My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

“Isabella, the NovaLux advertisement was something you fought for six monthsonths to secure. Now it has been just one month into the endorsement and promotional activities, you’re thinking about bailing on the event? The advertisers will be furious!”

Wendy rushed over to persuade her, but Isabella nonchalantly set down her phone, “Let them be angry. I’ve got more important things to do.”

More important matters? What could that be?

Wasn’t her most important task now to maintain her popularity and to prevent Xanthea’s from surpassing hers once it airs?

Seeing the sudden change in plans, the makeup artist paused with lipstick in hand and asked, “Isabella, do you still want your makeup done then?”

“Of course! And not just any makeup I want to look stunning!”

“What kind of look do you want? Bold, fresh, or something casual?”

“Let’s do a…”

Isabella remembered the Facebook post Samuel had just shared.

@Xanthea, sis, who’s hotter? The golf club or Samuel?

“A Xanthea–inspired look.”

Wendy: “???”

At Horizon Ventures Ltd., Cherry Zone.

12

“Mr. Nightshade, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Abbott have booked a session to play in area D an hour from now. They were wondering if you’d join them; they wish to see your genuine Simon golf club.”

“No time,” Samuel shook his head, “It’s almost noon. After this round, I’m off to check on Xan’s filming progress and have lunch with her.”

“Alright!”

The lush green of the golf course stretched infinitely under the mild breeze that flirted with Samuel’s neatly trimmed hair and tugged at his casual jacket, outlining his athletic build.

Golf club in hand, Samuel leaned forward with a precise and graceful swing. The golf ball arced beautifully through the air and landed squarely in the hole! Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Wow!”

“Nicely done. Mr. Nightshade!”

The caddies around him burst into applause.

Below the green, an uncontrollable female voice rang out, louder than all their claps and cheers combined.

“An eagle!”

“Typical of our chairman!”

Hearing the voice, Samuel glanced below. He was about to look away when his gaze inadvertently fell

back on her.

She wore a dress identical to Xan’s, a necklace just like Xan’s, even her makeup bore a resemblance.

“Isn’t that Isabella?”

“What’s she doing here? We didn’t get a booking from her!”

“Oh my gosh, she’s my idol! Can I go get an autograph?”

“She really does look better in person than on TV!”

“Mr. Nightshade.”

As Samuel’s eyes met hers, the usually poised and bold Isabella felt her confidence wane, replaced by ant unparalleled nervousness.

With a tug of insecurity, she tugged at her dress hem and smiled, “What a coincidence seeing you here!”

Samuel looked at her for a few seconds, frowning. No matter how deliberately she tried to imitate, the difference was clear the moment she spoke.

Noticing he wasn’t engaging, and his gaze merely flicked over her dress and necklace before withdrawing. what Isabella originally intended to say as “Do you remember me?” turned into “Do you know

know me?”

“Who doesn’t know the big star? On my way here, I just saw Ms. Taylor’s ad.”

“I meant from before, from our middle school days.”

Gathering her courage, Isabella walked up to the green toward him, “Back in middle school, at a dance competition, Xan and I performed a Swan Lake ballet together. Do you remember that?”

She mentioned such a distant memory from their middle school days, something Samuel had long forgotten. They weren’t even in the same year. But when she mentioned Xanthea, it sparked a memory.