All Chapters of Bound By The Living Yama : Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Anastasia hesitated to continue as she turned to her father. Dimitri gave her a thumbs-up to keep going. Smiling secretly, Anastasia began to fake-cry, sniffing as she stammered, "I... I don't know how to tell you this, Ethan. It's just..."Ethan grew apprehensive. He didn't like Anastasia's tone; the Anastasia he knew was always strong and never cried without a major reason. Something terrible must have happened. "Just what, Anna? Trust me, you can tell me anything."Anastasia sniffled again. "Next week is my grandfather's birthday, Ethan, and my dad is pressuring me to bring a wealthy partner. The entire family is treating me like trash, calling me useless. I'm so tired, Ethan. All because of a man?"Ethan was dumbfounded. He had always assumed Anastasia was completely spoiled by her father. The Dimitri he saw at their graduation seemed wrapped around his daughter's finger. How had he changed so suddenly? "But why are they pressuring you to bring a suitor? You just graduated—isn't i

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. It's just a passcode, right? No need to panic. He glanced back to see if the receptionist was still waiting. She was. When they made eye contact, he offered her another small smile, which she quickly returned.As he turned back to the keypad, he didn't notice the faint blush on her cheeks. She had been admiring him from the moment he walked in. Staring at his back, she couldn't help but wonder how he had managed to charm their notoriously cold boss. Even after seeing the press conference video, she hadn't believed the negative rumors for a second. She just had a gut feeling that there was still something deep between them.Looking at Ethan's broad shoulders and his neatly styled blonde hair, she thought dreamily, He's so handsome. I really don't blame the boss at all.Her starry-eyed admiration was a complete contrast to what Ethan was actually feeling. He was practically begging her to leave in his head. Why is she still stan

Damien’s expression darkened, and he looked at Ethan with total disgust .He pointed a finger at him. "So, you know about it?"Ethan raised an eyebrow, completely confused. "Knew about what? Look, I know it seems a bit absurd that I'm asking you for this, but she needs a date really badly. Just let me explain first before you decide."Damien stared at Ethan's pleading expression. He forced himself to calm down, leaning back into his leather chair. "Okay. Explain."Ethan was surprised Damien was actually willing to listen, but he knew he couldn't waste his luck. He cleared his throat and began. "So... Anastasia's grandfather is pressuring her to bring a suitor to his party."Damien cut in, his voice laced with annoyance. "And how is that my business?"Ethan sighed. "Just wait, I'm getting to that part."Damien kept his eyes fixed on Ethan. He thought he knew exactly where this story was heading, and he felt certain that Ethan had been deceived by his friends yet again.Ethan continued,

Ethan and Kristen soon arrived at the venue, which was the prestigious Banks Hotel where the birthday celebration was being hosted. All sorts of luxurious sports cars and limousines were parked outside. Because they had arrived late, Kristen had to park their car a bit far from the main entrance, as the front lot was entirely full. As they were led toward the entrance, they were greeted by a massive crowd of reporters flashing cameras and holding microphones. If it hadn't been for the hotel bodyguards guiding them through, they wouldn't have been able to push past the media wall. Once they finally made it inside the lobby, Kristen let out a breath and adjusted his white suit jacket. "I have a feeling this party is going to be crazy," he sighed, looking around the beautifully decorated hotel interior. "Wow, they really went all out for the old man, didn't they?" He clapped a hand onto Ethan's shoulder. Ethan, meanwhile, had been a nervous wreck since the moment they pulled up. His

Ethan furrowed his eyebrows, thoroughly confused. "I don't get it. I've been played by who?"Kristen threw his hands up in frustration at how blind his friend was being. "Can't you see what's going on, Ethan? Why did she pick Damien out of all the men in the city? Doesn't she have anyone else she could ask?"Ethan fell silent. Kristen's words hit close to home; the thought had crossed his mind before, but he had quickly brushed it aside without giving it any deeper meaning.Meanwhile, the main event was beginning to get under way as guests poured into the grand ballroom. High-profile figures, business moguls, and socialites filled the room. For a man as powerful and wealthy as Harold Banks, a birthday celebration was never just a party—it was a display of status.The hotel hall was massive, yet a subtle hierarchy was clearly at play. The richest and most influential guests occupied the prime VIP tables right near the stage, while lesser-known attendees and distant acquaintances were s