Chapter 1 Eliza's Rise

The words "I didn't sign up for this" escaped Eliza's lips inaudibly in a noisy, crowded room. The fashion gala atmosphere swamped her with overwhelming excitement. Her gaze swept through the brilliant display of tuxedos and costly gowns while her hands firmly gripped the champagne flute. They all confirmed to her that she had achieved success.

However, it didn't feel that way.

The spotlight briefly shone on Eliza's face, causing her mouth to form into a smile. She served as the representative for a newly established fashion company while still bearing emotional scars from her earlier life experiences. The complicated legal battles, combined with her divorce and continuous personal rumours, had made a significant impact on her. Despite her struggles, she stood among the fashion industry's elite as its undisputed queen.

She took slow sips from her drink while she observed the room. A woman dressed in emerald green stood near Eliza as she looked at her for an unusually long time. The woman's lips curved into a delicate smile that showed adoration with an underlying hint of deeper feelings. Eliza gave a polite nod and maintained her position even though she felt her stomach twist. Now she understood the game. You kept your flaws hidden from them.

The smooth and assured voice of someone saying "Eliza" broke through her train of thought. Her boss, Rachel, was approaching her with a confident stride and an open smile. Rachel presented herself with professionally styled blonde hair and a perfectly fitted black blazer. Eliza relied on her instincts and possessed the remarkable talent to sell ice to Eskimos.

"Stunning as always," Rachel commented while looking at Eliza's elegant black gown. The press is aflutter. Tonight, you're everywhere.

Though she felt no real enthusiasm, she simply nodded. She managed to maintain her happiness regardless of the constant attention she received from cameras and interviewers. The transformation required more than just changing her wardrobe and manipulating public relations. She found herself needing to rebuild her entire identity.

The divorce had nearly destroyed her completely. Her ex-husband displayed a cold, empty look when he left her to start a new relationship with someone younger. Their dirty laundry became public knowledge, and news headlines announced their betrayal to the world. During those months of rejection and loneliness, Eliza had learnt an important lesson: no one would give her anything. The scandal had hurt her hard. She had to endure it despite its financial implications.

Through determination, Elizaa reached the top as her global brand expanded at an amazing rate while she controlled a collection of high-end fashion brands. She established a successful business empire by herself, which served as a constant reminder of his mistake that she would fail without his help.

"I'm just doing my job," Eliza stated with calmness. Rachel raised one eyebrow as she chose to remain silent. She was aware of the reality.

Rachel confirmed, "Of course," but her smile held a sharp intensity. But, Eliza, you're not just anybody. You've changed. You are now a symbol.

The media team started their interview preparations with the top designers when Eliza's eyes wandered toward the opposite side of the room. She sensed the cameras turning toward her as they waited for the perfect moment to capture her image. It was the cost of achievement. She tried to change the subject away from symbols by questioning "What brings you here?"

Rachel laughed while she observed a tall man who was engaged in conversation with a well-known stylist across the room. His sharp suit made him stand out to everyone except Eliza who found no interest in his looks.

Rachel told her that she needed to make an introduction. He will present you with an offer you cannot refuse.

Interested, Eliza followed Rachel's gaze. The man was a stranger to he,r yet he possessed an undeniable allure. His magnetic presence overshadowed his stature as well as his perfectly tailored suit and the silver highlights in his dark hair.

He was unknown to her. Her accumulated knowledge provided her with enough information to understand that crossing him was not an option.

"Does he represent an investor?" Eliza asked even as she felt a wave of uneasiness pass over her. Her survival instincts from the harsh world she now commanded remained highly vigilant.

Rachel's mouth twitched. Not precisely. You need to pay attention to his words.

Eliza gave a slight nod while moving through the crowd with mindful steps and deliberate motions. She learned that control was more important than connections for achieving success in both high fashion and business. The individual maintained dominance over the narrative as well as the people and their commercial exchanges.

Approaching the man caused Eliza to experience an unusual burst of awareness. The atmosphere turned dense and oppressive when he entered the space because his presence extended well beyond his penetrating gaze.

Rachel introduced Eliza to Alexander Cross by lifting her voice slightly. The man I spoke of.

As she heard the name, she sensed something but couldn't recognise what it was. She extended her hand to touch him with her fingers. The quick touch sent a shock of energy up her arm, which made her unable to speak for a short time.

Alexander Cross gazed at her while maintaining an unreadable expression. Alexander Cross's eyes examined her deeply as if they were peeling back every layer of her carefully constructed exterior.

His deep voice carried a silky quality through its low rumbling tones as he declared with weight, "Eliza, it's a joy." He was not smiling. The reception he gave her was detached and dull yet assured in its coolne,ss which unsettled her. "I've been keeping up with your work. Amazing.

"Thank you," Eliza said with assertiveness while her heart began to beat faster. For many years she managed to stay immune to vulnerability until this man made her feel exposed once again. "Thank you for the recognition."

His piercing gaze felt like it stripped her bare while he kept looking at her. The silence persisted longer than it should have.

In a quiet tone Alexander said, "I have an offer for you." This offer holds the capacity to change everything.

Eliza's heartbeat accelerated. Such promises were nothing new to her. When she caught sight of him, she paused without a clear explanation.

She cautiously asked, "What kind of offer?"

His mouth briefly showed a slight smile, which quickly disappeared.

With unwavering eye contact, he softly told him, "The truth will come to you soon." "However, you'll need to decide."

A bell softly tolled to signal evening's onset from the room's far ed,ge right before she could respond. The media outlets and her business brand were holding their breath in anticipation.

Alexander was far from finished, though. He moved closer while his voice remained no louder than a whisper.

You shouldn't wait too long. Opportunities like this are extremely rare and happen only once in a lifetime. These opportunities vanish from sight as quickly as they appear.

The heavy significance of his offer pressed down on Eliza while the words remained suspended in the air.

The moment she faced Rachel and moved towards the spotlight, she felt a strange discomfort deep in her chest.

Eliza understood during that fleeting moment that her upcoming decision threatened to destroy all her hard work.

The cost of success became apparent when the stakes reached an unimaginable level.