e, she noticed a man commanding a

n the crowd, his handsome face carry

rena recognized his

evious night together. How could

Today, he was impeccably dressed in a suit, radiating an icy, distant demeanor, like a king beyond

again, there was no

was no accident; it had

e man raised his eyebrows

see right through her, meeti

ense look, Verena disa

ending your visit in Fledo," William Briggs, the curr

in a detached tone before

t Darren's acquaintan

art?" Darren asked casually,

felt embarrassed and said, "I'm a

question was brief but carr

iled to locate Eric. It was almost

oice said. "He didn't want to be engaged

he spotted Verena, not particu

d a compelling presen

t two hundred dollars beside

aded bracelet on his wrist, his deep e

ad stirred up te

d since Verena was a child, a d

assment if Eric failed t

lease don't get the wrong idea.

id, "You haven't found him yet, hav

of an apartment, which was ac

dispatched someone to fetch Eric. Shortly thereafte

the engagement ceremony is

he's so ugly, it disgusts me. My friends wou

, holding her responsi

engagement with Verena is going

c's protests, Wil

n the dressing room, she wrestled with a s

, the do

hed her hair aside, revealing her delica

ched her back and quick

ing around. When she saw the man's attrac

in the banquet hall, encircled by people

get in here

t I be able

presence so commanding it

irmly grasped Verena's nec

Verena felt like she cou

ned, leaving multiple kiss marks on Verena'

nly found out recently that you're Eric's uncle,"

in, but her eyes

pay the price," Darren warn

or air. This ma

the previous night's events,

he only faithful one? He was with someone else just this morning, and he

s grip slightly, m

or was typical among the affluent young men. Darren w

up to. You can't call off

ed with a mocking smile, "You acknowledge our engagement is unbreakable,

tern warning. "I trust you understand wha

nging in the air, yet

Verena tilted her head, pretending to be clueless but subtl

. "I'm glad yo

d moved toward the dressing r

led out, "Verena, are you there? I need to speak with you. I'm coming in

, the woman outside wo