?Chapter 1174:


    Meanwhile, in a private suite at the Heliopolis Hotel, a man in a wooden mask lounged on the couch, scrolling through Austen’s phone and typing replies with practiced ease to keep up the illusion that Austen was still alive.


    “Who would’ve thought Faceless’s web of contacts ran this deep…” the man chuckled, ncing over at hispanion—also masked, though his was carved from a different wood, not walnut.


    “Any idea who this ‘Enchantress’ is?” he asked, holding up the phone.


    “How would I know? Most likely a mistress,” thepanion replied, shaking his head. “It’s best not to engage with her too much—any misstep could risk exposing your identity.”


    “Calm down. I know exactly what I’m doing,” the man in the walnut mask replied confidently.


    The Nelson family’s vi.


    A phone notification chimed.


    Rosanna saw a fresh message from Austen. She’d assumed it would take him longer to reach out, but to her surprise, he had written again almost immediately after hisst note.


    A victorious grin spread across her face. Austen—men like him outshone Vince and Axell by miles. He was better-looking, stronger, and wilder in bed.


    To think she had won a man like him… the thrill was intoxicating.


    Rosanna sankzily into the sofa, letting it cradle her back. She opened the message and read it word by word. A satisfied smile tugged at her lips.


    Austen had typed, “Give me a bit more time. Trust me. Don’t reach out for now. When I’m ready, I’ll surprise you.”


    A surprise. The word danced on her screen like sunlight glinting on water.


    Rosanna traced the word “surprise” with her fingertip, her grin widening with delight.


    Her heart pounded, each beat heavier than the one before… Could it be that after all this time, Austen had finally decided to im her? His words sent her imagination racing.


    Momentster, another message appeared from Austen: “Trust me. It’ll be a surprise you’ll never forget—something you never sawing.”


    Explore the world of fiction at g?lnσν???s


    Rosanna gripped her phone tighter, her breathsing in quick, shallow gasps.


    She read the message again, a rush of excitement washing over her.


    Was he… Could he actually be nning to tell her how he felt?


    No. That wouldn’t be shocking enough—or unforgettable. After all, he had whispered words like that plenty of times in bed.


    Wait… Could it really be that he was nning to propose?


    The ridiculous thought made Rosanna’s cheeks burn hot.


    She paced a few steps across the living room before sinking back onto the sofa, her eyes fixed on the two messages, their glow reflecting in her bright gaze.


    Still… maybe that was exactly what a “surprise” was meant to be.


    “Nothing in this scenario seems impossible. As long as Axell is out of the way, I could marry Austen without anyone raising a finger. The Nelsons wouldn’t say a word, and no one outside would dare interfere. Besides, Austen would earn a reputation for caring for his elder brother’s widow. It’s a win-win all around,” Rosanna muttered quietly, picturing the life she might have with Austen once they were married.


    .


    .


    .