Chapter 18


    A young girl in a flowing white dress descended like an angel; her radiant smile was blooming as she


    approached him. With each step closer, she whispered sultry words into. his ear, while gently applying


    ointment to him with her slender and smooth fingers.


    And then that teasing ‘Good boy, each sybleced with a poison so tempting, drew him deeper into


    torpor.


    As the image of the girl flickered in his mind, Orion reached a crescendo; his usually deep voice turned


    raspy and unrecognizable.


    “Xan, my Xan.”


    She was wrong; he wasn’t good, not at all. He thought about it, crazily, desperately.


    Saturday, 7 PM, at the Discovery Pavilion, the finale of The Masked Singer beckoned.


    As the season’s most anticipated prime-time music reality show, the finale drew crowds in droves,


    making the pavilion packed with fans holding up glow sticks and banners. The show was broadcast live


    across major TV and online tforms, which captured the grand spectacle.


    “Colorful lights and passionate screams have ignited the finale!” the host bellowed into the microphone,


    pumping up the atmosphere. Tonight, right here, we’ll witness eleven contestants who’ve battled their


    way to this grand finale. Who will emerge victorious and be crowned ‘the century’s greatest singer?


    Let’s find out!”


    “Before we start, let mey out the rules. There are 11 contestants in the finale, each of whom will


    perform their chosen songs. Three judges will score them, and we’ll also open up online voting so that


    you, the audience, can have your say. Scores will be based on 70% from our judges and 30% from


    public votes!”


    “Additionally, this season of The Masked Singer introduces a challenger round. Three surprise


    contestants, masked and mysterious, will battle the top three finalists. The scoring remains the same,


    and if the challenger wins, they im the championship!”


    “Everyone’s familiar with the rules now, and here’s a special surprise: the CEO of TOYUM Group, our


    main sponsor, is here tonight. He’ll be watching the entire finale and will crown our champion with the


    title of ‘the century’s greatest singer”!”


    As the host finished, Matthew spotted a striking figure settling into a dimly lit corner with the best view.


    The lights made it hard to see his face, but his chilling aura was


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    unmistakable. Orion?


    After a rare gemstone auction where Xan had secured a once-in-a-lifetime jade for him, and his sole


    competitor Timothy met with an unfortunate ident, had he now fully taken over the reins of the


    Lockwood Group?


    What a gap between the fortunes of men, Matthew mused. If Xan got any closer to a titan like Orion,


    could she really remain unaffected?


    What was he thinking? Xan wasn’t that kind of girl. Shaking his head, Matthew nced at the bouquet


    next to him, and started to regret his decision toe and support Miranda. Xan hadn’t even revealed


    her surprise to him yet.


    Backstage at The Masked Singer, the contestants buzzed with excitement at the news.


    “OMG! Did you guys hear who the new CEO of TOYUM Group is? Orion of the Lockwood Group!”


    “No way! I heard he’s not only a billionaire but also insanely handsome, outshining top. models!”


    “And he’s presenting the trophy tonight. Word has it, the winner might alsond a major endorsement


    deal with one of TOYUM’s uing lines!”


    Miranda, upon hearing Orion’s name, couldn’t help but rise and sneak closer to the stage, only to catch


    a glimpse of that distinctively handsome face in the dimly lit corner. Just one look sent her heart racing.


    At Xanthea’sing-of-age party, she had noticed him, who was the most dazzling presence;


    however, he was surrounded by intimidating rumors and gave out a frosty aural that kept everyone at


    bay.


    Now, just dayster, he had ascended from heir apparent to the actual power behind the Lockwood


    Group?


    With her eyes gleaming, Miranda clenched her fists. Tonight, she was determined to win, to be


    the center of attention, and to prove her worth to the Nightshade family; she was aiming for heights


    even they couldn’t reach.


    With that, the host announced, “Let the grand finale of The Masked Singer begin!”


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