The evening at the Imperial Galleria had settled into a slower rhythm.
The early rush of arrivals had passed, leaving behind clusters of conversations and quiet negotiations between some of the most influential figures in the luxury industry. Soft music from the quartet floated through the hall while the glittering city skyline stretched beyond the tall glass windows.
Near the center of the room, Alessia Kane stood beside Maya Laurent, speaking with a European cosmetics distributor.
"…the Milan launch would work better in spring," Alessia said calmly. "The European luxury market performs strongest in the second quarter."
The distributor nodded quickly.
"That makes sense."
Maya leaned closer to Alessia after the man excused himself.
"You negotiate like a chess player," Maya said with amusement.
Alessia took a small sip of champagne.
"Strategy saves time."
Maya scanned the room thoughtfully.
"And tonight you've already had five people trying to partner with Kane Luxe."
"That's normal at events like this."
Maya smiled.
"I know. I'm just proud of you."
Across the hall, Dominic Vale watched quietly.
Beside him, Julian Cross leaned against the bar, clearly entertained.
"You've been observing her for nearly half the evening," Julian said.
Dominic didn't look away.
Julian followed his gaze.
"There she is."
Alessia's midnight-black gown stood out subtly among the crowd, the elegant design unmistakably Maya's work.
Julian chuckled softly.
"You know, most men would have introduced themselves by now."
Dominic took a slow sip of his drink.
"Most men are impatient."
Julian smirked.
"And you're not?"
"No."
Julian tilted his head.
"You already know who she is. You've read the report. What exactly are you waiting for?"
Dominic placed his empty glass on the counter.
Then he straightened his jacket.
"For the right moment."
Julian blinked.
"Well," he said, watching Dominic walk away, "that was unexpected."
---
Alessia had just finished another conversation when she sensed someone approaching.
She turned.
And saw him.
Dominic Vale.
Recognition appeared immediately.
Not only from the night they had collided at the bar—but also from business circles. Dominic Vale's reputation as a hotel magnate and private investor was well known among luxury developers.
Dominic stopped a respectful distance away.
"Good evening, Ms. Kane."
His voice was calm and steady.
Alessia nodded politely.
"Mr. Vale."
Maya looked between them with curiosity.
"You two know each other?"
"Not exactly," Alessia said.
Dominic added calmly,
"We've crossed paths."
"And collided once," Alessia said dryly.
Maya laughed.
"That sounds more interesting than the conversations I've been having tonight."
Alessia gave her a look.
"It was accidental."
"Of course it was," Maya said with a grin.
She glanced between them again.
"Well, I'll leave you two to your mysterious collision history. I see a magazine editor trying to steal my attention."
She leaned closer to Alessia.
"Don't let the investors overwhelm you."
Alessia smiled faintly.
"I never do."
Maya disappeared into the crowd, leaving Alessia and Dominic standing near the tall windows.
The city lights shimmered far below.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Dominic broke the silence.
"I'm glad we have a chance to speak properly this time."
Alessia crossed her arms loosely.
"Our last meeting was brief."
"You were leaving quickly."
"I had somewhere to be."
Dominic nodded slightly.
"That's why I didn't stop you."
Alessia studied him.
"You could have introduced yourself anyway."
"I prefer conversations that aren't rushed."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So this one isn't rushed?"
"No."
His calm confidence made her pause.
Most men in rooms like this tried too hard.
Dominic didn't seem interested in impressing her at all.
"You asked Julian Cross to investigate me," Alessia said suddenly.
Dominic didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"That's bold."
"I was curious."
"And now?"
Dominic leaned lightly against the window railing.
"Now I'm speaking to you directly."
Alessia considered that answer.
It was honest.
Unexpectedly honest.
"Most people here are interested in Kane Luxe," she said.
"I read about Kane Luxe."
"And?"
"It's impressive."
Alessia waited.
"But companies don't interest me nearly as much as the people who build them."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"You're interested in founders."
"I'm interested in people who create things."
"And you think I created something interesting?"
Dominic met her eyes calmly.
"Yes."
The quiet certainty in his voice lingered between them.
Alessia studied him carefully.
"You observe a lot."
"It's useful."
"And what have you observed about me?"
Dominic answered thoughtfully.
"You don't chase attention."
"It wastes time."
"You listen more than you speak."
"That's how you learn."
"And you're unimpressed by wealth."
Alessia's lips curved faintly.
"Money is a tool. Nothing more."
Dominic nodded slowly.
"That's what I thought."
A quiet tension settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just intense.
Two people used to control.
Measuring each other.
Across the room, Julian watched with growing amusement.
"They're still talking," he murmured to himself.
Back near the window, Alessia spoke again.
"You seem very comfortable studying people."
Dominic shrugged slightly.
"I prefer understanding people before forming opinions."
"And what opinion have you formed about me?"
Dominic paused briefly.
Then answered honestly.
"That I'd like to understand you better."
The directness of the statement caught her slightly off guard.
Before she could respond, someone approached quickly.
"Ms. Kane."
An event coordinator stood nearby, looking slightly nervous.
"I'm sorry to interrupt."
Alessia turned.
"Yes?"
"There's someone asking for you at the entrance."
Alessia frowned slightly.
"At the entrance?"
"Yes."
"Did they say who they are?"
The coordinator hesitated.
"Not exactly."
Alessia glanced toward the entrance doors across the hall.
Then back at the coordinator.
"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"
The woman leaned closer and whispered something quietly.
Alessia's expression changed immediately.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Something sharper.
Recognition.
Dominic noticed it instantly.
"What is it?" he asked calmly.
Alessia straightened slightly.
"I need to take care of something."
She set her champagne glass down.
"Excuse me, Mr. Vale."
Dominic nodded.
"Of course."
She walked quickly toward the entrance with the coordinator.
Dominic watched her go.
A moment later, Julian appeared beside him.
"Well?" Julian asked.
Dominic didn't look away from the doors.
"I'm not sure yet."
Julian followed his gaze.
"What happened?"
Before Dominic could answer—
The entrance doors opened.
A man stepped inside the Imperial Galleria.
Julian recognized him instantly.
"…Oh."
Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because the man walking into the event was someone neither of them expected to see tonight.
Ethan Blake.
And judging by the furious look on his face—
He hadn't come to make peace.