Alice Monroe had never cared much for the grand events her university occasionally hosted. Business galas, charity luncheons, networking nights, those were worlds far removed from her own. She only attended this one because her best friend, Sophie, had bribed her with promises of free food and the chance to "mingle with the ridiculously rich."

"Honestly, Alice, you should thank me," Sophie whispered as they slipped into the chandelier lit hall. "This is where futures are made. You never know, you might meet your prince charming."

"I don't need a prince," Alice muttered, clutching her notebook like a shield. "I just need to pass my finals."

But Sophie wasn't listening. Her eyes were already wide, darting toward the entrance where a hush had fallen over the crowd.

That was when Brian Carter walked in.

He wasn't just handsome; he was magnetic. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that seemed to command the air around him. His presence turned heads instantly, the kind of man who didn't need to speak to be noticed.

Alice felt her chest tighten as his gaze swept over the crowd,distant, uninterested,until, for the briefest second, his eyes met hers. A spark lit up her veins, startling in its intensity, before he looked away.

"Holy..." Sophie fanned herself dramatically. "That, my dear, is not a prince. That's a king. And I think he just looked at you."

Alice forced a laugh, though her cheeks burned. Men like him didn't look at girls like her.

She was proven right moments later, when a tall blonde,the girl from school,in a glittering gown slid up beside Brian and slipped her hand into his with practiced ease. The room whispered, voices rippling with recognition.

"That's Clarissa Hale," Sophie whispered, leaning close. "Daughter of the Hales, you know, old money, massive empire, scandalously rich. Rumor has it their families have been planning this engagement forever."

Alice's stomach twisted. A fiancé. Of course. Someone like him would never be free.

Brian's expression remained composed as Clarissa smiled up at him, but Alice caught something fleeting in his eyes, something sharp, restless, like a man caged by his own life.

And when his gaze flickered back across the room, landing on Alice again, the world seemed to tilt on its axis.

Sophie nudged her with a wicked grin. "Oh, girl... this is going to be interesting."

Before Alice could argue, Sophie grabbed her wrist and tugged her toward the refreshment table,right where Brian and Clarissa were standing. Alice's heart thundered as Sophie, utterly unbothered, reached past Clarissa to grab a glass of champagne.

"Excuse me," Sophie said with a dazzling smile. "My friend here nearly died running to make it on time tonight. Don't you think she deserves the last croissant?"

Alice's eyes went wide with horror. "Sophie..." she hissed.

But Brian's lips curved ever so slightly, his eyes settling on Alice again. "If she nearly died for it," he said smoothly, his voice low and rich, "then by all means... let her have it."

Alice froze, caught in the weight of his attention. "I-thank you," she managed, clutching the plate Sophie had shoved into her hands.

Clarissa's smile tightened, her grip on Brian's arm sharpening. "Darling, we really should greet the board members," she said pointedly.

Brian didn't look away from Alice immediately. For a heartbeat too long, he held her gaze, unreadable and yet almost... curious. Then he inclined his head slightly, the faintest trace of a smirk lingering on his lips.

"Enjoy the croissant," he murmured.

And then he let Clarissa pull him away, leaving Alice shaken and Sophie grinning like she'd just watched the opening act of her favorite drama.

"Oh, Alice," Sophie whispered, sipping her champagne. "You're in so much trouble."

Chapter 3 Name revealed

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