Claire had no clue what was coming next or how she’d handle Dennis.
When she arrived at the private island, Claire was blown away by the stunning scenery: blue skies, fluffy white clouds, crystal-clear waters, lush green mountains, golden beaches, and vibrant coconut groves. It was like stepping into paradise.
But before she could fully take it all in, Dennis yanked her into a villa.
“You’re staying in the room next to mine,” Dennis said, pointing to the guest room. “And you’re going to the wedding as my date.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Claire standing there, bewildered.
“A date?” Claire muttered to herself. “Does that mean I have to stick by his side the whole time?” The thought gave her a headache and made her feel helpless.
But she didn’t dare defy Dennis’s orders, so she had no choice but to go along with it.
She felt like a bird trapped in a gilded cage, stripped of her freedom and dignity.
Every night, Claire would sit alone on the villa’s balcony, staring blankly at the blue sky outside.
She thought of her parents.
She never imagined she’d end up like this, pawned off to Dennis for the sake of so-called benefits, losing her freedom in the process.
At that moment, Dennis had gone out, leaving her alone in the vast, empty villa, the silence almost eerie.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, it was bustling with activity.
In a café, Raymond was leisurely chatting with a mysterious friend, their conversation occasionally drawing glances from the surrounding female guests.
Melinda, on the other hand, was on the beach with Sam, collecting seashells and enjoying some rare parent-child time.
The entire island was immersed in the joy of the wedding, with laughter and cheer filling every corner.
However, amidst the festive atmosphere, an ambitious woman quietly appeared.
She was Kaia, a car model. Originally, Vincent was invited, but Kaia insisted on coming. With her stunning looks and figure, she successfully mingled with the guests.
Her gaze, like twinkling stars in the night sky, was fixed on Raymond, as if she wanted to imprint every detail of him in her mind. Kaia, an ambitious woman, aimed to use this opportunity to meet more top-tier wealthy individuals and climb into high society.
As night fell, the entire island lit up with countless lights, creating a dazzling display.
The sea breeze gently blew as Melinda and Raymond, having just finished dinner, walked hand in hand along the beach.
Melinda wore a simple yet elegant white dress, the hem fluttering lightly in the wind, making her look like an angel.
Raymond, dressed in a dark casual outfit, stood tall and exuded a noble aura, like a natural-born king.
At this moment, Kaia finally found her chance.
She changed into a sexy red dance dress, the hem swaying lightly like a burning flame.
She moved her body gracefully, exuding a captivating charm, dancing among the crowd.
Her dance was enchanting and seductive, like a beautiful butterfly fluttering among flowers, drawing the attention of many guests.
Seeing Melinda and Raymond approaching, Kaia immediately went up to them.
Her face was adorned with a charming smile.
She tried to use her alluring smile and figure to catch Raymond’s attention, but Raymond only glanced at her briefly before looking away.
Melinda instantly saw through Kaia’s intentions, feeling a surge of annoyance.
But she maintained a composed smile, introducing Kaia to Raymond in a calm and natural voice.
Raymond didn’t say much after hearing the introduction.
Holding Melinda’s hand, he gently asked, “What do you think of her dance?”
Melinda softly replied, “The dance is good, but I can’t vouch for her character.”
Though her voice was low, Raymond heard it and smiled, saying nothing more.
They walked together towards the bonfire on the beach.
Their figures looked especially well-matched under the lights, like a pair of perfect lovers.
Kaia could only watch their backs from a distance, filled with frustration and unwillingness.
Back at the villa, Claire, hearing the booming music outside, couldn’t resist her longing.
She wasn’t willing to be imprisoned by Dennis and miss out on this beautiful island night.
Taking advantage of Dennis’s absence, she sneaked out of the villa.
Following the direction of the music, she walked through the coconut grove path and arrived at the beach.
Listening to the sound of the waves hitting the shore, Claire found a lounge chair, ordered a juice, and leisurely enjoyed the rare beauty.
Just then, a man in a white casual outfit approached her, exuding charm and a bright smile.
It was Rhett Thomas, a member of the Thomas family.
Noticing Claire sitting alone, he walked up and started a conversation, “Alone? This spot is great, you can see the best view of the whole island.”
Claire looked up at Rhett’s sunny, handsome face, her heart skipping a beat.
She smiled slightly, “Yes, I’m alone. Do you like it here too?”
“Of course.” Rhett pulled up a chair and sat down.
They chatted happily, like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.
As they talked, they were surprised to discover they were high school classmates, which instantly brought them closer.
Rhett’s humor and charm made Claire laugh heartily, making her forget the time.
When Claire realized more than an hour had passed, she hurriedly said goodbye to Rhett and prepared to return to the villa.
She asked Rhett for directions to the villa, and Rhett, noting it was a bit far, offered to walk her back.
Claire gratefully nodded.
On the way back, they continued their conversation, and Rhett’s attentive care made Claire feel a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.
At the villa’s entrance, Rhett looked at Claire with deep affection, “Can we meet again tomorrow? Can I have your contact information?”
Claire hesitated for a moment, but seeing his sincere gaze, she nodded.
They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet the next day.
Up on the second-floor balcony, Dennis’s figure briefly appeared by the curtain.
A shadow crossed his eyes, and a mocking smile played on his lips.
After Rhett left, Dennis turned and went inside, slamming the door shut.
Claire turned to find the door already closed.
She tried pressing the doorbell, but there was no response from inside.
She entered the password several times, only to find it incorrect.
She suddenly realized she had neither a card nor the correct password, making it impossible to enter the villa.
Claire stood helplessly at the door, not knowing what to do. She shouted desperately, “Is anyone there? Is anyone there?”
But the only response was the endless silence.
Claire sat down in panic at the door, and suddenly, she saw a corner of the curtain on the second-floor balcony being lifted.
She stood up abruptly, looking up in that direction, “Dennis! Dennis!”
She shouted towards the balcony, “You’re home, aren’t you? Open the door!”
Claire screamed helplessly towards that direction, “I’m back… I beg you, please let me in…”
The only response was the cold wind.
“No! Let me explain!”
Claire shouted frantically, “He’s my high school classmate. We ran into each other, and he walked me back because I was alone!”
Dennis sneered, “Ran into each other? Did you need to exchange contact information?”
“Claire.”
Claire knew no matter how she explained, Dennis wouldn’t believe her. She let out a desperate laugh, hugging herself as she stood helplessly at the door.