Veritas Hall.

Of course he was.

She masked it instantly, sliding into the seat beside him without sparing him a glance. The faint scent of his cologne reached her.

It smelled expensive and intoxicating.

As a matter of fact, it smelled familiar, taking her mind back to one night.

She shifted slightly, placing her bag beside her, then pulled out her notepad as if he didn’t exist.

Focus.

Her pen moved across the page, circling a few points she had noted earlier. Her expression was calm, unreadable…but her thoughts?

Anything but calm.

She could feel him.

Even without looking.

His presence filled the space, suffocating in a way she refused to acknowledge.

No, he couldn’t have any effect on her.

Don’t look at him.

Don’t think about him.

Don’t feel anything.

She snapped the notepad shut, shutting her eyes to regain her focus.

Silence filled the car as it began to move.

In the front seat, Maverick drove with steadiness, though his eyes occasionally flickered to the rearview mirror, stealing subtle glances at the two figures seated behind him.

The tension was palpable.

Rex shifted slightly, his gaze drifting toward Gracelyn.

She looked… breathtaking.

The outfit clung to her perfectly, elegant and bold, accentuating her figure. It was the kind of beauty that didn’t beg for attention, but rather, it commanded it.

He had seen her earlier today, but because of the issue, he couldn’t say anything about her outfit.

His throat tightened slightly.

He cleared it.

“You look beautiful.”

The words slipped out before he could stop to think if he should really say them.

Gracelyn didn’t look at him.

“Thank you, Mr. Sinclair.”

Her tone was polite, and professional, as though she was setting an invisible boundary.

It irritated him more than it should have.

Why did she have to be so strict and professional?

The silence returned.

Rex leaned back slightly, his jaw tightening as he turned his gaze toward the window.

Why did everything with her feel like a battle?

And why did he always feel like he was losing?

The car moved smoothly through traffic, until suddenly, a motorcycle shot out of nowhere.

“Watch out!” Rex barked sharply.

Maverick reacted instantly, gripping the wheel as he swerved hard to the left.

The car jolted violently.

Gracelyn gasped, her balance thrown off completely. Before she could steady herself, her body lurched sideways, and straight into Rex.

Time slowed.

Her hands instinctively grabbed onto his shirt, her body pressed against his chest. His arms came around her automatically, steadying her, and holding her in place.

For a moment. Just a moment…Everything stilled.

Her face was inches from his.

Too close that they could feel each other’s breath.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, Rex could feel the connection.

Her lipstick had smeared slightly onto his shirt, making the scene look intimate.

Rex’s grip on her tightened just slightly.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

But their eyes said too much, yet none of them could understand what.

Gracelyn’s heart pounded against her chest, loud enough she was sure he could hear it.

No.

This was wrong.

This was…

She pulled back abruptly, breaking the moment as if it burned.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered quickly, avoiding his gaze as she adjusted herself, smoothing her hair, her clothes…anything to avoid looking at him again.

Rex blinked, the moment snapping away just as quickly as it came.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice lower now, and filled with concern.

She nodded. “I’m fine, thank you.”

But her hands betrayed her slightly, they weren’t as steady as she wanted them to be.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

By the time the car pulled up to the venue, the air between them had settled.

Maverick stepped out first, opening the door.

Gracelyn exited, her expression already transformed.

A smile curved her lips, effortlessly.

Rex followed.

And just like that, they were no longer two people tangled in complicated emotions.

They were power partners.

Media cameras flashed instantly.

Voices called out.

“Over here!”

“Miss V!”

“You look stunning!”

She smiled gracefully, offering a small wave as flashes lit up her face. Compliments poured in, and admiration was evident in every voice.

Rex walked beside her, equally composed, every bit the powerful CEO.

Together, they looked untouchable.

They looked like they were meant to be.

Inside, they were escorted to their seats as the conference began.

It was the Annual Global Investment and Innovation Summit hosted by one of the most influential business figures in the industry, a man known for shaping markets and building empires.

Investors, CEOs, innovators…they all gathered under one roof.

And Gracelyn and Rex?

They weren’t just attendees.

They were key players.

Their partnership between L’Ace and The Sinclair Corporation had already begun making waves, and today was about solidifying that influence, attracting investors, and setting the stage for something much bigger.

After a series of introductions and speeches, her name was called.

“Ms. Valkyrie.”

Applause filled the room as she stood.

She walked to the stage with effortless grace, taking the microphone.

“Good afternoon,” she began, her voice clear and confident. “It’s an honor to be here.”

Her speech was brief, but impactful.

She spoke of L’Ace, her brand, her vision, and her journey.

She spoke of innovation, rebirth, and redefining identity through fashion.

And then, “Our partnership with The Sinclair Corporation marks the beginning of something extraordinary,” she said. “And I invite you all to anticipate what we believe will be our most powerful launch yet, the Rebirth Collection.”

Applause followed.

Rex watched from his seat, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Pride.

She smiled at everyone, and was about to take her leave, when a journalist suddenly spoke up.

“Ms. Valkyrie,” he called out, microphone in hand. “Your brand is inspiring. but many are curious…”

The room quieted slightly.

“…about your past.”

Her fingers tightened slightly by her side.

“And how someone with such… humble beginnings managed to rise so quickly. Care to share?”