My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

“What are you talking about?” Matthew snapped at her fiercely. “I’ve been your sister’s boyfriend, I am now, and I always will be. I only love Xanthea. Stop spouting nonsense and daydreaming, or don’t blame me for being heartless!”

With those words, he turned and walked away, leaving Miranda alone in the cold wind, screaming uncontrollably, “Ahh-”

How could she have pinned her hopes on a man who lived off his girlfriend? Ridiculous! Now she had lost everything-her championship, her man, all stolen by Xanthea!

After shaking off Miranda, Matthew, carrying flowers, hurried towards the venue, but the event had ended, and the audience had thinned out. He saw no sign of Xanthea.

At the Rlan Hotel, Xanthea, with a camera in hand, stood at the door of room 1010 and swiped her key card.

act.

She had bribed the hotel manager earlier, just so she could catch a cheater in the Scanning the room for the best hiding spot, she noticed that the wardrobe next to the master bedroom offered the best view and was least likely to give her away.

Checking the time, Xanthea deftly slipped into the wardrobe with her camera, anticipating the imminent arrival of Matthew and Miranda, given their frantic behavior earlier.

On the hotel’s top floor, ‘The Masked Singer’ after-party buzzed with activity as directors, producers, and invited celebrities mingled in high spirits. Yet, the protagonist sat in a dim corner of the banquet hall, downing one glass of wine after another.

Cedric, noticing the two empty bottles on the table, fretted, “Mr. Lockwood, please stop drinking. Wine packs a punch; if you keep going, it might end badly!”

He couldn’t fathom what had happened. Before the award ceremony, Orion had been composed, but afterwards, he seemed like a changed man, emanating a chilling aura that made people shiver. Surely, Ms. Nightshade must have said something to upset him this

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The high alcohol content dulled Orion’s senses and numbed his body, though his heart ached more intensely. Orion’s eyes, bloodshot, fixated on a neatly folded silk handkerchief on the table, while echoes of nightmares resounded in his ears.

“Get away, I’d never be friends with a lunatic!”

“Why is it always you? Get lost, I hate you, I hate you the most!”

“Don’t come near me anymore. I’ll never like you in my life.”

“So, you fancy the Nightshade family’s darling, huh? Keeping her picture hidden, so twisted at such a young age. Look at your scars; are you even worthy?”

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Despite the fortress he had built around his heart, a simple “Mr. Lockwood” and her smile had easily breached his defenses. What was he longing for? A mere semblance of respite powered by her inherent kindness, which she extended to everyone?

A cynical smile broke across Orion’s lips, more terrifying than tears.

In the middle of the banquet hall, surrounded by everyone, starlet Olivia held a wine glass, occasionally glancing at the man in the corner.

She had come to the party specifically for Orion, CEO of the TOYUM Group and the power behind the Lockwood Group-the youngest billionaire in Crestwood and the shadowy big boss of Starlight Media. A connection with him, even for just a year, could set her up for life!

Noticing his somber mood as he brooded in the corner, she wondered what troubled him. Perhaps a gentle, soothing approach might endear her to him.

With that thought, Olivia, smiling coyly, approached the secluded corner.

“Mr. Lockwood, hello, I’m Olivia from Sunshine Media.”

Before Cedric could intervene, Olivia placed her wine glass on the neatly folded silk handkerchief in front of Orion.

As soon as the glass touched the table, Orion looked up, his gaze intense and dark as a demon’s, making Olivia shiver from head to toe.

“Mr. Lockwood, ah—”

The glass was knocked aside by Orion, spilling red wine all over Olivia’s hair and dress, leaving her in utter disarray.

The commotion caught the attention of the entire party. The organizers and agents rushed over, pulling a trembling Olivia away. “Olivia, what are you doing? Apologize to Mr. Lockwood right now!”

“I’m so sorry.”

Cedric glared at Olivia with a mix of anger and urgency as he watched Orion pick up the handkerchief, his expression terrifying.