[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322BF5857-329":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},329,1,"Chapter 1: Tying the Knot for Her Replacement","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Someone asked, with a deliberate edge in their voice, \"Kingston, you used to say Ms. Sullivan was the most beautiful woman in this city, and you almost disowned your own father over her. Are you really moving on so quickly?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kingston Stone swirled the amber liquid in his glass, a thin, cold smile curving his lips. \"Even the most beautiful scenery gets old. I’ve had my fill. Looking at her now just feels like a chore.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven Sullivan, currently on her knees helping a client try on a pair of designer pumps, felt the rumors drift toward her like a poisoned mist. Her fingers faltered, and though the corners of her eyes burned, she kept her expression composed, her smile professionally intact.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The client glanced around to ensure they were alone, then leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. \"Detective Sullivan, you’ve been undercover with Kingston for two years now and haven't dug up a single thing. Now that he’s found someone else, why not just pull out?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven’s mind flickered to a photo she’d seen in the tabloids. Kingston, usually a man of cold, high-society refinement, had been spotted in a crowded, noisy roadside diner with a girl. He had leaned in to shield her from the crush of the crowd, his eyes brimming with a tenderness he’d never even shown his social peers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moisture in Raven’s eyes receded, replaced by a gaze as cold and sharp as a blade. \"Not yet. His distraction might be the opening I need.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish, a synchronized chorus rang out from the entrance: \"Mr. Stone!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The tycoon had arrived. Kingston visited the shop every month, often clearing out half the inventory just to pad Raven’s commission records. But this time, everything was different.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had brought a girl with him. She was dressed simply, bordering on shabby, but her youthful, vibrant beauty made up for it. She had bright, doe-like eyes, clear and stubborn.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment they walked in, the girl wasn't exactly rolling out the red carpet for him. \"I’m your intern, not your slave! Who gave you the right to restrict my freedom?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">If anyone else had dared speak to Kingston in that tone, they’d likely have been tossed out of the city by sundown. But with this girl, Kingston didn't show a flicker of irritation. Instead, he spoke with gentle patience. \"I just want to get you a new outfit. You aren't dressed appropriately for the party tonight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl stomped her foot, her brows arched in fury. \"What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? I bought this with money I earned myself! If your friends are going to look down on me, then I’m not going to that party!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entertaining business contacts is part of an assistant's job. You can't refuse.\" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his handsome face, a look that had ruined many lives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl’s face flushed a deep, frantic red; she was clearly out of excuses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Watching their interaction, which felt like something straight out of a cheesy romance drama, Raven was pulled back to two years ago. That was when Kingston had first walked into this store and fallen for her at first sight. He’d pursued her like a man possessed, showing up every day to \"check in\" as if the shop were his own office. He’d even moved into the apartment next door, desperate for a glimpse of her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had fought every instinct to let her guard down. But when clients were cruel, he stood up for her. When coworkers framed her, he backed her without hesitation. When she was followed by a predator in the dead of night, he’d taken a brick to the head to protect her, needing three stitches to close the gash...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kingston’s love felt all-consuming, regardless of who it was directed at.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hadn't been immune to it. But her identity as an undercover cop was a wall she couldn't break. Selling luxury goods was just a ruse to get close to Hector Barnes and investigate a string of cold-blooded homicides. Kingston’s sudden, chaotic entry into her life had shattered her plans.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had rejected him, treated him with ice, and thrown words at him that were far crueler than anything the girl today could dream of, yet he hadn't backed down. When she finally started to gain traction with Hector Barnes, Kingston, that reckless prince of chaos, had stormed in and ruined the entire setup.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had planned to retreat, but her superiors insisted she lean into the chaos and use Kingston to infiltrate Hector’s inner circle. So, they became a couple. It was a mix of genuine affection and soul-crushing anxiety.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Two years had passed since then. Because of her past connection to Hector, Kingston had developed a visceral hatred for him and had practically severed all ties. Hector, meanwhile, was terrified of Kingston and hadn't dared touch her since. Her mission had stalled completely.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And now, Kingston had found a new plaything.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kingston’s voice cut through her thoughts. He pointed at her, his tone as flat as if he were addressing a stranger. \"Come over here and pick out an evening gown for Ms. Hayes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven paused for a heartbeat, realizing he was addressing her. She looked up, meeting his eyes. They lacked any of the warmth she’d grown used to; they were filled with nothing but cold detachment and amusement. He looked exactly like the playboy he’d been two years ago, as if the life they had built together never existed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven’s heart shriveled, as if gripped by an invisible hand and twisted into a knot. But she quickly conjured a smile and walked over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ms. Hayes was already rifling through the racks. As she turned away, Kingston reached out and grabbed Raven, his voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear: \"If Hayes finds out about our history, you won't last a week in this city.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven nodded, her smile never flickering. She walked toward Alison Hayes and began to speak, her voice soft and professional, detailing the fabric and the cut of the gowns.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her colleagues cast sympathetic glances her way, but Raven’s heart was already numb. They all thought Kingston had only begun to distance himself when this girl arrived. That wasn't true.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">About two months ago, he’d changed. He’d ditched the \"devoted partner\" act, returning to the nightlife, tangled up with models and starlets. Raven had grown used to him staying out all night and coming home the next morning smelling of booze and perfume. But Alison Hayes was the first girl he’d actually brought to her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was obvious that Alison wasn't used to this world; she was clumsy with the service. When Raven stepped behind her to help tie the ribbons of a gown, Alison flinched. \"No, no, I've got it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She struggled, her fingers fumbling with the slick, satin ribbons.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Watching the girl’s awkwardness, Kingston suddenly let out a soft laugh. He stepped forward, taking the ribbon from her, his fingers working with practiced ease to tie a perfect, delicate bow. He leaned in, resting his chin on Alison’s shoulder, his eyes swimming with a tenderness that could drown a person. \"You look beautiful.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alison blushed furiously, her fingers twisting nervously.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kingston savored the sight of her flushed cheeks, then turned his head to press a light, possessive kiss against her temple.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven stood to the side, frozen like a statue, ready to turn to dust and blow away. She realized then that Kingston was truly, completely over her. She realized that love, apparently, had an expiration date. No one stays obsessed forever. But being lifted to the heavens by a man like Kingston, only to be dropped from such a height, was agony.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She dug her nails into her palms, refusing to let the tears fall. *You are a cop,* she told herself. *Your duty is to protect this city, not to weep over a broken heart.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">None of the three noticed the paparazzi in the shadows, snapping photos.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, the headlines were everywhere: *Stone Heir Finds New Flame, While Beauty is Left in the Shadows.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before her shift ended, Raven received a frantic call from Kingston’s mother. \"Raven, you have to come to the house! If you don't, his father is going to beat him to death!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven rushed to the Stone residence. She found Kingston kneeling at the gate, his shirt shredded by a whip, his back a map of raw, pulsing welts. Donald Stone stood nearby, breathing heavily, gripping a barbed military-grade lash.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You cut ties with that trash right now and make things right with Raven! Or I will kill you myself!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His mother was sobbing, pleading, \"Kingston, Raven carried your child. She was put through hell because of you—the whole city knows she belongs to you. You can't just discard her like this...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kingston held his head high, refusing to break. He spat out at his father, \"Then kill me. Even if I'm dead, my soul is going to be with Alison.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Raven looked at his rigid, wounded back. A year ago, he had fought his father just like this—for her. He’d gone on a hunger strike for three days, even jumping from a second-story balcony and breaking his leg just to escape and see her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back then, watching a bloodied Kingston, her mind had been filled with a single thought: *Kingston, when this mission is over, I’ll tell you everything. We’ll be together, and we will never, ever be apart.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Now, the scene was identical, but the players had changed. Her heart was a hollow, frozen shell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Kingston, you don't have to die.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*In less than a month, my mission ends.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*And by then, I will vanish from your life forever.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*You and your Alison can have your happily ever after.*\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272929276]