Lillie and Nelson's engagement banquet was held at the Grand Court Hotel in Graham City.
The union of the Rovellas and the Hills attracted ninety percent of Graham City's elite families.
Meanwhile, the Graham City rich kids' group chat was buzzing:
[I heard Janelle is back? After five years, wonder what happened to that once-arrogant Miss Rovella.]
[What could happen? In that bone-grinding borderland, with Janelle looking so slutty, she was definitely kept by someone!]
[A friend of mine went to the border once. Saw Janelle being... you know... by some fifty-year-old creep.]
[Back then, any girl who got close to Nelson suffered because of Janelle. Serves her right.]
[Did Janelle and Nelson ever actually date?]
[No. I never liked Janelle.]
Nelson himself, rarely active in the chat, suddenly spoke up.
Seeing the main character appear, and the eldest son of the Hills at that, everyone quickly changed their tune.
[Yeah, yeah! How could Nelson possibly fancy trash like Janelle!]
[From the very beginning, I've only ever liked one person. It's her @Moon] (Lillie's nickname)
The chat instantly flooded with praise for Nelson and Lillie, calling them the perfect golden couple, a match made in heaven.
"Happy now?" Nelson pulled Lillie close.
"Lillie, I never liked Janelle."
Lillie looped her arms around Nelson's neck, snuggling into his chest.
"Nelson, I'm not doubting you. I just lack confidence. I just love you too much."
"After all... you two were once so close."
"Someone like her? Marrying her would be a curse. Who knows when you'd be wearing horns?"
Nelson had liked Janelle once, but now, he saw it only as a mark of shame.
What good was Janelle's beauty? With a shameless mother like hers, a madwoman? That kind of genetic baggage? Who would dare marry her?
"Alright, the banquet's about to start. Get ready." Nelson kissed Lillie's lips before heading out to prepare.
Watching his broad, retreating back, Lillie felt her heart flutter.
After Nelson left, Amber entered.
"Mom, Janelle won't show up, right?"
"Relax. She definitely won't make it."
"I heard the Lorenz family will attend. With the Lorenz backing us, Nelson will surely move to the capital. Hold onto him tight."
The Rovellas were merely a stepping stone for them.
"I know."
Truthfully, she hadn't liked Nelson that much at first.
But since Janelle liked him so much, she naturally had to take him.
Janelle and Sara changed, did their makeup, and set off for the Hills estate in Sara's car.
But not long after leaving, Janelle sensed something wrong.
Her lazy fox eyes narrowed dangerously, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
"Pull over. I'm driving."
"What's wrong?" Sara asked, confused but complied.
Sara stopped at the roadside and got out. Janelle swiftly slid from the passenger seat into the driver's seat.
Once Sara was buckled in, Janelle started the engine.
In that brief moment, their sports car was surrounded by four vehicles.
"Janelle! Should we call the police?"
"No need. Hold on tight." Janelle floored the accelerator.
Two cars tried to block their path. Janelle slammed the gas pedal to the floor, squeezing through the narrow gap between them.
"Ahhh!" Sara screamed as they narrowly escaped.
The four pursuers weren't giving up. One accelerated, aiming to ram their rear bumper.
"Janelle, they're trying to kill you! Amber and her daughter are insane!"
"Close your eyes if you're scared," Janelle joked grimly.
"With you driving? I'm not scared."
Janelle, the stunning beauty, drove with terrifying ferocity.
Seeing a black sedan ahead trying to cut them off, she stomped on the gas again, smashing it sideways into the guardrail.
The other three cars tried to keep chasing, but Janelle gave them no chance.
Despite their attempts to box her in, Janelle evaded them, ruthlessly ramming the remaining three vehicles until they were smashed wrecks.
Glancing at the carnage she'd caused, Janelle made a call, ordering someone to come collect the incapacitated occupants.
Grand Court Hotel, Presidential Suite
A man, easily 6'3", stepped out of the bathroom wrapped only in a towel.
His impossibly long legs were powerfully built. Above the towel, perfectly defined eight-pack abs led up to a broad chest, the area over his heart still bandaged.
Every inch of him, from head to toe, exuded an aura of aristocratic allure and potent temptation.
Thinking of the audacious woman who had stabbed him that night, a wicked smile curved his handsome lips.
"Little fox, you can't run anymore."
Just seeing the bandage sent a familiar heat pooling low in Erik's abdomen. The memory of that night – the excruciating pain intertwined with the most intense pleasure he'd ever known – surged through him.
He was eagerly anticipating meeting that woman again.
Erik changed into tailored evening wear and stepped out. His assistant was waiting.
"Sir, the engagement banquet is about to begin," the assistant reminded him.
"Is she here?"
"She's arrived."
Erik, accompanied by his assistant, took the private elevator down to the hotel's grand ballroom.
He found an inconspicuous seat and settled in to wait for her.
He had barely sat down when he saw her.
The stunning beauty walking in on sky-high heels.
That night, in the dark, he hadn't clearly seen her face.
Yet now, one glance into the crowded room was enough. He knew instantly which one she was.
A red, backless gown clung to her figure, accentuating her alluring curves.
It wasn't overtly revealing, yet it effortlessly captured every gaze, making men unconsciously swallow.
The moment Janelle appeared, the noisy ballroom fell silent.
Rumors of her return had circulated, but seeing her in person after five years – the once-celebrated beauty of Graham City, the eldest Miss Rovella – she still commanded absolute attention.
Her captivating fox eyes swept the room, a faint, enigmatic smile touching her lips. Janelle, the undisputed reigning beauty of Graham City.
Seeing her, the happy smile froze on Lillie's face.
Especially when she noticed Nelson's gaze, utterly captivated, forgetting her existence.
He'd said he didn't like her. Yet seeing Janelle, he forgot everything else.
"God! Five years, and Janelle is even more stunning than before!"
"Absolutely! That figure, that skin... truly Graham City's number one beauty!"
"This is gonna be good! Look at Nelson's eyes! If he says nothing happened five years ago, who'd believe it?"
"Lillie's face is priceless! Oh mama! Today's banquet was worth it! Two women fighting over one man? Epic drama!"
Watching Nelson and Lillie's expressions, Sara felt a dark thrill. Those two scumbags.
Janelle was satisfied with the reactions. She was here today to announce to all of Graham City: Janelle is back.
Janelle walked step by deliberate step towards Nelson and Lillie.
"Holy crap! This is intense! Is she crashing the wedding?"
"Who do you think Nelson will choose?"
"If it were me? Definitely Janelle! That body! That face! Unreal!"
However, before she reached Nelson and Lillie...
A tall, strikingly handsome man stepped into her path.
In the next moment, he shrugged off his tailored suit jacket and draped it firmly over Janelle's shoulders.
Erik wanted to claw out the eyes of every man staring at her.
"What's happening? Who is that man?"
"Damn! That guy is seriously hot!"
"What kind of plot twist is this?! This is amazing!"
Janelle looked at the man before her, frowning. His presence felt intensely familiar.
It was him!
The man from the "Temptation" booth! The one who took her that night!
He wasn't dead.