[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603134E5B19-24":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},24,6,"Chapter 6: A Kiss in the Shadows","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine said with all sincerity, \"As long as you're safe, you can go wherever you want.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante, mistaking her sincerity for being head-over-heels in love with him, just smirked. \"At least you know your place.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He wouldn't have listened anyway, even if she’d tried to control him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He only found it somewhat bearable that Celine usually tried to steer him away from things detrimental to his health, like excessive drinking or street racing. She never really tried to control anything else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ever since Isabella returned from overseas, Dante hadn’t bothered to hide their rendezvous.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He brought her along to friends' get-togethers and even dragged her to social functions within their elite circle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Though Celine’s status was low, she was still the legitimate Mrs. Williams.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Within days, the gossip mill went into overdrive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Not only was Celine the town’s new punchline, but Dante's actions were also a huge embarrassment to the Williams family name.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante's grandfather finally had enough. To save face for the family, he strong-armed Dante into taking Celine to formal events to shut down the rumors, threatening the Lopez family if he didn't comply.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Reluctantly, Dante agreed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The Grand Plaza Hotel.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">An engagement party hosted by someone in their social circle. Celine, clad in a designer gown, attended the evening event on Dante's arm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At first glance, they looked like the perfect couple.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But Dante was clearly zoning out, offering only perfunctory greetings.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Please take this seriously, or your grandfather will be furious,\" she whispered once the previous guests had moved on.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante scoffed. \"Don't try to pull a fast one on me with my grandfather.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine pursed her lips, choosing silence. She was just worried he’d tick off his grandfather and face the consequences.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Silence fell between them again. Dante had never been one for small talk with her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't until a new arrival entered through the main doors that Dante’s gaze snapped up, his expression immediately clouding over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sensing the shift in him, Celine followed his line of sight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella had arrived.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And she was with a male companion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Most guests were well aware of the history between Dante and Isabella, and they watched the unfolding drama with undisguised interest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella, feigning innocence, approached with her escort.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What a coincidence, Mr. Williams,\" she chirped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her eyes then flicked to Celine, a pointed look in her gaze as she drawled, \"Long time no see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine responded evenly, \"Long time no see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Internally, she let out a weary sigh.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Today was clearly not going to be a chill one.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ten minutes later, Dante was gone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Fearing he might pull a stunt, Celine rushed to find him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just outside the ballroom, she found him cornering Isabella against the wall.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who is that guy?\" he demanded, his eyes dark, his voice a dangerous growl.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella seemed unfazed. \"What's it to you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante exploded. \"What's it to me? Who gave you permission to bring another man?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You brought Celine, didn't you?\" Isabella shot back coldly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At that moment, Dante couldn't stand hearing any other name. The words tumbled out, \"What is she? Just some pathetic maid.\" His tone dripped with disdain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing this, Celine quietly looked away, leaning against the wall.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Soon, the sounds of their argument dissolved into the unmistakable sounds of a passionate kiss. Their embrace was fierce, yet her expression remained eerily calm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For some reason, she suddenly remembered the first time she’d seen Dante. She had just arrived from the sticks, a small, timid thing, completely lost in this new world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Planning to visit Mr. and Mrs. Williams, she’d been mesmerized by the garden lake at the estate and couldn't help but stare.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lost in the moment, she heard a young voice say, \"Hey kid, don't fall in.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Startled, Celine snapped her head back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante emerged, a basketball in hand. Even though she was in rags, his eyes held no trace of mockery as he looked at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He simply offered a friendly warning with a smile and walked away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back then, the young man was bursting with youthful energy, the sunlight catching him, almost blindingly bright.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they met again later, he had no memory of her. He didn't know she was the impoverished student his parents had sponsored.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">During that first encounter, when she was at her lowest, he hadn't looked down on her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">To repay that kindness, she had dedicated ten years of her life, only to earn Dante's increasing disdain.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272932027]