The sunlight streamed through the wide windows of the Konstanio mansion, bathing the white marble floors in soft gold. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and expensive perfume — Veronica’s doing, as always.Andrea sat at the breakfast table, quietly sipping coffee and scrolling through his tablet when Veronica’s voice echoed through the hall.“Andrea, dear, put that down for a moment. We need to talk.”He looked up. His mother was dressed elegantly even for a simple morning — a cream silk blouse, pearl earrings, and the kind of poise that could silence an entire room. There was a glint of excitement in her eyes.“What is it, Mother?” Andrea asked, setting down his cup.She approached him, carrying her phone and a sleek black folder. “There’s an event this afternoon,” she said, flipping open the folder. “A charity gathering a donation gala, actually. It’s one of those annual things for the high society circle. Your father and I usually attend together, but this year…” Her voice softene

Chapter 65 The gala sparkled with gold and laughter. Crystal chandeliers shimmered like constellations above, and the marble floor reflected every glint of diamond and silk. This was no ordinary night—it was the Elite Charity Gala, a place where the city’s wealthiest gathered to flaunt both generosity and power.Andrea stepped into the grand hall alone, his suit crisp, his expression calm. The faint scent of expensive wine and roses filled the air. He moved quietly, unnoticed at first, like a shadow among the powerful. Mrs. Veronica had already arrived earlier, greeting other sponsors near the stage.Andrea didn’t plan to draw attention. He just wanted to show respect to his mother and leave early. But fate had other plans.He was standing near the champagne table, observing the chatter and elegance, when a mocking voice sliced through the air.“Well, if it isn’t the famous thief himself.”Andrea froze. His chest tightened, recognizing the voice instantly.Nikolai.Turning slowly, An

The grand hall had finally quieted. The murmurs had faded into whispers, and the music once again filled the air, light and elegant, as if trying to erase the chaos that had erupted minutes earlier. Waiters hurriedly cleaned up spilled drinks and broken glass while the guests pretended to return to normal conversation.Andrea, however, wasn’t ready to blend back into the crowd.He spotted Gracie near one of the marble columns, a glass of champagne still in her hand, talking casually to a group of business elites who were now looking at her with the respect reserved for royalty. She was poised and radiant, her presence commanding without effort. The light caught on the diamond necklace at her throat — the symbol of her lineage — and for a moment Andrea found himself just watching her, trying to understand the paradox that she was.When the people around her finally dispersed, Andrea took a quiet breath and walked toward her.Gracie noticed him before he spoke. She turned, a small, amus

The soft melody from the orchestra faded as murmurs spread across the grand hall. Andrea stood quietly beside Gracie, his expression calm, but his eyes never left her face. He looked more at ease than anyone had seen him in weeks — and that alone made Sofia’s blood boil.Andrea wasn’t the type to mingle, let alone smile while talking to someone. But here he was, leaning closer to Gracie like she was the only person that mattered in the entire room.Sofia gripped her glass of champagne tightly, her knuckles turning pale. Every part of her screamed to stay put, to act unbothered. But jealousy had already taken control.She lifted her chin, plastered on her best polite smile, and made her way toward them — her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.“Hi,” she said sweetly, stopping just a step away. “We meet again.”Gracie turned her head slowly, her expression unreadable. “Yes,” she said simply, giving a small nod.Sofia forced a soft laugh, pretending not to notice the distanc

The cold night air bit softly at Sofia’s skin as she stepped out of the gala hall.The laughter and murmurs inside still echoed faintly through the tall glass doors behind her — mocking, cruel, unforgettable.She stumbled toward the marble railing outside, her heels clicking unevenly against the floor. The city lights stretched endlessly ahead, but she couldn’t see any of it through the blur of her tears.Her perfectly applied makeup was ruined, mascara trailing down her cheeks like faint bruises. She covered her face with both hands and let out a muffled sob — the kind that came from deep exhaustion rather than just pain.Everything had fallen apart in a matter of minutes.Andrea’s cold rejection.The humiliation.The whispers.For once, Sofia wished she could disappear.“Here,” came a soft voice from behind her.Startled, Sofia looked up to see a delicate white handkerchief held out toward her. The woman holding it stood still — calm, almost ethereal in her poise.Without thinking,