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

The year-end entertainment scene was destined to spark a storm.


The asphalt road gleamed like a mirror as a sleek black Alfa glided effortlessly through traffic, weaving with fluid precision. Inside the car, Winnie was multitasking—slipping into a haute couture gown with the help of her styling assistant, adjusting the dress hoops, and cooperating with the makeup artist, who dabbed her face with a powder puff. On her right, the hairstylist worked frantically to style her long hair into a voluminous princess braid.


The car's onboard LCD screen displayed a live stream of the fashion show event. The broadcast showcased the red carpet procession, followed by appearances from up-and-coming models and popular celebrities.


"We're almost there! Really, we're just around the corner!" Wendy, pressing her Bluetooth earpiece, reassured the anxious PR team on the other end of the call, promising, "We'll make it on time!"


Chapter 105