***With trembling hands, Anastasia clutched the document Maximilian had given her. Her heart felt heavy with anger and pain. Her eyes blurred and tears slowly flowed, unable to be held back any longer."My own grandfather and grandmother... Did they cause the accident? Why were they so cruel?" she sobbed, her voice breaking mid-sentence. "No wonder... When I came to the Noire family, they all hated me. Especially Grandpa and Grandma. From the start, they ignored my presence. I was always ostracized.”Maximilian could only sigh deeply, his gaze filled with concern. “Ana, all of this is because of your father. He decided to marry Aria on the condition that you be accepted into the Noire family," he replied softly.Anastasia furrowed her brow as if unable to believe what she was hearing. “Papa? Why did he want me to join the Noire family so badly? Didn't he always show that he hated me? He was always cold and indifferent. Even in his eyes, there was hatred when he looked at me..." she s
***In the living room of the Kingsley family home, Selene paced back and forth, clenching her hands, looking restless. Her usually calm face was now filled with anger, evident in her furrowed brow. Her husband, Shayne, watched her calmly, waiting for her anger to explode."Mama won't stand for this!" Selene finally shouted. "Our beloved daughter-in-law is being disrespected like this! Disgusting!" Mama must act immediately and tell everyone that our daughter-in-law is Anastasia Kingsley. To be precise, Anastasia Kingsley!" she growled determinedly.Shayne smiled slightly, amused by this rare glimpse of his wife’s other side. "Be patient, dear. Papa is sure that Max, our son, won't just stand by, especially regarding his wife's issue."Selene shook her head firmly, her gaze sharp. "No! Mama will scold him for failing to protect her beloved daughter-in-law. She doesn't want to see Anastasia hurt or humiliated like this. No matter what happens, Ana must be protected! Hurting her is the
***That morning, the big news about Maximilian Kingsley, the sole heir to the Kingsley family, filled the front pages of newspapers and online media. The handsome and charismatic Maximilian Kingsley finally had his face splashed across the headlines with a sensational title: "THE SOLE HEIR TO THE KINGSLEY GROUP, THE MAN OF DREAMS SOUGHT AFTER BY A FAMOUS SINGER!"The article fueled rumors of a romantic relationship between Maximilian and Dr. Renata Brown, a woman long known as his childhood friend and the only woman close to him. Photos of Maximilian and Renata attending important family events together led the public to assume that their relationship went beyond friendship.However, the narrative about the failure of Maximilian and Renata's wedding plans made the news even more sensational. "Maximilian Kingsley and Renata Brown's wedding was thwarted by a female singer who seduced the heir to the Kingsley family!" Who is she? Anastasia Rose, a successful singer whose career is on th
***The quiet atmosphere in the backyard of the Kingsley family's magnificent mansion felt soothing. Anastasia enjoyed her solitude, breathing in the fresh air and savoring the elegant ambiance that calmed her mind. However, her peace was interrupted when she heard light footsteps approaching."Anastasia?" Renata greeted her in a seemingly friendly voice, but there was a hidden sharpness in her tone.Anastasia turned to look at Renata, who approached with a thin smile. "Hi, Renata. Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked politely.Renata glances at her, then begins to speak in a seemingly contrived, polite tone. "I just wanted to welcome you personally. You know, I've been close with the Kingsley family since I was a child. Aunt Selene and Uncle Shayne love me like their own daughter," she said, casting a proud glance.Anastasia smiled slightly, sensing the underlying meaning in Renata’s words. "Oh, that’s wonderful. The Kingsleys are indeed very kind and loving,” she replie
***Maximilian and Anastasia entered the living room of the Kingsleys' main residence with steady steps. Their hands were clasped tightly together as if to reassure each other that they were ready to face whatever might happen. They stood silently at the doorway for a moment, allowing their presence to draw attention.Selene, who was sitting on the sofa, looked up when she saw them. The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened in disbelief at what she saw. "Anastasia?!" she exclaimed, standing up and staring at them in astonishment.Not far from Selene, Shayne, who had just taken a sip of coffee, also fell silent. He looked at his son and Anastasia, who were holding hands. Then, his eyes shifted to his son’s face as if seeking confirmation. "Max, you two...?"Maximilian glanced at Anastasia beside him, smiled gently, and turned his gaze to his parents. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Mom... Dad... This is Anastasia Noire—sorry, Anastasia Kingsley.” He introduced the woman beside him w
***In the luxurious yet tense living room of the Kingsleys' main residence, Shayne stared intently at the documents in his hands. The evidence of the Browns' crimes was clearly laid out before him, and the more he read, the angrier he became."Dad never imagined they could be so cruel and cunning," Shayne said, his voice trembling with anger. "We helped their family when they were in dire financial straits. And they repay us by plotting to kill our only son. Why are some people more cruel than demons?"Beside him, Selene stared at the document, her face pale. Tears streamed down her cheeks; she couldn't hide her pain. "I can't believe Renata, the girl I considered my own daughter, actually put a potion in Max's food that made him allergic to women." Her voice trembled. "All so that only Renata could cure his allergy."Selene sobbed. Maximilian, sitting across from them, looked at his mother with a gaze filled with guilt and determination. He knew it was time to recount the events of