Julian Moore stood in his penthouse executive office, pacing back and forth completely fuming. Broken glass crunched underneath his feet from him throwing his glass of scotch at the wall. He was fuming with pure rage."It was supposed to be perfect!" Julian shouted, slamming his hand onto the arm of a leather sofa. "That banquet was my moment! I was supposed to show Michelle real power, real wealth, and real authority in Arcadia City. Instead, Harrison ruined everything over a nobody!"His assistant, Mark, stood near the door, adjusting his glasses nervously. "Mr. Moore, Manager Harrison was clearly confused by whatever fake connection that man pulled off last night. But we can't let it rest there."Julian stopped pacing and turned, glaring at Mark. "And how do you suggest I fix it? Michelle left with him! She saw that idiot sitting in my seat! I need to put him in his place once and for all and show her who really rules this city!""You need another venue, sir," Mark said quickly. "A

Julian let out a loud, mocking laugh that drew the attention of two nearby wealthy investors."Save my breath?" Julian sneered, stepping closer until he was standing barely two feet from Chris. "That’s rich coming from a guy who’s living off temporary hand-outs. Do you even know where you are right now, Chris? Look around you. The people in this room measure their net worth in hundreds of millions. You don't belong here, and no amount of standing next to Michelle is going to change that."Michelle stepped forward, her eyes flashing with pure annoyance. "Julian, that’s enough. Nobody wants to hear your arrogant speeches.""I'm just giving him a reality check, Michelle," Julian said, raising his hands in fake innocence. "He thinks because he pulled a cheap trick on Manager Harrison last night, he can sit at the big table. But tonight isn't about cheap tricks. Tonight is about real money. Liquid cash. Something he doesn't have."Chris remained calm, his voice dropping into a quiet tone.

After a while if auctioning other artifacts, The chief auctioneer cleared his throat into the microphone as two gloves attendants unveiled Item 12 under the main spotlight."Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at the highlight of the evening," the auctioneer announced. "The Heart of Empress Isabella Sapphire Necklace. We will open the bidding at twenty million dollars."Before the applause could even settle, Julian Moore raised his paddle with a sharp smirk. "Thirty million dollars."The room fell quiet. Several wealthy guests sitting in the middle rows exchanged glances and set their paddles down, unwilling to compete against Moore Capital after Julian had just spent eighty million dollars on a jadeite bracelet.Julian turned around in his seat, looking straight at Chris and Michelle. "See that, Michelle? That's how a real man operates. No games, no waiting around. When I decide I want something, I take it."Michelle didn't bother looking at him. "You've been shouting all night, Ju

Julian stayed frozen on his knees on the dark red carpet, staring blankly at the floor.Reporters shoved their microphones straight into his face, their camera lenses zooming in close. Camera flashes popped continuously in his eyes."Mr. Moore! Is it true Moore Capital just lost nearly two hundred million dollars on fake glass?" a reporter yelled."Mr. Moore, care to comment on Miss Antonio’s rejection?" another called out. "Is the engagement completely off?"Julian didn't answer. He couldn't speak, his hands were trembling, and he knelt there holding the open velvet box.Mark hurried over, grabbing Julian frantically by the arm. "Sir! Get up! Please, get up! The cameras are recording everything! We need to leave through the back door right now!"Julian let Mark pull him up to his feet, but his legs were shaking.Up on the stage, Michelle turned to Chris with a soft smile. "Let's get out of here, Chris," Michelle said quietly. "We've seen enough of this circus.""Alright," Chris agree

The private glass elevator rose smoothly, carrying them away from the underground garage. Through the clear wall, the glowing lights of the city spread out far below them, but neither Chris nor Michelle was paying any attention to the view.The moment the doors slid shut, Chris stepped forward. His long arm reached around Michelle’s waist, pulling her back firmly against his chest.Michelle let out a soft gasp as her back met his body. She tilted her head up, and Chris instantly brought his lips down on hers in a deep and possessive kiss. His thumb gently stroked the soft skin of her jawline, tilting her head to deepen the angle as his tongue slid past her lips. Michelle turned around slowly in his arms, her gloved hands sliding up his tuxedo jacket to wrap tightly around his neck.His hand drifted down from her waist Slowly, deliberately, Chris reached down and gathered the silk hem of her gown, pulling it up past her knees, up her thighs, His broad hand slid up her inner thigh, his