The lobby fell silent for a moment before Vivian burst into hysterical laughter, clutching Ben's arm for support.Her laughter echoed off the marble walls, drawing curious glances from other guests."Did you hear that, baby?" she wheezed between laughs. "He says he booked Lavish Oasis! The private suite reserved for Terminator X only!"Ben's lips curled into a smirk. "Maybe the delivery job comes with hallucinations.""You really are pathetic," Vivian wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, careful not to smudge her makeup. "First stalking me, now lying about booking Terminator X's private suite? Have you completely lost it?"“Why don’t you wee and check your reflection carefully? Do you think you can even afford the Lavish Oasis??”Vivian was enraged by Louis’s shamelessness and pretentiousness.Did Louis think she was a fool that would easily fall for his tricks?!Louis checked his watch, his face emotionless. "Whether I can afford it or not, is none of your business.""Fuck you, de
"The delusion is strong with this one," Ben smirked."Why would Terminator X tell YOU anything?" Vivian's voice rose with vicious glee. "You're nothing but a wannabe rich guy delivering takeout! God, this is pathetic even for you, Louis!"Louis remained silent, his mind drifting briefly to memories of Neckor Island.The pristine beaches, the exclusive villas, the private meetings..."What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Vivian preened, mistaking his silence for defeat. "Well, let me tell you something special again - my wedding will be held at Neckor Island. Yes, at the most prestigious wedding venue in the world!""And guess what?"She continued, practically bouncing with satisfaction."Terminator X will personally give us their blessing. That's right - while you're here making up stories about private suites, I'll be receiving a wedding gift from the wealthiest person in the world!"Louis's face remained impassive, which only fueled Vivian's aggressive triumph.Her eyes glittered
Louis exhaled deeply as Vivian and Ben's voices finally faded.He reached for his phone as it buzzed. The screen lit up with "Terminator X" calling."Hello?"“I hope I’m not interrupting your evening, Sir.”Louis raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. “Not at all. In fact, I was about to call you myself. I heard you’ll be on Neckor Island next week. I’m guessing it was meant to be a surprise?”There was a pause on the other end, followed by an awkward chuckle. “Indeed, Sir, you’re always one step ahead.” “I was planning a grand welcome, but now ... I suspect you’d rather I kept things simple?”“Spot on,” Louis replied with a slight smile. “I appreciate the gesture, but a low-key meeting is more my style.”“Consider it done, Sir.” Terminator X said respectfully.“And one more thing, Sir. Your ex-wife’s fiance had booked a wedding on Neckor Island a week later. Should I cancel it as a little ‘lesson’? It’d be no trouble at all.”“No need.”Louis shook his head. He didn’t want to was
“Haha, maybe we have met when we were kids and forgot all about it!”“You're so funny! Seriously though, talking to you feels so... familiar. Safe, somehow.”He smiled sadly at her words, wishing he could tell her everything – how she'd saved his life, how he'd carried that gratitude all these years.“That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.”“You bring out the honest side in me. I can't explain it, but I'm so glad we're friends.”“Me too, Juliet.”As he typed those words, Louis made a silent promise to himself. He'd find a way to repay her kindness, even if she never knew the full story. Sometimes, he reflected, the best way to honor the past was to protect the present.The morning sun glinted off Necker Island's pristine dock as luxury yachts bobbed gently in the crystal-clear waters. Louis adjusted his casual linen shirt, taking in the extravagant wedding decorations that transformed the already stunning venue into something magical."Well, well, well. Look what
However, Victoria stepped closer, her voice venomous. "Listen here, you worthless—""No, you listen," Louis interrupted calmly without stopping or looking backward. "Enjoy your standing here making assumptions and learn to shut up.” “Even better, why don't you watch and learn how a real entrance is made?"Jackson laughed mockingly. "Oh, this I've got to see. The great Louis about to be humiliated!"Watching Louis’s receding figure, Jackson couldn’t help but laughed out loud.Without an invitation, Louis would surely be humiliated.And he couldn’t wait to see that good show."Watch this circus show. He's about to get the humiliation he deserves." Victoria whispered.Her red lips curling into a cruel smile. Meanwhile, Louis continued walking, his steps measured and sure.Approached the checkpoint, Louis could feel the blatantly malicious gaze, but he remained unmoved.Twelve armed sentinels stood at attention, their black uniforms and reflective sunglasses creating an imposing ba
Hanging up the phone, Louis walked along the island’s unique scenic path, following the iconic crytal-stone path.Everything was just like before, which made Louis feel as if he had returned to the past.Before he knew it, Louis had already passed through the tropical gardens.Soon, the path wound through tropical gardens until the wedding venue appeared – a masterpiece of crystal and precious gems catching the sunlight in rainbow prisms."And now, ..." Just then, the officiant's voice carried through the structure."By the words of God and the witnesses, I now pronounce the groom, Ben Gutsby, and the bride, Vivian Howard, as husband and wife. You may kiss...”Outside the transparent wedding chapel made of crystal and gems, Louis heard Vivian’s name and glanced in that direction.There, he saw Vivian in her bridal gown, her makeup heavy, her smile broad.However, Louis’s gaze didn’t linger on her for the least bit.Instead, his gaze shifted to Juliet, who stood not far away, wearing
How could the gentle, supportive Louis be the same person Vivian called 'the biggest mistake of her life'?"What's your plan this time?" Vivian demanded. angrily "Try to win me back? Make some dramatic scene? Beg for another chance like the desperate dog you are?""He's probably hoping to get his picture in the society pages," Jackson called from the back. "Still trying to climb that social ladder!""You disgust me," Vivian continued, her voice echoing off the crystal walls."Mom was right about everything – you're nothing but a calculated fraud who fooled me once. Never again!"The guests shifted uncomfortably, some already posting to social media, others recording the confrontation with barely concealed excitement.Juliet felt her world tilting sideways. The Louis who defended my family's honor... is the same man they're calling a social-climbing fraud?How could that be?Something must be wrong, right?"Security!" Vivian screamed again. "Get this piece of garbage out of my si
Unlike the others, she saw no humor in this public humiliation."He probably practiced this entrance in the mirror," a young socialite giggled. "Rehearsed his little dramatic moment!""Should we call animal control?" someone joked cruelly. "Seems we have a stray that needs removing!"Vivian basked in the mockery. "See, Louis? Everyone knows exactly what you are – a desperate nobody who can't accept rejection."The crystal walls seemed to amplify every cutting laugh, every whispered insult. Only Juliet remained silent, her mind wrestling with the contradiction between the Louis she knew and the one being portrayed."Security's taking their time," a groomsman called out."Maybe he bribed them too!""Wouldn't put it past him," Vivian sneered. "He always was good at crawling his way into places he doesn't belong.""What's wrong, Louis?" Vivian taunted. "No clever comebacks? Finally realizing your place in the world?"Everyone laughed as if Louis was a joker and trying to humiliate h