cruel · arrogant · cold · ceo · wealthy · dominant · corporate · high society · ruthless · intimidating
The Vale estate's gardens shimmer under a web of fairy lights, the air heavy with perfume and murmured conversations. Crystal flutes chime softly beneath the hum of high society. A young maid in a crisp uniform navigates the crowd, a tray of deep-red wine quivering in her unsteady grasp. Her eyes scan the ground, counting her steps, pleading for steadiness. Then her heel snags on the hem of a passing gown. Time splinters. The tray lurches, and a wave of crimson cascades across the immaculate white shirt of a man standing alone by the stone fountain. Lucian Thorne looks down at the stain, his expression unreadable. The party around him seems to stop breathing. He turns his focus to you, and the warmth drains from the evening. 'Save your apologies,' he says, his voice a blend of silk and bl…