A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Matilda and Criss made their way back to the center of the ballroom, a hubbub of laughter and conversation buzzing around them. NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

Guests approached, clinking glasses with a playful touch, their smiles tinged with a hint of flirtation. “Your date is quite the catch,” they chuckled.

Criss, ever the charmer, took these compliments in stride, his arm possessively wrapped around Matilda’s slim waist, almost as if he were showing her off. This was especially true when they passed by Yvan, whose intense gaze lingered on Matilda a little too long.

Criss couldn’t resist brushing past Yvan repeatedly, and sure enough, he caught Yvan’s frown deepening each time.

“Honey, look at him. It’s hilarious,” Criss whispered in Matilda’s ear, unable to contain his amusement.

Matilda responded with a knowing smile. “You’re terrible.”

“With that tone,” Criss winked, “it’s a good thing we’re besties, or what if I fell for a woman like you?”

“Then I’d be the savior of all men.” Matilda’s lips parted in a bold, seductive grin. “They should all be thanking me.”

“You’re saving men right now,” Criss murmured, his voice low. “Have you seen the way they. look at you? My God, like you’re a goddess. I think I might become the target of their envy.”

Flashing an impish smile that would seem coy and enticing to onlookers, Matilda let go of Criss as Chloe waved at them from across the room. “I shall leave you to pick up some handsome.

men.”

“I highly doubt I’d find one tonight,” Criss shrugged, “Every man here I’ve thought of approaching is smitten by you.”

As an apology, Matilda blew him a kiss as she left, capturing the hearts of all men who were blessed to witness it. Meanwhile, unaffected by the kiss, Criss calmly grabbed a handsome. young man. “Hi, what’s your name?”

The young man was absolutely dumbstruck by Matilda, completely ignoring the internationally famous design director, murmuring, “An angel…”

Matilda approached her friend Chloe, who had changed into a sharp pantsuit that accentuated her sleek, powerful aura, much like a corporate queen.

Seeing Chloe in a different light, Matilda teased, “Wow, look at that chest.”

Puffing up her chest, Chloe retorted playfully. “Jealous? I can share some with you.”

Matilda poked Chloe’s cheek. “No need. Stick around after the party, will you? Let’s hit the town

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together.”

Chloe’s eyes sparkled with surprise and delight. “Really? You’re finally up for it? Let’s do it! Forget window shopping; I’m taking you to the hottest club in town!”

The phrase “hottest club in town” made Matilda’s expression waver with a touch of

awkwardness. “Easy, tiger. Let’s not get too wild.”

Chloe’s voice turned sultry as she hugged Matilda close. “Don’t worry! Tonight, I’ll introduce you to the new eye candy they’ve got. Fresh on the scene!”

“No, no, no…” Matilda quickly declined, “Let’s just stick to a couple of casual drinks. No need for anything over the top.”

“Ugh, you’re no fun.”

After agreeing on a time to meet up, the two women went their separate ways to find their respective male companions.

Matilda, however, couldn’t find Criss and instead bumped straight into Yvan.

Van was surrounded by a bevy of women, all eager for his attention and attempting to toast with him. But Yvan paid them no mind, walking straight past them. It wasn’t until his eyes caught Matilda’s figure that he paused.

That glance swept past all other distractions, like two comets on the verge of collision, sparking a chaotic magnetic field. At that moment, Yvan’s pupils were filled with nothing but Matilda’s presence.

It was as if the past overlapped with the present as he waded through a storm of memories, breaking free from the chrysalis of the past, and approached Matilda once more. And, as if driven by some unseen force, Yvan called out her name again.