Jackson stood with his arms crossed, squinting slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. “So, you’re in Rome too?”A man in a sharp suit replied, “I just ran into madam’s uncle. He mentioned coming here to meet a friend. Was it you who brought him here, Jackson?”Jackson smirked, his tone lazy, almost indifferent. “What if it was me? What if it wasn’t? Why are you stopping me from leaving? This is Rome, not back home. I could easily have you arrested for unlawful detention.”From inside a nearby café, a man in a suit and sunglasses called out softly, “Dylan.”“Yes, sir?” Dylan responded promptly.“Invite Jackson in for a cup of coffee.”Dylan hesitated. “Sir, Jackson doesn’t seem too interested in talking. He’s being quite hostile.”The man sighed. “That’s just how he is. It’s not about you. Go ahead, tell him it’s me inviting him.”“Yes, sir.” Dylan walked back to Jackson’s side.A dozen bodyguards surrounded Jackson, making any attempt to flee futile. But Jackson remained unbothered
"Borrow money?"Jackson’s voice was muffled, and there was a noticeable whooshing sound in the background. “Yeah, it's just a nuisance. I'm playing along with them for now. You should head back.”Emily's suspicion was piqued by Jackson’s vague tone. “Jackson, are you in some kind of trouble?”“No way. Who am I? Jackson, the king of the road! No one would dare give me trouble. Anyway, Emily, be a good girl and take Bert home to rest. I’ll be back a bit later. That's it, I’m hanging up.”Beep… Beep… Beep…Jackson had indeed hung up the phone.Bert asked, “Is something wrong? Is Jackson in trouble?”“He said he ran into some old friends,” Emily echoed, her concern mirroring Bert's. However, she knew her best course of action was to avoid adding to Jackson's burdens. “Let’s go. Jackson knows what he’s doing.”With Jackson absent, it fell to Amy to drive them back.This was Emily’s second experience with Amy behind the wheel, and it was every bit as nerve-wracking as the first. The ride wa
Miranda offered her sincere apology, "I'm truly sorry for the trouble I've caused everyone. Please tell me the amount you think is fair, and I'll compensate each of you.""Wait a minute," the police officer, who had just finished managing the traffic, walked over. His eyes lingered on Miranda for a few seconds before he began speaking formally, "The compensation amount must be determined by the police. Each of you will need to submit an itemized list of your losses along with the necessary documents. The police will review them, and once approved, the responsible party will be instructed to deposit the funds into the police account. We will then distribute the compensation accordingly."However, this method did not sit well with many of those involved."I'm leaving Rome soon and don't have time to go to the police station to submit these so-called documents. Besides, everyone knows how slow European police can be. I don't want to stay in Rome for several months over a few thousand eur
The nightlife in Rome pales in comparison to what Miranda was used to back home. Most of the surroundings were engulfed in darkness, with only a few 24-hour establishments, their entrances desolate and void of activity.“It's nothing like Las Vegas,” Derek remarked. “Rome was once a grand city in ancient times, but now it’s mostly a tourist destination.”Miranda chuckled softly. “Rome has its own charm. It doesn't need to be compared to other cities. Las Vegas has its vibrancy, but Rome is rich in culture and history.”Derek smiled, pleased with her response. “Yes, Rome’s culture is renowned worldwide. America too, of course.”Miranda raised an eyebrow. “Do you like American movies?”“Yes, I love American arts films. Brigitte, Jet Wilson, and oh, my favorite, Robert Downey.”Miranda was surprised. “You know more than I do.”Derek laughed, his English tinged with an Italian accent, though still fluent. “Miranda, I must admit, I’ve deceived you.”“Oh?”“I recognize you. You attended the
Jackson had been waiting outside the hotel, pacing nervously. When he finally saw Emily returning, he quickly walked over, draping a warm coat over her shoulders. His face was etched with concern as he frowned. "Why did you come back so late? I’ve been worried sick."Emily, now known as Miranda, let him guide her inside, though Jackson held her a little too tightly for her liking. She politely freed herself from his embrace, her tone composed. “I’m fine, really. I wasn’t cold. Have Bert and Amy come back yet?”Sensing her subtle rejection, Jackson’s hand dropped limply to his side, his expression tinged with a hint of disappointment."They’ve been back for a while. They were both worried about you and asked me to let them know the moment you returned."Miranda nodded, knowing her Uncle Bert had just arrived. Having him face such an unexpected situation on his first day surely unsettled him."I’ll go straight to see him then. What room is he staying in?" she asked."Room 1805. I’m in 1
The entire night was filled with surreal and fragmented dreams—none of them forming a coherent story.In one of the dreams, Miranda cradled a chubby, smiling baby in her arms. Behind her stood a tall, gentle man, softly encircling her waist, quietly reminding her to watch her step. But when she turned to look at him, he vanished. All that remained was an endless field of wild grass, stretching as far as her eyes could see. No trace of the man, no one to turn to.The baby in her arms disappeared too. Her once-full embrace was now empty, and she found herself running across the desolate field, desperately calling out—though she didn’t know what name to shout. Her child hadn’t been born yet, and she hadn’t even had the chance to name him.When she awoke, the light outside was still dim. A glance at her phone showed it was already 7:30 PM Rome time. She had slept through the entire day, nearly twelve hours. Yet, it felt as though she had only napped for thirty minutes, likely due to the v
With Miranda’s assistance, the check-in process at the hotel went smoothly and efficiently. In just over ten minutes, all sixty guests had their rooms assigned, and the older men and women were being guided by hotel staff to their rooms.Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief after the last group was taken care of.One of the girls at the front desk handed Miranda a glass of water. “Thank you, Miss. If you hadn’t been here, we would’ve been in serious trouble today.”Miranda took a sip and smiled. “It’s nothing.”“These older folks, traveling without a guide, can barely communicate with us. We had no idea what they were asking for. Why didn’t their guide stay with them? This is going to be a challenge.”“Exactly,” another receptionist chimed in. “Miss, we can’t keep bothering you like this. Could you help us reach out to their guide?”Miranda nodded. It was time to contact the tour guide.A group of elderly tourists stranded in a foreign country without proper assistance was a dis
The man standing at the hotel reception desk was undeniably striking.His sharp features, complemented by an aloof aura, created a sense of distance, almost as if he radiated an unapproachable energy. Though he wasn’t dressed in formal attire, his beige cashmere sweater paired with a deep navy shirt and corduroy trousers exuded elegance. A sleek sports watch adorned his wrist, and his shoes were the latest running sneakers from a well-known brand.Clearly, he was someone who valued an active lifestyle.Miranda couldn't help but notice him. Her gaze lingered a moment too long, drawing the man’s attention. He turned his head and locked eyes with her. For a second, it felt as though he wasn’t just looking at her but through her, as if searching for someone else in her gaze.Realizing the intensity of the exchange, Miranda quickly averted her eyes. What was she doing staring at a stranger like that?The tour guide beside her interrupted her thoughts. "Hey, gorgeous, thanks again for today
One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos they’d left behind. Guests began to arrive, the first among them being Allen and Olivia, who had just returned from their honeymoon. They entered, hand-in-hand, faces glowing with happiness. Olivia had transformed over the last year. Now a poised and capable woman, she’d embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. “Emily!” Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophia’s hand. "This British couple is my family. They’re good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldn’t let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldn’t leave a ‘dead’ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didn’t die; I’m alive and back to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother won’t steal my inheritance, and you won’t ruin my wedding. Now, the ceremony continues."Satan stood in the grand hall, watching the strong, fearless woman Emily had become, a wave of unspeakable joy rising within him. His woman had become powerful.Dressed in a white gown, Emily walked slowly toward Satan, accompanied by Bert. The small diamonds on her gown sparkled under the light
“I know,” Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. She’d expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincent’s unwavering stance took her by surprise. It’s over—everything’s finally over.Emily’s eyes glistened with tears.The priest’s voice resonated, “The groom may now kiss the bride…”Emily lowered her head, tears shimmering on her lashes. Vincent leaned in, kissing away the tear before it fell.Applause thundered through the church, and the priest laughed. “Go on, kiss her; she’s yours now.”Vincent didn’t hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. “You’re my wife, Emily. Finally.”Emily smiled through her tears. “Yes, I’m finally your wife.”Vincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. “Emily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.”The guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasn’t about to let things end on such a perfect note. Her face twisted with such fury
Dylan was right.Three days later, Emily Carter and Vincent Norman were to be married. With Meggie as the wedding’s head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Miranda—the talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prize—was indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldn’t believe the city’s most eligible bachelor, Vincent, had been swept off his feet so quickly.The Norman family, known for their longstanding legacy, hosted an extravagant guest list. Alex greeted everyone warmly, while Mandy barely cracked a smile. She was still fuming—she’d barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a “suitable” bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, “Wasn’t he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now he’s marrying someone else so fast?”Meggie overheard and firmly replied, “The bride is Emily.”“Oh, come on, Mom. She’s not—”
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. “Fine, I’ll drink it. But after I’m done, go back to your office!”With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of lemon water in one go. She quickly shoved the empty glass back into Vincent's hands, saying, "There, all done!"Vincent's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great. Come to my office at lunchtime," he said with a hint of mischief.Emily frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, mouthing, “People are watching!”Vincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, “It’s freezing outside, so don’t go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; he’ll bring it up, and we’ll eat together.”“...Okay.”He’s gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping he’d leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.“Oh, one more thing,” Vincent added nonchalantly, “Don’t rush off after work. We’ll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.”Emily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything he’d just eaten, leaving a mess on the floor.The young nurse, no older than twenty, panicked and rushed toward the door to call a doctor, but Jackson stopped her. “Stay,” he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. “Sir, if you’re unwell, you really should let the doctor check—”“I’m not unwell,” Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.“Are you scared of me?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.“N-no, not at all,” the nurse stammered, shaking her head. “It’s just…”“Don’t worry about it,” he said, a faint sneer forming. “Fear is natural. I’ve never been the nicest person, and I don’t pretend to be.”“Oh no, you’re a good person, sir! You… well, you pay me well,” she replied hesitantly.“Money alone doesn’t make someone good,” Jacks
The projects across the company were running smoothly. Ken managed the technical aspects, and Daniel handled administration and overall decision-making. Even during Satan's three-year absence, The Great Wall Group retained its position as New York’s leading business powerhouse.As Emily browsed the recent news on her phone in the car, it was clear the city was engulfed in Christmas cheer, bright and bustling.Satan glanced over. “Any plans for Christmas?”She paused. “Not really. I’ll probably just stay in and watch TV with Bert.”He nodded without pressing further. Emily wondered what had prompted him to ask; he’d usually spend Christmas with his family.A slight smile crept across her face, but her expression held a tinge of sadness. The people in her life seemed to be growing fewer by the year. Christmas used to be difficult but joyful, a shared warmth despite the hardships. This year, it felt especially lonely. Sophia had long severed ties with the family, and William was gone. It
Jackson cut her off. “Then let me take you to meet my family! You’re amazing—they just don’t know you yet. Once they do, they’ll definitely support us being together. That way, we won’t have to choose, and we can stay together, right?”“What if they still don’t agree?”“I’ll talk to them. I’m committed to you for life. They’ll have to come around, whether they agree or not!”Emily couldn’t help but laugh. “But I don’t agree.”Jackson felt a pang of panic. He tried to sit up to reach her hand, but his body was still confined by the plaster, immobilizing him completely, and he was forced to lie back down. “Emily, are you worried because my parents don’t like you? If I love you, their initial reservations don’t matter; they’ll come to accept it.”“That’s part of it,” Emily admitted, “but there’s a more important reason…”A sinking feeling came over Jackson. “…What is it?”……Weather forecasts are rarely reliable, but this time, it turned out to be spot on.By evening, the sky was filled
Emily didn’t say anything, but her mind was a mess.“You don’t need to say so many sentimental things,” she replied softly. “For Meggie’s sake, I’ll go through with the wedding. Don’t worry.”“But I don’t want a fake wedding,” Satan replied. “I want it to be real.”The elevator stopped on the ground floor.Emily stepped out first, and unlike the warmth of the room upstairs, cold snowflakes were now drifting down outside, and the air felt sharp against her skin, like knives slicing across her face.Standing at the Hilton’s entrance, she asked, “Did you drive here?”“I took a cab.”“Did you sneak out again?”Satan shrugged with a wry smile. “Dylan’s been keeping too close an eye on me.”With no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up.“To St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, then turned back to him. “When you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?”He nodded. “And what about you? What