2

Tristan West, the sole heir to the West Group and the largest shareholder of this cruise ship, swirled his crystal glass of bourbon slowly, letting the ice cubes clink lazily against the glass. He leaned back into the Italian leather sofa, staring boredly out of the floor-to-ceiling window.

"I swear, if I have to see one more stick-thin runway model on a water-only diet trying to seduce me on this ship, I'm going to jump overboard," Tristan grumbled. "I want something different!"

Across the room, Raymond Scott didn't even bother to lift his gaze from the transparent tablet in his hands. The tech giant's CEO sat with perfect, rigid posture.

"Actually, that happens because you make yourself available as a party-loving ladies' man. Remember one thing, Tristan: we are here to ensure the merger deal with Yamamoto is kept under wraps, without the media getting a whiff of it."

Before Tristan could fire back a sarcastic retort, the double doors of the penthouse opened with a soft click. Kael Cross stepped inside. The former mercenary who now led a global security empire exuded a predatory aura that his expensive suit couldn't hide.

"Unless the media infiltrated through the kitchen," Kael said sharply, his eyes fixed on the personal waiter who had just entered with trembling hands.

The poor waiter gulped, holding a silver tray with a single white porcelain plate. "Y-your dessert, gentlemen. As ordered."

Raymond glanced at the dish briefly. "Put it down and leave."

The waiter practically ran out of the room, grateful his life was still intact.

The three men now stared at the plate on the glass table in the center of the room. A Dark Chocolate Lava Cake topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and drizzled with a deep red sauce. The aroma alone made the room feel warmer.

Tristan leaned in, his blue eyes flashing with interest. "This is definitely not the boring French Soufflé that old geezer Armand is always bragging about. I'm sick of him babbling about that menu, which, unfortunately, my parents love every time we set sail."

Without hesitation, Tristan picked up a silver spoon, cut into the edge of the cake, and brought it to his mouth.

For three full seconds, the room was silent. Tristan’s eyes widened. He stopped chewing, letting the sensation explode on his tongue. The sweetness was so rich, the chocolate deep and sensual, the acidity of fresh cherries... and then, the spicy sting of chili pepper dancing wildly down his throat.

"Damn it," Tristan whispered, his voice raspy. He stared at the remaining cake as if the dish had just stripped him bare. "This... is insane."

Raymond frowned, annoyed by his friend's over-the-top reaction. The always-in-control CEO took a second spoon, scooped into the center of the cake, which released a thick, dark-red liquid, and tasted it.

Raymond's jaw tightened. His eyes, usually cold as ice, suddenly ignited. Audacious. Daring. Rebellious. There was a brazen pride in every bite of this dessert.

"Armand didn't make this. That coward worships tradition too much to use chili in premium chocolate."

Kael, who had been standing with his arms crossed the whole time, finally stepped forward. He reached for Tristan's spoon, scooped up the remaining sauce on the plate, and tasted it. A predatory smirk—a look rarely seen—slowly spread across the aggressive man’s face.

"Wow, I like it. I want to know which crazy bastard on this ship had the nerve to serve us something like this."

Kael turned toward the black wall panel. With a touch, the wall lit up, displaying dozens of high-resolution CCTV monitors from all over The Leviathan. Kael’s fingers moved quickly over the control panel, hacking into the main kitchen camera access and rewinding the footage to thirty minutes ago.

"Let's see," Kael growled.

The massive main screen now showed the kitchen scene. The three men were transfixed by a woman—none other than Harper. Harper appeared to be talking to the waiter who had just arrived with a nervous face.

"Hey, she's attractive," Tristan remarked. "Big queen, baby!"

His two friends nodded slowly; for some reason, they agreed with Tristan this time, even though the three of them had different tastes in women.

"Who is she? Look at how she fills out that uniform. Good God... those hips! She looks incredibly soft."

"Harper Evans," Raymond read the identity data that had just appeared in the corner of Kael’s screen from the ship's crew database. "In the database, she's just a regular kitchen staff member. How could she make that menu? Armand is so trusting of others? It feels a bit strange, considering that old man usually licks our boots for his own benefit."

"How about we invite her here?" Tristan suggested.

Kael immediately looked at him cynically. "Well, Tristan, I know she caught your eye, but that doesn't mean she needs to come here. What for? If you want more, just order it!"

"Oh, fuck you, Kael! I hate it when you act like a man who doesn't need satisfaction or entertainment! That's why you're still single three years after your wife left you," Tristan said.

Kael snorted loudly. "Watch your mouth, Tristan. Don't bring my personal affairs into this! I don't want our important business here to be disrupted by your hedonism! We only have a little time before we have to leave for London."

"Oh, come on. You know I'm right. Your sharp eyes haven't left her thick hips since we started looking, have they? Don't pretend you don't want to squeeze them."

Kael had already clenched his fist, ready to punch Tristan’s handsome face.

"Enough," Raymond’s voice cut through the argument with absolute authority.

Instantly, the spacious penthouse fell silent again. Both Tristan and Kael turned toward Raymond. The tech giant's CEO remained standing, frozen before the giant screen panel.

There was something strange rumbling in Raymond’s chest, something he had buried deep for over two decades. The woman felt so familiar it made Raymond’s heart beat irregularly.

Raymond’s memories were cast back to his dark childhood. To a time when he was just a quiet, lonely boy who was often bullied. He remembered, very clearly, a chubby little girl who always stood in front of him, protecting him with outstretched arms and eyes blazing with rage.

"Raymond?" Tristan squinted. "What's wrong with you? You’re staring at that girl like you've found your true love. Buddy, you have Violet; this is just for fun."

Raymond took a deep breath, swallowing his past. He turned to Kael.

"Tristan is right. Bring her here," Raymond commanded.

Kael’s eyes widened slightly; he stepped forward with a look of disbelief. "You're serious, Ray? You want me to send my men to drag a kitchen staff member to our penthouse just because Tristan is horny for a curvy woman?!"

Tristan grinned widely, a look of adoration that hid a sense of danger. He patted Kael’s stiff shoulder. "Turns out, our Ice King has a fetish, too. Go, Kael. Bring the queen bee here. Tonight doesn't seem like it’s going to be boring after all."

Kael rolled his eyes, but he had no choice but to follow his friends' wishes.