Facade

The Gaskelly‘ stock plummeted, and their losses were in the billions. If this continued, they would soon hit rock bottom. 

Qenie gritted her teeth and stomped her foot before reluctantly agreeing to the deal. After obtaining Raven’s contact information, she sent a friend request and breathed a sigh 

of relief. 

to end soon. After all, Hera’s surveillance footage had gotten on Queenie’s nerves. But once this was resolved, she would show 

Queenie was grateful that this ordeal was going to end soon.. Hera who was the boss. 

Hera had left Queenie’s friend request pending for two days. After Piglet’s umpteenth reminder, she finally accepted it. 

Saturday had arrived, and that night was the Astral Nova Anction. 

queenie messaged Raven 

“You’ve finally accepted my friend request. Let’s meet up and talk face–to–face.” 

She added a smiley face with a bead of sweat on its forehead. Her emoji possibly hinted at her annoyance at being ignored for two days but still conveyed her willingness to 

cooperate. 

Herachuckled and replied using Raven’s account. 

“Send me the task requirements. I’ll review them and get back to you with the price and account details.” 

After sending the message, she switched accounts and found Bemard’s WhatsApp messages. Their last exchange was two weeks ago. She debated whether to tell him about the auction. But every attempt to compose a message felt oft. She grew frustrated and tossed her phone aside. 

She initially wanted to set clear boundaries. Yet, she didn’t understand why she feeling strangely reluctant. She wondered why she should care when Beard himself didn’t even seem concerned about his own well–being. 

The neglected phone buzzed with an incoming call. Hera quickly picked it up, expecting it to be Bernard. But her heart sank when she saw Samantha’s name flash on instead Despite the initial disappointment, she answered the call promptly. 

“Heca, I’m back in town! I’ve been busy lately and hardly had time to catch up. How’s eat the Everetts“?” 

A soft and melodic female voice came through the phone. It was Samantha Steele on the other end. She was an international movie star and Hera’s close friend. 

They had met on an international flight when Samantha was suffering from severe menstrual cramps. 

Hera, who was seated beside her, adeptly applied a few acupuncture needles and eased Samantha’s discomfort. 

Samantha was so grateful that she insisted on getting Hera’s contact number and treated her like a guardian angel. 

Hera replied, “I’m fine” 

Samantha said indignantly, “Really? I just learned about the Everetts scandal and how they mistreated you. 

“Why didn’t you tell me about it? By the way, I’m on my way there. I’ll confront them.” 

Hera retorted, “Do you want to be banned from entering the country and never see me again?” WWW 

Samantha quickly responded, “Of course not! 

Being a foreigner with a quarter of Elvermark royal lineage, she couldn’t risk it. 

“Then behave and stop making a scene. I don’t want to move again,” Hera said. 

“Move again?” 

Samantha sensed something amiss about her response. 

“Let’s discuss it when we meet,” 

Hera deliberately kept Samantha guessing 

She wanted Samantha’s opinion on her relationship with Bernard, considering Samantha’s experience in matters of love. 

“Okay!” Samantha agreed: 

But we might not have much time. I’m heading to the Astral Nova Auction tonight. Would you like to join me? They’re auctioning off some rare treasures.” 

Hera responded, “Well, I’m also heading there” 

They arranged to meet in a cozy cafe booth. After some small talk, Hera briefly mentioned her situation with Bernard. 

Samantha’s eyes lit up upon hearing that 

“Wow, Isn’t this like a tragic romance straight out of a Shakespearean tragedy?” 

Hera was rendered speechless by her reply. 

the screen 

ndition. As her daughter, don’t you koure that she went for checkup not to hang apa? 

Miter lanac ba’t la goodcondition. At the mumeill, Lander pahnary doctor,” Ivn candy expliked while fastening b 

ing the probably unw through my had soood and did not want me to worry 

“That depends Let’s go,” Mashalallank expressive and second root and distant as mud. 

fewn no way for nieto object I could only silently drwebomr 

| dil not say whatever Hadimmmad When Il cane bo Mom’s houdt, 

wtirti we reached home. Mom was way delighted to see han “Is York, what are you doing here! Wondertal Come, wear about to have lunch! Let’s eat together!” 

aranghellook so she could send bom away factfully Collembe, it would be fatto awkward 

Mamcast a glance at me betare boldly aiswering, “Though. Far more thavensch.” 

Myrves twitched it seris lae there was no tacit understanding between Mom and me. Hladnot even salda word, but Ivan and Mons had already gone into the living roomto 

The situation was foldly amicable. As for me, Ijust sat aside and listened, However, I also put to understand what Main was going through. 

“Alright, hy, Yuwaccompany Dr. York and chat with him for a while. Figo prepare a few more dishes.” 

Mam was so happy. Anyone who didn’t know what was hoppreing wood assume that I was getting married to a wealthy man. 

Damn it. I was starting to think. 

she kitchen, han an 

egan to star at each other. She Had no idea what to say, I suddenly began to fear that he might actually fall in love with me Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

fon the TV and switchedchumach–until I saw a hospital documentary program. He glanced at me and suddenly usiled, revealing his sparkling teeth. E Intentionally ended him and looked at myphone. 

Temmnutes later, Mom invited in to her lunch. Threathedasigh of tellet and went to the dining table with Iwan 

Mokep passing ben food while dishing out lots of advice. Her enthusiasm made me feelweny 

“Thank you, Hilary. If you deel unwell, you can call me anytime. I was finally getting ready to love after lunch was over. He had spoken warmly to Morelor raving “Nue Di York, you’re such an attentive doctor! Mam was delighted. 

van shot mealock “oh yeah, Hilary is it convenient to halatasi bere?! 

He and Rowan were he birds of the same feather and wire cunning men. My base was located near other villas. Therefore, would be hard to halata). 

The question he posed tuned me into a driver on standby Mowed me to send him home. 

My expersion darked that nochekebu to end ran back 

“Are you upset? Ivan asked as drowe, even though he knew the answer. 

“No Cwry happy I mustered the Lakerst smile 

mirked coolly. He had always been lost. A distant expression would surface within his eyes, especially when he looked at others. Thus, no one dared to maintain eye contact 

frontinued dising, presending that could not feel hk gaze on me. That’s how we got along, silently and amicably. 

After arriving at his apartment complex, Iwan did not get out of the car immediately.Itis folded hands were on top of his abdomen. He had clean nails that seemed to have a healthy pinkish color. 

Not only could he handle surgeries, but ivan was also good at cooking and rearing a cat. He did seem very attractive. Then, he said, “Dvory, I want you” 

My eyes widened as if I had just seen something disgusting. My heart almost stopped functioning “Ivan, are you out of your mind?+ 

*Why do you think I’m out of my mind scowled a little. Yet his dark eyes seem to brighten “Didn’t I demonstrate my interest enough belace?” 

It was clear mough, which was why Helt awkward. His hint best night ab early gave me a headache for the rest of the night 

“That’s not what I meant hon, you’re rather outstanding. Some women may suit you well, but that woman is not me.” 

(wasn’t sure how to express my thoughts. Although Diried to come up with a reasonable explanation, it did not seem to work. 

I won’t kroking down on myself. From an object he perspective, truly did not suit wn 

Lalready paveden years of my youth to Rows. Not to mention that I was even divorced and had a miscarriage. Iwan, on the other hand, remained per and did not haver wanddoin past. 

ihe shodd seek a woman like him instead of wasting his effort on me. 

*than you’re not telle in any aspect. What do you mean you don’t sur 

Ivan asked with a smile. “You don’t have to belate yoursell just to reject me ” 

1 sighed inwardly, Ivandal not fall for Ashley in this Belline, he fell for me instead. 

“I don’t want to take up your time. So, don’t want your effort on me. I’m certain many other women are interested in you. 

“whoever you choose would not be any worse than Lan. It’s true,” added van sincerely. 

“Can’t you just give me a chance? In the past, always cared for Rowan’s feelings. But now, I only was to put myself first ban was unwilling to listen to me. 

in troeds, if i dal not fall for Rowan before, I would how went now Besides, that never seen han’s eyes filled with so much wanih and affection. He was nothing ihr his usual 

I also am truly bond someone Then, I knew i 

wry well that he could not take that look in his eyes. But thad no idea how to answer han.