Chapter 664

"Agatha?"

Seeing Elijah, dressed in a wedding gown and standing on the altar, brought out by the middle-aged noblewoman, he couldn't help but be overjoyed!

Earlier, unable to sleep at night, he had suddenly gotten up to go to the beach to watch the stars, only to accidentally witness Agatha being kidnapped; to save this girl he deeply loved but who didn't love him back, he had rushed home overnight, using acceptance of his family's arranged marriage as leverage to demand they help find Agatha's whereabouts.

But he never expected that the marriage partner his family had arranged for him was none other than Miss Agatha!

This… this must be fate's design!

"Miss Agatha!"

Amid Agatha's equally astonished gaze, Elijah, also dressed in a white wedding gown, took two hurried steps toward her, then, before the astonished guests, his face flushed with unrestrained excitement, blurted out:

"I never imagined it would be… anyway, fate brought us together in Ankara, then allowed us to know and grow close, to travel side by side—now fate has brought us here at last. I…"

"I'm late, sorry!"

Accompanied by an apology that was polite in content but decidedly impolite in tone, the grand doors of the chapel—closed after all guests had arrived—were slowly pushed open, and a man in a pure black suit, flanked by a dozen guards, strode confidently inside.

He had clearly rushed here—his breathing was slightly ragged—but his steps remained steady and powerful, his attire perfectly intact; save for a single bright strand of yellow hair atop his head, his entire demeanor was striking and commanding, like a lion patrolling his domain.

And the instant this young lion stepped into the chapel, his eyes—like two dark stars—locked unblinkingly onto the altar, fixed on the beautiful bride in white lace.

"Mr. Joseph?"

"Mr. Joseph!"

Amid the equally loud but emotionally contrasting cries of the groom and bride, the man who seemed the very center of the world ignored all astonished guests, stepped calmly onto the altar, and walked steadily toward the bride.

He's here! Li… no, Mr. Joseph has come! He really came!

Watching her beloved stride resolutely toward her, Princess… no, Agatha felt a sharp sting in her straight nose; the entire world before her shimmered with glittering light.

And through the shimmering waves of joyful tears, the man whose eyes held only her had reached their side; he extended his palm toward the stunned middle-aged noblewoman, his voice calm, strong, polite yet utterly unyielding:

"Auntie, you should hand Agatha over to me."

"…."

Bursting into a wedding, forcing his way in with guards, then approaching the bride's mother and calmly demanding she give up her daughter… faced with a request that was less impolite than outright outrageous, the middle-aged noblewoman's mind had completely shut down.

In her heart, she naturally wanted to fly into a rage, lash out in furious words, then summon the guards to throw this arrogant, madman out.

But gazing into the man's eyes—like galaxies hidden within—and hearing his tone, as natural as the sun rising or the sea flowing, her hand, clasping Agatha's arm, trembled involuntarily, then slowly, bit by bit, loosened…

【Through exceptionally superb acting and a novel character archetype never before seen in theatrical history, you have successfully crafted the fictional persona "Mr. Joseph, the Lover Pursuing Love," earning the approval of ninety percent of the audience and enthusiastic admiration from seventy percent across two acts and one prologue, totaling eleven scenes. Having met the advancement condition, your Silver Badge "Elite Performer" has successfully upgraded to the Gold Badge "Master Performer."】

【Master Performer: When you have solid experience, you may be called a performer; when you possess refined skill, you may be called a performer-artist; but if you further possess unwavering dedication and passion for the art, you become an elite among performers—the endpoint most can reach.】

【To become a Master, however, experience, skill, and passion alone are far from enough. You must, on that foundation, possess deep understanding of human nature, the ability to forge emotional resonance with the audience, and the capacity to reveal your unique style and artistic pursuit through innovative reinterpretations of traditional works—only then may you be called a Master Performer.】

【Effect: Your experience, your skill, your passion, your understanding of human nature, your emotional resonance with the audience, your innovation and pursuit of artistic style—all have elevated you to the rank of Master. Thus, when you consciously perform, you radiate unparalleled, irresistible charisma.】

【The more unfamiliar an audience member is with your appearance, voice, and temperament, the more readily they will believe your performance; if they are sufficiently unfamiliar with you, they may even believe, without any obvious flaw, that you are the character you portray.】

【Advancement Path: After successfully deceiving one hundred thousand people into believing you are the character you portray through masterful performance, this badge will automatically upgrade to the Chromatic Badge "Man of a Thousand Faces." Current progress: 0/100000.】

【Hidden Trait (No Equipment Required): As a Master Performer who originated from portraying the "tycoon" archetype, you retain the distinct, dazzling aura of "Mr. Joseph."】

【When you make demands of targets of lower status or rank, if their inner will is not firm enough, they will unconsciously yield and instinctively obey your instructions.】

【This trait grants additional potency when applied to targets of the opposite sex.】

This effect…

Even a purely fictional character from the theatrical world is affected? Damn! No wonder it's a Gold Badge!

Watching the man before him, holding Agatha's hand and trembling

This trip to the theater was truly worth it!

My own 【Elite Performer】 had no idea how to advance further, but after accompanying the Princess and watching several acts, it suddenly leapt straight to Gold Rank—becoming my fourth Gold Rank badge, following the 【Wine Country Martyr】, 【I Am the Demon】, and 【Thrush Prince】!

As Li Ang rejoiced inwardly over this bountiful harvest, Agatha's eyes reddened at the sight of "Mr. Joseph," who dared defy all convention and storm the wedding to take her away; she broke free from the middle-aged lady's grip and flew into her lover's arms like a young swallow returning to its nest, her voice trembling:

"You love me so much… Li Ang… I'll marry you tomorrow, and we'll never be apart again, okay?"

"Yes!"

Li Ang nodded, gently stroking the graceful swan-like spine of the woman in his arms, and replied tenderly:

"I certainly will… Huh? What did you just call me?"

(End of Chapter)