That night, X exploded.


    “Lily takes a hit for love.”


    “Lily Rose and Gabriel Sterling are the real deal!”


    “Fireworks show romance!”


    True love tested by adversity!”


    Gabriel sat slumped on the hospital bench, lookingpletely defeated. He had no idea who’d leaked the story. He’d almost had everything under control-hov had it all gone so wrong?


    What would Ste think when she saw this?


    His hand trembled as he gripped his phone. Was she asleep and hadn’t seen the trending topics yet, or had she seen everything and just didn’t care anymore?


    The thought of thetter made Gabriel want to rush home immediately.


    “Ste, you’ll understand, won’t you?” he whispered to himself.


    When he’d gotten together with Ste, he’d promised her the good life. He’d worked his ass off, grinding to make money. The first time his business really took off, he thought it was the beginning of their happy ending.


    He never expected those people to target her.


    Ste had been kidnapped.


    When he’d gotten that news, his entire body had gone numb. Only one thought consumed him: Ste couldn’t get hurt.


    Thank God his Ste was smart enough to give him clues so he could find her quickly.


    From that day forward, he’d sworn never to let her get hurt again.


    That’s when Lily came back from overseas.


    she was the perfect choice. Nothing was more convincing than an unattainable first love. Sure enough, those people gradually bought it and stopped paying


    attention to Ste.


    Thinking about it now, Gabriel’s lips curved into a slight smile. Tonight’s chaos had all been worth it-those people were arrested. From now on, he could openly im Ste as his.


    ust then, his phone rang. Thinking it was Ste, he answered without looking.


    Hello, Ste…”


    Gabriel, dear, why didn’t you tell us you and our Lily were together?” It was Lily’s mother’s voice.


    You kids keeping such big news to yourselves! Since you’re together now, let’s just have the wedding in a few days. You better not let our Lily down!”


    Before Gabriel could respond, she’d hung up-so quickly it seemed rehearsed.


    Gabriel was stuck at the hospital until the next morning. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to leave, but the moment he’d tried, reporters had swarmed the ce. He couldn’t leave-if he did, those people would definitely track down Ste.


    ‘Gabriel, this is all my fault. Go find Ste-I’ll exin everything to the reporters.”


    Lily had appeared at some point, wearing an oversized hospital gown that made her look incredibly fragile. Tears sparkled in her beautiful eyes, making her seem even more pitiful.


    “What are you doing out here? Go back and rest.”


    Since Lily had saved him, Gabriel suppressed his irritation and softened his tone.


    Chapter


    I’m sorry, Gabriel. I really didn’t want toe between you and Ste.“ Lily suddenly threw herself into his arms.


    “I know I don’t deserve this. When your family was struggling, I couldn’t help at all. Now I’m causing problems between you and Ste. I should just disappear


    forever.”


    “Illy, this isn’t your fault. Don’t me yourself.” Gabriel patted this person he’d always seen as a little sister. Honestly, he was grateful Lily had been willing to help. <fnb293> Fresh chapters posted on fι?dnοvel</fnb293>


    Just then, the elevator doors opened and reporters swarmed out.


    Mr. Sterling, are you and Miss Rose officially together now?”


    “Are you two going public?”


    When exactly did you start dating?”


    Mr. Sterling, we heard you have an ex-girlfriend who’s been stalking you. Is that why you haven’t gone public with Miss Rose?”


    The reporters’ cutting questions pierced Gabriel’s eardrums. How dare they talk about his Ste like that?


    Who told you to make up lies?”


    Gabriel’s icy voice cut like a de, silencing the crowd momentarily.


    ust as he was about to reveal the truth, Lily pressed closer to him and whispered so only he could hear.


    Gabriel, don’t announce your rtionship with Ste yet. What if there are still people out there we missed? If you go public now, won’t all this be for nothing?”


    Before Gabriel could respond, Lily took his hand and smiled gracefully at the cameras: “Gabriel and I are together, and we are nning to get married. We’ll hold a proper press conference with detailster-you’re all wee to attend.”


    Gabriel couldn’t pinpoint what felt wrong as camera shes went off frantically, but his unease was spreading.


    He only knew that somehow, everything was spinning beyond his control.