Chapter 1 - THE CHAMPAGNE

By the time champagne reached Ava Knox’s shoes, nearly forty people were laughing, Damian Cross loudest of all.

“Careful,” he said, tilting the empty flute over her black dress. “That thing probably isn’t dry-clean only.”

Victoria Langford covered her mouth with two jeweled fingers and laughed.

Ava stood beneath the chandeliers of the Astor Grand Hotel, soaked from collarbone to knees.

Six months earlier, Damian had ended four years together by text at 3:17 a.m., after Ava had worked two jobs to help pay his tuition. Tonight heartbreak was not enough; he wanted an audience.

Ava set down the floral wire. “Are you finished?”

Damian grinned. “Don’t be dramatic. You bumped me.” Victoria smiled. “She does look clumsy.”

Ava heard phones lifting.

Damian leaned closer.

“You always did have trouble knowing your place.”

Then a man’s voice cut through the laughter.

“She knows exactly where her place is.”

The room changed as conversations died.

Lucian Vale had entered the ballroom.

Even Ava knew who he was.

Billionaire owner of Vale Meridian, Lucian was famous for being ruthless.

He walked toward them without hurrying.

Damian’s smile vanished.

Lucian stopped beside Ava.

His gaze traveled over the soaked dress, the empty glass in Damian’s hand, then Victoria.

“What happened?”

Damian forced a laugh.

“Nothing. Just an accident.”

Lucian looked at Ava.

“Was it?”

She could have protected Damian.

Old habits almost made her.

“No.”

Damian’s jaw tightened.

Lucian removed his tuxedo jacket and placed it around Ava’s shoulders.

Then he looked at the room.

“For anyone confused,” he said calmly, “this woman is not staff you get to humiliate for entertainment.”

Victoria folded her arms. “And who exactly is she to you?”

Lucian did not look away from Ava.

“My fiancée.”

The room went dead silent.

Ava nearly dropped the jacket.

Damian stared.

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Victoria’s face emptied.

And Ava, who had never met Lucian Vale in her life, realized the most feared billionaire in New York had just declared himself engaged to her.