LOGINAt exactly eight, the ballroom doors opened, and the Lorenzo family walked in. At the center was Anthony Lorenzo, the patriarch of the family, his silver-streaked hair and impeccably tailored black tuxedo giving him an air of quiet authority.Beside him walked Lauren Lorenzo, the matriarch, elegant in a deep emerald gown, her composed smile concealing the sharp awareness in her eyes. The arrival of one of the most powerful families in the city immediately drew the attention of nearly everyone in the ballroom.A few steps behind them was Adrian Lorenzo.Unlike his parents, Adrian didn't acknowledge the curious gazes surrounding him. Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, he walked with the same controlled confidence as his father, his expression unreadable and his dark eyes scanning the room with detached indifference.He was notoriously private, ruthless in business, and almost impossible to approach. Like Nicolas King, Adrian had built a reputation that made people think twice bef
The moment Aria was far enough away that she could no longer hear them, the pleasant smiles around the group disappeared. One of the women glanced in the direction Aria had gone and scoffed.“I still can’t believe she had the nerve to come here after everything. Doesn’t she have any shame?”“I heard the rumors are even worse than what was reported,” another woman added. “Apparently, she was involved with several men, and now Anthony Lorenzo is supposedly one of her closest clients. People like her always know how to attach themselves to powerful men.”Rachel Williams gave a dismissive laugh. “That has always been Aria’s problem. She never understood what it means to protect the family’s reputation.”Rachel's smile remained perfectly pleasant, but there was something colder underneath it. She had no sympathy for Aria, yet the conversation had already begun irritating her for another reason.Her eyes briefly moved across the ballroom toward Nicolas and Ava.Ava.Of course, everyone was
Aria deliberately ignored Nicolas and focused on mingling with the guests. She could still hear the occasional whisper and the veiled taunts from some of the women belonging to influential families, but she refused to give them the reaction they were clearly hoping for. Instead, she composed herself and made her way toward one of Collins Jewellery's long-standing clients, someone she had personally worked with on several custom pieces.“Mrs Raven, how are you doing?” Aria asked warmly when she reached her.Mrs Cora Raven turned around, and her face immediately lit up with recognition. “Aria! Oh my, you look absolutely stunning, darling.” She leaned forward to air-kiss both of Aria's cheeks before taking her hand affectionately.Aria smiled, genuinely pleased to see a familiar face. “Thank you. It's wonderful to see you too.”Mrs Raven turned toward the women she had been speaking with, her expression brightening with pride. “Ladies, this is Aria Williams. She is the genius behind all
Aria swallowed hard, shaking her head again. “No, Emma. I can’t wear this,” she said, her voice firm but laced with uncertainty. “It’s too much. Look at the slit… and the back, there’s barely anything there.”Emma paused, then slowly turned toward her, one perfectly groomed brow arching. “Exactly,” she said coolly.Aria frowned. “Emma—”“No,” Emma cut in, holding the dress up against Aria’s body and stepping back to assess her like a general surveying a battlefield. “Listen to me. You are not sneaking into this auction like you’ve done something wrong. You’re not hiding. You’re not apologizing. Tonight, you walk in like you belong there—because you do.”Aria wrapped her arms around herself. “They’re going to tear me apart with their eyes. The whispers, the looks… after everything in the news—”Emma’s expression softened, but only for a second. She stepped closer, placing her hands on Aria’s shoulders. “They’re already whispering. They already think the worst. So why give them a fragil
The boardroom was silent except for the flicker of the massive screen. The Shaws’ press conference played on repeat, Jackson’s cool smile twisting every time the camera caught his face.“Persistent. Manipulative. Obsessive.”The words hit harder each time.Nicolas sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his face unreadable, one hand loosely gripping his pen. The pen snapped in half without him noticing.Adrian leaned back in his chair, his tone deceptively casual. “So. The Shaws are making quite the spectacle. Calling her a parasite, showing those photos.” His eyes slid to Nicolas. “You believe it?”Damian’s laugh was low, humorless. “Strange, isn’t it? For years, Aria Williams was the darling of the charity circuit. Smart. Graceful. Untouchable. Now suddenly she’s a seductress trailing after Jackson Shaw? Doesn’t add up.”Nicolas’s jaw ticked, his silence heavier than any denial.Adrian swirled the scotch in his glass, his smirk sharp. “You’ve seen the photos, Nick. They’re damni
Moments later, the elevator chimed. The doors slid open.And standing there, framed in the soft glow of the penthouse lights, was Anthony Lorenzo. Calm, composed, every inch the powerful man he was but there was something in his expression Aria had never seen before.Beside him stood Alex, his usual easy smile replaced by a grim seriousness.“Good evening, Ms. Williams,” Anthony said smoothly, his deep voice echoing through the silence. His gaze flicked briefly to Emma and Bella, then back to Aria. “We need to talk.”Aria’s stomach twisted, her pulse quickening. Whatever this was, it wasn’t casual. Anthony Lorenzo did not come to people’s homes at night unless the stakes were deadly serious.Emma rose from her chair, her protective edge sharp as steel. “And what exactly is so urgent that it couldn’t wait until morning?”Anthony’s eyes never left Aria. “Because by morning, it may be too late.”The air in the penthouse turned electric, the weight of his words pressing down on them all.
The conference room glittered under the chandeliers as the King family took their seats. Charles and Stella greeted Ava warmly, their smiles radiant. “Ava, darling, we’re so glad you’re the one leading this project,” Stella said proudly. “You’ve matured so much. Nicolas is lucky to have you at his
"Ms. William, Mr. King has summoned you," the maid announced, her voice laced with condescension. She barely hid her disdain as she looked me up and down, her gaze lingering on my damp clothes from the rain earlier.I swallowed hard and nodded before making my way down the grand staircase.Nicolas s
The only thing going on in my mind was I'm sorry babies, Mommy couldn't protect you. In your next life please be born to a loving family.And then, as if the universe had finally decided to throw me a lifeline, a deep, commanding voice sliced through the rain."Let. Her. Go."Everything stilled. The
Nicolas’s eyes narrowed, the shock quickly replaced by a cold, calculating look. For a moment, he said nothing, his jaw clenched as he processed my demand. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind as he weighed his options.







