chapter 4 :Their First Meeting

The moment Alyce finished speaking, the atmosphere inside her office exploded into chaos.

"You can't just drop a bomb like that and stop talking!" Clara exclaimed, nearly falling off her chair as she pointed accusingly at Alyce.

"Exactly!" Kayla immediately agreed. "Do you know how many questions that raises?"

"When did you meet Edwin Robert?" Elsa asked.

"How do you even know him?" Lisa added.

"Why have we never heard about this?" Hazel questioned calmly, though the curiosity in her eyes betrayed her.

"And most importantly," Elsa leaned forward dramatically, placing both palms on the table, "how did a man like Edwin Robert end up telling you he'd marry you?"

The room instantly fell silent.

Five pairs of eyes locked onto Alyce.

Alyce stared at them.

Then sighed.

For a group of highly intelligent and capable women, they could be unbelievably nosy.

She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temple.

"You all realize you sound like gossip reporters, right?"

"No."

"Not even slightly."

"We sound worse."

"Tell us everything."

Alyce immediately regretted bringing up Edwin.

The photograph still rested on her desk.

For a moment, her gaze lingered on it.

The image showed a younger version of herself standing beside a man with dark hair and a confident smile.

Three years.

A lot had changed in three years.

A faint smile unconsciously appeared on her face.

Unfortunately, her friends noticed.

The room erupted again.

"SHE'S SMILING!"

"LOOK AT THAT SMILE!"

"Oh my God, she actually likes him!"

Alyce instantly lost the smile.

"You people are impossible."

"Continue."

"Now."

"Immediately."

Realizing resistance was futile, Alyce finally surrendered.

"Fine."

The room quieted so quickly that it was almost suspicious.

Everyone immediately sat down.

Elsa even pushed away the snacks she had been eating.

That alone demonstrated how serious this had become.

Alyce glanced toward the large window overlooking the city.

Her eyes grew distant.

"It happened three years ago."

The others exchanged glances.

"Three years?" Hazel asked.

Alyce nodded.

"Back then, A&T was still a relatively small company."

Clara blinked.

"You mean before you became the nightmare of every businessman in the country?"

"Exactly."

"Ancient history."

Alyce ignored her.

"At the time, the company was growing steadily, but we hadn't achieved international recognition yet."

Her fingers lightly tapped against the desk.

"One evening, my father invited me to attend a business banquet."

A knowing smile appeared on her face.

"And that's where everything started."

The room faded away.

The city disappeared.

The present dissolved into memories.

And slowly—

The past unfolded before her eyes.

## Three Years Ago

The grand ballroom sparkled beneath enormous crystal chandeliers.

Golden lights reflected across polished marble floors while soft classical music drifted through the air.

Every corner of the venue radiated luxury.

The event was one of the most prestigious business banquets of the year.

The guest list included influential politicians, famous celebrities, powerful business leaders, wealthy investors, and heirs from some of the country's richest families.

For most people, receiving an invitation would have been an honor.

For Alyce White—

It was torture.

Standing near one of the balconies overlooking the city, Alyce stared blankly into her drink.

She wore an elegant black evening gown that perfectly complemented her beauty.

The dress had attracted countless admiring glances throughout the evening.

Unfortunately, Alyce couldn't care less.

Her father had spent the entire night discussing investments and partnerships with various executives.

Which left her trapped.

Alone.

Surrounded by people she had absolutely no interest in speaking to.

Another businessman approached.

"Miss White, I've heard wonderful things about your company."

Alyce smiled politely.

"Thank you."

The man continued talking.

And talking.

And talking.

Five minutes later, Alyce finally escaped.

Only to encounter another person.

Then another.

Then another.

By the time she reached the balcony, her social battery had completely died.

She slowly swirled the drink in her hand.

"How exciting."

Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"This is easily the most thrilling thing I've done all evening."

A deep chuckle suddenly sounded beside her.

"Then this beautiful lady must be having a terrible night."

Alyce froze slightly.

She hadn't heard anyone approach.

Turning toward the voice, she found herself facing a stranger.

At least—

Someone she didn't immediately recognize.

For a brief moment, surprise flashed across her face.

The man standing before her was undeniably handsome.

Tall.

Broad-shouldered.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

His sharp features carried an effortless confidence that made him stand out even in a room full of elites.

Dark eyes met hers.

A faint smile rested upon his lips.

There was something unusual about him.

Something commanding.

Something dangerous.

Most people at these events tried too hard to appear important.

This man didn't.

His presence alone was enough.

Though she didn't know it yet—

She was looking at Edwin Robert.

The future CEO of Roberts Company.

One of the most influential men in the country.

At the moment, however, he was simply an intriguing stranger.

He offered a slight bow.

"And what is a beautiful lady doing all alone?"

Alyce raised an eyebrow.

Interesting.

Most men either became nervous around her or immediately tried showing off.

This one appeared completely relaxed.

"Getting bored."

His smile widened.

"That sounds tragic."

"I'll survive."

"I don't know."

He pretended to consider the matter seriously.

"The situation seems critical."

Alyce nearly laughed.

Nearly.

"And your solution?"

"Simple."

His eyes sparkled with amusement.

"I know a far more interesting place than this ballroom."

"Oh?"

"Much more interesting."

"That's a bold claim."

"I'm a bold man."

For several seconds they simply stared at each other.

Neither looked away.

Neither appeared intimidated.

And strangely—

Alyce found herself enjoying the conversation.

That alone was unusual.

Most interactions at business events bored her within minutes.

This one didn't.

"And where exactly is this interesting place?" she finally asked.

Edwin extended a hand.

"You'll have to follow me to find out."

Alyce looked at his hand.

Then at him.

Common sense suggested she decline.

Following a stranger away from a business banquet wasn't exactly wise.

Yet something about him made her curious.

Very curious.

And curiosity had always been one of her greatest weaknesses.

A slow smile appeared on her face.

"Fine."

Edwin looked genuinely surprised.

"That was easier than expected."

"Don't get used to it."

"I'll treasure the achievement forever."

Alyce rolled her eyes.

Then accepted his offered hand.

The moment their hands touched, both paused briefly.

Just for a second.

Neither understood why.

Then the feeling disappeared.

Edwin recovered first.

"This way."

Together, they left the ballroom.

Neither noticed the countless eyes following them.

Nor did they notice the woman standing across the room.

A woman whose expression had become increasingly ugly throughout their conversation.

Nancy Clair.

The daughter of a wealthy businessman.

For nearly a year, Nancy had been pursuing Edwin Robert.

Or at least attempting to.

Edwin, unfortunately for her, showed absolutely no interest.

That fact alone had become a source of endless frustration.

Yet she had never given up.

After all, Edwin Robert represented everything she wanted.

Power.

Status.

Influence.

Money.

The perfect husband.

In her mind, he already belonged to her.

Then Alyce appeared.

And within minutes, Edwin was smiling.

Laughing.

Talking.

Doing things Nancy had spent months trying to achieve.

Her nails dug painfully into her palm.

The expensive champagne glass in her hand trembled.

"Who is she?"

No one answered.

Nancy's eyes remained fixed on Alyce.

More specifically—

On the way Edwin looked at her.

A look Nancy had never received.

Jealousy burned inside her chest.

Pure.

Hot.

Ugly jealousy.

"Who the hell does she think she is?"

One of Nancy's friends glanced toward Alyce.

"I think that's Alyce White."

"Alyce White?"

"The daughter of Aaron White."

Recognition flashed across Nancy's face.

"Oh."

The daughter of a businessman.

Nothing more.

At least, that's what Nancy believed.

Immediately, she relaxed slightly.

Nancy scoffed.

"She's not even close to Edwin's level."

Yet despite her words, insecurity continued growing inside her.

Because facts didn't matter.

What mattered was what she had witnessed.

Edwin Robert had willingly approached Alyce.

Not the other way around.

That realization infuriated her.

Her gaze darkened.

"If she thinks she can steal what's mine..."

The sentence remained unfinished.

But the threat lingered.

Across the ballroom, Alyce and Edwin disappeared through a side exit.

Completely unaware.

Neither knew that a single conversation had already attracted unwanted attention.

Neither knew that jealousy had begun planting dangerous seeds.

And neither realized that this meeting would eventually change both their lives.

Outside the banquet hall, cool evening air greeted them.

The city lights stretched endlessly before them.

Alyce glanced around.

"This is your exciting destination?"

Edwin smiled.

"No."

He pointed toward the rooftop staircase nearby.

"That is."

Alyce followed his gaze.

Then looked back at him.

"You brought me outside just to climb stairs?"

"The view is worth it."

"If it isn't?"

"I'll personally apologize."

"You seem very confident."

"I have excellent taste."

"That's debatable."

Edwin laughed.

The sound was genuine.

Warm.

And strangely pleasant.

Together, they headed toward the rooftop.

Neither noticed fate quietly smiling in the background.

Because while they viewed this encounter as nothing more than an interesting conversation—

Destiny had already made other plans.

Plans involving love.

Danger.

Power.

And a future neither of them could possibly imagine.

Meanwhile, far behind them, Nancy Carter watched with burning eyes.

Her jealousy continued growing.

Her resentment continued deepening.

And with every passing second, her hatred toward Alyce White became stronger.

Trouble had already begun.

The only question was how much chaos it would bring.

And unfortunately for everyone involved—

The answer was a lot.

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