Chapter: Chapter 25: The DateChapter 25: The Date~ Gwen ~Jerome didn't take me to a flashy, high-end restaurant where I’d feel out of place in my sundress. Instead, he drove us to a classic diner downtown, the kind of place with red vinyl booths and the comforting smell of grease and toasted bread."This is my sanctuary," he told me, sliding into the booth across from me. "Whenever breakfast is running late at the pack house or the kitchen staff is lagging, I head here." He raised a hand, signaling a waitress behind me without even looking. He clearly knew the place by heart."It feels cozy," I said, glancing around at the vintage posters and the hum of the local crowd. "I like it.""It’s honest," he agreed."What can I get for you, sweetie?" A middle-aged woman asked as she approached our table. She had a kind face and a stack of menus tucked under her arm, but she didn't even open them."Hey, Wendy," Jerome grinned."Hello, dear. How are you holding up?" Wendy asked, her voice warm and maternal."I’m good. Ho
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 24: Harmless LieChapter 24: Harmless Lie ~ Gwen ~By Saturday morning, the weight of the week finally lifted—at least academically. I managed to polish the final draft of my report on exam malpractice and hit the submit button just as the clock struck ten. The relief was instantaneous. I didn't even wait five minutes before dialing Elodie."Did you get yours in?" I asked the second she picked up."Just barely," she laughed, sounding just as exhausted as I felt. "What about you?""Just now. I feel like I can finally breathe again.""Good," Elodie said, her voice shifting into that playful, teasing tone she used whenever gossip was on the horizon. "So, it’s the weekend. What are the big plans? And don't tell me you're just going to sit in your room and write more stories."I hesitated, bit my lip, and then let it out. "Actually, I didn't get a chance to tell you yesterday...Jerome asked me out. On a real date.""I knew it!" Elodie squealed, and I had to pull the phone away from my ear. "I had a feelin
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 23: The Weight of the SecretChapter 23: The Weight of the Secret ~ Yates ~"Dude, what were you and Gwen talking about in the bleachers?" I asked Jerome as we made our way toward the locker room. My voice was a little sharper than I intended, but I couldn't help it.Jerome didn't even look back. "Nothing. I was just talking to her.""Yeah? About what?" I pressed.A cold spike of fear was currently wedged in my chest. I was terrified that Gwen had finally cracked—that she’d told Jerome exactly what happened between us at the Wildling Woods. If Jerome knew, the secret was as good as dead. He was my best friend, but he wasn't exactly known for keeping a lid on things when it came to pack gossip. If Fanny found out, the fallout wouldn't just be bad; it would be catastrophic."The practice," Jerome said, sounding bored. "I invited her to watch.""Why did you invite her?"Jerome stopped and turned to look at me, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion. "To let her watch us play, man. Since when is that a crime? You’re
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 22: Thinking About HimChapter 22: Thinking About Him ~ Gwen ~"It’s alright," the guy said. His voice was unexpected—soft, calm, and grounded. It lacked the jagged edge of authority I usually heard from the guys at RavenBane. "Sometimes we’re all in a hurry. I don't blame you.""I wasn't exactly in a hurry," I admitted, finally finding my breath as I stood up. "I just got distracted when I was on my phone. My brain was halfway across town.""I understand. The phone is a dangerous place to live with," he said with a small, knowing smile.I helped him gather the rest of the scattered papers and books, handing them over once the floor was clear. "Thank you," he said."I’m sorry," I said again, the apology reflexive at this point."I think the right response is 'you’re welcome'?" He teased gently, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners."Yeah, that too. I’m just...really sorry for the collision. I didn't mean to send your life flying across the hallway.""Like I said, it’s alright." He shifted the weight of
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 21: Strange EncounterChapter 21: Strange Encounter~ Gwen ~Ever since that afternoon in the Wildling Woods—the afternoon I crossed a line I never thought I’d even touch—my head has been a mess. I can’t stop thinking about Yates. Not just the sex, though the memory of it is so vivid it makes my skin itch, but the sheer, raw passion of it. It’s become an obsession. I catch myself staring into space, reliving the way he looked in the gray light of the forest, lost in the magnetic pull that seems to exist only between the two of us.When he told me not to tell Fanny, I felt a sharp jab of resentment. It was a cold reminder of reality. But then I’d remember the heat of his hands, the broad line of his shoulders, and the way his blue eyes seemed to burn right through me, and my anger would dissolve into a hollow ache in my chest.Two days later, I was sitting with Elodie in the love garden, a small, manicured patch of green on campus where the flowers actually smelled like something other than damp earth. I wa
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 20: Forbidden FlingChapter 20: Forbidden Fling~ Yates ~Watching her walk away from me was like watching someone stroll toward a cliff edge. My chest tightened, a knot of pure anxiety twisting in my gut. I didn't want her to get hurt, or worse, get swallowed by these woods entirely. When I saw her reach that slick, rocky path and lose her balance, my heart stopped. I knew if I didn't get to her in time, she was looking at a serious head injury.In a heartbeat, I raced to her. I moved faster than any human could, catching her just before she could crack her skull against the stone.When I pulled her up, I couldn't help but stare. She was breathing hard, her face flushed from the cold and the scare. She was strikingly pretty, especially with those green eyes wide and searching mine."Are you okay?" I asked, my voice sounding more like a growl than I intended."Yeah, I think so," she replied, her voice shaky.I held her arms gently as she found her footing. "Just be careful next time. These rocks don't c
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-29
The Billionaire's Binding Proposal
Kesley Bellamy has perfected the art of sabotaging blind dates — for a price.
When her best friend begs her to scare off yet another setup, Kesley agrees. A thousand dollars to act crazy for an hour? Easy money. She'll chew gum like a maniac, mention her pot-smoking habit, and maybe proposition the guy for good measure. He'll run screaming, and she'll finally fix her dying laptop.
But the man who walks into that restaurant isn't the balding, boring businessman she expected.
He's Niklaus Specter — the devastatingly handsome CEO of SpecterTech. The same company Kelsey just applied to. The same company that's her last hope of breaking into the tech industry as a female developer.
Worse? He doesn't run away. He finds her antics... intriguing.
Now Kesley has three days to transform from "Taraji Gilbert" — the pot-smoking, sex-crazed teacher who just propositioned him — into Kesley Bellamy, the professional data analyst who desperately needs this job.
But Niklaus Specter didn't become a billionaire by missing details. And when Kesley walks into her interview on Monday morning, she's about to discover that some mistakes are too expensive to hide.
Especially when the CEO remembers everything.
A hilarious, steamy romance about mistaken identities, second chances, and the fine line between disaster and destiny.
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Chapter: ~ 253Chapter 253~Niklaus~The phone in my hand felt like it was about to shatter. I was standing in the hospital lobby, having just walked my father and grandfather toward the exit, when the notification flashed across the screen. My blood turned to ice. Then, it turned to fire.The Contract Queen: Did Kesley Use a Fake Accident to Secure Global Fame?I didn't need to read the article to know whose fingerprints were all over this. I looked up and saw Rebecca standing near the main entrance, talking to a group of staff. She looked smug. She had that tiny, satisfied smile on her face that she only wore when she thought she had successfully stepped on someone’s neck.She caught my eye and tilted her head, her expression saying, what are you going to do about it?I didn't yell. I didn't cause a scene. Instead, I turned to my father and grandfather, who were both looking at their own phones with expressions of horror and confusion.“I am handling this,” I said, my voice vibrating with a quiet,
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-29
Chapter: ~ 252Chapter 252~Kesley~The house was quiet and peaceful, but it felt a little too quiet once Niklaus left. His grandfather had called him for an urgent meeting, work calls, even though Niklaus didn't want to leave my side, I had insisted. He needed to handle his family business.Thankfully, I wasn't alone for long. The door creaked open, and Taraji poked her head in, holding two smoothies and a look of pure determination."The boss is gone, so the best friend is moving in," she announced, hopping onto the edge of the bed. She handed me a strawberry smoothie and sighed happily. "I made sure Niklaus saw me walk in so he wouldn't worry. Honestly, that man is like a mother hen now."I laughed, feeling the cold drink soothe my throat. "He’s just worried, Taraji. We’ve all been through a lot."We sat in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the stillness. But I could tell Taraji had something on her mind. She was fidgeting with the straw of her drink, her eyes darting around the room."Hey
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-29
Chapter: ~ 251Chapter 251~Kesley~The laptop screen was so bright it made my eyes water, or maybe it was just the words staring back at me. I sat propped up against the hospital pillows, my body still aching, but my mind was suddenly racing a mile a minute.Niklaus was sitting right beside my bed, his hand resting protectively on my knee. He had been there all morning, refusing to leave even for a cup of coffee. Taraji was on my other side, leaning so close to the screen that her nose was almost touching the glass."Wait, move the mouse," Taraji whispered, her voice trembling. "Open that second one. The one that just popped up."I clicked the link, and my heart stopped. I read the email once. Then I rubbed my eyes and read it a second time, just to make sure the hospital medication wasn't making me see things."Niklaus," I breathed, my voice barely audible. "Read this. Tell me I’m not dreaming."Niklaus leaned in, his eyes darting across the text. Beside him, Taraji grabbed the edge of the bedshee
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-29
Chapter: ~ 250Chapter 250~Kesley~I did not let what happened with Rebecca weigh me down. The morning had been relatively peaceful until the door swung open, and Jude practically burst into the room. He looked like he had run all the way here. His hair was a mess, his glasses were sliding down his nose, and his face was flushed with a mix of terror and relief."Kesley!" he gasped, rushing to the side of my bed. "I saw the news. I saw the headlines about the kidnapping and the… the stabbing. I thought I was going to have a heart attack."I smiled weakly, touched by how much he cared. Jude had been my rock during the early days of the tech program, and seeing a familiar, friendly face made me feel more at ease. "I’m okay, Jude. Really. I’m healing."I had just ignored deep down in my mind how the last moment I had with Jude was awkward.Taraji, who was sitting in the corner with her laptop, looked up and grinned. "She’s a tough one, Jude. A few stitches can’t keep her down."Jude pulled up a chair,
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-28
Chapter: ~ 249Chapter 249~Kesley~I was alone in the room. The headache was starting to subside and the sharp, stabbing pain in my side had dulled down to a heavy, throbbing ache.Niklaus had been gone for about an hour. He didn’t want to leave, but I had practically forced him to go home to take a shower and change his clothes. He looked so ragged and tired that it hurt my heart just to look at him. I told him I’d be perfectly fine for a few hours with the nurses nearby.I was staring at the small television on the wall, something just to keep me engaged, when I heard the door click. I smiled, thinking Niklaus had forgotten something and rushed back, or maybe Taraji was bringing me some real food.But it wasn't a friend.Rebecca Specter stepped into the room. She was dressed in a sharp, blood-red suit that looked very expensive and screamed luxury. Her hair was pulled back into a perfect, tight bun, and she smelled like expensive perfume. She wasn't carrying any flowers today. She didn't need the
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-28
Chapter: ~ 248Chapter 248~Rebecca~The view from the top floor of the Specter Building had never looked so beautiful. I sat on the chair, turning slowly on the chair, a glass of champagne in my hand.My phone buzzed on the desk. It was my contact at the hospital, a nurse who knew exactly how much my "generosity" was worth."Speak," I commanded."I overheard Mr Specter talking to your grandfather.” the voice whispered. "He told him that he’s done. He told the Grandfather he doesn't want the CEO title anymore. He said he just wants to be with the girl."“Okay. Thank you.”I ended the call and let out a sharp, cold laugh that echoed through the empty office."A fool," I whispered to the empty room. "An absolute, sentimental fool."I had spent years fighting him. I had spent my entire life trying to prove that I was the stronger sibling, the one with the sharper teeth and the colder heart. And here he was, throwing it all away because a girl from a small town got a scratch on her side. He was willin
최신 업데이트: 2026-06-27
The Wedding Jilt: Gangster's Revenge Bride
Tony James was the kind of man mothers warned their daughters about.
I never meant to fall for him, especially not after being abandoned at the altar and humiliated on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
Michael Sebastine, my ex-lover, ran off with my best friend — and my fortune. But he didn’t just betray me. According to Tony, Michael crossed him too. And Tony James, a ruthless Mexican mafia boss, doesn’t take betrayal lightly.
He offered me a deal: help him track down the man who destroyed us both, and he’d give me the revenge I craved.
What began as a reluctant alliance soon turned into an erotic, intoxicating romance.
Tony was dominant, demanding, and unapologetically powerful. He taught me how to fight, how to manipulate, how to use seduction like a blade.
And in return, I gave him the one thing no one else ever had, TRUST.
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Chapter: Chapter 90: The ProposalChapter 90: The ProposalValerie's POVThe drive to Tony's compound felt different this time. Instead of the nervous anticipation that had accompanied my previous visits, I felt a deep sense of coming home. The gates opened smoothly as my car approached, the guards nodding respectfully as I passed through the checkpoint. The entire estate seemed oddly quiet, almost deserted."Tony?" I called out as I entered the foyer. "Are you here?""I'm here," his voice came from somewhere deeper in the house, warm but carrying an undertone I couldn't identify. "Come to the main reception room.There's a light switch just behind you when you enter. Turn it on."Curious and slightly confused, I made my way down, I felt along the wall behind me until my fingers found the switch Tony had mentioned.The moment I flipped it, the room exploded in color and light.Thousands of fairy lights draped every surface, creating a canopy of stars across the ceiling. Rose petals covered the floor in intricate patte
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-16
Chapter: Chapter 89: New BeginningsChapter 89: New BeginningsOne Month LaterValerie's POVI folded the last of my summer dresses into the suitcase, the familiar routine of packing oddly comforting after everything that had happened.Papa had survived. Three surgeries and two weeks in the hospital, but he'd survived. The bullet had missed his major organs by millimeters, and the doctors said it was nothing short of miraculous. I preferred to think of it as stubbornness, Francesco Newton was too proud to die from a coward's bullet.A sharp knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, followed immediately by familiar voices chattering excitedly in the hallway."Val! Open up! We brought champagne!" Anna's voice rang through the door, accompanied by the sound of someone juggling bottles.I opened the door to find all three of them—Anna, Sofia, and Gabriella—crowded in my doorway with armloads of celebration supplies. Their faces were bright with the kind of excitement that came from good news shared among friends."Look at
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-15
Chapter: Chapter 88: The Moment of TruthChapter 88: The Moment of Truth*Tony's POV*The video was perfect. Crystal clear footage of Salvatore Reyes and Victor Mendoza sitting in Francesco Newton's reception room, asking for "the phone" that Valerie had supposedly stolen in violation of "mafia conduct." Their hesitation, their nervous glances, their obvious lies—all of it captured in high definition from multiple angles."This is it," I whispered to Valerie as I prepared the secure broadcast to the underground networks. "This is the evidence that clears my name and exposes them for what they are."My fingers hovered over the send button of my encrypted communication system. The same network that had been used to spread lies about my involvement in Senator Valdez's assassination would now carry the truth. The irony wasn't lost on me."Are you sure about this?" Valerie asked quietly, her hand finding mine. "Once we send this, there's no going back.""There's already no going back," I replied. "They came here to threaten you,
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-13
Chapter: Chapter 87: The Negotiation Chapter 87: The Negotiation*Mr. Newton's POV*I stood in the main reception hall of my estate, watching through the tall windows as an unmarked sedan approached the circular driveway. My security team had already confirmed the identities of the passengers—Victor Mendoza and Salvatore Reyes, two men whose presence at my home could only mean one thing: desperation.The timing was no coincidence. Just as we'd agreed, Tony and Valerie were positioned in the CCTV monitoring room, multiple cameras and recording devices capturing every angle of the conversation that was about to unfold. If these men were here to threaten my daughter or negotiate under false pretenses, I wanted irrefutable evidence of every word spoken."Don," Marco, my head of security, spoke quietly into his radio. "The subjects have exited their vehicle. Two men, no visible weapons, but they're moving like professionals."I nodded, straightening my tie with deliberate calm. In my world, appearances mattered as much as ac
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-12
Chapter: Chapter 86: The UltimatumChapter 86: The Ultimatum*Victor's POV*Salvatore stepped over Hassan's body with casual indifference, his expensive shoes tracking blood across the hotel room carpet. Behind him, his men maintained their positions, weapons still drawn, ready to eliminate any remaining threats. The air was thick with gun smoke and the metallic smell of death."Victor," Salvatore said, his voice carrying the calm authority of a man who was used to being obeyed without question. "I left you alive for a reason."I struggled to my feet, every muscle in my body aching from Hassan's beating and the terror of the past few minutes. My legs felt like water, barely able to support my weight, but I forced myself to stand as straight as possible. Showing weakness to a man like Salvatore was suicidal."I appreciate it," I managed to sat while recovering from the tremble that I was going to die."This wasn't a rescue," he confirmed. "This was damage control. Hassan Al-Rashid was becoming a complication, asking too
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-10
Chapter: Chapter 85: The DilemmaChapter 85: The Dilemma*Tony's POV*Valerie had fallen asleep curled against my good side, her breathing steady and peaceful in a way that made me almost forget about the pain radiating through my ribs. Victor's phone lay on the nightstand like a loaded weapon, containing all the evidence I needed to prove my innocence. But holding the truth and being able to use it were two very different things.I stared at the ceiling of the elegant guest room, my mind racing through the implications of what Valerie had given me. The messages between Victor and Salvatore were damning, clear proof that I'd been framed for Senator Valdez's assassination. The financial records showed payments, timing, coordination and everything needed to expose the conspiracy.But who would believe it?The mafia community operated on reputation, on relationships built over decades, on trust that was earned through blood and violence. I'd been branded a traitor, a man who'd sold out his principles for political gain.
최신 업데이트: 2025-11-09
Tastes Like Damn Chocolate
At seventeen, Tiana’s world shatters when a cruel twist of fate forces her into marriage with Nikolai Toriaga — the arrogant heir to a billion-dollar coffee empire and the same boy who made her life hell in high school.
For eight long years, she endures the cold silence and lovelessness of the Toriaga household. But in secret, Tiana earns a PhD in Business Administration and quietly becomes a billionaire, investing her allowance in cryptocurrency and major company shares.
When Nikolai’s father dies, Tiana assumes the marriage is over. The man who forced it is gone, and so is the reason for Nikolai to stay. Her fears are confirmed when he shows up to the funeral with a world-famous model on his arm, while Tiana remains his estranged wife.
Determined to reclaim her life, she steps into the spotlight, taking a job at Lancaster Group — a global chocolate brand — and reconnects with Ryan Lancaster, a former classmate who once secretly adored her.
She expects the long-overdue divorce papers, but instead, Nikolai starts coming home… watching her, wanting her. When she finally confronts him, he fiercely responds, “There’s no way we’re getting a divorce, Tiana.”
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Chapter: Chapter 170Chapter 170That Night - Master BedroomAfter the guests had left and Pascal had been tucked into bed and Georgia had finally surrendered to sleep after protesting the day's disruptions to her schedule, Nikolai and Tiana collapsed onto their bed still wearing their wedding clothes."We did it," Tiana said, staring at the ceiling. "We actually did it.""Got married? Yeah, we did that nine years ago too," Nikolai teased, then yelped as she swatted his chest."You know what I mean. We made it. Through everything, through Eva's manipulation and Indy's lies and the shooting and the trial and all of it. We made it to the other side."Nikolai turned on his side to face her, propping himself up on one elbow. "We did. Against pretty significant odds.""Do you ever think about what would have happened if…" Tiana paused, choosing her words carefully. "If I hadn't had the accident? If I hadn't gotten pregnant with Georgia? If Indy hadn't shot you? Would we have found our way back to each other wit
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-14
Chapter: Chapter 169 Chapter 169 The reception was held under a massive tent on the estate's lawn, with dinner and dancing and all the celebration they'd missed the first time around. As the sun began to set, casting everything in golden light, Sandy stood to give her toast. "I've been dreading this speech," she began, and laughter rippled through the guests. "Not because I don't have things to say, but because I have too many things, and most of them will make me cry." She took a breath, composing herself. "Nine years ago, my brother married Tiana in a ceremony I didn't even know was happening until after the fact." The guests were silent now, attentive. "I watched them struggle for years," Sandy continued. "Watched my brother make terrible choices based on our mother's manipulation and his own fear. Watched Tiana suffer in silence, trying to be the perfect Toriaga wife while being systematically undermined and devalued. And I…" Her voice caught. "I did nothing. I told myself it wasn't my place to
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-13
Chapter: Chapter 168CHAPTER 168 Six Months Later - Velmore Estate Gardens The late spring afternoon was perfect. Tiana stood in the bridal suite of the Velmore Estate's manor house, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress was simple but elegant. "You look beautiful," Lyn said from behind her, adjusting the final pins in Tiana's upswept hair. "Absolutely radiant." Tiana smiled at her friend's reflection. Lyn had flown in from New York specifically for the wedding, taking time away from her demanding role at Lancaster Group to be here. Over the past six months, they'd maintained their friendship despite the distance, regular video calls keeping them connected even as their lives had taken different paths. "Thank you for being here," Tiana said, squeezing Lyn's hand. "And for agreeing to carry Georgia during the ceremony. I know wrangling a six-month-old wasn't part of the original bridesmaid duties." "Are you kidding? That baby is an angel." Lyn gestured to where Georgia lay in
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-12
Chapter: Chapter 167Chapter 167 That Evening - Toriaga Residence Tiana arrived home energized despite her exhaustion, eager to tell Nikolai about her new role. She found him in the nursery, assembling the last pieces of the crib they'd put off finishing until closer to the due date. "How did it go?" he asked, looking up from the instruction manual he'd been scowling at. "Sandy was elected unanimously…well, ten to two, but close enough. She's officially CEO and Chairman." Tiana lowered herself carefully into the rocking chair they'd positioned by the window. "And she offered me a job." Nikolai's hands stilled on the crib rail. "What kind of job?" "CEO of Sandy's Care. Her medical foundation. She wants me to run it, to build it into something that really makes a difference for pregnant women who can't afford proper healthcare." She watched Nikolai's face, trying to gauge his reaction. In the past, he would have objected, would have worried about how it reflected on the Toriaga name, or whether it wa
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-11
Chapter: Chapter 166CHAPTER 166 One Week After Sentencing - Toriaga Group Headquarters The boardroom on the sixtieth floor had been completely transformed since Nikolai's reign. Gone were the oppressive dark woods and imposing portraits of stern-faced Toriaga ancestors. Sandy had ordered a complete renovation. floor-to-ceiling windows now flooded the space with natural light, the furniture was modern and collaborative rather than intimidating, and the overall atmosphere felt more like a dynamic tech startup than a stuffy corporate empire. Today, the board had assembled for a historic vote. Sandy stood at the head of the table. Around the table sat twelve board members, a combination of longtime Toriaga Industries executives and new appointments Sandy had carefully vetted for their integrity and vision rather than their willingness to maintain the status quo. Tiana sat in the observer section, her pregnancy making the boardroom chairs increasingly uncomfortable at eight months along. Nikolai had want
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-07
Chapter: Chapter 165CHAPTER 165 Two Weeks Later - Verdict Day The jury deliberated for eight hours. Eight hours during which Tiana, Nikolai, and Sandy sat in a private room adjacent to the courthouse, waiting for word that a decision had been reached. They'd been warned it could take days as murder trials often resulted in lengthy deliberations as jurors worked through complex evidence and legal instructions. But eight hours suggested the jury found the case straightforward. The question was whether that worked in Eva's favor or against her. At 4:47 PM, Amanda Laurie's assistant knocked on the door. "We have a verdict. Judge Andersen is reconvening in fifteen minutes." They filed back into the courtroom which was now even more packed than during the trial, every seat filled with reporters and observers eager to hear the outcome of Velmore's trial of the century. Eva was already at the defense table, looking smaller somehow, as if the weight of the proceedings had physically diminished her. She di
최신 업데이트: 2026-04-06
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