NewEraCulture

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

After changing shoes, Winnie's energy felt less sharp than before. She became more relaxed and composed, as if enveloped in a sense of comfort.


Van curved his lips into a gentle smile. "Are you feeling comfortable now?"


"Follow me." Van stepped aside, allowing Winnie to walk alongside him.


He didn't lead her into the house just yet. Instead, they took a walk around the outside as he gave her a tour. "This place used to be a zoo, but most of the exhibits have been demolished. Now, only the animal protection center and the breeding facility remain. People come here to work every day, but you don't have to worry. They usually don't come here."


"This entire area is on a cliffside, with a trail leading down to the bottom where you can see the ocean and a small beach. However, swimming isn't allowed there. If you like swimming, there's an infinity pool on the second floor. You'll also see another one in the back garden later."


Chapter 65