“Wow! A ten million dollars duvet from Miss Selene for Colby,” the MC exclaimed as someone brought another gift to the front. “A limited edition chain of ten million dollars from Julien,” the MC gushed again. “Is that a hat I'm seeing?” The MC asked. “Eleven million dollars.” “Fifteen million dollars limited edition plate, for Colby. Colby,” the MC looked at the dog, where it was sitting in the VIP seat beside its new owner. “Won't I wish to be born as you in my next life? All these for you?” He pointed at the pile of gifts everyone had bought for the dog. Laughter rippled around the hall. “Okay, now everyone, it's time for the fun you have been waiting for. Make sure you are not dancing without a partner. Don't dull out. On the count of three. One…two…three…” Music blasted all over the hall. Those that had been waiting around—no one actually came here to celebrate a dog, but of course, when someone like Sadie Wyatt is here, a lot of people had taken the opportunity to come and

All eyes turned. Charles stood there in an expensive suit, a flower in his hand. He walked forward, pausing in front of Emmy with an icy look.“In my opinion, cheating women are no match for decent women,” Charles said with a fake smile, then turned toward Sadie’s cousin.“You want to pour her a drink?” he asked smoothly. “Go ahead, get the cup and pour. But honestly, I doubt we have the time for that now.” His smile lingered just long enough to sting before he shifted to Sadie.“How could you forget our date, babe?”The room erupted in whispers.“Date?”“Did he just say babe?”“Wait… who is this rich man?”Natasha blinked rapidly. Wasn’t this George? Why was he calling Sadie babe? And when had he come back without a word to her? Before she could even breathe out a question, Charles was already walking out with Sadie at his side.Natasha spun on her heel and stormed into the restroom with sharp steps. T

Sadie’s breath caught. Her body betrayed her before her mind could argue. She nodded, closed her eyes, and leaned in.The first brush of lips was tentative, gentle, almost testing. But seconds later it shifted—his mouth deepened against hers, hungry, relentless. Charles kissed her like he’d been starving and she was the only thing that could satisfy him. And damn her, she responded like she’d been waiting all her life for this exact moment.He lifted her off the floor without breaking the kiss, holding her firmly against him, adjusting her closer until the angle was perfect. Her fingers curled into his shirt, clutching him as though letting go meant losing air itself.Neither of them knew how long it lasted. All they knew was that when they finally pulled apart, their faces were flushed, their breaths uneven.And for the first time in forever, Sadie saw Charles—Charles—looking shy. The sight alone sent a spark of confidenc

“He lied about burning up your toys, and you went full lunatic on a Livestream.”“Roger, I already told you—those are my collection. Not just anything! Not just anything!” Cox snapped, voice cracking with defensiveness. “They’re the only ones who keep me company in this world.”Roger’s lips twisted in a mixture of disgust and horror as Cox pulled out his phone, swiping to a photo of a room crammed with more toys than Roger had ever dreamed of owning at five.“That guy over there? Head of the empire,” Cox said, pointing to a meticulously curated figure with a ridiculously funny face. “Yesterday, I caught him talking to this lady,” he pointed at an equally traumatizing female toy.“I scolded him, and he started crying. That girl’s just a kid, and he’s already a man. What kind of relationship does he think he wants with her?”Roger raised an eyebrow. “I… should answer that?”Cox shook his head violently. “You’ll never get it. None o

Charles woke with a start, drenched in sweat. The nightmare clung to him—the one from camp, the operation where he’d lost his best friend.He swung his legs off the bed and checked the time. Two a.m.Quietly, he opened the door to check on Sadie. They had gone to their separate rooms last night after dinner.Her bed was empty. Was she working on something again?He padded across to the sitting room. Lights off. No one there.“Sadie?” His voice barely carried.No response. No glow from any gadget. A prickle ran down his spine.He flicked on the sitting room light. Still nothing.Kitchen. Empty.Upstairs to the room she’d taken him to while sleepwalking. The door was locked. She wouldn’t have locked it if she were inside.His gut tightened. He rushed out to one of the guards at the gate.“Are you looking for Miss Sadie, sir?”“Yes. Where is she?”“She left two hours ago