Eighteen-year-old Anne had her first vivid and passionate sex dream. In the midst of its ups and downs, she couldn't make out the other person's face. But when she woke up, she found herself clutching a man's hand tightly. "Brother Arthur?" Twenty-three-year-old Arthur slowly pried her tightly clasped hands away, his face devoid of expression. "Next time you take an afternoon nap, lock your door." Anne was the fiancƩe of Arthur's younger brother, Austin. A contractual marriage arranged and welcomed by both families from an early age. However, Anne and Arthur had always maintained a secret relationship since then. He loved her body. His touch was cherishing but his heart is cruel. Yet, Arthur was always attempted to sever her engagement with Austin. "Break you engagement with Austin" "Will you marry me?" "I already have a fiancee" Little did Arthur know, Austin was fully aware of their forbidden relationship-and secretly, he, too, had a secret entanglement with Anne.
Chapter 1 Secrets
Prologue
When Anne was eighteen, she had a strange dream. In the midst of its ups and downs, she couldn't make out the other person's face. But when she woke up, she found herself clutching a man's hand tightly.
"Brother Arthur?"
Twenty-three-year-old Arthur slowly pried her tightly clasped hands away, his face devoid of expression.
"Next time you take an afternoon nap, lock your door."
Five Years Later ā The Moore Family Banquet
Downstairs, the banquet was in full swing.
Upstairs, in the attic-
Anne lay lazily on the pillow, watching the man in front of her button his shirt, fasten his cufflinks, and put on his watch. Every movement was as precise and meticulous as a carefully crafted masterpiece-detailed and methodical.
At this moment, his refined and elegant appearance was completely different from what he had been just now.
"Not leaving?" Arthur turned to ask her.
"I can't," Anne pointed to the crumpled evening gown on the floor. "The zipper broke."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "When you texted me earlier, why didn't you think to bring a spare dress?"
Anne feigned ignorance. "I only texted to say there was still plenty of time before the banquet started and asked if you wanted to come up and rest."
She chuckled at her own words.
They had been sleeping together for two years. Most of the time, Arthur was a good lover-almost always indulging her whims and willing to play along with her impulsive ideas.
Like today's "quick fix"-not a frequent occurrence, but it happened from time to time.
Today, he had clearly underestimated the time. The banquet had already begun ten minutes ago, and as one of the main figures, his absence had been noticed. His secretary called, inquiring about his whereabouts.
Arthur answered in a deep voice, "On my way."
Putting away his phone, he turned to her. "I'll have someone send up a dress for you."
"Okay."
He was a cautious man, leaving marks on her body only in hidden places. Every inch of exposed skin remained flawless.
Just like the assistant he sent to deliver her dress-Donne, who efficiently cleaned up every trace from the attic, from the bedsheets to the trash bin, handling such post-encounter scenes with practiced ease, leaving no evidence behind.
After all, there was a fundamental difference between "stealing" and "doing it openly."
As for her-after the fleeting ecstasy, she was often left with a profound emptiness.
Loving someone meant relying on those fleeting moments of warmth and dopamine to console oneself through countless lonely nights.
She composed herself and returned to the banquet hall.
The hall was filled with members of the Moore family. As one of Chicago's most prominent aristocratic families, the Moores had an extensive network of relatives, deeply intertwined interests, and layers of intrigue. Calling it a family banquet was a stretch-it was more like a gathering of wily foxes, each with their own agenda.
Anne had been fostered in the Moore family since childhood, which granted her the privilege of attending these banquets. However, as the only outsider present, she never held much presence. No one noticed she had arrived late, nor did anyone notice she had changed into a different dress.
From a distance, she spotted Arthur chatting casually with his uncles. Though his posture appeared relaxed, he stood out in the opulent hall with an undeniable aura-an air of effortless nobility cultivated from a lifetime surrounded by wealth. Even compared to the senior members of the Moore family standing beside him, his presence was more commanding.
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Anne felt that he exuded a subtle, post-indulgence satisfaction.
Remembering what had transpired in the attic just moments ago, her heart pounded.
As she passed by him, he didn't spare her a glance, as if they were strangers.
She only heard some of the elders ask, "Arthur, where were you? We've been looking for you."
"Had something to take care of," he replied smoothly.
As he spoke, his gaze flickered toward Anne-just for a second, laced with a hint of amusement.
Her heart nearly stopped.
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