Chapter 1. A Night of Mistaken Identity
Tina nestled deeper into the warm embrace, her body aching from a sleepless night—yet she didn’t regret a single moment.
After all, she had spent so long preparing herself for this. She wanted to give him the most precious gift she had.
For two years, she and Justin had dated, and every time he tried to take things further, she gently refused. She wasn’t the type to give herself away carelessly.
But tonight was different.
Justin was leaving for abroad tomorrow, and it was also her twenty-third birthday. On such a significant day, encouraged by her best friend, she had booked a luxurious suite at the Hilton, ready to offer him the one thing she had guarded so dearly.
With a contented sigh, Tina wrapped her arms around the man’s waist. Hmm… Who knew Justin had such a perfect body?
Not too muscular, not too lean—just right.
Absolutely perfect.
“Mmm… Dina, you’re awake?” A deep voice rumbled above her. “You must have been sore after last night.”
“Don’t say that, Justin. "I wanted this.” She hugged him tighter, her voice sweet with affection.
Dina…?
Justin…?
Both Tina and the man in her arms froze. Three seconds of silence passed before they abruptly pulled apart. Tina fumbled for the bedside lamp, her heart pounding.
The moment the light flickered on, her blood ran cold.
A stranger stared back at her.
“Who the hell are you?!” She yanked the sheets over herself, her voice trembling. “Why are you in my room?!”
“Your room?” The man’s expression darkened. This is my suite. The real question is—what are you doing here?”
A chill crept down Tina’s spine. Something was horribly wrong.
“This is Room 1216. My best friend gave me the key! The man here was supposed to be my boyfriend!”
Mike scoffed. Of all the cheap excuses… With his wealth and status, women threw themselves at him constantly. And now this one was playing the victim?
“You even memorized my room number,” he sneered. Don’t act innocent. "How much do you want?”
His words cut deep, but they also forced her to think. What exactly happened last night?
She remembered drinking with her best friend, Lin Xiaoya, who was leaving for Milan to walk in a fashion show. They had celebrated Dina's success—and Tina’s upcoming birthday.
She had drunk a little too much. Xiaoya kept urging her to finally “claim” Justin before he left for two years. And somehow… she agreed.
Xiaoya had handed her a key card. She had used it to enter this room.
So why was this stranger in Justin’s place?!
“I don’t want your money!” Tina snapped. “Where’s Justin?”
Mike studied her, his frown deepening. She seemed genuinely confused. And she had mentioned “Justin” earlier too. Was it possible… she had been set up?
Now that he thought about it last night, he had been expecting Dina. When the door opened and the familiar scent of her perfume filled the room, he hadn’t questioned it.
But this woman… she wasn’t Dina.
Before he could press further, his phone rang. The caller ID made his jaw tighten.
Dina.
“Mike, I’m so sorry!” Dina’s voice dripped with false remorse. I got a last-minute call to walk as the finale model in Milan’s show! You know how much this means to me—I had to fly out at eight last night. But… I left you a little gift to make it up to you. Did you like it?”
“A gift?” His gaze flicked to Tina, who was now frantically searching the room for her missing boyfriend.
“Mhm~ I picked her just for you. And she was a virgin too! "So… how was it?” Dina giggled.
Mike’s grip on the phone turned lethal. “Oh, it was perfect. Since you love modeling so much, stay in Milan. Permanently.” He hung up without another word.
By now, Tina had torn the room apart. Justin was nowhere to be found.
Her legs gave out.
She had slept with a stranger. How could she ever face Justin again?
Tears spilled over as she crumpled into the corner, silent sobs shaking her shoulders. She barely registered Mike’s calculating stare.
Whatever the truth was, one thing was clear—this woman hadn’t come here willingly. Dina’s “gift” might not have been her at all.
But it didn’t matter. This incident could never get out.
He grabbed his jacket, pulled out a checkbook, and scribbled a figure.
This should be enough to buy her silence.