreciate her while you have her." 




"Young lady, whose bastard is that inside you?"
"Don't you know any shame? Is this how I raised you?"
The living room was warm, yet a cold sweat broke out across my back. I stroked my swollen belly, looked at their outraged faces, and suddenly let out a low chuckle.
"You really don't know?"
Father crushed his cigarette butt savagely into the ashtray, sparks flying up before dying. "How would we know what shameful things you've been up to out there?"
"The kidnappers," I said softly, my voice like a snowflake landing on a hot iron plate. "Don't you remember? That year the kidnappers took both me and Liza. They wanted a 500,000 ransom. You only scraped together half, saying 'save the real child first.'"
My parents' faces instantly froze, like the surface of a frozen lake. They even seemed to forget to breathe.
"Later, you took Liza back. The kidnappers kept me for three more months." I touched my belly, fingertips registering a faint flutter of movement inside. "Did you really think I escaped on my own?"
But none of that mattered anymore. Because I was going to die. 

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."