The gala slowly began to wind down.
Guests were leaving in small groups, their laughter fading into the quiet night as luxury cars arrived one after another outside the entrance.
Inside the hall, the music had softened, and the once-crowded room now felt calmer.
Alessia Kane stood near one of the tall windows, finishing the last of her champagne.
She had stayed longer than she originally planned.
Partly out of courtesy.
Partly because leaving immediately after the scene with Ethan would have drawn attention.
"Enjoying the view?"
The familiar voice made her glance to the side.
Dominic Vale stood beside her again, looking as composed as ever.
Alessia set her glass down on a nearby table.
"The city always looks different at night," she replied.
Dominic followed her gaze toward the distant lights of the skyline.
"Less honest," he said.
Alessia looked at him, slightly amused.
"That's an unusual observation."
"Is it?"
"Most people would call it beautiful."
"It is beautiful," Dominic said calmly.
"But that doesn't mean it's honest."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
There was something quiet about their conversations.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
Just… careful.
Alessia glanced toward the entrance.
"I should probably leave."
Dominic nodded.
"Of course."
They walked toward the exit together, joining the last few guests leaving the building.
Outside, the cool night air carried the distant sounds of the city.
A black car pulled up to the curb, waiting for Alessia.
Her driver stepped out and opened the rear door.
But before she entered the car, Dominic spoke.
"Miss Kane."
Alessia turned slightly.
His tone had shifted.
It was more deliberate now.
"May I ask you something?"
She studied him for a moment.
"You already are."
Dominic allowed the faintest smile.
"May I see you again?"
The question lingered between them.
Alessia didn't answer immediately.
Most men asked her that question with a clear motive.
Business.
Influence.
Opportunity.
But Dominic hadn't mentioned her company once.
He hadn't asked about Kane Luxe.
He hadn't tried to impress her.
He had simply… spoken to her.
And that made the question unexpectedly difficult to answer.
Alessia tilted her head slightly.
"You're asking me out?"
Dominic didn't look embarrassed.
"I'm asking if I may see you again."
"That sounds suspiciously similar."
"Does it?"
A brief silence followed.
Alessia considered him carefully.
Dominic Vale was not easy to read.
And people who were difficult to read were often… dangerous.
But strangely enough, she didn't feel uncomfortable.
She simply felt curious.
Finally, she spoke.
"I didn't say no."
Dominic's expression remained calm, but something subtle shifted in his eyes.
"That's a promising answer."
Alessia stepped toward her car.
"Goodnight, Mr. Vale."
"Goodnight, Miss Kane."
She entered the car, and moments later it disappeared into the city traffic.
Dominic remained standing on the sidewalk for a few seconds before turning toward his own vehicle.
Neither of them noticed the man watching from across the street.
Ethan Blake stood beside a parked car, his expression dark as he stared at the empty road where Alessia's car had vanished.
But that wasn't what had angered him.
It was who she had been standing with.
Dominic Vale.
Ethan clenched his jaw.
"So that's how it is," he muttered under his breath.
His gaze shifted toward the direction Dominic had gone.
Something cold settled in his expression.
If Alessia thought she could simply erase him from her life…
She was wrong.
Very wrong.
And now there was someone else involved.
Someone Ethan didn't recognize.
But he would.
Soon.
Ethan wasn't ready to let Alessia go…
And now Dominic Vale had unknowingly stepped into a game that was about to become very dangerous.