One ye Chapter 1 In the bustling city of Hampstone , the upscale Elevate Lounge glittered with its kaleidoscope of lights , an intoxicating blend of neon and elegance .
Doris Reed , however , was nursing her champagne in a quiet corner , her mood as bitter as the betrayal shed endured this moning Her boyfriend or rather , ex boyfriend Ryan Watson had shattered her heart , and now her best friend Lola Bates had dragged her here to celebrate life at a friends exclusive party I bought you here to scope out men , not drown in champagne , Lola exclaimed , snatching the delicate tulip glass from Doriss hand with an air of annoyanc This champagnes good , Dorks murmur
ed , her lips curling into a faint smile as she lazily licked a stray drop of champagne from the corner of her mouth .
Lola narrowed her eyes , sighing dramatically , Doris , do you know the sacrifices I made to get this invitation from Calvin Hunter the heir to the Hunter family ? Tonight , half of Hampstones most eligible heirs are here .
If you dont take this opportunity , I swear Ill scream .
Do not let a spineless weasel like Ryan get in the way and ruin your Lola punctuated her words with a cold laugh .
He had the audacity to get engaged to another woman behind your back ! Fine .
Find someone better to marry someone wholl blow him out of the water .
Show him youre even better off without him .
Hell be so humiliated .
Look over there .
That man in the white suit is Clark Foster , heir to the Foster family .
And the one in the khaki suit ? Thats Abel Lane , heir to the Lane family ….
Lolas enthusiasm could have lit up the room , but Doris remained unimpressed and retorted , If were aiming high , why not go all the way ? What about the heir to the Hartman family ? Hes the most sought after man in the entire city .
Compared to him , Ryan is nothing but trash For a moment , Lola froze mid sip and turned to Doris , her eyes glinting with surprise and admiration .
But Lolas expression soon shifted into one of doubt .
The Hartman heir ? Doris , be serious , Hes not just any man hes untouchable , practically a myth , Lola said , her voice tinged with skepticism .
Maybe pick someone a little more realistic ? The Hartman family was the crown jewel of Hampstones elite a dynasty with a legacy that stretched back over a century .
Their heir was at the very top of the social pyramid .
Ryan was nothing compared to him .
The Hartman heir had been living abroad for years , and there wasnt a single photo of him available online .
Doriss eyes sparkled with a determination that seemed to cut through the dimly lit lounge .
Youre the one who said I should find someone who could outshine Ryan in every possible way .
Ive made up my mind it has to be him Lola stared at her friend in awe and disbelief .
After a long pause , she drained the rest of her champagne in one dramatic gulp .
Fine .
Youre gorgeous , so Ill ask around and see if I can dig up anything on him .
Doris chuckled , brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear .
Let me know if you find anything .
Im heading to the With that excuse , she slipped out of the sprawling lounge , her figure cutting an elegant silhouette as she walked away , her thoughts swirling with equal parts heartbreak and an intoxicating sense of defiance .
Under the deepening night sky , the garden lay bathed in silvery moonlight , its soft glow illuminating the delicate blossoms and casting long , dreamy shadows .
A smattering of stars twinkled like scattered diamonds across the sky , lending an ethereal serenity to the scene .
1/4 88 % Chapter 1 Doris sat on a weathered lends nestled amidst the gardens quiet beauty .
Her head swam faintly , the weight of the days emotions settling heavily on her chest .
She had barely taken a moment to breathe when she felt a sharp tug at the hem of her dress Lanking down , she found the culprit a spirited corgi with a coat of golden brown and white , its ears perked up like little triangles of mischief .
Its adorable face , though undeniably cute , was currently anything but endearing .
You know what this is called ? This is called kicking someone when theyre down , Doris said , momentarily distracted from her gloomy thoughts as she scolded the little troublemaker .
If you let go now , I might just forgive you The corgi , however , had no intention of listening .
It rugged on her dress with a single minded determination , oblivious to her growing annoyance .
Doris frowned , fixing the dog with a stern glare .
What , you think Im an easy target too ? Her frustration rose like a tide , mingling with the sting of betrayal from earlier .
This morning , she had discovered her ex- boyfriends affair : now , even a dog was adding insult to injury .
A lump of unspoken hurt lodged in her throat as the unfairness of it all brought a prickling heat to her eyes Before her very eyes , the lightweight fabric of her dress gave way with a sharp tear .
Her breath hitched as she saw the damage .
I said let go .
Are you deal ? You youre bullying me , she exclaimed , her voice trembling with helpless indignation .
Biscuit , let go .
The sudden sound of a mans voice cut through the air like the crisp flow of a mountain stream , clear and cool yet impossibly magnetic .
Doris froze , her head snapping up to find its owner .
Standing beneath the stone archway of the garden path was a tall , commanding figure .
Doris stared at the ridiculously handsome newcomer in awe .
The mans striking features were nothing short of breathtaking His thick , delicate brows framed his sharp , intelligent eyes that seemed to glint even in the low light .
His nose was sculpted to perfection , his lips sensual and full , and his chiseled jawline was a testament to both strength and elegance .
He was dressed impeccably in a crisp white shirt , its immaculate fabric pressed with precision , every button done up to the collar .
The moonlight spilled over him like liquid silver , accentuating the sharp planes of his face and the taut line of his Adams apple .
His whole demeanor exuded a cool aloofness , an untouchable grace that was both intimidating and irresistibly alluring For a moment , Doris forgot to breathe .
How can someone look this good ? she wondered , her mind fumbling to process the sheer perfection of the man before her .
Biscuit , come here , the man , Lewis Hartman , commanded again with a frown , his voice firm yet devoid of harshness .
The corgi , as if cowed by the sheer force of his presence , released Doriss dress immediately and slunk to its masters side .
It lowered its head and tucked its tail , looking every bit like a child caught red handed .
Biscuit ? Doris arched a brow , her gaze flitting between the corgi and the impossibly handsome guy .
This troublemaker is yours ? Lewis inclined his head in a small nod , his gaze meeting her misty eyes with a calm intensity that made her heartbeat quicken .
Apologies .
I should have kept a closer eye on him .
Ill compensate you for the damage .
Doris glanced down at her torn hem and then back up at him , a faint , almost teasing smile curving her lips .
Youre really offering to compensate me ? Yes , he replied , his tone steady and unwavering- Gathering the tattered edges of her dress in her hands , Doris took a step closer to Lewis .
He remained perfectly still , not 2/4 1102 Wed , 26 leb Chapter 1 moving a bich , as though rooted in place by an undakable confidence .
Up close , Lewis was even more striking His posture was effortlessly upright , his bearing regal yet natural .
There was an undeniable air of authority about him , a quiet power that seemed to radiate from his very presence Doric stared into his eyes , their starry depths shimmering under the moonlight .
Tm not bad looking , am I ? Lewis remained silent , his expression unreadable .
What does this have to do with me ? he thought .
Doris tilted her delicate face upward , her beauty captivating yet understated , like a dewy rose just kissed by dawn .
Her long white gown was both elegant and youthful , with its puffed sleeves and graceful U shaped neckline .
The open back revealed her smooth , flawless skin and the curve of her shoulder blades , an alluring balance of innocence and temptation , my the waist up to the skirts flowing hem , the fabric was adorned with scattered five petaled flowers , tiny crystal beads , and iridescent sespins that shimmered like stardust in the moonlight .
She looked like a vision from a fairytale ethereal and heartbreakingly beautiful .
Youre decent , he finally offered , though the understated compliment couldnt mask the flicker of admiration in his gaze .
I wanna settle down now .
Will you marry me ? Doris said boldly , the words tumbling out without hesitation .
Doriss thoughts were a swirl of bitterness and courage fueled by the nights turmoil .
Shed spent three years with Ryan , the man shed thought was her future , only to realize shed been nothing more than a passing amusement in his privileged life as hed never proposed to her .
She was twenty five years and three months old , and her parents had made no secret of their expectations , pressuring her to secure à marriage with Ryan , a wealthy heir theyd deemed the ideal son in law .
Their fixation on appearances had turned her relationship into a transactional obligation .
But when Doris witnessed Ryan hosting a private engagement party at the hotel where she worked , the truth shattered her .
His family had deliberately invited her , their cruel intent clear to show her she wasnt worthy .
Doris finally understood that his parents had always looked down on her .
Ryans parents had made it clear that the only bride to be they acknowledged was the heiress of an influential family whom they were friends with , and that Doris was nothing more than a diversion to their son , an unremarkable footnote in Ryans life .
And then , with a final sting , theyd told her that Ryans fiancée was already pregnant and Doris was just a fool to even entertain the thought of a future with him .
When Doriss parents found out about the breakup , they didnt console her .
Instead , they scolded her for failing to secure such an eligible bachelor , accusing her of wasting three years without using the opportunity to get pregnant and clinch the deal .
To her parents , losing Ryan meant shed lost her one chance at an ideal future .
They truly believed that she had missed her shot with Ryan , and that there would never be another man of his caliber who would consider marrying her .
The weight of their words still hung heavy on her heart , a mix of grief and defiance swelling in her chest .
Fueled by liquid courage , Doris stepped closer to Lewis and spoke again , Didnt you just say youd compensate me ? Are you going back on your word ? Lewiss ample lips curved into the faintest smirk , his expression both amused and intrigued .
And youre certain this is the compensation you want ? Absolutely certain .
Her eyes , glassy with intoxication , still held a fierce resolve .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Tomorrow morning .
Nine a.m.
at the city hall in Cornton Heights .
Whoever doesnt show up is a coward 3/4 1302 Wed , 26 Chapter | Wach chat , Devris horned and walked off .
Her retreat hastened by Lolas injpent phone call .
The garden fell quirt again , save for the soft rustling of leaves .
Lewis stood under the moonlight , his tall frame radiating an wnruffled calm as he watched her disappear into the night A soh chime from his phone broke the silence .
Glancing down , he found a message waiting for him .
The attached photo showed Doris her delicate features Muminated by the soft glow of the garden lights Then came a voice meuge .
Tewis , meet this girl tomorrone 田