Suddenly, two striking cars pulled up. Reporters instantly rushed over, shouting questions. Daphne Diamond stepped out first, her figure wrapped in an elegant black dress, face glowing under the lights. Without hesitation, she walked over to her brother's car and gently took his hand.
Dylan Diamond emerged next-tall, composed, and stunning, despite the cloud of blindness that had shadowed him since the age of eight. Flashes exploded around them as they ignored the noise and strolled across the red carpet, heading into the grand hall.
People turned to watch them. Some smiled, others waved-but as usual, Daphne ignored everyone. The siblings were guided to an exclusive area and seated side by side.
"How's the design?" Dylan asked quietly.
"It's decent. I guess they tried," Daphne replied with a shrug. "Do you want something?"
"I'm good," Dylan shook his head.
"Isn't that your girlfriend?" Daphne said with a smirk, pointing subtly. "She's here-with another man. Told you she wasn't trustworthy."
"She told me she'd be coming with her brother," Dylan answered calmly.
"And you believed her? I thought you only lost your sight-not your sense," Daphne scoffed.
"Sister," he groaned coldly.
"Sorry, but I warned you," she replied.
"Maybe if you actually gave her a chance, you'd see what I see in her," he said.
"I doubt I ever will," Daphne muttered.
"Hello Dylan, sister," a female voice chirped. Vivian, Dylan's girlfriend, appeared with a bright smile. Daphne only scoffed, turned her back, and walked away. Vivian glared after her, but said nothing as she sat beside Dylan.
"Where's your brother?" Dylan asked.
"He's networking-couldn't come right now," she replied.
"It's okay," Dylan nodded with a rare smile. Only four people had ever seen him smile-Vivian was one of the lucky few.
"What about the car you promised me?" she asked.
"I already bought it. It'll arrive tomorrow."
"Thank you, darling. I'd hug you if our relationship wasn't still private," she whispered with a grin. Dylan nodded again.
"I'll leave now. See you later," she said, standing and leaving.
---
A RESTROOM
Meanwhile, Daphne was applying her makeup when someone appeared at the door. She ignored them, but a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Long time, stepsister," the lady said with a smug smile.
"What do you want?" Daphne snapped.
"Relax. Just came to inform you-your mom wants you at the mansion tomorrow evening. Dinner," Madison said casually.
Daphne said nothing. She turned around and returned to the hall. Madison scoffed and turned to check herself in the mirror.
Soon, the host announced the award for Most Successful Company, and unsurprisingly, Diamond Body Perfection won. It was their third win in a row, and it didn't look like any company could beat them anytime soon.
Madison's eyes narrowed into a bitter glare, her fists clenched at her sides. Daphne held Dylan's arm proudly as they climbed the stage to accept the award. Dylan even addressed the crowd, his speech full of grace and strength. If you didn't know he was blind, you'd never guess. His confidence was unmatched.
The siblings left early, not bothering to stay for the rest of the event.
---
"Mother wants us over for dinner tomorrow night. You coming?" Daphne asked.
"Never," Dylan said plainly.
"Knew it. I think I'll go anyway-just to see what she's plotting," Daphne smirked and stepped out of the car. Dylan's secretary drove off immediately. Daphne got into her own car and headed to her mansion.
---
A COFFEE STORE
Arielle sighed in frustration. She'd been working non-stop, while the new girl-hired only days ago-stood at the mirror, reapplying makeup every few seconds.
Even the waiters, all drooling over the new girl, weren't helping. They gathered around the TV to watch the award show while Arielle handled everything.
"I need your help with this," Arielle called out.
"I sprained my wrist. I can't lift heavy things," the new girl replied flatly.
"Seriously?" Arielle snapped.
"She sprained her wrist, didn't you hear?" a waiter said, defending her.
"I can't do this all alone," Arielle said, but they ignored her. She groaned and continued serving until closing time.
Just as she was about to change, the manager summoned them to his office.
"The company's struggling. We have to let one of you go," he announced.
Arielle smiled, relieved the lazy girl would finally be out.
"Miss Arielle... we're sorry, but we won't be needing your services anymore," he said.
"What? I'm Arielle-you mean her, right?" she asked, pointing at the new girl.
"I know exactly who I mean," the manager said.
"Why? I've been here over two years!" Arielle exclaimed.
"It's just how it has to be. Please understand."
"Fine. Just give me my money. Your loss anyway," she snapped.
"We're not at the end of the month," the manager said.
"I know. But we're halfway through. Pay me half," she demanded.
"We can't," he said firmly.
"Alright then," she smiled bitterly, went to the changing room, she change and trashed everything she could-shattering glassware and knocking over supplies. Satisfied, she walked out.
Some mocked her, but she didn't care. She stepped outside, only to spot security heading her way.
"Stop right there!" they shouted. She panicked and bolted, dodging through alleys until she reached the main road. A car approached-without thinking, she ran in front of it. The driver slammed on the brakes.
She ran to the passenger door, banging on the window.
"Who is that?" Dylan asked from the back seat.
"Some strange woman. I'll handle it," Jacob, his secretary, said, stepping out.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
Seeing the guards nearby, Arielle shoved him aside and slipped into the car through the driver's side, sliding to the passenger seat.
"Miss, get out of the car right now!" Jacob yelled.
She turned to Dylan. "You must be the owner. Please-just ask him to drive."
"Who are you?" Dylan asked, his voice like ice.
Before she could reply, she saw the guards nearing. She dove into Dylan's chest, hiding her face under his tuxedo.
"What are you doing?!" he barked.
"Please-just for a few minutes," she begged.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" he growled, shoving her off.
"You're so rude!" she snapped, stepping out as the security disappeared.
"I'm sorry, boss," Jacob apologized as Dylan tossed his jacket out the window.
"Just drive," Dylan ordered.
"Yes, sir." Jacob drove off. Arielle picked up the jacket, scoffed, and wore it as she walked into the shadows. She soon reached her tiny apartment-her only home since she aged out of the orphanage at twenty-two. Now jobless, she threw the jacket onto the bed and collapsed beside it.
---
BRIMSTONE COLLEGE
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as students clustered around the main walkway, whispering and giggling.
"Look! He's here again."
"God, that face-he's like a Greek god."
"Those lips... I swear, I could melt."
"I wish he'd just look at me once. Just once."
Their breath hitched as Angelo stepped onto campus. Clad in a black leather jacket, black jeans hugging his toned frame, and his signature headphones hanging around his neck, he walked past without glancing at a single soul. His hair was slightly messy from the wind, and his eyes-cool, unreadable-pierced straight ahead like a man with a mission.
He straddled his motorbike with effortless confidence before parking it neatly in the designated lot. No flash, no luxury car-just pure edge.
"Good morning, Angelo!" one girl called out, voice high-pitched and hopeful.
He didn't respond. Not even a nod.
Another girl tried, "Did you sleep well?"
Silence. He kept walking.
"Ugh! He's so mysterious."
"Makes me want him more."
With the usual routine of ignoring the entire student body, he strolled to the garbage bin and casually dumped the small pile of gifts stuffed in his locker-notes, chocolate, perfume, love letters-all trashed without a second glance.
"Good riddance," he muttered under his breath.
He entered the computer lab, where students were already seated and waiting. Some looked anxious. Others excited. Everyone straightened up as Angelo strode to the front and placed his laptop on the desk.
"The department head, Mr. Spencer, won't be in today," he said, tone firm, clipped. "I'll be taking the lecture."
A murmur spread across the room, but no one protested. Angelo was a final-year sscholarship student, top of his class, and president of the computer department. When he spoke, everyone listened.
He tapped the board. "Let's get started."
But just as he was about to dive into the lesson, the classroom door creaked open.
Clap... Clap... Clap...
The slow, sarcastic applause echoed through the room as Frankie strutted in.
Every head turned.
Dressed in an open shirt that showed off his abs and layered chains, Frankie oozed arrogance. His messy curls bounced with each step, and a devilish grin spread across his lips as he scanned the girls swooning at the sight of him.
"Well, well, the prodigy himself is teaching," Frankie said with mock surprise, pulling off his sunglasses. "How thrilling."Everyone in school know they dislike each other.
"You're late," Angelo said, voice ice-cold.
Frankie scoffed. "I come when I want. My dad owns this f**king school, remember?"
The class fell silent. Tension crackled in the air.
Angelo walked forward, step by step, until he stood right in front of Frankie.
"You being late disrupts my class," he said, voice deadly calm. "One more time-and I'll personally throw you out. I don't care who your father is."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Frankie's smirk faltered for a split second. His jaw tightened.
"You don't scare me," he spat.
"You should be," Angelo replied, eyes narrowing. "Sit down. And stay quiet."
Frankie clenched his fists but said nothing. He turned and swaggered over to the back row, where a group of girls immediately crowded around him, whispering and touching his arms.
Angelo returned to the board like nothing happened.
"Now, back to coding structure. Pay attention-there will be a test next week."
Despite the buzzing energy in the room, no one dared speak out of turn. Not with Angelo standing at the front, commanding every second of attention.
---
DIAMOND MANSION
Daphne walked in without a greeting.
"I heard you wanted me here," she said to her mother.
"Yes, let's talk over dinner," Mrs. Diamond said.
"Long time, daughter," her stepfather added.
"Don't call me that. I know my real dad," Daphne snapped.
"How's your brother?" Mrs. Diamond asked.
"Seriously? You threw him out yourself," Daphne replied.
"I need the ingredients for your new body lotion. Madison's company is struggling to replicate it," her mother said.
Daphne scoffed. "You really thought I'd tell you?"
"Can't we let go of our differences?" Mrs. Diamond pleaded.
"Never! You chose them over your own kids. You threw us out for this bastard and his bitch of a daughter!"
A hard slap landed across Daphne's cheek.
"Watch your mouth!" her mother yelled.
"Why did I even come? Stay away from me and my brother-we're better off without you!" Daphne screamed and stormed out. Madison smiled in secret.
"You shouldn't have hit her. Control your anger," the stepfather said as Mrs. Diamond slumped in her seat.
---
Daphne drove away, seething. Her mind replayed every betrayal-how her mother, stepfather, and stepsister had cast her and Dylan aside. Lost in thought, she missed the red light and almost crashed into a bike. The rider swerved, fell, and struggled to lift his bike.
"Hey!" Daphne yelled and storm out of her car closing the door with a loud bang.
she marched toward him-but froze when she saw his face. He was handsome.
It was Angelo.
"You nearly killed me! Are you blind?" he snapped.
She stood in stunned silence. Her heart raced. How could a stranger affect her so deeply?
"Speechless?" Angelo scoffed, turning away.
But Daphne reached out, grabbing his arm. Her voice was unrecognizable-even to her.
"Are you... okay?" she asked gently, eyes locked on his.