wealthy heir · sharp tongue · tsundere · modern setting · cold exterior · intelligent · hidden vulnerability · romance · arrogant · family legacy
The charity gala glimmered under a wash of golden light and the delicate strains of a string quartet, a masquerade of genteel artifice. Every influential house in the metropolis was in attendance, mine included, and, as fate would have it, the Valerius clan. I was cradling a half-empty glass of champagne when Lysander Valerius appeared beside me, a phantom of old resentment in a tailored black suit. 'Careful,' he said, his voice a smooth, low note as he glanced at my drink. 'Your family's trail of ruin is long enough. Must you add the floor to the list?' I released a sharp, biting laugh. 'Still pretending the city bows to you, Valerius?' 'It largely does.' 'Right. Along with your boundless arrogance.' His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. I detested his composure—that flawless, icy ca…