There were only three people in this world capable of making me abandon my decisions.
Me.
My mother.
And unfortunately...
My little sister.
"I swear on everything, Rayn, if you don't come tonight, I'll never speak to you again."
I leaned back in my office chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as I listened to her dramatic voice through the phone.
"You've said that before."
"And I meant it."
"No, you didn't."
"I did!"
"You called me twelve hours later because you forgot the password to your laptop."
"That's not the point." A sigh escaped my lips before I turned my chair toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Rain had stopped hours ago, leaving streaks of silver across the glass. The streets below sparkled beneath the evening lights, as if the city had washed away every trace of yesterday.
I knew better. Scars didn't disappear because the sky decided to clear.
"Rayn?" Ilya's voice softened. "Please." I closed my eyes. Three days ago, I would've rejected her without another thought.
I hated parties.
I hated pretending to enjoy conversations with people who measured a person's worth by the size of their bank account. But things had changed. Two days ago, my mother had been rushed into surgery after what the police insisted was a tragic accident. Six hours later...One of my company's warehouses exploded. The authorities called it sabotage.But I called it a warning.
Someone was trying to send me a message.
And tonight, almost every influential businessman in the city would be gathered beneath one roof. If there was even the smallest chance that I'd find a clue i couldn't afford to ignore it.
"Fine." A squeal nearly burst my eardrum.
"I KNEW YOU'D COME!"
"I didn't say I wanted to."
"You don't have to. I'll see you tonight." Before I could remind her not to embrass me in front of half the city, the line went dead.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips despite myself.
Brat.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and stared at the dark reflection in the window.
For a moment, I wasn't looking at the CEO of Alsrio Group. I was looking at a son who had nearly lost his mother. And a man who had no idea who was coming after his family.
By the time I arrived at the Grand Alsrio Hall, the party had already begun. Golden lights spilled from the towering windows, making the entire mansion glow against the night like something pulled straight from a painting. Luxury cars lined the driveway one after another while valets hurried between them with practiced efficiency. The moment my car stopped, one of the guards opened the door. "Good evening, Mr. Alsrio." I gave him a silent nod before stepping out. Cool evening air brushed against my face. For a few seconds, I simply stood there, taking in the scene before me. Music drifted through the open entrance. Laughter followed. Champagne glasses clinked together. Everyone inside believed tonight was about celebration. Only I knew I was walking into a room full of possible enemies.
The marble floor reflected the crystal chandeliers hanging above, each one scattering warm light across the ballroom. Expensive perfumes mingled with the scent of fresh white roses arranged around the hall, while conversations blended into a low, constant hum. People noticed me almost immediately. Some offered respectful nods. Others whispered behind polite smiles. I ignored all of them. Attention had never interested me. It attracted curiosity. Curiosity attracted trouble. And lately, trouble seemed to have found me regardless.
"Rayn!" Before I could disappear into the crowd, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
I barely had time to turn before Ilya threw her arms around me. "You actually came." I looked down at my sister, who looked more excited than the night she got accepted into university. "I told you I might." She pulled back just enough to glare at me. "Liar."
"I prefer 'selectively truthful.'" She laughed, shaking her head. "You literally told me you'd rather attend ten board meetings than one of my parties." "I still mean it." "Oh, you're impossible." She reached up and straightened my tie without asking. "You know, most brothers would've smiled by now." "I am smiling." She stared at my face for three long seconds."That's your smiling face?" "It is." "You look like you're about to fire someone." "I probably will tomorrow."
She burst into laughter again, drawing a few amused glances from nearby guests. For a brief moment...The heaviness pressing against my chest eased. I studied her quietly. She looked genuinely happy. Not because of the luxurious decorations. Not because influential people had shown up. But because months of relentless hard work had finally paid off. I remembered countless nights when she'd fallen asleep over blueprints and project files. She had earned tonight. "Congratulations, Il." The teasing smile on her face faded into something softer. "You mean that?" "When have I ever lied to you?" She folded her arms. "Do you want the list alphabetically or chronologically?" "Forget I asked." She grinned before wrapping her arms around me again. Thank you for coming, Riri." Not again "I dare you to say this name again and i am leaving" She was laughing like i said old granny joke. "Chill man! Im sorryyyy" This time..I hugged her back.Only for A SECOND. Then I stepped away before anyone could make a spectacle of it. She knew better than to tease me. Instead, she smiled. "Enjoy yourself."
"I won't."
"We'll see." As she disappeared into the sea of guests, I slipped one hand into my pocket and let my gaze sweep across the ballroom.
Every face.
Every conversation.
Every forced smile.
Someone might know why my mother's brakes failed. Someone might know who ordered the explosives placed inside my warehouse. And if they were here tonight,
I intended to find them.
I let my gaze drift across the ballroom once more. Years in business had taught me one thing. People were books. Some wore their intentions on their sleeves. Others hid them beneath tailored suits and polished smiles.
The trick wasn't listening to what they said.
It was noticing what they didn't.
A group of investors stood near the champagne tower, laughing a little too loudly. Two politicians were whispering in a corner, their expressions carefully guarded. Across the room, an elderly businessman checked his watch every few minutes, as though waiting for someone.
"Mr. Alsrio." A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. "Mr. Donovan." The older man extended his hand with an easy smile. "I heard about your mother. I hope she's recovering." "Thank you." "And.. the explosion. Terrible incident." "It was." His smile faltered for the briefest second. Barely noticeable. But noticeable enough for me. Before I could press further, another guest approached him, pulling him into conversation. I watched him leave.
Interesting.
Just then, movement near the entrance caught my attention. Two young women walked inside. One of them greeted several guests as though she'd been here before. The other...
She hesitated.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag, and for a fleeting moment she simply stood there, taking in the grandeur of the hall. She looked overwhelmed. She was familiar. She wore a soft lavender dress that flowed gently with every step she took. Her hair fell over one shoulder in loose waves, and despite the uncertainty in her eyes, there was a quiet determination in the way she lifted her chin. She wasn't dressed to impress. She was dressed to belong. As her friend whispered something in her ear, she laughed softly. The sound didn't reach me. Yet somehow... It did.
The rain. A terrified girl frozen in the middle of the road as thunder split the night. Her trembling hands. The way she'd clutched my jacket without even realizing it. The warmth of her unconscious body as I carried her out of the rain.
Aurora.
That was her name. I remembered seeing it on the identification card that had slipped from her bag while Dario searched for a way to contact someone after she'd fainted.
She looked... better.
Alive.
Steady. There wasn't a trace of the fear I'd seen that night.
Good.
Without realizing it, I found myself watching her as she followed her friend deeper into the ballroom. She stopped every few feet to admire the decorations before her friend nudged her forward with a laugh. It was oddly...Normal. She looked like someone chasing a dream rather than a fortune. I looked away. Why was I even paying attention?
She was just a stranger.
"Rayn?" Ilya appeared beside me, holding two champagne glasses. "I've been calling your name."
"I was thinking."
"That's dangerous." I shot her a look. She laughed. "I'll introduce you to a few investors later, okay?"
"I'll manage."
"I know you will." She squeezed my arm before disappearing once again into the crowd. My eyes wandered back instinctively.
Our eyes met across the ballroom. She was staring at me.
Not rudely.
Curiously.
A corner of my mouth lifted ever so slightly.
This night was unfolding differently than I've planned.