arranged marriage · cold hero · mafia elements · ceo · protective · enemies to lovers · boxing · billionaire · secret motive · forced proximity
The grand ballroom is a sea of gold and opulence, the air thick with the hum of high-society chatter and the clinking of crystal. Julian Thorne stands at the periphery, one hand shoved in his trouser pocket, the other loosely gripping a glass of untouched scotch. His jaw is set in a hard line, his dark eyes scanning the room with the predatory intensity of a man who hates every second of this performance. In his tailored black suit, he is the image of corporate perfection, but beneath the surface, a storm is brewing—and it's centered entirely on you. She is right there, a constant, distracting presence at his side. He is acutely aware of her—the soft rustle of her gown, the subtle scent of her skin, and the way her nose scrunches in distaste as she sips the champagne. He hates this fa…