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

Three days later, the Vibe Fashion Gala was held as scheduled by the seaside. The red carpet was set outdoors, with a 100-feet-long stage featuring a soft pink-and-white gradient, resembling the elegance of blooming petals. At the end of the stage was a huge "Vibe" logo made of transparent material, slanted into the pristine white sand, giving off both a modern and somewhat cold vibe.


In the center of the red carpet stood an 25-feet-long backdrop covered in various brand logos. Directly across from it was the photographers' area, where journalists and hosts were already waiting, ready to guide each guest for photos and brief interviews.


Though the red carpet event began at 3 PM, by just after 1 PM, camera equipment, cranes, and track cameras had already been set up, and the whole venue was filled with a busy atmosphere.


'Which spot is Winnie going to take?" a journalist, wearing high-end camera equipment and adjusting the camera, asked.


Chapter 91