A high-society romance where pretense turned into reality.
 
Van, the heir to a top-tier fortune and a regular on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, had been mocked for being perpetually single, with even rumors swirling about his "dysfunction."
 
Winnie, a Hollywood superstar desperate to escape her constant barrage of scandals, encountered this billionaire worth tens of billions. To her surprise, Van presented her with an unexpected proposal:
 
"Pretend to date me for a year. You won't have to do anything else. I'll pay you $100 million after taxes."
 
She planned to laugh it off but couldn't ignore the man's chiseled features—the way his shadowed face was lit up as he casually raised an eyebrow and lit a cigarette in the glow of firelight, his voice steady and laced with danger.
 
She remembered their first meeting in a torrential downpour—the man reclining in a silver Maybach, eyes half-closed, exuding charm yet utterly unattainable. She also remembered later, when everyone had believed him to be unshakable and untouchable, he had appeared alone, worn and weary, at her remote desert film set, quietly asking:
 
"Do you really have to shoot this kiss scene?"
 
Behind this contract lay something far deeper than money—a fixation, a love that had turned real, or perhaps an irresistible force neither of them had recognized.
 
$100 million had set the stage for a high-stakes battle of love and hate that would ultimately unravel.

A Love Confession from Las Vegas

The brown tourbillon watch did not return to its owner because Van didn't take it.


"Today is an accidental meeting, not a good time to return things," he said casually, getting up from the sofa. "I have business to attend to; I should leave. The sandwiches will be here soon; have some before you go."


As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock at the door. Van said, "Just a moment."


Winnie was dazed by his approaching scent for a moment. Van casually hooked his lips, raising one hand to gently press Winnie's face against his own; she could almost feel the warm breath from his nose.


That was the only thought left in Winnie's mind.


A comforting fragrance emanated from his skin near his neck, dominating her breathing.


Chapter 58