The gala was already in full swing when Alessia Kane arrived.
Soft music drifted through the grand hall while guests in elegant evening wear mingled beneath crystal chandeliers. Waiters moved quietly between conversations, carrying trays of champagne.
Alessia stepped inside calmly, acknowledging a few familiar faces with polite nods.
She had only been invited to attend tonight.
Nothing more.
But as she walked further into the hall, her steps slowed.
Ethan Blake was standing near the entrance.
The moment he saw her, he straightened.
Alessia's expression didn't change.
Her face remained calm… almost indifferent.
She walked toward him without hesitation.
Ethan tried to smile.
"Alessia."
She stopped a few steps away from him.
"What do you want, Ethan?"
Her voice was quiet but direct.
The question caught him off guard.
"I… I just wanted to talk," he said quickly.
"About what?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"I know things ended badly between us," he said, lowering his voice. "And I know you probably don't want to see me but—"
Alessia raised a hand slightly.
That single gesture stopped him immediately.
"You came here to apologize," she said calmly.
"Yes," Ethan said quickly. "I know I made mistakes and I just want you to hear me out. Alessia, I—"
"You shouldn't have come here."
The words were not harsh.
But they were final.
Ethan looked around nervously. Guests nearby had begun glancing in their direction, quietly curious about the interaction.
This was exactly why he had chosen tonight.
Somewhere in the room, the reporter he had paid was waiting with a camera.
If Alessia softened even a little… if they appeared close… the photos would spread online by morning.
Public pressure could do the rest.
But Alessia showed no sign of softening.
Her gaze remained steady.
"You blocked me everywhere," Ethan said, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Yes."
"I went to your office and your security threw me out."
"That's what happens when someone shows up uninvited."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to remain calm.
"Alessia, please. Just give me five minutes."
"You already had your time."
The answer was immediate.
Across the hall, Dominic Vale watched quietly from near the bar.
His attention had been drawn to the scene the moment Ethan approached her.
Julian had already told him everything he needed to know about Ethan Blake.
Persistent.
Ambitious.
And recently… desperate.
Dominic studied Alessia carefully.
She didn't look angry.
She didn't look emotional.
She simply looked finished with the conversation.
"Alessia," Ethan said again, lowering his voice. "I still care about you."
She looked at him for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"This conversation is over."
"Alessia—"
"Good evening, Ethan."
And just like that, she stepped past him.
No hesitation.
No second glance.
Ethan stood there, frozen in frustration as she walked away.
A few guests whispered quietly nearby before returning to their conversations.
The moment had passed.
Alessia walked toward the glass doors leading to the terrace.
The cool night air greeted her the moment she stepped outside.
She rested her hands lightly on the railing and took a slow breath.
Inside, the music continued.
"You handled that efficiently."
Alessia turned slightly.
Dominic Vale stood a few steps away near the terrace entrance.
"So you were watching," she said calmly.
Dominic didn't deny it.
"It was difficult not to notice."
Alessia looked back toward the city lights.
"He wanted to apologize."
"And you didn't let him."
"There was no point."
Dominic nodded once.
"That's usually when apologies appear."
She glanced at him briefly.
"You sound like you've seen it before."
"More than once."
A short silence settled between them.
Most men Alessia encountered at events like this would have already started discussing her company, investments, or business opportunities.
Dominic did none of that.
Instead he asked simply,
"Did he cause you trouble before tonight?"
Alessia answered honestly.
"He tried."
Dominic's expression remained calm.
"But it didn't work."
"No."
He leaned lightly against the railing beside her.
"Good."
Alessia studied him quietly.
"You're not curious."
"About what?"
"About my company. My finances. My connections."
Dominic met her gaze.
"Should I be?"
"Most people are."
"I'm not most people."
His tone was calm, almost casual.
And strangely enough…
He sounded completely sincere.
For the first time that evening, Alessia felt a flicker of curiosity.
Dominic Vale didn't seem impressed by her wealth.
He didn't seem interested in it at all.
And that alone made him different from almost everyone else she had met.
Inside the hall, the music began to rise again.
The event continued as if nothing had happened.
After a moment, Dominic straightened.
"You should probably return before people start wondering where you disappeared to."
Alessia gave a small nod.
"Probably."
But before she walked back inside, she looked at him once more.
Dominic Vale had watched the entire scene with Ethan.
Yet he hadn't asked a single question about her money, her company, or her influence.
He had simply asked if she was alright.
And that, somehow, felt unusual.
Very unusual.
When someone shows no interest in your power or wealth… are they the most trustworthy person in the room—or the most dangerous?