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Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: The Broken Billionaire’s Daughter

The golden gates of the Veyra Mansion loomed before Julian as he stepped out of his sleek black car. It was late—dark enough for the faint shimmer of the moon to reflect off the marble pillars that framed the grand entrance.

Inside, the estate was everything the rumors promised. The Veyras weren't just a family; they were a legacy, a dynasty built on secrets and whispers. And standing at the center of this empire was Selina Veyra—the billionaire's daughter, a woman wrapped in mystery, luxury, and heartache.

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Task #51: Seduce Selina Veyra

Time Limit: 72 Hours

Reward: Ownership Rights to Veyra's Private Estate

Penalty: Emotional Manipulation – Loss of Self-Identity for 10 Days

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Julian tightened his grip on his jacket. This would be different. This wasn't just some pretty girl on a dare. This was Selina. The one who had everything and yet was left broken, as if the world had shattered her and left the pieces to drift in the wind.

He pushed the doorbell.

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The mansion's interior was opulent, draped in lavish fabrics and adorned with priceless art. But it was cold. Empty. The kind of emptiness only wealth could mask.

A woman greeted him at the door—a maid who led him through the grand hallway, past framed family portraits and elegant chandeliers that seemed to hang like ghosts in the air.

Selina sat in the study, the fireplace flickering softly beside her, casting shadows across her features. She was studying a stack of paperwork—her expression sharp, unreadable.

"You came," she said, not looking up. Her voice was soft, but there was a chill to it that made Julian's skin prickle.

"I was invited," Julian replied.

She raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "You like games, don't you, Julian?"

"Only when they're worth playing," he said.

A small, knowing smile tugged at her lips. She motioned for him to sit across from her. The air was heavy with tension as Julian lowered himself into the plush chair.

"What's the task this time?" she asked, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes were a sharp, icy blue—gazing into him like a predator. "Tell me, what does it take to win you over?"

Julian leaned back, studying her carefully. "What makes you think I'm the one who has to be won over?"

Selina's smile deepened, though there was a trace of something else—an unspoken vulnerability in her eyes. She didn't respond. Instead, she stood and walked over to the window, her fingers brushing the curtains as she gazed out at the sprawling estate.

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They walked through the immaculately maintained gardens, where fountains gurgled softly and trees with blossoms that seemed to glow under the night sky. There was an unsettling stillness here, as if the land was holding its breath.

"The Veyras were always in the spotlight," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "Rich, influential. But it comes at a cost. My father's empire… it's a prison."

Julian stopped. "Then why don't you leave?"

"I can't," she replied, her voice tight with a mixture of defiance and resignation. "This is my life. I'm chained to it, even if it destroys me."

She looked at him, her eyes softening for a brief moment, a flicker of something fragile passing through them. But it was gone almost as quickly as it had come.

He felt it too. The weight of their shared isolation.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, stepping closer. "What do you want from me?"

Julian reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a single rose. He offered it to her. It was simple, just a rose. But in her world of gold and diamonds, it felt like a gesture of defiance.

She hesitated, then took it, running her fingers along the petals. For a moment, she seemed lost in the act of holding it, as if it represented something she hadn't touched in a long time.

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The silence in the room grew thick. Julian could hear the subtle hum of the estate's security systems, the soft clink of distant glasses in the kitchen. But it was as if nothing in this mansion could reach them, not even the world outside.

Selina turned to face him again, her expression unreadable. "You think you know me? That you can win me over with a pretty face or a rose?" She laughed softly, almost bitterly. "I've been played by men before, Julian. You're not the first."

He was silent for a long moment, his gaze never leaving hers. He didn't say anything for fear that his next words would be a lie.

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Julian stood at the edge of the roof, staring out over the sprawling city. The lights below twinkled like stars, and the world seemed so far away.

Selina appeared behind him, silently. Her presence was like a shadow, almost imperceptible, until she was close enough to see the subtle sadness in her eyes.

"I don't believe in love," she said quietly, her voice like a sigh against the cold night air. "But maybe, just maybe, I could believe in something real for once."

He turned to face her, the distance between them closing with each step she took.

"I can't promise you anything," Julian said softly. "I don't have much to offer. But I'll fight for you. Even if it's just for tonight."

And just like that, something shifted between them. A moment of raw truth, laid bare.

She reached up, brushing his cheek with her fingertips. "Then fight, Julian. Fight to break this cage. Because the world is watching us. And they'll make sure we never escape."

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Watch Log Update:

Task #51: Completed (Unpredictable Outcome)

Reward: Access to Veyra's Private Estate – Limited Edition

Next Target: Unknown

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