MasukThe elite of the city’s most powerful families had always moved like titans among mortals, their lives an endless game of strategy played in whispered threats and golden invitations. Tonight was no different. The room simmered with power—unspoken, undeniable—its air saturated with money, ambition, and a thousand unvoiced rivalries dressed in black-tie elegance.Once, Liam Hart had been the undisputed monarch of this realm. Every nod he gave, every step he took, had once commanded the spotlight. But tonight, the attention had shifted. Not toward another man.Toward her.Allie Brooks felt the shift the moment they walked in. This wasn’t a party—it was a coliseum masked by crystal chandeliers and the murmur of expensive liquor. Men in suits that probably cost more than her monthly salary leaned back in leather chairs, eyes sharp behind practiced smirks. The women—exquisite, cold—stood draped in couture, each of them poised like queens in exile.It was all too polished. Too perfect. And y
The banquet was in full swing—crystal glasses clinked in harmony with bursts of laughter that echoed through the grand hall like a rising crescendo. Golden light shimmered off the chandeliers, casting soft shadows on the polished floors, while the scent of roasted duck and jasmine rice lingered in the air.Director Samuel Jackson raised his glass toward Liam Hart, the gesture both subtle and reverent. The toast didn’t go unnoticed.But tonight wasn’t just about Liam.This was Allie’s night—her final celebration before moving on to new projects, and though her champagne flute was filled with fruit juice, her head was beginning to swim from the endless toasts and smiling exchanges.She leaned subtly against Liam as he stood, her fingers brushing his sleeve for balance.“I have a few friends here tonight,” Liam said, his deep baritone slicing cleanly through the ambient noise. “Come with me. I want to introduce you.”Allie tilted her head, blinking up at him, the noise around them moment
Lanting Water Town shimmered like a dream.Built over an artificial lake, the restaurant seemed suspended in time—its pavilions connected by narrow bridges that curved gracefully over water. Lanterns flickered in every corner, casting golden halos that danced across the surface. The gentle lapping of water below, the soft hum of classical music, and the clinking of fine crystal created an atmosphere of serene luxury.It was beautiful. Peaceful.But that illusion was about to crumble.Julian Ford was drunk—spectacularly drunk.With flushed cheeks and a wild gleam in his eyes, he slung an arm around Allie’s shoulders, nearly knocking over her wine glass. His breath hit her like a wall of fermented fruit and whiskey. "Allie," he slurred, his words dripping with desperation and wine, "you should leave Liam. Come with me! Paris! Let’s go to Paris. We'll climb the Eiffel Tower, get lost on the Prague Bridge… just you and me... away from all this."He began humming some old, romantic tune,
Did she say something wrong again?The moment the word left her lips, Allie caught it—the subtle twitch in Adam’s brow, the slight narrowing of his eyes.A flicker of irritation, barely there, but sharp enough to slice through her confidence.Adam folded his arms across his chest, his stance as closed off as his expression. His voice came out low, cold, and final."Are you done? If so, you can leave."Each word was deliberate, each syllable laced with ice.Allie swallowed hard, the sting of rejection tightening her throat. She managed a stiff nod before turning away, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the door. She shut it quietly behind her, careful not to let it slam—though inside, it felt like something had.Back in the bedroom, the atmosphere was starkly different. Liam lounged on the sofa, papers fanned across his lap, utterly relaxed. He looked up when she entered."Where did you go?" he asked casually, brows lifting.Allie dropped beside him with a heavy sigh, sink
Liam leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin as he studied Adam with a calm intensity. "What’s going on with you lately? You’ve been... off."Elizabeth let out a breathy sigh, lazily swirling the wine in her glass. "Hasn’t he alway
Something about Vivian was… off.Too polite. Too quiet.
As Liam Hart’s hand clasped hers, Allison Brooks immediately felt the weight of countless eyes. The grand hall buzzed with muted chatter, but Allie could feel the sharp, invisible daggers of disdain from the glamorous women around them. Her pulse quickened. She tried to tug her hand free from L
"Then let's get beef noodles," Liam suggested casually, his tone as steady as ever.Allie glanced at him, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “Are you serious? It’s a college hangout. We’re going to stand out looking like this.”Liam’s response was a simple, knowing smile. “Lead the way.”Resigned
“Allie? What are you doing here?” His voice was calm but carried a dangerous undertone.Allie felt her face flush with embarrassment. Being caught climbing over a wall wasn’t exactly her finest moment. She tried to downplay it. “It’s... a long story.”The butler, standing nearby, interjected, his t
Allie Brooks hesitated, her cheeks flushing with a deep crimson. The words lingered at the tip of her tongue, too unfamiliar to voice aloud.Calling Liam Hart her husband felt surreal, even though it was their reality now. Their relationship, an intricate weave of chance and emotion, had unfolded i







