Miranda didn't shy away from wearing it a second time. If she were to caught on camera, she would surely be ridiculed. She paid no heed to how the media would spin it.Having endured this trial, Miranda had shed considerable weight, appearing noticeably more delicate. But despite this, she faced the cameras and flashes without fear, sporting her trademark friendly smile.At first, reporters inquired about her recent near-death experience. Miranda dramatized the situation for them, sharing her ordeal and emphasizing her optimistic outlook, pledging not to repeat the same mistakes again.She observed the flood of comments, with everyone offering sympathy and acknowledging the hardships she had faced. Yet, despite the outpouring of support, some reporters delved into her privacy, noting that she had worn the gown twice.Miranda responded gracefully, "I believe facing the camera again is like a new beginning. This gown holds immense significance for me. When I wear it, I feel alive, re
Taylor's righteous indignation prompted Nina to chuckle. "Why does it seem like, in your eyes, Mr. York and I are in a romantic relationship?"Taylor couldn't determine if it was her own misperception, but she sensed the delicacy of their relationship."Mr. York does care a great deal about you," Taylor reflected for a moment. "Maybe you both don't realize it, but observers see it clearly. We can't let Miranda interfere and ruin your relationship."In Taylor's view, Nina and Nash were the perfect match."You little rascal, don't take sides recklessly," Nina tapped Taylor's head gently. "Between Mr. York and me, everything is innocent. Don't listen to gossip from others. It's none of my concern whom Mr. York wants to be with. Let's refrain from spreading such talk; it will only fuel baseless rumors."Taylor rubbed her forehead. "I won't talk to others about it, but I'm not discussing these things with you because of idle gossip."Even if the company were circulating rumors that Ni
"No, that's not what I meant. You don't know me at all? How could I blame you?" Nina clenched her fists, then released them. "It's just that this marriage was a contractual one from the beginning.""What?" Yvonne's eyes widened in shock as she stood up. "You never told me about this. Why would Nash have a contractual marriage with you? This doesn't make sense!"Nina explained, "I've told you before, Nash's grandfather had a liking for me, so he arranged for me to marry Nash. And I only agreed because I had no other options at the time."At that moment, Yvonne hadn't fully grasped the situation. She knew Nina liked Nash, but Nina had never considered marrying him despite harboring that crush for so long. How could she suddenly end up marrying him? Now she understood there was a reason behind it."Give me a moment to process this," Yvonne said, still trying to recover from her shock. "You and Nash had a contractual marriage, and it was orchestrated by his grandfather. Nash doesn't ev
"If you slack off, you'll pay for it!" said Miranda's assistant, Ruby, speaking with an air of superiority. When the conversation reached this point, naturally, no one dared to offend. Even the store manager responded with deference, saying, "Alright, Miranda, we'll ensure the gown you need is made with the utmost care.""Tomorrow marks the most important charity auction gala for the York Corporation. Miranda needs to wear it. We need it ready by tomorrow!" the assistant emphasized.The store manager felt troubled. She knew this gown had been altered countless times, and each time there would be new complaints. In all her years of professional experience, she had never been so meticulous. After so many alterations, she thought it was finally acceptable, but now it was sent back again. The store manager said, "The gown was delivered several days ago but you're only coming now. The gown is handmade, so if alterations are needed, they'll have to be done by hand, and it might not be
Listening to this, Yvonne was instantly stunned and looked at Nina, "So, you're saying that this revelation about her relationship with Nash is also a strategic move for her. What a clever tactic!""If you had such a strong supporter like Nash, someone who stands by you completely, wouldn't you make the most of it?" Nina posed a very practical question.Anyone would seize such an opportunity. Missing this chance would be a huge loss.Yvonne was infuriated, nearly losing her mind. "How can we let her have it so easy!"They walked inside."Oh, Yvonne and Nina," the store manager greeted them with a worried expression, not knowing what to do. However, upon seeing them, she put on a smile and welcomed them warmly, "You're here."The store manager was acquainted with Yvonne, as she herself was a well-known designer and considered to be in the same profession as Yvonne. Her creations had graced numerous prestigious fashion weeks and were favored by celebrities on the red carpet.Yvonn
Nina instantly fell in love with this gown and went to the changing room.Yvonne waited by the side, selecting her gown while waiting. When Nina emerged, Yvonne turned around and looked at Nina, who stood tall and beautiful. Her every expression exuded an elegant and unparalleled grace, stunning Yvonne. She couldn't help but applaud, "Nina, you've truly amazed me! I never knew you could be so stunning!"Nina's hair cascaded down, her fair skin complemented by the crimson color, enhancing her complexion. The strapless bodice perfectly accentuated her well-shaped bust, while her slender waist, graspable with just one hand, accentuated her graceful curves. The skirt hem was adorned with hand-sewn roses, vivid and lifelike.The perfection of this gown lies in its understated elegance, perfectly showcasing a woman's fullness and delicacy.As Yvonne looked at Nina, she saw the proudest rose among the thorns. The flowers adorn the person, but the person outshines the flowers.Standing in
She knocked on the door."Come in!" came Nash's voice, neither warm nor cold.Entering the room, Nina saw Nash busy on his computer. Lately, he had been preoccupied with preparations for the upcoming gala, and she wondered what more he had to attend to after returning home from work.Nash glanced up at her. "What's the matter?"Nina replied, "Tomorrow is the annual gala of the York Corporation, and I’m planning to attend."This caught Nash's attention, and his gaze focused on her."I recall you don't enjoy such events."Indeed, she didn't fancy attending such events, finding them too attention-seeking and noisy. Previously, she didn't see the necessity, but now she did.Nina smiled and said, "People change.""Very well," Nash said. "I'll have someone prepare a gown for you.""No need, I've already chosen one."Nina was prepared, and she added with a smirk, "On your card."With that, Nina left.Nash hesitated for a moment.However, spending his money brought a hint of amus
There was quite a commotion, loud enough for everyone to hear.Penelope chuckled, sipping her lemon water, seemingly pleased with the outcome. Although she hadn't interacted with Miranda directly, she was aware of the recent competition for her resources, which left an impression. In the entertainment industry, such battles were nothing new. Miranda still attempted to cut ahead of Penelope in line for her custom-made gown, which seemed a bit excessive. It was satisfying for Penelope to see Miranda fail to get what she wanted.The store manager was inside. Even if they managed to produce the dress today, which seemed unlikely, Miranda probably wouldn't be satisfied. She would end up bearing the brunt of the blame. "We've done our best...""What kind of effort did you put in? Everyone else is dressed perfectly, but only Miranda's gown isn't done. You're doing this on purpose!""You're just accusing me."Hearing them arguing, Miranda came out with a smile, asking in a friendly tone
“My father’s interest is just a passing phase,” Caleb said calmly. “Once he realizes there’s no outcome, he’ll naturally let it go. I’ve been in love with someone who didn’t love me back—it was exhausting. So why would I willingly enter a marriage with someone I don’t even have feelings for?”Caleb didn’t want a marriage without love, and he certainly didn’t want the worst-case scenario—a child born into such a situation. Even though Vera had suggested signing an agreement where the child would stay with him, Caleb couldn’t bring himself to agree. How could a child grow up happy without a mother’s love? And what would he do when the child inevitably started asking for their mom? He couldn’t bear the thought of the child calling someone else “mom.” And if he stayed with Vera just for the child, wouldn’t that create a miserable, loveless relationship for both of them? It was better to draw a clear line from the beginning. Vera hadn’t expected Caleb to be so straightforward a
Caleb’s words left Vera increasingly confused. He had taken her along to see Luna, and now that Luna had been brought to the hospital, there wasn’t much else for her to do. What could Caleb possibly want from her now? If he wanted to continue their "act," he would’ve stopped her earlier, not waited until now to come looking for her. But Caleb remained silent, and Vera didn’t dare to jump to conclusions. She waited patiently for him to speak. After a moment of quiet, Caleb finally broke the silence, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “You don’t have money, and your father is in a standard hospital room. If you don’t rest properly, how will you have the energy to take care of him? Here.” He pulled out a key and handed it to Vera. “This is the key to my dorm at the hospital. I don’t use it often. You can rest and freshen up there.” Vera stared at Caleb in disbelief. Caleb had made it clear he didn’t want any involvement with her and had outright rejected her earlier su
The moment Caleb entered the password at the door, Vera realized he frequented this place. Who could it be? Her mind swirled with guesses, but when the door opened, she followed Caleb inside and saw Luna curled up on the couch in the living room. Caleb immediately strode over to Luna and began checking her condition. Vera trailed closely behind, holding the first aid kit she had brought. “This is appendicitis,” Caleb said firmly. “We need to get you to the hospital right away.” He didn’t even use the supplies in the first aid kit. However, Luna noticed Vera standing there and was visibly startled. She hadn’t expected Caleb to bring someone else—especially Vera—along. When Caleb bent down to lift Luna, she resisted, trying to push him away. “Caleb, what are you doing? What’s the point of all this? Why are you acting like this?” Caleb’s focus was entirely on Luna’s worsening condition. Her appendicitis had escalated to a critical point, and she needed surgery imme
Vera clenched her teeth, making a desperate decision. She moved closer to Caleb, taking the initiative to grab his hand, her sincerity clear. “Caleb, look at me. I’m not as bad as you think. Whether it’s real or fake, I can do it.” Without responding to her plea, Caleb coldly threw out a single sentence, “You can sleep in the car tonight.” Then, without a backward glance, he pulled the car door open and left. Watching his retreating figure, Vera felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing her heart tightly. She had never imagined that her life would come to this point. *Later that night, Caleb was woken by a call from Luna. Through the phone, Luna’s voice was laced with pain. “Caleb, can you come over? My stomach hurts… really badly…” Her words were like a hook, sinking deep into Caleb’s heart. He loved Luna and couldn’t bear to see her in pain or distress. Yet, he forced himself to remain clear-headed. “Isn’t Simon with you? Call him,” Caleb said coldly
Caleb had mentioned taking Vera back to the hospital. Even though she was the one driving, that should have been their destination. But instead, she brought him to his villa. This clearly showed she had done her homework on him. Vera pressed her lips together. “Since you asked me to drive, I figured I’d drop you off at your place first.” “Is that so?” Caleb scoffed, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “And after you drop me off, how are you planning to get back?” As he spoke, he leaned closer to her. Vera instinctively leaned away, uncomfortable with the sudden proximity. She had never been in such close contact with a man before, and her intentions truly were as simple as dropping him off—nothing more. But Caleb didn’t believe her. He grabbed her shoulder with one hand, his grip firm. “I’m asking you a question. Why aren’t you answering?” Vera knew avoiding the question wouldn’t work with him. He wasn’t the type to let things slide. “If I didn’t drop you off, h
“Why don’t you go find my dad if you made the deal with him?” Caleb said coldly. “My mom’s gone. If you—”“What are you talking about?” Vera interrupted, her voice tinged with disbelief. She couldn’t believe Caleb could say something so cutting. But then again, they had no relationship to speak of. Caleb was free to say whatever he wanted. Her throat tightened, and a wave of bitterness washed over her. Caleb truly was her only hope. “Your father approached me because he wanted me to win you over, to change you,” Vera said firmly. “Right now, I have no other choice. We could just pretend to be a couple. If your dad insists on a marriage, we can cross that bridge later. What do you think?” “Make way!” Before Caleb could respond, a sharp voice called out from behind. Someone was rushing past in a hurry. Vera instinctively tried to move aside, but the person barreled straight into her. She couldn’t avoid it and stumbled violently to the side. She braced herself
Caleb couldn’t bring himself to violate his professional ethics, let alone lead by example in doing so.“There’s no need for any agreements,” Caleb said firmly. “I don’t intend to turn this into a transactional relationship. You’re still young, and you can take your time dealing with your debts.”With that, Caleb turned to leave. But Vera continued to follow him. “There’s no time to take it slow. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here in front of you. Uncle Smith and my dad were the best of friends, but under the current circumstances, whatever help he can offer is barely a drop in the bucket. However, if I follow Uncle Smith’s advice and win you over, everything will be different.”Caleb’s father wanted him to settle down, marry, and have a family. If Vera became his wife, it would naturally secure her father’s support and resources. “I don’t even have money to go home…” Vera murmured from behind him. Her voice was so soft, it was barely audible, but Caleb heard her clearly. He
Caleb only escorted Vera to the entrance of the club before stopping. “I’m not interested in you. Don’t follow me,” he stated bluntly. “If it’s money you’re after, there are plenty of ways to earn it without doing this.” Knowing that Luna and Simon were also inside, Caleb had no intention of lingering at this club any longer. To his surprise, Vera followed closely behind him. He turned, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Don’t you have anywhere else to go?” “Your father gave me one task—to stay close to you and win you over,” she replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Her meaning was clear: she wouldn’t leave until her mission was complete. With her head bowed, Caleb couldn’t see her expression, but her unwavering tone was enough to leave him momentarily speechless. “How much money are you short of that you’d stoop to this?” he asked, unable to hide his disbelief. They’d had no prior interactions, yet now Vera clung to him as though her life
Luna noticed Caleb, but the one to greet him was Simon. Caleb didn’t respond. His lips pressed into a thin line as his gaze fell on Luna, noticing the faint chill in her eyes as she looked at him. Hunter chuckled lightly. “If we’re all acquaintances, why don’t we set up a gathering and hang out together?” Hunter seemed amused by the situation. This self-proclaimed fiancée of Caleb’s was intriguing, and with more people, things might loosen up and get interesting. Unexpectedly, Caleb replied sternly, “There’s no point. We’re not on the same wavelength. We can’t even find common ground to have fun.” Without waiting for a response, Caleb grabbed Vera’s hand and turned to leave. If not for Luna’s presence, Caleb wouldn’t have touched Vera, let alone held her hand. But seeing Luna’s cold demeanor as she stood beside Simon in a place like this, it was obvious what she was thinking. She believed he was following her on purpose. Why should he let her think so little of him?