Love On Ice: Don’t Leave Me, My Charming Liar

Chapter 425: Later, as she stood before the mirror in the pristine gown, Nyla's jaw tightened imperceptibly, her expression darkening with unspoken thoughts. "Franklin, explain the meaning of this dress!" Nyla's voice cut through the phone line with razor-sharp precision. "Have you tried it on? Show me through video," Franklin responded, his tone filled with undisguised eagerness. The white dress hugged Nyla's form perfectly-diamonds adorned the fitted bodice, while the backless design flowed into elegant draping below.

The ensemble struck a masterful balance between sensuality and sophistication, its allure heightened by Nyla's natural grace. Her cool demeanor only amplified its impact, making her seem even more untouchable. The open back revealed a stunning red spider lily tattoo along one side, its beauty both haunting and mesmerizing. Her expression hardened. "Has SKT Group become so desperate that you'd have me compromise myself?" Franklin chuckled, picturing her exasperation. "I simply thought it would suit you perfectly." Fury simmered beneath Nyla's controlled exterior.

"You know my aversion to backless designs." Yet with time slipping away, finding a replacement would risk her tardiness. From his office, Franklin reclined in his chair, blue eyes dancing with calculated mischief. "Eventually, you must confront these demons." Nyla's reflection transported her back to that devastating fire. ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘᵖᵈᵃᵗᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵍᵃˡⁿᵒᵛᵉˡˢ.ᶜᵒᵐ The flames had surrounded her as she clutched Hana, the heat crawling up her clothes. She had thrown herself to the ground, desperately rolling to extinguish the flames.

Candy's timely arrival had saved her, but left an ugly reminder etched into her waist-a perpetual source of nightmares. Sleep still brought visions of her being consumed by flames, just as Stella had been. When Nyla was rescued, there had been no way to approach Stella. Stella's final screams continued to haunt her consciousness. Nyla's head bowed, her bangs shadowing her eyes as vulnerability crept in. "Franklin..." "That waist bears beauty, and the spider lily shall be your source of strength," Franklin replied with unexpected gravity.

"Pull something like this again, and you'll face serious consequences," Nyla warned before abruptly ending the call. Her fingers traced the tattoo-her chosen mask for scars she couldn't reconcile. She had never imagined such public exposure. The banquet hall sparkled with opulence; artistic displays bordered a central stage, while sumptuous decorations and gourmet delicacies lined the periphery, creating an atmosphere of indulgent luxury. Nyla slipped in through a side entrance, preferring discretion while assessing SKT Group's influence in Ulares. . . .