The late afternoon sun glared over the plaza, casting long shadows as Javier Everhart strolled quietly beside Valeria Solano. They had just finished running a few errands when Valeria suggested stopping at a small boutique that displayed a row of elegant dresses in its window.“Let’s just take a quick look,” Valeria murmured, tugging gently on Javier’s arm with a hopeful smile.He nodded without hesitation. “If that’s what you want.” His tone was calm, patient, as always.The boutique smelled faintly of jasmine when they stepped inside. Customers bustled around, voices overlapping. Javier, dressed in his plain shirt and worn jeans, looked entirely out of place amid the wealthy women flaunting designer handbags. He simply folded his hands behind his back, content to wait as Valeria sifted through the racks.But the peace didn’t last long.A sharp, condescending voice sliced through the air. “Excuse me—sir? Are you lost?”Javier turned his head slightly. A tall, heavily jeweled woman in

“Valeria, darling, you really brought him here?”The shrill voice belonged to Celeste Grant, the daughter of an influential tycoon, her bejeweled fingers wrapped tightly around her glass. Her eyes slid to Javier with thinly veiled disdain, her lips curling into a smirk.Valeria stiffened, her hand resting protectively on Javier’s arm. “Yes, Celeste. He’s my husband.”Celeste let out a mocking laugh, loud enough to draw curious glances from nearby guests. “Husband? I thought you said you married someone of status. Not—” she gestured at Javier with a dramatic sweep “—a man who looks like he’s barely qualified to serve drinks here.”Several guests chuckled, some whispering behind their hands. Javier’s face remained impassive, his eyes calm, but Valeria felt her cheeks burn in humiliation.Celeste leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to make it sharper. “Tell me, how does it feel, Valeria? Going from being courted by men of wealth to tying yourself to someone who probably can’t a

Javier entered with Valeria at his side. He wore the same simple, modest suit he always did. It wasn’t branded, nor was it stitched by an elite tailor. Next to the polished Armani and Brioni around him, his outfit stood out like a glaring flaw.Valeria could sense it immediately—the judgmental stares. She tightened her grip on Javier’s arm, her eyes flickering with unease.“Just ignore them,” Javier murmured softly, his calm eyes scanning the hall.But ignoring them proved impossible.“Good Lord…” a man in a sharp navy-blue suit whispered loudly to his companion, deliberately ensuring Javier heard. “Did someone mistake this for a charity drive? Who let that farmer in?”Laughter erupted from the small circle around him.Javier’s expression remained neutral, his posture steady.Another voice joined in, dripping with mockery. “Perhaps he’s here to pour wine for us later. I heard they’re short on waitstaff.”Valeria’s lips tightened, her eyes flashing with anger. She wanted to lash out, b

The polished mahogany table gleamed under the muted glow of the chandelier, its surface reflecting the neat rows of folders, tablets, and crystal glasses. Javier Everhart sat quietly at the end of the table, posture straight, expression unreadable, his hands folded in front of him. Around him, the boardroom buzzed with voices—some confident, some desperate, all vying for attention.It was a high-profile conference with several potential partners—regional distributors, foreign investors, and corporate leaders gathered to discuss a multi-million-dollar logistics project. For everyone else, it was a battlefield of egos. For Javier, it was another test of patience and observation.The man opposite him, Mr. Callahan—a balding executive with a penchant for arrogance—leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming. “Well, gentlemen, I think we can all agree my company’s proposal makes the most sense. We have the network, the capital, and the resources. Frankly, anyone else stepping in is… let’s s