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"Hmm… the both of you, actually," Flora admitted with a little smile. "I think my husband wants to surprise you too."
"Oh, fine then," Mirabel sighed. "I'll leave you now."
"Okay."
She turned to walk away when a voice called out, "Hey."
Mirabel spun around, smiling politely.
"Hi, my name is Xavier Ben. It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Mirabel." He extended his hand, and she shook it warmly.
"Nice to meet you too," she replied.
"And this is my fiancée, Penelope Smart."
Mirabel smiled again. "Lovely to meet you."
"My wife is such a fan of yours," Xavier said with a proud grin. "She absolutely adores you."
"Thank you so much," Mirabel said, extending her hand. Penelope clasped it quickly, her eyes shining.
"Can I take a picture with you?" Penelope asked, almost bouncing on her heels. "Please?"
"Hmm… sure, just one. I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Of course!" Penelope handed her phone to Xavier and eagerly slid beside Mirabel.
Click.
"Thank you so much!" Penelope gushed, smiling from ear to ear.
"You're welcome." Mirabel gave a small wave before excusing herself and walking away.
The moment she disappeared into the crowd, Penelope's smile dropped, her expression twisting into disgust. "Ugh. Just looking at her makes me sick. Do you have any idea how hard it is to force that smile?"
"You have to keep up the act, Miss," Xavier murmured calmly.
"You're right." Her eyes gleamed coldly. "The plan must go on. Soon she—and her entire family—will be nothing but a joke."
"How many pictures did you take?"
"About five."
"Good. We'll cook up a little rumor first… ruin her career bit by bit. Follow her, take photos of any man she's seen with. Anything scandalous. Anything useful."
"As you wish, Miss Angelica."
Yes—Penelope Smart was none other than Angelica, Lucian's former mistress, hiding under a new identity.
And for those wondering—Bella and Rose will return too.
This story is far from over. Heartbreak, passionate nights, revenge, hatred, and death are all on the horizon. Old faces will resurface: Daisy, Mina, Raymond, Mirabel's stepmother and stepbrother, Madam Kira, Steve, Marcello… and new characters yet to come.
The storm is only beginning.
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