The sound of running water echoed faintly from behind the glass shower door. Moments later, Amora stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel. She quickly dried her hair and began her meticulous routine of applying makeup and styling her hair.Amora walked into the walk-in closet and picked up the dress that Nicky Lambert's assistant had just sent her this morning. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror in front of her.A satisfied smile curled her lips as she observed how the black metallic sequined off-shoulder dress hugged her curves perfectly.The knee-length cut not only made her look stunning but also added a touch of undeniable allure. She deliberately left her wavy hair loose to enhance her bold appearance.Tonight was a special occasion: Chelsea Harrison’s engagement party. Amora intended to attend and present an exclusive gift as a show of her "concern" as a former best friend.The corners of Amora's lips lifted in a cunning manner. She looked at herself in the mirror
[Where are you now?]Amora smiled faintly as she read the incoming message from her best friend, Estelle Mauverick. Estelle was clearly impatient, eager for the big surprise she had planned.Amora replied, [I just arrived. Enjoy the food first.]She put her phone away as Albert opened the car door for her."Thank you, Mr. Parker," Amora said politely.Albert nodded and bowed slightly in response."I’ll call you when I’m done. Meanwhile, double-check the delivery status of the gift. Make sure to inform me as soon as it arrives," Amora instructed Albert."Understood, Ma’am," Albert replied, standing firmly to ensure Amora entered the venue safely.They were outside a luxury hotel where the prestigious Rowan family was hosting an engagement party for their eldest son, Gilbert Rowan, and Chelsea Harrison of the well-known Harrison family.The media presence was notable, with cameras flashing to cover the high-profile event. Some of the journalists were undoubtedly there under Estelle's di
The corners of Amora’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. She fixed her gaze on Miranda’s husband with a condescending glare.Anger boiled in her head. She wanted nothing more than to slap that pufferfish-like face of his, but she restrained herself, trying to stay composed.Her purpose in attending this event wasn’t to make more enemies, but to pay back Chelsea. Unfortunately, Amora couldn’t just sit idly by while being insulted and treated like slut by the man standing before her.“Looks like he needs a lesson,” Amora thought to herself.She hadn’t planned to waste her time on trivial matters, but she figured Jordan Ramirez wouldn’t stop bothering her if she didn’t act.A sly idea suddenly crossed her mind to deal with the sleazy man. Her fingers fiddled with her phone for a moment, she then slid it back into her handbag.With calculated indifference, Amora plucked a single cherry garnish from the top of her cocktail and bit into it in a mesmerizingly graceful motion.Jordan’s face g
Jordan Ramirez was utterly shocked when the man who suddenly appeared claimed to be Amora's partner. He immediately recognized the man—none other than Noel Ritter.Amora was still in a daze, stunned by Noel's unexpected arrival by her side. It had been a long time since she last saw him, and she never imagined Noel would show up at the event.His presence was a lifesaver. On top of that, Noel's appearance tonight was very eye-catching with his tuxedo which Amora had never seen before."My apologies, Mr. Ritter. I didn't know she was your partner. This must be a misunderstanding. I hope this issue won't disrupt the main event," said the event organizer, recognizing Noel as an important guest from the Rowan family.Noel ignored him, his worried gaze fixed on Amora. "Amora, are you alright?"He had no idea what she had been through. The moment he entered the ballroom, his attention was drawn to Amora, who was being humiliated by an unfamiliar woman in front of the guests.Without hesitat
Noel's intense gaze made Amora's cheeks flush with a soft blush. She could easily understand the meaning behind his stare. Although Noel hadn’t voiced his feelings, Amora’s heart knew well enough that he harbored affection for her.Yet, Amora never gave him even the slightest chance. She didn’t want to be an obstacle to Noel’s future. In her eyes, Noel Ritter was a man of impeccable manners and character.Noel had a bright future ahead of him and came from a well-respected family. Amora couldn’t bring herself to drag him down by starting a relationship with her—a single mother.Especially now, her status had changed. She was a married woman. Amora had no intention of creating any scandal that could disgrace her or Regis.Although her marriage to Regis hadn’t been publicly announced, Amora didn’t want to stir up any trouble.Her current life was much better than before, and she didn’t want to ruin it. She believed Noel would find the right woman who could love him wholeheartedly.A sof
"Congratulations, Miss Harrison. May your wedding with the young Mr. Rowan take place soon."The stream of congratulations continued as Chelsea entered the grand ballroom. She maintained a radiant smile, nodding her thanks while scanning the room.Chelsea was elated. Today marked a pivotal moment that would change her life forever.As the newly recognized fiancée of the Rowan family's heir, her status would elevate, and everyone would treat her with even greater respect."Do you see her, Glo?" Chelsea whispered to her best friend, Gloria Barclay, who walked beside her. Maintaining her smile, Chelsea waved at several guests who greeted her."She's over there, Chelsea," Gloria replied after spotting the person they'd been searching for.Earlier, the two had been in the waiting room, snapping photos with friends when Gloria received a call from Miranda. The emotional call, punctuated by Miranda's sobs, described an incident that had just unfolded in the ballroom.Gloria relayed the disjo
Amora’s hazel eyes widened in shock as she stared at Noel, who was smiling sweetly at her. She wanted to deny everything, but doing so would label Estelle as a liar and humiliate Noel.Her eyes scanned the room nervously. She was deeply worried that some press member might capture this moment between her and Noel. Yet, she had no choice but to play along with Noel’s act.Hearing Noel’s direct confession, Gloria felt like a fool standing in that ballroom. When her parents introduced her to a competent and handsome potential fiancé like Noel, she had already developed feelings for him and eagerly anticipated meeting him today.But she had never imagined that her hopes would be crushed before they could even take flight.“Why are you still going through with this arrangement if you already have a girlfriend?” Gloria asked, her voice trembling.“I’m sorry, Miss Barclay. I can’t go against my father’s wishes,” Noel replied apologetically.Then, with a gentle look at Amora, he continued, “I
“Estelle.”A man’s voice drew Amora and Estelle’s attention. A stylish figure with wavy hair dyed in blue ombre strode toward them, exuding confidence.Amora frowned slightly, impressed by the man’s radiant smile. His appearance stood out—he was wearing a striking silver suit that was impossible to miss.“Gino!” Estelle greeted him excitedly, embracing the man, who returned the gesture with a light kiss.“He’s… your husband?” Amora asked, barely hiding her disbelief at Estelle’s rather “unique” taste in men.“That’s right,” Estelle confirmed proudly, quickly introducing her husband to Amora.“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Moonstone,” Amora said, shaking Gino’s outstretched hand.“The pleasure’s mine. Estelle’s told me so much about you,” Gino replied warmly.Amora found herself slightly reassessing Estelle’s judgment. Gino Moonstone radiated positive energy—completely unlike Regis, whose stoic demeanor often intimidated those who didn’t know him well.“Really? You’re exaggerating, Mr. Moo
Two young men, Mark and Xavier, stepped out of the bathroom inside Madam Lorenzo's cabin. They exhaled simultaneously, relieved as they finally breathed in the fresh air outside the cramped space."Has the big boss left?" Mark asked as he scanned the surroundings."Relax, it's clear now," Alicia replied, patting her brother's assistant on the shoulder."Thank goodness. I thought I’d have to spend the night in there," Xavier joked, making Alicia giggle.Just minutes earlier, Mark and Xavier had visited Winny Silverlake. They had explained in detail how Diego had locked up Regis and asked the old woman for help in getting him out.Right as they finished their discussion, Diego and his wife happened to pass by Madam Lorenzo's cabin, prompting the elderly woman to call her son and daughter-in-law in for a talk.Mark and Xavier had no choice but to hide in the bathroom, fearing that Diego would find out they had tattled to Madam Lorenzo."Did the Master agree to listen, Miss?" Mark asked f
Madam Lorenzo’s chest rose and fell rapidly. Her clenched fist tightened around the armrest of the sofa. She never expected her son to be so brazen, openly defying her opinion.Seeing her mother-in-law’s dazed expression, Liliana, who had been sitting beside her, quickly grabbed a glass of water and handed it to the older woman. Madam Lorenzo took slow sips, trying to suppress the storm of anger raging inside her.“Mother, please don’t let this get to you. You need to think about your health too,” Liliana urged, speaking for the first time since the confrontation began.Liliana looked genuinely concerned about the elderly woman’s condition. Though she didn’t fully understand why her husband was opposing his mother, she still tried to ease the tension.“Maybe Diego is just worried that Miss Lysander’s kindness might be taken advantage of, Mother. Our family is constantly in the public eye, and there are plenty of people who would love to exploit that,” Liliana said, unintentionally sou
"A woman like that?"Madam Lorenzo's eyes narrowed sharply. She clearly didn't like the cynical tone in her son's voice."And what kind of woman do you want for this family, Diego? Regis wants to get married and has found someone who suits him—isn't that something to be grateful for? You and Liliana have been searching for a woman for him all this time, but what have you accomplished?" Madam Lorenzo snapped, throwing a sharp glance at her daughter-in-law.Liliana Ritter could only purse her lips slightly, unable to refute her mother-in-law's words.However, Diego wasn’t about to back down so easily. "Mother, I know you want Regis to settle down. But we can’t just let him marry any woman."Madam Lorenzo scoffed. "Are you saying I don’t know how to choose properly?"Alicia held back a smile. She could see how powerless her father was every time he argued with her grandmother."That’s not what I meant, Mother. But we need to find a woman with a clear background. Did you know that she was
"Damn it! How long does he plan to keep me locked up in here?"A low growl, followed by a sharp wince, slipped from Regis' lips. He was still trapped inside the executive cabin, his current prison.Not a single drop of water had been given to him by his father’s men, leaving his throat painfully dry. His appearance was a mess from repeatedly trying to break down the door. Unfortunately, the door was sturdy, and all he had managed to do was injure himself in the process.The room had a balcony overlooking the open river. Regis could jump from there, but the risk was too high—especially with the strong currents rushing below on this late night.As much as he wanted to escape, he wasn’t about to throw his life away. He needed another plan."Young Master, I'm sorry. We should've been more careful earlier," Albert muttered from across the room.A while ago, Albert and Pedro, along with several others, had attempted to fight off the guards stationed outside. But they had been utterly defeat
'No! I can't give up just like that. I can't make Regis worry. He must be fighting on his own right now. Ray needs me too. There's no time for me to keep feeling sorry for myself.'The light in Amora's eyes, which had dimmed, sparkled once more. She quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and straightened her posture.Even though she had felt weak and helpless just moments ago, she reminded herself that she couldn't just sit there crying. At the very least, she had to find out what was happening with Regis.Worry was written all over Amora's face. She was sure Regis was in a powerless situation, especially since Diego had control over her husband's phone.Determined, Amora picked up her phone and searched for Albert’s contact. But he was unreachable.'Albert must be in trouble too,' she guessed.She then tried calling Estelle. She was certain her friend was still there and might be able to provide some information.It didn’t take long for Estelle to pick up. “Hello, Amor
“Have you heard from Regis yet?”Noel’s question momentarily pulled Amora out of her thoughts. She shook her head slightly and let out a weary sigh.“He might have been forced to stay there,” Amora guessed.“But he should’ve at least contacted you, Amora.”Noel’s words hit the mark. She had been waiting for any news from Regis or Albert, but neither had sent a message or called.She had considered reaching out to Regis first but worried that her call might interrupt him while he was busy speaking with guests.Amora had heard that the Royal Dragon’s anniversary celebration would last all night. The guests would only be disembarking from the ship the following morning, making tonight the event's grand finale.As the son and heir of the Lorenzo family, Regis was expected to stay. Even though Amora wished he could be by her side, she couldn’t afford to be selfish. At the very least, she felt relieved knowing that Rayden was in stable condition and only needed time to recover.Still, the s
"Amora, you should get some rest. Let me watch over Ray."Noel's voice broke Amora's thoughts as she sat by Rayden’s bedside. Her son looked much better after receiving the best medical care. Exhausted, Rayden had fallen into a deep sleep, and Amora stayed by his side.Seeing the fatigue etched on Amora's face, Noel felt a pang of sympathy. She hadn’t left Rayden’s side from the moment they rushed to the hospital until the doctors finished treating him."It’s fine. I’m worried he’ll look for me when he wakes up," Amora murmured, her voice hoarse.Noel let out a quiet sigh. He grabbed a bottle of water he had bought from a vending machine earlier and handed it to her."At least drink some water. Your lips are dry," Noel coaxed gently.Amora turned to him, offering a small smile before accepting the bottle. She took slow sips, instantly feeling relief in her parched throat."Thank you, Noel. You must be tired too. You should go home. I can manage here," Amora said sincerely.Noel's lips
"Mr.Volker, I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Albert stammered, swallowing hard. He could see the anger radiating from the leader of the Golden Snake, but he couldn't quite understand the reason behind it.Hearing the commotion at the stern of the yacht, Mark Carter quickly approached and saw Alejandro intimidating his colleague."Damn it!" Alejandro growled, shoving Albert forcefully, making him stumble backward.Mark rushed forward, catching Albert before he could fall."Thanks, Mark," Albert exhaled in relief.Mark remained silent, his eyes shifting to Alejandro Volker, who was repeatedly tapping his cane against the helicopter pad, his frustration and disappointment evident.Summoning his courage, Mark approached the leader of the Golden Snake. "Mr. Volker, is there something wrong? This area is restricted. I must ask you to return inside," he said respectfully.Alejandro's sharp eyes narrowed at Mark, displeased by the audacity of his words. He knew his actions had drawn attention
"What’s going on?"Several guests were startled when they saw a twin-engine helicopter landing on the helipad at the stern of the cruise ship.The helicopter was significantly larger than the usual models, as it was a multipurpose type. The ship's helipad was spacious enough to accommodate such an aircraft. This grand and luxurious vessel had been designed precisely to meet its owner's needs.The unexpected arrival of the helicopter added to the lively atmosphere at the bow of the ship. At that moment, many guests were enjoying the spectacular fireworks exploding beautifully in the distant night sky, set up to enhance the evening’s celebration.Noticing the helicopter, the guests lounging in the area began rushing toward the stern, eager to find out what was happening."Isn’t that the woman Young Master Lorenzo acknowledged earlier?" One of the guests remarked upon seeing Amora walking toward the helipad.This guest had witnessed Regis' declaration earlier and instantly recognized Amo