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

Van gently took her hand, leading her through the spacious living room and pushing open the glass doors to the backyard.


The backyard was also expansive, showcasing natural landscapes that ranged from wild meadows to rocky paths and dense woods. A winding stream cut through the garden, and as evening mist thickened, a faint blue haze lingered over the water. A canoe rested quietly on the shore.


Moonlight bathed the scene, and from one corner of the yard, a small horse bounded toward them with light, quick steps. Its coat was a deep chestnut, sleek and glossy, but its mane was a striking golden color—fine and fluffy, swaying in the breeze and shimmering faintly under the moonlight.


Winnie unconsciously held her breath, her eyes wide and her hand lightly covering her mouth as she stared in awe at the small horse.


Chapter 110