The following evening, by five o'clock, security guards in dark suits stood at every entrance of the central dining hall, politely redirecting hungry students toward the secondary cafeteria across campus.Word had spread across the student body within minutes: Luis Campbell had bought out the entire central dining hall for a private dinner.Inside the massive hall usually filled with wooden benches and hundreds of undergraduates, the long tables had been completely cleared away. In their place stood a single, round table dressed in crisp white linen, positioned directly under the central chandelier. Fresh white lilies overflowed from crystal vases, fine silver cutlery glinted under the warm light, and three waitstaff in formal vests waited near a private catering station set up near the kitchens.When Cynthia arrived at seven, pushing open the cafeteria door, she stopped dead in her tracks."Luis..." Cynthia said, her voice echoing in the mostly the empty hall. "What is this?"Luis st

The doors of the Athelguard Faculty Club closed behind Cynthia, cutting off the quiet rustle of the campus outside. Inside the private conference suite, Samantha Rose sat at the head of a table, reviewing a thick stack of legal contracts with Victor Campbell’s senior legal counsel displayed on a high-definition video screen from London."Cynthia, sit down," Samantha said, waving her daughter toward an empty chair with an urgent flick of her pen. "Victor's team just finalized the structural package. Campbell Global isn't just offering empty promises. They are offering you a guaranteed lifetime legal retainer with their international corporate council the moment you pass the bar, alongside exclusive global representation rights for their European luxury sponsorship portfolio."Cynthia remained standing, her hands resting on the back of the chair. "Mother, my legal career and my brand partnerships are my own to build. I don't need a corporate safety net handed to me on a silver platter

The time spent under the warm, high-altitude sun of Aspen and on the gleaming waters of Monaco felt like a blurred, distant whirlwind behind Cynthia now. Over the course of three days, her life had been a non-stop campaign. She hasn't even had the time to enjoy Aspen and Monaco.Every morning, Luis was waiting, attentive, gracious, and effortlessly being a gentleman."Did you sleep well, CeCe?" Luis asked her on the flight to New York, handing her a warm cup of coffee. "I made sure the team cleared your morning so you could rest before the auction.""Thanks, Luis," Cynthia muttered, taking the cup. "I appreciate it.""It’s no problem at all," he smiled softly, leaning back in his seat. "You know I’ll always take care of the details for you. Just focus on looking incredible tonight."In the quiet hours before sleep, however, Cynthia’s phone lit up with Ethan’s messages.> Ethan: Saw the campaign updates. You look stunning. Hope you're getting some rest between all those flights.> Cyn

The muffled noise of the crowd outside the restroom door sounded like an angry swarm of bees. Cynthia sat on the tiled floor, her phone pressed tightly to her ear, listening to Ethan’s steady breathing on the line."Where are you?" Ethan asked, his voice calm."I’m in the East Village, in a small library on 10th Street," Cynthia whispered, rubbing her temple. "Luis tracked me down and brought an entire wave of fans and paparazzi with him. He did it on purpose, Ethan. He staged a scene in the middle of the reading room. I’m locked inside the hallway restroom, and the whole place is mobbed.""Stay right there," Ethan said instantly. "Don't open the door for anyone. Give me ten minutes.""Ethan, there are dozens of people out there…""I know. Don't worry about them. Just stay inside."True to his word, exactly nine minutes later, Cynthia heard heavy, orderly footsteps echoing down the hallway outside, followed by the firm, authoritative voice of a private security detail clearing the cor

The grand ballroom was packed with high-society guests, flashing press cameras, and waitstaff serving silver trays of vintage champagne.Cynthia walked through the main doors in her dark silk HVMX gown, with Ethan standing right beside her in his charcoal suit. Luis Campbell stood near the foot of the stairs, holding a glass of scotch. He handed his glass off to a waiter and stepped directly into their path."CeCe, you look incredible," Luis said, his eyes scanning her dress before turning to Ethan with clear condescension. "And Ethan... I have to admit, I’m surprised to see you all the way out here on Long Island. Did CeCe’s driver manage to find your neighborhood without getting lost on the way?"Ethan kept his hands casually in his pockets. "Navigating isn't hard when you know where you're going, Luis. Beautiful estate. Though your gate security seemed a bit jumpy.""Well, we have to protect our guests," Luis laughed, taking a champagne flute from a silver tray and offering it towa