Rakhi Dalah

Brandon extended his broad hand in front of her, waiting. Dahlia pressed her lips together, standing still. She lowered her gaze to the hand offered to her, blinking hard to fight the heat stinging at the corners of her eyes—confused… and hesitant.

She knew nothing about him. From a man who had suddenly appeared to save her from being deceived and harmed, he became someone who claimed he would do anything to protect her. Then he became the one she wished could pull her out of the endless nightmare that haunted her.

And now, he was the man behind the powerful Royal Bennison Group. Even though she didn’t truly know him—having withdrawn from society for so long—tonight and everything around her made it clear: he possessed both wealth and influence.

She glanced around and saw hundreds of eyes fixed on her. Anxiety and fear surged within her. Dahlia bit the inside of her cheek, trying to suppress the dread rising from deep inside.

“Look at me, Dahlia.”

Brandon’s deep voice pulled her scattered thoughts back together. She lifted her head and met his steady dark gray eyes. Her racing heartbeat gradually slowed, settling into a calmer rhythm.

“What do you see? Not the surface, not the status—but me. What do you see, Dahlia?”

She fell silent. Patty, standing nearby, could barely hold her breath. Brandon remained still, his hand still extended, his face composed—only his eyes revealing a quiet hope.

Then he smiled. A genuine smile, unlike the one he had worn on stage earlier.

When Dahlia finally placed her slender, slightly trembling hand into his palm, he tightened his grip, as if trying to convey every feeling through that touch.

Because this time… she had chosen to trust him again.

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