At her hotel suite the next morning, Marrie found a black velvet envelope. Not a name. Not a logo.
One matte-black card with gold printing is inside.
"9 p.m. tonight. The Room of Aether.
Grab a star-owning outfit.
E"
She grinned and rolled her eyes. Really? An enigmatic invitation from the cold boss? However, curiosity?
It wasn't only heated.
It was on fire.
After tossing the card onto her bed, she strode off in her silk robe. "Let's see what game Mr. Billionaire-Boss is currently engaged in."
The Aether Room
The Aether Room was not accessible to the public and was hidden above a five-star hotel. Only those who were invited could attend. Not press. No outsiders. Only those who whispered to presidents or managed empires.
Marrie entered with beautiful hair in loose waves, eyes that taunted anyone to stare too long, and a deep crimson velvet dress that was slit up to her thigh.
Evan, too? He was inside already.
Conversing with CEOs. Laughing like kings. Wearing a clean black suit, holding a drink, and appearing quite relaxed - until she showed up.
Their gazes locked. He didn't come over. He did not even give a nod. He simply grinned, as if she had suddenly invaded his domain. She deliberately ignored him as she headed to the bar. He let her. However, the hostess showed up next to her in ten minutes. "Miss Marrie? The upper lounge has been reserved by Mr. Evan. He asks to be with you."
She slowly turned her head. "He asks?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Marrie's mouth twisted. "Tell him that if he says please, I'll come."
The message was sent. Evan arched an eyebrow from across the room.
Then he wrote something onto his phone without showing any emotion.
Marrie's phone buzzed a moment later.
Evan: Please. Now stop playing and come upstairs. I have something to show you.
She locked the screen. Rolled her eyes. And went up anyway.
The Deal Behind the Games
The lounge overlooked the city skyline and was all glass and shadows. Evan was standing at the window.
"So, what's this something?" Marrie questioned, crossing her arms.
He gave a packet to her.
Inside: Two fashion firms, one of which was once owned by her family, were to unite. Evan had quietly gained it, somehow.
He calmly said, "This project could be yours."
Her eyebrow went up. "Are you returning the empire of my family to me?"
"No," Evan answered. "I'm giving you the opportunity to own it as you see fit. total command. No meddling. The throne bears your name."
She examined him. "Why would you act in that way?"
He moved in closer. "Because I want your attention to be on me, not on your past."
Unquestionably, heat flared between them.
She wouldn't fall easily, though. "And if I refuse?"
Evan merely grinned. "I'll find another way to attract your attention after that."
Marrie's Move - You Don't Own Me
Silently, Marrie turned the pages slowly. Evan waited in silence. Anticipating her acceptance. Or at the very least, negotiate. Rather, she chuckled. She snapped the folder shut and remarked, "You think you're smooth, huh?" "You offer me a throne in gold paper, invite me to a private billionaire party, and expect me to be impressed?"
Evan's grin wavered a little. "The majority would be."
"I'm not most," she remarked as she moved in closer, her shoes tapping the marble. "You can't expect me to pursue power by dangling it. I take what I desire. Not because you consent to it. since I am able to."
She let the folder fall to the table. "This is what I'm offering: I'll take your small merger into consideration. However, I manage the launch in my own manner. Not approved by the board. No meddling. And…" she said in a bold, seductive voice, "you? Don't meddle in my affairs. Unless I extend an invitation to enter."
Something electric shifted behind Evan's eyes as he gazed at her. He remarked, "I don't usually take orders."
Marrie's lips were inches from his ear as she leaned in. "So, this will be your first experience." She left after saying that.
Cracks in the Ice
Later that night, Evan was drinking wine in his penthouse, but he wasn't thinking about work.
It was her fault.
The way she used her power. She gazed at him as if she already had him. He had never desired someone so much, and it wasn't even about the physical. Her fire was the cause. Her rejection.
His phone sprang to life.
Evan's Assistant: Sir, she's contacted the project team. She's rebranding the entire division under her name.
He grinned.
Evan: Give her permission. As long as she continues to play the game, let her burn anything she wants.
John's Return
Meanwhile, John wasn't finished. Two days later, he appeared at Marrie's private event with an unreadable face and all black attire. He approached her directly. He snarled, "You're working with Evan?"
She idly drank her champagne. "Do you mean your supervisor? Yeah. We're enjoying ourselves."
"He poses a threat."
Marrie cocked her head. "I am, too."
John's jaw tightened. "Don't believe him."
Her voice was low as she leaned in. "Why? Envious?"
John averted his gaze. But it was clear from his silence.
Evan's Second Move - The Personal Infiltration
Evan was already preparing his next move, not in boardrooms but in Marrie's realm, while she was still two steps ahead. He went to her preferred art gallery and bought her favorite piece in secret. He made a donation to the animal sanctuary where she worked covertly.
Without alerting her, he made arrangements for her name to appear in a high-end lifestyle magazine. He didn't want her to see it right away. He wanted her to sense his presence everywhere - quiet, steady, and under control.